Balikbayan

 

Ahh, the long-awaited Philippines post!  I originally had paragraphs & paragraphs about our trip but I think it's probably best to let the pictures do most of the talking :)

Every time I return to the Philippines, I get crazy ideas about skipping out on the return flight, building a nipa hut and living on the beach, living on kinilaw and the occasional coconut.  Unrealistic, yes...but I don't need much.  Just sunshine, water, some Filipino food and a chaotic entourage of relatives, I guess!

Arriving in Cagayan

The food was easily one of the best parts of our vacation.  Eating tree-ripened bananas, coconuts just pulled from the tree, or snapper that was swimming in the ocean 10 minutes ago really inspired me to be more conscious about eating more local/organic produce now that I'm home.  And I will grow a calamansi tree somehow!!  It is probably my favorite condiment other than banana ketchup.

(from vanityclinic.com)

Kinilaw malasugue...sort of ceviche-esque, but with swordfish and tabon-tabon!

Our daily breakfast: garlic rice, fried egg, longanisa, beef tapa...YUM!

LECHON :)

Fresh jackfruit

It's always so exciting to see all my aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins!  I really hope to be able to visit more often from now on.  And I definitely need to improve my Visaya...

My cousin Kat-kat

With Cecil & Fet-fet waiting for the ferry to Camiguin

Just a fraction of our enormous family :)  We're standing in front of the house my mom grew up in...

We spent some time in Bohol too...if only we could have stayed longer.  My parents stayed behind and visited Cebu for a few days.  Lucky...well, next time nalang!

Touring our backyard with my cousin Dodong

Something Old, Something...Older

I went to Feathers last weekend with my ladies, and did some major damage in the name of closet replenishment!  Unfortunately, most of my vintage goodies are unworn as of yet...it's been a pretty uninspiring week.  We've been resetting our showroom at work, so most days I am basically dressed as a day laborer...

from ohs.org

...but still less stylish than these strangely chic laborers, circa 1943.

Well, since today is FRIDAY and we have a snow delay at work, I'm allowing myself to dress up a little.  I'm still wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but I can only handle looking shabby for so many days in a row!

Cape, Feathers Vintage; Scarf, Moxie Vintage; Tee, an Anthro keeper; James Jeans; Jeffrey Campbell boots

After my cape post, I was in major cape-hunting mode for my last two vintage excursions.  This was an AMAZING Feathers find--only $48!  It's like I imagined what my perfect cape would look like, and it magically poofed into existence!  I found another great one at Moxie that I'll share soon too.

These boots are one (two?) of the things I'll never get rid of.  I've actually had these for...6 years?!  I bought them when I worked in the Nordstrom shoe department.  A dangerous place...so many shoe temptations!  I used to wear them cuffed with skirts, and my husband called them my "pirate boots".  After a while I kind of forgot about them, until the over-the knee trend came back a few years ago and I realized I already had the perfect pair!  When it's actually cold here (like today), these get a lot of action :)

Other news re: Closet Detox--I went through and pulled everything I want to get rid of, and moved it to the closet in my sewing room.  If I feel like wearing any of those pieces in the next week or so, I'll keep those and the items that don't return to the closet will be up for grabs!!  Stay tuned :)

And yes...my Philippines post is still coming along, but should be published next week.  Lots of photos, and lots to say.