Sverige

Sweden was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back.  I loved their everyday style--lots of parkas tossed over dresses or shorts and tights, walkable wood heels, great leather bags...hats and elbow patches everywhere too!  Very utilitarian, very quality-over-quantity.

Sweden 1 by lwcstyling featuring Swedish Style

It wouldn't be practical to sport a parka in this Austin weather, but I definitely have it on my list for fall.  I'm pretty sure there's an elbow patch DIY in my future too.  I'm a little obsessed :)  

Have a great weekend! XO

Back from Sweden!

It's been quite some time since I've done a real post :\  Now I'm home, but Sweden was so awesome that I'm wondering how hard it would be to move there... ;)

Here are a few photos from our trip.  Didn't do much sightseeing really, just a lot of bike-riding and wandering around.  I was really inspired by Swedish style too, but more on that tomorrow!!  XO

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