Clutch and cats: they have all arrived!

Last Friday, I have paid for a vintage Christian Dior clutch bag via deposit to the bank account of the Ebay seller. I was hoping to get the item as early as possible, so I was relieved when she said that she’d be shipping it the following day. Normally, when a seller sends an item on a Saturday, I receive it the following Monday — I should know that because I’m also a seller and I know very well the shipping period of both JRS and Air21.

Vintage Christian Dior monogram clutch

When Sunday came and I asked the seller for the tracking number, she said that she was not able to ship the item the day before as she ‘accidentally’ left it at home. I was slightly furious. The clutch was not meant for me, rather for Mon’s sister who will be using it for her prom. Besides, I can’t imagine myself using it at all. I was, then, still able to hold on to my promise not to buy a bag this year. ^_^

Anyway, I originally thought that Lot’s prom will take place last Tuesday but it was on Valentine’s Day, so the seller still has more time to send it. It was eventually sent on Monday so I thought it would arrive yesterday (a Tuesday). But it did not arrive until a few hours back and we can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Details of the vintage Christian Dior monogram clutch - enamel 'CD' logo and ECLAIR zippers with goldtone 'CD' zipper pulls

When I first saw it for sale on Ebay, I was really enticed by it. Unlike Louis Vuitton and Gucci monograms, the Christian Dior one is less ubiquitous and not a lot of people associate such pattern to Dior items. Dior also did similar collections a decade ago, such as the Girly collection (often in pink, accompanied by white patent leather flower appliqués
) or the Rastafari line (with leather details in the Rastafarian colors of green, yellow and red). If I’m not mistaken, the one we got from Ebay was made way earlier, probably from the 90s. I have been eyeing this item for months already but I had no justification to get it. It was indeed a pretty, typical vintage Dior but the design is a bit too feminine for my taste. And then Mon mentioned that Lot will be attending her prom, her last prom before graduating high school, so I thought it will be a nice present to her, considering she passed the UPCAT. It was the perfect reason I was hoping for.
Carrie Bradshaw late for the Stock Exchange, carrying a vintage Christian Dior monogram clutch in Season 6 Episode 1 (To Market, To Market)

Carrie Bradshaw hailing a cab in New York city on her way to the Stock Exchange, carrying a vintage Christian Dior monogram clutch in Season 6 Episode 1 (To Market, To Market)
Most notably, the clutch instantly reminded me of that SATC episode (i.e. ‘To Market, To Market”) where Carrie was running late to go to the New York Stock Exchange and ring the bell as their newspaper had gone public. Rushing from the door, to the cab, and entering the building, I instantly recognized that she was carrying a vintage Dior bag. However, the one that she had was a convertible bag — it folds in half as a clutch, then unfold to show a handle for an open tote bag. It was very nifty and versatile.
Bommie viewed from the window screen

On a different note, Mon’s adoptive kitty we named Bommie (guess the provenance of such name? LOL) gave birth to three beautiful kittens this afternoon! Since last night when Mon got home from work, he noticed that Bommie had been very agitated and constantly moving from one place to another. Then this morning, she was really having a hard time, constantly lying down and raising her leg. Mon even momentarily got a glimpse of her tummy ‘rippling’. They realized she was on labor and most probably be giving birth a few hours later.

Bommie's kitties

We had bought our dinner at around 7:00 PM and Mon got a message after from his mom, telling him that Bommie already gave birth. All three of them were fortunately
alive and in good condition, as most cats giving birth for the first time usually have some difficulty in delivery. One of the kittens totally took after Bommie’s fur, while the other two ‘sampled’ a particular shade. They were so tiny and fragile, but still amazing looking. Just imagine, a few hours ago, they were rippling inside their mother’s tummy and now they are finally out! I told Mon that I can finally recite my favorite ‘Three Little Kittens’ lines and can actually put on miniature mittens on these three. That will be extremely cute to look at! Well done, Bommie! 😀

And I’m a godfather again

I can’t recall when was the last time I was made a godfather to a friend/relative’s kid but as far as I know, I already have five existing godchildren. O_O So when I was told yesterday that I will be one, I have to drag myself early to go to the church for the baptismal rites.

Isn't he precious? My sixth godchild, Aleph

We came in late, considering that the venue was only about five minutes away from us. When Mon and I arrived, they have already started and I was still the first godparent to arrive! The others simultaneously arrived after us, though.

All the godparents lighting the candles

I looked slightly lost

At the reception, our high school classmates arrived one by one and we spent the whole afternoon talking about out former classmates and whatever happened to whoever we were talking about. =D The ones who already have their own kids tagged them along, and my nephew, niece and sister also arrived much later. It is admittedly seldom that I get to spend my time with my high school classmates, and I’m so glad that we get to see each other in important occasions. I just hope it gets more frequent.

An unexpected meeting

The last time we went to eat dinner in Mashitta was way back in June, and we still can’t enough of their wonderfully cooked food. That little space was definitely packed with food that will make you go hungry and wolf everything down — which was what we exactly did. =D

L-O-V-E Mashitta UP Diliman

Bibimbap, Kimchijeon and Ramyun from Mashitta (Shopping Center, UP Diliman)

Mandatory picture with the food - Mashitta, Shopping Center, UP DilimanIt was a slow day for business and we were the only people upstairs. I have a habit of always looking by the staircase whenever I hear the clacking of footsteps, when somebody extremely familiar went up. I gave a resounding “WELL, WELL, WELL!” but she didn’t look at my direction. I had to finally call her by her name before she gave an audible sigh of relief. She almost thought that somebody was going to punch her. LOL

An unexpected meeting with one of my closest high school friends, ChelliIt was really a happy moment to see one of my closest friends from high school. Chelli was the primary reason I went off dancing until college because she first pushed me to join her group. She went to Mashitta with her mother and we were making such a racket with our stories that it was a good thing there were not a lot of people eating as well. When she found out that we’ll be going back to Korea this December, she started her interesting story on this particular backpackers’ place (e.g. Backpackers Korea) which she highly recommended because of two extremely good-looking oppa owners. LOL She can’t divulge more on her stories because she was with her mother. I definitely missed the crazy times we used to have back in high school.

Diliman Republic items from UP Shopping Center - UP DILIMAN

Mon and I had to eventually go, though, because we had to buy Diliman Republic items few stalls away for Faye’s brother. I was calling her several times but she wasn’t answering her phone. All the store had was just black hoodie jackets and the picture in her email had a maroon one. I was not sure whether I should take it because it was of the wrong color. Not until Mon had looked at Faye’s email — and he laughed. The color of the jacket in the email was black and not maroon. My colorblind-self just attacked.

Winter display window in the mall

We went to the mall to look for a gift for the baptismal of Jannet’s son tomorrow, Aleph. Few minutes after looking and she informed me that I will be a godfather! And there I was, thinking I will be just attending the reception. After buying a gift, we also saw this display window from Mango. I was always baffled by such ensemble because I don’t think that any fur or fur-adjacent garment do not fit our weather here, unless you live in Baguio or other place cold. But try dressing like that even in Sagada and you will look ridiculous. Anyway, I can’t believe over the price of these items.

However, it gave me an idea on what else to wear for December. Even if I did not win that leopard print jacket from Ebay two weeks ago, I will still keep my word that I will try to bring clothes that are brightly-colored or with an interesting print. What is brighter than a yellow puffer jacket?

Bright yellow puffer jacket from Timberland

If this WON’T keep me warm in winter, then I don’t know what else can. But as it is not easy to just ditch neutrals, I’ll be bringing this fail-safe one:

Black military-insipred belted trench coat with epaulette

I can’t stop talking about our trip, can I? LOL Then I realized, tomorrow afternoon will be the definite date that the results of our comprehensive exams will be released. But as I won’t be physically present to claim the results, Raisa and I just agreed to go this Tuesday morning together and share the agony of anticipation. In bocca al lupo!

What to give as a wedding present?

Tomorrow, Mon and I will be attending the wedding of one of my high school friends. I can’t remember when was the last meeting I have attended, but I surely won’t forget that I failed to bring a present on that one. So we then decided to just visit SM Makati and look at what they have in the department store. After all they are SM — they got it all for us! I first saw a very nice looking wall clock, with cutlery details. But it turned out, Mon was already eyeing the coffee makers at the other end. We ended up buying one because it serves more purpose than a wall clock.

A shelf of coffee makers from SM Makati

A shelf of coffee makers from SM Makati

 

What I love about SM is that they have FREE gift wrapping!

Gift wrapped from SM

Gift wrapped from SM

 

Honestly, I still don’t know what to wear tomorrow. I don’t want to dress up in white because I foresee a possible duplication/approximation of what the waiting staff will be wearing. =D I’ll juts pore over my things and see what I can come up with. We’ll be meeting up with my high school classmates and go to the church together! This will be very exciting to see us all made up!

Upcoming projects: leathercraft

Saddle stitch on leather

The impeccable and virtually indestructible saddle stitch on leather

(Photo from britishblades.com)

I’m so glad that tomorrow will be the third and final part of my comprehensive examinations! I have lots of things to do in mind and the prospect of finally carrying them out makes me a bit giddy due to excitement. One project I hope to do was dabbling on leathercraft!

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We indeed get what we give

I finally cried last Friday night because of this song. The earlier Tuesday, I was really running low and exhausted because of the stress I’ve been feeling and I almost cried. But last Friday, however, was for real. I did not exactly know why, but a large part can be attributed to frustration. I’ve been wanting to cry for weeks but I was bottling it up. It was a relief, though. I am now feeling much better.

So why this song? I loved this so much because it reminded me of the good ol’ days when I was still in high school. I was almost fourteen years old when this song came out in November 1998 and it was like an anthem for me. These lines had a nostalgic effect to me:

           But when the night is falling
           You cannot find the light, light
           If you feel your dreams are dying
           Hold tight

And then of course the wonderful chorus. Just like any teenager, I went through a rough phase of being rebellious and spiteful towards the world. I think that until today, I had carried on some of those anger. That defense mechanism you have against most of the people around you that you don’t trust, and true friends are/were the true people you can let your guard down with.

While typing this, I think I have an idea from where that frustration is coming from. I feel like I’m swimming in mediocrity. Not that I think that I’m mediocre because I can frankly say that I’m very grateful to be always in the company/group of the best people. Since I was young, from grade school until high school, I was always in the first section but not clearly the best in the class — even always teetering on getting the lowest grade in Math.

I’ve been in the best university in the Philippines but I was not the best French-speaker in the class. I was part of the best cheerleading/cheerdance group in the country (admit it, UP Pep is the best) but I was never the best dancer in the group and used to think that I did not deserve to be around that wonderful squad. I always have a nagging feeling that I must have cheated my way in each of these group and I did not deserve to be in their company one way or another. However, the persistent part of me always think that I deserved it.

It sucks to be mediocre. And now that I’m not admittedly giving my best, I already know what I might be getting. But that moment of random weakness I exhibited last Friday was a good outlet. I can now go back at being mad and abrasive. Just kidding. Seriously, I can’t always compare myself to my peers because I know that I also got the music in me. This must be just exam nerves.