Rajo's Blog | StyleBible.ph

Rags2Riches Holiday Gift Guide 2010

rajo — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:24:32 +0000

I just wanted to start the “BER” months right by having everyone think about what they can give everyone for Christmas! LOL! May I suggest RAGS2RICHES! It is one of the most wonderful projects that I have ever been involved in and it has continuously been growing because of everyone’s overwhelming support! May I invite all of you to take a look at our holiday gift guide and perhaps begin putting your orders! Log on to www.rags2riches.ph for more information!

These bags sell at P750 each.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

RAJO!

My Lobby for the NET Group!

rajo — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:21:08 +0000

2 years ago, I was asked by my friend, Jaques Dupasquier, if I was willing to do the interior design for one of the lobbies of his buildings in The Fort! I was like…WOW….for real? I am the type of person who never backs out of a design challenge, so I drew up a few sketches and left it at that! LOL! Now it’s a reality and I am not so sure if I should do a sudden career change! LOL! I mean, I know I can do better! LOL! They just sent me a photo with me in front of my project and I think it’s funny how I look like I am not breathing! LOL! I look kind of slimmer though, and that is good! I think I will leave the interior designing next time to Nix! He is so much better at it than I am! I just wanted to share this with all of you.

HUGS!
RAJO!

Model Style!

rajo — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:18:16 +0000

One of my favorite models, Valerie, stopped by my studio for a fitting a few days ago and I loved how she looked! She was just too chic! She had this hippie, disheveled vibe around her and I had to take a photo for all of you to share! I have always admired the way she puts things together as it is so unique and so much fun! I just found her so inspiring!

HUGS!

RAJO!

METIS!

rajo — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:14:27 +0000

“Metis” means mestiso or mixed in French! One of the most sought after restaurants in Bali! Securing a table means making a booking at least a week in advance. We only decided that afternoon that we wanted to go to this beautiful restaurant. Good thing I have friends in high places. LOL! We were able to get a seating at 9pm.

Imagine the setting – an elegant U shaped space in the middle of the rice paddies. Every single element in the restaurant is a study in hushed elegance. As you enter, a gallery is presented to you with the most interesting oddities. Each piece has the potential to becoming an elegant souvenir of Bali. There are two other small boutiques lining the restaurant: one selling jewelry and the other selling doodads and whatnots. I love this concept of shopping/dining as both are my most favorite activity. LOL!

A gorgeous gallery greets you as you enter METIS.

This is the bar area where we waited for our table.

The view of the restaurant from the Bar.

I love the Hacienda feel of the place!

Out table was not ready as of 9pm so we were led to the bar. The bar was on top of the rice paddies and I found this quite amusing as I never thought of rice paddies as elegant but somehow in this setting, elegance is really the apt description. While at the bar, we discovered the most delicious chocolate martini on the planet, Nix and Charina downed two of these before dinner. LOL! I took that as a sign that this will be one unforgettable evening.

Wish this was out table but alas we had to wait another 45 minutes.

The restaurant was so packed!

NIx and Charina lounging in the bar.

Walked around the restaurant and found the stairs to the second level. I like it!

The view from the top.

Our table took quite some time to be available and after waiting for 45 minutes we finally got our table. On normal occasions, this would have driven me batty but since we were all having such a great time, we all got past the wait very quickly.

Me and my friend Frank! Funny that most of us wore the same color that night!

Olivier showing me some wine suggestions! I love his choices!

Love birds! Uri & Charina!

The menu was beautiful – a true mix of dishes that really defined what Metis was all about. Simple food executed in the most tantalizing ways. I will let my photos tell the story for all of you! If you only eat out in Bali once, you have to make this METIS! You will not regret it!

Olivier and Uri started with the Tar-Tar plater, 3 versions of a Tar-Tar, Tuna, White bait and salmon.

Jed ordered the deadly Foie Gras special! OMG! Just looking at it already gives me a heart attack! LOL!

Then came some escargot, which was packed into some mushrooms!

Tried to be healthy by ordering a goat cheese salad with roasted tomatoes! It was beautiful!

Nix had some perfectly cooked pork belly! The flavor reminded me of Lechon kawali.

Shared the grilled seafood platter with Olivier which was perfect!!!!

Nix and Olivier.

Then came the beautiful soufle'! It was just presented in a really beautiful way!

We also ordered the rasberry soufle' which was heavenly!

Frank had to have some lemon tart! I did not try it but it looked like a smore.

The cocktail of the night! The best chocolate martini I have ever tasted!

The facade of Metis! Thank you for a beautiful evening!

HUGS!

RAJO!

The ROCK bar at the Ayana!

rajo — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:43:46 +0000

My friends Frank and Jed had another surprise up their sleeves! They just had a naughty smile when I asked where we were going next! The drive took longer than usual and the driver had the oddest soundtrack in the car, think hard core rap Eminem mixed in with the cheesiest Air supply! LOL! I thought my head was going to split open!

Good thing we arrived at the destination without me tearing my head off. The place is called the Ayana resort, it used to be the Ritz-Carlton Bali. My first impression is that this is Classic Bali! The stonework, the details the were inspired by classical motifs of Indonesia. But this was not the surprise. We were led across the resort and enjoyed the serenity and beauty of grounds. We ventured further until we reached the edge overlooking a cliff!

This is the view from the entrance!

I love Frangipani/Calachuchi trees! I want a couple of this in my beach house.

I find this set up so relaxing! Looking at it and it automatically puts me into a nap mode!

Classic Indonesian sculptures like this dot the property.

Dragons spitting water into the pool!

Then we looked down and on top of a giant rock was the surprise! The ROCK bar! Imagine an entire bar on top of a rock overlooking the most beautiful clear blue sea! I was like WOW!!!!! We took an small open air elevator and descended on to the bar which was really an ingenious idea.

This is the ROCK bar! It literally sits on a rock overlooking the sea!

The view from the open air elevator.

Love these Patricia Urquiola-esque lounge chairs, in B&B Italia. These were called the CANASTA line.

Views from where we were lounging.

Breathtaking views!

NIx all ready to chill!

The view from the other side.

Having a decadent Frozen Peach Margarita. YUM!

Nix & Olivier.

My friends decided to come early because the place gets really packed! We reserved the best lounge seats for us and ordered cocktails and just basked in the beauty of a Bali Sunset. I for one loved the experience, they had great music playing, with a DJ and his booth literally perched on another rock above you. If you want something really chill and relaxed then make reservations for the Rock bar at the Ayana resort www.ayanaresort.com It’s really one of the most relaxing afternoons I had in Bali. Get the 5pm seating so you can fully enjoy the sunset.

The Sunset! In fairness our Philippine Sunsets are more beautiful because we have more colors!

Cheers! Olivier, Frank and Jed!

Zoolander is that you? LOL!

A dramatic sky line!

The DJ booth literally on a rock!

The scenery changes at dusk.

I like the pool shape.

I really like this outside seating idea.

HUGS!

RAJO!

Grocer & Grind

rajo — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:32:51 +0000

I love a great Sunday brunch! I feel a dearth of brunch places in Manila so when I get the chance to travel, I seek these brunch restaurants like a fiend! I spotted a cool looking place near our villa called the GROCER& GRIND. www.grocerandgrind.com. I saw how full it was and thought that that was a good sign. Bali in August has the best weather, the air is cool and the sun is always out, a perfect day for a Sunday stroll.

: I love how there is a small temple every 3 meters. The Balinese are very spiritual and have very unique form of faith, that I find so mysterious and mystical.

A passageway to the temple.

I found these wooden horses so cute, reminding me of a raw Marcel Wanders piece. I like the composition of the lady inviting us to visit her Antique shop.

It took me less than ten minutes to get to the restaurant and we were able to get a table immediately, I really loved the buzz about this place. Everyone was so happy and the chic factor was very high! We skimmed the menu and decided to go for some eggs benedict and some sausage panini! The food came out real fast and it was fabulous! The coffee was also wonderful, they have the best coffee in Indonesia and I just savored it the last drop. The restaurant also has a deli/grocery that features so many yummy treats, perfect for those who like to stock up on food in their villas. I strongly recommend this place, as the food is wonderful and the price points are just right! Did I forget to mention that the “eye-candy” is also a major plus? LOL!

This is Grocer and Grind! Don't you just love that hot pink lining the lamp shade?

A tiny grocery stocking everything from organic vegetables to cooky greeting cards.

I found this lovely piece and gave it to Nix for our Anniversary.

Eggs benedict florentine. YUMMERS!

This is our beautiful brunch!

HUGS!

RAJO!

My Bali finds!

rajo — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:06:48 +0000

Shopping is my cardiovascular workout when I am traveling! LOL! Seriously though, I love to shop! Half the time, I just actually look and putter and see how each store merchandises their items. I seldom buy anything because half the time I always say I can make that or I can find it in Manila. LOL! However I can spend hours and hours just looking.

Shopping in Bali has vastly improved since the first time I visited. I love how strong the “boutique” culture is and there are actually very few malls! Most of the boutiques are small and very personal that I just find everything so charming. Nix and I are tireless shoppers and we just keep on going and going! This entry is all about what we found beautiful! Let me share this with all of you!

I thought that this divider was kind of chic and cool!

This beaten up table has loads of potential, I love the patina of age. Somehow you can't fake that kind of finish.

I was inspired by the Alila batik blocks that I considered getting some? However I decided not to go there. LOL!

OMG! I loved these! I just had to have it! Wild boar skeletons! How chic is this?!

There is something dark and strangely beautiful about it!

Nix and I fell in love with these too, but we did not buy them because we were not sure if we could take them back home to Manila. Although we really wanted them.

These spine skeletons were also so chic! I love how they make any alcove so inspired. I think these are whale bone? Not so sure?

Cute arrangements of spoons!

I loved this store, I love how they merchandised their items.

Beautiful beaded baskets! The colors make it modern and very attractive.

I had to take this photo of Nix in this peculiarly named store! LOL!

HUGS!

RAJO!

RAJO+MOROSO winners!

rajo — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:21:22 +0000

A week ago, I invited all my readers to a small contest - to come up with an artwork or an image that would best describe my collaboration with the famous Italian furniture brand! After viewing all the entries I chose two winners! In addition to being invited to the event, I am also giving the winners a limited edition tote bag which I love and I use practically everyday! My office will be getting in touch with the winners and I do hope that I get to meet you personally and thank you for the time and effort in joining my tiny contest! LOL!

The winners are… drum roll please……. Erick Dizon!!!! I love the energy of the illustration and I like the way the graphic patterns create interest. My collection actually looks very close to this and I really liked that Erick was able to capture this.

The second winner is….. Plett Bolipata!!!! I love his entry as it was the most unique and cerebral! Most of all, I love the patterns that the “mosaic” created, looking at this entry I am already inspired at how I can translate Plett’s vision into the collection!

To all who joined I appreciate the effort and to the winners! See you tomorrow! I will give the prize to you personally! Thank you again for joining!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Made’s Warung!

rajo — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:17:28 +0000

One of the “must do” when your in Bali is to head over to Warung Made for some Balinese Chow! Each time I am here I have to make it a point to come over and have some Gado-Gado which is like a vegetable stew in a peanut sauce and some yummy chicken Sate’ ! This restaurant first opened in 1969 and from its humble beginnings has grown into a major tourist destination. It has now two locations one in Kuta and another in Seminyak. It now also has villas to rent out, you can check their website at www.madeswarung.com for more information.

I love the cheeky environment and the festive attitude. I also love the idea that the restaurant is surrounded by several shops and boutiques, so while waiting for your food, you can do a bit of shopping! Now tell me who does not love that? The price of the food here is also very reasonable making the place busy and always packed! I strongly suggest making a reservation to guarantee a table. I prefer coming to Made’s Warung at night because they have evening entertainment. The last time I came here, they had Indonesian singers. This visit, they had Tango dancing! LOL! What ever it is you fancy just head over to this place for a bit of Balinese flavor and color to your trip!

Made's warung is always busy! That evening it was filled to the brim!

Cheeky decor!

I spot a pattern story brewing here. Charina, Nix and Uri.

Lots of famous people have dined here. I like the authenticity of the place.

Another shot of the interiors.

The evening's entertainment varies from each night. This time it was Tango dancing!

Our yummy spread!

HUGS!

RAJO!

XANADU!!!

rajo — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:05:21 +0000

For those of you who were “young” enough to remember XANADU can all sing the song with me…..”A million lights are dancing and there you are a shooting star. Xanadu…Xanadu…ooooh oooh…. LOL! I have a DVD copy of the original movie as it is CAMP at its highest form! Not to mention the height of Olivia Newton John’s popularity. I failed to see this show of Broadway so you can imagine my delight when I heard that my friend Bobby Garcia of Atlantis is bringing the show to Manila! The show will be opening in a few days and I for one am super excited to see this show! The poster alone with all the rainbows is giving me the feeling that I am going to love this show! LOL! Be smart and get your tickets early! See you at the show!

HUGS!
RAJO!