Posts Tagged ‘rajo laurel’
Monday, July 5th, 2010
I pride myself in having the best team in the world! I love my House of Laurel team because they are not just employees. To me they are my family! We see each other day in and day out often longer than we see our own immediate family so in many ways the bonding we have at work translates in my mind as what families are all about.
I was super excited to find out that we would be all here for the Preview Best dressed ball! Last year we could not make it because we all were in Tokyo. However this year we would be present and in full force! I decided to use my infamous insect collection as a starting point for our homage to the late Alexander McQueen. His bold use of cut and graphic detail was perfect for this. I then asked everyone to choose a dress from the collection and we all made them. The make up would be done by my sister Gela and I wanted to have this graphic quality to it. So we used heavy black paint to color block our faces. LOL!
This was the make up peg that I quickly sketched out for the team.
Gela's angels started on our store manager Renee!
Tags: Alexander McQueen, fashion, house of laurel, parties, preview ball, preview best dressed ball, rajo laurel, republiq
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
Monday, July 5th, 2010
The last part of the segment was from Russia! This time Bench tapped the designer Michael Cinco to design the clothes and costumes for this part of the show. Michael Cinco is very famous for his use of beautiful crystals and I for one was so excited to see his show for the first time! The segment opened with some high priests and then some real Russian (ballerina) dancers who were a bit weak for me, but none the less they looked great!
The Russian segment opened with some high priests.
then some Ballerinas came in.
Tags: ben chan, bench body, bench fashion show, bench uncut, bench underwear, dong ronquillo, enchong dee, georgina wilson, Gerald Anderson, jake cuenca, jc de vera, john hall, jon avila, michael cinco, Nix Alanon, rafael rosell, rafe totengco, rajo laurel, Robby Carmona, shaina magdayao, tessa prieto-valdes
Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
Monday, July 5th, 2010
The next part of the show was from the country of Brazil and the continent of Africa. The Brazil segment began with an amazing number from the dancers from Los Angeles. Then a parade of the most beautiful Brazilian models began to fill up the stage. By this time my head and my hands did not know weather to tweet or to take photos. In the end I decided to take photos instead and to blog about it. LOL!
Nina, Liana and Jeremy begin the Brazil segment with some hot salsa!
(more…)
Tags: Aljur Abrenica, bench body, bench fashion show, bench uncut, carlo guevarra, enchong dee, Ezra Santos, fashion, Fashion Show, katrina halili, maggie wilson, melason, Pokwang, rafael rosell, rajo laurel, Val Taguba, wendell ramos
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
I am still reeling from all the exitement, energy and JOY from the BENCH UNCUT show last night! I have seen all the major shows of BENCH and I can definitely say that this was the ABSOLUTE BEST SHOW that BENCH has ever ever ever had! The show’s theme was “A bold look at the future”, in a sense it was what Bench would be like in 10 years. Globalization was where Mr. Ben Chan , who is actually one of my personal idols in the industry, would be taking his company!
These were the hardest tickets to get. The Stage this year was made so big that there were far less seats than the years before. These were literally like golden tickets! I was really so blessed and fortunate to get one.
(more…)
Tags: andrew wolf, ben chan, bench, bench body, bench fashion show, bench uncut, bench underwear, Cary Santiago, christian bautista, coco martin, fashion, furne one, Gerald Anderson, gino gonzalez, Ji Huan Bo, john avila, john pratts, karylle, kim ghiu, luke jickain, rajo laurel, Robby Carmona, vina morales, zanjoe marudao
Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments »
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
I just want to share with you something my client gave me. It is one of those things that seems so odd but after giving it a try it actually tastes yummy! I love macadamia nuts but they are really so full of fat that you have to eat them sparingly. I also love lobsters! Lobsters conjure luxury, celebration and fine dining. Imagine when you mix the two and this is what you get? I just wanted to share this with all of you as I have never eaten anything like this before! Tee hee!
I have never tried this before? It was really fun and interesting to try.
This is how it looks inside! The powder flavoring makes the nuts really taste likes lobster.
HUGS!
RAJO!
Tags: food, lobster macadamias, rajo laurel
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
I have been meaning to blog about this exciting promo of Max! I have been seeing the bill board all over!
I am sure that it is a big hit! I just wanted to share with you that the model is actually wearing the Max Fried Chicken uniform that I designed for them! I think it is really such a cool design and I would wear that proudly to work everyday! LOL! I am sure that the eat all you can is also doing well! LOL! Thing is how much chicken can one person eat?
The uniform is made from a special gingham cotton material that is sturdy but at the same time very comfortable!
HUGS!
RAJO!
Tags: Max Fried Chicken, rajo laurel
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
I have been hearing only good things about this Chinese restaurant in the heart of Manila called TAO YUAN. It has been open now for more than a year and I really wanted to try it. For Makati folk like myself it is often difficult to get out of our “comfort zones”, so I considered this Manila visit as a food adventure.
- Tao Yuan is located just across the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Live fish in clear tanks is always a great sign.
I love these Mantis creatures and will have to order them next time.
The place is always packed and it is advisable to make a reservation when heading over. I was delighted to find out that my friend Marybeth Wong is one of the owners and it was really such a surprise to find her there when we came over for dinner. I was really so excited to try everything, my only drawback was that were were just 3 in our group. Not a very good number when youre in a Chinese restaurant as this limits your orders because seriously one can only eat so much.
Malu Gamboa with Marybeth Wong.
Our gang. The calm before the storm of food! LOL!
We all started to navigate the menu and with the help of Marybeth & Evelyn ( the assistant manager) we were able to figure out what to order.
When you get to Tao Yuan please look for Evelyn the assistant manager. She was extremely helpful in navigating the menu for us and was even kind enough to share us some yummy dishes not on the Menu.
We started out with the Hainan Chicken which is one of their top sellers, they fly in their chicken from China as there is a specific breed that they use, one that is really fatty.
The Hainanese Chicken! This was really a winner! I would come back here over and over again just for this.
Then we ordered some spicy okra which was really delicious.
Spicy Okra! YUM!
I was surprised to find many Singporean and Malay dishes on the Menu and was informed that they now have 2 Singaporean chefs in their team! Laksa makes me weak in the knees so we had to have one of those, as well as some Chili crab.
I now do not have to fly out to SIngapore just to have my Chili Crab fix! All it takes is a car ride to Manila! It was so authentic and delicious! Just remembering it now makes me salivate.
Just when I thought we were done, Marybeth insisted that we try the cereal prawns and the mango fried grouper! OMG! Before we all knew it we had a virtual feast good for 6 people in front of us! LOL!
- Mango Grouper! So fresh and satisfying!
OMG! The Cereal Prawns were TO DIE FOR!!!!!
Dessert came in the form of these mini tarts! I enjoyed the egg tart very much.
.
Everything that they say about TAO YUAN is true! Everything really tasted so good! I love the fact that you get an honest China town experience in this restaurant; there are no pretenses it is really all about the good food! This place is really a GEM of a find and if you do find yourself in Manila this place is a MUST!!!!
.
HUGS!
RAJO!
.
TAO YUAN sea food restaurant
508-512 Gen. Malvar St. Cor. A. Mabini St.
Malate Manila
Tel. 02-522-7009 & 02-522 7010
Tags: chinese food, rajo laurel, tao yuan
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
I am a certified SPA JUNKIE! If there is one thing that I really enjoy that is a good massage! I treat myself to a massage almost twice a week! It just makes me feel better and keeps me sane. When I was in India last year I had the chance to try the most wonderful massage. It was from an Ayurvedic spa. I learned from my readings that the relaxation is only a by product of this as the healing benefits the body in the most amazing ways. Imagine my joy when I learned that we can now have the authentic Ayurveda procedure here in the Philippines. This gem of a place is called AROGYA.
Look for this discreet sign when your looking for the center.
It is a wellness center that offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments that improve the general health and well being of a person. When I walked in for my appointment I fell in love with the serenity of the place. Instantly I felt a relaxing sensation.
NIx eying out the ineriors of the place.
I met Patrick who is French and has embraced the Ayurvedic way of life for decades. He sat with Me, Nix and my friend Malu Gamboa and gave us a several minutes to fill up forms with lots of questions. From our answers he was able to prescribe what specific treatments each one of us will be getting.
A series of questions that you need to answer to determine what kind of treatment would be best for your body.
Nix with Patrick who was kind enough to answer all of our questions.
I was so excited to start my treatment specially that Shinooj from Kerala, India would be in charge of my massage. The whole process was bordering of spiritual! After getting over my slight shyness of wearing a loin cloth the 2 hour procedure began. They use very special oils flown in from India that has healing powers.
The treatment room.
I really can’t fully explain what they all did because they literally massaged every inch of my body putting me literally in a state of Nirvana! After the procedure I felt like I was floating. It was one of the most energizing and soothing massages that I have ever experienced.
My Therapist Shinooj. This is me totally refreshed after my MASSAGE! It was DIVINE!!!!!
If youre looking for a brand new massage experience then I strongly suggest you try AROGYA out! It is really one of those other worldly type of experience that you just cant wait to try again! I for one already made my second appointment! LOL!
.
HUGS!
RAJO!
.
AROGYA Ayurvedic Center
8398 Mayapis St. San Antonio Village Makati City
02-403-4048
cel. +63906-249-2463
Tags: arogya, ayurvedic center, massage, rajo laurel
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Contrary to western beliefs, the Bridal season in the Philippines is not in June but begins in September, peaks in December through January and ends in Feb. However there are still a lot of brides who opt to get married in the “wedding” month of June. This month I am fortunate to be working on a couple of brides. Two of which decided to get married on the same day, barely 2 hours apart.
I Love Peonies! They are my most favorite flower!
You can just imagine how much of a whirling dervish I was on that day. My first bride walked the Aisle at 2pm while my second bride walked at around 330pm. Good thing that there was zero traffic because I was zipping back and forth from Makati to Quezon city the whole day! LOL! Here are some photos from my beautiful brides.
Check out My Maid of Honor Candy Sing Esteban and Tiny Kimmy Lauren Esteban as flower girl! I really liked the clarity of this Aqua shade it is crisp and very flattering!
This is my first Bride Cherie Sing. She wanted a very textured dress. I wanted something really light but still retaining the high texture.
- I love dressing up my brides on their special day, it makes my work so enjoyable as I am part of their memories forever.
The beautiful Haw women. That is the Mother of the Bride, she has such beautiful skin.
I love how the hem of the skirt moves, it makes this whole look so modern.
I love how the hem of the skirt moves, it makes this whole look so modern.
Cherie striking a pose! LOL!
A tender moment as the Mother gives her daughter her flowers.
I just made in time to assist me second bride Mindy See. She wanted something super simple and minimal. I told her I wanted to make her back really interesting and sparkly! LOL!
The back had lots of clear crystals and glass beads!
My dear Friend Jessie Mendez who is practically an icon in the beauty world did her hair and make up! I remember asking him if he would take my sister Gela as his apprentice way back when. He was so kind enough to take her under his wing. For this I am eternally grateful.
I then rushed back to the first wedding just in time to see the entourage march down. I love the Grecian theme with all the ladies sporting various necklines and subtle differences in the turquoise/aqua color theme.
Minutes before walking down the aisle, this is the most exciting moment.
.
HUGS!
RAJO!
Tags: Brides, fashion, rajo laurel
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
I was so tickled pink when Ms. Shalani Soledad asked me to design her gown for the swearing in of her boyfriend. Unless your living under a rock you would know that Shalani is the girlfriend of our incoming President of the Republic of the Philippines! I have never really met her before and I only get to see her on TV or in the newspapers. I was so mesmerized by her beauty! She is STUNNING!
She was just a breath of fresh air! Such a really lovely woman. So nice but a bit on the shy side. I did a couple of studies for her until she decided on one. I am showing the sketches of the Ternos that she did not choose and will leave the final as a surprise! LOL!
Tags: fashion, noy noy aquino, rajo laurel, shalani soledad
Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »
stylebibleph
previewmag
themallph
iluvbeautyph
Follow us
Facebook Twitter Tumbler RSS