isla boheme

What's new on the Island Menu?

2011-10-27T09:54:00.008+08:00

Spring Vegetable Soup!

I am in love with this blog. Two friends share with us their love of photos and good food. What makes this site special is that the recipes are solely based on the produce that's available in Tasmania's local farmers market or from their own fishing adventure. Authentic and real with stunning views of this Australian state; Island Menu offers a wonderful perspective of life on an island and how a meal should be :)

Island Menu is love.

Samuel Shelley and Catherine Miller, thank you for your lovely posts!

The Urban Ashram

2011-08-05T10:49:00.005+08:00

There's a new kid in town. The Urban Ashram is the first and only yoga studio in the Philippines that is a member of the Green Yoga Association, an international community of yoga studios and teachers who are committed to earth-friendly and responsible practices.

We consciously adhered to ahimsa, the Yogic concept of non-harm, during the course of building the Urban Ashram as part of our commitment to the environment and community welfare. We endeavored to minimize our carbon footprint by making responsible and sustainable choices during the construction of the Urban Ashram and remain committed to adopting other earth-friendly practices and solutions for our studio operations.

In order to provide a more organic and delightful experience, the Urban Ashram capitalizes on the use of natural lighting and ventilation as a means to conserve energy and resources.

We're super excited to see this place! Opening on August 20, the Urban Ashram is having an open house where we get to try their classes for free! Open house is until the 3rd of September. It's located in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

To get there

Off To See the World

2011-08-03T16:04:00.006+08:00

CUUUUUUUTE! I can't get enough of Danger Beach's music video to the single, "Apache" taken from the album Milky Way released by Dream Damage Records. Guitar playing Indian journeys through land and water to the streets of the city with his fellow bandmates: guitar stringing creatures (gah, that white yeti is so adorable!!)
Categorized as surf-pop music, LA Thomas, the man behind Danger Beach, creates the perfect sound for a rainy day such as this, inspiring me to pick up my pencil and start sketching again. Thank you Danger Beach and of course that cute little Indian!

To know more and to download the music click me :)

Here are some stills taken from the video:

So lovable!

Frank 151 Chapter 45

2011-07-19T01:55:00.005+08:00

The issue is out! Actually it's been out since last month, we just haven't updated our dear blog yet. The issue looks awesome, if only we can find a way to stretch our hands out to New York and grab ourselves a copy. :D

Click here to read the issue dedicated to the Philippines: Jeepneys, Manny Pacquiao, the first professional Filipino skater and a handful of us Boracay residents. Enjoy!

Some photos from the article Pure and Simple

And there's the video :)

video platform video management video solutions video player

Good Vibes: Oracao by A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade

2011-05-26T11:08:00.006+08:00

I can't help but dance and sway to the tune of this song. Definitely good vibes so just wanted to share this to everyone and join in the fun of such a happy bunch.

Good morning!!! ♥

---

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade or The Most Beautful Band in the City is from Brazil. You can check out the lyrics of the song here. :)

An Isla Boheme Adventure

2011-04-26T09:23:00.015+08:00

How do you begin to describe an amazing adventure?

Do we start by saying that it almost didn't happen...

& at the very last minute things worked out!

So we went on a classic Isla Boheme road trip
(our sweet ride around Legazpi City)

Indulged ourselves in a flavorful food trip

(super yummy Bicolano delicacies: homemade cheese & mango ice cream + tuna bicol express & laing!)

Plenty of laugh trip :)

Some truly magical moments...

(swimming with the gentle giants - the awesome whale sharks + playing with the fireflies)

& Love...

Lots & lots of love :)

There are so many wonderful things that can be said about this experience
& so we summed it up in a few precious words...

Till our next adventure!

Love Peace & Good Vibes,
Isla Boheme

*Doodles & illustrations by :Denise

Funtivity: Frank 151 Shoot

2011-04-21T21:43:00.010+08:00

To politely interrupt the supposed back to back posts of our Legaspi-Donsol trip, I just wanted to post about something we've been so excited to share with you: The Frank 151 shoot.

nicole getting her portrait taken

Frank 151 is a free pocket-sized quarterly publication based in New York. Every chapter of the Frank Book is helmed by a special Guest Curator and focuses on a unique editorial theme. For example, their issue about Jamaica was curated by the Marley brothers while their issue about the Love Revolution was headed by Lenny Kravitz. In short, it's a pretty kickass publication. So imagine our excitement when our good friend Dane told us that Frank 151 was doing an issue of the Philippines and was featuring our beloved island!

Some of us at Isla Boheme along with other lovely island girls were lucky to be part of the shoot, to represent the island and show the world what it's like to live in paradise. Although we were nervous at first about "posing and stuff" the team was great. They made sure that we were ourselves and that the shoot was as natural as it should be. In the end, it was a fun couple of days which also reminded us how we are surrounded by so much beauty and equally beautiful people.

Below are some shots from behind the scenes. The issue about the Philippines comes out in June. If you are in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney, Johannesburg, London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen, then you might spot a copy. :)

The team that brought Frank to the island: Erica, Sarah and Dane

main cast: nisha, dane and nicole

plus mariel

and me!

bacs gets her portrait too

while the professional shows us how it's done

nicole and I get to show a classic island activity

and bring the crew to an awesome hidden location

I get to show the hair accessory I made :)

woah, what's going on here?!! you'll just have to grab a copy and find out. ;P

photos 1-5, 7-10 taken by dane.

dance, dance in the whaleshark's trance

2011-04-18T11:40:00.011+08:00

For the first time ever, Isla Boheme left our beloved island for an adventure in another. The destination: Donsol, Sorsogon. The adventure: swimming with the world's biggest fish - the awesome whaleshark.

The morning after we arrived in Donsol, we hopped on a little boat much like this one and held our breaths for the giants waiting for us under the sea.

We were instructed to be ready with our flippers, snorkels and masks, and sit on the side of the boat while waiting for the whaleshark or "butanding" spotter to give us our cue. We were so tense and antsy, we sang to pass the time and settle our nerves.

The next thing we heard was "JUMP!" and we did.

There are no words to describe what it feels

to be in the presence of this gentle giant.
To watch as he moved so gracefully, to be in his stream,
and join in his underwater dance.

Awestruck, we followed him where he went. We wanted to be as close as possible.

As a result, the guide had to pull me away for getting too close.
It's too funny, I had to post it.

This is Jof once again reprimanding me for being too close to "Speedy" the name we gave this particular Butanding.

The experience was so magical, so exhilarating, that after our first close encounter, I surfaced to let out one loud and heartfelt shout of gratitude. Universe, that was amazing.

'Til our next adventure.

P.S. Bicol is a beautiful place. Watch out for more posts of this trip, especially the fireflies river tour. ;)

Most photos were taken by Dennis, a WWF (world wildlife fund) volunteer, we were very blessed to have him accompany us on our second day. Salamat!

First love somehow never dies ♥

2011-03-04T16:24:00.008+08:00

Everyone remembers their first love, well, even if we don't remember the person we will always remember the place, the feeling, the moment in which it took place. But to fall in love doesn't always have to be for someone --- you could fall in love with anything. My first love was football. The heart and gut-wrenching feeling of stepping out into the field was intoxicating. I lived and breathed football for 9 years and if it ain't love then I don't know what is (so Jess I totally get you!!!) Jess the main character in this surfing movie called First Love says "first love can make you and break you." And it really does. That's the beauty of love. Love is so big and whole you've got to embrace every part of it: the mushy and killer parts of it.

As for us Isla Boheme girls, though right now we may go out there discovering other water sports: kiteboarding, wakeboarding, rowing, we all share another 'first love' as well: surfing. Jess goes on and says, "You're always affected by your first love. If you fall in love with the ocean -- the sound, the smell, the stormy peaks and your pumping heart as you fall head over heels on your first attempt to catch a wave... you're gone." So, yes, we're gone. See you in the line up girls! :)

Beautiful stills from the movie ♥

Check out the movie website here ♥ and for the OST click this♥

What is your first love?

Good Vibes: Vivez la langue

2011-02-17T22:30:00.003+08:00

J'aime la video!!! deliciously french everything even falling in love ---- oooh la la I could play this all day. And it brought me back to the days when I was living the language myself. A few years ago, Pauline our french friend on the island taught us a thing or two about the french language. Once a week we were swooned as our tongues rolled with the accent. Once a week the unconventional class of island girls (later on with one boy --- Pauline's boyfriend) were filled with good food and laughter. Everyday we tried to squeeze french sentences in between conversations. And there was one question I will never forget from that class and it goes something like this 'voulez-vous allez a la plage avec moi?'
Well, shall we?

Good Vibes: Eardrums Pop

2011-02-12T16:39:00.006+08:00

EARDRUMS POP! A new discovery which i'd like to share to all the music-lovers out there. Props to Joan Pablo for introducing me to this site. I simply ♥ it!

Eardrums Pop is a net-label which started out in 2008 as part of the Eardrums music blog. It is composed of 4 people (Knut, Stefan, Leena & Tim) drawn together for the love of beautiful things you can see and hear, belief of helping each other and getting good music and good art out into the public - for free.

The EardrumsPop musicians, illustrators, painters and poets create a digital album together through collaborations with fellow musicians, illustrators, painters and poets. And the result? A free download! Which are of course only available digitally since no CDs will be printed for these and no money is involved for any parts of the project. Simply go to the 'Release' tab to download the singles or compilations of each artist.

We can all help by spreading the word about these wonderful artists, visiting the websites of the bands you like, buy their records or go to their concerts, promote the label through your blogs or in forums, or even donating to a charity of your choice to pay for their compilations.

Let's all do something good today and spread the good vibes. Happy listening everyone! :)

beyond that sunset

2011-02-07T13:15:00.020+08:00

Just Beyond the Sunset by David Harris

Just beyond the sunset
Someone waits for me
Just beyond the sunset
Lies my destiny

Where the purple mountains
Lie in deep tranquillity
There I’ll find the treasure
Of love eternally

Just beyond the sunset
Waits someone so fair
Just beyond the sunset
All alone they wait there

Their hair is golden
The colour of the sand
Their eyes sparkle in the night
Like diamonds in your hand

Just beyond the sunset
Lies a home for me
Where the world is peaceful
Like a paradise should be

Just beyond the sunset
Someday is where you’ll find me

*Sunset watching from Zambales beach :)

The Colors of Fun

2011-02-01T15:53:00.007+08:00

Ahh... The annual Boracay International Funboard Cup.

Where the kites are as colorful

the

people.

And the vibe

as good as the jumps.

Congratulations to all the participants and winners!

things people do

2011-01-30T11:55:00.003+08:00

while waiting for the sunset :)

when the wind blows

2011-01-27T13:17:00.005+08:00

Throw your dreams into space like a kite,
and you do not know what it will bring back
~ a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country. (Anais Nin) ♥

halloween

2010-11-02T22:17:00.002+08:00

is the funnest holiday ever.

plants (denise & myself) versus zombies (nick & kim).

Blog Crush: They Draw & Cook

2010-09-13T10:21:00.005+08:00

I love food. So much that I should really start renaming my posts here as Food Blog Crush :)
But anyway, what's not to love about this genius idea of painting & drawing recipes?

genius! i know right?! :) thank you nate & salli for this amazing project.
now excuse me as i try some of these fun & delectable recipes.

Inspiring Weekend: Dark Side of the Lens

2010-09-10T14:18:00.004+08:00

"I see life in angles, lines and perspective. A slight turn of the head, the blink of an eye, subtle glimpses of magic, other folk might pass by...
I never set out to become anything in particular, only to live creatively and push the scope of my experience thru adventure, thru passion and still that all means something to me same as most with anyone with dreams..."

As though reading from a page of his journal, athlete and artist Mickey Smith soulfully takes us on an astonishing glimpse into his heart as a professional underwater photographer in his film Dark Side of the Lens.

"It also gave me the chance to ask myself a few questions, like, if you're always observing and documenting what you see and experience, are you ever truly present? Questions like that where I could step back think and see what the answers were," shares Smith (taken from Next Noize interview)

Watch and be inspired.

Daydreaming: Alice in Wonderland meets Lolita

2010-08-31T15:30:00.009+08:00

Ladies, be awed and inspired by this subtle yet visually gorgeous video Through the Looking Glass: Lalouka's Miniature Project featuring handmade vintage inspired clothing by Lara Kaluza of Lalouka Designs. Everything about it from the music, lighting and its brilliant (brille) set, all captured the mood and feel of the clothes.I am already pondering another project on the way aside from the ones we've talked about. Exciting!

And its part of a fashion film festival, check it out here!

The Squiggly Lines of Andrea Dorfman

2010-08-26T10:27:00.003+08:00

...are charming, engaging and endearing. This lovely filmmaker from Canada has a handful of videos on her youtube channel, I suggest you check them out and pick the video that will make your day. :-) Below are 2 of my favorites. Enjoy! ♥

Funtivity: Soulful Sunday's Poetry Night

2010-08-25T18:48:00.012+08:00

EATING POETRY
by Mark Strand

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.

There is no happiness like mine.

I have been eating poetry...

The poems are gone.

The light is dim.

The dogs are on the basement stairs and coming up...

I am a new man.
I snarl at her and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark.

August 15, 2010
Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast
7 pm
*welcome to our new intellectual playground*

Good Vibes: Angus and Julia Stone - A Book Like This

2010-08-22T14:49:00.008+08:00

♥ Front Cover Artwork ♥

♥ Back Cover Artwork ♥

And look, you can even have this coveted lil' book if you get the album's special edition.
Now ain't that sweet? :)

The brother-sister duo from Newport, Australia (drum rolls please)...
Angus (i ♥ you) & Julia Stone.

Check out some of their songs from various albums and EPs. Enjoy! :)

***Caroline Pedler, a children's book illustrator came up with the cover artwork. She also made the illustrations for the animation of the band's video for their song 'The Beast'.

***Cover artworks and little book photos via this interesting site, Sleevage. :)

Blog Crush - Geninne's Art Blog

2010-08-21T12:30:00.001+08:00

Thanks to my older sister, I am currently crazy about stamping. And Geninne Zlatkis an illustrator/designer who lives in Queretaro, a colonial city close to Mexico, has inspiring stamp pieces in her blog Geninne Art Blog that's got me on a stamp high. There's so much more here to fill anyone's artistic appetite for journals, sketches, collages, watercolor, birds, design inspirations and simply beautiful things. It's a lovely inspiring place to get lost in.

Blog Crush - Cannelle et Vanille

2010-08-14T15:39:00.006+08:00

food & photography are high up in my list of loves. so imagine the sheer delight in discovering Cannelle et Vanille the food & photography blog of Aran, a Basque expat living in the US who captures the most wonderful shots and graciously shares her recipes. her gorgeous blog makes me want to dive into her photos if only to be near all that yummy goodness.

Funtivity: Soulful Sunday

2010-08-11T15:33:00.007+08:00

"Tonight, I can write the saddest lines...
Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes esta noche..."
- Pablo Neruda

Some time ago, we were discussing about having a poetry night on the island. A few weeks later we're already posting invites, making a list of readers and we've got people talking. It's pretty exciting. We certainly don't know how it will turn out. But what I know for sure: come Sunday night, I will certainly write the happiest lines...you dig?

Thanks Cee for the poster!

we heart sundays!

2010-08-02T22:12:00.010+08:00

what a beautiful sunday spent with island family. made 6 delicious pizzas, stuffed ourselves silly, enjoyed home-baked apple pie, went crazy over a game of cranium, drank mango & watermelon mojitos at 1 in the afternoon.... good stories & plenty of laughter shared. and of course love, lots & lots of love ♥

p.s. aren't these the cutest tape strips? big thanks katrina!

Recipe for the Best Mexican Lunch

2010-07-29T20:18:00.015+08:00

Start with a handful of friends and place in a beautiful, sunny kitchen.

Add a touch of cutesy cooking tools.
Throw in large amounts of homemade goodness
and a dash of "from-scratch" cooking skills.
Mix in a fair amount of colorful food and equally colorful personalities.

Roll into a long, lingering meal.
Spice it up with a nice cup of fresh Tarragon tea.
And finally, top it off with a spontaneous, non-mexican, banana and ginger
with vanilla ice-cream dessert.
I swear, there was a fiesta in my mouth.
That was grrreat. :D

Recipe narrative idea borrowed from Lei, as well as the camera. ;P

Jonsi - Boy Lilikoi

2010-07-17T17:58:00.005+08:00

Jonsi Birgisson is the lead singer of one of my favorite bands, Sigur Ros who is famous for his use of a cello bow on guitar and falsetto voice.

Boy Lilikoi is included in Jonsi's first solo album, "Go" which was released last April 5, 2010. The album contains 9 songs written by Jonsi during his years in Sigur Ros. He co-produced the album together with partner, Alex Somers and Peter Katis (The National, Interpol).

Hearing Jonsi sing in English is quite unusual but definitely a joy. He's just plain genius and this song is just plain perfection. Makes us embrace again that childlike wonder and endless fun. Such a cheerful song. Such a fun and playful album.

By the way, a lilikoi is a Hawaiian term for passion fruit which looks like the sun and grows where surfing is all very good - South America, Australia, Hawaii. Jonsi also stated in an audio interview from a radio station that the title means "like nature boy." Awwee, so there you go! :)

**Click here for the song's epic acoustic version.
**Check WNYC Soundcheck's Jonsi Bigisson Live for more acoustics

Save Our Oceans

2010-05-29T16:54:00.001+08:00

Use Less Plastic from TakePart on Vimeo.

Every piece of plastic ever made still exists today, and much of this plastic has traveled from our hands to our oceans. The most important thing you can do is use less plastic. Join the Blue movement and sign the plastic pledge at SaveMyOceans.com.

Make Love ~ not plastic!

Director: Mariana Blanco
Animator: Sol Linero
Production Co: Hoodablah - hoodablah.com

Song: “Pot Kettle Black”
Written by Kianna Alarid, Neely Jenkins, Derek Pressnall, Jamie Lynn Pressnall & Nicholas White
Performed By Tilly and the Wall
Courtesy Of Team Love Records By Arrangement With Bank Robber Music

Life Is But A Dream

2010-05-13T23:16:00.007+08:00

The past few days, two of us have been training with the Bugsay Boracay dragon boat team. Not that we're joining a competition anytime soon, we just thought it would be fun and great exercise.

As with all intense sports, dragon boat rowing is tiring and painful yet rewarding. The best part for me is just gliding quietly on the beautiful, clear, blue water, early in the morning. There is something peaceful and dreamy about riding a boat. Even if it's a racing boat. :)

To distract myself from the burning pain in my arms and back as we row, i got into the habit of singing the nursery rhyme Row Your Boat in my head. Then, I just felt like turning the words into dragon boat-inspired illustrations. So here they are. :)

Good Vibes: Beirut - Elephant Gun

2010-04-20T19:08:00.009+08:00

I came across this band 3 years ago, lost their album but found it just recently. Props for that eh? The bandleader, Zach Cordon is from New Mexico who hasn't been to Beirut (Lebanon's capital) or to the Balkans, where bohemian, gypsy folk sound is widely eminent. Yet his rich, mature, and tremulous voice with that backdrop of waltzing accordions and brass, rustic percussion, quirky-plucked strings and energetic piano, stirs you into a dramatic dance far away from Northern America and into the heart of Southeastern Europe or... France for that matter.

I could just imagine myself delightfully waking up off the French coast in a yacht I never knew I owned! LOL. And oh, don't you just love the fact that the video is detailedly odd yet entirely charming?

This man surely knows how to tug at your heartstrings. And he's only 21!

Visit www.beirutband.com to learn more about them and get free downloads.

Funtivity: Eleven Ways to Jump

2010-03-23T16:22:00.005+08:00

Sunsets never get old. Not for us beach babies anyway.

I don't really know what came over us when we decided jumping. I guess we were inspired by "the cow jumping over the moon" or something weird and silly like that. Whatever it was, we were laughing our hearts out in no time, jumping as high as we can against the amazing backdrop of a red orange sunset on the northern part of our island.

#1 How to jump over the sun

#4 "How to get on the horse" jump

#6 "How to pass a coconut ball" jump

#9 The Peter Pan jump

#11 How to jump & fly like Tinkerbell

The Isla Boheme Guide to Boracay

2010-03-09T01:45:00.009+08:00

It's summer! And once again we're expecting loads of visitors in the island. Come, come and share the sunshine and sea breeze. And to make your stay a more pleasant one, here's a little list of friendly tips. :-)

We've heard too much stories of demanding señoritos and señoritas. Be kind to your resort staff and they just might go the extra mile for you. Plus give you tips on cool events and places ;-)

The island is known for its pristine white sand, so let's keep it that way. Do Boracay a favor and keep your bottles, cigarette butts and food wrappers in your bags until you see a trash can. Lots of them are lined up by the beach walk.

This one is for those who pay too much on tricycle fare. Don't be fooled by drivers who expect clueless tourists. Then again, we still recommend walking the beach - great exercise and environmentally-friendly. :-)

It's always safer to keep your hands away from the driver, so you do not pull him away from the handle in case anything happens. Plus, it makes the driver feel weird.

A trip to Boracay doesn't always have to be all night drinking and partying. Try something that makes the good feeling last longer. Sunset paddle boarding and yoga are one of the locals' favorites.

That's basically it. Hope you share these tips with friends or family coming over. So that both the residents and tourists have a super summer! See you soon!

Funtivity: Adventures in Bubbaland

2010-02-27T16:06:00.010+08:00

Nice thing about traveling, you never know who or what you're gonna meet.
So we were walking along the rice fields of Antique when...

we find Bubba!

We stop and chat over drinks.

and talk about the beautiful scenery.

Then he let's us hop on for a ride, around the fields

up to the street!

Yeah! Nice meeting you Bubba! That was some trip. :-D

Funtivity: Namaste

2010-02-24T07:42:00.008+08:00

One day we decided to have another sleepover to do early morning yoga the next day.

There's nothing like waking up at sunrise, getting on the mat and greeting the day doing something we love.

We saw Bolabog Beach come to life as people started going out for their morning walk; fishermen preparing for their day's work; kiteboarders bringing their kites out and everyone else just going about their own business.

We're definitely doing it again! Namaste!

photos by Denise Tolentino - save for her shot - last one- which was taken by Aiza Bacor ;)

Good Vibes: MC Yogi - Give Love (Giving4Living Remix)

2010-02-22T21:48:00.013+08:00

MC Yogi - Give Love (Giving4Living Mix) from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

MC Yogi came up with this song and video for YogaFriends.com which was initiated by the same people who put up Yoga Aid events together gathering yogis and teachers to practice yoga and raise awareness for some charities. This song is about being generous with our selves, the people around us and the entire planet through love. What a catchy reminder of the universal principle of attraction indeed -- what we give is what we get.

So go on, give love today. Creating goodness in the world knows no limit after all.

---

MC Yogi (aka Nicholas Giacomini) was introduced to yoga through his father when he was eighteen and together joined a meditation intensive with a spiritual teacher in India. This led to a great interest in Eastern mysticism since then, his study and practice of the physical forms of yoga, meditation, philosophy and devotional chanting or bhakti yoga. His knowledge and passion for both yoga and hip-hop music definitely channels a message of peace and spiritual transformation to a whole new generation of yes, modern mystics and urban yogis.

(Visit www.mcyogi.com to find out more about MC Yogi and his free downloads of spiritually charged raps.)

Funtivity: Postcards from a Roadtrip

2010-02-15T15:11:00.023+08:00

We started February with a trip to Antique Province. It's just a 2 hour drive from the Caticlan port, but it was a roadtrip nonetheless. We stared out the window as we cruised by the scenic beach side road with vast rice fields on the other side.

It was refreshing to take a break from our home island and usual routines. We headed to my Lola's (grandmother's) home in the town of Cubay where we lounged in her garden and stuffed ourselves silly with home-cooked meals.

We're excited to post other photos and rice-field adventures. In the meantime, here are a few stills.

This is for Jof, 1/4th of islaboheme. Wish you were here. :-)

Baby Love

2010-02-07T20:34:00.010+08:00

Our dearest Shiva,

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when you were christened.

Your mother, a dear friend of ours, decided to name you Shiva - inspired by our yoga practice at Mandala Spa. It's a Sanskrit name for a Hindu god.

However Shiva also means the divine.

Welcome to the island Shiva! :) may you always remember your divinity... and may your life be one beautiful adventure.

With Love,

Your Godmothers :)

Looking Up

2010-01-07T14:43:00.014+08:00

Leonids Meteor Shower
17 November 2009

A couple of months ago, a meteor shower happened.
Hundreds of stars shot across the sky as my friends and I watched from the water.

I made about a dozen wishes that night, and we were all excited.
Still, no amount of shooting stars will give people the hope
that comes with every new year.

Happy 2010 everyone!

Another Day

2009-12-18T09:55:00.008+08:00

There will always be days
more beautiful than this.
more sunsets that will burn
with a brighter shade of red
a deeper shade of blue
and the water will hold the reflection
like a mirror in a dream.

But on this day it was this -
a wide expanse of purple
the air turning pink
and for a moment time stood still
in an indigo world
until the sky caught fire
and a sigh broke the silence
when it escaped my lips.

Hanging Out: Saturday Organic Market

2009-12-14T18:37:00.015+08:00

Every Saturday on the island, the community comes together in a little quadrangle called Plazoleta to share homemade / organic goodies. Friends spread their checkered cloths on small tables to unwrap their specialties. Suddenly, the scent of muffins, cakes and hot chocolate fill the air with an amazing aroma and a cheerful, festive vibe.

Thanks to the great Seva team, residents and tourists can look forward to shopping for garden-fresh vegetables, healthy meals and even cool recycled artworks on an otherwise lazy Saturday morning. Don't you just love weekends?

Check out scenes from the market :-)

Good Vibes: Florence + The Machine - Cosmic Love

2009-12-02T19:11:00.011+08:00

More Free Music at MP3-Codes.com
A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes

I screamed aloud, as it tore through them,

and now it's left me blind

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

You left me in the dark

No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight

In the shadow of your heart

And in the dark, I can hear your heartbeat

I tried to find the sound

But then it stopped, and I was in the darkness,

So darkness I became

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

You left me in the dark

No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight

In the shadow of your heart

I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map

And knew that somehow I could find my way back

Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with you

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

You left me in the dark

No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight

In the shadow of your heart

~*~

Absolutely beautiful and rip-roaring song – perfection. This story of dark love with all its celestial imagery definitely takes you somewhere else – lifts you up, takes you down, leaving you in great awe and wonder. Florence just posesses this soaring and epic vocals which for me makes this song the most powerful point and climax of the record. No wonder she named the album “Lungs”. The tremendous combination of vocals, percussion, out of the ordinary lyrics plus instrumentation building to 2 minutes and 35 seconds, is unforgettable. Pure magic, real talent.

Florence Welch :)

Hanging Out: Night at the White Berry

2009-11-29T07:00:00.005+08:00

Who could ever resist a craving? Definitely not us! and as the clock struck 10, we were in want of something cold to eat and voila! what we found was this really pretty quaint yogurt bar. Filled with framed print-outs of cute sketches and artsy letters from customers it's also the perfect place to plan the next Pecha Kucha Night ;)

Frozen yogurt+blueberry+peaches= yogurt heaven!

Funtivity: Shooting Babies

2009-11-16T20:26:00.010+08:00

A few weeks ago, we spent a day playing around with dresses, props and accessories, dramatizing our beach life for The Beachbaby's Holiday Collection. Shooting, posing and hanging out in our favorite island spots with close friends, it's no surprise that the shoot was super fun and it showed in the photos. :-)

Woohoo! It's a wrap!

To check out more photos, click here.

Funtivity: See you at the bazaar

2009-11-11T09:20:00.002+08:00

we love joining bazaars, we love this one especially for what it stands for. it showcases great Pinoy talents and encourages us to use the Peso to empower the Filipino. we are proud to be part of it.

see you on November 14 and 15 at the Global Pinoy Bazaar. Come and visit The Beachbaby. Suportahan natin ang likhang Pilipino. :)

People Are Strange

2009-11-02T23:28:00.001+08:00

it's that time of the year again and if there's one place to celebrate Halloween it's right here in Never Never Land.

there's something about this special night of the year which brings a unique sense of camaraderie among strangers that is quite bewildering and disarming in equal measure. people are generally more open, less judgmental and a whole lot friendlier. and so for one night, regardless of age race and face, boundaries are crossed. though it's one big excuse to dress up crazy and celebrate, we may have a little something to learn from Halloween don't you think?

more happy pics here :)

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Listening to: The Doors - People Are Strange

Good Vibes: Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

2009-10-29T19:25:00.000+08:00

The video is awesome--illustrator's definitely a genius. I just ♥ this song. Super catchy that it's almost impossible not to move your feet and break down to the beat. Never fails to cheer me and my happy feet up! :)

Do the D.A.N.C.E.

1, 2, 3, 4, fight

Stick to the B.E.A.T.

Get ready to ignite

You are such a P.Y.T.

Catching all the lights

Just easy as ABC

That's how you make it right

*According to an interview, this song was a tribute to Michael Jackson since Justice themselves are big MJ fans.

*D.A.N.C.E. was nominated for "Video of the Year" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards; Justice was nominated for Best Dance Recording (for D.A.N.C.E.) and Best Short Form Music Video at the 50th Grammy Awards.

happy monday!

2009-10-26T13:15:00.000+08:00

what happens when a yogini is also a water baby?

paddle surfing is brought to a new level of fun! paddling to the deep end, raising our arms up into the sky and going through the motions of the sun salutations turned out to be a total workout. yoga on a paddle board must be the closest thing to walking on water. when it was time to do our headstands, we were conquering the fear of falling all over again. but as you can imagine, falling in the blue sea is quite a treat!

oh, and coming up in a headstand while technically floating on water, is exhilarating. you should try it ;)

happy monday!

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Listening to: Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

Hanging Out: Afternoon Delight

2009-10-23T21:03:00.000+08:00

The girls and I can't get enough of Ola's mouth-watering treats. It's nice to sit, hang-out, drink and eat eat eat (and did i say eat?) in this place. Meet Ola's adorable owner and baker Lei Osit and her delightful enthusiasm to feed us her divine specialties.

Happy Girl Ink: What inspired you to start Ola?
Lei Osit: My Mom. It's an extension of our kitchen. Originally it was supposed to be a salad and juice bar because i love juices! But we included food and pastries.
HPI: Favorite juice in the list?
LO: The Morning After: papaya+orange+cucumber best when nursing a hang-over :)
HPI: Why Ola?
LO: It's hawaiian because my name is hawaiian! :) It means healthy or life or alive.
HPI: Baking or cooking?
LO: Baking!
HPI: What's baking now? :)
LO: I'm famous for my carrot, walnut and pineapple cake, the Aloha! And Mahalo a dome cake of banana, pecan nuts and kahlua with a thin layer of light buttermilk frosting with dessicated coconut.
HPI: Yummy!!! Bestseller?
LO: Tuna Melt Sandwich with Spinach.
HPI: And your ingredients are home-grown...
LO: Yes! From the wheatgrass, to the tarragon for tea, some veggies all came from our backyard.
HPI: Any Halloween Special?
LO: Pumpkin Pie!
HPI: And you're going as?
LO(giggles): Betty from the Flintstones.
HPI: Okay, now let's eat that cake!

Thanks Lei! Ola is located on the ground floor of E-mall in Brgy. Ambulong Station 3, Boracay Island.

Funtivity: French Lessons

2009-10-20T20:21:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, the girls and I gathered in Lei's sun-drenched garden and indulged ourselves in the enchanting, romantic and rather complicated language of the French. Pauline, our very patient teacher taught us how to use verbs like: manger (eat), croire (believe) and my favorite, dormir (sleep). Our goal is to be able to speak conversational French, yes, someday. And while we haven't found the translation for: "I know, right?" I'll keep on practicing my favorite phrase so far:

Je crois en l'amour. :-)

Nicole, Lei, Pauline and Jof in the perfect classroom setting.

Pauline writes some phrases.

What's learning French without Le Cafe?

Good Vibes: Hey Mama Wolf - Devendra Banhart

2009-10-18T16:47:00.000+08:00

More Free Music at MP3-Codes.com

Hey Mama Wolf - Devendra Banhart

When I'm in the woods I know what to call you now
When I'm in the woods I know what to call you now

Hey mama wolf
Hey mama wolf

Well maybe the mountains know what to call you now
Maybe the mountains know what to call you now

Hey mama wolf
Hey mama wolf

When I'm in a womb, I know what to call you now
And when a belly blooms I know what to call you now

Hey mama wolf
Hey mama wolf

Well I can say Marie, I know what to call you now
Swimming in the sea I know what to call you now
And when you swim with me I know what to call you now
And when you're under me I know what to call you now

Hey mama wolf

~*~

Start listening to this song and notice yourself humming the drone and imagining the wilderness with a hint of the strange, the maternal and the romantic. Don't worry he usually has that effect on us, mere mortals. It's just the inner wandering, beautiful, psychedelic minstrel in him i guess.

~*~

OK guys, meet the man who brought about Mama Wolf's howl...

Funtivity: Into the sunset

2009-10-16T02:14:00.000+08:00

we took out the paddle boards that afternoon and paddled out into the sunset. i've seen hundreds of days like this and yet each time the sky turns pink i still look up in wonder :)