BRIDE WINS WEDDING GOWN AT CHARITY AUCTION

Late last year after the devastating Typhoon Ondoy shook our nation, I decided to hook up with internet maven Anton Sheker who ran a charity auction to help the victims of this terrible calamity. We held a charity auction at his site www.weddings.ph

Bride-to-be Rica Pestano won a stylish couture wedding dress while helping Typhoon Ondoy victims. What a chic way to purchase a wedding dress - with style and conscience. Here is Rica right after we fitted the muslin (or lining) of her dream wedding dress! She is holding one of my couture bouquets here.

Here is the her one-of-a kind wedding gown I designed for her. It was inspired by my Rambling Rose Wedding Dress which retails at etsy.com for USD2,500. Do-gooder Rica won the auction at a cool USD650! (PhP30,000). I guess that's what one gets when she helps people in need. Congratulations Rica and best wishes on your August 2010 wedding.

PRE-VALENTINE FLOWER DELIVERY

You may know by now that I have a flower shoppe called Michi Calica Fresh Flowers. It started as a flower business that designed bridal bouquets for my bride-to-be clients.

I must admit I love seeing our giant flower chiller al lit up with lot and lots of beautiful flowers for delivery. Business is good when I see this!
Some of the flowers, all in vases, ready to go. This year, roses were not the only flowers of choice - liliums, hydrangeas, and even fruit baskets were in demand. Customers opted to send flowers on February 12 and 13 for some reason. Today is the last day you can still place your last minute order at our online store! We would love to hear from you.

PROM SEASON: THE IDEAL PROM DRESS

Toccata's Camille bolero in red matte satin. The jeweled belt brightened the ensemble.

Preview Magazine's online component - stylebible.ph asked me to talk about the ideal prom dress.

I had to tell them about this very sophisticated Junior from who came to see me at my atelier. She was a Junior from a very exclusive all-girl school - she was well mannered, and incredibly stylish. She replied in clipped tones like: "of course". "thank you". "wonderful." SHe reminded me of Betty Draper from my favorite TV series Mad Men. When I was in third year in high school, I never had a classmate that sophisticated. I envy these kids nowadays.

Most of all I loved that her folks gave her a free hand in choosing a couture prom dress. Her dad (who was about my age) sat in the waiting room patiently. I peeped my head out and said: Sir? Would you like to join us? Her dad said: No, no, I'l l wait out here, so if the dress doesn't turn out well I wont be the one to blame.

So here is how it turned out folks! Here is the write-up

VALENTINE FLOWERS ARE SO CHIC!

Valentine's Day is only nine days away! For this love season, we have incredibly chic and easy to order Couture Bouquets available at Michi Calica Fresh Flowers.

This year all our farm fresh roses are delivered in am elegantly tall glass vase. I was inspired by the story famed floral designer Michael George told about his florist dad, George Christ Vasillopus.

Michael George said in the book Simply Elegant Flowers (North Lite Books), how n the 1930's his father began the trend of delivering flowers in now collectible Haeger and Roseville vases.

We are very concerned about the environment, therefore we have decided to stop using a lot of paper for this big day.

The Semi-Mermaid Gown for a Svelte Bride

The minute I sat with Asian Development Bank executive, Chelo Malagnit, one thing was certain - she wanted a body conscious wedding dress silhouette. I immediately asked her to fit the Marina Wedding Dress from my collection. She looked stunning in this cut since she had a petite, fit figure due to hours of swimming work outs.

We then personalized her dress with touches she wanted: alencon lace appliqies, lightly beaded on the neckline - and she requested everything in cool ivory. Check out how stunning Chelo was on her wedding day.

Photos courtesy of Ariel Javelosa

Sweet Bride

Karen Gosingco was one of my sweetest brides this 2010. She had a very lady-like demeanor - and the style she chose for her wedding gown was equally feminine. I particularly loved the soft tiered skirt of this wedding dress. On the first few fittings, the bride expressed how she wanted a soft effect rather than the structured mikado silk I originally used. She was absolutely right!

After the re-do, we beaded the hemline on each layer. The organza skirt echoed the softness of her delicately ruffled standing collar. This bride knew what she wanted.

All throughout the months of work on her gown, Karen was always cool as a cucumber. She would sit quietly waiting for her turn with her signature sweet smile. My army of aestheticians particularyly loved having Karen at the atelier. She was always soft spoken, but straight to the point. Here are her photos from her magical wedding day.

Photos by John Ong of Imagination

Lovely Clusters - Beautiful Handmade Items

Lovely Clusters - Beautiful Handmade Items

I am so pleased to be in the company of such talented artisans and creative minds at a beautiful site called Lovely

Clusters. Lovely Clusters has curated their favorite etsy stores into one incredibly designed main page. There were so many pieces I liked here, but I particularly purchased some handmade paper products at Designs Lovely since I have been into fine stationary since I was a little girl.