the 12 ways of christmas (part 1)

While we really wish we had the Ellen Degeneres-type capability to shower you all with a bonanza of gifts we, well, don't. So instead, allow us to help you get into the spirit of the season by sharing the little traditions our friends turn to during the most wonderful time of the year. Here goes Part 1 of our 12 Ways of Christmas...

#1 celebrate in style  I love entertaining at home. There's something naturally cathartic about thinking of a color scheme, setting the table, getting the best cake possible and trying something new. Another reason why Christmas is special is that friends come home from abroad, which makes coming together even more poignant. I once hosted dinner for a best friend who had turned vegan. What others might see as difficult to pull off was actually fun—and I loved the food, too! I also finally got to use some gold lattice napkin holders from a home store in Singapore, new blue plates I discovered at my suki store, and an idea to use corks for place holders. I just love how everything, and everyone, comes together when I entertain for the holidays. – Naynay Montilla

#2 blend traditions  Since I got married, the one sure thing about Christmas in my place is on December 24th, when my wife’s family comes over for lunch. They bring tamales and broas from their hometown of Sariaya, Quezon and we enjoy them for merienda at around 5 pm  (after my home-cooked lunch) with coffee or tea. Being the only "outsider", I eat this with banana ketchup (it's a Yulo thing) and freak everyone out in the process. This year, I plan to buy some Caviteño tamales and stage a "showdown" just for fun. December, by the way, is the only time I ever see these treats so they’re now one of my markers for the season. – JJ Yulo, Pinoy Eats World 

#3 dress the part    Though we don't have any formal traditions when it comes to dressing for the holidays, we are making new ones as we go. Lately I like dressing my family in thematic (but not identical!) outfits since the coordinated clothes look great in photos. This snapshot was taken on Christmas Eve. At the time, I was designing the outfits for my high school reunion. We had a back and white color scheme—and I decided to go with the same idea for my family.  In fact, the bolero of my youngest daughter was just made from retaso! – Michi Calica Sotto, fashion designer

#4 remember those you love  My husband, two sons, and I have been living away for a total of eight years. Though it would be ideal if we came home each year to celebrate, there have been times where we've spent Christmas in our host country instead. While we miss the warmth of getting together with extended family, we've enjoyed having to make new traditions for ourselves, and we also relish the quiet and the chance to spend time with friends that have become family to us. The first time we spent Christmas away from Manila we decorated our tree with Christmas balls. Each ball had the name of a family member or friend that we would have surely seen were we in Manila that year. We called it the "family and friends tree" and it’s since become a tradition of sorts. After years of living in different places, it now it feels like we take a part of where we’ve been with us, and everywhere we celebrate Christmas is home. – Dana Coscio-Mercado

Cheers!

tata & anna

To view Parts 2 and 3:
http://thegrosgrainribbon.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-12-ways-of-christmas-part-2.html
http://thegrosgrainribbon.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-12-ways-of-christmas-part-3.html

what's your number?

Numbers play an important part in our lives; guiding our days, weeks, months, and years.  They also tell us lots of other things like our age, cholesterol count :(, weight, and size!!!

While talking about our next blog entry, a follow-up on our “dress me up with my love” post, Tata asked me a simple question.  “Why did you decide to have a dress made this time, instead of buying one like you usually do?” The answer was easy.  I told her that this time, I wanted a dress that was made to fit me, instead of my trying to fit into a dress. I didn’t want to carry several sizes into the dressing room to see which one would look best on me.  I didn’t want to guess if I was a size 6, 8, or 10. I just wanted to be my size.

I also wanted expert advice on how to dress for my shape.  Here are the top 3 things I learned from this experience:

1.  Separates rock! 2 pieces are better than 1!

2.  Create a figure 8! Emphasize my waistline.

3.  Accentuate the positive! Show off my 2 best features: my shoulders and collarbone.

The dress is shaping up to be just as I had imagined.  And as luck would have it, the color we chose for my skirt matched the dress code color card (a new wedding trend?) that was sent together with the wedding invite.

    

Richie's sketch for my outfit :)

Looking forward to wearing this dress 2 times on the following dates: 11.27.12 and 12.21.12!

anna

4...3...2...1...

For some, a tattered 40-year-old gown might equate to junk that should be cleared out. In my sister’s case, it boiled down to a potential profit of 100 bucks at a garage sale. Luckily, I dropped by said garage sale and for 0 pesos (also known as theft), and with a panicked survivor’s instinct, I rescued my mom’s castoff gown from the 1970s.

Yes, I saw the cloth was torn and frayed in many parts, but I also saw that it had once been very beautiful. And as I slipped it on, I was surprised to discover that it fit me to a T, just as though it had been made to measure. All it needed was some TLC. So I tagged along with Anna and asked Richie if she could work her magic.

When Richie oohed over the crinkled silk and floaty design, I knew my mother’s gown was in good hands—and that it could reach its version 2.0 in the care of someone who saw what I saw: a sentimental bit of style that was dusty, damaged, and priceless.

tata

    

dress me up in my love

anna:  Ok! I have to get over it at some point. This is my new body.  As much as I would love to be the size I was when I got married 15 years ago, it just isn’t happening.  I have changed.  And change can be good, right? 

As I process this new stage of self-love, life goes on, and another formal (and happy) event is coming up. What do I wear?!? Tata, help me!!

tata:  You have come to the right place, my child. :D And now I’m super excited! Buy one? Have one made? Let’s start there…

anna:  I think this time I’d like to try having something made by an expert who might teach me a thing or two about dressing this new, old body of mine.  Can you recommend someone, please?  Do you think I should see Richie? I know she’s a friend and I always admired her work.

tata:  You read my mind! I love how Richie knows how to celebrate real women’s bodies, and how she really highlights one's best features—all in a really delightful way. And since you’re already a fan of her work, I think you get what I mean. But first thing’s first, do you have any idea of what you want? Not a design that she’ll copy—but more of the look and feel you’re after. How formal do you need it to be, etc.

anna:  Great!! My goal is to feel comfy and cozy, yet pretty and put-together. I also would like the top to have the dainty details in a slightly vintage and ladylike fashion, paired with a skirt that is simple and modern.  It’s for a wedding in December and I think what’s appropriate is something full length but not too formal since I don’t have a major part.

tata:  Ah, separates! And smart—with your look there’s no need for a fancy necklace.  

anna:  Perfect! That way I can use the pieces for future events too!  I’m excited!  Really looking forward to having someone give me expert advice on dressing my new shape, too.

tata:  Yay on all counts! I know you want separates but lookie here! Totally love how this is formal, pretty, and playful at the same time :) Lol not listening to directions! But you know, just to inspire you…

(Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuillier)

anna:  I think that’s really pretty. Yup good for inspiration. But not so comfy-cozy. :D So far I’m liking these. 

(photos from www.instyle.com)

tata:  Oooh! I like! And I like them for you :) You might even get away with wearing flats hehe. Here’s a collar treatment you might like. Just humor me because I can never pull off designs like these because of my body type!

(dress by Shoshanna, www.shoshanna.com) 

And just for fun, here’s a link to a feature I wrote about a fashion show I attended in Cebu. 

http://www.eyp.ph/cebu/article/southern-style/1?comment_page=1

These debutant gowns are gorgeous—but gosh, the bodies one needs to pull them off! Hahaha… I think it will just help you see how far we’ve come. (Happy sigh) It really feels so good to be comfy in our own skin!