Mark your calendars!

British-born actress Elizabeth Taylor shows off the famous 33.19 carat diamond ring given to her by husband Richard Burton. (Getty Images)

Christie’s is putting a preview  of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelries and art collection on eight cities in seven countries before it goes out for auction.  The jewelry for sale includes Taylor’s much-photographed 33-carat rectangular-cut diamond, a gift from two-time-husband Richard Burton, now estimated at $2.5 million  to $3.5 million.

The ring is so famous that at a wedding in London, Princess Margaret once asked her: ‘Is that the famous diamond?’

‘Yes,’ Elizabeth told her, lifting up her hand so that it would catch the light. ‘It’s so large! How very vulgar!’ the Princess remarked. ‘Would you mind if I tried it on?’

Art highlights include major paintings by Degas, Pissarro and Van Gogh (on view in London but not L.A.) as well as works on paper that the actress received from artist-admirers like Andy Warhol (on view in L.A.).

Geometricity

I was really blown away with the recent fashion week especially the one in Paris and Milan- the center of fashion.  Another trend that I noticed  is the geometric patterns.  My faves, Alberta Ferretti and Carolina Herrera never stop to amaze me.  I also liked  new designer Michael van der Ham  print especially the skirt slits.  And I have mixed feelings with Peter Som’s design.  It looks like a Monet- It’s beautiful on the runway, but I  wonder if it’s the same up close – it might be too heavy in the eyes.

I was disappointed with Vera Wang’s collection though- BORING! Micheal Kors was just okay, he took the African inspiration  literally- he could have done something better and toned Indiana Jones look a bit.

The worst was Victoria Beckham .  The 1990s is over dearie!  Minimalist is so gone!  But then again, she’s new so she hasn’t really absorbed how fashion designers think  and innovate.

Here are some pictures that I really like.

by BCBG- max azria

BCBG Max Azria

notice the skirt. By Alberta Ferretti

by Alberta Ferretti

Gucci

I so love this get up! Gucci

I love the way Michael Van der Ham created a slit with a different color underneath

I really liked how Narciso Rodriguez designed the dresses like an origami

Peter Som's design looks like a Monet.

DVF: DiVa Fashionista

Of all the 2012 Fashion Week collections shown in New York, Diane Von Furstenberg remains the best.  Her collection is amazing.  Her years in the fashion industry has really proven  that she’s really an icon.

According to an interview with Fashion Channel (FTV), Von Furstenberg, the designer  known for her wrap dress said that she was inspired by African women.  She said that even if Africa can be depressing, the women there are still elegant.

“At first, when we were designing the fabrics, the inspiration came from Africa,” Von Furstenberg says, “Not the colonial Africa but the modern Africa, the Africa of today.  And also Africa is the center of the world so the Africa of today is so strong…It’s about hope. So it’s either utilitarian work clothes or very overdone and very festive.”

And to commemorate 9-11, DVF ended her show at its best by giving away American Flags.

bold print on print

DVF's inspiration is Africa

DVF giving away American Flags - all fotos from Getty Images

Today is 9-11

Today is 9-11.

On the other side of the world, it’s a day of mourning.  A lot of people have lost their loved ones. It has reminded us that terrorism can happen even to the most modern city like New York.  Ten years ago, I still remember  having lunch with friends and family at home when the breaking news slammed into the background television.  Instead of being happy, we were shocked and started calling our loved ones who were based there.

Today is 9-11.     It has been ten years.  Bin Laden is dead.  Saddam is dead.   The twin towers has been replaced with a monument.  People have moved-on.  Lessons have been learned.  I got married.  I gave birth to a boy who is now 2 years old.

Today is 9-11.     It’s Sunday and it’s my birthday.  I put on my favorite watercolor shirt and a pair of white capris.   And even if I choose to be happy, I can still feel the vibe of mourning even if i’m on the other side of the world.

White on white

I want a white interiors in my house.  White on white, with a few touches of neutrals.  White for me feels light, stress-free, like I’m in heaven. I remember I told L, a friend, back in 2007 that my dream home is all white, and he commented saying: “that’s like living in a hospital!”

I disagree.  Below are photos of homes that used an all white palette.

Home of Norwegian Architect Gudmundor Jonsson

Icelandic Home of Joel Palsson and Bergthora Gudnadottir

top three photos courtesy of Apartmenttherapy.com

L's new apartment in Cincinnati

And guess what color L chose for his new apartment in Cincinnati? Yeah, he ate his words!

Pretty paper lanterns

I was browsing  the net when I stumbled upon this do-it-yourself project.  I just had to steal the pics so I can do this in one of my themed dinners at home.

The lanterns in the photos below are made of circle tissues- if you can’t find these in the local groceries, then just use Japanese paper cut into circles.

Step by step photo directions

Jolie inspires me to own a Vuitton

Angelina Jolie poses to the cam with her 6-year old LV

I have never been brand conscious especially when it comes to bags. Most of my signature bags are hand-me-downs from my mom or gifts from relatives. But Louis Vuitton chose a very good opinion leader- Angelina Jolie- that makes me want to own a brand new and original one.

Jolie has been an inspirational model to me since her Lara Croft days. Her trip to Cambodia in 2000 has changed her tremendously, especially adopting her first child Maddox which transformed her to become a more meaningful and beautiful person.

Posing to photographer Annie Libovitz in a shoot in Cambodia, bare-footed Jolie sits on a wooden canoe wearing her own clothes and slinging her six-year old Louis Vuitton Alto bag.

After this commercial, I think the original Alto bag will now be  sought after, and would probably cost more now on ebay.

Jolie is the new face in LV’s campaign on Core Values.  Jolie will donate  the proceeds of this ad to charity.

Watch the full commercial here.

Shedding the Baby Phat

the logo was inspired by Kimora's pet cat Max

Kimora strutting on the run way with Aoki and Ming Lee

Kimora's last Baby Phat runway show with Aoki, Ming and Kenzo

Baby Phat is one of my favorite fashion brands because it promotes multi-racial style. Although they never had a shop here in Manila, I saw the brand grew, as well as Kimora Lee Simons kids  on the runway.  And because we are seasons late here,  Baby Phat 2010 fashion week show  was just shown last night on Kimora’s fabulosity reality tv on Lifestyle Network.  I immediately tweeted her saying that Baby Phat never reached  Manila.  And here’s her tweet back- “I don’t have that company anymore huny!”

Apparently, I’m a year late with the news on why she left the brand.  Sadly, Baby Phat will never be the same without Kimora.

Around the world in 80 gardens

I was searching youtube for gardening ideas when I stumbled upon Henk Scholtz’s garden.  It was featured in BBC’s Around the world in 80 gardens – I don’t think they ever showed this here in the Philippines though. There are more garden ideas here but  I embedded this particular one because of its  beautiful design and doable to do in our own homes.

There is an animal at the end of my brush painting me

Watercolor painting by Walton Ford

I love looking at surreal paintings whose subjects are animals. more particularly, elephants and birds.   I am truly amazed by them. Here are my favorite paintings of these awesome creatures.

Print by Amy Jean Porter