The 5 Things We're Loving This Summer

KIT

1. I am so lusting after those SKY-HIGH WEDGES that are everywhere this year! Need to get me a pair to show-off my Dim Sum Plum by OPI lacquered toesies.

2. Had DECONSTRUCTED LEMONDROP SHOTS at a party my friend threw for her husband and I was HOOKED! Take a shot of Absolut Citron then suck on a lemon wedge dipped in confectioner's sugar! The perfect pick me up at the end of these sweltering summer afternoons! (do I sound like an alcoholic?!?!)

3. Even if it feels like I'm melting everytime I step out into the heat, I always make sure I smell great. My SUMMER FRAGRANCE is Jo Malone's White Jasmine & Mint, light and crisp enough to make me feel fresh all day.

4. While summer has just begun and I know I'll still be reading a lot more, I am currently enjoying Bolso babe Karisia's recommendation, THE RECESSIONISTAS by Alexandra Lebenthal. It's an insider's fictional take on Manhattan Upper East Siders' lives "pre- and post- Wall Street apocalypse". 

5. Despite working in publishing once-upon-a-time, I am by no means an expert on anything about photography. I would not know what to do with an SLR and need something as idiot-proof as a point and shoot. My CANON POWERSHOT S95 is as simple as it gets, yet manages to take awesome pictures and video too! Small enough to keep in my purse, I take it with me everywhere I go.

* Photos from: aldoshoes.com, absolutads.com, jomalone.com, amazon.com, searchgadgets.info

KARISIA

1. I’ve been religious with SPF ever since I understood the dangers of the sun’s rays. This summer I’m loving a bare face with only a POP OF COLOR ON MY LIPS. I rotate using Bolso Babe Rorie’s pasalubong - Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia, Nars' Pure Matte Lipsticks in Volga (Bolso Babe Kit’s birthday gift) and my Tarte Lipsurgence in Amused.

2. LOSING MY INSOMNIA! I’ve had trouble sleeping ever since I can remember. Somehow, I could never sleep before 2am. I just got used to living on 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day. Little did I know that all I needed was a house filled with my nieces and nephews! Now I’m in bed my midnight and up at 6:30. I now know I love early mornings.

3. PLANA FORMA. Running has now taken a backseat to my newfound addiction. I’ve been going 3 to 4 times a week for almost a month now and I’m totally hooked. I love the workout, the studio, the teachers, the music...everything!

4. The last time I devoured 3 books in a row was when Bolso Babe Rorie forced me to read The Twilight Series. Yes, THE MILLENNIUM SERIES can get a bit too graphic, but trust me, you won’t be able to stop turning the pages. Lisbeth Salander, you go, girl!!! 

5. In a city where traffic is the norm, you always have to have a fully-charged ipod with a killer playlist. This summer, I’m loving Train, Katy Perry, One Republic and Pink. My current obsession though is THE SCRIPT. I can’t help but have their 2 albums on repeat! Their concert was the best one ever!

* Photos and video from: ulta.com, forma-asia.com, amazon.com, youtube.com


JENNY

1. MY 40 DAY MASTER CLEANSE: What I originally meant to be my usual 14 day Master Cleanse is turning out to be the full 40 days! I’ll be ending my 40 day Master Cleanse this April 22. It feels nice to be able to connect to a healthier body, both inside and out. Everyone should do something wonderful for themselves and their body!

2. DISCOVERING TRACY ANDERSON: Finding the workout that’d work best for me has always seemed to be a challenge. Really glad to find that there really is a way to drop the weight, shrink the body and make my own perfection possible. Come May 1 I’ll be starting Tracy Anderson’s 30-Day Method… a boot camp weight-loss kick-start program. Wish me luck!

3. OUR ANNUAL VILLEGAS GARAGE SALE: It’s amazing how much stuff one can accumulate within a year’s time! My family has made it somewhat of a tradition to hold a garage sale just as the summer season kicks-in. It’s become such a hit in our village! It’s a lot of fun cause even extended family members and other close friends come over and sell some stuff!

4. DE-CLUTTERING MY ROOM: Operation: Out with the old, and in with the new! It’s always been a challenge to fit all my stuff in my cozy little room and the process of doing so takes quite some time. I like to take my time and weed out the things I don’t need about two weeks before our garage sale and then use the next two weeks to fix up or renovate.

5. MY THREE MONTH MEMBERSHIP AT THE ROCKWELL CLUB: I recently did some backstage work for Rockwell Club’s Annual White Heat Summer Party … organizing and assigning swim wear for the models to wear during the fashion show segment. Part of my ‘fee’ for helping out I is a three month membership to their Club. Looking forward to making use of their gym, pool, and spa. A nice summer treat!

* Photos from: therawfoodsite.com, tracyandersonmethod.com, bargainsister.blogspot.com, personalorganizing.about.com, therockwellclub.com

RORIE

1. SPENDING MORE TIME WITH MY DARLING DAUGHTER. She's on vacay now so I get to hang with her more often. We love watching shows together, shopping and eating Golden Spoon's Cake batter yogurt with chocolate chip cookie dough. 

2. GETTING SOME R&R OUTSIDE MANILA. For Holy Week, we're off to my province: La Union! I have the coolest uncles, aunts and cousins so I enjoy going back there several times a year. We just chill, play pusoy and pig out the WHOLE DAY. (Picture with my fab uncle, aunt and crazy cuzins during my bridal shower last year.)

3. It's sandal season! Now's the time to be religious with your pedicures. The shade I'm loving? CHANEL'S MORNING ROSE, a pinkish coral with flecks of gold. 

4. GOING AU NATUREL. With the heat and humidity, I try to avoid putting on makeup unless I have to. My daily summer essentials? Sunscreen and Fresh's Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15. (I've tried Rose and I'm now using Plum.)

5. WEARING OVERSIZED SHADES. Actually, I wear them year-round but it's the season for sunnies so I get to wear larger, more whimsical styles. (My style icon, Dita von Teese, sporting vintage sunglasses.)

* Photos from: hypette.com, fresh.com, outfitidentifier.com

Lacquer Up!

Summer’s here! And all the trends that the sun brings with it! Color-blocks, sexy sandals, flirty dresses and sky-high wedges! And my favorite accessory for all these? Perfectly groomed nails polished in summer’s hottest hues!

While In Style has some of the most talked-about nail trends for the summer Hot Star Nail Polish Trends, being a morena makes it hard for me to “carry” oranges, purples and greens, so let me share with you some of the shades that I’ll be wearing...

There is nothing better than a pop of color when you hit the beach - and I just love OPI’s Dim Sum Plum. This fun magenta happens to go perfectly with all my beachwear, and looks even better on me once I get my tan going!

There are some outfits that look better with subdued nails, and while going au naturel is an option - I am totally digging butter London’s Yummy Mummy (Thank you Bolso Babe Rorie!) This beige-y nude is anything but boring and flatters all skin tones while showing off some sparkly shimmery splendid when it catches the sunlight.

Here is a red that’s fantastic for summer and beyond! butter London’s Saucy Jack is perfect with my skin color. (Thank you, Bolso Babe Karisia!) If there is one shade I would hoard, it would be this! I also like Deborah Lippmann’s My Old Flame which is a true red that I like to alternate with. Photo from shopperhive.co.uk

I recently discovered Sally Hansen's Mega Shine Extended Wear Top Coat. This top coat does exactly as its name suggests! Mega shine and actually made my manicure last a good 7 days before even minor chipping! If you touch up your manicure with 1 coat of this on Day 5, you could make it last up to 10 days! Can you beat that?! - KGG

TV Time

As some of you regular bolso blog readers may already know, I love downloading TV shows. While a lot of them are on break now, here are a few new faves that either kept me laughing or at the edge of my seat these past few weeks:

Shameless

Based on a British drama series, the US version stars the brilliant William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic troublemaker who basically spends all his time at the neighborhood bar or passed out drunk on the streets. His six kids, led by big sis Fiona (Emmy Rossum), are pretty much left to fend for themselves 24/7. This dysfunctional family is so endearing that I guarantee you'll be hooked after the first episode.

Outsourced

A hilarious comedy centered on an American catalog-company whose call center is based in India. Todd Dempsey manages the call center and struggles to teach his employees American pop culture while trying to adjust to life in India. Watch out for my fave characters, Rajiv and Gupta.

Being Human (US)

A supernatural series that revolves around a vampire, ghost and werewolf living under one roof who try desperately to lead "normal" lives. I like this way better than the UK version.

Off the Map

Produced by the same peeps that brought us Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, this medical drama follows the struggles and relationships of seven doctors who work at a remote clinic in South America. bolso babe Karisia got me hooked on this and while it can be cheesy at times, how they cope with their out-of-this-world emergency situations is nothing short of amazing. - Rorie Manzano

P.S. Here's a list of the season finales. Boo hoo. Season Finales