Coloring Books.

I love coloring since I was a child. I secretly stole a page or two from my younger siblings' coloring books and colored them. Good thing that kind of 'stealing' was not an issue to them so there was no shouting or hair pulling about the coloring books.

Until now, I would color some pages of my son's coloring books. I'd use his used crayolas and at one time I even used his watercolor.

I was ecstatic one afternoon when my boss told me about the latest trend - adult coloring books. They are for the very busy and stressed people who needed zen moments.

Off I went to the malls to get my own books. Here are my books and what I have done so far.

It's amazing how we now "adultize" kid activities. Just goes to show that it is indeed fun to be young.

Wall Two.

I have decided to set my home-decorating mission into very small milestones so I will not feel so overwhelmed with filling up our small abode.  As you know, I started with the one-walled foyer.  I am proceeding with the "wall milestone" approach which, in my estimate, should get me to complete the whole mission in 2-3 years!

I have just finished another wall.  This is one of our living room walls.  At the back of which is our jungle storage area.
Let us start with my nice jar which I got from Mandaue Foam for a little over PHP2,000.  It  has the same design as my other jar in the foyer but in a different shape.
This is my cute red cabinet which I purchased from iDeas almost a year ago.  I did a bit of an overspend on this one because I fell in love with it.  It looks antique and is not an ordinary furniture piece.  This holds the mini DeVant TV which we got from a sale. The TV, by the way, only costs more than PHP7,000 and is doing pretty well.

The paintings I purchased from the Home Market section of Market! Market!  They have the original paintings done by Filipino artists... not as famous as Arturo Luz but their works are very nice, too.

This is a depiction of Old Manila by a certain painter with the last name Cruz.  I apologize for not getting his full name.  I need to go back and ask.  Price of the painting plus the frame is PHP450.
The black and white painting captures the Eiffel Tower.  This is by another Filipino painter with the last name Alvarez... again, I am not doing my homework.  Sorry.  This cost me around PHP700.
The most expensive art we have is a painting of the Magellan's Cross by Antonio Calma.  Not too expensive still because we got this for just PHP3,000 after haggling with the art store.  We are after all their "suki" already.  I really liked the color and how it blends with the furniture placed on this wall.

That's 2 down and more than 10 walls to go.  

By the time I finish, I may need to start re-decorating again.  But, I guess, this is the fun (and pocket damaging!) part of building a home.

Allan's Art Gallery.

I was at the NBI around a month ago to get a Travel Abroad clearance.  I thought of doing some more errands including paying my insurance.  And I took the chance to say hi to a very good friend.

It has been a while since I last saw Allan.
He has left the Makati/Taguig work area and took a role in an office in Manila.  With the schedules that we have, it would indeed be a trek to find a regular chika time with him. For that, I was so happy that I did not forget he was very near the NBI!

His office was very nice.  And smelled good.  And had great snacks.  But the nicest thing about it was his collection of art pieces.

He has since been my coach on art pieces as I am not as 'cultured' really.  I just know the very famous painters like Van Gogh, Picasso, Amorsolo, etc.  He introduced me to a wider world of very talented Filipino artists.  And with my visit to his office, I have learned more!

Here is his fisherman brass sculpture made by Michael Cacnio.
He has another one.  (Update:  This is the "Kite" piece.)
And even more plus a Ramon Orlina glass sculpture (update: called "Inspirations").  I forgot where he got the ceramic bunny but I am pretty sure that's expensive (update: it's actually a bone china rabbit from Heima).
And of course, the paintings... all colorful.  The River Pebbles Stone Garden by Noel Mahilum.
A nice abstract art piece but I forgot the artist. (Update: The Island by Jose Julio Austria)
And another painting which he was planning to give to his Mom. (Update: The Midnight Lullaby by Roel Obemio)
My most favorite of all is this actually.  It's not a work of art but equally lovely.
Very glad that we had some time, even if short, to catch up.  Happy that he is happy now and proud of what he has achieved.

Until our next catch up, Allan!