random thoughts of the shockboogieninja

Chicago x Busy Bee

2010-05-26T12:07:00.002-04:00

I apologize for not being able to post anything new for a little over a month now. There are so many things going on both in my personal life and career. I've been so slammed with work which is always a good thing and I can't complain. New developments have happened as well with my husband's kidney situation. I will definitely update everyone if everything goes as planned. We really need all the prayers we can get right now. *Hoping for the best...*

Anyway, just wanted to share some snapshots from last week as the hubby and I drove to Chicago to see Conan O' Brien at the Chicago Theater. I wasn't able to take my camera in so no photos from that show unfortunately. We only have a few taken by our iPhone which aren't really the best. The show was amazing and being seated really close to the stage made the show even better especially when Conan joined the crowd and decided to stand by Jeff when he waved goodbye at the end of the show. After that show, we drove back to Michigan to see Conan AGAIN at MSU. I guess we can't get enough of him. We both can't wait to see Conan back on TV late this year!!!

We stayed at the Affinia Hotel which is a boutique hotel just right behind Neiman Marcus on North Michigan. Service was great and loved the copper walls in the bathroom!

Almond croissants, cappuccinos, & crepes for breakfast at the Peninsula. Yum!

Brunch at Orange: Orange flavored brewed coffee, Cinnamon roll pancakes, Frushi, and Mini Pancakes with coconut in 4 different ways (Banana foster, Chocolate Chip, Strawberries and Cream, and Mango!)

Hubby shopping at the Louis Vuitton boutique.

Shopping at Barneys New York: One of my favorite places to shop ever!

Happy hubby after leaving Marc Jacobs

Happier hubby at Lego!

"Can we take her home?"

Massive Dynamic?

Saks Friends and Family Starts Now!

2010-04-20T13:06:00.002-04:00

Saks Fifth Avenue's Friends and Family 20% off (10% off beauty & fragrance) starts TODAY sitewide!

Click on the banner below and use the code FRIEND3 at checkout. This offer ends April 25.

Also, get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $200 or more with code SFASHIP.

So what are you waiting for, whip out those wish lists and start shopping!!!

Coco's 1st Birthday Party!

2010-04-09T20:34:00.001-04:00

Have you ever thrown a birthday party for your dog?

Our little Coco impatiently waiting for the food to cook and guests to arrive.

Parents in the kitchen cooking up a storm!

Daddy cooking the noodles for the party

The family that cooks together, stays together. <3

Just a few of the dishes we served for the party! I cooked all the main dishes except for the steak. This was the very first time I've ever cooked for a party.

We served a ton of appetizers such as goat cheese, prosciutto, and tomato basil bruschetta, plantains and bacon bites c/o my Mama, a load of various cheeses and crackers as well as spinach dip c/o my Dad. For entrees, we cooked Chicken Piccata, Linguini ala Puttanesca, grilled mediterranean veggies, and my Dad grilled some sirloin steaks. It doesn't stop there as there was an entire table of desserts that included a homemade key lime cake c/o Aunt Sheryl, leche flan and Filipino fruit salad c/o my Dad, cheesecake c/o Grandma Joan, and a pineapple cake c/o Grandma Edee.

All of her guests received party favors containing chocolate and goodies such as Coco magnets!

Coco's very proud Daddy!

Mama and I wore matching "I love Coco" aprons!

Coco with her parents - pooped after hours of partying!

The party was such a riot especially with non-stop food, wine, and of course - karaoke - since we held it at my parent's place. I can't wait to throw Coco's 2nd birthday party next year!!!

Birthday X 4th Wedding Anniversary: Outfits

2010-03-25T11:59:00.001-04:00

Given that it was my birthday and our wedding anniversary, I wanted to make sure I wore my favorite accessories that day. I wanted to wear my favorite dress but then I might look way too overdressed watching a movie and out for dinner. Maybe if we went to a ball or something formal, then I would've worn my favorite dress...

Favorite leather jacket of all time: Rick Owens

Favorite red lipstick: Chanel Dragon Lip Lacquer
Favorite Sunnies: Roberto Cavalli

One of my favorite bags of all time: Chanel 10CRed M/L lambskin flap

Birthday shoes: Christian Louboutin Purple Lizard Very Prives 120

Here are some quick outfit pics at the end of the day:

Purple dress from Nordies, Chanel 10C Red M/L lambskin flap, and Christian Louboutin Purple Lizard Very Prives 120

The next day, we visited my parents to celebrate my birthday and my mom's birthday at a Japanese restaurant in East Lansing. I wasn't able to take any food photos because I ended up leaving my camera at my mom's house. Argh... Anyway, this is what I wore that day:

Black dress with flutter sleeves by Michael Kors, belt from Club Monaco, Watersnake Altadamas 140mm by Christian Louboutin, and again - my favorite bag (didn't have time to change bags the next day since we were in a hurry to leave our house) - Chanel 10C Red M/L lambskin flap.

Birthday x 4th Wedding Anniversary!!! - Gastronomical Edition

2010-03-19T09:06:00.000-04:00

This week has been crazy. Been so busy celebrating my birthday, our 4th wedding anniversary, my mom's birthday, and my parent's wedding anniversary. Yes... it's that crazy!

For my birthday/wedding anniversary (the 15th), Jeff planned an entire day of fun for me. I thought it was the sweetest ever and I just had the most wonderful time <3

We started off the day right by having an awesome brunch at The Breakfast Club. I decided to eat healthy and ordered the smoked salmon and capers omelette with egg whites only (less calories and all protein my dear!). It was amazingly yummy!!!

Jeff had the strawberry and cream cheese stuffed french toast which was pretty good as well.

The food was really good and fresh. We were so stuffed and happy when we were done with our meals. The servers were so nice and sweet too which made our experience even better.

Chocolate dipped strawberries were served along with the check. Had to make room for these!

Rambo? Is that you??? - We found this "gem" on our way back home from brunch. So odd to see something like this in the city.

After brunch, Jeff took me to the movies to see The Crazies!<3

I had no idea George Romero produced this movie and I LOVE George Romero. I really liked the movie as it involved zombie-like creatures, epidemics, and blood. How romantic!!!<3 (No seriously... I think movies like these are romantic.)

Smiling from ear to ear!

So happy after the movie!

After the movie, we ended up at Neiman Marcus for some birthday shopping. Jeff wanted to get me a pair of Louboutins since he knows how much I adore them. Luckily (for him), our NM didn't have anything I really loved so we left the mall without a shoe in tow. Whoa!!! I was pretty proud of myself for not buying anything. There were a few pairs I liked but not LOVED so I decided not to get any. Heehee! I had so much fun walking around the mall with him though since he rarely goes out to the mall with me. He's not a big shopper so it really meant a lot to me for him to just stroll around and do some window shopping. It was his idea too!

We capped the evening by having dinner at my favorite local seafood restaurant: Mitchell's Fish Market. Not only is it my fave place for lobster but it happens to be the same restaurant we went to for our first date ever and also where we had our wedding reception. I love oysters and lobster so much that I always order them when we go there.

Twin lobster tails with asparagus.

Sorry for the crappy and incomplete photo. I started "demolishing" it before I remembered to take a photo of the entire thing. Haha!

Mitchell's Classic Key Lime Pie.

Our server surprised us with this since she knew it was my birthday. Perfect since I LOVE Key Lime Pie. The more tart, the better!

Food coma driving home.

Best birthday ever!!!

We were so stuffed and happy that we just wanted to go home and pass out. Jeff got me a chocolate strawberry ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery which was waiting for us at home but we were so full that we knew we had no room to eat any more. We seemed like drunkards when we were driving home because of all the delicious food we consumed that day. It was hilarious! Imagine if we were actually intoxicated which won't happen since I do not drink alcohol at all.

The day started right and ended so perfectly. I must give major props to my dear hubby for putting this all together. So many fun activities, food, and surprises. He surprised me too with a few Rob Zombie blu-ray dvds (House of a 1000 Corpses, Devil's Rejects, etc.) and my favorite book, The Dirt by Motley Crue!

Can I get any luckier to have a hubby like Jeff?<3

Here's to getting old and wrinkly together... Can't believe I'm almost 30 and can't believe we've been married 4 years now. Feels like we're still in our honeymoon phase. We've gone through so much together that our relationship has become stronger than ever. I am just so grateful to have him in my life. <3

Quick Take: Rodarte

2010-03-12T08:22:00.003-05:00

This is love....

Ready to get nude?

2010-03-08T17:01:00.000-05:00

From Net-a-Porter's The Shoe Guide:

So are you ready for Spring 2010? I know I am with my nude pairs!

Christian Louboutin Nude Nappa Declics 120

Christian Louboutin Nude Very Prives 120

My all-time favorite nude shoe straight from Paris!<3

Are you ready to get nude???

Another funeral, another loss, another death,

2010-02-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Wow... This month has been so unreal. DH's grandpa just passed away the other day... Yes, another grandfather.

Emotional rollercoaster ride. Death earlier this month, my father's birthday celebration, then bad news about hubby's kidney transplant donor, then celebration of my hubby's birthday earlier this week, then now this... his dear loving grandfather passing away due to pneumonia complications.

I'm praying that March will be better. Fingers crossed.

Shop: Christian Louboutin Greissimo Mule 140 Turquoise Size 37.5

2010-02-26T11:09:00.001-05:00

Check out the new items up at my store, SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA!

NEW IN BOX: Christian Louboutin Greissimo Mule 140 Turquoise Size 37.5

NEW IN BOX: Christian Louboutin Noudette Fluoro Green Patent with Gold Heel Size 37.5

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T20:17:00.000-05:00

An e-card I received from my hubby today...

My hubby is the BEST!!!!<3

Away

2010-02-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. It's been a crazy, hectic, emotional rollercoaster ride lately.

We recently found out that my hubby's kidney donor cannot donate her kidneys because of her long term use of Advil. Major blow to us since we were depending on it so much and envisioned that he would have his transplant early this year. We will be going to Ohio next month and try to get on their donor list so hopefully something good comes out of that but for now - life is on hold. Jeff will continue his dialysis, we can't plan for any vacation trips to see my family in Manila, I need to continue to work from home so I can take care of him, and we can't plan to have a family yet until he gets a kidney - so to those who wonder why we don't have kids yet or pressure us to have kids - go fuck off. We want to be responsible adults and not bring children into this world in our situation. It won't be fair to the kid. It won't be fair to me as I am losing my mind trying to keep it together.

Life is on hold.

We also lost our grandpa to cancer last week so it's been hard on all of us. We've been so busy taking care of family and the funeral.

Sad.

The Stepford Wife: Christian Louboutin Rouge Feticha x DVF dress

2010-01-26T12:44:00.005-05:00

Makes me feel like a Rock Star

2010-01-17T14:40:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite pairs of heels: Christian Louboutin Bianca 140mm in black patent

Christian Louboutin Bianca 140mm, Alexander McQueen stained glass skulls and roses silk scarf, Mike & Chris black leather jacket, and my lovely Ibanez Iceman guitar <3

Leather-panel leggings by Audrey Cantwell. Check out her shop at etsy.

Alexander McQueen Stained Glass silk scarf from Satine Boutique.

Everyday Ninja Uniform: Lululemon

2010-01-14T09:43:00.006-05:00

Thanks to my dear friend, Dena (far right) - I found my new obsession: Lululemon.

L to R: Myself, Jane, and Dena
(Photo taken by a creepy odd mural during lunch at the Polish Cultural Center last December.)

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love leggings. They are just easy to wear especially when I'm in a hurry. My problem with most of my leggings is that sometimes they become "baggy" and that definitely isn't a good look. It has been really hard for me to find the perfect pair of everyday leggings that don't get baggy, aren't "semi see thru" in places that shouldn't be see thru, and are thick enough to wear in cold weather but don't end up looking bulky and unflattering.

I've been trying to find a new "uniform" for running errands, impromptu dinners (when I suddenly crave Thai/Indian/Mexican and have no time to get dressed because I'm too hungry to care how I look like), grocery shopping, sudden coffee meetups with friends, etc. For the past year or so, I've been wearing Adidas track pants or leggings with either my Deftones hoodie or my Rick Owens hoodie. I'm no glam chick at all especially when I'm in a hurry. After reading some online reviews (I have this weird tendency of reading reviews before I purchase anything - may it be electronics, gadgets, food, shoes, and clothes), I found these - THE PERFECT NINJA ATTIRE!

Lululemon Stride II Jacket in Black

...with uber cool thumbholes!

Lululemon Wunder Under Pant

The hubby and I took a trip to Lululemon so I can try these on and they fit like a dream! They were perfect and very comfortable. Once I slipped into these babies, I knew these would be my "uniform". I know they were meant for yoga and pilates (which I used to do a lot of before but now I've been so focused on high impact aerobics and strength training), but I totally could see myself wearing this everyday. I know they aren't exactly "fashionable" but sometimes function triumphs over form. I think the tights/leggings could be worn under an oversized sweater or one of my Alexander Wang tops matched with boots or a pair of sexy Louboutin's and used out on the town.

Aahh... I finally understand why Dena loves Lululemon so much. They are just perfect! I also love the fact that I fit in a size 2! Hooray! This "uniform" also inspires me to workout more so I don't end up looking like a beached whale....

Love the thumbholes!!!

Where the wild things are....

2010-01-05T22:24:00.003-05:00

Today was a "furry" day. Wore my uber-soft faux fur vest and paired it with my favorite Chanel purse ever - 10C Red M/L in SHW.

Chanel 10C Red M/L with SHW, faux fur vest from Nordies, Anthropologie black cowl neck sweater dress, Wolford tights, Frye boots, wool-lined leather gloves from Saks Fifth Avenue, and Roberto Cavalli sunglasses.

Apparently, my DH felt "furry" too in his Spiewalk! I am so thankful to have him in my life and that we've made it through 2009 <3 It's been a tough year for us - health-wise as he was diagnosed with complete renal failure and a heart problem. Fortunately, we were able to "zap" his heart via surgery (8 hours!) and now his heart is doing well but he still has to undergo dialysis treatments 3x a week for 3-4 hours at a time for his kidneys. We are praying that he gets a transplant early this year. *crossing fingers* I wish my kidneys matched him but with our blood type being different, it just won't work.

2009 was a very trying year BUT because of our love and devotion for each other, we were able to overcome these challenges and the experience has made us stronger than ever. I know it's not the end and there are more challenges to come but I have faith that we will persevere and make it through. I am eternally grateful for that, for him and his love.

Now we have 2010 to look forward to and I know for sure that this will be a great and promising year!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

2010-01-01T11:14:00.002-05:00

The holidays have been so crazy. So many family gatherings and stuff to do both personal and work related, that I haven't had the time to post regularly here on my blog.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas x New Year's celebration with their loved ones!!!

Here's to another great year of fashion and fun!

Merry Christmas!!!! - a day late

2009-12-26T10:25:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Hail x Kraut

2009-12-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

Outfit I wore yesterday when I went out for a Polish late lunch and run errands with the hubby.

United Colors of Benetton grey wool coat, Chanel Metallic Navy Reissue 227 with SHW, Frye boots, Free People asymmetrical skirt, Alexander Wang Moto leather vest (worn inside), Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, and an eternity scarf I recently got from UO.

SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA: Mackage Nev Leather Jacket in Gunmetal Size S

2009-12-16T12:43:00.004-05:00

My gently worn Mackage Nev Leather Jacket in Gunmetal Size S is up for sale at my blog shop:

SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA!

Christmas and Barbies

2009-12-15T12:47:00.005-05:00

As a kid, I always had a wish list ready which had Barbies on top of the list. Every Christmas, I would ask for a Barbie from my parents, from Santa, from the Three Kings, and from my godfathers and godmothers. I think my parents and my godparents would convene to figure out who's getting what Barbie doll for me while they were doing their Christmas shopping. I was pretty obsessed with Barbies during my entire childhood. I eventually grew out of them when I got older and became all "goth" but my mum still kept the collection and displayed it in a china cabinet in our main living room. I know that we still have them tucked away in one of our homes back in Manila today. Maybe I could ship them to the US, my new home, and share them to my daughter someday! <3

Look what came in the mail last night. Christmas is here indeed!

Barbie by Christian Louboutin

Reminds me of those Christmas midnights when I was a kid...

My dad and I usually had "matching" outfits! Hehe... Take note of the white pants!

SPFPA.ORG: Website Redesign

2009-12-13T13:20:00.001-05:00

Shockboogiedesign and Robert Laperriere Design recently collaborated to create a new website for the Security, Police, Fire Professionals of America’s Internation Union. We joined forces to redesign their current website and add more features/functions to what they already have such as a store, etc.

See the transformation:

OLD WEBSITE

..and the SHOCKBOOGIEFIED x LAPERRIERIFIED new website!
See more at SPFPA.ORG

I love redesigning websites! It gives me so much joy to transform and reorganize something (especially typical "corporate" websites) to make it more efficient and functional as well as giving it the added ooomph it needs. I love my job!

SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA: Herve Leger Bandage Skirt Red Size XXS Brand New With Tags Attached

2009-12-09T09:35:00.000-05:00

Check out this beautiful Brand New Herve Leger Bandage Skirt in XXS at my new blog shop!

Perfect skirt for the holidays, don't you think?

BUY IT NOW!

SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA

2009-12-07T10:53:00.002-05:00

Check out my new blog: SHOP SHOCKBOOGIENINJA!

Shop my closet for items from Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Herve Leger, Marc Jacobs, etc.

Procurement of a Wish List Item: My First Hermes

2009-12-06T12:43:00.002-05:00

It may not be a Birkin or a Kelly (yet!) but I finally managed to procure an item from my wish list!

Black The Salon: Print Ads

2009-12-02T11:53:00.003-05:00

This has been long overdue but I just wanted to share some of my recently published ads on magazines for Black The Salon.

This month's issue of 944 will feature yet another print ad I've designed so I need to get myself a copy. I also have to take some photos of the two huge trade show banners I've designed for the salon used at the recently concluded Malys Beauty Convention and currently displayed at the salon in Royal Oak so if you want to check it out in person - come visit Black The Salon!:)

I've been so busy lately creating more stuff such as gift cards, email blasts, etc. for my client, Black The Salon. It's been fun though especially since I get full creative freedom to design it however I wish. It feels really nice when a client trusts your eye for design and lets you just go for it!

This is why I love my job - I get to be creative and make stuff that help people grow their business.