Remembering Kuya Jay

 

Jay with Andrew and Anthony in San Francisco, February 2008

I’m sitting at the Las Vegas airport waiting for my connecting flight to Sacramento.  I’m heading back to hang out with family…  Today is the one year death anniversary of our cousin, Jay.  I can still remember it like it was yesterday.  One year ago today, Papa called me at work to tell me the news that he was killed in a crash while driving his motorcycle to work.  I couldn’t believe it then and I still can’t believe it now.  It was the day before his 37th birthday.

Jay was like a brother to us and we miss him dearly.

Rather than dwell on the tragedy and sadness of the whole thing, I’d like to take this moment to give him a quick shout-out on our humble lil’ blog.  He was such a great person and having him in our lives made us better people.  That will always be true regardless of whether or not he’s physically here with us.  He was a great artist and illustrator who inspired and influenced me ever since we were kids.  He was smart, talented, creative, kind, and HYSTERICAL!  … a great great soul.  We’ll be sure to keep on reminding Andrew and Anthony about their angel daddy!

We love you, Jay!  Thanks for watching over us.  

BEWARE: The Cute Factor in following pictures – VERY HIGH.

Just when i thought our little models couldn’t get any cuter, i got these pics from BARKADA(KO) customer Grace Linker!  Adorable sure does run in the family.  Bobby was our first blog and facebook model and now his older sister, Ava has joined in on the fun!  Alright everyone, let’s do a collective “awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!”

They are both modeling the baby and kid’s ARNIS shirts.

Save Fashion

Ultra Wedge by Melissa Campana Brazil

Tonight, on my way home from work, passing through Port Authority to transfer from the bus to the subway, a sample sale caught my eye…  It turned out to be a special event going on: Save Fashion!!! Well, I couldn’t resist since I had been hunting for some summer shoes…  I found 3 things I wish I could’ve bought.  The first thing was this beautiful pair of shoes, the Ultra Wedge Flocked by Melissa Campana. They only had size 8 and 10. BOOHOO!… The second piece was a black wool zip jacket by Philippa K. It had a very mod 1960’s look, subtle bubble shape with slightly ruffled collar, a la Audrey Hepburn. The funny thing was that I noticed it ONCE before. It was this past winter, a woman near me on the subway was wearing it and I was thinking how cute it looked with jeans… The last piece that I wish I could’ve grabbed was a space-age Lyn Devon Motorblanket Jacket. Hip length quilted ivory-colored virgin wool and angora with wide rounded lapels and a short diagonal zipper down the front, not to mention some golden zippers around the elbow joints. I know it sounds crazy, but my written description doesn’t do it justice.  It was so beautiful and SO SOFT! But it was wayyyy too big.  It would’ve been a great dressy winter coat as an alternative to my dumpy knee-length down jackets…

I wish I could say it was strictly a “sport shopping” experience, you know, “catch and release.”  But I DID break down and get a pair of deep purple Melissa flats. Only $40! Comfy, durable, stylish, and WATERPROOF!