[creativity runs in the family]

i'm not the only one who is artsy-craftsy in our family. my two cousins in california are also creative peeps who are "artpreneurs".

karen & kristin

there's KAREN, my ballerina/photographer/bag designer cousin. she is a former professional ballerina who got into the bag business after her stint at the san francisco ballet company. her website www. nepacena.com  is an online store for practically all types of bags - from handbags, totes to duffles or diaper bags. each bag, carefully designed & crafted with the help of her mom, is named after women who have inspired her through life.

LUCIE bag photo - www.nepacena.com

another of her venture is  www.real-exposure.com, a wedding photography business owned & run by her & her hubby, JOHN. being a business & fine art photography graduate of northeastern university, this business is close to her heart. aside from wedding photography, they also go into commercial, travel,  maternity, newborn & family photography. look through their site or FB page & see the beautifully & artistically captured photos done only by the creative geniuses, karen, john & omar. 

via REAL EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY in FB

my other cousin, KRISTIN, the kid sister of karen, is the lady behind www.petals & posy.com. she is a professional florist whose "design philosophy is guided by the singular principle -  style that's understated is most elegant."  she does floral arrangements, centerpieces & bouquets for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries & special events around the san francisco bay area. visit her site or FB page & see her modern floral art pieces that are worth second looks.

profile pic - PETALS & POSY facebook page

[astig!!!!]

pardon my being a "maroon" to the core, but i just have to share this photo posted on the state u's official facebook page. for me, nothing else can be as awesome as this...

 the oblation's silhouette on a giant star lantern
photo credit: jun madrid

speaking of lanterns, the up lantern parade  is coming up. this tradition, held yearly and  usually a day before the start of the christmas break has  been in existence for 89 years already. it started in 1922 in the padre faura campus. lanterns made by each participating college or campus office are paraded around the school grounds. so for those who would like to see & be part of the festivities, be there on friday 16 dec 2011 at the diliman campus, hours before the 4 pm parade.