On a trip to Cebu in the Philippines, I was inspired by the indigenous fabrics at Anthill Fabric Gallery. I love the tribal designs and the vibrant colors. I love even more that the textiles are still made by artisans on antique wooden looms. What's even more impressive is that the artisans are Philippine hill tribe mothers supporting their families, while keeping a native tradition alive.

Anthill collaborates with designers to create demand for these fabrics, supporting the artisans, their craftsmanship, and their traditions. It's a cause I believe in and makes me feel proudly Filipino. I never thought I would design a line but here I am, jumping in with both feet.

These fabrics are commonly used for home goods such as table runners and placemats, so I decided to use them unconventionally. I wanted to make clothes out of them. Toddler clothes, to be specific. The fabrics motivated to look back at indigenous Filipinos, and ati-atihan was what came to mind first. Ati-atihan is a festival celebrating the Ati people, who are believed to be one of the earliest settlers in the Philippines. Ati-atihan costumes are dramatic, wild, energetic, and tribal. It's an unusual inspiration for a toddler line, I'll admit, but that's what makes it interesting.

Photo: art.com

Photo: speedycanizales.wordpress.com

Photo: pinoyfiestavancouver.com

Photo: mrfunanimous.wordpress.com

Photo: demotix.com

textiles from Anthill Fabric Gallery and Silahis

Big news! Sugarcane is designing a mini toddler line!

Who? Why? Wha?

On a trip to Cebu in the Philippines, I was inspired by the indigenous fabrics at Anthill Fabric Gallery. I love the tribal designs and the vibrant colors. I love even more that the textiles are still made by artisans on antique wooden looms. What's even more impressive is that the artisans are Philippine hill tribe mothers supporting their families, while keeping a native tradition alive.

Anthill collaborates with designers to create demand for these fabrics, supporting the artisans, their craftsmanship, and their traditions. It's a cause I believe in and makes me feel proudly Filipino. I never thought I would design a line but here I am, jumping in with both feet.


Anthill Fabric Gallery
Pedro Calomarde St.
Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City
Philippines 6000

The Silahis Center
744 Calle Real del Palacio (Gen. Luna)
Intramuros 1002, Manila
Philippines

Providing a toddler with a variety of foods at every meal is easier with these Spuds plates. First, the plates are made out of reclaimed potatoes. It is manufactured with only organic raw materials, even the packaging. Reading all too often about scary toxins found in common products that we use on a daily basis, I feel better about using natural products for Amelia, especially the ones touching her food.

Additionally, there are 5 compartments that make me come up a balanced meal. I try to fill them with protein, grains, vegetables, fruits and, occasionally, sweets at every meal. Amelia doesn't eat everything. Sometimes she'll eat only the egg or corn, but I can say I tried.

breakfast: pecan raisin bread, avocado, egg, kiwi, mango

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snack: kale puffs, slice of lemon-filled cupcake, panda cookie, raisins, string cheese

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dinner: mango, tilapia, squid ink pasta, artichoke, tomato

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breakfast: apple, blueberry whole wheat waffles with almond butter and strawberry jam, egg, strawberries, tater tots

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lunch: strawberries, mangoes, vegetable roll, buttered corn, chocolate cookie because it's shark week

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Once upon a time I wore nothing but heels. The higher the better. I had a heel for every occasion except athletics, but only because high heel sneakers weren't available yet.

When flats became a trend 5 years ago, I thought it would slink away to a dark fashion corner by the following season. Wanting to participate but not invest, I got a pair at Ross Dress for Less to get me through 1 season. I couldn't wait for this trend's end but it never came. Flats refused to leave and they may be here for good. Quel dommage!

When I saw the writing on the wall, I relented and got a pair of classic, gold flats. That was 1 pair long ago. Recently, however, my shoe purchases have been all flats. There are so many lust-worthy pairs out there and I'm all for them. But how did this happen? When did I become a flats girl?

...Oh, right. Maybe since I've had to carry
all at the same time. Handbag optional.

Happy Friday, loves!


baby illustration from http://www.mywallpaper.org/cartoon/baby-girl-cartoon-clip-art

Amelia's room is finally finished! I used some old, some new, and lots of gifts to furnish the room along with a few things we picked up on our travels. It's bright, colorful, and a little wordly ;)

The quilt was handmade by Aunt Remi in Seattle. Cool Bear was a gift from Uncle Roy in San Francisco. The silk elephant was from L'Indochine boutique in Manila. Lion was a gift from Aunt Julie in San Diego. Bedding from Serena & Lily. Table lamp and rug from Land of Nod.

One of Amelia's first shirts, from when she weighed only 4 pounds, hangs with artwork from Uncle John and 4-year-old cousin Hoops. I'll let you figure out who made which. Haha. The Cordoba blocks were a gift from cousins Hoops and Winter. The wooden horsie was a gift from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Denise. Storage bin from Land of Nod.

play area

Our ocean friends turtle and seahorse were souvenirs from El Nido Pangulasian. Blabla mermaid was a present from Flola and the alphabet quilt was handmade by Grandma Judy from when we celebrated Amelia's 1st birthday with an Aloha Mermaid Party in Oahu's north shore. Quilt rack from Pottery Barn Kids.

A hand-embroidered ottoman serves as a table. It came from the Hmong Tribe in Thailand, transported to Manila via L'Indochine boutique, and then flown to California specifically for Amelia's room. It's kinda the crown jewel piece of the room, right?

Lots of people to thank on this wall :)  Grandma Joyce, Aunt Ricci, Aunt Rizza, Uncle Nicco, Aunt Julie, Uncle Clifford, Aunt Jan, Uncle Sriram and Aunt Vasavi. Book ledge from Ikea.

Dolls from Bali, Kyoto, Shanghai, Los Cabos, and Cebu. Sales of the Sara doll (far left) from Bali benefits the non-profit Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak, which provides shelter, care, and education for street children. The Isabel rag doll (far right) from Anthill Fabric Gallery in Cebu is made from scrap fabrics. Its proceeds benefits the Handcrafters of Mary Enterprise, which trains mothers how to sew in order to provide for their their families.

The dresser is a hand-me-down from Marc's old room. I planned on making it fancy with lavander glass knobs and a new coat of paint until I realized that this thing is completely under Amelia's radar. If I make it nice, she'll want to open every drawer and empty them out. So it will be status quo until she grows out of her remove-everything-from-its-place phase. White ceramic garden stool from Ross Dress for Less.

tutu from Aunt Ricci

Hi, Ameles!

Thank you to everyone for making Amelia's room so special! And a special shout out to Uncle Tom for installing the book ledges and baby-proof gates!

I've used my Banago beach tote as a purse, a diaper bag, a picnic basket, and a shopping bag and love its bold graphic pattern.

This super simple design is beautiful.

My Lagu beach blankets have seen several beaches, pool and parks already, and they're still in mint condition.

I plan on making Amelia some clothes with the fabrics I bought.

Our family trip to El Nido Pangulasian was a dream come true. The days were full of activities that we were only too happy to partake in. We snorkeled, paddle boarded, windsurfed, island hopped, hiked, rock climbed, kayaked into lagoons, fed jack fish, and swam with sharks all in the breathtaking beauty of Palawan's crystal clear waters and limestone cliffs.