It’s March and it’s officially the start of summer in the Philippines. Although Ito and I have unofficially made February our month for kicking off beach season–first, because celebrating Valentine’s is much more fun in the beach, second, because the weather in February is perfect (sunny but not scorching), and third, because any excuse is the perfect excuse to run off to any one of our 7,100 white, sandy islands. Our beach-hopping began last month, and our plans are set for this month and the next as well…can’t wait! I absolutely love summer
Sharing some of my Instagram snaps (http://instagram.com/tippiocampo) from our first beach trip this year, as we ready ourselves for the heat, slather on the sunblock, and welcome my favorite season with wide open arms…
Heaven is warm water, blue skies, a cool breeze & sand beneath my toes
Reflections–tabletop and horizon scene
Absolutely loved this arrangement of summer blooms mixed with rice “puso”
Favorite seaside meal of charcoal grilled prawns, crisp fries and fresh salad
Happy to meet up with good friends, Mayee & Brian, with their adorable boys, Julian & Logan
Green touch–a lovely gift in support of revitalizing our forest & marine ecosystems
Road testing my new bag charm with summer weaves & easy, casual fashion
Whimsical wooden sculptural piece
Live music and popular tunes
Paintings propped on the ground
Running into some of my favorite people…
…and my favorite UP institution!
Crazy, graphic, surprising art everywhere
I wanted this “sampaguita” piece for our garden!
Black & white lightbox photographs
Loved this drippy, recycled-plastic lamp
The bamboo bike is always such an eye-catching conversation piece
Creating our own installation art from beer cans and plastic mojito glasses 



















Beautiful models, Jodilly, Emerald & Sirene, wearing my Filipiniana lace gowns (with accessories by Chantal)
The lovely Justine in a lace & jersey modern Filipiniana gown
Gorgeous Maria Claras, Jennifer, Emerald & Jodilly, in sparkly & lacey Filipiniana Tippi Ocampo gowns
FCCP member & family friend, sultry Yoli Ayson, modeled a slinky Tippi Ocampo figure-hugging gown
FCCP member, flirty Dolly Borlongan strikes a pose in a softly gathered gown w/ lace appliques (& pañuelo)
FCCP member, lovely Marivel Carandang stands tall in a ruffled, silk & ikat-printed cocktail ensemble
Ready to dazzle on the catwalk–some of my fabulous FCCP models backstage wearing Tippi Ocampo (and sparkling accessories by Chantal)
Sumptious merienda and dessert buffet ready to be served after the show
Fashion icon in the streets–Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly graces the walls of a back alley
Fabulous in fuschia–a dose of fashion brightens anyone’s day
Can you imagine how dull a life would be without fashion?
Irregular Choice–a fun, crazy, whimsical pair of shoes that adds a happy skip to my step!
Letting our hair down and being kids for a day
Being ‘recruited’ for the Tranformers defense squad
Luckily my mom enjoys the thrill rides as much as we do!
Surprise meeting with my childhood loves
Catching the show “Jersey Boys” with the Manila boys
Great story, memorable tunes, 6o’s fashion–what’s not to love?
Front & center…any closer and we would have been onstage, LOL!
Still humming the tunes well into dinner
Amazing Flower Dome
Pleasant stroll before (and after) lunch
Olive trees, vegetables, herbs, and even flowers grown outside supply the kitchen
Eager to dig in 
Starters of ‘Trip to Japan’ and an ‘English breakfast’
Delicious artichoke soup with roasted scallop & squid, red snapper & duck confit with buttered mashed potatoes
Imaginative desserts of pistachio parfait and a version of peanut butter & jelly that were almost too pretty to eat
Surprise mini birthday cake from the ‘Pollen’ staff
It’s always a perfectly crisp spring day inside the dome
Mother Nature at her picture-perfect best
Super trees and green, self-sustaining technology at Gardens by the Bay
Fresh orchids greet us at the lobby of our hotel
Cooling down from the heat in poolside cabanas
Sunny days and beautiful views
Loving the food a little too much–no dieting allowed while on vacation!
John busily photographing the sights
Lego family portrait at the ArtScience Museum (squint when looking at this pic!)
At the nearby “Art of the Brick” exhibit
Walking around and catching the light & water show at Marina Bay
Back in our room enjoying the view
Off to a great start on our vacation! 




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