Kar-t-yay

Well, that's how you're suppose to pronounce Cartier.

I had a long drive the other day to Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi for a Cartier fashion show. And when you're driving alone for almost 2 hours, that is really long. I kept myself awake listening to Kanye West... let's have a toast for the d_____bags, let's have a toast for the a__holes, let's have a toast for the s___bags, everyone of them that I know.... =)

I got there, had a brief, then started shooting. 

First, some shots of the jewelries...

Then the display booth...

The cool and unique catwalk...

And then I was kicked out! Apparently the first part of the event were for ladies only... which my contact forgot to mention. 

Anyway, I ended up shooting backstage. When I got there, all the models were already dressed up, hanging out, having last minute touch-ups before they hit the stage.

I stayed there until the start of the second show. So here are some more images at the backstage after the end of the first show.

Models relaxing and passing out time...

Some of them needed some retouching and so as their gowns.

And then, the show... It wasn't the usual fashion show where you have a  continuous light  on the catwalk. The lights were constantly changing every second. Flash photography is a  no-no,  so I have to adjust my exposure every now and then.

I've seen a lot of fashion shows but this one is at the top of my list. Kudos to JBM Studio for the very unique fashion show experience. They had awesome lighting effects (which was quite a challenge for me), a unique catwalk and the music... well, I felt like I was in outer space! 

What would you expect? Of course they'll have a glamorous  fashion show in a 7 star hotel! They're selling jewelries with a price tag that can buy you a two-story house and lot back in my country. =)

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Zoei @ 11 Months

It's that time of the month again. No, I'm not talking about period. I'm talking about my baby's monthly photo shoot. She's in her 11th month now. Almost walking, but still prefers crawling. She can make 10 steps before she realizes that crawling is easier and faster. 

This time I planned on giving her a ballerina look. We got her a tutu and ballet shoes but couldn't find a top that will go well with the outfit. What we did find is a butterfly wing. Perfect!

Zoei looked like she had fun during the photo shoot. Well, she did... for about 3 minutes. She hated that tutu. I think it was itchy. She probably would have been more comfortable if I listened to Mabe' and dressed her with leggings. =)

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Layan

Layan, according to babynames.com, means soft and gentle. That's exactly how I describe this beautiful baby. She almost never cried when we did her photo shoot. I think it was my fault that she did. I kinda jinxed it when I noticed her being quiet and telling it to Mommy Hana. =)

Layan is only a month old but as you can see in these photos she looks tall for her age. And she really is. Thanks to the good genes of Daddy Tariq and Mommy Hana.

 Sleeping like a baby... (literally)

And then I jinxed it. Oops...

Daddy Tariq had to comfort her...

Aunt Mai entitled this "The Thinker". I wonder what she's thinking. Hmmm...

Congratulations Daddy Tariq and Mommy Hana! Layan will surely grow up to be a beautiful and loving daughter. =)

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K & K

Two kiddie parties in a month! Wow, I really am a bona fide daddy. 

We were invited to attend Klyde and Karlisle's birthday party yesterday. 4 and 1 year old brothers born 1 day apart. Kudos to Mommy Hazel and Daddy Kim for excellent family planning and thinking of an economical way of celebrating future birthdays! ;-)

I don't remember having themes on birthday parties I attended to when I was a kid. In those days we just had cake, spaghetti or pansit, fried chicken, hotdogs and marshmallows on sticks, barbecues and balloons, some goody bags with candies, lollipops and toys, pabitin or pukpok palayok and that was it. Nowadays, you must have a theme....there's princess theme (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc.), Bob the Builder, Harry Potter, Barney, Lady Bug, Spongebob Squarepants, Dora, Care Bears, etc.  Basically, every kid's show or movie can be a kiddie party theme. And they have lots of items for sale for these themes, from party hats, plates and cups to goody bags. So now, it's more expensive to celebrate a kid's birthday. Well, I guess from a parent's point of view, it somehow doesn't matter. Because you always want to give the best for your kids, right? <although for me, a simple birthday party is ok too>  =)  

Toy Story was the theme of K & K's birthday. Here, you can see Klyde as Buzz Lightyear, complete with light goggles (is that what it's called?) and jet wings.  Awesome costume! 

And here's Karlisle in his Woody costume...who dozed off almost the entire program.  

There was a magic show for the kids...

...and for adults. Here, Mommy Grace tried her magic tricks on the rings.  

Some detail shots...

Cool goody bags!

Cakes by Sugar Box, red velvet and chocolate flavors. Yummy!

And then some games.

A kid pointed at the balloon on top and everyone just looked at it. =)

Even Mommy Hazel enjoyed the games...

My baby Zoei, still too young to join in, watched from the side.

Little Big Boss Dade...

Guinna, probably telling me to stop taking photos. =)

Some group photos.

Birthday candle blowing and cake cutting...

Klyde giving goody bags to the guests... "Thank you for coming." 

And here's the big surprise of the night. Klyde gave more than a goody bag to my baby... a kiss on the lips! Ehemmmm...

As soon as Klyde decided to open a gift, every kid were on him. Thankfully, I managed to take solo photos of Klyde and Karlisle opening their gifts. I think the other kids and the celebrants were equally excited to see what's inside the wrapped boxes.

Props to Daddy Kim, Mommy Hazel and her team, for the preparation and venue decorations of the successful K & K birthday party. Ehemmm Klyde... you really can't take your eyes off my baby, can you. =D

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