HOW I MET...DIDDY

They were filming BC's shoot for the pilot of a reality show featuring the Combs family

It's funny the things one experiences when one's not expecting it. I just wanted that to sound like an idiom, but the "one" I'm referring to is, naturally, myself.

Like the rest of the world--ok, for a hell of a lot of us in the U.S. anyway--I kind of followed the whole J.Lo-Diddy love affair. From the hook-up, to the crazy shootout at a NY club that, I believe, left someone dead--it all seemed like a crazy ride. So that's pretty much all I knew about Diddy--the fast life, the girlfriends, the whole Mo' Money Mo' Problems deal.

So it was a surprise when a then-acquaintance suggested a cover shoot with Kim Porter, who is the mother of 3 of Sean "Diddy" Combs' children. Shalena Smith of Gaga Designs (she designs gorgeous nurseries for celebrity families), whom I met at one of BC's events, told me about her friend, the headturning, towering Kim.

Up to the shoot day itself, held in their Calabasas, CA home, I wasn't certain if Diddy would be joining in. So when I saw him at their kitchen watching television once I arrived, I mustered up my courage and asked (very) nicely. Not sure if I remember right, but it seemed my voice was but a whisper. I still wasn't used to talking to Hollywood celebrities then, since BC was only about a year old. So I go, "Mr. Combs, are you joining the photo shoot?" He answers, "Nah, this is Kim's shoot." (It sounded like a "nah" but with a straight face, so maybe it was a "nahr?") And I explain, "Actually, the photo shoot is for Kim and the twins, so it's really for your family." I showed him the magazine, and the Sean John Kids ads (he's actually our advertiser), and he says, "Oh, if it's for the girls, sure." Score one for BC! No one was really keeping score, but who cares? I felt like it was a step in the right direction for the magazine...and to this day, it remains one of our best and most enjoyable photo shoots.

Diddy loved these Zutano outfits I picked out (thank God) for his uber-cute twins. He even helped me change his girls, which I didn't expect from someone with nannies and assistants all around. Kim Porter is a hands-on mom herself. And I don't know how she does it, but that body has already churned out 3 kids.

As a stylist, it is heartwarming when the talent loves what you've picked out for them, since it's a nod to your taste. For this shoot, my heart was full because when the twins would come out after every layout, the family would literally clap and exclaim how adorable they looked. They kept asking where I found the stuff, and even Diddy asked if the girls could keep all that I brought. Kim also loved the clothes I was able to pull for her from Dolce & Gabbana, Ben Sherman, Diesel, etc.

So anyway, that's how I met Diddy. My friend, the ever-talented Meeno Peluce (who is the brother of Punky Brewster, Soleil Moon Frye) was the photographer, so it was a great day all around. A few months after, the twins celebrated their birthday and gave copies of BC to all the guests (like Gwen Stefani) who attended. The Combs family is love...




By the way, apart from Shalena being in the photo shoot, making sure things went well, there was another celebrity in the house while we were shooting: actor Blair Underwood (whom you might know as Dr. Leeds in "Sex and the City"). Don't know why he was there to this day...

(Photos by Meeno Peluce and Reggie Regala; Styling by me)

ROLL OUT THE PUMPKINS

Ok, so my hands are shaking and sweaty from all the computer work lately. Carpal tunnel syndrome, nice to have you back. Three things causing the dreaded hand pain:

1.) I have an exciting shoot coming up for BC US. 2.) We're launching our very first BC Playdate Cover Contest Winner  in November for BC Philippines' 2nd Year Anniversary (can't wait for that to come out, because my kids and I will be in it, yay!) 3.) This Sunday, we are having BC's Halloween Kidstock event in Manila as well--so much fun! I will be hosting that--yes, I am a closet host, hairstylist, and wannabe vocalist--but I guess who better to host BC's parties than the person who knows everything about it with her eyes closed?

BC and ELLE invite you to the most spook-tacular event for boo-tiful BC families!
BC KIDSTOCK--An afternoon of fun, fashion, music and togetherness in a Halloween party like no other! Come in costume (prizes for the best ones!) on October 28, 2012 at The Loft at Rockwell Manansala, 3 to 6 PM.

Special thanks to: Numa, Gymboree, Medela, The Farm Organics
Drypers, Coco Cakes, Mary Grace, and Big Chill

So if you're in town, prepare for a fun afternoon. And we're also learning how to dance the gangnam from two of my favorite celebrity kids. Can't wait!

HI, I'M KARIZ, AND I'M A BURGER-HOLIC

There, I said it. I was a QP w/ C kinda girl for most of my adult life. And I admit having gained quite the number of kilos due to In 'N Out while living in LA.

However, dare I say it, my husband has come up with what has got to be my most favorite burger in the history of...of...time. Is that too long ago? But it feels that way to me. Thank you to The Farm Organics
(TFO) for curing me of my former addictions, and diverting it to a new one. Hey, at least they're certified organic beef patties.

I am the biggest critic when it comes to food, and am a hard audience (rather, tummy) to please. So because he is my husband and the co-founder of TFO, he gets no mercy from me. For the meantime, you can only order it online for delivery from thefarm.ph/secretmenu. Now, who stole my fries?

HOW I MET...ADAM LEVINE

I started this post by inserting the image above of Adam Levine. Normally I do it backwards (photos come in after the entry), but today, I needed that tattooed, cut physique to keep me going because I hardly slept last night due to organizing a celebrity cover shoot for BC US. Good thing Mathis (my 2-month old son) only woke up twice last night. He's growing up. Sniff.

Anyway, this post is about Adam Levine because I've been watching him a lot on "The Voice" lately. I'm only on the blind auditions for season 3, but my money is on Mycle Wastman, the little girl who sang "Toxic," and the boy who sang "Pumped Up Kicks" (the latter mainly because he reminds me of Emile Hirsch crossed with Justin Beiber).

When my eldest daughter was about 2 or 3 years old, we had a Bugaboo stroller that I used for carting stuff I shopped for, while her dad wore her on a baby carrier. Nice, huh? That's what I call functional. So on one of those shopping trips, I think it was at Zara or H&M in New York, I hoarded a bunch of clothes on the Bugaboo, and was going about my ways when all the items on said stroller fell to the floor. Of course I was annoyed, since picking up stuff meant bending and accidentally working out in the process, so I was oblivious of my surroundings. BUT, this damsel in back distress had a knight-in-a-shirt-and-jeans who helped her pick up all the stuff from the floor: you guessed it--Adam Levine.

But the story doesn't end here. The guy who helped me was a paler, tamer version of Levine, who looked more like this:

But I still recognized him because even back then, I loved the song, um, "She Will Be Loved." Lacking adjectives due to lack of sleep. They were pretty new as a band, but the song was off the charts.

So Adam helps me dump back all my stuff into the stroller, and I thank him while the girl he was with looked on. I think they were by the cashier that time. He was very charming and pleasant, seemed quiet and easygoing to me.

After that, I was naturally excited to tell my husband about "meeting" Adam, when a few feet after the experience, ALL my stuff comes tumbling down to the floor again. Argh! So annoyed at myself, but lo and behold, Adam helps me--AGAIN. This time, I don't think he was very up to the task, but regardless, he helped one more time and that's what's important. He is a true gentleman and I say my "super thanks" all over again (plus apologizing profusely this time). I hurry out of the scene for fear that he might think I was doing it on purpose. Moves like Jagger, I do not possess, for sure.

So there you have it, ladies and gents. A firsthand account of my meetin' Levine, and why I will always and forever be a fan. Too bad I had just given birth when I got the invite for a press meet and greet with Bench recently.

Here's a photo of myself and Sabina with that stroller, years (and many lbs) ago. Should've had it signed. Tsk, tsk.

PATHETIC AT BLOGGING

Because I'm online all the time doing emails and of course, working on three magazine deadlines all the time (one is already a full-time gig, and I'm handling tres amigos), I am a pathetic "blogger." Has it really been 1 year and 7 months since my last entry? Ugh.

I'm always stumped at what to write at first, but when I get on it, boy do the words come flowing outta my system like an umbilical cord afterbirth. Not the best analogy, but I'm also a mom for the third time, and that's my story. Seems like 3 is my lucky number lately, so, yay!

How have you all been? As mentioned above, I gave birth last August 16th to my very first son, Mathis Samuel, who already has me wrapped around his little fingers. My darling daughters are now 8 and 6--Sabina will be turning 9 on October 28th, which also falls on the same day as our BC Halloween Kidstock event in the Philippines. WYCC--wish you could come.

Been a busy year so I'll try and slowly update you. I'm also on facebook.com/karizfavisofficial, twitter.com/karizfavis, and on Instagram as karizfavis. Whew.

What have you been up to lately???