Frameworks Homefront

I was pretty busy last Saturday - my building, Park Terraces, had its first staff outing in Los Banos, Laguna. However, I still found time to drop by Frameworks Homefront to pick up the 3 small paintings I wanted framed.

A couple of weeks ago, I had finally decided that it was time to have my mini-paintings, which I placed on small easels, to be given proper frames. I researched which frame shop I would go to. Rotech, although it has been quite affordable with positive results, already closed their branch in Sta. Lucia. I didn't want to brave the crowd in Megamall to go to the Rotech branch there.

I chanced upon the advertisement of Frameworks on OLX, which directed me to their Facebook page. Their shop was quite near where I live - so I called them to set an appointment.

I left the paintings there and they asked me to come back after two weeks. Finally, after much anticipation, I have the frames in my office already!

The Birdhouse by Renee Avila seems like its floating. I had it framed similar to a painting I purchased in Gintong Sining in Glorietta. I had an inkling the result was going to be spectacular, since the green is so vibrant, the black frame made it pop even more.

ANG Ink's Merm was quite a challenge, being such a small painting. To make it seem quite original, I also placed it on a predominantly black background to make the color vibrant - but I angled the mermaid so that the canvas would turn into a diamond shape. The frame's inspiration is from my 2 Anjo Bolarda wood blocks which I had framed in a similar fashion.

Miguel Toni's blue blossom - I couldn't really decide how to frame, since most of the frames we tried on it looked washed out. We finally decided to use a silver wood frame to accentuate its black and blue motif without making the painting look drab.

I have two Blanco paintings which I will be bringing to Frameworks - the owners are quite hands-on. They were the ones helping me decide on the matting and frame, they were giving good suggestions for each painting.

Should you need the services of a frame shop, why not give Frameworks a try? Prices are very competitive, and they make the frames in their shop right behind their store.

FRAMEWORKS HOMEFRONT
#46 Kamuning Road, Quezon City
telephone number: 02.4264482 / 0917.826.4482

Ginza Bairin in UP Town Center

Ginza Bairin is one of our favourite restaurants in UP Town Centre, this and Red Onion (okay, Kim doesn't like Red Onion).

We had our feet scrubbed, and we were able to purchase St. Ives' Anti-itch lotion, so we were more than ready for a little (that is... heavy) dinner tonight - before I had to run off to pick up my evil sister (okay, she's not that evil).

Parking in UP Town was at its all time worst. Then again, it may be because they're still building parking buildings. That didn't deter us from making the hike to Ginza Bairin. How did we live before the arrival of Ginza Bairin and Saboten, really?

This is our third time to eat in Ginza Bairin, I think. And like Saboten.. and fine, Yabu, na din, you have to grind sesame seeds for your katsu sauce. In other words, you have to put some elbow grease into grinding if you want to have dinner *winkwink,

We didn't actually need to do this because both Kim and I ordered the Menchi Katsu with Cheese Curry Set. 

All sets come with refillable cabbage-salad, Miso soup, Japanese rice, and fresh fruits. 

There's the dressing and Shoyu Wasabi sauce for the cabbage salad - more than anything, I was so looking forward to the cabbage. 

I so appreciated the food server, because she suggested to put the curry sauce on the side so that I could appreciate the labor I put into grinding. 

Bon appetit! The Japanese curry has arrived! I've been hankering for Japanese curry for 2 weeks already!

Unfortunately, though, Kim wasn't successful in getting me to forget the #HOMEGROWN stores we passed by before we crashed in Ginza Bairin. The Polaris Project's bazaar of sorts in UP Town Centre, had a booth, by Polaris Project themselves, which sold artworks. I saw this cute painting of a bird house - really adorable. It was only PhP 350.00 - which is really affordable for an acrylic on canvas painting. 

Bird House, Acrylic on 12" x 9" canvas, Renee Avila

At first, I thought I wanted to present it similar to the painting of Miguel Villanueva, but now, I'm thinking I want to have a big gold frame. I have time to decide. Its a nice piece by Renee Avila. Will try to research on the artist. 

All in all, amazing Saturday!

Ginza Bairin

G/F UP Town Centre, 

Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

tel. no. 0917.871.0041

Polaris Project

thepolarisprojectph@gmail.com