Saturday, December 31, 2011

#dunzo

Few months ago, I was about to curse 2011 as the worst year of my life to date. Now, I openly take 2011 as a year of learning. I may have hurdled through extreme highs and lows, but I sure was able to pocket important lessons along the way. It's about seeing things in a different perspective. Take the increasing zit-population in my forehead as an example, it became an odd reminder of how blessed I am because I still get to eat (delicious and non-healthy greasy food) 3 times a day and even more. Now you do get it, right?


I'm taking these pocketed-lessons as my ultimate weapon for my 2012 journey.They say it's gonna be the last and I'm not about to challenge the veracity of some old Mayan theory, with all due respect. End of the world or not, at least I can proudly say, I got to see Brandon Boyd in my lifetime. Hah!


Insane [twenty] eleven is almost dunzo (Yes I know I watch too much Laguna Beach). As the fireworks light up the night sky, I'm wishing you all the best of the new year. Sending out virtual hugs and kisses to each and every one of my friends who helped me survive this twisted ride :) I'm wiping my slate clean in time for the new year. Happy New Year Everyone!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Garage Glamorous

blogmain2
blogmain
I have come to know through a laborious trial and error of outfit choices, that the color of your outfit doesn't necessarily become the deciding factor of your "fate". It's like your grandmother reminding you to refrain from wearing black on your birthday or New Year's, or something in the like. It's as if color black is the ultimate shock absorber of anything bad luck. I have decided to finally break free from such superstitious belief that has been enslaving my choices for quite a while now.
blog1
Black was my choice for Christmas, simply because I wanted to take advantage of the cold and I knew this dress would do the trick. It provided the right amount of coverage without looking as if I messed up my calendar and confused Christmas with Halloween. The empire waist cut sure hid all my excess volume from all the Holiday feast.
blog2
Added a final touch of quirkiness to stray away from looking less like Wednesday Addams and more, well, Christmas appropriate. 
blogdetails
Bow headband used as bow tie from Carlotta Manila | Soule Phenomenon Platforms
Title
Leather and jeans, Garage glamorous.. Not sure what it means


I can not not talk about this LBD which I got from the Bloggers United Part 2 Bazaar. It really was like unearthing a piece of treasure. We were doing our last rounds, lazily and randomly parting racks and racks of clothing and voila! Pulled this out from a rack and was even more surprised when I got it for -- brace yourselves, 150 Pesos!! That's roughly about $3.50 (USD) :) **Forgive me for not giving proper credit to the blogger who once owned this dress in her possession. I cannot remember which stall I got this from. If this beauty was once yours, feel free to leave a comment below

Props to my forever-outfit-posts-photographer Ela :) Thank you! As much as I was on the verge of decapitating my make-up-free face off the photos, I was kinda surprised they turned out okay. I was never blessed with photogenic features so getting okay shots always seem so, taxing? I look relaxed and "fresh" (HAHA) with the wind-in-your-hair and all that.


Inner peace, welcome to my system. I've been doing a little recollection of insane[twenty]ELEVEN, I know I am right where I deserve to be. Giving thank you hugs (figuratively, of course) to everyone who's been dropping by whether for fun or to-make-fun-of. I shall keep this page running regardless of the compliments or eyebrow-raising incidences. haha! We could all use a little outlet sometimes :) 

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Veronica's Lodge

Title
_MG_9752
IMG_9662
Title
IMG_9727
Title
IMG_9723
Calorie intake dramatically rising, hydrangeas blooming, happy hormones increasing, lips chapping and mouth glistening from too much lechon fat. Christmas sure came faster this year- at least that's how it felt if you ask me. I have come into the realization that my gift-wrapper-tearing tendency decreases with age, as the number of gifts addressed to my name so duly reminded me. As you get older, the true meaning of Christmas gets to you; and we’re talking about the true meaning beyond gift-giving here.





I sink my back into our velour-lined Windsor chair (see photo #1 to appreciate) with a cocoa float on one hand and my secret arsenal on the other, and it feels like being transported into a Christmas movie sans the fireplace, thick winter coat and furry slippers. But you do get how campers in movies get cozy beside the fireplace in a lodge with the thickest of knits wrapped around their bodies on winter. Christmas morning to me still smell of apple cinnamon or winter candy apple, same old, same old.

As per tradition, December the 24th is spent at home playing Wii and Monopoly, last-minute wrapping of presents and awaiting the annual visit of our favorite boy before we sinfully indulge in the goodness that is the Christmas banquet at home. 

IMG_97072
Meet my mother's favorite godson and our favorite kinakapatid ever! He's just the cuuuutest!
Title
Title
Title
I must admit, Christmas felt a tad bit off this year with all the calamities that hit my country this month. There is no such thing as a "small donation" because help, big or small, is still a form of help at the end of the day. Let's continue sending help and prayers to all our fellow countrymen down south. Thinking about what can happen next gives me the heebie-jeebies  :( BUT I don't want to look far ahead.. So..


Here's to my attempt in producing another lengthy blog post. Confine me in a dark room and I'll be writing away in no time, my mind works like poinsettias blooming in the dark.


P.S. Took all the photos except for the last three ones, *pats on the back* 
Merry Christmas! 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

All that glitters is not Gucci

Title

It’s not like Hello!-the-Dream-Girls-cast-just-called-saying-they-want-their-wardrobe-back – the Holiday season is looking sparklier than ever with the emergence of this trend. I let the sequins do the hard work and kept everything else pared down with a pair of denim shorts. Gone are the days when sequined numbers are deemed tacky; trends are taking greater risks now as far as trend evolution goes.

I capped off a very busy week with this ensemble I wore yesterday. I had the most amazing time in Davao, juggling my 4-day Sales & Marketing Workshop by day and going out/partying by nightfall. I was having so much fun I didn’t mind being temporarily cut from the cyber world. Haha! My weekend, as expected, was spent catching up on sleep I deprived myself of for the past 5 days. 
allthatglitters
What A Girl Wants Sequined cropped top | True Religion denim shorts | Gucci Vintage Web Boston Bag

Pun intended. Injected a little pun on the famous Shakespearean line "All that glisters is not gold"; Rachel Maude you genius! Embracing the glitter/metallic/sequined trend whilst party season is upon us. 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Chubby Bunny

Title

Title
Title
Title
Title
Title
Title
'Tis the season to pack on the pounds
Red velvet, Creme brulee, Tres leches with fresh mango cupcakes and Mochi truffles from Sophie's Mom. Red velvet cake pops from Bloggers United 2. Red velvet cupcakes from Arla's. Punch balls from Le Petite Artisan. Twinkies from L.A.!

They say when it rains, it pours. True enough, our fridge housed all these goodies a few weeks back. Still can't get enough of red velvet! ;) I'm gonna be a chubby bunny if I fail to practice self control. 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Wedding Bells

IMG_9424
Nothing like a rainstorm on my Aunt's (dad's cousin) wedding last Sunday held in San Agustin Church. 
anaisa
I absolutely love this dress I wore to my Graduation last April. The fact that Camille Co herself (designed and--) suggested I go for this one makes it all the more special! I'm not too keen on anything form fitting but this is an exception to the rule. Paired the dress with my equally stunning pair of glittered pumps! Super favorite and comfy pa!
ana
Coexist dress | Call it Spring glittered pumps
IMG_9512
Ela in white Coexist dress and Isa in black sheer Topshop dress. J'adore! And while we're at it, meet my mother and brother!
_MG_9481
_MG_9480
Family <3
IMG_9440
IMG_9442
_MG_9534
IMG_9547
IMG_9558
_MG_9542
_MG_9576
378817_337264062957556_100000218943312_1586572_529507896_n
IMG_9603
Year-end deadlines are about to confine me to the insane asylum! En route to Davao tomorrow for work :)
100_2257

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Born Free
























The day you were born, you were born free
That is your privilege
Blog3
Ushered the exit of yet another week with this dress I wore last Sunday out with the Family. I was aiming for the Nicole Richie-spotted-on-Rodeo-Drive with a hint of Boheme-vagabond chic (yes, I just made that up!), so I did I hit right on target or missed? I couldn’t stop gushing about the color and the beaded details of this dress. Although I do wish it’s crease-proof, but apart from that, I love everything else!
blog1
Dress from Warehouse | Wedges from Janilyn | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Speedy 35 | Tommy Hilfiger silver hoops | Bangle from Rosanna Aranaz
I have very few photos to share as I have been recently complaining about the pains of snapping away photos every single moment or so. How I wish I could produce quality blog entries without segueing photos with words. My face alone scares me and I am more amiable with words; this is probably monotony taking its toll on my writing. I am afraid work has extinguished my blogging fire; I sure hope I ignite it real soon!

Last Sunday, my family feasted on too-delicious-for-life food at Benny’s (Rustan's Makati G/F). Talk about home-cooked meals and comfort food at its finest!  It’s one of those rare occasions I permit myself to overindulge and give in to another cup of rice waiting to be consumed beside my plate. It really is a must-try, It won’t disappoint, take my word for it :) For dessert? Red velvet of course! 
IMG_9306
The day is drawing neeeeeeaaaar! Burning another hole in my pocket for the Bloggers United Bazaar this coming weekend :) Move over Topshop! Looks like you're about to meet your match as the ultimate kiss of death to my paycheck this month.
Still praying for my love, Brandon Boyd's full recovery! European tour cut short as he is battling a case of laryngitis. We can't be deprived of your voice, Brandon. Love you! 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Road trip & Roxy

Title






















blog1
My busy work schedule coerced me to duck under the blogging radar for weeks now. When I finally got the privilege to spend a full weekend at home (with an extra day off, thank you boss) I didn't let one second go to waste. It was family bonding on full blast to make up for weekends we were utterly deprived of. When I found out some of Manila's top bloggers: Vern, Lissa and Kryz were heading south for a ROXY event, I rounded up my siblings, popped in a good 'ol 90's playlist and drove off. Nothing like Spice Girls on a road trip, really. 

Number 1: My sisters and I are certified Roxy girls since high school -- that is if you gauge by material possession and not by surfing or skating skills. We go crazy over anything stamped with the mirrored-and-tilted mountain and wave logo. Number 2: Seeing Manila's top bloggers on an event here in Laguna is quite a rare sight. Number 3: The Quiksilver store is right beside the Serenitea branch in Nuvali -- all the more reason to drop by! :)
Title
Title
Title
Title
Title

Topshop floral romper | Sebago pink docksides |Louis Vuitton Neverfull | H&M bracelets | Summer Forever heart print button down cropped polo used as cover up 
Putting aside our purpose of milk tea and Macaron date in Nuvali, we really wanted to come up and personally thank Vern, Lissa and Kryz for taking a tiny bit off their time and sending in their sweet words as part of the birthday video Hannah made for my sister. It may seem like a small thing but we fairly know how busy they are :) I've always been a cyber moron but one day, maybe I can finally post the video here. 

They say driving by early gets you ahead of the traffic and our small act of gratitude couldn't wait any longer, not even for next Saturday! And I would appreciate it if you won't judge; the first photo was taken shortly before taking off and obviously, we weren't ready one! haha