"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Friday 28 December 2012

Lounging in Peach

Thankfully, I have spare time this holiday season. It's all been rushing and working but at least I have some down time to spend with my family. So now I have the chance to lounge around in the second floor library barefooted and in a very sheer and lightweight dress of all things!

About the dress, I won this from a giveaway sponsored by Bejeweled Jhazz which is a wholesale dress shop from Las Pinas. The shop owner is very friendly. She keeps up with the latest trends in dresses, tops, bottoms and even shoes and this could be seen with her selection of clothes. You can check her photos in the shop too! There are many styles that are suitable for casual and formal gatherings. A visit to her shop would show that she is very organized with how she posts and categorizes her items, an order form could be found in the caption of each item.

The dress I picked out from her collection is a sheer, dainty chiffon sleeveless dress. It is so light and feminine that it could be worn for summer days like barbecues and gatherings in the garden. I think the photos show how much I enjoyed this dress and I did not even mind that I was barefooted!










I think I will be wearing polka dots for the New Year. What do you readers think? 

Credits to Damon Steine for the photos
Peach Chiffon Dress by Bejeweled Jhazz 

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Florals in Casual








For some reason, this floral cardigan brings out that love I have for the red+black combination. I call this put together Florals in Casual. There is some hidden comfort in a pair of faded Levi's. =p

It's the second time I wore these Lacy Daisy flats from Ziggy and Zooey and I have not encountered any discomfort with these. I am tempted to add another color but I know it has to wait, this is already my second pair out of indulgence really. I do patronize the brand.

I did find some nifty bazaar finds over the weekend and was I so happy to be able to drop by at Achi Mich's booth from 85th Closet at the Paseo del Mar last Saturday afternoon. I got to choose great pieces which cost less than what I anticipated! I guess there will be more photos of my finds here featuring her stuff. I really like going to her booths because she is super friendly and Achi Mich has just the right selection of pieces at really affordable prices.

As for the photos here, I just had to stay indoors because we were busy like that!

Lacy Daisy Flats from Ziggy and Zooey
Floral Cardigan from Mich Enriquez 85th Closet
White Top from Mom
Silver Watch Anne Klein
Rings gifted
Pearls from Mom 

Credits to Damon Steine for the photos

Thursday 13 December 2012

Beauty Review: Human Nature Cleansing Bar









I am quite content with my Human Nature Cleansing Bar and immediately tried it out. It immediately went soldout as soon as it hit the branch here, and thankfully I got the chance to try it out when the branch restocked.

Pros


The bar is fragrance free, which is suitable for users who do not want strong perfumes in their bar soaps. It is a good size of 120 grams and can be easily gripped. The formula is good for those who have sensitive skin or who are conscious of switching from one brand to another because it is very mild and gives off a creamy lather.

What is great about this bar is that it lasts long for a single person's use and it has no chemicals that could be harmful for kids and adults alike. For only Php 59.75, you get to experience its moisturizing capabilities because it has undergone the cold-process instead of the commercial method of hot process where the glycerin's natural benefits are stripped off.

In addition, this bar is awarded the cruelty free stamp because it is made of organic, natural materials and no animals were harmed during its manufacturing process. Every purchase of the bar helps Filipino farmers with their livelihood and it also is a green product, so you get eco-friendly beauty products that could help your skin glow!

Cons

The bar does not have a protective plastic over it, so when the box is opened, it's just the bar that slides out. After a few uses, it becomes soft and is in danger of melting too quickly, so it is best to move it in a dry soap dish without other bar soaps. It also has a tendency to stain from other bar soap's color. 

Monday 10 December 2012

Subtle Femme: Rose and Gray



I call this ensemble Subtle Femme. 

I have always been fascinated about dainty details, and this includes laces, pearls, even studs. It's been raining frequently here in our place, and I have decided to put on something practical but still femme.

The top has a peter pan collar style, but it is loaded with pearls, dainty lace appliques and even little diamond studs. It has a sheer fabric and has an old rose color. I guess my outfit inspiration for this is my grandmother who is so fond of pearls and knitted details. I call it my Portia Top after my granny, every time I put it on and wear it I am reminded of my lola and the way she used to walk out that door with giant sunglasses and her favorite hand painted clutch.

I wore it under a gray knitted cardi yesterday which was one of my purchases from Tzu Chi Bazaar last Sunday. To at least add some consistency to the look, I wore my gray flats paired with the jeans.




Top- Adah Belle
Gray Cardigan- Tzu Chi Annual Bazaar

Thursday 22 November 2012

Inspiration: Bookshelves

As much as I want to have a whole cottage to fill with books, the most that I could come close to is making use of the space in our second floor. Mommy promised that I could have half of the space upstairs, (I have been squatting downstairs) for many months now while the flooring is being put in place.

And she specified that I should be looking for bedroom designs already. But admittedly, there are so many attic libraries that serve as inspiration. So I am dumping them all here.


A library in my favourite colour, what's not to love?


How about a low bed in the middle? The shelves add to the privacy


This is a good idea, I can replace the couch with a low bed


The shelf reveals a secret room


Open space is good for reading


This idea saves space! The lighting is efficient...


This is for tall ceilings, and this library is in a town in Ireland


But this is my personal favourite so far. Maybe I should go for this instead... 


Wednesday 7 November 2012

Get Your Tickets at TicketAmerica.com!

If you are a die hard fan and would want to catch the latest game for the atlanta falcons tickets and new orleans saints tickets you should place your ticket reservations at TicketAmerica.com early to avoid the rush.

Also, all minnesota vikings tickets  are available, and it is best for you to make a single purchase if you are going in groups such as with friends and family.

What are you waiting for? Feed your passion for NFL action!


Photo from supernfl.com

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Dengue Part 2

The last time I had dengue was when I was seven years old and I celebrated my birthday at the hospital. You still made my birthday a success by bringing in three cakes and balloons and all those Snoopy and Ninja Turtles sketches at the Children's Hospital. Lola Portia even brought that battery-operated doll just to distract me from the fact that I had a dextrose attached to my hand.

And yesterday you concluded that I was hit by dengue again.

Each minute was a torment. It took you thirty minutes to arrive home and all I could do was count the seconds. And each minute was painful. Too painful that I was drifting with a throbbing temple and each last message I sent to you was all I could think of, counting the syllables

"Ma, yayay."


At least I got hit when I am staying at your house. Otherwise, I don't know what else would happen if I were alone and my knees and back hurt while I was chilling in bed.

Only a mom knows what to do, skillfully not wasting any time giving what is needed.


My nurse and doctor. 
My mom. 

Sunday 4 November 2012

Book Review: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

"There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you're in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself."

Here is one book you should be taking home if you are want to revisit the alphabet again but this time, through the eyes of love. What kind of love is seen in the unnamed narrator's experiences and thoughts? One that is honest, sincere, and afraid, brave, doubtful, and confident at the same time.

The Style 

There is an ambiguous note of the type of relationship indicated here, but its careful editing and some subtle clues could lead the reader to form conclusions. The fact that this book is easy to read, and very close to the little things we observe and remember about a person we love, that is full of hope of making it together and getting over messy situations makes it a keeper for me. Whether in a relationship, single or married, the reader can take away lessons from this book. What are the lessons learned? Read to find out.

The style is very simple, making it very readable, the sentences are short and simple; each situation hits the mark. As a reader, you will enjoy revisiting the alphabet through the range of experiences and emotions as one who longs to be loved, has loved, and is loved.

The Lover's Dictionary was first published in 2010.

The Author

David Levithan is an American children's book editor and award-winning young adult author. He is the founding editor of PUSH, a YA imprint of Scholastic Press. He lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.




It is interesting to note that I finished reading the 222 page book in just a single Sunday afternoon.










Tuesday 30 October 2012

Don Vicente Restaurante Latino

Now there is a family Italian restaurant for people who are tired of just fast food spaghetti. You can find this cozy place in Atilano Street, Tetuan and walk right in to a charming resto that is tastefully decorated. 

I kind of had a field day taking photos from this quaint resto, so here they are. I followed suit thanks to Anj and I am definitely going back soon to try other dishes. In the meantime, here are some photos. 



Gotta love the colours outdoors


I had my Linguine Carbonara with Iced Tea


The Putanesca consists of al dente pasta, sauce of wine, herbs and whole olives. 











Black and gold doily adds an elegant touch to this setting


Grandfather clock beside the table where I ate 


That is around the same time my order arrived, whoops!




Bullfight 


Gold and white doily this time which served as the placemat for my lunch






Notice the VPElago signature on the painting that is the candelabra's background