hale manna part 3: mornings by the beach

we did take a dip when the tide rolled in the night before so our time at the beach wasn't wasted at all. tired from the late swim, we slept early and woke up early enough to enjoy the cold morning breeze. the tide was mid-level and we were able to kayak safely over to the hut on a raft in the middle of the sea and swim with the fishes. the water was so clear, you don't need a snorkel to see the corals and colorful creatures below it. okay, okay, so i am a good swimmer but i cannot snorkel for the life of me. i don't know, i've tried it several times but end up getting water up my nose. sue me! LOL. 

after the swim and before our sumptuous lunch, we spent the great part of our morning lounging, the best way we know how. 

printed monokini - bangkok find | denim cut-offs - tommy hilfiger | pink flip-flops - havaianas | oversized sunniess - urban outfitters, gifted by sis | black wide-brimmed hat - cotton on

we went home around 3PM, hearts a little heavy and promising to come back soon. my sister will be leaving for Sydney in a few days and we had other duties to attend to but our stay in Hale Manna will always be something we will remember. 

we couldn't pass up the chance to grab yummy dessert on the way back to the city and dropped by the milk station in Barili. a cup of homemade ice cream (okay, i got 3 cups, shared with Harry since i couldn't decide on flavor) and locally made barquillos completed our weekend vacation. 

hale manna part 2: afternoon bliss

since we arrived at the beach past 2PM, the water has receded by the time we got settled in our room. actually, our detached bungalow which housed 8 beds was a dream so we found ourselves rolling in our beds, eating and just having fun --- we almost forgot we were at the beach, so it took us more than an hour to get settled. what a waste of a beach right? well, it's our vacation and we call the shots. 

so we stepped out and just spent the rest of the afternoon lounging by the beach, waiting for the sunset. my sisters, my mom, dad, cousin and I stuffed ourselves in the cabana and played that app game with the icons. i think Harry even dozed off in one of the hammocks and my brother-in-law Warren still couldn't disconnect himself from his Mac. an afternoon by the beach, in our own version of afternoon bliss. 

polka dot ruffled maillot - cotton on | white denim cut-offs - thrifted | black wide-brimmed hat - cotton on, rubi shoes | oversized sunnies - urban outfitters, gifted by sister | bangles and bracelets - downtown finds 

daddy's girl | rainbow summer!

happy birthday daddy! ♥ 

am i not my dad's photocopy? nobody can argue that i'm his daughter. haha! we celebrated his birthday last May 1st and spent by the ocean as always. this year, however, we couldn't visit our favorite beach house because of road conditions so we went island hopping in the nearby islands of Cebu --- the easiest way to chill by the ocean.  

violet monokini - primal rave wholesale | multi-colored striped skirt - shop dred reveries | fringe boho vest - bangkok find | sunnies - downtown finds | bangles: green and gold wooden bangles  - bangkok finds, red coral bangle - boracay find | red mini-wooden bangles - gifted by wagw

this will be my only rendezvous with summer this year in preparation for the wedding. so long, sweet summer! til' next year ~ i promise i'll see more of you. ♥

the boys in my life

linen kimono blazer - thrifted | linen culottes - primal rave wholesale | green braided belt - thrifted | animal-printed strappy wedges - people are people, gifted by Harry | necklaces: charm necklace - downtown find, elephant tusk - bangkok find | bangles - downtown finds | horse ring - downtown find

thankfully my mom's visa to Australia got approved and she left on the first week of April to accompany my sister there for 6 months. after everything that has happened, my sister definitely needs all the support she can get. 

it's weird having no one else to talk to at home though, except Harry and my dad. i used to share a bedroom with my sister until she left and right when she did, i'd hang around in my mom's room. thanks to Facetime though, i can still bug my mom and sister any time i want to but it's not the same really. 

so now, for 6 months i'll be the lady of the house --- looking after my dad and my Harry. i've been cooking for two Sundays now and am intent on doing so for the next Sundays to come. and on our Sunday afternoon visits, it will be just us three. a couple of hours of serenity with the afternoon sun and the sunsets right after. 

ps. good thing both of them are very supportive of this blog. in fact, my dad was the one who suggested the location of these shots. (thanks Dad...<3)

sunset sunday visits

my sister is my inspiration right now. despite everything that has happened, she remains strong and perseveres through the grief from the loss. she knows she must stand back up because it would have what he wanted. for anyone who's gone through loss, stitching your life back together can be hell but my sister -- although she's feeling this eternal heartache, she is taking one day at a time in dealing with life. other people may give up but not my sister.

so every time i am extra stressed at work and feel like walking out the office door or every time i think i may never get through some shitty traffic, i think about how my sister is moving forward despite what she went through. life gives us little hiccups but we will always get past them. people go through worst things and they get past it. what happened has made me realize that i need to cherish life even more and not sweat the small stuff. life is too short.

on me: grey sheer top - primal rave wholesale | striped pleated culottes- primal rave wholesale | flap booties - shopyapi.com | coin necklace - bangkok find | bangles - downtown finds, forever21 | rings: owl, black stone - downtown finds & gecko - bangkok find | white sunnies - raybans, borrowed from sis

on sis: black studded sheer top - primal rave wholesale | black  culottes - primal rave wholesale | black and white oxfords - urbanog | elephant necklace - downtown find | bangles - downtown finds | black sunnies - raybans

cheers to 2012!

Good morning 2012!

the Sembrano tres marias -- meeting 2012's first sunrise! (forgive my sister Aimee, she doesn't realize Cebu pavements are not as clean as Aussie's..LOL!)

Mr. and Mrs. B's first new year as a married couple! ♥ ♥ ♥

Harry, me and my kulit sister, Aimee!

Sam, Kate, Armand, Aimee, Me and Harry

i miss Armand! 

family's night out? LOL.
Mr. and Mrs. B ~ Harry & Gizelle + Aimee + Mr. and Mrs. Tan ~ Warren & Charm

with the super hilarious Mary Ty, one of the amazing designers of MEGA YDC. our jaws hurt from laughing!

now, on to the outfit...

polka tent blouse - primal rave | bandage skirt - primal rave | black strappy heels - people are people
brass cuff - shopyapi.com | feather necklace & brass layered necklace - downtown finds | rings - downtown finds

Aimee's outfit: pink bandage dress with sleeve cutouts - primal rave | chain bag - vintage
leopard heels - people are people | necklace and bangles - downtown finds

can you guess what those things are beside the lion?

the polka dressing tradition continues! this is my 4th new year wearing polka -- they say it's good luck and brings in more money for the year! here's to not just more money but more love, guidance from God, opportunities to seize and risks to take...

2011 was definitely a roller coaster ride for me. half the year were mornings where i didn't know whether i wanted to wake up or just sleep through the day but i was blessed enough to realize life is too short and took mine back. 2011 blessed me with a job that i loved [all this time], a promotion, a fiance, a family reunion and fiinally, a husband. 

to 2012, may you bring as many opportunities and adventures as you've given in 2011 -- only less confusion, heartache and drama. ♥ ♥ ♥