catch-up post: the maze hipzone makeover

oh how time flies -- so cliche but so true. i didn't realize how crazy busy i've been until i was preparing this post and it's almost 2 months overdue. one day we were excited for the Maze Hipzone's revamping and launching of their SS 2013 line and the next day, we're experiencing heavy downpour because summer is way over. 

nevertheless, the experience that was the Maze Hipzone's re-launching is worth doing a catch up post because well, the face lift was much awaited. the Maze Hipzone holds great fashion finds and it's awesome that it's now getting the attention that it rightly deserves. 

silk floral top - thrifted | khaki cutoffs - onyx jeans, DIY | buckled platform booties - zu shoes au | round faux croc skin bag - props | beaded cuffs - downtown find | claw silver and gold cuffs - borrowed from mom | rings: snake and leopard rings - bangkok finds, cross connector and flower rings - downtown finds | stone necklace - BU find

right after the event, Toni and i couldn't resist running directly to Maze to shop. i scored a pair of "so me" floral booties that was the perfect pair to reward me for my self-imposed and necessary shopping ban. i remember not being able to resist buying shoes every month when i had a full-time, cubicle and stress-inducing job yet these booties that were a break from a 4-month hiatus was enough to make me happy. 

the barber's hesitation

i never realized the hassle guys undergo to maintain their hair. i thought my curly hair was already high maintenance until i shaved one side of my head and found out i need to get a trim every 2 weeks to keep it as sharp as it is. one thing i discovered with having a side shave is having to rely on nearby barbers to maintain the shave -- yes, barbers! i couldn't set an appointment with my hairstylist every 2 weeks just to shave my head so i've frequented nearby barbers (near our house or home) trusting in their ability to cleanly shave the head with all their years of experience. and you know what they always ask, "are you sure?" which of course has been smirking at their semi-shocked and scared faces -- afraid they'd hurt a girly-girl. ha!

linen oversized blazer - thrifted | patterned leggings - props | black and grey snakeskin wedges - pill footwear, the ramp | green braided belt - thrifted | grey oversized sunnies - urban outfitters, gifted by sister

love conquers all: why i do what i do

such a cheesy title, isn't it? well, it's true no matter how much we deny it. love is really one of the reasons why i choose to do what i do -- style for engagement shoots and weddings. we don't just get to do what we love which is expressing our love for art and crafts, we also get to meet new amazing people. people who are in love. 

styling for Christian and Sheila was truly an honor, especially after hearing their love story and what they went through. they've been together for 7 years and have gone through so many trials that rival that of a teleserye and yet they're still going strong and still look like high school sweethearts. here are some of the behind-the-scene shots, of course with the mandatory outfit shots (*wink*). As for the actual photos of this lovely engagement session by the ocean, check them out here. 

 

 

 

 

green and brown boho tunic - thrifted | denim cut-offs - thrifted | leopard print boots - forever 21, gifted by sister | brown sunnies - fashion de bella | bangles - DIY, gifted and downtown finds | peacock earrings - downtown find | nail art by me

the lipstick effect

the lipstick effect is the theory that in time of economic crisis, women are more likely to buy beauty products to make them more attractive to mates. raise your hand if you're guilty! 

for me though, it's not so much as being more attractive to mates because i already have the guy i want but it's really more about feeling better about myself. so yeah, guilty as charged, my red and pink lipsticks have been slightly overused these days. oh the life of a start-up freelancer. 

(i wanna hashtag "everythingwillpayoff" but remembered this is blogger. LOL).

 

cropped knit top - thrifted | lace bra - bench | high-waisted denim cut-offs - thrifted | grey ballet flats - janilyn | chunky red necklace - gifted by a client | black sunnies - fashion de bella | black and gold watch - gifted by sister | rings: black stone - downtown find, gecko and fox rings - pink pvssy, bangkok

ladies who lunch

i started blogging in 2009 and was widely influenced by international bloggers Karla de Rass, the young Alice Xue and Rumi Neely. however, as all other bloggers, i started obscure and wrapped in my own bubble until i met other fellow bloggers from my own town. it has been a notorious notion that the relationship with people you meet over the internet seldom last but as with my love for proving notions wrong, i am proud to say the people i've met over the internet, specifically in the blogosphere, have become one of my closest friends. 

i met with a couple of my blogger friends, Toni Pino and Eden Villarba last month for a quick brunch at iTea and it's funny realizing that we all met as single ladies who just love fashion to becoming closer friends and now all happily attached and in serious relationships. Toni just even had a super cuddly baby girl, Vania whom i can't get enough of. we're thinking of doing a shoot, all four of us who're happily attached (including Mildred) and maybe call it Ladies Who Lunch, what do you think? 

i wanted to take Vania home to cuddle! so so so adorable!

leopard print knit top - thrifted | red palazzos - props | sequined flats - footzyfolds | oversized sunnies - fashion de bella | brass sphere necklace - downtown find | gold petal cuffs - props | black basic watch - gifted by sister | rings: snake & leopard - gifted by dad, bangkok finds, red stone ring - downtown find | blue oversized leather bag - RAF by plains and prints

contemplating on staying forever ~ boracay day three

day three of our beach bumming and beer drinking honeymoon vacation in Boracay. we woke up early enough to have breakfast at the resort then immediately proceeded to spend the whole day by the beach. i wish all days can be spent near the water, with the water splashing and i'm just lounging with a book and good music. if only. seriously, on our way home, Harry and i were contemplating staying here for a while and were imagining ourselves getting just about any job we can find in the island and live a simpler life together. *sigh*

pink monokini - props | crochet boho top - props | black denim cut-offs - onyx jeans | peacock sandals - people are people | orange scarf as turban - thrifted | multi-colored knit bag - gifted by sister | oversized sunnies - urban outfitters | bangles and bead bracelets - downtown and bangkok finds

 

the major peril when traveling with just the two of us is that we don't get to take photos together. we didn't bring a tripod and only brought an SLR with a 50mm lens, not a digital camera so it was even more difficult to take photos of ourselves. it took us 3 days to attempt to take photos on a timer and we ended up with a series of blurry photos and my iTouch getting dumped in the sand. thank you to the korean guy who took pity on us and volunteered to take our photo. LOL.