Reconnaissant

I just realized how life's been really good to me. Despite the occasional setbacks and obstacles that I go through, I still have a lot to be thankful for. :)

*Credits
Magazine: Vogue Germany, April 2009
Editorial: Haute Boheme
Photographer: ?
Model: Inguna Butane

Rock n' Roll

Taylor Momsen for Teen Vogue's September 2009 issue.

Cover photo's a bit boring. Bleh.

Kate Moss, is that you?

Very 80s chic!

I like the styling in this one. The chunky necklace complements the detailed neckline on her shirt.

*Photos from Teen Vogue

WhoWhatWear's Lovin' It

Funny, I was obsessing over this blue and white striped top in my closet just a few weeks back. And now it's actually a trend?! Maybe I can get a job in predicting future fashion trends. :))

*Photo from WhoWhatWear

Treasure Hunting

I haven't indulged on shopping since a sudden trip last month, when I bought my Lady GaGa-ish jacket and a set of futuristic bangles for a hosting stint. After that week, I cheered myself on saving up so that I'd have money the next time I go shopping... not in a mall, but in an ukay ukay! Why ukay? Kay and I have been planning an ukay trip for ages, one that's always pushed to the back burner 'cause of the ever-demanding acads. This week though, we finally decided to push through with the plan, knowing we can't wait any longer.

I've actually picked up a checklist of great ukay ukays in Manila and QC, something that I'm determined to complete no matter how difficult it seems. On my first trip with Kay, we decided to go with an ukay that's not on the list but still a tried and tested fave among our blockmates and my GMG colleagues: Anonas ukay ukay!

It's not as fab as I thought it would be, it's just as ukay ukay as it could get. I did see high end surprises - Burberry! Dolce and Gabbana! - but I kinda ignored them 'cause they weren't my style. I did get three good items for 320, which is cool enough with me.

A black jacket full of big buttons

A hippie-ish top with printed flowers

Glittery top with billowy sleeves. Yes, it rhymes. :))

Stealing

I'm at my high school alma mater's parking lot, waiting for my siblings in our car. I brought along my laptop so I could steal WiFi connection from the admin and have some precious dose of Internet. Quick blogging at its best. :))-

Yesterday's girly outfit:

cardigan from Jag, white top from SM, skirt from Kashieca, shoes from Schu

Balancing on one fine wire

Decided to skip classes today. TREDTRI's a free cut and we're just having a quiz on GENDERS, one that I knew I can take online through the IVLE. Imagine my horror when I woke up this morning and discovered that our modem's broken.

And so now I am sitting inside a cramped internet cafe space, using a connection that I have to pay for after an hour.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die

I wanna watch thiiis! <3

Cinco

Cinemalaya

After watching Dinig Sana Kita. We loved it!

Three films later! :))

*Group photos from Tracy

Indie Overdose

Cinemalaya marathon = Cinemalayathon (Salvador, 2009)

First up: Dinig Sana Kita. I've been looking forward to this film ever since I saw the trailer two weeks ago, catching my attention with its cheesiness. It wasn't all about a cheesy love story though, it's got family drama, comedy and a great soundtrack too. And just like a good PR tool (sorry, PUBLIRE classmates, di ko ma-resist hahaha!), it appealed greatly to the emotions - there were laugh out loud moments that were easily relatable ("Wala ka pala eh!") and touching scenes that made us cry like little girls. If this goes on to DVD, I'd probably end up buying a copy. Highly recommended!


The next film we watched was Sanglaan. I was expecting a lot from this film but it's far from happening. I didn't really get this movie 'cause it's too dragging and weak for me. The only thing I understood was how it portrayed a very Pinoy reality and the rest was just a bleak white spot for me. Oh, and it didn't help that there was this annoying, alarm clock sounding soundtrack that kept playing and technical difficulties that happened during the movie.

We planned on Last Supper #3 for our third film 'cause we wanted a good laugh but unfortunately, tickets got sold out.
We settled for the next best thing, which was Mangatyanan. Compared to the previous two films, I only had a vague idea on what Mangatyanan's all about. I'm glad I took that plunge though, 'cause it's a great film. I like how everything's all connected and the story line's cohesive. The film's deep and profound but you can still relate to the movie and it's moving in a different way, not really the emotional kind. I think it didn't create much buzz 'cause the story's leaning more on indie than mainstream (compared to Dinig Sana Kita or Last Supper #3) but it's definitely worth watching.

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Will post pictures when I get them. :)

Blazin' Week

This week's dosage of What I Wore: understated, honest to goodness stuff.

Monday, 07.20:

hand me down blazer from mom, black tee from SM, jeans from Herbench, shoes from Celine

Thursday, 07.23:

hand me down blazer from mom, white top from SM, jeans from Herbench, shoes from Schu

It's a beautiful day!

I had my grad photo taken today! I don't know when exactly will I be graduating but I pushed through with the 2010 yearbook so I could be in the same yearbook as my batchmates. It was fun, having a stylist use some magic on you and make you look pretty! Posing for the photo was ok too, though it made me feel a bit stiff. I'll be getting the hard copies by the end of the year but since I ordered the soft copies, I have all the raw files in an instant.

Best shot out of four. This will be the one appearing on the yearbook, if I remember it right.

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I got back the test results of my first exam in TheoryO this morning! It's not exactly a high grade, but I'm so glad that I got a passing score. Every little point counts and I want to get through the subject this time around. Go go go!

Braided

I want to grow out my hair and wear it in a nice braid.

*Photo by Sandra Freji, via This is Glamorous

Zero

The dilemma was to lie or to tell the truth. Lying would've given us a good grade but we picked the latter 'cause there's no escaping the truth anyway. It left me in an ugly situation though, one that would be hard to get out of. What a bad, bad day this has been.

*Photo by Klaus Thyman

The Next Rachel Bilson?

I don't usually keep tabs on Disney teen queens' style but I do have to give props to Selena Gomez. I'm sick of Miley Cyrus (sorry, Tracy!) and I find Demi Lovato annoying. Selena Gomez reminds me of a younger Rachel Bilson, someone who dresses up for comfort but still looks really nice most of the time.

Not so sure about the patterned leggings and boots, but I'm lovin' the printed dress!

Did she just make sweatpants look good?

I like the discreet stripes on her top and the details on her shoes!

Cute scarf <3

The sweater and girly top combo reminds me of Rachel Bilson's style (which I also like, btw)

*Photos from TFS forums

HP's Leading Ladies

Bonnie Wright looking all fasyon for HP6's London premier two weeks ago. Didn't know she had it in her 'cause she looked such a plain jane as Ginny Weasley in HP films. I'm currently on the lookout for a printed dress and I've seen a couple of nice frocks in Topshop... they're too pricey for my budget, though. Must check out an ukay ukay for something similar!

Emma Watson looked stylish as usual. I noticed how she favors classic stuff, which is why I've been tracking down her outfits lately. According to my research, the dress is a vintage Ossie Clark. Woot, woot.

I wonder if these girls have their stylists who tell them what to wear and what not to wear. Hmm.

*Photos from TFS forums

Metal Mouth

Gah, I feel so much regret. I was at my dentist this morning and she told me how I should have been done with my braces by now, if only I was diligent enough to go to my monthly check ups. I've been following the schedule when I was in high school but when I stepped into college, school just took over and I became really lazy to visit the dentist. If only I stuck with the plan, then I probably would have been free of braces by now... no more hassle and perfectly just in time for my grad photo!

Well, no use in crying over spilled milk. I will be following the schedule from now on! :))

The eye of the storm

Channeling Britain's current it girl, Alexa Chung!

beret from Forever21, cardigan from Zara, striped top from ukay, inner top and tights from SM, denim shorts from Jag, sneakers from Herbench, bag from Marithe Francois Girbaud

Now, I'm no it girl but I do know how to put on an outfit and wear it well! Despite the harsh weather, I dressed up for my 8AM elective class and went with a rainy day outfit. The class was cancelled two hours later though, while my FOTSHOP class was in full swing. It's kinda annoying 'cause I spent a two hour bus ride just to get to Taft... But hey, at least I looked good as I battled the heavy rain!

Photos were taken by my mom, after we ate out for lunch and celebrated my brother's 3rd place win in his elocution contest. We took advantage of the empty street and the suddenly light rain, so I can have the shots I've been planning on hahaha. :D

*Alexa Chung's photo from TFS

And then you miss me while you're looking for yourself out there

thrifted jacket, yellow top and bangles from SM, random necklaces, jeans from Herbench, shoes from Celine

Don't you just hate it when some people are so unreliable? Grr. Thank God for Cee, Kay and twister fries for turning this day around! :))

Touché

From FB yet again. I don't necessarily believe in FB quizzes because they seem silly most of the time but this did hit on a tough spot. I keep getting all these results that are close to home and they're starting to creep me out. :))

On this day of your life, Meryl, we believe God wants you to know...
... that what you are most afraid of is where your greatest rewards are.


If all you had to do was wish for something and you would have it, life would be pretty boring, wouldn't it? God placed barriers between us and what we want, so we can enjoy interesting and satisfying lives. God hid our biggest rewards behind the highest barriers - our deepest fears. God wants us to face our fears, and hold ground in their presence, and let them go, and that's how we get out biggest rewards. What are you most afraid of? Say it, just start by saying it.

The past, the present and the future are all side by side

Kate Havnevik's song is on loop, both in my iPod and in my head. She's a Norwegian artist based in London who got her lucky break through Grey's Anatomy, but as far as I know she hasn't gone mainstream so you probably have never heard of her. Give it a spin and she might become one of your favorites too. :)

You can stand under my umbrella ella ella eh

It's been raining like crazy in Manila! I like the cold/rainy season because I get an excuse to layer up clothes without getting all sweaty and stared at. One of my frustrations though is getting my feet wet with rain and mud... so sneakers is the way to go!

blue jacket and inner top from SM, mini dress from Robinsons, jeans and sneakers from Herbench, freebie umbrella

Cute umbrella, no? I got it as a freebie from last week's Animo Rally! I wanted to shoot under the rain this morning but it's not practical when you're running late for school. :))

Dinig Sana Kita

One of the full length entries in Cinemalaya 2009. I wanna watch this 'cause I'm cheesyyy. :))

Dy(e)ing

Dyed my hair brown today. My roots were showing and I didn't want my hair to look trashy come grad pictorial. Still trying to work out mahogany copper brown... Maybe I should leave the chemicals do their thing for more than an hour next time?

Sadako?

Nahh, it's just me. Eww, unruly hair and uneven skin tone. :|

Slowly dying 'cause of all the stuff to do. I know I can do this though - this is chicken compared to last year's sleepless for two days drama. :P

I heard that you were trouble but I couldn't resist

Watched DLSU's first basketball game for this year... which we lost to UE. Pshh.

Opening ceremonies courtesy of FEU

All smiles. Game wasn't starting yet, so things were a-okay. :P

Saklap :(

Pop, Lock and Drop It!

Gah! I'm having a bad case of LSS with that song and I haven't even really heard of it until today. That's what I get for stalking, watching somebody's Youtube vid and hanging out in SJ with Lexie. :))

vest and watch from Tomato, men's tee, leggings and bangles from SM, random necklaces, shoes from Celine

Keeping the Animo Alive

DLSU Animo Rally, 07.10.09

DLSU Animo Squad doing what they do best

Athletes

Bonus: Rookies from the men's basketball team going through the usual initiation. :))

Wreck of the Day

When all thinking, pondering and debating with myself fails, I go with one of the rules I live by: when in doubt, don't.

The more I think about it, the more I get convinced that it's not for me. Just the fact that I'm not so sure about it strengthens the feeling that I'm not into the idea of working with those people. They're unfriendly, they barely talk to each other and they seem to have separate worlds. A bit similar to last year's scenario, it suddenly felt all too wrong to me.

What's strange is that I'm confident with my portfolio and I have a strong feeling that I will get in. And yes, I like the idea of being in a publication again and see my output printed. It would give me a new sense of fulfillment and it would look great on my resume. But I don't see myself being happy working with those people. I know I shouldn't compare them with GMG, but I just can't help it. It's such a different working environment: bland, boring, routinary and stagnant.

I know there's a possibility that I will work in such an environment and work with people who fall under the same category. But I don't want to deal with that right now. On the other hand, I don't like how my parents won't like my indecisiveness. While they wouldn't get mad with my decision, as they believe I'm old enough to know what's right for me, I know they'll be a bit disappointed. Some of my friends would probably say that I'm getting this syndrome all over again. It's okay though, I know where they're all coming from. At the end of the day, it's all on me.

*Credits
Magazine: Vogue UK, December 2008
Photographer: Tim Walker
Celebrity: Helena Bonham Carter
Cropped by yours truly

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle

Finally done with all the yearbook requirements! Next stop: grad pictorial on July 23!

Speaking of pictures, I'm not in my happy element today. Must be the unbearable heat and overwhelming stress getting in the way.

Dad's old polo, belt from SM, jeans from Herbench, shoes from Celine

Miss Almost, Miss Maybe, Miss Halfway

Last night, 11:38PM:
Here I go doubting again. Do I really want to do it or do I just like the idea of it? I end up confusing myself most of the time and it's a mess. I don't intend it to be this way though. It's just that I don't want to push through with things that are suddenly in the almost and maybe category. It's not what I pictured it to be and it's not what I'm used to, which is why I'm having doubts whether it's worth going for and if I really want it that bad.

It's easier to turn my back, say no and just go on living with the kind of life I have now. But then, I know there's a possibility that I would regret it at one point and have the what ifs clouding my mind. Besides, I can't keep doing things in this stupid way of mine.

What now?

Today, 7:18AM:
I think I found some bit of answer through my blockmate's quote of the day.

It's always up to you on how you're going to run your life. Run it for good or ruin it that bad. Yes, people will care or try to shift you to the wrong track. But at the end of the day, it's still your choice that matters. Choose what you love, then love your choice.

I'd always have that passion to back me up, whatever choice I end up picking. The only difference is if I go with yes, I'd be doing it not only for myself but for other people as well. If I say no, I'd be back to where I am, no pressures and doing it just for myself. Now the only question left to answer: which one would I want to live with?

The Mechanical Contrivium: Memzie

Tagged by Cee and Kristel in FB.
I used Memzie instead of Meryl 'cause the results are funnier. :))

1. All of the roles in Shakespeare's plays - including the female roles - were originally played by Memzie.
2. Never store Memzie at room temperature.
3. In Eastern Africa you can buy beer brewed from Memzie!
4. In her entire life, Memzie will produce only a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.
5. The number one cause of blindness in the United States is Memzie.
6. Bananas don't grow on trees - they grow on Memzie.
7. In Japan, Memzie can only be prepared by chefs specially trained and certified by the government.
8. Originally, Memzie could not fly.
9. Memzie was declared extinct in 1902.
10. Louisa May Alcott, author of 'Little Memzie', hated Memzie and only wrote the book at her publisher's request. --> BENTAAA!!! :))

Mind Your Own Business

I hate it when people give unsolicited advice and do it in such a rude manner. Normally, I would let it slip by because I know most people don't think before they speak. But what happened today was... annoying and uncalled for. This particular person, after seeing me eat a sandwich for lunch, told me that I should lay off eating. Seriously.

Now, I don't have any issues with my size and weight when there's no reason to panic or fret over it. While I am aware that there's room for improvement, I'm doing that in my own way and on my own time. But you have absolutely no right to meddle with my business and tell me that I'm fat. Do you really feel the need to bring other people down just to make yourself feel good?

Self Portrait

I had to put on some make up this morning and shoot a close up self portrait for my portfolio. After thirty plus shots of whateverness, I picked the two shots that I like the most... but I only need one. Which photo do you like best? :)

The colors green & white

I took the Green & White yearbook staff exam this morning with Lexie and Yanee. I decided to give this one a shot 'cause I miss working for a publication... but I'm trying out for something that does not involve writing, wayyy different from the kind of stuff I used to do in high school. This time, I'm hoping for a slot in any of the following committees: photo, customer care or marketing. However, going through an exam for each "specialization" made me realize that it's going to be the photo committee or nothing because the other two felt a little off to me.

And since I screwed up a bit in the exam (they wanted me to plan a theme for the yearbook and a photo essay to go with it!), I need to work out on my portfolio this week. They're asking me to submit some shots: self portrait, landscape shot of DLSU(!), artistic shot, motion shots, etc. C'mon, creative juices. Work with me!

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I also started filling up the yearbook registration kit, which I'm cramming until Monday. I'm trying to look for three photos that will best capture my college life for the interactive DVD, which is part of the yearbook package. I'm also coming up with an eighty word write up, but my fabulous chicas are helping me on that one 'cause I'm not that vain to write good stuff about myself. :))

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My friends and I need to get our social life going. Is this what growing up does to you? Bleh. We're hoping to watch to the first DLSU men's basketball game in Araneta this weekend to make up for all the lost bonding moments... that is, if we get the much coveted tickets!

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Have you guys seen this year's DLSU jackets from Adidas? There are three new designs that are already out in Adidas stores and in the DLSU bookstore. I think the jackets go from 2250php to 2450php, which is cheaper compared to last year's 3000php designs! I noticed how the designs are simpler though, there's just a simple Lasallian star on the left side of each jacket and the Adidas logo on the right. But they actually put the school's tagline on the jacket! :o "The Future Begins Here" written on it makes me feel like... a walking and talking school brochure. Thanks, but no thanks. Here's to hoping for a good centennial jacket two years from now!

Pixie's Got Talent

I found Pixie Lott, a new artist in Britain, while searching for a Kings of Leon cover. She sounds a bit like Adele (who's also a Brit singer) and she has good covers of Use Somebody and Apologize. Her first album Turn It Up will be out on September 2009 but her single Mama Do has already hit #1 in the UK Singles Chart. And what, she's only 18?!

Use Somebody ( Kings Of Leon Acoustic Cover) - Pixie Lott

Mama Do - Pixie Lott

I'd cheat destiny just to be near you

Nah, I just love that line from Anna Nalick's Wreck of the Day.
And... I wanted to check you out. Wala, just because. :))

*Credits
Magazine: Vogue Germany, July 2009
Editorial: A Day in L.A
Photographers: Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer
Model: Hanne Gaby
Scan from TFS forums, cropped by yours truly

Hermione goes to Teen Vogue

Emma Watson for Teen Vogue's August '09 issue, photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Gah, what a grrreat editorial! I love the styling, especially the first photo (which made the cover, btw). Thank God for TFS forums and their magazine scans, I now have access to various fashion magazines and their fantabulous editorials!

It's kind of funny that I act this way

My brave side kicked in today! I gave this outfit a go, 'cause I had that certain urge to just make it happen:

white tee from SM, pants from Penshoppe, shoes from Celine, random necklaces, watch from Tomato, handpainted bangle from BBB, random cluster bangle

I wanted to top it off with a blazer but the weather's too hot, so I'll save that for the rainy days. I still like the outfit though, it's not screaming look at me! but at the same time it catches your attention 'cause it's different from the jeans crowd. Plus, it amazingly has this slimming effect! I would've tried this look sooner if I knew it would be this great. But hey, better late than never! :))

Hello July!

Wow, it's Maricel Soriano for the July issue of Preview magazine! She looks completely different in a good way, no? I'm not a fan but I think she looks really nice on the cover. Must buy this issue ASAP - I can't wait to read this year's Best Dressed List!

*Photo from StyleBible