Beat the Blues

It's no wonder people look forward to weekends. After a week-long battle with work or school, or basically just about anything that gives us the blues, a nice time to chill out with family or even some time alone are worth getting antsy about.

During weekends, my Mom and I like to drive up to Tagaytay to hear mass and have an affordable but super sulit breakfast. This time, we tagged along Tita Dayan and Mama Terry. I still wasn't feeling much better, but quality time with the people I love is something I just can't pass up on.

By the way, please try Mile Hi Diner's All-Day Filipino Breakfast and their Garlic and Mushrooms. You won't be sorry! D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

About my makeup, it's been a while since I last wore a red lip, and since I figured I was taking the simple, no-fuss look anyway, I might as well make bawi with something that says it all. What better way to up the ante than a red lippie? With a swipe of golden brown shadow on my lids plus a golden highlight on the browbone, a quick liquid eyeliner flick, and drawn eyebrows, I was all set. If there's one thing I regret not doing, it's putting on mascara. I felt incomplete the entire day! :(

I'm challenging myself to work on limiting my makeup time to AT LEAST 5 to 10 minutes! It's hard, trust me. With the right amount of determination and practice, I might just win that bet. ;)

The lippie I'm wearing is from NYX, called Raisin. 

Here they are just outside the diner.

Aaand now for some outfit shots I made my mom took... Hehe. I was taking a cue from the stunning Vern Enciso as I dared to don a full-on blue ensemble! Incidentally, I got these shorts from their (her and her sister, Verniece) booth at Bloggers United 3.

The cozy knit sweater was salvaged from a recent ukay trip, which I told you about here. Expect to see more of my thrift picks in future outfit posts. ;)

I love that the sweater was, in itself, an accessory. It packed the right amount of sparkle and shine, and so I felt that additional bling is no longer necessary. Well, that, and I was rushing to get to the church, just in time before the mass begins. Haha!

Knit Sweater: Thrifted

Shorts: Vern and Verniece, Bloggers United 3

Flats: Crocs

Some more fun shots after breakfast...

Natural lighting can do wonders for a photograph. It instantly removes all blemishes and imperfections. Plus, it makes subjects glow for some inexplicable reason. ;)

Guys and gals, natural light is your best friend. Harsh lighting can make you look tired or stressed in photographs. So try to go out as much as you can. Sunlight is basically nature's Photoshop! Haha! But of course, slap on a good layer of sunblock before you step into the light. ;)

That is it for me! I'm off to spend another loving night in my lovely bed. Hopefully, I'll bounce back to health by morning! :)

Love,

SGT <3

Steady Saturday

Mom and I were supposed to go to a family lunch then to catch a movie, and another family dinner! Whew! We ended up grocery and window-shopping in ATC, carbo-loading (thanks to the heavenly banoffee pie from Banapple and doughnuts from Krispy Kreme!), healthy shake-gulping (finally tried Jamba Juice), and more walking around. We got tired, struggled through the traffic in Alabang and drove over to Mama Terry's house.

Oh sweet heavens! Banoffee Pie from Banapple is arguably one of the best in the metro!

Polo top: Thrifted

Shorts: from Vern and Verniece Enciso's booth at Bloggers United 3

Necklace: from Quiapo

Ring: from Quiapo

I need a manicure, stat! OMG my poor nails! :(

Bakya/Sandals: Happy Feet

Meet my perky and ever-supportive Momsy! <3

Project kung project! Gow!

 Meet our baby Rania! She's soooo pretty! Whenever we come by for a visit, I always make sure to bring her pasalubong (this time we got her Krispy Kreme doughnuts) and the kids (my stuffed toys) so her toys can play with mine. ;) She's just the sweetest!

About the outfit, I wanted something that's comfortable enough to walk around in but covers me enough to watch a movie in (Mom initially wanted to see one). We explored the new wing in ATC. Before we went to Mama Terry's, we squeezed in a prolonged trip to the grocery. We now love Makati Supermart! It seems to have it all! I got ingredients for future recipes (watch out for that) and other supplies. I grabbed a Strawberry Swirl form Jamba Juice on the way out (my very first cup!). I loved it, except the energy booster didn't seem to work. I felt sleepy about one or two hours after drinking the shake. :( But I'm definitely going back for seconds. Perhaps other flavors will appeal to me more. Any suggestions? Teehee.

That's it for my steady Saturday. How did yours go? :)

Love,

SGT <3

She Goes Thrifty at the Bloggers United 3 (Part 2)

Here we are at the second portion of my Bloggers United experience... (Part 1 is here)

With Verniece Enciso

With cutie-patootie Crissey Si of Hello Crissey

Crissey's merchandise. I wanted to buy them all.
To those who don't know, I'm a sucker for stationery!

With Joanna Ladrido of Only the Marvelous

Marj Sia's booth

Marj Sia's booth

With Marj Sia of The Traveling Heels
She also owns Catwalk Cosmetics.

With the stunning Divine Lee

With the fierce Karl Leuterio of Inkarlcerating

Girlsies! <3

With Kryz Uy  we were all so tired from going around, literally bumping into
people, and haggling for whatever we can get our hands on!

With the statuesque Patricia Prieto of Paradigma

With Laureen Uy of Break My Style

Had a funny moment with Camille Co of
 Camille Tries to Blog and Coexist

Kookie Buhain of Death by Platforms has got to be one
of the most stylish Pinays of this generation.
 She kind of reminds me of Elise Testone from American Idol.

What I wore to the event

That was just a small peek into what happened at the Bloggers United 3. I will post another entry on my purchases soon! I'm still beat from all the shopping and nudging people around. Oh, and also stand by for the closet sale. I'm so excited! ;)

I had A LOT of fun at BU 3. It's definitely a day to remember. I got the inspiration that I was desperately thirsting for. If that much passion for fashion and beauty won't inspire you, I don't know what will. It made me want to work even harder for She Goes Thrifty and prove not only to you but to myself as well that I can be a better blogger, a better writer, a better friend, and a better sister. Sigh. Enough of the drama already! This is supposed to be fun! Hopefully, in a year or two, I can be part of Bloggers United. Teehee!

I was kind of flattered when a random shopper asked me how much some of my "stuff" cost. She must've thought I was a selling blogger too!  *blushes*


To the organizers, the sponsors, the bloggers, and to everyone who came and conquered Bloggers United 3, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH and I hope to see you at the next BU event! :3

So hey, tell me all about your time at BU 3! Post the link here. :)

Love,

SGT <3

She Goes Thrifty at Bloggers United 3 (Part 1)

Finally! I got to sit down and tell you all about my experience in my very first Bloggers United! We got there at around 12nn, and around that time, the place was pumping! It was filled to the brim, and just as we thought that there can't possibly be more chaos, we entered the main hall where the real mayhem was!

I got to meet my favorite bloggers and even scored some tips from them. Of course, I can't let the day go by without taking pictures with the fabulous bloggers and yes, you guessed it, SHOPPING! Check what I wore HERE!

This will be a photo-heavy post, please bear with me. I'd rather show you than tell you all about it! Enough of the babble, here you go! ;)

We have arrived! Thank God we scored free passes!
Me: from Bloggers United
Kach: from Death by Platforms
Therese: Gave her my ticket from Fashion Eggplant

Pink Box booth near the entrance

ETC booth. They're the media partner, if I'm not
mistaken. :)

Anagon Collection
Accessories overload!

With Sarah Tirona of Fashion Eggplant
She's so bubbly and so pretty in person!

With Cheyser Pedregosa of The Walking Recessionista
She encouraged me to keep the blog running.
Like me, she also started out with thrifted clothes.
I think I will never get over thrift shopping. ;)

With the stunning Vern Enciso of A Shoe Tale
I got a pair of shorts from their booth.

With Bjorn Bedayo of Behind Bjorn Manila
He's so funny and such a cutie! :">

With the Scenestealer herself, Lissa Kahayon
I got a gorgeous yellow top from her booth.

With the super pogi David Guison of DG Manila

Posing amid the chaos!

My top and skirt are both thrifted!

My college friend, Kach :)

Finally, Therese and I got to bond and shop!

To keep both the bloggers and shoppers entertained, they had mini-games in the program. At one point, they called for someone who was wearing a high-waist chiffon skirt. I happened to have one on! I won a lip balm from Maybelline. We had to make rampa across the stage and strike a pose. I was so exhausted from walking around and taking pictures with the bloggers but at this point, I was still up for anything! 

Melai of Style and Soul did a great job hosting! 

The Canon Ixus brand ambassadors and their "delegates" as they competed for the ultimate prize, a new Canon camera! Wow! The delegates were supposed to represent the personality of each blogger. The bloggers themselves chose their representatives in the sea of people present at the event.

(to be continued...)

Love,

SGT <3