Weekend Warriors: Easter Egg Yellow

Happy Easter, everybody! How was your Lenten season? I hope it was meaningful. Mine was quite disappointing. I was sick all week and I had to spend a lot of time in bed, recovering. Even until this very day, I'm still not feeling well at all. :(

Anyway, I'm sure we're all looking forward to Jesus' second coming, or as we know it, Easter Sunday. It's a day that promises new beginnings and fresh starts. Beyond the Easter Egg hunting and being allowed to eat meat after a week of abstinence and fasting, it is a moment of rejoice and welcome.

Much like any other, our family went to hear Easter Sunday Mass. By default, we went to Tagaytay. Then, breakfast followed at our favorite place, Mile-Hi Diner.

Inspired by the gleeful mode of the day, I took this baby out for a spin once again.See how I wore it the first time HERE. Despite the sickness, I have to push myself aside and celebrate our Savior's resurrection, right? After all, He gave His life for us. What's not to be grateful for?

The color yellow is often associated with happiness. If our current state of mind is any reflection of what we wear, then here's mine:

 

Dress: People Are People

Flats: SM Department Store

I'm head over heels for these flats! They're so cute and comfy! Talk about cheery disposition! Best of all, I got two (different) pairs for less than Php 400! I'll feature the other ones in another outfit post soon. :)

Plain, unadulterated bliss.

If there are any other imminent culprit to my sudden twist of mood, it's the fact that I got to rest peacefully at home and be surrounded with the people that I love. Nothing else can ever recharge me from so many months of stress. Haha!

Meet my cute Mom! :) Sadly, Dad is away for work.

With my pretty cousin, Mary Rose. Congrats to our newly-grad! :)

I'm so happy because I got to give my graduating cousin the dress of her dreams to march down in on Friday. Took her to Forever 21 to pick out her grad garb. :)

How was your Easter Sunday? :)

Scarlet Sunday

Now that we're on the topic of catching up on my backlogs, here's another one from not-so-long-ago.

It's no big secret that my family and I love spending our weekends in Tagaytay (it's just 20 minutes away from our home). So, on my dad's last weekend with us (before he flew out for work), we had our usual prospects - mass and breakfast at Mile Hi Diner.

I've been browsing through a lot of hipster and bohemian blogs and mood board inspirations, hence my style sensibilities lately.

You've probably seen these boots a couple of times here. Well, they're my only pair of boots and I adore them to death! I wish I'd gotten them in gray and black, but since they're phased out, I'm left in shambles. :(

 

The Batik top came from Zamboanga, my dad's hometown. It's been stuck in my closet for a while and haven't quite found the right day and weather to don it out. Luckily, one sunny Sunday, it had a chance to show itself to the rest of the world!

 

Batik Dress from Zamboanga

Boots: Payless

Bangles: Luxe and Luster

Belt: Genevieve Gozum

I wonder where this Sunday will take me. ;)

Weekend Warriors: Comfort Zone

Hey, y'all! How's your weekend going so far? Mine's a little bittersweet. Today, my dad flew out to the States to get back to work after a 4-month hiatus here in the Philippines. Just when my mom celebrated her birthday (yes, today), my dad naman had to fly out. Also, I got unexpected news today from a friend. It really got me thinking more about maybe considering another path, about chasing down my dreams.

Despite all the bitter parts, I'm still glad I can smile. I was able to come to the UPLB Febfair (which I try to really go to every year, despite all the craziness in my life at the moment). I met old friends and rocked out to Malay and Pedicab. It was such a blissful state and I'm really happy I managed to make it, kahit na I was about to collapse from exhaustion. Super worth it. I slept for a solid 15 hours after that!

Oh, I can't even begin to tell you how crazy my week went! I was supposed to fly out to Manila on Wednesday morning from Isabela but our flight (the ONLY flight back) was cancelled. We had no other choice but to be rerouted to Tuguegarao. Imagine having to spend one more day in Tuguegarao with no extra set of clothes and having to cancel all your meetings because you won't make it back in time!

At the end of the day, I found my center again (I hope!), back to my comfort zone - in the midst of family and friends. That's where I feel recuperation from all the stress, the worries, and the fears. In their company, I feel like I can take on the world again.

Anyway, speaking of comfort zones, this outfit shot was taken last weekend in Tagaytay, during one of our random days out with mom and dad. We failed to make it to mass (we left home pretty late) so we grabbed breakfast at our usual place instead.

It was pretty chilly then so this ensemble fit the easy breezy weather then. Enjoy. :)

Meet my Mom and Dad! :)

We're the biggest goofballs around!

The beanie-wearing me is back!

Hello, old friend! This pair is actually about 6 years old now. Tibay ng Chucks!

They're the happiest parents I know. :)

Top: Random

Inner shirt: Random

Jeans: Random

Shoes: Converse

Beanie: from Baguio 

Oh, and we stopped by this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G ukay place in Tagaytay! I got about 10 pcs. of stuff and spent only a little over Php 500! I can't believe it either! There are lots of branded stuff like Uniqlo, Zara, H&M (if you're a little brand-conscious). Good thing they were on sale when we came by. Definitely going back for more! You should check it out when you're in Tagaytay.

Coffee-lovers and actual lovers. ;)

Easy peasy. :3

Daddy's girl. Always have been.

Stay cool, kids. :)

This Just In!

Happy New Year, ladies and gents!

I'm a big believer in fresh starts, in second chances, in clean slates. Now that 2013 has kicked in, life for all us will start again and kick in full gear before we know it.

During New Year's Eve, I was so happy to be home. I haven't really felt home in a long time. Regardless of where I am during my business trips, or in the office, or at our house in Laguna, it's been a while since I last felt at peace. Ironic isn't it? Amidst the explosions and sparks everywhere in celebration of a chapter closing and another one coming in, I found myself in a good place, a place I felt estranged to in a while.

Starting the year right, that's what we always hear. 2012 has been very kind, and I did everything I could to return the favor. This year, I envision a bigger and better year for me, my family, and my friends. Things thus far may not have been peachy keen, but I'd like to think that these are just birthing pains for the new year. Things will get better in time.

Every time I feel anything but at my best, when life seems to be insufferable, coming home always helps.

We're pretty big on Sundays. Yesterday, we spent the day doing one of our rituals, hearing mass and having breakfast after. Since most of my clothes are in my apartment, I had to make do with what's left in my closet. Mind you, I do have quite the selection (despite my efforts to rid my life of clutter through closet sales on regular intervals). 

Anyway, here's my very first update for the year. Tell me what you think about this look. I've been getting cues and tips from my new favorite show, Pretty Little Liars, while incorporating my hipster sensibilities. Enjoy. :)

Dress: Forever 21

Pullover: Vintage

 Boots: Payless

Belt: Random

Necklace: Random

Hope you're having a great day! :)

 

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