Santa's Little Elves

How time flies! Who would've known today is the last Friday of the year. I unintentionally unplugged myself from the blogging universe. I promise to read your blogs, soon! The Holiday rush is just too much for me to bear and I've had several schedule change at work. Being the corporate slave that I am, I had the opportunity to work seven days straight. Not everyone has the privilege. Hell week, yeah! I'm just happy that it's over and I still feel blessed even with all the stress. Now, I just want to sleep like a boss. Last Christmas: I was all too busy organizing a party for the offline support group, non-stop partying and I even had wings on which made me feel like a Victoria Secret Angel, hosted my high school reunion, and of course, shopping for gifts on the 11th hour! Talk about nightmare before Christmas. Only that it's not directed by Tim Burton. It was fun but it left me all exhausted. This year, I skipped all the parties and reunions. Because I just want to and I love my work too much. Just pretend you don't sense sarcasm here. Wait, I hope none of my officemates read this entry. If you're here, this was never written and I don't know you.

Let's just talk about the outfit. I'm not so sold with what I wore here. The jacket reminds me of Balmain Spring 2010 collection, only that mine is thrifted. It's perfect for the December weather and office air-con that's always in full blast. Too bad I didn't have a photo with the buttons untied. I just forced my office mate to take my photos and these two were the best from the bunch. Imagine how bad the rest are. These are the times when I wish I'm my boyfriend who knows my angle too well, my sister Liezyl or my close friends. If it's them taking my outfit shots, I take my time and forget to play coy. Not all of my work mates are into fashion or even blogging for that matter. It's like calculus for them. Yes, beggars are are choosy now. It makes me want to hire a photographer but they will do. The money used in hiring a photographer should be used for buying new shoes. The platform wedge in the photo is now a year old and the leatherette's peeling off just like my other shoes waiting to be used in their boxes. Maybe it's time for me to use them more or just buy new ones. Christmas is the best time to buy shoes with all the end of season sale. 

Let's just digress and cut to the chase. It all boils down to me saying how awesome my Holidays are. I know yours are too. On Christmas eve, my boyfriend dropped by for dinner. It's our first Christmas together. I know, I just had to say it. Ain't love the sweetest thing? <3 

Happy New Year! 

I like wearing platform wedge when it's raining, it makes me feel like I can walk on water.

standing tall

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My House Husband, Ikaw na! Cebu Press Conference

Today is Christmas and it's also the first showing day of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. I'm giving a big shout out to Melai of Style and Soul for sending out the invites all the way down to Cebu and Eden of Chic in the Tropics for bringing everyone together. It was a bit surreal cause a few days ago, I was just happily posting comments and reading about the Manila press conference. Then all of a sudden, I found myself sitting next to my lovely Cebu Fashion Blogger friends and strategically seated in front of Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos. I hope Judy Ann doesn't read this but Ryan's been a crush of mine since Y-speak days and Judy Ann's been a long time member of our household. I practically grew up with my grandmother and she's a loyal fan of both. I'm not kidding. When I was in high school, it's hard to miss daytime or even nighttime drama due to the lack of social networking sites. Facebook and twitter was not yet part of my timeline except for sports, of course. Wow. Did I just make myself sound vintage, prefer it over the old. It sounds far more better but this is not about me. This is about the movie that's already out in theaters. I've seen the very first movie Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, a few years ago with my mom. When I told her about this press con, she got even more excited and it looks like she will be my date for this one. 

Real and reel life couple Judy Ann and Ryan were just two amazing people. They gamely answered questions from the press, bloggers in attendance and crowd. Celebrities do look fairer in person and Judy Ann doesn't even look like she gave birth. 

I was hoping to meet THE Eugene Domingo but she was not in sight. Also, Cebu's the only city outside Manila that had this press conference. Awesome, right?! XD  

lovely bloggers in attendance and trying not to out-stage the stars when we're trying to take outfit and group shots. :D

 

Yours truly and saying goodbye to my shoes. I only wore it for less than five times and it got damaged just by keeping them inside the box. Must be the humidity. Should wear my heels more often. :(

Thanks to Pax, Jem and Philip for the photos. :)

Bojo River

At some point, I thought of creating a separate blog with all the traveling and places that my boyfriend Bal and I had been to. But do I really need to? I did not mean for it to rhyme, okay. I love my blog the way it is. Even if I think my writing sucks most of the times. It makes me feel like I'm such a big faker cause the comments I get are good ones and they think my writing is 'good' and I'm not asking for any haters. Maybe it is and I just have high standards for myself. You know how it is. You don't like what you see or what you have then you only start to appreciate it when other people have it or see it in a different way. Or you don't know what you got 'til it's gone as the Counting Crows song goes. That doesn't really make sense, does it? I only wanted to do a short post but here I am talking to my head again. 

I think I wouldn't mind being mistaken as a travel blogger. Not that I travel(ed) a lot but let's skip all the labels and just go with it. There's always a disclaimer, yes? I've had this urge to wander since I was a kid and with traveling comes the right clothes to wear. Everything's intertwined and connected like a cob-web or even the worldwide web. Trust me, this planet is getting smaller. When you travel, you have to dress appropriately. No one wears a bikini when going to Sagada or Baguio. Not unless you're crazy and have thick layers of skin to endure the cold. I'm not here to tell what one should wear. For sure, you guys know that already.  

This week, we went road trippin' down to the dirty South. This is not in Palawan. The scenic river down below is in Aloguinsan, Cebu. It's just one bus ride away from the busy Metropolis but we skipped the bus cause we're cool like that. It was the longest ride I ever had and the most fun to say the least!!! I'm not even exaggerating! I was really on cloud 9!!! We set out at 5:30am and took the road less traveled - the transcentral highway but I think it's going to be a different entry. I just couldn't compress them all at once. I don't want to even if I could. I know, I talk too much. The trip to the river costs 300php per head since we didn't book in advance. Walk in travelers/tourists pay half the price cause there's no welcome drinks, food and all that tourist stuff. It was really a good experience. Everything was just so quiet, calm and arresting. I'm glad we went there. I'm even more glad I'm with Bal. We promised to go back and bring some third-wheeler friends. 

I know it may not be the appropriate time to post about the trip. Unprecedented deaths on the holidays must be the saddest tragedy. My heart and prayers goes out to CDO and Iligan. 

Anywhere is fun, what's more fun is the person you get to spend it with. <3 

Punk X Pretty

Christmas came early for me this year. I know it's just a few days away but it's exactly what I felt when my package arrived. I got all too giddy and I couldn't contain it that I ended up taking photos of what's inside and even the package itself! It's the same reflex when people take narcissistic photos of themselves while drinking Starbucks coffee. You know it's just coffee but for them, it's Starbucks. I don't really get it but I bet you do. We all had those kinds of moments. I already had my share when I was more naive and younger. Well, not that I'm older now. I did not have coffee when the photos were taken but I'm sure asleep as of this posting. I've been wanting to own the ubiquitous YSL inspired ring and I came across Valerie's online shop called PUNK X PRETTY. I was about to buy one for myself but I did not have any luck cause they don't have my size. Well, I guess I don't have to order anymore cause she sent it to me as gift. I was so touched and surprised at the same time. It's really true when you can experience all too many emotions in a span of seconds. I didn't expect for someone whom I met in the virtual realm to ask for my address, just so they can send me something through the mail. I'm only used to receiving gifts in Farmville which I don't even play. I even got more surprised cause I was only expecting the ring but she also sent me a detachable collar, a wallet to keep my plastics and an Andy Warhol Card with her lovely handwriting wishing me and my boyfriend Bal a fun Christmas. It's really driving me polka dots! If only I could put into words how amazing she is.

What have I done to deserve all this? :)

Thank you so much for the early Christmas gift, Valerie! :) 

I'm chasing after you

When I'm not running, I try to play football or try to bike. I'm saying try cause I only get to do it once a week or even once in every two weeks. Unlike running where I can just hit the road daily or nightly. I don't even own a bike and my boyfriend Bal lets me borrow his. I like messing around his bike. I even enjoy it. And I have to admit, I only learned how to ride one after I turned silver. My uncle played football when he was younger and he now goes on a weekly ride with his friends. I guess it is in our blood and too bad I'm not his protege. I learned how to bike because of Bal. He taught me how same with him teaching me some foot drills. Yeah, he's really been very supportive in everything I do. Finally, after all these years, I now know how to ride one. I had to turn silver before doing so and I remember him telling to make my silver year a good one. Well, what more can I ask for? I know I always mention him in almost every post but why shouldn't I? He plays a very significant part of my life and this is how good as it gets. I won't attempt to be real cheesy or say something grand. He knows it already. :) 

I'm sharing photos from the 12KM run I did with my office mate last month and Bal being my escort, rode his bike. The first photo was taken yesterday, though. We're suppose to play football but for some reason, I couldn't find the ball that my boyfriend bought me. I feel terribly bad cause I stopped training for a week when I got hit by the flu. Also, I can't join any marathon this month because of time constraints aka work. It's okay. We can always run our own marathon. 

He's not just good, but he's really great. <3 

Darth Vader

I can't get over myself and I still have a lot of issues with my hair. It's driving me hazel nuts! I'm good with self-criticism so please spare me some or just bring it on. Let them come. I'm THISCLOSE to shaving my hair bald and every single day feels like a bad hair day! I had two trips to the salon in two weeks and I'm still not satisfied. The problem with not having the same hair stylists is they never get it right when they trim my bangs. Something is always wrong right after leaving the salon. My bangs is not trimmed evenly or maybe I'm just too much of a perfectionist with ## percent room for improvement. It's just too bad my favorite hair stylist left the country for greener pastures. The grass is greener on the other side but I don't want to talk about the grass even if my hair's texture is similar to it. This isn't displacement either. It's my hair and I'm making such a big fuss about it. I don't even want hair rebond or relax cause I need to tie my hair when I run or play football. Besides, it's too much of a maintenance and I can't promise consistency to myself when it comes to hair treatments. Something's gotta give but I'm not willing to take that route. I'm left looking like Darth Vader. Swear! 

I was so relieved when Laura, brainchild behind the blog of worldly delights shared some of her no-nonsense secrets when it comes to hair care. I'm giving my hair a month to recover from it lackluster and if it still doesn't work. Well, hello scissors! Otherwise, I won't hesitate to buy myself some gas mask and wear it. The all black outfit is not a protest and I'm not mourning over my hair. I just feel more of myself when I'm wearing black and my worn out oxfords. I live an active lifestyle and I still get to dress up thanks to work but it's so difficult to take outfit shots. It's when you have the camera, location and good lighting but you got no one to take your photos with. If only I am with my boyfriend 24/7 where I can just charm my way for him to shoot me. I don't even have to ask him sometimes. He knows it already. And he knows my every outline. 

shirt: topshop jeggings: bench oxfords: forever 21 bag: parisian

Prototype

It's difficult to write about something you know nothing about. At least, that's how it is in my case. I don't happen to know everything and nobody does unless you pretend to know it all. Just keep faking it until you make it. Honestly, I find it hard to blog about the day I played football. I bet none of you is even interested but I would still keep going. I should have spent my high school days playing football instead of track and field. Now I'm left wondering if I had the wrong sport. I spent half of my grade school days watching those cute boys in the field together with a childhood friend. Let's face it, most athletes look hot with their uniforms or jerseys. I should have joined the club before but not because of the boys. I had a lot of opportunity to learn and play but I lack the drive and interest. Had I played before, I could have been VERY good at it now. But now that I have those three things, I lack the skills. I'm a bit disappointed with myself. I hate to admit but I totally suck at football. I can outrun my opponents but I could never dance with the ball. Maybe I got used to watching it on television or on the benches with a glass of beer on one hand. It would take a lot of practice  and foot drills. It looks so easy on TV but it's way different when you're the one playing. Seriously, I don't want to disappoint myself again. It's a good thing my boyfriend plays football. I get to practice with him even before the actual training day. If there's one thing I know about something, there are things you can learn. But you have to learn it the hard way. 

photos by my boyfriend Bal

On The Road

The road to Sagada is breathtaking to say the least. It's definitely one hell of a bus ride and the most memorable one for me. I have to agree with Bal when he said it's like a roller-coaster ride, only that the danger is more real. No other bus ride thrilled me like this one. On my mind, I kept saying to myself that if I was going to die on this trip, it would be okay cause I'm with my boyfriend. At least, we die together like Romeo and Juliet but we're not some character from a Shakespearean novel. My sub-conscious mind entertained those thoughts cause it really had some elements and plot of this Hollywood movie called Final Destination. It would have been perfect for the road kill and it may even be news-worthy. I'm not scaring you.  It's just me talking to myself and writing my thoughts down. It wasn't really a nightmare but more of an adventure, an exhilarating one. I didn't mean for it to sound the way it is. Sometimes, I just read and watch too much fiction. It's a good excuse. 

You wouldn't really appreciate all the greens and road photos in this entry unless you go to the place itself. But I like it so much I just want to share it. Taking photos on a moving vehicle is difficult unless you have an SLR. I think it would look better cause the shutter speed is faster. We didn't bring one but I bought a new point and shoot for this trip. I'm no expert with photography or camera so I hope I said the right thing. It was a six hour bus ride with two pit stops. What I noticed with the bus rides in Luzon is they have assigned seats. If you want to be seated right next to the driver, you have to be early and believe me - it's the best seat ever! It's the same with watching a fashion show. You want to be in the front-row to have the best view. We were at the Dangwa bus terminal, located near the Baguio Public Market an hour early. The ticket costs two hundred forty pesos and there's no air-con bus, it's not necessary. But you do need to layer or dress up for winter. When we hopped on the bus, we got too excited to sit next to the driver but I got a little disappointed cause there were this two people who gladly evicted us from our seats. Just when we both were very comfortable and ecstatic with where we were seated. People really try to steal your thunder! Yeah, those kinds of things happen. 

Photos by Bal and Me

When I'm blue, I like wearing red.

For some reason, the photos look too pixelated and grainy when these are even unedited or maybe my friend Jed who took these shots did something with it. I'm not really into photo editing cause I have no patience for it and I like them raw. It was raining when these shots were taken and it's even raining now. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. Come on, just hum along. I don't exactly feel blue but more of sick. I'm not sure if I abused my body too much with all the physical activities I'm engaged to. I don't blame it, really. Maybe it's just my body telling me to slow down a bit. I want something to blame so I might as well choose the bipolar weather. The sun gets extra hard-working at times and our office feels like Alaska because of the coldness. Maybe I do feel a bit blue cause I can't do the things I'm used to when my body's in perfect shape. Skipping my evening run now feels like skipping a meal. Medicines, please do your jobs, please!  

shoes and bag: Parisian top and blazer: thrifted pants: penshoppe

Lemon Pie House

My blog lifeline is very much dependent with scheduled posts. As of this writing, I'm out for some evening run so that I can have a spoonful of McDonald's mcflurry oreo. That's what I call offsetting. I like burning calories and then taking some or even more. My mind is very much filled with food and I've had crazy cravings lately. I look like a small girl but I have a big appetite. It just doesn't really show cause you get tricked with my size or the angles on how the photos are taken. 

When Bal and I decide to dine, I eat like a King. I don't pretend or act sexy by having half of something or just a small portion. I like giving my body exactly what it wants. Always. But I can't give me some lemon pie from Sagada. The beginning statements are not just something to fill you up cause I don't know where to start. That's the problem with blogging or even writing. The first lines or sentence is always the hardest. But I'm being honest when I have food in my mind even if I'm out running while you read/scan through this entry. 

Don't ever miss out Sagada's Lemon Pie House. I'm not so much of a fan with pies but I'm sold with how theirs was made. You can really taste the lemon and it doesn't taste like chicken. Of course, it should taste like lemon unless they were selling apple. It's no comparison with the ones sold in fast-food chains. Pasalubong worthy if you don't have other stops after Sagada. Surprisingly, Lemon Pie House have WIFI. Yeah, they do. Ten stars for that plus they got great customer service and cute interiors. Food price does not even hurt your wallet. You're getting your money's worth and more. It's rare to find great places with good customer service. You have to travel hundreds of kilometers up the mountains to experience some. Something to look forward to when WE come back. 

Photos by Bal and Me