Psychedelic Princess on a Magic Carpet Ride

Wouldn't it be great if we can escape from all the shackles that are hindering the realization of our visions? That at the slightest possibility of running away, we can just grab that chance and leave everything else behind? To just be the flower child some of us dream of becoming? Careless, spirited, and free. Always free.

She's a psychedelic princess

On a magic carpet ride

And where her trip will carry you

Is somewhere you can't find

She's on a plane to higher consciousness

Meditation is the key

She's got her shit together

'Cause her mind and soul are free, free!
- Flower Child by Lenny Kravitz

A lot of people I personally know celebrate their birthday on 10th of May, including my best friend from elementary and my older brother. So it's impossible for that day to be uneventful for me. My family had an eat-all-you-can, or rather beef-all-you-can, dinner in Tajimaya as  per the celebrant's request. I've never eaten as much as I did that night in the entire length of summer 2013 because, well, because who in their right mind would eat like a hippopotamus and expect their bodies would not feel like exploding after? But all those grilled strips of beef, bratwursts, pork, and chicken were too delicious to pass. Especially the beef. I threw all tummy bump-warnings in the air and thought that I will not go to another eat-all-you-can affair for the remaining duration of summer as a way of making it up to my exercise-phobic body. Only to realize that I've spoken too soon. More about that on the next posts ;)

 I was extra lazy to dress up that night so I've decided to continue on with my "no-heels" policy. Luckily, as I was looking for something decent to wear, I saw this flower headband which immediately came to be the "center piece" of my night. What was supposed to be a lazy dress up actually made it into my favorite list.



White flowy top: Zara| Black high waisted shorts: from my friend Jana Medel| Red Flats: Gap| Earrings: Aldo| Flower headband: Forever 21| Rings: from Divisoria, Aldo, Mango

Escape, in whatever form, is clothed cowardice. Though it's liberating to run away or simply withdraw from our problems, in the end we weren't able to fix the main predicament. Should one day a similar issue arise, all those bottled emotions would come running straight to us, creating damages that are no longer repairable. So the issue of leaving everything behind is something that has to remain a what if. It's tempting but at the end of it all, it's impossible not to get damaged by such decision. Everything around us is our responsibility. The sooner we accept this, the easier for us to face problems head on. 

Soldierlike

Dresses always have a way of saving the day, don't you think so? Even the laziest of days, which is so common for me as I really have the tendency to slack off, become not so lazy anymore when you throw on that cute little dress matched with that cute little pair of shoes. Finish off with a few accessories and that statement bag and voila, you're good to go!

Dress and spiked cuff: from Bangkok| Shoes and ring: Aldo| Bag: Vivienne Westwood

My 4 year old cousin Rayne graduated from Nursery last 23rd of March. Being the stage cousin that I am, I made sure I'll be there. Besides, I only have two first cousins here in the country to spoil so might as well go all out right? Remember this post? The dress I wore there belongs to her. If I'm a dwarf, she's a giant! She's one of the youngest in her class yet during the performances in her graduation, she was assigned to be with the 1st graders. Cute.

Events Planner

Currently, my friends and I are trying to come up with plenty of DIY projects and crafts. All 6 of us have assigned tasks to each other by asking "What's your use?" That's the thing with friends. You can practically ask them anything under the sun without thinking if they're going to be offended.

We wanted to put personal touches on even the littlest of details so when we brainstorm, it's like waging a war against each other. Nothing's set on stone yet cause when something is about to be agreed upon, a better idea always comes up. I tried to do research on my own when I went home. I was about to look for ideas in Pinterest when I saw my cousins' pictures in my newsfeed in Facebook. It's slipped my mind that my Tita Cay, mom of my three first cousins, is a master events planner and a DIY queen. If I make birthday celebrations and other events a big thing, she makes it the event of the year. Unlike me who prefers paying for a venue where my party is going to take place and paying for catering services, she makes it a point that everything is personal. She starts everything from scratch, including the venue which is always at their home. She does magic. As for the food, well, when you have in your midst Wawa Lucette, trust me when I say that the food will always taste superb! Let me share with you some of her works:

1. Elija's 3rd birthday celebration last 8 April 2013.

Theme: Pirates

Instead of having the usual photobooth, they DIY-ed the pirate ship using Caoume's piano box, filled it with balloons and no one would ever know it was just from a recycled box. The giveaway loots were the black pirate bags. They served 13 dishes, including the 3 desserts. 

2. Ezy's baptism last 24 February 2013.

For the giveaways to the godparents, Tita Cay printed their pictures on these white fluffy pillows. For the other guests, she rolled colorful towels and inserted them in these tumblers making them appear like sundaes. They transformed one part of the basement into playing corner for the little ones. They prepared 13 different dishes. 

3. Caoume's 6th birthday party in June 2012

Theme: Western

The last time they were here in the country, Caoume was telling me all about this. She kept on telling me that she'll be inviting all her other medium-kid friends. Upon entering their home, the children were handed shirts to wear. Caoume was so pretty and such a stand-out, it actually gave me an idea to try this in the future too! Her giveaways were, aside from the shirt, foldable water bottles. There were different prizes in her cart which was good since her friends were all very energetic. They set up the inflatables too. See, even the cake was a DIY. 

4. Elija's 2nd birthday party in 2012

Theme: Angry Birds

His birthday coincided with Easter Sunday so they decided to include the easter egg hunt as part of the games. All the children were in search of the lucky eggs, which in the end they also had to paint. Instead of having goody bags, they were given angry birds bags where they will put the eggs that they've found.

5. Caoume's 5th birthday party in 2011

Theme: Under the Sea

In the backyard of the Valles, their very own waterpark was set up! The medium-kids had fun swimming and taking turns in the slide while the toddlers had fun in the inflatables and riding their plastic cars.

6. Elija's 1st birthday party


Theme: Indian
This baby boy's energy is that of Hubert, Hamish, and Harris' (triplets from Brave) combined. He's such a bundle of joy! For his first birthday, Tita Cay sent invitations and thank you notes to their guests. The loots included cute pacifiers and the ref magnet bearing Elija's adorable face.

Even though those cuties are continents away from me, seeing their pictures always bring a smile to my face. They remind me so much of Merida and the triplets from the movie Brave, what with their curly hair and naughtiness. It's now time for me to plan that party for my friend! I'll post the preparation and the outcome here one of these days. I'm so excited to be one of the party planners :)

Travel Philippines: Boracay, Kalibo, Aklan

Arrived with Excitement, Left in Need of Psychiatrist

If someone would hire me as an advertiser, or a marketer for that matter, of the summer paradise of the Philippines known as Boracay, I would greatly capitalize on what I've written as my title. I wish I can share photos that show the beauty of the place with the natural sunlight highlighting the powdery white sand or the clear blue waters but I guess we all have to settle for second best: seeing Bora's take once the sun sets in. It's magical, but in a spectrum different from what beaches are normally admired for. I brought my trusty camera along, after too much pestering from my two close friends Karen Soledad and Jana Medel, but it had to take backstage most of the time because we were too lazy to carry it around and stop from time to time just to take a snapshot of our background or what we were wearing. I mean, I'm aware that I'm big with documentation and everything that goes with it but only IF I'm with someone who's willing to do it for me. If it's me who'll be inconvenienced, it's as good as saying PASS. Sorry, I'm not really the nicest person out there. Harhar!


My personal record of functioning for 37 hours straight without sleeping was bested during this trip. My best friend and I unthinkingly booked for the most impossible flights going to and from our destination causing us stress, frustration, and more expenses. We learned the hard way that there's such thing as wise saving up and bad way to do it. The money that we thought we've successfully saved up by choosing early morning flights wasn't enough to compensate for all the agonizing conditions it had put us under. All in all, S and I didn't sleep for almost 50 hours straight. No kidding.









We were supposed to Cliff Dive but after doing this activity called Flying Fish, every thought of trying another activity fled our minds. This was insane! If you've never tried somersaulting, then try this.

We stayed there for almost 6 days and let me tell you I didn't get tanned. I got dark!!! We met plenty of familiar faces who are also from Taft. That's what's so good with this place. Anywhere you'll go, you'll bump into someone whom you're only acquaintances with in average day but whatever's holding you back from befriending them instantly vanishes with just a few swigs of good drinks. Just like my experience in this place with Jana a few years ago, I enjoyed immensely. A lot of things happened that until now, or maybe even forever, will haunt my friends and I. There were a few faulty decisions but in the end, I cannot bring myself to regret them. After all, I just let myself get immersed in the magic of the place :)
Bikini Day1: Cache Cache| Bikini Day3: Dorothy Perkins| Bikini Day4: Topshop
Romper worn in Night1: Zara
Top worn in Night2: La Senza| Shorts: from my mom's closet
Bandeau worn in Night3: Forever21| Knitted top: Apple&Eve| High-waisted striped shorts: Topshop
Black top with heart details worn in Night4: Zara| Shorts: Zara
Slippers: Havaianas| Brown bag: Fossil| Shades: Aldo

So anyway, to make up for the lack of posts, I'd be publishing long entries every now and then. Let's get started!

SUMMER INSPIRATIONS

If only I can have their perfect summer body just by looking at them.

via fashiontoast, songofstyle, theblondesalad, garypeppervintage, stylescrapbook, thesartorialist

Sampling Swiss Cuisine

Our family went to Antipolo to celebrate the Easter. We chose Vieux Chalet because we were instantly charmed with its organic home-made food sets. They serve exquisite Swiss food that can make you forget you're on a diet. "What summer body? This home-made butternut ice cream is so good! Another scoop please!" We stayed overnight in their inn as well because aside from the food, we love some R&R in action. They offer spa services too. I want to personally give a shout out to Rico, their manager who had been nothing short of the perfect host. I forgot the name of the butler assigned to my family but he greatly deserves a big fat thank you from us as well. There are nearby resorts there in which amenities are more modern but why did we choose Vieux Chalet?
1. We're a family who has people anxiety. Why stay in a place jampacked with people like us who want to relax when you can opt for another smaller resort that you can rent all for yourselves? We're for complete relaxation and reconditioning.
2. We're a family who loves food. We devour anything edible, maybe not so much on the greens, so it's no wonder that, well, all of us in the family are a little chubby. So when we were told that our ricotta cheese is organic and our veal bratwurst is homemade, it was a sure go! Finally, food for not-so-health-conscious eaters with lesser calories.
3. Who doesn't want a butler who dance-attendance to all your whims and requests? Are you kidding me? Don't you want an Alfred for yourself? Haha! Go ahead, put their service to test :) Here's the link to their menu should you want to try their restaurant. Contact them before going!








Sweater and yellow, white, purple bangles: Mango| Shorts and belt: Giordano| Bag: Tommy Hilfiger| Shoes: from Bangkok

These Songs of Freedom

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;

None but ourselves can free our mind.

I have to borrow lines from Bob Marley's Redemption Song for that perfect 'short but scarily concise' words to describe my state of mind at the moment. Besides, it's summer time here so it's but understandable to excessively listen to Bob Marley songs. Anyhoo, I attended my cousin Vince's 12th birthday party last 5th of April. Here's what I wore:

It's my finals week as we speak but I couldn't find the willpower to even reach for any of my books. I mean, the heat is enough to make me dizzy, why put another agony in the form of forcing myself to study? Right? Hahaha I'm kidding! If you were in my shoes, I would push you to study but since it's me, well I heed what my favorite song in Moulin Rouge says - come what may. Matter of fact, I just finished watching a few of my favorite movies namely Armageddon, The Day After Tomorrow  and 2012. What do you call their genre? Is it sci-fi, historical epic drama, end-of-the-world morbid scary movies or what? I don't know about you but I find these movies very entertaining. Add Pearl Harbor and Titanic (although they're both not about the apocalypse) to the growing roster and I swear you can expect me completely hooked to the tube. What I love the most about these films is the resounding knowledge that, should the last day of the Earth really dawns on us, I'd belong in the first-to-die list. I noticed that only the highly intellectual people have a shot at being saved. I'm sure somewhere out there, a group of thinkers whose ideas and visions I will never fathom are devising a strategy that gives hope to the human race. I believe a Noah's Ark is in the works. I also believe that I will not live to see that day. Only those who are extremely intelligent enough who understand why certain phenomena are happening and skillful enough to restart the human civilization will be the passengers of that saving ark. Blame my fondness of this topic on my admiration to those movies that blow my brains out :)

I love Bob Marley songs, don't you? They're the perfect feel good music for summer. Oh! I'm moving from Story Lane to another website for my paper works. Check it out HERE if you want to read some of the things I've worked on in college :)

Top: sewn by my grandmother| Shorts: Greenhills Tiangge| Shoes: CMG

I'm Chasing the Sun

Just one more week and I'll be done and over with my finals for the term. Just one more week and it'll officially be summer for me :)

A few weeks ago, I attended a seminar for a certain activity that I would have loved to do this summer. I've psyched myself into thinking that I'd be somewhere far and fun. Up to some extent, I've even imagined how I will go about my daily rituals in that far away place. I was willing to sacrifice my other pre-planned activities for that one ultimate trip. I was excited, to say the least. And then the bad news broke out. What I've been looking forward to suddenly vanished into thin air. All of a sudden, the odds turned against me. I can't anymore go because I failed to meet the requirements my mom and the activity have entailed. Was I saddened? Definitely. Was I sullen? Immensely so. Did I brood over it? For a few days, yes. But after, I snapped back. Getting past the disappointments is probably one of my weak points. I can't easily accept things that don't go my way. Especially if I've employed all means just to get it. I'm not exactly the 'sore loser' type but if the battle is not against someone like in a competition, rather it's against things that are faceless, that can't fight back in the strict sense of the word, that are unchangeable, that's another story. Acceptance takes time but once I've fully understood why things happen, I move on and never look back at it with the same bitter taste that I've once had. That's life.

This is what I wore last Easter Sunday when the family decided to eat some organic Swiss food in Antipolo. I'm going to post the other pictures next, IF I'll be able to convince myself to type another story. Hihihi

Denim dress used as top: Lulu Castagnette| Belt: Divisoria| Vest: Esprit| Skirt: from my Lala Ester| Shoes and bracelet: from Platinum Mall, Bangkok| Bag: Tommy Hilfiger| Glasses: Aldo| Hat: SM Dept Store| Watch: from my friend