Coffee Date

I'm in a desperate position at the moment so even though I'm still sporting my long hair in the first photoset and the outfit is only an incidental accessory, not the focal point of the story, just let it slide and chalk it up to my laziness to take more recent photos. 

Toby's Estate (Century City Mall)

Dress: Giordano | Cropped army-print top used as jacket: from Bangkok | Sandals: Celine

I love meeting friends over a cup of tea, though the word 'tea' has different connotations depending on who I'm sharing it with. (With my HS friends, it's never been just the comforting kind.) I rarely drink coffee so to me, tea is my cup of tea. But there were a few instances that I had to pick coffee over my all-time favorite because we purposefully sought out certain coffee shops to sample their trendy handcrafted beverages. The list of the coffee places we'd like to try is HERE. 

Matgalne Korean Restaurante (Kalayaan Ave., Makati)

Up to this day, it still amazes me whenever Lina and I wear clothes in the same hue. We've never discussed what we'll wear beforehand so it's fascinating when we find ourselves facing each other with the same "we're matchy matchy today!" expression. Of course, things got funnier when her boyfriend Julian showed up in the same green and white combo. Should I say that we're just a bunch of kids who pay their respects to their beloved Alma Mater by wearing its official colors? Haha! 

Months later, we met up again for a quick break from our daily engagements. This time, we checked in in Intercontinental Hotel. 

Swimsuit: Dorothy Perkins | Sweater: Ralph Lauren | Shorts: Zara | Bag: Juicy Couture

For dinner, we met up with Debs in Commune Cafe which is another coffee shop in the list. 

Having read plenty of courtroom novels, there's one thing that I came to realize. The law provides rules to ensure that the citizens would live only within the structure. Once someone goes astray, there will be consequences equivalent to the weight of the action. What the law doesn't state but implies is that, most of the time, it equivocates in favor of the argument that best tugs at the emotional level. Let's call this emotional loophole. A person who's being tried for murder can get away with it if the lawyers are cunning enough to design a strategy that will appeal to the judge or the jury's emotions. (Yes, I'm referencing to a sensational case.) It really pays to be manipulative, isn't? It makes me think that a case's success lies not on the evidences but on how crafty the lawyer is, may it be the prosecutor or the DA. A person whose IQ is only average shouldn't be allowed to enter the law school, right?

We all live in a world where butterflies exist and flowers bloom while elsewhere, there lies a body that's been robbed off of its breath just seconds ago. I'm not being morbid. I'm plainly stating facts. Picoult succinctly explained why there are deviations in the society. "There couldn't be a bad guy unless there was a good guy to create the standard. And there couldn't be a good guy until a bad guy showed just how far off the path he might stray."

My very very very close friend Lina, who's currently in her first year in law school, is among my few friends who tolerate me when I start inquiring about murder cases and for added awesomeness, she gives sound opinions and corrections. See, one moment I would endlessly search about gory cases and the next I would obsess on what mundane article of clothing to buy next. Hahaha.

Thanks for the photos, Lins!

No Shit, Sherlock

If I were to collate a dictionary containing words that I've encountered for the first time as I read a novel, the thickest of which would have to be that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. I have absolutely high praises for the character of the famous detective. Partly because he is exceptionally observant, proving that not even the tiniest of details could escape a mind that's capable of comprehension beyond what average minds can do, but mostly because his adventures are recounted in short stories, which is exactly perfect for night-readers like myself. 

Dress: from Bangkok, Thailand | Shoes: People Are People | Ring: Aldo | Belt: Giordano

I figured my posts won't publish themselves on their own so much as I'm enjoying indulging my ever lazy bum, I'm forcing myself to spew out my usual psychobabbles here to keep the blog running. Anyway, a few weeks ago, here's the fate that has befallen my trusty laptop's charger. (A vital factor for my absence here) I could've easily bought a replacement in the mall but I opted to prolong my agony just because. The nonsensical sometimes makes sense to me. (No shit?)

Maybe I can count off on my fingers the number of series I've watched completely in my entire life. I can't condition myself to patiently await an episode after another in-which the flow is of utmost importance. For this reason, I absolutely love BBC's Sherlock. One of my favorite stories is translated into modern times, with episodes written to accommodate multiple chapters from the different Sherlock Holmes novels, and the characters played by equally compelling actors. (Benedict Cumberbatch, anyone?) The tip of the ice berg is its three episodes per series production with at least two year interval in-between the series. Perfect for someone whose regards to time is normally suspended.




As has been pointed numerous times,  BBC's Sherlock's writers Gatiss and Mofat are very praiseworthy for successfully adapting the novel into a TV show. The essence of the books, at least to my easily impressed eyes, which partly I believe is all about the power of words to drown its readers in its depth and partly to mesmerize through it's pre-, during, post- death accounts, was perfectly captured. Cumberbatch' Sherlock is just as calculative, sharp, and psychotic as described and retold in the novels. The writers were successful in preserving the books' scholarly lines and sarcastic albeit funny remarks without sacrificing easy comprehension. I'm not going to lie, the author's choice of words in the books sent me reaching for a dictionary, even dominating my phone's photo album because for every word that I don't understand, I screen-cap it for later's light-bulb moment.



from Iconic Fictional Characters

You have to admit, Irene Adler got it right when she said that smart is the new sexy.



Finally, let me wrap this post up with my photo. My photos are in no way related to Sherlock Holmes, I'm aware but let them be. They were taken a month ago. I'll leave this for now and the promise that the next post would be more coherent and quite possibly better in all aspects. Haha!

And Listen to the Music of the Night

As for my taste in music, it's quite singular. My knowledge in almost everything that I consider myself an admirer of is disappointingly limited. Still, I'll attempt to talk about the kind of music I appreciate, albeit in hopes of not appearing a smart aleck but simply stating the facts.  

Chiffon top: Mango | Skirt: Zara | Necklace: from bazaar area in Festival Mall | Shoes: Zara | Flower ring: Mango | Watch: Anne Klein

Unlike most of my friends, the songs I listen to are not eclectic. Sure, I sing along the songs of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry but I am definitely the least person in the room to be asked to plug in her iPod to the system for everyone else to hear. See, I am more of the broadway musical junkie but certainly not because I deem my taste superior to others but because had I been blessed with a powerful voice, I would have pursued a career in theater. Songs come alive when they are listened to in person, whilst the singer is in character, and whilst an orchestra serves as the accompaniment. Since I hardly have the voice, I settle with constant listening to these songs. 

Perhaps an excessive devotion to Murakami's books led me to seek out the classical songs he keeps finding metaphorical representations in that's why lately, all my Youtube searches are compositions of Mozart's, Beethoven's, Bach's, and Tsaichovsky's. I haven't completely been convinced that I should declare them 'my jam' as of yet because to be completely honest and stripped off of the snobbish air, I haven't 'lost myself' in them yet. Then again I am particularly fond of Mozart so much so that I have entertained the thought that should I have a son one day, I might make his second name either Amadeus or Wolfgang (his principal name must start with a 'G'). One of my favorite films of all time is Milos Forman's Amadeus and since then, I have sought out other works, preferably in literature, that would shed a few more light on the person of the great composer. I've read half of Nancy Moser's Mozart's Sister but despite being gripped by the story, I had to stop because it was only later on that I read the author's forenote stating that although the events that were recounted were factual, a handful of it left gaps that she filled in as best as she could have done with her imagination. I couldn't read an account, even as fascinating as this book, with the goal of knowing facts when the novel's aim was to entertain. (On this note, I am truly to happy to have been born and raised in our times, where gender no longer becomes a measure of a person's success. Nanerl Mozart would have been great, perhaps even as great as the charming Wolfie.) While on my search of Mozart's compositions, I came across his operas. I haven't tried watching a full-length opera nor have I seen one even in Youtube that's why I can't say it's a genre I'll enjoy but I have listened to some arias and a few Puccini and Pavaroti to conclude that for 5 full minutes, this genre can hold me captive. I'll try to watch an entire 2-hour show and see if I can still say the same. 

Jed Madela's rendition of Nessun Dorma from the opera Turandot. 

It was only early this year when my Mom bought us tickets to watch her favorite Filipino artist on stage but the moment she learned he has a series of shows entitled 'All Requests' lined up, she bought tickets again. Last night, we were in Music Museum to watch Jed Madela showcase his out of this world vocals. The photos show what I wore. It was my first time in that venue which, although has been the smallest concert venue I've been to, proved to be the most intimate. Jed Madela is really among the finest singers in the country. Plus points to him because his voice is suited for the likes of broadway songs. Maybe even after hearing him sing live for 50 times, I'll never tire of him. 

I think, classical music should be made available to everyone. After all, it's slowly seeping into the mainstream. Even 50 Shades of Grey's Christian Grey name-dropped almost all the popular compositions. (Can anything get more mainstream than 50 Shades of Grey? Almost everyone I know has read it including those who never even touched a book previously Hahahaha). My favorite is written by Bach (Suite No. 3 in No. 3 in D Major especially the Air or second movement) but on a general level, I like Mozart's the most. Of course for beginners like myself who wants to educate herself with classical, baroque, and other early types of music, there's always Tom & Jerry for easier appreciation.

The title I used is from The Phantom of the Opera's Music of the Night.

The Book Challenge

Taking photos all on your own with only the camera's timer to help you is very stressful, I found out. I had no choice but to take my own photos as everyone else was in a hurry. Then again it was my fault that I had to press the button on the camera then run in front of it to smile, then repeat the process for approximately 3 minutes until I had to ride the car. Oh the stress I put myself under for documentation purposes... Anyway here is what I wore for my cousin Rayne's birthday celebration with the family.


Top: Penshoppe | Swimwear used as tube top: Anemone (While on my usual strolls in Powerplant Mall, I entered this swimwear-shop and was surprised at how creative and body-appropriate all the pieces there are. The designs are too cute that even though I put myself on a shopping ban, I can't help but get a few pairs) | Skirt: Zara | Peacock necklace and peacock ring: from Macau | Hearts ring: Accessorize | Watch: Anne Klein | Tom & Jerry bracelet: toy in Kinder Joy (My cousin Rayne was eating her favorite drugstore chocolate and inside one of the Kinder Joys was this bracelet)

I don't want to cheat myself out of this post by letting myself babble just to come up with a decent read when I don't really have something worthwhile to share so instead I'll just respond to my friends Kim and Jeanne's book challenge. (Sorry guys, I'd rather post here than on Facebook. Thanks for the tag though!)

As a rule, I was not supposed to overthink the books I'll include on the list but since I use Goodreads app, it was easy for me to single out 10 books that made an impact on me.

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde- I believe everyone of us have something that we're willing to bargain for with the devil himself. The battling facets of my personality are personified by the characters in the novel.
2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - Picoult has one of the best writing styles that I'll never fail to be in awe of. Also, all her stories delicately traverse between the supposedly mutually exclusive aspects of emotional writing and factual writing.
3. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami - It still baffles me how a book that did not completely make sense to me render me speechless but leave me feeling as if a heavy burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. It also showed me that although an extensive vocabulary can go a long way, a common word that was given a loaded and metaphorical substance instantly ceases to be common.
4. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock's adventures with Dr Watson displays how a brain that functions much advanced compared to the average, albeit ruling in number, minds have both advantages and disadvantages. And that in a world as cruel as ours, having an advanced brain is slightly skewed towards what constitutes the person's ultimate weakness.
5. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - It delves with the very same philosophical questions that remained unanswered even after I took up my Philosophy class under Gojocco. On average, it's a rather short novel but compared to other 500-page and above books I've read, this took longer for me to finish. Stumbling upon a character who seems to be an extended version of one's self is both frightening and intoxicating.

6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - The most reverberant idea that the book left me is that, there is power in words. A person who can win a crowd with only words at his disposal has power within him far greater than he initially thought he has. It was this novel that made me see it wasn't always Hitler's guns and armies that killed millions but his words. (Read the rest HERE)
7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë - I've always had a soft spot for all the firsts.  Although I started reading because of Archie comics, different fairy tale books, and Geronimo Stilton, my first leap in a more mature genre was with this novel. And at that time, I kept thinking that there's a madwoman hidden inside the house whenever something went awry.
8. Growing Up Bin Laden by Jean Sasson with Omar and Najwa bin Laden - It was an embodiment of contradiction. I've written quite a brief yet concise view of this before. As I tend to plagiarize my ownself every now and then, I'm doing it again now. (Read the rest HERE)
9. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - I don't really know who the target market of his works are but I do know that Gaiman is among the masters in fantasy literature. He turns childhood nightmares into adult fears. Just as Lettie Hempstock stuck in his mind for years, I can't extricate her from my consciousness even after months have passed since I finished the book. Also, I wear socks to sleep eversince because I fear a worm might find its way into my heel too.
10. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling - Stories like Harry Potter's and JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings fascinate me not because of the plot and the unifying theme although they can hold a strong argument all on their own but because the author created an entire new world. Harry Potter will be one of those books that I'll require my future children to read, no exceptions.

I'm tagging everyone who's actually read the list! 

Write the link so I can read them in the comments section :)

Ladies Who Do No Wrong: Chiara Ferragni

If I can have it my way, I'd rather be strutting around the globe in designer outfit from head to toe, with my entourage in tow. To me, this idea could only be a distant dream that I won't even try to catch but to Chiara Ferragni, it's the life she's living.

You have to give it to her, in an industry where everyone is aesthetically pleasing and their income coming from an influx of products who wish to 'dress you', 'feed you', or just 'use you' thereby making it difficult to to decline a sponsorship even if the product doesn't represent who they really are, she has been successful in tapping into a niche market. Let's give credit to her then boyfriend Riccardo Pozzoli (this is an attempt at my part to drop his name as he is absolutely deserving of the commendation as well. Not to mention he and Chiara used to be my favorite blogger couple) who's one half of the brain that strategically planned where Chiara's career as a blogger should pan out. Whereas other bloggers are non-discriminative of brands, accepting whatever comes their way, Chiara Ferragin (with the help of Pozzoli) concentrated on targeting the high-end market. She dressed herself in designer stuff, which seems ostentatious to others, that eventually everyone who are someone in the designer labels industry welcomed her presence. Furthermore, her importance was acknowledged.

Here is the living Barbie doll of the blogging industry:

All photos from theblondesalad.com

Treated As Underdogs

... or simply overlooked?

Inner tube top: People Are People | Top: Mango | Pants: Zara | Shoes: Dorothy Perkins | Bangles: Aldo | Headband: Girlshoppe

I'm probably making the proverbial mountain out of molehill when I confronted my cousin's teachers because they didn't inform her that a certain dress code has to be observed for an elocution contest where she has been chosen as contestant. Here's the thing. (It's getting boring to keep on iterating this fact but for emphasis' purposes, allow me.) I only have two first cousins in the country. 3 are in Canada, 3 in US, and 2 in Aussi so it is no wonder that I spoil those whom I'm physically closest to. I absolutely adore my cousin Rayne to the point that I'm making her an extension of myself, sort of like my mini-me. By that I mean I'm willingly passing my queen brat throne to her. By that I also mean when she wants something, be it a toy, dress or a pair of shoes, she has to have it probably not at once but definitely eventually, provided it's within a reasonable time. I'm her cousin, not her mother, so I'm sorry but I'm not really out there to discipline her. Haha! Imagine how a budding 'brat' would feel if she finds herself amidst a group of 19 other kids dressed in their best Filipiniana costumes while she's only in school uniform. I feel so sad for her especially as I'm the reigning best in Filipiana costume when I was in elementary, all thanks to my grandmother who's a seamstress. Year after year after year, she makes me an outstanding gown which I proudly wear. (I'll look for my photos and then perhaps blog about them someday!) Rayne called me up after her contest and told me she feels sad because 'the girls are wearing beautiful dresses'. To compensate for her sadness, I immediately sought out a Queen Elsa dress that would match her 12-year old frame despite being only almost 6 years old, for her to wear on her advanced birthday celebration in school. I believe that every girl should have a chance to redeem herself, royally and unforgettably. 

I think I take things too personally when it comes to people I consider important to me (which, to be perfectly honest, only consist of a few). Sometimes I fight battles on behalf of a friend who has been wronged even though I am in no way involved in it (I think this is why I used to dislike a certain person in HS. She's so much like me actually and I believe we could've been great friends given that she's as opinionated and as 'cunning' as me but she has wronged three of my friends then). I'm not a war-freak nor do I instigate anything but I'm good at retaliating. I've had my entire childhood as training grounds, you see. When you have brothers for siblings, there's no room for girly girly retaliations. It's either all out war (or wrestling can do) or all out crybaby (or a good tattletale. My parents normally take my side) Hahaha!

When an underdog rises to the top, it's laudable. When an underdog finishes up last, it's understandable. It makes me wonder, is it alright to be considered an underdog? Doesn't it imply that when a person is touted as an underdog, it's because he's never viewed as a strong contender? That the person is not a threat; probably the last person in the room to be considered as the winner? Perhaps my reasoning is faulty but I've never wanted myself to be an underdog. I'm an all-or-nothing person, remember? 

I dedicated my entire Wednesday to accompany Rayne in the daycare center. I had to make sure she feels good and happy this time. Of course wearing a gown (with matching cape pa yun, look closer!) wouldn't make it all better, assuming that she's becoming my child version. A few more gifts and equally impressive tokens in loot bags did the trick. Here are a few photos of her and her friends. She's not the eldest in her Preparatory class, believe me!

The trick in appreciating an honest-to-goodness post such as this is untangling the actual truth from the sarcastic tone. I write to entertain. Haha!