SHOPPING: 1,000.00 Peso Challenge for July 2013

For this month's 1,000 Peso Challenge, I chose to shop at a brand which is very close to my heart... BOARDWALK PHILIPPINES *! (I'll tell you why on a future post)

Boardwalk provides direct selling business opportunities to earn extra income. So, to be able to make a purchase, you can do so through a boardwalk agent by looking through their catalog and choosing which items you want to purchase. You can also check out their catalog online at boardwalk.com.ph

So for this month, here are my purchases:

This super cute ABBOT DRESS costed only P349.00 (around $9). I love this one because I can use it for my casual days with flats and use it as well for my business meetings as a designer with the right shoes and accessories.

I really really love jelly shoes! I have quite a collection already. So these IMBRIUMA SHOES are perfect to add to my collection. This pair is so comfy and cool! My feet can breath through the netted design and I can wear them during the upcoming rainy season. The best part is that this pair costed only P229.00! (Around $6)

Next, is my super favorite buy, the BEIMONTE TOP! For only P369.00 (Around $9)... I get 12 different styles! Why? Because the Beimonte Top can be worn 12 ways!

Now isn't that just fab??? (Yes, I know I'm super arte with all the posing, hehe, pagbigyan niyo na) This top is the perfect travel companion! With just a few pieces of clothing in your luggage, you can alternate this top every other day in between washes and your travel photos won't look like you wore the same item. The fit is just awesome, too! I've worn it with shorts, with a skirt, with leggings, with pants and it still looks awesome! I just change the style to suit the entire outfit I'm wearing.

To sum up my total purchases:

P349.00 - ABBOT DRESS

P229.00 - IMBRIUMA SHOES

P369.00 -BEIMONTE TOP

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P947.00 GRAND TOTAL (Around $24)

I feel like I have 14 different items for less than a thousand pesos!!! Woohoo! Now THAT is smart shopping! =)

FASHION: This Girl is on Fire

It's quite obvious how I'm loving pink lately. It's not exactly my favorite color but sometimes a girl just needs to feel as girly as possible and you can't go wrong with this hue. My pink locks by Angelo Falconi III has been making me feel pretty for a month already and I am not growing tired of it at all. I love how it just blends with my top from Boardwalk Ph. This is one of my favorite tops from the brand because of how it hugs my body very comfortably and it's the perfect outfit to wear when I want to feel girly and sexy at the same time.

One of  my favorite comments for my hairdo lately, which has been said to me more than a dozen times already:
"You look like you're on FIRE!" Hence, the title of this post! I just love that song by Alicia Keys. Talk about a really strong anthem for female empowerment. And it really has gotten me inspired lately. This year has been a year of positive changes and transitions in my life. Despite a few bumps and sacrifices, I know every bump and sacrifice will be really worth it for me in time. I've had so many adventures for this year already and I'm beginning to see what else God has in store for me. Actually, looking back a little bit, there were some things that I was waiting for. I kind of felt that it was taking so long for these to happen in my life. But with everything that has happened for me lately, I'm beginning to see why I have to wait. Indeed, things will happen in his precious time... and THAT is the PERFECT time. Meanwhile, God has thrown so many blessings my way to keep me preoccupied while I wait for his perfect time. His blessings lately have made me realize more that for the past 12 years (since I became a mom)... I really have been on fire! I guess the events that have happened for me lately was his way of reminding me that I was doing well... I shouldn't rest... I should go on. Now, I have been feeling the FIRE more than ever!

It has been barely 6 months since I've taken blogging seriously. And I am so thankful at how my readers have been following me and giving appreciation to what I have to share. I wish I started this earlier though. But I know this is all a part of his "perfect time". I am overwhelmed at how I am getting to use my talents to touch the lives of other people. I know I can make others feel good and I know I can inspire. As a makeup artist, a jewelry designer, a blogger, a daughter, a friend, a sister, a mom... I know I'm on fire and my fire is about to burn even brighter!!!

 

 

 

Top: Boardwalk Ph *  |  Pink Ombre Hair: Angelo Falconi III * |  Ring: OLEIC * |  Necklace: OLEIC * |  Wedges: K-Mart NYC | Shorts: The Landmark


Photography: Eunice Vallesteros of Purple Dot Photography

DIY: Sequined Blazer + GIVEAWAY! =)

Ever had those old corporate blazers that you never get to use? I have a quick and easy solution to turn them into stunning pieces that you can use for many occasions rather than just for the office.

Have your plain corporate blazer ready. (Just like the one I have in the photo above) You will need the following materials:

1. Needle
2. Thread (Same color as your blazer)
3. Small beads
4. Sequins


Now let's get started!

Start sewing on the sequins on the collar.
Put the sequin first then the bead on top and then put the needle back into the sequin hole.
The purpose of the bead is to lock the sequin into place without the thread being visible.

Aside from the collar, you can add a few more sequins on the pocket area or at the bottom of the blazer. Wherever you think it will look nice. Don't overdo the sequins though as it might turn into a costume rather than a wearable outfit!!

 After you sew on all the sequins... VOILA!

A BEFORE and AFTER shot. Now wasn't that super easy? Now I can wear it on other occasions without looking like I'm headed to the office! =)

I previously wrote this DIY on my article on Celebrity Living last year (photo above). I thought it would be great to rewrite it here on my blog so my readers can go back to it and start embellishing their own blazers! =)

I made another one with a light gray blazer, and here it is:

And because I had so much fun making this... I ended up doing it on 3 blazers! Hahaha! So I'm giving away this light gray one that I'm wearing! Want to win this embellished blazer? Here's how to join! (Make sure you follow ALL the OPTIONS so your entry will be valid!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Terms & Conditions:

1. This blog giveaway will end on July 20, 2013 (Saturday) at 12noon. 
2. Share this blog post on your Facebook Timeline EVERYDAY for more chances of winning!
3. Share this on Instagram EVERYDAY for more chances of winning!
4. Rafflecopter follows EST. Therefore, cutoff for each day is at 12noon. This means you can go back every afternoon to retweet for additional entries 
5. All those who will COMPLETE all the options on Rafflecopter WILL BE QUALIFIED to win the prize.
6. Contest is open to Philippine residents only.
7. Winner will be announced on this blog. We will contact the winner within 48 hours from the closing date.

Good luck!

 

FASHION: Green Apples

From last week's gloomy weather, the sun was out the entire week this time! I'm glad that the weather hasn't been extremely hot like last month. I'm welcoming the less warm weather that's soon to come but I am not ready to kiss Summer goodbye!

It's TGIF today but I've got a gazillion things to do! I need to get ready for this weekend's makeup jobs and I need to finish jewelry orders and some handpainted clothes today. So since my artistic skills are being put to full blast use, I decided to wear a comfortable maxi dress so I can achieve my deadlines and at the same time run a few errands for today.

Don't you just love the print on my dress? This dress was originally owned by my grandmother. (Yes, lola was and IS a fashionista) I found it a couple years ago in a box of old clothes that she tucked away. It was a long sleeved, turtleneck dress that I cut up and altered a bit. I can just imagine how she wore this at gatherings during the 60's / 70's. I'm not a fan of turtlenecks and the long sleeves simply won't do with our weather. Hence, the makeover on this piece. It's a beautiful vintage fabric  printed with green apples and dots. I certainly did not want to put this dress to waste! I also love how light and flowy the fabric is. Perfect to lounge around in when I want to take a quick  break in between work and errands.

I save a lot of old pieces owned by mom and grandmother. I don't know who originally owned the clutch I'm using, but it's another vintage piece I found in our attic. My jelly shoes are from the brand, Jessica from SM Department Store. I LOVE jelly shoes and I started quite a collection already. What I like about this pair is the skin tone color which makes me look longer even if they're flats.

I LOVE my headchain! I made this myself and I think it's the perfect compliment to my outfit. My cocktail ring is also one of my handmade creations under my brand, OLEIC.

I'm still loving my pink ombre hair done by Angelo Falconi III. It's been 3 weeks since he colored my hair and I love dressing up to compliment the color. It's also perfect for the "Hippie Vibe" of my look for today. Again I was feeling lazy to fix my hair today so I kept it in a bun while I painted at home and let it down when I had to go out and run a few errands. I love how it still looks good!

Dress: Vintage Piece  |  Pink Ombre Hair: Angelo Falconi III |  Clutch: Vintage Piece |  Headchain: OLEIC  |  Cocktail Ring: OLEIC | Jelly Flats: Jessica, SM Department Store


Photography: Eunice Vallesteros of Purple Dot Photography

HAIR CHRONICLES: Think Pink.

Ok I admit, I love coloring my hair. I've gone super black, medium brown, light brown, reddish brown and dark blonde. Don't get me wrong, I do love my naturally dark brown hair... but sometimes I just love changing it up. It feels like an adventure every time that I do. It's like I'm waiting to surprise myself at how different I'd look. All my hair coloring and treatments in the past have been DIY. By myself or with the help of yaya for those hard to reach parts.

But alas, I think I have to kiss my DIY hair treatments goodbye because now, I've found my hair angel. Mr. Angelo Falconi, owner of the Angelo Falconi III Salon's is THE man! I coined him my hair angel because it really suits his name, diba? But I don't just call him that for fun because he literally is! As a Loreal Master Colourist and Loreal Ambassador, he really is the guy to go to if you want expert hair color and treatment.

I met him back in 2007 as my mentor when I studied makeup in the Center for Aesthetic Studies. He was a  terror professor and I will never forget that he did make me cry! He really is a perfectionist and honestly I now appreciate how strict he was with my class because we really would not have turned out the makeup artists that we are if not for him. Today, he is a very good friend and the only one I trust to color my hair.

I can no longer remember how our discussion went but somehow we were just chatting at that time and then the discussion geared to hair. PINK ombre hair. And why not? I guess it was time to try something REALLY different. The thought of it scared me a bit at first but then I realized that my tresses were in VERY GOOD HANDS. So... no fear.

Angelo worked on my hair himself. His staff, assisting him as he moved. It seemed so complicated! I couldn't understand what he was doing but I guess that is how he works his magic. So I turned to my phone, started facebooking and stopped worrying. After what seemed like a very quick treatment, Angelo called my attention and I was simply in awe when I saw myself in the mirror. I LOVED IT!!!

Before and After. Angelo had to bleach the ends of my hair a bit for the pink to pop out.

With my Mentor and Loreal Master Hair Colorist, Angelo Falconi III

It's been two weeks and I'm still loving my pink ombre hair. I have been approached by random ladies several times, asking me where I had it done. All the more that I enjoy flaunting it everywhere! The best thing I love about it is that my wash and wear ways really work with it! (Yes, I never pack a hairbrush in my purse) No need to brush and blow dry and it still looks amazing!

Walking around at the mall, my friend Eunice of Purple Dot Photography saw how nice it looked as my hair flowed with the gentle breeze. She took a few shots and as we checked through her camera, I felt that I was looking through a magazine! My pink hair was so beautiful! I kept it in a bun for just a couple of hours and when I let it down... this was the result! No brushing and styling aids even! Here are our shots from that day:

When in doubt.... THINK.... PINK! Wala lang! Haha!

Want to try Angelo's hair magic? You can reach him through his facebook account. Click here.
Or check out his website: www.angelofalconi.com to check out his events and list of branches.

Dress: OLEIC
Photos by: EUNICE VALLESTEROS of  Purple Dot

BLOG GIVEAWAY: OLEIC + Naturaleza

Naturaleza Manila is a company that discovers and develops Filipino heritage products. Local products that have been used for generations and have been kept quaint by remaining cottage industries in the provinces.
Naturaleza Manila assures the use of premium organic materials. A Hacienda in Negros is one of it's primary sources.

Naturaleza Jabon Delujo is a body wash made with all natural ingredients. It's very mild and gentle on your skin and smells really good!

A number of our local celebrities like Ana Roces, Tim Yap, Phoemela Barranda and Ruffa Gutierrez have been giving these as Christmas gifts or were gifted with this product last December, as seen on their Instagram accounts.

And as a gift to my readers, I'll be giving away full sized bottles of this product which I love and use myself, as well as some jewelry loot from my accessory brand, OLEIC! =)

Here's how to join:

a Rafflecopter giveaway  


Terms & Conditions:

1. This blog giveaway will end on June 30, 2013 (Sunday) at 12noon. 
2. You can go back to this blog page daily to click on the Tweet button for additional entries. That means more chances of winning!
3. Rafflecopter follows EST. Therefore, cutoff for each day is at 12noon. This means you can go back every afternoon to retweet for additional entries 
4. All those who will COMPLETE all the options on Rafflecopter WILL BE QUALIFIED to win the prize.
5. Contest is open to Philippine residents only.
6. Winner will be announced on this blog. We will contact the winner within 48 hours from the closing date.

Good luck ladies!

 

SHOPPING: 1,000.00 Peso Challenge for June 2013

Last May, I started my first post on my monthly P1,000.00 shopping challenge. It's a chance for me to add new stuff to my wardrobe without spending too much. Of course as a mom, my son's needs are priority so I always have to be on a budget but will never sacrifice my style! You can read about last month's post here.

Yes I will admit, I love going to Landmark. Again for this month, I spent my monthly challenge there.

You know that feeling when you find an article of clothing that you love so much and you end up buying it in all colors? Ok I admit... I'm GUILTY! This shopping challenge was not at all difficult for me because I ended up doing just that. Here are my buys for the month:

The thing about this dress that I love so much is the fact that the colors create an illusion of curves and a smaller waist. It's made in stretch fabric, the type used for t-shirts so it's very light and stretchy and can easily be converted for day use to night use with a change of accessories. Best part is that it costed only P249.75 (around $6-7) each!

After fitting the dress, I spotted these tops. I wanted to get the black and look for another item but as I took the black one from the hanger, I saw the pink one and it just begged me to take it home. I couldn't resist! These tops are super cute. Perfect for our warm weather with the peek-a-boo shoulders and laser cut details on the sleeves. It's a bit loose at the waist area so no need to suck in that tummy. They were a steal at only P239.75 (around $5-6) each!

Here is the summary and total of my purchases:
P249.75 - black and yellow dress 

P249.75 - black and white dress 

P239.75 - black top with shoulder cut outs 

P239.75 - pink top with shoulder cut outs

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P979.00 GRAND TOTAL (around $25)

Again, I stayed within my budget and was able to come home with 4 cute items that I can really use for my day to day activities. Yay, more clothes! Can't wait to shop again next month! =)