Love and in Between♥

Ilocos Escapades: Malacañang Ti Amianan

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 07:23:00 +0000

I've been meaning to finish this Ilocos travel series sooner, but the past days got me feeling like, meh. Some days, I try to do as much as I can. But most days, I just don't feel like moving. The fact that I got to log in on my blog today means it's one of those "some days" and not one of the "most days".

Now on to today's post. Few minutes from the St. Agustine Church is the Malacañang of the North or locally known as Malacañang Ti Amianan (Amianan is the Ilocano word for North). This property is originally owned by the Marcoses, then was sequestered by the government when Pres. Marcos was ousted, but was subsequently turned over to and is now under the jurisdiction of the local government of Ilocos Norte. It was restored and renovated and is now a common stop for tourists visiting the province. An entrance fee is collected for the maintenance of the place, but don't worry because it will only cost you Php30.

Upon entering the mansion, there are volunteers who would offer you a free tour of the place. Yes, it is totally free, but we decided to hand over a small amount to our tour guide for giving us an interesting tour.

Say hello to my little cousin who comfortably run around the place barefoot like she owns the whole house. LOL

The stairs leading to the second floor was nothing short of amazing. It was made of narra and I love it and wanted to take it home, seriously. From the back side of the mansion, there is a view of the Paoay Lake. The large open space on the second floor used to be a ballroom or dance floor. The former first lady was fond of throwing parties and inviting guests, hence the dance floor. Let's just say she loved the attention. Today, according to our tour guide, the ground floor overlooking the lake may be rented out for wedding receptions or events. This house, rather mansion, is everything you'll ever dream of in a summer house from the surroundings, architecture, and all the furnitures inside. It is surrounded by greens, then there's the lake, and personally, I love its capiz windows and ceilings. I would love to live in here, or maybe own a place like this, if only I could.

Ilocos Escapades: St. Agustine Church

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 07:53:00 +0000

After Vigan City, the next stop on our Ilocos trip was Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Truth be told, I'm kinda looking forward to this part of the trip because of this particular church, I have seen pictures of this church from friends who have visited the place and when I am doing some research while planning our trip. Being a sucker for old churches, (ICYMI, I think I mentioned about my fascination for such structures a few times or so in this blog and on my other social media accounts) I made sure we get to stop by this lovely church.

The Paoay Church or the St. Agustine Church located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte is one of the first few churches built in the country. Its history and unique structure adds to its glory. See it for yourself and you'll know why. It was built to stand and last several earthquakes which hit the country. What's surprising to know is that it was even used as a fortress during the early times of the revolution.

A view of the church's bell tower from the garden at the back of the church.

Since this church is old, it has gone through restorations up to the present times. Personally, I think the local government and the people, in cooperation with them, have done a good job.

Church interior

Façade

We went there during the day, but I wish we also went at night. Because I heard it is equally beautiful at that time too. The church has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site being one of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines.

Something this beautiful must really be preserved and taken care of for the future generations to see. This may mean nothing to anybody, but as for me, I'm happy that in this lifetime I get to see structures like this and that my country has a rich history to be explored and shared.

Life in Squares: Vol. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:42:00 +0000

This post's title is a giveaway, isn't it? By reading the title alone you know what this is all about, but I'm telling you just the same. With the start of a new month, I decided to start something new on this blog as well. While many of you may have seen similar posts from other blogs, I give you my own version of it. Everyone, welcome to Life in Squares, a sneak peek of what's happening in this mundane life of mine through, well, everyone's favorite social media app, that is Instagram. If you haven't yet, you can follow me along here and let's be friends.

one. last month's trip to Ilocos was less tiring despite the 12- hour drive because of these people. Truly, there is never a dull moment when you're with family. || two. This is the St. Paul's Cathedral in Vigan City, one of the places we visited during our trip. We went there during the holidays and it was so festive. || three. The St. Agustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. This one re- affirmed my love for old structures and anything vintage. || four. Caught the sunset in one of the beaches in Pagudpud. A view like this never gets old for me. This is everything I love, in one picture. || five. Holidays were meant to be spent with family and loved ones. Though I was not able to attend our annual get together, I made sure I squeeze in some time with these awesome ladies, whom I happen to be friends with for 15 years. They're like my sisters from different mothers. Haha. || six. Last year proved to be one tough cookie for me. I couldn't be more grateful enough for having someone to keep me together throughout everything that had happened. || seven. After the New Year, I spent almost a week with B and his family in their hometown. I think life in the province suits me well, no traffic, no hustle and bustle, fresh air, open field. I am happy to have found another home away from home. || eight. Catching up with my lifetime girlfriends over coffee and cupcakes before one of our friend heads back to the States again. It always feels like high school all over again every time I'm with them. || nine. I took this shot over the weekend at Sofitel, where my friend decided to celebrate her birthday. The sunset was stunning as ever. Well, as you can see, I have this thing for sunsets and views like this.

Ilocos Escapades: VIGAN CITY

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 07:37:00 +0000

Time spent away from any screen of sorts is time spent wisely. Trust me. Because that's the time when you become more alive. So during the holidays, I decided to give my loved one the best gift I can think of, that is being present. I believe that time can be one of the most precious gift one can give because it is something you can never get back.

Okay, now, I'm not quite sure if that intro has anything to do with today's post. Well, I'm hoping it would somehow make sense. Today, I will be writing about our trip to Ilocos last month. I don't want to dump everything in one post so I decided to make this a travel series (or sort of like that).

The provinces of Ilocos Sur and Norte are located in the Northern part of the Philippines. It took us almost 12 hours to get there, by private car btw. Thanks (but no thanks) to the upcoming elections, road works are everywhere. The sights on the road made the trip bearable and worthwhile. First on our itinerary was Vigan City.

Vigan City is located in Ilocos Sur and is known for its infamous cobbled- stone street, Calle Crisologo. "Calle" is a Spanish word for street and in case you're wondering, the Philippines was colonized by Spain for 333 years, hence there will always be a trace of Spanish culture in the country.

Calle Crisologo – Mena Crisologo Street

The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district, which is filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade. For visitors who want to experience being transported back to this period in Philippine Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is a must.

--VIGAN.PH

It was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in order to preserve it. You can choose whether to rent a calesa or walk around to explore, we chose the latter. Walking on this cobbled- stone street somehow gave me chills. The Spanish- styled houses were such a sight to see and the whole street was magical at night. Most of the houses are now converted into restaurants, souvenir or antique shops and some were even converted into inns, which tourists can rent for a place to stay. Upon asking the locals, I've learned that the second floor of most houses is still being used as a residence up to now. It doesn't matter that it's late at night, Calle Crisologo was always filled with people. During our first night, since our hotel is located right in the center of the city, we decided to walk around and experience what this beautiful city has to offer.

Before anything else, we visited St. Paul's Cathedral. With the Philippines being a largely Catholic country, one can always find a church anywhere. The Catholic religion was introduced by the Spaniards and was propagated by them during their stay in the country. The St. Paul Cathedral in Vigan is one of the earliest churches built during the Spanish times. Since then, it has become a center of the Catholic devotion in the country.

Like any old city or municipality established by the Spaniards, the center of the city consists of the church, a plaza, and the municipal/ city hall. I learned that this is the typical design of cities back then to make administration easier. In Vigan, St. Paul's Cathedral is surrounded by 2 plazas, Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos, and the city hall. The fountain show in Plaza Salcedo is one of the many sights at night. It starts around 7:30 in the evening and lasts for about 30 minutes. The plaza is filled with people, both locals and tourists, an hour even before the show starts.

We were all hungry after the show, so we again decided to walk around Calle Crisologo to find a place to eat. Restaurants are usually full so I suggest you bring a lot of patience. We decided to eat at Lampong's. And no, contrary to what it means in Tagalog, according to my Dad (who himself is an Ilocano), Lampong in Ilocano means long- hair/ ed. (That's a little bit of trivia for both you and me.) We ordered famous Ilocano dishes like Pakbet, Vigan Longganisa (of course), and something new to us, Kare- Kareng Bagnet. The bagnet was a hit. The only down side is that it took them some time before our food was served. Sorry, no pictures of the food though. Everyone was starving that they attacked everything once it was served.

Calle Crisologo by day.

The next day, we woke up rather late for tourists, maybe because we were all dead tired from the previous day's long drive. We skipped the museum tours, but for those interested, city tours are available. The hotels around also offer tour guides that can take you around.

Ilocos has always been in my list of places to visit. Being an old soul, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for historical places and stories. I always have this craving within me of wanting to know how it feels like to live in a different time. Vigan City may be the cure to such cravings.

Things to Do in Your Spare Time

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 14:02:00 +0000

With the Bar Exams over, we now have a lot of time to spare. It's like freedom for us. And since I practically have all the time in the world to do everything and anything, that is until I find a job (which is hopefully soon), I made a list of things that will keep my jobless self busy for a while.

Catch up on your TV series

During our review, we missed a lot (almost the whole season) of our favorite shows. So after the bar, the first thing B did was to download all the episodes we've missed. And then we had a series marathon until our eyes bled. Haha

Update your resume and Find a Job

Why? Because we've all got bills to pay, right? While taking a little break or vacation while we await the results of our exam sounds so tempting, it's about time to up our adult game. Hello reality! Yesterday, I took an exam for a possible employment and I'm hoping to hear from them before Christmas.

Update your blog

Due to being overly busy brought about by law school and the review, I admit I have neglected this blog a few times or so. But despite such shortcomings, I still refuse to give up this blog for some reasons. This blog was my escape from the crazies of law school and now that I have time in my hands, I'll try to be more active as I can. Currently, I am going back to each and every post, salvaging those broken photos, and sending back to drafts those posts that I think shouldn't have been published in the first place.

Learn a new recipe

I'm thinking maybe a no- bake cheesecake? Christmas is just a few days away. And here in the Philippines, Christmas is a time for families to get together and catch up with life over food and drinks. This year would be a little special for our family because my grandmother and aunts would be coming home for the holidays. It will be nice to prepare something for them.

Find a new hobby
Like an adult coloring book, maybe? I know I'm a bit late on this, but I only got my freedom back remember? Thank you to my generous sister for getting me colored pencils. I just realized it's not that easy as those you do in art class back in grade school, I can't even finish a page in one day! But it's still a good way to pass the time.

Go some place new
I have always loved going places, more so the places I haven't been to before. I don't even mind long drives, in fact, I enjoy long drives. I like appreciating the sceneries on the road. There's always a thrill in being in a new place and learning about its history. This year, I volunteered to plan the holiday trip for the family. I almost gave up at first, but I'm happy to say that our trip is pushing thru.

Read a new book
Haven't we had enough reading during our review, you may ask. Yes, but that's all law stuff. So now that I'm done with law stuff, I figured I'd go back to one of my first love, that is reading fiction novels and short stories. I have a downloaded a copy of Grey from a few months back, but which I haven't really had the chance to finish. Currently, it is still sitting in my reader waiting to be read.

Fix your playlist
I've been meaning to do this, really. But I realized that I have little or no patience when it comes to organizing playlists. I give up after 5 minutes! So I just let B do the fixing. Haha. And when he's into it, he's into it. No one can disturb him.

Daydream

Because, why not? Heck, you can dream all you want, it's free for all. These days, most of the things I daydream about is the future. The future can be scary and exciting at the same time.

There, this is what keeps me (us) busy these days. If you have any suggestions on things you do during your spare time, by all means put it in the comments. I would be very happy to add them on my to- do list.

Be Brave Love Deeply Shine Brighter

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 14:38:00 +0000

Well hello all, I'm happy to be back. This will be my first entry after we hurdled one of the toughest licensure exams in the country.

As soon as September hit the calendars I started scouting a planner for myself for 2016. Why? Because it's never too early to prepare for the new year ahead of us! It was a tough choice between one datebook and the Belle de Jour Power Planner. For one, both planners are really cute. Both also reflect my style and each has a unique feature of its own. Having considered all circumstances, I decided to go with the latter, because it's more affordable. Who knows, maybe I'll go for the other one in 2017, when I already have a stable job, and income for that matter. But for now, I went with the smarter choice.

I chose the power planner in leather. The cover is so sleek, by the way. Plus, I love the motto on the cover too. It's pretty on point, agree? It retails for Php 680, but since I ordered it days after it was released, I got it on sale for Php 600. I was surprised by how fast my parcel arrived because it was already on our doorsteps in less than 24 hours.

My favorite features of the planner were the pages for your 2016 goals and the whole spread of the Dream board. With it, I can easily visualize my goals for next year and what I want to achieve in life. It also gives me something concrete to look back to during the times I will feel lost. As of now, I have already started jotting down on these pages and hopefully will be able to fill them up before 2015 ends.

Of course it came with the BDJ 2016 Lifestyle Card which entitles the holder to discounts from partner establishments. That, is besides a number of coupons included in the booklet too. With it, the possibilities are endless!

I know I made the smarter choice because I was even able to get one for my sister too, as a gift this Christmas. Am I a good sister or what? I know. *pats myself on the back*

If you want one for yourself too or maybe as a gift to your friends this Christmas you can visit their website, and choose from their planners the one which best suits you. I think they still sell at a discounted price. Now this is a way to jump start the new year!

Tomato and Basil Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:32:00 +0000

We woke up rather late today after having quite a handful day yesterday. In the morning, we went to Manila for some important stuff and by the time we got home in the afternoon, I was exhausted from the heat (how is it still so humid when it's almost October?) and the traffic. But I only had an hour or so to get some rest and refresh because we were supposed to meet up with some friends during the night. Two different sets of friends, to be exact. Just think of it as our last hurrah before the bar exams. :)

I woke up feeling famished, so I tried to find something in the fridge that I can put up quick. These days with our schedule crammed up, I'll take anything easy. That's why I'm thankful for recipes like this that I'd be glad to share with you guys.

What you'll need:
Pasta of your choice
Clara Ole Three- Cheese sauce
Tomatoes (chopped)
Fresh Basil
Onions
Garlic
Black Pepper
Chili Flakes (optional)
Salt
Olive Oil
Cheese

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to instructions. Set aside.
2. Sautee onion in olive oil until translucent. Toss in garlic.
3. Add in tomatoes and sautee for 3-5 mins, depending on how you want them.
4. Put in the fresh basil and sautee for about a minute.
5. Next, add in the sauce and simmer for about 5 mins. Add salt and pepper according to your taste. (If you like your food spicy, like us, you can add chili flakes too.)
6. Finally, mix pasta with your sauce and there your pasta is ready!
Tip: On normal days, when I'm not in a hurry, I would usually add spicy canned tuna in my pasta. You can use the oil from the tuna instead of using olive oil. That way, you can do away with chili flakes as well and save on some ingredients.

There you have it, a quick and easy fix for a hungry tummy. I'd like to think this is a great way to start a long weekend, don't you?:)

What is your usual go to meal? I'd love to know. Happy long weekend!

Home Will Always Be Home

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 01:54:00 +0000

Last week, I was not my usual self. I was grumpy, irritated, I didn't know what I want. I was hormonal to say the least. Thinking I was probably stressed from our review, B suggested I take a break. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself. And since a vacation somewhere isn't really an option right now (Read: It is just less than 2 months before our bar exams), a break meant meeting up with a close friend for some laughs and going home to my parents over the weekend to spend time with family. I didn't realize I missed home that much until I was in my old bedroom, lying on my bed. It was a MUCH needed weekend break.

My weekend was spent fulfilling my sweet tooth cravings with a friend, eating my Mom's good old spaghetti recipe, forcing my sister to dye my hair into a darker shade (which I still have to get used to), and watching tennis with my Dad like what we used to do. I am lucky to have people whom I can call home.

Now that we're back to regular programming, there's no more excuse for me. Besides, I need to pick up from all the slacking I did last week. So wish me luck!

I am thankful for the weekend which has made me realize that being home is like having a good cup of hot coffee at the end of a tiring day. It's always nice to have that comfortable feeling at the end of the day.

Hope your weekend was as cozy as mine!

Blogging Mistakes 101

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 03:21:00 +0000

I admit I am no expert in blogging. My Blogger profile says I have been on blogger ever since 2004 but I couldn't even remember what my blog's name was then. I even remember having a blog wayback in high school because it was the "cool thing" back then. When I was in college, Multiply was a hit. We were all a bit emotional when it was gone because we all had our moments there too. Then one summer, I decided I wanted to go back to writing, so I made a Wordpress account. But I switched back to Blogger because I'm more comfortable with this platform.

All throughout the time I have tried my hands on blogging, I made mistakes along the way, but have also learned a few pointers or so. Today, I decided to share with you guys my booboos in blogging. These are personal experiences which I think would be helpful to anyone.

First, blogging entails time and effort. It's not as easy as just signing up for an account. When you want to have a good blog, you must set aside some time to learn about the ins and outs of blogging. From my point of view, blogging is like a relationship which needs to be taken care of for it to nourish. (Yes, I just compared blogging to a relationship. Haha)

Second, choose a layout or template that's clean and simple. Because, simple. No kidding. I have had different templates, but I decided to stick with a simple one that's easy to navigate. In that way, you'll be helping your readers, too.

Third, use clear and bright pictures. This, I am guilty of. I do not bring my camera with me all the time, so most of the time I take pictures using my phone. It's not necessary though that you use a DSLr because phones today have really good cameras as well, but just make sure that when you upload the pictures it would be pleasing to the eyes.

I got these from my previous posts as sample. See full pictures here and here. Would you rather prefer the picture on the left taken using a phone or the one on the right taken by a camera? I'd say the former. Now, see what I mean? Clear and bright, and not cropped. Okay? :)

Fourth, save and upload your pictures. SAVE AND UPLOAD. Save and upload people. This too, is one of the few mistakes that is really getting into my nerves. I have a lot of broken photos in my blog right now, because in the past, my lazy self just used to link the pictures on my Instagram or wherever. I have also imported some of my posts from Wordpress. So remember, save and upload. Or else, your blog will look like this.

I swear it makes me cringe every time I see how it looks like. I can try to salvage some of the pictures, perhaps when I have all the time in the world. But for those that I cannot, they'll just stay there as a reminder for both you and me.

Fifth, organize your labels. When I started blogging again, Wordpress suggests labels on every new post you make and I just click on each and every one of them. And now, my blog is a mess of labels. But now I know better. So I suggest you organize your labels and I assure you, life would be easy.

I know I still have a long way to go with blogging and as of this moment I admit, it is not top priority because, review. LOL. So this blog and me are still an on- going process. If there's one last important lesson I'd tell you is that, don't be afraid to try and commit mistakes. It's in those mistakes that we learn and become better.

So there, I hope you guys learn from my mistakes. :)

Into the Nude

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 04:09:00 +0000

Disclaimer: All thoughts herein stated are entirely my own.

When it comes to lipstick stash, I think I got the reds covered. My titas (aunts) knows my penchant love for red lipstick so I constantly receive all kinds of reds from them, the recent one I've got is a Dark Wine shade from B's mom.

But there are days or occasions when I feel I wanted to tone down my look. And the lightest shade I have in my stash is the Vintage Pink from Rimmel, but I've consumed more than half of it already. So my hungry lipstick self decided I wanted a nude. After days (yes, it took me days) of searching for different shades of nude and reading a number of reviews, my next problem was whether to get it online or personally go to the mall so I can test them all first. You see, I am having some quite of hesitations whether that particular shade would suit me.

When I realized that going to the mall isn't going to happen because of our tight review schedule, I decided to sign up at BeautyMNL. I chose L'oreal's Beige Sienna. I have been a lucky girl because after I placed my order, that particular shade became sold out. But I think I was even luckier to find out that BeautyMNL offers 20% off on your first purchase. Isn't that such a deal? *happy dance* You girls will be happy to know that they offer a 10 % rebate on succeeding purchases.

Personally, I like how this shade turned out. It may be too light for some, but it achieved what I was looking for in a nude lipstick. It's like it's there, but not really. That's the point, right? It's perfect for when you want to focus your look in some other features of your face. The lipstick also has this creamy, luxurious feel that doesn't make my lips dry. Plus, it's affordable too. When it comes to its lasting power, I didn't think it lasted for over three hours (I've had coffee and water in between those hours). But I don't mind re- applying it so I guess that's really no problem for me. Would I purchase it again? Yes, definitely. But I would also like to try on other nude shades as well.

Friday's Fight Song

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:02:00 +0000

I know Fridays doesn't have to be hyped up because it's that one day of the week everybody is looking forward to. But just in case you need a little push this Friday (like I do), here is one song I'm sure would do the job.

This is my fight song

Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Fight Song by Rachel Platten hits right in the feels. Right? You're welcome!

Happy weekend lovelies!

Birthday Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 23:36:00 +0000

Two days ago, I celebrated my birthday. And you know what they say, "Growing old is optional, but growing up is mandatory." As I turned a year older (and wiser), I'd like to share with you my thoughts on that day.

First. Birthday parties/ celebrations when you're around my age are overrated (or maybe just for busy people like ourselves). Does anyone here feel like getting drunk til you drop is so a decade ago? I mean I can barely stay up until 12 in the midnight.

Second. Priorities change. When you grow older, you'll come to realize that everyday is not only about the present but more importantly about the future. You will even spend more time and make decisions based on your plan for the days ahead. It's not just about yourself and today anymore.

Third. Reality doesn't always meet your expectations. When life decides to surprise you, sometimes what you get is better than what you imagined. Other times, life knows what's better for you; and

Lastly. Your birthday is that one time of the year when you get to talk to people you rarely talk to, some even never. You can thank Facebook for reminding them. As you grow old, your circle becomes smaller, and will realize who are those worth keeping. You won't mind having a few people in your life as long as you know they are there to stay.

28 was awesome. But 29 will be awesomer.

Sun and Sky

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 05:43:00 +0000

Give me any day with clear blue skies with the sun shining bright and I guarantee you that you will find a number of snapshots of those in my gallery. I'm the type that you couldn't keep indoors for too long. Even on review days when I know I should be staying put behind the desk I see to it that I get my daily dose of sunshine. Either I open all the windows in the room for the sunlight to get in or sometimes when I get bored, I drag B to take walks later in the day. I couldn't be any happier that living in a tropical country, I get my fair share of sunshine most times of the year.

Here are some of my favorite sky/sun/sunset photos from my gallery.

Follow me on Instagram or on my VSCOCam profile to find out about my other musings. I hope these photos brighten up your day as it does mine.

Link Up: Noor @Noor's Place- iGraphy

Halfway There

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 00:45:00 +0000

Can someone pinch me right now and tell me it's not the last weekend of June? But wait, it is. Looking back at those past months got me thinking like, "that was fast". We're halfway through 2015, you guys! So where has this year taken you so far?

It was, and still is, challenging for me. From losing a family member, to being unemployed, and failing, this year is proving to be something. If there's one thing I have learned from it all, it would be how to bounce back, FAST. Because the world will not wait for you to be okay, time will not slow down just for you. Harsh, yes, but that's reality for you. In life, we do not get everything we want every time we want it. Life, as they say, is full of surprises. And it will hit you hard when you least expect it. But that doesn't mean that you're not as lucky as others out there, just means you're stronger to face whatever it is life throws at you. Yes, I'd like to think of it that way.

I'm still happy where I am now. I may not have been where I imagined my life would be this time of the year, but maybe life just took me on a detour. Besides, 2015 is not over just yet. It still has 6 more months to offer. And here's to hoping for brighter days ahead!

Proud Girlfriend Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:41:00 +0000

This one's kinda late, like, a month or two late. LOL sorry. But I really wanted to share how proud I am of this guy right here.

Over the summer, the boyfriend finally got his Bachelor of Laws degree. I couldn't be any happier for him because I know he deserved every bit of it after all those years. That didn't come easy though, but we have been thankful for everything we have experienced along the way because we were able to appreciate each other more than ever, and that goes for the people around us as well. But I guess no one could be ever prouder than me that day, other than his parents. Haha. No one can beat them to that.

So once again, Congratulations love. You made it! Now let's move on to the next battle, together.

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine x Taal Basilica

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 03:21:00 +0000

These days, I try to keep myself busy to take my mind off the upcoming release of the bar results. But sometimes though, its not that easy because no matter how busy I get, it always come to a point in the day that it still crosses my mind.

One weekend, we went for a quick drive to the town of Taal in Batangas. I cannot believe that I haven't been here before considering that my mom is from Batangas and Taal is just an hour away from her hometown. I love the old Spanish- style feels of this town. It's nice that they were able to maintain and renovate the old buildings and structures as this town had been so much part of our country's history.

Our first stop was at Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. It is a small 400- year old church within the quiet town of Taal where the faithfuls flock to ask and pray for their petition. It is said that if your wishes do come true, you ought to come back here and bring flowers for our Lady in thanksgiving. I was not able to take a lot of photos of the place though because there was a mass and pilgrimage going on while we were there.

It is also amazing that these kids, even the 3- year old ones, who sells candles and work as tour guides during weekends when they have no school, knows by heart the history of this church and how it came to be. A little girl nicknamed Tabebeng became our tour guide that day. ;)

Next stop was Asia's largest Catholic church the Taal Basilica. And boy, did it live up to its name!

Maxi dress: Forever21; Chambray: XSide Denim; Slippers: Ipanema; Watch: Anne Klein; Bag: Kate Spade; Sunglasses: MNG

I don't know about you but there is really something about old churches that fascinates me. Maybe it's the way they were built, or the history behind it, or maybe I'm just weird. Haha. But old churches always, always get me. Every single time.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:58:00 +0000

Today, apart from all the other things on my to- do list, I planned on updating this blog because that's what you do when you're unemployed. Ha! I started with the header. I wanted something new, fresh and clean and organized. I also thought about writing what went down in my life during the time I was away from here. But guess what? I ended up browsing through my blog and reading some of my old posts.

As I look back on each post, I sometimes cannot believe that it was written by me and some even felt like ages ago. It feels like somebody else is speaking. I am now a believer of the cliche that a lot can happen in one year and it is up to you what you make of it, how you learn and grow from it.

As another year begins, I look back on the past year with a very thankful heart for all the blessings and encounters that have come along my way. It was, by far, the most memorable and challenging year in my twenty- something years of existence here on earth. And now armed with those memories, I welcome the new year with high hopes, claiming that this will be another awesome, if not the most awesome year of our lives. *fingers crossed*

To Beginnings and Endings

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sat, 31 May 2014 04:04:00 +0000

Months from my last post and life just gets busier. Just when I thought that I would be able to get hold of my time, life seems to have better plans for me. And yes, there's no complaining because I know all the hard work will soon payoff. All the missed movies, summer trips (yes, even that I had to sort of let go), weekends and time spent with the people I love to be around with. All these are just "little sacrifices" for what the future holds, all these for the Bar Exams and that precious four- letter ATTY. before my name.

Graduation Day. (April2014)

Yes, blog friends, I've finally graduated from law school. And this will be my last post with "law school" tagged in it. ;) But I know it doesn't end there. Law school may have ended on graduation day, but the real battle has just began. I have a lot to be thankful for because I know I couldn't have done this on my own. There's my family who has been very supportive from the very start, my bestfriend for being my foodtrip, study, and fashion buddy throughout law school and who was very excited and was the one who called me and told me about the good news, I am very grateful to each and everyone of you.

And of course, to my always and ever supportive boyfriend for always believing in me, pushing me to do my best in everything and for your unending patience and love. You know it means a lot to me knowing that you'll always have my back no matter what. Thank you for continuously being my inspiration and please know that I love you, no matter how moody I get sometimes. This is for both of us. ;)

Happy weekend ladies!

Loved and Thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:58:00 +0000

Okay, I am warning you this early that this post may be a bit too cheeseballs for you guys but I just want to share how I have been feeling lately.

Over these past few months I felt very blessed and contented with my life. I'm at that point in my life where I feel that everything is falling right into place and that the only thing I pray about every night is our graduation this March. Every morning when I wake up and see this guy beside me, I can only thank God for giving me such an amazing guy.

Ever since we decided to take our relationship to the next level, I felt that we became closer, literally and figuratively. We may not agree on everything but it's great how we still complement each other despite that. I'm lucky to have such a strong guy who never fails to cheer me up each and every day and be my strength, who always believes in me, and who puts up with whatever mood swing I throw. I love how you say every time that I already know you too well, but everyday we still learn and discover a lot of new things from each other. I just know I found someone I want to start and end my day with for the rest of my life. ;)

Reconnecting

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:32:00 +0000

Well hello blogging world, feels like ages since I've been here. So I guess the title is very apt. :)

B and I have been kinda curled up in our own ball. Every night after school, all we wanted to do is rush home and hit the sack. (I think that part is just me. LOL). School is just so draining. So one day when my friend invited me for dinner around the area I said why not, it's been years since I last saw them anyway.

You know you've got the best girlfriends when after years of not seeing each other, still nothing changes. It felt like high school all over again, but this time with kids. If there's one thing I realized, it's that it always feels good to be with the people you grew up with, it always feels home with them. I am truly blessed to have the bestest girlfriends there is. :)

Worry- Free Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 08:26:00 +0000

That weekend was the kind of weekend we needed. A stress- free weekend just before my birthday week. We haven't had this kind of weekend for a while so I consider this an advance present for my birthday. We had a free cut from school and we couldn't be more thankful for the breather.

via

Last Saturday while B was busy with his computer game, that's his reward for being a diligent student the whole week, I decided to face the laundry. LOL. I felt accomplished and productive after finishing a week's laundry plus some of the few clothes I scored at a garage sale, so I decided to reward myself with an afternoon nap. Afternoon naps on weekends are sooo relaxing, right?;) I only woke up because someone slipped beside me asking if I wanted to go to the grocery. Later that day, after we're done with the groceries and dinner we watched Suits' season opener. Since we're not tired yet and we want to take advantage of this free weekend, we decided to watch these cute little fellas after Suits.

Aren't these two adorable? Yes, I think so too. :) I think a good laugh is just appropriate to end this day.

Sunday was another day. The hardest part of it is waking up in the morning, I didn't know how I managed to do it, but I know I have to go to mass. Well guess what, I was back in bed for another hour or two after the mass. LOL. Sunday is just too precious to not go back to bed, don't you think?:) We wouldn't get up if we didn't have any prior commitments that day. But that's right after we had breakfast in bed while watching Graceland. I had a date with my college friends later that afternoon so B and our friend dropped me off before they headed to play basketball. It was a basketball- kind- of- day because I was off to watch a basketball game with my college buds as well.

Back in college, I used to watch games every now and then. Oh how I missed this sight, the sound of the drums, and the loud cheer of students from both sides of the arena. Indeed, nothing beats college basketball. :)

Top: I can't remember

Palazzo pants: Satisfashion Etc.

Sandals: SM Parisian

Bag: Kate Spade

That was a lot of catching up we had and not a single one of us changed. We are still the same old, silly college kids back then. Til the next basketball game and dinner guys. :)

This weekend was definitely fun. A perfect way to start my birthday week. I'm crossing fingers this good vibe will continue the whole week. See you all again blog friends, soon hopefully.

Shopaholic Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 02:58:00 +0000

Who doesn't love shopping? Not me. And I'm lucky enough to have a guy who is so supportive of it. I mean imagine us pulling each other across the street because he saw a garage sale he knows I would love and me pulling him back because I think he's been spoiling me too much on shopping lately and he hasn't even bought anything for himself over the past month. LOL. Story of my life. But then again he wins, and I we got another good deal.

And just this weekend, I got another excuse to go shopping because lately, our school has this dress code going on. I guess it's my lucky day because the mall is on clearance sale.

*Pardon the hair, the tummy and the flip flops :)*

The sales lady was kind enough to assist me because believe it or not, these dresses above, are only half of what I've tried on. I've got dress issues, you guys. LOL. It's either too loose, or too tight, or too revealing or too short for school. But I have to get one or two anyway. :) #win

Of course I thought about B. So the next day we were back at the mall, again.

#win. Again. We just got really lucky, or not, because the sale was extended for another week. I really should be avoiding the mall these days or my bank account will be dead in a few months.

How do you control your shopping tendencies?

Setting My Priorities

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 23:27:00 +0000

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Well hello there lovelies, it's been a while. And hello to my birthday month too. You may have noticed the lack of posts in this blog and I have no one to blame that for than myself. I am overwhelmed about everything around me and I have not yet settled in into the realities of my so- called life right now. As you may have previously read on here, I am on my last year in law school. I know I would be busy, but I didn't expect that I would be this BUSY, even before school actually started. From fixing the house and our things and now the pressure of school, here's a list of what keeps me busy these days.

Thinking of what breakfast B would like to eat. Before I get up, I would ask him what he wants to eat and most of the time the answer I get is, "whatever you prepare." So one morning this happened. :)

School work. Lots and lots of it.

Going to school. Well, cause that's necessary right?

First day ootd.

And when B and I are on our way home, there's dinner to think of. During weekends, there's the laundry and the groceries too. There, that's how my life is right now and today I am lucky enough to squeeze in a part of my time for blogging. I really miss blogging but I know I have to set my priorities if I want to graduate this March. So yeah, I may just pop in here every now and then. Okay, I'm off to do breakfast and then to another busy day.

Happy 4th of July, America! :)

Lace on Prints

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

In case you haven't notice, I love anything which has prints on it. See this post and this one. For me, prints put an extra oomph on your outfit and gives a what seems to be dull outfit its much needed push. Now wearing lace is another thing. If wearing prints gives one that fierce look, I think lace gives that girly, sexy feel. As much as I love these two styles, I'm not a fan of mixing patterns. But I loved how this outfit turned out. I think it's just proper to wear it on the first day of classes when I need all the push I can get to jumpstart my last school year in law school.

I think the trick is just to put everything in moderation. Just the right amount of lace and prints, right?:)

Goodbye Summer 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Karla ♥) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:41:00 +0000

Summer is officially over and school starts today. This summer has been one of the best and most well- traveled summer I've ever had. I have been to a lot of places, some of them has a special place in my heart and what's more important is that I was able to spend it with people who matters the most to me. So I am leaving you with my favorite photos from last summer as I bid farewell to my favorite season.

Outdoor dining at its best.

Clear blue skies, the sun, sand and warm waters, random road trips, breath- taking sunsets, and the colorful surroundings at night are just some of the few things I will surely miss about summer.

Goodbye favorite season, thank you for all the wonderful memories. See you again next year, my dear summer! :)