Pursuit of Nana

Chapter 25: Celebrations

2014-10-07T17:05:00.001+08:00

"Au milieu de l'hiver, j'ai découvert en moi un invincible été."

Roughly, the words translate to "In the middle of winter, I found in me an invincible summer."

I used to dread turning twenty-five. Interestingly, I am not alone in this predicament. It turns out that the number normally freaks people out, like it is some curse out to get everyone. In a way, I guess it is...it is the curse of adulthood.

I remember turning eighteen and freaking out too. As per cultural conventions, it is at eighteen that I get to take my first step towards adulthood, and as a teenager who would rather be careless and carefree, I panicked. Deep down, though, I think I never fully believed that. Yes, being eighteen means more responsibilities, but at the same time, being eighteen means more freedom. Suddenly, I am allowed to register and vote, get a driver's license, drink legally, and make more decisions for myself. I found myself exploring and discovering various possibilities, which in turn, made me indecisive. I wanted to do so many things that I cannot pick one particular path.

Enter turning twenty-five, which in my opinion, is the first real marker of adulthood. For some reason, turning twenty-five comes with the pressure of halting indecisiveness and beginning to figure out a definite goal. It's like being in the middle of the spectrum (not too young and not too old) which makes it the perfect time to start figuring out what I really want to do with my life. For the first time, I felt like I should act as an adult, even though I cannot completely comprehend the definition of the word. I also noticed a sudden shift in the way I handle things. I encountered disappointment, loss and heartbreak in the past 3 months. Instead of wallowing, I decided to be thankful for the pain for I know when I get past it, I will emerge stronger. I have been blessed with endless chances to redeem myself and start anew in the past that I feel like I have no right to complain for any misfortune I encounter and will encounter.

The last twenty-five years have been a roller coaster. I experienced ups and downs, and felt all types of emotions I can name. Everything came down to this realization: inside me is an invincible light that cannot be extinguished no matter what. Perhaps adulthood is not a curse but a blessing. Perhaps adulthood is that defining moment when we finally see the light inside of us. The light that will carry us through anything and make us realize that we can be whoever we want to be...however long it takes.

Vivre La Vie!

Nana

Chapter 25: Musings

2014-07-07T23:30:00.000+08:00

When I was younger, I thought that I would have life figured out at the age of 25. It seemed to me, back then, that 25 is the age when people achieve stability in all facets of their life. Now, as I am approaching said age in a few minutes, I came to the conclusion that I am far from figuring life out. On top of that, aspects of my life are anything but stable. Both these realizations can really be depressing if you think about it. Fortunately for me, I did learn something in my 25 years of existence.

The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. - Henry Miller

As a race who takes pride in being intelligent, it is extremely hard for our brain to accept the existence of inexplicable things. But no matter how hard we try, we can never figure life out because life is not meant to be explained. Life is meant to be experienced and lived. Our goal is to transition from existing to living. We always complain about how time flies so swiftly. Perhaps that's because we are too caught up in the past and in the future that we forget to stop, breathe in our surrounding and appreciate the blessings that come our way. We are too anthropocentric to see that we are not the center of the universe. We are only parts of a whole and being such is a gift in itself.

Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift. - Maya Angelou

I used to dread getting older until I realized that not everyone is given the chance to age. I am thankful that I was given another day to revel in the beauty of the world. Yes, there will be pain and suffering, but there will also be hope and happiness. Our journey will never be smooth but that's what makes life thrilling and beautiful.

My Dear,

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.

In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.

In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.

I realized, through it all, that…

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy.
For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me,
there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

Truly yours, Albert Camus

Vivre La Vie!
Nana

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2014

2014-06-15T00:11:00.000+08:00

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2014 ended days ago but I still feel strongly inspired after witnessing such an amazing display of Filipino artistry and craftsmanship. Compared to previous seasons, Holiday 2014 was a stroll in the park. There were less designer participants, shows were concentrated in one SMX Hall and the categorization of shows (Visions & Trends, Allure, etc.) was dropped. Gone are the days when attendees hustle from one show to the next or choose between shows happening at the same time. I used to get stressed over it but now I kinda miss the rush it brings. On the up side, I enjoyed all the shows I attended. I like how most of the collections featured wearable pieces that were still innovative and unique. Prevalent trends were modern boxy silhouettes, slouchy pieces, cropped tops, mesh, sheer and layers. I am actually keen on those trends. I wanted to get soooo many of the pieces coming out on the runway. They were that amazing!

This season, I decided to wear an all black ensemble. Black in summer? Well. it sounds crazy but runways all over the world have been featuring black in their Spring/Summer collections so it's not really unusual anymore. I posted about it before here. I can say that what I wore was really comfortable. My dress may had been black, but it came with a sheer bottom in mullet cut. Quite breezy! Also, my leather jacket kept me warm inside the cold SMX Hall.

Aside from the talent extravaganza, PhFW is also a social event where you can interact with your favorite designers and get to know them better or discuss their new collection. As for me, I always look for Arnold Galang, Jian Lasala, Veejay Floresca, and Jun Jun Cambe among others. Basically, they are some of my favorites.

Jian Lasala is talented, humble and personable. He never fails to give a huge smile. When I first saw him that day, he was walking and talking to someone on the phone before his show. Despite it, he stopped by to say hello when he spotted me. Such a sweetheart!

Models, fashion magazine think tanks, bloggers and fashion enthusiasts are also present during PhFW. Basically, everyone who loves fashion! It's the reason why PhFW is such a great event. We get to converge with people who adore and appreciate fashion like we do.

Suki Salvador is a living proof that not all fashion magazine people are mean or snobby like Miranda Priestly

Katarina Rodriguez, Asia's Next Top Model Season 2 Runner-up

If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you would notice the fact that I go to PhFW whether I am alone or with friends. Going alone is not at all bad because I either make new friends or bump into acquaintances and familiar faces. This season, I came with Pammy, ate Mitch, ate Kate, Marmar, Momo and Bam.

I had a marvelous time! Congratulations to all the designers who participated in Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2014. Beautiful collections! Before I end my post, I want to thank Meg magazine for including me in their Shotlist Shortlist on iammeg.ph. Thank you!

With Love,

Nana

Fashion Source: Forever21 mullet dress, boots and earrings | Stradivarius jacket | Fendi bag

To New Adventures!

2014-02-02T20:41:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year! I am aware that the Gregorian New Year has passed. Also, I am not Chinese, but I won't say no to the opportunity of celebrating new beginnings and new adventures. Fresh start, tabula rasa even. Or, perhaps am just giving an excuse to my long absence here on my blog. Thing is, at the last quarter of last year, I found myself writing less and less. I did not have the drive and I did not want to force myself either. When I write for my blog, I just write as I think. I do not make drafts nor repeat an entry several times before posting. Most of the time, I type away and post. In fact, only when I backread do I notice typos and errors in my writing. But I like it that way. So when I did not have the drive, I let it be. Don't worry, a hermit I was not. Since I couldn't (or wouldn't) write, I read instead...and traveled.

Last January, I went to Taipei. Suffice it to say, the trip rejuvenated my spirit. Then I got to watch Wicked, the musical play. Two totally unrelated events that made me feel like it was INDEED a NEW YEAR. A rush of exhilaration entered me and I saw the world in a new light. I know it sounds corny but it is what it is. Now, here I am, writing on my blog again.

What's on my mind? I am excited to go on new adventures and explore the world more. I may not always get the outcomes that I want or achieve the goals I set, but I know I will always learn and know something about life. And that, my friends, is enough.

Cheers to new experiences and adventures! Cheers to a new year of possibilities!

And oh! I got my purple dip-dye back. :-)

Always with Love,
Nana

The Biggest Designer Sample Sale You Should Not Miss!

2013-11-05T16:59:00.002+08:00

MERGE, the BIGGEST Philippine Designer Sale, is back on its 5th Season! MERGE V will not only feature the season's hottest trends and style, but will also bring together the new breed of fashion talents (from models to stylists to photographers, etc.) and give them a shot to collaborate with the country's seasoned and respected designers.

MERGE V will be a two-week long Philippine Designer Sample Sale from November 10 to 24, 2013. To kick-off the sale, there will be a Presentation Show and Cocktails on November 10, 2013, 5:00pm at the 4th Floor of The Podium Mall featuring over 26 designers, surrounded by racks and racks of unique samples on sale. Of course there will be good music and cocktails too!

If I were you I would not miss this event as it will be an exhibition of the immense talent we have in the Philippine fashion industry. Moreover, it will be the perfect opportunity for you to shop for yourself and your loved ones this Christmas season. The "Designer" in "Designer Sale" may sound intimidating, but I can assure you that this is really a "Sale." You will be surprised at how affordable the designer pieces are. Best thing of all? Each design comes in limited pieces.

MERGE V features Vatican Fashion Museum designers Arnold Galang, Envoy by Edmir Lagui, Eric delos Santos, Lizanne Cua, Roland Lirio, Ulysses King, Yako Reyes and guest designers Nico Agustin, Happy Andrada, Mikee Andrei, Joel Bautista, Karen Castro, Clint Catalan, Chris Diaz, Twinkle Ferraren, Chris Jasler, Dimple Lim, Christopher Munar, Dave Ocampo, Richard Papa, Levenson Rodriguez, Jhay Sustiguer, Erwin Lee Tan, Julius Tarog, and Simon Ariel Vasquez.

MERGE V is presented by The Podium and Vatican Fashion Museum, in cooperation with Nivea, Nivea Men, Priti NYC, Lulu Nails and Dry Bar, Cocktails To Go Mobile Bar; in cooperation with Full Circle Creative Concepts, Dr. Allain Perez Dental Clinic, Black Beauty Hair Color, Manila Make Up Artistry & Hairstyling Company; and supported by Yeoh Models, Shayne Maceda Modeling Agency and The Elites Model Management.

See you all there!

With Love,

Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer 2014 Schedule

2013-10-10T23:53:00.000+08:00

Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW) is happening in a few weeks and I am so excited. I may note be able to watch as many shows as before due to conflict of schedules, but I will surely check out all the photos of the shows. Anyway, here is the schedule of PhFW S/S 2014.

Can't wait! See you there!

With Love,

Chapter 24 Volume I: Birthday Celebration at L'Opera

2013-09-15T23:31:00.001+08:00

Late post :p

July 8, 2013 marked my 24th year of existence here on Earth. This year, my birthday fell on a Monday. I took a leave of absence to have a long weekend celebration simply because turning 24 felt like a big thing to me. I sorta panicked realizing time passed by so swiftly. I am nearing the quarter-life mark. The thought of it pressured me and almost made me want to not celebrate. Then, I realized that 25 can only be a quarter of a whole if the whole is 100. Many people never reach that age. Even those who died of old age often fail to reach the age of 100. It was then that I decided to stop moping around. Life will always feel short to us humans and there is nothing we can do about it (unless some crazy technology make it possible..but I am not sure I want to be a part of it). Instead of being anxious or terrified, I figured it is better to spend my time celebrating and being thankful of being blessed enough to have been given 24 years of an adventure. I do not know how many more years I will live, but this is what I know. I will enjoy and celebrate each second of my life.

As per usual, words are easier said than done. Despite my realizations, I still felt the panic, anxiety and fear. Now, there are two ways to deal with our emotions: 1) let it cripple you or 2) rise above it. The fear will still be there, but we can always be scared and fight at the same time. Hence, my long weekend celebration. Celebrating several times might seem superficial to some..or too impractical, but it was my way of making myself realize that life is full of opportunities to smile and pursue happiness. To each his/her own.

Anyway, let me share to you how I spent the Saturday of my long weekend celebration. The afternoon of that day, I changed the hue of my hair from purple to blonde. I had it done by Fumi of Natural Hype. You think I look stressed and tired in the photo below? That's because I was. Prior to this photo, I never got enough sleep for 3 weeks.

After the treatment, Bam and Granny picked me up from the salon. We made reservations at L'Opera, my favorite Italian restaurant in the metro. I like L'Opera not only because of the sumptuous food but also because of the ambiance conducive for conversing about life. It exudes this old-world Italian feel from the high ceiling to the chandelier to the thick curtains..I can go on and on, but you know what I mean. :-) Sipping a good wine in between is the icing on the cake.

I do not usually drink wine as I find myself tipsy after just a glass. My tolerance to tequila and vodka is higher. Strange, right? This one glass of red wine am holding in the picture? Made me sleepy after the dinner.

THE FOOD

Focaccia bread, liver pate, tomatoes in olive oil and butter
This was given as complimentary appetizer while waiting for the meal. The focaccia was nice, warm and tasty. So comforting especially with the butter. L'Opera will let you have unlimited refills of the bread, but given the amount of tummy space it occupies, you might wanna think twice before asking for a second serving.

Asparagi alla Parmigiana (Boiled fresh asparagus topped with melted mozzarella and parmigiano cheese)
Oh sooooo gooood! Perfectly boiled asparagus and melted cheese? This dish was such a delight to the palette!

Pizza con Verdure Grigliate (Tomato, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers)
When choosing a pizza from the menu, my eyes immediately search for the one composed of vegetables. I like the balance between the rich cheese & tomato base and the fresh vegetables. The crust of this Verdure Pizza was the bomb! Crispy on the edges and softer near the core. The vegetables tasted fresh and had such beautiful flavors and textures. Simply sumptuous!

Ravioli Verdi di Spinaci e Ricotta al Pomodoro (Homemade spinach ravioli with ricotta cheese in tomato sauce)
This ravioli was so hearty, creamy and al dente. The spinach added another layer of flavor, while the tomato sauce has a nice balanced acidity to it. Absolutely delicious!

Scaloppine de Vitello al Marsala (Slice of Dutch veal tenderloin in Marsala wine sauce)
I only ate a slice of this but from what I tasted, it was tender and tasty. Both the veal and sauce were cooked to perfection.

Aragosta all'arancia alla Griglia (Fresh whole grilled lobster in orange sauce)
The lobster was sweet and tender. The orange sauce was sweet as well, but it provided a punch of acidity that balanced the sweetness. L'Opera serves this lobster dish either grilled or boiled.

Panna Cotta con Frutti di Bosco (Cream custard with blueberry topping)
Light, creamy and sweet. This made me smile. Sublime.

In addition to the magnificent food, the service at L'Opera never fails. The servers were extremely attentive and courteous.

Looking back, I realized that I enjoyed this day so much that most of my anxieties went away. I went to sleep with a smile and excitement for the remaining days of my weekend celebration. Guess all the conversations with myself and reflections made me realize how blessed I am. From the bottom of my hypothalamus, thank you Lord.

With Love,
N

Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 Models Casting

2013-09-05T18:05:00.000+08:00

Philippine Fashion Week is just around the corner. Of course, it would not be complete without the models who will walk the runway and showcase the wonderful creations of our talented Filipino designers. If you want to be one of them, this is your chance! Runways Productions has announced it Models Casting schedule. See the poster below or click here.

Best of luck!

With Love,

Birthday Giveback: Rainbow Cake

2013-07-09T20:30:00.001+08:00

Update: Giveback winner at the end of post

Though am not excited for my birthdays to come, preparing for my birthday celebrations always balance it out. I guess I really like planning events, no matter what type of event it is. Come to think of it, the planning and preparation part of events make me more excited than the event itself. Anyway, this year I decided to make my birthday extremely colorful. How, you may ask? The title of this entry says it all. Rainbow cakes! Actually, I ordered 2 rainbow cakes from 2 different suppliers. However, I actually had 4 kinds of rainbow cakes because when my good friends learned that I want rainbow cakes, they searched for rainbow cupcakes as their gifts. It was good they chose cupcakes, because then I can have options. For some, there is no sense in getting cupcakes when you already have a birthday cake. I say, the more the merrier! I remember that even during my debut, I had both cupcakes and cakes. I am telling you, rainbow cakes can make anyone smile. They are so beautiful and yummy at the same time! Then, I realized that I want to put a smile on your face too by giving out a rainbow cake. So, I am giving away a 6" diameter rainbow cake from The Cake Shack. For the record, THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST as most of my giveaways. It may seem small, but I ordered the same size and it was tall. :-) I pray I can give back your love and support by putting a smile on your face. Actually, I am excited for this giveback too as I really like this cake. :-) The number of smileys on this post will prove that. Haha!

One lucky winner will get this colorful and oh-sooo-sweet cake. Here is what you need to do. Remember to follow ALL the steps. :-) The contest will run from July 9 to July 31, 2013.

1) Follow me on NetworkedBlogs.
2) Like Pursuit of Nana and Shop Nippon on Facebook.
3) Post below as your status and tag Pursuit of Nana and Shop Nippon. Make sure to set the status for public so that I can view it.

Win a colorful and yummy rainbow cake from @Pursuit of Nana and @Shop Nippon : http://pursuitofnana.blogspot.com/2013/07/birthday-giveback-rainbow-cake.html

4) Leave your Facebook username in the comment below so I can validate your entry.

Remember, tag both Pursuit of Nana and Shop Nippon on your status. Best of luck, everyone!
Hugs and kisses with Love,
N

CAKE GIVEAWAY WINNER:

Congratulations, Ging! I will send you an e-mail to get your details. :-) Thank you for all of you who own. Don't worry, I have lots of other giveaways in store for you. :-)

Pre-Birthday Celebration

2013-07-06T15:00:00.000+08:00

For the first time since we started our "Birthday Salubong" tradition, Pam will miss mine this year. Unfortunately, she has to go home to the province earlier than planned. Of course, being the good friend that she is, she will not miss the opportunity to celebrate my birthday with me in some other way and day. Hence, this early birthday dinner I am writing about. This year, I told Bam and Pam (their name rhymes. So cute!) that I want to have a rainbow cake. I actually ordered a rainbow cake for my Afternoon Tea Party this weekend. Yes, I am having a Tea Party cause I extremely like tea. So exciting! Anyway, what I want to say is that Pam granted my wish in advance. She somehow found these cute little cupcakes in rainbow colors. So adorable and yummy! Excuse my abundance of exclamation points. I am so happy!

In all honesty, I did not get angry, frustrated nor irritated when Pam informed me she would not be able to go. For some reason, though, she was so guilty and beyond nice that night. She included me in her schedule even though she was in the middle of studying, she allowed me to choose the place, she was willing to take a long walk when I almost changed my mind where to dine, she insisted on treating me gelato after dinner, she took me to Starbucks with her (where her boyfriend was studying and waiting) and she even dropped me by Home Depot because Bam couldn't find 10th Avenue cor 40th Street. I told her jokingly that she should miss my "Birthday Salubong" next year if she would spoil me so much like she did last night.

Meet Pammy :-)

I chose Mary Grace because I had a sudden craving for their Grilled Apple Cinnamon Ensaymada. So delish! The salad, on the other hand, was a disappointment. The plate may look full, but not in actuality. God thing both our pasta dishes tasted great. Made us forget about the salad.

Prawn Salad with Mango Papaya Vinaigrette

Spanish Sardines and Olives Pasta

Leek and Saffron with Fillet of Cream Dory

Sorry, I was too excited to eat the ensaymada I forgot to take a photo. After dinner, Pam treated me gelato. :-) As per usual, I chose Green Tea.

Bonding time with Pam is always Fun time. We are both talkative which makes our dates never boring. Thank you for celebrating with me, Pammy. :-) I always thank God for good friends like you. Hugs and Kisses!

With Love,
N

Want to win Passion Fruit Kit Kat, Black Kit Kat and Strawberry Galbo Mini? Click here for details.

Catching Up With My Veet Girl

2013-07-04T12:45:00.003+08:00

Hello, everyone! So some of you e-mailed asking if I could share more about the winner of the My Veet Girl contest, Trisha Duncan. Well, request granted as I will introduce Trisha more to you. :-) I got this from Veet just for you.

"Trisha is a freshman studying organizational communication at De La Salle University. She has been into fashion and modeling since she was young. Her first experience in joining beauty competitions is Ateneo High School’s ‘Remodel’ in 2012, a competition in search for Ateneo’s next top model with a reality show airing in YouTube.

When she entered college, Trisha decided to focus on her studies, setting modeling aside. “I actually didn’t know about My Veet Girl. I was about to watch a movie one Saturday afternoon when one of Veet’s ushers asked me to check their booth and join the contest,” she said.

She continued: “At first, I was hesitant because the thought of winning and being an endorser only existed in my dreams. But I’ve always had the will to try things so I said ‘yes’.”

When asked of her edge against the other eight finalists, she said, “I was really shy being around the other finalists because some are professional models. But I guess being the youngest and being a fresh face in the competition was my edge.” Trisha won PhP50,000 cash, one year supply of Veet and a spot in the second season of I AM MEG, Meg Magazine’s reality TV competition opening in August.

The new Veet Ambassador also shared that she doesn’t have much beauty and fashion secrets. “I usually play with clothes and get inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. My friends always tell me I’m so ‘fasyown’ but if it weren’t for my mom, I wouldn’t dress the way I do. I trust her with clothes and owe it all up to her.” She adds, “As ladies, we need to have silky smooth and hair-free skin, but shaving alone is no good. I use Veet to avoid damaging my skin, keeping it free from cuts and nicks. I’ve been using it since I was 14."

Having been able to personally watched the culminating night, I can vouch that Trisha is not only a beautiful lady, but also a smart one. That's why she is my default favorite contestant in the upcoming I AM MEG contest. I am sure she will rock the competition. Good luck, Trisha!

With Love,

Want to win Passion Fruit Kit Kat, Black Kit Kat and Strawberry Galbo Mini? Click here for details.

Birthday Giveback: Shop Nippon x Pursuit of Nana

2013-07-02T10:44:00.001+08:00

Update: Giveback winner at the end of post

First birthday giveaway, everyone! This is my way of giving back to all the support you have given to my blog. I know that I don't blog as often as I used to, but thank you for sticking with me. Also, I will blog more often now because I really miss writing in this little space of mine.

If you have read my previous post, Shop Nippon is an online shop I recently opened. It is your one shop stop for cool and yummy Japanese finds. From chocolates to beauty products to hair care products, Shop Nippon offers it all. So far, my best sellers are the seasonal Kit Kat flavors and Galbo chocolates. Of course, I want you, my readers, to discover why they are so famous. Hence, I am giving away a chocolate set composed of 1 pack of Passion Fruit Kit Kat, 1 pack of Black Kit Kat and 1 Strawberry Galbo Mini to one lucky winner! I am telling you, they are so delish!

The contest will run from July 2 to July 31, 2013 and the winner will be announced on my Facebook community page. To join the contest, follow ALL the steps below:

Win Passion Fruit Kit Kat, Black Kit Kat and Galbo Mini from @Shop Nippon via @Pursuit of Nana blog : http://pursuitofnana.blogspot.com/2013/07/birthday-giveback-shop-nippon-x-galbo.html

4) Leave your Facebook username in the comment below so I can validate your entry.

Remember, follow ALL steps to qualify for the prize. Winners will be chosen via Random.org.

Best of luck!

With Love,
N

Shop Nippon x Pursuit of Nana Giveaway Winner:

Congratulations, Vanessa. Thank you to the rest of you for joining. Don't worry, there are more giveaways in store for you. Will post about them soon.

Thank you!

July, July, Don't Freak Me Out! Plus Giveaway Announcement

2013-07-01T19:00:00.000+08:00

It's the first day of July, and like any other year, I am so freaked out! My birthday is a few days away and I am agitated as usual. While other people get excited upon the arrival of their birthday, I get bothered and anxious. I do not resent getting older nor growing up. More of I get freaked out that time is slipping away rapidly. It makes me panic that days are blurring and before I knew it, another year has passed. Don't worry. I am not sad during my birthdays. I make it a point to enjoy it no matter how my heart beats faster and faster at the countdown of my birthday. After all, it's the least I can do to not let my days simply pass me by and blur before my eyes.

On another note, I will be holding a series of giveback/giveaways for this month. Specifically, I will be launching them on these dates: July 2 and July 9. The items you can win are close to my heart..or my tummy (hint: sweets). So stay tuned and don't forget to drop by my little home in the web on those dates, okay?

Hoping for the best and looking forward to a great birthday weekend,

Say Hello To The First Ever MY VEET GIRL

2013-06-26T17:43:00.000+08:00

Veet, the leading depilatory brand here in the Philippines and abroad recently reached a milestone as the first ever My Veet Girl winner was proclaimed. My Veet Girl was a nationwide search for the first Veet brand ambassador that started last April and culminated last May 28, 2013 at one of the most hip club in the Metro, Prive Luxury Club.

Wondering why Veet opted for a non-celebrity brand ambassador? It's because as Angelo Dapitan (Veet Brand Manager) said, Veet "wanted to celebrate the beauty of Filipino women so we (Veet) came up with this search. We also want all women to experience what beauty feels like; beauty that comes from having silky smooth, hair-free skin." Indeed, not only celebrities can be beautiful. Any woman can be beautiful. This was proven by the My Veet Girl search as hundreds of beautiful women competed to be one of the Top 9 finalists.These Top 9 finalists went on a final showdown at Prive, which I was lucky enough to witness. The ladies proved that they were not only beautiful, but they were smart and charming too. Even the handsome Victor Basa, who hosted the event, was smitten by the lovely ladies.

The Top 9 finalists:

The ladies sashayed in the runway and underwent a Question and Answer portion wherein they showcased their wit and unique personalities to the judges and audience. Speaking of judges, the panel was stellar as it consisted of Meg publisher Dazzle Ng, Reckitt Benckinser Philippines Marketing Manager Pinky Huit and Mega TV Head Michael Carandang no less.

All the ladies surely looked lovely and gorgeous with their beautiful smooth skin. I also learned that their stylish dresses were made by the current Mega Young Designers Competition contestants. Sweet! Unfortunately, no matter how deserving they all were, there can only be one winner. And the new My Veet Girl is.... *drum rolls* TRISHA DUNCAN of Cainta, Rizal. Woot! I came from Rizal so I was happy for her. Rizal represent! As the new and first ever My Veet Girl, Trisha received Php50,000 cash, one year supply of Veet products and a sure spot in the second season of I AM MEG, Meg Magazine's reality TV competition. How sweet is that?

My Veet Girl winner Trisha Duncan with Angelo Dapitan and the finalists.

Apart from the competition, I enjoyed the night because Veet surely knows how to throw a good party. The drinks and hors d'oeuvres flowed throughout the night. Also, I met some nice and lovely bloggers.

Kim, Jacky, Angel, Me and Sean. Thank you for the invite, Sean!

An oh! I met one of my favorite designers too! None other than the fabulous and charming Avel Bacudio! He was so nice. I asked to have a photo with him, attempting to use my DSLR by rotating its screen. He must have though I was having a hard time because he asked a random model to take our shot. Well, I only said random because I don't know the model's name. So thank you, random model!

Michael Carandang photobombing our shot. Haha. The My Veet Girl culminating night was such an enjoyable night. I can't wait for the next My Veet Girl search. To Trisha, God bless on the I AM MEG competition. :-)

With Love,

Style Diary | My Veet Girl

2013-06-20T11:46:00.001+08:00

Hello! I soooo miss blogging. Sorry for being absent the past weeks. Right now, my computer is still not working (motherboard problems) so I still can't blog everyday like I used to. However, I promised myself I would find ways to blog. I actually have a lot to blog about. One of them is about the My Veet Girl Contest which recently concluded. Will post about it before the week ends. For now, let me show you what I wore to the event. It was held at Prive Superclub but I decided to refrain from wearing the usual club/party ensembles a.k.a something fit and sexy (?). I don't want to stereotype but there is kinda a stereotype club/party look and I am with you, if you believe that there is no need to dress a certain way just to fit in a club/party event. Besides, as usual, I came from work before going to the culminating event of My Veet Girl. Hence, the decision to go for a comfy coordinate. Sorry, same pose and expression. These were taken by the photog...multiple shots I suppose?

Save for my Miu Miu bag, my whole coordinate was composed of clothing items from Japan. Basically I wore a tie-dyed maxi dress and topped it with an embellished blouse. The back part of the blouse is see through. Sorry, no photo to show that. As you can see, my purple/indigo hair is fading into a deep violet which I really like.

In case you are wondering, I went alone again and like before, met lovely people (mostly bloggers). The perks of going solo on event. :-)

Talk to you more about the event soon. Thank you for always visiting my little space here in the World Wide Web.

With Love,

2013-06-20T11:36:00.001+08:00

Style Diary | Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 Day 5

2013-06-07T20:00:00.000+08:00

Day 5 was the last day of Philippine Fashion Week (PFW). I was not feeling well but I would not miss it for the world because I was scheduled to watch Menswear. I know I am a lady but Arnold Galang was presenting and as I have mentioned tons of times before, he is one of my favorite Filipino designers. So yes, I went despite not feeling well. To add to injury, it rained. Tssss. Good thing the show was A-mazing! It was totally worth it. The surprising thing was I actually liked a lot of the pieces. There were pieces that a woman can actually wear as ease or with a little tweak.

Anyway, for my coordinate I decided to wear something comfortable and light. I think that helped lighten me up a little as well...not thinking too much of what I should wear. I already wore this silver top before. My weight gain is noticeable. Want proof? See this post where I previously wore it. Haha! I don't mind though.

This silver dress complemented my purple hair. I paired it with a psychedelic printed shorts, Leg Love hosiery, black strappy heels and sharp necklace. The result? A casual eclectic punk look. I give credits to my hair. It definitely helped marry this whole look together.

| Roland Lirio top | SM Department Store necklace |

| Copacabana shorts | Leg Love Designer Series by Pablo Cabahug |

The first time I wore this top, I actually paired it with hosiery as well. Just with a different design. It's interesting how the same clothing can look differently by pairing it with different hosiery designs. One reason why I am a huge fan of Leg Love! They have a wide array of textures, designs and colors that will suit any look you want.

| Shoes from Japan |

My face betrayed my condition. I look sleepy and tired. I had so much fun though. PFW just ended yet I am already excited for the next season. The Filipino fashion scene is oozing with so much talent!

With Love,

Style Diary | Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 Day 4

2013-05-27T19:30:00.000+08:00

Last season, I decided to make plaid/checkered/tartan my Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW) staple. No matter what, I told myself that I would wear any of those prints even just once every PhFW season. For Holiday 2013, I searched various stores for a checkered outfit. Unfortunately, I failed to find a checkered item I like. Then I thought, why not make a design and find a seamstress that can create it for me? Hence, this coordinate. It was not easy though. For one, the cloth and execution are far from what I envisioned. Supposedly, I wanted red checkered cloth for the bottom part. For the top part, I wanted it to be white with lace trimmings and design at the front. Sadly, I ended up with a dress that closely resembled a school uniform or a baro't saya. The dress had no shape. Of course, I could not accept that my money would be put to waste. That's when I scoured my wardrobe and looked for items I can use to edit the dress. For one, I asked the seamstress to randomly put the leftover lace at the front to cover the disastrous design. Next, I wore a tiny vest under the lace to create shape and minimize the white portion. Lastly, I synched everything with a red belt. Not what I planned but I think I managed to save it, don't you think? The moral of the story? I should start studying patternmaking and sewing.

Perhaps I should take a photo of the original dress without any styling for comparison? I will try to do that tomorrow.

PhFW keeps getting more fabulous by the season. It is always nice to see how fashion designers reinvent themselves, and how their aesthetics evolve. Truly, we are a country full of talented and creative designers. No wonder our fashion industry is thriving. Speaking of reinvention, did you notice my new hair? I got myself violet/indigo dip dye ends.

| Dress designed by me | Gal Fit vest and belt |

| Bag from Japan |

|Shoes from Japan |

It has been 5 years since I colored my hair a vivid color. I missed having pink, red, white and blonde hair, but I cannot really go all the way because my job won't allow me. My solution? Dip dye ends! I can put it in a bun whenever I go to meetings with clients. I had my hair done at Natural Hype, by the way. No, it was not sponsored..I wish it was, though. Haha!

That's all for this post. :-)

With Love,
N

Style Diary | Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 Day 1

2013-05-25T01:30:00.000+08:00

Like most seasons, Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 opened on a weekday. That means I have to go from work straight to SMX. As such, I chose an outfit I can easily changed into without much fuss. I wanted it to be laid-back and relax as well for I expected to get tired from working the whole day. I do not want to stress myself. Hence, I decided to wear a leopard print on print combo of top and skirt in lightweight material. I, then, added a canvass button down with leather collar, cuffs and piping. Lastly, I used my ever-reliable purple Samantha Thavasa handbag and comfy heels.

(Sorry for the noise and lighting/color inconsistency of the photo. It was dark and Bam was trying to find the right setting. Guess I have to save for a better lens. :p)

| Gal Fit sleeveless top and button down shirt |

| Forever 21 skirt | Samantha Thavasa handbag |

| Shoes from Japan |

I like what I wore because it is comfortable and stylish at the same time. Print on print as a fashion faux pas is now a thing of the past. Nowadays, print on print provide an interesting and edgy look to fashion coordinates. It instantly adds an extra somethin' somethin' to one's look. I am also into animal print & leather combo because of the interesting texture and appeal that results from it.

Excited for tomorrow's show! See you around!

With Love,
N

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013: Michael Cinco

2013-05-24T11:07:00.001+08:00

Michael Cinco opened the Philippine Fashion Week last May 22, 2013. Much deserved if I may add for he surely knows how to put on a show. Celebrating his 20th year as a designer, Michael Cinco showed why he is one of the couture authorities in the Philippines. Entitled "Impalpable Dream of Russia," he presented a wonderfully-executed collection inspired by ballerinas, Czarinas and Matryoshka dolls. Exquisite lace, timeless pearls, luxurious Swarovski crystals, beautiful embroideries and interesting embellishments enveloped the models, turning them into dreamy, ethereal and regal creatures. The dramatic lights and music enhanced the theatrics of his styling putting the audience into a trance. It felt like the models were emerging from a dream and crossing into reality. The contrast of the first set consisting of white to the second set consisting of black, and the transition to the finale set was interesting. It was as if showing the existence of both the White Swan and Black Swan in each of us. Upon recognition of both sides, we can emerge as the queens we are meant to be.A highly conceptual, theatrical and sophisticated show.

Even amidst darkness and the limitations of my camera, the details of his creations were apparent. Adding to the appeal of the show were the great "performances" from Stephanie Retuya and supermodels Ria Bolivar, Charo Ronquillo and Charlene Almarvarez.

This set is my favorite. The creations were dark, romantic and edgy. A cross between Queen Maleficent and the Black Swan.

The couture genius of the Philippines, Michael Cinco.

Michael Cinco's Impalpable Dream of Russia was one remarkable and memorable collection. It proved that Filipino designers have a high level of creativity and craftsmanship. Undoubtedly, he set the bar high this season. I am sure, though, that the other designers will do great as well. Cheers to the Filipino designers and brands! Cheers to Philippine Fashion Week!

With Love,

Met Bets 2013 That Got Me Disoriented

2013-05-22T17:15:00.000+08:00

To see my Met bets last year, click here.
I'm warning you, this is a wordy post. :p

Oops! Late post. The reason for the delay is that I really do not know how to tackle the topic. You will know why as I discuss later how this year's Met Gala 2013 left me baffled.

The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala or Met Gala is by far the most fashionable and interesting red carpet event every year, gathering designers, models and celebrities in one place. The gala marks the opening of the annual themed fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. For this year, the theme was Punk: Chaos to Couture.

According to the Metropolitan press, the theme aims to focus "on the relationship between the punk concept of do-it-yourself and the couture concept of made-to-measure." I was excited when I learned what the theme would be. It would be interesting to see how the attendees will be able to bring Punk sensibility to the most high fashion red carpet event. I also pondered whether the theme was correct when it made use of the word "Chaos." Punk may not be about perfect symmetry, minimalism nor order, but it does in no way look chaotic. In my eyes, Punk looks put together despite the do-it-yourself editing and individualization of clothing pieces. Uniformed, almost. Then I realized that "Chaos" might be alluding to the Punk concepts of rebellion, anti-conformity and anarchy.

Disorientation dawned on me when the carpet arrival commenced. Most of the stars looked dashing and glamorous but there seemed to be a lack of Punk spirit permeating the event. The theme was chosen because it is apparent that Punk aesthetics continue to inspire many designers in the present resulting to usage of elements reminiscent of Punk, whether with subtlety or with abundance. I was assuming the attendees would show up in ensembles presenting a harmonious balance between Punk and Couture, proving Punk can be taken to the street of High Fashion. I understand that Punk is not always about hardware, tartan nor statement shirts as it has various subcultures, but many attendees chose safe coordinates that do not even resound the theme. They were beautiful, yes. But Met Gala is not about simply being beautiful. Bringing the theme into life and exhibiting at least a correlation between art and fashion is paramount.

The people I picked interpreted the theme well..in my opinion at least. They went all the way to prove that Punk can transcend into the world of Couture. I may be wrong, though, as one can always interpret the theme in a different way. Nevertheless, I believe these people proved how the Punk era embedded itself in our culture, and how it continually presents itself in fashion as one of the driving force for individuality, youthful rebelliousness and uniqueness.

THE PROVOCATIVE: Carine Roitfeld in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci
"Carine Roitfeld" and "safe" are words I cannot use in the same sentence. To me, she has always been edgy and provocative. She refuses to be constricted in a box especially when expressing herself through fashion and style. She rebels against the mainstream, and embraces the dark and sexy side of fashion. When I saw her arrival, my hopes went high. Finally! Someone who was able to marry the concepts of do-it-yourself and made-to-measure perfectly. Despite the deconstructed elements of this ensemble, it was able to maintain its couture appeal and sensibilities. I expected no less from THE Carine Roitfeld.

Click here for image source

THE MOD-PUNK: Bella Heathcote in Chanel
The orderly and polish look of Mod seems to contradict Punk. However, it is said that Mods took the orderly, polished and slick look from its utilitarian sense and pushed it to the point of absurdity. This resulted to the Mod-Punk fashion. This style is what Bella Heathcote embodied in this gorgeous number from Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013. Coincidentally, this is my personal favorite from the said collection. From her impeccable hair to her dramatic eye makeup to her Chanel dress and Jimmy Choo shoes, Bella created a harmonious marriage between Mod, Punk and Couture.

Click here for photo credits

THE GOTH PUNK: Kristen Stewart in Stella McCartney

Kristen's fashion choices may not always please the majority but there is no denying that this lady is one fashion risk-taker. Whether clad in her signature laid-back casual coordinates or in her fashionably dark and edgy red carpet ensembles, Kristen Stewart always imbibe a cool-who-cares-vamp-goth-punk attitude. Her look from the Met Gala was very smart. The masculine structure of her jumpsuit was balanced out by the rich deep color and romantic lace embroidery that also created an illusion of cutouts very reminiscent of Punk. Even her hair and makeup supplemented the look she was going for. To top that, she subtly injected elements of hardware by choosing a gold box clutch and maroon studded heels.

Click here for image source

THE CRUST PUNK : Cara Delevingne in Burberry
Model of the moment and style icon Cara Delevingne is known for her cool sense of style that's effortless and chic. For this year's Met Gala, she showed up in a beautiful spiked Burberry column dress with a plunging neckline and biker chic sleeves appeal. That together with her slick hair, dark-lined eyes, sharp accessories and studded clutch created a look that exuded a crust punk couture vibe. The best thing about her look? Despite the multitudes of elements present in her coordinate, it did not look overwhelming nor messy. In fact, she made both Punk and Couture look effortless and easy to the eyes. Sophisticated too!

Click here for image source

THE GRUNGE PUNK: Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs
When Miley Cyrus cut her hair, the world wide web went abuzz. Everyone has something to say, whether it be negative or positive. As for me, I am a huge fan of transformations...as long as no moral error was committed. I admire Miley Cyrus for not letting the public pressure her on how she should look or act simply because she was a former Disney Teen Queen. When she arrived at the Met Gala, her name instantly peppered various social media sites. She was the talk of the town. Some disliked her look but the majority gave her rave reviews. I agree with the majority. From her platinum blonde spiky hair to her bold red lips to her mesh frock, Miley was spot on Punk.

Click here for image source

THE STREET PUNK: Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood
I am a huge fan of tartans! When I saw Christina Ricci, I instantly fell in adoration of her tartan dress. Asking one of the proponents of Punk fashion to make a dress she'll wear to the Punk-themed Met Ball was very smart of Christina. I am glad she went for a hairstyle depicting old Hollywood glam as it provided a nice contrast to her dress, fishnet stockings and shoes.

Click here for image source

THE GLAM PUNK: Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles

Sarah Jessica Parker is one fashion diva! She has her own unique fashion aesthetic and she stands by it. The public always watch for her every fashion move and ends up always wanting for more. She never disappoints and that held true at the Met Gala. If I can only use one word to describe SJP's ensemble, I would choose "CONCEPTUAL." Instead of bleaching her hair a vivid color or styling it in spikes, she donned a hat that doubled as a faux hawk. Her Giles gown was luxurious and beautiful. The slit revealed a surprising touch of thigh-high custom-made Louboutin velvet tartan boots which is one of the main symbols of Punk. It created an interesting print on print combo with the dress reminiscent of Glam Punk. Perhaps the tartan was also an ode to the late Alexander McQueen?

Click here for image source

This year's Met Gala was not the best, but it certainly left a ringing question to my mind. What does it mean when one say that Punk had evolved from street to couture, and how should/would the collision between do-it-yourself and made-to-measure look like? When I figure this out, perhaps then, I can understand why the red carpet of Punk: From Chaos to Couture turned out the way it did.

With Love,
N

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 Schedule

2013-05-14T17:56:00.001+08:00

A few more days before Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013! I am beyond excited! So far, I received my invites from Arnold Galang, Jian Lasala and Jun-Jun Cambe. Their shows are scheduled on the 25th and 26th, a thing I am happy about because I cannot go had it been scheduled on weekdays. In case you are keen on seeing the complete schedule, see below:

Hope to see you there!

With Love,
N

How To Register for Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 E-invites

2013-04-30T12:56:00.001+08:00

Get a chance to score e-invites to Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 presentation by clicking the image below. You will be redirected to the registration site. :-)

If you are not redirected, click here. The registration page looks like this:

Make sure check your e-mail as you will be sent an e-mail asking you to confirm the e-mail address. There is no guarantee that you will be selected, but what is the harm in trying, right? Want an alternative? Contact the designers directly. Most of them are approachable and amiable.

Best of luck! Hope to see you there!

With Love,

Countdown To Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013

2013-04-30T12:43:00.002+08:00

See you!
With Love,
N

Review: Le Rose de Versailles Lady Oscar Creamy Pencil Eyeliner

2013-04-26T11:50:00.003+08:00

If you saw my Japanese eyeliners hau l, you will notice that one of them is the eyeliner I am about to review, La Rose de Versailles or Berusaiyu no Bara (Japanese) or Rose of Versailles (English).

La Rose de Versailles is a brand from the Creer Beaute Line created by the Bandai company. As many of you know, Bandai is mainly a Japanese toy-making and video game-producing company. So what is it doing producing makeup lines? Well, the makeup lines they make are inspired by several anime/manga series. Just like this one. La Rose de Versailles is actually one of the best-known shojo (young girls) manga. As of now, it is also the most famous line of Creer Beaute. Other lines are inspired by Fujiko of Lupin III, Evangelion and more!

Photo from Creer Beaute

The specific product my mom got me is La Rose de Versailles Lady Oscar Creamy Pencil Eyeliner in Black. My mom removed it from the packaging, but this is how it looks:

Photo from Creer Beaute

This is the eyeliner outside of the external packaging. I like fancy makeup packaging, and this elegant and romantic eyeliner made me swoon.

It has a round pencil with flat tip. Usually, eyeliner pencils have pointy tips making this one different. I found out later on that the flat tip makes the application on the corners of the eyes easier. The pencil was hard but smooth upon application. It also glides on beautifully to the skin. The downside? The pencil cannot be returned once taken out. I have to make sure to always rotate slowly to avoid taking out too much. That's only a minor thing though, so no worries.

Below is the swatch. The line it creates is not really that thick. The only reason it does look thick is because I swiped it thrice to be more visible in the camera. As you can see (I hope you can :p) It has a nice creamy texture. The line and color is not as harsh as when you use liquid eyeliner. It claims to be waterproof and it is. Actually, you can remove it (not completely, though) with water together with a cloth, but if your eyes will get wet and you will not rub it, this eyeliner will not run. It is also slightly sweat-proof, and lasts for a good length of 5-6 hours. Quite nice for a drugstore brand.

Overall, I really like this eyeliner. I prefer to use this for everyday makeup because of the nice color intensity. It has the right amount of black..if that make sense to you. :p How about you? Have you tried this eyeliner? What do you think of it?

With Love,