darling ♥ chuck

30 Day Challenge: A problem that you have had

2012-05-31T15:43:00.000-04:00

DAY 18

I ALWAYS have problems!
Although, I do wish this was my problem all the time.

NEXT!

New Layout!

2012-05-27T11:49:00.001-04:00

(via pugly pixel)
Happy Memorial Day weekend, darlings!

I decided on a new layout for this upcoming summer, so I snagged this Lemon Meringue design via Pugley Pixel.What do you think? If you like, you can download this layout for your own blog free of charge.

Enjoy your holiday!

xoxo

Please support East WillyB!

2012-05-22T18:56:00.000-04:00

Hello Darlings!

I'm excited to share a project with you that a friend of mine has been working on for quite some time now called East WillyB, a Latino web series best described as a "Latino Cheers" that is set in the gentrifying Bushwick, Brooklyn neighborhood. Intrigued? Check out the pilot season.

The mission and vision of East WillyB was created by a group of young Latino filmmakers seeking to provide an alternative to the stereotypes of Latinos so often seen in media. The series, which seeks to be a New American Sitcom, is socially-conscious and incredibly funny. It has been described as the "future of Latino entertainment." It's a great series featuring some great talent, and I'm proud to say that my friend, Mikey has independently produced each episode.

Here's where we need your help. They recently launched a fundraising campaign using Kickstarter in order to continue the production value of East WillyB. Please take the time to watch their fundraising video above and contribute.

They have until June 1 (that's 9 days!) to make history, create the first first community-funded Latino sitcom and raise $50,000. We'd appreciate your support! No contribution is too small.

Please feel free to spread the word, and as always thanks for reading!

xoxo

A lovely Mother's Day surprise

2012-05-14T21:13:00.001-04:00

I was delightfully surprised to receive so much love from friends and family this past Mother's Day. I really didn't expect all the recognition, and it was much appreciated!

Saturday night I called my mom to wish her a Happy Mother's Day, and sent her my love from New York to Manila. As usual, we had a great talk and as always, I miss her. But I'm happy to hear she's healthy and well. I always get off the phone with her feeling rejuvenated and energetic just by hearing her voice.

About an hour later, I thought about calling my dad just to say 'hi' and as I reached for my phone, he called! It was great talking to him as well. He said that he wanted to be the first to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. I thought it was really sweet of him to do that. My dad and I haven't had this strong a relationship when I was growing up, so I'm really happy that we're starting to grow ours now. Better late than never!

I pretty much grew up with separate parents, so I'm really happy that our relationships are becoming our own. They've always been big supporters of my writing, so I more or less do it for them. You know, to keep them in the loop from being so far away. :)

Sunday morning, I woke up to a very thoughtful gift and card from Mike. He got me Katamari Forever, one of my favorite games! That afternoon, we headed to Krystal's, my favorite Filipino restaurant in NYC and our friends met us there. Btw, the weather was gorgeous. It's been such a long time since I last ate there, and I was hella looking forward to enjoying it with my closest friends while watching ASAP Rocks. It's one of my favorite things to do on Sunday, so I'm really happy we got to do that. Thanks y'all for spending Mother's Day with me!

That night, I fell asleep right when Mike crawled into bed, and I felt Arieson with me. As I dozed off, I felt him laying right next to me - his big bald head right under my chin and his heavy body snuggled up against mine. I even woke up to tell Mike about it. I don't even know why I would think he would feel Arieson near, but for some reason I woke up to tell him because I was curious if he felt it too. He didn't. Just me. :) Thanks for visiting me, Arie boy. Thank you for choosing me to be your mama!!

And just because, here's a photo of my mom and Arieson from one of our many sunny Sundays in 2008:

Needless to say, I had a very grand weekend. Thank you all for the love and support. I'll never forget it.

And a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there that keep it down for the rest of us! We appreciate y'all.

xoxo

Instadiary: April 2012

2012-05-07T17:00:00.000-04:00

We finally had a chance to try some goodies from the butcher shop across the street from our apartment: cheese and sopresatta. Great weekend afternoon snack!

The birthday card that Mike got for Arieson's 5th birthday!

Arieson enjoyed ice cream cake on his last birthday on Earth, so it was appropriate that we had some in his honor for his would-be 5th birthday.

I love Saturdays

Basking the Springtime air at Flushing Meadows on Easter Sunday

Whenever I walk out of my hair appointment, my stylist likes to leave me looking like Tilda.

Beautiful Spring day at Bryant Park

Our friend Chuck was in town again, and as usual we met up for brunch. This time we ate at Bubby's in Tribeca. Of course we had to order extra bacon for the table.

Looking up while inside Grand Central Station never fails to impress.

We attended the Tribeca Film Festival last year, so it was a no brainer that we had to go again this year. Last year we watched Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest and this year we were set to watch another music documentary, Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey. Thanks to my mom and godmother's school mate, director Ramona Diaz, we were able to attend the world premiere along with the band! :)

Q&A after the screening with Ramona Diaz and Journey band members Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain and Arnel Pineda.

These glorious carne asada tacos are from the taco truck near Leilani's apartment, Tacos El Bronco. By far the best taco truck I've tried in all of New York.

Follow me on Instagram!

xoxo

Arieson on Odette Manon

2012-05-01T18:57:00.000-04:00

When I moved to New York, I joined a lifestyle and networking community called Ladies Lotto, an "online sorority" of finely-cultivated women from major cities in the U.S. with chapters in New York, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and Miami that network and help each other succeed and achieve their goals.

On Arieson's birthday, I wrote an informational email to the group opening up about Arieson's story and Neuroblastoma, and how it affected me directly. Since Arieson's 3rd birthday, I've dedicated every birthday in helping raise awareness on Neuroblastoma and the Band of Parents foundation, an organization that I've supported and recently joined. One of our members, Sharon Paz, a mother to a boy about the same age as Arieson, reached out to me that weekend and proposed to help spread the word about Arieson's story, Neuroblastoma and the Band of Parents. I was so touched that she wanted to spend the time to spread the word about this awful disease, and the story of my darling boy on her website, Odette Manon.

I'm always so thankful for the kind people that have actively shown love and support about Arieson's story. Please take the time to read "A is for Arieson" on Odette Manon. While you're there, feel free to peruse around her site. It's a carefully crafted children's lifestyle navigator that I know you'll love, especially if you're a mom!

Thanks again, darlings and as always - thanks for reading!

xoxo

Monday Muse: M.I.A.

2012-04-30T18:14:00.000-04:00

It's become quite the habit in my apartment to have music videos playing on the television in the morning while we get ready. This morning, while watching FUSE, M.I.A.'s latest music video "Bad Girls" came on and was instantly reminded on a few things: 1) how awesome of a video this was (and still is), 2) how far and becoming of a woman M.I.A. has come along in her career and 3) how striking she is, even through a television.

I remember very vividly the first time I discovered who M.I.A. was. One early morning in 2005 while getting ready for work, I had MTV playing on my television (back when MTV actually played music videos), and this very different sounding, but incredibly awesome song came on called "Bucky Done Gun." I was immediately drawn to my television upon hearing it. I saw this striking brown girl, M.I.A., dancing in her cutting edge and incredibly bright outfits sounding different than anyone I've ever heard. And I liked it! I was glued to the TV for the entire video, and I remember this because I ended up being late for work that morning. ;)

Sure enough, this music video encouraged me to get her album and every album after that, and I've been listening to her since. After her single "Paper Planes" was featured in the film Slumdog Millionaire M.I.A. gained commercial fame, but she didn't let the pressures of popular demand affect her musical ability and she proved that real well when she released "Bad Girls." M.I.A., you bad ass chick, you've always been on my muse list. OW!

xoxo

The story behind "Darling Chuck"

2012-04-26T13:53:00.000-04:00

How did you come up with the name "Darling Chuck?"

I get asked this question so many times, and it's beyond me that I haven't thought to write about the history of where the name Darling Chuck comes from. I know a bunch of you are curious, so here it is.

To put it simply, I got the name from the television show, Pushing Daisies. If you haven't watched the show, let me give you a brief background.

Pushing Daisies is a comedy-drama series created by Bryan Fuller about a pie maker named Ned (Lee Pace). Ned has the magical ability to touch dead things and bring them back to life, but it comes with stipulations.

Touch a dead thing once, alive; touch a dead thing twice, dead again forever. Keep a thing alive for more than a minute, something else has to die.

Ned is nicknamed "the pie maker" in the show for obvious reasons, owning his own pie shop named The Pie Hole. It's an establishment he worked for in loving memory of his mother, who died when he was very young and who also unwittingly helped him discover his "talent" at the time she died. One day outside the shop he meets a money hungry detective named Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), who by mistake discovers his "special power" and offers to give him a small share of his earnings whenever he helps him solve crimes in exchange for keeping Ned's secret.

Notably known as a forensic fairy tale, the series begins with Ned and Emerson taking a trip to Coeur d'Coeurs, the town where Ned grew up, to investigate the murder of a woman who as well grew up at Cour de Cours. At the funeral home to Ned's dismay, he opens the casket to question the victim, and it's his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte Charles (Anna Friel) also known as "Chuck."

Ned touches Chuck to bring her back to life, and instead of touching her again right under the minute mark, he decides to let her live, giving her "another chance" at life, thus giving her the nickname "dead girl." Pushing Daisies tells the story of Ned and Chuck's resuming relationship without touch, and how Chuck, with her "new life," begins to live again, this time for real.

Chuck's childhood and upbringing in Pushing Daisies also plays a part in why I chose the alias Darling Chuck. After her father was inadvertently killed by young Ned, Chuck spends the rest of her "first" life with her two aunts, sisters Vivian (Ellen Greene) and Lily Charles (Swoosie Kurtz), a synchronized swimming duo who in their prime called themselves The Darling Mermaid Darlings. Chuck's adolescence is spent with these two women, who both suffer from personality disorders, keeping them cooped in their Coeur d'Coeurs home. Affected by her aunts' social phobia, Chuck, determined to get more out of life ventures to travel, shortly resulting in her death.

Cute story right! You have to watch it to get the full effect. I happened to catch this show around the time I got my first tattoo of a phoenix, and found so many similarities between myself and Chuck's character in the show. She was a bright woman determined to live her life to the fullest, without regrets. The day she decides to take that leap of faith, her life is taken away from her. Somehow Ned finds her, and he saves her. He gives her that life she's always wanted to live, and she doesn't take a minute of it for granted. She embraces the second chance she's given, and along the way she begins to learn more about the kind of person she is. In many ways, I felt I was given a second chance after leaving my ex. If I stayed with him any longer I could have been dead. I nearly don't say this enough, but Arieson saved my life and I truly believe it to the utmost.

Chuck's aunts, the Darling Mermaid Darlings, symbolize me being raised by mainly women. My parents divorced when I was young, and my only mentor really was my mother. I left my ex when Arieson was about 6 months. I left on a whim - I was escorted by police with one bag of Arieson's favorite things and a darling child that had no idea what was going on. I had a car, but I didn't know where to go. My mom was living in another state, and I knew I couldn't make the drive out there with what little I had. We were pretty much homeless. I found refuge in my Aunt Tess, who lived about 45 minutes away. She took me and Arieson in for as long as we needed, did everything she could to make us comfortable and didn't judge me one for on second. I felt I had another chance to start over. It was a great feeling. I am so forever grateful for her being there for me and Arieson. We aren't even related by blood - she is the sister of my step father. She took the place of my mother until she arrived to cradle us. I'm so lucky to have strong women in my life. I wouldn't be able to get by without their love and support!

So that is the origin of "Darling Chuck." Now you know.

I love this show so much because it manages to make light of unfortunate situations, and it has definitely inspired me to do the same. I'm sure if you haven't noticed yet, I model my writing style and my blog after this show. It makes sharing stories on my blog more uplifting. :) There are only two seasons to the series, but all the episodes are so well produced with an exceptional cast that every episode could be it's own movie. I'm serious! Check it out. I highly recommend it!

Wanna know something? Ask me!

xoxo

30 Day Challenge: Something that you're proud of

2012-04-25T11:16:00.000-04:00

DAY 17

I usually claim bragging rights to watching the entire series of LOST in 12 days. Most people don't believe me. Almost everyone asks me "how?" and then they call me freak.

It was around the tail end of Arieson's treatments after relapsing, about a month before he passed away. He had gone through MIBG Therapy (which was the absolute worst), and he was at a stage in his treatment where all we had to do now was make sure he was in no pain. The monster had taken over. I remember that time in my life so vividly - I started to retreat from everyone, and I preferred being alone most of the time. The internet and TV started becoming my best friends because it meant that I didn't have to talk to anyone or deal with anything. There were so many ads and commercials out about the season finale of LOST, and I remember a few people telling me how good of a show it's been. So I was browsing Netflix one night, and saw that the entire series of LOST was streaming. This was a week before the season finale. Desperate to look for ways to get my mind off cancer, I gave myself the insane challenge of attempting to catch up on the entire series in time for the season finale. In case you're wondering - no, I didn't sleep! I managed to stay up and watch the episodes with little naps in between. Arieson wasn't doing too well with his condition either and at this point in his life, so I found it as another way to stay up spend the little time I had with him.

I obviously wasn't able to catch up on the series in one week in time for the finale, but I'd say I did pretty good being 5 days late. Those 12 days were the most memorable distraction to date. It got my mind off cancer and everything that comes with it. I might have lost a lot of sleep, but it was totally worth it! And now I get to brag about it to anyone who brings up the show.

xoxo

Adam Katz Sinding in Marie Claire magazine

2012-04-23T14:54:00.000-04:00

Marie Claire magazine subscribers are in for a treat this May. One of my friends, Adam Katz Sinding traveled to Paris and London earlier this year to take some street style photos during Fashion Week, and has his amazing photos featured in the street style section in May's issue of Marie Claire magazine!
Check it out:

See anyone you recognize?
Make sure to pick up your copy, available on stands now!

xoxo

Show me love

2012-04-19T17:25:00.000-04:00

Things like this inspire me. It was a good feeling finding this in my ask box. As much as I complain about work and the fashion industry, more and more I'm slowly beginning to realize that what I do actually matters! It may not matter to some, and fashion may not be for everyone, but it's always a great feeling to know that it can inspire others, especially young girls who want to pursue a career in fashion. When you start to get recognition for your work from others, it inspires you to keep doing what you're doing. It may mean you are probably doing something right.

Shout out to Deesto for the love!

Wanna know something? Ask me!

xoxo

Monday Muse: John Slattery

2012-04-16T10:48:00.000-04:00

(via gq)

One of the things that Mike and I do on the weekends is catch up on our favorite shows on our DVR, one of them being Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and if you watched last Thursday's episode you'd have seen that John Slattery was one of his guests. On the show he talked about his recent cover on this month's issue of GQ, and his directorial feature for this week's episode of one of my favorite shows, Mad Men.

It's no surprise that protagonist Don Draper, played so well by Jon Hamm, is probably everyone's favorite on the show (and in life) on more levels than one, but after watching John Slattery's interview with Jimmy Fallon (despite Roger's erratic behavior - which I secretly find sexy), he's certainly gotten a whole lot of my attention now. And if you watched last night's episode of Mad Men, he'd probably have a lot more of your attention too. He's a babe with style, a sense of humor, and an artistic flair. How much sexier can you get? John, you silver fox, you've just been added to my muse list. OW!

xoxo

30 Day Challenge: Something you always think "what if..." about

2012-04-11T13:05:00.003-04:00

DAY 16

(via weheartit)

I told y'all I was gonna continue on with my 30 Day Challenge! Funny how this started over 6 months ago. This is more like a 30 Month Challenge now. I like to finish things that I start, so let's move on...

This is actually a good question right now since I've been in a contemplative kind of mood. Very rarely do these moments happen, and I wish I would listen to myself more as opposed to worrying about things I can't control. In any case, I try not to think too much about the would haves and could haves. When I let my mind run like that I get too obsessed with where my thoughts bring me so I don't even bother. But once in awhile the thought crosses my mind, and almost always I quickly snap out of it. That is a realm in my mind that I've managed to board and chain shut through the years!

I'm gonna come forward and bring to the table the question that I think most of you ponder yourselves - what if Arieson didn't happen? I don't have to go into details with this thought, but in short, I think that the answer is quite simple. If Arieson didn't happen, I would not be here today. I wouldn't have blossomed a relationship with Mike, I wouldn't be living in the city that I've always wanted to live in and working a job that is virtually unavailable back in San Francisco. Yeah, what I went through with Arieson sucked and I'd never wish those harsh moments on anyone, but I don't tend to think about things that way. In any scenario you always have to think positively. The 3 years I had with Arieson was the most life-changing, self-fulfilling journey I could ever experience in my young adult life. I didn't see it then, but now I see it as a gift. The moments I had with him were memories anyone can't buy. He gave me the opportunity to be the best mother I can be - he helped me grow up. Had I not gone through those 3 years, I'd have been a completely different person than I am today - and that person would probably be super sucky and lame. I like the person I am now. I'm stronger for it. Although I would have preferred a life with my darling boy, it wouldn't be the one I have now.

xoxo

The professional crossroad

2012-04-09T09:49:00.003-04:00

(via weheartit)

Remember growing up thinking that you'd have it all figured out by the time you graduated college? Yeah, me too.

So many of my peers have traditionally been raised this common formula: stay in school, graduate from college, find a job then get married and have kids. But no one ever teaches you what to do when a variable is added to the equation. Which major do I pick when I go to college? What if I don't know what to do? What happens when you can't find a job? How about when you haven't met the right person yet? If there was anything that my parents wanted for me, I'd be married with children along with a 401k and a mortgage. Once I hit the crossroad to where I had to decide between what my parents wanted for me and what I wanted for myself, I ultimately chose me. And the moment I chose myself, I was left with an unpaved road ahead of me.

I didn't know where to begin when I moved to NYC - I just knew that I needed a change. I also realized that despite the turn of events that happened in my timeline, my life wasn't over. I felt I was given another chance, and I would be an idiot to not take it.

So I got here and I got right to working - as in working on finding out what I really wanted to do. I haven't had a real job, really, since Arieson was diagnosed with cancer. I had a writing job at Examiner.com while I was taking care of Arieson, but it wasn't your traditional 9-5 - I mainly did my work at night in front of a laptop in the corner of a tiny dark hospital room.

I had no idea what I was up against when I decided to live in New York. All I knew was that I wanted to work in fashion, because it's what I went to school for and it's all I knew (according to my resume.) I thought I had an advantage with the kind of experience I had back in San Francisco; I was one of the lucky ones to land a job in my industry before graduating college. I was wrong! Upon arrival, I spent months and months of countless attempts pumping out my resume to career sites with no response, going on interviews with companies with big names to get turned down and networking with people who I thought I could benefit from with no avail.

I eventually learned that the way to survive out here is: people. I think that knowing and surrounding yourself with the right people is the key to living in NYC. That may also be true of life in general. Everything that I'm learning right now is a result of me working on picking up the pieces from my former sheltered life in San Francisco. You can have your high salary dream job and your lavish apartment with a door man, but without friends, as much as there's a shit ton of people in this city, it's easy to feel ship wrecked and alone. I feel lucky to have met some really great people here along the way.

Furthermore I began to think that my biggest handicap as to why I found it so difficult for me to land a job, a real job, was my 3 year hiatus from the job industry. It's been 4 years since I graduated college, 2 years since my son's passing and a year and half since I moved to New York. Some people have it figured out by now, but not me. I spoke with my friend Kim recently about this, and he helped me realize that I am only 28. I have about a year and a half left to figure shit out so I have time. I was so focused on catching up from where I left off and feeling like I had close to no time to do so. I lost perception of time. This was the biggest burden I carried since moving here. Right now is the time to explore and really think about what I want out of my professional life. This is why I moved to New York.

Needless to say, I landed under the wing of New York based fashion casting director, Natalie Joos. Now I work with models for clients such as V Magazine, Yigal Azrouel and Paola Kudacki to name a few. How I ended up being in fashion casting would have to be another post. What my next plans are is another!

Life's always going to throw blows in your face. How you choose to deal with them is up to you. I can't tell you how tough it's been for me emotionally to get my feet back on the ground. I may be making the necessary steps to become better, but I am still a work in progress. The only way from here is up.

xoxo

Instadiary: March 2012

2012-04-02T16:36:00.006-04:00

This was taken at the photobooth inside Glasslands. Every month our friend Saba throws a [Winter] Boo Scramble party where the DJs play funky house until the sun comes up. It's always a great time, and Mike and I love going to support our homegirl.

This is my friend, Leilani. For the past four winters, her and her roommates have hosted Winter Soup Night at their Sunset Park apartment where friends will volunteer to make soup for the group.

This year was our first time attending, and it was the most heart warming gathering we've been to all season. Can't wait for next year.

Once in awhile you come across a good fortune when you decide to order Chinese take out.

Lazy Sundays

Woodside, Queens

Japanese lunch at Sunrise Mart

Both Mike and I have been meaning to check out Maharlika's happy hour for the longest time, and we finally had the chance to sit at the bar, munch on some appetizers and of course drink their delicious cocktails.

Netflix decided to rid me of my social life by having Saved By The Bell on instant streaming.

I've always been a Pizza Hut girl, but when our friends Derreck and Vanessa suggested we try out Domino's since they re-branded, I'm totally a Domino's girl now.

This is Stephen. I was introduced to him when I literally had an hour to cast an ethnic male for a shoot for SALT when some talent flaked the last minute. And that's Mads, the art director, assisting the videographer.

Not only are the bao's amazingly delicious at Bao House in the East Village, but their apple soda is definitely one to try.

As part of Mike's birthday celebration, we stopped by Barcade after brunch to continue the party before the Mad Men premier.

You can't ignore these moments in Woodside, Queens.

We went to Le Poisson Rouge to see our friends Jack and Brook of J*DaVeY and Kharri Ferrari perform their New York show while on tour. We also got to meet Miss Jack's little lovebug, Baby Tripper!

We had a going away dinner at New Wonjo Restaurant for our friend, Ann who left New York for Dallas to start a new life with her love, Josh.

I convinced Mike to get me Metroid while he was shopping for some old games on our Wii.

Follow me on Instagram!

xoxo

Instadiary: February 2012

2012-03-05T15:52:00.000-05:00

I was killing some time in Williamsburg with my friends Louise and Sam before Mike's show at Public Assembly, and before we headed to the venue we stopped by Crif Dogs near their apartment so that I could try their famous hot dogs for the first time. I decided to try their Jon-Jon Deragon (bacon wrapped dog with a schmear of cream cheese, scallions & everything bagel seeds) - per Sam's recommendation - and to my avail was of course AMAZING!

This is Chuck, a good friend of Mike's from San Francisco. He travels very often for work, and whenever he's in town (which is very often!) we always make the time to hang out with this dude.

Caviar Moet @ Winter Boo Scramble

Our friends Chaz and Shannon came by our apartment to take some portraits of Mike and I for his blog. While Chaz was shooting Mike I noticed Shannon bent down looking out our window, and I just had to take a photo of how cute she looked.

I'm not a big fan of beer, but it makes so much sense to drink some during Super Bowl.

Mike's beer of choice during Super Bowl

When I saw my hairstylist, the first thing I said to him was "I want Tilda!"

5 Pointz on my daily commute into Manhattan.

Sam invited us to a presentation she worked on during NYFW for Unearthen.

I've been temping at a branding agency, and I made sure to share some important things to me while I've been here. This is Mike's album on LA Hall's desk. :)

I finally had the chance to catch up and meet with my friend Drew! We met while working together at AGENCY Model Management, and we've been friends since.

It's important to continue to go on dates with your significant other - get dressed up, have a nice intimate conversation over good food and drinks and enjoy each other's company. This was one of those nights. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants in NYC, Tre.

I met up with my friend Josh for some happy hour drinks at another one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, Florencia 13 (authentic LA-style Mexican food!). Mike met up with us shortly. Once he came, the bartender recognized him and offered to let us try some tequila served in this cool looking skull shot glass.

For the 6th year in a row, our friends at Rare Form have successfully produced Donuts Are Forever, a tribute event filled with a night of Dilla joints and good vibes. I felt so lucky to have had the opportunity to attend this event - we were there with all our friends including hosts Tanya Morgan in our private bowling lane, eating Blue Ribbon and listening to the best Dilla mixes from some of our favorite DJ's including Prince Paul and Neil Armstrong. The best part of the night - I met Onra!! I was feeling real good that I awkwardly asked my boyfriend to take a photo of me. ;)

Hosts of the night Tanya Morgan and DJ Neil Armstrong on stage @ Brooklyn Bowl

Thanks to our friend Leonard, we were able to catch the Knicks-Hawks game at MSG - my first time watching a Knicks game and my first time at MSG.

Jeremy Lin/Spike Lee/Brooklyn poster designed by Deephunk

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
These are my favorite!

Follow me on Instagram!

xoxo

The world is yours

2012-02-20T18:12:00.002-05:00

(via sfgirlbybay)

I've held on to this quote for such a long time, long before I even moved to New York. I thought this quote would be a very appropriate thing to post upon my arrival, but its meaning didn't hold as much weight as it has since recently. I thought that things would change for me as instantly as a light switch when I decided to move to New York. I was more than ready to leave my friends and family at home and start a new life, a life that I wanted to make my own. I almost was desperate to move on from my past, and start over. Now that I've been here for a little over a year, I now realize that as ready as my mind was, my heart needed more time to heal. I am slowly realizing that things can be as good as you allow them to be, and vice versa.

It's funny how things come once you let go.

xoxo

Things I want for no reason

2012-02-14T18:04:00.000-05:00

So it's Valentine's Day, and I recently realized that since moving to New York I haven't had a chance to do any real shopping for myself. That's right. I haven't shopped in over a year. Sure, I'd buy pieces of clothing to help me get through summer and winter, but truthfully my wardrobe hasn't had a major dent in it since I gave birth. This is another wardrobe tragedy story that I'll get back to eventually.

Being broke and living in New York has trained me to avoid both retail and online stores so I wouldn't be tempted to just "charge it." Now that I'm making money, I'm slowly getting back into my retail groove. Just recently I started missing that thing us girls call retail therapy that I started online window shopping, and came across these cute unnecessary finds:

Ninja Pirate Bunny! Pin / $10

Robot Ballerina Necklace / $3

Polka Dot Tape / $10

Love & Beauty Blotting Papers / $4

Po-om-po Strawberry Mini Envelopes / $4

Banana Coin Purse / $6

Batman Mimobot USB Flash Drive / $36

Creative Outlet Stickers / $5

MikeAnDrea by Chaz Cruz

2012-02-07T14:48:00.005-05:00

This past weekend our friend Chaz came by our apartment in Queens to take some press photos of Mike, which naturally, since the location was inside our apartment decided to take some quick snaps of both Mike and I as well. I've always admired Chaz's work, and I was so thrilled that he wanted to shoot us!

Take a peek:

I told Chaz not to, but he insisted in capturing me cutting my nails.

Then he asked me to sit in our laundry cart...

Shooting the shooter (with Shannon in the back!)

I think Shannon said something dirty!

Mike with his first EP and first LP

xoxo

Instadiary: January 2012

2012-02-06T17:57:00.002-05:00

Mike and I had dinner at The Cottage (which btw has the best cold sesame noodles), and this was the fortune that was nested inside my fortune cookie. I thought it was a great message to receive in the beginning of a new year.

Among the very thoughtful gifts I received on my birthday, I thought this was the cutest: a S'more by Blake Lively to Oxfam cupcake from Sprinkles. Thanks Lauren!

I was super lucky this year - I experienced good weather on my birthday! Being a winter kid, my birthdays have always been gloomy and cold. It was nice to have a change for once. It was so beautiful out that Mike and I headed out for a walk around the neighborhood, this time without our coats on a winter weekend in NYC.

I stepped outside my apartment, looked up, and this is what I saw.
I love Queens.

We invited our firsts guests over to our new apartment, one of my favorite couples: Kim & Dana. We had just purchased a couch and an entertainment set, even though we had no TV! We ordered in from UFC (one of the best Korean fried chicken places in Queens), gathered around our pseudo coffee/dining table and spent the rest of the night talking and laughing.

We visited one of Mike's co-workers, Rita who's from the Bay Area and now lives up in Harlem. As a thank you for trekking all the way up to her 'hood, she treated us to brunch at Cascabel. A good Mexican spot in NYC?! Me gusta.

Derreck and Vanessa met us for dinner at SriPraPhai, unarguably the best Thai restaurant in NYC - and it's right down the street from our apartment! Putting these two together was like watching a comedy show for Vanessa and I. Great food and great laughs - never a bad idea!

A January winter evening in NYC

First snowfall of the year, right outside my window

What better weekend to be at home sick, on the first snow day of the year.
I always get sick after my birthday. :(

Grape-flavored rolling paper

Mike Baker the Bike Maker signing autographs after a show

#MikePlaysItCool

My friends Yoshi and Chico recently moved to a new apartment in Williamsburg, and they invited some of us girls to come by for a sushi and Love & Basketball night. It's always hella fun hanging with the girls.

Thanks Sandy for teaching me how to make a super fancy roll!

Follow me on Instagram!

xoxo

Bean Pole Campaign // Spring/Summer 2012

2012-02-01T14:27:00.004-05:00

This was my first project working with an international client, Bean Pole, a fashion brand based in South Korea. The biggest challenge was being compliant with both New York and South Korea business hours, since they wanted to cast talent based in New York. Needless to say, I pretty much worked the moment I woke up from bed to the moment I pretty much fell asleep. I loved it, though. And Bean Pole seems like a very cool brand!

Julia Frakes

Coco Young

Delfine Bafort

Tracy Antonopolous

(via beanpoleblog)

Fashion Editor/Stylist Vanessa Traina
Makeup Artist Pep Gay
Casting Director Natalie Joos
Photographer Maciek Kobielski

V Magazine // January 2012

2012-01-15T17:53:00.002-05:00

Check out my first credited casting! Let me just say for the record that I had no input whatsoever regarding the creative direction of this shoot, and that my thoughts on hip-hop do not reflect this editorial. My models looks AWESOME though! :)

(via vmagazine)

30 Day Challenge: Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality

2012-01-12T16:46:00.001-05:00

DAY 15

It's super appropriate that I left off on this day's challenge since my birthday just passed. Last Friday in the office one of my co-workers asked me what people usually said about Capricorns. I told her that the most common thing I hear is that we are "passionate, hard workers." So naturally she asked if I thought that was true. I told her that yes of course I thought it was true! Although I don't follow horoscopes much (unless it's mine), most of the things I read - mostly in fashion magazines - seem to deem true. But I think they're measured to make you believe that it coincides with your life.

Here's a snap of my horoscope from last month (Harper's Bazaar):

You draw attention in early December, despite your desire to keep a low profile. The holidays welcome serenity and amorous realizations. Make a New Year's resolution to trust your intuition around lovers. Use your extra charisma, but take work seriously.

I don't take these things too seriously, but if I read something encouraging related to "my sign" I always take those words into account. Great advice though, don't you think?

xoxo

Looking backwards

2012-01-04T20:06:00.006-05:00

(via weheartit)

So I had this idea a few nights ago, while brainstorming ways to get back into blogging, that I start blogging backwards.

Let me explain.

I had mentioned before how I have so many photos that I wanted to show you all - and that's what I've mainly used this blog for: telling stories through photos! Doing that has helped me cope and understand the root of myself, and thankfully some of you enjoy reading. :) So when I say I that I have this idea to blog backwards, it means that I blog back on the last year starting from December to January. I've royally left this blog to collect so much dust, and I want to give it the love and care that I used to. Things finally seem to be settling pretty well for me here in NY, and I really want to get back into to writing. Hope I'll see you soon.

xoxo

2011 round-up

2011-12-31T19:29:00.023-05:00

Hi darling friends!

It's New Year's Eve, the apartment is cleaned up and Mike and I are now sitting in our pretty little living room on our pretty little couch, listening to music and waiting for the clock to strike midnight with some neat glasses of Buffalo Trace. As I sit in our new apartment next to the man of my dreams on this very day, I can't help but think back on the year I've had that is 2011. Life is good - at least as good as you make it to be. I know I haven't updated you all much on my where abouts and what abouts, but I promise I will be better in updating this dear blog of mine! (Hi Dad! I promise I'll write more.) For those of you that follow me: I'm sorry for letting this blog go stale! This year has definitely been a year of self realization, self discovery and self recovery. Those that follow me on Facebook and Twitter have a bit of a feel for what's been going on, but in case you don't I'm gonna do my best to get you all up to date in this post.

I rang in 2011 with my love, here in Queens, New York. He was in town up until my birthday (January 6), while still living in Alameda, California so yes, I was in a long distance relationship! February was when I decided to temporarily move back to California until April, when Mike decided to move in with me to New York. This was definitely my biggest highlight of this year. I can't even decipher how prominent this moment was. No more long distance, no more back and forth flights to California, no more empty pockets! Mike moving to New York was a sure sign that this man was the real deal, straight up. And to make matters better, both him and I flew back to New York together on Arieson's [would-be] 4th birthday. What a symbolic way to start a journey together. :)

Mike moving in with me meant that I was finally able to live in New York full-time. I got myself an internship at a modeling agency, and was quickly brought on as a booker. After a few months, I realized that I wasn't in fact a saleswoman so I decided to get into casting, which was the other side of the modeling business. By the help of a colleague, I landed an internship with the lovely Natalie Joos, became her assistant and now I am a casting assistant under her name. I am insanely satisfied with where I'm at career wise, to say the least. I've gained a great relationship with Natalie, and I plan to keep that relationship fruitful for years to come. She's a rad chick. I feel very blessed to be working alongside such a profound figure in the fashion world.

In June, my grandmother passed away, on the exact same day my darling Arieson passed away. It was such a heavy moment - I got the call 5am my time, which was 2am California time, minutes before I was about to board a plane to California to visit my son's grave. I kept it together on my 5 hour flight alone until I was back in NYC for a couple of days to process my feelings. I got to see my mom in California (she lives in the Philippines now), and she was probably the reason why I was able to keep my cool. But once I was back in NYC after that short weekend, I broke down. Badly. The next week I was on another flight back to California, only to make it in time for my grandmother's viewing, then to say my final goodbyes at her funeral, where she was to be buried next to my cousin (who would have been 28 this year) and my grandfather, who passed away when I was pregnant with Arieson. I took a first class flight to LA, thanks to Mike's mom, and a coach flight to SF. June was a heavy, heavy month for me. I wouldn't have survived it without my Mike. Man...

In July, I decided to chop my hair off; partly because of the intense summer heat of New York but mostly to liberate myself from all the hardships I've been through so far. When Arieson passed away, I wanted to chop my hair off, but everyone around me kept telling me how irrational and reactionary I was being. I listened, and kept my locks. I finally gained the courage to just fucking do it. I donated my butt-length hair to Locks of Love, and never looked back. I love my boy cut, and I don't think I'll ever have long hair again. Well...we will see. ;)

Dude, Hurricane Irene. Although it was downgraded to Tropical Storm Irene toward the tail end of its course, it was an experience I will never forget. In California, we don't get hurricanes; we get earthquakes! Preparing for a natural disaster like this for the first time away from family was a bit nerve racking. All the while, I'm glad Mike was by my side through the mind fuck. Here was the result of the "disaster":

New York City was super lucky to have dodged this one. Prayers and positive thoughts to the families who endured the brunt of the hurricane.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Mike and I lived in Harlem for a month?! We were pretty much forced out of the establishment we were living at at the time with a "friend" in October. The timing was the absolute worst because both Mike and I were both working New York Fashion Week in September, among other things, not to mention I was still only an intern at the time, leaving us hardly any financial means to actually move. Considering how desperate we got, we ended up in a cockroach infested slum lord apartment on 138th and Broadway for the month of October. It's safe to say that this was my worst month in New York so far. The building had an energy that so very easily sucked the life out of me, not to mention the one day of snow we had in the middle of Fall. What a mind fuck. I could have easily caved in and lost my mind, but instead I chose to keep on the path and lo and behold, got us a sweet ass spot in our beloved Woodside, Queens in the building we've been gawking over since moving to Woodside. Although it was a shitty (and I mean shitty) month, I don't think I would have been as thankful as I am now to be living such blessed life in New York City.

So now Mike and I are happily residing in a one bedroom apartment in Queens, with the help of a dear friend Sophia Chang (thanks, girl!) We are still building our little space (buying furniture, kitchen appliances, etc.) but once we are completely settled, I'd love to show you all our home. Oh, I also landed a temp gig at a branding agency. Come end of January - I hope to land a full-time position at this company, while freelancing for Natalie Joos. Mama needs health insurance!

The year was full of SO MANY ups and downs it was almost bi-polar, but it only makes me stronger, and able to deal with stressful situations in a more constructive way. I can only hope that 2012 treats me just as well. Regardless, I know now how to deal with the speed bumps. I just gotta keep hustlin' and networking while staying positive. Positivity is key! I've met so many great people here in New York. I've also met some lame folks, and have discovered how ignorant people you've even known for awhile can be, but I can give a fuck about them. As long as I'm moving forward without those negative people, I'm all good.

Ok, this bourbon-whiskey blend is taking over me, so I best go now. Dad, you'd be proud (hi!). I hope you all come back soon to visit and read up on what's going on with me. Btw, if you do read my blog please don't be shy and let me know that you are reading! I love to meet new readers, and I would love to talk to YOU!

Here's to a wonderful and prosperous 2012. Fuck the bullshit - let's do this!!

xoxo

P.S.
I haven't forgotten about my 30 day challenge! It will commence once again soon enough.