Lo's Closet

Jaipur: The Pink City

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 05:18:00 +0000

What happens when one of your best friends tells you that they are going to a small weekend trip in one beautiful old city and asks if you want to come along? You just go!

Hey guys, I know it's been a long time. Instagram has been keeping me so busy lately, plus work so I don't have enough time to blog these days. But I assure you, when I write something here, its going to be worth your time.

So yeah, one spontaneous afternoon, we decided to book a trip to Jaipur and few weeks later, I drove from Abu Dhabi to Dubai straight after work. Hanged out at an airport hotel, left and walked around the airport feeling like a zombie for the lack of sleep and at 3AM, we flew to Jaipur.

We checked-in, in the beautiful JW Marriott Jaipur resort hotel, where you are welcomed by their very friendly staff (btw, this is not a collab). Although they are extremely attentive, we still had a lovely stay overall. Plus the room is so lovely especially the outdoor area of the room.

Albert Hall Museum

Let's get cracking! We came really prepared and made a list of interesting places we wanted to see. You won't read much about the history of the places we visited here sorry because if I do, this will become a loooong blogpost, you can go read more in Wikipedia. I'll be sharing instead more about my Jaipur experience.

We freshened up, changed clothes and at 12:30PM and we were ready to go.

After discussing where we wanted to go with the driver, I started to set my expectations low on how many places we will be able to visit cause we left a little bit late and the sun will set at 6PM. But I was still optimistic that this day will be amazing and yes, it was!

Going to our first destination felt like a very long drive, although my eyes were met by extremely vibrant pink houses and buildings in the main roads and streets of Jaipur. Aside from that, there were animals walking along the roads like cows, goats and get this camels and elephants! I never thought I would see elephants just casually walking in the roads!

One more thing I've noticed is how people drive. The rumours are are true, there are indeed a lot of crazy drivers in India, waaaay crazier than the ones in Dubai, and oh they will never stop honking. But that didn't ruin my trip, as long as we are safe, I'm good.

First destination was the Albert Hall Museum. This place is covered with hundreds of pigeons! Apparently, the locals believe that pigeons are symbols of good luck which was also a good sign for us. The locals takes care of the pigeons not just in the outskirts of the museum, but all around Jaipur and maybe in India entirely as well. Did had a good time chasing the pigeons and we took some really amazing shots in front of the place.

After visiting the Albert Hall Museum, I felt pumped and really ready to take the rest of the day on!

Patrika Gate, Jawahar Circle Garden

Next is the Patrika Gate at the Jawahar Circle Garden. This is the pinnacle I would say of all Jaipur photos you'll see on Instagram.

The colours are amazing, the design and the architecture of the place is outstanding. I spent a good time not only taking photos there but also had a good look on the artistry of this place. What I find most interesting about this place is that its just a gate! Wished we could have gone inside to see more of the garden but we had to head on.

City Palace

Jaipur btw has a lot of old palaces around. The water palace was a breath taking site however we were not able to go in because one, it's in the middle of a lake, two, I believe it has a "not royal no entry" type of policy.

We did go to Jaipur's City Palace were the incredible blue room is. You have to pay 3000 rupees to get in to this place if you are a tourist (AED149/ $40) which comes with refreshments. The place is HUGE! You need half a day to get around this place and learn more about it. We had to be really quick cause we had 3 more places to visit, so as much I wanted to stay (you guys know I love history and old places) we had to go.

Hawa Mahal

Just around the corner of the City Palace is the "Palace of the Winds" or Hawa Mahal. It's located in the middle of what I believe was the city center with hundreds of shops around and cars and people passing by.

Quick tip, there are restaurants and cafes in front of Hawa Mahal were you can take photos in front of the place without being bothered by people passing by.

Panna Meena ka kund

This time we were really on the run. We went straight to Panna Meena for a quick photo detour. This place felt like something you would go on a Uncharted or Tomb Raider adventure. Thing is there are guards in area so unfortunately, you can't go further down.

Nahargarh Fort

Lastly we went to the Nahargarh Fort just before the sun sets. We weren't able to spend so much time in the place as it about to get dark but it looked like India's own version of the Great Wall of China. Wished we could have seen more, but with the little time that we had, we had to go back to the hotel.

We got back in the hotel so tired and we all slept like rocks. Next day, we just packed and hanged out in the hotel and flew back home in the afternoon.

To sum it all up, Jaipur is a wonderful and exciting place to visit! What I loved about Jaipur is that you can visit a ton of places even if it was just a day. Each destination we visited were probably around 15-20 mins away from each other. Was successful trip for me and I wish I could have seen more. Will I go back? Definitely! Hopefully next time it would be longer.

I cant wait to do more exciting adventures soon! Where do you guys suggest I should go next?

Want to see more of my Jaipur Trip? Watch my #InstaVlog videos now!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

What Have I Been Up To

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 14:19:00 +0000

So SOOOOO sorry! I've been a very and lousy blogger lately. I was dead silent for 2 months on my blog to focus on other things so now I'm filling you guys in on what happened during the months I was not around in my blog.

First of all, hear me out.

I want to be honest, I just really had no time to blog because of work.

I'm also currently doing extra stuff during my days off (which I cannot talk about for now and will probably be the last time I'll talk about it on this blog until I'm comfortable to do so) so I took time to focus on it and get used to it.

This also led me to decide to post less now on Instagram so I get to enjoy more down and unplugged time and to lessen the stress of not having any content to post which usually leads to uploading photos I am not so really happy about. I also used to wait until I finish blogging first before I publish new content on Instagram which I also found stressful so this time I've decided to switch it around.

If you follow me on Instagram, you definitely would know what I have been up to lately. But if you want to know more, here's a recap of all the things that kept me busy:

D E S E R T O B S S E S S I O N

When summer reached UAE I became so obsessed with glamping and anything that involves the desert. Luckily Daniel Wellington was probably like "this guy needs a glamping adventure" so they invited me along with other UAE bloggers to have a full Dubai Platinum Heritage experience riding vintage Land Rovers, overnight camping and the highlight of the trip, riding a hot air balloon!

This is probably one of the most memorable Dubai experience I've had this year and I was so glad I was able to experience it.

On a separate trip, this time we explored the sand dunes in Abu Dhabi. We woke up at 5:30AM and drove to this hidden gem. I never thought that I would be able to see such a majestic natural rock formation hiding in the outskirts of the city.

It wasn't really hard to find and we had a very funny experience that happened right after the shoot. Want to know what happened? Watch it all here.

M A N I L A A N D B A N G K O K A D V E N T U R E

Last month I gave myself a birthday present and went back home to Manila to catch up with my college friends and to spend time with my best friend before she moves to USA.

Along with this trip I brought the newly launched Fujifilm XT100 which became so handy during this trip. It's so lightweight and I did not have a problem transitioning to it because it was so easy to use. Image quality is amazing and I was able to take fantastic shots with it not only during my trip in Manila but also in Bangkok.

Before we head on to my Bangkok trip, I took a short excursion to one of my most favourite places in my home city. Intramurous I believe is one of those underrated places in Manila. This is a place where you can truly experience old Manila.

A wonderful place to explore which would make you feel like you travelled back in time. Its usually not touristic during weekdays and if there's no protests or church events happening in the area. There are spots there where you can just sit under a tree and have a moment for yourself.

Continuing my dream to travel to different countries as many as I can, this time I went to Bangkok with my best friend. The rumours are true! The food is AMAZING! My first Bangkok trip was not about exploring Bangkok, it was more about eating the food everything my eyes could see.

I drank a lot of Thai milk tea, ate countless sticks of barbecue and other dishes that I didn't even bother to ask the name nor what's in it. I just put everything in my mouth, there was no single dish that I didn't like. I gained 5kg or more worth of happiness during this trip and I don't regret nor feel guilty about it.

Second highlight of my trip was all the shopping that we did. Everything in Bangkok was so cheap! From clothes to flatlay stuff I'll use for work, this city is the real deal in terms of of bargain shopping. We did most of our shopping mainly at the Chatuchak Market.

We did manage to do a little sight seeing at the Grand Palace, but damn it was so hot! We were sweating like pigs because of the heat. Overall though, it was interesting to discover a portion of Thailand's culture as we get to see the design and architecture of the palace and the main temple. Entrance is 500 Thai Baht which is in my opinion quite reasonable as a tourist.

This would definitely be not the first time I would travel in Thailand. There are still more sights to see. I'd probably go back next year but surely in a more mellow and forgiving weather.

Wanna see more of my MNL & BBK Trip? Head over to my IGTV channel and watch them all there!

O T H E R S

I'm still generally having a fun time especially with work. A lot of things have changed, and my drive to create more content not just with my own stuff but also for work has grown exponentially.

Oh and my style has changed! I am once again being influenced by South Korean fashion and now Thailand too because (you've guessed it) of my recent trip. I'm in the current lookout for SK and Thai fashion influences so if you know any male bloggers and influencers in these region do let me know on the comments section below.

Major things that changed? It's not that I'm lazy and I know I said that I will not stop blogging but I would probably be writing mostly if I want to and if I get some free time to do so. I'm majorly focusing all my creative input on Instagram especially now that I'm doing #InstaVlogs on both my stories and IGTV.

I do believe that vertical videos are the next thing and now that I'm more comfortable doing InstaVlogs, I would most likely won't do anymore video content on YouTube.

There you have it, short and sweet. I'm still here! Hope you guys are doing great too and see you on the next blogpost.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

D E S E R T O B S E S S I O N

M A N I L A A N D B A N G K O K A D V E N T U R E

O T H E R S

DISCLAIMER:

This blogpost is an unpaid collaboration with the mentioned brands above in return for my creative view, input and shared space in my blog and social media.

All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the developing company and/or its affiliates in any way.

My Creativity is Legitimate

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Thu, 31 May 2018 14:54:00 +0000

It's been almost 6 years. I had so many great memories and met so many good friends along the way...

I started doing this gig back when lookbook.nu was just starting to rise up its blogger game. It was fun and it felt like a great space to communicate with people around the world who loves to share their unique sense of style and creativity.

People weren't so concerned about the numbers, how much hypes, like or share they would get.

Money wasn't even part of the equation at that time.

I look back at these photos and I can't help myself but smile and think how far this journey have taken me. I wouldn't be where I am now without it and without this blog.

I'm usually not into drama. But this drama is something I couldn't just take my mind off.

It really hits hard and statements have been said to single out a group of people which I believe in Taylor Swift's words "...would like very much to be excluded from this narrative." It's unfair. I've been up a couple of nights now just thinking about it and honestly, I feel very attacked.

I am not a photo on Instagram that can just be filtered out. My creativity is legitimate and it has always been legitimate.

It feels fitting though that I am sharing all these throwback of my year 1 photos with you. You see, I started with nothing. Lo's Closet essentially started because I had nothing.

I can start with nothing and I can do it all over again. But I wouldn't sacrifice 6 long years of work and fond memories.

It breaks my heart to say this but this, but sadly this would be my goodbye... For now - to all the people I've worked with. Thank you for the outpouring support and a big BIG hug to all of you.

Will I say goodbye to blogging? Of course not. This has always been my outlet to continuously grow creatively so yes I'll stay. It's going to be a little bit though but growing up without a silver platter being served on top a gold and rhinestoned table and yet be able to produce content I'm proud of, I'm pretty sure I'll be okay.

Unfortunately, I'm only a mere human being and I couldn't change whats already been done. What I would do now is to start dusting myself off, get up, keep looking forward and hope for the best.

Always have fun!

Weekend Getaway at Dusit D2 Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 11 May 2018 13:37:00 +0000

A modern hotel with a fun and funky vibe and stylish restaurants serving amazing food. That's where Dusit D2 Dubai stands.

Last February we had our first bite of Dusit D2 Dubai getting to try their signature Thai restaurant, Wise Kwai. This time we decided to have the full D2 experience.

T H E H O T E L A N D T H E R O O M

Check-in was smooth and easy, we were given enough information with regards to our stay and the reception and concierge team were very kind and courteous.

We checked-in, in a D'Sire Suite, a one bedroom suite with its own living room, a dining area, walk-in closet and a huge bathroom with a separate shower and bath tub both equipped with rain shower heads. The view of the room was lovely facing Dubai's cityscape and the Sheikh Zayed Road.

My favourites in the room were the high speed complimentary WiFi, the comfortable bed and oh gosh I really love that the room had its own coffee machine! Really a great touch especially for someone like me who probably now has coffee flowing through his bloodstream.

Early-afternoon, we had a quick dip at the rooftop pool with a panoramic view of the city directly facing the Business Central Twin Towers (A Kazim Towers). The gym is also located at the same floor with enough equipments to keep your body moving and stay fit.

After a long day we opt to try Dusit D2's spa, D'Stress giving us a relaxing massage specifically designed to calm your mind and body and take your stress away.

The hotel is also conveniently situated just 5 mins walk away from the Metro Station and a convenience store and gasoline station located at the back of the hotel.

O S T R O

How do I even start? Ostro is a chic restaurant with interiors you'll definitely see in pintrest boards and surely would grace covers and pages of magazines. It serves traditional mediterranean cuisine with fresh ingredients and beautiful plating.

Seafood Puttanesca

The standouts for us were the Gamberos, Costa di Manzo steak, Gyros and the Seafood Puttanesca served with freshly made pasta!

Chocolate Basil Bomb and Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

The deserts were so decadent especially the Chocolate Basil Bomb which was served on a plate with a chocolate ball and warm caramel on the side. You pour in the caramel on top of the ball and a special surprise will come right out! (won't tell you what it is, you would have to go there to know what's inside hahaha)

Breakfast was also incredible with great choices. You can have your egg cooked the way you want it and they serve you fresh waffles which is always a plus for me.

Wether you're in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Ostro will surely impress you with beautiful interiors and flavourful dishes perfect for an intimate date or a group of your closest friends.

Thank you Dusit D2 Dubai for a fantastic weekend getaway experience! Book your stay now at https://www.dusit.com/dusitd2/dubai/

Now I'm ready for another busy weekend! Hope you guys are too!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Happy Hour at Level Lounge

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 05 May 2018 06:20:00 +0000

Looking for a great place to have a few drinks paired with great bites to enjoy with your friends? Crowne Plaza's Level Lounge recently just reopened and its looking really good!

📍L E V E L L O U N G E , C R O W N E P L A Z A A B U D H A B I

Level Lounge's new design is giving me that chic-patio look you see on those home makeover shows and magazines.

I love the colour scheme with all the whites and little touches of colours from the bar that lights up at night and all the cute and colourful pillows. The lounge is made up of glass including the ceiling so theres a lot of natural light coming in. It's enclosed so it's definitely great during summer but the wide glass doors could also be opened during the evening. The view is lovely too especially during the sunset.

Shirt: Pull & Bear

One amazing thing about Level Lounge is that they do happy hour daily from 5PM - 8PM! Not a lot of bars and lounges here offer the same so I suggest you guys go here at least once or twice before Ramadan starts. They also serve shisha too.

The food is great. I'm pretty sure they thought about food that would go well with any drinks and cocktails served in the bar so they brought in a great selection of dishes and small bites from different parts of the world. The menu has that "street food" feel to it which is basically the theme Level Lounge is going for. Our favourites were the Level Waffle and the Beef Ribs and Fries. Oh and make sure you also try their Signature Cocktail too!

Been so busy lately but I really can't wait to share with you guys a lot of exciting activities I've done during the past few weeks here in my blog!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Middle East Film and Comic Con 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 08:59:00 +0000

One afternoon at work, I was sitting on my desk waiting for time to pass by until I received a magical message in my e-mail that really made this year super special.

Shoes and bag: Call it Spring

I've been dreaming of this day to come and be invited in one of the big UAE events that really matters to me. The Middle East Film and Comic Con!

This year, I was chosen to be one of the MEFCC Insiders. I was able meet the big stars, hang out at the insiders lounge and had fun at the exhibitions.

From left: Ezra Miller (the Flash), Karl Urban and Kristian Narin

The exhibitions were great, my favourite was Netfix's Lost in Space. They gave us "space certificates" and made a replica of one of their sets featuring a huge white room and a conference table.

This year's line up of shops and exhibitors were also massive. A lot of the exhibits were giving free stuff away and some of the shops have really interesting things to buy. I got myself a Howl's Moving Castle art book at the Kinokuniya booth and other stuff from the Warner bros. booth.

One thing I really regret not doing was buying one of those mystery boxes. I was holing myself back thinking that oh maybe I sleep on it until the next day and when I decided to get one, they were all sold out. Next year hopefully I'll stop second guessing myself and would definitely get one.

The event was really organized, and really I had no complaints. I'm honestly so happy to be a part of the MEFCC Insider's team that until now, just writing about is still putting a smile on my face.

Wanna see more of my MEFCC experience? Check out my InstaVlog on my Instagram highlights at @locloset! There's more to see and I've slipped in a couple of other clips of what I did during that weekend.

Can't wait for another fun and exciting week! Hope you guys do too! What are your plans? Share them with me on the comments section below.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Brunch at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 15:11:00 +0000

A Michelin Star Brunch that is truly worthy of it's title.

📍H A K K A S A N A B U D H A B I , E M I R A T E S P A L A C E

Emirates Palace's Hakkasan is one of the 12 locations worldwide that offers a romantic Chinese themed ambiance and interiors and a recently opened terrace with a lovely view of Abu Dhabi's skyline.

From left: @thestylechoreo, @meceecee12, @jamesfeednow, @paulieeepocket, me, @krisondmove, @dotonherway, @thejimmyjammies, @joanfarillon

Offering a modern and world-class take in Cantonese cuisine, me along with the other Abu Dhabi based bloggers (with a special guest from UK, shout out to you @thejimmyjammies) had a chance to try its unique and elegant Friday Brunch.

Wagyu Beef Truffle Puff

To be honest I don't do Friday Brunch that much here in UAE and I've only tried a few of them. I'm not really a big eater so I don't usually go to buffets. Although, restaurants that does not offer buffet would usually have an extensive set menu that is just as great as any buffet restaurants here in UAE and one of them is Hakkasan.

The brunch will start you off with a lovely serving of Crab and sweetcorn supreme soup. You can also enjoy Peking duck with pancakes, baby cucumber and spring onions served to you in a live station by one of the chefs.

Peking Duck

Next course of the brunch will give you a plate of Golden Fried Soft Shell Crab and Red Chili that is very crispy and really flavourful.

Golden Fried Soft Shell Crab and Red Chili

An array of sumptous, exquisite and beautifully presented set of dumplings will be served next. My favorites were: Mushroom Dumpling, Crispy Prawn Dumpling with Foie Gras Sauce and the winner of it all, the Wagyu Beef Truffle Puff!

Crystal Wagyu Beef Dumpling

Oh gosh! I'm salivating just thinking about it. The Wagyu Beef Truffle Puff has this soft tender puff that is very delicate and beautiful. Once you put it inside your mouth, a burst full of flavours will envelop it and the minced Wagyu beef laced with truffle will slowly melt in you mouth. It's really a delightful and inventive dish which I suggest you go for as your last before the next course come in.

Steamed wild prawn with homemade chili sauce

A set of main courses will be served to you with jasmine rice. Two things to note are the mouth-watering Stir-fry Black Pepper Rib Eye and the Steamed Wild Prawn in Homemade Chili Sauce.

Dessert will be served to you afternoon tea style with decadent desserts that are prefect accompanied with a cup of tea or coffee.

Thank you so much Hakkasan Abu Dhabi for hosting a memorable and delightful brunch. We all enjoyed it so much! The food was great and the service is top notch. Really worthy of a Michelin star!

Buffet Price: AED 314 per persoon inclusive of unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, soft drink and jasmine tea.

From 12PM - 4PM

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Chill Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 03:44:00 +0000

The weather has been so amazing these past few days, can it be like this forever? This was one of those weekends where I just sat in one of my favourite cafes and chill.

Everyone needs to spend alone time especially with introverts like me. Lately I've been so busy going around different places here in UAE, I forgot how important it is to have some alone time. It's funny how sometimes you take small and simple things for granted that when you take yourself away from it, it feels so satisfying to be able to do it again.

Bag: Herschel

Shoes: New Balance

For today's look, I seriously didn't think it through! haha! Since today is a "chill day", I just literally pulled out the first shirt and trousers I can find in my closet and didn't really care at all. I didn't even bother to fix my hair, which is why I'm wearing a cap today.

I brought a lot of stuff today so I decided to use my Herschel duffel bag to carry all my stuff such as my laptop, chargers, camera, etc. it's very spacious and I'm really loving the color.

Okay... I confess! I did do a couple of work today but it is something I'm really happy and excited to do! I just recently launched a new creative on my Instagram @locloset for my IG stories.

I call it InstaVlogs! They're short videos of random things and adventures I have done and I put them all together to make short films. If you missed my InstaVlog, you can still watch them on my IG Highlights.

Going back, like I said I didn't really think through what I'm going to wear today but I made sure that I'm wearing the recently launched New Balance 574s just to give this look a little dash of style. This series is actually my favourite NB design out of all and I'm glad they have kept the classic look with the rounded tips. What I like about these shoes is that it's grey which can pretty much blend in to any casual outfit.

Do you like spending time alone? What do you do during your "chill time"? Let me know on the comments section below!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

The Coffee Club's New Creations

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 11:53:00 +0000

The Coffee Club, one of my favourite cafes in Abu Dhabi has recently launched new items in their menu that are not only tasty but also very healthy.

We've all been there. During the weekdays, some of us would undergo some sort of a diet and when the weekend comes, all breaks loose! lol!

Power Bowl

We tend to forget to eat healthy with all the awesome food promotions and brunches during the weekend. What's challenging is that most of the restaurants don't really offer a wide selection of healthy dishes when you're trying to loose some pounds and inches.

Salmon with Quinoa and Greens

That's where The Coffee Club comes in. Aside from serving you the best coffee concoctions, they now also serve a variety of healthy dishes that all look so good and does not lack in taste like other restaurants who also offers a "healthy menu."

Cheesy Quinoa Scrambled Egg

My favourites are: Cheesy Quinoa Scrambled Egg, Power Bowl and the Salmon with Quinoa and Greens - do not miss this dish! It's cooked perfectly and goes really well with the quinoa and greens that are coated with a well balanced and seasoned dressing.

Do also take time to reward yourself though! A slice of cake and an Ice Cappuccino (especially now that the weather is starting to warm up) is the perfect treat after a week of hard work - just make sure you don't over do it and get back in the gym right after.

BTW, I am also happy to announce that I am chosen as one of the Social Media Insiders for the Middle East Film & Comic Con!

I am currently doing an amazing MEFCC giveaway!

One of you – my awesome superfans – have a chance to become an MEFCC Superfan too!

What does this mean? It means you become the ultimate MEFCC fan, with all-accesses passes, exclusive goodie bags, privileged info in advance, and more!

All you need to do is upload a video on Instagram and tag us @locloset and @mefcc telling us why:

• YOU are the ultimate MEFCC fan
• Why you’re coming to MEFCC this year
• Which celebrity you’re most excited to meet!

The winner will be announced 30th March, Friday on my IG stories! Good luck!

It's almost the end of another weekend! Was really busy but I'm ready to take on another challenging week.

Enjoy the rest of the day you guys. See you on the next blogpost!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

I'm no fashion guru

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:06:00 +0000

Here's the thing: I don't know anything about fashion. Wait! before you roll your eyes and close that tab, give me a chance to tell you why.

What I meant about not knowing anything about fashion is that I don't have a vast knowledge about the history, current fashion trends, what's in and what is not this season or the previous seasons etc.

I do love clothes and styling myself but I base it on what I think will look good on me and really care less on what brands I got them from. That's basically why I only wear RTW. I don't like the idea of being a slave for huge and expensive fashion brands knowing I can get the same look for a fraction of a price. The thought of buying a single pair of shoes for a price of $1000+ makes me uncomfortable. I'd rather buy a new game console, books or gadgets.

Although, I do love fashion and respect its history and evolution. I also recognise a couple of luxury brands and known designers while watching a few of their fashion shows on YouTube time to time. But, I would not be a reliable person to ask in terms of fashion related questions and references.

So what and who inspires me in terms of style? Pop culture, Instagramers, bloggers and basically anything that is Korean or Japanese. That's it. No couture, no avant-garde, kitsch and other fashion trends I don't know how to pronounce lol.

Lately I've come across people who use their fashion trivia, "tips" and expensive clothing thinking that they are high and mighty and they are better than anyone. These people sadly are the ones who dismiss their native roots and even their language while changing their accents that sounds very unnatural as a method to blend in thinking that they are cool.

I look at them and think how poor and sad their lives are because they base their judgement on people by checking what brands they wear and where they come from, calling out other people's style making sure to note how much more finesse or stylish they are.

One thing to note: Knowing all the latest fashion trends (or maybe pretending to) and owning a wardrobe of luxury items doesn't excuse you to be (sorry for the lack of words) an asshole. Your plodding knowledge of fashion may not excite someone who'd rather be interested in classical arts, literature, film, photography and other art forms.

You're probably wondering though "Oh what a hypocrite considering his blog is named Lo's Closet." Simply back track to my 1st blogpost and you'll know why I named my blog Lo's Closet.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

Who said these lovely and truthful words? Audrey Hepburn herself. She was not only a woman of class and style but she also had a selfless heart. She was a huge fashion icon and a humanitarian who worked and dedicated her time with UNICEF. Proof that you can both be beautiful inside and out as oppose to being a messenger of hate and insecurities. She is really someone I look up to and aspire to be as a person.

Moving on, I currently got this wonderful book entitled: Styling for Instagram by Leela Cyd. I'm trying to up my game in terms of creating more beautiful content on Instagram. Sure I can just go online and read 10 articles that almost tells you the same thing, but Ms. Cyd showed up for work and actually published a book that is solely focused on how you can improve your IG photos (none of the algorithm drama).

I've even tried to do a few shots myself. Wonder if Ms. Cyd would be proud?

Hope you guys have an amazing weekend and wish you all a wonderful and positive week ahead!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E:

P.S. Sorry, this week is a random collection of photos. Really don't know what to write about these images so I just decided to upload all the photos I've taken during the past 2 weeks and put them all together here on this blogpost.

Al Gusto Italiano - An Italian gem in the heart of the city

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 06:22:00 +0000

Al Gusto Italiano, a lovely Italian cafe serving traditional flavours and dishes from Italy.

📍A L G U S T O I T A L I A N O , E T I H A D T O W E R S M A L L

I'm a big Asian cuisine fan as you all know, but if I get a little tiered of Asian food I always go Italian next. Usually though, I'm too lazy to go up so I would grab my phone and order online.

I have been living in Abu Dhabi now for almost 6 years and I just realised that I have never really found an Italian restaurant in the city that I would actually want to go and dine in and when we discovered this little Italian gem at the Etihad Towers Mall, everything has changed. Finally I have a place I could call my to-go-to place when I really want authentic and "non fast food" type Italian dishes.

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana

Here's a quick and brief take on their food.

The Melanzane Alla Parmigina was wonderful! Its a seedless eggplant lasagne dish with parmesan and mozzarella. I loved the cheesiness of this dish, I was even able to convince @krisonthemove to go try it out noting that she don't like eating eggplant. The real surprise about this dish is that it really fools you into thinking that there is meat in it.

Italiano

Italiano is Al Gusto's take on a traditional Italian pizza. Its meaty and packed with lot of fresh topping and Italian flavours.

Frutti Di Mare

I love risottto! The thing is that it's really hard to find a good risotto in the city. Al Gusto's Frutti di Mare however is the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, I have found a perfectly cooked and well balanced risotto. Where have you been hiding?! I loved everything about this dish which was served with seafood and lemon. Oh gosh, just thinking about it makes my mouth water lol. Seriously though, if I'm craving for risotto this will be the dish I would come back to.

Other thing to note is that they served really lovely desserts and coffee is served with these cute atrsy cups designed by an Emirati artist named Maitha Hazza. They also served colored latte art! Will definitely try that out next time we come back.

If you live in the city and craving for Italian food, I really advise you stand up get a taxi or drive to Al Gusto Italiano located at Level P1, next to Waitrose, Etihad Towers. They are open Saturday to Thursday from 8AM to 10PM and Friday at 12PM to 10PM.

Have an awesome weekend!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Discovering 4 Emirates

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 06:07:00 +0000

Two weekends, four Emirates. I have become a tourist in the country that I'm living in and I'm so excited to share what I've discovered during my Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah - Ajman adventure.

A B U D H A B I

📍J A L B O O T A B U D H A B I

From left: Me, @paulieeepocket, @jorellariola, @thestylechoreo, @jamesfeednow, @joanfarillon

I went for another Jalboot ride this time with the Abu Dhabi squad.

I'm happy that they have added the Venetian Village in their new route. I've heard and read really good things about this place a few times but never really thought of going despite how near it is. It's a lovely, small Italian themed place with upscale restaurants and cafes located near Ritz Carlton. I'm super excited to go back and shoot

The best thing about this day was we get to hang out together and we had an amazing time time discovering Abu Dhabi in a different perspective thanks to Jaboot. Book your Jalboot trip now through their website: http://www.jalboot.ae/

From left: @joanfarillon, @paulieeepocket, me, @snapwithlloyd, @jamesfeednow, @thestylechoreo, @krisondmove

📍H A K K A S A N A B U D H A B I

Look at these good looking people! We had a lovely cocktail event at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi to highlight their recently opened terrace and celebrate Chinese New Year.

We had a few taste of the food in their menu along with fantastic drinks. I can't wait to go back and try their brunch soon!

For me though, the highlight of the night aside from the beautiful terrace is writing down my wishes for this year on a red paper and hanging it on their trees which is also part of the Chinese New Year tradition. Thank you Hakkasan for this really small but memorable experience and for the lovely cocktail night!

Photos by Hyku Desesto and Soul Trap Studio

S H A R J A H - A J M A N

📍S H A R J A H A R T D I S T R I C T & F A I R M O N T A J M A N

This is so far my favourite UAE adventure this year! Club Apparel, Herschel and Nautica have joined forces to tour us around Sharjah and Ajman.

I love discovering old places and architecture and when we went to the Sharjah art district, I was blown away! It's way better than Dubai's Spice and Gold Souk and Al Fahidi Fort in my honest opinion because, though they're both almost similar there are not a lot of people going around so you are free to take lots of photos while going around the area and truly having a moment to appreciate the culture and history of Sharjah.

Travelling is not complete without comfy set of clothes and a great bag to bring during your trip. I loved wearing the shirt I got Nautica with these cute flag prints that really fits my style adding in the shorts for a cool and fun combo. I opted for a smaller Herschel bag that can fit all my travel essentials, perfect for an excursion.

We ended the day visiting Fairmont Ajman, a beautiful hotel with a fantastic beachfront. Hopefully when summer comes we'd be able to go back and enjoy more of this beautiful hotel.

Do check out the photos below to see more of our Fairmont - Ajman trip.

D U B A I

📍G L A Z E D - M I A M I V I B E S

Speaking of Summer. You'll know when the season is about to change, huge pink pineapples will start to pop up! Lol! Dubai Food Fest has officially started which only means that new food creations and amazing food trucks will all come together in one place and one of those is Miami Vibes.

If you're the type of person who likes something sweet and salty, look no further and go to Glazed! UAE's own bustaurant. You will definitely enjoy the sinful yet delectable and mouthwatering doughnut burgers they offer in their menu.

Miami Vibes and Glazed are currently residing at City Walk Dubai at the Green Planet Parking. They will be the until the 25th of March and is open from Sunday to Wednesday at 12PM - 11PM and Thursday to Saturday at 12PM to 12AM.

In another fun and positive news.

I was already, truly satisfied being a part of this prestigious list last year and to be gracing its pages again, I am at awe.

Salamat po @illustradomagazine for making me a part of this year’s Illustrado Magazine 100 most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf.

I promise to continue spreading creative content, happiness, positivity and hopefully still keep you proud of the work that I do.

Congratulations to all the inspiring Filipinos that are part of the 100 and a big shout out to my fellow no. 97 the funny and bubbly @joycaasi, the dapper-man @thestylechoreo - following the other page are feed goals book-grammer @lookingforabura and flatlay master @thatguynamedpatrick

Stay positive and remember that if you're a person with a big following on social media or in your community who has a platform to inspire people or who aspire to be one, use your influence to spread empowering and uplifting messages, create meaningful friendships and always inspire people to do good.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

📍J A L B O O T A B U D H A B I

📍H A K K A S A N A B U D H A B I

📍S H A R J A H A R T D I S T R I C T & F A I R M O N T A J M A N

📍G L A Z E D - M I A M I B E A C H V I B E S

His and Hers Valentines Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:53:00 +0000

Here's a quick Valentines gift guide for those of you who still haven't decided yet what to give for that special someone.

1 . D A N I E L W E L L I N G T O N - F O R H I M

If you're living in Abu Dhabi, go visit Daniel Wellington's Pop-up store at Nation Towers and get 15% off on all your purchases at the store or on their website at www.danielwellington.com by using the discount code LOCLOSET. You'll also get a FREE, limited edition heart charm with any Daniel Wellington leather watches.

A post shared by Lo Pascual 👨🏻‍💻 (@locloset) on Feb 3, 2018 at 6:10am PST

Hurry! The DW Pop-up store will only be there until Sunday!

More gift ideas for that special man in your life? How about a classic pair of black leather shoes from Clarks or if he's a style savvy bookworm, he will surely love a copy of Vintage Menswear – A Collection from The Vintage Showroom By Josh Sims, Roy Luckett and Douglas Gunn.

2 . C H A R M S D A Y - F O R H E R

Now, are you a guy who's looking for a memorable gift that your special girl will truly cherish? Make Charmsday your canvas. Craft your love story and fill her bracelet with lovely little charms that would not only remind her of you but also the memories you have shared together.

It's also a great gift for your mom this coming mother's day or your sister for her birthday. The possibilities are endless.

Go to https://www.charmsday.com/ and shop now or go give her a Holly Golightly moment! Take her to any Liali stores across UAE and let her choose her favourite charms.

3 . T H E C A P I T A L G R I L L - F O R H I M & H E R

How about a romantic dinner? Abu Dhabi's favourite steakhouse, The Capital Grill located at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi is the best place to be.

The restaurant will be presenting a Romeo and Juliet themed dinner in 5 Acts (course) in a beautiful and intimate setting. The food is amazing serving you the best premium steaks from US, Australia and Ireland. It'll be a romantic culinary journey from starters to desserts.

The 5-course set menu is priced at AED250+++ which includes a glass of champagne and a rose for the ladies.

For bookings, you may email reservations.table@dusit.com or call 02 698 8137.

Wishing you guys have the sweetest Valentines celebration!

Always have fun!

Be a Star at Wise Kwai

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 06:53:00 +0000

Turn back time and feel like movie star back in the 60's or 70's while you enjoy the bursting flavours and modern take on Thai Street Food.

📍 W I S E K W A I - D 2 K E N Z D U B A I , B A R S H A H E I G H T S

Wise Kwai is definitely one of Dubai's hidden gems. Enter its door and you'll be welcomed with a lovely and quaint interior inspired by the old and glamorous Thai movie era, accompanied by wonderful smiles serving you food that would take you to the streets of Thailand.

Yum Woosen Talay - Spicy Seafood Salad

The staff headed by the restaurant manager Linn are warm and friendly and the dishes cooked by the Thai food master, Chef Jet is truly incredible and authentic.

Kang Keaw Wan - Thai Green Curry

The food gives you an explosion of Thai flavours with handpicked fresh ingredients served in colourful plates where you would really have to stop, take a moment and capture photos before diving your spoons in.

Kao Pad Tom Yum - Thai Fried Rice

I've been to a many Thai restaurants in Dubai and I'm really particular when it comes to Thai food noting that I have a lot of experience with this particular cuisine due to my work. I can surely say starting from this point that Wise Kwai deserves to be in the top.

Pla Nueng Manao - Steamed Fish with Lime & Chili

All the dishes were perfectly cooked and well-balanced. For starters we've had the Spicy Seafood Salad which is a mixture of fresh ingredients, Thai spices, glass noodles and shrimps. I'm the type of person who likes spicy food so having this dish as our starter made me want to taste the other dishes Wise Kwai has to offer.

Chef Jet - Wise Kwai Head Chef

While we were enjoying our starter dish, we asked Chef Jet to prepare for us one of his signature dishes and he presented us the Steamed Fish with Lime and Chili. I'm very picky when it comes to fish and I seldom eat one, but once the dish landed our table, it looked and smelled so good that I had to grab a bite and a few minutes after it's all gone. This dish has a nice blend of sour and spicy flavours while the fish is tender and melts smoothly in your mouth.

The other two dishes we've had were the Thai Green Curry and Thai Fried Rice. Both tasted great combined and individually.

From the left: Mango Sticky Rice, Homemade Coconut Ice Cream, Tab Tom Krob and Homemade Chili Ice Cream

For desserts we tried basically everything. My favourite was the Homemade Chili Ice Cream which was a fun surprise. It cleans your palette while giving you enough sweetness and has a nice spicy kick towards the end.

Nom Yen

TIP: They serve a couple of nice Thai milk tea in the menu, BUT you may ask them if they have something else that is not in their menu and they'll surprise you with a nice drink you'll surely love. (Shhh! It's a secret! 😉)

The atmosphere and the design of the place is absolutely amazing! I consider myself an old soul and seeing all the vintage decor in a modern setting is really delightful. I like all the little details they put in every corner. You'll notice that some of their couches actually came from old Thai cinemas that were repurposed and given a new life while the walls are decorated with old cameras and film cartridges.

Turtle Neck: Asos
Patch: Iconic
Chonis: H&M

For my Wise Kwai look, I was inspired by the restaurant's bold take on colours. I wore a bright green blazer and placed a thunderbolt pin patch (Iconic) on the collar to add a little bit of fun while underneath, I wore a turtle neck (Asos) with a darker shade of green.

For the bottoms I wore dark ankle length chinos (H&M) with thick golden linings on the side and teal shoes to add more contrast in colours, completing this look.

Have you been to Wise Kwai? Where is your favourite place to eat Thai food in Dubai? Let me know in the comments below.

Opening hours

Weekdays: Lunch Noon – 03:00 pm | Dinner 06:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Weekends (Friday – Saturday): Noon – 11:00 pm

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Another Day, Another Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 07:32:00 +0000

It's another fun weekend, which only means another adventure must begin!

📍 A L S E E F V I L L A G E

Last weekend I invited my friends to go to Al Seef Village. They were a little skeptic 'cause they have not heard about this place despite them living in Dubai. But I was able to convince them, they don't have a choice anyway 'cause I'm the one driving. lol!

A post shared by Lo Pascual 👨🏻‍💻 (@locloset) on Jan 22, 2018 at 7:22am PST

I think they did not expect that they would like it. I'm currently obsessed on location scouting and I plan carefully where to go. When we reached the place, we absolutely enjoyed it. Personally, I think I love Al Seef better than La Mer both developed by Meraas.

Shirt: Pull & Bear
Pins: Iconic
Tote Bag: YesStyle
Shoes: New Balance @ Athlete's Co

I'm wore a dark blue themed outfit starting with a button down shirt (Pull & Bear) and a white striped shirt underneath. I wanted to add details on this look so I went around the mall to buy some cool patches to sew in this shirt. I was really pleased to find cute ones in Iconic and what I love about these is that they're pins so you don't have to sew them on your clothes which I actually prefer cause if you don't like the placement of it, you can just unpin and place it somewhere else or even replace them with a different one.

I wore a nice pair of ankle length trousers and brought in a tote bag (YesStyle) with me. My favourite about this looks is definitely the shoes.

These New Balance 247's are really light and a great pair of shoes if you plan to do a long walk. They're very comfortable and I like the design and colors. Looks very modern and stylish.

Get the latest New Balance shoes in any Athlete's Co stores across UAE! They offer a wide collection of different brands and bags. Plenty of options to choose from and if you're a sneakerhead like me, you'll definitely have to visit.

I hope you guys enjoy your weekend! Either you go out and have fun or binge watch an entire season of your favuorite TV show, both I support.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Urban Explorer

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 07:36:00 +0000

I love urban explorers! Whenever I have time to kill or just want to have something playing in the background, I tend to play YouTube videos of Exploring with Josh.

I've always wanted to do some urban exploring and discover abandoned places on my own, but I've never had the courage to do it. Well not the extreme type, but I do enjoy scouting for cool locations around the city.

Shoes: Palladium

This look is inspired of course by Urban Explorers. I wore dark clothes underneath with a plain black shirt and skinny jeans. I layered in a thick buttoned shirt/jacket, I'm not sure what it is tbqh lol. I do know though that it fits perfectly with this weather. I've also added a couple of cute patches which I think went well with this look.

An urban explorer's outfit is not complete without a pair of shoes that is actually designed for exploring places. Palladium boots I would say is the perfect pair of boots for this type of activity. Not only does it look good but really these shoes are made for you to go out, discover and go shoot. I've always thought that these wont look good on me, but when I started to put them on my feet they looked good with the outfit and I find that walking on through rough floors and rocks is a breeze.

Here's a great deal for you aspiring Urban Explorers! Get from 30% to 70% discount on selected shoes and items on any UniQ stores around Dubai and Al Ain!

So what are you waiting for? It's the weekend! Don't just stay in bed all day. Go out and explore!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

My 12 Weeks Transformation + Getting Active with UniQ and Anta Sports

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 06:39:00 +0000

I've been working out for more than 10 years now. I've never been over or underweight but I've never had a shape. I've spent my money on years of gym memberships and supplements without a trainer. I got result but I did not progress further.

First of all, obviously I'm not a fitness blogger. I'm writing this blogpost to share with you my story so if you're looking for work-out tips and diet routines you wont see it here.

In addition, believe me when I say that I'm as clueless as anyone else when it comes to fitness and if you come to a point where you think this blogpost is too vain, self-serving, braggy etc. I promise to try not to, otherwise you are welcome to close that tab and move on to something more interesting.

Guys do have body issues too, we just deal with it differently. In my case I'm usually conscious when I go shirtless in beaches and resorts and rarely you will see me in photos shirtless.

Everyday I see ripped guys on Instagram and Facebook and I always ask myself when will I ever achieve that body. Sadly, I've never really had the urge to do something different. I kept my routines, I ate whatever the hell I wanted and there were weeks and up to a month where I neglected working out until some of my clothes started to not fit me which somehow alarmed me since I'm a style blogger.

One night, I had a chat with my friend online. He said he was doing this 12 weeks program and he showed me his results just halfway through his training. I was stunned! His body looked way better than mine considering I have been working out for more than 10 years.

It hit me, I'm not gonna lie I was super jealous of him and frustrated to myself as to why I haven't done anything to improve mine. So I asked him where he got this program and I said to myself, after my Bali trip I'm really gonna get serious and will sign up for it.

Weeks 1 - 6

When I started if you can see, my body looked like a potato. My arms were too big and were not parallel to my body, I have a beer belly while my face is very puffy.

It helped that this is not the first time for me to hit the gym. When I got the program I know how to do mostly all of the exercises. There were exercises though that were challenging and I almost gave up with. It's mortifying to note that I been of all the years I've been working out I couldn't do at least 3 pull ups and more than 5 dips. But my coach said that I should push it and eventually my body will adapt and I'd be able to do more reps and finish all the sets.

The most challenging part of the program was the food! Aside from the diet, I had to get used to precisely measuring each serving of my meals and prepare meals that could last for at least 3-5 days. I am glad however that I had someone to help me prep my meals. Eventually I started to get used to it and there were days that I was excited to meal prep.

Weeks 7 -12

I had a few bumps as I progressed. I started this program during the first week of October where the busy season just started I even got the flu so I had to pause for at least a week.

There were all sorts of invites to events and restaurants that I had to turn down because of this program not to mention some outings with my friends. When I reached Week 8, the holidays were coming! That's when I realised that I didn't planned this well in terms of the timing so during Christmas and New Year I really struggled plus the stress at work where there were days that I had to drag myself to go to the gym.

Somehow, despite the challenges I managed to still push and looking back now to week 1, I did achieve noticeable changes in my body. By the end of the program I lost 6-7kgs, my arms started to look proportioned with my body, I started to get definition in my abdominals and my face started to shrink.

Side note: I apologize for not using a better camera for my transformation pictures.

Final day

I'm really happy about the results, though I know I still have a few fats to burn. I'm really bad on committing to New Year resolutions, but this I think I would really want to stick with. So I'm planning to do another round after resting for a couple of weeks (don't worry! I promise not to be naughty, I'm still gonna work out and eat clean I just need a short break haha!).

These are the things I've learned and the small achievements I have gained along the way:

I started recording how much weights I have been carrying. I've always read (and used to neglect) that it would help me motivate myself to pick up heavier weights.
As said before I struggled with pull-ups and dips. Now I can do at least 6 pull-ups and 15 dips per set. It's not a lot but I'm confident that I can do more next time. My goal is to be able to do 10 pull-ups and 20 dips by the end of the next program.
Saying "no" somehow empowered me. I felt really dedicated to finish the program.
I love HITT (High-Intensity Interval Training)! I look forward on HITTs after the weight lifting parts of my workout programs. I personally think that whenever i finish, I loose a significant amount of fats due to the dripping sweat I get whenever I finish HITT lol.
I used to hate body fitting fitness gear because I never looked good on those. Now I believe I have the body and confidence to wear them.

Speaking of sportswear, if you are like me who's currently and recently obsessing on sportswear ANTA is the perfect gear for you!

Functional and light, ANTA brings you the best sports gear for your active lifestyle. The fabric does not look and feel itchy. I'm quite sensitive in choosing the sports gear I get and the materials and fabric used by ANTA are really comfortable. There's a great deal of research that went behind it and the shoes are really good for running and my HITT workouts too!

They are very affordable and if you visit UniQ’s store along the Hamdan Shopping Street in Abu Dhabi, you should take advantage of their Buy 1 get 1 FREE promotion till the 17th of January!

I would like to thank my friend Dean for inspiring me to do this program and to Coach Layne of milestonestrength.com for helping me achieve this goal.

Are you also planning a change in your lifestyle this year? Would love to know your thoughts!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Fun Day at the Jalboot Water Park

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 06:55:00 +0000

So you've been to the Louvre Abu Dhabi a few times and thinking if only there's a place where you can enjoy the view of the museum that's not too far away while doing something fun. Well my friends the Jalboot Water Park at The Dock certainly put the cherry on top!

📍 J A L B O O T W A T E R P A R K , T H E D O C K

Exactly a year ago I did a collaboration with Jalboot. I was so excited when I received a message that they have new activities near the Louvre Abu Dhabi. I got so curious so of course I said yes!

Jalboot Water Park is located at The Dock Cultural District where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of not just the Louvre Abu Dhabi but also the city. They offer fun water activities such as the Jalboot Donut Boats, Paddleboat and even Kayaking.

It is open from 3PM to 10PM and prices will vary depending on what type of ride you are interested in. The weather is amazing and I'm sure you and your family would really enjoy it. This is also a perfect idea for a romantic date with someone especially if you time it right. The sunset is really beautiful and I suggest you wait until it gets dark as Louvre Abu Dhabi light up like a lantern at night.

After your enjoying your ride, I suggest you stay in a bit more for a cup of coffee or dine at The Dock as there are food trucks and a pop up cafe in the area. All of this just a few minutes walk away from the museum.

Coat: Forever 21

Shoes: Nike

Today's look I am wearing an bright orange coat (F21), layered with a nice comfy sweater. A plain dark ankle trousers for the bottom and a cooL pair of shoes (Nike) I have always been wanting to wear but couldn't find the perfect outfit for it until today.

This look is loosely based on Gorgie's Denbrough's look in the movie It (which explains the balloons hahaha!). I was watching It on New Year's Day and I really got drawn on Gorgie's coat on how it popped up beautifully on the greys during his scenes. I believe his colors represents his innocence and joy and I wanted to convey that with this look but instead of yellow I chose orange to make this look somehow look a bit mature yet still keep the childlike feel to it.

It's only the first weekend of the year and I'm already too busy! Wish you guys have a more relaxing and happy weekend or maybe go out and enjoy today's weather. 😆

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Last Weekend of the Year + Ramen Adventure at Wokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 06:09:00 +0000

Excuse me if I could not find a creative title for this blogpost. lol! I've been so busy and I really just want to squeeze this in as my New Year's Day post.

Shoyu Udon Soup

📍 W O K Y O N O O D L E B A R , J L T

I have been waiting for a restaurant that specializes in Ramen to open in UAE for so long and finally here it is!

Wokyo is a "Noodle Bar" located in Jumeirah Lake Towers. It opened just in the right season cause now is the perfect time to sip a hearty and warm delicious bowl of ramen. The design of the place is really quaint and was meant to look like a traditional Ramen restaurant.

Our favourites are the Chicken Panko and Ebi Mayo for the sides, both perfectly cooked and crispy.

For our noodle bowl we had the Shoyu Udon Soup (I got the chicken and Kris had the salmon) as our main dish. I wanted a traditional Ramen to be honest but when I read that its Udon noodles I immediately switched to it. All the ingredients were great and I loved the smoky flavour of the chicken that was added in my bowl.

Matcha Aisu Kurimu

For dessert, I had the Matcha Aisu Kurimu. Don't hate me, but matcha is not really one of my favourite ice cream flavours. This one though was good! It had the right amount of sweetness and tea flavour.

Thai Milk Tea

They also have a variety of beverages, the one we really liked was the Thai Milk Tea. My friends also mentioned to try the lotus chips and fried rice on my next visit.

If you have already visited Wokyo and have tasted all the food in their menu, I'll give you a little secret: They will eventually have seasonal and limited edition Ramen so make sure you check up on them time to time. Prices of the food in the menu is very reasonable so really if you like ramen and Japanese food, you're in for a treat.

Hoodie: Forever 21

For today's look I wore this cool hoodie I got from Forever 21. I was difficult for me before to find nice clothes at F21, but this season they have a lot of great choices. I bought another jacket I'm really excited about. Wore a plain white sweater to keep me warmer, a nice trousers and cute sneakers.

After Wokyo we went straight to Rise DCH, for coffee. Still one my favourite places in Dubai.

2017 was a good year. I did had a couple of bumps but I still managed to stand up and dust myself off with conviction and poise.

The biggest highlight of this year was my trip alone in Bali. It was one of those moments in my life I would not forget and I was so happy that I was able to experience it. I've also met a lot of amazing people this year that I now consider as really close friends.

I'm really thankful and happy that I am able to still keep on doing what I love (It's been 5 fruitful years now that I have been blogging) and that I still wake up everyday enjoying every single moment of it.

For 2018 I look forward on travelling more, working out more and hopefully working with a ton of fun collaborations. I wish you all a fantastic and memorable 2018 and may we all find happiness, love and success along the way.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 04:41:00 +0000

Doing this short blogpost to greet you a Merry Christmas!

From me and Call it Spring - UAE, we would like to wish you a wonderful festive celebration to you and your loved ones! 🎅🏻

Shop now!: http://bit.ly/2iQWS95

Remember that the best gifts are not the ones that you receive, its the people that are around you. Cherish and love them cause really its not easy to find someone who can tolerate your crazy.

Again, I hope you all have a memorable time during this season and can't wait for the next following weeks for a HUGE announcement I'm very super proud to be a part of.

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

At The Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 04:42:00 +0000

Enjoyed reading my Holiday Gift Guide? Saw that photo of me holding a camera with a my Cabin Zero backpack and wondering where did I take that photo? Well then read more to this discover this Abu Dhabi gem!

📍 S H E I K H K H A L I F A F E S T I V A L , A L W A T H B A
Sweater: Pull & Bear
Bag: Cabin Zero

Last weekend we went to one of my favourite Abu Dhabi events, the Sheikh Khalifa Festival.

This festival is held in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan's legacy. It features a journey of different rich cultures and performances around the world and an immersive showcase of UAE's traditions, handicrafts and food.

There are different activities and exhibitions around the festival and so many things to see. Each group of buildings represents a continent or a country sharing with you pieces of their work and a glimpse of their folklore.

My favourite part of the festival though is a traditional funfare. At the moment if you've noticed, I love doing a lot of throwbacks because nostalgia for me is extremely important. The funfare reminds me of my childhood spending hours strolling around a "perya" (a Tagalog term for funfare) until the late nights.

I wanted to of course blend in so I wore this cute sweater (Pull & Bear). It wasn't on sale when I got it but it falls in the colours that I love so I got it immediately. Wore a plain black jogger and a cute pair of sneakers. This is a cute and comfy outfit which is now really great for this season's weather. Everyday is getting colder and colder so its about time now to layer and wear more thick clothing

Since we are going to a long afternoon shooting bringing along a couple of camera gadgets, it was a great idea to use my Cabin Zero bag to store in all our stuff. This bag is so spacious! We brought two DSLR with huge lenses and they both fit in perfectly and had even space for more. It's really a great travel bag and I can imagine just how many things I can fit in there. Is this maybe the time to do a little backpacking adventure?

Want to have your own? In partnership with Cabin Zero, we are giving away 10% off your entire order online. Simply using the code CZLOSCLOSET to avail the discount.

Visit https://www.cabinzero.com/ now!

If you live in Abu Dhabi and you want to learn more about UAE's culture, make sure you do visit the Sheikh Zayed Festival. It is open from 4PM to 12PM. You still have a lot of time! The festival will end on January 27, 2018.

You guys have a wonderful weekend!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E :

Here's a rare lol photo of me 😂

My Holiday Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 04:39:00 +0000

Running late on your holiday shopping? Let me share with you my Holiday Gift Guide to give you ideas on what to give to that special guy in your life. 😊

1. W O O D S T O C K Z A M B O N

Does he have a whimsical taste and always on the lookout for unique and timeless pieces? Woodstock Zambon is the one that you are looking for.

Any of their watches will surely put a smile on his face as they offer a great selection of designs suited to that creative guy in your life. My favourite is the Constellation Watch cause I am currently obsessing and reading a lot about the stars and galaxies.

There are other fun designs such as the Vintage Balloon, maps, ones with lovely travel quotes and funny ones like "Who cares I'm late anyways."

Order online now at: https://www.woodstockzambon.com/

2. C A L L I T S P R I N G

Call it Spring once again sent me these special gifts to wear for the holidays.

What I love about Call it Spring is that they have a lot of fine selection of shoes at an affordable price meaning during the holidays why just give your man one pair of shoes? He deserves another one and maybe a bag to go with it too!

No seriously, buying two pairs will not go over AED500 so it's really a good deal than buying a pair of designer or sports shoes that are more than AED700. Plus again, they're really stylish and the quality is great too.

Visit http://www.callitspring.com/ and choose your favourite pair.

3. C A B I N Z E R O

Is he the type of person who loves to travel bringing his camera, gadgets, laptop etc? Cabin Zero is the perfect bag to bring along during his travels.

All of their bags are very spacious and has enough space for all his travel essentials. The bags are designed for backpackers who likes travelling light featuring zippers that actually lock and offers a lot of fun colors, designs and different sizes specific to his travel needs.

I have a special treat for you! Get 10% off your entire order online by using the code CZLOSCLOSET. Visit https://www.cabinzero.com/ now!

Make sure you visit my blog again this weekend to discover where I went travelling together with my Cabin Zero bag.

4. L O U V R E A B U D H A B I A R T C L U B

I really fell in love with the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum! There's still so many things to discover and I'm so excited to see the future artworks they are going to feature that's why along with 5 friends, we decided to became a part of their art club!

If he's the artsy type, this gift will surely be perfect for him (and yours too!). The unlimited yearly access for two is at AED450, but if you want to share with friends you can get the +5 package at AED1500.

As an Art Club member, you'll get a lot of benefits such as collecting the mini iPods from inside the museum, priority reservations, a dedicated space for Art Club members, exclusive events and even access to all partner museums in France!

Learn more here: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/buy-ticket/Membership

5. A S S O R T E D C A N D I E S

Okay, so this is more of a giveaway and directed to everyone rather than a gift to one person. Every Christmas it has always been my tradition to give small treats to all my friends and workmates that I'm super close with.

Giving even just a small bag of treats I believe, would make them feel that you're really thinking about them and they're special to you.

Hope you guys like my short Holiday Gift Guide! Do you have other gift suggestions for the holidays? Share them all that the comments section below.

Always have fun!

La Dolce Vita at Filini Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 04:33:00 +0000

There are a lot of beautiful restaurants here in Abu Dhabi and if I was asked where to go on a romantic date, first thing will come to my mind is Filini Garden.

📍 F I L I N I G A R D E N , R A D I S S O N B L U

Filini Garden is a newly opened Italian Restaurant and Lounge at Radisson Blu. The restaurant interior is quite beautiful and very romantic, but the real winner here in terms of design is the Al Fresco area.

The restaurant promises a beautiful and stunning view of the Abu Dhabi sunset which sadly we weren't able to experience because today of all days, Abu Dhabi suddenly decided that it will pour rain upon us on a beautiful Friday afternoon (if this weather was manipulated, why of all days should it be a Friday?).

Suit: Zara
Shoes and Bag: Call it Spring

Today, I felt like its time to dress up and pull out my favourite turtle neck and a white checkered suit (Zara) that I have been itching to wear for the longest time. I've had this suit since June and I had been dreaming to wear it in a perfect place and time and finally here it is.

This look is inspired by the classic James Bond movies with a dash of Casablanca and La Dolce Vita romance, all I've recently watched. I kinda also played with my hair today and brushed it on the other side which in my opinion, slightly made me look a little bit more mature.

This look is complemented by a lovely pair of leather loafers and a satchel bag both from Call it Spring. Also added thin suspenders for the final touch.

Okay, now let's talk about the food. First of all, I'm no Italian food expert. You guys should probably know by now that I love Asian food but it's also good to try other dishes from other countries time to time. I do however love Italian food. Aside from of course pizza, I enjoy eating eggplant rollatini and I could make a decent, classic and simple spaghetti aglio e olio. But that's about how far I know Italian food, not counting all the other classic Italian pasta dishes.

For appetizers we ordered the Picked Crab Crostini which is surprisingly the best dish we've had in this meal. It is composed of a toasted bread lathered with a generous amount of crab meat and arugula. The sauce underneath is quite flavourful, I didn't even tried to pay attention what it was and just chewed and swallowed everything down to my satisfaction.

Picked Crab Crostini

Our second favourite was the Veal Chop Milanese which caught us by surprise. We were expecting a nice tender serving of steak but what came to our table was a perfectly cooked meat coated in breading and if I'm right, fried in butter. When we had our first bit we thought it was chicken, the meat was tender and not chewy. At first we thought, where is the sauce? But as we savoured each bite we pleasantly realised it didn't have to have any, it is perfect as it is.

Veal Chop Milanese

We also had the Filini Fontina Pizza and Tagliolini Lobster that were also quite good but both were something I have similarly tasted in other restaurants here in UAE.

Tiramisu

The desserts were good too! If you're not a big sweet tooth and you like coffee a lot, you'll surely appreciate the Tiramisu and Affogato Espresso. Both are not too sweet yet really delectable.

There's a lot more choices on the menu. I'm not being bias but seriously the food prices are quite reasonable and much better than other restaurants in the city like the previous one we recently visited. It's really worth the trip.

Overall, Filini Garden is surely one of the best date night places you and your partner should go to. Great place for close friends too.

Christmas is almost here you guys! If you're running out of ideas to give to that special man in your life, make sure you passby next weekend for my Men's Holiday Gift Guide. I have something very special prepared and I'm super excited about it.

Have a lovely weekend!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E:

Tagliolini Lobster

Filini Fontina Pizza

Affogato Espresso

Dine In

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 05:05:00 +0000

We we're in the 90's now we go further to the 80's!

Glad Im back in doing short blog style journals. So far I'm having relaxed happy weekends and my blog routine is back where it was before.

📍 U Turn Abu Dhabi

It seems like my retro vibe is not over yet, I'm still into throwbacks and when I saw this place while I was driving home I made sure I was gonna come back there during the weekends.

I wore a retro yellow bomber jacket with a yellow shirt underneath, a nice pair of trousers, pair of fun socks and shoes. Completed the look with a nice leather strap watch and retro aviator sunglasses. I had so much fun putting this look together, I kinda look a character from the Back to The Future movie.

Going back to the place, it has a fun and interesting interiors which takes you back in a diner that looks like it was in the 60's-80's. Sadly though, the food was very underwhelming and somewhat flavourless considering they charge their burgers at AED60 minimum, it really doesn't go well, would have been happy to pay the meal if the food was that great.

They need to make improvements on their food and reconsider their price range. Hopefully the will get better soon. Would not take a friend to dine there however. Place for me is only a place for a fun shoot, just order milkshakes and desserts if you wanna go and shoot there. The staff were extremely nice though.

📍 Snooze Abu Dhabi

After lunch, we went straight to a new coffee hub in Abu Dhabi. Did a couple of Woelfel-esqe type of photography.

Loving the small doughnut together with the coffee and I like the design aesthetic of the place. Nobody knows the place that much at the moment. Its a cool hang out place and coffee is super good.

It's a long weekend! I cant wait to do absolutely nothing this week. :)

What are your plans?

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E:

90's Kid

noreply@blogger.com (Kier Pascual) — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 05:10:00 +0000

If you were born between 1985-1995, don't you just miss being a 90's kid?

I sure do! I had such an amazing childhood during the 90's actually going outside meeting up with the kids in our neighbourhood and and playing fun games until the sun sets, like the Strange Things kids does (side note: ST2 was amazing!!! Can't wait for Season 3!)

📍 Dubai Design District

Shirt and Jeans: Pull & Bear
Shoes: Call it Spring

Last weekend we went to D3 to experience the Dubai Design Week. It was my first time so wasn't really expecting anything, sadly though I was mildly disappointed. They had huge interactive art installations but most of them were already gone since it was the last day.

This balloon installation really unleashed the kid in me, if only I wasn't a 5'11 guy with manly shoulders, chest and arms I would have jumped and ran all around! lol

There were still a lot of open galleries that are nice and a bazaar which in my opinion felt out of place and should have not been there. The focus of being there was to appreciate modern art and not to shop for overpriced "artisanal" items. Can you imagine buying a painting with the same dimensions of a hard drive that costs AED200? I got cooler art pieces in Bali for less than AED30!

I do like all the modern art exhibits though, especially the graphic posters. All look like they were made for a book cover of a best-seller and the presentation in a concrete industrial gallery really brings out all the colors combined with the natural lighting.

Now let's go to what I wore that day. I was feeling nostalgic and I have been seeing that regular fit jeans are going back in style. I paired up a plain white shirt (Pull & Bear) with a cute Mikey Mouse print and a basic regular jeans (Pull & Bear) which btw I forgot how comfortable and free moving they were! Finished the look with a nice bag and plain white shoes.

90's throwback is so in for me recently that I've even list down a few things I miss during those days. Most were to be honest a struggle but it was fun!:

Actually listening to the radio programs with less DJ *blah* *blah* and waiting to record your favorite songs.
Rotary phone and payphones
Playstation 1 RPG games
Receiving mail from a postman
Less traffic and less stressful commute
Playing games with your friends
ALL the 90's toys you can actually play with
Renting a VHS tape and watching the same move for the nth time with your friends
Going to a park
Going to a video game arcade
Clean water from the tap you can drink that doesn't taste weird
ALL the 90's cartoons
ALL the 90's candies and snacks that made me chubby! lol
TV programs that were really educational, not the nonsense overly dramatic TV shows that are only in for the ratings

A bit sad that I don't see the kids these days enjoying each other's company. Most of them (and sadly even me) are so glued on their phones and iPads.

Arrg! The list will only go on and on! haha! What are the things you most miss during the 90's? Share your thoughts on the comments section below!

Always have fun!

M O R E P H O T O S H E R E:

Lo's Closet

Jaipur: The Pink City

What Have I Been Up To

My Creativity is Legitimate

Weekend Getaway at Dusit D2 Dubai

Happy Hour at Level Lounge

Middle East Film and Comic Con 2018

Brunch at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

Chill Day

The Coffee Club's New Creations

I'm no fashion guru

Al Gusto Italiano - An Italian gem in the heart of the city

Discovering 4 Emirates

His and Hers Valentines Gifts

Be a Star at Wise Kwai

Weekdays: Lunch Noon – 03:00 pm | Dinner 06:30 pm – 11:00 pm Weekends (Friday – Saturday): Noon – 11:00 pm Always have fun!

Another Day, Another Adventure

Urban Explorer

My 12 Weeks Transformation + Getting Active with UniQ and Anta Sports

Fun Day at the Jalboot Water Park

Last Weekend of the Year + Ramen Adventure at Wokyo

Merry Christmas!

At The Fair

My Holiday Gift Guide

La Dolce Vita at Filini Garden

Dine In

90's Kid

Weekdays: Lunch Noon – 03:00 pm | Dinner 06:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Weekends (Friday – Saturday): Noon – 11:00 pm

Always have fun!