** Chronicles of Vanity by Tara Cabullo

OOTD: Betty Draper

2012-06-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

Betty Draper nee Hofstadt was my main hook why I got into watching Mad Men. For a girl in advertising, it was surprising I got onto the Mad Men bandwagon late. Well, just look at Betty's dresses, as seen below:

The cinched waist is pure vintage awesomeness.

Gloves and florals and such elegance.

Even longer gloves, cap sleeves and a creamy white palette.

Pastels are her thing and she makes it look so glam!

This three fourth's pale lime dress makes being a homemaker so elegant!

Betty Draper can't look too glum in this polka dot party dress.

Like me, Betty Draper likes her pearls, too.

Floral-patterned satin and shirred chiffon --- Betty layers pattern over patterns.

Ain't that coat's color just too perfect for words?

This Betty Draper Barbie is just awesomesauce and I just want the dress in life size!

Betty does glittery <3

Now that we're all sufficiently briefed about the elegance and vintage fashion-gasm that is Betty Draper's wardrobe, let me share with you a recent photo of a dress that reminds me so much of Betty Draper {I think I might've have had her in mind when I conceptualized my outfit that day!}

Couldn't quite go the Betty Draper hair way so I had my hair done in a pouf <3

Obviously, this was for work purposes =P

Dress: Plains and Prints

Bangle: Victoria Marin

Shoes: Parisian Shoes

After that much Betty-inspiration, I now want a party that's Mad Men themed!

Love, light and lots of elegance!

My Life According to Instagram

2012-05-27T12:21:00.000+08:00

Alternately titled as What to do when you're swimming in sorrow.

It feels good to be back in cyberspace.

Been having mixed feelings with social networking sites for a few weeks. I'd say it was a little experiment to know how much my life changes without and with it. For someone who cannot untangle herself with SNS, it was pretty hard not to completely stay away --- so I pretty much stayed on Instagram for a couple of weeks. And now my cyberspace life is back on track with some minor adjustments.

I don't know what triggered the experiment, too. Maybe some of the weeks were like fields of bombs. Some days were days I had to walk on eggshells, some days were made of expensive heartbreaks, some days you ask for a win, even the smallest one --- but there were none.

Anyway.

I had not much words BUT I do have pictures and when I look at them, I realize maybe it wasn't so bad.

Work like you don't need the money. This is how my desk looks like before chaos begins.

Shop. If you can't be best in headstand, just be in best costume. Or, we can be both =)

Watch Grey's Anatomy. I knew he was going to die but still cried buckets and buckets over this episode.

Eat. Discovering a new place at BHS Central, Stella, and actually liking it.

Dance and surround yourself with happy people. First concert of the week: Lady Gaga.

... and the new Arena. My second concert this week was Lifehouse but I was too busy being in a trance that I have no Instagrams for it.

Before the Born this Way Ball started <3

Wear a new lipstick. MAC Please Me is pleasing me so much! <3

Wear a new cologne. Oh the interesting {in a good way} comments I get from wearing this scent!

Attend something serious.

Wear new flats.

... and sometimes, a red velvet cupcake is all that can cheer you up.

Or six.

Have second breakfasts.

Get a haircut.

When I'm sad, I go to yoga. And I'm happier after.

Rally the troops.

Redeem expiring miles. Book a trip. Somewhere. Anywhere.

End the night with a lychee amaretto.

Or maybe a Mango Daquiri.

We've Got a Winner: L'oreal Hair Makeover

2012-05-21T07:04:00.000+08:00

After days and days of poring over entries for the Chronicles of Giveaways: Hair Makeover from L'oreal, I finally zoomed in on a winner!

Congratulations, Marian Guiang!

I know that I deserve to have a hair makeover by L'Oreal, Tara! I have been dealing with my ugly, frizzy, dry and unmanageable hair for a very long time now. Way back in grade school, I remember my classmates calling me "Sabog" and literally they don't call me by my name because of my very "buhaghag" hair that's all over my face. I felt bullied because of how I looked back then. High school and college life, there was still no escaping with my friends telling me, "Marian, maybe you should treat your hair for a new color? or cellophane perhaps?kahit ano para maganda tignan hair mo girl!" Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of two. Working full time and taking care of my children didn't give me the time to pamper myself. As a doting mom, I am this type that would say to myself, "Hmpf.. I'd rather buy my kids milk than prettify myself!" I think this attitude got the better of me when even my hubby started telling me that, "Maybe you should get a new hairstyle, or perhaps dye your hair? Hindi ka ba nagsasawa sa buhok mo?" (READ: You look unattractive and haggard, honey!) Every single day, before I go to work, I dry my hair and won't leave without ironing my hair. Imagine that! I'm wearing the same dull, black, lifeless hair for more than 10 years now. I badly need a hair makeover! I'm not afraid to experiment! It's just that I don't know what to do with my hair anymore! I just want to have a vibrant and healthy looking hair! I want to see color and life for my hair! This I know would help me boost that confidence in me and would probably help me forget that once in my life, kids labelled me as that "Sabog" student! I badly need this hair makeover! Please do justice for my hair L'Oreal! I want to flaunt a new me proudly telling everyone, "It's L'Oreal!" Thank you!

Unbeknownst to everyone, Marian and I went to the same grade school, were classmates in sixth grade and we were both in the Editorial Board of the Jr. Clarionette, the school's newspaper. I haven't seen nor talked nor heard from her till now and it's such a nice thing that this L'oreal giveaway gave us both a reason to communicate. Aside from the story which I can remember, I am won over by a story well told, with punctuations, proper endings and all.

Looking forward to seeing the before and after photos, Marian {and maybe we can go meet up, too!}

Love and light hair,
Tara

What I Know For Sure: Home

2012-05-20T16:11:00.000+08:00

Lately, words escape me.

1. Dress up as if you're going to meet the love of your life. I can't stress this enough: Dress up. Barney of HIMYM was coming from a good place when he always say "Suit up." We don't necessarily have to be in a suit {but I personally like a man who wears a suit well, and frequently}, but a a tailored dress, a nice blazer, a fun dress doesn't call for an extra-special occasion. All it takes is a bit of effort and a little flair -- because I don't know if I ever will forgive myself if I suddenly bump into Johnny Depp asking me to come with him to Monaco and I am in my sloppiest outfit. And I am sure every single one of my mentors will not forgive me, too. Plus, who knows what nice thing could happen to any one of us, right?

2. You know you've lived a good life when you're excited to come home. Traveling is so much fun but at the tail end of a trip, if your toes are wiggling in anticipation of the thought of coming home {and the people you can't wait to see}, it's the sign of a life well lived, a life worth coming back home to.

3. Say it like you mean it. I'm guilty of processing thoughts like how I'd write them: There's always a premise. So I say things with A LOT of premise, which complicates things, most often. I tried one time to just blurt out whatever I needed to say and it produced very good results. More of that then, I guess.

4. It's NOT personal. It's hardly ever is. So stop thinking most things {work, or otherwise} are about you.

5. Know when and when not to apologize. Surely, a lot of cliches are about forgiving and apologizing when the need arises but we Filipinos, the humble race that we are surely apologizes too much sometimes. Know when to stand the ground and keep the head up high.

Much love from the faraway left field,
Tara

Career Woman Diaries: The Armani of Scents

2012-05-18T06:49:00.000+08:00

Blame it on the acquired marketer in me {after all, I'd like to believe I'm a communicator above all else}. At the whiff of a scent's top notes, through the journey to its middle notes and its base wafting, emanating from me, I have in my head a complete picture of who the subject of the scent would have to be. Scents, after all, were just like any other touch we tack onto ourselves, just like a pile of bangles on the arm and a a pretty skirt on a spring day: It is intended to communicate what's inside of us.

In January, I discovered the scent that begets respect from people from the top management. I say this in all candor -- I perfunctorily found out about it in jest. It was the same with the Armani of Scents --- Acqua di Gioia.

My Acqua di Gioia is still fresh from the fridge, where I keep all my perfumes for better storage and lasting scent.

Here is the thing: If I can walk to anywhere wearing all Armani, I would. I really would. When I get married, I'd like my groom to be wearing Armani. I'd like my little ring bearers and groomsmen to be wearing Armani. I would prefer that my guests arrive in Armani suits. The suit, and most importantly, an Armani one, conveys so much in a perfect, tailored concoction.

With its utmost precision, you can tell it's an Armani.

To me, it conveys the utmost accuracy of which a suit is tailor-made. To me, an Armani suit does not restrict movement is most of all natural to the wearer's actions. To me, the Armani suit is an armor of confidence, it's impossible to feel small in it. It's impossible to feel insecure. It's impossible to be inadequate.

And this, my friends, is the message that Acqua di Gioia puts forward.

There is a charming sense of jubilation from the very first vegetal notes which are carried along in a deliciously heady current of crushed Mint, with a zest of Italian Limone Primo Fiore Femminelle, harvested from the first spring blossoms in Calabria.This emotion transforms into an aquatic renaissance with a delicate and crystalline nature derived from the scent of Water Jasmine, giving the perfume sophisticated and unexpected facets. At its base, ACQUA DI GIOIA bears the signature of water rooted in the Earth, revealed by luscious Cedar sprinkled with sensuous Brown Sugar and Labdanum, which is one the rare plants to possess animal notes.

If there's a character I can think of who would wear this, it would definitely be Kim Raver's Nico Riley.

What I Love:

Acqua di Gioia is not at all typical fruity, feminine scent. When I first walked into a crowd, the ones who actually took notice of the fragrance were my rather androgynous, non-girly friends, as opposed to older women, floral fans, trendy teeners or fashionista youngins. It was surprising to note that while it starts on a rather citrusy, minty note, the drydown is a pretty woody musk.
The woman who wears Acqua di Gioia as I imagine is always in something tailored but sexy, neutral in color but stands out from the crowd.
It is much like it's masculine and very popular counterpart, Acqua di Gio. It smells like the color aqua and is quite the refreshment for the nose on a summer day.
Acqua di Gio and Acqua di Gioia has a CSR program wherein for every like to their Facebook page, 50 liters of water will be donated to communities with water shortage.
All Armani scents are available at Rustan's Department Store.
The water drop bottle <3
Really, it's Armani.

What I Don't Like:

Longevity may be a bit of an issue with Acqua di Gioia, being a very light scent. Then again, there's its sister Acqua di Gioia Essenza for that, a heavier, more seductive version.

In conclusion, I am very much enamored with the female Armani scent -- so much so that if I see that I have items on my planner that involve things I'm scared of, I switch whatever my perfume is to this for that extra boost of confidence. I'd like to believe it works!

What's your 'confidence' scent?
xx

Toronto on Instagram

2012-05-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

Hello there!

I am back in Manila and working it like I hadn't been away. I am still knee deep with work and everything that can make a girl very busy {in my free time, I moon over Kate Spade stuff :D} but today's a very good day to share with you some of the snaps I took on my week in what's turning to be a favorite city of mine: Toronto. The city is buzzing with culture, with the right amount of grit, the best urban landscape in my opinion, and every single corner seems to come with a dignified elegance.

Follow me on Instagram: Vodkalemonade

What I Know For Sure: Who You Are

2012-05-13T08:30:00.000+08:00

I am on the other side of the world as I type this, feeling a lot like Carrie Bradshaw {then again, no, more like George Clooney} as the week draws to a close and I am anticipating coming home. It had been good, and then it had been great / fantastic / awesome / insert amazing adjective here.

I kind of do this a lot while in front of the laptop.

After two rounds of What I Know For Sure posts, I didn't think I could wheedle out some more insightful, blog-worthy posts out into the world. Insights are lot like sleep. If I chase it and force myself to think, it never comes, and I just fall into an agitated state --- and become really, really cranky. If I begin to go out of my comfort zone, I am exposed to a multitude of new experiences and just like love, you fall slowly --- and then all the way.

1. You never know what makes you happy until you come from a sad place. It hit me as I was walking into the cold, bone-tingling air of downtown Toronto on a spring day. Over the past weeks, I've knowingly plunged myself onto situations that were considerably uncomfortable to me, in the spirit of getting out of my comfort zone. Surely, it WAS uncomfortable, and I was thriving and I thought "Ha! I can do this!". Or so I thought. When I returned to my comfort zone, a whooshing rush of happiness and comfort and knowing I belonged there came over me, and I realized it was what made me happy and it was what comforted me on so many levels. It was all so surprising and I couldn't stop exclaiming how I didn't even know I was sad. I was so joyous I almost cried on my cocktail upon realizing this.

2. It's possible to want so little. Being away from home for a few days led me to wheedle out the things {and yes, people} I know I don't need and want in my life. It's possible. And it leads to acceptance and most of all, that feeling of abundance.

3. Know what you do, and kick ass. I'd been reading The Everygirl's feature on Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty while in the car from Scarborough and in between freeways and exits, I was so astounded of how this one piece of advice resonated so much. Sometimes, {and I do this}, we tend to extend ourselves and become the jack or jill of all trades. In the process of this, the quality of our jobs/talents suffer and end up being mediocre on all things. It happens to me every now and then. And then I remembered, that I already know what I want and what I am great at. I gotta stop trying to do so many things all at once. {So I can stop making myself sad, too!}

Two pieces of advice. First, know what you do and do it well. In the words of Haile McCollum, the lovely lady who bought my invitation business. I have lived by those words and they have proven time and time again to be true. It’s so tempting to jump on the nearest style train, to do what’s working for someone else. But ultimately, that isn’t necessarily what will work for you. Know what YOU do and do it really, really well. Don’t try to be everyone. Don’t try to be everything. Simply know what you do and kick ass doing it.

And second, as Oprah said, always sign your own checks. Always be incredibly intimate with every part of the process…from the writing to the coding and development, from the marketing and social media elements to the dollars spent on supplies. This is YOUR business. Know it. Every last part of it.

4. All the cultural differences. Being in a multi-cultural family and a multi-nationality environment at all fronts, and having read a bunch of books about cultural differences made me think I knew a lot about other nationalities and how to interact with them. As it turns out, there's just so much to learn and infuse into daily actions. No one tells me these things so I'll be happy to share that in this blog: it's nice to be prepared and know which actions are kind and rude to other nationalities.

5. But then again, be you. At a conference, in an effort to 'belong,' and blend into the crowd, I tapered all my outfits into just black or white and never the ones that were too loud. This was how I found out folks from the Toronto office were reading this blog {hello there, guys!} because someone said what I was wearing {a full on, stiff, pant suit} was a new side of me because they've seen my normal outfits and it was nothing like a pant suit. And then I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I had tried very hard to maintain a blog and be serious at work but I just keep acting silly and colorful at work and I get serious in this blog anyway so. What the heck. I am just going to keep it real and keep on acting as myself. What would Tara do?

6. There will always be this person who will make you feel insecure about yourself without even having to lift a finger. Not sure why I'm even admitting that here, in this blog, but to that I say, desiderata. And whatever it is, it shall pass --- You and I are children of the universe after all.

7. The abs don't build themselves. Work it.

8. You can't be right all the time but you can be kind. I've gotten over the need to be right all the time but it's become a personal advocacy, a mission statement and an aspiration, if you will, to just be kind. It's pretty hard but it should get me to better places than being always right.

9. Travel at every chance you get. Traveling {especially on work purposes} come with much responsibility {I am a very grateful girl} but nothing enriches a person like traveling. In fact, I kind of like my traveling self the best. She's oddly wiser with money, goes with the flow, her eyes are always peeled for the next possible adventure, her lips ready to make the next best scintillating conversation. So travel at every chance, whether it be a vacation, a call of duty or to see a loved one.

What do you know for sure this week?

*I don't own the images above, no copyright infringement intended.

Hello, Hello :)

2012-05-10T18:38:00.000+08:00

Dropping by my blog which I know I've sort of neglected {save for a couple of scheduled posts I sat on before leaving} here and there. I think I willed myself to come up with blog posts during the trip but so far, I'm knee deep with meetings and workshops {which is after all what I came here for} and having a great time learning about things I know nothing about {sssshhh, it's a secret!}.

So really, I just popped in to say hi from the land of Tim Horton's:

My life's simple joy: Tim Horton's. I could profess my love to Tim Horton's coffee just right about now.

So I hope you are all enjoying, having a great week and for the mean time, here are some archives from the recent weeks you might enjoy reading.

Love, light and sparkly glitter all around,

Now and Then: The Girl Who Wears Zen Zest

2012-05-08T08:00:00.000+08:00

It takes just one whiff of a scent I've used in the past, a scent I've smelled regularly from parts of my history, to trigger a deluge of memories. One very humid Saturday morning, a glimpse of who I was and the things I did back when I was an awkward teenager came tumbling on to my mind.

Zen Zest's Tangerine EDT was my scent du jour back in high school, a refreshing blend of melons. Of course, that was if I had extra money --- I was just like any other student trying to live on a meager allowance, after all. At that time, feeling shushal already if I can afford Tangerine {which I could pero tipid}. On so many levels, as I, and a couple of beauty bloggers gathered over brunch at this very Parisian interior restaurant, Cafe Romulo, I couldn't help but remember my high school days.

I may have changed so much physically {what with all these things I do to myself} but I will always be the literature geek people thought me to be.

In high school, aside from obviously being conscious about scents, I remembered how I used to be very unassertive, compared to today. As everyone might've gone through, I've had my share of high school fights, bullies, mean girls {sometimes the mean girl, sometimes the aping aping bata}. Thinking about those silly crushes in high school, all the afternoons we'd be playing at the courts {I played sepak takraw, who'd have thought?}, getting injured in basketball and getting rescued by my high school crush, getting awards from hard work --- It was amazing how one can affirm what have happened through those years. I eventually made a living out of writing {was the paper's editor in chief} and well, I have a bit of fair athletic life now. A little :D

As if that was not enough, I began to dig up some more photos of me and I was giggling so much I just have to share with you!

1. Kinder and Grade 4 ID pictures. Galit ako sa mundo. 2. Third year high school 3. My first year college photo that looks like a mug shot. 4. College {obviously natuto na akong magproject} 5. 6th grade yearbook picture 6. The day I turned 18 7. I am finally a free person!

There were many other memories that were dug up during the brunch {HA you have to be there to know!}, but one thing I know for sure: We never forget that memory etched with the scent. I had to restrain myself from enumerating every single person whom I can remember when we were sniffing each of the Zen Zest fragrances, which are all getting a fresh look, but still on a very affordable tag:

Surely, today, I get inspired and attracted and swayed to invest in expensive scents {no more a student, that's why} but whenever I want to smell like the girl I was before, and the girl I will always be inside, I'd reach out for a bottle of Zen Zest's Tangerine.

As if I can resist, here are some photos with the pretty bloggers who were present at the Zen Zest brunch:

Ava {and cutie pie Aidan}, Jheng, Shenny, Martha, Jackie and me

Dream Sequence: To be a librarian! My high school self would've been so happy :D

Hello, Chin! Remember this dress?

I'd like to believe that the girl who wouldn't smile as a kid can't stop smiling now. I guess I've changed so much!

And of course, a group picture with Michelle Asence - Fontelera, founder of Zen Zest, which she started alone 11 years ago --- due to heartbreak. This woman is truly inspiring --- all I have to show for myself after every heartbreak are just shopping bags!

I'm very sure you also used Zen Zest or still are --- what's your Zen Zest choice?

Things I Love Sundays: Life According to Instagram

2012-05-07T08:00:00.001+08:00

“You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details."-Before Sunrise

Smash!

Things I don't love but means home country. And love is acceptance, right?

You wouldn't believe where I was.

Lovely afternoons are made of these.

Veuve Cliquot-ing.

Non slip socks can only mean one thing.

Someone just graduated from being a size 2 or XS. At the store, the SA looked at me straight in the eye when she tried replacing the skirt I was holding (an XS). She gave me a new stock sized S. I think I love The Black Shop even more now.

Dream maker, you heartbreaker. Wherever you're going, I'm going your way.

Now I know how Barbie feels like.

What are you loving today?
xx

We've Got Winners!

2012-05-06T10:26:00.000+08:00

Good Sunday morning everyone! I know, I know I've been days late with the announcement of the winners of my Beauty and Butter Giveaway but here it is! I had a hard time deciding who wins because everyone was thoroughly adorable <3

Rina Ignacio:

Like any other kikay girl, I extremely love to pamper myself by basking in a salon, getting my nails done, and having a spa. It would be even more exhilarating if I’d be getting hold of it for free while enjoying pink cupcakes and pink champagne on the side! Now that’s an ideal sparty!

I’m dying to win these GC’s because Beauty & Butter is one of the best salons in the country for crying out loud! And meeting fellow kikay girls (especially you!) would really help me make new friends with people who have same interests as mine. You know, we can talk about our fave celeb hotties, shows, fashion statements, girly stuffs – just about anything under the sun! It’s like living the life of the rich and famous in the making! PLUS, it’s my birthday on May 1! It would be the most remarkable and superb birthday gift ever! It would be an absolutely amazing experience! :)

Yssa Maunay:

Hi Ms. Tara! You should choose me to be your spa date partner in Beauty And Butter because it's absolutely my desire to have this one of a kind pampering experience especially with a new friend like you. It's also a great opportunity to have girl talks and little "kikay" bonding moments with you. And I know at the end of the day if I'll be chosen as your date, aside from being the lucky winner in your contest; we'll both look pretty and chic as we walk outside the Beauty And Butter salon. :)

I'm excited to meet a new friend like you and I know for sure that I will definitely enjoy your company. :)

Pie Jamarie

Before when we were young, it was only hilot when we have aching backs, feet or whatever it is aching in our bodies. And then the emergence of spa, massage and SPArty came and these became an avenue for relaxation,pampering, and "me" time that we all deserve. I used to go and be addicted with it but after some time due to some factors it became a rare thing for me but wouldn't let it become a thing of the past because I still believe that one thing to live and enjoy life is to nurture Relaxation, it comes in different forms and now to have a Spa date party is something to look forward to.

I would love to have a date with you not just because of the contest because I didn't get the chance to really get to know you way back before (promise yan :P) and I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog and was reunited with you more than ever and plus, plus, as I always say learned to live life more because of you.I'm sure given the chance we would be able to dissect more about life and its beauty :)

Oh and truth be told, one of my fingers is patay na so to speak (what a revelation) but am still proud of it coz it's still part of who I am but lately she said, she wouldn't mind having a pink coating and I said sge girl for you will make a way :)

I'll be emailing you girls so we can set our nail spa date soonest! <3

Love,
Tara

What I Know For Sure: Deux

2012-05-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

I'm taking a break from packing my bags for a business trip as I type this. My head is frantic from all the arrangements I've yet to do, vouchers I need to print, worksheets I've yet to review, work I've yet to finish and social life I must return to. Wow, when did I get so old?

One of the highlights of my last weekend was your overwhelming response to my pilot entry for a new section on this blog called What I Know For Sure. I was late getting into the Oprah bandwagon but I sure made up for it. And now, here I am, inspired by her quest and daily effort to live the best life.

My favorite O Magazine feature: Live Your Best Life

And so, brought about by a deluge of realizations, good and bad, happifying and heartbreaking, here are the things I know for sure this week:

1. There is no use trying to impress people who don't give a damn. I may not say it out loud but on ~~some~~ many days, the little things I do, the miniscule details I pay attention to, the little inches, the little extra mile I go --- they're effort exerted to win over people I may or may not have a reason to please. And it's just, really, a nice thing to do. But if the person at the receiving end of the line do not care for once, twice after --- give up and walk away. Save your pretty face.

2. Having said that --- there's power in walking away. I won't go the details of expounding the length of things / circumstances I have been beating myself over for the past couple of weeks for NOT getting. I thought I'd get it if I wanted it so much and I still didn't! I felt like crying and saying expletives out loud but instead, I just walked away and it felt --- painful. And then it became okay. Sometimes it's just a pair of shoes, sometimes it's SOMETHING, sometimes it's someone and it's all the same. A very wise mentor once said that you will only feel the lack when you feel the need. When you walk away, you don't acknowledge the need, and therefore the mad hankering, the deep, gut-wrenching want is dissolved. Tse. *spins in heels* {This technique also works for expensive shoes ha ha}

3. Someone will always say something. Here's the thing: I want to look and seem perfect. For 26 years, I wanted to be seen as scot-free and squeaky clean and the-girl-who-can-do-no-wrong. I wanted to be Miss Perfect. You know where I ended up? My face on the floor and with a huge bump on my forehead. In your mind, you know you're doing the right thing, you are with conviction that you aren't stepping on anyone's toes and the next thing you know is --- you are the subject of talks, your face flat on the floor. Truth be told, I think a lot of it has to with our love for gossip, our love for pulling other people down. I mean, I like talking about celebrities and people and before, I used to be really mean {no way am I a saint now} but until I got to be the subject of many a gossip item, and for no good reason, too, I have decided to stop wagging tongues, mine included. Of course, I still get to be criticized and demeaned at times but I've accepted the fact that people will judge and point and see all the wrong things in me and well, what people think of me is really none of my business.

4. There is no substitute for hard work. Those nights of no night life at all? Those weekends spent poring over work details? Those headaches gotten from persistence to achieve the best results? Kiddos --- those are necessary. If you want to succeed, giving up when times get tough, when your hair gets sticky from being in the office for more than 14 hours --- is not an option.

5. When it feels so wrong --- it must be really wrong. Circumstances can be tricky --- wrong situations can shine light on small rights. A wrong and a wrong and a small right doesn't make a right. It's never a right no matter how seemingly right it feels.

6. It's scary and you're scared but no one has to know. In college, I took up theater classes and I remember the teacher telling me during one of the improv classes that onstage, no one knows if you blank out on your lines, fumble with a sentence or two or miss a step in a dance sequence. At least, no one knows until you start apologizing about it and acknowledge you were wrong. So your new business venture scares the hell out of you --- so what? Your new responsibilities are driving you insane --- so what? Playing the lead in a team presentation is making your heart beat super duper fast --- so what? It's okay to be scared, no one has to know :)

7. The power of disconnection. Funny how a busted phone, a signal that won't come and a disappearing act from the world of world wide web can make someone regain her sanity. And that her is me.

8. When all else fails, just be honest. Sometimes, I can be the master of engineering circumstances {what that is all about, I can expound over a glass of Colombelle}. Most of the time it works --- and sometimes it doesn't. So when it fails, the only thing left to do is let out the truth.

9. You can stand in front of someone and miss that someone that very moment.

What do you know for sure?
xx

Chronicles of Beaches: Bantayan Island, Cebu

2012-05-05T14:49:00.002+08:00

I don't know if it's just me but the most beautiful getaways seem to be the ones that are so hard to reach. They are the ones that take away the grit of city life, the ones that plunge you into primitive ways of living --- and you find yourself endeared, refreshed, renewed --- and never the same again.

The road to Bantayan.

Inside White Beach Bungalows

Of course the first thing my brother does upon arriving is plop himself in front of the TV.

... and the first thing I did was plop myself in front of the sea.

Rashguards and the fear of sunburn.

Sun Buddies.

Trust me, it's paradise.

Doing what you gotta do.

The Fault in Our Stars

No makeup allowed.

... and with the people you love.

Can't wait to hop into a plane and soar off somewhere again.
xx

OOTD: 10 Feet Tall

2012-04-30T07:58:00.000+08:00

I'm frustrated at my 5'4" frame but I can't wear tributes all week long. Want to know my secret? I stick to one color and I wear pearls. I love pearls so much I even wear them while running. Yes, that's my secret to feeling like I'm 10 feet tall. This is my secret for acing every single presentation I ever have to go through in my life. This is also my secret for killing every inch of insecurity in my body.

Nude Pantsuit: Pink Manila

Flats: FAME

Sunnies: Marc Jacobs

Earrings: Jewelmer

Necklace: Jewelmer

Bracelet: Jewelmer necklace worn as bracelet
Nails: Beauty and Butter

Photos by A. Samantila

Thanks to JM Novales

Shot at Bonifacio Global City

Things I Love Sundays: Radical Self Love

2012-04-29T20:00:00.000+08:00

Because I Said So. Light colognes. Cold Brewed Tea.

My favorite blogger: Gala Darling on TEDxCMU

A new favorite blog: Cupcakes and Cashmere by Emily Schuman

This article at The Gloss, on three romance mistakes by Jennifer Dziura.

Maybe Work Life Balance means you should work more.

Staying out of everybody's hair, staying in, hearing myself amidst the noise, a successful yoga at work run, progress with the challenging stuff, a semblance of a social life even if it's just the last few hours every night.

This cover of Gotye's Somebody I Used to Know

The Fault in Our Stars. Overcoming Plana Forma -- and living to tell the tale. The spa and getting a ginger scrub. Enthusiasm. Being in control of things, my mind, my thoughts. Spring plans {now, I hope my fall plan falls into place, too!}. Lady Gaga plans. Lifehouse plans.

Plus:

Congrats to The Reluctant Stylista, Alex Lapa, for winning second place at the Parisian Blogger Challenge!

What's making you happy this week?

What I Know For Sure: The First

2012-04-29T13:56:00.001+08:00

Sometime last year, upon the discovery of a truly glorious magazine we all know as O Magazine, a friend suggested I come up with a column on this blog patterned after Oprah Winfrey's issue-ender called What I Know For Sure. It's a recap of lessons Winfrey has learned, re-learned and discovered through the months she's been making the issue. It's a little touchy-feely, and more serious than the rest of the articles in the magazine but sure breathes truth, no matter what continent you're from.

So as inspired by my friend, and by Ms. Winfrey herself, here are some of the things I know for sure, reaped from a tumultuous week(s) that I've had:

1. You can't choose family, so treat family right. My parents have both gone back to their home in New England but at this time of writing, my dad's words are reverberating through my head. I may always have fights with them and I may always be on the opposite side of things and have the inverted opinion but I will always just have one family and I will not make the mistake of not treating them right no matter how many times we disagree on things. I try.

2. You can always un-follow people on Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr / Pinterest. I am not proud of this: My Twitter feed is like one advertising board. Being someone who's lived on the cyberspace for so long, I knew which ones are advertorials, paid tweets and which ones came from the heart or pure interest. I admit: I am one of those, too. Reading other people's advertorial tweets made me realize it's okay to unfollow {as opposed to being afraid of reprimands such as 'I'm following you, why the heck are you not following me?!}. I will try to streamline my tweets, too!

3. One can only spend so much time mourning a heartbreak. This one's more for my 18 year old self. Now that I'm 26, I sometimes think back and look at the things people have been doing now, hear about the things they've done when they were much younger and all I can think of right now of what I did before was spend a lot of time being heartbroken. YUCK.

4. When it hurts, it means you're making progress. This statement is for this part of my career when I've come across tasks I've never done, projects I've never created before, results I have never achieved. It scares me, goodness knows how scared I am. But careers were never meant to be easy --- no, hardships in careers are not meant to tell you you need to find a new one. They're meant to tell you that you've moved away from your comfort zone and experiencing birth pains. Don't pack your bags and say that you deserve better. This is that point where you're going through the test of fire and you'll emerge better for it.

5. Assume nothing. Expectations are the bane of my existence. Nothing puts me down than an expectation unrealized. It can be as small as an expected phone call, an expected raise, an expected thank you. I believe it was from Melissa Hellstern's How to Be Lovely, a memoir for Audrey Hepburn, that I picked up this nugget of wisdom: Assume nothing and see life surprise you. It's harrowing not to expect anything, but the rewards are worth it.

6. No one can push you into doing something you don't like. When my parents were in the country, one of the requisite things I did was attend a luncheon where every member of our clan was present. Unlike many Filipinos, I am not very close with everyone in our family, most especially the boys. I tend to stick to a few cousins and I prefer much more intimate gatherings and outings. So when I arrived at the luncheon, it was a bit surprising to see unfamiliar faces which could only mean one thing: Future or Present In Laws. As luck would have it, I was THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT A PLUS ONE. Even my brother had a plus one so that made me the lone wolf in a pack of love birds. I was a little worried someone was going to point it out UNTIL someone indeed pointed it out. "You should've hired someone to come with you," she said. I sat in silence. I wasn't ready to share my life with someone, much more share my life with with my family to someone. I wish it was defense mechanism --- but it wasn't. I truly was not ready for a shared life. And no one can make me plunge into that until I say so.

7. You will lose a couple of friends just by being who you are. And it's okay. I made the mistake of acting accordingly to what people around me were saying and I regretted it. Today, I have less friends than I had some years ago but it feels much nicer, knowing you can act your real self in front of your true friends and not be afraid of being judged. Of course if they do, you are to be comforted with the thought that you just eliminated someone not worthy of your time. In the end, don't be afraid to act like who you think you are. Don't act as if you're ugly when you know damn well you're pretty. Don't act as if you're in pain if you're really having an easy life.

8. Only you can say who / how / what you want to act and to be. Just because you were an activist, a simple person, a complete anti-thesis of who you were ten years ago, it doesn't mean you cannot act the way you want to be now. If you want to flaunt every single asset that you have, no one bears the right to tell you otherwise.

What about you, what do you know for sure?
xx

Twenty Seconds of Insane Courage

2012-04-28T20:15:00.000+08:00

Over the holy week, unlike so many sun + beach worshippers, I stayed home, shifted onto my social recluse version and watched one too many movies and Grey Anatomy episodes. One of the quotes I've heard that day unwittingly struck a chord:

"All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, and I promise you, something great will come of it."

Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon, uttered those words to tell his kids to be brave --- whether it's approaching the most beautiful woman he's seen at a cafe, or becoming, quite unsuspectedly, the new owners of an abandoned zoo.

I am nowhere going to the direction of reviewing the movie --- it has been more than two weeks ago, and had shown in theaters last year. I do remember a lot of wisdom in that single line --- and that very line jolted me out of bed this Saturday afternoon as I tried to recreate Izzy Stevens' 24 hours of lying down on a bathroom floor when Denny Duquette died. I lied there in complete silence, with no thoughts, no expressions, no nothing.

And then I remembered.

Many times, we're stumped with fear, paralyzed into not choosing to move because it's all so comfortable and the thought of venturing into a life without a certain something is unthinkable. Moving away from our comfort zones entail a lot of hurting, a lot of pain, it may mean a dislocated shoulder {in the event of a handstand gone wrong}, a battered ego, a room for misinterpretations, a wounded heart.

But that venture out of the line that separates comfort and adventure ---- that's usually the beginning of a story we tell our grand kids. Someone said no one looks back and regrets the things they did --- usually, it's the ones we never have. I don't want to be that.

I'm ready.

A Few of My Favorite Snoe Things

2012-04-25T08:00:00.000+08:00

The first time I ever heard of this brand was during a tweet-up with Sherwin {Sowy} at Uncle Cheffy's when Gen dropped by and gave Sherwin's cutie pie of a daughter a couple of lippy things to play with. Some months after, here I am, completely amazed with a brand that leapfrogged its way to the Philippine market:

Snoe's Hair Heroes was my first ever Snoe purchase via Shopinas. To this day, I am very enamored and into this product <3

In a world where so many brands pop out every five seconds, one can't help but wonder: What makes Snoe such a hit to females?

In my very own assessment, and in no way a gospel truth, nor lifted from a press release, I think what made the brand such a success were the following factors:

At the Snoe Suntervention Blogger Event

Started it big. They had more than 10 branches when they launched --- that battles the problem of where to buy their products. To date, they have 17, plus online shopping, consumers need not worry where to go because they have branches all over busy, dirty Metro Manila.
Started it wide. Some companies choose to stay safe and have about five to ten products max -- and focus where they're great at. Haven't tried all Snoe products but so far, I can tell that their philosophy {and I believe I remember this from one of my conversations with the owner, Jen}, is speed-to-market. What they believe a woman would need, they create. It helps that Jen and Gen {who are sisters in law} are naturally kikay that it doesn't take hard for them to know what a girl wants.
A really good artist. Never underestimate the need for a great artist who can communicate your brand through brand packages, merchandise and visual merchs. What drew me to Snoe was their ability to come up with puns on their products {which were written by Jen}, even going as far as using a Beatles song -- to which I related to very easily.

No claims. You know when your create a brand and you identify what the brand is trying to say or who you want to attract, like organic, natural, affordable etc? Snoe has nothing of that, in fact, I think it's not trying to claim anything, which is refreshing. At the Snoe convention, I asked Jen, "Organic ba ang Snoe?" She nonchalantly responded, "Nope, we just want to help Filipinas gain access to products that address their needs."
Filipina Power. Behind and at the forefront of the brand are sisters in law Gen and Jen, who spearheads product development, research, testing, PR and promotion for everything. Wow.
Livelihood and Diversity. If you've ever been to a Snoe outlet, you'd know some of their SAs are formerly members of the male populace {you know what I mean} -- and they're extremely talented, too! That means equality for all in my book and I like it!

Plus -- they also double as fire dancers. Bongga!

Innovative. Who'd have thought of putting hunky men on a female blogger afternoon. This brand is fearless!

Four months since my first purchase, I am someone who truly understands and likes and supports this brand. As a proof, here's a snap of my dresser:

My Favorite Snoe Things L-R: Snoe Suntervention SPF 80 {in this heat, I take no less than 80}, Snoe Body Ritual Spritz in Nectarine Ginger Tea, Snoe Hair Heroes Intense with Acai Berry, Snoe Body Ritual Hair Glaze in Honey Dew and Melon Yogurt, Oh My Wash in The Movie Star, Star Night Star Bright Toner and Emu Cleanse

Super sweet smelling anti bacterial fizz! Ang bango! Of course I forgot to buy them but will do when I return to the Snoe store I go to.

I'm pretty sure you've been bitten by the Snoe bug, too, so please share your experience and favorites in the comment box! :)

PS: Don't forget to join my Beauty and Butter giveaway here :)

PPS: Or if you can please vote for me please :) Thank you!

Ingenue

2012-04-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

Never underestimate the power of iridescent nail polish.

Nails by Orly via Beauty and Butter

Chronicles of Giveaways: Win for Yourself a Hair Makeover!

2012-04-23T08:26:00.000+08:00

It's graduation season {congrats to my brother!} and you know what I did right after graduation, which was six years ago? I dyed my hair. I think I've chronicled well enough in this post all the changes I've done and well, six years after, I'm a regular when it comes to coloring every single strand. If I were to look back, I'd say most of the positive changes were brought about by a change in hair color: bolder decisions, newer possibilities, a more brilliant character. The issue of changing hair color may seem silly but never knock it till you've tried it.

My last day as a girl with black hair. And then everything sort of changed.

From the vault {these pictures are about 4-6 years old!}

Chronicles of Vanity, together with probably the only brand which I use in hair coloring {honestly, what else is there?} and leader in hair coloring technologies, brings to you: The Chroma Makeover Giveaway! Like me, I'd want readers {especially those who've never undergone hair coloring} to find out all the difference we get with red, brown, ash blonde or copper hair. The choices are endless!

All you have to do is tell me in the comments section why you deserve a hair makeover together with an email address so I can contact you when you win.

You had me at soft and shiny :D

Notes:

One comment per reader, contest is limited to Metro Manila readers. I will be picking one winner.
The makeover will be done at a L'oreal Professionel partner salon {not to worry, this would be all over Metro Manila}
Before and After photos will be included in a press release.
Giveaway ends on May 15, 2012.
I wanna join but I want to keep my curls HA HA. So good luck to everyone who's joining!

So, why do you deserve a makeover? Join today!

Things I Love Sundays: Family

2012-04-22T21:05:00.001+08:00

The last two weeks have been spent rushing home from work and from social functions to give way to my mom and dad being in the country. It was crazy, too, having had to be at work for more than 12 hours on some days, plus having to deal with this unnecessary heat, I didn't think I could make it. Thank You for making all these possible.

And of course, some other vanity-related stuff which in no way would ever be taken out of my calendar.

The Women of the Family {my mom is the one to my right}. Talking about *gasp* marriages, jewelry, love for shoes, lingerie and the best skincare. I love <3

Chinese food and family. This is the first time, I think, that my brother appears on this blog.

Turning more Japanese than ever. Sakura-inspired brightening mousse by Mamechiyo for shu uemura as well as a bottle of fresh cleansing oil is just something to brighten one's day.

Glitter nails. I tend to get distracted because this Ingenue shade from Orly is just tooooo adorable <3
Nails by Beauty and Butter

Summer Makeup is almost nothing! In this picture, I just slapped on some Myra E tinted moisturizer, shu uemura finishing powder, a little bronzer and shu uemura lip gloss. Ang init eh!

New hairstyle. I think I want something like this -- just something more corporate-world-friendly.

A running clinic --- and getting to know how bad my form is in running. At least now I know.

Realizing how arte I truly am with this Parisian video:

Family time at Bantayan Island. How gorgeous is this island? Very.

Speaking of the beach, it's great to be spending time au naturel. No makeup, sea and salt dried hair, just sunblock and breakouts LOL.

What's your sunblock? It was time to bring out the mother of all SPFs --- Sunplay SPF 130! For such high SPF, I expected it to be all sticky but it wasn't. Yay!

To answer and fix my skin woes, I headed to the new Facial Care Centre branch -- Eastwood. Oh gosh, look at THAT pimple. Thankfully, it's gone now! :) Thank you, FCC!

I love coming out of an airconditioned office in the middle of the day, hopping on to a car to meet friends and making chika over yummy food. <3

I finally saw my BTS video for the Parisian shoes thing and oh my gaaaad. Ang arte ko, yun lang!

The Fault in Our Stars. Love. Things you make way for just to satisfy your cravings. Bags and bags of Ruffles. McDonalds' Honey Banana float, getting my spring wish {now working on my Fall wish} and all the silly things that make me happy <3

The Men of Suits. Can't wait for this show to be back. Photo via the crush of my life, Patrick J. Adams

Suits means Rachel Zane and her amazing outfits.

Still via HalfAdams

This Adele interview with Ushi:

Too funny :D

What's making you smile this week {and despite the heat?}

PS: Don't forget to join my Beauty and Butter giveaway here :)

PPS: Or if you can please vote for me please :) Thank you!

Do You Have to Let it Linger?

2012-04-19T11:07:00.001+08:00

Hello, dearest readers!

I've been on a bit of blogging break to give way to having my parents in the country which means aside from work, trying to stay fit, a semblance of a social life and {how can I forget} work, I've been extra busy. However, that doesn't prevent me from watching a super duper favorite from grade school days: The Cranberries in Manila.

The thing with not being able to blog as much is that I hadn't been able to share my weekly Things I Love -- so I thought I'd share one first for the day, which is being able to be in the presence of an amazing band, waving arms up in the air and chanting with the crowd. Dolores' voice hasn't changed at all!

Linger

Dreams

Ode to My Family

Just beautiful --- I was a bit emotional at this time :D

Zombie | And no, we don't mean the ghostly creatures. I swear, I felt like I was back in 1990s when Dolores sang this song, every person in the crowd had their arms up and waved.

I can't wait to watch my next concert {maybe Lifehouse!} :) Miss you all!
xx

The New Beauty Wing at Rustan's Shangri La Mall

2012-04-19T06:06:00.002+08:00

One Saturday afternoon, Shen and I explored the newly opened, fresh off the oven, smells like new things, Beauty Wing of Rustan's Shangri La Mall.

The soft pink hues is telling of one thing: Benefit is in Shangri La Mall now, too!

The famous Benefit Brow Bar is present at the Shangri La mall, too.

Stocks upon stocks of Porefesional, That Gal and Bathina.

That Gal, Lip Plump and Ooh La Lift

Hervana <3 <3 <3 I have new found respect for super light blushes <3

The famous Hello Flawless!

I was soooo tempted to buy everything just so I can have this super nice makeup bag!

Shop MAC, Cook MAC

How adorable are these MAC 'detergents?'

The Armani of Scents, Armani. Have I told you how much I'm liking Acqua di Gioia?

Have you been to the new beauty wing of Shangri La yet?
xx

I Need Your Help :)

2012-04-13T00:40:00.000+08:00

Remember this thing at the Parisian blogger shoot? Well, it's a contest thing and while I'm not aiming to win {I'm just a lowly girl with no imaginary following whatsoever, though I'd like to believe I have friends who read this blog :)}:

I'd like to ask you to vote for me, thrice {that's max allowed} at the Parisian Blogger app:

Tank top: Nava

Shorts: Nava

Coverup: Nava

Accessories: Apostrophe, The Ramp

Shoes: Parisian

Bag: Parisian

I hope you like my summer look, too, enough to vote for me here :)

PS: If I win, and that is an if, 10 winners will get Php 2,000 GCs each :)

PPS: It's an effort to vote via Parisian blogger but it's good for tracking purposes for when the winner is announced. Thank you again!

PPPS: My friends Jheng, Alex and Krissy are in there, too! :)

BTW, I am off to Bantayan, Cebu today and I can't wait to spend the weekend with my parents and brother!

Yay!

Cry Like You've Never Done Before

2012-04-12T13:36:00.001+08:00

I've read these pages three months ago and I did so again and I want to burst into tears. I guess the book is THAT good.

/end of drama queen moment.