the first two weeks

It's been two weeks since I started on my new job/career as Real Living's managing editor, and all I could say is...I'm having a blast! I feel blessed to be part of a great team who knows how to appreciate what our magazine stands for. Sure, turnovers and deadlines can be a pain, but the hardship is compensated by a daily dose of creativity witnessed during shoots and events. And in my first two weeks, I've seen enough to be inspired. How inspired? Let's just say that all those wonderful colors I see almost every day, whether at shoots or visits to exhibits, have translated to how I decorate our own nest. 

The table runner (first photo above) is actually a steal from Landmark: it's reversible and costs only Php199! Such a great find! Meanwhile, the pillows are from Duo Deco (the big, floral ones), SM Homeworld (the ones with green geometric prints), and Mandaue Foam Furniture (the yellow/white one with orange embroidery). Since it's already summer, I decided to update our throw pillows as a means of adding more color to our place. The ones from Duo Deco and SM Homeworld are newly acquired, actually, and I just mixed them with the one from Mandaue (which belongs to our original set). Francis and I also bought new curtains to complement these summery pillows. I was originally gunning for something printed, but decided on a plain, olive green set to temper the explosion of prints and colors on our couch. Haha!

But it's not just our home that benefits from my new job. My closet, too, got a little update, thanks to this year's Manila Fame.

There were so many pretty, locally made accessories (aside from magnificent furniture pieces, of course) showcased, but the one above, which is a neck piece  from Avatar, caught my eye and my heart (haha!) that there was no other option but to buy it.

So yes, I am loving my job. Aside from the fact that there's less stress compared with the previous one I had, seeing pretty things on a daily basis makes it less tedious. The only thing I "hate" about it? I spend on those pretty things. Haha!

shopping like crazy

This may sound funny (and even lame to some extent), but ever since I resigned from my day job, I've been so scared of turning into a losyang (haggard) during the few weeks that I'll be mostly staying home. Sure, I still get to go out once or twice a week for meetings and domestic errands, but the thought of actually getting lost in this lounge-at-home lifestyle scares me. 

So what do I do to fend off that lazy tendency? Frequent fashion blogs (a new addition to my list is Camille Co's website), follow stores on Instagram (Pill Footwear and Tonic Bags and Shoes, both of which can be found in The Ramp Crossings store in TriNoma; as well as Sabo Skirt, an Australian clothing brand whose Instagram posts are pretty inspiring, fashion-wise), and check out new shopping haunts that are not part of my usual shopping list (The Ramp is now officially in my list; and yes, that should have been in there a long time ago, but I am such a late bloomer). 

Naturally, because if this weird and funny concern, I went on a sort of shopping spree. Two weeks into this new life (haha!), I have already bought: a roomy Charles and Keith bag, another statement necklace from SM Accessories, a vintage Casio black watch similar to this, and a pair of transparent flats from Pill Footwear that was inspired by this blog entry (scroll down to see her pretty shoes!). But, oh my, the craze does not seem to end here. I am currently pining for one of these purty babies!

 

 Image from The Ramp

 

I particularly like the "ice crystals" neck piece on the far right. If my kaartehan gets the best of me, I may actually go for the kill. 

Yes, yes, I know I have to be a wiser spender especially now that I'm freelancing; but promise, this will be the last (until I actually start on my three-day-a-week part-time job, haha!)!

forgive this stream of thoughts

Hormones have been unforgiving lately. It's a matter of being depressed and happy within a span of an hour. I must be bipolar just like the weather, hahaha!

These days, I can't help but vent things on shopping. If not actual shopping, I frequent Parfois' website for some window shopping (and scouting possible future buys). I am so in love with their stuff--quality but not pricey. If I were to disregard sanity, I will probably buy a Parfois bag every month. Oh, and accessories, too!

Also been checking out two fashion bloggers, The Walking Recessionista and Tricia Will Go Places. (The latter was embroiled in some controversy months ago, but I might digress.) I don't really follow fashion blogs simply because I find it tedious just keeping up with these girls' outfits. I mean, I am into fashion, but I don't believe it has to require much effort. Plus, I don't see the point of actually chronicling what you wear every single day. There are better things to do. But, these two blogs that I have recently been following are quite different because not all entries are about shoes and bags and accessories. More importantly, the things they wear are "achievable"--outfits that I can imagine myself wearing. I don't like fashion bloggers who go to Cambodia and visit the Angkor Wat in heels and lacy dresses, and label that ensemble as "casual". Casual, seriously?!? Heels in Angkor Wat? Is that even practical? Can you even walk in those on uneven grounds? Plus, Angkor Wat is a historical place meant to be experienced, not a catwalk that pulls attention to what you're wearing! I mean, sure, you can still be fashionable but practical and realistically sane, right? 

Anyway, I'm quite disappointed with myself for not following through with my pursuit of photography. I promised to buy a light and soft box for my birthday last April, but it's already July and I still don't have lights. I must prioritize that, I must! Photography is something that I really want to be good at, and I really have to get behind the lens more often. I think I can blame Instagram and camera phones for this complacency, haha! I sometimes find myself settling for my camera phone instead of bringing my DSLR, justifying that it's not the machine that makes for a good photo, but the person operating that machine. While to a certain degree it's true, I know that actually bringing and using a decent camera is key to honing photography skills. Aack, I have to kick myself hard and resume my pursuit!

And then there's the issue of my other blog, which I barely update. I used to have the excuse of not having Internet connection at home, hence the sparse entries. But now that I have a decent connection 24/7, what's my excuse, eh? Pfft!

It's raining again, and I'm stuck at home as of this writing because I'm not feeling well enough to go to work. I decided to just telecommute (and boy, this is a lot less stressful, I can do this for the rest of my life if only it were allowed!). I wonder what I'll preoccupy myself with in between work emails and daydreams. 

I wish it were already Friday again.

it's a streak

First, it was surfing. Then came a change in hair color for the first time in my life, and a purchase that's uncharacteristically me. 

From jet black to medium brown at Azta Salon in Robinsons Pioneer

 Another Parfois buy: my wildest bag so far...

My, my, I really am bent on surprising myself, and I feel good about it. Perhaps these sudden, little changes will bring about big ones that I've been praying for. Hmmm...

get ready for the tunic project

My reliable assistant!

This shoot was a few months overdue. My office friend, Jen, needed more time to fix her tunics and dresses after Ondoy; but the wait is over. Very soon, Jen's lovely, lovely tunics will be up for grabs online. (Meanwhile, her items will be available in the upcoming bazaar at the Rockwell Tent this Feb. 6 & 7.) I volunteered to shoot her stuff in my quest to seriously build a photography portfolio and learn more about photography (particularly landscape, product and food) so I can seriously pursue the craft and well, earn extra from it.

I actually enjoyed shooting all those pretty clothes, and I'm so proud of Jenny for her new business. Acting as my assistant/reflector man was my ever-so-patient husband. We started the shoot a little before lunch and was done by around 4pm.

A few days before the actual shoot yesterday, Jen showed me her peg. I was adamant if I could really pull it off. With no lights (yet), I decided to make do with ambient light; fortunately, I'm satisfied with the results. Using available light taught me patience, and I wish to play with it some more in future shoots. Still, I'd have to buy lights soon so I won't have to perpetually rely on the sun.

Thanks a lot to Jen for trusting my novice skills; to her family for warmly welcoming us into their home and serving yummy lunch and snacks (Marikina puto FTW!); to Iya, Jen's adorable niece, for the funny entertainment; and to Cindy, who despite being so agitated about the late delivery of her new bed, still managed to drop by for some chika.

I can't wait for Jen's Tunic Project to be up and running real soon!