Style and Soul

Since my last entry, I haven't logged in my blogger account and when I tried to do so (just a few minutes ago before writing this), dun dun dun dun... I forgot my password! Honestly, I think I sort of panicked right away because thoughts of possibly not being able to access this blog ever again got into my head (exaggerated paranoia right). Then, it took me a couple more attempts before I finally typed in the correct one. Whew! I let out a big sigh of relief and just laughed at myself (call me crazy, haha). If not for the 150+ comments left unapproved and me almost forgetting my password, I wouldn't realize (that much) how so much time passed me by. With how quick things change these days, a few months is indeed a long time.

As usual, life continues to happen. And with everything I've gone through (a lot actually, or should I say, a looooooooooooooot), considering all my personal experiences as a whole, it's been a little difficult (fine maybe I'm a little lazy too) to sort everything out and share it with you in full account. 

So far, it's been clear to me what I want in my life. In full confidence, I can say that I have found myself and I'm on a roll in chasing after all my goals and dreams. In order for me to keep on moving towards the things that I aspire for and pursue my chosen endeavors, I had to let go of everything that held me back. And by that, I mean, everything that burdened me. Life is indeed one hell of a journey and I don't ever want to slow down or let any excess baggage stand in my way. 

Sorting. Separating. Discarding. Keeping. Leaving. I had to undergo all these in the process of simplifying my life so I could create more space for my growth as a person.

Sometimes I wonder, "How many times should I say 'sorry' for blogging late or not blogging at all?" After much thought, I realized, it's not right to feel the need to apologize if the only reason of doing so is because I hardly update my blog.

Before any judgment on how inconsiderate it is of me to not think about the people who patronize Style and Soul, allow me to clarify what I really mean before I get misinterpreted - again. As much as possible, I try to avoid calling my followers,  my followers because I hate treating them as fans. Read back on my previous entries and I'm sure you'll notice that I like using the term readers because I actually believe that my genuine supporters certainly take time out of their busy schedules to read what I've written and not just browse or look at photos.

Even though I may not be as expressive as I should be, truth is, I really love my readers. Whenever I receive thoughtful comments when I open my laptop once I arrive home from a labor-intensive or stressful project, it puts a smile on my face and pulls my emotional strings (cheesy but sooo true, haha). It feels touching and it makes me more inspired to keep on writing entries where I'm able to share ideas, insights and feelings that may influence beliefs, something they can ponder on, or just anything useful that they can take with them as they live their lives in the real world.
Because my readers mean much to me, I also value their time spent on this blog. Although a few commitments push me to flush out certain posts, generally, I'm not the type of blogger who updates regularly or for more, blog for the sake of blogging. My blogging philosophy tells me to only blog when I really have something to say and not because I want to say something. You get the difference?

Sheer long robe c/o Closet Chic | Platforms Gold Dot | Snakeskin bag c/o SM Parisian

One of the reasons why I'm not that crazy with the neon trend is because I have dark skin. It's pretty evident in this photo how this neon tank top that I'm wearing made me look even darker than my actual skin color. Before any of you come up with a judgment, let me clarify, I'm a proud morena and I love my complexion. It's just that, neon is not the most flattering color for my kind of skin and this is why girls like us should keep in mind the colors that would best compliment our skin tone like pastel shades or warm hues. 

Top c/o Greater Good Apparel | Turban c/o Flatterbuy | Necklace c/o  Freeway |  Red metallic boots F-STOP

So what's up with the basic denim shorts, over sized top, ungroomed hair (salvaged by this striped turban) and bare face? Well in reality, this is how I actually dress up during film shoots - the kind where I have to run around, carry heavy items, endure the exhausting heat and humid, not to mention, work long hours.

The whole outfit is casual and really laid back but I made sure I added interesting elements to it such as these  matching metallic red boots and Freeway X Levi Celerio harmonica necklace - one of my most favorite and unique sponsored item so far.

Hello, long time no blog guys! If you only knew how much I'm dying to blog all my rotten backlogs for you but since I'm running out of excuses except that I was just really busy, I'll just stay positive and believe that I'll get to it sooner. But if you're following me on Twitter or Facebook, you'll know I'm very much alive since I'm pretty active there because it's a lot easier to schedule tweets and status messages than blog entries, haha. 

Anyway, last week I dropped by Nail It! to get my nails done and while I'm at it, I noticed some display samples of the salon's nail art designs.  Usually, whenever I take a trip to the nail salon, I opt to have my nails painted in plain solid colors to make it easier for me to put together outfits and match my accessories.

However since last year, the practice of placing decorative designs on fingernails have been a hit and have now become such an added statement to your personal style. On my part, I never really explored nail art for myself except for this one time when I got "bee nails". So I told myself, as much as possible, I'll go and get myself one!

Here are some snapshots of Nail It! nail art designs:

Click 'read more' for full entry

I asked if Nail It! can do other designs aside from the ones showcased in the salon and turns out, you can bring a photo of your peg and they will be more than willing to do it for you as long as their trained in-house artists can achieve it. 

Last month, I got an e-mail from a blogger named Ayeen of Style Attempt. She invited me to be a part of the I Wear Pulsera project, a promotional effort to build awareness for an indie band, Pulsera.
Saying yes to the collaboration was not because I'm really into experimental, post-rock music. On a similar experience, I remember hosting an underground music gig called Come on Trip the Light, on such a short notice despite the fact that I did not know anything about the bands who played.  

Now that I'm blogging about this, it's not a question of my music preference but a matter of belief. Even though I'm not a rocker at heart, I'm a huge fan of individuals who do everything to pursue their passion. Reality is, mainstream music will always give the audience what it wants in order to generate a mass appeal that would translate into sales. On the other hand, independent artists will always cater to a certain niche and would continue to struggle for opportunities.

A few weeks before turning one year older a month ago, I realized that I don't like throwing a big party - the kind that I used to when I was a kid where a lot of people would come; all my neighbors and classmates, including the ones I'm not really close to.

The month of May is my lucky month, I guess. On second thought, I'd rather not think of it as luck but as a combination of hard work, patience and most of all, God's providence. Of all the many things that I do as a freelancer (production management for film and events, social media work, online PR, writing, hosting, styling, entrepreneurship etc.), one of the things I love most and would really want a career in is hosting.

Finally, I'm fully booked with hosting projects this month. Thank you Lord!!!

Click "Read More" for full blog entry and outfit details

I honestly felt like a celebrity for once in my life that day. The Parisian Bloggers Pictorial Party was the first-ever event that I've been where all the bloggers were given such a special treatment.

Picture agad, as soon as I got in with Belle and Alex!

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a name tag and name plate on my table, along with two lovely pairs of shoes. The location, Elite Studios in Makati, had awesome party lights, a DJ playing dance beats, catered food (eat all you can!) from Bizu, cocktail tables and waiters serving us with our every need. I could sense how much effort was put into the event, everything was well prepared and personal. It was impressive.

I have a new mini segment in my blog called Soul Styling. I had a fun idea playing with the word "soul searching," haha, and it's dedicated to all the items generous brands have given me or pieces that I practically find interesting. Made this mini collage of the items that were sent to me by Chic Habit and Wear Mauve. Thank you so much! I'd love to wear these in my outfit posts. 

If you're looking for accessories to match or enhance your ensembles, check out these stores. You might find something that'll fit your style. :)

P.S. Watch out for an upcoming giveaway courtesy of Chic Habit (happening soon).

Vote for my entry at the Parisian Blogger Challenge!

Wore this to do some errands during the day then a hosting job at night. What I love most about about this shift dress is the comfort it provides. It keeps me looking effortlessly chic and grants me the convenience of either dressing it up or down, whatever way I want it.

During the event that I hosted, I felt a bit out-of-place seeing most of the girls clad in sexy and tight outfits.  When I looked around me, I noticed that I was the only one sporting an over-sized dress in that party. Come to think of it, it's actually a good thing because this dress has set me apart from the crowd.   

I toughened up this look by accessorizing in black and silver, and added one statement piece - a leopard envelope bag c/o Impulse Co.

I've done this with my other friends but not for work and definitely not for a guy - real guy. Haha!

I was too cautious not to pick anything that he might find eeerrr... quite feminine?

I have one mini project right up my sleeve recently and it's styling a promising radio personality, DJ Boom of 91.5 Big Radio. Naks, kung maka-build up, haha! Currently, he's looking for a few sponsors that might help him propel his career. However, both of us totally understand the reality that usually, starting DJs don't get any support from any brands yet - not until they become really famous.

Aside from being relatively new in the radio industry, he hosts a local FM station which targets the mass audience. To a certain extent, this could be a disadvantage (pwede ring advantage) because there's a possibility that companies would  go for those who cater to either the A-B demographic, not masa. Wag na magdeny, aminin! Let's say for example, the boys of Boys Night Out from Magic 89.9, or DJ Mo Twister (when he was still here).

I get it. I know that. This is just how it works in this industry. But what made me agree to working with DJ Boom is the fact that we were classmates in college and I know how good he is. He graduated with honors in UP Diliman and if you talk to him as a regular person, not as his radio character, you can tell that he really has the smarts.

It's just that, here in the country, when one speaks English, he is perceived as intelligent and well-educated while the one who talks in Filipino is assumed to be shallow and an airhead. This is the stereotype currently running in our society. Yes, the Filipino language is for the laymen but it is never inferior. I may blog in English all I want just to cater to all types of readers but it's Filipino that I use in my everyday language.

This is why other disc jocks for English stations are placed on the pedestal while masa DJs are made fun of and not really taken seriously because of their "funny" names like Chris-tsupe or Papa Jack or DJ BoomBay. Succumbing to these circumstances, I remain again, positive that  DJ Boom will find his place in the industry and when he does, a lot more opportunities will come his way. He just needs to work his ass off and has to pay his dues first (O diba, just look at Mr.Fu!). Sooner or later, he'd be reaping the fruits of his labor. This applies to all of us, of course.

But while we wait for the bigger things that will surely come his way as long as he patiently waits, we would like to personally thank Hang Ten for giving him the chance at a mini collaboration. In good faith, I pitched in the proposal and it makes me happy that  Hang Ten was willing to tie-up with me and my buddy DJ Boom. It's a gesture our tandem truly appreciate!

This explains why we were at Hang Ten (SM North Edsa) picking out clothes! Hehe! It has a nice selection for men over there, plus, a lot were on sale! I personally like its button-downs and some kick-ass graphic tees!

HANG TEN PH: Website | Facebook | Twitter

DJ BOOM: Blog | Facebook | Twitter