Happy Holidays!

Jumping on the bandwagon of taking a picture at SM Lanang Premiere's well-known 40-feet tall Christmas Tree.
I wore a vintage floral top, Jag jeans, G by Guess bag, Primadonna brogues.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, lovelies!

How's your celebration going? Have some innocent fun. Don't forget the essence of this season.

I apologize for the lack of updates for months. I've been really busy with our church activities and at work. I'll be back soon, my lovelies. Got a lot of stories to tell. Brain, I'm in dire need of my creative juices. 

God bless you! ;-)

Halloween Funtastic Treats

This Halloween, NCCC brings you the Funtastic Treats! Witness the creativity of the Davaoenos through the fun-filled activities on October 27, 2012 at NCCC Mall Davao, Activity Center. Models of our local make-up artists will ramp the stage to show off their "fantascary" look through the Hair & Make-up Competition. Kids will enjoy the culmination program through the Trick or Treat and Costume Contest. You can also post your most "funtastic" shot on the photo wall, and join the Photo Contest. Exciting prizes and freebies await everyone! Come & dress in your greatest fantasy and join the fun! See posters and print-ads for more details. Call or text NCCC's official mobile no.: 0917-3117905.

Pocket-Friendly Trinkets

Hello again! Before anything else, I just want to apologize for the lack of updates here in my niche for the last couple of weeks. That is because I’ve devoted much of my time in church. I attend our Prayer Meeting from 6pm to 8:30pm every Wednesday night. Saturday afternoons are for our church’s Music Team preparation, and of course, Sundays are dedicated for God. Yes I do have a lot of free time, but because of this crazy thing called blogger’s block, I couldn’t squeeze my brain for topics that could interest you my beloved readers (if I have any).

Now, let me not dwell on the explanation part. Let’s just talk about what every girl loves to have… Accessories! What woman wouldn’t want to accentuate herself with such fine embellishments? Some girls are obsessed with high-end jewelries, while some are otherwise. I wasn’t born with a golden spoon and I still don’t have a job, so obviously I belong to the girls who are “otherwise”. I am very fond of affordable yet striking trinkets. In times of crisis, I wouldn’t buy something too costly just for a luxury. I believe in the power of practicality.

If you’re on a tight budget and you’re a fad enthusiast from Davao, I suggest you head on to Chinatown at Uyanguren. This street has an array of thrift shops that can both satisfy your wants and needs. I‘m still not very familiar with the place though, but there’s a spot there that I can truly call a fashion haven. The store is called TOMLIZ Butingtings. The word butingting is actually a Filipino term which means accessories. From the word itself, you can then conclude that their main products are stylish ornaments marketed to women and women-at-heart.

The following are some of the accessories I bought from my recent trip there.

This originally costs 60Php, but it was on sale for 50% less. I got it for only 30Php.

30Php – 0.70 USD

30Php – 0.70 USD

30Php – 0.70 USD

25Php – 0.59 USD

23Php – 0.54 USD

These leather wraps and over-sized ring and studs are identical things you see and buy from online shops, and yet you probably get them for twice or way more than the original price. Nevertheless they’re all fake, so why settle for something expensive yet phony when you can have something cheap that still has the same faux quality. Be practical, you girls. If you’re worrying on the durability of these cut-rate items, I say it’s just a matter of being a good owner. Take utmost care of your belongings, and they will last long. Nothing’s permanent in this world anyway. Eventually, everything’s still going to end. You’re smart, I know you get my point but hey, that’s just me ok?

On that note I say, ‘til next time my lovelies! I hope you understand if I get lost again. Much love! God bless everyone.

Mystique Shutterbug: My 22nd Birthday

I have returned, my lovelies! It was quite a long hiatus I should say. I was gone for almost a month, and it felt like forever. Now I'm still trying to refresh my mind from the blogger's block and stuff, so I hope you don't mind if this entry sounds so lame. I know I promised to get back right away; but some circumstances are really that irreconcilable, I couldn't even live up to what I said so. Anyhow, it was my 22nd birthday last Friday June 8 2012 but the celebration was held the next day at our church during the Music Team practice. To back up my words in this entry, here are the photos.

Me and my sisters Mikee, Janine and Miko.

DIG IN, my new friends in the LORD!

I felt so blessed with my 22nd year because I’m now serving my Father in Heaven again after such a long time of being just a simple church-goer. It’s a great feeling when you know you’re using everything you are for God’s cause. I also want to thank our Pastor and some of my church friends for serenading me first thing in the morning last Friday. It meant a lot to me! I totally felt so special. Lastly, I want to thank my family, especially to my Mama Bebet and Papa Bebot for preparing something delicious for my two-part birthday celebration. You are the sweetest! I couldn’t be more grateful to the Lord for giving me these wonderful people.

‘Til next time. Much Love! God bless everyone.

Child’s Play: Graduation Outfit

Photo courtesy of Rene Arias (This photo is not the actual soft copy. This is just scanned.)

Photo courtesy of Lito Sy (This photo is not the actual soft copy. This is just scanned.)

What I wore on Graduation Day:

Dress – Sabella RTW

Shoes – Mendrez

Bag – G by Guess

Bangle – SM Accessories

Earrings – Gift from Mom

Sablay (Sash) – Hablon

Everything that I wore that day (except for the bag) was Pinoy made -- from the dress, shoes, bangle and Sablay.

Here’s a quick post before I’ll have my hiatus again. It’ll just be a short-lived break anyway, since I’m going to be busy processing matters for my “job seeking escapade” this week. And oh, I will also be one of the facilitators for a Youth and Kids Camp organized by our church. The event will be held from the 17th to 19th of May. I pray that we nail it perfectly well, so we could be able to give the participants a summer that’s divine and worth-remembering.

Anyhow, this is another graduation post but this time it’s about what I wore. I don’t know with the graduates from other UP system units, but UP Mindanao graduates are required to wear beige or cream dress and shoes for girls; and beige barong and black pants and shoes for boys. The reason for wearing neutral colored garments is to lay emphasis on the symbolic Sablay. We’re not allowed to wear any other ostentatious accessories other than the latter stated.

I selected this ruffled neck chiffon dress with pagoda sleeves because it looks vintage and feminine. My dress is already very detailed, that’s why I decided to pair it with this simple 3-inch beige shoes. The catch is, we also needed to put on stockings and I hated it because its silkiness gave me a tough time walking. I didn’t know how to deal with it with flair considering I don’t normally wear high heels. Luckily, things folded quite nicely that day.

I wore the bangle and the bag only before and after the ceremony; because like what I’ve said earlier, we had to highlight the Sablay all throughout the program. What I love about my bangle from SM Accessories are the faux gold and diamond embellishments. I’m just totally in love with anything shiny, shimmery and golden. I also got thrilled when I saw Karylle (A Filipino celebrity) wearing the same arm candy in red hue in one episode of It’s ShowTime.

I was so happy with everything that I donned that day; because apart from The Sablay, nobody sported the same dress, shoes and accessories as I did. Basically, what we had to pull off for our graduation outfit is the fashion statement called “Pop of Print” to accentuate the thing every UP student yearns for. So, that’s it for now. I guess this ends my series of graduation posts. Take note of the phrase “I guess”. Just kidding. ‘Til then! Much love!

Hype this look in Lookbook.

Mystique Shutterbug: Old and New Cats

Caramel gave birth to two kittens four months ago. My sister insisted on naming them after her favorite Philippine TV Series characters, Wako (orange) and Kokey (black). I know they do sound absurd, so my Mom and I suggested to change Kokey into Kay.

This is a funny picture of Wako and Kay planking.

I don't know why Kay's fond of  looking upwards whenever I snap a photo of her.

Wako and Kay are by far one of the sweetest kitty siblings we've ever had.

Here's Kay playing with the headset.

Here's a sad news about Wako. We found out that he has feline epilepsy. He's had more than five seizures since April 8, 2012. According to online sources, this sickness is never curative. We can only decrease the frequency, severity and duration of seizures with anti-convulsant drugs which.... we can't afford.

Wako doesn't let his condition get in the way of his "happiness", which is to play with everything that he finds amusing.

One big happy family. Left to Right: Kay, Wako, Caramel and Bench.

Mousy used to hate Wako and Kay, but that maltreatment changed after she had a miscarriage. She's now back to being the kind and lovable cat we know. See? She even breastfeeds Wako. Sweet, eh?

This is Mousy with her two babies. The bigger one is just actually her adopted kitty we named as Saucer. Maybe Mousy didn't realize she had a miscarriage, that's why she thought it was hers. The smaller one is her one and only survivor offspring. We named him Snap-snap. I hope he'll grow as healthy as her mother.

This is how Caramel shows how much she cares for Mousy. I almost got teary-eyed watching how loving these cats are. This is definitely a moment worth capturing.

....More photos soon...

Happenings After Graduation

Our Sablay and Diploma Jacket

DISCLAIMER: This post will contain a lot of photos. Prepare to scroll down some more.

Clearly, I still couldn’t get a hang of our graduation ceremonies which I blogged about last week. I can’t stop thinking of writing about it again, because it feels like I still have a lot of things to share. The problem is, I couldn’t put them in words. Blame it on the post-graduation jitters that’s been bugging me for more than a week now. My mind’s still on a haze, so I’m saving all those thoughts about the joy of finally completing a bachelor’s degree for next time.

After graduation, I kept myself busy looking for available jobs at JobStreet. Fortunately, I found some that I deem are suitable to what I usually do best; the downside is, their offices are located somewhere far from my hometown. I’m still not ready to leave my peaceful and comfortable life here in Davao City. So friends, I beg you to stop flustering me with the great opportunities Makati City has to offer until I’m emotionally and financially prepared. LOL!

I choose to stay here in Davao City until such time that I’ll realize my calling of working in an advertising firm, which has been my ultimate dream ever since I started studying Communication Arts. But until that happens, I’m going to set myself up for any adventure life may throw my way. Anyhow, I got an offer to play guest host for a TV show with three others. I actually find it weird that I’m one of the chosen ones given my shy and delicate sensibilities. Despite that, I agreed to do it and I’m quite excited to work on cam ‘cause I know it’s going to be a great experience.

Enough about work and stuff, so now I’m going to talk about the highlight of my week. My true friends Regine, Lerr and I reunited after four months last Wednesday. The last time we saw each other was when they visited me here at home last Christmas. I missed them big time and it’s sad to know that we’re going be apart again soon (tears), but of course that didn’t hinder us from having fun. Here are our photos to suffice our celebration of food and friendship.

Waiting for Lerr to arrive.

Lerr finally arrived after 30 minutes.

This is our only photo together. 

I will never stop loving Ramadeey.

Regine says this is going to be her Facebook DP.

Regine and Lerr’s photo opp at Zabadani’s façade.

Off to our next food destination.

Tunisian Whole Breast (My order)

Beef Kabsa (Regine’s Order)

Lemony Chicken (Lerr’s Order)

Isn’t it odd that I’m such a huge fan of Zabadani Café? I always suggest going there when my friends and I find time to pig out, and I thank them for considering my opinion when it comes to food. I will never get tired of feeding myself with Zab’s Middle-Eastern delights. This food spot is definitely one of Davao City’s pride. Now that I mentioned Zab, they just opened their newest branch at Gaisano Mall’s The Peak yesterday. Anyway, after having our lunch there, we went strolling to find somewhere else (with wifi) to stay. We had a hard time deciding where, and finally we chose to head over at Café Demitasse for our frappe and pizza fix.

18 oz. worth of brain freeze. Almond Praline frappe (my order), Strawberry Smoothie (Lerr’s) and Mudslide Frappe (Regine’s).

Pepperoni Pizza

That was my second time to be at Café Demitasse. The last time was over a year ago with my boyfriend. I remember blogging my review about it. In case you haven’t read it, here’s the link. I love this place because it’s very feminine. I love the colors of the chairs, wall and the chandeliers. They’re very pretty! I will never say no to something that pleases my eyes. Another thing that I love about Café Demitasse is their fast internet connection. I could have finished downloading five movies, if it weren’t for my laptop that’s running out of power.

Before I forget, I also would like to share that after a very long stretch, I finally had a good dose of spiritual knowledge once again this week. It really feels so great to stay in tune with the Lord. I'm going to give that a separate blog post so that I can talk about it more. Another thing, I also just finished watching Season 1 of The Lying Game. The finale was epic! I am totally stoked for Season 2. I heard production will start this summer, and the show will start this winter. That’s it for now folks. Much love!

PS: One last thing, I apologize for not posting much and for not blog-hopping much lately. I'm quite busy looking for a job. I hope you understand.