Picking up my first Peter Pauper Press journal was random. I got the first blue floral-printed journal that caught my attention from a pile of stuff at a FullyBooked counter at the start of 2011. Since then, I never bought any other brand of notebook other than PPP.

I had a total of 7 journals last year, including the one I’m writing on right now. Allow me to share photos of them because they’re just too photogenic! And they’re actually prettier in real life than the ones you see on their product catalog!

It’s difficult finding them here in Manila, so when I was in New York, I hoarded a couple of pieces from Barnes and Noble. Later on I learned that if you looked hard enough, you’d find them at some National Bookstore, Power Books and Fully Booked branches. I love them so much I started buying them not just for myself but to give to some friends as well.

To make it sweeter, I’ve so far made sure I didn’t get the same design twice. (Hover over the photos to see the captions.)

Their paper is usually plain white and finely-ruled, but once in a while you get yourself a little surprise. Some of these notebooks come with dainty little prints like these:

Cute no?

I’ve made myself visible online all these years, blogging, twitting, posting here and there; but nothing still compares to writing things down old school way—paper, ink, and heart. My journals are the keeper of my most honest thoughts and musings, my most daring prayers, and even my dried-up tears on its pages.

I love the thought that long after my blog sites are abandoned, my eyesight too blurry to see the computer screen, and my hand too shaky to type on a computer keyboard, I still have trinkets of my life preserved in a box-full of journals, which, hopefully, I’d get to hand down to my kids.

When my cousin, Ate Dots, confirmed to me that she and her husband were flying in from Sydney to attend our wedding, I just knew that I wouldn’t want anyone else to do our wedding cake but her. Ever since the launch of Treatbox, I’ve been an avid fan of their creations and have often wished they shipped their treats internationally.

Needless to say, our wedding cake was beautifully made, even better than I imagined. Ate Dots captured the color palette perfectly and the details were so intricately designed it was an instant subject of many of our photographs. She even captured my hair, my dress, my bouquet, my dimple and Bud’s mole. I still have the cake topper kept in a jar, but the cake has (obviously) long been gone. Just the same, it’s gifts like this that leave behind beautiful memories and photographs, ones you’d keep looking at for years to come.

Thanks Ate Dots and Kuya Mitch (and Jonah!) for bringing Treatbox right to our reach, and for not missing our wedding for the world. (:

Shameless plug: If you’re in Sydney, specifically in Paramatta, Blacktown and Eastern Suburbs, do check out Treatbox! They specialize in custom-made, eye-candy fondant cakes and cake pops, and I heard Ate Dots’ silvanas are really delicious too!

And that, my friends, is why I will never trust a man’s judgment again on matters like this! :))

So yeah, I practically lived in this ridiculously expensive Zara coat the whole week I was there because none of my other jackets/blazers were good enough, and this pair of Blowfish booties I bought at Macy’s because I had to replace the pairs of shoes that gave up on me. Even so, there were nights when David had to insist on me wearing his coat on top of mine because I probably looked so pale he thought I would faint or something. Don’t get me wrong. Wardrobe issues notwithstanding, New York City treated me well, and I wouldn’t mind going through it over again even if I die of hypothermia haha.

At this point I would just like to acknowledge that one of the things I love about my job is how I could browse through pages and pages of fashion and style blogs to no end without feeling remorse. Being in the designer clothes industry sure does come in handy sometimes! :P

Anyway, my eyes are all over the Fall-Winter trend these days. Here are some of Zara’s, Promod’s and J.Crew’s Fall 2010 look books:

Dresses, skirts, and leg warmers are love! I’m just not sure everyone can really survive 5°C like this, I probably won’t, but I love how one can wear so many pieces of clothing at a time!

Jeans, sweaters and coats.. Made me realize I haven’t worn jeans in more than a year that I suddenly started panic buying on denim!

Also, boots. And lots of scarves! Suddenly I’m checking out scarves I wouldn’t have paid attention to and knee-high boots I wouldn’t even try because it’s just not possible to wear them here in Manila.

Meh. Fall fashion is too pretty. Can we ever justify wearing wool and knee-high boots and thick knitted scarves and leather jackets here in Manila? Why do other people get to experience fall and we don’t? Life can be unfair sometimes.

(But okay, I’m lying, I do know a thing or two about applying make-up, I kinda enjoy coloring my face with it, and I do know that Urban Decay has got the best eyeshadow palettes out there. As a matter of fact, I’ve been using UD’s Sustainable Shadow Box as my daily ‘shadow for months now and it has not failed me EVER. And now I’m just happy to give that good ol’ thing a break, Alice saves the day.)

So I’ll just take photos instead. Because Alice is pretty. And these are the kinda stuff I’d like to adorn my blog with.

Also, I know that I’m one of the few lucky ones in Manila who get to have Alice ahead of everyone else, so yeah, this is just me making you girls die of envy. *insert evil grin here*

OAN, if you want real, credible, useful reviews and swatches, head over to Liz and Lauren‘s blogs, they’re actually the ones responsible for my ongoing love affair with Alice in Wonderland. (Thank you, ladies, for inviting me and Mara to order with you.)

• Review & Swatches: Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows by Lauren
• Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland by Liz

Now please please please take me out to coffee so I get an excuse to leave the house and wear make-up.

I’m sure I’ll still have a use for this mannequin in the future. But for now, I play dress up in my spare time, much like playing with a life-size doll. Hence the mannequin’s name, Barbie. (Yes, I name stuff, deal with it.)

Here’s my own live version of Polyvore. ;)

I abhorred purple my whole life (because it reminds me of Barney), until recently. I’d like to think of it as Xaris‘ crazy addiction with anything purple rubbing on me. Now, I’m crazy about the color too! Not all hues of purple though. I don’t like flashy neon purples. Instead I like the deep shade of plum. (And you know how much I like it with blue.)

Today I put on Barbie these girly colors of pink and plum, balanced out with some yellow gold, bronze and brown.

Knitted muffler from Zara; Brown leather belt from Petit Monde; Purple faux leather purse from Fold and Hung; Floral printed skirt from *ehem* TheDreamerie *ehem*, thrifted

I’m addicted to skirts that are worn as tube dresses.

Also, I’m addicted to skirts and dresses with pretty patterns and fabrics, that even though I don’t like the cut, or it’s too long for my liking, I’d still get it off the rack because I can’t stand turning my back on something so pretty. (Is there some cure to this form of obsession?)

Other than the lovely fabric, there are a lot of things you can do with this skirt so I thought it was worth stocking it up in the shop. It’s garterized and has draw strings, which makes it wearable as a tube dress, or a skirt that falls up to mid-calf, or a high-waisted skirt. And you can just imagine the many colors you can mix and match with this skirt’s pretty floral print!

It reminds me of Reese Witherspoon when she was Melanie Smooter in Sweet Home Alabama. She went back to her home town wearing a black-and-white floral printed mid-calf skirt, a plain black off-shoulder top, and black pointed knee high leather boots. Ahh, I totally digged the Southern look.

How about you? What’s your latest obsession? :)

Later on, I found an outtake in her tumblr account:

Isn’t she pretty? :)

Pay her a visit, you won’t regret it, she’s a brilliant artist: Site | Tumblr | Deviantart

It has been a blast since TheDreamerie was launched three weeks ago. I admit that venturing into something that would generate extra income was among the major reasons why the idea of putting up an online store came to fruition (not to mention finding an outlet for my unavoidable impulsive shopping sprees, but that goes without saying). However, I realized as I went about finding clothes and dresses to put up in the shop that the real profit in this business, more than the money, is meeting new people and finding items that would inspire others to express themselves through their clothing.

Is it so weird that I’ve developed a certain attachment to the clothes we put up in the shop? Ahhh, especially after naming them as if they’re our children! Conversations like, “Have you sent out Fiona to Liz already?” or “This dress looks like Seraphim to me.” or “Yay, someone is getting Janice!” are normal everyday YM exchange between me and Marian, as if we talk about real people and not clothes. I guess what I’m trying to say is, more than the thrill of shopping and being surrounded by pretty vintage clothes, I’ve grown to love the idea of finding these dresses someone to take care of them.

Such is how I felt when I saw Feanne’s self portraits. It made my heart swell with joy knowing that this rose-patterned long-sleeved top, which used to be hanging in some unnoticed rack in the corner of a thrift store in some old building in the city, which I later named “Old Rose”, is now in good hands.

I thought seeing these photos was the sweetest thing that happened that day.

Thanks, Feanne. If I knew you before, I would’ve named that vintage top after you. :)

* * *

Meanwhile, we recently launched our Third Collection over at TheDreamerie.Com. Do drop by, you might find something you like. :)

Here’s how the concept of this online boutique came about, because I don’t actually have time to explain right now, LOL. :) Lesson learned: Check your schedule first before setting a major site launch. Waah, I should be somewhere right about now, and I scheduled THIS NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS to launch my shop!!

Just a quickie, it’s raining pearl earrings in my side of the world, so tonight, to launch TheDreamerie.Com, I’ll be giving away pearl earrings over there too!

These pearl earrings are slightly smaller than the ones I gave away just recently. :)

Btw, to the girls who are supposed to receive those earrings, I’m reallyy sorry for the delay. I scheduled a trip to the post office (because I was hoping to cut costs on shipping, hehe) instead of sending them over through A21 or Fedex, but my schedule got screwed up and was not able to go so the earrings are still with me. They will all be sent before this week ends, though. Promise. :)

So, okay, if you’re into thrifting and vintage items, fly by TheDreamerie. Meanwhile, I have to ruuuun.

DAY TWENTYSIX. Although it may look like I’m starting to get lenient about my 30-day challenge and posting late, I’m as determined as ever to reach finish line. The delays you’re seeing is mostly me, stalling, because for some reason I don’t want this 30 days to end. Ugh. Senti much? More thoughts on this later.

Meanwhile, remember when I won a print from one of Simply Hues‘ contests? I’ve been exchanging Etsy convos with Chelsea Lee, the photographer who’s sending me my *ehem* prize, and here are some of her photographs that I would’ve picked if I’m not limited to just one.

Guess which one I picked? :)

Check out Chelsea’s blog and etsy store!

On another note, I’m going to announce who won the Camera Charm Earrings later today! I’ll try my best not to post the results past midnight as per usual, promise! Watch out for it tonight, 9:00PM! :)

30 Days of Awesome, 26/30.

And no, don’t let me start on Etsy, I’d go crazy listing down online shops I’ve come across that made it to my bookmarks. Etsy and Bigcartel (among others) are popular venues to buy and sell pretty stuff among Americans, Canadians, and Europeans. Here in the Philippines however, Multiply is where most independent sellers find their market.

Today, my featured online shop is Aurus‘ Purple Beet, who is currently having a site-wide sale (up to 50% off) to celebrate the shop’s first year anniversary. Each item is unique and handcrafted by Aurus herself. She’s got the cutest charms and beads — rare finds indeed!

Here are some of her products that caught my fancy. (More after the jump!)

By the way, I love Multiply shops that have, not only awesome products, but neat and user-friendly design/layout too. I don’t care if you’re selling unique and branded products, if your online shop is overflowing with blinkies and background music (oh please!), I tell you, you’re losing a lot of sales! And don’t waste your time adding me as your contact. I would have rejected you even before I start browsing your items.

But okaaaayyyy. That’s for a separate blog post altogether. Heh. Composure.

What I’m just trying to say is, Aurus is not only selling pretty items, her classy taste in design and colors is also evident in the overall look and feel of her online shop — which also adds credibility points to her as an artist selling her craft. You get what I’m saying? :)

Here’s more of Aurus’ stuff that I like.

+ I have a thing for pandas. (Teddy bears are soooo 1990s.)

+ Fishies! And Starfishies!! :)

+ “Made for an Angel,” ahhh. I think my friend Ivy‘s going to love this one. Angels are her thing. Err, at least this one particular Angel. Ahem.

+ And this.

+ Now this one looks familiar. Oh, yeah. I have one of these! :) It’s one of my favorite every-where-accessory, goes well with rugged, casual, or semi-formal attires. :)

+ Lastly, here’s a pretty blue beadwork. I think I’m going to order this. :)

So yeah. Hoard while they’re on sale! Go go go!

*Apparently, some of these items I posted here may not be available anymore. But she has more pretty stuff in her store that are still available.

OAN, my giveaway challenge is still on! Come join the fun! :D

30 Days of Awesome, 24/30.

For one, it’s easy to make wimmen smile with pretty accessories, whether as grand as a Tiffany jewelry, or as fancy as simple charms and key chains. Last week, these are some of the little things that made me smile:

1. Bead Letter Charm by Elaine of Arte Crafts. Elaine is a good friend, and this was not the first time I ordered a bead letter charm from her, the first one I ordered has been dangling from my Fuji Instax Mini. Last week, I ordered a letter “M” to give to Mae, a friend who was on a vacation here in the Philippines from Singapore. Elaine is so kind to give me an additional letter “R” as a gift — and in my recent-favorite color combination too, purple and blue. I love it! She’s such a sweetheart! :)

2. Handcrafted Earrings/Jewelries by Sheila of Inthefishbowl. Before Sheila started selling vintage clothes, she was handcrafting unique jewelries like these. She stopped doing it for a while, but just recently, has started releasing some pieces again. I love how they’re made of real Swarovski crystals, and how no two pairs are the same. :)

3. Camera Charm. Now this camera charm necklace has always been around my neck since I laid eyes on it. Isn’t it the loveliest thing? I found it at some store in Galleria, and because of my obsession with anything photography, fell in love with it at first sight. :)

How about you? What’s that one girl-thing that makes you smile? :) Or, if you’re a guy reading this, what’s that one thing you’ve recently given to your girl-friend or girlfriend that made her smile? :)

30 Days of Awesome, 18/30.