What makes YOU memorable?

Today I had a casual interview for an org. Everything was going okay, really. My panicky and tensed self answered each question well enough to move to the next one. Then I got thrown off by a particular question that they asked, "What would makes us remember you?". It got me thinking, what's really memorable about me? Something that's entirely my own, a unique aesthetic that other people cannot claim. Out of pressure, I guess I just blurted out a mediocre answer, one that I'm sure is not something memorable at all. 

That interview and a few other things this past week got me questioning myself. On the way home, I was thinking hard of a particular aspect of my personality or a talent or skill or part of my character that would represent myself. I love writing, but everyone can write and it's not like I won a Pulitzer Prize on a particular work I've done before. I'd like to think I'm a good student but I was not some genius who dominated quiz bees. I can sing, but not professionally, most of the time just leisurely in the confines of our home. I don't have a sport I'm good at (this I actually don't mind). I have this blog, but with the frequency of my blog updates, I don't think it's even qualified. On a quirkier side, My friends say that whenever they see anything panda or Paris, they think instantly of me. But is my love for pandas and Paris noteworthy enough? Not that I'm beating myself up, really. Just genuine curiosity. 

Out of all the times I spent reading and watching Taylor Swift's interviews, there's this one particular line that she said that struck me so much I don't think I'll forget it in my whole lifetime: "I'm intimidated by the fear of being average". A close friend told me once that there's nothing wrong with being average. And I do agree. Average is fine, average is okay. But sometimes we want to be more than fine and more than okay. Sometimes we want to be special enough or have something that's significant enough within us to makes us memorable. 

If given another chance, I could now come up with a few better answers, not entirely unique, just something not said out of pressure. But that's the thing though, most of the time we do not get a second chance. So the best remedy would be to learn from it and be better on the next opportunity - although it's not much of a remedy, it's the only logical way to approach it. Coincidentally, I'm reading The Perks of Being A Wallflower (only because my friends won't let me come to the movie date if I haven't finished it. I have nice friends, you see HAHA) and although Charlie's character is not that appealing to me, in a way I can relate to his shy, reserved, introverted personality. I do hope that I do not possess his stand out habit, observing life rather than participating in it. But hey, at least being a wallflower makes him remarkable enough to sell 700  000+ book copies in one year. 

How about you? What makes you memorable? 

Love, Paola <3>

What's in my school bag?

Bag - Accessorize || Panda notebook - Gift || Binder - Muji || Post its - Fully Booked || Notepads - Powerbooks || Pencil case - Saizen || Sci Cal - Sharp 

Second term has officially started for trimestral universities like ours. Last week was the first two days of term two but it was mostly just an introduction to the subjects and to our professors. So technically, today's the day we get down to business (although not for me since 2 of my subjects are free cut). Having met all my professors, I think that this term would be fairly better than last term's too demanding minor subjects. Every term, I increase the number of major subjects I take and I cannot be anymore happier knowing that I'm almost done with my minor subjects. Majors are more fun and way more interesting and I get to really practice and hone my marketing skills through the countless reportings and marketing plans we make. Anyway, just for a change, here's a blog post on the basic school necessities that help me survive every term. 

1. A trusty bag and a bag organizer - I just recently bought my very first rucksack and everybody keeps on saying that they're not used to seeing me carrying one. I've never been the backpack kind of girl, I always felt like it was too boyish for me, but there has been a surge in the use of rucksack today and I could not resist diving into the trend especially when it involves dainty prints like this one. Then I have my bag organizer which is such a life saver since prior to using it, I spend a minimum of  10 minutes when I need to locate things in my bag. It keeps my not-so-organized stuff organized. 
2. Notebooks - I honestly just use my Muji binder in school but I just added my cute panda notebook for good measure (and for a cuter effect too). I like this binder since carrying around different notebooks or fillers for a every subject is such a hassle. I put all my notes in this binder and use a separator for every subject. It's refillable too, so I don't have to change every term. So convenient!
3. Pencil case, USB and highlighter - My friends and I pass around our USB's to each other and load it with series and movies to watch. My USB's are so controversial to them. A USB is supposed to be just a simple rectangle drive, but my USB's have to be shaped like a panda and a truck and sometimes I even bring the rabbit and the hammer too. They have dual purpose, sometimes when I get bored in class, they act as instant toys to me! Haha! I thank my dad for my quirky school stuff like the USB's and the highlighters that boggle the mind of my friends. 
4. Various post-it's, notepad and checklists - I have a drawer full of Paris and panda notebooks and other writing materials. These post-it's, for example, I have them for 2 years now. I rarely use them, I just really like to stare at them most of the time. Haha! Having cutesy stuff act as a motivation in studying! 

I'm ready second term!!! 

Love, Paola <3 i="i">

The Lazy Vibe

One of the best luxury in life is getting to sleep in, lie down in bed all day with a good book at your side table that you can grab anytime. And although that luxury has just started, it's already about to come to an end since it's back to school this Wednesday. Well, I'm so grateful so to have term one over and done with that I don't care if we have school the next day! So this two-day term break is definitely a luxury for me! 

Since I started with a lazy, luxurious vibe, I'm pairing it with an equally lazy outfit. Lazy doesn't have to be boring though. Just a few details here and there and no one would ever guess your laziness to dress up. I wore this outfit a while back, during one of the long weekends in Manila when traffic was so smooth and people are lounging around in parks like this one! 

I was going for a carefree vibe so I built my outfit around this effortless dress. I threw on a vest for a little layering and finished off with a playful necklace and an arm party just to put some happy colors on me! Comfortable and chill can also become fun and interesting! :)

Dress - F&X || Vest - Just G.

Necklace - Tops

Purple bracelet - from Bohol || Beaded bangle - Forever 21 || Ring - Swatch

Love, Paola <3 nbsp="nbsp">

Dressing for the tigers

Hello from underground! Haha. My blog is so abandoned already. :( So just a little update, finals week is up and I've just finished studying 4 powerpoint presentations about economics so I decided to reward myself with a movie before going to bed. And the movie is Crazy Little Thing Called Love, a Thai movie I've watched a minimum of 10 times so I'm still feeling a little mushy since rom-coms have that effect on me. Oh and by the way, I'm really excited for the La Salle-Ateneo game tomorrow for UAAP which sadly I won't be watching live since I have to stay home and study. :( But, go La Salle! And that's an update on all the things that's on my mind right now.. unless of course you want to know all about the importance of foreign aid and what is the impact of globalization on our economy. But I'll save you the details!

This outfit was worn the day we went to Subic to come with my dad for an activity. The itinerary involved discovering the place and going to the safari. The first thing my mom pointed out was that I'm too glammed up for our plans. But I really, really liked my outfit and I'm sure the tigers wouldn't mind! Haha! But anyway, we ended up not going to the safari since it rained really hard. When dressing up, my motto has always been: "there is no such thing as over or underdressed, there is only personal style."

Necklace - Accessorize

Laced top - Zara

Leggings - Marks & Spencer

Bangles - Accessorize

Bag - Longchamp

My blog misses you! :)

Love, Paola <3>

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Today I finished a book written by John Green called The Fault In Our Stars. I was never a good story teller so I'm not going to narrate this book (you can check the synopsis here). Being a bookworm, I've read so many books in the past that have affected me one way or another. But TFIOS is different. It made me look at things a little differently. Somehow, it made me notice things I ignored before. I am a sentimental reader, no doubt. But TFIOS contains so many insights on random things and about life in general that although it is a work of fiction, you can't help put yourself in the characters' shoes and question the things she question or realize all her realizations or feel all the emotion that she experiences. A book that contains bittersweet realities combined with a heart wrenching love story written by an author with acclaimed writing skills is a no fail book. Most of the time I am lost for the right adjectives to describe the book so I won't torture and wrack my brain for a word to fit this one. Just like what one of the characters, Augustus, said: My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations. But this is the kind of book that you put right beside your pillow or the one with highlighted phrases and quotes that you live by or simply just the old, used book you'll want to pass onto your  future sons and daughters.

Warning though, it's a depressing book and it involves a deep and painful topic which I know some people do not prefer as a genre. But I find joy in reading books in this genre. It's not about what was left of/to the characters in the ending but what has become of them through the journey of the story. I have found my new favorite author in John Green!!!

Love, Paola <3>

A Plead to Mr. Sun

Dear Mister Sun, 

You've been gone a while leaving us cruel rainy days

And though the weather is perfect of hot chocolate, now we would like you stay

You're a big, hot blaring ball of fire

Tank tops, sunblock, umbrella - that's what you require

But now we need you back

So please cut us some slack

I'll end this nonsensical poem with a quote from Barney

"Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me." 

And that's how you create a first grader poem - end every line with basic rhyming words and just string a bunch of silly phrases in between! As I type this, strong winds are yet again blowing outside, rattling my windows in a horror movie kind of way. Everyone is still trying to get back to normal ways after the calamity that the nameless hanging habagat brought us last week so I really do hope that the sun listens to my poetic call. 

 To match my plead for sunshine, here's a colorful outfit that screams "summer"! One can only wear so much cardigans on rainy days like these. And although it is a risk wearing such a summer-y outfit, it's fun to be a walking epitome of rainbows and crayons when others are in hoodies and long sleeves all day!  

 Top - Forever 21 || Skirt - from Korea 

 Necklace - Style Hub

Bangles - Accessorize || Ring - H&M

 Belt - XOXO

Flats - Yosi Samra

Stay safe and dry everyone!

Love, Paola <3>

Galactic Paradise

Classes are suspended yet again. I have a love-hate relationship with classes suspension, love cause what kind of student doesn't love cancelled classes and hate cause after 5 minutes of being at home, I'm bored already and I start to wish that I'm in school instead. The gloomy weather of this past weeks translate to my school outfit which is mostly skirt/leggings, tank top and cardigan combo. I'm forgoing fancy shoes for my reliable Toms and only wearing the necessary accessory which is my watch and earrings. If I wake up a little earlier, I might throw on a necklace or stack up on big bangles which my professors never fail to notice. And whenever my time gets a little cramped up, blogging is always the first one to go on my checklist. But I love it too much to deactivate it yet so I shall shower it with random posts of my ramblings about this and that to keep it alive!

 Although lazy dressing is becoming my everyday peg, I try to keep atleast one piece of clothing item interesting. No need to guess what's interesting for this outfit! My galaxy printed leggings are like eye magnets, I see people staring at it even from a far. It also merited a few compliments that day. And though I'm sure it would look good with another colorful/printed top, my choice was to stay safe with a white button and a few accessories in the same color tones.

White polo - Mango || Leggings - Topshop || Bag - Lacoste

Necklace - Market! Market!

Silver bangle - Aldo || Crystal flower bangle - thrifted || Silver flower bangle - old 

Love, Paola <3>