Fictional Soul Sister: New Girl's Jess Day

We've all had that one character we thought was written for us and based on us. I've definitely had that many times before from the characters in books I've read or movies I've seen but it's not until New Girl aired last 2011 that I found my soul sister. I've been a fan of the show from the very beginning but school work got in the way right after Season1 ended. But now that I did a marathon for two days, I am reminded by how much Jess and I are alike. As much I'd like to be Blair Waldorf, I don't think I have what it takes to be in Gossip Girl. Carrie Bradshaw is living my dream life but we have very few similarities. I'm so not Jena in Awkward or the 2 Broke Girls, Max and Caroline or even Elena in TVD. I'm definitely a Jessica Day. Here are some screen caps proofs of our similarities: 

Embarrassing things about herself that she's not embarrassed about:

Her undeniable love for music:

And an even stronger love for food:

Her PMS moments (which girls all over the world can understand): 

Her view on passion:

Even her self doubts:

Her tendency to exaggerate things:

And her tendency to be completely clueless:

 Those emotional, ridiculous and repetitive 1am conversation with friends about love and being alone:

Her obsessiveness about grammar (this is so me!!!!):

Her self confidence despite all her quirks and flaws:

And the most important similarity between Jess and me? This is EXACTLY how I'd end a bad day too:

I think we even share the same wardrobe:

Her bright colored sundresses and cozy cardigans? Yes please!

Now where's my Nick Miller?!

Who's your fictional soul sister? :)

Love, Paola 

71st Annual Golden Globe Awards

January is awards season and awards season is red carpet season! Yaaaay!!! I actually look forward more to the red carpet looks than the actual awards itself. I love seeing who's wearing who and who's wearing what, who's made the best and worst dressed list or who's had any wardrobe mishap on the carpet or on the stage. This year's Golden Globe was hosted by crazy girls Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and here are some of my favorite red carpet looks:

Amy Adams in Valentino & Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren

Red is a dangerous color for the red carpet (for obvious reasons) but looking at this two dresses, I guess all it takes to make it work is to have the right dress shape and cut! 

Julia Roberts in Dolce and Gabbana & Emma Thompson in Lanvin

These two are classics. I saw Wetpaint criticized Julia Robert's look but I think she's so in her element in this outfit and Emma Thompson accepted her award with her heels in one hand and a drink in another so I gotta give it to her!

Mila Kunis in Emilio Pucci & Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

A trend in this year's red carpet are embellished and beaded dress and this is two of my faves in that category especially Michelle Dockery's high-low ball gown!

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior & Taylor Swift in Carolina Herrera

I think this is one of JLaw's not so remarkable outfit, but this girl is flawless so nevermind. And I'm so happy for Taylor!!!!!! She's not wearing any glitters or anything sparkly on her! She's finally over that phase!

Kate Beckinsale in J. Mendel & Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhullier

Kate Beckinsale is not aging, it's crazy! She look's so gorgeous in this outfit - dress, hair, make up and all! Not a big fan of Drew's dress but her hair and make up is beautiful and she's glowing too. Pregnancy is doing her good. 

Sofia Vergara in Zac Posen & Sarah Hyland in Georges Hobieka Couture

My Modern Family girls! In all the red carpet review posts I've done, Sofia Vergara always makes my list. She's a staple. She's always gonna be here. 

Uma Thurman in Versace & Lily Rabe in George Hobeika

A Shiny, sparkly black dress is timeless!

Sandra Bullock in Prabal Gurung & Julie Bowen in Carolina Herrera

Color blocking is still alive!!! I love the combination of colors and style in these dresses.

Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera Kaley Cuoco in Rani Zakhem Couture 

Printed dress are so rarely done in the red carpet only because they're hard to pull off and are almost always criticized but I've always loved prints, and it takes a lot of confidence to wear it! 

Caitlin Fitzgerald in Emilia Wickstead & Maria Menounos in BCBG Max Azria

These two are my favorite!!! I love the solid pastel colors of the dresses - it's so fresh and easy to look at! I want Caitlin Fitzgerald's dress as my graduation dress! haha

Emma Watson in Dior

But the top of this list goes to Emma Watson for being simple, classy, innovative and just plain perfect! A red dress with a sexy back over black skinny pants and blue shoes? I'm sure no one imagined that would work!  

All pictures and information taken from Huffington Post.

Love, Paola

Every Outfit Has A Story

Today, I have for you this outfit but let me talk about another outfit, in fact other outfitssss. This afternoon, I went up to our attic and found a box full of my dresses - cocktail, semi formal, gowns, even costume dresses! I unfolded all the dresses and realized that each one comes with a memory, with it's own story. There was the blue ball gown I used when I joined Miss Earth back in high school, then there was the pretty white dress I wore to a friend's all white debut party. It has this super long scarf design that my friends keep playing with by pulling it in every direction. Then there was the dress I wore during my first Philippine Fashion Week experience. Even the gown I used as a costume for our Literary Musical when I played a queen's character. It's quite amazing how a piece of clothing can transform into a souvenir for great memories. Just like this outfit I'm wearing in this post, it will always remind me of a fun, crazy karaoke night with friends - dancing on the couches and getting caught by the waiters, peanut fights and epic fails. 

 Top - Bottomline | High waisted shorts - Topshop | Belt - Stradivarius | Gold choker - Mia Casa | Watch - Michael Kors | Loafers - Topshop | Tote - Michael Kors

Just a few pictures of the night! I was thinking if I should post some of these photos since they're just phone photos hence the low quality but then I thought, never mind the photo quality, it's the quality of these memories that count anyway! Thank you again for last night, Nicole! Belated happy birthday!!! :)

Love, Paola

Stripes and a French Statement

As I was editing these photos, I realized that I wasn't wearing accessories it all. It's a little surprising since I used to always pile up on bangles and wear big rings and statement necklaces Infact, my classmates and professors would always comment on it, asking if it's as heavy as it looks or how it always makes a sound whenever I move my hands. I guess my style evolved already and it was just another phase. Now, I'm leaning towards the less is more aesthetic and finding it completely comfortable but also statement worthy, making the pieces of clothing shine by itself. Stripes plus a french statement shirt? Good enough for me!  

 Top - Mango | Pants - Forever 21 | Boots - Forever 21 | Tote - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Love, Paola

New Year's Eve

If you've read my 2013 year-end post, you'll know that one of the things I'd like to do in 2014 is to go all out. What better way to start that resolution than with my New Year's Eve outfit? When my mom told us to where polkadots, it was a no-brainer, I knew I had to put together this ensemble. Polkadots are known to be lucky and although I don't like leaving everything to chance and I believe in hardwork, a little luck along the way wouldn't hurt. Fashionwise, this outfit is also appropriate since it has two things that became a closet staple in 2013 - crop tops and skater skirt. Plus, I had on my DIY-ed 2014 headband which ate up all my patience that day since it was hard to make all the numbers stand up and right after shooting about 4 photos, it gave up on me. But another new year's resolution is to fuss less so it's all good. I also covered it with glitters which I hate very much, but some sparkle is very much called for during this occassion. I'm so glad to have 2014 here and I can't wait for what it has in-store for us! 

Topshop crop top | Cotton On skater skirt | Mango loafers

New year's eve celebration this year was different but still memorable! It was sad that we weren't able to celebrate with my cousin, aunt and uncle and had to forgo our annual costume party but we still had and did some of my favorite things like the torotot and going out at midnight to watch the fireworks. Here's a photodump of how we celebrated new year at home:

Love, Paola

2013 Year-end Post: Changes and Making Things Happen

Just a few hours until 2013 comes to an end and here I am looking back on how it has been for me. It's something I always do at the end of the year. I did a blog post on it last 2011 (see here), I wonder why I didn't have one last 2012, but this is an annual thing I do in my head, written down or published here.

I'd go right ahead and say it - this is my least favorite year. Though I wouldn't call it a bad year, that would just be insulting and hypocritical to so many people like those affected by the recent typhoon. A lot of things has happened this year - both good and bad but in general, this year was all about changes for me. My closest friends would know how I don't like change - I like things the way they are, I value traditions and I like knowing that everything's where it should be. But it doesn't work that way and maybe this is the year that I finally have to deal with it. 2013 was eventful. We moved to a condo (during weekdays) and although it's nice and convenient and has an Eiffel tower wallpaper, it doesn't quite feel like home; my academic life also ended this December and now it's time figure out what to do and explore the real world; I turned 20 this year and said goodbye to my teen years as I face the fact that I am now officially an adult; I had to let go of a few old friends yet also discovered new ones. Like what Adam told Carrie on the last episode of the Carrie Diaries, "it's all about perspective." At the end of the day, it's how you choose to see it, and I chose to be thankful for all that has happened in 2013, both pleasant and unpleasant.

But I'm also looking forward to leaving it behind and welcoming 2014 with a clean slate. The coming year holds so much possibilities and I'm excited to see what it will bring me. Although in possibilities, there are uncertainties, I'm geared up mentally and emotionally for it. One major thing to come in 2014 is me graduating for college (SEE YOU FEBRUARY 8 PICC!). Now that I'm an adult, I want to be more adventurous this 2014. And I don't mean the bungee jumping kind of adventure (although I'm up for that too), but those everyday adventures and life changing adventures and getting out of my comfort zone adventures. I feel like I'm so safe and so proper and maybe now it's time to go all out. I still want to write so much more here so that when a time comes that I'm too scared to take risks, or when laziness and mediocrity gets to me, or when I see challenges ahead of me, I'll remember the determination and hope I'm feeling now. But maybe I'll just summarize it up in one sentence: I want to make things happen this 2014!!!

2014 I'M READY FOR YOUUUUUUUU

Love, Paola