New Year 2015!

It's possible that I might not totally be over our New Year Celebration this 2015, especially when I edited these photos, I'm reminded of how we make the best NYE parties. As I've mentioned in previous NYE blog posts, our celebration always has a theme. There are only 2 rules: (1) You cannot eat Media Noche when you're not in a costume and (2) No buying of one whole outfit (only props and accessories). These rules, of course, were made by me haha! This year's theme was Anime! I was worried at first that the parents and grandparents might not totally get what Anime is and that kiddies might have a hard time but everyone proved me wrong! As you scroll down the pictures, you'll see why.

See what I mean? My cousin Ariane was definitely the star of the night! The day before, we were just talking about our outfits and according to her, she's just going to improvise and dress up as one of the girl characters in Pokemon.. then she shows up like this! Haha! Apparently, one of her friends does Cosplay and she was able to borrow a costume for her and Tita Issa!

They both looked so pretty!

Family number 1 aka the most prepared family! Hahaha

I'm only posting a few solo pictures since we were too many,  but of course I'm posting a photo of myself as Pikachu! Lol. It was a last minute outfit, I didn't know who to be cause I don't watch that much anime and Pikachu was the first character that came to mind!

Family number 2! My parents had no clue of what anime is at first but I'd say that there costumes were good enough!

My cousin Dani and his abs! So cute!!!

Family number 3 aka The Americans! Haha! At first  I was worried that they might have a hard time since they brought limited clothes but everyone in the family was just so game and creative!

Family number 4! My tita's one confused anime character (at least she's cute)! Haha

And the almost star of the night! (I say almost since Ariane totally stole the spotlight from her haha) My lola, with her sewing skills, ALWAYS wins our costume party every year! She had no idea what Anime was but then I showed her a picture of Sailor Moon and she worked her way from there, it's amazing!

It's also the first time that my lolo dressed up so close to the theme! Usually his outfits are a little far off! Haha!

Let's not forget that family's baby, Olaf dressed up in an oversized shirt (totally not in theme) but who cares, he's cute anyway!

The daddies!

We we're all waiting for the reveal of the winners which were determined through voting.

And here they are! In first to third place, respectively! Ariane and I were always talking about how to beat Nanay during our costume parties and she finally did it! Haha! 

Our sumptuous buffet by my mom and tita!

Shabu-shabu is a stable dish in our New Year's Eve menu.

After our costume party, we all dressed up as normal people again and proceeded with the party games! First up was Calamansi relay...

...with a twist!

Then some pyramid building using paper cups!

There was also an intense round of pick up sticks.

New year's celebration would never be complete without Pinoy Henyo!

A few minutes before midnight, we headed out for lights and sparklers! Look at all those happy faces!

When the sparklers ended, we did our midnight jump for some added height (physically and figuratively) for 2015!

Another yearly tradition is our exchange gift! I'm so happy our family from the US got to join us this year! 

A toast, from our family to yours!

Cheers to one of the best New Year's celebrations our family has ever had. <3 p="">

Bottom's up! (Check out our lolo taking a selfie hahaha)

Hope you had a wonderful time reading through our celebration! This 2015, I'm thankful for family the most :)

Love, Paola 

Christmas 2014

This post might be a little weird since it's almost a month since Christmas. But then I spent the holiday vacation back reading this blog and it's amazing how it's filled with so much memories (it has the record of our Christmas and New Year's celebration since 2011!). That's why even if I don't blog as much anymore, it might be a total waste not to record our holiday activities here, especially since it's one of the best ones we've had. 

I've always loved dressing for Christmas eve. I make sure that my outfit is in theme, reminiscent of Christmas colors and the cold season. I'm always either in red or green or some kind of Christmas sweater. I got this cape-like cardigan a few months back but I reserved it for the Holidays and I'm so in love with it that I decided to make it the star of my outfit by wearing a black turtleneck canvas.

Another Christmas tradition is I pose by our piano and Christmas tree! This #ootd tradition has been going on since 2011!

Our family is big on gift giving, but this year, our Christmas tree is filled with more gifts than usual because our cousins and family from the States came to visit! It's been 8 years since their last visit in Manila. And even though I saw them during our visit to Cali last February, Ariane and I were SOOOOOOOO excited!!!

This blog might not yet know our furry little friend, Olaf. It's his first Christmas ever!

When midnight came, we prayed over our food and started our Noche Buena!

As I said, gift giving is another Christmas tradition we value that's why since it his first Christmas, Olaf gets a gift too. Olaf knows how to open a present and it's the cutest thing ever! Inside is a plush, blue octopus toy and the moment he saw it, he was as happy as boy with a new robot!

Olaf was not the only happy kid that night!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! :)

We wrapped up our celebration after the gift giving since our family is arriving on Christmas morning!

My cousin and I woke up early and made this welcome home sign that says "You're the best Christmas Gift" because they really were!

Reunited!!!

Now it was their turn to open their presents!

We ended up the day with a movie marathon and a sleepover! It really is one of the best Christmas celebrations we've had!

Love, Paola

Sunday Thoughts

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

- Roald Dahl

Finding Sunday inspiration by going through my favorite fashion blogs and having an urge of resurrecting mine all of a sudden. I read the quote above while going through a set of beautiful outfit shots by the Marina Bay Sands by one a Singaporean blogger. It's such a great reminder to find magic in the smallest things, especially because it's so easy to fall into the blandness of ordinary routine with work and all. 

I spent the day lounging in bed mulling over a new found dilemma - the content of my Instagram. Most of my friends would know how dedicated I am to my Instagram account, but now I've decided to take it to a whole new level. I want a certain kind of theme and quality to my posts. Above are just some of my most recent posts, though it still in its transition phase.

Second dilemma is how to actively keep up with my blog again, cause when things get busy blogging is always the first one to go. Anyway, cutting this short since tomorrow calls for an early start! Good night!

Love, Paola

Working Girl: The Corporate Chronicles Part 2

My corporate chronicles is back! As usual, I failed yet again with my resolution to blog weekly especially since the past week was composed of having cough and colds and rainy days. Although I think I had a change of heart recently, suddenly the rain makes me feel a little bit bettercompared to when I used to hate it so much back then. Things really does change eventually. Right now, work is feeling more and more like a routine in a good sense - I feel more at home day by day while learning and getting exposure at the same time. I wonder what other changes are bound to happen soon.

Playing with Nude

This outfit gave me instant height! As I'm not really tall, I like playing around with different shapes of clothing to accent parts of the body the gives the illusion of height. The side lining of these slack accentuates length combined with its high waist cut. Plus wearing nude heels instantly gives of additional height since it elongates your legs because of its color.

Mango Top | Miss Selfridge Slacks | Forever 21 Blazer | Michael Kors Tote | Aldo Pumps

Trying To Be Donna

Donna from Suits is one of my life pegs (Can she and Harvey get together now please!!!!!). I'm a big fan of the show and with every episode I wished that I had even just a part of her guts and awesomeness! Sadly, the closest I can be to being her is just by dressing the part, lol. When it comes to real corporate outfits, Suits characters are the true master! 

Mango Top and Skirt | Longchamp Bag | Call It Spring Heels

Sweetheart

One of my goals when it comes to dressing up for the office is to look mature. Honestly all my life, I've been receiving comments that I look so mch younger than my age (I mean, a security guard even thought that I was just 12!). And though I think I'd appreaciate those compliments 10 years from now, right now I just want to look mature and a big part of my "project maturity" goal comes from the way I dress. But there are days when I can't help but go back to my innate personal style - a-line skirts, pastel colors complete with an all around sweetheart image! 

Mango Top and Skirt | Michael Kors Tote | Aldo Heels | Debenhams Belt

Love, Paola xx