tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54206053012056636982024-02-07T13:21:49.694+08:00Sartorially ChallengedNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-12196703776701862392014-12-02T19:30:00.000+08:002014-12-02T19:30:02.464+08:00Olay Natural White with Vitamin C<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0t1aycKwvKIX_SrsP40m0unYSq0-gFoAaUNDWJ-xQsMtBecly9BusINKGA3vDMSEcfl6tlJAqFnGAldU4oLPuxBxzgBJid7r2qddLDQ-u-vVkRSsIL95KU9BnKI00HbJCs5kKKgM8Vk/s1600/10816220_10204997113905893_674909848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0t1aycKwvKIX_SrsP40m0unYSq0-gFoAaUNDWJ-xQsMtBecly9BusINKGA3vDMSEcfl6tlJAqFnGAldU4oLPuxBxzgBJid7r2qddLDQ-u-vVkRSsIL95KU9BnKI00HbJCs5kKKgM8Vk/s1600/10816220_10204997113905893_674909848_n.jpg" /></a>
When I got back from Bali two weeks ago, it had occurred to me that my skin tone was now uneven due to the amount of time I spent under the sun. To give you a better imagery to picture in your head, it was like wearing a pale colored shirt with sleeves that only ever extended up to an inch or three below my shoulders. My forearm had been toasted a golden brown, but about a quarter of my bicep was still as pale as any teenaged girl’s would be if they didn’t leave their room for days on end like I did.<br />
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Now the problem here didn’t lie in the fact that I was tanner. I honestly prefer sun-kissed skin over one that glows as white and bright as my computer screen, but the tan lines really had to go. If they didn’t make me look like I was wearing one of those annoying shirts with curved sleeves that made your arms look five hundred times wider, maybe they could’ve stayed, but that’s exactly what they did, and so I had to get rid of them.<br />
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Previously, I had written about Olay’s Natural White Bar with Papaya Extract. I was pleased with the short-term results I witnessed in the four weeks I had used it, but now, let me tell you about the Natural White Bar with Vitamin C and why it was just what I needed to even out my skin tone.<br />
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Aside from the obvious whitening effect, here is a fun fact about Vitamin C that I found while researching:
“The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make vitamin C a vital molecule for skin health. Dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, and some studies have shown that vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage.”<br />
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If that doesn’t tell you why the Natural White Bar with Vitamin C is just what I needed, then let me continue my rambling: Most of the time I spent under the sun was way past the suggested time one should get a healthy dose of Vitamin D of (which is 6-9 am). The worst time, as I’d been told, is around noon up until 2 pm or so, which was—surprise, surprise—around the same time we were going around Bali, exploring temples and such.<br />
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At that time, I wasn’t too concerned. I was too engrossed in a culture other than mine to be bothered, but past me’s future me (who is now current me’s past me as of this writing) would later regret that. <br />
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Here are a few things I should’ve done during my trip to Bali—extra precautions I should’ve taken, if you will:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Used more sun screen. <i>(No, past me, I don’t care if you think it feels icky. Use it.)</i></li>
<li>Used lotion, an act of which I will now refer to as ‘moisturizing.’ <i>(I don’t care if you’re lazy. Use it.)</i></li>
<li>Used more sun screen. Like, SPF 1,000,000. <i>(Seriously.)</i></li>
<li>*inhales deeply* <i>MOISTURIZE!!!!!!!!!!</i></li>
</ol>
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Side note: I hate the word moist.<br />
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By the time the trip was drawing to a close, my skin was drier than a raisin. I was going to be the next face of Sun-Maid raisins. You could scratch a class lecture on my legs and it would look like you used a piece of chalk. I can go on and on and on, but my point is: like the laundry, I was put under the sun and dried out. <br />
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Haha, I lied, I so wasn’t finished yet.<br />
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But anyway, it wasn’t exactly the best state to be in. I’m not particular about any of those things, but even I knew it wasn’t healthy anymore. So as soon as I got back, I finally gave the Vitamin C bar a chance and found myself just as pleased as I was with Olay’s products the first time.<br />
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The bar, in and of itself, smells fresh. It’s not overpowering, in a sense that it keeps you smelling good and lingers on your skin for hours—but mildly so. And like the papaya extract bar, it lathers really well and washes off easily (and TMI, but the easily-amused Nina gets really excited about this fact because it feels really good on the skin).<br />
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All throughout writing this blog post, I’ve been rubbing my calf because it’s gotten so soft since I started using it. It’s also been restored back to its healthy, non-raisin looking self, and my skin tone is slowly evening out one day at a time.
Like I stated in my previous blog post, I don’t—nor should anybody—expect instant results from using a whitening product. If you want to see actual obvious effects, you’re going to have to commit yourself to the specific brand and use it for the long run. However, if you’re like me and get a kick out of good-smelling soap that makes your skin smooth and soft and healthy, then I highly recommend you try the Olay Natural White Bar with Vitamin C. It’ll take perhaps a few more months for my skin to even out the way I want it to, and a little longer to start whiten if I wanted it to, but as of now, I’m contented with the short-term results and will definitely be putting this product into my beauty essentials list.
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Let me know how you will be showing your #BestBeautiful with Olay in the comments section below, or on Twitter. I will be following some of my favorites!Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-47551328163394674792014-11-25T14:09:00.001+08:002014-11-25T14:09:35.540+08:00Bali 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOJiwxMFTtdL1NvPD885AnaLepNKxtG79jxciCpg6T6wYnhP8Qig5l95qgNrZMGgCwPiKbKPfab03YnuoT-QeGe7XocfJm1VnOAXE2klKuiZs-g6Lkcd3CKHFOQQpz-LjsvQAXXilAqo/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOJiwxMFTtdL1NvPD885AnaLepNKxtG79jxciCpg6T6wYnhP8Qig5l95qgNrZMGgCwPiKbKPfab03YnuoT-QeGe7XocfJm1VnOAXE2klKuiZs-g6Lkcd3CKHFOQQpz-LjsvQAXXilAqo/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" /></a>
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My most recent trip to Bali with my family was two things: last minute and <i>extremely </i>refreshing. I'd just arrived back home from the US when my dad told us he was heading to Indonesia for a Harley Owners Group convention (think of it as a 1D fan party but for Harley Davidson riders in Asia lol). Originally, it was just supposed to be him and my mom going, but after some slight passive-aggressive prodding on my behalf (and my sister's keen interest in traveling), two additional tickets were booked. I remember there being about two weeks of silence regarding this trip, and then suddenly, <i>"Hey, pack your bags, we're going to Bali."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdyV7nblt5ssEt8u-ztdGHHl8I5azEnsNdzvvLiU85znmyqpr7quDJk1E582T30519nanF585pYyeKQC2VjPPCY_IC8zNUw6_IH6ugkvjhjm875i7cVZ_zB3LZte5Spxx4HrCwZuzaTU/s1600/IMG_5228.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdyV7nblt5ssEt8u-ztdGHHl8I5azEnsNdzvvLiU85znmyqpr7quDJk1E582T30519nanF585pYyeKQC2VjPPCY_IC8zNUw6_IH6ugkvjhjm875i7cVZ_zB3LZte5Spxx4HrCwZuzaTU/s1600/IMG_5228.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKwb_4abXhi0MccIJMoyixBtIrfHA1vomuaD-rBBsHaCY3IT4l0e2PFpbEAoHRu4pO8yMrd7Tdp5ZJjTcTsp_eIXaOFafMxAaamCcU7-ygNovDsOyh06wNIAOBhBeCd8gwIjTKUBacTM/s1600/IMG_5230.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKwb_4abXhi0MccIJMoyixBtIrfHA1vomuaD-rBBsHaCY3IT4l0e2PFpbEAoHRu4pO8yMrd7Tdp5ZJjTcTsp_eIXaOFafMxAaamCcU7-ygNovDsOyh06wNIAOBhBeCd8gwIjTKUBacTM/s1600/IMG_5230.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7WyPB33sjq37Z8Bg4goEkac1o8H3mm_sALcT4tjGE66EojwYdn6q1n9JXFZC87-FPYFIbbuX2kIhB5ydTRs9fQTlXo68rrc_MaR0dnUa2U1WYXvH7EL_Oogo3b416KwmB92P3yq3XqQ/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7WyPB33sjq37Z8Bg4goEkac1o8H3mm_sALcT4tjGE66EojwYdn6q1n9JXFZC87-FPYFIbbuX2kIhB5ydTRs9fQTlXo68rrc_MaR0dnUa2U1WYXvH7EL_Oogo3b416KwmB92P3yq3XqQ/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" /></a>
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We haven't gone on too many last minute family trips in ages, so this was definitely a much needed bonding vacation. When I was younger, we traveled more often seeing as my parents loved going to neighboring countries for the weekend, sometimes with my cousins and aunts and uncles, sometimes with friends. I think our last trip as a family was back in 2012, and since then, it's mostly been my mom and I going to and fro.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s7xn-3Zz7v-qzlSQ0oe8q_AW5pvdKdS6ko5AY5yJPkEsNPgqXyftfZZzIwsGPEWy-_UZ5KedOFija84DBb-gtQfN8yrNGIY9iJ6nIJAx-_kFDRUxocyTpG2Csgj7uPpDmR5WKn2pl38/s1600/IMG_5232.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s7xn-3Zz7v-qzlSQ0oe8q_AW5pvdKdS6ko5AY5yJPkEsNPgqXyftfZZzIwsGPEWy-_UZ5KedOFija84DBb-gtQfN8yrNGIY9iJ6nIJAx-_kFDRUxocyTpG2Csgj7uPpDmR5WKn2pl38/s1600/IMG_5232.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf1kXqaENjCwM1-grV0uVgY0CAGDj-JNUYuVeG4TvVtBzQzueh0f7-PLvNOHEu_un6uHKnIA23vXsm4U0ixPvw7TW9yGVgpH2dCqXpdw4jPOgpWBqPbKvKij9oif_MCxexxMT8WyohuQ/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf1kXqaENjCwM1-grV0uVgY0CAGDj-JNUYuVeG4TvVtBzQzueh0f7-PLvNOHEu_un6uHKnIA23vXsm4U0ixPvw7TW9yGVgpH2dCqXpdw4jPOgpWBqPbKvKij9oif_MCxexxMT8WyohuQ/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbAHehxqdoxFvrLvfH3WtknFld9iIBafDlobBgwWYEYY8L556V_aymn3tlt6_tJufAvPLrR_xVnnabm3D17_qXxlG8TTsPFU-Rb0KXyqnRe7Yt0Av_eDWSrWaG0laB9MiCWuyn1Y6Qqc/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbAHehxqdoxFvrLvfH3WtknFld9iIBafDlobBgwWYEYY8L556V_aymn3tlt6_tJufAvPLrR_xVnnabm3D17_qXxlG8TTsPFU-Rb0KXyqnRe7Yt0Av_eDWSrWaG0laB9MiCWuyn1Y6Qqc/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" /></a>
<br>But before I get into the details of my trip, it's worth mentioning that I think I might've gotten my wanderlust from my father, whom one could liken to an open history book. He often humors my siblings and I over dinner, discussing Philippine history, for example, and how our culture was influenced by nearby countries and then promptly westernized when the Spanish colonized our country. It's a topic that—while I wouldn't say I'm an expert on—I have enough knowledge about to discuss with others; to point out certain things, certain similarities when I see it. So being in Bali was like being in World History class, except instead of being in a classroom, listening to your teacher drone on and on and on, you were actually there in the country you were studying, seeing the sights instead of reading about them, and therefore able to absorb more information. It was like—as Beyonce had put it—"schoolin' life." I was more engaged and interested than I would've been in a classroom, my thirst for knowledge unquenchable, and if my participation was graded every time I traveled, I'd be a straight A student.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkZNnX5iv-8c3jlhT78BCmlmkITkRTwLZh9SHFLU93GWLQiVBUd9VFCFzdIQ3OwvK9rN140A-EgZf7BDyaHZ1ZFNLQETb2wVycKiWYKZNf_6ZwWsL7QK0EnLmncNrdtnfzkHfCFS9Ub0/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkZNnX5iv-8c3jlhT78BCmlmkITkRTwLZh9SHFLU93GWLQiVBUd9VFCFzdIQ3OwvK9rN140A-EgZf7BDyaHZ1ZFNLQETb2wVycKiWYKZNf_6ZwWsL7QK0EnLmncNrdtnfzkHfCFS9Ub0/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh507YtQ5aPO_AVgQtbu7lVt3gnftqURj2BFegwZ5ItplD9waTaJ4qIa9ip5Erb0rYS7wXW88UletMqYu7AjQVUpdF2HLrMzKVsoD91AZK25vM7x884ceSSeY2PDi9hzpkjOrM0a8Z-Dcc/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh507YtQ5aPO_AVgQtbu7lVt3gnftqURj2BFegwZ5ItplD9waTaJ4qIa9ip5Erb0rYS7wXW88UletMqYu7AjQVUpdF2HLrMzKVsoD91AZK25vM7x884ceSSeY2PDi9hzpkjOrM0a8Z-Dcc/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci6NIpDxRo2XYVMLbnAchUx5oqrFoXrhIwAl3nC7IBH-BBW4qLr3-g7p83ts0ChKvKuUjP1A28f_WmOgQmAtEqJJTKR7uWdhUSUHLfehSQGFJJzbpArnu-U2O0hi98c5rB-FaTMGJ3JE/s1600/IMG_5237.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci6NIpDxRo2XYVMLbnAchUx5oqrFoXrhIwAl3nC7IBH-BBW4qLr3-g7p83ts0ChKvKuUjP1A28f_WmOgQmAtEqJJTKR7uWdhUSUHLfehSQGFJJzbpArnu-U2O0hi98c5rB-FaTMGJ3JE/s1600/IMG_5237.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jL6c6jABgFkpJ-lyr-CBc8TTSlWuvQBhx5EElQ89ucwlB0f709ovUjlEgB-YegO4kjl31mkzw1-I1r8PCUvb5XyYPBhkqAxDNKdJGfeolt49btlNefT-8Ga6B1sKiGySB3_0Htj-0Fw/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jL6c6jABgFkpJ-lyr-CBc8TTSlWuvQBhx5EElQ89ucwlB0f709ovUjlEgB-YegO4kjl31mkzw1-I1r8PCUvb5XyYPBhkqAxDNKdJGfeolt49btlNefT-8Ga6B1sKiGySB3_0Htj-0Fw/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" /></a>
<br>So it was nice—it's always nice—to find yourself deep within a country so rich in culture that you could attribute to your own. The Filipino language is heavily derived from other languages, so listening to the Balinese people talk was always interesting. While the meanings may be different, I often catch similar words in their vocabulary, like 'buka,' for example, which means open.
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Bali is a country filled with people who value their resources and tourists. A thought that occurred to me while we were driving on the expressway that had only two lanes (an instant traffic-starter if you tried it in Manila) is that the Balinese are the epitome of 'take only what you need.' The trees, their nature—I could actually feel the energy radiating off of them. And their religion? Their religion is that of a beautiful one.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MjUiQOYsCBvgQ3vvdrc0xT8EDd4TGfSInmancmorYjCVzoF4wtholGAlMlwiGkK6we8IRL76Gh82JicW6R1qJRcBYv-6GhXx_gdrcNBSgb38Wrucbc5t0kHsZDl2ukQq4zB1uaPjnFQ/s1600/IMG_5244.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MjUiQOYsCBvgQ3vvdrc0xT8EDd4TGfSInmancmorYjCVzoF4wtholGAlMlwiGkK6we8IRL76Gh82JicW6R1qJRcBYv-6GhXx_gdrcNBSgb38Wrucbc5t0kHsZDl2ukQq4zB1uaPjnFQ/s1600/IMG_5244.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaXHwcxmQwGXQ6p_c3HA5h_StnT0RyyjpRBAZw_j33K8CfbI184AgBpyOx8LaiJp_iR4LepN7QG7s07M5ynjGb93TSmWe56enNTNGLffFxgIZvUD6_6k6tFN4LlVQTCSnMc8ryYKlKpc/s1600/IMG_5245.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaXHwcxmQwGXQ6p_c3HA5h_StnT0RyyjpRBAZw_j33K8CfbI184AgBpyOx8LaiJp_iR4LepN7QG7s07M5ynjGb93TSmWe56enNTNGLffFxgIZvUD6_6k6tFN4LlVQTCSnMc8ryYKlKpc/s1600/IMG_5245.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPJxS0BuM9haKUq7tWzacv4NeIP85TZhdOU2blyso0JYWmBKdFwovRBW1J5SYhVQXGuv-AvuQWQmdV7DGLqA8hVf9guxJlSyMi1Z7xyOsdgI7Usng_kmqVqEmKprNH0lwpgXc_SvKi8s/s1600/IMG_5246.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPJxS0BuM9haKUq7tWzacv4NeIP85TZhdOU2blyso0JYWmBKdFwovRBW1J5SYhVQXGuv-AvuQWQmdV7DGLqA8hVf9guxJlSyMi1Z7xyOsdgI7Usng_kmqVqEmKprNH0lwpgXc_SvKi8s/s1600/IMG_5246.jpg" /></a>
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Pung, our tour guide, taught me that they had three rules governing their belief and dictating their lives: respect for God himself and as the creator, respect for nature, and respect for human beings. That, in itself, was enough for them to go about living their daily lives as peacefully as possible, and holy moly, it's not that hard a concept to grasp and follow. It's the heart and soul, the very core of every belief, but I hadn't seen it practiced so efficiently and thoroughly until Bali.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eEss3yTBCcZM52otJb6YQM1kbuWSiXn31XLaSS_JG1gXNZX4vcI7MuxurAaezDdNq-G1ZV3hdoM_Lr03w9VSJKWvtfW6xZAchoBA0GrySjcEBJwjY1JeZir13M_ekrFnTj-b9VsX88Y/s1600/IMG_5247.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eEss3yTBCcZM52otJb6YQM1kbuWSiXn31XLaSS_JG1gXNZX4vcI7MuxurAaezDdNq-G1ZV3hdoM_Lr03w9VSJKWvtfW6xZAchoBA0GrySjcEBJwjY1JeZir13M_ekrFnTj-b9VsX88Y/s1600/IMG_5247.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35JgcIYZCRGziiHGnWZ2P8uXVFvDPYbGna6i5_0wJyNGaELejvUfO1L8bB6oCl2Jl72-mJ3EnPcFCGdqebcrwVV3BdLgyIlq9JynyelZ4FhMRDKjkTD4A0D_5HhXBZGDUhNOG4Wt1JfU/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35JgcIYZCRGziiHGnWZ2P8uXVFvDPYbGna6i5_0wJyNGaELejvUfO1L8bB6oCl2Jl72-mJ3EnPcFCGdqebcrwVV3BdLgyIlq9JynyelZ4FhMRDKjkTD4A0D_5HhXBZGDUhNOG4Wt1JfU/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_CjBdV-petzcCinhjRUESif5kJyI2EyjVp-deZZXPzXkgflKmLUcLk9nANa0p2U7rqccnceZ_baAt-cDsWpVWbL3ivR7119NLE4lfXuD4qjtjWBzCuNKvX7sqekcrM1D8oU4VinBsWQ/s1600/IMG_5249.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_CjBdV-petzcCinhjRUESif5kJyI2EyjVp-deZZXPzXkgflKmLUcLk9nANa0p2U7rqccnceZ_baAt-cDsWpVWbL3ivR7119NLE4lfXuD4qjtjWBzCuNKvX7sqekcrM1D8oU4VinBsWQ/s1600/IMG_5249.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AHdtXFLorUDA1_uremkTYjHxI_CjIjbmFUAco7FoG5r8c2_mwrwdKrC_cw7Cv1dEjcAzJIpMLYmaNdefbRHQi_SkwISbrPMAZxfpe0ugdq6U-cpAB3ZcMMASzJehZjWgz5d14iIGoGM/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AHdtXFLorUDA1_uremkTYjHxI_CjIjbmFUAco7FoG5r8c2_mwrwdKrC_cw7Cv1dEjcAzJIpMLYmaNdefbRHQi_SkwISbrPMAZxfpe0ugdq6U-cpAB3ZcMMASzJehZjWgz5d14iIGoGM/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" /></a>
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It seems that in every country I go to, I pick up a new life lesson—some too personal to reveal. But one of the main things I learned in Bali was to love my own country, my own culture, the same way the Balinese people love theirs. It was so heartwarming to see their tradition blend with the modern times, and it makes me sad that our countrymen as a whole don't do much to preserve and practice ours, myself included. We're too concerned with the shiny new things to pay mind to our roots, aren't we? Hell, I've only gone to about a handful of places in the Philippines—I've never even been to Boracay—so as soon as I got back, I made sure that that would change.
<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXCec5HNCe5kJQMO8xi0n4KHIw9ofhqmHFFNpDtY8-JU6CLnwJUtH-0PuxTa2XLBW5kFqLtGqy9427pUlyGmQ8MIVWxGnLacZFrjl6Ibh28fHRSlU0aAuGLwb1Gskg2LKSdSGQEoawUU/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXCec5HNCe5kJQMO8xi0n4KHIw9ofhqmHFFNpDtY8-JU6CLnwJUtH-0PuxTa2XLBW5kFqLtGqy9427pUlyGmQ8MIVWxGnLacZFrjl6Ibh28fHRSlU0aAuGLwb1Gskg2LKSdSGQEoawUU/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY95UUb6-Yb5_BMXiQVhZQlIiZs-laI9Zg0vSs3HawIQ6_4KMKIRIguqWMZpAa8N4-exSVuUZmaCkYCmJD9Ec-psb9Vzj_3fn0yYEu8nM63txL-lZjizMOsvo0gGoUO5-wMG3bW_NhjOg/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY95UUb6-Yb5_BMXiQVhZQlIiZs-laI9Zg0vSs3HawIQ6_4KMKIRIguqWMZpAa8N4-exSVuUZmaCkYCmJD9Ec-psb9Vzj_3fn0yYEu8nM63txL-lZjizMOsvo0gGoUO5-wMG3bW_NhjOg/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtiVHadJj_KDVMABKs-NPF6JHjB69T7-ReJI8B4a7InI9cG-awhYN8uOPwjIxZ2Tca59CS1C3GPJDPPGjiUTKi3ET51AuBnVHMsL7Eu3SqjEtg5HVen0g6Gk6OUVf-oZ31fwe29qcSsk/s1600/IMG_5253.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtiVHadJj_KDVMABKs-NPF6JHjB69T7-ReJI8B4a7InI9cG-awhYN8uOPwjIxZ2Tca59CS1C3GPJDPPGjiUTKi3ET51AuBnVHMsL7Eu3SqjEtg5HVen0g6Gk6OUVf-oZ31fwe29qcSsk/s1600/IMG_5253.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTHP_uMrCI8Hma3tfNlQpAWHKaEdC60jxqYotLE66cGUIovTJzyWWD1-l7JJUNOL4AlHm7ziGiiSBxXfym8ZbmEfpwYa90WhJsXwFFUoxzthy_0KSFiZbAQP8oDPRdDKTUvBzIzu6zjs/s1600/IMG_5254.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTHP_uMrCI8Hma3tfNlQpAWHKaEdC60jxqYotLE66cGUIovTJzyWWD1-l7JJUNOL4AlHm7ziGiiSBxXfym8ZbmEfpwYa90WhJsXwFFUoxzthy_0KSFiZbAQP8oDPRdDKTUvBzIzu6zjs/s1600/IMG_5254.jpg" /></a>
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All in all, going to Bali made me realize that life is—despite its complexities—beautiful. All it has to offer? Beautiful. It made me appreciate the world we live in.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYIABKqnQKEdquR0OvISsSBvtUCnzLSk9JNT_ca4blOkYmAO5nglyaixtdw4MdyJPJ0hnmBA8vV8nX9aC-WCxxePpXVi_Zk7otZxXlZcQgk1Lqr5ZNZe2Itek5Us7PBzPCYMKab21ECk/s1600/IMG_5255.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYIABKqnQKEdquR0OvISsSBvtUCnzLSk9JNT_ca4blOkYmAO5nglyaixtdw4MdyJPJ0hnmBA8vV8nX9aC-WCxxePpXVi_Zk7otZxXlZcQgk1Lqr5ZNZe2Itek5Us7PBzPCYMKab21ECk/s1600/IMG_5255.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXqfiHp88QsAzpvG2FD2vlt9GXJZY8zEi3cSj1sXAyQC_YiQRU7dS99AASZE5gIW2ZYMi7tE-d_Ap34eWhRL573UZX2PBfUeI_6xvrnzcdm4Moj7GtiW5Q9r6GgS0TCmaNY95QzwVsbA/s1600/IMG_5256.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXqfiHp88QsAzpvG2FD2vlt9GXJZY8zEi3cSj1sXAyQC_YiQRU7dS99AASZE5gIW2ZYMi7tE-d_Ap34eWhRL573UZX2PBfUeI_6xvrnzcdm4Moj7GtiW5Q9r6GgS0TCmaNY95QzwVsbA/s1600/IMG_5256.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphXwcH2XtOEEXS5GL0V8WN70gyGNLtnSUvNSHK-1E-m2ZpjAwKOXtPGV0BSMO8V2AiDequRPn3uTFG1ihd2mAJ_a16bZmzV-FKObkwh3wS63GzHloziQjxpmYz9PBTfXum44f3VI5ksE/s1600/IMG_5227.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphXwcH2XtOEEXS5GL0V8WN70gyGNLtnSUvNSHK-1E-m2ZpjAwKOXtPGV0BSMO8V2AiDequRPn3uTFG1ihd2mAJ_a16bZmzV-FKObkwh3wS63GzHloziQjxpmYz9PBTfXum44f3VI5ksE/s1600/IMG_5227.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34f6aQaN5wT8dlUsfnQXekwuUab4xMGpBTfswqgnXfX2zO6dzN0Dcni5Nxi3A8EV4x8o41E1ZX_oFPV9XOsDLm1KwzNyNiACKBEbCHCYTx84Ya624DKEj_HNBk5Yfm0H5XZErt4YwFkE/s1600/IMG_5226.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34f6aQaN5wT8dlUsfnQXekwuUab4xMGpBTfswqgnXfX2zO6dzN0Dcni5Nxi3A8EV4x8o41E1ZX_oFPV9XOsDLm1KwzNyNiACKBEbCHCYTx84Ya624DKEj_HNBk5Yfm0H5XZErt4YwFkE/s1600/IMG_5226.jpg" /></a>
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And finally—the last but not the least—it heightened my love for my country, because damn it, Philippines, I can go off about how beautiful the beaches are in other countries, or how the sunsets are different down under, but there will never be a country more home to me, more beautiful to me, than the Pearl of the Orient Seas.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-43905266392702406702014-11-18T20:00:00.000+08:002014-11-18T20:00:11.202+08:00LACMA Photo Diary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDbj3rhGrQf2eiiPkr7U3o_cCJpCWCwhFam3hEYshep7pxE2la6I3HVVaDwVaoqS7Dft4Yugc_mCqwvCxfiLCfl2XLxx7k1h-jXzQBz8rdkXnhl94tRs2OrJ2ErC9Pi66w160qgCmJ84/s1600/IMG_0458.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDbj3rhGrQf2eiiPkr7U3o_cCJpCWCwhFam3hEYshep7pxE2la6I3HVVaDwVaoqS7Dft4Yugc_mCqwvCxfiLCfl2XLxx7k1h-jXzQBz8rdkXnhl94tRs2OrJ2ErC9Pi66w160qgCmJ84/s1600/IMG_0458.png" /></a><br />
When we were planning our trip to LA, the first place that was suggested to me was LACMA. Embarrassing as it is, I'd never heard of it prior to its suggestion, mainly because LA used to be just home of the stars, Build-A-Bear, and Disneyland to me. I wouldn't have been able to appreciate the works of art on display if my parents had taken me when I was younger, nor would I have understood any of its meanings or depth. I probably would've just been confused, or drawn to the painting with bright, neon colors.<br />
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I'm a firm believer that things really do happen for a reason, and so—without a single doubt in my body—I know that I've been blessed to have spent my first time at the museum with the best of companies.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Honestly, there's not much to say aside from recounting what we did in chronological order, and I don't think that would interest any of you very much. I'll let the photos do the talking themselves, most of which were taken while we were walking, so please don't wonder why it's almost always just Isabella or I's back facing the camera.<br />
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With that said, if you're ever planning to visit the area, I recommend checking out <a href="http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/james-turrell-breathing-light">James Turrell's Breathing Light</a> show. It was such a trippy experience—my favorite exhibit by far.<br />
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The Urban Lights right outside the museum is also a must-see. I've seen it plenty of times in videos and movies, so it was a little weird to be standing there myself, but in a good way, of course.<br />
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Let me know in the comments section below if you've ever gone to LACMA before, or if you plan on going!<br />
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNxKc_yLbh0YomJbnb3bGJnhmuO21vFvddQOyq6U0qEwMS30_lB2MwBNvRUCG2-mVyLoxamP-qoxLNu2h5PuD4KAPD1FgJ9Rnm1rEJ5-x6eXwAhhEmUkEo7Rs3PYoAkXwi7Ili4bnVm8/s1600/IMG_0453.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ryr2FBEmGbESLPJdXpG224O2CeJW_yzW1GvpAbmpeRh3luLODpamiMTrEXyoABPHca8bjnHjKGwEhHrZHfls4IaMfCk9nL2KHmz_Fhce1afJPaz6TxAi-Cp6exQ5_caIO5c4rlDB68/s1600/IMG_0459.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ryr2FBEmGbESLPJdXpG224O2CeJW_yzW1GvpAbmpeRh3luLODpamiMTrEXyoABPHca8bjnHjKGwEhHrZHfls4IaMfCk9nL2KHmz_Fhce1afJPaz6TxAi-Cp6exQ5_caIO5c4rlDB68/s1600/IMG_0459.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarGc-w00wluq8GsDkROEFg4aOeHxtqzchl5D9gjT_78U1FsYQko0xpSPNPF6lQRx0Bxw-YySp1NWdERx6qTOcQLUdLxF292uXSxVcPsXNkE5ePNgcH3WmHImchMn1azQqpMz0xV9W_Pg/s1600/IMG_0464.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarGc-w00wluq8GsDkROEFg4aOeHxtqzchl5D9gjT_78U1FsYQko0xpSPNPF6lQRx0Bxw-YySp1NWdERx6qTOcQLUdLxF292uXSxVcPsXNkE5ePNgcH3WmHImchMn1azQqpMz0xV9W_Pg/s1600/IMG_0464.png" /></a>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-79080967012565701572014-11-14T17:00:00.000+08:002014-11-21T10:52:04.510+08:00Olay Natural White with Papaya Extract<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPWH7T4uVo_M2661HoScSAw3liE-_5172Gbe-dOUJ5FmA5U0Y-K8y9Se1do_QGW-9vvvEMn9GJashv2-NNmNSqQ4l3nIXuS-Qy-sDSuigJmKGvXL0czi6UIxW6E_3LW9oxb9v7XL4waI/s1600/10749544_10204874777687564_912050998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPWH7T4uVo_M2661HoScSAw3liE-_5172Gbe-dOUJ5FmA5U0Y-K8y9Se1do_QGW-9vvvEMn9GJashv2-NNmNSqQ4l3nIXuS-Qy-sDSuigJmKGvXL0czi6UIxW6E_3LW9oxb9v7XL4waI/s1600/10749544_10204874777687564_912050998_n.jpg" rel="nofollow" /></a>
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<span class="s1">Hey guys! I don’t know if anybody has noticed, but since I’ve started blogging, I’ve been branching out—widening my horizons, you could say—as opposed to just posting outfit shots constantly. It was beginning to bore me, the whole ‘I wore this because <i>(insert reason), </i>and what I really love about <i>(brand) </i>is because their clothes are not only <i>(adjective), </i>but also <i>(comfortable, versatile, etc).’ </i>It was beginning to feel a lot like a cardboard cut-out, fill-in-the-blanks sort of thing, and for someone who hated routines as much as I did, it frustrated me that blogging began to feel more like an obligation than a hobby that made me happy.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">So to combat the onslaught of me giving up on blogging altogether, I decided to make <a href="http://ninapineda.com/" rel="nofollow"><span class="s2">ninapineda.com</span></a> a little more <i>me.</i> I’ve started writing about personal experiences, events I’ve attended, the trips I’ve gone on… I posted vlogs (although not as often as I would like to)… And now, as I go through the rest of my adolescence, I present a new category that you will be hopefully reading more posts on in the future: <i>beauty. </i></span><br />
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<span class="s1">I’ve been toying with the idea of posting product reviews for a while now. Over time, I’ve discovered my favorite beauty products—or essentials, if you may—and I’m often asked to share them to my readers. I’ve received questions ranging from <i>‘what shampoo do you use </i>SPECIFICALLY!!!!!!!’ (which I always answer with ‘whatever my mom buys for me’) to <i>‘what kind of deodorant do you use?’ </i>(I use a derma prescribed deodorant that doesn’t have a brand, thank you very much.)</span><br />
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<span class="s1">I’ve never been sure just <i>how </i>I would go about writing such things. I’m not skilled in describing things, and at best all I can say is, <i>‘It’s good, I use it. It’s my favorite. Try it,’ </i>and that doesn’t exactly make for a convincing narrative.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">However, I thought I’d maybe give it a shot. I’ve always been one for challenges, and so without further ado, here’s the first thing on my beauty essentials list: <b>Olay’s Natural White Bar with Papaya Extract.</b></span><br />
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<span class="s1">Before I begin, I’d like to clarify that I’ve never used any sort of whitening products in my life before. I’ve never been particularly concerned with achieving fair skin, although I do understand the craze for it here in the Philippines. There’s just something about glowing, porcelain-like skin, isn’t there? </span><br />
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<span class="s1">With that said, you can only imagine my initial reluctance when it came to using papaya soap. Olay was lovely enough to have sent me a few bars to try, and me being me, I did a wee bit of extensive research so I could figure out just <i>what </i>to expect after enough time has passed of me using it.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Someone said that it makes your skin dry, and then another said that it’ll make your skin peel<i>. Peel. </i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Honestly, I was terrified at that point. I was never big on making drastic changes to my body—a personal preference that I’ve decided on early on in my puberty—and <i>was I really up for the challenge? </i>Is it even worth it?</span><br />
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<span class="s1">I was pleasantly surprised, though, to have found out that using Olay’s Natural White bar did not result in excessive skin peeling whatsoever. In fact, it’s made my skin smoother and healthier-looking. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I have to be really careful when it comes to the products I use on my skin, whether it be lotion, face wash, or makeup. It’s easy for my skin to get irritated, and walking around with itchy, red blotches isn’t exactly my ideal daily look, nor is it anybody’s, I’m sure. If you have the same skin problems as I do (I’ve got keratosis), I can assure you that Olay’s Natural White Bar with Papaya Extract is safe for every day use.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">There’s a bit of stigma attached to the usage of whitening products, a fallacy that I used to believe in myself, but there’s no shame in wanting to pamper yourself. If you truly want to achieve a lighter skin tone, then you’re going to have to use this soap for much longer as it doesn’t take effect overnight. However, its short term effects leaves you with a smoother, softer, moisturized skin and a healthy glow. I haven’t found the need to use lotion since I started using this soap because it’s been fantastic at keeping my skin hydrated.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">If you’re wondering what the effects of papaya on the skin is, I’ve taken the liberty on scavenging the internet for the answer. Credits go to <a href="http://perfectskincareforyou.com/" rel="nofollow" >PerfectSkinCareForYou.com</a>.</span></div>
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<li><i>Papaya is abundant in anti-oxidants due to the huge concentration of Vitamin A</i></li>
<li><i>‘Papain' in Papaya is helpful in removing the dead skin cells so applying papaya on the skin will exfoliate your skin in the most gentle and natural way</i></li>
<li><i>Papaya is a great skin-firming and anti-aging mask. It helps in removing blemishes, dark spots, evens out your skin tone and brings a glow to your face.</i></li>
<li><i>Papaya is, again, a natural exfoliator.</i></li>
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<span class="s1">Olay’s Natural White Bar with Papaya Extract smells delicious too, if any of you are wondering. Let me know if you're ready to show your #BestBeautiful with Olay by using the hashtag! </span><br />
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<span class="s1">And that's it! Stay tuned for more product reviews of my top beauty essentials. ’Til the next post!</span></div>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-79086991478136097912014-11-11T17:36:00.000+08:002014-11-12T19:45:59.685+08:00The Grove<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSkayweFKgsbHIyXBzJfMQjcls3o0DLilI9AKSehBH6XHomElHsXpB2Y1zHIeFZaeuMFiYPIdQDb-MZK7dswP05jxJWMR2H_HQgEubmPvxnKo8JCiP6IYJ-QELDU1GQQP3B6evjhcf1U/s1600/IMG_0465.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSkayweFKgsbHIyXBzJfMQjcls3o0DLilI9AKSehBH6XHomElHsXpB2Y1zHIeFZaeuMFiYPIdQDb-MZK7dswP05jxJWMR2H_HQgEubmPvxnKo8JCiP6IYJ-QELDU1GQQP3B6evjhcf1U/s1600/IMG_0465.png" /></a><br />
The day my mom, aunt, and I spent at The Grove was comprised mainly of me shrieking on elevators and then promptly taking the stairs; walking endlessly for hours, it seemed; window shopping, eating at Umami Burger, and Haagen-Dazs cones for dessert. There's not much to say about the trip, really, as my guardians mostly let me do my own thing—which was go around in circles, taking photos of everyone and everything, while they talked between themselves. I'd have to have numerous pairs of hands to be able to count the amount of times my mom rushed me out of a store because I was taking multiple photos of the same thing (to the best of my stealthy skills).
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One example would be when I insisted to go up to the top floor of Barnes and Nobles, my camera strapped around my neck, my finger on the shutter, because I absolutely refused to leave without going through every single shelf.... I kind of just have this urge to see <i>everything </i>a place has to offer before I leave, otherwise, I'd be on the plane ride back home wondering what this or that looked like, and then I'd beat myself up for not checking while I was there. But maybe it's just me. Let me know if you've visited The Grove before and/or if you've had a similar experience before. I've got one last post coming up from my LA trip which should be up really soon. 'Til the next time!<br />
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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsHkITH3fXmIj0cYHuPjYrReUkMYAG-PAlUWnDCC9WsogLzEUmPOtT0HKf_LbrSv0MK8wtvQnDxP0-mnNpmrrr1c9IQmsk8VtoZrm9WcVuV8ahy9-mD4nQ5-VjhA3RMW1BgS5D1uwoJk/s1600/IMG_0545.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsHkITH3fXmIj0cYHuPjYrReUkMYAG-PAlUWnDCC9WsogLzEUmPOtT0HKf_LbrSv0MK8wtvQnDxP0-mnNpmrrr1c9IQmsk8VtoZrm9WcVuV8ahy9-mD4nQ5-VjhA3RMW1BgS5D1uwoJk/s1600/IMG_0545.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvEeF2Wp-MGvZlALuDo9DeUFu_wvSM9hKgfBauxpQzudC1vH4ZfFmbxS8T5CSBM5W5RNP-LbjyjK4xt3yBW0eoHB3ojqOceVnd4wXQX8wlcOcuSJFvTb0-IfhvZf21IgZB_iRYUCam04/s1600/IMG_0554.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvEeF2Wp-MGvZlALuDo9DeUFu_wvSM9hKgfBauxpQzudC1vH4ZfFmbxS8T5CSBM5W5RNP-LbjyjK4xt3yBW0eoHB3ojqOceVnd4wXQX8wlcOcuSJFvTb0-IfhvZf21IgZB_iRYUCam04/s1600/IMG_0554.png" /></a>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-42858425564235923602014-10-20T16:09:00.003+08:002014-10-20T16:15:47.815+08:00Venice Beach Photo Diary (and why I'm one step closer to being the happiest I've ever been)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzcDZj0ZLbgDtaFLzg_gpkOquUINWteq4WwYDk_ZNRms9735GAyoXPgS1g182Fb5ZNvAi8ROOL4P1KQ_ZgG27TAuMpi9U53J36ZghXQpdJiSoSeTMJLSQzbbqKhd4pbI79TXHYypS1dI/s1600/IMG_0570.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzcDZj0ZLbgDtaFLzg_gpkOquUINWteq4WwYDk_ZNRms9735GAyoXPgS1g182Fb5ZNvAi8ROOL4P1KQ_ZgG27TAuMpi9U53J36ZghXQpdJiSoSeTMJLSQzbbqKhd4pbI79TXHYypS1dI/s1600/IMG_0570.png" /></a><br />
My trip to Venice Beach would definitely have to be one of the highlights of my most recent trip to LA. The last time I was there, the ocean had swallowed one half of my favorite pair of slippers, and my dad—seizing his opportunity to make a dad joke—told me to throw the remaining half into the water. He said it might come back to me one day, the next time I'm at the beach on the other side of the world, and while nine year old me highly doubted that, the slim chance of it actually happening excited me enough to make me oblige. I had to walk all the way back to our hotel barefoot, but I didn't really mind. Back then, it felt like giving back to the earth (when in all honesty, my dad and I probably did more damage than anything else).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx0345BFg69yuSOjZAMibeDU-jlwz-BY6DyZyL3ofWOCprnnVUJudm2LTqIQXb3FKczGo8GPBVWbppQitJSRLr2ARSxt1aTMr8SwONuI7ueAzmg2_5jp9s_o5p9L8MUASXaCNFLQnPcE/s1600/IMG_0563.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx0345BFg69yuSOjZAMibeDU-jlwz-BY6DyZyL3ofWOCprnnVUJudm2LTqIQXb3FKczGo8GPBVWbppQitJSRLr2ARSxt1aTMr8SwONuI7ueAzmg2_5jp9s_o5p9L8MUASXaCNFLQnPcE/s1600/IMG_0563.png" /></a>
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That was six years ago.
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Six years ago I didn’t care too much about anything but getting my hands on my very own Build-A-Bear stuffed toy (a rabbit, to be more specific). Six years ago, clothes were the least of my worries (although pastel colored plastic heels with feathers on them were something I wore around the house quite often with its matching tiara; and if you go four years further back, wearing a bikini in the snow was a good idea for me).
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And boys? Crushes? Love? Such things barely fit into my vocabulary back then. As far as I was concerned, Nick Jonas was the only boy in the planet meant for me (it seems I got an early start on crushing on unattainable boys with curly brown hair), and love was the look my father gave my mother every time their eyes met.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHadee0k3SLCWL-nqiX9JVvfFJDyTHAcJTt74pFZdhMj4ESl5PUljF3n_d_NiNZCFudkSurY80BhxelPdrKOnXJPc04oniCQmV87qG7pSC7m-MvWpvYBr7kPoG6pH5pQsssml3N3jSQJA/s1600/IMG_0565.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHadee0k3SLCWL-nqiX9JVvfFJDyTHAcJTt74pFZdhMj4ESl5PUljF3n_d_NiNZCFudkSurY80BhxelPdrKOnXJPc04oniCQmV87qG7pSC7m-MvWpvYBr7kPoG6pH5pQsssml3N3jSQJA/s1600/IMG_0565.png" /></a>
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That was it. It was simple, and I cared about nothing. I didn’t care what my classmates would think of me once I got back that summer; I didn’t care what my teachers would say when they found out I went on for another year without memorizing the multiplication table (and six years later, I still kind of don’t have it memorized [second grade decisions biting me in the ass almost a decade later]); and I obviously didn’t care what strangers thought about the way I lived my life (unless the stranger was Nick Jonas, because in that case—do you think he’d prefer it if I kept my hair long or short?).
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So coming back to Venice Beach after six years—six, long, important years of my life—invoked such an odd feeling from me, and that’s me putting it lightly. I mean, how else am I to make you feel the gravity of the situation I’d willingly put myself in: coming back to a place where the last time you’d been, you were an entirely different person, your slate as clean as it was new, your worries extending only up to whether or not your parents would drive you to the mall so you could buy that teddy bear you wanted, and your cares… well, the list of things you cared about was so short it was almost non-existent.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgE-DykzC-AeVStZRZlsI9ib63rN7VyUsQrdMTItapgToNWNV2ZreU_BICfa34PAbwgc6pormAs2vYb83B3dD-qSAPJ3zjHvn1JnR4Ou2dJ1gCnILveUm6ZOCLue1d7fK1HL-As8Zquc/s1600/IMG_0574.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgE-DykzC-AeVStZRZlsI9ib63rN7VyUsQrdMTItapgToNWNV2ZreU_BICfa34PAbwgc6pormAs2vYb83B3dD-qSAPJ3zjHvn1JnR4Ou2dJ1gCnILveUm6ZOCLue1d7fK1HL-As8Zquc/s1600/IMG_0574.png" /></a>
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I kept half-expecting, half-hoping for my old pair of flip-flops to be swept towards the shore and kiss my feet again as if it had been waiting for me all this time. In the back of my mind I kept wishing for it to wash ashore so that for once, I’d feel more like my old self again. So that for once, I’d finally have something from my past that was tangible, proof that there was a me before this present I’d rather not be. Lately, that’s all I’ve ever been doing anyway: grasping at whatever memories I have from better days instead of making more to look back on. It’s kind of weird though. The memories replay vividly in my head, but it’s like trying to keep your clenched fist filled with water.
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You know, I’m not entirely enamored by the person I’ve come to be—someone who’s so worried about descending into a downward spiral that to avoid it, I allowed my deep ends to become so shallow that if a mouse dove into it, it still wouldn’t get wet. I’d gotten so caught up in this and that and everything in between that I’d become the last thing I wanted to be: a vapid, social-media obsessed zombie who cared more about her Instagram feed than the finer things in life.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24jEKpOAFvvIwD7bGJb828JM0jfo9UZetBh9iivKDaObafy2-y_6WMCVnQbSIQk1VJOd4Otl7Z5wFrvSoUIpJ66cK5dYWz3C_XLrdckLcvzyXbOSpIJfEgDhAWVoN5auV5RWNJ8q-wUM/s1600/IMG_0593.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24jEKpOAFvvIwD7bGJb828JM0jfo9UZetBh9iivKDaObafy2-y_6WMCVnQbSIQk1VJOd4Otl7Z5wFrvSoUIpJ66cK5dYWz3C_XLrdckLcvzyXbOSpIJfEgDhAWVoN5auV5RWNJ8q-wUM/s1600/IMG_0593.png" /></a>
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In concerts, I’d be watching my favorite artists through a tiny screen, and they’d be made up of a million tiny pixels the way I saw them, instead of the flesh and bone they truly were. I didn’t know why I kept filming everything when in fact I knew I wouldn’t watch it later on, and over time I progressively stopped filming and lived more in the moment, but still: that didn’t change the fact that I was a vapid, non-undead zombie who kept her eyes glued to a screen more often than she looked up and saw the world. I’d become so numb that while I appreciated all my blessings, I didn’t appreciate them enough.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jR87khbbB1vtATME1qTOoa_ORMEB7AtUXdzIx3FLcFbnH4OuJaBvouuSy154Rs9gLT3fZQ9Pnr0sMdDZVQ2XIvgAeHCfOd0N7tI-MmFD_qkdVHXH_v_B9zcrcpy6C6Ho5ZEVkNur16s/s1600/IMG_0597.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jR87khbbB1vtATME1qTOoa_ORMEB7AtUXdzIx3FLcFbnH4OuJaBvouuSy154Rs9gLT3fZQ9Pnr0sMdDZVQ2XIvgAeHCfOd0N7tI-MmFD_qkdVHXH_v_B9zcrcpy6C6Ho5ZEVkNur16s/s1600/IMG_0597.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYA8wIUVcXI7LNolCPjVp3Gu0zZxOKR2GWc4kdOzLAo_QysNEUhdl3RZ_244KvHEPOR2Sg69DDnPQJ7ZpOeXL0wJb4c7mnc9PXl7RpBSpivmGu_avu2ZDFdu1PNVjrtSUjDuzwJZ-gg/s1600/IMG_0600.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYA8wIUVcXI7LNolCPjVp3Gu0zZxOKR2GWc4kdOzLAo_QysNEUhdl3RZ_244KvHEPOR2Sg69DDnPQJ7ZpOeXL0wJb4c7mnc9PXl7RpBSpivmGu_avu2ZDFdu1PNVjrtSUjDuzwJZ-gg/s1600/IMG_0600.png" /></a>
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The worst part about it was that I was aware. I was aware that every attempt I made to combat my downward spiral, I slipped further down into the shadows. I knew I was more than what I’ve come to be, and every time that glimmer of hope glinted under the moonlight, I took one step back up and out of the darkness’ grip.
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But it was exhausting. For every one step I climbed, I fell further back down at least twenty, and it was a constant struggle between who I was, who I wanted to be, and who I was becoming. And when you’re waging a war with yourself, the last thing you’d want to be is under a microscope, with watchful eyes surrounding you, keeping track of your every move. It’s hard enough to figure out who you are on your own; even harder when you’ve got other clueless teenagers telling you (or at least trying to tell you) what to do.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKpTsgTKIa2XwA1Fo-0MYg5t3Ua5_DTrMzfQXWQ2SHuC5yIEzqnYUcYmDk3SkZwY50zxK74unbWoYRfYSfqt3PCYIvNkaGhQ4o2j8DL503G6i9thrKzzlYZL5c1Wg1gH_DUPbfNP0JB0/s1600/IMG_0601.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKpTsgTKIa2XwA1Fo-0MYg5t3Ua5_DTrMzfQXWQ2SHuC5yIEzqnYUcYmDk3SkZwY50zxK74unbWoYRfYSfqt3PCYIvNkaGhQ4o2j8DL503G6i9thrKzzlYZL5c1Wg1gH_DUPbfNP0JB0/s1600/IMG_0601.png" /></a>
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Every time you’d accomplish something, such as climbing ten consecutive steps back out into the sunlight, instead of applauding you for it, they’d invalidate you, say it wasn’t your doing, it wasn’t accomplished out of your own will, but rather, because of something else you couldn’t help—your family, your background, or some sort of wealth that they had no proof of. It was as if no one was allowed to do any good, but them. No one was allowed to be trying their best but them; you either had to be the best at something, or nothing at all.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq39Q0eMy5FkFuz8V-lyRRciEWdTYBY1h-wiiL4rSnHH1b4UWyRmDE4ZSrF7ohvxlpAJu4RUYN9Q3HVch0MDFRFTgHisYyUnh0s0qUBsYrFXbh7k1-sSMMWXqZz8iuac62OS1QHH8V2E/s1600/IMG_0607.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq39Q0eMy5FkFuz8V-lyRRciEWdTYBY1h-wiiL4rSnHH1b4UWyRmDE4ZSrF7ohvxlpAJu4RUYN9Q3HVch0MDFRFTgHisYyUnh0s0qUBsYrFXbh7k1-sSMMWXqZz8iuac62OS1QHH8V2E/s1600/IMG_0607.png" /></a>
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And for days, weeks, months, nightmares terrorized me in my sleep, induced by the ghost of my own thoughts. I was beginning to think it was all in my head. I mean, it was always the same thing: me getting stuck in an elevator that went down when I pressed the upwards arrow, stopped on the sixth floor when I pressed fourth, shook when I tried to get the doors to open, and died when I cried for help. And I knew it was a dream; even in my slumber I was aware, and that was the worst part—not being able to wake yourself up from a reoccurring nightmare, as if your own body was tying you to a chair and saying: “Watch this, damn it; you’ll wake up once you realize what it is I’m trying to tell you.”
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQhyvoKh7Rlvi5StPlJ9OLHdXZrv_Mln3KVES8Gsb6oVtVAAc4miXm9WyP3qsWVNPLX97iTUfHDdFaEk0dt-c7kltm6HoQqh2FeptcgP4a2lsVcmtq3qnvECWMaoBATZDubpOWTgHN0/s1600/IMG_0615.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQhyvoKh7Rlvi5StPlJ9OLHdXZrv_Mln3KVES8Gsb6oVtVAAc4miXm9WyP3qsWVNPLX97iTUfHDdFaEk0dt-c7kltm6HoQqh2FeptcgP4a2lsVcmtq3qnvECWMaoBATZDubpOWTgHN0/s1600/IMG_0615.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxqFS7QDDx-NMvqt90Oyv3InmB6sT_hoM2uWjb5Yp0paSSZfO5-MM2EimAS243azJgxg0I0je3zP7yy76cwEkpKiYdov_UYsw04Gs9XM1TqJVr-b1b73UhIQL2WK92wDZgiUh3rm6Ass/s1600/IMG_0620.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxqFS7QDDx-NMvqt90Oyv3InmB6sT_hoM2uWjb5Yp0paSSZfO5-MM2EimAS243azJgxg0I0je3zP7yy76cwEkpKiYdov_UYsw04Gs9XM1TqJVr-b1b73UhIQL2WK92wDZgiUh3rm6Ass/s1600/IMG_0620.png" /></a>
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When I looked up the meaning of my dream, I felt as though the foundations that I stood on shook. The very wall that I thought kept me protected from outside forces crumbled and fell, and I felt exposed to the world—vulnerable, you could say, as if an impostor caught in the act.
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Dreaming about being stuck in an elevator that did opposite of what you programmed it to do meant that you’d lost control of yourself, if not your entire life.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztzM0VjyBTLbPn-xSlnaeGV8HHlHlhe6_Itx5FQr7nFsM2vf7mrfuGHwwZVYhWYzqvaem_HjU7XE5T91JJ_5JrFEHhQ9U1lbItX-EN0K_c7wBbyReo1jKk_vRRNd7a6suOiBpwGejCE4/s1600/IMG_0627.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztzM0VjyBTLbPn-xSlnaeGV8HHlHlhe6_Itx5FQr7nFsM2vf7mrfuGHwwZVYhWYzqvaem_HjU7XE5T91JJ_5JrFEHhQ9U1lbItX-EN0K_c7wBbyReo1jKk_vRRNd7a6suOiBpwGejCE4/s1600/IMG_0627.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2_95OQIUes9cBw3q-MPQyhXtlI9UBLAJ3EKVk323aqY0usNyqSRpw3JcBnhSy0JmfoIVf7LdUEQntyWe15d0MwpTtPfkk0JFdHCk1t1iM-gLm76uUmEflLB1OVho5yjxp51abNhzTR4/s1600/IMG_0636.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2_95OQIUes9cBw3q-MPQyhXtlI9UBLAJ3EKVk323aqY0usNyqSRpw3JcBnhSy0JmfoIVf7LdUEQntyWe15d0MwpTtPfkk0JFdHCk1t1iM-gLm76uUmEflLB1OVho5yjxp51abNhzTR4/s1600/IMG_0636.png" /></a>
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And being there in Venice Beach, where the sun was shining brightly, and my lack of WiFi and LTE kept my gaze pointed straight ahead, I managed to put things in perspective.
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Why did a couple of tiny pixels on my screen thrill me more than getting out in the open and exploring every beautiful inch of the world? What was it about blogging and tweeting and posting on Instagram that was more important than seeing all you could see? Why like a photo of someone at the beach, instead of going to the beach? Was it not all a game, a popularity contest on who had more followers, who had more sponsors, who was being featured in magazines, and who had more people liking their photos?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuUpg_ZY8e8AUakEbn_AnblLjoJWIPQ3ubRmpsETGXXx_VcA_m7oD-MbEgkU9ZtL2cm-iVqSkT606GqInn-LZBkMtAJQDvoKREbOZXktN_8-nKPb3sWZP_qWutKMyDZi1GihYUPgUjaw/s1600/IMG_0638.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuUpg_ZY8e8AUakEbn_AnblLjoJWIPQ3ubRmpsETGXXx_VcA_m7oD-MbEgkU9ZtL2cm-iVqSkT606GqInn-LZBkMtAJQDvoKREbOZXktN_8-nKPb3sWZP_qWutKMyDZi1GihYUPgUjaw/s1600/IMG_0638.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcPIzPxoPzIRBJnf0_4wqt8HWT6ZcV6I-jxYy0qPB0Lp1x8lw5V0yZiTjLvi5E-jvxZGlVinScw-EClICFtvpfxenrZUiVKL6ZOJRoy19fuDeB4emQEztd3AGP2GcZn2EAAlsaWUJXzE/s1600/IMG_0645.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcPIzPxoPzIRBJnf0_4wqt8HWT6ZcV6I-jxYy0qPB0Lp1x8lw5V0yZiTjLvi5E-jvxZGlVinScw-EClICFtvpfxenrZUiVKL6ZOJRoy19fuDeB4emQEztd3AGP2GcZn2EAAlsaWUJXzE/s1600/IMG_0645.png" /></a>
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Something happened to me recently, and it was like looking into a mirror and seeing a monster where your face should’ve been. I saw myself in other people, and I was disgusted. I was disgusted and I was appalled, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
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Was that really who I was becoming? Was that really who I wanted to be?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnK-u36faOqU8oi2xr4BG63jUm21BjBTogJn6p1QiirMVRX3qT-m7MQBvTUHGqOVQYp8UD0Mw1T0AHW08_HaHoeL-OSM4PCOLi_dUtEKgg3vXKuTPohteSl5u66hP_C7ZqA3QHWsRP6c/s1600/IMG_0648.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnK-u36faOqU8oi2xr4BG63jUm21BjBTogJn6p1QiirMVRX3qT-m7MQBvTUHGqOVQYp8UD0Mw1T0AHW08_HaHoeL-OSM4PCOLi_dUtEKgg3vXKuTPohteSl5u66hP_C7ZqA3QHWsRP6c/s1600/IMG_0648.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxikvQFBH45SRapjx0BqthHvh6U2xgRl03VtABv5FwVUY4rTiMqwnlyUrHTBWszELUVV3DOhkE76AW6VfoMf-lj0pO5pIIljsTd6_KHoJ1fzmqeRqy_Ju_O9FUYHNOLKVwjzqqDGZ59Q/s1600/IMG_0649.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxikvQFBH45SRapjx0BqthHvh6U2xgRl03VtABv5FwVUY4rTiMqwnlyUrHTBWszELUVV3DOhkE76AW6VfoMf-lj0pO5pIIljsTd6_KHoJ1fzmqeRqy_Ju_O9FUYHNOLKVwjzqqDGZ59Q/s1600/IMG_0649.png" /></a>
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I took a step back, out of the picture, and realized that if I’d stuck around for a second longer, I would’ve forever been ingrained into that painting—a dull, monochromatic image that might be pretty to look at because it’s minimalistic and oh-so-modern, chic, fashionable, or whatever adjective fashionistas are using these days to describe what was in. But the image, the image when you truly looked at it, falls short when you look closer to try and see if it had any depth to it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSiKbqKJJpR-Ky-kLfA57juo85916sw-TsmLSZzIlOArQWEHRcTi3v1mRDdpTSNLSZsMd1f7N9iuZ5bu9lO93MKHy2xitc7P_bhJe0wzGQpYpJNOVeYxl2GshFy93-5i94FkOtLMfbCA/s1600/IMG_0651.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSiKbqKJJpR-Ky-kLfA57juo85916sw-TsmLSZzIlOArQWEHRcTi3v1mRDdpTSNLSZsMd1f7N9iuZ5bu9lO93MKHy2xitc7P_bhJe0wzGQpYpJNOVeYxl2GshFy93-5i94FkOtLMfbCA/s1600/IMG_0651.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuMygBAJRlLjTrVXmdcURxMsFjwoFw0BW9Ogokn-OXX1csdoeOvEyXIr9YLJHIUSdsAgMaQmTMXKXbb6v31QCZxQfIF4xJjb3qOV7XNphwIzAYy_r-WtjHeZ0BfHQQD-lRdGMjIuG3u4/s1600/IMG_0655.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuMygBAJRlLjTrVXmdcURxMsFjwoFw0BW9Ogokn-OXX1csdoeOvEyXIr9YLJHIUSdsAgMaQmTMXKXbb6v31QCZxQfIF4xJjb3qOV7XNphwIzAYy_r-WtjHeZ0BfHQQD-lRdGMjIuG3u4/s1600/IMG_0655.png" /></a>
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In Venice, I came to the conclusion that that was what I’d rather be doing. I didn’t want to be staring at a screen all day, and if I was, I didn’t want to feel obligated to post things to keep strangers updated on my life. If I was going to be staring at a screen all day, I will be writing or keeping contact with my friends, furthering myself in whatever field it is I want to excel in—and not wasting away writing one hundred forty characters about how much I want to kiss a certain boy band member (78 retweets, 141 favorites; it is nice to know how many people feel the same way, though. #thethirstisreal).
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And then now? Now it seems as though my thoughts at the beach had come a full circle, finally completed by this one last instance in my life that shook me awake from the nightmare I was living in. For months, I was in denial about what I had confirmed very recently, and it put me in the worst slump I’d ever been in—sitting still for minutes on end, and then bursting out crying for no reason. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBcX9Y4oDLscVw7iM7ds2o6-AgXNU1wJywMZv78CGD6gx5bpZOlTYH2mg63IzVdByxsm22w1YdZRG0Gvf-2aBGtzrE2wsuMSRVVLiIalzZJm5oBxIy2XQ631bRBOnztAPGoBFBLeh0bo/s1600/IMG_0659.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBcX9Y4oDLscVw7iM7ds2o6-AgXNU1wJywMZv78CGD6gx5bpZOlTYH2mg63IzVdByxsm22w1YdZRG0Gvf-2aBGtzrE2wsuMSRVVLiIalzZJm5oBxIy2XQ631bRBOnztAPGoBFBLeh0bo/s1600/IMG_0659.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcKdyojSr8jiDweqGGQT3kpLOqRyKxfM01OVVr-VtNZq9od-05hcd3vkVwFNntJlNpHdhD3LUGf08PEgfgd-v3SG4xl75PE131OyquhQas6GorKW-WTmft5JBOYEB74ouuj5lafWPKrQ/s1600/IMG_0663.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcKdyojSr8jiDweqGGQT3kpLOqRyKxfM01OVVr-VtNZq9od-05hcd3vkVwFNntJlNpHdhD3LUGf08PEgfgd-v3SG4xl75PE131OyquhQas6GorKW-WTmft5JBOYEB74ouuj5lafWPKrQ/s1600/IMG_0663.png" /></a>
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But now I’ve put all that behind me. By accepting it, I had managed to move on, and so I’ve closed that book, and I’ve learned from all that it held within its chapters. I’ve come to terms with all that had happened, and I finally accepted who I was in that brief period in time instead of denying myself that ‘phase’ (for a lack of a better term).
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An obvious fact that I’ve only come to fully understand is that when you’re a teenager, every day matters. Who you were in January will no longer be who you are in February, and that’s okay. You can’t hate yourself for that. You have to understand that you are human, and that means a constant evolution of self. There is no, and there will never be, a permanent state of being.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYioggYId1SQ4Jeo5ILRFaLBWyLx7ZVmIQjdC2_4h1hr_grJYmgUp5fe5c36wmWVPOYkdh7Np6ocKzq1YNAOq7-1Af8WmCghFFZbBT1jUoNSgJDCnGY7O12DSxLBG0EjtS6tzkQt6ijI/s1600/IMG_0664.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYioggYId1SQ4Jeo5ILRFaLBWyLx7ZVmIQjdC2_4h1hr_grJYmgUp5fe5c36wmWVPOYkdh7Np6ocKzq1YNAOq7-1Af8WmCghFFZbBT1jUoNSgJDCnGY7O12DSxLBG0EjtS6tzkQt6ijI/s1600/IMG_0664.png" /></a>
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So to my readers: a few things are going to change around here. I might not be on as much as I used to be, but I can assure you—if any of you even care—that this is for the best. Or at least, for my best. In doing this, in my letting go of the race in which I had unknowingly and unwillingly gotten myself into, I will finally take one step further out into the sunlight and become the person I want to be. It was never a game for me in the first place; I didn’t set out to blog or tweet or Instagram for the sole intention of becoming recognized in the streets. I did it because it was a form of self-expression, so why start now? Why let go of what made me see my craft as something genuine, as opposed to forcing it because I’ve been told that I <i>had to or else.</i>
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My trip to Venice Beach gave back to me more than the pair of slippers I wanted to reunite with. My trip to Venice Beach was the release I’d been looking for, and I feel so blessed to have spent my time there with the best group of girls I could’ve ever asked for.
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It was as if by allowing the waves to cradle me in its arms, I had been cleansed and spit back out into the world to tell you this: Don’t ever be afraid to look your inner demons straight in the eye. Chances are, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. You have what it takes to exorcise them; you have the strength and the courage to free yourself from their grip, and the first step in doing so is by believing you can, and that you will. The next step? The next step is just doing it.
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So go on then. I believe in you.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-19958464872208565892014-10-13T20:00:00.000+08:002014-10-14T04:53:22.782+08:00Rodeo Drive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoUiRv9wKcZM0O-1VCDzbHg8fw4F06sn3yhMcgA1NfZ8NcjR8lZIw6gso6AFwsDz9F4VEBruNoDdGmjMsdtizy8zSq7YmE-_BMczef-lVG1jNSbof0edk6uq_mge8GhevTSErLVhXesI/s1600/IMG_0695.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoUiRv9wKcZM0O-1VCDzbHg8fw4F06sn3yhMcgA1NfZ8NcjR8lZIw6gso6AFwsDz9F4VEBruNoDdGmjMsdtizy8zSq7YmE-_BMczef-lVG1jNSbof0edk6uq_mge8GhevTSErLVhXesI/s1600/IMG_0695.png" /></a>
God, I'm such a tourist. I don't think my trip to LA would've been complete without an indulgent, slightly gratuitous visit to Rodeo Drive. I could practically hear Material Girl by Madonna blasting in the back of my head, playing over certain scenes from the one and only episode of #RichKids of Beverly Hills that I saw. (I shut it about half-way through, and my cousin asked me if I felt my brain cells dying while watching. My answer was a resounding yes.) We were all too tired to actually walk under the sun, especially after a few hours at the beach, so a drive-through and a bit of sightseeing was all we did. It was still pretty good, though. I kind of just enjoyed watching the swarm of tourists crossing the street whenever the stoplight for cars flashed red best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz2H9iRWdkG_GPFe1lvwuMRXxMJOu0jpwtSusWuyVA3xZ5m1TwUNLGyMWdPBhfF7gIJUxuvsyjQsr4k5wIi1Sj2y-V1xHM6MNm-K5i8619Lmv6xaaPouhNUTj6dYIpOyAP9UK9aHBe2I/s1600/IMG_0690.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz2H9iRWdkG_GPFe1lvwuMRXxMJOu0jpwtSusWuyVA3xZ5m1TwUNLGyMWdPBhfF7gIJUxuvsyjQsr4k5wIi1Sj2y-V1xHM6MNm-K5i8619Lmv6xaaPouhNUTj6dYIpOyAP9UK9aHBe2I/s1600/IMG_0690.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALt45vx6wcCh1KMe1ZBmEbDxfUP2LY4E1UIgtzczpnbWTjboAATJLWjwh0dnvcuzr1N9w7IhVC2knOvGxZ9p1SKNTZrwb8RZUkSP-pDl0Fxa9nOkFn-a7QHo5llnmf3PdXxXu65twZ_o/s1600/IMG_0692.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALt45vx6wcCh1KMe1ZBmEbDxfUP2LY4E1UIgtzczpnbWTjboAATJLWjwh0dnvcuzr1N9w7IhVC2knOvGxZ9p1SKNTZrwb8RZUkSP-pDl0Fxa9nOkFn-a7QHo5llnmf3PdXxXu65twZ_o/s1600/IMG_0692.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3wQbJE1Sdza4zOsLpjf5yRBEmgORRHFNpvBQ5qD9K7T1GITpSmJX6pff5WUQ-b4lZJElYDPdCk30uGtt5C8OMPlrNczaHJ4CEV_I5jZ53XqcsXzkqVtcu1F3j2kiTQAPCrhGZesy_2Q/s1600/IMG_0694.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3wQbJE1Sdza4zOsLpjf5yRBEmgORRHFNpvBQ5qD9K7T1GITpSmJX6pff5WUQ-b4lZJElYDPdCk30uGtt5C8OMPlrNczaHJ4CEV_I5jZ53XqcsXzkqVtcu1F3j2kiTQAPCrhGZesy_2Q/s1600/IMG_0694.png" /></a>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-23967000137101351502014-10-08T16:07:00.001+08:002014-10-08T16:09:07.934+08:00Urth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIYobfDi4HON_VcyT96xAfEbWYDORqk4FF8ujeNxoSNSF-z8FdMvevrNtcaVwQbEhe3pn_r_reLBaygZA-oJJmNOFvyfR2gxBKTw5AyY9hrdpEJGR9TXblhEbMGhuNACA8ZCdwGOX4EY/s1600/IMG_0708.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIYobfDi4HON_VcyT96xAfEbWYDORqk4FF8ujeNxoSNSF-z8FdMvevrNtcaVwQbEhe3pn_r_reLBaygZA-oJJmNOFvyfR2gxBKTw5AyY9hrdpEJGR9TXblhEbMGhuNACA8ZCdwGOX4EY/s1600/IMG_0708.png" /></a>
Prior to our trip to LA being booked, I'd heard a lot about Urth, an organic coffee company that first opened in West Hollywood back in 1994. Obviously, it's not a new cafe considering it's been up for four years before I was even born, but I think it was around early last year that I first heard of it. To my knowledge, it's become a sort of go-to spot for my peers in the City of Angels, and upon stepping into the cottage-like brick building, I could see why.
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It <i>is</i> trendy, but with good reason. I honestly worried, as I stood in line with my mom and aunts, that it was just that: another place that people lined up for because everyone else was doing it, despite the food tasting more like sand than a sandwich. I mean, the interiors were cute, as was the logo, and wow, <i>"it's just so Instagram-worthy!"</i> that maybe everyone else was willing to act like they liked the food just so they wouldn't feel left out of the bandwagon.
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I didn't quite know what to expect—I'm (unashamedly) more of a fast food girl than an organic one—but I could tell you that I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered their grilled cilantro chicken with pesto sandwich and Caffé Glacé, and I was legitimately <i>this</i> close to ordering a second round. <i>That's</i> how good it was. They've got five branches, which you can see by clicking <a href="http://www.urthcaffe.com/locations.html">here</a>, so if you're ever in any of those areas, I highly recommend stopping by, even if it's just for a drink.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-20185843592172178832014-09-25T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-25T20:00:07.476+08:00Santa Monica Photo Diary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeoyeFiJs6PSDmG8XL6NajGNDA3_F1Uh67r8k18djMQJAMLy1xqNAktQ419VOWZoN5IrL9_CBs4B68cAONzBQu14GPsHbO8_Ij3YsnYm2oPx5a2LKpHGMlqWBebN_9t6wClHEupz_Oes/s1600/IMG_0327.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeoyeFiJs6PSDmG8XL6NajGNDA3_F1Uh67r8k18djMQJAMLy1xqNAktQ419VOWZoN5IrL9_CBs4B68cAONzBQu14GPsHbO8_Ij3YsnYm2oPx5a2LKpHGMlqWBebN_9t6wClHEupz_Oes/s1600/IMG_0327.png" /></a>
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<i>If I went out now, at 3:00 AM, I would go to the pier. I would sit at the edge of the boardwalk and dangle my legs just right above the water and watch the sky turn from a deep, dark, royal blue, to a gradient that went from soft pink hues to a lighter shade of blue. Skies are different out here in LA, but they're just the way I liked them. </i><br />
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<i>At 3:00 AM, I would listen to the waves and breathe in the salty air, and then i</i><i>n the brief time it would've taken the sun to rise from its deep slumber, I would have since told myself to remember </i>this.<i> To remember the way I felt as I watched the waves crash against one another and then kiss the shoreline as if it had not just waged a war with itself. I want to remember the way the ocean's battle cry rung in my ears (as if I'd pressed them against a shell and heard my blood rushing), and then remember, too, the way that I could taste the salt of its tears with every breath I inhaled. </i><br />
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<i>I like it, the way the waves and the shoreline were a lot like forbidden lovers. Despite their circumstances ripping them apart continuously, giving them only a few seconds to be wrapped up in each other's embrace, they never give up, and I like that. I like that sometimes the way the world works could still work in your favor, so I tuck that in my memory and remind myself to be more like the waves: to never give up, even if the odds were against me.</i>
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<br><i>Never forget this, I will tell myself. Never</i> ever <i>forget this moment. Never forget this feeling nor this peaceful sense of displacement, where—for a brief moment in time—you are unmoving, contented with just being. For once, you're not the one causing ripples in the water, but rather, a bystander watching it slow to a stillness that, in effect, stills your raging mind. </i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtrCBdOEEi9H9jRtent7M5QlFfOO9py5ie-IJJaKZE8LmEl25x7gSNEQCNDpIRBvqOfzYMKH-GlLfbXB3wEuvUvXRYooPdMyCOju5lKWB5k9rxkbRDne-KQFaL3ZGVbMnJEgNlJ4gWH0/s1600/IMG_0341.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtrCBdOEEi9H9jRtent7M5QlFfOO9py5ie-IJJaKZE8LmEl25x7gSNEQCNDpIRBvqOfzYMKH-GlLfbXB3wEuvUvXRYooPdMyCOju5lKWB5k9rxkbRDne-KQFaL3ZGVbMnJEgNlJ4gWH0/s1600/IMG_0341.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1NE7E4yvVsIV8Bv8x0QiUPzb2A0_g1vnwXHqkavPVWlI57z9T-MWKkJdS-GwqO-qNgjdoh9jWRi0XMbUPCbkMhvPzYX_qyhGmAKtHOXmhPbMKG5cI6_3XYF4sZTcXsydTDTms0m29_w/s1600/IMG_0344.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1NE7E4yvVsIV8Bv8x0QiUPzb2A0_g1vnwXHqkavPVWlI57z9T-MWKkJdS-GwqO-qNgjdoh9jWRi0XMbUPCbkMhvPzYX_qyhGmAKtHOXmhPbMKG5cI6_3XYF4sZTcXsydTDTms0m29_w/s1600/IMG_0344.png" /></a>
<i><br /></i>
<i>For once, you were just you, and for once, there wasn't anything wrong with that. That's why, at 3:22AM, I've decided that I'd really <i>really</i> like to go to the pier right now, and just sit there 'til the sun came up and it was finally time for me to leave.
</i><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHCjFEYFRNkS27Tyc_cQVRfQqhg5d5rYjWm_GjOA1T9szJcCjYaS3GZD5fts44hOUCoVUxfcySLsi6LSJ2ODxnQ3cQ90MuKB-VDUW3AqptI8716FtwldIlgNcUFV4aOxJdYcw_XtDSDg/s1600/IMG_0347.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHCjFEYFRNkS27Tyc_cQVRfQqhg5d5rYjWm_GjOA1T9szJcCjYaS3GZD5fts44hOUCoVUxfcySLsi6LSJ2ODxnQ3cQ90MuKB-VDUW3AqptI8716FtwldIlgNcUFV4aOxJdYcw_XtDSDg/s1600/IMG_0347.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzSI0i14gBaFjpkvWN3XRJyORMB-k63-CGh7q-IwKAnQtb4NVfsX9PV-dIdkjAXYPu5TFVlwWpksnQud8ilRv-e2S3L54lD2E_A5vxNltVMCmlT28GpvJ-QF6aJT-mJuMx7ZRKroRfZs/s1600/IMG_0357.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzSI0i14gBaFjpkvWN3XRJyORMB-k63-CGh7q-IwKAnQtb4NVfsX9PV-dIdkjAXYPu5TFVlwWpksnQud8ilRv-e2S3L54lD2E_A5vxNltVMCmlT28GpvJ-QF6aJT-mJuMx7ZRKroRfZs/s1600/IMG_0357.png" /></a><br>
About a week ago, my cousin took my mom and I to the Santa Monica Pier and I fell so in love with the place and how it made me feel that in my sleep deprived state, I scribbled something out in my journal (in a frenzy, too, I might add). I just <i>had</i> to get it all down, otherwise it felt as though the memory would slip from my hands and into some sort of dark abyss where forgotten memories go. <br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfMXkYOrqh2NgeihhcSbyFaH1OY4JppyEirAiLywBXQmJReN_fDKS9K0Q_1RLbOm73GhSxn2EqxP7CfHayck0_3e1XT28YkvcdqzpMUzybcYWiEbYGkfYKfdpqzLGcsor7Ud7oQ4t-WU/s1600/IMG_0359.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfMXkYOrqh2NgeihhcSbyFaH1OY4JppyEirAiLywBXQmJReN_fDKS9K0Q_1RLbOm73GhSxn2EqxP7CfHayck0_3e1XT28YkvcdqzpMUzybcYWiEbYGkfYKfdpqzLGcsor7Ud7oQ4t-WU/s1600/IMG_0359.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGcrccNxgVcSEOXyK4VLYJXPKOKOQtqB5FUX4UWImrQG1B66BVLspYkXFZWTS8Ei1YuGxlU8xc-M17yIoT1gLm2QRVf2sFFEdBwVWqrfu3v4vaNH4IsxMeoHj0sjMKpm7yKT6oCyUvgE/s1600/IMG_0362.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGcrccNxgVcSEOXyK4VLYJXPKOKOQtqB5FUX4UWImrQG1B66BVLspYkXFZWTS8Ei1YuGxlU8xc-M17yIoT1gLm2QRVf2sFFEdBwVWqrfu3v4vaNH4IsxMeoHj0sjMKpm7yKT6oCyUvgE/s1600/IMG_0362.png" /></a><br>
It's a little cheesy, I know, and a little far-fetched—I'll probably get kicked out by patrolling officers if I even attempted to access the boardwalk in the dead hours of the night—but I'm not lying when I say that as I looked down below from the ferris wheel that day, I was overwhelmed by a sense of peacefulness, appreciation, and gratitude that I never wanted to forget. In my head, I kept telling myself, <i>'don't forget this feeling, don't forget these sights, don't you ever dare forget, Nina,'</i> and apparently, I stayed true to my word. I still remember all the tiny details that went on during the day trip.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Szf_mn0EsJCSII4x2sJGYhCa7Mz16lHO_FZ6Oz9XB3PIZgjhdhDf7iRmuGJTjG4PGGDnol_fKOlXzCepbJ-Jvd35ai6R3WPihzlDSg48PYzuGJiuS06_8omqdE9SVGFCESzDNqhRYk/s1600/IMG_0364.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Szf_mn0EsJCSII4x2sJGYhCa7Mz16lHO_FZ6Oz9XB3PIZgjhdhDf7iRmuGJTjG4PGGDnol_fKOlXzCepbJ-Jvd35ai6R3WPihzlDSg48PYzuGJiuS06_8omqdE9SVGFCESzDNqhRYk/s1600/IMG_0364.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQotLrfmuSfNP_eTFdsUQy_49VcS4jJdyskTjJ-gpNyJQqVLWyRmz1vJgP0QDjCgta3tjwq7HQ9bnfjSm0ErDJXM-bTNwxgifGTAZwDTnWQnL6axEaco-xW8RRErJtrMvPe9Me1nuTYCA/s1600/IMG_0365.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQotLrfmuSfNP_eTFdsUQy_49VcS4jJdyskTjJ-gpNyJQqVLWyRmz1vJgP0QDjCgta3tjwq7HQ9bnfjSm0ErDJXM-bTNwxgifGTAZwDTnWQnL6axEaco-xW8RRErJtrMvPe9Me1nuTYCA/s1600/IMG_0365.png" /></a>
<br>The chanting of 'don't forget' is something I've started doing recently, usually every time something good happens to me. I chanted it in the back of my head during the Bombay Bicycle Club concert, for example, and then during the Disclosure set, and then even more so during the 1D concert at the Rose Bowl.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4kh08_Mg2myKgeCcbmmGCHoFISm-ffwYTChBcLsK5GTsdwz-B45NJ8-4ehunJzH_1Cs6wdE4tS26PAgwj1CvS9DoIIlXT9aE0ivxLlheFfmWMvKhxNa9onGgYY_BDxeIuAEj4AsCvnQ/s1600/IMG_0370.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4kh08_Mg2myKgeCcbmmGCHoFISm-ffwYTChBcLsK5GTsdwz-B45NJ8-4ehunJzH_1Cs6wdE4tS26PAgwj1CvS9DoIIlXT9aE0ivxLlheFfmWMvKhxNa9onGgYY_BDxeIuAEj4AsCvnQ/s1600/IMG_0370.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8A5I4-HkFgXRiq18YuffrUyWsNLkBc62c_Iq7r0pHvEP7G9OiSWVKhoSEaND2umQtiRZUfGYSvqaKUWGLcrIxgZz4c-zZA-UIOM011WxqIKGGR3YUgTR44BeRVdbfjIJcdrKCA2VTHs/s1600/IMG_0373.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8A5I4-HkFgXRiq18YuffrUyWsNLkBc62c_Iq7r0pHvEP7G9OiSWVKhoSEaND2umQtiRZUfGYSvqaKUWGLcrIxgZz4c-zZA-UIOM011WxqIKGGR3YUgTR44BeRVdbfjIJcdrKCA2VTHs/s1600/IMG_0373.png" /></a><bR>
I don't know if anyone else does this, but my reason for it is because back then, way before I discovered that it worked wonders for me (bye-bye scratching my head when I forget things while writing blog posts!), I used to get excited about things that I'd forget all about it and thus disable me from going back to it on sadder days.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4VBWmu3pv5OV2QmZfGYTMmw62QdE1VDk04mvLbLQjXWeffaWA8sg2mAaWZ3zHdfB4enVpn_EdX59apeQfmLgQFjv0ApLbQhGiAGMmP8aXN6_8B0d5eMtg5f9HmHFyNL3KvK760l2DCw/s1600/IMG_0376.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4VBWmu3pv5OV2QmZfGYTMmw62QdE1VDk04mvLbLQjXWeffaWA8sg2mAaWZ3zHdfB4enVpn_EdX59apeQfmLgQFjv0ApLbQhGiAGMmP8aXN6_8B0d5eMtg5f9HmHFyNL3KvK760l2DCw/s1600/IMG_0376.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Llmwb1-dGcZGNYtEKu0EluMw6WdMPsLqTcOeWURhkGrJRaTQ7RBzE94xmhGPNxlHfL21QCJPAK7JGPGmy4179S5g23oO1nfSWzdSeCAPGWxXMJLx6GqNtHk8DkE2Bp-13HVvBpBHZ1Y/s1600/IMG_0377.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Llmwb1-dGcZGNYtEKu0EluMw6WdMPsLqTcOeWURhkGrJRaTQ7RBzE94xmhGPNxlHfL21QCJPAK7JGPGmy4179S5g23oO1nfSWzdSeCAPGWxXMJLx6GqNtHk8DkE2Bp-13HVvBpBHZ1Y/s1600/IMG_0377.png" /></a>
<br>As a writer, it gets really upsetting to forget these things (or maybe it's just me). After all, everything that happens to you could be channeled into your work, as content or reference, or even just for inspiration.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzkx-FKcuyGAq5bYTmK9zLL_5uoTDwYa7HRA7166eGA91P6zAIxONQTy6T7h3n0Jpkfoy7TuQOdeAa-QOjubD_CXBtsgiIU99qBdewAxSWxOjiiyx2RxZJuqsd7PRsTGUsiAEJAsQv4E/s1600/IMG_0396.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzkx-FKcuyGAq5bYTmK9zLL_5uoTDwYa7HRA7166eGA91P6zAIxONQTy6T7h3n0Jpkfoy7TuQOdeAa-QOjubD_CXBtsgiIU99qBdewAxSWxOjiiyx2RxZJuqsd7PRsTGUsiAEJAsQv4E/s1600/IMG_0396.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG-_i2qRQOXTcjBSFRCUdaEf_pnaUMl8R_HmfqmJHW17XRYbzWhlOUGwTiRyP3ZqXqmrpHGd-bvDkzS_7b_x51Y7uMQUNmCymJT4EwGqKsgmMOnAcThpq-VEKrpC2eYwckcYySAQc2Dg/s1600/IMG_0401.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG-_i2qRQOXTcjBSFRCUdaEf_pnaUMl8R_HmfqmJHW17XRYbzWhlOUGwTiRyP3ZqXqmrpHGd-bvDkzS_7b_x51Y7uMQUNmCymJT4EwGqKsgmMOnAcThpq-VEKrpC2eYwckcYySAQc2Dg/s1600/IMG_0401.png" /></a>
But I seriously think that maybe it's just me.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-69648360085482210802014-09-21T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-25T08:13:06.771+08:00Ventura<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS190z_7xj5-bXVTyv3oqZFZcNCwR1FQyrejNJq4mvMlwfY_n3dlLDyawrYNRVaq8wxa7k8TirQ7jOvioUncLZv4prUe-zYWx3DUiovqV68zHeVOFVz_zrOPs-AaPAt0iypbTMZ1Q5bs/s1600/IMG_0298.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS190z_7xj5-bXVTyv3oqZFZcNCwR1FQyrejNJq4mvMlwfY_n3dlLDyawrYNRVaq8wxa7k8TirQ7jOvioUncLZv4prUe-zYWx3DUiovqV68zHeVOFVz_zrOPs-AaPAt0iypbTMZ1Q5bs/s1600/IMG_0298.png" /></a><br />
Just before we headed to the One Direction concert on the 13th of September in Pasadena, the lovely Pascua family took us to Umami Burger. Isabella and I then went for a stroll with her brothers and checked out the nearby Urban Outfitters, where we then proceeded to spend at least half an hour running about trying things on. It was a good day, if I say so myself. Tiring, but good, and I say that without a single doubt. More photos under the cut!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHALcbSZTI0GEWTVMHhue4lGObA528QcyI0b-SQ7l1Js3hb7YFsATUrosPiLRPH8ugGAfiaIlbMNwgqGZqc4xGI2XayfLzxLzsOhyphenhyphenZabsH3TJUWSvRYj-7bXA3FmcER2vUY29bdPQS18/s1600/IMG_0290.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHALcbSZTI0GEWTVMHhue4lGObA528QcyI0b-SQ7l1Js3hb7YFsATUrosPiLRPH8ugGAfiaIlbMNwgqGZqc4xGI2XayfLzxLzsOhyphenhyphenZabsH3TJUWSvRYj-7bXA3FmcER2vUY29bdPQS18/s1600/IMG_0290.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQUU3365w4JerxLkp2ILd_SAH2H-spZ7yYqlFMdSPOsgJZeMhgMD9qiSHx6k40OoVcnSFmcqt5DPwXPzTwVfTYbX5g3jIQUjjNT1h7NC9K9_lhpKD_d6Zc69Qcu19-j7H_sMy8Bs8jfI/s1600/IMG_0312.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQUU3365w4JerxLkp2ILd_SAH2H-spZ7yYqlFMdSPOsgJZeMhgMD9qiSHx6k40OoVcnSFmcqt5DPwXPzTwVfTYbX5g3jIQUjjNT1h7NC9K9_lhpKD_d6Zc69Qcu19-j7H_sMy8Bs8jfI/s1600/IMG_0312.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANjj0M0xMQVzVxhH0Jst70rF9GFz9peRprp3c4zTv13gpnyzEXlJ2oTGJ0wkcQdmS1cuW5ftRcy5HadkEy_CrnokFTlcJdXYLVDFfnlj9bzzjmBoiLjLvLjHVjwdUJoyZOR6Yi5aqPj4/s1600/IMG_0314.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANjj0M0xMQVzVxhH0Jst70rF9GFz9peRprp3c4zTv13gpnyzEXlJ2oTGJ0wkcQdmS1cuW5ftRcy5HadkEy_CrnokFTlcJdXYLVDFfnlj9bzzjmBoiLjLvLjHVjwdUJoyZOR6Yi5aqPj4/s1600/IMG_0314.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aDbHXcKclgkP8eOXLqg6z78T-xqiID-KKWdknJsc856V0PY1tln5AKYpgJlgGweH3bsTSKvPfXHdhCke1tOZDpLH7WbW1OGrOmx-zplbTWxer-eaM79hYvxslddyXhk-MmdV7OK9zsk/s1600/IMG_0317.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aDbHXcKclgkP8eOXLqg6z78T-xqiID-KKWdknJsc856V0PY1tln5AKYpgJlgGweH3bsTSKvPfXHdhCke1tOZDpLH7WbW1OGrOmx-zplbTWxer-eaM79hYvxslddyXhk-MmdV7OK9zsk/s1600/IMG_0317.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7G0zBuOPiEisG7GLMoGiW5GycdnC69yi5T62IA6FEZy5k737SdPVBbfpXl15SStowi6nob_ko2pbszfe_CoH93-xpZb7zT9vt3t88EwxnVHhCFxxt8zeOHQnywC-hCjDcyJpyx0vzh8/s1600/IMG_0316.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7G0zBuOPiEisG7GLMoGiW5GycdnC69yi5T62IA6FEZy5k737SdPVBbfpXl15SStowi6nob_ko2pbszfe_CoH93-xpZb7zT9vt3t88EwxnVHhCFxxt8zeOHQnywC-hCjDcyJpyx0vzh8/s1600/IMG_0316.png" /></a><br>If you want more photos from my L.A. trip, follow my <a href="http://instagram.com/ninagpineda">Instagram</a> :)Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-72668913558555880932014-09-18T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-25T08:13:14.918+08:00Home again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4HulWmi2gAl5PlxvqJqUR38yWlLrZ_UnXcGZhI2VqKslnjbl8FsojZLRYpvPvt6WgdGXfBdpi-lC-5alA4HgQI7WHfyycolnnxNbKeYDZ8gIdSGLX_Tw9N0KVOYbrGIQDRyqpwzqYKc/s1600/IMG_0284.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4HulWmi2gAl5PlxvqJqUR38yWlLrZ_UnXcGZhI2VqKslnjbl8FsojZLRYpvPvt6WgdGXfBdpi-lC-5alA4HgQI7WHfyycolnnxNbKeYDZ8gIdSGLX_Tw9N0KVOYbrGIQDRyqpwzqYKc/s1600/IMG_0284.png" /></a>
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If you're following me on <a href="http://www.ninapineda.com/p/links.html">any of my social media accounts,</a> then I'm sure you already know about my whereabouts. As of this moment, I'm in Los Angeles, soaking up the sun and most likely taking photos of everything in sight. (It's just as hot here as it is in the Philippines.)<br />
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Things have been been pretty hectic for me here, I'll say. Exhausting, maybe, but in a good way. So far, I've been lucky enough to have gone to two concerts, and next week we plan on heading out and checking art museums. Aside from that, the fifteen hour time difference makes it hard to keep up with my friends back home, but I've been enjoying my break nonetheless. Hope you're all safe and happy back home. Don't forget to always be grateful for all that you have and all that you've experienced, instead of being bitter over what you don't have, or have not experienced. Stay chill, cuties. I'll be back with a proper blog post soon.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kJ4s3G7hgR4" width="560"></iframe></center>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-72074227612623901722014-09-14T15:00:00.000+08:002014-09-14T15:00:06.965+08:00Rosy-hued Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZyKKF_LieoahyzFvfSsIvkYDXXd-N6JkTqQX72CEXi0eF7q33HNa4GuDvtC6rKV6xCvItpgguG7rG2Vufm-oKFeaNlQD7DbAoiUW_2gMZBosMS_5wNw3rEzZRs78lvzpwVWcKXppp20/s1600/IMG_0147.jpg" /><br />
Hello! Today's post is a make-up tutorial, the first of many more to come, I hope, as I've been slowly dipping my feet into the beauty industry. In collaboration with Belle & Cat, <a href="https://twitter.com/PattyInPinkk">Patricia</a> and I actually filmed a vlog tutorial for this look, but after some sort of a technical error, I lost all the video files. We <i>will</i> be filming a new one soon, but for now, this post should do! It's a girly take on the smokey-eye look with a pop of color thanks to the brightly-tinted lipstick. The tutorial and the products we used will all be under the cut.<br />
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PRODUCTS WE USED</h2>
Of course, you have the option of using other products, but if you'd like to recreate the exact same look, then we suggest the following products below. You can also get alternatives to these at <a href="http://tameraonline.com/">Tamera Online</a>.
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<ul>
<li>Shu Uemura Raspberry & Mocha Palette</li>
<li>Shu Eumura Pink Hues Palette</li>
<li>Shu Uemura Purple Black 04 Drawing Pencil</li>
<li>Mac Rebel lipstick</li>
<li>Ofra Fuschia lipstick</li>
<li>Eye of Horus Mascara</li>
</ul>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAL6u_Ug9N8NLkQbHMyvyaj7xoVUywOlDltvElVqWYCtG9GzPoU2s4IghI5wVtxWvNVqAghvza6JC6JenxHwiLDY3JkrLt3LyLg3q7-bHrhYwYPyj01xt8piN3jYCrrmIfFmjJ67DnEI/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" /><br />
It's a simple look that takes about fifteen minutes or less to recreate, and it's light enough to wear casually or on a daily basis, if you'd like. I'm in love with the soft pink hues and how it darkens, and of course, the contrast the mixture of two different lipsticks created. You can actually change the overall feel just by changing the shade of the lipstick, which we'll explain in the tutorial below. So now without further ado, here's the steps on how to achieve this rosy-hued smokey eye look!<br>
<h2>
STEPS</h2>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk5hbgya4LZtkN3UcWaDsHsVyUSRIN5m4ftss0UJmuhyZ8wG65cNX4tBER1t2mRsyG0Aw_rJy7NNNCaFxS7Q7cAWi8BwhB0FaU7Jik5D228AevdNOToCP3gViDYRZCmMfvY6IkWlbv1k/s1600/shu+uemura+pret-a-palette+ready+to+wear+palette+in+pink+hues+review+and+swatches.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thehappysloths.com/2014/07/shu-uemura-pret-a-palette-ready-to-wear-in-pink-hues-review-swatches.html">image credit</a></span></center>
<ol>
<li>Apply light eyeshadow all over your eyelid. (Use the fifth eyeshadow from the left.)</li>
<li>Apply a darker shade to the outer corner of your eyes. (Use the second eyeshadow from the left.)</li>
<li>Apply an even darker shade to the crease, the outer 'V,' and under the bottom lash line. (Use the first eyeshadow from the left.)</li>
<li>Blend properly! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKhHBH7RM_0">Here's</a> a quick video giving you tips on how to blend smokey-eyes properly.</li>
<li>Apply your eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible (but not directly on it!) and smudge slightly with a brush or a cotton bud. We used the Shu Uemura Purple Black 04 drawing pencil for this one!</li>
<li>Curl your lashes in 3 segments—first at the base, then the middle of the lash, and finally the tip of the lash to achieve a natural looking curl.</li>
<li>Apply your mascara! If you don't know how, click <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Mascara">this</a>.</li>
<li>Finally, your lipstick. Use a bright colored lipstick for a girly look like the one I'm wearing above, or a dark vampy shade <a href="http://www.thefashionmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/dark-vampy-lipstick-trend-2012.jpg">like so</a> (click the link!) for a grungier appeal. You can also just use nude lipstick for a casual every day look.</li>
</ol>
And voilà, you're done! If you have any questions, feel free to tweet Patricia at <a href="http://twitter.com/PattyinPinkk">@PattyinPinkk,</a> but I do think the photos could serve as a guide for you if you ever feel lost. I have two more beauty tutorial vlogs lined up for you guys, this time with <a href="http://cathycantada.tumblr.com/">Ate Cathy Cantada,</a> who has also worked with Paris Hilton and many other local and international figures. You can check out her website to see all her work; it's really impressive! 'Til the next time, guys. xxNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-24466627788706310432014-09-11T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-11T20:00:07.688+08:00Comfort & Style<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOPF1E6oKRn8PXc8brkvC3pw3ZMQoYniZyqXuN0U_zOpBdpZ6rF6JO152PZcHTb7ZPcN9dpoEbE8yWqsAsiVfK-u27tZg6W8beASEEd29cH5nwC4_dlAgHEJD4-pONBMgoVso4nVjaDA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" />
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Here is a quick outfit post featuring what I wore to the <a href="http://lifedocumentedmanila.com/">Life Documented Manila</a> August workshop (read my post on it <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5420605301205663698">here</a>). I had anticipated the typical Manila heat when I was getting dressed that morning, hence my opting to go for a look that was casual and comfortable without having to sacrifice my own personal style. I've had the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tuckandtale">Tuck and Tale</a> top I'm wearing in my closet for a while now, but it wasn't until my most recent trip to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5420605301205663698">River Island</a> that I found <i>just</i> the right bottoms to go with it: Something that was high-waisted enough to cover my navel and match its cropped style, without making me look stubby. Read more under the cut!
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If you've been following me for a while now, then I'm sure you've heard of Tuck and Tale. It's an indie-inspired brand owned by a personal friend that I used to go to school with (her brother was my class/bandmate!) "Clothing for the awesome and free spirited!" their bio says, and I couldn't agree more. If you're looking for high quality graphic tees, kimonos, denim shorts, and/or bralets to wear underneath said graphic tees, then they're your new go-to place. The top I'm wearing in these photos, for example, is so soft and comfortable that I'd wear it every day if I could. It's stylish enough on its own, even when paired with the simplest of bottoms, <i>and</i> it manages to keep you cool under the Philippine sun!<br />
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The necklaces I'm wearing are both from <a href="http://stoneriverph.tumblr.com/">Stone River</a>, a store I've previously written about <a href="http://www.ninapineda.com/2014/08/anti-monday.html">here</a>.
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylR5y2oF6H5nynmNdFNDXz0ZaJRFQ6LpHAcg4KULog52pjxRBY6F9jxQ2pSq69uofxneX8YHbWbazhN8fqupYeR1BjFYARZdpKH4cE5UfdbACziDD5lOtIXvFeQzh1jhjLcUtWIKn8jM/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" />
The shorts, on the other hand, are from River Island. When I first saw it, I just about flipped; no lie. I've been looking for a pair of black shorts that were made out of soft, stretchy denim for a while now, as I'm big on monochromes and most of my black bottoms are either skirts, pants, or shorts that were made out of another kind of fabric (i.e. not the one I'm looking for). I loved that the pair I'm wearing above have gold zipper embellishments on the side as well, and the fact that it's a perfect fit without making me feel like my insides were being squeezed out. They're comfortable enough to move around in without having to worry about your butt cheeks being bared out for the world (as some high-waisted short shorts are known for doing), and so I see myself over-wearing this pair in the future.<br />
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My clear clutch is from <a href="http://instagram.com/happypillx">Happy Pill X,</a> which I also just received on the day of the workshop itself. I like that I could fill it with bright contents to give my otherwise monochromatic outfit a pop of color, what with the brightly patterned cat notebook given to me by a follower. It's perfect for when you're on-the-go and are only carrying a few things such as your phone and a notebook and pen (but definitely not your wallet, unless you want that to get stolen!).<br />
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And lastly, my Birks. I think you all can tell that they're pretty much the only pair I wear nowadays... Yay, normcore. <br />
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Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-68987721574102940262014-09-08T19:00:00.000+08:002014-09-08T19:00:04.293+08:00Eye see you<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19YYyBvUptkQ_7Ef8e1EGo9vcrOZnPxUsh-xKEr4-RptkCPhQq-Os3YdQtPxT6DPBYdHC5k6n_nRJblVv_PdLEGiQST_-YHRw39OMl4soMUP5xv28XZUSwmtQBz_D_p-LvJ4N8GuBQ1I/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg" />
If you're following me on <a href="https://vine.co/ninapineda">Vine,</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ninagpineda">Twitter,</a> and/or <a href="http://instagram.com/adventureswithnina">Instagram,</a> then you probably know about the day I spent at <a href="http://www.belleandcat.com/">Belle & Cat</a> filming two different make-up tutorial vlogs for you guys, <i>and</i> getting my nails done. I've previously written about the salon <a href="http://www.ninapineda.com/2014/08/anti-monday.html">here</a>, after the Anti-Monday bazaar giveaway was held there. If you'd like more information on the services they offer, you can check out <a href="http://www.belleandcat.com/">their website by clicking here</a>. I will be focusing on their nail art services for this blog post, however, which you can read more about under the cut!<br />
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What I love about Belle & Cat is that you have the freedom to choose whatever design you'd like. You can show them a photo of a style or a pattern that you like (personally, I'm in love with their ombre style), and one of their talented nail artists can recreate it for you. I started out by going through <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/ninapineda/nails/">Pinterest</a> for inspiration, pinning just about everything I saw before ultimately settling on a unique monochromatic eye print. Unfortunately, my nails weren't long enough to recreate the exact same design I saw, but the nail artist working on me created an even better alternative that I instantly fell in love with. <br />
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If you can't find a design you like on the Internet, you can pick from one of their sets or give them a color scheme they could work with. They also have glitter nail polish amongst other things, so if you're not a fan of nail art, then you can add a bit more <i>pop</i> to your nails with their available embellishments.<br />
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Belle & Cat is located in
<b>GF Sterling Centre, 131 Esteban corner Dela Rosa Sts. Legaspi Village, Makati.</b> You may call them for appointments at <b>(02) 261-4019 or 0916-6467568</b>, or email them at <a href="mailto:bellecat.studio@gmail.com"><b>bellecat.studio@gmail.com</b></a> for any inquiries. They're open <b>Monday to Friday at 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (last call is at 9 pm); and on Saturday to Sunday at 11:00 am - 8:00 pm (last call is at 7 pm).</b><br />
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Let me know in the comments box below if you plan on having your nails done at Belle & Cat any time soon! Maybe you can ask them for the design I had made, and then we could be matchies. If you do, don't forget to send me a photo! ;)<br><br>
P.S.: Happy birthday to me!Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-73800855654785824512014-09-05T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-05T20:00:00.985+08:00Life Documented Manila<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0GNJlfHmOWpRN9v8HzVy4QSgO8s5L9Iif4gf51EwTLYBwIPY_IZ9zO94DdaQdkVQJ6OPQ4uQ-t75ECKrRPKZw4I1vhwGgFXsiT97TkbD6SMdBuPeC33YLlstqPsNnmA5RD4MTf9AvVs/s1600/IMG_9811.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0GNJlfHmOWpRN9v8HzVy4QSgO8s5L9Iif4gf51EwTLYBwIPY_IZ9zO94DdaQdkVQJ6OPQ4uQ-t75ECKrRPKZw4I1vhwGgFXsiT97TkbD6SMdBuPeC33YLlstqPsNnmA5RD4MTf9AvVs/s1600/IMG_9811.JPG" /></a><br />
Last Saturday, I attended <a href="http://lifedocumentedmanila.com/">Life Documented Manila's</a> Project Life workshop. I had previously heard about this scrapbooking method on <a href="http://pinterest.com/ninapineda">Pinterest</a>, but I never actually considered trying it because I wasn't sure if there were any materials available for it locally. Most of the scrapbookers I saw were from the US, so you know, I figured it just wasn't for me. It didn't occur to me, though, that there was a community for it in the Philippines until <a href="http://artistic-dreams.com/">Ate Abbey</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/p/pfqArEt4P-/">posted a photo</a> of her book on Instagram, so you can only imagine my excitement. I mean, I've been scrapbooking for as long as I remember; my aunt used to work for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allaboutscrapbooking">All About Scrapbooking</a> and would send me packages filled with art materials that I would share with my childhood best friend, <a href="http://instagram.com/noellepineda">Noelle.</a> It always thrilled me to receive them in the mail even though I was never too good at it; I destroyed photos more than I prettyfied them, and my layouts were anything but pleasant to look at. It never mattered to me, though (which present me is envious of). Scrapbooking, or the arts in general, was more of a release than a means of showing off my creativity to gain my peers' respect. LOL. But eventually, like most things, I grew out of it. My works were subpar at most, and with me hitting puberty <i>hard</i>, it wasn't doing too well for my artistic ego. I figured I would be better off pursuing other things, which—back then—was a different form of art: <i>theatre.</i> But that's another story.
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Going back to Project Life, I could say that this standardized method of scrapbooking looked easy enough. I came to this conclusion after the first hour of going through boards on Pinterest. I liked that there was <i>literally</i> no way you could come up with something terrible, even if you think you lacked the "necessary" art skills to come up with something easy on the eyes <i>(read: all you need to prettify your Project Life scrapbook are your pictures, time, some scissors, glue [which is actually optional], and anything else you might like to add. Seriously).</i> Going through LDM's <a href="http://instagram.com/lifedocumentedmanila">Instagram</a> proved it, too, and made me want to jump the bandwagon all the more.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zdWA9CG0KlQAitLsURK6XnN3SZHPmeP6w2aenzQARe4J6z4Ng1CPZHgcGe1Juxyi3hIPw_aUQIr9joqdJ0gGm-FFP_hcRFpbFteaJdfleZyu9FH0sNowW9Ao8pGPxhb9XnkxarUkWXQ/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zdWA9CG0KlQAitLsURK6XnN3SZHPmeP6w2aenzQARe4J6z4Ng1CPZHgcGe1Juxyi3hIPw_aUQIr9joqdJ0gGm-FFP_hcRFpbFteaJdfleZyu9FH0sNowW9Ao8pGPxhb9XnkxarUkWXQ/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" /></a><br />
To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure what to expect from the LDM workshop when I first heard about it. I <i>knew </i>I wanted to attend, but I wasn't exactly sure what I was supposed to do. Now here's another truth: I was pleasantly surprised. <i>Ate </i>Pinky and Yam exceeded my expectations, and I learned a lot about crafting from their sweet and short lecture. My favorite line of the day, perhaps, would be something that went like this: "It doesn't matter if it's just a photo of a drink you had by yourself; if it means something to you, then it's a part of your story, and you have every right to include it." I loved how encouraging they were; it was clear from the very beginning that discriminating other <strike>wannabe</strike> artists <strike>(such as myself)</strike> was not something they practiced. I've said this plenty of times before, but it's always so nice to be surrounded by likeminded people. <i>(Plus, we were listening to One Direction because ate Pinky and Yam are fans, so that's another thing.)</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe3vp1EwxKu1jeX6ESd_SGqOzPz2BX9ytuBEAD1M392k5Nz95YFQPzECEVU-XTGnomykFXfroaBmomqsWh2tD2PCOvFiVHAaJP-F6qrnmk2O3oKcoTfhwA_v804vPux-7JJQGzMXuI1A/s1600/IMG_9818.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe3vp1EwxKu1jeX6ESd_SGqOzPz2BX9ytuBEAD1M392k5Nz95YFQPzECEVU-XTGnomykFXfroaBmomqsWh2tD2PCOvFiVHAaJP-F6qrnmk2O3oKcoTfhwA_v804vPux-7JJQGzMXuI1A/s1600/IMG_9818.JPG" /></a><br />
I'm not going to reveal too much about what we did at the workshop as I highly recommend everyone to attend and see for themselves. It's a very hands-on workshop where you <i>do</i> more than you sit still and listen—another one of the aspects that I genuinely adored about it.<br />
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My favorite part, however, would definitely have to be the crafting station pictured above. Heaps and heaps of embellishments, a stamp booth, washi tapes, and stacks upon stacks of decorative paper, all waiting for you to use them. If that doesn't entice any of you, I don't know what will. Everyone present admitted themselves to be hoarders, and oh my God, we went absolutely crazy. The assortment of crafting materials drove me nuts, and I remember wanting to sweep everything off the table into my arms and just... <i>dash</i> off with it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyNRpvjNzjQevelnNr51_VN2AG8ydZOu8QmC383_g6y7_O-R_oVlzcRe9E4YUTh6Z8TNcNZcDYgUtWDvVAIqOyy9otgWWWCEezSz8xcjVHb0UxwoWESCu4PVvo44apsczyayjCRYmjTs/s1600/15125262342_62cfa99c33_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyNRpvjNzjQevelnNr51_VN2AG8ydZOu8QmC383_g6y7_O-R_oVlzcRe9E4YUTh6Z8TNcNZcDYgUtWDvVAIqOyy9otgWWWCEezSz8xcjVHb0UxwoWESCu4PVvo44apsczyayjCRYmjTs/s1600/15125262342_62cfa99c33_o.jpg" /></a>
For everyone wanting to learn more about Life Documented Manila, here's a quick low-down:<br />
<h2>
Life Documented Manila: a some sort of guide by yours truly</h2>
<ul>
<li>LDM was founded by three lovely ladies: <a href="http://instagram.com/superch">Christine</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/pinkynepomuceno">Pinky,</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/wandergirlcrafts">Yam.</a> Click their names to see their respective Instagram profiles! I go through their accounts a lot when I lack inspiration but want to get crafty. :P</li>
<li><i>"We believe in the importance and power of stories. As memory-keepers, what better way to tell the most important ones–the stories from our lives, than through the use of pictures and words? We are so excited to share our memory-keeping projects and experiences with you, and we hope that you join us in building the local community of memory-keepers."</i></li>
<li>They have a <a href="http://lifedocumentedmanila.com/blog/">blog,</a> too.</li>
<li>And a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LifeDocumentedManila">Facebook</a> page.</li>
<li>And <a href="https://twitter.com/LifeDocumentMNL">Twitter.</a> (Follow them.)</li>
<li>And of course, <a href="http://instagram.com/lifedocumentedmanila">Instagram.</a></li>
<li>They also sell stuff <a href="http://lifedocumentedmanila.com/digital/">online!</a></li>
</ul>
And finally...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb6A94kiqw_hU9g-sPYhKRsbjBQV2DorOES_wzYrnn8foiKylqcavgppH-jELHRPKASrlcl8EULRZsjOpJkFUkaaizpmJMEarlszdr6iDjK-V8tRBhsFokfzHjEj17ZxZVHznuuNc9tg/s1600/SEPT-POSTER-8X10-small.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb6A94kiqw_hU9g-sPYhKRsbjBQV2DorOES_wzYrnn8foiKylqcavgppH-jELHRPKASrlcl8EULRZsjOpJkFUkaaizpmJMEarlszdr6iDjK-V8tRBhsFokfzHjEj17ZxZVHznuuNc9tg/s1600/SEPT-POSTER-8X10-small.jpg" /></a></center>
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They're having a workshop this September! If you'd like to experience the same thing I did, then click <a href="http://lifedocumentedmanila.com/september-workshop/">here.</a><br />
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In this workshop, we will teach you how to get started with documenting your life using the pocket scrapbook style. Stop storing your photos on your computer and looking only at your photos on Facebook/your phone’s camera roll / Instagram account! Create an album you can look at over and over, share with your friends or family or just keep for yourself.
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We will share tips and techniques in building pages for your project. In addition, we will provide tips on organizing your photos and scrapbook materials, telling your stories and more.
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At the end of the workshop you will have an album (with at least four completed pages) that chronicles your life, an important event or a special event and most important, reflects who you are. This project is something anyone can pursue, even if you think you aren’t artsy or crafty enough.</blockquote>
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We've got another thing lined up for you guys <i>(ahem, click <a href="https://vine.co/v/OBK3bEPB0AB">me</a>)</i>, but for now, let me know in the comments below if you plan on becoming a part of the Life Documented Manila community with me. Who knows, maybe we'll see each other at one of their crop parties! ;)Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-82392166535012117162014-09-02T19:30:00.000+08:002014-09-02T19:30:01.150+08:00River Island Mega Fashion Hall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6dPaBxEosdceP3VigoiJJJ1U9tmoEcRzPhEsz-Qh6XaydU4zqlXqBvn2HqZeYlzK1GM6srHgS25ii8xtbchwMoJ4Zp3GXMPnOIFxC5_R0I_OoQ0joRoa7auQParj_RnPkn7lINC-XYc/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6dPaBxEosdceP3VigoiJJJ1U9tmoEcRzPhEsz-Qh6XaydU4zqlXqBvn2HqZeYlzK1GM6srHgS25ii8xtbchwMoJ4Zp3GXMPnOIFxC5_R0I_OoQ0joRoa7auQParj_RnPkn7lINC-XYc/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" /></a>
Ever since <a href="http://instagram.com/jameow__">Jam</a> and I found out that there would be a River Island branch opening at the Mega Fashion Hall, we've been waiting <i>patiently</i> (or at least trying to be) on the edge of our seats, biting our nails, and getting our wallets ready for the inevitable splurging that would ensue. Every single time we went to Mega, we'd gaze longingly like insane shopaholics at the massive 'coming soon' sign printed over one of their look-book photos, asking each other, <i>"Just when will it open?"</i> We wanted to be there on the first day like rabid dogs being fed their first meal, but alas, we missed it. Luckily, however, a trip to the store was planned for me at the last minute, and so my adventure begins. Lots of love to River Island for inviting me, being so accommodating, <i>and</i> for letting me play around the store styling things and myself! See the outfit I came up with under the cut. :P<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTUB3qKaVNGlhRCnhARlIGr1upDCawikMaqtmO27XjvWj2rJTz07WGTZ1b20Amzp1SUYxXUJaOgAa6hc4Pe-uckVo9nmntG_g7V1NGYY90is0Ru8EHskUSlmcNnCc557-24mO07NoqQ8/s1600/IMG_9660.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTUB3qKaVNGlhRCnhARlIGr1upDCawikMaqtmO27XjvWj2rJTz07WGTZ1b20Amzp1SUYxXUJaOgAa6hc4Pe-uckVo9nmntG_g7V1NGYY90is0Ru8EHskUSlmcNnCc557-24mO07NoqQ8/s1600/IMG_9660.JPG" /></a>
Upon entering, I headed straight for their shoes section. Jam owns a few pairs from River Island, and I own black leather slip-ons that I got at a bargain price (did I mention that their sales are <i>the best?)</i>, so I'm no stranger to the amazing quality their shoes have to offer. I'm a big advocate of combining comfort and style—nobody should ever have to sacrifice one for the other, I'd like to believe—so it's a real thrill to find a brand that perfectly captures that in their products. Even their tall heels (seen in the first picture) and booties—aka probably one of my favorite pairs they're selling right now—are comfortable; what more their flats and sandals? The same goes for their bags and accessories; I styled a coral pink sling bag that turns into a clutch, which you will see at the end of this post.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgTELCUpJl2f5p41RUIFbS3wB18DekXuK4TCsaTpL0omMsn6WL-tcjhyFARZJzF30lj-ZWLa_47ASyMW7luXC0cgL6qLRHe_BdGl1nyziUEogWxIkgXJD3YT3vVuqNHH1wKYmSbnfPHk/s1600/IMG_9668.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgTELCUpJl2f5p41RUIFbS3wB18DekXuK4TCsaTpL0omMsn6WL-tcjhyFARZJzF30lj-ZWLa_47ASyMW7luXC0cgL6qLRHe_BdGl1nyziUEogWxIkgXJD3YT3vVuqNHH1wKYmSbnfPHk/s1600/IMG_9668.JPG" /></a>
The first thing that caught my eye was this pale blue romper with cut-outs. There's a black version of it, but considering I'm almost always wearing monochromes, I opted to go for this light, girly piece. I like that it's classy and sophisticated, but could still be dressed down. You could wear a simple circle skirt over it, and it would still look as stylish as it did on its own.<br />
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The printed shorts, on the other hand, had a flow-y feel to it. It sort of reminded me of origami skorts but with rounded edges instead of the usual pointed ones. It was made out of a soft, chiffon-like fabric that was silky to the touch, and like the romper, you could dress it up or down with your top, shoes, and accessories. For a more put-together look for when you're not feeling lazy, I'd wear it with a cream colored top, preferably made out of similar fabric; gold accessories, and flats.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRIpujLr1-8cUHRUo2RahPL394fsRP7Bg__ASM4DqJEwrc09admqpowrLE_B578G8A78QxMkL5qysAuT7UdGNnIADgkxPkaoReiN-JbktX1p-Z8TjlC37YHLF96auLyf0XgeETmt0_Ds/s1600/IMG_9663.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRIpujLr1-8cUHRUo2RahPL394fsRP7Bg__ASM4DqJEwrc09admqpowrLE_B578G8A78QxMkL5qysAuT7UdGNnIADgkxPkaoReiN-JbktX1p-Z8TjlC37YHLF96auLyf0XgeETmt0_Ds/s1600/IMG_9663.jpg" /></a>
Just looking back at these photos now is giving me <i>plenty</i> of outfit ideas. I was told that River Island's AW14 collection is being exclusively sold at their Mega Fashion Hall branch, so if you'd like to get your hands on their latest styles, then I would definitely suggest dropping by and having a look-see. The tee pictured above in the top left corner goes well with the denim shorts to its right—it's something I would personally wear with my Birks or slip-ons—but to tell you the truth, you could mix and match that entire section and still get a stylish yet casual and comfortable ensemble.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2V3BzLXsuFatDiHdOdp1mxa4Zo8TPsWurGRH0cjQPZx5irLshf-cM5RjpB-7lDjqllcvhYxBwoEYz-LQWM8hClXMbPZSlhc0ufkF_kOQTWY38KY8-TmN1mrQHCnzb0k3Qt3NCn7rdVc/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2V3BzLXsuFatDiHdOdp1mxa4Zo8TPsWurGRH0cjQPZx5irLshf-cM5RjpB-7lDjqllcvhYxBwoEYz-LQWM8hClXMbPZSlhc0ufkF_kOQTWY38KY8-TmN1mrQHCnzb0k3Qt3NCn7rdVc/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" /></a>
This top, on the other hand, reminded me a lot of Jam and her older sister, who is <i>obsessed</i> with cats (even more so than me). Aside from that, Jam is really into simple graphic tees with folded sleeves—very normcore, I would say—so for anyone who's interested in copping my best friend's style, this shirt is for you! Jam's better at dressing graphic tees up than I am, but if I were to take a guess at how she would style this on the opposite of a lazy day, she'd match it with a white origami skort with a lazy half-tuck, and her <a href="http://instagram.com/p/rgJ0-cm0y8/">River Island sandals</a>. Of course, a Jam outfit wouldn't be complete without the shades resting on her head, but don't fret, because pictured below are sunglasses that would go well with the outfit!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRKVMY0Zq9CrzIV76_jkpFl1AzyM1TSL-R0ZBL4vhx5AEDHmAzuruB4HfzZp3DLGqTDp3lJjNqZoPuD6KHv03v2bbfBviWqxxgCzvEJIfGfMh5cSpP3mAi1aoxh10araIXbHtJPyog8Y/s1600/IMG_9667.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRKVMY0Zq9CrzIV76_jkpFl1AzyM1TSL-R0ZBL4vhx5AEDHmAzuruB4HfzZp3DLGqTDp3lJjNqZoPuD6KHv03v2bbfBviWqxxgCzvEJIfGfMh5cSpP3mAi1aoxh10araIXbHtJPyog8Y/s1600/IMG_9667.jpg" /></a>
<i>(P.S.: check out that biker jacket hanging in the background. I am in love.)</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hsDmMMbOBVhUu6wA_EHmfLvjV4nnA6MDerNPOPli2HLanu2SOopa6GdM6xisU0P6lCL1Wwyhzw4nHfecI2jPyM8VNXm33hvWRYCSjCL4WThxW5Il8ea1CjoilCey10EAfvGRzSlJPJw/s1600/IMG_9657.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hsDmMMbOBVhUu6wA_EHmfLvjV4nnA6MDerNPOPli2HLanu2SOopa6GdM6xisU0P6lCL1Wwyhzw4nHfecI2jPyM8VNXm33hvWRYCSjCL4WThxW5Il8ea1CjoilCey10EAfvGRzSlJPJw/s1600/IMG_9657.jpg" /></a>
And finally, the outfit I styled. Considering the romper had a really light color, I wanted to add a <i>pop</i> to the ensemble to liven things up, which explains the coral pink leather sling bag that I used as a clutch. The colors really did complement each other without clashing or being <i>too</i> hurtful to the eyes, and the white and gold accessories added a really nice touch—a little more <i>oomph</i>—to the entire get-up. It's a simple outfit that's comfortable enough for semi-formal events or dates <i>(not that I go on any...)</i>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg_lLkQrir_4oeNh_fVnawvHc6lq9PU-2G3ET044x5KVsVTajwYRyJucmjgjvF9YEXpg2tOTtEhBowTafiFRKvhJGnGQ8_8gR6OKmitiJfWd_tJ_jYYFfarsY6vbXshv88Vbtumv_QGo/s1600/IMG_9685.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg_lLkQrir_4oeNh_fVnawvHc6lq9PU-2G3ET044x5KVsVTajwYRyJucmjgjvF9YEXpg2tOTtEhBowTafiFRKvhJGnGQ8_8gR6OKmitiJfWd_tJ_jYYFfarsY6vbXshv88Vbtumv_QGo/s1600/IMG_9685.JPG" /></a>
This gold bib-like necklace was the first accessory that caught my eye, what with its jewels and rose gold embellishments. I remember staring at the outfit in the mirror and feeling like it lacked <i>something</i> before I put it on, so I can definitely say that this necklace completed the look. It's not as heavy as it looks either, nor was it irritating, so another round of applause is in order for River Island's capability to design products that are both comfortable and stylish.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVnj_wEeN1vuZ1CEReui7-oVzGAZlGhLBXXS6am1oUL2rSTtjAuFSi8hPDpYM7odVf_RwDZene10ijcvfkxGtdQB2IWaginr8fUep2xrGfJOsYXTqci36zHZdtG_LyoAKnCW9-BlECL8/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVnj_wEeN1vuZ1CEReui7-oVzGAZlGhLBXXS6am1oUL2rSTtjAuFSi8hPDpYM7odVf_RwDZene10ijcvfkxGtdQB2IWaginr8fUep2xrGfJOsYXTqci36zHZdtG_LyoAKnCW9-BlECL8/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" /></a>
And finally, the shoes. It was actually the sales associate helping me around the store who chose this chunky white pair, and <i>Oh my God</i> she is brilliant. It's nice that not only are their sales associates helpful, but they also have their own sense of style, and so for anyone who feels clueless as to what goes with which while shopping at the store—especially since they launched <a href="http://instagram.com/p/sRF07vyNL3/">#RIootd</a>, a giveaway in which you style an outfit and get a chance to win it—I advise you to consult the employees for their opinion/s! All in all, I had a wonderful time going around the store and picking items for the look, and look forward to more visits in the future (hopefully with Jam this time)!
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Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-67064539874323491052014-08-30T15:21:00.000+08:002014-08-30T20:08:21.945+08:00On Becoming a 1D Fan & Officer + AUTOGRAPHED Make-Up by One Direction Giveaway<script src="http://www.brandbacker.com/bob_cl_tk.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">var search_me = '147_22743'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(147,22743);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(147,22743, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);</script><input id="bob_camp_id_147" name="bob_camp_id" type="hidden" value="147" /><input name="bob_camp_mem_id" type="hidden" value="22743" /><center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oO7FwCUUwwE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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I was recently tapped by Markwins International to promote their latest beauty product, Make-up by One Direction. Being a fan of the boy band myself, I know for a fact that a large sum of my readers are too, and so I'm excited to be one of the selected bloggers to be holding this giveaway. The giveaway is under the cut!<br />
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It's open only to residents of the US and Canada, and you <i>have </i>to be at least 18 years of age or older, but I do have a little something for my fellow Filipinos once this giveaway ends (did someone say package prize?!) so watch the video if you want to find out more about that as well.
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Building upon a 30-year history of industry leadership and innovation, Markwins International is synonymous with high-quality cosmetics at an unbeatable value. Markwins’ portfolio of brands includes Wet n Wild, Physicians Formula, The Color Institute, and a range of licensed collections. Founded in 1984, the vertically-integrated company pioneered the concept of the all-in-one cosmetics compact, and has received numerous awards for product safety and its commitment to cruelty-free practices.<br />
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<b>Don't forget to like the Facebook page for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MakeupbyOneDirection">Make-up by One Direction</a>!</b><br />
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<a class="promosimple" data-campaign="5645" href="https://promosimple.com/ps/5645"></a><script src="https://promosimple.com/api/1.0/campaign/5645/iframe-loader" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
To Philippine residents, you can join <i>my</i> giveaway here:
<center><a id="rc-084825e915" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/084825e915/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Powered by BrandBacker</span></div>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-68494441431052932422014-08-26T17:00:00.000+08:002014-08-27T06:26:24.026+08:00Create<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDjGkims4TIWmqA14wlMIMk2WALeBptSDk5CoOejs5y6ZlQhQwrehG8s_0w-WGysJ1jRb6MH3-BVn1tROxKBZvGshSGx2TJCOMC77MoTP9Xt2KhAFyXTj2zBOuvVgoAgy7kXtbw-DiUg/s1600/IMG_9994.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDjGkims4TIWmqA14wlMIMk2WALeBptSDk5CoOejs5y6ZlQhQwrehG8s_0w-WGysJ1jRb6MH3-BVn1tROxKBZvGshSGx2TJCOMC77MoTP9Xt2KhAFyXTj2zBOuvVgoAgy7kXtbw-DiUg/s1600/IMG_9994.jpg" /></a>
Every time <a href="http://instagram.com/jameow__">my best friend</a> is over, my room becomes nothing short of a mess. It's always as if a storm had passed and everything within its four walls had been smack dab in the middle of it. Notebooks would be littered on my bed (or the floor, depending on our chosen surface of the day), and all around it would be all sorts art materials scattered and strewn messily about. Jam and I share this <i>need</i> to create, to be <i>creative</i> at all times, and for some reason, when we're together, that need grows stronger. Separately, we get lazy, but together? We come up with the wildest ideas.<br />
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I've only realized now that the mess we create in my room (or pretty much any other room in my house) is a subset of our entire creation process. When Jam and I get crafty, we pay no mind to keeping things organized. We've lost a few pens and pencils through this (RIP 2/3 of those beautiful, metallic sketch pencils we impulsively purchased), but I've found that this form of release is the most therapeutic for me, and that in creating, I learn more about myself (and sometimes, when she doesn't give up after half an hour of drawing or painting, I learn more about Jam too).
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiTyTGp3Vkl5vap2LjBccdDj3PI8nOnPYYClJtYZm3u9Lx5JFDoinIXJ710AsZO1JVY9qxT6KOIfUXU-DqhlYKwx2eKZ7MUa0L6sGFWP4OVxdd2bdUi7qCsGXnbu_1l_n4ZdLRXfczwc/s1600/IMG_9995.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiTyTGp3Vkl5vap2LjBccdDj3PI8nOnPYYClJtYZm3u9Lx5JFDoinIXJ710AsZO1JVY9qxT6KOIfUXU-DqhlYKwx2eKZ7MUa0L6sGFWP4OVxdd2bdUi7qCsGXnbu_1l_n4ZdLRXfczwc/s1600/IMG_9995.jpg" /></a>
Yesterday's crafting session, as pictured above, was tame in comparison to our past ones. Surprisingly enough, we didn't create a mess that would take longer than fifteen minutes to sort out, but like always, it was composed of two frantic—and not to mention sleep deprived—teens and their desperation to create, mixed with Pinterest, crazy ideas, and the necessary materials to just get down and dirty.<br />
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It's a great way to bond with your best friend, really. There's nothing quite like bouncing ideas off of each other and coming up with something entirely new or better than the original concept. I'd <i>love</i> to find out if anyone else does this with their best friend/s, and what sort of mediums you guys craft in. Jam and I use a mixture of writing, sketching, painting with watercolors, and photography, and often come up with little stories in our heads that probably won't ever see the light of day unless it pesters me enough to get me to write it. What about you? How do <i>you</i> bond with your best friend/s? :)Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-69013513067987128722014-08-24T16:00:00.000+08:002014-08-24T16:00:01.105+08:00Celebrating 27 years of Bench with Young Star<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVjxfxjUelc0wNsXIv2Q0OHbb_9Bi44OftSM47CCABDh218x7qhpdYvb_KZW4jW_xq2e6jI316n_YcDzz2bAWusdWQiaDeq-wgvEI6FSk5imHA7BGq975Z4O57FrzrefSzrj5ouyQN88/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVjxfxjUelc0wNsXIv2Q0OHbb_9Bi44OftSM47CCABDh218x7qhpdYvb_KZW4jW_xq2e6jI316n_YcDzz2bAWusdWQiaDeq-wgvEI6FSk5imHA7BGq975Z4O57FrzrefSzrj5ouyQN88/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/p/rtXZQJSNC8/">I was recently featured in the local newspaper,</a> Young Star, for their collaboration with the <a href="http://www.bench.com.ph/blog/bday-celebrating-27-years-bench-young-star/">Bench Blog.</a> It was quite a surreal experience altogether, considering I never pictured myself in such scenarios, let alone being tapped by one of the biggest local brands to style their classic white tee. Lots of love to Marga & <i>ate</i> Maine for reaching out and making this happen. You guys are the best-est.<br><br>
You can read the feature under the cut! Happy Sunday x
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<b>The Upside to “Basic”:</b> “When you say ‘going back to basics,’ it’s going back to the beginning. There’s something very simple about it but very classic. That’s what I love about basics. White shirts are a staple for me. You can dress it up, you can dress it down, you can wear it with anything. You can never go wrong with a basic tee.” </blockquote>
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<b>Bench & Beyond:</b> “It’s amazing—it’s gotten so big. I remember when I was younger, it was a go-to already but now, it’s amazing how far they’ve come. It’s a Filipino brand and it’s something to be proud of.” </blockquote>
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<b>My Style Core:</b> “I feel pressured to use a certain adjective and limit it. The only word I can think of to describe my style is ‘me.’ It changes with my mood and reflects how I feel.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>How We Dress Today:</b> “We tend to grab from previous eras so it’s a mixture of the ‘80s, the ‘70s, the ‘90s—a modern twist of the past.”</blockquote>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-9774468073744361792014-08-18T19:43:00.000+08:002014-08-23T20:33:11.274+08:00Anti-Monday<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3GGtBm6dVWjwnFQNJVkBBE2cxIO2qG3W9DZJnW_kvWXiVvsyXyN_p0M8-gLvi8rrLRqIg4myXE_y3eQJVLIeeF6UUOiGSpFmnBDY6z_zMAooahwmKmd-Ejkoz5byE3dfQF_7baxC5CI/s1600/IMG_9930.jpg" />
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After <b><i><u>just</u></i></b> two weeks of planning, the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/antimonday">Anti-Monday Bazaar</a></b> finally came into fruition on the 17th of August, 2014. What started out as another one of my <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainchild">brainchildren</a>* eventually evolved into a legitimate, however spontaneous passion project with the help of two of my best friends, <a href="http://reneeedg.tumblr.com/">Renee</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/jameow__">Jam</a>, allowing me to tick off one of the top priorities on my very own bucket list.
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The idea of organizing our own bazaar came to us after <a href="http://www.ninapineda.com/2014/07/spontaneity.html">we attended a pop-up one</a> at the very last minute, held in the same place Anti-Monday was held in: the <a href="http://www.belleandcat.com/">Belle & Cat Nail and Wax Studio</a>. Over coffee (for Renee) and tea (for Jam and I), and in between the getting-distracted-by-other-things-because-we-have-short-attention-spans, we said to ourselves, <i>"Hey, why don't</i> we <i>organize our own bazaar?"</i> I mean, it seemed simple enough <s>(it isn't)</s>, and Jam's sister <i>(The Belle to the Cat)</i> agreed that we could, so the only question we were asking ourselves at the end of that day was, <i>"Why not?"</i> <br />
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We wanted to find a way to reach out to our readers and make it easier for them to find out about our favorite online stores, and this bazaar felt like just the right platform to do so. Most bazaars we've gone to were crazy (in a good way of course), filled with an abundance of choices and all sorts of stores, giving one an experience we could've tried to replicate, but we wanted something more intimate, something a little more personal than the usual. The shops present were all physical representations of the things that Jam, Renee, and I liked, and we knew, for a fact, that our readers would like, too. <br />
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Perhaps it was crazy, a decision made on a whim, but it turned out to be one of our best choices yet. I'll admit I was worried we wouldn't be able to pull it off—that nobody would attend—for a lot of reasons, one being that we were too young and barely had any experiences in organizing such events, but I wouldn't be writing this now if I had let myself be overcome with such worries and fears. <i>(So let this be proof that sometimes, the craziest ideas—the same ones that scare you—turn out to be the best; and that <b>yes</b>, you can, and <b>no,</b> you're not too young to be going after your dreams, so take a leap of faith and flap 'yo wings, you beautiful butterfly, you.**)</i><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1s-dMTF3y17S3zvK7yReSI0OJeM0Cf1_4guVuKfHXuJ2I6SEE7acnxxsRbHRdQSMIgW056gFhauG6fha3My5G27fTFFWjinrtQ4BnbtoF5sTx3i55xfBH3KL6NhrPRNK9RhwHJMOSUg/s1600/IMG_9847.jpg" />
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Jam and I arrived at the venue a little later than planned, but early enough to help set up a little before shoppers arrived. There was a lot of "Oh my God's," and "Ooh's," and "Aah's," from us girls while we made rounds, the first booth we visited being <a href="http://stoneriverph.tumblr.com/">Stoneriver's</a> (pictured above). Back in 2012, I purchased my first rose quartz necklace by the beach in Gold Coast, and I've been obsessed with it ever since, so it's quite a thrill that it's becoming more popular in the Philippines as a staple accessory to any outfit. Finding out about the <a href="http://stoneriverph.tumblr.com/crystalmeaning">crystals' meanings</a> added a little more sentimental value to my growing collection of them. <br />
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The crafty girl in me was more than thrilled by the idea of being able to customize my own necklace. There was an assortment of chains of different lengths and handmade charms to choose from, all of which were designed by the beautiful Kimberly Sabala. My favorite purchase from Stoneriver is definitely the Vritra in Opalite necklace with a silver 30-inch chain. <br />
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If you would like to find out more of the other shops present, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.272138846322432.1073741828.269310629938587&type=1">here.</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8kaET8FRNkxh5vH4eptH0t4DcbzdfDKgyKH3xb-U9ZiIPJxTM77QQ0DEWFmG-lq-qmIEkKPFP-xKVQwG8rOGNxarhYu6vwdTkox_3nbsQfs7Y7TjNODqZuK3xG5u2CGGxNWekUmQTug/s1600/IMG_9855.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8kaET8FRNkxh5vH4eptH0t4DcbzdfDKgyKH3xb-U9ZiIPJxTM77QQ0DEWFmG-lq-qmIEkKPFP-xKVQwG8rOGNxarhYu6vwdTkox_3nbsQfs7Y7TjNODqZuK3xG5u2CGGxNWekUmQTug/s1600/IMG_9855.jpg" /></a>
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As if shopping 'til you drop was not enough, Belle & Cat was also <a href="https://twitter.com/NinaGPineda/status/500927299965816832">offering services</a> at the bazaar itself so you and your friends could get pampered and matching mani-pedis. The girls and I got excited every time someone had their nails done, and hopefully we didn't scare anybody by peering over their shoulders and gushing excitedly. We seemed to think everybody present at the event was our best friend...<br />
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I <i>highly</i> suggest you guys check Belle & Cat out. They offer services ranging from nail care for hands and feet; facials, waxing, body massage and scrub; hair and make-up services, and spa party packages, all perfect for a day's worth of pampering with your mom or your best friends. They're also selling an assortment of <a href="http://www.belleandcat.com/products.html">products</a>, including the Eye of Horus mascara that I use (and highly recommend).<br />
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You can visit them at <b>GF Sterling Centre, 131 Esteban corner Dela Rosa Sts. Legaspi Village, Makati</b>, or call either of these two numbers for an appointment: <b>(02) 261-4019 or 0916-6467568</b>. You can also email them at <a href="mailto:bellecat.studio@gmail.com"><b>bellecat.studio@gmail.com</b></a> for any more inquiries.<br />
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It's worth mentioning that I will be collaborating with them soon, so keep an eye out for that.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1s-dMTF3y17S3zvK7yReSI0OJeM0Cf1_4guVuKfHXuJ2I6SEE7acnxxsRbHRdQSMIgW056gFhauG6fha3My5G27fTFFWjinrtQ4BnbtoF5sTx3i55xfBH3KL6NhrPRNK9RhwHJMOSUg/s1600/IMG_9847.jpg" imageanchor="1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GfL86THtqT_liEKM-r1aIsqtnTC9ffQIB-noniXHcODr_NJKb6iveTTCfbm_mcB34fOHr6xoFS6_J-5In0xg6-6PNgb8Fg1fNj7w7k-SbimyqPjS0duT5fjJbF-eCXxYyPNFhL0Z2ro/s1600/IMG_9973.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GfL86THtqT_liEKM-r1aIsqtnTC9ffQIB-noniXHcODr_NJKb6iveTTCfbm_mcB34fOHr6xoFS6_J-5In0xg6-6PNgb8Fg1fNj7w7k-SbimyqPjS0duT5fjJbF-eCXxYyPNFhL0Z2ro/s1600/IMG_9973.jpg" /></a><br />
And finally, to my outfit. Jam, Renee, and I wanted to shoot after our first adventure around Legaspi Village made us realize just how many shooting locations there were there. We agreed on a color scheme that was foolproof regardless of the weather and our moods: monochrome. Now, I rarely talk in detail about my outfits because I'm of the mindset that I need not spell everything out for my readers, but please please <i>please</i> let me gush about the leather vest I'm wearing above.
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I got it at a Bershka sale in SM Aura recently, and at first I was reluctant about the purchase considering the price was still a little more expensive than I'd like to splurge. (I have said goodbye way too many times to the prettiest of things because I have a voice in my head going, <i>'you can get that for less at...'</i> and then promptly forgetting about it soon after [although I swear I'm not as materialistic as that makes me sound]). At the counter, however, when they were ringing me up, it turns out that there was a discount from the discounted price (double whammy!), and I got it for even less, at a reaaaaaaaally worth it price considering the quality of the item. And then the rest of my day was a series of one good thing happening to another after that, and I've ultimately decided that this leather vest is a lucky one. Hopefully revealing this won't jinx it...<br />
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You can't tell from the photos because I forgot to take detail shots like the idiot that I am, but layering necklaces is also my thing now. Serious. For real. It used to be stacks of bracelets leaving marks on my wrists, but now it's necklaces, and I don't have to worry about my wrist itching. I was wearing a Hamsa and blue stone necklace from <a href="http://instagram.com/pinkoutsidethebox">Pink Outside The Box</a>, a Saturn choker from <a href="http://instagram.com/nylonthelabel">Nylon the Label</a>, an Aurora necklace with three rings from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/istorya.creations">Istorya,</a> and my purchases from Stoneriver.<br />
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The top is a gift from <a href="http://twitter.com/VidaDMarie">Vida,</a> and the shorts are from H&M (if I'm not mistaken). My sandals are from Birkenstocks, which I was lucky to get a pair of considering their lack of stocks in the Philippines. They're probably the only pair I wear now. <i>Waaaay</i> too comfortable.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM7np22hqWU1BDIdi9zbjdQ4SvCZ3g7-Y0Ztxt6WyZuW0E_oDikoNeWhHLlrA6Wjju5ss15F2D5iSXxpygGLFjXXR_YD7tDWPnvFny5ryn6lDV4gKp0dnt4c2RalS91sPkoI16iAFQdg/s1600/IMG_9877.jpg" />
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And that about sums it up. If you're wondering about when the next Anti-Monday bazaar is, then I highly suggest you <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antimonday?fref=ts">like our Facebook page</a> to keep yourself in the loop. For more photos from our shoot, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.692370217522029.1073741840.371181456307575&type=3&uploaded=13">here.</a> 'Til the next time, cuties!<br />
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<center><a href="http://instagram.com/anti.monday"><b>Anti-Monday's instagram</b></a><br><br></center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>* - brainchilds? brainchildren? I have no idea.<br />
** - but like, don't do drugs, though. I don't want to be held responsible for that. Be smart!!!!!</i></span>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-48196768289972134322014-07-30T16:34:00.001+08:002014-08-18T21:55:06.794+08:00Spontaneity <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50INi-BVkHOdla_vEu1Y-qF5j7yrqhWhVI-oK5ZDKbAoJ1NsARcHvyRuCykD5_ER2uluhTjWXnlBZv15skbrZpwhjglTnO-wmFhlYtYKrS_6MussUao5qOibGCl9wWBNmv44AXxPTRsA/s1600/IMG_8434.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50INi-BVkHOdla_vEu1Y-qF5j7yrqhWhVI-oK5ZDKbAoJ1NsARcHvyRuCykD5_ER2uluhTjWXnlBZv15skbrZpwhjglTnO-wmFhlYtYKrS_6MussUao5qOibGCl9wWBNmv44AXxPTRsA/s1600/IMG_8434.jpg" /></a><br />
Another spontaneous day spent walking around the streets of Makati, chatting over tea and iced coffee in our new favorite spot, and <a href="https://vine.co/v/M0DdBbiYgli">Instagramming</a> with <a href="http://reneeedg.tumblr.com/">the blogger BFF</a>, and the <a href="http://instagram.com/jameow__">BFF-BFF</a>. You know: the usual. It seems as though the less we plan our outings, the more it's guaranteed to happen, but I'm not complaining. As long as I get to spend time with these two, it's all good. Check out my <a href="https://vine.co/u/911494435039223808">Vine</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/instagram.com/adventureswithnina">Instagram</a> for more videos and photos from this day! <br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSaljVd5vtC1N48yKK7u4g6qVBlt4hT_7xS7ORpm8KY4ezcFB11BdtTe9xUs21Z6xo09s1yrOjqrbaRXNKYhj1aNHm_LsZ5MO5j5JDi-WYuW-UpFW5nW-lMTt_X9rqLyIMlndVdPgZ4c/s1600/IMG_8413.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSaljVd5vtC1N48yKK7u4g6qVBlt4hT_7xS7ORpm8KY4ezcFB11BdtTe9xUs21Z6xo09s1yrOjqrbaRXNKYhj1aNHm_LsZ5MO5j5JDi-WYuW-UpFW5nW-lMTt_X9rqLyIMlndVdPgZ4c/s1600/IMG_8413.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13aJNRYwZOS7pnqnQ498RnDDz8pIZX7_IGSVuXXeNVFe13kdVUOBCBSjBPUH32zRfvzaE2ocYJX8sO9IIWpZ2YyLGEd3cwBC5jBQYf1w8s4zCkZc1nwAz0sk9J_b5LFcRTjTONr3Wg_w/s1600/IMG_8370.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13aJNRYwZOS7pnqnQ498RnDDz8pIZX7_IGSVuXXeNVFe13kdVUOBCBSjBPUH32zRfvzaE2ocYJX8sO9IIWpZ2YyLGEd3cwBC5jBQYf1w8s4zCkZc1nwAz0sk9J_b5LFcRTjTONr3Wg_w/s1600/IMG_8370.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvormRMSMW474DmxJ7-2oukRQLeQUHlNdsJsCao_8XJ98jYk3j67oVOzXDVYNI41nr0FoNF7JTno8JxlL11aPPp_h_P8pHdxwVEHFEVAxkKwFNfqF6kKFVzAgsZHK_TjeKfPPBIWxYyc0/s1600/IMG_8387.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvormRMSMW474DmxJ7-2oukRQLeQUHlNdsJsCao_8XJ98jYk3j67oVOzXDVYNI41nr0FoNF7JTno8JxlL11aPPp_h_P8pHdxwVEHFEVAxkKwFNfqF6kKFVzAgsZHK_TjeKfPPBIWxYyc0/s1600/IMG_8387.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h3MuNgxduv8ymAzhgsltMjEiwX0viL7wC0gkrA-u2CCNDdn1Yhx_A_AgU3bCxCCtvS8C9kVyGORlMrFWS7r0pG21tRL5uMylRFS1RXWSq6_aTv7M56ujTd56COdOfT8z3o9KLEp4LMI/s1600/IMG_8390.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h3MuNgxduv8ymAzhgsltMjEiwX0viL7wC0gkrA-u2CCNDdn1Yhx_A_AgU3bCxCCtvS8C9kVyGORlMrFWS7r0pG21tRL5uMylRFS1RXWSq6_aTv7M56ujTd56COdOfT8z3o9KLEp4LMI/s1600/IMG_8390.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8jJVL5Ri_IbKCZq7TfVrr-QQC1p74fDfH-HIbY7bOAeeZK2sDMbQnz0HVWO1BrZ1Fql-VHczn90MsSoNxYux8oG5cCqt8Kzb1lFdm4dUyiN6M8qIN0SnSmmDjd-qKT21PUf-1BcKi4/s1600/IMG_8408.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8jJVL5Ri_IbKCZq7TfVrr-QQC1p74fDfH-HIbY7bOAeeZK2sDMbQnz0HVWO1BrZ1Fql-VHczn90MsSoNxYux8oG5cCqt8Kzb1lFdm4dUyiN6M8qIN0SnSmmDjd-qKT21PUf-1BcKi4/s1600/IMG_8408.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fmKhMdXRlfr2kSAJQ1xUhhxFa03hL_fluKHuxWk1Rk2gTGA5Nifi0_McoK6YOx5RCTKqn6iUJ-pX4stgmLAsXarb-ICzK68746qSZ_Qi2h-INZ8_iJOmuLS0pHbG95ImcxnohhO1XbA/s1600/IMG_8410.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fmKhMdXRlfr2kSAJQ1xUhhxFa03hL_fluKHuxWk1Rk2gTGA5Nifi0_McoK6YOx5RCTKqn6iUJ-pX4stgmLAsXarb-ICzK68746qSZ_Qi2h-INZ8_iJOmuLS0pHbG95ImcxnohhO1XbA/s1600/IMG_8410.jpg" /></a><br />
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Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-44055845797492492592014-07-26T11:26:00.000+08:002014-07-27T19:01:09.493+08:00This week's highlights on Instagram (and why I had to make a new one)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNviszuu48bSzLX7FtS5lJt-WFrrjvtbbWBhM-18VzkG1PbFfjVPj7jP8r5ZUJNrILYPdPIAbkDMO4dzYv8Lo4dyflPBczcvx_zUBvLRvpK6XbWRE1tj6Q40QZxsg0KqHIFhcXxDBCsU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNviszuu48bSzLX7FtS5lJt-WFrrjvtbbWBhM-18VzkG1PbFfjVPj7jP8r5ZUJNrILYPdPIAbkDMO4dzYv8Lo4dyflPBczcvx_zUBvLRvpK6XbWRE1tj6Q40QZxsg0KqHIFhcXxDBCsU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a>
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This past week was just insane. From waking up to an invitation to attend Bombay Bicycle Club at the very last minute (thanks <a href="http://maryofthewild.com/"><i>ate</i> Mary!</a>), <a href="https://twitter.com/RegisAndanar/status/491968459203301377">seeing my Wander-buddies again</a> and dancing <a href="https://vine.co/v/M2QvhjUIJX7">like idiots,</a> to being gifted tickets to Disclosure <a href="http://instagram.com/pinkoutsidethebox">by a lovely sponsor</a> (at the very last minute too!), meeting new people, and of course—making a complete fool out of myself <a href="https://vine.co/v/M0zh3WXJLeu">in public.</a> I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend <i>just</i> two days consecutively.<br /><br>
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Of course, I'm now banned from going out for a little while <i>("Dinadaan mo kami sa biglaan eh!" — an ancient proverb spoken by my parents just before they listen intently to me recounting my experiences)</i>, but it was all worth it. If you <a href="https://vine.co/u/911494435039223808">couldn't already tell by the amount of vines I've been posting.</a><br><br>
Also, yes, I've been meaning to write a blog post explaining why I'd been forced to make <a href="http://instagram.com/adventureswithnina">a new Instagram account.</a> About a month ago, just after I had gotten 13,000 followers, Instagram thought it'd be funny to change my password and then proceed to <b><i>not</i></b> send me my reset link. I've contacted them and requested for it countless times since, but it seems that it's all falling on deaf ears. Hopefully it'll all work out and I'll be able to access @ninapineda again, but for now, if you'd like to stay updated with my life and my shenanigans, @adventureswithnina is where it's at. 'Til the next time, cuties.<br><br>
<i>P.S.: YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME YOU CARRY ME <BR><BR></i>
<i>P.P.S.: WHEN A FIRE STARTS TO BURN, RIGHT, AND IT STARTS TO SPREAD</i>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-63671806763132153592014-07-23T18:00:00.000+08:002014-07-26T11:05:53.123+08:00Think About It<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpn9XeedhoVN27SOdFHXudcpSRB1p-lltVSF_TcrbRgrRHz5VQcf4crgPm9-6QhLonAE2nU585gFC1fJIIveNSKrmsqe0-WfjjYIX4cIN5STlGl42Dr3zkp-Mi8qQLKzKa6MIHSVSdu4/s1600/IMG_7873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpn9XeedhoVN27SOdFHXudcpSRB1p-lltVSF_TcrbRgrRHz5VQcf4crgPm9-6QhLonAE2nU585gFC1fJIIveNSKrmsqe0-WfjjYIX4cIN5STlGl42Dr3zkp-Mi8qQLKzKa6MIHSVSdu4/s1600/IMG_7873.jpg" /></a>
A casual outfit for a warm lazy day attending album launches with your best friends–that's basically what I had in mind when I got dressed that afternoon of the 19th.
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I received the cami from my aunt just the day before, and instantly I knew that it would complete the entire get-up. I purchased the bottoms I'm wearing in the photos a week prior, and while I never thought I'd get into the whole boyfriend jeans trend (seeing as most of the pairs I've tried made me look like I slipped into my dad's jeans, rather than my non-existent boyfriend's), the pair pictured above fit perfectly like leg-gloves <i><strike>(there was an attempt)</strike></i>.<br />
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I've been obsessed with it since, with me trying to find every excuse to put it on, then <i>lo and behold</i>, the beautiful cream cami comes into my life in a pretty little brown paper bag. I guess you could say I was pretty excited.<br />
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I should probably stop gushing over clothes and outfits. Enjoy the song at the bottom of this post, by the way. I'm hooked.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSf0VYKWq2qhEkpX1kS2to9Yo0ErpmfYW1eYV5oMHRj4Y6ufnDPAuYF4kCF3cK_6hVYgEFUu7vqR6-ADTdFrTXlVe9D3OiksiPUkmIkqneA9OYORi5CJGlbTG-VR7ALYLta0iFIi_viQ/s1600/IMG_7886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSf0VYKWq2qhEkpX1kS2to9Yo0ErpmfYW1eYV5oMHRj4Y6ufnDPAuYF4kCF3cK_6hVYgEFUu7vqR6-ADTdFrTXlVe9D3OiksiPUkmIkqneA9OYORi5CJGlbTG-VR7ALYLta0iFIi_viQ/s1600/IMG_7886.jpg" /></a><br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/869_veGDpsg" width="560"></iframe></center>
Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-48484023270440253162014-07-17T15:55:00.000+08:002014-07-17T15:55:45.239+08:00Scout's Honor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpXr-_6m0Fl41S3X01OHrl9v8bXlVJg3GSjmpt1BwBTm7Y0wzFZ9rmKUMlyL9S9SVywJcPblxGPqtsz3s0Xwe1rgoQPqwV615H7lrML-cAT3HqBewt3-QIrTtSMGUVMj7wZWmhnrNmEU/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpXr-_6m0Fl41S3X01OHrl9v8bXlVJg3GSjmpt1BwBTm7Y0wzFZ9rmKUMlyL9S9SVywJcPblxGPqtsz3s0Xwe1rgoQPqwV615H7lrML-cAT3HqBewt3-QIrTtSMGUVMj7wZWmhnrNmEU/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" /></a>
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<blockquote>
"I'm a Scout because I know what I want, what's good for me, and what makes me happy even at a young age, and I'm not afraid to go for it."<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<a href="http://scoutmag.ph/">Scout Magazine</a> has finally been launched! Follow <b><i>@scoutmagph</i></b> and sign up at <a href="http://scoutmag.ph/">scoutmag.ph</a> to find out more.<br />
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Lots of love to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/twitter.com/forellice">Ellie</a> for making this happen!<br />
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<b>
Credits:</b><br />
Hair by Eric Llave & Dan Mendez for Bench Fix<br />
Make-up by Ria Aquino for MAC Cosmetics<br />
Photography by Patrick Segovia<br />
Art Direction by Ellie Centeno<br />
<br />Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420605301205663698.post-48293672673943709602014-07-15T17:00:00.000+08:002014-07-15T17:00:02.906+08:00Journaling 101<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="563" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r8JH7q3mvJA" width="1000"></iframe>
In which I give you guys a few tips on journaling. Hardly a '101' guide, but it stuck.
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>For more inspiration, click <b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/ninapineda/journal/">here</a>.</b><br />
Run out of ideas to write about? Click <b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/ninapineda/writing/">here</a>.</b><br />
Purchase the #HMWNotebook <b><a href="http://www.wanderrgirl.com/2014/06/hmw-notebook-perfect-work-smart/">here</a>.</b>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11195067256548120577noreply@blogger.com2