Favorites from the 2011 VMAs

I wasn't able to watch the VMAs because I woke up late and then missed the replay! Eep! I was able to follow it from updates on twitter though. Besides, I usually watch awards shows like these for the fashion. Anyway, thanks to the internet, I can still appreciate the outfits. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Beyonce Knowles

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Aside from spawning multiple jokes like, "Beyonce's pregnant, it must be Destiny's Child!" or "Beyonce's married, therefore she's not a single lady!", everyone seemed genuinely happy (or jealous at the kid who has Beyonce carrying him/her in her womb) at the news of Beyonce's pregnancy. She just shone in this orange Lanvin dress, which complimented her bronze skin. Add to that the glow of her pregnancy, I think she was the biggest star of the night!

2. Zoe Saldana

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Zoe Saldana has been on my fasyon people to watch ever since "Avatar". Her exotic beauty and great figure make her a designer favorite because she can carry any outfit with grace and poise. I love her in this dress by Barbara Bui. Her shoes are also by Bui, and her clutch is Lanvin.

Grateful Sunday 2

I haven't been able to write an entry this week cause I've been so busy--catching up with friends, helping out and fixing my papers (why I'm here in Manila in the first place). So anyway, here is my list for the second part of Grateful Sunday.

1. Getting here (Manila) safely.

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I chose the picture cause I rode Cebu Pacific. :)

I'm glad I got to Manila safely, and with good weather too! I just slept the whole time during the ride. It's a sort of guilty pleasure, just to be disconnected for a good 2 hours. I remember when I read The Devil Wears Prada, Andy Sachs loved when she had to go to Paris and be on the plane for 7 hours cause it meant Miranda Priestly couldn't reach her. Not that I'm escaping anyone, but that's how I felt.

Grateful Sunday 1

One of the blogs I follow, A Beautiful Mess, shared some tips for new bloggers like myself. She said to develop features which are fun to write, something you could look forward to writing and what readers would look forward to reading. I chose to do Grateful Sunday to practice looking on the bright side. I am so blessed yet sometimes I fail to see that. I'm hoping that by reading this section, you would be able to reflect on your own life as well and see that there are a lot of things (even if they are small) to be grateful for.

 So, here it is: the first in (hopefully) many series of Grateful Sunday.

Top Picks from The 1st Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar Experience

My friends Mithi, Julienne and I met up yesterday and we went to the Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar. I had stomach cramps but I just had to go because Mithi came home for the long weekend and I haven't seen her for more than a month!

There were a lot of exhibitors, but these were some of my favorite picks of all the stuff there.


1. Candy Bags and Kara Shoes.

I first read about them on Fashion Firewoman. Jariss writes "this imported bag business brings us the latest bag craze in Manila". When I found out that they were coming to Davao, I knew I'd just have to stop by and check all their stuff out!

When we first came to their booth, there were a lot of people so we couldn't take any photos! And why not? Everyone was ooh-ing and aah-ing at the delicious candy collection! Very true to their name! :) 

They have really affordable stuff. The shoes are Php550-650, and the bags are Php850. I wanted this brown satchel but I didn't bring any money! Boohoo! :(

Anyway, if you're in Manila, according to their Facebook page, they  have branches in Tiendesitas and Robinson's Galleria.

Great picks from Candy Bags and Kara shoes

Dreaming of Dream Nails

Aside from food, I 'splurge' on beauty treatments when I'm stressed. It may be a haircut, a hot oil treatment, but most of the time, I have my nails done. It has become a bonding activity between me and my friends. In Manila, I usually go to Enza (Php250 mani-pedi, upgraded polish) or Nail Files (Php200 for a mani-pedi, not yet upgraded but they use Face Shop polishes which is good enough for me. FYI, their upgraded polish is China Glaze), both in Katipunan.

When I came home for the summer, I immediately asked my mom of any place here solely devoted to nail care, because last I heard, there wasn't any yet. I once had my nails done at a normal salon and I didn't like it. I was made to sit at the couch (which was meant for waiting, by the way) while hair dryers whizzed about me. So NOT relaxing.

Anyway, my mom said a few nail salons have opened in town. One time, I came with her when she went for a massage and beside her massage parlor was a nail salon! We checked the place out and it was a DREAM. <3

Dream Nails is located in the middle of the city, but it doesn't feel that way. Their windows are tinted so you can't see the inside (and perhaps to block the sun), but you can see the outside pretty clear. Well, I found that a plus because I like watching the world go by. I get sick just seeing the 4 corners of the shop for that 1 hour your nails get groomed.

The first thing you notice upon entering is the elevated long couch with the foot stool. But these foot stools cover the foot bath, which is a sink on the floor.

taken with flash

taken from alisamd.multiply.com

Then, your eyes move to the collection of OPI polishes by the counter!! 

I'm glad they use OPI because I'm really particular to the polishes salons use, and I'm partial to OPI and Orly because not only do they come in a cute bottle, they are also safe on the fingernails.

 When I sat down, they offered juice, water or iced tea.

 I also liked the fact that they put a base coat and top coat on my nails, because this is a must-do, and a lot of salons neglect to do this. Needless to say, I don't return to salons who fail to do this. 

Rate:  and a half

Comments and Suggestions:

Wider nail polish selection. My cousin, who is also a fan of having her nails done said she too likes the service at Dream Nails, but in terms of nail polish choices, Nail Bar has a greater selection. I haven't had the chance to have my nails done at Nail Bar yet, so I hope to see so for myself.

 Needs more magazines. I'll admit, I like to go to salons, not only to get pampered, but also to read magazines! (Nail Files have a lot, and are updated with the latest issues, which is why it's one of my favorites) Haha. I bet a lot of women share the same sentiment. :)

Overall, they have really good service. 

I have yet to try their massages but I'm definitely coming back.

I highly recommend that you visit them. :)

They are located at  Door 1 Pelayo Bldg, Quirino cor J. Camus St, Davao City.
Contact numbers: (082) 221-6663 / 0917-6341378

The 1st Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar

KADAYAWAN!!!

The term "Kadayawan" is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw”,a warm and friendly greeting used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good, or profitable. (from kadayawan.com website) 

It's a celebration that showcases the bounty of harvest, as well as a thanksgiving for all the blessings that have been given to our city. A lot of Davaoenos look forward to this celebration, and thousands of visitors flock to Davao to celebrate with us.

Anyway, I haven't been able to celebrate Kadayawan in Davao for 3 years now, so I'm quite excited to this year. I'm especially excited for The 1st Great Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar. (especially the bazaar part! :P)

Gourmet Casino

My friend Mithi and her groupmates are having their function called GOURMET CASINO on August 31st!

 It's at 10-11am and 11am-12nn at 

Room 101-B, Alonso Hall, College of Home Economics,

University of the Philippines-Diliman.

They will be serving Italian-American fusion cuisine.

Tickets are at 200php, but it includes a WHOLE meal--from appetizer to dessert!

To reserve tickets or for questions and other concerns,

you can email them at

gourmetcasino@gmail.com,

like their facebook page,

or follow them on tumblr.

YAY! See you! :)

FIDA Basic Make-up Workshop

Last May 12-14 (I know, it's been about 3 months! Haha. But I didn't have this blog then), I took the Basic Makeup Workshop under Archie Tolentino, Chief Makeup Artist of Maybelline Philippines (He replaced Barbi Chan when she got married). It was from 9 am-4pm, and held at the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts, a fashion school here in Davao. I took the class because I wanted to learn how to apply (as my classmates in makeup class put it) LEGIT makeup.

SM Women's Plus Size Model Search Contest

I was browsing through Facebook one day when I saw one of the pages I "liked" promoting this. I got interested and told my mom about it. She said I should join, just as a parting/last big bang bash to say goodbye to my being plus-sized. Should I? :)
Anyway, here are the mechanics of the model search. I copied them from the Stylewatch page.

Trend Spotting: Feathered Earrings

Having been online a lot lately, I noticed how a lot of Philippine bloggers have been wearing these feathered earrings. I've seen them on

Ava Te


Aisa Ipac,
 

Tin Iglesias,


Patricia Prieto,


Camille Co


and Laureen Uy.



I like that it gives a pop of color and an added touch of quirkiness. I think they would also go well with the maxi skirt trend in completing that gypsy look. Notice how they each only wore one earring? The earring is long so wearing a pair would overwhelm.

Some stores you can get feathered earrings from are MARiS and CROW.
*BTW, I don't own the pictures. Got them from the MARiS page, and their respective blogs.