The Origin of Flowers: 2012

3.16.2012

Sun Worshipper

Doesn't Leighton Meester look absolutely gorgeous here? It is the epitome of beach goddess. And it's super easy to replicate too! All you need is some moisturizer/sunscreen, a shimmery gold for the inner corners of the eye and brow bone, peachy-pink cream blush, lengthening black mascara, a dab of pink lipgloss, and most importantly a great bronzer to enhance that beachy glow. So minimal and it will probably only take about five minutes to apply it all. Which is why I will totally be wearing this look all summer long. Ah! I want summer to come even sooner so I could wear this makeup! :)

xxxMar

3.12.2012

I Left My Heart in Philippines

Guess what?! I'm very excited to say that there's a very big chance of me going to the Philippines this summer!!! Ahhh! I'm stoked to say the least since I haven't been since I was thirteen. It's all thanks to my wonderful cousin and her future husband! They're holding their wedding ceremony back in the Philippines because that's where most of our extended family lives , and I've been lucky enough to snag a spot as a bridesmaid! Which leads me to another exciting topic! Dresses! My cousin said the color would be an aqua- bluish- green and I can not wait to see the cut and style of the dress, especially since it's going to be a sort of gown.

Speaking of clothes, this trip also gives me an excuse to update my summer wardrobe. Although I'm hoping I'll find some really cute stuff over there, I still want to get some pieces back here. Nothing too dramatic though, instead I'm going for a low key, effortless look with details that make it stand out. Just very basic clothing with pops of crochet, tie-dye, and neon colors to make things exciting.

I'm dying to know for sure whether or not I'm going! I'm totally longing for the banana trees, jeepneys, the beautiful historic buildings of my parents' hometown: Vigan, and all the cousins, and aunts, and uncles I haven't seen in ages! If everything works out I'll be flying out in May!

Fingers crossed!

xxxMar

2.21.2012

Ciao NYC!

This weekend my mother, brother, and I took my my aunt, whose visit from Italy is nearing to a close, to the American Museum of Natural History. My mom thought of it, which was surprising considering she hates going to museums. However, she does love the Hayden Planetarium Space Shows they have. I absolutely love them myself. It honestly feels like you're traveling through space in that theater. I haven't seen the show or the museum since I was like twelve, so everything was new and familiar at the same time. We made sure to stop by the dinosaur exhibit for my brother (he was OBSESSED with them as a kid) and the sea creature exhibit for me (I love the giant whale on the ceiling.) After the museum we went out to eat in the best Asian buffet ever: Ichi Umi. As pictured below I took the 'all you can eat' to heart.

Yum!

xxxMar

2.18.2012

Dinner for Two

On Valentine's Day my boyfriend and I weren't together because I was in uni and he was back at home (he commutes) so we just had a little skype dinner date that night. But when I came home this weekend, he surprised me with an at-home dinner date! I thought we were going out to a restaurant. He was so sly saying he left his wallet at home! When we got to his house a little dining table all decked out was waiting for me in his basement! And he made the (delicious!) food and everything! It's the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me. And no, I didn't think it was corny ;)

xxxMar

2.07.2012

Sketch # 2 & 3

Another Lana Del Rey song! I don't know why but I really like listening to her songs while drawing. I guess it has a sort of smoky, cool, and a bit calming sound to it.

My second drawing assignment: contour line drawings of my hands and feet.

In-class still life. I only managed to start detailing the milk carton and metal teapot.

xxxMar

2.05.2012

A Weekend in NYC

Hello everyone! It's been a long and eventful weekend! On Friday Caitlin and I went over to Queens for a party at Geneve's friend's house. It was a very chill get-together but fun nevertheless. We slept over Geneve's that night and in the morning we proceeded to Soho for a little shopping! Places we went to included Brandy Melville, MAC, H&M, Topshop, Dean and Deluca, and Sephora. Dean and Deluca was filled with so much yummy food! Caitlin and I kept sneaking samples from bread to cookies, delicious! In H&M, I managed to cross something off my previously posted shopping list: a denim button-up shirt! I also found leather leggings/pants, that's included in the list too, but I was too stupid and talked myself out of getting them! Don't worry though I plan in going back in the near future and buying them! Hopefully they'll still have it! After H&M, we found ourselves in Sephora for hours on end. Caitlin bought a Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge after my recommendation and I ended up with a Makeup Forever lipstick. I was looking for a peachy-pink lipstick (after watching Breakfast at Tiffany's in English class, I've been obsessing over Audrey Hepburn's makeup as Holly Golightly) and the salesperson recommended an almost perfect dupe. It is a lot more vibrant, but when dabbed and blended on the lips, the effect is so chic.

Anyway, it's Sunday now, and it's been a very chill day compared to Friday and Saturday. I'm in the midst of starting my drawing homework so expect a sketch and song (I like to listen to music while I draw) soonish!

xxxMar

1.29.2012

Sketch #1

Listened to this while sketching my very first sketch for my Drawing Class! It's just a still life of some fruits and a cup. Although I took art in high school, I never took it as serious art lessons. So I'm really excited to take a college level course to improve my skills!

'Till Later!

xxxMar

1.06.2012

A Shopping List

Exactly what it sounds like. It's going to be a while before I get everything, especially since I have a specific idea of how I want certain things to look like, but I thought it would be good to have something in mind when I go shopping. Hope you like the insight into my personal style!

Plain Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirts

I've just realized I have no sleeved t-shirts, only sweaters. Which is just insane, considering it's clearly a staple especially during winter.

Forest Green Chunky Loop Scarf

Another staple for winter. I've seen plain black, grey, and white loop scarves but I want a subtle color pop, hence the forest green.

Cashmere Brown Scarf

For when I want something simpler. I never thought I would like the color brown for a scarf, but since the boyfriend lent me his, I realized i really like how it brings out the brown in my dark brown, almost black, hair. I'd have to shop for this only if the boyfriend doesn't realize it's missing! So hopefully I get to keep his. Hehe.

Medium-Wash Denim Button-Up Shirt

Denim made a comeback a year or two back and I was unsure whether I liked the idea of a denim shirt. However, I couldn't doubt the chic casualness it gives to an outfit.

High-Rise Medium-Wash Denim Shorts

A little unrealistic for winter but I have been on the search for this type of shorts since summer now.

Black Leather Jacket

Something to transform any outfit into BADASS.

White Jeans/Jeggings

Another item I have been searching for since the summer. I think white looks so gorgeous against bronzed skin.

Nude Patent Flats

I love the color nude. Instead of wearing black flats, it would be a cute touch if they were nude. Plus they still would match any outfit!

Faux Leather Skinny Pants

I just think it's sexy with a casual plain t-shirt.

Suede Black Wedge Booties

And of course you need these to go with the outfit mentioned above!

Small Black Patent Chain Crossbody Bag

Did I mention I like shiny? Hence the patent! I already have a cream crossbody bag, but it's a little to wide for my liking. A smaller black one would be much better.

Leather Black Riding Boots

I already have a pair that I love. Maybe love a little too much because they're looking a little worse for wear. So I'm seeking a replacement.

Brown Leather Handbag

For when I'm not too lazy to carry something.

DKNY Eau de Parfum Spray

I've wanted to get this for a while now, but never had the chance. It's got a great citrus, clean, and chic smell that I love.

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Exquisite Plum

I prefer a dark plum than a red lipstick, considering I just don't think I can pull off a red lip. However I do love a gorgeous purple. This dark, vampy color is perfect for winter.

Red Tight High-Rise Shorts

And now finally, the ever elusive shorts that I have been searching for in stores and online everywhere since I watched the UK TV show Nearly Famous and the spectacularly dressed Kate was donning a pair the first episode. I have yet to find the ideal red shorts but I will definitely keep looking! I mean, do you see how fabulous it looks?!

xxxMar

1.05.2012

Shabop Shalom

Hope everyone had a happy holiday! As for me a smile has been on my face ever since I got home. I've been pretty busy lately mostly spending as much time as I can with family, friends, and the boyfriend! It's been absolute bliss and I'm dreading the fact that I only have about a week and a half before I have to go back to college.
Anyway the song above is a new discovery! One of my best friends, Nina showed it to me. We both have the exact same taste in music and whenever we hang out we make sure to trade new music. I hung out with her and Demi, another best friend, last night. We had dinner at a sushi place and chilled out at my house afterwards. It was so much fun being with them again, i couldn't stop laughing the entire night.

Monday was a blast too. The boyfriend and I went ice-skating at Bryant Park. He hasn't been since he was small, but he was a complete natural! I was able to semi keep up with him thankfully. I finally remembered how to skate properly again! What a miracle! After skating we got some yummy hot-dogs (nacho for him chili-cheese for me) to regain energy from the vendors around Bryant Park and for dessert we shared a banana, strawberry, nutella crepe which I will make sure to always get whenever I visit the park. It's that amazing!

As for the Christmas and New Years, it was spent with close friends and family! During Christmas day it was just the family and I. It was spent unwrapping presents and making delicious food, including cornbread! Something that my mother, brother, and I have tried to make before but it never turned out right. This time, though, it was delicious! Later on that night my mom's friends came over to sing carols! It was really sweet and kind of amusing, I admit. After Christmas I got to exchange Christmas presents with the boyfriend! It was our first Christmas together and the first time I was giving him an official present so I was really nervous he wouldn't like what I got him. I bought him a travel book and placed little notes in them. We both love to travel so I thought it was a sound gift. Turns out he loved it, and he can't wait for us to go to all the places together :)

For New Year's we all went over to Queens, NY like we do ever year for a party. I got to see, who I consider my "cousins," Geneve and Katherine. It was nice seeing them again because I haven't since Halloween. We all catched up and took pictures, cooed over all the adorable babies in the house, and enjoyed each others' company.

All in all, my holidays were wonderful! Hope yours' were too!!!

xxxMar