Adelle Reads

     As you probably know or noticed, I am very fond of Instagram. It all boils down to my love of sharing photos and seeing photos. I've been a member of that society since I got my very first iPhone (which was the 4) back in 2012. I used to just post selfies before it was even a legitimate word and the food I ate and of course, the places I went to. As more people discovered the app and bombarded it with their own faces, food, and places, I began to grow tired of it. I finally saw how annoying I must've been to the people who followed me -- I apologize.

     Lately, I've been trying to fix my personal account and limit what I post. Unless I traveled someplace and liked something so much (clothes, food, people, quotes, etc.), I don't post anything at all. 

      However, due to my constant liking of other people's photos of books on the Discover page, it started to fill up mostly of photos of books. Lots and lots of it! Some are even posed so creatively that I cannot just click the heart icon just once because it does not suffice. 

      I appreciate people who love and are borderline crazy about books about books the way I do! Especially those who go out of their way to think of and create a "pose" for their books. 

      I always hear people say to "not judge a book by its cover" but it really is difficult. For me, it's just like how we are when we first see and look at somebody's Instagram profile. You don't automatically follow someone unless they look like they could grace a magazine cover any time of the day, now, do you? You don't stalk the people who posted the same things you liked unless they look hot. Don't even deny it. I know I am like that sometimes. And that's how I am to books too. But then again, no matter how cliche it is to hear, it's what's on the inside that matters. 

      I've chosen and regretted buying some books because I solely based on the covers. I'm trying to avoid doing that now. It is such a waste of money and a waste of time trying to finish reading a half-hearted novel. 

      Anyway, since it has always been a dream of mine to have a library of my own at my future house, I decided to share with the world how my collection of book has grown and how many lives I have lived through the pages of the novels I have read over the years. So I created a separate Instagram account rather than bombard my personal account's followers with my love for and addiction of books. 

     I wanted to name it with something clever by using words such as bibliophile and bookish but I came up empty and although I use the word bookworm to refer to myself sometimes, I didn't want to name my account with the word worm in it. Thus, I ended up with: adelle_reads.

     So far, I've only posted 6 photos. And no, I am not ashamed of the fact that I have only 27 followers! I appreciate each and every one of them. I intend to post on this page every single day. I want to be as dedicated as the 186 people I am following! 

      If you're a bookworm like me, feel free to follow! If not, it's fine. 

      After all, 

      "Nothing beautiful asks for attention."

      A. 

P.S. - Here are the photos I've posted so far! All photos are by and from me.

The Dark Side Called... Literally

     Not sure if I've mentioned my love for Star Wars before, but I am telling you now: I love it. 

     I grew up knowing who the characters were and what the names of their space crafts were because my father was such a nerd (he still is). 

      I admit that my love for the entire franchise was influenced by my need to have something in common with my dad. Because I love my dad and I wanted to be the son he never had (we used to be just 3 girls but now we have a baby boy in the family so technically he has a son now). But since I got older and had more understanding of it all, I came to like it on my own terms. 

    I started to randomly collect Star Wars merchandise. Anything that has Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, and R2-D2 in it, I bought it! And then at the start of 2015 I decided to have the ultimate Star Wars Marathon. I watched all 6 films without stopping - therefore without sleep.

       Everytime I see a Lightsaber (be it on a shirt or keychain), I do little fangirl squeals. Then ask my sisters or parents to buy it for me! Even if I don't really have any use for them. 

     Last February 2015, my sisters and I went to celebrate my birthday in Hong Kong and Macau (will write a different post for that one!). I kept on telling them that my goal souvenir was to buy a pair of  Lightsaber chopsticks because where else can you buy chopsticks rather than chopstick-using country? I was wrong though. I couldn't find any in toy stores and even at Disneyland (I went to a Star Wars store at Disneyland California so I assumed that there will be one at Disneyland Hong Kong).

      But then as we were roaming around the little yet pretty town of Ngong Ping up in the mountains, we ended up in a little toy store. I was so happy and got distracted when I saw Lightsaber toys and other Star Wars merchandise! 

     It was the least place I expected to see such toys. After about ten minutes of me just pressing all the buttons that make the toys light up and make sounds, I turned to leave the shelf of Star Wars toys to look for my sisters. I panicked because I couldn't find them anywhere. We didn't have working cellphones with us so I knew I couldn't just text or call them to see where they went. I walked out of the store and walked around the neighboring shops. After a couple of minutes, I still couldn't find them and I was about to yell out their names when I saw them exiting the toy store I was just in. 

      My sisters handed me a brown paper bag and I just took it because I have become accustomed to them handing me their shopping bags because they know how I love looking like I did a lot of shopping even if the bought goodies aren't mine! Hahahaha. They, however, suddenly greeted me a happy birthday and that it was their gift to me. I exclaimed a little yay! and peeked inside the bag. 

     And that's when I yelped a louder YAAAAY! and jumped up like a little kid. Inside the paper bag was a pair of LIGHTSABER CHOPSTICKS!!! Happy birthday indeed!

      Then a couple of months ago at Divisoria, I got this really cute (albeit bulky) R2-D2 iPhone case! It's made out of rubber and it's quite big. But after using it for a couple of weeks, I got used to it. Isn't it adorable??? 

       R2-D2 is probably my favorite character because of all the squealing he made in the movies! 

      Sadly for my wallet, that is not where it ended. A couple of weeks ago, my sisters and I went to the Trendsetters Bazaar held at the Manila World Trade Center. We were just supposed to shop for clothes but I stumbled upon this store with some iPhone cases and I couldn't leave without buying Darth Vader!!!

      It's made from the same material as my R2-D2 iPhone case but less bulky. How cute is it that when someone calls you and my ringtone is the Imperial March and I pull out my phone from my bag and Darth Vader pops up. Am I the only one having fun at the thought? If so, you guys need to live a little!

      So yeah, now all I need is the Stormtrooper case. Kidding! I promise to stop buying iPhone cases. Although I do want that case with Han Solo in Carbonite. Know where I can buy one? 

        A. 

Make-Up Skills Or Lack Thereof

     It has come to my attention that I might be the last person in my circle of friends (and family) to not know how to apply make-up on. Properly, that is. 

     What with all the YouTube makeup tutorials, one might think that it'll be as easy as a 3-step bake cookie. But it's not. 

      It is safe to say and assume that I know how to draw, paint, and mix colors since I have actually studied the basics and fundamentals for it from my fashion design and fine arts studying days (and I have a knack for arts and crafts). However, I have come to the conclusion that my particular knowledge and craftiness does not automatically equate to being able to apply pretty make-up on. 

      My face is definitely not a canvas.

      So to the ladies out there who love putting make-up on: how do you do it??? 

     I really want to know because for once, I actually want to be able to learn how to apply winged eyeliner - or simply use the liquid eyeliner. I also want to know how to contour and get rid of my chubby cheeks without having to starve myself. Also, to apply on fleek eyebrows will be helpful into looking presentable when I have to run errands. 

      I don't want to be one of those women who can't go out of the house without any sort of make-up on their faces. But the basic knowledge and skills into applying it will be handy. Don't you think? 

     Among my friends and family, I really am the clueless one. My little sister applies blush on, for heaven's sake. And my big sister shops for nothing but make-up. 

      With the upcoming wedding of my friend, I've asked my big sister to help me with my make-up because I can't do it on my own. I really can't. Thankfully, she loves doing it. For the past few days we've practiced some looks on me. 

      I wanted to have golden smoky eyes. So this is the look we came up with:

     You can't really see the gold can you? I love how it looks though. Simple. But I think the false eyelashes was what pulled the look altogether. And honestly, that's probably one of the hardest things with make-up skills: applying false lashes on.

      But I knew that if I used this look for the wedding, it won't show as much on the photos. What is the purpose of applying tons of make-up on if it won't even show? I do not get the logic in that. Anyway, I wanted a little more oooompf to the look.

      So I went online and found a photo of Perrie Edwards. 

      Since then, she has officially become my EVERYTHING GOALS. I mean, have you seen her? I love her style and make-up looks! 

      

      After a few make-up tutorial videos and a trip to the mall, my sister and I had everything we need for the Perrie look! Well... close to her look. I can never be as pretty.

      So there you have it! I finally found the look I want to achieve for my friend's wedding. Minus the purple lipstick, though. It's too dramatic for me. I'll probably just sport the purple lippie if I had simpler eye make-up.

      What are your thoughts? Tips on how to put make-up on? 

      A. 

I'm A Bridesmaid!

     Praying that "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" will not apply to me! 

   But since this is the first time I was actually asked to be one, I'm still safe. Right? *nervous giggles*

    My best friend at our church will be tying the knot next Tuesday, September 29, at the Manila Temple. And I cannot be any more excited and happier for her! We've been planning (and I do mean it by we because I've been involving myself a lot and volunteering my help even when she's not asking) for it since early this year. And now the day is almost there! 

    I am writing a post about it because I want to share with you all some part of the preparations we've made. On my part, I've done quite a few more preparations because *drum rolls please*: I've gained weight.

    Yes, my dear readers, I have gained plenty solid weight since the last time you all saw real time photos of me! And it is not a pretty sight. Not for me, at least. Also, the dressmaker was not happy about it. 

     I was fitted for my bridesmaid dress last May, I think, I've asked the dressmaker to make the dress exactly as how my measurements were because I felt like that should motivate me to at least not gain weight - if not to lose some. Sadly, for both the dressmaker and I, I have gained weight and to the amusement of the bride-to-be and fellow bridesmaids, I could literally not fit into my dress during out first dress fitting. 

      It was so embarrassing! But at least I've managed to make them laugh for a while as they watched me struggle behind the curtain of the measly dressing room. That's something that makes me happy: making other people laugh. 

      

    Above is the photo of my fellow bridesmaid during our 2nd dress fitting and hallelujah because I was able to wear my dress already - albeit being skin tight. The bride blurred the dresses so as to add a surprise factor for when we actually show up at the wedding which I think is nice. 

    Anyway, just the other day, I went to the mall with the bride-to-be and we did some shopping and gift registry. Didn't get photos of that day though. However, I did manage to buy a hair accessory that I will be using for her wedding. 

    Her request was that we bridesmaids leave our hair down since she'll be putting hers up. Of course, we have to respect her decisions since it is her wedding day. I, being my usual stubborn self, asked her if I can at least have some kind of hair accessory because frankly, I do not appreciate being plain. And I know she'd understand my request and not take offense in it because the need to not be out dressed by others is part of why we became good friends: we both feel it. So finally she said okay to that and I ended up buying this really pretty bohemian hair chain from Forever 21. 

    It's so perfect because it matches m favorite style trend at the moment and it's color gold. The wedding's color scheme is blue and gold. So with my very blue dress, I'd still be in theme with this gold chain. I also bought gold ballet flats to wear at the wedding. We have to wear flats because our bride-to-be is quite petite and we don't want to look disproportionate in the photos by towering over her if we do wear high heels. 

    Anyway, as a final and desperate attempt to not gain weight again and hopefully, lose some, I begged my sisters to go jogging with me at least thrice a week until after the wedding. It's really funny and new to us because we were never the athletic bunch and we hated sweating. So to run around and sweat on purpose was really the least thing we wanted to do. We're literally couch potatoes. 

     We don't have a weighing scale here at home where I can monitor my weight, but as another extra precaution, I've stopped eating rice for 3 weeks now! And that's saying something because we Filipinos do not let a day go by without at least a cup of rice in every meal. 

     Here's to healthy living, bridesmaid duties, and running around!

Try Again

I've forgotten my e-mail and password for this blog and frankly, everyone's creating their own blogs that I've lost interest. But since I am not really doing anything special with my life at the moment, let's give this another try, shall we? 

Also, I have just downloaded the Blogger app for my phone. So I am assuming that I'd be present more frequently now since I literally have this blog at my fingers all the time. 

For the past few months I have been living like a hermit. I deleted my Facebook and Twitter account. Have you ever felt like everything you see online is just full of crap and you no longer have the strength nor care to deal with it? Well, I've reached that point in life. I have not deleted my Instagram account, though. I just LOVE looking at photos and sharing photos. I'd probably go crazy if I've gone on an IG hiatus too! So that's still there (follow me if you like! The name's trishadelle)

"Enough blabbing, Adelle!" is what you might be thinking at this point. To which I say: fine. 

See you all on my next post (once I figure out how to upload photos via iPhone app)! And welcome me back?

A.