My Hairevolution

     You've all seen it. My locks have been way tooooo long and straight and just plain...there. Hahaha. But don't get me wrong. I love my hair. I get a lot of compliments for it. People say it's smooth and soft and effortlessly nice. They're right about the effortless, by the way. I only need shampoo and conditioner. I comb my hair after I shower and that's about it for the entire day. Yup, I am blessed. ♥ 

     Anyway, you've all seen the transformation for the past months. I dyed it black then after a few months, I decided to put purple streaks then a few months later, I added a blue streak. After a few more months, I added purple and pink streaks as well. And now... I decided to ombre dye my hair. 

My very long, very straight black hair. 

Purple streaks (December 2011) 

Blue streaks (June 2012). The purple has faded into blonde. 

Pink and Purple extension streaks (July 2012) 

      

     After a boring Friday night, I spontaneously ran to the nearest salon and asked the stylist to bleach my hair until it appears to be ombre and dip dyed. I also had it styled into a layered cut instead of my old straight cut. Since school isn't over yet, I decided to not color it blue or pink yet. The guards might not let me in campus. But whatever... my natural hair color appeared and well, I kind of like it. Let's just hope that I don't get tired of it soon. I tend to change hair color nowadays. 

     Stylist says that my hair's far too silky and straight and somehow healthy so the chemicals can't really penetrate and lock itself into it. Haha. Lucky me! I still believe that my hair's as stubborn as me, though. 

     A. 

Tada! (September 2012) 

I Was In Italy For Two Hours

     I wish! Hahahaha. But nevertheless, I kind of felt like I was transported to Italy in some miraculous way (though literally, I had to ride a bus, a train and walk a couple of blocks to get there). 

     I've always wanted to go to Italy. It's the number 1 country in Europe that I'd like to visit. I know most of you prefer Paris or London (hello, shopping!) but I'm more interested on the views, historical relevance and culture that Italy has to offer... not to mention the uh-mazing food that they've invented there! Namely, pasta. 

     Anyway, last Thursday, I went to Cubao to accompany a friend of mine to buy a bus ticket. I don't know why we can't just buy bus tickets online like we do on planes but whatever. From someone who lives in the South of Manila, I traveled a loooooong way to North just to buy a ticket that's not even mine. I'm such a good friend, right? Haha. 

     It was past 9pm already and the malls were all closing. My friend and I haven't eaten yet so I was starting to get agitated. He then took me to a nearby place called Cubao Expo, a cluster of little buildings that used to house and sell handmade shoes from Marikina. But unfortunately, over the years, business there slowly died. The owner of the buildings had the brilliant idea into having the place rented off to starting off restaurant and other little businesses. Which, in my opinion, is far better than selling shoes. 

     The place now has several antique and vintage shops, customized furniture and bikes shops, yoga studio, painting gallery, Rags to Riches depot, milk and cookies cafe, and a bunch of restaurant and bar and grills shop. It's such a refreshing change from all the enclosed malls and commercial places that I usually go to. The place is open and so vintage looking. 

     What I perceived as my little secret Italy there is the restaurant called Bellini's. Everything about it is so... I don't know -- how I imagined Italy will look like. I was in a daze all throughout my dining experience. ♥ 

     (photo-heavy post) 

Painting at the ceiling of Bellini's 

I spy cakes!

I don't know what these are...but they're yummy. And for free!

Me feeling and looking tired. 

Photo covered walls. 

There was this blind singer singing Italian and classic Filipino songs. It's so nice of the owner to have hired
this man to perform live for the customers. He's a good singer as well. 

     I'm not really the kind to demand my boyfriends or suitors to bring me to fancy dinners and stuff. But this unexpected dining experience was so nice that I kind of like it now. Hahaha. I'm not used to the fabric napkins being folded and put on my lap and being served free wine (even if I didn't drink it). Have you ever had a knack for fine dining? 

     Happy weekend, everyone! ♥

     A. 

More paintings on the ceiling. 

I don't know what this is, but it's served with... 

...my Panna Cota! ♥ 

Pachig and I with the owner and chef, Mr. Bellini. 

My order. Forgot what it's called but it's Penne pasta with tomato sauce and shrimp. 

In front of Bellini's... Someday, I hope to see the real Tower of Pisa! 

     

My Lucky Finds

     Every time I go to Divisoria, I always stumble upon fashion pieces that I feel lucky to find. More often than not, they're unique pieces. Thus, I feel entirely lucky. 

  

     On my latest trip there, I found the perfect wedges for me! ♥ I have been looking for it everywhere. Literally. Whenever I see a pair of these, there's always no size 9 (I have big feet, i know). So imagine my happiness when I stumbled upon the very same pair of shoes that I've been drooling over for months now... and the store actually has my size! Hallelujah! 

Aztec wedges by Jellybean

     I don't normally wear heels or wedges when I'm out and about, so I don't know where I'll be wearing these aside from some Sundays when I find a dress that matches. But I don't mind. I'm just so happy that I finally found a pair in my size! Yay! Watch out for my outfit post and see where I decide to match this up with. ;)

     Anyway, I also found a couple of rings that I find interesting. I've been seeing a couple of these on Instagram. I don't know what brand originally made these, but these babies are surely 10x cheaper than the ones I see online. 

Starfish ring and Talon ring 

      Aren't they pretty? Alright, pretty is not the word... But they are so me! They're unique (quite) and they're cheap. :) Also, I bought a few neon accessories just to see if I can pull off that trend. I like colors and all but I personally feel like it's not really for me. But what the heck, these are nice.

Neon Party! 

     Midterm exams are coming. So I'll be out for a while. I hope you all enjoy your weekend. 

     Have a GREAT September ahead of you! Cheers! 

     A. 

     

Online Shopping's Unspoken Rules

     All of us have tried online shopping, have we not? I've personally only done it twice. And in one of those cases, my order did not arrive for almost 3 weeks. I admit, I panicked. I've paid 3 weeks ago and the store does not bother to reply to any of my 2 messages. When the package arrived, I was devastated to see that the garment I ordered was far too small for me -- even if I ordered the medium sized one already. 

     But that did NOT give me any right, whatsoever, to demand a refund. Why? Because the product I ordered was made-to-order. It was made especially for me. 

     Since I am a co-owner of a small online store myself, I know how it would feel to be bombarded with demanding messages, discount privileges, deadline pressures and the such. It's part of it all. It is our duty to create and give our customers their orders according to how they want it and when they want it. 

     However, on an online shopping transaction, keep in mind that there is a minimum of 2 people involved - the online store and the customer. As an online store owner, I know where we stand and how we should react to certain situations. 

     You guys, as customers: please keep in mind that you have rights but also have limits. 

     RIGHTS:

• You have the right to ask many questions (When will the package arrive? Where will I pay? Where will I place my order? How long will it take you to make it? Are these still available? What other colors are there? Do you have discounts for wholesale buying? Etc.) 
• You have the right to be annoying and nagging when it comes to asking questions and following up orders. 
• You have a right to rate us badly according to how you see our services to you. But please be fair when doing so. Permanently damaging our store's name on your account will do no good to both parties. 

     LIMITS: 

• You have no right to demand. 

           - As an online store, we make sure that we talk to you and respond to your messages ASAP. But keep in mind that you are not the only customer on who's orders we are working on. If we can't meet with the said date as to when we'd finish it, we ask for an extension and ask for a delay. Please be considerate and do not demand and bombard us with threats. 

• You have no right to be inconsiderate.

           - When we ask for an extension, please be considerate. It is hard for us to admit that we are delayed and cannot meet to your demands but we gathered courage and decency to inform you about our fault. Do not threat us with pulling out your orders especially if they're Made-To-Order (MTO) products and we have already started making your orders. 

• You have no right to demand for refunds. 

          - Yes you have a right for refunds. But the cases are different: for MTO products, there is absolutely NO REFUNDS. If the product is damaged when it arrived to you, there is a 50% to full refund. However, when the product arrived to you in good condition and the product got damaged after you handled it, you have NO right to demand for refund. Consider it a warranty void once you handled the product already and it go damaged. 

      There you go, ladies. This applies to all of us. Let's keep in mind how our actions and words affect one another. Do not think that since you paid for our services and products, you have the right to bully us around and demand for all kinds of things. 

     In online shopping, the motto "Customer Is Always Right" does not apply at all times. 

     A friendly reminder from an online store owner and customer,

     A. 

Filipino Music Icon

     It's weird how I can sometimes be so ahead of all the people (fashion trends) and also be too late (this) about other things. 

     What is it that I'm referring to, you might ask -- Liking The Eraserheads, or in this case, Ely Buendia. 

     Everyone knows who he is, who they are. Well, who they were since the band's broken up now. But still, I have never appreciated Filipino music. Honestly. But all along, without knowing how, I know the songs of The Eraserheads. The popular ones, of course. Who in the world - or in this case, the Philippines - does NOT know the song "Ang Huling El Bimbo"??? I've been ignorant, yes. But not that ignorant. 

     After watching the movie "The Reunion" (which I later found out was the title of one of Eraserhead's albums), my eyes and ears opened up to appreciate the Filipino music icon that has been there all along. I shake my head in disapproval to myself. I am in shame for not having been present at the band's concerts before or even listening to their music. 

     Anyway, to the fans out there, I am not your enemy. I never looked down at your fave band. I just never noticed. But don't worry, I now noticed, alright. I am living in deep regret. 

     To make up for time loss and all, I made it a point to go to the mall show of the ever famous and talented Ely Buendia at Glorietta, Makati a few weeks back. Not only did I get to watch for free, but I had the time of my life! I wasn't expecting the few songs I actually know that Ely Buendia sang to be performed that night aside from Ang Huling El Bimbo, I only know Magasin (which I only found out from the movie - which I will later talk further about). 

     Long story short: it was an awesome night and I enjoyed the music! Also, I was so excited and happy to see that one of the violinists that played that evening was my friend who was majoring in Music at the previous college I attended. 

Scored a SEAT! One had to spend 500pesos in any store in Glorietta to get a ticket. I didn't
purchase anything - but I borrowed a receipt from someone and claimed the ticket for free!
I spend zero pesos. Hahaha. Yay! 

     Of course, I after the show, I had to have an "outfit" photo shoot. Hahahaha. I've been seeing posts in Instagram, Lookbook and Tumblr regarding this pair of shorts. Seems that they all got theirs from ZARA. I also saw this kind of shorts there once. But as usual, I couldn't afford it. So, typical me... had to find a look alike! 

     Will talk about the movie on my next post! This post is far too long already. ;) 

     A. 

Lace shorts! ♥ 

To balance out the femininity of the shorts, I wore a WTF shirt. Hahahaha.