I Know Places We Can Hide

There are some places in life where you can only go alone. Some steps that need to be taken alone. It’s the only way to really figure out where you need to go and who you need to be.  Embrace the beauty of your solo journey.

As much as I love my job with so much zeal and passion, I have to admit that I can't do it 24/7 and that being human and all... I also need to take a break. I've always lived with that mindset that when I start something, I need to finish it so I tend to fixate on things which makes me anxious and very neurotic. I am one of those people who sometimes forget to take a break until I burn out. Thankfully, I was able to find a way to have that much sought after work-life balance and I don't feel guilty or like a slacker when I take breaks. More so, the activities I engage in are more wholesome and enriching and I am happy to have matured...finally. I look back at my past self and can't believe that huge disparity between the person I used to be and the activities I used to do and the person that I am now and the activities I make time for. I've learned to prioritize, to keep a level head and to know there is a great big world out there. This necessary awakening was a result of taking much needed time off boys and dating. I guess I have to thank my ex-boyfriends and my break-ups for giving me the chance to be alone so I can grow on my own... and so far, I like the person that I am. I am more calm and stable. I am no longer impulsive and I've managed to understand the concept of applying myself despite a few setbacks I have. At some point, I also stopped feeling sorry for myself and actually carried on and did something with my life. I figured out what I want to be and where I belong and this level of transcendence and self-actualization would not have been in any way possible had I stayed in a relationship because I learned to stop defining my happiness and myself with the person I was with. Now I can say that the source of my happiness and contentment comes from myself and my advocacy. Suffice to say, I learned to depend on myself and I think I needed that a lot. I wouldn't be able to do all these things and realize all these unless I was all by myself. It's a funny thing when people say that when "God closes a door, he opens a window," because after spending sufficient time reflecting, I think the more appropriate thing to say is that when "God closes a door and shuts the window... it's because He is building an entirely new and better house for yourself..." And isn't that just a lovely thought?

A Night In Skin City

I rarely go out at night since I think I am way past that stage in my life. More so, when I do go out at night, I make sure that I don't do it on the weekend (Fridays and/or Saturdays) as I always referred to the Weekend Warriors crowd as bridge and tunnel people... not that I have anything against that... but you have to agree with me here, it can get pretty crowded. So, I broke these two rules for one night only- to attend the Preview Ball which had quite an interesting theme: SKIN. At first, I was absolutely clueless on how to figure out working with that theme in less than 7 days at that. Then with the help of my amazing staff also known as my dream team, I was able to come up with two outfits: one long one in black mesh, which was predominantly sheer and covered only the right places and then a nude one: which consisted of a corset (if you would call it that) and a half covered-half sheer skirt. I was not given consent to wear the first outfit so it helps a lot to always have a back-up outfit which I have to thank my neurosis and my P.A. Celyn for since it always helps to be prepared. I kept everything else simple... it was nude on nude on nude... and as it turns out I made the right outfit choice (along with matte gold smokey eyes and an amazing up-do Amazona style)... I wouldn't dare wear anything as barely there as this but again, its good to break your rules sometimes...as the night ended, it was a great one night only spent in SKIN CITY.

Spiral Staircase

Quiet Nights Out.

(Top: Topshop | Headband: DIY | Skirt: Vintage | Belt: Glitterati | Shoes: SO! FAB | Bag: Marc Jacobs)

I have a confession: I haven't been going out much (thus the lack of blog posts!) It's been happening for the past 2 weeks but I reckon I find myself enjoying my time at the gym and at home or working at the store more fulfilling. People have noticed the very evident paradigm shift but it seems that I'm growing up and outgrowing the boozed up rubbing elbows at a crowded bar stage. Call it domestication, at its finest, but I am definitely enjoying this new so-called "me", sipping on my juju and wheatgrass rather than empty calories in an alcoholic cocktail. Even my household staff have taken notice on my very tame new side.

On this particular Friday night, however, I decided to go out of my comfort zone to meet up with my friend at a nearby wine and tapas bar. It was an early night but definitely lots of fun! It was a refreshing change, but trust me, I am in no position to trade in my workout gear for clubbing wear just yet....

My Accessories...

Check out my oh so amazing shoes from oh so fabulous shoe brand, SO!FAB which is one of my favorite latest new additions to my heel less collection! PS: It has a stunning lace strap detail which is just absolutely making me obsess on the pair particularly!

GET THE LOOK:

xx, JL

Virtual Insanity

The all black outfit continues...

Yet again, I decided to leather it up for a Wednesday night event me and my BFF, Nina attended at Member's Only over at the Fort. We went to support the Prive Fashion Series featuring Rosanna Ocampo as the designer in focus for the night. As most of you already know, Glitterati, the clothing brand I own with my best friend will be doing the event next Wednesday, September 1 where we will be unveiling a more luxe and high end product line for the brand. It is keeping us quite busy and occupied but we aren't complaining... it is a great honor to have been chosen to present our muses, who are comprised of models, fashion bloggers, local celebrities, socialites and beauty queens at such a prestigious place.

Anyway, the outfit was actually an accidental discovery I made and it was not at all planned. I had a totally different dress in mind to wear for the occasion but it was too loose on me, I had to improvise. The theme of the night was body-con. Nina, my friend, wore a mesh dress while I, desperately seeking for an outfit, saw this and thought the similarity of fabric and finish of the two pieces can work together to achieve a one pc. dress effect. All I needed was a thick belt to hide the point where the skirt meets the top and I was able to pull it off, quite effortlessly. I decided I wanted to go through with the dominatrix vibe of the dress with my shoes so I chose a strappy wedged pair from Soule Phenomenon which has a beautiful metal detail on one side of the wedged heel. Keep everything else simple...I wore no accessories, save for my 2.55 Chanel purse (3rd straight day I used this)

Here are some photos from the event:

Hope it worked! Wish me luck for the remaining days...it will definitely be major work mode! Till the next! xx



PS: My boyfriend took this photo...his first time to actually take a photo for my blog since I am quite shy to do my poses in front of him. However, I had no choice this night since I lacked the time to shoot my outfit and I had to improvise despite the rain at the exterior walls/ entrance of the now closed Fly Room from Embassy.