On Bubbles, Baubles and Bliss

A lot of people ask me what happiness is. Personally, I want to tell them I don't have a clear cut definition for happiness because I think happiness isn't objective but rather relative. It varies from person to person and I think you have to go out and learn what that is for you. Of course, you will never learn what true happiness is without suffering... Pain is weird that way- it makes you realize all the good things you had and appreciate them. However, if you want me to paint you a picture of what happiness is... allow me to show you... because this set of photos shows me very happy... if not, in total bliss. I especially love taking this set of photos because it shows me casual, fuss-free, happy and well, to put it simply: just me.

Of Betrayal and Backstabbing: The Ebb and Flow of Lies, Fake Friends and Walking Away

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It’s always our self we find in the sea.  

E.E. Cummings

Last week, I had the chance to be in a tropical backdrop and welcomed the familiar sensation that always came from being at the beach. I probably sound like a broken record already on how much I love being in this kind of environment. But that is just me... when I like something, I like something and I will not stop talking about it. The same applies when I establish relationships and friendships with people- I only have a limited amount of myself to give- so I choose who I give my attention to "very carefully". I had no itinerary or set schedule on what to do so I had the chance to explore Punta Fuego. Normally, I would prefer to go to the beach with friends but it was a weekday and well, everyone else was kind of busy so it was just me. I took the time to take advantage of being alone to shoot some pieces I brought with me and so far, this maxi dress is a favorite of mine because I love the color, the draping and the slit which you can pull up or pull down... depending on the exposure you want. Now, I always have a "no heels, no wedge" policy when it comes to the beach but for this dress, I knew I just had to make an exception. Besides, it was not like anyone was there to tell me not to don these sky high wedges as I was alone... on hindsight though, now that I am posting it for the world to see, it doesn't make sense... but well, it seemed like a bright idea at that time.

Boho Beach

Rarely am I seen barefooted, in a flowy dress and playing along the shore of the beach. I saw this dress and automatically thought of the character of Misty Day from American Horror Story Season 3!!! Back to my free-spirit being undocumented...I don't quite know why. Maybe I get too lost in the moment to take a photograph or ask someone to- but this is a habit that I happen to love doing. I am not the kind of girl who will sit all prissy in oversized shades under a cabana trying top avoid the sun, slathering on sunblock while lounging in my sun chair. It's an unhealthy habit but the terms SPF, UV rays, bites and stings tend to be lost on me the moment I felt and caught a whiff of sea breeze. I am the "I-like-to-chase-waves-as-they-crash-along-the-shore" girl and when I see sun, sand and sea- I get so excited I almost spazz out. People rarely know this side to me as I do present myself in quite a very formal way- fierce blogger poses, smiling with no teeth and chin up photos circa 2012... Exhibit A. So here I am, finally sharing my happy-go-lucky side. Ah, in praise of life's natural highs...Priceless.

Bohemian Rhapsody

This has to be a rather refreshing look from my usual neutral toned and structured outfits but there is something about bohemian fashion that has appealed to me recently.  My natural predisposition sometimes prevents me from being a person who is laid back and happy-go-lucky and somehow that reflects in the clothes I wear. However, there is something about the color and the shape of this dress that is just so refreshing to me. I am glad to be able to wear something very light and comfortable which was what the outfit really was all about. I guess I am trying to relish the few sunny days as summer is coming to a close. I hope you enjoy this "new look" as much as I enjoyed wearing it.

Just Over the Horizon

Earth Angel.
(Top: Vintage Chiffon Tie Dye | Skirt: Vintage | Bag: Cole Haan | Shoes: Bazaar | Necklace: +RUCKUS | Earrings: Cultus Chi Chi | Rings: Bazaar)

I am rarely dressed bohemian and earthy. It's just not me. but on this particular day I felt very boho chic and decided to dress the part. Move over Pocahontas, I'm taking centerstage.



A Bohemian Look calls for accessorries in excess. So I did everything in excess. The lovely oversized earrings in antique gold with green detail are from my sisters accessories store in the U.S. Cultus ChiChi, the amazing chain multi-pendant necklace is one of my absolute favorites from my cousin's local based accessory line, +RUCKUS. What can I say? Fashion runs thick in the family. Added on some of my favorite rings, my serpent, a shield one with white enamel, my elephant face ring aka Babaar.



The colors scream FALL I seriously love AUTUMN and the color palette of my outfit represent the change in seasons, nature-wise.

I used MAC Pigment as my eye makeup in Copper Sparkle and Golden Olive blended together thus the mixed rusted shade. Kept my lips pink and pale with Bobbi Brown's Matte Lipstick in Pink Pale shade. As always, Shu Uemura foundation, VOV Cosmetics Concealer and Lancome's Bronzer were the foundation for my face.

I put extensions in my hair again so it looks fuller and well would have more volume. Did you notice the difference?



The Parachute skirt with uneven hem is a closet favorite. It was gifted to me by a college blockmate circa 2004 and I still love and use it until now!!!!

Surprisingly, my shoes were quite low and very Mohican-esque. The strappy leather sandals added to the natural look of my outfit.

Hope you like the different look.


xx, JL

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My style gallery outfits

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In The Waiting Line

It's been a long time coming.
(Vest: Forever 21 | Skirt: Zara | Belt: Studded Vintage from Mom | Purse: CB Pelleterie | Shoes: DAS)

Wore a bohemian easy breezy outfit for Tuesday lunch with the family over at Manila Peninsula Hotel Lobby. Tuesdays are always family day, usually we do dinner but this day, I had to move our bonding time to lunch since I had a full day ahead (this coincidentally happened to be the day of the Canon Pixma Printer Launch, Freeway X Manansala Event, Multiply Shopping Party and Mega Generation Next and Style.Ph Launch.... wheew, talk about action packed!!!) I changed my outfit 4x that day for the MANY events I had to go to and this is outfit #1.

I love brown for fall. This particular caramel/tawny shade is a personal favorite of mine and I was so in love with the skirt when I saw it in Zara. Rather than dressing up in my usual rocker glamorous self, I decided to keep things a bit laidback by keeping things boho chic and free flowing. More so, I wore vintage items I scored from my mom's closet which includes an Italian studded belt and a vintage Italian satchel which held everything I needed to carry that day-it looked small but amazingly, fit my entire life! What a miracle.

More outfit posts from the day to come!

xx, JL
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FOOD PHOTOS:

Random Musings

The Many Faces of Joanna Ladrido.
I have a penchant for making faces and Enzo brilliantly captured a couple of those while waiting for my time at my hematologist's.

All maxed out in my Maxi Dress.
I've been going in and out the hospital 4x just last week. Please make the checkups, blood tests and examinations stop already. *Sigh* On a lighter note, i don't get freaked out by my sicknesses. If anything, I think it makes me stronger and I see life from a new perspective, having brushed past death multiple times. That realization right there is a gift!

Paisley is the Print.
I love how I wore paisley along with my brother who wore a pair of Zara paisley and skulls shorts. He provided emotional support for my appointment. I love my "kuya" even if I'm a year older, he's way more mature than I am.

Conversations.
Zo: Are you sure may sakit ka?
JL: I guess so...why?
Zo: Papa-ospital ka lang nakaporma ka padin with matching fierce shades.
JL: Just cause I'm sick doesn't mean I have to be ugly...
Tscha!

Cue in: Dun Dun Dun Dun. White coat anxiety starts NOW!

I need a doctor, doctor, to bring me back to life.
Impatient Patient. It's supposed to be my turn already! Come on!

Meet my archnemesis...the weighing scale.
Because of you, I had to stuff in taped P5 coins in my pockets to weigh more.
Oh, the effort you make me do, to weigh a lil' bit more...but that trick works, seriousyl!

Cause I am fragile. I am hopeless. I'm not perfect. But I am free.

Why I've been going to the hospital (aside from other ailments) are the fact that I've been bruising to some weird extent recently, and not just on my legs, I have some on my back and my arms as well. It was getting worrisome especially since I have 7-8 of these all over my legs and except for one, I couldn't find a probable cause for it to even be there. It feels so bad. Fashionwise, it limits my outfit choices since I don't think I can Sally Hansen this forever. Other than that, they also kind of really hurt and my body is fatigued 98% of the time.

To all you doubters, non-believers, the cynical who once were dreamers...
I have proof. I am officially (and I say officially as it was empirically measured) certain that I am 5 feet 3 inches with NO shoes, NO heels on. At this point, I was ADD-ing while waiting for my turn....So I played around with whatever was in the doctor's office....

What? No Heels?
Ummm... have you seen my bruises? How about you walk in 6-inchers with those. Haha. Aside from workout time, this is one of the very rare occasions I shall be spotted wearing flats, trust me.

When in doubt, excessorize.

I always trust my instincts, Cute earrings..matching ethnic bangles and the hugest pair of oversized sunnies you can find will never let you down.

The bigger the better.
My rep in college was as the girl in sunglasses too huge for her face, in skinny jeans, tanktop, Louis Vuitton on one arm, diet soda on the other--- and I never said "Hi" to anyone apparently. It's not that I'm a snob, it was more of I was rushing from a class from one building to the other and I always wanted best seats in the house: right smack in front of the teacher's desk.

Heaven is a place on earth.
'Nuff Said.

When bored, whip out your camera and practice your expressions for every instance that comes into your life so when it actually does come, you're prepared, and you kinda know how you look like. (Just making my idle time productive...)
Hey I did not win the Bb. Banidosa award 4 years straight in class in high school for nothing!

One of my favorite men in the world: good ole Johnny.
Which is my mom's outlet and reason to blame for my bruising here and there. I tell her, I bruise cause I use my shins and joints to find furniture in the dark. Why else would God create a reason for shins to exist?

I'm the ultimate Miss, pa-takeout, nalang... girl
All the food I did not eat cause I'm tamad to chew and gave it to the scavengers aka. boys beside me. People should realize chewing is such a hassle and come up with a solution for this problem.

Second Outfit Change...may ganun?

Arte poses as Enzo was quite trigger happy that day. Haha.



The ultimate daddy's little girl.
He's the love of my life, and a guy is just lucky to come in second....seriously.


Hope you enjoyed tidbits of how I welcomed June (midyear na...so fast!) xx