In This Moment Now. Capture It...Remember It.

“And somewhere along the way, amidst all the loss, tears, triumph, tragedy, joy, pain, laughter, transformation, restoration, lessons, love, and life, you realize that the true meaning of it all isn’t to settle for merely a Happy Ending, but to hold out for a Happy Everything.” 

 I think it is a nice thing to begin the year and my blog posts for 2015 with a lot of color and from the balloon post from the last time to this very colorful Graffiti wall post, I am thinking I've got that whole thing covered. Seeing things in color is a really big deal...for someone who tends to see things in black and white (most of the time)...aka., me. Personally, I don't think that the things I go through are unusual. I have learned time and time again that we are all going through something... it just varies from person to person. I think the most important thing is how we handle the situations and how well we play the cards we have been dealt with... and that's why there are happy people, who go along life with so much optimism and hope that better things are yet to come and then there's unhappy people, who tend to prefer to regard life as chaotic and their situation dire and hopeless. I used to be the latter but then I decided that it was just so tiring and inevitably, unhealthy to always be so negative that I traded my jersey and joined the other team... and so far, I think I've made the right decision. I absolutely love the side I am in and finally, everything is more colorful, brighter and more interesting. I know that I have so much more to learn and discover. I am happy for the things I have gone through- both the good and the bad- as I think these experiences have shaped me to become the person that I am today. I consider myself blessed to have gone through storms because it proved how strong I was and when I look back at everything I have gone through (and managed to get out of alive), I am reminded that I've managed to survive so many things and that no matter what curve ball life wants to throw at me, I know I will survive it just the same. I think everything that happens to us happens for a reason and for me, I think that it has made me the person that I am today and now that I can finally see clearly, I refuse to stray away from what is good and right and real.

The Rest Is Still Unwritten...

Today is the first blank page blog. 

I have decided that this time around, I am writing a good one.

My mom and I were talking earlier today at 2:30 am (yes, unlike everyone else, I decided to spend my New Year after the clock struck 12 midnight at home...) and she asked me about what it was about my never ending obsession for sunrises. Again, yes, I am one of those people who bask in the dawn and absolutely love witnessing the sun ascend on the horizon. I have never been a sunset kind of girl. Probably, I surmise, it's because I hate endings but am absolutely obsessed about new beginnings. Granted that, I guess that by now, you would know that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE new years. I love the fact that I am closing the chapter of one whole year behind me... no matter how good, bad or average it has been... I like that kind of closure. There is something about it that I find so fascinating. I love the feeling of at least being able to be given the chance of starting over again (even if everyone says there is no such thing as do-overs) and I love having a fresh 365-days ahead of me... filled with (and I say that with so much hope)- new chances...new experiences. A new year comes in and with it... the possibilities are endless.

 I once stumbled upon this quote that goes, "An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up until midnight to make sure the old one leaves..." Right now, granted everything that has happened, I am not quote sure which side of the pole I belong to... perhaps (and probably) a combination of both. To explain myself more clearly- I am happy and thankful for everything that I have been through and at the same time, I am looking forward to see what life has in store for me. "Cheers to a new year...another chance of getting things right..." I think Oprah said that or something.

My Best Beautiful Self

As you all know, I am a very busy girl. Aside from blogging (which I do part-time,) I actually do have a job which requires me to be on the go on Weekdays and a slew of other activities combined with that. A lot of my work revolves around philanthropy and my own personal advocacy which is education. Doing this makes me really happy and fulfilled. However, after some time of juggling all my many different projects, I realized the importance of taking time off for oneself to de-stress and to relax. From the get go, I understood the importance of helping myself first before I can help out and be of service to other people. Mandy Hale once said that "It is not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself and to make your happiness a priority. It's necessary." This saying brings me back to my main point because I don't think it is possible or feasible for a person who can not help themselves to help other people. As they say, charity begins from oneself at some point, I think that we all need to realize that we need inner strength and peace before being able to give that to others. This is the reason why I make sure I take some time to refresh and of course, to take good care of myself, first and foremost.

Songs of Innocence

C. Joybell C. once said: “I think that the best thing we can do for our children is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong, allow them to experience life on their own terms, allow them to take the subway... let them be better people, let them believe more in themselves.” 

Last week, fresh from the hospital, I was granted a wonderful chance to visit Keys School Manila where I was invited by the lovely faculty and staff especially Teacher Joyce to be a resource speaker to talk about Journalism and Blogging, a new topic that they are introducing into their curriculum as a special project. After my talk, the kids are going to come up with their own web blog wherein they can talk about their interests, hobbies, feelings, emotions etc. I was thrilled when I received the invite. Usually, I don't agree to give talks as much because I go to work on weekdays however since I was given the week off (from my recent confinement) and because I just simply cannot say "No" when it involves kids, I instantly responded that I was more than willing to go and give a short talk. You see, I love children. I really do. I find it refreshing to be with the young ones because there is something so magical in seeing the world through a child's eyes: with so much innocence, enthusiasm and spirit. If anything, I would love to be around that kind of energy more often because it is so pure and untainted by the world's ways. It was a beautiful day when I went to the school and the experience was absolutely unforgettable and one for the books. I am so glad to have been there since this was a day I definitely would not have missed out on the world.

Fashion Patriots

Months ago, I was contacted by a Slovakian editor to participate and represent the Philippines for their mag's editorial entitled, Fashion Patriots. More or less, the concept of the shoot was to have bloggers from different countries shoot themselves in an outfit that best represents their country and to explain it. Naturally, I was thrilled. I love my country and I am proud to be Filipino. Granted, as a race, we do have some flaws in society and in our government, I find that what nation doesn't? So despite that, I never actually thought of wanting to change my citizenship even if I have had many opportunities to do so. I am not a hero... I am perhaps very far from becoming one but if I were asked to be proud of my country in a platform that I am engaged in (aka. fashion blogging)... I will put effort on it because I wouldn't want to do my country the disservice of presenting something half-baked or worse, something that would wound our nation more. I thought and brainstormed on this particular shoot...a lot and when it came out on the website this week, I was proud to have delivered. There's also some strange comfort in realizing that while I cannot be in Slovakia, it's nice to have my photo reach the country (which I confessed, I had to Google) and also to orient them that the Philippines exists (they probably will have to Google our country's location as well) and that where I am from, there a lot of fashionably people...Fashion Patriots... in their own right.

On Breaking Ground

Fresh starts. Put your past behind you, and start over. It is hard to resist the chance at a new beginning. A chance to put the problems of the past to bed. But who gets to determine when the old ends and the new begins? It is not a day in the calendar, not a birthday, not a new year. It is an event. Big or small. Something that changes us. Ideally, it gives us hope.

 A new way of living and looking at the world- letting go of old habits, old memories. What is important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning. But it's also important to remember that amid all the crap are a few things really worth holding on to. 

This was the outfit I wore to a very important day in my life and starting over (yet again) as I wore this to the ground breaking of my soon to be future home which I find something good to look forward to. Hopefully, like me, this represents a transition into something new, something bigger and better. This is also what makes the outfit quite monumental. It signifies a fresh start and a new beginning for me. 

A Better Version Of Me

Lately, I've been more than busy as I have decided to get up and go to the office and work from there. I once heard this popular saying that goes, “Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life” and I now that I am finally part of the workforce, I have a deeper understanding of this saying. Well, aside from the fact that I absolutely do enjoy going to work and of course, what I do, I am also quite happy to be also challenged to dress up more creatively. I never quite got it then but my outfits have always been more loud and playful even when I was in my early twenties well much into even after I turned 25. I guess that's what having your own business and being your own boss is all about: the perks. Eventually though, I had to outgrow that stage. My friend, Jamm, told me a few days ago that she has noticed that my outfit choice and style has metamorphosed into a more mellow and neutral palette... I must admit I have been going for less loud color schemes and more structured and architectural silhouettes and I didn't really think anyone would notice it because I was actually doing it on purpose... but hey, it worked apparently as it was pretty noticeable to the people around me. I grew up... my outfit choices grow up with me... but that doesn't mean you would be spared the shock of an altogether different look. As I say, my style is very bipolar and hypomanic but also, the things going on in my life play a great role in how I choose what to wear.  Now that I am experiencing how it is like to be part of the workforce (even if I am Executive Director, I am still answerable to people) and find the need to perform. Given that, I have been choosing ensembles that are more appropriate as office attire as I think how I carry myself in the office also represents the organization I am in. I think that it is all about the entire package when I get into something. I don't quite understand the concept of half-baked.

Some Infinities Are Bigger Than Other Infinities

“We think of infinity as a really big number, but it’s not. It’s endlessness. Endlessness is a really strange idea in a universe that is defined by its endings.” 

-John Green

 The title is a no-brainer actually and I have to mentally slap myself for not being more creative. However this quote does come from one of my favorite books and happens to be my favorite quote from said book. (Cue in the discussion on how obsessed I am with the concept of being "infinite" I had to tattoo that in my left wrist as a constant reminder.) Anyway, for obvious reasons, I used this title because it holds true to the post...add a few words, subtract some letters and well, it's almost perfect because in reality... some infinity (pools) are bigger than other infinity (pools). I don't know if my infinity pool is bigger or smaller than your infinity pool but since I am in one, for this moment, let's just pretend I am infinite in an infinity pool. I am rambling, I apologize. But I always loved the concept of an infinity pool that looks like it's spilling out toward the sea. It is an illusion, I know... but sometimes, illusions are good too. I remember Lauren Zimmerman once saying, "You do not exist to serve the illusion. The illusion exists to serve you," and this illusion of the infinity pool definitely served me and my wonderful "illusion serving one piece swimsuit" which I love mainly because I designed it and my design philosophy is, if it's not good enough for me to wear, I won't sell it. It's as simple as that. 

This is letting go

It's time to let go. Who has heard this from someone who cares for them? Who has said it to someone they care about? I am sure at one point in anyone's life, they were on both the receiving and sending end of this saying. The thing with letting go is that most of the time, it is easier said than done. Somehow, we are wired to hang on to things even if the only thing keeping us from falling to the inevitable is the fact that we are hanging by a thread. Then it breaks and we are left with no choice but to stop hanging on... it's always better to jump than to free fall because at least you have control of the former. The thing is I have spent most of my life heavily invested on this idea of control that it is hard for me to let go. I think I need to fix things and handle things even if they are beyond repair. My least favorite feeling in the world is powerlessness and being "out of control" is never an option for me especially since I realized at a young age that I have terrible coping mechanisms. It doesn't sound easy and it is not in any way a fun life. However, recently, I have been aligning myself and putting things in perspective... I've realized that to avoid stressful situations and major diva-style meltdowns, I need to be more flexible, more capable of going with the flow and of course with that comes the ability of learning the art of letting go.

The MANE Event: On Walking the Vitress Catwalk

I think that aside from showing your respect to people on gracing them with your presence on an event you have been invited to, dressing up appropriately plays a major role as well to show your respect. I am no stranger when it comes to etiquette and social graces... since I could remember, both my parents have exposed me in situations where proper manners were demanded. Decorum was always of utmost importance. I do know the functions of various flatware, I know to differentiate a champagne flute from a red wine glass, a white wine glass and a water goblet and I sure do know that a spiced terrine of foie gras is meant to be enjoyed in small quantities preferably with melba toast and not eaten like sandwich spread and placed whole in between a dinner roll. (Okay that was catty of me but I needed to reiterate...) But above and beyond table manners, my parents also taught me how dressing up and showing your host that you actually took time to get ready for their event and try to be on theme is one way to compliment them and also, to show them that you respect them enough to not just throw on the first thing you see in your closet and head out the door. I believe that this is something that some people take for granted but having been a hostess myself to events and dinners, trust me- it is a big deal when someone arrives appropriately dressed. It is a major compliment.

A Smile and a Ribbon

 
The beach has always been a relaxing place for me. I am definitely a beach baby and there is just something about the sand, the sea and the waves crashing against the rocks that I find very calming. Whenever I feel the need to take a private retreat from the busyness of daily life in the city, which I have to admit is quite maddening, I hop into the car and escape. Luckily, I live in a country where the beach is only about a two hour drive away. This makes clarity, introspection and soul searching within reach. I can spend days in the beach and would actually prefer to do that. I think nothing is more relaxing than a cold tropical shake, a lovely bikini and a good book and I can get lost in the moment.

Come and See Me at the SuperSale Bazaar Mid-Year Sale 2014

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Can’t figure out what to wear? Does your wardrobe need major editing? 

If you answered yes to both of these, you should not miss out 

on SuperSale’s biggest mid-year sale!

You may be living in a tropical country but that doesn’t mean that you can’t go on board the four-season trend. The SuperSale team have gathered only the best brands ready to showcase their fall collection – Celline, Moonshine, MOD, Soak Swimwear, Vanilla Breeze Clothing, Tonic, Elin, Fashionability – to name a few.

Also, be a bag designer for a day as the team has launched Design Ur Bag Studio, 

a pocket event exclusive at the SuperSale bazaar. You can design and personalize your bag – choose the design, colors and put your monogram or initials all for a reasonable price!

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and head on to SuperSale Bazaar’s Mid-Year Sale, happening on July 18-20 at the World Trade Center from  Friday-Sunday, 11am-10pm.

Post on Instagram and Tweet your favorite looks and pieces to win prizes and 

don’t forget to tell us which tastemakers and bloggers are topping your best-dressed list! 

Try to get a snapshot with them during the 3-day fete. Don’t forget to follow us @supersalebazaar and use the hashtags #supersalebazaar and #designurbagstudio. Tons of prizes await!

*You may purchase tickets at the registration during the event.

*For inquiries, e-mail us at supersalebazaar@yahoo.com or contact us at +63917-8013772.

*Visit www.supersalebazaar.com and http://www.facebook.com/supersalebazaar for more details and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @supersalebazaar

Welcome To My Life

Miss Nothing

I'm Miss Autonomy, Miss Nowhere
I'm At The Bottom Of Me
Miss Androgyny, Miss Don’t Care

(Corset Top: Glitterati | Pants: Love Vintage | Shoes: Hallyu | Accessories: Glitterati | Belt: Vintage | Bag: Givenchy)

I wanted to wear pants (for a change) and although quite androgynous, I still went all "JL" and wore these baggy high waisted trousers in (of course) my favorite color- PINK. I love how I can still transform wearing pants into a girly girl and feminine outfit. To balance the looseness of the pants, I added a whole lot more structure on top with a satin bustier corset. Added a vintage Italian belt from my mom's collection, accessorized with a studded (I missed studs!!!) bib necklace and my new studded wedge shoes and I was good to go. Worked from the store and I did kind of blend in as the store was black and pink and then went off to my Tuesday group ritual at Rockwell.

xx, JL

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My style gallery outfits

Visit my CHICTOPIA: http://www.chictopia.com/joannaladrido


Visit Deal Dozen, a lifestyle and deals site I am writing for,
http://www.dealdozen.com

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Black and Yellow

Bumble Bee.
(Blouse: Tango | Tank: Mango | Skirt: Glitterati | Shoes: Topshop | Shades: Prada | Bag: Zara)

What I wore for Day 3 of the SUPER SUCCESSFUL SuperSale Bazaar over at World Trade Center and as it was a scorching HOT day, I decided to let the sun shine through in a bright yellow sheer maxi skirt from my brand, Glitterati and some black accents to punk up the look. I wore the same style of skirt in different colors in 3 completely different ways for the entire duration of the bazaar. It was comfy and chic and I loved being able to move around in it since I was in it for over 15 hours. Hope the 3rd time to wear the style worked!

xx, JL

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My style gallery outfits

Visit my CHICTOPIA: http://www.chictopia.com/joannaladrido


Visit Deal Dozen, a lifestyle and deals site I am writing for,
http://www.dealdozen.com

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