Express Yourself

Knit Camel Drop Shoulder Sweater: Zara | Oversized Long Button Down White Blouse: Mango | Hounds Tooth Multi-toned Trousers: Zara | Suede Tie Up Shoe Boots: Ami Clubwear | Birkin Bag: Hermes | Pearl and Rhinestone Lace White Collar Accessory: Gold Couture 

Hair Extensions Provided By:  
STYL.D Hair Extensions

Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know, you know, you've got to
Make him express how he feels
And maybe then you'll know your love is real
You don't need diamond rings
Or eighteen karat gold
Fancy cars that go very fast
You know they never last, no, no
What you need is a big strong hand
To lift you to your higher ground
Make you feel like a queen on a throne
Make him love you till you can't come down
(You'll never come down)
Long stem roses are the way to your heart
But he needs to start with your head
Satin sheets are very romantic
What happens when you're not in bed
You deserve the best in life
So if the time isn't right then move on
Second best is never enough
You'll do much better baby on your own
(Baby on your own)
Express yourself

- Express Yourself, Madonna

 So from glamorous outfits, I go androgynous and preppy in this tawny brown and blue look which I must say I am quite fond of. I am always into sweaters since I have a low tolerance to cold conditions and given the recent cool temperature of January, I knew I had to dress up and be prepared. It's funny how absolutely undefined my style is because I almost always do a 180-degree turn overnight, as I transition from one outfit to the next. I have been reserving this particular ensemble/ outfit for a more "mature" occasion which was perfect for coffee and a short business meeting with  my father where we discussed plans and strategy over our favorite Kageboshi coffee with Splenda. I must say, the mood was set by my outfit... and that was just perfect.

Domz has always been my hair mentor. She tells me what to do with my hair and I, knowing she always has my best interests in mind, comply... because she makes sense and well, I always love going for a new look every now and then. This time I went back in time and made a hairstyle throwback to 2007, back when my hair was black, straight, with full bangs and shampoo commercial worthy. If you notice, my hair is completely different, and like my outfits, I transformed it from blonde to light brown to ash brown to dark brown to finally jet black in a matter of a few months. And just like that, I also chopped away and accepted my fringed bangs and veered away from my usual waves and curls for a sleek straight look. The fabulous hair of course was achieved only through multi-strand hair extensions provided to me by STYL.D Hair Extensions who provided me with these real hair straight extensions which can be washed, curled, iron and worn in whatever way you want. They were absolutely perfect and very easy to carry on the hair considering I put on two clip-ons and not one for a fuller and lush look. They have amazing extensions and I hope you do check them out over at  https://www.facebook.com/styldhairextensions - Of course, despite what anyone advises me, sends me or gives me, I still always do what I want. I don't just take in advice  and follow blindly and granted I am a self-proclaimed self absorbed person, 90% of my actions are dictated by whether I want to do something or whether I don't. Some would call me stubborn and selfish, but I was never one to easily comply in something I never believe in. I need a certain amount of enthusiasm in things I put my name into.

Hannah Senesh once said, "One needs something to believe in, something for which one can have whole-hearted enthusiasm. One needs to feel that one's life has meaning, and that one is needed in this world." and this quotation, I must say, greatly influences my way of thinking and decision making. You see, several years ago, after all the health issues I encountered and was diagnosed of, I made a drastic decision for myself. I decided I would only do work that I was enthusiastic about. Granted, that my heart beats two times a normal heart should beat, I have to make sure the tasks and activities I engage in must be worth ever minute, every second... every heartbeat. 

 

 I was doing so many things then and I was saying "yes" to whatever task or project  that came along. My mom, who is very protective of me and my health, always told me to take things slow and learn to say no (I think I am the first person in history to be grounded at 23 because I worked and partied myself to sickness) but being the stubborn person that I am, I continued to do things even if I was only half-heartedly committed to them. Sometimes, I must confess, I didn't even believe in them. And then I woke up and decided to give my time on only the precious things... the things I actually wanted to do. This decision, you see, for someone who had the whole world to conquer and a vast universe of opportunities opening up on every corner was one that was very frightening to for me, since I had worked so hard to achieve the academic status I graduated with (much was expected of me as a Summa Cum Laude), have wonderful parents who are legacies and of course, financial responsibilities and aspirations. But then I had to concede and realized that to be able to live, one needed to be alive and in medical terms, I think the definition of one being pronounced or considered medically dead was that of a person with no heartbeat. So I had to alter my life (more drastic things have happened to other people I am sure). I decided not to accept every project, client, venture, opportunity, endorsement or something even as simple as attending an event that I was not enthusiastic about. I refused to commit to endorsements, sponsors or features just because of the money, or prestige, or ego trip it came along with. I decided that I would only do what seemed right for me to do. Now, I would only do things that intuitively seemed related to the meaning and purpose of my life, as I have defined. Of course, bridges were burned, I was considered a snobby person who was "too good" for anything and people saw me as someone who put myself up on such a pedestal I was so hard to reach, add to that the fact  that I have never apologized for being the way I am and that this is probably the first time I am stating my reasons for being the way I am. Personally, this way of living had played quite the opposite way in my mind compared to the scenario that people imagined since from the get-go, I feared I would end up a derelict, a bag lady (well a Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady nonetheless) and starve, penniless and alone... but now, I have become more rich in material things and in experiences (which are of course of more value to me) that I have become ever before. I am glad I made the change. I still live my life based on that one drastic decision. Now I am not saying this will work for everybody (so don't go and blame me if it doesn't work out for you) and it worked for me. 

 xx, JL

And now... for the much awaited SONY XPERIA-C x ONLY THE MARVELOUS CONTEST WINNER, I would like to congratulate Nikka Antonio for winning a brand new SONY XPERIA-C. I will be contacting you for shipping details or for methods on how you may claim your prize.

Disclaimer: I did not base my judgment on the quality of one's selfies as I think everyone is beautiful in their own way and by no means is this contest a beauty contest. I only considered one entry per person no matter how many posts you commented, one name merited only one entry to the raffle. Since I am old school and do not know how to generate random raffle prize winners, each person was assigned to one entry, this entry was assigned a number and Yaya Armi and I did the tedious task of writing down the numbers assigned to each entry one by one, fold it uniformly and draw the winning number entry from a fishbowl (EFFORT right?) So do trust that the winner won fair and square. Thank you to everyone who joined and I do hope you could join future giveaways and contests I will be having in the future! Cheers and Congratulations to the winner!