Perfect timing!

So, it's been 20 days since I got here in New York, and everyday just keeps on getting better and better. Well, somedays, it's just normal. lol. And today was the best! But before that, I'll share with you guys what I've been doing this past week. :)

On my 2nd weekend here, my aunt Marilou invited me to go with them upstate for her friend's surprise birthday party. I went with them even if I got an email requesting for an interview for an internship that Sunday. I did asked to be rescheduled (Who does interviews on a Sunday anyway!?) but they didn't reply. It was worth it though. Over the trip, I've been to a lot of towns here in New York. It's not just the city that's nice here. The other places I've been were small towns and very nice places to live in. And I got a chance to know my aunt's boyfriend, Frank, who drove all the way to Ancram for 5 hours and back to the city for like 8 hours (yeah, we got lost haha). He was really nice and my aunt seems happy with him and so is Pasha, their dog.

My seat mate during our trip, Pasha, who farts a lot.

Stopped over at Muscoot farm and saw these cute lambs!

The huge house we stayed at last 2 weekends ago

The amazing view of the amazing house

Pasha and his mom

And after that the week became boring. Just kidding. I went to work as usual and even extended it until Thursday since I don't have anything else to do. The fun thing about interning is that I get to spend more time with my aunt and she takes me to different restaurants everyday!

Eating a 1/2 pound burger like a boss.

Then last Friday, I went out to go around Times Square. I went gaga over the sale at H&M and Forever 21 that I spent all the money that I have that day! And what's more, my Metrocard ran out of balance and I don't have any change left. So I walked for 20 blocks back to my lola's store. :(

Didn't need to wear any jackets anymore! Yay!

Passed by my dream school. huhu

Enjoying an afternoon at Times Square

Took this shot thinking I would be riding it. Boo.

My lola's store's collection of table cloths for events

I also found out that the article I wrote the week before I left got published already! And it got more than 30,000 views in just a day! Check it out here!

The article I wrote in just 2 hours, before going to Lucban.

Then last Saturday, I tagged along my lolas and attended a seminar for new Filipino immigrants who wants to find a job here according to their field. It's a very useful organization that would be beneficial to Filipinos who took survival jobs here just for the salary that's bigger than their professional salary. You can check it out at www.upwardlyglobal.org. After that, we had dinner at Perlas restaurant to watch Stephanie Reese's concert who apparently is a popular singer here and in the Philippines. Maybe I'm just not that into music other than what I occasionally hear that I don't seem to know who she is. But she is quite popular in the Filipino community here in New York. And she is a very good singer. I think she was in a broadway show or something. But she is really amazing.

Love her outfit except for the tights though.

And today has been THE BEST DAY EVER! I got an email last Friday saying that I got an interview at Akris, an international brand that's been providing amazing designs for over 90 years and is at Paris fashion week ever since 2002. I went to their office at Madison Ave. this afternoon, and after being so nervous over the weekend, I was interviewed by their PR coordinator and I get to start on Monday! It was so quick! I wasn't even in the store for like 10 minutes! I'm not complaining! I was so happy that I couldn't even get the smile out of my face while I was walking in the rain back to my lola's store. Truly,  everything happens according to God's perfect plan. Can't wait to start next week!

My new work starts on Monday! :)

I'll be meeting SFL's from New York this Friday and will finally be attending a CLS! I'm now accepting the fact that I'm old. LOL.

So far, that's it. 3 weeks down and 4 to go.  I know it'll just keep on getting better and better!

Xo,
L.

Almost there

So, I'm leaving in a few hours, and yet I am still awake. I guess I can't sleep anymore due to excitement, or insomnia. I really can't believe that this is happening. I'm about to start my journey of finding myself in a city full of diversity, creativity and so much more. It's really going to happen! Yikes!

But before that, this past week has been quite stressful. Well, I am unemployed, yes, but I have so many things going on in our YFL community since last weekend was our Youth Conference. I was part of the team for our Praise & Fashion (P&F), a fashion show that showcases our convictions through our YFL shirts that are glam-ed up differently. It was quite a task since our conference's theme was circus, and the outfits has to be in-line with it. And together with my friends, Melea & Joanne, we managed to pull it off in just 3 days! Having so little time and not even a polished practice, it went really well! It was the very first time that I was able to push it to the limit for P&F since this year, it requires props for the theme which was really hard to do! I even broke down a couple of times because of the stress and lack of sleep. Thus, all the more that I am very thankful that it looked really amazing when we showcased it last Friday. It all went according to His plan. With unending problems with our props, models, music, costumes, make up, blocking, etc., this is one of those moments where my heart no longer cares and just let God be in control. And I am very thankful that it really made me realize that we just need to have faith in Him when we can no longer handle whatever it is that is difficult in our lives. That we should give the best we can and then leave it to Him to do the rest. And true enough, we witnessed a victory unfolded right before us when we thought that we already lost. He saves us and makes everything better again.

During our conference, I was re-affirmed of His message to me when I attended the World Singles Congress for SFL last March. It was to find myself and find Him in this journey that I am about to go through. That it was Him who made this trip possible, who made my dreams come true and will continue to let greater things happen in my life, as long as I have faith, I know that anything is possible.

Here's a photo of the models and the outfits we designed/styled. :)

Left to Right: Salve Fabie (Ballerina), Peter Rinoza (Aladdin), Monica Desengano (Harlequin), Joseph Quimpo (Pinocchio), Gab Toledo and Janessa San Juan (Toy Soldiers), Patrick Pasagui (Cannonball), Paolo Magtibay (Ringmaster), Tin Resurreccion (Stilt Woman), Madel Punzalan (Lion Tamer), and Faith Lebantino (Flyer)

You'll see me in some place different on my next post! :)

Xo,

L.

So free

It's been a week since I've become a bum once again and I can't believe how happy I am now that I'm free. In just one week, I've partied, went to a debut, supported a youth camp (and officially became a chauffeur), celebrated my best friend's grad, attended my bro's grad, overnight with my college buds, walked in a procession for 2 hours and so many more. I am not that busy! LOL. I wanted to share all of it here but I'm too lazy to type, so, I'll just share what happened to us yesterday.

Since we were tired from last night's procession and we still have to drive to Cavite, we decided to just have breakfast at McDonald's at Newport City. And luckily, we called our uncle there and found out that they were on the way to NAIA Terminal 3 to drive tita Rocky and tita Alma who will be going to Bicol. So we just waited for them there.

My lil bro, my mom, tita Alma, me and baby Isaac, Arlene, Julianne, Lolo Temeng and tita Flor.

Can't believe I finally get to meet this little cutie patootie even before I leave! He's so adorable!

A little vanity never hurt  anyone. lol.

And I am my lil bro's role model. HAHAHA

It was quite a long day afterwards. We still went to Cavite to drop off our tita back to her place and then stayed at our family home there to visit my other tita and cousin who just got back from Saudi the other day. So many relatives coming back this summer while I'm about to leave next week! LOL.

Featured!

I can't believe I got featured in a newspaper twice in just a week! It's so amazing and funny at the same time.  I don't know why I find it funny though. Now I know how celebrities feel when their in the paper. LOL.

Anyway, the first one was on Manila Bulletin last June 29, 2012. My work which I styled with my partner, Kerstie, during our Fashion Styling workshop with Eric Poliquit at Raffles Design Institute Manila got featured for a press release for the said school. It was one of the looks we did for our last shoot which was an editorial. Sadly, I didn't get credited for it. It's ironic though that one of the most important thing I learned during that workshop was to never forget to give credit to those who deserve it. Oh well, I guess it's part of the experience.

Next up, I got featured (Well, at least my back did. And now I know why I find it funny. HAHA) in Philippine Star last Friday, July 6, 2012 together and shaking hands with top fashion blogger and stylist, Ms. Tricia Gosingtian for SM Mall of Asia's End of Season Sale campaign. Meeting her was so awesome. She was so nice and friendly to me. She even featured our store in her blog. Do check it out! I still can't believe that my arms are in the photo. I wish they could have chosen a photo with my face being seen, at least. HAHA! It was such a nice experience all in all. :)

Although I wasn't acknowledged in both feature, I know truthfully that it was me and my work that's in it so it's all good. :)

Headpiece Challenge Teaser

Here's a teaser for our 3rd shoot's challenge: Head piece!

For our 3rd shoot last Saturday, we did a menswear shoot with a trend of our choice and made two looks for it. Not knowing what the challenge was, we thought it might be sort of similar with our last challenge which was editing. But instead, we were surprised to find out that we need not create another look, but a headpiece for a portrait shot. It's been really a panic-filled day since I had no idea where I will be getting a unique headpiece with just having brought a few clothes for guys. Fortunately, I was able to think of an inspiration and got a tool skirt and used it as a headpiece and made it like those of the native American Indians. I was able to breathe after doing it and it was kind of fun, panicking like that. LOL.

A film by Enzo Mondejar
Hair and Grooming by Krista Silva
Headpiece c/o The Vaintage Shoppe

Another Challenge!

Got the official photos of our second challenge already but been busy to post it. The first look's photo will be given after the workshop. Can't wait to see those too!

Like what I said in my earlier post, our second shoot will be a trend of our own. And the second challenge will be to only have a certain number of pieces in our second look. Upon seeing the photos, I wasn't that pleased with what I've done and I know I could do better. Still, I know I could still learn and this is just part of the experience.

Special thanks to:

Inez Amante of The Socialite for letting me borrow amazing pairs of shoes again, and even her personal stuff too!

Cheenee Delos Reyes of Annaccessories for creating another set of amazing necklace!

And lastly, to Ms. Jen of The Posh Wardrobe.

Again, here's our team's set for the challenge. For individual shots, you may visit our mentor, Eric Poliquit’s blog: www.folioofastylist.blogspot.com

Crazy tangerine

So, for our second shoot last Saturday, we are given the freedom of choosing whatever trend we want. I chose to try color blocking since I noticed that a lot of new colors are popular this season. I matched tangerine or orange and blue. Yes, I know that it's been done before but it really suits the season and brights are so in this year.

Also, it's a big step for me to actually be able to pull out items from an actual shop! I managed to borrow an item at The Posh Wardrobe in Rockwell. I was supposed to get another one from a designer but due to lack of time (since I do have a daytime job) I have to drop it and think of a different look.

For my first look, I matched a blue bandeau with a pumpkin-colored maxi skirt from The Posh Wardrobe paired with a blue wedge from The Socialite. Sorry I forgot to take a photo, again!

For this week's challenge, we drew lots and in it was a number. We had no idea what it meant and Eric didn't explain it after we're done with our first look and right before we shot our second. Since the challenge was about editing, he let us fix our second look, then he explained that the number we picked is the number of pieces that we can only use for the second look. Good thing I picked 6! Aside from the corset, the skirt and the shoes, I managed to save 2 accessories and the hat. Oh boy, was I shocked about it. I thought that we only have to remove 6 pieces not leave them. But, it still ended well. :)

Totally feeling it as a stylist. HAHA

Special thanks to:

Inez Amante of The Socialite for letting me borrow amazing pairs of shoes again, and even her personal stuff too!

Cheenee Delos Reyes of Annaccessories for creating another set of amazing necklace!

And lastly, to Ms. Jen of The Posh Wardrobe for being my first store pullout! :D

Extra challenge!

Finally! Our mentors released the photos from our last week's shoot already. Though it's only from our extra challenge. The real themed shots will be given at the end of the workshop. Still, seeing this photo makes me so incredibly happy. My first shot as a stylist and it looked so beautiful. I'm super happy and proud of how everything turned out. I mean it looked so good that it could even pass for a magazine's page (that might be an exaggeration, but heck, I felt it was really like one)!

This was done under time pressure with only 5 minutes to change from the given theme and create a different look using some fabrics and accessories given inside the studio. I made it into a jumpsuit which I felt was the best style for the model and the shoes. I chose the brown fabric to retain my theme from the first look which is metallic.

Many thanks to:

Inez Amante of The Socialite for lending me, a random girl who just asked out of nowhere, your amazing pair of shoes. I really love it! I want a pair of those but I don't know where should I wear them. :P

Cheenee Delos Reyes of Annaccessories for making that necklace especially for the shoot. Also for the other accessories you will be lending me in the future. :D

Here's my batchmates' works as well. :)

We're awesome, right? :)

For individual shots, you may visit our mentor, Eric Poliquit's blog: www.folioofastylist.blogspot.com

Gratifying Gold

So like I shared last week, I enrolled in a fashion styling workshop in Raffles Design. And, today was our very first photo shoot. It's really such a nerve-racking but fun experience. First off, we were given each a theme to base our looks from and I got the theme metallic. Since last week, I was really freaked out about how I will be able to pull of the look that I wanted considering the resources that I have. I'm lucky enough to be able to get an amazing shoes by The Socialite. Really lucky that it's the same size as my model's. And it's my key piece as well.

Customized shoes by The Socialite

I was so frustrated to not be able to achieve the vision that I have for the theme. I was going for a structured shoulder piece but I couldn't find any nor can I make it since I don't have the luxury of time. So, with no other options, I decided I'll match it with a gold dress.

BUT, I guess the heavens are on my side and wanted me to do well. This morning, while I was eating breakfast, I saw this shining gold cloth wrapped around the statue of St. Peter in the stairs (yes, we have a statue of him, a mid-size one, and it's in the stairs) and suddenly thought of a look that will make my look so perfect. Thank you, St. Peter! So, I took it off of the statue and brought it along with me.  And I was so happy that I was able to pull everything bit by bit and even though my model was young, she managed to make the look amazing and just so beautiful. I was even concerned since she has to be half-naked for my look. But she really pulled it off.

A little too daring, yeah? :P

I made it into a slit top with a skirt, and then just added some accessories. Then the amazing shoes.

After getting an inspiration and idea for my look, I thought hell was over and I'm in heaven. Oh but no! Eric, our mentor, said that there will be a twist to be explained when it's our turn at the studio. When my turn came, he explained that we have to choose for certain fabrics and accessories given in there and create another look. We only have a total of 25 minutes to do everything. The pressure was so intense! We weren't able to get a close-up shot of my original look even. But everything was good.

For the challenge, I took out a brown fabric and made it into a jumpsuit and just switch some accessories. It went well with the shoes as well. (Sorry no photo!)

All in all, it was a very fun experience and I learned a lot. Especially the most important lesson for me: Not everything will go well according to your plans. Lesson learned. I managed to  escape this barely. Next time, it might be difficult. But I'm still excited to see what's going to happen in the coming weeks. :)

For next week, we can choose which trend to follow and make 2 looks. Suggestions, anyone? :)

Of passion and frustrations

So, these past few days, I've been so busy with work and everything keeps piling up to the point that I need to just drop everything and let go. Well, I actually didn't because that would be like running away from everything just because things are difficult. So, instead, I decided to go and do something for myself.

I saw this online a month ago and I'm really interested to join that I already called up the school and asked about the details. It's what I've been aspiring to try ever since I became interested in the fashion industry. Luckily, it's at a very reasonable price. I was eager to sign up before but then, I decided not to pursue it due to some reasons such as my family (who I know wouldn't understand the point of it) and my friends (who already set a date for our weekend trip within the duration of the workshop). So I forgot all about it.

Until this Monday, when I really can't take everything any really wanted to runaway but I can't, I saw this yet again and then just took a big leap and randomly enrolled. Since I found out I can't go with my friends, and I know that my parents will understand sooner or later, I called up and asked if there are still available slots, and yes they did!

The workshop started yesterday with the session being a lecture, we were only about 10 people. Eric discussed the basics about styling, how to do pull outs, color blockings, sourcing clothes, etc. I realized, I already have a lot of knowledge about most of the how-to's and the business side of it because of my educational background and also because of the line of work I'm doing right now which made me really grateful.

I was really excited and nervous at the same time when he explained the project we will be doing for next week: a photo shoot! We drew lots and whatever theme/trend you pick will be the main focus of your photo shoot. I got metallic. I was so shocked and scared how the heck will I be able to pull it off. Given the fact that we have to provide our own clothes and accessories. HOW THE HELL WILL I BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF!?

We had one-on-one with the photographer so that he'll have an idea of what we will be doing and how he will be doing the shots. When it was my turn, I only thought of my theme right there and then. It's going to be avant garde and high fashion. Again, how the hell will I be able to pull it off?

I started thinking of how I will get the fabrics and the shoes and the accessories. And right now, I still don't have any clue.I thought this will take my mind off of my work and frustrations but oh-boy, I added one more in my what-stresses-me list. Oh well, I still have 5 days to worry about it. Good luck to me!