The One with The Extremely Lax 10 Year Celebration

Posted on January 3, 2015 by issaplease

Like they say, it’s better late than never. I had originally set this to go live on the eve of my blogging “career’s” 10th year birthday but I was too busy living in the real world to make this post.

So I guess this year’s resolution ought to be: to be more punctual but to live a more meaningful life while documenting it as necessary as possible. Or you know, whatever.

So to continue…

I have a thing for traditions. I used to love them soo much but I’ve eventually killed most of them off but kept this one- just because.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I’ve been blogging for 10 wonderful, crazy years!! WHERE’S MY AWARD?!

If you click the years below, you will be able to see the changes I’ve made along the years with every answer. In the past 10 years, I’ve had 3 boyfriends, a million jobs, graduated grade school, high school AND college, traveled, moved in and moved out, started smoking, stopped smoking, started smoking again, gotten drunk and what not. Every time I look back on my past selves I admit; I feel repulsed, amused but always with a sense of empowerment. So enjoy everyone!! The tradition truly lives on!

(2012) <- lost with Xanga

(2013)

2014

1. Will you be looking for a new job?

Ironically, last year I was in love with a job I currently hate so I guess life really is full of surprises.

I like my NEW job and I intend to open up a few businesses so hopefully next year, I’ll be able to say that it was a success!

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?

HEEEE. NO. :>

3. New house?

Maybe, maybe not. BUT IN YOUR FACE 2013, I MOVED OUT!

4. What will you do different in 14?

Be more diligent with work and business but will also to be sure to reward myself by traveling more.

5. New Years’ resolutions?

MAYBE TO EAT HEALTHIER!

And to work out. I’m going to sign up to the gym… ON MONDAY!

6. What will you not be doing in 2014?

Shutting my doors to the possibilities of anything.

7. Any trips planned?

Siargao, Manila & Korea!

8. Wedding plans?

Yes, but not mine. [same answer as last year]

9. Major thing on your calendar?

Saying goodbye to my entire family who’ll be leaving for big bad America. THANKS FOR LEAVING ME HERE, BTW!

10. What can’t you wait for?

Saving enough money to travel and maybe buy a car!

11. What would you like to see happen differently?

I don’t know….

12. What about you will you be changing?

I need to stop being a pampered princess and rough it up a bit, for sure.

13. What happened in 2014 that you didn’t think would ever happen?

Hating a job I had waited forever to get, moving out (again) and more permanently,

finding a new job

and just becoming my own new person.

14. Will you be nice to the people you care about?

Even to the ones I don’t.

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 2014?

Always.

16. Will you start or quit smoking?

—

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?

Definitely. But God, why is my mother so difficult to love??

18. Will you do charity work?

If given the opportunity, always.

19. Will you go to bars?

Only when necessary.

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?

Indeed!

21. Do you expect 2014 to be a good year for you?

Always.

22. How much did you change from this time ‘til now?

I’d like to believe I’ve become more independent than I was before and I’m much less ignorant, which is nice.

But at the same time, I don’t think I’m as enthusiastic as I was before but hopefully this is just a phase.

23. Do you plan have on having a child?

Marriage first. Child, 5 years later.

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with?

Yes, until unnecessary.

25. Major lifestyle changes?

A healthier lifestyle, a COMMITMENT to keep that vow, more work and play

26. Will you be moving?

Not until further notice.

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 2015?

Unplanned pregnancies, bankruptcy, robbery, separation and obesity or famine

28. What are your New Year’s Eve plans?

I was sick this new year so I was hot but I still tried to get some alcohol in body.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?

Paolo, for ever and for always.

30. One wish for 2015?

To never lose the fire to want the extraordinary!

It’s been an amazing ride and I’d like to thank everyone who made my 2014 as perfect as it was!

Unfortunately, I’m such an internet spazz that I wasn’t able to properly link and back up my photos from when I officially started blogging under Issaplease. This explains ALL the broken images on this site. I promise, 2015 will be better- I promise and I’ll try to fix the clutter :> I’m “smarter” now.

Thanks to everyone who’s been supporting my blog for the longest time ever! To all the friends I’ve made, the jobs I’ve gotten, the brands I’ve worked with and to all the lessons I’ve learned.

I started writing as a way to get over my depression and 10 years after, here I still am- no longer depressed but still writing my heart out and still making you guys laugh and smile at all the stupid sh*t I have to say. I am always grateful for that.

This blog is truly the biggest thing that I can ever leave this world and if you ever wanted to know who I really was: crazy, neurotic and a down right pain in the ass; you’d find it all if you skimmed through the pages of this blog that I ever so openly brag about and on Issatalks, where all the magic started.

I’m not going to skim through 2014 anymore like in my older posts because it’s already the 3rd of the new year and seriously, whose got the time for that anymore?! But rest assured, it was an amazing year and I so glad to have spent it with all of you!

LOVE YOU ALL,

ISSA

Relaks, Puso Lang ‘Yan, Malayo Pa Sa Bituka

Posted on December 30, 2014 by issaplease

Hey everyone! Here’s a quick post before I cap off the year with my annual year ending post. 10 years blogging- YEEEY!

I hardly ever do product reviews but this organizer is just too cute to not feature on my blog!

This year, I’ve finally decided to let go of the slightly overrated Starbucks planner and go for something more interesting and functional, at the same time. I usually use two organizers every year because I like to separate my work life and my personal life (or maybe because I’m a loser like that, who knows) but I will only be featuring this beaut for obvious reasons.

The “Relaks, Puso Lang ‘Yan, Malayo sa Bituka” Planner 2015

(Don’t ask me what this translates to in English or Bisaya)

I was very lucky this year to be gifted this organizer by a good friend of ours. It’s witty, colorful, lightweight and entertaining all at the same time.

Seriously, I was going through this thing at the airport and I kept laughing, people thought I was gonna go crazy!

If you’re a hopeless romantic or if you just have a knack for quirky things then you will definitely enjoy this organizer.

Almost every page is filled with interesting lines and illustrations which are bound to keep you busy on days when you’re bored and you’ve got nothing on you but your trusty friend.

One of the things I really love about this organizer is how space efficient it is. I’ve never used an organizer as small as this before and I thought that I would have a hard time with it but so far, I haven’t had any problems at all!

For those who are wondering, each entry is lined so if you’re OC like me then you’ll appreciate this small but useful gesture.

** I hope someone makes left handed organizers next year. **

Find out more about The Relaks, Puso Lang ‘Yan, Malayo Sa Bituka 2015 organizer and how to order your own organizer on their

Facebook page

wittywillsavetheworld@gmail.com

+63 906 465 2191

@titawitty

Price: P 480.00

P 520.00 in leading bookstores

Have a great rest of the year, everybody! :*

xx,

Issa

PHOTO DIARY: I Went To Manila For The Burgers!

Posted on December 27, 2014 by issaplease

Ok, totally kidding about the burger bit! But yes, they were a great part of my recent Manila trip!

I don’t get to travel a lot due to financial and time constraints but since it was my dearest uncle’s birthday, I decided to not let the opportunity pass me and I went to big, bad Manila on my own… for the very first time! #whimp

Here are some of the photos from my trip. I hope you enjoy!

8 Cut Burger. Awesome. Love it. 8/ 10

MIA: Bata. Buti nga. har.

Love you guys!

Just like my boyfriend

The Proposal Garden @ Tagaytay. Don’t get any ideas.

I dreamed of this place.

Family – some

Don’t get the salad.

Mostly what my weekend consisted of: Eating, sleeping and lots of drinking

BEST FREAKIN’ MEXICAN PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!

Reminded me of my sitter 😐

This post is making me soo hungry!

xx,

Issa

So You Wanna Organize Your Own Event?

Posted on December 25, 2014 by issaplease

Happy Holidays, everyone!

I hope you had a great Christmas surrounded by friends and family like I did! 🙂

As we all know, this season is all about parties and events and as I promised in this post, I am going to share a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the past few years of organizing and working in events. Just so you know, event organizing is not my main source of income but of course, I do it every once in a while when I get the chance to.

I was recently asked to help work on the Great Cebu Closet Sale last November 29- 30 at The Marco Polo hotel. During this event, we aimed to sell as many branded pre- loved clothes as we could in order to raise enough money to buy equipment for the Cebu City Medical Center which is currently under construction.

It was a very successful event and even though there was so much work put into it, I enjoyed every single second of it because I was surrounded by amazing people and clothes, at the same time!

I started working on events when I was in my third year in college. Although I had worked on a few smaller events in high school and earlier years in college, I got my big break back while I was a Junior studying nursing. Since then, I’ve been able to work for other prestigious event organizers in the city and organize a few on my own which you can see here: [PORTFOLIO]

I’m not an organizing extraordinaire but I’ve picked up a few lessons which I think would be helpful for anyone when planning small parties or gatherings and eventually, bigger things!

[ 1 ] BRAINSTORM

Pre- planning is always the most important part of anything. During this phase you get the chance to practice your creativity and find out the basics that you will be needing. Mostly this consists of:

THEME of your party:

NUMBER of people/ WHO to invite:

VENUE of event:

THINGS NEEDED:

BUDGET:

[2] CANVAS

I usually find this the most tiring but most useful part in the end. This is when you start canvassing the things you need for the party like the venue which is in line with your budget, the cheapest materials (whether it be tables, chairs, sound systems, balloons, hosts, etc.) and whatever else you have on your list.

It’s always a good thing to keep a directory of all the resources you’ve collected because trust me, it will come in handy one day!

[3] VERIFY & HAVE A BACK UP PLAN

Sometimes things go down the drain and sh*t happens so I find it best to double check, verify & secure everything I need and have proof of whatever transactions I’ve done just in case I might need it. This includes receipts, text messages, emails and etc. which might come in handy in cases of need. Then, there are times when you just can’t control certain circumstances and you are pushed to think of something else… and fast! I find this the hardest to compensate for but you’ve gotta do it anyways so for instances of parties, I find it best to have a back up plan at someone’s house or elsewhere just in case reservations don’t push through.

This is when your directory becomes useful.

[4] MAKE SURE TO HAVE FUN

I feel like I always involve this element whenever I give talks or when I’m trying to give tips on this blog. I just really think that you shouldn’t do anything unless you enjoy it [despite the stressful situations] so this means, planning and executing everything properly so that you don’t end up suffering in the end.

I hope these tips are useful and if you guys need any help, ideas or contacts, feel free to leave a message or contact me through my social media accounts!

Merry Christmas again! ❤

xx,

Issa

Fauxy Leather

Posted on December 10, 2014 by issaplease

May the only thing that is fake in your life be leather and fur.

Issaplease, 2014

OK so HI EVERYONE, I am totally still alive!

Lately my life has just been so crazily blessed that I haven’t really had time to blog or do anything blog related (which includes events/ photo shoots/ etc) and I am so sorry about that!

I’ve recently switched careers or more like, added another career to my life, moved out and just wrapped up a big event which I will be blogging about in the near future- heads up to all aspiring event organizers out there! It’s officially dawned on me that I’m too fickle minded to just stick to one job as of the moment so I’m just going to do EVERYTHING while I still can and I’ve just been so happy since I made that decision for myself.

FYI, you’re going to see a lot more of this white wall and rack while I’m still tripod-less and photographer-less. Unfortunately, dearest yaya couldn’t come with me in this exciting new chapter of my life. 😦

So as colorful as my life has been apparently, so have been my clothing choices! 😀

I was recently gifted this amazing faux leather skirt from Let’s Stylize and with the weather we’ve been having lately- leather definitely wouldn’t hurt anyone!

Because of the playful hue of this skirt, I was able to woman it up a bit by pairing it with this colorful top and of course,my big floppy hat to make it seem more me.

Usually when you see leather, biker chick’s immediately come to mind but I wouldn’t say the same for this look.

Let’s Stylize

Hat: Topshop| Dress used as top: July| Leather skirt: Let’s Stylize| Heels: Zalora

P.S. The power box on the side of my photos will eventually grow on you. It did on me. 🙂

xx,

Issa

On Birthdays, We Wear Orange

Posted on November 15, 2014 by issaplease

According to Chinese tradition, on the day of one’s birthday, the celebrant is most commonly seen sporting anything red.

1. I completely abandoned any and all of my Chinese heritage the day I changed my last name to Perez. (I can only count to 5)

2. I wasn’t feeling very festive on that day, either.

Although I wasn’t very hyped about wearing red on my birthday, I still wanted to wear something that would make me stand out while I went to an event and hung out with my friends after. So instead I stuck to a bright orange Mango top and pieces of black and gold to tone down my entire look.

I also decided to wear this floral cap from Filthy Project because I wanted to wear something youthful that brought out my personality. Lately, that for me has been anything with a Boho vibe or caps. Definitely caps.

I sort of felt that because I was turning 21, that I had to start wearing more formal pieces but let’s be honest… I’m not that girl. I find comfort in boyish pieces and flats that can take me miles, shorts and caps that speak for themselves. Maybe I’m not quite ready to give that up yet but who knows… years ago you would never see me in a sleeveless and now look!

Did you actually believe that I just turned 21? Awwwe, yoooou!!

Special thanks to Dawn and Jean for my photos ❤ love you girls to death!

xx,

Issa

I Found Myself

Posted on November 13, 2014 by issaplease

I used to struggle a lot with my identity. I grew up in an environment wherein everyone was the same but I wanted so much to be different.

Fashionwise, I was never the girly-girl and I hated anything and everything that lacked sleeves and had ruffles/ flowers on it. As much as I loved fashion and dreamed about being a fashion designer or working in the world of fashion, no one could ever imagine me in that world because I was never into trends.

I struggled a lot with that growing up and a lot of times I ended up wearing what my mom would buy me or what was “in” even if I hated them because I sort of gave up. I remember being so frustrated because I wanted to be my own kind of “fashionable” which meant wearing dresses and rubber shoes or a big top over shorts.

Up until recent times, if you asked me who I was, I really wouldn’t be able to give you an honest answer. I’m good with words so I’d be able to give an answer but to say that it was an answer I truly believed in would be a lie.

When I was in college, I was pressured to wear a lot of short dresses when I wanted to go out in long skirts because that’s what everyone else was wearing. For some stupid reason, I wanted to belong and I was scared of sticking out.

Sometimes I look back and I wish I was stronger and that I could tell my old self that it’s OK to be different, it’s OK to be laughed at and most of all, it’s OK to be yourself.

As time passed, I slowly began to gain a better grasp of myself and realize who I was and how irrelevant the opinions of other people were.

To be honest, I often do feel a lot of pressure when it comes to blogging (as small time as I am) and I used to really beat myself up about it.

A lot of times I would question my own style because I didn’t like what was trending or I couldn’t afford really expensive clothes. Then, I would feel bad because I couldn’t afford to shop at all the fancy places that everyone else shopped at and I didn’t have the will power to try so hard to either.

Many times I wanted to talk about things I felt my blog wasn’t ready for so I just didn’t. I am so conscious of the things I post because I don’t want to disappoint anyone and sometimes it makes me feel robotic.

Then it occurred to me how petty these problems were and how stupid I was for even worrying about it in the first place. I came to the realization that if these were the problems that clouded my head, then I would never go far in life.

I really have a bad habit of over analyzing things and I guess it consumed me to a point where I became depressed and borderline pathetic. Everyone thinks that blogging is so glamorous and that the other side of the screen is so pretty but the reality is is, it’s 10:00 pm and I’m in my pambalay and my life is anything but glamorous.

I’m sharing these things and my thoughts because if you’re like me and you’ve spent most of your life feeling lost then maybe you should know that you’re not alone.

I’m not going to lie- I’m not fully at a place where I can truly say that I am at peace but if you asked me who I am now, I’d be able to give you an answer and as weird as that answer may be, it’s one that I believe is the truth.

It’s a good feeling to be 24 and admit these things because I feel like I’m taking a big load of my shoulders.

This year, I want to travel and I’m going to bust my butt working so I can do that with my own money. I want to soak up so much in the world that I no longer have to remember what it’s like to worry about if I got my angles right or stress out if my background is “instagramable” enough. Well, of course I’ll worry about it sometimes but at least not all the time. heee.

I’m not going to stop blogging- ever. I love fashion and it has always been an integral part of my life. Although it is a vain industry, maybe I can compensate for these things in ways that feel comfortable for me and hopefully I’ll become better at my craft.

I’m a very emotional human being. I don’t really know if I’m making a whole lot of sense but it feels really good to have said them. Thanks for sticking it through with me.

xx,

Issa

Hobo? Boho?

Posted on November 2, 2014 by issaplease

I’ve always been a huge fan of layering which is unfortunate because I live in such a humid city. Sometimes, I go against the weather and go full boho despite the weather because… I’ve just got to let that girl out, you know?

Because I knew I was going to spend the entire day at the mall, I decided to stick to light materials- as hot as this outfit looks, it’s actually really breezy and lightweight!

A lot of people are going to tell you that you need to dress a certain way or look at you differently when you step out of the norms- but if you feel good in what you’re wearing, that’s really the only thing that should matter.

I get teased a lot for being too “fashown” by people who I honestly could care less about. The more I’ve been getting into blogging, the more people think they are entitled to their own opinion about me… as if I knew them or they knew me.

I guess people will always want to have an opinion (even if it’s wrong and stupid) but it’s up to us to choose which ones are logical enough to be given our time of the day.

So chin up, young ones! Don’t let anyone or anything phase you.

Hat: Cotton On| Crop top: Forever 21| Skirt: Let’s Stylize

xx,

Issa

The Best Gifts Don’t Come In Packages

Posted on October 31, 2014 by issaplease

First of all, I want to say a big fat THANK YOU to everyone who greeted me on my birthday.

I tried my best to personally thank each and everyone of you but my internet has been bad lately so I might not have been able to deliver 100%.

Please know that I feel very blessed this year because of your thoughtfulness ❤

Being 23 was such a wonderful time in my life. I wish I could stay 23 forever (or at least look it) but, I haven’t really figured out how to do that just yet!

If you had to ask me, the best part about ending my 23rd year was getting to spend time with the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and sharing my knowledge about writing online and social media.

It was definitely “one for the books” and I’m really proud of myself for being asked to do it. lol. I’ve always enjoyed public speaking so every chance I get to do it, I grab it!

Thanks again!

xoxo,

Issa

Passed On and Handed Down

Posted on September 17, 2014 by issaplease

Just a quick, real time post because work ended early and I’m honestly too tired to do anything else. I’m back to posing in front of our storage area’s frontage and I had to bribe my brother with my last chicken drumstick for him to take my pictures. But aside from that, everything is or will be ok. Or at least that’s what they say…

This blog entry is entitled “Passed On and Handed Down” because most of the items I’m wearing were either given to me as a gift or handed down to me.

I have no shame in admitting that a lot of my friends like to give me their used/ unused clothing because 1. I’m smaller than most of them so what they grow out of, I can grow into and 2. sometimes they are more of use to me than they are for them.

Plus, it saves me a great deal of money from shopping! I really cannot complain when it comes to being able to save. :p

Also, I have recently been asked to share 20 facts about myself on Instagram but I thought I’d share it on my blog instead. So here it goes:

1. I like to be alone more than I like to talk. But don’t worry, there’s still a lot of talking going on in my head.

2. I already wrote my top 20 things on IG but due to the character count, it wouldn’t upload my picture. So I had to do it again 😦

3. I absolutely love animals. I’ve owned an iguana, hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, birds, fish, rats, etc. at one point of my life. I really want a pet goat and a pet pig though.

4. I like to be ironic. I named my dog Meow, a pillow Rocky and a rock fluffy.

5. I try as much as possible not to follow trends especially when it comes to catch phrases and manners of speaking. I’ve never used the line “pag may time” and I do not regret it.

6. I do not know what you mean by a basic bitch. (shout out to @faithdeguzman!!)

7. I did not participate in the transformation challenge because the only celebrity I could associate myself with was Pokwang.

8. As much as I use it on my blog and on facebook, I really REALLY hate hashtags.

9. If I could have any mental disorder, it would be multiple personality disorder.

10. This year will be my 10th year in blogging. I started under http://www.xanga.com/aa_bebe_phat_aa and I’ve transferred to http://www.issatalks.wordpress.com since Xanga shut down.

11. I am neither stupid nor smart. Sometimes my brain responds really well and then there are times when it’s all muck.

12. I despise people who deny being gay even if it’s the most obvious thing in the entire worldddd. I just feel like it’s an insult not only to themselves but to the people around them. Besides, gay people are great. I love them!

13. My “original” name is Jean Louise I. Chua. You’d know this if you met me in 2009.

14. I like to tell people that I changed my last name because I had a stalker so I had to move cities and change my last name. For some reason, people actually believe this.

15. One day, I’d like to have an assistant write down all the snarly stuff I say while going through my facebook feeds and turn it into a blog series. I’m sure a lot of people would enjoy that unless my comments are about you.

16. I do not have the will power to finish writing my book no matter how much I believe in it. I am afraid of the ending. Plus I have a ds, kindle, tab, Phoenix Wright, Star Wars. loom bands and a phone that basically takes up ALL my free time. Poor priorities.

17. I enjoy artsy things like drawing, painting, sewing, loomband-ing (?), poetry, writing. I’m not particularly good at any of this but it helps pass the time.

18. I really REALLY REAAAALLLLLYYY want a pot bellied pig and I have Miley Cyrus for getting one before I did. And I also really realllyyyy like bacon. It’s such a hard world.

19. You know how there are people who says the most random and inappropriate stuff? I’m THAT person.

20. I always thought that life would be a lot easier than it actually is and I’m at a weird stage of my life right now. I have heard that dreams should be kept dreams but dreams are the only things I’ve had. So what do I keep and what do I let go of? I’m trying to figure all of this out and yet somehow, my dreams just got a lot bigger. But we’ll see.

To find out who I’m tagging for this challenge, you can add me on Facebook.

xx,

Issa

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Category Archives: Life

The One with The Extremely Lax 10 Year Celebration

Relaks, Puso Lang ‘Yan, Malayo Pa Sa Bituka

PHOTO DIARY: I Went To Manila For The Burgers!

So You Wanna Organize Your Own Event?

Fauxy Leather

On Birthdays, We Wear Orange

I Found Myself

Hobo? Boho?

The Best Gifts Don’t Come In Packages

Passed On and Handed Down