What you do not love about your skin,
I’ll love and I’ll love it always.
Always because in me,
There is no time for anything less.
So:
throw your imperfections in a sea of diamonds,
and see for yourself, my love;
how well they swim
– Christopher Pointdexter
There is an age old belief that eye glasses are anything BUT fashionable and that contact lens are the way to go when you don’t which which way you’re going (literally speaking, of course). But I’ve always kept a strong frame game on because I think that with the right pair, you can add soo much character to any outfit!
Warby Parker believes in the same thing. With their Fall collection recently released, it is specifically aimed for those who own their style, exercise their wit, and add life to the party! That’s something I can definitely relate to 😉
With 9 new frame shapes added to the collection, anyone will be bound to fall in love with the perfect frames perfect for you. I’ve been through the collection and I’ve already chosen a handful for myself!
For the bold, they’ve created three clever styles in crystal. For the polished professionals, they’ve updated three hardworking acetate frames with titanium temples. And for the folks who really mean business,a handful of angular silhouettes will be just right.
Here are my personal picks:
Really gravitating towards the square and “animal” printed frames since it’s a great mix of sexiness and sophistication that any woman in her early 20’s should aim for. What are your choices?
Fall 2014 is available September 3 online at http://www.warbyparker.com/fall-2014 and in stores and showrooms; frames starting at $95
Visit the website here
Find out how every pair bought from Warby Parker can help someone see the world a little bit better here
Happy shopping!
xx,
Issa
Sharing the rest of the photos we took from A Little Piece of Sky Cafe with Jing Pascual x Jade Caballo a couple of weeks ago.
ALPS Cafe, for short, is located in M. Veloso street, Guadalupe. Getting there takes a bit of enhanced navigational skills but the adventure is worth it!
The establishment was kind enough to allow us to take photos there which resulted in these amazing photos. I love how their theme is up to par with their name and how being there makes me feel like packing my bags and traveling the world. Not a lot of places have that effect on you emotionally- I’ve been planning my eat, pray, love trip since!
A lot of people ask me how for techniques when it comes to posing in front of a camera whether it be for photo shoots, ootd’s or just random photos with family and friends. Although I don’t think that there’s really an exact science to it, I’ll try my best to be as informative and helpful as possible. 🙂
1. Know your angles.
I’m no professional model but I’ve heard it a million times on Amderica’s Next Top Model and when applied in real life, it really does wonders for your photographs. I noticed that I look better when my head is tilted to the side and when the right side of my face is more prominent because of my eyes.
Over time and after a million selfies, finding your angle will be extremely easy to identify. I think I chose my angle because it felt more comfortable to lean that way. lol
2. Find your signature pose
When it doubt, go for your signature pose! I know a lot of bloggers who rely on their signature pose, not to be recognized for it, but because it’s our safety net when we have no idea what we’re doing. It helps a lot when calming those nerves and once we’ve reached a level of calmness, experimenting with other poses becomes easier and less awkward.
If you noticed, I like to play with my hair a lot or put my hand near my face. I’ve always liked the silhouette it gives off and how it gives people more things to look at rather than my uneven eyes and bad eyebrows.
3. Be aware of your body.
When posing for pictures, I always like to imagine how it would actually come out. “What’s the use of smiling if my arm is in the way? Why do my legs look so weird in this picture? I’m looking the wrong way, my face looks too dark…” Are just a few of things that I’ve said to myself when reviewing sets so I’ve learned from that and applied it in shoots.
Also, I think it’s important to know what kinds of poses don’t work. I am completely mortified with poses wherein legs are wide open or it involves hands in weird places so I always think those are poses to reconsider.
4. Emote.
I used to laugh when I would think of the word “smize” (smiling with your eyes) because I thought it was complete and udder nonsense but I’ve come to learn that the more emotion you put into a shot, the better it comes out.
I also think that outfit posts are gratified with the emotions we convey when wearing them. Edgier outfits will look no good with a good girl pose which is why we add a little hip and flair to it and the same goes for other outfits. Can you imagine how awkward it would look if I gave a pa cute face while in a cat suit? I rest my case.
5. Be Silly.
Natural, candid laughs caught on camera. Priceless.
Those are just a few of my tips for taking better pictures. And of course, don’t forget to practice! I hope this works for you 🙂
Find out more about ALPS Cafe from their Facebook page
Instagram: @alpscafe
xx,
Issa
I am such a sucker for hole in the wall restaurants that nothing excites me more than a new restaurant buried deep within the city I love (Cebu. Duh.)
And although I’m not a huge fan of spicy food, how could I turn down an invitation to dine at Gibb’s, the home of the hottest and arguably best hot wings in Cebu? I simply couldn’t! And for blogging purposes, I’m proud to tell everyone that I did in fact try them!
Gibb’s, which is named after the family’s dog, is a small restaurant located within Holy Family Village II, Banilad. What used to be a storage area for the family catering business’ now lies a small and cozy area where hot wing lovers can come together and eat to their hea[r]ts content.
With cut out newspapers used as a place mat, diners can enjoy different kinds of wings like their famous Gibb’s Hot Wings wherein you can choose up to 5 hotness levels, Gibbs’ Angel Wings and the Gibbs’ Spicy Honey- Garlic Wings. And just in case chicken wings aren’t enough, you can also opt for their pasta and sidings.
Jean, our boyfriends and I, together with owner Coy Oliva, were able to sit down and taste his and his wife’s works of art on a fine Saturday afternoon and although I came out sweatier than I came in (their wings are THAT spicy!), I’d recommend their hot wings to anyone!
I’ll be honest, I know absolutely nothing about wings- I don’t eat them, I never crave for them and quite frankly, I don’t really care for them at all but… Paolo does. A LOT! So on this very special occasion, I decided to drag him along and be the judge of this one. The verdict? I got a very lengthy explanation of the different types of chicken wings, what makes it good and how pleased he was that he FINALLY found a place in Cebu that he could go to to fulfill his wings cravings…
On the flip side and on behalf of the all girls who like to play on the safe non-spicy side of things, I really enjoyed everything I had that day especially the cheese sticks and potato wedges! As a firm believer that cheese heals all wounds, Gibb’s mozzarella sticks are just the right mix of cheese and breading which is really hard to find!
I also indulged in their Angel Wings which are crunchy chicken wings glazed in cream, cheese and garlic sauce and topped in Parmesan cheese. (I said cheese twice in one sentence. I’m soo happy!)
And how could I forget their choices of pasta? We were also able to try out their equally famous Gibbs’ Spaghetti and Meatballs and their Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara.I really loved both, favoring the carbonara more but that’s due to personal preference. 😉
I think it’s important for me to share my #hotwingschallenge experience so I’m going to do just that! Again, I’m a really not a fan of anything remotely spicy. I once won P 500.00 from eating an entire glunk of bbq powder from Potato Corner and that’s the last time I ever had it! Knowing my low tolerance to spice, Coy was kind enough to prepare my something I could handle. I was able to try the mildest hot wings and the 5th level (the spiciest) and although I was able the stomach the mildest level… god bless the people crazy enough to eat the 5th!
Of course, Paolo will tell you that I’m exaggerating like the true drama queen I was born to be but I’ll let you guys be the judge of this one..
Find their menu here
Like them on Facebook
Credits to Jean for the photos :*
xx,
Issa
I’ve always wanted a skirt like this, it’s what I always imagined fancier and more refined women would wear to have afternoon tea while they talked about their husbands and the struggles of being trophy wives. Not to imply that I dream of one day becoming a 1. wife, 2. house wife or 3. trophy wife (not that there’s anything wrong with these things) but more of me being surprised that a complete tomboy like me would actually find the guts to wear one.
You can tell that articles of clothing like this are so foreign to me that I actually have this skirt on backwards! Remember ladies: rough side goes on the back, smooth side goes in the front. *face palm*
Deciding what to wear with stand out pieces like this are often tricky which is why, as a rookie, I decided to keep it safe and pair it a plain black one piece top from Forever 21.
The fact that this piece carries a lot of colors makes pairing it other pieces so much easier- I’m looking forward to wearing this again soon with a red or a royal blue chiffon top… and then maybe I can throw on some heels and gobble down a big fat burger.
I’m sorry if I’m having a hard time taking myself seriously right now, obviously, this isn’t my area of expertise. I’m finding myself in a weird place where I want to grow up and blossom into the woman I am meant to be but at the same time, boots, t-shirts and palazzo pants will always be my choice of comfort dressing. #growingpains
On a more familiar side, always thankful for Let’s Stylize lessening my woes. Make sure to check out their new collection from Bangkok!
xx,
Issa
P.S. I contemplated on naming the entry “I Wanna See Your Peacock” but decided to be a good girl and save my shenanigans for Talk Back Thursdays. Yep, Issa Perez, (that’s meeee) being inappropriate since 2010. You’re welcome 😉
Min’na saikō arigatō,
K-k-k-kawaii, k-k-k-kawaii!
[Sorry guys, I just HAD to!]
Here’s a quick look to add some sunshine to a gloomy day!
I am still very much obsessed with my slip on dress from Blind Clothing and this floppy hat I got from Vaniila Ice Cream’s, Gizelle Faye. So I can get away with wearing the same dress over and over again, I like to pair it off with cropped tops with interesting prints like this department store Hello Kitty top.
I’m not ashamed to say that I run out of things to wear and that I like to repeat a lot of my looks especially if I’ve acquired a specific liking to it- I’m not a one time done type of girl when it comes to dressing and I’m OK with that. It’s also extremely easy to tell what items I am obsessed with because I’ll constantly wear them and rave about them on my blog. As to my memory those items are: this hat, my white polo shirts and soon enough: my rain boots.
Some things I will never be comfortable wearing: hoop/ dangling earrings, one piece swim suits and a heavy amount of pink. Funny, cuz I’m wearing hoop earings in this photo. [long story!]
Have a great weekend!
xx,
Issa
I’ve got a reason to smile during this rainy season and I don’t need to walk a mile to get it- they’re already on my feet!
Since my job requires a lot of walking and commuting, what better way is there to face the rain and winds than with a pair of durable and not to mention, fashionable rain boots? They’re light, functional and on a fashion-over-function perspective- they definitely catch a lot of attention!
To say that these boots get the job done would certainly be an understatement… they not only keep my feet dry but since they come with a felt lining, they also keep my toes warm and toasty. Now I don’t need to worry about missing out on deliveries nor do I need to worry about ruining my favorite shoes on account of the rain… I’ve got protection 😉
I can’t figure out where my love for the rain came about. Having grown up in Texas, California and then the Philippines; you’d think I’d love everything sunny but my true love comes in the form of a dark overcast, strong winds and layers on top of layers… on top of layers.
When mixing and matching pieces, always remember the vital parts of your body that you feel need the extra warmth. In case of crazy winds, I like to keep a scarf in handy to protect my ears, neck, nose and mouth.
Fashion godess, Lauren Conrad, has a 5 step play-by-play as how to go about with layering which I just have to share because it’s absolutely “bible”. She suggests starting with a lightweight basic like a simple cami followed by a cute cardigan, topped by a coat but since our weather isn’t THAT cold, I say choose between a cardigan, coat or a jacket and spice the entire look up with a cute scarf, beanie or even some gloves in case your fingers need the extra attention.
Stockings are always a great and easy way to counter the weather especially for those who work in offices and colder areas. They’re also a great way to add proportion to the boxy/ over sized top combo and they’ve revolutionized so much over the years that they’re just really fun to wear!
My collection of stockings mostly come from Forever21. You can check them out here.
There’s no to excuse to “lazy weather” especially when work needs to be done. Sometimes we just need to get off our “soon-to-be-toned” butts, put on an outfit that makes us want to take on the world and actually do it!
And don’t forget your umbrella!
Here are some photos from the Everything Online Bazaar we attended last weekend:
[From left- right] The Kat’s Meow, The Curious Chup, Miss Everything and Nothing, Issaplease and Anything Goes by Jean Yu
[I’m such a loser for not having a tag line. HAHA!]
Photo credits to:
by Jean C Yu
xx,
Issa
My body clock seems to be all wrong- the colder it gets, the less clothing I want to wear! And with the sane weather patterns officially out the window needless is to say of my fashion choices.
I think I’ve always been ironic like that. After all, I did name my dog Meow and I went throughout the Summer in long skirts and matching suits!
Besides, what else do I need to protect me from the rain? I’ve got everything I could ever need: a big hat to protect me from the rain, a coat to keep me warm and boots to keep my feet clean! (But let’s see how I feel about this when I’m down with the flu! lol)
Crochet cover up: Thrifted| Crop top: Forever 21| Boots: Moms’
Hat: Bought it from Gizelle during the Cebu In The Bag
On a more weather appropriate note: when trying to keep the Boho-chic vibe alive during the rainy season you can never go wrong with layering and maintaining earthy palettes and of course, to stand out: that one key piece!
Imagine this: long flowy dress + over sized patterned scarf + dark earth toned cover up + rain/ ankle boots
or
A geometric tunic blouse/ dress + faux fur vest + black stockings + boots
I’m still trying to soak up what’s left of the sun but I’ll be on my way pretty soon!
xx,
Issa
Fun fact: Belgian waffles aren’t really from Belgium! In fact, not a single waffle is identified as a “Belgian waffle” within Belgium itself however, the Belgian waffles are distinctly known for their use of baking powder instead of the traditional yeast.
These interesting concoctions whether you’re a having them for dessert or an afternoon treat stand out against the American waffles with their distinguishable larger size, lighter batter, larger squares and their higher grid patterns that form deeper pockets.
[Thank you Wikipedia!]
Thankfully, we don’t need to travel all the way to North America to be able to enjoy these sweet gifts from heaven-Waki Waffles has finally arrived! Named after their son, Waki, entrepreneurs Pia and Wayne Congmon are now offering authentic Belgian Waffles using the best imported ingredients availble and are made using waffle irons specially flown in from Belgium!
Customers are given the option to choose between sweet and savory waffles wherein the sweet waffles are heavily coated in sweet. dessert toppings while the savory waffles are coated in more filling ones.
From left: Death by Chocolate, Mango Float and Rainbow waffles
Pizza waffle
Bacon and Caramel waffle
Blueberry Creamcheese
Chocolate Marble Waffle
And if in case you’re feeling a bit more creative, you can even create your own Waki Waffle and cover it with their many selection of fruit, spread, cream, drizzles and sprinkles!
My next-in-line waffle would probably be: [1] A Brussel Waffle, [2] Cream Cheese, [3] Strawberries and Peaches, [4] Whipped Cream, [5] Grahams = P 140.00
It sounds weird, doesn’t it? I’ll let you know how it works out!
With the guests at the media launch [photo grabbed from @jeancyu]
Located at:
2nd floor of Ayala Center Cebu, Active zone
2nd level of SM City, Fiesta Strip
Outfit shots soon!
xx,
Issa
Growing up I would often hear my mom tell us to look our Sundays’ best during the Sabbath. Of course, I try my best to look my best everyday but Sunday dressing is always a little bit more thought of and special. For this particular Sunday look, I was unable to go to church but I made sure to it that I looked my best for Cebu In The Bags’ last day- even if it meant looking as girly as ever!
On most days, I really have a hard time incorporating girlier pieces into my wardrobe but this top from Let’s Stylize fit so well that any prohibitions I had about my experimental look quickly went away!
Ladies, It’s not a crime to want to try new things especially when it comes to fashion. People tell me all the time that if I want to establish myself in this industry I should “distinguish my style” but you know what, I’d rather be myself (crazy and unpredictable) rather than boring. I am not going to be defined by fashion nor will I be identified for singular style, I’m going to be one of the few who defines it and is unapologetic about what I want to wear and when I want to wear it. So here’s my advice to the tomboys who wanna dress sexier or to the girly girls who wanna look edgier and fierce: DO IT! If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again and find what really makes you comfortable and don’t let others opinion defy you.
I’m usually comfortable in shorts and loose tops but when days come when I want to feel a little bit sexier, I’ll wear a little polka dotted tube top, a midi skirt and some black wedges… I’ll even throw on a bohemian hat for a little familiarity! And if people don’t get it, it’s ok, sometimes people have tiny brains. 😉
Hope that inspires the hell out of you!
From one tomboy to another,
Issa
A special thanks to Let’s Stylize for my top (and others which will be featured on the blog)!
Check them out on Facebook for chic and affordable fashion ❤
Issa Talks... Alot 