Coke & Kimonos

Posted on March 23, 2015 by issaplease

There are so many things I love about Summer like how the sun is always out, glaring cats in the background of my photos and that I get to wear pretty pieces of clothing like this full length kimono from Let’s Stylize. But almost always, it’s definitely got to be the summery trends that always give a new meaning to my very existence.

I feel like the world is working hand in hand to make all my boho dreams a reality. Kimonos, fringe (or are they tassels?), hats of all styles and braided sandals are all the trend and even if it’s going to cause a massive whole on my wallet I still couldn’t be happier!

What trends are you looking forward to this sunny season? Let me know in the comments! ❤

P.S. Decided to carry around a bottle of Coke to this shoot because it was impossible to stand under the heat of the sun without any refreshments. If you’re wondering where my straw hat went, I offered it to my yaya who was taking my outfit shots. She’s currently 5 months pregnant and I didn’t want to stress her out by making her stand under the heat of the sun with me. But it was perfect timing since Coke is always my go to drink during hot days and yummy meals! [P.S.S. This is not a Coke sponsored post!]

[Full length kimono: Let’s Stylize| Romper: Department store find| Sandals: Francesca Collection

xx,

Issa

How I Do My Make Up feat. Dara Beauty Market

Posted on March 18, 2015 by issaplease

Make up and fashion are two things that always go hand in hand and never without the other. As much as I love a bare face, I have to admit that applying make up is something I do religiously before doing a shoot to put my whole look together.

Recently I was able to do an eyeliner tutorial, but for this post I’m going to go into full detail on how I do my whole face for photo shoots using Korean beauty products purchased from Caffe Dara Beauty Market.

Step 1:

Start with a bare face.

To properly remove my make up, I used Nature Republic’s Forest Garden Tea Tree Cleansing Oil [P 250.00]. Used as a face wash, this product removes any trace of make up or dirt on the face, saving me so much time and energy in removing my make up. I hate it when I have to use face wash and then tons of make up remover to remove everything. This product does all of that in one go!

Step 2:

Apply a base.

Innisfree’s Olive Real Essential Rich Oil [upon inquiry] is a base that has an overall effect on your make up by making your skin glow a lot brighter. Some make up tends to dry out your skin but this product helps lessen that problem. If you have naturally oily skin then you might want to skin this step.

Step 3:

Conceal!

There’s no denying it, I need all the concealer I can get with my dark eye bags and uneven skin tone (from years of tennis/ swimming and any sport I could get into). But at the same time, I also need something light enough to enable my skin to breathe while still doing its job. With Face Shop’s Dual Veil Radiance Concealer (P 460.00), the inconsistencies in my skin are cleared out giving the illusion (yes, illusion) of even and smooth skin.

I top it off with Tony Moly’s BCDation with SPF30 PA ++ (P850.00) and any loose powder to lock everything in place and to avoid looking blotchy. Others prefer to use foundation before concealer but I’ve always done my make up like this and I’ve always been satisfied with the end results.

STEP 4:

CONTOUR & BLUSH

I found a really convenient way to do my contouring and blush on at the same time! By using the Holika Holika Love Fantasy blusher (P300++), I can contour my face and add blush on without having to take out so much make up since it comes in one tiny and not to mention cute container.

When it comes to contouring, there are different ways to do it depending on your face and preference. I usually like to work around my cheek bones, below it, my hairline and my jawline. This is to make my face look skinnier and to give it more details especially during shoots.

STEP 5:

BROWS

This set is a lot harder and took a lot of time and practice to get right. I won’t say perfect since I still need a lot of practicing to do but decent enough to frame my face.

For my brows I use Holika Holika’s Wonder Drawing Eyebrow pencil (P150.00), Mamonde’s Natural Cake + Eyebrow kit (P480.00) and TwistUp (P650.00). If you want to see how I do my eyebrows then let me know, I’d gladly do a make up video for you guys! ^_^

STEP 6:

EYE & LIPS

For my eyes, I’m currently obsessing over Tony Moly’s Backstage Gel Liner (P400.00) and Tony Moly’s Delight Circle Lens Mascara (P150.00). I recently did a tutorial on how I do my eyeliner with Faceshop’s All About Simple Liquid Liner (P150.00) but I still use the same technique with my gel liner so I’ll just go ahead and post the link here for your convenience. 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIEQyMAS-Pg

As for my lips, I use Berrisom’s Oops My Lip Tint (P650.00) that comes in various colors. What I love about this lipstick is it works as a lip stain, so I don’t need to worry about constantly reapplying my lipstick. Honestly, I’m not a big lipstick fan so the faster I can get away with it, the better.

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And there you have it! A fully made up face, ready for a night out/ party or in this case, an outfit shoot.

For those who are on a tight budget, don’t worry, you don’t need to spend so much in one go to complete your set. I built mine over the span of a few months and I’m really happy that I chose to invest in quality make up. I used to use a lot of cheap stuff on my face which led to a lot of problems in the long run but these Korean brands are perfect for our Filipino skin and most of them are Paraben-free or mineralized which is great for those who have sensitive skin.

Here are more photos:

Dara Beauty Market (@darabeautymarket on Instagram and Caffe Dara on Facebook) sells authentic Korean cosmetics at cheaper prices. Make sure to follow them on their social media accounts to find out what products they have for grabs or you can drop by their store at Caffe Dara located at One Kenji Place, first street La Guardia, Salinas Drive, Lahug.

See you guys there!

xx,

Issa ❤

Canvas Bistro Introduces Their New Snack Menu

Posted on March 17, 2015 by issaplease

The Canvas Bistro has just launched its brand new snack menu created by the resident chefs for the local Cebuano population. Canvas, which is popularly known for their Australian/ fusion cuisine has added brand new, delicious and filling items that are sure to keep your stomach’s full and hearts happy after a long shopping filled afternoon.

With lots of items to choose from such as pastas to pizza breads, sandwiches and more, you’re bound to come back for that distinct taste of flavor and technique that can only be found at Canvas.

Here’s their new snack menu:

A few weeks ago, I, along other Cebuano bloggers, were given the opportunity to sample Canvas’ new snack menu. But don’t let the name fool you, their daytime are heavy enough to fill your stomach’s throughout the evening but in case your appetite is bigger than mine, there’s absolutely no harm in staying over for dinner as well. All their meals are worth staying for!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Fried Fish Aioli Sandwich @ P150.00

Spanish Sardine in Olive Oil Pasta @ P 175.00

Sardines, Onion and Cheese Pizza Bread @ P 125.00

Cheesy Tuna & Apple Sandwich @ P 160.00

Check out Canvas Bistro during your next mall trip! They are located at the 2nd floor of the Ayala Terraces and are open during mall hours.

Or you may contact them at 417 1978 for deliveries.

Also, make sure to check out their art installations where they feature different local artists at a time. Here we are creating our own masterpieces!

‘Til next time,

Issa ❤

All I’ve Ever Been Was Candid feat. Jade Caballo Photography

Posted on March 9, 2015 by issaplease

Recently, my friends and I have been trying to figure out what kind of personalities we possess whether we’re controllers, feelers, entertainers, thinkers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed the different sides of ourselves accompanied by many, many tests to determine which traits distinctly describe the type of people we are.

Paolo will tell you all that I am a feeler based on the many, many times I’ve cried over a run over cat or from losing at NBA 2k15. My friends will tell you that I’m an entertainer based on how I enjoy being the life of the party and love for pleasing people. While on the other hand, people I work and have worked with will tell you that I’m a complete controller and that if I could do everything on my own, I would.

We took the tests and all my results pointed towards the direction of me being a controller first, entertainer second, thinker third and SURPRISE! SURPRISE! a feeler last. Honestly, none of this really matters but I just thought it would be fun to talk about since I really enjoyed discovering that part of myself over the past two weeks.

But really why am I talking about this?

Waking up in the morning and choosing what to wear takes a lot personality. My controlling side will tell me to fix my hair; have my top altered or maybe even pre- plan an entire months worth of outfits, my thinking side will base my outfit decisions on the occasion or on the weather, my entertainer side will often consider an outfit’s audience impact while my feeler side (or perhaps, the lack of it) will just not give a fck about if I want to put make up or a decent outfit on or not. Having said this makes me believe more and more that no one can ever have just one distinct style.

Writing this blog, I feel like I really want to talk about one thing but I am finding myself talking about another because my thinker side is telling me that this might not be the right outlet for my emotions as of the moment.

So I will leave you all with this, be whoever you want to be whether it is someone who uses their heads too much (or hardly at all), someone who loves the company of others, someone who likes to take the lead or even someone who is compassionate even when others cannot see the need for your kindness.

And for the love of God, dress however you want to dress and don’t let trends dictate you!

Hope you’re loving this set and the silly sides of me that Jade Caballo has captured beautifully. I always love it when they let me be the goofball that I am and especially when they capture it in photos!

And if you haven’t yet, check out our first set of photos by Jing Pascual.

P.s. CONGRATULATIONS, JING! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and many children to take lots of photos of. They are lucky kids!! ❤ I’m so happy for you and your beautiful mermaid wife (whom I wish to meet soon!) Lots of love!

xx,

Issa

Little Miss Sassy Pants

Posted on March 3, 2015 by issaplease

There are certain secrets when it comes to dressing such as:

1. You don’t always need to spend a fortune on nice clothes

2. The persevere shall prevail

3. Satin is always a good choice until it begins to look like pajamas

4. Somewhere, out there, the perfect pair of denim pants is waiting for you. Unless you’re 100% sure that you’ve found them- don’t stop looking.

5. Nobody cares if your dress is white & gold or black & blue but both actually do make a good color combination.

6. Always have more than 1 pair of nipple patches to spare. You will be grateful you have them.

7. There is no harm in lazy dressing.

So I guess this is what a typical working day for me would look like if I had more pants in my life. I love these babies to death but don’t count on me wearing them every single day- Cebu just isn’t the right place for that.

Silk Top: Let’s Stylize| Ripped Jeans: Let’s Stylize| Sandals: Happy Heels

Photos by Val Gabutan

xx,

Issa

Walls and Spaces feat. Jing Pascual Photography

Posted on March 2, 2015 by issaplease

Jing Pascual and Jade Caballo (who I will be featuring next) have always been my favorite resident photographers. From the time we shot in the graffiti plastered streets of Cebu to when when we captured A Little Piece of Sky, these two have turned from strangers into trusted friends and I am always game when they invite me out to fun shoots.

This time around, we decided to scour the understated streets of downtown Cebu, where we found an abandoned building with amazing pieces of art that would be the background of our next shoot.

The best thing I ever learned when it comes to dressing in humid temperatures is to dress light and since I am a bit darker than your typical Chinese woman, I’ve come to realize that wearing white makes a great contrast for my sun loving skin tone. (Morena’s forever!) So when you come to think about it, it’s really like hitting two birds with one stone!

I hope everyone enjoys these first set of photos as much you enjoy the thought of getting butt faced drunk over cheap vodka on the sea shore. Oh wait, maybe that’s just me. :>

Next set coming soon! ❤

Top: Department store| Shorts: Abercrombie| Sneakers: Adidas

Power to fly: Many years of practice and concentration

xx,

Issa P.

No. 9

Posted on February 10, 2015 by issaplease

Somewhere along the quiet roads of Benedicto Street, sits a beautiful ancestral home-turned-restaurant with amazing food and a warm, cozy environment, as well.

No. 9, with it’s wooden fixtures and interesting interior (my favorite being the huge painting behind a comfortable couch) had me wide eyed and giddy the moment I went in.

It’s the kind of place you’d want to go to with a loved one and whisper secrets in each others ear because of its intimate feel and sophistication. But if you’re looking for a new place to have dinner and perhaps a couple of drinks after, No. 9 also has a beautiful garden for that, too!

I’ll be honest, the food can be a little bit pricey but it’s a small price to pay for a wonderful experience. With dishes ranging from P 280.00- P 450.00, No. 9’s menu is well worth the price.

During our lunch at No. 9, my mom and I ordered the Pork Belly and Fideo Negro while my siblings just took bits and pieces since they had already eaten. It was my first time to sample black pasta, not being a fan of squid ink and all, but as soon as I took a bite of it, I had quickly changed perspectives. As not to be biased, I asked my sister and my mom what they thought about it and they both agreed that it was the best one they had had yet.

The pork belly was equally as scrumptious with pieces of arugula and salsa to direct it in a classier direction leaving me feeling stuffed and happy.

No. 9 is somewhere I would want to go to for a fancy night out with a boyfriend or friends- especially if I wanted to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city that can oftentimes be irritating.

The food was great, the ambiance superb and the service was so warm and welcoming that we had to resist from over staying.

Operating hours:

11:00 am – 12:00 mn (Tuesdays- Sundays)

For reservations:

(032) 253 9518

Official website

xx,

Issa

Yolk Coffee & Breakfast

Posted on February 2, 2015 by issaplease

We always want the things we can’t have and despite my egg allergies, I quickly discovered the trying out Yolk was one of the things I just could not resist. No matter how hard I tried!

As soon as I walked into their quaint little establishment, I knew I was going to enjoy my egg and coffee filled dinner even if I knew it would lead to bad case of allergies right after… but it was all worth it!

The first thing I try to pay attention to when I enter a new place is the ambiance. Would it be a nice place to hang out with friends or go on a date? What kind of people would enjoy it and most especially, is the ambiance worth the price of not just to food I’m paying for but the overall experience? Walking into Yolk made me feel like I was about to dine at a rustic countryside cafe with it’s use of mixed materials and their homey feel. I loved how they used bricks, wood and cement to set the vibe right and their use of earth tone hues and smart prints to bring everything together. In a way, it sort of reminded me of my room which also means, I did not want to leave!

Prior to going to Yolk, I had asked my friends for suggestions on what to get while I was there. I originally planned on staying away from the eggs but everyone seemed to be pushing me towards the opposite direction so I guess, there was no way of dodging that bullet. The place is named Yolk, after all.

One friend did suggest ordering the IT’S SO FLUFFY (I COULD DIE!) mini-me pancakes [Php 180.00] so we ordered that aside from the Super Beefy Omelet [Php 180.00], Eggs Benny [P280.00] and of course, coffee.

My favorite among the three had to be the pancakes. It had an interesting syrup alternative that consisted of mashed mangoes and a soft but flavorful hint of cinnamon in the mixture. And yes, they were SO FLUFFY, I COULD DIE!

The Eggs Benny is something that I would definitely eat again with Paolo around for reference since he knows more about it than I do. But I did enjoy the variation of this egg as compared to the more common sunny side eggs and omelets.

Preference wise, I’m not a big omelette fan so I wouldn’t be able to give it a fair description. On the other hand, my little brother devoured the whole thing while still asking for seconds. He really liked it!

Yolk is one of the places you’d want to bring your family, friends and your significant others to because of it’s intimate ambiance and great food.

It’s one of those places you’d enjoy spending the afternoons at with a good cup of Joe while having conversations and of course, taking Instagram worthy photos!

Also, the staff there are great and are very accommodating, making your overall experience top notch!

Store Hours: 7:30 am – 10:00 pm (Tuesday- Sunday)

Address: 80 Tres Borces Street, Mabolo, Cebu City

Telephone: (032) 231 0411

For more information you can contact them through:

Facebook

@YolkCafePH

#YolkCafePh/ #CebuEats

xx,

Issa

Issatorial: How I Apply My Cat Eye

Posted on February 1, 2015 by issaplease

I’ve always wished that I had mesmerizing eyes that could entice anyone with just one look but unfortunately, all I’ve got are chinky bug eyes (even that even makes sense. I’m Chinese so good figure). Luckily, with the use of make up and many years of practice and precision, that sexy; tantalizing look can actually be achieved- making me look more like I’m 24 and not 12!

Many of you have made inquiries and complimented my eye liner technique over the past few years so I figured that it was about time to share my eyeliner routine with all of you even if it’s in the form of a bad quality video. #thiscanonlygetbetterfromhere

I hope you enjoy this video!<3

xx,
Issa

Purple Reign

Posted on January 28, 2015 by issaplease

Gone are the days when matching sets were for 8 year old’s and grade school teachers. Now these terno pieces can be worn anywhere from the office, to the mall and even on night outs with friends.

It’s an easy way to look chic, comfortable and fierce especially if you never have the time to do that anymore! *cough, cough*

I’ve been on the terno bandwagon for quite some time now sporting all types of matching sets and pairing them with my favorite articles of clothing to make them even more interesting than they already are. As great as they already are, I still find it important to add a little more like a blazer or accessories to bring down the impact of the entire outfit especially for those with stronger prints.

For this particular outfit, I thought it would look best with a white cover up (or blazer, IF I HAD ONE. sheesh.) to tone down the shade of purple which is very prominent in these pieces. Quite honestly, the color purple scares me since it reminds me so much of Barney the dinosaur but I quickly learned that with the right styling techniques, purple can actually be wearable! Don’t you just love fashion?

A big thanks to Let’s Stylize for introducing these bad boys into my life ❤

I feel like a woman now. Thanks for asking!

xx,

Issa

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