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Puppy Friday With Solid Gold Pets

Before summer ends, I wanted to make a matching outfit of me and Coco and a few weeks ago, I finally got a chance to do that. We went to the dog park in Hollywood and we got so many compliments! Coco also had so much fun running around with her fellow doggies!

Last month, she actually tried Solid Gold Mighty Mini and she couldnt stop eating it. Coco is normally picky with her food so I was glad to see that she loved this one! This grain- and gluten-free recipe is made with USA-sourced beef, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies, and a balanced blend of superfoods with omega fatty acids. She loved the savory lamb, sweet potato recipe – especially the wet food – it was also filled with plus nutrient-packed superfoods like vitamin E-rich cranberries.

I was thinking of doing more blog posts like this one where Coco and I have matching outfits – what do you guys think of this blog post?

Xo,

Joy

How To Make Unicorn Headbands

Anyone else obsessed with unicorns?!

If you are – here’s a step to step how to guide on making unicorn headbands.
For our latest Secretly A Mermaid, photoshoot we made unicorn headbands to complete our “UniMer” Themed Photoshoot with collaboration with Swimbrayv

First —> you’ll be needing all these below:

-scissors, flowers, cotton/stuffing material, paper to make your pattern, fabric of your choice, headband, glue gun + glue sticks, felt

Now let’s get to it!

Make a patter for your headband – trace it and add 1/2″ all around.

Then cut your pattern.

Draw your unicorn ears (1 big for outer ear + 1 small for inside ear) and draw your horn (make sure it rolls together).

It should look like something like this. After that – it’s time to cut the fabric!

Cut the headband pattern 2x.

Cut the horn pattern once.

Cut the inside ear 2x.

Then cut the bigger piece in felt (in this case I chose the white felt) to go with the iridescent mermaid fabric.

Afterwards:

Put the the two headband fabrics and sew the sides together and put the headband inside.
Fold the horn and meet the sides and sew until it makes a horn – then stuff it with cotton/extra fabric or stuffing material.
Glue the inside fabric ear to the felt (the bigger outside ear)

Everything should look something like this below:

Now you can assemble your unicorn headband and place them where you want everything to go. Cut the flowers and place them where you like. Then glue everything together —> including the bottom part of the headband.

TADAAAAAA! Now you can officially be a unicorn!

What did you boys and girls think of this blog post? Do you want to see more DIY projects? Any request of what you’d like me to teach you next?

XO,

Joy

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018

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Lavender Festival

Hi friends,

On June 16, 2018, Eddie and I went to the Lavender Festival <3 It’s probably one of my favorite festivals yet as it’s celebrated at the beautiful 123 Farm at Highland Springs Ranch & Inn where the organic herbs are grown.

They also serve lavender everything – from drinks to ice cream with live music!

You can also make your own lavender crown! But we came a bit later so we were too late!

They also have mini cute shops that sell oils, soaps, candles, spices, teas, books, honey and even bread!

Then there’s two huge fields with lavender where you are free to take pics and there were also horse drawn carriages where they give out guided tours.

And of course, I had to make an outfit for this gorgeous event! I made floral flowy dress that ties at the front. All portraits are taken by my photographer boyfriend, Eddie <3

If you missed this year’s event, I hope you make it next year. It’s so worth it and have I mentioned relaxing?

XO,

Joy

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018

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Read this if you’re sad that you’re single on Valentine’s Day

Today is the day that most people flaunt their relationships in social media about how happy and meant to be they are. But for some people, it can be a day that reminds them of how super single they are and how lonely it is to have no one to hold hands with, to not have any dinner plans with nor have anyone bring you flowers in the office. I have nothing against Valentine’s Day. In fact, I love “LOVE DAY” It has become one of my favorite holidays and it’s not because I’m in a relationship or anything like that —but simply because it’s a day when we can celebrate love in general.

I’m not even going to sit here and pretend that I wasn’t one of those people who once didn’t like celebrating this day. I’ve obviously been broken hearted more than I ever wanted to feel the heart wrenching pain—–I’ve felt lonely and been very annoyed by those couples who just flaunt their love in front of the world. But when i look back and ask myself “why am i so upset and caught up?” —then did I only realize that I had my own demons to silence and my past to let go of. If you just got out of a relationship or trying to get over someone, I was there in your position a year ago and I’m here to tell you that time does heal all wounds. You just have to go with it —feel the pain, recognize it and live. One day you’ll wake up and realize that it’s gone because you kept on going.

Also, whether you sulk here all night and day, people all over the world will still fall in love anyways. So you can’t be upset at people for falling in love, love is love. Sometimes we tend to forget that there’s different kinds of love. It’s not just romantic love —there’s self love, love for your friends, family, for God, for your pets! Every time I look back in my life, when I’m at my lowest —these love that these people had for me were the ones that sustained me and helped me to keep going and to move forward on the other side. It’s at these lowest moments of my life, when I was at my worst —did they not give up on me. They believed in me, corrected me, fought with me to get me to get me back on the right track. So today —on love day, I will not forget everyone that helped me become who I am now and be better. This is one of the best days to celebrate our love with everyone we love. So if you’re out here sad that you’re single, call your grandparents and tell them how much you miss them and love them, or your parents and how much you appreciate them, or hang out with the rest of your single friends and go dancing or simply stay home and cuddle with your pets.

Plus, tomorrow all the chocolates will be on sale!!! So instead of sulking because you currently don’t have the love of your life in front of you right now, appreciate the other loves of your life that you currently have. And I promise you that one day he/she will come in your life and it will change everything. All your questions, fears and confusion will be silenced. But for now, just enjoy your single life. I’ve always thought about it this way —if I ever get married someday, i will have the rest of my life to spend with that one person; therefore, before I get there I would like to do as much as I can before I consider someone else’s opinions/needs along with mine.

My hope for you is that may you see today in a different light —there’s too much in this world that hasn’t happened to you yet. Don’t let your past or that one guy/girl who broke your heart steal your joy. Go out there and have fun! Celebrate the fact that you’re still alive and you still have a chance to meet the love of your life someday (or today or tomorrow), make new friends, land your dream job or travel somewhere you’ve never been before.

I made this dress for my Valentine’s shoot that I collaborated with one of my close friends, Eddie. Isn’t he so talented?! I love that he always makes my photos look so whimsical and magical. I was so inspired by Rita Ora’s and Liam Payne’s For You Music Video and fell in love with her dress at first sight that I wanted to recreate it. We also tried to do some levitation shots as they were levitating towards the end of the music video. Can I just say that it is not as easy as what they make it seem!? This is probably one of the hardest shoots I’ve ever done but also one of my favorites! 🙂

Happy Valentine’s Day Loves!

XOXO,

Joy

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018

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All of the Stars

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!! Thanking and saluting all the men and women who’ve protected our freedom and defended our independence. I made a 4th of July inspired body suit to for today’s festivities. I’m currently in the middle of moving and will be getting ready soon to go to a BBQ/pool party and to tailgate and watch fireworks at the Rose Bowl. I cannot wait!!! How’s everyone celebrating today?

XOXO,

Joy

July 4, 2017July 4, 2017

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The Rise of Culottes

culottes

(kjuːˈlɒts)

pl n

(Clothing & Fashion) women’s flared trousers cut to look like a skirt

[C20: from French, literally: breeches, from cul bottom; see culet]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

A few months ago, I was one of those people that said culottes are not for me until I finally decided to give them a chance. As much as I love fashion, I also love comfort and there are no pants that are more comfortable than culottes. They’re pretty much skirts that are made to be shorts. So I made one out of a black woven crepe and added a trim at the bottom. I also made a see through top that is versatile enough to be worn on the day time and night time. What do y’all think about this look?

XO,

Joy

September 21, 2016

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Flowers Over Adulting

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” – Mulan

Happy September! Fall is near so I’ve decided to do my last summer blog post. For this look, I made a two piece – printed bandeau and a ruched skirt with a white cardigan. What do you guys think about this look? I’m going to miss all the colors that I got to play around with this summer. Although, I’m sad that summer is coming to an end, I’m also excited that fall and a new season is coming! Anyone else obsessed with pumpkin spice lattes, knee high socks, boots and coats? Because I am. I can’t wait to make and style fall outfits.

I was walking in DTLA a few days ago and my roommate and came across these flowers and I absolutely fell in love with them and had to take photos in front of them. I think one of the reasons why I love flowers so much despite of them being beautiful is the fact that if you think about it, they actually go through so much dirt and transition before they actually bloom. I’m sure if you took elementary science growing up, you learned how flowers come to life and now as an adult, I look back at this process and think that this is pretty much what adulthood looks like. Growing up, I’ve always been an optimist; that everything will just fall into place and although everything has, I also didn’t think adulting was going to be as difficult as it is now. However, everyday is a new day to start over, to take risks, to be scared but do it anyways, to create something new, to invest on yourself, on other people, to build new opportunities, to dream, to play, to love and to hope.

XOXO,

Joy

September 1, 2016September 1, 2016

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Chasing Dreams

Do you have a dream list? Because I do. I guess most of us would call these goals or things you want to achieve in life. Growing up in the Philippines, I’ve always heard of the Boracay Islands and I knew in my heart that one day, I would love to go over there and visit it. Everything that I imagined it to be is insanely real. When i was just a little girl, I also dreamt of being a fashion designer someday. My dad used to work for a manufacturing company who exported children’s clothing in Europe. I would receive different dresses from him weekly and sometimes he would even bring me to work. I told myself that someday, I’m going to own my factory filled with dresses. In a very young age, I was blessed to have such supportive parents who encouraged my dreams and allowed me to express my imagination a lot. I would stay in my room and draw Sailor Moon and Barbie and give them different outfits. As I grew older, being a fashion designer has always been on the back of my mind. I knew I’ve always wanted and needed to be one. It’s just a matter of how will i get there? Once college hits, I was so unsure whether i should pursue this ridiculous dream or not because in my head, I’m like how? So just to play it safe, I went to a community college and took some general ed classes along with some sketching and sewing classes. Even though my parents were always supportive of my goals and dreams, they were also worried about my financial stability. In the Filipino culture, it is very common to have your children pursue nursing – because apparently, it provides exactly that – financial security. A part of me wanted to try so I took the beginning science classes in college. Fortunately enough, I didn’t do so well and got Cs while I was excelling in my sketching and sewing classes and was always more excited to be there instead. It wasn’t until then that I fully realized I have to do this. I’m doing this. I’m going for it. I applied to FIDM and got accepted at their Fashion Design program. The two years that I spent at FIDM consisted of countless sleepless nights (real all nighters – like three nights in a row), eating very unhealthy food, consistently running after deadlines, sewing – lots and lots of sewing, sketching, pattern making, draping and working as a resident adviser and a tour guide and having fun all at once. I’ve made so many friendships that I am forever grateful for. As soon as I graduated, I was blessed enough to find a job in the industry within a month and the rest was history which leads me to now.

As I look back the past few years of how I got to where I’m at now, I don’t think i have any regrets at all. I’ve made so many memories and sacrifices to get me where I’m at now. The fashion industry is hard. Actually, hard is an understatement. You really have to love it and be passionate about it in order for you to stay in it. I was just having a conversation with a friend of mine who is also in the industry and we were talking about how this industry is like a bad boyfriend that you love and care about. Now that I’m back from my trip and have taken my break. I know now that I’m ready to go back and tackle the fashion industry again, one storm at a time. I don’t think I can do anything else. I’ve never felt something so strong in my heart — knowing that this is what I’m made to do and I don’t see myself doing anything else.

What are you goals, passions and dreams?

For this look, I made a two piece bathing suit. Red is one of my favorite colors because it’s flirty and fun. What do you think of this look?

XOXO,

Joy

August 13, 2016August 13, 2016

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Golden Age

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is probably on of my favorite historical places I visited in Thailand. It is one of the oldest, largest and most revered temples in Bangkok. It is a must see if you are ever visiting Bangkok. The gigantic statue is the largest in Thailand. You can always hop on a tuk-tuk, or a metered cab depending how far you’re staying to get there. Be sure to dress appropriately. You cannot wear shorts or anything that shows a lot of skin. For this look, I made a two piece set outfit – a pop over top and a long pleated skirt made out of elephant print woven fabric.

Have you visited any interesting places this summer?

XOXO,

Joy

August 8, 2016

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Iridescence

A few weeks before my summer trip in Asia, I went to the LA Fashion District and bought different fabrics that I can use to make some outfits for my trip. The moment that I laid eyes on this iridescent mermaid fabric material, I knew it was the one and I had to buy it for one of my bathing suits. For this look, I made a two piece set with a pleated bra top and scallop edge high waisted bottoms. I spent a whole day at Coral Island in Pattaya, Thailand. It was breathe taking and relaxing. I felt like I had the whole island to myself. One of the things I miss the most in Asia is being able to swim and go in their water. Where have you gone this summer? Do you have any upcoming trips you’re excited about?

XOXO,

Joy

August 3, 2016

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