travel blogger, lifestyle blogger, influencer, brand influencer, influencer instagram, fashion blogger

Dark Blooms

A few weeks ago, I went back to Death Valley with my friends. One of my favorite places to visit and to shoot in is —-Bad Water Basin. This place reminds me that—not all endings have to be ugly, some of them actually turn out to be unique and extraordinary. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by white ground which sorta looks like snow but it’s pretty much dried up salt from the evaporated water, which once was a lake. Here are some of the pictures that I took with my favorite photographer, who became my boyfriend that weekend. Haha. I was so excited for this trip that I actually made three outfits, which I’ll be sharing the other two outfits soon. For this look, I used a black embroidery floral lace to make a see through maxi dress with bell sleeves and a two piece set. As Coachella is coming around the corner, I felt the need to make some festival inspired looks. This dress is very light and perfect for a hot, sunny day in the desert. And to top it all of, I made a floral crown to finish the look. What do you guys think? Are you excited for Coachella?

XOXO,

Joy

Butterflies

Are you guys excited for Coachella? I’ve always wanted to make a butterfly inspired outfit so I made this two piece set with a high low skirt along with a butterfly crown. I had so much fun making these as much as I had fun shooting this festival inspired look. I was actually super inspired by Maria Grazia Chiuri‘s Spring 2017 Couture line when I made this outfit as I am so in love and just obsessed with her collection!!! I wanted to play with the idea of dreaming, fantasy, fairy tales and magic. Chiuri accessorized her magical dresses with Stephen Jones’ garden- referenced headdresses which also inspired me to make my own butterfly crown. I’ve always loved the color magenta and also been wanting to make a butterfly crown since I feel like the floral crown has been played out at festivals.

If you guys and gals end up going to weekend 2 in Coachella, please don’t hesitate to say hi and chat! I can’t wait to just dance around in the desert. Also, if you have any outfit requests you’d like to me to make, feel free to comment and i’ll see what i can do!
Hope this little ensemble of mine inspires you to wear something fun and creative at Coachella! 😉

XOXO,

Joy

March 29, 2017March 29, 2017

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Unconditional Love

I know I’m a little late on my blog posts lately (sorry, it has been a crazy busy week) as I wanted to talk about one of girls’s favorite topics to talk about: love! ;P Have you ever been loved unconditionally by someone? The kind of love that loves you still when things get ugly, when you have stuff in your teeth, when you fight and cry but you know you’re going to be okay the next day, when you can fully trust the other person knowing there’s no malice in their heart and all they want is the best for you despite of your differences? It wasn’t until my late twenties that I realized (other than God who created this whole universe and my parents who treat me like a princess and the rest of my family who can’t really get rid of me, hehe) that my greatest relationships (so far) are my best friends.

When I truly thought about the things that I was looking for what an ideal relationship should consists of — there were some things that I knew were non negotiable such as: commitment, loyalty, trust, kindness, respect, honesty, the ability to be completely myself with another person and have lots of fun. With that said I also realized that one of the most important part is for me to be with people who will show love unconditionally and willingly —and accept that I will love them that way in return —and who aren’t afraid to stick around for the hard parts, who aren’t scared to talk about each other’s flaws, or plan a future with me or who will pick up the phone at 3 am because I’m having a nervous breakdown and I don’t think I can finish my school project that’s due at 8:30 in the morning.

Sometimes I’ve asked myself: isn’t our greatest relationship supposed to involve romance? Isn’t suppose to end in marriage like what the society expects out of us? But looking back on my life, my friends have been my constants – who have an unconditional love for me for years. Even when I’ve hit my lowest points, they’re the ones who have helped me come back up. The ones who never gave up on me and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. The ones who’ve talked me out (and never stopped) #insertrollingeyesemoji of dating the guys who they think aren’t good enough for me. The ones that know when I deserve more when I clearly don’t see it and the ones who see the strength in me when I feel like nothing but a broken mess. They don’t worry about a “commitment” to our friendship – it just flows. They don’t look at my bad sides and make me feel bad for it – for the most part, we point them out to each other and discuss how can we be better as a person? They aren’t nice to me just to get something out of me; they’re nice to me because they care about me. They push and aspire me to be my best self because we are each other’s cheerleaders —without forcing each other to be someone we’re not. Last but not the least, I don’t have to compete for their attention or convince them to see my worth because they already know it. In all honestly, I’m lead to believe that your best friends are probably one of the strongest loves you’ll ever have because nobody is forcing them to love you, other than the fact that they already know too much about you! 😉

For this blog post I am actually wearing Secretly A Mermaid‘s newest set. Follow us on Instagram: @shopsecretlyamermaid My bestie and I started our own Etsy shop late last year in order to share our love for mermaids, dressing up and fashion. Speaking of unconditional love, I can say that our friendship is one of the primary examples of the existing greatest relationships that I have. Sometimes it feels like work because we actually work together even if we’re fighting… but in the end I still think it’s worth it because we love each other unconditionally and we are working towards a common goal and we don’t lose sight of that.

My hope is that if you haven’t found someone who loves you for all the beautiful, amazing mess that you are — is that you never give up. Hang on tight and spend time with the ones that already do. <3

XOXO,

Joy

February 27, 2017

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L O S T

“Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

Have you ever had a crazy idea? Crazy enough to trust the unknown, to feel lost? A few months ago, I had a crazy idea and told my best friend about starting an online store together. Five months later, here we are about to launch our brand “Secretly A Mermaid” this Sunday on October 16, 2016. This black velour crop top & choker will now be available to be purchased on our site. I also made a black & white plaid culotte pants to go with it. My business partner and I have no idea what the outcome is gonna be but all we know is throughout all those sleepless nights, the hard work and feeling lost at times is, we are one step at making our dreams come true. As a young entrepreneur and a fashion designer, I am here to remind you that it’s okay to feel lost. It is okay to feel uncertain about what is ahead. It is okay to take a step back to give yourself a little break. I had to once in a while. Whatever you may be feeling, know that you are not alone. All of us gets lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars.

October 13, 2016October 13, 2016

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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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The Renaissance Woman

As NYFW and fall fashion arrives, most of the fashionistas around the globe either fly out to New York to attend shows or (thanks to the magical powers of the internet), we can now watch the full shows online. One of my favorite fall trends is the modern Renaissance Woman. She is magical, dainty, feminine as she wears velvet, bell sleeves, bold prints to corsets, head-turn hosiery, lush crinkle satins, Eiffel-towering heels from garden parties to galleries. For this look, I created an off shoulder printed blouse and a black lace with slits as I watched Hamlet at the New Swan Shakespeare Festival. What do you guys and gals think about this look? And are y’all excited for this new season?

XOXO,

Joy

September 9, 2016September 9, 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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Temporary Setbacks

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that its going to launch you to something great.”

One of my girlfriends sent this quote to me recently and it spoke so much to me. I never really thought of life this way but thinking about t now, it’s fairly true. Every time I am going through a setback, it normally prepares for something bigger and better in life which eventually ends up making me stronger. About a year ago when I was going through the roughest time of my life (yet), I always asked myself why is this happening to me? why? why? why? Until I got to the point where I got sick and tired of asking why, sulking around and crying. A year or so later did I realize that everything happens for a reason and that temporary setbacks are overcome through persistence, handwork and an amazing support system.

I cannot be more happy now and be glad of everything that I’ve been through. Because of these setbacks, I have adapted the meaning of self-love, learned who my true friends are and I’ve grown to appreciate my family more. A month ago, I had to leave my full-time job as a designer in order for me to spend some time with my family in Asia. Although, the idea of doing this is extremely difficult at that time since I’m slightly a workaholic, I do not regret doing so now. Reconnecting with my cousins that I grew up with, my aunts and uncles and making more memories with them is probably one of the best decision I’ve made this year. It blows my mind how little people have in third world countries; yet they probably are the happiest people I’ve ever met.

Now that I’m back in America, looking for a job now is actually a lot harder than I thought. Thankfully, I have a support system that encourages me that this isn’t the end and that I most likely needed this break before I get sucked back in the crazy world of the fashion industry. Oh and for this look, I made a simple two piece hot pink bathing suit and a white see through cover up. If you haven’t noticed on my last blog posts, I may or may not be obsessed with the color white. It’s just so easy to wear especially over the summer. What’s your favorite go to piece this season? Is anyone else sad that summer is ending too? And have you gone through any setbacks in life recently? If so, have they helped you shape the person you are now?

XOXO,

Joy

August 24, 2016

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White Sand

Living in So Cal more than half my life, I’ve been surrounded by beaches. But when I laid my eyes on this beach, I’ve never seen anything like it – with the soft white sand, clear blue water, tiny fishes swimming up the shore and unbelievable sunsets. If you can’t already tell Boracay Islands is one of my favorite places and I hope and plan to buy a house there someday. On my last night at the islands, I actually ended up not sleeping and staying up all night watching the stars at the beach. I just wanted admire its beauty and savor every moment of it. For this look, I made a simple white beach dress. What do you think about this look? And doesn’t this island just makes you want to live here?

XOXO,

Joy

August 17, 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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