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

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.

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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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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Summer Falls

After 14 years, I finally got a chance to come back and visit the Philippines for the first time. A lot of mixed emotions were involved as I was excited, afraid and nervous at the same time. But as soon as I saw my family from the Philippines, all of this went away and all our childhood memories were relived. I made a few outfits specifically for my traveling adventures and for this photoshoot, I wore an enchanted, flowy, off shoulder dress at Hinulugang Taktak – it is found in Antipolo City, Rizal where I spent a huge part of my childhood years growing up. Although, we are not allowed to swim because the water has is polluted, this gorgeous fall has become a national park where people hold concerts, weddings and other ceremonies here.What do you think of this outfit? Have you traveled anywhere this summer?

XO,

Joy

July 22, 2016July 22, 2016

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