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

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

Activewear That You Can Wear Anywhere

I never thought I’d be that girl that lives in active wear everywhere I go. Last week, I visited this cute dainty little town by Joshua Tree called Pioneertown But when I discovered Smart One, it definitely became one of my favorite active wear brands. It’s super comfortable, made with durable, performance fabrics & fashionably cute! My favorite top is their Eva Landscape Sports Bra. It has adjustable straps and mesh inserts that keeps me fresh and feeling my best.

I also love that they have the Belle Pink Capri to compliment it. They’re super soft and light with UV protection and moisture wicking. The fit is just perfect that I almost feel like I’m not wearing anything. But my ultimate favorite part about them is they’re high waisted and it hugs my body just in the right curves! 😉 And last but not the least, it has versatile hidden pockets! AHHH. I’m super sold. A lot of times, I’m always looking for pockets when it comes to activewear and finally I found one that has them.

Do you have a favorite activewear line? If you don’t or even if you do, you definitely should check out Smart One!

XO,

Joy

July 27, 2018

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Super Super Dope x That Pink Door

Hello babes!

Have you ever been to the iconic “That Pink Door” in Palm Springs? Did you know that it’s instagram famous? Almost every blogger I know has gone there! If you haven’t gotten a chance to take a picture with it, you’ve gotta! Because if you haven’t, it’s like you never really went to Palm Springs. That Pink Door can be found on 1100 Sierra Way! 😉

Also, have you guys and gals heard of Super Super Dope? I got this shirt from this Apparel + Accessories Company based on Singapore. They are a team of hustlers who like to sit around, drink coffee and come up with dope + hustle focussed word play. As a blogger and a fashion designer, I am always busy. Most of my weekends consists of road trips and traveling and my weekdays are filled with non stop work. If you’re a hustler, coffee addict like me, definitely check out their newest tees and accessories! And did I mention that they ship for free worldwide? Grab a few of your very own minimal and affordable clothing while kicking ass at your day job or simply just sitting around drinking coffee with friends! For additional 10% off, use the code “madewithjoy10” 😉

Black Jeans : Ambercrombie & Fitch

White Booties: Target

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018

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Amplify Pt. 1

Hi Friends,

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Amplify OC hosted by Jazzy, sponsored by Kroger. In here I met amazing, beautiful women influencers coming from different backgrounds where we had to chance to connect, grow, devour healthy and simple meals and create together.

On Friday morning, we ate some delicious protein pancakes.

Then proceeded to our first goal setting activity where we got to think about what our “perfect day” consist of and share it with everyone. This exercise made me think about how I can handle my time so much better and how it is possible if I just push myself enough. It also taught me that I need to include self care in my day, as I’m always running around, I seem to always forget to take care of myself and well being.

For lunch, we had Triscuit with fruits, cheese and salad. I was so happy when I found out that Triscuit is one of our sponsors as it’s actually one of my favorite personal snacks! I love that it’s light and crispy and healthy. My favorite is the fire roasted tomato & olive.

After lunch, we made vision boards underneath the olive trees. For my vision board, I included a of lot tropical islands as I dream to travel and go to as many adventures around the world and also visit each Disneyland in every country. The phrases “Transform your world” “Never the same thrill twice” and “Go your own way” are in there to remind me that it’s okay to be different and live my dream and manifest it even though it seems impossible right now. We also had our refreshing afternoon tea, thanks to Tazo!

For dinner, we had one of Jazzy’s “Your Dinner is Planned” Baja California Dinner, this is the very first time I had a vegetarian stuffed peppers and it was actually delicious. If you’re like me and doesn’t really like veggies- let me tell you that this one actually tastes like magic!

That was our day one last Friday and I hope that this blog post inspires you to eat healthy and take care of yourself. Stay tuned for my next post regarding Amplify Pt. 2! 😉

Oh and of course, I actually made this two piece outfit for this event! What do you think about it? When I did my research that we are going to be in The Nursery By Southwinds and saw how beautiful it is, I knew i had to make a floral outfit.

XOXO,

Joy

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

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How To Be A Merbabe All Year

I can’t believe summer is almost here. Anyone else as excited as I am? Most girls associate mermaid wear only over the summer, but did you gals know you can be a merbabe all year long? First you gotta get your own set of your one piece set at Secretly A Mermaid then you style it in different ways.

For winter, you can wear it with denim jeans and boots. For a rave or a festival, you can wear it by itself with knee high boots and style it with some mermaid make up or a glittery poncho. For the beach, or summer, you can pair it with your favorite sunglasses.

There are so many fun ways you can wear this mermaid set. Can you think of anything else? I’m even thinking of wearing this to Coachella with my poncho sequin and some booty shorts! 😉

XOXO,

Joy

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017

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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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