Be Gentle

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You never know how a photograph turns out. When Jing and I were shooting these set of photos, I initially went towards a laid back; easy breezy theme in my head and then BAM! I find myself looking like some risque bombshell waiting to jump on you or you to jump on me. (whichever works, really. HAHA) But you know, I’m not even mad. If anything, I’m impressed and also, completely dependent on Jing now. He really knows how to make a girl look good. :)))

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Life lately has been really hectic with work, meetings, blogging and trying to maintain a personal life with all my weird hobbies and interests. As of today, I am now a proud owner of my very own top of the line camera and I can not wait to turn this blog up another notch.

So tonight, I leave you with this:

Always follow your dreams, no matter how big or small they are. 

My dream was to write and make something out of myself in the world of fashion no matter how big or small and although I’m not quite there yet, I am still somewhere and that is definitely better than being nowhere. When you’re doing the things you love, there is no place for hatred; jealousy or resentment but only contentment and gratitude. It is easier to be happy for others and to share your happiness, as well. So there.

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Crotchet top: Given| Camisole: Forever 21 Basics| Shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch

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Sandals: Car Car

Photography: Jing Pascual

xx,

Issa

Summers With Guess x Spectrum

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The summer just got a little hotter with Guess’ brand new Summer collection which was recently released here in Cebu. With the season usually associated with bright colors and anything + everything island-y, Guess’ color summer line which consists of different pastel hues and a little bit of blacks and denims for that edgy vibe, is as always spot on.

Aside from the awesome collection, their Summer Kickoff party surely did not disappoint. Accompanied by live music from Spectrum, summery drinks and even better company; my Friday night was filled with everything that makes summer my favorite season ever!

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There’s definitely something for everyone at Guess whether you’re looking for something to beat the heat in or if you’re looking for something fun and flirty on a night out or even just something to chill in. Make sure to check out Guess at the ground floor of the Ayala Center Cebu.

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with lifeonaflavoredrunway, Jean Yu. :*

xx,

Issa

I’ve Got All This Going On

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Fashion and fashion blogging changes you. I never thought I’d be the type of girl to don a full printed one piece with pastel colors and zebra stripes but now that I finally have, I keep asking myself why I never did it to begin with!

I know by now you all probably know my undying love for rompers like this and  Let’s Stylize really up-ed their game with their bright prints and body pleasing patterns.

I’m always going to be beach, mountain or city ready in this piece.

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Shades: Forever21| Romper: Let’s Stylize

 

xx,

Issa

Walls and Spaces feat. Jing Pascual Photography

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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! <3

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photography backdrops

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

Power to fly: Many years of practice and concentration

xx,

Issa P.

Purple Reign

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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 <3

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xx,

Issa

Tissle Tassel

2014-12-22 03.08.04 1A quick tip for any woman who feels like it’s almost impossible to incorporate red in their outfits because either

[1] You feel like red just isn’t your color

[2] You hate it when people ask you if it’s your birthday

[3] Ala Santa just isn’t your thing

There is hope for weirdos like us.

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 For the slightly Erythrophobics like me, maybe a slight change of perception might just do the trick!

I’ve discovered that the quickest fix to my fear of the all bright red things can be fixed by playing down the hues and finding something more suitable for my skin tone, personality and style. Apparently it’s red’s somewhat lonesome and erotic cousin- Maroon.

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 I’ve come to a realization that colors with darker undertones with hints of brighter colors do the trick for me. In this piece, I’m wearing hints of gold, pink and white which aren’t overbearing but still allow me to feel comfortably boho and girly at the same time- just how I like it!

Plus, the tassels on my top are a cute addition to my entire look. Don’t you think?

2014-12-22 03.09.38 1Shades: Rayban| Kimono top; Faux Leather Shorts & Tassle Top: Greenhills| Gold Sandals: Francesca CollectionHat: Topshop| Nails: GirlStuff

xoxo,

Issa

Fauxy Leather

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 May the only thing that is fake in your life be leather and fur.

Issaplease, 2014

OK so HI EVERYONE, I am totally still alive!

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Lately my life has just been so crazily blessed that I haven’t really had time to blog or do anything blog related (which includes events/ photo shoots/ etc) and I am so sorry about that!

I’ve recently switched careers or more like, added another career to my life, moved out and just wrapped up a big event which I will be blogging about in the near future- heads up to all aspiring event organizers out there! It’s officially dawned on me that I’m too fickle minded to just stick to one job as of the moment so I’m just going to do EVERYTHING while I still can and I’ve just been so happy since I made that decision for myself.

FYI, you’re going to see a lot more of this white wall and rack while I’m still tripod-less and photographer-less. Unfortunately, dearest yaya couldn’t come with me in this exciting new chapter of my life. 🙁

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So as colorful as my life has been apparently, so have been my clothing choices! 😀

I was recently gifted this amazing faux leather skirt from Let’s Stylize and with the weather we’ve been having lately- leather definitely wouldn’t hurt anyone!

Because of the playful hue of this skirt, I was able to woman it up a bit by pairing it with this colorful top and of course,my big floppy hat to make it seem more me.

Usually when you see leather, biker chick’s immediately come to mind but I wouldn’t say the same for this look.

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Hat: Topshop| Dress used as top: July| Leather skirt: Let’s Stylize| Heels: Zalora

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P.S. The power box on the side of my photos will eventually grow on you. It did on me. 🙂

xx,

Issa

Hobo? Boho?

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I’ve always been a huge fan of layering which is unfortunate because I live in such a humid city. Sometimes, I go against the weather and go full boho despite the weather because… I’ve just got to let that girl out, you know?

Because I knew I was going to spend the entire day at the mall, I decided to stick to light materials- as hot as this outfit looks, it’s actually really breezy and lightweight!

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A lot of people are going to tell you that you need to dress a certain way or look at you differently when you step out of the norms- but if you feel good in what you’re wearing, that’s really the only thing that should matter.

I get teased a lot for being too “fashown” by people who I honestly could care less about. The more I’ve been getting into blogging, the more people think they are entitled to their own opinion about me… as if I knew them or they knew me.

I guess people will always want to have an opinion (even if it’s wrong and stupid) but it’s up to us to choose which ones are logical enough to be given our time of the day.

So chin up, young ones! Don’t let anyone or anything phase you.

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Hat: Cotton On| Crop top: Forever 21| Skirt: Let’s Stylize

xx,

Issa

I Chase Sunsets & Dreams. Not Boys & Their Petty Needs.

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No intended aggression from this blog post. It rhymes and sounds cute so yey!

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I tried to take these photos right before sunset because I completely forgot to take them any earlier and by the time I remembered, it was too late!

In case you didn’t know, I’ve worn these pants before here  but I wanted to show you guys how I would wear it on a regular day- fully clothed and everything.

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I never really had an exact way to describe how I dressed until today and it’s lazy and sloppy. Yep, not to under mind myself or anything but I love everything loose and fuss free which is probably why you’ll often catch me in maxi skirts and flowly crop tops.

But I understand that as much as I love to be lazy, I also have to consider my body type and what looks good on my body which is why I often pair loose pieces with tiny or fitting pieces.

I got this top at a local department store (*cough*cough*Gasiano Carcar) after  eyeing it for a couple of weeks and I think it was the perfect addition to this Vanessa Hudgens phase I’ve been going through a lot lately because 1. it’s white, 2. crocheted, 3. cinched at the hem.

I can’t wait to wear it with denim cut offs or daisy duke shorts and boots because it totally makes sense, right?

xx,

Issa P.

Better Than This Weather feat. Sanuk, Cebu

 

 

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It’s like I can never say it enough… Cebu’s weather is totally whack!

One minute I’m in a summery ensemble ready to hit an event and the next, I’m scurrying to find a cardigan to match! It’s like these rain clouds come out of nowhere so I’m always finding myself having to pack an extra layer of clothing just in case.

There really isn’t an “ideal” way to dress for this weather and I think we’re all aware of this since it’s the only thing us fashion bloggers can seem to talk about these days. But the problem is real… the solution however, may often be hazy.

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And although my #OOTD may not look as prepared to combat any weather, at least I know my shoes are. These babies from Sanuk’s Spring/ Summer 2015 collection are perfect whether it’s raining or shining outside.

Sanuk, which name is directly derived from the Thai word meaning happy, is known to attract people who love hitting the outdoors. They are constructed from innovative technology to ensure maximum comfort and durability and they are super stylish as well.

They can easily take anyone from the beach, to the mall and straight to the mountains for quick hike which is perfect for the Cebuano lifestyle!

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Floral crop top: SM Department store brand, Betty (gift from Chay Ramirez. Love you always, Chay!)| High waist shorts: Gaisano Car-car| Shoes: Sanuk| Shades:  Forever21 (similar here)

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For days like this when then the weather is off but I need some flower power to brighten the mood, I always pack a bright colored cardigan just in case it drizzles.

In addition to my cute and versatile shoes, keeping a cardi in my bag gives me the quick option to dress up or down as I please. It might add a little extra baggage but I like to carry big bags anyways so I don’t seem to mind.

 Congratulations to Sanuk for opening their new store at the 2nd level, new wing of Ayala! Thanks for having us and of course, for my new favorite pair of shoes :*

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With Doyzkie (www.iluvcebu.com), Toni (www.perfumedredshoes.com), Marco (www.lamikaayo.com) and Jean (www.jeancyu.com)

xx,

Issa