The Little Prince movie is showing in cinemas here in Manila this week, and I am so excited!

The trailer is so beautiful that I teared up the first time I saw it. (And, okay, I think I've seen it more than ten times now but my feelings toward it haven't abated.) I just love the book so much and I'm really hoping the movie gives it justice.

My boyfriend and I don't know yet when we would be able to see it as this entire week is packed with other commitments, but I'm crossing my fingers we get to see it as soon as possible. Why is being an adult so hard.

I brought out my The Little Prince Deluxe Pop-up Book from storage over the weekend and got inspired all over again. The results:

I'm still thinking whether I should make them into postcards. What do you think?

I also got myself a The Little Prince Coloring Book today! I never thought I would be lured into the [saturated] world of adult coloring books but it's The Little Prince and how could you ever say no to him?

Dammit, now I need color pencils.

Here is this week's Currently!

CURRENTLY Vol. 48

READING
I'll finish re-reading Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince in time for the movie and then start on The Kobayashi Maru of Love by Carljoe Javier.

WRITING
A ton of blog backlogs. Huhu.

Also, my Christmas list. Time to start scouting and shopping for gifts!

LISTENING TO
My Christmas mixtape.

THINKING
Tomorrow is a fake Monday and we have only four days before the weekend, and then it's HELLO, BU again! I haven't even prepared the stuff I am going to sell yet. Eep! Hope you can drop by World Trade Center for the 10th installment of the Bloggers United Bazaar on December 6!

FEELING
Happy. Today Miah and I surprised my dear friend Ed by falling in line to get him tickets to Jessie J's concert exclusive to Smart subscribers. He isn't and I am, and I thought it would be a perfect birthday present as he's a big fan.

It was, as we made him cry by the gesture. (It's true, we have a recording as proof.) I'm happy and thankful my boyfriend submits to my whims. Hee.

LOVING
The smells, the sounds, the colors, the food! Christmas is almost here!

WANTING
Aside from my Christmas wish list (which is scant enough as it is), I honestly can't think of anything to ask for. My heart is grateful.

NEEDING
See my answer above.

WISHING
See my answer two questions above.

I'd also like to take this chance to welcome my boss Celine into the blogging world!

I am lucky and blessed to have met a lot of inspiring people in my line of work, and I guess I'm doubly blessed because one of the most empowering women I've come to know turns out to be my boss. Celine is beauty and grace personified, and hearing her stories in the office is always a delight. I am looking forward to reading more and unlocking her secrets of grace under pressure through her blog that launched today. Congratulations, Cel! Cheers to more memories, adventures, and stories!

Aside from one itty-bitty snag, my heart is happy. I hope yours is, too. ♥

The Giving Journal 2016

With the cool Christmas breeze and scouting for gifts comes another thing I look forward to each year: the search for the perfect planner. There's something about putting pen to paper that just makes me remember things better. I also love how paper planners can archive special memories while at the same time be personalized according to my liking using pretty pens, craft paper, and washi tapes.

This year's planner of choice: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® Giving Journal 2016.

If that lovely teal color doesn't instantaneously cheer you up then I don't know what will 

Let me show you the inside pages so you can decide whether you want it for yourself as well.

The inside cover pages stamped with coffee cups provide a nice background for doodles, sticky notes, and Instax photos

I will set aside a day in December to envision how I want my 2016 to be and fill out these boxes accordingly

I haven't decided how I'm going to decorate this yet, but I'll probably use watercolor pencils

2012 was The Year of Living Bravely; 2013 was The Year of Indulging My Inner Fangirl; 2014 was The Year of Discovery. I have decided that when I recap 2015 I will dub it as The Year of the Extraordinary. As for 2016, I think I'm calling it The Year of the Big Magic, as a nod to Elizabeth Gilbert's book of the same name.

As such, my entries here will be filled with Big Magic-inspired art and key words

The Flavorful Moments of 2016 page is an easy and convenient way of listing down my favorite moments from each month, while My Travel Plan section will hopefully inspire yearning for new destinations

Each month is prefaced with pages like these

Monthly View
Perfect for marking important dates and milestones

Daily View
The fields per day are spacious enough for noting down meetings and important things to remember, and I am also loving the blank page opposite it

More blank pages towards the end, decorated with pretty watercolor artworks of CBTL products

Coupons :)

The Giving Journal has an inside pocket at the back that contains free watercolor-print stickers
I love that it has a safe place where I can stash my favorite photos and postcards just in case

What I like about the Giving Journal is that even though it's from a brand, CBTL's branding is not too blatant and gives a lot of room for creativity. Of course I also love its overall watercolor theme, and I can't wait to add my own stamp on it to make it truly my own.

I got these pamphlets and worksheets from the launch of the Holiday Drinks and the Giving Journal back in October, and now I'm applying the things I have learned from that crafternoon to my current artsy projects

It is the hope of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® to help their customers brew their best year by encouraging them to explore their talents, pursue their passions, and achieve their goals through a journal that is designed not only to organize work, but to motivate and energize its users to realize their dreams. Did you know that through the support of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® community, The Giving Journal has already made the dreams of numerous scholars come true through The REAL Life Foundation? It is very heartwarming to see it living up to its name The Giving Journal, yes?

The Giving Journal is also available in purple, yellow, and brown. You may view more information about their advocacy as well as how to claim your own by going here.

2015 has been amazing so far, and I am looking forward to seeing what the new year brings. One thing I know for sure, it's going to be magical. Can't wait.

Currently Vol. 47

You know those butterflies in the stomach? You know, those you feel when you're anxious or excited or nervous or when you see that one person who makes you feel things? Well, thanks to the world wide web and the joy of reading trivia that might be beneficial someday, I found out that those are actually called collywobbles. What an interesting name, huh.

I had a huge attack of the collywobbles today. In a good way.

This is going to sound weird, but here goes. I am so happy that it's almost hard to believe it.

I am generally a happy person who chooses to see the best in every thing, so what am I doing thinking this way?

I don't know. Maybe because I'm scared that one day all this will go : poof : and I will be left with nothing again? 

No one knows. All I know is that I may be scared - we're all scared - but I'm still willing to go and jump all the way in. I've been captured, folks. Hook, line, and sinker. If I crash and burn, so be it. Knowing that I was undeniably happy for a period of time is enough.

I'm also going to keep memories of tonight in little pockets of joy in my heart so that I have something to look back to when bad days come.

I have too much Sadness... NOT.

Here is this week's Currently!

CURRENTLY Vol. 47

READING
Still Welcome to Night Vale and Big Magic. I swear I need to relearn how to read a little faster. My Goodreads Reading Challenge backlogs have already piled up and there's no way I can finish everything before the end of December.

WRITING
My Christmas wishlist. ^_^

LISTENING TO
One Direction. I regret not going to their concert when they went here.

THINKING
Why I overthink.

FEELING
Loved up. ^_^ ♥

LOVING
The smells, the sounds, the colors, the food! Christmas is almost here!

WANTING
For Saturday to come already as I have special plans with my friends.

NEEDING
To sort out stuff for Bloggers United 10, happening at the World Trade Center on December 6! I hope you can drop by!

WISHING
Everything turns out okay.

Do you have the tendency to overthink also? Why? What do you do to avoid it? Do you even try to avoid it? Why? Why not?

These are the questions that make me stay up all night. How are you? I hope you're taking care of your heart. ♥

My Lavendream Five-Point Haircut c/o JuRo Salon Exclusif

When asked what my favorite color is, I always couldn't give a straight, definite answer. One moment it's yellow, next time it's pink, other times it's teal. Purple always belongs to the top five, though. Whether it be violet, magenta, or lavender, I love the whole spectrum of shades of purple.

And so when I got the chance to sit on JuRo Salon Exclusif's magical chair again, I took the opportunity to get my dream hair color. No better time to experiment than on my last year in my 20s, yes?

I have been wanting to dye my hair this shade since forever but I never followed through because I have every reason to dread and doubt this decision. Will it look good okay on me? Will I attract unnecessary attention? Will I be able to pull it off? What finally pushed me to go for it? Knowing that I can trust Sir Jude and Miss Rose to NEVER let me [and my hair] down plus the additional encouragement from my boyfriend. Now, having had this hair for four weeks now, I say YES! to every single one of those questions and, at the risk of sounding narcissistic, let me say that I love it.

Let me walk you through my experience on the road to my lavendream (lavender + dream) hair. Yep, totally coined that term while seated on my JuRo Salon magical chair.

On November 23 I arrived at JuRo Salon in Kensington Place, BGC for my 10 AM appointment, all chirpy and jumpy. It was the StrangeLit book launch the next day and of course I wanted to look great. Prior to that, the last time I was with this magical hair duo was a little over a year ago, so we chatted a little before we went to "work". What's amazing is that it was like no time has passed at all; we easily fell into comfortable conversation, swapping stories and anecdotes like three friends catching up. They're two of the best and most respected people in the hair industry yet they don't have any airs at all. Passion for their craft oozes with every snip of the scissor and brush of color, and sitting on their chair is a big privilege I am really thankful for, if only to be a living witness to their level of expertise and dedication.

Sir Jude giving me the iconic Vidal Sasson Five-Point Haircut

According to Sir Jude (and as verified by the world wide web), this haircut is one of the most iconic yet complicated to execute. I felt so giddy that I now belong to the roster of people with this signature cut that includes Rihanna, Keira Knightley, and Grace Coddington. I may have a love-hate relationship with my hair, but in that moment I don't think I've ever loved or appreciated my hair as much. It held the precision haircut very well, and I really hope there's a magical button I can press so that this hairstyle and length can stay forever. 

Next it was Miss Rose's turn to transform me.

My hair underwent three bleach baths, each eliminating different color tones (reds, bronzes, and coppers for the first and yellows on the second) but all serving the purpose of providing a clear palette with which Miss Rose can work her magic on. 

I remember when I first had my hair dyed red almost two years ago. It hurt like twenty pairs of hands were pulling on my hair that I was nearly in tears and almost begged the stylist to take it off. Except for the blue streaks that Miss Rose did on my hair last year, I've actually never had my hair bleached before so to be honest I was a little scared. Thanks to Miss Rose's skillful hands and this little potion below, I didn't have any reason to! 

Free of silicone or oils, Olaplex links broken bonds in the hair during and after chemical services making them stronger than they were before. Because of Olaplex, my hair actually came out better and softer, not fried nor damaged like on those bleach horror stories!

Blondes have more fun! I almost didn't want to proceed after seeing my hair this white because I thought it looked cool. But nope, I came here for one thing, and so...

For this session, Miss Rose used Elgon on me. Elgon is an Italian brand that originated in Milan, international capital of fashion and style, in 1970. The brand grew by formulating and producing color cosmetics and has been working for over 40 years with professional hairdressers who believe in the power of beauty and creative capacity of their work. Today Elgon is present in over 70 countries and currently holds an Innovative Training Academy in Florence. They have also sent Sir Jude and Miss Rose to different countries across Asia as well as regions in the Philippines to train hairdressers and share their craft. I'll let you see for yourself how it worked on me. Dun dun dun dunnn...

Et voilà violet!

My Lavendream Five-Point Haircut from the back while Sadness looks on, jealous of my hair

So bold, so lush, so lavender! Frankly I felt like I was a fairy! My boyfriend loves it, I love it, everyone loves it! I am in love with the color and cut and I don't think I'll be going back to black anytime soon.

Sir Jude and Miss Rose also gave me more Elgon products for maintenance and color care. I got the Shampoo and Serum from the Elgon Argan Haircare line as well as the Elgon I/care Haircolor Rinse Coloring Conditioning Cream in Viola Intenso (Deep Violet) and I have been using them ever since! I especially like I/care; I use it when I feel like my hair starts looking dull (as lavender hair is wont to do) and it instantly becomes a healthy and vibrant shade of violet again!

In conclusion, Sir Jude and Miss Rose are the best people to ever happen to my hair and I can't stress this enough. You pay a premium price but it if you have funds to spare, why not? I guarantee that it's a magical experience from beginning to end. The best thing about it? This kind of magic is not fictional - they can really perform your biggest fantasies for your hair and make it a reality. I should know, I experienced it myself.

My favorite look with this hair: lined and mascara'd eyes, sparkly lids, and pink lips
Mauve, hot, rosey, pale - all shades of pink work!

Another year beckons, and if you're looking to transform your hair [and your life in the process], then book a consultation with them soon by calling (02) 822 5673. They get crazy busy come the holidays (case in point: there were six other ladies in the salon with me including my friend Phoebe, but they're masters in multi-tasking and not once did I feel neglected) so get on that phone now.

I know I said I've dreamt of having this hair for so long, but I didn't know the extent of how much I wanted it until I finally had it. Even now I look in the mirror and get pleasantly surprised. Right now I already have roots but it still looks good! (Shameless plug: Follow me on Instagram for lavendream hair updates.) Thank you for this transformation, Sir Jude and Miss Rose!

Connect with JuRo Salon Exclusif:

Facebook | Instagram

Disclosure: I work in PR and JuRo Salon Exclusif is one of our clients but I was not compensated nor requested to write this review. All opinions are my own. Read my blog’s complete Disclosure Policy here. 

"There are much worse games to play."

I saw The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 today and as expected, I left the cinema with a torn heart and wet eyes.

o(╥﹏╥)o

Following immediately after the events that transpired in Mockingjay Part 1, we are taken back to District 13 where they deal with Peeta's hijacking and the rebels continue to attempt to overthrow the Capitol. The Hunger Games arena is no more, but war has begun and there are casualties.

A LOT of casualties.

I appreciate that they did not show too much gore, though. Except for the Sweeney Todd movie, I can't stomach movies and TV shows that seem to derive satisfaction from showing too much blood.

I enjoyed the movie and I commend the whole team for again succeeding in giving us an expanded yet condensed version of the book. Attention was given to every minuscule detail; I was especially amazed by Tigris and the girl in the yellow coat. I re-watched Hunger Games and Catching Fire over the weekend and Mockingjay Part 1 just this morning so everything is still fresh in my mind, and it felt like a one-year break didn't happen. I have also read the last book in the trilogy so I know what was going to happen but that didn't stop me from jumping in surprise at most of the scenes and gripping my armrest for what was coming. I squinted my eyes and steeled myself for every time the moments I was dreading were about to come; too bad you can't press Pause at the movies, huh. Kudos to all the brilliant actors for doing an exceptional job on portraying the characters we have come to root for. Thank you for the goosebumps!

Still, I wish they didn't have to split Mockingjay into two parts.

Don't get me wrong. I recognize that cramming everything in one movie might not have given as much impact as the two films have as more scenes might be removed to ensure an acceptable running time. It's just that through no fault of the movie team, I felt that much of Part 2 was spent on them waking up from various states of unconsciousness and running. What can we do, those are really the things that happened in the book. It's just that it's a heavy movie and I missed the little touches of comic relief that Haymitch or Effie provided in the other adaptations.

I also think the Epilogue could have been done better.

Still, I think that all in all, this quartet is the best book-to-movie adaptations I have ever seen. And I have seen a lot. I'd like to thank everyone who made these movies possible for giving life, pain, power, vulnerability, and fight to these characters.

What a ride. 

Do I dare to say I even prefer this trilogy over the Harry Potter series? *insert shocked face with hands over mouth emoji* Maybe because of the fact it's closer to home, the fact that if we're not careful, Panem can be our reality?

I hope not.

As is my custom of seeing these movies more than once, I'm seeing it again on Saturday. Ease up the goodbye, at least.

Mockingjay Part 2 is not my favorite movie (Part 1 is, while my favorite book is Catching Fire) but I'm still betting on the Girl on Fire.

If you are, too, and you are planning to see the movie soon, I recommend that you join Mod World Production's block screening on November 25, 8 PM in SM Megamall and help feed undernourished children at the same time! Modworld Popcorn Club has partnered with SIFCare—the humanitarian arm of The Science of Identity Foundation—and will be donating part of the proceeds to their GoPalakas feeding program in La Union, Cavite, Antipolo, and Lucena.

I've already joined two of their previous screenings (Jurassic World and my second time of seeing Inside Out) and all viewers went home with loot bags each time. Fun! Buy your tickets here.

Don't forget to bring a handkerchief and/ or someone to hold you while you deal with your feelings brought about by Katniss Everdeen and company.

*All gifs are from Giphy.

Currently Vol. 46

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run,
So we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree.

THE END IS NIGH

This post is a couple of days late again but who cares? I'm watching The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 today and I don't think I'm ready. I don't think I'll ever be ready.


In preparation, I re-read Parts 2 and 3 of Mockingjay and re-watched The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay Part 1, and now I shiver in anticipation while at the same time dread the end.

I just know my heart will be crushed.

Here is this week's Currently!

CURRENTLY Vol. 46

READING
Still Welcome to Night Vale and Big Magic. I've been surprisingly slow in reading these days, which is baffling considering how I finished rereading Mockingjay in one day.

WRITING
A story inspired by One Direction's song Taken. I'll probably write a longer post about this in the future, but in the meantime you may check this for the complete details about this new writing challenge, as well as the #WriteBreakupSongsAbout hashtag on Twitter. Fun!

LISTENING TO
One Direction songs. I know I should be preparing for Nate Ruess (LOL) but I just need to finish this story first, okay, Nate? Heh.

SMELLING
Sweet Tarts. My boss Jenny just came back from New York and gave us a bunch of candies and chocolates and of course I got a lot of my favorite Sweet Tarts.

WEARING
House clothes because there's no work today and tomorrow! Thank you, APEC holiday!

THINKING
Of all the things (work tasks, personal chores, dream essentials, et cetera) I have to accomplish this week but I guess I'll just let Future Krissy mind those.

FEELING
Lazy. Wasting time before I have to prepare for Mockingjay Part 2. I'm bringing Kleenex.

LOVING
The Christmas lights and decor. It's going to be a festive holidaze, as always!

WANTING
More trinkets to decorate our Christmas tree yet. I'm going to stop by SM Home in Makati after work on Friday.

NEEDING
To sort out stuff for Bloggers United 10, happening at the World Trade Center on December 6! I hope you can drop by!

WISHING
Saturday comes soon. I haven't even seen Mockingjay Part 2 yet yet I'm already excited to see it again on IMAX! Hee.

So there! Are you going to see Mockingjay Part 2 anytime soon? I'm praying for our hearts. ♥

Come join The Caravan V: That Christmas Feeling

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

You know what that means: time to raid the aisles again for special gifts to give your loved ones!

I for one love giving unique and well-thought out gifts, so I prefer buying from local makers and crafters. They just have more... soul, you know?

This year, The Caravan - a unique lifestyle market inspired by traveling gypsy caravans that brought the most eclectic mix of products from the most exotic places of their travels - will soon be launching its latest installment: That Christmas Feeling.

Last Tuesday we got a sneak peek of what The Caravan V will be offering, and it whet my appetite for all things merry and bright!

My bosses Jenny Yrasuegui and Celine Gabriel-Lim and their friend Dara David-Roa have collaborated once more to create a thoughtfully curated trunk show to feature and advocate local talent and exceptional products from all over the globe. Each trunk show is an intentional gathering of vendors united under the banner of a chosen theme. Having produced four successful installations in the last two years including Le Isla Fete, Bespoke: an Affair of Monograms and Stories, Christmas in Bloom, and A Time For You, The Caravan’s upcoming trunk show promises nothing short of an exclusive and memorable shopping experience.


This season, The Caravan and The Proscenium at Rockwell promise a remarkable celebration of That Christmas Feeling we all look forward to -- wonderful holiday décor, scents, tastes, music, and gifts that everyone will surely love.

If the preview is anything to go by, I am sure this will definitely be a special and one-of-a-kind affair!

With my beautiful friend April

Wreath-making activity

Sadness was sulking because she wanted to take this wooden horse home

On November 14 and 15, The Caravan patrons can look forward to a tasteful assortment of fashion, home, health, and beauty products for extraordinary Christmas gifts that are guaranteed to spread the holiday cheer to those they cherish most. In addition to a thoughtfully curated shopping selection, guests can also look forward to a nostalgic Christmas Treats Corner by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf®.

Come join The Caravan and revel in that Christmas feeling!