Last Wednesday night, Carly Rae Jepsen blessed us with her presence at the Manila leg of the Dedicated Tour. 

I burst into tears the moment she showed up at the stage and sang the first few bars of No Drug Like Me. 

It was an explosion of energy and magic and colors and great music, with Queen Carly belting out song after song without any breaks in between!

I was worried about the venue being too small at first, but I soon found out it was just perfect because it felt like an intimate party where everyone was connected through our common love for Carly and her music.

My only complaint is that it was too short, and that my body hurt after because I was dancing and screaming and singing out loud too much, but I don't think that's Carly's fault, heh.

I loved her rainbow dress and I'm going to have one made, I'm just thinking of the perfect occasion to wear it to.

My boyfriend enjoyed the concert, too, but he was complaining about being deaf in one ear because I was screaming too loudly. 

Shoutout to the girl who offered to take our photo because it was a struggle to take a selfie with the huge standee. :)

Definitely one of the best memories I will cherish forever. Thank you, Carly Rae Jepsen!

My boyfriend and I just got home from Araneta Coliseum for the Manila leg of John Legend's Darkness and Light tour. I need to wake up early tomorrow for a morning appointment but I need to write this so I may process my emotions better.

I have not recovered completely from my operation yet but there was no way we were going to miss this concert. We purchased our tickets the moment they became available for sale on November 30, and I counted down the days. Ready or not, we just had to be there.

And it was worth it. I may not get over it for a long, long time.

I started crying the moment John crooned his first notes on stage, but I totally lost it at the Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Save Room - PDA triumvirate.

The man is phenomenal! We were seated at the Upper Box section but even from afar it is obvious that passion and talent seep from every pore. He knows he's sexy and he knows how to work the crowd. He has such a silky voice perfect for serenading the entire coliseum, and everyone fell in love. 

I also loved how he inserted personal anecdotes before most of his songs. My favorite was the part where he talked about how the birth of his daughter Luna is one of the most unforgettable moments of his life. I guess I should also admit here that I am a huge Chrissy Teigen fan and one of the many reasons why I cried so much tonight is because I was thinking about how perfect they are together. ♡



I know I say this almost every time I go to a concert, but seriously you guys, John Legend's Darkness and Light tour is up there on my list of favorite concerts of all time. I am already looking forward for his next visit here.


My favorite favorite part was when he asked us to tell the people we love that we love them, and My Love was right there sitting right beside me. So I'm gonna love him like I'm gonna lose him. I'm gonna hold him like I'm saying goodbye. Wherever we're standing I won't take him for granted 'cause I'll never when, when we'll run out of time. ♬♫♪♡ 

Seeing and listening to Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries sing live was one of the highlights of my 2012. Sublime. My MTV-obsessed 12 year-old self thanked 26 year-old me profusely for that experience, and it is truly one night I will always remember. Never mind that they didn’t include my favorite Promises in the set list.

I thought I’ll have another chance to hear the song live when they go back here for another concert, but now that will never happen anymore.

I am gutted.

So fragile yet ferocious. What a talent. Restful peace, love.

Huh. I feel like we just welcomed the new year and now we're already halfway through. 

Inconceivable.

What a packed month, this month, and I missed writing so I thought I'd do a month in review, especially since aside from celebrating our second anniversary, one of my biggest childhood dreams came true this June.

We started the month with a BANG through Oxygen X Bieber. 

Oxygen continues to creatively evolve with the latest trends, especially given the worldwide resurgence of street style fashion, and I am SO PROUD to work with them. This time, the homegrown brand has done it by rolling out exclusive licensed merchandise featuring the international music icon that has taken both the music and fashion world by storm—Justin Bieber.

Models, celebrities, and Beliebers flocked to the launch of the coveted Oxygen X Bieber collection, which was unveiled in an exclusive shopping party at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. I witnessed a LOT of fans clamoring for the merchandise on the weeks leading up to the event, and it was amazing/ heartwarming to see them lining up outside hours before the mall opened even though the collection wouldn't have been available for them until 1 PM!

Released in partnership with Bravado and MCA Universal, the collection features street wear staples including pullovers, bomber jackets, coach jackets, caps, bags, and shirts that all draw inspiration from Bieber’s hit album, Purpose. I wore my Maybelline Loaded Bold Matte Lipstick in Pitch Black during the shopping party and it was a hit!


The first few days of June were also a hit for my artistic sensibilities. Featured above are mementos from a packed #BU13 and #BatCon and a Monday spent with talented artists Julienne, Mika, and Rian.

And HERE! The day I've been waiting for since I was 12 happened this month!




Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they sing and dance on stage and inspire you that if they can get through 2008 and look fabulous doing it, then you can get through anything. Britney Spears has been my personal hero since I was 12 years old and seeing her perform live last June 15 is definitely one of my life's highlights. The concert exceeded all my expectations and then some. I was SO HAPPY I cried on my way to work the next morning, you guys. I waited for this for so long, I'm still emotional even now.



^^ Daily reminder.


This month I also joined the #DareToShare free Instagram challenge and training by Arriane Serafico of The Purposeful Creative podcast. I had so much fun crafting my posts, interacting with the community, and meeting a lot of new people! One of my favorite posts is when I shared this vintage collection of Studio Ghibli postcards I got from a book blogger who destashed recently. So many like-minded people who share my passion for stationery inspires me to continue working to build my own stationery brand, Krissyfied Makes!


Now, as you may know, I have been diagnosed to have four myomas in my uterine wall. I started taking birth control pills to help shrink it and I've started noticing the effects: intense mood swings, spotting, and breakouts. I am hoping these are temporary though and the myomas indeed shrink, although until now the TRO against birth control pills in the country remains to be a problem. I am part of a group who seeks to lift it though and I am crossing my fingers that we get heard.


My breakouts took a toll on my self-esteem so, yay for BeautyMNL flash sale! I shopped for new skincare products (and a few extra products just because): Skin Genie Pit Perfect Whitening Deodorant Spray, Déjà Poo Pre-Poo Spray in Vanilla, In Her Element Low pH Rose Gel Cleanser, Holika Holika Shimmering Petit BB, Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Masks in Rose and Tea Tree, Esfolio Pure Skin Mask Sheets in Red Ginseng, Honey, Green Tea, Banana, and Pearl Essence, and Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color in Paris Lights. I also got an Origins Facial Voucher as gift with purchase.


The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream smells soooo good and makes my skin super soft! The limited edition pot designed by iconic British fashion designer pair Eley Kishimoto is a pretty addition to your boudoir!


Look at this sweet face. ♥


Friday last week was pretty fun as I got to enjoy brunch at IHOP with the PR team. I love this team because everyone's so dedicated and efficient, and our work dynamics are all in sync.


Last Sunday, my boyfriend went with me to far North to celebrate my Lola's birthday.


And heyyy, I finally got the Magic Sky clip which is one of my dream PANDORA charms! It features a sun in one side and a crescent moon and a star on the other side, as shown on the photo above!


I would also like to include here how my boyfriend surprised me in the office last Wednesday. He's never the sappy surprise type so I was beyond shocked to see him there. It took a couple of seconds before it registered in my brain that it was really him, heh. And he brought me Krispy Kreme New York Cheesecake because I messaged him earlier in the day that I was craving. ♥ What a guy, this guy.

By the way! His toy group SICness.ph has an ongoing exhibit at this year's ToyCon 2017 Pop Life Fan Xperience. Go visit and check it out. :)


Sadly, I would need to include a rant here. I wish people would be a little more mindful. Here is my five-minute artwork inspired by The Little Prince, scanned and printed on canvas sticker using the Canon Pixma Ink Efficient E470 at an event earlier. I was so proud of this drawing, especially since Alessa Lanot guided us through the process. It was on top of a table in the office but I found it when I was about to go home, strewn like trash, crumpled and dirty with muddy footprints. I mean, I know it's not much since I'm not that good in drawing, but it's my artwork and I poured my all on making sure it came out the way I liked, based on the limited skills I have. I don't think I would ever know who did it but whether it happened accidentally or not, there wasn't even any attempt at all to erase or clean the dirt and/ or straighten the crumpled paper. I wish people could have more sense of responsibility. Sloppy manners, sloppy work.

I didn't want to end on a sour note especially since the photos above accompany happy anecdotes, but it happened just today so I'm still feeling pretty pissed.


That's it for June.

Inhale. Exhale.



Hello in a bit, July.

Hello, I am Krissy, and today's my last day as a 30 year old lady.

When I was in sixth grade and was no longer a girl but not yet a woman, I saw a girl in pigtails singing ...Baby One More Time! on MTV and my life was never the same. 

I got the casette tapes and CDs of her albums, I memorized her songs, I watched every hit chart closely, I bought all sorts of song hits and magazines with her on the cover, I hung up posters in my room, I collected stickers, books, and other merch, I watched her movie Crossroads on the opening day, I did everything short of going to another continent to watch her perform live. Aside from my studies and books, Britney Spears consumed all my waking days. I even forced my classmates to start calling me Bryttel, my amalgamation of our names. 

I can't tell you how many times I watched my DVDs of Britney: Live in Hawaii and Dream Within a Dream. I was and am such a HUGE fan.

When 2008 happened, I was really scared she wouldn't be able to pull through. I dreaded seeing news about her downward spiral because I was expecting the worst. But look at her now.

It's Britney, b*tch.

AND I'M GOING TO SEE HER PERFORM LIVE ON JUNE 15!!!

SHE'S GOING TO MANILA AND I'M GOING TO SEE HER LIVE!

MY CHILDHOOD DREAM IS GOING TO COME TRUE AND IT WILL BE FANTASTAMAZING!!!

The first time I learned about her upcoming concert here in the Philippines, I was in a salon waiting for my friend who was having her hair cut. After verifying that it is indeed legit (the announcement came from her official Facebook Page, for starters), I cried happy tears!

I had a problem, though. I am due to go out of the country and all my funds are reserved for those trips. I almost had a solution but it didn't push through, so I thank the lords that be for giving me a chance to still get a ticket, thanks to my angels: my brother Ken who lent me his credit card, my friend Ed who is simply the best, and my boyfriend Jeremiah for going to SM Tickets in SM Bicutan to stand by and buy over the counter should the online options don't work once networks get clogged.

This is an accurate visual representation of my heartbeat earlier when I was trying to purchase my ticket online, tracked on my Fitbit app:

Notice that peak? That was how fast my heartbeat accelerated once the clock struck 10 in the morning, signalling the start of ticket selling. I was so anxious I wouldn't get a nice seat! I tried a couple of times to get an aisle seat but failing that I just chose a blank seat and hoped for the best. IT WORKED! I got a Lower Box A ticket and I'm so happy because that was what I originally wanted, so I can see the whole spectacle from an excellent vantage point!

Timestamp was 10:08 AM. THAT WAS EIGHT MINUTES OF ANXIETY! Once I was able to verify that it was indeed a successful transaction, I came up to my friends in the office Jean and Michelle and burst into happy tears! I also called my friend Ed and my boyfriend and cried some more!

What a ride! And that was just the initial part. I am so looking forward to this concert even though it will be my first time to watch a concert alone!

I feel so lucky. ♥

Hello, we are Ana and Krissy. We've been friends for 10 years now.

Our hobbies include blogging, arts and crafts, reading, getting together at least once a year for our annual catch-up date, and watching reunion concerts. (Eraserheads, Hanson, The Cranberries, Vertical Horizon, and Sugar Ray, among others.) Yesterday, The Moffatts was added to that list.

My Saturdays are usually reserved for my boyfriend but we made separate plans for yesterday because I spent the whole day with Ana. 

First, we spent the afternoon learning Basic Baybayin from Sir Leo Castro of Sanghabi at Craft MNL's studio.


Aside from teaching us how to read and write in Basic Baybayin, he also gave us a crash course on linguistics, world history, and the origins of the alphabet and other forms of writing. He also showed us his prized copies of books written in Baybayin.




Baybayin really looks intimidating especially if you think about how difficult it would be for someone in our age to learn a new language, much less read and write it, but it's actually pretty easy. For one, it only uses 17 symbols, and interpretations of each only change when you add something to the characters.


Sir Leo gave us some exercises to test what we have learned and I'm so happy because I got the hang of it quickly enough.

This is my name in Baybayin:


Our language is so beautiful and our history so colorful, and I'm thankful for people like Sir Leo and organizations like Sanghabi for working hard to make sure our local heritage is kept alive and not forgotten.

I love attending workshops (I learned how to carve stamps in a Craft MNL workshop at their old studio) and I'm so glad I got to go to another one again. I'm such a big nerd so the prospect of learning something new tickles me, what more if that experience is shared with a good friend.

Making new friends on top of that is just a bonus. This is Belle, and she's studying to become a preschool teacher.

After the class, Ana and I braved the EDSA traffic to go to Araneta Coliseum for The Moffatts' Farewell Tour!

I was such a fan when I was in sixth grade until my highschool freshman year but when I first heard about them having a concert I was all "meh" about it. It wasn't until Thursday night when I asked Ana if there's any chance she would like to watch after our class and she said yes that I felt giddy about it! I listened to their old songs on Spotify during my commute and, well, even though I still know the lyrics by heart, their songs felt a little bit "too young" for me.

Judging from the Hanson reunion concert we weren't expecting too many people to come to the show but whoah, Araneta was full! Good on ya, boys! Seriously, the concert felt like a reunion of the kids who grew up watching MTV! It was amazing.


It didn't actually feel like a reunion concert seeing as how only 10 out of the 22 songs they played are from the old albums but oh man, I felt like a high school girl all over again.

I got home past midnight tired and sleepy but with spirits high from our cultured and concert date. Loved, loved, loved this day. Thanks, Ana! 'Til our next!

Exactly one year ago, I experienced one of the best nights of my life.

My dream of seeing and hearing Nate Ruess perform live came true. 

I remember how ecstatic I felt when my friend Niche broke the good news to me. I just came back from a work trip in Boracay then and all my exhaustion went away. I had to save up for my ticket (nothing less than VIP, of course) and spent the following months jittery and mildly panicky. I literally had no chill. I miss being this excited for something.

My boyfriend and I were broken up at the time so I bought the tickets not knowing who I will watch the show with. All's well that ends well though because we got back together. ♥ I really couldn't imagine watching the concert with anyone but him.

So, a year has passed since that monumental night. I guess it's a good time as any to reflect on the things that have changed since then? 

I'm terribly sad to be admitting this, but I have become more disillusioned. I know and I acknowledge that life is not fair and we're all going to die anyway, but the amount of injustice happening around me makes me feel so helpless. I refuse to be bitter and consumed by despair, but some days make it harder to do so.

On a lighter note, I'm more comfortable when it comes to presenting myself to people. I still get shy sometimes most of the time, but PR has no place for people who prefer blending in the background. Pro tip: Remember that everything starts with a smile, and there's nothing that a few seconds of pep talk can't help. 

Let me know if it has something to do with age, but I realized I have become less tolerant of bullsh*t, flakers, and people who have no or low regard for other people's time. I'd rather dedicate more of my non-renewable resources to those who value these things.

The quest for learning never stops, but time is always my greatest enemy. I need to learn how to manage my time better. 

I'm still learning to bite my tongue when the temptation to lash out comes. I have learned to choose my battles but sometimes it's so challenging to just grin and bear it, especially when you know you have the perfect retort.

Lastly, one of the most important changes I've applied, maybe, is not forgetting sunscreen every day. We can't stop growing old, but at least we can help minimize the effects of aging.

I don't know if Nate will ever come back to Manila, or release a new song for that matter, but if news breaks that he has a new single out then I assure you I'll be the first one to purchase it from iTunes. God I still wish I have a physical copy of Grand Romantic.

My friends, it finally happened.

I finally heard Nate Ruess sing live at his concert in Kia Theater last night.

But if you were to ask me how it went, what I felt, or what happened, I probably won't be able to answer you.

If you were to ask me how I felt, it would appear I won't be able to give you a suitable response.

Surreal. Everything was surreal. 

I feel like I had an out-of-body experience last night, like my happiness at finally hearing him sing live after all these years of pining and wishing he'd come here transcends everything else.

Based on Youtube videos of his live performances, I already know he is great. Of course I wouldn't be a fan if he isn't, right? What I didn't know was how GREAT he is. Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking and marvelous and grand. No need for special effects nor fancy backdrops, Nate Ruess exceeded all my impossibly high expectations and the two hour-concert can't even begin to encapsulate how amazing he is.

He moves and dances around the stage A LOT so it's virtually impossible to take good shots of him, but Miah managed. All photos in this post (except for the last two below) were taken by him.

My only complaint is how the theater put chairs and how the bouncers kept on making us sit down and didn't allow us to approach the stage where we can easily high-five Nate, even when Nate kept on making us stand up and dance. Haven't they seen any of his performances? The audience should have been made to stand up. It's a concert, people! More importantly, it was a Nate Ruess concert! 

I didn't care. I stood up and danced and clapped and cheered on Nate as enthusiastically as I could.

Before we knew it, the concert was done, the spell was broken, and it was back to the real world for us.

Some nights I always win, I always win ♬♪♫♬♫♪

P.S: I wish they sold Nate Ruess merchandise. I still don't have his album.