I guess we were always meant to do this.

About seven years ago, Ana and I met each other online. As two souls who share love for blogging, pretty thingamajigs, glossy fashion magazines and experiencing new things, it wasn't long before we became close friends (despite coming from the two far sides of the MRT). We would regularly meet for desserts, coffee or movies, and late last year we started getting invites from various companies for different bloggers' events.

We supported each other in our mutual not-so-secret biggest dream, which was to work in Summit Media - the Philippines' leading magazine publisher - where we both did internships for, albeit separately. In 2007, we graduated with degrees in media-related courses (Ana is a Journalism graduate from University of Sto. Tomas, while I am a Mass Communications graduate from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila). Stepping out into the real world , we felt we were on top; pursuing our dreams of beating deadlines, being surrounded by magazines, and reaching out to people through writing seemed inevitable.

But then, fate had other plans. Ana established her own brand of accessories and became a full-time entrepreneur, while I got employed by the world's local bank as a financial service provider and has found satisfaction and fulfillment in my job despite having some serious shopping problems *sometimes*.

We never forgot our greatest dream though, so three years ago we tried to put up an online fashion magazine. We bought a domain, we assigned tasks, we were so hyped up! But then... nothing came out of it. We lost the hype, the tasks went undone, and the domain expired.

This time around, we are trying again, and this time we are going to make it.

So this is us following our dreams. This is us assuring our fourteen year-old selves that we are going to make her dreams of working in a magazine come true. This is us pursuing our passion for writing and for reaching out to people. This is us, trying to make a name for ourselves in the world wide web.

This is us, asking for your support in the same way you have supported our individual blogs.

We welcome you to Fashion Compass (where North meets South, and everywhere in between) - because in fashion, there are no wrong directions.

Today was a very tiring but fun and productive day for me. Mae, Ana and I went on a field trip to Marikina to visit Lucban Hats, maker of hats and fascinators that are also exported worldwide. Mae has asked me to go with her several times already, but since both of us have been busy we never found the time to do so. Good thing it was our rest day from work today so our schedules matched. As for Ana, she also loves hats so I figured she would be happy to go. I was right ;)

Also, I wanted to get something I can wear to Kym's wedding reception ♥

A little back-story. When my fabulous friends and I went to Lucban, Quezon for the Pahiyas festival just last month, my Lady Godiva-ish (haha) friend Dewi bought a couple of fascinators from Lucban Hats, only to be surprised that the warehouse is located near her house! (She lives in Marikina.) She cannot join us for this outing as she had work so I just decided to get something for her :)

We almost got lost because no one among us three have been there before, but thanks to kind souls who gave us directions, we reached our destination in no time :)

When we got inside, all it took was one look, and we were blown away! There were hats of all sizes, designs, and colors in every corner; it was hat heaven! I got too excited that I wasn't able to take a lot of photos, but here are some I was able to take:

Mae trying on a purple fascinator (that I ended up buying ;))

Here, the hats that I loved but didn't make the cut.

And here are the ones I bought:

My simple, everyday hat - buri hat with pretty ribbon

Pretty purple fascinator

My ostentatious hat made from molded sinamay and feathers

Navy blue fascinator I got for my friend Dewi :)

The best part about visiting the warehouse is getting the items at dirt-cheap prices! Would you believe I got all four for only P600? Plus, the shopkeepers there were very attentive and accommodating. Not once did they scowl at us for trying on almost everything there; they just looked very amused at how excited we were all through out, and answered all our questions about their products.

We left the comforts of our respective couches/ computer desks - I came from Navotas, Mae came from Quezon City, and Ana came from Alabang - to go to Marikina just to see and buy hats, and Lucban Hats did not disappoint. The two hours and more travel time to Marikina was definitely worth it. We'll certainly be back ♥

Told 'ya it was a tiring yet fun and productive day for me ;)

PS: This is not a sponsored post.

After the scrumptious Italian food I featured in my previous post, be prepared for more photos of delectable treats! This time, we go to my favorite - desserts ♥

After the Converse Block Party we attended last week, Mae and I craved for desserts. It was a rainy, gloomy day, and what better way to spend it than being curled up in bed with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa? Spending it with a friend who loves desserts as you do, of course! So, from SM Mall of Asia, we went to TriNoma to go to one of our favorite dessert places, Parvati.

I was pleasantly surprised to see they have more seats now. Mae and I chose a corner table and then took our pick from the different desserts available.

More photos with my phone using the nifty Retro Camera app:

After satisfying our sweet tooth (teeth?) we went around the mall to do a bit of window shopping. TriNoma was holding a Green Light Sale that day but my wallet I wasn't really in the mood for some major shopping. I did manage to buy a new screen protector for Sheldon, pretty headbands from EGG and two new shades of nail polish from Nail Up though.

I am sporting the turquoise nail polish now and will use the matte hot pink on an event I will go to on Wednesday :)

Today is another field trip day with Mae, and this time Ana will go with us! We will visit a factory that makes and sells hats and fascinators and I am so excited! See you all later!

PS: A new school year starts for most today. To those who are still studying, have a great school year ahead! Ignore the bullies! ♥ 

In my next lifetime, I'd like to be an Italian. Just thinking about the country, the rich culture, the history, the language makes me swoon. And, of course, I've already stated one too many times that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Italian food!

Knowing this, you can just imagine how I got super excited when I received an invite from Ana courtesy of Mel of Full Circle Communications to a Bloggers Only Taste Test for Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria held last Wednesday ;D

Ana and I got there a bit early so we were able to look around and make ourselves comfortable before we "stuffed our faces full" LOL.

New York City-inspired interiors

How would you like a MacLaren's-style corner table? :)

Once we were settled, Miss Carla introduced to us the concept of Joey Pepperoni.

Miss Carla said they've revamped the menu: from boring black and white to loud and colorful.

Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria is a casual restaurant that specializes in its distinctive take on contemporary Italian-American cuisine. Whether by dine-in, take-out or delivery, every order from the Joey Pepperoni menu is sure to satisfy those who crave enduring delights such as pizza and pasta - at affordable prices, to boot. In short, Joey Pepperoni offers a premium dining experience at non-premium cost.

Each serving was introduced by Chef Anna. Are you ready to see photos of the food we ate? Proceed at your own risk ;)

Shrimp Fresh Salad A healthy yet rewarding plate of Fresh Romaine lettuce tossed with honey mustard dressing, topped with an enticing medley of scrumptious shrimps, croutons, and parmesan cheese.

Baked Cheesy Fries A plate of rusette fries smothered with their house special meat sauce and deluged with chili flakes, white onion, cheddar and cheese sauce.

Barbecue Chicken Wings A plateful of deep-fried chicken wings tossed with Joey Pepperoni's very own special barbecue sauce blend.

3-Cheese and Mushroom Pizza A succulent combination of three kinds of cheese - mozzarella, white cheese, and cheddar - mixed with Bechamel, anchovies, mushroom, and caramelized onion.

Beefy Mushroom Pizza A bed of mushroom pizza with mozzarella, cheddar, toasted bacon bits and white onion.

Taco Pizza Mexican-inspired pizza which is an awesome jumble of taco-seasoned pizza overloaded with mozzarella, beef toppings, tomatoes, white onion and cheddar cheese.

Mushroom Alfredo A hearty pan of pizza smothered with Bechamel sauce and topped with mozzarella, bacon bits, garlic, mushroom, red onions, and toasted bacon bits.

We were also given a quick tour around the kitchen by Chef Anna so we can see how they make the pizza. We weren't allowed to take photos, but it was my first time to visit the kitchen of a restaurant so it was quite an amazing experience for me.

What makes Joey Pepperoni pizza taste so good? Miss Carla said the secret lies in the dough, and they are proud to say that their pizza dough is made from scratch each time, every time, therefore ensuring each bite is fresh and flavorful. Yummm.

I really enjoyed gobbling all the food! Don't believe the photos; I may look tiny but I sure can eat! :D I can't wait to bring my family to the nearest branch of Joey Pepperoni (that'll be the SM North EDSA-Annex branch) as I'm sure they will also love it the way I did!