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.

This was supposed to have been posted yesterday, Wednesday, but I forgot. I guess I have to exert more effort to get my groove back.

Much of this week was spent on coming to terms with my health. 

After my most recent ultrasound last Saturday, it was confirmed that sadly, my myomas that we have been hoping to shrink through medication and injectables only grew bigger (save for one) and even got two new additions. The inevitable has come: I would have to be operated on and the surgery has to happen soon.

This being a major operation, I would have to take a two-month break from work.

It will be painful and difficult and expensive, and I am TERRIFIED. I don't like that I don't have control over what's happening to my body, so I'm leaving it to the able hands of God and my doctors. I'm thankful for the support of my boyfriend and our respective families through this ordeal.

CURRENTLY

READING


Our Daily Journey and Love Notes from God, which were Sophie's Christmas gifts to me. It used to be an annual tradition for my Aunt Jean and myself to buy Our Daily Bread so it was really nice to be reminded. Meanwhile, Love Notes from God is a collection of Bible verses set on beautiful photographs. Thank you for these precious gifts, Sophie!

WRITING

It was part of my 2018 goals to write at least one short story. So far I haven't made any progress on this. We're still two weeks in the new year though so I have more time to work on it, and I will.

LISTENING TO

I made a Spotify playlist of my ultimate favorite love songs and I listen to it when I need to be reminded that I am loved.

SMELLING

My Benefit Galifornia blush that smells like grapefruit.

WEARING

My Benefit Galifornia blush, a coral blush that gives me summery vibes and a sun-kissed look.

THINKING

I need to stop stressing over things, but I can't help but worry about the amount of work that will be left behind when I undergo surgery.

FEELING

Stressed. See above. Also, we're moving to a new office soon so I have to start packing and moving my things as early as now since no one would be able to do it once I take my sabbatical.

LOVING


I guess I should be thankful that I only recently discovered how brilliant the Sherlock BBC show is, because at least I had a lot of episodes banked already. But now I'm down to my last season... I have three episodes left. How do I deal?

WANTING

Rest.

NEEDING

The weekend to come here, faster.

WISHING

I just wish and pray that everything will be okay and that I will still be able to bear kids in the future, in the event that my future husband and I find ourselves ready for them.

Your prayers are much appreciated. Thank you for reading. ♡

I've had my paws on the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Collection since the launch event held last December. (Except for the Liquid Strobes that are now gone forever. I am so sad.) I have to admit I haven't fully tested all of them yet. To my defense, the kits given to us contain the complete collection except for those that are already sold out, like the aforementioned Liquid Strobes. I am so glad my boyfriend braved the crowds when the collection was first launched and got me the Nude Gel Eyeliner before stocks ran out. ♡

One of the items I was most excited about is the Jetsetter Palette. I know most people are curious about it so here's a closer look.


See those yummy colors?

Inspired by Gigi Hadid’s frequent flying needs, feel wanderlust with this carry-on friendly makeup palette that holds all the makeup essentials you need to look fresh on the fly. With glowing skin and a fresh finish, you’ll fear no altitude. 

Before everything else, let me just say that Maybelline and Gigi Hadid scored a BIG WIN because of the packaging. The millennial pink and holographic packaging are so on point and on brand!



At P1,899, this palette is relatively more expensive than all the other products that Maybelline carries, but because of the packaging, inclusions, and quality I doubt you will feel cheated.


This limited edition Jetsetter Palette contains two shades of concealer, two shades of lip balm, four shades of eye shadow, blush, matte bronzer, highlighter, a mini-version of Colossal VolumExpress Mascara, and a blush/ contour/ highlighter brush and dual-ended eye shadow brush.

Swatches of the light and medium concealers and two lip balms

The concealers blended easily on my skin without tugging, but I don't use concealers that much anyway. I can't use lipsticks without swiping lip balm on so the lip balms are a nice touch. Plus points for being tinted.

Swatches of the four eye shadows (one shimmery and three mattes), blush, matte bronzer, and highlighter

The matte eye shadows are a bit powdery but pigmented nonetheless so nothing that a primer can't fix; the concealer served double duty as eye shadow primer for me. The blush leans on the peachy side, more suited for day-time looks. For more drama you can work your contouring magic with the matte bronzer, and a swipe of highlighter adds the perfect finishing touch. You have to be careful when using these because these are pretty pigmented. Just remember that it's easier to build the colors up than erase them.



I think it's the first time I ever saw a palette with a mascara so this was a nice surprise, although I would have preferred it more if my favorite Lash Sensational Mascara was included instead.

This being a travel palette, the inclusion of the brushes was much appreciated. The brushes included are soft and worked nicely for quick fix-ups, but you also have the option to use other brushes.

Here's a look I made using the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Jetsetter Palette. I also used the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Tinted Primer in Light Medium, Maybelline x Gigi Hadid BB Cushion in Natural, Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Liquid Eyeliner in Black, and Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Matte Lipstick in Lani.



All in all this is a good palette to have with you in your travels so you don't have to bring a lot of other makeup but who are we kidding, right? Of course you'll still bring a lot of makeup with you, hee. I'm not sure if this is still available locally but if it is, try to grab one if you can.

Were you able to get anything from the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Collection? Which one/s is/ are your favorite/s? I still regret not getting the Liquid Strobes, but watch out for my review and swatches of the other products in this line. 

Hello, and welcome to the first post of my weekly Currently series! I did this religiously back in 2015 and finished all 52 posts but somehow fell off the wagon in 2016. I'm hoping that through this exercise I can hone my creativity and make sure I'm continuously writing.

Instead of Mondays, I decided to post this on Wednesdays. Here's hoping I can sustain this until the end of the year!

If January 1 sets the tone for the rest of the year, then my 2018 is off to a great start! We trooped to Mall of Asia Arena to catch the 7PM show of Disney On Ice: Everyone's Story!


It was the nth time I caught a Disney On Ice show, but it never fails to bring tears to my eyes. (ಥ﹏ಥ)


READING

I started watching Sherlock during Christmas break and I found it brilliant! So much so that I went ahead and bought this ebook for my Kindle.

WRITING


My journal is really too pretty for words. ♡

LISTENING TO

John Legend in preparation for his Darkness and Light tour in Manila! J and I already have tickets and I'm excited to hear him sing live.

SMELLING

Roses. I used to be drawn to citrus scents when I was younger, but now I prefer floral scents more, specially roses. I love my In Her Element Low pH Rose Gel Cleanser, Human Nature Hand & Foot Salve in Rose Bouquet, PULLACK Rose Blossom Serum, and the Rose Facial Mist Spray that J's Mom gave me.

WEARING

Gigi Hadid's exclusive collection with Maybelline. This line surprised me because the quality of the products are really good! I deeply regret not getting the Liquid Strobes that are now sold out in all stores, forever. :(

THINKING

My next OB appointment is happening this week, and I'm hoping everything will be okay.

FEELING

Worried, really, but I'm putting everything in God's and my OB's able hands.

LOVING


Gratuitous selfie because I LOVE my new LED mirror that also functions as a ring light. Thanks, Tita Judy! No need for bulky and expensive ring light set-up now!

WANTING

Cakes and pies and other desserts, but I can't.

NEEDING

After losing 10 pounds in three weeks through keto diet, I gained seven pounds back during the holiday break. I need to shed those pounds again, heh.

WISHING

Okay, last field to answer. This was challenging, but fun. I wish I can sustain this until the end of the year!

Thank you for reading. ♡

New calendar, new beginnings, new planner pages to fill, and a new blank slate to fill with more stories and memories. Happy New Year, y'all!


For 2018 I am still using my 17-month ban.do Agenda. I also started journaling again. These days my thoughts that are deemed too private for my blog are written down on my Kalocsa Marigolds Daycraft Flower Wow Lined Notebook I got from Scribe. Looking back, it's a shame I only managed to publish 70 blog posts last year when there were a lot of things worth blogging about. If you have been a long-time reader of my blog despite the lack of posts, I'd like to thank you for sticking around. This year I will make sure to write more.

There's value in writing things down. For 2017 I swore I will not buy a single lipstick the whole year, and I succeeded! At the beginning of 2015 I also said that by God's grace I will "fall in love", and I did. ♡

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I feel like I spent 2017 letting things happen to me as opposed to proactively chasing after the things I want. This year, I would like to take charge again and shine.

This year, I will:

revive my Currently posts • write at least one short story (baby steps, baby) • finish reading at least 12 books • learn to operate my sewing machine and sew clothes for myself and my dolls • learn to cook • eat right • invest • save money • visit a new country • love more • do more • create more

What a year, this year.

I had a hard time thinking of the perfect word that can encapsulate what 2017 meant to me, until this word popped in my mind.

2017 was wrought with a lot of challenges, and I just felt so exhausted all the time. I don't know if it was because of the hormones I took for my myoma, poor diet, lack of sleep, or maybe I'm just getting old and jaded. Still, I embraced every day and every experience.

According to Instagram, here are my 2017 posts that got the most likes:

Of everything that happened in this crazy year, here are the things that I embrace the most:

It was my third time in Singapore already but this trip was very special to me because it was the first time J and I traveled out of the country together. This photo was taken by my friend Ed during our first night there. They say you can only know a person thoroughly after you go to a foreign place with him/ her. Well, I'm glad to report we both had an awesome week at the Lion City!

This trip was made extra fun by our friends Ed, JV, Ronnie, and Kayle.

I love them.

My most vivid memory was bursting into tears and full-on sobbing after seeing the HUGE aquarium at the Singapore Zoo. J tried his best to console me to no avail, other park visitors must have thought we were fighting! I don't know what came into me, I was just too overcome with emotion!

Told ya, fun!

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 is definitely one of my life's highlights.

From making sure I get a ticket to buying the perfect outfit to going to the concert alone, I embraced the entire experience and made my 12 year old-self proud.

This year is also the year I finally bit the bullet and started building my PANDORA charm bracelet, no thanks to an impulsive visit to the SM Aura store with my friend/ officemate Hannah.

I now have Jasmine's Signature Color Murano Glass Charm, Vintage K Charm (J's 2nd anniversary gift), Sun, Moon, and Stars Clip, and Globe Clip (in commemoration of my 5th anniversary with ARC Public Relations), and the other day I got the Pavé Wishing Star Charm from their Vertis North store. This way I’ll always have a wishing star anywhere I go. It’s also my good luck charm for the coming year.

Readers of this blog may notice a new section here --- Dollireum. It's where you can see my posts about my dolls, and I hope you don't get tired of the way I blabber about them. I started collecting again just this year and so far I have already amassed 27 dolls! That's three Monster High dolls, seven Ever After High dolls, and 17 Barbie dolls. Wew.

27! That's one more than the total number of dolls I had when I was little!

By the way, kudos to adult doll collectors especially those I follow on Instagram! (Follow my dolls' Instagram account, too, if you will be so inclined). It's not easy styling dolls' clothes and shoes, dressing them up, and posing them all for just one photo! It takes a lot of work and sometimes I get impatient, but then I look at them in their pretty clothes and everything's right with the [doll] world again.

In a bid to fully immerse myself in this, I also bought a sewing machine so I can make clothes not only for my dolls but also for myself. I am happiest when I make, and if I can make my own clothes and save a lot of money doing so then that would be great.

I didn't want to insert a somber tone in this post, but I guess if there's anything I learned this year, it's that we have to embrace every experience, even the bad. This year we found out I have myomas. We tried pills and injectables, and I even did keto, but sadly even though I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, the myomas only increased. We are now considering myomectomy and I am FREAKING SCARED. I can't even tell you how many times I cried to my boyfriend, to my parents, to my friends, to my boyfriend's mom, and to myself in private. I don't know what the future holds but I am praying that everything will be okay soon.

As always, I couldn't have done anything without my family.


They love and accept me unconditionally, and I am thankful. I know we can't choose the family we're born into but if I will be given the chance to choose, I will still choose them.

I am also very blessed to have an extended family through J. I don't know what I did to deserve their kindness and love, I'm just sitting here going, "happy, thank you, more please."


And to My Love, my one and only, I am so glad to end the year and welcome another one with you. My younger self used to dream of a love like this, and I wish I can tell her to just hang on, what they say is true: it will come when you least expect it. You came unexpectedly, and suddenly I was home.


I love you, J.

After going through old posts and photos to craft this year-ender, I am reminded that 2017 wasn't that bad, after all.

By the way! At the beginning of this year I swore that I will not buy a single tube of lipstick all year. It was VERY challenging but hey, what do you know, I SUCCEEDED! Now I'm already thinking which lipstick to get tomorrow as reward to myself. Kidding! Maybe.

Gracias and ciao, 2017.