I believe in peace, love, and lipgloss pretty little things. Here are some of the random stuff that made my week, in a series of photos :)

I attended the presscon for Weddings and Debuts Bridal Fair 2012 held at Plaza Ibarra last week where we were treated to a sumptuous(!!!) buffet. I didn't want to leave the dessert section haha. More about the event on a future post ;)

I haven't worn this skirt in a while so I decided to take it out for a spin last Tuesday. I got it from Brown Belly about three years ago and I just love the bright and colorful stripes. It's actually one of my favorites so I should wear this more often.

My ultimate favorite drink from Moonleaf Tea Shop. Everrr.

Bought during a visit to Etude House in SM Fairview with my dearest girl friends from the office. I have lots of bright-colored nail polish in my stash but I find myself being drawn to nude shades these days. This shade is a perfect pretty, shimmery peachy color, and I can't wait to use it.

I was really tempted to get this pretty shade of red lipstick when we were there but I let it go because I need to save money, so I just tried it on to see how it would fare. IT WAS GORGEOUS. After a couple of hours it still looked gorgeous so I'm sold! I swear the photo does not do it justice. I will get it next payday LOL. I just hope it's still there as it's Limited Edition...

My friends and I heard Mass at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and I was a little overwhelmed at how solemn it was. The priest's Homily was about "reaching out, touching lives, and being a blessing to others." He also said, "Nothing is impossible when we love. We can conquer everything with God's love." No truer words have been spoken, Father. Amen.

What a pleasant surprise! Thank you, Accessorize and Bloggers United for this lovely present! I was actually feeling a bit sad when I got this so it brought a big smile to my face when I opened it :)

It was my first time to eat there last Tuesday and I just loved it! My Surf 'n Turf noodles were topped with shrimp and pork dumplings. Delicious! Looking at this photo made me crave again, drats.

My friends and I tried to have a "red wine party" yesterday, but I couldn't really bring myself to like it. I guess I'm more of a mojitos-kind of girl ;D

A lovely email from NYC

(As I told her, this will take some getting used to, but I am trying to drop the Miss when I refer to her now haha) Mariel has always been a BIG inspiration for me so receiving an email from her telling me how I've improved really meant a lot! She said, "It's nice to see how your blog has blossomed with good, journalistic writing, galing! :) More proof that we all get better at what we do with practice, perseverance, passion, and consistency." She didn't have to do it, but in her own special way she really gave my self-esteem a big boost :) Thank you, Mariel!

I went to my bestfriend Jerome's house today (I am actually typing this using his laptop) but he's not here so I played with this little furball instead. What a sweetheart :)

This photo was actually taken during the Privado sale we went to last year but it's one of my favorite photos of us two :) Do you know it's Ana's birthday today? This "Happy List" is actually inspired by the Happy Lists she regularly makes on her blog. Hop on over there and greet her too, will you? Happy birthday sis! Wishing you peace, love, success to your brand, and more travels this year and the years thereafter! I love you!

If you've been reading this blog from way back 2009 you will know I bought it in September that year, but I never got around to reading it or even opening it. Yikes! I will definitely have the chance this weekend though, as my family and I will go to Baguio and I need a book (and some music) to keep me company during the loooong journey.  This is my first out-of-town trip this year and I am so excited! We will leave tomorrow night and I haven't packed yet, so I guess I have to wrap this up now so I can go home and do that.

So, I'll see you guys next week? I hope you all enjoy this weekend, too!

Get your running shoes ready, because TIMEX Run 2012 is here!

Last Friday I attended the presscon for the run held at Cafe La Carmela in Makati City wherein the unbeatable running tandem of Piolo Pascual and Coach Rio dela Cruz gamely answered our questions and posed for pictures with the invited press.

Coach Rio is a multiple champion runner, coach, and marathon organizer so it's no surprise to see him spearhead the run, but others may be surprised to see sought-after Piolo alongside him. For those who are not aware, Piolo is actually a running enthusiast who've already joined several sporting events. His enthusiasm and passion for it were very obvious with the way he answered the questions thrown to him by the press so he's not just in it for the sake of endorsing in exchange of money. He said it's already a way of life for him, and when asked if there are any special preparations he does before a run, he said he just treats it like any other day. Do you know that he finished 21KM in two hours?? I remember my own record during last year's Earth Run. I finished 5KM in - wait for it - 57 minutes! Hooray! ;D Anyway, Piolo's most important tip? Make sure to stretch before and after :)

By the way, he said he regularly runs around UP Diliman... So I guess I'll start jogging there every once in a while just to, you know, keep my body healthy and all...

Ehem, back to the details of the TIMEX run. Piolo and Rio have dedicated time from their busy schedules to ensure they're in the best shape come race day. Aside from the special chance to get fit and have fun running side-by-side with these two TIMEX ambassadors, a handful of other celebrities and personalities will also be there like Jessy Mendiola, Joseph Marco, Victor Basa, and Boys Night Out DJs Slick Rick and Sam YG.

Athletes, race fanatics, and casual runners can choose from three categories: 5KM, 10KM, and 16KM. The race is organized by the Runrio team who assures accuracy in timing through the help of "champion" chips, timing devices attached to shoe laces specially designed to let runners monitor their starting and finishing times with stern accuracy (I used one during the Earth Run). Another innovative feature is the Runpix analysis which is a record of interesting running statistics unique to each individual who ran. The records will be available after the race at www.runrio.com and www.timexrunning.com.

Who could resist a picture with the two running stars?

Here are the routes of the three categories together with the assembly time:

All finishers will take home loot bags form various sponsors [like Riovana, Century Tuna, Magnolia Lite, Nutri Bar, Kaspersky, Multisport Magazine, and Unilab] while those who will finish first in every category will get TIMEX watches and Skechers shoes! There'll also be a photobooth provided by Canon to make sure everyone will get to take home souvenirs from the day, aside from digital cameras that will be raffled off. Hydration partners Powerade and VIVA! Mineralized Water will also be there to make sure everyone is powered up all throughout the race. Anddd guess what? In honor of Piolo's birthday, a total of 35 TIMEX watches will also be raffled off! Not bad, not bad at all :)

Time is running out and tomorrow is the last day for registration, so better visit the Riovana stores at Bonifacio Global City or Katipunan, or the Timex outlet at TriNoma, or the Watch Republic shop in Robinsons Galleria to sign up! Registration fees are at P650 (5KM), P700 (10KM), and P750 (16KM). 15 Timex watches are also up for grabs when you register as a group at Riovana outlets.

Remember, tomorrow is the last day of registration! For more details, please visit this site.

Have you ever woken up with a start in the middle of the night even when it's quiet outside? Have you ever experienced sudden bursts of inspiration that come like flashes of lightning? Have you experienced both of them at the same time?

Last night I woke up with a start and suddenly got this BRILLIANT idea for a novel I could write. I wanted to write it on my journal or type it on my phone but I was too sleepy to move, so I just made sure I've committed it to memory before drifting off again. Big mistake. When I woke up this morning I could only remember half of it.

It's an open secret that it's my greatest dream to be a writer, and seeing a book I have written grace the aisles of bookstores nationwide (or, dare I say it, the world) would be the ultimate and sweetest icing on top of the most delectable cake. I admit, at the moment that dream has taken the backseat as I am still collecting courage badges to finally get out of the comfort zone my workplace offers, but (as melodramatic as this sounds) that dream still burns inside me (why do I sound so dramatic?). I may not be writing magazine articles now, but I have this blog. So THANK YOU, you reading my posts continuously fuels my passion for this wonderful world of words ♥

And so I promise you that I will take the brilliant idea that came to me last night and I will finish it. Writing a novel can be a long and arduous task, but I am up for the challenge. I don't even know if someone will take interest on it, I don't know if it will be published for mass reading, but what matters is that I will be able to cross it off my list of My Life Goals. I am doing this for me, and if someone else will be interested to read it, and hopefully will like it and be inspired by it, then I will consider my stay here as very worthwhile indeed. So folks, please excuse me as I review my notes on character- and plot-building. :)

PS: Want a little clue? The lead's name is Character.

I made an unscheduled trip to my parents' house today even though I wasn't due to get back until the weekend. I've been sick since yesterday and there's really nothing I want/ need more than be babied by my mom ♥

I know I should be resting right now but I just want to make a quick post and share with you what has been keeping me busy these days - jazzing up my planner!

As I shared on my first post this year, I am currently using a black Moonleaf Tea Shop planner that I've already begun decorating with stickers and color pencils. However, as I was browsing Pinterest the other day (I never fail to visit this site everyday!) I got this (brilliant) idea to print them out.

I printed out hundreds of my favorite pins and photos so I can stick them all over my planner! I thought that instead of writing down the quotes all over the pages, these snippets would be even better as they are prettier and more colorful. They would serve as perfect "bursts of inspiration" during moments I get sad, bored, or whatever. All I would need to do is turn a page, and bam! Pretty picture :)

I also found this super-cute tin case at the Landmark a couple of weeks ago, look!

Here are some of the changes I've done:

I am not yet halfway done and I still have a LOT to include. Gosh, so many possibilities! I am also planning to get some sticker paper so I can also design stickers. And stamp sets! I found some online but they're all sold out, while the ones I found at the mall were so expensive T__T I need stamp sets in my life and I hope I found some affordable ones soon!

I find it a little funny since I have two smartphones and several note apps, but really, nothing compares to writing down your to-do lists on paper and crossing them off one by one, yes? I don't know about you, but doing this actually makes me more excited for what this year has to offer. It is a work in progress and I hope I can maintain this enthusiasm for this art project until the end of the year :)

We had a rockin' Vegas experience last Saturday without the need for plane tickets nor humongous wads of cash - HSBC brought Las Vegas closer to home during our annual Holiday Party held at the World Trade Center!

• Partying with friends and colleagues. The best part of any HSBC party I've been to. Always ♥

Ana was right when she said on her comment at the last post that HSBC really goes all out when it comes to our annual parties. I'm happy and proud to belong in The Best Place to Bank and The Best Place to Work! I wonder what theme we'll have next year? I know it's a long shot, but, can we have a Harry Potter-themed party? That would be all kinds of cool and geeky and awesome! ;)

*Special thanks to TL Bobot and Geoffrey Dayrit for some photos!