It is a truth universally acknowledged that hair becomes its most beautiful the moment you decide to chop it all off.

Since the time I wrote my last post I have unveiled a new Krissyfied Makes collection, bought the Krissyfied Makes domain, opened a new bank account, arrived at a major decision that will shape my future, and had my hair permed.

Hello, friends! I'm manic pixie Krissy girl.

I didn't grow up wanting curly hair. Growing up in a world where TV commercials, billboards, and print ads revered straight long hair, I longed for my naturally thick and wavy hair to transform into magically straight hair that goes back to its perfect state even with all the elements forcing it to look unkempt and messy. So much so that I almost killed it with all the hair treatments I went through.

And then I grew up and got more exposed to the fact that beauty cannot be defined by just one certain look. I embraced my thick wavy hair and wore it proudly until I cut it all off for a pixie cut, and then my pixie cut grew into a bob, and my bob grew long. Too long, actually, that my hair got past shoulder-length.

Still, my hairventurous self grew restless and I found myself contemplating another hair makeover. I remember wanting to have a Digiperm before but the salon did not allow me because my hair was rife with chemicals willing it to straighten itself (but not succeeding). I figured I could finally do it now because my hair has been left untreated for almost four years, and the New Year provided the perfect backdrop for my need for a new look.

I immediately booked an appointment with Belle, my trusted hairstylist in BENCH Fix Salon in Serendra.

I almost stopped at this look but no, I was a woman with a mission.




And that mission was THIS.



I was pleased as punch!


Special thanks to Belle for making my curly hair dreams come true!

Aside from my lavender pixie cut (which is truly in a different league), I can definitely say that this is my most favorite hairstyle yet! Whenever I get sad, I just remember I have curly hair and my mood improves a lot! It really is a great upgrade—when before my hair was just always unkempt, now it's meant and intended to be unkempt.


I thought it would be high maintenance at first, but it is actually the easiest hair routine I have ever had! Just remember the three step-process: wash-curl styling milk-wear. So easy.


The best thing about my curly hair? It already looks great on its own that I don't spend as much time on doing my makeup anymore. Whereas before I had to do the whole "production" in my everyday work-and-play life, now I'm just a powder-and-lipstick kinda girl and I'm good to go!

I regrettably forgot to ask when I can expect for the curls to go flat, but I've read blog posts about this topic saying it should last around three to six months.


I am making another BENCH Fix Salon appointment the moment my curls turn into waves. ♡ 

It is the third day of the year but unlike previous years, I did not pressure myself to start on a blog post straightaway but instead focused on taking a break. I am not able to take the restful break I longed for since I still need to work over the holidays, but I am extending my vacation by taking leaves from work until Friday. My work-year technically doesn't start until Monday, January 7, but of course there are work emails and messages that need to be attended to. Still, I'm glad for the chance to spend time with my family and loved ones. 

Official photos from our office Christmas party have been released and, well, here is a photo of myself displaying reckless abandon.

I don't really remember what I was laughing at, but I believe this was taken before the winner for Best Costume was announced. I didn't win, but my Night Sky costume is my favorite themed costume so far because I enjoyed conceptualizing the look and putting everything together.

Cheers to more can't-contain-myself, more-fun-than-I-can-handle moments this 2019!

I welcomed the new year with My Love, and for 2019 I wish we can have more dates and more opportunities to spend time together. My favorite moments are when we share our goals and brainstorm on how we can work on them together. He is my best friend and I enjoy getting the chance to know him more. 

There is value in writing things down, and every year I list down my goals here on the blog and on my journal. Most of them I was able to fulfill before the year ends, but some (like writing at least one short story) remain unsuccessful. It's quite disheartening, really, so I guess this year I will stick to one goal that will encompass everything I want to accomplish.

This year, I will be more mindful.

Mindful with my finances because I don't need that nth lipstick, thankyouverymuch, and because I really want to follow through with Krissyfied Makes.

Mindful with the products I use and their impact on the environment.

Mindful with my social media use. 

I intend to limit idle scrolling so I can be more productive.

Mindful with the media I consume.

Mindful with the words I use. 

Mindful with my relationships.

Mindful with work and hobbies.

Mindful with the way I spend my time.

Mindful with the way I live my life because I want to choose to live with purpose and intention.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Happy New Year, everyone! *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

May 2019 be bright and bold and colorful!

Wow.

What a year, this year.

2018 is the year I grew so much, and all I can do is marvel and be thankful.


My 2018 highlights include: being introduced to One Ok Rock • meeting Adam J. Kurtz • undergoing a myomectomy and having 11 myomas removed • going on a two month-long break from work • watching and hearing John Legend perform live • turning 32 • getting invited to the Richprime office and seeing the most number of Barbies I have ever seen in my lifetime • going to a jazz concert • ARC Public Relations, Inc. being acquired by MullenLowe Philippines and becoming reintroduced as MullenLowe MARC • celebrating our third anniversary • moving out of my parents' house again and moving closer to my office • losing my Lolo Julian • celebrating my 6th year in PR • going to Cebu for the first time • finally putting up Krissyfied Makes •

I shed so many tears, but the joys far outweigh the sad things. Most importantly, I am the most me that I have ever been, if that makes sense. It is never too late to become my own person, and 2018 is a great year as any to do that. I am grateful.

I have been wanting to switch to a menstrual cup for some time now because of couple of reasons: I'd like to help lessen my waste and at the same time save money by eliminating the need for disposable pads and tampons. Also, ever since I had a myomectomy I became more conscious of my reproductive health, and I have heard horror stories about raw materials used in sanitary napkins that can't be good down there. My friend Alex is a new menstrual cup advocate and influenced my decision to finally go for it. 

When I chanced upon the Anytime Menstrual Cup being offered on sale in BeautyMNL, I decided to go ahead and purchase one. It took me a while to decide on the size to get and I had to answer an online quiz to see what is best for me (although it wasn't that helpful because I don't know how to check if I have a high cervix) but I needn't worry about that because only Size 2 was available, LOL. Anyway, the description says Size 2 is for women 30 and above, so I thought I'll just take my chance since it's being sold at half the original price. I bit the bullet, bought it, and patiently waited.

My package arrived after two days.

It's pretty straightforward: inside the box you get the medical grade silicone menstrual cup sealed in a plastic bag, an instruction manual, and a pouch for safe-keeping. I'm not entirely sure if there's a difference in the size between this and Size 1 as I didn't see a photo nor infographic comparing the two, or if Size 1 is a bit thinner and softer, but I found the mouth of the menstrual cup I got to be thicker than the ones used in online tutorials, and looked a bit more difficult to fold.

I couldn't delay it any longer; it was getting late, I'm on the 3rd day of my period, and I needed to get on it. It's currently past midnight but I'm so psyched I don't think I would be able to sleep before writing about this. Indulge me and let me give you a blow-by-blow account of the past hour.

22:45 - I started boiling water to sterilize my menstrual cup with.
22:50 - I put my menstrual cup on the boiling water and let it sterilize for five minutes.
23:00 - As per the instructions in the video, I washed the cup with a mild cleanser and warm water.
23:03 - Stripped down to just my bra in the shower, I went to work. I squatted, tried the U-shaped fold and... Nothing happened.
23:25 - I tried squatting on the floor, I tried sitting on the toilet, I tried standing up, I tried many different kinds of folds, still nothing happened. It was getting a bit bloody. I started praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Roman goddess Venus.
23:30 - I shouted through the bathroom door for my boyfriend to bring me a mirror. Maybe it would be better if I could see?
23:45 - The bra has come off at this point. I could see in the mirror and I still couldn't do it. There were instances when I could put it halfway in but I would feel my muscles tense and I couldn't put the rest of it in anymore, and it HURT. I started remembering previous fights my boyfriend and I had. I started seeing patterns on the bathroom tiles I have never noticed before. I started getting anxious about the coming year as well as the choices I have made in life that brought me here, to this specific moment, and tears may or may not have fallen. I prayed to St. Anthony de Padua and all the other angels and saints.
23:51 - The spirit is willing but the body is weak. Squatting on the floor, feeling frustrated and alone with just my menstrual cup in a 7-shaped fold as company, I got ready to give up but for the heck of it I tried again and I swear without thinking about it I started to stand up and : POP : I wasn't holding the 7-shaped menstrual cup anymore? Instead I am seeing just the stem jutting out. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE I WAS SO AMAZED?

And that is how I was able to put my menstrual cup in after just 51 minutes.

You think that was difficult? You should have been there when I tried using a tampon for the first time. I literally had people on the other side of the bathroom door shouting encouragements at me. Yes. It was during a beauty event out of town and I suddenly got my period but thankfully I brought a tampon with me because I brought my swimsuit that day and I really wanted to take a dip.

It wasn't immediately A+ perfect, though. I had to poke around for a bit because I felt it was still folded inside and hasn't completely assumed the proper shape of a menstrual cup, which proved to be challenging because yikes, I haven't trimmed my nails for more than a week. (Note to self: clip nails tomorrow.) After a few minutes poking around and adjusting, I believe it is now secure and firmly in place. I still wore a liner though, just on my first time of using it, in case I didn't put it correctly and I get leaks.

Additional trivia that I don't think will be of use to you: I know the menstrual cup can't get lost inside me but I still needed to check the stem a couple of times and ensure I can easily pull it out, heh.

I believe I would purchase another one, in Size 1, to see if it's the better fit for me. But right now I can say that it hasn't even been three hours yet but I think I am now the newest menstrual cup convert and advocate! Hooray to not needing disposable feminine pads again!

It is half past 1 AM and I shall go to sleep soundly knowing I was able to succeed in the mission I set for myself.

Are you a menstrual cup convert? How was your experience? OR are you looking to switch to a menstrual cup? Let me know how it goes! Good luck!

Most days I strive to be a responsible, tick-all-the-items-in-my-checklist, can-do-anything super woman, but sometimes I just want to make like Cleopatra and bathe in milk the whole day. Aside from being pricey, it's also impractical because I don't have a tub. I reached a compromise with Althea's new exclusive product, the Milk Peel Cream Mask.

Give your skin a big gulp of hydration with the refreshing peeling powers of Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask! Containing both AHA and BHA extracts, this gentle but effective exfoliator transforms from a clay to a whipped cream lather, whisking away dead skin cells to prevent flakiness. It’s also formulated with casein protein from milk to revitalize and moisturize the skin. The result is radiantly smooth, healthy skin that's bouncy to the touch!

• Its active ingredients are AHA and BHA which help to peel off dead skin cells for smoother skin.
• It contains Casein Protein (milk) to provide moisture and help the skin to stay moisturised all day.
• It has a soft clay-like texture that bubbles up when massaged on damp skin to deeply cleanse the pores.
• It is cruelty-free!

I like using the Milk Peel Cream Mask especially after a long and crazy day at work. The scent instatnly relaxes me, and the way the clay texture transforms to a whipped cream lather just feels so luxurious and indulgent.


I also love how smooth my skin feels after. I will definitely repurchase. :) Get yours here.

I have been trying to think of an appropriate Christmas-themed blog post but I hadn't had any luck until I received Josh Radnor's latest Museletter in my inbox. You may know him as an actor in the TV series Rise, or from writing, directing, and starring in indies Happythankyoumoreplease and Liberal Arts, or as a Broadway actor, or as a musician. But to me and a lot of other people, Josh Radnor is best known as portraying Ted Mosby in my favorite TV show How I Met Your Mother. I have always liked his tweets and have always found his Museletters insightful. This latest one, with the same title as this blog post, struck a nerve and I thought I should share a long excerpt with you.


Aging is equal parts bitter and sweet. You want kids to grow up, surely, for their voices to change and their clothes to get too small. It's evidence of health, of nature following its proper course. But its also evidence of loss: loss of youth, loss of innocence. There’s just something undeniably sad about the passage of time.

Though I've never done it myself there's apparently a Buddhist meditation centered on death, on doing a deep dive into your own impermanence. Rather than crippling us with fear, the meditation is designed to bring death out from the shadows and us more deeply into the present. We think we’re cheating death somehow by banishing it to the back of our minds, but denying death tends to close us off, to make us more frightened and overly-cautious. I can’t help but think we’d be healthier as a society if we weren’t so death-denying, if we didn’t hide away our elders and engage in quite so much youth worship. Keeping death at the front of our minds can liberate us to be more acutely alive.

Bruce Springsteen had a line in his Broadway show (which I was fortunate enough to catch in the last week of its run, but you can watch it on Netflix which I highly recommend you do, it’s terrific) where he said something about ‘awakening from the youthful dream of immortality.’ For me it happened when I hit forty. I couldn’t conceive of how I got there but there I was. And then I had some friends who died very suddenly these last few years and this seemingly endless thing began to feel very finite indeed.

Because here’s the truth of it: In the grand scope of universal cosmic time, eighty, ninety years is the snap of a finger. We’re here for just a moment, truly. I have that feeling sometimes on vacations. Like at the start of the vacation you can already sense its ending. The end is baked into the experience. That’s what life is starting to feel like to me. Endings, everywhere I turn. And that awareness brings with it a necessary reckoning: What am I to do with the time I have here? How best to fill my days?

We humans are the only creatures that live with an awareness of our own mortality. Like with all things that knowledge can either liberate or imprison us. That night at Jeff and Melissa’s I felt strangely liberated. It began in earnest when my sister Melanie and I had a brief chat by the fireplace about our parent’s dying one day and us having to go through their house and sift through the minutiae of their lives. We got instantly sad and cut off the talk quickly, but right afterwards this thought descended and wouldn't let go of me:

My parents aren’t going to be here one day.
My parents are going to die.

Now this might seem a morbid thought to have invaded an otherwise festive Thanksgiving. But instead of it being a downer, it brought on a strange kind of euphoria. I began studying the contours of my dad’s face and listening to the melody of my mom’s laughter, features of their form and presence that will one day be merely memory. But for that night, I knew it. They're in excellent health, my parents, but one day - hopefully not for many years - they will be gone. I felt their absence acutely while simultaneously being freed up to enjoy their presence, focusing intensely on all that I loved about their human form so that I’d be able to recall it vividly years from now.

For one night, it felt like I was dropped inside of a dying world, invited into some scene from long ago, a kind of reverse déjà vu. I was able to partially mourn my parents’ deaths while they were still alive, certain that the memory of that evening would be with me always. It felt like a true gift, some sort of divine alarm blaring “This is happening. You are all together. It won’t always be this way. Be here. Drink it in. Love more courageously.”

I think we feel regret when we sense we weren’t as present with people during an experience as we know we could have been. I also think it has something to do with love and gratitude unexpressed. I don’t know why it’s so hard to tell the people we love that we love them, that we forgive them, that we hope they forgive us. That we are grateful.

All I know is that I was given this gift.
To be alive inside of a memory.
It was truly odd and terribly sad.
And also wonderful.
A lot like life.

There's a quote that goes, "At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and none of you knew it." I didn't know that our last Christmas with my Uncle Karl was the last Christmas we would ever have with him. Looking back, I wonder if I would prefer knowing. I guess not. But every day I live with the regret that I should have embraced him one last time.

Listened to his stories one last time.

Said goodbye one last time.

The sharp pain evolves into a dull ache, resurfacing when particular memories revisit, but grief never really goes away. There's really nothing I can do about it now, but I can move forward with the awareness that whatever I do or whoever I am with, I should make an effort to be present.

My boyfriend and I were mulling over what a year this year has been so far. What a year, this year.

I am grateful, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

To subscribe to Josh Radnor's Museletters, click here. Go here to read his past entries. Photo in this blog post was taken by myself using a Huawei P20 Pro.