Eating soft ice cream, Coney Island queen..

This gets me even more excited about the summer! Goodbye boots, hello pedicures and flip-flops, popsicles and sunburns! 

Every Color, Everyday: Live in Havaianas Color

Looking around, it’s amazing to see a world so full of color and life. But all too often, we don’t realize that we are even more colorful and vibrant than the world around us. To say we live rich lives is an understatement; and to say that we are defined by just one color is an injustice. From feeling blue one day to being tickled pink the next, each day adds another colorful brush stroke to the amazing painting that we are. And with Havaianas, you can live life in full color both inside and out.

Every Color, Everyday

Offering flip-flops in all the colors of the rainbow and then some, Havaianas understands that people live vividly hued lives. Human nature is dynamic, not static, and no one can be boxed in by just one color. As people live and love and move and act, they continue to add more layers to themselves – which are painted richer and brighter hues because of their experiences.

This summer, Havaianas invites you to celebrate life by embracing your vibrant and colorful self with the latest collection of new shades from the world’s most loved brand of flip-flops. This summer’s release of the now-ubiquitous Brazilian flip-flops features new colors for beloved Havaianas classics like Havaianas Top, Havaianas Top Mix, Havaianas Slim, Havaianas Brasil, Havaianas Brasil Logo, Havaianas Brasil Mix, and so much more the perfect companions to match every look, mood, or lifestyle as you continue to live summer every day of the year.

Soaking in the Summer State of Mind

Havaianas aims to celebrate different facets of individuality with its latest summer collection. Each color in the Summer 2013 collection encourages people to live life in full color both inside and out by embodying certain attributes that make each and every person unique. Aside from classic White and Black, other stunning colors such as Amazonia, Marine Blue, Fuchsia and Lime Green are perfect for expressing your inner self through comfortable, and simple yet stylish flip-flops.

Havaianas believes that summer is not just a season – it is a state of mind that allows you to live freely and expressively, by embracing the many millions of colors that create the canvas of our lives. With the many styles and colors on offer, it allows you to make a strong or subtle fashion statement whether you’re stepping out to do groceries, digging your feet into the sand on a sunny beach or getting ready for a laid-back dinner or glamorous night on the town, there is a pair of Havaianas that is perfect for everybody, every day and every occasion.  Whatever your mood, you can always count on Havaianas to be your constant style companion this summer, because you deserve to live a colorful and exuberant life.

So this summer, live life in full Havaianas colors and express your colorful self both inside and out by grabbing a new pair of Havaianas in any of its exciting new colors!

Experience the summer vibe that never goes out of style with the world’s favorite rubber flip-flops brand, Havaianas. Take part in the Havaianas story and grab a pair now, available in Metro Manila at All Flip-Flops, Celio, Complex, Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall, J&S Surf Shop, KidSports, Manila Polo Club, Nail Spa, Ocean Front, Plana Forma, ROX, Rustan's, Stoked, Tick Tock Flip Flop NAIA Terminal 3, and Urban Athletics. For provincial outlets, visit www.havaianas.com.

I'm fiending for the last pair in the second row.. 

And this is my current constant companion:

So I wrote you a letter wedged into my forearm

Plagued by my own perhaps self-afflicted emotional barricade, I feel like I have reached a point where there is no way of escaping having to put everything into words. A series of mishaps and misadventures in the recent weeks have taught me many things I secretly refuse to accept - all of it shrouded in a veil I pretend I am able to keep over it. But something's gotta give, man.

The past year has been nothing but one big life lesson to me. I mended, I broke, I mourned and I celebrated, all seemingly at the same time, and being on my own has given me more perspective of what my life truly means, to myself.. and to others. I have arrived at a crossroads with oncoming traffic from all directions, and my way of coping has obviously been to deny myself the chance to acknowledge it, by simply allowing myself to drown in the ever-seductive pool of my own emotional madness.

I am told, on a regular basis, that I am un-tamable. Whatever brings people to brand me with such a strong and rigid label, is quite possibly the career path and lifestyle I chose for myself, now that I am on my own, for the first time in years. Yes, I do have a wall up and around me, but nobody has any idea of the feelings that I am bombarded with every day, presumably "safely" hidden behind my walls. Maybe it is my determination, not to let heartbreak change me, or maybe it is just trickery that my mind plays on my fragile soul. I hide it well, the depth that not many people see, I hide it well under my smiles. And for the most part, it is how I choose to stay, not because I am afraid of showing weakness, but because I am prouder of my unwavering strength.

They say, do not judge a book by its cover. I say, do not judge a book at all. Because while you might think that you know what it is all about just by looking at its appearance, and someone else might think they know better judging it by its words, maybe the real truth is hidden, between the lines, in the fine print, in the absence of certain words, and perhaps can only be found in the root of the story.. Or not at all.

I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I am proud of it. I have no shame in admitting my struggles, and how I love, and how I hurt, and how I heal. It is all a part of who I ultimately will be remembered as, when that day arrives, when I am without my body, and only a faint hint of an aura that once was. And nothing, not even your sharp words, not even your stubborn judgement or your blatant ignorance, can ever convince me of being anything else but myself.

And if that only means that my struggle will never find an end to it, well then so be it. It's not like I'm not used to it..

XOXO

Photo taken in Balesin

"Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you."

“If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.
You leave the same impression 
Of something beautiful, but annihilating.” 

- Sylvia Plath, Ariel; The Restored Edition

Once upon a time, I used to be a mermaid ♥

I was missing the sea so much today that when I found this footage in the depths of my hard drive, I couldn't resist editing it so I could share it here. I kinda wish we had used a better camera instead of a point and shoot, but then again, there is something dreamy and dark about the mildly pixellated images.. highlighting my exact feelings over the beauty of this song, which plunges me into a deep blur of darkness and longing, each and every time I hear it..

So come on honey cut yourself to pieces, come on honey give yourself completely

[ wearing YUMINUM Go Go Dolly bikini in fruity ]

 As a sign of protest, I will write the most un-christmas of all posts. The season of love and gift-giving has triggered only my yearly gag-reflex sensitivity, and my little personal hang-ups have been flaring up like there is no tomorrow. Which, given the "end-of-world" predictions, just leaves me shrugging and wallowing in whatevers.

Following a recent exceptionally harrowing fever, and an extended trip to the island I call home, days of self-imposed detox and lots and lots of sleep, I felt emotionally drained and surprisingly nostalgic and anti-social. I am like a lost baby bear constantly fighting off the un-ignorable desire to fall into a permanent winter slumber.. all this amplified by the news that my entire family will be spending the holidays in the snow, while I, yet again, will me missing in action. (cue ghastly violin music)

So I might not have snow this winter, but baby bear has new bikinis to play with, a kitten who has seemingly decided that she also wants to learn how to yoga and a hard drive full of new movies. Which on the other hand, might not be as great as it sounds.. Blake Lively's bad acting stopped me from completing "Savages" - and I normally go geeky over all things Oliver Stone. Oh, what am I talking about, the holidays suck big massive Christmas balls.

I'm gonna hit the ground running and go shopping. Retail therapy, be good to me..

She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond

Before I left the Philippines, I wrapped up two last minute magazine shoots. This one for Mabuhay Magazine had all my friends, who have recently travelled on a Philippine Airlines flight, instagramming photos of the article and text me things like "You are everywhere!" or "Dude, this chick looks like you!". Here is the full feature. Doesn't the cover just make you wanna leave your job, sell your house and move to Palawan?! This article is making me so homesick right now.

Meanwhile, in (albeit) sunny Rabat, I am daydreaming of swimming, sun tans and a massive jug of Sangria. Two weeks to go until Marrakech. Booyaa.

But while I'm here, I shouldn't complain. My life hasn't exactly been of the uneventful sorts lately. 

If you know me well, you will know exactly what this means. hahha ;)

Thank you Anika Ventura from Mabuhay :)

Darling, don't forget there is sweetness left unearthed for you and me..

The Kinga Varga lookbook is finally out! It's always extraordinarily easy to shoot with Katia Kalyani, she knows me so well and it really ends up being more playtime than work. We shot at Spiderhouse in Boracay, which is located all the way at the end of White Beach, so it overlooks the entire strip, and therefore offers a much wider view of the sunset hitting the beach. The turbans might come in handy very soon, now if only I could remember how to tie one..

So, I'm not really sure how an announcement like this should be made.. I am temporarily moving to North Africa! I don't wanna kill the suspense so lets keep it at that. I have about 9 days to get my act together and organize exactly 23 kilos of baggage.. I have no idea how to even get started on managing that, especially with this clogged up brain of mind. A shrinking machine must be invented! I spend way too much of my hard earned money on excess baggage!

This weekend I am heading to Malasimbo for a much needed weekend full of trouble making shenanigans and deadly hangovers.. Music festivals are the best place to look for those things, I hear. And considering I have been drinking all week while working, my liver should be in top form and ready to rumble. But for today the only thing on the menu is one of my rediscovered favorite past-times.. retail therapy! ;)

And I wear my sunglasses at night so I can, so I can forget my name while you collect your claim

[wearing zebra print Headware as tube top, gifted red wrap skirt and flower print RayBans (gift from Australia)]

At this point in our lives, we all ask ourselves the same question: "Where do I belong?" I, for one, have been seemingly living out of my suitcase, in an endless flurry of excess baggage charges, airport massages and weather changes. At some point, I have started feeling lost in my own life. My constant priority shifts have turned one or two sunny days into some kind of a nightmare. I feel like I am being chased by my own white rabbit, yelling and pointing and pushing me over the edge. The lingering feeling of "Am I missing out on something?" is one that wont easily be shaken, followed closely by the much dreaded "Am I on the right path?"- And so, more questions start rolling in..

Some days, I feel safe only with a pillow over my head, protected by chemically induced sleep. Ah, sleep, what a wonderful thing.. when it's available to me. It's like time stops and you need not worry about anything, you need not ask yourself anything, and you need to go nowhere. What a luxury. It is my most favorite way to pass the time..

And when I cant sleep to forget, I guess all I can do is to dance to forget.

(Photos taken at the Boracay FunBoard Cup "Siamese Twins in the 80's Party")

But the night tears us loose, and in the half light.. we're free..

Hello! Sorry for another unintentionally prolonged absence.. 2012 is a busy one! Before I completely drown in the other 2 languages I have been using on a daily basis and forget how to write a decent paragraph in English, here is a mini post about my work with the Romanian designer Kinga Varga. She is the creator of many pretty things, and while this is only a preview and a behind the scenes looksie, stay tuned for the lookbook photos that will be released soon. We shot in the afternoon at Spiderhouse in Boracay, and ended with the most magnificent sunset shots.. My favorite kind of work to do, I won't deny it!

Other than that I have been jetting to and from Manila quite a bit.. long distance relationships can be such hard work and demand more than just understanding, trust and patience - and not to mention the emptiness my poor wallet has had to endure on a regular basis. But I won't deny that there is something special about constantly changing venues together.. especially when you have contrasting lifestyles. It's a lot of things, but boring, it surely ain't..

So excuse me while I recover from my last week of BBQ ribs binging, drunken toe smashing, retarded kite tricks practicing, beer bong drinking, asthma attack dealing and summer travels planning.. I am exhausted! 

How is your 2012 so far? 

Thank you Katia Kalyani for the behind the scenes shots ♥

Like every day's my last, this time runs extra fast..

  HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! ☮ ✌

I don't know about you but my 2011 verged on the ridiculously unforgiving. Its a wonder I made it through without committing murder, or arson.. It was like being stripped off my last bit of sanity. Luckily that's over, and 2012 finally offers us a hopeful glimpse at a clearer horizon. Since it's the year the Mayans have apparently predicted our doom, surely it isn't a bad idea to take this year by the horns and go at a race pace, fun loving, much dancing, loud laughing and life living.. to the maximum.. right? 

As for me, I ended my turbulent year with lots of windy days, sickeningly perfect sunsets, a few sunrise moments,  a kiss under the fireworks, one too many drinks and a French boy I adore. A couple of days into the new year and I am perfectly content counting my (few)pesos, making ridiculous travel plans, working my behind off and spending mucho time with friends who matter. When a breather from teaching is finally in order, I'm going to write my 2012 bucket list in the thickest marker I can find on a bit of neon cardboard and hang it on my wall for me to always see right before I jet out of the house and into the sun.. After all, there is still lots of wall space in my room meant for this purpose, right underneath my perfectly placed fairy lights..

How was your NYE? ☺