January 19, 2022
Valentine's Day is always a great excuse to dress up and wear the most stylish outfit you've been planning for I-don't-know-how-long. This special day screams hearts and red dresses for Valentine's Day, but in case this is not exactly the Valentine's Day outfit idea you're going for, your friendly little black dress got you girl!
Here are the reasons why you should opt for this classic dress this Happy Hearts Day.
1. It's a classy Valentine's Day outfit
Whether you're planning an intimate dinner for two, a Galentine's party, or just some alone time, the LBD is an obvious choice for Valentine's Day that calls for instant chic.
2. An LBD is a Valentine's Day dress that makes you look hotter
ICYDK, the color black has a slimming effect. Darker shades help you hide the little weight you've gained the past holidays, thus creating a slimming illusion. But hey, just so you know, you don't have to hide those extra pounds 'cause no matter what, you are beautiful.
3. It's a Valentine's Day dress that's easy to match with
Black goes with everything so even if you add different colored clothing items to your look, it will still look fabulous.
4. If you're clumsy, your date won't notice
When wearing a little black dress instead of a red dress for Valentine's Day, you wouldn't have to worry about spilling on yourself because black hides the mess so well. However, this doesn't mean that the spots are invisible, it will just be harder to notice so girl, leave the clumsy self at home, 'kay?
5. An LBD is timeless
The little black dress is not just the best Valentine's Day dress but also a wardrobe piece that will outlive any fashion trend. An you know what? I think it's worth investing in a high-quality piece that will last for years.
What Valentine's Day outfit are you going for this year? Share in the comment box below! :)
January 18, 2022
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's high time to prepare the perfect date night outfit. So if you still don't have any idea what to wear on the most romantic day of the year or you just need a fresh inspo for February 14, here's a Valentine's Day outfit idea that will definitely make your date swoon!
When it comes to fashion, there are pieces that just make sexy look easy. Among these is the classic no-fail red dress.
Here I'm wearing an off-shoulder red dress from Shein. What I love about this dress are its intricate details that make this Valentine's Day outfit idea unique. From the sleeves down to its hem, every detail is oh-so-stunning.
While red is an obvious choice for Valentine's Day, you can still spice it up a bit more. So what I did to make this Valentine's Day outfit idea stand out is style it with a pair of eye-catching white platforms. I'm petite so the extra lift really helps. I think this pair is going to be my new go-to heels since it's very comfortable when worn. Unlike other 5-inch heels, these pair of platforms were made for walking! With this, I don't have to worry about stumbling or tripping in front of my date.
Tips to Slay Your Red Valentine's Day Outfit
- Choose a piece that will both make you look and feel beautiful. Decide which piece of your outfit would you like to get attention on.
- Pair your Valentine's Day outfit idea with the perfect shoes. If you want to look sexier, go for sleek strappy heeled-sandals; if you want to look preppy and cute, go for a pair of doll shoes or sneakers.
- Wear the right accessories. Since you're already wearing a striking color, keep your accessories at a minimum so your Valentine's Day outfit won't be a sore to the eyes.
- Lastly, wear your best smile and confidence. These are the two most important things that will make your Valentine's Day outfit idea a win!
December 28, 2021
During COVID-19 pandemic, the world discovered that social media is a great way for us to stay connected even while physically separated. Basically, social media has become our escape from the struggles and stress that the pandemic brought.
There are social media platforms that allow you send connect and reconnect with people; platforms that let you show your creativity through photos and videos. We all do this for fun but what if you earn cash just by posting and engaging with your followers on social media?
This is what Ohaiii is all about. Ohaiii is the newest social media platform that lets models and influencers create, share and earn from their content.
"The pandemic marked a major turning point of the digital communities worldwide and for our society in general. Along with heightening of uncertainties brought by COVID-19, people's lifestyle, livelihood, and social systems as a whole, underwent major changes. Through these changes, we have appreciated the great power and value of digital technology. These digitally spurred social changes shall be the rock in which Ohaiii was built," says Andrea Delgado, CEO & Founder of Ohaiii.
How can you earn on Ohaiii?
There are several ways to earn through Ohaiii platform:
- via subscription
- via Live Stream
- via Photo and Video Uploads
- via Video Request through Direct message
After Lockdown Fashion Show
Another event that took place during the Ohaiii web app launching was the After Lockdown Fashion Show. The show aims to jumpstart the fashion industry through the Philippine Fashion Shift (PFS) which is a sub-branch of Ohaiii. PFS promotes the creations of young local designers.
Groups of models did their own catwalks at Pasig Revolving Tower wearing the masterpieces of various talented Filipino designers. The designers that have showcased their creations were Paula Villasper, Lyka Ann Chan Racuya, Mercy Asuncion, Franz Uy, Elsie Delos Reyes, Winchelle Castro, Angel Esteban, Chris T Ian, Norman Acuba Designs, and Russ Cuevas.
From the kawaii and colorful anime-like dresses to the classy glamorous gowns fit for balls, Ohaiii presented the designers' works successfully. There were also fashion pieces that promotes the traditional Filipino fabrics and clothing, and some that even featured paintings on dresss similar to Vincent van Gogh's arts. Through the PFS, the budding and known designs were introduced to a larger market.
If you are a model or an influencer and you are interested in being part of the Ohaiii community, you can send them a message.
Website: ohaiii.com
Email: ohaiiiofficial@gmail.com
Facebook: @ohaiiiofficial Instagram: @ohaiiiofficial
Mobile: 09273059127
July 5, 2021
What are your thoughts on wearing a white dress for summer? Let me know in the comment box below! :)
June 20, 2021
Stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, with malls closed, few to no restaurants to dine in, and traveling still restricted, we are stuck at home and have been spending most of our time online whether it's for work or leisure stuff.
The thing is, while we have more time to spend on other things at home, it gets pretty boring when you're doing much the same thing everyday. So to keep myself entertained (and sane) during the pandemic, I make sure to try different activities that are surely enjoyable. If you, too, are looking for ways to keep the boredom away, consider trying these activities:
1. Workout
During the pandemic, I told myself that I need to have an active lifestyle now that my commute hours to work have been gone for a while, I have more time to spend at home. So, I am working out at least four times a week not just to look fit but also to feel good about myself. I'm following a workout program from various YouTubers like Pamela Reif. If you're into pilates, there are widely available videos online as well, and to make your exercise complete, you can check out some pilates equipment on a site like https://pilatesmatters.com.
2. Binge Watch a Film or TV Series
Now that the cinemas or movie theaters are closed, we are left with the Internet to watch new movies or series. Go to Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV to check out the new movie releases or binge watch Friends. But if you're living on a shoestring budget right now, here's how to watch TV for free. During this pandemic, I can't count on my fingers how many movies and series I've finished watching. I may not have the Dolby theater-like sound system at home but I certainly still enjoyed watching online.
3. Try New Recipes
In the height of banana cake and ube cheese pandesal in the Philippines, I tried other recipes and one that stood out was the custaroon recipe. It is a combination of the macaroon (a mini pastry made of dessicated coconut) and custard. I'm not a professional baker. I didn't even imagine myself of exploring what magic the oven can do but I did it well, according to those who tasted my baked goods. To achievesomething great, you don't have to be good. You just have to start doing it. If you have no ide idea abot it, do it still and figure it ut along the way.
4. Play Online Games
I'm not a gamer and playing online games wasn't really my thing. But when I did, it was hard to let go of my phone or the controller. Playing online games can really be a stress reliver. I tried various games from Nintendo Switch such as the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart, and Mario Tennis. I also saw plays.org, a website that lets you play free online games. What I liked about their games is that they feature various cartoon characters that will remind you of your childhood. I tried Powerpuff Girls Unordinary Week Beat-em-up Fighting Game and it was fun. This is a side-view beat them up fighting game where you play the Powerpuff Girls fighting through a week-long battle with each day being another level. The game becomes more challenging as you enter a new day or level. If you want to make the most of your time, you can also try games that pay real money so you can play while earning.
Just because you're stuck at home does not mean you stop having fun. There are lots of ways to enjoy your days at home.
April 9, 2021
In this day and age where social media is (almost) everything, many people are now shifting to the world wide web to build their career to pursue the “dream." Among the most popular online careers are bloggers, vloggers, and social media influencers. But as many would have thought wrong, braving this world is not that easy because there’s really a huge and serious competition out there.
Speaking from experience, having passion is not enough to succeed in this world. Because with so many people who have the same passion and goals as yours, how do you make yours stand out? How do you increase visitor numbers and build a loyal following? One way is leveraging platforms like Tokmatik to buy followers. But increasing your following organically, that's the challenge. And how do you get people returning to you for more?
So in this article, I will share with you how I became a successful blogger. This is not the typical finding your niche blog tips. While it’s a factor as well, there’s more to blogging than that.
How I started
The Girl Behind the Pen started nine years ago. I created this blog as a way to reach my dream of working in a popular teenage magazine in the Philippines. At first, I shared random things in my life and eventually, it became a fashion blog. I love mixing and matching pieces-that-don’t-work-well-together-but-somehow-I-managed-to-pull-off.
I didn’t have sponsors that time, I featured my old clothes from my closet and sometimes, I’ll spend my savings from my allowance to buy clothes to be featured. I asked my little sister who was 10 years old at that time to take a photo of me using our digital camera. I got several good comments telling me that I was able to help them fix their fashion dilemma, while some told me that they were really inspired by my posts to get through life’s challenges. As time passed, my blog grew and my reach became even wider.
Back then, I really had no intentions of monetizing my blog nor becoming a famous blogger; one because I was really a shy person, and two is because I really didn’t know that it was possible. A few months passed and one international brand reached out to me and that was my very first paid collaboration. Eventually, it continued with both local and international brands. I got invited to events, asked to review products, wore pieces from a shop’s new collections, became a brand ambassador, and so on. That got me thinking, whoa, it’s really possible to make a living out of blogging. But I didn’t want to make it that way, I want my blog to remain a hobby because I don’t want to be pressured that I have to earn this amount of money or go to five places a week for an event to consider myself successful. I just let it be. Besides, what I really wanted was to become a writer.
My setbacks
Though I told myself that I will not make this blog a living nor becoming a famous blogger, in the back of my mind, there’s a part of me that wants to because it’s the dream, right? You just have to go to events and get paid, you will get free clothes or skincare in exchange for one blog post, you meet a lot of people, and so on. These are really fun.
If only I did the right thing at the right moment, blogging could have been my full-time career, and perhaps, I’ll be a popular blogger. But I didn’t because I was afraid and I wasn’t open to making use of the new platforms (Instagram). In short, I refused to adapt to the new trend and that was really one of my biggest regrets to this day. I’d be lying if I tell you that it was all okay. I had a hard time riding on the trend because, by the time I did, I thought I was too late. All the bloggers that started at the same time as I did were ahead of me already. I got unmotivated so I laid low and thought I lost my readers.
But instead of allowing that to bring me down, I used it as a motivation to work harder.
How I got back in the game
I was so close to giving up that time because I was pressured on the thought that I was too late and there are so many people, even younger than me, who are “making it” in the industry. While it’s really challenging, I told myself that I have to brave the road and get myself out there. And so I did.
I continued blogging. I’m not as active as I was before but this is a good restart. This time, I didn’t let the pressure of the numbers get in the way. I blog at my own pace and in my own terms just how it used to be. But in order for me to be a successful blogger, I have to be more creative than ever. This, I think, is how I will stand out. Thankfully, there are still people who read my blog and appreciate my articles. They may be less than it was before but what matters most is, someone still reads my blog.
I’ll continue to write about fashion and self-help tips to empower other people. Alongside these, I’ll also share some of my travel discoveries, food recommendations, and so much more. I’ll be the blogger that anyone could turn to whenever they have a dilemma.
Key takeaways
To summarize everything, here are the things I learned from my setbacks for me to succeed in the industry.
Don’t let go of your passion.
Be open to changes.
Timing is key. It really is.
Don’t be pressured by society.
Be creative.
Build your network.
Know your worth.
Engage with your readers.
Have a clear goal.
Be consistent.
Always be humble.
Becoming a successful blogger does not mean you must have a huge following on social media. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who believes in what you do. There's not really an accurate answer as to what success is because we all have our own definitions of success. And as for me, this is success.
March 26, 2021 Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Philippines
Being home to more than 7,000 beautiful islands, the Philippines surely never disappoints. From the pristine beaches and jaw-dropping lagoons to the breathtaking rolling hills, there's something for every traveler, and that will make you want to come back for more.
Of all the Philippine destinations I've been to, one of the places that left a mark on me was Batanes. With its lush greenery everywhere that will make you sing the hills are alive and socializing with the kindest people you'd ever meet, how can you not love Batanes?
Must-read: Batanes Through the Eyes of a First-Timer
But did you know that there is a place near Manila that almost looks like Batanes? Read on to find out where this place is.
Behold, Tanay in Rizal Province, just one to two hours away from the metro. We just saw this accidentally when we decided to pass by the Marilaque Road. Marilaque stands for Marikina (Ma), Rizal (Ri), Laguna (La), and Quezon Province (Que). It's a famous road for riders who are coming from Manila and traveling to Rizal or Quezon provinces.
The moment I saw it, I already thought it's really like Batanes. Wherever you look (at least in the part of Tanay in Marilaque) is a mountain range and rolling hills. But it was almost dark so we didn't stop. I told myself, I have to come back and see it again. And when we did, my jaw dropped just like when I saw this road in South of Batan Island in Batanes.
Sure, it's not really 100% look-a-like but there is a resemblance. My point is, in Batanes, hills and mountains are the usual sights on the road. And in Rizal lies a somehow similar spot where you can see beautiful landscapes as you drive along the road.
And just like taking a photo in Batanes' road, it's also not easy playing patintero with the cars passing by so, in case you're planning to take a photo, be extra careful because vehicles there are fast and they wouldn't stop for your photoshoot. Luckily, the cars passing by that time were only a few.
Being a Rizal resident, I was really surprised that there is actually a place like this in our province. Even restaurants have overlooking views of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. It's pure, divine, and breathtaking.
How to get to Marilaque Highway
Where to go near Marilaque Highway
- Lutong Pugon
- Regina Rica
- Ricardo's Vista del Cielo
- Kape Natividad
- Cafe Katerina
- Pranjetto Hills
- Martessem Resort
January 12, 2021 San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
To travel to new destinations is to absorb the beauty and history of a place, but some places truly take us back in time and allow us to get a glimpse of another world in a different era—Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels and Restaurant is one proof.
Our tour guide said the property was originally named as Sulyap sa Pamana because the owner inherited the land (if I remember correctly) from his father. However, since there are lots of establishments named Pamana, they decided to rename it to Sulyap instead. Sulyap is a Filipino word meaning to glance, to see something just for a moment.
As we set our feet on its ground, we were greeted by old traditional Filipino houses-turned-hotel and restaurant. The traditional Filipino homes may have dwindled but echoes of its presence can be seen and experienced at Sulyap Gallery Cafe in San Pablo, Laguna.
These houses were brought from various provinces in the Philippines. The owner rebuilt the old houses and worked hard to maintain each house's original materials. He said he didn't really change much of it and about 90% of the houses have their original parts.
Photos from Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant
There's also a museum across the restaurant where you can see a whole floor full of the owner's antique collection.
And as for the food, I really can't say much except that it was undeniably good. All the dishes we ordered were fit to any person's taste. I love their sinigang na liempo (PHP 430), bistek tagalog (PHP 450), lechong kawali (PHP 430), and my favorite, the sizzling mixed seafoods (PHP 495). Best of all, it won't let you break the bank as its prices are reasonable. The crew also deserves a credit because everyone was very accommodating — giving you a complete Filipino experience because of their good traits.
More than being a restaurant and boutique hotel, Sulyap Gallery Cafe is a bridge to the past letting us in to an old world charm to experience the Filipino culture in all its glory.
Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant
Address: Brgy. Del Remedio, Cocoland Compound 4000 San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
Operation hours: 10am to 6pm
Budget for meals: PHP 1,000 for two
Sulyap Gallery Cafe Room Rates:
With Breakfast
- 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,800
- 5 guests in a room - PHP 7,000
- 6 guests in a room - PHP 8,100
Extra Bed - PHP 1,000
Without Breakfast
- 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,100
- 5 guests in a room - PHP 6,125
- 6 guests in a room - PHP 7,050
Extra Bed - PHP 825
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