060616 + Summer Beauty Faves

Alba Cold Shoulder shift dress c/o Tobi 

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052016 + Graduation

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Yoga Essentials

Current Fave - Balenciaga Race Runners

September 2014 photo diary

Some hair + skin-related ramblings

outfit details here

Thanks so much Neil Felipp for my Zero Wing choker! 

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So I've given up on editing my hair black on all my photos. Decided to dye it deep black again 2 weeks ago at Basement Salon (SM Aura branch). Their services are a bit pricey but I'm just glad my hair didn't get fried. It's been years since my last hair treatment since I refuse to do anything to my mane. I'm a no-fuss gal who can't even be bothered to use a comb! I'm glad Asian hair isn't so hard to maintain but it can be a pain to watch curls uncurl in about an hour even with maximum hold hairspray on. I think I'm sticking to the all-natural, messy locks for now. 

I've also started to really spend some time under the sun to get a healthier glow!!! The thought of living in New York for 3 years without nearby beaches and mountains to climb is starting to scare me... I sometimes wonder why a lot of Filipinas just can't embrace their brown skin. I LOVE being brown but my tan usually fades after 2 weeks (no thanks to my mom's genes). Ocean Potion's Xtreme Tanning Xcelerator has been a godsend- just an hour an a half outdoors with that on will get you 2 shades darker! I practically hoarded a couple of bottles from Watson's at Aura after a week-long search since Cheyser recommended it. I know, I will probably get some flack for promoting sunbathing but doing it twice a year shouldn't hurt me since I put on a layer of sunblock...

I still have to post the 2nd blog post from my trip to Milan! Visited Cebu last weekend for a bloggers' bazaar + quick beach trip so I'm posting photos on that as well... 

LOL (lots of love), Raleeney.

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No more games, I believe.

Wicked [via iPhone]

These are the unfiltered shots of the photo I posted on Instagram yesterday- I am totally in love with this Lime Crime Velvetines lippie in Wicked! Thanks so much to Flaunt Your Curves on Instagram for sending me a cute congratulatory gift, this is honestly my new fave shade! 

Other gunk on my face:

brows- MAC eyeshadow in Brun + clear brow set

skin- Chanel Purete Mat pressed powder + Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse (for the eye bags + corners of my nose) + MAC blush in Melba

eyes- Revlon Colorstay Overtime mascara + my dark circles as eye shadow 

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Manila is a Sauna

Snapped before soaking up the sun this morning. Finally had some hours to kill thanks to Labor Day! 

Indy - New York Noir neoprene bikini c/o Triangl Swimwear, sunglasses- Chanel.

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It's simple.

shoes- Nike LunarElite City Pack, bag- Balenciaga, watch- Armani, coat and cap- Zara, dress (worn as top)- American Apparel, jeans- 7 for all Mankind

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You know what I've been feeling lately? 

Grateful. 

Yes, I have so much to be thankful for... but as much as I hide most of my work from everyone online, I know I flaunt enough for people to think that I'm living a good life- a bit of truth into it but I know I put the work in. And it's true, you reap what you sow but it's never instant gratification. 

I've battled enough bouts of sadness through the past couple of years but there's a huge pressure to be happy especially since I appear to have all the reasons to be content and happy. I try my best and there are parts of my life that aren't so ironed out but I work with what I have. I have enough faith to do better things and feel safe about my life decisions. 

There's always a huge pressure from inside me. People expect you to be a lot of things but the only thing that really matters is how you reach your own standards for yourself (if you have any).

So do I feel like I'm moving forward? Definitely. I had 2 months of self-doubt, of trying my hardest to keep from falling into that box of sadness. I chose to move on and I chose to notice what I had that others didn't. I know better than to wallow in self-pity. I acted on this grey area and hoped for the best. 

I'm moving forward in my career by taking up my masters in my dream city. A big deal for me but I have so much to prove and work on yet again. What are my dreams? I don't know, but I do know that I have a bigger calling. Cliche as others may think, I need to be able to serve others and provide opportunities for others as how others have given me the opportunity to do so much. The future is always scary but it makes me even more nervous if my plans don't shake me.

Every little thing in life leads to something bigger if you just allow it to. I'm not focused every minute of my life but I try to. I have fun for a reason, I get away for a reason. Do I overthink things? We all do. But we can choose the trajectory of our thoughts. I'm lucky I can now choose who and where to channel all my energy towards. A bit selfish but I believe everyone is. 

Never expect anything from anyone except yourself. That is the key to success and happiness. 

Your thoughts determine your life experiences. Keep your mind off petty things and focus on what you can do to improve yourself. Simple, really. Life is simple but never easy.

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Nike LunarElite Sky Hi, Adidas Hoodie, Cotton On leggings 

As soon as I found out that the LunarElite City Pack was gonna be released, I just knew I had to get them! I was torn between Milan and New York but eventually went with the black on white pair since I wear black jeans and leggings everyday. Love the contrast! Definitely wearing these to my trip to Milan next week.

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Urban Outfitters tank top, jeans- River Island, Nike Woven Roshe Runs & Balenciaga Town cross-body bag 

Keeping it casual as always. I've been wearing caps for days now after discovering how effective it is for keeping my hair away from my face. #girlprobz 

Also- in love with my new Town because of the cross-body strap! I find that smaller bags also stop me from carrying too many things around everyday.

Needed a pair to wear when it's too hot out for my favorite sneakerboots so I picked up a pair of woven Roshe Runs last weekend. A+ for comfort and I love that it's a lot more understated than my other pairs. 

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#YOLOstrea [via iPhone]

Yup, another sideboob LBD! Dress from American Apparel, earrings from Guess 

With the bride-to-be! Just a week before the big day.

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I know I have a lot of things to blog about- January's been crazy busy so far! Still here, you guys... trying to keep it together. Took this night as an opportunity to slip onto something more feminine compared to my usual jeans-jacket-sneakers combo, but ah, forgot about the part where girls like myself were supposed to comb/tame their hair... 

Updates on this site of the web soon. xx 

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SNEAKERBOOTS

I caved and bought a pair of sneakerboots [after swearing off wedge sneakers for life] this week just because they were in my fave colour scheme. Really comfy but I can feel that they're too warm for Manila weather so I can't be walking around the neighborhood in these unless it's raining. I'm dying to get the men's version [Nike Air Max 90 Sneakerboot] but they ran out of my size at Niketown. Hoping to find a pair for myself before leaving SF! They run a bit small so I had to get a women's 8.5 instead of 8. Other than them being snug I love the WaterShield finish so I know they'll keep my feet dry for the rainy season.

Paired with department store jean leggings and a flannel shirt from Urban Outfitters. Wore this today (December 25) while looking for a place to eat with the fam. All the shops and major restaurants were closed plus the diners were packed so we had no choice but to eat at Carl's Jr. Being the only pescetarian meant I had to choose between fried zucchini, onion rings and french fries. As much as I hate the cleansing fad happening recently that's all that's on my mind at the moment- I have to detox and eat clean once I get home. No workout can save me from feeling like a deep fried ball of butter (frozen then re-fried) right now.

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San Francisco for the holidays- day 1

MUST...SUCCEED.

cropped shirt - Trilogy, necklace- Mia Arcenas, shoes- Adidas Primeknits

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Super casual 'fit on a Sunday for brunch and church with my dad & sister... Still trying to wrap my head around what's about to happen in the weeks to come. I might have to take a hiatus on social media & blogging for a while (it's not like I update regularly anyways, haha). Please pray for me, guys!!! 

And while you're at it, please add my sister's new Facebook page for her music. Don't forget about Walkie Talkies, too... We're back! 

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Maddy platforms from Gold Dot, printed cover-up from Zara

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FoMO

cropped top- Trilogy + classic New Balance 420s

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It's hallow's eve and I'm at home writing a short post before watching another gory flick. As some of you may know, I have bouts of introversion and sadly it's happening on the same week of my favourite holiday. I just don't know what got in me, I had at least 3 costume ideas and I knew I could pull them off in a day just like the the last few Halloweens, but this morning I was more excited to do household chores and even went around the neighbourhood for a couple of hours. I've also kept my phone on Do Not Disturb mode since Tuesday apart from silencing my home phone. This has got to be the worst my antisocial spell has gotten but I'm learning to accept that I just need some time to hear my own thoughts so I can work effectively and efficiently again. The last few months of hanging out with people has taken a toll on me- I've been more anxious and high-strung, so I need to just close off all the external voices and chill out. 

I'm back to being obsessed with sneakers (hello, freshman + sophomore year!) plus I've been accumulating some more tees because of the weather. Quite disappointing to those who follow this blog for fashun tips but the last few weeks have proven that I can definitely accomplish more things in flats! Fun fact- my friends used to call me "sneaker girl" in college (before design majors), way before I started this blog. Quite excited to cop some kicks this Christmas- we're celebrating the holidays in San Francisco! 

Oh, and about the title- Fear of Missing Out? I never have a problem with that, and that may be the only good thing about being an introvert.  Happy Halloween, everybody!!! 

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