Good Hair And Make-up Days

Sometimes you have good hair and make-up days. 

And sometimes, you get your hair and make-up done for free and it suddenly becomes a good hair and make-up day. This is one of the rare occasions when I'm wearing more than tinted moisturizer and blush on my skin. 

My search for a reliable hair and make-up artist for my cousin's wedding last December was close to hopeless. There's quite a number of salons in the city but a bunch of positive-negative hearsay was also going on for each. In momentous events like weddings with photographers left-and-right, it's a MUST to look your best by choosing only someone that you trust. So when my high school classmate, Angel-- who happened to have recently launched a barber shop/salon-- offered her services, I knew I was in good hands.   

If anyone needs an AMAZING make-up artist in Roxas City or Iloilo, Angelie Andrada is your girl. She completed a professional course from Make Up Forever - Manila and is currently offering professional make-up services and packages for weddings, debuts, proms, dates and occasions of any sort. She recently held make-up tutorials and classes and has been exposed to Wedding and Event Exhibits as well. She used to do home services but now, her expertise has found its home in Andrew's Barber Shop and Salon. 

I heard that her airbrush skills are insane. She definitely is a must-try!

We had a very early appointment because the wedding started at 10AM. I came in with semi-wet hair and barefaced evidence that I just came out from bed. Uh-oh.

Because of the early call-time, I expected Angel to use all of the time up but she magically wrapped everything in less than an hour! She's unbelievably faster than any veteran salon personnel I know. We have discussed the wedding's theme and the color of my dress days before the big day, so everything went easy-peasy. I also sent her photos of how I wanted my hair to be done and it was nailed perfectly well!

 

Andrew's Barber Shop & Salon is located at Capiz Government and Business Center, Fuentes Drive, Roxas City.

"Like" their Facebook page for updates: Make-up by Angelie Andrada

 or send in your inquiries via 09176263075.

And for my final look...

I loooove my perfectly imperfect messy side bun!

With the genius behind this look, Angelie Andrada! The session became a mini-reunion, too. One of my childhood girlfriends arrived. Hello Lian! Since we had more than enough time before the ceremony started, I was able to have my outfit photos taken. Yipeee, but sorry for the blurry photos. Something bad was definitely going on with the camera at that time. :( :) 

| dress and belt: SM Ladies Fashion | cufflink: Superb Finds | heels: So! Fab | HMUA: Angelie Andrada | photos by: Ralph Delfin |
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Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without photos to show how glorious the day was.
My cousin, Nico, finally got married and I couldn't be happier for him and his dear twinnie. Emie is the nicest, sweetest, brightest-smiling girl I have encountered. She and Nico are basically personality twins! As I sat in awe watching one of my closest cousins on his wedding day, I couldn't help swelling into tears realizing that the baby I used to share my mom's milk with (yes, along with Kirby, we were 'nursed' together by my mom while their moms were out), was all grown up. He has found his princess and they are now beginning their happily ever after.

(wedding photos from Nico and Emie Yap)

I wish you love birds, the happiest of lives together. May the only tears you shed be ones of joy (or the ones from laughing so hard together). May your love only grow fonder and more abundant each day. And may your kids look like little Asian penguins because that would be so cute and funny at the same time. HAHA.
I love you guys sososoooo much!

Much love,
Mela

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Office Girl Series: Rank-and-File

Hel-lo people! How's everything going?

We've finally reached the end of this blog series on officewear ideas. And since it's been a while after I posted the last installment, here's a quick recap of Parts One to Three:

Office Girl Series: The Black Skirt

Office Girl Series: Lunch Break

Office Girl Series: Like A Boss

"Rank-and-file" has really nothing to do with the outfits below as these pieces are template officewear that can be worn by any office girl on any ordinary office day. What inspired me, though, is the lead male character in Disney's Animated Short Film, Paperman. In case you haven't stumbled upon this wonderful 7-minute video yet, please do watch it below. It tells so much in just a short amount of time.

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 | pink polka dots top, mustard pencil skirt, off white button-down, floral trousers: It's Vintage Darling | salmon tribal wedges: Asian Vogue | black colorblock heels: So! Fab | accessories: c/o Em Trava | HMUA and Styling: Em Trava and Russel Mendez | photography: Russel Mendez |

Disney will never lose its magic. Never ever.

I don't know if you figured this out about me yet, but I'm a completely, hopeless romantic. Well, more like "hope-filled romantic". I love all things cheesy, corny, mushy, and gushy. It melts my heart and makes me the happiest person alive. This video just did that for me. :)

 You know, I've been kind of down in the dumps recently about various things. But it's the small and sweet reminders such as this that move me to choose happiness. Happiness. Always. Because I just know that God has a beautifully sculpted plan for me. I don't even have to try to change or fight or argue with it anymore. I just have to let go, open my arms, and let the paper airplanes do wonders and lead the way.


Much love,
Mela

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Sweet Studio

It's the season of love once again! 

I can already imagine the magic of bouquets of roses and love letters and gifts and surprises and dinner dates as lovers make the whole world sigh and swoon tomorrow. Like the rest of the semi-bitter/semi-hopeful world, I've never really had a decent celebration with anyone in my entire life. Swear. Like surprising someone and being surprised back---never. I am so glad that my parents are staying and sleeping over before their early morning flight on Friday. 

Preparing for a Valentine surprise takes time and creativity, I believe. But if you still haven't figured what to give your loved one tomorrow, let me help you cram! Here's a bunch of yummy and cheesy gift ideas from Sweet Studio. 

 Cherry Coke Float.
Cupcake filled with cherry pie filling, drizzled with cola glaze and topped with whipped cream and cherry.

 Red Velvet Cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting

Sweet Studio is an Iloilo-based online pastry shop that offers a wide range of baked, homemade goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth. What makes it different from other pastry and coffee shops is that aside from using high-quality ingredients (uh-huh, no more fear of thick, towering icing frostings because they use cream cheese), they can also personalize. Request for a theme or design that suits the personality of the person you'll be giving the desserts to and they'll gladly do it for you. Artsy? YES. Scroll down to believe! 

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with whipped cream and ganache.

 Above: Cupcakes For A Doc (Aren't these adorable, classmates?)

Below: Teacher's Day Cupcakes

 For music lovers and musicians by heart!
I bet they can also craft fashionista-inspired cupcakes. Shoes and bags and jeans and cuff links as toppings, why not?

Above: 9gag Memes Cupcakes

Below: Stick-Ons Cake

Perfect cupcakes for anniversaries and of course, Valentine's Day!

They're all too cute to eat (just imagine the effort and intricacy they put to design each one) but I'm sure every bite will be worth it.

  Blueberry Cheesecake

 Cherry Cheesecake

 Oreo Cheesecake

Mango Cheesecake

 Banana Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake

 Oreo Cherry Jell-o Cheesecake

No one gets taunted for being cheesy on a Valentine's Day because it supposedly is World Cheesy Day! Okay. I kind of just made the latter up. :3 But why not make your pickup lines even cheesier with personalized creamcheese-y cupcake toppings and cheesecakes? And since it's close to graduation season, customized Congratulations Cakes and Cupcakes by Sweet Studio are practical gift options too, because they can be gifts and potluck contributions at the same time!

 Tiramisu

 Signature Classic Brownies

Triple Chocolate Walnut Fudge Brownies.

| Photos and product descriptions: Sweet Studio |

I know you've all been itching to know this, so for the pricelist:
One-half box and one box of brownies cost P150 and P300, respectively. Cheesecakes are available on 6-inch and 9-inch sizes at P350 and P700, respectively. Cupcakes can be ordered at a minimum of one dozen at P520 for Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and P540 for Dark Chocolate with whipped cream and ganache and Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes. And lastly, Tiramisu for P540. Customized cakes and cupcakes like the ones above have negotiable prices depending on the design you want.

For orders, additional queries and feedback, kindly visit Sweet Studio's Facebook page and send them a message by clicking this link:
http://www.facebook.com/Sweetstudioph

They'd be pleased to hear from you! You can also follow them on Instagram: @sweetstudioph.

There. Hurray for my first-ever food-related post!
Whatever your plans are--with a date, with friends, or with no date at all (awww, virtual hugs for you)--I hope that everyone will have a blast tomorrow!
Let us celebrate love, life, friendship and family.
Happy Valentine's in advance!
I LOVE YOU ALL dear readers. :D


Much love,
Mela

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Found By Fleet

Ola! Sorry, but I'll be shamelessly plugging something again for this month. Hihi. 

I've been chosen as one of the three candidates for Fleet Collection's Found By Fleet Campaign for February. 

If you could lend me a few seconds of your time, please visit this link and like my entry:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=439963206072912&set=a.267123643356870.60110.155794431156459&type=1&permPage=1

Simple, yes? You can also like Fleet Collection's page. They're worth a subscription. The dresses are really dainty. :) Aaand, don't worry! I'm not leaving you empty-handed. By reading this post, you'll automatically get a 15% discount coupon for an entire order from Fleet Collection.

Discount Code: FLEETMELA15

There, I shan't keep you any longer. Thanks in advance, guys! It's always awkward getting into Facebook liking contests but your help will be very much appreciated. Thanks to April Garcia, too--for taking this photo. Guess what, she's opening her own studio on the 8th! It's called Studio 23 Photography. Congratulations, dear! You can click this link for a full scoop of my outfit above: http://www.wearismela.com/2012/09/conspiracy-theory.html

See you around!

Much love, 

Mela

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No Place Like Home

Hello, dearies!

Let me take a break from the Office Girl Series on the first day of this very special month. I can't believe that it's barely two months before summer--so many things to accomplish, so little time! I wish I can still cope with all my school (and blog) requirements piling up. 

I almost forgot that I have this post on my blog drafts. These photos were taken just at the beginning of the semestral break last October. I must have been so preoccupied with sponsored posts and collabs that I took this one for granted. I love who and what I am right now and I am forever thankful for all the support that you guys have been giving; but sometimes missing what I used to be couldn't be helped. Leaves and trees at the background, recycled clothes for outfit posts, borrowed stuff from Mom, and just me, my passion, and my brother at the back of the camera. That simple--no pressure, no one to impress.

At home, there is no Mela--just the Ate Camille who leaves the bed almost always at lunchtime, who eats like a jaded laborer and spends hours at the bathroom. Yes, they all love me like that (although I'm really working hard to be less of a burden, swear to God). I will never ever trade that carefree feeling of being at home with my family. :)

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| top: random brand | jeans: Aeropostale | platforms: SM Parisian | Gucci bag: borrowed from Mom | photos by: Ralph Delfin |

What do you think of my "modified" header and sidebar?
Gahhh, I seriously need help.
Anyway, happy Month of Hearts everyone!


Much love,
Mela

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