Islander

The daybreak approached and the sun rises to acknowledge the new day. I welcomed it walking in the white sandy shore of Puerto Galera clad in black and white ensemble.

It was beach perfect because of the one piece and lacy shorts but the added details like the chic cover up and turban was inspired by the Desert scene in Sex and City 3 Movie I watched. I was amazed on how Carrie and her squad rocked their complicated outfit in style even in the middle of the desert. I mean they don’t need to since simpler clothes are more practical to wear there but being who they are they still made it their runway.

But unlike them, I don’t need any elaborate pieces to compete with my beautiful nature background as it just enhances the neutral color of my outfit. Then some metallic tattoos to add sparkle to compensate for the accessories you can choose to avoid when water is just around the corner, you know what I mean, right?

I like how I looked classy and sexy in my own way without having to stick myself to wear the usual slinky two piece swimsuits when you are in the beach. It’s just how you carry yourself and believe that you look gorgeous anyways, darlings! :*

Wanderlust

There’s no time in my life (I know you do too.) that I don’t long to spend my day just lounging or doing something extraordinary somewhere faraway. But that’s just not possible, realistic even given the responsibilities we have back at our own homes and works.

Yet whenever there’s the opportunity to travel whether it would be beach or a cold destination, modern or back in time type of tours I would grab it. There’s no way I would pass the chance to relax and enjoy just because…

1. Travelling is good for health, mind you! I believe so, because it lets your body recharge from all the toxics and stress you accumulated. It frees your mind and lets your creative juices flow again. You’ll go back to your routine with a different mindset and more energy that will help improve your work.

2.   

   

       2. As they say, “All Work and No Play, Makes Jack a Dull Boy.” Going on a trip with people you enjoy the company or choosing to have an escapade alone will do you great. You can bond and rekindle relationships especially with those you haven’t seen for a while. But the best thing is you rediscover yourself and will come out refreshed and bolder.

3.       3. You will be able to overcome your fears as you have to deal with it if you want to experience that scary ride, sports, food, etc. you’ve been dying to try. All that adventures that awaits you in every travel is worth of your feat. The trip becomes more special with the fun and daring remembrance you had. Try new things once in a while because life will never run out of it. That’s for sure.

1.      4  It will make you passionate, smarter, and inspired as you gain experience, learning and appreciation with everything you will see, hear, and feel contrary from your workaday life. Talking to the locals also lets you know the story of the place and the everyday life of its people and somehow makes you feel like you are one of them.

5.   This one in the list is definitely not the last as for sure through my continuous wandering I will have more points to ponder for myself but this one is on my top priority, lol. With the boom of social media sites,Instagram for example as it is my favourite where you have to post your whereabouts and ganapganap (happenings) in life or else it means it did not exist. Taking creative shots of you posing with the landmarks and tourist spots you’ve been to as your background, showing off your hard-earned body, OOTD you planned meticulously, or your food just to make someone drool and hungry, scenic photographs, and other crazy beautiful ideas you have in mind that will make your feed tap-worthy. But more than making others green with envy, it is the memory you take with you that you can go back to anytime even you if you become forgetful on your old age. You can also show it to your grandchildren and you might be their travel-inspo goals too! ;)

 

Painter's Palette

If you’ve been following me on my Instagram account, @valenciajoyces (if not could you please follow me, will ya?J ) you can say that I’ve changed my feed into washed out compared to my more vibrant feed before.

So how do you find it? Did you like it? But I’m pretty sure it would change again into other theme depending on my mood, haha! I might go back again to being colourful or perhaps black and white, no one can guess it. Before I even knew it I might be uploading pictures non-stop that might surprise me too and just continue it until I formed another rows of harmonious feed.

                But it took me more effort and time actually to edit my pictures since I still want to have vibrant photos in my blog though. Apparently, I still have that rainbow soul that I can’t bring to leave somewhere.

Venice Piazza

Listed in my Bucket List is to travel and explore the world. So while I am still trying to work my ass off to earn and spend big time I would take each opportunity to at least experience even a bit of it less money involved. Can I do that here in the Philippines? Oh, yes! But how is that possible?

     One country that makes it to my top dream destinations is Italy. Without needing a passport, Visa, and a plane ticket I can have a feel of Venice’s famous Garand Canal. Thanks to Mckinley Hill, Taguig’s own version for visitor’s recreation.

                    The place clearly wants to take you to Venice with their almost true to believe architectural and luxurious interior and exterior design. You can even feed birds at the mock plaza while angelic voices serenades you with Italian opera songs. The music they bring fills the whole place and might even give you goose bumps. While the colorful palette painted on the structures are really pleasing to the eyes.

                 Venice would not be Venice if not for its historical Grand Canal so the duplication of it is the highlight of the Mall.

People flock there not just to enjoy the food offered by some restaurants (others are Italian-themed also with their own impressive adornments.) there but of course to take a glimpse of the impressive imitation and take a picture with it as a background. Others even fool others that they have really gone to Venice, haha!

                The only thing that makes the spot incomplete is the Gondola ride which they already have but will be operational not until December. If not for the lack of it then it will be close to perfect as if you really made a touchdown to Italy. The mall is still new but a lot are already planned to further improve it for it so we better watch out! Shopaholics will love it also as many stores are lined up to open there.

 

 

                  As for my outfit, well I just want to somehow pattern it to the royal clothes worn then.  With my see-through sleeves with gold intricate embroidery top and lacy shorts I could blend well with the view. My peg was the men’s ensembles sans the tights and puffs. Karir, no? Haha!

                Hope you enjoy my adventure, ciao!

Postcards from Baguio

Stella Vest, Uniqlo Turtleneck Top, Penshoppe Jeans,  

Fresh from my Baguio trip, I’m gonna share with you guys some bits and pieces of my experience as a first-timer. Warning, the content is quite long because I’m squeezing the first two of my three days vacay into one blog post only. Still, I hope you finish it till the last word. J

My stay there was really a pleasant one. Even though almost every corner of the place’s tourist spots were crowded with tourists like me, from their famous attractions like Burnham Park and Mines View to the Buddhist Temple; Bell Church Tower.

Baguio, hailed as Philippines’ Summer Capital, is one of the most visited in our country because of its cold temperature that Filipinos find as an escape from our tropical climate. But aside from that said reason, last week was a peak season since it’s the time for the Panagbenga Festival 2016! It is being celebrated every year by the locals to give thanks for their prosperous harvest of fruits, vegetables, crops, and flowers which the place is also known for.  A population of the locals get their source of income from it.

Before I spill the happenings on the awaited Float Parade which is one of the highlight of the celebration, (it will be on a separate blogpost.) let me divulge you the partial chronicle of my trip. J

So the five and half hour uncomfortable land trip of course made my butt hurt from the long duration of sitting and cause me an inconvenient sleepless night. But in every pain there is a gain so I just focused on my thoughts on what will happen on my first Baguio experience. I know the cost will all be worth it.

First day was a chock full of events and everything in our itinerary was followed with an additional place I discovered aside from the usual tourist spots you would search over the net about Baguio.

First we visit was the Bell Church Tower located going La Trinidad if I can remember correctly. Oh, another good thing for tourists in Baguio is that commuting is easy as 1, 2, 3 because they mostly have taxis that is so convenient for direction dummy like me. The fare is low since they don’t use air conditioners anymore because well, there’s no need for it. Even their establishments such as malls don’t use one. Anyways, the Buddhist Temple we went to will not be found in the mountains but in the busy city.

Unfortunately, the bell tower was closed at that time because people can only enter during weekends and holidays. It was a disappointment on our part yet the ground is more than okay for us to take some pictures and the temple is open for worship so the visit is still worth it.

I’m so lucky that my OOTD became so on fleek because it matches the color of the place. It’s just that I kind of didn’t expect it to be that cold since summer is just around the corner. But oh boy, it’s still chilly that time especially when it comes afternoon. So my turtleneck with long vest ensemble is not a bad idea but I needed more layers to stay cozy. What saved me is all the walking we did so at least I warmed up without a sweat, and that’s another one I love about Baguio. I could move around while still being fresh.

 

 

 

Many tourists have worn shorts and alike and you know what, I’m so jealous of them because they got to show off their legs. But I shouldn’t be complaining as if I have a mile long legs but to think that they can endure the temp is so impressive lol! Anyways, enough of sulking, for my OOTD I opted for my comfy knee-ripped jeans paired with white sneakers that made my ensemble more casual.

 

Second on our plan was the Mines View. There are lots of people but I won’t lose with the situation, I still got to enjoy what it has to offer, haha! As expected from a park, there are lots of stuffs sold there from plants, foods, and souvenirs.

 

What’s unique about the park is there options of activities lined up for you. I paid a measly 20 pesos for a chance to dress like the Ifugao locals and walked around and took some pictures for souvenir. I had so much fun with it because the fee was so affordable yet it is for unlimited time.

Another was to ride a horse for only three shots for 50 pesos. For me, the price is quite high considering you only have a counted shots but since we’re already there, why not try it. At least, I had a memory for keeps, promote the tourism, and help the locals earn. I guess the horses are more high maintenance, haha!

There’s also a big and cute St. Bernard dog ready to strike a pose and smile with you for 50 pesos too. I didn’t try it since I’m already too hungry, haha!

We headed to a hole in the wall café around the vicinity we only knew because of the staff yelling delicious food with good view. We got curious and listened to our grumbling tummies so we climb upstairs and we were surprised to see the ambience. The place is hidden so we expected it to be like the other normal eateries on the ground but this one is quaint yet the view was really nice like what they beamed. The great thing about them is the price of their food. For only 80 pesos you can have a generous serving of pasta or 2 pieces of sandwich with camote fries. Their pancits that can feed 3-4 persons are only for 150-180 pesos. They also serve rice for affordable prices. What more can you ask for?

We ended our tour in the Burnham Park, where physical activities like swan boat riding and biking can be enjoyed. Many food stalls and tiangge that sells clothes and other stuffs were there but since it is Panagbenga Festival, there is a display of Flower arrangements.

 

Second day did not go well with the plan because we were supposed to go to the La Presa but the taxi driver told us it was already closed and tourists cannot pass there aside from it is very far. So we did not continue on our way there and also on the Strawberry Farm since our other companions who already went there said there were not much strawberries that time. Instead of wasting time over spilled milk we just went shopping on what they call Wagwagan on Block Four Market. It’s a thrift shop that sells second hand and new clothes especially jackets. I scored a very chic poncho and a floppy hat for such a bargain.

There were lot of scarves also sold there and oh boy, I got dizzy with all the print choices they have.

H&M Turtleneck Top, Penshoppe jeans

 

 I'm digging my second day look. For me, it's very chic and classic because you'll never go wrong with black, EVER! I just added this sophisticated scarf for a pop of color without exaggerating it. I had a jacket with me to the rescue when temp gets too low for me to handle. The jacket would instantly make my outfit more casual if I decided to layer it on my ebony ensemble from top to boots, yeah with its gold deets.
 
You know what, when travelling and there will be times you would have to commute sometimes it is also better to have a huge bag than a small purse. If in case it will ruin your outfit then at least have an eco bag with you. I swear, you will need it when shopping is inevitable and for when you just feel like throwing some thingamajigs in your bag. The one I had my whole trip is so lifesaver as it held my jacket when I don't feel like using it and of course the bulky camera.

 

Another tour on Burnham Park for some shopping and our second day is done but not of course without a serving of their exclusive yummy strawberry taho. That is the perfect and sweet way to end the day.

Night fell and another well spent day happened. We are restless but very much accomplished and satisfied with how our little excursion went. Going back to our transient with this kind of view awaiting for us is just “wow!”. These bright lights are from the homes of the locals situated in the used-to-be mountains. Just like in Santorini but more of a Baguio-style just the way it should be.