Star Magic Ball is one of the much awaited showbiz-related event here in the Philippines. People would always love to see their favorite celebrities walk in red carpet with their stunning outfits. Most of them always look forward to those who are in the list of “Best Dressed” (and even pick their own choices of “worst dressed” celebrities. lol) 

In choosing for Best Dressed, I always look into the overall factor from head to toe, not just the dress or gown alone but on how these celebrities carry themselves and their confidence level as well. In this case, supposedly, I’m gonna choose and share my own pick for “Best Dressed” but because I felt like it was too mainstream then I put a twist. Instead, I chose the top 10 of my favorite celebrity outfits on the said event. But not just favorite but also outfits and looks I would wish to wear or try. Again, I would like to clear it out that the following will only focus to the dress/gown alone not totally the “best dressed” thingy. 

So here we go..

1. On Kim Chiu - her gown is totally my first pick! I love the victorian-inspired details. Such a stunner!

2. On Bea Alonzo - So classy! What I like the most is the back part. 

3. On Julia Montes - Elegance! The word that sums up this body-hugging minimalist all black mermaid gown.

4. On Liza Soberano - though the color is black yet this gown doesn’t hide your youthfulness.

5. On Julia Baretto - Cute gown that would definitely create a charming look.

6. On Coleen Garcia - I love the black and white combo of this gown and the front details as well. 

7. On Jodi Sta. Maria - Aahh! The only tuxedo suit I would dare to wear on a formal event. I’d bet I’ll also be a show stopper. Hahaha!

8. On Empress Shuck - too many details but this is such a gorgeous -looking silvery gown.

9. On Ingrid Nicole Dela Paz - For the love of lace detailed dresses!

10. On KZ Tandingan - Simple but the cut and style made it unique from the others.

So that’s it! Another thing why I chose those outfits is that it doesn’t show too much skin (especially cleavages! Hahaha!) Oh well.. And by the way, sorry if I’m too lazy to research about the talented designers of these gorgeous gowns. hehe! Kudos to them! xx

Disclaimer: All photos in this post are not mine. Credits to facebook.com/starmagicphils

The month of August was very tough and quite unpleasant for me and my family because of what had happened to my sister. And since she was getting well now and was discharged from the hospital last week, I think it’s about time for me to finish and post some entries on my drafts. 

I’ve decided to put together my monthly favorites or what I personally called “My Happy Catalogue” for the month of July and August all in one since I was not able to post it last month. I got this idea from Candy Magazine’s segment “Happy Thoughts” where the editors/writers share the things they are grinning about for a certain month.

In my own case, the following will be mostly beauty products, freebies, thrift stuffs, and things that gained sentimental value for the last two months.

• First on the list is this Ivi Premium Moisturizing Body Wash - a freebie from Cosmopolitan Magazine June 2014 issue. It is a collagen containing body wash made in Japan. I love how soothing it is to the skin and the scent is not too strong. I’ve also noticed that dead skin cells peel off leaving skin moisturized and smooth. 

• Celeteque Brightening Facial Wash - It was my first time to try Celeteque products and I’m loving it! This facial wash is non sticky and I always feel my skin is being cleansed well after washing. It also helps my skin glow and looks fairer.

• Safeguard Derma Sense Soap - It’s been hard for my sister Joann finding products that could help fight her pimple problems. I’ve been sharing to her some beauty tips but it seems to be useless since I guess we have a different skin type..  until she found out this soap and begin to use it. She told me this soap is effective and so I give it a try! It indeed lessens pimples and acne plus its cheaper compare to other anti-bacterial soaps. 

• Trendy head bands - my sisters and I became fans of Steffi Cheon from the Korean Drama “My Love from Another Star”. These type of headbands became Steffi’s fashion statement in the drama and so we decided to purchase these cute ones too. lol

• Taylor Swift Red Tour Freebies - My sister Gie joined the promo of Cornetto during Taylor Swift’s concert last June and she won this Comfy black shirt which had arrived later in July. While this tote bag was bought by my sister Joann from her friend who won lots of freebies. She let me use the bag and I love how it adds chic feels in a simple outfit!

• Lacey pink cardigan from a thrift shop - I wore this during my birthday and this is my favorite piece that creates a classy dainty-ish look!

• Shake It Off by Taylor Swift - Last August 18, 2014, Taylor Swift announced that she is set to release her 5th album entitled 1989 on October. She also releases a single from the said album..the song “Shake it Off”. The lyrics was good and shows off how Taylor thinks and deals with her haters. This becomes instantly my favorite song of the month. And by the way who’s excited for her new album? Me! Me! Me! :D

I LOVE YOU FOREVER TAY!!! (gif source: der_jaguard.tumblr.com)

• My 120pesos flipflops - These slippers were my companions during our three weeks hospital stay. These had served me well especially when I ran errands back and forth from the 5th floor of SPICE building of St. Paul’s Hospital day and night when my sister was still admitted at the MICU. In other words, these cheap flipflops had witnessed my struggles for the whole month of August. Thanks buddy!

• A Rosary bracelet - Like my flipflops, I hold on to this bracelet during our family’s moments of hopelessness and discouragement, when we are about to give up and and thought that my sister will already lose the battle. This simple thing gave me hope and reminded me that with God, nothing is impossible. :)

That’s all folks! I wish I will be consistent enough in blogging my monthly favorites despite how busy I am. Ber months coming our way! Enjoy! xx

August 7, 2014

At around 6 in the morning while I was still sleeping peacefully, when I heard a loud voice of my dad from downstairs shouting my name.. “Ne! Ne! Arianne! Arianne!.. Arianne!!! Arianne!!!”..

I woke up immediately and rush downstairs.. and.. and.. I saw my sister sitting on the sofa, half conscious, gasping for air, clenching her fist towards her heart, her eyes were closed, and her mouth is slightly bent at the sides.

My dad is in panic and so I am. We can’t decide what to do first. I said, “Tay, dali-a dal-on ta sa ospital si bebing!”. My dad went outside to ask help and get a car. We then rushed my sister to the hospital. Our place (in San Joaquin) is almost 2 hours ride going to the city. While on the way, I was crying and at the same time praying fervently that my sister will make it to the hospital. I even told myself, “Am I still dreaming? If so..I want to wake up! I need to wake up!”.. but that was not a dream. Its the reality, a very tragic reality!

We arrived at the emergency room and after few minutes her condition was stabilized. She was then admitted at the Medical ICU with the diagnosis of Stroke in the Young (a complication of her congenital heart disease)..and the worst thing is that the left side of her body was paralyzed.

August 9, 2014

I decided to go home so that I can rest and sleep well even for just 2-3 hours because from the day that my sister was admitted I didn’t get enough sleep. By 10 in the morning, I was again waken up by the family driver, he knocks at the door of my room and told me that I must come back at the hospital because there’s an emergency situation going on again. I didn’t get to fix myself that moment and again rushed to the hospital. When I arrived, I was told by mom what had happened.

 A flat line in the cardiac monitor… 

They try to defibrillate my sister once.. and thank GOD! She was REVIVED!

The doctors told us that if there’s no more choice left,  they might intubate my sister if things worsen. I cried so hard..like it was the most painful feeling I ever felt in my entire life.. I told nanay and tatay that I don’t want it to happen. I don’t want my sister to suffer so much..

Fortunately, my sister recovered and was out from the ICU after 6 days. It was such a blessing!.. a MIRACLE! She still stayed in the hospital room for another two weeks so that her condition will be further monitored. And last August 28, she was finally discharged from the hospital although she still has oxygen and NGT attached to her. At least, she is slowly recovering. And for the record, that was her first ever hospital admission since she was born even if she was diagnosed with TOF since birth. 

My sister Dayanarra Gail is 19 years old and the 3rd child in our family. She was born with congenital cyanotic heart disease specifically called “Tetralogy of Fallot”. She loves Taylor Swift and also a  fan of the K-Pop group EXO. She was deprived with so many things like a normal person usually have or experienced in life.. but to us (her family), we considered her the most precious loving girl gifted with talents and ability to make people happy and feel loved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So that was just the reason why I left the blogosphere fro almost a month. I was taking care of her 24/7 especially now that she is already out from the hospital. I even quit my specialization at WVSUMC. But that’s just fine. What’s more important is my sister more that anything else. Well.. God has reasons why He let things like this happened and as what I’m always saying, God’s plans are always better that ours. I couldn’t thank enough all our relatives and friends for their prayers and support to Dayan, to some of you who made the prayer brigade especially to Tita Devine and Tito Cecilio who were there for us from the start. I know our family will soon endure this battle. All glory and praise to the BIG GUY up there! xx