Febuary isn't all about celebrating the Valentines but also celebrating your love for books! Thanks to the Big Bad Wolf for making this year's love month a book lover's month in the Philippines (finally).

The book fair is located at the World Trade Center in Pasay and will run for 10 days (Feb.16-25, 2018) and get this, they're open 24hrs. Yes 24hrs!! So there's no excuse to not check it out.

I went there on a whim last Feb 16. Was thinking of doing my book shopping there on the latter days however I just couldn't help it. Big bad wolf's posts on facebook wasn't helping me to hold out for a while. Haha so I just have to go there on their opening day.

Got there around 6pm. Quite traffic already entering World trade Center but still tolerable. Plus there's No Admission! So just enter the Book Paradise for FREE! No lines just have to let the staffs check your bag, the normal.


Upon entering you'll be greeted by the massive amount of books stock up high on each table. I mean damn, they weren't kidding when they said 2 million books! Just wow. At that point I was very confused if I'll get a push cart instead of a carry on which I initally wanted to use so I could stick to my budget but YOLO (do people still say that?) I got both just incase they couldn't fit on the push cart haha.


Moreover to the actual books there, take note don't get your hopes so high if you're looking for the latest John Green or whoever author your eyeing for coz books here came from past years publications. Latest maybe a year old. Another thing to consider that Big bad Wolf's books are 60% Children's books 30% Reference and Non-Fiction which are sorted by topic from Business, Arts and the list goes on and 10% Fiction and Thriller. So just wanna get that clear before getting into what kind of great jems you'll find here.


As a certified part of the Titas of Manila I of course headed to the Children's books (well it was the nearest to the entrance too) and got my nephew some Pop-Up-Books, Push Button Sound, Educational & Activity books. Whew my nephew is spoiled again by her wonderful tita hahahaha! I then went to the Fiction side where lots of people especially millenials are looking for their fave authors like I even overheard "OMG John Green, ay wait Jane Green pala girl na sya?" Hahaha! Definitely I do have my set of authors I'm looking for but..


TIP #1: Be open to other authors and book genres. Seriously you might find your new (unheard) fave author here. Which leads me to..


TIP #2: That literally Don't Judge the Book by its Cover. Lemme tell you I got some books I honestly was just attracted by how they look. Shame on me. But I returned them after some reviewing. *Pat on the back*. Hihi!


Lastly TIP #3: Make use of their Sorting and Storage Sections. I'm really impressed on how they've thought of this. Maybe knowing Filipinoes can be overwhemed by the books and we'll get everything we (think we) want. Just like in buffets where we keep putting so much food on our plate and ending up with still so much food on our plates haha! *BONUS TIP: You might find what you're looking for on the unwanted books pile ;)

Their Storage System is where you have your unpurchased books be stored for 24hrs in order for you to go around the book fair and get more or if you're planning to go back the next day to continue shopping.

With these systems they will help us shoppers to rethink our selections before purchasing. So better take advantage if you wanna just get what you'll really read!


Fave section of books of course haha!

BTW, Prices? Can go for as low as 60 to 680 for hardbounds. Expect a lot higher when purchaing sets or volume based books and Premium ones of course can go as high as 3k but still such a steal. But overall they're waaay cheeper than even local bookstore sales. Yes seriously. So for even 1k you might get 8-10 books. Book binge shopping for sure!

In terms of paying, they accept Cash, Credit, & Debit and there are ATM machines in the area. Don't worry about long lines coz they have I think 40? Definitely more than 20 Airport Style cashiers to accomodate us faster. It was breezy for me there lining up. *BONUS TIP: Omg was looking for Finding Audrey and I found it along the the Paying counters where they've put more books to grab while lining up (well played Big Bad Wolf haha!)


I was done with my shopping sesh after more than 2hrs roaming around so before 10pm I paid already and left Happily Ever After with my new babies.


What I bought? No judging lols


For my nephew, Zachy!


Always learning..


You thought John Green noh? Hahaha!


Fashion and Style books! Can't beleive how cheap they are!! :)


PS. Was worried at first how I would carry my 3 plastic bags (which btw I brought a super big Eco bag to carry on one go *BONUS TIP: Bring a strudy bag/s to put your purchases in case you have tons of hardbound books like me lols) since I can't bring the push cart outside ugh this super cute staff immediately helped me with my bags!! Damn, he's so cuuute and helpful mind you haha! Even the girls behind us thought so too lols hihi 💓

Whew I think I pretty much covered the whole thing? Now time for me to catch up on some reading. Seems like my 2018 reading sesh is covered now thanks to Big bad wolf! 😊

Fashion illustration has always been part of my daily routine (okay, maybe every other day kinda routine haha). I decided to make it be a representation of where I'm at or what I enjoy of currently.


I'm in a stage right now where rebuilding the foundations on style and fashion is a priority. And I think every designer or one who inspires to be have to pause, look what's important and go back to basics. And this particular sketch is just my representation of getting into the details without losing the core foundations of a dress. The insides of a garment for me is just as fascinating as the fabric we instantly see.

PS I'm not a fan of inking my sketches but it really completes the look. I know I have to practice not to have shakey hands while doing so. Or maybe I just overthink that caused those awkward lines. Hmm.

Before this 1st week of January ends, it would be nice to look back on things,specifically my top 5, I have come to love and appreciate in the past year.Happy 2018 btw.

One, I love spending more time with the fam. Decided to really make a schedule and prioritize it. Our little zachy (nephew) really became one of the glue for this family. He brings headache sometimes joy to us. And that brought great memories to remember more than what we captured on our selfies camera.

Two, Nature. I'm such a fan of the great indoors honestly. But 2017 brought me to some pretty awesome places and doin some outdoors-y stuffs + meet new pepople & refresh some long time friendships.Guess it translated to my Jan 2017 resolutions to try out new things. Just a few for this year and hoping I could do more.

Three, Colourpop. I know. So late in the game. But finally gave in and tried it. Aahh I regret for not buying these the first time they came out. My ghad I just love Colourpop's formula. Their mattes arent so drying inlike that of the Macs I used to wear. They are just so feel light and definitely pigmented as repeated by thousands of beauty bloggers. Just so in love. Brb buying more Lippies Stix and Ultra mattes. Oh wait this blog post I have to finish lols.

Four, My hair. Sorry not sorry but 2017 got me shookt when I found out short pixy cut suits me! May or may not go back to long hair anymore hahaha!
Shameless selfie here we go 💖

Five, lastly the Waxified's ROI done. Return of Investment in Business is usually takes quite some time. But am just in awe how that happened for me so quickly! It was a blessed year for this business and we're beyond thankful for that ✨

*Special Mentions,Wicked play & Books.
Finally one of my bucket list is to watch Wicked and just overjoyed from story line to production. So worth the watch!
Starting 2017 I decided to make a list of books to read and practice also what I've learned. Have to say I was just able to finish more than half of that list. However each book thought me differently yet all important life skills. Which I'm pretty excited to keep workin on this year.

With these, 2017 thought me to be a lil braver than before to say yes (not all the time tho coz I learned also that its best to say no and just focus on whats important) and be open to all kinds of possibilities. And one thing to take note to make this new year 2018 better, its up to me not to resolutions but with my choices and habits I keep.
Ugh this sounds like an adult I know but it makes all the difference if we want this year to be our year.

Happy 2018 and goodluck adulting ✔

I've been eyeing on this book since college days but wasn’t able to get to read it because of busy schedule or just maybe just plain old procrastination. Entering 2017, I decided to have a list of books I’ve always wanted to read thus this book 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is definitely on my top list.

To be honest, this isn’t the kind of book I usually reach out for rather it was somehow pressure I guess that made me decide to read it since everyone seems to have this on their bookshelves. So I gave it a shot. It was quite long and sometimes heavy to read even though it may seem just a narrative of the Buendia family living in a town of Macondo.

I was surprised as the story progresses to a more mystically weird life of the characters. Rest assured it was one of those books you can’t wrap your head around and have to read twice some parts just to get into the author’s mind. Quite bizarre kind of a story for its setting as I read through the pages. Each character has its own story and lesson to be learned. Though it was all fiction I still believe something like this happened. I mean life in general can be pretty weird and a story told by the author seems like a just dramatic version of reality rather than of a plain made up story.

The book would really take you to the generations of this family and their experiences that ties up to their being. With that, think I've said enough to really describe the book I hope that didn't spoil it. However I agree now that this is such a must read book with its powerful reminders that are still applicable up to this day. It's truly a masterpiece of the art of fiction.

First Hike!

Let me just start off that last Feb 10 we almost died. Kidding aside I had my first major hike in a day. Mt. Mariveles was quite challenging yet so rewarding. Never thought I'll push through with something like this. Thanks to my good friend Mico for pushing me though.

Yes, I'm definitely one of those people who are amazed by my friends' IG photos in the mountains and all but never would imagined I'll be able to actually go up and be so game to risk my life. It wasn't all smiles and IG feed goals up there!

For some of us it was our very first hike. And maybe our last? Jk. Anyway, we left Manila at around 12-1 and set our journey to Bataan. Arrived around 3-4am to start our day hike. So took us 3-4 hours travel time to get there.

It was freezing cold when we got off our Van. Shaking and all we then prep up by turning on our flashlights and had our 'lil prayer before heading out to the wild. While walking, we were accompanied by ocean wave like sounds caused by the blowing of the tree leaves. This helped us to be at ease as we went by. (More like it was good distraction of all the other weird noises and creepy darkness.)


Really dunno what time we arrived to the campsite. As long as the sun shining though, it was a start of a new day


We then arrived to Aling Cording's house at the jump off where we have to register our names, do some photo ops and prepare ourselves for the long walk a.k.a drinking lots of water and stretching. #Let's do this!


I think what really helped us push through our day hike was that we were all smiling and still joking around in spite of the heat and exhaustion. The bond and inside jokes we shared really made our hike bearable. Never forget to bring your optimistic attitude for sure!


One of my favorite spots there when we were in the fields. This gave out an African Safari vibe. Caption be like, "Just went to Africa for the Weekend! Haha!" Forgive my Selfies I just have to!! Lols Can't help falling in love with the golden rays. Such a moment for us haha


Tarak Ridge Girl Squad. Present! Jk. But we were unconsciously divided into two groups. Maybe because of our pacing. Anyway, I'm really glad to get to know some of them. Like what I said this made the trip bearable. We really showed also how we can be strong as a group as we support each other. Even telling lies to one another that our hike will end soon and stuffs. Well we have to keep our hopes up that pain will end soon Haha! #StrongGirls


We finally had our lunch just before the Summit. Of course we ate like crazy. But still managed to share our food to our fellow hiker. By the way, love these twins!! Ugh they're definitely gave life to our trip such a dynamic duo.


Oh this one was taken when we were going down the mountain already. We had such a funny story with that rock behind us *wink* Girls gotta stick out for each other you know!


The beautiful scenery and mountain! Breathless. We're just all in awe of how Nature can remind us that there's beauty after all the pain we went though. After the bruises and cuts we managed to see the Mother Nature's prize for us.

I noticed while having our thousands of steps that day that it was great reminder that sometimes in life we have to take more than one step in order to reach our destination. And we have to be okay with it and accept that it's not gonna be easy but it'll be worth it when you finally achieve it.


Shoutout to Mico for inviting me to this day hike and really putting up with me when I tried to reach the Summit. Couldn't do it without you bruh!


Just before the Summit. Yep it was just two of us girls who volunteered to go reach for the sky. I decided to do so coz I might not be able to do this again so why not? YOLO. (Do people still use that tho?) haha!

It wasn't only the strong wind and rocky path that challenged us but also our will to power. We decided go all out and just keep pushing.


Finally, Summit. 1,130 MASL


After all the laughter, pain and dead toe nail (yep that stone really got me haha) It was all worth it in the end. These guys really made my first hike one for the books! XOXO