Monday, December 12, 2011

The Blacks and The Blues

I have always enjoyed finding unique and beautiful pieces from flea markets, bargain shops and little boutique stores specifically here in Hong Kong. If you are willing to experiment and able to leave your brand conscious self behind, you'll be surprised with what you'll find here.

We recently had our pre-wedding photo shoot back home. The theme of our wedding was Vintage Shabby Chic. It was a bit of a challenge to put together a look that would fit right into the theme. From the looks, location to props, had to make sure everything would follow suit.

Our first location shoot was at a horseback riding place in Tagaytay. The weather was gladly fully cooperating with us (as it had been raining horribly in Manila for a week and days prior to the shoot). My husband and I only decided to have a shoot there only on a whim. So glad we did it!

Here are some of my favorite photos from our first photo shoot:

MU: Bambi dela Cruz
Hair: Teddy Masuela
Photography: Ian Santillan





Sunday, December 4, 2011

Blog to Basics in HK

         Growing up, my family and I would travel a lot. And Hong Kong has always been one of my family's favorite vacation destinations apart from the US. In one of our trips to HK, at the time when I was fresh out of High School, I realized I no longer had much fun as I used to.
   
        I stopped going to Hong Kong for about 10 years. I thought that shopping here was rather expensive. I could pretty much find the same clothes and shoes in Manila at about the same price or even cheaper. Thanks to various bargain shopping sites there, it was virtually possible to find the same things there.
      Reluctant to go back to HK, my cousins got me into traveling to Thailand for a change. I budged and Bangkok became my new favorite vacation destination. It also meant as a place where shopping seemed endless, where the food was worth every single baht and where the massage was heaven in an hour.  I had been raving about Bangkok for years until I met and fell for my HK-based boyfriend (and now my husband :P). I then began going more often to Hong Kong.  And little did I know that as I was falling more and more for my boyfriend, I was also starting to fall in love with this dynamic city all over again. With its changing season, liberating styles, amazing fashion sense, unique cheap thrills, efficient transport system and glorious food choices, I couldn't help but make HK my new found love.

       When I got married recently, it wasn't hard at all to finally move in with my husband. I find it truly exciting and fun at the same time to be starting a new life with him in a different city while I transition from tourist to resident. All it takes is to go back to basics as I set my eyes on rediscovering Hong Kong with its limitless great finds and amusing everyday things.

       I guess this is going to be my little adventure as I revel in this city's little pleasures.

       So here's to an open mind and heart, a fresh start, a new home and a new life in HK... one day at a time.