Sunday, December 21, 2014

The dresses I want to wear

So, this year has been a great year for fashion (I'd put up my favorite style icons in another post) and I've seen all these AMAZING dresses that I seriously want to pull out of the screen and just wear because they'd make me feel like a queen (Okay, I'll shut up now)...but anyway, I want to share them with you because...well, why not?

Here's what I'm talking about.

Paolo Sebastian, F/W 2015     
Look at that! Just look at that. Those details are insane and yeah, it's kinda risque, but damn it's sooooo lovely <3
Paolo Sebastian, F/W 2015 
 ^this is gorgeous and intricate and just everything great and amazing. 

elie saab s/s 2014  
Ahhh black is so divine and so gorgeous. I really like the one on the right. So lovely!

ZUHAIR MURAD Fall/Winter Bridal Collection 2015 
 I've always had a thing for lace. This is beautiful.


Zuhair Murad Pre Fall 2014 Collection   
 I'm a really small girl so I either do dresses with short hemlines, or maxi ones. Neve rmid-length. And this short one is soooo lovely! <3

Persephone by Lyrota
          

Just look at that.
Ellie Saab
 Queen Elsa feels, eh?

elie saab s/s 2011  
Christmas gifts, anyone? Lol jk. I wish I may, wish I might, wear these dresses, someday, at night. Toodles! :)

Thursday, December 11, 2014

14 Songs for 2014: My Favorite tunes for this year

1. Taylor Swift - Blank Space

 When I first heard this song, I was like "Damn, that song is SO ME." Those lyrics are divine lol and that video? Ah, dear, if you only knew...hahaha. >:)

2. Sam  Smith - I'm Not the Only One



 I think Sam Smith was put on earth to pull on our heartstrings and drive us into happy despair, if ever there's such a thing. Love this song, love the video and this is just perfection.

3. Ariana Grande ft The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Say what you want about Ariana, but this song is dope. It's sexy and I love how her vocals complemented that of The Weeknd's so yeah, it's on my list.

4. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat
Ahhh, Ella. Ella is truly a lord because she is divine and she makes songs like this. Great lyrics, love the video, and the Kanye rework is amazing, too!

5. Lana del Rey - Brooklyn Baby


It's a beautiful, beautiful song. I have like, zero attention span  but I can listen to this song over and over and over again without feeling like I want to smash the screen. It's beautiful, haunting, and Lana is such a goddess!

6. Nicki Minaj - Pills and Potions
I wish more people saw this side of Nicki. I'm not a fan of hers but this song is really beautiful.

7. Selena Gomez - The Heart Wants What it Wants
I think this song's lovely. I also believe that it's one of the most honest songs that I've heard this year and when Selena sang it (LIVE!!!!) at the AMA's, you could really just feel her pain so it's not hard for you to

8. Meghan Trainor - Close Your Eyes
Meghan is more than just "the All About That Bass" girl. Check out her other songs, especially this one, and you'll surely love her.

9. Caitlin Hart - Young Volcanoes (Fall Out Boy Cover)

I looooove Caitlin and her version of this song is just so awesome.

10. Lucy Hale - The Road Between
^That exactly.


11. Leighton Meester - Heartstrings

Yes, she can  really sing and this song is so lovely. </3

12. Tove Lo - Habits
There's just something about this song that makes me want to listen to it over and over and over again.

13.Ellie Goulding - All I Want

Kodaline's original version is great but Ellie can take a song and make it her own because she is awesome.

14. Keira Knightley - Lost Stars
Beautiful song + beautiful movie = Perfection.

Needless to say, it was a great year for music. *Sorry I have lost my grasp of words today...but I'll be back ;)*

Thursday, December 4, 2014

14 Books for 2014



I have a confession to make: After reading over a hundred books by July, I've pretty much slowed down on reading the last couple of months this year (boo, I know).
I learned that it's actually my anxiety that caused me to have such short attention span. There were days when I'd start reading a new book and I'd end up not finishing it at all. There are also a couple of books in my shelves that I haven't gotten to read yet--and that never really happened before, at least not because I was lazy. And well, I've also been busy with work, like a lot, coz I enjoy it and I know that's not an excuse to be such a lazy reader, but yeah, well, things happen.

Anyway, that does not mean that I don't read anymore. Of course it doesn't. It's just that I'm currently only reading short ones and all these articles, but I'll get back my "I can read extremely long books with no problem whatsoever" groove soon. And besides, I was able to read  (insert number here) this year so that's not bad.

(side note: as of now, I'm reading Pretty Little Liars: Vicious, so yeah, there's some progress right there... ^^)
 
That said, here are my favorite books of 2014. (14 for 2014!). (I know it's early but before I hibernate again and get sucked up in all these things, let me do this now) Some of these were published this year, some weren't, but the point is that I read them all these year. And ta-daaaa, here they are:

Dwellers
 Oh my god, this one is really, really good. I couldn't count the number of times that I read this in the past couple of months. It's a weird but good bedtime story (at least for me hihihi). I like how it's not just about the horror, but how it incorporated some elements of weird romances, plus a whole lot of pain and craziness into it. And I LOVE the characters. Each of them had their own unique traits, even if most of them were downright crazy. Celeste stood out from the pack, in my opinion, She's just different, and assertive, and deep--and I really like her.

The Descendants
 I've seen the movie years ago and it became one of my favorites and when I read the book, I realized how great they both were and it's just really amazing. I like how realistic this story is and the way it was written was just on point. 

 This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl 

 This one's really special and it's one of those stories that will stay with me forever. It's not just a story--it's a real story. Reading Esther's thoughts, seeing some of her drawings, and just feeling like you know her--even for just a while--is just something else. Most importantly, you'd realize how big her heart was and how much she loved--and is loved. Even my guy is touched by this one--we love it to pieces. Oh and it's Goodreads' Best Memoir/Autobiography for 2014, too, yay!!!

We Were Liars
Oh man, this book broke my heart in more ways than one. It's just on a league of its own and you'd definitely feel for the characters. Plus, you'd also get to think about why things are that way, or how events in the story came to be And once you get to the end, your brain will just be rattled and you'll probably say "Why oh why", or "NOOOOOO!" and that's the reason why this book rocks, for me. Oh, and it also won a Goodreads Choice Award for best Young Adult Fiction! Woot!

The Heiresses
 It's like, this adult version of Pretty Little Liars (which I am obviously obsessed with) but it also has different elements to it. Plus, the characters feel so real and you kind of wish that you live in their world (but not be part of the whole fiasco lol)

The Kitchen When it Sizzles
 This is one of those books that just made me want to read again after being lazy. It's beautiful and sexy in all the right places plus it would really make you feel "Kilig"--and to me, that's kind of a mark of an effective love story: when you feel "kilig" and want to be part of the story yourself.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
 Ah, Rainbow Rowell is a gem, isn't she? I like this novel primarily because it deals with the harsh realities of love and relationships. I like how it makes you think about what you have in life, and why things work out or why they don't. It's not your usual mushy love story, but it's great because it's more realistic than fictional and that's really good. And this is also Goodreads' Best Fiction for 2014!!! <3

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon  
This is also another book that I read over and over again--and it's in Tagalog! Hooray! It's one of those local books that I'm truly proud of coz it's so good. You have this average guy as the hero and it's written in a real world perspective which makes you think that "hey, what if that really happens?" and the thought will probably scare you. 

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2)
Can JKR do anything wrong? No, absolutely not. I like Cuckoo's Calling better, though, but this one is also great because you learn a lot from it. PLUS CORMOROBIN!!!! You can't go wrong with that. 

Heat of the Moment  
This story is special to me and even if I didn't know it from the beginning, I'd still say that it's amazing. Really will make you "kilig" plus if you're looking for a story that's steamy and classy but will just really make you want to read more, I'd say you do have to read this one. 

While this one may not really happen in real life, you still wouldn't help but feel "kilig" over what goes on in it. And sometimes, that makes a story great, too: when you know that something may be impossible but you still put some hope into it.

This is seriously one of the cutest, most romantic, and "kilig" books that I read this year--and possibly for all time. It's simple, it's not trying to be deep and all that stuff, but you'll love it because of that. And my friend Alyssa and I have fangirled over this over and over and over...hihi

The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales  
Because why not? I found a great copy this year and I instantly bought it. It's nice to read all those fairy tales again, though some of them were really weird. Like Cat Skin! Oh my god, I can't even.

The Geography of You and Me
 I think I read this one in one sitting because it's just sooooo "kilig" and though it'll also break your heart, it's a story that's just pretty realistic, too, so that makes it one of the best love stories ever.

So, that's it. Here's to more years of reading (and hopefully, I'll get back to my reading streak in full force soon). Xx



Tuesday, September 30, 2014

October, Baby: 25 songs from The OC -- Birthday Countdown List #1

Alas, it's October--my favorite month of the year! weeee. Why? Well, for the simple reason that it's my birthday month (LOL, sooo childish!), but really, I've always loved October.  I like October Weather; I like thinking that it's autumn (though it's not that big in the Philippines), and that soon, it'll be Christmas--but it'll be my birthday first! HA!


Autumn landscape - stock photo
I know, I know, I'm OOOOOOLD but I don't see that as a reason not to celebrate one's birthday. I believe that during your birthday month, you can try to be as happy as can be--and be excited, even just for that little big thing known as your birthday. Mine falls on the 18th (so I basically only have 17 days left of being 25 and then I'll be ancient...) So, I thought I'd do a countdown of some sorts (let's see if I can keep up with this daily) of the things I love, things that matter, and whatever else you can think of.

My first post for my Birthday Countdown List would be a list of the 25 BEST SONGS FROM THE OC!

 

If you don't know yet, THE OC is my favorite TV Series of all time. I've seen it over and over and it just never gets old. It made me dream of waking up to the smell of coffee and bagels, seeing shows at The Bait Shop, eating Chili Fries, living in THE OC, and possibly meeting my own Seth Cohen! HAHA! I was obsessed with this show (still am). One good thing about THE OC (Aside from Seth, Summer, Ryan, and Marissa) is the awesome, awesome, ultra awesome soundtrack. So, without further adieu, here's...

THE 25 BEST SONGS FROM THE OC:

1. Youth Group - Forever Young
2. Nada Surf - If You Leave
3. Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
4. Finley Quay - Dice
5. Matt Pond PA - Champagne Supernova
6. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall
7. Phantom Planet - California
8. Rachael Yamagata - Worn Me Down
9. Jason Scwartzman - The West Coast
10. Imogen Heap -  Hide and Seek
11. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
12. Rooney - Terrible Person
13. Coldplay - Fix You
14. Jem - Maybe I'm Amazed
15. Dios Malos - You got me all wrong
16. U2 - Sometimes you can't make it on your own
17. The Perishers - Trouble Sleeping
18. The Killers - Mr. Brightside
19. Beck - True Love will find you in the end
20. The Dandy Warhols - We Used to be Friends
21. Alexi Murdoch - All of my days 
22. Mates of State - California
23. Rachael Yamagata - Reason Why
24. Mazzy Star - Into Dust
25. Patrick Park - Life is a song

I linked most of the songs to some of the best moments in THE OC where they were used so all those FEEEEELLLSSSS could be unleashed.

That's it for today! Toodles!

Monday, September 22, 2014

An Interview with Agay Llanera, author of ONCE UPON A PLAYER + GIVEAWAY




http://oopsireadabookagain.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-tour-invite-once-upon-player-by.html
 



Gorgeous college senior Val Fabian is a player in every sense of the word. She's the star spiker of her university's volleyball team, and she never runs out of dates. But it seems that this year, she has finally been bitten by the commitment bug. She sets her sights on an unexpected target--the unassuming yet ultra-cute Jake Clementia. Val is used to getting what she wants, and is sure she'll snag him before graduation. But in the process of winning his heart, she is sideswiped by a surprise move that sends her tumbling from her pedestal.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22892370-once-upon-a-player
Purchase links: Amazon | Smashwords

 
 Hi darlings! So, here's an interview with AGAY LLANERA, author of ONCE UPON A PLAYER.

1. What inspired you to create the character of Val? Were you ever a
sporty girl yourself or were you as strong and assertive as her?

Being a UAAP volleyball fan inspired me to create Val's character.
Watching the young women battle it out on court was such a treat; they
were athletic, driven and graceful, making me wish I was the same way.
I never had a sporty bone in my body, so I lived my athletic fantasies
through these girls.


2. Jake is a darling. What do you think is his biggest impact on Val?

Yes, Jake is a darling, isn't he? I think he made Val feel vulnerable,
reminding her that she can't always call the shots in matters of the
heart. He's her reality check, also a link to her rosy past when her
family and financial situations were ideal.


3. What lessons would you like readers to learn from this story?

Whatever lesson they can glean from it, I guess. :-) I just wanted to
paint Val as this strong female character, but knew when to concede
and to go for the things/person she wanted most.


4. If you could liken this story to a cake, or a pastry, what would it
be and why?

Hmmm... because Val dreams of going to Paris, I think I'll liken her
to a macaron. On the outside, she looks flawless and maybe a bit (a
lot) intimidating. But when you get to know her, sink your teeth into
the real her, you'll find that inside, she's quite soft and crumbly.
But you would have to first take the risk to find that out. :-)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children.

Her first romance novella, Vintage Love is available on e-bookstores (Amazon, Kobo, Buqo, Smashwords).

Blog: http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/agayskee
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgayLlanera
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/AgayLlanera
 
***GIVEAWAY TIME***




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Once Upon A Player by Agay Llanera--Book Review + GIVEAWAY



Title: Once Upon a Player
Author: Agay Llanera
Gorgeous college senior Val Fabian is a player in every sense of the word. She's the star spiker of her university's volleyball team, and she never runs out of dates. But it seems that this year, she has finally been bitten by the commitment bug. She sets her sights on an unexpected target--the unassuming yet ultra-cute Jake Clementia. Val is used to getting what she wants, and is sure she'll snag him before graduation. But in the process of winning his heart, she is sideswiped by a surprise move that sends her tumbling from her pedestal.

  Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22892370-once-upon-a-player

  Purchase links: Amazon | Smashwords


I'm not a big fan of sports, or anything of that sort, but boy, this book made me smile and made my heart leap. If being "kilig" was a sport, I'd have won, because of this book.

Reasons Why I adored ONCE UPON A PLAYER:

1. A Strong Lead. Valerie is not your usual sweet chick. She has some sass. She's smart, driven, and passionate. And more than that, she's strong. And that's great because you do not usually see heroines like that in novels these days. I like how she knows what she wants, stubborn as she may be, but she's amazing--and you'll love her for it.

2. The Darling Love Interest. What's also great about this book is that the love interest, Jake, in this one, is also not your typical guy. Read it and see what I mean, and if you don't fall for him after reading the book, tell me. ;)

3. The Story. Wow, Ms. Llanera really knows what she's doing. Combining sports, romance, and the drama that comes with being a student, her words will speak through to you. This really isn't your usual run-of-the-mill love story, and that's what makes it so special and unique.

Conflict? Of course there is. Lots, actually. But what's great is that they show you a special side of Valerie. They show you how fierce she is; how different. And that at the end of the day, women are worth loving--no matter who they are, or how they think.

ONCE UPON A PLAYER will play on your heartstrings--and you'll appreciate it because of that and more.

 ***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children.

> Her first romance novella, Vintage Love is available on e-bookstores (Amazon, Kobo, Buqo, Smashwords).

Blog: http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/agayskee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgayLlanera
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/AgayLlanera
 
***
GIVEAWAY TIME!



a Rafflecopter giveaway