Missing Looklet + Bookish News

You know Facebook’s On This Day feature? Yeah, I’m such a sucker for that, and this week, it spewed out a lot of photos from my Looklet album and I just experienced such a wave of nostalgia (UGH), and I just MISS LOOKLET SO MUCH. Are you familiar with the site? Not the one they have NOW but how it was YEEEEARS AGO where you could style models and join contests and what-nots. I know there are a couple of sites that offer the same things now but none of them are as good as Looklet😦

Anyway…I just thought of sharing some of my favorite looks that I have styled on the site…

Ah, I remember this one vividly! haha I was so obsessed with Gossip Girl (still am, mind you) and at that time, I was also reading the books, and there was this passage about Serena loving the animals at the zoo…and I think this look was inspired by that episode where she was late for the Mixer announcement.

 

Do you realize who my inspiration is for those three images above? No? Well…

Blair Waldorf, of course!

You know what the funny thing is, though? Yesterday, I unearthed some old files and found old manuscripts of this story of mine called Concrete Jungle, which is pretty much inspired by Gossip Girl lol. Anyway, I decided to start posting chapters on Wattpad, so if you want to read, please do so–and leave me comments, too! xx

Because You Can Never Be Prepared Enough and He Has to Run Free

No matter how hard you try, you can never be prepared enough for death. You say you're okay, say you're fine, say it's going to be fine, but there are some losses that are bigger than the others, far wider than what you could grasp.

Sometimes, you have all these dreams and they could be shattered just because life throws itself at you and you have to deal with it. Sometimes, you have all these plans and because of death, they'll never come to life again.

They say you have to let the ones you love go because sometimes, that's the only way for them to be happy and free. And you try, because you know that there's no other way--but you're left with a hole in your heart and the feeling that you'll never be okay again.

But of course, you'll be. Sooner or later, you'll be.

But things will never be the same again.

Why do the ones you love have to go when you're not ready, anyway?

When exactly are you going to be ready, anyway?

Bye, Kitty. Fly in Peace. x

(May 2013 to January 30, 2014)

This Week's Realizations

1. When you're in your (ew) late 20's, there may be times when you'd feel like...Shit, I am getting old and I am still THIS person. Sometimes, those thoughts hit you and will make you feel every bit as real as you should feel. And you know how that feels? It sometimes feels...awful. Because well, reality does bite after all. It's like, you begin to dissect each and every single thing you've done in your life and wonder how on earth you got to where you are.You know how in OTH they were like, "Yesterday is today and someday is today" and all that? Yeah, that's how it feels.

2. Adulthood is also about coming to terms with the fact that not everything is black and white--and you have beliefs that some people may not understand, but well, they're your beliefs, either way. 

3. Your family is not only limited to those who bore and clothed you; Sometimes, you get to choose your own family, and that's alright, too. 

4. You can get tired of something you love, but you can always try to get back on track in your own little ways. (And no, I am not talking about relationships)

5. People have different ways of showing you that they love you. 

6. And, I still feel happy and giddy every time someone tells me that they appreciate what I do, or how I write.  (Not the work related kind). This one's for you, Ate Anna. :) Thank you for reminding me about what I love doing the most. Back in school, I always thought of you as super like, hard to reach because you're so smart and all that, and we weren't really close back then, but over the years, you have become one of my favorite people because you're amazing, and you're real, and I really like the way you write, too. So deep and profound. 

Happy Sunday, darlings. xx

Olivia Besse - Etoile: Book Review + Playlist and GIVEAWAY

Hello and Welcome to Olivia Besse's "Etoile"'s stop on my blog!

 Series: Mannequin #1

Release Date: July 25th 2013

Publisher: Wunderland Press

Purchase: Amazon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18270070-etoile?ac=1

The Mannequin series is an exciting erotic romance journey that gives readers an intimate look into the not-so-glamorous sides of the fashion and modelling industries. This book contains explicit content and is not intended for younger readers!

From afar, Elodie Marais is just a typical 19-year old girl roughing it in Manhattan. She hates her job, her love life sucks and she's totally getting ripped off by her landlord. Like most of her starry-eyed peers, she'll do anything for the Triple P's—Prada, a Promotion and the elusive Perfect Boyfriend. But Elodie and her friends aren't your average new adults who are bored to tears by their uninspiring lives—they're fashion models.

So what's a girl to do when her life is turned upside down as two irresistible bachelors vie for her doe-eyed attention, just as she's starting to make waves in the modelling world? Will she go with charming and sensitive James, a handsome financier, or reckless and unpredictable Tyler, the stunning male model du jour?

Follow Elodie's adventures from Manhattan to Paris as she navigates the terrifying worlds that are the modeling industry and her love life, one effortlessly chic outfit at a time.

***

Fame. Fashion. Money. Sex. Romance. That's what's in store for Elodie, the world's newest supermodel. 

This book is basically sexy as sexy can be. It's great that the author chose to delve into the crazy, messy world of modelling and its highs and lows. While we may never really know what's going on in the real world of modelling, this is a good start.

Just like real life, models have friends and enemies, too. Actually, more enemies than friends, because you know, it's a glamorous and crazy life they live and people are almost always gonna want to have what they have--and that's what Elodie experiences.

But what she also experiences is romance--the good and bad side of it. The mellow and nerve-wracking, possibly heart-wrenching sides, too. It's an unpredictable world that she's living in and that's what she realizes--and that's also what you'll realize as you read this novel.

it's a fun and sexy book to read--a good way to pass time, especially if you've always liked the world of modeling or the world of celebrities.

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PLAYLIST

1. Sophie Ellis Bextor - Murder on the Dance Floor

2. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity

3. Sophie Ellie Bextor - Summer in Snowtime

4. John Legend - PDA

5.  Foxes - Let go for tonight

6. Lea Michele - You're mine

7. American Authors - Luck

8. Lana del Rey - Born to die

9. Britney Spears - If you Seek Amy

10. Lorde - Royals

11. Arctic Monkeys - Do I wanna know?

12. Miley Cyrus - Adore You

13. Coldplay - Midnight

14. Katy Perry - Dark Horse

15. Selena Gomez - Come and Get it

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Besse is a rookie to the literary scene, moonlighting as a writer to keep what's left of her sanity! Stay tuned for relatable New Adult novels penned by an actual new adult! 

http://www.oliviabesse.com/ | facebook.com/olivibesse

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ending November

I can't believe tomorrow's the last day of November! This month seriously just came and went and it's been busy, busy, busy but good, good, good. Of course, there were cray moments and sad moments and sad days and bad days but oh well, that's how life goes. This month was full of writing, reading, CATCHING FIRE, more writing, blog tours, mall trips, celebrations, food, good music (Hunger Games Soundtrack + Lorde  + Perfume), pets who left, pets who were found, pets who have stayed, surprises and what-nots.

I'd have to say though that this week, I feel like I have spread myself a little too thinly. But thank God I was still able to do what needs to be done. Crazy hectic week though and my lazybones (for some reasons I feel like I've been slacking although that can't possibly be true since for today I've written like 5,000+ words, and other days, even more then that, but you know, sometimes you feel like there's so much more you can give and you do not seem at your best and it sucks...)

Anyway. This week also brought some crazy good news:

I've made it to #BuqoSteamyReads, an online creative writing class spearheaded by the awesome Miss Mina V. Esguerra. Classes will start in January but I'm already excited.

So yes, amidst the cray cray things, November was a good month. Let's leave it at that. :)

Filipino Friday: What are you most excited about for this year’s ReaderCon?

The 3rdFilipino Reader Con is happening next week already and I'm uber excited!

So, what am I actually excited for? Well, aside from the fact that it's a bookish event which is a dead giveaway, I'm really excited to hear what the panelists have to say because it's always nice to learn something new, especially about the things you love. Mainly excited for the "Authors as Readers" panel because Mina Esguerra and Ramon Bautista, amongst others :D and, also, The Digital Filipino Reader because Chris Mariano and I also am a big fan of ebooks so there you go.

Also looking forwards to the Filipino Reader's Choice Awards coz two of my favorite Filipino authors (Mina Esguerra and Marla Miniano) are nominated. Woot!

And, also looking forward to meet fellow bookworms and maybe buy some new books and also get my prizes from the #Filreadercon chat. Looking forward to next week, yes :)

Second Chances--Review + Dream Cast + Giveaway

Welcome to Jo Brigg's "Second Chances" stop on my blog!

Title: Second Chances

Author: Jo Briggs

Layla Keyes is back in England. Much has changed in the five years since she moved to New York to pursue a modelling career - On the outside she appears independent, self-assured and enjoying running her own successful fashion label.

On the inside she is determined to take back what she lost five years ago when misunderstandings allowed a jealous third party to manipulate and interfere in destroying her relationship with Evan Carter.

Evan Carter has spent all that time pretending to not be affected by the loss of Layla from his life.

***

Layla and Evan tried to get out of each other's lives but fate brought their paths together again.

While you may think that this is the usual reconciliation slash love is lovelier the second time around kind of book, you'll figure out that it's actually more than that. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and while some of them may be a bit unrealistic, it actually adds up to the beauty of the book.

I also really like all the layers to the characters. It showed that there's more to them than meets the eye. For me, complex characters add depth and edge to a story and that's one of the reasons why this book was good.

Second Chances is a book about giving ourselves another shot; another lease on life. It's a book that will make you smile, break your heart and leave you wanting more.

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DREAM CAST

Ryan Reynolds as Evan

Blake Lively as Layla

Tara Reid as Caggie

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As well as writing, Jo Briggs also enjoys reading; her favorite classics include Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion and Jane Eyre having studied English Literature before moving onto Art and Graphic Design. Current genre of choice on her iPad are angsty steamy romances. Particular favorites at the moment are by S.C Stephens, R K Lilley, Sylvia Day and Jodi Ellen Malpas. Jo is also a regular visitor to eBook readers anonymous to keep her addiction under control.

facebook.com/DaydreamBooks | twitter.com/daydreambooks

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway