Celebrate with SM by the Bay

HV Manila SM Mall of Asia

Valentine’s Day, this year was a special affair for H and I. Aside from it being our first Valentine’s as a married couple, we went back to the place that we first watched the spectacular sunset together in Manila almost 4 years ago: SM by the Bay. It is hard to forget a sunset that painted the sky flaming orange, deep blue and pastel pink.

SM by the Bay

Our relationship status may have changed, but the sunsets at SM by the Bay sure haven’t. I have been going to SM Mall of Asia since my first trip to Manila, there is always so much to see and shop! However, it was only recently that I discovered the wide array of food options, entertainment and fun park rides at SM by the Bay!

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia

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Art Fair Philippines 2016

Art Fair Philippines 2016 The Link

I love art, but I cannot for sure say that I am a connoisseur of it. Certainly, I can appreciate the effort, beauty and the creativity behind each piece. So after touring 3 levels of the Art Fair Philippines, I was inspired to create some art with the lines of the car park.

Art Fair Philippines 2016 The Link

I call it “Crossing the Line”. What do you think?

Perhaps I will leave the creativity to the professionals. Haha.

There was a good mix of both local Filipino artists, art galleries and international artists present at the 2016 Art Fair. Here are some of the awe-inspiring pieces at the 2016 Art Fair Philippines.

Art Fair Philippines 2016 The Link

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OOTD: Love Works in Mysterious Ways

Keeping to the theme of reds for the season, H and I decided to try out our first couple outfit for the Valentine’s festivities. Interestingly enough, we both had a deep red wine item in our closet, bought at varying times in our relationship. Him a pair of red pants purchased last year from Zara and me the signature pleated crop top from Innit Bangkok’s new 2016 Love collection.

Dinner at Unit 27 was a special affair – not only was there a special Valentine’s menu, we had friends visiting dine together with us. Pairing the top with the Lovers and Friends split maxi skirt and gladiator sandals kept the glam factor high yet casual for our date. Afterwards, Deadpool was our choice of a date movie. Not the most conventional of Valentine movie choices, but we definitely had a ball of a time.

Outfit of the day
Top: Innit Bangkok Red Wine crop top
Black Split Skirt: Lovers + Friends XOXO Maxi Skirt
Gold gladiator sandals: Glamorous
Black Bag: Chanel Cruise Collection 2015

OOTD: Spring Pink

Chinese New Year Spring Outfit

The year never actually starts until after Chinese New Year. Being Chinese, ushering in the New Year with a new animal usually means a change of luck – usually for the better. That being said, January is thus a “trial month” because nothing actually gets done until mid-Feb.

Spring Chinese New Year Outfits

The celebration of the arrival of Spring, is also a season of renewal. This, thus results in the yearly ritual of wearing new clothes from head-to-toe on the first few days during visitations. It was a bit of a mad rush this year. H and I only returned 2 days before the first day of the Lunar New Year and aside from shopping for new clothes, spring cleaning the house is another important ritual that happens before the New Year. There is much significance in throwing out the old to welcome the new; my wardrobe certainly subscribes to this saying seeing how it is already bursting at the seams.

Outfit wise, red is usually the popular color of choice. Bright colors are favored signifying bright times ahead. This year I decided on a pink jumpsuit appropriately printed with flowers. And, I even went as far as having flowers on my nails with DIY stickers.

I hope you all had a wonderful Lunar New Year celebration, because I certainly did by indulging my favourite CNY treat: pineapple tarts!

Here’s to the Year of the Monkey bringing us good luck, fortune and abundance!

Spring Chinese New Year Outfits

Chinese New Year Nail Art DIY

Outfit of the day: 
Pink jumpsuit: BaoGongZi
Brown belt: Dolce & Gabbana
White lace-up sandals: BeBe
Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Jumbo

Valentine’s Day with Te Amo

Te Amo Valentine's Day Bonifacio Global City

I haven’t forgotten about Valentine’s Day despite the rush to prepare for the arrival of the Year of the Fire Monkey. To be fair, February kinda crept up on me. Perhaps it was a trait of the cheeky monkey, but luckily I was prepared for the arrival of Spring and the celebration of love with some fresh blooms and the Hattie white lace dress from Tularosa.

Te Amo Valentine's Day Flowers Manila

H and I were part of the Valentine’s Day photoshoot with Te Amo Floristeria, and there is something about being around fresh flowers that invigorates you.

Te Amo Valentine's Day Flowers Manila

It is easy to fall in love with the man I married every single day, but it still makes my heart skip a beat when I see him with beautiful blooms.

Te Amo Floristeria Bonifacio Global City Manila

Having flowers in the house certainly brightens up the atmosphere. And in the season of love, Te Amo Floristeria is giving away a preserved rose in a elegantly encased glass box.

Te Amo Valentine's Day Flowers Manila

1) Simply follow me @msvalerielim and @teamofloristeria on Instagram.
2) Repost the photo onto your Instagram feed. Don’t forget to include #AlwaysTeAmo and #TeAmoGiveaway.
3) Tag me and Te Amo… and you are done!

Winners will be picked at random and make sure your account is public so we can see the post. The preserved rose must be claimed in Te Amo Floristeria, Bonifacio Global City.

Good luck!

How to Build Confidence

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of being able to speak to a group of young teenaged women who were aspiring to be Sports Casters for the Women’s National Collegiate Atheletic Association (WNCAA) Philippines. Courtesy of Converse Philippines, they went through a full-day workshop where they got make up tips from Bobbi Brown, picked up pointers on self-presentation and public speaking from Rizza Diaz, a current Sports Caster with the WNCAA.

2016 Converse WNCAA VJ Hunt

I covered specifically the area of self-presentation and how to be confident both ON and OFF camera. It was heart-warming to be able to share with these ladies, because when I was a teen myself, I struggled with confidence issues. Therefore, self-presentation and confidence building is a topic quite close to my heart.

Now, standing at 5’11”, I love being tall. But it was not always like that. Before, I used to be self-conscious about the fact that I was always taller than everyone else. Not only did I feel I was different from everybody else, I LITERALLY stuck out from the crowd.

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