Quirky Surprises.

Cafe de Seoul permanently engraved on the streets!

Photography by Marika Callangan

They say after tragedies comes the silver linings. If you were speaking to me last year, I probably wouldn't have believed it. But honestly, a change of perspective and attitude never hurt, and now, while it seems like all the terrible horrors have rocked the core of my being, every day there seems to be something worth looking forward to, being grateful for and being happy about. 

For me, it's this really quirky place called Cafe de Seoul (and if you haven't read my feature on it, you must!) And the quirky surprises just keep propping up left and right for me! I suppose, the goodness of it all started with the return of my favorite drink - Hazelnut White Choco Mocha. This drink is peculiar and heavenly in its taste;  it also has a lot of versions that confuses both the barista and the customer, but whatever the version, the taste is just... impeccable - for lack of better term. Do try it when you visit Cafe de Seoul at the 2nd floor of One Archer's Building, Taft Avenue, Manila. 

Hazelnut returned with my note demanding they return the drink

Oh, I just wanted to give a little snippet regarding this matter because my days have been nothing but full of happiness and surprises (along with the stress and overworking, ofcourse). My design-spiration is at full bar again and I can't wait to give out my own surprises to everyone too! 

Till then, I leave with this.

yours truly,

Sunday Hype.

Top: INDIE-GO Pants: G.U. Shoes: Esperanza Accessories: Forever21

Photography by Monica Villarica

Initially for this post, I was planning on writing about a Sunday music playlist I've propped up for the weekend, set to soothe and calm anyone's nerves after a stressful week. As a freelancer, my days know no weekends or holidays (unless I set them up myself) and depending on the urgency of the client's needs, I usually tend to give up common break time practiced by regular folks.

So today, whilst searching for indie-pop/rock bands of my usual taste to be used as a background set as I design, I ended up stumbling upon Girl's Generation (this popular Korean-girl pop group) teaser MV of their single, BEEP BEEP and then things fell apart from there. I got all hyped up, download the full audio and for almost 5 hours straight that's the only song that has been drumming through my earhole as I work. Shit. 

For starters, I actually understand what they're singing about, given my Japanese background and overall, I find the song really sad with this ironic and extremely poppy and upbeat vibe. I mean, the guy isn't picking up the girl's phone calls and still, the girl's pursue and dream on. The happy tune doesn't exactly lessen my saddened feelings regarding the message of the song. I suppose, that's also a common thing about us women, we don't get the picture immediately, and we are such pursuants when we choose to be. 

Do check out the super cute short video version though! Super love the graphics and the clothes! I'm not a super fan of this Korean girl-group, but this song has induced the Call-Me-Maybe syndrome this Sunday and I like how they sing Japanese well. And speaking of Korean, if you haven't seen it yet, do check out my recent feature on this lovely Korean-inspired cafe, Cafe de Seoul. Very quirky and inspiring place, you must see it when you can!

My outfit is something I'd definitely wear to a concert or music festival (sans the heels, of course). It's chill, and laidback and just really comfy to move around in. I also realize the start of my 2013 has been marked with my attendance to concerts such as Motion City Soundtrack and Bloc Party (and soon to come, Aviichi), all live in Manila. And now, the biggest music festival is about to hit the city this summer and I will not dare miss out!

PHOTO CREDIT: Karpos Multimedia, Inc. 

Spread the word because rare does something like this happen in this city and if you're an indie-music lover, you'll just get and why I'm so hyped up by all this!!

I leave with a favorite of mine from band, Avalanche City and the rest of the photos for this outfit.

Start the week right with Love, Love, Love! 

Enjoy, folks! Have a great rest of the weekend!
Till next time.

yours truly,

 

When Barbie Dons a Tablecloth.

Photography by Janine Quintana

On the eve that I was supposed to move out, one of my closest friends (and former roommate) decided to come over and declaim we have a photo shoot. And alas, hereforth are the final results of that crazy night. It's funny how, as the years go by, you never realize just how much junk you've accumulated. It comes to the point where you end up whipping out items long forgotten. You kind of feel guilty because you never even realized how it's always been there, until the last possible moment and then, it dawns on you on how you don't really need such an item. Still, the guilt is there for some odd reason. 

Anyway, on this case, I ended up discovering this printed dress - in which my guest photographer found absolutely horrific, to say the least. We decided taking on the challenge out of pride and an unspoken kind of  a How-To-Conquer-a-Horrific-Dress header propping in our minds as we did this. With limited resources (because all my stuff was boxed and ready for moving at this point), I suppose you can say we did sort of  conquer this horrific dress -- although we could've done better, especially in terms of styling.  Point is, the dress isn't as revolting as original. 

I think my guest photographer wanted to go for a vintage-Barbie look - if Barbie was tanned and Filipina. In this case, she is. Haha. On my part, I wanted to explore different filters and effects on a white background. Take your pick and see which effect overruled the rest. 

The result is an overall modern psychedelic-vibe that which Barbie could never achieve. Then again, Barbie never had the experience of wearing tablecloth-looking pieces. 

To end this post, I thereby present BTS outtakes of me and my guest photographer for this post! 

Hope you enjoyed this post as much as we did making it! 

And don't forget to join my giveaway! You might just be lucky to win a blazer-and-shorts set care of INDIE-GO! 

yours truly, 

One Graphic Splurge

BLAZER: INDIE-GO DRESS: INDIE-GO ACCESSORIES: H&M SHOES: Singapore 

Photography by Monica Villarica

Hello, world!

It's been almost a week since my last (and tragic) post and the quick break from almost everything hasn't eased my heart for a mile's worth, but.. well, life goes on, right? So I figure, after my previous entry of lamentation and mourning, I'd thought to ease it all up by presenting a super fun outfit and hosting MY FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY! 

Although for this outfit post, I'm not wearing it as a set, do know that the giveaway involves a graphic blazer and shorts set - perfect for the eclectic-at-heart and the onslaught of the summer heat! So, by all means, do join and get a chance to win this blazer and shorts set, sponsored by INDIE-GO and you just might be the lucky 2 winners who'll win this really awesome set. Here are the following instructions on how to participate (it's super simple, I promise!): 

MECHANICS:

1. Like 'INDIE-GO BOUTIQUE' on their Facebook

2. Follow 'INDIEGOPH' on their Twitter

3. Follow 'INDIEGOPH' on their Instagram

4. Follow 'PROJECTRIKA' through GFC (Followers tab on my sidebar)

5. Follow 'PROJECTRIKA' on Twitter

6. Follow 'PROJECTRIKA' on Instagram

7. Share the official poster (below) on your Facebook profiles!

Promo runs March 25, 2013 (Monday) until March 31, 2013 (Sunday) ONLY. Winners will be chosen via random.org and will be announced April 2, 2013 (Tuesday) through this blog and on the INDIE-GO Facebook page. Giveaway promo is valid within the Philippines only. 

For what it's worth, even if this is not an international giveaway promo, please do join for the fun of it! You never know, we might just change our minds about international shipping! 

PROJECTRIKA X INDIEGO Giveaway Poster, do share on your Facebook profiles to win!

Right, so I found myself back in the my little park of thinking (as mentioned in this previous post) and thought of adding a bit of fun to the quiet serenity of the place. However, I'm not your typical irresponsible rebel and was much aware of the illegality and incredulity of my actions and all that obviously registered on camera. 

(Because no, people aren't exactly allowed to stand on those benches and walk on them as if they were the sidewalk and there were guards everywhere at the time!) 

Alas, these are the results of the shoot. First, a lot of seriousness of posing and such and then... mayhem occurs as I panic when I see the guards frolicking about the area and I jump off the bench and onto the sidewalk. You will see what I mean as you scroll down on this post - hilarious laughs and ridiculous tidbits. This is my park where sit and let my thoughts wander about. So, it's not really surprising if I decided to channel my thoughts live through one bench. Haha. You'll find me, sitting, walking and lying around on that bench as if it was home sweet home. You'll also notice how I change shoes. Funny, how I decided to make the change when I thought about walking (and unexpectedly, running in panic and jumping) on that bench.

These past days, I've been taking baby steps on how to go on with life after unwanted accidents and tragic deaths, and while I'm still not sure, I've always believed that it's in these little moments of laughter and surges of delight that make life all the more worth moving forward on. 

 Enjoy the photos! And good luck on the giveaway! :)

yours truly,