It’s pretty sad that summer’s over (for me). I feel more productive doing other things not related to school and knowing that I’ll have to be studying and doing academic stuff (and not knowing where I’m heading towards my career…yet) makes me really sad (and not motivated). Anyway, here a few photos of the last few days of my summer.

Japanese Overload: Kozui take out on a bum day whilst watching Castle + Omakase’s sushi with Productive People = died and went to food heaven.

Room Tour + Product Shoot: I recently got a copy of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Aside from the pretty cover, it’s a well-known self help book and I hope to get inspired to do my own happiness project after reading it. Also, I shot some stuff for h.e.a.r.t. the other day for upcoming collections and did my room tour post. I did all those shots last Tuesday morning and I’m glad to say it was a very productive morning! :)

Shobe’s 16th: My sister recently celebrated her birthday. We had lunch at Dusit Thani Hotel and I took some photos at their garden. It was a lovely place with mini waterfalls and ponds with bridges. I wish there would be more places like these in Manila.

Summer 2012 was definitely a blast, and it’s the best one I’ve had so far. No regrets. YOLO. Until next summer! :)

Abbey

P.S.

• Just reached 5,000 followers today! Thank you so much! <3
• Check out Nina’s giveaway and win a 1D tote bag (of your choice) + lots of 1D merch!

It always excites me when I meet new people, especially entrepreneurs. Listening to stories about how they started up their respective businesses are always inspiring, which is why meeting Kaye of Suelas during the second day of Blogworthy was no exception.

Suelas is a popular brand of locally-made shoes known for its foldable flats (but now they have come up with other shoe styles). It started last 2009 and three years later, it has grown to be one of the most prominent shoe brands online and in the market today.

-

BEGINNINGS

(photo from Suelas)

Kaye and her partner, Jackie, were brainstorming ideas on a possible business to put up. It was a simple problem of having difficulty to pack their shoes on their trips abroad that led them to start up this whole idea of foldable flats.

Since their first debut in 2009, their brand has been growing and their customers have been increasing thanks to the beautifully designed shoes that are both comfortably stylish and foldable. 

-

TRAVELING WITH SUELAS

According to Kaye, their customers usually send photos of them wearing Suelas at different parts of the world during their trips abroad - and she actually let us play a game wherein we’d guess which country were in the photos she showed us!

Given that I have a profound love for traveling (obviously, since that was the theme of my 18th, and going to other places always fascinates me!) and fashion, I decided to come up with outfits using the different styles of Suelas’ shoes (a la Polyvore!). These would probably be the outfits I’d wear when I visit these cities. Let’s hope I do, soon!

(Credits to: Fuzzimo for the air mail envelopes | Pugly Pixel for scallop prints and tapes | Clothes from Topshop, Forever 21, Google Images | Tote bags from H.E.A.R.T. | Shoes from Suelas)

New York: I used Puntera Pointed (in red and black) and paired it with a denim polo and black midi skirt for a casual yet chic look. I also added a heart printed tote bag to emphasize the iconic I ♥ NY tagline. 

Paris: The moment I saw this pair of Puntera Plain (in chrome and coral - personal favorite!), I really imagined it to be worn in Paris, because of its dainty hue (and because I like to associate Paris with girly/dainty/floral elements). With that I paired it with a crochet collared top and mint skirt and I made the color scheme lean towards the pastel shade. I also added my favorite Life’s a Journey bag to complement the whole outfit. 

Dubai: I chose Manejo Perfore (in tan) and combined it with the Buttercup Bloom tote bag, rust cardigan (in case it gets chilly at night) and a printed dress. Simple outfit yet very Arabian-inspired.

Greece: I centralized the outfit around Barca (in blue) because Greece (Santorini, to be specific) is known for its blue and white houses. I then paired it with a laid back crochet top, blue shorts, clubmaster shades, straw hat and Heidi tote bag. 

-

HELPING COMMUNITIES

Each time you buy a pair of Suelas shoes, you get a free bag to store your pair! Great, right? “You don’t need to hold the sole when you store your shoes in these bags,” Kaye said. It’s what makes it a different twist to the typical shoe bags in the market.

Kaye says that they help communities in the province by giving them employment through silkscreening and stitching these bags. Suelas partnered with Payatas Trese, sponsored by Gawad Kalinga, for the production of these shoe bags.

-

PIECE OF ADVICE

I run my own business online, and I took the opportunity to ask Kaye for some tips. Here are what she gave me:

1. Make a to-do list

2. Do what you love

3. Help each other to succeed by collaborating

4. Learn to prioritize

5. Get out of your comfort zone

I was more than inspired to keep doing what I do and be productive (at all times) in terms of work. It was an amazing experience meeting Kaye and knowing more about one of the popular Philippine brands out there. :)

-

WHERE TO FIND SUELAS

Get your own pair of stylish yet foldable flats at Suelas!

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to encouragement from my friends (and our recent fascination for home decor), I finally managed to clean our (me & my sister’s) room this summer (thanks to the help of my mom, who’s the queen of cleaning!).

I’ve been getting lots of requests for this but my room was in a messy state for months (or years, probably) because it served as our stock room of sorts. And now I’m finally very happy to say that it’s already squeaky clean and a great place for my sister & I to “channel our creative juices”, lol.

Here’s a peek at our room:

1. Two guitars for the two guitarists - but I admit, I haven’t been playing in months!

2. Nature-inspired wall clock (it was only P200 - good buy!)

3. Mr. bear and a few roses atop the shelf

4. Dreamcatcher we bought a few years ago from Baguio

Here’s what the shelf looks like. It’s my favorite part of the room because it has some of my (favorite) books displayed. I love collecting souvenirs from different places I’ve been to which is why I have a “travel corner” placed on the shelf. The others (European countries) were given to me by my friends (who know I love Europe so much).

5. A pretty candle I got from my friend’s debut (because I helped her plan it)

6. Finally bought a corkboard! This is my part of the board. I have yet to design it.

7. I store all my used and unused notebooks inside a plastic box for safekeeping.

8. Mannequin I got from Tin for my 18th birthday. I like to dress it up occassionally.

I keep most of my things in boxes. Usually letters, photos, souvenirs, scrapbooks…I’m really the type who likes to preserve memories (obviously). So these boxes hold a special place in my life. 

So, yeah, that’s about it! More photos soon. I hope you enjoyed having a mini tour around our room. I have to admit, not much sunlight goes into this room which is why I don’t prefer staying here, but I guess I’ve learned to love my own space (instead of always dwelling at my mom’s room) and appreciate it more, now that I’m older (and more acquainted with my camera’s ISO settings, lol).

Abbey 

(Special thanks to: puglypixel for the photo layouts & Elsie Larson for her post on room photography tips)

The second day of Blogworthy was a day well-spent. I wish every Friday would be as productive as this day!

• Teacher Arriane gave a bit of tips on blogging in creative ways (i.e. giving a twist to the usual). It inspired me to think more outside the box on posting entries and writing about feature articles and events.
• Met Kaye Ong, the co-owner of Suelas, a popular Philippine shoe brand, known for its foldable, comfy & stylish flats! I was able to know more about the story behind it. It was definitely an eye-opener and I got a lot of tips on running a business! We also had a (travel-themed) game and I won (yay!) :) So much for being a wanderlust at heart!
• (field trip) Lunch at Milky & Sunny ☼
• Had a mini photoshoot (our photographer was Jelito de Leon of Stache!) and video shoot.
• Photoshop tips and tricks were given by Teacher Arriane. That and bonding with classmates = ♥

Special thanks, by the way, to Joan of Personalized Accessories (for the necklace - posting a photo soon) & Patricia’s Cupcakes for the pretty (and too cute to eat) cupcake we all had for dessert! 

Our final meeting will be this Friday. I’m going to definitely miss everyone so I don’t know if I’m excited or sad about the last day! 

Abbey

P.S. Back to School Collection will be this Friday, 8PM, May 25, instead of Saturday. Please be guided. :)

I miss posts like these. Anyway, here are a few things that occurred over the past week:

• Dropped by co.lab Makati to deliver the sponsored items to Arriane, then stopped by SM Department Store for some home decor shopping. I got these roses at a very affordable price. :) It now stays beside the heaps of books in my shelf.
• Also met up with my barkada last Thursday (photo by Nix). I missed them so much! It felt like high school all over again. <3 
• Leisure reading for those lazy bum days at home. I have yet to purchase new books (suggest any good reads?).
• Blogworthy Day 1!
• Baked cookies (again) for Mother’s Day. I will never get tired of cookies (one of the reasons I’m gaining weight this summer). They’re easy to bake and really yummy!
• Non-stop usage of my phone (Instagram, most of the time) is making me lazy. That and some updating on my journal on days when I feel like tinkering with my thoughts.
• On a random unrelated note: I’m also watching Castle Season 4. I have mixed emotions right now (!). I rarely watch shows/series but this one is too awesome to be neglected.

Also,

Back to School Collection (Part I) on Saturday, May 19, 8PM! What to expect: air mail pencil cases, writing notebooks, schedulers & planners. Do check it out if you’re planning to buy school supplies! (H.E.A.R.T. on Facebook)

Also, a Back to School Giveaway in a few weeks! :) I’m looking for online shop sponsors. Please e-mail me for more information.

Hope you’re all spending the last few days of summer right!

Abbey

P.S. I just want to thank everyone for the support in both my blog & shop. If it weren’t for you guys, I won’t be motivated to keep doing these things and get creative. :)