Though I wasn’t really asked what apps I use for editing my photos that I publish on Instagram, I just thought I’d share this to you guys. Also, I know this kind of post has been too mainstream but the heck I care. Lol. So here are the top (or let’s say only) five favorite apps that I use every time I post photos on my Instagram account (follow me!). Enjoy!

1. VSCO Cam – Of course, this is my most favorite app. I love everything about it—editing tools, user-friendliness, and the presets of course! Hypebeast is my favorite filter!

2. Afterlight – I got this app just recently and I must say I’m in love! This is my second go-to app when I can’t seem to find any filter on VSCO that I feel fit for the photo. Hehe. Bright Fire and Idaho are my favorite filters!

3. Snapseed – This is where I usually edit my photos when I want something more for my photo. At first, I was struggling on how to use this app especially when tuning the image but I’m already quite learning it now. It’s quite a complicated app (for me) especially when I read Laureen Uy‘s post on how she edits her Instagram photos using this app. I don’t use any of the filters offered by Snapseed, but nonetheless, it’s a great app to use especially when you want to play and experiment more.

4. Instagram – Of course I use Instagram’s own editing tools and filters. I love how the photo sharing app itself has evolved and offered its users more features and filter choices for editing photos. I use their editing tools when I feel like the photo doesn’t need much filter and tweaking. But, Ludwig, I should say, is my new favorite filter (it was Valencia at first)!

Related: DOLCE CAFE

5. Photo Grid – This app, of course, I use for making collages and sometimes mirror photos! Photo Grid is the only collage-making app that I stuck with because the others were meh. And you can apply good filters on photos too!
And that’s it! Are you guys using the same apps too? Do you have any other apps aside from the five I mentioned? Tell me and maybe I can try them too!

Related: CLASSIC DUO

xo

HOTEL QUICKLY

It’s my ultimate dream to be able to travel the world. I have even made a mental note that I want to go to at least 10-20 countries before I die. Lol. But for now, due to time and budget constraints, I’m thinking of more staycations instead. I can imagine myself lying on a warm bed enjoying a TV show while waiting for my food That I ordered via room service and swimming at the pool on a late afternoon. Ahh stress-free life! But nothing gets even better when you get to do all this for free! That’s why I’m glad my cousin introduced me to HotelQuickly! If you’d like to know about this too, read more and be amazed!

Plan less, travel more. That is what HotelQuickly is all about. HQ is a hotel-booking app where you can find last minute deals at an amazingly discounted rate! HQ brings you Asia-Pacific’s top-rated hotels with the lowest rates so you can make your spontaneous travel even more worth it. But what’s so special about HotelQuickly?

• They offer discounts on average 28% lower than the best available rates online
• They have a loyalty program which saves you more money with every booking
• Score even lower rates when you share the app with friends
• Book quickly with PayPal or by credit/debit card
• Earn credits and book absolutely for free
• Book before 4AM to enjoy same-day check in
• Your last-minute hotel booking is just clicks away!

What I love the most about HotelQuickly is their credits feature. Once you sign up, you can get $15 USD (P700 PHP) credits when you redeem a personal invite code! Once you accumulate enough credits, you can use that to book a room in your dream hotel absolutely for free!
So, how do you get a FREE NIGHT stay on a hotel you want? It’s very easy, you can get as much as $100 USD credits or more!1. Download and Install the HotelQuicklyapp on your phone. Find the app in iOS App Store, Android Play Store, and BlackBerry App World!
2. Register with your e-mail address or sign up with Facebook.
3. Tell your friends to redeem your personal invite code. (Redeem my code: JELLA5)
4. You will get $1 USD  (P44 PHP) credit for each friend who redeems your code.
5. Your friends will get $15 USD  (P700 PHP) after they redeem your code.
6. You will also get $15 USD  (P700 PHP) after your friends’ first booking!

How to redeem your $15 USD  (P700 PHP) credit? Easy as 1,2,3!

1. Just tap the Menu button on the upper left side of the page.
2. Select the option “Credits” to check your credits.
3. Select “Redeem”.
4. Enter my invite code JELLA5 in the space provided.
5. And there! You get your credit and now you can book your hotel room at an even lower price or even for free!

HotelQuicklyoffers hotel room bookings in the following countries: Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. So what are you waiting for, get the HotelQuickly app now, get your $15 credit by using my code JELLA5, share your own invite code to your friends and together let’s enjoy our free night stay!

For more details, visit them on their Website, Facebook, and Twitter!

Disclaimer: I am not in any way compensated or affiliated with HotelQuickly. This post is solely on my own discretion to share the information to everyone.
xo

Happy Monday everyone! Wow, we’re already at this time of year of caps and gowns! As you know, here in the Philippines, the month of March marks the words “summer break” and “graduation”. And with graduation, marks a beginning of a new journey – journey to the real world. You may already be so busy these days preparing for your last moments in college but you should also prepare yourselves in chasing reality – that is, looking for jobs and landing on your most coveted job description.
Now here, I am so excited to launch a new series here on my blog called Style 101. Yay!!! I’ll be sharing some style tips based on my personal views and experiences. And for my first entry for the series, I’ll share to you how you should dress up for your job interview.

1. Your attire is your visual resume.

Always remember that in business, first impressions are critical. HR Managers judge you first on what they see so be sure to look professional, neat, and well-groomed. With this, I mean that of course your clothes must be clean and wrinkle-free! Don’t wear too much makeup, just enough to make you look fresh and neat.

2. Invest in a GOOD blazer.

Suiting up will never go out of style in the corporate world. It’s the best weapon you have when dressing with anything simple like a plain dress or blouse. To be honest, I should do this already as well. I’ve been looking for good blazers all over the shopping world and this Forever 21 Collarless Blazer caught my heart. But of course you can never go wrong with the classic black and white blazer!

3. Dress to Impress.

But this doesn’t mean you go all over. Come on, it’s your job interview and wearing anything too flashy or aggressive is a big NO-NO. Dress to impress goes back to #1. Remember, it’s always better to be under-dressed than overdressed.

4. Put your best foot forward.

Wearing the right shoes on your first job interview is very important. Flats and heels, I recommend but never wear anything more than 3 inches. According to my research, there are ten shoes every woman should own. But I myself only have three according to the list. Just like #2, you should invest in good shoes as well. Wearing the wrong shoes most especially when it’s unpolished (oh no!) might cause you your dream job! Oops! So if you’re still looking for the best shoes, look it up at Zalora! Zalora has a broad range of stylish footwear for women. Click here to view the selection. A pair of classic pointed toe pumps or a vinyl sling back heels or just the basic mid-heel pumps will never let you down!

5. Dress up to be yourself. Be Confident.

This has to be the most important thing of all. Confidence is the most critical outfit you should wear on your job interview. And here are some tips that might help you deal with your confidence “issues” – if you don’t feel like being confident, then fake it! I’ve been to five different job interviews already (one was a mock interview during college and one was for the internship) and I must say it really isn’t easy to be on the hot seat. But hey don’t let it get to you! Take a deep breath, come in prepared with the right presence of mind, always make eye contact with the interviewer, and think positively!
So with these tips at hand, relax, enjoy your last days in college, and prepare for the next level. Good luck!

Thrifted Blazer & Pants
Local Store Top
Five and Co. Wedge Shoes
Secosana Bag
Sunnies Studios Eyewearxo

Last week, I published a post about the training I joined for the Zalora Brand Ambassador Program. It was a two-hour training held at Quest Hotel. It was a very great experience and I learned from my fellow Brand Ambassadors and of course from Lisha who conducted the training. And truth be told, I was actually wearing a Zalora piece that day! Can you guess what it is?

Haha! Of course it’s the skirt! I actually bought it from Zalora Marketplace so I can avail of free shipping! LOL. The skirt only costs P375 (~$8.45) and I was so lucky this was the last stock for the black skirt. I didn’t have second thoughts in clicking the Add To Bag button! If you like this skirt too, you can get it in other colors as well: brown, grey, and, navy blue. Trust me, all items in the Marketplace are free shipping! Sue me if it isn’t! LOL

Thrifted Sheer Button Down
Zalora Philippines Neoprene Skirt
Girl’s Haven Shoes
WeKreate Bag

Anyway, I chose to wear my ever favorite combo, black and white, that day because I missed it! It’s been a while since I put on a monochromatic outfit. How I love black and white pieces! How about you? Do you love wearing the classic combo as well?
Oh before I forget, when you shop at Zalora or Zalora Marketplace, use the discount code ZBAP1AB to get 15% OFF the total price on your first purchase! Thank you! Happy shopping! Please support me! LOL
xo

Happy Thursday! Oh how fast time flies! It seemed like the week took forever but really it’s almost ending! Looking back to last Saturday, I finally had my first getaway for the year. Hurray for that! Though it was just a few hours, I really enjoyed it. Together with my newly-found CIO-PAO family, we spent the night at Cebu Westown Lagoon. This resort is located right at the heart of Mandaue City just beside the MO2 Resto Bar. If I’m not wrong, this may be the very first resort within the city. And with this, Cebu Westown Lagoon is now making its name with locals and tourists coming in and out and experiencing how it is to getaway from the city in the city. How I wish all my weekends are this kind of fun!

Entrance.

Lobby.

Cottages.

The bar.

Pool Area for Adults.

Kiddie Pool.

It was a night of meeting new people, getting to know each other, planning sessions for the upcoming extracurricular activities at work, food, and of course, fun, fun, fun! The place was honestly beautiful with its unique architecture and design. It’s the perfect place for summer getaways, family gatherings, and random trips with your friends. Although their rates are quite expensive at P1200 ($27.18) for a small cottage and P300 ($6.80) waterpark entrance fee, Cebu Westown Lagoon is worth the try and experience. I would definitely go back soon with my boys for a short family getaway. I’d love to go there during daytime for better view and photos!
If you’d like to go there sometime too, with your workmates, family, or friends, here are there rates and contact information:

Cebu Westown Lagoon
FF Moonlight Street, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City
Contact Nos.: +639772158529 (Globe) | +639325672461 (Sun) | (032) 236-2299
Email: cebuwestownlagoon@yahoo.com
xo

OLAY: DAILY FACE ESSENTIALS

I decided to write this post since not so long ago, my dear friend Alyssa jokingly asked me on Twitter to share what I use on my face. And… I took that joke seriously. Haha! Hi Lyss! So anyway, I already posted my daily not-really makeup routine and now I’ll be sharing to you what I use on my face everyday beneath the powder and blush-on.

CLEANSING

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Intense Moisture Face & Body Bar. This is actually my new discovery. I’ve been using this for two months now and I’m in love. The previous facial wash (of a different brand) I used caused me major breakouts and knowing that Olay is a famous and effective brand, I decided to try Olay Total Effects Face & Body Bar. After a week of using it, my skin became smooth, healthy-looking, and the acne I got from the previous brand disappeared.
*Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Intense Moisture Face & Body Bar contains nourishing moisturizers that helps not only wash away dry surface cells but also gives you seven benefits in one bar:- Holds more moisture- Helps reveal natural fairness- Evens skin tone- Minimizes the appearance of dry lines- Smoothens rough skin- Softens skin- Makes skin look radiant

MOISTURIZING

Olay Natural White All in One Fairness Day Cream. This cream is what I’ve been using since college. Yup! I’ve been using it for years already and I can’t find any other day cream that will give me results better than what this gives me. It has a light and non-greasy formula which is the primary reason I love it. I have oily skin but to my surprise, it suits me well. I love how it gets absorbed well into my skin. It gives me a nourishing and hydrating feeling plus it has UV protection. It blends well and great under makeup too.
*Olay Natural White All in One Fairness Day Cream has a triple nutrient system that nourishes skin with the essential vitamins — B3, E, and Pro-B5 to moisturize, protect and reduce the appearance of dark spots and dullness for a radiant and healthy-looking skin.- Moisturizes- Lightens overall skin tone- Provides antioxidant protection- Reduces appearance of dark spots- Increases skin cell renewal for radiant-looking skin.

*photo taken after one week of using Olay Total Effects Face & Body Bar
There you have it! The products behind my acne-free and healthy-looking skin are products from Olay. I have been an Olay woman since college and I guess I will always be. How about you? What are your daily face essentials?
Disclaimer: This post is not in any way sponsored by Olay. All opinions are mine except those with asterisk.*What the product says/claims.
xo

When everyone else’s life is in color, mine is in black. And to be honest, I am starting to get used to it and love it. Black has always been the color that I love. The absence of color to me kind of means the absence of everyone and everything else in life. No problems, no worries, no everything. I wish life has been as simple and easy as that. Shut them all out, I say. But no, life is just so full of surprises. Most of the time, life hits you hard when you least expect it. My life is a mess now. I wish I could get over it already. But honestly, most of the time, I just wish I’d black out instead.

Local Store Top (a gift from my cousin) | Thrifted Pants | 59th St. Belt | Solemate Shoes | Mel’s Collection Chain Necklace | Rajo Laurel Clutch
xo

COLLABORATION GIVEAWAY

Hello guyzzz!!! As you know, the first collaboration giveaway I hosted with my blogger friends last year was a success and I am so happy and excited that this year, I’ll be hosting another giveaway!!! Yay! Together with my real-life blogger friends, Tin of Poetic Isolation, Jong of Jong’s Journey, Rica of Sweet Baby Doll, and new-found blogger friend Yuri of The Optimist Chic, we will be hosting a giveaway where five lucky readers will win one of the five sets of prizes each! Details on how to join the giveaway under the cut!

Here are the prizes that you might just win!

Giveaway Reminders:

1. Open to Philippine residents only.

2. All entries will be entered via Rafflecopter.3. Giveaway runs from February 7 – March 7, 2015. 

4. The five lucky winners (chosen by Rafflecopter) will be announced on March 8, 2015. So make sure to check our blogs and Facebook pages for updates!

5. Winners will be notified via email. Failure to respond within 48 hours (2 days) will lead to disqualification and another winner will be chosen.

That’s it! I hope you and your friends join this giveaway! Remember, all you have to do is Like, Follow, Share, and Tweet! Good luck! 🙂

P.S.: Failure to finish the mandatory requirements will be removed and lose the chance of winning. Some of you may follow us just for the sake of joining this giveaway and unfollow us right after, that would be rude and unfair. We will be tracking all the entries and those who unfollow right after this giveaway will be banned from our future giveaways. This giveaway is a great way to THANK our beloved readers so please play fair. 🙂
xo

Wait, I’m blogging about makeup? What the? No don’t get me wrong. I’m not converting into a beauty blogger or anything and no offense to the ones who are. I have nothing against beauty bloggers ever. In fact, I adore them, I idolize them, I salute to them because I know it must be so hard to be writing reviews about everything makeup. Just like what fashion bloggers do for their OOTD shoots. Right?
To be honest, I really know nothing about complicated makeup since I just stick with the basics—powder, eyebrow, lipstick, and blush. So today, I though of sharing my daily makeup (if it really is considered to be) routine to achieve a very simple look. 

1. Eyelash Curler/Curlash – I use this without mascara because I don’t know. I only use one during special events. Lol. And surprisingly, my curled eyelashes even without the mascara last for a while.

2. Maybelline Dipbrow (Medium Brown) – My mom’s friend who stayed in Hong Kong for a while gave it to her and then she gave it to me. It actually comes with an angle brush but I don’t use it anymore since I got my Marionnaud brush already . I really love this product because it’s of the same shade with my hair color and it stays on for a long time. I’ve been looking for this in local stores since it’s almost out but unfortunately I couldn’t find one. *cries*

3. Marionnaud Dual-Sided Brow Brush – I got this from Watsons for only P60 ($1.33). Before I had this, I was using an old mascara brush as an alternative. Lol

4. Careline Blush (Rosy Cheek) – I love how this gives my cheeks a naturalrosy cheek look. People I know ask me what blush I use because it looks so natural.

5. Marionnaud Retractable Blush Brush – I got this together with my brow brush and this one cost me, I think, P150 ($3.33). For a cheap price, I was surprised that it was not like the others which are rough to the skin. It’s soft but not as soft as those expensive and branded ones. But I’m totally fine with it though.

6. Maybelline Clear Smooth Original Pressed Powder (Natural) – I’ve been using this powder since college I love it. I’ve had no breakouts the first time I used it and I loved it ever since then.

7. Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick (Barely There) – If you may not know it, I’m a sucker for the safer shades of lipsticks. I’ve tried applying red years ago and gaah how I looked awful. Since then, I stopped fantasizing over red and dark shades and going for the nudes and pinks instead.

8. Shawill Color Gorgeous Lipstick (Variant #001) – I got this lippie just recently and I love it. For only P180 ($3.99), I’m in love! This is what I wear almost everyday to work and on my ootd photos.

Closer look.

Swatches. There you have it! That’s my very simple, quick, and easy makeup routine every single day. How about you? What’s your makeup routine and what products do you love?
xo

Each year since 2003, Starbucks Philippines bring their ever loyal and even new customers a delightful Christmas treat with their limited edition planners. Few years back, I didn’t even know what a planner or even Starbucks was. I was naive back then honestly. Last year, when I started working did I just know about this Starbucks promo but I did not patronize it just yet. I was just curious back then on why people spend much buying the overpriced coffee just to get the planner. However this year, I decided to join the bandwagon (whew I’ve been joining the bandwagon much lately) and tried collecting the stickers needed to redeem the said planner. So why the sudden change of heart?

If you have read my previous post, you’ll have the idea. If the situation was different now, most probably my life would be more spontaneous. But no, everything becomes a little more different when you’re already trying to build your own family at a young age. Sheen and I have to plan everything out for our future. We have a LOT to think about, consider, and prioritize. Zayn and his future, engagement, wedding, house, marriage… ugh. So yeah, I decided to grab a planner so I can write down everything we want to achieve for next year and even the next few years. But why the Starbucks planner of all when I can directly buy one from a bookstore at a cheaper price?

If you’re a Starbucks fan or consumer you’ll understand the words, “Starbucks experience“. No offense intended but let’s be honest here. Some people don’t just (or really) buy their overpriced coffee, they buy the experience. Maybe some of you won’t understand but I don’t care. Starbucks fanatics don’t care. Haha! However, I care about spending my money. So how did I get the planner? Well, I’ve got friends who treat themselves with a Starbucks coffee every once in while so I let them bring my sticker card for the stickers to add up. Huzzah it wasn’t me who filled all the stickers (well I had a share of at least 5 stickers). It was them! Haha! I got my planner, they got their coffee and experience. It was a win-win situation. Hahahaha!

This is the first ever planner that I have and I’m itching to write my dreams and goals already. But before that, let me share to you what’s something special about the 2015 Starbucks Philippines Planners.
First – there are four available planners in colors red, green, black, and brown with water-resistant covers;Second – the planner is placed inside an easy seal bag with a cute design and can be reused in many ways;Third – a chalk marker and a highlighter comes with the planner for free;Fourth – you can write your name on the name tag plate using the marker;Fifth – a metallic bookmark also comes with the planner for free;Lastly – there are 15 coupons with Starbucks treats available which you can share with your family, friends, and loved ones.

The pages are so cute and customized as well so who wouldn’t want to write on it? And plus points for the highlighter which amazingly smells like coffee!!!
So, are you planning to grab one as well? You can still collect stickers until January 8, 2015 and redemption of planners are until March 8, 2015. More details on how to get one of the limited edition planners on their website and Facebook page.