(nikibiki leggings, ZOA ny shirt, hollister sweater, urbn sandals)
- Layovers can be a great opportunity to ease the boredom from traveling. Check out the gift shops and browse through magazines on your down time.. luckily my laptop has kept me quite occupied.
- Getting snacks or eating at the airport is always a good suggestion if you're like me and hate airplane food.
- At this point, I feel I've been almost everywhere in a week and my fascination for numbers has gotten me to memorize my passport number.
- I never understood why airplanes blast the AC- so make sure you layer up or pack an extra sweater or socks.
- I hate sitting next to strangers on the plane- especially if they're... haha. nevermind. so thank god I didn't have to this time. :)
- But if you must, window seats are always a better option so you can lean your head against it to fall asleep.
- If you don't feel like talking to your neighbor, just put on your headphones, it's a surefire way to avoid conversation.
- And if you do feel like talking, well sky's the limit but for starters strike an easy question, like asking them where are they from and who knows you can make a new friend and kill time a lot quicker and before you know it.. you're home. FINALLY.
(forever21 top, solemio shorts, rubi shoes)
shopping can be a fun way to release tension, but after 5 days of travelling and non stop shopping.. things can become overwhelming. and after walking high and low, a refreshing iced coffee from starbucks (it's the only place that had splenda) and a chocolate ensaymada, a famous filipino pastry, from Bizu in Alabang Town Center is the perfect "merienda" or snack to recharge.
This shopping area attracts an upscale crowd that has a nice leisure environment and relaxing atmosphere compared to the chaos and busyness of most shopping centers in Manila.
And to top it off, there's nothing like a good firm massage at such an affordable price that you get 2 in one day! :) Pampering myself and getting all my depilatory needs met at a fraction of what I'd pay back at home was a sure way to regroup and prepare for the long journey the next day.
(spiral girl shorts, solemio top, cotton shoes, forever 21 beanie)
The Philippines is famous for its beaches, beautiful sunset, and the plethora of shopping malls that you can spend literally all day in. This booming country is filled with malls left and right swarmed with people from all walks of life looking to hang out, shop, people watch, or escape from the intense heat and humidity outside and bask inside the air conditioned shops.
Anyway, some of my favorite spots for shopping are..
Greenhills- this place is a flea market style arena where you can bargain and find imitation goods, souvineres, clothes, shoes, jewelry; it has just about a little bit of everything.
Glorietta is a mall that fits my lifestyle since it's located in the heart of Makati and is surrounded by 5 star hotels and carries a mix of high end fashion to well loved flea markets. It's divided into 4 sections, and Glorietta 2 carried the majority of my favorite shops in the Philippines until some bombing last year and Topshop is now no longer there.
Fortunately, Greenbelt has one and is in the same area as Glorietta which caters to a more high end consumer, but offers numerous restaurants, bars, lounges, and gives a tranquil outdoor atmosphere for shopping.
And then there's the Mall of Asia, which is the largest mall in the Philippines and the 3rd largest shopping center in the world. It's huge and you can't cover this place in simply one day, with over 650 shops, a cinema complex, an ice skating rink, restaurants and a monstrous food court, you will not be disappointed or bored. You can view the Manila Bay Sunset and watch the spectacular fireworks show every Friday and Saturday at 7pm.
(kimchi & blue cardigan, forever21 sleeveless sweater, tank top, jeans, nine west boots, urbn beanie, dior eyeglasses)
- yes i'm blind and after wearing my one a day contacts for more than a day, I decided to give my eyeballs some rest.. i swear lasik is a surgery i've been putting off for too long. i can't wait for the day when i wake up and can actually see. haha.
- hat's are a nice way to cover a bad hair day or when you want to look a little more pulled together
- these denim leggings gave a great illusion for skinny jeans with the comfort of sweats
- and i absolutely love these boots, they're not too flat but super comfy
- and what would i do without this laptop.. it's kept me entertained with the free internet in the Hong Kong airport.. anyhow, it's such a short flight.. i'll be in the philippines in no time.
