this is what it feels like

IT WAS PROBABLY JUST WISHFUL THINKING WHEN I PROMISED THAT I WOULD START POSTING MORE REGULARLY; WITH MOCK EXAMS AND UNIVERSITY-APPLICATION-INDUCED ANXIETY, MY SCHEDULE REALLY HASN'T IMPROVED SINCE MY LAST UPDATE. I MEAN IT THIS TIME WHEN I SAY THAT THIS BLOG IS MOVING UP IN MY PRIORITIES, THOUGH. IT'S EVEN WRITTEN IN MY '2016 GOALS', WHICH IS PINNED ONTO MY GIANT INSPO BOARD.

SO I'M BEGINNING THE NEW YEAR WITH A SMALL ROUNDUP OF MY HECTIC HIATUS, MOSTLY VIA A 4 YR. OLD DISPOSABLE THAT I RANDOMLY DISCOVERED IN MY ROOM. THE FOLLOWING CHRONICLE MY TIME FROM MANILA --> THE SEYCHELLES --> HONG KONG AND FINALLY --> MANILA AGAIN, AS MY TRANSITION INTO 2016 BEGINS.

(ABOVE) LEOTARD FROM AMERICAN APPAREL, DIY CHOKER, GLASSES FROM SUNNIES STUDIOS, JEANS (THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY TIRED OF SEEING ON HERE) FROM NASTY GAL

XX MARTINE

on holy grails

I set off to Sydney and Melbourne on a vacation with my family two weeks ago. What follows are stills of my memories there, and a little photo collection of my Holy-Week-holy-grail haul.

I was reunited with Dani, who moved to a little town outside Sydney last year. Below is a polaroid my sister took of us at the Sea Life Aquarium.

First off for my haul, my favorite purchase of the trip: this killer Acne Studios sweater. I love that it matches their shopping bag. Weird to wear it in the Manila heat, but it was pretty cold down in Melbourne.

 Picked up a cropped ringer tee from Topshop too. Been trying to increase my t-shirt collection lately because they're perfect for lazy days.

Had the best bathtub in my hotel in Sydney. I bought a Lush bath bomb specifically to use in it.

From a day trip Dani, my family and I took to Bondi.

Bikini c/o @beyondthebeachph

Dani and I in my Sydney hotel room. We had the best view of the Opera House and harbour. Boots in the picture above from Lipstik Shoes.

My favorite pair of pants at the moment: pleated culottes I got from Topshop (featured in both pictures above).

(above) A photo I took of the Love Lock Bridge in Melbourne / (below) One of my current go-to tops, a ribbed knit crop from Glassons

(above) I didn't buy these on my trip, but my mom brought me back these sandals from Urban Outfitters in Hong Kong while I was in Australia. You can't tell from the photo but the straps are covered in pink faux pony fur - love them to bits / (below) A polaroid of me in my hotel room in Melbourne

Martine xx

jan/feb roundup

Photos from the first two months of 2015

So far this year, I've noticed that I've been spending quite a lot of time by the sea. Above are polaroids of Dani I took from the first day of 2015.

A sketch of The Sugar Fawn's Shelby Hamilton

If you follow my Instagram then you know how much I've been fawning over this River Island coat. It makes me think of candy and unicorns and all things nice.

Some shots from a little trip to Lago De Oro.

Outtakes from this month's Carisse Newsletter. Due to popular demand, Carmen added it to the website so you don't have to be part of our mailing list to get a copy anymore :-)

<3 Martine

november loves

I have so many ideas for this space that I'm not sure where to start, which is why everything's been a bit messy lately. I'm working on new projects/posts/collaborations and I can't wait to share them with you all, but for now here is a summary of what I've been up to and the things I'm into this month.

  

Sipping peach jelly, wearing an American Apparel top and Carisse shorts

I stopped by the STATUS x Security Bank Yardsale last week to support Carisse's booth. Pictured below are the Beetroot bra and Carisse goodies I picked up, along with a drawing and my favorite Lush lip balm in 'Honey Trap'. I love Carisse's Moana set; it's one of those throw-on-and-go pieces that instantly give you that effortlessly cool aura.

Hanging around in the Moana set

I also bought this jacket at Uniqlo the other week for my impending trip to Europe (I don't care at all that I kind of resemble a human blanket).

Lastly, these are some portraits that I'm working on for school coursework of my sister. I did a watercolor painting based on a photograph I distorted on Photoshop, then scanned it back onto my computer and layered different gradients combinations over it.

I hope you're all as excited as I am for all the new things coming :--)

Martine x