Author Archives: Gizelle Faye Creative Studio

Hi, my name is Gizelle Faye. I am an artist, florist, stylist, calligrapher, letterer, mum, and wife to Harry. I am a bohemian risk-taker who fell in love with an old soul. Three months before our wedding in 2012, I went cuckoo and left my corporate job to pursue my dreams and founded Cuckoo Cloud Concepts. For about a decade, I was the creative director of Cuckoo Cloud Concepts, dreaming up unforgettable and picture-perfect moments from a tropical island called Cebu. I specialized and honed my skills in photo shoot styling, product styling, floristry, calligraphy, and lettering. During the pandemic, I rediscovered my love for painting amidst the dark times. The universe proved a lot more cuckoo than me and sent me and my family on a journey that will find us in Camden, New South Wales. But I vow to always bloom where I am planted. Today, in this new city, I host art workshops and offer social media content styling and creation, and other creative services for small businesses. Here, you will find an archive of my paintings and other works of art inspired by nature, scenes, architecture, and BTS, as well as art events I run in different venues in Sydney.

be kind, rewind two | thank you, shoe heaven!

planning a wedding and trying to achieve that perfect, magical one can dampen one’s shopping spirits. since the proposal, harry and i have agreed to save, save, save every extra money we have. believe it or  not, the last time we watched a movie on the cinema was July. all this time, we’ve been spending weekends at home, just watching dvd’s and pigging out. finishing the big bang theory from the season 1 –  4 didn’t hurt though and i was mighty glad Sheldon, Penny and Leonard were there to accompany us. 
so as i am not able to buy more clothes or a new pair of shoes, i have decided to continue the ‘be kind, rewind…’ posts and make it a series. the first one was this one. and for this post: the giraffe-printed shirt i wore on May 2010 and the black pleated trousers i first wore on March 2011. 

on other news, i guess the heavens heard my deep want to get a new pair of shoes because i just got a new pair that’s not just gorgeous but super comfortable. Mickey of Wantedshoes.com reached out to me on July and asked for a pair that i wanted from their website which they’ll send for free. i never thought it would arrive until i got this pair in the mail:

thank you, Wanted for the new pair of shoes! ♥ ♥ ♥ 
outfit post of the lovelies will be up, soon…

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erratic behavior

white blazer – thrifted | striped top – thrifted | denim shorts – thrifted | coin necklace – bangkok find
turquoise ring – bangkok find | owl ring – gifted by marianne | brown sunnies – carbon find

if you’re thinking about something bad, don’t. i’m just talking about the weather. as sunny as my photo is now, the direct opposite happened just last week. the sky was dark for 4 days and the rains were so heavy that my car got flooded as i was driving out of the office to buy food for lunch.  cleaning my car caused me P1,500 and i had to get some repairs done too. yes, it was that heavy and i’m sure it was heavier and a lot worse in other areas. for those who are in areas that are most likely to get hit by typhoons, keep safe and be prepared. 
anyway, on a lighter note, do you find my white blazer to be like that of a doctor’s? i bought this 2 years ago but i’ve only worn this twice, i think. i bought it because it’s cotton and very breezy but it’s very tricky to wear. what do you think? did i style it right?

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fairytales need hard work too

floral tiered chiffon dress – shopyapi.com | peach cardigan – thrifted | teal braided belt – thrifted
cream peep-toe heels – janeo | camel quilted bucket bag – primal rave wholesale | brass bangles – carbon finds | polka orange bangle – gifted | green wood bangle – bangkok find | brown sunnies – carbon find

while i was growing up and spending summer afternoons imagining my dream wedding, i always thought the essentials just burst out from magic. i’d imagine the dress i’d be wearing, the ring on my finger, walking down the isle with heaps of flowers on the side and saying i do with a romantic song in the background. yeah, dream on. planning a wedding is hard, really hard. 
although searching for an inspiration for my wedding dress is fun (yet also challenging), finding the perfect wedding ring is definitely not as much fun as i thought. harry and i spent a whole afternoon checking out jewelry stores and at the end of the day, our vision was clouded with a tinge of yellow — from all the gold (tacky chinese gold) that we’ve seen in most stores. ugh! the wedding ring is not like the dress that i get to wear only once. it’s something i wear forever so it has to be one of a kind or at least, special.
here’s where i need your help: if you find a classic yet stylish wedding band design, tell me? post the link on a comment. ♥

on another note, while i was browsing for wedding band designs, i bumped into another kind of jewelry. i might be crazy from all this wedding band hunting because at one point, i considered getting an earring after finding these great cartilage earrings online. i could definitely need the change, considering i haven’t been doing some shopping since we started saving money for the wedding. hmmm….

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be kind, rewind

star printed dress – thrifted | striped oversized cardigan – thrifted | black leggings – metro | lace-up booties – sm department store (gifted from harry) | stacks of bangles – gifted and carbon finds | dog tag – custom
fox ring – bangkok find | brown sunnies – carbon find

for regular readers, you might find this dress and cardigan familiar. i do have this insane rule of not repeating what i wear but only for the same month. as much as possible, i’d like to keep my outfits different when i can. for me, style is not about buying new clothes to wear everyday. here are the different times i’ve worn the items on this outfit:


as we are currently saving up for our wedding, i can’t allow myself to get tempted by new retail buys. i think this is absurd but Harry says i have way too many clothes and even asked me if i have attempted to count them. i didn’t answer him, of course, but i know that i should stop buying more and it’s just a small sacrifice for me to finally wear that big yet flowy and white bohemian wedding dress that i’ve always dreamed of.

so, expect more outfit posts with items recycled from previous outfits. ♥

ps. thanks to the readers who left comments on my last post. i am glad to be back and it’s definitely heart-warming to know i’ve been missed. will get back to your comments soon! mwah! ♥

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stripes & hearts

chambray top: thrifted | printed cotton maxi dress: shop yapi | striped ballet flats: primal rave wholesale | blue cutout belt: shop yapi | camel quilted bucket bag: primal rave wholesale | leopard ring: carbon find | coral ring: bangkok find | enamel bangles: hongkong finds | red wooden bangles: a gift from WAGW | tangerine printed bangle: DIY by sister

two and a half months can pass by really quick, huh? i didn’t even realize i’ve been gone that long until i decided to go back to blogging. let me tell you though, posing for my come back post was quite embarrassing. i didn’t know whether to smile or just act cool. so pardon the weird face.

before i proceed with telling you all about what has happened to me in the last two months, i feel i need to explain why i decided to take a break in the first place. on my last few posts, i’ve been feeling off and no longer passionate about continuing my blog. it confused me because blogging used to be an alternate world that i can immerse myself in and i did it for me. a few months before i took the break though, blogging became a chore. it became overrated. so i wanted to take a step back before i ruin my blogging experience altogether.

so, if anyone is curious, a lot has definitely happened to me in the last two and a half months.
♥ my little sister got back from aussie for her month long school break.
♥ i resigned as marketing executive from my sister’s company to start doing homebased jobs.
♥ i oversaw our wholesale clothing business and spent 90% of my days at home.
♥ then i realized i was being a bum (and spending my life savings) that i needed to get a stable job.
♥ surprise: i went back to the BPO industry. (phew! i know, right? i’ll tell you more about that on another post.)
♥ i celebrated my 27th birthday!
♥ and the best part: harry and i got engaged! he proposed on my birthday. it’s the best birthday gift ever!

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back to regular programming

i know i have been technically MIA for the past 2 weeks. i’ve been doing blog posts but they were mainly on the launching of my shop’s second collection, Furious Rose and nothing else. i have also been way backlogged in replying to comments and visiting other blogs. not only have i been busy with our wholesale business and managing multiple jobs, i honestly have been contemplating as to whether i should continue blogging or not. i have been spending 85% of my time at home these days so there are no outfits to post. i do go out on weekends and dress up but i no longer possess the motivation to take photos of my outfits. i think self-confidence is directly proportional to style blogging. i might just be in a crazy rush these days that i hardly even have time to think about myself. i might go on a blogging hiatus, i might not. we’ll see in a couple of days. 


okay, okay so i got a bit dramatic again with what i attempted to post yesterday. honestly, it really is difficult for me to post new outfits. i’m feeling so behind from every one in the style blogosphere. but i have to remember that i started doing this because i love fashion. whether or not i blog regularly, i hope you, my readers, will still stick around.

it is frustrating, when there are so many other related things I’d like to do. i want to learn more about deconstruction and portion play, maybe take classes from the many online fashion merchandising colleges. i need to be continually learning, but today’s fast-paced world has made people busier and less willing to commit their time to a traditional classroom degree program. here in the Philippines, most specifically, opportunities are a bit limited. online education might just be the great answer to finally fulfilling dreams. i’ll definitely look into this further.

and oooh, about the giveaway — I’M EXTENDING it until July 20, 2011. i feel i haven’t given more information about and didn’t give others a chance to join it. please do tell your friends. it is very easy to join. there are a LOT of options to join. *wink*

please visit my online shop — www.shopyapi.com — if you haven’t yet. 
vibrant florals and prints in chiffon and soft cotton are up for grabs. 
girly-girls gone grunge. ♥
check out the editorial here.

sheer sleeveless blouse with an embroidered pocket – shopyapi.com
floral layered skirt – thrifted
brown oversized cardigan – shopyapi.com
brown double braided belt – shopyapi.com
khaki crocheted beanie – custom-made by my aunt
lapis lazuli oversized ring – tseng jewelry
owl connector ring – carbon find
oversized charm bracelet – carbon find

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Furious Rose Launches x 2 July 2011 x Shopyapi.com

Furious Rose by Shopyapi.com

Launches on July 2, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Make sure to visit http://www.shopyapi.com

Photography: Jonathan Carlobos of VEATA

Videography: Philip Lapinid of Fashion the Fourth

Styling: Gizelle Faye Sembrano
MUA and Creative Direction: Eden Villarba of Chic in the Tropics
Styling and Production Assistance: Laiza Carmel Raagas of Crazy/Beautiful
Models: Aoi Miñoza and Kim Nuyda

Shot on Location at Family Park Cebu

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*more* behind-the-scenes: Furious Rose by Shopyapi.com

xxx more behind-the-scene photos of the Furious Rose photo shoot. xxx
(from left to right) laiza carmel raagas, philip lapinid, louise kim nuyda, aoi miñoza, me and eden villarba
bear with me for posting more Furious Rose shots for the rest of the week. very very busy with work and taking care of our second clothing wholesale installment. hope all of you are doing well!
don’t forget to join the Vanilla Ice Cream and Shopyapi.com giveaway. runs until July 4, 2011. ♥

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behind-the-scenes: Furious Rose by Shopyapi.com

Music: “Do You Realize” by The Flaming Lips
Videography: Philip Lapinid
Photography: Jonathan Carlobos of VEATA
Styling: Gizelle Faye Sembrano
MUA and Creative Direction: Eden Villarba
Styling and Production Assistance: Laiza Carmel Raagas
Shot on Location at Family Park Cebu

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BOOM! 2011 x Furious Rose by ShopYapi.com

when i decided to open up shop, my market in mind was always students and yuppies. i used to draw sketches of outfits when i was young and contrary to what other aspiring designers loved to do, i was already into ready-to-wear clothes. i love couture but i always thought realistic and applicable to the real world is better — it can be worn in many ways and is affordable. 
so when Philip Lapinid of Fashion Toy Gun asked me to sponsor clothes for a small Model Competition for their school, USJR, i couldn’t say no. it offered me an opportunity to expose my brand to students. in perfect timing, my stocks for the 2nd collection of Shopyapi.com arrived last week so i whipped up 10 outfits and came up with a simple concept. Furious Rose is the name of this collection and it’s an ode to grunge girl style. Furious Rose by Shopyapi.com will launch on July 1, 2011.
xxx Behind the Scenes xxx
xxx the Models wearing ShopYapi xxx
 

the first and last model on the photos is Beatrice and she won the competition. she’s obviously statuesque and could have easily beaten the girls but what made her more amazing is her professionalism and humility during the whole process. she never complained, didn’t act vain and when asked to tease her hair for an out-of-bed look, she took the character by heart and spent the next 10 minutes of waiting time, in front of the mirror, disarranging her hair. Congrats Beatrice!
don’t forget to join Vanilla Ice Cream’s giveaway that will be running until July 4, 2011. get a chance to win a green hand bag, a pleated dress and matching turquoise necklace and a graphic swimsuit. ♥ ♥ ♥

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Cebu Fashion Bloggers: Starting a Community

inspired by recent get-together that the Manila bloggers had just a few weeks ago, we decided to get our asses moving and actually build a community here in Cebu. the brainchild of this whole event, Eden Villarba of Chic in the Tropics and i contacted everyone we could possible know who blogs about fashion and personal style and planned an intimate dinner, where everyone can get acquainted. the venue was at Veranda, in Park Mall and the night ended with of course, lots and lots of photos. we missed a few people though and we really do hope they could join us next time.
Toni Pino of Perfumed Red Shoes, as pretty as ever. my style muse for Shopyapi.com who’s leaving for Cali in a couple of days. i’m happy for her but now i have to look for another model. lol.
the amazing Pino sisters with their equally amazing necklaces. i die!
(left-right) Gillian Uang of Detail by Details, Eden Villarba of Chic in the Tropics, yours truly, Issa of  Little Black Sheep Fashion and Vanessa East of Being Miss East

 Eden and her blazin’ red hair!

Me and Lyka Raagas of Crazy/Beautiful. we’ve been friends since 2006 actually so it was awesome to have someone i knew that long, that night.

Maan Cajipe and Liezyl Gomez of The Red Diary

 Check out Neil San Pedro’s awesome skull ring that he personally customized and hand-carved!

Gillian Uang and Neil San Pedro of NFBlogs

 Gillian Uang, Vanessa East and Me

this photo was supposed to be a candid one but Eden’s camera’s flash kept flickering  that we got conscious. lol.

the very pretty Vanessa East

Eden Villarba and Me


the gang! Philip Lapinid of Fashion Toy Gun, Eden Villarba, Yves Camingue of Yvestyle, Toni Pino, Lyka Raagas, Me, Maan Cajipe, Liezyl Gomez and Vanessa East

Lyka Raagas, Me, Maan Cajipe, Toni Pino, Liezyl Gomez and Andrew Sincgo of Non-Active Euthanasia (who just recently jumped on the blogging wagon)

printed sheer top – thrifted
black layered electro-pleated skirt – thrifted
studded open-toe wedges – ebay find
cerulean blue belt – shopyapi.com
teal clutch bag – borrowed from sister
cutout cuffs – shopyapi.com
tassel earrings – DIY

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GIVEAWAY: Shop Yapi & Vanilla Ice Cream Gives Back!

it’s really been a while since i’ve hosted a giveaway here so as a comeback, i’m giving away awesome items (yes! it’s prural) for my blog readers and Facebook followers, locally and internationally. this is also a way to give my gratitude to my 900+ Facebook followers. i started that page to get to know equally awesome people outside my personal circle and i never expected to have such a following there. so for everyone, here’s my way of saying THANK YOU!

general giveaway mechanics:
as this is a giveaway to thank followers, 
you must be a follower of Vanilla Ice Cream on facebook and/or the blog. ♥
giveaway runs from June 13 – July 4, 2011

FOR MY LOCAL READERS:

Facebook Giveaway: 
A GIGI Pleated Floral Dress with matching INEZ Turquoise and Wood Necklace 
how to join:
♥ must be a Vanilla Ice Cream follower on Facebook. 
♥ post a statement on your wall tagging @Vanilla Ice Cream. something like: 
“i want to win a Shop Yapi dress and necklace at @Vanilla Ice Cream”
(make sure i can see your entries on the Vanilla Ice Cream Facebook page)

For Blog Followers via Google Connect or Bloglovin’: 
a YEDDA Green Handbag and a 20% Discount Card for Shopyapi.com. 
how to join:
♥ must be a follower of the blog via google connect or bloglovin’
♥ leave a comment indicating: your name, e-mail address and blog site where i can contact you and how you followed Vanilla Ice Cream. here’s a sample comment:
name: gizelle faye
e-mail address: gizellefaye(at)yahoo.com / http://www.gizellefaye.blogspot.com
i follow the blog through Google Connect
extra entries: tweeted about the giveaway [link] and posted the giveaway on my FB wall [link]

extra entries — make sure to give me the link of your entry: 
♥ follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway 
“i want to win a #ShopYapi YEDDA bag by @gizellefaye“
♥ like the Vanilla Ice Cream Facebook page and post the giveaway on your wall tagging @Vanilla Ice Cream
“i want to win a #ShopYapi YEDDA bag at @Vanilla Ice Cream”

INTERNATIONAL READERS: A Paige Triangle Swimsuit
how to join:
♥ must be a follower of the blog via google connect or bloglovin’
♥ leave a comment indicating: your name, e-mail address and blog site where i can contact you and how you followed Vanilla Ice Cream. here’s a sample comment:
name: gizelle faye
e-mail address: gizellefaye(at)yahoo.com / http://www.gizellefaye.blogspot.com
i follow the blog through Google Connect
extra entries: tweeted about the giveaway [link] and posted the giveaway on my FB wall [link]



extra entries — make sure to give me the link of your entry: 
♥ follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway 
“i want to win a #ShopYapi PAIGE swimsuit by @gizellefaye“
♥ like the Vanilla Ice Cream Facebook page and post the giveaway on your wall tagging @Vanilla Ice Cream
“i want to win a #ShopYapi PAIGE swimsuit at @Vanilla Ice Cream”




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