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.

sponsored post: how the right underwear can boost your confidence

Confidence is a funny thing. When you’re full of it you feel like you can take on the world, like nothing can stand in your way and that you can overcome any obstacle.
But when you’re lacking confidence, even the smallest set-back can become a big deal. It’s a mercurial and mysterious thing, and nobody really understands how it works. If you could discover the secret and bottle it, you would be very rich indeed.
You Deserve to Be There
Yet despite the intangible nature of confidence, there are certain things you can do that have been proven to help you feel more confident. The most important aspect of confidence is to feel comfortable. This can be in terms of your surroundings, the people you’re with and even the clothes you are wearing.
If you feel at home and comfortable then you are more likely to be yourself, and with that comes confidence and charisma. Tell yourself that you belong and that you deserve to be in any room you walk in to. It also helps to realise that no matter how people present themselves, deep down they are all going through something similar.
Of course, feeling comfortable in what you are wearing can also be a massive boost. If you know that what you’re wearing suits you and works with your shape, then it can relax you and put you in the right frame of mind.
But it’s not just what you wear on the outside that can make you feel comfortable. Underwear is also very important for making you feel good about yourself. If you have supportive and well-fitting underwear then it’s a great starting point for overall comfort.
Comfort and Style
There is no hard and fast rule that says comfortable underwear can’t be sexy. Getting the support you need in the right places is great, but that shouldn’t have to mean looking like you’re wearing a bed sheet.
The lingerie collection for larger figures from Elomiis designed with precisely this in mind. It offers comfort and support where it’s needed and still makes you feel glamorous and sexy. Knowing that, even if no one else is going to see it, is still enough to give you a confidence boost in any situation.


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contrast bonanza | zalora at bloggers united 3

striped mustard top – primal rave wholesale | violet pleated skirt – thrifted | pink satchel – props | gold ballet flats – parisian | gold cuff – stolen from sis | rings: armor and cross connector – downtown finds | collar necklace – downtown find | purple belt with hear buckle – props

i found this violet pleated skirt on one of the thrifting trips Harry and i have been on — yes he’s hooked too! this was specifically on a Black Saturday and we had nothing else to do. we just walked around Jones area and looked for open shops. there was one thrift store who was on 50% off and to my delight i found all their skirts on their 2nd floor despite how hot the day was and how dusty it was in the store. i also managed to score a mullet tulle skirt and ruffled shorts together with this skirt. i’m still trying to figure out when and how to wear them.♥
~
on to exciting news: my boxes of clothes to sell have been shipped and just arrived in manila. my bags have been packed and i am so ready ~ Bloggers United 3, here we come! i am so looking forward to seeing Manila fashion blogger friends again and of course, meeting readers — assuming i have readers who want to meet me. LOL. 

speaking of Bloggers United 3, Zalora will be one of the co-presenters of this event and they are giving a special treat to all shoppers who check out their orders at the Z-Lounge on the event.

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citrus floral burst

floral sheer and lace top – primal rave wholesale | orange pencil skirt – thrifted | turquoise lightning flap bag – props | brass filigree necklace – downtown find | turquoise connector ring – downtown find | lapiz lazuli ring – tseng jewelry | brass bangles – downtown finds | dotted orange bangle & purple wooden bangle – bangkok finds | turquoise flats – solemate, sm dept store | brown sunnies – downtown find

as we’re counting down to Bloggers United 3, we’re also counting down to the end of summer. although i have only been to the ocean once this summer, it can’t stop me from wearing it.
the style items here are are probably one of my favorites this — the citrus thrifted pencil skirt, the sheer and lace loose top, the turquoise lighting flap bag, the brass filigree necklace and turquoise connector ring. i may have overdone it and turned more eyes in this outfit but who cares, right? i say wear what you love. ♥♥♥

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zalora.ph loves cebu!

i am very much excited and at the same time afraid of this shopping haven — excited because shopping happens with just one click and afraid because shopping happens in just one click, meaning my wallet is at its mercy! seriously, Zalora.ph is such a brilliant yet simple concept website it’s a wonder no one else has though about it here in the Philippines. it’s amazingly easy to navigate and features a wide array of items to be shopped at one’s convenience.
Zalora.ph carries 300 brands and uploads 300 new items everyday. the site carries items from both local and international brands and are not limited to just fashion items as it has sports and home living too. the best part is that your items reach your doorstep in 1 – 3 business days. as Zalora.ph co-founder Palo Campos III said, “Zalora.ph is basically democratizing fashion.” hear ye, hear ye. ♥

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bloggers united: what’s up for grabs x free passes!

last year’s bloggers united 2 was so awesome even for the mere fact that i got invited that i couldn’t get over the excitement and forgot to prepare for it. haha! literally, 2 days before my flight i jammed everything i can see in my luggage thinking it was enough to sell. i didn’t realize the phenomenal size of the event until i got there. 
this time, for bloggers united 3, i am packing a month in advance. yes, you heard it right — a month! i cleaned my closet and packed a whole balikbayan box of items to sell and they’re on their way to Manila as we speak. i am also going to take a leave the day before so i can stay awake throughout the event and not look haggard…LOL. 
here are just some of the items up for grabs. the good part is i’m selling them at super cheap prices — really, everything must go! ♥
(more good news — i’m giving away bloggers united passes to 10 readers! scroll at the bottom for the mechanics.)

so how to get passes for bloggers united? it’s very easy:
♥ to be fair to avid vanilla ice cream readers, to join you must follow the blog via google connect or Facebook — indicate in the comment where you followed
♥ write in a comment your Google connect name or your Facebook name
♥ write down your e-mail address as well
the first 10 to do this gets the free bloggers united passes! ♥

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daddy’s girl | rainbow summer!

happy birthday daddy! ♥ 

am i not my dad’s photocopy? nobody can argue that i’m his daughter. haha! we celebrated his birthday last May 1st and spent by the ocean as always. this year, however, we couldn’t visit our favorite beach house because of road conditions so we went island hopping in the nearby islands of Cebu — the easiest way to chill by the ocean.  

violet monokini – primal rave wholesale | multi-colored striped skirt – shop dred reveries | fringe boho vest – bangkok find | sunnies – downtown finds | bangles: green and gold wooden bangles  – bangkok finds, red coral bangle – boracay find | red mini-wooden bangles – gifted by wagw

this will be my only rendezvous with summer this year in preparation for the wedding. so long, sweet summer! til’ next year ~ i promise i’ll see more of you. ♥

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life is what you choose it to be

chambray top – thrifted | peach midi skirt – primal rave wholesale | leopard print belt – primal rave wholesale | oval-shaped bag – primal rave wholesale | sphere tribal necklace – downtown find | feather necklace – downtown find | gold ballet flats – parisian, sm dept store | bangles – gifted and downtown finds | rings – downtown finds

it’s the middle of summer and if you’ve been reading my blog for some time now, you will know that summer is usually the time that my emotions and confusion come surfacing. i don’t know why — maybe it has to do with not being able to do as much because of work while everyone else is hopping on different islands and discovering beautiful beaches or having coffee and dessert with friends more than twice a week.
it’s silly of me to be jealous huh? well, i am because if money and schedule were not an issue, i would be out taking classes in art or fashion or be in different beaches every weekend but instead, i’m at work or at home because we need to save money for the wedding.

it took me a whole afternoon of staring in space and beating myself down, however, to realize that ~ life is what i chose it to be. it’s moments like these that makes me foolish not to appreciate what i have in life and i end slapping my forehead to the sound of DUH. i’m at home and at work because i have chosen to walk down the aisle in a beautiful white dress towards the love of my life. i’m not taking art and fashion classes yet because i have chosen to celebrate my marriage to Harry with God, our family and friends. this will be our 2012 and i can’t wait til’ December. ♥♥♥

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Bloggers United Strikes Three!

Third time’s the charm for the most anticipated fashion bloggers event in the country!

Bloggers United is staging their third bloggers bazaar this June 2 at the Grandview Events Place to once again gather Manila’s top fashion bloggers in one single venue outside of the World Wide Web. After holding two successful events last year, Bloggers United has easily become one of the most anticipated affairs for both fashion bloggers and readers in the metro.  More than just a bazaar, Bloggers United also partners with charitable groups to use and channel their influence in a positive manner.

Through the overwhelming power of social media and blogs in today’s generation, the previous Bloggers United events have successfully joined forces with top fashion bloggers like Laureen Uy, Camille Co, Kryz Uy and many more to inspire their followers and to raise funds for various beneficiaries,  namely KIDS Foundation and GMA Kapuso Foundation. This time around, the event will benefit Operation Smile Philippines.

The event gets better and better every time! To make Bloggers United 3 even more momentous, top Indonesian fashion blogger Anastacia Siantar of The Brown Platform will also be selling alongside Cebu fashion bloggers and our very own top celebrities Divine Lee & Sarah Meier.

So, if you love blog-reading and blog-hopping, Bloggers United is sure to be the perfect end-of-summer bazaar for you. Not only will you be able to bump elbows with your favorite bloggers at the event, but you will also be able to snag some of their own stylish statement pieces as they open their closets to sell to the public. Stay-up-to-date with the biggest gathering of bloggers by following us on Twitter (twitter.com/bloggers_united) and Facebook (facebook.com/bloggersunitedph), and bookmarking our official webpage (bloggersunited.org).


Bloggers United is in partnership with: 
Operation Smile
Globe Tattoo 


Event is co-presented by:
Hotel Celeste


Official Media Partners:


In cooperation with:

Special thanks:

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going home to you

art deco cropped top – props | cotton belted pleated pants – props | strappy anima-printed wedges – people are people, gifted by Harry | ostrich feather earrings – downtown finds | gunmetal woven-effect cuffs – downtown find | rings: gecko – bangkok find, stone ring – forever21, gifted by Karen

Harry loves to make me laugh and i love him because he does. without him in my life, i might become an old, single lady with a couple of dogs — burying herself in work or staring at the ceiling with a dark chocolate in hand. i am too passionate at work for my own sake that there is only 3 days in a week where i don’t go home upset, fueled or excited about something work-related. going home to him is definitely something i look forward to everyday.  it changes my perspective. it reminds me that i have something more important than work — my life with him. ♥

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plum tinkerbell

tiered dress with embroidered hem – thrifted | black wedges – shoe etiquette | faux snake skin belt – bangkok find | diamond-shaped fringe necklace – downtown find | bangles – gifted | work watch – gifted

“you look like tinkerbell…” that’s what everybody told me when i wore this outfit to work. of course, all i can do is smile because there’s nothing else to do. i don’t know if they say i look like tinkerbell because it’s so juvenile or that i look like tinkerbell because it’s pretty. maybe both for some. LOL.

i got this dress from one of the spur-of-the-moment thrifting trips my mom and i made a couple of months ago — which my mom and i had more frequently before she left for Aussie and where my dad so happily obliged to drive us wherever we wanted to go. i love going thrifting with my mom. she’s been at it for so many years, she knows what to look for and definitely knows whether a stain can be removed or not. sooner or later though, it seems she has evolved to wearing my style or i hers. on casual days, she wears loose tops with a long cardigan and skinny jeans. sometimes you can’t tell us apart — except that she’s really fair and i’m not. 

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wishing for grey clouds

knit cardigan – thrifted | two-toned leggings – thrifted | flap booties – props | necklaces: elephant tusk – bangkok find, black stone with chain fringe – downtown find | work watch – swatch | sunnies – raybans, borrowed from sis

it finally rained the other day after days and days of oven-like heat. i swear every time i step inside my car when i get off work at 12:00 PM, i feel like i’m being baked like a rack of lamb. it’s just hot all over, even on my face and it doesn’t help that the drive from my workplace to home takes approximately 30 minutes. oooh i wish i can apparate.
my apologies for being MIA for almost 2 weeks. it’s just when our wholesale stocks arrive, i am responsible for 2 jobs — my day job as a sales manager and my job managing our wholesale business with my sister. with the inventory that requires sorting and tagging of each item and the handling of customers, i just couldn’t squeeze in the time to blog. my body aches all over and has been so for the past week but it’s worth it. i love clothes — from wearing it to selling it. 
and while we’re on the topic of our wholesale business, if you’re from Cebu (or have plans of visiting Cebu in the next 2 weeks) and are interested in being a reseller (or you’re just such a shopaholic that you want to buy 10 items or more), i can give you a wholesale price. big big discounts, i promise. *wink* just e-mail me at: gizellefay(at)yahoo(dot)com.

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the boys in my life

linen kimono blazer – thrifted | linen culottes – primal rave wholesale | green braided belt – thrifted | animal-printed strappy wedges – people are people, gifted by Harry | necklaces: charm necklace – downtown find, elephant tusk – bangkok find | bangles – downtown finds | horse ring – downtown find

thankfully my mom’s visa to Australia got approved and she left on the first week of April to accompany my sister there for 6 months. after everything that has happened, my sister definitely needs all the support she can get. 
it’s weird having no one else to talk to at home though, except Harry and my dad. i used to share a bedroom with my sister until she left and right when she did, i’d hang around in my mom’s room. thanks to Facetime though, i can still bug my mom and sister any time i want to but it’s not the same really. 
so now, for 6 months i’ll be the lady of the house — looking after my dad and my Harry. i’ve been cooking for two Sundays now and am intent on doing so for the next Sundays to come. and on our Sunday afternoon visits, it will be just us three. a couple of hours of serenity with the afternoon sun and the sunsets right after. 
ps. good thing both of them are very supportive of this blog. in fact, my dad was the one who suggested the location of these shots. (thanks Dad…<3)

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