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.

Style Inspiration: Roberto Cavalli Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

it’s the peak of summer and the heat is scorching but i’m daydreaming about layering clothes and scrumptious jackets. these are my favorites in the genius 2012 fall collection of Roberto Cavalli. i die. ♥ ♥ ♥

may the odds be ever in your favor

we’re saving up for the wedding so i can’t buy as many books as i wanted (or as many shoes). i guess i should say i can’t buy things as frequently as i wanted. it’s been months since Harry and i have been to the movies as waiting for the DVD is the more practical option. books nowadays are not as cheap as paper and even cost more than a movie ticket.

but after reading a couple of free chapters of The Hunger Games on Kobo, on a sleepless afternoon, i knew i had to get the book. no, not just the book but the series and it was a purchase i don’t have any regrets of.

not only is the series well-written, the plot is very riveting, unexpected and at the same time, relational despite it being the set in the post-apocalyptic future. the characters are not sob stories, they’re actually people you want to root for. and Peeta Mellarck — oh don’t even get me started on how much i love how he is. then we have the the movie. it’s one of the best depictions from books other than Harry Potter (of course). i can’t wait for Catching Fire. ♥

my second home

Dumaguete has always enamored me, even as a kid. in summer, the ferry from Dipolog usually stops over en route to Cebu and my cousins and i would step off for a bit, walk around the boulevard and eat street food — barbecue and tempura. as we’re walking, i’d crane my head to peak at the establishments along the boulevard and the streets beyond them, thinking to myself how peaceful and adorable everything is and imagining myself walking in and out of those shops.

then i met Harry, who was born and raised in Dumaguete and i actually lived my imagination. Dumaguete became my second home and i now consider it as a tranquil escape from the city life. i no longer have to crane my head to see what’s beyond the streets along the boulevard — i have actually walked those streets beyond. the place is as quaint and peaceful as i’d imagined, even after all these years. and what do i do every time i’m there? this i never miss — have a slice or two of Espanola pizza at Hayahay. the yummiest pizza ever.

date nights

people ask me how it is now that Harry and i are married. well, aside from having to share anything we own and having to make decisions together, we’re pretty much like boyfriend & girlfriend. we still hold hands like teens. sometimes while walking, i wrap my arm around him and pinch his back and i snuggle into him like a kid. we have foodie adventures — more like dessert adventures and walk into bookstores right after, snooping new reads and smelling their pages. this is one of those nights.

ps. of course, i have to force him to take a photo of me too. LOL.

matchy-matchy: fashion crime or not?

when i saw this skirt for P50 ($1.25) at our local thrift store, i immediately thought fish eyes and polka dots and grabbed it. my mom and sister laughs at how i can still get good finds at ultimate thrift sales because my style is so offbeat that the items i pick are sometimes items nobody else would want. which is true. i found a tiered tulle skirt for P50 and grabbed it too. LOL.

now, i’ve been wanting to wear this fringed cotton top i got a year ago but it’s so tricky to wear. it’s form-fitting which i don’t like because it shows off my extra curves and if i wear it without tucking it in in something high-waisted, the fringes can get in the way. so i was really happy it found a friend in this skirt. i was planning to wear it with a pair of black wedges but thought, “what the heck, my day is so busy and i need to be running around.” and paired it with a pair of matching pink flats instead.

i know right? pink top, skirt with pink prints and now a pair of pink flats? how could i have been so cliche and be too matchy-matchy? well, my question is — is it really a fashion crime to be matchy-matchy? it looks good (for me) and i felt super comfortable in it.

what do you guys think about fashion rules?

that downtown store of accessory heaven

remember when i talked about that little store of accessories in downtown? the place that’s like a pandora’s box, it always ends up hurting my wallet every time i visit. well, my young and stylish agents found out about it and ever since, i’ve been finding myself oddly surprised that i’m not the only one wearing loads of rings or bangles. here are just a few of their amazing picks that i seriously covet:

this is not found in that accessory store but another style item one of my agents have. so bohemian. so me and i wish i could have it as my own. (to the owner, if you’re reading this — you should have given this to me! LOL)

anyway, it’s weird that i began my life as a call center supervisor around the same age as my agents now. i was roughly 22 and was as immature and hot-headed as can be. it has been almost 6 years since then and boy is it weird to browse through an agent directory with birth dates as late as the time i was already in 1st grade and busy watching ninja turtles or the original x-men cartoon series. just thinking about how young they are and how i used to be in their place makes me feel all wrinkly inside. is it obvious in these photos below? or i still belong? LOL.

all photos were taken at our work place where it’s summer every friday. ♥

common yet in style | winner of shopbop’s $100

black and white striped maxi dress – props | denim jacket – borrowed from sister | leopard wedge booties – shoe etiquette | bowler hat – metro department store | necklaces: black & fringe – downtown find, elephant tusk – bangkok find | bangles – downtown finds | white wayfarers – raybans, borrowed from sister

i believe it was 3 or 4 years ago when dresses in jersey material were a hit — from sundresses with belts that tie at the back and that came with various neckline designs to maxi dresses in bohemian tops or halter necklines. they were common and everybody was wearing them. well, because they were easy and comfortable. this black and white bold striped was one of them.

but does common have to equate to boring? instead, i am finding this black and white dress to be one of the most versatile closet items i have. on a rainy day, i can wear this with a classic denim jacket, leopard wedge booties for an oomph and a bowler hat or for summer, i can wear this sans the jacket but with a loose blush knit shawl, a pair of beaded sandals and wide-brimmed floppy hat. for a laid-back day, i can wear this with my signature long cardigan and a pair of metallic ballet flats.

so my dress may be common and can be bought everywhere but it doesn’t have to be boring. it just really depends on how we style an item hence, the term personal style.

you, how else would you style this common dress?

oh and before i forget, announcing the winner of SHOPBOP.com’s $100 giveway!

i will e-mail you with the details. congrats! ♥

Fashion Institute of the Philippines launches in Cebu!

my prayers have finally been answered. fashion has come to Cebu in the form of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. although Cebu has been a lover of fashion for decades and we have long produced amazing designers that have conquered not just the country but the world but Cebuanos had to go far and wide to learn fashion. it was only until recently that proper fashion education was bestowed upon us and if not for my wedding planning, i would have enrolled myself in one of the classes (or maybe two classes). maybe next year then. who wants to go with me?

check out Fashion Institute of the Philippines‘ website for the different courses offered and its schedules. classes for Basic Fashion starts next Monday, March 12, 2012. ♥ ♥ ♥

check out Vanilla Ice Cream tomorrow for the announcement of the SHOPBOP.com winner of $100! ♥

shopbop.com gives away $100 — again!

SHOPBOP is at it again — yes, they’re giving away $100 to shop the collection of amazing designer finds in the shop. the $100 could be for any one of YOU! ♥

damn, i wish i can join my own giveaway!

for me, SHOPBOP is the ultimate shopping site — it ships everywhere in the world for free and it has a vast collection of just everything a fashionista needs. as i’ve been stocking up on shoes and maxi skirts for the past months, i’m thinking of stocking up on jeans and trousers too. i’m definitely loving the classic and chic options from free people jeans, not to mention the scrumptious floral duds from citizens of humanity. it also won’t hurt to fantasize about yummy pairs from viktor & rolf.

so how do you join the giveaway? simple, just follow these 3 easy steps:
♥ check out SHOPBOP.com and tell me what you’d like to buy with your $100
♥ “like” the Vanilla Ice Cream page on facebook
♥ comment leaving your answer to step 1, your Facebook name and e-mail address

for additional entries (optional) and you have to leave another comment for each entry:
♥ tweet about the giveaway:
“grab the chance to win $100 from shopbop.com at vanilla ice cream http://www.gizellefaye.blogspot.com @shopbop @gizellefaye“
♥ blog about the giveaway and link back to this post and shopbop.com

the giveaway will run until february 29, 2012 and open to all readers worldwide ♥ ♥ ♥

sunset sunday visits

my sister is my inspiration right now. despite everything that has happened, she remains strong and perseveres through the grief from the loss. she knows she must stand back up because it would have what he wanted. for anyone who’s gone through loss, stitching your life back together can be hell but my sister — although she’s feeling this eternal heartache, she is taking one day at a time in dealing with life. other people may give up but not my sister.

so every time i am extra stressed at work and feel like walking out the office door or every time i think i may never get through some shitty traffic, i think about how my sister is moving forward despite what she went through. life gives us little hiccups but we will always get past them. people go through worst things and they get past it. what happened has made me realize that i need to cherish life even more and not sweat the small stuff. life is too short.

on me: grey sheer top – primal rave wholesale | striped pleated culottes- primal rave wholesale | flap booties – shopyapi.com | coin necklace – bangkok find | bangles – downtown finds, forever21 | rings: owl, black stone – downtown finds & gecko – bangkok find | white sunnies – raybans, borrowed from sis

tiger lily boxer

finally, my leopard Forever21 boxing boots got its share in the little limelight in my little blog. i was initially drawn to the ankle booties but saw these and thought, “what the hell.. these look more bad-ass and i could use more of that in my life.” plus my sisters’ prodding and Aimee paying for the half of it as her Christmas gift for me did help with the decision too. no, it’s not just you but i realize i went on leopard overload last Christmas. leopard strappy wedges from Harry, leopard wedge booties from Shoe Etiquette and now these. LOL.

as of the moment, i am so swamped with backlogs for Vanilla Ice Cream. i have 3 more outfit post backlogs, an event feature — the launching of FIP in Cebu, a feature for a photographer and the most amazing part, 2 – 3 giveaways! whoot!

denim / khaki shirt dress – primal rave wholesale | leopard boxing boots – gifted, Forever 21 | tan braided belt – primal rave wholesale | white feather necklace – gifted | rings: skull, burnt orange stone, lion – downtown finds | brass bangles – downtown finds

dress code: silver and pink

silver top – celine, thrifted | electropleated skirt – primal rave wholesale | chain belt – props | silver heels – makemechic.com | silver clutch – mom’s, sm department store

when i get invited to a wedding, i always tend to gravitate my outfit to the color motif of the event. if i can’t find the exact color, i’d wear the next shade. this time, the wedding called for pink and silver. i spent 2 hours looking through all the plastic bags of wholesale stocks in our house to find a pink outfit and found this hot pink skirt. i was all set then i got to the venue and i was the only one following instructions. LOL.

this was Glenn & Charity’s intimate afternoon wedding last December 10, 2011 held at the Redepmtorist Church. the blushing bride walked down the aisle in classic Charity style — with drama and grace. it was a day surely Glenn and Charity won’t forget. best wishes to the couple! oooh, i just love weddings and i can’t wait for mine. ♥

how about you? do you love weddings? what about them do you love?

photos below were taken by Marlon Capuyan, the super talented wedding photographer from Cebu, who is incidentally Mildred Zapanta‘s better half and whom i will definitely book for my own wedding. check out his website and be prepared to be in awe.