gizelle faye – Girl Gone Cuckoo

Tis’ the Season

Truth be told, I’ve got more backlogs than I can imagine {both in this blog and my Cuckoo blog} and I have so much to do that I don’t know where to start.

But today was a very good day and naturally, when you’ve had a good day, excitement is to the brim. It’s been one of those good ones where you realize and feel that really, everything will be alright. And honestly, it’s been a while. My days have been chaotic and rushed and overwhelming that it’s been a while that I’ve taken a break and just spent time with family and a little time with myself. Sure, I injected a bit of work today but panic did not ensue. There were no small dramas. Maybe, I’ll accept panic tomorrow {we have our last wedding to style on the 28th!} For now, I’ll cherish this day.

Cebu Fashion Bloggers Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanilla Ice Cream Gizelle Faye Dec 2015 OOTD-15 — white button-down shirt – thrifted | printed skirt – thrifted | wide-brimmed hat – cotton on | camel backpack – forever 21 | tan brogues – forever 21 | watch – aldo accessories | matte lip cream – australis, velour lips

The most important reason why today was a good day? I got to spend time with Harry and Maddy. Family is and will always be one giant happy pill. From us, the Honeybees to you:

“Happy Holidays! We wish that you’ve had more good days this season despite the rush and we hope you’ll have a wonderful year ahead! “

Etude House SM Seaside Preview

I’ve always been a fan of Etude and how the brand carries products that perfectly matches the Asian skin and features. I especially love their Oh M’Eye Line eyeliner as it’s very easy to apply and doesn’t smudge and spread to the bottom of my eye (the struggle of having chinky eyes). I once tried wearing it to snorkel (yes! I’m crazy like that) and it didn’t wear off til I rubbed it off.

So of course when I heard that Etude was opening their biggest shop in Cebu at SM Seaside, I couldn’t pass up the chance to discover what other amazing products they have in store. It was also a good excuse to go frilly girly and spend some time with friends in the midst of the wedding season chaos. Did I mention I’m a new mom too? LOL. So I’ve been haggard more than I’m made up these days.

Cebu Fashion Bloggers Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanilla Ice Cream Etude House Seaside-6 — I must say, I’ve been hesitant about wearing BB cream because of my darker skin tone as I’ve had this misconception that it’s only for fair Asian skin. I was totally wrong because it’s sheer formula adapts to your skin tone. I finally found a product that gives you that dewy effect without the annoying oily shine and has just the right coverage. Perfect for days when you don’t want to layer on make-up but also don’t want to go without it.

Cebu Fashion Bloggers Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanilla Ice Cream Etude House Seaside-8 — Wonder Pore is, well, really a wonder. Haha! Seriously, you get immediate results and I couldn’t stop touching my face after washing with it and following the regimen.

Cebu Fashion Bloggers Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanilla Ice Cream Etude House Seaside-15 — {from left to right} Jean Yu, Me and Sophia Sanchez

H&M Loves Cebu

In the midst of (the very busy) wedding season, I had to squeeze in a little time for fashion. This of course was because H&M is finally in Cebu and will officially open on November 27, 2015 at the Ayala Center Cebu!

Last night, I kicked stress for a while, put on a little make-up, a dress and a pair fancy shoes for a night of VIP shopping with my CFB loves. Here a few snaps of the night filled not only with 3 floors of H&M fashion but with great style from all guests, good food and awesome music. And a little preview of what’s in store too!

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-9 — Of course, some of us headed straight to the home section! We’re oldies like that. Toni, Jean and I fell in love at first sight and a good 30 minutes was spend circling the area.

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-3 — I was sooo tempted to put these all in my shopping bag!

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-10 — You’ll see that I had to strengthen my self-control. Gah!

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-18 — I couldn’t resist the candle sticks. Take my money!

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-21 — I can’t wait for Maddy to grow up so I can dress her up like me. Haha!

HM Loves Cebu Cebu Fashion Bloggers We Are CFB Girl Gone Cuckoo Gizelle Faye Ayala AList Events-1 — A few of the CFB girls (from left to right): Sophia Sanchez, Alexa Martin, Toni Pino-Oca, {Me} and Jean Yu.

Oh wait, I have more great news! Be one of the first 300 people to line up on November 27 at 11:00 AM. The 1st one in line will receive Php 5,000 gift card. The 2nd and 3rd will get Php 2,500 gift card each. The 4th till the 300th will receive gift cards varying from Php 300 to Php 2,000! Or you can come in your most stylish garb and be one of the 5 selected by fashion editors and bloggers to win a P2,000 gift card. Amazaballs or what? ♥

maternity diary: labor day

When you reach the 38th week, you’re okay to give birth as the baby has fully developed. Although for first pregnancies, you’re advised that child birth would be 2 weeks before or after the 40th week mark, I wanted to give birth as soon as I hit 38th because 1) It was already exhausting and I had to catch my breath every time I move, 2) We were too excited to meet Maddy, 3) Harry is 5’11” and I’m only 5’2″ so that means the longer Maddy stays inside, the bigger she will get and my body (and tummy) is too small for her. Even when every parent prays to have a safe delivery, ideally, it is best to give birth normally and not have to go through a C-section. That was the goal that we set with our OB. We also prayed to have a quick labor. After all, who wants to spend too much time panting and being in pain, right?

Welp, Maddy had different plans. I started having contractions a few days after my 38th week mark, in the middle of preparing decors for my April 22 wedding. We went to the E.R. that same afternoon but was told to go back because I was only dilating at 1cm. We thought it would be quick, to be honest. Like in the movies where they begin having contractions, get rushed to the hospital and tada! a baby! But I reached my 40th week mark and was already overdue for a few days and Maddy still didn’t have plans to come out. Due to my utmost frustration after the doctor told me to come back a week after, Harry and I walked a longer distance right after our doctor’s visit. I took a nap and woke up in pain. My contractions were starting to get painful. This was it! At 5:30PM, we arrived at the hospital and I was placed in the labor room. Maddy could come out at any time!

14 hours later (meaning, it was already 7AM the next day), I was still in the labor room writhing in pain. It was literally the most physically painful experience I ever had in my life! More painful than when I tore my right knee ligament, more painful than when my cervical slip disc worsened, more painful than when my heart got broken in college (LOL!). It was 10x more excruciating than my usually painful menstrual cramps. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that I felt like I was dying. Really! I was being a baby when they finally brought me to the delivery room at almost 10AM and I kept begging my anesthesiologist to give me more epidural. So I pushed for 3 more hours until the doctor said the words we dreaded, “I would have to do a c-section.” Maddy was just not coming out and I was no longer dilating at more than 8cm.

At 3:59PM, after 22 hours of labor, Madison Rue was born. ♥ I kissed her forehead before falling asleep and what they say is really true, no matter how painful your labor was, everything just fades and is easily forgotten the very moment you hear your baby cry or you set sight on the baby’s beautiful eyes or feel their soft skin. It was very true for me. 22 hours just faded when I saw my sweet Madison Rue. She is worth the pain. ♥

blue lace maxi dress, Best Finds Thrift Shop | necklaces and rings, Forever21 and vintage finds

“maternity session at 36 weeks” photography, Marlon Capuyan | hair & make-up, Vanessa Gamus

maternity diary: the last stretch

at this point of my pregnancy, i can finally say that I know how penguins walk. i no longer walked actually, i waddled. tummy first, then right foot and left foot, repeat. my tummy suddenly grew and i was out of breath most of the time. i remember telling my friends Rachael and Amy, “I’m not sure I’ll remember how to walk normally.” LOL

for most pregnant women, the 3rd trimester is the time where most weight is gained and it sure was true for me. all throughout my pregnancy, i gained a total of 18 lbs, most of which i gained during the last 3 months. so for pregnant ladies out there, this is the time to especially watch what you eat. with all the discomfort, it’s very easy to get tempted by comfort food and sweets just to compensate for the difficulty of the last months. i myself am guilty of doing so — Coca-Cola was just so, so, so good especially with lots of ice.

everywhere I went, it was warm and uncomfortable, especially when riding in our car — not just because it’s old but my body was being a walking oven 24/7. even my assistant, Amalia, wouldn’t touch me because i was just too warm. so another tip: stock up on baby powder, especially at night. it helps with the discomfort and wear cotton, thin cotton when going out. sometimes, I fall asleep from the warmth in the afternoon, too tired to care.

the last month is also the time when sleeping gets harder. as it turns out, babies tend to sleep during the day while the mommy is on the move because they feel like being cradled inside and once we’re in bed trying to sleep, that’s the time they wake up and start moving. so yeah, Maddy was a night owl (a cute night owl!) and would keep me up all night, kicking and moving inside my tummy until 4AM. but you know what? even when Maddy kept me awake, the last month was the best because i could really feel her. I could feel where her foot was, feel her move her knees (even when it sometimes hurt and my tummy literally looked like a scene from Aliens). I could feel her hiccup inside which can last for an hour. I could feel her raising her arm because I suddenly felt like peeing. I could really feel her physically and the pain and discomfort always go away.

lace off-shouldered tiered dress, Best Finds Thrift Shop | necklaces and rings, Forever21 and vintage finds

“maternity session at 36 weeks” photography, Marlon Capuyan | hair & make-up, Vanessa Gamus

Love in the Tropics: FAAD2015 Editorial BTS

{a quick break from my maternity posts — i’ve got 2 more preggy posts left!}

Forever and a Day: The Wedding Show
Zen, of Events Avenue, approached us in 2013 to ask Cuckoo Cloud Concepts to be the creative consultant for the event. The goal was to make a bridal show geared towards promoting different wedding styles. The 2014 Forever and a Day wedding show happened and it was an eye-opener. We had a lot of things to improve on but it paved way for new wedding vendors and artists.

For FAAD2015, I decided to now fully participate in the planning and not just consult on the creative aspect of the event. We started planning for 2015 wedding show early in November 2014 and aimed for something more streamlined and more focused on contemporary style. It was something new to the wedding industry but we wanted future grooms and brides to think outside the box. It’s our 2nd year so we had a bit of traction but we still had and I know, will have a long way to go.

I’ll be doing a post about what happened during the show, but meanwhile here are some snaps of the Tropical editorial we did for FAAD2015 {Also, catch what we did last year}.

photography, Blinkbox Photos | video, Studio Teknikolor | flowers, decor & styling, Cuckoo Cloud Concepts | hair & make-up, Markie Bautista with Kennith Tomongha | bridal gowns, Disegno Dado {white} and Kieren Stefan Tirado {blue} | groom’s suit, Jerrick Macasocol | accessories, Strozzi | cake & desserts, Torta ug Uban Pa | invites, Foreverafternoon | event organizer, Events Avenue | shoot location, Chateau by the Sea | models, Tara Chua & Daryl Borces

since I got married in 2012, I haven’t stopped planning weddings — the decor and style that is. the wedding industry is a whole new world by itself and having been in this field for almost 3 years, i can definitely say i have learned a lot and know that i will still have a lot to learn. one thing is and will always be true, the reason i became a wedding stylist is not just to start and continue creating but mainly to make people happy. there is nothing more rewarding than a thank you after a job well done. ♥

Gizelle Faye Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanille Ice Cream Cebu Fashion Blogger 01 — A quick shot of the crumpled outfit — goes to show how immersed I am when I’m styling shoots or events. A classic yet bright outfit apt for our Tropical-themed editorial.

Gizelle Faye Girl Gone Cuckoo Vanilla Ice Cream Cebu Fashion Blogger -2 — Floral love that my mom made for the shoot — yep, she’s my official florist. We love flowers so much and can talk about it for hours when we’re at home.

chambray button-down shirt, thrifted | orange linen pleated skirt, thrifted | green braided leather belt, thrifted | two-strap sandals, gifted by sister | tortoise sunnies, cotton on

maternity diary: what do i wear?

Every girl’s dilemma before going out of the house is this: “I don’t have anything to wear.” Would you agree? Well at least that was the case for me. I’d say this everytime I’d open my closet to which my husband would reply with a snort. I’d roll my eyes at him and he’d point out his smaller clost compared to mine.

I’ve always leaned towards loose clothes and layer them for a hippie chic look. Whenever I wore form fitting clothes though, I’d always pair it with something flowy or loose. When I got pregnant and my tummy got bigger, most of my style philosophies went out the window. And that what to wear dilemma happened daily.

The 1st Trimester
For me this was the most challenging of all. My body has just started changing and the little bump developing looked like extra tummy fat (hihi). My hips have become wider which I really wasn’t used to because I had really narrow hips. My shorts didn’t fit me anymore and I couldn’t really wear form-fitting tops. I hoarded pajama pants which turned out to not just be flattering but were also very comfortable with its cotton material. I wore looser knit tops over my pajama pants or cotton leggings. Of course, my maxi dresses which I consider wardrobe staples stayed loyal to me all throughout my pregnancy.

The 2nd Trimester – 3rd Trimester
Around the 5th month, my tummy was more pronounced. My pajama pants wouldn’t fit anymore as my legs have grown bigger too. I didn’t want to buy maternity clothes because frankly the ones in malls are not so fashionable and I didn’t want to spend money for clothes I won’t use all throughout the year. All my skirts were meant to be worn on the waist. So what to do?

I wore my maxi and midi skirts over my tummy. And to create shape and not look like a big cloud of clothes, I tied my shirts over the skirt waist.
I wore my husband’s work shirts (haha!) over simple black cotton leggings. This automatically became my errand outfit.
I banked on my maxi dresses and wore them to death — as in I’d wear them right after they’d come from laundry.
Shift dresses that used to be below the knee are now above the knee because of my tummy.
I wasn’t afraid to wear form-fitting dresses because how many times can I get pregnant and flaunt a beautiful tummy? Thus, the 2nd set of maternity session with Blinkbox Photos below. ♥

Note: More photos of maternity outfits below the series.

neutral floral chiffon dress, max mara (worn with a nude-hued slip dress) | army green parka, thrifted | leopard print combat boots, doc martens (gifted from sister) | necklaces, bracelets and statement ring, vintage stores and forever 21

“maternity session taken at 35 weeks” photography by Blinkbox Photos | hair & make-up by Suzaine Christi Smith

A few of my outfits while pregnant:

maternity diary: the 2nd trimester

so I finally surpassed the first 3 months of pregnancy and have reached what they call the “safe zone.” i’m not sure though because i still continue to worry. my tummy has become bigger and the bulge is showing a bit but our little pumpkin was still so little that i couldn’t feel her yet, couldn’t physically know she’s inside.

one day, as if Maddy wanted to appease me knowing that her mommy is a worry-wart, i felt a small movement that felt like popcorn then a pinch. she kicked with her tiny little feet! i couldn’t believe it — she was really in there. it was like she was telling me, “Mommy, I’m here.”

i later found out with delight that Maddy loves the classics. oh how i tried to make her listen to my indie favorites such as Monsters & Men and Mumford & Sons but she much rather preferred the likes of Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. ironically though, she’d kick up a storm whenever she’d hear old school hip-hop songs (my songs during the day) like “Drop It Like its Hot.” LOL

Maddy loves it when i sing to her and i use my songs to get her to kick during slow mornings. she’d gladly oblige after a verse or 2 of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” she also loves it when her papa whispers stories to her (true or just made-up). we were halfway there and we were counting down the days.

printed off-shouldered maxi dress from BFTS | black wide-brimmed felt hat from Cotton On | accesories from various vintage stores & Forever21

“maternity session taken at 35 weeks” | photography by Burtz Rolian of Blinkbox Photos | hair and make-up by Suzaine Christi Smith

the good kind of blurry days

i am going to use “throwback thursday” as an excuse for my delinquency because really, it’s been a year since this outfit shot was taken. i did still have long, ombre hair but i am still wearing my favorite black booties.

i count my months by how many weddings or engagement sessions i style now. i label my months as the wedding season (may, june, december, january) or as the ghost month (august) and before i know it, the year has ended. it really is different living an artist’s life. the days are a blur but it’s the good kind.

Lee Denim DIY Workshop

fashion-wise, my life’s been pretty boring lately. in fact, i can’t believe i’ve been investing in boots for outdoor photo shoots compared to two years ago when i am so into heels. so when the Cebu Fashion bloggers got invited to the Lee Denim DIY Workshop, i immediately jump on the wagon. i was due to put on my fashion blogger hat and give my wedding stylist hat a break.

Lee’s visit in Cebu couldn’t have been timed better — the DIY workshop event being on the Sinulog weekend. the event was culled to promote Lee’s 125 years of craftsmanship. i personally love their tag line “Stay Curious” because it’s a mantra i keep telling myself as well. being in the creative industry, i believe in always looking at the world with glittering eyes. curiosity does indeed break boundaries and push you to think outside of the box.

Cebuano artists were invited to interpret their curiosity with their own denim creations. i couldn’t have been prouder to find an old college classmate there — Doyle See whose design was greatly influenced by comic book artworks and old horror movie posters. Uzi Emperado and Nicolo Nimor were there as well.

bloggers united six: the crazy and fun day that was

i am trying to get back on track so here i am being a good blogger and posting the Bloggers United 6 event the day after it happened. i want to try kicking procrastination to the curb and plan to do the same for all my posts in the future (although I do have a lot of catching up to do — like how my hair transitioned from long, ombre and side-shaved to short, curly and blonde to being wavy and plum. haha!)

the first time we, the Cebu Fashion Bloggers, got invited to join Bloggers United, it was for the 2nd installment of the event. now, we can’t believe we’re on the 6th! our hugest thank you’s to the founders and organizers of Bloggers United — Aisa Ipac, Ana Gonzales and Melai Entuna for doing such an amazing job. the blogger’s bazaar gets bigger and better every time and i know they’ve done such an humongous feat!

bloggers united six cebu fashion bloggers eden villarba aisa ipac gizelle faye

here’s Eden Villarba (www.chicinthetropics.com) and i with Aisa Ipac (www.aisaipac.com)

Eden and i got stuck to manning our booth all day as the influx of people was crazy so we weren’t able to go around and take photos with other bloggers. here are a few other photos i grabbed from Facebook — Eden and I with our favorite blogger Kookie Buhain and a new friend i met this year, Argie Alcantara.

bloggers united six cebu fashion blogger argie alcantara eden villarba gizelle faye

bloggers united six cebu fashion blogger eden villarba kookie buhain gizelle faye

just a few snapshots as we went around:

and a snapshot of our booth price drop — something we did later in the afternoon. we don’t want to go home with excess baggage! LOL

and of course, the compulsory outfit shot:

black pleated button-up top – badgley mischka (thrifted) | fringe faux leather skirt – forever 21 | dark taupe booties – rubi shoes, cotton on | silver cuff – rubi, cotton on | lavender chandelier earrings – forever 21 | special thanks to miss juliet of hollywood nails for my hair (whoot!)

catch-up post: the maze hipzone makeover

oh how time flies — so cliche but so true. i didn’t realize how crazy busy i’ve been until i was preparing this post and it’s almost 2 months overdue. one day we were excited for the Maze Hipzone’s revamping and launching of their SS 2013 line and the next day, we’re experiencing heavy downpour because summer is way over.

nevertheless, the experience that was the Maze Hipzone’s re-launching is worth doing a catch up post because well, the face lift was much awaited. the Maze Hipzone holds great fashion finds and it’s awesome that it’s now getting the attention that it rightly deserves.

right after the event, Toni and i couldn’t resist running directly to Maze to shop. i scored a pair of “so me” floral booties that was the perfect pair to reward me for my self-imposed and necessary shopping ban. i remember not being able to resist buying shoes every month when i had a full-time, cubicle and stress-inducing job yet these booties that were a break from a 4-month hiatus was enough to make me happy.