I have always enjoyed crowd-watching in Hong Kong. When it’s spring or summer, you would see vibrant colors in their wardrobe from shoes to bags and accessories. Come winter time, you get to see the locals strut the city streets with hip boots and cover-ups! With this, I didn’t let the chance to cover Hong Kong Fashion Week just pass by.

I receive invites to different countries to cover some events. Malaysia, US, Singapore, HK and in some random way, Myanmar. These invites don’t come with plane tickets though (most of the time), meaning I have to take care of my own flights from the Philippines to the destination. Maybe they think I’m a local? This happens a lot when Malaysia companies invite me.

For Hong Kong fashion week, I splurged on the tickets and booked accommodations with a budget of P10,000. With my super powers in budgeting, I was able to fill everything in.

I was in Hong Kong for 2 full days only. That means, accommodations I booked were only overnight, but I was still able to go full day at the Hong Kong Ocean Park, walk around the parks of Tin Shui Wai, RnR time at my hotel’s spa and of course Hong Kong Fashion Week by the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

I have a gift in maximizing my resources. *Wink* *wink*

Themes of different designs were not just a mixture different colors, but of patters and textures as well.

Since autumn and winter clothes mean layers and layers of fabric, it’s a perfect opportunity to match the mismatch.  Yes, I saw a lot of stripes over polka dots and plaids over crazy prints!

Hong Kong Fashion Week

In Asia, Hong Kong is a thriving hub for design and branded labels. The Hong Kong Fashion Week and the HKTDC World Boutique is a remarkable evidence of such importance of the Fashion industry in Hong Kong.

But all this, is more than fashion itself. HK Fashion Week focuses more in the business side of fashion.

Mind I tell you, there were about 1,600 exhibitors that participated in this year’s HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter.

Everything was pretty much highly automated and their systems ran efficiently

Registration is actually free.  You can register at HKTDC’s official website.

Details about the Hong Kong Fashion Week can be found here.

Register for HK Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2013 here.

Yes. It was a BIG event! LITERALLY! I think I walked more than a kilometer inside the “realms” of HK Fashion Week today! I was going back and forth the different halls at different floors of the Exhibition Center! It was like it could never end!

One floor was quite huge enough for me, then I realized that the fair grounds cover 3 floors!

HK Fashion Week happens twice a year. The. Autumn / Fall event happens on January and the Spring / Summer edition happens in July. If you want to catch the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring / Summer, you might want to plot these dates in your calendar: July 8-11, 2013 and register here.

This is actually is the 44th edition of HK Fashion Week. This is my first time attending the event but I can say that it is just as vibrant as I expected it to be! Even if there’s a stereotype to Winter or Fall Fashion as dull and gray, that is not the case here in Hong Kong. It was a brilliant kaleidoscope of styles, colours, fabrics!

This was an open display and one of the sections to the many features of this year’s HK Fashion Week for Fall and Winter.

To respect the designers, photography of their designs is discouraged.  If ever I took some photos inside, it was just to see the entire venue, the crowd or just a wide view of the different items you can see inside.

I was walking around hoping to chance upon Filipino designers, but I failed to find any. I tried to cover every corner, every function of the event, but it was impossible to do so in 1 day and my time was sparse!

A total of about 1,600 exhibitors participated in Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter

There was a diversified representation of different fashion tastes from different boutiques. Notable spots come from the exclusive designs of labels such as IKA BUTONI, Eutropic, Groupe Pronuptia and 3M to trendy value-for-money fashion from MUSE, Focus, Sub Zero, Gulliver and Orient.

Camouflaged

There were also different sections that cover niched intrests like avante garde shoes and Lady Gaga-like shades! For the more highlighted sections: Denim Arcade, Handbags, Men in Style and Salon of Scarves and Shawls.

Of course, you get to see the more popular features like Intimate and Swim Wear, Bridal, Evening Wear, Accessories, Fabrics and Yarn, Sewing Supplies and many more.

They also had the Small Order Zone for groups of suppliers who can handle small volume orders. Like I said, it is more of the business side!

HK Fashion Week usually offers seminars for free on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Some are for invitation only

Same is true with the Fashion Show.  You can view almost any show you want but you need special invitation in some shows.

A day isn’t enough.  Next time, I’d spend at least 2 days.  The fair usually happens in 4 days.

And next time, I don’t want to miss the seminars and the fashion shows!

World Boutique

Specially featured for participants all over the globe, World Boutique showed high style of garments and accessories. Highlight of brands encompassing Che Che New York, MARCCAIN, Pashma, Adlib, Sumy Kujon, IKA BUTONI and Walter Ma.

Over 460 brands participated this year and there were over 15 runway shows this year.

They’re definitely good in mixing creatives and business!

This year, I did not only see a graceful crash of patterns and colors, I also saw the clash of different textures and materials. A plethora of mix and match of different elements. Who would have thought crazy ideas like this would stand out?

By this time, I was already very tired and must have walked at least 2 kilometers inside the convention.

‘Til the next Hong Kong fashion week then,

FlairCandy <3

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More photos

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Nepal is a great place to visit! It is very rich in culture. The people here are very friendly and helpful and they live simple lives.

Healthy People and Preserved Culture

One thing I noticed is that I haven’t seen any much obese Nepalese person yet. I am amazed and I think I know why. Nepal’s culture is well preserved. You can see it in the architecture and the way people live. It is not modernized unlike its neighboring countries. Their capital Kathmandu doesn’t have tall skyscrapers which I appreciate.

And since they don’t have much Western Influence, they don’t have any fast food chains around, not even in the airport!

Vegetables and organic food. You can see it when you visit the market. Nepal also has a rich land, rich nutrients and the crops and animals benefit from it which in turn, benefits its people. Not much of food processing he and they eat lots of vegetables!

Also, I bet walking along the Himalayas gives them a great deal of exercise.

This is how they carry vegetables they sell around. Strong people. Wow!

Just a normal day in Nepal

Religion, Exercise and Health

I have learned from our tour guide Prakas of Himalayas Experience travel agency that The people here live in prayer – daily. They walk around the Boudha Stupa and walk around 3 or more times. It would take 1.5 – 2 km to do this.

Some people who wish for a big thing even go around the circle doing something similar to the exercise “burpees” where you repetitively go up and pray then go down and lie on the floor face down in a sliding motion and then push back up, and repeat.

I walked around the stupa more than 3 times maybe and it was a very relaxing experience.

The energy of the people in prayer is so positive that it can’t help but affect my energy in a very positive way too!

Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu

People walk clockwise and say their prayers, wishes and mantra.

Burpees? Nope. It is actually a form of prayer, and most of them do it 365 times.

Not a lot of Filipino Tourists

I’ve seen a few Malay, Chinese and Singaporeans. There are a lot of European and Westerners here, but not a lot of Filipinos.

They don’t even exchange your Peso. Not anywhere! So you need to have it exchanged or use your USD instead or other major currency.

Second day in Nepal

This is just my second day being here in Nepal, and yet I am enlightened in so many ways. I am writing this inside the local airport, ready to board the plane Buddha Air to Pokhara as arranged for us by Himalayan Experience.

Pancha Kosha Spa by The Dwarika’s Hotel
Pancha means 5. Kosha means “layers” (of the body)

We feel refreshed after getting a Nepalese massage at our hotel Dwarika’s. It cost us NYR 3000 or PHP 1500. Not bad for a great service at a 5 star hotel.

It was a pleasant stay for us. We tried the 6 course Nepalese meal during dinner and it was an experience. Lots of vegetables and sauce andwe tried new things. I will list down in detail on my next posts.

Book The Dwarika’s Hotel in Nepal via Agoda.com
Book your tour packages and activities with the help of Himalayan Experience

If you do, let them know you found about them through my website flaircandy.com

Til the next blog post…

Namaste.

Flair Candy

Read more about Nepal

Nepal Visa on Arrival Requirements and Application

Touchdown Nepal: Important Reminders

Boudha Stupa Kathmandu Nepal

Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal – Indulging in the Nepali Culture

Insights in Nepal

Anyway, I couldn’t care much about the time anyway.  It sort of stopped for me right when I saw Mt. Everest by the plane!

The Himalayas and Mt. Everest view from AirAsia X plane

Good thing I decided to bring my 70-300 zoom lens I got to zoom in!

About to land in Kathmandu Airport

Touchdown Tribhuvan International Airport

Forgot to take a picture with my seatmate Ron!

I only have this photo of him:

Ron of fliptravels.com

We were riding car rental of well known travel agency in Nepal Himalayan Enounters.  If you can afford, and especially if you are traveling with a group, it is best to book your activities with trusted travel or tourist agencies in Nepal.  Going around the different tourist attractions in Nepal would mean city transfers from time to time.  Booking with an agency will save you much time in traveling around since they can take care of your land service or air flights to any other parts of Nepal.  Kathmandu is a nice city, but going around Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan, Damal and other towns is also one sight to see!  They don’t have trains and bus stations might be a headache logistic wise as a tourist… possible, but it would take much of your precious time.  Also, don’t forget to take safety precautions when going around Nepal.  Book with trusted and registered Nepal travel agencies.

Traveling Alone in Nepal

A lot of tourists go and travel alone in Nepal.  Like any other places you usually visit around the world, it is generally safe but you should take safety precautions as a tourist all the time.  That’s the general rule wherever you go.  I’ve heard stories of people being afraid of traveling to Nepal, but upon touchdown and going around the city, I felt safe.  The people of Nepal are very friendly and helpful.  I don’t know if traveling via an agency gave me more of that safety feel, but like I said just be generally cautious.  When I travel alone wherever I am, I usually don’t go out at night anymore since I’m a girl. 

Is it safe for lone women to travel in Nepal?

Now that I’m here, I could say YES! PROVIDED you follow safety and common precautions! (like when you travel any other country)

I have been asking this question myself because I was planning to go solo for this trip.  But luckily, I have accompany with me so I didn’t have to worry.  But to those traveling alone, I say just be prepared and do your research well.  I was with a girl on the same flight.  She’s Singaporean and she’s traveling around Nepal alone.  She’s very nice because she offered to lend me Singapore Dollars because Nepal Visa application doesn’t accept Philippine Peso nor Nepalese money.  (I will list more reminders in bullet points below). 

I did my research about this as well because there are fears about going around as a lady.  I’ve read forums about girls traveling alone and they feel safe going around Nepal.  However, just be mindful of getting tour guides.  They recommend you book through trusted and registered travel agencies.  If you can, book lady tour guides.

Again, I recommend Himalayan Enounters because I have traveled with them and I am very satisfied with their service.

Don’t trek alone.

Unless you join a group of other tourists.  Usually, you can contact travel agencies again and ask to join a trip.

Dress appropriately.

I couldn’t stress this part well enough.  Avoid showing skin.  Wear jeans and loose shirt. If you’re wearing leggins or “jeggings” or yoga pants type of thing, make sure to wear a long top to cover your curves.  Dress conservatively!  Especially when you visit temples as well.

Don’t go out at night.  Just use your common sense   It would help a lot.

Reminders in Preparing Documents for VISA on Arrival in Nepal

Tips apply to all tourists around the world.

1.  Make sure to call your local Nepal Embassy and ask for requirements.

The visa requirements in any country change from time to time.  Even if you think you know the requirements, just make sure and call the local Nepal Embassy and ask.  If you don’t have any Nepal Embassy in your country, this website gives you an email address you can contact with.

For the Philippines.

We used to have Nepal Embassy in Makati, but we don’t have one anymore.  The nearest Nepal Embassy is in Malaysia.  But don’t worry.  Nepal issues VISA on arrival.  Just make sure you have the following requirements (as applies to all)

Nepal Visa on arrival requirements

• VISA fee. Depends on how long you stay. (might change from time to time but I got my 15-day pass for USD25)
• Original Passport
• Photocopy of passport (sometimes not needed but provide one just to be sure)
• Passport size ID with white or blue background
• Application form (provided in the plane or upon arrival)

All foreign nationals, except Indians, need visas to enter Nepal. Multiple entry visas for 15 days (US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency), 30 days (US$ 40) or 90 days (US$ 100) can be obtained from any Nepalese embassy or consulate. You can also get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport , Kathmandu or at the Immigration Office at the entry points of Nepal.

Tourist visas can be extended for a period of 120 days at the Immigration Department in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

However, nationals of the following countries will not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. They need to obtain visas from Nepalese embassies or diplomatic missions in their respective countries prior to their arrival in Nepal.

Gratis (Free) Visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the first visit in one visa year (January to December). However, a visa fee is required for its extension beyond the 30 days.

Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.

(For more information, please, contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu,
Tel: 00977-1-4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868,
Email : mail@immi.gov.np ;
Web: www.immi.gov.np)

*source: http://welcomenepal.com/promotional/faq/

2.  Nepal Immigration for VISA on arrival only accepts a few currencies. 

They don’t accept Nepalese Rupee for Visa on arrival.  Weird but they don’t.

They only accept USD, Australian Dollars, SGD, MYR, Japanese Yen and other major currencies.

NEPAL IMMIGRATION doesn’t accept PESO!

It is best, to bring US Dollars to be sure

3.  Don’t bring Philippine PESO!

You can’t exchange your peso for NPR anywhere in the city! Not even at the airport!

So you need to have it exchanged to USD first.

How to book budget flights to Kathmandu: AirAsia offers flights to Kathmandu twice a week from Kuala Lumpur

Otherwise, there are also premiere airlines if you decide to travel lavishly.

Book your hotels to Kathmandu conveniently with my favorite and trusted online accommodation booking facility Agoda.com They have all the hotel listings you need from budget to luxury!

Signing off for now, as I want to enjoy my hotel here in Kathmandu

The 5 star Boutique Heritage Hotel Dwarika’s

I will share more about the rich features and story of this hotel soon!

Read more about Nepal

Nepal Visa on Arrival Requirements and Application

Touchdown Nepal: Important Reminders

Boudha Stupa Kathmandu Nepal

Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal – Indulging in the Nepali Culture

Insights in Nepal

CONCLUSION: Great function at reasonable price!

AEE Magicam Underwater and Sports Camera

I got a chance to review the new AEE Magicam underwater and sports camera.  It’s less known to the public than GoPro here in Manila, but after using it, I conclude that it’s a pretty good contender.

Pricing is not yet set here in the Philippines since it is new but it will soon be available in Pixel Pro.  It should cost lesser than the GoPro and unlike GoPro which doesn’t include the LCD attachment in the initial purchase, this AEE does.  It also comes with more accessories included in the box such as the remote control, lcd monitor and extra battery pack.  For GoPro, you would have to buy these separately.

Mounting and Installation on a Surfboard

I installed everything myself! You need to buy an extra accessory for surf board mount.  GoPro uses suction tube, whereas AEE uses 3M adhesive.  Mind you, this adhesive is pretty strong.  It’s pretty safe especially if it’s new.  It comes with two parts so that in case one gets detached, you still have another one clinging to your camera.  Be sure to have that safety thread hold on 🙂

Installation was very easy.  Just make sure the board’s surface is dry, wax-free, dirt free.  Clean it well first before sticking the 3M mount.

Comes in 2 pieces, in case one part gets ripped. Unlike the suction where although secure, when it’s gone – it’s gone.

*thank you so much to Kristel for the photos above 🙂

AEE Magciam sports camera put to test (Surfing Video)

AEE Magicam SD21 Specs

• With LCD glass screen: real-time display various status
• External TFT display screen， real-time display video content or play recorded content
• With IP68 standard waterproof case, and the waterproof depth is 60 meters, two kinds of housing design
• Support setting, replay, delete ect. operations with connecting to 1.5″ TFT display screen
• With built-in dismountable high-capacity lithium battery, it can be re-charged
• HD video recording/photo snapping function with various models
• Self-time function with front indicator and timing recording
• Laser indicator function make record and snapshot easlier. 
• 1/3 inch CMOS sensor 8.0 Mega Pixels
• Recording MOV videos, to be directly played by PC or uploaded onto video websites
• Auto exposure, auto white balance, easy to operate;
• F/3.0 aperture, and support nightshot
• 10x Digital zoom
• 170°extra-large wide-angle lens
• Auto recording when acceleration occurring (function as the black box of the car) *optional
• Auto stand-by for power saving
• Supporting fast forward and fast rewind, and skipping of contents in the next segment (when connecting with TFT screen player)
• Supporting time setting (RTC function) and time superposition function;
• Supporting USB2.0;
• Built-in microphone, forming high-quality stereo voice recording effect
• HDMI output, AV-OUT function
• Support TF card (max. 64G)
• Build-in buzzer for sound indicator
• Photo 180 degree reversal function
• Low battery alert
• Memory capacity alert
• Wireless remoter (record, stop, photo snap, laser indicator)
• Various sport accessories, truly realizing the video recording of sports;
• Good seismic resistance;
• Support system: Windows 98SE/2000/Me/XP/Vista/Mac OS

Parameter List

• Pixel: 8.0M CMOS SENSOR(3200*2400)
• View Angle:170°
• Snap mode:3M(2048*1536)/5M(2560*1920)/8M(3200*2400) 
• Record mode:1080P 720P WVGA QVGA
• Frame rate:1080P/30fps 720P/30fps WVGA/60fps QVGA/30fps
• Record format: MOV(H.264 video compression)
• Snap format:JPEG
• Memory medium: Micro SD/MMC(Max 64GB SDHC)
• Store Consumption:(2GB SD card)  Snapshot3M(1900pcs) 5M(1160pcs) 8M(770pcs); Record:720P/60min, WVGA/135min
•  Display: LCD screen
• laser power:1MW
• digital zoom : 4x
• AV OUT :support NTSC/PAL VGA and HDMI 
• USB Jack:  USB2.0
• Microphone: Support Built in 2 Microphones
• Power consumption :500mA@3.7V(MAX) 
• Lithium battery :1000mAh
• Record time: 2.5h/ battery
• Operation system:  Windows XP SP2/Vista or Above/Mac OS. CPU:Pentium4  1.5GHZ above, RAM:1GB above 
• RTC function :support
• Store temperature : -20℃–60℃
• Operation temperature :  -10℃—50℃
• Operation humidity :  15~85%RH 

AEE Magicam vs GoPro Hero

I have also tried GoPro Hero  and by comparison,

• AEE seems sharper than GoPro.  Some experts say, it’s GoPro’s case design that ruins its sharpness and color.
• GoPro is wider than AEE. Some experts say, too wide – too distorted and they’d rather have AEE.

for video testing side-by-side between the two cameras, check this out:

As for AEE Magicam, it gives sports and film enthusiasts an an option with great function, quality at a very reasonable price 🙂 

AEE Magicam will soon be sold at Pixel Pro branches in Manila.

Follow them on Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pixelproinc

Comparison Chart between AEE and GoPro Cameras

*click to enlarge chart

The very controversial Monster Ball concert still pushed through despite protests.  I am one of those who went to watch the spectacular production that Lady Gaga and the crew has prepared.  IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT! 

The SM Mall of Asia Arena used for the first time to house the Lady Gaga Monster Ball concert.

I wasn’t prepared for the concert coz I decided to go watch just the day itself. Good thing I have some extra clothes by my car. The best of how I can look for a concert lol. And the bandage wrapped around my arm to hide that nasty bruise I just got. I hope it rather looks edgy and mysterious. Like DJ Mike was so eager to find out what’s wrapped inside the band.

Lady Gaga was quite emotional for the duration of the concert.  After singing the first few parts of the controversial “Judas”, the crowd cheered and danced and she said “Oh, you like this song huh…”  The song “Judas” is one of the songs people are protesting to saying it’s blasphemous etc. But Gaga explained that this song is just a metaphor of loving someone despite them betraying you.  And hasn’t this really happened to some of us in real life? 

There were threats from protesters saying they would sue Gaga if there were any acts of indecency and any form of actions that are unnaccpetable to the Christian community.

I was bracing myself the entire night for something weirder than life GAGA acts but hey – I’m not worried about GAGA, I’m more worried about other pressing matters our country is facing and the criminals on loose and not to mention, the very corrupt government.

I think all these protests just gained Gaga more noise, more spotlight to showcase her “REAL SELF” and she says (here we go, Lady Gaga Quotes from Monster Ball tour Manila 2012)

“Tonight is not about making a statement. Tonight is us all coming together because we believe we were all born this way.”

“Manila are you having fun? If you’re not. I don’t give a f*ck”

“Tonight is all about togetherness. In our differences, we are all the same.”

“For those of you who aren’t free. Take this opportunity to free yourself.”

“My lifestyle is like one whole performance of liberation, for those of you who aren’t free. Take this opportunity to free yourself.”

“Its the fcking goddamn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

“You guys taught me to never give up on myself.”

“The difference between rebels and non-conformists is that Non-conformists don’t take action & they pissed off when things don’t go their way-Lady Gaga 

and Lady Gaga’s full speech at the Monster Ball tour Manila 2012

“I’m not an alien, I’m not a woman, I’m not a man, and I’m not a creature of your government, Manila.  I’m all your dreams and I’m all your potential.  Let me be all your insecurities and your fears. I’m your future, I’m everything that makes you sad and angry.  I’m you, little monsters.  Tonight’s not a statement, tonight’s us coming together because we believe we were all born this way.  Some people say I stand for things that are bad.  The truth is, I want the best for every single one of you.  My life is like one whole performance of LIBERATION.”

“All of those kids all around the world who take their lives when they’re so young because they feel bullied, or they’re afraid because they’re gay and don’t want to tell anybody.  Don’t you think that some of us should f*cking stand up for them and speak the godd*mn truth? It’s true! It’s not about the music, it’s not aobut my clothes, it’s not about having hit records.  It’s the f*cking godd*mn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

At the end of the night, Lady Gaga said “It’s all about the truth.”

“Its the fcking goddamn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Photos

I’m so glad this “MEAT” dress is a fake one. 

photos by me and wheninmanila.com

Thanks to Smart for letting me be THIS CLOSE to Lady Gaga!

Follow them on Twitter @SMARTcares #SmartLadyGaga

Haven’t bought tickets yet to the Lady Gaga Monster Ball Live in Manila 2012?

Ticket Prices:
PATRON Standing – P15,840
LOWER BOX Reserved Seats – P11,620
UPPER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P5,280
GENERAL ADMISSION (Free Seating) – P2,120

For ticket info, call 470-2222 or contact Ovation Productions at 532-8883.
Purchase online at http://www.smtickets.com

Click here to buy tickets online

MAY 21:

https://smtickets.com/event/view/680

MAY 22:

https://smtickets.com/event/view/734

More Lady Gaga Concert Manila pictures from my Blackberry:

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I miss winter…

It’s so hot here in the Philippines. I usually get more sick when the weather is hot than it is cold…

Know more about the pearls and how fabulous nature’s creations are.

I instantly fell in love when I heard about its story.

And now, I share it to you all

Our Philippine National Gem: The South Sea Pearl

As the latest endeavor to mark the Philippines as a major design destination in Asia, Manila FAME invites Jewelmer to participate in the major sourcing event for lifestyle products, furniture, gifts, and fashion. The exposition will be held from March 14 to March 17, 2012 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the SMX Convention center.

Jewelmer will give attendees an opportunity to purchase their lustrous golden gems set in fine jewellery. Collections such as Stella and Lautitia will be on display alongside the quintessential Jewelmer golden strands and some very special archive pieces.

The company is in a unique position for collaboration with Manila FAME 2012. In 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos declared the Philippine South Sea pearl as the country’s National Gem, which is the perfect complement to an event to showcase the best of the talent, quality, craftsmanship, and creativity that the Philippines has to offer.

Jewelmer’s representatives will be at Booth DX20, located on the ground floor of the SMX Convention center. Manila FAME 2012 will run between 9:00am to 6:00pm from March 14 to March 17, 2012.

For more information, please visit www.jewelmer.com.

Apart from this, Jewelmer now resumes exclusive Educational Pearl talks.  I went to the island itself to discover how beautiful pearls are.  Better than diamonds I say because the Pearl sprouts on a very nice and happy environment, unlike diamonds who needs to be in excessive pressure to be grown.

Jewelmer Resumes Exclusive Educational Pearl

Newly harvested golden pearls.  Yes, I was there to witness this! *cries for joy*

Nature is beautiful

Have you ever wondered how to tell real pearls from plastic? What is the difference between freshwater and saltwater pearls? How can you assess the true value and quality of a pearl?

The country’s authority on pearls brings back The Exclusive Jewelmer Pearl Talk in three educational events, which will take place at three separate locations. The host venues in March include The Peninsula Manila hotel, Eastwood Mall and Resorts World.

Beyond the basic Pearl 101, an interesting mix of clients, media representatives, and friends attend the talks to reacquaint themselves with the straightforward facts of the complex nature of pearls. It is an interactive experience with the specialists at Jewelmer who are eager to share their knowledge about the most lustrous pearls in the world.

Jewelmer’s Exclusive Pearl Talk dates are as follows:

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

4:00 pm on March 13, 2012

Eastwood Mall

4:00 pm on March 15, 2012

Resorts Worls, Newport Mall

4:00 pm on March 16, 2012

Limited slots are available. Interested parties are invited to inquire at any Jewelmer boutiques or contact Tess Catedral at 0917.327.1025. For more information on Jewelmer, please visit www.jewelmer.com.

*because stars are meant to shine 🙂

I am inviting everyone to our Pole Recital “Stellar” on June 4 2011, 7pm at Teatrino Theater and Bar, Greenhills.

We just had our general rehearsal yesterday night – and OH EM GEE! You would want to watch this show that won’t happen again (probably in the next 6 months to a year).  We all worked hard on this and the performances are AWESOME to the hundredth power!

Come and watch us defy gravity!  Students will perform, plus special performances and of course the Polecats too! It will WOW you like CRAZY! I’m not even exaggerating 😛

And the tickets are only at P500! Which to me is worth much more than that, you wouldn’t see this anywhere!

When In Manila is also a partner! and some of my friends who did this music video will do lights and video documentation!

I’m so excited and I hope I will see you there!

Check out Polecats Manila official website for more details!

Here are some important tips you need to know when you want to take surfing photos.

1. Wipe-out shots look cool!
I’m not going to hold back this trick that I realized by myself when I was taking surfing photos. This is no secret, but many fail to realize how awesome the shot is – when your target gets wiped out! Most surf photographers focus on “capturing the moment” but this is just basically “luck” and timing! Patience is a virtue indeed – and just keep on shooting.

This is actually a wipe-out shot.  It’s me and I’m about to fall in .01 seconds

Looks cool though!

2. Try shooting on water.
When you do, make sure your camera is either water-proof or has a secure camera casing. Taking shots while you’re on water gives a more real photo with splashes of water here and there and you get to capture your subject in different angles – up front, sideways while the wave is making a barrel, underwater and many other angles!

Just be sure to hold the camera still. Switch to video mode at times – just in case!

3. Light is your best friend.
This is important when you are shooting by the shore. The best light usually happens early morning. Sunset shots usually just give you silhouettes and unless you are taking an “artistic” surf shot, try to avoid taking photos at this time and maybe, enjoy the time to surf yourself!

This was taken at noon.  And you think the lighting is best at this time, well – it is not! Notice the shadows that cover the surfer’s face and body.

4. Zoom lens!
Zoom lens is important if you are taking shots from the shore. You need at least a 200mm lens or an 8x zoom digital camera, or higher.

5. Be patient and alert.
Get ready to take photos when you see your subject paddling and getting a wave. Try to put your settings to “burst” mode so that you can capture every move without missing any happening! Remember to take even the wipe-out shots!

6. Move!
Don’t just shoot from one angle. Try to find the spot with the best light, but also move around and try taking photos on different sites.

7. Respect.
Don’t publish unflattering photos like nipple slips or a really ugly facial expression or an awkward wipe-out position. This is very unprofessional.

Best of all, have fun taking photos! If you want to make this a career, enroll in a photography class in your local area. But if you just want to have fun and try this, just remember the tips above and have fun shooting!

Makeup!

I knew I had to finally do this since I need to do my own makeup for my TV show Tek Tok TV.   I took a one-day personal makeup training with Cielo Frontreras.  If you see me and how I do my makeup now from time to time and you like it – that’s thanks all to Cielo!  I also watched Michelle Phan’s tutorials on YouTube from time to time 😛

Sewing!

To be honest, I haven’t sewn in more than 10 years already.  I studied sewing in high school as a side subject.

I knew I also needed to buy one because I have been dying to “create” and sew my own dresses.  I often get frustrated at going around malls and not finding what I want!

One day, thanks to my Google Adsense earnings, I boldly bought a sewing machine!  I didn’t even know at that time if I can sew again.  But what the heck, I tried making my Akazukin Cha Cha costume and I was doing fine!  Not the best tailoring, but good enough to start with (on me making my own costumes).

I don’t know how to make patterns though! >.< Which is a very important factor in sewing!  I tried trying to find online video tutorials, but sadly, I find their explanations to complicated.  I NEED to go to a school soon.  But how did I survive sewing my costumes even without me having any knowledge on pattern making?  I will share that secret in a bit!

 

Fashion School

Fashion and sewing go together!  I love dressing up!  but I don’t only love styling myself, I also think I have many ideas that would only be materialized if I sew them myself.

Luckily, I met a new friend at my Pole Dance Classes that helped me find a Fashion School I’m going to attend soon!

 

Pole Dancing!

I have always been a dancer.  But I stopped when I was taking my Accountancy course in College.  Biggest regret in my life! I shouldn’t have stopped dancing!  But it’s never too late to dance again and I would like to thank the Polecats for inviting me once to try their class and ladies and gents… I am now hooked… hooked on a pole – I’m in love!

We will have a recital soon on June 4.  Can you believe it? I’m going to perform and dance again! This is awesome!  Dancing and performing is just one thing I would love to do for life!

 

Photoshoot!

I just got home from our Pole Class Recital Photo Shoot.  and yaye, I did my own makeup (proud of myself that I can do this on my own now THANK GOODNESS!) and I tailored my own shorts for this since I couldn’t find any glittery shorts in the mall.

 

my goal was to look like Dita Von Teese (at least the makeup part)

I can’t do my own hair that well yet, so I took my wig and voila!

 

 

While doing my pants… sewed these myself!

 

remember how I managed to sew without knowing how to make patterns…

well – I kind-of patterned it from one of the shorts I have at home 😛

I know, I know… I need to study pattern-making! >.<

 

This is me and my friend RJ. We will be dancing together! <3

Behind the set of our Photoshoot… it all happened quick! will post photos soon once they publish them!

 

had to cam-whore while I’m made-up… it took me like an hour to put on my makeup and stuff 🙂

 

So remember ladies (and gents if applicable), follow your dreams – NO EXCUSES!

If you don’t know how to do it – LEARN!  Be resourceful…

Trial and error you can make mistakes honeys, but remember to learn from it!

INVEST! and if you don’t have money yet – GOOGLE!

 

and if it won’t hurt much to try it and fail (relatively risk-free) just READY – FIRE – AIM! (contrary to Ready Aim Fire)

you don’t need to be prepared to reach your dreams or whatever it is you want in life… JUST DO IT! TRY! TRY! TRY!

 

3 years ago, I never imagined I would be doing all these…

oh, and if this helped you… spread the love! <3

 

Learn Pole Dancing with Polecats Manila!

 

love,

FlairCandy <3