Tuesday, February 09, 2016

I earned this life

Just squeezing in a quick note while I breathe between two deadlines for sponsored posts for Topaz Mommy, which is, by the way, nominated for Best Parenting Blog at Blogopolis. Yey! Please vote for me!
Anyway.
I get this a lot: "Sarap naman maging blogger. Wala kang ginagawa pero binabayaran ka!" 
Guys, I've been blogging since 2006. Two thousand and six. It took me 10 years to get here. I built my audience by reading and leaving great comments on 30 similar blogs and websites a day, and sharing my posts on every social media platform I have. I did all that while I worked at my day job as a magazine editor. Now, as a full-time blogger (and part-time magazine editor!), I hustle with brands and agencies every day. I write late at night after taking care of my kids all day.
I put in the hours. I gave up my secure corporate job. I built my dream life. I earned all this through sheer hard work. 
This blogging business was not built in a day. Not one big blogger in the world got rich and famous overnight. So if you want to blog to become rich and famous, don't do it. For blogging to be successful, as with everything, you need to work hard. I'm not even rich and famous yet and I already cry from exhaustion just building and maintaining my blogs. Imagine the work that the huge bloggers do!

Respect success, not because it's shiny and dazzling, but because it demanded so much from the person and she delivered. 
Now I gotta go. I've got work to do!

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

The best jumpsuits at Net-a-Porter

Actually, there are about a dozen gorgeous jumpsuits over at Net-a-Porter but I've decided that I'm going to streamline my wardrobe to black, gray, white and red. And a few denim pieces, of course because jeans, right?

I'm streamlining because I semi-KonMari'd my closet two weeks ago. Semi because I realized I couldn't get rid of ALL my clothes that didn't spark joy because none of my clothes sparked any joy anymore! So I kept what still fit and looked good. I also kept what was functional (breastfeeding clothes mostly). The rest will be auctioned off on eBay this weekend.

I've also started dreaming of what I want my new closet to have. Midi skirts. Full skirts. Black trousers. White slacks. Tailored dresses. And jumpsuits.

 

I've always loved jumpsuits. They have a cool 70s vibe. They're simple. They're easy. They're comfy. And yet they can be glamorous! So I'm hunting for fantabulous jumpsuits and I found

Equipment Adalyn wool twill for running after my kids at the mall.


Diane von Furstenberg Gwynnie black crepe  for meetings.

Haney Carrie cape-effect silk chiffon and stretch crepe for family events (and that low, zippered front makes for easy breastfeeding!).

Cushnie et Ochs black stretch jersey for dates with my husband.


Halston wrap-effect fully lined white crepe for glam events.


Narciso Rodriguez in red stretch-crepe for going out with my friends.

Sooooo fab!

But first I must flatten my belly because jumpsuits are so unkind to a big tummy!

Images grabbed from Net-a-Porter. Click the links to each jumpsuit to see them in action. Yes! There's a video so we can watch the clothes move! Iba na talaga ang online shopping ngayon!

Monday, February 01, 2016

Win a fab makeover from Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee!

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, wouldn't it be nice to get a makeover from the master stylist Louis Phillip Kee and his über posh Lifestyle Salon in BGC?

Louis has been cutting and coloring my hair since 2006. Ten years this March! Here are just a few of my looks created by Louis:
Pretty pink
Fiery red
Rich brown

Rumor has it that if you don't have a boyfriend and you go to Louis to have your hair done, you'll get a boyfriend within a year! Rumor also has it that if you do have a boyfriend and you go to Louis to have your hair done, your boyfriend will propose within a year! I didn't believe it because when I went to Louis that March 2006, I was in the firm belief that I was never going to get married. That December, yes just 9 months later, I was engaged. True story!

My theory is you come out of the salon looking so absolutely amazing, which gives you a huge confident boost, which makes you extra sexy!

So obviously, for Valentine's Day, what am I going to give away to my readers??? A fantabulous makeover from Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee!!!


I'm gifting these makeovers to TWO readers. Each will win P10,000 worth of salon services. That's enough to have your hair cut, colored, styled and treated. Add a mani and pedi, too. Or have your makeup done. You can do whatever you like with P10,000!!!

Here's how to win:
1. Like the Facebook page of Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee.
2. Post this on your Facebook: "I want to win a fantabulous makeover from Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee and Topaz Horizon! Click this link to join: http://www.topazhorizon.com/2016/02/win-fab-makeover-from-lifestyle-salon.html" If you want to add why or a selfie or whatever, you are free to do so!
3. Tag my Topaz Horizon page so I can find your post. And make sure it's set to public because I won't be able to see it if it's just for your friends. Add this hashtag na rin #THxLPK so I can really find your post!

That's it! I'll pick the two lucky winners on February 7. I will announce it on this blog post and on my Facebook page. So if you don't read my blog and if you don't like my Facebook page, you won't know you won. I'll give the winners just three days to contact me. If I hear nothing, I'll choose a new winner!

I will send the gift certificates to the winners. So Philippine addresses only! But kayo na bahala how you get to the salon, okay? GCs lang ang pinamimigay ko, not transportation and per diem allowance, okay? Okay? Good luck!


UPDATE Feb. 7, 2016

CONGRATULATIONS!

The winners of this fab makeover are...
Ri Palacios
Emilie Canapi Prades-Udasco


Please send me a message over at Facebook to claim your gift certificates. Enjoy your new look! I'm so excited for you!