Dia De Los Muertos and Calavera De Azucar (Sugar Skull) Appreciation

For every social networking site that I frequently visit Sugar Skulls are everywhere.

Tattoos, artworks, beautiful skull girls. They are really cool and fascinating to see. I've been a Sugar Skull fan since 2007. I love skulls, bones and everything associated with Halloween.

 

  Though we don't celebrate it in a big way in my country, we do have what we call as Todos Los Santos or "All Saint's Day". It's very much similar to Mexico's Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It's our cultural celebration for our dead ancestors.

Since Philippines is a Catholic country and is greatly inflenced by the Hispanic heritage,

those big holidays were both celebrated every November 1st. For Filipinos, All Saint's Day is all about commemorating our dead loved ones and people gather together at the cemetery,  and for November 2nd, we have All Soul's Day which means remembering the souls of the dead people. We have to light up some candles outside our house, in which I'm telling you is really freaky. It's dark everywhere in my neighborhood and you'll just see lighted candles.

For Mexicans,  November 1st is for honoring dead children and infants, whereas for dead adults, they are honored every November 2nd. Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a festival that is celebrated for a month and is believed to be dedicated for what they call as "Lady of the Dead" called "Catrina".

Representation of Catrina

 Modern Day Catrinas: Skull Girls

People at the festival were seen wearing skull painted faces, happily having a parade on the street. Others are decorating the tomb of their loved ones.

 

 

 

My favorite part of their culture is the Calavera de Azucar, or Sugar Skulls.

These are sweets that can be served as treats, and takes a lot of time to make. 

Sugar skulls represent a departed soul. The dead person's name should be written on the forehead and was placed on the home "ofrenda" or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art reflects the folk art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing and sparkly tin and glittery adornments. 

I ain't no Mexican but I really want to be a part of this festival. It looks really fun and I will surely enjoy everything that I might see and do there. I'm pretty sure I'll join them and paint my face!!

There's a strong resemblance and similarities between Philippines and Mexico, so I might feel really welcome though it's a foreign country. Not only that we are colonized by Spaniards hundred of years ago, but modern Filipinos use a few Spanish vocabulary as a part of our language. We do have our holy week too, and we celebrate Viernes Santo just like what Mexicans do.

My love for Sugar Skulls have definitely grown. I love Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Horrorbilly and now they are often associated with Sugar Skulls and Pin Up. Now that I'll be opening my own Vanity Store I really would include a touch of it, with a different meaning and representation. Skulls and Sugar Skull describes me best and I'm so inlove with it 

that I don't really care whatever people might think, and I definitely want this concept as part of my future business.**another fact is that can't think of names that will possibly not turn out to be cheesy and corny like dolls, unicorns, rainbows, raindrops or something** I need to toughen up a little!!! Not too girly please!!

I also would like to have my photos taken like these. I'm seeing photographers doing cute and uber sexy photoshoots for their models which I really hate. If they will ask me again to strike a pose with my cute fresh concept doing childish stuffs and holding teddy bears or balloons then in my honest opinion that is beautiful but definitely too gay for me and never in a million years will happen.

I heard that Pixar will make a movie which itself is entitled as Dia de los Muertos!!!!!!

Skulls and Sugar skulls will be everywhere as characters. Americans have different belief towards death than Mexicans, that's why they decided to make a movie for it, 

and I heard the story will be about family, and family ties. 

There's no definite date yet but it is believed to be released 4 years from now. 

OMAYYYGAAAD THAT'S TOOO FREAKKING FAR FROM NOW!!! LITERALLY YEARS AWAY!!! who's excited?

Skulls are not Satanic or Demonic in nature. If a person adores them, it doesn't mean he or she is demonic too. It's how you see or perceive them. Skulls symbolize death and rebirth.

Kpop Fandom: Sapphire Blue Pearl Inspired Look

I promised that I will make another fandom inspired look 

and it didn't even take that long. :)

Today I have much free time, it's not an official day off 

but due to some internet connection problems

in the office I have to go home and rest instead.

(Credit goes to owner of the photos that I'll be using!

I do not own any suju stuffs) 

Sapphire Blue Pearl or some call it Pearlescent Sapphire Blue

 is Super Junior's official Fansclub color.

 

Elf (the fansclub name: Ever Lasting Friends) 

always carry a Sapphire blue glowstick, 

balloons and even wear shirts for the Super Show tour. 

I've known Super Junior ever since I discovered SHINee in 2008, 

and they are the most hilarious group in the history of K-pop. 

They are like the most unruly, funniest and noisiest group ever, 

that's why I love them. 

My favorite member is Heechul. 

He's the prettiest Korean entertainer for me. 

Some f my friends who have seen him in person

 told me that he's so God-like and so perfect looking. 

He knows that's he's really good looking and
 he's strutting his stuff onstage too much.

I'm soooooo jealous!!!! I haven't seen Suju in the flesh. :(

 I got this photo from my friend Joanna

 

I know I'm crazy coz I only did half of my face. 

It's already 12 midnight and I don't want to

put a lot of makeup on and it's too hard to wash it all off. 

So I only have one sided shot.

I also don't want to over expose my whole face 

just like what I usually do coz 

most probably it will be everywhere on the internet.

  Products Used

 Face:

Shini Star BB Lotion

Sugar Skull Cosmetics Correct and Conceal 15 concealer palette

Maybelling Clearsmooth Minerals powder

Avon Simply pretty dual powder foundation ( I got it from mom! and it's good)

Eyes:

Fashion 21 white eyeliner used as eyeshadow base

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 120 Rainbow Palette (used the blue eyeshadows)

Christian Dior Travel Kit (used the blue eyeshadows)

Etude house Tear powder in crystal glitter

Blue eyeliner

Etude House Code B gel eyeliner strong black

Christian Dior eyeliner in Noir

Lancome Hypnose mascara

Revlon Eyelash Curler

Cheeks:

Clinique pink blush (forgot the shade name)

Lips:

Concealer used as base

Mac Hello Kitty Lipstick in Big Bow 

Fangirls!! the next time that you will go to the concert of your favorite band, 

why not spice up your look and be creative with your eyes?

Now, I'm wondering which fandom color should I try soon? :)

Kpop Fandom: Pearlescent Sky Blue/ Aqua Pearl Inspired Look

Today's look is inspired by the color/s that represents

the fandom in which I faithfully belong to since 2008. 

One day I was just looking at my glow stick

 then I realized that it's possible to do a look inspired by it.

SHINee's Official Fansclub color is still confusing for me.

It has been pearlescent sky blue for a long time,

 then SM entertainment's official website announced

that it's pearl aqua. :(

 Etude House launched the Shini Star Line with somewhat

faint aqua colored cosmetics

  my bestfriend took this photo from Etude House Singapore

Using a palette composed of different shades of blue,

I was able to create this look.

Products Used

Face:

Etude House Shini Star BB Lotion

Sugar Skull Cosmetics Correct and Conceal concealer palette

Origins Original Skin pressed makeup

Avon Simply Pretty dual powder foundation

Eyes:

Fashion 21 white eyeliner as base

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 120 Rainbow Color Palette

Etude House Tear Drop Powder in Crystal Gold

Black eyeliner (borrowed from Maru coz I forgot mine at home!)

Avon Lengthening Mascara

Cheeks:

Elf Blush and Bronzer duo

Maybelline Powder blush in Strawberry

Lips:

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Angel Rose (my fave!)

Etude House Shini Star Lipbalm #5 Shiny T (guava)

How to:

1. Smoothen your skin and cover blemishes by using a foundation of your choice, 

any creamy concealer will do. Pat your face with powder.

2. Do the brows, then proceed with the eyes.

Colorful eyeshadow pops out if the base is white.

I don't have a white eyebase yet so I use a white eyeliner

and tried to spread it on eyelids. I got monolids so I didn't extend it to my crease.

3. Use a light aqua blue in your inner eyes, a darker one at the middle part.

and glittery blue to the outer V. Blend to avoid harsh strokes and edges.

4. Use the same darker aqua blue to the inner lower rim of your eyes,

then use the same glittery blue to the outer corners.

5. Line the upper and lower lash line with black eyeliner, then smudge it with 

a pointed eyeshadow brush dipped with black eyeshadow. I prefer contouring my

eyes and doing the cat-eye eyelining technique.

6. Curl lashes and coat your lashes with the mascara of your choice.

7. Swipe the apple of your cheeks with peachy pink blush, 

so I mixed my peach blush with pink.

8. Apply any lipstick shade of your choice, then top it off with a lip gloss

or lip balm.

I would love to watch SHINee World Concert II, where

I can see glow sticks everywhere happily dancing

to the music of these boys. I just hope they will include my country

soon, if not, I hope they'll include the second country that

I'm planning to live in a few months from now.

Also I received this wonderful fan good from Singapore

from my friend Marc. Hearing his stories on how he got it makes

me feel so touched. He didn't pay for it though..

He got it from the displays outside the store and hid it in his backpack.^^ 

 A few weeks from now I'll be opening my own online shop

where I'll be selling some palettes, just like what I used for today,

and some lip tattoos just like what 2ne1 is using in this photo.

 

   
 If I will succeed, I'll be able to sell more. If people won't buy it,

then I'll gladly have 'em!!!  It's a win-win situation for me.

I'm soooooooooo excited!!!!!

I'm planning to make more Kpop Fandom inspired looks 

and be creative with my palette.

Next look will be:

 

Thanks for reading my blog! Always remember:

Emo Days No More!! Happy Bug is Back to Blog

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful, sexy, smart and lovely girl in the world... ME!!!

 Yey!! I turned 26 and I want to reward myself with all my hardwork..

but then I realized that it's mom who does all the hardwork...^^

I really want to apologize for being so emo these past few days.

I guess I'm really just stressed out with everything that is happening with my life.

 Some events are just too overwhelming, but in the end I'm still happy.

So for today's blog it's basically about keeping up with what

happened to me this June, and things that really made me feel special.

Well I wanna start off with one gift I rewarded for myself.

I don't have enough money to splurge on expensive clothes,

but there are things that I might possibly like, and when I like it I will do everything to get it.

 I rarely see shoes that I like these days since I'm pretty much obsessed with makeups.

My admiration for the Kardashians never end,

 and I do a Kardashian reality show marathon every night,

 though I don't know much about clothes & branded goods,

I drool and lust over their expensive designer shoes and bags.

There's this particular ankle boots that I really want the first time I saw it worn by Kim.

I always try to look for replicas or something that looks close to it but I haven't seen any.

Even if I want to have the same shoes that she's wearing, omg it's Prada

.

It costs a whopping $890 and you can purchase it in Saks.

If I convert it into peso, let's say the value of 1 dollar is 43 pesos,

then 890 multiplied by 43 is equivalent to 38,270 pesos!!! Enough to send me back to college for one semester!!

Fortunately, there is this local online store and I found the "almost" exact replica of this shoes that I've been dying to have. Compared to the original, the heels and the platform are not as high as Prada's, and I'm fine with it

coz anything higher than 4 inches will definitely break my ankle, and in worst case, I might break my neck from possibly tripping accidentally due to my extreme clumsiness.

I received my order after a month and when I took it out from its

packaging, all I can say is whoooaaa it's so surreal!!

I'm not sure though, on when will I be able to use it.

It's just sitting there on my shoe rack..

So now, what happened on my birthday?

It was stressful. It's simple, but really a stressful one.

My birthday is always composed of 3 celebrations.

Pre- intra- post.

June 22nd - I promised my officemates that I'm gonna treat them

so I brought a dinner. We're only just 6 employees in our comfy office.

I told my other co-workers to bring their hubbies.

June 23rd - I met my friend whom I know since I was six years old.

I'm so touched he wanted to see me prior to my birthday coz he bought a present.

It's the shirt that I like.

It was used during the historical star formation from my

previous Alma Mater.

I wanted to treat him with lots of foods from McDonald's

since he requested for it.. but then he only asked for a happy meal

and a large float coz he's been suffering from tummy pains for 2 weeks

in a row. Poor him.

Then after meeting Russell I went out for a dinner with my cousins.

After having fun and munching on foods, we went to different makeup stores

and tried swatching lippies at the back of our hands and on our lips.

I really enjoy hanging out with them. They've grown so fast

and they can travel anywhere, and ride a public vehicle comfortably no matter how far

the destination is, whereas for me,

I couldn't still cross the street. They're smarter and have better sense

of direction. I therefore think they will succeed better than me

in the future. 

Around 1:30am of June 24th I went online

and I'm happy to see a lot of birthday greetings and wishes.

My boyfriend called, my family's still awake.. but I was sad that time.

I was thinking of my two friends, who had been with me

since I was little, and now they went to Singapore to work.

It's my first time to celebrate my birthday without them.

Then I was tagged on facebook that there's a video

that my bestfriend had made.

I thought it was just a typical picture compilation.

So the video starts with a simple greeting,

then my pictures with my family,

boyfriend, bestfriend and other friends....

I was literally holding back my tears....

coz mom and dad & my bro's also watching it...

too embarassed to bawl.. and they'll gonna troll on me

if I cry.. I knew it..

but the freaking video is 8 minutes long!!!!!!

In the middle of the vid I can't help it.

I couldn't hold back my tears,

my throat's already dry and my eyes are about

to pop out!! Damn, I cried!!

At first my Mom & Dad are like:

then mom's like:

then dad's like:

and my bro's like:

I was so embarassed but definitely touched.

I couldn't contain both my happiness and sadness.

The state of ambivalence made me like this:

I miss my bestfriends.

 I wish they were with me, having fun on my special day.

I only communicate with them through skype.

On the brighter side, I do received a few cute gifts.

Getting old means getting less, but I'm happy anyway.

Russell gave me a shirt from De La Salle University's

Human Star Event.

when worn:

Nikki gave me two pairs of cute earrings,

which best defines my personality..

After using the second generation of iphone for quite sometime

and still enjoying it, I got a new phone thanks to my

boyfriend..

These days I'm so focused with work.. busy pretending to be busy.

I have so many things in mind and lots of plan to accomplish

before this year ends.

Next on my wish list is everything Chanel!!!

I want a 2.55 flap bag..

A cc logo earrings with pearl drop

A foundation compact..

And I really do want to have these from Louboutin!!!

The Impossible Dream.

I'm not rich, I'm always broke, but it's free to dream. :)

Personal Rant: Goodbye 25!!

I have nothing to blog about this month, I don't know..

I just don't feel like writing, doing something or even putting makeup on.

Too lazy to go out, dress up, or even wear a bra... LOL

I'm too lazy for everything. I guess I need another motivation.

My birthday's coming... few days from now I'll turn 26..

Most of my students, whose age ranges from 30's to mid 40's, are

saying I'm still sooo young to accomplish things and follow my dreams.

But living in the Philippines is quite different. 26 means you're a fully grown adult.
You need to be accomplished in life.. or have a few savings at the bank.

I've been working my ass off for 4 years but still I'm not satisfied with my status..
hence I got the idea of working abroad.

I used to experience a lot of pressure about the idea of tying the knot,

but still, things are not falling into its right place..

Now I have a new goal, but then things are still not falling into its damn place.

Excuse my frustrations in life, though I'm not 50 yet, I think I'm having mid life crisis,
or rather quarter life crisis?!

A month ago I had a plan to work in Singapore with my friends.

But then, maybe, it's not the right time yet.. mom disapproved. dad disapproved.

boyfriend disapproved. bf's family disapproved. aunts and uncles disapproved.

So you think I still can go to SG without messing up with myself?
PSHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! &@(#!$%^!!!

Sadly, my besftriends flew there 2 weeks ago already.

I'm not sure if I can follow them as soon as possible.

I also think I'm not ready yet, but I miss my two bestfriends.. so bad.

Let me see, living for a year as a 25 year old adult is kinda hard.

Good things will come but bat shits are there too..

Not sure if there's a significant milestone that happened to me lately..

Life's pretty stagnant and I'm freaking tired of it, but then there are times

that I do enjoy living in my own separate world.
Will I ever commit suicide? HELL NO!!
I don't have any problems, I'm just a little disappointed
at this point in my life, but it's just for today.
Tomorrow my mood's gonna soar again.

As I'm getting older I hate it when people bug me, and approach me.
I just hate some people... I'm trying to like them but it's damn hard.

I got a pretty good advice from my highschool teacher last Saturday and he

taught me how to handle life's stressors and how not to stress myself.

Thank you Sir!! It's really helpful.

I don't expect much from my life as of now, I do enjoy the little things that I have..

my makeups.. and time with my family, friends.

There's no need to hurry and rush things, I still have a long way to go.

Life's offer is still unknown and I know God has better plans..

Sorry God if sometimes I can't wait and I'm too impatient...

I'll try to become a better person, better than I was.

One thing I learned as a 25 year old woman...

DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING.

If it'll happen, IT WILL.

Once again, please excuse my emo self.
Been suffering from multiple personality disorder lately...