MISS LITRATISTA: December 2012

Waking Up in Vegas

Happy Holidays!

I know I am a little late for sharing this but hey, we're still enjoying the Christmas season so I think am still quite "on time". Aside from Halloween, Christmas is also the perfect time for themed parties and gatherings which require a lot of planning and effort to dress up and impress. For the Davao Bloggers Christmas Party, the theme the organizers have chosen was Casino Royale, which means that attendees will have to dress up like James Bond, Bond Girls or something related to the fabulous world of Casino in Vegas.

When I first knew of the theme, I was like clueless as to what I'm going to wear. But one thing is definite on my mind: I am not going to dress up like a Bond Girl because I have a gut feeling that most will dress up like one. I spent hour googling for any casino-inspired outfit ideas until I came up with this.

Photo by: Fra Jamir

Royal Blue Sparkle Dress: Price Slash

Black Snakeskin Pumps: People are People

Necklace and Ring: SM Accessories

Feather Headdress: do-it-yourself

Photo by: Michael Balgos

I was already going to settle down wearing a little black dress to the party but then I stumbled upon Price Slash in Facebook just a few days before the event. At first, I was hesitant of buying the dress because it was too sexy for me or that it may not fit me. I was a bit relieved after knowing that the owner was a college friend, Resci Rizada, and after she gave me a few details about the dress, I arranged for a meet-up and the transaction went on very smoothly. The dress was a perfect fit on me but since I was feeling a bit conscious of my bulging tummy, I went on a general liquid diet (all liquids, no solids) for two days before the event. And if you can notice a bulge on my tummy in that photo above, I have already broken my diet in that party.

And of course, all the glitters and sparkle would not be truly Vegas without.... a feathered headdress! On the morning of the event, I got inspired to make a feathered headdress. I haven't done something like this ever since but I pushed myself to try some luck. I was fortunate that I spotted all materials I needed at home and after 2 hours of craftsmanship and a lot of feathers on the floor, here's what I made:

Photo by: Verna Luga

What do you think of my outfit?

I'll be sharing more pictures behind the Davao Bloggers Christmas Party in my next post so keep on dropping by every now and then. Cheers to the New Year ahead!

3 comments

, by Miss Litratista

chrismas

Merry Christmas!

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, by Miss Litratista

photography

RULES I LIVE BY: On Photo Editing

Having been a "blogger" or should I say "a girl with a blog" for half a year already, I honestly admit that almost all of my posts have pictures in it, thus the blog title "Pixels and Tales". As what most people say, pictures speak a thousand words. Most of the time, I always find myself at a loss for words so I usually resort to pictures to tell the story for me.

Before I started out this hobby called blogging, I have already been a photography-enthusiast. I am easily fascinated with pictures. At one point in my life, I have been bitten by the photography bug, immersed myself with other hobbyists and embraced photography as one of my hobbies. I even started out a photography blog in Tumblr but later ditched it when my sister went away with the DSLR I'm using. However, I never lost the enthusiasm and continued on with the hobby using my handy-dandy point and shoot camera and at the same time, saving up for a new gear.

Let me show you some of my photos:

A Minute after Take-off (NAIA Terminal 2 ; BenQ Point and Shoot Camera)

Urbandub Concert (Nikon D5000 with 18-300mm lens)

Sunset in Babusanta (Nikon D5000 with 18-55mm kitlens)

With all honesty, the pictures are not really "what you see is what you get". I have still a lot more to learn in photography, and sometimes moments passed swiftly that there's no chance left to take another photo if the first photo wasn't good enough for my taste. Thank God for the creation of digital photography and photo editing has always been the easiest solution to some of your photography problems. However, let me just share to you some rules I live by in terms of photo editing. Please be guided that these are my rules, and it doesn't mean that these are yours too. It is up to your judgement whether these apply to you or not.

Keep photo editing to a minimum as possible.

It is always better to retain all the natural details.

Correct only the things needed to be corrected.

Sharpen details. Blur what is needed to be be blurred.

Editing should be done to enhance the photo, not to destroy it.

If a photo is not enhanced after photo editing, just leave it within the corners of your image folder.

Spot a subject and enhance it.

Imagine a story behind the photo while editing it.

Stick to that story.

Of course, nothing beats knowing the basics of composition and other ideals in the realm of photography in producing quality photos. Always start with the basic and keep on taking shots to master your gear and further enhance your skills.

Do you also have rules to live by when editing photos? Share your thoughts!

2 comments

, by Miss Litratista

misslitratista

A Simple Prayer

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, by Miss Litratista

belair residences

Bel-Air Residences Lipa: A House, A Home, and A Lot More

When I was still a child, I was not one of those kids who were very much endowed with material wealth Even though my parents worked hard to provide the things that I need, they raised me to work hard for the things that I want and to always live within my means. Now that I am a working, I learned to give utmost importance to the value of money, and to live by the teachings of my parents. Now that I am earning, I am now starting to work harder to achieve a dream not only for my family but to my parents as well: A DREAM HOME.

So what’s exactly my idea of a dream home? I once dreamed of having a luxury home similar to what is usually featured in TV shows but then I started to be more realistic. As long as the following criteria are met, I will be more than happy to call every place my dream home.

Breathe Fresh Air. One of the most vital things in life to always have an unending supply of fresh air. Cities can become polluted as time goes by, therefore it’s important to have a home that’s not only beautiful but also healthy and beneficial for our health.

Everything must be within reach. Accessibility is a must in choosing a home. I consider a place very livable when it can have access to schools, malls, churches, hospitals and not to mention, recreational hideaways. Nobody wants to get stuck at home all the time therefore accessibility is needed in order to explore a wide array of possibilities around the place.

Luxurious and modern design. I want my home to be interior- and exterior-designed- one thing that I can proudly show off to everyone and instantly drop their jaw in amazement. My mother and I always wanted to have a veranda at home where we can just chill and relax and appreciate the wonderful creation of God around us.

Amenities are endless. My dream house must not only be suitable for sleeping and eating but must also be a venue for me to achieve personal development and enhance social ties with others. I always wanted a place where I can unwind with friends, take a dip in the pool, engage in a healthy lifestyle or just take a solitary moment and drift away from the weary moments of the world.

Inspiring and functional interiors. I have always wanted to have a well-designed or concept-based home since most of the hours of my day is spent within the corners of my home. I want it to beautiful , presentable and created with clean lines for the minimalist effect but of functional benefits.

Relationships are fostered in this place called home. More than the beauty of the exteriors and interiors of a house must lie a home perfect for renewal and strengthening relationships especially among families. The external beauty of a house is nothing compared to the marvelous wonders of a strong family relationship and that the house must serve as the venue for raising and developing people whom our country will be proud of. The family is the basic unit of the society, and it is in the home where one should be taught moral values and responsibilities.

When I was scouting for a visual presentation of my dream home, I happened to stumble upon the website of Bel-Air Residences. Needless to mention, all the criteria of my dream home starts with letters that spell out BEL-AIR. This new 14 hectare residential development is actually situated in Lipa City, Batangas, one of the best cities in the country. So does it qualify as my dream home?

Let's check to find out.

Breath of fresh air: Check!

Having heard a lot of good things about Batangas, who doesn't want to live there? Lipa City in Batangas is known for its marvelous view and cool climate and considered to be as one of the best cities in the country. In this residential development, houses are spaced accordingly to accommodate fresh air to enter each house in this subdivision.

Everything must be within reach: Check!

Bel-Air Residences is planned and organized within reach from an endless possibilities of opportunities and the bustling business district of the city. Establishments such as banks and meeting places provide for effortless business transactions. In terms of education, this place is close to schools such as the Ateneo School of Business, De La Salle University Lipa and many more. Also, it is within reach from established hospitals like Lipa Medix Medical Center, Metro Lipa, Medical Center and is a walking distance from major malls such as SM Lipa, Fiesta Mall, South Supermarket, etc. Leisure amenities become more accessible having the Mt. Malarayat Golf Course, The Farm at San Benito and famous Batangas dive sites very close to home.

Luxurious and modern design: Check!

Bel-Air Residences offer choices of house units range from townhouses to two-storey units with floor areas as big as 88 to 165 square meter, all possessing a luxurious and modern minimalist design under the concept of "Modern Zen" architecture. Not to mention, Bel-Air residences is making luxury-looking houses at the best value for your money.

Their Alexandra design is the epitome of my dream home: luxurious and modern-looking, spacious and with a veranda that my mother will absolutely appreciate.

Amenities are endless: Check!

Apart from well-designed homes, owners can also experience recreational rendezvous, boost personal fitness and enjoy a happier lifestyle with their amenities. Owners will get to enjoy having their own basketball court, a jogging path, a playground for kids, barbeque area, multiple parks, swimming pool, a lanai, a gazebo and a Club House for gatherings and events.

Inspiring and functional interiors: Check!

Because of its Modern Zen concept, owners can easily redesign their homes depending on their mood. Modern Zen designs are associated with clean lines and minimal clutter which is suitable for relaxation and tranquility.

Relationships are fostered in this place called home: Check!

What more can you ask for?

Bel-Air Residences Lipa has everything a family needs to live a healthy, peaceful and happy life!

Now is the time to start building the best life you can give to your family and loved ones.

Check Bel-Air Residences Lipa today.

http://www.belairresidenceslipa.com/

P.S: I hope that this post will not only make me aspire to work harder to achieve my dream home in the future but will also take me and one of my loved ones to BORACAY! May all the odds be ever be in my favor!