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Frequently Asked Questions

How did you get into blogging?
I started blogging on a rainy afternoon in 2004 and sort of never stopped. I began with a colorful site on Blogger called Calamansi and later moved to Tumblr. Blogging has been a part of my life for the last decade and hopefully the next one too.

My old sites:

What are the beauty products you can’t live without?
If I had to be stranded on an island with only three products they would be MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, Kit Cosmetics Cheek & Lip Tint, and extra virgin coconut oil.

What do you use to take the photos on your site?
I use a Panasonic Lumix GF2 with a 20mm lens to take most of my pictures. If feeling inspired, I’ll borrow my husband’s Canon 60D. For Instagram, I use my trusty iPhone 4. I edit most of my pictures on Adobe Photoshop or Snapseed.

Do you accept products for review?
I love trying new things, especially if they are proudly Philippine made. Please feel free to contact me about your products and let’s see what we can do together.

How can we advertise on your site?
If you have a product or business that you feel matches the all around philosophy of my blog, I’d love to hear from you. Send over a message for my media kit.

I loved your wedding video. Can you share how I can have a similar wedding?

  • Think timeless.
  • Ask around for trusty suppliers.
  • If possible, get a wedding planner.
  • Put priority into the things that really matter to you.
  • Be practical with your budget. For example, no one frames wedding invitations.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff.
  • Walk slowly. It only happens once.

Your life in Sydney looked amazing. Why did you and your husband decide to move back?
Our life in Sydney was wonderful, but we always knew that when we had our son we would move back to Manila. Being back in the Philippines gives our son a chance to grow up with family and a quality of life we couldn’t offer him in Sydney. Our doors aren’t permanently closed to Australia or other parts of the world. But for now, we’re happy to be back and welcome this new adventure with open arms.

Can we invite you to participate in an event or class?
Definitely! It’s always fun to learn new things and meet new people. Just send over a message and let’s talk about it.

I want to become a magazine editor. What do I need to do?
Get familiar with the magazines you want to work for and the names of the people that run them. Pitch stories you think would be perfect for their publication, make sure to have some writing samples ready. Start by making your name as a writer. Build an excellent portfolio filled with your best work. You can also start by interning with your favorite publishing groups and working your way up. Good luck!

How do you stay inspired to write?
The world is big and there are so many incredible things to learn from it. My general rule is that if it’s something that I’d love to share with a friend, I’ll write about it. But at the end of the day, it’s readers like you who inspire me. There have been many days when I wonder if continuing to share my thoughts and pictures on the internet are worth it and it’s your lovely notes of encouragement that remind me to keep going.