To the broken hearts on Valentine's.

Some of us find it a little harder being single on Valentine's Day. Truth is, I feel the same way too 'cause for a very very long time, I truly believed that I've found the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with; my forever Valentine. Then again, life has a way of sneaking up when we least expect and hitting us way below the belt. I mean who'd have thought that the same love which started off perfectly and felt so right could possibly become the scariest experience ever. Perhaps that's why we call it the crazy little thing.

It's always easy at the beginning. We were absolutely certain of what we felt and love took care of the rest. We even talked about the future like we had a clue. I never knew what went wrong later on or when it actually did. But all these time later, I've stopped searching for answers for I know better now. I loved him more than he ever loved me 'cause I did everything to switch the scales. I tore at my own seams thinking that if I recreated myself by dressing the way he likes me to dress or by behaving the way I think he'd like me to behave, he'll fall for me the same way I fell for him. It took me years to finally realize, understand and draw a fine line between determination and desperation.

Heartbreaks are an odd kind of pain. You're perfectly fine physically, yet it hurts like hell. It's a painful uphill journey and the pain lingers long after the cut heals. What makes it worse is when you reminisce, even if they were uplifting memories. Then there are moments when you think that it's going to be a different day, that things are finally getting back on track, only to realize that those moments fade away rapidly, in a measure of a heartbeat.

Moving on isn't about rolling out of bed one day and suddenly not having the same feelings for a particular someone anymore, that by some kind of sorcery, all the yearning disappears. It's really far far far less miraculous than that. You'll love and miss that person just the same but you'll also gradually learn to not let that loving and missing interfere with the rest of your life.

So here's to all you singles who faced a break up or unrequited love and is nursing a broken heart. Happy Valentine's Day! Take your time to heal and somewhere down the road, someone deserving will give that old heart of yours a brand new beat!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"In order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did and why you no longer need to feel it." -Mitch Albom

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

What to wear for Valentine's Day?

Spent most part my January travelling around the Philippines and I'm glad to be back blogging for LOLA during this month of love!

On Valentine's Day, whether you're having an extravagant three-course meal at a luxurious hotel, hiding out at your favourite cafe, or even cooking up a sumptuous meal in your cosy haven, dress up! There's no harm in putting on something decent and throwing on some makeup for the occasion that's filled with love, love, and more love. If you're absolutely clueless, this blog entry might help.

Being cliche isn't always a bad idea 'cause there's nothing hotter than wearing red with heart-shaped accessories thrown in on Valentine's. If you're not up for a colour as loud as red, that classic little black dress (which is every girl's essential) would do the job too.

Whatever you've picked out or is deciding to pick out, here's a thing or two to keep in mind to ensure that you and your beau have a splendid date.

ALWAYS check out the dress code (if there's any). If you're planning a surprise, inform your date about the dress code. If you know you're having a surprise planned for you, ask if there's a dress code. The last thing you want is to not be granted entry 'cause you're not dressed appropriately. And here's a golden rule by the ingenious Vivienne Westwood-- If in doubt, overdress. I swear by this rule 'cause you can never fault anyone for overdressing.

Comfort is of utmost importance! You want to be enjoying your night out instead of fidgeting uncomfortably in an apparel that doesn't fit you snugly. On top of that, if you're not comfortable wearing something, chances are you won't feel confident in it. Every man loves a woman who exudes confidence. And trust me, what you wear plays a substantial part in boosting your confidence, or conversely, totally demolishing it.

A few years ago, I was invited to a Commissioning Ball. I spent months looking for the perfect dress for the event and fell head over heels when I saw this backless dress. I knew immediately that that was the dress I was going to wear. It was my first backless dress and little did I know that while it had the potential to make me the best dressed lady, it could also potentially backfire and ruin my entire night. I spent hours pinning up the dress 'cause it was too big for me that my bra was showing, ended up being late for the ball, was a total wreck by the time I settled down, kept running to the ladies to fix my dress, and finally decided to put on my blazer to cover up my wardrobe malfunction. I never wore that dress ever again and sold it off at the first opportunity I got. Two important lessons I learnt from this fashion disaster are:

1. Never ever EVER wear something you haven't worn before to a special event. If you choose to do otherwise, at least try on the apparel before hand and make the necessary alterations if needed.

2. If there's one thing you need when heading to any event, it's your outerwear (something I carry with me all the time). Don't bother if it's in an air-conditioned function hall or outdoor under the scorching sun 'cause your outerwear is probably your best shot in getting away with any wardrobe malfunction. You'd rather be sweating in buckets!

I hope this blog post came in handy for those of you who're cracking your brains to pick out the perfect outfit for your special date. May you lovebirds have a lovely Valentine's!

To the singles who have no plans/date, cheer up! I totally understand how Valentine's makes you feel exceptionally lonely especially when you see lovey dovey couples everywhere, emphasizing on that fact that you're single. The day may even open up old wounds, make you miss a particular someone or make you wish you had a other half, but remember that Valentine's is about celebrating love in every form. So seize the opportunity to spend time with the ones who love you unconditionally -- your family.

Dress: The Closet Lover

Heels: ASOS

Shades: Ray-Ban

Watch: Nixon

Photos by Ing

Editing  by yours truly

" We are all made up of the same skin and bones, what separates us is what we dress over it." -Stefania Yarhi

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

Day to night versatility.

Dress: Amitha Fantasy

Blazer: Korea

Heels: Taiwan

Bag: River Island

Shades: Ray-Ban

Watch: Solvil et Titus

Necklace: By Invite Only

Dress: Amitha Fantasy

Heels: ASOS

Shades: Ray-Ban

Watch: Lipsy London

Necklace: Lovisa

Bracelet: Bangkok

Dresses fill a major portion of my wardrobe 'cause they're so easy to wear; a one piece that doubles up as an outfit itself. There's probably a million and one designs out there, one for every occasion, so being spoilt for choice isn't much of an issue. Yet, what we're in search for is that versatile dress that takes us from the office to a date/party 'cause a full outfit change is too much of a hassle, and especially during this Valentine's/Chinese New Year season where there's places to be at after fulfilling our work commitments. Making the transition from day to night should be effortless, like switching your accessories or changing your outerwear.

The shoulder detail dress in a rich shade of maroon from Amitha Fantasy is my current go to dress 'cause it blurs the lines between corporate and casual, making it a great piece that'll take you from day to night. I threw on a blazer with classic pumps and a dainty necklace for an office lady look. Swap those with a pair of heeled sandals and some chunky accessories, and you're all set to rock the night away. Finding such a versatile dress gives you more bang for your buck (48 bucks to be exact).

What else I love about the dress is that it's a minimalist piece with just a little shoulder detail to give it some edge. I thought it somewhat gave it a military vibe too which I'm a total fanatic! And yes, it has functional pockets! Pockets are so useful but also so hard to find in dresses, harder than you'd imagine.

Visit Amitha Fantasy now 'cause all prices are at a 30% for their Chinese New Year sale!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"Wearing the correct dress for any occasion is a matter of good manners." -Loretta Young

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

Thirty three.

It's been exactly a week since I got back from Philippines and boy, how I miss all the fun I had! I'm thrilled to start blogging and sharing about my vacation, but first here's one for someone special.

Not sure if you actually got down to counting the number of gifts and surprises you've gotten this birthday. Knowing you, I highly doubt that you did. Either way, this blog post is your 33rd present (and also the last for now). The previous 32 were my way of making up for the 32 birthdays that I've missed/didn't get to celebrate with you.

Although there are times you can really annoy the shit out of me, thank you for being annoying, like how you'd try to appear taller than I am when we all know who's the taller one.

As if being clumsy by nature isn't bad enough, I've always been someone who jumps before knowing where to land. Instead of stopping me from being who I am, thank you for giving me space to explore and grow while you stick around just in case the ground beneath my feet crumbles and I miss my landing.

Truth be told, I haven't found anyone who has been able to keep up with my level of energy till I met you. Most of the time I'm like an Energizer Bunny, so I don't know how you manage, but thank you for keeping up with my craziness, talkativeness and constant need to seek out adventures. You're one of the best, if not the best, travel companion.

At the end of day, thank you for being you 'cause you've been such a gem! 

This birthday, my wish for you isn't to have a perfect year ahead 'cause life will forever be filled with troughs as much as peaks. "Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders." That's exactly what I wish for you; that you'll get past every obstacle and grow to become an even more amazing person. And I pray that God will put you to bed every night with no worries and that you'll wake up each morning knowing that He has plans to prosper you.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye." -Bob Perks

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

Infuusa life.

Eating healthy has been all the hype these days and that's probably how fruit infused water came about. I jumped onto the bandwagon, diligently preparing my fruit infused water every night before hitting the sack. But of course, that was short-lived. I, for one, found it tedious to prepare infused water even though it's pretty much just cutting and dumping fruits into water then leaving it in the fridge overnight. So thankfully I was introduced to Infuusa some time last year!

If you've spoken to Wei (the brains behind Infuusa), he believes that preparing an infusion with fresh fruits is definitely healthier than Infuusa and he urges people to do so. However, if you're feeling lazy or constantly on the go like I am, Infuusa is your saving grace.

I was away on a vacation this month. Whether I was braving the relentless heat hopping from one island to another or travelling from one city to another, Infuusa was one of my travel essentials. It comes pre-packed in sachets which makes it very convenient to carry around and even more convenient to prepare. All I had to do was pop a sachet into my water bottle and give it a few shakes to get a bottle full of goodness within minutes! No more cutting fruits and waiting for hours to make infused water!

The other thing I really love about Infuusa is that it contains just enough sweetness to get rid of that bland taste in your mouth when you're thirsty. And that can only mean one thing -- bye bye sugary sports drinks!

Of all the 3 flavours, the Quad Berry is my favourite! It's ingredients are apples, hibiscus petals, blueberries, blackberry leaves, rosehip shells, flavours, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and Stevia leaves. This combination gives a powerful anti-oxidant punch while you hydrate. The improved version of the Quad Berry now contains 2X more ingredients and Stevia leaves to make it even more deliciously fruity!

Was super excited to try out the new flavour, Summer Peach, since I love peaches. I was really happy that it met my expectations and taste as awesome as your usual peach tea, only way healthier. The Summer Peach contains black tea, black tea extract, flavours and Stevia leaves. It is mildly caffeinated to rev metabolism and burn more calories after a workout.

Infuusa uses all natural ingredients so you won't have to worry about ingesting any weird chemicals. It does not contain any added sugar (Stevia leaves are used instead for a touch of zero-calorie sweetness) and is ultra low in calorie which allows you to drink up guilt-free!

Join me in making the healthier choice for a healthier lifestyle by leading the Infuusa life! Hop on over to Infuusa to check out their third flavour and make your purchases with a $5 off store-wide by clicking on this link!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

Infuusa

Contact: 9764 8865

Website: http://infuusa.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infuusa

Instagram: @infuusa

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." -Jim Rohn

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

Do you want to build a snowman?

Dress: ASOS
Heels: Pedro
Watch: Lipsy London
Olaf: Tokyo Disneyland

I've been meaning to post these photos on one of the 12 days of Christmas but I've been swamped. Not to mention that it was only the second day of the new year and a bad gastric left me puking my gut out during those God forsaken hours. Spent the next 3 days battling drowsiness in bed and on a liquid diet. So glad I'm a lot better now 'cause it's only 2 more sleeps to my long awaited vacation! Can't wait to take part in the Sinulog Festival! Got tons in stored for this space so keep your eyes peeled!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?" -J. B. Priestley

With love,

Clarabelle Faith

Goodbye, 2014!

365th day of 2014. What can I say? 2014 has been a roller coaster year for me. To put succinctly, it was one filled with struggles and triumphs, heart wrenching moments as much as uplifting ones.

2014 saw me at one of my lowest point and that is without a doubt an understatement. For years, I was chasing after someone whom every one (except me) knew will never love me enough and will never have time for me even if he had 25 hours in a day. I'm sure that he was the best thing that ever happened to me and I wouldn't have achieved the many things that I have without him, but I'm also clearly aware that he was the very reason behind my tear stained pillows. I fell for his "I love you". In the end, it was those very 3 words that broke me. There seems to be this perverse cruelty in humanity that the one you love best, hurts you the most.

Although walking away was the toughest decision and it crushed me, it also taught me a thing or two. I've learnt that sometimes the person you'll take a bullet for is the one behind the trigger. I've learnt that it takes a hell lot more than love to make a relationship work. Someone may love you, they may even say it out loud, yet what matters most is that they go out of their way to make it obvious that they want you in their life. The biggest takeaway for me is probably impermanence; every thing is transient and will eventually pass. So this, this heart break too shall pass. And I have absolute faith that in God's rightful time, I'll find my prince.

That aside, 2014 brimmed with new opportunities which I'm extremely thankful for. I've had the pleasure of working with Love Out Loud Asia, writing monthly blogposts (I hope you've read them) about relationships. Then there's Sample Store who has been so loving to provide me with a platform to work with brands like Bio-Essence and London Weight Management. Not forgetting other collaborations with Room 290, Tirisula Yoga, 108 Yogathon, etc.

I'm grateful too for having loved ones (family and friends alike) who are ever so caring and supporting. I wouldn't have gotten through 2014 without their constant encouragement and unconditional love.

2014 might not have been the most smooth sailing year I had but it has definitely seen me grown so much with experiences, milestones and lessons learnt in abundance. Nevertheless, there's still plenty of room for growth, so I'm excited to take on the new year. I believe in Heavenly Papa and His plans to prosper me. I look forward to the many plans I have for this space in the hope that my love for writing will slowly but surely reach out to many more. I look forward to seeing old friends again in 2015, as well as, meeting new people. I look forward to finally attending my graduation during my birthday month. I look forward to seeing more of the world as I travel.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOVES!  May 2015 bring loads of love, happiness, health, blessings, opportunities, and plenty more!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

- Neil Gaiman

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