Halfway through 2017

Huh. I feel like we just welcomed the new year and now we're already halfway through. 

Inconceivable.

What a packed month, this month, and I missed writing so I thought I'd do a month in review, especially since aside from celebrating our second anniversary, one of my biggest childhood dreams came true this June.

We started the month with a BANG through Oxygen X Bieber. 

Oxygen continues to creatively evolve with the latest trends, especially given the worldwide resurgence of street style fashion, and I am SO PROUD to work with them. This time, the homegrown brand has done it by rolling out exclusive licensed merchandise featuring the international music icon that has taken both the music and fashion world by storm—Justin Bieber.

Models, celebrities, and Beliebers flocked to the launch of the coveted Oxygen X Bieber collection, which was unveiled in an exclusive shopping party at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. I witnessed a LOT of fans clamoring for the merchandise on the weeks leading up to the event, and it was amazing/ heartwarming to see them lining up outside hours before the mall opened even though the collection wouldn't have been available for them until 1 PM!

Released in partnership with Bravado and MCA Universal, the collection features street wear staples including pullovers, bomber jackets, coach jackets, caps, bags, and shirts that all draw inspiration from Bieber’s hit album, Purpose. I wore my Maybelline Loaded Bold Matte Lipstick in Pitch Black during the shopping party and it was a hit!

The first few days of June were also a hit for my artistic sensibilities. Featured above are mementos from a packed #BU13 and #BatCon and a Monday spent with talented artists Julienne, Mika, and Rian.

And HERE! The day I've been waiting for since I was 12 happened this month!

Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they sing and dance on stage and inspire you that if they can get through 2008 and look fabulous doing it, then you can get through anything. Britney Spears has been my personal hero since I was 12 years old and seeing her perform live last June 15 is definitely one of my life's highlights. The concert exceeded all my expectations and then some. I was SO HAPPY I cried on my way to work the next morning, you guys. I waited for this for so long, I'm still emotional even now.

^^ Daily reminder.

This month I also joined the #DareToShare free Instagram challenge and training by Arriane Serafico of The Purposeful Creative podcast. I had so much fun crafting my posts, interacting with the community, and meeting a lot of new people! One of my favorite posts is when I shared this vintage collection of Studio Ghibli postcards I got from a book blogger who destashed recently. So many like-minded people who share my passion for stationery inspires me to continue working to build my own stationery brand, Krissyfied Makes!

Now, as you may know, I have been diagnosed to have four myomas in my uterine wall. I started taking birth control pills to help shrink it and I've started noticing the effects: intense mood swings, spotting, and breakouts. I am hoping these are temporary though and the myomas indeed shrink, although until now the TRO against birth control pills in the country remains to be a problem. I am part of a group who seeks to lift it though and I am crossing my fingers that we get heard.

My breakouts took a toll on my self-esteem so, yay for BeautyMNL flash sale! I shopped for new skincare products (and a few extra products just because): Skin Genie Pit Perfect Whitening Deodorant Spray, Déjà Poo Pre-Poo Spray in Vanilla, In Her Element Low pH Rose Gel Cleanser, Holika Holika Shimmering Petit BB, Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Masks in Rose and Tea Tree, Esfolio Pure Skin Mask Sheets in Red Ginseng, Honey, Green Tea, Banana, and Pearl Essence, and Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color in Paris Lights. I also got an Origins Facial Voucher as gift with purchase.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream smells soooo good and makes my skin super soft! The limited edition pot designed by iconic British fashion designer pair Eley Kishimoto is a pretty addition to your boudoir!

Look at this sweet face. ♥

Friday last week was pretty fun as I got to enjoy brunch at IHOP with the PR team. I love this team because everyone's so dedicated and efficient, and our work dynamics are all in sync.

Last Sunday, my boyfriend went with me to far North to celebrate my Lola's birthday.

And heyyy, I finally got the Magic Sky clip which is one of my dream PANDORA charms! It features a sun in one side and a crescent moon and a star on the other side, as shown on the photo above!

I would also like to include here how my boyfriend surprised me in the office last Wednesday. He's never the sappy surprise type so I was beyond shocked to see him there. It took a couple of seconds before it registered in my brain that it was really him, heh. And he brought me Krispy Kreme New York Cheesecake because I messaged him earlier in the day that I was craving. ♥ What a guy, this guy.

By the way! His toy group SICness.ph has an ongoing exhibit at this year's ToyCon 2017 Pop Life Fan Xperience. Go visit and check it out. :)

Sadly, I would need to include a rant here. I wish people would be a little more mindful. Here is my five-minute artwork inspired by The Little Prince, scanned and printed on canvas sticker using the Canon Pixma Ink Efficient E470 at an event earlier. I was so proud of this drawing, especially since Alessa Lanot guided us through the process. It was on top of a table in the office but I found it when I was about to go home, strewn like trash, crumpled and dirty with muddy footprints. I mean, I know it's not much since I'm not that good in drawing, but it's my artwork and I poured my all on making sure it came out the way I liked, based on the limited skills I have. I don't think I would ever know who did it but whether it happened accidentally or not, there wasn't even any attempt at all to erase or clean the dirt and/ or straighten the crumpled paper. I wish people could have more sense of responsibility. Sloppy manners, sloppy work.

I didn't want to end on a sour note especially since the photos above accompany happy anecdotes, but it happened just today so I'm still feeling pretty pissed.

That's it for June.

Inhale. Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Hello in a bit, July.