New apartments, Design school, etc.

Hey, let's have a chat! (And I mean, me talking to a screen. Lol!)

I had this entry drafted since February! What was supposed to be just an update about my new apartment is now going to be almost a year's worth of update (as if anyone really needs an update about me. Haha!). So yeah, I had been busy with work and uni (When I got a sliver of free time, let's be real, I'm on Netflix. Or -- my new obsession -- BBC and SBS. Haha!).

Yes, you read that right, I am back to uni again. I currently study part-time at Whitehouse, doing my fashion design degree. I am finally doing it! Yayyyy! And I am loving it!

I remember feeling excited and nervous during my first day. It was all new to me. I believe I am creative enough but when we had the very first brainstorming activity for our design process journal, I felt that I was overthinking it instead of just letting those creative juices naturally flow. Or was I just rusty -- creatively speaking? And the next thoughts in my head were, "Omg, do I really have what it takes?," "Will I be good enough?" Then, I overwhelmed myself even more because I visualised internships, exchange student applications, student contests, etc. I was just getting ahead of myself. I eventually calmed myself down and psyched myself to just take it one day and one thing at a time and do my damn best.

So far, I think I am doing well. I am learning new knowledge and honing something I never knew was in me (I draw more decently now! Haha! And I paint now, too! I took a Fashion Illustration class back in Manila years ago. Ugh, I hated using paint and brushes because they are not erasable and harder to manipulate but now I don't mind at all), which is really exciting.

I met new people (Truth be told, I didn't think I'll be hanging out with teenagers. I initially did not really want to because, hello, generation gap? Hahaha! And I'm not in uni that often so I was like, why bother?). I got good grades (not sure about the 2nd term though but whatevs -- okay, not super whatevs, I need good grades if I want to apply for exchange student program so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not too bad!). It can get a bit stressful working and studying at the same time. There are days when I just want to relax when I get home from work or during weekends but no, I still have assessments to do. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Going back to uni is also the reason why I resigned from my other job as well.

I received these flowers and art books, among other things, back in February as a farewell and good luck gift from my now former colleagues. It was an emotional day. It was my longest job ever - 5-year mark supposedly the month after that. It was my first job since I moved to Sydney. I was still a student when they hired me. There was a reason why I stayed there for that long -- my super chill and kind boss and the amazing staff I work with. I once said (even my Mom said so) that I will never leave that place and if I do, it will be because I'll be pursuing a dream. And that day came. It was hard because I have to give up something dear to me. We shared too many memories together. We were like a family. It was bittersweet indeed but I sincerely felt the support and love. So, I will really do my best to make, apart from myself, them proud and to make it all worth it.

And while we are talking about pursuing dreams, a few months ago, I had a dream about me giving birth. I freaked out because I remembered it vividly the next day. Hence, in true Jana fashion, I turned to Google to help me look for its meaning if there is. Here's what I found:

Eerily amazing and apt, isn't it?

Another life adjustment that I did was moving out of the flat I shared with my friend for almost 4 years.

I moved mainly for convenience and space. The flat I moved in to was near my current workplace, just 10 minutes of commute. The space I need is for my future school projects. I need to have my own little studio/work area. I loved this flat (which, apparently, came with a good-looking and very nice neighbour whom I met over dinner they invited me to during my first night. Yaaasss!) and I am enjoying my own company!

My former landlord and brother helped me to move. It took me a week to finish unpacking and arranging the place. Since my workmates knew I moved and that I need stuff for my apartment that will fit my budget, they introduced me to Facebook Marketplace. Man, that section of the internet got me hooked, I tell you. I barely open my account but it made me access it just for that. Whenever I get a spare time at work, I kept checking it. I eventually bought my very first purchase in Marketplace -- my current fridge!

I had the specific dimensions that I wanted, a specific colour in mind and a strict limit to how much I am willing to spend. Three weeks later, I eventually found the perfect fridge, went to the owner's place to inspect it and paid her on the spot! She even knew someone who can pick it up and deliver it to my place the next day. It was a meant-to-be purchase. Haha! It took me three weeks of going back and forth to the shops to buy the most essential things I need, to fill my pantry and new fridge.

Then, 6 months later, I moved to another flat again. I was told that they will not renew my lease as a relative will be moving into that place. Omg, I was so stressed out because I needed to find a new place to live in and fits my budget within a month. I barely had time to look for and inspect rental units and to pack my junk all over again! I was also in the middle of the term in uni. I have to hire a mover and pay the bond. Ack! Not to mention, I felt at home already (Once or twice, I may have walked naked in my hallway. Haha!). I just had my flat-warming (if there is such a term? Haha!) a month prior. My family has visited before that and liked the place. When I found the one (and only one!) that ticks my non-negotiable requirements, I was practically begging the real estate agent to approve my application (not that she has a say on that really because she isn't the landlord! Haha!)

Boy was I over the moon when I found out my application was approved! I moved into this new place three weeks ago. Half of my things are already unpacked and properly placed. Half of them are just properly placed in a corner because I still need furniture to place them at. My mattress was also delivered a few days ago, still waiting for my base. It will take me quite a while to finish decorating my place since I'm currently living on a student budget and my bills take priority over my furniture. But we'll get there. I'm also planning to have another flat-warming next weekend! Yay!

Okay, this is getting way too long. Let's continue the chat in a different entry?

It's been a month.

My goooooooshhhhhh. I missed blogging!!!

I had been uninspired to write lately... Well, basically, because I have nothing interesting to write about? I had been preoccupied with coming up with the best birthday gift ever, overthinking my I-don't-know-what-we-are-and-where-we-stand kind of relationship (which I prefer not to really talk about right now. Maybe later?), processing my papers for THE 'drastic and biggest decision' I have ever made and problem at work (which I will talk about later. You have to scroll down. Haha.). Since I missed doing it and I had been on hiatus for about 3 months, I also kept my hands busy with creating accessories (and the remaining wedding stuff my friend asked me to do for her, which you will see in my entry next to this one).

These are my recent 'creation.' So far, 6 necklaces were already sold. :)

With that, I was able to get back on track in my business again. I released my 9th collection by October and my 10th by the following month. I haven't officially released my collection for December though but the items are all set already.

Most of the items were already sold though. But you can check out my Facebook page to see what items are still available. :)

I had also been quite busy with my fashion class. As it is about to end, we have quite a lot of projects. One of the recent projects we had was to design something for a client. The theme given to me and my partner was a drag queen costume. My partner wanted a 1920's, flapper, Great Gatsby-themed costume. This was what I came up with.

The gold and silver detailing didn't look as 'sparkly' as I want it to look like though. Any part of the outfit that is in yellow is supposed to look like gold. I have to buy that metallic watercolor palette next time!

The next project we had was a bridal entourage! This was the inspiration that I have in mind. More on peaches and corals with touch of green. I wanted to have a unique motif.

This was the color palette and the color combinations on the dresses that I came up with. I wanted nothing too bright or too pale. Something subtle. I wanted colors that give off a fresh, happy, relaxed vibe.

In my designs, I focused more on drapings, pleatings and ruchings rather than embellishments. I placed the embellishments on the bride's gown instead. Upstaging the bride is a no-no and rude in whatsoever way. :)

Quite unfortunate for me, I don't think I got the actual colors when I rendered my sketches. I wasn't able to appreciate my work that much. I felt like I ruined my designs when I put color on them. Hahahaha. 

But I must say, I'm proud of my bridal gown design. It's not that bad at all! Haha! :)

For our final project, we were asked to make a portfolio. Of course, every portfolio starts with an inspiration. Hence, we made our own moodboard.

I am thinking of an Arabic/Indian/Moroccan-inspired collection, as you can see in my moodboard. Since I am a sucker for colors and anything bright, I was immediately attracted to the bright fabrics I saw in a magazine. Personally I love drapes and embellishments so it will definitely be seen in my designs. And yes, that 'coming soon' statement is really a part of my moodboard. I'm referring to myself. Hahahaha. When I showed this to my instructor, it's actually the first thing she noticed. I can probably use it to name my whole collection, why not.

I'll show you more of our homeworks.

Flats: Skirts, Necklines, Sleeves, Collars

And of course, my first attempt in watercolor rendering!

Another good opportunity came along my way as well! I was asked by a Mai Flores, the person behind The Budget Biyahera, to be a sponsor for The 1st Grand Eyeball of Filipino Bloggers Worldwide event.

Jana Kathryn's on the poster, have you seen it? :)

Here were the items that I gave to Mai as part of the giveaways for that event.

I revamped and recreated one of my old designs.

I mentioned earlier that I will also share a little something about my work. Well, here's what happened: I left. I was supposed to be lifted off from my volunteer status and be permanently hired by September. But that didn't happen due to some internal problem. I am fine with it actually, since I already had plans on leaving work by mid-December. It was just sort of unfair for my part because they should have told me earlier. I could have had another job. I kept on asking about it but my boss was on leave at that time. I know her staff weren't supposed to be the ones to tell me what I needed to know. In fairness to my boss though, she tried to fight for my employment slot. It's just that they really have to resort to budget cuts rather than cutting people off. Yes, I can still stay and work for them as a volunteer but I have decided to actually leave for good. I'd rather stay home, spend more time with my family and work on my business as I am about to leave soon anyway.

Speaking of leaving, I received my health examinations list from the embassy today. The email arrived on the day that I expected it and I already planned to have my medical examination by the end of this week. But I had that time of the month this morning so I had to move it for next week. Ho-hum.

And that's a wrap, guys! That's all for now, y'all. :D

Saturday Favorites 034: Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2013 - Luxe Wear

Two days ago, my cousin and I attended the Luxewear show, one of the fashion shows for Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 at SMX Convention Center. We brought my friend, Jaja and another cousin with us. We also got invited for the Cary Santiago show but unfortunately, we missed it since my cousin still have class at the time of the show. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed it. After all, it's fashion and art, how can we not? :) 

Here are the trends we observed:

Sheer will still be in. Soft and billowy textures. Lace will make a big comeback. Neon brights and white. Lasercut details. Bigger and bolder accessories. To die for detailing. BRING SEXY BACK! It's all at the back, honey. I looooove it. :D 

(I apologize for the quality of some photos.)

Anthony Ramirez

Aztec Barba

Chris Diaz

Harley Ruedas

John Paras

Joyce Pilarsky

 

Noel Crisostomo

Popoy Barba

Ronaldo Arnaldo

Roel Rosal 

Simon Ariel Vasquez

Tina Daniac 

Veejay Floresca

Of all, his collection is my favorite. :)

I had no decent photos of Martin Bautista's and Julius Tarog's collection to share. My cousin suddenly passed out at that time and we had to take care of her for a while. She was able to feel better just in time to watch the rest of the show.

THE AFTERSHOW: