spicycinderella

Burnt skin. Sand in my toes.

Everything’s in place, And I can hear your voice.

Went to Phuket, Thailand last June 2019 and we found this cute coffee shop with vintage radios surrounding the place. With my leopard-print skirt and tiny tank top, and my lips tinted with red and skin tanned to pink, it’s the perfection location to blend in.

lovelots, Nikki

(click the photos for a full view)

THE BADDIE

Planning the shoot was difficult, given our different schedules and the proposals I had to make for us to use the studio for free. Nonetheless, everything was worth it once we were all set and getting for the day itself.

For the first shoot with Kim, I present the baddie where the colour red pops and little details are simply up for grabs. I gave Kim a black bralette with a flower on the middle and paired it with a denim skirt. I love the simplicity of the outfit together with the red bomber jacket! I added long earrings and bandana headband which helped change the mood of the style in an instant.

THE PRINCESS

With Misha’s first outfit, I made her look elegant but casual at the same time. I love how white looks with pink so I decided to put Misha in a full-white attire and handed her pink accessories that speak girly and fresh. To make the outfit less formal, Misha wears a white high-cut Converse.

BLUE & ORANGE

In this second set for Kim, I honestly choose this as my favourite since I love the way the colour blue blends with orange. Kim wears a blue top and pairs it with a darker blue joggers. As a stylist, I’m the type to mix only 2 or 3 colours for the outfit so as to stay minimal and effortless, but remain sophisticated. Just like in this look, Kim seems ready for a morning jog, however looks otherwise for she’s wearing beige-coloured mules. The hoop earrings and the bandana choker complete the look.

YELLOW

If blue & orange is my favourite for Kim, yellow is the one for Misha. I was inspired by the hype beasts in this look but remembered to still dress in a monochrome. For 2017, I choose yellow as the colour of the year despite what the professionals say. Yellow is bright and just always eye-catching. Here, Misha wears a yellow head-to-toe outfit and a bucket hat from Champion. I gave her nude Vans to look like a skater girl and a black bandana bracelet to give the look a third hue.

FLORAL KNOTS

Vogue said at the early months of the year that floral patterns will be a trend once more and they are, once again, right. Flare jeans are paired with a front-knot top and I gave her a red belt to look less simple. Instead of an overall urbane get-up, I gave Kim floral sunglasses to look more ready for spring and summer.

KEEP IT CHIC

And for the final set, Misha just wears a black bandeau and striped trousers. My goal for this look was to make Misha ready for a girl’s night-out. The huge hoop earrings I made her wear and the high-heeled mules are a bonus in getting everyone’s attention. The outfit is also perfect for Misha since she can elegantly show off her toned body. With the pink belt, altogether, this look is perfect for every girl ready to party.

Styled by Nikki Regalario HMU by Maye Deles Photos by Geela Garcia Post-Processed by Nikki Regalario Assisted by Alyssa Llaguno

Huge thanks to our models, Kim Turingan and Misha Fabian!

xoxo, spicycinderella

SC x AUrate: DAY & NIGHT now on spicycinderella xx

In today’s fashion industry, night outfits are often worn in daytime. I usually stroll a good afternoon with a silk camisole and denim shorts, then spending the evening looking the same. However, mixing and matching clothes these days are still quite difficult especially during a whole day bash. But here, let me tell you how I easily came up with styles that feature the same top for two different…

Disclaimer: Because the interview happened in 2016, some details (age, sponsors, etc.) in this article do not apply anymore.

IT’S A SUPER HOT WEDNESDAY, and I am sitting on a hot stoned bench alongside Ateneo de Manila University’s sec walk, waiting for student-blogger Kim Cruz to meet me. The 18-year-old young fashion enthusiast texted me a few minutes ago, “I’m on my way!” Ten minutes have passed yet all I am witnessing is the crowded route packed with noisy civilians and sweating shirts. Then a beautiful aura emerged.

She is wearing a navy blue strapless top and denim-buttoned skirt, her sleek brown hair flowing gracefully as she walks pass the people. Each and every one of them giving way for the teenager whose eyes captivated by whatever’s on her phone. She flashes a smile on her screen. I wonder. She sees me after I call out her name, “Kim Cruz!” and flashes another smile but this time on me, and I don’t know if it is just a coincidence but a sudden breeze appears and the weather doesn’t seem so bad after all.

In the past few months, whenever Cruz’s the talk of the town, all I ever heard were negative comments and smears. People I know aren’t big fans of the teen blogger and out of all the insults I have heard, these were the most famous ones: “She’s trying too hard”, “She’s not even pretty”, and “She buys her followers online!” It was the first time I heard of her. My first impression of Cruz wasn’t good and I can totally say that she’s not worth being idolized.

As a curious listener, I searched her online and saw a different person: “NEW IT-GIRL”, “KIM CRUZ: A MUST”, “SM YOUTH’S NEW AMBASSADRESS”, and so much more. I had no idea she is this big in the fashion industry already. I can’t seem to conclude how she’s trying too hard when she doesn’t need to anymore. A bolt of interest got inside me. Why is this young girl hated by many? As a result, I get to meet her.

Cruz hugs and tells me how it’s so nice to meet someone in school who’s interested in her fashion style. She gives me another smile while she sits down beside me.

It is sweet. The perfume she is wearing smells like Victoria’s Secret’s Sheer Love. “It’s just Penshoppe! Cool, right?” she says, tilting her body to the left and smiling again. I find out that the local brand, Penshoppe, is her sponsor – clothes, shoes, and perfume.  Alongside Zalora and SM Youth, Cruz models for other brands too.

When I ask her about her normal routine every day, she sighs before smiling again, “I’m just a normal student! I wake up in the morning to fix myself, go to school, go back home, go to an event, go back home then study then sleep!” She sighs once more. “It’s hectic. But yeah, I came to love this routine already.” She tilts her body again to the left before brushing her hair off her shoulders, then smiled. I ask more about her family and how different her life may be without modelling. “Actually, I’m just a normal person! I get tired A LOT OF TIMES and I NEED SLEEP ALL THE TIME so yeah… without modelling, I’ll just be my parent’s daughter!” She also adds how she’ll still be cramming an English paper when she won’t be too busy anymore! Typical student indeed. Cruz laughs and flashes her white pearls on me – she is really beautiful.

Kim Cruz tells me about her dream job, a stylist. She admits how age limits her choices but led her to something inspiring, “I wanted to be a Stylist but it’s hard to be one when you’re young so I had no choice but to style myself.” The small dream let her experience become something different but also something very worthwhile. For an 18-year-old, being interviewed by different brands, walking on fashion shows, and getting sponsored by even just the smallest shop are already extreme opportunities. What more can she do then soon? Perhaps even bigger.

A little over a week after the small talk, I see Cruz again inside a girl’s bathroom of the Ateneo campus. She slowly brushes her hair with a thin comb, carefully removing the ugly strands. I hear her phone vibrate inside her bag, she still doesn’t notice me. She says hello and even without the caller in front of her, she lets out a big smile, letting every lady witness her flawlessness. She turns around and stops to say hi to a friend she sees inside the common room. Turns out, her friend is also a friend of mine. I stand unwanted to be seen, a little self-conscious of my own “flawlessness”.

But too late. Cruz puts her phone down to have a chit-chat with me and our friend. She asks how our day was and tells us how hot every day is for her. We agree and I try to act cool, secretly fixing my hair. It is my turn now to use the toilet and Cruz notices this for she pulls me to a soft hug and bids goodbye. Her deep voice remains in my ear and I try to imagine her with a different tone, probably a little higher to match her feminine looks. But this side of her isn’t awful, it is in fact one of her charms.

The sudden meet-up is awkward for me but it doesn’t seem like that for Cruz. She was all smiling and bubbly, a little too friendly indeed for someone who she just met once. But it is okay. I realize Cruz is a friend of everyone! I notice her waving on random people almost every minute of my time with her and it is amazing how one girl can be everyone’s girl – not in a bad way, but the best way you can think of.

As soon as I felt my pockets vibrate on another hot day, I know right then what is coming ahead. My palms sweat and my heart beats faster but it isn’t because of awkward conversations anymore, I am excited to hang out with Cruz.

Photos from Kim Cruz

I got a text around 12 Noon of a Friday and now, I’m walking alongside Cruz, on the way to meet up SMART COMMUNICATIONS for another sponsor activity. November 2014 was her year, where she all intended her wanted future. Kim-cruz.blogspot.com happened and only a year and a half has passed yet everything is already going as planned! The small gathering is happening in Zen Garden. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” flies in town soon and Cruz will be receiving free premier tickets! LUCKY GIRL! The place is a little packed – cameras everywhere, men in briefs inside-out, fake capes unable to soar. Cruz pats me on the shoulder to assure me she’ll be back after one of the personnel talks to her. She wears a white off-shoulder top, denim pencil skirt and her favorite Nike air-max; no heavy make-up, just her smile to complete the look.

Another person gives Cruz a hug and they talk for a little while before she leads Cruz in front of the camera. Cruz remains silent while she listens to the instructions given to her. She nods in agreement. The film rolls and Cruz speaks while holding two tickets on her hands. It’s funny, she isn’t a Smart user yet they chose to let her promote the movie! What’s even funnier is that amongst the many opportunities Cruz has been given, she hasn’t decided what the biggest one is yet. She sees them as little roles while I see them oppositely. Yet, as she shares the fact to me, I don’t hear bragging but humility. It is an honest claim and she claims to be normal and just blessed.

Cruz comes back and asks me to join her for lunch. I agree before even asking her if she’s busy. We walk the stony steps and I smell the sweet scent of her again. She hits one of the passersby and stops to apologize, smiling. She trips on the short sidewalk and laughs the mistake off. She asks me want I want to eat, I stare at her before saying “Anything’s alright, Kim.” And I smile.

People entitle Kim Cruz as a “wanna-be famous star”, a blogger not worth anticipating. But Kim’s also just a teenager. Just someone who’s a little ahead of everyone her age. But that doesn’t mean hates and rumors will solve the unfair world.

Kim’s amazing and I can’t wait to watch her bloom even more in the fashion industry.

Check her out: Twitter, Instagram, Youtube

xoxo, spicycinderella

I will always like you. I will forever remember your name, your face, your touch. I will forever miss your stare, your smile, your eyes, your hand, your hugs – everything about you. I will miss you. I want to hold your hand tighter. I want to keep on liking you. I want to fall in love with you. I want you to fall in love with me. I want to hear you breathe, I want to hear you laugh. I want you to…

Sabi ko ayoko na. Sabi ko wala na. Pero sa bawat oras na aking nakikita ang iyong pangalan, heto ako… iniisip ang mga “what ifs” na sana’y ating ginawa na sana’y hindi tayo sumuko.   Gusto parin kita, pero ayaw mo na.   Sa bawat oras ba na ako’y nakikita mo ganito rin ang nangyayari sa’yo? (nov. 13, 2016) photo from tumblr

ASCII

“and then she smiled despite all the pain”

photographer: fortunato madamba | post-editor: nikki regalario

Processed with VSCO

Processed with VSCO

  photographer: duvette custodio | post-editor: nikki regalario

I just want someone to love me for who i am, but it’s a shitty world and no one gives a fuck. I didn’t expect you to come. Like a knight in shining armour, you saved me from drowning in a painful previous heartbreak. You came and let me discover new things. You let me fly once more. But now I’m drowning again because you decided to leave and let me fly alone – and I couldn’t do it for you held my…

SC x blueREP Presents: Real Life Fairytales

Different lives, different stories. I walked inside the walls of Fine Arts Theater in Ateneo de Manila University. I felt the cold air brushing through my skin and heard the soft squeals of the excited audience. It was the evening of September 17 (Friday), and I was about to witness a fairytale – or so I thought. There were lights. There was music. And the show began. The Ateneo Blue Repertory…

I love getting all tumblr and artsy on my feed and of course, I get inspiration from different people’s own accounts. Just to give you an idea who they are, here are my top 5 picks THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. You guys should follow them too!!! like… right. now.

(in no particular order teehee)

1. CASSIE MASANGKAY | @cassiemasangkay

Cassie Masangkay, a Youtube vlogger (ToThe9s), has a lit Instagram feed that offers its viewers a glimpse of minimal shots of fashion and her daily life. I love how professional the vibe is yet friendly, as well. Cassie doesn’t disappoint me with any post and I crave to own her feed.

2. RICCI PAMINTUAN | @riccipamintuan

That’s right, Ricci Pamintuan is the second girl from ToThe9s and yes, I do love her feed as well. In my opinion, unlike Cassie’s, Ricci’s feed is more colorful but this difference between them is the reason why you should follow them both! They may give the same vibe but it’s just ILLEGAL not to admire the two separately.

3. KAREN YEUNG | @iamkareno

This youtuber from Los Angeles is also one of my favorite vloggers. Her style is so unique that I can’t help myself but to be inspired! Karen loves to take photos of herself and even though the feed isn’t minimal, it still gives off a vibe that’s classy and artsy. Just like her videos, her Instagram feed screams “FOLLOW ME OR YOU’LL REGRET IT”. So do it. (I do follow her btw, I just did the screenshot of hers while I was logged out)

4. EMILIE RISTEVSKI | @helloemilie

If you love nature then Emilie’s the girl you’ve been looking for. With more than 677K followers, she takes you to different places that will definitely make you gasp with awe. I love how professional her photos are and how much time she makes just to inspire her followers. There’s no single flaw on her shots and that’s why you should check her out.

5. PATRICIA HENSON | @patriciahenson

I have been inspired by Patricia since day one, tbh. The Filipina model brings her career to a different level with an Instagram feed that offers brands’ items and daily trips to random beautiful places. Her beach photos are TO DIE FOR and wait ’til you see her body which makes every boys and girls cry. I wish I have her life.

What do you think of their feeds? Would you follow and love them, too?

Tell me in the comments down below and don’t forget to check out my Instagram account as well!

xoxo, spicycinderella

FAVORITES | MAY 2016

Another month has ended and I can’t help but share to you all the faves I had (still do) for May! :) Videographer: Duvette Custodio DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND GIVE THIS VIDEO A THUMBS UP! xoxo, spicycinderella

LOOKBOOK | THRIFT COLLECTION 2016

Who said fashion bloggers don’t buy thrift clothes? Here’s some of my collection! I hope you guys like it and tell me what you think in the comments down below! :) (and yep, i love my new hairstyle) HUGE thanks to these people Videographer: Duvette Custodio Assistant and supporter: Angel Baccay Music Director: Elijah Salvador DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND GIVE THIS VIDEO A THUMBS UP!…

LOOKBOOK | SPRING 2016

Check out these 5 Spring outfits that you can do as well!!! I really enjoyed doing and editing this video! Wishing you guys will too :) Special thanks to my friend Duvette for shooting this with me!!! She’s da real bomb everyone *wink* DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND GIVE THIS VIDEO A THUMBS UP!