M A R I A N

HOME PAGE

This is the Home Page. I want to make it minimal yet cozy because that's what people think of my brand (and also me). I stayed with serif typeface as my main and used neutral tones to give a vibe of relaxation.

You see, Home Page is the first page of what people see when they visit our website. Thus, I made it very clean and minimal yet with a touch of my personality. I also included my instagram photos on the footer and I can imagine it to be movie and clickable once it is coded.

ABOUT PAGE

The About Page is where I put the basic informations of me and my brand. My brand description, what I can do, and the services I offer to my clients and potential clients.

PORTFOLIO PAGE

I won't lie. I had a hard time putting things together on this page because I want it to be in order and keep the symmetry but I also want it to be playful. I had a hard time choosing on what artworks to put since I have a specific aesthetic to maintain. But I'm glad how this one turned out. I love that everything works out perfectly fine.

CONTACT PAGE

I’m actually proud on how this one turned out. It looks so legit! I included a “privacy terms” button to make it more legitimate because that is what I am aiming for on this project. 

I did a lot of writings during this quarantine but I kept them in the drafts or on my finder folders. All of it did not even get close to 'finish' which I find frustrating because when I was still in elementary and high school, I always write... about everything. Just give me a word and I will write my thoughts about it. All habits die hard, true, but that doesn't change the fact that eventually, it will die and turn into obscurity.

The first thing that I am struggling with right now is my academics. The university I enrolled in is not considering the mental health–the health in general of their students. Online classes were pushed through and it is not working because not everyone is privileged. Not everyone can afford a laptop, a computer, and an internet connection. Plus, this is the Philippines where internet connection is shitty. I am sometimes late in submissions because of the connection, good thing some professors are considerate but some are just... entitled. I am taking up fine arts and this course requires a lot of plates since it is both lecture and skill-based. I hate the fact that some professors are still pushing the idea of doing plates at home. Most of the students in our class including me don't have any materials because we left it on our dorms and we are now in our respective home towns.

Tang ina, ang hirap. Ang hirap basta walang pake ang Gobyerno at ang Presidente. Tang ina. Ang hirap, ang hirap maging mahirap.

I am also struggling with my mental health. These days, the voices inside my head were so loud, and they are even louder at night. I've been sleeping late, 3 AM or worse 6 AM. I can't sleep because obviously, sleep requires peace and I am not close to getting that. It is affecting my health because I wake up late. 2 PM is the new morning and dinner is the new lunch for me. I never wanted any of this but we are living though a pandemic and my mind kept on thinking about every single thing. From how shitty our Government in dealing with this pandemic down to how shitty our school is because they value more the scientia over virtus and devotio.

I by the way joined mass organization this month. I'm one of the creatives of STAND where we fight not just for the students' rights but the rights for everyone. We are currently in a battle with our school admin. We keep on writing letter and making pubmats to them. I am assigned into making pubmats and It feels good. You know, doing something that I am good at to fight for the betterment of everyone. Using my talent for a good cause. I am also the newly elected International Director of Rotaract USC Cebu, and we are having our regular meetings, it's been hard since we cannot go out (most of our programs needs social interaction btw) and we have to work of something that we have at home hence, the online meeting, online postings, etc. It's good to know that I am not completely useless, that I have a contribution, at least in my little ways.

Too much negativity eh? Let's talk about how I am coping up despite all of this unwanted things that is happening. I will not lie, I've been living a very unhealthy lifestyle since the quarantine started. I sleep late, I wake up late, I eat unhealthy foods, and I eat late. Although it is working for me and my body is not yet suffering the consequences of my unhealthy lifestyle, I want to break it and slowly by slowly redirect my path to the right one. And if you, the one who is reading is also experiencing the same thing, you're with me! I'm with you! we gonna be better soon.

I always try to not stay in my room during the day because when I do, I just sleep or binge watch series which is bad because I sometimes forget to eat. I'm the type of person whose bothered when there is nothing to do. It just gives me time to contemplate unnecessary thoughts and fight those loud voices in my head to one of the coping mechanism that works for me is organizing and cleaning out things. I love organizing stuff! from folding clothes, to washing the dishes with a new dishwashing foam and bubbly dishwashing liquid, arranging my books, basically anything about organizing. It just gives me this certain satisfaction that I do not get from doing other things. Well, it sometimes can be my downside because I tend to over work myself.. geez. I love working okay.

I am also trying out different kind of recipes (snacks and beverages). I had a lot of fun and my tummy is also happy, so are the tummy of the people surrounding me.

I'm doing a lot of digital arts lately, it's a good thing because I get to hone my skills in illutrating stuff digitally. The routine is to finish a good series (because I do consider the color grading of the film, the casting, production, the ost, typeface used, basically everything) then make a fan art out of it. Sometimes, I sketch on paper, scan it then render it digitally which is fun and liberating because I do not have to follow a guide sheet like our classes lol.

Looking back, I don't think it's entirely unproductive. It's unhealthy sure, but I think I did things that falls into the 'productive' list.

Please do not be pressured if people around you and what you see in social media is all doing productive things, or doing workouts/exercise. Remember that we are living through a pandemic and this is not some sort of vacation or summer break. This is a quarantine thing and you should look after yourself. You should do things that can help you get through and calm. Be easy on yourself and take all of the time you have to be stable. Find the coping mechanism that works for you.

Remember that everything in this world is temporary, even change. This season in our life will pass and I hope that It will serve as a lesson for us to do better next time. To be more responsible citizen. To wisely choose a government, to enroll into an institution that cares for us, to support a brand that cares and give back, to give appreciation to both front and back liners. To be a good citizen.

Wow that was a long rant-slash-thoughts, if you get 'til here, thank you for listening. I do not have anyone to talk to about my sentiments so I thought of posting it here. If it not too much to ask for, message me on my ask box if you've read all of this and let's talk (you can go anonymous). :)

Yes! your homegirl is starting the year with a vlog!

I love filming and documenting, I've been making videos since I was in fourth grade because I like the idea of recording things and keeping it but here's the thing, I did not dare to publish it online because people nowadays will always have something to say and for a sensitive girl like me, it will always affect me.

But, not today. Not this year. 

I am beyond thankful for my friends and family for being my greatest support system and for pushing me to try and publish my VLOG. 

I've been saving up the courage to post it because I have a lot of insecurities and I overthink a lot. Which... sucks.

Since I love trying out different things and styles, I often make an effort when I post my Instagram Stories! I even received a lot of messages on my curious-cat account asking what applications I use in my  Stories, some ask my best friend to ask me what I use! (I know, I know! it’s crazy!) thus I decided to make a blog about the applications I use on my phone, not just in the field of photo editing but also in the field of education, entertainment, and etcetera!

E D U C A T I O N A L 

1. Meriam Webster Dictionary 

I guess everyone has this app. I like this one more than Oxford because it has educational games which help me during my leisure time or when I just want to kill time.

2. Class Up

This app helps students manage classes, track their tasks/assignments, jot down notes. They can also communicate with their classmates. You can make and organize your class schedule here, customize it with your desired color and apply your favorite wall-paper and screenshot it and make it as your home or lock screen

3. MS Word

A portable Microsoft Word Office. This app helps me a lot mostly in school. MS Word in the phone works just like the MS Word on the computer! Plus, you can send your document to Facebook Messenger directly! 

4. Reminders, Notes

These are note-taking applications that are already installed on smartphones. I used these to keep me on track of the things that should be done. I also jot down my plans on Notes.

5. 365 Gratitude

This is an e-journal where you take note of what happened in your day. It’s essential especially to people like me who love to write about her day and read it in the future. 

6. Tiny Decisions

This is an app that makes making decisions fun and easy. It's like a wheel of fortune where instead of prizes, what is written are your choices! Just input your choices, spin the wheel and you get a random result. 

P H O T O S  A N D  V I D E O S

7. RNI Films

Familiar with Afterlight’s dusty effect? It’s also on RNI Films, you can choose over 5 (or more?) types of dust effect. It also has some vintage and retro filters.

8. Adobe Lightroom

If you are new to Lightroom, you may find it complicated or hard to adjust your photo thus I recommend using presets. There are a lot of free presets on Google and Pinterest. I can also give you some if you want! Just message me.

9. Unfold

This is useful for creating Instagram stories. I use this a lot because it is subtle and minimal, with no loud fonts, just right to my taste.

10. PicsArt

A photo editing app where I usually edit (Instagram Stories, Collage, etc). Familiar with Afterlight’s polaroid frames and flares? you can do it on PicsArt too, plus it’s free, unlike Afterlight. 

11. VSCO

Everyone knows about this. I personally love VSCO Cam and I prefer this more than Afterlight because it’s easy to access, edit and user-friendly. Its filters are calm, unlike other filters from editing apps.

12. VCUS

If you are into montage making for your vlogs or you just want to make a montage for your Instagram and facebook stories, I recommend this app. It has cool transitions and it automatically edits your videos.

E N T E R T A I N M E N T, E T C.

13. WeSing

I love singing so much to the point that it made me download WeSing! I love this app because aside from the fact that it allows me to do mini karaoke, it allows me also to interact and have a duet with my Facebook friends.

14. Pinterest

If artists drink coffee to fuel their energy, then I have Pinterest to fuel my creative juices. 

15. Shopback

If you are into online shopping- Lazada, Shopee, Zalora or you use Food Panda or any delivery application, I encourage you to install Shopback. It gives you rebates from your online shopping. 

In today’s blog, I will show you how to make your own roll up case from scratch AKA things you can find at home so you can personalize your case into your own style and save money.

Here are the things you need:

I am 99% sure that most of these materials are already on your home so you do not have to buy.

Canvas Cloth. You can choose your own type of fabric (I do not recommend soft fabric) I just use this because this is what I have. Burlap fabrics are good too.

Paint Brush  (for decoration // I use Berkeley #1 brush)

Stick Glue, you can also use wood glue and fabric glue

Glue Gun

Pair of scissors

Paint (I use acrylic by basic and gouache by marie)

Ruler

Masking Tape (for decoration // alternative for painter’s tape)

Pencil (for markings // alternative for tailor’s chalk)

Now, let’s start!

Get your fabric, pencil and ruler. Measure the size you want your case to be and  cut it using scissors. It is best to get your brush and fold the lower part of your fabric upward and place your brush inside and mark it using your pencil, this will serve as your guide.

For clean edges, fold half of an inch in every corner of your fabric and glue it using glue stick and glue gun.

After gluing all the corners of the fabric, fold the lower part of your fabric upward (until where your marking is!) and glue the left part of the fabric. Yes! only the left part... first.

Now, let’s start building up your brushes’ new home! The spaces between my brushes is one thumb away. Get your brush and put your thumb in between; put markings or just eyeball it like I did. You can glue the whole part but it’s time consuming and complicated so I glue only the upper part, still works the same.

Do the same thing to the rest of the spaces and you can now glue the right part of the fabric to lock it.

Looking good! We’re getting there! Now you guys notice what’s missing? Yes! the handle...

For the handle, you have so many options. You can get a rubber band, a garter or anything that you think might work but for me, I settled for a knot. I cut a small piece of my fabric, glued its corners and glued it on the right corner of my roll-up case.

and yay, you’re done! you can now put your brushes and pencils inside...

Now, this is optional. I decided to spice up my roll-up case with a minimalist design. You can design your case with whatever you like, you can find inspiration on pinterest and behance.

Here’s how I did mine...

I decided for a rainbow design. Now, painting on canvass can be messy so I grab a masking tape and use it to achieve a clean line.

I use a hair dryer to to make it dry fast since acrylic and gouache take a couple of minutes to dry completely.

Repeat the steps. Masking tape - paint - dry - repeat.

Here’s my finish product

and that’’s it, yay! I hope you guys find time to make your own roll-up case. It’s really easy and you can save a lot of money plus you can customize it into your own liking and style!

My lashes are long enough but it has an average curl so I always allocate time to curl them using eye lash curler... (Here’s a tip, blow dry or put your curler on your armpit for a minute or two before curling your eyelashes. Thank me later!) but time is gold and I am always running late and I sometimes end up rushing everything AKA getting my eye stabbed by my curler (kidding but more likely!) so I decided to get my lash permed at Blush, Pagadian City.

It is my second time to try their lash perming and I must say, not bad for a Php 350.00 that is good for 1 to 2 months! Mine lasted for almost 3 months and I am satisfied with their service. It will took you an hour or maybe more, mine took almost 2 hours depending on how fast your technician is and how many customers she’s accommodating. But I promise you, it’s all worth it.

Here’s a picture of my lashes right now, I did not curl my lashes and did not put any mascara. (Ft. Taylor’s // hello my swiftie heart ugH)

If you want to try lash perm, here are some tips that I can give you.

When it comes to things like this, different kinds of medicine and chemicals are applied to your skin and hair so before booking an appointment, do some research about the service, see reviews and interview your technician about the service like how long s/he is doing it.

I won’t deny this. The process may bore you. I suggest you bring with you your phone and listen to any songs from spotify!

I suggest to not use oil-based make up removers. It can ‘uncurl’ your lashes. Stick to miscellar water.

Book an appointment. This is important if you want your session to be hassle free. Contact the salon before going so you will know if they are available or not. I once went to Blush but the lady who specializes in lash perming is not available and ended up waiting for an hour.

Relax and close your eyes. You are advise to not take a peak or a look so that chemicals won’t enter on your eyes. I was hard headed and curious, I took a risk and I got my eyes stung. Don’t follow me, lmao.

Do not wet your eye lashes for 24 hours after perming.

Comb your eyelashes often.

The process may break down some of your hair. I suggest you do this once in every 2 months. 

I really recommend eye lash perming more than eye last extension. I have a lot of friends complaining about how itchy their extensions are. Perming is really the best option if you want naturally curled lashes everyday plus it shave time off your morning makeup routine.