Styleberryjam

Jamin Gascon I blog about fashion and beauty --beauty fashioned in my Savior's time. | Ecc. 3:11 •Events Producer• Christian•Letranista• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Count as of Jan. 21, 2015:

[styleberryjam]

Be Heartily Beautiful --Inside and Out

Since my closet is full of classy girly dresses for special occasions, I chose to wear something edgy but powerful to maintain my girly spirit for Hearts Day. I promised myself to not be complacent with the way I style up, so wearing my kind of dresses is not an option this time.

I'm very happy with this romper dress I bought from SM Store. The print and its cut is exactly what I want. To add more accent to this outfit, I walked with these less detailed killer pumps from Parisian. 

Do I look like a date-able babe already? Hihi. Just to share, every time my boyfriend and I would go on special dates like this, I really allot time to prepare for my look. Not because I'm maarte  nor because finds me horrible. Lol! For me, us girls must always look our best every time we step out the door. Best even in our most laid back outfit, best even in the most plain tee we'll ever wear. And this isn't because we aim to please any Mr. Christian Grey out there!

Being at your best simply means exuding the dignity you truly have inside. Proper hygiene, good grooming, and neatness are hallmarks of respect for yourself and respect for the people around you. Ugliness is easily dismissed as insignificant. Beauty, meanwhile, is appreciated everywhere. Besides, who would prefer to look frumpy, right? Outward beauty is not as frivolous as it seems. We are all created in the likeness and image of God. I believe that we have a beautiful God who beautifully designed us. We must nourish the beauty He uniquely gave to each and everyone of us. Do you agree, beautiful?:)

[styleberryjam]

Nail Organix Nails It!

I’ll be honest. I’m not the nails-OC type of a girl who bothers about her nail polish every week. I only get my nails pampered whenever I feel grossed about them, haha… Please don’t judge, girls will certainly have that one thing to be lazy of doing :p So when I got invited to Nail Organix for a blog review, I got very excited! Not only because my nails will get pampered but also because this is a first for Styleberryjam. Woohoo! Achievement unlocked! ;) 

First thing I liked about Nail Organix is its location. You can find it in the well-known food hub place, Kapitolyo Pasig. O ‘di ba, after getting nail-care with your girlfriends you can pig out naman with them in just five to ten steps away from Nail Organix!

Next thing I liked is that the moment I stepped inside, I didn't even notice myself closing my eyes to savor the sweet scent covering the whole place. The spa is also unique for not being feminine in pink but so girly in blue! Coolness and sweetness combined!

I picked their Ocean Luxury Foot Spa treatment. Dead Sea salt was rubbed from my knees to my toes, and mud mask was applied afterward. I was told that these work together to smoothen my skin and relieve stiffness of joints and muscles. Indeed, I felt the treatment taking effect after a day or two.

I particularly loved the sensation of Dead Sea rubbing on my knees. It was so relaxing I even fell asleep for a couple of minutes during the treatment, lol!

The mud mask was also soothingly effective. My feet finally got rid of dry skin! They also have a bunch of choices for nail polish. I myself had a hard time to choose from them. One week has passed now but the polish is still immaculately uneroded from my toenails. I just hate that I had limited time due to my appointments that day so my fingernails didn’t get the tender loving care it deserved. I heard them scream in a fit of envy to my toenails haha *hallucinating*

From the adorable ambience to the excellent service to the pleasurable treatment and to the reasonable price, Nail Organix is a LIKE for me! My expectations were met. I’ve got happy feet now! And the whole experience made me realize that as a lady, I must lavish my nails with more pampering ‘coz even small hygiene booboos can make the world of difference between looking good and looking bad.

Nail Organix Location: TCI Tower, West Capitol Drive, corner Stella Maris Street, Pasig, 1600 Metro Manila :)

[styleberryjam]

Chilly and Comfy

Hippie outfits, such as loose shirts paired with ripped jeans, or shorts topped with polo was the ensemble I was thinking of wearing for our trip, but then I remembered I already wore such in tagaytay way back 2012 and it wasn’t a wise decision—all I did during the trip was shiver ‘til I got a headache because of the cold weather.  So in the end, I decided to put comfort above style.

Wearing sweaters, jackets, turtleneck tops, and coats will never grow old for low-temperature places like Tagaytay. You can also warm yourself without struggling looking for thick sweaters. Why don’t you try to layer the pieces? It’s always fun to experiment on your clothes! Boots and oxford shoes can run the whole outfit, too! Don’t over-decorate yourself just because you’re going somewhere far and scenic. Choosing appropriate clothes for the places you visit will definitely eliminate discomfort that could ruin your poise for the occasion. 

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Pullover: TERRANOVA

Boots: FOREVER21

[styleberryjam]

Wearing these tonight for my cousin's wedding.🎊 (at DAP Hotel Tagaytay)

[styleberryjam]

Happy New Fashion Statements!

Finally, I’m baaaaack!!! Hello, 2015! Hello, beautiful! Hello, berries!

Welcome to the more chic, feminine, and classic STYLEBERRYJAM! Ahhh thank God 2015 has finally come. I’ve got so much energy for this year. I’m literally feeling all the good vibes ‘coz I know that this will be the year of making more of my dreams happen.

Let’s start with the good vibes reverberating all over my blog. I started STYLEBERRYJAM in August 2014, and in the past 4 months, somehow, I have tasted the life of a blogger. The pleasure of meeting your inspirations, taking photos with them, and being appreciated by people you barely know--all of these brought me so much joy and made me desire more success for Styleberryjam.

From the sweet, old look of this website, I decided to transform the layout into one that reflects more of the good fashion taste that I want to emphasize in 2015. I want to flaunt more classy and chic outfits that can be worn anywhere, everywhere, and by every girl. Don’t worry, because if you find some of them too unbecoming for you, I'll try to select items from diverse ensembles that can adapt to potentially unpredictable fashion trends this 2015.

On this first outfit post for 2015, I wore high-waist jeans that I usually see being paired with pieces that can score a rugged look. To turn it into something sophisticated, I opted to pair the jeans with a simple black tank top and a draped cardigan. I don’t want to keep every piece plain so I used a bag and necklace that screams “Fabulous!”

Looking at my shoes, can you guess where and when I wore this outfit? Ohh well, I wore this on my first day at work last Jan. 5!  Hooray for my new work!!! It’s another blessing that excites me this 2015. It took me a long time to look for a job that I’d really love, and hopefully this one’s the right one for me.

I. AM. REALLY. EXCITED!!!

Twenty-fourteen, I didn’t know you’d end opening the door of my dreams. You really welcomed me into adulthood. You took me into a different level of maturity. It’s not easy but the prize is worth it! Thank you so much for every good and bad experience. Twenty-fifteen, I am so ready! Let’s bring it on! :D

OUTFIT DETAILS:

CARDIGAN: THRIFT STORE

PANTS: GREENHILLS

SHOES: ARTE_SHOPPE

BAG: PARFOIS (Christmas gift from my boyfriend :D)

[styleberryjam]

Enjoy the Wait!

 This dress is actually from the girl’s section of FOREVER21. Good thing the print and style don’t look as intended for kids as they’re supposed to be. I would have wanted to wear minimal looking shoes and bag that would not compete for attention the dress should grab for the most part. However, I forgot to bring my high heels with me so I just matched my outfit with this black wedge I found inside the car compartment LOL!! 

The photos were taken while I was waiting for the ceremony to start. Waiting can be a drag. A photo shoot was a good way to kill the boredom. But there's a different kind of waiting whose drudgery is more difficult to overcome. I'm talking about waiting for my turn to be a bride someday.

As I was marveling on my imagined wedding, I couldn't help but wish that time would run faster. I really wanted to walk down the aisle, wear my own wedding gown, and tell the man I love that he means the whole world to me and make my plans for the future happen. But then, somebody slapped me and woke me up from my daydreaming haha jk!

Of course, ladies of my age should not haste to tie the knot. Marriage demands an extraordinary level of commitment to another person. Failure to prepare extensively and prayerfully can yield a lifetime of pain. So maybe here are some things we can consider before settling down:

1. BE GOD'S BRIDE FIRST

I have been attending a “life group” in our church called “Bride-to-Be’s” because all of us in the group are ladies. One thing I have learned from there is, being hurt or broken-hearted is not the love-life experience every girl should go through to be stronger, mature, and ready for the next challenges in life. Instead, being loved by God and being deeply in love with him in return could be the most meaningful journey a girl can walk through. This is the kind of love you can really be selfless with. Loving someone you cannot see, hear, or text everyday, but still being able to grasp the essence of love will help you develop yourself into a bride-material—not just someone who is simply available.

2. NO MORE HIDING IN MOMMY'S SKIRT

I just started on this when I had my job. Being really independent is not as easy as it seems! I thank my parents, though, because they’re training us as early as now to stand on our own. We have this house rule to buy our own shampoo, soap, toothpaste, any grocery items that we need or anything that we know we should let ourselves spend for. You know what? The first time I did my grocery, I realized that buying a single dress amounts to my 1-2 weeks of grocery supplies! Hahaha! Little by little, let’s train ourselves to buy stuff for our parents instead of them catering to our needs forever.

3. ENJOY LIFE

Have some “Me-Time”! Maintain connection with your friends, hang out, chill out, and make sure that you do things responsibly.

4. PUT CHECKS ON MY BUCKET LIST

Five years from now, I see myself as a full-time blogger, a media missionary, stylist, traveler, and a businesswoman! I’ve always been so open about my dreams. If you have read some of my earlier posts you’ll know what I really want to do with my life. After graduating from college, I started saving not just money but also the things that I need to achieve my #bffgoals, #relationshipgoals, #lifegoals and all the goals out there! Isn’t it nice to settle in marriage, making many of your dreams happen, and starting to dream more dreams for your family?

5. LEARN MOMMY'S RECIPES

REALLY. Can I just inject her cooking skills into my head?! Haha :D We’re real close if you know how good my mom cooks! Our family is seldom fascinated by fine-dining restaurants because her dishes are as good as what we order, most of the time even much better. Whenever we dine out, it’s impossible not to hear, “Mas masarap pa luto mo, Mommy.” Lol! Out of the hundred recipes she has, I only know 20% of them hahaha! There’s a saying “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” So mom.. teach me more! :D

Have you thought of the things you want to have/accomplish/practice before entering marriage or even bf/gf relationship? Hope I made you think as we all strive to become Godly, loving, and capable brides-to-be!

[styleberryjam]

Styleberryjam at Philippine Fashion Week 2014

Honestly, Bhesh and I don’t hang out regularly like other bffs do. We only see each other twice or thrice--if we're lucky--a month, but we always talk on iMsg to keep each other updated. Our chats usually revolve around bloggers, online shops, clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, frogs (you know what it is, bhesh! Haha), but more than these we talk about our dreams. Both of us have the same interest in being fashion bloggers and studying in a fashion school someday. So when she won the giveaway, we couldn't wait to get off our house and experience the Philippine Fashion Week!

My Philippine Fahion Week 2014 OOTD | Denim jacket and top from Forever21, Origami skort from Divisoria, Shoes borrowed from my sister (brand: People Are People)

Three European brands from Spain dominated the show last October 24, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center. These brands were (Sfera), Uno de 50 and Suite Blanco. Among the three, Suite Blanco was the one that turned me into an emoji with heart eyes! I kept on saying “Ang ganda! Ang ganda!” as I beheld their collection. The clothes were so girly, stylish and really on the trend.

I want that skirt in the middle for Christmas!

Philippine Fashion Week also gave me the opportunity to meet nice people from the fashion industry.  Some of them are bloggers Rea Bue, Camie Juan, and TV Host/Radio DJ Andi Manzano. I spent some minutes talking to Rea and Camie. All I can say is that they are very down-to-earth and approachable!

The show really went fast. We didn’t expect it to end quickly haha.. That's how it goes pala! It feels good to be exposed to an immensely influential moment in the Philippine fashion scene. I know that I am on my way to greater places in the fashion industry. (Yes, claim ko na ‘to! Haha!) This is my dream. And I am happily living it.

[styleberryjam]

Plainly Outgoing

I enjoyed feeding the fishes which exactly looked like the MRT crowd, lol! The boating experience was super nakakabitin because it only went around once. I love that I didn’t feel any hassle with my outfit while doing these simple yet too-much-fun activities!

Wearing a classy + playful ensemble in a paradise like Nuvali is not awkward at all. I paired my American Apparel-inspired high-waist shorts from postura_mnl with an off-white top to strike a balance in my rusty orange color palette. Citrus shades are really hard to match with other colors so try to pair them with white, black, or any pastel color.

Since I’m wearing an off-shoulder top, I used my current favorite necklace, which was bought and handpicked by my dad. Yes, he knows my taste! I am so in love right now with this necklace! The details saved my outfit from boredom. If you’re going to pair plain pants, shorts, or skirts with a plain top, I suggest that you wear a head-turning necklace like this.

And finally, I have chunky heels shoes now, yay! I’ve been wanting to have chunky heels shoes ever since I saw one in a mall but it was too pricey. Thank God girlshaven has every trendy shoe to offer! The shoes are so comfy and I love how they simply added coolness to my look :D

Don’t hesitate to be playful and look classy on your adventures! Stay safe, everyone! :)

OUTFIT DETAILS:

TOP: GREENHILLS

HIGH-WAIST SHORTS: POSTURA_MNL

SHOES: GIRLSHAVEN

NECKLACE: CLAIRE’S

[styleberryjam]

Something Beautiful

What defines a beautiful girl?

Is it her looks? The places she goes to? How about the shoes she wears? Umm, having cars and luxury bags? Is she defined by the friends she chooses to be with? Or the witty captions on her Instagram posts? :p

So many standards, we might get choked if we try to take them all in! 

I’m not stopping you from beautifying yourself and from buying stuff you can afford to enhance your looks. I myself am guilty of that! Girls will always be girls but wouldn't it be nicer if we take more time focusing on enhancing our inward beauty?

You can beautify your outward look in 10-15 minutes but beautifying your character is an everyday, time-after-time process. Girls whose language reflect breeding and character are definitely more beautiful than girls who can impeccably speak five foreign languages, six dialects and the Morse code. Girls who know how to appreciate will always be appreciated in return. Girls who don’t gossip about their bffs won’t have trust issues like those back-stabbers. I’m not saying that you must be an angel here but being simply kind to people will surely radiate the beauty within you. 

I believe that dressing up is an inevitable way of expressing the true contents of your heart. Like with this ensemble, I paired my tropical printed dress with a vibrant shade of blue to avoid looking gloomy in this gloomy weather. You can also use a vest, casual coat, and even a leather jacket to rock a dress like this. Since I was not wearing any accessory except for my watch, I wore my studded loafers to add a dash of fancy to my outfit.

Some people have a smarter sense of fashion. So if you’re gifted with that, why not use it to reflect the beauty that is within you? This beauty exists because we were created by God, who makes all things beautiful in His time. :)

OUTFIT DETAILS:

DRESS: GREENHILLS

CARDIGAN: GAP

SHOES: THRIFT STORE (but the brand is FOREVER21. Lucky me! :D)

WATCH: ANNE KLEIN

BAG: ARTE_SHOPPE

[styleberryjam]

'Rugged' is More than Just an Outfit

I didn’t want to look too rugged, though. So I opted wearing this sunflower-printed cropped top to soften the action-starry appeal of my denim vest and high-waisted pants. Also, since it’s been raining these days, I thought that would be more okay to wear my (kinda) combat boots. I have mad love for boots! Good thing people here in the Philippines believe in the power of boots, too—making me feel not too shy to wear it! Haha :D

I remember, back when I was younger, “rugged” would be the last adjective to describe my personality and fashion taste. Nothing in me could be described as tough or strong.  I rarely believed in me. I hardly saw my potentials, my God-given talents, and the big things that I could do in life. I thought I was useless, and that I could never be like some people who are tougher and better-looking.

But the experiences of life helped me discover the right amount of ruggedness I needed to weather the storms I face.  I realized that copying someone else’s strength is not the main point of this existence. Yes, others may inspire us but we must always remember that we have our own individuality. We have our own space of grace and we must learn how to maximize every room of it.

You can’t possess that strong and determined personality you’re searching for in just one day. We get resilient only when we stay rugged and persistent through the tests of time.

Up to now, I battle different storms but thank God I have Him. I know he has always got my back. He is the true source of enduring ruggedness that never caves in under the weight of the world. So whatever you’re facing, hold your head up high! Ruggedness can be more than just a fashion statement. Focus on the things that you can improve and, believe me, you’ll make it one day!

OUTFIT DETAILS:

DENIM VEST: FOLDED AND HUNG

HIGH WAISTED PANTS: FOREVER21

SUNFLOWER CROPPED TOP: ARTE_SHOPPE

BOOTS: ARTE_SHOPPE

[styleberryjam]

Buts, off you go!

The moment I saw this off-shoulder Bohemian top I’m wearing, I was instantly fascinated with the design. The chic color and vintage-y ruffles, made me think of buying it. I got one problem, though; I don’t wear off-shoulder clothes! I guess I've always avoided them simply because I’m not used to them.

But since I am starting to blog about fashion style, I have decided to delete the “buts” in my mind and try new fashionable things. So I didn’t waste my time standing in the mall while staring at these items.

Now, here I am thoroughly enjoying them!

If you’re also uncomfortable with off-shoulder tops, see to it first that you’re going to wear them in places where they would not be deemed inappropriate. For me, it’s not pleasant to wear skin-revealing clothes in churches, schools, adventure trips, and theme parks. You’ll just be annoyed pulling the sleeves up and down! Fixing the sleeves every now and then will only make people wonder if it’s your first time to wear an off-shoulder top.

Wearing your hair fabulously could also help distract people’s eyes so they would not focus too much on your shown skin. Go have your hair styled nicely.

As for the sneakers, what I love about them is that they increased my height by 2 inches! :p I hardly ever wear sneakers, but these are a YASSS! Matching the off-shoulder top with shoes that contradict its bohemian look was very nice to try.

Start erasing the “buts” on your head! The moment you know that something can lead to a better YOU, explore it! Think hard if it’s going to help you improve yourself, then go and work it out, girl! There’s nothing wrong with failing if you’ll use its lessons to better yourself. At least you tried, right? Always remind yourself that there’s always a better version of your self waiting to be unleashed. God never designed his princesses to settle with mediocrity. Strive to discover new things in life every day!

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Top: FOREVER21

Shorts: Thrift Store

Watch: Anne Klein

Shoes: @arte_shoppe

[styleberryjam]

Dreamer at 21

Today adulthood just welcomed me into the hood. Yes, I am now 21 years old and I’m feeling dreamy! Dreams are racing in my head, I don’t even know which one’s gonna step out of the starting line first. But all I know is I should make my dreams happen... and having my own fashion blog is the first lap I have reached, so far!

Enough with wasting time, no to bum days, and stop the excuses. Procrastination is the enemy I have decided to defeat. And I’m feeling happy 'coz I’ve never wished for a blog for my birthdays! Before, I always desired to receive bags, shoes or clothes during my birthdays (BUT, BUT… I’m not materialistic! Haha). Maybe my heart’s desires changed because I want to be more serious about life. So I am now putting sense to my #OOTDs, #ShoeSelfie, #Selfie.. LOL joke!

On my birthday, I decided to wear something that won’t make me look like a little girl who still plays with her Barbie doll. I’m often mistaken for that girl because of my… umm… little height! So to escape that age discrimination I’m experiencing (haha! Or if you wanna be taken more seriously by humanity's judging eyes) wearing a detailed yet classy dress can make you look more mature. The beauty of this fashion statement is that you don’t have to over-accessorize because the details are enough to cover you with awesomeness. For a livelier look, match a highlighted color of your dress to your shoes.

Styleberryjam is an overflow of my appreciation to all things beautiful God has given me. The world is originally designed for beauty and goodness. Whatever remains of them must be enjoyed and celebrated. And I believe that good-looking fashion is one beautiful cause for the party that is my blog. 

OUTFIT DETAILS:

DRESS: HOST BOUTIQUE

SHOES: PAYLESS

WATCH: ANNE KLEIN

BAG: GREENHILLS