I know some of these are too personal, and I don't mean to start a pity party today but I just want to put you in a proper rendezvous point of where this post is heading.

   There was a time during the quarantine when things are just feeling blurry and crazy. Although there are days when it's all fair and sunny, some days I have pain that demands to be felt. And as negative as it may sound, it's the truth. It's my own truth and I would never want to lie to myself regardless of what others might think.

   Last May, a news came that someone I know who resides in Japan decided to end her life. It was a shocking news and though we may not be the best of best friends, she is part of my life as I am part of hers as of a woven mat. And it is just overwhelming to know how a whole life could be gone in an instant. I feel so sorry about her. The only thing that I could hope for now is for her soul to be in peace wherever it may be.

   It just hit me a lot since I almost lose a significant someone in a failed suicide attempt back when I was a teenager, but let's not talk about it. I consider the case closed. I can't seem to find the proper word for the pain that I have felt especially knowing that there are others who lose their family from it. I really hope it doesn't happen to anyone else.

     It was also during this quarantine when my anxiety level got so high and I started having skin allergies where I would scratch my skin and left it with some wounds. I don't know why it happened since these days it is also impossible to find a doctor knowing that there is an ongoing pandemic and our city is still in quarantine. It's been almost five months since we are in quarantine and just like anybody else, I am not used to this kind of situation. I'm also not able to work since schools were shutdown and it's also impossible to find a new work which doesn't include physical contact. Basically speaking, I am often in my bedroom. I feel like I was just sleeping most of the time for the month of June. I am coping by doing something creative but there are just times when I couldn't force myself to pick a paint brush or sharpen my piano skill (a new skill that I am able to learn during the quarantine btw).

    I feel better this month but some things happened which are out of my control. Thankfully, I was offered a part time position for a work that I could manage at home. Our family also managed to celebrate 3 birthdays together. Such things make me feel blessed despite the isolation I felt. This month though, Facebook tagged my blog as a spam for no apparent reasons. I have been blogging for 8 years and have been sharing my posts in my account. Not that I share them daily, only when I feel like sharing a post. I also don't have a page of my own so I am clueless as to why my page is regarded as spam. As you may have seen, I never post any hate speech or nudity or some kind in this space. When it comes to affiliate links, I have double checked them with various (by that I mean a lot) of debugger or spam checkers including Google's which resulted positively which means that my blog is clean. I felt so bad about what happened because I have local clients in Facebook which asks me to share my works in the site. Now that I can no longer do it as much as I want to, I'm thinking of building another space.

   This place felt like my own child. I put so much love into this place regardless if my contents are not strong or popular. I don't want any of those. With what happened, I am beginning to accept such limitations. I love blogging and sharing my mind to the world. Though sad that my sharing option is now limited, I'm still happy that this is still here. I'm accepting what happened because I know that no matter how sad it made me feel, my sadness will not do anything and won't help me move and become a better blogger or person. It's one thing that I've learnt although this quarantine - to let go of things that will not help me in any positive way in the future. So may see less of me in this space, but I'll definitely create a new one. Something way better and where flowers always bloom.

Because of our tropical climate, we can enjoy perpetual summer here in the Philippines. Though sometimes, it is cut short by a heavy rain, I am proud to say that most Filipinos are resilient towards any types of weather (literally and figuratively). Which is why rain or shine, it's not surprising to find people enjoying the beautiful beaches in our country.

I am not a beach babe. I love the beach, but I'm not crazy about swimming or sunbathing.  Most of the time I spend my day on the beach taking photos and just enjoying the view. Nevertheless, I would love to hit the beach before this year ends. Yes, if you haven't noticed yet, 2016 will end soon. Oh wait, it already ended the moment Trump won. lelz jk no offense to his supporters

Okay, back to the main point here, we all know that one thing that we should pack is our swimwears. It's not mandatory, but it pays to wear proper beach attire while you are in the beach right? As I am planning to go to the beach soon, I've looked for some key details regarding swimwears. I've found a good variety at StyleWe.com, an online fashion store that sells different kinds of clothing. During my search, I have also found out 3 must-have swimwears that can save us ladies from an uncomfortable and awkward dressing room situation.

High-Waist Wonders

Terrific Tankinis

Wanna break away from your cover ups? Tankinis are perfect for you! It's also best if you are a sporty girl who loves to play beach games like volleyball. It's for the girls who loves to be sexy without showing so much skin. From spandex to chiffons, there are a number of cloth that makes up different tankinis. You'll never run out of choice to look terrific in it!

One-Piece Perfection

love lots,

Tin

Too much drama!? haha Dramatic filter to solve uneven skin tone lelz

In totality, I love the wig. I also love that the shipment of the product as quick and hassle free. They guy from the site was also very understanding and he was even asking me how was the wig, and some stuffs about how it arrived.

love lots,

Tin

     Most of us keep our eyes close on the style and quality of our outer wear but looking into our undergarments is also as important. We wear them before our outer wear which means they have a more direct and sensual relationship with our bodies. For that reason, comfort and hygiene considerations must be taken account of when buying them. 

Two-Piece Lace Wear

This is perfect especially if you want to wear something airy and breathable while dozing off. This is also a great alternative for the usual cheap lingerie you see everywhere if you are not comfortable wearing thongs or underwear of similar design. You could never go wrong in combining comfy and sexy in one wear. I personally love the wine color, but if it’s not up for your taste, you can always choose another hue. This sleepwear lingerie has a strap that you can easily adjust according you your size. 

Long Sling Back Sleepwear 

It will never hurt you to update your night wardrobe into a stylish sleepwear other than the usual classic pjs we all grow into. I love being in my pajamas but I would also love to explore something modern and chic. If you want to keep those legs warm while being comfy at the same time, this is for you. 

Nude Body Shaper

I remember seeing my mom wear a body shaper when I was a little girl. Yep, even before Kim K launched her much-coveted Skims brand.  I don’t even know what this is for before but growing up a learned about it a little more about it, I could help but be amazed. A body shaper somehow magically takes few pounds of your body which helps make it look sexier and curvier. And no, that hole in the groin area isn’t a damage, it is for us women to be able to pee comfortably while wearing the shaper. 

Black Body Shaper

The nude body shaper is perfect in any way since you can wear it with variety of outfits. However, there are also some gorgeous dresses which would require you to wear something darker so a black one is also a must in your collection. Just like the nude body shaper, this also has an adjustable hem which puts all your curves in the right places. Both cheap shapewear also provides instant body dimension as well as tummy and waist control. 

Waist Trainer

Waist trainers are specifically made in order to maintain your curves. Along with your daily workout, this is a really effective way to sculp one’s tummy and waist areas. This comes with a really cool print which you can customized. This waist trainer is so comfortable that you can wear them while you’re just lounging in the living room or while quickly running into the grocery if you want. This is going to make you look so sassy but just drop the Karen attitude. 

Now here are few tips in choosing your undergarments. Most of us women would easily go for something cute but that shouldn’t always be the case. We have to consider significant things as we shop. Here are three of them:

Consider the Fabric

      A good undergarment will be made up of a good fabric and they can’t be similar to anything. For instance, a good panty must be made out of cotton. While lace and silk would be perfect for lingerie. Something flexible must be taken into account when it comes to waist trainers and body shapers. 

Know Your Size

    Comfort is very significant in wearing your undergarment which is why it has to be in your proper size. Wearing something to small or too big for you will not only make you feel comfortable but might also damage the product itself, in return, wasting your money in purchasing them. 

Go for What Feels Right for You

     Just because it looks good on the models doesn’t mean you have to buy them. Take into account your personality as well as what feels good for your body. Your undergarment, just like your outer wear are extensions of your body and who knows better about it than yourself right? If you are not a fan of lace, then choose something else which makes you feel good.

   With the pandemic going on, it might take a while for most of us to go shopping in physical stores which makes cheap online clothing stores a perfect alternative to go. When in doubt, always ask for the customer service about your concerns before checking out what’s on you cart.

   If your bank account permits, I don’t think it’s bad to go shop for little things that would make you happy especially cute undergarments. Wearing something that makes you feel best about yourself is a wonderful way to care for yourself as well. 

Good luck and stay safe!

Love lots,

Tin

  It's been more than 3 months since our city was placed in a quarantine and truthfully, the situation got the best of me. I have never felt more lonely and anxious my entire life. It is as if everything is going south while my mind is still up north. It is a struggle in so many areas of our life and I am recognizing it in finding the best ways for me to cope with the situation. 
 
      It is true that most days gone by as dark and seemingly mundane, but there are also those days where a ray of sunshine lights upon me - where I learn something new, something significant that could help me get through life not only in this time of crisis. One of which is learning about spiritual herbalism and light magic. 

     Spiritual herbalism? Light magic? What on earth are those? You might probably be cynical about my current state of mind having said such words and that's totally okay. It's the thing with magic among other things unseen. They are not tangible and readily available with physical manifestations, but it is also where its charm lies. It only works when you believe. Our minds are capable of believing in horrors - curses, the devil, and other malignant things so it wouldn't hurt to believe in its contrast - light, spiritual healing, and love. Isn't love itself a form of magic? Point is, we believe what we want to believe and we are free to do such long as we don't put someone in peril.

     Spiritual herbalism is basically the use of herbs which are deemed to have strong vibrations of energy. This is grounded on the idea of animism; the belief that all living things have life (not just humans) and that connecting with them will bring us closer to our mother- the nature and our core being our true selves. I don't think this must be subjected to criticisms if you respect all living creatures the higher being has bequeathed us. For this cleansing ritual, some herbs will be used. I'm no botanist but, I do have references for this one primarily the Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham.

     Somehow, especially for the conservative minds, the word ritual immediately connotes horror tales pertaining to dark magic but such notions aren't absolutely true. It is true that some rituals as do exist but the word ritual refer to any spiritual ceremony. Meditation is a ritual. Praying is a ritual. Lighting a candle or an incense is a form ritual. It depends on your religion or your personal beliefs. For me any ritual is essentially our own way of connecting to God.

       I am doing this moon ritual not because I pray to the moon but because I recognize its power to draw me closer to God. When I say God, you are entitled to your belief. I am Roman Catholic but you can surely do this one regardless of your religion. A moon ritual is just a simple way to ponder on new beginnings and hoping for a good tomorrow all while letting go of what you no longer need to be the best version of yourself.

      The Buck Moon cleansing ritual is done in a full moon of the month of July. It got its name from Maine's Old Farmer's Almanac noting the phenomenon wherein male deer (buck) grow their antlers. It symbolises maturity and beautiful endings before branching on new beginnings. This year's Buck Moon is going to take place on July 4/5 depending on the moonrise schedule in your area. In our country, it is going to be on the 5th of July at exactly 12:44PM. This year's buck moon must be somehow special since a penumbral lunar eclipse will also take place.

        A full moon ritual  is a time to ponder and let go of things that you feel are weighing you down. An ending but remember, that with it comes a new beginning. Meditate upon the things that you would like to cleanse in order to pave way for a new path after one has closed. 

I'm using the mortar and pestle to mix together my spices which you may not also do. 

You may carve spiritual symbols on your candles as well. Some wants to carve the pentagram symbol but I do mine with the cross symbol.

A small bowl of rice is good to include since it calls for prosperity. Rice is one of the sacred grains along with oats, barley, wheat, rye, etc. 

Afterwards, you may put all the spices you have in the mortar, mix them, or you may pound them slightly together to call upon their energy.

With the blank paper with you, write down all the things that you want to let go. It could be negative emotions, thoughts, or bad habits that are hindrances for you to start a new. Think carefully about those things and remember to keep things at ease. Once you feel cathartic, burn the paper.

Take a bay leaf and write down whatever good things that you genuinely hope for. Remember to only pray for good things, things that would not harm others in any way. Your intentions must be grounded on good things. Burn the leaf.

Say a thank you prayer and your full moon cleansing ritual is complete. 

I hope that we could do this together and that we may find that inner cleansing and healing that we hope for with the moon as our guide. Happy spiritual cleansing! Good luck!

love lots, 

Tin