Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book.  ~Author Unknown

When you wake up in a room full of books it is like opening your eyes to a buffet of adventures, of places to explore and of lives to peer into.  When I open a book that has been read before perhaps by a stranger , I dwell on the idea that the book I am holding bears at least one more story in addition to the one written on its pages.  I get curious on how the book might have affected its previous reader and what does the it hold for me.  

My fondness for pre-loved books lures me towards thrift bookstores.  The old smell and the yellowed dog eared pages fascinates me so much that I feel a momentary serenity when I enter any house of books.

The pull of La Belle Aurore was too strong to ignore.  After months of knowing this enticing nook exists, me and my bookworm friends finally just stormed in and literally raided the place!  It was like Disneyland, we wanted EVERYTHING!  I found so many titles there that tickles my fancy and I could only wish I had the resources to put them all in my plastic bag!  

It was so hard choosing the books to bring home!

I don't know if there are other thrift bookstores as homey and cozy as La Belle Aurore here in Cebu City.  Unfortunately, Booksale, to me, lacks the ambiance of a personalized bookshop although they serve their purpose of offering second hand books.  

I love the vintage feel and Audrey Hepburn's presence here!

It's the eccentricities of bookshops like La Belle Aurore that set the tone for a reading that seeps deep into the soul.

Waking up to a room full of books is like a beautiful sunrise that inspires us to bask in the endless possibilities of life while it unfolds upon us every waking day!

This is my attempt at looking like a feisty terror teacher.  It's also my entry to Pens and Lens' Fashion Stylist photo contest where I am hoping to win a full Forever21 outfit ensemble courtesy of Sweet.

I've worn this several times in school minus the awfully painful wedges and necklace.  I came up with this look because I wanted to depict Sweet's serious teacher side.  I was inspired by a recent photo of her raising a stick to scare a naughty school boy lol!

Miss Minchin of The Little Princess

First day of school last Monday and I was uber excited because I have not stepped inside school grounds for more than two months.  The weather was as crazy as ever, so just imagine a very sweaty me running up and down the winding stairs to get enrolled.  In grad school there's no rush to get yourself enrolled because classes offered would never close due to minimal enrollees.  But before the hullabaloo of my enrollment, I started my school year with a very very hilarious BANG!  

This is the bag from this haul

I was just about to come down from the jeepney I was ridding for school when suddenly a lady of chalk white face (chinchansoo alert) pointed her lips towards my knockoff Chanel bag and then said "Miss, mao nay GUSI?"   (Miss, is that GUSI?) I did not have the time to answer her because I was careful in getting down from the vehicle.  As soon as I processed her question, I was roaring with laughter while crossing the busy street from Carbon, a big market place right across my school.  To this day I still smile when I remember the incident.  Not to be a snob, but I think GUCCI is a fairly recognized brand by all walks of life.  Moreover, Chanel has a very distinct trademark don't you think?  Can someone write and distribute the FAQ's of a fashionista/socialite wannabe please?  I'd like to get a hold of that too LOL

After a battle with the Revised Penal Code, I just had to shake off the stress.  What better way to do that than to scour the heart of the city's fashion Mecca: Carbon and Manalili Streets!


Lo! I dug a seemingly Chanel chain bag in a pile of "bag crap" for only P35.  There are also funky accessories that caught my eye but I did'nt have all the moolah so there would definitely be a second episode to this cheap thrill.

All were for a little over 100 pesos!