It's that time of the year again, to create some playlists to set to mood before we head to the beach! (as if the hot weather isn't enough to figure. Anyway.) Summer is almost kind of here! I might have indulged a bit and some are probably included on my previous playlists but here are some of the songs that are on loop on my player at the moment. Also, expect a lot of Instagram captions off of these songs for our summer escapades this year.

Here's a bunch of new stuff from Ed Sheeran, Computer Games, The Maine and oldies from One Direction, James Reid (I dare you to judge me) and a couple of random old and new mixes. Enjoy!

PS: I've made a Spotify playlist in here but our internet connection has decided to be a bitch today that I cannot add all of the songs from my actual list. But I will be adding them as soon as this technical mishap is fixed. Check out the few that I have added for now!

Cheers to the summer!

x

I haven't been blogging for quite a time so I am giving you a combo of awesome new releases from one of the most genuine bands in the biz: The Maine. They are also probably the nicest in meet and greets. Their music makes you think. They make you feel. Underrated band as they may seem, but they are here all for the love of music.

I already have scored a ticket for their headlining show this coming August as they come back to Manila for Bazooka Rocks 5 (A music festival). It still a couple of months away so for the mean time, here are two of their latest singles off the new album which is going to be called Lovely Little Lonely, dedicated to all those who's helped them be heard.

MAKE THE WORLD EMO AGAIN! Can hardly wait for the release of the album in April!

Before You Exit may have previously performed plenty of times here in Manila already but there is always going to be that one that will be more special than the other and this leg of the Asian tour may be it for me. Probably because I am totally digging the songs from their latest EP, All The Lights and I am buzzing to hear them perform its entirety live. Also, because I was able to "meet" and greet (and hug and talk albeit quite short) them. It was definitely an awesome time.

After a week of extreme PCD-ing (despite the ruckus that is day job / life), let us relive the awesome night, shall we?

One of my favourite things about attending certain concerts and/or music festival is meeting the Other Kids. Got to love spending time catching up with the old but gold friends and creating memories with the new ones. We share a bond, a commonality despite the differences and that is what making it extra special. Love for music unites people of difference races, beliefs, gender and ages.

They proceeded to belt out the good ol' ones: Dangerous, Settle For Less, and a snippet of Three Perfect Days and I kind of wished for them to sing End of the World and would have volunteered to do the rap part (just kidding) if it means getting to hear them sing it but no such luck. ANYWAY. The old hits are immediately followed by Radiate which is my favourite song from the EP (though it's tough to even actually choose just one) and oh, the joy. They performed Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud as well, the first cover song of the night.

Does @connormcdonough always tear up during Soldier? It's okay, kuya. We got your back :) @mikopotatoo @itsarpee @mmilive #whenpcdstrikes #beforeyouexit #mcdonoughbrothers

A post shared by April Ann (@aprilskelter) on Feb 28, 2017 at 6:09pm PST

And the light that you left it helps me to see

A way through all the bitterness

A way to who I really want to be

Oh, light up the streets, oh

Please just tell me you're alright

Are you way up in the sky

Laughing, smiling, looking down

Saying "one day we'll meet in the clouds"

Up in the clouds.

A post shared by April Ann (@aprilskelter) on Mar 3, 2017 at 3:54am PST

That moment when @connormcdonough "won't stop" & got us all #SHOOKT #BYEinManila2017 #whenPCDstrikes @Manilaconcerts pic.twitter.com/n35h508VYO

— April Ann (@AprilDeGuzman) February 24, 2017

Seeing them made me feel five years younger!

Capping off the memorable night, they sang I Like That and Model.

Team Tameme. Of course, took that chance to be pictured beside my favourite McDonough boy. ;)

Highlights of the night in photos.

If all else fails, though, Manila will always welcome you home, boys.

And with that, our Asia 2017 tour sadly comes to an end. We love you all and can't wait to come back ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oYi7KeCNZ5

— Before You Exit⇞ (@beforeyouexit) March 4, 2017

'Til you come back home.


PS: Oh, and friends, if you miss them you could always just...

PCD is real, mga bes @beforeyouexit @byerope @manilaconcerts hahahahaha pic.twitter.com/V559fElIod

— April Ann (@AprilDeGuzman) February 26, 2017

x

We may be past the celebratory holiday season already but I still am on a holiday high as we recently had our annual Gryffs party (which usually takes place on the Chinese new year weekend) and Joe, the person-in-charge for the programme and all that jazz for this year has introduced a refreshing twist for the exchanging of gifts.

The rule is pretty simple (yet complicated):

1. Every person is asked to spell out and assign a person to the first six letters of their name (omit the repeating letters, e.g. for my name April Ann, I used APRILN.)

2. You will be using the letter that has been assigned to you by a person as the first letter of the gift that you will be giving them come the party. Each gifts should cost at least 200php.

3. The kind of complicated part (it  vary to some if you are going to adopt this gift-giving twist): If you have been assigned to multiple A's then you will have to combine them as one and create decoys (gifts with no content) for the other. For example, I got three A's and so I will just have to buy a 600php worth of gift and leave two (A) dummy gifts.

As for the biggest twist which was revealed to us the last minute, the 600php worth of gift was given to our special guest friend that night and the other two 400php gifts were given to the winners of the different challenge and activities that we had.

4. Do Pinoy Henyo to guess the gifts that you will be receiving for extra fun.

We've been fans of The Soshal Network and this calls for some serious flatlaying techniques (as was previously shared on their hilarious and witty site). And so here goes our party hauls.

***

LEE JORDAN

(Joe)

The gifts get even better!!

E - Eye cover

L - Luffy

I - Islander slippers

Z - Zoo ticket

M - Measuring cups

***

DEAN THOMAS

(Kenon)

FREDA WEASLEY

(Cora)

The cutest, tbh.

C - Concept

O - Organizer

R - Rosaries

Z - Zebra plushie

N - Neck pillow

***

Lastly,

GEORGIA WEASLEY

(My hoards!!!)

P - Poster

R - Red Book

I - Itim na pouch + Harry Potter eyeglasses

L - Libro (Team Real)

N - Neem Soap

 (Like what the actual heck is a Neem?? Turned out, it was a plant)

Additional 400php gift: I have acquired red Artwork pouch/doodle notebook.

Each of us has received five awesome, quirky gifts and here's where we kind of get to show our creative thinking with all the gifts the we have acquired and given. I also loved the fact that we were able to choose the gifts based on each others personalities (my art/book set!!). We knew each other that well, I guess. YAY to our eight years of friendship and here's to more years! (And travels!)

Anodyne - MWK 

Day 5: A song that needs to be played LOUD

Golden Days - Panic! At The Disco

Or anything from Panic! at the Disco, really.

Day 6: A song that makes you want to dance

Radio - Santigold



Day 7: A song to drive to

Walking In The Wind - One Direction

Day 8: A song about drugs and/or alcohol

Habits - Tove Lo

"I got to stay high all the time to keep you off my mind... 
Spent my days locked in a haze, trying to forget your face..."

Day 9: A song that makes you happy

That Feeling - We The Kings

Day 10: A song that makes you sad

Feelings - Up Dharma Down

Note: There is also a version featuring Paul Buchanan on the Capacities (2012) record and it is very reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Sara Bareilles should they have collaborated which, I think, is stellar... if you're feeling extra (sad)

Day 11: A song that you never get tired of 

My Hands - David Archuleta

"If everything would stop, 

I'll listen for your heart to lead me right to you.."

Day 12: A song from you preteen years
All You Wanted - Michelle Branch

Day 13: One of your favourite 70's songs

Imagine - John Lennon (1971)

Day 14: A song that you would love to be played at your wedding
Quiet - Jason Mraz

"Empires rise, empires fall, will you be my constant through it all?"

"I should've known"
"I could've tried it"
Won't let these words control me anymore.

For the chapter that is about to end and the new stories that are about to unfold. For all the hardships and failures that serve as reminders of how much God trusts us that we may all overcome all of it. (So if it feels too much to handle, know that He believes in you THAT much.) For the adventures and life's sweet, little surprises. To the family, to the old friends, the keepers, the newest additions, the recurring characters, the ones I've let go, even the shitty ones that I chose to (stupidly but wholeheartedly) keep or those who might have hurt me... wherever in the group you might fit, I am grateful for you... for helping me be who I am now. 2016 has taught me to be adventurous, at the same time content and more appreciative of life. 

Life isn't all roses and butterflies, but we have sunrise and rainbows. And lastly and most importantly through all of it, we have Him. Who can be against us? Today as the year ends, I choose to be grateful. I choose to love and to be hopeful. 

It's time to turn the pages.

Cheers to 2017. I'm stoked for you. x

I am admittedly not a fashionista. I dress for comfort and I don't give a shit as to what others may think (though it took a while for me to be able to say that; to be comfortable in my own skin, to be totally honest). I'd wear a skirt or a floral and loud-coloured trousers when I feel like it despite, you know, my size (thick arms/legs, all big) and uneven complexion. I just do me. Casual and laidback. Never would have I ever thought of blogging about fashion but I was pretty happy with my recent purchases that I cannot help but share it.

So we had our Christmas party a few days back with the Black and White theme. Most of my dresses are black/white as you just feel sexy in anything black, or may be that's just me so I did not have a hard time choosing a proper attire for the said gathering. I just needed the time to shop and so, off to the mall I went.

While some of my colleagues spent a handful for hair and makeup, I had mine done by a good friend and for free because she's offered and she is really the nicest. I purchased a nude lippie (Shade: 656) and an eyeshadow both from Maybelline, though especially for this occasion because they are on sale at 200.00Php and 150.00Php respectively. What a bargain, right?

I also had a late-blooming acne-attack mid this year and I am still nursing it at the moment. I haven't really taken selfies for some months (not that I am fond of taking selfies, anyway) but here's a very rare (arting-arte) selfie for the occasion: