Hello everyone! How was your Christmas? We had a different Christmas this year because my parent’s house just got sold. They’re moving to their new home amidst the country side and mountains. Great for us because we will then have a vacation home to go to during weekends. We usually spend Christmas eve in that house where I grew up and stay the night but this year we slept at my mother- in- law’s house instead. We then celebrated Christmas day with my side of the family. Needless to say, it was 24 hours of non stop eating, warm family love and excitement. I got so excited about Christmas this year as I tried to play it up and explain about it to the kids. It is the first time that they are old enough to see and feel Christmas so I called their attention to every Christmas light display and taught them some Christmas carols.
Tomorrow I turn another year older and I can’t help but recall how God has blessed me and my family this past year by allowing me to be more intimate with Him. I’ve gotten to know God better through the Bible, there were a lot of lessons to be learned and a lot of things to be thankful for. One of them was the inspiration and clarity to pursue this blog. I’ve always wanted to share my passion for beautiful things and home improvement so this is my way of inspiring others.
We had a pictorial for marilenstyles.com last month and I love how it turned out. We had it at the showroom of Furnitalia in Bonifacio Global City. Furnitalia houses an exquisite collection of fine Italian designer furniture. I asked my friend Marty Ilagan to take the photographs for this shoot. Marty has done numerous weddings and other campaigns in the advertising circle. He and I worked together when I was editor of Depot Home Magazine.
Marty shows me some layouts we just finished.
I recall the days when I used to do more modeling than interior styling. I do miss it from time to time so this shoot was fun for me to do. I learned a lot from past photographers, co models, editors and magazine stylist. They all helped me become what I am today. Photographers see the big picture so they are capable of directing models on angles and how to pose. I do my part by internalizing the role and making things look as natural as possible. In the Professional Models Association of the Philippines, we were taught to learn our best features and angles.
In this photos, Marty directs me to tilt my face and look toward the side so I catch more of the sun’s natural light.
Stylists play an import role in every pictorial too. I asked Lifestyle by Feliz to put my shoot together. I love the work of Feliz Lucas! She and her team has a magical way of conceptualizing scenarios and the look for a shoot. They planned the concept and acquired props and wardrobe for me. I always admire the creativity that stylist have when it comes to combining clothes and accessories. I was so happy with the outcome, and the details went great.
Feliz picks between two necklaces to see which will compliment this dress better.
In this photo, the uber cute and preggy Feliz communicates to me the pose and “feel” that she wants for this layout.
When you are in a pictorial you sometimes have to do several layouts in a short span of time. I think we did about 10 wardrobe changes and layouts for this one. We were in a hurry to catch the sun so I had to move fast. Stylist, makeup artists and assistants all help out. I really am thankful for all of them and make it a point to thank them profusely. I was never one to act like a brat so if I can do things myself I usually try to. My makeup artist was Karen Atendido. She did a great job allowing my request of flawless skin and big eyes.
The fabulous team of Feliz takes care of every detail and helps me during this interval.
I love this gorgeous dress by House of Laurel which is Rajo Laurel’s store where they sell off- the- rack pieces.
Feliz fixes my inner shirt.
Sometimes things have to be fixed on set while you hold the specific pose.
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek, you’ll see some of the photos on the different pages of my site, while most of them are really for the press when I am asked to submit photos. Wishing you all a great 2014 filled with love and blessings!
Love,
Marilen
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