As I am writing this, please know that I still can’t believe we’re closing the year (and decade!) already. It seems like I was just doing recap of my 2018, which for me was already insane, looking back at it. But 2019 proved to be our best year yet!
We traveled to 23 countries this year; I was able to bring my mom to a European trip (which has always topped my bucket list); Johnrick and I ALMOST bought a land in Siargao; we met so many talented creatives and worked with a lot of our dream brands.
Here’s a quick recap of our year.
JANUARY
The year started really well when we got invited by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Board. Banff has been a dream destination for me and I couldn’t be any happier to go with my best friend Jules.
Wearing teddy coat from Shein. Shop other jackets and coats here.
FEBRUARY
Johnrick and I went to Kuala Lumpur with Nica, who I met through Instagram. She also joined us in Singapore where met up with Dan and Amelyn for the first time. Then we continued our journey through Thailand in partnership with Value Alliance.
(photo 1) Amabella Dress from Capulet; (photo 3) Nina Midi Dress from Faithfull the Brand; (photo 4) Leila Wrap Dress from Faithfull the Brand; (photo 5) Love of My Life Dress from Free People; (photo 6) Bandeau One Piece from Zaful
MARCH
It was a pretty busy month for us as we originally planned on going to Iran. We decided to have a long layover in Paris but since there were some issues with our Iran visa, we decided to just do a Paris trip and add some Italian spots as well. We went to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Milan, Venice and one of my favorite places in the world, Cinque Terre. In Paris we met up with Ophelie, who I previously met up with in Amsterdam in 2018. She also introduced us to Siman and Marina.
(photo 1) Self Tie Flowy Maxi Dress from Shein
(photo 2) Top and Skirt set from Bisou Bisou Store; (photo 3) Side Slit Wrap Dress from Shein; (photo 4) Ruffled Cold Shoulder Midi Dress from Red Carter; (photo 5) Vanity Dress from Miss June Paris
APRIL
We got invited by Hamilton Princess Bermuda in April to visit their property and we decided to fly in straight from Paris.
(photo 1) Flounce Layered Neck Floral Top and Skirt from Shein
MAY
Did you know that Johnrick is a fan of Charlotte Hornets? It was exciting when we got invited by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority to explore Charlotte. It’s a city that surprised us a lot. We even considered buying a house there! Last May, we also surprised my mom with a trip to Europe for Mother’s Day. This was the first time that we went on a trip together, with just the two of us, since my 18th birthday and my mom’s first time in Europe. It’s my favorite 2019 highlight. I brought her to Rome, The Vatican, Barcelona and London, where we met up with Johnrick. Since she can only get two weeks off, she went back home while Johnrick and I continued our trip to Greece, where we met up with Amelyn and Dan again.
(photo 1) Knot Cuff Button Front Shirt Dress from Shein; (photo 2) Ari Dress from Astr the Label; (photo3) Alotta Gud Dress from Innika Choo; (photo 4) Summer Nights Dress from Free People.
(photo 1) Jenja Embroidered Dress from Black Coral; (photo 3) top from J.ing; (photo 4) Country Road Polka Dots Layered Maxi Dress from Bisou Bisou Store.
JUNE
From Greece, we continued our journey to the dreamy Amalfi Coast. We also partnered with Travel and Leisure magazine and Enterprise on a road trip from Charleston to Savannah. It was one of our prized partnership in 2019. Jules and I also went on a day trip to Yosemite. We also met up with Myra who is a fellow Filipina that we met through instagram.
(photo 3) Che Pas Dress from Innika Choo
(photo 4) Meant to Be Dress from Black Coral and Avola Trolley Duffel from Patricia Nash
JULY
I went on an Instasize Creator Tour to Kenya and Tanzania with Acanela Expeditions and Instasize. Met so many talented individuals and it just ignited a new fire inside me. Going on this trip made me realize how I love creating and how I badly want to be better in my craft while doing some good for the community. New friends I met during this trip were Brooke, Kylie, Conner, Jake, Shelby, Garrett, Jonah, Katarina and my roommate Helene.
We also got to partner with Hilton Playa Del Carmen where we spent three days in their all inclusive property. And since we were there, we decided to check the World Wonder, Chichen Itza.
(photo 1) taken by Jake; (photo 2) taken by Garrett; (photo 3) Wearing Ella Shirt & Skirt Set from Free People; (photo 4) Wearing Love of My Life Dress from Free People; (photo 5) taken by Jonah, wearing Linen Jumpsuit from Rachel Pally; (photo 6) wearing dress from Bisou Bisou Store.
Wearing Joe Long Dress from Poupette St Barth; hats are both from Lack of Color; Kayla top & bottom swimsuit from Solid & Striped.
AUGUST
We were privileged to partner with TAP Air Portugal on their Stopover Program where we got to experience a Lisbon stopover and then continued our trip to Munich. Since it’s close by, we decided to drive down to Austria. We also got reunited with Tina, Nick and Jess and met Jimmy for the first time. And after partnering with Shangri-la Paris and London, I finally got to meet Sam who made it all happen.
(photo 2) dress from Bisou Bisou Store and wide brim hat from Leinne; (photo 6) Ornate Print Kimono Smock Dress from Shein
SEPTEMBER
We went to Vietnam and got to really explore it. Thanks to Wanderlust Tips magazine and Visit Ho Chi Minh, we were able to see what this beautiful country has to offer. We also met lots of media personnel and fellow creatives. Some of the Youtubers, bloggers and Instagrammers we met were Karla, Ave, Nelly & Mike, Mitch & Thuymi, Estella, Aung, Katie & Xavier. We also met up with Kat who is super sweet and reached out when she found out we were in Ho Chi Minh at the same time.
(photo 4 & 5) wearing Marigot Dress from Faithfull the Brand
OCTOBER
We went back to Banff and explored Calgary for the very first time thanks to Travel Alberta and Tourism Calgary. We were expecting fall colors but were surprised with a winter wonderland. After few days in Calgary, where we met up with Annie, we drove up to Banff with Jess, Jules and Emma.
We also went back home and spent two weeks in Siargao. It was one fo my favorite trips in motherland.
When we went back home in the bay, we met up with Dan and Amelyn again. This is the third time and third country that we met up with them.
(photo 3) Dilone Jacket and Liviana Pants from LPA; (photo 4) skirt from Poupette St Barth; (photo 5) Dawson Coat from Pendleton; (photo 6) Tyla Turtleneck Slit Dress from Superdown, Pom Pom Beanie from Amazon.
(photo 4) Poppy Top from Tularosa, short from GRLFRND
NOVEMBER
We continued chasing summer in Aruba with Aruba Tourism Board and then we went to another Caribbean destination in partnership with Hard Rock Hotels & Casino Punta Cana. It was Johnrick’s first time in Dominican Republic and we had a blast on both places. We also met Jo in Aruba. 🙂
(photo 1) Dress from Auguste the Label; (photo 3) Felicity Top & Bottom swimsuit from Tularosa; (photo 4) Alaina Maxi Dress from Privacy Please
DECEMBER
We closed the year with a trip to Japan with Park Hyatt Kyoto and then we went to Seoul for a few days to eat.
And before we truly bid 2019 goodbye, we had one last meet up with Millette and Tim over the best Korean BBQ spot in Santa Clara. 🙂
(photo2) Dress from Socialite
As always, we spent the holidays with our families. As much as we love traveling, there’s still no place like home. However, we have some trips booked already for 2020. We can’t wait to explore more! We’ll be starting with a trip to Australia in four days! My cousin is getting married and I am so excited for her! Plus you know, I love weddings in general. Can’t wait to ugly cry. 🙂
Bring it on, 2020!
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE AMAZING BRANDS AND COMPANIES WHOM WE HAD THE HONOR OF PARTNERING WITH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TRUST! HERE’S TO A NEW YEAR OF CREATING MAGIC TOGETHER.
