Songs I Like: Sara Bareilles - "She Used to Be Mine"

What a beautiful, sad song. Oh, Sara. When will you head over to my island?



It's not what I asked for
Sometimes life just slips in through a back door
And carves out a person
Who makes you believe it's all true
Now I've got you
You're not what I asked for
If I'm honest I know I would give it all back 
For a chance to start over 
And rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew

Who'll be reckless just enough
Who'll get hurt 
But who learns how to toughen up
When she's bruised and gets used
By a man who can't love
And then she'll get stuck
And be scared of the life that's inside her
Going stronger each day
Till it finally reminds her
To fight just a little
To bring back the fire in her eyes
That's been gone but used to be mine

A few of my favorite things

Always make time for the things that matter. Two of my favorite things in the world: making things with my hands and the ocean.

These are some of the books I've worked on in the past 3 years. If there's anything that gives me joy, it's when I'm making something. Whether it's a batch of my chocolate chip cookies, a friendship bracelet, a rubber stamp, or even a journal entry, there's something about creating that just feels very fulfilling.

I grew up spending summers where my mother used to live. We had the ocean and a view of Mayon to ourselves. I still dream of having a house by the sea, where I can escape to whenever the noise of the city gets a little too loud.

These days, I'm lucky if I get a weekend away. That's why I'm super excited for this little project I'm working on with some of my craftiest friends. Craft Camp PH is a weekend of making, creating, and sharing beautiful things with each other. We'll be staying in this beautiful house by the ocean, sharing meals with the prettiest table settings ever, and learning new ways to make things with our hands. Sounds like a pretty good weekend, right? If you're interested, you can sign up and register now. (: It's time to slow things down. Exhale, create, gather. Sea you soon!

Photo Diary: La Union

Weekly / 08.09.2015

Been a while since I last did this weekly roundup, but I've got some downtime on this gloomy Sunday morning, so here we are.

Music Monday


Thank goodness for Spotify. On this list are songs that I've been listening to non-stop. I've also been super obsessed with Sam Smith's cover of Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry on Their Own."

Tasty Tuesday
Yummy burgers from Sweet Ecstasy, Karaage and Chahan from Yushoken, and Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (made by moi!)

🙏🏼

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 5, 2015 at 4:55am PDT

🙏🏼

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 5, 2015 at 4:55am PDT

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 8, 2015 at 5:48pm PDT

Wishful Wednesday
Bummed that Passion Pit's concert is canceled. But hope Michael Angelakos gets well soonest so I can get a chance to see them perform live!



Thoughtful Thursday
Got hooked on this new series from Lifetime. The premise: producer on a show much like The Bachelor goes cray at the end of the previous season. Now she's back to manipulate contestants and do whatever it takes to get the best finale ever. Just how far is she going to go? My first job ever was a print researcher of a now-defunct news comedy show. I have to say that lines are really blurred when it comes to job descriptions and responsibilities. I have no regrets, but I can't imagine working in TV production EVER AGAIN. I'm not built for it, but very grateful for everything it taught me in the lone year I stayed in the industry. Might be awesome to watch, but definitely did not enjoy it enough to stay in that job. :P

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Jul 26, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

Fashion Friday
I've always been comfort over fashion. I tried to do the heels thing, but my toes wouldn't forgive me for it. HAHA! Been living in flats these days with these babies as my current fave. Bought a ticket to the 1989 show in SG on impulse, and I can't wait till then!

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Jun 29, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

1, 2, 3 of ABCs

Who hasn't taken a piece of paper and mindlessly doodled on it? While on hold, while daydreaming, while waiting for something. In high school, I was the girl with the bursting pencil case filled with every kind of gel pen: metallic, neon, chalky pastel. My filofax (LOL) was filled with colorful notes of the day's events. My classmates and friends would ask me to letter the dividers on their own organizers. So when the opportunity presented itself, I was more than happy to be involved in creating the very first local hand lettering book—made by such a young talented Filipina at that.

I remember meeting Abbey Sy at a craft gathering at Hey Kessy. When Koko suggested we make a book about lettering, Abbey was the first person I thought of who could write it. Koko and I were scared she wouldn't say yes, but little did we know, she had already been toying with the idea—even consulting with Mansy of Hey Kessy, who was my co-crafter on the Candy DIY Book. You can read more about Abbey's Road to ABC on her blog.

We met on a holiday—when Pope Francis was in the country—and went home with a complete outline of what the book would be all about. Five months later, here we are. (:

Proofs from The ABCs of Hand Lettering

Just a few of the art Abbey created especially for this book.

Making sure everything is in order! Art direction of the book by Jaykee Evangelista (who I also got to work with on The Friendship Bracelet Book a few years back).

This is personally my favorite page. (:

Putting it all together.

Abbey worked really hard on creating the guide for hand lettering. Whether you're a beginner or already a fan of lettering, you'll learn something new from this book. Hope you can grab a copy (for just P295—what a steal) as soon as you visit the book store nearest you. Then you'll always be creating, too. (:

The ABCs of Hand Lettering by Abbey Sy, P295

Favorites: June 2015

I know they always say to spend on experience and not material things, but you have to admit, sometimes there's really nothing like treating yourself to that one thing you've had on your shopping list for months! Ha.

The last time I bought a bag was when I splurged on a customized tote from Bags by Rubber Tree (they're the best!). It's been almost a year and I hadn't changed my bag since. When I saw my friend Erin with her vegan leather bucket bag from Posh Every Day, I knew I had to get myself one, too. I ended up getting two, hahaha. One medium in camel and a mini in black. As for the Seychelles pair, I've been wanting my own Holdin' My Breath flats ever since I saw them. Never really fit a pair, because they were a bit pricey. But after holdin' (hehe) off for so long, I finally just decided to splurge on a pair as a reward to myself. ;P No regrets because these are the comfiest pair of sandals I own now. Seriously!

Ever since I first heard "World Spins Madly On" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, I've been a fan of the duo. Didn't know until they released their latest album that Deb was diagnosed with cancer in late 2013. After beating the big C, they recorded Sirens, which is now one of my favorite records of theirs.

What are your favorites this month? (:

Weave Got It Going On

I spent the entire weekend home, catching up on TV shows and practicing my brush lettering (as evidenced by another "new" layout in less than a month, haha). My best friend asked me to come up with a design for her tattoo and I've been having fun drafting different designs in between sleeping and eating all morning. :P



Last week, I made my second woven wall hanging with the help of Weaver Fever-obsessed Mikko. I started out with this and promptly forgot about it because I didn't have a needle to fill up the negative space left after I did a few waves. Used yarn from this Cath Kidston granny square pillow set that I never actually finished making (I made all of one granny square).



Then, Mix introduced us to wool roving—which you can use to fill up the empty spaces in your piece. They kind of look like foam or clouds, right?



I finished this one up with a full fringe and hung it on the Mrs. Graham's Macaron Cafe's hand-painted wall.



Can't decide if it looks like the sky or the ocean. Either way, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

If you want to learn how to weave, too, you'll have to wait till the next schedule on I Try DIY. I promise it's not as lola as you think it is. Or it probably is, but who cares? :P

Musically Speaking: Concerts Lately

I love music. And whenever I get the chance to, I grab the opportunity to see any of my faves perform live when they're in town. Luckily for us, more and more artists are making Manila a stop in their world tours.

Here are a few acts I've had the privilege of seeing the past couple of months. Looking forward to seeing more! Next on my list: Passion Pit!

Ed Sheeran, MOA Arena, March 12, 2015

One Direction, MOA Concert Grounds, March 21-22, 2015

Charli XCX, Samsung Hall, April 18, 2015

Demi Lovato, MOA Arena, April 30, 2015

Katy Perry, Philippine Arena, May 7, 2015

All photos taken with my trusty Fuji X10.

What Were We Doing Before Pinterest?

I've always loved saving photos of things I find online and want to look at again. Sometimes it's just one photo so I hardly think a bookmark is necessary. So the idea of having a virtual cork board where I could pin stuff was appealing to me. And that's exactly what Pinterest is all about—a visual bookmarking tool that allows you to discover and save creative ideas.

If I remember right, I joined Pinterest about 4 years ago (this was my very first pin) and I can't really imagine how I survived the Internet pre-"pinning." These days, when I'm getting the urge to cut my hair, I go on Pinterest and pin every haircut imaginable on my Hair Envy board. Or if I'm in search of the perfect white jeans or the elusive denim skirt overalls or, let's be honest, I'm just logging a purchase, I file it away on my Shopping List board.

And then there are all those things I want to make (or sometimes wish I could make) which all goes in this board. One guess what it's called... :P

Follow Macy's board Things to Make on Pinterest.

I'm thrilled the Pinterest is now building the pinning community right here in my hometown. If you're not yet on Pinterest (what is wrong with you??? JK), today's your lucky day because you can sign up for an account with this link (for a limited time so better get to it quickly). And you can even follow my pins if you want—no presh! Either way, I promise you'll really love pinning stuff. P.S. The app is a great add-on to your gadget—you can pin while waiting in traffic. (:

What's Your Type?

I've been home for four days and except for the dreadful heat, I'm actually enjoying all this free time. Since it's just me and the boys at home, we've been rotating household chores. Strangely enough, I think I'm getting the hang of washing dishes. Haha!

I've been binge-watching different series and catching up on ones I haven't seen yet. My new kacheapan fave? The Royals. LOL think of it as a cross between Gossip Girl and Reign (except set in present time). I'm also really liking iZombie a lot. Patty was right when she said it was kind of like Veronica Mars (Rob Thomas is the executive producer) and Dead Like Me (Bryan Fuller, I love you!). After finishing Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in half a day, I'm trying to finish Gotham—although it's more background music to me now than anything. |:

Here's what I've been busy with the past few days. Practicing my watercolor (as you can see with my new header), brush lettering, and calligraphy. Savoring all this free time because it's back to work tomorrow!

Now I know my 🔤s 🎨 #watercolor #handtype

A photo posted by Macy A (@macysfields) on Apr 1, 2015 at 7:33pm PDT

But boy you need prayer 🙏 Does this count as #callig_RAP_hy? P.S. Spot all the mistakes in the lyrics 🙆

A photo posted by Macy A (@macysfields) on Apr 3, 2015 at 5:13am PDT

What about you? What have you been busy with this long weekend?

Photo Diary: Hong Kong

Spent Valentine's Weekend with two of my girls in Hong Kong. We had absolutely no itinerary and just kind of figured out our day the night before. Worked out well, we had happy tummies (and feet, hehe) and got to treat ourselves a bit. Can't wait for the next one! I hated the cold weather when we were there (thank goodness for scarves and tights), but now I'm missing it badly!