Random Shades of Green and Nostalgia

(and a little love for pieces that still spark joy)

Today was one of those days when I felt like playing dress-up — not for anyone else, not even for errands, just for me. I've been doing some purging after that mega shopping spree I did last Saturday. (Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

I dug through my jewelry box to look for pieces that don't suit my lifestyle anymore and found these old green beaded bracelets. I almost forgot how good they look against my skin tone. Wore them stacked for a bit of boho energy.

Then I saw my Harajuku Lovers earrings. 🐸

They instantly brought me back to the time when I owned a beauty and fashion business called Hyphen. More on that later. I can't really wear them out now — they don’t fit my current style — but I still love them. So I wore them at home today. Why not?

Also wearing:

A deep green ribbed tank (comfy and clean)

Olive lounge pants with pinstripes that add a soft structure. I know the colors clash a bit but who cares! Green is my fave color. And I will wear whatever I want at home.

Looks khaki, but is actually olive.

Wore this olive green barrette that matches my pants, that makes me feel pulled together, even on a chill day. And to keep my hair away from my face as I blog. This is a super cheap barrette but I really like it! Yay for cheap hair accessories that are cute and functional, right? I have a pack that I want to give away to a lucky Glow Girl, so help me reach 100k views this month, okay?

Nothing fancy. No makeup. Just random shades of green — and a gentle reminder that sometimes the smallest things can still light you up inside.

Enjoyed my outfit while having a breakfast of Hokkien noodles, pain avec (not au) chocolat from France, and melons

And refused to remove my bracelets when I cooked Japanese chicken curry for lunch! Haha! I just pulled them up my arm.

Today’s look: boho meets chill. Green tones everywhere — from the beaded bracelets I found in my stash to the Harajuku Lovers earrings I now wear at home. It sparked memories of my old accessories brand, Hyphen, and that unforgettable Rockwell SuperSale weekend.

That time? Ms. Pia Magalona passed by my booth.

She didn’t just browse — she really looked. She picked out items for her daughter Clara (who was into Harajuku fashion too — finally, someone who got it!) and makeup for herself. She even agreed to a photo and posed with the Hyphen bag without me asking. 😭💖

But the story didn’t end there.

She came back the next day — this time with Saab and Clara. Clara was already wearing the necklace and ring they bought. It felt so surreal watching the Magalona ladies browse my table again. Moments like that made me feel like I had something special. That my little dream — Hyphen — mattered.

📸 Read the full post: “Very Thankful”

📸 Part 2: “The Magalonas, Take 2!”

Today’s greens reminded me of how far I’ve come. From handmade accessories to pay for college tuition to selling makeup and fashion items at high-end bazaars, to writing, teaching, and crafting new dreams — still creating, still connecting.

✨

What forgotten pieces are you rediscovering lately?

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