I’m back after a much-needed, restful pause in August, time I spent exploring both creatively and physically, while giving myself space to recharge. I’ve found new ways to document things I want to remember, like writing down memorable experiences or filming small snippets from each day.
At home, I’ve been diving back into different creative pursuits that I had either neglected or postponed for far too long. Among them is finally starting to write a book, something I’ve always carried in my heart and dreamed of doing. I’ve reread some of my favorite books and rewatched a few of my favorite American series, and fallen in love with them all over again. I’ve showered our new little puppy, Tyla, with love and attention, and it’s been such a joy to have a dog to spoil again. But still, my heart continues to ache for the loss of Coffee, whose absence I feel every day.
I’ve just started a few exciting new projects at home: turning our fourth floor into a cozy home café and a book nook for all the books I’ve collected over the years, and setting up a vegetable garden on the fifth floor. It feels extra special since we built this house three years ago, and now I’m finally adding these personal touches.
I’ve reached a point in my life where if I want to pursue something, I simply go for it. I’m no longer waiting for the ‘perfect’ timing or for opportunities to fall into place on their own. Instead, I’m intentionally creating the life I want and filling it with things that truly bring me joy.
This Earth Day, I remember that the most beautiful things are found where the wild things grow—free, untamed, and full of life. It’s in the quiet strength of ancient trees, the gentle persistence of wildflowers breaking through concrete, the rhythmic crashing of waves that never tire. Nature reminds us that true beauty doesn't need to be polished—it simply needs to be protected.
In a world that often values control and perfection, there is something profoundly moving about the wild. It teaches us resilience, balance, and grace. The wilderness doesn't ask for attention, yet it commands awe. It doesn’t seek validation, yet it inspires poetry, art, and purpose.
As we celebrate Earth Day, may we not only admire the world’s natural wonders—but also commit to preserving them. Let us tread gently, live consciously, and give back to the planet that gives us everything. Whether it’s planting a tree, reducing waste, supporting local farms, or simply pausing to appreciate the sunset—we can all play a part in nurturing the Earth.
My blog has always been a space where I advocate for sustainability and mindful living—often told through stories captured in nature. Almost all of my photos are taken outdoors, surrounded by trees, skies, seas, and sunlight—because that’s where I feel most connected to the message I want to share.
And recently, I was honored to be named #29 in the Top 80 Lifestyle Blogs in the Philippines by Feedspot. This recognition means a lot to me, and it’s something I’ll proudly include in the list of milestones that have shaped my blogging journey.
There is magic in the untamed. And in protecting that magic, we honor the very soul of this beautiful planet.
🌎 Happy Earth Day 🌎
Let’s protect the world that sustains us—and the wild beauty that makes it worth saving.
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? After a little break, I’m finally back and more energized than ever to bring you fresh content. Life has been quite a journey over the past few months. I went through one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life, losing all seven of my beloved dogs to the distemper virus. They were more than just pets—they were family. Their loss was a deep and painful blow that left me grieving and reflecting on life in ways I never expected.
During this challenging time, I took a step back, not just from blogging but from everything, to process, heal, and recharge. As much as it hurt, this break gave me the chance to gather new ideas, gain a fresh perspective, and find strength in unexpected places. Now, I’m ready to come back with renewed energy, a deeper understanding of life’s fragility, and a fresh commitment to sharing stories that matter.
I’m excited to dive back into the world of blogging and reconnect with you all. In the coming posts, I’ll be sharing insights, updates, and personal reflections that I hope will inspire, uplift, and maybe even comfort. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for sticking around. Your presence has meant more to me than I can express. I can’t wait to share what’s next!
So as an adult, I feel super silly thinking of Christmas gifts. Truthfully it was really tough this year because I’m a giver than a taker. But I know all the people who love me so much that they want to make me really happy like having things to give me so I thought of a few things.
And for me, I’ll look at is as a vision board and because I really believe that if I write it down for the world to see, the universe will conspire to give me the things that I want. Maybe it will give you ideas, too if you can’t think of anything!
1. Japanese Suamei
Plants is always and forever the perfect present for me. Proud plant parents tend to enjoy adding new plants to their collection, and though I have Japanese Suamei already, I still want another one in our entryway. (BUY HERE)
2. Vinyl Records
Lately I have been really wishing I had more vinyl records, especially my favorite Jim Croce, Michael Jackson and The Beach Boys, but they are all so expensive. I certainly don’t want to to drop 4 bills on a record, regardless of how much I want it. But if you're generous enough to give me one of this, I would be most grateful.
3. Bohemian Blanket
I am a big fan of the bohemian style when it comes to interior decor and a bohemian blanket is a great way to adds bohemian charm and texture to our couch or the edge of my bed. The best part about bohemian blankets is that they come in so many different colors and patterns... and I love that everything can be applied with a neutral room.
4. Portable Projector
Having a projector becomes imperative if I plan on throwing a memorable party or memorable movie nights for friends and family on our rooftop. So, I’ve been thinking about getting a portable projector and our current projector is giving me headache to set up. Plus I’m really tired of seeing all of the wires that clash with the aesthetics of my indoor design.
5. Electric Milk Frother
Our handheld milk frother works fine but I want one with more capabilities and very functional that allows me to get that enticing foam found on barista-made smooth hot chocolate to foamy matcha but from my own kitchen.
6. Scented Candle
I've always had a thing for scented candles because having a nice scent in a room brings me joy and I'm all about anything that brings me joy - sometimes, it's the smallest of things that can brighten your day, and in my case, it's a nice candle. They're one of my favourite gifts to receive especially the citrus, woody, earthy and fresh scent.
7. Dog Bag Carrier
To allow my dog(s) to travel in style. Nuff said!
So there you have it, my Christmas wish list! =) Let me know what is on your Christmas wish list! Thank you so much for stopping by.
The Miss Supranational 2023 contest took place last night, 14 July 2023 at Strzelecki Park Amphitheater, Nowy Sącz, Małopolska, Poland. However, a lot of Filipino audience disappointed when Miss Philippines didn't get the crown. As they said... she really delivered the best answer perfectly than Miss Ecuador who won Miss Supranational 2023.
The host underlined "This is not about giving the perfect answer, this is about AUTHENTICITY!"
So, the way they would answer the question won't matter as much as the authenticity of what they will stand for.
I just wanna show to others that not everyone is stiff in sticking to just one point of view.
Ms. Ecuador Andrea Aguilera answered the question in a not so perfect way but on point, specific, action-oriented and with the job role objectives. We need to understand that Ecuadorians are not good in English unlike Filipinos. That’s why she can’t construct a perfect grammar and can’t explain fully what’s in her heart but the judges understand her point. A lot of people are saying that she did not actually answered the question, but if you have a deeper understanding you tend to see things from different points of view and you will know that she really did answer the question. For her, what makes a great ambassadors for the organization?” are (1) CARRYING THE LEGACY of Miss Supranational if she’ll travelling the world (2) HAVING A FOUNDATION [she will start her own foundation for single moms to find employment] (3) CONTINUING HELPING PEOPLE thru her career as a doctor even after her reign [studying medicine by my own funds, become a doctor, and continue helping people.]
The way she speaks, her performance and sexiness especially in swimsuit competition was outstanding. Her vibe is so contagious that's why she attracted the panel of judges with her energy.
Miss Philippines Pauline Amelinckx delivered the answer perfectly but not as authentic as to what Ms. Ecuador’s answer. Her answered to “what makes a great ambassadors for the organization” is to have (1) DEDICATION and she explained what dedication is for her. [And she has to be someone who will (2)BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.] And in her last sentence [we are now gathered here on this stage transcending our own borders, bringing nations together] is a typical beauty pageant line. I'm a pageant watcher since I was 10, so I knew that it is a constructed sentence and have been used by some beauty queen candidates in a Q & A portion.
Also, her performance in the swimsuit competition doesn’t match the vibe of the lively background music maybe because she was hesitating with her movement because she was being shamed for her weight a lot of times. She was one of the most beautiful faces among the candidates except her physique. Judges usually give higher scores to contestants who look physically fit.
Criteria: Beauty of Face, Beauty of Figure, Poise & Personality, and Intelligence
A beauty pageant is a competition that has traditionally focused on judging and ranking the physical attributes of the contestants, not a surprise as this is primarily a ‘beauty contest’ except to Miss Universe where 60% of their scores are taken from close-door interviews.
Though Ms. Ecuador can’t explain fully what’s in her heart, the judges find in their heart her side of things. They choose her because she has potential and she deserves it like the other candidates. She has proven herself in this role. She's pageant veteran at a very young age, who has crowned five beauty pageant titles in her country and in 2021, she represented Ecuador at Miss Grand International at Thailand where she won first runner-up after Miss Vietnam was hailed the winner. As a believer in education, she provided 1,200 scholarships to low-income children. She also assisted with approximately 25 extreme diseases and poverty cases.
It takes weeks for the organization to choose the winner. It doesn’t take one night, one dress or one answer. Let's all stop looking down other countries and be supportive. Let’s not steal this moment of Pauline Amelinckx enjoying her win, because 1st runner up is worth celebrating for.
We must remind ourselves that we live in an already harsh world, and me… and you… don’t need to be another addition to toxic people who boils over on socmed in a form of cruel and gutter language to bring down our favorites’ rival. Because of socmed, the Filipino’s cruel side has been exposed, and the sad part is, we just don’t clash with other people from other countries. We also duel online, exchanging harsh, unprintable words, with fellow Filipinos that’s why some foreigners called us as “The most toxic pageant fans in the world”. We are responsible for the things we post online and those things can both directly and indirectly affect our country.
As we became a beauty pageant powerhouse country we should also be known as a powerhouse of friendly people by spreading positivity and kindness on the Internet. Be a good sport because in every competition we can’t always win. We should learn to accept a loss without whining, be careful not to dwell fully on the negatives especially on the world wide web and congratulate the winner. Remember that hospitality is deeply ingrained in our culture; it’s also our way of life that reflects the warmth and kindness of the Filipino. Please don’t lose our sense of decency, our moral compass and our reputation as the most hospitable people in the world.
Here are the list of winners for Miss Supranational 2023
Miss Supranational 2023: Andrea Aguilera (Ecuador)
1st Runner-up: Pauline Amelinckx (Philippines)
2nd Runner-up: Sancler Frantz (Brazil)
3rd Runner-up: Emma Rose Collingridge (United Kingdom)
4th runner-up: Ngân Ðang Thanh (Vietnam)
Special Awards:
Miss Photogenic: El Salvador
Miss Congeniality: South Africa
Miss Talent: South Korea
Best National Costume: Thailand
Contestants' Choice: Curacao
Supra Chat Winner: Philippines
Supra Model of the Year: Zimbabwe
Miss Influencer: Brazil
Continental Ambassador (Africa): Zimbabwe
Continental Ambassador (Asia): India
Continental Ambassador (Americas): Peru
Continental Ambassador (Caribbean): Curacao
Continental Ambassador (Europe): Gibraltar
Miss Supranational is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in the world that highlights glamour, fashion, and natural beauty.
Tell me on the comment section your thoughts about this.
The New Year tiptoed in as silently as feather in the wind last week, barely daring to disturb out of the normal parameters of life. I've found myself incapable of making resolutions this year, not just because the world is still holding it's breath, but because recent years have taught me that every month, every day, every hour and every breath is a new beginning. I'll take advantage of them all. Wishing is not my thing anymore, because I'm a strong believer that you get what you work for and not what you wish for.
Instead, I simply enjoying the magic of the season, take each day as it comes, free myself from the toxicity of social media, taking up unnecessary space in my life, push my creativity, be more kind, laugh as much as possible and love as hard as I can.
Hey, long time no see. It's been 14 months since I've blogged, and I am so disappointed in myself, I mean honestly you guys. I definitely didn’t expect my blogging hiatus to last this long, it’s just that lots of things had happened in the last 14 months. I've been practicing my cooking and videography skills. I started a YouTube channel and a small plant business. We've moved to our newly built house and all that stuff you probably don't care about. It all happened in the 14 months that I'm gone, and I am happy to be back.
I’m a massive procrastinator and it actually requires a level of concentration. Actually, I’ve written this post many times, as I’ve planned to comeback many times throughout the ber-months of 2021, however it wasn’t possible. But now I’m sure that I’m ready to get back into the swing of things, armed with a whole slew of new ideas and interesting topics to write about.
Oh well, I don’t want to make a really long post as I’m not sure if you guys even remember me, or if someone is even going to read this post ‘coz I knew that a couple things happen when you go on a blogging hiatus. First, the stats take a hit – the longer you are away from your blog, the lower they dip. Second, you begin to lose momentum – the longer you are away from your blog, the harder it is to return. Makes sense, right?
Blogging isn’t as popular as it used to be but I do enjoy the process of it and the work that goes into it. It gives me so much creative freedom I’d never have on social platform owned by someone else. I don’t really own my account on Instagram, on Pinterest, on Facebook or on my other social media accounts, but I do own ItsJulieAnn.com
And regardless of what life throws my way, or how many breaks I take, I always keep coming back to my first love -- blogging.
Falling in love is the most beautiful feeling in the world. We all receive and give love in so many different ways and to so many different people in our lives. And yes, falling in love with someone is a truly beautiful experience, but it’s also terrifying and generally a veritable rollercoaster of emotion that’s wonderful and hideous at turns. On the other hand, loving yourself totally can be the hardest. It’s more difficult but more rewarding, and also the most important thing you can accomplish in your life.
Before you can love another, you really do need to fall in love with yourself. When you do fall in love with yourself, several interesting things happen and you receive more love in return. When you exude confidence and happiness, you’ll attract others with the same zest for living. It is essential to your own happiness, to your success in relationships and to the way you interact with the world.
When you truly love yourself enough, other people’s opinions can’t get you down anymore because you’ve realized your own value. You gain a deep appreciation of your own worth and capabilities. You see that you’re awesome, and they’re the ones who are wrong if they disagree. You knew that you are here to understand yourself...not to be understood.
A vital part of celebrating my victories is listing my small wins and plans from Belle de Jour planner from Viviamo Concepts. It did not only help me survive through ups and downs but also made me a better person by looking back at those struggles I overcame.
When you truly love yourself enough you will never settle for less. You will not accept a type of love that is less than what you deserve. You’ll start feeling worthy, valuable and deserving of the best love and life has to offer. You are worthy of a beautiful life.
When you truly love yourself enough, you will believe that you’re beautiful the way you are. That you’re free from every illusion of insecurity. You will become so proud of your own skin because you believed that there are so much strength and beauty in your flaws and in your scars. That you are worthy of being spellbound by your own divinity. That you are deserving of remembering that you are a goddess in disguise.
When you truly love yourself enough, nothing could, or ever will break your heart and in every inch of your existence. The eternal you are untouchable. Your pain does not make you less worthy. You’ll let your self-love become your salvation as you rise in the darkness.
However, another person can never do all of these things for you. You have to do them for yourself. Remember, self-love is our natural state of being.
Saturday was a weird day for me. I woke up and realized I’d be blogging for nine years. Whoa!
I never could have imagined when typing my first post, a few years down the line, I’d be narrating my story on TV and radio programs and teach viewers on how to earn money from blogging, being interviewed in different website, being the “Featured Blogger” in different bazaars and being named as one of the "Top Lifestyle Bloggers" to follow in the Philippines. I am incredibly grateful to have a really interesting career while still getting to stay home with my family.
Away from my blog, I’ve had the honor of sharing my story on other corners of the internet as well as in the media.
Here you’ll find the link articles of my interviews in other websites accompanied by a list of all the other places I’ve been featured including 95.5 PINAS FM, Radio Agila, NET 25.
Rank #21 at Top 30 Philippines Lifestyle Bloggers to Follow in 2019
Feel free to peruse my portfolio and get in touch if you believe we could work well together by emailing cutest_princess_06@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Since I have gotten a lot of questions about why I started a blog, here goes!
Let’s start where every good story begins…
As a person who studied Computer Science, I was introduced to several opportunities in different industries. At that point in my life, I had a choice to be in a good company and I probably have a stable job with stable income today. As we all know every single company nowadays needs programmers. Endless possibilities as they may say, but I did not pursue it. My reason? I knew it from the start that the corporate world is not for me. All I ever wanted in my life is to work at home or anywhere I want to and be my own Boss. I really love freedom, excitement and adventures!
As my own boss, I can make my own schedule, start working at anytime of the day, travel whenever or wherever I want to, and get all the freedom that I want and I deserve in my life.
In 2008, I became a freelance writer in an American online magazine. It eventually helped me make some cash, more than sufficient for a freelancer. That’s why when the website closed down, I had enough money to launch my very first online clothing line called Pink Fashion at Palladium - New World Hotel, a luxury 5-star hotel in Makati on 2012.
Back then, the idea of becoming a full time blogger never crossed my mind. I just thought that the stuff I was reading online are articles written by freelancers on a website. I didn't even know I was reading blogs. The term "Blogs" was not yet well known at that time. In 2011, I was looking for a creative outlet for myself and searched for ideas in Google. That’s was the time I discovered blogging and the creation of itjulieann.com was happened.
I do blogging not just for the reasons of receiving free stuff (which is always a misconception), get paid without nothing and just to have a nice life. My blogging story is different. Throughout my life, finding creative outlets has been my ultimate goal. When I was a kid I was constantly craft paper to make designs or barbie doll clothes. Then I remember rewriting the story of my favorite cartoon series "Peter Pan" at the back of my notebook. When I was in high school, I started writing poems in my journal (which still hidden in my cabinet still until now). In college, I opted to join in drama class and even won the "Best Actress" award in a competition with other schools. Now, I realized that creativity is embedded into my life and it is really important for my sanity and overall well being. I live to create. And thankfully blogging helps me to do it in an easier way and every single day.
Blogging allows me to write down my thoughts, express my feelings through photography, share my art with the world, and develop the kind of creativity I have and want to achieve. Blogging has given me a safe place to experiment, reflect, and process my thoughts and feelings. There are so many mediums when it comes to blogging. From photo editings, blog post and content creations, to photoshoot ideas... I have so many options to be creative every day.
Honestly, one of the best choices I ever made in my life is to start this career. I did not actually start this with the thought of it becoming my full-time job. In fact, I did not even know know it could be a full-time job especially because my income was not so good back then. I just didn't care because in the first place, money was not the main reason why I started it. Then, I stated meeting new people around the Metro and learned different creative perspectives and inspirations from them. It started locally, until I realized I was already connecting with other artists and bloggers across the globe. I found this woven network of people that connects on and off lines, and they're incredible people from different walks of life. Different backgrounds, different talents and different perspectives - collaborating and creating amazing things together.
Years later, I realized the incredible potential it has. I fell inlove with the creative process and how much my readers mean to me. I didn’t know it would lead me to form amazing friendships, travel to new places, exclusive event invites, collaborations, become brand ambassadors and do the modeling stuff or to be interviewed on the radio and television.
Now in 2019, I can say with great pride that I have been full-time blogging since 2010. It has been full of ups and downs, incredible opportunities and many difficult lessons but I wouldn't change a damn thing. I adore my job and this ever growing business that I have created for myself. It is how I always hope my blog comes across; it is how I wish to be remembered.
As this blog continues to grow and evolve, I just want to thank everyone who’s supported me and been along for the ride! I can’t wait to share the next chapter with you guys!
Hi, I'm Julie Ann Lozada and I created this blog for my personal imagery, to tell stories, to share my heart and my art with the world. My creativity is inspired by the beauty of nature and my work is a reflection of my soul. This space has served as an open conversation where I can tangibly create, share tidbits, learn and love and also connect with you.
Work with me? Email at: itsjulieannblog@gmail.com Location: Taguig City, Philippines
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