Happiness.

What makes you happy? :)

Right now, the simple things have been keeping me happy. Surprises from Gerd, genuine laughter from Syrena, days without deadlines, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Ultimate Vanilla Ice Blended beverage, for instance.

Happiness is subjective.

Even if it is, though, I have realized that it is absolutely vital to constantly work for it, strive for it and insist upon it. In some cases, you might even have to roam the ends of the world just to keep it.

Fortunately, for me, all that happiness entails is giving my daughter some candy, getting surprised with movie tickets (even if it is to a horror movie) and visiting Coffee Bean.

Here's what I wore to our "Evil Dead" movie date a few days ago:

Photos by Gerd Perez.

denim top from Folded and Hung

coffee from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

vintage necklace from Bangkok

studded geometric ring from The Little Things She Needs

grey silk shorts from ForMe

brown suede heels from SM Parisian Shoes and Bags

My new favorite heels!!! Granted, it took me forever to get used to walking in them, but with enough patience - and with a snail's pace - I eventually got the walking down pat, so I no longer look like I am using stilts just to be taller than my poor 5'1"-ness.

So, there you have it. My happiness in a nutshell. :)

As mentioned earlier, though, no matter how happy you might be at a certain time, you should never stop working at maintaining that happiness. While it may take a huge effort to keep it at times, it is definitely always worth it to fly high in la-la land before going to bed every night. Trust me. :)