MAGPIE

My office “despedida” (Filipino goodbye party that is a category of its own but bordering children’s birthday party) was themed “Maggie Mia: Here She Goes Again” because, of course. It was extremely on-brand and I felt extremely loved. So in honor of that amazing party, here’s an inspired blog post. I strongly believe that the complete discography of ABBA has a song for every life situation ((okay fine, maybe not that time that your Filipino Grab driver offers you unsolicited

When I started Magpie, I dreamed of creating a safe haven on the internet. A place where realizations can be expressed, innermost truths brought to light, and vulnerability cherished. A place where authenticity was unapologetic and near holy. A harbor of genuine honesty. That’s why I feel safe enough to admit my deepest, most shameful guilty pleasure: K-POP. To be fair, it’s been all of two weeks since I have embraced this new identity of someone who has heard K-Pop once but

In my continuing brazen campaign to be sponsored by the Filipino Tourism Board (#itsmorefuninthephilippines) to get to attend free events in exchange for blog articles best described as “…cute”, I’ve been trying to explore my city more. I recently went to ArtFair Philippines, an annual contemporary art exhibition of predominantly Filipino talent, held in Makati. Makati is the swanky, bougie part of Manila that I don’t often get out to because 1.) traffic and 2.) I don’t like

Growing up with an interior designer mother, I watched a lot of TLC. We’re talking What Not To Wear, Trading Spaces, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. If the show had a whiff of Ty Burrell’s hair gel, we tuned in. Even my v basic brothers have a rudimentary appreciation for crown molding and know to check under carpet for original hardwood flooring. And the only reason I never talked myself into chunky highlights or horizontal stripes is because of Patron Saints of Ladies Whose

Every time I write a beautiful piece of scathing satire about our current political climate, something unbelievable always breaks, rendering my snark outdated. Be it #TimesUp or “sh*thole” remarks, I’m just not fast enough to keep up so I thought I’d change tones and write about something life-giving. So here is a list of Lady Leaders, BossBetches, what-have-yous, to give you some uplifting encouragement despite whatever tomorrow’s headlines may inevitably be. Congresswoman M

In my family, we’ve had a long-running joke that my dad is secretly Kevin Costner. It all started when a couple years ago, Dad mentioned that someone once insisted he looked like the movie star. The part that was so funny though was that he was told this about twenty years ago meaning that my Dad has fiercely held onto this glimmer of hope for nearly a quarter of a century. Just to be clear: America’s Dad My Dad Sure there’s a passing resemblance but in the way that all White

We live in a brave new world in which credible news sources and freedom of press are so 2000 and late. We’re so divided that the actual President of the United States literally has called free press a public enemy and has ominously threatened to cancel the licenses of any news sources he doesn’t agree with. You may wonder how we got to this point, that journalism has to be defended as a cornerstone of democracy and foundational to our country’s principles, but literally, it’s

I thought I’d do this new thing where I write specifically about events in Manila for three reasons: It forces me to live as normally as I would in the States. After 2 and 1/2 months, I need to take ownership of this place as my city, even if it means doing the things I love, that give me life, all by my lonesome. It forces me out of the safe little box I have, if even just for an evening I can remember all the amazing opportunities living in this bustling city offered during

Hey hey hey, fashion lovers, it’s me, Margaret! As you know, I always try to do my best to keep you readers up to date with what’s going on in the world…of style and beauty, of course! Hahaha I bet you probably thought I meant the real world where very real threats to people’s dignity and freedom are being flaunted but that’s for the men to deal with! This blog piece is just a little listicle of my favorite fashion tips for the new year because I’m no “nasty woman” or “disgus

Listen folks, it’s the holiday season. I’m about to see a lot of family, hear a lot of unsolicited opinions, and be vaguely present during a lot of arguments. Understand when I say that I have to start channelling my judginess somewhere productive. Is this new series another excuse to pander my opinions to the faceless blackhole of the Internet so my rants don’t inappropriately explode out of me like Alien at dinner parties? You betcha. Do I care if your opinions don’t match