Make The World a Catwalk....

METALLIC and Basic Colors for Fall 2009 Accessories

2009-07-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Fall 09 trend reports are starting to come in, for folks in countries with four fashion seasons. I have no other choice but just read, look and gawk in awe... though some pieces, I believe are very wearable even to ladies like me who live in the tropics. I noticed that mainly, metallic and basic colors dominated the collections while compensating for the quirky and edgy designs seen in most shoes and jewelry.

Let's go straight to business, shall we... pictures speak better than verbiage.

I'd like to share with you some accessory pieces from my favorite designers as featured on style.com.

♥ CHANEL

I feel a bit iff-y about the heels, though the cuff has gotten me smitten... it reminds me of those homeland security bands/detectors that you have to wear on your ankle or wrist if you have a pending case, etc. It's quirky and fashionable at the same time!

♥MICHAEL KORS

The bag is a spin-off from the usual MK bags we see here in Manila, the studs make this one more interesting. I have to say I am loving the bike chain necklace... am experiencing an attraction to chunky chain necklaces recently. I remember my hubby would roll his eyes whenever i would attempt to wear the chain from my Marc Jacobs Stam bag (my favorite bag back when I was preggers) on my neck.... he would go "Are you serious?" or "Have you decided to dress up as a DOG today?" -- hahaha.. he can go from darling to pain sometimes! Well, I've decided to abandon all plans of wearing it... since I wont hear the end of it from him... maybe purchasing this necklace will seal the deal!

♥JIMMY CHOO

Glitter, glitter,GLITTER! I love the third clutch! Reminds me of a grenade. And purse number 2 reminds me of a world map...

♥CHRISTIAN DIOR

I remember back in 2006, I was frantically searching for an elephant tusk necklace... as none of them were being sold in the Philippines yet. Then 2007 came, and almost everyone had one hanging on their neck from long chains. Well... I guess it's back in a different medium... as shoe heels! Different!

♥LANVIN

The chunky bib necklaces are TDF. Their heels are so different... and again, interesting!

♥ VERA WANG

Chains and silky fabric dominated Vera Wang's purses. I love the multi-strand take on the chain handles.

♥ MANOLO BLAHNIK

Texture, Volume and Metallics dominated Manolo's collections. I personally love them all, ahh Blahnik!

♥ MARNI

Looks like these platforms are here to stay for quite some time. Here Marni does a metallic take on the shoe sole design we have seen since 2008.

♥ LOUIS VUITTON

Pretty chunky necklaces... making me want to be a Mari Antoinette for a day.

This one made me do a double-take. LV Alma bag with... are those sequins?! Hmmm I wonder how this one looks, I've never seen an authentic "blinged" LV bag before (though I've seen a few people done some obviously FAKE ones...funny how the counterfeit market comes up with all sorts of their own designs, and it doesn't even take a keen eye to spot them)... but this one looks interesting. Though it doesn't really fall under my LV-taste... I'll ask my local SA to give me a ring once they have it so I can take a look!

♥ MARC JACOBS

Like Vera's, Marc's collection also has silky fabric combined with chains, and is it just me, or do the rest of his bags remind you of Chanel flap bags? Though these ones are pretty and textured, the swirly designs and studding are very, very brilliant.

Well, I guess that ends my long post. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

So tell me, which one tickled your fancy the most?

Simply Vera and my L.W.D.

2009-07-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

As seen in these collections by: BCBG Max Azria, Dereck Lam and Rolang Mourett, like it's sister the LBD, the Little White Dress has always found it's way into being a designer staple, despite being the less-opular one between the two.

I like my LWD with textures.

I only have two LWD's upon my recollection (though I am not to be trusted with my closet's inventory as I often am "surprised" to find stuff in there which were long forgotten) one was a Blair Waldorf-ish pristine white one which I wore back in 2008 paired with textured tights and a big red bow-band (I think it was on my old blog - failed to transfer the entries though..) and the other one would be this one, which has applique's.

Though the real reason why I chose to wear debut my new LWD was because I needed to debut my Vera Wang pair of shoes... which have proven to be very difficult to combine with either plain or printed dresses, skirts or even jeans (though I want to try them out with a certain pair of jeans... folded one time), and the only way I could think of wearing them was with a good old trusty LWD.

So I guess the minimal styling, added with the simplicity of the LWD gave my new pair the spotlight!

Dress: Dressing Room

Heels: Vera Wang

Watch: Guess

Jewelry: Gifts from my Mom

On a side-note: Can I just share? From color-less to the opposite... my little toddler has acquired the fascination with colors.

Her 22-month old self has grown fond of coloring, doodling, we gave her lots of drawing pads and notebook to avoid her from scribbling on the walls... which has proven to be inevitable. Little hands just seem to find their way up there!

♪♪♪♪ Happy Birthday To Me!! ♪♪♪♪

2009-07-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

♥Marked another year added to my life... I woke up feeling OLDER... but then again, was consoled by the thought that age is Mind Over Matter -- If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!

♥ Hubby, Little Toddler (She's almost 2! Yeeey!) and I spend 2 days at our favorite hotel. They surprised me with lot's of stuff (I loved the Crepe with a Happy Birthday (HBD) message which hubby wrote using melted chocolate from the fondue fountain.

Top: Topshop
Skirt: Ordered Online
Shoes: S. Weitzman
Watch: Technomarine

♥ We spent the second day frolicking around the oasis-inspired pool after having a very hefty breakfast.

♥ I was able to take some pictures while hubby was in the shower and toddler was taking her AM-nap. It was a lazy day so I decided to forgo wearing the one I had planned (and packed) for that day, and wore cropped jeans, a tank and a vest instead (with gold Havaianas flip flops).

Tank: Zara Vest: Tommy Hilfiger
Shorts: Buffalo
Watch: Technomarine
Camera: Canon DSLR

Guess who missed you all???

2009-06-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

Safron and Paprika

2009-03-20T15:41:00.001-07:00

Outfit inspired by the Louis Vuitton Kalahari GM and PM bags pictured above. Though I noticed that most of the current fave items in my closet lean to mustard tones, I new these particular styles just aren't my "thing"- I still prefer their classic pieces. And just because these bags were in my thoughts for more that 24 hours, I decided to build my outfit around the concept and colors.
Wore a my mustard dress and paired it with patent purple leather ware to channel the African vibe!

My week was packed with work and non-work stuff yet again, and am bracing myself for another jam-packed weekend... I need to "reward" myself for conceptualizing and finishing the prototype application which our team will be using - ALONE (yes, I was and will always be a geek heehee) before turning it over to US-IT for fine-tuning. And for working for 3.5 hours (straight) on a customer's check requests -- I didn't even have the time to drink water... my lips were as dry as the Sahara desert by the time I was done! But yeah accomplishing something is worth being overly grateful for!

Speaking of gratitude, I would also like to THANK YOU! My dear blogger friends for all the warm comments.. they really make my day! I'm surprised that despite the low number of new posts I have (I promise to take time post more! I really will!) -- you all are still reading!! And that alone makes my heart flutter with so much joy! You should see the smile on my face whenever I view my site stats:

I'm wishing all you lovelies a great weekend!!!!

Dress and Shoes: Online Finds

Belt: Online too!!

Earrings: Old Navy

Cuff: Gift from my Mom-in-law

Blazed

2009-03-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Tank: Toshop

Jacket: Topshop

Shorts: Bazaar Find (less than $5!!)

Shoes: Local Mall

Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Alma

I’ve been very busy all weekend, was out of the house everyday but had almost no time to take outfit shots…My childhood friend is back from the US and will be staying for a short vacation and I feel guilty for not having ample time to spend with her… but I promise to make use of all the free time there is!
Took my Topshop blazer (marking it's first year with me soon!) for a spin, paired with white shorts and a white tank for added lightness… I noticed it has started getting warm here in the islands…more reasons to thank heavens for Air-conditioning! Back to the outfit, I added some gold bangles, slipped into my stiletto platform heels which were the hit a few seasons back and then my trusty purse. It was a bad-hair day so I had to make-do with a pony – and ended up looking like my brother who incidentally is celebrating his Birthday today (Hugs and B-day wishes from Manila to L.A.!!)
Spotted mint green nail polish on the Chanel Fall fashion show... Me likey likey! Now I regret having passed-up on the mint Revlon laquer back in Hong Kong... I opted for the orange and purple sparklers and of course my ever trusty reds and berries...

Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Red Kit Bag

2009-03-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

Turtleneck Top: Zara

Skinnies: Mango

Shoes: US Online Find

Necklace: F21

Watch: Guess

Bag: Gucci

Plastic Fantastic!

2009-02-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

After sitting in my closet for months... I finally took my PVC's for a spin. I've been looking around for these babies since forever and thought I had no luck finding it in Manila. Just as I was about to give up, I found them entirely by accident, as hubby and I were falling in line at the Zara check-out counter, I spotted some cologne packs that were too cute to pass up on, and decided to go back to the accessories area to get a new stock item -- lo and behold these PVC leggings were staring back at me! They only had ONE pair left and it was in MY size!! So I guess it was a heavenly sign!
I love dthe stares... again... wether they were envious, innocent, curious -- name them! People were probably thinking... isnt she feeling really WARM in this tropical weather?? heehee Well, I wore them on an overcast, coudy evening.
I'm happy hubby's starting to get better and better at taking acessory-outfit shots... and to think back then I was so embarrassed to ask him to go behind the point-and-shoot camera, thinking that he would find my then-new-found-hobby shallow, or better yet... hillarious. But fastforward to this day, it's funny to see how I'm most comfortable with him behind the lense!

Tank: Zara

Cardi: Online find

Leggings: Zara

Studded Heels: F21

Belt: Local Department Store

Bag: Mango

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Meet My Black Stirrup Leggings

2009-02-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

The weekend is beckoning!!!

Had dinner with hubby and felt that it was time to take my statement neckpiece for a walk around town... I got this necklace without hesitation upon seeing it on display... without even trying it on! I just knew I had to get it. It was so funny how my little toddler pointed to it and said "A... B...E...D...E...E..." thinking they were letters... (she knew how to count from 1-10 last month... when she was only 1 year and 3 months old -- can you see me beaming with pride?? heehee)

Also, I would also like to introduce my new buddy to you all.... meet my H&M wedge booties that were just way too cute to pass up on!!!

And my butterfly belt that costs less than $4.00...

Well of course my lab-gown-looking cardigan makes a comeback as well....

I hope you lovelies have a great weekend ahead!!!

I have mine packed with errands and dinners and what-nots... *hugs*

tank: Topshop

cardigan: Zara

stirrups: Dorothy Perkins

wedge booties: H&M

belt: local department store

necklace: F&H

watch: Kenneth Cole

2009-02-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Girlies!!!

Before anything else… I would like to wish you all a belated HAPPY HEARTS DAY!! I hope you all had fun as MUCH as I did….

Well, I’m so sorry I’ve been M.I.A. for such a LONG time… first, though I am not denying being such a workhorse, I’ve also been very busy with new projects which are not related to work…. Secondly, Blogger had gone berserk on me… first, I got locked out of my account and then next, posting pictures was just impossible to do - I would click and then end up with uploaded pictures which were entirely different from what I had intended to post…oh well.. I’m glad it’s finally OVER!

Well, going back to my recent Hong Kong trip… I definitely would want to unload all my outfit posts to make way for the current ones…. So… here goes!

HONG KONG DAY 2

H&M is LOVE... went from Langham Mall back to Harbour City and Gateway Mall.
Kowloon Deli is Love too... I'm a congee convert!
Gucci, Gateway Mall has the friendliest SA's... they entertained our Dear Little Toddler and were all gushing over her diamond earrings...
I loved my H&M wedge booties... but at one point in time, they proved to be party poopers after walking so much...

Knitted Dress: H&M
Coat: Zara
Wedge Booties: H&M
Purple Tights: From Shenzhen China trip back in 2008
Beanie: H&M

HONG KONG DAY 3

(proof that little toddler is loyal to Baby Zara)

From Landmark Mall in Central back to the hotel and then back to Langham Place for more H&M and Sassa.
Gucci is LOVE! Their Landmark branch has the Best SA's ever... I missed my LV SA ( he was on a vacation), and the lady who attended to us this time around was pure snotty... but Gucci HK has great SA's... (hi Viki and Victor!) -- Hubby and I noticed mostly Hongkese have names derived from Queen Victoria...
These pictures were taken during an early morning stroll in a Chinese Temple

Turtleneck Top: Zara
Shorts: Unionbay
Boots: Juan
Jacket: Mango
Purse: David Jones
Tights: From Shenzhen China trip back in 2008

HONG KONG DAY 4

(While I loved H&M, hubby still remained loyal to Zara and Topman)

"Kung Hei Fat Choi" day -- celebrated the Chinese New Year authentic-style
We were freezing cold that day... so I had to wear one coat on top of another... sheeesh...
Spent a lazy afternoon in Gateway, over Royce chocolates yet again and Chinese food...
I couldnt believe what an angel Little Toddler has been!

Inner top: Mango
Green Jacket: H&M
Coat: Zara
Jeans: Mango
Boots: Juan
Scarf: hubby’s gift!!

Hong Kong Chronicles: Day One

2009-01-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Top: H&M

Jacket: Mango

Jeans: Mango

Boots: Juan

Bag: David Jones

I'm back from a Five Day Vacation with my hubby and out toddler to a nearby wonderland called Hong Kong. We took the first flight out and got there before noon, checked-in and settled down a bit, grabbed a quick bite in McDonalds, then off we were to explore Harbour City and Gateway Malls... two of our favorite places in Tsim Sha Tsui.
My little toddler had so much fun... she loved staring at the ceilings and would draw laughter from some people when she would suddenly call "Yaya.. MILK!!!" (Nanny...Milk!) whenever she feels like having a drink.
I collected my Anniversary gift from hubby in Louis Vuitton... I was a bit sad because my favorite SA took his off that day, and we had no choice but to bear with an impatient SA -- but heck... I still went out of the store HAPPY!
Called it a day at 9pm...what a granny!

Of Polaroids and Melanie Huynh

2009-01-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

This weeks outfits have been more of jeans + tank + sweater or hoodie + flatties... and I wanted to spare you all from the horror of having to stare at them in pictures...

So, as a weekend treat... I am leaving you with snaps of one style maven, Melanie Huynh, Junior Editor of French Vogue...

photos from: The Sartorialist

I just adore how innocent she looks... her perfect bone structure and her glorious gams!

Looky here! She even looks gorgeous as a pregnant lady!

I also want to share my new-found addiction to a little Polaroid maker... because I've always been drawn to the rustic feel Polaroid pictures bring. I sometimes secretly regret the day when I ruined my brothers Polaroid camera (which I think has been more than a decade ago already!), so I could have kept it to this very day.... but thanks to free applications, DSLR shots can be instant Polaroids in one click!

My days will be packed.... I am getting ready for a coming week of work+play+travel+shopping all in one...

Enjoy your weekend everyone!!!

The Cold Spell

2009-01-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

When most of us Filipino bloggers were complaining about not having 4 seasons to dress up to, in comes a really cold spell... mornings are usually misty, we get occassional showers and a cold breeze all day... and nights are just C-O-L-D.... well not COLD as in WINTER cold but COLD like Spring weather cold... you know what I mean.

I caught a flu bug during the weekend (baaah!) after managing to get out of the house each time we had the ooprtunity. I guess I caught the bug after galloping around an empty open-air parking lot with my hubby and sisters in law at 2am last Sunday (we watched The Curious Case of Benjamit Button) and were in high spirits even after the long movie.

I wore this one a few days back.... Just because I wanted a pop of PINK...

... and also wanted to take my pink heels for a stroll...

My friends said I looked like a rockstar.. more like Miley Cyrus (sorry but I'm not much of a fan)... but all the while I wished I'd worn my studded heels... or my booties to make it more rock and less girly!

Moving on... I'm having a very busy BUSY week... I promise to get back to all your lovely comments as soon as I can... I also want to thank everyone who takes the time out to post lovely words on my blog... may they be about my outfit, about my family or my cutie little miss TODDLER... those kind words REALLY make my DAY!

Tank: No Boundaries

Cardi: Local Department Store Find

Acid Wash Jeans: Mango

Shoes: Lucid

Studded Belt: Marshall's

Chain Earrings: Old Navy

Multiple Chain Necklace: F21

Teacher's Pet: Meet my Spectator Peeptoes!

2009-01-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

I wanna be teacher's pet

I wanna be greatest the latest

The feelings that I can get

Teacher's bride (ooh)
I wanna be teacher's bride
I wanna be greatest the latest
And I will never be on your side
I have a lot of stuff that you can

Teach me and one more school At the start, I'm sure with a little
Homework, and I graduate to your
Heart...to your heart

Here's what I've been wearing on days when I just dont want to plan what to wear... in short, here's how my "deffault-outfit" looks.

I sometimes feel that the only thing missing would be wide-rimmed glasses and an apple... then I would be "Teacher's Pet". It also gives me an excuse to rummage through hubby's ties.... oh how fun!

...and to wear my high heeled spectator shoes!!!

Well... looks like I have nothing much to say.... so I'm wishing you all a very HAPPY HAPPY FAB-STYLISH WEEKEND!!!

Polo Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters

Cardigan: Zara

Jeans: MNG

Necktie: Hubby's

Shoes: U.O.

Bell Bottom Blues

2009-01-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

I think I can already her my dear iTunes complain... for some reason I've been listening to Santogold over and over... and over again... most especially "Shove It" and "L.E.S. Artiestes". I think I've actually memorized all the lines from the latter...

What I'm searching for
to tell it straight,
I'm trying to build a wall
Walking by myself
down avenues that reek of time to kill
If you see me keep going
be a pass by waver
Build me up, bring me down
just leave me out you name dropper
Stop trying to catch my eye
I see you good you forced faker
Just make it easy
You're my enemy you fast talker

Chorus:I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

Her music reminds me of the tracks they play in Topshop stores here in Manila...mixing dub, indie rock and electronic music, which I have grown to be fond of in the past 6 months or so.... as it proved to be very refreshing to my RnB-ears.

Speaking of Topshop... I took my high-waisted, bell-bottom Topshop jeans for a stroll today. This pair has been with me since mid of 2008 and I've only worn it TWICE... don't get me wrong.. I find them really cute... but I'd have to battle with more than 10 buttons in case I have to go take a leak... heehee (these would be the kind of jeans you'd want to give your daughters once they reach 14 and start having boyfriends).

In this day where skinnies, tights and leggings are our closet staples… wide-legged trousers seem to give such a different vibe every so often. Take Nicole Richie and Katie Holmes as examples… don’t they bring hippie back with such style?

So, this is my take on this wide-legged-1970's wonder... Paired it with a semi-haltered top with a frilled detail, a cropped cardi when the building got a bit cold, a woven belt, platform shoes, and my trusty Speedy bag.

Pardon my make-up-less face… I’ve been having bad breakouts because of the “little” change in the weather and for now tea tree cleansers are my new buddies…

So...How do you ladies like my new layout? I was inspired by the Marie Antoinette DVD cover and decided to make my blog look Marie-Antoinette-ish... only setback though: I lost all of your links! I'm so sorry about that.. and will do something about it... as soon as I can!

Top: Dressing Room

Jeans and belt: Topshop

Cardi: Zara

Platform Shoes: Steve Madden

Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram line (Speedy 30)

HEY 2009!!! (A really long entry)

2009-01-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I’m so sorry for taking a holiday hiatus… I haven’t had the time to pose for outfit entries primarily because the holiday came and left in such haste… it was impossible to catch up on other stuff in the middle of all the gatherings, last-minute-shopping, preparations, parties left and right… plus little baby (now more of a toddler) has gotten way too active for a baby who just hit 1 (she is still adapting to her new nanny and has gotten into a cling-y-to-mom-or-dad phase).

BUT I’m back!!! And am hoping that you all lovelies had a great holiday as well!!!

I hope you all were able to give, receive (yey), share and spend time with friends, family and loved ones during Christmas... below is a picture of me (in my house clothes because the fan was blowing my dress up -- I didn't plan to do a Marlyn Monroe on Christmas... and just changed back when we left to our next stop), hubby and baby with some presents... and nannies and helpers with some of their loot...

I still have a LOT of pictures to sort through... And much as I would want to share them all with you... I must not forget that this is a fashion/style blog... And so, for the outfit post, here's what I wore to dinner last night:

Hubby and I went to a fine dining place called Cuisine, a part of the Embassy super club...they serve really good food! Our reservations were at 8pm... but I was still getting dressed at 7... so that explains why I had no time to change to a matching bag...

It's funny how it ended up clashing patterns with those diamond shapes on my tights... well... it was a good thing no one noticed (I think)... everyone was busy staring at my tights to notice the checkered bag!

I wore my F21 shoes with wooden heels... and almost stumbled into a little crater on the grass just before this picture.... I wanted a Holiday-Picture with the giant tree and hubby was way to mortified to take my picture with the world watching... so as I was rushing to the tree in hopes that he would NOT change his mind - after agreeing to take a few shots on our way back to the car.... my foot slipped into the hole and I almost toppled over... it was so funny I couldnt keep a straight face anymore!!

Dress: Custom Made

Patterned Tights: F&H

Shoes: F21

Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 30

Looking back at 2008, it was a very eventfull year for me... I traveled a lot, learned a lot, laughed a whole lot, cried a bit, shopped a lot, got furious a bit, lost a bit and gained a whole lot (pounds, wisdom, friends, zits, purses, shoes...heehee name it!).

When each year comes to an end and I look back to the year that was, I keep in mind that depsite all the shortcomings that may have come my way, the mistakes and the wrong turns... but I look forward as a new year beckons and it gives much hope for a brighter one.

Tank: Topshop
Outer Top: Zara
Paris Necklace: F21

I remember a book I once read back when I was 14: The Precious Present by Spencer Johnson encourages us to live for today. The past gives us wisdom as we learn from our mistakes and triumphs... the future gives us hope... but we should live each day as it comes... and live it to the fullest... as if it were our last.

Cheers to a FASHIONABLE NEW YEAR everyone!!!

Purple Plaid Barbie Girl

2008-12-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

So I'm back to my usual, so-so stylish, sugar+spice+everything nice self... with my poping vivid stuff!

I wore this a few days back and encountered some snotty girls in the elevator on my way to the parking floor... I had shared the elevator with them once...way back, and they sang "Barbie Girl" from the mmid-90' band Aqua as soon as the elevator door closed and I got off my floor. That time, judging from my uber colorful outfit I already had a gut-feeling it was me they were making fun of... but part of me was saying "oh don't be silly" so I brushed it off. And then I just had to encounter them just one more time.

Guess what? They sang "Barbie Girl" again!!! Oh... then I knew the song was for me. Some buddies and would call me Barbie a couple of times back... in a good way... I know... all beacause they say I'm tall with long hair and fair skin and I had absolutely no idea if those elevator girls were singing it to mock me or bash me... so what did a BARBIE-GIRL like me do???

Smile and amuse myself... funny how some people can be.... and to think they were wearing the plainest graphic shirts and tightest bootleg jeans! Being different has its pros and cons... but if you know you're dressing up just because IT MAKES YOU HAPPY... then it is the right andFAB thing to do. We cannot please everyone right??

I remember one silly girl I wish to forget from a not so far past... she would bash whatever it is that I wore right in front of my face... and then next thing I knew she was wearing the exact rip-off... heehee... There are many types of haters..... better refered to as green-eyed monsters. Well sad to say, they either just too chicken scared to go out of the box and create their own style or just plain ignorant... and they wallow in making others who are not scared to dress up - miserable. I know many of us Personal Style and Fashion bloggers meet this kinds of people once or twice.... or many many MANY times in a lifetime, they should serve as our added inspirations to be the best of who we are... to be firm with what we decide to wear..... not because it pleases other people or conforms to the usual norms.... but because it is what defines who we are and makes us OH-SO-HAPPY and fulfilled!

Dress: Online Find
Bolero: Zara
Patent Wedges: So Fab!
Bangle: Gifted
Hairband: Supermarket Find

Hollywood Glam Christmas

2008-12-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

During the weekend, Hubby and I attended an early Christmas party at Embassy. The theme of the evening was Red Carpet Glam and I thought of wearing something that showed my Fascination with 1940's retro-Cinema style.

I had a dress in mind but my trusty dressmaker's secretary told me that they are finishing 3 batches of wedding entourage gowns for December and could not accommodate my immediate need -- (so partly my fault because I called in 1.5 weeks before the event teehee..).

So it took me 3 shopping days to finally settle for this purple dress ( I wanted something midnight-blue toned but could not find any or tan-toned but I figured it did not suit my uber pale skin tone), I wanted to wear booties with this one... but my current pair was just too casual for the dress... and it was quite close to impossible to find one (Manila is not a shoe mecca) in a few days time, so I settled for the nicest pair that caught my eye -- and got it for about $20 only!

And then added a satin band which came with another dress.... and paired them all up with my DIYed lace fingerless gloves and my trusty Chanel bag who has been my 'special occasion staple' for almost a year already.

Hubby would kid me by mentioning that I reminded him of Dita Von Teese sans the Red lipstick... he must be blind! For starters... she has a waist and a body at that! While I.... err.... I... uhmm nevermind!

Here is one favorite picture with our stylish buddies... the early bird with us latecomers (it took us ages to get there... the traffic jams in Manila double-up each time it's Christmas season).

That's me with Zara-clad-hubby hamming it up for the camera!

Dress: Studio E

Shoes: Juan

Bag: Chanel

Fingerless Gloves: DIY

Earrings: Old Navy

Grayscale

2008-12-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

"the sky is grey, the sand is grey, and the ocean is grey. i feel right athome in this stunning monochrome, alone in my way. i smoke and i drink andevery time i blink i have a tiny dream. but as bad as i am i'm proud of thefact that i'm worse than i seem. what kind of paradise am i looking for? i'vegot everything i want and still i want more. maybe some tiny shiny thing willwash up on the shore." - "Grey" sung by Ani Difranco

These lyrics caught my eye as they reflect what my outfit feels like... maybe more of the first part. I initially paired this with aqua opaque tights... but they looked too loud... and though I am a color-loving person...I felt like toning it down some more.

(Ok pardon the silly face... what's up with all these silly faces??) So I ditched the tights... and added a cropped grey jacket to cover up a bit....

(Though this dress can pretty well pass-up for a cute summery dress with it's denim detail.)

To match my new peep-toes (that slightly hurt).

Dress: Bazaar find

Cropped Jacket: Bayo

Peep-toes: Local Mall find (dirt cheap)!

Weekend Wear: The Countdown Begins...

2008-12-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

Is it just me? Or is it beginning to feel a LOT like Christmas???!!!

Everyone was talking about the Pacquiao vs. Dela Hoya boxing match and we knew watching it with delivery-pizza, pasta and soda were sure-balls to make the day tad boring. So Hubby, Baby, Nanny M and I went to the mall today to score some loot for ourselves...we thought the mall might be close to empty because everyone was probably glued to their TV screens in eager anticipation.

Upon reaching the mall, we were so surprised to see the parking lot almost FULL, and the resto's were jam-packed with people! We had lunch at an all-time favorite: Fish and Co., hubby and I always choose that place as a default when we can't think of anything that tickles our tummies. They had the Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight on their TV's and we stayed on to watch till the 4th round.

hubby bought new Nike SB's to add to his growing collection, my eagle eyes brought us to the watch stand and he bought biggie-Nike-watches for us both (heehee), I got some shoes (some = 3 pairs!), Baby got her new "beehbeeeeeh" Strawberry shortcake baby doll (with long legs..) and new squeaky patent mary janes... and Nanny M took an hour to hunt for her "Christmas shoes" (we gave her the budget and the freedom to look around for what she liked and hubby and I had to wait for 45 minutes for her to come up with the perfect pair! heehee... how funny!

Pardon my silly face... my outfit doesn't quite match the background... which is a Christmas tree. I look all summer-y sans the scarf, and Evergreens/Pines remind me of cold climates, but the weather that day was really humid. Being in an air conditioned room/place all day only helps as much.

The reason why I added the scarf was because my outer tank top was one size bigger than my usual size and it tended to stretch low, exposing too much skin... and that was the last thing I wanted in a MALL- a.k.a. a super crowded place. I loved the crochet detail on the back part of the salmon tank, but I wasn't able to take a picture of it.

And surprisingly, I walked around for 4 hours straight in my F21 peep-toes, with my toes complaining to a minimum. I love this pair... it reminds me so much of Christian Louboutin's. They gave me extra height, so I was walking around the mall like a giraffe... towering above the usual crowd height... I swear I might have freaked some people out! heeehee

Inner Tank: Zara

Outer Tank: Zara

Cropped Jeans: Buffalo by David Bitton

Shoes: F21

Scarf: Local Mall Find

Bag: Mango

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Sporadic

2008-12-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

The always-missing blogger is back again from another hiatus... this time I will be back for good! I promise! I know my posts have been sporadic... done in such irregular intervals and I have been so busy to take time out to blog about my outfit for the day, or better yet, even to take pictures of what I've been wearing (what I have are pretty much old... like weeks back...), I ha vent even had the time to check your pages out! Booo to me.... but I know and feel that this time around will be better!

So how have you all been? Good I hope....I'm excited to visit your pages and see what I've missed.

Here's a photo of what I briefly wore 2 days ago, I spotted this on a mannequin and immediately fell in love with it. I loved the color and the cut.

Plus, it reminded me of a Proenza Shuller dress, but mine had less drapes and wasn't made out of the same material.

I decided to go bare, though it did look cute with dark tights... because the heat in this tropical country was killing me.

I'm sorry I was looking at my left side most of the time... we sat my little girl on her tiny chair (which she loves!) and she was waving at me while I posed for my pictures... I guess she was trying to do what I usually do when we have her pictures taken... wave at her so she smiles! How cute!!

Pardon my "neon pink" nails.... I've gotten a bit tired of all the berry colors and the browns and now am back to my Barbie nails...

I had to post all the other "less-smiley" pictures because most of them, as a result, looked like that one below... heehee may I add... have you noticed I dont have the "usual" look with the bangs?? heehee.. I was having a bad hair day... left the towel too long on my head, thus, my bangs went haywire!

Dress: Studioline

Shoes: Online find

Bangles: F21 and Wetseal

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Cocktail Ring: Gift from my Mom in Law

I’ve also been given this award, by the pretty and super stylish Rachel of Kaleidoscope Dreams.

Which also comes with a tag asking the blogger to list 6 things that make them happy.
I’m really a shallow person, lots of things make me happy and let me narrow them to my 6 random things:

- Sharing conversations and laughs with my hubby, my Dad, my siblings and my in-laws… I love the natural high and “gas” (here I go again) I get from family time.

- Taking my first step into the mall. Call me shallow, but it somehow gives me a sense of excitement and anticipation… having it as our “2nd home”, each time is a different adventure, and I wonder what treasures I may find next!

- Catching glimpses of rainbows. I hate rain, and I remember how my late Mom would tell me back when I was little, that rainbows mean the rain has come to an end. In life, she told me, we will experience rain… even storms because it’s a part of what we all should go through. But there will always be a rainbow afterwards, it just pays to look around to find it, just like life, you must try to find HOPE amidst chaos.

- Food. Everything from pizza, pasta, sushi, Breyers ice cream with Lays chips, McD’s milkshakes, toffee-nut frappes, junkfood, turnovers, chocolate fondue and truffles to fried rice, un-ripe mango with shrimp paste, and native food make me happy! I love sharing those moments with my hubby, and hopefully soon with little toddler!

- Shoes and Bags. I love the wave of glee running up my spine each time I open my shoe closet (I will take a picture to share with you all one day) and sometimes have the urge to line-up all my bags and just stare at them… it’s really a shallow thing but I’m sure a lot of you can relate to it.

- My husband and my baby (already almost a toddler at 14 months!). I never knew I could forgo shopping or meeting up with friends late at night that quick just to spend more time at home. Looking at them alone makes my heart flutter with so much joy. Spending time with them is priceless.

I wish I could list more, but I only have six. And most of you also already have this award... so, I pass this “You Rock” award to these lovely bloggers who are very much deserving:
1. Mayk All Day Everyday
2. She's Dressing Up
3. Fashion Behavior
4. Come Thrifting With Me
5. Super Stylish Mood
6. The Daily Alygator

Back! - Log

2008-11-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!!! I’m back!!!

I’m sorry to have slacked on all the posting…. I have been busy these past few days… the weekend came and left in a haste (the Chris Brown and Rihanna concert was a BLAST! – pictures to follow)… we “fired” our old nanny even if her replacement was set to arrive at least 5 days after.. "former" nanny was beginning to be such a pain to have… and I was losing my patience by the minute… her replacement arrived yesterday and I thing she’s an improvement based on initial gut feeling… but I still cant say for certain if she's ok…

But boy am I happy to have another nanny now so I can have time to BLOG! Heeehee… don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with the baby! But everyone needs his/her own quiet happy-time and mine would be taking long, fragrant, bubbly showers and blogging!

My bangs have grown a LOT! And really FAST for that matter! It probably has something to do with the weather (?)... I never knew having bangs would entail visiting the salon every 3 weeks to get them trimmed or else I’d end up blind or cross-eyed! And I seriously need to have an appointment with my hair stylist tomorrow… or suffer having puffy-wavy-side-swept-bangs on Saturday evening (hubby and I have another wedding to attend).

I decided to take my black oxfords out for a spin once more... I got them locally for a little less than $20 only! They feel so comfy and I simply adore them!

I wanted to wear a skirt and my purple tights with this.... but maybe on another day....

I am also loving my caramel-choco-colored nails… I have them on my hands and feet (though they look a bit… no.. not a bit but SUPER scratched because I did them myself… and it’s always a struggle each time)… so I’m in my caramel-brown phase… after the fire red, neon pink, deep purple and midnight blue… I cant figure out which one to try on next…

I've been taking my outfit pictures diligently... but I just didn't have the time to post any... I promise to post them all for you to see... no matter how dull, quirky, casual, formal -- they may be... I promise!

By the way... I can't wait to catch Twilight in local theaters soon!!

Enjoy your evening!!!

Tank: Topshop
Cardi: Online
Jeans: Mango
Shoes: The Ramp
Belt: Online
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Necklace: Online find

If we could count God’s blessings… We’d be up all night…

2008-11-14T14:55:00.000-08:00

I’m so overwhelmed with the comments I got from my previous post on the nanny drama…THANK YOU so much for all the concern, the suggestions, the similar stories, and the compliments (to make me smile) from you… you know who you are… my heart is overflowing with gratitude and love! I may not be one of those popular Fashion Bloggers like most of you already are… but believe me, the 1, 2, 15, 20 comments that come in really make my day! I never somehow grasped how solid this blogger-bond we all have is, that what started as a special world where personal style bloggers united and talked/posted about fashion has blossomed into this web of great friendships as we share not just our outfits but also parts of our life among one another. It’s quite a happy thought but sometimes surreal to think of, and I consider you all as blessings from heaven in the form of friends who I haven’t even met in person yet…

Ok I should stop being sappy… and proceed with today’s outfit post:

I had less than 30 minutes to take a quick squeaky shower and dress up today, so as I showered, my mind was deciphering "what to wear" and no matter how hard I tried to think, nothing came out...

So when I opened my closet and saw my scarves hanging on one end... I immediately thought about wearing this scarf as an accent peice.. hubby and I saw these a few months back and bought 2 (his was green and maroon) and then we totally forgot about having them... but I'm glad I looked the "scarf-way" because this scarf is too cute to pass up on!

Struggling with the camera lighting...

And that's me laughing/trying to pacify baby because she was getting fussy in her crib (maybe she wanted to join the photoshoot?).

And I took the red peep-toe booties for a walk again....

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

P.S. I will keep you all posted on the Nanny-drama on my next post…
P.P.S I’m loving Jason Mraz’ “We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things album” especially the song “Live High”
P.P.P.S Chris Brown and Rihanna…. See you in 2 days!!!!

Maroon Macaroon and all the drama!!!

2008-11-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

We've been having Nanny Wars part IV at home. My baby's nanny (known for squabbling with each and every helper she works with in our household) has been throwing tantrums and fighting with our other household help which causes quite a considerable amount of stress on our end.

Like an afternoon telenovela:
- nanny goes on a day-off (our nannys and helpers here in the Philippines are stay-in workers, we provide them food, lodging, toilettries, clothing and they can take their day-offs to visit relatives regularly, though most of them don't have any nearby as they hail from the distant Philippine provinces which are shores away from Manila)
- nanny is one day late in returning from her day-off
- we question her why the sudden "incomunicado" behavior and ask why she refused to answer all our phone calls, she answers by saying there was no signal in her "aunts" place (which is still questionable since we were able to get some calls through, though she wouldnt pick up)
- nanny marches to their room and fights with household helper by accusing her of being a mole and an ass kisser by trying to be "the honest one" and telling us all about her escapades with numerous boys during her day offs (which, frankly speaking we don't even care about because thats her personal life) just to make household help look like the good one
-then household help retaliates and cries endlessly
-then nanny refuses to go out of her room for hours and then days....refuses to do her daily chores, doesnt even bother to look at my baby
-and the drama goes on...and on... and on...

So who ends up suffering from nanny's bad behavior?? Of course hubby and I are stressed beyond stress!

Now I'm finding it hard to concentrate on other things beyond the household.... I'm usually not a sleepy, sluggish person but for 2 days straight, I've noticed myself stare blankly into my laptop's screen especially while trying to finish writing 2 manuals (I know...yaaaaawn right?) and I noticed I've been on a grumpy mood more often than not.

I just hope we get a replacement nanny soon.

I wore a wore a skirt + blouse ensemble for work yesterday. I was hesitant about the body-hugging satin skirt... I know my chocolate binges when in stressful situations + a tight skirt are bound for disaster.

But thankfully, the results were I guess, minimal... heehee....

I've been on a dark-lipstick phase for maybe 2 months now. One some days I would notice my inclination to snatching my Revlon matte Red Velvet for a pucker bursting with scarlet, on days like this, I opted for my Estee Lauder Maniac lipstick with a rich wine tone...

I'm not much of a make-up girl but I need to have something on my lips or else I'd end up being the palest of the pale.. I usually go for MAC lipglass, Clinique Full Potential lip gloss (It has a sting similar to Lip Venom for that added plumpness) and Juicy Tubes -- I'm more of the candy girly-girl but my glossies have been on vacation-mode right now.

I added a bead necklace with organza roses to my outfit (this one I bought months and months ago which reminded me of Anne Hathaway's Chanel necklaces in the Devil Wears Prada).

I love the metal heels on my shoes too... I went on a metal-heels phase last last year, but noticed that they were very difficult to walk with, so I just let them out of the closet from time to time.

I also love the coated buttons on my skirt... it reminds me of the guy on the Pringles potato crisps container for some unknown reason.

It was my first time to wear this skirt and I might wear it sometime again with an entirely different top... I already have the look in mind and am already excited!

Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Online find
Shoes: Syrup
Necklace: local department store find
Watch: Kenneth Cole

Weekend Wear: Lazy Dressing

2008-11-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

You can tell that I'm lazy to dress up by merely looking at the little details of my outfit: I usually don't have a waist cincher or a belt, a bangle or a cocktail ring and on some occasions, my bag usually does NOT match or go with anything I am wearing (and my purse, to me, always plays a pivotal role on normal "inspired" days).

I wore this ensemble to the supermarket... I was feeling a bit blah and thought that I just needed to get out of the house as fast as I could wearing something decent and far from the usual tees and shorts.

I chose this ruffly blouse and paired it with a pair of cut-offs to veer away from being to girly-girly on a casual day and since I didn't want to look like a lazy dresser (though it was indeed a LAZY day to dress up), I piled the accessories on without even pondering about them.

I thought, as long as they were pointing to the same color scheme... then I would be OK. And I guess it came out as a total So-so outfit...I always try to break my bad habit of being overly matchy-matchy but heck.... it was a trip to the supermarket ONLY.

So off we were to do the groceries... with me and my pale legs.. heehee...

Top: From Bangkok
Cut-off shorts: Unionbay
Wedges: USA Online Find
Sling bag: Nine West
Watch: F21
Necklace: F21

Speaking of being overly color-coordinated, I've seen the trailer of the upcoming movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and I just have to say that I'm a bit surprised to find out that Patricia Field was the person behind Isla Fischers matchy-matchy outfits...
It came to me as a surprise, because Patricia has gained so much popularity from doing such superb styling in Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty. But though I am a obviously big fan of coordinated stuff, something about what I've seen from the movie so far, looks a bit wrong. She usually gets away with putting together unlikely stuff and creating a great work of art as a result (think: SJP in SATC series...), but this one makes me think, "Hey, I know I'm far from being a great dresser, but these safely matched outfits look like I styled them somewhere in dreamland!" heeeheee (nice try Peaches...only in your dreams...)

I've been a BIG FAN of Sophie Kinsella's book series (I even thought Becky Bloomwood and I shared the same life when they came out with Shopaholic and Baby just when we found out I was having my little Lexie...heehee), but on those rare chapters where Becky detailed her outfits, they weren't as color coordinated as Isla's stuff (but hey she looks so good even after having a baby!)...

I dare not question Patricia Field's creations though... who knows? This might be the next big thing! I'm still keeping my hopes high that the movie will have better outfits in store for us... I can't wait for February!!!

Splurging is out??!

2008-11-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

I think I’m a bit over my Gossip Girl Ga-Ga days… I’m a couch potato no more but officially a Twilight saga fanatic (the bookworm returns!).

Those of you who have read or heard about Stephanie Meyers bestselling book series would probably agree with me. It’s like J.K. Rowling meets Anne Rice in a teenage “Sweet Dreams novel” effect, which leaves you breathless as you turn from one page to another, wide-eyed with suspense and anticipation while your heart flutters from all the teeny-bopper romance. Vampires have always aroused my curiosity and fascination, I swear I can preach about it all day, but I will save you all from all the lackluster…. Just be sure to watch the “Twilight” movie (I can’t wait)!

On to other things…

I’m still supposed to be on a shopping ban ( I imposed October till December and am still halfway) but backslid a bit last weekend. Well, I wasn’t feeling in a party mood all week, I was even feeling under the weather on most days and hubby coaxed me to impulsively by 3 wardrobe pieces in less10 minutes time. What can I say… he put me on time pressure… I wasn’t even able to fit any of them but I swiped away… bad!

According to The Wall Street Journal latest news, if you are feeling guilty about shopping... you should be! Psychologists declare that splurging is out and self-denial is in, but that buying something cheap is just fine. Ok… I should learn to be more diligent.

Anyways, this is what I wore yesterday… It’s a plain dress which I also bought last September simply on “grab all you can in 2 minutes” – mode. It was one of those days when we only had to accomplish an errand and I, the cunning, scheming, imp that I am, decided to convince hubby to make a quick detour to a clothes shop and since we were pressed for time I grabbed this dress, together with another one I have yet to wear, and then we drove away without even trying it on (again…).

And so, after letting it sit inside its paper bag for a few days….(sigh hopeless isn’t it?), I stared at it and decided that it just was one of those big mistakes again…too flowery..too much patterns…to librarian-ish plus it was a wrap-dress and it had a waist-ribbon which seemed to stick out in the wrong directions... but since I was trying to live within the confines of my closet – I decided to snip the tags attached to it and dump it into the laundry basket…

And now, after a few weeks of hanging around in the closet… Little-Flowery-Dress takes it’s chance to shine!
div>

I added a little waist cincher to cover the ribbon which I just wrapped unendingly around my waist (if you call that a waist or at least what's left of it), and added some pearls (the necklace was made out of a leftover strand of pearl beads which we used for our wedding stuff...so they're plastic pearls in contrast with the real ones on my ears heehee.

Hope we all have a great weekend!!!

Dress: Mode (from Bangkok)
Waist Cincher: What Women Want
Shoes: Nine West
South Sea Pearl Earrings
Watch: Anne Klein
Necklace: local Lace shop

Tagged: Numero Dos + SS-09 Accessories

2008-11-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

Here are the Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you : Gilda of TinkChic27

2. Post the rules on your blog

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Ok Here goes:

- I am perpetually pale. - I’ve been like this since birth… I’ve been called an ALBINO by funny little street kids back when I was 7…(they ran away when I wanted to befriend them – heehee…funny but it was traumatic back in the day)! Then back in high school and college, I enjoyed a constant faint tan from being in the beach every weekend (My skin burns easily so I can’t be tanorexic – it’s either go easy on the suntan or be red and sore as a freshly boiled crab!). Though times have changed now, I hardly have time to go to the beach (which is at least 3 hours away from Manila) so I have nothing much to do about my pale skin, most of my siblings have the same skin-tone and some of them cannot survive without tanning… thus, I suffer from being called MAYO – for mayonnaise or NANA- our local term for PUS (which is normally WHITE in color… eww) – it drives me nuts!

- I go crazy over colored Pilot Pens, and now Sharpies! - A practice I’ve brought with me since high school. My notebooks are usually strewn with multi-colored handwriting and without a fuchsia pen… I refused to take down notes (it had to be a special Pilot fuchsia pen… not baby pink, not neon pink – but fuchsia pink!). I love Sharpies too… specially the new hip colors they just came out with… it’s a QUIRK quite hard to break!

- I am a bookworm - I guess it's pretty much self-explanatory. Once I start reading a book and get hooked...there's no stopping anymore! It was such an easy thing to do that back when I was single... I just locked myself up in my room and pretended to be asleep when someone would knock or call (heehee bad!), but now with hubby resorting to silly antics while trying to pull me away from my book (he has an attention disorder you know... kidding heehee) and my baby trying to rip my book apart each time she sees me staring into it when she's with us -- I just have no other choice but to put those books down. If I could finish a book an a few hours before, today- it takes days to finish a book on an "installment basis".

- I am a bag-a-holic. – I haven’t posted much of my babies here, as I try to devote this site to my outfits only (and I also know that my purses might steal the limelight from me… heehee). I’ve been a baghag since high school, I wanted my bags to look different from the rest – so while we all had our Jansport backpacks (mine had to be purple)… I would shift to the bowler bag or patent bags in vivid colors – I loved it when my bags started conversations even with random strangers from school. It then morphed into a designer bag addiction… and though my collection of luxury bags is quite small compared to other baghags out there (check out TPF!!! I have the urge to line my bags up and take a picture of them all, like those ladies on TPF... but I'm still too lazy to do so), I have Coach and Dooneys to start off, then Marc Jacobs, then Louis Vuittons, then Chanels…it’s slowly growing!! I’m targeting a Goyard St. Louis next and I want a tangerine or aqua Hermes Kelly before I reach 50 heeehee!

- I am such a sucker for Cheese and Vinegar - yes, you read that right.... V-I-N-E-G-A-R, Cane, Balsamic, Spicy, Sweet Vinegar... I can eat Cheetos, Doritos and any kind of salty chips with vinegar, I sprinkle vinegar over my rice after eating salty food just for the heck of it... we have a local delight we call "tuyo"-- sun-dried salty fish which I love to have for breakfast at least once a month and I soak the "tuyo" strips in Vinegar before eating them with garlic-egg-fried rice. On the other hand... I can live on cheese... I can devour cheese pizzas in minutes -- mozzarella is love, I enjoy casseroles with cheese melt on top, I sprinkle Parmesan cheese all over my pasta and pizza and even on some dishes, I can sink my teeth into blue cheese, have Fontina cheese with red wine as a dessert, eat table cheese and rice as a meal (oh yeah gross right??) and I can scoop cream cheese varieties ( I love The Laughing Cow) straight into my mouth like candy!

- I have a bad habit of over-cleaning my ears. – my E.N.T. warned me to go easy on the Q-tips maybe at least 8 years ago… but I just cant kick the habit of sticking those q-tips (soaked in Alcohol) into my ears each day. I know it’s really bad… but I hate having to think that my ears might smell like cheese! (ahahah ok am I making you gag with all my vivid descriptions now??)

OK.

I'm done...

I think I've grossed you guys out enough... Please do come back, I'm really not that wierd. I promise to be in my best behavior at all times and leave this odd-ness out of my blog ok??

Just please.. pretty please come back!!!

Please?

So I'm tagging (wish I could tag more than 6, but well there's always a next tag):

Erika of Fashion Chalet
Rachel of Kaleidoscope Dreams
The Fashionista's Roz, Issa and Tokyostargirl of We Wear Things
Dane of Trust Me It's Paradise'

Nina of Femme Rationale
May of Mayk All Day Everyday

Stylish Rachel's recent post reminded me of some pictures which I collected a few week's back from Style.com's Fashion Week-ender. I gathered pictures of my favorite SS-09 Accessories to share with you all, but somehow forgot that I had all these pictures all along.

So finally, I'm sharing them with you all.. let me know what you think.

Let's start off with the bags!!!

Hermes goes western with frills... ( I still prefer the traditional Hermes bags though).

Louis Vuitton goes tribal...

Gucci goes back to the traditional....

Balenciaga goes space-age...

Chanel goes ga-ga over logos....

Fendi goes exotic...

Emilio Pucci mixes his loud signature prints with canvas...

And for all the Cinderellas out there... here come my shoe picks!!

Graphics Galore from Sergio Rossi...

Pastel Power from Armani...

Neon Highlights from Pierre Hardy...

Mirror, Mirror on your feet from Givenchy...

Platforms is still the way to go for Marni...

Sexy Heels from Nina Ricci......

Exotic Ruffles from Christian Louboutin...

Mixed patterns from Lanvin....

Studs + Stitches from Jimmy Choo

Peep-toes in bold patterns from Bruno Frisoni...

Ok..why am I out of breath already??

Getting over the bug...with Studs

2008-11-05T09:35:00.001-08:00

I am such a bad blogger... I was out on training classes all week...and then slept late as I went on constant dates with hubby each night just to let the traffic jams settle before we headed home, I was feeling a bit under the weather as the week ended and caught a bad cold just as the weekend came. So I had to beg-off all the Halloween festivities, and even had to move my little baby's scheduled "Halloween" photoshoot... Bad Cold!

Today marked a big step in American History... and I'm so happy to watch this day unfold even from across the miles.

Hubby has a habit of watching CNN and NBC's The Today Show every single morning (he says it makes him reminisce of the days when we stayed at a hotel beside the Rockefeller and NBC was just a stone's throw away) and since he keeps himself abreast with US news, I also have to make sure I am ready with my views, stands and sides whenever he asks for my opinions -- so I had to keep a good watch over the US elections too.

(there goes the "hubby-photo" he surely will have a kick out of this once he catches a glimpse of this post...hey, I chose one with him partially covering his face right??)

But when we both wanted to engage in friendly debates on who "should" win... I had to take the Republican side just to have to view-points... heehee.. I just want to congratulate my American blogger friends for another historical milestone!

On to the outfit post... I will wear my stars and stripes tribute soon, but for now... Studs will do!

Took my F21 Stud pumps for a walk after acquiring them 2 months ago...

Same went for my multi-strand, 2-toned necklace... and my how-i-wish-i-could-wear-leather-in-this-climate jacket.

I've been eyeing moto jackets so much... leather ones... but just had to surrender to wearing a lightweight one specially in this kind of humidity. I was so glad I found one in a light material and it had the moto-leather look to it...

Once I had it, I knew it was time to bring out the studs once more... and to debut my studded pumps... (I'm still lusting over the Gucci booties... though these babies make me very happy for now!)

So I got my punk-biker look complete!!!

Hope you all are having a great week!

Tank: Zara
Jacket: Betty Brand
Studded belt: Marshall’s
Acid Wash jeans: Mango
Studded pumps: F21
Multi-strand necklace: F21
Hear necklace: Old Navy
Watch: Nike

P.S. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments on my previous post... I promise to get back to you all as soon as I can! XOXO

Belle of the Ball

2008-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Fashionista Friends!!! I'm back from a 4-day hiatus...

I've been busy towards the end of the week. Had a Banquet to attend and an award to receive... and I only had a week to have my gown made (talk about leaving everything to the last minute)... It was a formal gathering and the ladies had to wear evening gowns so I was busy shuttling to and from my dressmaker during my free time, as a result, I had to sacrifice my blogging-time.

So, back to the dress... I initially did not have this gown in mind. I saw it sometime ago (ok for those of you who have keen fashion eyes... it's time to prep them up for some style spying) ...on TV and on the internet, but for this occasion I had something else up my sleeve -- Though I was hesitant to wear it in the midst of engineers, executives and expats... either something Egyptian-mummy-inspired with lots of equal cloth strips here and there... or a serpentina gown with structured cuts and masculine-influenced designs...

But, my dressmaker refused to create the gown in such a short notice... so, since I was on the verge of giving up and just purchasing a ready-made dress and risk being somebody else's twin...I had no choice but to rip a page from my magazine and beg her to come-up with PLAN B (no more add-ons,etc. -- I was in panic-mode... so my mind failed to think) she had to take it or leave it -- and make it in 6 days.

And because, to her I am one of her sweetest customers (their design shop made my wedding gown and entourage gowns)... I got plan B!

Ok fashion spies... look closely....does this gown look familiar??? Ok... the sepia-tone will give you a clue... it's a season back... notice the ruffles...

I prefer the pictures above which were taken by some of the company photographers... the sepia ones taken from my point-and-shoot camera (evening purse = small = small camera's only) were to shiny.., though my dress wasn't shiny...booo. But most of them were either group pictures -- and I have absolutely no idea how the people I was with on those pictures would like being seen on my blog... or pictures of me and hubby -- hubby on my blog = is totally out of the question... he would go berserk! So for now, these "shining-shimmering-splendid" pictures will do (I had hoped that making them Sepia-toned would help).

And my hair... which took 2 hours to make...resembled the satin roses on my neck. The make-up guy was so meticulous with my eyes (he did a great job though.... given that I have the palest skin which is very difficult to "paint")... then he forgot that the hairdresser wanted to let my full-bangs loose instead of pulling them all up... (poor make-up-guy)!

Ok for the shoe-shot... big bling-bling shoes that were good enough to dance on.

Evening Gown: Custom made
Faux Croc Skin Stilettos: People are People
Faux Croc Skin evening bag: F21
Lace Gloves: US Online Find

So, have you all guessed my "dress-inspiration"??

Remember the Big Gossip Girl wedding?? Remember Serena's bridesmaid dress?? Think Ralph Lauren Spring Summer 2008 Collection...

Bug-a-Boo

2008-10-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

I know SATC movie is so "yesterday", but I still am loving SJP's looks, especially her Dior heels that stretched from complementing daywear to eveningwear... even formalwear, and because od that, I decided to allow my Dior-wannabee cutout gladiators to see the light once again.

I love my frilly dress... which I got for only a little bit more than $10 at a local department store...topped it off with a cotton vest from Old Navy... my dress had ruffles all over and I felt like a peacock or a colored flamingo wearing such a fluffy ensemble with 5-inch heels...

Oops... watch out for that little draft Marlyn!!

One of the main reasons why I decided to wear those heels today was primarily because I knew I wasn't going to do a whole lot of walking... I know I love high heeled shoes so much but I end up being miserable once my ankles and feet start feeling sore... but as all stories go... there always has to be a TWIST of some sort that messes it up.
Hubby, being the superhuman that he is, decided to ignore his tummy-ache and he ended up with a mega-aching-tummy-attack when while we were away from home, and after a few hours of contemplating on whether it was a "oh that's just gas" tummy-ache or a much more serious one.. we went to the ER to have him checked, and spent most of the evening/wee hours of the morning there due to clinical examinations left and right.

Hubby is ok, they found some infection caused by a stomach bug going around... so he has to take some antibiotics and pain-killers... poor thing... BOO TO BUGS... but other than that, thank heavens he's a whole lot better!

So back to the heels.....

And what do you think was the fate of my toes???

As clinical studies would go: None or Minimal discomfort ONLY.

Surprising!!

Good thing these two babies were in their "comfiest best".

Monday BLUEs

2008-10-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling a bit under the weather all weekend. I was so sluggish and lazy to even go get some sun... so hubby and I stayed indoors (we cancelled appointments left and right -- booo lazy!) and took much needed rest all Sunday.

Monday came... and my Monday Blues surely greeted me! I had to meet up with my dressmaker (and I cancelled it), had to go to the bank (I postponed it), had to go have some hair treatment (I guess you know what goes inside these parentheses already -- yes, I cancelled it!)... and the list goes on and on...
As guilt was slowly creeping into my system, I brushed it off and said to myself: "Doesn't it feel so nice to spend time lazing around all day at home without doing anything at all??".
It sure did!!!
But towards the end of the day, I had no other choice but to move my lazy bones and get dressed!
So I decided to wear sapphire blue to contrast with black... I love the bow and the back detail (I forgot to have a picture taken though), paired it with a really old skirt (I couldn't find my favorite black high waisted skirt and was...yes.. LAZY to look for it) -- but I loved how flowy this one was and then I put minimal pearls as my accent accessories... I hope I somehow concealed how LAZY I was feeling with this outfit.

And before I call this a post, allow me to introduce you to my little friend, CARROT. She's a cellphone dangler, and though my phone has no provisions for these crazy Asian danglers, I stuck it to it's rubber protector, Hubby and I found this cute little toy while doing our regular supermarket shopping! Now I have another thing to love about grocery stores -- little surprise knick-knacks like this one!!

Top: Shopaholic
Skirt: Rustan's (Local Department store)
Bag: Chanel
Belt: WetsealShoes: Nine West

The Perfect Chemical Lab Experiment

2008-10-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with this Zara cardigan as soon as I saw it... and didn't mind if they only had a size XL left, figuring out that it would be slouchy anyway and it would turn out ok. So I purchased it and went home only to find out that it looked like a Lab Gown on me (I remembered high school days when we all had to wear uniformed white gowns with our names embroidered on them for Science laboratory classes..... eww... leaving me with daydreams that often went: "If I could only just sit under the trees, chat with my friends about Teenbeat and Seventeen while enjoying Dunkin Donuts and milkshake..."), in short IT FIT LIKE A BIG WHITE KITE!!

But since I am on a strict (yeah) clothing/shoes/bag ban...promising to exhaust magic from the many unworn clothes laying around in my closet, I looked at it again today with some mustered positivity and gave it another try.

So I paired it with a simple tank, dark jeans, and some studded heels which I haven't even worn yet.
(Take a closer look at the shoes... look at those pretty gold studs.....I'm currently obsessed with them, round, square, diamond... anything that has studs is LOVE!)
And my lucky necklaces from my trip to Nashville's Opry Mills Mall back in August. It has a clover, a heart and an Ace of Spades card.

A waisted belt and my white pebble leather purse... and what do we come up with??

A Lab student.... with an attitude!!!

Tank: Zara
Knitted Long Cardi: Zara
Skinnies: Mango
Waisted Belt: Topshop
Shoes: Online Find
Bag: Coach
Necklaces: F21
Watch: Kenneth Cole

Flower Power, TAGGED!

2008-10-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

... Feeling like a Freesia flower (waiting to confuse a butterfly)...in a sheer chiffon dress and cut-out heels with tassles that reminded me of those penny loafers I used to wear back in Grade School when I had to wear a school uniform.
Ok... since I have nothing much to say about the outfit.... I've also been tagged by the gorgeous girls... Issa and Roz from We Wear Things. Yeeey!!!

here are the rules:
(1) Link back to the meme creator: Caz
(2) Link to the person who tagged you: We Wear Things
(3) Link back to the originator of the positive SA movement (as this is how this all started): Cheap Thrills

(4) List five reasons you love your state (I find Tennessee a special home to me, but I live in Manila, so I will talk about... you guessed it right....Metro Manila!!!).

1_ The Sunsets are always majestic! Think: Manila Bay, recognized all over the world for the best sunsets! I love staying at Sofitel (Formerly Westin Philippine Plaza) because apart from there great food...I get to view the sunset.

2_ Shopping! Manila has been a hub of both designer goods (I'm happy a lot of European brands have opened up stores here...think: Greenbelt 2 & 5) Chic brands (Think Zara, Topshop, Promod), export overruns sold in bazaars and night markets, local designers with such superb work (think: Archaeology Wing in Powerplant, The Ramp and Multiply) the choices are simply endless! Think about this, we have the biggest mall in Asia and "Malling" may already be considered as a sport here... heehee

3_ Food! Manila has a mixture of diverse cuisine. For a person with an erratic palate like me, it's so easy to find a place when I feel like having say Nasi Goreng for Lunch, French Macarrons for dessert and Sashimi for Dinner.

4_ The People. You'd be surprised to see how stylish Manila's crowd can be. Well, there are always tacky dressers... but if you have a keen eye, you can spot quite a handful of chic figures. Back in college, I used to be a night owl and a sucker for parties and hip clubs all because it felt so nice seeing so much well-clad people in one venue. It's also very fulfilling to have meaningful conversations with fun-loving people who are well-bred, well-read and already exposed to the world around us.

5_ Old Manila. Try googling Intramuros, Luneta Park, Chinatown, Paco Park and the like... since the Philippines boasts of such rich history, being conquered by Spain for hundreds of years...Old Manila gives us a snapshot of life back in the Spanish period... cobblestone streets, massive Spanish houses, lavish churches and courtyards. Manila was also once the trade hub of Asia, thus we have many Chinese (wooohooo for me!) migrants who have made and preserved Binondo (Chinatown), giving us a refreshing escape from the urban lifestyle with a glimpse of the rich Chinese tradition.

(5) Tag five people

I noticed many of you were already tagged so I wanted to expand this selection to different countries/locations and I decided to tag:

Rachel of Kaleidoscope Dreams

Allison of The Daily Alygator

Stella Wants to Die

Gossip Style's Zori

Trust Me It's Paradise's Dane

Dress: given as a gift
Heels: F21
Sling Bag: Mango
Watch: Guess

These Booties Are Made For Walkin...

2008-10-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's Monday again... I Hope you all enjoyed the weekend as much as I did (I hope we had more days instead of having just 2). Surprisingly, though we went to a total of 2 malls in 2 days... I never bought anything yet (hurray! ok I cheated a teensy weensy bit... I totally forgot about it when hubby got me a pair of platform pumps which I was just trying on for the heck of it (they were on sale) as he was busy fitting some pointy loafers... I told him it counts as a "purchase" a "new thing" but he told me it was a lot better getting that pair than ending up thinking of them all night.
Boo to me!!

On to better things, here's an outfit which I wore last week (talk about being a slacker!). I wanted to highlight the red booties so I wore them with a dress in a much more subdued tone. The shirtdress had tiny white pinstripes all over and I found it really comfy, though it tended to hike up so much whenever I sat down.

I paired this outfit with my deep red Coach suede purse (not in photo), to make the reds pop!
My workmates gushed and told me they totally loved my shoes, though I told them I felt like Ronald McDonald because they were shiny little vinyl red things, but they were really comfy and I liked them a lot too. And one of them said only a person like me could pull-off something like this (I told them a whole lot of fashion bloggers will pull it off better than I do!).

Shirtdress: Betty Brand
Booties: Online Find from my recent Us trip
Bangle: Bazaar Find
Red Faced Watch: Hubby’s DKNY

In Living Color

2008-10-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Wore this outfit to work, and loved how the colors popped! I've been a great fan of bright hues and on lazy days like this one, I just wore a dress that fitted me like a drab nightgown... and then let the accessories do the magic!

I'm addicted to these waist-cinchers (I already have them in 7 colors after snagging them each time I see one!). I love how they instantly jazz-up an outfit, with a 40's kind of vibe...

To break the monotony of the aqua color, I added a white purse and white hoop earrings, to match the ivory buttons on the dress.

I got these shoes from my recent US trip... and got them to match my ceramic F21 watch.

It looks like espadrille wedges from afar but when you look closely, it's sides are made of a lined-up garter-like material which I found really cute. They reminded me of those garter dresses which I would have worn in a heartbeat, if only I had the guts to do so.

But I don't, and that's a different story, so for now... these shoes will do.

Let's go paint a rainbow, shall we???

Dress: Dressing Room
Belt: local department store
Shoes: US Online find
Watch: F21
Enamel Earrings: Mango
Small Hobo Bag: Coach

Weekend Wear: Shemagh Saturday

2008-10-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I started the day early... we had breakfast at our favorite low-key breakfast-bonding place: Burger King (we always enjoy either drive-thru or dine-in burgers and fries for breakfast here-yeah loading on carbs that early... or spend time at Pancake House and have waffles, toast, steak, chicken and gourmet sandwiches - oink!).

I decided to unearth one shemagh among the MANY hubby and I started to accumulate since early this year, we stopped waering them when they gained popularity here in Manila a few months back (almost everyone had them on) but now I still find them way too cute to pass-up when I glance at closet's "scarf-area"!

Now this is why I try to avoid taking my outfit posts OUTDOORS... due to my PALE, PALE SKIN TONE! heehee... The sun makes me look like I have no blood at all!

Then we spent the entire day at the mall, doing one of the things we do best together: SHOP! I splurged a bit back in the US in August - I say "a bit" because I restrained myself due to luggage constraints though I hoarded stuff for hubby and baby and then I still ended up with lots of online-ordered stuff which I had to leave and have shipped back here! Then I "advanced" my Oct shopping money back in September (together with that month's shopping money). And then spent waaaaaaaay to much again this Saturday due to Topshop (I received an invite informing me about a Dorothy Perkins and one online alert about Topshop sale) and then there was Zara... and then 3 more pairs of shoes... and many other little finds! Waaaaay overboard my November budget (and I thought imposing a budget would help) !!

Thus, I am giving myself a SHOPPING BAN till end of November!!! I reflected about it for quite some time today and then it hit me... I havent even worn almost 50% of the stuff I have in my closet! And then on many days, I would stay staring at all my clothes hanging or stacked and say "I dont think I have anything to wear!!", because I totally forgot I had this, and that, and new ones, and gifts...crazy....

My....

I think this is an illness...

Anyways...I plan to make use of everything UN-WORN in my closet..wether it be from piles of my impulse purchases or gifts I promised not to be caught dead wearing... (if they fit the Oct-Nov timeframe) --- this is gonna be FUN....wish me luck!

Top: Topshop
Shemagh: got it as a Gift
Cropped Denims: Buffalo by David Bitton
Gladiator Wedges: Wetseal
Belts: Mango
Bag: Coach

Weekend Wear: Mercury Citrus Sunday

2008-10-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

We brought little fashionista baby out to hear mass and have lunch on "family day". I wore my lemon-colored short dress to channel the summery feel in this humid weather, though we spent most of our time indoors (guess where we heard mass and stayed? THE MALL where else??) and it was a good thing baby got tired of walking around (thank heavens for her nanny... or else me- bending-over to support her while she walked would mean: exposing my buns for the world to see, and what a Sunday delight that would have been! heehee).

I kinda felt I looked like that Greek god Mercury, with my outfit and got lots of stares from people (their eyes shot directly to my feet) -- I love it!!!

I am sooo numb to strangers staring... the more they stare... the better I feel!! I feel very much "evolved" in many ways...unlike before, I would prefer to stick to the safe-side, now I don't dress to please others... but dress to my hearts content, even though it may entail grumbles or stares or what-have-you.

Dress: Mango
Gold Belt: People are People
Gold Sandals: Online Find
Necklace: F21
Enamel Bangles: Mango
Chain Bangle: Supermarket FindWatch: Kenneth Cole

Guess Who Has A NEW LOOK???

2008-10-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

V-O-I-L-A!!!

My blog had a makeover!!!

From the click-able, movable pages, I reverted back to the conventional, 2-column non-movable type.

I was trying to work on something else... but am way too busy with other stuff right now so I'm leaving that "project" back on file for some unearthing somewhere down the line.

Meanwhile... this nouveau thing merits an nouveau outfit post!

I'm loving the Poodle + Eiffel Tower + Heart all in 1 pendant = I LOVE PARIS!!

As well as this little peek-a-boo going on... I got the top for only less than $4.00 from a Bazaar here in Manila!! Well it's another one of those little cheap things that make me HAPPY!

Suede shoes are IN.... tried cuffing my trousers but they were too wide....

Top: Bazaar Find
Trousers: Zara
Suede Shoes: Zara
Cocktail Ring and Necklace: F21
Belt: Wetseal

Waisted in Tejas

2008-10-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

I came across a draft blog entry which I took a month back in Austin, Texas (I also did the layout back then...thus the Deja-vu of the old "look"...well I was bored in my hotel room). This is me after a long day at a week-long conference. After gorging burritos for lunch and a huge salmon platter with tequilas for dinner... I felt woozy and bloated, but OK enough to take pictures of myself... hehehee (which probably explains why I kept stepping on stuff....I am such a sissy)

Top: Faded Glory (Walmart kids section)
Skirt: Mango
Belt: Topshop
Pumps: Zara

Goody Two Shoes

2008-09-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

Doing a flashback to exactly a month-ago, as I was doing more panic-buying in the US for stuff to take back home for friends and family (it's a Filipino custom to bring gifts/tokens if one comes home from a trip): when I stumbled upon this cute pair of mary janes which slightly resembled ones from Marc Jacobs (at a fraction of the price may I add!). So I quickly grabbed them and alreay had them in mind as my "going home shoes".

Lo and behold.. they were such a pain to have on for a 20-something-hour-long period... especially on a 3-leg-trip. I wanted to throw them out or swap them with a cute Harajuku-dressed Japanese girl during my 2-hour Tokyo wait... but I just COULDNT! They were just as attractive as ever...
So I still had them on when hubby picked me up and he said they were such pretty shoes... it was a good thing he had bought 3 different drive-thru fastfood meals which I loved so we didnt have to stop (and walk from the car! ouch) to have late dinner. I looked at my pretty shoes and wondered why they could be so pretty but painful at the same time, I wanted to cry.

And now 1 month after... I opened my shoe closet and was brave enough to wear them again.

On a day when I did not do much walking....but sat my butt in the car all the while.

So I was SMILING! (Pardon the pale face... this is my post Shu Uemura cleansing oil face... I dont wear much make-up but I'm quite a cleaning freak)
"Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes Don't drink don't smoke - what do you do? Don't drink don't smoke - what do you do?" - Adam Ant

Knitted Top: J. Crew
Jeans: Ones that were too short so I rolled them (from S&R membership supermarket)
Shoes: Pink Lily
Purse: LV Monogram Alma
Belt: a Bazaar find from 2 years back
Headscarf: Sash from Mango dress

Punch Drunk Love....

2008-09-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Look closely... quilted SKULLS!!!!! Loving, loving... LOVING the punk (really? spot the lollipop necklace.. not quite!) in me!

Tank: J. Crew
Vest: Skull Windbreaker Vest brand Unknown
Jeans: Lee
Botties: Urge @ The Ramp
Belt: Target
Lollipop Necklace: Target

Hubby's Take

2008-09-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I managed to amuse hubby with my previous post... he took notice of it! Well, I dont think it lived up to even half of his standards but he never showed me an ounce of dismay. Rather, he took pictures of me talking to him and pretending to be a dancer in between laughs (we just got home from dining out after work and were laughing about the day's returns).... and he made a layout himself (in 30 minutes)!

Polo: American Eagle Outfitters
Cropped Cardigan: Zara
Skinnies: Mango
Straw Fedora: Topshop
Wedges: Steve Madden
Bag: Coach

Orchid

2008-09-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

I was looking at my "usual" post layout, and found it pretty boring already... I've been struggling with making my own layouts (hubby is quite an expert at digital design though Engineering is his primary field, but I prefer to do my own layouts and leave him out of this personal style-blogging craze I am in), and found the usual ones quite OK... but then after browsing through some glossy mags and noticing the layouts (I am usually unaware of the layouts... always transfixed on the clothes)... I got a glimmer of inspiration.

So here's my first attempt to do something out of the ordinary....

Tank: Topshop
Blouse: Local Botique
White Skinnies: Mango
Button Platforms: F&H
Enamel Bangles and Earrings: Mango
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Bag: Coach

Of Mexican Telenovelas and Me

2008-09-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

I felt like a Mexican telenovela character in this ruffled dress.. I loved the frilly feeling and though the skirt kept hiking up every so often... I just felt great! Notice the little island-looking dark spot on my skirt though... thats what happens when you have an active baby who manages to pee through her diapers even though they were freshly changed ones. And she only does that on me... which makes me wonder if I position my legs weirdly whenever she sits (more like jumps up and down like a cute monkey) on my lap...

Speaking of my princess... Here's one of her "primary outfits" for her birthday party.... There she is looking all sweet and demure staring at the bubbles from the bubble machine... It's taking us a while to upload her bday pictures because for some reason DSLR cameras just take such a while to load... which makes it lazy a task to upload... and oh the excuses one like me can come up with....

How time flies!!

And notice the native ball from my photos... hubby decided to go "artistic" and grabbed my point-and-shoot camera from my makeshift tripod... I kinda think he made fun of me because he had a blast because I looked like an egg just popped out of me.... well...how do you like it?? I just love it when the artsy-bug hits him....

Ruffled Dress: The Ramp
Bandage Heels: Stuart Weitzman
Belt: Wetseal
Suede Bag: Coach

NY Fashion Week Tidbits

2008-09-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

I have yet to go through all collections from New York Fashion Week 2008. But as of now, I have come up with a few favorites, some are old ones.. some new discoveries!

To start of, Brian Reyes... fresh looks from a relatively young designer. He started off with Oscar dela Renta and had his own shows since 2006. I love his earth-tones, tulle mixed with cotton and lots of frills!

Michael Kors... lots of Nautical Retro feel. I love the bold colors and vivid prints!
Monique Lhuillier... everything looked so fresh and classy... I loved the figure-hugging pieces..
Started the week with a wrong foot... hubby caught a flu and I caught a fever... well, I am hoping to feel a lot better tomorrow... so I can go on with all the outfit posts!

I'm sending you all LOTS OF LOVE!

2008-09-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm getting back to the swing of things here... family, work, to-do stuff, etc. And though Summer was at its peak when I was in the US, the humidity in Manila is just a different thing! Some days here are rainy, some days are just HUMID! I'm lucky Airconditioning systems were invented, otherwise I wouldnt know what to do.

I'm still missing my 3rd bag, and my box that holds my clthes and other accumulated stuff from my 5-week stay in the US. The ladies at the airline check-in counter refused to accept my 3rd bag, despite me wailing to them that their website said Business Class passengers can check-in a total of 3 big bags! Now I have one extra bag to ship back here... and limited clothes (hubby says he doesnt feel the difference when he stares at the closet, on the verge of puking clothes! So I guess I should be happy to be reunited with my OTHER clothes!).

Anyway, on to the outfit posts...

Tank: Zara
Cardigan: Zara
Acid Wash Skinnies: Mango
Pumps: F21
Belt: Archaeology
Earrings: Local department Store

Dear Baby turned 1 and we dressed her up as a Disney Princess (Cinderella), and Mommy of course was feeling all frilly like her!

Dress: (I forgot the brand) It's a kids-wear dress from Belk
Shoes: Michael Kors
Bangles: Wetseal
Earrings: Pearls from Hubby

The Swing of Things

2008-09-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

Guess who's back in Manila???

Wheeeeee!
Somebody made it home just in time for her baby's 1st birthday!!!

It feels different not waking up to this view:

Not braving the freeways in that big 'ol red SUV down there.

It feels different not having American lunchmates to chat with and compare notes... it feels lonely not having one really good friend (the Only Filipino employee) who loves dressing up like I do.

Took this picture of the same outfit in Austin...
Top: Topshop
Skirt: Marks and Spencer
Shoes: Nine West
Belts: Archaeology and Topshop

2008-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

I am officially overwhelmed.. and excited because of all these SEASON PREMIERS!!

Think Gossip Girl Season 2 premier TONIGHT, then One Tree Hill (I caught a bit, was busy with the Shrimp-Pesto-Pasta) and then Beverly Hills 90210 tomorrow... and then The Hills on Sunday wheeeeeee!!! (I'm watching a rerun on MTV right now, Brody vs Stephanie in NYC.. its making me miss the best city hubby and I have ever been too).

Anyways, I think I am still having a Gossip Girl overload... think: The White Party... Oh my I LOVED Serena's grecian dress, Blairs rick-rack-eyelet dress, Jenny's creation... and I have to admit Chuck looked cute in his suit...

I remembered Blair's line "Damn that mother-Chucker!" and spotted her dress, an Alice and Olivia Garden party dress... which, apparently was also worn by America Ferrera on Ugly Betty.

Exibit A:

This is an example that the same dress can look so different when worn and styled by different individuals. Well of course Betty was intended to be Dorky and all... but the point is...you can wear identical outfits... its a fact that if you dress REALLY well.. people will just snatch what you wear and be an instant replica of you....... but you know, truth is: the person wearing the dress makes a HUGE difference.

The Princess and the Pea

2008-09-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

As Knoxville people were getting ready for Boomsday, the annual labor day fireworks display… I took a trip with 3 scrapbooking friends up to Asheville, North Carolina to see the biggest house in the USA.

The Biltmore Estate!!! (If this view looks familiar, think Richie Rich the Movie, Forrest Gump, Hannibal, The Swan, among others)
It is a French-chateu inspired... MASSIVE structure, with ginormous rooms! I was SO glad we decided to take the audio-guided tour, and the rooftop tour (though I kinda freaked out a bit when we went 5 stories up to the brass top of the grand chandelier, and side-steped beside gargoyles and grotesques... my young friend, a college intern from the University of Tennessee found me really funny and she kept on snapping pictures of me getting paler and paler.. it was hillarious.. and IT SURE WAS FUN!!!) .

We took long walks around the gardens, and they even had a flower tapestry festival for Labor day... and the floral tapestry was just AMAZING... we went from one green house to another (the even had a hot house and a cold house) and then we tried out the manor deli... inside a former stable... (how cool was that)! And then we went to the vineyard and did some wine tasting... and then by 6pm, we decided to drive to nearby downtown Asheville and to another manor-inn nearby... it was tiring but can you tell I had so much fun!??

YES hubby makes me feel like a princess at ALL times… and I think this princess has found her lost castle!!! But I think this princess is gaining waaaaay too much weight too... (fat-a*s princess!)

Tank: Mango
Top: Wetseal
High Waisted cropped denims: Buffalo
Flatties: Zara
Purse: Polo Jeans RL
Fedora: Topshop

2008-08-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty much BUSY all week. I've noticed my lower back ache more than the usual now, and I have no idea where to get decent massages here (I only chance upon people offering back massages in the middle of malls heehee... and I am far more bashful to have one done for all to see!) . Work has been crazy and things have come to a stand-still, waiting on some consultants to arrive and I'm missing my family soooooooooo much!!! Well, I do miss my closet, and my shoe closet too... I've been trying not to buy shoes here and am just alternating a few pairs instead (my hubby has warned me not to hoard here... and is threatening to throw my shoes away rather than get a bigger shoe closet, if they end up not fitting when I get back hahaha).

Yesterday was a very busy day, I spent it all day at work, just hopped out for a quick lunch with some American workmates (my constant Thurs-Fri lunch-out-mates) and we went to Olive Garden for some pasta. I found out that the front tires of the car I drive here were out of air... and so they gave me a small SUV to drive during the long weekend. And I was late for dinner with the Filipino-group at O'Charleys... because stupid me couldn't figure out how to release the park break of the new car (apparently it was locked and you had to press on it really hard....SISSY ME!).

After dinner, as we all headed to the parking, one workmate remarked that the lady waiting for her table outside the resto was staring at my shoes... heehee... she probably thought I was from Jerusalem during Biblical time or something, heehee which I found really funny. People here are pretty much laid back which is one of the main reasons why I try to dress pretty much as simple as I can.

But on days like these... I just wake up and feel that I will be miserable (as miserable as having a bad allergy attack) if I decide to dress like everyone else.. .so.....

I ended up wearing this.
Plaid Ruffle Top: Delia’s
Linen Cropped Gaucho Pants: NY&Company
Belt: Mango
Gladiator Wedges: Wetseal
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Earrings: South Sea pearls

2008-08-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

It has been raining since last night here in Knoxville. I woke up to a gloomy day, and decided to go to work in a jacket and floral shoes... just to combat how sad the rain could be. And I had no umbrella so I leaped like a leprechaun from the car to the office main door... it was kinda funny but just "arrgh-y" at the same time too.
Anyways... I attended a kiddie birthday party of a really close Filipino friend's cute son. It was a Thomas the Train and Friends party... we helped decorate a bit. I had a terrible headache though, my allergies were acting up just as other people's allergies here are. One American said it must be the pine needles falling in autumn that are causing us to feel ill and sneezy each morning.
Oh well.
Back to the party. My little baby girl had a "special" loot bag for her!

Tank: TopshopPlaid top: UnionbaySkinnies: MangoWedges: WetsealEnamel Bangles: MangoEnamel Earrings: MangoBag: LV Damier Speedy 30Watch: Kenneth Cole

Back from the Smokeys

2008-08-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I'm back from a long weekend.... I spent it in a cute log-cabin village up in the Smokey Mountains with 9 other girl friends. It was so fun.. like an adult pajama party and we watched the Olympics, stayed up late, had wine and coffee with Baileys for breakfast... went MAJOR outlet shopping (we drove Coach people crazy!) and just laughed our hearts out.

I wore my romper Saturday when we went purse shopping and then we all had dinner at the Chop House steak place... And that's me on the wodden swing set at the cabin balcony while I was enjoying the view of the pool and kiddie golf course.

Romper: F&H
White Tank: Topshop
Gold Belt: People are People
Gold Sandals: Zara
Brown Watch: Kenneth Cole

Next weekend outfit... taken from inside the my weekend room.

Stripe Top: Zara
Wide-Legged Jeans: Topshop
Wedges: Naturalizer
Sheep Necklace
Watch: ODM

2008-08-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ok.. I’ve pretty much settled in right now… it has been a week since my UBER LONG (talk about airline flight delays) flight from Austin and I’ve been so busy shuttling from one meeting to another (4 a day, on the average) and am just to tired to post (or at least wait for my posts to load before sleep overcomes me) each day!

Well…. Since I love you all so much… I guess I need to do an update… August has been pretty much a TRAVEL month for me…

The month started with the Great Topshop Sale… and their exclusive invites came in Passport-looking cute cards… hubby and I were thrilled. Our dedicated Topshop store manager texted me 2 days prior to the private sale, so we could pass by the store and grab stuff our size for them to keep as reserved…. And just when I though we got pretty much…when the day itself came… our arms were full (good thing Topshop has super friendly SA’s who carry your stuff for you). We even bumped into my cousin and niece… fellow shopaholics who were also invited!

And then 2 days after, I took 3 airplane rides to the US. This time, on Northwest and not Cathay Pacific… for a change… And took the Nagoya-Detroit flight beside a Japanese businessman who always shook his head when I would pull out the pink PSP, Pink-cased Ipod, pink Phones.. hehehe..”hey where’s your FUN at??” heehee apart from the food and movies… flying on business class can be a bit boring…

Anyways, just posting this outfit which I wore this week… I got tons of compliments for the bubble dress… and when I went to the mall with my Filipino friends here… the Banana Republic and VS SA’s had to ask me where I got it from! Heehee.. I was so bashful!

And then I wore this one to a meeting at Austin... and then we had drinks and dinner at Z'Tejas afterwards...

Well... I guess that's it for now.. I have to limit the posts... will save some for tomorrow!

Enjoy your day!

Where in the World is Waldo?

2008-08-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm still alive! I was really REALLY busy for the past weeks... I'm here in the US for a business trip.. and most of my time is spent just.. WORKING.

I reached Knoxville,TN last Sunday and just as I was settled, flew right out to Austin, TX for a week-long multi-division conference. And because of all the rushing (a total of 5 different plane rides in 48 hours!)... I left a whole lot of stuff.. including my camera chargers, phone chargers and was left with a 'barely breathing" camera battery -- GREAT RIGHT? Though I'm not much of a cam-whore, and am very particular with having my picture taken in public places (I dont feel comfy at all)...plus I just dont want to look silly among all those Finance managers and CIO's... NO NO NO... but I feel so much for all those missed OUTFIT POSTS (which I prefer to be taken in private, thank you)!! aaargh...

Anyways, I searched for pictures of the places I've been to here, which are different from work... FOOD PLACES!

I'm sitting here, in my hotel room, realizing how valuable some cables really are... Here's a picture of the hotel where I'm right in (oh yes they have real swans) and that's my room right there...

In a couple of days... and 2 more plane rides (lucky 7!)...I will be back to my temporary home(which I also have a net-picture of)...after all the hardwork.... ! heehee

and then we can go get those outfit posts!!

Random Ramblings...

2008-07-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all had a fab weekend... mine was great! I got to rest some, shop some (what's new... it's an illness), stress some (something different happening up ahead... details to follow), spend time with my family (little baby knows 3 new tricks) and I was way too rested to pose for blog pictures!

Boooo to me!

heehee.. such is life... Well, the week has been TERRIBLY BUSY too. I made a trip to the US Embassy last Monday and was so happy to see a whole bunch of stylish people waiting for their queue like I was. And they kept me quite entertained, though I somehow resented the "no electronics rule"..... I should have snapped pictures of them!

As mentioned, I've been very very busy (and tired), I promised myself to take pictures of what I've been wearing each day, but I'm just way too poofed-out every time I get home. I'm so sorry!

So, getting back to fashion... I bought this month's issue of Preview, one of my favorite local glossies that featured this years Best Dressed list.. I was only able to take time out to read it last week, but little baby was constantly trying to pull it from me. So I quickly grabbed a bunch of Nine West and Mango lookbooks for her to play with (and rip of she wanted to... I didnt mind that time), but they never seemed to distract her from my Preview.

Thinking that she must have wanted it because "Mommy" was holding it... I got the lookbooks and pretended to read them with much interest... and then I found myself hooked on the lookbooks instead! They were for S/S 2008 collections, and I thought it would be nice to share my favorites...though Summer is technically over on this side of the world... it still is not in most of yours!
I promise to do an outfit post SOON!

Boho

2008-07-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

How is everyone doing? Hope you all are enjoying the weekend as much as I am.

I'm posting this outfit which I wore yesterday, this bohemian inspired dress was a birthday gift from my parents-in-law. I find it really cute... and I even wanted to have a picture of me twirling lke a top to show how fancy the dress looked...heehee

Dress: Gift from In-laws

Woven Sandals: Zara

Necklace: F21

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Bracelet: People are People

Harry Hoodie-ni

2008-07-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

singing.........."I want to be like Harry Hoodie-ni" toward the end of the week, and giving myself a pat on the back for some hardwork... was amazed at the intricate messages written all over the inner colar of the hoodie..saying: "kiss me twice"....

Tank Top: Zara
Hoodie: Zara
Skinnies: Mango
Flatties: So Fab!
Necklace: online buy
Earrings: bazaar find
Watch: ODM

Enjoying Manila Bay Once in a Blue Moon

2008-07-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Manila Bay is always known for its majestic sunsets... last Sunday, hubby's Sachie (third sister in Chinese) celebrated her birthday at the Mall of Asia. We loved the food but hubby, baby, baby's nanny and I don't like uber big malls that much... so after scoring our favorite shops (thank heavens they were clustered together), we left the mall and grabbed some afternoon snacks by the bay.

It was also the anniversary of my baby's nanny (we hired her back when I was 7 months preggo so she could be trained even before dear baby arrived) and she wanted us to take her picture so she could send it to her Mom and boyfriend (she's candidly cute and she has pictures from all over because of that...). And then hubby wanted me to join the picture-taking... and I was so bashful to have my picture taken in front of so many sunset-watchers.. so after a few egging.... I joined my baby and nanny.. and guess what? I had 2 brave outfit shots taken too heehee...... then know what happened next??? Hubby left all of his "i will never have my pic taken in a public place like this" thoughts behind and wanted a picture with baby and me too, so he hurriedly gave nanny a tutorial on using a dslr. heehee

Grecian-inspired top: bought online
Woven gold sandals: Zara
Gold belt: People are People
White and Gold enamel earrings: Mango
White and Gold watch: Guess
Bag: Louis Vuitton

Little BOW-peep

2008-07-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

I've always been vocal about adoring Blair Waldorf's style on Gossip Girl. One thing I noticed about her looks, is that they are all finished with a touch of some cute headgear. I also had a headband-shift in my life... I had them in all colors, all sizes and just had to finish-off my outfits with them... if I wanted to look quirky or color-coordinated (which, I should leave to history) and then I realized, I was just like everyone... So i stopped.

But seeing Blair just made me want to wear some big-ribboned headbands... even for just once or twice... before everyone else did...So I got 2 big-bowed-bands online... and though it took me a few weeks to get my headband-phobia over with... I finally wore them last week (but was too busy to take some snapshots).

Anyways... I know I might regret this, and know for sure that I'd be sooner or later, just the same as every other girl in Manila.. so I'm posting this just for the heck of remembering it! I have a red one too...heehee fine fine! It made me feel like a grade-schooler once more, back when I played Snow White in a school play and wore a big red ribbon aaaaaaack!

Pardon me looking like a fat, giddy pre-schooler who stuffed her cheeks with Cheetos Puffs!

Floral Puff-sleeve top: From Bangkok
White Skinnies: Mango
Shoes: Nine West
Enamel Hoop Earrings: Mango
Watch: Guess
Bow Headband: Online

2008-07-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Messy finally located the camera cables (and will be tying them to on her neck wherever she goes to avoid misplacing them yet again).

Ok, you all should be ready for some picture-vomit...

Here we go!

Last Monday, I decided to break-in my beige wide trousers and use them with my beige pumps which hubby wholeheartedly offered to buy me, even though it didn't catch my eye at first (he has a classic taste on ladies wear) and now I find these shoes super adorable!

Tank: Topshop
Trousers: Zara
Shoes: Charles and Keith
Watch: Kenneth Cole

Then came Tuesday, I decided to open up my drawer filled with opaque tights and stockings and yanked out my indigo blue footless ones. Paired them off with a dress that has been sitting in my closet for almost 6 months... and since I am quite tired of wearing my usual snug belts... I used a long necklace as my belt!!

Dress: From a bazaar
Tights: Bought in Shenzhen, China
Shoes: Nine West
Long necklace used as a belt: Mango
Bangle: Can’t remember

Wednesday... hubby and I sometimes think it's quite FUN to go for breakfast dates together... and last week, I think we almost had breakfast-out each day!

Luckily, I was able to take a picture of my outfit that morning... I have included the headband-picture which I told The Fashion Chalet... made me look silly, well who cares! heehee

I am also SUPER HAPPY that these pictures came out dark... what a good way to camouflage my uber pale legs.. whew!!

Frilly Top: Old Navy
Pinstriped Shorts: From a bazaar
Gladiator Sandals: Promod
Key Necklace: F21
Elastic Headband: Local department store

And last but not the least....for my Thursday Outfit.....

I decided to go "dark" for a change from my myriad of color-week. I got a lot of compliments on this one.. but the only hitch was: it was an ordeal to tie/un-tie my necktie each time I had to go to the ladies room... so it ended up looking "cute" then "blah" after the next pee-break, then so on and so forth...

I should have taken a picture of the shades I wore this with... my friends called this look "Attagirl" for some unknown reason... and hubby gave it 11/10 (wow neat huh?) heehe.. and boy am I loving the outfit!

Tee: Zara
Cropped Linen Pants: Mango
Necktie: Kenneth Cole, Stolen from Hubby’s closet
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: Chanel
Necklace: Custom-made
Crystal and Plastic Bangles: from all over

Now I'm tired of staring at all this "batch-posted pictures". I presume you all are too... OK.. time for a break then...

This week will be VERY busy again for me... I'm keeping my fingers crossed... hope I don't go all lunatic as a result! heehee

Hope we all have a HAPPY, STYLISH week ahead!!

Byeeee!

Haute in Here...

2008-07-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Some haute couture EYE CANDY to enjoy...
............like the weekend!!

Mickey Mouse-y and a Red Ferrari

2008-07-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Guess who gave up on the “hunt for camera cable”? I can’t find it, nor can hubby, nor the helpers.. oh well… when in need… USE ANOTHER CAMERA!

First off, I want to say “Thank you so much” to everyone.. all you stylish people who visit and comment on my blog…. I really appreciate them, and I feel quite surreal sometimes… feeling unworthy of such kind praises… THANK YOU! I will re-do this blog and make it comment-friendly… I promise… but in due time… I’ve been quite busy lately…details will follow soon!

Now let me introduce you to my Mickey Mouse outfit!

I think the highlight of this outfit: my “Wizard of Oz” red shoes! I feel like Dorothy in her ruby red slippers… and this pair reminds me of the car I have dreamt of owning from way back in high school… A bright red, top-down Ferrari. Back when I was a kid, I wanted an aqua…or a pink Barbie-looking car… but now I find myself snorting whenever I see pink, yellow, green or purple cars on the streets…they just look too tacky.

There goes my imagination!

I feel like Mickey Mouse in each and every way, whenever I wear this particular combo. It must be the covered buttons on the cropped blazer… or all the reds…but it just makes my day happy!

Top: Wetseal

Cropped Jacket: Bayo

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (gift from big sis)

Watch: Anne Klein

Little Fashionista

2008-07-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

I apologize for slacking on the outfit posts... I've been searching (yet again) for the cables of my other camera (still struggling at taking my own pictures, so that particular camera was the best tool)... why didn't I ever consider getting a card reader??

To take my cranky mood a bit away from all the un-posted looks... I'm letting you all in to catch a glimpse of my little "fashionista". I've been wanting to share her most recent pictures (the one's I briefly mentioned 2 weekends back) and somehow forgot to post them... then Cuervogirl Pam brought it up... and so I remembered!

Meet my little wonder! She just hit 10-months a few days back, but is as tall and heavy as a baby more than a year old. She looks like her dad in each and every angle... but I think she has my eyes in these pictures...(ok... let me be a doting Mom please... hey her eyes are usually chinky, but a bit on the round side in those snapshots! So I am wishfully thinking that those eyes just spell: ME!! haha)

Take a look at the egg picture....she even has her signature pose (which, according to the photographer and his team... was more appropriate for an FHM cover rather than a baby photo shoot), I don't know where she got it... but we found it really ADORABLE!!

Fall 2008

2008-07-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

International dailies are covering yet another fashion season... designers are unfolding their fall 2008 collections and despite the dark, dull colors fall fashion always brings.......surprisingly I was about to spend all day browsing them through.....my, what eye candy they all are!

Here are some photo collages which I came up with, to show a few of my favorite looks from my all-time favorite designers.

Here comes Balenciaga.... in the svelte silhouettes, sexy cuts, intricate drapes, crisp tailoring and corporate-meets-space-age footwear.

I zeroed-in on the shoes... and I can't quite decipher what the leather and metallics were combined with... looked like latex gloves to a nitwit like me.. but hey... like the tie-dyed gladiator heels Nicholas Ghesquiere came out with last Spring (I spied Carry Bradshaw in these on the SATC movie), these are finding a soft spot in my fashion heart.

Next stop: Chanel

This season, Lagerfeld's team came up with tweeds and feathers, again tailoring, knits and soft chiffon tops. I loved the headgear... and the Blair Waldorf-ish tights....too cute! All of them were classic pieces... so Madam Coco! Now let me give you Alexander Wang.

All I can remember is biker dude meets Grecian goddess... pulled-off really well! No wonder Wang and his team couldn't wait to party after the show. I saw more blacks... ripped stockings and tights, leg warmers over boots or ankle booties, bandanna's and fanciful fluffy fur shoulder bags (now where do I get one?).

On to the next: Carolina Herrera

This classy, exquisite lady reminds me so much of my late Mom... though she's the Asian version, but I know you get what I mean...from her classic white polo's to the big South Sea pearls, to the neat well-kept hair, to her uber timeless personal style... she just reminds me so much of my Mommy. Since 7th grade, I already dreamt to be like her when I reach that age... timeless, not trashy, not trying-to-look-like-I-just-hit-18... just exactly like Carolina, and it still stands true up to this very day. I put her on the middle of my collage because her look proved to be my favorite among all of them.

Anyways, on to the collection... it was a mixture of cashmere double-breasted vests, printed chiffon and country-inspired trousers. She even had capes that added drama, tweed, crinkled chiffon gowns and cute fedoras that had feathers on them.

I spotted one of my favorite models... Jessica Stam.... looking as cute and childlike as always.... wearing these two looks. Stumbling upon her reminded me of my Marc Jacobs Stam bag, which I think, hasn't seen daylight for more than 6 whole months already! Poor bag.
Next!

Ahh.. Fendi!

Only two things kept on ringing in my memory over and over again: cute patent booties and frilly skirts. I almost went crazy!!! If only I could only get my hands on them... since I have this current obsession over ankle-boots and have secretly wished this country had 4 seasons instead of 2, and that people wouldn't roll their eyes that much should I go out of the house wearing a frilly feathery skirt somewhat reminiscent of Bjork-gone-goosey on the red carpet. Why can't I????

Sigh.
That should self-explain how this collection made me feel.

photo credits: NY Times, Style, and The Shoe Goddess

Pin Cushion

2008-07-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone's having a great weekend...

Mine has been very busy and tiring...ran from one appointment to another.... I had to do some errands yesterday and today.... tiring! I even missed a dinner date last night, with my family and an older sister who's based in Belgium... she will be off to Cebu and Boracay (vacation destinations) to spend time tanning (lucky her!) and to look after her beach house so I guess I'll be seeing her when she gets back to Manila....

Anyways lovelies... for the outfit post... my little baby had a grand time pulling these (I actually have no idea what to call them) ermm... should I just say... PIN CUSHIONS on my shrug... one of them almost went off! Wore this one for the first time since the weather was a bit uncertain -- both rainy and sunny... hey.. it happens here... and I hate it.. (heck as if it would matter, I would only sit my big fat ass in the car anyway), so with no further adieu:

Gray Tank: Zara
Pin-Cushion Shrug: Zara
Dark Denim Skinnies: Mango
Round toe Pumps: Zara
Different Bangles: from all over
Watch: Anne Klein

Floriade...

2008-07-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've had a VERRRRRRY BUSY week.... am already tired beyond my limits...

Begged the husband to take me shoe-shopping and good thing he forgot how we walked around the mall last week just to find shoes... aaargh.. guess this is my new addiction after designer bags (he should be happy... shoes are oftentimes...cheaper!)

I had to finish something just as I woke up today and the only thing that kept me going was the thought of: NEW SHOES...

Anyways.... here's ME welcoming the WEEKEND with my floral flatties!

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Striped Top: Zara
Vest: Old Navy
Jeans: Bought in a bazaar (they ended up really short… my legs are somewhat long compared to most girls here so this is how I end up when I buy jeans for less)
Floral Flatties: Zara
Hobo tassel bag: Coach (a gift from hubby)
Watch: Guess (a gift from hubby back when we were dating)

(You may have noticed, I’ve had the same polish on ALL WEEK… its Strawberry Sizzle from Revlon… and it stayed on well... but took so long to dry... I almost went berserk!)

A Case of Hyper Acidity

2008-07-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

I decided to wear my acid wash jeans with my black oxford booties and plain white scrunched-up tee... I wanted to add a vest or a scarf but decided that the "dirty-looking-wash" was more than enough for a statement. I wanted to go all tucked-in but I thought I wasn't tummy-ready for it though... heehee... "the husband" called me G.I. Jane all day... (sigh... when will the names end?) luckily he was GAME to take my pictures... and that's one reason to celebrate!

Top: Mango
Acid Wash Skinnies: Mango
Oxford booties: Urge
Key Necklace: Oxygen
Key Earrings: Old Navy
Cocktail Ring: People are People
Watch: Hubby's digital Kenneth Cole watch

Little Miss Messy

2008-07-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Remember my missing camera cable? Well... guess who found it???

Yeeeeeey!!

Now this is going to be some uber-delayed-picture-posting of some sort...anyways, this was my outfit last weekend... we headed for Serendra on a hot day and it's one of those shopping places that have a Western touch...where stores have real grass and gardens in front/behind/between them and shoppers can frolic around near the fountains, etc. ..that kind of stuff......you know. It was a bit humid.. so I decided to turn this boho skirt into a short summery-dress (though the "rainy season" was supposed to have started here last month). It was a good thing that it had an attached ribbon in front (which I would hide everytime I used the skirt with a tee and a belt)... and it was long enough to be used as a neck strap...

It was also a great time to reconnect with my teeny-tiny bags...

Skirt used as a dress: bought online
Mini Hobo Bag: Coach
Gold Woven Greek Sandals: Zara
White Watch: Guess Chandelier Earrings: Bazaar

Next Stop........

Started the week feeling “dressy” and all girly… so I unearthed my high-waisted-skirt which I wore when little baby was Christened about seven months back (I think it was looser back then…ack!) and wore it with my favorite silver-heeled peep-toe shoes…which hurt sometimes.. but I guess I just don’t walk properly that’s why… heehee

I think I should have worn tights with them though... I think my legs are waay too pale! Yuck!

Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Mango
Shoes: Aldo
Belt: Topshop
Vintage-looking drop pearl earrings: F21

M.I.A.

2008-07-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

It's funny how at times, when you need something, or are desperately looking for a notebook, a piece of paper, a scarf... it suddenly goes MIA and though you think you've searched everywhere.... it just seems impossible to find it.

I took my weekend pictures using my other camera (it's a lot more lightweight compared to the others) and just as I was ready to upload them... I couldnt find the camera cable! arrgh.... it's so frustrating... but I know, with the help of the "helpers" (if not at home, my last resort would be my messy office cabinet) I will find it...

And so I have only ONE set of 'weekend pictures' to post, to errrr "compensate for the weekend-long absence... yeah great... but... an outfit is an outfit so... here goes nothing!

Wore this last Friday night to a "Surprise Party" which my childhood friends organized at Ascot Hotel (Oakwood). It was pretty funny because they wanted a "surprise" for me, but when I told them that I wouldnt be available that evening because I had to go to a work-related gathering... someone spilled the beans out of desperation.. and begged me to show-up... even if I ran late heehee! Hubby and I had such a fun night with the girls and their partners... it was a good thing I was able to get some outfit shots before I left the house because I was too busy to care about snapping the camera all the while!

White Tank: Zara
Checkered Vest: Mango
Skinny Jeans: Mango
Yellow Wedges: So Fab
Yellow Belt: People are People
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy