Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Binge it on

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Just another round of binging on a Sunday; headed to Alabang for Sunday brunch and grocery shopping at S&R. There’s something subtly dreadful about Sundays knowing Monday and all its madness resumes the next day. But maybe that’s just me and my sporadic anxiety attacks and how I can’t seem to make my insides simmer down. Sometimes I’m starting to doubt my psychological being to which my father would always come to my defense and say “it’s all in the mind”.

I paid my final respects to the sale season, did my final rounds and raised the white flag. By 8PM, I was already slumped in bed with my lower appendages stripped off their consciousness. You know what they say about shoes, if they ain’t hurting, they ain’t helping. There are just some outfits that could use a little lift, aesthetically and well, literally.  Giving you another nakatingin-sa-gilid photo as exhaustion got the best of me by afternoon.

On the last day of the month, God decides to shower me with blessings, maybe in preparation for bigger tasks awaiting effective February 1st. Blessing in the form of a hot pink laptop; smaller, sleeker and more gorgeous looking than its predecessor. Oh, please don’t ask me about specs,that may be the last thing on my mind upon the sight of any electronic gadget painted pink. It’s as if I haven’t learned my lesson after acquiring the Motorola RAZR in hot pink. This one’s issued by the office of course, thank you DuPont! (It's supposed to be a temporary unit as the first issue is undergoing repair, but since it may take longer than projected, I get to keep the pink one, doing my happy dance now!) 


I've never been more fueled to work despite the bigger responsibilities piled up on my office desk. Hello 2012, oh it's onnn! Bring it! :) 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Indian Summer

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When asked to define my style – well I don’t. I don’t box myself into any style persona, thank you. But one thing’s been consistent all these years, I like statement pieces that can stand on their own. Exactly a year ago, I blogged about the model off-duty trend and how much I adore all its effortlessly-chic glory, with a button down shirt dress being my favorite common element. Fast-forward to a year later, I still have not acquired the perfect oversized chambray button-down shirtdress, so this floral number would have to tide my excitement over.

I got this beautiful vintage floral shirtdress from Looking for Lola. I was never gifted with the patience that goes with successful thrift shopping anyway so online vintage shops would have to do. I’m all for laid back dressing now with boots, maxi/midi/mullet skirts, tanks, button down shirts, as key elements.
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Grunge femme. I grunge’d this over sized floral polo by pairing it with black boots and refined the over-all look (a little) by buttoning to the very top. No need to justify and defend my choice; the boots instantly added a modern flair to this vintage number. Judging from the tailoring of this shirt, it may have been intentionally crafted as a top so I wore a striped bodycon skirt underneath. I like how the stripes peek into the loud floral pattern. What's not to love about an over sized polo? It can be styled in a myriad of ways and it just takes a little cinching to give it shape. Though I must admit, I'm not a fan of cap sleeves and how they magnify my arms :| 
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Flower childMy hair and I have been in good terms lately so I took this as an opportunity to style it. This lace headband from Topshop (Thank you, Ela!) fits my head perfectly; talk about snug fit! Compared to other hippie bands I’ve tried on, this actually stays in place longer and it doesn’t make your hair pouffy at the top.
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Sometimes, focusing on smaller details can go a long way. Had I opted for less statement-making shoes, I would've fallen straight through the cookie cutter laid-back off-duty look. Being all buttoned up and cinching the waist drew the fine line from looking like Fred Flintstones in hibiscus. Haha! I'm not big on accessories so one or two key pieces -- like the wooden cuff and lace headband, did the trick. 

So much for introductions, I wore this to an all-you-can-eat dinner with my whole family at Yakimix, Greenbelt last Sunday. Make that Japanese dinner two days in a row! Not much photos because I wasn't feeling well with my skin asthma and wind burnt lip problems for the past week. So please stop asking what peculiar lipstick shade I'm sporting, that's a severe case of wind burnt lips for 'ya
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When outtakes don't get culled because they surprisingly turn out better than the ones you intend to use. Credits to my little brother for taking my photos before leaving home and for sparing me from the embarrassment of taking them in public! That wraps up last Sunday's highlights. Toodles! :)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Saturdaze

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A short strip of photos from Saturday after flying out of Sugarlandia aka Bacolod.  Before hopping onto my airport car service last Wednesday, I got a call from my boss bearing good news. I’m taking a little turn down my career path and I can’t be any happier right now. Keeping my usual corporate marketing role in Plantations Key Accounts (which explains why I’m in Bacolod and Davao almost every month), I’ll also be taking on Admin work and events management. I’m getting my plate full this year and I’m absolutely thrilled about it. I’m hoping this slight career change can lead to better opportunities or a little raise, perhaps?

So Saturday, right! I try to dress up a bit when flying back home to make up for time spent wearing company shirts and corporate wear. I guess we’re straddling between the chilly post-December breeze and the onset of Summer heat, as my wind burnt lips so duly reminded me. Updated my wardrobe for the new year by wearing a mullet skirt which probably deserves a lone entry in my blog later on, paired with a basic white tank. I took a mad dash to the mall from the airport where I met up with the rest of my family in time for early dinner. This outfit took me from feeling-bakasyonista chic (airport staff was under the impression I was on vacation, when in fact I spent two solid days attending meetings and client visits) to plain mall go-er. ATC was packed, typical Saturday where I spent half my time alone turning Topshop inside-out and the other half checking out the food fair at the activity center. Mom bought a box of macarons which is just divine and cheap for its being. Never judge a macaron with a crumbly outer layer. Okay, shutting up now. Happy Chinese New Year ;)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Re-dial B for Balenciaga





























Hold your breath ladies! Erika of Fashion Chalet just opened part deux of her Balenciaga Bag giveaway! This time, a Balenciaga Arena Classic City in noir is up for grabs! All stylish roads leads to Fashion Chalet. You know what they say, driving by early gets you ahead of traffic ;) click HERE to join!

I like my money right where I can see it – hanging in my closet

If you’re in search of an entry with cute outfit photos and some cheery description to boot, then this is not the entry for you. I’d rather you scroll up, down or better yet, hover your mouse on the upper right part of your screen and click on the X button. I took an oath to make this blog as personal as it can get the moment I declared it on my sidebar. It’s like carving it on a tree or a stone tablet or something. I am ducking under the outfit blogging radar to give way to thoughts leaking out of my head. This blog is, after all, a virtual freedom wall of some sort.

So last week, I outdid myself for dropping about 85% of my half month’s salary for – yes, you guessed it right, new clothes. When not in the mall, I hit the virtual mall and last week I shopped for about 10 separates, give or take, in one sitting. (I know such figure is nothing for some but--) I can’t even imagine how that came about when I was in the office the entire time. Oh, and pleeeeaze girl, don’t even get me started with Topshop’s end of season sale! *snaps fingers*

Forgive me, but I used to think identifying yourself to having “spending problem” or “compulsive shopping disorder”  is nothing but a #conyoproblem [for the #conyogirlfriend]. But truth is, it’s just as serious as having a drug addiction problem or a drinking problem. I neither deny nor confirm my susceptibility to this but from how I see myself; it’s probably compulsive shopping that gets the best of me. What I once considered to be a seasonal balm for lull moments, turned out to be a battlefield I permit myself to engage in monthly since 2009. Claiming to have a “spending problem” and declaring it for the world to see is not something to be proud of; neither is it a social status symbol worthy of flaunting.

Superficially speaking, there’s no greater high than being fully draped in beautiful clothing. The sense of empowerment and confidence it gives off; not to mention, its capacity to mask my emotional scars so seamlessly. I easily get smitten by beautiful clothes and my inability to resist temptation is starting to take its toll. I despise having to rely on something tangible to make me feel like this. I mean, why can’t I just feel beautiful on my own, regardless of what I wear? I guess I have yet to learn about that. #wordvomit

The other day, I found myself literally shaking when I laid eyes on the most beautiful flippy skirt. Excitement so severe I seriously thought I would get sick (my office mates thought I fell into some form of trance!haha). To make matters worse, my heart started beating irregularly too! I also have an issue about severing the price tag off my newly bought clothes, there’s just something so sentimental about it? I like to keep them in their pristine condition for as long as I can. Frankly, I still have clothes from last year with tags intact -- and by last year, I meant 2011 Topshop end of season sale! Does that, even in the slightest sense, make me a hoarder? HELLO, Intervention anyone? :( Halfway through the first month and I have brought nothing but disappointment – in the form of a new wardrobe. The good part though, there has not been any plastic-swiping involvement for the past 3 months.

Nothing really says therapy like retail therapy; shopping can be an important source of creativity and even healing but everything done in excess can spin out of control.  I really don’t know where this entry is going but I’m publishing it not for people to mock me or to poke fun at, but to benchmark where I’m heading from this day forward. Earth to Anaaa! I can’t keep on busting my arse to work in order to sustain a certain lifestyle and cave in to all my wants-- which after all, is insatiable. It’s time to make smarter choices, put a halt to this and take drastic measures. I’m issuing a temporary restraining order (for myself) against any Topshop branch I might run into. It’s a no-brainer, I palpitate just to plain sound of Topshop.  #ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis

WHEW! Okay, you have reached the bottom part of my entry. It’s either of two things: 1) you’re bored or 2) You’ve been nodding from paragraph to paragraph (in dis/agreement). Addressing the problem is just step numero uno but why don’t you head over and click THIS to assess yourself. One day, I might re-read through this, cringe to this maarte truth and take this entry down. But for the time being, if you’ve something to say, let’s take it to the comment box below, shall we? ;)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Dial B for Balenciaga

Two BBs I am totally crazy about: Brandon Boyd and a Balenciaga Bag. The former I have seen and have had a chance to personally revel in his beauty, while the latter remains to be acquired in due time, I hope. I'm not gonna lie, this waiting period is making me itch, but I'm sure it's going to be worth the wait. Patience, Ana, patience..



























Erika of Fashion Chalet is giving away one Balenciaga Bag, yes you read that right! One Balenciaga bag to one very lucky reader! What. are. the. odds? But what the hey, there's no harm in trying ;) All set to join the giveaway? Follow the mechanics here.  

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Valley Girl

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There's a fine line between looking like an 80s valley girl and a hipster clone at Coachella. My attempt to tack on two opposing sides of the style spectrum has landed me into claiming this experiment as my favorite so far. The comfort in wearing shorts is unparalleled and this floral skort did not fall short in assuring that. This outfit hatched from pure instinct and I wasn't bluntly going for California girl with the daisy-dukes-bikinis-on-top. It all fell into place with the denim bralet and floral shorts. Nothing like a pair of buckled lace-up wedge boots and a cross medallion to skid the look from going overly risqué.
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Forever 21 blazer | Topshop denim bralet | Topshop high-waist floral shorts | Trunkshow lace-up wedge boots | Forever 21 (from SanFo) cross medallion | Louis Vuitton Palermo GM | Photo credits : Ela
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Coachella fashion in a nutshell. If ever I wind up in Coachella, (stalking Brandon Boyd or just for the heck of it) i'd definitely wear this outfit all over again, but I'll probably ditch the blazer. haha!
I wore this last week in Rockwell where all the Holiday sale lured me into gambling the very humble foundation of my B-fund. And when I say gamble, I lost; so much for change come the new year. 
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So there's pinkberry, and then there's the Purple-berry. The year of the Rabbit may have bunny-hopped off but this adorable Blackberry case just hopped its way into Isa's Purple-berry. Sooooo adorable! Anyway, capped the night by having dinner at Greenbelt as an early birthday celebration for my mother :)


2012 is looking mighty fine. I have never immersed myself with so much positivity in my life. Ever. I'm hoping to keep this attitude for the next 12 months. It's unnecessary to put undue pressure unto myself so early in the new year, hence no resolutions for me. I would love to see each obstacle as an adventure and avenue for learning. I shall kick start my 2012 adventure by packing my bags for an upcoming Davao trip in a few days! Meetings, company events and business trips left and right; new year in the corporate world usually means new target and more work so I'm bracing myself for a wild ride ahead. So, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride ;) As Michael Kors would say, break a stiletto