The 2013 Round up

Without a doubt and with utmost confidence, I can genuinely claim 2013 as THE BEST YEAR so far. Not ever, because the best is yet to come :)

January

I miraculously unlocked the THE Topshop Wardrobe. No explanation needed

February 

This is probably the only time I will talk about my extra personal life, so listen up, glisten up closely. Looking back at the bad slash not-so-good years I’ve spent, I realized the common factor: I was single. Yup, all 2 or 3 bad years spent being single were the worst. This time I vowed to actually enjoy and capture the essence of singlehood and it’s probably why I cannot just jump back into the dating wagon. There’s just so much to learn. 2012 was my tipping point/spring board so I’ll be fabulous on my own come 2013 J I was once the girl who feared singlehood like death. It’s not half as bad as people think! So stop bugging me and cut me some slack. I would rather WAIT THAN SETTLE! :) 

March

Too school for cool. 

April

Spring breaker gone bonker; I bitch slapped Project Weight Loss.

May 

Life is indeed full of surprises. I unexpectedly landed a great job and I can’t be any more thankful. Still feels surreal sometimes. Celebratory goods anyone? The Prada Paradox. 

July

My 1^st semester as a full-blown working-student unexpectedly yielded my first UNO in graduate school. 

August 

Welcome to my closet, Sabo Skirt!

September 

I finally dialed B.

October 

Family trip to Bangkok! (Entries to follow) 

November 

 I liked it, so I put a ring on it.

December 

A very merry Saint Laurent Christmas

But then again, the greatest lessons cannot be captured on photographs so aside from what I've posted above, I've also raked in quite a lot of lessons. So how do you bid farewell to an amazing year? Answer: You don't. It's about starting strong and not let anything (--not even those silly trivial predictions) blur your vision. 

Velvet Crush

I'll let you in on a little diet secret. What you can put off after-dinner can guiltlessly wind up in your breakfast plate! I never thought I'd ever see the day when I can wholeheartedly say NO to dessert. When I accepted the self-inflicted Boracay or Bust challenge, I knew the sugar group would be the only thing standing between me and a nicer, slimmer tummy and boy was I right! The urgent decision to cut back on sugar yielded results fast -- a decision 2 months too late! So if you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll be needing extra heaps of self control. Instead of indulging on that extra bite of cake, why not stow it away overnight and guiltlessly enjoy it for breakfast? Yup, you're welcome.

Ain't Laurent

AIN'T LAURENT

(without Yves)

Pins and needles, nice to know you

A plan 10 years in the making finally materialized this day. Instead of ink, it's a purdy little sparkly gem implanted right smack dab in the middle of my midsection. I'm in love.

#NovemberPAIN #ShitJustGotReal 

I reckoned an observation period would make perfect sense before publishing an entry about my belly button piercing. Trust me honey, I've turned the worldwideweb inside out, upside down for any information I could extract about getting a belly button piercing in Manila. Statistic turnout isn't exactly helpful -- whether it's about where to get it done, or the type of jewellery you can wear immediately after. Consider this an honest, unadulterated opinion on this subject matter and I won't give you a statement I have not personally experienced.

Pre piercing points to ponder. 

1. Listen to yourself. Don't go about asking your friends if you should get a belly button piercing, it's your body, not theirs. Chances are, you can never solicit a collective, favorable advice. It took me roughly 10 years to make up my mind and quite frankly you can't grow balls over night! Having overly conservative parents is another issue I don't want to touch.

2. Are you in in a good state both mentally and physically? If it took you more than 5 seconds to answer that, then maybe you shouldn't. If you just hit a rough patch or simply preparing for one-time beach getaway, maybe it's too sudden a decision to be making. You may want to reconsider, it's not your head doing the talking, it's spontaneity. Remember, the jewellery you can take out but not for the first 6 MONTHS at least and risk of scar formation is relatively high even after the piercing closes.

3. Piercing prejudice. So what's it gonna be, slut or saint? They say everything comes with a price, I say piercing comes with bad prejudice, and so do tattoos! I know I know, we couldn't care less, but expect to hear some side comments about your piercing (should you decide to have one). You should be mentally and emotionally ready to deflect such nonsense. (i.e. bellybutton piercing is the tramp stamp of tattoos. I know, right?)

4. It's a long term commitment with petty sacrifices here and there-- and I'm not talkin' about your boyfriend since high school. The belly button area is sensitive (and I mean life and death-kinda sensitive) and the piercing takes forever to heal. If you have the patience follow the precise aftercare procedure, then by all means! I'm warning you, it ain't for the lazy daisy!

Still convinced you should get one? Read along then!

Piercing Pandemonium 

This is my first real piercing experience (Thanks mom, for getting my ears pierced at age 0!) so there is no other way than to have it professionally done. I went to P&P in Makati, which is a well-know establishment for tattoo and body art; and is allegedly the go-to place for celebrities. My first concern was the design of the jewellery because I don't want to get the typical silver stud and was aiming for one with a gem stone. P&P has a really good selection and I was able to get a gem encrusted one!

The piercing process

Stop saying you want it and set a damn date! Setting a deadline or appointment is the first step.

1. It is normal for your stomach to meet more butterflies once you get to THE place. Your palms will get sweaty.. knees weak arms are heavy there's v--- okay I'm getting ahead of myself. My anxiety momentarily faded when I finally had to choose the jewellery. So many cute jewels to choose from BUT your piercer will only allow you to get a simple curved barbell type with stud because it is the safest to put on while the piercing heals. (Those dangly bellybutton rings can wait.)

2. 60% of your conscience will tell you to walk away, but the remaining 40% should overpower. I'm telling you, I was standing outside P&P for about 10mins, demanding my best friend for a pep talk. I just did it anyway. (not so save face, mind you)

3. You will be in an uncomfortable spot for a good 10 minutes. I was expecting a contraption similar to that of an electronic dental chair which should recline me to a sleeping position, instead, there was only a black office chair and a makeshift divider separating me from the other clients. Lying on your back would have been the ideal for the client --  but definitely not for the piercer. I felt uneasy seated down and was advised to just stand up to hasten the piercing process, which I gladly obliged to. The piercer started disinfecting the disposable needle, clamp and the jewellery. Ready for what's coming? Okay!

4. I finally lifted the hem of my top and the piercer started marking my midsection. A clamp was used to gather the skin and hold it in place which felt like a tight pinch. I finally felt the needle puncturing the entry point then I felt the needle going out the same direction. My skin did not break the first puncture so it went in again then BAM! It was over.

Pain meter? It felt a lot less painful than my overall pain expectation and it was over before I even knew it!

Post-piercing 

The piercer told me it will be more painful after. True to his words, my piercing started feeling tingly shortly after. Expect sporadic surges of sharp pains every time the piercing rubs against the shirt. I wore a pair of denim shorts which made sitting down really painful even if my shorts fall below my hips.

First 6 hours - I felt sharp pains (in and around my piercing) with movement and felt most comfortable standing up.

First night - I tend to sleep on my stomach a lot so I barely slept the first night because I was very conscious of my sleeping position. The weight of the duvet/comforter caused pain so I had to use a light blanket instead. There is no other sleeping position but sleeping on your back.

The next day - Nothing. It felt perfectly normal as if I never had one (piercing).

First 48 hours - On the 2nd night I accidentally rubbed my duvet against my stomach so it stung for a few seconds.

The next day - My entire midsection felt sore -- as in post ab-workout sore which lasted for the entire day.

First week - The piercing only hurt whenever it would rub against clothing or my company ID, in my case.

First 2 weeks - Expect the formation of "crusts" around the upper barbel. This is perfectly normal and indicates that the piercing is healing.

Aftercare

I cannot further emphasise how critical after care procedure is for bellybutton piercings (or for any other piercing). I immediately showered after I got home but refrained from using soap because the piercing is still fresh. The next day I started cleaning my piercing with warm salt solution every 12 hours by inverting the cup of salt solution on to my piercing (done by lying on your back, of course). Also, avoid any contact by all means - and this includes touching! NEVER touch your piercing, especially near the entry/exit hole.

And if you like it then you shoulda put a riiing on it!

24 candles and them some

Topshop sleeveless flower flippy dress | Michael Kors Gwen cage booties | Overused Balenciaga City

The year of the snake has been far too kind. Spent my 24th exactly how it should be: one major recoup weekend. Bracing myself with the opening of school this week!

24 shots

• I have a tendency to blank out when asked about celebrity crushes. I will most likely answer Brandon Boyd by impulse. Still true. 
• My advocacy? Social graces. Bring them, know them by heart. What's yours?
• Classic (as in black and white) movies have a calming effect on me. You can find me holed in my room, with pin lights on and Grace Kelly on the screen.
• I watch beauty pageants for the slip ups. Oops. 
• The Kardashians is my ultimate guilty pleasure, hence the never ending references.
• One of these days I'm getting a belly button ring. 
• One of these days I'll probably get kicked out of the house for getting a belly button ring.
• I am madly obsessed with Topshop and Sabo Skirt. Once you shop, you can't stop! And yes I made that one up. 
• I easily feel socially-saturated so I unplug myself from the internet every so often..for a couple of days..save for work/school related matters.
• I cannot sleep at night without my trusty airline eye mask. I have to constantly remind my dad to spare me the eye masks when he goes on trips. See, business class eye masks are the works! 
• It's 2013 and I still cannot get over Brooke and Lucas. That chemistry! Fuel and fire. *Sighs* 
• I easily get carried away with on-screen lovers and would fervently wish their romance would extend off-screen. Hello Leighton Meester and Chace Crawford! WAKE. UP. 
• Living life vicariously through Carrie Bradshaw..in SATC not in the Diaries. 
• When stuck in a rut, I run a few episodes of 16 and Pregnant as a constant reminder of how blessed I am no matter the circumstances. And no, I don't mean to berate these kids. In fact I admire the strength.
• I shop like how an anaconda eats. 
• I have a mental list of outfits planned.
• Ask me a question and I will answer back with a question. Read: Don't we all? Aren't we all? -- somehow I manage to make it coherent. 
• Any top or dress with a cut-out design will end up in my closet. Within reason of course. There's just something so exciting about cut outs. 
• Im a sartorial extremist - either I'm all dolled up or totally dulled-out. There are nice outfits that deserve to be complemented with make up, then there are outshits to go with bare-face days. 
• Kamille Villamor is my bestfriend and I'd like to keep her forever. Girl knows me too well! 
• I'm so boring I can't make this reach 24! Adios!

I'm Ana and I'm a shopaholic

Yes Bangkok, can I please have my sanity back? For a moment, I lost it. There I was cinched between fellow shoppers, running like a chicken with its head cut off in the densely populated aisles of THE Platinum Fashion Mall.  Let me show you a year’s difference:

Last year:

Me: How much?

Seller: 150 baht

Me: I’LL TAKE ITTT!!

This time:

Me: How much?

Seller: 150 baht

Me: Thank you.

You might want to spit that hate-o-rade, my sisters don’t call me ‘bargain queen’ for nothing. Last year’s list is all about understated tackiness when viewed vis-à-vis with the one I came up with this time. I have to say though; I think I did a pretty good job last year with all the deals I snagged under 200 baht. Overall, 3 items from last year’s loot are about to be tossed into the what-was-I-thinking pile.

This time, my ultimate goal is to run a tight shopping ship and a strict mental shopping list was thrown into the broilers to keep it smooth sailing. Last time felt as if I was blindly shopping for rock bottom priced garments, without due consideration of the overall construction and functionality. It all boils down to one important thing: quality trumps quantity any day! A trait I have imbibed from home.

If last year was all about hoarding cheap items acquire more stuff, this time was about making smarter choices to make sure the items will last me longer than the actual trend.

Bangkok shopping myths debunked:

1.     You need  at least 10,000 to 20,000 Php (or 400-500 USD) to fully enjoy the Bangkok shopping trip experience.

This is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. No offense to person who said this, she probably doesn’t remember this anyway. Have you ever had too much to drink that a single sight of a glass triggers your gag reflex? Trust me when I say this is also applicable to clothes, or shopping per se. Yup, there is such a feeling as shopping saturation.

Considering other expenses that await (i.e. Graduate School tuition fee, Christmas season and incidentals) I had limited cash to dispense for this trip. Clothes in Bangkok are relatively dirt cheap. Nice dresses can go up to 350 Baht and structured, nicely-tailored blazers can run up to 500 Baht (price premium). Above and beyond are considered expensive in wholesale and night markets, in my opinion. As for branded retail groups, price premium is a tad more expensive compared to prices in Manila, but do ransack the SALE rack for one-of-a-kind pieces. (I recently bought a pantsuit from Topshop in Greenbelt and found the exact item in Bangkok which is more expensive by about 300 Php!) 

2. If you find something you like, buy it. Don't even think of letting it go otherwise, you won't find it again!

If it's Chatuchak we're talking about, then this can be partly true - partly, because if you have an impeccable sense of direction, I guess we don't have a problem after all. This shopping myth is rather subjective; if say, you and I fall under the category of extreme bargain hunters, then you and I well know a complete environmental scan is a must before dole-out. I would like to see the entire offering before I make a choice. I like the guarantee of an authentic bargain piece and I like to validate the rarity of a particular design. Platinum Fashion mall is a minefield, with duplicates detonating here and there. It's no shock that even the design of a mass-produced piece is pirated. 

The layout of Platinum is very easy to navigate and the stalls/kiosks are quite small so it's possible to scan the entire place just by walking along the aisles. Unless you struck gold (design and price taken into account) with a can't-get-out-of-my-head piece , then it's okay to walk away. You will never run out of things to buy, trust me! 

3. Bangkok clothes are tailored for petite ladies.

Sadly, this has some inkling of truth to it. Most markets carry free-size (or "one size") clothes that typically range between small-medium in standard sizing.  But before you start pouting, I observed more stalls carrying bigger sizes for full-figured women in Platinum. Also, clothes are not marked free-size for nothing, most garments are garterized to fit up to large frames! I'm telling you, Platinum has something for everyone. You just gotta ransack those stalls for awesome finds! 

4. Bangkok clothes are poorly made and can easily fall apart.

Not if you know how to take good care of your clothes they're not! See, you get what you pay for. Manage your expectations for clothes scored at bargain prices. Make sure you triple check the fabric, stitches and the overall garment for defects and stains even if you ask for a new stock. Ask your helper to hand-wash the clothes to save them from the churns of the washing machine. I have no experience with clothes falling apart, at least not yet. I'd like to think my clothes are well-rested. If you know what I mean. 

I am in no way a professional bargain hunter but I would like to acknowledge all those years of training. HAH! 

Smoke and Mirrors

and pet peeve nombre deux.

I have been outright vocal at how I cringe at the term blogger whenever anyone asks if I blog. If being a pseudo-amateur-writer-about-clothes-style-and-personal-business could be summarized into another word, I would gladly embrace it. I find the term blogger too mainstream and has made itself into an actual industry. Take no offense, if this entry pops out of your feed it can be at least one of three things: we have a mutual respect for 1) blogging as a hobby, 2) fashion is just a serious business as music, food or art 3) or if you simply stumbled upon my site: you're just another blog lurker like me. Go ahead, try it, call me a fashion blogger and i'd be livid in a split second.

Welcome to the Blogging Monopoly, b*tch. Ever challenged yourself to question the sole purpose of putting out a blog? Whether it's for showcasing personal style or creativity, or simply for reconnecting, what do you think sets you apart from the 736482947 girls who author a blog then? There is the local fashion blogging scene and then there is a bloggatory (blog+purgatory). When someone mentions the term blogger in a contemporary context, why does it exude a mainstream, capitalist vibe when really, the rest of us just want to have a virtual space to scribble on? Not everyone intends to make a name, yet people look upon (/down on) you (yes me, a "blogger" enjoying the limbo aka bloggatory) as a struggler, trying to push their own blog up in the fashion blogging scene. It's almost an unprecedented joke how the term blogger became synonymous to, excuse the profanity, fame-whore, label-whore, what have you. 

People look at blogs as a personal, superficial, quasi-narcissistic online space headed to the direction of commercialization (if they can make it that far). But really, some of us just want to live a life; a well-documented life at that. Excuse me while I throw in some more excuses :) I author a blog; kind of like how Professor Dumbledore dumps his thoughts for the day in a pensieve or how Carrie Bradshaw spews her frustrations in Sex and the City. Same difference. Besides, I love fashion so might as well put a stake on my style by documenting it. But THIS cannot solely raise me to the ranks of fashion bloggers, because I am not one. I just blog. I author a whatever blog. My introversion coerced the need to channel my energy into something creative -- whether it's ranting, lusting or lashing out on life's cruelties.

So much for an introduction. This outfit will start a series of my romper rampage. Who ever invented onesies must be having some serious mixing and matching problems. A playsuit is a hit-or-miss article of clothing; it can either look put-together, or it can be tacky roadkill waiting to be obliviated by the next big trend. I am particularly picky when it comes to playsuits and they have to meet 2 criteria before they can join my growing family of playsuits: 1) it should be stylishly uncommon and 2) it must, MUST be comfortable because crotch rape is a serious crime!

This playsuit obviously met both criteria. I have never encountered a dressy cape playsuit with overlapping lapels. It was a sure-purchase from the moment I saw its entire Topshop-goodness. I am in love with the brand-always have, always will. I went for the overkill with layered chain neckpiece and I couldn't care less if it weighed a ton. The works.

Topshop leopard cape playsuit | Prada ballerinas | Balenciaga City

All Killer. No Filter. Okay this is lame. 

They struck gold!

Would you rather stay safe on a paved road or dare brave a bridge to get to your destination? As I quietly sat on my chair, waiting for my turn to take the podium, I started to realize how 'safe' isn't always sound. Today, marked the very first time I delivered a presentation before the heads of the Country Offices, two Deputy Director Generals and THE Director General himself. In IRRI (International Rice Research Institute where I work) parlance, they are the big bosses.

40 minutes and a momentary period of dead silence later, I reached my last slide. It was the heaviest expression of relief I have ever exhausted. I received 'thumbs ups' and expressions of approval from my audience. But what really cracked my guard was a comment made by one of the heads who came up to me shortly after I finished, "From the moment we interviewed you. I knew you are a gold mine".

And they struck gold; with a twenty-something graduate student who still has a bleak picture of a career path in front of her. Turns out this girl was able to fight through adversities and grab opportunities she never imagined existed. Hopefully, she is doing the right things.

-note to self

What's so civil about war anyway?

All those verbal altercations and passive aggressive gestures from months back look shelved when in fact they have been parasitically burrowing off the very foundation of whatever it is we have shared over the course of a decade. A relations built on malicious lying that have caused us to blindly stab each other on the back has no place in my reformed lifestyle. I am indifferent to this affair. I acknowledge the fact that we don't operate on the same wavelength. Heck that is an insult; as you have deliberately insulted and questioned my morale without reading through my intent.

We are a ticking time bomb about to blow any second now; allow me to detonate. Be in cahoots for all I care.


PS. Saying this once and for all. This is NOT written for a male subject. HA HA HA. 

People will wonder. Make them.

How do you do it? People ask. How do I do it?

We are no island, but I'd say I'm on the precipice of a peninsula, a panhandle even. Reclusion has stretched out into a lifestyle with all other connections at bay. I have amputated linkages that have caused more harm than good, much like those gangrene-infected limbs. Pruning my canopy so I can give my core a room to breathe. Everything I need right now, I have within reach -- both tangible and otherwise. I am happy. I am content - bar none. Whatever I find therapeutic is nobody else's beeswax. I need not seek validation from others thank you very much. Do achievements per se make us happy? Or is it the delayed gratification - the pronouncement of such achievements? Is it an absolute necessity to make everything known? People will wonder. Make them. Keeping this air of mystery as a safety net because one day, my daddy told me, I will make history.

I have made a profit from explaining too much (figuratively of course). Why not play reverse psychology this time: less talk = less chance of misinterpretation. Life's innate cruelty has given me resiliency much too strong for other's passive aggressive judgements to penetrate.

Some would sit together to gossip and exchange notes. I prefer to stay in my room and read. Focus is what keeps me in this game; work-school-family life balance keeping me afloat. Sounds like a fair life plan if you ask me. From here on, sightings of Ana Reynoso (excuse me while I refer to myself in 3rd person, I don't usually do this. Pet peeve alert!) will be few and far between. Kind of like those Big Foot sightings, or Axl Rose from 1994 to 2002 or Nessy from Loch Ness.

In any case a kind soul is wondering, I am good. Over and beyond. I am busy working in a reputable international research organisation by day and hustling to get good grades in graduate school by (late) afternoon. Although I am not sure if I can say the same thing about the latter after this semester. HA HA! Just kidding.

Blessed + Stressed + Well-dressed

Because I have everything I need right now and more. Reclusive life, try it. 

Welcome to the Jungle

You can have everything you want but you better not take it from me -- just not at the same time. Shame I'm vandalizing Axl's writing. This is a highly unflattering photo taken last Tuesday, because a Balenciaga calls for maxi skirts, loose tops and unkempt hair. The works.

Rocket Man + Rocket Queen's lover

When talent justifies bad behavior. Axl-lent!

Dial B for Balenciaga

Style Vagabond

FALL 2013

Read and be damned

Hi I'm Ana. I am completely obsessed with Axl Rose and Sabo Skirt. 

And that's all you need to know about now. 

Shopping SABOtage

HOW SABO SKIRT CHANGED MY PERCEPTION OF RETAIL

If you haven't heard of Sabo Skirt, then you must be lying; chances are you have liked their whimsical Instagram entries or reblogged their viral Tumblr photos or simply took a glimpse, whether consciously or otherwise, of their photos. In fact, if anyone is keeping tabs, their photos are in the running for the most reblogged fashion inspirations in all of Tumblr-land. I have Instagram to thank for this chance encounter (and friends who keep on liking their photos, making them feed staples haha).

Just like anyone I asked, I initially thought Sabo Skirt is an account dedicated to anything dreamy, sophisticated and cute. When I finally checked the official website, it's a treasure trove of Teen Vogue-worthy pieces stashed in the land down under!

As early as January this year (and I know this because I reviewed my email archive), I have been going back and forth with my decision to purchase; I'm gonna have to give it to our local customs bureau for being outright corrupt. I have read horror stories about Customs charging unreasonable taxes and duties for non-luxury items and clothing. Reckoned the hassle is not at all worth a piece of beautifully crafted Guns 'N Roses tank even if it looks vintage-d to perfection. Besides, it won't be long until some other retail giant pirates this design. Move along, Ana.

But Wait! Their SALE section houses equally, intricately-crafted pieces that brought me to my knees before the fashion gods, fervently hoping for a miracle. Sticking out like a sore thumb from a selection of romantic silhouettes was an LBD fit for Courtney Love's grunge princess. It features a set of shoulder pads and cutouts linked to the sleeves of the bodice. Think tame and wearable Lady Gaga dress. That piece became THE definitive design of a clothing line that was ready for roll-out. If only I had the sketching skills to match. Why dyou think I'd name my blog Rocket Queen Riot for? Yep, that's what I thought. After a while, I came to the conclusion that not only is that dress not replicable (the design is too complicated and can go horribly wrong when executed in a wrong type of fabric), I also do not want to blatantly copy other young designer's work. Maybe in time, I will finally incite my own little riot.

After a few email exchanges with the Customer Care Team, (impeccable customer service, by the way) I decided not to pursue my little Sabo mission. Created an account anyway and immediately included THE dress inside my cart just in case I change my mind.

Sabo Skirt Revisited. On the tail end of July I managed to find my way back to my little happy place in cyberspace. Only this time, they were on a massive sale. RIGHT. My favorite pieces all made the cut except for the grunge dress that did not survive the previous sale season. After weeks of thorough investigation on shipping and delivery and random instagram surveys targeting previous buyers regarding sizing and quality, I was ready to order.

Upon logging in, I noticed I had 1 ITEM inside my card (THE grunge dress form way back) and then I recalled their permanent shopping cart feature. I had a notification to confirm the availability of the item first before checking out, which the Customer care team addressed instantly. I had to wait for a day for them to locate any spare dress in their warehouse AND THANK GOD there was one left! Not exactly my size but will make do with what's available.

I settled my dues evening of August 8 (local time) and was advised to wait for 5-10 business days before receiving my orders. Sacrifice order, I kept reminding myself in any case of altercations with customs and postal service that could potentially be the cause for delivery failure.

Tried tracking the package via the PHL post website, of course, it's not working. Per Sabo Skirt's email, packages can only be tracked after it has been released from Philippine Customs. DUNN-DUNN-DUNNN. 7 days and no trace, I had to give it the 10th business day deadline before I alert the local post office.

Yesterday (August 20), I had to run errands (in line with the best, exciting, but still unofficial news from work!) and decided to take a detour to my local post office to ask for assistance in tracking. Problem was, I left the tracking code at home so I asked the lady if she can help me given the limited information. I told her I was expecting a package from Australia this week, she asked for the approximate size of the package then I told her I was not sure of the size but it shouldn't take much space because it only contains clothes. She stood up from her desk. Talked/signalled something to the lady on the next cubicle then placed a hefty white package on her table before dusting it off. I thought she was attending to the lady next cubicle, then she turned to me and said it just arrived a few hours ago. MY HEART WAS POURING. I KEEP ON RELIVING THIS MOMENT INSIDE MY HEAD. She collected 50 pesos, and that's it! (Package was scheduled to be delivered to my house as soon as the weather clears up.)

It was a surreal, perfect moment.

VERDICT:

Customer Care: Queries are addressed within 48 hours and they have provided a comprehensive FAQs and other relevant information, all available on their website. 

Delivery time: Based on my survey, some packages could take up to 3 months (US, EUR). But generally speaking, packages arrive sooner than expected. They dispatch items real quick so be sure to finalize your orders before checking out. I sent a follow up email asking if it is still possible to exchange sizes (I ALWAYS go for the next size up for rompers because they usually fall short and this goes for all clothing brands) but I was immediately notified that my items were shipped the previous morning. Shipping to the Philippines took 7 business days.

Sizing: True-to-size. I had different sizes delivered since I was left with a size S for the black dress but EVERY SINGLE ITEM fits me PERFECTLY. The dress was a bit stretchy but even if it wasn't, Im sure it would still fit. Nyahaaa! Their sizing leaves enough room for movement so the romper (my only romper that I bought in my actual size) fits PERFECTLY as well. I bought another white dress in Medium which is designed to be a little baggy and true enough, it was a slightly loose but looks great and fits even better. 

Overall, no issue in sizing. Make sure to check the finer details section for every item. It would also help to engage in a little convo via instagram with ladies and shoppers all over the world who are willing to offer their opinions. I suggest you order your actual size.

Style and Quality: The clothes are nothing short of amazing. What you see is what you get. The materials and fabric did not disappoint; I was actually surprised with the quality and texture of fabrics. For the black cut out dress, the fabric could compete with that of Topshop or Miss Selfridge. 

Pricing: Items listed in the sale section are quite a steal so make sure to capitalize on that! They also charge a standard shipping flat rate of AUD 15 for international orders so maximize as much as you can. However, they do not render returns and exchange services for sale items so make sure to triple check in terms of sizing and details. 

Cons: PayPal's ForEx can cost you an arm and a leg so  add Php 1.00 give or take per dollar. This can be your shock absorber. Do not psych yourself and convert using the current exchange rate because credit card companies charge a tad higher than the usual. I went over 300Php (Approx $6.50) from my estimated/computed total. 

Rooting for the underdog

No, Axl Rose isn't the focal point in this picture; neither is the distracting cursor which I literally just saw now, thanks to my awzum cropping skillz. Meet AJ Celi, one of the most underrated people I look up to in fashion. She is best known for her 6-episode stint in the reality TV series Married to Rock as the on-again-off-again girlfriend of The Cult's Billy 'I-am-not-the-marrying-type' Duffy. I mean, RIGHT?! Show's called 'Married to Rock' and ironically 1/4 of the starring couples ain't officially hitched. The 6th episode wrapped up with AJ pulling a Rob Pattinson on Billy, and that was the last I saw of her. 

RoyalTea

I'd name this post Penny Royal Tea but that son of a biscuit Cobain named one of MTV Unplugged/In Utero 's most definitive track after an abortive drink. And I'm only finding about this now when I'm 23. 19 years too late. 

Tea and crumpets cupcakes to kickstart the first long weekend of the month. 

All Killer No Filler

You know where you are? You in the jungle baby! You're gonna diiiiiiiiiiiie!! This is probably the single most terrifying song line that has rocked my eardrum since One by Metallica. Today marks the 26th year since 'Appetite' was released for mass destruction consumption. I was a mere glisten in my mother's eye, heck my parents were probably total strangers then! Point is, 26 years since Appetite for Destruction exploded into the music charts, the music stays in its pure, relevant, and raw heavy metal-form. Who wouldda thunk I'd have a spot for heavy metal in this too pink of a life I'm living?

I have always defined my taste in music as "artist-particular", instead of the usual genre-specific. I could listen to the most classic of musical scores then listen to Korn's Twisted Transistor at the end of the day. Ever had that experience of forcing the music unto you because you like the artist behind that music? Well that was never the case between me, my Axl and my Appetite!

For a typical twenty-something like me, say 'Guns N' Roses' and SCOM automatically registers. But the truth is, boys and girls, Sweet Child is just one of thirteen game-changing tracks Guns gave birth to in '87! This is one All-Killer-No-Filler, a rare breed of records. Thanks for Welcoming us into the Jungle! Happy 26th AFD!!

Cure for the itch

I find myself struggling to control my blog itch early in the morning, only to tide it over for the night when I'm too zonked out to compose my thoughts. So far, my 8-week stay in IRRI has been great I'm typing this lame-o smiley right about now :) I cannot express how grateful I am to have landed a job which has given me a leverage to apply the learnings I'm picking up in graduate school. It's an almost seamless integration; a privilege I never think I would be entitled to.

Time management is like the book-balancing-act-for-models, for struggling young professionals like me. I have learned how to effectively stretch my time to accommodate the essentials. As part of a new lifestyle, I have vowed to quasi-disengage in social media for the duration of my tenure. I know what you're thinking, can my life get any lame-r now?! Actually, yes it can.

22

On this day, Rocket Queen was launched to infamy. See for yourself.

What COULD have gone down as the best GN'R concert from the UYI (see! I speak GN'R) archives did nothing but generate bad publicity for the Ax man. I have seen enough Guns concert from a plethora of Youtube uploads (whether shot pro or amateur, I could not care less) and this particular one ironically stood out for me. Putting the imminent violence and crappy egress aside, it was the volatility of the performance that blew me away. Plus they opened with Perfect Crime and prematurely ended the set with Rocket Queen. Talk about all killer no filler honey!

July 2, 2012

I feel like a ticking time bomb about to blow any second now. 

You cannot do that honey, that’s Social Suicide

Says the girl who landed a stint in an upcoming project at THE International Rice Research Institute, while trying to maintain a really good scholastic record in graduate school. Life happened. As summer school drew to a close, I received a familiar call for an interview, got hired on the spot and started in a week’s time! I didn’t really have much time to breathe and relax during the interval as I went back and forth to/from Manila everyday for a week just to secure subjects for my daddy dearest, as he is about to brave his FOURTH YEAR in law school. Law FREAKING school. I still don’t know how he does it; the Man is blessed with a genius of a brain and mad time-management skills!

If he can do it, so can I! Attagirl! Despite the heavy protests I received from classmates out of my willingness to look for a job while pursuing my studies, I actually like the sense of urgency that arises from having my plate full. No pun intended. Kind of like those months when I killed myself to cement a spot for boxing 6 times a week in hopes of attaining those bitchin supermodel abs. Having a full schedule suppresses any room for complacency, hence the natural sense of urgency.

And by FULL schedule I mean 7-7pm twice, standard 8-6pm office hours and a Saturday class all in a week’s work! At least I’ll have a library of classic films to lull me to sleep every night, works like a pill!

To keep myself from sounding like a broken record whenever people ask, my job involves writing/putting together training manuals pertinent to THIS project, organizing and facilitating trainings and seminars in preparation for the project launch, Donor-related reports etc etc. I do not want to divulge too much information to save myself from breaching a possible intellectual contract.

And this, boys and girls, is how I committed Social Suicide.