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!

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.

Where we're going, we don't need roads

Business up front, party in the back!

A taboo, infamous quotation reference to such an exquisite statement almost defies its very purpose. Who doesn’t love a good surprise? For that special day Thursday the 25^th , I threw in a little surprise number in the form of this sweet tea-length dress to celebrate a family friend’s 18^th coming out birthday party, which is the major surprise overall.

I’d say nobody does cutouts better than Topshop, until my recent Miss Selfridge discovery almost derailed my apparent idolatry over this brand. It is probably more fitting to say nobody does cutouts better than [insert list of Brands under] Arcadia group. HAHA. Sir Philip Green, would it be too much to wish you were my godfather?!

In the end, almost all concepts fall victim to the theory of reflexivity. Just like how technology is the greatest threat to technology, at the end of the day,Topshop’s biggest competition is, well, Topshop. (I swear quoting yourself kickstarts a cringefest!) The design team behind my number one retail of choice almost ripped Kate Moss’ design for Topshop some three Spring collections ago. Kate Moss’ design incarnation came with the best feature you could possibly add to give this innocent piece a kick—a sweeping back cut out the size of Texas.

So don’t be fooled, the most innocent of fronts could just literally be a front and clearly this isn’t only applicable to human behavior. I could always start professing my undying love for cut outs and back-baring, Pneumonia-inducing statement dresses, but I betcha already read through that more than once.

Who wore it best part deux, if I may. Just kidding! I managed to unearth these photos from Georgina Wilson’s Instagram, with Anne Curtis wearing the exact dress some fashion eons ago.

Electric Dreams

The color orange - probably the most feared, intimidating shade in the color wheel. It's a hit or miss, either you're really into it or the slightest hint (?!?) can trigger your gag reflex. This dress came with a warning, it's not for the faint of heart! I wouldn't call it poster piece in a long list of Topshop Hall-of-fame-rs, in fact, capital W-T-Fs were beaming in my head when I first saw this dress. FLUORO, seriously Topshop?! Wait til you see this in actual, words of caution: it can be blinding.

My little trip down the dressing room was intended as a joke, just for the heck of trying out something. I can say I was at the peak of my unexpected weight gain that time, last year (and no, I wasn't pregnant) and this dress was probably dusted with slimming magic. So that did the trick. 

I never really got into the neon/fluoro trend, I'd like to keep my highlighters strictly for scholarly business only, thank you. It was the collective impact of the style, details and material that begged the dress to be bought. The irony of using orange to come up with such a classy piece is almost too intriguing.

You can never really go wrong with lace, no matter how scandalous the shade can be. In fact it's almost sacrilegious to use those words in one sentence, how can you not look classy and lady like in lace? In the end, the scallop hem won me over.

I was speeding on a nightrain bound for a wreck: overwhelming graduate school demands, pressure to lose weight, desperate attempt to fit my workout regime and 'wasting' away days by cutting significant calorie intake from my diet.. all in a day's work. With real life bound to choke me any time now, I knew I had to get away, FAST. I almost forgot the bliss that goes with family time and the opportunity to dress up.

I was so giddy on Easter Sunday I was barfing unicorns, rainbows, butterflies and glitters! Recall how I called this dress hit or miss? Well my entire family put this dress under the MISS part. Like that has stopped me before, right? I was feeling anxious the first time I wore it out and got a surprising number of compliments from strangers. Not even exaggerating. It just goes to show my family doesn't get it sometimes. chos!

ON THE ORANGE CORNER.... !!!

Who Wore it Best?
Demi Lovato VS Ana Reynoso in Topshop coral lace skater dress
I obviously spent more time reading Us Weekly than studying for geometry in High School.

Arabela has always been our family's Easter Feast destination. It's a small quaint coffee shop located in the vicinity of the iconic Liliw church. This is so worth taking the road trip, take my word for it!

Allowed myself to indulge in a high protein, lean steak (relax, it's kosher).......only to cave in to their mouth-watering desserts. The true test of discipline came crumbling down...down.......down....

Strawberry cheesecake | Chocolate chip cheescake | Chocolate mousse | Blueberry cheesecake | SLICE OF HEAVEN ON A PLATE AKA Tiramisu 

HEAR THAT?! My stomach just exploded! It's highly impossible to order one dessert item off the menu ergo, two of those were for me. HAH! I shared naman the other plate ;) If you think cheesecakes are evil, wait 'til they serve it on heavy cream with chocolate syrup. Recipe for instant diet relapse, anyone?

Destination: Vacation

Careful planning goes behind almost everything I do that involves clothing (or lack thereof). Choosing beach clothes proved to be a challenge since I have not set foot in a beach for three years now (shame, I know). With all the academic surges inside my brain, I barely have time left to plan an entire 4-day beach wardrobe. 

Anything boho, aztec and 50s pin up are going straight to my duffel!

SKIN IS IN. 

Retro Revival

Trousers with billowy legs that conceal the crotch, making 'em look like an actual maxi skirt? I'M SOLD. Bolder choices could be made fashion wise but I think I deserve snaps for being a sartorial daredevil - I entertain new ideas. What I wear on days I write about on my blog is exactly how I would want to look on any given day (with an exception to my post-gym, errand-running disheveled look). I do not (and will never) limit my fashion exposure before the camera lens. If you think you can look like a certain way before a camera, try exposing it for the outside world to see. I hate cringing for other people. Being a true fashion saavy goes beyond creativity, guts would come in handy too. Duck, honey..!!

Before Tony Manero signals to have his trousers back, I actually think this is the best ensemble I have put together in so long. I would always reiterate the importance of balance when dressing, take it as a cardinal fashion rule. Hence something bottom-heavy will pair well with slimmer silhouette, in my case this zip front bustier in green to complement the garden print bottom. (Although I've been itching to try the palazzo pants/wide leg trousers and sheer long-sleeves polo combination.) It's too divine i can't even--

It's such a cliche but Topshop's designs are the commercial counterpart of my personal style. (Swak na swak sa taste ko!) The backless detail of the corset is just absolutely stunning. Also I can't seem to get over my obsession for this garden print fabric. I first saw it on their summer maxis but for some reason the cut of the dress is not exactly flattering. The trousers are more versatile anyway.

Clad in head-to-foot Topshop's past season treasures because I'm always a bit behind trend. It's fun. 

It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy

The boho trend is all about throwing in aztec prints, flowy skirts, eclectic accessories and a whole lotta hippie attitude! The less put together, the better; some elements are meant to clash anyway. It's a fusion of eastern flair (think ethnic prints, beads, embroidered pieces, etc.) and contemporary western elements , and don't you even think about muting either one of them. It's all about making a loud, bright statement. 

A few months back (okay, more like a quarter of a year's-time back) my Mom celebrated her 45th birthday Mediterranean style. It was a jewel-toned kind of night which called for my fail-safe gypsy ensemble and nothing screams gypsy than my tribal corset and fuchsia maxi skirt combo. The bold pattern of the corset makes accessorising easy peasy. Hence, the neon orange tribal necklace with spikes, gold and aqua bangles from H&M and the purple and gold bangles from my friend Kams. Wide metal cuffs are quintessential to the gypsy outfit so I threw in my favorite (and only) gold cuff from Looking for Lola. Tip #1: there's no such thing as going overboard, extravagance is part if the boho-gypsy language so pile on those bangles! 

I finally finally FINALLY found the perfect excuse to wear my chain headpiece after months of trying it on and secretly wishing I can incorporate it to my everyday casual wear. It added the final Mediterranean touch and worked well with the other accessories I have on. Nicole Ritchie you little trendsetter yooooou!! 

photos from Google

And yes, I welcome any trend that calls for unkempt beach waves.  

Georgia Rule!

Crisp white frock, boots, long flowy mermaid hair..I just want to immortalize this look!  

Topshop lace insert dress | Boots from US | Louis Vuitton Neverfull

Kudos to the styling team behind La Lohan's Georgia Rule wardrobe!

Where do we go, sweet child?

Statement shirt statement. I have sorely professed my hatred towards message tees in general and my nitpicky tendency seems to come out rather naturally when it comes to any word I plan on wearing across my chest. Save for my Megalomaniac message tee, handful of org shirts and a plethora of signature shirts from back when they were cool in high school, I would never be caught dead in a message shirt. Yes, I once wore a "Momma said knock you out" cutesy aqua shirt during cheer practice, ONCE. And yes, I am guilty of welcoming the thought of having a customized "Brandon Boyd for President", only because I really think the idea makes perfect sense. And when I once saw a guy wearing a shirt that says "AXLSBACK", printed vertically on the lefthand side of the shirt, I wanted it rip it off his chest right then and there.  

I'm not just another kid with some serious issues so you can rest your case now. Explanation's simple, I feel uncomfortable when a shirt draws unwanted attention. I do not need extra pairs of eyes glued on to my shirt, thank you. 

She's with the band. Unless I'm an advocate of a particular idea, I'm keeping the words on my top to a minimum. Rock band tees are quite the opposite of superfluous statement tees. They deliver an instant edge of coolness; it's like the "boots" (yes, the footwear) of clothing. It's cool without having to try too hard. The best part is, it will only take a split second for people to make out of the message because rock band tees usually carry the band logo. Uncomfortable stares are few and far between. 

Forever 21 top & layered necklace | Topshop shorts | Gucci aviators

And they say Rocket Queen is far too strung out?! Nothing says "strung out" like going through hell week over again. 

Lady Disick

It's not everyday you find something that suits your taste in the Menswear section (if you're a girl). Apart from the basics, I for one don't think there's anything even remotely possible for me to wear from the Mens section. That all changed one day when I accompanied my little brother to go shopping in Topman. I have always considered Topman fashion forward and groundbreaking in terms of Men's fashion. 

I had no ulterior motive when I asked my brother to try on this pair of tailored aztec shorts, to which he threw me a you-gotta-be-kidding-me smirk, but my little boy complied out of spite to his begging sister. Haha! The outcome was pretty obvious, we exited the store with this pair of shorts tucked underneath his shopping bag. But not for him. Nah-uh. 

Meet Lord Disick. The only item in my possession that will ever receive a special moniker. Just because I can never pick up the habit of naming inanimate objects. Some thing I can never understand. ANYWAY, ANYWAY.. 

My days of bermuda shorts and baby tees are long gone so I just threw in a button down beach cover up, beaded necklace and studded loafers, in true Scott Disick fashion. 

Shop-and-Tell

'Cause when I shop the world gets better, it IS better. Then it's not anymore, and I need to do it again.
--Confessions of a Shopaholic

After losing myself for several hours down the rabbit-haul (get it?), I realized the awful truth that nothing fuels my blogging fire better than tossing in a little fashion-log. I decided to stay in on Bloggers United weekend, avoiding last-minute teasers on Instagram and live updates on twitter. The decision did me good as I was able to equally spend my weekend between my family and my dear girlfriends + Dean. 

Teasers tortured me to the core. But you know what they say discipline can trample down the borders between dream and reality. I knew it was impossible to egress empty-handed so skipping the event proved to be the most economically-sound move. I'm not giving up on Project Arm Candy and my B-Fund's looking as promising and I plan to keep it this way until I turn 23. Capisce!

It didn't take much to convince myself to stay behind; this is where my reasonable, working girl self transcends. After all, I was scheduled to claim my much-awaited ROXY haul from Kams which we ordered online over at ROXY.COM about a month ago. Just so you know, I'm not entirely comfortable with this whole shop-and-tell, thing. It's like inviting unwanted judgement from a mass of strangers but I have to keep this blog afloat with fresh entries every now and then. I usually try to prove a point when drafting an entry but I guess I'm pleading the fifth with this one. It is what it is. I don't need to go great lengths to prove this is not bragging.

So what do we have here? First, some of the stuff Nanay got me from their annual anniversary trip abroad. She sure knows me well. I absolutely miss walking into an H&M store, I have a feeling I will, sooner than later. Next is my Roxy haul fresh from the West Coast <3 THANKS KAMS! Finally, we have a bunch of not-so-recent Topshop finds which have been sitting in my closet for the longest time :| karamihan sa kanila last year pa. 

Steering my blog into a different direction. I criiiiiinge at the term blogger and I've grown fondness for trivial everyday-adventure posts. Thinking of rounding up my favorite cheap thrills next!

Star Spangled Fantasy

Throw in some Uggs and I’d pass for a sell-out reality star doing her rounds in the grocery on a Saturday. Can’t help feeling inspired by all the laid back, boho dressing showcased by Coachella attendees. (aminin, nakakainspire talaga ang mga suot ng mga attendees!) Common factor? Skin, sheer, shorts, boots, flowers, swimwear and did I mention skin? Lots of ‘em! It’s as if showing your belly is a sine qua none to your presence. Times like these, hipster fashion is taking center stage but before you start singing Faux-chella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh allow me to elaborate more on my outfit.

Hemlines are reaching for the skies as the season marches on. This pair of American flag printed hotpants from Topshop is the perfect go-to denim if you want to stay away from the conventional denim cut offs. I love how it looks so laid back with the distressed hem and faded print as if it has aged beautifully (when in fact it’s my first time to wear them out). From Plain Jane to GI Jane. 

TOPSHOP swing cropped top | TOPSHOP shorts | Trunkshow lace up boots | Heart-shaped sunnies from Shop Calico (redeemed from Chictopia)

Headed to the Country Club for a round of Tennis and Bowling with my family on Labor Day. Yes, you read that right. Little Miss Sedentary right here suddenly came to her senses and decided to try out something completely new- sports! 2012 is boasting of its long list of "firsts", I am so proud of myself. Oh, please don't judge my bowling score, I was a lot better on the Tennis court than I was on the Bowling Alley. I tell you. 

I still take crappy blog photos. Heeeh! 

Ciao! Confining myself to Starvation Nation right about..NOW!