Off-Duty

One subject I really enjoy googling is "celebrity off-carpet looks" or "model-off-duty looks". Don't you just love how they can pull off the simplest ensemble yet still look glamorous?

I'm not a fan of her but I do love her off-carpet looks! I'm still searching for a button down shirt dress just like this one.

I'm such a huge fan of Lauren Conrad who keeps it simple and classy.

 There are days when I just want to hide my make up-free face under huge sunglasses and keep my hair in a messy bun. Of course, you can just never go wrong with a plain white tank and a pair of jeans as your go-to peieces during dress-down days. I find this outfit as the perfect canvas for accessorizing so I threw in my chain fringe necklace from Anagon. Notice how I'm not wearing any other piece of jewelry.

Swing crop top from Topshop // Skinny jeans from Mango // Red platforms from Soule Phenomenon // Sunglasses from Christian Dior // Chain fringe necklace from Anagon

The first photo is obviously an outtake as you can see, I caught something in my eye. I ended up liking the whole paparazzi-ish effect.

I find myself overdressed on too many occasions so I turn to off-carpet looks for inspiration on how to keep it simple and chic. Common elements are scarves, loose tops, skinny jeans, leggings, sandals, sunglasses and statement purse.

Trying out different poses, thanks to my creative team - my sisters! I had no intention of putting my face in my header but the pictures turned out great.

Voila! I had a sudden change of heart when I saw this shot

Big thanks to everyone who are dropping by and following my blog. It's very overwhelming.

Getting There

This serves as a wake up call for me who is still stuck in the Technical Analysis part of my manuscript. Two more months before April 23 and I still have about 7 weeks to keep my act together. I'm bracing myself for sleepless nights and dress-down days but what the hell. Eternal glory awaits! (Harry Potter term, ring a bell?)

I really hate these internet breaks I'm taking too often but that somehow keeps me alive and saves me from the monotony of my work. How can I not get distracted? Pretty sights here and there.

My mom would always catch me wandering in cyberspace in search of pretty clothes. I just can't help it, they fuel me. While we're at it, here's another motivation for me:

I finally got to try on my future/possible graduation dress *fingers crossed*. It's from a local online brand that has consigned items with Crossings Department Store. Gotta love the classy wallpaper in the dressing room!

You're probably wondering how I still have the time to blog, well simple : I need a breather from all this scientific writing. I consider blogging as a mind exercise. Speaking of which, I'm seriously considering that 30 DAY CHALLENGE circulating around blogs so readers and passers-by can get to know about me more. It doesn't necessarily need to be done everyday right? Or does it? What do you think? Plus I want to chronicle all the deets in case I don't make it out of college alive! Kidding! Praying and keeping my hopes up :) No way I'm succumbing to this manuscript! I am more fueled than ever.

Plans after college you ask? I would love to go back to school, but not before I land a job. I'd love to try my luck as a flight attendant. My classmates think I'm cut for that (if only they know about my pressing fear of long haul flights and heart wrenching turbulence!). I'd be needing a job after college since I wouldn't want to depend much on my parents. It's about time I give something back to my family. Going back to school is another goal to increase my competence in the world out there. I'm not looking into a Masteral degree but more on something related to communication whether spoken or written, or maybe both.

But before I get ahead of myself, I have a manuscript to write and study. No time to waste. No time to waste. Last 7 hell weeks are sure going to be worth it!

Greek Chic

 

Fresh from the sale rack, I wore this super comfy one shoulder pleated tunic from Topshop . If you look closely, the fabric has silver stripes which narrowed down my choices for jewelry. I wore the dress with my silver satin pumps from Forever 21 and topped the look with silver hoops (my favorite) from Tommy Hilfiger.



ke$ha wearing the black version of the dress (photo from Google)

Stephanie Prat wearing the printed version (photo from Google)

Photo from Topshop

Topshop Lurex Pleated Dress // Forever 21 satin pumps // Tommy Hilfiger hoop earrings // Black purse from the US


Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day :)

 _________

By the way, I don't know what's wrong with Chictopia but I couldn't upload new looks

Pre-Valentine's Date

Sundays are usually spent by hearing mass at 9AM followed by a brunch somewhere before heading home and relishing the remaining time of the weekend. We woke up to a different alarm earlier, to our surprise. Mom was asking if we wanted to hear mass in Makati instead. The last time I checked, she made it clear (at least to me) that we will avoid malling as much as we can since malling means spending (and that's not good). We ended up spending the day in Ortigas, killing our feet by taking the Megamall - Shangri La - Megamall - Podium route. Of course, not to mention the countless hours spent inside the mall walking.

We first went to Megamall since it was the closest to where we were and checked out Forever 21 first. I really love going there during the first hour because the crowd is still under control. After an hour or so, we transferred to Shangri-La (I just don't want to call it Shang, ok?) just because my mom was feeling nostalgic. haha kidding! She said she wanted a different "scenery" this time because we're usually in Alabang or Makati. The first thing we did was look for something to eat because my baby brother's already hungry. We settled for Wendy's ; I can't remember the last time I actually ate there.

I haven't eaten Frosty in AGES!

Meet Baconator!!

Some Payless Shoe Store, Aldo, Accesorize and Crossings Dept. Store later, I came face to face again with Topshop. Just when I thought the End of Season Sale couldn't get any better, the clothes were now on a Buy One Get One free promo apart from the 50% off dicount! INTENSE. I was very lucky to catch the last day since the promo was only for the weekend. What are the odds! I know I went on a self-imposed shopping ban since my mother isn't too happy with this habit of mine. I wasn't really expecting anything since I am penniless but the moment I entered the store, everyone was seriously going crazy over what's left of the sale. (So I joined in the riot) There were a lot of good buys still and stocks were an awful lot more compared to the branch I visited in Alabang 2 weeks earlier.

 Sorry for the sucky photos, I was obviously shaky and giddy when I took this. Or I was perhaps, sprinting my way to the store! I decided not to bring my camera again because I know we'll be walking all day and the least I want, is a heavy purse. All photos taken by Jose's iPod. 

Isa was lucky to spot the sweater she's been eyeing on for half a year already. The only thing missing is a "take one" and I know the only chance of me getting something is by freeloading from my sister's purchase. I don't stand a chance against my mother's quota-ka-na stare. Most of the clothes on sale are dresses, skirts and girly tops (apart from Winter wear) and all of those don't exactly belong to my sisters' closets. While thinking of a game plan on how we can ask my mom to buy the sweater, I glanced upon the sale rack to see this skirt that I fell in love with last summer! I took it regardless of the size since it was the only one left and it happens to have the same price as the sweater. I was still feeling extremely giddy so before heading to the fitting room, I grabbed some more clothes to try on. My mom was already waiting by the cashier to pay for Isa's sweater and I know we're on the verge of a heated argument if she sees me clutching more clothes. I was, and still is, shocked/surprised/astonished that my mom told me to pile my clothes on top of the cashier's counter! I love you Nanay :)

Sorry I just had to. I can't stop staring at them.

We had to calm our nerves so we stopped by for coffee and the view from the 6th floor is just amazing!

I noticed how long the escalators are that they actually skip 1-2 floors. After giving our feet some well-needed rest, we walked back to Megamall and back to Forever 21 to go back for the items we checked out that morning. As expected, it was crowded, typical for a Sunday afternoon that after paying at the cashier, we dashed out of the store and straight to Aldo to pick up Isa's sparkly sneakers! We've been eyeing that pair since it came out a year and a half ago. How can you not love Sale Season?

Froyo break!

Ela was able to score the sequined beanie at Accesorize! Imagine how our face lit up when it was finally put on sale at 70% off. We saw the exact same beanie at their branch in Singapore but it was too expensive. We were scheduled to meet up with Tatay at Podium a little after 5PM and when we got to Podium, the first store we checked out was Topshop. I really love that branch since it's not too crowded compared to other branches. The plan was to just "look around" and we did. Until both my sisters saw their most coveted dresses both on sale. That pretty much changed the plan!

photos from Topshop website

 Straight from the Holiday Collection! I was so happy for Isa I pretty much talked her into getting this one. The branch in Shangri-La had this but only in the smallest size imaginable. We were close to not seeing this pretty thing since the rack was overflowing with clothes! Thank God for my sister's keen eye she was able to safely retrieve this chiffon frock from the rack! Best part: it's her size and the it's the only one left!

AND IT FITS HER PERFECTLY :) Ela was also able to buy the floral dress she saw before ; not her size but it was the last one in stock! We can always have it altered down right?

I just adore my sister's outfit in this photo.

I had no outfit plan in mind so I just grabbed a white tank and a pair of jeans. Dressed it up a bit by wearing chained fringe necklace and rings.

We had dinner at this restaurant called Florabel and the food is just superb. I kinda wished I brought my camera with me but then again, I'm not a fan of taking photos in public.



Creme brulee my favorite!

So that wraps up my spontaneous shopping trip slash pre-Valentine's date with my family. You probably noticed by now how I like to narrate my day from start to finish. I like taking photos and posting them and writing the story behind them. Though it may pass as "bragging" to some, I'd like to believe it's not bragging if it's true. As bloggers, we all want to channel our creativity through words and photographs (but not limited to). It's a matter of respect.



Couldn't have said it any better myself!
We all went home happy and freaking tired. Nothing beats guilt-free shopping during sale season.

 I'm on a different writing mood because I'm working on my manuscript which requires more scientific knowledge than creative. Wish me luck!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day :)

Scarlet Fever

Sunday Mass and brunch with the family. I'm wearing a vintage button-down shirt dress which I unearthed from our attic. I've had this when I was still in grade school believe it or not. I've always been the tall girl back then until I stopped growing when I reached 17. I have no plans of lifting my shopping ban hence I've been on my toes lately, scouring our attic for plausible treasures like this one.

It's my third time to wear this dress and frankly, the first time to wear it out. It would never occur to my 11-year old self to wear a belt with this dress to give it the shape it badly needs. I'm not one to easily give away my clothes since I always consider possible future use.

I wore my red Latoya platforms from Soule Phenomenon  (inspired by Jeffrey Campbell Lydia platforms in wine) to bring this outfit to life.

Jeffrey Campbell Lydia platforms (top)
Soule Phenomenon  Latoya Platforms (bottom)

 It's my post-holiday treat for myself which pretty much cost me my entire Christmas earnings (napamaskuhan). I had a tough time deciding which item is worth draining my wallet for and as superficial as it sounds, I went for this pair. Many thanks to the persistence of my sisters who convinced me to go with this pair. We had a long-running debate which usually happens when we're left to choose between red and black. Black pretty much goes with everything but red looks too divine to pass up. Obviously, red won this time.

That's me in my very un-glamorizing get-up, carefully opening up my delayed package last week.

I fell into a sudden shoe coma just as my feet touched the foot bed of my new pair. My highest heels to date (almost 6inches) are surprisingly comfortable and I'm not exaggerating. I love this pair so much so expect to see more of this on my next posts :))

I'm wearing a button-down shirt dress from Ralph Lauren, red platforms from Soule Phenomenon , blue aviator shades from Forever 21 and a monogram speedy 35 from Louis Vuitton.

Thank you Ela for taking my photos :)

My sisters and I are on a Pretty Little Liars marathon! Happy Sunday Everyone ;)