Cut to the Chase!

You, YES..YOU, are cordially invited to attend the virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony and be the first to preview the next chapter of my cyber habitat..

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! Scissors, anyone? Time to snip snip snip this perfectly tied red ribbon and unveil my newly-revamped personal space. I never take new ideas lightly and this proved to be the best so far. The light bulb in my head ignited an hour ago and the call of change was too good to hang up on. You could clearly tell my current state judging by my new blog name. I'm still in employment-limbo and this new chapter should mark the quest for my true calling. It may be tough to seek for a collinear career line bisecting the points of science, fashion and marketing, but a sequined-collar job, I guess that's what I'm going to look out for. AND YES I coined that while choosing the perfect filter for this one photo I posted on instagram. Clever moment, I thought to myself, why not adopt the term as my new blog name, right? It's like being granted the patent right to a particular invention without having to actually meet the relevant patentatibility requirements and their corresponding legal fees.

So that brings us to A Sequined-collar affair , a little play on the color scheme used to segmentize different fields of employment, with a little (okay, maybe a LOT) stroke of glamour to its name! Needless to say, I'll also be moving to a new blog address which is more responsive to any risk of name-change! Starting next week, I'm moving to www.ana-reynoso.blogspot.com (As my Megan-old self would say it, that's triple-dubya-dot-Ana-dash-Reynoso-dot-blogspot-dot-com ). Unless of course an evil Ana Reynoso takes over the blogging world and screws up my predetermined and aforementioned new blog address, THEN we'll have a problem.

Until then, I'll be seeing you. 

From cloud 9 to ground zero to square one

Before my personal space spirals down the blogging black hole, allow me to salvage it this one time by tossing in a fresh entry. So what could this blog possibly missed out on? From a seemingly all-time career high, my go-kart on the corporate race track came to a halt and went berserk. Okay I'm exaggerating. Grown-up life happened and I filed my resignation earlier this month. Nothing major. I can't keep on allowing people to put me in a position when and where they feel like it. It's been 12 months, what the hell am I chopped liver? I believe I've shown enough resilience over the past year, but it's my personal happiness and sanity on the line, then we HAVE an issue.

I have a natural tendency to act negatively towards change. But not this time. You know those "it's time"-moments when you suddenly have to part ways with something you've been holding on to dearly (case in point: my beloved job) but deep inside you know it couldn't have happened in a better time. Sad consolation, but better than none, right? This may also be the perfect opportunity for me to pursue something else and invest in my future. I'm afraid I am enjoying my much-needed staycation for now, hogging the TV all to myself and running series marathon until I literally fall asleep.

I may have sounded the panic button a little early on. Technically, unemployment starts next week and so far, I realized there's no need for me to chase down every opportunity.  If it's for me, it will come. I don't want to commit to a new job just  for the sake of working and earning and busying myself until something better comes along, I mean, where's the fun in that right? haha

ANYWAY. Posting a recent photo of me after a long day of lunch out and shopping with my parents. In an Olivia&Fifth dress which is gorgeous but breast cancer-inducing. Go figure, HAHA/

ANYWAY, God-knows where I'm off to so while at it I am exploiting the wonders of television. Currently hooked on this new Amy Sherman-Palladino series! 

Young, stressed but girl you're well-dressed

The sight of virtual cobwebs and the dingy smell of abandonment. I have been snoozing my last-entry incubation alarm off for the past few weeks. Frankly my mind could maximize the full two day break each week aka weekends doing absolutely nothing. Drafted a few entries only to crumple the idea and shoot 'em straight up to the dumpster at the end of the day. What have I been really up to for the past month?

My idea of a perfect weekend involves some peace and quiet at home, popping in my favorite series for an all-day eye sore-inducing series marathon. I can only take light comedy-drama story lines given a very stressful busy weekday schedule, it's the least I can do to desaturate my brain and simmer down stress levels. Putting my obsession over West Coast teen dramas (The O.C., 90210, The Hills, etc.) aside, it's a long way down Route 66 which brings us to Sunny Arizona to play The Lying Game. 

I anticipate teen-series like a cult follower. I knew this was bound to be a hit on day 1, it had me on Sara Shepard adaptation. Basically revolves around the twins-separated-at-birth with their lives bound by a huge web of lies- kind of plot. I find it a little less dragging than Pretty Little Liars with leads leading them into actual useful facts on the search for their biological mother. Each episode is sure to leave you wanting more. Trust me!

Exhibit B. This is an instant pick-me-upper, a far cry from the suspense, mystery that is the Lying Game.

It took me a few re runs before I got hooked with the series. It's got a little Devil Wears Prada going on and I love it. Very entertaining and fasyown!

When not at home being a professional couch potato on weekends, I face the everyday stresses of the working class on most days of the week. This week has been particularly surprising in a good way. Not technically promoted, but as far as functional guidance-directives is concerned, I just took half a step up in the corporate ladder :) reporting straight to our country business manager, aka the big boss! (Bypass'ed a supervisor and a manager I once reported to). The sound of it is a wee bit scary but the challenge is what I'm up for. You don't expect to further your game by always staying on the safe side right? And then there will always be prospect game changers in the form of *coughs* higher-paying *coughs* job opportunities. Turning it down and sticking to what your gut feeling tells you. Salary isn't always the clincher. 

With the progress I'm making at work, compensatory treats are in order. Some Thursday ago was an "I made it" -kind of day. Hopped in my car right after working overtime and went straight to the mall. For a few hours I felt like an accomplished young professional shopping after hours. Naaaks! Everything I bought is within reason (and budget). This is the part when I'm squealing with excitement..

..Because gold paper bags never fail to elicit squeals of delight..Some things go swiftly when unplanned. It feels an awful lot different spending money from your own pocket and not your parents’. Yes, those gruesome hours and near-break down moments stressing over deadlines finally paid off. My first after-office trip to the mall alone turned out to be a very fulfilling one :) :) :) :) 


I barely have time between work and rest and this entry has been idly sitting in my drafts folder for nearly a month now. Publishing just for the heck of it.. 

Walking on sunshine

The past few weeks have been anything but. My long standing battle with colds is still quite pressing and to make matters worse, I had to endure a few days with a bloody nose. Not the most convenient when you’re out and about. I was forced to tag along a family lunch in Alabang on Laguna Day Holiday because my dad operates our house ala Army Rangers, No Man Behind; specially the casualty. I was forced to buy myself mochi ice cream for dessert which served as a makeshift ice bag (whilst ‘twas thawing) to cease the bleeding. Two for the price of one.

On the abovementioned Holiday, I patiently watched my mother and sisters shopped for shoes while I literally stayed on one corner, bleeding. If there’s anything I got from a very simple childhood rearing by my folks, it’s to never compromise quality over quantity; which does not out rightly suggest go buy expensive, by the way. I have been taking a detour around Rustan’s to avoid the display rack housing this pair. I’ve done so successfully for the past few months until recently. I walked out of the store in them. END OF STORY.

Then there’s always work to whine about. I was never really the complaining type (Yes, people change). A key strength noticed by our Big Boss who I happen to be directly reporting to. Brownie points. I recently got on board the monotonous-work wave, aftermath of which is slacking off. I got a bitch slap of reality: maintain your best despite a dwindling motivation, keep it professional. I still think I have a spankin’ job, even with three full months spent in the office and not a single business travel. If there’s anything I miss, it’s sitting in a coffee shop or fancy restaurant in Bacolod to meet with haciendero clients, and really guapo hacienderos at that!  For the record, wholesome ang trabaho ko. 

Bat your eyes girl, be otherworldly

Count your blessing, seduce a stranger

Relax, it's a song. Sometimes I feel like breaking into a happy dance for no apparent reason. Then there are times when I just want to stay in a corner, curl up in a ball and die. Hi blog, your momma's back. In case your mental image of my face lost its luster, well I'm plastering a new one right about now. I exude the afterglow of a burnout star after having too much to drink from the fountain of youth. At least I'd like to think I'm 21 years young in this photo. Boy, how many times have I actually looked younger than my age? We're not getting any younger. 

Spring 'Flea' Queen

Shopping without the guilt trip. Who said it’s impossible to fit those two in one sentence? Forget the price tag, baby. Behind this maarte façade and seemingly brand-crazy persona, I‘ve grown fondness for vintage and thrift finds readily available online. Ahh, the thrill of finding something I like without dropping my half-a-month's paycheck for an item or two. Sometimes though, the price premium of online thrift shops is still above what I’m willing to shell out for used clothing.


So I found myself on a mission to go on my first thrift shopping experience in thrift stores locally known as Ukay Ukay.  After all, who doesn't love a good bargain? I ended up waving the white flag after nearly an hour into the mission and went home empty handed. What went wrong you ask? The clothes were ridiculously overpriced at Php155 for an item. I’d always envy my sister Ela when she’d go home with a handful clothes from Ukay trips with her friends, dropping only a few hundred for about 5 separates. Php155 could’ve gotten her about 4 pieces already, a far cry from the price range the store was offering.

With actual Ukay-hopping off my list, I have to make do with what the World Wide Web has to offer. Decided to pool the clothes I got at bargain prices, I can only remember as far back. Here’s a quick run-down of the best bargains I’ve scored around the cyberworld and beyond.

• Prairie Girl. (Php 200) Crazy about floral chiffon dresses that double as office wear. This has a- Little House on the Prairie going on with the adorable neckline and the capelet feature.
• Ice Princess. (Php 200) I knew this will never work as a dress with my 5’6’’ frame but it’s too pretty to ignore. Don’t you just love the cut right below the waist plus the layers of thick lace that doesn’t make you itch? (nope, not even for a bit). I wore this over my footless tights and it looked pretty decent for work if you’re aiming for that just got out of skate practice- look. 

• Oriental Warrior Princess. (Php 350) It had me on the kimono sleeves alone. It's very office-appropriate and public commute-friendly. The fuchsia color is so retro I just had to cinch it with a blue belt. 

• Champagne Supernova. (Php 299)     I was randomly browsing through Penshoppe’s summer collection when I stumbled upon this beauty. Last one, my size..story of my life! I love the embellished waist making the dress look more expensive than its pricetag.

• Flapper Girl. (Php 100) Black Zara dress I scored from Patricia Prieto's booth during Bloggers United II. Trust me, a little black dress will come to the rescue of any social calendar emergency. 

• The Butterfly Effect. (Php 320)  I may not be able to sink my toes into sandy beaches but this cover up works wonderfully as casual wear. I absolutely despise wearing bras and anything tight fitting when at home and this tunic is the perfect weekend clothing without looking sloppy. I usually wear sports bra underneath so I don’t have to layer it over a tank top. And yeah, I don’t mind looking like a walking handkerchief sometimes.

• Valley Girl. (Php 300) Scored this from Patricia Prieto’s booth at Bloggers United 1! It was love at first sight from her spread in Candy Magazine back in 2010; fast track to the next summer, it was already up for grabs at the first installment of Bloggers United. One of my favorite finds ever! Reminds me so much of this dress from Valley Girl episode of Gossip Girl. 

I'm no Flea Queen but who can resist a good bargain? I sure can't. End of season sale is just around the corner.I don't know about you, but I'm hiding my debit & credit cards! 

The rest is still unwritten

Who are you and what have you done to Ana? I woke up one morning feeling completely psyched going back to school. Zeroed in on enrolling myself in business school, actually. That week came by like a whirlwind, discussing matters with my parents from making successive calls to the admissions office to consolidating all necessary documents required for application. I knew my 10-month Marketing+Admin work experience in a multinational company isn't going to vouch for my one-way ticket in grad school, much less in business school? I couldn't grow balls to phone in this crucial inquiry but getting an answer was way better than not having any hunch at all. I'd like to know, despite my 10-month work experience, would my application be given fair consideration for admissions? I got a crisp, in-your-face NO. Point blank. Okay, it was more of a Not Now. It stung to hear the admissions officer explain further why I have to defer my application for the next 3-4 years. He made perfect sense, though.

Despite being quasi-rejected and under-qualified for formal graduate school education, I took a moment. Deep breaths, tear-soaked tissues later and a solid 10-minute spent blankly staring at my computer screen, I went back to work. Delay doesn't always mean denial. For now, it's project self-improvement for me. Thinking of continuing my stalled intermediate French language lessons, reading news headlines, etc.

I've been itching to go back my school to further my game in the corporate ladder. Apparently, the process reciprocates. You also have to gain the necessary work experience to make you cut for graduate school. It's a cut throat world, needless to say. Invest in your mind.