Crop it like it's haute!

Exploiting the season while midriffs are still basking in its skin-is-in moment. Crop tops sure came a long way since the Spice Girls glory days circa 1990 and now they come in all form of shapes and sizes - ruffled, bandeaus, bustier cut, etc. - to suit any body type.

I've had my eyes on the cross over bustier style since Balenciaga gave birth to it and as far as "inspired pieces" go, I think Sabo Skirt was the first to commercially mass produce this design. It's one of those pieces tucked in the priority section of my closet for half a year now but couldn't muster the courage to wear them out since it is particularly tricky to find the perfect undergarment for this. 

Blazers are not strictly for 9-5 dressing and soon you'll be rocking them from 5-9, too! The short suit trend (co-ordinates) came sweeping the runways faster before you can say 'Androgynous'. The key to sartorial perfection is choosing the right silhouette for your body. My wide, manly shoulders turned out to be an excuse to wear oversized blazers (okay, I'm down to size 4, straddling between Small and Medium and Medium is obviously big on me boohoo). The bottom is the tricky part because they ran out of sizes and I had to settle for a size 4 (small) but turns out, it falls perfectly on my 'true' waist and it doesn't pose a serious risk to my recently-yanked-out-and-still-recovering belly button piercing. 

Neo Mex shorts, blazer, Link Top, waterfalls necklace all from Sabo Skirt | Yves Saint Laurent Le Sixieme chain bag | Stradivarius studded t-strap sandals

Ta-da! Don't be intimidated. While a short suit looks effortlessly formal (read: Power Dressing) by default, how you style it will ultimately set you apart from the next girl.

• Printed Matter - Plain blazers are timeless but printed ones can be recycled just as much. Printed coordinates can be worn together or recycled with other articles of clothing when worn as separates! Printed shorts can be worn with chiffon blouses and the printed blazer can go with dresses or plain bottoms. 
• Inner wear as outer wear - What you wear inside your blazer makes a world of difference. High waist bottoms and cropped-anything are match made in sartorial heaven. If you've been itching to wear crop tops but you're a little uncomfortable showing too much skin, this is the perfect outfit to wear it with! Besides, I don't think this trend was made for a real, serious, 9-5 business setting anyway (it is office inspired--at the very least). It's about crossing over some pieces of your office wardrobe to your Socials wardrobe. 
• And this is the part where I interrupt to reiterate the importance of balance in dressing. It is okay to show some skin. The blazer balances everything out. 
• The perfect shoes - Strappy sandals are the perfect choice for casual power dressing. It makes the short suit a little less formal and more relaxed. I went with a teal-colored footwear to complement the prints of my outfit.
• Ana on chains - If eyebrows can make or break your make-up, accessories are equally powerful to do the same. I went with a silver tone waterfall necklace as the statement piece (which doubles as a cover up to my chest area). Brilliant, huh?

Kisses,
A

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There's no greater high than being on air

I spent nearly 3 years in college as a volunteer student broadcaster for the premiere college radio in the country, DZLB-FM 97.4. I thought I'd retire the 'jock thing' by age 20, but an opportunity unexpectedly came knocking in and I knew right then and there it was worth the risks of answering.

My college friend Nikko invited me (along with my best friend Kams) to be on his morning show in 99.5 PlayFM. Nikko and I broadcasted in college together for a 2-hour music countdown program, which is the closing program every week. 

Rusty as I was, I found myself sitting comfortably in the booth after more than 3 years of non-radio activity. It was like rekindling an old romance; recalling my infatuation with broadcasting is bittersweet. For one, I know it is something I want but I have other commitments that cannot be undone at this stage. 

For now my little stint on national radio will continue to be a part of this year's highlights, among a few others :) I can't thank Nikko enough for giving me a chance to live my dream even if it was just for 3 hours. It made the stressful commute, missed class and everything in between so fucking worth it!

So nope, video did not kill the radio star. Priority did. Kidding

Sweepstake 'Ana'

Nine days into 2014, I was rendering overtime work, totally minding my own business when I mindlessly checked my personal email out of habit. Just like my initial reaction to when I read the Topshop Unlock Your Wardrobe email last year, I thought it was just one of those spam messages:

It was one gruesome Thursday (which by the way is the longest day of my week with a 3-hour class sandwiched between working hours) so I initially blanked out and had to take a moment to absorb what was happening. I FUCKING WON THE WISHLIST SWEEPSTAKES! MISS SELFRIDGE -- That's Topshop's fancier, dressier and flashier sister. Anything Topshop or Topshop/Arcadia group-affiliate, I'm an instant convert. The email lost me in the product name overload so I had to recall my picks from a selection of 12 items from the lot. 

Contest Mechanics: From a selection of 12 items, the participant must create her own wishlist with 4 items and submit the wishlist online. It was that easy.

I'm easily blinded by stylish and fancy pieces so I was drawn to the Snow Fairy dress with beaded bodice. The jewel neck skater dress came in close second because of the classic silhouette and neck embellishment. I selected the shoes to pair each dress because I have serious issues with pairing. If I get stand out piece, I'm gonna have to get something to match it with. To be honest, it NEVER crossed my mind that my wishlist would be chosen because I already won the Topshop contest last year. :) 

See my honest lack of thought? Had I know, I would have chosen a more casual selection I can wear at work or school on most days. But no regrets, I am absolutely obsessed with these pieces.

Last Wednesday, I had to leave for Manila straight after work to meet my best friend (entry to follow). I had to take a quick detour to Greenbelt to claim my winnings. I was reeling with anxiety considering the complaints raised by the other two winners (one received the wrong sizes for 3 out of 4 items; the other had to bring home a substitute to one item; the other winner,I am not so sure of because only the three of us were looped in the email communication). In my head I knew I was doomed for something bad.

I would say lady luck was on my side that day. Seeing the items individually wrapped in white Japanese papers and neatly tucked into separate bags made me so giddy. This may have been a far cry from the other branch, which I heard stowed all prizes in one bag. The supervisor warmly welcomed and congratulated me while my IDs were being verified et voila! Three shoppingbagsfull:

Look # 1. Edgy Kate Middleton

Look # 2. Winter Fairy

This was just the start of a string of good news this month. Isn't it absolutely amazing how good news can easily turn a bad day upside down?

I would like to thank RSSI, Miss Selfridge and Schmuzter for this loot :) And Thank you God for always walking with me. 

PS. 'Sweepstake Annie' is a movie. Yup, you're welcome. 

(Sabo) Skirting the Issue

Nobody does summer dressing better than Sabo Skirt - that I can assure you. While their pieces are mostly not for the faint of heart, there will always be something for every taste. 10 articles of clothing, 4 parcels and 1 magic plastic a-blazing, I am not done professing my unwavering obsession for this brand.

Despite the voluminous delivery backlogs at my local customs, my package miraculously turned up in my doorstep within the 10 business-day delivery period. (Per Sabo Skirt policy, international delivery takes 5-15 business days) 

Nothing says therapy like retail therapy :)

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it

Belly button piercing and life lessons

I've hurdled through countless body issues with my cutesy belly button piercing for the last 7 weeks and picked up some lessons along the way.

1. This IS the true test of patience, I'm telling you. Granted a belly button piercing takes forever to heal, it's sure to keep you on the edge for a while! And while you think you are immune to any form of infection because you are highly sanitary, trust me, you wouldn't know infection til it slaps you on the face.

Reasons why you need patience, and I mean lots of it:

• You have to let your body heal the piercing naturally, you can't have it any other way. You have to completely eliminate, if not minimize, contact with any substance -- from sweat to soap, etc., except for clean water (with a pinch of sea salt).
• You can't give up on the after-care triple-S. Yes, you will be sea salt-soaking for a few months. Sea salt is the ONLY recommended solution for cleaning. This should be coarse/fine and non-iodized. (and now, we're not talking about a regular, table salt here).
• Those dangly cute belly button rings are a long way to go. Think 3 to 4 months before you can safely have them changed. Considering it doesn't get infected, you should be fine. 
• The healing process is a tug-o-war. One day it looks fine and the next, it's lymphing. (and this is how it's going to be for the next few months)

2. Embrace change. Getting your navel pierced calls for a slight change in routine. 

• For the last 20 plus years I've been sleeping on my stomach. On the first night after getting pierced, I only slept for two hours. Took me a while before I got used to sleeping on my back because practically, I don't have much choice. 
• Having a new belly button piercing limits your choice of clothing. 
• You can't wear anything tight-fitting, 
• Button-downs can snag on the jewellery, 
• Jeans can give you frontal muffin while seating which tends to push the jewellery upwards
• High-waist anything can kill you (seriously, just imagine the pain of having a waist band tightly wrapped around your navel area) 

3. Live a little. This is trial and error. Just because it worked for someone else, doesn't mean it's going to be the same for you. Let me walk you through the hazards and normal reactions:

• Initial stages - the piercing is prone to infection which can cause severe lymphing, bleeding and then scabbing
• Interim - allergic reaction to temporary jewellery, migration (movement from original pierced area -- totes normal)
• Final healing - REJECTION. DUN DUN DUNNNNN

It's a long way to go and sometimes it keeps you from enjoying/appreciating :) LIVE IN THE FUCKEN MOMENT.

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.