For the Love of Leopard

On any given day, I walk at least 44 blocks to and from work. It's actually a fantastic commute—I just stroll down First Ave, under the 59th St Bridge, and cut over to Third. I think it's very good for my temper that I don't try to squeeze into a rush-hour 6 train, but the havoc that my walk wreaks on my feet? Not so much. Pumps are out of the question, and I'll only wear wedges when I'm desperate. (I keep a pair of each under my desk). (Obviously).

I'm crushing on a good pair of flats that, comfort and endurance aside, will make an easy transition to the office. My Bensimon sneakers won't cut it (cute as they are) and my satin Marc by Marc boat shoes are already really pissed that I let them near the gritty sidewalks of Chicago. These Madewell leopard print skimmers ($118; Click to Buy) are perfect. I love the pointed toe and the honest-to-God calf hair. Bonus: they're neutral enough to match almost everything, but still add a playful touch. And it's at moments like this that I regret memorizing my credit card number. But are they worth it? Absolutely.


[photo cred to Atlantic Pacific blog, top, and here]

Fashion Math

Statement necklace + chic jacket = the perfect fall ensemble for the office.

[photo cred here and here]

Schoolgirl Twist

Peter Pan collars never fail to remind me of my whopping twelve years as a Catholic schoolgirl. I haven't gone near them since then, as they're not exactly flattering. Plus, after those twelve years, I never want to see a plaid skirt or knee socks or, of course, button down shirts with Peter Pan collars ever again. But this season, designers have gone a different route:

However, Peter Pan necklaces reimagined in tough metals? That's more edgy than schoolgirl savvy. The collared blouses themselves were all over the Fall/Winter 2011 runways, but so were the necklaces. And I love them. They're so versatile and can dress up a scoopneck tee in an instant (stay away from v-necks, however). They'd even look great worn over an actual collared blouse. I'd want to try it over something sheer and polka-dotted, in an uncomplicated black and white palette.

Here are my favorite ones:

Chanel, on the left, is light years out of my budget (duh), but the silver number is handcrafted and the perfect way to jazz up an otherwise simple ensemble.

[photo cred here and there]

Neat Or Naughty

Are you neat...or not? I line up my pencils and have everything in my room just so, whether it be parallel or color-coordinated or arranged in height order. Ever since I've moved to NYC, though, my apartment is so clean that it looks sterile. I kind of want to leave a drawer open and scatter jewelry across my hybrid desk/dresser. On the other hand, I wouldn't be able to sleep if my perfumes weren't arranged by their top notes. (Yep). (Top notes). (Yep).

What would you suggest? I can't decide whether I want to turn my room into a really pretty, feminine pigsty or leave it the way it is and paint the wall or something.


[photo cred here and there]

Little Bit of Leopard

I'm of the camp that when it comes to leopard, less is more. However, I've seen women who can pull off a leopard cardigan or even a pencil skirt. In its own right, the latter looks fantastic with a classic collared blouse and a good dose of confidence. Where do you fit in? Are you a little leopard lady or a lot?


(photo cred to 1, 2 and 3)

Nudes & Neon

And my new favorite pairing is...

                        Try a tasteful pochette in classic Tiffany blue     +     Rachel Zoe dress

(if you're a little more demure)

                           Pair an eye-popping fuchsia clutch            +             Dolce Vita dress

(if you're afraid of just about nothing)

Now I just need a bright, neon bag. I'm thinking a

Claire Vivier foldover clutch in in a vivid royal blue is just the thing.

[photo cred to 1 and 2]

Little Flowers

My jewelry style doesn't usually go beyond Tiffany & Co. silver studs and Alexis Bittar gunmetal hoops—simple, understated, etc. The craziest I get is stacking a tiny diamond ring with a very fake Chanel ring that I once discovered behind a drawer. These shots, though, have me pining for embellishment. Flower details are oversized and quirky, striking a sweet balance between ladies-who-lunch and straight-up gaudy. I could most definitely use a gem-studded cuff paired with... wait, are those zippered tweed gloves?

Things you don't need but really want and are probably going to hunt down anyway, no. 578: zippered tweed gloves.


[photo cred here and here]

Flower Child

New girl crush: my goal for the summer is to wear a light dress with a matching forehead headband (is that the right way to describe it?) and look half as adorable as her. How perfect is that little bow?

[photo cred to Noa Noa Spring 2011 catalogue and unknown, all via Everly True]

A Bit of Bubbly

I know that Valentine's Day is right around the corner, but I'm going to slowly back away from the reds and fuchsias... and into the arms of my new favorite hue of romance, champagne. It's sweet, subtle, and can make even a masculine blazer seem delicate. I'm down with all sorts of champagne too — extra dry, rosé, peach (my personal favorite), strawberry... then again, I'll drink anything as long as it's bubbly, sweet, and comes in a pretty flute.

Champagne hues work as a neutral (think an effervescent, shimmery version of camel or tan) or add a touch of metallic allure to an ensemble. Dresses and embellished underpinnings are the obvious go-tos for the shade, but I'm also loving the look of champagne with more androgynous jackets and frilly little extras, such as these J. Crew pouchettes available here and here. The best part? These purses are still big enough for you to tuck in a teeny flask of Peach Passion André for when the going gets tough, or when you get thirsty in between meetings. Or bored. Or when you figure that because champagne is a French word, it's perfectly appropriate to sneak sips during your French class. Raise your glass!

[photo cred, clockwise from top, 1 and 2 via Musings in Femininity, 3 via Patterson Maker, J. Crew, 4]

Glitter & Gold

Let me begin by saying that ban.do is absolutely genius. Joy, of Oh Joy!, mentioned the photoshoot for their new collection a few days ago, and I am so, so into it. This video, which documents the backstage happenings at the shoot, is full of everything that makes me a big sucker for the brand's cheeky accessories — sparkle, glitter, bright flowers, rosy pink lipstick, adorable bows, and ethereal fabrics.

I already have a sequined starfish headband that I always wear when on flights from New York to Chicago and back, because I love it too much to risk squishing it in my carry-on. Now, I need to buy some gold confetti immediately and just sprinkle it around my room. Or, for a little less clean-up, I might indulge in these pretty sequined hair clips. ban.do is even having a sale: enter "sharkpig" at checkout for 15% off anything in their New Arrivals section.

How's that for busting some midweek, midwinter blues? February, you're looking up already!

Scrap Gold: This post is supported by Birks Gold Exchange.

Freeze Frame

There are two types of people in this world: those who look good in glasses and those who don't, 20/20 vision notwithstanding. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. I've worn them since third grade, but never really considered them an accessory — that's just the sort of thing you overlook when you're almost legally blind and have to do everyone's math homework and still end up sitting by yourself at lunch, reading A Separate Peace and getting banana peels thrown at you. (The banana peel was only a one-time thing, I promise; I'm way cooler now).

Nevertheless, the genius of this ensemble lies in the details: the dark nail color, leather elbow patches (be still my heart!), and the black frames. The glasses tie everything together perfectly, but at the same time, the effect doesn't look at all contrived. It reads more edgy and intellectual than librarian, and gives her so much of the attitude that I never had in third grade. Tell me, are you super-cute in glasses or, like me, do you just slip them on before bed? (And if you don't wear glasses, you can take this time to count your blessings).


[photo cred to Elle Russia via charlie & marie]

Monday Morning (round two!)

Sue of The Zhush suggested that I mention the Condé Nast Café. It reminds me of a college dining hall, but in a graduated form - not unlike going from my grade school lunches (eaten at the desks in our classrooms because the school couldn't afford an actual cafeteria) to the real-deal cafeteria of my high school (benches? An outside patio?). You would think that the models, editors, and writers that inhabit the building would immediately float towards the salad station (I thought so, at least), but most people tend to eat sandwiches. It took an unfortunate trip to the salad station to realize why: the salad station sucks. Granted, I hate salad unless it includes something fat-laden to weigh it down, but this was truly terrible. On the bright side, the sushi bar that pops up every other day is fantastic. They offer brown rice, which is a huge plus. On another note, the tomato soup has also been a happy find (all credit due to one of my intern friends). Now let's talk about the sandwiches.

I consider myself something of a sandwich maven. I make them. I eat them. I love them. The cook was mildly alarmed by my request for mustard on my tuna sandwich (is that weird? They do it at Panera), but otherwise, he's been cheerful and always gives me an extra pickle. The seating area is very futuristic and was designed by Frank Gehry, which makes sense when you spot the wavy glass partitions and clean lines. For a moment, I thought I was in Epcot. The space is a little cold (figuratively and literally), and it's awkward to have to wear my leather jacket while eating a tuna sandwich (which stains, apparently). I feel like a couple of throw pillows could really add to the ambiance. I understand that fabric is the least practical thing to add to a dining area, but the cafe feels quite sterile and chilly. I feel uncomfortable there, which is why the other interns and I have made a habit of quickly purchasing our food and eating it out in Times Square, where there are tables and chairs set up in the middle of Broadway.

In honor of all of the Frank Gehry in the Condé Nast Café, I dug these earrings up from the heart of the my second dresser drawer. My parents gave them to me as a Christmas-Easter-next-three-birthdays gift, and I've hardly worn them since then because a) I don't really wear jewelry and b) I have no where to wear them because I'm twenty - where the hell am I going at this point in time? Now, as it turns out, I work at a beauty magazine. I was thrown $100 worth of beauty products and told to wear all of them (first reaction: "Will I be fired if I don't?!"). The natural next step was to wear jewelry. I own this pair of earrings, a pair of diamond studs, and a pair of zippers earrings (a look that quickly devolves when someone tries to "unzip" my ears). Naturally, these have saved my life:

Available here, they're understated and unique at the same time. I'm not a fan of hoops, but the curves of these allow me to get some shine without having to detangle my hair from them. I love to wear them when my hair is curly, because they blend in with the waves and are that much more subtle. Rediscovering these was so worth the very scary dive into my dresser; they add a good dose of class to a simple dress and flats, and the silver looks so fantastic with a swipe of red lipstick (compliments of the beauty closet). Do you have any older pieces that you've rediscovered recently? (Personally, I love how it feels like getting something new without having to pay anything).

[photo cred to AmateurGourmet]

Braids, Refreshed

Ever since Alexander Wang featured thick, rope-like side braids on his runway, they've been everywhere. Not only is my hair not nearly long enough to rock them, but they remind me of fishtails, which remind me of a time in Barcelona that I was served an entire fish for dinner, scales and all. Lucky for me, I was handed some inspiration from the Cherry Blossom Girl, who opted for a neat, thin braid and the sweet embellishment of a feather:

I love how subtle the braid is; it blends in with the rest of her hair and doesn't make a huge statement so much as add a touch of delicacy. Plus, I've been on A Midsummer's Night Dream kick (so much that my first two children will end up being named Peaseblossom and Mustardseed - probability that they will hate me, about one hundred percent) and a sweet feather or bright ribbon would indulge this obsession quite nicely. I'd even like to braid several small strands before pulling my hair back into a messy bun; it seems like it would be such a simple way to handle grown-out bangs. I'm definitely going to take advantage of this, although I may leave out the feather once I start my internships.

[photo cred to The Cherry Blossom Girl]

Monday Morning

How do I know summer is here? I hope out of the shower and immediately start sweating in my non-air-conditioned sorority house. I have three weeks, no fan, and eighty degree weather to endure until I go home. Plus three papers and two final exams. Can I do this? Can I?! Why am I even still at school? Why do I go to Northwestern? Why don't I just drop out and walk around Europe, like this guy?

Because my parents have me on a money string and they can reel it in. Womp womp.

I haven't bought a new bag in about ten months (this might be a rough estimate - a very very rough estimate), which means it's about time to buy a new bag. Isn't this so perfect for the summer?
The cream and tan are a fresh spin on a classic for the season, and the enormous bow brings it up to speed. I can't remember the last time I saw a cute white bag, much less with another overlooked neutral such as tan. Plus, oversized bows are less girlish than dainty ones, and the stripes on this just make it so cheeky. This will now make the cut from my want list to my need list (like everything else..).

Hope your week is off to a beautiful start!

[photo cred to SullyT64]

Monday Morning

Today is one of those Mondays that makes me want to curl up in my bed with hot tea and stare longingly at my pink tulips (hoping that they revive). On the bright side, I've figured out that I only have two more weeks of classes left. I miss my mom so much (no offense, dad). Why am I going backwards? As a freshman, I called my parents about once every two months to let them know that I was still alive and kicking. Now, I'm homesick. Karma, is that you?

I've seen Garance Doré's post offering a lovely basket-woven handbag (à la Jane Birkin) on many of my favorite blogs. It adds such a light, summery touch to any outfit and let's face it: basket matches everything. If you avoid wearing it with Birkenstocks and acid-wash jeans, you're in no danger of looking campy or too costume-like. Because Garance's purse was discovered in a tiny shop in St. Tropez, I took it upon myself to scour Etsy for an affordable and comparably adorable find:
Available here, this pick of the week redefines the word "bargain" and still fulfills my vintage fetish. The proportions and the details, such as the touch of color and metal latch closure, keep it from screaming "PICNIC." If I wasn't so afraid of looking at my debit card balance, I would most definitely shell out for this baby. Have a beauuutiful start to your week!

[photo cred to Belles Images by Sandra A.]

Camellia Conundrum

A few years ago, I spent my birthday in the Chanel flagship store in Paris. My mother offered to buy me a Chanel camellia pin for the occasion as my one and only present. I am not stupid. I mean, this was beyond going halvsies, which is what I usually try to pull. I said yes immediately. So, for a truly obscene amount of money that would cause my father nothing less than cardiac arrest, I acquired a classic, beautifully-made accessory that would last me a lifetime. Until I forgot to take it off a top and discovered sad little petals as I was folding my laundry. RIP, darling:

My mom bought me another camellia last Christmas as my one and only present. Please keep in mind that my mother is my favorite person on the planet, and the feeling seems to be mutual. I'm not trying to say that I'm not spoiled (could I even begin to make a case?), but it's not as though she throws a Visa at me before continuing to choose between Botox and Restylane. We're tight.
Anyway, I'd been under the impression that this rather small fabric camellia would be stylistically comparable to the enormous flowers that Carrie Bradshaw wears (for reference, Sex & the City Season 3 Episode 2 "Politically Erect). I'd never been so wrong. It looked like a snazzy cauliflower had sprouted and bloomed on my unimpressive decolletage.
Natch, I turned my eye to two designers known quite well for their tasteful use of embellishment - Chanel (obviously) and Vera Wang:

Alas, I'd figured out where I was slipping up. Although Vera Wang, shown on the right, doesn't use flowers specifically, the detail is placed together and in clumps. As I zoomed into this until my eyes began to bleed, I couldn't find any hint of this being a necklace other than its shape and placement, which work well to flatter and draw attention to the neckline.
Unfortunately, I can't reinvent my brooch as necklace. By can't, I mean I don't want to. So I turned to Chanel. Ah, Karl Karl Karl. When you fail, you fail hard. This isn't very tasteful at all. I understand the sentiment behind the flowers on the bodice, but the skirt? Really? Truly? Nevertheless, look beyond tackiness and notice that generally, the flowers are once again positioned in groups. They're not overpowering, nor are they too unimposing and forgettable and, let's face it, awkward.
Unfortunately, I have better things to do than shell out several hundred dollars on a silk flower. Or the several that are, apparently, necessary to make them work. I have one, I'll have it forever, and I'll try not to leave it in the laundry or squirt ketchup on it. I plan on buying small pins, grey or silver organza (or tulle, whichever I find first), and ribbon. I'll fashion some myself and won't bat an eye when I set one on fire. That way, I can cover myself in flowers and no one will be the wiser.

To Fringe or Not to Fringe

Let's talk about fringe. Am I a fan? Not really. Plus, I'm self-aware enough to understand that if I were nervous, I'd be inclined to pull on the fringe and break it off. I don't wear boots with spurs and I don't wear cowboy hats (neither of which are even acceptable north of the Mason-Dixon line), so why oh why would I fall for fringe, however reluctantly?

Rule one: In order to reel in the nutso factor of fringe a bit, the fringe should be the exact same color as the piece. And I mean perfectly camouflaged. I cannot stress this enough. Compare these two little Free People chickabidees:

The fact notwithstanding that the model on the right looks like she's just finished up 150 years of chainsmoking, the black top works. Disregarding my natural bias considering I'm currently wearing said top, the fringe isn't garish or obvious upon first glance. They accent the neckline of the top instead of stealing the show entirely, and convey a vibe that's more "a top with fringe" than "BEWARE of fringe thicket." Now, a perfect example of the latter would be the maroon shirt on the left - same cut and material, but the fringe is a noticeably different shade than the base. The viewer's eye immediately zeroes in on the fringe, in the way that you can't help noticing a snaggletooth or a blue giant mole. Hence, exhibit a, why the fringe must match exactly; for fringe to work, it can only be an accessory, a back-up dancer to your Britney of an outfit.

Rule two: the fringe stands alone. This means no rhinestones, no studs, no garish shades, no daring patterns, and no odd textures throw in. Why?

That's why.

Rule three: the fringe cannot be as long as your hair. After a certain point, it crosses into Cousin It territory and leaves stylish far, far behind. Fringe shouldn't be the focal point of any outfit, even as a purse. Case in point:

It becomes a whole new creature. Where have you tethered your horse, Eva-Pigford-of-America's-Next-Top-Model-my-favorite-show-ever? It lacks tastefulness and refinement and ends up looking rather cheap. Perhaps this is a matter of preference, but shorter fringe tends to look more demure and delicate (as delicate as fringe can look). With the fringe this long and even layered, you take the chance of getting your watch lost in it. Or you run the risk of looking like you've recently swaddled your newborn baby, who has just been thrown into a paper shredder. It is OVERKILL. The bottom line is, bigger (or longer, in this case) is not necessarily better, it just depends on how you use it. Just like everything else.

sale in metro & book shopping

if i was the same person 3 months ago, i probably had strained my arms/ burned my pockets right now, cos SALE signs are everywhere! and thankfully, i'm NOT :)

today was a lazy sunday. i think i'm getting tired of going out every-so-often, that it came into no surprise that i'm home before 2am on a saturday night.

(from the private party/fashion show i attended last night... studying in FIP (Fashion Institute Philippines) is really tempting! :)

but sunday is also my favorite. its the time when i'm relaxing/ recovering from a hangover, wearing flats, acting lazy & pigging out, watching movies, etc. and today, we watched Trophic Thunder - which i think was hilarious! and i DO need this kind of movies! when i'm not in the mood for something 'to discuss' after, like 'who killed who?' whatever, you know :) cos i still can't figure out 100% *red faced* on what happend with the last movie i watched - Body of Lies - which reminds me, i should check it up in the internet later (^.^)

(h&m top. uniqlo jeans. h&m sandals. shades: gucci. bag: palermo. mixed accesories.)

on the other note, i feel proud i haven't accumulated anything new to my fashion-fancy, and nothing (really, nothing) makes me excited right now (or maybe, that topshop tank top i had been trying on forever...). but who needs new clothes in this lazy fasyon atmosphere? *sigh*... and these are the times when i missed living in china!

and i'm also excited to read the new books i purchased (and yes, they're the only stuffs i bought on sale today!) and though i know, i'm just cheating myself into believing that im not *quote & quote* shopping anymore, i can't resist buying books like these! :)

i had Nina Garcia's first book (Little Black Book of Style), while anything related to fashion & luxury (Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Lustre) tickles my fancy :) aaahh.. if ONLY i was this devoted to working, i'd already be a millionnaire! hehe.


PS. FASHION WEEK is coming next week! but I'll be flying somewhere! huuu... (and i promise the c-dubz pics soon!)

vacation blues

i know, i know. every time i go back from a vacation, i have this sort of vacation blues, and blogging seems to be the most unappetizing activity that comes after.

anyhoo, here's more pictures from HK :)

at central. wicked weather. rain + too much sunshine.

with my childhood friends, mickey & miney.

im such a disney baby! :)

i originally planned on wearing a schoolgirl outfit (with knee-high socks and the sorts), but i know my friends would kill me! pft. and besides, its still SUMMER over there! erk.

and i just noticed, i wore too much h&m!

top: h&m. skirt: h&m. shoes: h&m. necklaces: h&m. shades: h&m. long cardi: from hk. red suspenders: topman. bag: mng.

bright lights... in the city.

HK is definitely one of my fave shopping place, where you can just buy about anything...


and everything!!

top: from manila. leggings: zara. necklaces: h&m. shades: h&m.

vivi sept ish

just so you know, my current lifestyle doesn't involve any street style nor 'look what i'm wearing today' moments. i'm stucked. i'm lazy. people here raise their eyebrows when they see you dress in a NON- 'flipflops + jeans + shirt' ensemble, let alone colored /patterned tights, boots, furry jackets & trench, the so-called cut-out jeans-turned-shorts, and (my own) dad forbids me - micro pleated / leather skirts!

that is why, if i was in china or any other place today, i'd probably be wearing (or wud be shopping even!) the ff. items:

• those boots!! :)

• and patterned tights

• beret in stripes! and tan faux fur vest
  

• could this be a sign that i should start adoring PINK and stop hating it?? (i know, its one of my fave colored tights in my collection *weird*)
  

• and its so ironic that i HAVEN'T even worn the blazers i got from H&M before i came back to Manila!
  

• do i need a leather jacket in tropicaland?
  

• so casual yet chic.
  

then again, who CARES about raised eyebrows in the 20th century right??! (^.^)
(and i also realized, i get crazy "blogging" when i have all the time in the world! second post for today! ~haha :)


photo creds: vivi magazine