Growing pains.

Tags

kids' sandals, kids' shoes, SM department stor, Sugarkids

Summer is almost over,  flash in the pan, I must say.  Pun intended and deservedly so, with the heat we had to endure for the last couple of months. My daughter who loves traipsing around the house barefoot, will surely miss the feel of the cold tiles on her soles when she trades it for a new pair of school shoes.  My mom would scare her that her feet will look like “luya” or ginger if she doesn’t wear slippers but she would have none of it. 

We went on a roadtrip last weekend but when we stopped by a mall, she complained that the jelly sandals my mom gave her are hurting her feet.  She has been barefoot for so long that we didn’t realize that her feet grew again over the summer. I told her to pick out a pair of sandals in SM and this is what she got.  They are so cute on her and I’m jealous that it doesn’t come in my size.  The best part of it is that it only cost me PhP250 (roughly US$6). 

She spent the whole afternoon running, laughing and playing with her cousins. She had a blast and these sandals are so worth the smiles and the hugs I got at the end of the day.  My little Cinderella would never be found by her prince if her feet keeps growing at this pace, but hey, I don’t think she cares and her dad surely wouldn’t mind.

61 days of summer.

Tags

fashion, sandals, Style, summer, Summer Outfits

Last night, as the clock struck 6, a heavy downpour came down on the Metro.  This, I believe, ushered in the rainy season that some of us dread because of the floods that sometimes accompany it.  So before we all waddle in puddles, we still have a few days of summer and we might as well make the most out of our breezy outfits while the sun is still out.

A nice roadtrip to visit relatives in the province, a quick run to a nearby park or an evening out with the family to enjoy dinner under the stars still seems worth pursuing within the next couple of weeks.  The heat is excusable when we get dressed around the idea that summer will afford us a freedom that no other season will. I love soft summer dresses that do not wrinkle easily and do not require constant adjusting.  I don’t want to be put to a task of untagging myself from Facebook photos of myself exposing parts of me that would render an FB page SPG. 

“Tiis-ganda” (sacrifice for beauty) is a term I often hear whenever I see women in bandage dresses, sky-high heels and ultra short skirts that won’t allow them to sit comfortably.  But summer should be all about comfort, enjoying the nice weather and doing whatever fits your fancy, so let’s indulge and slip on our sandals while we still can.    Summer won’t be here for long, don’t say you haven’t been warned!

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites. Mostly from InStyle.com and Glamour.com, so thanks to my fave online mags! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the individual photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.  But I wish I could own the actual stuff.  Just sayin’.)

Beauty from the heart.

Tags

beauty, Beauty Product review, Gawad Kalinga, Human Heart Nature, Sunflower Oil

I have always been afraid to experiment with products from brands that I have not heard of, especially if I will put in on my skin.   Last Saturday, my bestie, Irene, gave me a gift, Sunflower Oil by HumanHeartNature.  She said it would help my daughter’s scars from insect bites lighten.  But my daughter was afraid it would sting so I showed her that it’s ok to put it on her skin and that it won’t hurt.  I massaged it on my arms…hmmm…wait a minute.  Then I put some more on my elbows…Mommy liked it.

That same night, I gently massaged it on my face, which is always dry.  The next morning, I expected my face to be all greasy, but to my surprise my skin wasn’t oily but hydrated.  After a few more nights, my face seemed brighter and the dullness of my dry skin is gone now.  I even dared to go to work yesterday without powder, just a little blush and lipgloss because I felt that my skin was delectably dewy that I didn’t want to mess with it.

The effectiveness of the product automatically made me think it was and imported item and thus, expensive so I searched for it and found out that it was only PhP129, roughly US$3.  And as if the surprises just weren’t enough here’s a few more things I found out:

• it’s organic;
• it’s a Filipino product;
• it was founded by Gawad Kalinga volunteers (Gawad Kalinga— which loosely translates as “providing care”,  is an NGO that helps the less privileged Filipinos and informal settlers to maintain their human dignity by helping them build their own homes and providing livelihood projects to help them work their way out of poverty)
• HumanHeartNature employs Gawad Kalinga residents.

I guess, it really is a miracle in bottle.  It makes you feel beautiful inside and out.  You can find their other products at Beauty Bar outlets or check out their site at http://humanheartnature.com. 

 

 

Ten things you need in your closet.

Tags

basic outfits, basic pieces, fashion, Style, Work Outfits

We always find ourselves looking at our closet that’s filled to the brim and realize we have nothing to wear.  With all those options, we need a few classics that will help us get through those days with little preparation.

Here are the five basic pieces we all need for work.

 

1. White button down shirt.  If you don’t own one, grab one from your husband’s closet.  I prefer mine crisp, a little loose and the hem drops right at my mid thigh.  I can wear it tucked in my slacks or skirt for work, or just easy and loose with a pair of dark leggings or skinny jeans.

2. Black blazer.  I am a little tall and a cropped blazer just looks weird on me, so I usually get those that hit the mid-hip.  I opt for finely tailored blazers that really fit well on the waist and shoulders.

3. Black slacks.  Some women look great in slim cut pants, others prefer them cuffed and I like them wideleg and long.  There is no magic formula in finding the right cut but when you try it on you’ll know when it feels just right for you.

4. Black skirt.  I love black skirts, especially when they hug you in all the right places.  You’ll know it’s too snug when you see lines pull across the front and it’s not pretty.  Black skirts are meant to add class not lessen it and along these lines, keeping it at an appropriate length would be great.

5. Black dress.  Just one rule.  The simpler, the better.  A good fit always ensures a great look.

Now you’ve got the basics, here are five more items that you can add to mix up your looks. 

6. Jeans.  If you plan to wear jeans on Casual Fridays, your best bet is a dark denim with no embelishments.  However, for weekends, boyfriend jeans just helps ease us into relax mode.

7. Colored tank tops.  I hoard tank tops and I love H&M for making them soft, stretchy and forgiving to imperfect figures.

8.  Cardigan.  It’s not as stiff as a coat but it keeps you looking sharp.  It also keeps you warm when it’s cold and covered up without sweating a bucket in warmer months.

9. Scarf.  It gives that final touch to any outfit.  It can dictate the mood of your outfit.  If it’s silk with horsebit print, it adds sophistication.  If it has a fun print and made of cotton, you get a casual vibe. 

10. Pearl necklace. “Nuff said.

Here’s a workmonth’s worth of outfits mixing and matching all ten items.

(Note: Photos were lifted from www.polyvore.com and www.hm.com. They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the indiviudal photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.  But I wish I could own the actual stuff.  Just sayin’.)

Simply Fab.

Tags

fashion, mom, Outfits, simplicity, Style

Less is more.   I often heard this from my mom who frowned upon layering and accessories.  My mom is a very stylish woman who wore a bold printed Dior dress and three-inch Bruno Magli heels to my gradeschool recognition day.  It was such an iconic moment for me as a child that I could still remember that day when she placed the medals around my neck on stage.   I always imagined myself grow up wearing her clothes and shoes and I have been practicing since I was 3.

These days, she still prefers her shift dresses but opts for low heeled sandals or her new favorite, Fitflops.   If my mom still cared for heels, I could imagine her in this outfit on the left.  Polished, put together and all business.  My take on the same outfit would be more laidback and easy.  We may be two very different people, but I am slowly growing up to be just like her.  And that isn’t so bad after all, in fact, it would be a real compliment to hear anyone say that I am.

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites. Mostly from InStyle.com and Glamour.com, so thanks to my fave online mags! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the individual photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.  But I wish I could own the actual stuff.  Just sayin’.)

Top 5 gifts for moms.

Tags

mothers, mothers' day, parenthood, parenting

We don’t need a new bag, a new pair of shoes or a new dress.  This doesn’t mean we won’t find it delightful but ask a mom what she truly needs and you would hear her say at least one of these things.

1. Patience. There are days when everything just seem to be headed down the drain.  We are running late for work,  the kids used up the battery of the iPad where we have our presentation stored for 9am, the hubby won’t get out of bed and the little one wakes up and cries her heart out begging us not to leave.  These are the days when we need to take a deep breath and hope to inhale patience, lots of it.  In hopes that we could console the little one and explain that we’ll be home soon, give the hubby a wake up kiss to help him out of bed, hope that the iPad charges in time and sit thru traffic with a clear mind.

2. Wisdom. So that we will know exactly what to do when our kids throw tantrums and not traumatize them for life with our crazed look.  So that we will know exactly what to say to a child who has been through a tough day.  So that we will know what is truly important and what is trivial.  So that we can teach our kids the right things that they need to get through life. The serenity prayer says exactly what I mean. 

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

3.  Time. Believe it or not, we do want to spend more time with our families than we already do.  I want to be alert for all those additional hours I spend with them.  Yes, I enjoy waiting in the toilet while my daughter poops because that’s when she tells me all her funny stories.  I love having coffee with my mom, in spite of her being often distracted by dust on the floor, dishes in the sink and her curtains that need to be replaced.  I treasure the banter my husband and I have every single day, and I will use my extra alert time thinking of wittier comebacks.

4. Humor. Why so serious?  Because we were told raising kids is a serious business.  Because we were told that when we laugh at crazy things  our kids do it reinforces bad behavior.  But, pardon me if I laugh when my daughter farts in the pool or prances in high heels pretending to be America’s Next Top Model complete with pouty lips.  Our children need to find humor in their lives too and they need to learn it from us.

5.  Love.  Because love navigates our hearts’ compass.  It leads us to do what is right and what is good.  It reminds us to be kind to our family, to give them the best they could ever have, to be compassionate when it is necessary.   Love allows room for hope and gives faith a chance so that we can be the best version of ourselves for our family.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom who has always been extra patient, increasingly wise, achingly funny, constantly accommodating and most of all. extremely loving to all of us, her six children and 14 grandchildren.  We love you so much Mom.

Class president.

Tags

fashion, Gucci Soho Boston Bag, school uniform, Style, UP oblation

Mandated school uniforms are common in the Philippines.  We are required to wear them in grade school and high school.  It is to be worn as prescribed with little or no deviations.  The Catholic schoolgirl in an ultra mini-skirt, midriff and knee socks does not exist in these parts.  School memos fly when a girl comes in Doc Martens, a skirt that is a centimeter short or worse, no halfslip or camis.  Self-expression is rewarded by getting sent to the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs so that they can draft another memo banning whatever you wore.

That set me up for shock in college.  I got into the University of the Philippines which is a state university and the dress code as mentioned in our orientation is “Nothing less than the Oblation.”  This is the Oblation.

(Photo courtesy of www.flibbertigibbety.tumblr.com)

So if you show up in class without a leaf on your dirty bits, you’re in trouble.  The freedom was overwhelming.  I got to wear jeans, short skirts and I didn’t even have to wear a bra as long as I was wearing a shirt or leaves on the right coordinates.  But I wouldn’t waste this freedom by looking drab or inappropriate, I could wear whatever, might as well look good.

If I were still in college I would have worn this Michael Kors sweater in December, those preppy flats and man, that bag can make me look like I actually bring books to class.  But since I’m not in college anymore, I could still rock this skirt by matching it with something more grown-up, like this gorgeous blouse.  I’ve already seen, touched and inhaled this particular Gucci bag at the Shang but to bring it home would be a crime.  When the hubby asked how much it was and the lady replied, he blurted out “Gawa ba yan sa ginto? (Is it made out of gold?)”. It could build a small home for Gawad Kalinga.  Your bag should never make you feel guilty, that’s what your kids are for.

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites. Mostly from InStyle.com and Glamour.com, so thanks to my fave online mags! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the individual photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.)

Five shoes for survival.

Tags

Driving shoes, fashion, flats, pumps, sandals, top 5 shoes

Most women I know are shoe addicts like me.  We acquire floorspace so we can build closets so we can buy more shoes.  But truth is we only need these five pairs to survive without looking like a fashion disaster.  Anything else you add is pure indulgence, but that’s just between us girls.

1. Black pumps.  Heel height is your preference but I would always grab the one with the highest heel.  It could be real or patent lather, even faux croc  if you fancy, as long as its design is classic. I always have one handy under my desk, just in case I have a meeting to go to for that professional look.

(Christian Louboutin; Photo courtesy of www.nounshoes.com)

2. Ballet flats. I always have one in my bag.  I love my heels and wore them until I was 7 months pregnant but I have an illicit affair with my ballet flats.  They make any outfit look casual yet classy.  I also appreciate it on days when I have to chase my daughter around and not have to worry about stumbling and looking like a complete Kardashian.

(Chanel; Photo courtesy of www.instyle.com)

3. Black strappy sandals.  Even working moms go out on dates.  Our husbands or boyfriends need to be wowed every once in a while, don’t they?  Get that well-deserved pedi, pair your sexy sandals with your reliable LBD, swipe on your signature lipstick and you’re all set.  Who says you need to take forever to get ready?

(Jimmy Choo; Photo courtesy of www.chooshoesoutlet.com)

4. Summer sandals.  I live in a country where it is permanently summer with a 30% chance of floods.  Either way, sandals would definitely work in your favor.  Just make sure your feet are sandal ready and a bit of nail polish wouldn’t hurt.

 

(Gucci; Photo courtesy of www.polyvore.com)

5. Driving shoes.  This is more of a preference for women but definitely a staple for men.  If ballet flats are too girly for you, sneakers are too casual and your feet just aren’t yet ready for summer, then driving shoes would be a nice option.  It also adds a bit of sophistication to jeans and is super comfortable for long walks.

(Tod’s ; Photo courtesy of www.tods.com)

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites referenced above.  Thank you! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the indiviudal photos because that would just be plain stupid.  I couldn’t take clear photos even if my life depended on it.) 

It’s in my jeans.

Tags

casual wear, clothing, fashion, Jeans, Style

I am the youngest of six children and anyone from a big family knows that the “bunso” or youngest gets the worst hand-me-downs.  Supposedly, when it gets handed down to you, it would have been worn by at least three other siblings.  But honestly, I enjoyed hand-me-downs.  My brothers and sisters before me were stylish enough that I wouldn’t mind giving their clothes its last hurrah.

My sisters loved their Anne Klein and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I inherited my sister’s light yellow (it was the 80s) AK jeans with that iconic embossed lion at the back pocket and my other sister’s dark blue (it was already faded when I got it) GVs.  I felt grown up everytime I wore them and imagined myself looking as fine as my older sisters.  I also got to wear my older brother’s Wrangler jeans (he modeled for the brand) which were just a few washes away from tears. I cherished how I didn’t have to justify wearing torn jeans, which was trendy then, to my mom who patched them up faster than I could blade new holes in.

On my freshman year in high school, my mom bought me my first fresh pair of jeans.  I picked out a black pair of men’s Levi’s which soon faded to green.   Since then I have been a fan of men’s jeans and I still prefer boyfriend jeans over curvy ones but I do have a soft spot for skinny jeans. These jeans work really well with either superflats or sky high heels.  A little sparkle and a splash of color never fails to polish it up.  The one thing I love about this style is that even on days when I am fat, at least my jeans remain skinny.

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites. Mostly from InStyle.com and Glamour.com, so thanks to my fave online mags! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the indiviudal photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.  But I wish I could own the actual stuff.  Just sayin’.)

Rock my style.

Tags

Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Christopher Kane, clothing, fashion, platform pumps, Style

While my husband was shopping for pants at a local Massimo Dutti store, the customer care person was offering him exactly the things that he likes, tailored shirts, slim pants (not skinny), and chinos.  I asked why he won’t offer the corduroy pants and he said “It’s not his image.  Everyone has an image, a style of their own.”  I guess he’s right.

Some people say you can’t buy class.  What I say is you can’t buy style.   No matter what I do, no matter how many studded belts , buckled boots and leather pants I buy, it will never be me.  I could never, for the life of me, pull off an edgy look.  I’ll leave it to my friends Lotus and Hazell who make all their outfits edgy.  

This Christopher Kane dress is such a classic and you can bet your Keds, I’d wear it with platform pumps, a bold yet simple clutch and a statement necklace.  If I had an evil twin she’d rock it with this Balmain boots, DKNY jacket and liquid looking cuff from Tiffany & Co.  And what evil twin could resist the skull detail on that Alexander McQueen beauty of a clutch?  Not mine. But all these accessories, worn one at a time could look just as timeless paired with simpler pieces.   Now if only that clutch could find its way to my lap,  I’d enroll in a martial arts class to keep my imaginary evil twin from stealing it. 

(Note: Photos were lifted from various sites. Mostly from InStyle.com and Glamour.com, so thanks to my fave online mags! They are owned by their owners and that is not me.  I do not claim ownership of the indiviudal photos used for the outfits, I just picked them out and put them together for the layout.  So photo owners, please don’t get your panties in a bunch.  But I wish I could own the actual stuff.  Just sayin’.)