Girlstuff 5-free polish, now in Cebu!

I admit. I am not a girly-girl. The best proof to this would be my nails. It's the one thing Im least proud of. While most girls like to do nail art, french tip or color their nails at the very least, I like keeping mine short and clean. It's half because I'm lazy or busy, and half because I don't like chemicals turning my nails yellow and brittle. A few months back, I met a brand that challenged that.

Girlstuff Nail Polish! :)

Girlstuff Nail Polish is and affordable 5-free polish. 5 free meaning, free from 5 harmful chemicals that are usually found in nail polish such as: Toluene, Formaldehyde, DibutylPhtalate, Camphor, and Formaldehyde- resins. They are so safe even little kids can use them!

It's imported from France and comes in a wide collection of colors and styles such as: The sophisticated collection (gel-type), textured polishes (caviar my favorite), glitter, cream jelly, matte (I just love this idea) and a whole lot more. 

Good news is, just late last year, they have arrived in Cebu! Yay!

Look at all the pretty colors and finishes!!! Drool.

We were given the chance to pick out polishes that day and I went home with 10. It was sooooo hard to choose. Tough, tough choice. I ended up choosing some neutrals because as a working professional I cant afford polishes that are too flashy.

But then again, I couldn't help it, I included a few textured ones like Caviar and Cookies and Cream, and then a metallic gold, glitter, and a matte top coat.
Sorry, dad. Sorry, corporate world. Haha.

They also carry nail art instruments and basic tools like brushes, stripping tape, stamps, decals, and a lot more.

Ranging from Php 100- 200, Girlstuff nail polish is quick-dry! This feat is so convenient especially for girls who just can't sit still like me.  I get so impatient when I sit and wait for my nails to dry, I fidget! :))  It also doesn't have that strong smell that usually emanates from harsh chemicals 

Fellow bloggers gaga over the polishes.

                      

And these are my choices! I love my choices! :)

                    Thank you so much, Girlstuff, for having me and for my loot! :)

Check out the Girlstuff kiosk at Paseo Ciudad, at the 2nd level of Ayala Center Cebu. Like them on facebook or follow them on instagram @girlstuffforever for promos, announcements, even nail art ideas! I hope you have fun choosing them as much as we did.

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On to what I wore:

As usual, my dilemma was *schedule* , I find it very hard to attend launchings and events because the work I juggle is always demanding. My day is either packed or erratic, but I just had to make time for Girlstuff-- they were so gracious in taking time to send me both e-vite and deliver an actual invite. I missed the chit-chat and merienda but made it to the actual launch somehow yay!

I came in something practical for the office but chic enough for a casual afternoon event.

Every working girl needs light-colored soft pants or trousers they can be mobile and comfortable in while looking tres- chic. I like beiges, whites and light colored-ones because it is a breath of fresh air to the normal office palette is always black, gray, and navy blue.

                                   

   Creamy neutrals and some metallics are my favorite things to pile on because they glam up a look with very little effort. A little goes a long way if you put in some balance.

Strike a balance. Find an outfit that is neat, well put-together, and doesn't beg for attention.

Lovely afternoon with my new fave polish brand and some blogger friends. Cheers to a good day!

Thanks to my twin, Issa, for taking my photos! :)

Top: StyleStaple** Pants: Stylista's Closet**Sandals: Charles and Keith

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This post has been in my draft for awhile now, like monthss! It's been so hard balancing blogging with my clothing business and private architectural practice especially because things have been transitioning and going full speed lately, I long gave up on my list of backlogs. But will definitely try to make more time to write here, not for anything, just because I miss it. 

Have a good week, everyone! :)

Blush

 

I am a huge trousers fan. Huge. 

It gives a touch of polish you owe your clients (a sign of respect), and the comfort you owe yourself. 

Like I always like saying, these to me are corporate pajamas, cozy and liberating.

I wore this monochromatic ensemble last sunday which I spent 75% of the time in a cafe doing me time with my favorite (pasta! :) ) in the morning, meeting a client at noon, and working the rest of the afternoon in the comforts of caffeine, cool breeze and cloudy skies, Kenneth Cobonpue in sight 5 meters away, and my own solitude. 

I just came from "Rock! The Worship Concert" the night before this and though it was exhausting, I woke up early to catch up on backlogs so I basically felt as lazy as I look, thus the equally slouchy top. Pairing it with anything crisp, collared, or structured will only make that day feel like a monday. And you know it's a golden rule for me to "dress like the weekend when it's a weekend". ;)

Blush, peach, salmon, old rose.. Ever since the day I found that I could actually wear them (used to think they were only for really fair skin tones) I never stopped adoring them. They're just so soft, fresh, feminine and very flattering, like it makes you glow. It makes me want to be more refined if that even makes sense. So I did a monochromatic look using these pretty shades that day and broke it off with a brown belt that matched my low-heel sandals. Brown is a great accent to blush, so are washed denims and whites.

Really loving comfortable,  low-heeled sandals. since 2012. Haha.

They contribute so much pull a look together without demanding so much from your feet. :))

Gotta say I'm so happy this pair from Zalora came in my exact size, that seldom happens to my online shoe purchases. So happy with the very good customer service and quick hassle-free delivery, too! :)

I hope you don't mind the laid back outfits lately. In a world full of false pretenses and tight guard on self image, I'd like to remain to be my candid old self and dress for myself solely, and then allow so to reflect on what I post. What you see in this blog is what you get, and this polished but chill girl right here is me on a daily basis, with or without intents of taking that #ootd :))

Hope you're all having a great week so far!  :)

X

Dawn

**Tank: Forever 21**Trousers: Blind Clothing*Sandals: Chloe Edit at Zalora

Weekend Hustler

For private practitioners, small-scale business owners, free-lancers like myself, 5 working days a week are usually not enough. I like to pack all my errands, meetings, or site visits on saturdays when I can get driven to where I need to, move about in minimal traffic, and not get tied to office work at the furniture HQ. Nothing makes going out at night or having a good time with friends later on sweeter than knowing you had a productive week. Since I started working, I've been very possessive about my weekends getting used up for relaxation. But even still, nothing gives me more rush than knowing I maximized my saturday mornings/ early afternoons to the brim before I go out and have myself a good time.

For most days spent like this, my uniform of choice is a breezy but corporate button down, flats, and shorts. If you may imagine, replace these shorts with a skirt or pants and you have yourself some office wear. But just because its a saturday and I gotta feel the off-duty vibe SOMEHOW, we just gotta bring out the shorts. ;)

Black and white is always a life saver because it reduces my changing time to 5 minutes instead of 10 or 15. With Blanc et noir, you no longer need to think about palette. The trick with this is just pile on a good amount of variations and accents or maybe pop another color somewhere there (like in my case, gold) to turn the look from waiter/ butlery to chic, from drab to interesting. Basically, keep your eye entertained.

I've never been more convinced about the power of basics, It's getting stronger as I age. I'm talking about a good white shirt, a good pair of jeans, a black pencil/ bandage skirt, a thin gold belt, little gold accessories, black/ brown/ white low heels or flats, a beige blazer, neutral colored midriffs or inner shirts, a good timeless watch, and a good bag. And when you got that covered, the plaids and the cut-outs and the prints etc etc can come in. Basics are the key to a versatile closet that doesn't require too much bank breaking. I think a practical girl should have 70% basics, and 30% trendy pieces. That way, you wont find yourself outfit repeating too much. Trendy pieces tend to be too memorable to outfit-repeat. You'll also have a broad range of choices to mix and match whilst saving time, perfect for those girls on the go!

Man, I miss blogging.

Hoping to be able to write again here more often! 

Catch up soon! :)

Dawn

x

** Top: Mango ** Sequined Shorts: WAGW ** Flats: Primaluxe MNL ** Bag: Parfois ** Necklace: Bazaar Find

CELEBRITY + BLOGGERS FASHION AND FOOD BAZAAR at The Outlets!

What's up Cebu? Our beautiful island city just never runs out of surprises for us. After Hyper last last week, comes another event to look forward to, and it's happening TODAY. :)

In celebration of Cebu Business Month, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce launched ISLAND MADNESS SALE. A series of exciting events to boost tourism, business and consumerism for our beloved Ubec.

What I'll talk about here is the event I'll be part of, CELEBRITY + BLOGGERS FASHION AND FOOD BAZAAR! See poster above for details because I don't want to bore you, and it's happening right now as we speak. Aside from the outlet stores at The Outlets at Pueblo Verde, below are the booths you'll find at the event. Isn't it exciting. Shop, meet your local bloggers and fave top Manila bloggers Camille Co, Lissa Kahayon, Kryz Uy, and David Guison, and then go food trippin to your heart's content! :)

What's that? It's far away from the city? Well they got that covered. See below shuttle schedules that will take you from Ayala Center Cebu or SM City Cebu to the event venue and back FOR FREE. How convenient is that? ;) Gather the troops,  pick up your bags, and head on down to The Outlets. It'll be until tomorrow, Sunday, June 15. 

As I'm typing this I'm currently stuck at work quite frankly, in danger of not being able to make it because of work priorities. BUT! With or without me, you should definitely go. I'll be sharing the same booth with Issa Perez of Issaplease so check out her stuff as well. We're at Booth # 2 at the center aisle. I'll keep this short so you can start moving. Haha. Have fun! :) x

Practical Shopping 101

I never thought the day would come when I'd go gaga over plaid.

Don't get me wrong, plaid is great, I just didn't think it's a very me kind of pattern. It felt either too country or too Ivy league for my taste. But all thanks to Topshop and their irresistible shop display, that changed, and as of late I am now a believer. Talk about the power of suggestion!

 

Tight midi or knee-length skirts are closet must-haves for girls who are in their 20's as they can make you look fab both at work and at play depending on how you style them. What I wear to work in a decent corporate top and heels, I wore to "Eskina Food + Lifestyle Expo", styled in festival fashion using a midriff shirt, cut-out boots, and my trusty aviators. I especially love that this one in particular one has enough thickness, very stretchy, allowing me to move freely throughout the busy last day of the event since it involved inventory and booth set down (will talk about the event on my next post). Midi pencil skirts have a way of giving away one's womanly curves while staying conservatively classy.

 

Have you ever owned a piece that you didn't realize you needed until you saw one, got one, then it turned out to be an ultimate favorite? That's what happened with these pieces I'm wearing. Oh the things you find when you're not looking. :)  If there are top 3 skills I learned about shopping it's..

1.) Saving up and keeping an emergency fund; for when you run into something you really like, fits your body and personal style great, and can't do without. Do not settle for something less then what you really want because when you do find what you really want.. you might not have the money for it anymore, or you'll end up wasting the one you previously bought cause you'll end up not wanting to wear them anymore. Trust me, been there so many times. :))

2.) Don't buy on impulse but at the same time, trust your gut. I'm not saying take a month to decide but when it takes that much thinking to be sure then why not. I personally save a screen shot of the things I plan on getting. It's not tasking, it's actually fun. If I can't get over it, and find myself thinking about it every time I get out of the shower to change, I'd most likely get it after a few weeks. (like these boots!) Not all the things you think you need, you atcually need. Haha. However there will also be times when you walk into a shop and just know in your gut that your closet needs it (like this skirt) Trust your gut.  You know your closet best. 

3.) Look Around. Is there a new trend you're very in love with? Window shop. Make sure you get the best deals. It is after all, your hard earned dough. Store hop, or scan trust-worthy online shops and websites! Online shopping portal Zalora provides us with a one-stop shopping experience at the click of a button and even offer free shipping or cash on delivery. Plus they carry a wide range of stylish brands having reasonably-priced items.

4.) Moderation. Don't have too much of one style. Not even plaid. Haha. I used to love aztec print so much that I stocked up on too much of it. When the trend died, I was left with so much to useless clothes. If you're like me who hates seeing your closet filled with things you can't use then trust me on this one! The only thing you want to have a lot of are fun basics you can use and abuse and have fun styling, like this shirt. Not everything you buy has to be "memorable".. some are there to play the best supporting actress to your favorite bottoms and vice versa. These guys tend to stay in your closet longer too.

  

So there. Quick shopping tips since summer is fast approaching and surely you're all now looking to update our wardrobe,  ready for the intense summer heat. You'd want to do them in a fun but responsible way! So, yay for the most wonderful time of the year next to Christmas? Have a great week, everyone! :)

Xx

Dawn

Top: Love Eleven Shop*** Skirt: Topshop***Cut-out boots: Tonic Bags and Shoes

Maleficent

If there's a kind of casual outfit my dad would approve of, it would probably look something like this. Haha. Those who know me, know for sure that in most saturday mornings and afternoons,  I like dressing for laziness comfort. That day was no different, I still went in something relaxed in the form of: a pair of sandals, skort, and a loose button-down. But don't you just have days when you feel so sloppy, that you feel a dire need to spruce up your outfit a bit just to feel better, more organized, more productive. It works for a lot of people, myself included. :)

To add a bit of classiness to my choices, my top had to have a collar (with a metal tip).. my bag and sandals with metallic touches, and my top and bottom in jewel colors.. Notice anything? Everything had to have either a metallic touch or jewel colors in them. These two are always a hit on my list, maybe it's my inner gypsy or my inner Princess Jasmine. ;) Seriously, there's something instantly sophisticated about them and I dig anything with a touch of oriental and anything regal.

 I went out of the house in white high-waist shorts but when I walked in Topshop, I couldn't resist how these size 0 skort looked absolutely snug on me and perfect on my current ensemble. And hey, they are plaid. Plaid is hot this season. So on me it went, yolo. Sorry, debit card. Lol. Added point? It reminded me of my current favorite Disney character, Maleficent.  The villain who's not really a villain but a symbol of women empowerment--- authority and fighting spirit.  (Can't wait for the movie this summer! Attaching trailer below just for the feels!) If she was younger, born at a different era, and was going to a morning meeting at a coffeeshop, I wonder if she'd wear something like this. Haha. Okay, not cool. Too many Disney Character name drops in one most. I am so giving myself away here.

 

I used to dislike skorts because they are too confusing and I don't know that they're good for-- they're not shorts but they're not a skirt either. However, I'm beginning to appreciate them now that they seem to be the perfect piece to resort to when you're not really at work/ at the office.. but still need to dress a bit formal somehow. Like this day when Ninz and I did some fabric-hunting for Blind Creations' Spring Summer collection and meet with our programmers for Blind Clothing's new upcoming project. *wink*

That's us that morning! :) To those who follow Blind Clothing, we're just about to make your online shopping experience easier and more enjoyable with the help of these two young and talented programmers. So stay tuned! 

Just a quick and candid post for this week. Have a great week, everyone. Hustle time.

 "Chins up, smiles on".

:)

x

Dawn

**Top: Forever 21** Skort: Topshop**Sandals: So Fab!**Bag: Parfois (Thanks, Bud! Haha!)