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

Street Chic

Hi, everyone! I will not even begin to rant about why I've been an inconsistent blogger again, I'm sure you've had enough of those.  My last  post was roughly 2 months ago and I have all the reasons in the world. Starting from the 7.2 earthquake that hit Cebu, our business trip to Japan and the assignments that came home with me, Blind Clothing backlogs, my birthday, both my parents' birthdays, my weekly visit to the doctor, the severe typhoon Haiyan and relief campaigns.. all those neatly packed in in 2 months left this blog quiet for some time. Well to be honest, I haven't been taking much OOTD's either, not very diligently, that is. So do forgive me if the next few posts will be of phone or digicam pictures-- struggling with grain and lighting and all like this one.. composed of either me and my casual saturday clothes or my work outfits, seriously in crisis she's going to be a blog post or a mere instagram post.

But this is me, you see. I rarely plan what I wear. Not even on events, sadly. I throw on what I see on the day and work my way around it. Then whenever I see an opportunity to take an outfit shot, I squeeze it in. Believe me, Im not lazy, just uhm, pre-occupied. But I always try, I do. 

So there. Let the backlogs roll. 

:)

To begin the backlogs, let me start with something I will probably laugh at the most 20 years from now.

Something I probably would not want my future clients or future graduate study professors to see. Haha. This was back in September when I hadn't chopped my hair off and got a full fringe. It's that long ago. I wore it to watch the play starred by my good friends Chris and Eden called The Seminar.  (Congrats, friends! :> )

Who remembers my last look in these suspenders? The good girl-school girl look? Like I promised, here's a different approach using the same key piece: skater skirt with suspenders from Love Eleven Shop.  One skirt, two different Dawns. Isn't it fun to mix and match pieces an make them look completely different? :) To those who haven't read that post, click here.

 

See it now? :)

Well here's her evil twin, the one that spends break times in the field with the jocks while her good twin spends the entire day at the library and eventually landing an internship with google. Haha. Kidding aside, Street sexy is all the rage lately... muscle tees, band tees, sneakers, denim cut-offs, midriff tops, and I'm a big fan! Admit it, we all want to go "medjo bad girl" (fashion-wise, at least) once in a while. Don't lie. :P But when you have an event to grace or a person to meet and you're not in your teens anymore, you can't go all Kesha-yolo right? When I want to inject some feminine class into a street sexy look, I pair my snapbacks with heels.. black little bracelets with tri-color ones.. and midriff-bearing tees with skirts with suspenders. 

I hope you like it my high street-chic meets downtown street-sexy look! 

Dear do I miss blogging. More catch-up posts soon! 

Wishing everyone an epic weekend! I don't know about you but I'm getting a massage!

x

Dawn

:)

***********************************************************

Snapback: Vans

Midriff Top: Blinkydoodles

Skirt with suspenders: Love Eleven Shop

Shoes: Fashioncookie

Bag: T. Hilfiger

School Girl

High cut boots with colored socks that matched my shirt paired with skater skirts, denim vests, and jumpers were my mom's outfit choices for me when I was little. She would tie my hair in pig tails using colored clips and bands (that still matched my shirt!) even if there was hardly ever any hair to tie. I was the only child for 5 years so you would understand :)) This outfit reminded me so much of those days somehow. 

Growing up and realizing I was a petite girl, I've been avoiding anything that will make me look well--- pretty and kiddy. These included pieces like flouncy skirts, skater skirts, shirts with fun prints, ribbons, ruffles, and jumpers. After getting the hang of weight-gain and exercise, I somehow got to shove off my insecurity and for the first time in a long time succumbed to skater skirts (My first coming out here). It also did  not help that it became a just a really, really irresistable trend! Here's another first, me in a jumper from Love Eleven shop. The first since I was 7 atleast. ;)

 

I enjoyed how preppy and fun my jumper looked that day. I mean, it's basically just a skater skirt with straps right? But the straps make all the difference in the world! It made me look more-- friendly and approachable, don't you think? :))

This one from Love Eleven Shop is just perfect for me-- its like the skater skirt I've never EVER had.  The cloth had just the right amount of flounce and weight, and the length was perfecto! I really think that for petite girls, choosing the right length for skater skirts or any other flouncy skirt for that matter  is very crucial.

 

I paired the jumpers with a textured, tailored version of a midriff from Blind Clothing to give my look a more adolescent factor,  and to deviate from how I would usually style them when I was little. 

 I really love the fabric we chose when we made this piece. It gives "the midriff" a new kind of sophistication, different from how we would usually see a midriff---in plain spandex/ lycra! Nothing wrong with spandex, I just like variety! :) 

I chose one with a tie-back to make it even more playful. See, there's more going on! :)

Definitely getting more jumpers! Maybe short-jumpers next time? :)

Thank you Charm for helping me find my inner school girl. Notice the suede boots? and satchel? and the RARE PONY TAIL? Definitely looking the part! Now where are my books! lol

Moms really do know best after all, yes? :))

I actually styled this jumper another way just to prove how versatile it is, that one on my next post! Missed blogging, and definitely missed you all!

 Jumper: Love Eleven Shop

Midriff: Blind Clothing

Booties: Call It Spring

Necklace: Accessorize

Oh and remember my previous look? It got the chance to be featured in the papers the other friday! :) Many thanks again to Ms Joanna of SunStar Daily! :)