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

Fall at the country side

Hi guys! How do you like my regular blogging attendance? :)) 

Let's take a break from the backlogs, here's a more recent look I wore out last saturday.

Last saturday was chill-day, cheap-day for me and the boyfriend and I was dressed for the streets! I woke up early, tried to organize all that's on my to-do list that day but ended up preparing all the items for shipments and meet-ups for Blind Clothing. The next thing I knewI found myself in Mactan Island attending my friend's house-warming party.. then straight to meet-ups, rushed to the courier, then to a meeting with a home-accessory supplier, and then finally to some dinner and R&R. This is my formula outfit for an anything-goes day-----shorts and booties. It allows me to move around a lot, and run around wherever and do whatever without my feet getting dusty cause I hate that.

Noticed anything? 

1.) For the first time I'm giving in to the tie-waist trend.

I've always wanted to do this since summer because it had a very laid back, cool vibe to it (Infact I used this a lot when I styled for Blind collections here and here ) but every time I try to do it on myself, I tend to feel funny cos I'm suddenly reminded of my fourth grade self. Who else did this back when they were kids? Raise of hands please! :)) I used to wear "hanging" tops, cargo pants, and then tie a jacket around the waist a lot, especially as dance costume. It's very 90's and it doesn't help that it reminds me of Jao Mapa. HAHAHA. Am I the only one my age who remembers him? When I was little, he was the bomb! Lol.  So anyway, I managed and it felt damn sweet! I think the 2013 twist to it is that now people use lighter material like polos, back then we used jackets. 

The prime reason I got sold on wearing this was it covered my thighs when I needed it to and parts of my tummy that showed too much. Later that day when we watched a movie, I got to wear it as a polo over my midriff to feel warm and cozy. Talk about functionality! 

Also.. another new thing about this look on me is:

2.) I am finally in PLAID. For the first time in my whole life (since I was conscious).

I don't know why but I tend to steer away from plaid because I felt that it was too country for my taste.

I still don't own anything plaid, this was my dad's, and it did all the accenting for my all-white ensemble, it tied the entire color palette together and gave it a very autumn feel. 

It was a good day for plaid. A good day for a laid-back look, a fresh fall palette, visiting a friend at her new home at a neighboring island, a Nicholas Sparks country movie dvd at Hello Hans, and a good night massage like I promised myself. Good day, good day. :)

Top: Topshop (This again.. )

Shorts: Tres Marias Online

Plaid Polo: Pappy's (what I call my dad)

Bag: Mom's present from HK

Shoes: Thrifted

Thanks to Bud for taking my photos! You're getting better at taking outfit shots, my fasting and abstinence is working! Haha Kidding. 

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! :)

At a stand still.

Welcome to Forks!

Last Saturday was a gloomy day in Cebu and everything was at a standstill-- time, wind, me. I know my last post was a black and white feast yet again and this outfit is so plain it  probably isn't even worth blogging about but while I hate to bore you, it just felt like a "meh" kind of day. The kind where "wearing colored pieces to make you feel happy or make the day brighter" just doesn't seem effective.  Don't worry dear readers, colors have not left my system.

While I felt plain and passive, I was excited for meet-ups day. We were gonna personally hand pieces from our S|S 13 collection to those who ordered them online-- for the first time. Since I wanted to look decent for the people I was meeting that day, I wore this Blind Clothing original high slit skirt (still from the collection). Bias aside, it really did the job for me. Back when we were sampling this, we went through about 3 revisions just to get this profile right--shape, slit cut, garter! What I like about it is that even if you don't dress up much or accessorize much, and though it's so comfortable and easy to wear it's almost sinful, it WILL still make you standout. Subtly sexy, modern (not your usual slit) , but still decent and never screaming for attention. You know what they say "Keep it classy, never trashy, just a little nasty."  Lol. What the.  

Moving on.. :)

Inside one of the boxes

We decided to sort of match like twins. Hello to Ninz' new boots-- will be stealing you, I mean borrowing you soon, when my conscience allows it.

Ninz and her dates: study materials and mudshake

No eyeliner on a saturday-- how'd that happen? :))  Just BB cream, powder, brows and nude lipstick that day. Just mehhh.

Buddy caught up with us shortly after. Haha finally a photo of us in my blog, this rarely happens.

Me enjoying my new fave drink! It's a chocolate-mint smoothie (the menu said it had liquor but I can barely taste it and that's a good thing. It was just enough to give it a twist and omph)  You have to try this from Chocolatier!

Meet-ups done! Off we went to watch Mortal Instruments!
Oh Jace <3 Jace in my dreams and in my wallpaper!

Midriff top (So overused, how useful is this piece in my life!) : Topshop

Skirt: Blind Clothing (similar here)

Shoes: Fashion Cookie


Thanks to Ninz for taking photos of me on her iphone.
Thank You Bud for leaving my dslr thus the grainy photos. 
Haha. Just kidding :P