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

Saturday Afternoons

Uninteresting as it may seem, this is how I normally look like on a saturday afternoon. Haha.

Shorts + a lazy top + booties combination is my go-to outfit for saturdays that are normally spent going around doing personal errands like dropping off stocks and purchasing materials.. catching up with friends...  working somewhere cozy.. casual client meetings over coffee.. or chick-flicking at a dvd place. A perfect saturday afternoon to me has to be as comfortable as possible. If I can't sleep in it, it doesn't work. Haha. Kidding, maybe. Other options would be strappy sandals paired with loose trousers and midriffs or tight tops, or maxi dresses and skirts.

That saturday though wasn't an all too normal one for me as we were shooting for SNAP LTD's comeback collection. I haven't been shooting a lot lately unlike when I was still an architecture intern where I spent almost every other saturday styling shoots. I kind of missed it, good times. But I guess that's part of growing up and setting priorities. :)

On to what went down in the shoot, allow me to share some of the BTS Photos I took. :)

I've always said this and I'll say it yet again, there's nothing like being in a room filled with other artists who are in love and passionate about what they do.. and the marriage of skill to come up with something beautiful, and having fun while at it, it gives me a certain energy.

J-carl's awesome hairdo by Ava. And there's me looking like I have no pants on. Lol.

Ava Joanne Celocia's artistry , ladies and gents. She just came by to drop off my beret but decided to help out and thank God cos what would we be without her. Haha. Thanks so much Av. She's really great at what she does. 

Photographer Tats Balbuena and Archell Vergara hustling.

Hello, masters.

The girls: The stylist, the model, and the make-up artist.  ;)

Jcarl Villacarlos and Issa Perez, our crazy duo. These two have so much chemistry on set even if they just met. and don't they just look perfectly casted for this. :)

Goombah and the cool stuff they have inside that's totally in sync with the brand.

           

My lovely twin in the blogosphere, Issa. Isn't she lovely? ;)

Thanks for your time, incredible charm and enthusiasm, twin!!!!

And there's my boss for the afternoon, Buddy of SNAP Ltd, and the team minus Archell and Ava. Haha. Chill time after the shoot! :)

*******

And here are some of my favorite shots from the shoot:

 

Or better yet,

See the full video here! :)

 

"SNAP apparel ltd." is  clothing brand inspired by arcade machines, 8-bit consoles & electronic beats. The techno vibe and fresh urban culture. hails from the great queen city of the south. They hope to capture an audience who shares their love for vintage video games, random doodling, extensive headbanging and anyhting else AWESOME.

Like them on facebook! Follow them on instagram! :)

Shirts: SNAP Ltd
Models: Jean Louise "Issa" Perez and J-Carl Villacarlos
Photographers: Archell Vergara and Tats Balbuena
Stylist: Yours truly (see my folio here! :) )
Maquillage: Ava Joanne Celocia
BTS video clips: Ninz Sy

**Snapback: Vans**Chambray: Uniqlo**Shorts: Bazaar Find**Boots: Tonic