The Enduring Allure of the Little Black Dress

Hello there! I've been away for quite some time I know! Traveled to one of my favorite countries last month, celebrated my birthday, and basically just devoted time to catch up with work and family commitments and well, Life.

But I've definitely missed blogging and you my dear readers.  This time, I'm back with this post for all you classic (and classy) ladies out there. 

Celebrity Dresses

One thing I like about shopping online is that there's simply a great range of options available, especially when it comes to clothes.  Sure, there's nothing quite like shopping for clothes in a brick-and-mortar store.  But I say, shopping for clothes online has its own natural high and is a shopping experience quite unique to our generation ---something that our moms or any older generation of women may never be able to get.

Another fabulous aspect of online shopping is getting to see and buy celebrity dresses. Yes, celebrity dresses---as in, dresses that are copied from or inspired by the clothes celebrities wear.  These celebrities may be actresses, pop stars, fictional characters, or royalty. Celebrities can basically wear anything they or their stylists want and they can afford just about anything.  But for us mere mortals, the practical and smart solution are celebrity dresses.

These are just some of the celebrity dresses that I like and won't mind getting for myself:

Divisoria Finds!

Ever since I was in college and moved from Makati to San Juan, I've been going to Divisoria to shop every now and then.  From San Juan, Divisoria is so accessible either by car or commuting (ride  the LRT2 from the V. Mapa LRT station, get off at Recto station, then Divisoria is just one jeepney ride away).  It's a destination that I'm proud to say I can brave by myself, although there is also a different sense of fun to go shopping there with friends.

Then and now, Divisoria has always been the perfect place to score cheap but fabulous finds---whether for home stuff, fabrics, toys, and other knicknacks. But of course, my main reason for turning to Divisoria has always been for fashionable finds, and of course, at cheap prices too. I've always been meaning to make a Divisoria guide/ blog post. So since I was there last Saturday with my friend, I thought this was the perfect time to share with you the great finds I came home with and some Divisoria "tips" as well.

Uniqlo Opens in Manila

On Saturday morning, I found myself going to Mall of Asia (MOA) to go to Uniqlo. It just opened the day before and though I heard from friends that the first day was a nightmare with so many people in the store, I figured, going there early on the second day would give me a good chance.

I was there about 15 minutes before the 10 AM opening time and silly me for thinking that there won't be any line. Because this is what I saw when I arrived:

Human ♥ Nature's Flagship Store

A few weeks ago, I was in the Commonwealth area in Quezon City and so I was able to visit the recently opened flagship store of Human Nature.  I've been using Human Nature for some years now, ever since I first discovered it at Sesou Nature Source's store in Glorietta. Then I bought my Human Nature products from a dealer in my former office. I found that getting from a dealer is more convenient and I was sure to be able to buy Human Nature's full range of products. While Human Nature is also available in stores like Beauty Bar, Shopwise, or Rustan's supermarkets, I always get frustrated with their limited product offerings there.  

So, I was like a kid set loose in a candy store at Human Nature's flagship store.  It was a big and well-designed space, and of course, stocked with all of Human Nature's products  that I could possibly want.

Angela Angeles Bijou Jewelry

I first met Angela Angeles back in college, when her older sister, Geline, was my blockmate and Geline would invite us over to their house whenever we had to do our group works. Back then, Angela was still in high school and I remembered that she was already doing beads.  Later on, she finished architecture in UST but she was always making jewelry and accessories on the side. 

Quality vs. Quantity

Happy new year, lovely people! With the new year comes a new set of resolutions.  I prefer to call them "promises" to myself (somehow it has a nicer, more definite ring to it).  And one of these promises is that I will prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to shopping.

You see, I do have a lot of clothes and it's only lately that I've realized that throughout the years, I just bought and bought without any regard if they were investment pieces or made of good quality.  In other words, I bought for the short-term and not with the end goal of building a really great wardrobe. While I have some surprisingly classic investment pieces, it seemed that quantity, and not quality, was still the overarching theme of what I have.  And the same goes for my shoes, bags, sunglasses, makeup and accessories.  And now that we're growing up and with a new year, I guess it's the perfect time to make a change. 

(This realization has also been inspired by the article "Invest in Your Wardrobe" which I have reposted here.)

So here are my top picks/ classic must-haves for starting my year with this promise: 

1. The Oversized Gold Watch  

A gold men's watch is a big trend now (hello, arm parties!) but I also see it as a classic that will last for years. I decided to upgrade the cheap gold watch that I've been wearing to this chronograph watch from Michael Kors. It's not exactly Rolex or Cartier-expensive but it's not too cheap either. And just because I'm on the hunt for quality doesn't mean that I'm not watching out for opportunities to save.  So instead of buying this here in Manila, I asked my friend Alice to buy this for me in the States, which saved me more than 100%.

2. The Red Pants

As I've shared with you in this post, I've been on the hunt for red pants and  I thought I scored a good deal with the pants I found for P595.  It was only later on as I was wearing them that I realized that the fit wasn't that good, the stretch denim made the pants tend to fall down as I was walking, and the pockets were peeking out.  All in all, I wasn't too happy about them. So I decided to practice my "quality over quantity" principle and got myself a pair of colored denim pants from Zara. Although the color isn't as bright a red as the cheap ones I bought, I do love the coral red color of the Zara pair. It's nearly five times the price of the cheap pants but what I really paid for was the quality and the fit. 

3. The Black Ballet Flats

The search is over.  (Or at least until I finally get my hands on a pair of Repettos).  I have found my perfect pair of black ballerina flats with Topshop's Malachy3.  It's 100% leather
and I can't wait to wear this pair to death.

4.The Breton Shirt / The Striped Shirt

I have amassed quite a number of striped shirts, especially Breton shirts. Perhaps this is something where it's ok to go lean towards quantity instead of quality? Anyway, since is a classic that I see myself wearing for years, I upgraded from my usual department store and bazaar shirts and got myself a piece also from Zara. It's made from organic cotton, and feels very soft and comfortable.

5. The Bright Pink Lipstick

When I was a teenager, I read somewhere in Vogue that a girl only needs five lip colors. And one of them is a true pink color. That's true now, as it was in 1995. And for me, that true pink lipstick is none other than Nars Schiap. It has the perfect semi-matte formulation, doesn't feather, and is very long-lasting. I don't want to wear cheap lipsticks again!

6. The Aviators

There are only a few sunglasses that every girl must have, and one of them is a classic pair of aviators. And of course, for aviators, it has got to be nothing else but Ray-Ban.I chose mine in the uber-classic Arista lens with a gold frame in an updated size.  I love how the lens change color depending on the sun level.  I love how it makes me look classic but trendy at the same time. I know I will love this pair forever. 

I know I won't have an easy time staying away from my old habits when it comes to shopping.  After all, these habits have been with me for years. I guess I'll always be on the look out for good, bargain finds.  But now, I want to be more conscious of what I buy and how it fits in my wardrobe, in my room (which I keep forgetting is a finite space!), and in my life---whether they're cheap or expensive.  

I'm not saying that expensive items are necessarily better. But we can't deny that usually, those that are of good quality come at a price.  And I've also realized that most of the time, expensive stuff have a built-in "shopping chilling effect"---meaning, since I'm not paying dirt cheap prices for them, then I'd be more likely to consider if I really, really want/need them (instead of impulsively buying them just because they're super cheap). 

What about you---what are your promises/ resolutions for the new year (whether it comes to fashion or otherwise)? I hope we all get to fulfill them :) Cheers! 

Invest In Your Wardrobe

{Via}

I found this article very helpful and meaningful to me, especially in light of my promise to myself to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to shopping. It was written in Fall 2008 but it's still as relevant as ever (in fact, four years on, one can still pick up a few tips from the wardrobe investment guide at the end of the article).  The prices may be relative (what is very cheap abroad may be high-end in the Third World) but the message is the same. Quality over quantity.

I hope it inspires you too.

Cheers!

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

Invest In Your Wardrobe

The same way we've forgotten how to save our pennies, we've forgotten how to invest in our wardrobes. For the past decade and more, we've been on a reckless spend-o-rama, maxing out our credit cards with cheap, chic, disposable fast fashion.

But now -- with rising concerns about the economy, the environment and worker exploitation in developing countries, not to mention a season of temptingly timeless modern classics -- investment dressing is chic again.

Good thing, too. All those cheap Prada knock-offs were not only clogging up the landfills, they were overflowing the closets in our tiny condos, too.

The investment dressing trend is major news all over, according to everyone from the editors of fashion magazines to tastemakers like Holt Renfrew fashion director Barbara Atkin, to the designers themselves and right on up to politicians.

Just last week, England's House of Lords' Science and Technology Committee released a report that condemned cheap and chic insta-fashion, calling it "costly and socially unacceptable."

The report pointed out that clothes from retailers like Britain's uber-popular Primark and Top Shop are so cheap that there is no incentive to repair them, or even to hand them down or recycle them. And that, they say, is just wasteful.

Of course, the Brits aren't the only ones who have been revelling in a frenzy of cut-price poly blends. International chains like Spain's Zara and Sweden's H&M have conquered the retail world by not only knocking off designer duds minutes after they appear on the runway, but completely restocking their stores with brand new fashions every two weeks or so.

That's right: Where once there were two fashion cycles a year (spring and fall), now there are two a month. When clothes are this cheap, why not?

The thing is, when a dress costs only $20 or a pair of jeans is a mere $15, someone is paying full price for it, even if it isn't you.

That someone is typically a garment worker in a developing country like, say, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. There, millions of people -- most of them women and children -- work brutally long hours sewing clothes in squalid situations for less than $10 a week, which may be the legal minimum wage, but it's not exactly a livable one. That's all manufacturers can afford to pay, though, if they want to keep prices as low as customers demand.

The other way clothing companies keep costs down is to use cheap fabrics, typically energy-wasteful cotton or non-biodegradable synthetics. Producing these fabrics can create massive amounts of pollution -- especially in regions with lax environmental standards.

Admittedly, it can be easy to forget about conditions half a world away when you're looking at an adorable blouse that costs little more than your morning latte. To bring the harsh reality home, consider this: A closet crammed with cheap, disposable clothes is more expensive than a wardrobe of well-made, long-wearing classics.

It comes down to the cost-per-wear formula. Take the cost of your garment, divide it by the number of times you wear it and that's what its actual value is.

For instance, a $20 top you wear once has a $20 cost per wear. A $500 jacket you wear every week for a year has a $10 cost per wear. The better value? The $500 jacket. Besides, those inexpensive garments just don't last -- which is why, back in the day, fashion guidebooks always used to say that women on a budget can't afford to buy cheap clothes. That's definitely something to consider given the current economic meltdown.

Something else worth considering: One of the reasons we all fell for fast fashion in the first place was to express our personalities through our clothes. Ironically, all we've managed to accomplish is looking like everyone else out there.

We've also devalued the very designers and labels we've been ripping off.

Given all that, it should come as no surprise that there has been a backlash against all this gross over-consumption of clothing. Just as fast food inspired the slow food movement, so has fast fashion inspired a new "slow fashion" movement that encourages shoppers to buy locally produced, ethically made, high-quality clothing that will last more than one season.

In fact, that's how the world's most stylish women have always shopped.

French and Italian women don't buy a lot of fast fashion; instead, they are famous for having a few well-made basics that they update with well-chosen accessories. They look inside North American women's closets and wonder how on earth we manage to dress ourselves with so much junk. Men don't typically buy a lot of fast fashion either. Instead, they often expect to get a decade's wear out of a coat or suit, so it has to be top quality -- and that's why menswear stores offer expensive, beautifully made clothes and complimentary tailoring.

Meanwhile, we women have been dressing ourselves in nasty, flimsy, scratchy, badly made and ill-fitting clothes, all for the sake of being on top of a trend that lasts about two minutes.

Sure, we want to have fun with fashion, and fast fashion can definitely be fun. And it's great for teens, who are still trying on new styles to learn what suits them best and have small allowances to pay for it in any case. But for the rest of us, shouldn't we know better by now? Shouldn't fashion be a bit more luxurious than this? Shouldn't it make us feel good? Shouldn't it be, well, nicer?

Luckily for all of us, this fall is all about beautiful, modern, updated classics, the kind of clothes you'll want to wear for a good, long time. Atkin calls it "stealth wealth," clothing that is elegant and carefully crafted, but doesn't shout its pedigree with all-over logos and bling.

And yes, it can be expensive, but maybe it's time to bring back another outmoded concept: the idea of actually saving up to buy something special instead of racking up more debt on a whim.

This is a great season to begin investing in your wardrobe again. It's a great season to invest in the building blocks of a timeless wardrobe, in luxurious fabrics, beautiful colours and flattering fits. It's a great season to invest in creating your own unique style, and not following the same trends everyone else is.

It is, in short, a great season to invest in you.


YOUR FALL 2008 INVESTMENT GUIDE
This is a great fall to shop for wonderful clothes that should last a coupleof seasons at least. But before you whip out the credit card, remember, notevery piece out there is worth the big bucks. Some garments are merely fadsthat will last a season. Other styles are so outrageously new it's too soon totell if they are going to have lasting power. Here are 10 Fall 2008 piecesworth investing in and 10 trends you might be better off skimping on.

INVEST IN:
A fabulous, slightly crazy signature piece
A great couture coat
A pencil skirt
A beautiful blouse
A classic shift dress
A well-made, perfectly cut, straight-legged slouchy trouser
Anything in charcoal grey
An oxford or loafer-style pump
A structured leather handbag
A great piece of costume jewelry

SKIMP ON:
A nutty new trend you're not sure about
A fun, colourful faux fur jacket
A flared miniskirt
A crafty knit sweater
A boho floral frock
An MC Hammer-esque trouser (baggy, tapered, cropped)
Anything in teal
Fringed suede booties
A novelty handbag in neon brights

Weekend Snippets

 

Just a few snaps from the wonderfully packed weekend.  Friday,  I was able to go the Brown Bag Vintage & Crafts Market, where I finally met Mikka of A Mischmashed Life whose blog I've been following for quite some time now. Even better, I got first dibs (and a discount too!) on the latest pieces from Carioca, a line of kimonos and caftans that she started with her sister (read about it here).  I got the Caravelas kimono in cotton fabric in my favorite animal print pattern and another one in silk fabric with a surprisingly gorgeous stripes print.  

I also came across other serendipitous finds at the bazaar, like cat-eye vintage Italian shades and handmade leather and fabric bracelets (so perfect for arm parties!).  Another favorite fab find of mine was Alunsina Handbound Books, where I scored a fully handmade journal with genuine cowhide leather only at P500!  I still open the journal from time to time just to savor the wonderful smell of the leather :).

Then dinner at Ayala Triangle Gardens with my friends ANT and S., who work near the area (and I was so engrossed with our chismis/ conversation that I forgot to take a picture!)  Then it was off to Midnight Mercato at BGC, where I went on a food trip while welcoming a friend's birthday. 

Saturday, I treated myself to lunch at Mamou in Serendra, where I remembered why their Lorenzo's Truffle Cream pasta is my favorite and of course, why their Angus Ribeye steak is one of the best in the city. Then the meal was capped off with Mamou's key lime pie (but eaten at Cafe Mary Grace, one of my favorite places for coffee). 

Sunday was spent enjoying the rainy day at home, in pajamas for most of the whole day and a good book.  It was a wonderful weekend.Hope you all had a good one too! :)

Fashion Friday: Red Pants!

I've always been drawn to red---whether it comes to my things (I have a red wallet , a red phone, and I love red nail polish), makeup, fashion. I'd like to think it's one of my signature colors. So it's no surprise to me that I've been lusting after a pair of red pants. It's supposed to be a trend for fall, although in our Philippine weather, I can also see it for the summer and even to add a pop of color for our rainy season (which has been year-round these days!)

These were my pegs when I was searching for a pair: 

Isabeli Fontana for Mango

Manila Fashion Observer in red Zara pants. I love this look---and the Oxfords too!

Via Jak and Jil

And of course, red pants are just perfect paired with stripes to come up with a nautical/preppy look, which I totally adore: 

Via Junialoves.com

Lucy Laught in Anna Sui

Brooklyn Blonde via Chictopia

I scoured the shops and found a pair of red jeans in Promod (although I didn't quite like the particular shade of red of the pants) and also in Mango (didn't like the fit of their red trousers and I didn't find the right size with their red skinny jeans). I was also still on the fence whether red pants/jeans was a basic wardrobe item so I still couldn't bring myself to shell out more than P2,000 for a pair (the price range of the ones in Promod and Mango).  So, it was lucky that I scored a pair of unbranded red stretch denim jeans while grocery shopping in Shopwise Libis.

The rainbow of colors was absolutely lovely, I wanted to buy one in every color.

The shade of red was just perfect and what's best about it is it was only P595! The fit was good---although I got a size bigger since I don't want my tummy area to be squeezed in.

Lately, I've been telling myself that I want to avoid as much as possible buying cheap but disposable clothes. That I would prioritize quality over quantity. However, I think for now, I'll make an exception for this pair and see for myself if it's a wardrobe staple that I want to invest in and upgrade :)

Stripe shirt bought from bazaar

Red pants from Shopwise

Rico Salandanan trench coat

Sperry Top-siders

Handmade bib necklace by Patricia Fernandez

Cole Haan tote

What do you think?  For more on red pants, I leave you with these lovely links:

*Salt and Prep-  Style: Red Hot

*The Coveted- Red Pants: Trend or Investment?

Have a lovely weekend!

Five Things, Fab Finds, and Serendipity

I believe in the power of serendipity, whether in the most significantly deep aspects of life, or even at the most mundane---such as things related to fashion and everyday useful items. (And even discovering that it's serendipity that's the common thread to my five things list was in itself serendipitous!)

1. Bazaar Finds

Without planning to, I found myself in Fashion Palooza: A Trendsetter's Bazaar at the Rockwell tent on Sunday and there I scored some fabulous finds without breaking the bank. I chanced upon Island Girl, which has handmade accessories made in Cebu but is marketed for export (incidentally, they also have a store in Boracay! :)) I had a hard time choosing from all the colors and styles for sale but in the end, I narrowed it down to this wooden bead necklace in a gorgeous shade of aqua.

I've also been looking for a charm bracelet to layer with other pieces in my bracelet collection and a pair of gradient aviator sunnies for a while now. And luckily, I found them both in the Rockwell bazaar. And I got all these three pieces for less than P800! (The pink sunnies case is also a surprise good find from my perennial favorite, Fab Manila).

2. Pouch

I instantly fell in love with this pouch which depicts New York City street scenes.  I don't need another pouch really but this is now the catchall clutch in my purse, holding everything from my umbrella to sunglasses and eco bag. And I found this one in good old SM Department Store, which never ceases to amaze me with its bargain but chic finds. 

3. Eco Bag 

I've had this red polka dot eco bag from for quite some time now. I have road tested so many eco bags that my stash is almost a collection. And I am ready to declare that this is the best and the most perfect eco bag---ever! (At least with respect to my lifestyle and taste). It's made of the perfect lightweight material so I carry it daily in my purse with practically no added weight.  Yet it's durable enough that it can carry heavy stuff, from extra shoes to groceries. It's also not too big and not too small---just the perfect size really. And what I love most about it is the perfect case that I can hook on to the bag whenever I use it. That way, I don't lose the case unlike with other eco bags. I also don't like eco bags that even come with instructions on how to refold the bag back into place. With this eco bag, I don't need to be an origami artist to put the bag back into the case! I can just stuff it right into the case and go. This eco bag is from Storage Solutions. I don't know if it's available online but I've been told they don't carry it in their bazaars but only in their Cash and Carry Mall store. 

4. Black ballerina flats

 

I've been on the hunt for the perfect black ballerina flats for some time now.  (And this is on top of my growing addiction to any lovely pair of closed flats). A pair of Repetto ballet flats is definitely on my wish list but in the meantime, several pairs have come to me through department store (pictured above) and bazaar finds. In the Rockwell bazaar last Friday, I discovered My Fancy Flats. Unfortunately, they didn't have a black pair in my size but fortunately, they have an online store.  My Fancy Flats may just satisfy my craving to hunt for the perfect pair of black ballerinas. As soon as I get my hands on them, I'll be sure to let you know.

5. Forever 21 Scarves 

And finally, I am just so happy with my knit and cotton scarves also serendipitously found at Forever 21, purchased on an impromptu visit during the office lunch hour. Plush, soft, and simply perfect for my upcoming birthday holiday out of the country.

Wishing serendipity will continue doing its magic for all of us. Cheers! :)

Vintage Bicycle ♥

{via}

For the longest time, I've been wanting to get myself a vintage bicycle. And last month, I finally did it. Took the plunge and got myself one, notwithstanding the lack of open roads for biking in this side of Manila. And of course, the bike had to be red! Buy it and they will come. Or so the saying goes :) Here's me attracting the life I want to live, with freedom and time enough for leisure and the pleasures of riding and enjoying something so uncomplicated as a bicycle. In the meantime, I make do with the city streets. This weekend it was in Global City where everyone is pursuing his or her own trip. One day I'm going to bring it home to Samar and enjoy the country roads---just me and my pretty little red bicycle with a wicker basket.

My 1960's three speed Yamaguchi bicycle

For more on vintage bikes, visit Bzkleta Vintage Bicycles

150 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City (near J. Ruiz MRT station)

Mobile number: 0917-5769869

Open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM