Feeling Blue

Blue Top: Department Store Find - Circular Skirt: Uniqlo - Top Knot Headband: H&M - Bag: The Leather Company

When I saw this skirt at Uniqlo I thought it was perfect to bring for our trip to France and Italy. The fabric can get wrinkled but very forgiving, and since it's plain, it can go well with many of the tops I already have. I'm actually pretty bummed that I did not get this in the other colors available, and that it's no longer available at Uniqlo stores!

Pops of Pink

If you'd look at my closet, you'd see an abundance of whites and blacks. There will be pops of blue and dark green--rarely will you see punchy colors. I'm still into the color pink at the moment and though I'm still on the fence about incorporating it in my wardrobe, I am more than willing to add some pink accessories to my wardrobe such as this pink top knot headband and blush trunk bag.

Top and Pants: Bazaar Finds - Top Knot Headband: H&M - Trunk Bag: Muse

1 Pair of Jeans, 2 Looks

I'm a new convert to high-waist jeans so I am now considering adding a pair of two to my closet--I've already ordered this pair from Mango and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they fit right so I can wash them and wear them stat!

My hunt for the pair of jeans went beyond jeans (of course) so I thought I'd do some outfit inspo using this pair of jeans.

LOOK 1
Top: Polka Dot Cross Blouse - Jeans: Slim Fit Mom Jeans - Bag: Bucket Sling Bag - Sunglasses: Round Sunglasses - Sandals: Tan Flats

LOOK 2
Top: Pink Knit Top - Jeans: Slim Fit Mom Jeans - Bag: Woven Bucket Bag - Sunglasses: Light Pink Cat eye Sunglasses - Sandals: White Mule Heels

Checked Blazer

Blazer: Bershka - Jeans and Tank Top: Department Store finds - Tote: Ni Qua - Slides: Primadonna

Wow. It has been a long while since my last blog post... But here I am! Back to blogging!

September Favorites

 

Straw Bag from Fievre

Starting my favorites for the month with this straw bag that I've been lugging around a lot since I got it. I didn't think I could pull off a round straw bag that I have been seeing so much of lately so I got it in this shape instead. It keeps me from toting around our entire home which is great, because that would mean no shoulder and back pain! This cute little bag can accommodate my phone, my power bank, cash and cards (wallet won't fit), and my keys. 

Gold Hoop Earrings

Have you noticed that these are in vogue again? I remember buying my first pair in gold too back in 2006--towards the end of my freshman year in UP Baguio. They were exactly the same size as these new ones I got from Parfois, except this one is significantly thinner. I remember being shy about the size of the earrings having used only pearl studs so I would wear that gold pair with my hair down at first. 

Tomato Mask Sheet from Nature Republic

I had a colleague who went to Korea early this month and she was kind enough to buy Tomato Mask Sheets for us there. These masks are AMAZING. They really moisturize and brighten the skin. This is hands down the best mask sheet if you want brighter skin. I use this in the evening and when I put on my moisturizer and BB cream the following day, they go on real smooth. Also! The most important reason why I absolutely love this mask: I get cystic pimplessss whenever I'm about to get my period or I've skipped a couple of steps in my skincare routine; so whenever I feel a pimple about to develop, I put this on, and in the morning it's gone. I'm not kidding. Which is why I'm stocking up on these before I run out. A friend recommended Tony Moly's Tomato Mask, too. Is that any good? 

Peri's Ink Velvet in Baby Doll

I love this tint! This stays on for houuurs. I was hounding this on Beauty MNL but it's always out of stock so I was happy that it's now available at SM Makati. I love this tint. When used all over the lips it really brightens up my complexion, but I usually use this for gradient lips. 

L'Oreal Cushion Glow Blush in Rose Affair

I just bought this because I saw a beauty YouTuber rave about it. Before I got this, I was actually considering getting a cushion BB Cream but couldn't find one that will suit my needs so when I saw this in SM Makati, I bought it stat. I love that this has a cooling effect and it's dewy. Think, Korean girls dewy. It's really nice. The only thing I don't like about it is that I have to re-apply after four hours. The color is completely gone-- my cheeks are just left dewy. What I've been doing as of late, is to layer this with a light pink stain. It works better, although this time, the dewiness is completely gone after around six hours. I love the product, but I don't think I'd buy it again--the price for the quality is pretty surprising, too. It's P900.

What are your thoughts on my September Favorites? Leave them at the Comments Section below!

Gone Gold

{Gaucho Pants, Uniqlo | Straw Bag, Fievre}

Or mustard. If you want to technical about it. But in the sun these pants look gold. I love, love, love these gaucho pants from Uniqlo. These are the comfiest pair of pants I own. I actually bought this in navy first, then loved that pair so much so I bought these gold ones (or mustard) as well. I think I found out about these pants too late so they've run out of black in my size :( They have it in white, but the material was way too thin for my liking. I hope they made a thick lining for the white pair. These are garterized (!!!) and fall exactly around my waist. The material is buttery soft and is surprisingly cool even in the heat.

What do you think of these pants? :)

How To: Clean Jewelry

My Mom and my grandmother had trust issues cleaned their jewelry themselves. Whenever I would need to borrow a pair of earrings from my Mom, she would clean them herself using powder laundry detergent--Tide at that. According to her, that's how my Grandmother cleaned hers too. 

When I started buying my own jewelry, I never bothered to clean them (HEHE), except for my engagement ring which I brought to have cleaned professionally. While I was at the jewelry store, the person cleaning told me I could clean the ring myself-- WITH TIDE. The store didn't even bother to charge me with a fixed amount, i just gave him a tip. 

I asked the clerk how it's done, and to my surprise, his instructions were the same as my Mom's. 

No. 1 : Mix warm water with powder laundry detergent (Tide was highly recommended). Keep jewelry soaked for 20 to 30 minutes (though my Mom likes to keep hers overnight).

No. 2 : Rinse jewelry, make sure you cover the drain with a dish so your jewelry won't fall in!

No. 3 : Brush jewelry with a toothbrush. Then rinse again.

No. 4 : Air dry on a paper towel.

You'd be surprised at how sparkly your jewelry will be!

Checked Blazer

I'm perennially cold so I'm pretty happy that blazers are a thing again, especially checked / houndstooth blazers. I've never been one for patterns, but since these are just in black and white, I was down. I got this blazer from Stradivarius for P1995. I was hesitant at first, but since my husband gave me a push and told me that he thinks I can use this for many years, I went ahead and got it. I've already worn this to work, and I'm pretty happy I can pair this with a casual outfit as well. 

I've blogged about my sunnies and earrings HERE. I'd love to know your thoughts on the checked blazer! Let me know in the comments section below.

Bright Round Things (An H&M Haul... Kind Of)

1. Round Brown Sunnies

Finally got a pair! I've been going back and forth with regard to getting round sunnies. The Ray-Ban ones are pricey and since I'm not sure I'll still wear it many years after I purchase it, I thought I'd just scrimp on a pair.

What I really planned on getting was the round sunnies from Mango, priced at P1495. I made a mental note to return to their branch at the SM Mall of Asia, but I never got to! Luckily too since over the weekend I saw this pair (very very similar to the ones from Mango) and got it for P599! or was it P699...

2. Round Gold Earrings

I saw the very same pair on a vlogger from the UK. I wasn't sure if I they have this here in Manila, but I went to SM Makati anyway and after 10 minutes at looking at their earrings and Sale racks-- I found them! A few pairs were hidden under the new earrings display! I'm so happy with this find (I'm wearing them now as I'm preparing this post). 

I don't really like dangling earrings but these don't hang too low from my ears so I'm fine. For many, many years pearl earrings were my staple. But with the face like the shape of the full moon, and ears set far back, pearl studs weren't really flattering unless they're huge or I keep tilting my face to the side. So these are now my staples. I got these for P299.

What are your thoughts on my mini accessory haul?

Office Layers

{Top, Zalora | Bambi Dress, Blued from Zalora | Custom-made shoes, Kara Zapatos}

My first foray into Civil Service was at the Department of Foreign Affairs Manila. During our orientation, the unspoken dress code stuck to my mind. Blacks and Blues were preferred over color. Dress smart and properly as you don't know who you will be running into in the building. 

I was at the Training and Research Arm and my work entailed constantly talking to other people-- so that means I have to look presentable all the time. 

I brought that dress code to the Senate. Sometimes I'd wear a sleeveless top or dress, but I make sure that I have a shawl to cover up when necessary or when it gets too cold. 

I bought this printed spaghetti strap dress from Zalora and since summer has gone, I thought it would be a waste to just store this in my closet until another extra hot day (In the ber months? It's possible in Manila...). Soooo enter this versatile chiffon top also from Zalora. The chiffon top is flimsy enough to tuck into the dress without the unnecessary and unflattering bulges, and smartens up my attire for the office.

August Favorites

Turning over a new leaf by incorporating a healthier snack into my life. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE CUP NOODLES AND I LOST MY SHIT WHEN WE WERE IN TOKYO BECAUSE OH MY GOODNESS CUP NOODLES GALORE. THEY HAVE A SOFT TOFU STEW CUP NOODLE (but without noodles, just soup, so cup soup?) THAT I STILL THINK ABOUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. Anyway, I needed to curb my cup noodles cravings because we all know that it's not advisable to keep having that on a regular basis so I thought I'd switch to these.

{Muesli and 3 Cows Yogurt in the Honey Variant}

I got the Muesli from Healthy Options. I got this small bag just to see if I will like it (I thought Muesli will be just glorified oatmeal. I HATE oatmeal), but it turns out to be pretty good! How is different from granola? Muesli is just loose, uncooked cereal while granola is baked cereal where the ingredients (grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit) are combined using a sweetener or oil. 

The 3Cows Yogurt is readily available in most supermarkets. If you are fond of frozen yogurt Llao Llao, you will love this. It's on the sour side but it's really yummy. I always get the honey variant. 

{Anello Bag}

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've raved about my purchase of this bag. When we were in Tokyo early this year, Anello bags were everywhere. Kevin told me to buy since it's going to be much cheaper than when I buy here in Manila, but the only ones we saw where made of cloth.

Many months after, while Kevin and I were at Uptown Mall in BGC to have dinner, I saw the Anello Store and got this one on a whim! I got this one for P2,650. I love it. I love it so much that I have been using it as an everyday bag since I got it. And no scratches or whatever yet! I really like that it has a wide opening so I get to see all its contents in one look. With other bags (especially those with dark lining) I get little heart attacks when for some reason the bag seemed to have swallowed my phone or my keys. I love that it's a handbag, but it comes with a strap so it can also be a shoulder bag. 

The only thing I don't like about this is that it's pretty heavy. Even without a lot of stuff inside. 

{Tony Moly Eyetone Matte}

It has been four years since I last bought eyeshadow. Since I have close to monolid eyes, I find that extra effort is needed to show the world that I actually have eyeshadow on my lids. I've been getting hooked on beauty vloggers lately and to cut the very long story short, I thought I'd get a neutral eyeshadow for everyday. I got this Tony Moley Eyetone Matte in Shade 248 and I really like it. It blends well on my skin; it's a shade of brown that brightens up my eyes.

I haven't tried it with primer on, but it lasts six hours on my lids. And then after that my very oily lids pushes the product to settle on the crease of my eyelids. 

It comes in a very light and compact packaging so I don't mind keeping it in my makeup bag all the time. The product is really matte, though Tony Moly has a shimmer variant for this. But if you are in the market for a light brown eyeshadow that will just brighten up your eyes, and you're not really feeling the smokey eye look, you might want to give this a try. 

If you have any questions on any of the products I've posted do let me know in the Comments Section!

Structured Pink

{White Top, Zara | Pink Pants, Mango | Heels, Kara Zapatos}

If you asked me in the past what I would not be caught dead wearing, I'd probably say 'pink pants'. Making a quick mental inventory of the clothes I have, I can honestly say I don't have pink clothes. I have a pink kimono which I rarely use. That's it. Which is why it came as a surprise to me (and my husband) why I picked out this pair of pink pants. The photos don't do the pants justice-- the color is really much nicer in person. It's punchy, without being too bright and inappropriate for work, and its structure clearly made me reconsider my take on pink clothes. 

When I saw this at Mango, I knew I had to try it on. It fits perfectly! It falls on my hips nicely and the length is just right. I got one in black, too (of course). And I'm now considering getting it in other colors. Since I'm petite, RTW pants that fit nice are hard to come by. 

What are your thoughts on pink pants?