zara summer looks

I'm loving Zara's April 2012 lookbook fronted by Liu Wen. These pieces are the very definition of summer. And for us fortunate ones(or unfortunate, depending how you look at it) who experience warm weather the whole year round, we could look to these styling as inspiration. We could play a lot with colors and layers too despite the hot temperature.



White suit with a pop of a luscious shade of yellow. I've got to get my hands on a pair of white jeans!




Love this all white look. Perfect for those lazy summer evenings meeting friends for drinks. 



I'm loving summer's favorite - printed skirt. Looks best when paired with a crisp white shirt. 

the vest that could

Remember my most recent alteration project? Still playing around with other looks I can create with the gray vest.


This time, I swapped the neutrals with a bolder print.

Topped it off with the vest. A dependable technique to pull everything together.




I was wearing: Printed pants from Divisoria (Manila), tank top from G2000, Ma's blazer-turned-vest, Sapato Manila wedges (Manila), bangles from Diva and H&M ring.

on picking battles

Lately, I've been wearing a lot of my comfortable wedge sandals, kitty heels or loafers because the new office location requires a whole lot of walking and running after the bus and going up the covered walk-way, etc. 


But then there are days when I just don't feel reasonable and just want to walk around in heels. They may not be comfortable, but there's no denying the confidence that a pair of heels can do to a girl and to an outfit. 


Thankfully, Plus Size Fasyon Mudra has shared her little secret to wearing heels for the day.


So on Friday, I dared to break in my new pair of black pointy three-inch heels.

But ala-Plus Size Fasyon Mudra, I wore a pair of comfy flats during the commute.


Voila! From fierce to comfy in an instant. Chose this pair of black TOMS for my back-up pair since it's made of canvas so pretty light to pack in my work bag.


This great little tip doesn't just help the feet, they also help the shoes! You can avoid wearing them out from rain, mud, rough pavement and other elements. 

rough around the edges

Wore one of my mom's dress from the 80s. Very girly with the billowy skirt and cinched waist and candy-colored stripes. 


Added my own little twist by topping it off with my favorite utility vest (honestly, this piece should now be in the ~hall of fame!) and ankle boots.


Here's a closer look at the dress.


More details.
I'm really beginning to love pairing my ankle boots with girly dresses. 


I was wearing: dress from Ma's closet, Liz Claiborne utility vest, ankle boots from Zara.

identity crisis

I was in high school when the whole grunge/alternative movement came into mainstream and became the soundtrack to my generation. So, I can't help it that 90s alternative music holds a special place in my heart. 



I guess us kids from the 90s dressed up like today's hipsters. Ha!


Super love my Nirvana tee.



90s style won't be complete without the leather bracelets and tough accessories.


I miss the 90s!


I was wearing: Nirvana top from H&M, Cotton On plaid shirt, skinny jeans from Target, shoes from Charles & Keith.

just in: may

Here are some new stuff I picked up recently.








Been looking for a pair of fluorescent yellow pants for awhile. I tried at H&M, Zara and Stradivarius but the shades of yellow just weren't right. Finally, I found a pair at good old Pull & Bear. This closer shot makes the yellow look duller that it actually is in real life.




H&M striped tee from the men's section, again. Picked this up before the yellow jeans but now I think they will make a good pair.



Was drawn to this very 80s styled tee - 80s style print, loose and hanging. Got this on sale too at Cotton On for $15, original price is $24.

altered state

Last week, I showed you a sneak peek of my Mom's gray short-sleeved blazer that I found while spring cleaning. I finally picked it up from my favorite tailor-auntie and I love how it turned out.



I had the sleeves cut off and turned it into a slightly oversized vest. 


For my first look with the vest, I decided to go white-on-white. 


Wore a brown belt to break up the white-on-white. 


Already have some other looks in mind to incorporate this vest. 


I was wearing: Ma's gray blazer-turned-vest, Cotton On white tee, lace skirt from H&M, Uniqlo belt, bangles from Diva, shoes from Charles & Keith.

comfy Thursdays

Thursdays are my late nights cause I do two classes at my gym. So on these long days, I opt for comfortable outfits.

This is what I wore last Thursday. 



Nothing more comfortable than a pair of skinny jeans and oversized shirt.



My super comfy pair of loafers completes this look.


I was wearing: Mossimo skinny jeans, oversized button-down from Cotton On, Trois + Inch loafers.

craving

Platform sandals are making a comeback this Spring/Summer. While I usually gravitate towards pointy heels, I find myself drawn to these beauties:





Givenchy gladiator sandals from Net-a-PorterOf course, trust fast-fashion brands to take cue and release their own take at this trend for a friendlier price. Here are some of my favorites:





Topshop with metallic heel detail Zara These would go so perfectly with a white crochet dress topped with a utility vest or light denim shirt for those cool summer nights. 

beat it

Ma is a big Michael Jackson fan. Ok - that's probably an understatement. She's a crazed fan that she has all the CDs and concert DVDs, borrows all the MJ books at the National Library and takes notes of the MJ timeline in her special MJ notebook. (Crazed, I tell you!)


And because I still have a graphic tee hangover, I borrowed Ma's prized Michael Jackson tee.


As usual, employed my usual trick - paired with pencil skirt.


Here's a closer look at the tee. Classic 80s MJ.



So happy finally got the chance to wear my super comfy flat ankle boots again. Haven't been able to take these babies out in a long time.


Have a great week ahead. 


I was wearing: H&M Beat It tee borrowed from Ma, pencil skirt from Landmark (Manila), Zara flat ankle boots.

favorites

If you were to ask me my favorite items in my closet, I would be showing you this actual look.



This white oversized top is my absolute favorite - the perfect oversized fit, the slouchy relaxed style and the comfortable relaxed material. I just love it! I pretty much wear this anywhere and pair with anything from skinny denim to shorts, to a maxi skirt. 


With this look though, I've paired with my favorite pencil skirt. The striped green and black gives it a more playful feel than a typical staid black pencil skirt. So it works even for more casual looks like this.


 
Finally, added the knot on the shirt in keeping with the casual vibe.


Have a great weekend!


I was wearing: Oversized white shirt from Cotton On, pencil skirt from Rockwell (Manila), Charles & Keith shoes.