ORANGE SHOE

Orange you glad for wedges?

More of my daily kikay shots
on Instagram

DARK SIDE

The Dark Side:

Bloody Red Nails

Black Ring

I'm enjoying Manila's affordable nail services again. (Yes, we're so back!) Had so much fun with my DIY phase. But with the nail spas so near (my office and our home), I'm back to enjoying professional care.

More of my daily kikay shots on Instagram.

FASHION DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE...

A "Look for Less" Lady had always wondered if she'd be able to enter the world of clothes, make-up, shoes, and bags.

While enjoying her stint in the broadcast media (admittedly, another dream industry that she happilly ventured into), she always daydreamed about her other kikay interests.

So she put up a silly blog, her Little Black Book of Style, as inspired by Nina Garcia's book. She enrolled in fashion school and make-up workshops, just for fun. And exposed herself to more fashion magazines, books, blogs, films and TV shows. Every fashion experience, no matter how far-out and mundane, ended with "If only I could..."

On a year when life proved "everything is possible," with no professional background in the retail world, she finally gave it a shot. Arrmed only with her passion for fashion, she applied for a Junior Management position in one of the country's richest men's Group of Companies, and got hired for a Senior Management role!

*Fade in: Rampa Music*

*Confetti Blast*

YES, EVEN SILLY DREAMS DO COME TRUE.

-----

I can't talk about my new career in detail. But just to give you a glimpse of my new work life, here are bits from my recent events.

Above:
Fab accessories from photo shoots
inspire shopping sprees!

Above:
Pictorials are dejavu.
I guess they'll forever be part of my career life.
Naiba lang ang "cast."

Above:
Spot the mascara topper.
Fabulous cupcakes from a make-up event.

Above:
My first mall opening was Filipiniana themed
since the store's located among the country's heritage sites.



Above:
Rehearsals for a VIP event

I used to get paid to watch a lot of TV (of course, it's not all I do but it was a big part of my work). Now, I'm getting paid to go mall and event-hopping. Someone up there truly loves me. *wink*

Fabulous in Faith,

A

CUFFED

Fab Find
black and gold hand-crafted cuff

Cuffed. And loving it!

Could this be the effect of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (currently enjoying book #3!)?

PARISIAN CHIC

Current fashion read: Parisian Chic 

It's a style guide by Ines de la Fressange, France's icon of chic; written in collaboration with Elle fashion journalist Sophie Gachet.

Loving the style and beauty tips (and decorating finds!); and the book's uber-chic layout: ala-scrapbook / diary / journal with charming scribbles, drawings and personal snapshots.

GOLD RUSH.
My DIY mani matches the book cover's text.

Dress like a Parisan.
Wardrobe musts: LBD, trench coat, diamonds.

Price Tag:

SGD48 (around Php1500), from Kinokuniya

BIB NECKLACE

What I Wore to the Mall

PROUDLY PINOY MADE
Statement Necklace

KAFTAN TOP

What I wore during playtime with my adorable niece and nephew

SUMMER BLUES

NAUTICAL

What I wore to see "The Avengers" with the Hubby

Red, white and blue...

SEPHORA MAKEUP CASE

What's inside the big Sephora shopping bag?

Black Bag:
Shopped at Sephora, Vivo City branch

Brown Bag:
Fino, a Pinoy leather bag brand.
It has received a lot of compliments in SG.
Proudly Pinoy-made! Yey!

A winner find: a silver metal makeup case for SGD150 (around Php5250)!
Specs: 14 inches x 9 inches x 9 inches 

An online store sells this or something that looks so much like it for USD275 (almost Php12,000), comes with make-up and tools, see redgingercosmetics. I saw a similar case being sold in SM Megamall for Php14,000, with makeup and brushes too. According to the salesperson, the case costs Php7,500, but they don't sell it separately.

I have existing makeup and brushes so Sephora's empty case is perfect for me. Happier because it's cheaper than the online and the SM prices. Yey!

Fab Find for Less

Here's how it opens. Photo below is from the online store. I'll reveal what's inside my case next time.

SWEET NOTHINGS

Pastels. Sherbet Shades. Cotton Candy Colors. I'm loving this season's saccharine fashion palette. 

Photo: NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Sweet Dreams are made of these...

Photo: PardonMyBlog

Photo: Refinery29.com

My current read: H&M magazine / catalogue

My current buy: pretty pastel-colored scarves. If you don't want to commit to pa-tweetums clothes, allow accessories to sweeten your look.

Existing pastel accessories from my wardrobe : candy-colored floral earrings and rings.

What I Wore to a recent dinner with my cousins:

• Deep Pink shirt, Forever 21
• Blush cardigan, Zara

Photo: Hubby's

SO FRENCH

I've been doing my own manicure to save on cash and to better my nail skills. See how my professionally-painted nails compare to the DIY.

My French Tips c/o Manila's Nail Spa, as blogged in January 2012.

My DIY French Tips at The French Stall (TFS), Little India area, Singapore, Feb 2012.

My DIY French Tips at Au Parc, a French cafe in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, March 2012.

Not bad eh? 

Je suis tres heureux. 

Barok French? Haha. I just want to say "I'm very happy" with my improving DIY skills.

Polish brand I used: Face Shop (exact shades to follow)

I'll write about the winner French restaurants Hubby and I tried recently on my other blog. 

AU PARC
23 Han Thuyen, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

TFS aka The French Stall
544 Serangoon Road (corner Sturdee Road North), Singapore

MARNI FOR H&M

Yes, I was in H&M last March 8 to check out the Marni collection. No photography allowed sa store, so no personal photos here. 

Compared to the Versace for H&M collection last November 2011, I think hindi gaanong pinagkaguluhan itong Marni here in Singapore. I went to the store around 5pm and marami pang stocks. Yung Versace, ubos by 1pm!

Such lovely prints.

I liked the polka-dot coat the most. Kaso ang mahal. SGD250 (almost Php9K). Pass. Was happy to just try it on.

What were your Marni for H&M finds?

ANDY WARHOL SHIRTS AT UNIQLO

We're so looking forward to the Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal exhibit at the ArtScience Musuem. It's opening next weekend! Yey! 

As a prelude (haha), we're happy to get shirts from Uniqlo's "limited only" Andy Warhol collection. Pop art for only SGD25 each. Now that's a steal!

I got the shoe print. I have a hardbound journal and stationary with the same design back in Manila. *kilig* Hubby got the iconic Campbell's soup print. 

Affordable Art!
Our Andy Warhol shirts from Uniqlo

From the Uniqlo Singapore Facebook page

FASHION STORY

I'm reliving one of my favorite childhood games. Currently having so much fun with the iPad app "Fashion Story," where I get to manage my very own boutique. Confession: Nagpupuyat ako for this!

At age 8 (that's when I finally got my own space), I'd re-arrange my bedroom so that it'd look like a dress shop. Everything on my dresser and cabinets were for sale. I was the owner, sales lady, and cashier. I had imaginary customers. Business was always doing well. Haha!

I don't get the Angry Birds and Plants vs Zombies craze, sorry. So happy to have finally found the game for me. "Fashion Story" fits me like a glove. 

Day 2 on My Fashion Story:
GLASS SLIPPERS on MY WINDOW DISPLAY!
#sanatotooito

FIRST SG HAIRCUT

I needed a trim. And I wanted to experience using these "cheap" haircut machines. I've been seeing them all around Singapore. So I took the chance one weekend.

I went to the neighborhood mall, placed SGD10 (around Php350) on the machine, got my ticket and waited for my turn. When my number finally appeared on the marquee, I handed my ticket to a lady. She showed me to my seat. And asked, in Singlish, what I wanted. I said, "Just a trim. Around two inches off..." Then she started cutting. No shampoo service. I panicked, "How will she know if pantay kung hindi basa hair ko?!"  But I didn't dare complain. Natakot ako sa gunting. Lol.

My thought balloon the entire time, "If you wanted pampering, you should have gone to the 'starts at SGD100' salons." So I sat quietly throughout the cut, trying to be optimistic, "Baka ganun sila kagaling? Hindi na kailangan mag-shampoo or basain ang hair."

After the cut, straight lang naman, another surprise -- no blow drying too! Good thing I just asked for a basic trim. No hair styling required. But to this day I wonder, "Pantay ba? Parang hindi..."

Ganun ba talaga ang SGD10 haircut? Or I can get better service in other branches?

OSCARS 2012 BEST DRESSED

Here are twelve of the most fabulous dresses from the Oscars 2012 red carpet, according to RCFA...

For me, the Best Dressed Award goes to...

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford.

Classic. Clean. Cape (!).

Gwyneth = Glamour

She's always been among my fashion superheroes. *wink*

THEIR EVERYDAY BAGS

Could my observation be correct? Singapore's most popular bags are the Longchamp Le Pliage (in all colors) and the Prada Antic Nappa Gauffre (and versions of it). Wanted to take photos, pero bawal, so eto na lang sina Victoria and Kate. Compared to Manila's mostly-LV eksena, here, Prada seems to be the favored designer label.

GOWNS AT THE GRAMMYS 2012

Here are seven of the Best Dressed women at the Grammys, according to RCFA...

Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad. She's all gown up here. I love the details of the dress!

Adele in Giorgio Armani. Yes, you can be glamorous at any size.

Kelly Rowland in Alberto Ferretti. Pretty. A toned-down version of Halle Berry's iconic Elie Saab Oscars gown?

Jessie J in Julien Macdonald. I'm not feeling this one. Disco ball-ish.

Rihanna in Giorgio Armani. She was named Best Dressed by the Fashion Critics, as per RCFA. She looks perfect here.

Katy Perry in Elie Saab. Blue hair, blue gown. Why not? I've always been a fan of Elie Saab. He so knows how to dress up women. And with such beautiful details!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney. Fashion fantasy: to wear something like this one day soon. Love it!

My Best Dressed: Torn between Rihanna and Gwyneth.

Who's yours?

MADONNA AT THE SUPER BOWL

One word: WOW.



Hail the Queen!

This was definitely not "reductive." (Savor that biting soundbite from Madge again.)

Madonna's fabulous costumes for the Super Bowl Half Time Show were by Givenchy Couture. Sketches and stills below. Reynang-reyna lang!

JASON WU FOR TARGET

Dream shopping sequence: I'm among the ladies going gaga over the Jason Wu for Target collection (which is almost sold out according to reports). Below are the three items that would definitely be in my shopping bag. What would be in yours? 

The flared dress in black with nude patent belt. Is that lace tulle? Lovely detail!

The poplin dress in navy. I think the stripes are so pretty. There are actually similar versions of this here in Singapore, from the local boutiques. 

The short sleeve tee with tie in blush. So feminine! Perfect with black skirt, pants, shorts, jeans...everything.

On the Today Show, I remember Jason saying the collection is inspired by "the American Girl in Paris." Very French new wave cinema. And the best thing about them - most items are priced below USD60. True?

Now how do you say "Lovely!" in French? Joli!



PS
As we all know Jason Wu's popularity zoomed after Michelle Obama wore his creation to the Inaugural Ball, January 2009.

DIY CURLS

I've always dreamed of bedhead hair -- I love the effortless, soft-curls, gulu-guluhan pero magandang look. Read about my 2010 entry here. 

My pegs:

Effortlessly Chic

Bedhead Bombshells

I've tried learning from the online tutorials (ang galing nila sa tools!), considered digital perm (but my hair is still not healthy and long enough), and tried other DIY, chemical-free techniques (braiding, cut-off sock buns - have you seen those online?). My observation: Practice makes perfect. Pero iba talaga ang kamay ng pro. The irony: touch-ups are necessary for this supposed effortless look (high maintenance pala!). 

Below's my recent attempt at DIY curls. Total curling time: around 20 minutes. 10-seconds per section, temperature at level 10 (maximum on my iron is 15). I made it real quick as I was too scared to burn my hair!

Hair we go again! Lol.

Before and After, below.

Left: My hair at 6pm. May curls naman, kahit paano.

Right: My hair by midnight, after a dinner date. Bagsak na even with the supposed maximum-hold hairspray.

Before - After

My tools: Vidal Sassoon ceramic curling iron, Finesse maximum-hold hairspray, clip (for partitions) and comb.

My best bet may be Alex Carbonell's soft set curls. I love how it turned out for Daphne Paez. Another to-do on our next Manila vacay?