NEW HAIR COLOR

To welcome the New Year, I had my hair colored, from black to mahogany. Did it on January 2, before the new year's work week started. The new hair color's supposed to mark all the new things I'm looking forward to this year.

Above:

Me with my mostly black-haired office sisters.

Photo by Rene Mejia

It was my very first professional hair color experience. My Mama used to be the one who helped me do it at home (our last DIY coloring experience was ten years ago). With her living in another country now, I headed to the pros -- to Piandre, Trinoma.

The entire process took 2 hours, including the quick eyebrow dye (but of course, dapat pantay ang color ng hair and eyebrows). Mahogany was recommended by Piandre's Senior Stylist (Thank you, Rosalie. Hope I got your name right). We did a patch test 48 hours before th actual coloring. I'm allergic to certain foods so I really had to take the patch test, just to be sure. Fortunately, I had no allergic reaction to the dye. So it was all green and go. Cost: Php2,500.

I'm on the pale side (aka maputla) so the color helped brighten up my complexion. I'm happy to have once again tried something new. Hooray for all risk takers!

FASHION'S NOW IN FASHION

From Preview's Jan/Feb 2011 issue...

Above:

Local Tinseltown's Top Stylist Liz Uy

(I think it's the first time that a Stylist

and not a Model / Actress made it to the cover.)

"Oh, how long I've waited for this! You cannot imagine how many times I prayed for this day to come. When I started at Preview ten years ago, there weren't very many people who were interested in fashion, let alone knew what a stylist was. A career in fashion journalism was certainly unheard of... It wasn't something you thought of as a career. I felt the wind shift roughly five years later at a Super! event, when it hit me that little girls had begun saying, 'When I grow up, I wanna be a fashion editor.'

The Internet, along with the high street shops, has done a lot to spark this new interest in fashion from a public that's had its fill of jeans and tees.

There's a whole new generation out there who's never known the fun of dressing to the nines. Now is the time to make the most of it." -- The Fashion Bandwagon by Pauline Juan, EIC, Preview magazine

Me: As a "student of style" (as stated in my blog profile), I'm excited with how fashion is evolving in Manila. We're still far from being Tokyo or Hong Kong or Paris or New York but we're now seeing more fashion-forward choices. I'm one with Preview's celebration of this evolution! Cheers to Pinoy fashionistas!

The article's so timely and personal for me since I'm attending fashion school very soon! Too excited! I'm heeding Pauline's call to "Climb aboard because fashion is now in fashion!"

SPOTTED!

Spotted: The Longchamp Le Pliage to a formal event.

Do or Don't?

Definitely a Don't for me!

It's too casual to go with your gown or cocktail dress, honey. For formal events, it's best to go with an evening bag, a minaudiere or a clutch. The Le Pliage is meant for more casual occasions like traveling and shopping. *wink*

FAB FILIPINIANA

I remember a time when Filipiniana meant "Ninang fashion" or pang-Linggo ng Wika. Very costume-y, bordering on dated. But thanks to our very talented Pinoy designers and fabulous fashionistas, Filipiniana has evolved with the times.

The Traditional Filipiniana Styles

Above: Maria Clara-inspired

Above: The Imelda Terno

The Modern Filipiniana Styles

Hooray for Pinay fashionistas!

Above: Senator Cayetano's modern twist

to the black and white Maria Clara style.

So chic!

Above: Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez

wearing a periwinkle terno.

The surprise is in the color!

Above: Assunta de Rossi in a stand-out terno.

Love the pop of yellow and the origami detail!

Above: Bianca Gonzalez in a very chic interpretation

of the Imelda sleeves!

Above: Daphne Paez, also in a modern interpretation

of the Imelda terno. Love this! So fab!

The color's so Chanel.

The last time I wore Filipiniana was during my High School Graduation. Our entire batch wore Patis Tesoro creations (Lovely!). I'll try to find a photo.

Recently, I attended a wedding with a Filipiniana dress code. To make sure I'd wear a modern version, I sought my designer cousin's help. Her creative and practical fashion advise: an Imelda sleeves-inspired bolero, in hot pink. Loved it!

Above: My hot pink Filipiniana bolero

with Czarina Villa's signature rosettes.

Above: For the sleeves to look younger, more now,

we opted for them to be low and puffy versus Imelda's tall and pointy style.

Above: The ensemble.

No need for me to buy an entire outfit (yey!).

My black skirt and top are existing items from my wardrobe.

They served as the backdrop for the hot pink bolero.

Above: At the wedding reception.

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAYS 6,7,8

Happy 2011! Believe that every day is worthy of your dresses, your red lipstick, your blow dried hair. Have a fabulous year (and new decade) ahead!

Hectic holidays = late blog entries. Here's an overdue update on another personal challenge: I've successfully tried 8 of the 11 In Style Holiday suggestions.

In Style Look # 2: Go For Pastels!

"Toss all the old rules of what colors to wear when—

pretty pastels provide a much-needed pick-me-up in fall and winter.

For evening, look for beaded styles that offer a bit of coverage at the neckline,

like Eva Mendes' Christian Dior lavender dress.

Another alternative is an iridescent fabric similar to Kate Bosworth's

shimmery Calvin Klein with 3/4 sleeves."

PRETTY IN PINK?

Above:

Powder pink cardigan, Zara.

Beige tank top, F21.

Pearl strands, Greenhills.

(I don't like my smoky eyes interpretation hence the pink bar, hehe.)

In Style Look #7: Switch to Lace Stockings

"Shake up your stockings drawer by adding some sexy lace tights—

a stylish update of opaque black.

Show off shapely calves like Paz Vega by wearing them with a below-the-knee dress.

Feeling a little more risqué? Taylor Swift brings the focus up to her thighs

with lace stockings, a flouncy mini skirt and tall boots."

BLACK LACE

Above:

Black shift dress, Celine

Black lace stockings, Marks & Spencer

In Style Look # 10: Try a Sequin Jacket

"Sequin jackets aren’t just for showgirls anymore—or nighttime for that matter.

For a causal look, try one over a silk shirt and dark jeans like Elle Macpherson.

For a cocktail party, steal SJP's style and wear a longer version over a minidress."

POLKA DOTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Above:

Studded jacket, cheap find

Black tank top, F21

Gold Loops, PRP

(I don't own a sequin jacket. And I have no plans of buying one.

So here's my version of the look. It's sparkly enough, hehe.)

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAY 5

Five of In Style's eleven fab suggestions, done!

In Style's Look # 8: Sport an Oversize Cuff

"Wonder Woman’s not the only one who knows

the power of a bold cuff bracelet—

it makes a strong statement and can be the only jewelry your outfit requires.

Diane Kruger accents a sexy one-shoulder dress with a bejeweled cuff

while Kate Winslet pairs a simple gold-tone version with her body-con dress."

My only cuff, from Forever 21.

I don't think it's over sized nor bold enough

so dinaan ko na lang sa arte, hahaha!

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAY 4

My current fashion inspiration: In Style's "What to Wear Now." I'm trying their eleven fab suggestions, in random order, within the month. 4 of 11, check!

In Style's Look #4: Slip on Pointy-Toe Heels

"While boots are always a smart choice with pants,

pointy-toe heels are a fresh option right now.

Bonus: They make legs look longer and skinnier, no matter what you’re wearing.

Charlize Theron dresses up her jeans with a pair of black heels

and Michelle Monaghan adds a pop of color with a pair of red ones."

My faux snake-skin pointy-toe heels

from INC International Concepts.

Faceless (bad hair day).

Black turtle neck, Zara

Black cardigan, Zara

Skinny Jeans, Lee

Heels, INC

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAY 3

3rd Look of Eleven, done!

Yes, I've found me another fashion challenge. Read about it here.

In Style's Look #1: Look for a Slouchy Trouser

"While we'll always love our skinnies,

slouchy trousers are a fresh option when it comes to pants this season.

Look for a pleated, wool pair like Charlize Theron's for the office.

A white pair worn with a sequined top a la Kristen Bell

are a chic option for holiday parties.

Keep the hem short or tuck them in to show off a fun pair of kicks."

At the Office.

Black tee, H&M

White shirt, Zara

Black cardigan, Zara

Black pants, Bench

T-strap Spectators, Charles & Keith

Note to self: Do not agree to "shooting up" shots, makes me look wider.

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAY 2

To make dressing up in the morning more fun, I've found me another fashion challenge. I'm trying In Style's eleven fab suggestions for the season. I'm on Day 2 with Look #10 (yes, I'm doing it in random order).

In Style's Look # 10: Try a Full Skirt

"The must-have skirt silhouette of the season is short and full.

Whether you opt for a super short mini like Clemence Poesy's

or a just-above-the-knee version like Rashida Jones',

a fitted, tucked-in top keeps the look trim and in proportion."

Second of Eleven, check.

Lunch Break

Black shirt, Zara (it was better untucked.)

Black skirt, Forever21

Black wedge pumps, Charles & Keith

Black bag, Fino

Necklace with locket, MNG

WHAT TO WEAR NOW - DAY 1

My current fashion inspiration: In Style's "What to Wear Now". I'm trying their eleven fab suggestions, in random order, within the month (I can't commit to eleven straight days just yet, but I'll try). Hopefully, no shopping for new items will be involved in this personal challenge, hehe. =)

In Style's Look #3: Belt a Sweater

"Just because a sweater is warm doesn't mean it has to look bulky—

create curves in all the right places by cinching it with a belt.

Can't find one that fits?

Tuck in the end of a braided one like Claudia Schiffer

or tie a skinny leather belt over a cardi like Rosario Dawson."

My take on belting a sweater.

First of In Style's eleven suggestions, done.

At work.

Oatmeal sweater, Forever21

Chocolate brown slacks, Esprit

Chocolate brown t-strap wedge, Etienne Aignet

Brown skinny belt, SM Department Store

Brown leather bag, Fino

Gold & brown dangling earrings, gift from Tita M

Pink nails, Nail Spa