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

EXERCISE STYLE

What's your exercise style?

I'm far from being athletic (as a student, P.E. has always been my waterloo). But that hasn't stopped me from wanting to stay fit (part health effort, part vanity, hehe).

What I've tried:

1. Yoga (Bikram included): I'm going back as soon as I achieve my target weight. 9 pounds to go!
2. Boxing: We're looking for another gym. We used to do this in the Quezon City area. But since we've moved, we're looking for a new boxing gym. Below: Our Pacquiao-autographed gloves.
3. 

   Belly

   dancing: This was so much fun but our dance teacher got pregnant (and it was a delicate one) so we had to cancel the class.
4. Tae-bo: It was OK but it's not for me.
5. Cardio workouts at the gym: Ongoing.
6. Right now, I'm into running. See one of the running entries on my other blog. I was inspired by the many weight loss success stories attributed to running. Plus, I'm dreaming of having runner's legs (see below, from boards.weddingbee.com).

The Goal

Inspired by Reebok's Ad?

Even if I run 'til I die, I don't think I'll be as toned as Helena Christensen! LOL

Above: Singlets & bibs from our first fun run.

Me 3K, Hubby 5K.

Above: Shirts & bibs from last Sunday's run.

I joined my Hubby in the 5K race.

Above: Our running shoes.

We workout together, at least 5 times / week.

FYI: My New Balance is so light weight, I highly recommend it!

Wishing and Hoping!

"It makes evolutionary sense to care about beauty. What's a mistake is to assume beauty is only external. After all, someone may be a knockout, but if she is in pain, lacks energy, is always unhappy or spiritually disconnected, her attractiveness will fade fast." — Dr. Oz

SOLE MATE

Which is your most-abused pair of shoes?

Above: My super sulit ballet flats from Zara

has traveled with me everywhere.

Photo taken at Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay.

BEDHEAD

One of my goals for 2010 was to grow my hair long (I've had it short for over two years). Mission accomplished.

But now, I'm too lazy for any hair pampering. So I'm settling for the Bedhead look (the condition of having unkempt hair; as if you just got up from sleep). I've seen the low-maintenance look work on models and actresses.

Above: Katie, Giselle, Gemma

Above: My ultimate peg for the effortless look,

NINA GARCIA

I'm trying to make

the "wash & wear" (no blow drying) look

work for me too.

But my hubby's reaction -- "Wala ka bang suklay?" (Don't you own a comb?) -- is making me think twice about letting my hair down. LOL

WORKSPACE STYLE

Working for a media network, my desk's often covered with scripts, storyboards, layouts, cost estimates, brand architectures, pegs, job orders, etc. For work not to feel like work, I surround myself with things that inspire me.

The Happy Corner

A collage of shoe history.

My Sex And The City books.

Framed Photos of My Lovely Family.

An officemate confessed to me: I visit you to check out your SATC corner!

It makes her smile raw, hehe.

New York State of Mind

Box with Shoe-Top: A gift from one of our creative writers, J.

Manhattan Skyline: A gift from one of the best Art Directors I've met, another J.

"There's an Imelda in all of us."

A few of my miniature shoe collection.

Behind them: An Andy Warhol Shoe Print, a gift from another creative soul A.

Sole Mates

My bookmark and my calculator are inseparable.

Pencil it in!

For work, I prefer pencils over pens.

Sharpening my Mongol is one of my ways to de-stress.

Working for Women.

The station's target market: Females.

My giant Jordi Labanda notebook honors the many women I work for.

Who's in control?

That's the remote to my cube's TV monitor.

Watching a lot of television is part of my job.

Ain't life grand? =)

Tools of the Trade

Magazines: to keep up with trends, for pictorial pegs, for print ad monitoring, etc.

My lowly Nokia E63 -- as long as I can text, call and surf, I'm fine.

Pictures to follow: 2010 Shoe Calendar from MW. My Andy Warhol Shoe notebook. My shoe books from different bookstores. Shoe magnets from tiangges, some are gifts.

ANOTHER BLACK SHOE?

I guess only women can understand the need / want / lust for the nth black shoes. Here are two pairs I've been eyeing for some time now.

Melissa Troupe Wedge Lace-Ups

This would be perfect for rainy days!

Zara leather wedge with cut-outs.

I've tried the pair a million times!

Ang tagal pa ng sale?

I believe Paulo Coelho when he wrote "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream." -- The Alchemist, 1988

Dear Universe... =)

4 MONTHS AFTER COSMELAN

My Cosmelan Update is this blog's number two most-read entry.

I wonder if Kris Aquino and Belo's recent reunion made people interested in the procedure. Have women been surfing about it? And some chanced upon my update? Here are some of the press releases on the Presidential sister's experience -- Kris Aquino's Belo Homecoming and How Kris became freckle-free. I know a lot of us can't stand her. But having one of the most radiant skin in local tinsel town, Kris' regimen is a possible point of interest.

The Cosmelan Pack

1st Pot (Cosmelan 1): Will be applied by the derma in the clinic.

2nd Pot (Cosmelan 2): This is what you'll bring home for twice a day application.

Blue bottle: Doc will use this to clean your face before applying Cosmelan 1.

White Tube: Will help ease the stinging and drying.

So should you believe all the hype about Cosmelan? Based on my experience, yes, all my sun spots are gone, fifty plus of them.

I was hoping it'd take away my moles too. But it didn't. It never promised that. I was just wishing! =) I'm still far from being flawless -- still have my chicken pox marks (from 18 years ago) and moles (something I inherited from my mole-y Mom). My Belo derma was honest enough to tell me chicken pox marks are tough to deal with (maybe that's why even Demi Moore still has hers?). My doctor was suggesting a procedure I could try (operative word: try). Pwede raw bumabaw, pero di siguradong maaalis. So no, thanks.

I'm glad my vanity has its limits. Besides, perfection is overrated. Agree?

IF I WERE A BOY...

My "How Male Can You Go" blog entry inspired my get-up (Obviously not a costume. Sabi nga ni J, "porma lang.") for the office Halloween party...

Horror of Horrors: Masculine Me?!

Black shirt, Levi's

Black blazer, Zara

Black tie, borrowed from Hubby

Fedora, borrowed from Hubby

Customized Jeans, Defacto

My brogue spectator heels, Charles & Keith.

(Yes, heels -- girl pa rin!)

So was the experience a trick or treat? I must say, it was a treat! I'm surprised to have actually enjoyed doing the androgynous style. (Never say never.)

DENIM SHIRT

Finally found me an affordable denim shirt. =)

Trend Report from meandmoo.com

Trend Report from WhoWhatWear.com

Chloe's take on Denim & Khaki

Above: Me at the Office

Denim shirt, cheap Department Store find

Khaki a-line skirt, cheap find from Bangkok

Brown Messenger Bag from Taipei

Above: my Brown Wedge, CMG

I DARED TO DRESS UP

I did it! Thirty working days in dresses!

This is the final dress I wore for the Dare -- a paisley-printed spaghetti-strapped maxi dress, a cheap Hong Kong find from sixteen years ago. Yes, had it since I was in college. And it still fits me. Yey! Wore it to work with a black boyfriend cardigan, my "M" locket and black bejeweled flats.

Day 30: Oct 26, 2010

(Oct 25 was a Holiday - Brgy Elections)

Highlights of my Dare to Dress Up Challenge:

1. Confirmed: Dresses can instantly prettify. Kahit feeling lang, mood enhancer ba.
2. Confirmed: No need to wait for "special" occasions to dress up. Make every day a dress-worthy day. (Thanks to my Daily Dates! *wink*)
3. Discoveries: I was able to wear dresses that I've almost forgotten about. It's always fun shopping in one's closet!
4. There were dresses I wasn't able to wear because they're really not for daytime or the office -- lace, tube, too short, too casual, backless, etc.
5. Maxi dresses and tights are the answer to leg rashes.

Ladies, I say, dare to dress up! =)

DARE TO DRESS UP - WK7

Week 7 update on my Dare to Dress Up challenge.

Twenty nine days down. One to go.

I'm considering extending, to make up for the "break."

We'll see if I'll be in the mood for more dress days next week.

MY 30-DAY DARE TO DRESS UP FOR WORK PROJECT

Day 26: Oct 18

Turtleneck LBD, Details (1st time to wear this during the Dare.)

Black tights, Marks & Spencer

Black ballet flats, Zara

Khaki trench-style rain coat, Mango

**Oct 19 was the height of typhoon Juan, wore pants with my rain boots.

Didn't want the winds blowing my dress away. =)

Day 27: Oct 20

A-line LBD, Zara (3rd time to wear it during the Dare.)

Gray cable-knit cover-up, Forever21 (1st time to wear this during the Dare.)

Black ballet flats, Zara

Day 28: Oct 21

Army green dress, Zara (Same thing I wore on Day10.)

But this time, I paired it with my Zara braided belt

Brown flats, Zara

Day 29: Oct 22

Gray dress, MNG (Same thing I wore on Day16.)

Covered by my black trench coat, Zara

Gray wedge, Schu

my Gray Wedge, Schu

MY FIRST STYLE ICON

All her student life in Nueva Ecija she was voted as school queen. In her college years in Baguio, she was always invited to join beauty pageants and always landed on the top ten. In our family, she'll forever be The Queen. Meet my first style icon, my beautiful and loving mother.

The family's reigning Queen, my dear Mama.

Here as the School Queen for the nth time.

Like most daughters, my mother was my first style icon.

During my parents' struggling years as newlyweds, my mother had only one dress -- a salmon long-sleeved piece accentuated by lace. It was her "uniform" to church. Walang ka-alternate.Yun lang talaga. I've been pressuring her to remember where she kept the dress. Because I want to have it. If it's still in good condition, I'd love to wear it today (vintage, anyone?). Unfortunately, she can't remember where it is. So I vowed to at least find a photo of her wearing it.

When life became more comfortable, she was finally able to buy all the clothes she wanted. I'd always be part of her shopping trips. She'd buy for me too. Nothing extravagant. She prefers bargain finds. Her style rule: matching colors. As in everything pink. Or everything red and white. Or black and silver from head to toe. You get the drift.

And so that's how I was for most of my life -- a color-coordinated girl. My hubby finds this amusing. He always finds our terno-terno family pictures (all in white or all in plaid) funny. But today, when Mama asks us to dress in one color or theme, my hubby obediently follows. He'll laugh at the idea but he'll cooperate with my Mom anyway, hehe. They love each other.

We're both in plaid for my sister's bday.

My Mama loves clothes. And as a homemaker currently living abroad with my Engineer dad and sixth-grade sister, she keeps herself busy by sewing clothes! Bilib ako. I mean, I love clothes but I'm not sure if I'll ever be interested in actually making or sewing them. Some clothes she makes from scratch, some dresses she tries to alter, some pieces she tries to accessorize. And then she'd post her creations on her Facebook album. It's like having her own fashion blog, haha.

Both in nude colors.

Preparing for a wedding.

Thank you, Mama, for being my first style mentor. It's from you that I first learned how fashion is a right, not a privilege. Your bargain hunts must have shaped my "look for less" style today. As for the color coordination, I'm trying not to be too matchy-matchy anymore. =) Brown bag, blue jeans, red shoes -- mixing colors can work too. *wink*

Love your fashion style. Love your parenting style. Love you.

EMPRESS ON THE LOOSE?

Spotted at the Forbidden City, Beijing, September 2010:

A tourist with an Empress headpiece!

She sure knows how to have fun. =)

DARE TO DRESS UP - WK6

Week 6 update on my Dare to Dress Up challenge. Twenty five days down. Five to go.

Back story: I have another silly (but fun!) personal project: A 30-Day Dress Up for Work Challenge. I plan to wear dresses for thirty straight working days. (UPDATE: Had to go on a two-week break, September 27 to October 8, due to the dengue scare.I wore pants all throughout that two weeks.)

I enjoy being in dresses, it's among my simple joys. Aside from being easy to wear, you just slip into them, they reflect my "pa-girl" style. Every day is Date Day for me! So I don't have to wait for "special" occasions to wear one. Also, the personal challenge makes waking up for work a little more fun! Try it!

MY 30-DAY DARE TO DRESS UP FOR WORK PROJECT

Yes, I dared to wear dresses, even with my rashes. =)

Day 21: Oct 11

Navy dress

Wore my thin, brown, braided belt with it, just to give it a fresh look.

Brown flats

Day 22: Oct 12

Floral black & white dress

Black cardigan

Black ballet flats

Day 23: Oct 13

Brown plaid dress

Pink cardigan

Gray wedge. I usually wore this dress with brown shoes.

Day 24: Oct 14

Black eyelet dress

Khaki trench rain coat. It was a raining. The coat gave it a new twist.

Black peep-toe heels

Day 25: Oct 15

A-line LBD

Gray cover-up. A recent find.

Black flats

Black studded headband

It was a week of repeats. I've worn all these dresses within the Dare Period. I just tried to accessorize them in a new way. Final five days next week. =)

FYI

My Glamour November 2010 came in today!

Taylor's dress reminds me of a Forever 21 purchase, my lacey LBD, worn to the ballet.

But this entry is not about lace dresses.

One of my favorite features on Glamour is their "We Asked Our Staffers" pages featuring very interesting Q & As.

This month's Q: What do most people not know about you?

Here are three from me --

1. In 6th Grade, I was one of our school's Math Olympiad representatives. The inter-school Olympiad was held in Xavier so parang soiree! =) Our team finished 2nd, over-all. (Pang grade school math lang ako. Hahaha! High school & college math were totally different stories.)
2. Around 1999, I tried taking on two jobs -- AM job: writing for the network; PM job: teaching an early evening Mass Communications class. Proud to say my students got really excited when I laid down my plans for the term. But unfortunately, the university and I didn't meet eye-to-eye on the contract so I had to cut my 'college instructor' stint short.
3. In my 20s, my weekend / after-work raket (aka part-time job) was Events Hosting for the music label Sony-BMG. Feeling VJ, hahaha! Highlight of my stint: a one-on-one interview with James Ingram. (LOL, blast from the past!)

FROM ELLE

"Like it or not, in those key moments before a guy (Me: or any person) has figured out what a brilliant, sexy, hilarious catch (Me: or individual) you really are, the only thing he has going is, well, your shoes (Me: or your outfit)." -- Joe Zee, Elle Style A to Zee, Elle magazine, September 2010

Yes, I bought the magazine because I'm an "Eat, Pray, Love" fan.

(Was disappointed with the film.)