RED LIPSTICK

Can you rock red lipstick?

I've tried a million times and it just doesn't seem to work for me.

Maybe it's time to heed Nina Garcia's other recommendations? Chanel Red No. 5, MAC Ruby Woo, Clinique Angel Red, CoverGirl Really Red (bought this!), Lancome Red Desire, Anna Sui Rouge Chine, Mary Kay Red Salsa, Elizabeth Arden Slink, NARS Fire Down Below, and Trucco Blood.

I'm beginning to think I'm made only for nudes and browns. Even pinks don't seem to work.

The irony: I was recently cast for a TV spot, as a woman wearing red lipstick. See attached video. Opening shot: my red-stained lips.

What I wore: Cover Girl's "Really Red" (among Nina's recos).

The visual for the TV spot has been enhanced for broadcast. In real life, I feel like a clown wearing red lips. LOL.

Display our national colors!

TV Spot:

Philippine Flag Days

May 28 - June 12

Creative Director: LAT

Associate Creative Director: GPM

Project Manager: Me

Writer: CDKo

Art Director: NGCruz

Photographer: RMMagpayo

MY 81 & 83

#81 Two of my Statement Necklaces...

Above: A find from Forever 21

Above: from H&M

#83 My Striped Sailor Shirt

Above: a Department Store find

Above: Love the anchor patch!

Literal na "Sailor" shirt.

Above: Last week, after seeing Kate Moss' photo below,

I wore it with my Zara blazer and Topshop jeans.

Above: Kate's get-up inspired my work outfit for the next day.

Photo from Mango's KeepTheBeat.

70

As of today, I have 70 of the 100 on Nina's list. I guess my closet's not so bad.

I'm not interested in 11 items on her list, they're not me.

And I'm contemplating on whether to buy the other 19.

To buy or not to buy?

1. Animal Print: Maybe a scarf? I'm still not sold on the flats.
2. Ankle Booties: Hmmm... If I find a "so me" pair, maybe.
3. Cashmere Sweater: Not a priority as I live in a tropical country.
4. Cape: Same with #3.
5. Camel Coat: Same with #3 and 4.
6. Driving Shoes: Not a priority. I'm really not into driving. Unless I find a pair that'd be super comfortable for long walks (aka travel).
7. Espadrilles: If and when we go to Spain.
8. Hobo bag: Looking for an affordable version.
9. Investment bags: Later in life.
10. LL Bean Tote: Soon.
11. Motorcycle Jacket: Not a priority.
12. Monogrammed Stationary: Soon.
13. Mary Janes: Searching.
14. Mad Money: Asap.
15. Quality Champagne: Sa New Year? =)
16. Robe: Searching.
17. Pucci: Not a priority.
18. Spanx: For the next formal event.
19. Suit: Someday.

THE ONE HUNDRED - W, Y, Z

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred - W, Y, Z

94. Watch

Check! Hubby and me have a His & Hers version (his gift to us).

95. Wayfarers

Check! I can borrow my hubby's (see below).

Above: That's the Forbidden City behind us.

96. Wellington Boot

Check! I have a version of it.

Above: Here's my rain boot. Floral. Black and white.

Photo: shoesgotsole.com

97. Wide-Leg Trousers

Check! In black. And denim.

98. Wrap Dress

Check! I have three: In black, red, and gray.

I wish to own a DVF someday!

Nina: In the '70s, Diane Von Furstenberg made the wrap into the ultimate dress for women of all shapes and sizes. If there is one dress designed with the intention of flattering the woman's figure, it is the wrap dress. It hugs all the right places and elegantly drapes over the others.

"I design for the woman who loves being a woman." -- DVF

Photo: huffingtonpost.com

Above: DVF black wrap dress

Photo: thefashionrow.com

99. Yoga Gear

Check! They're basically sweatsuits.

100. Zippered Hoodie

Check! Mine's pink.

Are you surprised? =)

THE ONE HUNDRED - T,U,V

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred - T,U,V

86. Trench

Check! Black.

Khaki's the classic but since my rain coat (trench style) and my safari jacket are already khaki, I decided to go with black.

Iconic Trench Coat Wearers:

Above: Meryl Streep in Kramer vs Kramer

Photo: vogue.co.uk

Above: Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

Photo: foryourspeculation.blogspot.com

Above: Catherine Deneuve in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Photo: ark-about.blogspot.com

Above: Audrey Hepburn & George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Photo: marylaurenanderson.com

87. Turquoise and Coral Jewelry
Check! Both are huge rings.


88. Tuxedo Jacket
Pass. I'm sticking with my Blazer (#11)


89.Umbrella
Check! I have two black umbrellas -- a long one, and a fold-able version. My recent finds: A long black umbrella with the map of Manila as design, from Bench. Loved it so much I got another one in white.


90. Underwear
Check!


Nina: The game begins in the lingerie drawer. What you put on beneath your clothes matters. It's amazing how quickly a great pair of underwear can make you feel sexy, and how quickly a panty line can ruin an outfit.


91. Valid Passport
Check! Hubby's has a brown leather holder, mine's in a kikay pink leather holder.


92. Vans
Pass. I'm not attracted to buy. Not after my Converse experience.


93. Vintage
Check!


I used to enjoy my hometown's, Baguio, ukay-ukay (I hope this is considered "vintage"). Ten years ago, the thrift items were really dirt cheap. And one could find treasures with a little patience. But things have changed. They charge too much now. So I don't go anymore. Why pay for a second-hand top for P500, when I can buy a brand new version at the mall for the same price?


But I have two items from ukay that I wear to this day. 1) A floral sleeveless top that has survived so many seasons. I love its color palette (mix of eggshell, brown, mustard, yellow), style, material and fit. Very girly. 2) A long white spaghetti-strapped sun dress. The straps are made of little white flowers! I love lounging at home in it. So lady-like. Happy second-hand finds!

THE ONE HUNDRED – S

(Continued)

Nina’s One Hundred – S


74. Safari Jacket
Check! I think I have versions (I don’t have to take it literally, right?) of this – one khaki, one army green.


75. Sandals
Check! Gold, bronze, black.


76. Sarong
Check! Got very cheap wraps from Palawan and Boracay.


77. Signet Ring
Pass.


78. Silk Scarf
Check!


79. Slippers
Check! I love my super comfortable gray ballet flats-inspired pair from Debenhams.

Photo from my other blog, Out On a Date.


80. Spanx
I want one!

Fashion 101: Seven years ago Sara Blakely was selling copiers and fax machines door-to-door. Today, she is every woman’s favorite inventor. Her idea for Spanx was born out of a bit of frustration and a bit of innovation. One night, on an impulse, she cut the feet out of her pantyhose to wear under white pants. She discovered that she looked slimmer, everything was smoothed out, there was no panty line. So she cleared her bank accounts of USD5,000 and set out to change the world. Mission accomplished.


81. Statement Necklace
Check! My favorite among my cheap finds: a golden piece from H&M. [Photo: to follow] I’m currently eyeing a bib necklace from the local store Details.

Nina: The statement necklace is the fashion equivalent of a supporting actress that steals the show.

Statement Necklaces from the 2008 Oscars red carpet:

Jennifer Garner
Photo: bellasugar.com

Nicole Kidman
Photo: kenembijoux.com

Cate Blanchett
Photo: justjared.buzznet.com


82. Stilettos
Check!
They’re no longer my foot wear of choice since I turned 30 but I still have a few pairs.

Nina: Invest, invest, invest. The names you hear time and again – Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin – you hear for a reason. They know what they are doing. They know how to create a classic, timeless show and make four-inch heels that are actually comfortable to walk in. Geniuses, all of them. But genius does not come cheap. I know some people think it is ridiculous to spend so much money on a pair of shoes. I’ll tell you why it is not:

• Quality. Expensive shoes will last longer and wear better.
• They will not leave you hobbling down the street.
• You will feel incredible every time you slip them on.


83. Striped Sailor Shirt
Check! So French!
Now, if only we could finally save up for a trip to France…

Fashion 101: The proper name for the striped sailor shirt is the Breton, since it originated in Brittany, France. In Brittany, seamen have been wearing these striped shirts since the 1820s. The original was made of very fine knit cotton and protected seamen from the wind and the elements. The French Navy then made it part of the national uniform in 1858. It is thought that the prominent blue and white stripes served to more easily locate a man who had fallen into the sea. Let’s face it, the shirt was meant to stand out even then.


84. Suit
None yet


85. Sunhat
Check!

THE ONE HUNDRED - P, Q, R

(Continued)

The One Hundred – P, Q, R

62. Pajamas
Check! My only pair's from my Mom.


63. Pea coat
Check!

My pea coat from Zara, HK Avenue of Stars, Dec2009

What makes the pea coat so desirable? It’s the unfussy practicality about it. Each feature – the warm wool, the double-breasted front, the big buttons (best when anchor-stamped, of course), and those divine oversized lapels – was chosen by the Navy for function, not fashion.


64. Pearl Necklace
Check!

Trivia:
1996: Jackie O’s USD80 strand of fake pearls sold at auction for USD 211,500.


65. Pencil Skirt
Check!

Nina’s Tips:
•The hemline should fall just below or just above the knee.
•It is most flattering when work with sky-high heels.
•Try a high-waisted version to elongate the line of the body.
•It should always be snug but never too tight.
•It should have a vent or it could be hard to walk or sit. Be mindful of such tailoring.
•A little starch in the fabric makes it immeasurably easier to wear.


66. Perfume
Check!

For daytime, I use cologne. I’m attracted to vanilla-based scents.
I use perfume only to formal events. I have no signature perfume yet, I’ve been experimenting.


67. Plain White Tee
Check! Mine are from Zara, Mango, Gap and Bench.


68. Polo Shirt
Check!

The polo shirt was strictly athletic wear until Rene Lacoste, an international tennis champion, asked a friend to design a short-sleeve cotton-knit shirt to wear on the court. Before the Lacoste shirt was made, tennis was played in uncomfortable long sleeved woven shirts. Lacoste’s nickname was “le crocodile,” and so the little croc was placed on the left breast as the logo. This is reportedly the first instance of a brand logo being sewn on the outside of a piece of clothing. We’ve not been without that adorable crocodile ever since.


69. Pucci
None yet.


70. Push-Up Bra
Check!


71. Quality Champagne
Someday.


72. Red Lipstick
Check!


73. Robe
None yet.

THE ONE HUNDRED – M,N,O

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred - M,N,O


52. Mad Money
None yet.

Nina: Mad Money is the spare fifty-dollar bill you should keep in the secret pocket of your purse or wallet. Place it there and forget about it. You are allowed to spend it only in an emergency, and as soon as you spend it, you must replace it.


53. Man’s White Shirt
Check!

Great Moments in Men's White Shirts

1953: Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday
Photo: annweiser.blogspot.com


1956: Elizabeth Taylor in Giant
Photo: web.ukonline.uk


1990: Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
Photo: Eonline.com


1994: Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction
Photo: 90s411.com


1998: Sharon Stone on the red carpet at the 70th Annual Academy Awards
Photo: afemmeduncertainage.blogspot.com



54. Mary Janes
Mine are flats. I doubt if they count.

Fun Fact: Mary Janes became popular in the ‘20s and ‘30s, when hemlines rose and there was more of an emphasis on the shoes. Mary Janes became a favorite because they looked great and you could dance in them, a necessary feature in the ‘20s.

Nina’s tips:
•It is best in patent, but why not try velvet or an animal print?
•They should have a bit of an edge. A sky-high heel and pointed toe, maybe studs. They cannot be purely sweet and demure.
•It is best if the strap is thin, so it doesn’t cut off the leg.

What’s in a name? The name comes from a comic book character, Mary Jane, who wore strapped shoes in the Buster Brown comic trip. Mary Jane’s brother, Buster Brown, also had a shoe named after him.


55. Minnetonka Moccasin
Am I interested? Hmmm.


56. Missoni Knit
Pass. Wouldn't mind having non-branded knits.


57. Monogrammed Stationery
None yet.


58. Motorcycle Jacket
Can the leather jacket and motorcycle jacket be one and the same?
I'm still saving up for the former.


59. Nail Polish
Check! c/o The Nail Spa
I switch between dark red and nude / coffee colors.


60. Old Concert T-Shirt
Pass. I'm not sure where I can get one. And if I want to get one.
Vintage-themed shirts are enough for me.


61. One-Piece Swimsuit
Check! Mine’s a black Nike suit.

THE ONE HUNDRED - J, K, L

(Continued)

Nina’s One Hundred – J, K, L

42. Jeans
Check!

Nina’s Fun Fact: The average American owns 8.3 pairs of blue jeans.

I have seven blue jeans, one black. I know how tough it is to find the perfect pair. I used to get mine from Topshop, Mango, and Lee. But I’ve learned my lesson – the only way to get the perfect pair is to have them customized. Thanks to my hubby for introducing me to Viktor and Defacto.

More tips from Nina:
•Do not assume that because a brand is expensive or a friend or a celebrity “swears by them” that they will be the right jeans for you. One brand does not suit all.
•Try a jean with stretch. A revelation and a revolution. [True!]
•Consider a white jean or a black jean. [I have a black one from Defacto.]
•Expect to have them tailored. It’s rare to find a pair of jeans that fit you right off the rack. [Amen!]
•Try out every brand, style, size. Seek and ye shall find.


43. Jewelry Pouches
Check!


44. Khakis
Check!

Khaki, the Hindi-Urdu word for earth-colored, was invented in nineteenth-century India. The British Army wanted to save their white uniforms from the windblown dust, so they began dyeing their clothes in coffee and curry powder. The fabric became the standard for British and American army uniforms and later became a favorite among the upper-class and preppy.


45. Knee Boots
Check! Mine’s brown leather, flat, up to just below the knee.


46. Leather Pants
Pass.


47. Lingerie
Check!

The big four necessities:

Camisole: Check!
To go under all the blazers and jackets

Silk Slip: Check!
To go under those dresses that are questionably thin or too clingy.

Negligee: Check!
To sleep in and feel amazingly sexy when you need something a notch up from your standard pajamas.

Silk Stockings: None yet
To drive men wild. Forget sex toys, these are all you need? [Me: Really?]


48. Little Black Dress
Check! I have nine.

Nina: No matter what the cost, buy it. It may be H&M or it may be Alaia. The price is immaterial, since it can always be justified by the rules of fashion math: cost divided by number of times worn equals priceless. It will be there time after time, decade after decade.

Nina’s Tips:
• Choose the best material you can find (not all are created equal) and nothing too tight or too shiny.
• Consider your LBD a blank canvas instead of a fallback. It demands to be accessorized and adorned.
• To avoid being accused of playing it safe, make sure you have a dash of daring (a dangerous stiletto, bold jewelry, etc.), and make sure it shows off your best assets.
• Remember, the reason the simple garment is so enduring is because it understands the essence of style: to step back and let the woman shine. So shine.
• It is said that you need only one, but a minimum of two is a better guideline.
• Make sure you can dance in it.













49. Little White Dress
Check! See My Bday Dress entry.


50. L.L. Bean Tote
None yet. Nina says nothing is too heavy for this bag. As a big bag person, I guess I need one.


51. Luggage
Check!

THE ONE HUNDRED - I

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred - I

I

40. Investment Bag
Still saving up for these.

Nina: This is the bag that you can spend a few weeks' salary on and not feel guilty. It is going to last you a lifetime, will never go out of style, and will only get better with age.


The Chanel 2.55
Coco Chanel's iconic bag was launched in February of 1955, hence the moniker, 2.55. Each feature of the bag -- from the lining to the shoulder strap -- reveals a bit about Mme Chanel. The brown lining is the color of the uniform from the convent where she grew up. The inside zippered compartment on the front flap is where she hid her love letters. The back outside flap is where she stashed extra money. The shoulder straps, which were quite uncommon on luxury items at the time, are there because Mme Chanel saw nothing unfeminine about having her hands free.


[Photo: moggybelle.wordpress.com]


LV Speedy
The Louis Vuitton Speedy has been around since 1933 and remains LV's most iconic bag. It is often referred to as the doctor's bag for its resemblance to an old doctor's bag. The classic version has the interlocking LV monogram, but it can also be found in plain leather or with a checkerboard pattern. It is available in three sizes: the Speedy 25 (10" x 7"), the Speedy 30 (12" x 8"), the Speedy 35 (14" x 9"). The Speedy 30 is by far the most popular.


[Photo: starstyleinc.com]


The Jackie O
It was Jackie O who made the hobo bag famous, as she carried the double strapped version everywhere. Women flooded the Gucci stores and badgered the salesclerks for "the bag that Jackie O always wears," which prompted the company to dub the bag the "Jackie O."


[Photo: sharonrosepixie.blogspot.com]


The Birkin
During a 1981 airplane flight, Jane Birkin's over-stuffed purse spilled out into the vicinity of Jean-Louis Dumas-Hermes, which gave Mr. Dumas-Hermes an idea. Three years later, Hermes introduced a bag that was based on an 1892 design. It was large and meant to accommodate Jane Birkin's modern lifestyle.

[Photo: wunnyhunny.blogspot.com]


Victoria Beckham seems to have The Birkin in all colors!

[Photo: trend911.com]


[Photo: birkinwatcher.blogspot.com]


[Photo: bagbliss.com]


41. iPod
Check!
See my Early Bday Gift entry from my other blog, Out On a Date.

THE ONE HUNDRED - G, H

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred

G and H

35. Gentleman's Hat
Check!
Thanks to my hubby's collection.
But they're not me so it doesn't matter.

36. Gloves
Check! One leather. One knit.
I use them when I travel to cooler regions.

37. Havaianas
Check!
My brown pair has been with me for five years now.
They're still butter-soft after all these years.



38. Hobo Bag
Still looking for one.

39. Hoop Earrings
Check! Got them in silver and gold, in small and big hoops.

THE ONE HUNDRED - F

(Continued)

Nina's One Hundred - F

F

32. Fishnets
None.

33. Frye Harness Boot
Pass.




34. Fur.
I've got a cardigan with faux fur collar. Wonder when I'll get to wear it again...

Great Moments in Fur

1953: Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Becall in How to Marry a Millionaire


2001: Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums


2006: Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada