Kissed By Fire

The primary reason that I bought this top was beccause of the fire-like plant print. To be honest, it's a bit baggy on me but I'm willing to put up with that because a) it's comfy and b) the print is awesome. It reminds me of Ygritte from A Song Of Ice & Fire because they say (like a bajillion times) that she's lucky because she's kissed by fire. I think that's one of the most beautiful sayings George R.R. Martin was able to employ throughout that series. Just the image of fire kissing...blah drives me insane! :)

Anyway, today's another work at home day. Like I said, I like to be clothed and bathed and ready to head out even if I'm not heading out because it helps me get my head in the game. Today I'm helping my friend Alain set up his site--which is going to be incredible, lemme tell ya--called The Snarky Sandwich (will link when it's done). He's going to be posting up reviews, interviews and a bunch of other interesting things. Can't wait! :D

Wearing: top | NY & Co, leggings | bazaar, shoes | WAGW, tanktop | Robinson's Dept. Store

Play It Up Plaid

So, this morning was a bit of a rush for me. I had a breakfast date with my friend Murphy at Mc Donalds Alabang (yes hello, Mt. McDo) and I woke up a bit late so to hitch out of my village with my mom, I had to get ready super quick and didn't have time to take any outfit photos. However, Murphy was kind enough as to help me out and take these pictures for me. :)

Today is all about reconnecting and hanging out with people I love (self included, as I'm currently on a self-date at Mary Grace, which is my favorite place to take myself hahaha) so I decided to be comfortable and reconnect with this old but very pretty peach plaid top that I used to wear all the time. Lots of memories, this shirt and I. :D I hope everyone's having a great day! Happy weekend and all that!

Wearing: plaid shirt | a gift, jeans | Vise Versa, shoes | WAGW

 My apologies to the people having coffee behind me. :)) Also, to my poor Baggu bag who I, in my haste, dumped on the floor. D: It's a pretty memorable bag too, because I got it the day that Keav and I re-met last August (wow, a year ago!); what a shame I'm extremely careless with my things. Le sigh. :

Okay, so I feel kind of guilty for always wearing these shoes--I feel like the other things I own aren't getting enough love, but these shoes are just comfortable, it's crazy. I have very arched feet so I'm pretty damn picky with flats but these are just great and really allow flexion for my foot. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful shoes. :) For those of you who're interested in buying a pair like these, I got them for P500 at Zalora and because I'm all for helping a sister out, if you'd like to get a pair like them please feel free to use my discount code (WinaWonders123N) so you can get 5% off your purchase!

We All Just Keep Trying

Alright, so last night my good friend Angie of the DLSU Writer's Guild asked me if I could help her out and give a talk on spirituality and writing. Because it is my opinion that I am the most unlikely choice for that topic (as I am incredibly confused, spiritually) I was at first inclined to refuse. But thinking it over, I found that I do introspect a lot and there are a lot of questions--I've got no answers, no answers at all--that I'd like to share with people who write as well. So yeah. Despite myself, I agreed and will be giving some sort of talk thingamajig later this afternoon to fellow nerds. I am equal parts excited and apprehensive.

I don't know a lot about anything but I do think about things a lot so hopefully I'll be able to help other people out and perhaps find some things out for myself as well. :) I'll tell ya'll how that goes later today. Writer's Guild, see you later! :))

Because of today's topic, I decided to wear something fresh and well, spirit-y. This white Kamiseta top was a gift from a bajillion years ago by a ninang or ninong (godmother, godfather) on one of my most recent 10 birthdays (I'm assuming). I paired them with these pants I've been wearing all week and these shoes from Coco.

Wearing: top | Kamiseta, jeans | Vise Versa, shoes | Coco

Because I walk weird, my left shoe broke earlier this morning but luckily enough for me, I was with Trizh who is wonderful with little fix-it solutions and tied the soul sole together with some pretty ribbons; hopefully this little remedy holds throughout the day/night. :D (Thank you, Trizh!)

Fly Away Home

Do you ever feel like you go somewhere and it feels so much more like home than your actual house and if you could--if you had the money and the means--you would stay there if you could? That's how I felt these past few days. I can't say where I went (there are some things I'd like to keep private) but I can tell you, that is where  my heart is; that is where my home is. Being back in my house is quite lonely after having so much fun and comfort. I'm a light sleeper and I don't think I slept as well as I did these past few days.

Anyway--I've been absolutely dreading next week as I have a bajillion exams and requirements due so this weekend is going to be 0.0 (haha see what I did there) percent fun. I'm going to be locked in working on overdue lab reports and studying my ass off for a chemistry test whose coverage (reaction mechanisms, yummy) I barely understand; my professor also made it clear that this is one of those all or nothing things--you get a hundred or you get a zero. Yikes.

Anyway, for now I'm back in the south, waiting for dinner to be cooked. :)) How's your week been so far?

By the way, Keav found my hat! As mentioned in one of this month's brightside entries, he walked all the way back to QC looking for my hat, thinking he'd dropped it on the side of the road by accident but turns out his mom found it and threw it in the laundry. xD Yay, for things found! My highschool literature prof, Ms. Ella once told me that joy is finding things you've lost; I must agree.

Wore: bird top | Shopluxe, jeans | ViseVersa, shoes | WAGW, hat | a gift

It's been a while since I've worn this top--mostly because it's not allowed in school for the very thing I love about it: it's sheer. I think the sheerness perfectly complements the print and traditional button-down style; it lends a little sass to this otherwise very cloistering top. :)

Plot It Out In Black & White

Today would've been a great morning, if not for waking up and finding no one could bring me to the bus stop--that's saying something because I live in an enormous and impossibly secluded village--and no one cared about it. My dad kept insisting it was a holiday, despite my replies of "not in DLSU". Annoying. And for that, I pull out some angst-ridden John Mayer. No such thing as the real world and all that.

Wearing this black and white creation by Peacocks today. So pretty! I wore a black hoodie over it because the weather is pretty chilly. Have a good holiday/first day of the week everyone!

Wearing: black hoodie | Giordano, dress | Peacocks London, shoes | WAGW

Sweetheart Sweater

Not doing a lot today--because Sunday is rest day (and next week is bound to be pretty busy again) I've decided to properly honor it and stay home for once. But I did dress up a bit earlier this morning to meet up with Cara of La Vie En Rose Sweets for some mutual buying--she bought a sweater from my store and I bought more of her to die for macarons. :D 

So, yeah--I decided to keep it laid back and sweet today with this baby pink sweater from Old Navy--it's nice and cozy without being too warm (which is something in Philippine weather). It seems that all of yesterday's temporary sunshine has gone out the window again today--the sky is as gray as can be. But ah, well. Maybe the sun is resting too. :)

I hope ya'll have a fun weekend--and a long one at that for those of you fortunate enough to not be enrolled in DLSU, blech--and a very restful Sunday!

Wearing: pink sweater | Old Navy, jeans | Vise Versa, sandals | BAYO

Have Fun With It

My goodness, this week has been hectic and I'm not sure words can express how excited I am that the weekend is here. As a reward for myself (because I think that despite still having no idea what I'm doing in Chemistry class, I managed to behave like a decent human being this week) I've decided to go on a mini-date with myself while waiting for a couple of friends. :) 

Because it is self-date day, I decided to wear something uber casual from Old Navy. This dress is both comfy and stylish--I love the neckline and the flared sleeves--so I've definitely no qualms about wearing it out on the town. I also love that it's made of cotton; the perfect thing to be celebrating our warm weather in. (I swear, I will try to not ever complain about Manila being sunny ever again)

Wearing: striped dress | Old Navy, shoes | WAGW, bandeau w/ straps | bazaar

 Lately, I find that the list of things I'm wearing grows shorter and shorter--I've slowly been tempering my love for jewelry and have been sticking to garments that speak for themselves. One of these days I'm bound to relapse, but for now I'm sticking to more well-chosen ensembles that go well with the different shoes and things I own.

 One of the most under-stated pieces of clothing is the lace strappy bandeau top that I'm wearing here--and that's a good thing because I don't think anyone who commutes in Metro Manila wants their undergarments to be the main focus of their ensemble. Although granted, I am a bit bothered that it is underappreciated so I've decided to give it a little love: I'd definitely recommend anyone in need of a bandeau or tanktop get one of these; they come with cups so you don't have to go for the discomforts of pasties or a strapless bra and they lend a very subtle sexiness while helping you cover up. 

I sure hope everyone's having a great long weekend! Also, you guys might want to join the two giveaways currently being held on this site: Pages (if you want to win books) & Shoeshoeshoeshoes (if you'd love some shoes). :D

Brick

So today was the first day of class in two weeks since the flood--and my my, what a day it was. This post is going up after one of the busiest days I've had in a while and it must be true what they say that the body gives up things it doesn't use because boy did I feel like I didn't have a brain today. After almost two weeks of staying at home, being sick and reading nothing but stuff I consider fun, I was thrust back into the world of organic chemistry like a log against a big, iron door. Needless to say, I am exhausted. :))

Although I think I chose a rather fun outfit to wear in today's Manila gloom doomsday. Yes, this is a brick red version of the taupe aztec-print top that I wore last week. I love the color on this; it's just the right shade of red for morena skin methinks. I decided to wear these vintage boots today too because it was raining again and I'm tired of getting my feet wet--this served pretty well, my feet were nice and dry all day despite trudging through the rain. I'm hoping everyone else had a great Monday too!

Wore: brick red top | Old Navy, jeans | Freego, boots | vintage

As you might be able to tell from reading this blog, I'm a huge fan of high-waisted pants. I think there's something wonderfully old and almost nostalgic in the silhouette--it reminds me of Catherine Hepburn and Amelia Earheart; high-waist jeans done right have a tailored, classic sort of charm that low-rise ones just don't quite capture, I've found. 

I picked these boots up a couple of months ago at one of my favorite vintage haunts. This wonderful pair cost me less than 300 pesos--again, renewing my belief in that fashion needn't be new or expensive. :))

Compare & Contrast

Finally heading out to QC to meet up with Keav (+ our friends Copps & Bea). I'm super excited for this--honestly, damn the weather. Although yesterday was super duper fun as well--I met up with my dear friends Nico and Ina and probably had the worst stomach ache due to laughing for almost an entire three hours--I super miss Keav. So, yeah. Because I don't have a car and I'm going to be commuting all the way up north, I definitely need to be wearing something comfortable. I decided to pull out this tent-silhouette sweater that I haven't worn in the longest time and pair it with this floofy white skirt from Byer. :D My favorite detail about this outfit, however, are the shoes. As I mentioned in a post last week I got these orange shoes from Coco (via Zalora Philippines) and I love how the orange contrasts with the blue. So pretty, I could stare at it all day. 

Wearing: sweater | Mango, camisole | Bench, skirt | Byer California

shoes | Coco (via Zalora Philippines)

The wind was crazy outside. The rain's stopped but part of me is still always afraid that I'll end up being carried away by the gusts that howl through our yard.

These are the beautiful orange espadrille-style shoes in question. :) I find they bring so much freshness to any outfit. Plus, the sole is rubber so it's definitely non-slip--a must in this rainy weather we've been having.

In other news, I've been getting a lot of questions about what I use on my lips on a regular basis. And so here you go--I usually wear make up although I'm more fond of a natural sort of look so I don't use any heavy foundations or anything. Plus, I look like a child so wearing anything too grown-up looks stupid on me (sadly). On my lips, I usually use these two products:

First, I layer on enough of Wet N' Wild's Willow lip liner (which is great for all orange-brownish red shades of lipstick) to ensure that the lippie sticks then I run this mac lipstick in a shade I forgot (so sorry, the number's rubbed off at the bottom) but love along my bottom lip. Then I just smack my lips together so I don't get too much color.

And that's it for now! I hope everyone's having a great day! TGIF, my loves!

I've Got Sunshine In A Bag

Weather like this always reminds me of that old song by Gorillaz--Clint Eastwood, I think it was entitled. I decided to play a little dress up and throw on this playful ensemble to brighten up my day. All the doom and gloom weather Manila is experiencing is seriously driving me insane. Not that I particularly enjoy the usual humid sticky weather but I absolutely abhor the continuous rain. It's fine at night but in the middle of the day, the gray sky is kind of depressing. And I'll admit, artificial lighting isn't so bad once you get the hang of it.

I hope everyone's having a great Sunday. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little less gloomy. I'm (unfortunately) spending the day indoors today thanks to the weather and a severe lack of financial wellness. :)) Also, if you like online magazines check out my feature in The Creative Xicana Fashion Daily! :) They were kind enough to pick yesterday's outfit post as one of their Top 3 stories of the day.

Wearing: floral tube dress | Magarbo, aztec print socks | c/o mother's closet, boots | Centipede Shoes, jacket | DKNY

Tangerine Skies

Don't you just love the word tangerine? Saying orange sounds juvenile (or even worse, healthy) an saying pomegranate-colored sounds so pretentious but tangerine seems just right. It captures the essence of this fresh, almost feisty color, methinks. Anyway, onto the post! :))

I'm not doing much today--heading out to the post office for a bit then to the doctor and lounging around at home most of the time, really. But yeah, I decided to go play a little dress up anyway. Today, I'm wearing this bird-print sleeveless polo that has a mullet-silhouette (seriously it's ridiculous how the mullet shape can look great on anything but hair). I got this at Shopluxe (sadly their site is down) during the Super Sale Bazaar for a really good price. The boots (oh the boots!) are from Centipede Shoes for ridiculously cheap. Anyway, yeah. Just a couple of photos because the heat outside was killing me.

Wearing: sccarf | vintage (mother's), bird-print top | Shopluxe, jeans | Freego, boots, Centipede Shoes, ring | MC Accessories

Yesterday's Dream

Like I said I would in yesterday's Brightside Entry, I reshot yesterday's outfit post. This robe that I got at the Super Sale Bazaar was just too beautiful not to photograph. Sadly, I wasn't able to ask the store I got it at for their details--but yeah. I love the print on this robe and its silhouette. I've seen a lot of these type robes in different stores but they never seem to have a full-length sleeve like those on this robe. A full, see-through sleeve is just so romantic.

Wearing: robe | bazaar, tank top | Coco Cabana, jeans | Freego, shoes | Predictions (a gift)

The print goes all the  way to the back and is just so intricate, I can't stop staring at it. I can't wait for the opportunity to wear this on a night out with a little black dress and some sky high heels. :) Hope everyone's having a good day today! Today's actual outfit coming up!

Clean Lines

First things first, I apologize for the weird "I'm a pedophile" expression on my face in this picture; the camera snapped about half a second before I got  to break out into a real smile. Terrible! Plus, the lighting was a bit off this afternoon--the sun was taking a nap. But yeah, this is the only full-body shot I was able to get so I guess I may as well use it. 

*edit*: I replaced this photo because it was so terrible!

I'm not doing a lot today; my sister flew back to Vietnam last night and while I will miss her so, it's also great to be back home. Living in a hotel is fun but it isn't quite real. Give me home any day.

I'm heading to coffee with Marz today. She went to the Super Sale Bazaar with us yesterday but Ina & I left early; she's really psyched about the things she got and I'm excited to hear the run down. Anywhozies, I'm wearing this beautiful denim dress from Maldita. I love the cut; the neckline is so great for pearshapes like myself because it emphasizes the shoulder and draws attention away from the hips. :) Of course, this is just how I like to be viewed; I know a lot of women love showing off their hips and that's wonderful as well.

Wearing: denim dress | Maldita, leggings | Icon, shoes | WAGW, bracelet | vintage

 gray beanie | a gift

Photo by Marz Llave