Gold Dust Woman

First off, I'm terribly sorry I've been gone away too long. It's just that I've been busking (the proper term for street performing) over the past few weeks, and it's been a hell of a roller coaster ride. I am completely in love with the experience, and I might post a series of some memorable moments I've gathered throughout my stint. :)

Moving on, somebody once asked me to define "classy yet casual". I couldn't explain it very well, so I decided to create a blog post about it, and TA-DA! Here ya go! 

"Classy yet casual" for me is my favorite combination—black and gold. It may not be the usual ebony and ivory, but it sure does speak glam without being too eye-catching in terms of hues. 

This studded sheer top goes perfectly with my gold skater skirt. This top-and-bottom combo is perfect for casual days. You can wear it at school (if you don't have a no-skirt-above-the-knees dress code) or on a simple day out with your friends and family. Skater skirts wouldn't be so hard to find nowadays as they are almost EVERYWHERE, and their prices range from expensive to very very cheap. This one's somewhat of the latter. It ain't the cheapest, but it still costs lesser than most branded skater skirts.

Now for the "classy" part, I definitely go for a pair of classic black wedges. They add height for short girls like me and make the look appear formal minus the burdensome stilettos. Lol. I know it may not be so casual but my goal is to bring you the best of both worlds in a single outfit, and besides, you can get used to wearing wedges all day.

Because your studs are enough accessories, match your look with a minimalist and convenient clutch. Mine's in classic black because it goes with almost anything I wear, and it can fit almost everything I need for a day's survival.

 

// Top: Forever 21//Skater skirt: Landmark//Wedges: Bianca//
Bag: Forever 21 // Sunglasses: Sunnies by Charlie // 

Rock your look with some black and gold sunglasses! Again, same rules apply with accessories. In order to create a solid, condensed look, you must follow your color scheme. The gold details perfectly complement the studs on the blouse which is why this is a must-have accessory if you're aiming for the classic black-and-gold look like mine. Besides, sunnies add an "oomph" to your outfit as well! 

So there you have it! Classy yet casual for you! Stay tuned for more posts! I'll try the best that I can to catch up and post some photos of me busking!

Cheers! 

P.S. Please do check out this rad song by Fleetwood Mac! 

Terrazas, Batangas: Day 3 || Sun Shy

//Dress: Forever 21//Sunglasses: Forever 21//Sandals: Some random bazaar (lol)

Feeling a little sun shy?

Suit yourself and feel comfortable with the perfect pair of sunnies and a breezy summer dress that reminds you of the colors of home. 

Since there wasn't much left to do but enjoy the view before we leave, I settled for a cream and black colored dress that blends perfectly with the rest house's interior.

The color combination is super homey and exudes the feeling of rest and relaxation—two things I seek in this 3-day trip. It differs from the two outfits I brought, the first being ultra colorful and the second leaning more on neutral shades. I'd like to think of my last day outfit as something like an equalizer.

Also, it suits my now newly sun-kissed skin tone. (Lol!) Another rule for creating the best look involves the factor of whether the color of your skin matches the color of the article of clothing. There are plenty of sites on the Internet that actually tell you which colors suit your skin tone. Women's and teen's magazines also contain significant articles and tips that you could read up before you plan on going shopping. 

Perfectly paired with these gold embellished sandals, this outfit goes well for lazy vacation days standing on your balcony overlooking the calm sea... 

(the view is something like this... TA-DAAA!) 

 

Again, my aviator sunglasses jazzes up this outfit and stylishly protects my eyes from Mr. Sun's harmful rays. 

Terrazas, Batangas: Day 2 || Sea Salt

// White button down: Stradivarius // Black top: Lycra // Denim cutoffs: Forever 21 //
Hat: Greenhills // Sunglasses: Forever 21 // Sandals: Bazaar //

This may be one of the best and happiest shoots I've ever had, and this will also probably my favorite beach get-up. 

Day two at Terrazas was mostly swimming and exploring the craggly rocks along the shore of Nasugbu. We collected plenty of shells and sand dollars, but unfortunately, we could no longer swim as the waves were too humungous and the current too strong. 

For this particularly exciting day, I decided to wear something fit for adventure yet never out of style. 

Meet my all around white button-down. This long-sleeved fellow goes well with almost anything, and believe it or not, we've had plenty of moments together—Valentine's Day, first day of school, my class performance of "On My Own", a photo shoot for a council election and many, many more—which is why a white button-down is an essential article of clothing you need in your wardrobe. It's a staple item that's perfect for both chill, casual days and formal, uptight events. It also suits anyone no matter what body shape or skin tone they have. They also range from cheap to expensive and aren't very difficult to find. You can even hunt in your father's closet and scavenge for loose-fitting button-downs among his piles of polos and slacks. A little bit of alteration can fix it if it's too big, but otherwise, this flexible piece of clothing is definitely a must-have! 

My trusty button-down meets my new denim cut-offs which are oh-so-perfect for the summer season. They provide your legs enough air to explore and walk around and also happen to be the in-thing with today's generation. (Yep, hello, hipster kids!) Aside from being trendy, these shorts are also convenient and goes with almost anything like the button-down. Again, another staple item in your closet. However, if you're the conservative kind, boyfriend shorts would definitely suit you as they are longer in length and still as stylish as super short cut-offs. 

For my footwear, I chose comfortable, gold-detailed sandals because they're easy to carry in case I want to take them off and feel the waves crash against my feet and because they go well for a breezy summer get-up. 

The trick with this look is a little layering that allows you not only to be fashionably comfortble but also beautifully convenient. Underneath that cover up could be a sexy swimsuit, and it wouldn't be much of a hassle for you to change clothes when you finally want to take a dip. 

As for my accessories, I chose to go plain and simple. My hat from before worked its magic again and kept my windblown hair in place for me, and my new classic aviator Alex Turner shades was a perfect summer companion. 

A little tip on picking sunnies: 

Consider your face shape. I have a round face, so angular-shaped sunglasses suit me better. I can't wear glasses/specs which are too small for my face because they look unflattering and would only make my face appear too big for them. Also, I like picking neutral shades and metal details as they match almost any outfit. 

Terrazas, Batangas: Day 1 || Shades of Cool

// Sheer top: Forever 21 // Colored shorts: Bershka // Hat: Greenhills

Extremely happy to be spending my weekend with the family! These past few days have made me realize that I need to value my time and treasure my every moment with them even if our love's quite tough and we have plenty of misunderstandings. 

So today was a really windy day, and the waves at the beach were MONSTROUS. I swear. They knock you off, and before you could even get up, they knock you down again, and you end up with sand and hair all over your face. (Not good! I'm not posting photos of those incidents lol) 

For my first day at Terrazas I decided to go with a particular palette leaning on cool colors such as turquoise and blue. I wanted these colors for three reasons. First is because I'm tired of pairing my colored bottoms with neutral shades, so I decided to put my color coordination skills to the test and see how they work. So far, it went alright (as you can see lol), and if you want your colors to work, I suggest consulting your color wheel and see if your hues complement one another. (Refer to my previous blog post for this.) Second is because the weather seems to give off this cold but not yet cold vibe. Bipolar weather's happening all over the Philippines! Shades of cool seem to suit this particular weather mood. Third is because aside from black and gold, turquoise and blue also happen to be my favorite colors! 

My sheer top is as breezy as the weather, and very light to wear. It's perfect for chilly days at the beach when you decide to take a stroll with sand on your feet or play among the incoming waves by the shore. 

Because we were going for a walk on the beach, I decided to pair my blouse with these lovely blue shorts. Aside from being oh so ideal for shore walking, they're also extremely comfortable and perfect for travelling since they're light on the pack. They also happen to expose your legs to the salty air and sea foam, so you get maximum beach experience in case you donmt get wet. Again, it's perfect for summer days or as for me, LATE summer days lol. 

 

Because my hair is always windblown whenever I go to the beach, I wanted to keep it in place without sacrificing style and my messy razor cut look. 

Even if the hat does fly sometime, it caps off the perfect beach look and adds flair to solid color-based outfits such as the one I'm sporting in this post. 

The look may be simple, but simple always works especially if your accessories are a million-watt smile and a spark of genuine happiness in your heart!

RATHER BE





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This outfit, apparently, appears to be a one-piece stunner although, I assure you, it isn't. I've worn this skirt so many times (proof that IT'S VERY OKAY to repeat items in your closet), and I've been looking for ways to style this blue baby in a way that it stands out and seems to be something new in my growing wardrobe. 

Limited clothes is not a problem. It's a challenge. 

It's a test of creativity and a fun game of mix and match. One of the key tricks of this game is color coordination. If you want to create that solid, one-piece look, make sure that your top, if it's printed as in this case, contains the similar colors as your bottoms. If it doesn't, make sure  the shade is quite near or compatible with your item (although it wouldn't be that solid anymore an it wouldn't appear to be something one-piece). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know your color wheel and which colors match and look good together (although I suggest never to wear red and green together unless you wanna look like a Christmas elf or something...) If you're not familiar with your color wheel, let this picture below help you: 

Also, if you're sporting a girly look, go for an equally feminine top. I stole this floral-printed blouse from my Grandma's closet (And yes, my Grandma is 83, is still wearing Forever 21 and has a super duper awesome wardrobe, mind you.) because it goes perfectly with the skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I've mentioned in my previous post, floral prints are not only sweet-looking. There also happens to be an abundance of them nowadays (even in your Mom's closet although my Mom is an exception lol), so they shouldn't be difficult to find. *wink, wink* 

Like I've said before, I am truly a fan of these long swishy skirts which is why this long, blue maxi skirt is perfect for my princess-y feel fetish. The slit makes it even more perfect because it adds a sexy side to the classy look, proving that you need not show a lot of skin if you want to look utterly desirable. I love pairing these maxi skirts with heels because they both give off the illusion that I'm tall and long-legged, so if you would like that, I suggest you try this glamorous combo. If you're not the heels type of lass, simple sandals are the next best option. 

This romantic look is perfect for formal occasions, for nights out and even for dinner dates. Its porcelain palette is very cool and pleasing to the eyes, and it shows off both your bodacious and sophisticated sides. 

 

 

 

 

 And because I know you wouldn't rather be wearing anything else, this song has been stuck in my head for days because of its catchy beat and its chill, violin vibes: 

// floral blouse & maxi skirt: Forever 21 //
Also check out The 1975's version of this song at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrpp0xlIyc

ENDLESS SUMMER

Who says summer can't last forever?

It's never too late to enjoy the last stretch of warm (sometimes scorching!) days of sun, sand and sea. Keep the fun, sunny, positive vibe and outshine the incoming rainy days with these brightly colored floral prints and eye catching sunnies! 

1. Here Comes the Sun  

If you're looking for a totally comfortable and relaxing do without sacrificing style, then make these easy, breezy rompers your best mate! 

// floral printed romper: Forever 21 // wedges: Tonic // sunglasses: SM dept. store //

Aside from being extremely lightweight, these must-haves are in the limelight for the summer season. It creates a perfectly fun look that screams casual and outgoing while also suggesting chic and fashionably up-to-date. 

I prefer pairing my rompers with wedges (because I have height issues lol), but they practically go with almost anything (heels, sandals, booties, flipflops, flats, Birkenstocks) which make them more convenient and easier to style especially if you don't have much of a shoe rack like me. (sponsors are always welcome though lol :)) ) 

I've always been fancying and backtracking the fashion of the 50's, the 80's and the 20's, so to add an old-fashioned touch to the sweet, modern look, I equipped myself with round, vintage-looking sunnies. I'll be using more of this and other vintage-ish items in the following posts (watch out for my 1950's Americana #ootds soon!) 

Aside from being ultra-trendy (check Matt Healy's sunnies from his Week 1 Coachella performance!!), they're also light in the pocket and easily the perfect pair to accompany you in the summer! 

2. Walking on Sunshine 

If you're feeling extra girly, you can still enjoy these summery floral prints with a trendy dress like this. 

// floral printed dress: Forver 21 // shoes: Bianca // sunglasses: Sunnies by Charlie // earrings: Claire's //

This sunflower-patterned dress is perfect for warm days under the sun. Aside from the radiant vibes it exudes, the sunflowers practically symbolize summer; therefore creating a look that's simply put yet fabulously eye-catching. 

Get a little sun shy with these good old black sunnies, and to top off the positively charged look, put on some trusty and sleek black wedges (or heels!). If you're looking for a more comfortable option, flats are most welcome, given that they're in safe hues or in shades complimenting the yellow, earth-toned dress. 

Floral prints are the "thing" this season, and there is an abundance of them almost everywhere you go. They come in skater skirts, lightweight cotton tops, jeans, bomber jackets and even shoes! These floral-printed articles can range from cheap to costly and can go from informal to au courant. They're also very fun to play with as you can go from bohemian chic to hipster music festival goer if you mix and match the right pieces and gear yourself with the appropriate accessories. 

(Like the "Arabella" shoot, this also happens to be one of my favorites, and it's thanks to Kate Tayamora, one of my official photographers (lol?) from UP Diliman! Cheers!) 

"Everything's better in black."

Being one of my favorite shades, my closet is stocked with tons of black from casual shirts to chic dresses. With an ongoing alt rock (Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, The NBHD)- punk rock (My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Nirvana, Blink 182) phase, I have a tendency to wear a lot of black these days even if the Philippines is one large scorching oven this summer. 

Black, aside from being a classic color, also happens to be versatile and relatively easy to style. You can never go wrong with black because it matches anything, and you can also toy with it by dressing up in different styles that reflect your various personalities. 

This is my first outfit collection post, so I'm letting you know how the rest of this blog goes. 

Due to my excessive love for music, the titles for the looks I'm sporting are based on tracks I listen to or the tracks, which, in my opinion, perfectly reflects the outfit I'm wearing. I've placed links of these songs on some photos so it would be accessible if you want to check them out, and have a soundtrack while browsing through these fashion tips. 

Here are some of my favorite classic looks: 

1. TEENAGERS 



 

Feeling a little rebellious or wanting to rock an all black look to scare the living sht out of people? 

Get dressed in black from head to toe with a semi-sheer shortsleeved tee and black tights. I know black goes with nearly everything, but my favorite combo has to be the classic black and gold. If you tune in to my next posts, you're going to see a lot of black and gold in my outfits and accessories. 

Forever 21's bold, metallic design from Oscar Wilde is a perfect statement for the look I want to pull off, and best of all it comes in black and gold. The fabric is lightweight, which makes the humid Philippine heat bearable. Due to the female power and the humorous literary persona behind this shirt's design, it's easily one of my favorite items in my wardrobe. 

Roll up your short sleeves to your shoulders to create a more angsty look. To complete the teenage rebellion icon look, put on a perfect pair of combat boots. Make sure you pick the right ones with the appropriate length for your legs, and make sure you feel comfortable walking around them. Because I'm unfortunately blessed with short legs, my trusty combat boots from S&H fall two inches below the knees. S&H has a plethora of boots to choose from, so if you're looking for your perfect pair of boots, S&H is your shoe paradise. 

Cap off your look with sunglasses and arm accessories. Since this outfit's accent is gold, I'm sticking with that particular color with a tangle of golden chains wrapped around my right wrist. For this look, you can also opt to wear woven bracelets (preferably in black) or ballers. If you choose to stick with metal for your accents, remember to never ever pair gold with silver. Pick out gold accessories from your Mom's drawer, and voila! 

The Brooklyn from Sunnies by Charlie is also the perfect companion to F21's graphic tee with its complimenting black and gold shades. Pull up your hair in a high ponytail and leave a few strands loose, but if you've got short hair, you can choose to make it wild and grungy to add the effect like I currently do with some of my messy curl looks. 

2. SHE WAY OUT 

Another color I absolutely love to match with black is its neutral counterpart, white. To me, they give off a classic feel with their stark contrasting hues. 

This look is perfect for Friday nights out or chilling at the bar and having cocktails with your friends. The black peasant shirt from Bershka easily compliments the F21 white lace skirt. Leave it untucked to give off that relaxed, fun-filled Friday vibes. However, if you were to wear this for a report, a meeting or a formal event or gathering, feel free to tuck it in and show off your skirt's intricate detail. 

I would've worn my black stilettos for this look, but we had to walk a lot that night, so I opted for my black and white Tonic wedges. Aside from being another pair of classic-colored footwear that I own, these wedges are more comfortable than and heels, and the black straps are absolutely perfect around your ankles. 

As for my clutch, I go for a simple black bag from Forever 21. It's actually both classy and spacious at the same time because it looks neat, and it can hold all my Friday night essentials. In choosing a bag to buy, remember that you shouldn't sacrifice functionality. Your bag wasn't just meant to be an accessory you carry around (although it is!). It was also made to carry your stuff around and allow you to live with ease. 

3. NEVER MIND 

Skater skirts are definitely the trend these days, and if you want to be part of this trend, a black skater skirt is definitely a must-have. 

Because I'm so damn tired of seeing the typical shirt-skater skirt combo, I decided to wear my Terranova "Never Mind" cream-colored sweatshirt and roll its sleeves up to my elbows. Skater skirts go well with combat boots, however, they also match these comfy ankle boots from Le Donne. 

Strike a pose and go all out on your black and white look with a charcoal-colored block hat. I wear head accessories most of the time because I feel as if my hair is too plain (especially when it was really long), and I barely have the time to fix since I'm a late riser (and a late sleeper!), and I have to rush to school to avoid an infuriated professor slamming a door at my face. 

Aside from being instant accessories, hats, headbands, and bandanas are definitely the way to go if you're covering up a bad hair day or you just want to jazz up your locks for the sake of it losing its plainness. Also throw in the overrated flower crown and the multi-colored bows they sell in several booths in malls. Overrated as they may seem, they're still great accessories perfect for any hair day. 

I'm totally in love with the lyrics of this song, so I suggest you do check them out here lol: 

4. ARABELLA 

One of the best photo shoots ever thanks to my close concert friend and Lorde doppleganger, Erika! (She'll be having her own blog soon, so stay tuned! Aside from being a great photographer, she also has a really good fashion sense and taste in music, so I suggest you follow her right away as soon as her blog is up!) 

 

 

Before I get on with this look, this shoot was actually inspired by "Arabella", a song by the Arctic Monkeys from their recent album, 'AM'. Because we decided to take pictures in an empty parking lot overlooking the city at sunset and because I named myself Arabella at Starbucks earlier, everything seemed to be made for the mentioned song including the part where I actually catch the sun's light before it sinks into the horizon. I hope next time I could pull off some cheetah-print coat and interstellar gator-skin boots though. (Haha)

One thing you should know about me is that I have an obsession for band shirts. I have a collection of shirts of my favorite bands, and I will be featuring them in their own set soon (including a playlist of what I think are their best tracks)! 

For 'Arabella', I'm pulling off another all black look, but this time, instead of using gold as my metal-colored sidekick, I'm sporting silver. I'm addicted to pairing black with metallic colors because they seem to exude a classic feel even if you go casual with your outfit such as this cotton muscle shirt with a graphic logo of The Beatles (another one of my favorite bands). Instead of tights, I opted to go for my black skinny jeans, and instead of my usual combat boots, I went with black kicks which are actually more comfortable in the summer heat but still give off that 'I'm-the-kid-your-parents-warned-you-about' vibes. These shoes are perfect for people who are not the type to wear boots. Aside from that, they're also very functional as they go with almost anything casual from skater skirts to denim shorts. 

 

 

 

As for my accessories, I stacked my good old black bands on my wrist and completed my aspiring rock icon looks with cat-eye sunglasses from Sunnies by Charlie. (this design is called the Lana, by the way) Its silver details complement the metal graphic design on my tee which creates a solid black and silver combo. Make sure your accessories are coordinated with your outfit so you can create a more solid and condensed look. If you go with black and gold, stick with black and gold. If you're more comfortable with black and silver, go for black and silver. Never ever pair gold and silver together though both look good with black. These two metal colors would clash and appear unattractive and chaotic. 

Lastly, don't forget to wear this look with a beautiful and genuine smile such as this one lol: 

(Many thanks again to this wonderful candid shot, Erika. This is very Arabella.) 

5. OF THE NIGHT

I remembered wearing this outfit for my first Lantern Parade in UP. Because it was quite chilly in December and because my college was the current champion in the Lantern Parade competition, I decided to show my UP Maskom pride with my comfy mustache-patterned sweatshirt. Its black details perfectly add fun to the classic high low skirt I'm completely in love with. 

I've always been a fan of long skirts. Aside from feeling the fabric brush your ankles every now and then, I love the princess-y vibes that these skirts give. When you walk, they ACTUALLY billow on your trail, leaving gaping mouths and staring eyes on your wake. They're very graceful to look at, and if you're feeling girly yet conservative, which is actually a problem for some of the people I've met, they're the perfect bottoms for the your fashion sense. However, if you are vertically challenged, high-low skirts that fall below your knees are more preferable; though you can opt to wear heeled shoes or wedges to add a little bit of height. These skirts add plenty of fab points for you as they can go from casual to beach-y (not this black one though) to formal. 

Forever 21 houses a lot of high low skirts ranging from plain, solid-colored ones to boho chic inspired ones. Both skirt and top are from the said store. 

Complete the look with a block hat and some ankle boots, and you're good to go! 

6. ALL ABOUT US 

Tired of the little black dress you always wear for dates and days out? Why not stick with the same shade but put a fun little twist to it? 

This Aztec printed dress is not o

nly comfy. It's relatively cheap as well. If you're looking for a perfect Sunday dress with a low budget (give it less than 500), you can find great bargains at department stores such as Landmark and SM if you look for them in the right places. Classic black flats (which are also cheap and VERY reliable, btw) perfect the printed look and provide your feet with comfort and style.

You don't need to have a big budget to be in style. If you know where to shop for affordable clothes, then your wallet doesn't have to suffer your fashion fever. Aside from being reasonable, some of these items actually have the same aesthetic appeal as the costly ones. So if you're faced with buying two shirts that look exactly alike from a random bazaar or a branded shop, choose the former as it will save you more cash and make your wallet happy. 

Just take note of two things when you're buying inexpensive articles. First, take note of the quality. Is the fabric durable enough? Does it feel comfortable? Will these heels hold even if I walk all night (I doubt that you can though lol)? Does it have any damages? Second, take note of the item's aesthetic appeal. Will it pass as something stylish? Will this look good on most of my clothes? Does it look fine or high-end enough for the look I want to pull off? 

Again, if you have a limited budget, don't fret. Instead, make the most out of it. 

7. ALL NIGHT 

Now this has got to be one of my favorite party looks. 

I bid farewell to the little black dress for quite sometime, but since black is still my favorite shade and dark colors flatter my body shape, I settled for a subtly patterned sleeveless short dress. Black and other dark colors are definitely a go if you want to appear thinner or if you want your body type to slim down. (like I do lol!) Aside from that, the black in this fabric is actually layered over a nude-colored one which creates a cool, rhythmic effect on the dress whenever you move. It's perfect for clubbing especially if you wanna go all out on the dance floor and rave all you can with your friends. 

You can opt to throw on a blazer if you easily get cold (like me lol), but make sure the blazer compliments the dress. Since the patterns of my dress are quite subtle, I went for a bold design for my cover-up to be more eye catching. Instead of my usual clutch, I opted to sport my Calvin Klein black and gold bag because it is small and stylishly classy to carry around. 

Messy hair can actually look good for parties especially if you're going for that grungy, wasted adolescent vibe as I do. All it takes is a tight braid worn all day. Remove it before you head out to the party or the club, and it creates loose, messy waves. 

And of course, for the perfect party jam, here's one of my favorites from Icona Pop: 

8. RADIOACTIVE 

Aside from metallic colors, I also like to accent my all black look with neutral colors such as grey. Aside from being another dark, flattering color, this grey cardigan falls an inch above the knee and perfectly contrasts the length of my shorts without affecting my combat boots. The good thing about this cardigan is that it's quite short-sleeved and breezier than most cover-ups. If you want a look that shows skin, but not too much skin, opt for cardigans or cover-ups that actually match your outfit. 

A recklessly tucked, loose-fitting tank top creates a more messy look. However, you can also opt to let it hang loose and fall a few centimeters above where your bottom ends. 

As with most of my accessories, I preferred to stick with black and gold, matching the functional Forever 21 bag. Perfect for casual days out with your friends is an 'all systems go'. It's bearable in the Philippine heat and is actually comfy once your inside air-conditioned places such as cinemas or malls.