in no particular order:
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i think it was some time in 2008 when i decided that wide-leg pants are my staple outfit. now i have five pairs of them in denim, two pairs in black, one pair in khaki and one pair in cream. as you can see, i try my best to show some commitment to styles i like.
dolce & gabbana runway photos from coco’s tea party.
man, how much i used to love stars. it was a minor obsession. i say minor because i wouldn’t die for them, but obsession nonetheless because i spent good money to acquire them and a lot of effort to stick small luminous stars all over my room’s ceiling and all four walls. they were all over me in the form of jewelries, clothes, downloaded logos (remember those pixelated things in the 90′s?), school supplies and tons of doodles that seem to ooze out of every page of every subject notebook.
i’m still very fascinated by stars, though i don’t have the natural inclination to doodle them as often anymore. but i could just imagine how my old self would have burst into spontaneous broadway song at the sight of dolce & gabbana’s a/w 2011 collection.
it’s acetate, it’s orange, it’s transparent, and it’s shaped like a sando bag.
coming back to fiji with a two-year-old can be quite a handful… literally. there’s food and drinks for the both of us. since she still bottle-feeds when she wants to go to sleep, i had to pack the bottles and milk too. we had to stay a night in hong kong, and because i didn’t want to unpack my check-in luggage anymore (it was a mission just to get it shut), i had to also carry night dresses and a change of clothes for us. that’s on top of a child’s usual change of clothes during travel. oh, and of course the coloring books and storybooks and crayons and the stuffed horse toy to keep her occupied for nearly eleven hours. forget my handbag; all my personals should just go into the same cabin luggage.
so even though i’ve never been a backpack person all my life, i decided to get one with compartments big and numerous enough to carry all my pre-schooler’s stuff. yet keep both my hands free as necessary when taking a two-year-old for a long haul trip.
je ne sais quoi, literally “i don’t know what”. it refers to that abstract quality in a person that makes her attractive or makes her stand out from a crowd. it’s that elusive “it” factor, that certain “something” we often refer to when we know one looks distinctively stylish yet we can’t come up with words to describe why it is such.
in simpler and local terms: may dating. how many times have you encountered a lady who looks so beautifully individual in her manner of dressing and demeanor that you turn your head to look at her in awe but can’t find the adjectives to describe why you like her look? that’s may dating. that’s je ne sais quoi.
and this is where the fun begins. french fashion retailer promod challenged bloggers to come up with five different looks that embody that intangible quality better known as je ne sais quoi. for this rare stylista-for-a-day opportunity, jill of kikay exchange was gracious enough to invite me as her partner.
you know if you buy your leather goods from high-end stores where items cost an arm and a leg that you have got the genuine article.
hey, i have nothing against faux leather, i use the material an awful lot, but i sure want to know how to tell one from the other so i don’t get highway robbed in bargain situations. and i sure love tiangges.
from gadis kooky.
although it is one of this era’s most hackneyed words, i try to avoid “chic” as much as i possibly can because i am not even completely aware of its modern sense. its literal meaning is easy enough to grasp, but i don’t want to use it simply to get with the fad lest i misuse the darn word (like the phrase “in fairness”; more than half the people who dispense that daily aren’t even using it in the proper context).
at any rate (hey, there’s another over-used phrase!), i went on over to good old merriam-webster to get its operational definition.
chic, noun, 1: smart elegance or sophistication especially of dress or manner, 2: a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology or pursuit, 3: a faddishly popular quality or appeal.
chic, adjective, 1: cleverly stylish, 2: currently fashionable.
in a bizarre development of fashion literature, usage of the word “chic” has embodied its very own definition. it’s almost like putting a mirror to another mirror and witnessing the infinite reflection. or something.
however, knowing its definition is only half the story. now we have to contend with its application. as you may already know, the word “chic” these days has a widespread reputation as an affix to other words that denote a particular style. below are some of the more notable partnerships.
of course, the idea is to look stylish and elegant, not victimized by certain categories. for instance, too much boho may look hippie-flower child (which i think is cute but i wouldn’t be caught dead walking around town in); too much military and you’d probably be better off wearing the official-issue fatigue uniform; too much goth… well, you get the drift. every now and then, we can treat ourselves to an indulgent piece (a sailor’s hat, a victorian corset, tribal beads), but it is best to keep the rest of the outfit sensible to off-set the quirk.
boho chic. bohemian style. key elements: vintage, ethnic prints, layers, scarfs, jandals, bangles, beads, multi-strand necklaces, maxi dress, big sunglasses, slouchy stuff like hobo bags, oversize cardigans, knit caps. colors: rich warm colors like brown, khaki, cream, deep orange and olive green.
casual chic. sometimes easy chic. dressed down yet stylish; combining casual wear with fashionable dressing. probably the prevailing style in 2010 catwalks. key elements: mostly for comfort like denim, linen, khaki, cotton dresses, tank tops paired with pieces and shoes in season. color: timeless neutrals, black and white with palettes from the runway.
eco chic. use of ecologically friendly materials in the construction of clothing and accessories. key elements: fair trade items, organic materials, reconstructed clothing.
geek chic. the look of geeks, once regarded as unpopular and socially awkward, has become cool by today’s standards, thanks in large part to real geeks amassing fortunes in the infotech industry. key elements: thick-frame glasses, crew-neck shirts, denim jeans, cargo pants, sneakers, surfer fedoras and baseball caps; minimal or no jewelries at all. graphic prints of video games, anime, cult films, graphic novels. colors: muted tones.
goth chic. gothic dressing can be morbid and macabre because it takes inspiration in the victorian manner of dressing for mourning. normally associated with emo and the new punk. key elements: leather, dog collars, victorian lace and ruffles, amulets, macabre jewelry (skulls, pentacles, occult symbols), fishnet stockings, thigh high boots, corsets, gloves, stovepipe hats. colors: black. sometimes with a sudden show of scarlet, fuschia or purple.
heroin chic. the emaciated and seemingly addicted look, most popular in the 90′s. thank god that’s over.
military chic. applying military gear into fashion. anything from land, air or sea warfare. elements: metal studs, insignias, emblems, antique buttons, epaulets, bomber jackets, boots, dogtags, nautical symbols. colors: army green, military fatigue, khaki. navy blue, red and white for nautical style.
shabby chic. the look of being worn or “shabby” but in a stylish way. it is usually associated with interior design, though it is also applied to clothing and accessories. “shabby chic” is coined by interior designer rachel ashwell, whose company is called that very same term.
i am currently quite fixated on shabby chic because i feel like redecorating with vintage finds and applying a few “wearing out” techniques on some furniture. which means i will be writing a dedicated entry on that some other time.
the proposal contains all the fundamental elements that make up a consummate romcom: our protagonists could not stand the very sight of each other, but an unanticipated conflict coerces them to work closely together in resolution (in the case of this film, very very closely together). throw in some old school family charm and, in no time, their charade uncovers unexpected idiosyncrasies that predictably endear them to each other. they fall in love, the end.
i like my occasional romcoms. though i am the first to lift the achtung sign when the cheesy parts are about to commence, i relish the lighthearted and lightheaded emotions that steam away deep-seated anxieties. that’s the power of kilig, no matter how unrealistic.
sandra bullock once played the slave-driven subordinate to hugh grant’s role as insensitive billionaire boss in two weeks notice, but in what must be this year’s biggest romantic comedy, she takes a jab at being the boss from hell. with an efficient but underappreciated executive assistant, andrew paxton played by ryan reynolds, bullock’s margaret tate will make you laugh as a big city girl trying to survive a family reunion in alaska.
as usual, the fashion makes the movie more memorable for me. here are the ensembles that make me love margaret tate even if she is, as gammy annie tells, “satan’s mistress”:
this now iconic proposal scene will surely go down romantic comedy history. replete with the prada handbag and christian louboutin pumps.
boating their way to the family estate. traveling in style with hermes birkin and face a face sunglasses.
insert awkward here. meeting the family in a gray mock wraparound dress (i'm crazy about the details on this one).
plaid boyfriend flannel robe over sexy negligee. rescued shelter puppy optional.
crisp classic white shirt over black pants and christian louboutins. not exactly bachelorette surprise attire, but very nice nevertheless.
as margaret feels more at home in alaska, so does her outfit. two layers of sweaters, a striped scarf and cropped pants.
antique wedding dress from gammy, pre-alterations.
much less uptight the second time around. a casual chic top with gathering detail and a slim belt.
sandra bullock with director anne fletcher. puff-sleeved top with wide stripes. my favorite.
fino leatherware is celebrating their anniversary by offering discounts on their quality leather goods!
i’ve always liked the davos bag (upper left) design, but they have run out of the color i like. the brown cowhair (as shown) is also very nice though, i might check it out this weekend. its regular retail price is, i believe, P6,450.00. i wonder how much it would be with discount.
aside from bags, you can find other items like belts, management diaries, key chains, lighter case and so much more.
visit the fino leatherware store nearest you! branches at trinoma, shangri-la, glorietta and alabang town center.
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