i haven’t been up-to-date with my posts. i have failed to cover the grammy red carpet (which is my favorite of the year!) and haven’t written anything about the past four cities in the a.i. audition tour. i don’t mean to neglect the blog, it’s just been a very rummage and search and learn week. i didn’t even imagine i’d be up to my armpits with things to contemplate on in a place like this. but hey, them’s the breaks.

fortunately, my husband decided to surprise me with a weekend at an island resort for our anniversary last saturday. fortunately, my mother-in-law slipped and let the surprise out the day before that. because i don’t like surprises. but i do love resort stays very much.

we spent two days and one night in sonaisali island resort. it’s the same resort where our cousin celebrated her wedding.

we were able to score a marvelous deal on the accommodations and an even more incredible deal on the meals. we stayed in a bure with a huge room that included a king size bed and a large wicker sofa set. we also had a terrace and an entry porch overlooking the waters that separate sonaisali island from the mainland. activities like paintball, beach volleyball, billiards and jungle cruise were available apart from the usual water sports and recreation.

i’m not posting this entry to review or write about the experience. i relaxed, loosened up and willed myself to do nothing at all, i didn’t even bother making a mental rate of the resort. all i know is that i like the place a lot and i love the food so much, i’d probably go there another time just to eat.

i just want to share the sundresses i scored from ukay-ukay and wore to the beach.

even the espadrilles i wore were from ukay.

that’s watching the wellington rugby 7s with my husband (which fiji won). he took a few seconds off the game to snap this photo. i think the whole of fiji was at a standstill that night, the way the philippines is during pacquiao fights. i hope i made my thrill palpable enough. i really don’t know how i could appreciate rugby, perhaps i should just stop trying. no use feigning interest, right?

that’s how determined i was not to be bothered by anything.

when we got home, the family surprised us with a cake. we didn’t touch it during the night because we were stuffed from the complimentary meals in the resort. we had it for breakfast the next day though. and since our wedding last year was severely simple (meaning we just gave our oath, signed the docs and ate lunch), we decided to prop the camera on the kitchen rack, grabbed the opportunity to snap a photo of us cutting a cake together. with a kitchen knife.

happy anniversary to us!

like any christmas break in the philippines, many urbanites start heading to coastal areas for some holiday fun and frolic in the sea and sand. as for fiji, we get a wave of tourist arrivals from the frigid northern hemisphere, wanderlusters averse against the bitter cold to bask themselves under the pacific sun.

it’s fun to fashion-watch holiday tourists in the resorts. it’s like walking into a brochure. of course, it would be so rude to just snap photos of resort guests who come here for rest, relaxation and privacy, so just trust me that most ladies wear bright printed sundresses, wide-brim hats, oversize sunglasses and rubber flip-flops. while this kind of ensemble is very apt for the nature-inspired vibe of the island, sometimes i get to see some jordi labanda-esque tropical wear which i happen to favor an awful lot.

instead of invading the tourists’ private space by taking sudden photos, i assembled some diva-style tropical outfits in polyvore taking cues from the famous pop-art of jordi so you can get an idea of what i’m talking about. to make it more timeless, i stuck to neutral black and white with denim. plus washes of gold because i love how they reflect the sunlight and how they complement the sparkle of the sea.

poolside

wet seal no. 3 by tessaeastgate featuring Michael Kors watches

resort shopping

wet seal no. 1 by tessaeastgate on Polyvore.com

clubbing

wet seal no. 2 by tessaeastgate featuring Miss Selfridge earrings

a few tips on how to look like a fashionable work of pop-art in the resort:

over-accessorize. if you want to look like a diva, there are times you have be fearless about wearing jewelry at the beach or poolside (that is, if you don’t intend to swim; you’d rather not risk losing them in the water). sleek or chunky watches, thick or piled-on bangles, bumblebee or aviator sunglasses, unique hats.

wear figure-skimming outfits. as much as possible, keep away from babydoll dresses and other cuts that de-emphasize your figure. you can only wear an oversize top if it is a sheer cover-up over your bikini.

limit prints. solid colors, especially deep shades, make you look leaner and, combined with the previous tip, even taller. if you want more color in your tropical diva wardrobe, opt instead for wide stripes or color-blocking.

give your flip-flops a rest. no diva will be caught dead in these. rock your strappy sandals.

nail polish. hands with bold nail colors make a strong statement. and they look fantastic holding that glass of mimosa. toenails with the same or complementing shade makes a fabulous end to your bare legs.

waterproof mascara. abundant lashes with your naturally glowing skin, thanks to the tropical sun, makes you look like a complete knock-out.

sun-seekers, hope you have fun in the holiday sun!

the sarong competition last wednesday was the first category judged in the week-long miss south pacific pageant here in fiji. seeing the ladies in this versatile piece of garment made me want to buy my own… actually, it made me want to buy many. i guess it never really occurred to me to get one long ago in the philippines because i usually wore sundresses in the beach. besides, i never really went to the beach regularly to merit a dire need for a sarong, knowing well i wouldn’t have the courage to use it in the city.

anyway, now i’m here and now i want one. or many.

i just learned a few days ago that the sarong is better known in the polynesian islands as pareo. don’t you just love that word? the way it tumbles down your tongue?

what’s a sarong/pareo? from 1worldsarongs:

Sarongs are many things to many people. Throughout history the world has known the sarong by different names as well.

Some people call sarongs handmade creations of art. Others call sarongs bathing suit cover-ups. It doesn’t matter what you call them. It matters what you do with it. Essentially, there is a very long list for how a sarong can be used.

with that, the best instructional video on how to wear the pareo is found here.

the video below is also very helpful, though imho not as entertaining as the one in the link above. certainly worth watching nevertheless.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LyRktKMOs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01]

if you consider getting a pareo (or more if you already have one!) after watching the videos, you might want to check out my favorite designs:

l-r: bright tribal print from seaspray; abstract mosaic with beads from la perla; colorful sheer from seaspray

be forewarned though: buying one will lead to the same phenomenon in that cliche potato chips slogan…

FIJI!

will resume regular posting very soon. hope to see you around here!

thank you, Shallow, for allowing me to contribute for the men.

Summer aahh!! First, let us all put our hands together for the sunshine and the brighter days. The Philippines, Land of Beauty, Sunshine and… a very Shy Beach Culture!! What?? Did I just say that?

After flipping through photos of a recent trip to Boracay, I was actually kinda saddened because with all the hype of the beach, sand and sunshine, I noticed fellow beach-goers were still wrapped up in jeans, relatively beach-like shirts (old business shirts) and the beach sandals that look like they could second for construction boots ala super duper Crocs. I’m talking bout the men… Ladies fashion to be commented on later.

Gone are the days when rolled up jeans and white shirts passed as beach attire. Not water friendly, very drab and just a hint of  ”look at me I am a pirate with my cutoffs”. If I had to choose three things I could take out of the Beach Scene nowdays,  it would be:

The Nut Huggers

 

swimming trunks (ballus prisona/budgee smugglers)

Smite he who weareth the tight spandex number, unless you are a super model… actually no… keep them at home or stay in the water… So we can’t see you.

The Makeshift Beach Shorts

 

denim shorts

Oh c’mon a little effort please. We have all seen these and we all know someone who wears them… For shame…

 

The Over-Tanned Foreigner

 

donatella versace with an overtan

We love Donatella, but you know what I mean with the tan : )

OK. Maybe not so much the last one (they bring money into the country lol), but I mean sometimes don’t you just wish you could say easy on the tan-oil. Anyways, back to the point… A fellow traveler on the way to our island getaway asked me a if I was going for a Pro-Am competition. I asked “Why?” and he pointed out the obvious, which was me dressed head to toe in Quiksilver. I am talking hat, shirt, boardies, backpack and my duffel Bag. Only My Oakley Oildrum Sunglasses split the Sponsored Surfer Image. I turned to a large window in the airport to check myself out and was like totally… HAPPY! Yes, I was in my fave beachwear from my fave beach company and I was asked if I was a Surfer. SWEET! (I am shallow)

Gentlemen, summer vacation is about hanging up that work hat, taking off the suit and just chillaxing. Just because you work in an office don’t mean you bring it to the beach. Get into it, enjoy the shirt-less, sweat infused, drenching warmth of the sun or if not bikini style atmosphere. Dig in and express yourself. The great thing about beach wear is that there are plenty simple or loud designs to just bring out that inner sun god (provided you can even go on a summer break).

I also realized getting geared up for the beach can pack a wallop to your wallet. So now I also understand the whole denim shorts on the beach thing. The metro really makes the beach experience expensive even before you leave. But with an okay budget, one can gear up for a summer fiesta.

So the Essentials:

BOARDIES

The summer equivalent to a cold beer after a long week. But Boardies need to be worn with authority. Your board shorts are a reflection of you… crazy, cool or simple. Wear boardies with pride.

A few faves I have seen and want:

billabong LSD eco-shorts spring 09 collection

Billabong’s feast for the eyes will keep stoned friends entertained for hours. Incorporates eco-friendly technology.

quiksilver my dog spot shorts

These shorts are too cool… Will add to the delight of those special medicated friends who stare at the LSD shorts. Throw them a curve ball and switch shorts.

quiksilver raimana shorts

Polynesian design influenced by the Samoan Tatau/Maori Ta Moko (Tattoo). So you can get the design on the same part of you body and take it off, rather than suffer immense pain by having the tattoo smacked into you skin using wood and sharks teeth. Thank god for technology.

Most board shorts can be found at the signature stores or from outlets all around malls. Can be anywhere from p600, if you are lucky, to about p1400.

SUNGLASSES

Not only do they help you from developing cataracts, they also hide your dodgy eyes peeking at the bikini clad ladies on the beach. Sunglasses also add that extra layer of cool, but beware!!  Failure to observe the sunglass switch rule (i.e., take them off from time to time and put on a hat) will result in the highly embarassing PANDA eye effect.

I love the these little numbers

electric velveteen sunglasses also available in cnady apple green, bubblegum blue and black

Now they may look like ladies glasses so maybe you can buy her a pair and get your special treat, but for the the select few that can pull them off, these babies are a beauty.

police 8103 sunglasses also available in silver and red.

The middle ground stylish sexy slash corporate number without looking too bling. Great coverage.

spy haymaker sunglasses coco creme fade.

Like their name suggests, the Haymakers konked me out with their awesomeness. Last pair i saw cost about p9050, but there are other knock-offs out there. To find these sunnies, Stoked Inc. is usually the best bet, but a little walking around never hurt anyone, especially if you are walking off the Beer gut, you lazy bum!! Get your body ready for the beach.

ACCESSORIES

Now walking around in the Metro during summer equipped with your Boardshorts and Sunglasses and swag, how about just add that extra Booyakasha (lord have mercy) when you walk with your ipod/mp3 player blaring dem summer beats through these babies:

skullcandy G.I rasta headphones in black

Now if these don’t sear Bob Marley onto the surface of your cranium via the ear canal, what will?

• 40mm speaker
• Frequency range: 100 – 18,000 Hz
• Impedance: 50 ohms
• Max input power: 400mW
• Cable type: OFC
• Cable length: 1.2 M
• Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated

skullcandy T.I (titanium) rasta headphones in gold foil

These will get you bumping like a reggaeton superstar, the titanium enforced speakers truly deliver them brain-numbing beats.

• 40mm Titanium speaker
• Frequency range: 100 – 18,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32/50 ohms
• Max input power: 400mW
• Cable type: OFC
• Cable length: 1.2 M
• Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated

Skullcandy allows you to find the headphones that fit your personality. Not only do the look awesome, they also allow you to interchange the earpieces just in case you wear the foam out quickly. Also check out the METALLICA signature series. Skullcandy can be found in the A.SHOP or BRATPACK. The TI series will set you back bout  P4050

In the next summer series, greatly appreciated bikini numbers for the ladies as told by men. killer tsinelas the croc eliminatahs! and sling bags.

Love, Peace and Inspiration.