Weeks and even days leading up to MIBF (Manila International Book Fair), the biggest and longest running book fair happening in the Philippines annually, I was completely convinced that I wouldn't go. My pile of unread books is taller than me as it is, and my Kindle is filled with books I have yet to read. My number one reason for not feeling the need to go? I still haven't read all the books I got from the past MIBFs I went to!
I was supposed to spend the weekend at home, but it wasn't to be. Heh. My boyfriend J asked if I wanted to go to MIBF, and I was like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and then (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Determined not to spend too much and wearing comfortable shoes, I went to SMX with J and I. Felt. Old. Crowds always flock to MIBF but I used to be able to tolerate and even elbow my way through them, but I didn't have the energy to do that now. The huge halls of SMX were filled with cheap books, pens, and stationery, and my eyes almost watered with want, but of course my wallet won the argument and I only ended up with these:
I am not exaggerating: Eat Pray Love changed my life, and I have followed Elizabeth Gilbert's works since. The blurb of City of Girls intrigued me and I have been wanting to get a copy but as I mentioned, I still have too many unread books collecting dust on my shelves so I didn't. Well, I figured a 20% discount is a good enough reason to finally get one, so I made a beeline for this the moment I entered the huge hall.
As for Dear Evan Hansen, I am a fan of Ben Platt and the Original Broadway Cast Recording that you may listen to below if you haven't yet, and I would like to read the novelization of the musical.
I was supposed to spend the weekend at home, but it wasn't to be. Heh. My boyfriend J asked if I wanted to go to MIBF, and I was like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and then (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Determined not to spend too much and wearing comfortable shoes, I went to SMX with J and I. Felt. Old. Crowds always flock to MIBF but I used to be able to tolerate and even elbow my way through them, but I didn't have the energy to do that now. The huge halls of SMX were filled with cheap books, pens, and stationery, and my eyes almost watered with want, but of course my wallet won the argument and I only ended up with these:
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| City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and Dear Evan Hansen (The Novel) by Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Ben Pasek, and Justin Paul |
As for Dear Evan Hansen, I am a fan of Ben Platt and the Original Broadway Cast Recording that you may listen to below if you haven't yet, and I would like to read the novelization of the musical.
The original price of the two books is Php 1,704 but I only paid Php 1,363.20 after the discount.
I also got a bunch of stickers, mostly because I wanted the Dunder Mifflin, Inc. Paper Company sticker, hee.
After hanging out a bit with Mina and Layla and dropping by the #romanceclass and Viviamo's booths, J and I trooped to Megamall to get his Spandex Hero masks from consignment at Collecticon. We walked around a bit while the sellers were closing shop, and were even able to score a couple of items.
I.. I don't know what this is called but I AM SO AMUSED! It's like a squish ball that looks gross but really I can't stop squeezing it! It's my stress reliever in the office now.
If you don't know yet, the Alien from Pizza Planet featured prominently in the Toy Story movies is one of my top favorite animated characters, and J got me this big plushie. He knows the way to my heart, that guy.
And thus ends my weekend that was supposedly spent without incident, but ended up being well-spent. I love my MIBF + Collecticon haul.
Did you go to any of these events? I like checking out other people's hauls so I'm usually found hanging out on Instagram just visiting whatever event's hashtag, and right now I'm checking #MIBF2019. See you at MIBF 2020, I guess?
I also got a bunch of stickers, mostly because I wanted the Dunder Mifflin, Inc. Paper Company sticker, hee.
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| Love love love |
I.. I don't know what this is called but I AM SO AMUSED! It's like a squish ball that looks gross but really I can't stop squeezing it! It's my stress reliever in the office now.
If you don't know yet, the Alien from Pizza Planet featured prominently in the Toy Story movies is one of my top favorite animated characters, and J got me this big plushie. He knows the way to my heart, that guy.
And thus ends my weekend that was supposedly spent without incident, but ended up being well-spent. I love my MIBF + Collecticon haul.
Did you go to any of these events? I like checking out other people's hauls so I'm usually found hanging out on Instagram just visiting whatever event's hashtag, and right now I'm checking #MIBF2019. See you at MIBF 2020, I guess?
Did you know that September is Self-Care Awareness Month? I was today years old when I learned about it. Perfect timing, too, as I have been ruminating on this post for days now.
Self-care is underrated, but there has recently been a surge advocating it. More than slapping on face masks and lighting some candles though, self-care is any activity that we do deliberately to focus on taking care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. It's a simple concept in theory, yes, but it is something we very often overlook.
It is important to carve time from our daily hustle and bustle and smell the flowers, so to speak, because good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. The weekend before last was one of the most restful weekends I've had: rain pitter pattered outside and I was so cozy on the a sofa reading my Kindle while nestling a mug of freshly brewed coffee and listening to Taylor Swift's Lover album. Definitely a Pinterest-worthy day. Here are some of the other things I do to practice self-care:
Write
My current favorite journal is my customized medium Quest Journal in Canary that I got from I Love BDJ. It's such a happy color! There are two fillers: the monthly and weekly undated filler and filler with blank pages. The monthly view gives me an easy view on the important events for each month, and the weekly view has more than enough space for my to do lists. I jot down my daily tasks here every day, and I get immense satisfaction from crossing out each item. The blank filler is for my notes and things I am thankful for.
I feel like I have become rusty as I don't get to write nor blog as much as I want, but I'm hoping this exercise will help me get back to my writing groove.
Look at pretty little things
The newest addition to my desk is my Alice in Wonderland Nendoroid Doll which is a gift from my boyfriend. She's completely poseable and has replaceable hands! I want to get her cute outfits and face plates with various expressions, too! Ughhh so cute!
Eat healthy food
I am so happy that my former boss RJ opened a Saranglayap branch in Metro Manila to add to their first branch in Baler (that J and I tried to visit but was closed when we went there for our anniversary). It's in Maginhawa, Quezon City though and it's still too far from me so I'm hoping they can open another store in Makati or Taguig. Shown here is the Vitality Classic Smoothie Bowl with sugar beets, mango, pittaya, and acai. Yum! So good!
I don't wander beverages sections of supermarkets that much so I'm happy to have discovered the new Alaska Yoghurt in the office. They're made of milk, yoghurt, and real fruit juice and THEY'RE SO GOOD! I keep on switching between Blueberry and Strawberry as my favorite, heh. And look at them matching my laptop case, makes me go heart eyes emoji.
Read
I get lost in mindless scrolling on social media sometimes and I don't get to read as much as I used to, but I try to read at least one chapter before bedtime. I like anthologies because I get bite-sized stories that make me feel like I'm reading more than I really am. My last read was Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg's collection of short stories, Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. I really liked most of the stories and it's a book I won't forget for a long while.
Look at pretty colors
Makeup especially eyeshadow palettes, and watercolor pots, and crayons, and book spines, and flowers...the list will never end.
Put makeup on.
Whenever I feel like I'm not myself, I just put a little color on my face and watch myself transform. On my eyes are Ellana Loose Mineral Pigments in Bluebell, a shade given to me by Ellana owner/ founder Theresa herself when I visited their office for an event around two weeks ago, and on my lips is Avon Mark. Prism Lipstick in Energy Flash.
When all else fails, I lie and ignore the world.
Just kidding. My job actually doesn't allow me to do that. But I do have deep pockets that I have stashed with little moments and memories that bring me joy so that I have something to pull out any time I need to. And that, my friends, is-what I think-the most important thing to do.
Write
My current favorite journal is my customized medium Quest Journal in Canary that I got from I Love BDJ. It's such a happy color! There are two fillers: the monthly and weekly undated filler and filler with blank pages. The monthly view gives me an easy view on the important events for each month, and the weekly view has more than enough space for my to do lists. I jot down my daily tasks here every day, and I get immense satisfaction from crossing out each item. The blank filler is for my notes and things I am thankful for.
I feel like I have become rusty as I don't get to write nor blog as much as I want, but I'm hoping this exercise will help me get back to my writing groove.
Look at pretty little things
The newest addition to my desk is my Alice in Wonderland Nendoroid Doll which is a gift from my boyfriend. She's completely poseable and has replaceable hands! I want to get her cute outfits and face plates with various expressions, too! Ughhh so cute!
Eat healthy food
I am so happy that my former boss RJ opened a Saranglayap branch in Metro Manila to add to their first branch in Baler (that J and I tried to visit but was closed when we went there for our anniversary). It's in Maginhawa, Quezon City though and it's still too far from me so I'm hoping they can open another store in Makati or Taguig. Shown here is the Vitality Classic Smoothie Bowl with sugar beets, mango, pittaya, and acai. Yum! So good!
I don't wander beverages sections of supermarkets that much so I'm happy to have discovered the new Alaska Yoghurt in the office. They're made of milk, yoghurt, and real fruit juice and THEY'RE SO GOOD! I keep on switching between Blueberry and Strawberry as my favorite, heh. And look at them matching my laptop case, makes me go heart eyes emoji.
Read
I get lost in mindless scrolling on social media sometimes and I don't get to read as much as I used to, but I try to read at least one chapter before bedtime. I like anthologies because I get bite-sized stories that make me feel like I'm reading more than I really am. My last read was Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg's collection of short stories, Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. I really liked most of the stories and it's a book I won't forget for a long while.
Look at pretty colors
Makeup especially eyeshadow palettes, and watercolor pots, and crayons, and book spines, and flowers...the list will never end.
Put makeup on.
Whenever I feel like I'm not myself, I just put a little color on my face and watch myself transform. On my eyes are Ellana Loose Mineral Pigments in Bluebell, a shade given to me by Ellana owner/ founder Theresa herself when I visited their office for an event around two weeks ago, and on my lips is Avon Mark. Prism Lipstick in Energy Flash.
When all else fails, I lie and ignore the world.
Just kidding. My job actually doesn't allow me to do that. But I do have deep pockets that I have stashed with little moments and memories that bring me joy so that I have something to pull out any time I need to. And that, my friends, is-what I think-the most important thing to do.
It's a rainy Saturday afternoon and I'm taking a break from resting by reading my old blog posts.
2009 me: Rest assured though that I will not hoard makeup products since I do not have any plans to become a professional makeup artist at all.
2019 me: WelpIt is timely that I should come across this now seeing as how I broke a supposed two month makeup-buying ban barely three weeks into it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ELLANA MINERALS WAREHOUSE SALE MADE ME DO IT! On a related note, that 2009 blog post also chronicles the first time I tried and purchased makeup from Ellana Minerals.
Ellana Minerals is my favorite local makeup brand and I will recommend their products to everyone who would listen. I love everything I have tried from them and the fact that their products are skincare and makeup in one, and I even got to be a face on their old website representing the shade Café Mocha!
Rainy Friday night + Makati = traffic and extra challenge in booking a Grab but I persisted and here is my haul:
I missed out on the brushes (we were told stocks ran out on the first morning of the sale!) but I am so glad I got to restock my favorites, buy backups, and even purchase some items that are no longer being sold online!
Here's a closer look at the products I got:
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| Ellana Loose Mineral Foundation in Café Mocha to refill my big Mirror Glass Jar |
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| Ellana Sheer Velvet Matte Powder and small Mirror Glass Jar to house it in |
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| Ellana Makeup Brush Cleaner for spot-cleaning my brushes |
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| Ellana Multipurpose Loose Powders in Caress, Crush, Sensational, and Shine I'm planning to mix a little Sensational on my Sheer Velvet Powder |
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| I hit the pan on my Ellana Pressed Mineral Foundation in Café Mocha a long time ago and haven't gotten the chance to restock until now |
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| Ellana Pressed Multipurpose Powders Light Roast - a matte cool brown shade that may be used as a contour powder for cheeks and nose, eyeshadow Butter Rum - an iridescent gold satin shade that may be used as a highlighter for cheeks, nose, and eyeshadow Flirtation - a matte strawberry pink that may be used as a blush and eyeshadow Peach Passion - a warm earthy peach shimmer that may be used as a blush, highlighter for cheeks and nose, eyeshadow |
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| It looks so neat and pretty yet completely practical! |
I got all these for only a litte over Php2,200! My face and wallet are so happy with beauty that does more, hee. The Ellana Minerals Warehouse Sale is happening until 9 PM tomorrow so if you have the chance, go visit their HQ at 3400 Gen Lim, corner Rodiguez Ave., Bangkal, Makati.
Ellana also regularly holds special promotions so make sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
Now I'll be back to enjoying the rest of my long weekend. I hope you have a restful one!
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| Special bonus when you visit: Ellana Minerals HQ is home to several adopted kitties so you may also see this super adorable cat! |
Now I'll be back to enjoying the rest of my long weekend. I hope you have a restful one!
There is value in putting pen to paper. During the latter part of 2018, my boyfriend J and I sat down to set our goals for this year. His list included going back to cosplaying and putting up a business, and he hit two birds in one stone with Spandex Hero Philippines!
J put it up in the first quarter of 2019, and on the first week of this month he set up shop at Robin's Hobby Shop in Shoppesville Plus, Greenhills!
If that is not a tangible proof of vision becoming reality I don't know what is. I am so proud of him and happy that he is able to bridge the gap between vision and reality!
If you're in the neighborhood, I hope you can visit Spandex Hero PH's display inside Robin's Hobby Shop in Shoppesville Plus, Greenhills to see and purchase masks and other superhero props! Alternatively, if you want to have your own superhero suit fitted, just leave a message at Spandex Hero Philippines' Facebook Page. You can also check out spandexheroph on Instagram.
J specializes in Spider-Man costumes but can also accommodate other characters, just leave a message and he'll get back to you as soon as he can. We also participate in selling events so please follow these social media pages for updates!
Halloween is coming up soon and if you want to dress up as your favorite superhero (or villain, no judging here), Spandex Hero PH is your best bet. ( ᐛ )و
J put it up in the first quarter of 2019, and on the first week of this month he set up shop at Robin's Hobby Shop in Shoppesville Plus, Greenhills!
If that is not a tangible proof of vision becoming reality I don't know what is. I am so proud of him and happy that he is able to bridge the gap between vision and reality!
If you're in the neighborhood, I hope you can visit Spandex Hero PH's display inside Robin's Hobby Shop in Shoppesville Plus, Greenhills to see and purchase masks and other superhero props! Alternatively, if you want to have your own superhero suit fitted, just leave a message at Spandex Hero Philippines' Facebook Page. You can also check out spandexheroph on Instagram.
J specializes in Spider-Man costumes but can also accommodate other characters, just leave a message and he'll get back to you as soon as he can. We also participate in selling events so please follow these social media pages for updates!
Halloween is coming up soon and if you want to dress up as your favorite superhero (or villain, no judging here), Spandex Hero PH is your best bet. ( ᐛ )و
Rajo Laurel. Rhett Eala. Vania Romoff. Randy Ortiz. Mark Nicdao. Amina Aranaz. These are names that have instilled awe and fascination in me every time I read about them in fashion magazines, even when I wasn't working in PR yet. How amazing that I got to work with them and a bunch of other talented artists for Plains & Prints!
A little Philippine fashion history trivia: did you know that local fashion giant Plains & Prints started in a small stall in Greenhills back in 1994? With hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of passion to make timeless, elegant style accessible to Filipinas, its co-founder Roxanne Farillas was able to expand the brand to more than 90 branches run by a team of over 400 people! They've even made their timeless brand of fashion available overseas through online portals.
25 years on, Plains & Prints continues to remain relevant by producing classic and timeless pieces and collaborating with top names in the Philippine fashion scene. From the artists to designers and brand ambassadors they partner with as well as the collections and stories they release, everything is well thought out and on point.
Plains & Prints owes its success to Filipino artistry. Every print, every fabric, and every garment is crafted in-house. The whole value chain is driven entirely by homegrown talent. Beyond the atelier, Plains & Prints is worn by style icons who embody the brand’s classic Filipina sensibilities.
1994 to 2019 is dotted with various milestones when it comes to brand endorsers and collections. From Gretchen Barretto who was their first icon back in 2002, Plains & Prints started a string of partnerships with effortlessly stylish women. Model-columnist Celine Lopez signed on in 2007, while British-Thai actress Paula Taylor joined in the following year. Several years later, legendary stylist Liz Uy became the face of the brand after being the partner stylist for six years. Nowadays, actress Anne Curtis fronts the Plains & Prints brand. She is classy, sophisticated, yet adventurous—an embodiment of the modern Filipina that wears Plains & Prints.
The project is one of the biggest of its kind, involving 15 artists collaborating for over a year to create a snapshot of modern Philippine fashion. It includes 30 stylish pieces by trailblazers and rising stars—symbolizing the timelessness of Plains & Prints elegance.
It was so difficult to keep my lips sealed about this collaboration because how could you not get excited about the thought of 15 artists coming together to celebrate the silver milestone of a proudly Pinoy brand? A historic collaboration, indeed!
After more than a year of putting everything together, Plains & Prints Beyond 25 had a great launch at Green Sun last week.
In my almost seven years (Yes! I am celebrating my seventh year in PR this month!) of working in PR, this was definitely one of the biggest and glitziest events we've handled! I was not able to take a lot of photos, but here are some snaps I did manage to take.
It was a beautiful night, and I felt really pretty in my makeup and dress. But of course, the star of the night was the Beyond 25 collection, and I am sharing the lookbook here.
The Plains & Prints Beyond 25 collection is now available online and in all Plains & Prints stores nationwide! They are numbered and very limited so if there is anything you like, I suggest that you order it now because they will not be released again.
As for me, I chose my favorites when I first saw the clothes during the shoot back in April, and last week I finally got my hands on them.
They're so feminine, exquisite, and delicate. I love them and I can't wait for the perfect occasion to wear them!
However small my part was, I am deeply honored to be part of this milestone. Congratulations and more power, Plains & Prints!
A little Philippine fashion history trivia: did you know that local fashion giant Plains & Prints started in a small stall in Greenhills back in 1994? With hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of passion to make timeless, elegant style accessible to Filipinas, its co-founder Roxanne Farillas was able to expand the brand to more than 90 branches run by a team of over 400 people! They've even made their timeless brand of fashion available overseas through online portals.
25 years on, Plains & Prints continues to remain relevant by producing classic and timeless pieces and collaborating with top names in the Philippine fashion scene. From the artists to designers and brand ambassadors they partner with as well as the collections and stories they release, everything is well thought out and on point.
Plains & Prints owes its success to Filipino artistry. Every print, every fabric, and every garment is crafted in-house. The whole value chain is driven entirely by homegrown talent. Beyond the atelier, Plains & Prints is worn by style icons who embody the brand’s classic Filipina sensibilities.
1994 to 2019 is dotted with various milestones when it comes to brand endorsers and collections. From Gretchen Barretto who was their first icon back in 2002, Plains & Prints started a string of partnerships with effortlessly stylish women. Model-columnist Celine Lopez signed on in 2007, while British-Thai actress Paula Taylor joined in the following year. Several years later, legendary stylist Liz Uy became the face of the brand after being the partner stylist for six years. Nowadays, actress Anne Curtis fronts the Plains & Prints brand. She is classy, sophisticated, yet adventurous—an embodiment of the modern Filipina that wears Plains & Prints.
The project is one of the biggest of its kind, involving 15 artists collaborating for over a year to create a snapshot of modern Philippine fashion. It includes 30 stylish pieces by trailblazers and rising stars—symbolizing the timelessness of Plains & Prints elegance.
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| With Rajo Laurel during the shoot back in April, who describes the Beyond 25 collection as looking at the landscape of Philippine fashion now where every one has a story to tell |
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| With Cheetah Rivera during the shoot back in April, who grew up with a sister who wears Plains & Prints-everything, so being chosen to be a part of the Beyond 25 collection is a huge honor |
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| With Vania Romoff during the shoot back in April, whose love for volume on the sleeves and shirt dresses shows on the pieces she designed for the collaboration |
After more than a year of putting everything together, Plains & Prints Beyond 25 had a great launch at Green Sun last week.
In my almost seven years (Yes! I am celebrating my seventh year in PR this month!) of working in PR, this was definitely one of the biggest and glitziest events we've handled! I was not able to take a lot of photos, but here are some snaps I did manage to take.
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| MullenLowe MARC's Media Relations team: Michelle, myself, Celine, Jean, and Jen |
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| With Erwin and Joel |
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| With Jean and Des |
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| With Ashley, Ava, and Arnie |
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| With my friend from college April |
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| With the host Tim Yap |
It was a beautiful night, and I felt really pretty in my makeup and dress. But of course, the star of the night was the Beyond 25 collection, and I am sharing the lookbook here.
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| Amina Aranaz takes a break from accessory design with the printed Celeste top and pants (Php 3,998) and Clara set in classic rust (Php 3,998) |
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| Anthony Ramirez shows his penchant for solid colors with the blue Kiarra (Php 2,898) and the black Catalina (Php 2,898) |
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| Charina Sarte’s ruffled dress comes in two versions: The polka-dotted Paris (Php 2,998) and the mustard Manila (Php 2,998) |
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| Cheetah Rivera’s youthful Elise dress (Php 2,898) also comes in a white and mint version called Bonnie (Php 2,898) |
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| Mark Bumgarner’s classic silhouettes return to Plains & Prints with the Daphne pantsuit (Php 2,998) and the printed Camilla dress (Php 2,998) |
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| Mark Nicdao showcases a digital print of the city that never sleeps in New York dress (Php 2,998) and Manhattan top and bottom (Php 2,998) |
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| Martin Bautista’s one-shoulder number comes in the sienna Celine top and skirt (Php 2,998) and the printed Cecile top and skirt (Php 2,998) |
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| Maureen Disini’s all-white Rebecca (Php 2,998) contrasts with the dark and printed Joanna (Php 2,998) |
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| Patty Ang lends her minimalism with the mint Billie top and pants (Php 2,998) and the navy Drew set (Php 2,998) |
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| Rajo Laurel gives the asymmetrical dress a comfortable and practical take with the coral Shantelle (Php 2,898) and printed Sophia (Php 2,898) |
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| Randy Ortiz reaffirms his love for flowy dresses with the white Carmen (Php 3,498) and chambray Adella (Php 3,498) |
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| Rhett Eala plays with Lime and blue accents in the Hanna top and skirt (Php 3,298), then goes all in on the square-necked Chelsea set (Php 3,298) |
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| Rosanna Ocampo offers a lacy dress in light brown Sabine (Php 2,998) and blue Sasha (Php 2,998) |
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| Vania Romoff’s third collab with Plains & Prints gives us the red Marcella dress (Php 2,998) and white and khaki Carlotta (Php 2,998) |
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| Wig Tysmans’ landscapes feature prominently in the Tanya dress (Php 2,898) and Nashtassia pantsuit (Php 3,498) |
As for me, I chose my favorites when I first saw the clothes during the shoot back in April, and last week I finally got my hands on them.
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| I got Sasha by Rosanna Ocampo... |
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| ... and Paris by Charina Sarte |
However small my part was, I am deeply honored to be part of this milestone. Congratulations and more power, Plains & Prints!
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