The weather's gloomy and my schedule's crazy, but I thought I'd leave a quick post here.

Yesterday I attended an event wherein we were asked to wear pink. I couldn't find a pink dress in my closet and I didn't want to buy a new one, so I decided to work with what I have. Here is what I wore:

White eyelet dress - 168 Mall | Pink jacket - Next Jeans | Floral belt - Bugis, Singapore

Headband - EGG | Floral wedges - Parisian

I've seen several variations of the white eyelet dress in high street stores and malls, but would you believe I got it from a stall in 168 Mall for only P150? I miss that place, I haven't been there for more than two years now but I'm hoping to go back for more work clothes. (Might be a good idea to wait until after Christmas though, as the place tends to be really packed.) Aside from the dirt-cheap price, it's one of my favorite dresses because it's so versatile and can be easily dressed up or down. As for the pink jacket, I've had it since college and I hope it would not ever give up on (i.e. because of wear and tear) because it's my favorite jacket. A lot of people (like my aunt, for example) have asked for it already but no, the jacket's mine (^_^)

The SM Accessories team has something rolled up their sleeves and I'm sure you're all very excited to know what it is!


Can you figure out who the lady in the video is?

The big reveal will happen on November 16 so if you want to know more, just visit the official Facebook page of SM Accessories here. Prizes up to P100,000 are also at stake so keep on checking the page!

Another teaser video will be uploaded next week so watch out for that ;)

Pain demands to be felt, but I don't want to feel sorry for myself anymore. Let's talk about shoes, yes?

On September 25, a huge bash was held to celebrate the collaboration of world-class designer Rajo Laurel with SM Parisian and Milanos. I wasn't able to go because I went to the premiere of The Perks of Being a Wallflower but I was able to read up on what transpired through my blogger friends' posts. The two exclusive collections derive inspiration from Japanese culture so it only follows that the event was largely Japanese-themed as well. From what I've seen, it was a fun night of culture, fashion and art meshed seamlessly to present pieces that are truly worthy of space in everyone's shoe closets.

Because Parisian has been super awesome and extremely supportive of my love for shoes, they contacted me to choose two pairs from either Parisian or Milanos. If you haven't seen the collection yet, I know you're very curious to know what the shoes Rajo designed look like. Here is a spread for your easy reference so we can ooh and aah at the same time, and for you to know why I found it difficult to choose which to pick ;)

See what I mean? I also like the ones from Milanos, and I am not even a boy!

Last week, I went to SM Makati to see them in person... and fell in love. With TAO. In black. Unfortunately, it is no longer available in my size (that's how hot ticket these items are, ladies and gents!) so on Friday I went to SM North EDSA to try my luck.

I guess the shoe goddesses wanted to be in my good side that day :)

Sigh... what a beauty.

Gorgeous all over. Yes. Yes. A thousand times YES.

Do you know why I fell in love with this pair? Simple. The first time I saw it in the catalog, it reminded me of Batman. And you know how much I love Batman. Sleek, sexy and such a badass, this pair has got Bruce Wayne's alter ego's name stamped all over it. I love it.

And of course, on off days it could even moonlight as Catwoman ;)

SEE? How could anyone try it on and not fall in love?

I guess you were thinking about the other pair I chose, weren't you? Well I gave it to my younger brother because I am such a cool sister. He got this:

Watanabe in black

A little inside joke that I noticed just now: my brother's nickname is Ken. Ken Watanabe, get it? LOL if you think that was terrible, don't mind me. It's midnight and I should be sleeping by now but my mind is consumed by forever alone thoughts of shoes.

Special thanks to SM Parisian and SM Milanos! Happy shoe-shopping! ♥

Rajo! for Parisian and Milanos are available in the following SM Department Stores nationwide: SM Mall of Asia SM North Edsa, SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Cubao, SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Las Piñas, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmariñas, SM Lucena, SM Lipa, SM Baguio, SM Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Marilao, SM Cebu, SM Lanang, and SM Mandurriao. For more information, visit the official Facebook pages of SM Parisian and SM Milanos or follow @SMParisian and @SMMilanosShoes on Twitter.

It's that time of the year again, when well-dressed ladies and gentlemen troop to SM Mall of Asia to be dazzled by the Spring/ Summer collections of designers and brands from local shores: Philippine Fashion Week! From what I've seen, what you'll wear to the shows are almost as important as what the models on the ramp wear themselves. If you're stumped when it comes to sartorial choices, why not inject a little color and nationalistic pride to your PFW wardrobe?

Freeway did it again, and this time the spotlight is on Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco, National Artist for Visual Arts. Indeed, it couldn't have come at a better time as we also celebrate his 100th anniversary this year. 

It's amazing how Freeway immortalized Botong Francisco’s paintings to wearable art: from canvass to fabric. Freeway’s Holiday Collection honoring Botong Francisco consists of beautiful tailored dresses in woven poplins and soft materials like chiffon, a range of silhouettes of casual and corporate tops, plus fave gift items like accessories, watches, tote bags and more. The 25 piece collection comes in vibrant holiday colors, befitting the color palette of Botong Francisco’s paintings. Here are some of them:

The Freeway X Botong Francisco collection was launched last October 18 at The Row, Glorietta 1. Attended by fashion and art enthusiasts, media friends and bloggers and the family and friends of Botong, it was a splendid night of art, fashion and a grand presentation of Filipino talent. An art exhibition by the young children of Michael Blanco's Academy of Artists was held before the program, and it felt so humbling to see all those kids with such raw talent and passion, showcasing what they do best. You see, drawing was the one thing I forgot to learn how to do so whenever I encounter someone with the knack for it I just stand there in awe, questioning why I am not as talented but at the same time not harboring any ill feelings heehee. This was followed by the event proper hosted by premier actress Cherie Gil.

A short video presentation about Botong Francisco's life and works was featured, after which a fashion show was held featuring the 25 piece collection. While watching the show I ooh-ed and aah-ed and whispered "I want that" to my seatmates quite a few times LOL.

To shed more light into the human side of our National Artist, host Cherie Gil interviewed special guests Ino Manalo (Executive Director of the National Archives) and Carlos “Totong” Francisco II (grandson of Botong Francisco) who both shared interesting stories and trivia about Botong Francisco and his big influence in Philippines Art and Culture. Another guest who joined the art experts during the interview is former Governor of Tarlac, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco who’s a passionate lover of art and fashion. 

I attended the event with these beautiful people:

This year being Botong's 100th anniversary, there will be a series of events and celebrations throughout the year. To learn more details about these events and know more about the collection, please visit Freeway's official website. You may also Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. For inquiries and program updates on the Centennial, you may also email Botong100@gmail.com. 

"Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful.

But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering."

Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

When I was ten, I had a childhood sweetheart. He was my uncle's family's neighbor in the place where I spent my summer vacations and we spent a lot of afternoons playing together. He promised me he'll ask me to be his girlfriend when we turn 18 because a relationship at that age will be much better since we'll be more mature and all, therefore better equipped in handling issues and whatever. I looked forward to visits there so I could see  him, and oh boy were there a lot of sneaky glances and long conversations over the phone even when he lived just next door. When my uncle's family moved here, I never got to see him again except for one time when we saw each other at the mall when I was in college. I never got to be his girlfriend and the last time I heard, he already has a wife and kids.

When I was in 4th grade, I had a crush on a boy who also had a crush on me. I waited and waited and waited for him to make the first move but he never did. He transferred to another school the summer before 3rd year high school, and I consider it my first heartbreak.

When I was in 3rd year high school, I "fell in love" (I'm using the term loosely here) with someone who I thought was so dense to not notice the signs I was "in love" with him. It turns out he was in love with one of my friends who then became his girlfriend. It broke my heart, but now everything's good - their relationship has ended but all three of us belong in the same barkada.

A couple of months before I graduated in high school, I had my first boyfriend. We broke up two months into college because he then pursued a relationship with one of my close friends. (What is it with friends screwing me over? LOL) I waited for my heart to fully heal, and one day it finally did. Our paths never crossed again even though we live in the same city.

In 2008, I fell in love with an officemate who was one of my closest friends. There was a lot of pain and tears involved in that "relationship" and I blame myself for letting it happen twice. It took a while before I was able to stand on my own two feet again, but after some time I eventually did. It's sad that our friendship is one of the casualties of the whole fiasco, but something's got to give. We've damaged each other far too much that to be friends right now is out of the question. Who knows, maybe it will happen one day, but right now, I don't think it would be healthy for either of us.

Last night, I dreamed I was with the guy I consider to be the one that got away. It felt so real that I thought he was really there beside me, so you could just imagine how much it sucked when I realized it was just a dream, he's not really there and he won't be, at least until the next three years. He is now abroad working, and to be honest I wouldn't mind waiting for him. The only question is, does he want me to wait for him? I don't know... Probably not, especially after how much I hurt him. I regret everything that happened, but it is what it is. Try as I might, I can never undo anything I've done. For the past two months I've been doing what I can to try to tell him how I feel, but it seems like all I've been getting are half-hearted responses. Do I keep waiting? I want to, but if all my attempts remain unanswered, maybe it would be best to give up.

So what if there's someone else out there, also waiting for me? What if he wants to reach me as fast as he can, but he's stuck in traffic? What if Google Maps gave him the wrong directions? What if he got impatient and just decided to end the search? Curiouser and curiouser, lonelier and lonelier. 

Does this post feel like too much of a Debbie Downer for you? I apologize. I promise to talk about clothes and shoes on my next post. Have a great week ahead!

* Photo taken by one of my friends during our out-of-town trip last weekend.

I must have taken the whole 'disconnecting' thing seriously, I realized I haven't written anything new here in the last five days! I've attempted a few posts but writing them didn't feel right so they just went back to my Drafts. I don't know, I guess I didn't want to bore anyone reading half-baked entries. Or maybe I was just too busy playing Chefville. You guys should try it, it's so cute! I already got my officemate Anne hooked, and she doesn't even like playing games on Facebook! (^_^)

Anywayyy, the photos in this post were taken by ARC's photographer extraordinaire Luther (I love how that rhymes. Gahh I am such a nerd!) while we were getting ready for a surprise party we threw our boss Jenny. I will share more stories about that party soon once Luther's done processing the photos heehee. For the meantime, I just want to say that I feel so lucky to be working with such a fun bunch of loud, gregarious, intelligent, good-looking people. I am very shy and tend to withdraw to my own world but with them, I am able to go out of my shell, little by little. ｡◕‿◕｡




I still miss my friends from HSBC, but I'm glad I took the leap.

How are YOU? I hope life is treating you well. ♥