Photography by Tricia Gosingtian. Make-up by Ais Liao. Model: Lissa Kahayon.

If you followed my Twitter last week, I’ve been raving about a new brand called Lacoste L!VE. I was able to go to the official launch at Whitespace, where I donned an almost-full-Lacoste L!VE outfit which apparently surprised a lot of people! 

“Is that really Lacoste?!”

Well folks, you can say hello to Lacoste’s rebellious offspring, Lacoste L!VE. It is hipper, quirkier and a lot more fun with this super fresh twist to the signature crocodile that launched the preppy trend way back in the 80s. Think cute twists to the classic Lacoste look that we grew up with.  

Before the launch, I was fortunate enough to pick my own Lacoste L!VE outfit to style, which was a dream come true as I immediately fell in love with the gravity-defying interiors and store displays in the new Glorietta 2 store! 

And boy, was it my lucky day or what? This top has books printed all over it. BOOKS. Now, where else can you find this print? This is something that all bookworms should definitely have!

Hype this look on Lookbook here.

I went all-out Lacoste and wore the preppiest stuff that I could find. I wanted to create a mix of formal (with the button-down long-sleeved top and skirt) and casual (with the cap, sneakers and satchel), and I hope I did a good job. 

I think it’s only the second or third time I’ve ever posted a shot of myself wearing sneakers. I dared to go bright red this time. What else could be a better statement than bright red shoes? 

As I’ve mentioned a few posts back, I’m a little obsessed with flat brim caps now that SNSD’s IGAB brought it back. Lacoste L!VE is a good place to find these caps, to those who are interested to get high quality ones! Available in other colors too, like black, blue and white. :D

Here’s another Lacoste! LIVE outfit where I decided to keep it more simple and me. I used the same space-age sheen bag but styled it with another printed top. The short sleeves are ideal for summer as it’s getting quite warm already!

Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Paired it with trendy pointy heels for another of that formal-meets-casual effect. 

Don’t you just love this print? It is another one of Lacoste L!VE’s original prints that can not only be found in this t-shirt style, but also in a one-piece dress style that’s very chic and appropriate for all occasions. Personally, it reminds me very much of old Japanese patterns. The peach-pink color accents also add a more feminine twist to the normal printed tee which we all love.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Wearing Lacoste L!VE with David (OMG HIS JACKET, RIGHT? I WANT IT) and Lissa. Bumped into our friend Patricia and the 4 of us had to take a photo together as we were all reminded of the good old days where we would attend certain events as a group! 

Also bumped into my friend and forever muse Julz who rocked her blonde hair so much  it made me miss that time when my hair was super light too! I feel like she would be the ideal type to wear all of Lacoste L!VE’s products in a heartbeat as her style is quite edgy and fun like the brand!

Models lined up with their colorful statement outfits.

They were having such a blast on stage!

Something I’d wear. 

Loving the colors on this outfit!

Bumped into my virtual friend of 3-4 years, KT! The world conspired to bring us together after so many Facebook and Twitter messages to each other. <3

The Lacoste L!VE event was a really a gathering of people like her who evoke a kind of quality that makes you want to take the world very lightly and just have loads and loads of fun!

In the Philippines, Lacoste L!VE is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at New Glorietta & Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Do drop by as soon as you can as their recent SS13 collection is to die for! 

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(Motel Rocks dress, Choies vest, Chicnova bag, Forever 21 heels, EMODA earrings, zeroUV sunglasses) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

This is a trendy as I can get. Black and white? Check. Bold stripes? Check. Pointy heels and ankle straps (together or separately)? Check. Not ashamed that I seem like I’m selling out, because this looks just like the B&W stuff I’ve been posting for the past 3 years. I *did* try something new out for this one though, as it’s the first time I’ve worn a vest with a dress!

On a related note, so many bloggers on Lookbook.nu have this exact vest in the same free size. Except I’m most probably shorter than all of them, making it look so much longer and oversized on me. Boo!

(Time Depot Baby-G x Girls Generation limited edition watch, EMODA top, from Korea blazer, Romwe pants, CMG wedges, zeroUV glasses) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

A few days ago I got myself yet another watch from Baby-G! It’s a limited edition design that’s available in 3 colors - red (modeled by Jessica), black (modeled by Sooyoung) and white (modeled by Yoona). Jessica is my ultimate bias but I let Sooyoung win this time, because I feel like I could wear the black one more often given the colors in my closet, and because she is my second favorite in the group anyway! Legs for daaays.

The limited edition design is only available until supplies last, so I’m encouraging all the soshis out there to grab this design ASAP! It comes in the cutest box that’s also different from the usual Baby-G x GG packaging. Too cute. <3

I wore it with a coordinate that’s inspired by the recent SLY summer campaign. Some lovely Japanese researchers and students from Hakuhodo in Tokyo came to my house for one lovely afternoon of chatting and bonding over both Japanese and Filipino culture. That was fun!

Visit Time Depot’s website, Twitter, and Facebook for more details.

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(Chicnova sweater, Forever 21 shorts and accessories, Mango heels) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

The last hurrah for sweater weather. I can’t go out like this anymore, as of this writing. Though I can still manage with light knits, I’m going to miss my chunky sweaters for a while… until I go to Osaka and Kyoto next month! Excited for spring weather, even if it’s a little sad that sakura season started early this year and I won’t be able to be there at its peak! 

Wearing the colors of the Philippines in time for BAYO’s summer campaign! Also, I FINALLY CUT MAH HAIR!

Could this campaign be any timelier? Summer is not only the perfect time to go on a color fashion frenzy, but also the most ideal opportunity to showcase all of our country’s wonderful sights, including beaches and resorts than can rival as the best in the world.

Speaking of the best beaches, Boracay is everyone’s favorite summer destination, it seems! I can’t count anymore how many of my friends on Facebook have already booked tickets for Boracay for Holy Week! I also remember that after I graduated from Ateneo, most of my batchmates went to Boracay for some giant after-graduation party to celebrate our freedom (haha). 

I’m pretty sure most of you would also love to go to Boracay this summer, and fortunately, BAYO’s giving out a free trip to Boracay for you and your BFF this summer! Just send them a photo of yourself wearing your best summer outfit that highlights BAYO’s summer colors: red, blue, yellow and white. Be sure to feature at least one (1) Bayo item in one (1), if not all, of Bayo’s summer colors (red, blue, white and yellow) to qualify. Submission of entries is until April 5, 2013 only, but I’m sure 3 weeks is more than enough time for you and your friends to cook something up! 

I hope this can serve as styling inspiration for those who are interested to join the contest! This is rather plain so I doubt I’d win if I entered this contest with this, LOL!

The top, pants and necklace are all from BAYO. Hype on Lookbook here.

You can choose to exercise your creativity by manually adding colors via Photoshop if you can’t or don’t want to wear the 4 colors in one outfit. A white, red and yellow outfit against a blue background, and a blue, white and red outfit with yellow graphic text could also work! Try working with props and accessories as well, and you just might win a trip for two to Boracay!

This summer, get ready as Bayo takes you to the blue seas under the scorching heat of the yellow sun! Flaunt your red hot body in a fashionable way with Bayo’s summer collection featuring a splash of bright and vibrant colors and a bunch of floral prints. Here are some of Jasmine’s photos shot at Pico de Loro to serve as additional inspiration! 

Visit here for more details on how you can join. Check out their Facebook page too!

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(Chicwish top and skirt, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue boots, Balenciaga bag, Forever 21 earrings) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

When in accessory-doubt, just wear clothes with embellishments. These two items from Chicwish are a match made in heaven because of this. The detailed collar makes for a good necklace alternative, while the little pearl studs on the skirt are on the same level as my hands, serving as alternatives to arm/finger candy. 

(Sheinside top, EMODA bag, from Singapore Far East Plaza skirt, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

A must-have in every spring wardrobe is the floral print skirt! I’ve quite a few of them, in varying colors fit for both dark and light color schemes. This one is a confused don’t-know-if-winter-or-spring kind of skirt but I love it all the same, because it fits all the black things in my closet. 

Anyhoo, as you all know, black and white is a huge trend this coming season, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on these classic two-tone goodies that can last you even until after it’s over. Recently, I’ve been trying so hard to ban myself from shopping just so I can save enough to splurge in my upcoming Japan trip, but the force is weak with this one! Just can’t get enough.

Also, I’m in a love-hate relationship with my current hair. I have a very strong urge to cut it short because the last 4 or so inches are immensely damaged (don’t know if it’s obvious in these pictures) from a recent dye disaster, keeping me from going out with straight hair or even putting my hair down in general. So many people have been telling me to get the same length as the wig I’ve been sporting in my last posts because it looks more chic, but I’m a little scared because my hair has always been my security blanket…

I can’t seem to get this color out of my mind. Such a classy and clean color with that trademark Chanel formula. When I paint my nails something other than this wonderful milky coffee, mannequin-ish color, I often find myself removing it soon after, and replacing it with Chanel Beige at the end of the day. 

Literally. At the end of the day. There is no other top coat than Seche Vite  to do the trick. It dries nail polish completely and instantly like a charm, and has that creamy, gel polish-like effect. All in a matter of 5-10 minutes. I can sleep immediately after and there are zero pillow marks or random streaks! Thanks to Polished in the City for introducing me to it! IN LOVE.

Seasons and trends will come and go, but neutral colors in classic shapes, and sleek straight lines will never go out of style. I’ve always been a firm believer of investing in timeless pieces that you can use 5 to 10 years down the line, and lucky for us, there are brands that cater to just these!

One of them is ESPRIT, which I have often adored for their simple yet city-ready advertisements featuring top models like Gisele Bundchen, Erin Wasson, and now Dree Hemingway and Liu Wen. On a geeky perspective, the minimalist and fuss-free way that their pictures are usually shot comes very close to home! On a style perspective, everything that ESPRIT offers has a certain kind of modern yet laidback elegance to them that is so easy to style. So easy that you don’t need a lot of accessories to achieve that perfect, modern city girl look that is appropriate for all ages. 

Here are four outfits that I styled using some items from their recent collection. Arranged from lightest to heaviest for all kinds of weather conditions.

(ESPRIT top, pants and bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Print pretty. Oh, I know — this look is typical Tricia. Plain button downs with printed bottoms make for a fun and chic look that can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the items you style them with. Wearing this outfit with flats would scream Parisian chic.

(ESPRIT top, cardigan and bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Sweet sophisticate. One of the reasons why I deliberately chose these colors to play with is because they are no-brainers when it comes to dressing from day to night. This look is quite appropriate for a lunch out with friends or even an after-work girls’ night out over drinks.

(ESPRIT top, blazer and bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Too cool for school! Two tone everything is all the rage, and this blazer trumps everything else in my closet right now. Pair with short shorts to balance the weight out. 

(ESPRIT top, jacket, skirt and bag)

Fashion front row. Here’s something for cooler days! Who needs a lot of bling when you can layer these fabulous pieces on top of each other and still be able to create something that’s fashion-editor-worthy? For this one I was inspired by Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Rag & Bone, and Thom Browne which are only among the few that utilized houndstooth for their recent collections. 

Cinderella Marketing Corporation is the exclusive distributor of ESPRIT. Follow ESPRIT on their newly launched Facebook here.

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Photos by Rg Gabunada

Last February 27, I was invited by shu uemura to an afternoon fete / press launch at SoFA where they unveiled the new spring collection, ob for shu uemura! ob, as I mentioned in my previous post, is an up and coming contemporary artist in Japan, and is also the apprentice of well-renowned artist, Takashi Murakami. 

We had afternoon tea and snacks in a dreamy setting that very much reminded me of Alice in Wonderland! 

Macarons, anyone?

No one could resist all the french pastries being served at the event! Yum!

Besides the scrumptious food, there were also other activities for the guests to participate in. There were three activity areas - the calligraphy art area, nail art area and post your dream area.

The talented girl behind the calligraphy is actually my friend Alexis who was my batchmate in Ateneo! She blogs regularly at Ink Scribbler. It was her debut as a calligrapher, and it wasn’t surprising that everyone at the event loved her work so much! You can really pass it off as a real font!

In the post your dream area, I wrote down on a piece of paper that I wished to have unlimited flights to Japan and Europe, LOL.

The spring sakura display by the entrance, featuring the four princesses in the collection. Now I can’t wait to go back to Japan for cherry blossom season!

(Not in photos: Forest Princess collection.) 

Moon Princess. High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula + UVUB Mousse POREraser 

Ocean Princess. Whitening Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil + UVUB Brightening Mousse Whitefficient

Cherry Blossom Princess Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil + UVUB POREraser

The cutest Cherry Blossom Princess snow globe! <3 

Long-time college friend Reggie who works for Cosmo now! Bumping into her always makes my day. Also, can we trade faces please? I wish to be effortlessly stunning too T_T

Back at the press launch, shu uemura took the opportunity to recognize four prominent ladies in society as tribute to women’s month! Here is Cherry Blossom Princess Jenni Epperson and her daughter wearing matching outfits. I could only wish to be half as fashionable as her when it’s my turn to become a mom!

Ever-so-bubbly Ocean Princess Tessa Prieto-Valdez and her daughter  also in the cutest matching outfits. As usual, she was so funny! Definitely the life of any party.

With Forest Princess Anna Sobrepena, and Moon Princess Rorie Carlos.

Me with shu uemura retail manager Nadia and shu uemura senior brand manager Nina. 

Bloggers with junior product manager Karen! With beauty bloggers Jheng of I Am Brigitte, Angela of Lush Angel, and Martha of The Beauty Junkee. I love how we all came in theme! I swear we didn’t talk about our outfits! (Thanks to Apartment 8 for my cut-out shoulder top.)

I’m totes getting my hands on this collection once it’s out in stores because everything just screams kawaii and I can never resist effective products WITH beautiful packaging. <3

Visit shu uemura on Facebook and Twitter for more details.