(Choies top, Bayo shorts and bag, Stradivarius blazer, Forever 21 necklace) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Chinese porcelain print on my top! I’ve always loved how blue and white Chinese ceramics looked like, and it’s quite amazing being able to wear it. There’s something about actual things being printed onto fabric, kind of like that book print top I got from Lacoste L!VE some time ago. I’m not talking about the usual themes (i.e. nature - flowers and trees, clouds, the sea; animals - cats, dogs, bunnies, etc.), but unconventional ones that don’t appear everywhere. I wonder what’s next? iPhone print top? Refrigerator print skirt? Any other ideas?

The possibilities are endless, but I’m actually willing to try them out!

(Choies top and necklace, Sheinside skirt, Giftsahoy heels, Unlimited Manila watch) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Seriously feeling as mixed as the prints on my top. Don’t know if it’s stripes with leopard print, or leopard print with stripes, but it’s probably not important, or worth my time self-debating about. Yup, I should listen to what I type in here.

Paired it with something I’ll always be sure of - this kind of skirt. As much as I try to seem more mature now that I’m 24, I can never shake this cutesy silhouette off. Some things will always remain the same, I guess!

(Choies top, Mango shorts, Chilli Margarita heels, Gold Dot clutch, Lowry’s Farm headband) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Been very, very obsessed with retro style for as long as I can remember, and I’m so glad to have chanced upon this top. Just super ideal for the kind of look I was going for. The sleeves make it incredibly precious - I wish to have more of these bell sleeves in the future. Such a sweet detail that I think is quite underrated.

I have also been into a lot of simple rings, usamimi headbands and statement earrings ever since I got back from Osaka. I went on a major accessories shopping spree, and I’m still not satisfied. Less than 10 days left before I leave again for Tokyo! Time is ticking, and chaos awaits my credit card… T_T

(Apartment 8 top and skort, Young and Sweet necklace and bag, Choies wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

I dub thee *the* IT skort of the season. If you follow fashion blogs closely enough, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen this design already worn in so many different ways. But definitely not yet in this color! Thanks to Apartment 8 for coming out with this mint color! 

The sailor top is from way back their holiday collection, but I think it’s still super appropriate for summer because it gives that cutesy, youthful vibe while being both classy and functional as well. In a way that it lets your arms and pits breathe, lol.

As you may have already noticed, I cut my hair shorter and dyed my hair lighter! I’m more than happy with it as I finally got rid of all the damaged ends, and my roots are growing out fast enough to make the previously bleached parts look like I actually went for the ombre look on purpose. Even if I didn’t!

Sponsored post.

(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 Haurex watch, Choies shirt, Romwe skirt, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue wedges, Satchi Store clutch, Lannel Boutique Mac Pure Zen lipstick - authentic but cheaper than in stores, Japanese Candy Chapi Brown circle lenses) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Hello to my compromise between winter and spring. These artsy prints on my sleeves make such a good combination of dark, majestic colors and their pastel counterparts. So much that they me want to have more of these uniquely-placed watercolor-like prints on all my plain button-downs (if only I could).

This is generally a simple outfit, as usual, that makes use of almost zero accessories except my staple earrings. I’m not a huge fan of arm candies/arm parties where you wear a ton of wrist accessories all at the same time, but I’m definitely someone who values the beauty in simplicity and minimalism. This being said, I only wore my new Haurex watch as an accessory for this particular ensemble. The pale lavender-pink strap has to be my favorite part about it! It’s so hard to find this color everywhere. Anyhow, Haurex is a brand from Italy that is currently being sold in Time Depot, and this particular style is available in both 36mm for women and 40mm for men. All the colors are super sophisticated, perfect for those who want a simple but mature watch. I’m eyeing the military green men’s version next!

Follow Time Depot on Twitter and Facebook.

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(Zara top, Yesstyle skirt-leggings, Choies wedges, Golden Alms necklace, Trinkets for the Queen bangle) Hype this look on Lookbook here. Different version of this outfit worn here.

Obsessed with this unconventional silhouette! <3 I call this my “polar bear” top because the shape and color reminds me of one, and well, I just like giving strange names to my clothes (i.e. “eat-all-you-can”, “cheesecake”,  ”McDonalds”).

Jokes aside, it’s always fun to play with different shapes when it comes to fashion. Having legs that look like weirdly-shaped twigs (Need. More. Thighs.) make it so much easier for me to highlight them with tops that are bulky and loose. Plus I’ve always had a penchant for clothes that are so comfortable, they make you want to go right back to sleep.

(Bayo top, shorts and bracelet, Choies heels, Louis Vuitton bag, Yhansy necklace) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Simple black and yellow outfit from no other than Bayo. I’m sure you can find similar stuff in your own closets, but that’s exactly the magic in this brand. There is beauty in simplicity, and Bayo definitely offers all things simple yet beautiful. 

Often times in the past, I would feel conflicted about wearing clothes that looked normal versus ones that were able to steal attention from surrounding passersby. Somehow, back then, it was easy to fall into the trap of losing yourself in a world you thought was full of glitz and glamour. Some years ago, one of the worst things anyone could tell me was that I looked too basic and that my clothes were just as basic as the quality of my craft.

It took me more years of life experiences to realize that going back to the basics has always been my strong point, and that my very first encounter with the world I chose to be in will always come more natural to me than the second or third. I chalk this up to those awkward, immensely uncomfortable, too-overdressed, who-am-I-anyway moments when I simply tried too hard to fit in. Well, all I have to say to that I like wearing stuff that normal people wear. If I can’t be couture, then there shouldn’t be any problem. 

I have interests beyond what most of you can see from what I share here. And those interests may or may not be about me. But at the end of the day, I always make a conscious effort to remind myself that the world is so much bigger than me and that I need to get over myself and what others think. Such a cathartic feeling afterwards. 

I may not be attending glamorous formal balls or partying the night away, rubbing elbows with the hottest people in town, but that doesn’t make me less of a fangirl of life. :D

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(dazzlin skirt, Choies top, Mango blazer, EMODA earrings, Esperanza boots, Romwe bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Sorry guys, my bag isn’t Laguna Moon but it sure looks like it. It was sold out when I went to the actual Laguna Moon store in Japan, but thanks to Romwe I managed to get myself the exact same design. Thanks to ViVi and a close-to-iconic photo of Lena Fuji holding the same bag, I went all cat crazy for the nth time. Lucky for me last F/W, high street had a lot of these feline furries.

For the 4th day of MOFW, I’m wearing a gold skirt from dazzlin and a pair boots from Esperanza. First things first, Esperanza is on the top of my list when it comes to the best shoe brands I’ve ever tried in my life. I have another pair of boots from them, a black platform pair with a higher heel height, that I’ve worn on my Lookbook a number of times already. They are still in almost-mint condition after wearing it pretty much everywhere. Most of the time I pack at least one pair of heeled shoes when I travel, and that particular pair is always my first choice. I never get blisters and I can wear them for hours, without hurting! What is this sorcery, Japan?!

Anyhow, after a good experience with the Esperanza shoe brand, I got myself another one back in Fukuoka. This time I chose a shorter heel height which is ideal for traveling in both comfort and style. There’s a slight cushion inside that makes it even more comfortable! Plus it makes you feel like you got your money’s worth lol. I also chose it for the two-toned design which was all the rage in Japan during my short visit. :D

On the other hand, this fabulous gold skirt is from the popular Japanese brand, dazzlin. I know them primarily because they present regularly in the touchMe presentations along with EMODA, MURUA, and the other brands from Mark Styler (a fashion group that manages a roster of brands that I all coincidentally love). They recently got Jennifer Eyemere, editor-in-chief of France’s JaLouse magazine, to style the recent dazzlin presentation, which I think is quite genius for them to do, since it presents a different kind of Japanese fashion to people from all over the world. Not the popular notion of it always having to look like cosplay, lolita, decora, etc. I’ve already lost count of all the times when I’ve gotten strange looks from people who ask me about my ultimate fashion influences. When I say Japanese fashion, I guess most people expect me to dress up like Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls. Story of my life. Huu, it doesn’t always have to be wild and colorful! T_T

(Chicwish top, skirt and clutch, Sugarfree Shoes heels, Choies cat/stars tattoo tights) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Stars on my neck and my legs, and I’m surprised I can still see straight. My metallic fever from the holidays clearly isn’t going away soon, and I even mixed metals *gasp!* for this particular look. I also deliberately put my top on backwards, for the love of… well, buttons. Maybe I’m still seeing stars after all.

Anyhow, I must say that I’ve completely healed from the recurrent pharyngitis and sinus headaches I got last week, thanks to much-needed rest. Thanks to all those who wished me better health in one of my previous posts! 

(Romwe top, Oasap skirt, Choies headband, Moussy bag, EMODA necklace, Trè Kouture wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

It’s the combination of two different things that made me so happy about how this outfit turned out! Spikes and pearls surprisingly work well together, and I think it’s also very descriptive of my personal style (which tends to be rather bipolar). If you’re still into royal blue color accent like me, feast your eyes on these sky high wedges! They’re definitely one of the most photogenic pairs of shoes that I have. 

Anyhow, I’ve been feeling under the weather recently, so I apologize for the lack of new entries (I know I posted this look 4 days ago on Lookbook and I’m only posting a proper entry for it now), but I promise to get back on my feet as soon as I get better! I wasn’t able to share how incredibly tortuous my throat became last December, but I actually got a major fever and a really bad case of pharyngitis before Christmas. Had to be on a soft diet (seriously, on Christmas eve too) and antibiotics for days. I thought that was over until two days ago when my throat started acting up again like it’s desperately trying to claw its way out of my body, which was the same exact feeling I had with my throat last December. Hoping I’ll get enough rest tonight so I can go back to work tomorrow. Health is wealth~

(Sheinside jacket, Choies top and shorts, L.CHANCE ring, CMG peeptoe wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Island fever and the pantone color of 2013. I can already see myself constantly wearing these tropical prints in the next few months, in lieu of the traditional floral prints that I usually don. I just figured that tropical prints, trend or not, will never go out of fashion here in oh-so-sunny Manila! And yes, I know these shorts are too early for spring/summer, so I put a black jacket on to keep up with the current season. :D

Much aloha nonetheless! I can’t wait for a more fitting time to wear these again. 

(EMODA top and bag, Kristine’s Collection jacket, Choies shorts and shoes, Time Depot Baby G x SNSD Sooyoung watch) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Kitty wedges! Enough said.

(Disney x Giordano hoodie, Ellysage skirt, Choies wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

It’s the end of the week, and I’m afraid I’ll have to end My Own Fashion Week Hong Kong today. It has been so fun, being able to wear all my new purchases and feature brands from a specific country for 7 consecutive days. I started this whole concept for the heck of it, but somehow I feel so clingy every time I reach the last day of every series. I was planning on going straight to MOFW Fukuoka when I get back from my trip in Janaury, but it seems like it won’t be long until I hold another one of these things this month. :D

I’m spicing things up in my next MOFW, so please do watch out for that. If I had to give a clue about it, it will just be one word. BATIK!

Anyhow, I saved the best for last for this edition of MOFW Hong Kong. Giordano has always been one of the most trusted brands I’ve known when it comes to classics and basics. As a kid, I owned quite a number of plain v-neck and round collar tees and straight-cut denims from them. Although I somewhat eventually outgrew them as I decided to experiment more with fashion and integrate trends into my personal style, this Disney x Giordano collaboration made me think twice about my decision to let this brand go off my radar.

Houndstooth-print Mickey silhouette on a batwing hoodie with the most adorable Mickey ears attached to the hood? No one in their right mind will overlook this kind of perfection. Totes love Disney, but hats off to Giordano for this modern take on our favorite childhood character. Never thought I’d ever go the street/urban wear route, but I couldn’t help it. And you all know exactly why. <3

Too bad this collab won’t ever be released here in Manila! But this shouldn’t stop you guys from visiting the nearest Giordano. See you all again next time for another round of My Own Fashion Week! Expect the next one 2-3 weeks from now. :D