(MURUA top, moussy bag, Romwe pants, Topshop tanktop, Topman hat, Zara heels) Hype this look on Lookbook here. Thanks Kristin for helping me with these photos!

Say hello to what I call my ultimate dyslexia top! Some of the letters are flipped, making it almost impossible to understand at first glance. It would take you a good few seconds (given you have perfect eyesight) to take it all in and realize what the message is. If you don’t want to go through the effort, I’ll just type it out. It says, “Don’t you think now is the time to be adventurous while we’re still young?” While I think we can be adventurous at any age, I do feel that I’m in the prime of my youth and that it’s the perfect time to try out new things and have fun, without all the serious stuff (like health problems and physical limitations for example) that goes with growing old. 

I don’t have a lot of graphic tops but I just felt drawn to this particular one as soon as I saw it on a mannequin in the MURUA store at Parco (same place where I bought my EMODA dress from my previous entry). I guess I thought it would be a good reminder to my ever-so-introverted and conservative self, to dare to go out more and not be so anti-social like I always am. Note to self: Be more adventurous, meet new people, be open to more opportunities, have fun, etc. 

Anyhow, it’s not the first time I’ve mentioned MURUA here before. As with EMODA, it’s one of the most popular MODE brands out there, if not one of the pioneers of the movement. Recently, they got Kate Lanphear to style their fashion show, as well as to collaborate on some exclusive designs for the brand. How cool is that? MODE is really going global these days. I’m still waiting for the day when MURUA decides to open a global webstore just like EMODA. T_T

On another note, my bag is also from Japanese brand moussy. Got it from their Canal City store. Their recent campaign features Charlotte Free (and her fabulous pink hair), and I remember them also getting Agyness Deyn a few years back. I absolutely love visiting them specifically for the bags and shoes. This one that I have here is such a gem with its classic design with a hint of edginess, studs and all. It can also fit so many things inside, including my camera - my primary requirement for everyday bags. 

P.S. Thanks to SNSD I Got A Boy, I am OBSESSED with flat brim caps! I need more!

(Indressme sweater, Chicnova bag, Topshop pants, Zara heels, MURUA necklace) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

What’s the story behind purple and yellow always being used as the color scheme for dessert places? I always found it so fascinating to see these two colors often being paired together, and it’s not like yellow is the first thing I think of when you tell me what color is best to pair with purple (and vice versa). 

Here’s a relatively simple and relaxed outfit I wore to a casual dinner with my boyfriend a few days ago. The weather has been absolutely lovely recently! I’ve been raving about it to everyone I run into because I’m in love with cold sweater weather so much (Well, except negative Celsius!) that I don’t really mind sounding like a broken record, lol. 

Didn’t see this coming, did you? I made sure to post this before the month ends, since I know that a lot of you will be going to Hong Kong for the holidays, and I figured I can help you guys decide which places you can go to while you’re there. Only applicable if we have the same interests, of course! :D

Last October, just before the long All Saints/Souls Day weekend, I went on a spontaneous trip to Hong Kong with one of my friends Jee. Both of us have already visited this place in the past, so we only went to our most favorite places this time. 

First stop: BUY ALL THE BERRIES IN THE SUPERMARKET.

We literally stuffed ourselves with blueberries and strawberries during our stay in Hong Kong. They were priced so reasonably.

While walking to the nearest station, we spotted this Korean tourist couple wearing matching outfits. They even had matching Mario keychains!

Jee, also being Korean, admitted to this whole matching items thing being a very iconic part of culture. I wouldn’t be surprised - they make some of the most romantic dramas, and they *always* insert a scene where the guy gets couple rings… which the girl ends up temporarily losing at one point, lol

Saving money by commuting! Going around Hong Kong via MTR is super easy, as long as you make sure you don’t join the rush hour crowd. 

Guess where our second stop was?

DISNEYLAND!

Hong Kong Disneyland is the most accessible Disneyland to us Filipinos. “The happiest place on earth”… is surprisingly just an hour or so away from Manila. You can order tickets online so it’s a lot more convenient.

Pumpkins everywhere! Jee and I were so lucky to catch all the Halloween exclusives. They even made a special map where you can see all the spooky new attractions.

Of course I had to get a Minnie Mouse headband by the entrance before I had my photo taken in front of the castle!

BABY POOH Y SO CUTE

The cutest but most expensive ice cream ever. I love how the Minnie one comes with a yellow ribbon!

Adorable Mickey luggage. So pretty but I wouldn’t want to use it because I would only be afraid to damage it :(

Colorful Mickey iPad case.

Heavy eyeliner to match my Halloween Minnie headband. This was taken while we were waiting for…

OUR MICKEY WAFFLES! Came with whipped cream (that formed a :> smiley) and fresh strawberries. Didn’t taste anything special, but it looked wonderful in pictures (just like most of the overpriced food in Disneyland).

Shoes from Choies. So many people in HK complimented me on these shoes but unfortunately my shoes weren’t able to reply properly lol

The cutest Nightmare before Christmas glass figurines. Reminded me of my good friend Tracy so much!

Epic glass rose from Beauty and the Beast. Belle is my favorite Disney princess! How about you?

Limited edition Minnie pumpkin figurine. I’m not sure if they’re still selling this now, but I’m sure the Christmas products will be just as nice!

Jee and I come in peace! Thank you to the stranger who helped us take this picture :D

Must-haves for all Minnie lovers. That polkadot cardigan, I covet.

Just because Jee is adorbs.

These boys are wheely cute.

*get shot*

It’s a small world after all! It was so fun to spot all the characters from the Disney movies. Here is Cinderella.

I can show you the world~

Just because I love Japan and I can’t freakin’ wait for Fukuoka and Hiroshima in December. I couldn’t ask for a more ideal way to end 2012.

PHILIPPINES REPRESENT. Check out the tarsier!

This part of the whole boat ride was my favorite. PASTEL GOODNESS EVERYWHERE. I was spazzing the whole time so this was the only non-blurry shot I could post. :P

One of the rides in Disneyland. Not for those with motion sickness (like me).

The new part that I only got to see recently! Some of the rides are still under construction, but I’m glad they’re making HK Disneyland bigger. I used to think it was too small to spend the whole day there, but maybe after they finish all the new features,  we can enjoy it until late at night.

Vinyl toys for all the collectors out there. I particularly fancy the wicked witch one (second figurine, bottom row)

Duffy! A lot of people don’t know who Duffy is, so I’ll post the Wikipedia link here so you can read all about it and realize how IMMENSELY ADORABLE it is on your own. <3

After Disneyland, Jee and I spent our remaining days just shopping like it’s the end of the world. Via MTR, we first went to Langham Place in Mong Kok, where we headed straight to H&M and Monki.

Monki, which I think is Scandinavia’s answer to H&M. Very similar styles and selections, and they’re located right next to each other. 

If H&M won’t come to the Philippines any time soon, I hope Monki will! We need some more Swedish brands in this part of the world~

I.T. is popular fashion conglomerate of sorts. Interestingly, the selection of brands per I.T. store differs per location.

Crazy for kitties!

Japanese magazine heaven in a store called kaimonoou. I prefer buying magazines here because they sell the Japanese versions and not the Taiwanese/Chinese versions… which are so much thinner than the originals. 

Also, you know how Japanese magazines usually include limited edition tote bag collaborations from different brands? They also sell the tote bags here separately, in case you missed a certain issue or in case you’re only interested in the bag and not the magazine.

Also in Langham Place, you can find Baby Cafe by the one and only Angelababy! She has been one of my ultimate girl crushes for the longest time. If I could trade faces with anyone, I would choose Angelababy’s face. Or Lena Fuji’s, Nozomi Sasaki’s or Keiko Kitagawa’s.

Found a hidden dazzlin in a building near Langham Place. You might’ve already heard of this brand if you closely follow ViVi and SCawaii!

If you’re up for some good food, don’t forget to drop by the restaurants on the higher levels of Langham Place before you leave. 

Hong Kong by night… is not dark at all. Well, the side streets and residential places are, but all the commercial areas are lit up like this even until late in the evening.

Chicken, fish, pork, sausage and fries in one meal. All for about HKD50+. NOT BAD AT ALL.

Another thing about Hong Kong that I should mention is…

They are also crazy about Japanese brands and Japanese fashion. They have collect point everywhere, so brands such as Lowry’s Farm, JEANASIS (my top 1 collect point brand), HEATHER, and GLOBAL WORK, among others, are easily accessible. They’re all selling Fall/Winter items now, so prepare your wallet if you’re into the styles and colors of the clothes worn by the mannequins above.

Hong Kong by day. 

Along Park Lane Shoppers Boulevard early in the morning. No shops were open yet. I just wore a cozy sweater and a pleated leather skirt because I wanted something comfortable to wear for my official ultimate shopping day.

BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO THE ONE, MY FAVORITE MALL IN HONG KONG! All caps for emphasis. I went back to this place everyday during my stay. 

This is like, every Japanese fashion lover’s mecca… outside Japan. 

But first, lunch! A lot of the stores in The One open late, so it’s better to go there during the afternoon or evening.

Rose Champagne White Chocolate at Harlan’s Cake Shop.

Refreshments at one of the cafes in the mall.

Okay, it’s time to start spazzing now. MURUA…

and EMODA…

ENOUGH SAID. My top 2 favorite MODE brands are available in Hong Kong! AHH! JUST TAKE ALL OF MY MONEY.

b+ab is a high-end Hong Kong label which I also love. They recently released a b+ab x Angelababy collaboration, which I’ll be wearing in two of my MOFW Hong Kong posts soon. 

I also got my hands on an old b+ab x Hello Kitty iPhone case, which was surprisingly still available! It was definitely meant for me, lololol

Truffle Xiao Long Bao for dinner!

Near the Jordan Station is Prudential Centre, which seems like a weird place to go to from outside, but there are two stores there that I always visit. One is this store called Zucozz.

The other one, which I couldn’t take a picture of, is a hidden gem. But since I love my followers, I’ll let you in on it! It’s called Ayumie, and they sell old season Japanese and Korean brands for cheap! 

Nice merry-go-round display at Samantha Thavasa. If I were still in my Liz Lisa phase, I would get one of these bags in a heartbeat. Sadly I got over it a long time ago, so there’s no room in my closet anymore for bags that come with ruffles, heart keychains and giant toy plushies.

I still love them for getting Miranda Kerr, Tomomi Itano and After School as endorsers. Taylor Momsen was an odd choice.

Me in the middle of Times Square in Causeway Bay. Comfy shopping/walking outfit! I can’t imagine walking the whole day in HK wearing heels!

Top from Lowry’s Farm, and skirt from Far East Plaza in Singapore.

Halloween in Times Square.

Jee and her perfect hair being blown by the wind. The weather was wonderful and cooperative. You might want to schedule a trip to Hong Kong around late October to mid-November! Not too hot but not too cold either. It was windy and cloudy, but definitely not rainy! Perfect weather for those who prefer packing light. 

I still prefer going there late December though! :D Light coat weather!

SOGO and the iconic giant pedestrian. We went here early Sunday morning to avoid the crowd, but there were still too many people D:

Inside the dressing room of :CHOCOOLATE. Just thought it was nifty, lol

These flats, I DIE. I just had to take a photo. I just came from Disneyland, and this was what I immediately get in real life?! *dreams shattered*

When in Causeway Bay… GO TO IPPUDO!

I know you guys are probably already super tired of me always raving about this place. I’ve mentioned it in my Fukuoka post, as well as my Singapore post, and because I love their ramen so much, I need to post it here too. There is always room available for the best Hakata Ramen in this world.

You can find it on the second floor of one of the building in Russell Street… which is the street right in front of Lane Crawford/Times Square in Causeway Bay. 

Going back to I.T., the selection of brands in Times Square is much different compared to the ones in Tsim Sha Tsui, etc. 

Hong Kong has also caught the Comme des Garçons craze, it seems! Lucky for us in Manila, we also now have it in One Rockwell. 

Jee and I wrapped up our trip with a small detour. Just a street away The One is Granville Road, which is this nice and quirky place to shop for edgy items that are priced cheaper than the ones you can find in shopping malls. Well, I remember it used to be so much cheaper here in the past compared to now, but I still love it for its character! It’s like a much, much subdued version of Takeshita Dori in Harajuku.

I love how it still manages to portray the image of the “real Hong Kong” that I’ve known throughout the years. 

Halloween fever ain’t over yet! Orange and black lomo cameras on display.

A hot pink car parked in the middle of the road. 

Posters and graffiti everywhere. 

Nifty lightbulbs on display. While in Granville Road, there’s this 4 or 5 story building that you should visit. I don’t know what it’s called, but it reminds me of a smaller Shoppesville in Greenhills where you can find some young independent designers and online stores selling their stuff in one little space. It’s super cramped and the building looks weird and old from outside, but it’s a must if you like edgy, one-of-a-kind pieces.

The store owners wouldn’t let me take photos so here’s a photo of clocks instead (WHAT).

Granville just before sunset. That store on the right, Cutie Little Fun, sells Liz Lisa-inspired items at half the price. Of course the quality is much different, but it works if you’re on a budget! Liz Lisa can get reaaally expensive.

If you like the real Liz Lisa, you can go to Miramar Shopping Center, which is just beside The One mall. In here you can also find other Japanese brands such as SLY, snidel, moussy, etc.

Foggy morning view from my hotel. I stayed at BP International Hotel for the second time already. It is perfectly situated along Austin Road, perpendicular to Nathan Road, where you can find The One, Miramar Shopping Center, etc. The Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui stations are also conveniently walking distance! Right in front of the hotel is Cafe de Coral, which I frequent for their yummy fish fillet breakfast set. Just a minute’s walk away is also Sasa, which I know you can also find everywhere in HK, but it’s nice to know that there’s one that is super nearby. At the end of your trip, you can spend all your remaining money on Japanese cosmetic brands like CANMAKE, Dolly Wink/Candy Doll, etc. <3

Phew, that was long! Stay tuned for my MOFW HK, as well as my Indonesia travel entry in December. :)

(Time Depot Baby G watch, Bayo shorts, Mexy top, jacket and stockings, MURUA iPhone case, DKNY boots) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

The world is ending. I’m wearing something totally out of character, and I am blogging on time now (not at like, 3 in the morning).

Well, I’ve always admired girls who can dress this way and get away with it so effortlessly (ehem my favorite redhead Tracy)! I mean, I seriously think that I’m bordering trying too hard to dress up like a stereotypical band geek and not wholeheartedly going for the complete Jane Lane from Daria look. With these bouncy, contrived curls? Really now? Who am I kidding?

Staying truthful to my personal style, I did black and white with color accent again! This time is quite different from the usual since I almost never do bright red. The conservative person in me tends to lean towards wine red and burgundy more for their not being too conspicuous and attention-grabbing. I don’t even do intense highlighter neons and print-on-print-on-print-on-print (yeah, I really had to mention it 4 times) so anything that seems loud and bold…? Definitely out of my comfort zone. This kind of red, and tattoo stockings included.

So what made me want to dress up like this for a day? I should say I built an outfit around a watch, instead of adding the watch as a mere accessory. It’s the red watch design that Sunny from SNSD wore in the Tough, Cute, Cool Baby G campaign! Being a fan of SNSD, I knew I had to get my hands on these new watches somehow. 

This watch that I wore in the past turned out to be the same design that Yoona modeled. Coincidentally, without prior knowledge about who modeled which, I also got the white and silver Sica design. One of the reasons why Sica is my bias is because I personally love her style and her taste in fashion (dem airport outfits). I was so happy to find out that we have the same watch… *shallow* TT

Anyhow, this particular one that I’m wearing here is my first ever red watch! The red star was too adorable to resist. All my watches are white, for some reason, but this one inspires me to try other colors out. 

Time for all us Filipino SONEs to rejoice! Thanks to Time Depot for bringing all the SNSD watches in. <3

It’s all in the details. Red watch and red shorts, and matching card suit prints on my stockings and iPhone case. If you guys are wondering how I got my hands on MURUA all of a sudden, I had my boyfriend get it for me at The One mall when he had some free time in his recent Hong Kong trip. I originally wanted the Hello Kitty one but it was sold out! ;_;

If you follow me on Instagram, you’d know that I have enough cases to last me a lifetime, but I have a soft spot for MURUA iPhone cases because they are très chic AND incredibly durable at the same time. Totally worth all your munnies!

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