(Romwe skirt, Sheinside top, San sue clutch, Bayo earrings, from Japan heels) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Quick post! Clearly, someone had too much fun playing with similar shapes. It’s been a while since I last wore polkadots, and I couldn’t help but pair them with a leatherette skirt with these tiny golden dot studs on them. Maybe I should save this outfit again for the next New Year, in case the dots give me good fortune for 2014. I’m already having a blast this 2013 with all sorts of exciting projects, and I can only wish for more new experiences in the next couple of years. Gotta make that happen!

(SLY top, Pinkaholic pants, Aldo wedges, Coach bag, GYDA bracelet) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Got these pants as a present from Pinkaholic some time ago, but only got to wear them now! I took a break from wearing printed bottoms lately as it was starting to become a uniform, but I’m slowly warming up to all these fun patterns again! 

This time I dared to wear black and white with brown - something that I’ve never really done before! It weirded me out at first, until I realized that the shoes (which I got at 50% off, btw!) would fit the outfit only if I had a matching brown bag! 

(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!

(Apartment 8 top, Lowrys Farm shorts, Mango bag, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

There is an abundance of lines in this outfit, and I’m loving every centimeter of it. I resurrected these shoes from a long time ago! Right now, clear/transparent elements on shoes are quite big, and I’m glad this pair has already been lying around on my shoe rack for a while. If you’ve noticed, I’ve also been into a lot of open-toe footwear recently! There’s nothing else quite as spring and summer, I think.

I am so uncreative. A tribute blog entry as a Mothers day gift? It was bound to happen anyway! I’ve already written a ton of thanks to my mom for tremendously influencing my taste in fashion, but here’s something that a teeny bit more put-together. 

Contrary to what most people think, I didn’t grow up in an family that prioritized fashion or anything related to what I’m doing now. The closest thing I can think of is my older brothers’ contagious geekiness when it came to anything computer-related (this totes merits its own separate entry), driving me to eventually dabble into graphic and web design as early as 2003, and soon after, blogging and photography. (Okay, I’ll stop here. This isn’t supposed to be about me!)

While it wasn’t exactly top priority for most of my family members to buy the latest trends or even regularly buy clothes at all (prolly has something to do with having 4 boys in the family versus just me and my mom), my mom made sure to instill in us a certain kind of aesthetic once we reached a certain age. She would let us choose what we liked on the racks, then she would give her honest opinion about it, as some sort of style lesson. Back then, I threw inner tantrums (cue bratty “only girl” image) when she didn’t approve of a certain item that I liked, but now that I think about it, I should’ve gladly listened to her without complaining!

She has always had a safe but classic sense of style, which can be proved by the kind of fashion she made us wear when my siblings and I were still young. Early on, my brothers were already seen wearing tasteful button-downs!

My own most vivid memory of my mom’s impeccable taste? At 8 or 9, I often wore printed leggings, Doc Martens-ish black boots, and oversized denim jackets with embellishments. You could say that this was inevitable as I grew up in the 90s, but these are still pretty much the same stuff you can find in my closet. And it’s 2013.

I grew up with clothes that never totally went out of fashion, all thanks to her. I could see that the choices she made for herself (not just fashion-related) worked wonderfully, and I could only wish to emulate her genius thinking process.

Looking back, I don’t think I ever had any embarrassing clothes that deserved to be burned or buried forever. This being said, I’m proud of the fact that I can look back at my Lookbook pictures from 2009 and not cringe at all! The only difference you can ever see is a few trendy pieces being injected to my personal style here and there, but thanks to my mom, I’ve learned to choose trends wisely.

I recently went to Mango to create 3 different looks based on the 3 most important and influential style lessons that I got from her. She probably won’t wear these at her age now, but I’m incredibly confident that she’d pick the same items if she were my age. :D

(Mango top and pants) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Simplicity is beauty. 

Nothing beats a plain white top and denim pants for that fresh and clean look that will keep you looking like you just got out of the shower. My mom exudes this exact vibe all the time! I’ve never seen her looking haggard in my entire life, and she always smells so good. I don’t know how she does it. Is it a mom thing?! :)

Anyhow, she was the one responsible for influencing me to invest in a lot of plain clothes with classic cuts that can not only pair easily with everything else in my closet but can also withstand (and even complement) all the fast fashion trends that come and go. 

Mango has always been known for timeless basics, and it wasn’t a surprise when I found these in the store. 

Her no-fail way to spice it all up? Accessories! My mom has always had short hair and a fondness for dangling earrings.

(And I’m also wearing wedges because they are like, her default shoes, lol, as with a lot of mommies!)

(Mango top, skirt, shoes and bag)

When in doubt, go for black.

My love for black goes a long way back. Whenever I accompany my mom to go to shopping, she goes straight to the section where all the blacks and dark colors are! Through the years I also found myself doing the same thing (albeit unconsciously), and it’s one of habits I never want to unlearn.  

I own a ton of black bags simply because they are versatile and because, well, they don’t stain easily! A very low maintenance color that doesn’t try so hard to be a statement. (And that is, interestingly, its very statement)

Sometimes when I am faced with difficult color choies, black always wins in the end. 

(Mango dress and bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Dress appropriately.

In terms of dress style choices, I think I’m the most conservative one among all the fashion/style bloggers out there! But it’s all because I grew up with my mom always raving about dresses from the late 50s to 60s. True enough, mod is like my most fundamental style peg, if you take all the Japanese fashion and high street fashion influence away from me. 

This being said, I was never comfortable wearing too-fitted and too-revealing clothes. There’s a certain modesty to dated dresses that I think is generally acceptable in all situations, making the dresses better investments in the long run. My mom had a printed black knee-length shift dress that she was able to keep in her closet for more than 10 years, and she used it everywhere - to the mall, at church, to work, etc. She just changed how she styled it with different accessories and shoes.

This is the dream! I witnessed this creativity as a kid and I wish I could be just as wise in the future!

This printed dress has the perfect cut, color, pattern and length! In love. Not so short but not too long. The design can be worn regardless of season - the floral prints are definitely spring/summer and the black flower silhouettes are quite fall/winter. Throw in a cardigan for chilly nights, or cinch it at the waist with a thin belt for a more polished look.  

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there! Don’t forget to thank your mom this Sunday, with a kiss and a hug, a song, a written letter, or a public blog entry like this one! :D

Sponsored post.

Thanks to RG Gabunada for the photos.

Follow MANGO on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram @mangofashion.

(Grife Zara top, Romwe skirt, Ferreti heels, Studio Boheme x Crissey Bow Happy satchel) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

I’ve had this bag for a long time now and have used it a number of times already, but I can’t forgive myself for only being able to shoot it now. I’m so proud of my BFF Crissey for this amazing design collaboration, as it definitely put a much higher standard on customized satchel designs. The bows really made it so distinct, and I love how it’s so “Crissey” in that cute way that we all know her for. 

To balance out the cuteness, I paired the satchel with a long-sleeved top and a high-waist leatherette skirt… a.k.a. my uniform. Be proud though? I’m really trying my best to add in new elements to my usual outfits, like this trendy v-neck style that seems to be all the rage now. I still get a little conscious about the neckline. Baby steps towards a more mature style…

Only proves how long I’ve been keeping my chest fully covered, lol. Conservative much!

(Jeanasis top, Zara pants, Berry Lush heels, Morellato accessories, Time Depot Baby-G watch) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Mothers Day on Sunday. Already?!  D:

If you’re like me and haven’t had time to buy your mom a gift, here’s an idea - personalized jewelry! Morellato, Italy’s largest watch and jewellery brand, is finally in Manila! The brand is distributed in more than 70 countries with exclusive stores in all the biggest cities including Milan, Rome, Shanghai, New York, Hongkong, Macau and Sydney. 

I was able to drop by their SM The Block store last week, and it was perfect timing. Lightbulb moment. What could be a better gift than jewelry that you get to customize for your loved ones? Instead of buying a ready made gift, this will totes work to your advantage! Your mom will definitely appreciate the extra effort, and it’s not going to be one of those ordinary jewelry that don’t have any sentimental value. The wide variety of charms and “drops” (as they call it) available can be enough to encapsulate your experiences with your mom and feelings for her. If anything, even without putting too much thought in each drop, I think the fact that you customized it yourself will already say so much. :)

I was able to have a Morellato experience and customized my own necklace and bracelet. It was so much fun - you get to choose which color scheme you want, and if you want a symmetrical, matchy-matchy kind of effect, or totally different drops put together. It really puts your creativity to the test, and I don’t apologize for spending so much time in the store! It was like I was a little girl again. <3

Because blue is my favorite color, I made use of drops with blue accents. Other colors are also available. I also got two bracelets with red color accents. The pink and yellow ones are tempting~

The one with the little pearl is pre-made and is cheaper as you buy as a set. The customizable ones are charged per bracelet/necklace material, and per charm/drop, which I think is better as you really get to choose which ones you like! Plus the cost per drop (made of stainless steel, btw!) is cheaper than other stores that offer the similar concept. Only P995 per drop!

Here’s the necklace that I made! All my favorites in one. I made a minimalist design as my taste in jewelry is not so complicated, and I’m happy with simple things such as this one! 

I can always go back to the store and add (or even remove) some more drops to this already-existing necklace, just to change it up.

The one at the bottom with the leather strap was also customized by me. Unlike my necklace, this one is made of totally different drops, including one with a blinged out letter T for my name. Shh, let’s pretend my real name doesn’t start with a P, okay? :D

There’s still time before Mothers Day and their SM North Edsa The Block store will be more than happy to help you customize one for your mom. <3 This is seriously addicting stuff, you guys!

Follow Morellato Philippines on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to RG Gabunada for the photos.

Sponsored post.

(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!

(Bershka clutch, Stradivarius heels, Robinsons Teens Wear Liberte top and Never Been Kissed shorts) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

The message on this Bershka clutch hit too close to home so bought it even if it’s not exactly the usual kind of bag I’d get for myself. As of this writing, it is somewhere in my room, doubling as some sort of decoration. Or more like a reminder. With the amount of work that I have (which I am wholly thankful for), nowadays I can’t help but feel like a robot that has programmed itself to do the same exact thing everyday just to get all the work done. But that shouldn’t be the case at all, as I made this blog for myself and for my dreams. Note. To. Self.

In other news, these shoes from Stradivarius are slowly making its way to the top of my favorite summer shoes list! The heels aren’t high so it’s a good pair to use everyday. I hope they make other colors!

(Romwe top, EMODA leggings, Asian Vogue heels, Lacoste L!VE bag) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Temporarily got my Japanese MODE fashion inspiration back with this look. Somehow a lot of fashion brands in Japan (or at least the ones I saw in Osaka and Kyoto) have been moving towards more Onee and mature styles, and I’m probably at that prime age where it’s all too appealing for me. So. Freaking. Appealing. You have no idea. That, or I’m simply getting old and looking for something to justify my current taste in fashion, lol. 

Since it’s spring/summer, I’m making a conscious effort to stay away from dark colors while shopping. Japanese brand rienda is probably my #1 inspiration right now because it’s a perfect merge of this sophisticated style that I’m going for, and that all-floral, feminine vibe that I’ve always had. More rienda-inspired looks in the next couple of weeks, for sure. Right now they have a lot of beige, nude, pink and blue in their color palette and I’m so discouraged to stay away from all black because of them! Next biggest inspiration would be SLY because they still use a lot black, but pair them with slightly more colorful stuff, like what I did with this outfit!

In the meantime, here’s one of my no-brainer coordinates. I often just throw in a pair of floral pants every time I’m lazy to think of what to wear (Note: I’ll be the saddest person if the day comes when all floral-print bottoms decide to disappear), and put on a loose or structured top that’s easy to move around in. 

The top I’m wearing here is one of my recent favorite acquisitions. It’s like it’s so confused if it wants to be a top or a dress, or it’s peplum or scalloped or what. Probably as confused as I am now as my head is all over the place, given the amount of work I have to cram before I leave the country again. More of these confused items in my closet, please, while I’m feeling a little bolder than usual!

(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

(Yesstyle top, Sheinside skirt, Dorothy Perkins belt, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue wedges) Hype this look on Lookbook here. Thanks Tracy for helping me with these pictures.

An older look which I only got to posting here today. A lot of people were fooled into thinking this was a dress, when in fact I was actually wearing two separate pieces. Sometimes you’ve just got to improvise. In this case, I didn’t have any dresses with this kind of silhouette, as you all know how much I absolutely love wearing loose shift dresses. So I made my own version of the off-shoulder top and peplum skirt dress, and put it all together with my trusty shiny belt.

I know I could’ve put some sort of color contrast with the shoes, but I couldn’t help breaking fashion rules for this particular pair of wedges!