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

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Thanks to RG Gabunada for the photos.

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

(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.

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This is our family dog, Bailey. You might’ve already seen her in my social networking sites where I usually gush about how cute she is and how my family was quick to love her in that short time since she’s been with us. She is my quick fix to any kind of negativity, and seeing her everyday never fails to put a smile on my face! 

A few posts back, I was talking about how I think I’m doing a good job given some milestones that I’ve achieved. Bailey’s got it on a whole different level, though.

She gets her first official endorsement / blog advert, and she’s just 3 months old. She’s still trying to properly learn social skills, tricks and polished potty training, and she gets to have a hair endorsement already? Seriously? I’ve been all about my hair ever since I started blogging, and I’ve never had proper shampoo sponsor, lol. This makes me even proud that our new baby is hopefully gonna be a star in her own right!

I wanted to take photos of her when she was still significantly smaller (and chubbier) but I couldn’t do it properly because she wasn’t fully trained yet, and like an infant ninja puppy (ninja gene probably taken from my older brothers), was just too fast for the camera. A month has passed since we got her, and she totally gets some basic commands down pat already.

She has also grown A LOT. It’s crazy. I often joke about how she was born to be a model, as her legs were the first parts that grew longer. It easily stuck and now my family refers to her as the dog who was born to be a model.

And the dog with long legs but with a fat belly that we super love to rub! <3

My mom took her out for a bath last Friday afternoon, and I decided to take pictures while they were at it! I managed to save my camera from being splashed by shampoo water. Phew.

Took this as an ideal opportunity to document Bailey properly since I’ve only used iPhone 4S camera for the past month! :D

We use Our Dog shampoos for Bailey, and they come in these adorable colors and scents. I put the cutest dog in the middle, lol. That white ball of fluff! <3 Which breed is your fave?

All Our Dog products are imported from Australia, and are now the leading and most affordable imported dog shampoo/conditioner in the market. The special Australian Tea Tree Oil component is effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses, so it’s definitely a must for all those like us that keep dogs inside the house.

We still haven’t figured out what to do when Bailey grows up into her adult model self (lol) but for now she has a little home inside the house where she can greet all those who pass through the front door! I wonder if there are any Lab owners out there who can give us any advice on what to do when she can’t fit inside the house anymore!

Our Dog is also amazingly soap-free so the products do not remove the oil/moisture from Bailey’s skin. That natural moisture protects her from irritation and other skin related diseases, so it’s always better to use shampoo made especially for dogs instead of generic human shampoo or soap. 

That blue tub of extra moisture conditioner is one of my faves because it makes Bailey’s hair so irresistibly smooth… *steals line from random shampoo commercial* 

Bath time! Labradors being labradors, Bailey ALWAYS has fun when it comes to anything related to water. If she only had a choice, she’d stay in that bath tub for good. She hasn’t seen a pool in her life yet, and I’m pretty sure that she’ll dive right in when she sees one.

Sometimes she would deliberately spill some of her drinking water just so she can get it on herself. I guess she agrees with all of us that it is just too hot in Manila! By the time this gets posted, I’m probably enjoying sweater weather in Osaka. Woot!

This time, we used the blue Shower Fresh shampoo variant, though I really prefer the Lavender scent better. Next week again!

Towel snuggle. How can you not love this giant baby? 

Biting her hairbrush, probably thinking she doesn’t need it. Because she was born a model. (OK, somebody please stop me!)

Literally. Those puppy dog eyes. Can’t say no to them!

We’re all so happy with our newest addition to the family. It’s good that there’s an extroverted energy in our house now as most of us are introverts and like to stick to indoor activities. Like, playing the latest apps on iPhone (Ahh, Alien Hive is *the* one app that’s ruining my productivity right now)… if that counts.

I’ll keep you guys posted with all sorts of cute Bailey stories in the next few weeks, months and years. <3

Our Dog products are available in Pet Express, Dogs In The City, Animal House, Doggie Land (San Juan, Mandaluyong, Tiendesitas, Cartimar), Pet Zone, ACE Hardware, SM Supermarkets, SM Hypermart, Savemore, Handyman, True Value, Unimart, Mercury Drug, S&R, Super Shopping Supermarket, Cherry Foodarama, Makati Supermarket, Cash & Carry, South Supermarket, Puregold Duty Free (Subic and Clark), Alturas Supermarket (Tagbilaran, Bohol) and Pricewise Supermarket (Zamboanga). 

Visit their website here.

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P.S. My mom made Bailey an Instagram account recently, lol. Add her up: @mybebebailey

If there needs to be any proof to how my style can be quite bipolar, I think these two looks would be the best ones to show. Both are trendy B&W. Both make use of the same earrings and shoes. Both feature patterns that we normally see anywhere.

Styling them to suit completely different moods only takes some slight adjustments, contrary to popular belief. It’s not too hard, if you know what kind of elements you have to inject in your look.

(Apartment 8 top and skort, EMODA earrings and vest, Forever 21 heels) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Sexy rocker chic with the IT patterns of the moment. The V-neck top and high-waisted origami skirt create a really interesting play with diagonal lines! But I made sure to balance it all out with a boxy vest. There’s nothing like a little leather to achieve that nobody-messes-with-me kind of look!

(Apartment 8 top and skort, EMODA earrings, Time Depot Baby G watch) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Sweet goody two shoes look with polkadots and ribbons! What else could be a sweeter combination? Ribbons, regardless of color, will ALWAYS make for a cute statement. I also have to mention that the top is super sheer and is absolutely perfect for the insanely hot weather that we’ve been having in Manila! I heard today was the hottest day of the week. T_T It also comes in mint green with white polkadots, though I hope they also come out with a vertical stripes version in the future!

Thanks to Tracy Monsod for taking my photos.

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These exotic floral prints from Mango say “Aloha!” And so does my boyfriend, RG, who debuts in a proper blog post for the first time (and maybe the last). He’s not one to be in front of the camera - in fact, he is the one who helps me take most of my outdoor outfit photos when he has time off work. Being the behind-the-scenes person that he usually is, I’m quite happy that I succeeded into dragging him to do this with me after 2+ years of being together (with a little force, of course)

(on me: top, dress and heels from Mango; on RG: shirt and shorts from H.E. by Mango)

He puts my feet on the ground (me being the overly idealistic one between the two of us) and often gives me a reality check about life, especially if I seem too caught up with myself and the small world I move around in. I’ve much to thank him for, really. Most are intangible lessons that have helped me become a better person throughout the years.

Most of the time, I tease him about my biggest contribution to his life - fashion tips and how to properly style himself. He would turn all cheesy and tell me that I too have taught him a lot of intangible lessons, but I would jokingly bring the conversation back to how his appearance has improved ever since he met me, lol

To be fair, he has always had a subtle style of his own - classic and clean, and often times hovering over safe and conservative with not-so-bold earthy colors in styles that do not ever go out of style. 

Last week, we dropped by the Mango and H.E. by Mango stores and became absolutely smitten by all the “adventurer chic” items from their newest collection! Browns, greens and blues are totally his element, while mine are floral prints (this time, exotic ones) and printed bottoms. 

Given the weather we’ve been having, we opted for items that let our legs breathe. I layered a tropical print ruffled dress over a chiffon shirt in the cutest coral color, and paired them with blush-toned strappy heels. RG wore a classic checkered button-down and brown shorts in a color that could make Indiana Jones proud.

We normally don’t go all-out matchy matchy (especially since on a normal day, RG would never put as much priority on fashion than I would), but we do like subtle similarities now and then as it really is quite fun. We played with the same reds and greens to get that appearance of coherence even if we chose totally different patterns.

Couple fashion doesn’t necessarily be the cliche type that requires two people wearing the same exact item of clothing. You can play with colors and patterns and still get that “couple” effect.

(on me: top, blazer, pants and heels from Mango; on RG: button-down, pants and jacket from H.E. by Mango)

European-style adventurer chic for indoors when light jackets are totally acceptable. The key items here are colored pants for men and printed bottoms for women - they can make such wonderful summer statements without going too over the top. 

RG’s green pants? I honestly wish it came in my size too. I love how it’s not the usual blue, black or brown, and how it’s definitely a friendly, subdued color for guys who’d never dare to wear bright red, apple green or electric blue trousers in their lifetime. I talked him into trying it out, and he was quite surprised how it all worked out in the end, with the right kind of styling, given his skin tone and comfort zone!

The ones that I am wearing are loose pants that are so comfortable, I can probably sleep in them! <3

Paired the pants with a denim shirt that is all sorts of adorable, and a black and white blazer that I can use with other black and white stuff as it’s also a trend this spring/summer.

It’s going to take a lot of effort for me to drag my boyfriend into doing this regularly with me, but I still commend him being so open to trying out a day in my life. In the meantime, while he says he can never get used to this, he takes wonderful pictures and writes interesting stories here.

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Thanks to Tracy Monsod for taking our photos.

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

(Love Bayo top and blazer, Bayo shorts, Ferreti heels, Balenciaga bag, zeroUV sunnies) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

I know this may seem a little ridiculous seeing how the temperature has recently gone up to 37 or 38 C, but there *is* a way to layer properly this summer - wear a sleeveless top, and a blazer that’s made of the thinnest material. It’s pretty much the same as wearing just one long-sleeved top. But a lot more fun! Thankfully, Bayo knows us so well that most of their summer pieces are super friendly to all of us who are dying from the heat. (I am sweating as I write this!)

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There’s no denying that summer always gives me mixed feelings. I am always torn between 1) going out and enjoying the sun while it’s at its hottest, or 2) staying in and blasting the air con on maximum while enjoying a frozen fruit shake or a whole pint of ice cream (I recently stocked on some Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough! HUZZAH!). 

As much as I love fall and spring weather (not so much winter as I’d just freeze to death, already having experienced negative 15 to negative 20 degree C weather in the past), I also appreciate the functionality of not wearing bulky sweaters and layering. Not too fussy, and not too complicated. I admit the hot temperature gets to me sometimes, and makes me overly lazy to think of what to wear, but summer only comes once a year, and it’s the most no-brainer time to wear cute one-pieces, sleeveless tops, short shorts and skirts, sheer clothes that let your skin breathe, and hot summer hues that can keep you looking cool.

Speaking of summer hues, Mango’s current S/S collection showcases a ton of sweet, dainty pieces in both warm and cool colors. While it’s always an option to find a compromise or strike a balance between the two, it’s also quite refreshing to set your mind to only one, and work around it. 

This time, I styled 3 outfits in cool mint and green, and 2 outfits in warm coral and red. Happy and bright easter egg colors too!

(romper and heels from Mango) Hype on Lookbook here.

There’s no staple quite like the romper, and this one comes in a super trendy V-neck style! However, what makes this romper so incredibly me is the scalloped hem! It’s that adorable little detail that makes this seemingly sexy romper so fresh and youthful.

(top, pants, sunglasses and heels from Mango)

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean that you should stay away from wearing pants! This pair has a loose, breezy fit that you can also wear to the beach since skinny pants might look too weird, and not to mention, uncomfortable in the sand.

(top, shorts and heels from Mango) Hype on Lookbook here.

This would have to be my favorite look from this post since it would definitely make for an appropriate day-to-night summer outfit. Tuck it out and wear it with flats during the day, and tuck it in and wear it with a statement necklace and chic pointy heels at night.

(top, skirt and heels from Mango) Hype on Lookbook here.

Another key neckline trend this summer, apart from the deep v-neck is the halter… which I think is a wonderful alternative to those who are more open to baring their shoulders than their chests. I love this one so much that I wish it came in other colors too as I’d buy every single one in a heartbeat. <3

(blazer, top, shorts and heels from Mango)

For those like me who get cold easily especially at night or in malls and other establishments, here’s a perfect spring/summer blazer in the most striking red you can ever imagine. For this look, I wore it with a sleeveless, sheer button-down, and these short, high-waist printed shorts (that were made just for the Asian market, fyi!) to properly balance out the covered arms. 

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Thanks to RG Gabunada for the photos.

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

(Apartment 8 top and skort, Michael Antonio heels, Forever 21 accessories, Digitalism watch, I Do Nails nail art, Japanese Candy Chapi Green lenses) Hype this look on Lookbook here.

Off-shoulder tops and dresses have been around for the longest time (I remember wearing a lot of them back when I was in 7th grade), but I’m so glad they’re officially “in” this spring/summer. This top is *the* example of a perfect combination of sexy and cute (Crazy, Stupid, Love, anyone?) and I absolutely love the long, slouchy sleeves that balance out the bare skin on top. Dare to bare your shoulders for a subtle sexy “come hither” effect that’s sure to make a statement!

I wore a very similar top back in December (see here), only from a different website and a different color, but YAY we can finally rejoice since Apartment 8 decided to make it in different colors! I’m eyeing the black and white ones next! XOXO

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Photos by Rg Gabunada

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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(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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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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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