moods. they swing, don't they.

NEEDS INSPIRATION.

2010-12-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

THERE WILL BE NO POSTS FOR A WHILE

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!

Sunny is a state of mind

2010-09-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

My older sister literally running around and jumping up and down in Bali; another account of me living vicariously through her. It is not always sunny on that side of the world, but hey, it is what you make of it. Sunny is a state of mind, because after all, as what a good friend said: the difference between a bad day and a good day is just outlook.

So go ahead and go gaga at Forever 21, go out of the country and be literal about it! Be forever 21!

Today's mood: I'm so happy, it makes you smile!

too much fun.

2010-08-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

When you are in lace top, a the gold chain and pink harem pants, you mean fun.

With your girls, and few close guy friends reunited after years of roving around the globe, a little booze doesn't hurt. A little doesn't. Too much can be a recipe for disaster. Be careful with mentionitis, do not talk about your boy too much. When out, stay out. Do not wake him up in the middle of the night to tell him how you lost your keys, silly.

Too much fun.

but at the end of the night,

i choose you.

Love,

Your sorry gf

Little talk, less drama.

That night's mood: Hate that you're not with me now, so I dialed. drunk dialed... you.

Cold feet is better than sore toes

2010-08-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

I live vicariously through my sister. This photo was taken on the cold steps of the Piazza San Marco. To me, it seemed much like a Gossip Girl rendezvous: long gown, bare foot, thick coat and cemented steps.

This snapshot appears more glamorous than what it really was. She's been walking on high heels distance after distance and her feet were aching every inch of the way. Taking them off meant walking on cold, cold ground. Well, cold feet is really better than sore toes, she said. Well sweety, beauty has its price. Stop whining, lucky you. (My sister is quite a lucky girl, getting free trips, free passes and an ease in almost everything. I guess it is all a matter of perspective, you will never see this girl running or rushing without her concealer on nor will you see her with any business undone.)

Something about this photo and about that experience unleashes the green-eyed monster in me. I live vicariously through my sister. As much as books and my clinical encounters keep me in dry warm clothes and comfortable shoes, I do want to be barefoot in the cold (hopefully in Venice or Paris), some time soon too!

My sister is not a big fan of taking scenic photos, so I took the liberty of ripping one from the internet.

San Marco, I'll see you soon.

Today's mood: JEALOUS.

Made in Thailand?

2010-08-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

We just saw these two pretty girls strolling down the slope of Lan Kwai Fong. I failed to get their names, but they spoke in Filipino, in deep voices. BOYS, look at them stare. It is a pity really that they look more beautiful than my most feminine smile. Contrast my rain dampened hair, to their dos and my dress barely held by anything up there to their cups... Sometimes being biological is not enough. I was so curious but I didn't want to offend them in any way. This photo was Tonsi's idea, a pun on me. Ha. Ha. Ha. :-| Go laugh it out. I'm made in the Philippines and not augmented in any way. At least, not yet. haha!

That night's mood: Real girls ought to try harder.

Hot tall white choco mocha.

2010-08-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Model: Clarissa Clarete

Photographed by Dave Rodriguez

Every day may seem like a routine. Waking up early on Mondays after having a relaxing or party-filled weekend can be such a drag. That's why I got to have my caffeine fix.

Photographed by Alric Mondragon

Make sure you have that little something that gets you jumping or skipping even in your power heels. It can be anything, a message of sweet nothing, a big breakfast, your flattering tube dress or showing off your sexy long legs. Mine would be the pleasant aroma of a cup of a hot tall white choco sweetness that hopefully doesn't stain my let's-do-it-start-of-the-week attitude. Coffee is from the heavens, and so is this pretty hot tall white choco beauty.

Missing you clang, and exploiting you again. :-p

Today's mood: Fight Bitter Monday mornings with a tad bit of sweetness!

Island bloom: Forget-me-not

2010-07-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Margie struts in a flowery statement. On that pavement, she lets herself blossom against the sun. Her brown embellishments, a tote and belt from ZARA, adds that crisp contrast. It is a jump suit but there's nothing un-girly about it. A hint of masculinity of the pants create that confident vibe.The denim vest is like a calyx around this delicate beauty. Accessories from ALDO and flats from Chinese laundry adds texture to her colors. She walks with a smile that stems from within. She is a rose that by any other name would smell as sweet. She is the sunflower that dares to face the sun. She may be a marigold, bold and vibrant; a regal violet petunia, a carnation in your garden or a simply, a sweet pea, but one thing is for sure, she smiles like love-in-a-mist, telling you to forget-me-not.

Today's mood: Boldly, I'm a girly girl, so admire me.

oh snap!

2010-07-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

When three girls are out to party in a foreign country, all you can say is OH SNAP!

Margie, Pam (my sister) and Tin bejeweled in pink and midnight blue. With their hair down and their powdered noses, you know, these perfectly clad girls are out to make it a night to remember. They don't need anyone else. Believe me, they have endless supply of natural high in their invisible bubble. But hey, they are far from home; maybe they packed in a little extra friendly.

Put your game on! I dare you, offer a drink or three. You may just be so lucky.

Stop staring, it's creepy. Make a move, or get out of their way.

Left to Right: Margie dazzles in her midnight blue skin tight dress from Topshop. Go all trendy and match it with the classic luster of your long black hair. Tin smiling in her pink matte lipstick and fresh make-up done by herself. (Tin, btw is a budding make-up artist. I am hoping to get her to join one of my shoots. -- Shameless petition right here). Pam, in a topshop skirt and H&M tube top. She transforms into me when she's out of the country. lol.

The night's mood: Sparkle away from home!

While he's in the bathroom

2010-07-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yours truly. A break from the photo shoots for personal consumption.

Just before the messy look and the animal prints totally exit the streets, I decided to wear my newly acquired animal print dress from Forever 21 and match it off with pale make-up and distraught hair. Achieve this style in 5 minutes with your good old brush and Bed head's Superstar Queen for a day hair spray. A little mess and a snapshot of vanity while my boy was in the bathroom. Sometimes having a boyfriend gets so restricting that you can't be yourself anymore. Well, this is for short skirts, loud prints and a little harmless mess! Sometimes getting a little attention from other people is just what a girl needs. Make him feel that you are all his no matter what. It just boils down with whom you end the night with anyway. Just you and him, no annoying friends, no passing judgments, no recalls of a past crush, no other people passing you free drinks - just you and him, a little calculated mess, and everything is right again.

The night's mood: Just a little sweet mess.

You approached her, then what?

2010-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Alric Mondragon

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Well, the way to a girl's heart is to make her laugh. Marj wears her high-waisted faded jeans and classic white sleeveless. Be a little playful with your accessories: the bib necklace, a fedora or a textured head band and a Zebra print scarf. Trade your heels but keep the glam in the comfort of studded flats. Mix and match your accessories with classic pieces. It will still look like you can smile and laugh if he gives it a sincere try.

So to all you boys, ditch the bad boy attitude! Girls like it more when you make them laugh. Girls get attracted to the bad boys but it is the funny sweet ones that we keep.

Girls: we all know how sophisticated it feels to always look glamorous in dresses and high heels. But it is okay, too, to let someone make you laugh so hard you want to pee in your pants. That is of course a metaphor.

Today's mood: Comfortable enough to laugh your heart out or let your heart out.

Travel light. Let go.

2010-06-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Model: Andrea Gotauco

Photographed by Alric Mondragon

On traveling and moving on.
Leave all your excess baggage behind. Bring only the essentials; those that you can not live without. If you can manage without it, you probably don't need the burden of carrying it around. Leave all those that don't really add value, even if it means leaving your boyfriend behind. Wear your cropped top, take off your high heels. Plan a trip and move, move on! Put yourself first, and just wear something that makes you feel light. Let go of the memories that comes with those things, they only weigh you down.

Toss in some accents, it won't clutter. Whether it is a new waterfall necklace, a studded belt or your good old hat, use only those that highlight your worth.

Go ahead, leave it! Leave him! It might just make you the happiest.

Photographed by Armand Sazon

To: Comfort -- Love, Fashion

2010-06-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Choosing function over form and all the love for Long Champ and cupcakes!

Dee going for a casual ensemble and looking young and fresh with a little matchy matchy and a hippo embellished on her white Long Champ.

The 9 months of extra glow keeps Paola looking so radiant while still in the comfort of her beige Long Champ eiffel tower hand bag. No need for the sexiness every girl feels when wearing high heels, this woman struts around in her cute bowling shoes. Nothing too fancy, and no coffee please!

Anticipating the birth of your cupcake :-)

This was during the summer when Jessy visited Manila. Over dessert, the would-be party girls enjoyed the sweetness of their changing lives. From Politics, Fashion and reminiscing their crazy nights to hopes for the future. There is comfort in friends who can change together, even apart.

Special thanks to Sonja cupcakes for letting four talkative girls extend a little over closing time.

Add a little ice cream on your print

2010-06-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ice cream is not just for kids.

But these days, who can really tell your age? Teenagers are power dressing. Yuppies with baby faces looking younger than your little sister. Your mom borrowing your clothes. Eye creams, botox, push-ups, spankies, girdles, add-ons, covers and sits.

Do not over stress.
Rules do not apply, if you don't look the part.

Go ahead, indulge. Enjoy your youth. Go Print on Print with screaming neon pink. Mix leopard and green on top of your cupcake skirt. Have a scoop or two of that dirty ice cream.

There's no sense in depriving yourself. There's no sense in trying so hard to fit in. Indulge in colors, indulge in prints, indulge in ice cream.

After all, it all boils down to attitude.

Cyril Belarmino in custom-made tutu, leopard scarf from Bangkok,

grey stilettos, neon pink bag from Greenhills Shopping Center.

Photographed by Dave Rodriguez

Marriage of black and white

2010-06-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

Carefree and full of life, in this garden they kiss.

It was a kiss that meant forever.

The stunning Romisa Augianne L. Pasco marries her man Christopher Glennville R. Saltibus in a beautiful exchange of vows last June 8, 2010.

It was a union of complementary matches: the long white gown opposite the crisp black suit, the gold accents on her dress and the soft curls on her shoulders. Simple are the lilies on her hand and beautiful is the way he smiles. Her blonde hair contrasts his cinnamon skin. The flowers on her hair seem to connect with the hands on his pocket and that subtle step towards her. It was an attraction between the polar opposites, a sort of yin and yang. It was the marriage of black and white. Now all the little girls who dream of getting married with their prince charming can rest; there is balance in the universe as this fairy tale comes true.

This perfect picture is as real as you and your best friend talking about your wedding when you were 10. Fourteen years and still you made me believe. I love you my diatomic twin, the cream in my coffee, my polar opposite, my blonde sister, my snow bunny, my crazy sexy cool.

Congratulations! I can't wait to see you in your January wedding.

Porcelain in heavy metal

2010-06-15T03:16:00.000-07:00

Model: Andrea Gotauco

Photographer: Armand Sazon

Make-up artist: Katrina Gutierrez

My China doll in black and metal, torn faded jeans, metal studded belt from Topshop and silver Doc Martens and accessories from bargain shops.

Who says something so delicate can't be so rugged? Sometimes you can wear something so seemingly unlike you and give irony its style. Forget what the magazines tell you about your body type and skin color. Add a little funk in your everyday style and scream! (without actually saying anything)

Today's mood: I'll wear what-the-mother-effin-ever I want.

My little China doll takes a bow.

She could make you fall in love

2010-06-07T06:48:00.000-07:00

She could make you fall in love

without her knowing

She could break your heart,

with a blank stare.

And when she smiles,

a current runs through your stomach.

Everything around her comes to a brief stop.

But all you can do is adore her from afar

because she doesn't even know your name.

Model: Clarissa Clarete

Photographer: Armand Sazon

Clothing: denim polo from Topshop, dress from Dorothy Perkins,
Accesories from SM dept. store, Shoes from Aldo.

Citrine bag from Long Champ

"The Famous Clarissa Clarete" is one of my closest friends. A dancer, choreographer, model, props girl, she is a weird clutz in a graceful body. I could never stop saying how much I adore the beauty that she is, inside and out. She'll probably gush in modesty or make a face in disbelief after reading this. Nonetheless, I just had to blog about one of the most real beauties I know.

Thanks for doing this! And all the other favors I ask of you!

Just get here

2010-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Model: Marjorie Marcelo
Make-up by Katrina Gutierrez

Photographed by Dave Rodriguez

You see her waiting under this old tree. Dressed so casually, she's in her faded jeans, white poncho and an orange scarf wrapped around her head. She's got you on a ticking time the minute she took her sunnies off. She's not going to be happy with the wait.

Photographed by Alric Mondragon

Before you got to her. You got her standing up, with her shoes off and searching, waiting for you. Don't be fooled by the pants, she can rock it all right, but this one's a girly girl too.

It is okay to let your hair down and wear comfort. There's nothing prettier than a look that says "I don't care too much about how you'd think of what I'm wearing. Just get here".

Photographed by Armand Sazon

The Natural

2010-05-30T02:30:00.000-07:00

Model: Cyril Belarmino

Make-up: Gatchie Gutierrez

Photographers: (First photo and Left photo) Armand Sazon (Photos on the right) Alric Mondragon

Effortless. Sometimes we just have to know within ourselves that a damp of lip gloss and flowers in our head (whether it be from H&M or your garden) is enough to show the real beauty that we are. Put on a vintage dress and your cotton vest to give you that warm feel. Grab a couple or more of your wooden bangles and take time to enjoy a walk in the park. This took less than 5 minutes to put together. Thank you Cy for being such a natural.

The perfect accessory

2010-05-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

Similar looks with my sinister sister also known as my Chinese voodoo doll. When you are around someone so much, you tend to dress alike, and there's no better accessory than your sexy girlfriend to compliment your look.

On Dee (clockwise from top left): 1) Stripe on stripes! When you're this hot, you can break the rules. Red striped tube top paired with striped slacks and a Gucci bag. 2) Striped dress with Denim vest 3) Center photo: Larger stripes 4) Boots, pants, white top, black vest and artsy stockings 5) Purple top, sequined black skirt, psychedelic silver necklace and a glass of vodka.

On Kis (clockwise from top left): 1) Orange tube top on black and white checkered high waist skirt 2) Red Topshop jersey with a fluff tutu and metal studded belt also from Topshop. 3) Center photo: DIY head piece and layering using corset. 4) Black and white, (not seen: Oxford shoes) and a giant ring on your finger. 5) Purple dress from topshop, (not seen: striped tights and silver necklace).

The Orange Girl

2010-05-09T02:20:00.000-07:00

My not-so-girly girlfriend in a really cute orange bikini top paired with a blue bikini she got from the rack, at SM Department Store. Braid your hair ,top it off with hat; it is laid back and perfect for the heat. You don't really have to try so hard to be pretty, all you got to do is smile.

Hiding naked in the Sun

2010-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Did not quite get the beach body you wanted?

That's not enough reason to skip Summer.

Go ahead and bask in the sun with your good pair of shorties and an over-sized printed beauty. Instead of forcing yourself in wearing your old tiny clothes, accept your real size. Sometimes a LRG looks sexier than an XS. It is all a matter of attitude. Hide your fears and get naked without really showing everything. Let down your hair, and forget about combing; the extra fizz adds a little sexy.

Denim shorts from Topshop, Printed cover-up from Bangkok.

If I were white and plain, I'd look like this:

2010-04-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

Plain and Simple

My sister, Pam, all over Hong Kong during the cold months.

Left to Right: [1] Get your Cotton ON! [2] Add spice to such a plain face with them boots, blue over-sized cover from Top Shop and red Long Champ. [3] Don't be scared to keep your plain white tee from 4th grade and accesorize with Denim 90's Guess vest, simple half pony and long necklace. [4] Let your hair down, sit on the side walk and think about your next big idea: It doesn't always have to be bold.

My secret smile

2010-04-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

Damier Ebene, you make me smile inside.

Who needs boys when you can have LoVe.

Sometimes, all a girl really need is a bag, or three.

Photo by: Armand sazon

I'm her evil twin sister.

2010-04-26T03:47:00.000-07:00

When in doubt, wear black.

There's no comfort like black that can turn little insecurities into BOLD STATEMENTS.
Feeling fat? Feeling depressed? Feel like pretty long legs ate your confidence away? Feel it. Wear it.
Indulge in black.

When you think the magic, that is black, can not seem to be enough:
When you still doubt,
Pout.
With your red lips.

At Society Lounge for Kerwin's birthday. (And Jason too, but we don't know each other).

P.S. I didn't crash the party you monkey minds

Dress from Topshop, Fringed vest, Head band, Red lipstick by Shu Uemura, White heels from Vincci.

When I travel, I walk... on high heels.

2010-04-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Whoever said there's no glamor in waiting at the bus stop?

Nothing is more glamorous than having your travel buddies wait it out.

Bag from H&M, Dress from Topshop, Shirt/Cover-up fromSM Deprtment store, Sandals from Vincci, Gold accessories from Bangkok, Neon pink watch from Vincci, Shades from Cotton on.