Random Thoughts

This is the smart casual outfit that I wore when we had our birthday lunch in our head office. Normally, celebrants for the month do cheap in to treat everyone a catering lunch so it won’t be too painful for our pockets to shed a one-time-big-time birthday treat. For January celebrants, we were 3 who threw a grand birthday lunch to our fellow colleagues. LOL!

So 3 of my problems why I can’t continue fashion blogging. These are:

1.   No one can take my outfit shots inside and outside office.

2.  I can’t take out my DSLR because no one knows how to use it or if there is, it is the bosses who know how to use it well. So I always opt to use my Samsung Note 2 and my digital camera.

3.  I can’t have my outfit shots because we have office uniform from Mondays-Thursdays and we only have a 1-day wash day which is Friday.

How to deal with these 3? Please advise me what to do so! Anyway, thank you so much in advance!

So my outfit photos were taken in our mini gym. I know lighting is very important for taking outfit shots but again, I can’t make poses just like that in places where they could give me weird stares since my colleagues aren't that open-minded and modern. Haha.. (hashtag #problemsincorporateworld) so I always find a place wherein people won’t see me posing and doing some “weird” acts because it makes them wonder what I’m doing at such specific time in a professional place. And I just realized that I could give my whole energy in posing in front of the mirror. It served as good props and at the same time, I didn't struggle in hitting poses for my photographer’s sake.

There are a lot of thoughts that are popping in my head as I’m writing this. There are so many things that incorporate this post because lessons came from good and worst situations and pieces of advice from the oldies were running at the moment of taking these outfit shots.

SNAKESKIN LONGSLEEVES: Greenhills

EARRINGS/PANTS/NECKLACE: 999 Mall Divisoria

Random thought # 1: Fashion does not need to be expensive. I really do love shopping (and I guess every girl does!). I always check online shops in facebook and instagram and what makes me happy is when they are on sale. I also love shopping in bazaars, Divisoria, and Greenhills. You could see items there in cheaper tags compared to regular mall prices in which the designs are just the same. Agree or disagree? If you’re going to buy in an online shop, ask first the dimension of the item whether it is a top, a pair of pants or shorts so you could check if it really fits your body type. Sometimes their sizes are not the same as your regular clothing size. Their medium size can’t be the same as your regular medium size. Some online shops have smaller sizes most especially when it comes to shorts and pants. Their medium size can’t be your regular medium size so you have to make it large so it will fit you well. And as for the payment transaction, the buyer may settle their payment thru bank deposit and once the seller checked their banks, items that you purchased may be delivered afterwards. See how convenient it is to buy in online shops!

Mostly, bazaars are the ones who have online shops. It is better to buy in bazaars so you could check the quality of the item as well as the size that fits you. Most of the owners of online shops make their items a way cheaper than its regular price and they are releasing some of the items that they haven’t posted on facebook or instagram. Most bazaars are held in Eton Centris Quezon Avenue, NBC Tent, World Trade Center, etc. You could join their facebook group or read fashion blogger’s blog so you’ll be informed regarding the dates and venues of the bazaars.

Most people love to shop in Divisoria. Why? Have you been there? Aside from bundle and tons of people buying and selling there, what did you notice? The CHEAP price! Right?! A lot cheaper in bazaar, mall, and online shops prices! You just have to know HOW and WHAT to buy. HOW – one should know how to ask for a lower price. In tagalog, “dapat marunong kang TUMAWAD”. WHAT - one should have the skill of looking for a “good” find in a cheaper price. For example, the pair of black pants that I wore here costs Php280 but I asked for a lower price and the owner of the store gave it to me for Php250. But when I checked the store beside the store where I bought my black pants, the owner was giving it to me for Php350 and the last price was Php330. But the quality of the item that I bought for Php250 was really perfect for me. The fabric is soft so I’m not getting easily irritated. I was really happy with this pair of black pants because it is exactly what I’m looking for. Also, you can buy accessories there at Php100 for 3 earrings like the earrings that I’m wearing in the photo while the silver necklace costs Php150 compared to online shops that sells Php300 for this.

I also shop in branded stores, by the way. It is just that, sometimes I’m too lazy to get up, pick my car key, and fight with the bumper-to-bumper traffic to swipe my credit card for good finds. I’m quite far from malls that have my favourite stores like Forever21, Cotton on, Uniqlo, Suiteblanco, and the likes. But whenever I get an opportunity to shop at my favourite stores, I really shop!

P.S. How do you like my UNBRANDED outfit, by the way?

Random thought # 2: You CAN’T avoid disappointments and get hurt in the least unexpected situation. For some reason, I was really hurt by what happened few weeks back. I know to myself that I did everything for the sake of work but what was reciprocated to me was a big shock. I was really clueless with what I did. But nothing I can do with that. All I can do is to accept every decision that has been made and sign whatever I need to sign since I’m just NOBODY in this world. Maybe I tried too hard to push myself where I am in because this is the only thing that provides my needs and wants and since I pushed myself too hard to get myself belonged in this world, people abused my weakness and stepped onto my dignity.

On the other hand, to make myself better, I opted to look at it on the other way around. Everything has a purpose. I do believe that what happened to me has a good return. Maybe, this job isn't for me. There’s something better for me for tomorrow’s benefit. Or maybe, the Man up above need to give me such situation like this because He is doing a way for me to learn and to make what's in my heart come true.

HEELS: People are People

Random thought # 3: Respect yourself FIRST if you want people to respect you. According to this site, “lack of self-respect can prevent you from fulfilling your potential and developing healthy relationships that DON’T devolve into power struggles”. Every time I open myself to the people who are very dear to me, this is the first advice that they always give me. No one is entitled for my own happiness except myself. If a situation isn’t making me grow and happy, then that’s the time I should let go of it. If someone isn’t treating me the way I don’t deserve, then that’s the time I should turn my back on it. And when I turn my back on it, I should never look back and never pick up the pieces that have been broken. Those were the slices of guidance that I need to learn by heart and mind. I should know my worth as a person because each one of us should be treated the way it should be. If I let go unnecessary circumstances and emotions in my life, then my life will be on a smooth sailing journey.

Most of all, the best thing I learned about “SELF-RESPECT”:

"Get to know yourself. The more you understand about yourself, the more you'll see and appreciate how unique you really are, and the more you'll respect yourself. Discover your principles, personality, and talents. Stop pandering to other people's approval and start developing your own standards. Someone else might respect a fancy title, but you might respect creativity. Whose opinion matters more, in this case?"

When it comes to talents, apparently, I’m still discovering it. I’m seriously into fashion and I guess it already shows. I want myself to get involved in fashion and I’m seriously praying for it. I won’t ask for fame. I just want to do my passion. I don’t want to be on spotlight. I just want to show the world what my passion really is and that’s FASHION. If everything will go well, then I’ll be thankful enough for whatever fashion will offer to me. But if not, I’ll still be thankful enough that somehow, I was given an opportunity to show who I really am. Fashion bloggers are big inspiration to me. I’m inspired by their looks and how they evolved in the world of fashion. I also love reading fashion blogs and magazines and afterwards, I’ll check my wardrobe and think of ideas on how and what to mix and match as seen on them.

It is one of the reasons why I have this blog. I stopped blogging for quite a while but since I want to find my talent, maybe this blog could help me. I want to find myself busy with my passion as well because I believe that FASHION will make me happy inside and outside.

So here they are! Sorry for making this post so long. Photos will be better little by little as I go along with this blog. Maybe, I could ask from you the tips on how to have a better fashion blog?! Can I? Oh well, thank you in advance!

Follow you down

I always look forward to Fridays. Aside from having my “me time”, I can dress up whatever I like (as long as I don’t violate our dress code! #oldmaidsproblem) and blog it. Since I’m wearing our office uniform from Mondays to Thursdays, I maximize my fashion-styling-thingy on Fridays up to Sundays. I’m not related to any fashion jobs. I just do love dressing up and these are my only time to play with girl stuff.

 

So my dream came true! I was able to take my outfit photos at our fire exit! Yay! What a happiness! If I was able to make poses at our fire exit, guess what time these photos were taken? It was 6:45 a.m. and I guess most of our officemates were still sleeping by this time. HAHA.. kidding aside! I’m always an early bird at work because I don’t want to deal with twist-and-turn traffic everywhere most especially on Mondays and Fridays. So, I always leave the house at 6am and get in the office at around 6:35-6:45 a.m. so early, right?






Flats: Solemate (SM Department Store)



When I go to the office, I don’t usually put much make up on. I only put the basic ones – moisturizer, concealer, bb cream, foundation, and powder. I put some add-on cosmetics like lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara after I eat breakfast in the office. So just for the sake of taking my outfit photos at our fire exit, I immediately put down my bag and grabbed my camera without fixing much my look.

Honestly, I really don’t know why I was so inspired to dress up this day. I have this feeling of happiness towards everything. I just wanted to look beautiful and presentable at work even if I still don’t know what will be my situation with my new work in the upcoming days. Or should I say, I’m preparing myself on how I will look as the new “Environmental Management Assistant” of our company? LOL!

Earrings: SM Accessories

I guess this pair of earrings is a good find. I actually bought this for buy 2 take 1 during my first visit at SM Masinag after a long time of not opting to go to our nearest SM mall. I bought this since I still don’t have a pair of black-and-gold combination of earrings that normally matches all my outfits most especially during my parties at night.

Gold Chunky Necklace: @lovewhowhatwear (Instagram)

This top that I bought from Unarosa in Megamall was such a thrift find too. I love how they sale their clothes from Php1000 down to Php350. This top was also a bummer in my closet since I forgot that it existed. LOL. I’m such a shopaholic that I keep on buying clothes and I’ll just stock it in my closet. My parents keep on telling me that I should stop on buying clothes and shoes because I don’t use it much. So the night before I wear this, I was looking for something that looks simple yet elegant. Surprisingly, I saw this hanging in my closet with a tag and I remembered that I bought it August last year and haven’t used it even once. And take a look at the detail of the top? It’s sexy, right? But since, I’m not gifted over there, let’s just focus on the detail instead.

P.S. PLEASE IGNORE MY SCREAMING THIGHS AND ARMS. Will go back to working out very very soon!

Belt: Robinsons Department Store



Top: Unarosa (old)
Blazer: Forever21 (old)
Pants: Belle York
Belt: Robinsons Department Store

Again, there’s a bunch of unused and tagged clothes that you’ll find in my closet and one of it is my Forever21 blazer that my sister shopped for me last year. Oh gawd! I realize that I keep on buying clothes and other stuff but never use it. I’m spending out of my means but hey, I can pay it in whole. No debt. #responsiblecreditcarduser

But if I want to shop without hurting my pocket, I always check Belle York’s site or go to their stores in Robinson’s Galleria and Shoppesville Greenhills. Belle York also joins Rockwell bazaar once in awhile. You can like their page here so you’ll be informed about their latest updates or better yet, you can visit their stores and check their newest collections. Belle York is located at Shoppesville Greenhills, 50^th Avenue in Robinsons Galleria, and Tiendesitas this July.

Wedge Shoes: People are People

  And so, while I’m doing this blog, I keep on playing this in my ipod and someone I remember in this song because that someone inspires me the most.

“Wherever you go, whatever you do
You know I’ll follow you down
Wherever you go, if ever you lose your ground
I’ll follow you down
I’ll follow you
Down...

…. It’s true, I’d fall for you”

Black and gold

A lot of things are popping in my mind right now as I’m doing this post. I really don’t know what I’ll write first. I guess I will start with this and I hope everything will follow.

This is what I wore last Friday when I thought it was my last Friday at my current department. I was supposed to be transferred at the department where I can practice what I have finished regarding my graduate studies. I was waiting for them to talk to me since July will start by next week (or should I say it was already started) and I haven’t got any advise from them as regard to my status. I guess the last talk that I and my soon-to-be boss had was last June 7 when I passed a letter regarding our agreement in my case.

Black Longsleeves: Mango

Pants: Crissa Jeans

Belt: Herbench

Gold Flats: Wade

I tried to go to the office as early as 6:30 a.m. so I could take my outfit shots at our fire exit. Unfortunately, I hung out with friends the night before this and we ended our stories and fun talks at around 2:30 a.m. So my 6:30 a.m. became 7:45 a.m. How cool was that?

So instead of taking outfit shots in the gym, I decided to have it inside our boss’ room since she was on leave (sorry for including your room in the photos, Mam! I actually didn’t know where to take it! *teeheeeee*), I maximized the use of her room and pose whatever pose I can do just to have whatever outcome I could make for this day. I make sure every Friday to grab my old digital camera and snap it with whatever outfit I have.

Gold Chunky Necklace: keysas (instagram)

This gold chunky necklace is a good find for me. I actually saw something like this and bigger than this in Suite Blanco. However, I wasn’t able to buy the necklace. It wasn’t that I’m thrifty but I was just thinking if I could maximize the use of it since I’m not the type of person who invests so much in accessories. But then, I was constantly thinking about it and became fidget. I was just wishing at that time to find something like it in online stores even if it’s not the same as the one in Suite Blanco. Gladly, as I was browsing my instagram, I saw this necklace and immediately commented on the photo. I told myself that even how much would cost that necklace, I’ll still purchase it. I guess this design was really meant for me. The owner reserved the last piece of this and I felt so lucky about it. Thank you to Ms. Allyne for a very fast transaction. You just don’t know how happy I am with this!

Black-framed eyeglasses: People are People

It was already proven that I’m such a daddy’s girl. Daddy really looked for a pair of black-framed eyeglasses for me because he knows how much I need it for my edgy outfits! #supportivedad #spoiledkid

This is what I’m talking about. I maximized the use of my boss’ room for picture taking (oh gawd! My boss might smash me if she sees this! Kidding!) and I guess it works! HAHAHA…. I wanted to use other location for my outfit shots since all of it were always taken at our office mini gym. And look, I had free props to make my photos kind of creative! HAHAHAHA…..

I was really laughing after every photo was taken. It was kind of funny to use these law books as a means of props. Can you imagine me reading law book? Or should I say, can you picture me studying LAW? Oh gawd! NOOOOOO!!!!!! If I had major difficulties studying Environmental Management in a graduate school, how much MORE if LAW????!!!!! One big NOOOOOO (instead of ONE BIG FIGHT!). My social life will be gone and it’s like you’re killing me with no mercy!

FYI.. while I was doing my master’s project in graduate school, I was also studying LAW – environmental laws. Are you familiar with it? So in a way, I was also studying and analyzing law that could be a remedy to the problem of our industry because again, FYI, our industry is a major contributor to our country's economic growth. I was making resolutions as regard to Republic Acts in relation to our industry. I thought my topic was uncomplicated as it could be but I was wrong. I guess it was one of the most challenging parts of our economic problems that need deeper understanding on how to unravel it.

So much for geeky-ness. To end this post, I’ll finish this with my most “maarte” pose for the day: 

Because of my hangover and sleepyhead-ness, I finished the outfit-shot-taking with this. My photographer (Tita Remy!) asked me to pose beside the flower vase and made fun of me. Since we took this in an office hour, we need to hurry up and pretend that we were really busy with work. Honestly, I was feeling so bothered at that moment. I really didn’t know if I was sleepy, hungry, or restless. LESSON LEARNED: never ever have so-called “few” drinks with friends on a weekday! I can't do it anymore!