catch-up post: the maze hipzone makeover

oh how time flies -- so cliche but so true. i didn't realize how crazy busy i've been until i was preparing this post and it's almost 2 months overdue. one day we were excited for the Maze Hipzone's revamping and launching of their SS 2013 line and the next day, we're experiencing heavy downpour because summer is way over. 

nevertheless, the experience that was the Maze Hipzone's re-launching is worth doing a catch up post because well, the face lift was much awaited. the Maze Hipzone holds great fashion finds and it's awesome that it's now getting the attention that it rightly deserves. 

silk floral top - thrifted | khaki cutoffs - onyx jeans, DIY | buckled platform booties - zu shoes au | round faux croc skin bag - props | beaded cuffs - downtown find | claw silver and gold cuffs - borrowed from mom | rings: snake and leopard rings - bangkok finds, cross connector and flower rings - downtown finds | stone necklace - BU find

right after the event, Toni and i couldn't resist running directly to Maze to shop. i scored a pair of "so me" floral booties that was the perfect pair to reward me for my self-imposed and necessary shopping ban. i remember not being able to resist buying shoes every month when i had a full-time, cubicle and stress-inducing job yet these booties that were a break from a 4-month hiatus was enough to make me happy. 

i support cervical cancer awareness

this post may be late but it is definitely still worth posting because cancer awareness doesn't end when cancer awareness month ends. it should continue because we are in constant need of education. we humans, especially the Filipinos, are very guilty of delaying finding out the truth of what we're physically feeling because we are afraid of having to hear bad news. we are afraid of being aware and afraid of what awareness might do to our minds. we are afraid until it is too late. 

this experience has opened my eyes to the shocking statistics of cervical cancer in the Philippines and specifically to how it affects women. cervical cancer can develop in 10 to 20 years. that means, it can be contracted when we were young and only develop in our late thirties or forties. for more information about cervical cancer, get in touch with she matters. 

 

black and white collared top - props | watercolor silk skirt - thrifted | plum booties - gifted by sister | nude faux snakeskin clutch - props | necklaces: chunky chained necklace - borrowed from mom, white bib stone necklace - downtown find | beaded bracelets - downtown finds | claw duo-color cuff - borrowed from mom | studded snake bracelet - bangkok find | leopard ring - gifted by dad | black watch - gifted by sister | leopard sunnies - fashion de bella

the barber's hesitation

i never realized the hassle guys undergo to maintain their hair. i thought my curly hair was already high maintenance until i shaved one side of my head and found out i need to get a trim every 2 weeks to keep it as sharp as it is. one thing i discovered with having a side shave is having to rely on nearby barbers to maintain the shave -- yes, barbers! i couldn't set an appointment with my hairstylist every 2 weeks just to shave my head so i've frequented nearby barbers (near our house or home) trusting in their ability to cleanly shave the head with all their years of experience. and you know what they always ask, "are you sure?" which of course has been smirking at their semi-shocked and scared faces -- afraid they'd hurt a girly-girl. ha!

linen oversized blazer - thrifted | patterned leggings - props | black and grey snakeskin wedges - pill footwear, the ramp | green braided belt - thrifted | grey oversized sunnies - urban outfitters, gifted by sister

the lipstick effect

the lipstick effect is the theory that in time of economic crisis, women are more likely to buy beauty products to make them more attractive to mates. raise your hand if you're guilty! 

for me though, it's not so much as being more attractive to mates because i already have the guy i want but it's really more about feeling better about myself. so yeah, guilty as charged, my red and pink lipsticks have been slightly overused these days. oh the life of a start-up freelancer. 

(i wanna hashtag "everythingwillpayoff" but remembered this is blogger. LOL).

 

cropped knit top - thrifted | lace bra - bench | high-waisted denim cut-offs - thrifted | grey ballet flats - janilyn | chunky red necklace - gifted by a client | black sunnies - fashion de bella | black and gold watch - gifted by sister | rings: black stone - downtown find, gecko and fox rings - pink pvssy, bangkok

ladies who lunch

i started blogging in 2009 and was widely influenced by international bloggers Karla de Rass, the young Alice Xue and Rumi Neely. however, as all other bloggers, i started obscure and wrapped in my own bubble until i met other fellow bloggers from my own town. it has been a notorious notion that the relationship with people you meet over the internet seldom last but as with my love for proving notions wrong, i am proud to say the people i've met over the internet, specifically in the blogosphere, have become one of my closest friends. 

i met with a couple of my blogger friends, Toni Pino and Eden Villarba last month for a quick brunch at iTea and it's funny realizing that we all met as single ladies who just love fashion to becoming closer friends and now all happily attached and in serious relationships. Toni just even had a super cuddly baby girl, Vania whom i can't get enough of. we're thinking of doing a shoot, all four of us who're happily attached (including Mildred) and maybe call it Ladies Who Lunch, what do you think? 

i wanted to take Vania home to cuddle! so so so adorable!

leopard print knit top - thrifted | red palazzos - props | sequined flats - footzyfolds | oversized sunnies - fashion de bella | brass sphere necklace - downtown find | gold petal cuffs - props | black basic watch - gifted by sister | rings: snake & leopard - gifted by dad, bangkok finds, red stone ring - downtown find | blue oversized leather bag - RAF by plains and prints

styling for footzyfolds spring/summer 2013

i once again had the pleasure of styling for Footzyfolds Philippines' spring / summer 2013 campaign. with the sleeker styles this season, the look we wanted to achieve was fresher in breezier yet still classic outfits. of course, we couldn't veer away from the nautical trend as this season offered chic foldable boat shoes too. here are the outtakes -- official photos to be posted soon. 

details: models from Model's Association of Cebu | HMUA by Ramil Solis | wardrobe styling by Gizelle Faye | photography by Dan Ong | outfits by Dino Lloren, William Manahan, Philip Rodriguez and stylist's own

MAC model AR Duenas, make-up artist extraordinaire Ramil Solis and former Ms. World Philippines Karla Bautista - Siao

in Footzyfolds classic styles for Spring / Summer with the girls wearing William Manahan's very chic SS 2013 cocktail dresses

MAC model Kim Covert with MAC's very own Chicoy

even if was wearing heels, i don't think i can ever fare with these beauties..haha!

sneaking in an outfit shot:

chambray button-up - thrifted | denim cut-offs - thrifted | peacock summer sandals - people are people | geometric stone earrings - lovechic.ph | neon pink belt - props