common yet in style | winner of shopbop's $100

black and white striped maxi dress - props | denim jacket - borrowed from sister | leopard wedge booties - shoe etiquette | bowler hat - metro department store | necklaces: black & fringe - downtown find, elephant tusk - bangkok find | bangles - downtown finds | white wayfarers - raybans, borrowed from sister

i believe it was 3 or 4 years ago when dresses in jersey material were a hit -- from sundresses with belts that tie at the back and that came with various neckline designs to maxi dresses in bohemian tops or halter necklines. they were common and everybody was wearing them. well, because they were easy and comfortable. this black and white bold striped was one of them.

but does common have to equate to boring? instead, i am finding this black and white dress to be one of the most versatile closet items i have. on a rainy day, i can wear this with a classic denim jacket, leopard wedge booties for an oomph and a bowler hat or for summer, i can wear this sans the jacket but with a loose blush knit shawl, a pair of beaded sandals and wide-brimmed floppy hat. for a laid-back day, i can wear this with my signature long cardigan and a pair of metallic ballet flats. 

so my dress may be common and can be bought everywhere but it doesn't have to be boring. it just really depends on how we style an item hence, the term personal style. 

you, how else would you style this common dress?

oh and before i forget, announcing the winner of SHOPBOP.com's $100 giveway!

i will e-mail you with the details. congrats! ♥

Fashion Institute of the Philippines launches in Cebu!

my prayers have finally been answered. fashion has come to Cebu in the form of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. although Cebu has been a lover of fashion for decades and we have long produced amazing designers that have conquered not just the country but the world but Cebuanos had to go far and wide to learn fashion. it was only until recently that proper fashion education was  bestowed upon us and if not for my wedding planning, i would have enrolled myself in one of the classes (or maybe two classes). maybe next year then. who wants to go with me?

check out Fashion Institute of the Philippines' website for the different courses offered and its schedules. classes for Basic Fashion starts next Monday, March 12, 2012. ♥ ♥ ♥

check out Vanilla Ice Cream tomorrow for the announcement of the SHOPBOP.com winner of $100! ♥