La Vie Bohème

We  saw Mockingjay Part 1 last Sunday and on our way home, I finally got up close the display window of Rustan’s Makati.

Christmas 2014 display window of Rustan's Makati

Christmas 2014 display window of Rustan’s Makati

They undoubtedly have the best windows and they periodically change them after a couple of months. However, they always reserve the best decoration for December. This year, it looked like an enchanted winter forest that is very Tim Walker (a.k.a. Mr. Fairy Tale Fantasy) meets Narnia. Of course, Tim Walker is well-known for photographing very whimsical spreads and campaigns. However, what I do not like about these was the fact that you can no longer see the clothes. The branches by the glass were too busy or had they reduced the sides for about a foot each, it would have been much better. I still get envious of all the Ayala Avenue people because they have better Christmas decorations, compared to the bleak and sparsely decorated area of McKinley Hill. Do they know it’s Christmas? LOL Yes, I’m really claiming the Holiday Season this year, and I’m as giddy as my niece Brianna seeing glittering decors and blinking Christmas lights.

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Red, Green and Whimsical

Just as I have suspected, the seller did not turn the fish-eye effect off! Now that I have received this Tessuto Robot 2, it was evident that the robot did not have a bloated body, unlike the original auction photos. It was exactly as I expected and a little bit more. I thought that it only had one key hand, but it actually has both keys still intact. I immediately looked inside the zipped pocket, hoping to see the removed heatstamped mouth inside, but it was just wishful thinking. =D

Green Prada Tessuto Robot 2 Tote

 

Prada Tessuto Robot 6 and Prada Tessuto Robot 2

But what I was most happy about was this Prada trick keychain included with the bag! Back in Halloween, when I got the nylon backpack, I contemplated over having one of these  quirky tricks/charms to use on the D-ring. I couldn’t believe that it was just given for free! I loved that seller a lot! I was trying to decide what this gingerbread looking man was. A sailor? A nurse? Does it matter?LOL

Prada keychain trick in saffiano from Spring Summer 2005

I immediately recognized this little man because I remember looking at previous collections of Prada before and the Spring/Summer 2005 collection was accessorized with whimsical tricks. I think these were first made as brooches, attached on the lapels and front pockets, then eventually produced as keychains. I also like the airplane one attached on Racquel’s top.

Prada trick on the runway - Racquel Zimmermann, Karen Elson, Daria Werbowy and Shannan Click - Prada Spring Summer 2005

(Photo from stylebistro.com)

I’m really delighted over this trick because it is extremely adorable! I can even attach it to my other bags for that added touch of playfulness in my otherwise stern-looking briefcases and messengers. It is my brightest bag yet and will fit nicely with the upcoming (or should I say, already happening) summer season!

Looking out the window - Prada keychain trick in saffiano from Spring Summer 2005

Green Prada Tessuto Robot 2 tote and Yves Saint Laurent white patent leather sneakers

And its first act was also something green. I have lots of empty PET bottles in the office and I don’t throw them out in the bin as much as possible. We also collect these things at home and bring them weekly to an area where they will be recycled. However, I was too lazy to bring them all home and my nephew even criticized me for not doing so. Since I already have a backpack with me, I decided to use the tessuto tote just once as an eco-bag for these PET bottles. =D

That one time I used this tessuto bag as an eco-bag

I had reservations before in using a tessuto robot tote, but the advent of eco-bag usage in Metro Manila recently will not make my tote look out of place! LOL I’ll just call it my more-flamboyant-than-usual-eco-bag

Grunge Tuesday

I was reading yesterday about D&G and its eventual discontinuation when Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana decided to stop the production of their diffusion line, with the S/S 2012 collection as their last runway show. Anyway, I was browsing their previous collections on Style.com and stopped at the F/W 2008 to look at the array of plaid, and tartan prints, in varying sizes displayed in every garment.

And a year before that in February 2007, Jean Paul Gaultier sent out models dressed in the same type of prints for his F/W 2007 show, which was famously opened by the dancing Coco.

So for today, I decided to take this shirt out of the closet and use it for work. Since buying it in November, I have only worn it once on a casual day (to The Mind Museum) and never thought of using it in the office because I personally think it was too ‘loud’. Perhaps due to the color, as the most color I usually wear in the office was blue, and as I tend to wear Doc Martens everyday, it might be overkill for 90s grunge look but I did not feel like giving a damn today, so I just let it go. They will have to deal with it.

Black Chocoolate red flannel shirt, black pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens and olive green Prada tessuto messenger sling

And for the first time ever, I have used Salonpas beacuse I have a persistent lower back pain since Saturday. It was especially painful in the morning after waking up and I had to wait for about an hour before I can normally walk and stand. I already have a slight idea over the reason why this is happening. LOL Mon was kind enough to buy me a pack of 10 plasters for less than Php 50 and it feels more menthol-y than my favorite efficascent oil.

A box of Salonpas

For some “Fashion Ball” — we wore a T-Shirt!

The month has barely changed from November to December and it was already our company’s yearend event a.k.a. Christmas party. On one hand, why was it so early? Other companies might not have even released their 13th month pay and yet we already had our party. On the other hand, I was quite delighted with the date because it meant less traffic and it would be easier to go to-and-from the venue. And for the first time after four years, I went to the party without Faye as she was still out of the country!

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The jampacked PICC Plenary Hall

Mon and I were really pinching the penny because of our trip next week so we decided to keep our outfit simple. I was initially over the Moon with the supposed Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme top that I was about to wear, but the cancellation of the transaction meant that I had only a day to look for something to wear. Then, why bother? Let’s just wear a similar shirt!

My 'extended arm' picture taking skills still work

We have a knack for coordinating our outfits and the last time we did so was in 2010 during a ‘masquerade theme’ Christmas party.

Military-inspired jackets with painstakingly-made epaulettes from 2010's Christmas Party

Anyway, we traditionally invite a guest host every party (a celebrity) but this year, we invited two hosts. First was Rovilson Fernandez (from the ‘Amazing Race Asia’ fame, whose partner Marc Nelson has coincidentally hosted our party last, last year) and Joey Mead (current judge on ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’). Rovilson was unexpectedly funny because I thought that he’d end up being like Marc, who was eloquent, but lacking in the humor department. I had high expectations with Rovilson because Luis Manzano really carried the whole event last year, so the former had big shoes to fill and it was surprisingly well-done. As for Joey Mead, the girl was a goddess. My jaw dropped because I did not expect her to be that beautiful, and the girl can really walk. O_O

Rovilson Fernandez and Joey Mead --- such a beauty

Joey Mead schooling everybody over her runway skills

Anyway, more than the hosts, I had a great time seeing interesting looks from others who attended the party. There were several fashion contests/segments and there were two outfits that really caught my attention. The first one was a girl wearing a tuxedo and I think that it was an excellent take on Yves Saint Laurent’s ‘le smoking‘. What I loved most about it was the fact that she was not tall nor extremely skinny but she did not end up looking like a penguin. I was living for her! Her ensemble reminded me of one of Minzy’s (from 2NE1) look from the ‘Can’t Nobody‘ music video. And the second one was this, let’s admit it, costume and replica of Lady GaGa’s infamous red lace outfit from 2009 MTV VMA. I was not familiar with the candle thing but maybe GaGa carried something similar to that but the people went crazy when he got at the end of the runway and blew the flame off. Werq!

Ugh. Why an out-of-focus shot. I really love this girl's interpretation of Saint Laurent's 'Le Smoking' - it also reminded me of Minzy's look in the 'Can't Nobody' music video

'Le Smoking' Minzy in 2NE1's 'Can't Nobody' music video
(Photo from forums.allkpop.com)

Chanelling Lady GaGa's 2009 MTV VMA red lace outfit --- that was some MAJOR dedication

But I was more happy to see Mon go up the stage with his teammates, to accept an award recognizing their efforts. I really liked how he looked on stage with a leather jacket and white skinny jeans, together with that black shirt. I had been pitching to him the idea of wearing this leather jacket I personally intended to use for our trip to Seoul and he only agreed last minute before we left the house.

Mon and his teammates, recognized on stage

Mon looked dashin' =D

The food was great as well. I couldn’t remember who was the caterer last night but we had several trips back to the buffet table. I didn’t even care about dieting nor the fact that I was still drinking CarbTrim — let’s now see your efficacy! Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, I was unlucky with the raffle. I was so unlucky that my ticket number 1414 was almost picked several times. The numbers, 1412, 1413, 1415 and 1417 were picked out of the bowl, as well as 1424, 1434 and also 1484. Fate has to remind me again that I should work hard if I want something and not be dependent on luck.

With his, hopefully, winning ticket for the raffle

To make matter worse, the committee in charge of the program had to drastically and deliberately delay the raffling off of the MacBooks. There was a band who sang non-stop for more than 30 minutes, as if it was a shaking-off medley to test the people waiting for the raffle. It actually worked because when they began drawing out stubs, a string of names had been called and the people were no longer present. It was literally a drawn out event that the whole thing had not finished until a little past 2 AM.

Mon and I's most decent picture together using my camera LOL - Manila, Philippines "mulberry bag philippines" comme des garçons
(The best picture that our crazy and energetic officemates can take, given the festive atmosphere)

I just dragged Mon to the ‘wall’ (or whatever you call it) because we haven’t had our picture taken with it. The raffle was almost over when we positioned ourselves to take pictures and we had to rush taking each others’ photos. We then ran out of the venue, a time-tested tactic of ours, to avoid the rush of people scrambling to go home.

Black 'Red Heart' shirt from Play by Comme des Garcons, brick pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens, black Mulberry Bayswater in Congo leather - "mulberry bag philippines"

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A better shot of the two of us!

We got home in about an hour, which was pretty fast, considering we went all the way to Marikina. I just felt a bit nauseous, maybe because of the glutton-fest that had happened a few hours back that I had to drink a can of pineapple juice. When I was already checking over my bag from last night, I was mortified to see that the bottle of alcohol inside had accidentally opened and spilled on the bottom of my Bayswater. >_< I was hoping it would dry off but as it has already happened last night, then the mark will most probably be permanent. Why haven’t I checked on it last night? I could have done something to prevent it. Big consolation: the liquid hasn’t penetrated the leather and the finishing/sheen from the outside was not affected.

Alcohol stain inside my Mulberry Bayswater

All in all, the alcohol stain hasn’t dampened my spirit. I had a fun night even if that raffle has annoyed the hell out of me.

What to wear for that office event

This Friday, our company will host an event for those who have served for five/ten/fifteen years (wow, fifteen!?!?). I will be celebrating my fifth year working on the 3rd of December but I was luckily included in the list. We were asked to come in “business formal” for the event and I still had no idea what to wear until last night.

Jil Sander Button-down polo with contrasting cuff sleeves
(In desperate need of ironing LOL)

As much as possible, I do not want to wear long-sleeves and if I can find one, I’d wear a short-sleeves polo. And then I came upon this Jil Sander button-down, short-sleeves dress shirt — problem solved! I was really happy because it has the exact elements I was looking forward to wear. Short-sleeves in a very comfortable material, with the seam detail at the back. What I love most was the contrasting color peeking from the sleeves. I’m not too sure whether it was meant to be like that but I will definitely cuff the sleeves when I wear it.

Jil Sander Button-down polo with contrasting cuff sleeves - details - Manila, Philippines

As the length was reaching my backside, it needed to be tucked inside my pants. I’m mostly boring with my pants choices and I might also ditch my Doc Martens for the event in my attempt to look formal, so I’m so happy that my minimalist with a punch top will compensate with that boredom. The size, on the other hand, was much flattering to my built, unlike the other Jil Sander I had in June. I need not starve myself. =D

Look number 1 from Jil Sander S/S 2010 Menswear
Photo from vogue.co.uk

I found a similar design from Jil Sander S/S 2010. By the looks of it, the sleeves should not be cuffed. But as I am not a 6-foot model, I don’t want to look shorter than I already am, so it has to be cuffed!

And the ANTM comparison won’t cease — Naomi’s ‘THE FACE’

A new promo for the up-and-coming Oxygen Network show was up in Coco Rocha’s YouTube channel! The trio (Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova) will be the coaches of the contestants for the show slated for 2013. Earlier in July, Naomi announced a casting call in New York and Los Angeles, looking for women 5’7″ and up who will become the face of a major national brand (I wonder what brand would that be).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB_VPG_zZ-I&feature=share&list=UURFL8k3u9_eG5TFDHkjTh0w&noredirect=1]

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After all the drama — Hedi’s first collection for Saint Laurent

Months ago, there were lots of issues over what will happen at Yves Saint Laurent  after Stefano Pilati left the house. First, who will be the designer? Then when Hedi Slimane (of the Dior Homme fame) was announced to be the next creative director, questions over the implication of being based in Los Angeles instead of Paris arose. To make matters more interesting, the rebranding (or harking back) to the ol’ Saint Laurent Paris raised eyebrows as it was a drastic departure to the iconic YSL brand.

When I saw thumbnails of the pictures of Saint Laurent S/S 2013 from Style.com, the dark color palette of the collection was obvious. I can’t help but remember Stefano Pilati’s view over color use when he was once asked by Anna Wintour in a scene from The September Issue:

Stefano Pilati explaining the use of color from The September Issue

(Screen capture from ‘The September Issue’)

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The unnecessary boxing belts: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012

It seems only yesterday when Versace presented its first couture collection in years. That first collection from January was stunning, with the usual shocking colors expected from the house. But when I saw the Fall/Winter 2012 pictures from Vogue Paris’ website, I knew right away that I’m not loving most of the looks.

Let’s start with what I did not like:

Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012 --- hating those boxing belts

(Photo from Vogue.fr)

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Perfect workout music! When Versace’s music used to be good!

Runway shows are the best source of getting good workout music. Almost half a decade has elapsed dopo questa sfilate da Versace Primavera/Estate 2008 and I still never get tired of it It has the perfect music!

They also had a good mix a season after for Fall/Winter 2008. For quite some time, I literally played the video about thrice per session while doing cardio because the music was insanely workout-friendly.

And lastly, can you not love seeing Tanya open the show and marvel at how wonderful Coco, Natasha, Magda, Vlada and Carmen moved on the runway. Sasha’s walk was admittedly busted, but I still love her.

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