Ruby Red

Ruby Red Lips add an instant oomph to any face. I'd sport this look when I go to parties, gimiks, and during days when I just need that extra something to polish my look without piling on a lot of make-up. Just one swipe of my ruby red lipgloss and lip stain and I'm all set... ready to face anything.




FOTD:
Eyes: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, Shu Uemura Face Architect Foundation (used as concealer), Careline eyeshadow in dark brown and gold, Nichido Eyeliner Duo Kit, Qigi Eyeliner Pencil

Face: Covergirl TrueBlend Powder Foundation in toasted almond (used as bronzer),Loreal Ideal Balance Face Powder

Lips: Covergirl Wetslicks in Firefly Luciole

Tiered Friday

I love Fridays!

Not only does it mark weekends (which I love more than weekdays, but who doesn't right? haha). It also means jeans day at work.

This is what I wore this Friday :))



OOTD:
Cardigan: Urban Behavior, around $5-$10 i think
Tiered Skirt (used as top): Topshop, P500 (on sale)
Jeans: Plains and Prints, P600 (on sale)
Olive Pumps: Anonas Ukayan, P260

The Safari Sack

That's what I call this dress. Because the print is safari-ish, and it does look like a sack...He.he.

I'm not usually into neutral-colored outfits... I usually cannot help but jazz them up with something colorful or sparkly or maybe even completely clash it with an accessory (Yes, I'm a big clasher). But the dress caught my eye. When I showed it to my sister, she looked disgusted and apalled. At P85, I figured it's worth a try. Maybe I could make something out of it.

I ended up wearing it in a really tribal kind of way... paired with my leopard print pumps.

And my sister was the one who took the pictures... I think she finally saw what made me buy the dress. ;))



I haven't decided whether I should add on an accessory that'll clash with the whole outfit or not... And I'm thinking of dressing it down with some tights or leggings... Ahh, the possibilities! :)

For now though, I'm fine with exactly the way it is. A safari sack. =P

Dress: Anonas Ukayan, P85
Pumps: Night Cafe, P150

My Fifteen-Peso Shirt Dress :)

Yep, 15 bucks and I've got an outfit made for a Sunday stroll at the mall, or an afternoon coffee date with one of the girls.

I love looking at something and seeing something I don't think I can really wear because it's too big, it looks weird, or it just doesn't make sense at all...and then mentally closing my eyes to that initial image and unraveling possibilties... pushing myself to be creative.

It's just a piece of clothing, I know... But somwhere between the bluegreens and the yellows, I made an achievement. *wink*


OOTD:
Shirtdress: Quezon Ave Ukayan, P15
Gladiators: SM Dept. Store, P250

Belt: Kristine's, P300

Casual Thursday

The word in my mind as I was picking out what I was gonna wear for the day was: RELAXED.

And here's what I came up with...







I got two major comments at the office. The first one, from a girl whom I just recently met, smiled and said: "Ang ganda ng porma ni, Emma" (and then she pointed it out to everybody ...which made me cringe. I still said Thank you, because compliments are compliments however they make you feel). The second one, from a guy with a girl's heart whom I have known for the last 3 years. He said: "Bat ganyan get-up mo? Di ako sanay...para ka lang nakapambahay." I'm hoping he didn't mean to say that my clothes looked like pambahay clothes... I'm hoping what he really meant was I looked far from the polished look I always try to 'project' at the office, and he wasn't used to seeing me look...well, relaxed. He-he.

What do you guys think? Does the look spell calm and relaxed? Or too I-eat-sleep-shower-at-the office? Let me know. ;)


OOTD:
Top: Cogon Market Ukay2x, P5 (Mading gave this to me)
Pants: Wide-legged trousers from Folded and Hung, P1200
Flats: Gladiators from SM Dept. Store, P250
Watch: Pink G-Shock Mini, $1000HK (another something something Mark bought me ;P )

Bronzed Pink

Say hello to my sister, Mading. I think she's such a good sport for allowing me to put make up on her so I can feature it here as an FOTD. Teehee ;))

Since it's summer and she has a tan, I accentuated it by applying bronzer on her cheeks. I left the eyes kinda neutral. And I swiped on lots of pink gloss on her lips.

This is my favorite look for summer. Laid-back, simple... yet down-right captivating.

Thanks, Ding. *hug*

FOTD:
Face:
*Shu Uemura Face Architect Foundation (used as concealer)
* Loreal Ideal Balance Face Powder
*Red Earth Bronzing Powder in Endless Summer
Eyes:
*YSL Touche Eclat
*The Face Shop Color Nuance in BR801
*Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Lips:
*Smashbox Lip Treatment in Smashing Shine

Lacey Wednesday

Wore my new (not-so-new, since it's from ukay, but you know what I mean...haha) purple cardigan with lace aplique at the office today.

Paired it with wide-legged trousers from Folded and Hung.

And ukay olive-gray pumps.

And the new necklace Mark gave me this weekend. :)



OOTD:
cardigan: Anonas Ukayan, P85
wide-legged trousers: Folded and Hung, P1200
pumps: Anonas Ukayan, P260
necklace: priceless because it's from Mark (real price is P350 and it was bought in Shang ri La Mall...hehe)

Roses Roses Roses

To me, roses have this classic design in them. Classic and almost ethereal. I believe they've been around forever.

I first fell in love with them when some magazine featured Cru's Acrylic Rose ring. It came in black and white. When I went to Rockwell to check the ring/s out, I found them priced too high. I mean, I said before I'd invest in accessories and jewelry...but 700 bucks for something plastic and acrylic? It became my mission to hunt for the same rings, in a much much lower price.

And I found them!


Here's my little collection so far... a few rings and a necklace. Hopefully, I'll find more lovely treasures like the ones in the next picture.



How about you guys? Any particular design/style you are constantly hunting down and looking for? Please do share... :))

black rose ring - Celine, P99
red rose ring - Celine, P99
white rose ring - Eastwood Tiangge - P50
Chain Necklace with Black Rose pendant - Folded and Hung, P179 (on sale)

Wear 'Em: Blue and White Bibbed Top

Monday this week was a holiday for us working for US clients (Memorial Dy weekend), and my sister, Mading and I took advantage of my additional free day to go thrift store shopping and some adventure.

The adventure involved hopping on to the LRT and getting off at Anonas. I've heard of the ukayan in the Anonas station and the directions from the others gushing about the place always said that as soon as you are at the station, the thrift shop is just a hop, skip and jump away.

They were all right. :) To our delight we found the ukayan at Anonas immediately and we immediately started our afternoon shopping and treasure hunting.

We found so many good stuff. I'll have to post them one by one as soon as I have taken pictures of them.

My favorite of them all is this top. It's just so sooo soooo pretty. I told you, I'm a sucker for lace and ruffles details.

The top still had a tag on it, and it was priced at $349. I got it for P85.

See why I'm gushing about it? Isn't it lovely? :))








OOTD:
Top: Anonas Ukayan, P85
Cigarette Pants: Folded and Hung Factory Outlet, P300
Shoes: Wade, P699
Red Dangling Earrings: Plains and Prints, P300
Red Acrylic Rose Ring: Celine, P99

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost does exactly what its name says it will: boost the skin. I've been using this for a couple of weeks now (again, in order to hopefully permanently eliminate the dark spots on my face), and it's quite good.

My skin feels soft and supple. And the Vitamin C in this product helps in brightening my skin. Just pump a small amount of the gel-like substance every morning, and massage onto face (I also apply it at night). It goes a long loooong way.

One time I actually went out with ZERO make up on (not even powder to matte my face). This was the only thing I applied before I hurriedly went to the mall to complete some hasty purchases. I was expecting to see in the mall mirrors the exact same girl... with the exact same skin and face... oily and spattered with dark spots here and there.

To my surprise, I came face to face with someone whose skin and face was undeniably glowing. I didn't even see any of the dark spots that were very conspicuous to me before. ;))

This little orange bottle over here makes me very HAPPY.



It costs P1095, but I got it at 10% off since The Body Shop is holding their Anniversary Sale.

Worth every penny, I tell you. ;))

Wear 'Em: Vintage LBD with a Twist

Here's my take on The Little Black Dress... a flowy number paired with pearls and hot pink pumps.

I dunno, is it too eclectic for you guys? I think it kinda adds a little something something to the sober-ness of the black dress... any thoughts?






I love the shoes though. I won't budge when it comes to my hot pink Barbie shoes. Teehee. :))

OOTD:
Dress: Cubao Ukay2x, P75
Hot Pink Pumps: Night Cafe, P150

Wear 'Em: Date Outfit

This is one of the outfits I have been planning to wear on a date with Marky. The past couple of weeks, we have either spent our weekends lounging lazily around his house or my house, going to the movies, swimming in the club house's pool, and more lounging and lazy saturdays and sundays in front of the TV. We haven't really had a romantic date 'date' in months.

I don't mind, really.

I'm saving this oufit for that. ;))





And I'm sure it'll be worth it...

Both the date 'date' and the outfit. *wink*

OOTD:
Green Floral Skirt: Eastwood Bazaare, P250
Sheer Lace Top: Hallway, P200 (on sale)
Belt: Kristine's, P300
Olive Pumps: Anonas Ukayan, P260

Bag 'Em: Chain Straps (Vintage Bag)

Another thing I am always, alwayyysss drawn to...are bags with chain straps. I have invested in two. A CMG quilted flap shoulder bag (which I will gush about in a separate post...soon); and a vintage square shoulder bag with gold chain straps. I found this one at Circle C...just quietly hanging in display in one of the tiangge stalls there. It cost me 300 bucks. But I have used it often enough that it's now worth so much more than that to me.



It just instantly adds a touch of glamour and an old school feel and vibe to my whole outfit everytime I use it.





Besides...it's black. It goes with everything. :)



Black Vintage Bag with gold chain straps: Circle C (Visayas Ave), P300

Bag 'Em: Fringe Benefits

Before I even realized how "in" fringe had become in the last couple of months, I cama across this bag as Mark and I were shopping in Mongkok. My feet were hurting from walking for hours and hours. But when I saw the bag, I instantly got rejuvinated.

The chinese lady sold it to me for 60 hong kong dollars...which is roughly around P400 if you convert it. When I got back to Manila, I saw Aldo and Zara and other fashionable stores displaying brothers and sisters of this cute bag that was already hanging on my shoulders.

Even if it weren't a part of what's trendy now, I would still have purchased the bag. It instantly adds oomph to any outfit. A plain shirt, jeans, and slippers... A colorful summer dress, A dainty floral button down and denim cut-offs... add this bag to the outfit and you're instantly either boho, chic, or both. *wink*





Fringe Bag: Mongkok, Hong Kong, P400

Wear 'Em: One Shouldered Maxi

I am sincerely wishing someone gets married (like really, really soon) and invites me to his/her wedding... I wanna wear this dress to a beach or garden wedding party. It just looks so romantic and summery, that eventhough summer is almost over, I still purchased this dress when I stumbled upon it at the Eastwood City bazaare. To me, this dress is everything dreamy dreamy things are made of. ;))




OOTD:
Dress: Eastwood Bazaare, P400

Wear 'Em: Yellow Mini Dress

This dress was supposed to be just 30% off. The Supervisor at Graxie (Archaeology, Power Plant Mall), saw how much I liked it that when I mentioned to her how come the other dresses on their sale rack were 50-70% off, she immediately consoled me by saying she can give me the dress for 50 off. I was sooo estatic and so touched by the sup's act of generosity. I'm definitely going back to Graxie.



The dress looks a bit party-ish (it has metalic details/print on it), but I do plan to dress it down maybe with a white cropped jacket or cardigan or something (so that maybe I can wear it to work? We'll see...).



I wore it 3 ways below...by donning 3 different footwear. In the first shot, the dress looks casual with black peeptoe flats. In the second pic it looks a little more dressy and party-ish with my nude colored VNC stilettos. And in the last pic, I was going for a more edgy look as I paired it with my Enzo Angiolini Gladiators. I don't like the third look at all. It's bordering on hideous. I'm not sure if that's not really my style, or black and canary-ish yellow just doesn't match well for me. Anyway, at least I'm also showing here how I don't intend to wear the dress.

Heh-Heh-Heh. 0=)






OOTD:
Dress: Graxie, P560 (Original Price was around P1,100)
Black Peeptoe Flats: Market Market Tiangge, P250 (i have them in white too, hihi)
Stilettos: VNC, P1800
Gladiators: Enzo Angiolini, retails for around P6K plus, but Mark was able to buy them in St. Paul at $20. Love them.:))

Wear 'Em: Ruffled Top

I've had this ruffled top for a few months now... And I do looooove it. I'm a sucker for anything with lace and ruffles. It's just been a little challenging thinking of ways to wear it so that I don't look like I slept for decades and decades and came out still wearing something from the Victorian era or the like. Anyway, here's the outfit I came up with. I like it. I'm excited to go around town strutting and feeling uberly furnished. :))

Oh, and P.S., the top cost me only 25 pesos :)))))) ... and I think every girl should have something animal print in her closet. WHich is why I adore the pumps as well. *wink wink*

OOTD:

Ruffled top: Cogon Market, Ukay2x, P25
Jeans: Plains and Prints, P600 (on sale)
Bag: Secosana, P490 (on sale)
Leopard Print Pumps: Night Cafe, P150

Wear 'Em: Blue Plaid Dress

Either it looks child-like or tablecloth-ish, I've never really been an avid fan of plaid. But recently I've come to realize that it can be fashionable enough. When worn in the right colors, and with just the right amount of zeal to go along with it.

My blue plaid dress holds just the right mix of fun-, flirty-, girly-, and a bit edgy-ness. I paired with the white classic pumps I got from Wade (my current favorite).

The best thing about it?

... I got it for ONLY 50 pesos. Yihee. :)))



dress: Night Cafe, P50
shoes: Wade, P699
bangle: P20, Cogon Market
belt: from my old stuff, can't remember how much they cost and where i bought them, hehe

Accessories: Earrings!

I am a "ma-accessories" kind of person. I would willingly spend on investment pieces in a blink of an eye. It doesn't mean all my jewelry are expensive. Not at all. Like on clothes and bags, I love it when I am able to score great finds at a really really low price.

Here are some of the earrings I have collected over time. I love this pieces. Some of them are too pricey for fancy wear. And some were bought for a few pennies, it still amazes me up to now :) Maybe you guys can share some of your favorite earrings and other jewelry too. :))



multi-colored hand painted square/diamond -shaped earrings (P100, eastwood bazaare)


oversized wooden teardrop earrings(P100, eastwood bazaare)


gold and silver plated vintage earrings with pearl and crystal details (P500, Cru)


black and purple crystals (P165, Mags)


gold danggling earrings with red bead details (P300+, plains and prints)


white drop earrings (P150, sm department store)


vintage turquoise earrings (P80, broadway gems)


ornate vintage earrings (P24, cogon market)


faux crystal drop earrings (P35, cherry)


snowflake earrings (free, a hand-me-down from my mom)




gold and turquoise chandelier earrings (P700, the landmark)


gold gong earrings with artsy flower design (P400, the landmark)

Beauty Review: Shu Uemura White Ex Recovery Cleansing Oil

I've dedicated the past 2 months to finding ways to lighten the scars on my face. Thus, the VMV Illuminants Cleanser, which I have gushed about in my last entry. The only con I experienced with the cleanser was that it was extremely drying to my skin. My skin is in a pretty oily state as it is, and yet the cleanser was really able to dry it out to the point of almost getting a spattering of dry spots here and there. I did not want to stop using the cleanser. I have been getting really good feedback from people telling me that my skin has improved so much already. And I do credit this to the Illuminants Cleanser. I decided I needed an alternative cleanser, so as not to make my face uberly dry as a desert.

Enter Shu Uemura. I absolutely loooove their cleansing oils. I've already tried the cleansing oil in Fresh (the pink one) and I was ecstatic over it. It was really good timing that I had already consumed the pink cleansing oil, and I was thinking of buying the purple one... The one with white recovery ex. It promised to brighten my skin with every wash. And boy, brighten it did. It's the perfect partner to my Illuminants cleanser. It works exactly like the other Shu Uemura Cleansing oil, plus the bonus brightening effect. I think it's perfect.



The best part is I got it a few hundred bucks cheaper compared to how it retails here in Manila. I have a friend who has access to Shu stuff in Japan and she's selling Shu skincare items and make up in a more affordable price range. To those interested, visit: www.beautymanila.multiply.com.

Then again, I wouldn't mind buying it here for its retail price. That's how amazing and spectacular this magic oil is. :))

Of Lemons and Other Acids

One of my greatest fixations in life is trying to find an effective and efficient way to lighten the scars on my face. See, I am keloidal. And although the zits I get do not form into keloids (thank God! that would be too depressing), it takes a while for them to heal and they leave pretty darn persistent pock-like marks. =(

I've tried almost everything. And although I know religious visits to the dermatologist for power peeling and diamond peeling is bound to be the answer, I have been unraveling ways on how else to illuminate my skin without having the whole ordeal costly and painful.



Enter VMV's Illuminants Treatment Comfort Cleansing Creme...which basically yeah...illuminates my face :) I've been using it for just over a week and already I am seeing and feeling the good results. My face looks fresher, and the pock-like marks have started to fade away. It's making me giddy just thinking about it. I did not purchase the whole line though... I am hankering on getting the toner, you know, just to add a little more push to the whole brighten-my-face objective. The whole line is said to be made of parts of Alpha-Hydroxy, Glycolic and Kojic Acid, as well as a unique multi-level system with 10 active ingredients. The glow and radiance it has been giving me, I welcome with much much zeal. I do highly recommend this product.

Now as I mentioned earlier, I'm also considering buying the toner counterpart in the Illuminants line. Right now though what I'm using is something a little more natural --- Lemon Juice. :) Yep, that's right, good old lemon juice. I just squeeze half a lemon (real lemons, not calamansi) into a cup, and dilute it with water. I leave it in the fridge as well so that come night-time, before I hit the sheets, I dab some into my dark spots. It's purely refreshing. There may be a little sting to it. But it usually subsides in a matter of seconds. I don't encourage anyone to rub the lemon/s directly into their faces...that would be hellish. You might end up with burn marks instead of actually erasing the marks you had initially intended to.

I'm not gonna post pics of my face just yet. I'm thinking of doing the before and after thing for this. Haha. So I wanna give it some time so that I can be absolutely sure that there is a significant difference on my skin's "radiance".

Besides, I'll be posting more reviews about the Illuminants line since I do intend to try the other products they have.

Stay tuned. And happy pock-erasing! :))

Second Skin

For someone with inevitably oily skin, powders and foundations are top essentials in my make-up kit. I'm sure a number of ladies out there will agree. Not only for mattifying purposes, but most likely for covering up the persistent scars from those persistent zits due to the persistent oiliness of our faces. Sigh.

I decided to run a review on some of the powders and foundations I have tried and tested in the last 2 years or so. Like soulmates, I actually found several of them that I "jived" and "clicked" and"connected" with instantly. :)




Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation

I dragged Mark (my super-boyfriend, hehe), to Shang Ri La Plaza for a bottle of this little baby. The Shu guy there applied it to my face so I could see the results and I was pretty impressed. In my heart I knew we were meant to be together. LOL. The fluid foundation really goes on smoothly. And what I like most about it is it's perfect coverage, without feeling heavy. Everytime I put it on I feel like I have this second skin which is perfectly unblemished. :)

It retails for about P2500. A bit pricey, but it's Shu after all...and you really really can't go wrong.

Maybelline Angel Fit Foundation

I was in Robinson's Galleria determined to find a good powder foundation when I bumped into this compact. The Maybelline lady in the department store had also tried this on me, along with the Maybelline Unstoppable Lash Extension Mascara I was also quite interested in.

I remember I was alone that Saturday, since Mark was in Virginia for his yearly US vacay. That was probably partly the reason why I was moved to stock/re-stock my already bulging make up kit (more like a make-up sack...oh well. hihi).

I instantly liked it. The coverage is really good, it can hide your imperfections in an instant. It also had a smooth and luminous finish to it. It immediately became my everyday powder foundation. :)

Maybelline Mineral Loose Powder Foundation

I was itching to try mineral make up that time and I had chosen between Revlon, Loreal and this one. All three were pretty good. This one won my heart though because of the Au Naturel Glow effect it gave me, and again, the coverage was pretty fantastic. This comes with it's own mini kabuki brush as well. What more could you ask for, eh?

Guerlain Parure Pearly White Powder Foundation

For years I was pining for something...anything Guerlain as a treat to myself. I had always resisted in pushing through with the treat since a single compact of theirs costs more than P3000. I was finally able to get my hands on this powder foundation during the Megatent 30 outlet sale. I must say, it was one of the best moments I had last month. ;)

Mark has been complimenting my skin on a daily basis, saying it looks more luminous and glowing. And I've gotten several comments on how "blooming" I look these days.

It comes in a white gold case that just looks absolutely chic. It is said to have beautifying Nacre and Pearl Lily Complex, plus SPF35 to boot. I apply it using my The Body Shop Kabuki Brush, and it's too much of a perfect combo there. I absolutely adore this compact. I think every girl should have this.

The best best best thing? I got it at more than half it's original price off. Heaven. :)) Anyone out there who'd like to share their powder and foundation top notchers as well? ;)