Painting The Town Red

So it's been forever since I have posted a "perfect for a night out" ensemble as I feel that most of my outfits have been best worn during daytime. I just had to make an exception since this dress from Sheinside.com is just simply phenomenal (and you have to agree with me!) I knew I needed the dress as I remember Kim Kardashian donning a similar style and well this dress was absolutely the next best thing to that! Well, aside from that, there are a few reasons I am loving this dress and it is that, (1) I have been wearing a lot of red lately and the color is something I have learned to be fond of all over again (2) I love the Gothic feel of the dress with the beaded cross design. It is elegant yet also very baroque and romantics and I am all for that and (3) It fits perfectly! I have decided to give up on body con dresses because I've reached my saturation point for them but this dress is perfect because it fits tightly in all the right places. Also it is sophisticated and sexy at the same time as I love how the red and black contrast each other. More so, the black area is made of beautiful mesh with a nude undertone giving the illusion of more skin but in a very subtle way. 

New In: Fascinating New Things

I am always so awkward when it comes to receiving gifts (yes, it is a thing of mine since I was young as I was taught not to rely on freebies). However, I think it comes along with the perks of being a fashion and lifestyle blogger to try out new products and so far, here are my favorite ones...

Neutral Territory

I had quite a week and I mean that in a "I-am-majorly-in-shock-and-awe" with how much has transpired. Some good things and some not so good happened but ultimately when you want a life that is very quiet and not so up and down like a Richter Magnitude Scale, these highs and lows are exasperating. I've never been a labile girl and I am not up for emotional roller coasters, even if the sparks tend to become attracted to me like a magnet, making life a never-ending saga. So, where to begin? When life starts to resemble a television drama with the plot line of Days of Our Lives or  The Bold and The Beautiful, that's not usually a good thing and you have to let go. Don't get me wrong, these shows are fun for entertainment value but not so much when you become part of the cast and it's playing out in your own life. The past week covers the full spectrum and I prefer not to go into the details but I am quite proud of myself for still standing. The secret to that is this: when life tends to become too overwhelming, it is wise to retreat to a neutral territory and that's what I did and perhaps my subconscious was affecting my decision making that it manifested in the clothes I picked out. 

Proud Soul

The past week has been all kinds of topsy-turvy but I am not complaining as I do believe and see that I am very blessed to be safe and in a good place compared to other people. I find nagging, complaining and whining are to no avail and do not help at all when it comes to fixing things so consider me in a very good place...and I would rather not be anywhere else. I have been on this new sense of calm recently that nothing seems to faze me... not even a 4-hour black-out in this outfit in an enclosed space won't bring my spirits down. In all ways, this sweater weather outfit and a midi skirt from the lovely clothing brand I Love NL Clothing was perfect and would have been appropriate- if the situation was one where electricity was existent- and it is something that conveys a strong message. The text of the sweater reads: PROUD SOUL...and in light of my disposition lately, I have to say, I deserve to wear this...FINALLY.

Tribe Vibe

I love pink and if you have not heard yet- to quote Aerosmith's song Pink, "Pink is my favorite crayon" and this could not be illustrated any more than in this outfit where I am in an aztec/ tribal printed coordinates which if you remember, I wore but in a different print in a previous post which you can view HERE. I styled it differently this time and opted for woven multi-color heels and a simpler necklace rather than the chartreuse statement necklace and the sky-high fierce shoes I wore the first style of the outfit from. It was probably my last ditch effort to still feel summer as this outfit is best worn to beat the heat but as recent events (Please pray for my country, the Philippines as we recover from Typhoon Glenda) and time has proven, the monsoon season is officially here and it came in with quite a bang, and I do not mean that in a good way. Anyway, it will take another six months of waiting till sunlight and summer, but that's the thing about seasons that is constant: they change. I do hope you enjoyed the look!

Melodies and Desires

Here I am wearing a Spanish Rose outfit as it was the styling that was fitting for this romantic lace dress that I got from the collection of e-foxcity.com. The dress was in every aspect romantic and had such ornate and delicate pieces and so I decided to go along this passionate route and play every part of a senyorita. This outfit is built on the idea of seductive Latin-Spanish references. I decided to use red accents to make the look more passionate and enticing. This is a different take on another Spanish Rose outfit I wore for Valentine's this year but I am happy to have been able to get a new chance to style something so different with a similar vibe. The good thing is that my entire ensemble was just perfect to shoot amidst the backdrop of columns and marble poles. It had a very classic, vintage and elegant vibe and that definitely went well with my outfit. I look at the photos and just go, "Wow!" because I was so in awe on how perfect the entire outfit played out. The photos were unbelievably amazing and I loved every bit of how this turned out. Isn't this outfit post just absolutely like a scene from a dream? By the way, this outfit is especially for my brother Enzo, who leaves for Barcelona soon!

Leather on Leather

A lot of people say that leather on leather is a fashion faux pas but as time and trends prove: in fashion, nothing is permanent- there are no rules and if there are, they are meant to be broken. Leather is one Autumn/Winter runway trend we cannot get enough of so it was bound to happen that double leather has appeared on fashion runways starting Fall 2013 and it is definitely carrying on to 2014 trends for the season. I never quite saw myself wearing double leather since it seemed to be too dominatrix, but, oh well, this isn't exactly the first time I am recanting my thoughts and words. Finding myself in a situation where I was donned in all leather proved that when it comes to style, one really can "never say never." The unpredictability of it all, I have to admit is what kind of excites me. What was a bigger shocker was that I actually had fun wearing this outfit and I didn't- in any way- feel constrained or bound which is what body hugging clothes usually do. Also, I was quite happy wearing this ensemble and finishing it off with a British graffiti themed spiked heels since I felt like I was going back to my rocker/ biker chic roots. I felt amazing and very ZZ Top meets AC/DC in this look and it's been awhile since I've dressed up in this style. I felt like I was back... ready to rock on!

A Night In Skin City

I rarely go out at night since I think I am way past that stage in my life. More so, when I do go out at night, I make sure that I don't do it on the weekend (Fridays and/or Saturdays) as I always referred to the Weekend Warriors crowd as bridge and tunnel people... not that I have anything against that... but you have to agree with me here, it can get pretty crowded. So, I broke these two rules for one night only- to attend the Preview Ball which had quite an interesting theme: SKIN. At first, I was absolutely clueless on how to figure out working with that theme in less than 7 days at that. Then with the help of my amazing staff also known as my dream team, I was able to come up with two outfits: one long one in black mesh, which was predominantly sheer and covered only the right places and then a nude one: which consisted of a corset (if you would call it that) and a half covered-half sheer skirt. I was not given consent to wear the first outfit so it helps a lot to always have a back-up outfit which I have to thank my neurosis and my P.A. Celyn for since it always helps to be prepared. I kept everything else simple... it was nude on nude on nude... and as it turns out I made the right outfit choice (along with matte gold smokey eyes and an amazing up-do Amazona style)... I wouldn't dare wear anything as barely there as this but again, its good to break your rules sometimes...as the night ended, it was a great one night only spent in SKIN CITY.

Fabulous Finds

I have been known to be a hoarder to the point I actually had to move my closet to a room. Yes, my so-called walk in closet is one entire room. And despite the fact I always hold Garage Sales, my closet cannot seem to stop overflowing with fabulous finds. What can I say? I love supporting local brands and I am one lucky girl to be given the chance to receive beautiful items from wonderful brands. For the record,I don't blog about something just because it's free- the items I post are things I would totally wear AND use and I love these brands and their products. 

Here's a feature on what made my week a great one....

1) I am into the whole tribal thing. If you noticed, I've been a great fan of the trend. Combine tribal AND neon and that makes me one happy girl. This is why I love this bright tribal purse from Tonic. Expect to see me wearing this A LOT. 

VLM Releases its New Collection: FAN GIRL

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Spiral Staircase

Quiet Nights Out.

(Top: Topshop | Headband: DIY | Skirt: Vintage | Belt: Glitterati | Shoes: SO! FAB | Bag: Marc Jacobs)

I have a confession: I haven't been going out much (thus the lack of blog posts!) It's been happening for the past 2 weeks but I reckon I find myself enjoying my time at the gym and at home or working at the store more fulfilling. People have noticed the very evident paradigm shift but it seems that I'm growing up and outgrowing the boozed up rubbing elbows at a crowded bar stage. Call it domestication, at its finest, but I am definitely enjoying this new so-called "me", sipping on my juju and wheatgrass rather than empty calories in an alcoholic cocktail. Even my household staff have taken notice on my very tame new side.

On this particular Friday night, however, I decided to go out of my comfort zone to meet up with my friend at a nearby wine and tapas bar. It was an early night but definitely lots of fun! It was a refreshing change, but trust me, I am in no position to trade in my workout gear for clubbing wear just yet....

My Accessories...

Check out my oh so amazing shoes from oh so fabulous shoe brand, SO!FAB which is one of my favorite latest new additions to my heel less collection! PS: It has a stunning lace strap detail which is just absolutely making me obsess on the pair particularly!

GET THE LOOK:

xx, JL

Online Shop Feature: Fashion Galore Makes a Comeback

Taking a brief hiatus from online selling, this shop makes a big comeback this year and it just keeps getting better!
Founded in 2005 by Jam Levina Chan, Fashion Galore made its way up as part of the Top 10 Philippine Online Fashion Shops - WikiPilipinas - #3

FG has a large variety of fashion accessories (necklaces, earrings, bangles, bracelets, bags, clothes, etc) Aside from selling fashion items, Fashion Galore also holds contests on certain occasions which is definitely something to look forward to in this online shop.

Adding to its growing collection of trendy products, Fashion Galore expanded recently to selling Cambridge inspired satchels and batches in 11" and 13" sizes. The shape and quality of the bags are amazing and I am a big fan of this bag shape, definitely a must buy!!!

PS: I did a shoot with the shop back in 2007 (college days!) and I love their stuff, seriously!!!! The cutest axes and satchels in the best price EVER!

For more information:
Ms. Jam Levina Fashion Galore Online Shop
Tel: +63-917-526 24 26 Email: fashion.galore@yahoo.com Website: http://galore.multiply.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/FashionGaloreOnlineShop

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fgalore

xx,JL