How You Get The Girl

 “Diamonds are held under tons and tons of pressure, extremely high temperatures of fire and shuffled under shifting of tectonic plates, for a long, long time! Yet when they come out from there and are put on display for their beauty; does anybody stop to evaluate the diamond based upon all the shit it's been through and say "Remember that disgusting hole it used to be in? I bet it was hell in there!" No, people don't remember where a diamond has come from; they just see the beauty of it now. But it wouldn't have become so beautiful, you know, if not for all of that! So why should we look at other people, or at ourselves and evaluate them/ourselves based upon their/our pasts? Shouldn't we forget that? And only see the beauty that is in front of our eyes? Whatever it was, it made you beautiful! And that is what matters!”

- C Joybell C

I mentioned a few posts back that I had quite a busy week since despite feeling sick, I had certain commitments that I have already confirmed my attendance for and one of them was on a Friday night where I was chosen to judge the Mr. and Ms. College of Home Economics at U.P. Diliman. Along with my fellow judges who are, I have to say, talented and respectable in the industry were Alma Concepcion, Arnold Galang, Albert Andrade and the Dean of the College of Home Economics Dr. Aurorita T. Roldan. I was quite honored to be part of a panel of such big name and revered personalities and I was more than happy to represent the social media and blogging world and made sure to try my best to objective as possible. Personally, I used to be invited to judge pageants in universities but rarely accepted. However, since I wanted to show my support for the college, I went for it and I was glad I did. The pageant wasn't all about who looked better or who had the most incredible gown but a large percentage of the rating system was on their ability to communicate and answer questions impromptu (which we asked them) and also in their talent and portion area. It was such an amazing experience and I got a bit nostalgic about my college days. In this day and age we live in and in the industry I belong to, there is so much emphasis put on how you look that it is almost the one main facet our lives must revolve around. I find it silly. On the get go, this is also why I hate meeting people randomly like in a bar setting or in a club because everything is so objectified. First impressions revolve around your exterior appearance and while I may seem fashionable and cute, I think my personality is more of what makes me... me. To relate that to my outfit, I try to incorporate how I feel as much as possible to my outfit and well, this dainty ensemble seemed perfect for that day.

On Neutrality, Nuances and Nuisances

Apparently neutrality is a concept that is too impossible for most of the population to understand. So I guess, if the world isn't ready for it, I might as well take it out on what I wear... I know I've been donning more than the usual neutral wear but be assured that if you were to look closely, there is still some variety and nuance offered in the pale hues I have been sporting. This time, it's been all about my beautiful new Givenchy Antigona which was perfectly matched with this sporty watercolor shirt I blatantly asked my mother to have since I love the detail and the colors (yes, when I want it and have to have it, I take it...as simple as that. I've always been a fan of playing a word game so for this post allow me to address: neutrality, nuances and nuisances. Allow me to dive deeper into this topic by addressing three things you don't always have to have: a side (to address neutrality), a disregard for the subtle differences that exist (to address how important considering the nuances) and an agreement (which for the past few weeks I personally find to be such a nuisance since I am far from privy to the idea of a mediation of any form happening and I will explain why.)

A Better Version Of Me

Lately, I've been more than busy as I have decided to get up and go to the office and work from there. I once heard this popular saying that goes, “Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life” and I now that I am finally part of the workforce, I have a deeper understanding of this saying. Well, aside from the fact that I absolutely do enjoy going to work and of course, what I do, I am also quite happy to be also challenged to dress up more creatively. I never quite got it then but my outfits have always been more loud and playful even when I was in my early twenties well much into even after I turned 25. I guess that's what having your own business and being your own boss is all about: the perks. Eventually though, I had to outgrow that stage. My friend, Jamm, told me a few days ago that she has noticed that my outfit choice and style has metamorphosed into a more mellow and neutral palette... I must admit I have been going for less loud color schemes and more structured and architectural silhouettes and I didn't really think anyone would notice it because I was actually doing it on purpose... but hey, it worked apparently as it was pretty noticeable to the people around me. I grew up... my outfit choices grow up with me... but that doesn't mean you would be spared the shock of an altogether different look. As I say, my style is very bipolar and hypomanic but also, the things going on in my life play a great role in how I choose what to wear.  Now that I am experiencing how it is like to be part of the workforce (even if I am Executive Director, I am still answerable to people) and find the need to perform. Given that, I have been choosing ensembles that are more appropriate as office attire as I think how I carry myself in the office also represents the organization I am in. I think that it is all about the entire package when I get into something. I don't quite understand the concept of half-baked.

And all I wanted was the simple things... A simple kind of life

Less is more...so the saying goes. With all the new minimalist take on fashion- one cannot help but beg the question: are we replacing fake clarity with real confusion? Of course, the "normcore" trend has been interpreted as a reaction to a fashion oversaturation resulting from ever faster-changing fashion trends. I do like to dress up and make myself very presentable most of the time but the norm-core trend isn't really something all too new to me because I reckon I have subconsciously been dressing that way on my "blah" days and I call it casual dressing. This outfit is an example. It is perhaps the most laid back outfit I have every posted yet. In a world where dressing laid back takes a lot of effort as it is now deemed as a fashion trend: a girl cannot help but be confused. Think about it.  However, I do believe in this: More is generally more, to contradict the cliche, but it isn't always intrinsically a good thing---if you do it all the time.

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.

Lacy Days

MORNINGSIDE.
(Blazer: H&M | Blouse: Forever21 | Skirt: Forever21 | Shoes: CMG | Bag: Michael Kors | Shades: Aldo)


Lunch out is always a fun activity for me. Considering myself as quite nocturnal, going out early for a business and family lunch is such a treat! This day, we had lunch out in The Continental in Tower Club and I had the most fabulous time in this cream and camel ensemble which was quite inspired by Spring Trends on creamy lace.

My peg was "Ladies who lunch" so I decided to sass it up in a lace frilly top paired with an embroidered lace skirt then tone it down with a camel twill jacket. The glam factor was the blinged out crystal heeled peep toe pumps which provided perfect glitter to the look.

After lunch, I ran errands for my store, bought fitness items over at Greenbelt 5 and then headed over to the hospital for a checkup!

xx, JL

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Photos from the day....

Amber is the color of your energy

Pumpkin Pie.
(Jeans: Zara | Shirt: Topshop | Bag: Louis Vuitton | Accessories: RUCKUS | Shoes: US | Shades: Vintage)


Less apples, more oranges. From pumpkin to persimmon, I am in love with the shade! Nothing spells Fall than a pair of pumpkin hued rust toned denim skinny jeans to embody the changing color that comes along with the seasons. Autumn is an amazing season to dress up for. The colors, the shades and the vivid transitions of hues are just so stunning especially in nature. Picture the trees, rusting out for the cold season to come and this exactly was what I wanted to show in my outfit. And besides different shades of orange- never hurt. Hope you like it!

xx, JL