Only the Marvelous: casual

Showing posts with label casual. Show all posts

Dec 12, 2014

Nude Awakening

“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
Delicious Ambiguity.”

I used to be such a control freak that every step was carefully planned, every outfit was thought of in advance and I refused to be caught off guard. The thing with being that way is that the sad but unavoidable reality that in life, you are never in control and to assume you are, simply opens you up for major disappointment. I came, I controlled (or tried) and I failed and got a harsh lesson and now I am just going with the flow and taking life as it is. I still crave for control (that's just me and I can't control it---okay for lack of a better term to use...) but now I know when to sit back and relax and let things unfold before me without having to intervene. I simply trust the vibes I get... because at the end of the day, energy doesn't lie. As for being on top of everything, the rude awakening that one never can be and the sooner you accept that, the better as you strip yourself off the pretense (as comforting as the illusion of having control is) and then you're left to deal with yourself in rawest and purest form possible... that kind of explains my title on nude awakenings...because believe it or not... being stripped off all the false pretenses that somehow reassure you or lull you into a false sense of security is what one needs.

I Know Places

I apologize for the lack of updates since as you know... I've been taking my sweet time recuperating and I am glad to be back at full swing. A common misconception about bloggers is that we are always made up and dressed to the nines. I know for a fact that I take more time for what I wear than the average person but there are some days when you just want to wear a simple outfit and have it as it is. This was one of those days. This is probably as laid back as it will get for me... Plan white tee, boyfriend jeans and a blazer. Oh, and my new favorite flat shoes: my leopard Jessica Simpson ballet flats. Yes, I know, I am in flats and I find myself being in flats a lot since years of donning platforms, 6 inch (or more) heels or even heel-less "how can she even walk in those shoes" pairs, my back is having to pay for it. Upon the advisement of my doctors and my very strict parents: the lower the heels, the better. Now, I have to admit that I do not exactly follow that but rather considered it as a suggestion, tried it for a few days and went back to my high heel wearing ways. What can I say? Life's too short to wear boring shoes... (well granted these shoes are quite a statement but you get what I'm saying...)

'Cause I remember every sunset...

“Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under!”

- C. Joybell C.

I know that it is often something taken for granted especially by urban dwellers like me but the sun setting and the sun rising are two of the most wonderful sights to behold. I used to always love the sun rise since it signified a new day and I am all about new beginnings but now, I am also able to appreciate the sun as it sets and see it as a time to give thanks for the wonderful day that has gone by. As I get to experience full days and early nights, I find that my days are marked by when the sun comes up and when it comes down...each day culminating with a promise and ending with relief and satisfaction for being able to have survived the day. I know what other people would say: "that the sun rises and sets every single day and its absolutely free..." but just because it is something you know will happen for sure doesn't make it any less beautiful, important or worth watching. I rarely get to see the sun set in the open air because I usually leave the office far too late and a long time has probably elapsed by the time I get out and this is probably the reason why on days like these, when I can afford the opportunity to actually see it as it unfolds, I don't take it for granted. I watch in awe and wonder and it is very therapeutic. I've needed a lot of therapeutic things lately and there is nothing better to provide that than what is natural occurring in the world as we know it. It's nice to remember to be present in the now and also to me reminded that there are some things that don't require a hefty price tag that can take your breath away.

Peace Like A River

I love being away from the city sometimes. Yes, even I, who was born and raised in this thriving metropolis also needs a break from the hustle and bustle of city life which can get quite stressful enough that one tends to burn out and if anything... that is such a bad feeling. So here I am, city girl gone rural and I love it. This is my day out in the suburbs look and it is still quite corporate but it was a business trip that I had to attend to and even if I was working, it wasn't as fast paced and busy as it is back in the Makati Head Office and so there was more than sufficient time to unwind, take photos and relax- bask in the fresh air and take in the river before me which unlike the river in Manila (which you smell first before you see...) is a sight to behold. I had a theme that particular weekend and it revolved around red, white and blue. It was quite patriotic but I have always loved the combination because it has quite a nautical feel to it... a theme that if you must know I am so obsessed about.

Dancing in the Sun

Another series of my life is beautiful posts...I am sorry if I keep on harping about it that it almost seems like an advocacy but the one most true and honest thing about me is that because of decisions and changes I took for my own well-being, I ended up in this place where everything I see is quite extraordinary. To best describe it, allow me to borrow from a song, "I see life and light... All the colors of the world... So beautiful... Won't you come with me?...I see birds and trees... All the flowers of the world- So beautiful... Won't you come with me?" and aren't these words the best way to describe this very nature themed shoot and look as inspired by how beautiful the landscape was that surrounded me. This is one of my most natural blog posts to date... I have no extensions, my hair is just unkempt but tied up and I have little to none makeup. Allow me also to mention I have no accessories, save for this pretty Birds of Paradise flower and am in my favorite Mandals. Of course the coordinates I am wearing, provide to be the perfect clothing as well as they are very muted and simple. Do you get the dalagang Filipina vibe in this look? I sure do... And just to prove my point, I do not have to be fierce in every single outfit post. Sometimes, I like to just be carefree and as a reminder: laid back doesn't have to translate to sloppy.

Postcards from Heaven

I lean against the wind, pretend that i am weightless and in this moment i am happy.

If you currently are not happy, it might be time to ask yourself what it is that is stopping you from experiencing happiness at this very moment? Well it's not all about throwing a forced smile (although based on my experience, that's not a bad start), however, where would you begin when attempting to get yourself in a genuinely happy state of mind? These were the thoughts going on in my head as I was sitting about 2,500 feet above sea level on that cool, overcast but absolutely calm morning as I just sat amongst the clouds (a past time I enjoy) and just had to clear my head and be as they say "away from it all." To begin with, I had the laid back look perfected: loose over sized knit sweater, ripped boyfriend jeans, appropriate mandals (and do not get me started on the woven hat over my head which I rarely wear unless I need my thinking hat back on, which is what this hat is...) The look is so coordinated and coherent it practically makes me look like the poster child for self-reflection which isn't always a bad thing but as I said, there's more to me than that and to borrow from Ani Di Franco, "I am a poster girl with no poster, I am 32 flavors... and then some..."

She Comes In Colors

I am a complex person who loves to be in control. If there was a handbook on neurosis, I would be the perfect example for it. Everyone always tells me to "Go with the flow. Take my time. Do not judge your own worth by comparing it to the person next to you because life is not a competition. There is no winning and losing. All you have to do is show up." These are all frightening words to tell me- really since I am one who prefers to always be on top of things. I have to admit, I have never learned the art to just breathe, just be and do things at my own pace.

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.

Before the worst

One of those days...
(Tanktop: Zara | Innerwear: La Senza | Jeans: Mango | Bag: Gucci | Accessories: Forever21 | Shoes: S&H)

One of those days where I just didn't feel like playing dress up or getting dolled up and decided to probably what is my most casual look so far...ever, in my entire blogging history. My brother, so very eloquently pointed out Sundays are for chilling so he had persuaded me to trade my sky high heels in and instead wear comfortable loafers and jeans as it was "rest day" and technically low key, thus the entire tank-jeans-loafer combo. I will definitely still go back to all my dolled up looks but as I realized later on that day, dressing down is actually quite fun too!

THE ULTRA COMFY MUSTARD LOAFERS are from S&H and I love them so much!!!
Check out their FB page over at http://www.facebook.com/SnH.fashion

xx, JL

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Feb 12, 2012

Scars in the Making

Shoot Day!
(Top: Topshop | Shorts: Zara | Bag: Givenchy Nightingale | Necklace: Mango | Shades: Topshop | Shoes: Gifts Ahoy)

A very casual outfit as I was to shoot Glitterati's Summer 2012 Collection on location with our gorgeous model Sara Petersen and equally amazing photographer, top blogger and my friend Tricia Gosingtian! I cannot wait to upload the photos... seriously! I am beyond excited and I was so glad to work with an all girl team yet again at this shoot--- Hurray for Girl Power!!!