In This Moment Now. Capture It...Remember It.

“And somewhere along the way, amidst all the loss, tears, triumph, tragedy, joy, pain, laughter, transformation, restoration, lessons, love, and life, you realize that the true meaning of it all isn’t to settle for merely a Happy Ending, but to hold out for a Happy Everything.” 

 I think it is a nice thing to begin the year and my blog posts for 2015 with a lot of color and from the balloon post from the last time to this very colorful Graffiti wall post, I am thinking I've got that whole thing covered. Seeing things in color is a really big deal...for someone who tends to see things in black and white (most of the time)...aka., me. Personally, I don't think that the things I go through are unusual. I have learned time and time again that we are all going through something... it just varies from person to person. I think the most important thing is how we handle the situations and how well we play the cards we have been dealt with... and that's why there are happy people, who go along life with so much optimism and hope that better things are yet to come and then there's unhappy people, who tend to prefer to regard life as chaotic and their situation dire and hopeless. I used to be the latter but then I decided that it was just so tiring and inevitably, unhealthy to always be so negative that I traded my jersey and joined the other team... and so far, I think I've made the right decision. I absolutely love the side I am in and finally, everything is more colorful, brighter and more interesting. I know that I have so much more to learn and discover. I am happy for the things I have gone through- both the good and the bad- as I think these experiences have shaped me to become the person that I am today. I consider myself blessed to have gone through storms because it proved how strong I was and when I look back at everything I have gone through (and managed to get out of alive), I am reminded that I've managed to survive so many things and that no matter what curve ball life wants to throw at me, I know I will survive it just the same. I think everything that happens to us happens for a reason and for me, I think that it has made me the person that I am today and now that I can finally see clearly, I refuse to stray away from what is good and right and real.

We Found Wonderland

You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drum. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.

It's been a good 11 days since my last blog and I apologize for the lack of updates. The thing is- I wanted to make my blogs for this year extra special and amazing so I knew I had to actually make time for every outfit post. Until three days ago, I was actually quite distracted by other things (one of them, being video answers on Ask.fm which I found so much fun) and while my social media presence was actually quite very strong, unfortunately my blogging had to take a backseat. However, now that I am back, expect me to be back in full force... with guns blazing... I am excited to share with you my outfit and my thoughts for the year to come... so let's get started with this post...

My Altuzzara don't want none unless you've got Fierce Down

Okay, so I played around with the words of Nicki Minaj's song, Anaconda, but really, can anyone blame me? The lyrics are quite explicit so I don't think I can respect myself to put them as my blog title (although it does give you a severe case of last song syndrome after you hear it) and I knew I just needed to use the song as inspiration for this outfit... since it's snakeskin and all. I know it's a tricky print to wear but to be frank, this was actually my first choice when I saw the Altuzzara x Target look book and immediately phone my sister because I wanted to have it. I love animal prints but I wanted to give all that a spin and wear a snake skin print... for a change. My goal was to make it tasteful and classy and well, if you know me, I am always up for a challenge.

Autumn Afternoon

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
                                                                                 ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

For most people, I am sure, October seems like such an awkward month. It signals in a lot of changes and transformations happen.  I have come to realize now that transformation sometimes begins with a fall. So never curse the fall. Personally, I am learning to embrace all the seasons and the changes that accompany it. I find that there is something nostalgic and significant about the season. Out with the old, in with the new... transformation is such a wonderful and often unappreciated thing. As with seasons changing, so does my outfit configurations and I find myself removing all the cool and casual ensembles from my rack and start to layer. There is nothing more that signifies the start of a new season for a fashion blogger than a change in outfits pending. There is an adjustment but in time, we learn and get accustomed to it. I sure did which is why it is absolutely so easy for me to discard my summer clothes and immerse myself in layers and knits and cold weather wear. Adapting to the changes is key. So here I am getting all knitty gritty in my favorite and fail safe fall staples: a cozy knit wrap that is so soft that one can snuggle in it. I find a strange sense of comfort in wearing clothes that keep me warm and are at the same time fuzzy. The weather definitely does not dictate for something that is too binding and uncomfortable.

So Adorably Clueless

Growing up, one of the most iconic movies I watched was Clueless. I read Jane Austen's Emma as a child and loved that Clueless was basically a modern day adaptation of that. It was the '90s version of Mean Girls and for nineties child, it was the movie to watch. I was so obsessed with it that I memorized the entire script from beginning to end. It was one of those "coming of age movies" that made 95% of the teenybopper girl relate to it. I mean, who could forget Cher Horowitz going, "As if!" and then copying it down to the very accent. So since it is Thursday and a big thing on Thursdays are Throw Backs- here's my version of one. I am in an outfit that is an ode and tribute to Cher's first look from the movie but this time, in pink because I didn't want to be costumey. (Exhibit A: Iggy Azalea in her Fancy music video already got it down to a tee). Well aside from being fancy (and you already knowing it,) I also have to go to work and while I did get the "why is your skirt too short?" comment from my dad which I was able to justify like Cher many times in the movie starting off with, "Daddy..." I am also quite proud of coming up with the ensemble as I always wanted to wear something like this. I mean, who wouldn't?

White Out

White on white is a very difficult outfit to wear. I know because there have been many times I have tried sporting this look and failed. Apparently, as with life, you can't help getting dirty or soiled at the end of the day. Circumstances make it almost impossible for us to remain clean and pure... in fashion, these may come in the form of accidentally grazing your outfit against a dirty pavement, spilling a beverage on your outfit or if you're really unlucky, accidentally blotting a pen on your clothes (and I think the common consensus on this is the stain of a pen is the hardest to remove on white clothing). In life, there are so many events and circumstances that we have to face which requires actually getting our hands dirty and I guess remaining untarnished and unstained is a privilege most of the population is granted (myself not included). However, I got to thinking and told myself, "what the heck," since we are all just winging it, I might as well try. I have always believed in the whole what you risk reveals what you value school of thought and I think I value learning very much so I decided to risk going white on white and go all in thus the outfit. It was a particular rainy day when I wore this (talk about wrong timing right?) but I was shocked to see that as the day ended, I was almost practically unscathed except for a few minor dust marks which could be easily erased... nothing permanent enough actually.

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..."

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.

Stability.

Sweat it out.
(Dress: Zara | Sweater: Mango | Bag: US | Boots: Zara | Knee-high socks: Zara)

"No sign of any rain
My skies are clear today
I keep bracing for that hit
But there's not sign of it
No obstacles in sight
My skies are clear tonight (My skies are full of light)
I keep thinking I might see that cloud arrive
Oh but there's no sign of it
No sign of it"

xx, JL

My style gallery outfits

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Hang With Me

Comfortable in Cashmere.
(Sweater: Zara | Bag: Stam Bag by Marc Jacobs | Shoes: DAS | Accessories: Cultus ChiChi)

I wore this comfortable but also glam gold knit sweater dress from Zara to a belated New Year's Celebration with friends over at Relik Tapas Bar in the Fort. Since the dress was quite simple, I decided to make a statement with this pair of Scene Stealer heel-less shoes from DAS which are the glittery/ new year party element in my outfit. Wore my nude Marc Jacobs Stam bag and piled on gold necklaces to finish the look.

It was a fun night out with friends but I was quite sad since my sister left for the U.S. (where she is based) on the same night. Sigh.

xx, JL

Photos from the night....

My sister pseudo-chef-ed at home and cooked us some Spaghetti con tartufo e pancetta
(her own recipe)

Fever Dream: I love my Yosi Samra Flats

From Prada to...Nada (HEELS, I mean)
(Draped coat: Ryui | Sweater Dress: H&M | Shoes: Yosi Samra | Glassses: Prada Baroque Minimal)

I've been sick and under complete house arrest the past few days (think: 10 days and counting) I am not complaining however as I need this time to rest and recuperate, given that this was my 3rd relapse of the same sickness and my body was literally at its worst (I've had fever for 4 straight days now, this is the first day I don't so wish me luck- hope I am on the road to recovery)

In line with that, here are my RULES when it comes to beating down the fever in style...

JL's RULES ON LOOKING GOOD WHEN YOU'RE SICK...

Be comfortable. Being sick is not the time to stress about your outfit or what you are wearing. The main focus is: GETTING BETTER. Sleep, rehydrate and relax- put on those pjs and hop into bed. But then again, sickness is never an excuse to be sloppy, I mean this in that time when you have to get out of bed and visit the doctor for a checkup,which if you do, you can still choose to dress up stylishly. Dressing down does not mean dressing in distress so go for the classics and prioritize COMFORT over STYLE. (This is the one time you can use this excuse)



How I did it: 1) A Sweater Dress thats easy to put on works wonders. It is a classic, easy to wear piece and it will keep you warm.


2) You need to battle the chills, and the trick is to layer. Choose an over sized coat that will cover your neck, back and that will keep you absolutely warm enough to brave the elements.

3) Do not bother to go all out on the makeup- a simple tinted moisturizer, lip tint and concealer are all you need (well for me anyway- that works). To hide the puffy eyes and the obvious sick blank stare (trust me, it shows)- opt for sunglasses. Yes, ladies, maximize it. I decided to debut my Prada sunnies on this occasion since I needed to feel somehow better and wearing this pair did!



4) WEAR FLATS. I would rarely give this advice given I am the Queen of High Heels. But when you have fever, trying to balance and go against gravity shouldn't really have to be an issue so give your feet a rest. Opt for ballet flats- and wear it like a boss!


En Pointe in my Yosi Samra Ballet Flats

In my case, I gave my feet some pampering with this really amazing pair of almost electric blue foldable ballet flats from YOSI SAMRA

I always nag about wearing flats as they hurt my feet more than heels. I have developed an arch which makes it easier to wear heels thanks to years and years of high heeled reinforcement and a stint on ballet when I was younger but surprisingly, these shoes didn't hurt my feet at all. I was so happy to have my feet flat on the ground without developing blisters or a wound! Talk about finding the perfect pair of flats for me!



Trust that this pair will be on my carry on bag (yes I keep a separate just in case of emergency bag- separate from the bag I carry handy with supplies..I'm really a girl scout that way) and will be my go to shoes for when I need to give my feet some pampering and rest.

Click HERE to LIKE YOSI SAMRA's FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/YosiSamraPhilippines

xx, JL
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ABOUT YOSI SAMRA: Press Release Courtesy of Spot.ph



Kiss those killer corns goodbye! Carry-anywhere Yosi Samra ballet flats are a handy (and pretty) solution to tired feet screaming to be let loose from torturous heels. The women's footwear brand has over 6,000 funky styles available so you'll never have to worry about sacrificing style for comfort.

Each pair is made with durable rubber and comfy elastic bands for a snug fit. Choose from the leather, satin, patent, and suede collection and get a pair in metallic, burnished, perforated, animal print, two-tone, and limited edition tie-dye designs. Each pair offers a split-sole structure and can be folded and stored in a nifty 4.5” x 3” pouch, making it the perfect travel buddy.

Yosi Samra is exclusively distributed by Green Tee Inc. at GAS, Greenbelt 3, Makati City and TriNoma Mall, Quezon City.

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My style gallery outfits

Visit my CHICTOPIA: http://www.chictopia.com/joannaladrido


Visit Deal Dozen, a lifestyle and deals site I am writing for,
http://www.dealdozen.com

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