Outfit of the Day - Nearly All Black

I was supposed to share this last night, but Internet has been slow.



A few days before brother flew to Cagayan de Oro, we both attended the NBA 3X presscon at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. It is located way too far from our house, so we traveled very early just so we won't be late (and we were also excited to see NBA players in person). Obviously, we got there ahead of time, giving us the chance to roam around the hotel grounds and of course, pose for pictures.

Lately, I noticed I have gained weight, mainly because of stress. I sometimes don't understand it - at work I sometimes forget to eat and when I do I don't get to eat a lot because my break time is short... and at home I sometimes just sleep because I was already tired, and I still am gaining weight. I am starting to feel conscious about it, so I went for a (nearly) all black ensemble for this event.

Top - Esprit
Leggings - bought at a tiangge
Shoes - Auztralian

The shoes I wore was the other pair I bought at Landmark the last time I shopped. It was a pair of tall wedge (probably 5 inches), but very comfortable to use. I normally don't go for black-brown combination, but I wanted to test drive the wedge, and I was glad it didn't give me any sorts of discomfort.

Thrifted Pants: Altered!

Happy new week, folks!

Last January, sister and I went to La Union to witness cousin Theresa's wedding. One day, Aunt Julie asked me if I want to do thrift shopping (for I once shopped there), and I told her I might not, because I took a small bag and I didn't have ample time to search for awesome steals. She told me she's selling some hand-me-down clothes, and I might want it.

Story behind it - one of her friends works as a nurse in the United States. Every once in a while, she would send some package, containing all sorts of stuff: food, soaps, perfumes, and some still-in-mint-condition clothing, which (I assume) she didn't want to dispose and would rather give it away. Her clothes are way too big for my Aunt, and knowing I am the same size as my friend, she thought she could just sell it to me.

Now why sell it to me instead of just giving it, after all I am her niece? Well, this friend of hers has a relative who's currently sick, and my Aunt partly takes care of the patient. Her friend has been very nice to her all these years, so she wanted to help by selling some of the stuff she sent in, and the money collected she will use to buy tins of Ensure, a dietary supplement. I personally didn't want to buy it for I am saving my money, too, but because it would be for a good cause, I went ahead and bought 4 pairs of pants (Aunt gave me a shirt as a "giveaway").

Briggs | Faded Glory | St. John's Bay

Three of the pants were of awkward length, which makes me look shorter and fatter. I can (of course) wear these as is, but since it's summer here now and I am not comfortable wearing the pants at this length, I decided to alter them (yesterday), just like what I did to one of my slacks.

Altering was very simple - I just cut them to desired length, folded the ends and secured it with a blanket stitch.

Briggs | Faded Glory | St. John's Bay

One of the pairs turned out to be uneven (ha ha ha), but not really noticeable. Yes, I still look fat (for I really am fat), but I guess I could say I don't look shorter anymore. My pants are now ready for summer!

Rags2Riches by Aranaz | Nudos Holiday Collection 2012

Payatas in Quezon City is one of the Philippines' largest dumpsites and home to some 12,000 families. Some people living in area make a living by collecting garbage and rug-making using scrap fabrics. As difficult as their life situation can be, it became more difficult for the women of Payatas when their situation got exploited by some middlemen controlling the supply of scrap fabrics and their access to market (to sell their goods).

In 2007, Rags2Riches was created to provide equal opportunities for the women as well as giving them chance to showcase their inner artistry. R2R is a for-profit social enterprise based in Manila that creates eco-ethical fashion and home accessories out of indigenous, organic, and upscaled scrap cloth. Partnering with top Filipino fashion designers - Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, and Oliver Tolentino, their visions helped in turning scrap materials into fashion items.


Just last week, I was able to attend the launch of Amina Aranaz-Alunan's new collection - Nudos. Spanish for "knots," the inspiration for this collection came from Ms. Aranaz-Alunan's book about making knots.


I just loved how the bags and accessories look like, very stylish and very modern. More than that, knowing the history behind Rags2Riches, I know each of these pieces were handcrafted with (as cheesy as it might sound) love. :)


Presenting the R2R by Aranaz Nudos Holiday Collection 2012:

Top Left - Cartera Bag
Top Right - Lazo Necklace; Amara Bag
Middle Left - Lazo Necklace; Sobre Bag
Middle Right - Pulsera Bracelet; Lazada Bag
Bottom Picture - Ms. Amina Aranaz-Alunan with the Models


More details about the bags and accessories -

• Cartera (Bag) - Purse in knitted cotton x-small basket weave; knotted braid accent with magnetic snap and knotted ball puller; cotton lining with interior pocket. Dimensions - W 10" x H 5" x D 1.25"
• Pulsera (Bracelet) - Cuff bracelet with knotted braid accent; vachetta leather with golden snap enclosure
• Amara (Bag) - Braided clutch with wooden frame accent; removable antique chain strap and magnetic closure; cotton lining with interior pocket. Dimensions - W 9.5" x H 7.5" x D 2.75" | Chain 25"
• Cuadrada (Bag) - Molded clutch in abaca with knotted ball accent; quilted cotton lining, magnetic closure. Dimensions - W 6" x H 4.25" x D 2.25"
• Lazada (Bag) - Molded clutch in abaca with braided trim detail; knotted cotton flap with magnetic closure; quilted cotton lining. Dimensions - W 7.5" x H 4.75" x D 2.5"
• Sobre (Bag) - Envelope clutch in x-small basket weave; jute flap with magnetic closure and knotted braid accent; cotton lining with interior pocket. Dimensions - W 13.5" x H 8.5" x D 1.25"
• Lazo (Necklace) - Necklace with three cotton knot pendants; braided cotton strap with braided string, antique chain and suede string accents.
• Cuello (Necklace) - Knotted cotton braid choker; braided string, antique chain, and suede string strap.

As I have said, each of the pieces were beautiful, but if I am to pick a favorite it would have to be the Cuadrada bag. I love the feel when holding it; the size was just right to be used at a formal event - and it can hold the basics items needed when attending a formal event (lipstick, foundation, blusher, even a cellphone). Two of cousins are set to get married early next year, and I guess seeing this bag signals that I have to save up for it. Well, the bags and accessories aren't that expensive, but I still have to save up.

If you're interested in any of pieces from the Nudos Holiday Collection 2012, you can visit the Rags2Riches outlet at Unit 3B, Cubao Expo - General Romulo Avenue, Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City or call them at +63 (02)913-5760. For more information, you can check out their website - www.rags2riches.ph or email them at info@rags2riches.ph.

OOTD: Mom's Birthday

Whoa, when was the last time we updated this blog? Well, apologies about that... good thing though is that I just bought my own netbook, so I can now start sharing different facets of my life on this blog, so it won't be sister doing all the "work."

This is our newest blog - though we opened this several months ago, so we want to update it as much as we can, so sister thought of having a schedule. For Mondays, it'll be about Fashion, and today I'd like to share what I wore when the family went out to celebrate mom's birthday.


This was just a simple outfit I decided to wear because I knew we would be walking a lot that day - as mom wanted to have pictures here and there (she doesn't go out that much, that's why). One thing to know about me, I am not really that eager to buy clothes - I don't like checking the racks for hours and fitting the clothes, but I could say I do have a closet-full of clothes; thanks to my mom and sister who would shop clothes for me. Well, I am not a fashionista, but my sister said I could carry clothes well despite my chubby figure, so the clothes she hopes she could wear she sometimes buy for me to wear.

Such is the case with the top I was wearing. Sister and I were at a thrift shop, saw it and felt sad it was small for her size. She has this liking for tops with buttons at the chest area, and because it has two colors and two components, she felt I should bought it... and I did.

The pair of shorts was my sister's gift to me earlier this year - this was my first time to own white-colored shorts; I never really tried buying/wearing white shorts or pants prior to this as I knew wearing them would be "high-maintenance," but when I wore this for the first time I fell in love with it. Now, this has got to be the pair of shorts I often wear - I realized, wearing white shorts felt good as it looks clean, therefore I feel clean, too.

Accessories is my current struggle... I usually go as plain as this; I think I need to learn how to accessorize right. These pictures were taken by my sister, at the Bonifacio High Street - Taguig City.

Top - thrifted
Shorts - American Eagle Outfitters
Shoes - Skechers
Bag - Chat Chat