I looked around the room and saw a room full of girls in different shades of lipsticks, in well-drawn brows and well-contoured cheeks. However, I did not see girls who are consumed with vanity, rather, I saw girls who know how to take care of themselves. I saw empowered women who knows how important it is to look presentable and beautiful. I saw a girl wearing the brightest shade of red lipstick and I saw confidence. I spotted a lady in plum lipstick and I saw boldness. Make-up should not …

“You put your high heels on and you change” – Manolo Blahnik
I could not agree more and I think every lady who has been instantly transformed will nod in unison. All superficiality aside, a pair of stunning stilettos can indeed boost a girl’s confidence.  But a downside cannot be avoided. It can also be headache inducing! A headache is exactly what I got when I won a shoe contest hosted by my friend Rhea of Beez’s Closet. A headache I’ll have any day at any given time! She asked me …

I am not a bag person, or so I thought.  Moving to a new place proved me wrong.
As I was clearing my decks of earthly possessions (a.k.a happiness), it came as a big surprise to me that I have a considerable number of bags. It sure looks few and far between when not in a pile. And because a garage sale was in order I was able to put up for sale those that I haven’t used for a long time. Nonetheless, despite giving up almost half of the stockpile, I …

The Yuletide season sure is fast-approaching! I can clearly remember that growing up, my sister and I eagerly waited for the BER months and one of the many, many reasons — sky-is-the-limit shopping! My dad will let us shop to our heart’s content as an early Christmas treat. Well, at least that was when we were teens already, as before that, my mom dressed us up in matching outfits from head to toe and we were even made to sport matching hairstyles! How I miss! And now, all grown up …

Husband: By, Leona’s bakeshop in SM already closed.
Me: Really? But I love their cakes.
Husband: Powerbooks also and all the other restaurants in that row.
Me: Why?!
Husband: Guess what replaced it? Answered prayer in your case.
Me: OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!!!! FOREVER bleeping 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I went bananas. And most probably all the other Cebuanas are pretty hyped too. FOREVER 21!! Back in Lombard, the only cure to a bad case of homesickness is a trip to Forever21. I spent hours going through racks and racks of clothes. Spent …

This tip-off is a tad late as all of you must’ve already noticed that feathers are everywhere! The afficionados of bohemian fashion are rejoicing. I am not big on dangling earrings but these lovely feathers might just make me change my mind. Exuding a “free-spirited” vibe, it can surely add that certain spice to your outfit.
Take notes from these Hollywood celebs:

Buy:

Zara

Forever21

Check your hemlines, ladies!
It shouldn’t be too short, nor too long as the middle sister of minis and maxis is making a comeback. Mid-calf-length skirts from the 40s and 70sare this season’s top squeeze. Midi skirts are ultimately feminine and undeniably chic with a subtle hint of sexiness. And there’s a wide array of choices on how you’ll sport one – full, pencil, strait, sheer, pleated.

Marc Jacobs
Mango
Topshop
Mulberry

My sister and I, in our mandatory matching outfits and carbon-copied haircuts ,  used to click-clack around the house wearing mom’s high-heeled shoes pretending to be in-charge of the world and heavenly bodies. We would overmodest-ly chuckle, whisper about what we would pretend to be life-or-death dilemmas and whisper more about earth-shattering solutions. For a moment we were grown-ups having the time of our lives. And we owe it to our mom’s big-girl shoes.  Today, I still find myself somewhat empowered by the pair I am wearing. I still wear …

Disclaimer: This post is mainly me ranting about my skin.
Disclaimer’s disclaimer: Happy ending.
My skin products cost an arm and a leg, and, no it is not by choice and also not because I am profoundly vain. I spend too much on skin products because I have to. You see, unfortunately, I have highly sensitive skin. I’ve had allergies since I was a kid and my visits to various dermatologists is at some point a routine already. My mom told me that I was allergic to almost anything and my poor …

The presence of global brands in our fashion industry unquestionably poses a challenge to our striving local brands. However, I do not see this as any form of hitch or detriment to products produced domestically. Rather, it ought to be considered as a needed kick and push. It sets the stage, the globalization of trends, I believe, is a way of squeezing positive competitiveness. Leading to augmented quality, innovative strategies and a more strategic branding.
Case in point: Fish18
Loalde Group recently beefed up their apparel empire by launching a retail concept …