Mani/Pedi

A few days after going to the spa, I gave myself to another much-awaited treat: a mani/pedi.  For mani/pedi dates, it's best to wear a dress, shorts or anything that's easy to pull up to your knees when you need to soak your feet in a basin of hot, soapy water.  Flip flops are a must as well, but we all know that!  For my mani/pedi date, I wore:

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White tank top (worn under my sweatshirt): Platinum Mall

Black V-neck sweatshirt: export overruns from the lunch market.

Shorts: export overruns from the lunch market.

Silver flip flops: People are People.

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These shorts don't come with a zipper.  It has a sort-of elastic waist, which I think is perfect for bathroom breaks while I'm waiting for my nail polish to dry. Having to pull up a zipper can totally ruin a perfectly good manicure and that's just unacceptable!  What I love about the salons here in Bangkok is they either ask you to pay before you get your treatment (because they know it will be hard to open zippers and wallets with wet nail polish) or they put small electric fans near your hands and feet to help the enamel dry faster.  Speaking of enamel, I veered away from my usual red color and went for something less stariray.

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I'm loving this neutral shade!  It's OPI You're A Doll.

Wide Leg Pants

Wide leg pants daw are in for 2011 so I searched my closet for my widest pair.  It wasn't much of a search really because I only have one pair.  Heehee!  That's because wide leg pants are kinda hard to wear for me.  With the wrong top, you can look lousy.  But maybe that's just me.  Buti na lang uso sya so I was able to get some style inspirations online.  My style inspiration is none other than my favorite Olsen twin:

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Mary Kate Olsen.  Image from People Magazine 

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Hmmm...my "wide leg" pants were not too wide after all.  Haha!  But what the hey!  It made me feel like a million bucks.  Plus, two mommies from school told me that I look nice that day.  Two mommies!  I felt great!

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Aviator shades: from MBK

Top: Old Navy

Pants: export overruns from the Lunch Market

Watch: Richard's Vintage Rolex (a gift from my dad)

Bag: My French Honey Camel Banane 

Sandals: Charles & Keith

  

My Michael Jackson Shirt

After we saw This Is It last year, I immediately went on a quest for an MJ-inspired piece of clothing.  I fell in love with his Balmain but I certainly can't afford it.  Zara wasn't giving me any love that time; none from CPS either.  Kahit nga sa Platinum wala rin.  I probably saw some here in Bangkok but most likely hindi kasya sa kin that's why I didn't get it.  Only H&M in Hongkong gave me some MJ love so when I saw this shirt, I bought it right away.

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Shades: Mango

Shirt: H&M

Tank top (worn under the shirt): export overruns from the Lunch Market

Leggings: from Pat's suking Korean shop in BF

Shoes: Zara

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The shirt is a bit short for leggings so I had to wear a longer tank top under to hide my saddlebags and other flabs.  Heehee!  I also wore red lipstick for a little bit of color.

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I'm going to share with you my secret for long-lasting red lips one day.  Well, it's not really a secret but it's a technique that's worth sharing because I get asked a lot about how my lip color stays on even after eating.

White

Summer's here!  Looks like my black clothes will have to take a backseat for now (which is like 80% of my wardrobe!).  Ang init na kasi.  I wanted to wear something light, breezy and comfy today.  Didn't feel like going out so I just stayed at home to watch dvd.

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Pocket tee: export overruns from the lunch market

Shorts: F&F Blue from Tesco Lotus

Watch: Technomarine

Flipflops: Armani Exchange

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I admire those people who can carry an all-white outfit.  They look so fresh, clean and mayaman.  Haha!  I think I look better in black, but I still try to wear white (feeling mayaman kasi).  
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Btw, I like to wear different textures if I'm going all-out on white.  Notice the pattern on my shirt?  That way, I don't feel the need to put on a necklace or any other accessories to break the monotony.  Also, if you're wearing white, wear nude underwear.  White underwear will show on white clothes.  Unless your intention is to highlight your undergarments, nude is best.

Top 10 Essentials

Just want to share something that I read on the internet...
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According to ELLE fashion director/Project Runway judge, Nina Garcia,  the top 10 essential items in a woman's wardrobe are:
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• The Little Black Dress (LBD)
• A classic men's white shirt
• Cashmere cardigan or turtleneck
• Trench coat
• Denim
• A man's classic watch
• Diamonds
• Ballet flats
• A classic high heel pump
• A great bag
• Bonus: a dramatic piece, like a cocktail ring

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Even if it's a short list, ordinary mortals like me do not have all ten.  Either we cannot afford it (diamonds + cashmere) or we cannot wear it here in the tropics (trench coat).  So, here's my more realistic and more affordable approach on the top 10 essentials list.

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LBD + cardigan:

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LBD: export overruns shop at the lunch market @ Thb100 only! (Php140).  Cardigan: Zara (not cashmere, but I always choose ones that have a nice luxurious finish).

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LBD + classic high heel pump:

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LBD: Platinum Mall

Nude pumps: Central Department store (got it on sale @ Thb399 from original price Thb1,500)

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LBD: same one from the lunch market

Cardigan: Kashieca

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Classic men's white shirt:

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Richard's Calvin Klein.

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Trench coat - you can't really wear a trench coat here in the tropics!  But I think a black jacket or blazer will do just fine.

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Black jacket: AIIZ 

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Denim:

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Jeans: Gap

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Man's classic watch + cocktail ring:

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Watch: Baume & Mercier

Cocktail ring: Diva

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Diamonds -- I don't have diamonds, but I have pearls.  They're more affordable, yet a classic piece of jewelry.

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A great bag -- oh, boy!  That's a tough decision because it's like choosing which among your children is your favorite.  I love them all!  But, I have to choose only one for photo purposes so I'm not playing favorites.  Heehee!

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My Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Speedy 30 because I can wear it with jeans, shorts and dresses.  It can go from casual to dressy.

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Bonus: a dramatic piece, like a cocktail ring:

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Ring: Diva

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Even if I can't afford jewelry just yet, I'm very lucky that I can borrow my lola Nene's or my mom's like my lola's big-a** ring, which I can only wear on special occasions + mom's pearl necklace.

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Lola's other ring, which also my favorite.  It's an oval ring filled with small diamonds set on gold.  Sorry I don't have a bigger photo of the ring but it looks a bit like Bella Swan's engagement ring.  Just google Bella twilight engagement ring :)

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Another dramatic piece that you can have in your wardrobe is a statement necklace.  It's not exactly jewelry, but it's dramatic nonetheless.  And cheaper too!

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All necklaces were made by KIMV :)

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If you notice, there's only one item on the list that I failed to mention: a pair of ballet flats.  That's because I don't have one :(  Sure I have flats but not ballet.  I don't really have "normal" shoes, because I try to be more adventurous when it comes to footwear.  Since I usually wear plain white or black or gray, I want my shoes to be more interesting in terms of color, design...but this year, I want to include more classic pieces in my shoe closet and a pair of ballet flats will be top of the list!