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.

Super Nail Polish

Nail salons here in Bangkok use mostly OPI nail polish and that's probably why a mani/pedi here doesn't come cheap.  But I have to say, this nail polish is super tibay!  Remember when I got my mani/pedi last week?

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My nails last Friday: freshly polished.

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Six days later, my nails look like this:

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My nails are growing out but the nail polish is still hanging on.

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Zero chipped nails!  

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And that's after six days of regular housework like cooking, dishwashing, ironing...napabilib ako ng OPI nail polish na to!  Super nail polish indeed!  Housewife tested, domestic goddess approved!  Heehee!  Sulit ang binayad ko.

How Do They Do It?

On my way back to the apartment this morning, I saw my neighbor at the lobby.  We don't really know each other personally, but we went to the candle making class together a few weeks back.  She's old enough to be my grandmother but she looks great for her age.  I think that's what they call "aging gracefully".  Anyway, she's always dressed in a donya kind of way -- a colorful caftan paired with a couple of bangles, sandals...very resort chic...you get the picture. Her hair, although a short blond bob, was very neat and the make up!  She had full make-up on at 7:30 in the morning!

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How does she do it?

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In Aly's school, there are two moms that I also admire: a Caucasian mom who always looks so pulled together everytime she brings her son to school -- wrap dresses paired with Hermes Birkins and Kellys (she wears a different one everytime I see her!).  She looks so perfectly polished even in her gym clothes!  I've never seen anyone look so chic in a shirt, leggings and rubber shoes.  Parang nakaka-gana tuloy mag-gym because of her -- NOT!  And her gym bag: a Louis Vuitton Damier Geant canvas.  Pang-gym lang ang LV nya.  Sushal talaga!

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The other mommy is more trendy.  The Japanese mom who looks fabulous even in a Hello Kitty tshirt, boyfriend jeans, sandals, oversized shades and the occasional Hermes Kelly.  But I like her Louis Vuitton Vernis Roxbury more.  She wears it with anything and she still looks fab.  She would sometimes pair her denim shorts with a simple shirt, sandals and a stunning silk wrap -- so very Japanese meets Hollywood celebrity.  

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Mind you, she has two girls so I really wonder how she finds time to prepare in the morning.  I only have one and I barely have time to wash my face and brush my teeth.  And I just grab the first thing I see in my closet.  I don't really have time to choose or else Aly will be late.  She doesn't want to be late (mana sa daddy). If I had to put make-up on and choose my outfit for the day, mga 9am na makakarating si Aly sa school.  Bumabawi na lang ako sa hapon pagsundo.  Hahaha!

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I envy those women who look really good so early in the morning.  How do they do it?  What time do they wake up?  Do they even have time to eat breakfast?  
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Naliligo naman ako sa gabi bago matulog.  Todo-spray pa ng cologne.  I spend like 15-30 minutes every night for my evening ritual: brush my teeth, floss, quick shower, moisturize, put on face cream, eye cream, spot-clearing serum for my zits, moisturize my hands and feet again...nakakapagod!  Naiinip madalas si Richard because he has to wait for me to finish before he can use the bathroom.  Kaya minsan inuunahan na nya ko to use the bathroom.  Haha!
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But I still look less stellar compared to those women.  Pero ok lang, sigurado naman na mas magaling akong magluto kesa sa kanila.  Haha!  Bitter Ocampo.  
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Seriously, those women have inspired me to try to look better.  Buti pa si lola, umaga pa lang fabulosa na.  If they can do it, then I -- we most certainly can!  We may not look as fabulous (mahirap tapatan ang mga Hermes), but we surely can look and feel fab in our own little way.  Konting tiis lang.  Mahirap talaga magpaganda :)

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.

What Every Housewife Needs

It's not the latest state-of-the-art kitchen gadget and it's not a top-of-the-line household appliance either.  It's something that's real simple and super cheap (compared to those two mentioned).

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A manicure and a pedicure.

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Surprised?

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For me, a simple manicure can make my hands look fabulous with all the dishwashing, chopping, slicing, cleaning and cooking that I do at home.

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Same goes with a pedicure.  I don't have pretty feet to begin with, but my feet get abused too: walking to my daughter's school, grocery shopping, standing up in the kitchen for hours while preparing our meals, etc.  Plus, I'm usually too tired at the end of the day that I don't have time to properly moisturize my feet.  So they end up looking more, um, unattractive.

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So a mani/pedi really is a treat for hardworking mommies/housewives like me. Lalo na in my case because salon treatments here in Bangkok are more expensive than back home so I don't get them as often as I want.  Pinag-iipunan talaga so it's definitely worth it when I do get them.

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I really love how my hands and feet are instantly transformed with a mani/pedi!  They look so nice and clean, making me look fab so I feel fab as well :)  I feel like I can do anything in the kitchen with a nice manicure.  Feeling ko I'm a rich wife who cooks in designer clothes with designer heels.  Haha!  Pero feeling lang kasi ang totoo, I'm just a regular wife who cooks in non-designer clothes and chinelas.  But that's the power of a manicure for me.

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But really, I think we all need at least one day -- o, sige na nga, at least HALF a day for ourselves.  You know, to get a mani/pedi, a massage, a facial or anything that will make you relax and look beautiful so you will feel beautiful. So if you're a husband/son/daughter who's looking for a nice gift for your wife/mom, treat her to a day at the salon.  She deserves it and she will love it for sure!
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P.S no matter what the trend is, my go-to nail color is red -- the color of power, strength and love :)

The Husband Watch

Also known as the Boyfriend watch, but I don't have a boyfriend -- hello!?! -- so Husband watch it is!

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I'm lucky to have a husband who collects timepieces.  I'm also lucky that I can "borrow" the husband's watch from time to time.  I remember when we were still dating, Richard would wear a different watch on our dinner dates.  I'm not sure if he did it on purpose but I have to say I was very impressed!  Still am, up to this day :)

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I took Richard's newest baby out for a spin the other day.  I wanted to wear something casual and I thought his sporty watch would be perfect.  I'm glad he chose not to wear it to work that day.  Heehee!

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Shirt: Bossini

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Jeans: Gap

Watch: Richard's Suunto Vector

Sandals: Fitflops

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Richard's Suunto was a Christmas gift from me, by the way.  He wanted a sporty watch added to his collection.

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I got gigil with it the moment we saw it at the shop and by gigil I mean I can't wait to wear it myself!  Haha!

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!