Walk a mile in my boots

boots, scarf & fur bag - vintage, jeans - customized bench, tank - forever 21

I was so excited to finally wear my platform boots out, they are probably my favorite find from my recent trip to Baguio. They are seriously the most comfortable boots Ive ever owned, weee! I also got to debut the fur shoulder bag, I have a penchant for furry things, too bad I live in the tropics, so I cant actually use much fur.. the bag was about a dollar, SICKKK.

This night I actually behaved myself, went home at 5am after some drive through Mickey D's.. a stark contrast to the walk of shame I did the night before In my bridesmaids gown and gladiator flats.. at 8am! Epic.

♥

I don't wanna be your friend.. I just wanna be your lover..

jeans - customized bench, plaid shirt & boots - vintage, locket -markets

I have absolutely no idea what that death stare is all about.

And Im alive!

dress - boutique in Singapore, sandals - far east mall (singapore), cardigan - cotton on, bag - vintage chanel

genie pants - bangkok markets (gift), tank - thrifted, sandals - far east plaza (singapore), bag - vintage chanel

boyfriend jeans - vintage calvin klein, tank - terranova, shoes - korean boutique, bag & scarf - vintage

I wouldn't be AWOL for this long if it weren't for my malfunctioning inner-netz connection at home in Cebu. I swear. This wireless modem thingy I got is a big fat piece of poop.

My mojo has slowly made its way back into my life, and Its refreshing, not feeling like the roof is going to come crashing down on me. Being back and with family is just the greatest gift ever, and I have a new found appreciation for the freedom of walking the malls on my own and wolfing down mickey dee's at 5am. I wish I had more time online to catch up with my favorite bloggers and reply to comments, but I am merely mooching off other people's connections, so maybe now is not the time.. but I will find time later! Promise!

What I wanna know is what everyone got for Christmas.. I hope you all had an amazing time opening gifts. I will do a post about what I found under the tree when I get home, but lets just say I have been very blessed on this trip, emotionally, which is exactly what i asked Santa for this year. I cant wait to end this year with our crazy "like-its-1999"-like NYE traditions, and welcoming the new year by witnessing its first sunrise ♥


ps: sorry for the shitty photos.. its that time of the month again for my Canon. hmmft.

Momma knows best

Christmas is usually the time of the year, when my depression hits an all time low. My family lives in Spain, and i have not made it home in a few years. I have an amazing lifestyle here, which just wouldn't be possible for me to have in any other place, but that does not make my homesickness any better during the holidays.

I arrived in my hometown yesterday, after an excruciating 4 hour flight delay, and 2 hours of sleep. I literally had enough time to just drop my bags off, hop in the shower, and make my way back to the city to have dinner with my Nana. A friend of my Mom's from Germany was kind enough to drop off a package for me, sent with love by the best Mom ever. When she asked me months earlier, what i wanted for Christmas, I told her I wanted some of her amazing silk tops, and her vintage Chanel. I would never pay such an obscene amount of money for a handbag, but just having something passed on to you that used to belong to your Mother when she was your age, there is nothing more special to me than that. Not to mention that she has the most beautiful silk blouses from Zara, Atom L. etc. In Spain, we shopped predominantly at Zara, Bershka and Mango, way before it became the "in" thing. Here in the Philippines, Zara is ridiculously priced, and I would never be silly enough to spend so much on something, especially after taking a look at the European prices on the tags and doing the math - they slap on another 20 dollars for a pair of shoes.. seriously you are all being ripped off.

In the package, there was also a set of old photos of mine, growing up in Germany and Spain, at which I chuckled, especially after seeing the one of a 9 year old me, in some RayBan Wayfarers. And those M.I.A.-ish sweaters, well, I would wear those all over again. And check out the one of my dressing up in Moms fur, and pearl earrings.. i guess fashion is just in us, we just never notice how inclined we really are until we get older.

So now my Christmas spirit seems to be back - and with a vengeance, might I add. After picking up my care package and spending time catching up with my cousin, who is getting married in three days, I hit the mall for some midnight madness, and bought heaps of gifts, to pass on my good fortune. You should too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! XXX

Who doesn't love sweets from their childhood?

Thanks, Mom ♥

Sehnsucht

Words are not enough.

Its you, why's it always you and never me?

denim skirt - cant remember, dress - the landmark, bikini top - zara, scarf - F21

Yes, that is a smile on my face. Things are still a little crazy around here, but that night I was so wasted, I couldn't help but smile. Thank you, Mr. Tequila. We started early, and ended up in a wonderfully hysterical conversation with a girlfriend of mine.. the hysteria was Grey Goose induced, which made it even more fun.

Counting down the hours till I go home for the holidays.. I don't think Ive been this excited to wear jeans in a while.. and of course to take my amazing white platform boots for a test drive. I also still need to panic shop for Christmas gifts, and wrap them.. I think I should just become a professional gift wrapper, I enjoy it so much. Ohhh I'm definitely psyched about hitting the malls, even with the million people in them.

Ive asked myself so many questions these last few days. I have faith that in time, those answers will come to me. Its like a roller coaster ride.. but its gotta come to a full halt someday, right? I'm tired of putting my hands up in the air and trying to enjoy the ups and the downs. I just wanna get off, stand on solid ground and start walking..

-♥-

Trouble Sleeping - The Perishers

Emily the Strange

dress - F21, tube top - bershka

• Haircut debut - I finally have my beloved bangs back. I had my stylist cut them a little over the eyebrows just because they usually grow so fast, and I'm kinda diggin' the pin-up girl bangs right now. Now I'm all set for my cousins wedding. Bridesmaid yet again.. the things I do for the people I love.
• I wore this to a friend's birthday. Food was excellent, party favors were oh so fun and we played a little poker, which was great until some really serious guy joined the tournament and ruined our playful mood. And of course, Jelloshots. Yum.
  
• Thanks for your sweet comments regarding my melancholic thoughts.. sometimes you have to choose which you want to put first, your happiness, or others. That in itself is already such a difficult task, and Its been consuming me whole. I have had some amazing conversations with my girlfriends and I'm starting to give myself a little more credit for my efforts.. I wouldn't know what to do with myself If I hadn't found solace in something very special in my life.
• I leave for the city in a few days to spend the holidays with family, and have been packing for three days already. When I get back I will only have 5 days to party, pack and say my temporary goodbyes before Its off to the stinky city. I honestly don't have that much to pack, but the inner-net has been a major distraction and when I start playing Santogold and Lady Gaga, then all I basically end up doing is dance around the room in my underwear.

xxx

Of hearts and bows

Ive been in such a romantic melancholy lately.. the universe just seems to be throwing all these questions at me regarding love, and life. I don't have any of the answers right now, and just pray that one day It will just work itself out.

That is my thumb in the first photo. What can i say, I was painting my nails white, but then it just wasn't enough. Shows where my mind has been lately, hey. The bow I made out of this leftover plastic-like fabric that looks like leather. I glued a safety pin on the back so I can either pin it to a headband, on a tee, belt, dress.. anything really. These bows are gonna take over my life..

I need to do some major shoe shopping for my stay in the city, so if any of you local bloggers know of good places to shop for some wicked shoes in either Cebu, or Manila, please keep me posted.

♥


Across the Universe - The Beatles

Oh, Kate!

Vintage Kate circa 1992.

Photo Source - Foto Decadent

Highschool Lover

dress - lonely planet, cardi - cotton on, bag - gift from friend

Here's the disgusting barbie pink polish I bought at thefaceshop. The flash ruined the neon-ness of it all.

• Apparently Im expected to get married soon. That is news to me.. but it seems everyone is doing it these days. Im gonna be a bridesmaid again after christmas. Again, I am plotting my escape from the bouquet throwing bit.
• I wore this to a wedding. Love these casual beach weddings. If I ever get married, it will be on the beach with maybe 20 people as guests.. Or at a drive through church in Las Vegas, Ive always wanted to meet Elvis. What an honor that'd be.
• This night, I introduced the lovely newly married couple to new ways of enjoying their Tequila. We took pieces of mango and pineapple and basically threw heaps of cinnamon and brown sugar on them, which we then used to chase down the Tequila. They love me even more now, arent I an amazing friend?
• Im pretty loopy these days because of this crazy insomnia that Ive always had, but not this bad in a while. I am so distracted. I wonder why.
• Everyone's been posting about their christmas wishes lately, but Ive been procrastinating; mainly because I want so much, I am afraid of overwhelming you all. What I really really need right now are shoes. Lots and lots of them. Need and want are like the same thing right?
• Guess who is moving back to the city?

x

PS: Blog title is a song from the movie The Virgin Suicides.

Highschool Lover - Air

Labor of love

denim shorts - people are people, shirt - the landmark, denim bow bag - home made

I wore this for some bar-hopping, and to a date with Mr. Absinthe and Mr. Tequila. Friends remarked that it looked like I had no pants on underneath, and therefore looked sexy. I guess I shouldn't worry too much about forgetting to put on pants before leaving the house, nobody seems to mind.

The bag I am carrying is one I made myself. Its inspired by the Collette x Gap collection, and originally started as a clutch. I had leftover denim from my last fight with a pair of light wash denim, which are now a pair of amazing shorts, and so I used what I had and just started cutting and sewing by hand, with no real idea of how I was going to turn it into an actual bow. It was also my first time installing a zipper and I did a little victory dance as soon as I figured it out. Then I had some leftover thick knit from a catastrophic project in which i cut up a benetton knit top, which was too small for me, and glue gunned it onto an old wallet. [That actually turned out fine, except I found a vintage wallet for 20pesos [about $.50] in Baguio, so the new wallet was never used] I used that bit of knit left as lining, which out of laziness, I just glued in. The buttons I added in the end, there is one on each side, so that I can loosen it for more bag space. In the end I added a chain that i stole from a furry shoulder bag that I also purchased in Baguio, which makes it easier for me to carry because lord knows I need my hands for my booze and cigarettes. But i still have plans on sanding off the fringy edges, when find the energy. So all in all it was a pretty successful little operation!

Collette X Gap





PS: On the table the bag looks a little wonky because its empty. And I'm still surprised at how much i can actually fit in it!

PPS: Also, what are those flame boogers shooting out of my nose? lol

"I DIY!"

On my last trip to the city, I stopped by one of my favorite stores, TopShop, for a looksie and found a few things that tickled my fancy. However, after further inspecting my finds, I decided that I would have more fun trying to replicate them, in my own way. So, my next mission is to either find old clothing of mine to deconstruct or thrifting for some materials.. I am especially intrigued by the dip-dye, but sadly have run out of dye, so I'm going to have to wait with that one. The bow tee looks very do-able too and I thought maybe a black bow on a white tee would make for a quirkier version. I shall further explore my options and get back to you all pronto.

I recently decided to go back to school for a little while and to possibly turn a hobby into something that could pay the bills. Its all still in the works, but I have a ticket to the city after NYE, and am thrilled, anxious, excited, scared and feel all these other emotions I couldn't possibly describe in words. But at the end of the day, all the decision making has made me a wreck, and so I'm looking forward to just getting things done and getting started on my new little project.

Maybe tomorrow I have something more interesting to say.

♥

Climbing up the walls

shorts - thrifted & DIYed, shredded tee - F21 (DIYed), shoes - vintage converse chuck taylors

denim shorts - people are people, dress - gift from mom (shortened), gladiators - cotton on, bag - vintage

My Nana got a big fat shock when I showed up on her doorstep in all my grungy goodness. She especially despises my ripped baggy shorts, and my high top converse chucks. She pretty much just stared at them and didn't say a word until I jokingly asked her how she liked my shoes, to which she didn't reply, but just shook her head with a disgusted look on her face. Oh, how I ♥ my Nana. She must have thought I needed money to buy "proper" clothes, because before leaving, she handed me a little shopping money.. she also gave me a really heavy gold bracelet my Lolo (granddad) made. Going to see my Nana always brings me so much joy. I silently promised to not disappoint her wardrobe wise when I go home this Christmas.

Now lets answer tags.

I was given this by oddgirldiaries.

♥

Im supposed to pass it on to 7 bloggers so here it goes.
Kristin & Val of BLEACHBLACK
HOTROBOT
Ode to Procrastination
Stompface
Mode Junkie
and my lovely skurbanista

Ive also been tagged by my sista from another mista HOTBOT.
6 Random Things That Make Me Smile

• keeping in touch with friends from across the globe, especially the extra special ones.
  
• thrifting/vintage shopping - especially when I find lots of goodies
• sewing! making stuff in general, especially when my friends ask me, "where did you buy that?"
  
• music. when I feel crappola and all, radiohead. when happier, dancehall. these days, my new favorite, Elliott Smith [♥]
• talking to girlfriends about boys. its still entertaining, up to this day.
  
• when I feel sticky on a hot day and jump into the water to swim or kite, and to cool off. its the best feeling ever.

I again tag the ones I tagged above, and whoever wants to do the tag.

Ive been in a catatonic state lately, and not much has helped. I am anticipating change for the beginning of the year, and am a nervous wreck, my anxiety is just getting the best of me. So now I will lie down again and immerse myself in Radiohead and Elliott Smiths melodic melancholy.

climbing up the walls - radiohead (zero 7 remix)

Wedding belles and blues

shorts & tank - cotton on, plaid shirt - thrifted, shoes - korean shop, bag - vintage, sunnies - F21

I took my boyf to get a haircut at the fabulous Henry Calayag Salon in Greenbelt, did some window shopping at the new GB5, and then we headed to the hotel to get made up and dressed. We were bridesmaids and our boyfriends groomsmen, half the entourage consisted of our little Boracay family, and the grooms guests were a colorful who's who of island royalty. The bride was blooming and the groom dashing, and I couldn't help but get a little sentimental during the ceremony.

At the reception, I did my best to not catch the bouquet, drank loads of champagne and went home with cake. Three of my most talented friends jumped on stage for a spontaneous performance that rocked the house. I was blown away by the radness of it all.


PS: Paula says the makeup artist made me look like JLo in her "Matrona" and Ben Affleck days. I'm still trying to figure out if that was supposed to be a compliment.. or not.