HOW TO WEAR KHAKI: BATIK

Here's the last outfit that I came up with using this pair of khaki pants! (Check first and second look.) Printed shirt like this will never fail to grab attention. I mean how can you not mind this Batik print that's on my polo?? Proud to say that I scored this from a thrift shop! *cue Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' Thriftshop*

I've buried all my pullovers and jackets on the inside of my cabinet as using them under the scorching sun would make me look insane to the eyes of judging people. Unique, short sleeved tops are my substitutes. I can see that printed polos will continue to be on trend so I'm still stocking up on this. I've recently discovered an online shop that sells cheap but unique finds and I'm not gonna share it with you just because.

Hype this on lookbook here.

Thrifted polo | Bench khaki | Vans shoes

HOW TO WEAR KHAKI: NEAT AND CLEAN

If there's a pair of pants that I overuse next to my maong jeans, it would definitely be my khaki. It's as versatile as the blue ol' jeans as you can pair it with basically anything! Here's the first of the 3 looks I came up with!

Hype this on lookbook here.

Topman jacket | Giordano buttondown | Bench khaki | Swatch shoes

Personally, I think anything in the shade of blue goes well with khakis. Everytime I see people wearing this combination, I feel an inner gratitude and satisfaction (LOL!) Sporting these colors altogether is one of the best decisions you'll ever make in your life. Like seriously. One of the best color combinations! Go for this look and you'll surely come as neat and clean!

CHANGES

January marked some major changes in my life. I started working 2^nd week of this month after being a house bum for about 2 months. My work starts at 9 in the morning. I live in a place that’s 2-2.5 hours away from my work place so I have to wake up 3 or 4 hours earlier to prepare myself and all. I was never a morning person. Since the start of my 2^nd year in college, my schedule was set in the afternoon so waking up before sunrise is definitely new for my body.

Before, I usually get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a day. Today, 6 hours is the max I can get. Coffee is the only thing that keeps me alive; as if it’s the element that circulates into my veins instead of blood. I couldn't imagine myself surviving a day without caffeine. (I usually have 3-4 cups a day at the office.)

When it comes to working environment, I’m adapting steadily. I’m fortunate to have the most congenial officemates in the world that helps me to adjust quicker. I’ve learned to enjoy the work itself, and I am grateful to have new and old friends as my co-workers who make the workloads bearable. My focus towards work is not perfection but gradual improvement; precision takes time.

Mondays are always the death of me. It's the day when the lines going up the MRT station reach 1 kilometer long. The travel going to my office has been my daily battle for almost 2 months now. I've become a pro in judging (both constructively and destructively) people based on how they dress up, and I've mastered the art of playing asleep inside the train so I won't have to give my seat to other people (sorry girls for not being a gentleman, I NEED to sit). The case changes for elderly women though.

I never realized how hassle it was to travel via train during rush hour until I experienced it myself. My usual travel time is this: 15-20 minutes from my place to MRT station; 30 minutes – 1 hour falling in line (here's a picture of how long the line is but I think this is quite shorter compared to what I experience daily); 30 minutes from MRT to Ayala Station; 15-20 minutes from Ayala Station to the office.

A friend told me that the biggest challenge in work is not excelling but finding a work-life balance. I guess I failed at this challenge as my lifestyle is slowly changing into something I never saw coming. I only get to go out with friends during Fridays and I'm afraid I can no longer do such thing come our busy season. I'm already missing the good life.

Uniqlo button up | Straighforward Clothing shorts | Swatch shoes | NYS Collection sunglasses | Flying Dutchman bag

Hype this on lookbook here.

THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED ME ANYWAY

Hype this on lookbook here.

Topman shirt | Folded and Hung shorts | Vans shoes | SM Dept Store snapback and polo | sunglasses

Overdue post from our third and last day in Baguio! Ditched the sweaters and pants and opted for a shirt and shorts instead since we went back to hot Manila in the afternoon. Bipolar Manila weather is bipolar. Last 2 weeks it was too hot, last week it was cold. What could be the weather the upcoming weeks?

Birthday suit

Top, shorts and shoes all available at SM Department Store.

Nope, I'm not naked in this post like the usual birthday suits. Neither it's my birthday but my dad's 52nd and my granddad's 80th! It was held at a resort so I came up with a summery getup! Anyway, everything I'm wearing here can all be found inside SM Department Store! There are really great treasures inside department stores, you just have to have a keen sense of sight! I don't normally go shopping there before cuz I used to (and still, sometimes) collect paper bags from different boutiques, lol so weird!

I just started my on-the-job training this week -- it's pretty stressful but at least I get to dress properly everyday meaning I can update this blog at least twice to thrice a week, hopefully! Also, it's starting to rain so we can already wear sweaters, jackets and hoodies! Hooray!

Travel Diary: Ilocos Day 3

Down to my last Ilocos travel diary!

The first place in our itinerary was Bantay Abot Cave. We all have no idea what awaits us until we reached the area. It turned out that we have to walk on sea rocks (the ones where waves crash!) to get into the cave - in short, liguan ito! There was a problem though: We were not dressed to go for a dip! Our tour guide forgot to inform us so we decided not to push through with it. Besides, it was also high tide. The picture above shows the view from the area.

We then headed to Hannah’s Beach Resort situated right in front of the famous Blue Lagoon! (Photo from Google) This is just one of Philippine’s hidden gems! The captivating crystal clear waters and white sand beach are just too perfect!

It is where the longest zip line in the world over water can be found! Other activities include speed boat, banana boat, jet ski, kayak, surf boards, ATVs, etc! The place is really for adventurers!

And yup, I've conquered the longest zip line, ever! 1.150 km baby!! It’s my first time to try this kind of activity and it was really fun! The view of Blue Lagoon from up above was so fascinating. I wanted to fall into the waters from where I was hanging.. no just kidding. Ahhh can’t put into words the beauty of blue lagoon!! You guys should include it to your bucket list!

Karyoka - cassava cue with young coconut skewered on a stick that's being sold around Hannah's. Tastes so much like butsi for me!

I forgot to include this on my Day 1 post. When in Vigan, eat Kabatiti, Puki-puki, Utong, Bagnet and Empanada! Oh the names they give to their food..

Kabatiti and Puki-puki! NOM :))

First time to try a legit empanada from Ilocos! I haven't tried one during my first visit. Filling includes veggies, longganisa, bagnet and egg. Tastes much better when freshly cooked.

After our short adventure to Hannah’s Beach resort, we visited the red-brick church built in neo-classical style, Sta. Monica Parish – the church with the longest aisle in Southeast Asia! The whole complex took 10 years to build. It is also where Irene Marcos, daughter of the late Ferdinand Marcos, got married to Gregorio Araneta.

The giant tree on the left is said to absorb one’s weaknesses once you hug it.

Speaking of the Marcoses, a trip to Ilocos would not be complete without visiting places in relation with them. Birthplace of Marcos is where Ferdinand was, well, born.

Some paintings hanging on the wall

This room contains plaques, awards, recognitions and other memorabilia of Marcos

One of the 29 houses that the Marcos regime was able to build during its two decades of power is  the Malacañang of the North. This served as the official residence of the first family whenever they are in Ilocos. It was transformed into a museum a few years after Ferdinand's death to showcase his memorabilia.

Incidentally, Imelda Marcos and her two children, Bong-Bong and Irene were all there. Thought we couldn't see the inside of the mansion because tourists are prohibited from entering. They left after a few minutes though.

We all lined and waited outside, hoping to have a glimpse of them, but no. They didn't even open the windows of their cars. Wow ha. Lapit pa naman na ang eleksyon.

Anyhoo, you can see the inside of the house for P30. All I can say is: IT’S HUGE! I wonder if they ever bump into each other.. Or how do they know in which part of the house one is at?

This what greets people upon entering.

Ferdinand's office, I suppose.

Conference area

2nd floor. Lots of chairs and tables to accommodate their visitors!

Set of photos in one of the many rooms. I've been planning to print my photographs and hang them just like this!

Dining area

Beautiful painting of Paoay Church inside the dining area

Overlooking the balcony is Paoay Lake. Imagine waking up in the morning and having breakfast with this as your view!

The very last place we visited was the Marcos Mausoleum where the remains of Ferdinand lies down.

There are two sides of stories regarding his remains being showed to the public (to those who haven't been here before, his body lies on top of a tomb, enclosed inside a glass coffin):

1.) It is not really Ferdinand but a waxed version of him; his real dead body is hidden under where the wax sits and is continuously being injected with formalin. Reason: The Marcoses still want Ferdinand to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani.

2.) It is really Ferdinand but coated with wax. Whenever there are no visitors, the body is being dragged below where it is sited to be injected with formalin.

The two stories somehow have something in common but I believe more on the first side of the story. What do you think?

Beside the mausoleum is the Marcos Museum that houses more Ferdinand's memorabilia. Also beside it is another house of the Marcoses. And guess what, Imelda arrived just before we leave. We tried again to have a glimpse of her pero ayaw yata talaga magpakita. Okay, di wag.

If you haven't seen my first two days in Ilocos, click here and here. Hope I succeed in showing you the beauty of  Ilocos! It's more fun in the Philippines!