BASIC IN H&M

Finally back to blogging after a loooong hiatus!

I’ve been out of the blogging scene that I almost forgot how to navigate through Blogspot, lol. I’ve also been using my iPhone to take photos so using my dslr after so long brought me back to the day when I first operated one!

Enough of those minor adjustments and let’s go straight to the outfit, shall we? I’m sure no one is unaware about the opening of the first ever H&M store in the Philippines located at SM Mega Fashion Hall. Hennes and Mauritz is a Swedish multinational retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children. Count on H&M for all your clothing needs! The brand has been planning to open a store in the Philippines for almost four years and now it's finally here! And of course, I shall not miss its opening day for the world…

…and wear some of the things I purchased immediately.

H&M shirt and pants | Sunnies Studios sunglasses | Nike Roshe Run

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: HYPE-STER

Here's the second outfit that I came up with wearing my favorite khaki! If on the first look, I went for a neat and clean, this time I styled it the hipster way featuring my new earrings to complete the look! (Lol photoshop lang)

Hype this on lookbook here.

This pullover reminds me so much of Topman X Hype collaboration so when I saw it on a bazaar I knew I had to get it right away! It's also a plus that the material used is not too thick yet soft -- sweat free me!

Matching top and shoes won't ever fail you. Never. Wore printed socks para hipster na hipster!

Supahshop pullover | Bench khaki | SM Department Store socks | 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!

IN THE OFFICE

I've been wearing the prescribed school uniform in my whole academic life so when I learned that my work doesn't require uniform, I instantly became the happiest person in that moment. The only dress code in my office is to wear collared shirts and never forget your socks at home (there are times tho that I'm a rebel- no socks and folded pants).

 

Hype this on lookbook here.

I prefer casual clothes over corporate wears; I feel uncomfortable whenever I'm wearing anything that's formal (i.e. long-sleeved polos with hard collars). I always try to look as dapper as possible but I always end up looking ragged lol WHY? Anyway here's what I usually wear in the office! Plaid polo won't ever fail you so I suggest stock up on this! It's also flexible as you can wear it on a day/night out with friends or in this case, in the office.

Jag jacket | Penshoppe polo | SM Department Store leather belt | Oxygen pants | Shoelution shoes

The only challenge in having no prescribed uniform is how to maximize the small number of clothes I have lol

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?

Native

Hype this on lookbook here.

Cotton On plaid polo | Sweat shirt | Forever 21 jacket | Vans shoes

(Lol my cheeks look sore because of braces)

I dream of living in a place where no one gives you judging looks because you wear layers and layers of clothes. I tried to picture myself as a native of Baguio and all I can see is me in this getup everyday—like most of the people living there. IMO, cold weather is a lot more bearable than high temperature. The only challenge to face is taking a bath, but heaters exist anyway so less first world problems!

The universe did not conspire in my favor about the cold weather to stay forever. It’s getting hotter as the day passes by and I’m already afraid of the day when going out of the house at noon would be totally impossible because of the scorching sun. Good thing the ventilation in my office is a hundred percent (that is to say, I can still wear jackets)! 

Frozen

Hype this on lookbook here.

Topman jacket | Giordano pants | W. Brown shoes

Posting this set of photos while the cold weather is still relevant! I'm only wishing for one thing right now: and that is for this fine weather to stay forever. I always prefer cold over hot in almost everything.

Navy Blue + Oxblood are starting to be my favorite uniform (next to Navy Blue + Beige and Black + White) and I'm still *consciously* filling my cabinet with the former color. I can never have too many Navy Blues in my life.

My 2013

Can’t believe we’re down to the last few hours of 2013! This year went by so fast; everything was a blur. It was a tough and memorable year for me, especially during the 3^rd quarter where I experienced a lot of mishaps- my LRT moments and being held up that cost me my iPhone, Swatch and purse. If I could just reformat my mind to erase that holdup incident, I will do it in a heartbeat. It was the most traumatic I’ve experienced by far, and it still gives me chills whenever I remember the incident and I still get paranoid everytime I ride a jeepney. If there’s one thing I learned from it, it would be to be more cautious and never use your smartphone in public. I mean, I’m aware of it but I didn’t expect that it would happen to me. At noontime.

2013 is also the year when I turned 21! It was a fun, fun night and definitely one for the books! I was able to gather my friends from elementary, highschool and college + my relatives! 6 months had passed but the memories are still fresh like it was just yesterday. I am thankful to have such amazing friends and loving families whom I can always count on.

Uniqlo buttondown | Coach chino pants | SM Dept Store socks | Swatch shoes | Axis watch

But the highlight of my 2013 is me finally graduating from college (though the graduation itself is yet to happen on March/April since my university doesn’t have October graduation)! I just got my diploma a week or two before Christmas, and it was the best Christmas present I’ve got. I cannot wait to have it framed and post on our wall in line with my brother’s and sister’s! I had a major separation anxiety leaving my Alma Matter, UST, and still have an entry left in my UST bucket list. Hoping to strike it off on my graduation day!

Hype this on lookbook here.

I am looking forward to 2014- not only because it’s a new year but also because I’m starting off with another chapter of my life. I’ll begin working on the first Monday of January and I am beyond excited and nervous about it. Ahh, the thought of me entering the real world gives me shivers! But I am ready to face it and do the best that I can. Here’s to a wonderful and successful 2014! I’m claiming that it would be a year of achievements for me!