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!

FOODTRIP FRIDAYS: NAMNAM COMFORT FILIPINO

We all have that day when we feel like eating our Pinoy comfort food. If that day comes and you're around Makati area (or even up North), make sure to head over to Namnam at G/F Greenbelt 2 because they offer the best comfort Filipino food.

Pancit Canton Special. Pancit never gets absent on Pinoy celebrations be it a baptismal, birthday, wedding, etc. because our lolo's and lola's always say: "pampahaba ng buhay". Personally, I frequently find the pancit on such occasions too pale, dry and bland (though they actually taste good). But this pancit that Namnam offers both look and tastes so good! 

Caramelized Patis Wings. The usual dishes for chicken are fried, roasted, tinola, and of course adobo. How about a fried chicken in a caramelized patis? No need for catsup/gravy anymore!

House Crispy Sisig. I am yet to find the best sisig in town but I guess the search just got over.

Sinigang na Short Rib Beef and Watermelon. They gave the classic sinigang a twist by putting watermelon in it! Who would ever thought of adding a fruit to sinigang?! Definitely a must try!

I'm coming back for sure to try their other dishes! 

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.

FOOD TRIP FRIDAYS: QUIZNOS

Thought of making a new segment on the blog so here's Food trip Fridays! Because of the heavy work load, Friday is the only day of the week when I can go out with friends after work. We usually have dinner and discover a new restaurant/fast food chain so I thought of sharing it with you guys! Not really good in giving food reviews as I tend to like everything I eat (lol EAT ALL THE FOOD #fatassproblems) but I'll try my best and will also consider what my friends have to say!

First of this series, Quiznos! According to its website, Quiznos "offers over 25 flavorful chef-inspired menu items, including grilled flatbreads, salads and wraps." They also offer all-natural chicken, freshly-sliced deli meats, artisan breads and cheeses. Enjoy!

Garlic Steak

Chicken Ranch & Swiss

Honey Mutard Chicken

BBQ Chicken Melt

Chicken Carbonara

My rating: 3.5/5

Check out their website for the full menu and store locations!

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)!