Not a spoiler but. . .

I always make a conscious effort not to spoil my kids.  But when my daughter would ask for something which I likewise fancy, all walls break loose. We chanced upon a stall in Greenhills that sells candy bags of styles and colors that shout "YUMMINESS!".  My daughter could not help but salivate. 

I used all my will not to give in.  I told her she does not need another bag because she already has a lot _  a statement which retorted back on me.  And so I gave in. . . 

It can be used as backpack as well.  I color combo of yellow and blue is always a favorite.  You can tell huh who is more excited.

Well, its okay to spoil our kids once in a while especially if they deserve it. :D

Chronicle of a Working Mom (Prepare Clothes the Night Before)

I was late again in the office! My fifth for the month.  Two more and I will be "memoed". As usual, I spent longer time than I should ideally have in picking clothes to wear.  I had the perfect outfit in my mind the night before but when I tried them on in the morning, didn't pass even the approval of my househelpers.

When you think of your attire for the day, you get some inspiration from a piece and then the rest will follow.  I have been wanting to wear the shoes that I bought more than 2 years ago which I haven't worn since around the same time.  Since I was running late, I ended up choosing the most safest ensemble to pair with the shoes.

Result? Booooring!!!!!

But at least I did get to wear these funky shoes.

Lesson: Do not just think what you will wear in the office the next day but actually try it on the night before.

(Top: Mango; Trousers: Attitude; Shoes: SM)

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (cotton/rayon as office wear)

As far as my fashion adeptness (or inaptness) serves me right, cotton or its alternative rayon were merely used for t-shirt, jersey or casual clothing.  But not so recent that they are also being used for formal wear or still in casual apparel but more "modish".

Paired the shirt with my staple black skirt.  Used an animal print belt to break the monotony of black.  Voila! Another working day dilemma solved.

(Top: Forever21; Skirt: custom made; Belt: Forever21; Shoes: SM; Accessories: SM)

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (maintain safe pieces)

A safe dress for that after all-you-can-eat-weekends always come in handy.  If you have that body type that easily accumulates pounds upon pounds of weight after 2 straight days of pigging out, stock on safe clothes to hide the bulges when the weekday starts.  I am lucky to find one from Kashieca (by Randy Ortiz) and I bought all the colors available for my size. 

(Shoes: Zara; my ever reliable Prada bag)

TNT!

Frugal Dressing

While one can name a tune in one note, I can dress you up for less than a thousand (connect please, hehehe).  We ought to know by now that expensive clothing does not automatically convert into a chic get-up.  Inversely, a cheap clothing does not necessarily mean trashy wear, at least not all the time.  Although knowing that you are sporting an expensive clothes gives you that extra confidence for that overall effect, it is all in the mind.

The top was purchased by an officemate in Divi for less than P200.  We used this as our costume for a Christmas presentation.  The shorts around the same value were purchased from Ghills few years back.  The shoes were bought for less than P400, also from Ghills.  For your belt needs, SM and Landmark have a variety for a very reasonable price.  For less than a thousand, I think it can pass for a look which is more than its actual value.

How about you? What is your version of frugal dressing?

TNT!

Rural Beauty

Once in a while it is nice to go visit your province of origin to relish and bask a laid back life.  It is also a respite from the city life aka "mall life".

Since the weather seemed unfriendly, chose to wear light clothes both in terms of color and material.

(Still in search of my angle. Hehehe)

Edited to make the photos black and white to reflect the simple (or boring :D) life in the province.

(Top: from Ghills: Trousers: travel finds)

TNT!

Are We Starting Them Young?

When my DD refused to be carried in public, the fact hit me. . .  she is not a baby anymore.  She has started to take interest in what I wear, commenting even when not asked.  Some of my clothes and shoes have been pre-selected as hers when they would fit her already.  What is fascinatingly scary is her interest in branded products.  She once exclaimed "what would she do without Zara!".  Once in a while, she would asked me which one is the most expensive among my bags.  She once dreamt of owning an Hermes bag.  .   .  and she is just 9!!!! 

Studies are replete with conclusion that parents play a great role in how their children choose to grow up, more than environment, school or peers.  I have been justifying my every acquisition with the thought that eventually they will be hers to own.   I have been introducing her to some luxury items which my limited resources can afford.  If that is bad, then I am guilty as charged.  I just want the best for her.  But do not get me wrong,  I still do exercise discretion in giving in to her whims, after all, she is just 9.

Her latest desire . . . a satchel bag.  I mulled over whether to buy her the original Cambridge Satchel or otherwise.  After much thought, I decided not to buy her the expensive kind but the "reasonable" one. I fairly know after few times of use it will just sit in the corner unloved and unused just like her other bags.  I chanced upon Dream Big Shop through multiply.  They sell satchel bags in NU Leather.  Purchased one in red.  She loves it a lot.  Now I am thinking of getting her the other colors. :-b

Seeing how happy my DD is, I do not mind pulling some strings to get what she wants. . .  even if she is just 9!

TNT.

Chronicle of a Working Mom (a weekend)

Yay! Weekend!  What does this mean? Errands! Errands! Errands!  No rest for me as usual as I will do some "home work" for the family,  But this is the working day I loved being in.  It is the only time I get to work while being in the loving company of my kids and DH.  Our itinerary, buy some stuff for DD as prize for her perfect quizzes and UTs, hair cut for my patootie and the never ending trip to the grocery.

While the day is set to accomplish some domestic task, it is not an excuse to dress down.  You do not want to run into a high school rival or worst, an ex who dumped you for a hottie.  You just could not give them that affirmation (oops, too much information).  

No need for some glitter or glamorous garb on a weekend for me, a decent one will do.  While I love to sport those wedges and flatforms in exceeding heights, they wont do for me since I am the the designated baby carrier on weekdays (I just wish it translates to lesser pounds).

Got the sheer top from Ghills (this is the one I mentioned about during my previous post).  The shorts  are also from Ghills for unbelievably cheap price.  

(Shoes: Zara; Bag: Longchamp; Earrings from SM)

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (safe but not boring)

Hay! I was late again today.  Reason? Spent longer time than usual deciding what to wear today.  During days when I am running late for office I am always reminded of my resolved to prepare my clothes the night before.  Easier said than done, huh!.  Hope to start this resolution by next week.

I wear this top (borrowed from my sister but claiming ownership already) during days when I feel I need to wear something safe but not boring.

Hmm. . . Yaya, a little more practice please.

The peepholes (or more like slits) in the sleeves provide that extra drama.

(Top: Mango; Shoes: Zara; Trousers: custom made)

TNT.

Chronicle of a Working Mom (keep pieces with potentials)

What to wear today? My black dress? Can't, just wore it the other day.  My ever reliable Kashieca by Randy Ortiz dress? No, an officemate just wore hers yesterday.  There is an advantage after all to being a garbage collector.  While my closet could no longer hold my wardrobe, I refuse to give my clothes away for the thought that they may come back in season or my daughter may find the same of use in the future.  This particular dress was with me for more than five years or even longer (I think). I do not even remember where I actually bought it.  This was taken out of my regular ensemble for months.  I just suddenly felt wearing it and I love how it looks on me now. 

Si Yaya naman hindi pa binuo.  Anyway, cropped one of the photos taken to show the shoes, probably one of the few comfy ones I have.

(Shoes: Aldo)

TNT.

Chronicle of A Working Mom (update wardrobe)

Being part of the workforce myself, I especially commiserate with working women who is faced with the everyday challenge to put up a fashionable but decent office attire.  An overflowing closet is not an assurance of a worry free dressing up work day in and out because most often than not you just end up using 10% of your wardrobe regularly.  

Wearing of the same clothes just after a week is an unspoken no-no.   The challenge it to learn to mix and match what you have for that fresh look.  When all else fails, I think its time to buy a new one to add to your roster of clothes which you wear regularly.

Got this not-so-pocket-slitting-dress from Details.  Now, I have added another one to the few number of office wear that I just use in cycle.  What does this mean. . . longer days before I get to repeat wearing them again.

(Dress: Details; Shoes: Ghills; Bangles: 168)

In this day and age, you can not afford to be left out with what is new in the world of technology.  If you cannot catch up personally at least be close with someone who can (hindi naman user friendly ang dating diba?).  I am so thankful to have a techie friend in the person of Rhys Murillo.  His latest introduction to moi, FM TRANSMITTER with remote control.  It is compatible with Iphone, Ipod and Ipad.

Now, I can play the songs in the Ipod via my car radio.  It comes with a remote and a charger.  How cool is that?

Tiangge at Ghills

And the fun continues. . . .

http://www.greehills.com.ph/exhibits.asp

Shoes Bought for My Daughter

I so love SM.  They really got it all for you. . . . at a very reasonable price.  I chanced upon a really dainty pair of shoes that I thought I need to have them for my daughter's prom night.  I know she is just 9 years old so it means I can still use it for the next 7 years or so.  They said shoes have to be used once in a while otherwise, it will lose its durability.  Promise, I will take care of them for you. :D

Bought them for a little over P1,000.  Don't you love those laces?

The Color of 2012

I just learned from the net that "Pantone Color Institute", the supposed institution that creates color standards for fashion, identified Tangerine Tango as the color of 2012.

"What consumer products need is a jolt, a shot of energy and boldness, all of which comes from Tangerine Tango, the reddish-orange hue that Pantone announced Wednesday as its top color for 2012."

It was such a coincidence that I have dressed my family up in orange color during the New Year's Eve.

Gosh, we were so Pantone hip! :-)

Next Stop. . . Ghills

I have avoided Ghills Shopping Center during the Christmas Season for reasons known to everyone.  But I know almost everyone's practical shopping addiction will not be appeased without braving the stalls upon stalls of Ghills tiangge.  I deceived my DH to bring me to Ghills under the guise of checking out the latest gadgets.  You know guys, right? 

I was able to buy blouses for office at P350 each (hope to take a picture of them soon).  And the biggest and cheapest loot ever, these lovely pairs of shoes . . .

(Pardon the seeming plump pair of legs, its the limitation of a mobile phone camera.) 

I got them for less than P600 a pair.  Who can beat that?!

Till next time.

Me Time

I have been very busy during the last three (3) months completing my gift list for the season that I had to actually run around malls during my free time just to make the self-imposed deadlines.  During this period I have relatively forgotten to shop for myself.  In fact, my credit card bills would have long rosters of shops where it would be practical to complete my long list (i.e., SM, Landmark, and Rustans for family members and closest friends). 

As I have deliberately forgotten about myself, I feel so deprived of the "best things in life" ("oa" right?).  I have put off the need to buy shoes to alternate with my pairs of office shoes staple.   Poor me, I have deferred the need to change my wardrobe.  What do they say? Women will never have enough shoes, clothes, etc.  But I am back with a vengeance to my husband's dismay.  What better time to crave for the "best things in life"? SEASON END SALE!!!!

First itinerary, the Great Lifestyle Sale at the 3rd Floor of Dimension, Bonifacio High Street.  My officemate had told me a month ago about the on-going sale but my focus was then different.  Nonetheless, I still scored two decent (2) pairs of shoes by Aldo.  Both at 40%. Not bad eh!

Bought this pair to have an alternate for those chunky flatform shoes.

I think the sale will run until January 12, 2012.  So you have a day to panic buy.

See you next time.