Chronicle of a Working Mom (It's in the details)

While my photos may not be blogged worthy, my fashion sense hopefully is.  I just want to share with you how a simple cut can be given some kick by adding some details.  Imagine, this gray pencil cut skirt sans the lace on the side. What have you got?  Nothing but a simple skirt that wont even deserve a look.  

But notice how the lace on the sides transformed and gave the skirt a needed lift.

(Top: Ensemble /  Skirt: Alexane / Shoes: Greenhills Bazaar / Bag: LV /  Accessories: Greenshills Bazaar)

You could even buy a plain fabric in solid color, buy a lace at Carolinas and have a simplest dress with lace accent custom made.  The imagination of the finish product excites me.   

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (skirt every working woman should have)

A skirt and a blouse in the office is such a no-brainer get-up.  This pair gets you by in most days out of the 260 days that you have to be in the office in a year.  For financially restraint individual, you can only have so much. . . skirts at least.  Skirts in neutral colors are a must.  One should have few pieces of brown, beige, gray and few pieces more of black ones.  They said neutral colors do not even have to follow the color wheel rule in fashion as you can pair it with any colors you want.  If you have these skirts, you can just mix and match them with different tops and you are sure to trot a decent wear.

The style of this skirt does not give you much help in the slimming effect aspect.  Nonetheless, I love this cut because it tones down what could otherwise be a serious office wear.  One note though to consider, if the skirt has some volume and the length is below the knee, it should be paired with shoes that, more or less, match the color of the skirt.  I tried this outfit with red shoes and arghhh, it made my legs shorter.  It's just a pity I was not able to take a photo of me (for lack of time or else I will be late again) in my red shoes so you will see the difference. 

Put some chunky accessory to be a notch higher than Ms. Average.

(Top, Shoes and Accessory: from Greenhills / Skirt: Zara / Bag: LV) 

Does your wardrobe already have these staples?

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (Animal Print Invasion)

Animal print has obviously invaded fashion arena for quite some time now.  In fact, some say animal print has surpassed already the concept of what is "trendy" as it no longer comes and goes but has become a staple in every fashionista's closet.  

Mulled over (for few seconds :D) whether to buy this or not.  I am so glad I did. I wear this in the office if I am in for a fight. Hehehe.

Don't be deceived by the loudness of the print.  The back is in plain black which is just right to put focus on the print.  

(Dress: Zara / Shoes: Zara /  Accessory: Ghills / Bag: Prada)

(Note: No animal was harmed in taking these photos) 

Its okay to jump into the bandwagon as long as it looks good on you.

How far has the animal print invaded your closet?

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (Spruce Up an Old Piece)

Enough of the office drama.  On to my reprieve.

I cannot remember how long I had this particular blouse.  Actually, I do not know who really owns it, me or my sister.  It has been a staple in my and sister's closets for as long as we can remember.  As living testament to its archaic age, the blouse was from fish. Anyone still remember that store?  (Oops! I think that is a giveaway for my real age).

Anyway, I just want to show you how an old piece can be given a fresh look by dressing it up with a neckpiece.

Again, my own no-look version.

My hay-what-time-are-we-going-to-finish-with-tutoring look.

My Kris Aquino look (should i smile or not . . . awkward!). :D

This I really enjoyed.  Special thanks to Yaya Nini and Ate Alma for taking my pictures and for carrying an industrial fan for that wind blown effect, respectively.

Photos and direction by Yaya Nini (except for the bad shadow on my UA, I think she is beginning to have a feel of her additional job description).

(Top: fish; Skirt: Alexane: Shoes: Aldo; Accessory: Ghills)

While some people pissed me off today at work, I just love to have a journal where I can write and share one of the things I love doing.

How did your Monday go?

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (Weekend is an opportunity to dress up, down, edgy or kooky)

Don't we always look forward to weekends? Apart from spending more time with family (although doing errands still for working moms) weekends are great opportunities to dress up, down, edgy or even kooky.  Weekends are time to explore putting pieces together in your closet which otherwise would not pass in an iron clad office wear rule.

This is my no-effort grocery wear.

If you wish to wear one of your old "no frill" tokong pants, at least pair it with a girly top.

(Top: Travel find; Shorts: Zara; Shoes: Franco Sarto; Bag: Longchamp)

My children's party attire.

Showing off the only part of my body that is not invaded by fats. . . at least not yet.

I am so in love with these earrings from SM.  I can wear them everyday.

(Top: SM; Shorts: Cole Vintage: Belt: Forever 21; Shoes: Chocolate Schu; Bag: LV)

My mall attire.

Noticed the heart shape on the blouse? Preparing already for the Valentine's.

(Top: Ghills; Shorts: Topshop; Accessories: Sister's)

This photo was taken inside my sister's bathroom. And the shoes are my sister's from Charles and Keith.

How did your weekend go?

TNT!

Chronicle of a Working Mom (Ravage your sister's closet)

Forget about any sibling rivalry and begin to take advantage of the fact that you have a sister who is of the same size as you are and have the same fashion sense as you do.  If you are as lucky as me, then you get the chance to double your wardrobe collection instantly without slashing your pocket.

Since my sister and I live in two different cities and move around different circle of friends, we get to exchange clothes every now and then.  Voila, a new set of clothes to strut around.

I got this from my sister's closet.  When she was asking me advise on whether she would buy this, I vehemently objected because it looked like, borrowing from my daughter's expression, "so-last-season".  Since I recently am in love with anything that glitters, can't be happier she bought this.  Choices indeed depend on one present state of mind.

More photos using my husband's Nikon 50mm lense.

Ay Yaya! You missed my shoes?!

Ay Yaya! You cut my head!

Yay Yaya, you got it finally!

Just trying the "no look" effect. Hehehe. . . 

(Top: Zara, Dubai; Trousers: Ghills; Shoes and neckpiece: SM; Bag: Gucci)

Thanks sistah.  By the way, what are your new acquisitions?

TNT!

To straight or to curl. . . that is the question

Only few were born gifted with a wash-and-wear beauty.  For most of us, its takes an effort (and money) to look naturally beautiful, more so achieve a well made-up look. 

I believe hair is one which requires the most attention in the whole visual improvement process ("beautification").  After all, hair is one's crown and glory.  As an option,  you can opt to have a rebond for that straight and sleek hair or a digi perm for a natural wave look.  Name it, I had it.  One of the downsides of these semi-permanent treatments is you are constrained to sport it for at least six months or more unless you choose to have it re-done otherwise at the expense of a damage hair.

Since I do not want to be restricted anymore with these salon treatments, I either iron flat my hair for a straight do or curl it during days I want some volume.  Doing this everyday though is not an easy task, thus, my accumulated tardiness.  But in this day and age when being ugly is not an excuse anymore, you just have to work that extra mile.

Meet my best friends:

Ironing or curling, however, is not without consequence.  Subjecting hair to heat everyday will surefire give you dull, brittle and damaged hair.  While hair spa treatment is a must, some just could not have it more often than once a month for some practical reasons.  Meanwhile, you can resort to thermal heat protector everyday to cushion the damaging effect of flat and curl ironing.  The market is offering a wide array of heat protector products.  

I got this:

The reviews on Brazilian Keratin Treatment are mixed.  So far, it does some wonders to my beyond-repaired-hair.  The frizziness is tamed, my curly hair holds longer than usual and my straight hair stays straight until washed.  But the search for the best heat protector is still on.

So for the love of your crowning glory, please do look for any heat protector that would best suit your hair type and needs.

TNT!