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Fashion Tips

in Beauty & Fashion, Diplomatic Incidents, Fashion, Fashion Tips, How-Tos, OOTD

Modern Filipiniana: Mix and Match Terno Top

One of the things I often get asked about is my Modern Filipiniana wardrobe. For real and not just that thing influencers on Instagram say to justify an overshare. A Filipiniana section in my wardrobe is something that I’ve started building back in 2014. This was when my husband got assigned abroad.

I continue to build said wardrobe as we do need to attend a lot of events where wearing Filipiniana is actually a good way to go. This isn’t just to follow the dress code but to make sure I also get to do my part in promoting a really interesting bit of our culture.

One of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe is my terno top. It’s so versatile that it makes mixing and matching it with different pieces a breeze.

In this video, I share some tips on how to build your own modern Filipiniana wardrobe. I also show how I style my custom-made terno top with different modern pieces that I already own.

Hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful. If you did, please do share it! It would really make my day. Here’s a Pinterest-friendly graphic to make it easier!

More later.

in Beauty & Fashion, Fashion, Fashion Tips

The Complete Guide: Wearing High Heels (in Europe)

I’m in my 20s and I can honestly say that it now takes so much to make my feet hurt. And it’s all because of my love for some high heels.

It started years ago. Every time we would buy school shoes, I would try to get my grandmother to buy me something with a bit of a heel. High enough to make me feel like an adult, but not too high that would make my teachers at my (very) Catholic high school send me to the disciplinary office.

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National Day, Philippines, Philippine National Day, Filipiniana, Modern Filipiniana, Affordable Filipiniana, Mix and Match, Modern, Fashion, Tribal, OOTD, T'nalak, T'boli, Ditta Sandico Ong, Wrap, Ditta Sandico Wrap, Mariposa, Filipiniana Wrap,
in Beauty & Fashion, Diplomatic Incidents, Events, Fashion Tips, How-Tos, Video

Beauty + Fashion: Dressing up and getting ready for National Day 2016 (Without Breaking the Bank)

Ah, National Day. Usually the biggest event an Embassy or a Consulate will host for the year. It’s something that a lot of people either enjoy or stress over – depending on your role for that night.

As a diplomatic reporter and later on as a diplomat’s wife, I’ve been attending a whole lot of National Day celebrations and Embassy events from Manila to KL. Too many for me to count at this point – to think I’ve only been in the diplomatic circle for 5 years. (Diplomatic life does mean events left and right)

Such events are usually a good opportunity for a country to share something from home – their food, culture, history, the talent of their people. For us Filipinos, there’s usually a part of the program dedicated to how talented Filipino performers are.

National Day, Philippines, Philippine National Day, Filipiniana, Modern Filipiniana, Affordable Filipiniana, Mix and Match, Modern, Fashion, Tribal, OOTD, T'nalak, T'boli, Ditta Sandico Ong, Wrap, Ditta Sandico Wrap, Mariposa, Filipiniana Wrap,

One thing I love about attending diplomatic events is the dressing up that it comes with. I happen to love wearing Filipiniana – all forms of it. From the well-known Terno and Maria Clara down to the clothes worn by the different tribes all over the Philippines. However, one thing about National Dresses/Outfits is that they can cost quite a bit. I’ve had one too many fellow diplowives telling me that dressing up for National means parting with a hefty amount. The fact that it happens annually means you also have a repetitive (big) expense.

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in Beauty & Fashion, Fashion Tips

Fashion: Charles & Keith re-opens in MidValley with a new concept store

My love for classy shoes and bags is of common knowledge among my friends and most of the time, it’s often hard to resist the temptation once you find yourself a style that you really want.

Charles & Keith has often been my saviour during times when my craving/need for a new pair of shoes or bags gets a bit too much as their products are always easy on the pocket without sacrificing style and durability!

I’ve been a fan of theirs back in Manila when I was still working as a journalist, wearing their shoes to coverages and stuffing everything that I need for a long work day in their bags. Now, here in Malaysia as a Diplomat’s wife, I often wear Charles & Keith shoes and use their bags to diplomatic receptions and events. I often get compliments for them as well!

Oh, and did I mention that their stuff lasts for years? Yay for value for money, right?

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in Beauty & Fashion, Fashion, Fashion Tips

Beauty + Review: Horien Contact Lenses

As someone who’s been suffering from poor eyesight for 15 years, I’ve had lots of experience with different types of glasses and contact lenses. While I do love wearing my vintage-looking specs, most of the time, I opt for contact lenses when I go out due to the convenience it offers. No need to worry about glasses sliding down your nose or being careful with how you move around, right?

I’ve been wearing contact lenses for over a decade now and I can say I’ve tried most brands. Some remain my favourite up to this day while some brought great disappointment (and eye irritation too, in some cases).

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in Beauty & Fashion, Fashion Tips

Fashion: Golden Globes 2015 Faves

A bit late to the party and admittedly, I wasn’t able to watch it live. Thank goodness for replays and the internet! And of course, I won’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t make a post on my favourite looks. Honestly, I watch award shows not just to find out who wins what but for the fashion as well. Nothing too spectacular about that. All I’m saying is I’m like every other girl who catches the replays and checks out the best/worst dressed lists so I can go ‘oooh’ and ‘aaah’ and ‘eeew’ at people. Pretty normal.

So without further yapping (I should try to be less verbose, right? But really, that just won’t be me.), here are my favourite, favourite looks from the last Golden Globes (cos T&A won’t be hosting next year – and really – who can ever replace those two?!):

1. Emma Stone

Emma Stone, Golden Globes, 2015, Lanvin

Photo from MTV

Surprise! Not. Everyone who knows me personally knows how much I love this girl the moment I saw her on Superbad (Loved her more in Easy A). She is fun, she is quirky, and she has great taste. A couple of friends have told me for years how much I remind them of her cos of the humungous eyes and the quirky personality (in reel and real life) and I’ve always had one reaction to it: I’ll take it! Haha! That’s how much I love this girl. But really, my love (read: bias) for her is not really playing a huge part on her being my number one. Just look at that outfit.

I mean, really. Look at that Lanvin number on her! I practically drooled when I saw it. It’s classy and elegant with just the right amount of oomph to it. It’s crisp and sleek and shiny but not too loud. It’s so many things rolled into one. Damn, girl. I want that on me.

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