Office Girl Series: Like A Boss

Officewear isn't just about looking chic and elegant. It's also about confidence and being always on-the-go. Power dressing can be applied to whatever workplace one belongs to. It exudes a message that "I'm a tough chic. Don't mess with me. I know what I'm doing because I always aim and get the best results." It's not entirely overconfidence or insensitive pride, it's showing the people around that you also deserve some respect--that you are in control of the circumstances that relate to whatever your position is. 

Grace (and fabulosity) under pressure? YES. 

| paisley top, cream blouse, and skirt: It's Vintage Darling | sunnies: SM Accessories | leopard boots: AsianVogue |purse, belt, accessories, orange boots: c/o Em Trava | HMUA&Styling: Em Trava and Rusell Mendez | photography: Rusell Mendez |

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Now, which of the two outfits above made me look more of a boss?

Check out my first two entries on the Office Girl Series: 

The Black Skirt

Lunch Break

Much love,

Mela

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Office Girl Series: Lunch Break

Hey!

This second installment of my Office Girl Series is inspired by my favorite office-girl-turned-personal-shopper, Rebecca Bloomwood. 

I am a devotee of C.S.Lewis/Rick Riordan novels but since I started reading the first Shopaholic book, I have never been so hooked. I know, I'm such a girl! I'm close to finishing the fourth (Shopaholic and Sister) and it's the best one so far. I WAS a Becky Bloomwood before I reached financial errr, allowance maturity. Only that, I don't have a Luke Brandon in my life. Waaaah, please send one in. 

I NEED A LUKE BRANDON IN MY LIFE!

Anyway, here's a depiction of what Becky would wear on a typical lunch break back when she was a financial journalist at Successful Saving. I just wanted to buy a sandwich but I saw this purse on sale. A free bottle of perfume, lipgloss, and bubble bath all come with a 300quid-purchase, so I bought three purses in different colors. What a steal! Oh, and that heart-shaped waffle maker was so cute. I just had to get one for Mom!     

| top and skirt: It's Vintage Darling | sunnies, belt, accessories, shoes: c/o Em Trava | HMUA&Styling: Em Trava and Rusell Mendez | photography: Rusell Mendez |

What do you think of this outfit? Hype it on Lookbook.nu!

You can view the first part of my Office Girl Series by clicking this link: The Black Skirt

Happy Dinagyang, everyone!

Much love,

Mela

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Office Girl Series: The Black Skirt

As a little girl, I have always dreamed of working in an office. 

I've had countless outfit swatches in my mind then like one-piece pencil-cut dresses paired with classy pumps and a blazer--because it's always cold in an air-conditioned workplace. All my breaks will then be spent having coffee and re-touching my makeup in the washroom. And the best part will be, after work, I get to be fetched by my dad or my boyfriend, and we'll hang out somewhere talking about how wonderful my day went, etcetera. 

Ah, to be an office girl!

 Sadly--but yeah, not really THAT sadly--all my efforts now are geared towards being a Clinic Girl rather than an Office Girl. Good thing, I have this blog to pour out all my frustrations into. :)

My next few posts will be part of my newest project: Office Girl Series. Yup, I will blog everything about how I imagine myself on workwear had I been an office girl. All photos will be taken from my collaborative shoot with the Iloilo-based online boutique, It's Vintage Darling, owned by fellow Ilongga bloggers Em Trava and Tisha Arnaldo. Similar photos are on their Summertime Sadness Collection album. Visit their page now if you'd want to go ahead of this series!   

Dissect every office girl's closet and I'm sure you'll find the good old black skirt. Below or above the knee, with back or side-slit, I'm sure they all have one! My mom's a banker and she has a plethora of pencil skirts in different cuts and colors. Because officewear is all about being chic, simple, and classy, there's no need to excessorize--just combine basic pieces and you're off to a fabulous day! 

STYLE TIP: After work, why not throw over a denim blazer and don your black booties for an instant day-to-night outfit? 

Hype this on Lookbook.nu!

| white top, skirt, denim button-down: It's Vintage Darling | snakeskin heels: Shooz by SM Dept Store | boots, bag and accessories: c/o Em Trava | HMUA&Styling: Em Trava and Rusell Mendez | photos by Rusell Mendez |

Much love,

Mela

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Back On Track

I daydream a lot. And oftentimes, I don't get schoolwork done promptly because I spend 70% of the time thinking of what if's and what could be's. Tonight, I will make one of my daydreams happen by posting outfit photos with a hopeless hope that my motivation to study will be restored--that I will finish what's ought to be done--so that I can finally have some guiltless, well-deserved weekend sleep.

| goody bag: GIFI Clothing | dress: gift from Cousin Meg | photos by Ralph Delfin | 

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What have you been daydreaming about lately?

Much love,

Mela

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Rip It!

Hello, everyone!

This is just a quick post before I finally devote my time to studying. One of my 2013 Blog Resolutions is to re-vamp my style. All these years, I have been so much fond of colors. But despite the youthfulness and energy that they exude, the thrill of wearing them is slowly waning. I don't ever want that to happen because colorful is ME. So to make myself miss colors a little, I will temporarily shift to basics--black, white and nude--on my upcoming posts. 

Thank goodness, Ms. Stephanie of GIFI Clothing sent over closet must-haves that somehow, I am guilty of not having--white tops. And they aren't just ordinary white tops, they have surprise rips here and there! I am so excited to style and show you the others. :D Clearly, I am not a T-shirt person but this is what a new year is all about, right? New finds and new adventures!

 | top: GIFI Clothing | shorts: DIY | wedges: Asian Vogue | SM Accessories belt used as handcuff | photos by Ralph Delfin |

Hype this on LOOKBOOK.nu.

Aside from re-vamping my style, I also have updating my blog header and layout on the list. Notice the larger photos! Spent the whole afternoon "designing" a new header but I believe it's just not good enough. :( Someone help me, please? My sidebar widgets are next. But yes, one weekend at a time!

How did your week go?


Much love,
Mela

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Baseball

A comfortable look for Maxine's christening. Of course, there is nothing more comfortable than a cropped top worn over a bodycon dress. It's the easiest, least obvious way to wear something body-hugging without worrying about tummy flab. Don't you just think it's the perfect outfit combo for food-tripping? Sure enough, I really ate my heart out that day--with no inhibitions!

My take on the famous kitty-cat pose. Sorry. HAHA

| dress: Forever 21 | neon bangles : Superb Finds | photos by: Ralph Delfin |

Hype this on LOOKBOOK.nu.

And the winners of the WWW x Superb Finds and The Couple Store Giveaway are:

Winner 1:Kara Amanda Macadangdang

Winner 2: Girlie Marie Joyce Kilario

Winner 3: Cheska Pagsanjan 

Congratulations, girls! Details on how to claim your prizes will be emailed to you shortly. Thanks to everyone who joined! Bigger thanks to Superb Finds and The Couple Store for this collaboration. :)

Much love,

Mela

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My Kind of Colorful

Hello! How's everything going?

I got the chance to model for Mizar Clothing's October and November collections. Because I always have my outfit photos taken outdoors, this experience was really a challenge for me. I also haven't met the shop owners, Mimi and Zarah, in person yet as pre-shoot transactions were only done online and via SMS. Nevertheless, I decided to just hope for the best and embrace the opportunity. 

The October shoot was consist of three collections: Galaxy, Floral, and Spikes and Stripes. While the one for November was Le Chic, which I blogged about here--Le Chic by Mizar Clothing. I know this post is long overdue but yayyy 'cause this is just in time for Mizar Clothing's Everything Must Go SALE! Some items here are still available and are currently at the lowest prices!

HMUA: Mimi Tsai

Styling: Zarah Bayani and Mimi Tsai

Photography: Christian Tsai

Thanks again, Mizar Clothing family, for getting me!

Have you eyed something nice already? Check their page now. :)

Pardon me for the repetitive hair-scrunching poses. I couldn't help it--I just loved the hairstyling so much. If only my hair could look like that everyday! Cheers to Mimi for my makeup, too. She did a really amazing job with my eyes. I honestly don't look that "awake" on ordinary days because my eyes are naturally droopy. Now, I really should include "learning how to do my own eye makeup" on my 2013 bucketlist. :|

I'm down to the last three days before classes resume. Just two more posts after this and I'll see you all again on weekends. :( Sad, but goals first before leisure! By the way, the winners for my WWW x Superb Finds and The Couple Store Giveaway will be announced anytime soon. Have a blessed new year, everyone!

Much love,

Mela

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