Conspiracy Theory

I have a default prayer every Saturday afternoon: "Oh Lord, good weather please?"

It's the only time of the week when I can dress up and go out as if I'm fun-loving like everyone else who don't have exams every Monday. That didn't happen last week. Well, almost. It was raining so hard I thought another typhoon's going to hit the city again. See, Iloilo is just flood-prone like that. A bit of rain can  overwhelm the drainage and make everything overflow to the streets. 

I almost wanted to give my plan up because aside from damaging my shoes, it's unsafe and impractical to get myself wet and bother April at the studio. See, there are times when despite how badly we want to do something, the whole world seems to put some tall brick wall to separate us from our desires. It could be heavy rains or floods or schoolwork or your job or discouraging remarks from the people around. In my case, it's being away from home (not having my own DSLR or my brother photographer handy, the need to commute,etc.) and being in medical school per se. I know I shouldn't blame medical school because I chose this path but it just gets more and more demanding every week that most of the time, the need to set aside non-academic stuff arises. 

But but, no matter how cliche the saying is, I just believe that "If you really want something, the whole world conspires in helping you achieve it". I still believe in my power to make things happen with the grace of Someone up there of course, to allow them to happen. To make the story short, the rain stopped at 4pm and despite the flood, I was able to walk on dry ground and meet up with April who was very nice to lend me a few minutes. Happy ending, ay? :)

What's so special about these bracelets? These trinkets are handmade and stuffed with herbs that are believed to bring safety and attract people and good luck by Aetas from Sitio Kati-Kati, Guimaras. Whatever your beliefs are, purchasing these can transform the lives of our brothers and sisters from this indigenous community. 

Visit Maruyog Charms in Facebook for more details. :)

photos by April Rose Garcia

I HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

It's Medicine Week (rest, rest, rest, yayyy!)

Two collaborations are coming up (whoa!)

This is redundant but I'm finally a Candymag.com It Girl On The Web! It took me 5 years to bring this dream to life. I used to download all the photos of It Girls and play the slideshow as my screensaver. Those It Girls are actually the top tier fashion bloggers now. That's how I knew all of them (became Facebook friends with them) before they even had their own sites! HAHA. I'm such a stalker. Anyway, click this link to view the feature: http://www.candymag.com/fashion/style-files/style-files-lia-carmela-delfin/ 

What's keeping you from chasing after that dream?

Dream the impossible dream because really, nothing is impossible!

Much love,

Mela

P.S. You might want to join this giveaway! :)

http://wearismela.blogspot.com/2012/09/www-thank-you-treat.html

Stranger Anxiety

The very talented Tajen Sui helped me out with my outfit posts two weeks ago and it was quite an experience working with someone so skilled in photography. You see, I started blogging not because I wanted to be a fashion/portrait/ad model or something close to that. I simply want to document what I wear just so I have something to show my future grandkids, hehe. Dressing up has always been my form of expression. But with the life that I have now, being artsy is almost  an impossibility. :(

BUT. Thank God for Saturdays! It's the only time of the week when I can go out and just be me. With going out I don't mean malling/partying, it's actually that one hour I spend in the chapel two blocks away from my dormitory. :| Yes, I know, that's how self-deprived I am. Studying medicine entails delaying gratifications and sacrifice. Phew. I know that time will come when I can finally freely trot the streets (or must I say, wards?) in my favorite dresses and high heels without worrying about upcoming Monday, Tuesday, Friday exams or SGDs. Yayyyy! Someday. :D

    

Here's what I wore to church many Saturdays ago.

With the moody Iloilo weather, I have somehow mastered the art of bipolar dressing. A loose top and palazzo pants -- both flowy and silky--  made the perfect combination. Everything was so cool and so light, I felt like I was just wearing pajamas. I could sleep wearing this ensemble! 

I left most of my accessories in my hometown so I chose pieces that could actually stand on their own. With a top as dainty as this, who needs a necklace? 

I am so inlove with palazzo pants! If paired with the right top and shoes, they can make thin legs look fuller and plump legs look slimmer. Try raiding your mom's closet, I'm sure she has a lot of pants like these!

I was accustomed with my brother taking my photos, hence this new encounter brought the most awkward and shaky Lia. :| Nevertheless, thank you, Tajen for your time and patience! :D

How are you guys coping with school?

Much love,

Mela

Cold War

Weather-appropriate fashion is getting a bit tricky these days. Rainfall becomes more and more unpredictable. We wake up to bright and sunny mornings but spend our middays under dark skies. 

I didn't bring a jacket with me to Manila because I had to at least budget my luggage space. I had to fit in clothing, toiletries, shoes, and random stuff (like accessories, but to the most extreme minimum) for ten days into a small trolley, this black tote, and a shoulder bag. Hence, I disregarded denims and heavy fabrics --like jackets. I opted for leggings, cardigans and one-piece clothing such as this fur dress. It may look heavy but it's super thin and light. :) I bought this months ago just so I can add a little something to my travel wardrobe. Hihi. I always look forward to a trip abroad because it gives me a sense of liberty when it comes to fashion -- no one knows me, so why get bothered about what other people might say? ;)

Because I couldn't anymore wait to wear this dress, I took the risk of wearing it in sunny MNL. I was very thankful that the weather (again!) cooperated with my outfit on the day of our flight back home. Yayyy! Aside from the dress, I am also truly, deeply, and madly in love with these yellow brogues! I intentionally planned to make them stand out by wearing less colors and more neutrals.

Hehe. Okay, so I normally type the outfit description after the photos but because I gained a bit of weight, and I look fat here, let this serve as a disclaimer. HAHA. Please bear with my not-so-flat tumtum. I promise(?) to be more keen with my diet and exercise as often as I can. :P  

How do you travel-light? 

Let's swap tips. I'd love to hear from you!

Much <3,

Mela