Blogoversary Series: Easy Breezy

One of the more frequent reminders I get from my mom is to Take It Easy.

I've always been the kind who stresses one's self too much whenever something needs to be done. 

I may not rant a lot amidst people but deep inside I am sick and full of complaints, frustrations, and ridiculous thoughts that are really oftentimes unnecessary. So I always end up realizing that I could have also achieved the same goals taking the easier path--the one that doesn't involve pessimism and pushing myself too hard. Sometimes it takes a trip to the spa or salon for me to realize that. XD

Because the first one was so lady-like and sophisticated (Blogoversary Series: Signature Poses) and the second was fun, girly, and youthful (Blogoversary Series: Twenteen Three), I wanted this part to just be as relaxed and effortless as possible--something that any girl could wear to the mall with friends.

Everyone loves skater skirts these days because of their versatility--they can be worn for day-to-day activities, in sports, or even in formal events depending the the top and shoes that you'll pair them with. Cropped tops like this are usually loose. Instead of tucking it in, I decided to pull one shoulder down to create a "skinny illusion". I'm using the same satchel as the Blogoversary Series: Twenteen Three post with it's hidden shoulder strap revealed. Very functional bag, isn't it?

Minus the shoes and accessories, this entire outfit from Stiles by Fabshop only costs: Php895!

cropped top: Php150

skater skirt: Php195

satchel: Php550

What a steal!

| cropped top, skater skirt, satchel: Stiles by Fabshop | sneaker wedges: Gifts Ahoy | aztec necklace: Mizar Clothing | neon bangles: SM Accessories | photography: April Garcia of Studio23 Photography-Events |

Hype this on Lookbook.nu here! 

If you want amazing photographs like the ones in this Blogoversary Series, "Like" Studio23 Photography-Events' page in Facebook or visit their newly-launched website via studio23.ph for affordable packages and personalized quotations!

I hope you enjoyed this blog series. :)

Much love,

Mela

Follow me:

| TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA |

Blogoversary Series: Twenteen Three

Sometimes, I feel like I've missed a lot during my teenage years.

Being the homebuddy that I am, night parties, dancing, beer bonding sessions, and tambayans were never really my kind of stuff. I'd rather stay in my room and read a good book, go window shopping (until I end up shopping, uh-oh) or treat myself in the spa or salon. More often than not, I go through these simple adventures on my own.   

I know. I know. My life seems a bore. But looking back at my younger years, I believe that I also have a lot of stories to tell. Like reporting in national TV for KNN, exploring the province (and beyond!) for interesting segment scoops, meeting other young journalists, facilitating weekend retreats and encounters around the country, teaching Catechism on summer breaks, trying hard to be a ramp model, and various perks in between. My fashion blogging journey came a bit later but won't it be one exciting tale too?

Each of us grew up differently in different environments, from different families, with different groups of friends. With so many differences, I guess what really matters is living the best of our lives with each of own unique, best ways. By that, despite different pasts, presents, and futures, we can altogether someday look back at our lives with no bitterness and regrets.

May all of you, teenagers, enjoy your teenage years as much as I did!

This part of my Blogoversary Series is inspired by my teenage self.

My usual activities were spinster-ish but there was never a time that I forgot to look presentable and be the girly-girl that I am. I've been in love with colors since the day I got my first Barbie doll. Even now, I still enjoy playing dress up (with myself as the Barbie this time--haha). I loved how these pieces from Stiles by Fabshop exuded my fun, preppy and youthful side. 

Knowing that Stiles is a sponsor to top bloggers like Laureen Uy, I was also apprehensive of not being able to give justice to their products. Thank goodness for April Garcia of Studio23 Photography-Events, the entire outfit turned out as beautiful as it is in person. Thanks also to her friend, Caroline, for helping us out. :)

| peplum top, animal print leggings, satchel: Stiles by Fabshop | bohemian wedges: Asian Vogue | 

photography: April Garcia of Studio23 Photography-Events |

Hype this on Lookbook.nu here!

Having your birthday, anniversary, or wedding soon? 

You might want to avail of Studio23 Photography-Events's Summer Promo! The studio package above is now marked down from Php700 to Php350! It's the perfect gift to your inaanaks (godchildren), too. 

Visit their office or contact them via the numbers above for more details!

You can also follow them on INSTAGRAM:

@stilesbyfabshop

@itsmetatzy

Missed the first part of my Blogoversary Series? Click the link below to keep up:

Blogoversary Series: Signature Poses

Have an amazing week everyone! :D

Much love,
Mela

Follow me:
| TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA |

Blogoversary Series: Signature Poses

April is What,When and Wearabouts' birth month!

This blog turned two last April 1st and to celebrate my second anniversary as a blogger, I'll be showcasing a three-part series in collaboration with Studio23 Photography-Events and Stiles by Fabshop.

Studio23 Photography-Events is the love child of the sweet, kikay events and portrait photographer extraordinaire, April Garcia. Ever since its debut on February of this year, Studio23 Photography-Events has proven its sparkle with creative and affordable packages for weddings, product launches, conferences, private parties like debuts and university balls, home and outdoor photography throughout Metro Iloilo. Studio23 Photography-Events is located at Unit 202D, 2nd Floor Perpetual Succor Business Centre Building, 38 San Agustin Street, Iloilo City. They cater to out-of-town clients, too!

I was also very thrilled when Stiles by Fabshop agreed on a double collab. I've had boutique and brand sponsorships before but this was the first time for me to actually handpick, pull out and style items that I liked for a shoot. Hearing from the countries' top bloggers, I always thought that pulling out is fun and as easy as dumping clothes in a shopping cart; but the sea of pretty clothes in Stiles made my mini-errand a little bit more challenging. If the mind-boggling stress of pathology and microbio practical exams was like this, I would never ever complain of daily exam schedules. :D

Here's one of my top three picks from their latest collection. 

What do you think?    

| top and skirt: Stiles by Fabshop | shoes: Janeo by SM Dept Store | bangles: Maruyog Charms | 

photography by April Garcia of Studio23 Photography-Events |

Stiles by Fabshop is located at Shopper's Avenue Valeria Street, Iloilo City (beside Coffee Break, in front of ACE Hardware). Visit their Facebook page for stylish and pocket-friendly pieces!

You can also follow them on INSTAGRAM:

@stilesbyfabshop

@itsmetatzy

There are thousands of fashion bloggers around the world. 

But in my little niche called Roxas Hall, I think I am the only one. Being an ordinary med student and a blogger at the same time is awkward, embarrassing, and very very humbling. More often than not, I walk the corridors in lousy, full-support stockings (ughhh to weakling veins) with no makeup or colorful accessories as I usually do in my blog photos. One can easily make a "Reality vs Expectations" meme out of my med student vs blogger facades. Seriously. =.=

Despite all that, I'm very thankful for my friends and classmates' support even if that means endless taunts, wacky and exaggerated versions of my poses, and saying "Wear is *__insert name here__*" to whoever doctor or classmate or faculty wearing stylish clothes. Those brief moments of laughter always make my day. 

Now here's a tribute to the best friends and batchmates in the world.

Check out their "Wear is Mela" poses. HAHAHA

| photos from Glenn Oyson and Mark Alfabeto |

I love you groupmates (with good fashion sense)! :P


Much love,

Mela

Follow me:

| TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA |

Office Girl Series: Rank-and-File

Hel-lo people! How's everything going?

We've finally reached the end of this blog series on officewear ideas. And since it's been a while after I posted the last installment, here's a quick recap of Parts One to Three:

Office Girl Series: The Black Skirt

Office Girl Series: Lunch Break

Office Girl Series: Like A Boss

"Rank-and-file" has really nothing to do with the outfits below as these pieces are template officewear that can be worn by any office girl on any ordinary office day. What inspired me, though, is the lead male character in Disney's Animated Short Film, Paperman. In case you haven't stumbled upon this wonderful 7-minute video yet, please do watch it below. It tells so much in just a short amount of time.

Hype this on LOOKBOOK.nu!

 | pink polka dots top, mustard pencil skirt, off white button-down, floral trousers: It's Vintage Darling | salmon tribal wedges: Asian Vogue | black colorblock heels: So! Fab | accessories: c/o Em Trava | HMUA and Styling: Em Trava and Russel Mendez | photography: Russel Mendez |

Disney will never lose its magic. Never ever.

I don't know if you figured this out about me yet, but I'm a completely, hopeless romantic. Well, more like "hope-filled romantic". I love all things cheesy, corny, mushy, and gushy. It melts my heart and makes me the happiest person alive. This video just did that for me. :)

 You know, I've been kind of down in the dumps recently about various things. But it's the small and sweet reminders such as this that move me to choose happiness. Happiness. Always. Because I just know that God has a beautifully sculpted plan for me. I don't even have to try to change or fight or argue with it anymore. I just have to let go, open my arms, and let the paper airplanes do wonders and lead the way.


Much love,
Mela

Follow me:
TWITTER | CHICTOPIA | LOOKBOOK | INSTAGRAM 

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 |

Hype this look on Lookbook.nu!

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

Follow me on:

TWITTER | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA | INSTAGRAM

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

Follow me on:

TWITTER | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA | INSTAGRAM

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

Follow me on:

TWITTER | LOOKBOOK | CHICTOPIA | INSTAGRAM

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

Don't forget to follow me on:

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LOOKBOOK