Sweet Sorbet (One Outfit, Three Ways)

Hello guysss! :)

I'm finally back to my regular blogging routine! And to make up for the three-week hiatus, new posts will be published daily this sembreak. A series of giveaways are coming up in celebration of my birthday month as well, yahoo! 

For now, here's my version of "One Outfit, Three Ways" featuring this sweet dress from Choies. I hope this inspires you to play with your accessories so you can also confidently wear the same dress and shoes in three different occasions!

1.) The Bride's College BFF. 

This look is perfect for an outdoor (e.g. garden) wedding ceremony.

2.) Happy Birthday, Grandma!

For day-to-night family affairs like your Granny's birthday.

Removing the sunnies actually made this look simpler and sweeter. :)

3.) The School Fair.

 Back in elementary and high school, wearing new clothes during campus events such as the Mission Sunday Fair, Christmas Parties and the Family Day Celebration seemed an unspoken rule for students. If I could turn back time, I'd wear something like this!

Hype this on Lookbook.nu here and on Chictopia here!

| floral crown: Rack 8 | hair tie: Aupie.com | dress: Choies | ring: Chemjoy.com | shoes: Sammydress | 

| photos by: John and Ralph Delfin |

Which look did you like most? Let me know!

Much love, 

Mela

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Nautical Wrap

Free afternoons make me love Level III Medicine more.

It just feels so good to salvage the hours spent awake at night with naps after lunch. Now I can read more, cram less, and blog outfit posts in between. I might not have this kind of sched again, so I'll do my very best to enjoy it while it lasts.

Aside from free afternoons, I've declared every other weekend a free weekend, too.

That's when I go back to my hometown to have my favorite meals cooked and to wear clothes that I couldn't wear as a pedestrian and a commuter here in the city. This nautical top is one of the cutesy items that  Wholesale7.net sent over last week. I'm not sure if I wore it correctly (it looks more prim with the model wearing it here) but I guess it's one of those one-piece-worn-in-five-ways kind of tops because some of my attempts to twist and twirl the wrap turned out as halter, one-shoulder, and sleeveless tops respectively. Amazing, right? I paired it with simple black shorts and pink ballet flats. What a comfortable way to dress on a sunny weekend! I honestly can't wait for the weekend after next to come. :D

Hype this on Lookbook.nu here and on Chictopia here!

| sunnies: Nine West | top: c/o Wholesale7.net | shorts: thrifted | flats: Solemate | photos by Ralph Delfin |

Wholesale7.net products must really be so enticingly chic and affordable that I received numerous inquiries on how to make a purchase after my first post wearing their neon retro dress last Monday. 

Well, hello girls! Just simply make a free account: http://www.wholesale7.net/register.html and transfer all your desired items to the shopping cart. They will be automatically summed up with the total shipping cost. Modes of payment vary from Paypal to credit card to cash transfers. They also have a FREE SHIPPING folder! Kindly visit and explore their website for more details.

I hope this helped! :)

Much love,

Mela

P.S. This is an entry to IFB Project #109: Blogger's Black and White Ball

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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 |

Wonka Nerd

I'm always on a rush and when it comes to last-minute styling, my mantra will always be "When in doubt, colorblock." With the color-loving person that I am, color-blocking is something that I have already mastered. Just a tip: On occasions when you don't really need to be dressy, why not sport a top and skirt in the same color family and leave the print-on-print trend on your bag and shoes? That would be like hitting two birds with one stone!

I love how this ensemble made me look a little grown-up without compromising my fun, youthful side. I feel like I taste so sweet and sour a la Strawberry and Grape-Flavored Wonka Nerds. Childhood nostalgia but yum! This is definitely something that I'd wear when I go on hospital rounds 5-7 years from now.

(top,skirt,sunnies : random SM Dept. Store brands | bag : Gap | photos by : Ralph Delfin)

And I am finally on Lookbook.nu! I've been receiving a lot of queries about why I don't have one. With the kind of schedule that I have, a blog and three or more social networking site accounts is just too much to handle. Chictopia has been the home of my outfit photos for over two years now and starting all over again with Lookbook.nu is a step out of my comfort zone. This is just my second LB post and I will be archiving my previous looks there. I hope to meet more amazing fashion inspirations and get some support too. Cross your fingers with me, please? I'd love to check your LBs out, send your links over! 

Also, thanks to everyone who stayed up late and took time to vote for me 247295627461846x just so I'd be StyleBible.PH's My Style Star for November. You're efforts were all worth it because I WON! Yiheee! *happy dance* Really, I am just a microbe in the blogging world but I wouldn't be who I am or where I am now without your support. So from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU SO MUCH! May you all be blessed a hundred more times the votes you shared.
Happy weekend, everyone!

Much love,
Mela

Follow me on Instagram: @wearismela

Join my giveaways:

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WWW x Superb Finds and The Couple Store

Outfit Repeater

If you happen to be a 90's kid like me, you could have also watched Hillary Duff's The Lizzie Mcguire Movie in your teenage years. Remember how she was humiliated by Kate Sanders for wearing exactly the same powder blue dress from the spring dance? Dreadful. Or Jamie in A Walk To Remember--mocked for wearing the same ugly sweater since kindergarten. Just typical mean-insecure-it-girls-bullying-the-class-nerds high school scenes, uh-huh, but those kind of stuck on me.

 As much as I want my closet to be an endless pit, it just isn't. There will always be that favorite dress or top that I will never get tired of wearing over and over again. Or that only pair of leather jeans I have that does magic to whatever top I pair it with. We all have our own outfit-repeating stories to tell. In fact, we're all guilty of being outfit repeaters once or twice or even a dozen more times in our lifetime. And guess what, nothing's wrong with it! 

Now let me tell you a little secret. The sad part of personal style blogging away from home (as I always say) is not having a camera and a brother (who patiently takes my photos) handy. It's attending events and wearing blog-worthy outfits and not being able to document them.  

I celebrated my birthday with a few friends and classmates last October 13 and as a yearly tradition, I get myself a new dress, a.k.a. birthday dress. So on that same day, I searched for April and ambushed her on a party just to take my photos. How desperate! Anyway, it took her a while to send me the photos (no worries girl, I totally understand!), so I re-wore everything from eyewear to shoes during our vacay just so I'd have my birthday outfit taken. Good thing, my hair's digipermed already (yes, yes, yes, I am now curly!) and I forgot some accessories at home; thus making outfit-repeating a little more subtle. Oh, what a hairstyle-change can do! XD 

And finally, the original birthday outfit photos! Thank you so much, April!

| eyewear: SM Accessories | necklace: Mizar Clothing | dress: SM GTW | bag: Guess | shoes: AsianVogue | First 5 photos by: Ralph Delfin | Last 2 photos by April Garcia of Sugar Plum Studio |

Call me outfit repeater or whatever label you want, but I will surely wear this dress again. It's just so pretty not to! :D

To those wondering why I still haven't posted the PFW photos yet, I'm sorry I forgot to bring them over when I left my hometown after the break. :( I hope this makes up for my forgetfulness in the meantime. Besides, I'm also very excited to share with you guys that the Style Bible team approached me after the show to take this photo!

 

Click this link to view it on their website: http://www.stylebible.ph/gallery/popup/parties/4330#18_1351570201103012

Check out the other photos in the gallery as well!

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone!

Much love,

Mela

P.S. Have you joined this giveaway? Giveaway Alert : WWW x Put It On

I'll be giving away loads of neon accessories soon, so keep posted!

P.P.S. I am finally on Instagram! Because I shall be busy in the coming weeks, I might update it more often than my blog! Follow away: wearismela

Vendo Machine

Because I didn't attend it last year, I was clueless that the Medicine Night is a grandiose event. This year's theme is Casino Royale and female med students are supposed to dress up like Bond girls or something like that. I honestly thought that no one's going to take the theme seriously anyway so I decided to wear a vendo machine-inspired outfit. When I told my boyfriend about it, he was like, "Are you serious?". But very truly, I was. Aside from playing cards and poker chips, vendo machines are the first that come to mind when I think of casinos even if I've never really been inside one. And what better way to portray it is a black outfit with colorful, flashy lights. 

Dressing up for events can be worrisome so what I usually do is I decide on a keypiece (something that I really want to wear) like this neon necklace from Bubbles and just mix and match the rest of the elements in my outfit with it. Hence, the pink tassel dress and orange wedges from Asian Vogue Shop. And since it was a formal affair, the black vest was perfect for a corporate yet playful vibe. 

necklace: Bubbles | sunglasses and arm candies: SM Accessories | shoes: Asian Vogue Shop | photos by: Ralph Delfin

Everyone seemed to have really prepared for the night. Some even wore long gowns. Quite surprising but at least I know now what to do next year. XD  The show was just heating up when I left because I'm a Cinderella with a 10pm curfew. Nevertheless, it was good times, good food and good laughs. 

From left: Melchor, Kaye, Melissa

 The thought of being friends with future doctors makes me giddy! :D

So I wasn't the only wild one in neon. Don't you find Wilkinson's preppy outfit cute?

Thank you Melissa for these photos!

Don't be afraid to wear tassel dresses! Contrary to popular belief, they are not exclusive for dance costumes. Check out this fabulous collection by H&M:

That's all for now! I am so excited to share my Philippine Fashion Week experience with you guys. Unfortunately, I'm still caught up with responsibilities. I hope I could sneak in a little of my time really soon! :)

Much love,

Mela

P.S. Do you want neon accessories for free? Click the link below and join the giveaway: 

WWW x Put It On

You could be one of the lucky winners! 

Bubblegumdrop

 

photos by Jovel Biboso

After more than a year of planning, say hello to my first ever collaboration with Jovel Biboso! We've been neighbors since forever but our schedules never seem to collide until last weekend when I went home to Roxas for less than 24hours. :| It's a long explanation why that happened but I have no regrets despite the tiring trip which could have been spent with sleep instead.

What I love most about Jovel's photos is that they have this characteristic warmth and youthfulness. She's one of those down-to-earth photography enthusiasts who does most shoots for fun but effortlessly end up with pleasing results. We've been messaging each other before we met up but she never told me that our shoot was going to happen on her birthday! My bad, I didn't have a clue if she hadn't ask me to attend her dinner party. Yes, I am just that negligent with Facebook's birthday notifs.

Anyway, what I'm wearing here is a deviation from my usual getup. This is something outside of my style comfort zone but I hope I did justice to my Grandma's top (Believe it or not, it's hers!) and this envelope purse from Bubbles. Isn't it pretty? Guess what, it's NOT mine! It'll be owned by one of you very soon! Bubbles is giving away this neon envelope purse to one lucky reader of this blog! Yay! Not only that, one of my sponsors will also give out a GC worth of shoes/apparel! I'll do my very best to post it next weekend! :D

My study break is officially over, so goodbye for now?

Have a blessed September, everyone. :)

Much love,

Mela

P.S. Feel the 'warmth and youthfulness' of Jovel's works here:
http://wearismela.blogspot.com/2011/05/budding-teen-vogue-la-mode-jovel-biboso.html

Baby Doll

Since it's not every Sunday that we get to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, I decided to wear this lace dress that I've been wanting to wear for ages. It's simple, sweet and really dainty, I couldn't afford to over-accessorize and wear pieces that could steal the attention it deserved. This look reminds of me of matchy-matchy dressing during my childhood days - obviously not my current style staple since I'm into bright colors and prints at the moment.
It's nice to deviate from your usual style once in a while. :) 

The only fashion attitude that I should overcome though is the fear of getting meaningful glances due to 'overdressing'. Apparently, outfits like these are only worn on weddings, parties and the like, here in our province where almost everyone's hooked with the shirt+jeans trend.
Hence, I wore flats instead. :| 

I must say that it takes a bucketful of courage to daringly pull an outfit off. For some lucky individuals, it's innate nature. As for me, it will always be a bold decision to show the world who I really am without inhibitions, just glare-proof confidence. Soon, I will make that decision, swear! :D

What prevents you from being a little too dressy in public?

Much <3,

Mela

P.S. You might want to join my DreamBig Shop Giveaway, CLICK HERE!