SHOPPING: 1,000.00 Peso Challenge for June 2013

Last May, I started my first post on my monthly P1,000.00 shopping challenge. It's a chance for me to add new stuff to my wardrobe without spending too much. Of course as a mom, my son's needs are priority so I always have to be on a budget but will never sacrifice my style! You can read about last month's post here.

Yes I will admit, I love going to Landmark. Again for this month, I spent my monthly challenge there.

You know that feeling when you find an article of clothing that you love so much and you end up buying it in all colors? Ok I admit... I'm GUILTY! This shopping challenge was not at all difficult for me because I ended up doing just that. Here are my buys for the month:

The thing about this dress that I love so much is the fact that the colors create an illusion of curves and a smaller waist. It's made in stretch fabric, the type used for t-shirts so it's very light and stretchy and can easily be converted for day use to night use with a change of accessories. Best part is that it costed only P249.75 (around $6-7) each!

After fitting the dress, I spotted these tops. I wanted to get the black and look for another item but as I took the black one from the hanger, I saw the pink one and it just begged me to take it home. I couldn't resist! These tops are super cute. Perfect for our warm weather with the peek-a-boo shoulders and laser cut details on the sleeves. It's a bit loose at the waist area so no need to suck in that tummy. They were a steal at only P239.75 (around $5-6) each!

Here is the summary and total of my purchases:
P249.75 - black and yellow dress 

P249.75 - black and white dress 

P239.75 - black top with shoulder cut outs 

P239.75 - pink top with shoulder cut outs

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P979.00 GRAND TOTAL (around $25)

Again, I stayed within my budget and was able to come home with 4 cute items that I can really use for my day to day activities. Yay, more clothes! Can't wait to shop again next month! =)

HAIR CHRONICLES: Brazilian Blowout

I was fortunate enough to be able to try a Brazilian Blowout courtesy of The Hair Lounge Salon in Wack Wack, Mandaluyong. I was pretty excited because this was something I've been wanting to try since I don't really like to carry a hairbrush with me. My long locks are hardly brushed! Yes, I'm the wash and wear type. I normally don't like to exert much effort on my hair but I still expect it to look Uh-mazing! Yes I know, if only my hair could speak up, it would nag me for more hair care. I visit the salon only once a year for my yearly trim. Other than that, all my hair coloring and treatments are done by myself or with the help of yaya, in the comfort of my own home.

Based on what I've researched about it, characteristically, the Brazilian Blowout treatment should eliminate frizz, straighten the hair and last about two - three months. It's a keratin-based treatment and can be done on virgin hair and even on chemically treated hair. Heated flat irons are used to close the product into the hair cuticle. The treatments do not guarantee completely straight hair, although if performed correctly, it does reduce the curl, frizz and waves of the hair. 

I arrived at The Hair Lounge Studio and was very happy with the staff's warm welcome. At first I thought that the salon was quite small, only to realize that I was only at the receiving area and was led to the 2nd floor where it was really spacious and the seats were very comfortable. 

The Hair Lounge from outside

First Floor

Reception

Spacious 2nd floor and comfortable seats

After I got seated, two ladies from the staff immediately got to work. Armed with their flat irons, one lady on each side. I was given a cup of coffee and a pile of the latest magazines. My man accompanied me during this salon visit and I appreciated that he was also accommodated with a cup of coffee, reading material and a comfortable seat while he waited.

Friendly staff working on my tresses

My cup of coffee and lipstick stain, hehe =)

After 2-3 hours more or less, the treatment was finished! and here is my before and after result:

It did eliminate the natural wave and slight frizz I had on my hair. What I liked about it is that it didn't look "TOO STRAIGHT" (like a walis). It looked very natural. Although I am not sure if it will turn out the same for others as results may vary depending on your hair type. If you are planning to have this done and are wondering about the results, I suggest consulting the experts so they can assess your hair and let you know how it will turn out for you.

Frontal view of end result.
My man waiting for me at the back! Haha! =)

If you would like to consult them regarding the Brazilian Blowout, The Hair Lounge Salon is located in 520 Shaw Blvd. cor Old Wack Wack Rd, 1555, Mandaluyong. You can also set an appointment by calling them through the following numbers: (02) 2393702, (02) 6248444, 09178084848

TRAVEL + FASHION: Santa Monica, California

Last March, I was very privileged to be given the chance to spend four days in Santa Monica, California, sponsored by K-Swiss International. The K-Swiss brand originally came from Santa Monica. And so, armed with my K-Swiss Sneakers, I explored Santa Monica!

Since I was given 4 days in Santa Monica, I decided to go on and spend an entire month in the USA. Of course, after my stay for K-Swiss at the Fairmont Hotel, I would be on my own for a whole month. I knew this meant that I could not pack all my fashionista outfits with me. Preparing for one month meant super light packing which I really dreaded and thought would be impossible for me to achieve! So, because I had to pack lightly, I decided to pack a lot of blacks and dark colors and just play it up with scarves, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. to be able to change looks. I'll be posting most of my US outfits so I could show you how I played up my very scarce wardrobe during my one month stay. Believe me, living out of a suitcase and having limited outfits was sheer torture for me and I'm just glad I survived an entire month!

The Fairmont Hotel was indeed an awesome choice by K-Swiss. I loved the amenities and most of all the beautiful beach front view!

The weather was definitely too cold for me. I was surprised to see that most locals would be in their swimwear and sunbathing at the beach. I was too used to Manila OVEN-STYLE weather so the cold took a bit of getting used to. I headed to the beach pier in my all black and double layer outfit while most girls were frolicking in the beach in their bikinis. As much as I wanted to wear the bikini I brought with me, I had no choice or I'd freeze to death!

To add a bit of color to my all black outfit, I accessorized with my pink K-Swiss Sneakers, My purple shades and silver ring. Despite the simplicity of my outfit, I loved how my reddish dark blonde hair color stood out against the all black. It took me awhile to adjust dressing in layers since my Manila outfits consisted mostly of short shorts, dresses and tube tops. Layered dressing certainly wasn't my forte but I knew I needed to make it work for my one month stay!

at the Fair on the Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica was a lot of fun. So many tourist spots, nature and street art that I couldn't resist taking photos of. During our free days we, explored the place by just walking around and getting lost a lot. Doj (my boyfriend) and I enjoy the getting lost part of our travels! Despite the frustration of not knowing where to go, it is kind of fun when we have no idea where we are and we just end up laughing at ourselves and taking endless photos. I remember our first HongKong trip a few years back and how we got so lost after partying until 2am. We had no idea how to get back to our hotel and ended up asking for help from a policeman who didn't speak any english! How we managed to get back to our hotel was a long story! Getting lost in Santa Monica was a bit easier because we didn't have to put up with the language barrier. And because of the cool weather, we didn't sweat at all even if we knew we had been walking really far already. 

After my daytime adventures of this day, Iwent to meet up with my long time bestfriend, Apple, from New York. She came all the way to see me in Santa Monica because it's been 6 years since we last saw each other in Manila. I was also due to travel to New York in 2 weeks but I guess we were too excited to see each other already. Apple went to my hotel with her friend Kourtney and they took us to our first fine dining experience of this trip.

My bestfriend, Apple. Isn't she super sexy???

And because I traveled light, rather than changing into a whole new outfit, I just changed up my accessories to convert my outfit for night. I changed my K-Swiss Sneakers to my Nine West boots and replaced my shades with a scarf. Yep, black is the easiest outfit to accessorize and will save you the hassle of thinking what to wear next when traveling. I really didn't want to stress myself figuring out my outfit combinations. Of course in the back of my mind, I knew dressing for my New York trip in the next two weeks would be more than my all black outfits. I'll figure it out then. =)

THOUGHTS: On Being A Mom

Mother's Day just passed and like every year, I can say that it really is one of my favorite occasions. With the amount of greetings that I got, I sort of felt that it was like my birthday! On that day, I didn't go online for just a couple of hours and was overwhelmed to come back with 185 notifications on my Facebook profile. It really is a great feeling to be recognized for your greatest accomplishment in life... being a mom.

I must admit, being a mom at a young age was never easy. Yes, I was 18. But despite all the trials that comes with being a young mom, I have absolutely no regrets because it has made me what I am. Nico inspired me to work hard and be what I am today. I guess he was God's way of giving me that push that I needed in my life. I was able to put up my jewelry business before finishing college and was able to finish college with honors. All because of my little boy, my inspiration. I know I wouldn't have all my accomplishments if not for him.

Throwback: Speaking during my college graduation and receiving my Cum Laude award with my parents and my then three year old baby boy

Of course, I also owe a lot to my own mom. I know I wasn't always the good girl she hoped to have. But I never heard her complain. Despite my trying times, she never left my side and was always my bestfriend. Yes, she's my super idol. I wish I could be even half the mom that she is.



 

with my son, my brother and my beautiful mom

On a lighter note, I would also like to share some of the Mother's Day features that I was part of for this year. I was one of the "GlamMoms" for Star World's Mother's Day commercial. It felt great to be in line with such beautiful and awesome mothers from Star World's shows.

 

This commercial is also to promote Star World's Contest on Instagram. Are you a GLAM MOM? Follow @starworld_ph on Instagram Post your photo and hashtag: #selfie #ootd #glammoms @starworld_ph. Star World is giving out fabulous premiums! Who knows, you might just win! =)

A couple days before Mother's Day, I was also featured (together with actress and image specialist, Ana Roces) in GMA News Online's Lifestyle Section for the article "Sexy Moms Speak: It's In Our Attitude - And Our Choices" written by fashion and political personality, China Jocson.

As China interviewed me about  how I maintain being a sexy mom... I couldn't help but think to myself that being a sexy mom isn't about curves or washboard abs, it really is about how you carry yourself. It really is about a SEXY ATTITUDE! Being a mom is no reason for us to get "Losyang". No matter what we weigh, or how many stretch marks we get after pregnancy, we should always remember that these are our battle scars... it is what makes us the strong persons that we are. Being a sexy mom is also never about skimpy clothes, it's about wearing classy and age appropriate outfits. It's about being able to run a household even if  you're on a tight budget. It's about being able to spend time with your children despite your busy schedule. It's about looking good and feeling good.

The full article can be read on this link:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/307213/lifestyle/design/sexy-moms-speak-it-s-in-our-attitude-and-our-choices

I also took screen shots of the article as a remembrance, so if you'd like to read on, here it is:

SHOPPING: 1,000.00 Peso Challenge for May 2013

Every month, I challenge myself to a shopping spree worth P1,000.00. It's a chance for me to add new stuff to my wardrobe without spending too much. P1,000.00 usually isn't much when you're going on a shopping spree. But as a mom, I have to always be on a budget because my son's needs are priority. Of course, even if I am on a budget, I will never allow myself  to be out of style. Mommies, it is possible! You don't have to splurge on expensive stuff to look good, you just have to know where to look. I imposed some rules for myself for my monthly challenge, so here they are:
1. I can go a little bit over the P1,000.00 ($25.00). Like P1,120.00 is ok. But I'm not allowed to reach P1,500.00!
2. I have to be able to buy 3 or more items. So 1-2 is a fail!

One of my favorite places to go to for inexpensive but stylish clothing is The Landmark. This department store has so many choices! They have such a wide variety for different personal styles. Sometimes you won't immediately find something for you. Of course, you have to be patient enough to search the racks for the items with the right fit and style for you.

Here are my buys for the month:

 

These two sheer tops are light enough to put over a dress or tank top and shorts. They cost P159.75 (around $4) each only and they are perfect for summer! They can even be worn over a bikini on your beach trips for the summer. They come in a variety of colors but I chose these two so that they would be easy to match with my other clothes.

Here's another sheer top that I got. I'm wearing it over a black tank top and shorts. I really like this for my casual days because of the light fabric and it's loose without looking frumpy plus, it costed only P289.75. (around $7)

To finish my shopping spree, I opted for this one shoulder dress for a party or gathering I might go to. I absolutely love this piece! The fit is perfect and the design is quite simple but very stylish. And for only P339.75 (around $9), who could go wrong?

Here is the summary and total of my purchases:

P159.75 - blue sheer top
P159.75 - white sheer top
P289.75 - black top with shoulder cut outs
P339.75 - one shoulder striped top

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P949.00 GRAND TOTAL (around $24)

I didn't even go over P1,000.00! Woohoo! Giving myself a pat on the back and heading home with a smile. =)

FASHION: Sneaker Girl

Everyone who knows me well knows that sneakers and rubber shoes are NOT a part of my wardrobe. But after receiving this pair of pink sneakers from K-Swiss Asia... I am now converted! Yes, I love them so much that I have been ditching my heels a lot for this cute pair. Even after wearing them for an entire day, they are still super comfy. So fashion plus comfort... really makes my K-Swiss sneaks a super winner!

As always, I believe that you don't need expensive clothes to look nice. My top is a bazaar find for an unbelievable P50.00! My shades, another bazaar find for P150.00. My bracelets, I made myself and my shorts are from Landmark for only P250.00! =) 

I love how my legs look with my K-Swiss sneakers... plus the color is perfect for summer!

I also went on a super adventure from K-Swiss. I'll tell you about that in my next posts. Meanwhile, follow K-Swiss Asia and K-Swiss Philippines on Facebook! LIKE their page and stay tuned for their posts and contests. Who knows, you might just win something from them in the future!

Sneakers: K-Swiss *  |  Racerback top: Bazaar find  |  Shades: Bazaar find  

Accessories: OLEIC  |  Shorts: Landmark

DIY: Glitter Shoes

As promised on my last post, I'll be posting on how I made my glittery heels. For this DIY, I was inspired by Dorothy and her Ruby Slippers. I had an extra pair of shoes lying around the house which I was no longer using since I ruined it from overuse. I used very few materials and the result was amazing!

Materials: Old shoes, Textile Paint / Acrylic Paint, Brush, Glitter, Tacky Glue, Clear Lacquer Spray Paint

Steps:

1. Make sure the shoes are clean from dust and dirt.

2. Cover the areas you don't want touched with masking tape 
and stuff the shoe with newspaper.

Paint the shoes with a white or neutral color so that 
the final color will look better.

Don't put on a thick coat of paint because it will 
make the shoes stiff. One coat is enough.

Let it dry for a few hours. 

 3. Paint on the second coat.

This will be the final color of the shoe and should 
be the same color as the glitter you will be using. 

Let dry.

4. Using a sponge brush, paint a thin layer of tacky glue onto the shoe.

Tacky glue is really thick stuff so try to spread it out, 
you don't need a lot of it. 

I worked in sections on the shoe rather than covering
 the whole shoe with glue.

5. Press the glitter gently with your fingers and shake off the excess glitter.

6. Allow your shoe to dry completely. This might take 1-2 hours.

7. Touch up with more glue and glitter if needed.

8. Using clear lacquer spray paint, coat the shoe completely. 

This is to seal in the glitter.

Allow this to dry overnight

 

Take a look at the shoe BEFORE, and after the glitter treatment. It looks like NEW!

It's a pretty easy project and worth a try. Go back to my previous blog post and see how I wore it with my black dress. =)

This DIY project of mine was also featured in the September 2012 issue of Celebrity Living Magazine.
 I decided to post it here too so that you can follow the steps
and try it anytime =)