International Release: Rome Wears PRADA and H&M

It is really feel so good to be back in writing after my numerous summer getaways. And since I've been away for quiet some time, I owe you guys a big come back. So gimme a big round of applause as I parade my  outfits on my posts. Summer outfit and tips are coming up on my next posts. Yep, you are right, this blog is slowly transforming in becoming my fashion blog. So here, what I'm going to showcase today are some branded clothes as I'm making a big comeback...

I admit that I am heavily influenced by brands because of awareness to advertising and  marketing. It's putting unprecedented pressure on me to get up to date. But limme tell you how I address this kind of situation.....I don't usually wear designer clothes but when I do, I make sure its well known...like PRADA. And when I'm wearing Prada, it doesn't mean it is fake nor expensive. Y'all knew that I'm a certified relief store shopper and its where I found them. Sure, most of the clothes are second hand but there are also some that are new with the tag price on it but 95% cheaper on the relief stores.

Minding our economic status and keeping up with high fashion and logos are two opposite ways. But for those who can't burn bigger holes on their wallets for expensive labels, ransacking bargain and relief stores are some alternatives....as long as we know how and where to get them, and the most important is to know how to clean  the clothes before using them.

I bought my Prada polo shirt a couple of years ago. Searching thoroughly the new arrivals of my favorite relief store in Quezon City, it was easy to tell designer clothes: the fabric,design and cut of designer clothes really stands out. See, it has been  two years ago but the quality never fades. The H&M chino is my recent purchase from my new found relief store in Makati City and is currently my favorite. I love H&M, it fits so perfectly! Easy to wear. Among my clothes, these pair is my favorite. I consider this pair as my lucky wardrobe and used this several times during important meetings and or job interviews. Shall I be dead (knock on wood), I want this pair to be my outfit when I lay in casket from casket sales. Seriously, this is my funeral advice : I gotta wear that Prada on my final times, lol!

So its not only the devils who could wear Prada - those bully who keep you isolated, insecure and put you on huge pressure could now rest.

A Piece of Santorini

My annual summer holiday is always on top of my priorities despite the tough economic climate - but I do choose cheaper options rather than selecting my dream destinations. Also for me, a DIY travel plan is more exiting than signing up on a package trip apart from the fact that its more cheaper.
 

This year's plan was to spend a three day holiday in the heavenly streets of Santorini, between tiny whitewashed houses, stylish hotels and restaurants and blue-domed churches filled with people waiting for one thing: a glorious sunset!

We started looking for different packages and promos online as early as last quarter of last year.  We've discovered a more cheaper way of finding a place to stay through Air bnb - a website that lets homeowners advertise their place from real people, in almost 20,000 cities, in 192 countries. I never knew that renting a house represents excellent value - and a chance to get as close to the beach as possible. It has the ability to rate both guest and homeowner. And is really useful for a DIY trip.

Reality check: My travel buddies and I couldn't afford the airfare. The airfare could have cost us a month of stay in our chosen accommodation in Santorini. Another thing, we ran out of time to secure our visa.

With good luck, and a strong believe that I could treat myself to a long rest, my cousin discovered Bellaroca - located in the province of Marinduque, designed and patterned after the Greek island of Santorini. Bellaroca was a jackpot! It may be short on shoreline, but it's one of the most compelling! So let me just hold my story here before you get too excited. My gest to Bellaroca will be tackled on my travel blog, Gest to Utopia, check it out for the preview.

International Release: Powerful Pabder Shoes

I've just purchased an orange-y leather belt from Pabder earlier this year and then a pair of black suede Pabder casual shoes couple of months later from the same Italian brand. Guess what I just bought recently? Yes, another pair of Pabder shoes to match that orange belt.  

Design: TM0911

The true premium scent of authentic leather, when I opened the box, was pure happiness. The fact that the product was hand made, I am sure, the quality of the shoes are also standard just the same as my black suede shoes. Like the black pair, its out soles were made of flexible and durable rubber and its insoles are soft and really comfy. I could match it with summer shorts, denims and even casual pants. Good news is, in case of excessive use that may result to damaged soles, I could have the soles fix at any branch for just Php 300 pesos ($7.09). So, if you think Php 3200 ($75.93) is so expensive, think again!

 

My primary concern in my wardrobe collection are utmost comfort, practicality and sensible style. It doesn't need to be pricey nor branded. I don't like apparels with elaborate and bizarre decorations, I am a fan of plain colors and vintage prints. When it comes to footwear, I will never choose that red sole imitation, please!

Yes, there are shoes that are stylish and pain-free and that is Pabder!

Top: Philosophy

Pants: Levis Corduroy 

Belt: Pabder

Shoes: Pabder

New Gadget: Blackberry Bold 9700

Technology really is fast-paced. So I bought a new mobile phone that go simultaneously with my lifestyle. A smart phone with access to the internet everywhere I go, whenever there's my carrier's signal, Globe.

Yes, I availed Globe's Moveout Sale and I got the BlackBerry Bold 9700. The device was 58% off, knowing me, I won't purchase any brand new products unless it's on sale. Some of the devices were free like iPhone 4, Nokia E7, Samsung E1175, etc. I cashed-out Php 2,153 ($50.95) more for my chosen device but its okay. My new gadget was under Php 999 ($23.63) plan per month which suits my monthly budget for communication.

Majority of my office mates and close friends are Blackberry user, the blackberry messenger, which is free, is what I liked most. I could send them a message or group message for free! They thought me how to install facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites. Other applications though are not free. But I discovered FN website, where I could download free apps! How cool is that? Free applications for, iPhones, Androids, and Windows are also available! You might wanna visit the site and download some free apps! Go!

Hats: Must Buy in Boracay

Regardless of the season, Cowboy and Fedora hats are definitely a year round trend in the island of Boracay. Cool chick Josh dragged us to the nearby stall selling hats across  the Zeouk Bar where we had our skin inked temporarily. We've tried several hats, Josh liked the fuchsia one but Carlo and I turned it down. We thought its  for oldies. She picked the white one. Perfect!

I also chose white because I thought it could match any color. Carlo picked brown, matching his skin tone. Gorgeous! aren't we?

Chasing Centris' Pavements

A beautiful day should be spent strolling. So one fine day, my cousins, nieces and I found ourselves strolling in "Centris Walk", a new, open-space commercial center strategically located within Eton Centris – a 12-hectare mixed-use complex that epitomizes the vibrant work-shop-play-and-live concept in Quezon City.

I was amazed with it's promenades, I noticed that they used “green architecture” featuring lush landscape, covered walks and pedestrian-friendly pavements. A playground on artificial grass was installed at the center of different restaurants was a big hit to my nieces, while the shopping area was dominated by Anney and Peachy.

I mentioned from my previous post that I'm planning to go back in our home town this summer. I was  planning to revive our front lawn and I was gathering model lawns and information. An idea flashed in while I was admiring the patios...I'm going to transform our front garden with artificial grass so my folks would not deal too much care on it. I was thinking of a tiered patio with steps if could be possible, that will make our backyard the envy of our neighborhood!

I found INSTALL-IT-DIRECT on the internet when I went home. They are the premiere paver installers. Installing driveways, pool decks, walkways and patios for decades including artificial grass for pets, landscape turf, putting greens and athletic turf. A master riverside pavers installing paving stones and synthetic lawn. Sharing this to y'all for your next lawn project. To learn more about Installitdirect and the paver installation process, please visit their website.

International Release: Topman Shirt

I love orange! I have a thing with bright colors nowadays I've just figured. So when I visited Topman store in  SM Mall of Asia, I found this shirt  with an orange print, I bought it. Besides it was on 50% sale. 

The shirt was printed with "Working Class Heroes" at the top with vintage photo of kids playing an old game. There's a little print defining what  working class means.Working class is a term used in academic sociology and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs as measured by skill, education and lower incomes.

The term is usually contrasted with the upper class and middle class in terms of access to economic resources, education and cultural interests. Its usage can be derogatory. But many people self identity as working class and experience a sense of pride similar to a national identity.

Vaporizing Summer

The heat of summer sunshine is here once again, same time when the turquoise sea is inviting us to swim. This is the time for more action and vacation, a perfect time to escape from our desk, working non-stop, to relax and have a good time. So where are we heading this summer?

We have a lot of itineraries for this season. First stop would be in Subic and Zambales happening next week. We will visit our cousins in the province and discover what the island of Potipot could offer. I heard a lot of good reviews about it and we are all very excited for the four day trip with my cousins and nieces. On the first week of May, we'll fly to Marinduque and visit the beautiful island of Bellaroca. The Pahiyas festival on the third week of May is what excites me, I never been to Quezon province and that will gonna be my first time.

My summer outfits were packed and I’m very ready to go. Other than that, we will also prepare some good summer food. Isn't it nice to munch grilled food on the beach? Of course, we will bring gourmet food too! How are we going to make it? I heard you asked. The answer is very simply, we will make it through the convenient of technology because we just discovered molecular gastronomy, and that is cooking food with the digital volcano vaporizer! With the vapir no2 which is a high efficient digital hand held vaporizer. It is entirely portable, extra nice, isn't it?

I would say that apart from last summer's getaway in Hong Kong this summer plan is the most promising!

Little Greecian Goddesses at "White" Themed Tea Party

Oh yeah, this is another backlog from my lengthy blogger's draft.....a post supposedly in harmony for my post at The Cuisineuer's White themed tea party last year.

You see, we had our series of afternoon tea parties and I chose "White" theme instead of the British-y floral theme because I thought it will be more pleasing in photos...and I am correct. Although we just used cheap tea,  white tea set and wares, our dishes and photoshoot were perfect! The kids were very much into it.

Ritual of afternoon teas maybe prettier if floral themed but it would be more expensive if we bought floral dresses for my nieces. Maybe next time if I could afford glorious tea with exquisite bone china and porcelain pieces.

Here, we just re-used my nieces white tops and Anney bought them an identical white headband to complete their tea party outfit.

International Release: Handmade Pabder Casual Shoes / Loafers

Have you gone so crazy about one brand that you wanted to buy all of its products?

Well, it happened to me with Pabder, an Italian brand committed to delivering the finest fashion for both men and women.

So yes, I bought a pair of black, hand made,  casual shoes and I cant stop using it everyday! My high cut converse shoes were put on its box to rest for a while.

For me, this latest purchase is the most comfortable brand of shoes and its very easy put on my feet whenever I'm in a hurry.

Its outsoles were made a flexible and durable rubber. Stepping in wet areas was no longer a problem it doesn't slip at all, I knew my feet are protected. Its insoles are soft and really comfy.

The design is simple and classic, an authentic leather.

Because it is black, I can match it with shorts, slacks and skinny jeans of any colors.

Here is the close up photo of the Pabder shoes I wore at the17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Design: TM9540

Size: 7 1/2

Price: Php 3, 700

International Release: Billabong, Giordano and Pabder Properties

Friday last week when we went to Clark Airbase in Pampanga to witness the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival.  

My cousins Anney, Peachy, Tess and nieces Atasha, Ykaie, and Chellie were my companion.

We arrived Thursday and we stayed in a Hotel outside the Clark Freeport Zone.

My outfit was supposedly peach t-shirt I bought from Oxygen. Unfortunately, because of excessive eating, it doesn't fit me no more.

Who am I wearing?

My button-up shirt was made by Billabong. I bought that in a relief goods store in Monumento last year for Php 80.00 only.

I bought my headgear in Boracay last December. This Fedora hat was Php 100.00

The white pedal shorts for men is a brand new purchase from Giordano. I bought it when it went on 50% sale, Php 400

Orange-y Belt was from Pabder, I blogged about this before and I must admit, this purchase was really worth the value.

Pabder is an Italian brand which offers a wide range of imported, high quality leather men’s line.

Well because I'm so crazy about Itallian Pabder products, I bought a new pair of shoe. Actually, I bought two pairs, ssshhhh (hi hi hi), I'll tell you about them on my next post.

Before and After Picnik Application

Yep, I've took advantage of the FREE picnik premium application.

Because 'twll be closing on April, premium apps is free until the website closes.

Never tried it before, 'twas a big regret.

I never knew that it could transform your pics...

blemish free...

wrinkle free...

flaw free....skin

Plus,

whiter teeth...

and brighter eyes...

there's more!!!

Enjoy the premium apps until April 19