Up a Blind Alley

Up a blind alley: 

Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.

I've been putting off posting OOTDs lately because I don't have a time to have someone edit my lay-out. I reverted back to a default template provided by Blogspot til I can find the time to have a sit down with a friend. To be honest, another reason is that I don't want people visiting this page and noticing that it totally looks lackluster. I just hope that my content will compensate for this newbie look.

How's your personal growth? I hope you are as blooming as always. Time and again I have repeated that we are all a work in progress and being a better person takes time. You are going to be misunderstood, and you know what? IT'S OKAY. Because people you knew are not used to growth. Who knows? Your version 2.0 is still making them uncomfortable so they don't know how to deal. Their unacceptable behavior towards your growth might give them an excuse to say, "I miss the old you, and I am behaving badly because I don't know what's wrong" but a poor behavior is no excuse for accountability.

 You were a wrong person at the wrong time but stop harboring on your mistakes, because you are the only one who can put yourself back together and be the right lover at the right time.

  

 Forgive my reactions here. 100% of these shots are stolen and it's quite embarrassing that I make those expressions on a normal basis. Now I understand why some people don't take me seriously. I wore this one during a Blogger event at SM City Cebu. I was quite in a hurry to come up with what to wear since this was a last minute invitation. I didn't even have the time to look at myself in the mirror. If you're an avid reader of this blog, you'll notice that this black blazer has been featured in other entries. Black blazers are anyone's staple. Way back college, I used to pair mine with tank top, shorts and Toms. 

Black Cavalry Twill Jacket: Mystery Girl|Sheer White sleeveless top: Anne Klein|Maroon leather skirt:/nobrand|Satchel:/no brand|Brown boat shoes: Highlands

Done with change? The real one is coming

and it's coming sooner than we think; in three days to be exact.

If you have a mother who's into local showbiz (like mine), Dr. Manny and Pie are names that we usually hear on an a weekly basis. Celebrities have thanked them on air time and again but truth be told, I wasn't so curious since I know they don't have a clinic here in Cebu.

When the word got around that A Manny and Pie Calayan clinic will open less than 10 kilometers away from where we live, I just have to confirm and see them for myself. Meeting Dr. Manny and Pie gave me a feeling of meeting actual celebrities since they are known all over Philippines. I was touched that they personally knew and welcomed me during their press conference at SM Seaside. It was an intimate gathering of local press and we were all so enthusiastic to know more about what they are going to offer come July 3, 2016.

Cebu was chosen by both doctors because we are already known for our flourishing medical tourism. They will be opening their third branch here and this is their first clinic in the Visayas region. What makes Manny and Pie Calayan clinic competitive is that they just don't address the evident dilemma, but examines the root cause of the patients' breakouts to provide them the most appropriate treatment. Dr. Manny also has regular consultations with patients on how they can make maintain their post surgical results. Aside from that, every one will have an equal opportunity to meet them personally since they will fly here at least once a week to have one on one consultations with their patients. 

Despite having their Calayan Surgicentre Brand for the past years, the couple decided to change their brand name to Manny and Pie Calayan Clinic to distinguish themselves from unauthorized clinics operating and using the Calayan brand here in Cebu.

The real ones is coming and you should experience it yourself. To know more about their services, visit their official website at www.mannyandpiecalayan.com 

or their Facebook page, 

www.facebook.com/drscalayan

Get to know more about Manny and Pie Calayan endorsers here 

Sitting shotgun

Sitting Shotgun: 

Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

How's life been treating you lately? 

Don't forget, you are in control. Though I usually leave it to God to take the driver's seat, I've been in the passenger seat lately and that's not good. I should've been in the front seat working alongside with Him. I've let other factors that are work-related get into me and I forgot that I had a choice. 

So it made me stop and think about the life choices I've had lately. As I have matured, my propensity to take on stress went considerably lower. I've kept a more intimate circle of friends, ones whom I can actually send a text to every week and not feel that I don't have to keep up with always. I've learned to not flip tables on things that would've mattered to me a few years ago and when people leave, I don't force them not to. As they say, "when you gotta go, you gotta go"

I've become a "tita" who just loves peace and quiet during weekend nights and my family has become more important to me than they were when I was on my early 20s. I care less about people who are not so accepting towards my snarky comments and social media posts. What matters most to me is to seize the moment, be productive every single day and be thankful for everything, because I am indeed blessed. 

Orange layered blazer: Banila B| Fishboned Dress:DABAGIRL|Watch: Casio|Brown flats: Payless

20-Day Lipstick Challenge DAY 5

I'm sorry that I left updating my blog for two weeks. I became busy with the new job, meeting my sales targets and keeping up with our event deadline. It's very refreshing to be given something new to do because I've been in the same department for five years running. Now, I am basically focused on numbers crunching and going out and making our presence known.

Now back to this challenge

If you are a lippie fanatic like me and a few of my friends, then you are going to like this challenge. My lipstick choices are in no particular order BUT the every day choice would have to be something that will go well with what I’m wearing. My pictures are all raw as intended so pardon my photography skills.

Day 5 is MAC Ruby Woo in Retro Matte. It is predictably drying but I always use this one when I don't have time to do a full make-up. It's bright hues always gives my face the illusion of color and I really need that because I'm pale when I have no make-up. 

I try not to buy MAC lipsticks because I can always find dupes but this one I gave in. Four months in and still no regrets :)

image from google

20 DAY LIPSTICK CHALLENGE-DAY 3

If you are a lippie fanatic like me and a few of my friends, then you are going to like this challenge. My lipstick choices are in no particular order BUT the every day choice would have to be something that will go well with what I’m wearing. My pictures are all raw as intended so pardon my photography skills.

For my 3rd Day, I chose Monomola Lip Tattoo in Red Cherry. This is always my go-to every time I opt for no frills make-up since I always pair this lipstick with Every Bilena Lip and Cheek tint. 

What I like about this lippie is that when you peel the coating off, it gives you that natural look. It stays on for 8-10 hours though if you use it consistently, your lips will eventually dry up. 

The peeling doesn't hurt but it's advisable that you apply this in advance (and in private) since it takes about 5-7 minutes for it to dry up.

Without a doubt

Without A Doubt: 
For certain.

Our HR has e-mailed a company policy roll-out discussion a few weeks ago. It basically means that we are going to be oriented with the company policies and guidelines and this is actually the first time that I've heard of such. Us from sales take pride in being creative, outspoken and lively so we were a bit wary with the changes that this forum might impose. 

Generally speaking, we were all in agreement with what most of our policies have mandated; I am in total agreement that no sexual advances should be made unless with consent but what makes me disappointed were the dress code rules. I know that I've been secretly violating what's office appropriate but I wish that office fashion enthusiasts (like me) can be tolerated and if worse, be treated with mirth. 

I was anticipating the worst so before the company policy, I was already shopping for corporate attires at ukay-ukay. I will be posting my corporate ukay-ukay finds in a few but I also can't say no to buying my constant favorite which are cotton dresses with embroideries. Thirty percent of my blog entries are of me wearing something with embroidery; there's something about stitches, intricate patterns and the like that makes me feel okay with wearing it without having to accessorize.

Since my clothes are very affordable, take for instance, this gray top (I bought this for Php30 only), I tend to buy a lot..and by a lot I really mean a lot. My clothes hoarding is starting to become a small problem at home since I usually buy by half a sack quantity and the husband is the one in-charge to iron them all (I'm addicted to doing the laundry so it poses no problem for me). I feel guilty every after purchase so I compensate by buying clothes for the husband too. 

And again, with the quantity of what I bought, I don't really have the time to fit each one so I just estimate the sizes and wish myself luck that it will fit me. I fit em all after I wash them. 

..and because of this, the what I-thought-was-a-suitable-length-for-a-dress-turns-out-to- be-omg-it's-too-short-to-be-considered-as-a-dress-but-I-wanna-wear-it-in-the-office -dress..and this has happened to me countless times already..So much so that I've decided to buy a quality pair of stockings and pair it with my mini-dresses/long top. 

This combination is always my go-to every time I get victimized by my own purchases. It always makes me look like a character from the Gossip Girl series ..which is a crying shame since I've only watched 10 episodes. Anyway, if you tend to not fit what you bought because of reasons other than mine, it's encouraged that you have to have a presentable-looking pair of leggings, stockings, boy-cut underwear or the likes to prevent wardrobe malfunction 

Mini Dress: No Brand| Stockings: Topshop| Flats: Yosi Samra| Eye Glasses: Ray Ban

You are what you eat

You Are What You Eat: 

In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy foods.

I lost a 10 kilograms on a span of 7 weeks. Thank you boxing!

The journey is fun. What most people don't know is that you don't have to suffer while losing weight. I love to box, it's something that I look forward to for two hours, five times a week. My trainer thinks I am addicted and there's no point in denying it. 

The fact that I lost significant weight in such a short span of time is also a huge bonus that comes with finding the work out that I'm willing to commit to. 

What you eat after every workout is also important. Do you know that boxing actually lets you get away with eating carbohydrates after? But as with everything else,it has to be taken in moderation.

My trainer insists that I do my abs workout after boxing and I've been skipping it for as long as I can remember because:

 1. It gives me LBM  

2. My fitness buddy switched to ZUMBA and went AWOL on me

3. The results will take time and I am the impatient kind

..but some things you just can't fake; I used to think that my flabby tummy will look invisible but look at how soft it is 

 

 I was always into experimenting with different fashion styles as soon as I got hold of my wardrobe budget. It has always been a challenge and I couldn't figure out why so I went back to the basics-which is knowing my body type.

  

I didn't measure each section of my body (upper to waist, torso to toe, etc.) because my husband honestly think I'm my own worst critique but I know something's off when I USED to have a 24 inch waistline and my choice of clothes wasn't enhancing my USED TO BE "perfect" figure. To cut the story short, I've googled it up and then I realized that I have a short torso. Now, this is not a fatal disorder but most probably it's a body condition that some women are still in denial from. The sooner you accept or know your body type, the easier you will know which clothes can give you an illusion of a proportioned body

Case in point, high-waist skirts. They will totally make you look off but I wear skirts anyway because, hey, long legs. Asymmetrical skirts is the focus of the whole outfit but just so I don't look over washed, I paired it with my Forever 21 red cotton dress. Yes, that top is actually a dress but the length is considered sinful in adherence to our company policy-that and I don't have a flat tummy to justify the skimpiness of this top. As with fitting dresses, it can be considered as top which I did. 

If you wear shirts untucked, it gives off a look of longer torso and wide hips... but I can't help but try to pull off an un-photoshopped Kylie Jenner here.

Red dress: Forever 21| Asymmetrical Skirt: Cotton On| Nude Flats: Cotton On

X marks the spot

X marks the spot: 

A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has been looking for.

Primary Homes Inc. holds a major event every last Friday of November when we are all encouraged to dress to the nines. Last year's theme was Star Magic Ball and for a change I opted for the androgynous look since I am not the one that you can actually categorize in a specific box.. 

That, and I actually followed (more or less) what my girlcrush Ellen Adarna wore last September during the ABS-CBN Star Magic Ball

This year's recognition night has been my 5th and this is the first time that I can confidently say that what I wore was spot-on

I felt comfortable, I felt sexy though I didn't show much skin and not to brag, but I received a lot of compliments because I literally stood out among the rest

.. all credits to the 5-inch heels I wore that night. I was actually working since I was one of the staff but I felt comfortable

So how does one actually sport an Androgynous Look?

1. Stop worrying too much if it makes you look masculine. The trick is to look edgy.

2. The cut of the cloth MATTERS. Masculine cuts tend to be a bit bulky, if you can afford it, have your coat/blazer customized. The outline should at least have a hint of curves most especially on the waist and hip part.

3. If you still feel a bit awkward (this will take getting used to), wear a long tie.

4. You need to understand that this fashion does not have to define your sexuality.

5. Ellen Adarna had her hair curled and tied when she wore her flattering blazers and slacks, try doing it too. I only comb my hair once a week on a normal basis and I was planning to just look that way. The only not so subtle mistake I made here was that I had my hair braided tight. I was actually planning to untie it but I remembered that my hairdresser put a lot of toxic spray to hold it together so I just let it be. 

Blazer, Slacks and tie: Kolossas Botique| Black Bandage Top: Bench|Heels: Chinese Laundry|Pearl Earrings: I got it from my Mama

Your Guess Is As Good As Mine

Your Guess Is As Good As Mine:

I have no idea.

S/O to my grandma for giving me some of her dresses. I'm the kind who tries to pull off some outfits just so I can say I've tried wearing it but this one's probably one of those that I might wear again..when I'm in my 40s.

This is what I wore to work today. It's been a company practice that we can NOT wear uniform on Fridays so it's basically a day when I can have a free hand and boy do I ever exercise that privilege

 I am still at this point where I feel uncomfortable every time some one takes my ootd and it's been a few years now. 

 Will I ever surpass this stage?

This cloth is made of satin and is pleated from waist down. It took  me some time to accept the fact that I have a short torso so some dresses might not look as flattering to me.

Despite that fact, I still choose to wear clothes that makes me look awkward looking. As you can see, the length of this dress falls midway between my knee and ankle but below my shin. I know it would've been preferable to to wear closed shoes with heels but we are not in the 1950's era anymore

Gretchen, how many times do I have to play with my hair before you get it right?

Sandals: Cotton On|Watch: Casio|Dress: Your guess is as good as mine