Catching Up

Finally, the delinquent blogger has risen from the ashes of her thesis research materials.

...or emerged from the depths of her moving boxes.

...or shrugged off her corporate-slave-by-day persona.

...or finished the highly addictive and thought-provoking Hunger Games and is now grappling with such loss and hangover, that she's turned to blogging.

...or, it was all of the above.

Yes, it's all of the above. I felt like I've been away for so long that I've lost touch with the world. What with the speedy changes of news and pop culture and trending topics on the internet, I don't doubt it's true.

Anyhoo! Time to play catch up!

So something like my sister's "Opposite Ends" post, below is a photo pre-internship, pre-Duesseldorf and pre-thesis completion. Note the sad, sad look due to the then-thesis-dilemma. Seriously, I wasn't pulling a "model" face...it was the face of desperation! (I was really thinking of my thesis! Silly me :))

And then this is me a few days ago, in my new room in Duesseldorf, after coming back from work. Feeling excited and apprehensive about the internship. Glad to be in a casual and creative environment. But also drained after the end of each working day.

Okay, outfit comments. I may have rushed things a bit when I ditched my boots for a pair of high heeled pumps. It was crazy in this winter weather, but I was itching to wear my high-waisted cropped pants, which I snagged from Zara at 14 euros (after being marked down from 39 euros)! I can't wait until the weather permits going blazer-less, because I think the puff-sleeves go so well with the cropped pants :) (The puff-sleeved top was also a bargain from 2009's winter sales.)

So how's that for a comeback blog entry. Nyahhhh...really rusty. Aw, apologies! More soon once I've settled down in my new shared flat in Duesseldorf...which is really not the same as having our own place in Leipzig. Oh well! Let's see what the future brings :)

Outfit 1: purple undershirt - United Colors of Benetton; striped top and white knit - H&M

pants - H&M; boots - from a German shoe store

Outfit 2: black top - Mango; blazer and pants - Zara

heels - Charles and Keith; belt - part of another outfit; flower ring - Orsay

Flared

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to take pictures in dressing rooms but it’s been a habit whenever there’s a piece I’d love to buy but didn’t. On this occasion, I didn’t get these awesome Mango flared denim trousers because it’s one size too small. Just one size, dang it. And did I mention it’s 50% off?

The waist band was digging at my tummy and I barely have room to tuck in my shirt. Nevertheless I spent 15 minutes agonizing on whether I can get by wearing something that’s squishing my butt. In the end I got some sense in me. It’s simply not meant to be. I just love how it subtly flares from top to bottom and how the structured material makes it a dressy pair of jeans rather than a rugged one. Oh well, good bye perfect flares, perhaps next time.

Blue chiffon

This dress is basically a blank canvass. It’s so easy to style it with any sort of accessories. Navy blue goes with anything. Plus it’s drapey and flattering. I’m just not used to strapless. I feel like it keeps sliding off but when I look down it’s not. I got the dress over a year ago with no occasion in mind. It’s only last month that I wore it to a wedding and again yesterday for another wedding. It’s the official wedding outfit.

dress – Tango ; wedges – Parisian ; bag & knit cardigan – mom’s ; 
leaf necklace – gifted by J

Opposite Ends

I got these lace up sandals from Charles & Keith. I’ve been eyeing them for months and even tried them on a couple of times. But for some reason I never made the purchase. It wasn’t until last December when my Haviannas broke in High Street that I was forced *ahem ahem* to buy them. It’s probably fate :)

And to kick start the new year, here are my new year's resolution for my wardrobe:

1. Invest in quality clothes. Don’t get tempted by discounts & cheap prices.
2. Invest more in modern and tailored pieces. Less bohemian for now.
3. Wear good outfits for work. Throw out those loose pants.
4. Try out heels.

Outfit 1:  dress – Promod (gifted by J) ; vest – Kashieca ; sandals – Charles & Keith
Outfit 2:  top & pants – Zara ; shoes & belt – SM dept store

J in the jungle

That's me in my new city--Duesseldorf. I haven't discovered it much yet, but from the initial get-go, it seems really nice, cosmopolitan, yet with little pockets of coziness at the same time.

Here I am posing at a small park opposite the end of my block. Further down the street is the community pool, and slightly further is a gym and mini shopping arcade. Three blocks west is a nook of 5-6 cafes and little boutiques. Some blocks east are a couple of tiny Japanese restaurants and a smattering of late-night kiosks.

Here I am wearing a super fab cape that Haze got me during her trip to the US. (Thanks, Haze!) I was really excited to wear it, and couldn't wait for warmer weather, so I just threw it on extra over my winter coat :) Hehehe. (Sudden flashback of youngest sis exclaiming: "Remember not to wear that cape in the forest!")

So, for all intent and purpose, I should be smiling in the photo, right? Nope, because that's my oh-no-thesis-deadline-is-looming-and-i'm-screwed face. Ahhhhhh!!! More in a few days. Beso and buh-byeee!

cape - gift from sis; pants - Zara; boots - Gortz

black coat (not seen here) - H&M

Jolly Rancher

Since December was such a hectic month J and I didn’t get to shop much together. We managed to squeeze in a side trip to Mango though and I got this pair of shorts on sale. I love the not-so-short length and its slouchy, casual feel. I can pair it with sandals or wedges or ballet flats or oxfords and get a different look every time.

On a completely unrelated note, I read the Hunger Games Trilogy last week and now I have to look for a new book to fill the gaping hole inside me. I kid. But yeah, a bit hung over on the series. Any good books I can read?

shorts – Mango ; tank – Supre ; cover up – Museum ; wedges – Parisian ; necklace – Landmark Dept Store

Holiday Hangover

I think this holiday hangover ranks as one of the worst. I know I should start off the new year in a sunny disposition and with a go get em attitude, but I literally had to pry myself off the bed for the first day of work.

In other news, my sister went back to Germany a few days ago. The house suddenly seemed so quiet when we got back from the airport. I suppose it’s back to regular programming. Til next year. We miss you so much already!

Anyway on to the pictures. On this day, we planned to go to Ortigas, but somewhere in Cubao, our car had a flat tire. Like super flat. We 3 had zero experience in changing tires, not to mention our outfits - except for J - are not suitable for the task. So who came to the rescue? Our brand new bro-in-law. He was handy. He changed the tire before our parents even arrived at the scene. Hooray for our “ahia” :)


On J : blazer - Mango ; shirt – People are People ; jeans - Zara ; necklace – Pimkie; flats - H&M
On H: skirt- F21 ; tank – Topshop ; cardigan – from AU ; necklace – St. Francis Square ; flats - ?
On C: skirt – Zara ; top - Forever 18 ; sandals – Nine West ; necklace – Bijou Brigette