Neutral or not

I’ve blended with our dining room wall. The colors in real life are more like the first picture – white shirt, oatmeal cardigan, light grey skirt. Of course I chose this day to spill coffee on myself. The horror. After some furious scrubbing, only a small stain remained, though I kept glancing at it, sure to see it glowing against the light background. (It wasn’t).

And while the outfit projected a relaxed, zen look, I was actually a bit crabby that morning due to some mistakes a medal supplier made (for our mini fun run). It’s far from being an end-of-the-world problem, but it got me really fuming. Smalls things can set us off on the wrong days, I guess. Perhaps the Hulk is relatable after all. I simmered down before heading to class, though I think it affected the mood for the rest of the day. Good thing I had a mani-pedi date with the girls that night. Very aptly timed.

 shirt & skirt – Zara ; cardigan & bag – from Korea ; sandals – Parisian

Summery prints

While J is looking for warmer weather, I’m wishing for ours to drop a few degrees. Our summers are always hotter than the last, don’t you think? Wonder what the weather will be 5 years from now. (And similarly I wonder what the traffic in Metro Manila will be. I know, so random, but the thought pops up whenever I’m stuck in EDSA.)

So I finished Sherlock last week and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s whip smart, charmingly nuanced, creatively shot, and just really entertaining. Unfortunately we only get 3 episodes per season and the next one won’t start filming until 2013! Arg. And season 2 ended with a massive cliff hanger too. I’m pestering everyone to watch it so I can discuss the show with another human being. Ask C - I’ve mentioned Sherlock so many times that it’s turned her off the series forever. My excitement bubbleth over. Must control enthusiasm.

 Also, Benedict Cumberbatch. New TV crush.

Top – Bayo ; shorts – J Crew (Surplus Shop) ; bag – Marc by Marc Jacobs (gifted)

Hopefully the last winter post for a long time

This post is so backlogged and I actually wore this 2 weekends ago, but I couldn't let go of winter without posting one of my favorite (and warmest!) cold season wear.

More than its aztec detailing, bell sleeves and waterfall front, I love its most important feature--keeping this tropic girl toasty!  It feels like walking around the city in a woolly blanket.

It was crazy windy that day.  How windy, exactly?

This much.

At least it gave me a good reason to (ahem) delicately lift up my hand constantly and showcase my Orange You Glad It's Summer Opi nail polish, courtesy of my--wouldn't you believe it--my boss? :)

Fast forward to today, Berlin's temperature is soaring to the mid-twenties.  Hurrah!  I'll post this weekend's outfits soon.  And by "soon" I probably will get to it in two weeks' time, by which the finicky German weather will have reverted back to winter.

shirt - H&M; cardigan - Anthropologie Aleutian Cardigan; pants - Zara; boots - Goertz17; 

necklace - Tiffany & Co.; feather earrings - Urban Outfitters; nail polish - Opi Orange You Glad It's Summer

Work and After Work

Our "no casual Fridays" rule was sadly reiterated some weeks ago. Not the one to simply acquiesce this comfort, this humble serf thought of other ways to circumvent corporate monarchy.

Hardy slacks that has the feel of jeans, check. Loose, untucked jersey shirt made presentable by a soft blazer, check. Statement necklace -- I can wear no matter what occasion :)

After work, the hubby and I went to the movies and watched "The Artist". Throw off the blazer, change into jeans and emu boots and I'm good to go.

Folded down emu boots have a way of projecting hobbit-like proportions onto its wearer, but when watching movies, comfort is now my number 1 priority. (Popcorn is the close second.) I would smuggle in my blanket, oversized pillow and incense candle if I could :)

shirt - COS; blazer & pants - Zara; shoes - TK Maxx; boots - emu; necklace - ebay

Neon neon

These were taken last weekend. Neon yellow is more versatile than I thought. It's actually easy to match with both neutrals and brights. Good buy.

So it's the middle of the long weekend. I spent the past 2 days relaxing at home. So far I've watched some series (Game of Thrones and Sherlock), altered some clothes, baked cookies, made crepes, attempted to make white sauce (result: inedible), did a bit of work, and best of all, slept in late. Man, I wish we can have more long breaks like this.

And side note: Sherlock is awesome. It's funny, creative, and fast paced. I was skeptical at first since it's about a modern day Sherlock Holmes set in London, and deviations like that can be corny. But the show actually retains an old world vibe and the characters are spot on. Holmes has the right mix of wit, eccentricity, and self awareness. So even if Sherlock texts and use the Internet, it's much more true to the original than the Robert Downey version.

 top, skirt - The Ramp ; sandals - Mendrez

Blue summer

Summer’s here and florals are abound. I got this top from The Ramp. The print is quite popular and takes on different forms – crop tops, sleeveless shirt, etc. I just hope I won’t bump into people wearing the same print. As for the blue sandals, I’m trying to inject variety in my footwear, which is currently populated by ballet flats. In fact I got 3 pairs of sandals over the weekend - as well as 2 printed tops, 1 summer dress, 1 mullet skirt, and a pair of lace shorts. Yep, my shopaholic tendencies are showing. Time to whip out the shopping ban.

top – The Ramp ; shorts – Promod ; sandals – Chocolate Shubar

What's black and white and furry all over

I'd never thought I'd get a dress like this. Not the 2010 boho-hippie MBA version of me. Not the 2002-2009 suit wearer me, whose most adventurous print were probably pinstripes. And definitely not my 16-year-old tomboyish self, who would have rolled her eyes in utter exasperation.

But this dress just jumped at me from the sales rack, amongst other dresses vying for my attention. And I thought--despite it giving off Kim Kardashian vibes--why not just see how it would look like on. Hey, I'm a curious girl.

Once on, I nodded sagely and knowingly at my 16-year-old self.

My 16-year-old self pointed back and said, get a better haircut.

Hmph. (Never again trust a frizzy-haired punk hairdresser with a bad dye job.)

(Btw, I love how I can throw on my favorite black blazer and wear this to work! It's true, people dress like this to work. I've haven't touched my pinstripes in ages. Crazy.)

dress - Zara, booties - Mango