I'm a changed person after coming home from my trip. No, it wasn't exactly a spiritual or meditative journey (too many parties, too many friends, too much alcohol [sorry!] and too many distractions for that, though i fervently wish to go to one soon), but it made me reflect on a lot of things while in the comforts of the tranquil beaches. it also made me appreciate my friends better (well, at least my REAL friends), seeing as it was a loooong week spent with them. It really was a welcome journey.. a bit costly for me, but it was well worth it.:) Bantayan was certainly a dream, and i would do it all over again in a heartbeat.:)


I did promise you pics from my vacay.. my own pics are still with my camera, and my camera is in the service center, and they say it will take a month for me to get it back. now how crappy is that?!!! but well, thank God for friends who all have cameras as well.:) as expected, every day was an opportunity to fashionize!

first off, here are some of the [various] looks i pulled while beaching. basically just cover-ups and stuff, and my DIY grunge shorts were omnipresent.



WEARING

oversized shirt-thrifted
DIY ripped shorts
purse- Tommy Hilfiger
lace-up spats- Leaveland
woven cloche hat and beads-Yves Identify



i found this oversized shirt in one of my thrifting haunts. I wish i really took a shot at the details, but if you look closer, its a girl making various faces. and props to my aunt for this cute Tommy Hilfiger! and how incredible is the sea?!



WEARING
swimsuit- Sassa
mesh top and Zebra-print hat-- Yves
DIY ripped shorts
flip-flops-Havaianas

as you can see, the heat was incredibly intense! you can so see it in the pictures... you most def need at least SPF 50 to hit Bantayan. at least.



WEARING
graphic cover-up- George UK
Havaianas

Walking with my good buddy Brylle along the beach. I mean seriously. how incredible is that white sandy shoreline? Bt srsly, the cloche hat is nowhere to be found since i got back from the trip... must've frikkin lost it in one of the drunken days, but shhhhh.. don't tell Yves. hehehe. i'll just get you a new one luv!


WEARING

oversized cardigan-Aeropostale
Leaveland spats

This oversized cardi is genius. Its incredibly light and comfy and just long enough to cover the lady parts. But I swear, my friend Judee made this trip seem like a weekend in the Hamptons rather than just bumming around in the beach. Give her outfit a check. Pilin' on the bling, baby.

Some more fun shots:


a white hot afternoon in the water+the right swimsuit=perfect


Mayan, Jett and I enjoying a lazy afternoon on the trisikad


a shot of my gay BFF/stylist Yves against some cheap, pink blow-up children's toys. thought-provoking no?


finding the perf spot for some drama shots... coolness


an insanely cool picture of Jett in the water




with the adorable Qia Ingrid


Yves and Brylle


the group enjoying the day's first rhum and cokes... 1st among the many... not proud!


As the pictures show, it was most certainly the best time had by all. Parties, fedora hats, tequila, and too many wayfarers later, we were all able to develop the thing we all treasured... no, not just great outfit posts, but our friendship.


P.S. you guys already know how your comments are deeply and sincerely appreciated. going through my other friend's posts (eeli, some other blogger... rusty memory) talking about unwanted mean comments also made me think about how I would deal with it when i do get one (haven't just yet, fortunately)... i do tons of media work both as a radio DJ and an events host, and trust me, I do get my share of flak every so often (thankfully not too much). I normally just shake it off and I do know that its all a part of being in the public eye. However, i am extremely new at blogging and as much as i would like to just shake it off, i just want a pleasant experience with all of you that petty and insecure "anonymous" posters just can't provide.

that said, i am moderating my comments effective immediately, with the hope that its not too much of an inconvenience to you or whatevs. so please go ahead, leave your comments!


Till next, xoxo.:)

Just this Wednesday I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the collaboration of local fashion and upscale clubbing at its finest. Presenting The Penthouse Fashion Series:



Presented by Loft's The Penthouse, Cebu's newest premier destination for the most illustrious of partyphiles, the Fashion Series aims to give rise to the region's fastest-rising young designers and maquillage artists, allowing direct appreciation for the clothes and at the same time bringing in an intense partying experience for all. Definitely can't get any better than that.

AD Model Anna in a Jonas Navarro creation
MUA: Cris Baguio


To be held every Wednesday night for the whole April and May, The Penthouse Fashion Series will bring in and will have an individual weekly feature on designers Mary Ty, Harvey Cenit, Mique Yapching, Barbie Alvez, Jonas Navarro, Norman and Manuel T. They will be keeping fashionistas abreast with the trends through an in-depth look at their designs and their forecasts for the upcoming seasons.. us stylephiles certainly can't afford to miss that!

AD Model Van
MUA: GariSon

AD Model Divine in a piece by Mary Ty
MUA: GariSon



Directed by one of the most notable names in Cebu fashion, Dino Lloren, expect to see twists and turns never seen before and grand presentations as the series continues to unveil in the coming weeks.. and I will definitely be there! Expect to be in-the-know and in real time only here at Chic In the Tropics.


AD Model Trish with designer Harvey Cenit


Sharon in a design by Norman
MUA: GariSon


AD Models Ericka and Divine in Mary Ty; together with the designer herself
MUA: GariSon and Cris Baguio


a creation by Barbie Alvez
MUA: Gari Son


photo credits courtesy of the series' official photographer, Joseph Ong. His site is definitely worth a visit. http://josephongphotography.com

Surprisingly, living in the tropics has always pushed and encouraged me to live vicariously through others in terms of fashion-- and by that, I mean usually loving things that aren't climate or colour-appropriate under the 37-degree heat. I look on to other fashion bloggers like Karla and Jane who just love piling up the layers and loving the black tones and the neutrals.. just like I have, well, whenever I can get away with it. I go for the tweeds and the wools and the pleathers whenever allowed.. crazy, I know, but it fits who I am personally.




Stereotypically, people foreign to the tropics would expect to see the locals always decked out in huge gaudy florals and those overrated smock dresses (not that there's really anything wrong with the latter). I'm ALWAYS insulted when i see foreign men in long socks with loud and kitschy flower shirts. ALWAYS! just coz' you're in the tropics does not equate to getting away with that faux pas. That said, my wardrobe doesn't necessarily need to be abreast with the stereotypes of heat, thank you very much.





And then i did an SS redux and re-encountered Esteban Cortezar for Ungaro... and I was floored, did a double-take. It was the tropics done absolutely right-- short flouncy dresses, the right bursts of jewel tones, loose but flattering silhouttes, sexy caftans and maxis... I know, I know, it's all been done before, but he does it SO WELL. Takes me right back to Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Girl from Ipanema"... that said, I will definitely be more flexible with my tropical wardrobe this time around.:)






p.s. still awaiting for my camera's diagnostic. X_X. will keep you posted.


photos courtesy of Style.com

Hi everyone! Obviously, I just got back from my trip to Bantayan Island. My sincerest apologies for not being able to update while i was there-- somehow all the internet cafes were closed (as it was also the Holy Week.. or at least those i went to), and well, it was just too hot to do anything else but to soak in the beach and party at night. Hahah. Again, my apologies. I certainly missed all of you!

Pics of the trip have yet to be uploaded. I do have this humongous problem though: sand got into my new camera, and it's freaking out.:( (well, mom is pissed.) i just hope it doesn't hamper my blogging. or get permanently broken. i'd be so f*king depressed. well, i'm still optimistic... shit happens, and i'll just have to find a way to get by somehow.

That said, here's what I wore prior to leaving:





WEARING

bleached denim vest-Kangaroo
black shirt-Vintage Tees
DIY bleached jeans
open-toed slingback bootie- Mario D' Boro



I'm really enjoying the direction of fashion as of this moment. As Tommy from Jak and Jil coined it, "Nu Rave" is in.. i'm an 80's person by heart-i'd gladly sashay in shoulder pads any day now-- but I'm really feeling the 90's overkill going on.. very eclectic, a little bit of rock and glam, truly reminiscent of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" days in which we wished that it would last forever. That... and I'm also incredibly bored of my (already i'll fitting) black skinnies, so I just took the bottle of bleach lying around and nuked the damn thing. Success, I think. I had fun doing it though.





Trying out the B&W setting in my camera turned out well... Now I'm frikking worried how the diagnostic of the damn thing will turn out. I hope it gets fixed:(

I've had this shirt for quite a while and its something I love for both going out and sleeping in--just somehow never managed to figure out what it said!


More than just the pants, I got wayyyy bored and decided to play around with my nails as well. Did i tell you that i can totally rock being a mani-pedi artist? Anyway... props to the adorable blogger who introduced me to doing this mish-mash of yellow and black (i used gray instead) and i think it turned out just the way i like it. thanks again!


Thank you to all those who left lovely comments (even when i was M.I.A).. i'll definitely get back to your inquiries and comments in 3...2...

Hope you had a good week as well.

XOXO

no need to worry, as it's not as "remote" as it looks-- there's of course a town proper, there's internet.. so expect to have real time updates on what everyone in the island is wearing. And by everyone, I do mean everyone-- Bantayan becomes one huge party hub this weekend, and I simply cannot wait to take my Style Spotting there!


those things said, I got a rather pleasant surprise from the always inspirational Tanya, the one behind Captivate Me (http://captivateme.wordpress.com/)-- these two "I Like You" awards. wow, definitely makes blogging more worthwhile when you know your efforts are genuinely appreciated by even a few.






In true blogger form, I now pass it on to some incredible new (and some not so new? hehe) bloggers i have just seen and met as of late, not just for being nice and accomodating (that's a given.. you guys have all been so sweet), but for having genuinely engaging posts and stories to share. you all actually do, so please keep it up.:)


African Tea Party (http://africanteaparty.blogspot.com/)

Fashion Cappuccino (http://fashioncappuccino.com/)

Pearls in Your Hair (http://pearls-in-your-hair.blogspot.com/)
Because Wearing Black Looks Mysterious (http://becausewearingblacklooksmysterious.blogspot.com)
A Forte For Fashion (http://aforteforfashion.blogspot.com)

Please continue to inspire, guys.:) anyway, i'm off to the island at around 2:30 am later (its already 7:30 pm)... i'm hoping you guys have a fabulous week as well! i can't wait to update you regarding my island trip.

XOXO

MY love affair with the 80's is a very open secret, and i am unabashingly proud in admitting it. More than just the fashion (which we all know is making a humongous comeback in more recent times) itself, I am simply in love with the era, and if i could do anything--sell my soul, perhaps (or not, lol? i'm srsly considering it though. hahaha.)--just to go back and get to live the peak of my life in the 80's, i would do it in a heartbeat. The spirit and the feel of the times, the celebrations when discovering new technologies alien to them--there is a very puritan and surreal spirit amidst all the craziness, all those mullets, and all the neon. You call it the 80's, I call it love. Cheesy, but true.

The 80's will of course not be the 80's if not for the free-spirited individuals who defined the decade with their own dose of passion-their music. I am personally a major follower of new wave and a lot of other 80's acts in general... and i don't care if I am branded "old school", because I really am and it feels f**king good. They not only dictated the course of music (introducing electronica to the world), but their influences reach far and wide, becoming essentially the very root of the modern style movement.

That said, here are some of those who deserve the highest of accolades:

THE HUMAN LEAGUE



So what happens when you cross two schoolgirls and one androgyny-lovin' bloke? You get Susan Sulley, Joanne Cutherall and Phil Oakey, the trio behind The Human League. They electrorocked the 80's with hits like "Fascination", "Don't You Want Me Baby?" and my favoritest of the faves, "Human". I personally feel that they were gravely underappreciated for the fantastic talent that they had. and i'll always love the girls (and Phil) for that intense 80's eye makeup (again, huge comeback!). They are certainly never absent in any of my playlists.


DAVID BOWIE


No superfluous adjectives or "great" and fantastic" can ever go as near in describing the genius that is David Bowie. And if you really don't have a clue who he is, i seriously have to ask you where and under what rock do you live in. 136 million records. Ziggy Stardust. Let's Dance. Making androgyny look really sexy. Married to Iman (!!!). Let's face it, the man is king.




HEART


Who didn't have a crush on or didn't want to be Ann and Nancy Wilson way back in the day (or even now)? Incredibly beautiful and with amazing pipes to boot, the girls totally rocked with "Barracuda" and "These Dreams", and people can't get over "Alone" just yet (trust me, it remains to be one of the most requested in our station). Oh, and one thing: they made shoulder pads really hot. Go figure.


A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS


Definitely one of the most underappreciated acts of the 80's. Loop " I Ran (So Far Away)" and "The More You Live, The More You Love" and you'll certainly get to hear what I mean.


KIM CARNES, SHEENA EASTON


Not exactly a humongo fan of Kim and Sheena, but i feel that props are due to them for being in a decade where seemingly only a throne for one IT female popstar was present. Of course both were incredibly beautiful and talented-Kim had that signature throaty and raspy voice, whereas Sheena had an innocent and high-ranged voice- but unfortunately the 80's was all about Madge (as much as we'd like to deny it), and up until now, she never lets us forget it. Like ever.


DEBBIE HARRY AND BLONDIE
And this post cannot be complete without the original badass rock chick, way before all our favorite muses glamorized rock n' rollin and glam trashin' (and way before Taylor Momsen made it "cute"... sorry Taylor), giving you THE goddess, Debbie Harry...


We all wanted to be her, and we definitely all wanted the fringe hair. Here she is with good friend and one of the most unparalleled artists of his generation, Stephen Sprouse:


Being one of the most iconic rock figures of our time, she also heralded one of the most era-defining covers, designed by her good friend, the late Stephen Sprouse. "Rockbird" was the most open declaration that Debbie IS Blondie:




And being chosen as the cover art for the definitive book "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die" says it all. R.I.P. Stephen, you fkin' rock.

Your thoughts?

P.S. Sorry for letting the day pass sans outfit post---things are getting quite hectic here as we're facing the start of a very long vacation week. Everyone's scrambling about to buy last minute supplies, sunblocks and bikinis.. I'm heading over to a place called Bantayan Island for a whole week of fun in the sun... I SWEAR to update on a daily basis. Hope my tan turns out well!


XOXO