Hello lovelies!

I hope you're all having a great week so far. I'm sure you're all busy snapping up shots of your gorgeous sartorially-forward selves, or finding the next big thing to blog about... and on that note, I would love to thank all of you for still finding the time to drop by and leave comments! I may not answer your posts and reactions in real time, but do know that they are deeply appreciated and will be reciprocated in kind.:)




As i have previously mentioned, I skipped and hopped over to the uber luxe Penthouse (from the same people who brought in the equally impressive Loft) for the Preview Party of The Penthouse Fashion Series, a hot fusion of the best young designers+great clubbing. My expectations were certainly met-and more. Here's what I wore:


WEARING

lace and mesh top- vintage
custom Dhoti pants- Yves Identify
belt-Primark (UK)
open-toed slingback booties-Janilyn


playing around with the saturation settings... looks and feels vintage



Being close friends with a stylist/designer definitely has its perks, one being indefinitely "borrowing" their designs. Hehehe. These incredible coral Dhotis that he designed has been on my watchlist for quite awhile, and I made sure to rock it for the occasion.:)


Chillin' out with all the lovely people: my BFF/stylist Yves, lifestyle writer Vanessa Balbuena, and the Penthouse's top PR honcho, Angela Emphasis (thank you very much for accomodating!)


The show was a great success in my book, and that's not just saying it-- the styling was impeccable, the maquillage flawless, and the models selected couldn't have been more perfect for the outfits they rocked.. most definitely a great show, one made possible by its talented director, fashion impressario Dino Lloren. **claps claps

Here's a few looks:



a gorgeous pleather bodycon dress by my friend, the uber-talented Mique Yapching.. this is on my watchlist too!! hehehe... Hiya Mique..


my good friend Harvey Cenit's piece de resistance for the night: tres chic, tres flouncy, tres Parisian minidress.. tres adorable!


the models looking statuesque in the ubiquitous final group pose

And of course, where the show is at, expect the fabulous partyphiles to be there:


Spotted the sexy Rockell in a simple ensemble with a tinge of rocker chic. Wearing a vintage cardigan from YSL, liquid leggings from H&M, grandmother's vintage Hermes Birkin (how jealous am i?!!), and custom made shoes


with the city's local Alexander Wang and Olivier Theyskens combined, and one of my personal favorites, Mique Yapching. love his aesthetics!


the adorable and talented Harvey Cenit, spotted here canoodling with his boyfriend, in wrist bijoux pieces by the seriously rad Mark Anton Masa




Kudos to everyone who jammed at the Penthouse for another great party in the metro. An extra special thanks once more to The Penthouse's gorgeous PR gal Angela Emphasis for being extremely kind, and top Cebu designer Dino Lloren for filling us in on the deets.

Expect to see more of The Penthouse Fashion Series only here at Chic in The Tropics... bringing in the metro's best seen over to the global scene. XOXO.:)

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