19DEC2014 // OLDER WISER

As the cliche goes, your wisdom should be directly proportional to your age. I'm not sure if the Tina of 2013 is a far cry from the 2014 version, but I do know this:

1. Flat (stylish) shoes = happy feet
2. Bigger pants mean you don't feel your butt getting bigger due to excessive enjoyment of food, also it looks pretty kewl
3. I miss my permed hair circa 2012-2013
4. Bioderma Crealine H2O is the shit
5. Big changes are fast approaching-- ETA January 2015

Hey it's almost Christmas! Have a great one xx

Photos by Karyn Ong

12DEC2014 // FEMME

I've surprised myself as well as a few others around me with a little bit of a feminine streak as of late. I've been finding myself gravitating towards the lady silhouettes and pieces, it could just be the upcoming holidays or something of that fuzzy-feeling sort. I make up for it by keeping the footwear slightly unisex/masculine, this way I still have a little fun mixing and matching between inspirations. X

Photos by Karyn Ong

05DEC2014 // BOXY

Sunnies Studios / T-shirt: Maison Martin Margiela / Trousers: Vintage (altered) / Sneakers: EYTYS (from Hoodwink) / Kaito Bag: WabiSabi

It's no secret that I'm drawn to everything baggy and comfortable. The feel of this t-shirt is really way too comfy for my own good, and really great to pair with absolutely any bottom. These pants are a newbie to my closet, I just had them altered about two sizes down and hemmed just on my ankles, they too are a very soft but thick material which I love, to hold its boxy shape. Perfect to match with chunky shoes!

Been waiting a while to see WabiSabi's new collection and now it's finally out! They are really one of my favourite local brands, the quality is just amazing. For this style in particular, I love that you have the option to expand the bag if you like to carry a lot of things. I am so sold on versatility! 

Photos by Karyn Ong

28NOV2014 // HELLO FROM 2013

Sharing some photos from almost exactly a year ago that I totally forgot about. It was worth noting that nothing much has changed for me besides the hair. This is still one of my favourite ways to wear a shirt (one or two buttons done up), with a white t-shirt inside half tucked. Joggers are still on regular wear for at least every other week, and on occasion, footwear with height just to remind me that I'm a lady after all. 

As we get older and more sure of our personalities,  so do our personal styles. I strongly believe in an improving 'core' wardrobe that we can mix and match while adding new pieces that keep it fresh with the times. Needless to say, if we buy the right things that are of our style identities, I think it could, it should last a year or even longer in our wardrobes.

21NOV2014 // GO-TO SHORTS

Sunnies Studios / Top: Giordano Ladies (revised) / Bottoms: Vintage by Terriblay / Clutch: DIY

Been on a little bit of a blog hiatus by accident. Working on a super exciting small project which I will disclose as soon as it comes to life!

Meanwhile here are some pieces I've found myself wearing a little more than usual. I realized that you could figure out your go-to pieces really being in a rush and really don't know what to wear. At these very often times, I tend to grab the shorts. Luckily, I've started hoarding different kinds of shorts lately. There are the drop crotch shorts, skorts, fancier basketball shorts, the boy shorts (aka bermuda), and wide legged pant-hybrid ones like the ones I'm wearing (aka culottes). They remain true to my boyish tendencies (by style or mannerism- I am not the most poised lady) while still allowing me to be a woman via choice of tops and accessories.


Photos by M. Tuason

17OCT2014 // CLOSET DIARIES

2-in-1 Mesh Dress: Melissa Araujo / Sneakers: EYTYS (sold at HOODWINK)

Here’s a really lovely spread for this month’s Closet Diaries with Meg Magazine. Thank you so much for this, Meg (special shout out to Portia)!

I didn’t have a lot of time to think about what to wear and what to show in this feature, but I think here you see something that can exactly represent me today. For one, I am wearing all black in each outfit, most of which I have owned for ages. And two, I’ve started repeating ‘favourite things’ to feature! 

Doing this one made me realize that I’ve really slowed down collecting things, or even shopping loads (which I know is a little strange for a personal style blogger). Over the years I have collected things I really like, that are versatile, simple enough to be basic and make a subtle statement in styling. Though I do try new things, there is now the “core” that is the aforementioned (very humble) collection that I work around today. The reason could easily be the expenses, the idea of quality over quantity, the challenge of working with a smaller, more curated wardrobe. Better yet, it could be the mix of all the above—for now (of course there will always be a long want and to-buy-one-day list growing longer).

29SEP2014 // DURRTY HOTDOG

LULU DK Jewelry Tattoos (PH)

Only my close friends know my secret dream of being a DJ. So when Xtina Superstar sent me an SMS inviting me to guest DJ in this month's DURRTY HOTDOG at Black Market the Saturday before last (yes, this post is very late), I flipped (with excitement). So I know nothing about DJing, but it seems like everyone had fun. I know I did! In case you're wondering, I played a bunch of trap / rap / and remixes of some nostalgic music. Thanks so much to the HOTDOG crew for the awesome night and for your patience in teaching this rookie! Xx

Photos by Goks, Inez Moro for Black Market, M. Tuason

19SEP2014 // PARADIGM SHIFT

Sunnies Studios / Vest: Paradigm Shift / Pants: UNIQLO / Kasumi Envelope: Wabi Sabi

I've been using this vest over everything lately. It's a nice finishing touch to any lazy outfit. I found Karl's (inkarlcerating) online shop, Paradigm Shift, one day, and was really excited to find that there were still a few stocks available for purchase!

Dear Karl, please make more clothes! <3 p="">

Photos by Karyn Ong

12SEP2014 // STATUS INVADES

Top and Shorts: custom made / Sneakers: EYTYS

Showed a bunch of my random stuff on this month's Status Invades page of Status Magazine. Sharing a couple of other photos by Kenji O. Thanks for bringing out the Blue Steel in me!

My apologies for the lag in outfit posts, been super busy lately with work and little projects. Will definitely be sharing more looks soon!

Photos by Kenji O

29AUG2014 // TWISTED CLASSIC

Sunnies Studios / Asymmetric Shirtdress: c/o AstoGroup / Lace Cycle Shorts: American Apparel / Sneakers: EYTYS / Bag: Vintage Il Bisonte

Shirt dresses were never really my style. This one, however, caught my attention due to the pleasantly strange hem. Loving it being literally edgy.

In other news, I thought I'd do some photos before the purple washes out to pinkish red again.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! X

Photos by Karyn Ong

02MAY2014 // SKIRTING PT. 2

Top: DIY Crop (from old H&M shirt) / Skirt: COS / Boots: ASOS 

Apologies for the very delayed Part 2 post! Times have been a little busier lately.

I wanted to do a slightly more tailored look for Part 2. That, and I wanted to wear one of the very few things I purchased in Paris last February. This COS skirt is cut so beautifully; the fabric has a nice stiff drape to show off the curved shape and accentuated pleating in the back, making it a little different from your usual full circle skirt. It is also a major plus that it has deep pockets! I can see myself wearing this in all sorts of variations- a mens tee and slip ons for a super casual day, or a black top and heels for a more dressy occasion. It has definitely filled one of the missing gaps in my wardrobe.

Photography by Cholo dela Vega
Location: The Curator 

FAKE SPORTY

Got lucky with timing and FINALLY met up with photographer friend Jowell Mariano after ages of talking about doing a project such as this. We tried to fit in a couple looks seeing as I am hard to get a hold of, and here is the first of the set. He is more known for his wedding photography, but heck I think he knows a thing or two about fashion photography, don't you think?

Though I really wish I was more adept at sports, I'm not, and this outfit has got to be the closest I'll ever get to it. It will have to do for now.

Hat: NastyGal / Top: Sune / Lounge Pants: Uniqlo / Shoes: Joe Fresh / Leather Backpack: Vintage Prada / Watch: Nixon

Love lots, black soul xx

RECURRENCE

We all know how history likes to repeat itself; often in subtle, déjà vu style, and other times it comes back with a bang. Anything in history could recur in global, political or social issues and trends, in art, in design, in fashion, in music and the list goes on.

Enter crop tops. Actually, enter Gwen Stefani, Gwen Stefani, Gwen Stefani, All Saints, and of course some Sporty Spice. It is safe to say the flab showing trend gave birth in the 90s, and that girls of the 90s knew how to do some serious crunches. No, not bitter, just jealous. 

We've been seeing crop tops for a while now (as I remember they used to be called midriffs, hanging tops, or baby tees). They come in all different shapes, colours, and lengths that although aim to expose some skin, can be worn and manipulated to look very very different from each other. In the 90s, ladies wore them with low waist pants to show off some of those lower abdominal muscles. Today, though still worn with low waist bottoms, it is more commonly worn with higher waisted pants, shorts, or skirts. I mean it looks nice, and it's far more convenient than tucking longer tops in. No need to struggle when visiting the bathroom or make adjustments if you are reaching for something (ladies who tuck, you know what I mean). Ergo, crop tops prove to be quite convenient. The only thing is, it is a greater challenge to remind oneself to work out even just a little bit. Luckily, the high waisted bottoms help covering majority of the flabs. On a side note, I find they are very useful for layering too.

Here I'm trying out the sports bra as a crop top. It's a two-in-one thing, ultra comfort, no fuss. Not to mention, I am very much loving these skirt pants.

Mesh Cardigan: Vintage / Sports Bra: Karma / Skirt Pants: Uniqlo

Photos by Karyn Ong