05JAN2015 // HAPPY NEW YEAR

Naoko Bag: Wabi Sabi

Happy new year everyone!
Today, to me, is the real beginning of 2015. Today is when everyone goes back to work and back to school, back to the daily grind. 2015 for me is all about putting ideas to reality, working hard to create something I've always dreamt to happen while letting time do its magic; reminding myself that we are simply human and can't forsee everything, and most of all, to enjoy living life!

Cheers to a great year ahead! X


Photos by Karyn Ong

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

30OCT2014 // SUMMER GOTH

Sunnies Studios / Top: James Isara Geometric Bralette (c/o ASTO) / Skirt: Vintage / Sandals: ASOS

Here's the outfit that I wore to the super cute Sunnies Studios' 1st birthday bash. 

I've been told that I tend to go a little goth at times, I suppose it's only natural for someone who wears a lot of black and with several variations in styling! I don't mind at all, I actually embrace it- I've accidentally referenced the 90s flick The Craft! (Thanks for the reference, Martine!) 

Many thanks to Asto Group for sending me a couple of cute tops like this. They know exactly what I like. They too are celebrating their 1st birthday/anniversary this coming November, and have contacted me for a little collab! Here's a fun coupon code for 20% off any purchase on their website: ASTOxRB

Photos by Anton Aguila

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).

03OCT2014 // SOMA STORES STORE OPENING

Top c/o ASTO / HW Pants: American Apparel / Boots: ASOS / Bag: Balenciaga City

Went to the opening of the SOMA Stores at Green Sun Hotel showcasing up-and-coming local designers (photos here). The space was almost like a museum, with art installations on your way to the next retail shop. I've been following a couple of the designers for a while now (specifically Proudrace, who used to only sell their fashion internationally and Basic Movement by Esme Palaganas, a very talented young designer who pulls at my fashion-basics-with-a-twist heartstrings), so you can imagine my excitement of knowing they are finally going to have a retail space nearby! The event had a fashion show (which I missed due to very heavy traffic) and an afterparty. The attire was black and/or white- well, you know that's exactly my jam.

Photos by Anton Aguila

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

22AUG2014 // HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BENCH!

White T-Shirt: Bench Basics / Banded Sport Skirt: Y-3 / Heeled Mules: Zara

Sharing some photos from my last feature with Bench B/Blog Celebrating 27 Years with YoungSTAR shot by the ever cool Joseph Pascual. Really awesome to be a part of this white t-shirt styling challenge of sorts! Happy birthday, Bench! 

15AUG2014 // SQUARISH

Sunnies by Charlie / PVC Knit Top: Zara / Drawstring Shorts: Uniqlo / Ayahko Bag: Wabi Sabi / Crepe Sole Brogues: Kurt Geiger

Keeping things super simple in this week's post. I love the boxy form that the top and shorts separately take- the top because of the bonded knit + PVC; the bottoms because of the pleats despite the soft viscose feel. In a recent exchange, a friend asked me what my priorities in dressing were. My top priorities, I realized, were comfort and silhouette. Comfort because I really am too lazy to power through the day in anything painful or too constricting, and silhouette because I get bored easily and love to try different things. Hey, so, I'm (slightly) consistent after all!

Photos by Karyn Ong

08AUG2014 // NEW CROPS

 Drape Top: Giordano Ladies / High Waist Zipper Pants: American Apparel / Ayahko Bag: Wabi Sabi / Mules: Zara

I've been playing around with crop tops more lately and keeping an eye out for different shapes and sizes. Here is one super versatile knitted gem. I think it was originally supposed to be worn different ways using the drapes with a pin, but I love how it looks just like this. A big thank you to high waisted pants and skirts to hide any evidence of laziness/lack of exercise!

Photos by M. Tuason

01AUG2014 // I SWEAR I'M A GIRL

Look 1-  Zip Bomber: The Artisan / Mens Shirt: CDG Shirt / Shorts: H&M / Crepe Sole Brogues: Kurt Geiger

Look 2-  Mens Shirt: ACNE / Drop Crotch Shorts: CDG BLACK / Sneakers: Andre

Here are the other two looks from the Preview shoot that weren't published. Yes, they are extremely boyish and mostly comprised of menswear or menswear inspired pieces (as my feet are too small for mens shoes). I often enjoy dressing like this, I can tell you that these bottoms are on heavy rotation among similar others. I'm well aware that going full boy-attire does a fine job at repelling men (does that make me a Man Repeller??) but whatever, who needs men when you've got drop crotch pants?? (I'm kidding)

Photos by Jeanne Young

25JUL2014 // PREVIEW LOOKS PT. 1

Look 1-  Striped Reverse Shirt: CDG Shirt / Trousers: Costume National / Monk Strap Shoes: Balenciaga

Look 2-  Lawn Tee: American Apparel / Culottes: Vintage (Terriblay) / Sneakers: CDG PLAY

Sharing the looks that were featured in this month's issue of Preview Magazine! Tinay Villiamel (owner and creative director of Bleach Store) and I were placed under the conversation of Genderless Dressing for this year's Best Dressed issue, and these are the two main looks I came up with that were published in the magazine. The shoot went so smoothly, and the only reason I knew what to do in terms of posing was all due to the direction by the super talented Vince Uy.

Comme des Garçons is the absolute epitome of genderless dressing, its literal translation from French is "Like Boys". Needless to say, I gain a lot of inspiration from Rei Kawakubo's amazing work, and aspire to wear her designs more often someday! I have two other looks that weren't published in the magazine, I'll be sharing them here soon!

Photos by Jeanne Young

Direction by Vince Uy

11JUL2014 // UPCYCLING PT. 3

Top: DIY / Shorts: H&M / Sneakers: CDG PLAY / Kasumi Envelop: Wabisabi / Sunnies: Sunnies Studios

Here's the last part of my up cycling blog post series, it's a crop top that I made from an old turtleneck knit. This one was super easy because all I had to do was cut the neck, arms, and body, then sew the sides for a tighter fit. I really like the unfinished edges, and the way the fabric curls on the hem. I made this early last year, and did a blog post wearing it here. Over the past year, the crop top has easily become a wardrobe staple and is now really easy to find. I just like the idea of a DIY because 1- up cycling! 2- not many others are gonna have the same one ;)

Photos by Karyn Ong