All dolled up

Oct17

If you were able to read my feature on Candymag.com’s Style Files, I’m sure you’re already aware that I’m not much of a pink person. It’s a color that I try to avoid as much as possible because I just can’t pull it off. Unlike most girls, it doesn’t make me feel pretty.

Well, this is me trying to conquer my fear.

One thing I love about fashion is the freedom to experiment, and I don’t like being limited. I thought to myself, why not try? If it doesn’t work out, I can live with that.

My sister gave me the baby pink high waist shorts that I’m wearing in this photo. It’s been with me for a few months already, but this was the first time I actually took it out of the closet. As for the polka dot blazer, it’s one of the prettiest online purchases I’ve made so far. I also have this strap of pink fabric that I usually wear as a headband, but this time I tied it around a gold-chained necklace and had like a ribbon hanging around my chest. I guess you can call it” fashion recession,” but I prefer “resourceful.” ;)

Photos by Mark Clemente

| Hype this on Lookbook.nu |

By the way, for the winners of my blog give-away for the Multiply Shopping Party’s exclusive invites, please click here. And thanks to everyone who participated. You should expect more give-aways soon, so be sure to check back. :))

BLOG GIVE-AWAY: The Multiply Shopping Party Exclusive Invites

Oct13

The coolest shopping party is about to hit the city, and YOU can be part of it!

In celebration of its new shopping platform, Multiply Philippines is launching an exclusive party that you shouldn’t dare miss- the Multiply Shopping Party! Join your favorite bloggers and online sellers in this awesome night of fun and fashion. Mingle with your friends, enjoy delectable food and drinks, and witness your fellow fashionistas rock the runway.

Excited? Join my blog give-away and win exclusive invites! :)

Here’s how:

1. LIKE Multiply Philippines on Facebook.

2. FOLLOW Multiply Philippines on Twitter.

3. Leave a comment below with your name and email address and tell me why you love to shop at Multiply, OR tweet me @marjramos “I love to @shopatmultiply because (insert reason here).”

Easy, right? Three winners will be announced on Sunday and will receive two tickets each. Comment away and come in your most fashionable attire! :)

I love hue!

Oct13

I brought bold and bright colors to the Hang Ten bloggers event last Sunday. To start off, I wore my new tassel earrings that were tucked away with a label that says “not for work.” Got this from The Reap Accessories when I dropped by Carnival de Rainhas bazaar weeks ago, and since then I have always visualized color blocking with it. It feels surprisingly light, and how unfortunate it can’t be for my everyday use.

As you may notice, I think I might have gone a little crazy while experimenting on a loud and colorful palette this time. But in an effort not to go overboard, I forced myself to go minimal on accessorizing instead. I call it fair trade. I’ve obviously been obsessing over color blocking for the past few months and I’m guessing the syndrome will last for another season. I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

FYI, I wore this on a rainy day. I seldom allow the weather to interfere with my fashion freedom anyway, so off I went wearing bandage skirt and high heels. Don’t judge though! I only get to go out on weekends, and I hate being deprived by corporate dress codes and stereotypes who, in fact, believe that vanity is on the same page with murder. Ugh! I say it’s a free country and fashion is under freedom of expression.

One of the many reasons why I love democracy. :)

Photos by Mark Clemente

| Hype this look on Lookbook.nu |

Hang Ten Bloggers Event 10.09.2011

Oct10

I was invited to attend the first ever bloggers event of Hang Ten Philippines last Sunday. It took place at their flagship store in SM Mall of Asia and activities included the unveiling of their window display contest winner. The bipolar weather wasn’t friendly at all and I had to brave the rain in order to get there, but it was worth it. I had fun meeting fellow bloggers during the event, participating in the human bingo game and styling a mannequin for the first time. It turned out to be such a challenge dismantling and assembling the arms, haha!

Also got to know more about Hang Ten Philippines. I really admire how the brand remains stylish while catering for a market preferring free, relaxed and unrestricted clothing. :)

Met bloggers Anton and Nikki. Hope to see you guys on the next event! :)

Btw, here's the mannequin we styled during the event. Not so bad, is it? :))

Thanks to the Hang Ten team and The LiST Group for inviting me! :)

To learn more about Hang Ten Philippines, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

I wanna be forever 21

Oct3

I shop practically everywhere. And believe me that when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere… and that includes the children’s wear department.

I’m one of those girls who are always first in line whenever the teacher would say “find your height.” I’m always sitting in front when taking class pictures, and I always ask for the smallest size available when ordering my uniform for the Physical Education class. When I turned eighteen, I looked like twelve. Now at twenty one, I still look like I belong in high school. Growing up, it’s been my big fat frustration.

I’ve been the petite little girl all my life. I won’t lie and say I’ve always loved myself that way, because there were times that I wished I was a different person. But through the years, I realized that I’m not the only person on the face of this planet who has an insecurity or two. More importantly, I realized that depressing over who you’re not only deprives yourself from discovering who you really are and what you can be. I learned to embrace my flaws and love myself for what I am, and though I’m not exactly Miss Universe material, I am happy- because I feel forever 21. :)

polka dot dress (Forever 21 for kids) | jacket (Forever 21) | chained bag | leopard-printed pumps (Alice Viterbo) | bracelet (from Port 88 bazaar)

Photos by Mark Clemente

| Hype this look on Lookbook |

My mane story

Sep24

I had long hair practically all my life. When I entered college, I had it permed, straightened, digi-permed, then I had it straightened again. Sometimes I have bangs, sometimes I don’t. I do a lot of things with my crowning glory- even the most extreme at times. Name it, I’ve probably done it. I used to have long curly hair before I spontaneously had a bob cut done, the shortest I’ve ever had my entire life. Imagine my mom’s surprise when she saw me after that. She could barely recognize me!

Truth is, it was fun the first few weeks. It felt clean and light, and had a carefree vibe which was actually what I liked best about having a short hair. But for someone as impulsive as I am, I always want something new. I always want something changed. And when you just had a bob cut roughly two months ago, growing it back is the boring part.

My hair went through another digital perm session while waiting for months. And to my dismay, after a year, it still isn’t as long as what I’m trying to achieve. I realized I’ve been patient enough, and patience, if you must know, is not my virtue. Hence, I had to ask my good friend Google to find me the best hair extensions I can avail of here in Manila. The answer: Tokyo POSH <3

So, guess who’s back with a long mane? If you’re having the same dilemma, you can visit them too at the R2 Level of Powerplant Mall, Makati City or at the 3rd floor, Main Mall of SM City North EDSA, or click here to check them on Facebook.

Life is too short. Sometimes, waiting is not an option! ;)

Love my new hair. Thank you, Tokyo POSH! :)

Photos by Mark Clemente

| Hype this look on Lookbook |

| Like this blog on Facebook |

Carnival de Rainhas 09.18.2011

Sep22

September 18, 2011. Carnival de Rainhas.

Unlike Port 88, this bazaar in Rockwell did not just border on clothes, shoes and accessories. Although it did not exactly turn out to be the ultimate fashion destination that I thought of, I did not go home disappointed. There were games, prizes, and food. Lots of food!

I was able to find some quirky stuff while roaming around, but I was mainly pigging out the entire time. I went gaga over the sweets- there were cupcakes, gelato, chocolates and pastries. It’s like a mini version of Candyland!

Mark looking so happy with the rainbow cake. :))

And that's me and my rose tequila gelato <3

The most fashionable cupcakes! ;)

P.S. If you’re wondering how my hair suddenly grew inches longer in the span of 24 hours, I shall spill the beans on my next post. :)

Photos by Mark Clemente.

Port 88 Bazaar 09.17.2011

Sep20

September 17, 2011. Port 88 Bazaar.

I’m not always present when there are scheduled bazaars around the metro, but the past weekend I obviously got carried away and went bazaar-hopping to my heart’s content. My first stop: the biggest mid-year bazaar held at The Megatent Events Venue.

My friends and I went to Port 88 last Saturday after watching Contagion (which was, by the way, a very intelligent film). We were just in Greenhills so we thought of dropping by, and I couldn’t bear the thought of missing out on all the shopping excitement with some of the trendiest brands participating in the event. And when we got there, oh boy, I was so right. Megatent was practically oozing with pretty clothes, cute accessories, and beautiful shoes scattered all around the place. There’s Cole Vintage, Virtual Mae, Five By Five, So!Fab, Charles & Keith and many more. It’s a crazy shopping haven. You’d want to take everything home!

Scroll down and take a peek:

FYI: All photos were taken by my boyfriend Mark. Sorry for looking a bit cranky. I went here straight from the office. And though my skirt is maybe a bit too short, I swear I tried my best to adhere to corporate dress code. :)

With my sister Micah <3

Cute statement rings. Sex and The City. LOL. =P

My friend Khryc and the girls behind Erzullie for plus-sized beauties :)

Almost everything's on sale! :D

I wasn’t exactly a big fan of bazaars, but this time I had a whooping experience! I am so excited to try on everything I bought, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s Port 88 event. Totally blissful!

Next post: Carnival de Rainhas. :)

Happy days are here again!

Sep19

Unfortunately, the concept of an eight-hour sleep is underrated in the corporate world. But I’m not dwelling on that, because there are so many good things happening in my life right now. I am trying to focus on being positive instead.

To start off, I am working on backlog! Yes, finally! These photos were taken around mid-August. The second half of that month practically caught me off guard with an overwhelming schedule, hence the late upload. I am still trying to adjust to my new daily routine, but I’m pretty confident that I’m on the right track somehow. I mean, my social life is slowly turning back to normal, considering that I’m required to work six days a week.

I spent the past weekend attending bazaars. Saturday at Port 88 in Megatent and Sunday at Carnival de Rainhas in Rockwell. I’ll be blogging about my experience later, with the pictures that were taken in between shopping and pigging out.

For now, here are the rest of my overdue photos.

Photographed by Mark Clemente.

| Hype this look on Lookbook.nu |

| Like this blog on Facebook |

Project: Flared Dress

Sep12

I was beguiled at first sight when I spotted on the movie poster for One Day. It was the perfect kiss, the perfect atmosphere, and the perfect vintage fashion. Tell me, who did not fall in love with Anne Hathaway and her flared skirt paired with those Dr. Martens boots? I, for one, am besotted. I told myself I must create a look similar to it, hence the challenge: Design a flared dress inspired by Emma Morley of One Day.

The Inspiration: Emma Morley of One Day (photo by cinemablend.com)

Materials: Navy blue fabric (printed), zipper, small buttons in beige, bias tape

The fabric caught my attention because of the print. It has scissors on it and a tape measure at the hem. It looked so enticing for someone like me who’s into sewing and fashion design. Plus, I thought the color was perfect, exactly the shade of blue that I wanted.

Compared to Emma Morley’s classic urban style in the movie poster, I did a tube dress to make it seem more feminine. My intention was to get an inspiration out of it, and not to copy the entire look. To tweak it some more, I paired the dress with my Forever 21 loafer boots. It’s the closest that I have to Doc Martens signature footwear. Also redundant with ribbons as you may notice, I am obviously a lot more girly.

This is the second dress that I made myself. I think I’m learning something new every time, so I’m taking it positively while practicing. Wish me luck on that! :)