Brrr...cold weather...

the wintry bohemian by crysta17 featuring Forever21

I'm still on internship and rarely get to dress up which explains the lack of day-to-day outfit posts. As soon as I get out of it, I'll start racking them up.

As for taking so long to post another entry...there's the busy schedule to blame. Weekdays, I'm often on internship from as early as 7 in the morning to late in the afternoon at 5. In the weeknights, I prepare lesson plans, visual aids/teaching aids and other school requirements. I'm due to edit journalism (news)-heavy articles sometime this month and early next month. I live a stressful life. Oh, yes, I do!

Brrr...the weather's cold today. Although the sun's shining high up, the sky's still cloudy giving the city a gloomy setting. Anyhow, it's a Sunday and I have to be in school for student publication work and the mood set by cloudy skies gives me the perfect excuse to dress some basics in the closet with overcoats---jackets, coats, whatever. Dressing up in anything with minimal sleeves won't do with this kind of weather we have at the moment.

Been raining for two days straight now. Word is there's a storm brewing. I'm not sure where it is now.

late halloween greetings!

Lots of costume ideas...with no parties to attend and no trick or treating kids. Ah, well...hope you had a nice Halloween, though! :)

As for the lack of updates, I'll try to make up for them even with the internship on. Hopefully I can. Killer sem...here I come.

I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing

My mum's camera ran low on battery and my dad surely wouldn't let me borrow his. He loves his dSLR too much. LOL.

Days are becoming even more stressful as I enter the final semester of my last year in college. I've resolved to play piano daily to at least lessen the stress that's been accumulating recently. Being a student-journalist/writer doesn't seem to help much these days. That and the oncoming internship are bound to stress and depress me. There's only the piano I can turn to now.

On a rather fashionable note, I went by the mall today. My favorite shops have booties and wedges I find myself lusting for. There's one in nude color and another two in leopards and zebra patterns. They don't sport that much basic wear like shirts and tanks but the footwear they sell are really pretty. I'm going shoe shopping when I've saved enough. Probably by the end of the second semester---when school's out. Or the soonest...Christmas.

Meanwhile, here are some things I'm wishing for. I surely won't be getting any of them anytime soon.

whites, blacks and silvers by crysta17 featuring Splendid

By the end of this semester, I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching others how to play piano. As I've no plans of working in a private---and especially a public---school yet, it's one good way to earn a living. The only thing I can picture myself doing right after school at the moment.

It isn't summer yet it still feels like it's summer---with occasional rain showers

Scans from fashionising

I came across Lara Stone in the June 2009 British Vogue issue I found at the local Booksale. Her editorials are just lovely here.

I loved the cover-up she sported in the last photo and knew I just had to have one for myself. To get one, I reconstructed the blue and over-sized tie-dyed shirt I got as a present into something similar to this. You'll most probably see it in the summer. It seems nearly impossible I'm getting any break after the end of this semester and the beginning of the next's. There's so much to settle before the 560 hours of internship I need to complete from November 3 onwards. At least I can console myself with the fact that I'm finishing school by March next year.

People at Intellisoft are having a hard time fixing my laptop. It's in the shop and without it, I couldn't pretty-fy this blog with a good header. Apparently, my Photoshop is there.

I'm supposed to be working on a research paper due later. It's already 12 in midnight here. I'm only procrastinating because it's stressful only thinking about the work waiting for me after writing this entry. Hopefully I get to finish everything in time, however. I'm staying up at least until 6-7 in the morning to complete the said requirement. I'm so...stressed out I just want to let go of everything---go away some place where school work and other responsibilities can't reach me.

Why I love Tokyo, Japan's streets

I am forever amazed by Tokyo's street scene. I love how people dress well back there.

I came across Tokyo Street Style recently and I've been visiting the site for street wear inspiration. Harajuku, Shibuya, Omotesando, Daikanyama and Ginza are where they fish their fashionistas---males included---for the week.

For some reason, I couldn't copy any of the pictures and post 'em here. However, feast your eyes on the street style per week by clicking on the TSS link I gave above. :)

***It bothers me how I'm now listening to Korean pop music. I often prefer J-pop over Kpop. I've played 2NE1's I Don't Care three times now.

Sunday and practices. what a bummer.

skirt, thrifted; glads, Parisian; shirt, SO; hippie band, DIY

The new blogger editor went crazy on me. The old editor seems better. I couldn't post anything since yesterday. I even contemplated moving to another blog hosting site. Ah well, at least everything seems fine now. All thanks to the old editor.

It's a Sunday afternoon yet I have to be in school. We're holding the final practices for the sign language presentation. As much as I don't want to be late, I am running late. It's pretty normal. Tardiness is something I should get over with. It's not doing me any good.


These have been with me for quite a while. I find myself using them more often. Bought them at a shop for all things native in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

the surreal and otherworldly: Alexander McQueen

Photos taken from style.com

The shoes are beautiful and the clothes...surreal. I wonder how they'll fare in the RTW market, however. Props to Alexander McQueen for a futuristic take on fashion. The whole collection is simply breathtaking.

only 'cause today's a wednesday

Shirt, thrifted; Jeans, ZCO; belt, vintage/thrifted; flats, Roxy; hippie band, DIY; necklace, axcess flower sets; earrings, cross earrings from Ukay Queen

It's the second Wednesday of the month of October---or at least I think it is---and thank the heavens we don't have to power dress. It's the dress code implemented by the faculty and admin in our college since the beginning of the school year. The first and last Wednesdays of the month is the time for students of the Education college to power dress. But I don't really have that much clothes in my closet to give myself the professional look.

I think I'm more hippie-vintage-ish more than I am pure vintage. Really.

I bought chords and some silver flower and star beads from KimShoppe about a week or two ago and this resulted:

I couldn't find any ready-made hippie band to my liking so I decided to make my own. Tying it around the back may be difficult at first but it does look fine around the front to the back. I have a few more as I opted to use the natural colors like black, maroon and the light brown pictured here. I've been contemplating adding a silver and a gold hippie band to the collection.

tonight, I'm ready to fall into bed and sleep

tights, Darlington; shirt, So; jumpskirt, Rewind; shoes, Easy Street; headband, SM Department Store;

Credits to Ate Tata for the photos. I only edited them on Photoshop. :)

The internet connection went berserk yesterday. I couldn't connect to it until now.

Top on my wish list at the moment is a camera. I initially wanted a dSLR but I a high-resolution Sony Cybershot would be fine, too. If I were to get a dSLR it would either be a Nikon D60 or D90. My father already has the Canon 40D. I'm currently eying the SLR a friend I have had put up on sale in Multiply. It may run on film but from what I gather, it's just as good as the digital SLRs.

a close-up of the shoes

I remember getting these from my mom. One of my aunts (residing in the US) sent it to her and she gave them to me. They're the perfect wear for anything vintage. I normally use them for school...with the uniform.

strong, cold winds and sudden climate changes that leave chaos behind

for the cold, -ber months by crysta17 featuring 3.1 Phillip Lim dresses

September, for the Philippines, spells cold weather. Winds, in the early morning and in the early to late evening, have become cold recently. And at times like these, I find myself in the coats, jackets and sweaters section of thrift and boutiques. Perhaps it's my mammalian instincts telling me to prepare for the onslaught of cold -ber months' winds.

Typhoon Ondoy struck some areas of the National Capital Region and its neighboring provinces hard up north (Luzon). He came by late last week---and if I'm not mistaken it was a Saturday---and left behind heavily flooded streets where only rooftops and the second or third floors up of establishments could only be seen. As the water slowly subsides, the streets, establishments and residences are revealed to be covered in mud and in complete disorder. Cagayan de Oro experienced the same thing last December and early January this year. I have yet to extend help. :)

let's talk music: Muse - Starlight

A break from the usual...let's talk music for lack of a good fashion-related post. I haven't taken any good photos recently. I rarely wear anything aside from the university (school) uniform these days.

 My life

You electrify my life

Let's conspire to re-ignite

All the souls that would die just to feel alive

In here is my current favorite song from Muse, Starlight. After hearing Adam Lambert's acoustic version of it on Good Morning America's (GMA) summer concert series, I just had to check the original with Youtube. I found it equally delighting as Adam's. The keyboards just stand out so well at some parts---the way it does with the Fray, Coldplay and Keane's music.

Hopefully good photos would come up tomorrow and the next day. I'm off to nearby Lestonnac Retreat House for a two day-one night senior year retreat with some classmates.

still camera shy

Old Navy, Phils. old cinema graphic shirt from startrends; reconstructed Chippie shorts; Guess by Marciano pumps; vintage belt; random three-layered necklace; small cross earrings, Broadway Gems

In a random fit of creativity...or insanity, I reconstructed a number of my old jeans into shorts and tattered cropped jeans last Sunday. I have to say I had so much fun with the shears and the needle and thread. The shorts and cropped pants are so apt for the tropical weather my place is known for that I think it's about time I ditch the jeans, pants rather, for them.

Breaks my heart how my one and only, favorite Guess pumps are falling apart. I'll be looking for a pair of booties or pumps tomorrow.

I'll be experimenting with denims and bleach next. Kudos to the bathroom. Haha.

that dress from so long ago

I'm almost through cleaning my closet. And with my ever growing dress collection, I think I'm going to need a separate rack. But if I were to get my closet redone bigger and better, I wouldn't mind. That way there'd be more space for the flats, pumps and other footwear. I figure I'll be through cleaning the closet of stand-still clothing articles by tomorrow.

I've been itching to do some thrift shopping (ukay-ukay) since a week ago. I might as well get the courage to do the deed myself to scratch the itch. I prefer to go thrift shopping (ukay-ukay) with friends during the day but I don't mind checking the thrift stalls in Divisoria on my own on late Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Speaking of thrift shopping, I passed by Applemint Apparel, my current favorite thrift store, earlier today and they were closed. I was on my way to the music school where I currently am learning the piano and the art of classical singing. On random weekdays, I would find them open but really now...Friday and they're closed at past 4 in the afternoon?! Ever I catch them open tomorrow, I'll drop by and see what they have.

Z.ro Collection, dress; Xhilaration, flats; Ydafu, bag; earrings bought from a classmate; from SM Department Store,sunglasses

....and featuring my little brother ahead of me, Nico.

These photos were taken by my father at the airport. I found them absolutely awesome and decided to post 'em even though they were taken a couple months ago.

The dress has been sitting on my closet, gathering dust for years until I recently wore them one February night while frolicking in Cebu with the 3rd year and 4th year SpEd student-teachers from the university. My mother bought it for me on the first family trip out of the country when I was in fifth grade. It works well as a mini now. Good thing I didn't throw it away.

The countdown 'til my birthday is still ongoing and I now officially have 6 days left 'til I get another year older. Apart from moving my savings from the university financial cooperative to a bank, I think that personal holiday merits a trip down to the thrift stores (including Applemint Apparel) for anything vintage. I really should go do something to celebrate the special day (to myself) by doing some shopping. Hopefully school work does not keep me in school much that day. I guess my plan to ditch school for the last time will have to take the backseat, never to be taken into the front seat ever again.

I'm writing this entry on a laptop that's running low on battery. I guess I had better go and take a little nap before doing a mini-marathon on the remaining episodes I have yet to watch of Gossip Girl season 2.

of whites and others

Minimalist White by crysta17 featuring James Perse

There are days when I don't feel like doing anything and this is one of them. I have loads of things to do but I'm slacking off. School work is stressing me out.

The teacher didn't hold us long in the classroom earlier this morning and I had enough time to squeeze in some chores and blogging.

Countdown 'til my birthday is still ongoing. In just 8 days, I'll be on to my 22nd day of living. I still have no idea how best to celebrate that day. I'm definitely not going anywhere as there is school to tend to. I do want to ditch school that day and wish to celebrate it elsewhere. Aww...

I just received the dress I ordered and I liked it! The bottom is sheer lace so there's a need to put something under it. Tried the white stockings but they make the whole thing (including me) look weird. I'll stick with anything black---leggings or tights. I think it'll go well with the black lacy, flower-patterned  (I think they were lilies) Topshop leggings I found online.

how do i define me...? fashion-wise

Honestly, I have no idea how to define my identity fashion-wise just yet. I'm enamored by both the contemporary and the vintage. But I think that time will come when I'll indefinitely stay vintage. I get the feeling my fascination with the vintage will overpower my love for the contemporary...or not.

The birthday countdown has officially begun! I'll be a year older in only 9 days!

As a pre-birthday gift, I spotted this in one of my Multiply contacts' sites, Viva Vintage.

(photo from Viva Vintage)

I thought it cute and just had to grab it before anyone else could.

Locally, Viva Vintage is one good source for anything vintage and fab. They're an online store which makes shopping easy when you hardly have time to go down to the thrift stores or malls given a hectic daily schedule.

I found another dress I'd like to have from one other local-based online store I stumbled upon and liked, UkayManila, and I'm considering getting it to jump start my vintage clothing and apparels collection. Perhaps I can get it on or the day before my birthday.

Online shopping helps a lot when I'm stressed out from school work because fabulous finds are just a click away. But nothing still beats traditional shopping, particularly thrift shopping. I'm thinking of hitting thrift shops and ukayans during the weekend. I seriously need a break. Innumerable school work has just begun to rain cats and dogs on me.

I have to say my mother was right. I am in need of another closet. That or simply a dress rack. I wonder if they have anything affordable in stores here.

i spy with my little eye...Katy Perry in vintage and rocking it.

 (photos from: Celebutopia, Teen Vogue and Santa Barbara)

Katy Perry's fashion sense---most of the time---is just as good as her hits. I like it when she dons vintage footwear, dresses, tops and skirts as the pictures above. She rocks in anything vintage.

I'm currently hooked with Katy's "Waking Up in Vegas" and "Hot n Cold." They're...er...addicting ear-candies. I might just pick up a copy of her album from the local record stores.

first post hurrah!

Rue21, graphic shirt; Street Legal, leggings; thrifted, scarf; SM Department Store CdeO, dangling cross and heart earrings; random layered necklace; random gold sandals

It's almost 3 in the morning and I'm still awake. All thanks to the second cup of coffee I downed earlier. Insomnia, here I come. (I've been having quite a lengthy string of sleepless nights recently.)

I had my father's help with the pictures while we were sipping coffee and snacking at the cafe of the new Polymedic Plaza---it's the newest and biggest hospital in the city. He hardly leaves home without his trusty Canon EOS 40D. I was in luck. Though I know I could've asked for better pictures by closing in on every article I have on. Well, there's always next time.

Hurrah for my first post and for getting a start on my own fashion and lifestyle+personal blog! I've been thinking about this for a couple months or so now. I finally have one. Yey! :D I may need help with the title, though. I think it's lame. Very lame. I do like the subtitle. Feel free to suggest a fitting title.

Now I need to get sleeping. Although today has been declared a national holiday---it's Ka Erdy's burial---the 'rents, little brother and visiting uncle are hoping to go around the city later.