Take me back to Causeway Bay

There's a place that I would always love to visit, no matter how many times I've been there already. The first time I stepped onto a busy Times Square plaza two years ago, I knew I would keep coming back. It gives me butterflies in my tummy every time I'm there. Just the sight of trams, shops, and the feeling of being a part of the Causeway Bay action makes me wonder why I never thought about staying here forever. This is the main reason why we chose to stay in Causeway Bay right in front of Times Square--we wanted to wake up and come home to our happy place.

These waffle egg balls were so yummy! There's a stall selling these munchies right below our place. They make for a great midnight or pre-lunch time snack.

I really can't get enough of Causeway! During the course of our six-day stay, we explored it and went to the major shops to fully soak in the atmosphere.

Denim jacket and studded top from Topshop, shorts from Zara, Accessorize necklace

On our fourth day, we split up with Jake who went to check out his own brands, so the girls and I went shopping by ourselves. We had a blast at Sogo department store and bought lipsticks, make-up, and bags. I can't believe how cheap they sell Clinique and Nine West here compared to Manila! The girls also took the chance to stock up on YSL and Givenchy lipsticks since we can't find the brands in old Manille.

Me and my obsession with trams. I'm an old-fashioned gal.

We explored the side streets of Causeway and had a grand old time going in and out of the shops. Hong Kong shopping is crazy! I long to find a street here in Manila where you can find back to back shops in every street. The malls were also the best--Times Square, Sogo, and Hysan Place kept us occupied pretty much the whole time.

Knitted frayed cover up from Dorothy Perkins, scalloped top and daisy dukes from Topshop, Aldo necklace

A couple of steps away from our place are the specialty shops. Here's one of BAPE, another Joaquin-favored brand.

And we dropped by Cath Kidston! I was so excited to go here, since we also had to buy stuff for our officemate. It's like a girly land exploded inside.

Here's Jake after our morning shopping. The perks of staying in Causeway while shopping? We get to drop off our bags before we proceed to our next destination! 

I almost forgot to shop at Bershka which was just inside Times Square. Good thing I came across it while on my way to Denim and Supply to meet up with Jake on our last night. I swear it's such a happy place! I got a quilted bag for only $159, what a steal! Trousers were at $199 each!

Happy boy getting his chambray shirt! He's gotten quite attached to Ralph Lauren during our whole trip.

Jake really loved the area, 'cause he got to buy beers at the K shop a couple of steps away from our place right in front of Times Square. Even when it's late at night, the whole place is bustling. I love this place!

Happy times! We're definitely staying at Causeway again next year! I can't wait to walk around this place for days!

Of unsmotable Girls and bohemian trustafarian wardrobes

I have this tendency to become obsessed with fictional characters on television series. First, there was Rachel Greene form FRIENDS, Karen Walker from Will and Grace, and Daenerys from Game of Thrones. These days, my sister and I have been watching the first season of Girls and although I am pretty sure I'm an uptight bitch like Marnie, I have been nursing a girl-crush on Jemima Kirke's bohemian trustafarian character, Jessa. She's too pretty not to have a crush on. 

I mean, her fashion sense has totally inspired me to dress like a bohemian hipster. Case in point, I am totally obsessing over her printed Zara palazzo pants!:

Of course, it's quite difficult to achieve considering my wardrobe is a cross between Marnie and Shoshanna's prim and proper girly styles; BUT, I am now un-regretting the numerous Topshop cutesy tops I bought since Jessa has found a cool way to pull them off: with jeans and rainbow barrettes!

No, I don't think I can pull off a kimono in broad daylight or wear a hippie wedding dress but it's nice to know it can be done. 

Time to stock up on hippie/hipster/bohemian pieces! Who says an uptight bitch can't dress like a free bird?

What made your heart race today? Useless crap from Topshop

Welcome to another edition of stuff I definitely don't need but who cares I want it:

I definitely want need another blazer for work to add to my collection. I want one in denim or something bright. And preferably one that goes well with my daisy dukes.

And I need coral pants, just because the Duchess of Cambridge herself wore them. Oh, Kate Middleton. I'm going to replicate your entire wardrobe one of these days.

I also want this cut out tunic. I haven't tried it on at the store but I think I can pull it off after a week or two of dieting. Or maybe I can just not breathe and do that "stomach in" thing the whole time I'm wearing it?

I recently made the rounds at Zara and Mango and have spotted some key pieces I need. Oversized blouses, candy colored denim shorts, pastel blazers, and some denim jeans. Now, where do I get the money? I'm really starting to hate the extreme irrevocable measures I've imposed on myself when it comes to saving money. Seriously.

P.S. I'm definitely saving up for Cotton On, though. I will never forgive myself if I don't shop on opening day.

Photo cred

2012 wardrobe wishes

This year, I've decided to invest in some key pieces to make me look more presentable but youthful at work. I have always been against the staple corporate attire pieces and would rather go for fun and versatile items that can make up a capsule wardrobe.

Because I change styles erratically, here are some of the pieces I'm currently lusting after:

A perfectly fitted cardigan. I need one that can double as a casual suit so I can wear my tube and sleeveless tops without getting a citation for inappropriate attire. I know I've been trying to boycott Zara after an unpleasant incident with their customer service so maybe I can look for another style from another brand?

Denim tops and a jacket. I blame this one on Jake. (Topshop)

Anything oversized, really. I have a current thing for butterfly sleeves and loose tops which I can't explain. I guess they make me look more skinny? (Topshop)

Time to save up! Or maybe I should wait for Hong Kong and spend all my moolah on H&M and Cotton On instead? 

As if I'd last THAT long.

Turning 23 with the boyfriend

Turned twenty three last week and celebrated with the boy, my family, and the girls. I am blessed to be surrounded by these people. I'll blog about my three-part (yeah, I tend to celebrate my birthdays for a whole week or so) celebration, first up is lunch with the boyfie on the day itself.

First, he surprised me with my favorite yellow rose. Sweet! It's been ages since he got me a flower.

And this is why. Haha.

Then, we went off to Little Tokyo for some authentic Japanese. I originally planned to eat yakiniku at Urameshiya but found out they only open at 5pm so we ended up at Seryna, which was an even better choice. Because it's my birthday, the gods though they'd cut me some slack and had a table ready for us. We were lucky to be seated during lunch hour without reservations at the jam-packed Seryna. Winner!

As always when at a Japanese restaurant, we over-ordered. Seryna's one of the best authentic places here in Manila, apart from Kikufuji!

We went inside Little Tokyo to check out the place. Up next on our Japanese food trip: sushis at Kikufuji then off to Urameshiya!

wearing Topshop scalloped top and eyelet shorts, Aldo gladiators, H&M bag, Promod necklace

Yeah, I have a thing for statues.

After a year of nagging Jake, we finally had our Chocolate Fire date! He's the sweetest, yes? Haha.

They have the BEST cheesecake we've tasted so far, well maybe not the best 'cause I'm sure Jake would beg to differ. But definitely one of the best we've had, and we have tasted  A LOT. It almost made me regret getting the Fire & Ice sundae and not another slice instead. I'm thinking of buying a whole cake just to make myself happy.

That day was pretty awesome, and not just because Jake treated me to shopping sprees at Topshop and Zara and behaved like a good boyfriend. Haha. I love birthdays.

Because I'm turning a year older

Every once in a while, I feel justified in embracing my shallowness when the right opportunity presents itself. During holidays, stressful work days, and of course, my birthday, I am entitled to muse all day about the things that I want. And so, since it's only two days until my birthday, I've already spent a considerable amount of time flitting around the shops to check out the clothes I want to get my hands on, and browsing online for further "research".

So far, Topshop looks promising and ditto for H&M. Yes, I know there's no H&M here but my cousin's off to Singapore next week and my officemate has an upcoming Hong Kong trip so I'm already preparing my carefully laid-out, full-color shopping guide for them. 

So far, so good! And to make everything just perfect, Forever 21's having a sale this weekend and Zara still has my coveting-for-months pale jeans on stock when I last checked! I'm kinda looking forward to turning twenty three now :)

Becky Bloomwood-ing this weekend!

Jake and I have this tradition for birthday gifts: I get him his limited edition Nike kicks and he treats me to a shopping spree to my heart's content. And guess what? Forever 21 just announced they're having a sale this weekend. The boyfriend's already panicking and I'm already planning my shopping strategy.

To quote Becky Bloomwood:

No truer words were ever spoken.

(More) confessions of a shopaholic

Can I just say that I am so happy about the fact that I'm halfway through replenishing my wardrobe for the second half of 2011? Yes, I'm bringing out the shallow, shopaholic girl in me. This month's end-of-season sales for Topshop and Zara have made me a very happy, albeit poor, gal. After my Singapore shop-til-you-drop fiasco, I restrained from shopping for three months (save for some uncontrollable necessary purchases to last me for the fasting period). So yes, I'm back with vengeance! And yes, I just witnessed my boyfriend throw a bitch-fit at Topshop last weekend after I made him wait for an hour!

Although, I just realized I'm more inclined to buy more practical pieces now. Gone are my strawberry prints and crazy florals, I have been buying simple pieces with understated elegance (weh?) or should I say, a more neutral and relaxed look. I'm into mixing and matching offbeat pieces now, wearing separates you wouldn't normally think of combining but actually works. 

I've always said that Zara will always be my first love but I do hate the fact that most of their items on sale are loose, thin white shirts with prints. Last year's SS collection was so much better. Surprisingly, I found more neutral pieces at Topshop (a big boo for their P599 rack though, those items went through THREE sale seasons already, new lines please!) but I'm more in love with their non-sale items--all baby scalloped collars and sailor themes. Too yummy and tempting.

And to quote Alanis: I'm broke but I'm happy.

Until the next weekend, Topshop and Zara!

Confessions of a shopaholic

And this is why I'm perpetually broke.

No, I'm not about to pretend I don't love a good bargain. Nothing can keep me away from Topshop and Zara for the merry month of July. Although I'm not particularly keen on their summer collection this year, I'm not stupid enough to resist buying some key pieces from my two true loves.

Now, if only money would grow on trees. I'm still trying (DESPERATELY!!!) to save up like a mature person as part of my self-imposed "saving up for the future" resolution this year. I've resorted to all sorts of desperate measures to keep my inner Becky Bloomwood from shopping like there's no tomorrow. Half of my money's converted in US dollars (so I won't be tempted to spend, see?), and the other half is in a mutual fund or an ATM card-less bank account somewhere. Wish me luck, fools. I intend to keep it. 

Or not. Oh dear.

Singapore-lah Day 5

To wrap up my Singapore vacation series, here are the pictures from our last full day at the lovely Singapura:

It was Easter Sunday so I went to mass with Maan, and because my mom would kill me. I had to take pictures inside the church as proof for my lovely mother. St. Joseph's was a short walk from our hotel. Their version of a Catholic mass was slightly more formal and a bit shorter compared to our drawn-out masses here in Manila where you can walk in or walk out at any point. They have ushers at every aisle so you can't just sit anywhere.

On our way back to the hotel, we passed by the National Public Library and because we were both book worms, Maan and I were sorely tempted to skip breakfast and read books all day. The place is a mecca for book lovers. Plus, the architecture was just awesome. It's Benilde's SDA meets RCBC Plaza. Our own National Public Library does not stand a chance.

 wearing Dorothy Perkins top, Zara skirt, Kickers loafers, Longchamp Le Pliage

And for brekky, we headed over to the hawker center in front of our hotel and I had my last authentic Hainanese and Milo dinosaur. I also ordered spring rolls that come in a fried shell, yummy! I'm getting all hungry reminiscing about chicken rice and Milo. 

There was also a snake charmer outside our place and a man with a flock of trained African lovebirds walking out and about the ground. I love where we stayed, Bugis area is a cultural melting pot.

After a quick stop at the awesome Iluma mall for shoe shopping, we headed straight for the Singapore Flyer. The view was amazing but you can barely feel the thing move.

 

After a final shopping stop at Cotton On (sob!), I met up with Jake at Orchard for the Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration of his grandparents. The whole clan went to Singapore to celebrate! It was such an awesome feeling meeting all his uncles, aunts, and cousins from Bacolod--they were such a happy, loving, and inspiring family.

Waiting for the others at his hotel lounge.

Dinner at No Signboard Seafood restaurant at the colorful and vibrant Clarke Quay!

 wearing Topshop tube top, Due cardigan, Forever 21 skirt, D&C ribbon flats, Le Pliage

Cereal crayfish FTW!

It was great seeing Manong Jake with his little cousins. He truly is a little kid at heart.

After dinner, we set off for Park Hotel at Clarke Quay for the surprise celebration. Thing is, Papa Quining spotted this tell-tale sign at the hotel lobby before we went up to the function room. :-)

Inspiring, touching messages and tributes kept us laughing and smiling all night. I felt so lucky to have been invited to celebrate with such a warm and loving family. This was really the perfect way to end my Singapore trip. I was wide awake with memories for our 6am flight the next morning. :-)