LFLTAT: Gotta Lovit(o)

Here's the first Lovito outfit that's also a Look For Less Than A Thousand!

It's a boho-chic combination made up of a loose, printed blouse and a denim skirt with an asymmetric detail.

This outfit rang up to less than P800!

This is a great first outfit from Lovito.

And it looks like it won't be the last.

Staff it, okay?

Yes, a letter makes a world of difference.

They really shouldn't treat their staff like toys.

Or maybe, they're toys for the staff.

Oh, the things you find in Divisoria.

FMM: Heading out

For today's Friday Magic Madness, we have a triple feature!

It's just one song, but it was done by 2 different singers. Each rendition was so catchy and infectious that both versions deserve an FMM spot today.

The song is "Going out of my head," It's a song that was originally sung by Little Anthony and the Imperials in 1964.

But the version I'm more familiar with was the one from Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66. Credit it to their Brazilian roots, but their rendition has this samba vibe to it.

But wait, there's more! There's a version of this song from the country's one and only superstar - Ms. Nora Aunor!

Her version has its own charm and flavour, and is equally infectious.

Gosh! This song will be playing in my head for a long, long time.

These cats are the Law(son)

Couldn't help but take a snap of this cute pair of cats at Lawson along Sapphire Road.

As much as people would've wanted to sit (including myself), we couldn't get ourselves to shoo them becuase they're just SOOOO cute!

Cats are really the boos!

Creative Club

Since "disco" is an oft repeated subject during creative conversations, it's just fitting that this was our theme for this month's birthday celebration.

Welcome to Club CAI!

Thanks to this cool and crazy team, we were able to pull it off!

Chews your Childhood

Whenever my grandparents would come home from the US, we'd always be on the lookout for the rare US snacks that they'd bring home. 

This is where we were introduced to chocolates like Snickers, Nestle Crunch, Three Musketeers and Butterfinger. 

They'd also bring candies like Fox and Kraft Caramels.

And my favourite, the bubble gums! I'd be super thrilled whenever they'd bring home Bubble Yum and Hubba Bubba.

This childhood memory came back because of this display at the Dollar Store in Ali Mall:

They have Bubble Yum and Hubba Bubba!

And just like that, I'm back to being a kid.

Obi Two

Time to show another way of using the obi belt.

This time, it's going to be paired with this very pretty jersey dress from H&M.

It has a high-neck, almost like a mock turtle neck. It has side gathers, and actually looks very chic on its own.

But the obi belt can elevate it so many notches higher.

It helps that the grey design on the belt echoes the grey of the dress.

Can't wait to discover the other things this obi belt can do.

Obi One

No, this is not a Star Wars post. 

It's a post about the interesting things you find when shopping on-line.

Was browsing the Shopee site and saw this obi belt in an ikat fabric. It's being sold by a store in Indonesia, so you know it's legit.

Having an affinity with Indonesia, the item eventually ended up in my cart, and ended up at home.

What's nice about this obi belt is that it can easily lift an outfit. 

Here's an LBD from my recent Lovito purchase. On its own, it's an interesting piece because of the front pleats and the button belt details on the waist. 

But when you add the obi belt - boom!

This is just one of the many ways to use and style such a versatile fashion accessory.

I Lovit(o)

Thanks to my niece - Toni - I'm discovering the joys of Lovito.

This is pretty much like SheIn - fast fashion at its fastest and cheapest. 

For the initial loot, it's composed of a dress and a denim skirt for less than P500, and a bohemian blouse for less than P300.

Looking at the quality, it's pretty good for its price point.

That said, there's a new label to love when it comes to fast fashion.

FMM: Et-Cetera

Logie's office playlist is rife with classic tunes. He's just like our Friday Magic Madness DJ, but it just so happens that he plays it almost every day.

One of the songs that was on his playlist inspired today's FMM song.

It's from Peter Cetera, and it's the song that's best known as the theme song of "Karate Kid 2."

Back in the 80s, people just played and sang "Glory of Love" non-stop. Aside from the fact that it's from one of the biggest movies, it's also a nice song to listen to. Again and again.

Such a glorious song.

Cut to the Cheese

Back in college, there were only 2 flavours of Piattos available - Sour Cream (in the green pack) and Cheese (in the blue pack.)

Now, they've combined these 2 OGs to come up with this:

Cheddar AND Sour Cream!

Piattos is really levelling-up their flavour game.

Cat is King

There's a cat who loves to hang-out at the Burger King in our office building.

He's so comfy, it looks like he owns the place. (And he acts like it, too!)

A sleepy cat trumps a hungry customer.

Color Story x LFLTAT: Grays Anatomy

Trust Surplus Shop to give you a twofer!

This ensemble is both a colour story post and a Look For Less Than A Thousand.

Composed of a gray knit top and a slate full skirt, this ensemble rang up to less than P900!

Who says gray has to be drab?

The Sing-ers

This photo popped up on my page, and it instantly made me reminisce our unplanned but well-spent trip to Singapore.

This was one of those trips with the SMC gang that was just random. Someone kicked it off by asking if we wanted to visit the Lion City. Everyone agreed. Et voila! We were there. Amazing!

What's even more amazing is the fact that it's been almost a decade since this trip.

We need to plan a new one. Stat.

Dads the way!

In 3 months, there's going to be a new Daddy who'll be added to our roster of Dads.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Happy Father's Day, Kuya Marv, Biboy, Ray, Bob, Jul, & Carl.

Happy Father-to-be's Day, Kevin!

Where the heart is

Even if it's been more than 30 years since we moved out, my heart still skips a beat whenever I see our old house in Tomas Morato.

(The corner room was my room.)

There's really no place like it.

FMM: Rose to the occasion

Back in the 70s, there was an American singer who had a very memorable name. So memorable that my very young mind remembered her, and still remember her until today.

The name?

Rose Royce.

Yes, like the car.

And just like her memorable name, her 1977 hit was equally memorable. To the point that it's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Then and now, you can't deny that "Wishing on a Star" really has star quality.

Que Bonito!

After Editor's Market, here's another one of my go-to brands that's opening a store in the Philippines!

Love, Bonito is a fun, feminine fast fashion brand (so many Fs!) that's also very affordable. They have a good mix of classics and fashion forward items.

Maybe it's time for In Good Company to open its stores in the country again.

Take a bow

Among the many pretty pieces in the latest collection of Plains & Prints, there was one dress was a must-buy in my book.

It’s the pretty shift dress with a full scenic print all-over, and two bows on the sleeves.

What makes it even nicer is the fact that it’s a two-fer!

The bows are removable, to give it a different vibe.

That’s the reason why this dress just had to be taken home.

Shell Shocked

During my last trip to Cebu in 2019, there was an on-going trade fair at Ayala Center Cebu featuring locally made accessories.

At that trade fair, there was a booth that sold locally-made minaudieres. They were beautifully made using different types of shells. One particular design caught my eye, and it was of tortoise shell. Was planning to buy it, but ran out of time and wasn't able to go back to mall.

So, it was a missed purchase.

Fast forward to today. Was at The SM Store in SM Megamall, and spotted this:

While it's not the exact design, it's very, very close to the minaudiere that caught my eye. From the shape, to the material, to the size - it gave me a fashion flashback. And that flashback made me buy it!

Imagine my shock when it turned out to be on sale! The price of this was around 70% of the price of the one in Cebu.

Looks like this minaudiere was meant to be.

Hoarding Horton

Now, we can enjoy Tim Hortons coffee without having to go to Tim Hortons.

Was able to buy this box of Tim Hortons coffee on-line. It's perfect for the Keurig machine at home. Compared to buying coffee at the stop, this one is a lot cheaper and faster to enjoy.

Looks like I'll be buying and hoarding more of these soon.

Printed Matter: Petal Attraction

Plains & Prints has mastered the floral print. 

They have a way of making it fun and fresh, yet classy and chic at the same time. That's why Ate has quite a number of floral printed pieces from the brand.

And she can now add another ensemble to that collection. Thanks to this print:

It's so dainty and pretty. It has that botanical print feel, rendered in soft, pastel colours. And the off-white background makes it pop-out even more.

This pretty print is found on this skirt an top ensemble.

It's such an attractive ensemble that's perfect for summer.

Bad Romance

Nope, this isn't a Lady Gaga post.

It's about how a simple, inadvertent switch of a letter, a word changes completely.

Observe:

Proofreader, please!

FMM: IOU everything

The lyrics just played in my head at random.

"A-E-A-E-I-O-U. I sometimes cry!"

Of course, next thing to do was search of the song on YouTube and feature it as today's Friday Magic Madness song.

"I.O.U." from Freeez is now 41 years old. But it sounds like something they'd churn out these days.

It's everything a catchy disco ditty should be.

Yes, we Kun!

In a few months, we won't need to go all the way to Makati to get our Kaya Toast fix.

Yes! Ya Kun Kaya is opening in Cubao!

Gosh. Cubao is really fast becoming the place to be.

Works it!

It’s that most exciting time for Bath and Body Works fans!

One of these days, i’ll make it a point that i’m In the US when sale day comes. 

Christmas in our Hearts

No, this isn’t a Jose Mar Chan post.

We’re a few months too early for that.

This is about the fact that...

Sydnie Christmas won BGT!

Woot! Much deserved!

Tokyo Treats

Thanks to Mark, I have a big bunch of chocolates from Tokyo!

Sweet!

LFLTAT: Chute-ing Stars

One peculiar thing about The SM Store is the fact that their stores don’t carry the same items. There are things in one store that aren’t available in others.

Just like this denim jumper from their SM Manila Branch.

I’ve been to a lot of branches, but this item was never in any of those stores. The jumper was made of a light denim fabric that draped nicely. And the silhouette was very loose, like a parachute. These are just some of the reasons why I quickly snagged this after seeing it.

Of course, it helped that it was on sale! So was the red, striped tank that eventually became the inner blouse on this ensemble.

Together, this outfit was just around P700!

Makes me wonder what other finds are hiding in other branches.

Her way

The last time I was this excited about a singer in a talent show was Carrie Underwood.

After seeing Sydney Christmas in BGT, that level of excitement just came back!

As Filipinos can attest, “My Way” is a dangerous song to sing.

But my gosh! Sydney sang it perfectly!

She’s going to win  this!