One shoe, two ways: Mary me

Since Ate Bullet is always on the look out for cool Mary Janes, this pair caught my eye.

Spotted it during my weekend mall run. This pretty patent Mary Janes in a rich, oxblood hue is such a stunner. From the material to the style to the straps, it's definitely a statement shoe.

Styling a pair like this is easy. So easy, here are 2 examples of how to rock it.

WAY # 1: Short order

To highlight the shoe, you can wear shorts to maximise its exposure. But not just any pair of shorts, but these shorts with an interesting pleated overlay from Incerun. Then, a knit top from Plains & Prints that echoes the colour of the shoe.

WAY # 2: Khaki classics

The colour khaki is also a good way to make the shoe stand out. So, got this khaki pair of trousers from Incerun, and the front pleats give it an oomph. The top is from a collab at Robinsons Department Store (more on that later) which has a touch of red that matches the shoe.

This shoe is truly a shoo-in for best sheo.

Plush points

After a few months of wondering what it's all about, they finally opened this store named KKV in Gareway 2.

Apparently, it's like Mini-so on steroids. It's this huge store with knick-knacks and bric-a-bracs of different shapes, sizes and types.

They have home essentials, food, beauty products, toys and everything in between. But what caught my attention the most is their plushie selection.

(Apparently, kids these days call "stuffed toys" "plushies.")

Just made a quick scan around the place since we were about to have lunch already.

I'll just make it a point to drop by the next time I'm bored and in the area.

Gimme More(no)

There's a lack of fashion retrospectives and exhibits in the country.

This was one of my observations that was shared with Jo a few years ago during a visit to SG.

I've seen quite a number of fashion exhibits in SG. One of my personal faves was the Christian Lacroix exhibit from more than a decade ago. Then, there's the Issey Miyake exhibit in Japan. And of course, the Carolina Herrera exhibit in SCAD.

When I read that there was a Pitoy Moreno fashion exhibit at the MET, the first thought in my mind was "finally!"

Went there yesterday, and it was such a joy to be there. 

His work from different eras were all represented. From his time as costume designer for the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, to his love for the terno, to the gowns of first ladies, to the wedding suite, to his beautiful reinvention of the Japanese obi - they were all there to be enjoyed.

It's awesome to see his work up close, and some of these pieces I've only seen in books or in magazines. No question, Pitoy's work is truly wearable art.

Bonus points for the fact that they capped off the exhibit with this iconic line from "Bongga ka 'day."

And as the exhibit name says, it's truly Timeless.

We should have more exhibits like this.

Meals with Mark: Sharing secrets

Yesterday's Friday Magic Madness song was subconsciously driven by Friday's lunch with Mark.

We've been trying restaurants under The Bistro Group, and on today's agenda was Secret Recipe.

It's an Asian fusion cafe, and as Asian foodies, this place was definitely on our radar. Another plus point was the fact that they also had the "All for me" menu.

Our orders were a "best-of-Asia' scenario.

We had the Roti, Laksa, Chicken Chop and Salad. As expected, everything was good, and the value was even better. We got to share each other's meal, so we had better variety.

This Secret is definitely out.

FMM: Secrets

One of Madonna's more underrated songs is also one of my favourite ones.

It's a song from 1994, and it's a slow song but not exactly a ballad. It still has a catchy beat, but the melody itself is laid back and relaxing. 

Yup, that song is no other than "Secret." Can't believe this song is more than 30 years old already!

It's no secret why this ditty is today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Sukiya Shocker

As a country that's known for their safety and adherence to the highest sanitary and health standards, this piece of news really comes as a shock.

Sukiya is one of Japan's most famous beef bowl restaurants. Mark and I would eat the their branch just above Higashi-Koenji station, and this brand brings back a lot of good memories of our meals there. So, I'm hoping that this issue is resolved and they won't have to make any drastic measures.

Hopefully, the next time Mark and I are in Japan, Sukiya will be back on its feet and we'll be able to dine in there again.

Let this be our prayer

Nope, this isn't a post about that super popular song - "The Prayer."

But it's still about a prayer.

When we were kids, I'd often read the classified ads and look for the printed prayers. 

Seeing this reminded me of those times.

Nowadays, classified pages are a rarity, so venues for printing prayers like this are rare as well.

Hope they bring it back.

Take me to the Studio

Saw some articles that feature Zac Posen's collection from Gap Studio, and they're fire!

This denim collection is the epitome of elevated denim. The button details - very simple, if you think about it - is very successful in giving these denim pieces a fashion edge.

It's a long shot, but I'm hoping that they'll carry this studio collection here in MNL.

The graduate

What?!

It's been 11 years since Migs graduated from high school? 

This feels just like yesterday. 

Cue in "I'm getting old" feels.

Takis (not) cheap

So, it's true that they're finally carrying this Mexican classic in Robinsons Supermarket.

Got to check it out, and was surprised at the price. A big bag is around P450! Gosh, this just cost around $1 (both in Mexico and the US), so this price is a bit surprising.

Much as I'm into Takis, I'm not sure if I'll bite.

Surprise Gift(ed)

Aside from Palmolive, one of the accounts that's close to my heart is Promil. 

It was one of the biggest accounts of Adformatix, and the agency was known for its iconic campaign, "The Gifted Child."

I'm fortunate to have seen that campaign come alive. From the 1st gifted child - Adam, until the many gifted children down the road. Each one had a unique story, a wonderful talent, and their common denominator - being gifted.

The most memorable batch for me was Kiko, James and Shaira. Even if the campaign is 30 years old this year, the commercial still plays in my head, and I'm still familiar with the copy of the ad.

Was at a shoot yesterday, and lo and behold, one of the gifted children was there.

Shaira is now a renowned fashion photographer. Her eye for visuals and her creativity in photography is acknowledged in the industry. Her name has been on everyone's lips and list since she started more than a decade back, and she's still doing what she does best.

It was great catching up with her, and we were both waxing nostalgic at the fact that her commercial came out 30 years ago.

That kind of longevity, now that's a gift!

FMM: Another serving of Ham(mond)

While he's known for a lot of songs, the one that Albert Hammond is probably know for the most is his 1981 hit, "When I'm gone."

Truth is, I've almost forgotten that this song was sung by him. The song itself is iconic and is the fodder in many a karaoke sessions, but it's one of those ditties where people focus on the song rather than the singer.

Thank goodness for last week's Albert Hammond post. Because of that, this song resurfaced on my playlist and has earned its spot as a Friday Magic Madness song.

It's serving slow-rock, LSS realness!

"Isang box. Galing Japan!"

That movie reference never grows old. 

But it's also a very appropriate reference, thanks to this discovery:

It's the group meal box from Tokyo Tokyo!

This is such a good deal. You have tempura, tonkatsu, yakisoba and rice, all in one box!

It's a great way to get your Tokyo fix, without having to go to Tokyo.

Taking the cake

Finally!

They're quite hard to find, but I've finally gotten my hands on Toni's crack cakes!

It's easy to understand why these boxed cakes are so in-demand. They're so, so, SO good!

And that's an unbiased opinion. You can take my word (and Toni's cake) on that.

College cats

There are several "house cats" within the SSC Manila campus. 

They're usually to greet me or "meow" at me on Saturdays. They usually hang-out in front of the facutly area, and it's always a joy to watch them.

Was lucky enough to catch 2 of them last Saturday as they were lazing around. It was a scene that's nicely captured in this shot:

They bring cuteness to a different degree.

A college degree.

I See's you!

This sight at The Podium made my heart skip a beat.

A full-sized See's Candies store!

And it's just a stone's throw away from the office.

This I gotta see!

Black buster week: Blowing bubbles

Nope, this isn't about that popular clothing brand from the 90s. But it's about clothes. And about black.

To cap of this week of black outfits, here's an ensemble that takes the skirt du jour - the bubble skirt.

This super cool skirt is from Surplus Shop. It has a very interesting shape and the bubble detail gives it swish and movement. For the top, it's a loose, dolman-ish style top, also in black.

Bubbles have never looked this chic!

Black buster week: Samurai style

Apart from the fact that Incerun has nice pants and skirts, there's also something good to be said about their selection of shirts and vests. 

There's a vest that caught my eye. A wrap around vest that's loose like a kimono, but sans the sleeves. The fact that it's black makes it a perfect addition to this week's black outfits feature.

Even the black pants from Incerun also has that Japanese vibe. It reminds me of Samurais, thanks to the pleats and the loose-ness of the design.

Since they're both from Incerun, this brand is 2 for 2 today!

FMM: Black buster week

Since we're in the subject of black, why not make our Friday Magic Madness song aligned with the theme.

Whilst there are a lot of cool songs about "black," this 1967 song from Los Bravos will definitely be among the top ones on my list.

"Black is Black" is such an iconic song. It's something that would play on the cassette in our old Morato home. It's been used in commercials. It's been danced to in many a variety show. It's been there and back, and back again. That's how good this song is.

No wonder it's a blockbuster!

Black buster week: See you layer!

One of the great finds from the GU x Rohk collab was the layered plaid pants and skirt ensemble. It's one of Ate's favourite pieces and it enjoys a lot of wear.

Was browsing through the Incerun page and saw a pair of pants similar to it, and it was an immediate "buy" for me.

The black pair of pants has a pleated overskirt. Unlike the GU one, this is attached and you have to wear them together. Still, it's a nice statement piece. 

The top is simpler because of the fashionable quality of the bottom. It's a body hugging, turtle neck body suit from Kashieca. It's a seemingly simple piece, but with details that elevate it.

This pair brings black to an edgier level.

Black buster week: Halter ego

Kashieca has been on sale for the past week, and their tops are a must-buy.

They have a wide selection of knits that would easily qualify as staples.

Just like this black, ribbed halter tank. Which is part of today's black outfit.

Ate has been gravitating towards halter tops of late, which made this an easy decision to buy. This is paired with Japanese, Hakama-style pants from Incerun.

This pair just elevated the halter to show stopper.

Black buster week: Utilitarian chic

It's because of the influence of Kurt & Cza's clothing brand - Meraki - that Ate has also been into cargo pants and skirts of late. 

So, after seeing this black, nylon cargo skirt from The SM Store, it was an easy decision to buy it.

Since the skirt has that masculine, utilitarian vibe, the top had to be feminine and classy. Enter this turtleneck top from Kashieca.

If Audrey Hepburn had a utilitarian fashion phase, this would be how she'd look like.

Black-buster week: Neck deep

Recently, Ate Bullet has been into black outfits. This is mainly because of her 2 current favourite shoes - the black Tabi Japanese shoes, and her Zara ballet flats.

So, this week is going to be about the outfits that we've put together for those shoes.

The first one is inspired by a black, ribbed mock turtle neck top from The Landmark.

This blouse is super nice because of the fabric. It's so soft that it sculpts itself on the wearer's body. The texture makes it go beyond basic black, which is always a plus. Whether it's tucked-in or untucked, this blouse elevates the look. 

And we're tpairing it in a mixed-fabric skirt from Incerun. Again, this brand has been delivering consistently, and this black skirt is a winner.

This is going to look great with the black, ballerina flats.

Fam-iliar

While my student was reporting, this particular slide immediately caught my eye:

It's Toni.

Yup, she's using my niece as part of her Communication Plan. And it's fun and surreal when you see your family as part of your students' project.

They're definitely her target audience.

Meals with Mark: O Genki Desu

Despite the fact that we were just in Tokyo last January, Mark and I still can't get enough of all things Japanese.

So, for one of our dinners, we decided to eat at an uber popular Japanese sushi chain that has branches here in MNL.

Genki Sushi!

Aside from the food, this restaurant is popular because of the fact that your food is served by trains. Yup, the Shinkansen looking trains travel from the kitchen, straight to your tables. Very Japanese!

But of course, the food is very Japanese as well. From the miso soup, tuna gunkan and green tea, it brought us pack to Japan, despite the fact that we're just in Cubao.

Sugoi ne!

FMM: What a Ham(mond)

Back in the early 2000s - the time when my life was still as an expat in HKG - the commercial that was on everyone's lips was the Smooth-E series. 

This face wash commercial was novel back then because of the series format. The original campaign stretched to around 4 materials, and even had offshoots after that. The story was funny, the acting was superb, and the physical comedy was top notch.

Another thing that made this commercial memorable was the song that it used throughout the campaign. It was only some years after that I learned that this song was an old song from 1972, sung by a British singer named Albert Hammond.

"It never rains in Southern California" is such a cool title. Not only is it longer than the usual, but it feels random - which is why it's interesting.

And the fact that it's interesting is the precise reason why it's today's Friday Magic Madness song.

WATN: Heder tales

Because they now have the film "Just Like Heaven" on Netflix, I'm reminded of Jon Heder.

He played Darryl in the film - a psychic who can feel spirits but can't actually see them. He's the guy who David runs to in the hopes of shaking off Lizzie's spirit, but eventually, he became the pair's biggest cheerleaders.

Jon Heder was a household name in the early 2000s. Who can forget his awesome performance in "Napoleon Dynamite.""He has great comedic timing, and it shows in his body of work.

It's been a while since he last appeared in a comedy film. And it's about time that someone brings him back.

Color Story x LFLTAT: Mocha Madness

Here's another LFLTAT that doubles as a colour story.

And not just any colour, but Pantone's colour of the year!

Here's the look:

The top is from Baleno at The SM Store. It's a ribbed tank with a semi-haltered neckline. The fabric is so cool and easy to wear, which is the best way to describe this tank as well. The culottes (yes, they're pants) are from Bench, and were on sale! It has a nice overlap and cargo pockets that elevate the look.

This combo of a pant or skirt plus a tank is one of Ate Bullet's go-to outfits these days. So, this outfit calls for that classic line:

"One Mocha for Bullet!"

Color Story:x LFLTAT: Feeling your oats

Oatmeal is a nice shade.

It's not as stark as plain white, not as flat as beige, and not as heavy as khaki. 

That said, there are very few pieces that have this hue on the shelves. Whether it's a local brand or an international fast fashion brand, it's hard to come by. So, after seeing these 2 pieces, my first instinct was to grab them and put them together into an outfit.

The top is from Penshoppe. It's a two-fer top, with an inner tank and an outer mesh blouse. It's paired with a cargo skirt from The SM Store - a skirt with a classic column silhouette and a light denim fabric.

And as the title suggests, this ensemble is just P950 in total!

That ought to convince you how great this look is.

Little Luxuries

It was early last year when Bath and Body Works launched their "Everyday Luxuries" collection.

This collection of mists took inspiration from trending and popular perfumes, and created body mists that are priced around 90% less than the original perfume.. That guaranteed that this line would be a hit.

Since we already have Bath and Body Works here in MNL, my expectation was they'd launch it here a few months after the US launch. Alas, 2024 went and the products never  hit the shelves. (Good thing Ate Lissa was able to buy some for me in the US.)

Early this year, they came out again in the US and launched 5 new variant. Because of what happened last year, my excitement was tempered. 

But lo hand behold, they suddenly appeared on their store shelves!

Which led to this:

Got the 4 original scents that I've been eyeing since the launch!

This was definitely worth the wait.

I'm Jelly Jealous!

Why don't they have these here in MNL?

Gosh! I'm a fan of both Reese's and Peanut Butter and Jelly. So, this Reese's PB&J is a dream come true!

Someone please bring this here! Stat!

Wicked Performance

Literally and figuratively.

This medley of songs from "Wizard of Oz" and "Wicked" brought back so many feels.

"Home," originally sung by Diana Ross is one of my faves and most replayed songs.  "Unlimited" is one of the anchor songs of the musical, and was beautifully done here.

If they also sang "For Good," this would have been out-of-this-world!

Just my luck

We've long been talkin about trying this Chinese restaurant called "Best of Luck" in Cubao Expo.

Today, we finally did!

And "luck" is an apt word because I'm lucky enough to share this experience with these wonderful people.

We call ourselves the "Matira ang Matibay" gang. Context: we've long been planning a get-together, things were finally set, and when the date was near, they started disappearing one by one. Except for the 4 of us. Thus, the name.

The situation reminds me of that saying that the best people in your life are the people who always show up. 

And I'm lucky to have this group who always shows up.

FMM: Jean-ealogy

It's an OPM day this Friday!

Our Friday Magic Madness song is from the iconic APO Hiking Society, and it's also denim related:

"Blue Jeans" is a 1982  hit, and, if memory serves me right, was the theme song of a film with the same title. It starred Alfie Anido, who was one of Ate Lissa's ultimate crushes.

This song is so upbeat and fun, it's sure to chase the blues away.

Denim & White: Pearl-fect!

The fact that this is the 5th post in a row that features denim & white is testament of how versatile the concept is.

And here's today's fashion entry.

The top is from Zara, and what's interesting about it is the fact that it has a built-in pearl necklace. Yes, it's attached to the dress by a metal chain and clasps. And because there are clasps, you can actually remove it. (Especially if you'll wash it in a washing machine.)

To make the outfit even classier, we have dark denim jeans and ballet flats.

Perfect!

Denim & White: Belated Bangkok

Thanks to this series on denim and white tops, I'm reminded of this fabulous BKK find that hasn't been posted yet.

So, here's today's Denim & White outfit.

The top is from Pratunam, and it's a white polo with a graphic print of 2 paws holding a flower. The cool thing about this is the fact that the flower is 3D! It can be removed, too.

Because the top is already so ornate and eye-catching, the classic dark denim jeans sets it off perfectly.

Better late than never!

Denim & White: Go wide

Sometimes, a simple detail can elevate a classic. 

For example, wide-legged jeans with an exaggerated cuff.

This is actually a semi-D.I.Y. pair. The jeans are from the Patty Ang x Bench collaboration from 2019. Found it in one of the Bench sale racks recently, and snagged it without any second thoughts.

The original pair was designed to be very long. That detail is what made me decide to have it cuffed. Actually, cuffed jeans are making a comeback in the fashion world.

After our modista did her magic, the jeans looked so different from its original look. The contrasting colour of the cuff gave it the oomph it needed.

Of course, the shirt had to have a detail, too. Thankfully, Memo had this white shirt with an oversized silhouette and a ruched front. 

And to cap the outfit off, the red ballerinas from Stradivarius.

This is so chic in so many levels.

Denim & White: The Lady

There's something about a boat-neck top that make it so lady-like.

Maybe it's because that style has been a signature of Audrey Hepburn for the longest time. And as we all know, she's the epitome of being a lady.

So, we take that lady-like, boat neck white top and put together this ensemble.

The top is from Penshoppe and the long, slim denim skirt is from Memo. Together, the ensemble screams quiet elegance.

Audrey Hepburn would look awesome in this ensemble.

Denim & White: Dressed up

One of the most classic fashion combos is denim and white. 

If you look at Gap, they've built their fashion empire on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. 

Global fashion brands - from Zara to H&M to COS to Uniqlo - have their own iteration of this fashion stable.

So do I.

But instead of the usual combo, let's dress it up a bit.

The cropped denim jacket is so cool! The fabric has a nice colour and weight. It has a unique shape. Plus interesting details like the cuff and collar. It was a find at Pink Manila. While the dress from The SM Store is a cotton spaghetti-strapped dress with a bubble hem.

It's fun to dress up denim.

Yeah, Bois!

The gourmand in me is thrilled to have discovered this scent.

Bois 1920 is an Italian Perfume house known for their unique take on traditional fragrances. And Frammenti is one of them.

It has the right blend of sweetness and earthy tones. It's the caramel that really stands out gives this scent a sweet punch.

This is going to be a good break from the usual skin scents in my rotation.

Memorable

This Sesame Street sketch pops in my head during grocery runs.

It's probably 40 years old by now, and the visuals are very telling of the decade it was done. But the story itself - remember things - is so timeless. And the way it was executed is both intelligent and child friendly.

Now, it's time to go to the grocery to get a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter!

FMM: Siempre!

Hoy fue un dia emocionante para mi!

Despues de lo que paracieron anos, 3 de los miembros de la Mafia Mexicana estan juntos!

Yup, Beng, Ginger and I finally had our long overdue reunion! And as expected, it was a wonderful walk down the paved lanes of Mexico.

Although this isn't a Mexican song, it's a Spanish song, so it's close enough.

So, for today's Friday Magic Madness song, here's Los Manolos!

"Amigos para siempre" is such an apt song for us. So, this 1992 hit from this Spanish group is perfect.

Hopefuly, Beth will be with us the next time we get together.

Que alegria verlos amigos mios!

Kate has a point

I'm super hyped to see Kate Hudson back on Netflix.

And she's doing a comedy, which is so up her alley.

"Running Point" will be in my "to-binge-watch-list" now.

A little bit of Sunshine

Today's snack brought me straight back to my grade school years.

Sunshine Green Peas still taste as good now as it did then.

Take a Bao

This new 7-11 product is da bomb!

It's a pillow soft bao with a flavourful Lap Cheong niside.

Right now, it's just a limited edition menu. But hopefully, they'll take it and make it a regular product.

I'm Empressed

It started with a youtube video suggestion.

They showed some excerpts from a Chinese drama entitled "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace."

One video turned to two, and three, and four, and more. Yes, it became a fodder for binge-watching!

The historical drama features the life of Empress Ruyi. I'm not really familiar with her or her character, but this drama piqued my interested.

The actual series had 87 episodes, but youtube only had bits and pieces of different episodes. Despite that, the story was clear, and the ending was heartfelt.

Hope they'll carry this on Netflix soon.

He's the Guy

It's still one of my favourite stories from High School.

Our English teacher was talking about one of his favourite playwrights. He wrote the name on the board and confidently said that no one would be able to pronounce it. The name was:

Guy de Maupassant

Casually, I raised my hand and said:

Gee du Muppasan

Yup, I knew how to pronounce the name of this guy.

Because he didn't know that we had a small library in our Tomas Morato house. We had an encyclopedia. One of them had an article dedicated to this French author who was best known for his short stories. Became curious about him. Asked my Lola Dita about him. And she was the one who taught me how to pronounce his name.

And that's how a random interest made me sound more knowledgeable.

I-1-der

It's always a joy whenever block mates get together.

Can't believe it's been 3 decades since 34 diverse kids got together and formed Block I-1 in UP CMC.

Despite our differences, the block gelled together and was a close-knit group. Of course, there were sub-groups within the block - like the Assumption Girls, the Rizal group, the out-of-towners, etc., but overall, everyone just got along.

Tonight, we had a micro-get-together with 4 of us block mates in attendance.

It was so good to see Dyra again after almost 20 years. And it's always a joy to see Prichy and Wowie.

We've always talked about planning a huge Block reunion.

Makes me wonder if that'll happen soon.

FMM: Dr. Hook-ed

How is it possible that Dr. Hook has not yet made an appearance as a Friday?

Let's correct that.

Today's FMM song is from the wonderfully romantic and laid back voice of Dr. Hook.

"Sharing the night together" is one of his iconic songs.

One, but not the only one. 

He has a lot more songs that have hit the charts and enjoyed massive air play in the 70s.

But let's start with this.

Because this song alone has got me hooked.

I know this much as True

No, this isn't a Spandau Ballet post.

It's about a clothing discovery made way back in December.

While scurrying around for last minute Christmas gifts, found a brand of clothing called "True Clothing."

Design wise, they're like Pink Manila. Their clothes are elevated basics made with easy yet classy fabrics. Just like this top rendered in this year's Pantone color.

The neckline gives it a fashion moment, that's why it looks great with a classic denim jean.

I'm going to buy more from this brand from hereon in.

And that's true.

Seven. Up.

Couldn't help but smile after seeing this post that was upped by FB.

It's Baby Noah's baptism!

Can't believe this was 7 years ago. 

Hopefully, we'll see Noah and the whole TX crew again soon.