Nifty Nineties

Back in the 90s, wearing a white t-shirt inside a dress was all the rage.

My Ates were big fans of this look. Ate Lissa had this favorite ensemble consisting of a white t-shirt worn inside a spaghetti-strap floral dress. She had it in several hues and prints, but it’s the black floral dress that I remember the most.

These days, the look seems to be coming back. Not surprising since fashion usually has a cycle of 2 decades before trends come back.

Yesterday, I wrote about this nice, white t-shirt from Elizabeth and James for Kohl’s  that was part of the “Bermuda Triangle.” Today, we use the same shirt for a more 90s outfit.

It’s now worn inside a cream-coloured knit dress from The Landmark. The cable-knit of this dress adds much needed texture and plays well with how plain the shirt is. It also updates the look from being to 90s to more 2020s.

Amazing how versatile a white shirt can be.

Bermuda Triangle

No, this isn’t about things disappearing into thin air. It’s actually about finding things.

Back in the 80s, everyone knew what “Bermuda Shorts” were. They were the uniform of the preppy set. The length was somewhere in the middle of knickerbockers and roller girl shorts. They had a safari-vibe to them, especially when they were in neutral hues. Just this:

They’re very easy to wear and also very easy to style. The vibe changes with the simple switch of a top, And instead of 2 top options, we have 3!

The first is a Simply Vera Vera Wang Top that I snagged at Surplus Shop. It has a comfy and loose silhouette that looks great when tucked-in the short. It has a bright salmon colout that makes the outfit pop.

For something more muted and classic, the same top is available in a gray hue. This is an example of how a slight colour change transforms the vibe of the outfit.

The 3rd option is an homage to the safari roots of the shorts. This time, it’s paired with a plain, white tee from Elizabeth and James for Kohl’s. The yellow scarf, also from the same brand, gives it a much needed splash of brightness.

With this pair of very classic shorts, it’s so easy to triangulate a perfect outfit.

Bicol bites

There are 2 baked goods from Bicol that automatically transport me to my childhood.

First, there’s Marcasotes. It’s a traditional chiffon cake that’s served during fiestas and birthdays. Second, we have Budin. This is a pili cake with a small pili nut on top.

And last week, I was finally, FINALLY, able to take a bite of these 2!

It tastes as good as ever,

Color Story: Peachy Keen

The color peach, much like the fruit it was named after, is very refreshing. It’s very cool on the eyes, sweet without being too saccharine, and you can look at it for an extended period of time without getting tired of it.

That’s why i’ve always liked clothes with this hue. 

Peach dresses give out this very summer and girly vibe, but peach can also be very strong and powerful. Just like this ensemble that i’ve put together using varying shades of peach:

The knit top is from Surplus Shop, the soft blazer is from Promod, and the trousers are from The Landmark. Together, this looks like a power suit set, but with a feminine twist, thanks to the color.

Ate will surely be keen to wear this.

Boss moves!

Back in the 80s, one of the shows that I'd stay up to watch was an American sitcom entitled "Who's the Boss."

The reason I'd watch it religiously was Alyssa Milano. She was so adorable as the smart and sassy Samantha Micelli. Judith Light was also a joy to watch as Angela Bower. And let's not forget the headliner, Tony Micelli, played by Tony Danza.

Recently, I've been wondering how the cast of this classic show are doing now. Providentially, this video popped up on youtube.

It's so good to see the cast together.

And they all look good! Like a boss, really.

FMM: Newton's Law

Since yesterday's post was about Santa Maria Novella, our Friday Magic Madness song for today is a natural progression.

Back in 1979, there was this very campy but fun song that filled the airwaves. It was so campy, it was used in an iconic scene of a local comedy film.

The song? "Santa Maria!"

This song from Newton Family is such an ear worm, there should be a law against it!

Novel Novella

What 4711 is to Germany, Santa Maria Novella is to Italy.

This is one of their oldest colognes and was originally made by Nuns in Firenze in the 1600s. It became a tradition to make these perfumes, and they’re still in the market today.

The first time I tried this was during a Europe trip I. The early 2000s. I liked it back then and I still like it now.

It’s such a novel story that adds so much character to the scent.

Buy the Hudson

For Fall 2022, Target is collaborating with some insider labels that have a cult following. One of these labels is a designer i’ve been following - Sergio Hudson.

His clothes have that balance of strength and femininity, and it’s easily seen in his designs. And seeing his collection for Target, his capsule collection has the same DNA as his main brand.

My fave from this collaboration is this fuchsia ensemble consisting of a cropped jacket and tailored trousers.

Gosh! If I were in the US, i’d definitely run to Target stat and buy this!

LFLTAT: White out

At the last sale at SM Megamall, dropped by Forever 21 to buy some Christmas gifts. While I was there, my eye was drawn to this white t-shirt dress with a very chic high neck and a ruched hem.

It’s the quintessential classic white shirt with a twist. And it was on super sale!

Then, I was checking out the CLN website and saw this pair of white sandals, also on sale.

Together, this very clean and classic ensemble rang up to less than P700!

That’s white done - and bought - right.

Suit yourself

Ate Bullet is seriously into shorts these days.

Shorts have become her go-to uniform when she works at the coffee shop. But she also doesn’t want to look too casual, so she’s always trying to find ways to make her shorts look more polished or dressy.

Good thing I found this short suit ensemble.

The belted shirts and blazer are both from The SM Store. I love how chic and classic the cut and color are. Then, the inner shirt is this cute and clever oversized shirt from ForMe. It makes the whole look less serious and a bit more fun.

This really suits Ate so well.

Isn't it romantic?

The first time this song was introduced to me, it was last year when we were doing our commercial for YumYum. Since the story was a cute, fun and wholesome love story, we wanted a soundtrack that was equally cute, fun and wholesome.

As our discussion progressed, the song "Romantic Sunday" was floated as a possible peg. This song is a Korean ditty which is part of the OST of the hit drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."

While the song was indeed catchy and an ear worm. But after the TVC was completed, I didn't think of the song that much.

Last week, Ate Lissa and I were talking about K-dramas, and she mentioned "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" again because it's one of her all-time faves. Out of curiosity, I tried watching an episode on Netflix.

That was a "eureka" moment! Now, it's easy to understand why Ate likes this show a lot. And now, hearing the song in the context of the program, I have a better appreciation of the song.

It really is romantic. (And today is a Sunday, so it all works out.)

LFLTAT: Prep’s Cool

Back in the 80s, preppy or prep, was the rage in fashion.

It was the era of pique shirts, khaki pants, culottes, baggy shorts, knitted vests, argyle socks and many others. Back then, during “civilian” days in school, everyone would be dressed up in their best preppy wear

With this in mind, I was able to put together this LFLTAT that captures that preppy vibe.

The top is a pique shirt from Bench, particularly the Lesley Mobo collection. I paired it with these loose shorts with an asymmetric detail and a built-in belt from The Landmark.

This ensemble rang Just cost a total of P850 to put together.

How cool is that?

FMM: That's Hott

Our family grew up with swing music.

Most of the most memorable songs of this genre are from the 70s. From the iconic swing songs like "September" from Earth, Wind and Fire, to "Never Can Say Goodbye" from Gloria Gaynor, to "Sumayaw, Sumunod" from VST & Co.

One of the more underrated swing songs is this ditty from 1979. It's a classic and catchy song from Hott City:

Yes, it was with a double "t."

"If all you wanna do is dance" is a song that my Mom, Ate, Kuya and Tito would dance swing to during family parties. And because it's an 8-minute song, you can imagine that people will really be dancing this until they go home.

Back then, I liked this song for the beat and catchiness. But listening to it now I'm older, the lyrics are very cheeky and fun.

More importantly, it will really make you think that all you wanna do is dance.

Of teas and trees

Citrus Scents and Tea Scents are among my favorite smells.

The smell of tea - green tea in particular - reminds me of Tokyo and the times Mark and I spent there. Citrus scents - and i’ve written about this before - reminds me of growing up in Lolo’s Calamansi farm in Bicol.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I ended up buying these 2 perfumes:

Part of the Replica collection, Matcha Meditation is a scent that’s inspired by Tokyo, and Under the Lemon Trees is an homage to a lemon farm. No wonder they really caught my eyes and nose after trying them.

Scent memories. You can never go wrong with them. 

Those who do, Teach!

Happy Teacher's Day to all the hardworking educators in the Philippines and all over the world!

The earliest teacher I remember was Ms. Sy, the kind and effervescent owner of Learn & Play school where I studied Kinder and Prep. Then came my teachers in Grade School, High School, College and Graduate School - most of who I still remember until now. 

Then, there are teachers who became colleagues in the academe as well. That was twice the fun.

Teachers have always been an important part of my life. Not only did they open my mind to things around me and instilled the love for learning, they inspired me to become a teacher myself.

Another Chans

Yellow Cab Pizza is another one of Mark and my “regulars.”

When we’re there, our usual order would consist of Charlie Chan Chicken pasta, Dear Darla Pizza, and - at times - a side of wings or potato wedges.

We haven’t eaten at Yellow Cab in years! And I miss their pasta already.

That’s why for today’s lunch, this is what I had delivered:

Charlie Chan Chicken pasta!

I couldn’t order our other usuals because I was the only one eating. But the next time Mark and I end up eating at Yellow Cab, we’ll order the whole shebang!

We’ll save that for another time.

LFLTAT: French flair

One of the quintessential French outfits - especially in films and TV shows - is the jumper and striped shirt combo. This is usually worn by women, usually paired with a beret and a cross-body bag.

With that image in mind, I pulled together today’s Look For Less Than A Thousand.

The top is from Surplus Shop and the jumper dress is from an overruns shop on Shopee. Together, this ensemble cost me just P550 to put together.

It might not have a beret and bag, but this outfit has that Parisian flair down pat.

Falling Plat

”Platform” should be an easy word to spell, right?

Wrong. Well, at least according to this site.

Proofreader, please.

(Paper)bag lady

This might be an unpopular opinion, but paper bag pants conjure images of relaxed chic.

Some people find them too loose and baggy, but that's where its charm lies. Something that looks so effortless, but at the same time, well-thought of. This style is actually very popular in Japan and South Korea - even more than 5 years back.

That's why when I saw this really nice pair of paper bag pants at The SM Store, I grabbed it immediately. 

To make the look even more easy and thrown together, a loose, Snoopy print shirt from Uniqlo is the perfect partner for this.

Together, it'll make the wearer look like an carefree and fashionable lady.

FMM: Lovin' Linda

In 2019, one of the honourees for The Kennedy Center Honors was Linda Ronstadt.

She's one of the artists that Dad had cassette tapes of. That's why as early as my elementary school days, I've been listening to her music and immediately became a fan. 

As her AVP in The Kennedy Center Honors shared, Linda is a true gift to music. She seamlessly moved from being a country singer to a pop singer to a sultry diva. Her discography is so varied and storied, it makes you think "Is there anything Linda can't sing?"

Apparently, the answer is no.

She's even credited for singing unforgettable soundtrack songs. Which is today's Friday Magic Madness song.

In 1986, the animated film "An American Tail" was shown on screen. What made this film memorable was its theme song, "Somewhere out there."

Again, this song was brilliantly sung by Linda Rondstadt and James Ingram. And back in the 80s, it was a song that almost every kid would sing. Whether it's in a singing contest, a school program, or a family reunion.

That's how much people loved it.

And it's another reason to love Linda even more.

Chic and Classic

The crisp shirt and jeans combo is such a classic outfit that it never goes out of style. That’s why when I find interesting pieces of this sort, I can’t help but buy them.

Just like this pair:

Both items were from The Haunt, and are overruns from familiar brands. The top is from H&M, and the distressed jeans are from Lefties.

To elevate this classic pair and make it more chic, here’s the simple solution.

Bejeweled and jewel-toned flats! Got this at a Lazada shop and it’s so elegant yet easy to wear.

Put together, it’s such an elevated weekend ensemble.

Arby darned!

Yes, this was something i’ve talked about more than 2 years ago. 

When we were kids, one of the regular errands we’d do with Lolo and Lola was getting their medicine at Casman Drug and groceries at Top’s Supermarket.

Both these establishments were along Quezon Avenue and were just a few meters away from each other.

Sometimes, we’d park at Casman then walk to Top’s. Other times, it was the other way around.

But whenever we’d walk, we had a quick stop at this American fast food brand that was located in between those 2 places. That fast food was Arby’s.

Arby’s came to the Philippines in the 80s. The branch nearest to,us was the Quezon Avenue branch which was located at the building across St. Mary’s College. They were the first fast food place to introduce Roast Beef sandwiches, and they were also famous for their horseradish sauce.

Unfortunately, they were way ahead of their time. And after a few years, their branches shuttered one by one, until they were no more. That made me bummed because they were so darned good!

Why did I remember them all of a sudden? It was because of this new “Mexican Moms try...” video.

Fas

Gosh! I have to go to Arby’s the next time I go to the US!

Fry-day!

Yes, it’s just a Tuesday. But for me, it’s Fry-day!

After a long time, i’m finally having my super-duper-fave Loaded Fries from S&R.

Time was when i’d have this craving, i’d automatically run off to the nearest S&R to indulge. Alas, the last time I did that was years ago, so i’m so glad to have this delivered today.

Yup, everyday should be Fry Day!

Two C is to believe

Lately, I've been binge watching "The Kennedy Center Honors" on youtube. It's such a wonderful sight to watch all these American Icons being recognized for their work in the arts.

One of the most all-time favouritest moments from the many awards shows was the 2018 version. 

This was the year when 2 iconic "Cs" - both my all-time faves - shared one stage.

It was the year when Cher was honoured, and one of the performers who sang her a tribute is the 80s pop-rock icon, Cyndi Lauper!

The interaction of Cher and Cyndi was adorable. Especially the part when Cher shouted at Cyndi: "You said you were in LA!"

Believe me, I've watched this dozens of times already. And I don't have any intentions of stopping.

Skort the issue

Recently, Ate Bullet has been gravitating towards skorts. It’s one of her default uniforms whenever she goes to the shop.

This attire actually reminds me of our childhood. At St. Joseph’s College where Ate Lissa and Ate Bullet studied, their PE uniform consisted of a maroon skort and a white shirt with a maroon ringer detail. Maybe  this is Ate’s homage to her childhood.

Because she’s into skirts these days, I got her this very pretty one from the local clothing brand called Ziya. They have a lot of clothes with nice ethnic prints, like this one.

Like her high school uniform, this skort is maroon. But it has details in complementary colors which make it very visually interesting.

Since the bottom is already heavily printed, I chose a simple top. This loose shirt is from Memo, and it has an ultra soft fabric and a slouchy fit. A good counterbalance to the silhouette of the skort.

This ensemble will look great on Ate. No issue about that.

Happy Meal

My version, at least.

It's been years since I've last had these 2 faves of mine.

First is Hong Kong Style Noodles. I've written about this dish in this blog before. It used to be my go-to quick snack or lunch when they still had that stall in St. Francis Square. (They've closed, unfortunately.) 

Next is Gong Cha's Peach & Lychee tea with coconut jelly. It's so refreshing and the interplay between the 2 fruits is just awesome!

This was definitely worth the wait, and today's meal will definitely make me happy!

FMM: The Right Place

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is one of those songs that randomly popped in my head. 

While preparing for my class today, a Lisa Stansfield ditty started to play in my head. Now, we all know that she has a lot of beautiful hit songs, but the one that came to mind was her 1993 hit.

"In All the Right Places" was a song from the film "Indecent Proposal." Just like the film, this song is so sultry and Lisa Stansfield sang and crooned it to perfection. It was a favourite song of mine back in the 90s, and the feeling is the same until today.

Good thing I remembered before Friday.

It's at the right place and the right time.

Wee like it!

Some impulse buys are definitely worth it.

Went to the supermarket to buy cooking oil, and on my way to the cashier, I saw this product called Dowee Donuts Delectables.

They. Are. So. Good.

The Choco Mallow one is da bomb! Not too sweet. Super chocolatey. And the right gooey-ness of the marshmallow filling! The Ube one is good, too, but not as awesome as the Choco Mallow one.

Actually, this can give the regular donut stores a run for their money. And it’s going to be part of my donut repertoire now.

Yup, that’s how I like it.

Like a Hawke!

Speaking of "Do Revenge," the two lead characters really shone as they played their roles. Drea and Eleanor were so fun to watch as a team, and they were compelling from start to finish.

When Eleanor was first introduced, the first thought in my mind was: "Whoa, this girl looks like a younger version of Uma Thurman."

And as the credits rolled, it turns out that Eleanor was played by an actress named Maya Hawke.

Of course, the last name was so distinct that, after looking her up, she turns out to be the daughter of Ethan Hawke AND Uma Thurman!

She definitely got her model good looks from her Mom. And the excellent acting chops from both her Mom and Dad.

I'm definitely watching her upcoming films. I'll be watching out for it, like a hawk.

Revenge Rollercoaster

Upon opening Netflix, the number 1 film that day was this American Teen flick entitled "Do Revenge."

The summary caught my attention and began to watch it. As the title states, this film is about a teen girl who wants to exact revenge on her ex-boyfriend who wronged her. She does this with the help of an unlikely partner.

As the film started, it felt like it was a straightforward story. But as it progressed further, the film felt like riding a rollercoaster of ups and downs and twists and turns. Although parts of the film were cliches, the way they did the narrative was so clever. As the film neared its conclusion, it was clear that it had a couple more surprises.

This film harks back to a lot of angsty teen dark comedies from the 80s and 90s. Watching it had the same vibes as "Heathers" and "Jawbreaker." Even Nora's character transformation reminded me of Judy Greer's wonderful performance as Fern, and later, Vylette.

The ending also harked back to "Cruel Intentions," also from the late 90s. There's also a scene that's reminiscent of "Thelma and Louise." So yes, "Do Revenge" is like a compendium of the best of teen comedies - dark or otherwise.

Boy, what a ride this film was. And I wouldn't mind watching it again.

Long overdue

Okay, this post is long overdue in 2 fronts. 

First, it happened almost a month ago, but was only able to write about it today.

Second, it took more than 2 years before this get together finally happened. Finally, the creative team at the office got together. Save for 2 people who weren't able to join. 

But it was definitely worth the wait.

These creative folks make it easier for me to keep the ideas up and running. And they definitely make work a lot more fun.

It's great how some things never change despite the years of not seeing each other. Including the fact that Jun is still our selfie master.

Here's to more get togethers soon!

Catchy!

It was Mark who first introduced me to Pokemon Go.

To say he's an avid player would be an understatement. He's probably completed his PokeDeck by this time. He has a range of regular and shiny Pokemons. Whenever there's a raid nearby his place, he'd excitedly join.

Whenever we travel, he makes it a point to catch Pokemons there as well. Part of my fond memories of our trips include catching these cute characters while we were in Tokyo, Jakarta and SG. 

That's why for his birthday cake, it was but natural that I gave him one that's Pokemon-themed.

When we had lunch yesterday and showed him the cake, he was both happy and excited to see the design.

That definitely caught his attention.

Double Celebration

Today is Mark's birthday! Woot!

And for the 1st time in 3 years, we're celebrating it together! Woot! Woot!

We celebrated it by going to some of our favourite places, like Chili's for lunch, then Pho Hoa for apres lunch drinks.

It's so indescribably wonderful that we're finally able to have this celebration, on a milestone birthday, no less. It's like a Birthday-Reunion, which makes today doubly meaningful.

Happy Birthday Mark! 

FMM: That's it!!!

Since we're talking about things that are Italian, this is an obvious and perfect song for today's Friday Magic Madness.

Gosh! Talk about old songs. This one is really, really, really old! Like, 1953-level of oldness!

"That's Amore" is probably the most popular song that was sung by Dean Martin. It's so popular that it's been used in countless films, a plethora of commercials, and I've heard this sung in many hotel bars.

Yup, people can't get enough of this song.

What can I say, that's amore!

The Italian Job

Nope, this isn't about the 2003 film featuring Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. Make no mistake, though, that's a really nice film that I've seen several times.

This is about an observation made while scanning through films on Netflix - both new and old.

There seems to be a lot of films that are shot and set in Italy. 

Last July, they had "Love & Gelato" which was so fun that I watched it more than 3 times in a week. Then, last weekend, this film popped up in my suggested titles.

"Love in the Villa" is set in Verona, particularly at Casa Di Giulietta. It's a standard rom-com where a feisty American girl meets an uptight British guy. Initially, they're at odds and hate each other. But as the film progresses, they discover each other's good traits. And we know what happens next.

Told you its standard.

Despite that, it's a fun and easy watch. And it's making me want to fly off to Italy again soon.

Book of Wrap

On today's edition of "Things you find when your'e not looking for them."

While looking for my one-hole puncher, there was a book that was discreetly stuck behind my side table. After pulling the book out, voila!

It's a book of wrapping paper!

The book was purchased during one of the cut-price book sales at National Book Store in 2017. Yup, I remember this book clearly because it was the only one left. I actually wanted to buy 2 or 3 more of these, but alas, they had no more stocks. 

Inside this book are 15 different gift wrappers with various designs. They range from flora and fauna, botanicals, watercolour prints, patterns, among others. Plus, it has 24 stickers that you can use with the gift.

It's providential that this book reappeared since I've been looking for wrappers for Mark's gifts. And this has everything I've wished for, and more!

Now, that's one for the books.

Dear Editor

Do my eyes deceive me?

Is one of my all-time favourite SG clothing brands landing in MNL next year?

If this is THE The Editor's Market, then I'm stoked!

While it's still sad that "In Good Company" had a very short-lived stay here, this will be a good and fitting replacement.

White Night

After receiving an invite to an upcoming fashion show, Ate Bullet asked me what would be nice to wear. Of course, my first question was: "Is there a dress code?" Her reply: "Yes, wear something monochromatic."

The designer is her close friend's daughter. And her aesthetic is very sparse and minimalist. So, her theme came as no surprise.

Ate said she wanted to wear something simple, either all-black or all-white. Then suddenly, a dress from The Stash popped in my head. It was a long, white jersey dress with a cut-out detail that fits into the theme, as well as the designer's aesthetic.

This H&M dress has probably been in the closet for 4 or 5 years. Thankfully, it's wrapped in an airtight bag, thus it was able to keep its pristine colour. The overall feel is very 90s, and it's going to be a great dress for a fashionable night out.

At least, Ate already has 1 option.

Next option: something black and bespoke.

There’s nothing to it...

More than 2 years after buying and holding a new magazine, I'm so glad that my return to magazine reading is the maiden issue of Vogue Philippines!

It's awesome that their very 1st issue coincides with the biggest fashion issue - the September Issue. And leafing through this magazine, it's like reading American Vogue with its wonderful fashion spreads and broad range of articles.

So, in the words of Madonna:

You gotta get... Vogue!
 

Part of it!

After much anticipation, they're finally releasing the trailer of the live action version of Disney's "The Little Mermaid."

As a major fan of the 1989 animated film, and having watched it over and over and over and over again, I'm excited for this film. I'm hoping that they'll be faithful to the original version, much like "Beauty and the Beast."

Once this comes out in cinemas, expect me to be part of that world that will watch it!

FMM: Fitting finale

When Friday Magic Madness meets Pant-tastic week, it's time for the 1989 jazz classic from Max Bennett!

"Fancy Pants" was something we'd always play on the cassette whenever we'd go on weekend drives in Tagaytay. It has that very cool and chill vibe that's great to listen to on long drives. Plus, Max Bennett's voice is so calm and soothing.

And with that, this Pant-tastic week comes to a close.

But I'm sure another one will be in the offing soon.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 5: Portrait of a Woman

Since we're going to talk about amazing women, let's start this post by celebrating the birthday of a truly amazing woman who has been such an important part of our lives.

Happy Birthday Mama Mary!

Now, to continue our pant-tastic week feature.

The beauty of this week's featured pant is that it's so classic that it makes even the most playful printed top look so put together and polished.

Just like this very fun blouse from a store in Lazada.

The play on colours and how the profile of the woman's face separates the 2 hues is so creative and clever. And it's fashion serendipity that the line of the blouse is aligned with the exposed zipper of the pant. That creates the illusion of one straight line and lengthens the whole look.

This is practically a portrait on a blouse, and it looks so chic!

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 4: The Romantics

The daintiness of lace and a very masculine cut pair of pants may seem like polar opposites. But as the adage goes, opposites attract. And those opposites created today's romantic ensemble using the same pair of Kiabi pants.

This black and white lace top is from Robinson's Department Store. It's actually been in the closet for more than 3 years, and it just resurfaced while I was tidying up the gift closet. And upon seeing it, I knew that it would look great with the featured pair of jeans for this week.

Isn't it romantic?

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 3: Crop to it

From classic to chic, time to give the same pair of denim pants a more youthful spin.

That's easily done by pairing it with this very young and very current crop top from Surplus Shot. It has puffed sleeves that are very du jour, and it has horizontal stitching elements make it look dainty. But the bold colour keeps the top from looking too saccharine.

It's such a nice counterbalance and makes a young crop top look elevated and elegant.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 2: Caped crusader

While jeans are usually seen as casual, the colour and cut of this week's featured denim pant makes it look more polished.

And it can also look like an equally polished outfit, especially with the right top. Just like this:

This caped blouse from Stella looks very chic and elegant. The shape and teal hue makes it look more dressy, and elevates the overall feel of the pant. This is something that can transition from work to a dressy night out.

From yesterday's classic look, this one is a bit more elevated. And it's achieved by a simple switch of a blouse.

And that very versatile pant, of course.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 1: The Classic

More than 2 years ago, was able to buy a pair of pants from Bench that had such a classic cut and denim fabric that it inspired a "Pant-tastic Week" post. For 5 days, the same pair was featured with 5 different tops that give it a different look each time.

This week, I'm doing that idea again, thanks to this very nice pair from The Landmark.

It's a pair of overrun jeans from the brand - Kiabi. It's a fast fashion brand from France that's pretty much like H&M. The pants are a pair of wide legged pants with an exposed zipper. The dark denim colour and the heavy fabric makes it very versatile and classic.

Speaking of classic, this pant-tastic week will kick-off with a very classic look. 

The top is a crisp, cotton shirt from Uniqlo with a high-necked top and elastic sleeves. This white and dark jean combination is truly a classic that you can wear anytime, anywhere.

You can never go wrong with classics.

And a versatile pair of jeans, of course. 

KL means Kool Loot

After more than 2 years, Mark went to this first overseas trip last week.

He was speaking at a convention in KL, and this is his first face-to-face conference since 2020. Naturally, i’m very excited for him! Maybe even more excited than Mark! Harhar!

Actually, I was planning to tag along with him on the trip. Unfortunately, though, it was the first day of Saturday classes, so I couldn’t miss that.

But of course, Mark brought a little bit of KL when he came back from the trip. And here’s the loot he brought:

Old Town Coffee is a Malaysian icon. Then there’s Birthday Cake Oreo because Mark knows i’m A huge Oreo fan. He also brought Oat Cookies and Almond Chocolates.

I’m so happy with this loot. But even happier that he had a successful presentation and a safe trip back home.

Hopefully, our next trip abroad will be together. That would be super cool.

FMM: The truth

Yup, I called it!

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is inspired by my musings about finding a flat in HKG, 17 years ago!

Here's Janis Ian's breakthrough song from 1976:

"At Seventeen" is one of those beautifully written songs with such memorable lyrics. 

"That love was meant for beauty queens,

For high school girls with clear skinned smiles,

Who married young and then retired.

And those of us with ravaged faces,

lacking in the social graces,

desperately remained at home,

inventing lovers on the phone."

Wow! Like, Wow!

The truth is, I'll never tire of hearing this song.