FMM: Wishful this CNY

On the eve of Chinese New Year, our Friday Magic Madness song has a touch if China,

China Crisis, that is.

My brother would play this song a lot when we were kids. And it’s no surprise why. “Wishful Thinking” is such a nice song - both melody and lyric-wise. That’s why it’s back for another FMM run.

Now, i’m Thinking of playing this on repeat.

French Flair

Black and white stripes have always reminded me of French fashion. Whenever French folks are shown on photographs and illustrations, they're usually wearing a striped shirt, black pants or skirts, flat shoes and a beret.

Taking that as inspiration - and using the ongoing fast fashion sales as an excuse - here's an outfit that has that same flair.

The top is from Uniqlo, and is a boxy shirt with black and white strripes.

The pants are from Bershka, and it's a wide legged pant with this interesting overlap detail that makes it look like a skirt at certain angles.

Instead of the usual ballet flats, this outfit is punctuated by patent loafers from Penshoppe. This was 50% off, so woot!

Together, this is a modern French outfit that works wherever in the world you may be.

Beret is optional.

Let loose!

I’m interested in this series that’s currently streaming on Prime.

It’s because of several reasons:

1. It’s set in HKG

2. It has Nicole Kidman

3. The director’s name is Lulu Wang

LULU. WANG.

We should all just let loose and watch this.

Sketchy Stories; Kakanin. But make it couture.

It was quite the odd request.

Ate Bullet told me that her friend was going to be a principal sponsor at a wedding and needed help in coming up with something to wear. After asking Ate what the motif was, her answer was unexpected:

"Sapin-sapin."

Yes, the colour theme was "Sapin-sapin." So the challenge was, what can we do to make the theme stylish, fashion-worthy, and wedding appropriate.

Taking inspiration from the colours and the nature of the kakanin, my ideas centred on colour-blocking and layering.

SKETCH # 1:

This plays with a golden yellow base - a nod to Maja Mais - and the bottom part is a chevron pattern echoing the colours of Sapin-sapin.

SKETCH # 2:

 Inspired by the purple and red hues of the kakanin, this gown is a combination of the 2. The bodice has a half-moon pattern that's adorned with crystals. 

While sketch # 1 has more visual appearl, Ate's friend eventually chose sketch # 2, which led to this post.

Kakanin Couture. It has a nice ring to it.

Denim Diva

You can always dress up denim. But this dress takes that comcept a notch higher.

This denim dress from Bershka is made of a stretchy material in a medium wash that makes it good to wear for both casual and dressy occasions. The silhouette is very streamlined and flattering, and the neckline area has an interesting, asymmetric shape. The thigh-high slit adds a hint of sexiness.

Speaking of sexy, check out the back.

It's another one of those dresses that looks as great coming or going. Fitting for a diva.

Denim that's both casual and sexy. Good job, Bershka!

Makes Sens

If you're a fan of citrus scents, (I am!), there's one brand that makes one of the best citrus scents.

Diptyque's Eau Des Sens is a light and bright citrus scent that I can't get enough of. It has the zest of citrus, but there's also a hint of floral - especially when it dries down.

Whilst it's citrus, it eventually becomes a skin scent and creates that "barely there" scent that I'm a fan of.

This goes up there with "Flying" by Replica.

Wai not?

Lola Dita's jeweller lived in Binondo. As kids, we'd sometimes accompany Lola and Mom whenever they'd go for their usual shopping trips.

Part of the thrill of going to Binondo was the food. We'd usually grab a bit after, and even back then, there was a myriad of choices when it comes to food.

One of the places we'd frequent was Wai Ying. They were popular for their dimsum and mami.

Fast forward, many decades after, Wai Ying is pretty much alive. They have a branch at 168 in Divisoria, and it's my usual stop before starting my Divisoria runs.

Their siomai is stil the same. Packed with shrimp, dense, filling. As much as it's good on its own, a heap of chili oil on top just amplifies the experience.

Why don't they have this in Ortigas or Cubao?

By George, Benson

Fact is, there are a lot of good singers named George.

One of my Dad's favourite is George Benson. He was a big name in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and he has a long list of hits - from ballads to danceable tunes.

In 1980, he released a song which quickly ruled the airwaves. We had a cassette tape of this song at home, and I'd often play it on repeat.

"Give me the night," is a groovy and happy tune that makes you bop your head while listening to it. And while it sounds very 80s, it's still relevant now while listening it for today's Friday Magic Madness.

Give me George Benson, anytime.

Espresso Express

Here’s the reason why the creative (and some non-creative) folks hang around the creative department more often.

It’s common knowledge that Advertising folks are huge coffee lovers. So, having our little espresso machine is a big draw for people to visit us.

Post it!

I’m probably one of the last, few holdouts of traditional mailing.

Whilst everyone is sending things via email or posting them on social media or doing it electronically, I still write letters and postcards, and send them via post.

So, it’s always a thrill when I receive letters or postcards by mail.

Just like this one:

Bebe sent this from Japan. She spent her New Year holiday there, and found time to write and send me a postcard. Sugoi ne!

It’s def something worth posting 

Happy moments

It took years and several plans before this get together pushed through.

It was worth it!

Happy, Lyli and I were teammates at DY&R-Alcantara, and we were also lunch mates, merienda mates, and we'd often hang out during shoots.

Even if we're with different agencies now, we still make it a point to get together and catch up, just like old times.

And it's great that even if years have passed, a lot of things haven't changed.

Getting receipts. Will edit this later.

No, this isn’t a Taylor Swift post. 

This is about how “receipt” should be an easy word to spell.

Apparently not.

Proofreader please.

Keller instinct

My decision to hold out on buying dresses from the Claire Waight-Keller collaboration was correct.

The dress that I wanted for Ate is now on sale!

This pretty, sunshine yellow dress is both free-spirited and elegant thanks to little detains like the micro-pleated skirt and drawstrings on the side.

Got this at around 70% off!

How’s that for a killer deal.

Overall Mood

For a lot of people, wearing and pulling off a jumpsuit or an overall is a challenge.

Luckily, it isn’t for my sister. Thus, every time there’s a nice jumpsuit or overall on sale, it’s easy to grab it.

Just like this one from Pull and Bear.

The material is like denim, albeit lighter, the pants are cargo pants, which Ate is a fan of. And the top has an interesting overlap design, and the sleeves are slightly extended. 

Overall, it’s a modern - and affordable - take on the jumpsuit.

FMM: You can do it!

From Milk Magic, we have another Magic.

Yes, today’s Friday Magic Madness song is inspired by my post on Milk Magic.

The word “Magic” reminded me of one of my fave songs from the 80s. It’s from the American folk band aptly named “America.”

With a song like this, you can definitely do magic.

Dream Collab

By this time, it's clearly established that I'm a fan of hopia, and I'm a fan of Choc-Nut.

So, you can imagine my thrill upon seeing this:

It has less Choc-Nut than it should have, but hey, this combination is a dream.

Trash Talk

As Mark would sometimes say: "This is why we don't deserve nice things."

Throwing trash isn't a difficult thing to do. Actually, not only is it correct, it's also the decent thing to do. That's why it irks me whenever people throw trash on streets and sidewalks. And when they do it nonchalantly and proudly, the level of "irkness" increases exponentially.

That said, these 2 things really got my goat.

Exhibit A:

This was at the Unionbank ATM near the office. Gosh! How can people just throw their receipts all over the place. People, there's an "no print out option." if you're just going to throw it, then don't print it.

Exhibit B:

This was at Serenitea in Megamall. The duo who sat on this table was a mother and daughter tandem. The daughter was gathering the trash when the Mom asked her to just leave it there. So much for leading by example.

Gosh! People who have that kind of attitude are just...

Hello Doll-y

And the Toni supremacy continues.

My niece is in another beauty campaign! 

Having her endorse a product like Cathy Doll is so apt for her. She’s really into all things girly and fab, so this is such a strategic fit.

Proud Tito here.

Magical

Here’s a recent discovery after a random grocery run:

The brand name is so apt because this milk is Magic!

The right amount of creaminess with that balance of sweetness from the brown sugar. And with the sea salt added, it has just a hint of saltiness.

And because it was limited edition, I just had to buy all the packs on the grocery shelves.

Now, I;m a believer of (Milk) Magic    

Calling Collins

Looking at her, it’s kinda hard to believe that Joan Collins is 92 years old.

Yes. She’s. 92. Years. Old!

She should be the poster child for ageless beauty.