I'm cleanin' out my closet!

Two days I had spent window shopping. But in fact, they weren't supposed to be window shopping. I need new working clothes for another round of school year. Summer vacation is almost over and in a matter of four days, it's back to work.

Something that I rarely do is giving my closet a complete clean-up. I'm a very sentimental person and I tend to hold on to things that I love as long as they last. It applies even to clothes. It takes a lot for me to let go. I convinced myself that some clothes that are old had already served their purpose and thus have to go. It even takes more to convince me to let go of stuff that had not been worn or that rarely had seen the world. I psyched myself that if a cloth has not been worn as often as it should, then it has to vacate the closet too. I did a thorough cleaning and whew! it amazed me how much clothes I have to get rid. They all could fit in three over sized luggage and I really have to squeeze them tight to compress.The process was hurting. However, after it was over, it made me feel good. Now my closet is ready to take in new stuff. It has more space.

I have to start with the working clothes. Anyway, those are more important for the moment. So I was excited to go shopping. I and my girl friends set a date. You know, shopping is more exciting when you do it with your girl friends. But sigh! First day we went out, we did not meet our goal. I went home with only a new purse and two winter scarves for my fiance.

Joy, Daisy and Me

I went again for the second day, this time alone. I've searched in and out of the biggest malls in the heart of the city, but sigh! again. Every boutique and every mall are having grand sale mostly 20%-70% both for the high end designers and the high street. Yet too bad, there is nothing that fancy me. Sure the piece might be 50% off, say the original was 2,990baht [$92.80] and after the discount they sell at 1, 495baht [$41.40]; but girl, if you don't like the style, do you have to force yourself to buy it just because it's on sale? Of course not! I cannot afford another luggage of rarely used clothes.

I wonder if it's just me or is it really that most of the designs available in the city right now are not my type? If there are good ones that can make me nod, just nod but not gasp, they aren't on sale and they are quite expensive for a frugal shopper like me.

I pray that I can still find good clothes that would make me happy, after all I'm running out of time, and that they are just within the budget. I guess, this is the down side for a girl who says, I'm a shopaholic no more!

photos: tumblr.com

Less words Friday, for girls who don't need make up

It's not a total wordless but a less words Friday for me, girls. Just quickly, let me share this photo that impressed me this week. I'm jealous, yes I do get jealous, of girls who don't need make up just to look pretty. Without make up, these girls are still close up material. How blessed are they?

Model: Daisy
Photographer: Me

In case you want to know what guys actually think about girls and especially when they wear make up, you better check this article that I'm reading right now.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

How Barbara Palvin wears leopard print

I remembered that three months ago I wrote a style guide which I deem one of the most useful articles that I had written about styling. This opinion of mine was confirmed when I discovered that even Manolo the Shoe Blogger found the article amusing and was kind enough to share the link to his readers. "How to wear animal print" is a list of what's Yay! and what's Nay! in wearing leopard, tiger, zebra or any animal print. If you want to get amused too, you better check the guide.

Tonight is one of those nights, when I sit in front of my laptop wanting to write but with nothing to write. So what I do when those nights come? I surf and visit other blogs, read online magazines and surf more hoping that I might stumble upon something that inspires. But when the muse is too stubborn, I end up wasting my entire night procrastinating. That can be a very bad night.

However, I thought that I better scan my old files. And when I did, there yah go, I saw Barbara Palvin lying down the rocks with mesmerizing eyes urging me to write about her.

So this is how Barbara Palvin wears leopard print. Other than the hat and the belt, everything in her outfit is leopard. Now girls, I'm sure that we understand the difference between the editorial outfit and the ones that we can actually wear in the real world. Even if I honestly love everything in this outfit, I still believe that if you don't wish to look like a jungle wild lost in the streets, you better stay away from going animal from head to toe.

6 Easy Steps to Make a Baby Shower Gift Basket

photo: photo bucket

Here are six easy steps to consider when making a baby shower gift basket: choose a nice basket, embellish the basket, have a theme for the package, include a gift for the new mom, be mindful of the things to avoid, and make some final additions.

If you have no time to prepare a your own gift basket, you can simply go to a baby shower gift shop and purchase one right away. Making your own is sure to be more meaningful and special, not to mention easier on your budget by creating it yourself. It can be even more fun too. If you want to try, here is a list of steps to make a gift basket for the next baby shower you go to:

♥Choose a nice basket

Initially, you need to choose a basket. It can be a wicker basket or any gift container alternative such as tin cans or pails, diaper bags, bathtubs or even bassinets. Just make sure the containers will perfectly match your theme preference. When choosing a basket, see to it that the new mom can use it for various purposes, like holding baby diapers and other necessities.

♥Embellish the basket

Decorate your basket with various kinds of flowers like tulips, lilies, and carnations. You need to refrigerate them until such time as you are ready to take your package to the mom-to-be and her new baby. In certain situations, it might be unnecessary to use fresh flowers. If that is the case for you, you can use something else as your decoration, like ribbons around the basket handle, to add a nice look.

♥Have a theme for the package

Gather all the items you wish to place inside the basket. It will be easier for you to prepare those cute treasures if you have a theme picked out for your gift. Here are a few theme suggestions for your consideration:

* Diaper theme basket–Fill the basket with diapers, pins, baby ointment, wipes, powder and a diaper bag.
* Feeding theme basket–You can have a basket filled with baby cups, feeding spoons, a bottle warmer, bottle nipples, teething rings, bottles, and even mom’s nursing products.
* Nursery theme basket–This is a basket loaded with baby blankets, a brush and comb, nail clippers, and other crib accessories.
* Bath theme basket–This will include baby shampoo, soap, powder, a robe, towels, and tub toys inside a bath tub as the gift basket.

♥Include a gift for the new mom

A hospital theme basket is an ideal gift for any new mom. This can contain items that the mommy will need at the hospital, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, bath and skin care products, a nursing mother’s needs, and slippers. You can also give her a basket filled with her favorite things, such as her choice of parenting magazines, perfume, DVDs and CDs with her favorite music.

♥Be mindful of the things to avoid

It is wise not to include newborn baby clothes. For one, it is a common gift, and the mother-to-be will be overloaded with newborn clothing her child may never wear. In addition, expensive clothing is indeed a no-no. Babies will not get to wear them for long since they grow so fast.

♥Make some final additions

Adding ribbons and bows to your package will make your gift basket more spectacular. Wrap the basket with clear or colored transparent cellophane. You can also skip wrapping the basket and just let the contents cascade freely.

Fashion Don't! Paloma Faith's Fashion Faux Pas

Just the other day I spoke about how Japanese fashion use more than three colors in an outfit - usually bright if not bold colors - and that how they come up with playful and girly combinations. Well today, let us see how Brit Paloma Faith has almost applied this same principle in her outfit when she attended the 40th anniversary celebrations of Browns on May 12, 2010 in London, England. She stepped out in "a multi-colored muumuu, mismatched stockings, platform pumps, and a horrific, electric-blue hat." OMG

Now ladies, you be the judge. Is this a fashion faux pas or not? Should we add this outfit in our Fashion Don't! list?

Charice Pempengco visited Thailand

The Filipino singer Charice Pempengco has recently visited Thailand to promote her album "Charice". She's the first Asian in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 album chart . She is managed by record producer David Foster and celebrity actress/television host Oprah Winfrey.

Yesterday afternoon she performed live in the ground floor of Siam Discovery performing a total of seven songs. She sang parts of "I will always love you" and "I Have Nothing". She also performed some rap songs as well as the most awaited songs "Pyramid" and "In This Song".

The venue was too small and not conducive for performance. With tons of people flocking to get a glimpse of her and to hear her voice, it was almost impossible for me and my friends to find a spot where we could see her perform. Each floor of the mall was already full packed hours before the performance.

I went up and down from the first floor to the third but I could not find a place. While on an escalator, however, I saw that there was a platform on the ground floor allocated for all the press and camera men. I checked for a possible way to get in there. There were guards who were dismissing non press people from the platform but I was able to smuggle myself in and secure a space in the middle of all the men positioned to cover the performance. I pretended to be a press too. Armed with my Nikon D5000 always ready to get a shot, I was as good as true. I stayed there throughout the performance. I decided I could as well use a fake press ID.

It was a very amazing performance with all the highest notes reached with ease and with power that makes you shake. You'd wonder how a small teenage girl can possess such power. But while you still crave for more, you'd be told "I'm coming back in October with my friends and David Foster. See you then ..."

Understandably, it was just a promotion. It wasn't a concert. And by the way, do you notice that special microphone of hers? I was told only Charice and Celine Dion models this phone. And it is said to be a German product. Well, that's something I am yet to confirm.

I managed to find my friends after the performance. We were scattered in different floors. And we were able to get ourselves some photos too.

Ringo, Daisy, Joy and Me

Try Japanese Fashion, try printed cardigans

I noticed that Japanese Fashion is becoming influential in some ways. I have seen some fashion bloggers posting photos of themselves modeling their copied Japanese look. Some of them may not entirely match the expression of their Japanese counterparts, however, their attempts of adapting Japanese fashion actually result into playful girly looks.

I can spot Japanese fashions even in the streets. They speak of colors, lively and bright that are matched together. There's nothing mundane in this type of fashion. It's all about daring to wear more than three bold colors in an outfit. More colors is the ultimate principle.

One shop that I found recently where you can easily purchase Japanese fashion is the Tokyo Fashion Online Shop founded by Mayuki Zhou in 2005. They specializes in all different Japanese styles that as they put it, "are making international headlines!"

This Cardigan Overlay Printed Chiffon Tunic is a product from Tokyo Fashion Online Shop. It is available in four colors: Hot Pink, Purple, Flesh and Black.

Another online shop of Japanese fashion that you can check is the SDKING by Chae Nan Ju. This Short-Sleeve Knit Cardigan by SDkING is available in black, blue, pink and white. It polishes any type of your summer dress - flowery, striped, plain single color or even dots.

Shopping for some new cardigans is definitely first in my wish-list. :)

How to look feminine and a litle flirty

If you’re a working girl trapped in those dull and repetitive office uniforms five days a week or perhaps more, it would be so much of relief to once again feel like a girl in some feminine clothes.

You need clothes that not only accentuate you’re being a woman; they also naturally create in you a sense of flirt. Being flirty does not have to connote negativity, as I have said many times; it is merely an expression for a girly and attractive look.





♥Some fashion experts claim that you shouldn’t wear polka dots once you’re past six years old. But that anyway, is only their opinion. Take a look at this Polka Dot Pattern Dress from Haru. I don’t say that everyone would look good in it but if you’re a type that can pull off just anything, then this polka dress can serve you best. Its sleeves are puff and its cut is in every inch girly.

♥First of all, I love navy color. Second, I love clothes that can be worn in many ways. This First Crush Dress in navy color is no wonder a best seller. Not only can you wear it as a dress that is feminine and smart, you can also wear it as a tunic. Most of all, I love anything mini.

♥The soft striped knit tunic cut in an A-line silhouette dress is from Urban Outfitters. It's rounded Peter Pan collar is a reminiscence of your elementary days giving you that youthful and playful aura as of an elementary girl. While the navy and white stripes speak of maturity, the mini length of the dress speaks for your flirty side.

♥Another lovely dress from Urban Outfitters, Kimchi & Blue Tulle Dress is on sale. From £45.00, you can now crown yourself a prom queen for only £21.99. Its belt, frill trim and open neckline all made this dress ultra girly.

How fashion lift my spirit when I'm stressed?

My blog looked abandoned, silenced for a week; but it wasn’t because I did not wish to write or that because I was tired, but it was because of my laptop, it broke down twice these past two weeks.
It stunned me to realize how dependent to a laptop and an internet connection I’ve become. It’s like my life depends a whole lot to it. Oh Technology, how you manipulate me?

Many things worry and stress me right now. But as a female and a fashion addict, can you guess what lifts my spirit?

Shoes!

These python-embossed leather booties from Shopbop is made in Italy. I adore its drape front and I think that I'm loving open toes a lot lately. Must it be because it's summer?

4 Essential Steps of Hand-Washing Your Shawl to Keep it Clean and New

Hand washing a shawl makes the garment clean and always looking new. By thoroughly soaking it in a lukewarm water with the right washing detergent, rinsing it slowly with cold water, removing the excess water with a towel, and drying the shawl on a flat surface away from direct heat - you will have a clean and new looking shawl.

photo by: frannyglasss

To keep you precious shawl always clean and looking brand new, hand washing it with the correct procedure is very essential. Follow the exact steps in washing your shawl to ensure utmost care while hand-washing:

Soak in a lukewarm water with the right detergent

Thoroughly dissolve the correct detergent such as hair shampoo in lukewarm water and carefully soak the shawl for about fifteen minutes or until the soil and dirt are loosened from it. Gently pat the heavy stains that will remain after soaking with a clean wash cloth. You can also use hair conditioner when rinsing the shawl to make it even softer.

Rinse the shawl with cold water

Once the shawl is perfectly clean from stains and dirt, rinse it using a cold water. soak it with a cold water and rinse it over and over until it is free from the soap. You will know that it is already soap free when the cold water is already clear from bubbles and soap residue.

Remove excess water with a towel

To remove water, gently squeeze the shawl and lay it flatly on a clean towel. Roll the towel to squeeze out excess water over and over until all the excess water is remove. Never directly wring or twist the shawl because this will ruin their form.

Dry the shawl on a flat surface away from direct heat

To dry, lay the shawl flat on any clean surface and away where it is not exposed directly to sunlight or heat. You could dry it indoor such as your laundry room. Take a damp piece of cloth and use this to press the shawl with for ironing. Never hang a shawl to dry and press the cloth with a cool iron.

Furthermore, do not use any product with bleach when washing and always wash colored shawls separately. Following these hand washing steps will guarantee a clean and fresh looking shawl which is a great statement in addition to your fashion sense and style. Clean shawls protects you from the cold, and provides comfort while maintaining the warmth of your body.

How to Prevent a Hand Woven Cotton Shawl from Shedding

Hand woven cotton shawl is made from a delicate and highly fibrous material. The fiber sheds off easily due to its low resiliency; however, this can be prevented using the following tips: avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, refrain from using acidic chemicals, avoid application of heat, prevent infiltration of bacteria and limit "wear and tear"


Shawl made from cotton is soft and breathable. Since it is loosely woven, it has the tendency to shed easily. To prevent it from shedding, here are some important things to follow namely:

♥Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight
Prolonged exposure to sunlight causes fibers to become weak. Therefore, when drying cotton shawl, it is not recommended to leave it under the sunlight for so long. If possible, never expose it directly under the sun since most of the shawls come in average thickness, which easily dries up in the presence of wind.

♥Refrain from using acidic chemicals
When doing laundry, avoid using harsh chemicals especially those containing acid because these damage and weaken the fiber. When removing stain, as much as possible do not use bleach in treating stain since this can fade the color and shed fiber as well.

♥Avoid application of heat
Cotton fiber, when exposed to an extended period in an excessively high temperature from 150 Celsius and beyond, will burn easily. This is due to the decomposition of fibers, which is the normal thermal reaction of cotton in response to presence of heat. Sometimes, prolonged heat exposure can lead to shrinkage of material.

♥Prevent infiltration of bacteria
Microorganisms are one of the leading causes of damaged cotton. The infiltration of bacteria results to the deterioration of the fiber. Always keep the shawl dry and clean to keep it germ-free. Do not allow stain to settle on the fabric because this encourages bacteria to accumulate. Use only gentle, but with anti-bacterial soap when washing cotton shawl to effectively remove and kill germs.

♥Limit "wear and tear"
Since cotton has a relatively low elasticity, undue force applied on the cotton shawl can lead to shedding. Therefore when washing cotton shawl, avoid too much wringing of the cloth. Just allow any excess water to drip while hanging to avoid loosening of the fibers.

Who'd love to wear ruffles?

It is evident that ruffles has come back this year as one of the trendiest designs. From the runway down to the high street, ruffles is making its way up with an uproar.

Here are some inspiring designs that I'm loving this very moment.

ruffles by Monique Lhuillier

ruffles by Carolina Herrera

ruffles by Chanel

ruffles by Christian Dior

ruffles by Christian Dior

ruffles by Marc Jacobs

photos by style.com

How to wear graphic black and white outfit

Could it be that black isn't only the most elegant color, it also is the most laid back? I remembered a fashion designer telling me that black is the most difficult color to photograph, as her photographer agrees, therefore it isn't that elegant. Whatever it is, I found black to be very essential color. It compensates any color. The black becomes more dramatic when it meets white compared to other colors. Is it the reason why people in this country interpret you as mourning for someone whenever you're seen sporting a black and white? Probably!

Fact is, there's nothing more dramatic than a palette of black and white. Today, we'll take a look at how you can wear a graphic black and white that shows off the duo to its best advantage.

♥Sass & Bide Simple Maxi Dress
I spoke a lot about maxi dresses being a hot dress for this summer. I went to one beautiful island this week and all I saw around me were maxi dresses and a lot of blonds and brunettes. But who said that maxis are only made for a white sparkling beach? Diagonal stripe print and bodice design is one way of going graphic black and white.

♥New Tie Front Dress
It isn't Gothic at all; it's mainly intriguing. Black and White Curves, pockets that are not made for every dress, and of course, the tie in front is truly an intricate work.

♥Designer Day Dress - Aidan Mattox
It's the first time I heard about Designer Day dresses but with only a single glimpse of them, I found their playful designs and butterfly sleeves captivating. Most dresses are minis, however, since I speak at this moment about graphics black and white, this Aidan Mattox is the one that impressed me. It's another maxi dress, V-neck, with details that are fun and flirty. Show off your shoulders and get a great night!

♥Sass & Bide Body Suit
Another way of wearing black and white graphic is through a body suit with all-over contrast geometric print, a low scoop neck and cap sleeves. Worn with denim Capri pants or denim skirt, you get a ready to wear daytime outfit. There's nothing much I can say about this suit but that, it's all about print.

Do you have other means of sporting black and white? Do share. We're eager to hear.
To see these products, visit stylefeeder.

My lovely four days at Koh Samed

Hola girls! I haven’t been around for days; I was out of the city enjoying a fabulous four-day-vacation in one of the country’s hottest islands – Koh Sahmed.

We had to be on the road for 4 hours. After getting off the bus, we had to walk for about 200 meters to the pier and had to wait for a little while for the boat that would take us to the island.

The travel was not exhausting at all. What, with excitement, would you feel exhausted? I love taking ferries or boats. It’s something I can do every time and I’d still love.

The beach was clean, so enticing as it sparkles through the sun’s kisses that the first thing you’d love to do once you behold it, is to run and embrace it.

I do have some photos that I can share. A little glimpse on my four pampered days, those are rare.

Now that I’m back, I can’t wait to blog again. I miss everyone on here.