Seven Travel Essentials From Muji

The travel season is creeping in day by day and you probably have your tickets ready from those seat sales that went on a few months ago. Where to? Hong Kong? Japan? New York? Hawaii? Morocco?? It’s common sense that each destination would require you to stuff certain things in your suitcases but wherever you decide to go in the next few weeks, may that be a cold country or a tropical beach, there’s always a couple of things that are equivalent to a little black dress in every girl’s closet (or a trusty collared shirt in a guy’s case).

To address just this, I swung by one of my favorite stores, Muji, and had a look around. Muji has always been my go-to place for school supplies shopping. I’d get giddy every time I go through their notebooks, pens, pencil cases, etc and even more giddy when I whip ‘em out the classroom and use them. I love the clean and simple aesthetic vibin’ all throughout their products, it made schooling bearable and a little more fun. Now that I’ve graduated and only have my planner (which I rarely write on lately) as my analog tool, I haven’t had the need to purchase Muji’s magical (yes, they’re magical to me) notebooks and pens. However upon graduation, came traveling and if you’ve been to any Muji store, you’ll know that it’s one of the brand’s specialties. And I, being a young adult, cannot depend on my mother anymore to do my packing for me (like my little brothers do).

So yes, back to the main point, I scoured through Muji’s shelves to compile my 7 super travel essentials that I think would be essential to you guys too.

The mini organizer & the travel sized bottles

When it comes to traveling, it’s really better to travel light. Just bring enough for the trip and that includes all your skincare & haircare products. Muji has all sorts of bottles you can choose from, including bottles with volumes less than 100ml for products you need in your carry-on purse.

Another must have are these organizers so that you can categorize the stuff you have in your bag so you don’t have to dig through mixed up randoms. Toiletries in one, accessories in another, and makeup or underwear on the third pouch. Trust me, you’ll save yourself from lots of stress.

A reliable suitcase with a matching organizer

[column-group] [column]Suitcases don’t come cheap, so if you’re going to purchase one, make sure it’s of a versatile size, something you think would be an appropriate size for most kinds of travels. Pick one that isn’t too small and not too large that you’ll come off as OA. I personally got the size between medium and large (I’m so sorry I forgot the actual numeric size) because I know my stuff would not fit in the medium one even for a 3-day trip, and I also don’t want to spoil myself with the large one because I tend to overpack most of the time (plus, like I said, avoid looking OA with a gigantic suitcase). Another important thing, when I say reliable, I also mean that it’s got to withstand several travels where the airport staff just throws it around the cargo area. Don’t waste your moolah on something that’ll make you spend more in the long run,[/column] [column]invest in some good quality suitcase and you’re good to go for years. What I especially love about Muji’s Hardcase Trolley, as shallow as it seems, is its no nonsense, streamlined, and subtle elegant look. I do want to still look put together even on the airport, and I bet this suitcase will go with about just any look.

Similar to the EVA Box Pouch, I find Muji’s Garment Case to be equally important for suitcases, especially for longer travels where you have more stuff in your bag. You can organize, say, casual clothing from the more formal ones, or separate tops from bottoms. Again, it would make things more manageable and organized.[/column] [/column-group]

The versatile parka

[column-group] [column]For me, whether you’re going to a cold country or a tropical one, it’s always wise to have something that can either be layered or wouldn’t reduce you to a sweat ball in case things get a bit chilly.[/column] [column]I’d go with Muji’s Parka than a basic hoodie anytime since this can be styled up or down depending on what you pair with it.[/column] [/column-group]

A mushy neck pillow

[column-group] [column]My mom swears by these pillows. Traveling can be exhausting so it’s good to have something handy in case you need a little power nap on your way to paradise. May it be a long car ride or flight, these neck huggers will make sure your head doesn’t wobble on some stranger’s shoulders[/column] [column]in case you aren’t seated with your companions. Nothing’s more awkward than some drooling napper’s head swaying towards you. Start the change yourself, get a pillow like this for Pete’s sake. Haha I’m kidding, but really this pillow is really comfy.[/column] [/column-group]

The carry-all

[column-group] [column]Last but certainly not the least, an all in one bag that would carry all the stuff you need handy during flights and long rides. Ideally, one should only lug around two things on airports, their trolleys/suitcases, and one carry-on bag. In my case, this contains usually contains my wallet, phone (of course), tissue, powerbank, lighting cable, blotting oil (and other kikay stuff for touchups), and camera.[/column] [column]I know this may be unapplicable to some people, but like I said, ideally.

I find Muji’s Boston bag to be just perfect for this. It’s of the right size, and it looks safe (but never boring) to match most if not all outfits. It’s also got an accesible pocket on the bag for slipping in your passport or boarding pass.[/column] [/column-group]

That, my friends, sums up my travel essentials. Just a final point I need to mention, you would think, “why Muji? There are a lot of brands that carry some travel stuff too”.

Like what I’ve mentioned above, one of my favorite things about Muji (aside from housing stuff that are of excellent quality), is how simple all their stuff is. Now simple could sometimes mean it’s plain or boring but I’ve never looked at any of Muji’s products that way. The simplicity of their stuff makes stressful daily tasks a little bit more calming, plus it looks really good. I’ve always felt that way with Muji. I mean, when you open your suitcase, would you rather have mismatched crazy printed pouches one heart shaped, one embellished with studs or structured, neutral colored, semi see through ones like Muji’s? I’d go for the latter any time.

What do you guys think? I’d like to know what you guys have in your list though, mind telling me in the comments below?

Parking Lot Shenanigans

Grabbed the opportunity to do a quickie shoot in a nearly empty parking area shortly before getting in the car to go home. Photos by Duff Orate.

What I'm wearing: Faux leather blush cami and booties from Zara Lace bralette from Krate the Label Jeans from Topshop Denim jacket from Bershka Nude purse from Céline Velvet cord from The Bead Shop Tooth pendant necklace from Forever 21

So I've been thinking a whole lot over what I do lately.... You know, blogging and such. I thought, if I could choose only one category of blogging to fall under in, it would definitely be fashion. That is, if I'm only allowed to choose one. So a few days back, I looked through my blog entries and if I wanted to be mainly a fashion blogger, then there's certainly a bit of a shortage with my recent outfit entries. So here's a start ;)

My outfits are usually pretty straightforward. Top + bottom + shoes, or maybe dress + shoes, or if it's little chilly, I'll throw on a jacket to the ensemble or opt for a thicker top with long sleeves instead. However on this specific day I figured I wanted to complicate it a bit... and yes, this is a bit complicated for me already. This fit is a mix of different textures: faux leather, lace, and denim. Also, I love how the oversized denim jacket tones down the sultry vibe of the lace bralette playing peekaboo. I do think lace bralettes are made to play peekaboo though.

I should mention that this Céline bag is my first ever designer bag that I was able to purchase with my own moolah. All those bags you see me donning, all those are just borrowed from my mom (thank you mama ♥). So this one's pretty close to my heart what with the blood and tears (a.k.a. hardwork) behind it. Kidding, there was no blood nor tears involved, I love what I do. Anywho, I purchased it from my good friend Keith, who also happens to be the owner of A La Mode.

I know the rain sometimes sucks especially when it becomes a hindrance from us doing our daily tasks, but I miss layering. So perhaps some few drizzles here and there won't hurt? Drizzles please, not tornadoes.

So what do you think of this fit? Do you think that lace bralettes should indeed play peekaboo? Let me know in comments below. Also, a little pinky promise that I shall stay connected to my roots, more outfits for you guys! :P

Rocco + Ruru

Photography, direction, styling, and post-processing by mebut hell no, this shoot isn't possible without the team I toiled with.

Pardon me for getting sidetracked at the very beginning of this post, but I'd just like to dwell on the fact that writing isn't really my forte, a fact that may be obvious in this visual heavy, yet "short & sweet texted" entry. Well, at least I'm good at inventing these non existent "phrases" to mask my not so wide vocabulary. I can write, but between other things I can do, it's not exactly my specialty. Consider this a warning, though I do have high hopes for the visuals of this entry.

Now back to the reason for this post.

Get this, I just styled & shot Rocco & Ruru. Yeah, that just happened.

I was given the opportunity to style two of GMA's biggest stars who also happen to star in the remake of one of the most popular Fantaserye in Philippine Television. Though "styling" turns out to be a massive summary of my role. Later on (literally a few days before the shoot), I was informed that I would be basically in charge of the whole shoot. My responsibility escaping self went through minor hysterics.

I know you guys are dying (kidding) to see the photos, but please don't scroll past this as I'd like to recount the hardship I went through while pulling out the clothes for this shoot. A million thank yous aren't enough to thank my ever loyal friend, Duff, who spent 6 hours with me walking up and down Bonifacio High Street, carrying 10+ uber heavy paper bags in the midst of our then incomprehensible, humid, Philippine weather. Oh and I was wearing this really fluffy sweater + jeans + boots cause the weather looked gloomy while I was dressing up. How deceitful.

So a big shoutout to all stylists out there and their loyal friends who're ever so supportive of their stylist friend's endeavours.

For the first set, I dressed the two stars based on their profile sprinkled with a teeny bit of my style.

Both heartthrobs who are adored by females (and perhaps males) all over the Philippines Islands, yet different in their own sense. Rocco being the fit, brooding, mature moreno, and Ruru being the teen, Spiderman-esque lanky tisoy.

Rocco wears button down shirt and khaki chino pants from Cotton On, wristwatch and spectacles from Aldo, and lace up boots from Pedro.

I dressed Rocco in a safe yet classic ensemble — A midnight blue button down shirt, paired with khaki chino pants, and accessorized with a brown leather strapped wrist watch. Finished off with rounded spectacles and lace up boots the same color of the watch for a contemporary touch.

Ruru wears polo shirt and sneakers from American Eagle Outfitters, black parka from Factorie, and khaki shorts from Cotton On

As for Ruru, I took into account his teenage charm. The iconic "Taft conyo outfit" popped in my head. A polo shirt, paired with slim cut shorts, but instead of the usual combo including a pair of loafers or boats, I replaced the shoes with grayish taupe sneakers and added in a parka for some street style vibe.

Ive failed to mention this earlier, but the location and feel of each set is based on the aesthetics closest to me. The first one having that clean white + foliage thing going on and this second one, a clean, light and airy pastel vibe.

In the first set, I've considered both Rocco & Ruru's profile & possible (hehe) personal style, but for this set I only considered my vision (insert evil laugh here... kidding).

Now I've came across a comment saying "Nahhh that's not what a skater dude looks like" blah blah blah. My vision may be distorted but hey this is my shoot, my blog, and when I say this is my idea of a skater dude in an alternate pastel universe, then it will be.

Convictions aside, I think this makes for a quirky chill outfit on hot, sweaty days.

Ruru wears pink shirt, shorts, and sneakers from Cotton On, and floral cap from Aldo. Socks are stylist's own.

Rocco & Ruru's outfit are pretty similar for this set, but Ruru's lies more on the lighter color palette. I know I've already mentioned this a bajillion times, but pastel pink, light colored denim, and clean, cloud white sneakers make a great, foolproof combo. Topped with a blue and white printed headgear and dual hued striped socks to break off the plain colored monotony.

Rocco wears shirt and shoes from Cotton on, board shorts from Factorie, and bracelets from Aldo. Socks are stylist's own.

As for Rocco, whom I know is very much into fitness, a knowledge I got from "researching" on his Instagram and from having a little chat over breakfast, wore board shorts instead of denim ones. I feel like the the shirt and layered bracelet gave him more of a surfer dude appeal? Have I mentioned that I absolutely adore tops with statement backs?

I should also mention how much it was a breeze to work with Rocco and Ruru. As talented actors and regulars on the spotlight, of course these two knew exactly how to pose and project. They were especially fun and light to be with too, in my case, it was most fun to shoot the second set, my favorite shots being the candid, laughing ones.

A special thank you to the GMA crew and Dianne who tagged along with us during the shoot. Many thanks to Bench's Global brands for the clothes. To Rocco & Ruru, if you get the chance to read this, thanks for being such great sports during the shoot and for doing a great job! Last but definitely not the least, to my forever supportive boyfriend who skipped worked just to assist, accompany, drive, and help me create last minute outfits for this shoot. Love you, Miguel.

If you want to more of Rocco & Ruru, better watch out for the premiere of Encantadia on July 18, GMA channel.

So tell me, how did you like (or dislike) this shoot? Let me know in the comments below!

Three Strikes

I don't know if I've already mentioned this, but music is definitely one of my biggest inspiration when it comes to my style.

I'm not exactly sure how, since music isn't something you see rather it's something you hear and feel. I guess it's the feels certain type of songs give me that prompt me to wear certain types of clothing but just a few days ago, music inspired my outfit... literally. Have you seen Kylie's music video for her lip gloss? This may or may not be a popular opinion if you're not a fan of the Kardashians/Jenners, but Kylie was seriously beyond beautiful in that video. I especially love the bandana thing going on. I saw that and was like, "wow, that's perfect for summer."

A little trivia, I used to wear a bandana like this during my chemotherapy days. Either this or a bucket hat to cover my baldness/pixie cut hair.

Though initially I wore the scarf around my neck, later throughout the day I realized the look seemed a bit to chic and opted for a more casual take on it instead and wore it on my head. Also let me just say that I'm very happy with my recent purchase of this mustard body suit. I love the color, it's definitely something new to my dominantly black, white, grey, and nude wardrobe. I'm actually building a new color scheme for my wardrobe and I'm super excited for it. It's definitely a lot of fun to hunt and collect for pieces I haven't tried before.

Now I'm wondering why I didn't put on my So Cute gloss for this ensemble...

What I'm wearing:

Silk Scarf by H&M | Mustard body suit & Lace Up Heels by Forever 21 | Mom Jeans by Levis | Sling bag by Céline

Ala Mode: A Lookbook

Accessories have the power to make or break any outfit. It can amp up a casual outfit, or tone down a rather extravagant one. If I were to rank the importance of each type of accessory, bags would definitely top my list and I know a lot of ladies would agree with me on this. They don't only alter your look aesthetically but it also serves a function of holding your cellphone, wallet, and other stuff you lug around with you (which is important if you're like me who brings a lot of stuff when going out). However, if you really want to turn heads and let your bag do the talking, designer bags is the way to go.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying branded stuff is always better, but let's be real here, have you not turned your head when a girl carrying a Balenciaga bag passes by? Have you not drooled whenever a paparazzi photo of Kendall comes out, wearing only a plain shirt, tattered jeans, booties, but strapped across her body as a Céline nano bag? This may not apply to all, but it does apply to a lot, including myself.

Just last week, I had a shoot with Ala Mode Bags. I think it was actually my first time to have a studio shoot. I mostly do my shoots in non-controlled environments a.k.a the streets, my room, etc. Read more to see the photos and see how each bag finished off each monochrome outfit.

Michael Kors Selma Messenger Bag in Medium

This bag reminds me a bit of the Céline nano bag. It's just the right size for quick errands and events where one should only carry a small bag for essentials. The silhouette is also clean and uncomplicated which means that you can pair it with intricate pieces without looking overdone.

Britten Slouchy Tote

I fancy the color of this tote so much. "Camel" as they call it oozes not only Autumn vibes for me, but also reminds of of Kanye's neutral palette collection — Yeezy (although their styles are of a completely different genre).

Michael Kors Ava Satchel in Medium

Pale pastel pink — another hue that I love oh so much because of it's subdued playfulness which also goes so well with the Ava Satchel's shape. Pair it with a turtle neck sweater and skirt to look extra feminine or a plain loose shirt and denim shorts, with your hair in a pony for a casual chic look.

Furla Metropolis Mini Crossbody

You know those times where you just want to bring some bills, your lipstick, and some oil films to keep your face fresh throughout the day but refuse to stuff them all in your pocket? Well this body bag is for you, it's tiny but packs quite an impact design wise.

Marion Quilted Chain Shoulder Bag

There's just something about leather quilted bags that makes it so classy... especially when it's paired with gold chains. This Marion Quilted bag is roomy enough to fit all your essentials, but not gigantic to overshadow your well planned, put-together outfit.

What do you guys think about the bags I mentioned? Care to share which designer bag is your favorite or a piece you're just dying to have? Ala Mode Bags might just have it for you! Be sure to follow them on Instagram and you might find that dream bag that's worth investing on.

Wild Heart

I know this post may be a bit untimely. What with the cold weather we have lately, but I just wanted to show you guys another side of me. From denims and leather booties to something more delicate like lace and crochet tops.

I'm not sure if you guys have noticed, but lately I've been slowly but surely shifting my style (see my instagram). I've been collecting clothing articles that I don't have yet and opting for styles I don't usually wear. If I was still my old self, I'd definitely pair this crochet top with something of the likes of denim cut-offs.

Wanderland 2016 is also coming up soon! I've been there last year and I must say people really make an effort in coming up with out of the box boho outfits. Perhaps this oufit may be one of your pegs?

Top: Naya Crafts | Shorts: Zara | Shoes: Soludos | Necklace: Edge Co | Bag: Mumi | Mandala Tapestry: Armstrong & Smith

Excited for this change in me and I'm also excited to show you guys more of the styles I'll be going to explore!

'Til the next ♥

Hello, meet Ida

I'm back and I have very exciting news for you guys! It was a normal mundane day when a notification popped in my phone, "Hello from American Apparel". Yup, your girl just kind of partnered up with one of her ultra favorite brands — American Apparel.

To be really honest, it's always been one of my mini dreams to be noticed by this brand. Their clothes are just so me. Classic-casual daily grind fashion that you can actually wear  everyday in the real world. Simple silhouettes and classic cuts that hug your body in the right curves, just my aesthetic.

Top by American Apparel | Pants by Levis | Shoes by Bershka | Cap by New Era

You guys have probably noticed on Instagram that I haven't been wearing shorts lately. Opting  for nice comfy mom jeans that hug my waist perfectly instead. Also being the sneaker girl that I am, I've been braving the world of wearing heels for these past few weeks. This pair from Bershka being one of my two ultra favorite pairs with just the right amount of height so that I won't end up torturing myself for the duration of the day.

Two random style tips I came up relevant to this outfit:

• If you're wearing a loose bottom, balance it out with a fitted top - well, I guess this is common sense. Stick with this rule if you want to stay on the safe side. Of course, it's always good to experiment. I've tried a few loose on loose outfits myself and it turned out pretty well. Just make sure to have to mini dress rehearsal first to see if it looks well put-together.
• Experiment with different clothing genres - lately, I like mixing "classy" pieces with somewhat "street" pieces. Heels with baseball caps, sneakers with sleek blazers, or again, neutral colored heels with a camouflage printed jacket. Again, don't be afraid to experiment. I was never the girly type, so I really can't go all pure frills and girly-ness.

I'm super excited to show you all my loot from American Apparel! Til the next post, loves.

Photography by Michael Macalos