UNIQLO Spring/Summer Collection 2014

Last Friday, 28 March 2014, I got invited to the launch event of UNIQLO's spring/summer 2014 collection and its latest global collaborations, held at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.

I'm a UNIQLO fan so I got really excited to see what they have in store for me at the event. To my surprise, they're actually launching three new collections and collaborations all at the same time. *bells ringing, stomach turning, wallet shouting* Oh yes (oh no), I'll be going shopping tonight...

Summer Brights

I just LOVE Summer. April might have gone too fast (and I have only been to the beach once!!! *what a disappointment*) but hoooray that we still have 31 days of May (well, 29 days of May from today) to have all the beach trips, adventures and whatnot that we can still squeeze out of our short scorching bright summer.

Anyway, to my avid followers, remember my post about how people go all bright and colorful when it's summer?  Well, this post is exactly how I incorporate brights into my summer ensemble. And thanks to Yishion for giving us the opportunity and the challenge to do so. Check it out and let me know what you think. 

Live Life in Full Color

Woke up this morning in the scorching heat of the sun. So it finally sinked in... Yes, it is undeniably and unescapingly (and I know there's no such word) - Summer. Okay, this realization might come too late given that it has been declared summer since the first week of March but I'm really the kind of person who can take the heat - literally. More often than not, heat really doesn't bother me and I really kinda prefer the right kind of heat versus the cold. 

Anyway, for most people, it is that time of the year once again when we indulge ourselves with layer after layer of sunscreen as the warm touch of the sun burns our skin and all things cold brings sheer joy to our being. Yet, summer is still my favorite season, not just because I get a reason to buy new sunnies, flip-flops and bikinis, but because of all the color it brings. 

I don't know if you agree but do you notice that everything seems to become brighter and more vibrant when it's summer? The street, the sky, the food we eat *Hello, halo-halo* and most of all, what we wear! There's really no excuse in sulking in pure black because black absorbs more heat, unless you really just dig the goth & emo-punk fashion.  I don't judge. But because summer brings sweet sunny happiness, I often see happy people go all bright as well when they step out of the house with bold colors, crazy shades and whatnot, and i just love it.

Speaking of summer, flip-flops, and bold colors, I just LoooOOoooVE the new summer collection of Havaianas that come in all the colors of the rainbow and then some. Havaianas truly understands that people live vividly hued lives and this is reflected in every design and color of their flip-flops. Because human nature is dynamic, not static, and no one can be boxed in just one color, Havaianas gives us another wide range of colorful comfy flip-flops that we can match with our every mood. Don't you agree? *Nod if you do* 

And this summer, Havaianas invites us to celebrate life by embracing our vibrant and colorful self with the latest collection of new shades from the world's most loved brand of flip-flops. This summer's releases of the now-ubiquitous Brazilian flip-flops features new colors for beloved Havaianas classics like Havaianas Top, Havaianas Top Mix, Havaianas Slim, Havaianas Brasil, Havaianas Brasil Logo, Havaianas Brasil Mix, and so much more the perfect companions to match every look, mood, or lifestyle as we continue to live summer every day of the year. 

Havaianas aims to celebrate different facets of individuality with its latest summer collection. Each color in the Summer 2013 collection encourages people to live life in full color both inside and out by embodying certain attributes that make each and every person unique. Aside from the classic White and Black, other stunning colors such as Amazonia, Marine Blue, Fushia and Lime Green are perfect for expressing your inner self through comfortable, and simple stylish flip-flops. 

Havaianas believes that summer is not just a season - it is a state of mind, that allows us to live freely and expressively, by embracing the many millions of colors that create the canvas of our lives. With all the many styles and colors we can choose from, we can make a strong or subtle fashion statement whether we're simply stepping out to do groceries or digging our feet into the sand on a sunny beach. There is simply a perfect pair of Havaianas for everybody, every day and every occasion. Whatever our mood, we can always count on Havaianas to be our constant style companion this summer, because we deserve to live a colorful and exuberant life. 

Kudos to Havaianas for coming up with yet another fabulous collection that I just LoooOOoooVE (there goes my long LOVE again. Sorry, I just had to emphasize again and again *lol*) Oh, and my favorite? This pair below. Its bold mix of colors with a touch of the exuberant lifestyle of Brasil is absolutely perfect for my audacious personality. Don't you think?

So this summer, join me as I live life in full Havaianas colors and express your colorful self both inside and out by grabbing a new pair of Havaianas in any of its exciting new colors!

Experience the summer vibe that never goes out of style with the world's favorite rubber flip-flops brand, Havaianas. Take part in the Havaianas story and grab a pair now, available in Metro Manila at All Flip-Flops, Celio, Complex, Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall, J&S Surf Shop, KidSports, Manila Polo Club, Nail Spa, Ocean Front, Plana Forma, ROX, Rustan's, Stoked, Tick Tock Flip Flop NAIA Terminal 3, and Urban Athlethis. For provincial outlets, visit www.havaianas.com.

xoxo

The Clueless Mrs

*sponsored post*

Femme Ala Mod

It's been a looooong time since I made an outfit post. It's probably because my daily get up now involves a heavy Jansport and the most comfortable flats I can find. I don't know how many times I've shared that already but the sight of my haggardness is really that depressing most of the time. My continuous weight gain may have caused my confidence level to dip as well but I'm working on that. 

For the particular reason that I want to win an iPad mini, I entered this contest of Solemate by SM Bags and Shoes and made an effort to dazzle myself up again and courageously face the camera. 

Make Up trick:
Contouring for some instant cheekbones

It took me a while to get comfortable in front of the camera again but I told myself to just have fun and everything was a breeze from then on. It was just like riding the bike.

For my comeback outfit post, I decided to go Classy Casual Chic, and there's nothing more classy than a black and white ensemble. What do you think?

This is one of those days that I really miss home and have a wide variety of clothes and accessories that I can mix and match. And with "wide variety" I meant having three closets I can dig from- mine, my sister's and my mom's. Would you believe that from this whole outfit, I only own the necklace, the watch and the Solemate flats? Here's the breakdown and the budget-friendly price tags.

Necklace: Gift from my former boss (est. P600 - P800)

Bag: Parfois (Sale @ P899) *borrowed from mom*

Watch: DKNY (Est. P5,000+), birthday gift from in-laws
Cocktail Ring: Bazaar find (est. P100-P150) *borrowed from sister*
Bracelet: The Landmark (P120) *borrowed from sister*

The key piece to this ensemble is my Solemate flats. It's very rare for me to find THE perfect pair of black flats so I was really happy, as in up to my ears happy, when I found this pair. They're the most comfortable set I've ever had that I just had to have more than one so, I swiped to have a total of four pairs of Solemate shoes in different colors and designs. Not to worry about spending a lot though coz two pairs of Solemate is only priced at P399. Talk about budget shopping. 

Solemate Flats (Two for P399)

White tank: *borrowed from mom*
Sleeveless Blazer: Studio, SM Sucat Outlet (Sale @ P250),
*borrowed and arbored from sister*
Lace Shorts: SM GTW (Sale @ P150, same here)

I love how the texture on my white tank (my mom's I meant) perfectly matches the texture on my (my mom's) white bag. It made the simple black and white outfit totally not boring. Don't you agree?

What do you think?

Please give me some *Love* and VOTE for ME

xoxo

The Clueless Mrs.

Going Places

As I now officially bid 2012 a sweet goodbye, here's an inspiring lookback at one of the sunniest outfit shoots I had a few weekends ago.

So, what's sO special about this outfit post, you ask? Well, just my uuuber comfy travel-inspired skimmers that I won (Yep, I WON!) from Punchdrunk Panda. I rarely win in Facebook promo giveaways so when I got an email notification from Punchdrunk Panda that I was one of the winners of their 12 for 12 Giveaway Promo when they reached their awesome 12,000 fans, I totally screamed to the top of my lungs *WOOOHOOO*

This travel-inspired cool design for Punchdrunk Panda is by Kasey Albano and Arriane Serafico. Here's an inspirational note from the designers...

For every traveler whose wanderlust can never be satiated: let this pair be your lucky charm to attract magical travel experiences, your compass to lead you to discoveries off the beaten path, and your courage serum to start conversations with strangers.

So click your heels three times and get ready for the magic - with these shoes, you're definitely going places.

- The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams - 

I feel so inspired just by wearing these shoes because I am Going Places this 2013. Thank you Punchdrunk Panda!

Denim Dress: True Love, SM GTW (Sale @ P200) - borrowed from my lil sis.
Floral Denim Shorts: True Love, SM GTW (P399)
Earrings: For Reselling Soon (est. SRP P180)
Ring: For Reselling Soon (est. SRP. P100)
Women's Skimmers: Punchdrunk Panda (NOW ON SALE! @ P647.50, originally P1,295)

More photos that didn't make this post

Shop Punchdrunk Panda

LIKE Punchdrunk Panda on Facebook

xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.

Luminous Epiphany

For so long, I have been trying to figure out what I really want to do with my life - yeah, seven years long to be exact - and beat this "cluelessness" that has been hindering me to realize my full potential.

This year has been a career whirlwind for me... My mind has been clouded with a thought that since I'm good in what I do, maybe this is what I should just pursue, but there's a still a lot of what-ifs and why-nots hovering over my head. I have been longing for signs that will lead me to the right direction towards my true destiny. And this time, I don't want to rush it and really think things through.

My facts in life and random thoughts are these...

I cannot be too stressed anymore. My mind say yes but my body (my health) just can't take it anymore.

-#-

I want to be a person of influence and I know I cannot achieve that by hiding behind a desk from 8-5. (Nor could I still join Ms. Universe. *haha*)

-#-

I want to be in control of my life, manage my own time, get to express my creativity in unlimited ways possible, envision things and bring them to life. 
-#-
I want a stress-free life and part of it is to start distancing myself from the corporate world and prepare myself for hands-on motherhood. (Though that may seem stressful at times as well) 

-#- 
In contrare, I still want to have a sense of accomplishment. 
-#-

I'am just addicted to clothes and shopping. (If only it's really that simple to earn a living from doing just that)

So, what now?

While I flip through the pages of Preview Magazine's Dec'12-Jan'13 issue in search of inspiration, I caught myself stunned as I saw a familiar scene that brought me back to 2009 when I was still taking a short course in Basic Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. My jaw dropped when it came to mind that it was the realization of what I envisioned for my first collection when I submitted my final assignment to my Fashion Design professor, John Herrera. An 8-piece collection I called "Luminous."

A letter from my past self told me so and this feature of Francis Libiran's Gala (above) in celebration of Manila Hotel's 100th year, finally made me realize what is... 

That I really, truly, desperately... want to be in everything that's got to do with Fashion. To be a Couture Designer is my main goal, but if not, I'd be glad just to be in any facets of fashion, may it be as a stylist, visual merchandiser, or back to marketing or maybe work for a magazine or whatever. As long as I can wrap myself up with all things pretty... *eyes glistening now*

This ain't gonna be easy, but here's a proof and my motivation of what I have the talent for...

For my first collection, I got inspiration from lamps, lights, chandeliers, and steel fabrication of my favorite- swirls! I just LOVE the craftsmanship that's put into the details of such things. I also like how light illuminates from specially-designed lamps and the shapes and shadows it make. Tule, Organza, Chiffon, Hull Dull, Nit, Two-tone Organdi, and Satin are my fabric of choice while I play with very light hues of pinks, champagnes, golds, and browns with a LOT of beadings and embellishments to capture the details of my inspiration.

Fashion Mood Board

I decided to go with an 8-piece collection of luxurious cocktail dresses and long gowns that reflects my design personality- feminine, luxe, with a lot of textures and details- because a 16-piece collection might be too much for me to start with. My favorite designers include Elie Saab, Cary Santiago, John Herrera and Francis Libiran whom I think I kind of share the same design esthetic with, that's why I think I can relate to them so much, in terms of design. Hope you like what you see =) 

Styling

About the Designer

Here's an inspiring message from John Herrera after he saw my sketches.

signed, John Herrera

I know it's a loooong shot and I will definitely have to start from the bottom again but it's a risk I am willing to take. I guess, it's better to take the risk now than forever wonder... What if? Why not? and Why (the hell) didn't I? 

So, what do you think of my designs?
Give LOVE and leave a comment...


xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.

SALE ALERT! MANGO End of Season Sale

The much-awaited MANGO SALE starts TODAY at 2:00 pm!

Rush to the nearest MANGO store today and get up to 50% off on ALL items in all MANGO, H.E. by MANGO and MANGO Touch stores in the Philippines.

WANT FIRST DIBS ON THE SALE? A special VIP preview sale will be held for MANGO VIP and RCBC Bankard cardholders from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you don’t have your MANGO card yet, now would be the perfect time to sign up! Visit this link or head to your favorite MANGO store to fill out an application form and get a free MANGO mobile charm!

MANGO has 23 stores including recently opened stores at the Centrio Mall and Cagayan De Oro.

Visit MANGO Touch at Robinsons Magnolia and Power Plant Mall. Soon to open in Bonifacio High Street Central, Glorietta, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Megamall.

H.E. by MANGO is at the Power Plant Mall. Soon to open in Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street Central. Glorietta, and SM Mall of Asia.

Per DTI-NCR Permit no. 9879 Series of 2012

xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.