Mostly old, nothing new. What I borrowed from you merely made me blue

And I'm back. As silly as ever. Apologizing for missing posts and once again getting lost.




This time I'll stay longer, I assure you (even if this sounds like a cheesy 80s song). The blues will be restricted to ties, polka dots, belts, and ripped Levi's.


Jacket, Sisley; shirt, Topman; jeans, Levi's; sneakers, Generic Surplus; wool tie and belt: both thrifted. Take-away package contains Charlie Chan pasta from Yellow Cab — a favorite

Photographs by Patricia Suzara

Onyx, obsidian, and meteorite necklace

I asked the saleslady if the cratered beads they were selling really came from space. She laughed, and I shrugged it off. Nobody was buying the "meteorite", so I wanted it.

This is the necklace I made for my mom as a gift especially for Christmas Eve, since she was looking for a necklace other than a long strand of pearls to go with her red dress. Coincidentally, the piece went well with what I was wearing yesterday morning.




Besides the leftover rosette onyx, I used medium-sized "meteorite" beads, obsidian, and some gray squarish stones. I decided to use gray with black to give my mom's red dress more character. She wore this double-stranded.




I hope you had a merry Christmas, because I did. Besides meeting relatives again, tasting my cousin's dishes, and the gifts, I was also able to sell both my "grotesque" steel necklaces and something new from my Sacre line (will post this by and by), plus a couple of orders for new hardware pieces.

It was likewise amazing how necklaces I conceived for men looked great on my aunts!



Again, I liked how this turned out. Different colors, textures, and shapes.




Tee, Rogan; thrifted skinny jeans, Dior Homme; belt, Brave Beltworks; sneakers, Generic Surplus; necklace, DIY




I was also able to make a necklace-gift for my grandmother, which she was happy to receive. It was shorter and was accentuated with shiny, metallic hematite beads. This afternoon I was also able to make a combination piece from black wooden beads and onyx for my cousin — much lighter than the earlier necklaces, but still looks interesting because of the new colors and textures.

As I write this post in the beach, I am wearing a new necklace made of unfinished wood and plastic, which I think is the start of a new line. Summer, perhaps?




I hope this venture blossoms. Watch this page — at least until I am able to put up my Bosquejo accessories site!

Happy holidays!

How to wear white jeans

So shoot me. My first advice would be to wear white as if you don't care getting dirty. This is the most important thing to keep in mind. Otherwise don't bother.



Okay, so after ignoring my Alfalfa hair, let me say that this is a real escaltor stepped on by all sorts of people. The good news is I thrifted this pair for a mere pittance, which makes this picture doubly alright.

In this instance, I have chosen a black and white ensemble. In order that I won't be confused as an orderly (!), wore a plastic necklace, two wooden necklaces wound together and worn as a bracelet, and another bracelet made of tiger's eye — which serves as the outfit's accent.

The stripes on the shirt's collar and sleeves help to establish a theme.



And so does this skinny belt, barely seen. I think this is best done at the back or on either side, not in front.



So there. White on white can be quite tricky. Accessories not necessary if you have well cut trousers, a nice shirt, and, most importantly, the attitude.

So how have you worn your white jeans?

Tee, Zara; jeans, thrifted; belt, APC; plastic necklace, Qeelin; sneakers, Generic Surplus

Photos by Cecilia Aycocho

Rain comes to make things shine

For the past week, and maybe even before that, like clockwork, after an entire morning of sun-dappled pavements and ever-so-slight breezes, rain arrives seemingly just to spread gloom. Merely to clog drains and slow down traffic. Bringing the metropolis to a standstill.




But the very next morning (notice the broken branch behind me), fingers of light smooth out any indiscretion. Those stranded the previous night so easily forgive, even to the extent of forgetting that the next afternoon will bring the same thing.

Do you think I am also talking about relationships?




That is why this time I have come prepared, wearing an open v-necked, kurta-like shirt in very light cotton — more open to receive the morning and its heat, tailed by traces of wind perhaps as penitence — while staying armed with a nylon jacket for the impending rain. Call it a lesson in opposites, ie seasonless dressing.

Can we, though, ever prepare for heartbreak?




When there are fewer layers between your skin and the weather, it is easier for your heart to flutter. (Or for you to get sick for that matter.) Best to always bring an extra sheet of synthetic fabric with thread that provides a protective net.


Shirt, Zara; jeans, Jil Sander; belt and jacket: both Izzue; sneakers, Generic Surplus

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Nighttime intermission

One of the best parts of the day for me to write occurs between the witching hour (3 o'clock) and early morning, when everything is still and only silence has wings. But when I clear everything to set down ink and no inspiration materializes, I am usually drawn to set off.




There is no particular place. Sometimes I just ride a bus from one end of a national highway to the other. Even if I've already seen the places the bus passes, I gaze out to watch people, gather sounds, and smell the wind.

It's funny that I have a public blog with my face on its pages, when many times I just yearn to hide and disappear into the thick of things, or like a poet once said, to become a net, a sieve for existence.




Dragging concepts back to street-level, I did my own catching of inspiration the morning I decided to wear this outfit. The shirt is black-and-white plaid and the jeans in fatigues, just like what Taylor Tomasi was wearing when she was snapped by streetstyle photographer Tommy Ton. Also fished out this bag to ape Taylor's quilted accessory. The additional sweater was supposed to be just for the office, but I retained it for the nighttime motif.




So here I go, once again fading into the night. Who knows where you will see me next.


Izzue short-sleeved plaid shirt, black satin tie, and black leather bag: all thrifted; black sweater, Muji; jeans, Trussardi Jeans; sneaker, Generic Surplus

Shot at the elevator

A cameo! This must mean that I actually have some spare time in my hands, albeit between floors of my office building. So this is my new haircut, just growing out the black. Now am not so sure I want to color it light gray... What do you think?









More time to blog, to revisit the gym, to read, and to just be quiet. Do you hear that? I hear something beating...





Sweater, Zasum from Mundo; shirt, Ben Sherman; jeans, Cheap Monday; belt, Brave Beltworks; sneakers, Generic Surplus; briefcase, Bally

My latest fix: Generic Surplus sneaks

I bid farewell to my abused 5cm sneakers way back last August, but alas, I couldn't let them go just yet. I think these Generic Surplus sneakers are a worthwhile replacement.

I like the gray and beige detailing, and the suede tips.

Bought them this evening at Trilogy Boutique, a new concept store in the heart of Makati. What I really wanted were the boat shoes sneakers, but my size had already sold out.

Trilogy is a lifestyle hang out place, which also offers food. Though it would have been nice if the place were more cozy and had more things, Manila needs more venues like this.

I myself dream of a coffe shop-bookstore-library-boutique-design store for myself, which will contain and sell most of the things I love and am inspired by.


Trilogy Boutique is at the G/F of Alvion Center, 110 Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Gray gardens

So this is how I wore the hardware necklace I made yesterday: with a white tee and an additional bead necklace to set off the color theme.

No, the band I was wearing on my left wrist didn't have anything to do with sports.




It's made of plastic, instead of rubber, and comes in packs of six. Unlike the usual thick wooden bangles for women, this is thinner and I think can be used by men — singly, with other accessories like a watch, and at most in threes.




Trust me, it was just the heat.




This tee has a history.




Happy birthday to me. All in all I've been a good boy all my twenty eight years...


Tee, cK Calvin Klein; thrifted jeans, Dior Homme; skinny belt, APC; sneakers, Generic Surplus; necklace, DIY; leather bag, Rabeanco

Outfit photos by Patricia Suzara

Roadkill

Just a few minutes left to the weekend. Some bloggers post outfits, portraits, or even songs on Sundays. Maybe I'll try out a new habit: a short recap of the past few days to torture/encourage myself of what I have accomplished. Or what simply slid through my daily-crafted schedule or my mind, lost between the lines.




Been less sickly, so yes to: gym, blogging, reading (on the last few pages of Patrick White's Riders in the Chariot), DVD shopping (Dune, Vengeance trilogy, The Last Station, Monster, Happy Together, etc), book shopping (Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook), movie out (though it was worthless), meet with an old friend over coffee. No: new Bosquejo jewelry made (though some posted), wasn't able to re-organize my room (never-ending process), … actually this list never ends. And mostly because I also said yes to: sleep, bad habits, and all the other entries in my yes list.


Polo shirt, Underground; hood, Izzue; braided belt, Nautica; jeans, Neil Barrett; electric typewriter case repurposed as a laptop bag; scarf and nylon tote: both thrifted; sneakers, Generic Surplus

Photos by Patricia Suzara

The green room

After a very busy day, I dropped some (well, a lot) of my Bosquejo necklaces at Moonleaf Tea Shop yesterday so that a stylist can claim them there for a coming university shoot. How has this come about, that jewelry is left at a tea shop? Let's just say that Moonleaf has grown a thick foliage of loyal customers who also happen to be, one way or another, involved in fashion.

At Moonleaf, green is for brainstorming, germinating new ideas for projects, and of course, wintermelons. Can't wait to work on the series of collaborations set for July!


Polka dot pullover from Mundo (also bought the navy version); jeans, Bench; belt, Brave Beltworks; sneakers, Generic Surplus; jacket, thrifted

Photo by Mike Magallanes

Peeling away old skin

Okay, before you say anything. Many of you probably already know where I work based on repeat backdrops, like this one, which I think first appeared when I dared wear a newsboy cap (and when I looked younger and knew less about Photoshop). Then these "lines" appear again, with mush in between.

At least now I know better than to pretend that hats agree with me. Having fun with this beanie, though I really must have a haircut soon (maybe as short as this). Just have to finish some stuff that is keeping me from moving on.




Actually went ahead wearing this combination yesterday, when it was raining hard. A little inspired by Thom Browne's tricolors for Moncler. Also since this sheer shirt hasn't gotten much wear. Topped them off with an old Eddie Bauer windbreaker, which, believe it or not, I also used in the only editorial I ever styled. The checks under the patterned shirt look like a new layer of skin ready to be revealed.

Windbreaker, Eddie Bauer; shirts and belt: all thrifed; jeans: Lee




Skin too is the topic of this "Hips and Lips" tangerine and TV-static tee I bought from Rogan years ago. Again, I am feeling that change is imminent, and of course I can't wait. Though I know that I mustn't rush anything premature. Hell, even if I'm nearing 30!

Sweater, Sisley; tee, Rogan; jeans, Neil Barrett; beanie, 5cm; tote, thrifted; tiger's eye bracelet from Divisoria




Now I must hunker down and finish my work. I am not worried about getting old. More concerned that new skin would rot before old layers decide to fall off.


Outfit photos by Patricia Suzara

The sky is falling

It's only the second day of December and I feel like panicking. Not because of impending Christmas shopping, but from thinking of the many things I wanted to do this year that I still haven't accomplished. Since it's not yet over, I feel compelled to rush in all sorts of directions.

But before I go anywhere, I finally found these bright blue jeans in my cabinet! I think I've only worn it once on this blog.




Can't help but remember the day I last wore it. I was also wearing a gray sleevless vest, which I lost, after running after a girl I photographed for La Folie Douce, my streetstyle blog.

I must have lost my head, my friend said — like in this overexposed photograph, where it seems to be disappearing — but even if her dress wasn't that pretty, I think she was, together with her yellow buttons!




I still look dorky, I know, but I'm quite sure I looked dorkier then.




Here, finally, is a photo in perfect light, where you can see the approximate hue of the jeans. My head back on, I can only be thankful for the year that was, and use whatever time I have left to do what I do best.


Marcellotino shirt, jacket, and tie: all thrifted; jeans, Bitter End; belt, Nautica; sneakers, Generic Surplus

Photos by Patricia Suzara