Strawberry nights

True Grit has got to be the one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, much better than Black Swan and the stream of crappy films I have subjected myself to lately. (Though there were of course I Am Love, The Kids Are Alright, The Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Class.) This was the night I watched it with my friend Gina.




The strawberries came in threes: in a salad with meat and greens, a multi-berry smoothie, and finally this dark chocolate creme brûlée. Wore my hood several times during the night since I still wasn't feeling tip-top. (Legs still sore after going down 42 flights of stairs thanks to a fire drill.) Though coffee did fulfill its supporting role by warming me a bit.




Matched the ikat print of my tee with the geometric design of my crochet sandals. (Why is it that when I need warmth, I always neglect my feet, one of the most sensitive parts of the body in terms of nerve endings…)




Though I've never let sickness completely deprive me of fun (I assign Twister Fries as my flu placebo). Here playing with milk. Do Got Milk food stylists use Elmer's Glue? Starch? Whatever they used, it was also a night thickened with some verses courtesy of Louise Glück, whose stanzas never froth.




Unfortunately my two bags were the worse for wear. Impatient of gossip and useless chitchat, they decided to abandon me before I finished my dessert. (Usually trusty black nylon tote commiserated with a worn out canvas tote from now defunct Aeon bookstore, which Gina also ran to for her literary fix.)


Hoodie, Topaman; tee, Dries Van Noten; skinny belt, A.P.C; Two Percent jeans, sandals, and tote: all thrifted; canvas tote, giveaway

Cameo photos by Gina Sales

Zuzeca and Panda

Apologies in advance: you'll be seeing my face more often than is necessary in this post as I experiment with the format of my blog entries. I think I wore this black-and-white outfit last Friday.









I wanted to wear a Hardware piece against black, but without being as somber. So I wore the Zuzeca necklace over the first three buttons of my cardigan, but left the rest open to reveal a striped tee underneath.









Zuzeca is part of the latest Hardware series, called Dragons, which can resemble snakes and other slithery things.









I love the resulting contrast in solids and stripes, the almost feminine silhouette literally weighed down by steel and made masculine by leather and denim.









So who is Panda? Like my outfit, he also comes in black and white (hence the name, according to my sister), but has a moist nose and white whiskers. Remember him?





Cardigan, Muji; tee, Ralph Lauren; belt, A.P.C.; jeans, Calvin Klein Jeans; sandals, Kickers, thrifted; "Zuzeca" necklaces, Bosquejo

Breezy silhouette

I've worn these Thai farmer's pants before, with a similarly fitting jacket, but I haven't shown you just how comfy this pair can be, and, paired with a darker top, more expressive.




I like how the ribbed hem of my Muji jacket ends just at the top of the one-and-only pocket of the pants, which almost belongs to an apron. Hence, I have to carry my wallet and phone. (Murse, anyone?)




Big bad buttons! And my (mom's) hammered Hablo cuffs.




Look ma, no shoes! It takes a while to wear the farmer's pants since I have to fold the excess fabric on both sides before tying the string from the back. I don't have four hands, but elbows sure come "handy"! The bunching up of the extra cloth forms the creases, giving volume form. (I know I've been wearing these crocheted sandals to death, but they're so comfortable that I wear them every chance I get, especially work Fridays!)




See what I mean?




I know you know it's warm. Let me tell you a secret: I'm actually intentionally sweating to help lose that nasty gut! Seriously though, the jacket usually stays in the office. The remaining A.P.C. tee and trousers flow easily with any hint of breeze.




So flares are back for women, while wide, baggy trousers have never left my closet.


Jacket, Muji; tee, A.P.C.; trousers from Aldivinco, Davao; sandals, thrifted; cuff by Hablo

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Playing while waiting for the movies

I think this was before Kung Fu Panda 2. I'm sure you can guess where.




So it's no mystery that I prefer loose, relatively baggy pants. Tried sweat pants, Thai farmer's pants, and a range of linen and drawstring trousers. Guess it's inevitable that I'd wear out my track pants as well (since I only use shorts at the gym). Wearing them with the blazer I customized for my brother's wedding.




Still getting the hang of fitting all my stuff in a briefcase. It takes immense discipline on my part, believe me. (I left a tote leaning against a wall somewhere.)





No, not practicing kung fu, karate, or whatever martial art. (I just hate queues and wish I could discreetly destroy these.)




I really love the collar of this kurta-like shirt. I wish they could come in heavier fabrics, as hybrids.



Movie theater turns into airport terminal. Needless to say, I enjoyed the movie. More than X-men: First Class. Nothing as enjoyable yet. Harry Potter, where are you?


Shirt, Zara; track pants, adidas; sandals, thrifted; briefcase, Bally

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Sunday at the market, village boutiques, and thrift stores

New haircut! (Somebody already said I look fatter…) It was a busy day yesterday, ended with me finishing my next post for Benetton. Yes, without actually cramming!


Henley, cK Calvin Klein; jeans, Trussardi Jeans; belt (just seen), Brave Beltworks; Young Camel bag, chukkas, and pendant necklace: all thirsted; tiger's eye necklace, Divisoria; vintage watch, Omega Seamaster




So right before lunch, I headed to Legaspi Market, right at the center of Makati, not to mention the noontime heat.




Think I've passed this stall hundreds of times, and each time I felt drawn to these slippers/sandals. I like their stappiness, but something stops me from jumping at a pair. Maybe it's the coiling pattern on the toes? Looks awfully comfy though.




Then I headed over to Theodore's, which relocated from Fort Bonifacio's High Street to Palanca Street, just a short stroll from Legaspi Market. Looks a little foreboding from the outside, but at least now it can say it's a hole-in-wall store.




Looky-looky. Vintage US coins made into rings. I want these in different sizes for all five fingers.




Some old, lonely belts with serpentine buckles and studs and rhinestones on the leather. (And a pirate!) Too bad, my size has long sold out.




The track mark pattern on their windows is a smart and cheap way to make the display interesting. The theme continues inside, even to the dressing rooms.




Then off to the Trilogy Boutique and Canteen, another neighborhood shop.

To digress a little, just wanted to share that for a long time I have also been dreaming of something like this: a combination of fashion, food, but much more literature, design, art, and of course, well-curated music. Just don't know where, or when. Promise me that when I come to it, you'd pay a visit...




The colorful Canteen menu.




Trilogy now stocks Tom's for your summer espadrille needs, and some nice semi-sheer shirts (displayed behind). As for me, I'm sticking to my authentic espadrilles. Ordered two more pairs since my first one is falling apart.




My last stop was to Cubao and its handful of thrift stores, where I found nothing but shoes. This first pair is actually emerald green. Just look at that leather! I have no way of knowing whether it was croc or just faux croc. it just felt so good on the feet. Only information left on the pair is the "handmade" mark on the soles.




Crazy webbed feet! The lower part appears heavy duty. For snow? Coal mines or tar pits? I love the laces and the combination of suede and the plastic Donald Duck beaks.




Yes, more tassels, but what's unique about this pair is the rubber sole and the super comfortable Rockport engineering. I could walk with these for hours, like rubber shoes, while still appearing preppy casual.




This is also a comfortable pair, with very soft leather. The tag on these boat shoes says the brand is Filler, made in Italy.




While I was ready to go home with my shoe purchase (just one pair, guess which), I saw these patent brogues. As expected, the leather was pliant and very soft. They're Miu Mius. A tad large for me, they still called out. Thing is, I don't know if I like the idea of wearing square toes. They just seem anachronistic. You think they'll ever come back? Can you guess which season?

My last cameo as a brunette

Philippine Fashion Week just concluded with one of its best shows in many seasons: a highly dramatic post-humous exhibition from the house of Louie Mamengo. But before I tell about more work by local designers, and show you more cameos of myself as a blonde, here is a last look at what I looked like just a few days ago.




Here is the back of the kimono I wore last Tuesday. It was part of a stash of kimonos and obis that I repurposed to wrap boxes for my Bosquejo necklaces. There are also black pieces that I have likewise kept for personal use.




What I did was tie the lower corners around my waist and then roll excess fabric thus: not very different from how one wears Thai farmer's pants. The sleeves I wrapped and rolled around my arms. Nifty, eh? Here is the kimono worn at original length.





The best things about this kimono are its pattern and semi-sheer fabric: just right for the weather. Do I really look that different with black hair? Sometimes I still get shocked when I look at the mirror: is that really me? A version of? Is that the same thing this innocent bystander is wondering about?




My "rope tie" also came from a kimono. I think I also like this top-heavy silhouette.




This last photo is for a friend who insists that my profile is a better angle. He likewise mourns my new hair color, which you will see more of, and get used to by and by.


Kimono, kimono belt used as tie, Kickers sandals, and nylon tote: all thrifted; jeans, Two Percent; belt (not seen), A.P.C.; tee, United Colors of Benetton

Photos by Vince Flores

Room for sunshine

No, I am not hopelessly optimistic. In fact, my optimism is based on being a realist. Take that!




They say happiness is not something you look for; it just happens. Something at the tail end of something else. Like the tingle of heat that runs through your body waking up to the morning sun. Even then, it remains unnameable.




Of course, there is the color yellow. Mustard yellow in the case of these thrifted carpenter's pants by a relatively unknown Italian brand. Yes, I know the knee stitches indicate that they were made for a taller guy, but does that guarantee happiness? LOL.




First I thought I should keep the sleeves in, but I think the stripes have a way of further taming my "happy pants", besides the fact that they are naughtily nautical. 2nd LOL.




Happy summer!


Henley, Zara; jacket, Izzue; old belt: Giordano; jeans, crochet sandals, and scarf: all thirsted

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Casual preppy with Fred Perry

I still remember fitting this Fred Perry blazer months ago. I couldn't forget its fit and the way it felt. I must have spent half an hour inside the dressing room just standing, then sitting, then standing again with the piece on. I couldn't take it off! It was the price though, that discouraged me.




Fast forward to last week, when I found the same blazer in the same size (probably the exact same jacket) hanging on the sale rack. I didn't hesitate.





Even though contrast piping is no longer the "in" thing, it still looked pretty to me. The blazer belongs to Fred Perry's Japanese collection, hence the slimmer fit. It hugs the body in a way that forms a more flattering silhouette.




Here is the lining. Yes, that's also a Fred Perry polo shirt I'm wearing inside, also from the Japan collection, but from the current season.




Paired the duo with slim carrot jeans from Topman. I used the black shirt and the navy jacket to tone down the relatively bright color of the pants. Would have topped off the look with boots, but I don't have a pair that is slim enough. So I settled for strappy sandals.




At first glance, there seems to be the same piping on the Fred Perry polo shirt, but look: a double collar! Like the unexpected sale, it is the little surprises that bring a smile on my face.


Polo shirt and blazer, Fred Perry; jeans, Topman; belt, A.P.C.; Kickers sandals: thrifted

Photos by Patricia Suzara