Jeans, shoes, and sandalwood

Finally bought these navy Sebago docksides I've been eyeing for quite a while. Was a tiring day from the office and back at the stores for the third time (because idiot me forgot to jot down pullout prices).




When I thought things couldn't get worse, I discover that our house helper for more than two decades now, has washed my A.P.C. New Standards.




I could just go crazy. Yesterday the barber discovered a small bald spot while he was giving me a haircut. He said it was probably caused by stress. Now he sounds like a prophet.




So all that talk about washing your NS (yes, fans love their raw denim that much) only after at least six months or even a year or more in order to leave your own personal mark (stains, rips, and creases) is now gone. The jeans have shrunk and the thread is not the same — but without the benefit of any real wear. They just look old, a little like my navy Gap pair after six months of washing. (Though I was really also planning to get the Petite Standards. Then maybe I can compare methods...)




Talk about Mercury in Gatorade (my version). I swear I also had a similar string of disasters last year (should I now believe in astrology?), now replaced by my iPhone theft, my unbelievable phone bill, and the job I didn't get. Nowhere but up, right?




I forgot to show you the bottle I bought with the A.P.C.s: a fine fabric care solution for non-detergent washing, which containts lemon and cedarwood. Smells good and can also be used to wash wool (not that I have lots of that). Ironic?




But the real dilemma that has again tied me in knots is my first and real career, which is asking, entreating, demanding that I spend more time on it, ie at least four hours each day. Call it universal feng shui: all the bad things will stop happening once I let things flow properly. Aye, there's the rub.




Maybe I'll be gone a little longer, maybe I'll be back tomorrow. But know this, care of A.P.C., Aesop, and William Blake (see the bottle quote): "You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough." Or from me: "Better out of sight and out of mind than out of my mind".

Sneak peek: editorial moodboard

So I guess it's really happening. I'm styling again, and here is a moodboard for one of the looks. Can't wait!

I should do more of my moodboards, even if I'm not planning any editorials.

Goofing around

If we were allowed to at work, I would wear shorts every other day, if not four times a week. Don't care if I have chicken legs, they're just more fun than jeans.


Sweater, Iceberg, thrifted
Shorts, Perry Ellis
Shirt, I.P. Zone, thrifted
Platform brogues, thrifted
Socks, Crocodile




Yes, that is actual dog hair on my Iceberg sweater. (Am always playing with our dogs.) Now that I'm looking at it again, I think that's Pluto and not Goofy. What do you think?




Iceberg became famous in the 90s for its Disney sweaters. Though the last time I saw cartoon characters on their clothes was for their Spring 2009 collection. As this sweater says, it is part of history.




I still fall on these 2.5-inch platforms. Not practical, but I love how they look.




Back to reality, and in my jeans. I changed into a soft pair, with boots, before heading to work. Tied the sweater for the office AC.


Jeans, Jil Sander
Boots, Timberland, thrifted
Bag, Fred Perry
Tote, Ritual




It would have been nice to keep the added height, but it was raining and the platforms were covered in hemp.




Oh and did you notice my new blog banner (scroll up)? Will talk about it by and by, and also the story behind the old banner that it replaced (if you haven't heard it yet).

Good night!

The night between us

An unexpectedly cold morning caught the better of me again, so I stayed home. (No, not out of depression.) Pictures were taken last Saturday, when I went around stores to look for items for a themed product shoot.

Styling is a little like window shopping, trying out the clothes in your mind and imagining them in ensembles on models. A good way to soothe self-imposed shopping bans.




Now it's raining. The obsessive in me is making schedules again, trying to fit in everything I want to do, but with a pinch of perspective: adjusting, reconsidering, making compromises, and most importantly, slashing out things that were never important in the first place. Night of the unknown: we begin again.


Parka, Inigo Jones of London, thrifted
Tee, Dries Van Noten
Jeans, Cheap Monday
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Crocheted sandals, thrifted
Satchel, Young Camel, thrifted

Ochre and lavender summer

For guys who are too shy to don Tangerine Tango, Pantone's color of the year, I think ochre is a suitable alternative. It is near beige and brown, so is almost neutral, but has undertones of mustard.


Pajama top, thrifted
Shirt, Zara
Jeans, Bench
Belt, Structure, thrifted
PVC shoulder bag, 5cm
Portfolio, François Marot, thrifted
Shoes, Next, thrifted




To keep things a little lively, I chose a striped lavender shirt to wear under this ochre-colored pajama top I thrifted years ago. Don't you just love the pattern? The brown found in four separate items (jeans, belt, shoes, and bag) helps to tone down the ochre and lavender, and coordinates the look.




So I won't die of color boredom, I also incorporated this red portfolio.




Of course, if you can and/or want to wear Tangerine Tango, then go ahead. I would. It would have worked with the cloudy day when these pictures were taken: nothing better to counter the gloom.




Oh, and this is a bag from 5cm I bought in Hong Kong in 2006 (I think). When are the 5cm people in Manila going to stock the label's more interesting and androgynous stuff?

Happy Sunday!

Moving on

So I didn't get the job. I sent a late application last week for a position at FT magazine How to Spend It, took a test, and was interviewed on the phone by the editor herself. In the end I didn't get it (no, not because I look fat; that's just my t-shirt). I guess that's life. There will be something even better soon enough.


Sheer tee, Oxygen
Long-sleeved tee, G2000
Jeans, Bench
Belt, Structure, thrifted
Nylon sneakers, Acne x Tretorn
Backpack, thrifted




In the meantime, time for more weekend fun! Need to go back to Divisoria and Quiapo, which I sorely miss, to get some stuff.




Think I need to plan some trips, to learn to relax. When I was a kid, during summer vacation, I'd sleep over at an aunt's house for a week, then at my grandmother's the next, then another aunt's for one or two more weeks. I still love being out and about. I miss travelling.




I also think I need a more permanent change of scene, but maybe not just yet.




Something that will allow me live (not just visit) in various cities. Yeah, that would be perfect.




Until then, see you around!

In a blue frame of mind

This is what I wore today, which may not have been a good idea because we had a fire drill at the office and we all had to go down 41 flights of stairs. Good thing the boots are soft and comfortable, though my legs were a bit sore an hour after.


Jacket and belt: both Izzue
Polo shirt, Muji
Jeans, Cheap Monday
Bag, Fred Perry
Tote, Ritual




I'm already excited for this weekend, since I will be going to stores to pick out stuff (yes, "stuff") for a men's editorial. Last time I styled anything for a publication was in 2008. Also have a meeting to (finally) talk about the treatment of a pilot TV episode. Yet with all the work that needs to be done, there is still one more go signal I am waiting for — one that has caused me the most anxiety. Of course, I can't say anything. Whenever I would on this blog, it would surely fail to push through.




What a strain on my EQ! But it any case, I can always look for something else, something even better, which I think what 2012 has come to represent. Last year was a blast, but this year (end of the quarter soon!) is already looking to top everything previous.




So why am I blue? Look at the shadows of the branches on the concrete. Nobody directed the forks in the wood, the twists and turns that now all bear leaves. That sway in the wind.

Factice Magazine: Darknele

Received an email today with images from Factice Magazine's 11th issue. This is the first time I've heard of the online publication, and this is my favorite editorial from the latest release.




I love the play in texture in these pictures.




Of course, without hesitation, I downloaded all the back issues of Factice to find out more about the magazine.




It brings together plenty of young and new talent, and not just those new to the business. Factice's online pages feature some creatives with impressive international portfolios, whose works in Factice are more playful and daring.




Seems talent from more traditional media is looking for avenues for more liberated expression.


Factice Magazine #11, March 2012: 'Exquise Folie'

Magazine in English
Magazine in French

'DARKNELE'
Designer: Tata Christiane 
Photography: Malte Pietschmann 
Hair & make-up: Ines Schult 
Model: Nele @ Seeds Berlin 
Photo Assistance: Jonas Harmse

Anatomy of a Day: Monday, February 20

Almost forgot to post this. This was what I wore on the first day of work when I was in Hong Kong. Gives you an idea how tired I was at the end of that day.




Three different textures. I think this is a good exercise since I have just agreed to do some styling work for a local men's magazine.




I remember the head editor of the news desk giving me a quizzical look, as if to ask what I could possibly be doing there. I probably looked as if I belonged to another department.


Blazer, Fred Perry
Pullover, thrifted
Shirt, Costume National
Trousers, Y-3
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Briefcase, Bally
Laceups, Marlboro Classics
Scarf, thrifted




The office's airconditioning wasn't centralized, but come afternoon I would be feeling cold again. Guess I was never (literally) thick-skinned.




I was relatively quiet and mostly kept to myself, but I enjoyed my time at the office.




Even if I was doing parts of my shopping during lunch break.




If only I lived in a different climate, I'd dress like this every day. But who knows...

Rajo Man Spring 2012: Athletenique

Care for short shorts this summer? Trust Rajo Laurel to have you mind.




He has pairs in navy, cerulean and other shades of blue, along with matching flappy-collared coats.




His collection for Rajo Man Spring 2012, along with Rajo, 9, and Rajito, have the theme "Athletenique", a word play on "athleticism" and "ethnic".




I love the color of this ribbed jacket with a cowl-scarf.




More options for blue coats and jackets. (I want to see these fabrics up close and feel their texture, verify if they are good for the heat. If not, there will always be summer evenings.)




Single- and double-breasted jacket with zippers! Oh, and I'd like more of those garter-hemmed trousers.


The collection launches on March 10, 2012, 9am-6pm at the House of Laurel, 6013 Villena corner Mañalac Street, Poblacion, Makati.

Photography: BJ Pascual
Styling: House of Laurel