HAUL No. 6 (SINGAPORE)

Knits from H&M;

Skinny Carrot Denim Jeans from Topman;

Fox-print Shirt from Topman (Manila), Red Sweatshirt from Topman;

Burgundy-colored Chinos from H&M;

Printed Tees from Topman (Manila);

A beautiful pair of swim shorts from H&M;

Leopard-print T-Shirt and Floral-print Polo Shirt from Topman;

There's something about having new clothes that I'm sure every one of us experiences. It rushes through our heads, and bloodstreams as we stand at the counter of the store; the delight that overcomes us helplessly translating onto our faces even as we try and hold it back. A wisp of a smile plays on our lips because in our heart of hearts we know that we got exactly what we wanted. Well, I guess that's how I somehow felt a week ago as I was walking up and down Orchard Road, shopping with my mum. We took step after step, carrying a couple of plastic bags in our hands with the heat of the Singapore sun beaming from above. Yes, we grew hot, and tired, and our feet hurt, but we those things didn't faze us. It was great to be back. Though I missed quite a bit of schoolwork because of the trip (which I'll have to pay for this term break), it was definitely worth every second.

NEW LEATHER

LAS CASAS FILIPINAS DE ACUZAR Pt. I

HAUL No. 5

Navy Blue Striped Jumper from 21 Men;

Multi-colored Patterned D-ring Belt from 21 Men;

Two items I purchased a couple of weeks back when I visited the newest Forever 21 store here in Metro Manila.

THE LOCAL "SHOPPER" PROJECT

THE LOCAL "SHOPPER" PROJECT is a little thing that I decided to launch with this latest look of mine. I'd been thinking a bit about starting the project, and I guess I went ahead and followed through. The idea just popped out from the blue and into my mind when a bayong lying around the house caught my eye. It'd be great, I thought, if there were a rising movement that promoted a new trend of using an indigenous bag that would popularize even just a pinch of Philippine culture. A bayong is a durable, local/indigenous bag woven out of palm leaves (I think), and is mostly used as a sort of shopping bag (specially in wet markets where people buy different types of produce and ingredients for cooking like, fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.)-- hence the name "the local 'shopper'". The project is meant to urge Filipino bloggers to take the humble bayong bag, and use it as if it were a regular, ordinary bag, as well as to incorporate it in a "look". Fingers crossed, I really hope that this project catches on; it doesn't have to spread like wildfire; I just hope it ignites a spark-- a spark of appreciation for local products, and culture.

IN TOWN

Catherine

Hummus with a Pita bread

some sort of meatball with lamb in it

we didn't actually watch a movie

DIY PROJECT No. 3: BLEACHING

A pair of trousers that I didn't feel like wearing anymore (which I had cut into shorts);

A pail, and some bleach;

Unfortunately, the result you see above isn't what those pair of shorts look like at this moment. Someday, when the planets align, I'll give it my best and try to recreate that exact same color of pink on those exact same pair of shorts. I thought I already had it, but it faded away just like that tinge of infatuation that rushes through each and every one of us whenever we pass by the apples of our eyes. It was my fault. Over-thinking really can do horrible things, trust me. So when you find yourself in a place that is exactly what you've been searching for, set all of those thoughts free, and just live in the moment; cherish it as if it were a little child you cradle in your arms, because in a blink of an eye, that child would have grown up to be a fine young man or woman who would be ready to leave, and go out, and explore the beautiful world that he/she had been born in. Someday, I promise I will get that exact same color of pink back onto those exact same pair of shorts.