Oftentimes I find myself choking in the hands of my current situation. Unbearable is the word I'm searching for, I think. My lungs gasp for air as I suffocate on the indefinite sadness that lurks inside of me; the kind of sadness that's always even just a tad bit traceable no matter how hard you try to flush it out of your bloodstream. I've got to breakaway, I know. It's always been in the back of my mind. But that day's got to wait. For now, all I need to do is be patient, to nurture and let my strength grow. "One day", I keep whispering to myself, "one day"; those words reverberate through the shards of hope embedded within my soul that keep the flame from going out. Though somehow, at times, it might seem to me that I've got everything planned out, the truth is that only the beloved can truly tell. Only those who our eyes cannot see know of my true fate. The best I can do is prepare.

All of that aside, three-hundred-and-sixty-five days back was when I first settled into this place. It did take a little getting used to, but I think I'm quite at-home now here. Honestly, it completely surprises me that a full year has already gone by since I started blogging here, and I just want to thank you who is reading this right now for the support that you have given just by paying this blog a visit. Happy Holidays, and cheers to (hopefully) another year of Sartorial Lungs!

THE LION CITY

It was just a few weeks back when I had the pleasure to be amongst the clouds, and closer to the sun, on a plane to Singapore. The trip didn't come without nostalgia, as I'd already been there before. There was a certain familiarity in being there, and I liked it-- the familiar heat, the familiar rush that goes with crossing the busy streets, and of course, the familiar sights. Somehow it sort of didn't feel like I was a tourist anymore. Rather, it simply felt as if I'd bumped into a good friend that I haven't seen in a while, and we just picked up where we left off. You realize that nothing much has really changed, and that they're still the person that you knew a year before.

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.