OOTD: Being Bold(er), Being Me

I had an adventure day with one of my best friends and her toddler last Monday. For my outfit, I was feeling "different." I wanted to wear something out of my element. I wanted to put a style together that I've always wanted to do, but wasn't so gutsy to pull off. My best friend is very retro, very vintage, very hipster, very feminine, very indie, very hippy, very eclectic all combined into one. She's such an inspiration because she rocks everything she wears with such confidence. She's just bold and stands out in a crowd and is very secure with being herself. She's awesome!

Whenever I hang out with her, I am inspired to be more bold and step it up a notch with my wardrobe or makeup. I'd love to be as bold as she is, but part of me gets insecure about standing out. I've always played it "safe" and have always been so "mainstream" because it was easier. I knew that part of me wanted to express myself in bolder looks, but I was too timid to let it loose. Because of her, I'm learning to be more comfortable in my skin and in my style. 

you don't have to tell me. i know they're a bit blurry. oops =/

This is what I wore to the park which is funny because I spent the day with a toddler at a park, going to Costco getting "everything-on-it jumbo hot dogs" wearing basically all white. That just sounds like a recipe for stains and getting dirty! Somehow I walked away stain free!

Here is my outfit in detail (and sans blur):

Front:

It's a sheer two-toned sleeveless blouse with gold buttons for detailing

Back:

The upper two thirds is a beautiful lace of flowers

Gold buttons

Lace back

Close up of my pants

Top: Papaya Clothing

Pants: Leggings that my aunt gave me when I was in the Philippines

Shoes: JCPenny

Sunglasses: Marshalls

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Lipstick: NYX

I'm sorry I forgot to take a picture of my makeup close up. My makeup was very pinup girl-esque. My best friend, who's amazing at makeup, even gave me kudos for being "on point" with my makeup. And those words coming from her was definitely a compliment and validation! 

This was also the first time I ever worn a red lip! I've always been so insecure about wearing a red lip, thinking it didn't suit me, thinking I could never pull it off. But this day, I decided to stop over thinking and just do it. 

Anything can look good on you if you feel good in it. 

This is something I hope to continue on no matter how insecure or how doubtful of myself I get at times.

I will do me. 

<3<3<3

OOTN: Boho Hipster Grunge

Aloha there!

As we grow older, we evolve. Fashion is no exception. Our styles transform, we experiment.
The past few summers have been boho-inspired, which is definitely a popular summer trend. It's already November and I don't think I'm quite ready to give up the boho look just yet. 

Instead, I'm incorporating the boho look with a hipster grunge vibe. Now, that can mean a myriad of things to different people. But this is how it appears to me and this how I've been feeling fashion-wise lately. 

I recently purchased three bold print leggings which I probably would have not bought one season ago. I used to be such a plain Jane with simple (usually dark or neutral) colors. Wearing leggings that were NOT black was even a bit too much for me. Yes, I know. I'm cray. As I get older and more confident in my own skin, I want to try new styles and make myself rock them.

What do you think?!

From left to right:
1. Charlotte Russe. I got it for $5 in store. Sorry,  I couldn't find it online
2. Papaya Clothing. $9.99. I tried it on with a black peplum top. SO CUTE
3. Charlotte Russe. I got it for $5 in store though it says $12.99 online.

Here's how I styled the royal blue leggings:

 (Sorry for the messy room. My brother's room has the best natural lighting. I sneaked in when he was out. hehe)

 

My "elf" boots that I bought from Papaya Clothing 3+ years ago

 I bought this beautiful 3/4 sleeve top from Marshalls for $12.99. The lace detailing on the back and shoulders are absolutely gorgeous and feminine. I've seen similar tops like these worn by YouTube gurus such as Anna Saccone and ItsJudyTime.

This top from Papaya Clothing is similar, but the lace on mine blends in a bit better than this Papaya lace top.

This is the cardigan I am wearing from Papaya Clothing. Just like the online price shows, I bought this for $10 in stores. AND I LOVE this cardigan. I'm contemplating purchasing the white one.

My hat is from Forever 21, I think. I bought it a really long time ago. I believe I bought it in 2009.

This has been my style lately. I call it Boho Hipster Grunge. It's comfortable, it's edgy, and it's bolder than what I'm used to. As much as I hate letting go of my youth with each passing year, I am enjoying feeling more confident in my own skin and rocking whatever style that comes to mind. 

Life is too short. YOLO ;)


<3<3<3

Halloween 2013: Minnie Mouse

HAPPY [early] HALLOWEEN!!!!

I have never really liked Halloween. Even when  I was a kid, I never cared about dressing up. I only dressed up when school "made" us wear costumes for parades or whatnot. I'm quite the chicken and don't like scary things so I was never interested in the spookiness of Halloween. Year after year I was either Thumbelina or some type of princess wearing a dainty dress with a load of tool. There was one year, however, when  I was a pirate, but that was a hand me down from my older sister.

For some reason, after a breakup with a longtime boyfriend in 2011, I started to grow a liking towards Halloween. Part of it was a reinvention thing but more so my just ever increasing fascination for anything beauty related. In 2011, I was Miss Philippines and in 2012, I was a poor imitation of Peter Pan. That year, I wore black leggings, wide-brimmed booties, and an off the shoulder green shirt. See, poor imitation.

This year, I decided to up my game a bit. Halloween is still one of my least favorite holidays and I am still not big on costumes, but it is an opportunity to play with makeup. I strive to look as normal as possible while playing with and enhancing makeup.

This year, I decided to be Minnie Mouse! The idea came to me when my cousin bought me Minnie Mouse clip-on ears from Disneyland. She and her boyfriend were visiting the US from Canada and Disneyland was one of their must-sees. The moment she gave the clip-on Minnie ears to me, I immediately became inspired for Halloween. And this was in July! My old self would look at my new Halloween-liking self and ask, "Who are you?!"

For my Minnie Mouse ensemble, NOTHING was bought! You can most definitely do Halloween for cheap or for absolutely nothing. I wore a causal red dress that I bought at JC Penny about 5 years ago, tights that I had from who knows when, a belt from a gray dress purchased in 2010, and wide-brimmed booties that I bought at Papaya in 2010. And of course, the ears were a gift from my cousin. 

 My "costume." Excuse the funky face I was making

Now for the fun part - the MAKEUP!

 I love dramatic eyes. Any opportunity to wear lashes and a smokey eye, I will take it!

(Excuse the cray cray brows. I was growing them out to have them reshaped...which I did today!)

 My eye make up. I am so proud of it! Not to toot my own horn, but I'm getting better at this eyeshadow thing. It takes a LOT of practicing (and blending), but it DOES get easier.

I received these sample eyeshadows from Sigma when I purchased $30+ worth of products. I really like them! They were a bit powdery but I'm not sure if that's because of the sample packaging. 

Foundation: Makeup Forever HD Foundation in N127

Undereye Concealer: L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon W 1-2-3

Power: Revlon Colorstay in Light Medium

Brows: ELF brow kit in medium

Blush: Milani Pink Craze

Inner corner:  Sigma - Elope

Lid: Sigma - Gimp

Crease/Lower lashline: Sigma- Elysees

Outer corner/V: MAC Typographic

Eyeliner: Sephora Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Mascara: Maybelline Volume Express Falsies in Blackest Black

Lashes: from Daiso, a Japanese $1.50 store

Nose: Wet n Wild brow pencil in Black Black, MAC Typographic, Sephora Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Lips: Wet n Wild Wine Room

My other favorite: NAILS!

 My Minnie inspired nails. Just dots and bows

Base coat: Revlon

Red: NYC Big Apple Read

White: Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Tools: Toothpick for the bow and bobby pin head for the dots

 

So I may not have the same Halloween spirit as other more festive Halloweeners, but I am sure warming up to it. Whether or not you're a fan of Halloween, I wish you a wonderful and safe night. If you're walking the streets, always have a buddy and watch out for cars. If you're driving on Halloween night, please be wary of trick or treaters. 

<3<3<3

OOTN: Coffee Date

Good evening!

I just wanted to share a quick angled view of the outfit I wore last week when I met a friend for coffee.

Shoes: Naughty Monkey - Somebody Shake Me in. This is definitely one of my most favorite shoes! They are absolutely gorgeous and comfortable. 
Pants: Forever 21 Skinny denim in petite. Love these! They're only $10.80

Shirt: Papaya Clothing

It's definitely not anything fancy, but heels totally dress up a casual outfit.

I hope everything is well with you! Please share your dressed up casual outfit with me! I always love new ideas :D

<3<3<3