WINDOW SHOPPING AT THE BAZAAR

This post may have been a bit overdue since the bazaar took place last week but I thought you might also want to check out some things that I found interesting. The bazaar's theme has something to do with saving the environment by recycling things to new ones and one of the highlights is to use brown bag on each purchases. Some items came out as creative and beautiful. Not only that, they answer our problems in preserving the ecosystem.

First up: Envirosax.

My Envirosax containing my laundry.

We've seen it all during the typhoon Ondoy. When the flood subsided, all that remained are plastic bags. Thousands and thousands of them. That's why ecobags came along. Interestingly, some people who care about the environment deeply have came up with a way to re-use and recycle. And they started with shopping bags. Ecobags nowadays are not only becoming a fad for shopping but also as a fashion statement. As for me I use this Envirosax to contain all my laundry to bring them back home to Cavite. Before, I use paperbags or plastic bags that came from duty free shops because they are more convenient for me. This envirosax is so spacious and can be worn also during outdoors or any activity you have.

This Envirosax is used by Denise as her kikay bag.

Another good find: Green Minded Missy.

How interesting. Me and Denise were thinking what other things we can "DIY" aside from the brooch patches that we made. I was inspired by one blog called Bored and Crafty. One of her tutorials was to make an old denim pants to a fabulous skirt. I gave it a try. And I was successful. (Yey!) To add it up, I tried to make another product by using the remaining textile to make a bag. But the job was just as tedious. And how amazed I was when I saw the stall of Green Minded Missy with all these crafted pouches, clutches, purses and bags made of old pants! And they are all affordable. I was tempted to buy one piece with all the studs but I reminded myself: "Oppss! you haven't made a sale yet." So there I go to my next stop: Bambike

This hunk was on his bike when he arrived that I did not recognize at first sight that his was made of bamboo (maybe because I was star-strucked by him? hehehe). Come to think of it. I thought bamboo were only for furnitures and to build a house. But a bike? I've been thinking lately to get one for myself as a transport going to the office or simply a way to shed off some weight. Nice, eh?

Now, the day would not be complete without finding a good make up (since the bazaar is also basically about and for women). Last year, I received mineral-based make ups from a friend of mine and I am still using them. I checked out with Rustan's if there is that brand here so I can buy a refill for the loose foundation, but unfortunately, they don't carry the brand that I have. Some cosmetic companies have come up with mineral-based make up since last year (or maybe a while back) because of the issue of the lead content in cosmetics. But I have yet to find (or wait for another supply of i.d. minerals) a brand that's about the same that my friend gave me (Thanks, Claire!) Now these brands that were present at the bazaar-educating young women on how to put on make up, giving out tips, etc- are not only making us beautiful but cares for us as well. They're lead free, hypoallergenic and helps us combat skin problems like blemishes, acne scars, etc. Bare Beauty Minerals offers you to buy samples so you can try out their product and find the shades that perfectly match your complexion. This way, you can also find if their products are good on you, or if you will experience after-effects. At least, you don't have to waste a lot of make ups (or money) in case you won't like them.

Mary Kay Philippines is another direct selling company that offers lead-free cosmetics. My friend, Choi, works there and he was giving out free facial and hand spa on that day. He gave me a makeover and let me try out the oil mattifier. It was really effective. A bit pricey but it is a quality buy.

Oh well, the window shopping kind'a made me hungry. Everywhere you go, you're going to end up eating. And it's nothing you should ever have a second thought about. Pasta Box gave a 10% discount to all the concessionaires. I ordered a mushroom carbonara in a box and it was good. I earlier learned that the owner is a French guy married to a Filipina. Well, I'd say they're really making a good food out there but I'll be a little biased for my Italian friends and would still go out for authentic Italian pasta! :)

There you go. If you happened to be in Makati on a Friday or Saturday night, you might also wanna check other shops there at The Collective. That night, I also saw some art enthusiasts and if I am not mistaken, an LP shop (Tots, you're gonna love it) where you can find some vintage records.

I realized this is a long post but I hope I covered everything up. And I hope you enjoyed it too :)

Wear your fashion, make it your statement!

Love,

BellaDonna

ON THE RUN

There is no day that I don't run at work. I run here and there. I run in heels, I run in flats, I run in skirt. I run. To the extend that I stride. Time is just the best enemy you could have. It is the day that I have to go to ASC. I needed to have some scripts approved. I had four scripts. How hard is that? Went to Makati in the morning, came back to QC office shortly after to finish other things, went back to Makati again to get the results and you know what I got? All I got was one fricking script approved! Grrr! I need to slow down, I needed to take some air to clear my mind. So after that "running" day, I took a long walk along Ayala. From the corner of Paseo until Buendia. There was an ongoing rally in Paseo. Who cares? I just walked.

Thanks for my flat shoes. A gift from a client. It's so light and comfy. I thought I should have more flats than heeled shoes. But I love heels more than ever. I'm loving flats now. Oh well, doesn't matter. They're shoes. And I love shoes. Wish I could buy some more in this time of the year. I haven't been shoe shopping for a long time. I'll be home a bit late. But it's ok. My back won't hurt as I'm wearing a light-weight shoes.

Black, light-weight flats-gifted; thanks to Duralite :)

Blue checkered haltered blouse-gifted
Navy Blue Skirt-Gozum
Huge blue ring-Quiapo
H&M floral loop earrings-gifted
Beaded Bangles-gifted

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.

Love,

BellaDonna

SUPERWOMAN IN BLUE DRESS

My weekly whiteboard schedule tells me that I am supposed to be out to Ad Standard Council on Wednesday. But then, I ended up spending the whole Wednesday at the office, calling on media suppliers, beating another wave of deadline and doing a storyboard all at the same time. I have been a superwoman in this dress (and yes, I did not press!). Running in and out of our office whenever I receive a mobile call (the signal sucks inside), sending emails, updating layouts with artists and printers, calling my client, haggling production costings, etc, etc, etc. I didn't even realize that the day was ending. And so, this outfit shot before I left the office, otherwise, I won't have one for the day at all.

The blue dress is from Space that I bought for half the price; white belt at Tomato, also on sale; white high heeled sandals from Popstyle. My earrings are a gift from my ever-so-good friend, Susana. She hand-made these. Lovely, eh? She knows I love danglings, chandelier, loop and oversized earrings. And she made these for my birthday. Well, anyway, I ought to be out on client call really but I've got a lot of legwork and paperworks at the office. Hope very soon, I'll be over with those and really start going out seeing clients again.

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.

Love,


BellaDonna

WASH AND WEAR

This is another post that is resorted from wishing and hoping that I could find an outfit without having to press it. Yes, I still haven't press my clothes and I have them piled up like a mountain. :D That's why when I buy clothes, I don't only consider the style or the color but also, if I can just wear it without pressing. With my job that requires me to be at the office early and lets me come home in time for dinner, I can only do so much after that working hours. Sometimes, I have to extend. Coming home after work, my routine is to immediately take a shower, browse a bit on the net (very seldom), well, sometimes I cook for my siblings for dinner and then get to sleep at 9pm. Wake up at 5am and write for my blog. I really have so little time to do things that I missed doing like reading a novel at night or painting a portrait. Or at the very least, spend time with my friends on a Friday (because I have to work on a Saturday, too!)

Oh well, I guess that's sort of a shortcut for me these days so I don't have to press clothes: Buy an outfit that doesn't need pressing.

Dress: Cosmopolitan clothing
High heeled sandals: Le Donne
Porcelain bangles: gifted (I have other hues from my "A Gypsy at the Bazaar" post)
Blue, teardrop shaped capiz earring: I don't remember how I get it :)
Belt: gift from Denise

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.

Love,


BellaDonna

GOLDEN PEARLS

As I always say, Mondays for me are classically manic. It's crazy, it's a make or break day and it's a take off for the week. It's always hard to start and easy to end the week (that's why, everybody loves Fridays). Since I stayed the whole weekend in Manila and just spent it sleeping, running a Monday with this energy doesn't seem enough for me. I thought I could use some good vibes, perhaps to attract a pot of gold! Why not? So I found this long gold necklace made of culured pearls match with my yellow-and-pink checkered dress that I bought during my college years. Won't hurt, right? who knows, I might even win the biggest lottery pot ever! :)

Dress: RRJ Jeans
White chandelier earrings: gifted
Uneven shaped cultured pearl bracelet: gifted
Long golden cultured pearl necklace: gifted
Belt: Space
Brown thong flat sandals: gifted

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.

Love,

BellaDonna

A GYPSY AT THE BAZAAR

Outfit post with fellow blogger friend, Vern.

I have been inspired by a blog called "Brewing Happiness" when I decided to put on this outfit for the bazaar. I already told Denise of Simone's Closet weeks back that this will be my outfit for that day. She even lend me a tailored brown vest to complete the look. And my friend from Mary Kay has also told me how I looked like gypsy that day. So, how do you put on a style like this? Well, it's just simple, put on a maxi dress have an pair of oversized chandelier earrings and wear a few bangles to accessorize. If you also want, you may put on a vest like I had (I only did because I feel like my arms are so big to be exposed :D yay!). You may also style your hair like a gypsy - the more ruined, the better! :) As for me, I decided to put on a pony tail since it's been too hot that day and there is no air circulating around the area.

Oversized chandelier earrings given by a friend as pasalubong when she came home from Saudi

Porcelain bangles from a friend given as souvenirs when she left for Canada. (There's more of these on my next posts)

As for the bazaar, I have managed to get a few pictures of some interesting features while we were waiting for our first sale. Come, take a look:

Our stall

Battle of patches made by me and Denise :)

Thrifted finds

My friend, Choi of Mary Kay with his colleague

Ava, posing for our stall

The Mary Kay talk

Mary Kay's Free Facial and Hand Spa

Mary Kay products. Mineral based and lead-free.

This is interesting, a bike frame made of bamboo.

See?

Ok, if you're interested, just go to this site.

Couple of bikes - well, bamboo bikes!

Well, I think this is the most interesting of all... And he smiled at me a couple of times! (blushing)

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.


Love,


BellaDonna

PRINTS AND CHECKERED

I used to watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy back when I was still in Pedro Gil. It was my dorm mate, Maizie who introduced me to the show. I remember one episode when Carson Kressly was wearing a print-and-checkered combination. I thought it was unusual but come to think of it, he pulled it off! And it was a fab! So last Friday morning when I thought I just have no other clothes to wear, (because I didn't press any and I still have to do my 2-week laundry), I thought of Carson's outfit. I got this animal-printed blouse that I bought in Paco Market at a very affordable price and my checkered capri pants from Robinson's Manila. I paired it with my usual brown suede wedge sandals and to complete the monochromatic effect, I used my brown bag from 50th Avenue.

I also had this outfit worn a few Mondays ago when I came to work from Cavite. But with a skirt. Here's the effect:





For my accessories, I wore this earrings given to me by my friend, Madel back in DPC days, my beaded bracelet is courtesy of my sister and my head piece was a gift from Ana of Anagon Collection.







Later today, I'll have a post on our Bazaar venture held last Saturday at The Collective in Malugay Makati.

Meantime, I have to run for another Manic Monday Morning! :)

Wear your fashion. Make it your statement.

Love,

BellaDonna