I was once painted!

Some of you might know about this already, I was painted as a T'boli woman of Lake Sebu by our very own Jun Alfon! haha! 

Kamukha ko ba? ;)

T'boli kids in traditional wear <3

 T'boli women of South Cotabato are known as great weavers. 

T’nalak is made from abaca and dyed with natural vegetable dyes in red and black. The red is said to represent bravery, commitment and love, while the black stands for struggles, hardships and perseverance. The geometric patterns vary from piece to piece, with no two pieces of t’nalak being exactly alike. In the past, T’nalak was used as a dowry or a bride price, as well as to barter for farm animals.

Aside from the well-made T'nalak, they also produce beadworks such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, belts and other more!

Which reminds me of the necklace I wore on my previous post :)

From Abaseria formerly Ethnic Ventures in Cebu

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A PACKAGE ARRIVED FROM BELLE YORK

Years ago, I finally cringed over online shopping. I'm beginning to have a few favorites as of the moment, though. Belle York is one.

BELLE YORK's Gaga 3/4 top with detachable ribbon gold chain brooch: These past few months, I fancy bows. I put the blame on fave people I follow on tumblr!

that bow brooch it is!

 

LET ME: There's just this urge to get the camera at times and take a photo before I leave. To be precise, Sunday last week was the 'ONE' concert/thanksgiving but since I don't have a photog, don't have a tripod for that matter, I do mirror shots which I used to somehow detest, hee. The second photo was taken by my friend. One of those rare times that I have someone to haul!

Beyond doubt, God has been really good! Just to give you an idea who I saw and who extended their regards:

 Gary Valenciano, I'm a fan!

Hello Jericho! I used to be a fan during Pangako Sa'yo days and Tin-Echo days! eck! ;-)

Rachelle, whom I met in Shang one Wednesday since she's Jayanne's best bud!

HELLO GAAAAAB VALENCIANO! <3

Overall, it was a fun-filled event! The new place is modern yet magnetically unperturbed and HUGE! 

BELLE YORK's Polka-dot laced back shirt:

PONDERED ON: I wanted to get this high-waisted charcoal gray ripped jeggings. I am unsure of what size to get, though. Being the wise buyer that I am (lulz), I didn't get it to refrain from petty unwise shopping decisions. If only I could fit it!    

I have that Light Suede Studded Gaga Blazer too! Haven't worn it yet, though.

Visit BELLE YORK

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Yesterday, I don't like you. Now, I want to have you

One thing I noticed as I age, my style preference changes. I tend to go back to jeans and shirt --my first love. Along the way though, I find myself falling in love on things I used to unlike, not even bother check out, or simply am apathetic about --things that some people may verily want, wondering why.

Months ago, I didn't like RIIR bags. I told myself I'd rather have an Aranaz instead. Few weeks ago, I saw a lady carrying an RIIR at the mall and thought that it's actually pretty nice when carried and is one helluva statement bag. Two days ago, mom and I went to their showroom. The shop attendant was too perky and nice to show us available bags in store.

ABOUT: RIIR, Rags2riches (literally, rags to riches pieces; from scraps to world class ones), by designer Rajo Laurel upcycles scrap cloths (those woven / weaved foot rags we see everywhere) embodying eco-ethical style as they call it with the labor help of the marginalized sector of Payatas.

Weavers of Payatas. photo from HERE

During RIIR's anniversary, they asked famous astists to do limited edition bags for auction including Ben Cab, Raymund Isaac, Jenni Epperson and daugther Aryana, Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Great works and play of ideas, I must say.

Personally, I love the RIIR by Aranaz line. But there's also this RIIR eco-shopping bag called the Tree Bag by Rajo I'm somehow eyeing for and thought that the idea's nice.

 This is the Tree Bag. It's that simple and is foldable. The handle is really nice. The wooden ones are from Cebu, according to the perky shop attendant --forgot about the other detail ;) Nicer in actual.

I find this really nice too; comes in rectangular and other sizes and colors of tirintas which are placed in it vary

This is the bag I'm pertaining to carried by a lady. Hers is black if I'm not mistaken. There are lots of color, even shapes and sizes, and designs to choose from.

Mom wants this Maria Rosa Tote. Again, there are color swatches.

YOU CHOOSE AND CHECK: The quality and craft of the bags differ from one to the other since they are hand-made, I suppose. Even the color combination of the scrap cloths used as the design vary. Due to this, we asked for all stocks available for a design we wanted when we were at the shop to choose which color  to get and workmanship we prefer, in general.   

DISCLAIMER: Photos from different sites I found as I googled, not mine.

Check out their site or simply google to see all products. ;)   

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THIS IS WHY I LOVE ANTHOLOGY SHOES: Wanting more

ANTHOLOGY SHOES WILL TAKE YOU TO PLACES: Funny how it seems and to take note that most of their pairs are named after a place. With their naming and as I try to put sense or merely play with the idea, I can say that Anthology shoes can take you to far away places comfortably without getting any blisters --your feet for that matter. With Anthology, you need not bring slippers which you might need after a long walk --know what I'm talking about, yea?   

With that being said, I found new ones I really like which are as follow:

This new baby I should see and try on! They come in gold, silver and black patent! They are really adorable!

 pictures and color choices info from Tricia Gosingtian's post HERE

 Then, upon browsing Anthology's site, I came across this pair of bow and studs!

 "TOKYO"

If you opt for printed ones, this is pretty good:

"NASSAU"

Lastly, leaning on a masculine side or touch, they have brogues now!

"LONDON"

YOU WANT MORE, BETTER YET: Visit anthologyshoes.com to see more and see the color swatches they have for these and other more.

GOOD NEWS as of July 17: Anthology is giving away a gold Shanghai in size 8! Details here! ;-)

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ADVOCACY: Native is the new chic

It has always been my advocacy to buy, patronize Filipino made products and know the person behind the craft. Thus, not to sound poser-ish, I do purchase and admire foreign goods and foreign designers. On one end, this post is not about that so let's not delve deep into that anymore but might as well point it out. Going back, at the end of it all, it's good to mix and match the two, or better yet, add a Filipino twist and twang in your wardrobe. 

I find my mom's choices up-to-date. In most times, she is advanced to trend. Our taste is at variance, but as time passes by, I find myself lurking at her closet for accessories and other stuff. I guess one's style changes as one age. 

Personally, my penchant goes for bags --hello mom, it's your fault. My approbation calls out to the following Filipino BAG designers, namely (hello again mom, I blame it all on you, it feels like that I'm writing about your stuff, haha):

Let's start with a Pinay designer whom I admire much. Amina Aranaz-Alunan bags have been a staple here and all over the globe. She is also the person behind School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA), right outside Urdaneta Village, beside The One School, an entrepreneurial learning institution that is its sister school. Basically, I admire her delicate yet sturdy crafted handbags out of native materials.

REMEMBER, there was this time when eco-friendly bag was a hit. This was my personal pick which I used in school, in most times, during my sophomore year... The "I'm a natural shopper eco bag" by Aranaz:

More of her bags:

the perfect beach / chic travel bag. It always is a stand out whenever we travel

really nice in actual, not quite sure if I "photo-ed" it nicely

close-up of the nice beaded details

(2) Kiculo of Bacolod City

Label derived from the first syllables of the name of the designer’s (Marichu) daughter, Kitkat Cusi Lobaton. Know more about the line HERE. :) And I quote from the article, "Kiculo has become synonymous with class and cutting-edge style that has caught the facy of fashionable Negrenses like Gretchen Cojuanco and Guia Gomez." 

INDEED, NATIVE BAGS WITH A BANG

plaid handle, soft maong-ish material coupled with just the right amount of beading in place

seems like an Indian or from other Asian country handbag (details are of shells and beads) 

brown all over! The knot-tied functioning as zipper is cool. I think I wasn't able to produce a photo of this one well, yea? It actually is nice in actual.

 

(3) Talimaya  

Hand-woven, hand-crafted, summer handbags with the use of local and indigenous materials manufactured by Sharon Azanza. More so, Talimaya bags are exported to Japan, USA and Europe.

Hand-painted design and I love the beading!! I LOVE THIS ONE! 

EQUAL GROUND: WHY I LOVE EM : 'Coz they are all equally chic. The beading and the native materials are well thought of and are crafted perfectly. Plus, they have successfully and proudly reached the international scene --NO WONDER! 

P.S. You also might want to join Pixie Dust's giveaway! Get a chance to win make-up and accessories. CLICK: HERE for details. ;) 

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