Sneaking to the Top

Sneakers and runners are becoming staple pieces not only for the sporty but for the fashionistas as well. These foot-friendly shoes tries to break the norms and gives us more options in styling our clothes. Women wear their dresses and pair it with Airmax’s or Vans sneakers. The kind of usual scene I see in the streets of Melbourne. I love how this trend is out of the box. You don’t have to conform with the norm. Because that’s what fashion really is.

Love this (top) gold tipped sneakers. The golden touch emanates some sophistication that makes for just an ordinary shoe. It is a showpiece. They look like they are Adidas shoes. 

This sneakers(below) definitely has that clean lines and monochromatic tones to it that gives the expensive appeal to it. What is good in fashion is that you can wear apparently what you feel you like wearing. Unless, you intend on minding on other’s prejudices you will be defeated. So be yourself. Shake it off. Obsessed with black and white.

Meanwhile, let’s enjoy this trend and be happy because we are doing our feet some favour here. Than wearing hard soles and high heels. If you’re into wearing them. 

*These photos were from Highsnobiety which they covered from Seoul Fashion Week SS 2015.

Monochromatic

Basics are essential to anyone even for the fashion enthusiast. Lately, I noticed that my choices are being dominated by monochromes like a basic white T-shirt or black shoes. Basics does magic sometimes when you are running out of ideas for an outfit. It’s a life saver so it’s a must to have a couple or more. You can never have too much basics in your closet. Sometimes, when you keep it simple it is where your style and personality comes through. Not overshadowed by being too loud. 

If you want stay away from being tagged as goth god add simple details to your style like putting on a form fitting tshirt or rolling up the trousers a couple of inches to inject casualness into the ensemble or accessorize using handbags or adding an extra pop of colour like wearing printed socks. I’ll take funeral chic if people will. Lol.

 Others may think that black is boring, but you can play with different textures like this layering outfit with the speckled black top and the leather bomber jacket which gives a shine and gives the outfit an extra runway boost or street style kick.

And so I have been obsessing myself with these monochromes with the blacks in particular. This Dr. Martens monochrome with the black stitching rather than the yellow is just perfect. This one this called 1461 Mono. I know that the yellow stitching is quite iconic and a signature look for a Dr. Martens shoe but its just my choice. 

Last two weeks ago, I made up my mind to get a pair of boots but my mates held me back so I didn’t get it. I think that was a smart move as when I saw this pair. I thought it was more like my style than the bulky boots. And I thought, it adds more height than the boots which cuts of my ankle. You cannot go wrong with this. But I haven’t bought this yet. Haha.

And these pair of Nike Rosherun in midnight fog are running away from me. I have been chasing store after store for these elusive sneakers. After two hours of being on the shelves they are gone like that. Hopefully, I can get a pair of these with my size. Anyhow, these shoes are super comfortable and pairing it in my outfit will not cause any trouble. It’s one of those staples that are a must have! 

My birthday is just around the corner and I think having these in my wardrobe will be a perfect gift! hint. hint. Haha.

Shoestopper

I am currently obsessing with this YouTube vlogger, Jenny Im of Clothes Encounter. Discovered this ultimate Doc Martens copper spectra shoes from her recent video and I couldn’t breathe. Hahaha. I need to have these. Oh my God. This is a definite showstopper. A statement piece in my wardrobe! Haha. 

Quite frankly, I won’t be surprised if I receive a parcel at my doorstep. Lol. 

Pumped up Floral Kicks

Photo credits from Kicks On Fire

And right after I had a glimpse, I knew I have to have them! But of course if there are still around. These pair of Stefan Janoski Nike sneakers were released early last year. The design was new coming from an unexpected prints and since florals are on trend I think they went with the bandwagon and went full on.

From afar, it looks like the prints are precise but when you look closer they are actually pixelized. Much more cooler doesn’t it? These retails at around $90. After my research, most of the online stores have sold out these designs already and new ones have been out. Too bad! The new ones are quite good too but these are better. I found few pairs on Ebay at which they cost from $300 to a whopping 1 grand. TBH I wouldn’t go that far.

These bad boys will break my heart!! I have to have them in my life right now!

The new Digi Floral Stefan Janoskis.

Which ones are you more attracted to? Leave some comments!

In Boots I Trust

Together with my satchel bag, I also wanted to have my first pair of leather boots. Oh no wait, correction my second pair. Way back in grade school, I had my first one! Haha. Yes, I can say that I am a fashionista as early as that. Although boots are not quite recommended in the Philippines due to the scorching hot climate. But they are making waves now not only in womens but on mens as well.

While I was explaining to the store manager about what I want, I showed this picture below. Aside from that, I told him that I want a pair of boots which I can dress up and down. Something that I can wear to a formal dinner and to a walk in a park. I was greatly inspired by this Zara boots which I saw from Pinterest.

The store manager, Mr. Laxamana, showed me a kind of leather called cordovan which was soft and sturdy as well. Instantly, I knew it was the one that I want. The colour was perfect too.

I can honestly say that they really excel in making awesome shoes. The quality and execution is remarkable. Happy customer!

So happy and thankful that I did this. I certainly need this in this chilly weather here in Melbourne!

My Guilty Pleasure: Shoes

No one can deny me of having a great and stylish pair of shoes. Just today I was browsing the net for man boots. I came across this Chukka boots. Normally, I don’t gravitate to these kind of styles but with this specific detail in this boot made me say YES! I would love to have this reproduced at my trusty cobbler from Laxamana Shoes.

Uncovered these boots from iOffer.com. Aren’t they so Gorgeous!!!?

This leather patch detail at the back sold me to this boot. Am I right?

Ughh, I am just waiting for the money to get this done!  Mom??? Haha.

 This last shoe has a perfect mix of preppy and casual. You can dress it up and down. Similarly, I have almost the same shoe as this minus the patch details at the toe part and at the heel.

I am such a shoe afficionado! I want to have a shoe business in the future.

Follow my Pinterest pin board, Shoe Porn to get updated with my latest addictions. Lol

Click here Shoe Porn

♛ AUK ♛

I Heart Lanvin

I was going through DIY projects over the internet when I came across Seventeen.com. They have this Lanvin inspired DIY which was pretty simple. Then, I started to think what do Lanvin sneakers look like and I scrolled down to see what they were like. And immediately, I was in love!

I love these Lanvin sneakers. Like who wouldn't? Dying right now.

♛ AUK ♛

Kicks To Go

I was constantly searching for this kicks when I saw a guy at the mall in them. I couldn’t let my eyes off these. Though I couldn’t tell if they are feet friendly but I can tell they are really good from where I stood. Too shy to ask the guy. My research paid off just today. They are Nike Air Max 90 Hyperfuse! Thank Heavens. I love these two colours especially.

♛ AUK ♛

I Don’t Like It.

My best friend, Tel Mistal went home from Dubai. She is my shopping buddy/best friend/confidant. I missed her really. It was refreshing to see her in the flesh again. Although, Audrey, our best friend went missing-in-action that day. Perfect to catch up, we did babble about her stay there and some crazy wild stuffs. Haha. We went to see Les Misérables with her gorgeous boyfriend, Cente. Though I wasn’t keen on seeing the movie initially but it proved that my impressions were wrong. The movie was spectacular.

On top of that, she got me these pair of Sanuk sandals. I don’t like it. I love them! Thank you Telers. And thank you too Jel for the chocolates.

♛ AUK ♛

Pumped Up New Kicks

I love these pair of shoes! I didn't expect that I can get to love these. However, turning back when I was in elementary, I wore high cut shoes because they are so in! Haha. So yes, I get scared sometimes. I got these pair for only 420 pesos at Metro Department store. Marquee Mall is having their Welcome Sale and they were originally at 599 pesos. So no second thoughts of buying it!

David Guison really made me remember these. David Guison is one of the top men's fashion blogger and style genius here in the Philippines. His style knows no bounds from over the top prints to color blocked ensembles. But what really stuck to me was his "style identifier", the high-cut boots or shoes plus printed socks. You can catch him at Davidguison.com.

So I thought of having own spin, maybe a toned down one. I paired them with printed socks from MEMO. MEMO was also on sale I got these at 245 pesos, originally priced at 350.  I can't wait to strut this new kicks on the streets soon!

♛ AUK ♛

It’s Free Day Sunday!

We went to our Granny’s birthday celebration with Mom and Sis. It was a hot day so I decided to go with just a shirt and pair of shorts. But when I tried layering it with my thrifted Joop! white jean shirt, my Mom immediately saw it and said "Don’t remove it and it looks good on you.” Okay, I know Mom but it’s too humid outside. Having said that I still went with the layering. Mothers know best as they say. The layering was effortless without adding too much to it.

Photo credits: Kim Fortaleza, my sister

What I wore: Tshirt from AMBLVD, shorts from American Eagle, Joop! Jean shirt, Shoes from SM department Store, Vintage accessories, MFG Bag

Hype this on http://lookbook.nu/knyfortaleza

Thank you!

At the Mall

Gone were the days when museums and parks have been the go-to places of families and friends during the weekends. Welcome to the new era!

Here in Pampanga, 11 malls are catering to almost every citizen looking for some fun. But what I really favor the most is Marquee Mall, it is a mall owned by Ayala Land and this is Ayala land’s second leisure project north of Manila. What’s good with Ayala Malls is that they really want their customers to feel like they are in a sort of weekend family trip while still actually enjoying the perks of shopping and dining. The mall is equipped with fantastic and well maintained rest rooms and they have pay lounges too. This is an important facet for me.

Outside the mall, there is a huge area furnished with structural figures and water fountains making the facade even more appealing. I also commend the VIPinoy Lounge, it is a special area for OFWs and their families to spend leisure time and to also make business as well. Ayala Land really thinks of customer’s maximum satisfaction compared to other malls who are like stuck with business mindedness. To this effect, I think other malls are actually making their own move to keep up with changing customer wants and needs. I do hope so.

At the mall this Saturday, I helped my brother to buy shoes. But unfortunately, I was the one who bought one thanks to Mom! I am a mall rat since High School and I have a weird unrelenting urge to go to the mall before I leave home. Yes, I think I’m addicted. You can even ask me directions for stores and for sure I know. Hmm, maybe I can make this one for a living. A personal shopper, I guess?

I got a mall-induced headache so I headed home! Enjoy the rest of the night.

Toms Shoes Refurbished

I got my Toms shoes last December 2010 at Nothing But Water in Trinoma(a local mall in Manila). A pair of Toms costs around 3,000 pesos. Mine is a black burlap. Expensive as it is, they have tied up the brand with charity, with ONE FOR ONE movement as their carrying objective. This means that for every pair of shoes bought, another pair goes to poverty-stricken people all over the globe. A good cause.

My worn out Toms.

After almost 2 years, it got worn out and there are peeping holes caused by friction from my smaller toes. It may have served me for the entirety but I can’t let go of my precious pair just yet! And so as I was browsing my Facebook account, I saw a featured post from Toms Facebook page about a blogger redesigning her shoes by covering up the toe part of the shoe. So this instantly got me and there and there I started right away.

In the blog, Under The Sycamore(ashleyannphotography.com) which lit my creativity, Ashley the blogger used fabric glue and used apron as her textile for the cover-up.

Materials
Scrap of cloth
Scissors
Glue or needles and thread

Procedure
1. You just need to measure the entire toe area of the shoe to know how much fabric you need to use.
2. I folded the edges of the scrap of fabric and I sewn it directly on the shoe to prevent the cloth from fraying.
3. Finish it until you have sewn the entire shoe. It was really difficult to sew the shoe since the fabric is quite thick and I’m just hand stitching it. If you think that it’s too hard you may just need to glue it. :)

I have scraps of fabric particularly corduroy and fortunately it’s black! I was contemplating if I will use fabric glue. But since my shoe is made of burlap, I thought that it might not stick too well so I opted for manual stitching. I’ll tell you, it is an immense task to do, although challenging and exciting. I hope you can jazz up yours!