All Alone

Started to work with the black pants first and tried on several shirts for the top and then it all came together. I am attending my best friends’ wedding, Cente and Tel which we have been preparing for months. The attire is strictly Barong Tagalog for the men but yes I was given permission by the bride to wear what I want. Ha! She really is my best friend. Haha.

The ensemble is looking smart casual than formal but I think it did look like that because I rolled up the sleeves and unbuttoned the shirt. Forgive me but it is really a hot day so those are necessary to survive the wedding at the Church.

I am nowhere near the jungle, but the lipstick jungle. Kidding. This was shot at our backyard. I was thinking of wearing a black belt but I thought it’s boring so I opted for the brown. By the way, this slim belt is reversible if you change your mind and you want black then just twist it and you’re good. I really like that functionality. It gives you convenience and it’s a price of one for two.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t intending on having brown for my accessories it just happened. And it went well I think. I love my addition of the clutch.

And before I forget, I would like to thank my friends for ditching me on the wedding! I understand but yes it sucks to be alone. And common it’s our friend’s wedding.  You guys are awesome! haha. Kidding. :)

What I wore: Jean Top and pants from Uniqlo, Belt from The SM Store, Shoes custom made, Leather clutch custom made, Specs from Giordano


Hype this look on lookbook! Please? Lol. 

#LOOKBOOKThursday

Taking away from Instagram’s #throwbackthursday, I rummaged thru LookBook’s hottest and newest ensembles from style savvies.  Here are my top picks.

I am a sucker for looks that are not too out there nor too polished. Just like this, there’s an extra sense of grunge and random about the outfits. Like this first laid back look from Billy H. He balanced the simplicity of his top with printed aztec printed shorts, boat shoes tied with red laces, and accessorised with trinkets. I think its not too much its just right.

Christian W. of  Melbourne's look will give me a run for my money. I have been making this look as my inspiration for some of my outfits. The perfect mix of casual and edge I must add. Since summer,  my hands are getting itchy in wearing jackets and layering things. Now that the weather got a little chill, I can now have a perfect excuse to layer things and get those outerwear out of the closet! I like that he added an extra pop of colour via boat shoes(which are on trend now with those unexpected colour pops with the sole), it makes it even cooler than expected.

This ensemble was well put together. I love how the jacket hugged his physique. Tailored fit. Accessorised with a clutch, knitted scarf which gave the look a sense of sophistication than being too casual.

Tobias L.’s look- I just love it. I’m obsessed with grays. Simple. Love it!!

H&M Jean shirt X DIY

This was my friend, Tel’s original idea. She showed me a picture of a shirt from H&M that she should’ve bought for her now fiance but when she was actually going to buy it was gone already. Too bad! Then, she told that it can be done by just cutting off the sleeves of a jacket and attaching a new sleeves to the jacket.

This was that H&M shirt minus the navy blue sleeves. Couldn’t find the exact shirt.

Finding your materials
So it instantly sparked my creative juices, I got off to the nearest thrift store to find some cool pieces that I can deconstruct. Luckily, I got something with 160 pesos, a pair of jackets in muted colours.

Dyeing
The shirt on the right side is too pale for blue so I decided to dye it to navy blue to emanate like a denim. See instructions for dyeing here.
While for the khaki brown shirt on the left, I didn’t go for dyeing it since fabric dyes here are little too limited with colours it might turn out like mahogany so I’m saving it. Hehe.

Chopping and attaching the sleeves
1. Measure the length from the middle of your palm to your shoulders and then use this measurement for the length of your sleeves. What I did was I gave a few allowance like 2 cm from the sleeve and then cut it out.
2. If you know how to sew using a machine then go for it. As for me, I opted to have it sewn from my friend.

And Voila!

Thoughts?

 

Rocker Dapper

I was going thru Pinterest when I stumbled upon this look. It really got me inspired. Doesn’t  literally scream rock and roll but it is a more subtle way of getting that look without being too out there. That captured my sense of style, not to really be so literal with everything. Just the right elements.

What this look got me was the leather sleeves of the jacket and the guy’s outpouring guts and confidence. Yes, it’s how you bring the look to life and be comfortable with it. Oh, the scruffs helped to toughen the look. This may look too casual than rock and roll chic without those special touches.

Would want to have my own spin of this look with this motorcycle vest. Can’t wait!

Confessions of a Not-So Shopaholic

I was in Marquee Mall with my sister. As I was going thru the sale rack, I stumbled upon this dapper jacket with faux leather shoulder patch detail. I have this fondness for clothes that accentuate or mimic strong shoulders like epaulettes and this unique leather patch. Interestingly, I got this super chic jacket for 600 pesos only(just $14) which originally retails at 1,399 pesos. Seldom do I spoil myself with ‘new’ clothes lately as I am also stretching my spending power and this one’s right on the money.

Upon seeing the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic this morning I was saving myself from the guilt of overspending. Because unfortunately(as I would want to put it), I saw an equally on-trend denim jacket also on the sale rack for only 800 pesos. But I successfully got hold of myself, the shopaholic in me, to fight against it. hehe. Please, I deserve an applause. haha.

SAVED 799 pesos! Proud of this haul! two thumbs up.

Folded and Hung is having their end-of-the-season sale this whole month of June! Grab this chance. :)

UNIQLO INVASION

The Japanese retail giant, UNIQLO will invade my hometown soon. I haven't heard of this brand until last year when it was featured in a local magazine show here in the Philippines. The brand is quite known for their basic garments from head to foot. Classic style lines but with functionality, that is what Uniqlo is trying to sell to their customers.

As far as I know this is their first branch outside Metro Manila since their first flagship store here in the Philippines opened last year at the SM Mall Of Asia. Uniqlo will open May 24, 2013 at SM City Pampanga.

I am excited for this! Are you?

No Other Way Out

When you have poured out almost everything into a thing, it’s almost impossible to give it up. But you still have a choice of giving it all up. For me, these options are equally worth taking yet dependent in each situation. As for my current conundrum, I am planning on taking it lightly although doing every way possible to come into a resolution. They say giving up is cowardice. I say it is an honest admission of self limitation. We can only do as much in a given time. And improvement can be saved for next time.

♛ AUK ♛

In this look, I played with colours. Colours which I am happy to admit that scares me, NEONS! I think neons make me even more darker but I stepped out of my comforts and bravely tried it out. And gladly I think it worked. My neon tee was from American Boulevard. While my ombre top was thrifted and which I dyed it myself. I paired this with a stretch khaki denim pants and my Toms shoes.

It is good to step out of your comforts once in a while. This makes you look at things differently. Making it easy to adjust and accept eccentric ideas.

 What do you guys think of my look?

Parting words: Take risks and fail. Take risks again and be wiser.

 This has been Kenny.

♛ AUK ♛

S.O.S.

I am totally in love with this classic leather jacket! Where can I find this exact item? Or I can just have it custom made. Oh my, I really wanna have this! I won’t be able to sleep for a while.  It is a staple in every men’s wardrobe. I badly need this!

I will kill for this jacket! Lol

The Summer Salt

Although it’s almost summer all year round here in the Philippines, it’s still the most fun season of the year. A perfect excuse to just dress like your at home. With just a tank top, shorts, and flipflops and you’re good to go. And when you say summer, you instantly think of the beach. Right so...

The colour story of the summer season are usually bright tones to pastels. Neons are also making the waves now. Most of the time, people think that to wear white or something neon against a tanned skin is a perfect suicide. Like to look darker as you are, Filipinos have that thinking but I am wrecking that. Let’s embrace and love our colour. We should wear whatever we want for as long as we are comfortable with it and still be able to reflect our own personal style.

The taste of summer is always sweet but the beach tells us otherwise. Well, literally that is. hehe.

Boston Selfies myself. Haha

I miss these two! Shirley and Cath! :)

The one that got away.

I can make a delicacy out of the sand! Polovoron. lol

Yes what?

I am totally in love with these shots. I just used the timer here. Love.

About the look:

The top yellow shirt is from Folded & Hung. The checkered top is thrifted. The green board shorts is from Roxy and the khaki brown shorts was purchased from Surplus shop. Flip flops by Havaianas.

The photos were just selfies and timer-powered. And everything is dated. Surprisingly, they are amazing! I especially love the back shots. :)

♛ AUK ♛

It’s Tough Love, Denim Love

I must admit I have this fixation with denims. Or an obsession probably. From tops to bottoms, I must have it. And just by having these amazing hauls keeps more happy than actually wearing them. Right! It’s quite nice to have a dependable denim top and pants. You can never go wrong with your trusty old denim.

Although it’s super hot now, and wearing this denim top with this weather is quite self-punishing. But of course there are light weight jeans that could still be worn.

This is my growing collection of denims. All of these were just thrifted from almost anywhere. With a creative mindset, I turned each of these outfits even cooler from various fabric manipulation techniques like dyeing and bleaching. Though not that refined,  I am just so happy of what I have achieved.

The things that you value the most are the things you have worked hard for.

♛ AUK ♛

I Dream A Dream

Digging this look. This button down from Penshoppe is my favorite haul from my Christmas shopping. Honestly, I have been hunting for this but because it's quite pricey I kind off took it off from my list. But when I randomly checked it at a store it was just only for 499 bucks from 1,199. Talking about luck.

You can dress this down or up. Dress this down by pairing it with a khaki shorts and a top sider. Or go preppy by putting a tie and tuck it in your tailored pants with a slim belt paired with black brogue shoes.

Hype this on LookBook HERE.

♛ AUK ♛

We try to make it on our own. Decisions need to be made. Focusing ourselves to self improvement and growth is one of the many things we want to accomplish as we go along. Sometimes, we compare our current situations with others but I think we shouldn't. Makes us unhappy and miserable. Only should we compare our current status to our past.

The past days I have been in a dark cloud, of all the pressure and the imperceptible future. I’m so serious eh?

I know I can get through. Yes, that's the spirit!

I just put this note to myself: If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.

♛ AUK ♛

New In ASOS

Oh, shopping. One of the perks of online shopping is that it's hassle free. Also, I thought that it also makes me like more restricted to splurge on stuffs. Yes, because I broke up with my credit card already. It was especially refreshing to see these amazing finds from ASOS, a worldwide free delivery online shop where all the nice goodies can be found.

Here are my top picks!

I have been hunting for this top in almost anywhere. But I am specifically interested with a button down that has a camo print on both sleeves but a plain color on the body. This one goes for 30 pounds.

Above: Oh, I am so loving this Lazy Oaf Eyes Baseball Top. I like this odd print. Even more when layered with this denim vest. Such an eye candy! Sells for £45.00.

Above: I love that this Tee has a summery vibe to it. The tinge ombre effect made an easy casual look. Just in time for the season. This 55DSL T-Shirt Tinge Ombre Print goes for £40.00.

Below is a Minimum Polka Dot Shirt. For the long haul, I've been looking for a perfect polka dot shirt that I won't look whacky. This one seems the perfect fit.

Above: Of course, I have an obsession with denim shirts. And this didn't escape my eagle eye. This Jack & Jones Originals Denim Shirt sells for £35.00.

 A £45.00 bomber jacket with paisley prints on the sleeves.

♛ AUK ♛

Lazy McGuire

Today, I helped my friend Cente and Tel with their wedding preparations. Though it's a rainy and gloomy Friday nothing stopped us from getting things done. But still a ton of things to be accomplished!

I felt lazy the whole day. Haha. The weather will speak for itself.

My outfit of the day. I love how random I managed to pull this look together. The weather kind of given me the permission to layer clothing and so I did. My Oxygen skinny jeans are so skimpy that it almost felt and looked like jeggings haha. Like "suman" in vernacular meaning rice cake covered in banana leaves. Haha. I know right. But I still loved it though. This is my typical signature look.

What I wore:

Top long sleeve shirt- thrifted

Tshirt from Team Manila

Jeans from Oxygen clothing

Sneakers from SM department store

Watch by Casio

Spiked bracelet from Divi

♛ AUK ♛

Tickle Me This

This cute Elmo t-shirt was purchased at an ukay-ukay store for 180 pesos only. I haven't got a lot of fun tees like this so I gravitated to it instantly. The shirt is pure cotton and passed my standards regarding the feel of the fabric. It is comfortably soft! Perfect for summer.

Can't wait to wear this!

♛ AUK ♛

What Becomes of a Brokenhearted.

A lot of things we can not have a full control of. Things happen and then we react differently to it. My ensemble speaks loudly of that emotion of disgruntlement, melancholy, and utter rage. Not quite of rage but that is my interpretation of it. As the saying goes, this too shall pass. Well please, make it quick.

The color story here is based on the gradient colors of black to gray. From the black top layered with a gray cardigan to my lux wool shorts paired with black sneakers and gray socks. I got a little addicted with this color palette. It goes easily well with almost any color. No fuss with pairing.

Top from Folded & Hung

Cardigan from American Boulevard

Shorts were tailor made.

Sneakers and socks from SM Department Store

Bag from Ukay Ukay

Hype this look on LookBook.nu/knyfortaleza

♛ AUK ♛

Acid Wash Wednesday

Since I have lots of time to spare, it's time for some DIY!

I have this denim vest for more than a year now and just recently, I sent it over to the tailor for some alterations. It is looking sad and drab now so I thought of giving some life to it by bleaching or acid washing it. But before I poured myself into doing the project, I searched the web for some tips to go with me.

Warning: If you are planning to use your designer denim, you might want to rethink this because you might end up with a hot mess and hate yourself for sacrificing a precious gem in your closet. Instead, you can opt for your Mom's or Dad's old jeans or you can just buy at thrift stores.

Now let's start!

You will need:

1. Bleach

2. Spray Bottle

3. Denim Vest

4. Basin

What to do:

1. Lay your garment on a flat surface that you won't get worried of bleaching like your garage floor.

2. Wash the denim vest with running water. I used the hose to wash it.

3. Start splattering the bleach over the denim to your desire. You can use a spray bottle to get a localized spot bleach. Start with the front and then at the back. You can also put box boards to lay your garment to absorb the bleach and to prevent it from spreading to areas you don't want to be bleached.

4. Let the bleach set into the denim for a few minutes.

5. Once you got the faded look you aimed for, you can toss the denim into the basin and pour on cold water to halt further bleaching. Afterwards, you can wash it and put some fabric conditioner. Let it dry.

Voila! Your fresh and edgy denim vest!

Before/After

♛ AUK ♛