Neon-phyte

Rain and neon. How does that sound to you? Usually, when the gloomy rainy season comes, we instantly think of wearing dull and dark colors to blend in with the current state of the environment. While others are drenched and dressed in grays and blacks, I take the alternate route and donned neon yellow. Just 'cause it's not summer here in the Philippines, it doesn't mean that getting away with bright colors is rocket science. Besides, the long-sleeve detail of this dress made it perfect for the July chilly breeze.

I don't think I always am the risk-taker that I sometimes believe I am. This outfit is definitely an exception. It's fun to break fashion rules every now and then, and when you do, go all out. You'll be surprised!

The dress was given to me by my "pre-school buddy", Justine. It accentuates my curves and hits all the right places... okay, maybe not for a few love handles I have here and there. But you get the picture. The crumpled effect on the smack-center of the dress adds to the illusion of curves and hides the unnecessary flab. I feel so sexy donning this dress. I should wear figure-hugging clothes more often, eh?

I debuted this ensemble to my good friend, Felice's karaoke party in Red Box Greenbelt. Happy 22nd, my love! Hope you like our dozen-goodie gift! (photos and stories of the said event will be shared soon!)

Anyway, I went all out with the crazy colors. I added on colorful accessories but decided to take it easy on the bag and shoes. That would be a little too much for something over-the-top already. :))

Dress: from a friend

Shoes: MSE

Bag: Aldo

Earrings: from Vanni Liwanag

Other accessories: from everywhere!

My best friend, Chammy, and I decided to go to Makati ahead of time. We chilled out in J.Co Donuts and Coffee in Greenbelt 5. I tried the Mr. Green Tea donut and Chammy had the Oreology (?) donut. I was quite surprised at how delicious the green tea donut is! I'll definitely put it in my favorites list.

ULTIMATE DREAM GIRL SHOT...NOT! Haha! Believe me when I say that I'm the biggest
dork and the kookiest girl you'll ever meet! :P

Here are some shots taken inside Red Box:

And the crazy color scheme accessories!

Photos by Cham Villanueva

Oh, about the title of this post... Well, I don't really wear much neon, so this would have to be my first (hence, the word play on neophyte). I used to dread wearing something this bright because I always felt that it would make me darker than I actually am! Whew!

There's something about this dress that drives my poor camera nuts! It gives off a bright glow! :| 

Not sure if that's a good thing but the camera is having a hard time registering that "glow." It's weird. Anyway, I hope you like this outfit. I'm glad I'm coming to terms with my new mantra of being more adventurous -- fashion included. That's all for me today. I'll have to rest my head. The heavy downpour calls for some cuddle time with my teddy bear and my sea of pillows! Have a great Sunday, everyone! 

Love,

SGT <3

Random Road Trips and Ramblings

You know what they say about unplanned trips, they're more likely to push through. Today, my best friend, Chammy, called me up right after lunch, asking if I was home and if I had anything planned. Since I was making the most out of my bum days anyway, I decided to go along and meet up with her.

We first had our mani-pedi combos done at Polish and Strip first, then we decided to speed off to Tagaytay to grab a bite, thanks to my grumbling tummy! >__<

It was a cloudy and gloomy day, but that didn't stop us from chattering our way to Tagaytay and back. Well, I kind of rocked out and sang my heart away 'til the heaven can't take it anymore and until it decided to angrily send us rain, perhaps as a way to reprimand my caffeine-charged singing and dancing extravaganza (yes, all the way from Tagaytay to Santa Rosa, I did that!) HAHA! Every bonding moment with my bestie is always more memorable than the last. 

Anyway, as I said, we went to Tagaytay to grab a bite. She really knows me well. She knew I had been craving for Mushroom Burger for months now! Okay, maybe just weeks, but still! Gah! Id' give anything to eat there again!!! Thumbs up for Mushroom Burger! :3

They have a pretty decent parking space.

They house their cultured mushrooms here. 

Hi Chammy and Adrian! :))

 ... and finally!

IT'S HERE! I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!

I just went for it! Oh, I will never tire of craving for and devouring this burger! It's made of mushrooms -- perfect for my vegetarian needs. :)

We went straight to Starbucks for (what else?) coffee afterwards. I ordered my usual -- a grande White Chocolate Mocha. It was getting dark and chilly. Thanks to the biglaan nature of this lakad, I was only able to whip out a good-for-summer-only outfit: sando and shorts! :| *slow clap*

Chammy's coffee bun. Not from Starbucks :))

 Aaaand after being pestered by the gamu-gamos that were busily bustling about, and the biggest tease of all -- the drizzle, then the rain, we made our way back to Santa Rosa so I can pick my car up where I left it, outside the nail salon. (I wanted to give my best friend's new car a try and decided to leave Macho behind; besides, carpooling will save us gas and will help lessen our carbon footprint! Green living idea right there!)

Check out my outfit shots. I was instantly drawn to the vines of orchids that were cascading down in one corner of Mushroom Burger's parking lot. See how inappropriate my clothes are for the rainy season and for the chilly breeze in Tagaytay? :))

I'm really glad I went out today. Staying inside the house doing pretty much nothing, really kills me. I've been so uninspired, almost to the point of lacking the will to live (okay, maybe not so much), but you get the point. I know I should really make the most out of my bum days, but all this idle time is stressing me out. I know I'm going to miss it once I step into the "real world" after my 8-month hiatus, but I think I've had just about enough down time to somehow figure out what I want to do with my life... OR NOT.

Sorry if I speak in riddles and confuse you with posts and rambles like this one, but these are the things that run through my mind on a daily basis. Okay, maybe not on a daily basis, but these are the kinds of things I obsessively think about every so often. I can't help it. I'm a thinker... not like Plato or Aristotle, but I just can't stop thinking, really. It gets tiring.

Okay, I'm ending my nonsense now. Bye! :)

Love,

SGT <3

Go the Distance!

Why the title, you ask? Imagine driving for hours upon hours at the unholiest hours. Haha. Recently, we impulsively decided to take a trip to Zambales and Pangasinan over the weekend so we can finally break Macho, my car, to go past his 5000km mileage mark, and to make the most out of what's left of probably my last summer here in the Philippines. I drove about 5 to 6 hours to Zambales, then 2 more hours to Pangasinan. I ran on a bottle of energy drink, a grande cup of my favorite iced white chocolate mocha with double espresso shots from Starbucks, and lots of talk time with Carlo, Tita Lydia's son. 

When we got to Pangasinan, we rode a pump boat going to the Hundred Islands. We took shelter in Children's Island, but I eventually snoozed off for most of our day there at the beach. I read Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being while Thom Yorke and the smooth breeze lull me to sleep, making me surrender to exhaustion with no trace of apprehension. It was all too relaxing, so much so that I passed up on the chance to take a dip in the crystal clear water and let the sparkling white sand tickle my toes.

On our last day, we stopped by the mall-wide sale in SM Megamall with the sole intention of raiding the racks at Forever 21 (that's my reward for driving all weekend and for bringing them to the airport today).

Anyway, here's what went down. :)

Forgot where I got this dress, Vintage blazer, MSE wedges

I wish my legs can look this long and lean all the time! 

Carlo, Tita Lydia (Mom's good friend), Tita Dayan (my aunt), and me

The girlets of TEQ 287. :))

The entire cast and crew of Hundred Islands 2012!
That's the Elamparo clan. Even though we are technically strangers,
we feel far from estranged whenever we come by their house for a visit.

Just one of many magnificent "islands" in Hundred Islands, Pangasinan.

The sleepless beauty? Haha! Still all smiles!

Ultimate beach read of the month!

The view from our spot. Even through the foliage, the scenery is spectacular!

It's really more fun in the Philippines! And more magnificent too!

Tired feet, happy soul. Very much worth every step, especially if the view is
this beautiful.

Mom and Tita Dayan are taking in the view. 

Hands up for Pangasinan!

After numerous attempts, Mommy finally captured a jump shot!

Sparkling sea. Isn't it just breathtaking?

I super duper promise to get back to normal programming once I get rested and all set. I'm way behind my reviews and stories already! I apologize, truly. But I will try my best to make the next few posts very much worth the wait. 

Hope you're all enjoying your summer so far! :)

Love,

SGT <3