Working Girl: The Corporate Chronicles Part 2

My corporate chronicles is back! As usual, I failed yet again with my resolution to blog weekly especially since the past week was composed of having cough and colds and rainy days. Although I think I had a change of heart recently, suddenly the rain makes me feel a little bit bettercompared to when I used to hate it so much back then. Things really does change eventually. Right now, work is feeling more and more like a routine in a good sense - I feel more at home day by day while learning and getting exposure at the same time. I wonder what other changes are bound to happen soon.

Playing with Nude

This outfit gave me instant height! As I'm not really tall, I like playing around with different shapes of clothing to accent parts of the body the gives the illusion of height. The side lining of these slack accentuates length combined with its high waist cut. Plus wearing nude heels instantly gives of additional height since it elongates your legs because of its color.

Mango Top | Miss Selfridge Slacks | Forever 21 Blazer | Michael Kors Tote | Aldo Pumps

Trying To Be Donna

Donna from Suits is one of my life pegs (Can she and Harvey get together now please!!!!!). I'm a big fan of the show and with every episode I wished that I had even just a part of her guts and awesomeness! Sadly, the closest I can be to being her is just by dressing the part, lol. When it comes to real corporate outfits, Suits characters are the true master! 

Mango Top and Skirt | Longchamp Bag | Call It Spring Heels

Sweetheart

One of my goals when it comes to dressing up for the office is to look mature. Honestly all my life, I've been receiving comments that I look so mch younger than my age (I mean, a security guard even thought that I was just 12!). And though I think I'd appreaciate those compliments 10 years from now, right now I just want to look mature and a big part of my "project maturity" goal comes from the way I dress. But there are days when I can't help but go back to my innate personal style - a-line skirts, pastel colors complete with an all around sweetheart image! 

Mango Top and Skirt | Michael Kors Tote | Aldo Heels | Debenhams Belt

Love, Paola xx

On Transition, Applications and Resignation

*Warning: Very lengthy post

Let me start by saying that while dressing up this morning, I had a somewhat shallow yet impactful epiphany - my personal style is transition. Since it's something that came to me a few hours ago, I haven't had the time to over analyse its full meaning yet so let me get back on that soon. 

Right now, I'd like to talk about the real world instead, in all its vagueness and complications and how it's like to be part of it for the past 4 months. As everyone might know, I graduated last February. Then I started working last April.. then I resigned last May. And now this coming July, I'll be working again. I mean I'm pretty sure that that was a normal cycle in everyone's career but it's supposed to happen in a longer time frame right? As for me, it all happened in less than 5 months. To avoid your inaccurate judgement, let me tell you my story.

Upon graduation, I knew I wanted to be in the retail industry, my love for fashion being a major factor. So I targeted one of the biggest retail corporation in the Philippines. To be part of that company was my major goal that I kept on obsessing over it for quite awhile. But then I had to explore other opportunities too, but I kept it pretty limited to  the marketing of luxury brands particularly cosmetics, real estate and automotive industry. I knew what I wanted (and what I didn't want - FMCG and banking).  

Fast forward to March, I got a job offer from one car company. I was pretty psyched to get my first ever job offer but was hesitant since I was waiting for the result of my application with my dream retail company. Then 2 days after, the retail company offered me a position too (however it was a position in merchandising, not marketing). I remember being so elated having 2 job offers. In the end though, I took a big, surprising leap and ended up choosing the car company and forgoing my dream job because at that time, the position and other benefits seemed to be a better choice. Though more or less, it was an impulsive decision. 

Five days into that first job, I already wanted to resign. Not because I couldn't handle it, but because the terms of employment were violated - from the agreed position/job description, compensation to working hours. I remember wanting to cry out of frustration since I thought I knew what I was getting into. I wanted to resign after a week but I hate quitting. I hate the thought of giving up on a job, and my first one no less. I didn't want to be that fresh grad who was no match to what the corporate world has to offer.

But after a month, I decided to leave. I knew I might regret it one way or another but I just don't think there's room for growth and exposure there for me. For the record though, I don't blame the company. It was more of a misunderstanding, they were at fault on some areas but I also had a share of my mistakes. It was by far my biggest decision this 2014, and although it was liberating, I was greatly disappointed in myself. I'm so grateful that I have the best support system. My family kept on reminding me that it was okay and it's not my fault. My friends kept telling me that it was perfectly valid and that they would do the same if they were in my position.

Some might say I'm a deluded little fresh grad. I'm very idealistic. My thoughts on after college life was tinted with chick flick ideas. I thought that it was possible to land a dream job on my first try. I hoped for a boss liked Gray Murray who would give me a Birkin ala Jane By Design. I know what I want and I was half expecting a Devil Wears Prada meet Carrie Diaries sort of scenario. I was picky and impatient and I thought that graduating from one of the top universities was enough. Well, it isn't. A good educational background is as important as your passion and dedication.

In 2 weeks, I will be starting on my first job (I call my previous job my semi first job). I'm quite anxious and excited but I take comfort in the fact that this time, at least it feels right.  

H&M Sweater | Forever 21 Skirt | Michael Kors Bag | Aldo Flats | Tops Necklace 

Love, Paola

Cali Loving

Yaaaaay my first outfit post from here!!! It's our fourth day here as I'm typing it and I'm loving every minute in Cali and being with my cousins and family!!! And the weather too! Cold but not freezing, sunny but not humid! That's why I can afford to still wear sleeveless tops like these and just put on a coat when I start to get cold. This was my outfit on our first full day here, which was spend around in Santa Monica, going around their street mall and the Santa Monica pier. My outfit matches the weather, bright  yellows with pretty flowers! I'm usually afraid of the sun but the sunny weather here makes everything better! Just some Cali loving for my first outfit post!

H&M top | Aldo necklace | Mango pants | Mango loafers | Prada bag

Working on my travel diary soon!

Love, Paola 

Recognition Rites

My Instagram, Twitter and Facebook is full of graduation vibes right now, I love it!!! Last Wednesday, we had our Baccalaureate mass, batch picture taking and grad rehearsals. Last night, it was our recognition rites. You know us, pictures galore! Right now, my social networking sites are swarming with so much graduation feels and to think it's not even graduation yet! I can feel positive vibes from everyone, even when were all board during the practice. Happiness really is contagious! Anyway, this was my outfit for our recognition rites. I love everything about this dress - from its rich royal blue color to its brocade pattern. The cut is a little simple so I decided to dress it up with gold details!

Dress - Ever New | Earrings - Koet | Pumps - Zara | Belt - Aldo | Bag - Michael Kors

Thank you Tita Glenda for directing me on my angles and poses and for taking these photos! Haha

Love, Paola

Sporty?

I've never had a sport. I was one of those kids before who falls into the lazy and lampa category. I've never even learned how to ride a bike, which surprises most people. If I didn't get swimming as my PE back in my freshman year, I never would've learned how to swim too. Doing sports has so many benefits but in my head, all those benefits are triumphed by just lounging around in bed. Like some girls, I'd say the closest sport I had was shopping. Sports fashion is such a trend nowadays - gym shorts are converted can now be worn as casual shorts thanks to pretty prints, sneakers are not just for running but now be for runway because of the heeled sneakers and jerseys, which used to be just worn by basketball players are now getting a makeover with pretty florals and crop styles just like what I'm wearing! How very SNSD! However, I still can't go all out so I chose a stacked pearl necklace and a tote to go with this outfit!

 Jersey Crop Top - Bershka || High-Waisted Shorts - Debenhams || Flats - Yosi Samra || Tote bag - Michael Kors || Sunnies - Aldo

Love, Paola

The Difference of Sympathy and Empathy

I've never realized how much difference sympathy and empathy can mean until now. The recent typhoon Yolanda taught me that. My grandma is staying at her province, Suluan, for more than a year now. It's a small island that takes an hour of boat ride from Guiuan. Since Eastern Samar was greatly ravaged by the typhoon, we haven't had contact with her for a few days. And since it's such a small island separated by sea from the main island, the government, news teams and other organizations have no means of reaching it yet. My family was plagued with worry for a few days but thankfully, yesterday, we heard news that everyone from that island is okay, despite its devastation. 

I've always sympathized with those people who were victims of strong typhoons in the past since it's such a frequent calamity in the country. But only now do I truly understand how they feel. Although Manila was almost untouched and we are all safe, experiencing helplessness and worrying for Nanay made me realize how hard it had been for those people. Suddenly, their pains and struggles became much more personal. Just thinking of how many more people out there are suffering right now without food, water, home, electricity and some even loved ones is completely heartbreaking. It's no longer sympathy, but empathy I feel - a personal understanding and not mere pitying. My prayers go out to all the victims of this tragedy and to all families who, like us, lost contact with their relatives. 

While shooting this outfit, I was lucky enough to witness a beautiful sunset and looking at it kind of reminded me of my favorite quote: "The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot protect you."

 Top - Details || Skirt - Stradivarious || Necklace - Aldo || Flats - Topshop

Love, Paola