Nothing To Wear

As I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, my style is currently in transition. Maybe it is something that comes with age (lol how old do I sound?), but I think one's personal style eventually reaches a point wherein it is craving for evolution. In another previous post, I talked about the sale season which is timely in this kind of stage. For the past months, I've been stocking up on office outfits which are appropriate but still fashionably me in one way or another. Thinking of office outfits are becoming more and more effortless now that I do it so often. The struggle comes when I have to dress casually. Lately, whenever I have to be in casual clothes, I find myself staring at my closet for a good five minutes, and then another five to try on one outfit, reject it and stare at my closet again. It's universally a girl's problem to think you have nothing to wear when you have a closet full of clothes staring right back at you. 

More often than not, I find myself in denim shorts plus loose shirts or fitted patterned skirts plus plain tops. To put it simply, I have been leaning on dressing simply these past days. Gone are the days when I would have the energy to pair a printed top and a printed bottom. Right now, I'd rather be streamlined and put together. The skirt I'm wearing in these set of photos is a denim pencil skirt and it's a shame that it's not very clear due to the lighting. Backtracking this blog would show me in lots and lots of printed, a-line skirts. But then I just woke one day feeling like those pieces of clothing make me feel like I'm 14. Fashion-wise, this may be just a phase or I really do find it in me to dress more maturely but either way, transition and evolution is a fun thing, as it pave the way for interesting discoveries and a wide array of possibilities! 

Mango Crop top | Debenhams Denim pencil skirt | Marc by March Jacobs Tote | Tops Necklace | Call it Spring Flats

Past, Present, Future

I spent this afternoon back in DLSU for some pre employment requirements and boy, do I miss Taft life. I've read this quote on Tumblr a few years back, "Everything is magic until it becomes a routine." And so far, in every aspect of my life, it has been proven true. Being a college student a few months ago seemed like the most ordinary thing for three years. It was a routine, going to school Mondays to Thursdays, meeting my professors, the usual where-to-eat-lunch dilemma, the hassle enlistment process at the end of  every term, doing research in the library, being so happy that Friday means no classes... and the list goes on. Now that I'm out of that lifestyle, no matter how excited I am to be a working girl (in 5 days no less!!!), I realized I  kinda miss my university days too. 

I remember a particular conversation with friend once when we were in our sophomore year in high school. Between our freshmen and sophomore year, our high school implemented an improved grading system (which means higher passing rate). She tells me how much she misses our freshmen year, how it seemed so easy and how we used to be carefree. Then another conversation comes to mind, this one was overheard from two senior girls I saw during our Frosh orientation in La Salle. The other girl looks at us, a long line of Froshies, then goes, "I'd give anything to be a Frosh again." It seems like a part of us will always be stuck in the past.

I am a creature of habit. As boring as it sounds, I find comfort in routine. But I have always been future oriented. I'm always looking forward. When I was in grade school, I looked forward to entering high school, then I looked forward to having the freedom of a college student then I looked forward to being part of the corporate world. However, there's also this part of me who keeps on looking back, who keeps on imaging how easy and simple and different things used to be. It's kind of a paradox, really. Nostalgia hits me once in a while, I like remembering how things were and how much things have changed. But then I know that the best days are yet to come so I always look ahead. Being wistful yet expectant balances things out for me. One lesson I'd love to learn soon is how to completely stay in the present - to not look back and not look ahead but completely immerse myself in the moment. 

Stradivarius Top | Cache Cache Skirt | Clothes for the Goddess Denim Polo | Call It Spring flats | Panda hat from Baguio |

Love, Paola

Unexpected Match

 It may be surprising that when I bought this outfit, I had no idea they go together. It was at H&M in HongKong. I was done fitting and was about to leave when my Ninang bought me a blue pants but with a wrong size. The fitting room line was crazy long so I just chose another pants my size with almost the same style and had it replaced. It was back in Manila, when they were already hanging in my closet that I realized they're matching and had the same print. And I happen to like unexpected matches just like dipping fries in hot fudge or mixing silver and gold which used to be a taboo but is now a trend or how two people with the completely different personalities can become best friends - things that we're not intended for each other but surprisingly go well together. Like now for example, I'm thinking of whipping up the Ghiradelli hot chocolate downstairs even if it's really hot outside. But it's Christmas afterall! 

Top and pants - H&M || Necklace - Thailand || Bag - Michael Kors || Belt - Stradivarius || Flats - Call it Spring

Love, Paola 

Birthday Outfit

Sitting in the library at 10am to start today's thesis writing gets me wishing that I could go back to these photos once again and be a birthday celebrant once more. But then again, for the past 20 years I've learned that we don't always get what we want and more often than not, that's a good thing. Like no matter how much I want to be Olivia Palermo, it will never really happen and the closest I can get to is by just copying her style. So my birthday outfit was Olivia Palermo inspired! I've never been into following trends, I've never even owned a peplum skirt which was such a big trend for quite some time. Now that the peplum thing is coming to an end, fluted skirts are slowly becoming a trend. I've wanted to own one ever since I saw Olivia wearing it in an all white outfit!

Another thing I've learned for the past 20 years though is that I'm really blessed and maybe I really don't want to be Olivia Palermo and just be myself since it's so fun being yourself anyway! Thank you again for all the greetings last thursday! Cheers for 20 years!

Top - Stradivarious || Skirt - Topshop || Necklace - Bazaar || Bangles - Aldo || Bag - Longchamp || Shoes - Call it Spring

Love, Paola