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

Happy Girl in the Happiest Place on Earth

Who's a happy girl in the middle of Disneyland's Mainstreet?! Me, of course! Never mind that there were so many people watching me as I jump, raise my hands and feet, twirl and do other weird stuff while taking these photos. That's how happy I was, I couldn't care less! This is my third time in Disneyland but first time in the one in California and I was excited as ever!!! Disneyland will always have a special place in my heart, and whenever I'm there, it never fails to prove itself as really the happiest place on earth! Plus this visit was extra special since I was with my seven cousins (I jokingly told them that they can be my seven dwarfs and I can be Snow White haha) who have endless energy and are all game to all the rides I suggest, even the scary ones! Since I am the eldest, I was holding the map the entire time and deciding which rides should we try and which sections should we visit next while keeping up a headcount of the little kids every now then! I really felt like an Ate that time, it's heartwarming!

Fiftystreet jacket | Forever 21 sleeveless top | Stradivarius skirt | Anne Klein tights | Mango loafers

Love, Paola

The Queen Mary

Oh look at me, just happily twirling by the Queen Mary! The Queen Mary is retired ship that sailed in the North Atlantic Ocean and is now a tourist attraction at Long Beach. This set of outfit photos are my absolute favorites from our trip. Everything just fell into place! A good shot of the famous ship, a not so crowded area, perfect lighting thanks to a really sunny day and a maxi skirt that cooperated whenever I twirled and created the perfect waves of clothing! The daisy floral print of this skirt is very Marc Jacobs and I love that it's not your usual maxi since it has a black mini skirt as a base, then it's sheer all the way with high slits at the side. Just the right amount of playful!

Promod top | Forever 21 maxi skirt | Longchamp bag | Mango loafers

We spent this day touring around Long Beach. The place was very photogenic!

We visited the Shoreline Village.

Look at all the yachts!

Mexican lunch at Tequila Jacks! 

The Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse!

Adorable pastel colored shops around the village.

After lunch, we then headed to see The Queen Mary!

After touring the place, we had dinner with my Ninang's family. 

It's been lovely meeting everyone!

We then drove up to this view point where you can see all of Long Beach! It was really, really cold that night and I was in a sheer skirt but the view was amazing so I was just really taking it all in! This picture does not do justice!

That's how cold it is! My cousins had to wear their parents' sweater and cardigan. I love these cuties!

Love, Paola

The Day I Met Chuck E Cheese

The day I met Chuck E Cheese, I was sporting my good girl look with my white buttoned down, a midi skirt plus my uniform good girl hairstyle (I do this hairstyle whenever I want to look nice and innocent. Works everytime! Haha). To battle the cold, I then finished the look with my trusty gray cardigan which gave my look an unintentional conservatism and made it very Sunday appropriate (although this was a Monday). It's a very chill outfit, I was even wearing my sunnies till sundown since I didn't bother to fix my face at all. Perfect for the vibes of that afternoon! We were still tired from our Vegas trip so we all just met for dinner and for some arcade fun! 

Ever New top | Promod skirt | Zara cardigan | Mango loafers | Forever 21 sunnies | Cotton On silver chocker

If you don't know Chuck E Cheese, I suggest you watch The Pacifier - its the arcade and restaurant where the baby lost his diaper! Haha. This place took me back to my Timezone days! I was a Timezone baby and I have so much memories of me and my dad playing the different arcade games at Timezone that's why for a 20-year old who's entering Chuck E Cheese for the first time, I was pretty excited. Plus I was with my cousins who have double of my energy and excitement! 

The guys' table.

 The girls' table.

 The adults' table.

 Making sure that there is equality before we start using our coins. Haha

And there's Chuck E Cheese who actually volunteered himself to be in this photo! Haha, we were taking one as he passed by and then he just ended up posing with us. I love this photo since this was the first photo that we were complete!

Love, Paola