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 

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

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