Handy Party Kit

For all the parties we like throwing, big and small (usually small), I thought it would be best to put together a bag of essentials and always keep it within reach. What we have are hardly fancy but it's nice to get the little yet important details out of the way, right? Then you'd only have to think about the food and the people-- which ultimately make the party.

P.S. For party needs, I recently discovered Celebrations Party Central. Striped straws, metallic number balloons, pinatas, disposable nice-looking glasses-- imagine my delight!

Mischmash Recommends: Marcia Adams'

You know how we easily we get smitten by charming interiors. Particularly those that can transport us somewhere pretty even just for a few hours.

Marcia Adam's is all about relaxed, homey interiors, good food, topped with great service. It's a trek up Tagaytay but well worth the trip.

Halls and walls.

Savored to the last press. 

Fresh flowers in almost every corner.

Bills come in embroidered envelopes. It's all in the details.

This shot taken by my little budding photographer. 

Obviously, I'm not much of a foodie. No photos of food. But food was great for my standards, at least. Marcia Adams' is Mischmash recommended if you're craving for some quiet place with a view. You leave with a content soul and a happy tummy too!

For directions and menu details, visit Marcia Adam's Facebook page here. Enjoy!

Layering Jewelry 101

Layering is a styling trick that's not exactly the easiest to pull off. As much as I want to apply it to clothing, our weather around here is not very cooperative. Next best thing would be jewelry. But piling without planning can be catastrophic. I know the goal is to look effortless, but almost always, its not. Thus, I'm sharing with you some simple layering formulas that seem to work just fine for me.

Formula 1 calls for contrast in a minimalist collar vs a busy charm necklace. Layer the 2 together and you get a statement piece even more striking. One that will definitely take your tank top + jeans ensemble a notch higher. Just make sure the 2 share the same color scheme. {JO by Joyce Orena Denim Urban Jungle necklace, Yhansy Collar necklace}

Formula 2 is all about choosing a piece to be your focal point. In this case its the studded wrap watch. Add a few more guys in the same color family and you have a happy arm party. {JO by Joyce Orena Blue Moon bracelet, La Mer Collections Bali Stud Wrap watch, JO by Joyce Orena Chain bracelet}

Formula 3 gives dainty pieces the right to be dainty yet edgy. By piling pendant necklaces in varying lengths, you are able to create a look that is quite random yet certainly unique. {Yhansy Skull necklace,  Panopio x Zalora Initial necklace}

Happy layering!

**Images via Zalora's Ezine. Modeled by Holly McNair.

Work Wear Diaries

Obviously, I'm having a little too much fun with Instagram. So easy to snap and share away outfit posts! Updating my work wear diaries with some current snaps from my favorite app!

Mint on mint, tone on tone.

A study on layering jewelry.

Chambray and a litte leather for a schizophrenic weather.

Balancing act. 

Need for tweed, top with fringe.

What's In Your Bag?

Funny how such a trivial thing like a handbag and its contents sometimes say a little (or a lot) about you... Now Zalora has an ongoing promo that gets you worked up and excited to share the contents of your purse! Get creative and you might just have this awesome loot (all of the above sans gadgets) come your way this Sunday! 

Fantasy Closet {Vested Interest}

I find myself incorporating military elements into everyday looks of late. I even unearthed a camo mini from ages ago, which I never thought would see the light of day ever again. I'm sure it's just a phase- a fun and challenging one at that! Now, I'm debating with myself whether a military vest would be worth a purchase. Thus the looks above which so far are evidently on the side of the protagonist. 

THE ELEMENTS:

Munch Punch: Vest, Michael Kors Silk Blouse, Halston Heritage Sequin Shorts, Repetto ballet flats, Marni Earrings, YSL Cabas

Power Lunch: Vest, JCrew Stripe Shirt, Phase Eight Skirt, Louboutin Sandals, Prada Saffiano, Juicy Couture Chunky Bracelet

Sunday Brunch: Vest, Wallis Maxi Dress, Calypso St. Barth Sandals, Rebecca Minkoff Tote, Tortoise Sunnies

Creative Work Space

I've been yearning for a place not just for myself but for Mischka too. A place where we can let loose and create beautiful things, trivial or otherwise. Currently lobbying with the Mr. to give us an area for this purpose. While discussion is still ongoing, I have started putting together an inspiration board for our future creative work space (fingers crossed).

Retro-inspired wooden chairs lend a certain charm to modern interiors.

Buntings and tin cans for decorating and organizing are playful and cost effective.

An area rug pulls the look together and vintage suitcases no longer need to be stored in the attic. 

Inspiration board idea.

Another inspiration board idea.

Best to label trash bins accordingly.

Of course, Mischka gets a corner all to herself.

All images via Pinterest.

Kirna Zabete x Target

"The dream is to have the perfect outfit that can 

take us through the daily schizophrenia of being 

working mothers. Something above the 

ordinary that can go the distance from runway 

show to soccer field sidelines. We designed the 

entire Kirna Zabête at Target collection to mix 

and match together. You can get an entire 

wardrobe of downtown cool. There are only 

good combinations. It's a mini lesson in print 

mixing. A lesson in MORE is MORE and accessory 

madness. Wear a hat! Add a floral print trench 

coat! Take a tiny risk! S T R E T C H." - KIRNA ZABETE

When I first came across this I gave out a small shriek that merited a stare from the hubby. I think the duo couldn't have said it any better. I look up to these women who validate the voice of this blog (without them knowing it). And I highly appreciate products, concepts that are geared towards multifaceted mothers. They may just be talking about clothes, but they sure make motherhood all the more fun!

                           
                                    

Another collab to look forward to-- in exactly 15 days and 6 hours! Lucky you, stateside moms. Please share your hauls!

Reset + Reboot

Been awfully quiet around here as I've been away for work and a short sojourn after that. Above are tidbits of what has been a great vacay meant for resetting and rebooting for me and the Mr. 

Now we're back to reality although slightly fearful of opening our emails-- we couldn't be more glad to be home and spend the long weekend with no one else but Mischka.

Have a great one, y'all!

JCrew Fall {Work Wear Inspiration}

Pencil skirts + sweaters make for a fail safe day-to-night pairing. A personal fave of late.

Cropped pants, printed or otherwise, just work best with pointy flats.

A study on textured layering  that's worth emulating. 

Oh JCrew, my JCrew. You sure do know how to get us all excited for Fall. Such season may deem irrelevant at our side of the world but with these looks, you can get us giddy nonetheless.

Calling out all working mothers-- whatever your industry, corporate of creative, try pulling a little JCrew, its rather refreshing. 

Toddler Travel 101 {Tip 3 of 101}

At the rate I'm going, Mischka would probably be in big school by the time I finish this series.  She will no longer be a toddler, that's for sure! Oh well. I'm just grateful I still find time to update this blog. No matter how little time it may be. 

Moving on to tip no. 3. We talked about what to pack, here and what not to ever forget, here. The act of packing though is just as important as what to pack. And the role is not just made for us, mothers! Breaking news, right?! Involve your little one in the process and give him/her a bag of her own where she can pack her own  personal things. They're usually toys, snacks, and whatnots of their choice. Make them understand that no one else is responsible for this bag but themselves. 

From our trip back from the US months ago, I was firm in telling Mischka that if she decides to bring her trunki, she has to take care of it, and that I won't be able to carry it as I won't have spare hands with everything that we had to lug! It was just us two travelling back. 

I gave her a choice and she chose to pack her trunki and lug it herself while travelling. What's amazing is the sense of responsibility children learn from just a simple task. We we're a funny sight, am sure. Misch though was quite charming she managed to get two kind grown men help her with her trunki! Hah! 

Multi-tasking Dresses for Multi-tasking Women

Aren't we always on the lookout for pieces that would give us the most value for money? Numbers we take the most style mileage of are not exactly that easy to find. There are of course those that cost a dent on our pockets which I kinda like to avoid. Hence my excitement when my good friend Roselle, decided to further her design career by creating pieces that have several ways around it. Introducing CoCoChicka-- a line of unique pieces that are refined, chic, and highly versatile. It's core line includes convertible (multiway) frocks that you can wear from sun up to sun down-- multi-tasking dresses that every smart girl should have in her closet.

What follows are ways to wear the Maida dress and where to take it to. I personally think the Maida has the most uses for a working mother like me. 

I will..

and top it off with a jacket in eye-popping cobalt blue. Burgundy hued accessories seem to be a good fit to play down the starkness of the jacket. Of course, it's never complete without a dose of baubles. 

I will...

for a more laid-back look with a pair of fun wedges taking this otherwise somber colored frock to new heights. A white tote is always a nice way to signal the weekend in. 

I will...

with exotic skinned pointy flats. Add minimal and understated accessories to complete the look.

I will...

by taking the dress up a notch with bejeweled pumps, a pretty clutch, and gold jewels.

Who doesn't adore a frock you can take from work to weekends, even to a wedding? These are not all, mind you. There are 2 other ways you can rock this frock but with four alone, I am nothing short of impressed. 

CoCoChicka has as lot of other dresses in various colors. Best to pick one that truly suits your lifestyle. Each dress costs P1998, divide that by the number of ways you can use it-- that's only P333 a dress! Not bad, huh?

Know more about CoCoChicka on Facebook.

Shop CoCoChicka on Multiply.

**All product images are from Net-a-Porter.com

Clutch Sightings

As a designer, nothing else makes your heart aflutter but women whose style you adore, appreciate your work.  Not that I ever fancy myself as one. I am just always giddy to see my clutches clutched by uber-chic women like these three. Allow me to share with you my favorite clutch sightings.

Patricia from Paradigma added a jolt of color to her all black ensemble with the Kirstie.

Sarah of Fashion Eggplant graced Megastyle's virtual pages with the sold-out orange Jenna in hand. 

Only Lana of Hautepot can wear red this good. Too bad this Jenna is sold-out too.

Find other Jennas and other styles here. A new collection is brewing too and my heart skips a bit just thinking about it. 

Sun Life's Sunshorts

Having a family is life-changing. Old news, I know. But life sure does take a 360-degree turn when reality hits you that you no longer fend just for yourself. You have a family to think about, whose future you want to secure. As much as we want to brush off the unthinkable, as mama bear and papa bear here, we cannot afford to do so. The most we can do is prepare. 

With life and pre-need insurance, we are somehow comforted by the fact that financial stability is covered in times of the "unthinkable."

Insurance plans and policies though, are usually intimidating. Choosing one is tough. Nowadays, there are more twists added to traditional plans which makes choosing even harder!

Sun Life on the other hand is taking a different angle. The insurance pioneer recently launched Sunshorts- five digital short films highlighting love, foresight, and a positive outlook in life.

Sunshorts kicked off with "1945," a Jun Reyes-directed film set in the 1940's. 

With Sunshorts, we better understand the value of long term preparedness. Watch out for the release of the next Sunshorts and know how life can even be brighter at www.experiencethesun.com.ph.


While you're at it, get a chance to win a trip to San Francisco's Great America this September! Click here for details.

DIY Indian Sack Dress Essentials

The other weekend we went to an indians and cowboys themed party. You know how we like to take these things seriously. Themed parties play the perfect excuse for us to get down and hone our DIY skills! Mischka wanted to be a cowgirl but I had something else in mind. Good thing I managed to convince her to come as an Indian girl instead. She wasn't too sold to the idea until she saw me profusely hand sewing her sack dress a few hours before the party. She jumped in and offered to help in whatever way she can. 


This is why I love doing DIY projects so much. The opportunity to get your child involved is priceless. They appreciate the effort and I can honestly see in Mischka that she's proud of what we have accomplished no matter how big or small the project is, more especially when she gets to take home a reward for being best in costume! It's almost always more economical too than having to purchase a run-of-the-mill costume from a toy store. So next time you get an invite to a themed party, try to DIY-it!

Balmain Resort 2013

Balmain has gotten a tad sweeter with it's new man, isn't it? For it's resort collection, Olivier Rousteing turned to Miami for inspiration hence the pops of South Beach colors in mint, peach, and yellow. The silhouette is surprisingly relaxed and girly but still utterly Balmain sexy-edgy. Which is probably why I loved this a lot thus being one of the collections I "resort" to for when times are bleak and uninspired. (all images via style.com)

Weekend Recharge

Spontaneity, blue skies, truffle cheese, Chardonnay, bubbles, the vast green field.. make for a light and wonderful Sunday afternoon. Capping off what has been a long week with a spontaneous picnic with good 'ole friends is always a good idea.

How was your weekend? 'Hope it involved some unwinding and recharging too!

Surprise Closet Staple {Kat Dy of Kat Dy Finds)

Hey AML readers! I'm Kat from the blog Kat Dy Finds, and I'm very honored to be guest blogging here. Mikka asked me a long time ago (last year pa to be exact!) to blog about my surprise closet staple and I'm quite ashamed to admit that it's taken me this long to do it! But, here it is finally. I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I've enjoyed mulling over it. 

So, my surprise closet staple is (drumroll please)….

This swingy red-orange miniskirt from Forever 21. It's an impulse buy I snapped up on my last full day of living in NYC. I was running around like a headless chicken that day, frantically buying pasalubongs for my family back home, but I couldn't resist the lure of the Forever 21 store on Herald Square. So in I went and there were racks of these skirts in different colors (there might have been royal blue, yellow and pink as well) selling for a promo price of $10. Well for that price, it was a no-brainer, so I grabbed it without even thinking much about what I'd pair it with.

It turned out to be quite the commodity in my closet. I've taken it with me on three international trips, worn it in cool and warm climes, and even though it's a piece from last year, I can imagine I'll be wearing it for years to come. It's lightweight, wrinkle-free, and breezy, yet lends itself to easy layering. And the vivid blood-orange hue is usually the clincher that makes an outfit worn with it really stand out.

Here's where (and how) I've worn it so far:

Here I am channeling my inner flight attendant, wearing a button-down shirt, leopart-print scarf, and booties. I remember walking around Montreal that day, and felt quite peppy in my outfit. So preppy in fact, that I even managed to jump right into a huge basin of $1 clothing at a second-hand store!

When friends of ours had a wedding in Bari, Italy (hometown of Anna Dello Russo, no less!), the skirt also traveled with me. I paired the skirt with a striped tank, leather sandals and a hammered gold collar hoping to evoke the kind of seaside chic that would do justice to the beautiful Mediterranean seascape surrounding us. The leopard print scarf also made an appearance, this time tied around my black leather satchel.

I wore this a few times when we spent holidays and the new year in Australia. In Sydney, I basically wore the same striped tank and leather bag I matched the skirt with in Italy, but added a cropped, sailor-inspired navy bolero into the mix, and accessorized with a vintage art-deco gold circles necklace, gold belt and my worn-everywhere nude sandals from Renegade Folk. 

On a road trip to Melbourne, I paired it with a basic beige tank from Zara (can you believe it's a 10 year old piece?), a tan belt, and the RF sandals. The scarf again makes an appearance, this time around my neck. Hmm, this scarf is becoming quite the surprise staple too! 

Just recently, I wore the skirt to a dinner. Wore it with a Primark aquarium print top, same tan belt I wore in Australia, and my brand new navy leather satchel from Cuzo. The look is decidedly a bit more glam with the addition of the Zara color block heels, but I love the fantastic combo of navy, blue and orange. Accessorized with tribal-inspired accoutrements on each arm. 

I also wore it once ala schoolgirl with a navy sweater, socks and brown penny loafers, but failed to get a proper photo of my outfit. 

Can you tell I love this skirt? I still have a few outfits up my sleeve, but I think I need to give my skirt a rest for now. But do check out my blog, and it might make a surprise appearance again! If you have a fantastic reco on how else I can wear this skirt, give me a holler over at Kat Dy Finds.

Have a great weekend ahead!