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

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

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)

Fourth of July

Bring out the red, blue, and white! 

Playing it by Ear

1. Bijoux by Z/ 2. Plains & Prints / 3. Panopio/ 4. Panopio/ 5. Virus/ 6. Linya Disenyo

Got my eyes on some ear candies over at ZALORA. While collar neck pieces and arm parties are still the rage, these earrings seem to be making just as bold a statement. Now pop over ZALORA and give your earlobes some jaw-droppin', shoulder-grazin', lovin'!

Fantasy Closet {Mad Rad Plaid}

Wednesday// Abercrombie & Fitch Button Down/ Proenza Schouler Skirt/ Ruthie Davies Pumps/3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Hour Bag

Friday// Abercrombie & Fitch Button Down/ 7 For All Mankind Jeans/ Cult Status Earrings/ Cleobella Bag/ Christian Louboutin Asteroid Shoes

Sunday// Abercrombie & Fitch Button Down/ Paradise Shorts/ Forevernew Sandals/ Essie Poppy Razzi/ Valentino Giuily Straw Tote

I always find myself putting out my plaid button down the night before only to put it back inside the closet in the morning. It's quite a challenging article of clothing especially when intended for the workplace. I, however, decided to give it a try for today's fantasy closet feature and it proved to be promising. In fact, one that can potentially give significant style mileage. Now, the plaid button down deserves another shot tomorrow morning. 

Packing for One

I don't remember the last time I packed for the beach just for myself. I've forgotten how good and liberating it felt. It's nice to get away without having to bring the whole kaboodle once in awhile, isn't it? So what did I pack for a few days at the beach? Just the good 'ole black and white, my trusty cover-ups, and some beach appropriate baubles. It felt strange not having to pack diapers, loads of sunscreen, and milk bottles though. 

Wish you're all having a rad Sunday! 

Stella McCartney Resort 2013

What better way to showcase an exuberant resort collection than a garden party? Of course Stella McCartney, with a knack for throwing awesome fetes and presentations, hosted yet another hit of an outdoor fair. Who can forget last year's resort presentation (which was very similar to this year's, save for the collection) and Fall 2012's flash mob in London Fashion Week?

The party sure looked like a hit and goes without saying, so will the clothes. (images via fashionologie)

The Ramp's Mixology Study

For it's second installment in Philippine Fashion Week, The Ramp yet again, did not disappoint. A burst of paisleys and peplums dominated the show- prints and cuts some of us chose to forget as they are just deemed too difficult to pull off. The Ramp, however managed to freshen up the trends in a manner that even the plainest Jane can rock. Here are my favorite looks from the show.

The fashion pack's got-to stayed true to its mixology form with clever mixes of hard and soft, structural and feminine. Take even just one winning piece from the collection and you are sure to have something trusty you can work day-to-night, workweek to weekend. And I'm not talking about basics here.. but special pieces with a subtle wow factor that is becoming to be The Ramp's signature. 

For a little mixology exercise, here's a formula that sure is working for me. Remember, its all about finding balance even if you're sporting 3 to 4 trends at a time. 

Peplum top/ Shorts/ Clutch/ Flats 

All from The Ramp and are all available online too! 

(PFW images via Female Network)

Fantasy Closet {Peplum}

Luncheon Topshop Top/ JCrew Skirt/ Zara Tote/ DSquared2 Platforms// Cocktails RiverIsland Pants/  Seven Bicakci Earrings/ Givenchy Clutch/ Rupert Sanderson Pumps// Sunday Brunch JCrew Shorts/ Totem Tote/ Lanvin Wedges/ Wallis Bangles

I've always judged the peplum cut as the most unflattering kind.. but following The Ramp's show at Philippine Fashion Week, I think I had a change of heart. Truth be told, it's only flattering to certain body types but the peplum top can actually give you better style mileage than you'd think. Just make sure you balance it out with a more tailored piece and you can take it to a dressy luncheon, to fancy cocktails, and even to lazy Sunday brunches.

Fantasy Closet {Ripped Jeans}

We see this pair aplenty. Usually on uber stylish women flooding our favorite street style online go-tos. On the contrary, I hardly see ripped and tattered pairs sold at retail stores. Hence my arrival at the conclusion that these women are not only stylish, they're most likely DIY mavens themselves. So should you want to try your hand at ripping and distressing a pair of denims, just google it. Hundreds of searches turned up when I did so myself. You may need a lot of guts and patience more than just a YouTube tutorial though.

Such trend is not exactly groundbreaking. In fact, it has been around for awhile now. I just like how Glitter Guide put together looks of ripped denims in a way that is fashion forward yet refined. From here, I drew up an obvious equation of ripped jeans and pointy pumps being a perfect match, a yin to its yang. They balance each other out, that no matter what you throw in with them, just works. 

In my fantasy closet, here's how I would dreamily tackle this trendy + classic duo.

Huaraki Haydon Jeans/ Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps/ Dries Van Noten Button-Down/ Burberry Prorsum Clutch/ Reed Krakoff Sweater/ Belle Noel Necklace/ Marni Tote

Work Wear Diaries

Sharing a glimpse of the work wear situation lately. Since blogging now is a luxury for me, I can no longer do ensemble dissection posts as much as I want to. Our office dictates no dress code, thank goodness, but looking respectable without ever compromising style is imperative for me. I didn't go crazy shopping for a whole new wardrobe, instead I put some work appropriateness to a runaround momma's existing closet. 

My mixology skills are challenged every morning but I sure am having fun! What do you wear to work mommas? I hope you find joy in mixing and matching too! Life is too short to be bored by a corporate skirt suit everyday. Throw in a little something unexpected like a statement ring or necklace or an eye popping bag and feel empowered even in the most trivial of things. 

Fantasy Closet {Sherbet Hues From Work Week to Weekend}

Recently smitten by sugar coated sherbet shades. I'm not exactly the type but with the scorching heat of late, I couldn't help but succumb to the trend. Who wouldn't when these pieces sprouting everywhere are as refreshing as a tall glass of pomelo shake?

The Elements:

WORK WEEK// 1. H&M Mint Green Blazer 2. JCrew Cafe Capri 3. Rag & Bone Pocket Tee 4. Reed Krakoff  Boxer 5. Rupert Sanderson Pumps

WEEKEND// 1. Cheap Monday Tank Top 2. Red Herring Scarf 3. Topshop Pique Shorts 4. Asos Sandals 5. Givenchy Shopper 6. Miu Miu Sunglasses

Get The Look {Sarah Rutson + Eliza}

Sarah: The Ramp Pleated Black Dress/ River Island Sandals/ Mikka Padua Kirstie Clutch

Eliza: Old Navy Floral Dress/ Old Navy Mini Messenger/ Dolce Vita Sandals 

I am fascinated with powerful women in fashion and even more so when they are impossibly chic and are mothers too-- with stylish daughters to boot.  

I adore Sarah Rutson, Lane Crawford's Fashion Director. When I was looking for pegs to get this series started, I came across a picture of her and daughter Eliza in Paris last year. I didn't even know she had a daughter and a gorgeous one at that!

So there you have it. My first Get The Look for mother-daughter tandems. This series aims to style-spire mother-daughter duos and its only but fitting to kick it off with Sarah and Eliza, yes?

Fantasy Closet {That Shade of Green}

While pulling out for a shoot yesterday, I spied a dominating color in ZARA. That minty fresh shade of green. It's pretty, subtle, and sweet. To bring the saccharine a notch lower, I like to pair it with a jolting dose of electric blue.  

The Elements:

DENIM Cimarron Skinnies/ Reiss Greta Henley Top/ Gucci Bowling Bag/ Charlotte Olympia Pumps 

SHIFT DRESS Sofie D'Hoore Dakota Dress/ Jimmy Choo Gladys Sandals/ 

Emilio Pucci Box Clutch/ Zahara Bib 

PULLOVER Acne Crop Cable Knit Sweater/ Oasis Pencil Skirt/ Givenchy Antigona/ ZARA Slingback

Clutched

Over the long weekend, Le Misch and I found time to make vignettes of my new clutches. I'm not just saying this. She really did help me with these. She picked out the accessories and was just eagerly putting things together, asking me if they match or not. Having a girl is just seriously fun, isn't it, mothers-of-little-girls? Of course, I have no idea how it is to have a boy but I bet its pretty awesome too. 

Moving on, may we present to you... the latest pieces to join our small collection. I have more in the works but these 4 are yours for the picking over at CHICIFY. 

The popular Jenna patchwork is back in new color combinations. Orange is a strong hue but when paired when an old favorite, Mr. Tan, with a bit of hair leather in zebra thrown-in, you get a nice mix of unexpected textures coming together like they were made for each other.

If orange is too much of a showstopper yet you still want something interesting, this tonal synthesis of hair calf leather, subtly shimmering bronze, and distressed tan is one for you. A closer look at it, here. 

The Kirstie is a personal favorite. I like the element of surprise it has in that vertical stripe of zebra-print hair leather. Tan for me is as classic as black and the POC (pop-of-color!) the brass zipper brings has just the right amount of zest.

Talk about zest and this Kirstie is full of it. It's in textured skin with leopard print hair leather vertically sliced in the middle. Add the yellow brass zipper to the equation and this one's definitely far from mellow.

These are all in full leather and are all lovingly handmade by local artisans. We only have limited pieces available as I know you like it like that. I do too.  

Fantasy Closet {Christmas Eve}

Bring out the sparklies and the statement-making babies this Christmas eve. Wether you're having dinner out or just celebrating at home, I say, wear something a little extra special. May it be a pleated midi or nails painted in burgundy, anything really that makes you feel pretty. 

The Elements:

1. Jigsaw Regatta black and white stripe top
2. Topshop pleated color block skirt
3. Amrita Singh Crystal Sunrise earrings
4. All Saints Texas jacket
5. Balmain sandals
6. Kate Spade Twirl
7. Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch
8. Butter nail lacquer

Fantasy Closet {All Maxed Out}

Maxi skirts are seriously my go-to article of clothing for days when I am faced with a closetful of nothing-to-wear. I couldn't care less if its still on-trend or not. It is after all the most practical and versatile piece I own as of the moment. Day or night, casual or dressy, the maxi is my fool-proof baby. 

Incidentally, a reader asked:

Kpmb, this fantasy closet visit is for you! Maxi skirts particularly the jersey kind like that of Sarah's are the easiest! It skims the body in a flattering way and best of all it doesn't crease! So for a solid take like that, you can practically throw in anything. A tank, a sweater, a button-down-- they all fall effortlessly into the maxi skirt equation. And with it being solid, you may by all means, accessorize to your heart's delight.

The Elements:

SOLID 

1. Witchery Drapey Maxi
2. Topshop Tall Roll Sleeve
3. PS1 Keep-all
4. Christian Louboutin Pigalle
5. Dorothy Perkins Belt 

PRINTED

1. A.L.C. Luca Silk Maxi
2. Nicole Miller Cocoon Top
3. Lulu Frost Vintage Necklace
4. Givenchy Nightingale
5. T Kees Flip Flops

PLEATED

1. Malene Birger Pleated Maxi
2. Zara Polka Dot Skirt
3. Christian Louboutin No. 299
4. Maison Scotch Clutch 

To Hatch Or Not To Hatch

We are still undecided on number 2 but I seriously wouldn't mind getting knocked up again after seeing this line of gorgeous timeless pieces to wear before, during, and after pregnancy. When I spotted it over Joanna Goddard's blog, my heart raced a little and thought "wow, what a beautiful state to be in while carrying a child.. " 

I think pregnant women are beautiful but I thought so otherwise during my own 40 weeks of gestation. Of course, the clothes I would wear certainly didn't help. That is why I think HATCH is pure brilliance and is plain manna from heaven for women, expecting or not. It has a 14-piece collection of key pieces for casual to dressy and to even dressier special occasions. All of which timeless, ageless, and fits all sizes, shapes, and builds! How is that even possible?!

Hatch already had me at that ultra chic button-down but the best part yet is that for every purchase from the Hatch Collection, $5 goes to Every Mother Counts, an advocacy and mobilization campaign to increase education and support for maternal and child health. 

Now, to hatch or not to hatch again? That is the question. 

Fantasy Closet {Colored Denim}

Colored denim was all the rage last season and is still slowly trickling down to Fall. No need to store them just yet. Even runaround mums can revel in them too. From running errands, school pick-ups, weekend escapades, even to occasional cocktails-- colored denim will see you through. 

The Elements:

Mummy On-duty

1. J Brand Mid-rise Cobalt Blue
2. Target Denim Shirt
3. Mulberry Heritage Bayswater
4. Jil Sander Ballerina Flats

Mummy on Weekends

1. J Brand Red Skinnies
2. Topshop Breton Stripe Shirt
3. D Squared Tote
4. Lanvin Ankle Cuff Leather Sandals

Mummy Off-duty

1. Current Elliot Over Dyed Jeans
2. Vince Cluster Sequin Top
3. Givenchy Clutch
4. Christian Louboutin Helmut Pumps