Outfit: in Black and White

Last Thursday marked a new milestone in my career--I signed an employment contract with a digital advertising agency. As always, I was very thankful that I was given another chance to improve myself--that is to grow and learn more about myself, my craft, the corporate world and a new industry. Those are more than enough to make me very excited with this new challenge. 

For the contract signing, I chose an outfit that is professional-looking yet stylish enough to pass for my creative and eclectic side.

I guess in the corporate world, choosing the proper attire and grooming yourself ready are as important as choosing the right words to say during an interview or meeting. It is actually one of the reasons why Steve Jobs ended up wearing his signature black long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and rubber shoes; as opposed to his flowing orange robe and shoe-less ensemble. 

I love tights. 

The good thing about wearing tights is that I am able to move freely and feel secure even though I am in an above-the-knee dress or skirt and high heels combo. Aside to the fact that tights can easily make an outfit look more "professional". 

Total outfit cost without the bag is P2,640 (USD58.67). 

Breakdown of costs:

• Dress- Space, P350
• White sleeveless top- Plains and Prints, P750
• Tights- Gap USA, P450
• Shoes- SM Department Store, P990 
• Silver necklace- bazaar, P100 

Chorizo and Shrimp Pasta

Tired of serving the usual pastadishes: tuna in olive oil, creamy carbonara or meaty tomato sauce? Thenwhy not try the Chorizo and Shrimp Pasta. Easy, yummy, and affordable, it won'tbe long until this dish will be part of your list of what to prepareduring get-togethers. 

The thing I like most about thisdish is its lightness despite the distinct flavors of the chorizo andshrimp. The two main ingredients mix so well, making every mouthful taste and feel so heavenly. 

I am also a big fan of cilantro. For me, most dishes with cilantro easily becomes a refreshing viand. 

This dish will cost less than P500, take 30 minutes to an hour to prepare andfeed a group of 10-12 adults.

Ingredients: 

- 1/2 cup olive oil 

- 1 head large garlic, slicedbased on preference 

- 2 pieces medium-sized onion,sliced based on preference

- 4 pieces medium-sized tomato,cut into half-inch cubes

- 2 cans Purefoods ChorizoBilbao-style, sliced diagonally at about 1/4 inch thick 

- Chili powder or flakes, quantitydepends on preference

- 1 bundle of cilantro or wansoy,minced

- 1/4 kilo shrimps 

- 1 cup shrimp stock

- 500 grams pasta (spaghettini,angel hair, twists)

Steps:

Shrimp and shrimp stock:

1. Add shrimps to 1 cup of boilingwater. Add a pinch of salt if desired.

2. Remove shrimps once it turn redand peal. Set aside the shrimps' meat and heads.

3. Pound the heads using a mortar.

4. Put pounded shrimp heads in astrainer and pour the created stock. Repeat this step for two to three times.Set aside stock once done.

Pasta mix:

1. Sauté garlic and onion in 1/2cup olive oil.

2. Add the sliced chorizo and stiruntil its own oil renders.

3. Add the tomato cubes, immediatelyfollowed by the shrimp meat. Stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

4. Add the shrimp stock and leaveuntil it reduces. Add salt if needed and chili if desired.

5. Mix the pasta. Sprinkle minced cilantro before serving.

Bridesmaids Dresses: BYOD (Buy Your Own Dress)

So all my best friends will end up wearing an outfit they truly love on my wedding day, I gave them the liberty of choosing their preferred styles by buying their own dresses. I call this BYOD--Buy Your Own Dress. I am currently meeting with each of my friends to hand out their dress money. I, together with my fiance, want to make the wedding as hassle-free as possible for all the guests, and so I don't want my bridesmaids to spend for their dresses. Their company--which are priceless--during the wedding are all I ask from them.

I only have two requests for the dress: length is above the knee and color is any shade of cream--off-white, ecru, flesh, dirty white--but not white. Of course, I will be the only one in white. On the fabric, anything goes. I just reminded them that it will be a garden wedding; therefore, no air-conditioning. Any footwear will do, too. 

Making your bridesmaids buy their own dresses is practical and a good alternative to the can-be-too-tacky matching attires that we are used to. It also serves as a souvenir that will probably end up being kept and used again.