Old yet New

When I was growing up, I searched my parents’ closets and bauls for the perfect wardrobe. I am charmed by what people wore in the ’60s and ‘70s. These decades brought flared pants, pointed and big collar blouses, flowing bohemian garments, shiny and skin-tight disco outfits, maxi dresses and skirts, and psychedelic prints which are all very stylish up to now. 

I know I can’t resist a vintage dress—especially if it belongs to my mom. If I can’t find a way to wear it, I’ll probably use the fabric for my home decor, or simply keep it close by. I’m sure I will make use of it one day, some way.

Photo shot in UP Los Banos.

This skirt is one of the nicest pieces in my closet. I love it because it has an ethnic Philippine flavor.

Lydia Jaranilla-Querubin

That’s my mom back in 1974. And my skirt used to be part of the dress she is wearing. It won’t fit me as is because I am three inches shorter than her. I almost cried when my trusted modista wasn’t able to alter it properly.

Good thing we were able to salvage it as a skirt. I am a big fan of maxi skirts. They look dramatic yet are versatile enough for use in almost any occasion. I wore this ensemble at a wedding.

Photo by Icee Palomo

Throw on the proper top and mix the right accessories, and you can strut anywhere.  

Reviving your mom’s old clothes is practical. A brand-new maxi skirt can cost up to Php3,000 (USD71) nowadays, more or less. It depends on the brand. 

By the way, this outfit cost me Php2,849 (USD67).
(Dollar conversions based on US Dollar = Ph Peso Exchange Rate of USD1=Php42.54 dated Feb 8, 2012.)

Breakdown of costs: 

• Headband - belt from another top
• Bead Necklace - bought from a bazaar, Php250
• Bangles - two sets; one bought from USA, Php350; another one from a bazaar, Php100
• Watch - a gift (Seiko 5)
• Chiffon Blouse - bought from The Ramp, Php799
• Maxi Skirt - used to be mom's dress, alteration cost Php150
• Mary Jane Shoes - bought online from www.GoJane.com, Php1,200   

 

Find out if your mom and dad still have their old clothes. If they do, then rummage through their stash. You might find something pretty and for keeps.

Just Soap and Water for Face

When I was about nine and my face would show one or two signs of acne growth, my 11-years older brother would continuously prod me to wash my face with just soap and water. I am glad I followed his advice and have been since then. For one thing, I think it really made sense; the lesser chemicals (compared to the facial creams the dermatologists usually gives) that I put on my face, the purer and then the better.  

I am not saying that I haven't visited the derma ever. I do get my quarterly facial cleaning, but that is just about it. I have been sales-talked to try the diamond peel once or twice, though I just end up looking like a sun-dried tomato the day after. This was done in a popular and posh clinic so I don't think the quality of products was the culprit.

I use Dove, Oil of Olay or Pond's. All those always make me feel great after washing my face. That moment after I wash the soap away, then look at the mirror; and feel and look so clean, so fresh and sometimes so pretty is just priceless.

Taking care of your face need not be expensive. For the longest time, I have been using just soap and water and it has proven to be the most effective. And the cheapest, for that matter. And not to forget, very hassle-free.

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. 

Sneakers, Zappos.com and Delivering Happiness

This post is about my love for sneakers; my Zappos.com experience; and Tony Hsieh's--Zappos.com's CEO and owner--book, Delivering Happiness. 

Sneakers! 

My love for wearing sneakers started when I was six years old. As early as that age, I already dressed up on my own and I would most of the time put on my used-up crimson red Mighty Kid sneakers with two adjustable Velcro straps each shoe. Thinking about that pair of sneakers immediately activates my sentimental side--love that comfy, funky and cute pair.

Wearing sneakers is not a phase that I overcame when I got older, got more mature or left college. Instead, my inventory of sneakers even improved now that I have my own money to buy nicer pairs. That doesn't mean that I shall easily burn P6,000 for a pair--that is still a lot; I am still always in the look out for good deals and that was how I came across Zappos.com. Zappos.com offers a pair of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers for as low as P2,000--50% to 60% lower than most of the Onitsuka Tiger models being sold at Philippine malls. 

My pine and lime green and gray Onitsuka Tigers is so far my best pair of sneakers. This specific color combination is a Zappos.com exclusive--that made me want to own this pair more. 

Zappos.com


My Zappos.com experience was absolutely pleasant. They immediately--at real-time--replied and offered a solution to my Facebook-posted concern. Aside from the fact that the website was so easy to use and complete. Having all the must-haves of a winning website, Zappos.com easily became one of my favorite shopping sites.

Delivering Happiness

Months after buying my first pair from Zappos.com and recommending it to my friends--talk about the power of word-of-mouth--I came across "Delivering Happiness" as it is one of the required reading materials in the company I recently joined.


Delivering Happiness is a book on how Tony Hsieh was able to build Zappos.com as one of the best companies to work for in the United States. His story is proof that perseverance,  hard work and--of course--passion are key in making it big in everything a person does. The book also zeroed in on how a strong company culture is linked with its success.


The book was heartwarming and inspirational. It makes me want to be part of the Zappos.com family. And if in case I find my way to Las Vegas again, I shall make sure to take the Zappos.com head quarters tour. Can't wait!

Not so Aztec

Two weekends ago, my niece asked for my help in coming up with an Aztec inspired outfit since she had to attend a similarly themed debut party. 

Google defines Aztec as a member of the American Indian people dominant in Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century. Aztec prints then are patterns of distinct and bold colors; assorted shapes, including diamonds and triangles; and different ranges of thick and thin lines. 

I don't have an Aztec-ish apparel, so the outfit I came up with doesn't have the colors, shapes and lines I mentioned above. Instead, I threw in lots of statement-making accessories to make the outfit pass for the Aztec-themed party. 

In coming up with a theme-inspired outfit, there is a way around it and it doesn't have to always follow the theme from A to Z. Researching and knowing the basics about the prescribed motif shall be a very big help. In this case, since the Aztecs are American Indians and their photos online clearly show big and bulky accessories, I decided to stick to that. The paisley prints too that I chose are as busy as that with the Aztec prints. So you see, I was able to eliminate buying a new dress or top! 

Total outfit cost is Php1,260 (USD30)

Breakdown of costs:

• Top - bought from a garage sale, Mango, Php220
• Skirt - Bunny, Php350
• Necklace - bought from bazaar, Php250
• Big gold bangles - Robinsons Dept. Store, Php240 (Php80 each)
• Bracelets on right upper arm - bought from bazaars, total of Php200
• Bangle on left arm - gift from friend