“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” - Coco Chanel


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Neck tales

I have always been a fan of brilliantly made statement jewelry. One of my favorite local designers is Nicole Wisenhunt. Her gorgeous creations ignited my love affair with opulent neckpieces. I swore to myself that when I get married I would wear a bespoke Wisenhunt piece. And I definitely will. But hopefully, I can get my hands on some of her creations before that far-off date arrives.

But in the meantime, I have to give her props for her latest collection Points of View. According to Stylebible.ph:

Photo via Stylebible.ph

"Nicole Whisenhunt was inspired by the 1920s and Art Deco for her latest collection, Points of View. Shown here are her architectural influences. The cubist painting on the top left,The Sleeping Girl by Tamara de Lempicka, captures the hedonist sensuality of the Jazz Age. "

Not the entire collection, but these ones caught my eye. And in the words of the great Rachel Zoe, I die. Hey, I rhymed!


Lourdes neckpiece


Belle vest (front and back)

Cosette neckpiece

Vionna neckpiece


Massimo pendant

Maxine pendant

Stass earrings

Gabrielle earrings



Friday, January 28, 2011

One, two, three, FOUR pavor

I'm not the type who gets all mushy but let me just have my turn to gush then it's back to regular programming.

It's been four years!!!

Felix, Greenbelt 5
January 27, 2011

Janabeybz's birthday celebration 
October 2010

Shey's Danz Dish 5
February 2010

Some UP IE Club event
September 2009


Gianna's despedida
June 2009

Boracay 
April 2009

Of course, since it was a weekday, we only had time for dinner and a quick date. So we celebrated our fourth year with a cozy dinner at Felix, Greenbelt 5. It's Asian fusion so it was loooove. 



Our appetizer, their version of spring rolls. Gijo's favorite!

Gijo's order: Chicken and bacon something.

My order: Bangus belly with laing on the side. Yes, I went to a restaurant to order bangus, lol!

We had a chocnut flavored cake for dessert but it was gone before I could even think of taking a picture. It was soooo yummy! We're going on a better date tomorrow seeing as we have more time. Can't wait!

And yes, here was what I wore:




Graphic print top: Celine (vintage) | Tapered slacks: Bangkok | 
Snakeskin and gold heels: Charles and Keith (gifted) | Messenger bag: Vintage | 
Woven belt: Bangkok | Capiz bracelet: gifted

Yey to the most awesome four years! 
Cheers to many many more!

P.S. Before our little date, I went to this awesome private event which I will blog about once the article's published. Clue? It's for trendy fashion-philes and involves a well-known fashionable monkey!

P.P.S I am in love with these pair of heels! Super comfy to the nth level. Thanks to my awesome friend Lester for gifting me with these. Love love love them!

Friday, January 21, 2011

There's something about Portia

And by that I mean, Portia De Rossi in the series Better Off Ted - a satirical series that revolves around Ted's life in the R&D department of the soulless invention conglomerate that is Veridian Dynamics. While the show garnered positive feedback from critics, it had a low viewership and was later cancelled some time in its second season. Its humor reminds me of Modern Family, I guess that's the reason I liked it in the first place (yes, I'm such a Modern Family fan!).


This got me thinking: Portia is really gorgeous! With that in mind, I trolled the net for her best shots and these are the ones I loved:


I'm thinking she's a Zac Posen muse because all her gowns were made by him, even her beautiful wedding gown. It really is my favorite!


2007 Academy Awards
Love the back of this gown. Usually braids don't do it for me, but this made me reconsider.

2006 Emmy Primetime Awards
Her bone structure and complexion: just flawless.

And the characters she played in her past TV stints were pretty much the same: haughty and kinda rotten in a lovable caustic shell:


In Better Off Ted, she plays Veronica Palmer - Ted's immediate supervisor at Veridian Dynamics. She's cool, calm, collected and often lacks a conscience. She's funny in her arrogant ways and she always gets what she wants.


In Arrested Development, she plays Lindsay Funke. She's materialistic, flamboyant, and likes to be the center of attention as she adopts a cause for a week or two. She's just a complicated character that way, I suppose.

So that's it. Basically, I just wanted to say: Portia De Rossi is gorgeous. With all that pulled-back hair in Better Off Ted, it's impossible not notice how her bone structure is just beautiful. And this post is an ode to her.:)


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dreaming of Yves

Tribute platforms - the YSL shoe-tastic claim to fame. From what I've heard, the comfort these skyscrapers offer is legendary. One of my fondest dreams is to be gifted (or otherwise buy) a pair of nude YSL tributes. But since that isn't going to happen anytime soon,  I resign myself to trolling the net in search of some YSL eye candy. And ooh, look at what I found:

Jane of Sea of Shoes' most recent purchase. I am in love with the chunky-ness of this pair. It would make my year to have one. Please universe?
Photo via Sea of Shoes

Tribute platform sandal in Gold Crackle. So versatile and so utterly unattainable. Look at that height! And they retail for around $ 790, yikes!

But, if it's any consolation (or not), I'm not so shoe-deprived after all: I ordered a pair of Gareth Pugh-inspired two-toned wedges from F-Stop

Photo via F-Stop

While these aren't anywhere near my desired YSLs, I'm at least happy to add something new to my shoe collection. Shoes just make me happy like that, you know? I've lusted after these babies for so long but was reluctant to shell out cash. I think the universe finally decided to give me a break by throwing F-Stop's reasonable (read: cheaper than another online shop's rates - by half!) prices my way. Thanks Melai (she's also from UP CMC) for starting my year on a jolly note with a pair of fashion forward wedges! Visit her blog.

I'm kinda scared yet excited at the same time coz these wedges are not my usual style. Wish me luck as I'll really try my best to rock them in the future!:)

Oh and may I just say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTA!!!


It's her 23rd birthday today. And as I've mentioned before, she's one of my oldest friends, almost 12 years now. Kayps, I love you super! See you on Saturday!:)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Power to the flower

Yes, I've said this time and again: fashion cycles. Last year, we've seen the '60s hit the fashion radar with its ladylike silhouettes (think Louis Vuitton collection). This year, be prepared to see the comeback of the disco-driven '70s.

Jumpsuits, high-waist bell bottoms, platform shoes, hot pants, flowing maxidresses and chunky accessories are all the rage when it comes to this year's spring and summer seasons. Think about mixing glamour and sophistication with effortless hippie chic. It's bohemian with a liberal splash of sophistication.

Read more about the '70s in 2011 here. And to give you a better idea? Ta-da!!!


Bring out the color of the '70s with vivid pops of color - from mustard yellow to royal purple.
KAT CORPUS maxidress | GAUPO shoes

Take the road less travelled and channel the bell bottom with a tailored jumpsuit. Add some sparkles and its '70s glamour all the way.
JULIUS TAROG jumpsuit | GAUPO shoes

Glamour and sophistication were all the rage in the '70s with silhouettes that celebrated curves and with hemlines that swept the floor.
JULIUS TAROG dress | GAUPO shoes

Go crazy with floral prints and vivid hues and bring the '70s all the way to 2011.
KAT CORPUS dress | GAUPO shoes

With a cinch of the waits and the flare of the pants, the '70s are back with animal prints to boot.
JULIUS TAROG top and pants | GAUPO shoes

So it's time to make like a Charlie's Angel and dish out some fashion, in full bloom retro '70s.



JULIUS TAROG (09175213104) 308 - A Tomas Morato, Quezon City
KAT CORPUS (09175780528) 10 Xavierville Ave. Loyola Heights, Quezon City
GAUPO Level 2, Greenbelt 5, Makati City

Photos by BIANCA CATBAGAN
Makeup by JINKY URETA of Make Up For Ever Pro Team
Hair by VIOLY BANSUELOS 
Modeled by NIKI FRANCISCO


P.S. This was shot at Gijo's house. Thank heavens for the Mantaring family! Oh and this was my first fashion editorial! It was stressful but still hella fun. I guess it helped that I already knew the people I was working with. I really hope I get to do more editorials. Crossing my fingers and toes.:)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Out and about

...with my best friend, Maddie. She lives in the States now, so we all jump at the chance to hang out with her whenever she comes over to visit. With my flexible (read: horridly vacant) schedule, I'm the person with the most chance to go with her whenever. Well, actually even at the height of my busy school days I always made myself available. But hey, that's what you do for best friends, right?

On today's agenda:

Greenhills Shopping Center. Yes I gave in, I shopped. Blame it on Maddie!

I want chiffon-esque loose blouses! Current obsession.


No, they won't fit you Madz.

Tory Burch knock offs, eh?



Glitter shoes for the small ones! Cutsie patootsie!


Happy with her purchases

Mango-esque tops




Quick stop at  NAIA Terminal 3 to claim Maddie's Aunt and Uncle's bags that were 'misplaced' by Cebu Pacific. Boo.



We don't know what those sweets are, but they're seriously addictive. Love!

Great Thai massage at Nuat Thai to end the day.

Of course, here's what I wore:

But I really wanted to bust out some stockings. I balked at the last minute seeing as we were only heading to Greenhills and they would have seriously dampened my haggling prowess (not that I have much of it to begin with).


Cropped jacket: Old Navy | Tribal print top: Cotton On | Shorts: gifted |
Woven belt: Random Bangkok bazaar | T-strap wedge: Nine West |
Stockings: SM Department Store | Capiz bracelet: gifted | Ring: St. James bazaar