Toughie

What's particularly challenging for a lady who loves dressing up, like myself, is the workplace dress code.  Working in an academic institution is especially challenging as the level of decency and appropriateness has to always be maintained.  At times, when my capricious hormones get out of hand, I find myself donned in youthful casual ensemble, which I would later find to be inappropriate for work.  Seeming to be not very satisfied with my own judgment sometimes, I would get my mother and let her decide whether what I'm wearing can pass for a teacher-y look (read: One that won't make my students get distracted, one that the boss won't mind, and one that won't get me barred from entering the university premises, which by the way has a strict dress code.) And when the look in question doesn't get the mother's nod, I will have to spend a few more minutes in a quick search for Outfit B, which is harder to put together and I end up being late for work.  

This look in particular is a major cross between work-appropriate and too casual.  Anticipating the likely disapproval of the mother, I opted to just skip her opinion and ran towards the door.  Oh, the thrill that day brought! 

As a result, I ended up always dragging my dress down to lengthen its coverage before entering the boss' office and skipping the Dean's office and going directly to my class.  Well, no awkward moments transpired thankfully, and seeing the pictures now, well... I think the dress isn't that short after all. 

I still can't get over this denim vest - my latest denim find - and you cannot believe how much I got this for! I never thought thrift-hunting is more fun in the mountains! (It's a long story really, but to make it short, I and some colleagues had to go to some mountainous areas of the province to conduct interviews with the farmers. Work stuff.) 

 The vest gave the look a toughie vibe. So I put on this good ol' soft oxfords to complement that and some equally toughie accessories to match.  I know I looked kind of too casual for work that day, but, well, no one did mind.  This, by the way, is an all thrifted look. What do you think?

Dress, denim vest, shoes - thrifted
Bracelets - bazaar
Necklace - Mags

Black and Bronze

The first semester of School Year 2013-2014 has officially started.  That means my 10-hour workdays and other obligations has officially kicked off, too.  Looking forward, I see stress and fatigue inevitable, especially that I will have to start with my thesis writing, too.  On a positive note, though, I see myself naturally losing these pounds that I've (ehem) gracefully gained last summer. 

If you've been following this blog for quite a time, you will know how a huge thrifter I am.  Most days, I find myself donned in my great thrift finds.  So, with this, and my strong personal belief in prudence and austerity, Jheck and I plan to undertake an even bigger challenge - a challenge to exercise our strong opposition to extravagance for one of the most important events in our lives.  It's quite a big challenge, really, but if we pull this off, we know that we will be able to inspire others, too.  Details soon.

This outfit, by the way, is just one of those regular looks I put together for the office and my classes. I haven't put much thought on this one, actually.  It was one of those days when I sleep in the evening leaving the fate of my look entirely to my capricious judgement the next morning.  

What do you think?

Sheer cropped blouse - thrifted

Dress - thrifted

Flats - bazaar

Necklace - bazaar

Ice Cream Mania

Okay I confess! Yes, I have had a lot of dose of ice cream this week. Probably the same number of them printed on my top. Oops! Haha! Oh it's so addicting especially with summer still here. Good thing I am not having my rashes anymore or has it occurred again, else I'd still be all covered up! 

Well anyhoo, recently I have been drawn to clothes that are printed and eye catchy. Sort of something to draw attention but not too much that everybody's got to raise that eyebrow. Now who would want that? So, when I bought this at the thrift shop I was like, wow! got to have them! And I did. Just in sync with my daily cravings of ice cream!

Top: thrifted
Bracelet and necklace: Aissa's
Watch: Timex
Pants: gifted
Shoes: Hebe 

Denim Craze and Added Pounds

Did you notice it, too? Ugh! Now, this is serious. My additional width weight have now become extremely serious that everything else seems not. As a result, the melancholic me have acquired some extremely serious self-consciousness and diffidence, too.  Okay, not quite diffident actually, but I know that if I continue adding more weight, there will be no other way for me but be that.

So, what do I do, you ask?  Not much, really.  I just do Zumba and a few ab crunches every other day before I take a bath and prepare for work.  I alternately do the Zumba Abs Workout, Sculpt and Tone, Cardio, and the Dance Combo.  I haven't gone to the extreme resort of dieting yet, and I honestly don't have plans to come to that phase.  God forbid!  That would be too much to ask from a foodie such as myself.  Let me endure greater physical exertion if you will, but stay away from my food!  (*insert serious, stubborn Janjie-face here)

Anyway, on to my outfit.  In the past two weeks or so, I have been unconsciously accumulating denim pieces  - 2 denim dresses, 2 denim long-sleeved polo, and this short-sleeved one.  (And nope, not one is chambray.  I've looked up their differences to make sure I know what I'm talking about.)  Yes, I know the denim phase is so over, but who cares?  I don't believe in  fashion forwardness and jumping into the fashion bandwagon anyway.  This blog is about our own personal style - going with the trend or not - and not of somebody else's.  So there.

What I like about this new denim find is that it fits me like a glove.  Unlike my usual thrift finds, no alterations were necessary on this one.  The mother also was eyeing this top enviously this morning, which gives me an idea of how big the chance is of this ending up in her closet anytime soon.  Phew!  I also like the simplicity of this top.  It's so simple and comfortable, it would seem wrong to complicate it with unequally easy pieces, so I opted to pair it with this soft jeans and basic black flats. 

What do you think?

Top and jeans - thrifted
Flats - Solemate
Black pearl accessories - Marcella