Prepster DIY

Can you imagine a preppy, WASP-y jock doing something of the DIY variety?

Why not if it's of the Ralph Lauren RUGBY sort!


It doesn't need Ivy League brainpower and brawn too!

Step 1 - Take your pick from rugby shirts (of course!), cardigans, oxford shirts, even ties, hats & totes...


Step 2 - Style it with varsity letters or a patch, plus an embroidery of your name or initials...


Step 3 - The folks at Rugby stitch everything for you!


Here's what I made for myself - old school tradition cool with a subversiveness to it:


I put it in my shopping bag too! Now, if only I can hit the checkout and place order button!

Flavor of the Month

From what I have gleaned from your tips on what you want to see more of in this blog, there's a demand for outfit posts. As much as I love to dress up, I almost always have a uniform these days, hence the dearth in "sharing my outfit day" posts. Goodness knows, it should be a "sharing my outfit of the week (or month!)" now!

I know, eeewww!

But I usually just run out to do quick errands so I keep on repeating my clothes! Here's my flavor of the month:



Jeans: Gray zip leg skinny jeans from J Brand
Cashmere cardigan: J Crew
Army jacket: J Crew
T-shirt: Jimi Hendrix tee from Old Navy
Sneakers: Chuck Taylors

Got this vintage-y Jimi Hendrix tee from the men's section of Old Navy for only $10!


Love it! So rock and roll!


Incidentally, Jimi Hendrix was the visionaire who made military dress jackets of the Royal Hussar variety look so cool! Funny he has this fascination with military dress jackets (part of his fashion repertoire during his early days as a performer) when he was in fact asked to leave the army because he just wasn't cut out for it!

Baghag in Training

Today, Mom, Auntie Les and Berry went to TJ Maxx to scout for great deals. Berry saw this (okay, it was really Auntie Les & Mom)!



"How much is this?", Berry wondered. She looked at the price tag and saw it was $6.99. "This is quite reasonable. Too bad I forgot my wallet, I don't have any cash on me!"




"I hope Dada buys this for me when we come back. This tote looks so good on me! And it fits one diaper and a pack of baby wipes so perfectly! That way, Mom wouldn't have to bring a diaper bag. I can carry my stuff myself!"




"See?"

Look Who's Back! K-Swiss Returns

Remember this? I had one back when I was 12 or 13 and I remember it was practically a must have! Girls in school who first wore Tretorns graduated to K-Swiss when everyone started wearing Tretorns. Snobs start early no?



Then Cole Haan and Bass loafers became the next big thing and sneakers just weren't cool anymore. I remember my best friend Nina and I used our K-Swiss insoles to make our loafers much more comfy! Yeah, I still remember how comfy those blue insoles were!

Well whatevs, guess what! K-Swiss is back! The classic white ones plus a couple more new designs!

"A brand known for innovation, quality, performance, and style, K-Swiss is integrating the classic look with contemporary touch to suit the new generation’s taste in apparel. Just think K-Swiss Classics. First introduced in 1966, this K-Swiss signature design with its characteristic five stripes and the D-rings still holds that elegant and fashionable imprint 40 years later. A timeless piece that represents style, authenticity, and individualism, the K-Swiss Classics has transcended from being the first leather tennis shoe to being a fashion staple both on and off the court.

Joining the Classics is the entry of the Surf and Court design, another timeless offering that complements K-Swiss’ originals collections. The Surf and Court design is sure to style women up anytime, anywhere. With its nautical classic design, soft full-grain white leather, and nautical stitching, Surf and Court epitomizes the elegance of the K-Swiss sailing shoe. Heritage K-Swiss details like the iconic five stripes, D-rings, and discreet script are likewise included in this design.


K-Swiss also touches on performance in its 2009 lineup. Runners may want to check out K-Swiss’s K-Ona model. Its 9 oz. ultra-light, stable running shoe with its exceptional cushioning makes it a perfect partner for training, road races, and triathlons. They may also want to try out K-Swiss Run One miSOUL Tech model. A versatile running shoe that features a modular, interchangeable sole system engineered for customized performance.




Completing the lineup is K-Swiss Grand Court, an athletic-inspired shoe made with a fashionable design. It features wider stripes on the side and the classic K-Swiss elements plus synthetic leather upper and a rubber sole.

Check out the Classics and the new K-Swiss designs. Now available at all Planet Sports outlets, Athletes Foot stores, and Olympic Village stores nationwide."

Thanks For Your Donations!

Dear Abby, Donna W., Melizza F., Me-an A., Pamela P. and Pilar Z.,

I just wanted to let you know that your donations for the babies back home have been received!



Read all about it here at Chuvaness =)

Thanks again for your concern and generosity! It takes time, money and effort to prepare the items, pack and send it and I know that you are all busy moms trying to juggle work and housework! Stay blessed and God bless you more!

Drop Dead Diva on QTV

There's another series to watch out for! The story of a model who dies and finds herself in the body of a workaholic lawyer. Not that that bothers her. The lawyer is a size 16. Get the drift? Vain, ditzy blond trapped in a smart brunette's body makes good comedy as she discovers there's more to life, now that she's living a second life.

The Philippines is the 1st in Asia to launch the show, Drop Dead Diva. It starts airing on Dec.4, Friday 8:30pm on QTV.

VMV on Facebook

Want $150 worth of goodies from VMV? It's so easy! Just be the 1500th fan on Facebook and you instantly get a $150 shopping spree!



That's a lot of Booboo Balms and Armada sunscreens!

Thanks Everyone and Congratulations AngelaL!

Thanks so much to all of you dear readers who joined my book giveaway! Your inputs and insights are much appreciated! With your tips in mind, I promise to give more of what you would like to read here. This blog will get better thanks to your help!

And to AngelaL! It sure was your lucky day! Heehee! Email me at manilafashionobserver@gmail.com and let me know which book you want, along with your contact information (email, address, and phone number)!

Oh, and because I am so happy with all of your suggestions, everyone who left comments in my birthday post must watch out for my Christmas/New Year giveaway! I'm doing a raffle amongst you, and 5 of you will get something special from me! ;)

You Know She's A Little Bit Generous

It's my birthday today and instead of receiving, I'm in the mood to give!

I love to read, and I especially love to collect fashion books. So as my "birthday gift", I'm giving one lucky reader, a book of your choice!



I love The Teen Vogue Handbook, just because fashion industry legends - designers, journalists, stylists, models and photographers share how they broke into the industry, while pointing out tips on how to succeed! They don't sugarcoat it too. They have no qualms explaining how they worked their way up or from nowhere. Very inspiring! They also divulge little stories and tidbits of info I have never read anywhere else. It's practically a road map for young people who want to know how they can get into fashion.

The Sartorialist is another favorite, and it needs no explanation. The easy access, old-fashioned way to get to the looks you love from the site, any time, any where.

So, how does this go? Simple! Be the 33rd (because I am now officially 33 !) reader to answer these questions:

1. How long have you been reading this blog?
2. What do you like about this blog?
3. What topics would you like to read more of here?

Entries should all be in the comments section. I will ship to anywhere in the world! (For readers based in the Philippines, I will ship through Johnny Air, just to make sure it gets to you!)

UPDATE: One entry per reader only. If you leave more than 1 comment, I will only count the first comment =)

Looking For A Happy Home

When I buy something, it's always because I really want it. But sometimes, as much as I love my purchases, they don't always get the love they deserve because I hardly get to wear them. I put up some of my things up on ebay, maybe some of you will be happy to give these a happy home?