Feed My Vanity

So far I’ve managed to avoid Forever 21 because I live in Makati and rarely go to SM Megamall. So imagine the tragedy that befell my wallet when Forever 21 opened a branch in SM Makati.

Here’s the “damage” when worn:

Dress and shoes from Forever 21. I cannot, for the life of me, understand my fondness for stripes, especially when it is fattening. To be fair with, the dress retails at P695. Not bad eh? Here are the shoes at close-up:

Need instant long legs (at least for a night out)? Then wear nude heels! It is strange that these shoes made the list of what not to buy in Forever 21. These are relatively comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I say relatively, because high heels, no matter what brand, is a double-edged sword. Meaning high-heels make you look good and make you feel good for a couple of hours at the most. But for four-inch plastic heels, it does its job well without breaking my bank account (retails at P1,455) or my feet more than it should.

Anyway, I only bring out these shoes if I have to go to an event or I need me some long legs for one reason or another.

A couple of weeks later I came back boyfriend in tow. Said boyfriend bought me a dress. Hehehe. Will tell you in another post because tomorrow is another day and work has been incredibly hectic. I’m trying to squeeze in some time to write for a couple of publications but work has been so demanding lately. At least I’m back to the blogging world!

Good underwear are like good friends, they give GREAT support. Thus, the arrival of this in my life is a dream come true:

Spanx! 'nuff said.

I saw an ad for Spanx stockings a few months ago and couldn’t get it out of my head. And aha! the universe listened and by chance I wounded up with a pair. Here’s a closer look:

Spanx, the tights of your life!

This is my first time to try Spanx, and I’m excited. It arrived just in time for a series of events that I’m attending to next week. I hope to own whatchamacallit-the-armorlike-Spanx- that-one-wears-underneath-slinky- dresses and bras in the future.

Features of the Spanx stockings include (as written at the back of the box):

1. soft comforable waistband won’t dig in

2. bodyshaping control offers slimming support

3. cotton gusset (crotch). wear as underwear (what? – Minay).

4. pattern designed for fashionable look

Okay, bottomline is, anything that disguises fat and lifts the butt is an instant girl’s best friend. Can’t wait to try this with a little black dress. Translation: What would I look like with slimmer thighs?

Will update you dear imaginary readers. ‘Til next time.

Spanx is available at Rustans. Patterned stockings are priced at P2,450.

FeedMyVanity. Yes. In this particular entry, I am asking you to feed my vanity by reading about ME!

I worked in the media for a long time as a lifestyle writer, covering topics from travel, sports, business, even PARENTHOOD (I don’t have kids, take note). I have so far avoided talking about my life in this blog, preferring to share my finds and travels instead. However, when I turned 26, I somehow felt something was lacking so I went corporate… and I LOVE IT. Sure I had my misgivings, but my life in the media enriched my current work, a Public Relations professional for a multinational hotel and lifestyle group.

Boredom is a very real fear for me, second only to mediocrity. Call it arrogance, but for me it is the simple need for variety. It’s the thrill of working in a highly-competitive, fast-paced environment where you need to be steps ahead of everybody, not to mention the constant excuse to dress up. Hahaha.

An example: tomorrow’s itinerary is composed of one photoshoot, one taping, a meeting with one of the largest networks in the country, and a magazine launch at night.

How’s that for a fast-paced lifestyle?

Having said that, I’ve since then learned the trick of getting all dressed up and made up when signs of getting burnt out creeps up on me. Projecting a certain amount of glamour day in and out is tiring, especially when funds are lacking. Hahaha!

Not exactly having been gifted with mile-long legs meant I have to take extra care to stand out when the occasion calls for it. It’s fun to dress up, but there are days when no outfit feels right or I’m PMS-ing and everything I wear makes me feel fat, signifying the need to go back to the basics.

So when the going gets tough, it’s time to go black.

Black apparel is the universal staple, saver, and canvass that will ensure that flaws are smoothened out to the best of its abilities. A pound or two vanishes practically without a trace. And accessories can be ostentatious or simple, and you can still WERK it. It’s the weapon that will make sure you get the work done.

I’ve only realized now how black makes everything better for women. The LBD, the black eyeshadow for instant cat-eyes, black stilettos (I very much believe black stilettos can bring a man down, literally and figuratively speaking), black lingerie… the list goes on.

So it’s only fair that this time men get their own weapon right? Specifically, the L’OREAL Men Expert Pure &Matte. It’s not surprising that only a cosmetics and beauty giant loved by women all over the world can come up with a weapon for men.

Aside from the L’Oreal Men Expert. L’Oreal has recently unveiled White Perfect for Women which I will share in my next post.

I read a lot. I can’t say my books consists of particularly “intelligent” content, or classics, but I like ‘em, because imagining is much cheaper than going to the movies. I move around a lot too, and has been blessed with the opportunities to travel once in a while, especially when I was working as a media girl full-time. I always have to have a book with me.

That said. iWant this:

The Easy Read available at Fully Booked

 I snapped the photo above (with my dingy yet trusty Nokia) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. I instantly fell in love with it, but put it back when I saw the price (P1,+++). It’s not a scandalous price, it’s just not in the budget. *sniff*.

Here’s a better picture from Easy Read’s website:

 I used to have an apartment and lived alone for around a year when I was in college, and then regularly traveled for assignments as a lifestyle writer (like I said before, there’s no money in writing, but it sure as hell can take you places!). That said, I traveled alone most of the time or had my own hotel room and would read while having dinner or sunbathing or while on the plane, bus, etc. And my books were always in danger of being splashed with coffee, dropped on with salsa, smeared with… food, to put it simply. I was always too busy keeping my eyes on the page while struggling with a sandwich. Hehe.

Okay, I’m justifying with myself why I should buy the Easy Read, b-b-but it’s ergonomic! Can attach to your monitor (I use a laptop all the time, hehehehe)! It’s sexy! Hahaha. It’s laziness with a purpose! How often can you put purpose and laziness in the same sentence?

 *sigh*