necklace by m(phosis
I bought the necklace above on sale. Original price was P760, and I bought it at 50% off. Incidentally, what’s the proper way to pronounce m(phosis?
A friend said it looks like stuff that dog collars are made out of, hehe.
Half of the Philippine blogosphere has probably already sang praises for Forever 21, except for me. I remember when it first opened, people, especially my gay friends, would tell me YOU SHOULD GO THERE, with a “you-better-go-there-or-else” glint in their eyes.
Well, I’m happy to report I don’t live near Ortigas and my wallet was spared for a few months, until recently when we had to meet up some friends in Megamall.
Oh me, oh my, oh if there was a heaven for people like me who can rarely afford Zara, let alone designer brands, FOREVER 21 it is! It is too easy to say I love Forever 21, but mostly I love the brand for not turning up their noses to wallets like mine.
I recently went on a business trip in London. It’s not as glamorous as it sounds mind you but I will tell you about it in my next post. After London I went straight to Hong Kong for a short vacation. Again, not as glam as it sounds, I was jetlagged and spent the first day sleeping through the day. Also, it was raining buckets which accounted zero pics of me there as I gratefully traversed flea markets in crocs, cut-off shorts, and tees.
Going back, I remember that I went to a couple of wholesale stores and bangketas in HK and saw similar accessories sold by Forever 21 and other high-end stores in the Philippines. Dangling leafy (which I noticed is a trend on its way out) earrings sold for HK$15 (roughly P105). Necklaces and rings that I’ve seen in Multiply stores for P500 to P1000 is only HK$10 (P70.00)! AS IN. Some of the accessories I saw were exact replicas of what I’ve seen in online stores so beware.
With that said, I love Forever 21 not just because the boyfriend said that I looked like a kid set loose in ToyLand when I saw their store, but also because at the back of my mind I know they’re not ripping me off. Here’s two of my purchases.
floral cuff bracelet (P558), silver necklace with rose pendant (248)
Yes, I was in a flowery mood at that time.
It’s just P806 combined! It ain’t cheap, but it’s not ridiculously expensive also.
For me that amount represents more than value for your money. It’s “I’m not ripping you off, I just need enough profit and enough to pay the rent, here ya go, Enjoy”. I’ve been in the habit of buying expensive accessories from time to time. In other stores, both would’ve cost twice, and even thrice as much ON SALE.
Til’ then, here’s a parting shot.
one of the many chica ladies in London
The fashion in London is amazing! Most people look like as if they just stepped off the runway (the towering height of the Brits helped a lot). My boss said “Maski mukhang janitor naka-LV” (Even people who look like janitors are wearing LV).
For a parting quote, here’s something to slap DOM’s with whenever they say “Age is just a number” while a gullible “Daisy” hangs on to their wrinkly arm.
“Age is just a number, but there’s still a difference.”
Amen to that! Cheers!
I’m a fan of chunky accessories, which means I also blow a chunk of my salary when I shop for accessories. Example below:
choker necklace from Accessorize
Have you ever wanted something so bad that you can’t afford that whenever you’re in the vicinity, you’d visit that object of retail idolatry? Well, that necklace was one of it. Unlike other stuff that quickly kills my appetite for acquisition due to the eye-popping price tags (Birkins come to mind), this one is actually within my purchasing power.
I bought this necklace a couple of months ago. I think the original price is P1,200. Then they had a sale which scaled the price to around P750. Not pain-free to buy it, but still it’s a pinch compared to P1,000. The stuff at Accesorize in Greenbelt 5 is fantastic! But then it’s freakin’ expensive. If you want accesories that you won’t likely see in 168, then drop by their store. However, be discerning also, because most of the stuff there are stuff you’d see abroad, but some you’ll see in other stores as well. But that only comprises a very small fraction of their merchandise.
Here’s a cocktail ring that goes for $3 in Canada (around Php140). Which means that similar stuff that we see in upscale accesories stores are actually pretty cheap. But then airfare ain’t cheap also.
cocktail ring
Talk about chunky, here’s a pair of chunky shoes I got on sale designed by Season 1 runner-up of Project Runway Philippines, Veejay Floresca.
chunky wedges by Veejay Floresca
It was originally P3,000 but because it was the last pair and there was a crack in one of the heels, they graciously gave it to me for P1,200. I love it, it’s comfortable and unique. I get compliments whenever I wear it. Plus, it makes me look tall.
Several tips though, always keep your outfits simple when wearing chunky shoes or accessories. For chunky wedges wear slim jeans or slacks, then a simple top and maybe some bangles or a long-strand necklace with a simple pendant. Chunky accesories really pop out when you wear simple tops. I always wear the choker necklace with a white polo or a simple dress.
Also, never ever let an accessory wear YOU. Sometimes this happens even to the most stunning freaks of nature (models), so if you feel like a human attached to a necklace, then best not to purchase the thing.
Anyway, have a lovely week ahead and remember that as much as you’d like to think that your boyfriend is a diamond in the rough, it’s up to you how much polishing you can take or if you even want to.
If you have noticed in my rare photos I post of myself, I usually wear a necklace with a wings pendant. It’s kind of my signature accessory. Here’s me with my friends wearing one of my angel wings necklace:
We make a pretty trio don't you agree? 
Here’s the necklace at close-up, it was bought in eBay around 2007 I think.
angel wings necklace (a little over P1000)
This one might look familiar to you, I bought it in Mango Singapore. It’s not angel wings though, it’s a Pegasus wing necklace.
Mango Pegasus Wing (SG$19)
And my latest addition to my Wings family!
Angel Wing earrings... from Quiapo!
This was given to me by my good friend Jill. She knew I had a fascination for angel wings, and believe it or not she bought the wings from Quiapo and then fitted it up with ear hooks (or whatever you call it) for me. I didn’t ask how much it is because that would be rude, but for my readers unfamiliar with Quiapo, it’s not a pretty place to be, but there are a lot of fashion hotspots there (just make sure to keep your wallets close to you).
Anyway, it’s Monday again tomorrow (ugh!), I bought a new jacket (bad! I know!), and a pair of shoes today but I’ll save that for another post. I have so many overdue posts! But I think I’ll have time to catch up on my blog posts next week. Til then, have a great week!
PARTING SHOT:
Angels in the workshop
I took this picture last year methinks. Me and my family went to Pampanga and stopped by a workshop where they make statues that you see in churches. I took a couple of pics in colored, and a couple in black and white. Here’s one of the shots I took in the latter.
