Transition: Winter to Spring

A month from now, it will be officially spring. We are in the state when transition occurs like a thick knit plus a jacket are no longer necessarry. Layering clothes is still comfortable though using the lighter ones. Baring legs less of the opaque tights, cardigan, and adding colors are the most stylish moves you can do to survive the transition.

( skirt stela maris and cardigan fenix from jacutinga, basic white shirt f&h philippines, dumond shoes, accessories here )

 pleated skirt made of knit...heavy and hot paired with a pink cardigan and a nude wedge

 basic white shirt showing up again..hot season is here. reminds me that I need to purchase a new one. my non-negotiable need this summer

skipped combing hair..made a ponytail with the use of my bare hands..

you can never go wrong wearing turquoise and gold accessories come spring/summer

red lips, natural nail polish, gold and turquoise, black eyeliner and a swab of black eyeshadow

Knitwear Festival

Winter break is here! It was the last day of school yesterday, fourth day of winter and second to the last day of the Fest Malhas. Off we went to Jacutinga to buy sweater and watch the fashion show. The pavillion was jampacked with both locals and tourists who were drooling to grab quality but real cheap knitwear.

Ended up buying these items, a cream and gold crochet vest (Tricot Minas) and a skirt (Stela Maris). So where is my new sweater? Next month will head to Jacutinga again for another winter shopping. Off-season winter deals usually start after the festival. There are still few classic pieces that I want in my closet this season.

On my mind now is the ensemble I´ll be creating with these new buys.

Chunky Knit

Am wearing today my first knitwear ever. Bought two years ago in Jacutinga South of Minas Gerais. It was winter when I arrived in Brazil in 2009. I wasn´t ready with my outfit. Knitwear is something so unnecessary in the Philippines. My motherland is like summer the entire year. At R$ 80,00 this chunky knitwear is already the most expensive I´ve got. Already pricey considering I bought it in Jacutinga (home of thousands knitwear factory in Brazil). Though when it reaches the malls they sell this kind sweater for R$ 250,00 or so. 

Feliz Natal 2010

My 2nd Christmas in Brazil, away from my family in the Philippines. Nevertheless, it was another happy christmas. My mother in-law's family got complete. For the longest time they have not been together completely. Imagine six siblings, each one has their own life, living in different towns (luckily they all just reside in Brazil) and at their late 50s to late 60s - tough to generate a perfect attendance in any type of occassion. I felt their home when they were all living in one roof with  their parents. Thirty years from now, I would love to be with all my siblings sitting together on a christmas dinner. Also, the mass we went to was very solemn. 3 long hours of celebration as there was a baptism of a baby boy. Something new to me, a christmas mass with a baptism. Fortunately, we were all seated and the chapel wasn't that full. It made us wish to have a baptism like that on the same chapel for our future baby. Aunt Vilma is serving there so maybe one day we'll be able to realize our dream.

Typically, brazilian christmas is celebrated with a christmas dinner at midnight of 24th and an exchange gift called "amigo secreto" is always part  of the celebration. The dinner is graced by roasted turkey and special ham called "tender" - a type of pork meat savored with peaches, pineapple and clove. Since it's a dinner, rice, other types of meat, salad, pasta and dessert are also served. The "amigo secreto" is quite fan. The revelation of the secret is done by giving a description of the friend while everybody tries to guess it. Often you get to see the impression someone had about you.

everyone has to open the gift and show it

my amiga secreta was mom!

finally got a replacement for his super old wallet

i really appreciate this way exchanging gifts..it makes everybody laugh

No christmas carolling, no 9-day "simbang gabi" (dawn mass), no godchildren to hide from, less effort on christmas decors.  As compared to Philippine Christmas, the celebration here is shorter and simple. But the same thing, it is a celebration of Jesus' birth, a time for gift giving (not so much though), family  reunion and a season of sharing hearts to everyone and parties with different groups that one has -office, school, church etc.

all i want for christmas is you

 A lot of Filipinos were not home for this season but shouldn't we feel grateful to have had experienced a different culture?  May you have savoured the celebration no matter what country you're in. When you go back to our country, Filipino Christmas will still be the same - very long celebration, a lot of togetherness with family and friends, food to enjoy, gazillion of gifts to receive and give.

Wait, Christmas wouldn't be complete without a new dress (at least for me..hehehe). Thanks to Julia Tricot Jacutinga for my paisley draped dress. Cortume for my chain belts and Dumond for my shoes.

Blessed Christmas to everyone!!!

Ladylike Look

On the runways these days is 50's to 60's inspired look re full skirt which is one of the ladylike style. Another way to achieve the ladylike look is through those slim-silhouetted dresses, a way effortless than full skirt ensemble. On the third and last wedding invitation for this month, went out in ladylike look achieved by the silhouette dress described as follows:

a. a slim-silhouette dress - showing those enviable curves enhanced by the belt

b. below the knee length - a lady is refined / conservative

c. sky- high heels

d. bold red lipstick


Shop the Look:

dress - 2k php - vittorio SM ladies dep't (designer's section)- phils
shoes - dumond brazil
cardigan - 35 reais - jacutinga
belt - 45 reais - espaco limitado
red lipstick - bodyshop
earrings - pink bjoux

Guys, allow me to commend my husband for doing my curls. No he's defintely not a gay, but yes I got him to help me with my hair. Did my own make-up.

Ladylike look is one of those classic elegance that will never lost its place in fashion.

Shopping in Jacutinga

I had a meeting the whole morning yesterday in Jacutinga that finished at lunchtime. I needed to wait for my friend, Thaty until 5PM so we can go home together on a car pool. How do you kill time in such situation? The best way is to SHOP especially when you know people manning the stores. You´ve got to huggle for big discounts. Three pieces with 30-50% reduction on its original selling prices.. My fab finds yesterday.

1. Yellow regatta - Fenix Tricot - R$ 20,00
2. Mini cape - Julia Tricot - R$ 40,00
3. Black Paisley body hugging dress - Julia Tricot R$ 57,00

These clothes were actually manufactured in Jacutinga (home of brazilian knitwear). Majority of the produce are ditributed to both local and international market. Some carry the same brandname, some manufacture them for famous names in fashion industry. A heaven for shopaholics.

Will post in the coming days look creations for the above items.