For the lovable duchess

I'm a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge! And since 2011 is almost over, I'd like to share you my favorite looks of the lovable duchess since the royal wedding, in no particular order. :)

We all gasped with delight upon seeing Catherine Middleton's  Alexander McQueen gown.  I believed, some brides even patterned their gowns or even asked a replica of this. (sorry, I can't remember the source of this photo)

This look is particularly refreshing since the duchess opted for a sleek, updo hairstyle. 

I love the maple leaf headdress!

Besides her smile, hair and shapely legs, I also adore her  tiny waist. Look at that! She's absolutely gorgeous in this Jenny Packham gown. I read somewhere this gown is around $3200.

Again, I love the headdress and the military inspired outfit. It matched her husband's.

She looks so dainty and carefree in this outfit. All photos except the first and last were from Red Carpet Fashion.

Lilac gown by Alexander McQueen..There you go.  :)

Earth Angel

Detachable Collar

Another outfit post before the year ends. I wore this last night in our mini Christmas party with my colleagues. I'm wearing heels here, but I changed to flats. I always wear flats when I commute. 

The star in this outfit is the detachable Peter Pan collar. Don't you just love Peter Pan collars? My college uniform has this kind of collar, so there's no way other people would peep at us. We're safely covered. 

Nope, this was not the outfit. I'd just like to show you how the top originally looks like. 

This was the outfit, with the detachable collar. :) For some reason, my face always look sunog on photos. 

dress, worn as top: Pink Manila, skirt: thrifted, shoes: Jelly Bean,  collar: Trunk Show

closer look

I got the black and the beige embellished collars. I love them! :)

Earth Angel

I'm ready for rain!

I received my package from Ready for Rain when we got home after the party/pageant. It's a gift from Bryan! By the way, Bry's back in the U.S now. :'(

I decided many months ago that I should own a pair so my shoes will be saved. Our weather is so unpredictable now. One minute it's scorching hot, then moments later, it's pouring. I threw many pairs of shoes already because they soaked from the rain.huhuhu

So far, Ready for Rain is the only local brand I know that sells stylish rain boots. Their latest collection caught my attention (maybe because of the bows and plain colors). The Loeffler Randall rain boots are nice too, but my priority now is to protect my feet and shoes, so my new rain booties are perfect. 

Tadaah! I chose Baby Doll. For details, click here.

This is how they look like when worn. So cute, they don't look like rain booties at all. 

The booties come in a carry tote too, so bringing them everywhere will not be a problem. Well then, I'm ready for rain! But every time I attempt to wear these babies, the rain would stop.hahaha

Earth Angel

Pageant kuno

Here's a little secret I want to share. Many months ago, I started writing all my goals in a 5-page intermediate paper (aka long pad). Every morning upon waking up, I recite my morning offerings then read my goals. Most of my goals are achievable (e.g: my wedding was featured in a magazine and I finished my master's degree this year and a lot more), but some are, err, out of this world. One of those out of this world goals is "I will win a pageant." Here's the catch. I was thinking that maybe when my husband and I get pregnant, our daughter will be a future beauty queen, or if it's a boy, then maybe he could follow his dad's footsteps. As crazy as that. Who would have thought I will personally join a pageant? Just to give you a background. The pageant started last year at the university. Each college/faculty will have 2 representatives (male and female). I was bullied this year, so you know where this story leads. It was not a major, major, pageant, but still, I have to face a huge crowd. Facing a crowd is my greatest fear, much more when asked an impromptu question. 95% of me wanted to say "NO, not in my wildest dreams will I join this.", but 5% of me says "Yes, join so you will conquer your fear." And so the 5% won. This year's theme was Filipiniana, and the titlists will be named Lakan at Lakambini. By the way, this was announced just two weeks ago. On the first week after the announcement, my partner, Eriq and I scouted for Filipiniana clothes. We opted for an ethnic, Muslim-inspired costumes. We even went to Camp Suki, but to no avail. I already have something in mind, so I immediately messaged Roy Anne Lee of Fabrichild. This lady has always been heaven's sent! I sent her my pegs and asked if she could make it in 3 days. She finished the costume before the required time and immediately shipped it at home. My partner, however, spent his weekend at the mall and was able to find one. 

My belly was bare during the pictorial, but on the day itself, I wore a leotard. My Sathura hair extensions were once again used.  

I was doomed the day before the event, although it helped that my husband is here for a 2-week vacation. I literally had bad dreams of making a fool out of myself in front of all the professors and priests and students and even St. Thomas Aquinas. I thought, after this event, only my real friends will stay. I wasn't able to eat on the day because I thought I'm going to puke on the stage. Really, there are not enough words for a pessimist! I was attracting all the bad vibes and it reflected on my face. I hated it.

But few hours before the event (it was only yesterday, by the way), my husband and sister stayed with me and my partner, Eriq. They were armed with cameras, shooting every angle of us while encouraging me to shoo away all the pessimism. My colleagues were very supportive too. And I prayed, prayed and prayed. 

practice muna kunware

Mandatory photo-op at the staircase of UST's Main Building.

My Dennis Trillo-Christian Bautista look-alike partner, Eriq. His  tattooed  face was done with an eye-liner by our own student.

There were 13 pairs of candidates. We introduced ourselves, then the judges picked 5 pairs. My partner and I were candidates #2. 2 seemed to be a sweet song in my ears last night. My partner was called for the Lakans. Then I was called too. Cool! haha..We were already very happy. Since it was a Filipiniana themed contest, we used our own language. I couldn't even remember my answer, seriously. Well, I remember the thought, but I couldn't put the words together anymore. But I was satisfied. I didn't stutter. I was surprised! My partner bagged 1st runner-up for the Lakans. But without any bias, he's the winner for me. For the Lakambinis, lo and behold, I won! I still couldn't believe it. hahaha...And that night, I believed God used my tongue. He is very clever. 

So oily the fez! Congrats to us!  

As for my husband, he's proud as a peacock. 

I will win a pageant. Checked. Keep on dreaming, guys. Nothing is impossible when you believe. Thank you, Lord for another unexpected, sweet blessing. I conquered my fear! :)

Earth Angel

Bryan's here...

In a few hours! Surprise! Just a brief fyi: My husband only goes home once a year, 3 weeks at the most. When he does, we plan it carefully so we'll have all the days together (e.g: before summer classes starts, or after). He had his blissful vacation last April, during my graduation. But few days ago, his 86 year-old grandaunt died, so they have to go home (including mama and his 2 other siblings). It's bittersweet, really. I cannot hide the fact that I am very happy because I'll see him again and we'll be together for 2 weeks, but the main reason why he has to go home makes me sad. This morning, I prearranged my schedule so someone could relieve my RLE group. My friends volunteered to take over my students for the next six days. I am that blessed! Thank you, friends! I am leaving work for days, but I cannot help but worry because I'm passing my responsibilities to other people. It upsets me. But then again, this is only for a few days. I need this break, because the next time I'm going to see my husband (gasps!) will be a year from now, or more. It makes me even sadder. I have a lot of "if only's" in my head, like if only we're millionaires, we won't have to work to be separated most of the time etc etc. But since I mentioned this, I will make that "if only" real. For now, I am happy. I will see Bryan in a few hours, so I am wide awake now, cleaning our room because my very special guest is coming. 

Earth Angel