At bedtime:

Annika: Mom, can you tell me a story?

Mommy: Okay. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who said to her mom “Mommy can you tell me a story” and her mom said “Okay, Once upon a time…”

Annika: *Glaring* Mom, your story is freaking me out…

I’ve been asked more than once to dish out some advice on men’s fashion, and to be honest, I never got around to doing it because I’m intimidated by the task. It’s a particularly daunting project for me because I don’t really know if I can dress a normal guy with normal but stylish clothing. I’m more of the gregarious, don’t-care-if-I-look-like-a-clown-to-you, type of person who is normally unafraid of mixing polka-dots, stripes, and checks all in one outfit. I’m afraid of having the guy vehemently refuse to wear an outfit I put together because he thinks he will look like a clown.

I suppose this is just insecurity and fear of rejection on my part. However, since I’ve had a lot of time to think lately and I realized that I AM a little old to be second-guessing myself and having these type of insecurities, I am just going to dive right in and just grab this topic by the balls (sorry, couldn’t resist). After all, those who know me and still approached me to ask for some advice wouldn’t have done so if they didn’t trust my sense of style, right?

So before we get right on to picking out the clothes and putting things together, there are certain things you need to know:

ONE: No matter how expensive your clothes are, if you don’t look clean, you will look like you bought clothes from the sale rack of a dollar store. Conversely, if you are wearing clothes from the sale rack of a dollar store and you look clean and presentable, you will look like you stepped out of the pages of GQ or Vogue Men.

“Clean” doesn’t automatically mean having short hair, or being clean-shaven. It means that if you have long hair, you know how to tie it back when the occasion calls for it. Or, if you have a beard, you trim it regularly so you don’t look like a Hermit. This is very basic, yes, but I still notice quite a number of men who don’t pay particular attention to the rules of personal grooming. Here are the top three offenses:

a. Peek-a-boo nose hair. I think this is worse than a cliffhanger (booger) because you can see this everyday and yet you do nothing about it.

b. Dirty nails / toenails. Unless you have a very good excuse to have black gunk under your nails (like you’re an auto mechanic by profession), you should always keep your nails clean, for aesthetic and hygienic purposes.

c. Bad breath. Sometimes it’s a medical condition, sometimes, it’s just pure neglect. This is a major, major turn-off. Unless you work or are in a class with people who will love you unconditionally, always always make sure you don’t have bad breath. All of us have a tendency to have this, so it’s important to read up on its causes and ways on how to prevent it from ruining your social life.

TWO: Always wear your correct size. Not a size larger nor smaller. Women are guilty of wearing clothes that are a size (or two sizes) smaller while men tend to choose clothes that are two sizes larger. Ok, I admit wearing a roomy t-shirt is super comfortable. However, other people won’t be comfortable looking at you. So please, know your correct size and dress accordingly. Again, if you are wearing an expensive suit that’s a little too big for you, you will look sloppy and someone will probably think you bought your suit from a low-end department store. And girls, don’t you think men who have the right-size suit on look EXTREMELY HOT?

THREE: Do not shower with your perfume. We all love guys who smell nice, but please don’t force us to smell you even when you’re 5 cubicles away. This tells us you’ve got some bad odor you’re trying to hide.

FOUR: Always remember putting a little more effort into how you look does not automatically make you gay, vain, or effeminate. I know that not ALL guys believe this but to those who DO think that guys who are “trendy” are gay or have a tendency to be gay… sorry but I personally admire men who make an effort to look nice and clean. They are all the more desirable, actually. BUT (and it’s a big BUT), don’t ever care more about your hair or your shoes more than you do your girlfriend. heehee! Oh, and wearing pink won’t make you gay.

I think these four basic tips should be kept in mind while dressing for any occasion, ANY time. I could think of other tips but then those would probably serve MY preferences rather than majority of the general population.

For the succeeding parts I will be dishing out some ideas on casual wear for school and work, formal work attire, and formal attire. Since I’m not really an expert on this matter, I will be referencing a lot to other websites/magazines for tips. Don’t worry, though… I promised myself not to suggest clothing that will only work for male models… I’m keeping normal people in mind heehee! BUT please, do keep an open mind!

Next up: Casual wear!

Photos courtesy of:

blog.thisnext.com

thisgardenisillegal.com

therabreathwarning.com

neimanmarcus.com

Here’s Charo Ronquillo’s photo as requested!

Isn’t she lovely?

I was actually writing an entry on men’s fashion but I just had to stop and write about what has been on my mind since I read Steffi’s entry about English and writing.

I was a bit surprised that someone who is 10 times better than me at writing would write about not being very good at English. I mean, call me self-centered but I immediately thought “Okay… so I guess this makes me the world’s crappiest writer?” LOL. Then WHJ, wrote a lengthy reply about the basics of good writing, writing style and such, and then I realized, though I’m starting to love writing, I really don’t put much thought into making a good article/blog entry. I just write whatever pops into my head. I rarely even proof-read! I’ve got all the basics of bad writing down pat!

It’s kind of embarrassing because my two sisters are very good writers. My older sister was the Editor-in-Chief of our high school newspaper (and even got an award for excellence in leadership and journalism), while my younger sister is a contributing writer for a gaming magazine. My cousins are super writers too. One would assume that I have the writer gene in my body, but I really don’t.

In elementary, I remember getting whacked on the hand with a ruler by my Reading teacher because I didn’t do my homework. In high-school, I joined the school newspaper but never got around to making any articles. In college, I HATED writing papers even though I had to write at least one every month. That gene eluded me. It knew that it wouldn’t develop to its fullest potential in me. :p

I think the reason why I love writing now is because I don’t have to follow any rules. I don’t have to read my entry three times before I publish it. I don’t have to worry about other people putting red marks on it. I don’t see other people reading it. I don’t feel the judgements being passed. Plus, I can write about whatever I want. Most importantly, as I write entries and read other peoples’, I think I’m learning (albeit slowly) how to write, uhm, decently.

I’d like to think I’ll get better at this someday. However until that day comes, I would like to apologize to the readers who have read or are reading my blog… Sorry for all the wishy-washy and incoherent paragraphs. heehee! A BIG THANK YOU AND A HUG to the same lot, who have continued reading and commenting despite the incoherence.

Shout-out to Steffi, who wrote the article from which a flood of realizations came (and again, your English is really very good!), and WHJ and iheartbadtz for those comments in Steffi’s blog that helped me out a lot as well!

I read from a gossip blog earlier about a memo from Kitty Go (former editor-in-chief of a major local fashion magazine) saying that “the Phils has not produced anyone [model] of international caliber” since the 80’s.

I was inclined to agree, after all I can’t think of any Filipino model who has recently made waves in the international fashion scene. However, as I was browsing through my regular internet jaunts, I chanced upon this entry in Fabsugar featuring a very familiar face: Charo Ronquillo.

I heard about her a few times before when I read an article about her win in the Ford Supermodel of the World Search contest and again in an ANC (Local news network) interview. Until I read the Fabsugar article, I had no idea she was dubbed “the Asian Kate Moss”.

After reading Kitty Go’s note, I almost felt sad about the perceived sorry state that my country is in. It seemed like we’re not the talented lot that we think we are. With regard to fashion, it seems like the really good, “international caliber” talents we produce in that realm are few and far in between. For a fashion-lover, it’s a little bit depressing.

Reading about Charo Ronquillo, of course, cheered me up. Though I’m not all nationalistic (like superBONG is! :p), it feels good to, sort of, be somewhat associated with someone who is so successful at what he/she does. It makes me feel really good to be Filipino and that’s a LOT coming from someone who is itching to migrate to another country.

P.S.: Charo Ronquillo does look a lot like Kate Moss doesn’t she? I just hope she doesn’t fall into the drug addiction route like Kate Moss.

P.P.S: Another Filipino designer making international fashion waves right now is Lesley Mobo, who recently had a fashion show right here in Manila! *clap clap*

Whipped out my camera when Annika walked out of her room wearing make-up that she put on herself!

She really likes to have her photo taken and she will willingly do any pose you request her to do. Future Philippine’s.Next.Top.Model. (?)

Oh, and she put that little head band herself! I love all my nieces and nephews but Annika’s definitely my favorite

One thing I hate wearing during the summer are jeans. They’re just too heavy and too thick that I bet wearing jeans during the summer can actually be harmful to one’s health. So, I say stock up on shorts, skirts, and lots of dresses.

I’ve been on a dress craze since last December and I don’t think I will be giving them up anytime soon. So, for this summer, I’m looking to purchase MORE dresses in floral and tribal/ethnic prints or in solid punchy colors. Browsed through my usual “window-shopping” online sites and these caught my fancy:

Well, the Tibi dress isn’t floral nor ethnic but plaids and checks are generally attractive to me so I instantly liked this one by Tibi. I’m also loving the art PLUS ombre feel to the Graham and Spencer dress.

Need. To. Buy. Dress. Now.

My cousins told us this super funny story over dinner.

Setting: Bedtime

Annika: *restless, turning about, couldn’t sleep*

Daddy: *fast asleep, snoring*

Mommy: *slightly irritated* Annika, go to sleep! Everyone’s sleeping! Look at daddy, he’s snoring already!

Annika: *still couldn’t sleep, continues to turn*

Mommy: ANNIKA! Go to sleep! Look at daddy, he’s fast asleep and snoring!

Annika: THAT’S THE PROBLEM, MOM!

Everyone at the dinner table was laughing at this story when Kuya Conrad (Annika’s dad) asked Annika:

Daddy: You said I’m the problem, anak (child)?

Annika: *smiles*

Mommy: No she said your snoring is the problem!

Daddy: Ahh… *to Annika* Did you say I’m the problem??

Annika: Because you’re snoring, dad!! If you’re snoring, YOU’RE the problem!!

*LMAO*

Note: I’m curious as to what WHJ would tell Annika if he was Annika’s dad??

My grandmother, 2 of my aunts, and I went to 168 Mall last Wednesday.  One of my aunts bought a mouse trap.  It was a folded piece of cardboard with really sticky goo in the middle.  Anyway, I read the front part of the packaging and this is what I learned:

Romantic rat night life.  This charming dashing habit is many.  This on the way fortune upons the strange monster.  Miserably miserably and miserably! die.

This was printed on the front part as a sort of description about the product.  Did you understand it?

PS: Sorry, I was able to take a photo with my phone but I can’t seem to upload it into my computer