Coachella (California, USA), Summer Sonic (Japan), Laneway (Singapore), Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds (The UK), Bonnaroo (Tennessee), Soundwave (Australia). These are just some of the biggest well known music festivals from around the globe that makes me want to pack my bags, leave everything behind, and just go.

But at the same time it also makes me wonder: why can’t something like this happen in Manila? Given our annual local music festivals such as Pulp Summerslam, Oktoberfest, and Fete dela Musique, Manila’s music scene is no doubt ripe and ready to be taken to greater heights.

The Venue:

Alphaland Bay City, Aseana Avenue, Paranaque

Tickets:

Single purchase is Php1,545.00 via Ticketworld. You can also avail of group tickets here to get discounts! VIP Tables are also available.

Promo:

Win free tickets from ongoing contests! Visit the official site: http://manilamusicfestival.weebly.com/

 #GETWET!

Make sure you’re water proof and sun-ready for this awesome festival. See you all there!

 Follow the Manila Music Festival on Twitter and like them on Facebook for more updates.

How do you handle situations wherein you know you’re attracting selfish, greedy, ungrateful people? (See the sort of negativity I’m currently surrounded with? Sigh.)

Moving on.

Yes, colour! I’d like to wear something soft or bright and fun — sets me in a lighter mood.

Top Esprit
Cut-offs Greenhills
Bag Aldo

My current everyday bag is this sling I recently bought at Aldo Liquidation in Solenad. It only retailed for Php 700.00 and I thought it wasn’t a bad deal. And I was quite excited to introduce this particular blue shade into my personal style. Then again, I’ve been way too attracted to anything blue lately. Case in point, this Aldo clutch that has some blue on it and another clutch I have yet to share with you folks.

Anyway, this bag surprisingly can handle all my daily necessities and keeps my hands free to hold other things — perks of using a sling. I can also appreciate that I don’t need to worry about leaving it since I keep it slung at all times.

Colour and cut-offs made my day a bit better. I was a whole lot more productive — even managed to squeeze in a bit of reading and a few personal errands. How about you? How did you you spend your Easter Sunday?

I want to be near the water — salty, if possible. I want to get toasted again.

I want to breathe in the salty sea air while I listen to music and read a book. I want to write in leisure. I want to take photos. I don’t mind dusting off the sand from my camera at the end of the day. I want to see how my blue bikini will fare against the blue sea.

I just want to get out of the city for a while.

Retailed for Php 995.00 at Rustan’s, Alabang Town Center.

Next on the list is to literally pencil a more definite plan in on my calendar. Soon.

Otherwise, I might end up chopping my curls off.

How do you plan to spend your Summer?

Pink/Black Polygonal Platform Pumps

I’m not big on trends but I reckon yielding to some would do my personal style good. The allure of chunky platforms and colour blocks roused my imagination and, yes, made me smile. Hey, I can also say I’ve got another pair of pink shoes, or if you want to be technical about it, a third of a pair. Best thing about fashion and all things girl-y, it should make you feel great! Each buy will be worth it so long as you’re having fun wearing it (i.e. you don’t over-think it).

Heavy, but not too uncomfortable. I do think getting me those inner pads will solve the awkward fit of a half-size in the rounded up sizing that most shoes come in. I’ve only worn it once and, boy, I love the extra inches. 4.8 inches, FTW! LOL.

Chick Flick recommends: Wear it “with minimalist dresses, harem pants, plain shorts and architectural tailoring.”

This pair retailed for Php 1,430.00.

Wait ’til I show you the other thing I bought from Chick Flick. I’ll share it soon!

xo
Sasha

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm x Lipstick in Dolce Vita

I noticed that Dolce Vita is a good choice for an everyday lipstick. Once applied, it appears natural and with a great moisture balance. Not too sticky nor did it render my lips chapped or dry with continued use. Good sign.

NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita

One of the things I’ve been attached to lately, when it comes to makeup, is a lip gloss. I can’t seem to get rid of this new habit of applying lip gloss after the lippy. The other thing that I picked up (last year, to be exact) is using a lip liner but let’s save that story for another post.

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm

I’ve always been a fan of NARS’ friendliest shade to any skintone, Orgasm. It didn’t disappoint. It neutralised the already “safe” Dolce Vita shade and made the over-all lip makeup look soft. Exactly how I want my lip makeup to look. Natural, soft, and dewy.

So far, I’ve been wearing these lippies more often. I’m quite smitten, save for the occasional lippy transfer on my teeth (price you sometimes pay for dewy lip makeup). I can’t wait to try other NARS lippy shades in the future.

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm retailed for Php 1,350.00 and NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita retailed for Php 1,250.00.

How about you? What do you think of NARS lippies? What shades do you own? Any recos?

Here’s the verbatim Q&As for those of you who weren’t able to read it but still curious to know what it was all about. Perhaps you’d be able to find my answers useful, too. Esp if you’re wondering what to shop for this season.

BW: For women, what are ideal summer lounge wear items?

Short rompers, maxi and midi – skirts/dresses made of light-weight fabrics. Non-denim wide-leg pants. Dresses – drop waist, etc. (see accessories list) and a few other combinations from the upcoming trends for summer.

BW: For women, what are ideal summer party clothes?

Shimmer. From shiny, textured tops in classic black and silver or gold and tan combos coupled with short skirt or shorts (non-denim, of course) or cropped skinnies for in-city parties to street and rocker-inspired and boho ensembles for festivals and other outdoor events.

BW: For women, what are ideal outfits for beach or road trip vacations?

Shorts, cutoffs, shirts and anything boho-inspired looks. As long as the wearer puts emphasis on comfort, e.g. wears sandals, light-weight fabrics

BW: What are must-have fashion accessories for women this summer?

Statement cuffs. Statement earrings (i.e. dramatic, cascading earrings with decadent details and modern geometric shapes). Stacked varied elements, tassel, lace or leather necklaces.

BW: What are the upcoming fashion trends for women this summer season?
(patterns, colors, styles, etc.)

Monochromatic ensembles in earthy colours and neutrals for some, nude hues and pretty sherbet colours (or pastels) for others. Exotic Hawaiian prints or large scale botanical prints. Then there’s this growing appreciation for Emerald green and Indigo-blue. Woven accessories (bags and shoes). Sporty or Atheletic items incorporated to street wear or city-glam looks. Ankle straps in shoes. Floral appliques in dresses, tops and accessories. Envelop skirts (asymmetrical center slits), short or midis. Metal buckled belts. Drop waist dresses (think, 1920s style dresses). low-slung skinnies.
Gold eye shadow or liners. Burgundy Lips and candy-coloured nail lacquers. Of course, should be applied in moderation.

BW: How can people have a chic summer wardrobe even on a tight budget?

If you’re planning on buying something that’s trendy, go for ones that you know you can also wear off-season. You will save loads if you do. Think longevity than making a splash when it comes to planning and wearing outfits. Study style pegs and rummage through your own closet for items that are best candidates to play the part in the outfit. Shopping at Tiangges and even ukay-ukay can produce great fashion finds.

BW: What tips can you give for updating one’s wardrobe for this summer?

Trends rotate. It’s all a matter of taking care of previous items bought. You’ll realise that you’ll be able to wear something you bought a couple of years ago again. Master the art of mix and match plus careful layering. And a great pair of sunnies and carefully picked accessories will always help amp an outfit. And, yea, come up with outfit combos that make certain items/colours pop, e.g. simple denim shorts and white shirt combo worn with a pair of pink flats — will give you an updated look.

BW: What would you consider as classic summer wardrobe items?

Singlets, breezy tops, flip-flops, sandals, shorts/cutoffs, sunnies, summer dresses (including maxi-dresses), a carry-all tote or a handy sling bag.

Thanks, Gianna Villavicencio for taking the time to get in touch with me and for the feature. Your article was an interesting read.

And you, Style Manila readers, I hope you found value in my sharing this with you. Hope everyone’s having a fabulous Summer!

Cheers and don’t forget to put on SPF!

xo
Sasha

P.S. Note to self: I should update my About page somewhere since I’m no longer an “independent copywriter” #justsaying that’s, like, ages ago, last time I took on copywriting work, gah.

“What is the other duck? You know… It’s the other duck. The outcast, thee underdog, the other. The Ugly Duckling. Embrace that inner other and you will discover that at the right time, your ugly duckling will transform into the beautiful swan in time. Don’t force it. Don’t avoid it. Embrace it. Be proud of it. It’s who you are. Your essence. Don’t let anyone take it away. Ever.”

“Just watch the Dougie video.” We all have our stories to tell – and the best part of this is getting to share your story with people we meet randomly in life’s mini adventures and often, in the most bizarre times or beautiful places. The first five minutes upon meeting Cheryl I already knew that passing up on an afternoon surf sesh is going to be worth it. What I’m saying is, opportunities to spend time with people who are your kind of crazy and more – you just don’t make them wait.

With the creative concept of mixing art, music, and fashion, Cheryl Koo, founder and brainchild of The Other Duck Clothing, takes center stage as her team tours around the globe collaborating with brands like New Era, Spoons, etc.

SM: What’s the story behind the name of your clothing line? How did you go about forming your team?

It’s the Ugly Duckling Story. As adults, when you look back to the childhood stories you used to listen to, you find greater meaning in such a simple truth. I never understood this story for the message that it sent until my mid 20s! And when it dawned on me, I felt a powerful connection with it, thus led to the theme and basis for my company. THE OTHER DUCKLING’s the Other one: the outcast. The unwanted. The overlooked. The different.  But regardless of how we look, and where we were raised, we all have dreams. We all have aspirations and goals. If YOU yourself believe IN yourself, no matter what your surroundings and environment, you WILL transform into that Swan. Your inner beauty will surface and in the end, that’s what really matters. That you stand true to Who YOU Are. We all have that potential to become the swan in a group of ducks but if you don’t believe in yourself enough, how will you achieve that? Because even if you do become the swan, and you don’t believe it, you will not be able to unlock your inner most potential.

So this story really rang a bell. And with this message, it has become the foundation of my company. [[We have all been the ugly duckling at some point in our lives. We have all the potential to become the beautiful swan we all have inside of us. But over time and through experience, most people close off to the possibilities of life and opportunity. Our creative hub gets capped and we are forced to it in. as long as you believe in yourself, no one can tell you otherwise. You must be on a genuine quest to explore your own true potential without letting your environment and surroundings cloud your destiny. We are all unique human beings that should not be bounded by the strains of society and should strive to live outside of the box. Individuality defines us and makes us who we are. Stay focused on being the BEST YOU and you will become the swan you were always meant to be. Life is a journey. A process. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. All that really matters, is that you Do You!]]

Shoe Fetish: The Other Duck x Spoons

My team has been an ongoing process from the day it started. How fitting, since The Other Duck is all about process and journey. Currently, it is still growing and there is more to finesse. But it has always been with amazing people who really believe in the same things and who also have their dreams and aspirations. It started off with all dancers, because I wanted to form a team that represented amazing respected dancers who were also capable of other talents and skills.  But as the company grew, as my ideas grew, I’ve been transitioning out of dance and more into the fashion world. Everyday is a learning experience! But I can safely say that my team is at its best today and I have no doubt that it will only get better. We will only be stronger.

SM: How did you get into fashion design? Did you undergo formal schooling (what are your thoughts on this)?

Since I was a little girl, the 2 things I wanted to do was Act, and Design. I always drew little dolls in different outfits and I guess from then it was written in the stars. In undergrad I studied Graphic Design and Psychology. But once I was finished my BA, I went to study fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York City. I think schooling is great to aid with the development of mental skill but working in the field develops the physical skills so I think both are very equal in importance. I did a 2 year program in 1 year so things were extremely accelerated. If I could go back I’d take my time. Because then I’d be able to fully apply my learned skills and remember them!

SM: What were your influences to come up with your design creations?  How do you define your style?

I am extremely inspired by music, architecture, photography and nature. My style is uncategorized. It’s eclectic, chaotic, artistic, collaborative, and usually a fusion of a mix of things. But the main word I’d use is contradictory. I love mixing two juxtaposed concepts together. In everything I’ve done so far, contradiction has always been a recurring theme, whether its in the fabric, the concept, the structure, the silhouette.

SM: What are your everyday sources of fresh and unique ideas?

The world. Wherever you look, you will always find beauty in SOMETHING.

SM: What are some unforgettable highlights from your current SEA tour?

The people, The experience. Watch the videos that will be on our website:  =) Here are a couple for now: Thailand and Malaysia

SM: If you could work for or collaborate with another designer/artist/brand who would it be?

There are so many! Yohji Yamamoto, Commes Des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo, Victor and Rolfe, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith Brands I’d love to collab with: Adidas, Nike (for a special ed dunk or sb)- although it’d be pretty sick to come up with a high fashion line with them something totally different), Le Sportsac, SkullCandy, Diesel, Apple, Incase, Burton, Supra

SM: If you could choose any celebrity to rock your stuff, who would it be?

JESSIE J!!! Her message alone is what i love. we both stand for the same things. her simple yet classy British style is perfect in anything outfit I’ve designed.

2012

The Other Duck: Grey Line & Black Line

Me rockin' my Theodore pin with Cheryl. Can't wait to see you back here in MNL!

Have you ever really given it a second thought? I mean, do you know what makes a bag THE right bag for a girl’s night out? I have but I find that, though I would make sure that I have options perfect for any sort of night out, I would often end up using one of my favourites.

Right now, I’m smitten with my Julian Louie for Aldo clutch. I’ve been lugging around like crazy for the past couple of weeks — including the night that marked the start of my mini-holiday weekend at The Peninsula Manila (the entire weekend, actually), twas the bag I had opted to use.

The clutch is a bit casual for night outs (esp if you’re hitting the clubs) but since the weekend involved packing, I wanted to stick with just one main bag.

As for Style Manila contributing blogger Eena Acuña, her preference for that holiday weekend leaned towards a more compact but shimmery silver sling purse. It’s fab, festive and feminine. I appreciate the surprising contrast it had with her style choices for the weekend and how this bag choice made sense.

How about you? If you were to spend a weekend with your girls, what sort of bag will we see you lugging around? Do share! [To make thing interesting, here's a mini-giveaway -- if you create a collection on Pinspire, you'll get a chance at winning a lipstick from me by the end of the week! Just leave the URL of your bag-inspired collection/board in a comment below.]

P.S. I’ll try to work on publishing the next installment soon.

I can’t seem to stress enough how much I appreciate guys who can carry the simplest clothes in an elegant but still laid back way. I have never seen anyone wear this kind of Pumas before nor is this the easiest style to carry. Then I realized that every time I bump into Russ, there was always something about his shoes that made sense, like, he was really meant to wear them. Balancing between blues and greys, at the end of the day, its all about the cut and color that makes the outfit. Let this guy show you how it’s done.

Shirt Rebel Gear

Jeans Topman

Shoes Puma

Watch Fossil

Russ Davis. Web Content Writer at Splintr.com.  Radio DJ at JAM 88.3 FM (Blood Type A) every Sat 6-9PM.

Herschel Philippines just concluded their Valentine promo wherein they were giving away a cool Settlement backpack in Red (20 Liter) to the best photo that somehow captures the essence of the brand and, of course, best illustrates a creative outdoor Valentine’s date. I can’t wait to see who got lucky enough to own that cool bag.

Wishing I could join the contest, I had immediately toyed with a photo concept soon after friends from Herschel mentioned their plans last month. I knew it’d be a fun little photo/blog project that will inspire me to write and share. One, I wanted to try and capture my ideal outdoorsy Valentine date. Two, it’d be fun to explore the elements that will play an important part in my visual story telling. And, three, I’d get to do all of it with friends.

Dress Valleygirl
Jacket Esprit
Kicks Converse
Bag Herschel (Little America)
Rings Sportsgirl, People are People, Lovisa, Flea Market
Necklace Lee Hwa Jewelry
Watch Kenneth Cole

Fell in love with one of the Herschel bag designs, Little America. The brand draws inspiration from vintage mountaineering, American heritage, world travel and fashion. The brand (their bags and accessories) does offer a good option that caters to individuals who go for the vintage-inspired casual fashion. I have to admit, my style preference of late leans toward this concept (huge on leather, et.al.). Herschel states that their bags and accessories grasp the idea of the unconventional taste that goes along with the unique personality. Classic and charming, the details suit those who prefer that the items they own, wear, or use will still give them enough room to express themselves, hence, injecting a Herschel piece into one’s personal style will never limit nor direct the individual into a particular style that’s not their own.

Little America retails roughly around Php 4,000.00 (will update when the SRP has been verified) UPDATE: “SRP of Little America is P5,490 for the 23 liter and P4,990 for the 13 liter.” The one I have in the photo is the Little America 13-liter canvas which is double the SRP of the standard 13-liter (so I’m told!). You can also check out other available styles on the Herschel Philippines Facebook Page.

Herschel is known best for backpacks but the brand also has messengers, totes, duffel bags, wallets, and gadget sleeves.

Herschel stockists: Bratpack stores in Greenbelt 5, Gateway, SM the Block, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Abreeza in Davao City.

Thanks, Penny for manning my camera, MrSixty, and working with my photo concept for this post. Cheers!