Fashion Confusion

It still feels weird that I am not wearing boots and leggings in December. Nakakapanibago.

December 2, 2017

This is my first winter here in Metro Vancouver (Nathan and I went home in Pinas last year, from November 6 to April 13) so I am kinda confused on what to wear here. In Edmonton, automatic winter boots at jacket na yan pagdating ng November. Dito pala pwede pang mag-tsinelas at light sweater.

November 27, 2017

The lowest temperature I've experienced here so far is just 2 degrees Celsius. Pero kadalasan ay between 6 to 11. Usually ang 2 degrees ay pang-madaling araw lang.

I realized that I don't have many outfits for the kind of winter here. Again, most of my winter clothes are "heavy-duty." Makakapal talaga. Ayaw ko naman gaanong bumili ngayon because we are going for a 3-month vacay again in Pinas come January 9, kaya spring na pagbalik namin.

I am trying to make do of what I have in the past. Thankfully, medyo nabawasan na talaga ako ng weight kaya kumakasya na uli ang mga pang-spring/fall clothes ko noon. But I really have to invest more on closed-casual shoes / sneakers / rubber shoes kasi mas ganyan ang kailangan ko dito.

Marsala: 2015 Color of the Year

After a long wait, Pantone finally revealed yesterday the "color of the year" for 2015.

MARSALA, according to Pantone's website, is "a naturally robust and earthy wine red." It "enriches our minds, body, and souls."

Photo taken from the internet. Credits to the owner.

I am the type of person who is excited to know what the "official" color of the new year will be. I am no fashionista nor interior design afficionado but it really interests me. I am truly fascinated on how the color is chosen eh.

Anyway, 2015 is fast-approaching and I've always dreamt of dressing up in the so-called color of the year on new year's eve. Now that I have a house and little family of my own, my plan was to buy a terno outfit for the three of us in this color so we can wear them on December 31. It's a "new" family tradition that I want to implement sana.

But the challenge is finding those outfits. And I am not even sure if the color will suit my ebony-colored hubby (lol!). I am not sure too if there are many baby clothes in this hue.

Photo taken from the internet. Credits to the owner.

Oh well, given my post-CS condition, I know that may not have the time anymore to shop before this year ends. But I am really hoping I can find a Marsala-colored top for myself at least. Para may reckoning ng taon. Plus I think I will look good in this color. Now for my boys, bahala na kung ano ang outfit nila haha!

H&M in Pinas

Another reason why I "regret" (not in a deep sense ha lol!) leaving the Philippines -- may H&M na rin doon!

Photo taken from the internet (credits to the owner)

I love H&M. Ang tagal kong pinangarap na sana magkaroon na nito sa Pinas. I was happy when Forever 21 opened, but I would have been happier kung naabutan ko ang H&M. Mas type ko kasi ang mga damit dito. Mas bagay sa edad at style ko.

Before I immigrated here in Edmonton, I already knew for a fact na hindi masyadong maraming "brands" ang nandito. Nagbakasyon na kasi ako dito noong 2012 for six weeks kaya na-scout ko na lahat ng malls and outlet stores. But I was happy kasi nga may H&M.

When I left Manila last year, I felt sad leaving some of my favorite stores behind -- Uniqlo, Mango, Muji, etc. I consoled myself though, convincing na at least meron ngang H&M sa Edmonton. Pero hala, ngayon na meron na rin sila, ano pa ang "advantage" ng current city ko? Kahit nga Old Navy meron na rin sa Pinas eh! For sure next na ang IKEA? Ano pa bang meron dito na wala sila? Dollars lang siguro haha.

There are more shops and restaurants in Pinas than Edmonton. It's really more fun in the Philippines, OBJECTIVELY speaking.

I am so excited to go "home" (Philippines will always be my home). Feeling ko mas makakapag-shopping pa ako doon kesa dito kaloka!

Post-pregnancy fashion sense change?

This is the first pair of footwear that I bought since I've gotten pregnant. It really isn't my style but now that it's getting colder, I need warm shoes that won't require wearing socks. Unfortunately, I can't bend anymore due to my bulging tummy.

I wonder how my fashion sense will change after giving birth. Or will I still have time to dress up? I haven't gained much weight in this pregnancy (because I have gestational diabetes and on controlled diet) so I am hoping that I could still fit in my old clothes later on. Gosh, I miss wearing maong pants!

I want to be a well-dressed momma. I still want to look good even if in the next coming years my destiny is to become a stay-at-home wife and mother. I was never a fashionista but I take pride in being a decent dresser. Hope it remains that way.

Forever 21 in Edmonton

Would you believe that there's only one Forever 21 store here in Edmonton? It's located near the ice skating rink of West Edmonton Mall.

I am not really a Forever 21 gal (I feel that I am too old for most of the stuff their selling) but every now and then, I would visit this store to look for some cheap (mostly 'on sale') clothing and accessories. Going there reminds me of home (i.e. the Philippines) because Forever 21 was my first stop whenever I would go to SM North EDSA. Aside from having financial 'autonomy,' I used to have a lot of gift certificates back then because of credit card promos.

I was feeling blue a few weeks ago and I wanted to buy something to appease myself. After my OB check-up, I went straight to Forever 21 only to find out that it's closed for renovation. I felt really bad because it's one of the few shops in WEM where I can really get a small something that will satisfy my itch to buy.

I searched for other Forever 21 branches and that's when I learned that there is indeed only one of this store in Edmonton. How could that be possible, I asked myself. Sa Pilipinas nga ang dami ng branches eh. I became thankful tuloy that we live in the west end, Forever 21 is accessible to me anytime.

The good thing though is that they put up a temporary store near one of the food courts. I entered but of course, the experience was not the same. It lacked 'glamour,' lol.

I wonder when will the renovation be over (they didn't specify the date of re-opening eh). I hope soon. I am excited about the changes they will make. I hope they'll include a plus size section because I don't know what my size will be after giving birth.

Bought another cardigan. 

Confessions of a non-glamorous pregnant woman

I made this my profile picture in Facebook yesterday and I received a lot of compliments from family and friends. I am a pretty buntis daw, blooming, fresh, etc. etc.

Top: Forever21

Cardigan: Forever21

Leggings: Uniqlo

Sandals: Grendha

Bag: Longchamp

Watch: Fossil

Bracelets: Old Navy

But you see, I have a confession to make (thank goodness none of my FB contacts reads this blog!). I don't usually look this "nice" nowadays.

The truth of the matter is:

• I am so tamad "pumorma" because of this pregnancy. Heck, I am even so lazy to take a bath (but I still do once a day haha! sorry too much info!)!
• I don't buy maternity clothes because I am just at home 95% of the time. I make do with what I already have in my closet. 
• At home, I look like a witch in pajamas and hubby's t-shirts. I seldom comb my hair.
• When there is no "audience," I would just go out in jogging pants and again, in hubby's t-shirts.
• I don't even care for my skin nowadays - no lotion, no other regimen. I am thankful though that I don't have that much pimple breakouts.

In the picture above, I just exerted extra efforts in my looks because there's an occasion and I want to have a good picture of my pregnant self for Baby Chicklet to see someday. But yeah, I have to admit that dressing up made me feel good. I've been confined in the house for the past six months and it kinda lowered my self-esteem. I felt envious of those people in the mall who look very cool in their summer outfits.

I will be a mom in a few weeks and I don't know what will my body be like after giving birth. I also am not sure if I'll still have the energy to dress up. But I'll try. I don't want to lose myself in this transition to motherhood. I want to look and feel good for my husband and son. Goodluck to me!


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NOTE: I am planning to do an OOTD segment here in my blog to force myself into dressing up haha!

Ring for Bing-Bing

I love putting on simple silver/white gold accessories but I realized that during winter time, they won't be sulit because of all the layering (of clothes) that you have to go through in order to survive the cold. In fact, I bought a Pandora bracelet three weeks ago and I've never worn it until now. Hindi nga kasi makikita haha!

But then last (Black) Friday, I saw some nice rings from Old Navy at 50% off. And they carry my ring size which is XL! Yep yep, I have uber fat fingers and I had difficulty buying fancy rings in the Philippines.

I instantly tried on many many rings and ended up buying four. This is one of them. Nice noh?

Hmmm, I think I'm into a new addiction. Although I would have to put gloves every now and then, at least makikita ko pa rin hehe.

Hoping for more rings for me in the coming days! Hurrray!

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* Bing-Bing is one of my childhood nicknames