BIRTHDAY MONTH

April is special to me because its my birthday month. I also share it with Vince who happens to be a very good friend. Strangely enough, I have the strongest affinity with Tauruses, same as my sign. My other good friend who is a Scorpio, is still in the Taurus quadrant. Don't know if theres any significance there but wala lang, just wanted to share. And when I was small, I always thought I was special (di pala. haha) because my birthstone was diamonds. Yaman ko lang sa horoscope ko diba?

Anyhoo, speaking of birthdays, I know there are people who would kill me if i forgot theirs, but when it comes to mine--I really don't care. Wait--panggap? I don't really mean that, more off, it's not a very big deal. I mean, I downplay it a lot. And I don't hold grudges if people forget. Because anyway, the most important ones in my life actually don't. Which is how the inverse proportion of friends work in relativity to age. The younger you are, the more friends you have. But the older you get, some or a lot fall away and it becomes an edited group of closely knit, like-minded philosophers and etchoseras. And I'm happy with that.

But, of course, birthdays are always special because its almost always fun. How often do you get a day where all your friends give you a free pass? hahaha. And, any excuse to party right?

Happy 18th birthday Bincht! Candle blowing at our pre-production meeting.

Double celebration because our beauty editor Cindy celebrated hers on March.

Too cute! Love the color story in this photo!!

Childrens party complete with icing names and sugar flowers! What made it adult was that both cakes were from Costa Brave. Yuuuuuumburger!! Straight to the thighs!!

And PHAK! change outfit for the night! Well, it wasn't really the same night but two nights after--but you get what I mean.. heeh. =) Drinking party at Vince's place. Arrived just as Cindy was leaving. Really like Cindys style, Preview girls rock! They're so chica!

Mother P.

With mads. (Liz)

2 Concepcions and a Gutierrez.

Bincht + Nino

Laureen

L-R: Nino, Vince, Eugene, AC, Epoy


HAPPY BEERDAY BINCHT AND GN!!! WUV YOU <3!

NEW ADD-ONS

Last Saturday. or was it Friday? Gah. I can't even remember, we decided to watch Rio 3D in Power Plant. (BTW, I like their 3D glasses better because when you put it on, the visual experience doesn't go a few shades darker. I always had that complain--that 3D movies tend to be gloomy. Now I know that the lens play a big part.) We've always watched movies in Greenbelt, but we relocated that time because Epoy was getting his reserved Cambridge two-toned batchel in Madison. Since the movie was still at 930pm and we were there already at 6, we decided to kill time by checking out the bazaar. Power Plant always has this kembot of having bazaars on the weekend at the tent, although I'd want to make uzi every weekend--since I'm always on the lookout for new labels/brands/products to feature anyway, I never have the time.

But that day we had freedom minutes. So off we went, pigging out on Costa Brava cakes while walking. The bazaars name was Coachella. Oddly disconcerting because Coachella for me will always be THE Coachella of L.A., it doesn't quite equate to any other association other than that. Sorry, =( Although I did get to see some nifty finds, Bijoux de Lou carried sooper cute accessories--

If theres a disturbance in the force, then it must be because of these Darth Vader and Storm Trooper rings.

Cutout watch anyone? It's for people who have 930 as a significant time in their life. Or you can use it as an excuse when you get pulled over for coding. "Boss, 930 na kaya."

And this Shark ring that AC found for me. Eeek, CUTE-teecle remover!

suitcase necklace

And a miniscule dictionary pendant--for those squinting dyslexic moments.

And it has a magnifying glass to match.


Rowr.

Eeeeek! Ang cute lang.

My menagerie.

And Epoy bought the Cat Skull piece from OS.

The too-cool OS brand carries accessories in Bone. You have the option to have yours with a bit of bloody muscle left in it. Charot! Heeh, of course not, its all synthetic polyurethane animal skull reproductions.

Heres their other products.






os-accessories.com
info@os-accessories.com
+632 916 209 5872


bijouxdelou.multiply.com
bijouxdelou.com
EMAIL: bijouxdelou@gmail.com

And don't forget to answer my challenge below! It closes at 12 noon on Sunday. =) TGIF!

THINKING OF A CHALLENGE

Yesterday, believe it or not was my only rare free day, and I spent it parked in my bed watching conspiracy theories and ancient alien assumptions. I'm a geek I know, but least i have my boyf and AC as conspirators since were all into the same stuff. Well, i did get to update ze blog which made me happy. I know, every day would be more preferrable but it's sometimes impossible. Anyway, I've been playing around with this thing in my head for a couple of weeks now but never really got to post it till now.

I wanted more interaction from you guys, and I would believe that not only are you fashion savvy, you'd have the smarts to match. And thinking of how much we love all those slum book moments, answering every question with deep thought, hah, i figured i could post one question a week. And for the person who has the best answer, i will go through your blog (it's linked in the I.D. that you comment with) and grab a photo of you and post it here with your answer. Although in hindsight, i think i will also post a style challenge. Hirap ba? Anyway, for those who sign in under "anonymous", you can still join if you put in the link of your blog or your facebook page in the comment box.

Well, this is still in infancy, not really sure if it will work. but I hope it does, will iron the kinks out along the way. Are you guys interested?

My first question of the week is:
WHAT WOULD YOU NEVER DO FOR FASHION?

My answer:
I would never buy fake designer/luxury goods. If i cant afford it, then I wouldn't even pretend that i could. My parents always taught me that i should live beneath my means. Hard. But so much wisdom there.

Go!! I'm so excited to hear what you guys have to say.

Off to work now, believe it or not, were doing our cover shoot today. Enjoy your weekend!

FASTEST FASHION

Yup, second Forever 21 in Manila and still the people can't get over the plethora of choices. Without a strategic plan of action, the amount of clothes in the selling area can be overwhelming. Key is, to know what you want and control yourself from distractions. Hah. Easier said than done. Ako pa, once i step in, i never really leave empty handed. Except maybe for this one, I was smart enough to break-in new 4 inch heels and discovered that not only was it bigger than last I tried it on, it was excruciating to walk on. Hobble, hobble. So yea, I just ended up standing in the middle--people watching. Never even got to the shoe area. Boooo.

But since I'm in Forever 21 megamall every week anyway pulling out for my pages, I think I'll explore F21 v2 next week in non-uncomfortable shoes. In other words, flats. *cringe* I feel like the Fashion Gods are going to strike me for that...

Anyway, wasn't even sure that I would be able to go to the opening. That Thursday had me packed with store pullouts for a shoot the next day. But I wanted to go because not only does Forever 21 have a wide range of off-the-runway looks, the brand has always been one of the easiest stores to pullout from. And in publication speak, thats heaven sent. Cuts the time of producing a fashion story in half. So wanted to show support and say Thank You to the F21 team: Jane, Au, Kat and AC, Congratulations!

And oh, before I forget, there is a difference between the two stores--if youre torn on which branch to invade. The Makati one doesn't carry the basic line, it's mostly fashion--with particular styles delivered only to that branch. Hope that helps. And as for the event, the opening was still packed, the hip chics still came out with bulging yellow plastic bags, and the lines to the cashier were still a mile long.

Heres the selling space from the middle. Told you I wasn't moving much. Heeh. Anchored myself to this corner of the fast fashion world.

To my left, the "I Love H81" area.

And when I was still pretending that I could walk, I saw Sidney in his green 15" Cambridge batchel. He was actually one of the first people I saw toting this bag--Fashion Week last year--when the Cambridge wasn't even here in the Philippines yet.

Maia channeling Prada.

And more stripes on Peewee. Can't believe this girl just gave birth. Payat agad? Hate.

The Yap sisters, Boop and Kim inspired by the fabulous 70s. I'm liking that slit sleeve ha...

Mond in his suit/varsity jacket hybrid.


Prada brogues.

Sooper loved this outfit on Pauline: nautical, meets tailoring meets 70s meets YSL. Lavveeeet.

The gorgeous Marina Benipayo in piled on necklaces + orange dot sticker. We all had it.

On Tina Daniacs, it was cleverly incorporated in the outfit. Haha.

And more layered neckpieces on Jae of stylebible.

Preview best-dressed 2010 Loida Lim. Best dressed talaga sya, and I'm proud to say that I spotted her in one event and got her in the list. She really deserves it.

Well, yes, the maxi is the skirt of choice for those in the know. Blogger Kookie Buhain toughens hers with some rock n' roll.

Spikes versus fringe.

Superstealthing, I spotted this too-cool top.

Front view.

And full. So happy that I found new subjects to snapparize! and this girl Danica, apparently designed what she was wearing. Maghintay ka girl, papagawa ako sa iyo soon!!

Blogger and Liz Uy's assistant Lissa in a more girly take.

Nicole of Sole Phenomena. Soule Phenomenon.

THE Jane Kingsu of Forever 21.

Designer/blogger/model/lookbook sensation Camille Co.

And her Brian Atwoods.

Ingrid of thebaghagdiaries and Daphne of Daphne's Diary.

Kate. Well, of Kate Torralba. Heeh.

And some eye candy.. Hideo. Is that his brother on the side? Erm, medyo distracting yung baon nyang pandesal.


And the lines!

On the other end.


Congratulations Forever 21!