Style and Soul

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered many views and feedback and I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this has inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

For another Commuting in Style segment, I'll take a break from the usual how-to format and show you the "application" of the things that I've talked about in my past blog entries. But before everything else, here's what I was caught wearing: sheer tunic with floral bodycon dress worn underneath, F-STOP boots and my everyday bag.

Just in case you haven't notice, I've been using the same Accessorize gray messenger bag for so many outfits already. So many that I lost count on how often I've used it. For budget and fashionista commuters like me (raise your hand), conscious spending and practicality is our lifestyle. Never be ashamed to keep on repeating and repeating and repeating. It doesn't make you less of a person and not even close to being less fashionable if you do.

To those who can afford having too many bags, that they can change everyday for about a month (or more), this is a totally different story. Sometimes I even find it funny when other people tell you it's "okay" to repeat clothes only to find out they've only worn a certain item twice, thrice or a few counts more. Regular people repeat outfits for as long as they like.

To refresh your memories, here are my previous tips:
1. Safety always comes FIRST.
2. Never forget your flats.
3. Don't get your bling on yet.
4. Save your stylish self for later.

To read more details about each tip, make sure you check my entry, Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety (click on the link). And for you to see how I actually look while I commute... tadah!

The change is really subtle but little details like these make commuting safer without totally compromising your sense of style.

Above is a before-and-after photo to give you an idea. And oh, one last tip: find a really stylish bag that'll fit your heels. I'm carrying a studded one so it's really not that obvious. I know, bringing another bag seems too much of a hassle but who ever said things are way too easy? It's not. It never is. If you want to be a fashionista, well, magtiis-ganda ka, haha!

P.S. I haven't chosen a giveaway winner yet. I'm still finding the time to collate all entries. Hope you can still wait! Thanks guys! :) 

Primadonna, a local lifestyle footwear brand, has now caught up with the country's fierce and fast-paced fashion industry and market. The brand recently launched its 2011 holiday collection along with the introduction of its newest Filipina celebrity endorser, the "Diyosa" (goddess) Anne Curtis. 

A few weeks ago, I attended the Primadonna launch party which marked the brand's bold transformation in pursuing a stronger vision in footwear fashion. The change is pretty evident. Not only did the brand invest on one of the most sought-after actresses in the country today, it also released a fresh array of trendier and more stylish shoe designs.  

With its new brand philosophy "A Different Shoe for a Different You", Primadonna aims to cater to a very wide range of fashionistas. Unlike in 2007 wherein the brand's styles would bore you with just one note of mostly leather goods, Primadonna has now successfully re-branded itself to present us a lot of options for our evolving and everyday-changing style. 

During the event, a mini fashion show was conducted showcasing the four main categories of style that speak of the brand's type of girl. There's the Lady Rebel, Classy and Sassy, Wanderlust Chic and the Lady Dapper. For each style, Primadonna asked three fashion bloggers to dress the models according to their own personal aesthetic.

Lady Rebel is edgy, tough and fearlessly innovative. This modern, a bit ragged and uncomplicated style favors black, bold prints and hardware accessories plus showstopper heels.

Styled by Kookie Buhain, Tin Iglesias and Sarah Tirona

Styled by Ava Te, Vern Enciso and Cheyser Pedragosa

Wanderlust Chic screams glamorous all over. It is that sexy and confident style that dares to mix all colors, trends, prints and cuts. It's WOW factor? Usually sequins, sexy heels and a fierce make-up!

Styled by Lissa Kahayon, Nina Estacio and Joanna Ladrido

Lady Dapper is nice mix of androgynous, preppy and casual style. Simple yet comfortable, it is never boring because it can go quirky and playful with the use of solid colors and tailored items or menswear inspired apparels.

Styled by: Aisa Ipac, Lloyda Lim and Bestie Konisis

After the fashion show, Primadonna finally made the big announcement and revealed Anne Curtis as its new product endorser. Anne shared that Primadonna is perfect for her style and mood swings and couldn't be any happier for the faith the brand has entrusted on her.

After Anne's runway walk, she joined the event's main host, Divine Lee, and both of them continued on with the program. 

They walked the audience through the brand's latest shoe designs and new social media accounts. Primadonna now has a website, a facebook page and a twitter account in order to solidify its presence as every fashionista's staple footwear brand.

I'm really glad that the brand has been able to step it up and provide the needs of the stylish young individuals of this generation. Being one of the sponsors of Bloggers United (Part 2), I had the opportunity to personally meet Ms. Denise Reyes-Ang (Managing Director) and our team (spearheaded by Aisa) helped them in pooling the bloggers to style for the event's fashion show. Even though it was a quick experience, I've really seen how hardworking the people behind this brand are and I salute them for a successful brand reinvention.

 

I really adore its latest collection and I look forward to more awesome shoe designs in the future! How about you? What's your shoe personality? Check out the nearest Primadonna branch (they have 42 branches btw) to your place and I'm sure they have something that will truly match your style!

After all the opportunities that came my way since I've become a blogger, there's one thing that I ask myself, "Now what?"

I've been blogging for only more than a year now and as young as I am in my experience as a blogger, I've wanted to seek various channels in which I can do something to pay it forward as my way to give thanks for all blessings blogging has given me.

The best thing that I can do for now is share and I'm more than happy when LOVE DIVA Philippines has given me that chance when it decided to partner with Bloggers United for its first-ever store opening here in the country.

LOVE DIVA is an accessory line from Australia that targets the younger market (teens and young adults), the new generation of upcoming high-fashion stylephiles. The brand sells a wide range of trendy trinkets like rings, bracelets, statement necklaces, earrings, hair pieces and a special care line for cleaning/maintaining your accessories.

Share the Experience

Last November 7, 2011, LOVE DIVA opened its first branch in Alabang Town Center. Instead of inviting the usual set of bloggers, DIVA and Bloggers United welcomed new bloggers and readers alike to the store launch. 15 bloggers, who have been blogging for a year and above were chosen by the management and each blogger got to bring two (2) of her readers / followers!

For most of the participants, it was only their first event while a couple of them find it as their second or third. I remember when I was starting out, I never expected to be ever involved in any event at all. And now, to be one of the organizers? Surprising talaga. If not for the series of events that I've been to, I wouldn't gain a network of contacts that have lead me to some of the projects that I have now.

Hopefully, this event is a start for these aspiring bloggers who wanted to experience more of the many opportunities social media has in store for them.

Share the Knowledge

We also had a quick series of blogging workshops for the guests. Style icon Kookie Buhain gave a few tips, but she'd like to call it insights based on her years of experience as a blogger. I'm a fan girl of Kookie since my blog's conception and it's nice to hear and learn from one of my blog idols. :)

I hosted the event myself (hire me for your holiday events! haha) but aside from that, I also gave a short talk about the alternative ways of making money through blogs. With a high rate of unemployment in our country, it's a good idea to keep a lot of options open for these bloggers and one of these is becoming a digital entrepreneur.

The last leg of the workshop was a Styling 101 by freelance stylists Tracy Ayson and young designer Tin Iglesias. They gave basic but very practical and applicable tips for everyday fashion.

Share the Fun

The bloggers served as "big sisters" for a day. I love that the event encouraged camaraderie and at the same time a sense of mentoring among the bloggers and the readers. Our little sisters also got to style us big sister bloggers using LOVE DIVA accessories. Then we headed to Cyma for a scrumptious Greek dinner!

All of us were treated to a P1,000 worth of accessories (of our choice) from LOVE DIVA plus a "Certified Diva" certificate as our remembrance. It was one of the events that we really, really loved because the experience was very personal for each one. I feel so happy after hearing a lot of heartwarming comments from our guests and friends about how much they enjoyed. The event was truly a success!

I just hope I would get to be a part of more events like this. And whenever I get the chance to share and keep on paying it forward, I'll keep on going. Thank you LOVE DIVA for this experience. :)

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