Bloggers Do Black + White Stripes Better

When I first heard of the Bloggers Do Black + White Stripes Better challenge, I immediately felt disqualified to join. I have this red + white stripes dress I can't wait to bring to the beach this summer and a pale pink + grey striped shirt I was wearing when I read the news and I'm daydreaming of this striped dress, but I have no black + white stripes! It was a sad realization as I patiently waited for the follow-up challenge after this.

When I went home to my parents' place last weekend, I was delighted to see a mountain of hand-me-downs in my closet. Either that or Mama needed a bigger space for her clothes. To my surprise, I found a long-sleeved top that would serve as my ticket for the abovementioned challenge. Yippee! Yahoo! Yehey!

Manila has been experiencing bipolar weather lately; humid mornings that give way to rainy afternoons/evenings. I didn't mind wearing this long-sleeved top under the sun as I expected heavy rains later that day. Hot, sweaty mornings I can tolerate. But gloomy, freezing evenings? Hardly. 

As you probably know by now, I'm your typical casual chick. And when it rains, I get extra lazy. Yesterday was no exception. So I mixed my mum's striped top with my harlem pants and overused purple flats. Nothing bold, nothing special. I'd rather don something "safe" in terms of the predictably moody weather.

The big picture

Did I mention it's hooded?

Wait. I feel the need to interrupt the parade of photos to say that it doesn't feel as warm as it looks. The fabric felt kinda light against the sun yet it never failed to protect me from the usual chills inside an airconditioned room. Lovin' the fact that it has hood, too. Even if I find my umbrella more reliable. 

Oooh! Somebody else has earned her stripes! 

Now you see the harlem pattern...

...now you don't!

And the sun stayed with us after the morning service, after lunch and after our Church-related meeting. I was expecting to see rain showers after the last activity, but I managed to travel to my high school friend's home without getting soaked. But I noticed the threatening dark clouds during my commute.

Eventually, it rained cats and dogs. Thankfully, I made it home before it happened. 

And I have this poorly-lit photo to prove it!

You'll have to look closely to see how drenched my flats were. But if you're still not convinced how extreme the weather can get here as of late, I'll show you photos of  a flooded venue where I would like my clone to go that evening, given the chance. I truly miss watching football matches live! When's the last time again?

Flooded pitch! 

The Philippines vs. Cambodia match had to be temporarily suspended due to heavy rains!

Photo lifted from my crushie Neil Etheridge's Instagram post

Check out the precipitation!

Photo from this article

Check out how other bloggers interpreted this summer/spring trend here. Enjoy!

WORLD PREMIERE: Long-sleeved Mint Blouse + Coral Top + Black Capri Pants + Mint Moccasin Flats / Bloggers Do Mint + Coral Better

When I first stumbled upon the Bloggers Do Mint + Coral Better challenge, I was immediately reminded to bring out this patent leather moccasins out of my closet. Pronto! But what else to wear? I have a polka dotted dress with tiny mint dots and a new pinstriped blazer with mint stripes from my recent ukay ukay shopping, but they're both far from being coral.

My search brought me back to my closet in my parents' home in Cavite. I hesitatantly took home an old thrifted purchase which I never had the courage to wear outside my bedroom. This light-blue-and-orange top generously provided coverage for my arms yet plunged too low and promised an abundant view of the valley between Mt. Suzy and Mt. Geno. I don't even know why I bought it in the first place. Needless to say, this top still doesn't qualify me to make a mint + coral entry. What now?

So I did a half-hearted rummage in the mall after the Sunday service. Coral doesn't seem like a popular shade, but I'm thankful to have found this loose top. However, I realize I can't wear this sleeveless top as is since the current length of my auxillary hair is something I find too hideous, but my new waxer will only dismiss as too short still. So why not put it on top of my long-sleeved top and use it as shield against catcalls, right? I pondered hard as I never ventured into layering. In my estimation, it only looks awesome on skinny people. But the risktaker in me whispered encouraging spiels and I listened. It just might look good on extra seksi women like me, too.

All right, enough back story and let's proceed to the main event! The world premiere begins in 5, 4, 3, 2...

Ta-da!

Check out the contrast!

Detail left unseen. At least for today.

It was also my first time to wear this capri pants with these cuuuute gold buttons. During my bedroom rehearsal, I tucked this coral top to ensure these buttons get their share of limelight, too. However, I feel more comfy when this top is flowing free. More exposure for these golden girls next time! Pinkie promise!

  My mint moccasins from Fancy Flats. One size smaller!

***

Lipstick of the Day: Human <3 Nature's Island Kiss tinted lip balm + Sweet Nectar hydrating lipstick + Coral Beach mineral lip gloss

Did somebody say coral? Wait, let me take out my coral lip balm and coral lip gloss!

If you just tuned in, I find pussy red lipsticks fitting for daily use. However, for today's attempt to be the rainbow during and after the rain, it may seem like an overkill to go for an equally loud hue for my lips. Or maybe not. Please allow me to deviate and show you what I've saved for the rainy days.

Human <3 Nature's all-natural lip products: Island Kiss tinted lip balm,  Sweet Nectar hydrating lipstick and Coral Beach mineral lip gloss.

Coral galore on my lips!

My apologies for these pictures hardly give justice to the layers of coral and neutral shades that I smothered my lips today. Perhaps I should have gone for the Coral Kiss hydrating lipstick instead. But, hey, I truly like how this pastel polish looked against my eye-catching (I think) mint + coral ensemble.

Photos by Elaine Elquiero and Sheryl Matucad.