WORLD PREMIERE: That Luigi Costume / PINAY CURVIES EVENT: Spooky-Oke Night!

If you were born in the 80's just like me, you probably never experienced dressing up and going trick-or-treat around this time of the year. Our idea of Halloween involved watching real-life spooky stories on Magandang Gabi Bayan and visiting our loved ones in the cemetery. So when Mitch asked me for theme/s on how to celebrate Pinay Curvies' first bloggiversary, I was quick to suggest a Halloween costume party. Yes, psychologists call this compensation. Ha!

Since I've showed up as a cheshire cat last year, I daydreamed to level up this time. I initially planned to be Ginger Spice (I want this British Union Jack dress!) but my hectic schedule made me change plans and, thanks to this random stranger wearing a Super Mario Bros. shirt, I got an idea who I'll portray in the party. Of course, I asked Mitch to show up as Mario since our names start with M and L. Sadly, she can't see herself in jumpsuit and mustache. 

Finding this get-up wasn't as easy as I imagined. I thought I'll go with this denim jumper then I realized my latest ukay ukay purchase looks more appealing. I was relieved to hear that my friend can customize this mustache necklace and my friend referred me to Chikara Hats. I luuuurve my friends! 

However, I was unable to find a mushroom to complete the look. There's none in Clipper outlets in Eastwood, Gateway and Farmer's Plaza and I was told there's no Comic Alley in Glorietta (anymore?). Dear Kate Torralba, how can I order? Still waiting for your reply here.

L is for Lorna...and Luigi!

Outfit of the Day:

Mum's green top

Jumpsuit from ukay ukay

White gloves from SM

Green flats from Solemate (SM)

Luigi hat from Chikara Hats

Mustache necklace from Pepper Manila

***

The local curvy community I helped co-build is now one-year-old! Can you believe it? My daydreaming days felt just like yesterday and now I'm reminiscing about our little party to thank everyone for supporting our efforts to make it a smaller world for plus size Pinays worldwide. And so we dubbed it as #SpookyokeNight. Because singing is our national pasttime and we ain't celebrating until the fat ladies sing!

Spooky-oke Night!

The grateful faces behind Pinay Curvies

 How we partied, in photos

I don't think these photos can give justice to the amount of merriment we had last Saturday night and I don't think I can even articulate all my favorite moments. I'm super thankful that everyone showed up in fab costumes and everyone's game to croon and dance away. Mitch and I had a hard time choosing the best in costume and best singer, even! After much deliberation, we opted to have 2 winners per category. 

 Best in costumes: Janice as Kung Fu Hustle landlady & Lyn of ward88 as SnowWhite

Best Singers: Chiara as she-devil # 2 and Jo-anne as Insiduos black lady

 You're so sweet, Erzullie!

We made it to the news! Thanks, Candy!

See more #SpookyokeNight photos here. Photos by Cleopatra Mitch Leus.
Watch our own crazy rendition of Dynamite and Titanium on our YouTube channel. Mind you, we're not even drunk yet!

Pinay Curvies Swag Challenge: All White! / WORLD PREMIERE: That White Fringe Top, White Denim Miniskirt and White Lace Flats

Once upon a time, my best friend Djoanna suddenly blurted out, "Para kang si Carrie Bradshaw!" I was completely stunned; it was enough to make me cease eating. I'm the only living female who didn't follow the series Sex and The City (I only got to watch about 3 episodes, AFTER the show was canceled) but I've heard how her character was praised for being a fashion chameleon. Towering shoes, flower pins, big curls, everything! Where did that comment come from? To answer my questioning eyes, Djoanna pointed her finger to the huge stain on my white shirt and proceeded to explain how Carrie Bradshaw loathes white outfits. She's too clumsy to remain clean. And I responded with a huge "Ooooooh!"

When Mitch decided we'll go with All White for our first blog link-up challenge, I was immediately worried how I'll pull it off. Aside from being too malikot, my closet is mainly composed of colorful, summery stuff and my favorite neutrals are black and grey. That probably explains why I ended up making white purchases during the recently concluded Fierce+Flaunt Plus Size Shopping Event. When I got home, I realized how I've been neglecting this white micro miniskirt I got from ward88 during the swap meet. It's the perfect opportunity to take it out! Now where to look for white sandals to go with it? I've wanted something like this in white, but I was unable to find it. Then one fine Sunday, my shoes took me to a familiar territory for another success story. All set? Not yet! I was in the mood for accessories! I found a hippie headband in Landmark and bought matching moonstone bracelets and earrings from Crystal Empress (I heard moonstone crystals can help insomniacs like me. Plus, it can help regulate menstrual cycle, among others!). 

White on white!

This photo is inspired by too many when-are-you-getting-married inquiries lately!

My casual approach to all-white

Closer look

I can imagine wearing this ensemble when I'm on travel, say, in a beach resort. I admit I don't have the courage to wear that micro miniskirt on its own. As a commuter, I could use leggings to go with it. I'm sure most of you will agree with me. Haha!

Outfit of the Day:

Sando with fringe from Chubbly

Micro miniskirt from ward88

Lacey flats from SM Parisian

Hippie headband from Landmark Makati

Moonstone crystals from Crystal Empress

***

Now allow me to conclude this entry with proper acknowledgements. See, this is my first serious pictorial for a blog entry. With my best friend DJ and her college friends (they all took up Film), no less! Back in 2001, I used to tag along in their shoots even non-school-related gatherings that they eventually accepted me in their gang (right, guys?). I feel so honoured to be invited for their June get-together to celebrate DJ's birthday. 

I'm super grateful we were able to squeeze in time for a pictorial between burger party, videoke night and supposed World War Z date. And the least that I can do is to introduce my supportive crew. 

Meet the Puff Mafia!

BIG thank you!

SuiteBlanco Arrives in Manila!

It's been a week now since Mitch and I witnessed the SuiteBlanco launch in SM Aura Premier in The Fort. For a first-timer who attended a huge fashion line launch like this, it seemed like all the fashionable people in Manila graced the event to personally welcome the arrival of this well-known Spanish brand. I must admit I was not aware of this brand until my friend Miki invited me to the launch. And one look at their flagship store convinced me how they managed to conquer 23 countries since its launch in 2009.

 Love the vibrant colors!

Chic here, there and everywhere!

My favorite spot! I remember rushing to this section and being mesmerized to the designs. 

They have my cup size!

Fierce pairs! They have flats, too!

Neck candies! Ahlaveet!

And they're yelling, "GRAB ME!" *

 I'm a huge fan of mint + coral, remember?

And I've been obsessing about colar blazer, remember?

They have stuff for men! Hurrah! I imagine wearing the tees myself!

After Mitch and I scanned the lovely items, we proceeded to the event venue to see popular bloggers and fashion models for some runway action. Miki mentioned some of the invited bloggers and models so I was very much excited to see them in the flesh!

Let's get this par-tey started!

DJ Callum David is in the house!!!

 DJ Callum David spotted how I name-dropped him on my tweet!

And they flashed our other tweet, too! Nice!

Reuniting with Miki...

...who happens to be the Marketing Manager! So proud of you, mare!

Even the Spanish ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Domecq graced the launch. Wow!

Here comes the lovely designs!

See what I'm talking about? They have very cool designs, especially the shorts, dresses and shoes! Although some pieces are quite revealing that I don't have the balls to wear as a commuter. Now I'd also like to note that they have sizes up to XL only (that's size 14 UK). It's a relief to see the coral blazer fit my shoulder perfectly, but it's sad that my twins prevent me from buttoning it up. I feel concerned that our bigger sisters might find it hard to find something that would fit. But, hey, I think the stretchable long skirts would!

And the tag price says...

Aside from the size availability, I find the price tag a consideration at the moment. It actually ranges from P199 to P2,000+. The coral blazer I was crushing on amounted to P2,319 and the long skirts I mentioned earlier cost P1,199. Yeah, I'm THAT kuripot. But I can imagine splurging hard-earned bucks for them during holidays. Wake me up when November ends!!!

I'm crushing on this B&W dress but it proved to be too skimpy for work

Maggie Wilson's photo obtained from Nicole Dress Up Doll's blog

And we got this snakeskin clutch bag as a freebie! Can't wait to world premiere!

 Thanks, SuiteBlanco! *

***

Outfit of The Day:

Black top from Nine West (overrun)

Peplum skirt from ward88

Nude flats from Quiapo

Printed shoulder bag from Divisoria

NOTE: Almost all photos were by Mitch Leus

* - Yours truly

SALE ALERT: The Great Luxe Sale in SMX!

My fellow Caviteñas Lyn of ward88 and Jo Elle of Jo-Elle Shop will be joining The Great Luxe Sale this weekend! The bazaar starts this Friday, May 31st, until Sunday, June 2nd, in Hall 1, SMX Convention Center. As if this 3-day sale were not enough, they will also hold pre-selling on Thursday, May 30th, from 18:00-21:00 in the same venue. And wait till you hear that the entrance is for FREE! Kita kits!

Spread the word!

Ok, I'm re-reading the past paragraph and THAT didn't sound convincing enough. Let me show you some photos of the stuff they're selling so you'll get the idea what they offer. I made a little collage of recent uploads from Jo Elle's page, but don't take it as a confirmation of what stuff will be for sale this weekend. Consider this as an unofficial teaser. 

Jo Elle

ward88's stuff, grabbed from their model's timeline

WORLD PREMIERE: That Peplum Skirt from Ward88

I know it's been months, probably a year now, since I started yakking about wanting my own peplum, but I haven't really actioned about this desire yet. I guess the idea that a peplum dress requires a pair of pumps to go with it made me take this fashion fantasy into the backseat. Yeah, I'm still in love with flats. 

To my surprise, Lyn of ward88 pinged me recently to offer her peplum skirt as a present. It was my first time to experience this and I admit it took me a while to say yes. We were supposed to meet during the swap meet (she was unable to attend, though) and now I have another reason to find a way to smother her with thankful besos in person. And to think we're both residing in Cavite! I'll keep you posted when it finally happens.

Upon receipt of this sweet gift, I felt my gratitude immediately turn into worry. I just threw away my pink flats (you've seen 'em here) and I can't think of any fitting footwear for this skirt. Sure, I was tempted to bring out my black wedges (you've met 'em here) but I'm too lazy to wear heels to work. What to wear, what to wear?

In spite of this little concern, I decided to world premiere it right away! I won passes to my favorite noontime show, It's Showtime, and I felt it was the best time to wear it. I was in the mood to reunite with old friends Brady and Nonoy and make new friends, hence this call out for extra seksi fans to join me as a studio audience. Sorry if I didn't make that announcement here as, you can probably tell, I dislike making too short blog entries. To cut the long story short, Plus Size Closet Prinkles can't make it due to conjunctivitis and Brady asked his friends to take her place. 

On to the show!

The stage and the audience from our vantage point

Photo by Mark Chu

My peplum skirt from ward88

Taken in the studio

Pink skirt calls for pink necklace!

This is a freebie for purchasing a CD released by our Church

Like or dislike?

Enough with the details, on to the whole picture! 

Taken in the office

There goes my very casual take of the peplum. I bet you'd say it'll look better if I wore black pumps or anything with heels. Haha! Anyway, let's hear it from my friends. Score mo, show mo!

My biased friends Raz and Brady give me a perfect 10! Woohoo!

Photo by Brady

My newfound friends Mark and Wilrose give me 9! Not bad!

Photo by Wilrose Puray

Before I conclude this entry, I shall leave you with the link to that episode when we joined the unkabogable barkada do Abba songs and Harlem shake, among others. Look for us!

Iiiiit's Showtime!

Outfit of the Day:

Black top

Pink necklace

Peplum skirt from ward88

Mum's sandals

Post-Swap Meet and Greet High

Mitch and I had been promoting this event for the past weeks and we're grateful to have received lots of inquiries and encouraging responses from long-time friends and strangers alike. It probably means that there's a growing community of plus size Pinays who are looking for venues to interact and celebrate with kindred spirits. Like what I've mentioned here, we never imagined we'll get support from plus size brands let alone get their attention. 

Now that Pinay Curvies are getting many "where next?", I'd like to pause for a moment and recall that one fine Sunday afternoon when a number of heavenly bodies gathered together for merriment and went home feeling gifted. In more ways than one.

That cool venue called Pan de Amerikana in Katipunan*

We started with intros over pasta par-tey

That pink blouse possibly perfect for pang-romansa purposes from Monica

Berna's harlem pants that I did NOT get to take home *sobs*

Abi gets closer to check the stuff

Silencio! Swap meet going on!

In short, we had a grand time!+

Th first ever swap meet concluded with giveaways from our generous friends from ward88, Chubbly and Erzullie! 

Remember this event flyer?

I'm taking home this denim micromini! Wee!

ward88's swimsuit for Loren Mae, peplum skirt for Timmy, mullet skirt for Monica and micromini for moi

Chubbly's maroon dress for Timmy and scarf for Berna

Chubbly's dress for Tracee

Erzullie's pink dresses, ruffled skirts and pompom skirts for almost everyone!

Class picture muna!

 L-R: Aries (Erzullie), Monica, Loren Mae, Abi, Ann Gelene (ward88), Tracee, Berna (Erzullie); 

Seated: Lorna and Mitch of Pinay Curvies

Wacky!!!

And your pretty organizers! Walang kokontra! Haha!

Most photos were taken by Mitch Leus of Feastful Life

* - collage by Loren Mae Monares

+ - collage by Berna Cuevas

By the way, you may read other blog entries about this event here:

Berna's Fashion Weekender #3

Abi's The First Curvy Swap Meet and Greet
Mitch's Pinay Curvies Swap Meet and Greet