Taming the Fashion Beast Within

Our week and a half long vacation was extended to another week when our instructor called in sick. She had to cancel 3 days of our class including clinicals which was of course in favor to all but her. When someone told us about the news, it was hard not to crack a smile brought about by unexpressed joy and freedom.

Well we really didn't go anywhere different from where we are now. No roadtrips or adventurous outings, just family bonding not far away from home. It was nice and inexpensive. The past year has been a lot of gastos from basic home necessities to personal pleasures that I felt the need to slow down unimportant spendings. I don't want to get things out of control and suffer the consequences in the future. I'm so proud to have conquered my shopping urges for years now. When I was single, I used to just splurge all out on clothes and accessories. But having a family of my own, made me prioritize.

I still and would always love fashion with all the matching accessories and kikay stuffs that go along with it but I don't succumb to buying everytime we go in the mall. Most of them aren't being used as much as I'd like it to be anyway. So why am I spending tons of money to support this habit? It just clicked inside my head. Not sure why though...whether it was brought about by having my own family or just something that I developed as I matured. Either or, it was a good kind of change.

I still manage to buy a little here and there but not as frequent and careless as before. I am proud to say that I have tamed the fashion beast in me.

It's simple.

If we can just realize how quickly fashion starts and ends, without giving us the chance to make the most out of well spent clothes.

Realize that it is a business. People are getting paid millions of money to start a trend. Models, actors, the media all play a role in it. The gullible, sometimes wannabee's who splurge on every single new trend out in the marke are the ones who puts the food on their table. Well more than food. Mansions, ridiculous extravagant shopping sprees, cars.....the whole enchilada.

Go for versatile pieces. The ones that are trendy yet affordable but would more likely still look good even after the trend ends. Clothes that are unique may look cute for only a period of time but may soon look weird when fashion changes it mind yet again.

Stick to neutral colors. Bright, shocking colors are nice and bubbly but aren't always in. They come and go as they please. I go for earthy colors. Browns, beige, and grey are my faves. I believe that they can never go wrong or baduy because of their neutral vibe. But of course this all depends on one's own fashion sense. Some people realy like bright and friendly colors. All I'm saying is that it's hard to pair them with the rest of your wardrobe maybe because it stands out too much.

Same goes with shoes. The basic black and brown are always a must. The style and shape of the shoes are hard to predict whether they'd be versatile enough. I tend to buy ones that look sexy yet comfortable. Looking hot and sexy on 4 inch stylettos are so not worth the pain I feel when I start strolling down the mall running after my 4 year old or just aimlessly wandering with my family. Some shoes are just not made for walking. I prefer comfy yet chic.

Other people's fashion sense and nonsense is really not my business. I'm simply sharing the ones that have set me free from the tight grip of fashion trends. It just pains me to see upscale, socialites feasting on first class amenities on normal, hardworking citizens'expense.

I feel like I'm about to break into a song or a speech. Nevertheless, it was good to belt this out in the open because I know it's what most women can relate to.

These are pictures from the park not too long ago. We went out to feed the ducks and birds which became sort of a ritual.


Enjoy life's simple pleasures


*Just one favor...can you guys give me feedback on whether the pictures above can be conveniently enlarged whenever clicked on. Thanks!

Freaky Wednesday

Yesterday started off like any other day. My daughter and I went to laze around my mother's house which we usually do on our time off. My mom went to work at 3pm. We took a nap around that time too and were awakened by a call around 4pm. No one seemed to be on the other line so I hung up not suspecting anything out of it.

But then the phone rang. It rang and rang with mere silence on the other end. Whoever it was, or whatever it was it did the same thing, calling and not answering for 6 or 7 times. I told my grandma about it and we both got concerned. It was either a long distance call which coud not seem to connect or simply a prank call.

My dad who usually comes around 6pm wasn't home yet. Looking at the time it was half past 8pm. I frantically looked for my dad's cell number. Although I was crying inside I remained calm, reassuring myself that he's just stuck in traffic. My lola made it even worse when she reminded me of the calls we were getting earlier. We knew that it could potentially be a sign of something bad about to happen.

I didn't stop searching for the number until I got through my dad's cell and was so relieved to hear his voice. The traffic was the reason for his delay and was on his way home. Whew! That was a relief. My heart was pounding so hard the whole time because the phone calls were so weird. It was something out of a horror film.

Everything was calm and was back to normal when we headed home. As soon as we got home we prepared ourselves for bed when the phone rang...AGAIN!. I hesitantly picked it up hoping someone is on the other line.

Guess what, no one answered again. I looked at my husband and stared at him in disbelief. He was mocking me and was joking around, I told him I am not amused about the whole thing.

I dialed *69 to know who that caller was. It was busy. We waited for a couple of minutes because I really had to know. I let my husband call this time because at this point I am terrified. He dialed and promptly told me that it was ringing. Someone picked it up, then he said no one answered.

We haven't spoken about that today. Maybe he got spooked out as well but it wasn't the same if you were the one who answered those 6 or 7 calls. I was the one who listened to the eery silence on the other line.

I still have not recovered from the calls. Typing this post still gives me goosebumps. Last night I slept with one eye shut praying not to receive any bad news from someone close to us.

So far no calls. No bad news. Thank God.

As crazy and as strange as it may sound, whether it was pure coincidence or not, it happened and it is not at all funny. I've been constantly looking behind my shoulder since yesterday. I'm trying so hard to shake it off but whenever the phone rings I jump.

Okay. I've got to get a hold of myself.
It's just coincidence. It's just coincicence.
I hope.

Time Off

I'm finally on my much needed spring break so is the whole family, daughter and husband. We've been planning to do anything adventurous and fun. My husband wants to go long driving to Las Vegas, I on the other hand would want to go to San Diego. I don't want someting too far because I refuse to spend. There's a lot of pros and cons about the places we are planning to go to. I just hope we could take advantage of our break and use our time to get out.

1. Las Vegas
Fun, good for sight seeing and walking around.
Not advisable for kids.
Cheap outlets stores that I've been dying to go since last year.
Four hour driving.
Expenses: hotel, gas, lunch, dinner, breakfast, snacks

2. San Diego Zoo
Not only for animal sight-seeing but good for nature walk/hike.
Nice scenery.
My daughter's first time.
2 hour driving.
Expenses: entrance ticket, lunch, a few snacks

3. Universal City
Fun but we've been there for like so many times already.
We already know what to expect.
Close to home. 15 minutes away.
Expenses: food

One reason why I sort of feel unsure about going out is that I don't have my camera right now. My father in law borrowed it. He's in the Philippines coming home on Thursday. Making adventurous trips isn't the same without a good camera.