All Work and No Play

Hi All!

Ack! Hopefully I still have my readers since I've been neglecting my blog for about 6 months now. As I'm sure you all know, it's hard to always think of new and interesting things to keep you guys coming back, and on top of my new job plus the hundreds of other things I do, it makes it even that much more difficult.

Anyways, I'm thinking of starting back up. Hopefully you guys are still here because you are all the most amazing readers ever, and I will see you all soon! :D Haha!

Hope everyone is having the most amazing winter and happy holidays!

Tattoo Today

As a colorist, I've started to become more obsessed with color. I notice colors in a very different way now. Kind of like how photographers see light in a different way or how musicians hear music differently, it's the same thing. 

That being said, ever since I got my tattoo, I've been pretty much obsessed with the idea of getting a second and a third one. And it's funny because my first day at work, we had a party (no, it wasn't for me) and we played this game called "Tattoo Today" wherein you say a tattoo you want to get if you were to get one that day. 

Well, my obsession for color and tats landed me on this site, Tattly.com that I am now obsessed with. It seems superfluous and unnecessary, even a waste of money, but I want to buy EVERYTHING!

The one I want to get...and actually the one that brought me to the site in the first place.

They team up with amazing artists and designers and create super cool temporary tattoos that you can buy for about $5 for 2 with free shipping!!!

Click under the cut to see more tattoos!

I Work With Color

I've been a bad blogger, but let me tell you why. Over the past months, my life took a turn for the worst and then for the best, the word crazy would be an understatement, and as corny as it may sound, it really has been a rollercoaster.

The biggest news so far is that I got a job at The Gymboree Corporation (if you guys don't know what that is, seriously, fashion isn't just for women) as a Colorist for the Crazy 8 brand (yes, it's under Gymboree as well) wherein I handle the colors for both Girl and Boy Undies, Kid Boy, Baby Boy, and their Newborn lines.

If you know me personally, you would know that I'm a workaholic, especially if I love my job. And I LOVE my new job. I am so blessed to have been able to get a job at a great company that takes care of its employees and wherein I get to do what I love.

If you're wondering what a Colorist is, it's literally someone who deals with color. The designers choose the colors, however, I'm in the Production Department making sure that the colors that the factories/vendors send us back match the standard colors we chose. In simple terms, quality control. And yes, I basically look at colors all day; different fabrics, clothes, prints, and sometimes even accessories (mostly just shoes since boys don't really have a lot of accessories).

It's been a busy month, but I think things should settle down soon as I'm getting used to how the flow is with my new job, and then soon I'll be able to blog more frequently again! Hope everyone is doing well!

Soneva Kiri

I love that the internet gives me the luxury to discover new things everyday, in cable internet speed. That being said, although this is a fashion blog, I still do enjoy looking and talking about the pretty things in life. 

Like Soneva Kiri.

A resort on Koh Kood–Thailand's largest yet most uninhabited islands. It's a 102-acre, eco-friendly and zero waste resort that houses 29 luxurious villas and private residences. Dining in a tree house, private villa pools (great interior decorating btw!), and that breath taking view, how can it get any better than this?

Leggingssss

Ever since I discovered leggings, I've almost stopped wearing jeans. I find jeans so constricting and they're just uncomfortable for me. I still wear jeans though, and I actually bought a pair recently (jumping in on that colored jeans trend), but I do love my leggings. 

That's why when I went to Hong Kong and discovered that there was more to leggings than just plain black or grey, I went insane! And now that I'm back in the States, I'm so happy that Oasap.com also sells them. YEEEE! Getting my legging fix! :D

H&M Denim jacket and sunglasses, SamCas necklace, Oasap leggings, and Bakers boots

No. 1 Crush

If you're from the Bay Area, you should know that the weather's been CRAZY! There are tornado warnings, quarter-sized hail, and intense thunder. I'm from Manila, where we deal with monsoons and typhoons about twice a year, and I don't think I've ever been scared of the weather 'til a couple of days ago. 

On fashion news, check out Oasap.com! It's an online shopping website that offers free shipping everywhere! Compared to other sites, Oasap has a more edgy aesthetic that's very reminiscent of the street styles of Asian countries. Plus, they usually have special deals and sales, so my wallet's pretty happy about that.

Proudrace sweater, Oasap leggings, shoes from Hong Kong

Sh*t (We) Fashion Girls Say...

I have to say, this is hilarious! I'm personally guilty of a good 90% of these things (I guess not living in New York and being able to go to Fashion Week saves my butt from making it 100%).

It's always good to laugh at yourself once in awhile! It's totes refreshing!

Chi-iii-iiic! #chictothenextlev!

Hope everyone had a great week! :)

SamCas Designs

Hey everyone! So I finally found some time to work on my website. I was supposed to have it done professionally but that didn't work out, so I decided to go ahead and work on it on my own.

Now, I do not have any web design experience, and I basically whipped this site up (with the help of a ready-made layout by dzignine) in a couple of days, but I was just so excited to get the ball rolling that I didn't even mind all the little mistakes and whatnot here and there. 

Finally, SAM CAS DESIGNS IS HERE!

Buddha beads from $15.00

Crystal Rondelle Tassel Earrings $15.00

If you want to see the website and more of my jewelry, you can check them out and purchase them at http://samcasdesigns.blogspot.com. If you have Etsy and would rather shop there, you can also find me there at http://www.etsy.com/shop/samcas.

P.S. Yes, my cross necklaces are there!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Anglophile

Forever 21 Sweater and beanie, BDG shirt, SamCas necklace, leggings and shoes from Hong Kong.

I love these leggings, but they're a bit difficult to wear sometimes. They do tend to clash with a couple of my favorite pieces and the large attention grabbing print sometimes screws up with my proportions and make me look shorter than I already am. 

The necklace in the picture is a limited piece in my jewelry line. I'll set up my Etsy shop soon and give you guys the details if you're interested.

Plan A Trip To Japan Alone

I've never been to Japan, but I'm sure like everyone else who hasn't been there, it's on the top of my list of places I want to go to (AND LIVE IN). 

They are just eons ahead when it comes to fashion. And I am just absolutely in love with it! They go a little overboard with the styling sometimes, but I think that's the fun of it. And I love that they have this very strong point of view despite all of the excessive accessories, colors, and whatnot, and that they don't care about what other people think. 

I need this sweater in my life. Unfortunately, I have looked everywhere and it's a sold out H&M sweater from 2 years ago :(

To be surrounded by inspiring fashion-minded people like that every single day is exactly why I want to move there someday! 

Growing It Out

I'm starting to get really annoyed at my hair, the last guy who cut it really screwed it up and I don't have the time to style it every single day. Plus, I don't wanna damage my hair with all those products. 

Le sigh, so right now, I'm just generally growing it out.
Other than that, I'm really falling in love with brogues and creepers.

That is all.

H&M top, Topshop tights, and Primadonna brogues. MAC lipstick in "Ruby Woo".

132 5. Issey Miyake

I am a huge math geek, so while working on my Fashion Design degree, I always wanted to incorporate math and fashion in a very harmonious way. Kind of like how the Fibonacci sequence is usually seen a lot in nature.

Origami at its finest

And all this time, I thought I was the only one.

Turns out designer Issey Miyake along with his Retail Lab team and computer scientist Jun Mitani created a new label called "132 5. Issey Miyake" which incorporates a mathematical algorithm to form unique 3D shapes that can be folded into 2D forms. On top of that, the pieces are made with recycled PET products and other recycled fibers. 

It is now nominated for this year's Design of the Year Award and is currently available at the 132 5. Store in Tokyo (And the list of why I should move to Japan keeps getting longer) and in selected Issey Miyake stores worldwide.

Still a little confused? Just check out the photos below and see what I mean. 

Who says math is just for geeks and squares?

Draw Me In Ms. Laine

I love both art and fashion. I also love cartoons (relevant I promise). So it's no surprise that I can be a little obsessed with fashion illustrations. They bring life to a two-dimensional concept and can inspire anyone from the designer who thought about it, to the patternmaker, and even to the viewer. 

And I am seriously DYING for these illustrations by Laura Laine. 

It's no surprise that this Helsinki illustrator has such a high profile client list that include Zara, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Elle Girl, Muse Magazine, and Vogue Nippon.

As some of you might know, I have a taste for the unusual and slightly sinister, and these illustrations have both while still looking incredibly chic. I'm loving the way she distorts the bodies of her figures but still keeping the proportions and essence of a woman.

I'm thinking about getting one of these as a tattoo...Hmmmm

Click to see more (NSFW)

Backstage at Rodarte

Fashion Week is over but we're all still a little high from the craze. I know I am. 

As a designer myself, I love seeing the chaos that happens behind the scenes. It's glamorous in its own way and it makes you appreciate the show a little more knowing that everyone worked hard up to the last minute. 

Also, seeing these candid shots are sometimes the most beautiful photographs I see during Fashion Week.

Let's Go

It's a strange feeling to look at the bigger picture and realize that you're still so far away from your dreams, yet every step you take feels like the last step before reaching your goals. I've been self-reflecting lately since my life feels like it's in this stagnant area filled with doubts and crossroads. 

Other than that, I've been doing a lot of reading and learning to fill the void. I've actually been very productive in this aspect, since my Japanese has improved a lot over the past weeks. Konichiwa everyone!

Old Navy vest, Cotton On shirt, SamCas cross necklace and Buddha bracelet, Casio watch, OS bone bracelet, H&M leather bracelet and ring, stud bracelet and shoes from Hong Kong.

Editorial: Josephine Skriver by Emma Tempest for Dansk S/S 2012

You know what this reminds me of? That GQ editorial with the Glee cast members, only now it's done the right way, with a stunning (albeit, a bit too waif in my opinion) Josephine Skriver aka, the model that looks like a younger version of Uma Thurman. Bring in Malthe Lund Madsen, clad the two in designer sportswear (pun intended) and we've got an editorial worth talking about! 

P.S. I don't know how well I can pull off those Christopher Kane shorts, but I am seriously digging them!

Fake Out

I am absolutely loving the whole preppy x slouchy look! I'm currently on the hunt for the slouchiest knits and the preppiest (is that even a word?) oxford button-ups! I don't care if summer's coming up, I want to wear this. It might be good that I'm coveting this look now too since all the knits are on sale.

Forever 21 button-up, H&M sweater and wedges, SamCas necklace, leggings from Hong Kong

See more at Claire's.com

STATUS Magazine's Fame Issue feat. Ashley Rickard's

It's my blog, and I'll shamelessly plug if I want to. 

For all you readers out there who are currently in the Philippines, seriously, get yourself a copy of the new March issue of Status Magazine. I interned with them for the last couple of months (and hey, while you're at it, send in an application, they're looking for a new me fashion intern), and I hate that I can't get my hands on this issue since it has an editorial shot by Perou featuring Danica Magpantay. 

And if you're not currently in the Philippines, check out the magazine online at statusmagonline.com

Plus, HOW GORGEOUS IS THAT COVER!? (Good job Pat D!)

MSGM Pre-Fall 2012

I am so on board with the graphic trend that's growing in massive proportions ever since Mary Katranzou's Fall 2010 collection and even more so when the Versace x H&M collection came out.

Amazing floral prints, spiked heels, metallics, bright colors, and printed bows, count me in!

An Oldie But A Goodie - Chanel

Peter Philip, Chanel's Makeup Art Director created this super cool and quirky video with the video courtesy of NOWNESS. 

I specifically love the first robot that appears (very Gundam, I like!), the tiny one at around 0:38, and the one that comes after that (don't want to spoil the surprise!)