Give It to Me, I Want It

Guys, sorry for not updating for a couple of days. My computer has been going crazy. The pictures won't show when you go online, and you have to right click and click on Show Picture, which is pretty annoying. Despite such obstacles however, my summer's coolness level has been upped by ten points all because of one song. It's Give It to Me by Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. Whew, talk about a winning combination. It's so freaking awesome. If you haven't heard it yet, just click the play button:

Sing it with me, "If you see us in the club, we'll be acting real nice. If you see on the floor, you'll be watching all night..."

If the player doesn't show, just post a comment and I'll try to fix it.

"We missed you in the charts last week. Damn, that's right you wasn't there..."

You gotta love JT.

Flat Out the Best

My online time today is limited, so I'm gonna make this quick. Here are some of my recent finds from eBay Philippines. Can you believe not a single one of these amazing flats cost more than 17 dollars?







The last pair is my ultimate favorite. I just love the little rope-ish bows, and the weave details. I'm pretty sure they're gonna be snapped up in a week or so, eBay fanatics are so quick at finding great stuff.

Anyway, next time, I'm gonna try and ignore the metallic trend and start looking for colorful flats with awesome prints, etc. It is summer after all. I'll post my finds next time--that is, if I find any.

Most Memorable Summer Ever. Not.

Summer is passing so slowly. I can't believe it's already April, and I haven't been to the beach once. So far, everything has been pretty much a let down. I mean, people always make a deal about the summer before you start your new life as a college freshman, an endless string of shopping and partying. Where are the amazing shopping sprees and the cute boys, I ask you? I sure don't see them anywhere.

Seeing that I don't have anything else to do and my time online is limited, I decided to make a list.

Why My Summer Sucks:

1. I'm flat broke. By broke, I mean I-can-barely-buy-myself-a-new-swimsuit broke. Its summer. It should be declared a law that every girl be provided with a swimsuit during this season, albeit one that doesn't make her look like a surfboard. All the fashion spreads featuring new swimsuits are making my mouth water.
2. This is related to the first reason. I wanted to enrol in a Creative Writing class for the summer, but--here it comes--I don't have any money. I mean, a being in a summer program just seems like a great opportunity to meet new friends and learns tons of amazing life lessons. So, a piece of advice to those who have this opportunity: Make the most of it.
3. My best friend is spending her summer in a far-flung town far beyond the reach of civilization, and isn't coming back until school starts again. I miss the days when I could just invite her for a Romantic Comedy Marathon on a whim, and she could actually come without the necessity of riding a bus.
4. I'm think I'm going insane, due to the number of The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital episodes I've seen.

Clearly, if you don't see this as a plea for help, run.

Gorgeous George

Other fashion bloggers post a lot about models who are making waves in the international scene. To be honest, I know very few things about them. Now, what I wanna do is bring focus to the models in my country who have the potential to make it big internationally, but just lack the opportunities.

My favorite model in the local scene so far is Georgina Wilson. She's half Filipino, half Australian. She's endorsed lots of products here, and she's currently studying in Australia--beauty and brains. Also, she's the niece of Miss Univers '69 Gloria Diaz. Awesome, huh?

Love/Hate Rachel Bilson

I don't know what to say about this girl. I've just been seized by an overwhelming urge to go shopping and spend money--which I don't have--because of her. On my last post, I was totally ranting on Rachel Bilson's sense of style, until I saw this picture:

It's great because the top part is so sophisticated while the bottom part is just casual. I tried to recreate the look with eBay, and here's what I found:

This cardigan is shorter and a little thicker than the actual one. There were a ton of great cream cardigans on eBay, because the one Rachel's wearing has these really cute black buttons--so it was the closest match.

All that's missing from the outfit is the white tank top--which I think all girls have in their closets--and some necklaces to layer. Plus, none of these items cost more than 10 dollars.

Pajama-rama

I don't have anything better to do today, so I'm gonna do what I always do when I'm bored out of my mind. Make fun of celebrities.

CAPTION THIS:

Can you even tell who the celeb in this picture is? I'm giving you three seconds. One... Two... Three... It's Rachel Bilson. I don't wanna do this, but pajamas and boots--in broad daylight? What the hell was she thinking? All that's missing is a mug of cocoa, and someone to tell her a story. Then, we could all go to sleep.

What do you guys think?

Beautiful disaster or run screaming for your mother?

eight.one a Definite Ten

I was browsing my April copy of Meg magazine, when I came across links to the online domains of several newly opened stores. I didn't like the other two, but I simply couldn't keep coming back to eight.one's site to check out their clothes. I'm pretty broke right now, but looking at their clothes makes me want to go out and start mopping floors just so I could my hands on some of them.

These clothes are just the way I like it, simple yet sophisticated, not to mention they're perfect for the current weather in my home country--summer.

I like the black dress better. The layered necklaces. The waist. The little details. I love practically everything about it.

These two dresses seem perfect for summer, like when you're having lunch with your family or whatever.

These dresses sort of remind me of Star Wars, but I like them anyway. They seem like something a sophisticated career woman would wear to a cocktail party. Okay, for the millionth time, I'm sighing again.

These outfits, on the other hand, look like they were made to be worn on a night out on the town. I have one word for pairing denim shorts with a detailed top: balance. Its classy, but not too dressy to be worn to the mall. Just right.

Sadly, I can't do anything else but ogle at these pieces. The store is located in Manila, while I'm stuck a far-flung province, where I can't get to them. They don't accept online orders. Even if they did, I don't have any money to spend... If, like me, you want to ogle at their clothes, check out eight.one's online home here.

Girls' Poker Night by Jill Davis

"Happy endings are not for cowards."

I love that line and that's exactly how Girls' Poker Night by Jill Davis starts.

Ruby Capote is dissatisfied with her life, her boyfriend, and her job--writing a single girl on the ledge, edge, verge column in Boston. So, in a sudden burst of spontaneity, she sends some samples of her work along with cans of beer to the editor of a newspaper in New York, Michael Hobbs.

Surprisingly, Michael doesn't think she's nuts. She actually gets a job, and moves to New York, a brand new start ahead of her. There are lots of new prospects ahead of her, a gorgeous new boyfriend included, but there's only one hitch. Ruby's not exactly used to going after what she wants. She's too afraid to take the risk, and she tries to convince herself that she's content with settling for Mr. Maybe. However, Mr. Right isn't just going to wait around until Ruby's ready to give him a chance. So, her journey towards finally knowing and getting what she wants begins.

I love this book. You know, it was pretty funny, and most of the time I ended up thinking, "I do that sometimes. Thank God I'm not the only one." We're all afraid to take risks. This person we trust might leave us. We might get hurt. We might cry. Sometimes, we forget that there are other mights, the ones we should really be thinking of. We might fall in love. We might actually be happy.

Anyway, I'll end this post urging you to read it. And hoping to find my own Michael Hobbs someday. Soon, if possible.

Alanis's Humps

I just saw this video on YouTube, and I thought it was hilarious. I might be the last person on the internet to post this, but what the hey?

Alanis is a freaking genius. It's ironic...

I read the comments on YouTube, and I think some people are just taking this video way too seriously. The quips about her not selling CDs and being left by her boyfriend were just nasty--welcome to Girl World.

J. No, No, No!!!

I'm looking at this picture, and I just wanna close my friggin' eyes. I had a feeling Jennifer Lopez had her eyes closed too, when she put on this outfit. Did she suddenly decide to turn the mantle on the table into a dress when she and husband Marc Anthony were on a picnic? Oh, and I wanna know another thing too. When a wild animal passed by, did she have another one of her diva tantrums and seized it by the ear and ripped its fur off, slinging it over her shoulders, thereby completing this hideous ensemble?

Wait, wait, don't tell me. I'm still trying to guess from which decade--or which planet, for that matter--those clunky shoes are from. The 60s? The 70s? The 80s? Oh, I know! Pluto!

Jennifer Lopez has a beautiful face, not to mention a whopping ass-pirin collection, but her dress doesn't flatter her figure at all. Instead of looking at her face, the dress's busy pattern takes your attention away.

The verdict?

A J. No No No No!

Summer Bummer

This is the most boring summer of my life. Ever. I've been trying to find a job, but it's really hard around here. Originally, I wanted to work at a fastfood restaurant like McDonald's or KFC, but they only accept summer job applicants who are 18 and above. Unfortunately, I'm only sixteen, so getting a job at McDonald's is really an impossibility. Um, hello? It's called a summer job so students below 18 could get a chance to work there too. Anyway, before I found out about their policy, pathetic as it may sound, I was pretty excited about working there. I mean, who knows? I might actually learn a lot, and meet some new friends--a cute guy included. Aside from my yearly garage sales with my friends, I've never actually earned any money out of my own sweat and blood--metaphorically speaking.

Then, my mother saw this banner hung on the gates of a university. It said that this company was looking for high school or college students--of any age--to come work for them. You could call this number to inquire and so forth.

I practically jumped up and down on the couch, sort of like Tom Cruise on Oprah's show. I called the number, and asked about the job. A really mean sounding receptionist told me that they accepted applicants below eighteen, but they didn't receive phone inquiries so I had to come to their office and ask about the job. She told me the name of the building. I had no idea where it was, so I asked for directions. She answered my question in a voice that clearly said, "Which planet are you from, weirdo?" Before I hung up, I asked what type of job they were going to give me. She repeated for the millionth time that they didn't receive phone inquiries. Basically, she refused to tell me, and that was when I hung up.

You've got to be kidding me. Did she--the receptionist from hell--expect me to come to some building alone, not knowing what was going to happen to me when I got there? I don't think so. I mean, I've read Reader's Digest. They feature stories wherein unsuspecting girls go to someplace expecting to get jobs, then they get shipped to Cambodia or Thailand or wherever to become prostitutes in, like, every issue.

So, I guess my fate is sealed for the summer. I'm going to be stuck at home watching reruns of One Tree Hill and Seinfeld, which wouldn't be so bad if my crazy grandmother wasn't around. Okay, there's one thing I have to be thankful for though. We finally have DSL, so that's another activity to indulge in.

And I did learn one thing from this experience. Never trust banners asking teenage girls to come work for this company they know nothing about--even ones posted on universities.

Philippine Street Fashion: A Much Needed Upgrade

I don't wanna seem like a traitor to my nation, but I just have to rant. Why does the sense of style of the Filipinos have to be so bland? I'm not talking about the designers or the celebrities, because they're great. I'm talking about the citizens themselves. It's like everyone's in uniform. I just feel an overwhelming urge to smash something, when I see guys who call themselves gangztahs wearing baggy jeans and even baggier shirts/tents. On the other hand, the "upper-class" guys always seem to be wearing polo shirts, jeans, and Converse sneakers. The girls on the other hand are often dressed like bubblegum wrappers, and the "trendier" types are most likely clad in skinny jeans.

If someone does take the leap and decides to show their individuality, we all stare and whisper. I am so sick of that. I mean, the Koreans and the Japanese could do it--they're always dressed in really cool and unique clothes. Why can't Filipinos?

Slip-on Sneakers

I'm currently loving these slip-on sneakers by Skechers. I know, they look so much like Keds sneakers, but I love them anyway. The designs are just so casual and funky. Plus, they also look soooo comfortable...

Unfortunately, they're not available in my corner of the third world yet.

Crazy Over Bangles

I have a new fetish... Bangles. I never really noticed them before, but now I really want one--or several. My plan for today is to count all the coins I have, and go over to our local grocery store. On the second floor, there's this boutique called Something Else that sells cute clothes and accessories at really cheap prices. I think they're able to sell their items at such cheap prices because their rent is really low, since their location isn't exactly what you'd call classy.

I saw this really cute one yesterday. It was black with little white skulls all over it. It cost a hundred pesos which is equivalent to around 2 dollars. It might not sound like much, but around here that's pretty expensive for just one bangle. So, even if I really, really, really want that one, I'm going to try and look somewhere else--somewhere cheap.

Hopefully, I'll be able to update you on the results of my bargain shopping excursion tomorrow.

Attack of the Fashion Victims

I thought my blogging activities were done for the day, until I came across some horrendous pictures.

Celine Dion
Obi-wan, I'm your humble student, ready to-- Oh, wait, that's not Ewan McGrevor... That's freaking Celine Dion... Dahling, what fashion statement are you trying to send by wearing this ensemble? That you desperately wanted to be in Star Wars and George Lucas didn't give you a call? Is that it? Okay, maybe you're trying to achieve a younger, fresher look, especially with the cleavage and all, but, if I was a guy, I wouldn't let you anywhere near my light saber.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer, get this through your head. You're not Master Yoda's mistress. You never will be. You're just not his type. On a more serious note, this outfit wouldn't have looked so bad if only she took off that cover up/bolero. Ugh, I think I'm going blind.

Moving on... It pains me to see that these two amazing--coincidentally--singers look so amazingly bad. I know, metallics are in and all, but these stars certainly took it a little too far. Crystaljade now signing off.

Bargain Shopping Finds

I finally cashed in the gift cheque I got for my graduation. Whew. I haven't gone shopping in such a long time, because I didn't have any money to shop with. Life as a poor fashionista... Besides, my wardrobe is so freaking last season. The only trendy things I have right now are leggings and metallic flats. I've been lusting after stripes, mini dresses, wide belts, etc. for a really long time, but, alas, you can't have them all. I had to settle for two items--which I got for a steal, I might add.

The first thing I bought was a tank top that sort of looked like this ~wink, wink~ It cost P199.75 which is equal to 4 dollars. I bought it because its plain, and I'll have to get creative and think of ways to dress it up.

These shorts look really similar to the pair I bought, except it was black without the pinstripes. They cost P299.75 which is equal to about 6 dollars.

Finding cute clothes at affordable prices always gives me this great feeling. Some might disagree, but for me fashion isn't all about the expensive labels--even though the Guccis and the Pradas often makes my mouth water. It's a chance for you to show who you are to the world, even if your jeans are just secondhand. Oh, I meant vintage.

Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell

I just finished reading Four Blondes by Canace Bushnell, the author of Sex and the City.

The book's about four different women from a former "It-girl" who looks for a man who'll provide her with a house in the Hamptons every summer to a writer who goes to London on a hunt for love and a good magazine story.


Four Blondes is really refreshing, and it's really different from anything I've ever read before. You could tell that Candace Bushnell knows what she's talking about, and you never miss a single detail about the setting. You might dismiss it as a light read, but it has a dark tone to it, one that questions personal motives and ideas. One critic described it perfectly as Jane Austen with a martini.


Even though the characters lead totally different lives from me, I could still relate to what they were going through. I think all women could. Don't we all get that feeling of being lost, not knowing where we're going, not knowing what we're gonna do with out lives?

Anyway, if you're looking for a book that's going to make you laugh and feel good about yourself, go look somewhere else.

Mischa Gone Goth?

I'm already having the worst summer of my life, and Mischa Barton almost blinded me by wearing this outfit to the Keds Photocall at Schuh Store in Oxford a few days ago:

Is she going goth now? I mean, look at the eyeliner around her eyes. I know, as a major fashion rule black is always supposed to look elegant, but loo at that. It's just WRONG from head to feet. Mischa is one of my favorite fashion icons, but she definitely struck out on this one.