MFO Shoe Series: Pat Ramos, Manila

My Shoe Series has been gone for 2 years, and I have only me to blame. No excuses except that we got pregnant, moved countries, went through bed rest, gave birth, found my hands full with two kids and the other demands of daily life. 

I know I said no excuses, but just had to sneak those in, haha. But really, we're back, and back with a bang! Since I am now in good 'ol Manille, I've decided to shoot the shoes myself and do it ala The Coveteur while I'm at it. I mean, the focus is still on shoes but with glimpses of the wearer's character. It's gonna be fun every time, I promise! I have even asked Camille King to collaborate on future shoots, and she said yes, woohoo!

Now, what better way to revive the Shoe Series with a feature on yoga mom Pat Ramos's shoes. 

We've been friends since high school where she was such a jock, I remember she was not only playing for the volleyball team, but the softball team as well. But allow me to destroy preconceived notions about jocks.

Pat loves fashion. You won't see her in her Lululemons doing a school run. I'd bump into her in the mall and she'd be wearing YSL Tribute flats (yes flats). She is the only person I know who actually shopped at Hatch Collection for clothes to wear while pregnant. 

Plus, she has a most amazing shoe collection. Take my word for it. Even the way she organizes her shoes is the stuff legends are made of. While pregnant with her son and ordered to take it easy by her doctor, she went about organizing her shoe closet, ordering boxes from Papemelroti. "Buy 50 boxes and you get a discount!", Pat volunteered generously.

Her very supportive husband then set up a "mini studio" so she can take photos of all her shoes. The result? A wall full of goodness. I know what to do when I finally build my dream shoe closet!

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I stopped counting my shoes just like I stopped counting my age ;)

To give you a clue, this is just but a snippet of her shoe closet. *Wink wink*

What's your shoe size? 

6.5

Which pairs are your favorites?

I did notice that my shoe profile has evolved from sky high heels to sensible flats. Motherhood!!! ;)

Louboutin spiked Pigalle flats - Flats with oomph! Can also be used as a deadly weapon.

Margiela Tabi flats - It's a step away from my usual ballet flats. And I love the metallic rose color.

CDG Silver sneakers - From one of my favorite brands, CDG! The muted color keeps it from looking too "teeny".

Isabel Marant Caleen studded boots - They are so comfortable!! Plus it's a great way to translate fall fashion into the Manila setting

Charlotte Olympia Delphine heels - My date night shoes!

I like the heel...

...and the cute little red heart.

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

Louboutin flats. I can dress them up or down, plus they're comfortable enough to use on mommy errands.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Louboutin, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Dr. Martens

"The colors are easy to work with and it's an easy shoe to wear with practically anything", says Pat.

What's in your shoe lust list? 

I'm looking for the perfect pointy toed pumps. Must be fierce but comfortable :)

And recently (because of you :D), leather loafers haha 

Where do you buy shoes? 

online, the Ramp Crossings, during trips

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out? 
 

My old Nike trainers. Even if they've melted with age I still keep them with my current shoes.

The Art of Wardrobe Building: The Personal Uniform

Extra pair please! (Parang extra rice lang). My shoe closet essentials (clockwise from top L-R): Lanvin flats, Louboutin Simple 85 pumps, Anthology oxfords, Sperry Top-siders, Isabel Marant Merry sandals

Years ago, back when I was still in high school, I remember Armida Siguion-Reyna saying that when she liked something, she'd buy it in all colors.

At the time, I was like, "How boring! Why get so many of one thing?" Because when you are in your teens, all you care about is variety, diversity, assortment! I have to NOT repeat an outfit, can't be seen wearing the same thing in one month!

But when I hit my 30s, I realized, Armida is sheer genius. Because, when you find something that works for you, it just makes sense to have a back-up, and if you are lucky enough to afford doubles or multiples - so much the better.

That brings me back to the concept of a uniform. If you wore uniforms back in high school, you'd know that you'd have 5 of the same, exact thing. Dressing up in the morning was easy. The only way to spice it up was if you accessorized - i.e. wore St. Michael knit socks and Bass/Cole Haan loafers (this was the early 90s ok, heehee).

So, over a decade after graduating from high school, eeep, make that two decades, I'm back to having a uniform. While I don't necessarily have multiples of the same thing, I buy things I like in at least two colors (I haven't reached Armida levelz yet, then again, I like sticking to neutrals). I keep on going to the same stores. I actually don't mind being seen wearing the same thing over and over, as long as it works for me and my lifestyle.  It makes dressing up each day brainless, and I guess, effortless.

Here's what basically makes up my personal uniform:

Bottoms:

J Brand skinny jeans

Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans

J. Crew trousers

J. Crew shorts

leggings

slouchy printed trousers

Tops:

Uniqlo, Old Navy, A.P.C. button down shirts

A.P.C., Saint James & Petit Bateau Breton shirts

Equipment, Madewell silk shirts

slouchy t-shirts

H&M tunic tops

Dresses:

A.P.C. tunic dresses

Ali Ro jersey dresses

shift dresses

Shoes:

ballet flats & sandals

oxfords

round toe pumps

wedge sandals
sneaker wedge

Outerwear (now rarely used):

Army jacket

Army parka

Navy blazer w/ gold buttons

Grey blazer

Black blazers

While I may have a trendy piece or two thrown into the mix, these are the pieces that are on constant rotation and I just wear these pieces interchangeably. While I don't have a lot of clothes, my wardrobe is complete. Then again, I care more about what's functional and practical now. And like I said, I don't care if I'm seen wearing the same pieces over and over. It just has to be repeated, haha.

Yes, my high school self would find my 36 year old self boring. But I know what I'm gonna tell that little runt - "Wait until you have an energetic toddler and a 6 month old that needs to be breastfed every 2 hours!"

How about you? Do you like the idea of a personal uniform? Better yet, what's your personal uniform like?

DVF for Moi & B

Back to personal style. Here's an example of buying something you love, even if its not an iconic piece.  Or a dress that everyone would want.

DVF may be known for her wrap dresses, but I've tried on so many and still haven't found one that fits me right. Maybe because I do not have boobs for the jersey to cling on to! Heehee. But anyhoo, I found this dress at the DVF outlet in Woodbury Common back years ago, when Dada and I were just newly  married. I loved that it was a safari style dress. A style I've always wanted. A classic piece. But it was like $100, on sale. I walked away and went home.

Days after I still couldn't forget about this dress. We came back two weeks later. It was there, nobody bought it. It was meant to be. Sold! To me!

5 years and two kids later, it's still alive and still looks great. A true investment buy.

Diane von Furstenberg dress and Louboutin heels

Meanwhile, Berry wears a dress by DVF for Gap Kids. This was taken after school, so she already had glue stains on her dress. Eeep! Thank goodness for Grandma's Goo Remover (it's our new product, yes! More about that soon!)

We bought the dress plus the printed leggings at Gap Kids in Bonifacio High Street when this line first came out. Months later, Tita Trina and Uncle Jun went home, and Tita Eubelle sent her this t-shirt. It was perfect with the leggings! The outfit just came together naturally. Fashion kismet.

What I Wore...

...to run errands and drop by L'Occitane for Happy Hands Day 

silk top from Madewell, jeans from Cheap Monday, Louboutin Simple 85

...to run errands and pick up Berry from school

dress from APC Madras, APC belt, Repetto BB

...to go to war. Joke! Actually I just remembered I had these old pants and tried to style them to make them look more "now". Jenna Lyons was the inspiration

burnout tee from Nation Ltd., camouflage pants bought 8 years ago at Suan Lum Night Market in BKK, Louboutin Simple 85

...to bring the little ones to Blow-up Babies for a photo session

button down from +J Uniqlo, trousers from J. Crew, oxfords from Bimba y Lola

...to go on a massage date with Dear Hubby

shirt from Old Navy, shorts from H&M, Marni flatforms

...to bring Berry to school. She specifically requested that I wear a dress, so tadaaa!

dress from AllSaints, Isabel Marant sandals

23 Weeks

Eeeep! I have a backlog of posts on documenting my belly as it grows, and what I wear as it does. This week is actually my 26th week already, but let's play catch up...

Starting with what I wore the week Xavi turned 23 weeks old:

A traditional Grecian top bought by my my friend Naomi in Greece, with J Brand skinnies and K. Jacques St. Tropez flats. Very "I did the tourist-y bit in Europe this summer (even if I didn't)".

Wore this Vestito shift dress to a dinner date with Dada. I love that this shift dress has pockets, although it started puffing out a bit because of my growing Xavi, hahaha!

I especially love the detail on the back! As my friend Sarj would say, "business in front, party in the back!" My friend Angela designed this dress, and it is really meant to be worn from day to night. Brilliant no?

21 Weeks: Busy Week

The past week was a busy week, and I was practically out everyday running errands, shuttling Berry to her activities, going to meetings and attending my BFFs parties: Nina's baby shower and the christening of A's twins. Here's a roundup of what I wore at 21 Weeks. Still haven't bought maternity clothes, wearing my usual stuff - mostly leggings, tunics, oversized button downs, jeans two sizes too big and jersey dresses from Vestito.

Went to the grocery wearing top from Uniqlo, Topshop leggings, Repetto ballet flats (please open soon, Repetto Manila!), accessories from Proenza Schouler and Vita Fede

Went to a press event and an interview wearing a shirt from Equipment France, J Brand jeans, Hudson from Anthology Shoes (super light and comfy! preggy friendly!), Fenton/Fallon cuff

Brought Berry to ballet class then straight to Nina's baby shower wearing a plum jersey t-shirt dress from Vestito, J. Crew necklace, Sigerson Morrison sandals

Yes, you read that right. Berry started ballet classes last week. She was telling me that she wanted to learn ballet since February, and we told her she was too young and that she could start when she gets bigger. But nothing could convince her otherwise. Everyday she would say, "I want to go to ballet school." Not just once, but several times throughout the day. We bought her ballet shoes, just to give in a little, hoping that would be enough, but she loved it so much she wanted to wear them to pre-school too.

This all started when she saw a little girl dancing, wearing a tutu in Vogue and she was copying the little girl. My sisters Dianne and Nicole would teach her positions and she was such an eager student. So Dada said, "Ok! Let's send her to ballet school." I made inquiries and while I was told that they only accepted students 3.5 years and above, I begged that they include Berry because it was her who wanted to go to school and not me, hahaha! They gave in and said she could do a trial class.

Berry was initially intimidated on her first day at ballet class and didn't want to dance, but when we returned that weekend, she went inside the studio without any hesitation and happily followed the moves and steps their teacher taught them! She could follow all instructions at 2 years old. I was misty eyed the whole time watching her, seeing how big our baby has grown. I was prepared to go home after ten minutes, but she finished the class till the end. I was so impressed! So of course, Berry is in, she passed her "audition". She will start once a week lessons from now on and the little girl is thrilled!

Went to the christening of A's twins Anton & Andres wearing a jersey dress from Vestito and Louboutin pumps, accessories from Kenneth Jay Lane, Alexis Bittar and Amrita Singh

My Vestito dresses were a hit amongst my friends, and what's best is that while these are not maternity dresses, they look amazing as pregnancy clothes. Very forgiving on the figure, and can definitely still be worn after Xavi comes out.

Vestito is a local brand owned by my friend Angela Operana-Batoon, and available at The Ramp Crossings in Shangri-la Mall and online at Catalogue63.

For inquiries and updates on new arrivals, add Vestito on Facebook!

18 Weeks

These days I can eat so  much better now. No more puking at all, yey! I still have to rein in the urge to stuff myself because I get heartburn, sigh. Which is kind of good though because I don't eat more than I should. In a way, heartburn is a blessing because when I had it with Berry, I only gained 25 lbs the entire pregnancy. Which was easy to shed off.

I can also feel the Little One moving around in my tummy! I started feeling movements around 16 weeks, but this time it's more evident. I so know when the baby is awake! We are so excited! Berry calls our baby, "my baby". She even talks to the baby, saying she will share her toys! Awww, I think she'll be a good and caring atchi/older sister!

Here's how my belly looks at 18 weeks:

Tunic top from H&M, American Apparel leggings, Simple 85 pumps from Christian Louboutin

(In heels, I know. I was sitting the whole time anyway, and didn't need to walk extensively, so why the heck not, hee)

J. Crew tunic top, Old Navy leggings, ballet flats from French Sole 

The latter outfit is more pregnancy friendly of course. I think as my belly grows, I'll be living in leggings, tunic tops and flats more and more.

Shop & Save Tip #1: Don't Pay Retail!

Wearing my sale finds: a $10 tunic from H&M (marked down from $29.99) and a $15 leather belt from Zara (down from $50) 

Ok, I know, I know this took like, forever. I just have so many shopping tips to share, I knew I'd have to devote a lot of time to writing that post. So, I just decided to break it down into chewable bits, and go at it when inspiration strikes!

Before I expound on Tip #1, let me start off with these basic shopping rules that I live by:

- Buy ONLY what you LOVE. How do you know it's true love? "When you love it, set it free. When you come back for it, and it's still there, it's meant to be!" That means, don't be impulsive. You can hang on to the piece you want, try it on in the fitting room (sometimes, after trying it on, you realize it's not all that it's cracked up to be, so goody for you!), walk around the store with it as you shop, then decide if you can walk away. Don't run to the cash register by reflex (unless it's the last piece in your size, it's a great deal or it's love at first sight and you absolutely have to have it). I try to sleep over my purchases, especially major purchases.  If I can't stop thinking about it over so many days, then I seriously consider buying it. More often than not, I also try to wait for the piece to go on sale. If it's no longer there, then I just take it as a sign that it's not for me. One thing I learned, with my years of experience, if it's a forgettable piece, then it's something you can live without anyway. Besides, when the season ends and the stuff that you do want finally go on sale, the acquisition is just so much sweeter!

Oh, and to add, as with relationships, don't ever settle. You'll find that you will still be pining for your true love if you go for second best. If you really want a Birkin, then quit buying Bottegas and Chanels. If you add up 4 to 5 of these bags, you've got your Birkin, honey!

- Quality Over Quantity. Always. Really. You don't need 20,000 pieces in your closet. Just a few, really nice, well-made, well-fitting pieces and you're all set. Take note, I did not say expensive. It's all in the fit and the quality of the fabric. When you invest in quality, I learned, you can live with a few articles of clothing. When it comes down to it, how many of your clothes do you really wear all the time? Of your stuff, how many are classic enough to last you years without making you look like a fashion victim in 2 years? Haven't you learned by now that disposable fashion is well, disposable? Stuff from H&M and Forever21 are fun and cheap, and go for it if you are spending less than $35 or Php1600 an item (my personal max, I can't bear spending over $35 for one piece at H&M). But don't go overboard. While quality  pieces may cost more than 2, 5 or 10x what you would normally spend, an investment piece will reward you with style dividends in the long run. Remember too, there are quality pieces out there that won't cost you an arm and a leg. I find that when I stick to pieces made of 100% cotton vs. polyester or synthetic fabrics, then they are easier to care for and last me a long time, even if they're from H&M or Old Navy.

- Edit, edit, edit. Not only your closet but in your head as well. When you shop, try to think if you are buying something that will go well with what you already own, or if it is a crucial piece that will enhance your wardrobe - i.e. key piece or clutter? Don't get caught too up with the trends. In the end, if that dress that looked so cute on Alexa doesn't really do much for you, then it's just a waste of money. Stick to your own personal style and invest in that.  You also don't want to look at your photos years from now and gasp, telling yourself, "What was I thinking wearing that?!"  

When you keep all these "rules" in mind, you'll see that you'll end up spending your money wisely because you only buy what is necessary or succumb to pieces that will enhance your style.

All these being said, let's now go on to TIP #1: Don't Pay Retail!

I love it when I buy something on sale! It's just a different high. I hardly ever pay full price for my clothes. When it comes to shoes, it's still 50/50. Most of the shoes I want hardly ever go on sale. The mind is willing, but the sole is weak.

How to Follow TIP #1:

- Wait for store and online sales (Major sale seasons in the US and UK are in January and July), but stores like Anthropologie and H&M have sale sections in store practically year round
- If you're in NYC, frequent sample sales
- If you have chums who work in showrooms, that's where the deals are! Wholesale prices, woohoo!
- Shop in sale/flash sites like The Outnet, Gilt Groupe, Ideeli, Rue La La and Beyond the Rack
 - Troll eBay! Just make sure you deal with reputable sellers. I've bought a brand new Manoush seersucker dress for less than $10 and a brand new military jacket with gold buttons for less than $45 (it was over $100 at Anthropologie  two seasons ago) among many other great finds!
- When shopping online, make coupon codes work for you! Don't ignore Free Shipping coupons, that'll save you at least $7 on average
- Stores typically give you 10% off for snags, holes, missing buttons and tears on full priced items. Don't hesitate to point that out when you pay. If it's easily repairable and can be DIY'd, then there's no harm in getting a flawed piece. $3.50 off a $35 dress is still money that can be funneled into your shoe or bag fund!

Wearing a $31.50 drape dress with pockets from H&M (marked down 10%  from $35 because of an open seam on one side, but repaired and now covered with a belt from Topshop), earrings from Tom Binns, Simple 85 Loub pumps  

Oh hey, just because an item is priced below retail doesn't mean it's worth buying. Ask yourself, "Would I buy this at full price?" If the answer is no, then you have no business spending your money on it. Remember, buy what you love. Don't buy something just because it's cheap. Because quality trumps quantity in the long run. And you don't want to edit your closet only to toss out something that you bought just because it was a bargain. Capisce?

Sharing My OutfitS Day: Mad Woman

...at 19 Weeks

I woke up this morning feeling like I wanted to play dress up. For some reason, now that I'm pregnant, I've been wanting to wear heels, but Dear Hubby is discouraging me because I can be a klutz, and that plus me having the Little One is a teetering combination!

Have you seen the series Mad Men? It revived my love for '50s fashion. When I was little, I took great pleasure in looking at my grandmothers' photos wearing dresses with the poofiest skirts and frequently bugged my mom for a poodle skirt like those worn by girls in '50s period movies (not easy to find in the '80s haha!). I love old-ish clothes and I've been obsessed with the '50s housewife look for the longest time! Think full voluminous skirts and waisted dresses and all that fabric!

It might still be winter, but with the heater turned on, I thought I'd pull out my housewife-y clothes and wear heels, even just inside the house, and with nowhere to go really...

I bought the dainty printed fabric at Cotton Touch in Market Market, and had my Tita Au's seamstress sew 2 yards of material into this outfit -- which is actually a top and skirt that can be worn together as a dress or as separates.



This pintucked detail was inspired by a Chloe top I saw at net-a-porter...


I loved that shirt dress that Diane Lane wore in Under The Tuscan Sun. So when I saw my friend, designer Debbie Co-Teng, wearing a white shirt dress with a full skirt, I asked her to make one for me in brown and with side pockets...





Now this one is the most housewife-y of all I think! A vintage top from France, a vintage belt from my MIL, and a full skirt from H&M...


I wore it with a mustard cardigan from Madame à Paris - which can be worn like this...


...or belted like this...


Here's a detailed shot of the top...pretty no? Something my grandma would wear, heehee! And I love love love it!


Now this last piece isn't very '50s. After all, I got it from H&M back in October when I was going around The City (haha!) with Grace. But I like dainty floral prints and shirt dresses...




I concede, as much as I like dressing up like a housewife, I don't do a good job of ironing these clothes, as you can see from the close-up pics! Hahaha!

Mom, Dear Hubby, these are old shoes! And please understand, this is a fashion blog and I have to do the requisite close-up of shoes...

Left: nude wedges from Chloé, Right: wine pumps from Louboutin

Heehee!