{Wishful Thinking} Oxfords

My eldest daughter has definitely found her fashion voice early on.  Her style is androgynous and sometimes nautical, but always comfortable. Such a relief for me that she doesn't like wearing skimpy clothes that are so common among girls her age because they restrict her movement.

The photo below shows our typical weekend garb.

I noticed that she currently has several pair of oxfords... which I've been meaning to borrow.  But I can't because we don't share the same shoe size.  Naiwan na nya ako!  I've tried everything.. cork, socks, double socks, thick athletic socks... sobrang trying hard na, ayaw talaga! hahaha!

I've had some free time last week, so I went to Pinterest.  I originally wanted to search for ideas on how to wear oxfords for women my age.  But, instead, I found a lot of images of Taylor Swift.  Now, my daughters are Swifties, so I know this post will just make me the best mom ever again in their eyes!:)

But other than Taylor Swift, I also found lots of photos of women with toned legs wearing short skirts with their oxfords.  While I certainly cannot get away with this anymore, I am sure my daughter will find the photos inspiring.

  

 

As for me, I persevered to search for a peg that is realistic for me... Success with these photos below!

 

 

I just love everything in this photo... the distressed boyfriend jeans, the blazer... everything!

I also adore this white denim and cognac colored oxfords shown below

all images except the first two via Pinterest

How about you?  Which one is your favorite look?

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Wishful Thinking: {Wardrobe} Gray Tops and White Pants

After an episode of ramblings in red, my clothing palette preference has now shifted back to neutrals.  I just bought a couple of tees and button downs in gray that I have yet to break in.  Here are a couple of looks that says: clean, casual and chic... my inspirations on how to wear my gray tops.

Here's Gwyneth showing us all how she wears her gray tee

These two could easily be my uniform as a busy mom

This is my peg for lunch dates with the hubby

How to channel the fashionable tourist

And here's how you wear it with Hermes...

Loving the pairing with boat shoes

maybe this is how my daughter would wear it if she borrows my shirts

 

As for me, it is always better if it's loose and slightly tucked-in... 

all the better to hide the mommy (fl)abs.  tee-hee-hee!

image credits: loft.com,  habituallychic.blogspot.com,  jcrew.com, 29.media.tumblr.com, joannagoddard.blogspot.com, southmoltonststyle.com,  witanddelight.tumblr.com, classy-in-the-city.tumblr.com, zara.com

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Wishful Thinking: {Wardrobe} Red Skirt

My thoughts have been incessantly interrupted with billows of red, shifting swirls of crimson, episodic weaves of scarlet... I must have a red skirt. And it must be soon! Not just one, but plenty enough to wear for each day of the week!

Prim and proper for Sunday church and lunch with the family...


Very European chic noh? To be donning a full skirt and riding a bicycle...


If my legs were this long and lean, I'd be wearing this, too...


This is my favorite... a rolled up classic l/s button down with a slim skirt.


A nautical spin on the red skirt

 

Lovely outfit for lunch with friends


And it doesn't always have to be white and red; sometimes, you can be bold and throw in tangerine, too...


... or black, if that's what the mood catches you


A nice ensemble can still be nicer - if you have George Clooney beside you.:)


Join me wear a red skirt?

image credit:  thefashiontrolley.tumblr.com, sundayinbed.tumblr.com, vogue-le-mode.tumblr.com,  thesartorialist.blogspot.com,  us.asos.com, moodboard.typepad.com, fossil.com,weheartit.com, dailymail.co.uk 

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Wishful Thinking: { Wardrobe } Decoding The Secret Language Of Formal Attire For A Filipino-Chinese Wedding

For those of you who are Chinese, or who have married into a Chinese family, you know what I speak of when I say that dressing for a Filipino-Chinese wedding can sometimes be a dilemma.

For starters, when the invites say "formal attire," people normally assume it means full-length gown for ladies, suit or Barong Tagalog for men; however, it can also be easily misconstrued by some elders (and emphasis on some, ha) in the Fil-Chi community to mean any casual dress for the women and shorts-sleeved polo and slacks for the men. C and I have found ourselves in too many a predicament wherein it would seem we are over-dressed; but in reality, we are actually the ones properly dressed. It is easier for C since all he has to do is take off his coat, and he blends in already.

It has been my habit to make an effort to strictly follow the dress code indicated on the invite whenever I have to attend a wedding. Dressing appropriately shows the bride and groom that I recognize the effort that they have put into that special occasion. Also, you'd have to agree that beautifully dressed guests make for a beautiful party.:)

Having been a victim of "over-dressing" in several Chinese weddings, I am now sharing my guide on how to decode the secret language of formal dressing for a Filipino-Chinese wedding.

For a Chinese luncheon wedding that is held in a restaurant such as Gloria Maris or Century Seafood, I advise you to take out a dressy blouse and trousers from your closet. It will not make you stand out, and yet people will still take notice of the carefully selected pieces you have on. Finish your outfit with simple jewelry and put a pop of color by wearing a brightly colored clutch. As you may know, Chinese elders frown on black or white when going to happy events such as weddings and birthdays.

 1st outfit: Paule Ka top, Carnie trousers, Nine West leather sandals, Alexander McQueen clutch.  2nd outfit: Balmain silk shirt, Alexander McQueen boot cut pants, Prada high heel pumps

For a Chinese restaurant dinner reception, I would recommend for you to wear a knee length dress of neutral color. Again, our purpose is to quietly let people sit up and turn their heads in your direction as you walk on by.

1st outfit: Hoss Intropia satin wrap dress, Stuart weitzman shoes. 2nd outfit: Miss Selfridge pink dress, Badgley Mischka silver stiletto heels 3rd outfit: Oasis pleated dress, , Badgley Mischka bow high heels 

The fun part of getting ready for a wedding is really when you get ready for a hotel ballroom dinner reception because then you pull out all the stops. Putting on a floor length dress can make any woman feel extra lovely; more so when she gets a spontaneous compliment from the husband. It is also a good time for you to take the bling-blings for a night-out!

Mango evening dress, Valentino evening dress, Miss Selfridge cotton maxi dress, Jimmy Choo stiletto high heels, Rodo crystal evening clutch, MCDiamond Engagement ring, Carolee stud earrings, Miss Selfridge flower belt

There, I hope I was able to simplify it for you!:)

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Wishful Thinking: { Wardrobe } Camel - Two Ways

Camel is a beautiful neutral shade that it has a dominant ownership of my closet.  And why wouldn’t it be? The color is sophisticated, and complements with almost any color in my existing closet; better still, it looks so sophisticated and polished when layered with different shades of neutral.  

Here I am, wishful thinking, that I could update my wardrobe with these stylish and timeless pieces. 

1st outfit: Stella McCartney silk dress, Jimmy Choo high heel sandals, Alexander McQueen handbag, Oval ring, EliseDray snake ring
2nd outfit: Dorothy Perkins color block dress, Enzo Angiolini espadrilles wedge, Melie bianco handbag, MICHAEL Michael Kors chronograph watch, Coin bracelet, Snap belt