What's Inside S' Bag

It's been a long time since the last What's Inside Your Bag entry. Mary and Shoegarfreeruby spilled theirs already. Rummage their bags here and here. I'll just give a quick run through of mine because I am more or less the same with... Mary! We keep our stuff in little kits to avoid clutter. Though I must say I am not as organized as her. I am more like Shoegar in terms of kikay-ness.

The Bag

I am a fan of the big bag theory. I'm not sure what's that but I just love huge bags. I only use small bags when I'm going somewhere very near (ie. neighborhood bakery) or somewhere very crowded (ie. Haraj). I always carry a huge bag to work. Yes, even if it contains just a few pieces of kits. I love this Aldo bag because it's very versatile. It has three handles that transforms it into a handbag, a shoulder bag, and a messenger bag. And the black and white color, of course, goes with any of my outfit. (Teka, abaya lang naman technically ang outfit ko, hehe.) I don't change bags everyday. I hate the hassle. Lol. I change it just twice or thrice a month.

Spill It!
Bag with two pouches, 2 books, 2 eye wear, and 2 gadgets

The two of everything is not intentional. I just realized it when I was taking the picture of my stuff. On a normal day, my stuff wouldn't look this organized. Because of my over-sized bag's width, my things tend to jumble inside that's why I use two pouches to keep the small stuff. My gadgets are stored in the bag's inner pockets.

What's Inside?

My phone, a Nokia E72, is mostly used for calling and texting only. I am not a firm believer of multi-tasking cellphones. I carry a handy Samsung ES60 for instant "photo shoots" and "photo ops," especially when I am out with my friends (not seen in the photo above because I'm using it to take the photo). Nope, red is not my favorite color. :P I carry a book (I'm re-reading The Secret Life of Bees) for idle moments. The Starbucks planner serves as my planner and journal in one. A very dear friend gave it to me when I had my vacation in the Philippines last December. I'm into wayfarer shades now, I never leave home without one. Wayfarers in photo is from Forever 21. My eyeglasses needs to be changed soon. My eye sight's 225/225. And of course, I never go out without my veil (even if my abaya is now with a hood). Nope, sorry, my tarha is not pink.

Kikay Kit
1. Pink makeup kit 2. Ellana travel brush set 3. Guerlain lip gloss 4. Vitress hair shine 5. Ellana minerals (foundation, finishing powder, blush, and eyeshadow) 6. Ellana lip color 7. Eye-Mo 8. Human Heart Nature hand sanitizer 9. Neutrogena lip balm 10. Mint gum 11. Mac Lipstick in Cosmo (my go-to shade) 12. Human Heart Nature solid perfume
(not in photo: HHN pocket soap, comb, and mirror mints)

Confession, I love make-up! (I'm wondering why we don't do beauty entries here in The Pink Tarha... hmn, good idea!) I was a pimply teen and I'm still prone to break-outs up to now and make-up has helped me embrace these imperfections. I rarely leave the house without a powder on. Although sometimes, I do go out without putting on make-up, just to let my skin breathe. But, but, but... despite my ♥ for make-up, I don't consider myself high-maintenance. I only take 15-30 minutes to put make-up on. I already have my beauty ritual down pat. Also, when I'm out, I don't like getting up to retouch and retouch. I don't even touch this kikay kit in my bag the entire day. Well, except to get the hand sanitizer and the mints after eating... and of course, unless it's really necessary to put makeup again for dinner or a date... with the girlfriends! :)

I'm also currently into organic and earth-friendly products now. I am using Human Heart Nature products and Ellana Minerals (as seen here) and organic/handmade soaps from By Nature and Ilog Maria. They're very affordable and they work!

Essentials Kit

I don't carry a wallet, just this wristlet, which carries everything important. This is my "makalimutan ko na ang lahat sa paglabas, wag lang ito" thing. It contains my national ID (iqama; I still have the old booklet form), money (SR10 lang laman! lol!), various cards, receipts, and a ballpen. I also have a SAWA recharge card for emergency.

Okay, that's basically it. Was that quick or what? Anyway, hope you enjoyed my WIYB edition.

Care to show us what's inside your bag too?

§undrenched

Corporate Appeal

How hard is it to pull off a corporate look? It takes a lot of effort especially if you're one of the Pink Tarha Ladies. We do not like wearing the executive look because they're way too much effort-ful to conjure. We're doubtful if we can last a day in it. Our Collage Week on neutrals was the most formal we can get ourselves to wear. Corporate dressing? Not for us. We only wear them once in a blue moon, or when a challenge to power dress comes. Like last Monday!

The challenge was to come to work in a power dressing aka corporate mode. We had visions of tight pencil skirts and sky-high pumps like those working girls you see in the Makati Central Business District but of course, we have to subdue everything here. Subtlety goes a long way anyway. Here's how powerful we can get:

The Pink Tarha Ladies Tigresses
(Mary is still absent due to sickness. But she's doing well now, folks!)

Shoegarfreeruby's eclectic mix of colors

Batwing cardigan H&M Blue and white smock dress CITYMAX Black slacks (old) Gladiator sandals H&M Bag BETSEYVILLE by Betsey Johnson Black headband BERSHKA Earrings MS. SELFRIDGE Watch CASIO BABY G

Even if black and white is the main theme of the day, R ventured off the world of usual power dressing by incorporating color to her wardrobe. Her bag is definitely not something you'll see in the corporate ladder but so what?! If you have a bag like that, don't you get the attention worthy enough to get you to the top?

Eyecandy's touch of 'rock it!'

White polo and black round vest MARKS&SPENCER Ash gray plaid slacks RED HERRING (Debenhams) Black patent mary jane PEACOCKS Red crocodile purse LIZ CLAIRBORNE Black lace headband FOREVER 21 Grey plastic bangle CITYMAX Dogtag necklace CENTREPOINT Crystal drop-earrings ACCESSORIZE

Black, white, and grey... learn the most basic in corporate attire but don't stop there. Take E's cue on making the look yours by infusing your own style. She's still the rockin' and rollin' girl with her go-getter, always upbeat attitude. The red clutch, the floral headband, and the dangling earrings make quite a statement don't cha think? They catch the eyes of the beholder... and those looks will probably linger for more than just a while.

Sundrenched's classic approach

Blazer MS (Centrepoint) White tee ZARA Black wide-leg slacks NEW LOOK Black pumps F&F Mode Layered bead necklace PROMOD Black hand bag Thrifted from HARAJ

She's the only one who wore the blazer but to minimize the formality of it all, S chose to scrunch her sleeves to 3/4 and wore a basic white tee under. With a layered necklace and high heels, who cares if her black and white ensemble is your ordinary take on corporate look?

It might take a while for us to wear the corporate attire again but it sure is hell fun to become "powerful" for a day. Where's our whips? Whapakkkk! ;P

Miss Little Black Dress

Ladies, you've read the basic rule of fashion right? No woman should be without a little black dress. Every woman should have a simple black dress that transcends fashion trends. It should be that dress that can take you from casual to semi-formal to elegant. It can be dressed up or dressed down with accessories, clutches, and shoes. The LBD is a staple in your closet. Who doesn't have one?!

Last month, Centrepoint had their 50% off sale. Early this month, they dropped their prices even more. Who took home some loot from the sale month? I did! I scored three little black dresses that are simple, versatile, and very, very affordable.

Coco Chanel, I am channeling you in these sleek numbers:

Dresses from MS Essentials in Centrepoint.

Three LBDs.

Can you guess how each dress costs? SR20! Yes, you read that right. SR20. Who can even say no to these ridiculously low-priced dresses? And who says a woman should only have one LBD?! :P

Two of the dresses used the same sheath fabric while the third one is an eyelet dress. They're not too revealing which is great because I'm of the conservative kind. Teehee. I love sleeves (because I have huge arms :P) and I love lengths that sits comfortably a few inches above the knee. I know that black is such a neutral color but I think that's the beauty of these dresses. I can throw in whatever accessories and shoes that I want and get away with a pop of color for any occassion. I can also wear skinny jeans or leggings and still come away looking thinner than I really am. Hehe.

And for some more added color, I can just pick from among the scarves and belts I have stashed in the corner of my closet:

Eeny meeny miny mooooo!

Ladies, remember this: “When a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.”