Skirt-ing the Issue

Eyecandy and Sundrenched were in Al-Akaria Mall three weeks ago. For Filipinos here in Riyadh, we're sure you know that Al-Akaria Mall is one of the first malls in Riyadh. Madalas ito ang tagpuan ng mga Pinoys noon... kaya naman madalas din i-raid ng mga religious police! Now, the old Al-Akaria is not as busy as it used to be but it still houses best-selling shops that we cannot get enough of: Nine West which has racks of on-sale shoes, Aldo Liquidation which is always on sale (and whose racks are arranged per shoe size, thank goodness!), and Al-Sawani which offers designer brands (UCB, Guess, Levi's, etc.) with huge discounts. After searching these stores, S and E came out empty-handed. So they moved further and found Feel Free, a clothing store. This time, they came out with something some things... skirts!

So for this Collage Week, the Pink Tarha ladies welcome the fall season with feminine silhouettes with the help of SKIRTS. Yes, skirts. Even if we're really cowboys most of the time (i.e. kaladkarin sa ora-oradang lakwatsa, laging handa sa bakbakan [ulk!], etc.), we also wear skirts once in a while to remind ourselves that we're truly ladies (so we better act it!).

Here's what these two PT ladies got:

Skirting the issue. Yes, we're ladies.

Actually, excess lang yan ng kurtina, LOL!

On Eyecandy: Brown embroidered skirt FEEL FREE Sandals NEW LOOK On Sundrenched: Black embroidered skirt FEEL FREE White inner tanktop MNG Black blazer NEXXUS Thin belt DOROTHY PERKINS Silver sequined flats NEW LOOK Heart necklace CITYMAX

These are two almost identical long skirts but with E's and S' different fashion style, you can see two ways on how to wear 'em.

Eyecandy, Bohemian Chic

You can see E's free spirit in how she wore her brown skirt. She wore it as a dress! (Actually, nagmamadali lang yan kaya hindi na nakapagsuot ng blouse, hehe.) This la femme boheme knows how to show that earthy touch with neutral browns.

Sundrenched, Posh Chic

S seals her prim and proper fashion personality with this ensemble. (Pero sa totoong buhay, hindi yan prim and proper masyado, hehe.) The long skirt made her look taller and the black color and thin belt cinching her waist made her thinner. (In short, ilusyon lang ang lahat ng ito! LOL!)

Both girls love their skirts. S says that she can move freely with the cotton fabric used and E is so satisfied with the price (just SR50) that she got two more. It also helps that the skirts have dainty embroidery that is subtly eye-catching.

Now, we challenge you ladies to wear skirts and send us your photos! We're ladies after all. There's no issue there.

Power Shopping (Part II)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend right? But for an average-earning, single OFW like me, shopping is this girl's best friend.

Okay, okay! I know that this sale season has got my shopping frenzy off the charts...and I mean OFF.THA.CHARTS. Still, I'd like to believe that I am somewhat logical with my purchases because they are on sale (at ridiculous prices, might I add) plus, I know that it's still within my budget (classic excuse of a shopaholic?!). This is the second installment of my Power Shopping series. I am hoping it won't be a trilogy. (Eeek, crosses fingers!)

Accessories galore:

Accessories from Miss Selfridge, Claire's, Accessorize and New Look

All of my purchases from Miss Selfridge are at 9SR (see cocktail rings, brown flower necklace, ribbon and button earrings and the turquoise chandelier earrings). From Accessorize, I got a floral bangle for 9SR, "gong" earrings for 12SR, a topaz capiz necklace for 14SR and some black and gold bangles for 13SR. One item from New Look was a white heart necklace for only 10SR while Claire's was super ridiculous that they had items for sale for only 1SR! Yes, you read it right, 1SR! (see the bronze round earrings and the square silver hoops were both for 1SR!) Red layered necklace was 5SR from Claire's.

Shoes-es:

Black, fringed sandals with bronze studs from New Look

It's a crossbreed of the gladiator-look trend plus the everything-with-fringe/tassle mania that has hit fashionistas worldwide. This pair is special because the salesman from New Look (Kuya, whatever your name is, I will always think of you while I wearing these shoes) gave me an extra "discount" on this pair. Originally priced at 269SR, I checked out this baby for only 40SR!!!

Brown, leather, gladiator shoe boot also from New Look

I swear it is like gladiator meets Texas. I absolutely ADORE this pair and the fact that it was only for 40SR got me stark raving maddd! Now, only if there was an event I could wear this to...

Tops and Dresses:

Tank tops from Dorothy Perkins, 10SR each.

Gray, cashmere cardi from Dorothy Perkins: 75SR (I know it's a bit pricey still, it's CASHMERE people!) FYI: It used to be priced at 230SR.

Cream satin top from Dorothy Perkins, old price: 180SR, sale price: 45SR!

Purple gypsy top from New Look. 'Would love to wear this to a beach outing or somewhere sunny. Can be a dress or oversized top. Original price: 159SR. Sale price: 30SR!

Floral sunday dress from Dorothy Perkins: Original price: 275SR. Sale price: 68SR. And guess what? I returned to the mall a week after buying this, and I saw that it even went down to 50SR. Imagine!!? Kalurkey.

See, since booze and clubbing are illegal in this part of the world, I turn to shopping as my next best thing. So sue me! haha. In all fairness naman, I only become this "shopping amazona" during the sale season. Especially when prices are uber ridiculous already, you'd be crazy not to think twice about checking it out.

I am really apprehensive that there would be a Part III to the Power Shopping series because last Wednesday, I read that Citymax is at 50% off for summer clearance, and that there are Ramadan Kareem sales everywhere. Plus, S said that she was able to purchase two pairs of 9SR shoes yesterday at F&F. I can almost hyperventilate just typing about it. It doesn't help that it was just salary day last Thursday.

*breathes*

-ec-

Our Tribute to a Great Woman

The Pink Tarha Ladies wore yellow last Wednesday, joining many Filipinos all over the world to give tribute to a great woman who inspired millions of Fillipinos to aspire for greatness with humility and goodness.

As the Philippines bid farewell to President Corazon Aquino, we Filipinos in Saudi Arabia had our own way of saying our adieu to the woman considered as "the most loved president in the entire history of the Philippines." While we were not part of the huge crowd swelling into the streets of Manila ignoring the torrential rains of tropical storm Kiko to get a glimpse of the former president's brown casket, we paid respect by doing what we do best:

Dress up and accessorize... in yellow.

How we said goodbye.

Many Filipinos in our workplace wore yellow ribbons. It brought smiles to our faces whenever we encounter them on the hallways wearing their silent tribute. On the day of Pres. Aquino's funeral, the PT girls wanted to absent from work just so we could glue our eyes on television and watch the coverage. Alas, we couldn't! We just wore the ribbon above. Nothing can stop us to continue what Tita Cory has started and wanted - for us to be free and empowered.

Eyecandy, Mary, Sundrenched... continuing the good fight.

We were born on years when Aquino was president. While we do not have distinct memories of experiencing the first EDSA Revolution, we know how important that event was in our lives and the lives of every Filipino. We will not have this present if not for that glorious piece of past. Cory Aquino is gone but her ideals and leadership will remain alive. We hope that the values she left be the torch that will light our path towards Election 2010, for us to choose leaders with the same honor, integrity, and dignity that she had.

TULOY ANG LABAN, mga KABAYAN!

____________
What We Wore
On Eyecandy: Yellow tunic HARAJ Sleeveless inner top RIVER ISLAND Black slacks HARAJ Slingbacks MILANO Yellow cocktail ring DOROTHY PERKINS
On Maryhadalittlehump: Yellow sleeveless blouse ZARA Gray slacks PAPERDOLLS Black sandals ZARA
On Sundrenched: Cardigan, gray slacks, necklace, cream shoes NEW LOOK Yellow bracelets JADED (Centrepoint) Scarf CITYMAX (Eyecandy's)

Power Shopping. *bow*

Let the title suffice.

The following contents of this post cannot be justified other than the simple reason that:
"IT'S BECAUSE IT'S THE SALE SEASON, YA'KNOWW"

Shoes: Black, sequined T-sandals from Milano, 50SR (purchased from their Buy 1 Take 1 promo on my first visit) I couldn't find anything else I liked so I grabbed a pair of flip-flops as my free item (not pictured).

Bronze, sling-back, wedged 4-inch heels. 135SR from Milano (purchased from my SECOND visit during their Buy 1 Take 1 promo). I got the same ones in black as my free item. (So thats 135SR for two pairs basically! :D) And I'm a girl who loves heels!

Even before the sale season began, I already had my eye on these beaded, gladiator-inspired sandals at Parfois. So imagine my delight when I saw that they were 75% off! Originally priced at around 150SR-170SR, I only got them for 43SR! So I bought two. I have another pair of the same style only in white. (I have yet to identify this "disorder" of mine of wanting to buy the same items in different colors)

SUPER PURCHASE: Naturally, I wouldn't splurge on such a tiny little thing, but call it 'love-at-first-sight'...or in my case, love-at-FOURTH-sight! Yeah, when I first saw this clutch I was smitten and conflicted at the same time. Smitten because it was just too adorable to pass on and conflicted because it cost 97SR (previously priced as 195SR)! Two prayer times and four comebacks to Accessorize later, I finally grabbed the clutch, marched to the cashier and paid with my eyes shut! As I walked out, I cradled the clutch to my chest and said, "You're mine!" Haha. Check out the matching earrings too!

Blouses: Subtle pink, plaid top, with ruffles on the front: 40SR
Hot pink, plaid blouse: 50SR Debenhams' Collection at 70% off.

Dyed-green, boho top with tassles from Red Herring, 60SR (70% off).

Casual grey top from Next, 35SR (70% off). I'm loving the feather details on this one.

Cardi-Love: Black, knitted, short-sleeve bolero from Debenhams' Collection. 90SR from 230SR. I am a sucker for boleros and cardigans. *dreammmy*

Black wrap-around cardi from the line Rocha John Rocha for only 50SR! (originally priced at 140SR)

4 pants and a skirt: Black denim pants from New Look (40SR), denim flare jeans from New Look (50SR), charcoal high-waist slacks from New Look (50SR), ash-grey plaid slack from Red Herring (26!SR) and beige+white boho plaid skirt from New Look (30 SR).

Accessories: Ala-diamond studded "O" and "oblong" earrings from Coast. Check out the prices! Masaya magmukhang mayaman (kahit na hindi) *apir!*. Unless I would meet someone willing to give me the outrageously expensive versions of these, pwede rin! ;P

Cocktail rings from Dorothy Perkins, all 10SR each.

In the middle of this post, I got a call from my "informant" on this weekend's mega sale. Debenhams will be having a Buy 1 Get 1 promo with all items that are 70% off for three days only! That's tomorrow KSA readers: 29-31 July 2009. So, should you expect a Part 2 of my Power Shopping series? Hahaha, my wallet will be the judge of that!

I need a drink.


Cheers y'all!


-ec-

My Weekend Finds

The Wednesday rush to Debenhams was chaos! With Eyecandy23 reporting the status of shoppers at the Kingdom Centre, I just didn’t have the energy to brave the crowd. Add the fact that most of the people you compete with the nice stuff are people you recognize from work! I guess the mere thought of digging through piles of disorganized racks exhausted me already. So instead, I went to my quiet and peaceful shopping haven…Topshop. The decline of shoppers was obvious, since all of them were in Debenhams, Kingdom Centre at this time. Shopping behavior is quite predictable, I know.

Topshop, Sahara Mall

I rarely go out of Topshop empty-handed, that’s for sure. Here are some of my finds, modeled by Carpio the Teddy:

Topshop Grey wool and off-white caps, SAR20 each

Having the chance to go out again on Friday night, I had my fair share of the Buy 1, Get 1 promo but not from Debenhams. This time from Oasis, Granada Mall. Here are my Friday night finds:

Dorothy Perkins Grey knit blouse with cream bow detail, SAR 50
Oasis Scarves, SAR 35

Topshop Sleeveless dress, SAR 25

What better way to conclude the winter (and year-end sales) but with Saturday morning rain, gloomy skies and morning traffic! Since we only get rain twice a year, this was yesterday's surprise...

We're all motivated to go to work today...*lazy*

My Debenhams Loot

Thanks to the ad that made Eyecandy23's heart palpitate like crazy, we braved the Wednesday rush to the Kingdom Tower to get first dibs on Debenham's Buy 1 Get 1 free promo. When we got there, we were overwhelmed by the crowd... and the stuff that were literally everywhere. What did we do? Run... and dive in the madness! (You think we'll back out in this kind of sale insanity?! Heck, bring it on! ;)

So after the two evening salats, I finally managed to clear my mind, calm down, and decide which among the items on my bag will I be taking home.

Royal blue satin top and dark blue sleeveless day dress from Topshop
The top and the dress' original price is 225SR. Now they're both down to 65SR. And because it's buy one get one free, I have to pay 65SR only for both! Tell me, how can I refuse this?!

Grey cashmere long top and mint shoulder bag from Dorothy Perkins
The top's original price is 275SR and the bag's a little over 100SR. Now, the top is on sale for 75SR and the bag is 55SR. I only paid 75SR for both. Woot!

There were still a lot of stuff that I want from Debenhams but tomorrow, I'll still be going to war on the last day of the sale season so I'm done with Debenhams for now. Let's see what tomorrow will bring. ;)