TOPAZ HORIZON

Thursday, February 11, 2016

My favorite style peg: Barbie

The famous doll made a big change recently. Barbie has come out in new forms—curvy, short, petite and tall—in response to deafening criticism of her impossible and unattainable figure. I don't know why people would bully a doll.

I mean, I had a Raggedy Ann doll and I never ever grew up thinking it's unfair that I don't have her red-orange yarn hair, large round head, shapeless body, and fingerless hands. And yes, I had two Barbie dolls, too, and I also never thought it was unfair that I had a vagina and Barbie didn't. I didn't go, "Barbie must have a vagina because if she didn't, then I can't relate to her and I will have serious issues with my vagina because my doll doesn't have one."

In fact, Barbie was such a good influence on me! All Barbie ever taught me was I can be anything and everything I want—have a career most especially!—while looking fantabulous!

That's why I'm so happy that Barbie has an Instagram account. I can stalk her outfits!

Now, I just got rid of half my wardrobe. The KonMari method said get rid of everything that doesn't spark joy. That would be my ENTIRE wardrobe. We can't have that. So I kept some while I earn enough money to shop for new clothes. I've decided on going black, white and gray. It's simpler.

Here are my style pegs:

Full skirt, button-up shirt.

Okay, I know I said no more colors in my closet but black and white look so nice with pink! Besides, black-white-pink-gold will be the look of the new Topaz Horizon. Maybe my wardrobe should reflect that, too!

Okay, I know I said no more color but I'm also liking red and orange!

I love how she repeats outfits! That means she has a capsule wardrobe of classics that she mixes and matches and accessorizes so that her looks seem endless.

So my style to-do list is:
1. Create a capsule wardrobe of classic pieces in black and white.
2. Add a few pieces in bold colors like pink, red and orange.
3. Invest in big Hollywood-style shades!
4. Invest in chunky gold pieces and statement shoes.
5. Invest in a hairstylist hahaha

Follow Barbie on Instagram! It's @barbiestyle. I love her photos so much! You've got to check out her feed this February—it's all Zoolander!!!

*photos from @barbiestyle at Instagram

Tuesday, February 09, 2016

I earned this life

Just squeezing in a quick note while I breathe between two deadlines for sponsored posts for Topaz Mommy, which is, by the way, nominated for Best Parenting Blog at Blogopolis. Yey! Please vote for me!

Anyway.

I get this a lot: "Sarap naman maging blogger. Wala kang ginagawa pero binabayaran ka!" 

Guys, I've been blogging since 2006. Two thousand and six. It took me 10 years to get here. I built my audience by reading and leaving great comments on 30 similar blogs and websites a day, and sharing my posts on every social media platform I have. I did all that while I worked at my day job as a magazine editor. Now, as a full-time blogger (and part-time magazine editor!), I hustle with brands and agencies every day. I write late at night after taking care of my kids all day. 

I put in the hours. I gave up my secure corporate job. I built my dream life. I earned all this through sheer hard work. 

This blogging business was not built in a day. Not one big blogger in the world got rich and famous overnight. So if you want to blog to become rich and famous, don't do it. For blogging to be successful, as with everything, you need to work hard. I'm not even rich and famous yet and I already cry from exhaustion just building and maintaining my blogs. Imagine the work that the huge bloggers do!

Respect success, not because it's shiny and dazzling, but because it demanded so much from the person and she delivered. 

Now I gotta go. I've got work to do!

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

The best jumpsuits at Net-a-Porter

Actually, there are about a dozen gorgeous jumpsuits over at Net-a-Porter but I've decided that I'm going to streamline my wardrobe to black, gray, white and red. And a few denim pieces, of course because jeans, right?

I'm streamlining because I semi-KonMari'd my closet two weeks ago. Semi because I realized I couldn't get rid of ALL my clothes that didn't spark joy because none of my clothes sparked any joy anymore! So I kept what still fit and looked good. I also kept what was functional (breastfeeding clothes mostly). The rest will be auctioned off on eBay this weekend.

I've also started dreaming of what I want my new closet to have. Midi skirts. Full skirts. Black trousers. White slacks. Tailored dresses. And jumpsuits.

I've always loved jumpsuits. They have a cool 70s vibe. They're simple. They're easy. They're comfy. And yet they can be glamorous! So I'm hunting for fantabulous jumpsuits and I found

Equipment Adalyn wool twill for running after my kids at the mall.

Diane von Furstenberg Gwynnie black crepe for meetings.

Haney Carrie cape-effect silk chiffon and stretch crepe for family events (and that low, zippered front makes for easy breastfeeding!).

Cushnie et Ochs black stretch jersey for dates with my husband.

Halston wrap-effect fully lined white crepe for glam events.

Narciso Rodriguez in red stretch-crepe for going out with my friends.

Sooooo fab!

But first I must flatten my belly because jumpsuits are so unkind to a big tummy!

Images grabbed from Net-a-Porter. Click the links to each jumpsuit to see them in action. Yes! There's a video so we can watch the clothes move! Iba na talaga ang online shopping ngayon!