My January 2015 Shopping

I have celebrated the beginning of the year 2015 by checking out the different sales from my favorite stores.  I love the beginning of the year because most of my favorite stores go on sale (trying to get rid of the inventory that wasn't sold during the holiday season).  I am not a shopaholic - far from it.  I am a sensible shopper which is why I feel that waiting at the end of the season is the best time to get some of the basics.

Blue-Green jacket from Zara - on sale for 200 RMB ( or 2,600 Philippine Pesos )

One of the stores that I check out first is Zara.  I'm actually thankful that this time,  I had a business trip to Kuala Lumpur - so I didn't have to battle it out with all the boys of Manila to check out Zara's goods.  I skipped the dress shirts section ( I have one too many of those from online shopping at Express for men ).  I immediately went to the coats and jackets.  Why people in KL will buy coats and jackets I will never understand - the city's temperature - any time of the year is - hot!  But I guess - if they were to travel - they will need jackets ( or like us Pinoys - they can wear them inside their air conditioned offices ).

This is a Faux Leather jacket - colored blue green.  I checked out other colors to describe it - I found Ultramarine, Turquoise.  I'm gay but I've always been deficient in identifying the colors outside of those found in the rainbow.  This jacket has a snug fit - just the way I like it.  My blue leather jacket that I got from Wilson's leather - I think is a bit too big.  So although I like wearing the blue jacket - I think like - most of my shirts - it would have to be altered to fit my new body (the one I got after I lost so much weight last year) .

Blue-Green Faux Leather jacket from Zara - 200 RMB

When I got back to Manila from KL- ( before climbing the mountains to go home to Baguio ),  I checked out my other favorite store - Uniqlo.  There is a Uniqlo store in KL but I found that their price is higher than Manila.  They post the prices of the merchandise in all countries - and after conversion - the Philippines price is lower so I decided till I get back to the Philippines to do my Uniqlo shopping.  Anyways - Uniqlo is fast becoming my go-to store for jeans.  I am now very comfortable in wearing slim-fit jeans - and my Uniqlo size varies from 28 to 30.  I know that it's vanity sizing - but I don't care.  They look great when I wear my favorite shoes ( the blue chucks that I'm wearing in this picture ).

Slim-Fit Black jeans from Uniqlo - 990 Pesos

Before you accuse me for just checking out international chains exclusively - I will have to describe the t-shirt that I'm wearing.  It's from Folded & Hung.  It's a Filipino owned chain.  I buy almost exclusively from them when it comes to polo shirts.  I don't buy regular price.  I wait till they go on sale.  So this shirt that I'm wearing is just 450 pesos ( when they typically go from 750 to even a thousand pesos ).

Shirt from Folded & Hung - 450 Pesos

I actually bought a lot more than these items  and I will try to show the other merchs that I got in another post.  Note that I've also done a little bit of closet cleaning to make space for the new clothes. Some of the t-shirts that I wore with a horrible size of Extra Large - I gave away.  Looking at all of those clothes - I exclaimed - how did I let myself grow that big?!?!?

That's all I have for now.  BTW - I truly apologize for not writing as often as I should.   I will not make an excuse - I had time to write - but I didn't find any inspiration to write.   Although looking at this blog post - it isn't so inspired - but I guess it's a start.  I hope to write a lot more often this year.

I'd like to hear from y'all.  Why don't you share what you've been up to this first month of the year in 2015?  Have you been shopping like me?  What are your best buys?

Brogues from Reed's Bootery

I love shoes.  I'm not an Imelda Marcos - but I own a dozen pairs.  Some of my selections actually attract stares - especially in the office - because they're not what most guys would choose to wear.

Most of the time - the shoes shops that I go to have the right design that will make me go "Oooh!"  However,  I really wish that there are more snazzy options.  I wished so many times in the past - that I can find a shop which can make shoes according to my specifications.   

That wish has been granted by my fairy godmother - and she showed me the way to Reed's Bootery at the Abanao Square in Baguio.  Reed makes shoes according to your specs.  He has a variety of design to choose from - and you can pretty much request for the type of leather that suits your budget and taste.  I've had a pair of periwinkle boots made last year.  This time - I thought - I'd go for a little bit more classic design.  I want black and white brogues.  

The brogues you will find in shops today have a more rounded end.  I want mine to be a little more elongated at the tip.  This is the fun part --- making Reed and his staff understand what I want.  It can be a hit or miss of course --- but who cares?  Designing your own shoes makes them unique.

I told Reed that I will actually want croc/alligator boots in the future. They can be a bit pricey --- still way below the price of what the stores will charge for croc boots - but still over 100,000 pesos a pair.

When I wear these new babies - I feel like I'm Fred Astaire --- and although I won't have these get wet --- I want to just be;t out: "Singing in the Rain".

If y'all are interested in buying your own pair of custom-made shoes --- visit the Reed's Bootery at Abanao Square in Baguio.  They will take your sizes and specs --- and have it delivered anywhere via courier.

Batman T-Shirt

My favorite superhero is Batman.  He is not an alien.  He is not a god.  He was not exposed to radiation that made him a freak.  He is human - a very rich human being - but still human.  His abilities are honed by training - a lot of training - and of course technology.  

The only thing I don't like about him is that he can be a bit of a psycho.   Actually - sometimes I like him exactly because of that.  But if I were Batman - I don't want to be psycho. 

With Batman being my favorite - of course I have to get a Batman T-shirt from DC Comics Store in the Pavilion mall in KL.   

I was actually thinking of wearing a tuxedo - with the batman T-shirt underneath -- but it just wasn't working out so - I said - screw that --- I'll just wear jeans.

Oh --- I also thought the black t-shirt is a good combination with these Converse High-Top kicks that I got when I was in Dallas.   Converse was having a buy one pair and take the second pair half off.  The shoes are very 80s - and the sales clerk was I think born in the late 90s --- but she thought it was cool. 

My Flash Jacket

Orange.  I love orange.  I love the bright color and I know that it does wonders to my complexion when I wear it.  This is why among all of the jackets in the DC Comics shop - I chose to buy the Flash' jacket.

This year - because of the arctic vortex - we are experiencing colder than usual temperature here in Baguio.  Our low last night was 9 deg. C.  In my house - according to the thermometer it was 11 deg. C.  Typically our low is 14 deg.  So - we really feel the difference.  I've even worn a sweater in bed - and I had to double my blanket.

So this jacket is perfect for this weather.  It's really warm.  It's thicker than my other jackets.

BTW - let me just tell you that I'm not a big fan of the Flash.  I don't hate him --- but I don't really know much about him.  All I know is that he's part of the Justice League --- but other than that --- I never read any of his comic books.  I remember there was a short lived TV show in the past - but I didn't watch it.

Speaking of flash --- I ask you my dear readers,  if you had super power speed - what will you do with it?   Me?  I'll most probably use it to see the world.   Imagine getting to different places without boarding an airplane or a ship or a train or a car.  The first country I will visit?  I think it will be Greece.   I want to see the city of Athens.

I still have one more post on the goodies I got from the DC Comics shop from the Pavilion mall in KL --- I'm saving the best for last.

Superman T-Shirt

I am a fan of Super Heroes comic books.  During my last trip to KL - I watched a full length feature on the Justice League.  I enjoyed it extremely - and kept me occupied during the flight.  Coming back to the Philippines - I discovered a new show called Tomorrow People - which revolves around a new Species of people with super powers.   In my head - I do want to be a super hero.  I wanted it when I was a kid - and as an adult - it is one of my fantasies.

So - I think you can figure out why I like buying Super Hero T-Shirts.  They make me feel like a hero - even if I'm a regular Joe.

This T-shirt was one of the things I was able to buy from the DC Comics store in KL's Pavilion mall. I also bought a Green Lantern and Batman T-shirt.  

Superman is not my favorite super hero.  I actually prefer Batman over him.  In my mind - he's too perfect.  He seems to always just take the good side - no grays - just black and white.  I watched a movie where he died - and Lex Luthor was able to get super powers.  It explained why Superman is as virtuous as he is.  Apparently - because of his abilities - he sees the universe as one interconnected thread.  All of us are interconnected - so he had to try to save everyone - all the time.

One of the things that I never understood is why Clark Kent only has to put on eye glasses and nobody recognizes him as Superman.  I tried to take a photo of myself with the glasses on - and my face does change a bit ... but not a whole lot.

The DC Comics store at the Pavilion is really fun to be in.  Their merchandise may be on the expensive side - but if you are looking for good quality merchandise - I suggest taking a peep into the store.

The Green Lantern T-shirt

When I was young,  I loved watching the Super Friends cartoon series every Saturday.   Now - I know that they're actually called the Justice League ( against the Legion of Doom ).  As a child - I imagined myself as one of the cartoon heroes.  One of my favorite powers is that of the Green Lantern.  Imagine being able to conjure up anything with your ring.  

When the Green Lantern movie came out - I was excited.   Imagine - green lantern played by Ryan Reynolds.  Most people did not like the movie --- I love it.   In this post - I channel Hal Jordan.  

I got the T-shirt from the DC Comics Super Heroes store in Pavilion at Kuala Lumpur.

I'm trying to channel - the look of a pilot in this photo.  Brown fleather (fake leather) jacket from Zara.  Boots from Caterpillar.  I think Ray Bans - are more appropriate - but the only pair I have is pink.  Not sure Hal Jordan fans will approve.  Will they approve of the aviator styled glasses from Burberry?

More laid back look - this time with the pink aviator glasses from Rayban.

I used Mobile Monet in converting my photo into comic book look.

For more information on DC Comics super heroes store - visit their website on www.dccomics.com/dccomics.  

My Leather Jacket

Going through the ukay ukay (thrift stores) in Baguio is fun.  You can find lots of great things to buy. Of course you have to be patient.  And mya dvice ... unless you are confident on your ability to spot a fake - shy away from buying luxury brands.  I encourage you to focus on quality, craftsmanship and value for money.

Last weekend - I was able to buy this leather jacket. It's fine leather with a great cut. Brand is unknown.  Reasonably priced.  I love it.

Boots from Reeds "Barn" Bootery

I am not afraid of color.  Especially color on my shoes.  That's why I had orange, green and red loafers.   I also have blue green brogues.  Recently - I got this bright metallic blue driving shoes that everyone loves.  I've added a new pair to my collection.  This time - I went to the Reeds "Barn" Bootery at Abanao square for a new pair of light blue boots.

I discovered the shop during one of the visits from the Queens of Manila.   They had knee high boots that the shop custom made for them.  I didn't need knee high boots - I only needed calf high boots.

I was initially wondering if I will ever be able to wear sensible clothes with these boots.  It turns out - I can wear them with my gray pants and khakis.   Oh - I even had a matching belt made.

If you want to get in touch with the Reeds store - go to their website:  http://www.reedsbarnbootery.com

My Bally Bag

Going through the Ukay-Ukay ( 2nd hand thrift stores ) in Baguio can be fun.  If you are patient, lucky, or both,  you can find great items.  A month ago,  I was able to buy a Bally bag from one of the stores.  I will venture out to proclaim that it's authentic.  The hardware, the craftsmanship and the tag inside the bag says it's authentic.   I bought the bag for 3,000 pesos.

The bag has two compartments.  To be honest - at first look - it looks like a camera bag.

When I use the bag - one compartment - I use for my laptop.

The other compartment holds my miscellaneous items ( umbrella, sunglasses etc. ).

The bag is great - one thing that shows its age are these leather squares which were already detaching from the strap when I bought it.  I had to get it repaired.

Have you ever visited the Ukay-Ukay stores in Baguio?   What's your best find in the stores?

Pink Shorts from Greenhills

When I'm in Manila - I end up shopping too much.  But looking at these pink pair of shorts - how can you not buy them?   Yes - I have too many shorts now - but I think my closet has some space left for one more ( actually two pairs because I got it in Aqua ).  

BTW - I really don't know how to negotiate with the Greenhills ladies.   I got these for 350 pesos - which for me is a fair price.  But my friends say I paid too much.

Can I Rock this Look?

A friend was looking for Rock T-shirts.  I remember seeing one at the Porta Vaga mall on Session Road.  The name of the store is "Gayak".  I can think of three English words it can be translated to - outfit,  event,  or leave.   It's a colorful shop that I'm sure rock fans will find interesting.  I'm not a fan of the genre.  Rock and Roll - I like and I did listen to some heavy metal and punk rock when I was young.   Anyways - I thought that this shirt with Iron Maiden printed on it looked cool - so I bought it.   It's price tag is very reasonable ( 450 pesos ).

Gayak is on the 3rd level of Porta Vaga mall.     

Queen's Guard Tee from Penshoppe

Found the cutest shirt from Penshoppe on my last shopping trip to Manila.  I thought it would be an appropriate T-shirt for the house of queens.   My friends and I love it.  The only thing that makes it a bit off is that the hat looks like Marge Simpson's hair.   

I also got new "geek" glasses from Charlie's at the Robinson's Galleria.  They're non-prescription lenses - so I plan to wear them just to frame my face :). 

Pink Uniqlo Blazer

Baguio has cool weather all year round.  This makes it ideal to wear sweaters, jackets, cardigans, coats etc.  However - it doesn't get extremely cold.  This is why - I love this sweater styled as a blazer from Uniqlo.  It comes in many colors - I got the blue and pink ones.  They can make casual fridays look dressed up without taking it too far.  I also wear it when I'm traveling - it's a great added layer when you're inside the plane.

Note: Sweater/Blazer from Uniqlo,  Button Down Shirt from Memo, Pants from Bench, Shoes from Pedro, Sunglasses by Tom Ford

Trench Coat

Rainy days in Baguio are here.  Perfect outfit on these days is this trench coat that I have kept handy for my trips abroad.  I'm happy that I can use it while I'm here at home. 

Penshoppe - Man of Steel Tees

Penshoppe came out with their line of Superman T-shirts.  I'm not a big super-hero nut - but I do like T-shirts with superheroes on it.  I decided to wear glasses in this pic - to hide my super-hero persona.