sorta kinda swimsuit review and new pegs

While blogging for my next travel throwback, I got distracted with I Love Koi's post on Facebook of their new swimsuit. Alam nyo naman ang lola nyo, nataranta na naman! The next thing I know, I am stalking Anemone's and I Love Koi's Facebook accounts. But before I share to you my bets, let me tell you first why I dropped Nudo and Soak from my go-to bikini boutiques. Remember I used to love them too back in November?

Soak. The reason is as simple as they do not have my size. Small is their smallest size and even if their swimsuits come  in stylish designs, I will never sacrifice good fit and comfort over style. I haven't tried buying from Soak though so I won't be able to tell you whether the quality of their products are good or not. 

Nudo. Well, they do not have my size too but aside from that, I am also not impressed with their quality. I tried buying one from them for my Boracay trip last December. It's a pleated high waist for P1250. It's a lot cheaper than Anemone or Koi but that doesn't mean it can go away with it's low quality. We can actually buy swimsuits for less than a thousand from department stores - Sassa, Angel Fish etc. or from Folded Hung but they have good quality. Going back to the Nudo swimsuit I got, its fabric is coarse and the worst, you can hear the stitches breaking while you wear it. Kaloka!!

but still, thank you Nudo.  :)

Anemone. Quality comes with a price most of the time. I got two pairs last November and while it hurt my pocket big time, I am so happy with my purchases. I got my dream pair - Mystras Ruffled Bandeau Top for P1495 and Mystras Thick Tie Sides for 1395. I also got another pair - Neon Coral Ruffled Bandeau for P895 and Neon Coral Ruffled Hipster for P795. I altered the latter to my liking, removing the ruffles on the sides. Hihihi. One thing I noticed as I alter my bottom is that even the thread used in stitching is garterized. Obviously the reason why the stitches do not break as you wear 'em.

my dream pair back then ♥

the bottom came with ruffles on the side
I hated it, I removed it! :P

Now here comes my new dream pair from Anemone. I wasn't able to get it the last time so I just have to include it again on my wish list. Di masamang mangarap! {Kahit walang trabaho :P} Riviera Bandeau Top for P1395 and Riviera Ring Hipster for P1295.

I Love Koi It's a blessing in disguise that I discovered this after our Boracay trip; right after actually. I could have gone so confused and crazy if I happened to know about this prior to the trip. I guess it's safe to say that they have the most stylish designs. I have yet to buy from them to find out about the quality. Meanwhile, here are my picks - available ones only.

so stylish at P2280

Normandi
designed by Patricia Prieto too, P2280

and finally.. the one on my facebook timeline!
P2280 also for a pair

I Love Koi

1) The Ramp, Crossings Trinoma Mall
2) Complex Lifestyle Store - Eastwood Mall - Level 2, Eastwood City Brgy. Bagumbayan, Quezon City (+632) 7092183
3) Complex Lifestyle Store - Alabang Town Center - Level 2, The Garden Alabang Town Center Alabang, Muntinlupa City (+632) 5564296
4) Complex Lifestyle Store - Festival Mall - Level 2 , Wing B Festival Supermall Alabang, Muntinlupa City. (+632) 8368113
5) Showroom (near Greenhills, San Juan) - email info@shopatilovekoi.com for exact address and directions
6) Weekend Bazaars - location announced through their website, facebook, instagram and twitter accounts

CEBU
1) Hot Pink Lingerie, Ayala Center

 *branches of the other swimsuit brands on this post.
**photos/branches grabbed from their facebook accounts.

***washi tapes downloaded from pretty-ugly.me, direct download here. :)

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swimsuit hunting in this time of the year, really

All the while I thought my next blog post would be our Calaguas Trip. Meeh, I was wrong. Rather, I'll be sharing photos of swimsuits I've been gushing about the whole day. You won't believe how addicted I am.  There are three brands I'm currently stalking - Anemone from Nothing But Water, Soak and Nudo.

Let's begin with Anemone. This is my favorite brand so far. They have the prettiest prints and styles. Only that it's the most expensive among the three. Good quality definitely comes with a price. 

My dream swimsuit.  It costs around P2800 for the pair. Expensive, I know. I almost bought it the first time we went to Nothing But Water, Galleria. Good thing I was able to control myself because at it's price, it's something I really should think about. 

Monica's bet. Posting it as well because I somehow kinda like it too. P2600 for a pair. Who thinks we should get them? Help us decide. :)

Moving on, next to Anemone is Soak . Cool styles for a lower price. I haven't seen their store but we are scheduled to do so as soon as our payroll accounts get replenished. I can't wait, seriously. 

Sailor Bandeau for P1800. Unfortunately, 'Small' is their smallest size. I can only hope and pray it fits me well. I'll find out few days from now. Can you guys cross your fingers for me? 

Costa del Sol Ribbon High Waist for P1650. Just because I want to give high waist swimsuits a try. I love its colors too but my evil sister said it reminds her so much of Hulk. Whatever! 

Tory Ruffled Bandeau for P1750. Perfect for flat chested girls like me. Ruffled tops tend to make your chest seem busy that they will no longer notice your lack of.. uhmm.. gift up there. Haha! 

Lastly, Nudo. I've been checking out their Facebook account but none has caught my fancy yet. We also planned to visit their boutique come payday. Swimsuit hunting in November. A little difficult but nevertheless fun.

BORACAY, here we come!! :))

Anemone

Robinson's Galleria, 3rd Floor

TriNoma, Level M2

Soak

CABANA, 2nd floor of Nail Spa, 109 Gamboa St. Legaspi Village, Makati (5 min. walk from Greenbelt 1)

Retail Lab, 2nd fl. Archaeology Wing, Powerplant Mall Makati (beside happy lemon)

Nudo

Robinson's Galleria, 3rd Floor

Greenhills, 3rd Floor

*All photos grabbed from their accounts

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things i love saturdays: pick-me-uppers

I was supposed to blog about how awful I've been feeling lately but then again I'm feeling a little better at this very moment hence this "things i love" post.♥

Let's begin with my recent hauls. Got blazers, animal print tops {ohmigosh, I'm addicted} and a logo top that well.. uhmm.. speaks so much about me! Haha! Please agree. You have to make me feel better. :P And if you're a twitter follower, you already know they made my wallet look anorexic. Sad wallet, happy closet, still confused me. Urgh. 

retail therapist: Forever 21

Moving on, look what I got from being a loyal SM {er, Forever 21} shopper. A cutesie patootsie black doll shoes. Got it for free from my SM Advantage card points. Haha. All because I'm so diligent in getting the card out of my wallet. I wonder what will I get next? 

it's cute, it's free and it's for me :D

Some more fashion related blah-blahs. I recently discovered the love for taking outfit shots. Only that they're headless! Haha! Someday I'll learn to make a decent facial expression while taking my own picture. Just as I thought I have mastered the art of multi-tasking, not for this one pala. Boo!

officially welcoming the summer with floral skirts ♥

and then trying to be fierce, rawwrr

Now for my non-fashion related pick-me-uppers.. I suddenly missed scrap booking so I grabbed my dust-collecting art materials and made this {see picture below :P}. It has found it's niche in my office whiteboard. 

the incrediBorbs ♥

Now for the last pick-me-upper.. the best friend! Because really, that's what friends are for. ♪♫ ♪ Napakanta ka? :D But seriously, it's times like this that you get to see who's for keeps. Thanks best. I got your back too. Wenks. ;)

for good times and bad times ♥

..and if you noticed I edited my pictures ala-Instagram. I think I'm getting an iPod touch just for that. Haha! Lemme think, lemme think.  

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october was..

..accessory shopping month. Hahaha! Forever 21 accessories at that. ;) Now I am sooo broke. The next pay day should come quick because November will be bag shopping month. Someone save me from this addiction. Haha! :))

one Friday night I got all these..

..and some more pahabol :P

and oopps.. I know I owe your blogs a visit - plus some blog award responsibilities on the side.  I'll make it up to everyone as soon as I get my life all figured out. I'm dazed, I'm confused, I'm getting crazzeeeh. I may not look like it but I am. I can never hate you enough, QLC.

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considerable overindulgence

Have you ever seen the coffee commercial asking, "Ikaw, para kanino ka bumabangon?" When I last saw it, funny that Forever 21 popped into my mind. =) Not that it's my reason for waking up each day. It's just that it was the reason I was up so early last Friday, Oct.15.

Admittedly, I lost never developed lost {ok, I'd use lost for the sake of my being} my discipline in waking up early for work. I am privileged to have a job that offers flexible working hours, that's why. Privileged in that sense, under privileged in the sense that It should be 9hrs/day, what can be worse? Anyway, I usually make it to the office at around 9 or 1o, and that is if nothing unfortunate happened, like having a bad hair day, going through the i-have-nothing-to-wear dilemma or my makeup just won't seem to cooperate. But last Friday was different. I woke up at around 6.3oam and by 8am I was already sitting in my office chair. I was also in the mood for work that I started working as soon as I sat there. All because I want to escape the four corners of my cubicle as early as 5pm. Though I wasn't able to escape that early, past 6pm I was already at the mall starting my agony, err shopping.

I headed STRAIGHT to Forever 21. As expected it was jam-packed with fashionistas from all over the metro, from different walks of life. I spent hours choosing clothes, fitting them and lining up for the cashier. I went out with just three pieces of clothes, imagine that. =( I had a brown cardigan, gray swing top and a green printed top {which by the way is lola-ish according to the bitchy sisters}. I had to leave the place as I was dead tired {was in my favorite white HEELS} and I was starving. Alone, I had dinner in Mrs. Fields. If you may call muffin and iced latte as dinner. I was kind of frustrated with what I got so I decided to comeback. Yes I was brave enough to endure the same suffering. Luckily, lesser people and shorter lines. I got another black cardigan and black long sleeves. Almost 11pm and still not contented, I headed home. After all, I still have forever to shop. *wink*

my Forever 21 shopping finds

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