My Evening Purse

This, dear friends, is a genuine SM Parisian brand evening bag that I purchased for PhP599.

Sure, it holds nothing more than a camera, my iPod, some cash, and a teeny-tiny tube of Smashbox lip gloss, but that's beside the point. I love this bag. It's cute. Carrying it around makes me happy.

First Impression Review: Christian Siriano for Payless

This idea, I love:

...C'mon, it's Christian. Who doesn't love this guy? (Click here to view the entire Christian Siriano for Payless collection.)

This idea, I really don't:

...Seriously, people, I look at these heels and I immediately think of Alexander McQueen's armadillo shoes - which is really not a good sign, considering that 1) we just lost McQueen not that long ago (bless his soul) and 2) even if McQueen did live long enough to design shoes for Payless, it's still not going to make the brand any more hip and avant-garde than it already is, would it? 

Which is probably why I believe that the Gaga-worthy shoes are online exclusives at Payless... and these heels from the same collection - along with the sneakers and flats - are not: 

These, I like a lot. The sandals are very Looklet in their minimalism, and the satin pumps are a kick-in-the pants upgrade from the usual formal shoe. 

And of the bags in this collection, I think this one is my favorite one of all:

This is the Cove Large Shopper bag: it's black, it's patent leather, it's roomy, it's got the zipper detail and the round handles. Classic, elegant: the Cove Large shopper. Fabulous.

(...Wait, did I just do my Andrew Zimmern impression right now? Because that sounded more like Bizarre Foods than Project Runway. Anyway, you get the deal.)

Now, if only those rumors of Payless opening a branch in Manila would just come true soon enough...

Credits: All graphics taken as screenshots from promotional materials used by Payless.

Gone Rouge

Since we just mentioned Chanel's Rouge Coco in the last entry, I thought I'd amp up the scarlet fever (pun intended) with a video that goes behind the scenes of the Lady Dior Rouge ad campaign, with Marion Cotillard.



Apparently this latest version of the Lady Dior ad campaign/ short-film series - which includes a song penned by the guys from Franz Ferdinand, sung by Marion herself - is supposed to come out any time now. Until then, enjoy!

Sometimes a Bag is Just a Bag...

...but sometimes a bag needs an explanation.

Hi, my name is Meimei, and I own a bag from Secosana.


Let's face it: I can't really defend myself here. Longtime readers will point out that I don't always carry nice bags around, for security reasons, and no matter how many times I write about the Fendi Zucca or the Louis Vuitton Mahina, I will always end up buying whatever it is that happens to be on sale. The bag that you see above, which cost me all of P650 (US$13), is no exception... because it was on sale at Robinsons.

But: It's a Secosana.

A great majority of fashion bloggers from Manila will tell you that Secosana is the red-headed stepchild of the Philippine fashion scene. Secosana bags may be cheap, they will say, but they are also the knockoff bags that you buy for your maids as a Christmas present, or the bags you take to the places where you're most likely to get ripped off by a purse snatcher. Secosana bags will break your heart when they start falling apart on your after several months, no matter how well you take care of them. Add to this the fact that Secosana has allegedly started increasing their prices, and we're looking at a resentment so deep-seated that it would take a PhD in social anthropology to explain the whole thing in a dispassionate, unbiased manner.

In the meantime, look at this bag:


Repeat after me: Again with the cheap "leather." Look closely at the bottom detail, too, and you could see that those swirls are actually "S"-es. And can we talk about that color? Because, really, this bag would have been so much better if it came in a creamier beige hue... which it didn't, because the other color in the store was bright fuschia.

That said, I stand by my line of reasoning for getting this bag. Yes, it was on sale. Yes, I need a second purse for the days when I have to go to Mass, which is very often. (This explains the frequent presence of reading glasses and a hand fan in this bag.) And even if I didn't have to deal with the security issues of purse-snatching, I know that I've done my best to de-cheezify this bag by reducing the number of decorative charms to the lone pair of tassels that you see here. Not that hard, really.

As for the fasyonista credibility problem... well, I have seen more horrific bags in the same price range as Secosanas (four words: Baby Phat knock-offs) and better-quality bags for less cash... but it's not like the brand itself hasn't tried hard enough to make a better product. I know that they've made cuter bags in their past collections, and it's not like anyone else is expecting them to use real leather, so it's obviously a question of addressing the construction quality at this point.

Let me also add, however, that I've actually carried this bag to a formal event last weekend in Manila, and nobody cared enough to notice. So THERE.

This may be a Secosana, but it's still my Secosana, and I'm sticking with it. That is, until I can scrounge up enough money to spring for real, honest-to-goodness leather... labels be damned.

Hometown Glory

Hometown Glory by meimei96

What you are looking at here, right now, is a close approximation of the trends I've been seeing out and about since I came home from the Philippines. Again, let us not mind the price tags or sizing schemes; let's talk about the components.

- I've always found that Manila girls are totally into their shoes and bags, but not in an "OMG DESIGNER!!!111!!!!" kind of way. Since we do have a lot of talented artisans working with high quality materials in this country, it's pretty normal out here to get yourself all kitted out with both a nice bag and a hot pair of shoes for as low as US$30. (Just make sure they're not scuffed, though - maintenance is definitely key!) That said, the town where Hacienda de Meimei is located has a more laid-back aesthetic than Metro Manila, so a bohemian approach to accessories is in order - thus, the Rafe New York bag with the rattan frame and woven-leather detail (designed by former Manila boy Rafe Totengco - yep, that's Rah-fay to you, and not to be confused with this guy), and the brown Aldo slides for showing off a well-done pedicure.

- Over the last two weeks that I've been here, I've noticed a lot of girls wearing tiny, tiny bolero jackets with sleek, streamlined tops in bright colors - which I can't exactly explain, other than to assume that this must be something that got picked up from haute couture in Japan or Korea. Some of these tiny, shrug-like jackets have ruffles and embellished details that would look cute on most petite Asian women, but I chose the H&M bolero for its airy feel and clean lines - perfect for playing down wide shoulders and heavy arms. The yellow T-shirt is definitely a statement - political, of course (in honor of Corazon Aquino, who's still battling cancer), and fashion-wise, as a way of fighting off the rainy-season blahs. This jacket-and-tee combination can practically go anywhere... though, if I was wearing this to work or to church, I'd look for a similar top that shows enough skin around the neck and clavicle area, without going for full-on deep cleavage.

- The girls I've seen rocking the above tiny jacket/sleek top combo tend to pair their outfits with skinny jeans or pencil skirts. In this case, however, I decided to go with basic dark brown khakis instead, to go with the warm neutral palette we've established with the bag, shoes, and jacket. Black would've made this whole look too severe and bumblebee-ish.

- Since we're working with a Pacific Rim-inspired look, I thought I'd keep the makeup as simple as possible; thus, the pink Sephora gloss. Depending on how formal we're going with this look, I'd also go with some mascara, black (or brown) eyeliner paired with a metallic-gold wash over the lid, a warm bronzer or highlighter to bring color to the cheeks, and tousled waves or a low ponytail; anything that's too "styled" would only look way too severe.

The Case for the Basics: Personal Style

Easygoing by meimei96

Never mind the prices or the brands; let's talk about the setup.

If you like the window shopping more than the actual buying-of-stuff - and in this economy, who wouldn't? - do as SisMei and I have done by checking into Polyvore and creating your own "inspiration board" for fashion and interior design, in super-handy JPEG form. I, for one, can't even begin to tell you how supercool this is, because it makes you feel like you're creating your own fashion spread!

That said: My first Polyvore set, as you can see here, is basically a capsule summation of my style. And the one message that stands out the most about this set?

Inconspicuous luxury.

I wouldn't be surprised if the most expensive items in my set are the Anna Scholz dress and the super-hot Stuart Weitzman peeptoes, but that's the thing - I'd rather spend on quality rather than quantity. On the other hand, however, there is a lack of label-consciousness, as well.

For me, it's a flat-out safety issue - even a place like Hawaii has its own fair share of purse-snatchers and wallet-stealers, so I'd rather take my chances on an inexpensive but practical canvas bag than a gorgeous but hefty Louis Vuitton purse that practically screams "STEAL ME."

(Not that I don't love me some Vuitton, either; in a just world, I would be carrying LV's Mahina XL bag with no shame whatsoever. But anyone who has ever carried a fine purse - even one from Aldo or Nine West, which qualifies as a "luxury item" in the Meimei household - would know exactly what I'm talking about here.)

And it's not just the purse snatchers, mind you. Part of my aversion to labels has a lot to do with the class issues I've dealt with since childhood; there's nothing enjoyable, to me, about speculating how much a person has spent on a bag, or a pair of shoes. Even something as simple as a manicure can lead absolute strangers to making certain conclusions about your net worth.

I honestly think that envy is a sin that leads to more treacherous behavior - jealousy, after all, is what drives people to think that they can get away with stealing lives and possessions just because "those rich people don't need it anymore."

But just because I hate designer labels doesn't mean that I can wear any schlumpy thing that I want, any time and anywhere. Oh, no, no, no. I still believe that dressing well is a form of respect; otherwise, why should others respect you if you look like you don't respect yourself?

Look at the detailing on those Michael Kors shirts in the picture; those tiny bits of bling are nice, but they don't detract from the comfortable cut and fabric. Ditto with the prints on the dress, and the ribbing on the cardigan. The jeans are there because they are cut in the way that makes the most of my back view without the need for any additional faffery in the front, or anywhere else. (Do you hear me, True Religion?) I love the criss-cross straps on the brown flats, which take an otherwise basic and comfortable shoe to a whole new level. I love that the bag has a nice, slouchy shape - the better to fit my usual gear in - in a soft, workable material that won't chafe my arms (or my clothes) if I carry it around every day. And, of course, a good red lipstick to pull everything together, without bleeding onto my teeth - doesn't have to be Nars per se, but you get the gist of it.

Point being: This is my style.

When I walk into a room, I don't want people to make comments about how much money I've spent on my clothes, or how much time I spent on my makeup. I want them to see me, for what I'm worth... and if I happen to be wearing something that looks more expensive than it really is, that's just icing on the cake.

Some of you may be looking at this and saying, But I have no style. Well, I obviously didn't come out of the womb with impeccable taste, either; all of that just came to me after 30+ years of trial, error, observation, and moments of hard reckoning during the times when the rest of my life have come into question. I won't say it's too late to start the journey, though.

Pay attention to the changes in your body, the changes in weather, the life that you live. (This is especially true for anyone whose professions require machine-washable clothes.) Clip out pictures that you like from magazines. Test your concept of style on sites like Polyvore and Taaz to see how it all fits. Ask yourself, many times: What draws me to this? Maybe it's not the outfit, but the mood, the atmosphere, the attitude. Remember that you are meant to own your wardrobe, but your wardrobe is not meant to own you. (Or pwn you, as SisMei's kids would say.)

Above all, be absolutely honest with yourself. Not brutal, not judgmental, but honest in a loving way. Maybe there are things that you do need to let go; think wisely, and soon you will find more room for the new.

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Black, supersoft mock-croc satchel from Red by Marc Ecko. Original price: $74.00.

Tag price at Macy's Ala Moana: 55.50.

Final price at Macy's Ala Moana, after One-Day Sale markdown: $27.75.

Awwww yeaaahhhh.

Although, if any of those plastic rings ever break on me, it will be a long day at the cobbler, for sure.