Hear ye, hear ye!

Let me tell you about shoes made of real leather and why you should get one.

Sorry PETA but I'm a leather lover. Real leather softens over time. That translates to a comfortable walk and and nice worn out look. Take note, not all leather are created equal. You will know this once you try different pairs on. Some leather may be stiff the first time you try them, but after a few days of use, it should soften and mold to the shape of your feet. Some pairs can go without a break-in period therefore no aching feet, and friction spots on your feet during your first few wears.

Synthetic leather gets brittle fast. You'll end up with cracked patches on your shoes. NOT CUTE. And most of the time, synthetic leather hurt! They're just not as soft. Sure you can buy three pairs of synthetic leather shoes for the price of a real one but trust me, they won't last long. You'll probably end up changing shoes each year.

Next time you hesitate buying a pair of leather shoes, do the math.

Divide the price of your pair by the number of times you expect to wear it in a year.

You may take it further by dividing the answer by the number of years you expect the shoe to last.

If you're willing to pay that amount each day to wear the pair, go ahead and get yourself those leather shoes!

With my pairs of leather shoes, I usually put it at 3 years for equation purposes. If they look good after 3 years, I still wear 'em. :) I have read that some people have their pairs for over 6 years. Super sulit nun hahaha!

Finally, I recommend the following brands. Hush Puppies (I've been wearing this brand since grade school; right now I have two pairs), and my most recent purchase Sebago. For men, my dad and my brother Joop love Florsheim, Hush Puppies, Sledgers, and Birkenstock (sandals).

They say good shoes take you to good places.

I say good comfortable shoes take you further! ;)

P.S.

FYI: Suede leather- synthetic or real, is generally soft. The difference would be on the thickness of the leather. Synthetic is usually thinner but both are difficult to clean and maintain. I wear my suede Hush Puppies flats only when it's not raining and I bring a foldable pair of shoes JUST IN CASE THE WEATHER IS SCHIZO. Been useful a couple of times!

Isshoes

Weeks ago, I talked to a shoe seller online and asked her where the shoes are made. She said they are her personal designs and are manufactured in China. Around the same time I also stumbled upon another shoe seller that carries 'emergency' shoes for the working girl. It's her own brand but the shoes are also made in China.

But whhhhyyy China? We have our own shoe industry here. The sad part is that it's still cheaper to outsource from China than have your designs made locally. It's so depressing. While we support the local brands by buying their shoes, it doesn't trickle down to the local industry- instead we're funding the Chinese economy. It doesn't do much for the Chinese laborers to. They only get to keep their jobs but not to improve their lives.

The domination of China in a lot of industries is a double edged sword for consumers and a jackpot for the Chinese manufacturers. Let me explain. A pair of Christian Louboutin heels cost at least Php 30,000 and are made in Italy. You can get a high-quality replica on Multiply for around Php 4000 from Chinese suppliers. So if you have the real Loubs, you are faced with the controversy of wether or not they're the real deal. And if you're part of the social climbing set, you get to step up the ladder because people are puzzled how you get to wear heels whose worth can send a kid to school.

If only having shoes manufactured in Marikina is as low-priced as having it made in China, a lot more local businesses here can grow. We do not depend on exchange rates, there is no language barrier, it is easier to monitor your orders according to your specifications, and it's easy to negotiate with your fellow Filipino businessman. In addition, if people stop patronizing fake goods, then there's no reason for manufacturers to pirate their designs.

My love affair for shoes is, more than anything, an advocacy promoting the shoe industry. I am hoping that one day I can contribute to the local shoemaking industry as someone more than just a fan of their shoes. I'd like to give them jobs and opportunities to better their lives. And eventually, giving each Filipino a chance to put their best shoe forward.

Addicted to you!

Just a quick update- I'm not getting the bag I mentioned in my previous post. It's just too expensive I'll starve to death. I did however show the Samsonite polycarbonate pixel cube luggage to my Dad and Mom at Travel Club. I think they like it too. Dad thought I was gonna show them the McQueen luggage so I had to explain that it was not available locally and I just found it online.

Anyhoobaloo, I am saving up for that pixel cube. So cute! Great investment! The polycarbonate material makes your luggage ultralight therefore allowing you to pack more stuff without worrying extra charges. Baggage allowance are pretty tight nowadays so this one really helps a lot. (If you are curious, drop by Travel Club and try lifting the Samsonite polycarbonate luggages.)

* * *

You all know I love shoes. Like love love love that sometimes I purchase more two pairs at once. That may sound totally normal compared to shopaholics but not to me. Two pairs means double the damage to my pocket. haha

A pretty recent dinner with friends caused me to make a mental note that I should get a pair of heels because that dinner EVERYONE was in heels except Emm and I. Of course Emm- we understand. But me? Grabe I felt so small- literally ah! Claude was wearing flats also pala but she's tall so that's an exception. So for a few days I was obsessed with getting a pair of heels because the heels I have were all too formal and office-ish - as in classic black pumps, cream round toe pumps, brown open toe pumps and the epic burnt orange pumps which were only used once (18th anniversary party of ABAM).

Lucky for me I found really nice heels from Pill at the Ramp. They were on sale too so I was very happy to find them. I like that the heels are not cigarette thin so that makes walking much easier and more balanced. I haven't used this pair yet so it's tucked in my rack right now.

photo from pillfootwear.multiply.com

The week we went to Zambales, I also purchased a pair of flats online. I was sooo nervous about this purchase because the last time I bought shoes online- they didn't fit me and now they are moldy and look like crap in its box in my rack. I just might leave it with the basura. Maybe the basureros will have better use for this- like a graduation shoes for their kid or some sassy pair for their wife. hihi! Anyway we were in Zambales when the shoes arrived so when I got home I immediately tried them on. Thank God they fit! At first I thought they were tight but just like any pair of shoes, they expand after a few hours of wearing so it was all good. Fits me perfectly now! And I am fascinated with it all the time. I can't stop looking at it. It's so nautical!

photo from girlsmustshop.multiply.com

The seller Stacey was very nice too. I am totally hooked. I'm actually thinking of getting the rest of the stripes collection but again, damage to my wallet. I'll wait for the new collection instead. Yay! I guess no matter how much I appreciate heels, I'd always go back to my first love- flats.

Oh, I remembered when I was in high school, I never had a pair of flats. Just tons of rubber shoes and two pairs of leather boots. Not the cowboy type ok? Just normal boots that looks nice with jeans. But now I cannot live without flats. I hardly even wear rubber shoes unless I'm off to do some exercise, and never wore boots after those two pairs. hahaha

* * *

Speaking of multiply sellers, there's this one that has been getting into my nerves. This is not the first time I encountered her. In a nutshell, she insists I purchase stuff and I hate it because she doesn't even have the goods on hand. Is she that desperate to earn that resorts to pressuring customers? hay grabe I'm so imbyerna. I'll never purchase from her again. Don't get me wrong, she's nice and accommodating naman but there's something I cannot stand about her. One time I ordered a few things from her- including 30 pieces of an item. (sorry for being so vague about which things but I assure you the stuff aren't bankok pills, contraceptives or anything illegal haha) Anyway she messaged me (on Multiply chat) to tell me that she only has 10 pieces of what I wanted. Since she couldn't supply what I needed, I simply said maybe we can push through with my other orders and cancel the 10 pieces since I need 30 of those. Mygosh you know what she said? It was something like 'Naku sis I thought you were gonna get it na. Nareserve ko na sa iyo. Please sis I really need the money.' That time I wanted the stuff anyway so I said fine I'll take the 10 pieces. Hay naku I don't want to elaborate anymore. Just the thought of it stresses me. One thing's for sure, I am so not gonna order anymore from this seller who's too desperate to make a sale. Multiply shopping should be fun, not stressful.

Kwento kwento lang

Literally. haha I'm so stressed and I haven't really thought about things lately so I'll just kwento stuff.

ORPHANAGE VISIT

Yesterday Ana, Mau and I visited the orphanage in Binondo. It was all good except the part where the tricycle driver charged us 100 pesos for the ride from Ongpin to DelPan. I was so pissed but I believe in karma so Manong Driver, mamalasin ka rin one day. Or malay ko ba minamalas ka na kaya dinadaya mo na rin yung mga taong tulad namin.

The nuns were so accommodating. The Indian nun who showed me their grocery list even reminded me that we need not donate everything on the list. She said something like "Whatever you can give, even if it's a small thing, we are very grateful for the blessing." She kept repeating "That's very nice of you and your friends to help us here."

Anyway after the visit we made our way back to Quezon City. It was a very tiring ride because it was rush hour and well, Manila does not have the widest roads so it took us 1.5 hours to get from Quiapo to Trinoma.

STICKER-HAPPY

After dinner we went to Starbucks in the garden of Trinoma. I was telling my friends to give me their stickers if they don't have plans of getting a planner. Then this guy on the next table approached and said "excuse me, nagcocollect ka ba ng stickers?" Shempre I was surprised! In my mind I was thinking 'Shet maybe he's selling his stickers to me. SCALPER?! NO WAY!' So nag inarte ako and replied "Uhh, yeah...-ish." HAHAHAHA Then he said "You can have my sticker card. Pwede naman i-combine yung cards eh." So I accepted it and thanked him nicely. SOOO AWKWARD! Buti nalang cute siya. haha But minutes later, a girl arrived and left with him. haha oh well papel. Such a sweetie.

ORGANIC SOAPS

I purchased my organic soaps online and met up with the seller today at SM Fairview. Organic soaps don't come cheap. Each bar sells from Php95 to 125. I wanted to try these because I guess I just got bored with the commercial soaps (my staples are Johnson's citrus fresh, Safeguard white, Biolink papaya soap which all sell for less than 40 pesos each).

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

I'm not halfway my Christmas shopping. I've only bought gifts for my Mom and Joop. Sooo hard to think of gifts! haha

RED RIBBON

If you love bangus, you have to try Red Ribbon's bangus ala pobre. Super yummy, super cheap! For Php 137, you get the bangus meal, a drink and a slice of cake for dessert. yehey!

FOOTWEAR

Found really cute and affordable oxford leather flats at Manel's. I didn't buy it coz I wanna finish my Christmas shopping first. I'll buy for myself last. hehe

I'm really loving the Christmas spirit! I just wish it's colder, like back in senior year, there was a certain month (or months) that I'd wear a jacket and socks to sleep! In school I was always in jeans and a jacket. It was even colder outside our air-conditioned classroom. Feeling ko winter! I really miss that time.

RENOVATIONS...AGAIN

Mom called me up two nights ago to tell me to shove all our stuff in the room before I leave because the house will be renovated again. This time it's gonna be the floor. The crazy cut marble floor will be replaced by uhh, probably huge granite tiles. It's not that I don't like but this is another waste of time. Our floor is as good as new. Really! No cracks at all. It's the only reminder that this house is 'old' (in a good way). And I hate it that they're changing it! My mom hates it too coz it's an unnecessary change and a waste of money.

GLOBE

I hate Globe for a crappy service! Weeks ago when dad and I traveled to Bicol, I was using mobile web to tweet and check my emails. I was aware of their two ways of charging mobile browing- the default is kb browsing which charges you per kilobyte sent, and then time browsing that charges Php 5 for 15 minutes. Of course I switched to time browsing (send TIME to 1111). Then I got a notification today that my bill is 2500! LIKE WTF?! I am sooo gonna get to the bottom of this and crucify them. hahahaha oveeeerr?! Ah basta, I hate Globe for cheating on their subscribers. Good thing the message they sent me about having switched to time browsing is still on my phone. Patay talaga kayo sa akin. haha

Anywaaaay, dapat good vibes na! Christmas is super near and I'm excited! For that I'll try to tweet about things that I love. Pang dagdag good vibes diba? This 'tweet what you love' was inspired by my friend since grade school Chris Orleans. haha

(Btw I watched New Moon again this afternoon shet. hahaha Will kwento my experience tomorrow.)

I just fainted (kidding)

Was checking out shoes online when I saw the Giuseppe Zanotti heels that I've always wanted...only, it wasn't a Zanotti.

Check this out...


SUPER CARBON COPY, DANG! The Zanotti heels (top photo) cost $325...The Urban Vibe heels cost $15. I WAS SOOOO SURE I'M GONNA BUY IT until I saw the biggest size available was 8.5. I'm a 9. boohoo.

Now I'm just excited to go to Trinoma next week to check out the new shoes in all the stores. HAHAHA

BINGE!

Shoe binge, that is. No no, I did not go on another shoe spree. Well at least not yet. 

I discovered two Multiply sites that offer pre-orders for shoes that are made in Korea. The best part about it is THEY'RE SOOO CHEAP! Well not exactly 'sooooo' cheap but it's a pretty good deal considering that you can't find similar designs here. I WANNA GO TO SOUTH KOREA AND GO ON A SHOE BINGE!!!

Here are my favorites.

Php 940. 

I super love flats! They are kind to the feet. 

However the other night Farrah was telling me how she's getting used to heels. I love heels but there's such a great deal of effort to wear them. I reserve my heels for extra special occasions like formal parties, presentations and the like. Maybe one day the perfect pair of heels can change my mind. hahaha

I forgot how much exactly but I think it's at Php 1200+. Very Charles&Keith-ish right?

Php 1290 

This is my favorite. Do I buy it or not? gaaah!

For the sites, click here and here.

I also 'discovered' another shoe brand to love- J.Crew! The brand is more known for clothes that's why I only saw their shoes now. But the price is pretty steep (for my purchasing power at least hahaha!) I'll probably use their styles as reference.

I wonder when I'll stop loving shoes? But then again, they're easier to love than men. HAHAHA

Love is everywhere!

Including your feet!

HOW CUTE ARE THESE? 

LOVE Flats by Christian Louboutin

*kaching kaching* Php 28, 000-ish

Hahaha asa pa. Hanggang blog nalang. :)

Dahil malapit na ang Pasko...

Ilalagay ko ang wish list ko. hahaha

Pero bago yun...CONGRATULATIONS AJA! ABAM-JFA-AdCore for winning this year's orgpres AGAIN! EXAGE NAPAKAGALING!!!

Okay, back to my wish list... hehe I always have a wish list but I have never 'completed' any of the lists I made. But it's all good. It serves as a motivation for me to save up and buy the things that I didn't receive as gifts. hehe

Now my wish list has two parts, as always. Material and Non-material. haha Write your own too! I'm looking forward to reading them hehe :D

1. REEBOK EASY TONE FLIP FLOPS

I guess I'm tired of Havaianas already. Everyone I know has at least one pair. In three years, I've had 7 pairs and only 2 are left. The rest have been damaged beyond repair. HAHA! The Reebok easy tone flip flops has a special feature. It tones your legs 11% and glutes 28% more while you do your normal walk and even when you're standing. Great to wear to the mall diba?Para ka na rin nag gym. haha

2. Birkenstock Gizeh in Golden Brown

My dad and I were in Trinoma last week and to my surprise, he entered Birkenstock because he said he needed a new pair of sandals. I asked if the sandals are for the Palawan trip in October. He said...Hindi, pangbahay. GRABE LANG, NAHIMATAY AKO. HAHAHA He found what he wanted but didn't buy it yet. YEHEY! Makikisabay ako pag bibilhin na niya. Hahaha

3. New Lens for my Nikon D60.

 (The SLR btw, was on my 2008 wish list. Yun lang yung nagkatotoo but it took like 6 months before I had it. haha) I dunno why I want this. I just feel like it's the next step when you have a camera. But it's fine if I don't get this. I'm happy with my 18-55mm lens.

4. Sebago Rally Moccasins

Recently I'm liking loafers A LOT. It started when Dad got me my Hush Puppies Bayside loafers last April. Now I've been searching for more amazing pairs of loafers- I now have 3 but nothing compares to my Bayside pair. I have one from Charles&Keith and another from ShoeBox. Wala, failed sa standards ko. With my HP Bayside , I can walk for hours and not have aching legs and blisters on my feet. The two other pairs- well, one cramped my feet and then one gave me 'pinched' skin after a 4 hours of wearing it. But I still wear them. Sayang naman eh. Ho hum, there really is a price to pay for comfort. haha

5. Vacation with my family. It's been a loooong time since we traveled for vacation as a complete family. The last Bicol vacation, my kuya was left here in Manila because he had school (boohoo trimester). Now there's Julian and Sarah also. :) (I don't care if it's a local destination or out of the country. I just want to spend 'stress free' time with them.)

That's it for my material wish list. Lots of footwear no? That's because shoes are my original loves. And also because I'll be doing a lot of 'moving around' soon so I need nice footwear. I actually have a lot more in mind for my material wish list. We can't have enough gifts right? haha Like...I want a wii, a classic Chanel 2.55, a ring I'll purchase with my own money- but then again I have to be realistic and practical. Can't afford Chanel yet. Will save up for my ring. And the Wii will be useless here at home. hehe

Now for my non-material wish list...

1. Constant communication with my college friends. 

2. That I will be able to handle the responsibilities that will be given to me next year so that my boss will be proud of me. haha

3. That I will find what I've always been looking for. 

4. That more Filipinos will love the Philippines.

5. And because of that love, I wish that Filipinos will be wise in their decisions so that the 2010 Elections will be clean, honest and promising.

There goes my 2009 wish list. I had fun 'limiting' it to 5 per category. haha 

Happy wish-listing! Mwah!

Find me

Ever felt like you're changing into someone you don't know? I just did. I found myself wanting to change how I dress up, how I look, everything I can imagine to change - I wanted to change. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted to change because of someone. Hoping I'd be a better candidate. Unfortunately there are no slots available right now. So I told myself to give it two years. I hope it pays off. For now, I think I'll continue this change. Maybe it's exactly what I need.

And oh! I failed to find something similar to the shoes I wanted. Haaaaay. I shall find other ways to get one though. It's part of THE Change. HAHA

Shopping wishlist!

I've been dying to go shopping the whole summer. I failed to do so because one, I was so afraid to spend my money due to my lack of job. And second, my supposedly companion, mom couldn't stand the long walks from shop to shop. She's asthmatic kasi. hehe And besides, I don't know what I want yet.

But I did a little scouring over the net and here are some stuff I think I like to get.

Beige Bag for Mom. She asked me if she can have any of my beige bags (I have 4) and I told her to take her pick. She didn't take any of it. Ewan ko ba bakit haha But I'll get her something that's designed for her. She's flying back on July 12 because Lola is coming home from the States. I'm excited!

something like this

Strappy heels for me! I'm dying to get something 'not me' for a change. haha Wala lang, it can just sit on the rack until the perfect occasion comes and I can use it. HAHAHA I was hoping I could use it for work. Thing is...I don't have work. 

something like this also. (This is a Guiseppe Zanotti cut out boot)

A dress to be kept for emergency dates. I want to be prepared the next time I go out with my friends. Myghad imagine my horror when we decided to go to Attica. I was in jeans and my trusty Hush Puppies flats. I thought kasi we were gonna take a stroll in Boni High lang so the laid back outfit was perfect We did take a stroll in Boni BUT NO...We went sorta clubbing in Attica after. Originally for a round of drinks but we ended up dancing for fun every now and then. GHAD. Buti nalang it was dark. ahahahaha

I dunno what else I wanna get. Probably another sling bag or leather bag- whichever is nicer.

Gaaah! I'm so materialistic. hehe But I think it's not that bad coz I buy for other people naman. HAHAHA I shall dispose some of my shoes and bags soon. So I can welcome more change in my life...at least in my wardrobe.

Note to self: Set a limit for tomorrow's shopping. You'll appreciate it when you get home.

Crazy Topic Dump

ON SOME CRAZY ENCOUNTER...

Can I just say:

Ako'y naloka

Hinanap kita

Ngunit siya ang nakita

Kaloka diba?

AYAN, I'M SUPER SABAW. AHAHAHA 

ON THE UPCOMING VACATION (for real)...

Take me to Baguio friends! And I'll take you to Bicol. Yehey!

ON THIS RAINY DAY...

I've never been appreciative of the rain. Coz it's muddy. It ruins my shoes. And it's such a hassle to commute when it's raining. Today I SORT OF appreciate it kasi gosh ang init kaya ng summer na toh! Pero sort of lang kasi naman...I was wearing my new Hush Puppies Bayside driving shoes. I have been eyeing this pair for months but since I'm saving up for a camera, I never really entertained the thought of getting one. My dad got me these pair one random day at the mall. Niloko ko lang talaga siya saying 'Daddy, halika. Ganda oh, bagay sakin.' HAHA

Forgive the photo. It's nicer in real life haha

Anyhooo, back to my rainy kwento...I was wearing it today when I went to Shang with Mom and guess what, pauwi, mega ulan. nakakaloka. Natawa nalang daddy ko kasi inis na inis ako kasi nabasa. haha

ON GRADUATION PREPS...

Ang hirap maghanap ng grad outfit. hahaha Unlike the boys who have to wear a barong and then the usual slacks and black shoes, we girls have to find the perfect dress and the shoes to go with it. May guidelines pa na prescribed length, color and all that shizz. Bahala kayo. HAHAHA

I have a dress na. I had it made. Yun talaga inuna namin dati pa pero the shoes jusme. It took mom and I three days to find one. Kasi una ang hirap mag match ng color. Second, lahat ata ng babaeng bumili ay size 9, naubos na. Wala na for me. Third, hindi comfortable yung ibang shoes. Basta, hindi ko feel eh. Pero ayun okay naman today. Thank God.

Natatawa ako. I don't usually post a journal-ish blog. Pero nahawa ata ako kay Erielle. HAHAHA