Masskara Fashion Week 2014

For some locals here in Bacolod, Masskara is somewhat a much awaited overrated excuse to squander money, getting drunk for 4 days straight along Lacson Street like it’s everybody's birthday! Sounds fun eh? As long as you don’t end up finding yourself stuck in the middle of the inevitable smell and sweat perhaps! I, on the other hand, really don’t mind, because aside from being away from home for almost 10 years, the yolo spirit in me always get all hyped up and egzoited whenever the Octoberfest starts kicking in. There ain’t no party poopers here in the City of Smiles! It's time to spread that contagious beam!

When I was still working in Manila, I always see to it that I fly home every 3rd week of October to celebrate Masskara Festival with my family and friends and so far only missed a year or two. I remember organizing my outfits ahead of time, segregating day 1 to day 4 complete with dress rehearsals back in Quezon City. That's how crazy I was with one of my favourite weekends of the year!

Now that I am back in my darling hometown for good, I made sure that I’m able to make the most out of my Masskara 2014 experience by incorporating my first love, fashion. One of the highlights of the fiesta was the Masskara Fashion Week! At the People's Hall last October 03, 2014, it was my first time to attend such event and was delighted to witness the launching of the new young designers group - Modiste 6100. I can’t be any prouder as I feast my eyes on the stunning creations of our local talents! It was a blissful feeling to see Bacolod's brilliant designers and brand owners amaze the people and animate the ramp with their colorful collections. 

On October 5, I was also invited to the Fashion Fiesta at Robinsons Place Bacolod to give a small talk about blogging and have the opportunity to introduce myself as “Miss Erl”. It was a venue for everyone who loves fashion, who does fashion, who IS fashion. It was like a bouillabaisse of its different genres and a chance to meet my co-fashion enthusiasts (bloggers, models, cosplayers, designers, stylists and even gay pride community!) as we all become one for FASHION. Ribbon Cutting was initiated by Chairman Mark Vargas, CD Jan Mari Vega, Photographers Master Roy Sabay and Mark Rufin (Digital Arts Photography) for the Photo Exhibit of the #MasskaraFashionWeek models. 

Captured on the photo are some of the #6100modiste designers and their pieces.

Without a doubt, Bacolod City has a bright future, especially when we talk about fashion. I consider #MWF2014 as a success, so congratulations to the people behind it! Special thanks to the promising designer, Adi Pau Colmenares Canete of The DOLLHOUSE for inviting me!

 Here's what I wore to the launch...

Check out this video for the event highlights and spot me at 01:57! Enjoy!

LINK to main Vimeo site

'Till next year...

Miss Erl ♥

Photos by: Jr Burgos

Edited by: Cristina Huilar

Makeup Guru

Don’t get me wrong. By all means, I’m nooo makeup guru. They say I’m pretty much in touched with my artistic side but I guess I‘m still a nay and not a yay on this field therefore, nope, not gonna attempt in doing a tutorial of any kind even if you insist. What? There were like 1… 2… 3... say 5 people interested on how I do my brows! Teehee! Sorry for those who’s asking for demos, instead, let me refer you to my Pinay YouTube makeup life savers, Shebby Liquette, Ana Victorino and my personal fave, Michelle Dy. I watch their makeup vlogs literally everywhere! Before I go to bed, in the comfort room, during coffee-yosi breaks, and basically wherever I’m stuck in. I often base my makeup pegs on their tutorials for over a year now and so far, it had up my skills a notch just by doing so! It’s amazing to learn things in your own convenience, without spending a dime – thanks to these talented ladies! That is also why I didn't let the opportunity pass when I saw the ads about the Basic Makeup Workshop that Michelle Dy was hosting. I am a subbie turned avid fan and was thrilled to finally meet her. (Remind me how nervous I got while she was retouching my makeup ;)). Too bad I wasn't able to join the part 2 yesterday... it was an ultimate sulit experience! Did I mention I was chosen by @DivaCreatives as best student? How about me winning the grand raffle prize eyeshadow palette from @Enhance_Cosmetics? Ahem! 

Bragging aside, this post is to promote our local beauty experts and please do support them by subscribing in their YouTube channels. You will surely learn a lot! I know I did! 

Not that it’s relevant, but here’s what I wore to the workshop and some bts with le classmates! 

"your brows aren't twins, they're sisters"

Miss Erl ♥

Photos by: JR Burgos

Prepping Up

I’m no sneakers fan. For a 5-foot-nothing me, sky highs are my bestfriends. You know what they say, “The higher the heels, the closer to God.” I had a very light dilemma when I initially decided to spend my birthday out of the country this year. I thought it was time for me to buy some Chucks to comfortably stroll the city. On the other hand, these rubber soles will not match the outfits I had in mind. Waaah! (Hashtag,firstworldproblem) I’m sure you totally understand where I’m coming from, right? Anyway, I have a cray confession: It took me more than 5 years to own my second Chuckies (first one was stolen by my sister) because whenever I’m in the mall ready to squander, I would look at a stiletto and the sneakers and then back to the stiletto and you know what happens next! ;) It’s like buying flats is a waste of money and more like a committing crime for me. Fortunately, me and mah friends made a stopover in Baguio 2 weeks ago just to rummage the thrift shops and I was able to find a sturdy Chuck Taylors in mint condition which I got by hinting snide remarks to the saleslady. I mean, how can it be eleven hundred? I told her it’s a rip-off and that I’d rather wait for a sale at SM and get something brand new! So there, after a few arguments, I made tawad for 800Php. Yee! Sweet! Nice steal! So there, this is the preppy-ish version of me. Btw, no, I did not bring the thing in Singapore. Over-baggage can ruin a perfect vacay

you know. Peace!

ikr,

Miss Erl ♥

Photos by: @JR Burgos

Black and Blue

Before I start with the run down, I am begging you this early on to try your utmost best to ignore my size. Yes, thank you, thank you. Aside from over-using my weight gain as an excuse to slack on my blogger duties, I've been plainly unhappy with work lately. Simply put, stress makes you ultimately lazy. It’s unlikely that my boss would waste his time and read my posts but I know that this is not the proper venue to vent and I’d rather be safe than sorry. Sigh.

No doubt all of us have heard a lot of the “how to’s” about day to night dressing. And heads up ya’ll, this is one of them boring tips, but, with a twist! A boring twist. Haha! What I mean is that normal people who do normal things are those who would go to dinner or a movie or a night out with friends after office hours. For us graveyard zombies, a.k.a. call center agents here in the PI, we often go to “inuman” on broad daylight. Well, gone are those days for me, that was the routine during my first 2 years working in a BPO company. Now, I only drink coffee with friends, like a lot, which happens before my shift starts just like today. I met up with my friend Nadine (who took the pictures), I needed to play my role as the girlfriend who will stick by her side on a momentous day of her life, moral support that is, because she was having her long hair chopped. Surprisingly, we both survived the challenge without shedding tears. I’m so proud of us ladies! (you may roll your eyes now)

Back to the outfit, this is basically a no-brainer. It’s not a must but what I did is I stick with same color blocking which is black and blue. Using a peplum top as the main staple, I switched from my sandals to my sky highs and from my short shorts to my Korina Sanchez inspired pencil skirt. In a snap, I transformed from a comfortable on the go get up to business attire sleek look. Ta-dah! 

In my age, coffee with previous co-workers, old classmates, ex-boyfriend, whowhatnots, is the way to catch up and so I have mastered the art of switching from one outfit to another hassle-free. I am a commuter and you might wonder, I do leave my shoes in my pedestal at work so yes, I travel in flats. OK that’s it, back to work busy bees!

black and blue,

Miss Erl ♥

Photos by: @JR Burgos