Boot Time!

The month of March kicks off the autumn season in Australia, so all sorts of boots have been coming out in the recent weeks. Having been away for two boot seasons (when I was in Pinas), my boots collection have not been updated apart from the bargain purchase I made after Christmas 2007, which was this:

Photo from Witchery

More on the casual side, isn't it? I love these though. At the moment I have a few old pairs which now look so dated, so I'm in need of a new pair. I was thinking one in brown or tan. But another black pair is also an option. These are the ones, or at least the styles/colour I'm eye-ing.

Pic from Sportsgirl

Or this colour kaya? (This is also from Sportsgirl.)

From Sportsgirl, this is actually my favourite.

And then there's a slightly different style from Witchery, with higher heels.

I'm kinda set on getting brown/tan but I saw these and I think I may have a major crush on this hunk.

Photo from Country Road

I'm still in a self-imposed shopping ban, but can you help me pick?

There are a few of my favourite things ....

I wanted to share three of my favourite things at the moment ... sort of like my own this-month's-Beauty-Awards-go-to... kind of thing. ;)



1. Ultraceuticals Daily Protective Moisturiser SPF 30. "A moisturising sun protector that provides a defence system for your skin. Contains specific ingredients to protect against daily environmental damage as well as UVB, UVAI and UVAII rays."

Image from www.fountaincosmetics.com.au

I got this after seeing it on the list of compatible products for my skin type, from the book The Skin Type Solution (which I blogged about here.) I got the tinted version of it, and it wears really good, not to mention sun-smart. I wear it everyday now and I can skip foundation (which normally don't wear that often to begin with anyway). I just dab a bit of concealer here and there and I'm good to go.

2. Lucas' Papaw Ointment. "Lucas' Papaw Ointment is a world-wide proven remedy of over 80 years standing. Lucas Papaw Ointment may be used as a local topical application on the following: Abscesses - Boils - Bruises - Burns - Carbuncles - Chafings - Cuts - Cysts - Dry and Cracked skin on hands and feet - Gravel rash - Heat rash - Insect stings - Mosquito bites - Open wounds - Pimples - Scalds - Sunburn Swelling associated with injury .... etc.

Image from http://www.lucaspapaw.com.au/

This is a mainstay in my bag (which ever bag I use) and I find it always handy. I use it for dry lips, I even use it for a patch of skin on my left eyelid that can get super dry and crinkly (a bit yukk actually). There's like a million things you can use it for.



3. L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. "An ultra creamy balm enriched with 20% Shea Butter, intensely protects, nourishes & moisturizes skin. Blended with honey, almond & coconut oil. Rich texture & rapidly absorbed by skin, leaves hands perfectly soft & smooth without oily traces."

A fabulous gay friend introduced me to this product a few years ago and I haven't looked back since. This wonder-tube has done wonderful stuff for the skin on my hands, which, according to an uncle are "kamay ng magsasaka". I have man-hands you see, and other than my hands being a bit too big for my frame, they are also not as supple and as "delicate" as woman-hands. In winter, these are my hands' saving grace.

The Closest I Can Get to Paris Right Now

There's something very chic about stripes that always draws me to anything stripe-y but mostly the black and white ones only. It's so very Parisienne chic I think. So when I saw this in the French Connection store, I was sold in seconds!

I will wear it with black round toe pumps, preferably with a flower embellishment or something. In dressier occasions, maybe I'll wear pearls as well. Nude round toe pumps look good too, particularly for day wear. In winter, I will wear it with black tights + black shoes.

Not sure if I should cinch the waist though. As in the high waist? What do you think?

You can go to the French Connection website to see the dress "in action". :)

Watch It!

I've been on a self-imposed shopping ban after all the recent gastos related to our moving house and what not. That's why I haven't really reported much around here. I've also been busy with house chores and work (yes, WORK!) so haven't really had much time to shop and/or wander around. (Yay, Me!!!)

But truth be told, I've been thinking about getting a men's watch for myself since months ago. I don't know, but I've always liked men's watches - the way they are too big on my wrist and the rebel attitude that kind of goes with it (as opposed to the prim and proper ladies' watches).

(Back in December, I was blabbing about getting a vintage men's Rolex Datejust (two-toned) because (1) I can only afford a pre-used one at that time, and (2) it's more fun to say "this is a vintage Rolex!". My meager Rolex fund was since then diverted to other things, among them my Speedy.)

So after all the internal rationalising (including research and price and style surveys among friends), I gave in and got me this Rotary watch:

(Image from watchshopuk.com)

However, mine has a silver face, and I had the black leather band replaced with a brown one.

Because I've been eyeing it for a while, I had done my research on the brand. Wiki has this entry about Rotary watches, and the Rotary website has some info as well. One of my girlfriends has one and she's had hers for years, never had problems whatsoever. I asked friends' opinions as well. So when I found out a reputable jewellery store is discontinuing carrying the brand and had all their Rotary watches marked down to half their price, I deliberately forgot about the shopping ban. I mean, seriously, how can you resist that?!?!

It looks a bit too big for my wrist, and it makes me want to wear earth-colours almost everyday but I love it! Love, love, love it. (Now if only I can get it wet. It is supposedly a water sport watch but with the leather band ...)

I want to wear this with a power suit (in coffee) and pearl earrings.

I want to wear it with a white crisp shirt, dark jeans, and a tandem of killer belt and shoes.

I want to wear it with a summer dress.

I want to wear it with everything!