FASHION: Dress-to-Impress during the Rainy Season!

Since I just got back to the work-force just a few days ago, a question that's been very close to my heart has been haunting me again... And that is...

What the hell am I going to wear today?!

As a girl with a very bipolar closet and has been known for dressing all "manang", its really hard for me to piece together a whole impressive outfit ensemble. The heavy rain, the flood and all those that come with it are making it all together complicated. I love the rain, but come on, it gets crazier and crazier every week!

Just a little disclaimer.. I am no fashion blogger, apparel brand geek or anyway expert on power dressing (since the industries I've been to, namely media, events and digital marketing, doesn't really require full on corporate dressing). But I still do believe in making an excellent impression with the people you meet at the workplace. It seems like its just a minor thing, but in reality it says so much about you and your personality.

So let this be a simple guide for those girls (and even boys) who have the same fashion profile as I do or simply share the same sentiments.

1. Wear a smart looking jacket (something with a collar)
Wearing something with a collar is a classic advice since man discovered office fashion. It gives a whiff of looking professional at the same time protecting you from the heavy rains.You could probably search for Hong Kong inspired outfits for more creative ways to wear jackets and trench coats.

Me on a drizzly dress down Friday!
(Raincoat not included :P)

2. Scarf up! 
I. AM. A. FAN. OF. SCARVES. I just love them! It's my favorite accessory amongst all accesories (well, except for my "hipster" bracelets haha!). I love how simple it is to wear one, yet it gives an extra spice and personality in your entire outfit. I also think that scarves are very practical most especially in this weather because it helps you keep cozy in the freakishly cold and mala-Antartica airconditioning systems in offices here in Manila.



3. Go ahead, wear your rain boots!
I've been seeing a lot of stylish wellies or rain boots nowadays and I think some could pass for decent office footwear already. You could probably pair it with a nice trench coat, a collared jacket or a nice corporate-looking top to still exude that office girl aura. This is not really ideal to do but if you have space and proper storage area in your work area, you could probably keep an extra pair of heels just in case you have that big meeting to go to.

4. Your umbrella is your friend... Your best friend, actually!
Getting your umbrella wrecked by the strong winds amidst the heavy rains is not just a big hassle when going to work but also a possible moment where someone could video you and actually turn you into the next embarrassing icon in a viral video. Please make sure that you get the sturdiest umbrella there is in the world if you're planning (or forced? :P) to go to work during a typhoon. Going to the office all drenched, with crazy blown away hair, and rainwater-smudged eyeliner wouldn't really help you in giving an impressing image in the work place.

5. Waterproof... ney! Flood proof your stuff!
Impressing people isn't just about your outfit, but it's also how you keep and show the stuff that you use. Imagine yourself, going to a big meeting all dressed up but with items dripping in rain water. All those efforts in dressing up will just go to waste. So make sure that you use at least a waterproof bag or those bags that have thick linings inside. If you're a gadget freak, there are a lot of gadget protectors available already in the market. But if you don't have the budget, you can still opt for the classic ziplock technique. You could also opt for cling plastic wraps if you're using a smart phone or tablet. This way you could still use the almost the full functionality of your phone's touch screen.

And last but not the least, wear something fun and colorful that you think is bright enough to bring a little sunshine in the work place!

So that's it! My two cents worth of non-fashion-addict "tips" in dressing to impress. Hope these simple suggestions would help you not to spaz every morning about your #OOTD.

Just remember what they always say -- when you look good, you feel good! And it would be extra helpful if you're also comfortable no matter what the weather is.

Do you have other more helpful tips? Leave them on the comments section below. 

EVENTS: MPROVE'13: Learning Series for Professional Development

This coming October and November, BBCOMM in partnership with Business World and jobsDB Philippines will be mounting an event entitled MPROVE’13: Learning series for professional development.  The event will feature topics under marketing, work ethics and power dressing to be discussed by certified experts in the mentioned fields.

Since our company support activities aimed to boost the spirits of jobseekers in the country, jobsDB Philippines will be offering a 50% discount to all its online members. 10 lucky followers of the jobsDB Philippines facebook fanpage will also get an event pass for FREE. 

Initial mechanics are as follows:
1. 10 lucky jobsDB facebook followers will get a chance to win seats to selected workshops of IMPROVE’13.
2.  Winners should also be jobsDB Philippines account holders.
3.  Names of the winners will be drawn randomly (via Rafflecopter) and will be announced on October 10, 2013 via the jobsDB Philippines facebook fanpage and website.
4.  Stay tuned on announcements on the jobsDB Philippines fanpage for updates on when the rafflecopter app will be mounted.

Join and like the jobsDB Philippines Facebook Fan Page and follow them on Twitter to get more updates on the event. You can also click here to start exploring bigger opportunities!  

FOOD: Where to eat in Bacolod City!

This topic is actually a silly thing to write about because believe me, you can practically eat ANYWHERE in Bacolod and still have a satisfied belly on your way out. You can also splurge into ordering two to three meals off the menu because food in Bacolod is fairly cheaper compared to prices here in Manila.

So let me just put it this way. Since I was only able to spend a night at Bacolod, this blog post could be classified as a guide for a "food quickie" around the city. Based from my experience, these are probably the restaurants and meals that you shouldn't miss out if you're just planning to do a side trip to Bacolod. So without further stalling, here's my rundown:

(L) Chosilog (R) The very cozy interiors of Bascon Cafe

Bascon Cafe
This is the first restaurant that I went to in Bacolod City, and boy, was I NOT disappointed. The ambiance was pretty cozy which makes me remember dining in at any cafe in Baguio. Their meal choices was very simple, but then you're in for a shock once you actually get your food in front of you. For instance, I ordered a Chosilog, short for chorizo, sinangag and itlog. The meat has this sweet taste to it and is just perfect to match with the sinangag and itlog. This was my very first meal in Bacolod and the entire experience just made me more excited for other meals lined up for the day! 

They said that there are more choices of Chicken Bacolod Inasal in Manokan Country.
I'll probably go there on my next visit!

Nena's Rose
I can say that I would never percieve a Chicken Bacolod Inasal meal the same way again after dining here at Nena's Rose. Our host said that this brand of Bacolod Chicken Inasal is one of the pioneers within the city. I've also learned that the native chickens in Bacolod have smaller frame thus the meat seems to absorb the marinate more. Hence, the yummy flavors in every bite! 

(L) Special La Paz Batchoy (R) Molo Soup from Iloilo

21 Bar and Restaurant's Kare-Kare! It's my first time to see a Kare-Kare dish presented this way. Excellent!

21 Bar and Restaurant
This is said to be the home of the best Special Batchoy in Bacolod City. And yes, it is indeed. I was also surprised because the prices of the entrees are rather cheap considering that the place has a very "sosyal" ambiance. If you're planning to dine in here, I would also recommend their Molo Soup (originally from Iloilo) and their very avant garde Kare-Kare! 

(L) Love the rainbow colored stained glass of Cafe 1925, (R) Sirloin Sandwich 

Cafe 1925
For me, this restaurant seemed to be pulled out from Cubao Expo and shipped all the way to Silay City. I love how its interiors give a very organic and "real" vibe. We got here around merienda time so I ordered their Sirloin Sandwich, one of their best sellers and a Vanilla Milkshake. The Sirloin Sandwich was really something else! I loved every bite of it! 

(L) Lots of cake selections at Calea, (R) Tired with all the road trips but still excited to eat my Lemon Merengue!

Calea 
Calea. Calea. Calea. I've never seen so much cake in one room in my entire life! Just by looking at the cafe interiors and big refrigerators with delectable cakes cures me of my monthly mood swings for a year! Its definitely a sugar merry wonderland! If you're the type who wants something that's not too sweet, try Calea's Lemon Merengue. It's still sweet but it has this tangy lemony after taste in every bite. It's also best to pair this with their brewed coffee with cream and mascuvado. (And on a side note... I was also very pleased to know that the owner of this place is a fellow Kulasa! Woot! Woot! Represent!) 

I know this is the worst food shot of a lamb burger (or any dish for that matter) but I was so excited to munch on it! 

Pepe's Restobar 
Pepe's Lamb Burger literally contains meat that melts in your mouth. Topped with melted cheese, cushioned with soft yet slightly toasted buns and served with a hefty amount of feta fries -- its one intense foodgasm in a silver platter if you ask me! This is also by far the cheapest lamb burger that I've purchased in the Philippines which is about P180.00 per order. Worth every penny!  

But of course, with all the great food that I got to eat during my stay in Negros, I would want to take home a few bites for my family. Here are the pasalubong centers that you shouldn't miss out:

Virgie's Homemade Products
Virgie's is known for its Tarts, Barquillos and Piayas. Or just get all sorts of sweets and worry about the excess baggage later on! HAHAHA!

Pendy's
This is the home of the very thin piaya! Very delicious! You should also try their other sweets! I love 'em as well!

Well, that's about it! These aren't even half of the good restaurants in Negros! But I hope this could help you find your quick fixes when you visit the region! 

Would you also like to visit The Ruins when you visit Bacolod or Negros? 

Here's my post about it to jumpstart your trip planning!