the shortcut

eyes be closed.

camomilletea — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:50:40 +0000

There is nothing more precious than time off. It’s not the eventful days that I cling to on days I start to forget how lucky I am to have this life, which is, I’m ashamed to admit, too often (I promise I’m working on being a better person, day by day). It’s mostly days like yesterday — spent with aimless wandering and skipping down the sidewalk with my loved one, savoring first and second brunches, and laying in the sunspots with Audrey — that I cherish the most. During the work week rife with chaos, frustrations and disappointments, these are the ones I close my eyes to recall and impart a great, warm embrace. And then the gratitude comes rushing back.

Antique locket necklace from my favorite vintage jewelry store, Pippin. I have yet to fabricate a backstory for the two mysterious women immortalized within.

Dear Creatures Audrey blouse, Madewell bird’s-eye pullover, nondescript tween denim brand that fits better than any higher end brand I’ve tried, hat from romwe, Matt & Nat Madie bag, ASOS Andre Chelsea boots, Wilfred Marquis jacket via Aritzia, vintage Dior sunglasses

Inside your voice resounds,
your thoughts realign
your words recall to mind
your short, sweet life

((Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed))

♥ blackhearts ♥

camomilletea — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:00:45 +0000

Hark! It’s Valentine’s Day. And today’s hearty (har har) get-up is brought to you by shamefully geekful high school Camille, back when my circle of friends donned our darkest for just one day as a makeshift coven. On Halloween (yeah, yeah), we piled on the inkiest kohl liner and mu-mu maxi-skirts we could find at whatever Canadian version of Contempo Casuals we had. We sailed down the hallways, feeling powerful as we attempted to use non-existent magicks to eye-gouge every boy with a Leonardo DiCaprio Growing Pains haircut, who’d ever unknowingly wronged us. Ok, so our love for The Craft never extended far beyond costume and to this day I’m terrified of Ouija boards and the prospects of being light as a feather, stiff as a board. I have, however, established a tradition of black uniform (+ anatomical <3 necklace, my first ever Etsy purchase) on Valentine’s Day.

Photo: RookieMag

Why this day of all? I mean, we’ve already established I’m pretty much the opposite of curmudgeonly (most of the time). You will be my BFF anytime you send me squeeable kittens doing adorable things on YouTube. I heart macarons, the color peach, and anything that puts a bow/animal/heart/bird on it. I will probably eat some form of pink or red confectionary item (Update: I did, as they spoiled us with macarons in the cafeteria today) , and you can be sure this will be my playlist all day long. I squeal with delight at all the VDay Modcloth lookbooks and lovey blogposts out there. I eat allll this shit up.

Must be the season of the witch

But I also used to place just a smidge too much emphasis on this day than it requires/deserves, and in my younger angsty days, wore an armor of black, to first deal, then eventually feel a sense of empowerment. Today, it has become a token of affection for my husband’s inner ~~teen~~ goth. We don’t really celebrate VDay with astronomical, sub-par pre-fixes. Instead, he claps with joy at whatever all-noir attire I have stepped into, we embrace, and wish each other “happy gothvalentine’s!!” It’s pretty sweet! We also save the really special acts of our adoration and care for those occasion-neglected days. The daily expressions of love and gratitude would make you nauseous, in fact.

Ooooooh. Ok, not so talented at doing ‘creepy’

Daily rings: Jezebel Evil Eye ring, ring whose designer I can’t recall from Stuart & Wright (a non-occasion day gift from Brian) Chinatown non-engraved baby ring

Forever21 t-shirt and leggings, UNIF Birkin crochet skirt, Gar-de silk blazer, Etsy necklace

I want you to know that I am, indeed, full of love, as I wrote this entire blogpost waiting in line at the most inspiriting of venues–the DMV.

See? Full of love.

(*Note: I’m proud to say that I have accomplished my mission of making not one, but two DMV employees smile AND laugh!! We talked about online shopping and I introduced them to Etsy. See, you guys? This stuff brings people together.)

Happy [goth]valentine’s day to all and happy Valentine’s day to all who celebrate.

Just, please: promise me you’ll love harder on the days you aren’t reminded to. ♥♥♥

Song of the day has all the saccharine sentiment apropos to the day, yet done in a ‘do epic shit’, badass sort of way.
((Nika+Rory: I’m Not Going Anywhere))

blogger’s night out nyc

camomilletea — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:22:03 +0000

It is a true painstaking effort for me to limber up the ol’ digits and hammer out a post today, as this weekend marks perhaps one of this household’s lazy ass-iest weekends ever. For serious, as I think even Audrey, queen of languorous lethargy and intermittent sunspot siestas, is pacing perplexed, and howling with unease. And I will not even attempt to write one iota about NYFW, which is currently in halfway swing. True, the-shortcut is a chronicle of one’s love for fashion and style, but, it is also one that documents how this love fits into a life. At this very moment, Fashion Week fits into my life in a plentiful series of YouTube video clips and NYMag slideshows languorously (word of the day) clicked-through in petite-length [cat's]-pajamas with husband (alight with much cheekier critique than your garden variety gossip mag reporter) and amateur Americano in tow. It is Sunday after all. Top schmurg day. Besides, there are oodles and oodles of insightful, amusing, amazing, eye-candy riddled nyfw recaps all over the interwebs this week. I will, today, stick to what I’m good at–acting as cat bed and master online shopper.

With, that, I leave you with a couple of smartphone photos from Friday night’s Blogger’s Night Out in NYC, a fête designed for meeting with like-interested bloggers and brands.

Many thanks to my beauteous friend Ana Maria for the BNONYC invite!

I never win anything, but I won this outfit! American Apparel skirt, Free People top, Nine West sandals and Mat & Nat clutch.

New friend Sarah and Ana

ASOS Petite peach lace dress and Tuleste Market bow bolo tie necklace. And…the bumpit strikes again!

a cup of coffee.

camomilletea — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:59:38 +0000

Ok, so do you remember my love letter to Dear Creatures? Well, today there is further evidence of Bianca + Rob’s adorableness–this time with sight, sound and motion, via Starbucks’ Find Your Balance series.

Head on over here!

(Psst, keep an eye out for new pieces from upcoming collections!).

welcome to the dollhouse

camomilletea — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:20:06 +0000

Whenever I’m unsure of how to face the world, I reach for the most potent/slash/unassuming armor I can think of. It’s the [relatively vast] tributary of my wardrobe that ~~regresses~~ harkens back to our young girl selves and isn’t ashamed to find style inspiration in the Alices in Wonderlands, the Lolitas, and the little ladies of the worlds of Mark Ryden, Yoshitomo Nara, et al.

Mark Ryden’s The Fountain

It hasn’t always been this way. For the majority of my life, I distressfully revolted against my puerile features and [non-]stature (first-world adolescent problems, yes, thank you), painfully grimacing when some stranger offered their unwelcome exclamation of how young I looked. Somewhere along the self-discovery way, though, I ~~grew tired of~~ accepted my Peter Pan syndrome (equal parts mind and body) and embraced peter pan collars, sleeves capped and poufy, babydoll dresses, and ladylike shoes. Now that I’ve gotten over the hump, for some reason unbeknownst to me, it gives me a strange feeling of strength and, um…moxie? I guess, though, it doesn’t really matter what you choose to wear, as long as you cop a devil-may-care ‘tude about it (“own it,” as they say), being open to the world getting a glimpse of you are.

Oldie, but goodie dollhouse inspired Erin Fetherston x Target chiffon babydoll dress, vintage belt, United Nude Eamz ankle bootie.

I may or may not own multiple versions of this shoe…

“I brake for birds, I rock a lot of polka dots, I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours, […] and I find it fundamentally strange that you’re not a dessert person. That’s just weird, and it freaks me out. And I’m sorry I don’t talk like Murphy Brown, and I hate your pantsuit. I wish it had ribbons on it, or something to make it just slightly cuter, but that doesn’t mean I’m not smart and tough and strong.” (The New Girl)

((Hole – Doll Parts))

these are a few of my favorite things.

camomilletea — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:57:04 +0000

I know it’s my second post of the day, but this had to happen. A brilliant, life-loving kindred soul marries her love for fashion and food (also two of my favorite f-words… {ahem}…) into one delectable morsel. Today, I share with you a not new, but new-to-me blog called Taste of Runway (recipes included!). This is just too too fun.

Aha! And now I am filled with glee.

Bon appétit!

lovecats

camomilletea — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:29:18 +0000

Ok, so I talk about my cat a lot. Shaddup. I’m a crazy cat lady and I’ll admit it, goddammit. I love that the Internet chose cats for the majority of its memes. I die a little bit inside each time I hear someone say they hate cats (because, hi, have you singled out an entire animal family to be object of your abhorrence? I’m even super into this Victoria Beckham frock, and I could just kiss Mr. Jason Wu for choosing Milu the cat as the mascot for his Target collection.

My little Audrey is so irresistible to me that I want to mush/crush/bite her face, a sensation I know you’re all familiar with. You just haven’t had anything to label it with until now. There isn’t a sufficient English translation, but in Tagalog, it’s referred to as gigil–when someone is so ridiculously adorable that you have an intense urge to [again] mush/crush/bite/squeeze this animal or person, probably whilst modulating your voice to its utmost squeak ceiling. The facial contortions forged from this uncontrollable compulsion…well, they ain’t pretty.

To protect the general public from such uncouth behavior, I leave my little Audrey cake cat (don’t ask) at home and, instead, venture out into the world with representations of this cuteness.

Gigil face!!

Pussy[cat] bow blouse from romwe.com, Gar-de leather jumper (again), Dolce Vita shoes

If you happen to spot some adorable kitty themed items, please send them my way asap. I am twee and I apologize to no one! Off to watch ((kittens inspired by kittens)) for the umpteenth time.

Happy Friday and I do hope you all enjoy a lovely Caturday tomorrow

((The Cure – The Lovecats))

come sail away with me

camomilletea — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:04:46 +0000

…orrr not, because it’s only Tuesday, in winter, and the only nautical business happening is up in my noggin’ and torso. Sigh.

If you must know, I’m also wearing a bumpit, that I got from the As Seen on TV section(!!) at the drugstore. Don’t judge–I’m still honing my skills towards Brigitte Bardot and hopefully further away from the Snooki Monster.

This is my perverted, wanna-see-what’s-in-my-coat face. Or something.

Dear Creatures Anna sweater blouse, Earnest Sewn high-waisted jeans, Kelsi Dagger booties, AllSaints Lendra coat, Melie Bianco Nancy bag

Peace out friends.

capitol couture(!!!)

camomilletea — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:35 +0000

Unless you’ve recently awoken from a cryogenic slumber, you’ve at least heard, more likely partaken in the hubbub surrounding the post-apocalyptic young adult series The Hunger Games, whose film adaptation hits US screens on March 23rd of this year. I personally have not been this excited for a film release since my 8-year old birthday post-slumber party screening of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (new fact: I have a juvenile and unhealthy fondness for mermaids, and as a child, would whisper “I know you’re real!” into the ocean).

Fans like myself have been anticipating photos of each new outfit by costume designer Judianna Makovsky with baited breath, and so far, they’ve done nothing but amplify Hunger Games fever. Take a look at the famous girl-on-fire outfit created for Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen teased just days ago:

I’m particularly losing my mind over the looks created for Elizabeth Banks’ Effie Trinket (well, of course, she wears McQueen booties) who’s smokin’ in all her futuristic rococo glory. Pastel coifs, you guys!!

From capitolcouture.pn

The latest Hunger Games marketing move brings us a fashion & culture magazine exhibiting the whimsical fashions of citizens of the Capitol!! I’m so so into this.

Enjoy CapitalCouture.pn!

((Ladyhawke – Paris is Burning))

lyrical livery: the sweater song

camomilletea — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:31:57 +0000

It’s a sort of dreary, snowy, hibernatin’, 1 hour bathin’, diy nail stickerin’ kind of day. Due to this boredom and apparently excessive time on my hands, I’m about to shamefully and bizarrely nerd out to try something new here. Obvs, I’m kinda into clothes, right? Ok, so, onto the list of things I’m slowly revealing about myself, another of the top 5 random things I love is karaoke. Especially of the private room variety. I blame my heritage. Every Filipino household I’ve ever been to has one of these bad boys nestled lovingly between the Xbox 360 and one of those insane mega-remote controls that turn TV manipulation into brain surgery. It isn’t at all unusual to walk into a living room or den to chance upon a family member belting it out to an audience of none. Riding on the interwebs trend that is webcam karaoke, I give you my attempt to marry two unrelated things that I love.

Caution: do not press play if you’re uneasy with regards to geekery, air guitar and hair whipping. Here it is, in an installment of ”things that maybe sounded better in my head”, I give to you: Undone (The Sweater Song) by Weezer. You’ve been warned.

Thoughts? Did that idea totally suckslashweird you out? Stop me before I embarrass myself further! We’ll switch the focus of this post to the unveiling of 8 year-old Camille fringe. Orrrr…are you a weirdo, too, and thus you kinda got into it and maybe have future song ideas?!? Indulge me!

If you want to destroy my sweater, it will take about 24 seconds, as it’s an oldie from fast fashion mecca Forever21. I’m wearing it over this Dolce Vita dress (not my photo) and fleece-lined tights (a must on snowy days!), which you cannot see, because there is a sick kitteh sleeping on my lap.