Halloween Costume Ideas

The spookfest is about to begin! Some of my friends are still looking for costumes, and I think last-minute preparations make Halloween so much more fun. Here are a few ideas I hope can help you out.

photo credit: www.collider.com

"I've got chills... They're multiplyin'. And I'm looooosing controool..." Sorry, I can't help it. I love Grease! Go as Sandy post-makeover with big, curly hair, a tight-fitting black top, shiny skinny bottoms and heels. If you've got a Danny, he'll only need a black muscle shirt, black pants, leather shoes and, of course, slicked back John Travolta hair!

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Dressing up as Amy Winehouse is pretty easy to do if you have long locks--you just have to get it poufy. A mini dress with a black bra, black eyeliner and a few sticker tattoos will complete the look.

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An even easier costume for long-haired ladies is Sadako. All you need is a white dress!

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Put together an all-pink outfit, slip into high heels, get all glammed up with pretty hair and makeup, and voila! You've turned yourself into a Barbie doll--or Elle Woods!

photo credit: www.gossipgirlinsider.com

If our party pushes through, I think I'll be taking the cue from Gossip Girl--bringing back the roaring twenties!

Dig into your closet and you just might find a few things to complete your costume!

Happy Halloween, y'all!

The CityLifeStylist

Decked Out in Denim

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Who doesn't have jeans in their closet? Denims are wardrobe staples for most people because they're comfy and they go with practically anything. Agyness Deyn even throws on her faded jean jacket over frilly frocks--both casual and dressy!

photo credit: www.style.com

Ralph Lauren shows a variety of jean styles and washes in the Spring 2010 collection, from relaxed chic bottoms to distressed streetwear. If you don't have distressed denim yet, this can be your next DIY project.

photo credit: www.style.com

Denim dresses were short and funky on the Hervé Léger by Max Azria Spring 2010 runway. The denim dress is a constant at thrift stores around Quezon City, and the coolest thing is no two styles are alike.

photo credit: www.gq.com

I think Justin Timberlake is one of the best dressed men in Hollywood, and his clothing line William Rast has the same hip, smooth and casual look he usually sports. Along with his childhood friend Trace Ayala and designers Marcella and Johan Lindeberg, the label has launched a new slick collection for Spring 2010. My favorites are the dark denims that have the perfect fit for men in my opinion--not too tight, not too loose.

photo credit: www.gq.com

Jeans in light washes were spotted on the Spring 2010 collections of Missoni and Maison Martin Margiela. Worn with basic tees in white and gray, the look is clean, fresh and timeless.

photo credit: www.gq.com

The length of the jeans and footwear in Junya Watanabe's Spring 2010 collection reminded me of local actor John Lloyd's recent oufits, which I personally thought didn't fit him well. Now that I've seen similar styling on these models, however, I think the look is cool and classy, but not for everybody. If you know you can pull it off, why not?

Another great thing about denim is that it looks better and better with age, and we know closet keepers are Mother Nature's best friends. Reduce and reuse!

The CityLifeStylist

Bags for the Eco-chic

photo credit: Aranaz

RIIR by Aranaz has released its Holiday 2009 collection, with exquisite "eco-ethical" designs by Amina Aranaz, hand-woven by the women of Payatas. The bags are made of sustainable organic materials and upcycled fabric scraps.

photo credits: Aranaz

The collection is part of the RIIR project of Rags2Riches Inc., a Filipino social business enterprise which creates eco-ethical fashion and home items, which Aranaz has partnered with. Rags2Riches has received several recognitions locally and internationally, one of which is winning first prize at the Business in Development Global Challenge in the Netherlands, where the group bested 8,000 entries.

This season, the bags can be enjoyed by the green stylistas in the country, with the limited-edition collection's Philippine launch.

Check out Aranaz at the Powerplant Mall.

The CityLifeStylist

The Future of Fashion

"Fashion uses more water than any industry other than agriculture. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles and 25% of the world's pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. This causes irreversible damage to people and the environment, and still two thirds of a garment's carbon footprint will occur after it is purchased."

--Earth Pledge

This is why supporting sustainable fashion or eco fashion today is a must. These times call for a sustainable lifestyle with people using products created without causing depletion of or damage to natural resources.

photo credit: Lorenzo Agius, www.dvf.com

Many foreign fashion brands have already shown their support for sustainable living by using sustainable materials in their collections, according to Earth Pledge. Some of these major labels are Bottega Veneta, Diane Von Furstenberg and Yves Saint Laurent. Some international eco-friendly clothing brands accessible to us locally are Zara and Banana Republic. Watch for upcoming features on other "green" brands available here with different price ranges for every budget.

photo credit: Aranaz

In the Philippines, bag designer Amina Aranaz has launched the RIIR by Aranaz Holiday Collection, a new batch of "eco-ethical" bags. These were created by Amina herself and the women of Payatas who turned upcycled fabric scraps and organic materials into little masterpieces. (Check out my feature on the entire collection this week!)

Support for these brands is good for our environment, but beyond this, there are more things you can do to have a sustainable lifestyle without sacrificing style.

Depletion of and damage to natural resources can be avoided by using sustainable materials and decreasing production. Less demand means less supply, so buying less new products will result in less production of new goods. The good news is you can still continue to update your wardrobe without buying brand new items.

Investing in Timeless Pieces
When buying new things, aside from checking if the products are made of sustainable materials, it's always best to choose items that will withstand trends. Invest in classic styles and colors, and take note that plains are easier to mix and match and wear more often than prints. These clothes are the ones that won't go out of style, which you can wear forever--or at least until you want to swap it for a "new" dress, or sell it to your stylish neighbors.

Holding Swap Meets and Garage Sales
Your pre-owned clothes can be somebody else's brand new finds! Round up all of your girlfriends for a swap meet and revive the barter system, or organize a garage sale where you can also sell other things in your household you no longer need. Books, clothes and accessories are always garage sale hits!

Going Thrifting
There are more secondhand shops or what we call "ukay-ukay" stores opening in Metro Manila. It's not easy to find really good stuff, but there are a few along Congressional Avenue and Cubao, Quezon City with decent fitting rooms and quality clothes--and occasionally, even never-worn branded pieces complete with tags! This can be another fun activity for you and your girlfriends.

Let's hope more people and businesses would start using purely eco-friendly materials in their products and practices. If we all do our part and change our lifestyles, the whole world will have a lot less things to worry about.

The CityLifeStylist

Stop the Flood; Go Green!

Filipinos are starting to rebuild their lives after the two typhoons that hit the country. The effects of these calamities have served as another big wake-up call for all of us to do our part in taking care of our environment. As they say, a little goes a long way, and the first thing to do is to begin with ourselves and our lifestyles.

I'm starting off this little "green hunt" with bath products, skin care and makeup.

photo credit: www.thebodyshop.com.ph

More and more beauty brands have started creating eco-friendly product campaigns, but one that has always been on top in terms of caring for Mother Nature is The Body Shop. Its products are made of natural ingredients that are not only good for your skin, but are also good for the environment. Here are a few of their products I've always loved and definitely recommend:

photo credit: www.thebodyshop.com.ph

Our home is never without a bottle or two of Tea Tree Oil. It's very effective in fighting infections. It disinfects wounds, and even dries out stubborn pimples. Gargling warm water with a few drops of it helps cure a sore throat. Read about its other uses and benefits here.

photo credit: www.thebodyshop.com.ph

I don't usually stick to one bath soap (except for my facial wash) but I've tried The Body Shop's bath and shower gel before and liked it a lot. My pick is Pink Grapefruit, which leaves a squeaky-clean feeling and a fresh, fruity scent on your skin.

photo credit: www.thebodyshop-usa.com

My mom and I both have their retractable brush, which we looove because it's soft and doesn't irritate our skin. It's very handy as well. I always have it in my bag!

photo credit: www.thebodyshop.com.ph

I immediately switched from lip balm to lip butter when I tried their Gurana Lip Butter. I liked its buttery (but not oily) feel on my lips better, although their Born Lippy lip balm is still a bestseller.

photo credit: www.thebodyshop.com.ph

The Body Shop's Glow Enhancer is one of my favorite makeup items because they instantly brighten my complexion. I just dab a little on the apples of my cheeks after face powder and I'm good to go.

Discover more about The Body Shop here. More eco-friendly features to come!

The CityLifeStylist

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