Nixon

Had brunch with the girls & went grocery shopping in this outfit a while ago. I wanted to tone down my look and deviate from my usual dark ensembles today for a more youthful one because I wanted to rock my bright pink watch from Nixon. I actually wore high tops during the first two years of my college life- I even had a collection of skate shoes! People in school presumed I was some skater chick especially after spraining my ankle. Such a poseur, but I was merely wearing them as an alternative to [the uni girls' staple] ballet flats to survive walking from 7AM to 9PM daily. These photos are now making me realize that I'm starting to look old for these types of get-ups. Sad. Maybe I should just smile a bit more? A floppier handbag would've been more fitting, too. 

[Watch- Nixon, sunglasses- Celine, necklace- Mia Arcenas, leopard print parka & high top wedge sneakers- Topshop, bag- MANGO, tank top- American Apparel] 

Last October 23, I attended the media preview for Nixon's latest collections at Big Bad Wolf. I've always wanted my own Nixon ever since they started distributing their accessories here in the Philippines. My obsession with [men's] oversized watches actually started after seeing the older styles. 

Founded in 1998 in Encinitas, CA, Nixon is the premium watch and accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Focused on making the little stuff better, Nixon began with a small line of team-designed custom built watches sold exclusively in specialty boardsport and fashion retailers. Currently distributed in over 70 countries, Nixon’s product range has grown to include select men’s and women’s soft goods, leather goods, custom headphones and audio accessories. 

Slow Burn

The Slow Burn is a collection inspired by the end of a long day on the mountain, relaxing in luxury. It hits the notes of a lodge fire and a deserved whisky, a thoughtful combination of colors and materials designed to evoke reflection in a refined environment, tranquility in luxury.

Hudson Street

At the intersection of the past and the future, the Hudson Street collection produces a vision for a unique present. It’s a new vintage, paying tribute to quality craftsmanship while taking full benefit of today’s materials and technologies. The Hudson Street Collection features high polish gunmetal plated stainless steel with high polish champagne gold plated details. It’s a line that draws on what came before to create what comes next.

 

Not for the faint of heart, The Plastiform Collection is for those who take inspiration in being bold. Made in tribute to the Pop Art movement, these pieces are motivated first and foremost by striking colors and textures, all in muted off tones that announce their presence fearlessly, but come with history behind them.

(L-R) the Rover, Camdem Chrono & Bobbi

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I really can't wait to get my hands on another Nixon watch! The next one will be large-faced for sure. I always find myself wanting all that they've designed for men.

For more information and to purchase your own Nixon, you can find them at:

 Segnatempo (Greenbelt, Newport and Shangri-la)

Rustan’s (Makati, Alabang Town Center and Shangri-la)

Billabong (Powerplant Mall) and 

Aloha Boardsports (Trinoma)

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SUNRISE SHOOT (BLOG GIVEAWAY CLOSED)

Thanks so much to Ana for the lovely wire name necklace

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Riz, Joe, Robin and I drove to Tagaytay at 3AM to catch the sun rise this morning. We had to ensure there were a lot of laughs along the way so that everyone was awake while braving the badly-lit roads. We were also able to get a bit of energy from the 7-Eleven coffee vending machine + the tapsilog joint across the road where the Starbucks in Tagaytay was located. Funny how the first thing we all had to accomplish while the sun was slowly rising was to have our fill of iPhone snapshots for Instagram! We hurriedly set-up our gear since the purpose of this trip was for Rob to record a video for someone's birthday. We had a bunch of instruments, cameras and tripods with us. Riz, Joe and I recorded our own covers as well, but I didn't really like the song we picked. I'm not sure if it's going to be posted- I'm convincing my sister to record another song for us since we didn't get to practice for it. 

It turned out to be a perfect day to whip out a pair of reliable Ray-Bans and 'twas windy enough to wear my new studded cardigan from Zara. A bit oversized, it makes one look a bit top-heavy but I am in love with its silk, blanket-feel lining. It looks a lot like my coat from Spanish Moss Vintage but I purchased it anyway since I wanted one with silver studs + it's a lot lighter.  My boots are from Charles & Keith and I've been abusing them since my trip to China. The 2" heel adds just enough height and they're even more comfortable than most of my ballet flats because of the soft insoles. You'd think I'd get sick of wearing [black] boots to work and on gigs, but I feel as though I have to add to my collection just because I know they're always reliable and they can transform any plain outfit into a more edgy one (at least in my POV). 

I'm a bit dizzy from the trip and I haven't gotten any sleep since yesterday (hence the badly written entry) but I couldn't wait to blog this morning since I was too excited to announce that I'm giving away  brand new Ray-Ban sunnies!

Here's how you can win this pair:

1. Follow Ray-Ban Collector's Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (@raybancollector)

2. Follow Eye Statement on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (@eyestatement) 

3. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (@raleene)

4. Create a blog entry on HOW YOU CAN BE A LEGEND. 

-the title should contain the words Ray-ban and Legends

-it should contain a photo of you or a celeb wearing Ray-Ban eyewear (he/she should be an icon that is a Legend for you as your inspiration)

-it should mention me/my blog entry inspiring you to write your post

-e-mail me the link to your entry or write it as a comment to this post

Criteria: 50% Creativity and 50% number of comments

One entry per blog site.

This contest ends on Nov. 30, 2012. 

GOOD LUCK! 

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Cebu (Nov. 2-3)

I guess my dad found it funny to leave more than 20 photos of me just floating like an otter on my camera & iPhone... Ridiculous.

The best Japanese food at Fiji 

Thanks to my sister Riz for taking the last few photos from the resort.

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Right after the Halloween festivities I had to prepare my things for a shoot in Cebu. Sam was kind enough to lend me some dresses as I had no time to shop, plus Mia agreed to lend me one of her kaftans for the group photo. I was on the brink of having a panic attack since I didn't own any white outfit/dress! Aside from a few pairs of heels I just stashed all the items from my closet that I thought could pass as resort wear. Because of the hastened packing I forgot to bring normal-day clothes and a swim suit! Right after this trip I promised myself never to pack on the last minute since it sucks having to avoid people & places just cos of my outfits (yes, that bad).

The first few photos were taken at the Cebu Yacht Club last Nov. 2 while we were shooting for a spread for Zee Lifestyle. I can't disclose any details about it yet, but it was loads of fun despite having to endure shooting for hours under the sun. It felt like one of the hottest days ever and I really pitied our photographer because unlike us, he couldn't take breaks. We even transformed Mia's car into our holding area since the place where we had our hair & makeup done was an open-air dining area without any electricity. I'm only realizing how hard the set-up was as I'm writing this down! I guess none of us complained since we spent hours having fun talking to one another, plus Mikey kept making us sing so he could record it. Can't wait for the feature to come out this December- the photos are so nice and it made the entire day of sweating [and praying we don't get heat strokes] all worth it. 

Vito invited us to his new pad that night for some drinks. He designed the interiors  including the furniture and I just love it! He's leasing it out starting next year since he's moving to another country. The photos don't do it any justice because I took them at night under low-light conditions with the awful zoom/kit lens (primes are the way to go). I already envy whoever's going to live there. It's a 2-bedroom flat with a great kitchen, plus I love the photographs & decor. 

For the rest of my stay my mum decided to take us to Plantation Bay. Back in high school my friends and I would frequent this resort just so we could use the game room, swim, bike around or wall climb. This time I just wanted to tan, veg out by the porch and swim. Love that the lagoon was a mere 10 steps from my bed- yes, our porch had stairs leading straight to the water! I can't really choose which resort in Cebu's my favorite because each one has something I really get attached to. For Plantation Bay, it's got to be the easy access to the swimming area and the best Japanese food at Fiji . 

I can't wait to visit Cebu again! Will definitely bring along some friends so we can all beach-hop or island-hop. It's always nice to take a break from all the cooking and cleaning (almost unbelievable how I'm not used to having household help available 24/7 anymore). Plus I already miss my mum's cooking- nothing will ever beat that.

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