About
The Reluctant Stylista is a fashion and lifestyle blog written by Alex Lapa--a once tomboyish girl who suddenly discovered the joys and perks of dressing up. Original illustrations by Paolo Lazatin.
For questions, comments, invites and other messages, please leave them here.
If you're looking for my styling work, you can browse blog entries tagged "work" and other related keywords. Drop me a line and let's see if our schedules will allow us to collaborate! It may take me some time to reply, though, as usually there's a lot of other things I juggle and I need to be doubly sure about my availability and resources before I commit.
Follow RS on Twitter
Subscribe to RS on your reader
Follow RS on Pinterest
We won!
The Reluctant Stylista is proud to be a finalist and winner for two categories at The Philippine Blog Awards 2010: Best Beauty and Fashion Blog and Best Blog Design. Thank you to all who rooted for us!
Twitter Updates
-
Running on 2 hours of sleep over 48 hours x_X
posted 15 hours ago. -
Red bull and Toblerone. Sleep is for the weak!
posted 2 days ago. -
Room with a view part 2 http://t.co/6iwLQgPL
posted 2 days ago. -
Fishtail braid by @brent_sales http://t.co/ylVrdvzi
posted 2 days ago. -
Walang magawa sa dressing rm so instagram nalang. #xfactorph I look like a totoy. Carmi looks girlier than I http://t.co/3ABRDJM6
posted 2 days ago.
-
Networks and Affiliates
I went to The Collective yesterday for the Brown Bag Market. I’ve been curious about this place for some time since it’s a fairly new spot they’ve been likening to Cubao X. The latter, with all its quaint thrift shops, art galleries, film screenings and indie music scene makes it one of my favorite haunts since college. I go there when friends have a gig, an exhibit or whenever I’m in the area after an ukay jaunt.
I was also invited by Nori to attend Awearness Eco Fashion and Beauty forum taking place at The Collective, and so with good reason, I invited my friend Aliza and my sister Bea along to check out the place with me (and buy themselves new clothes and accessories, as I always harangue them).
The Collective is located at Malugay st. in Makati City. The street is parallel to Buendia, crossing Pasong Tamo and near Osmeña highway so it’s easy enough to reach via bus.
Fresh laundry was running out, and so I took this an opportunity to wear the shirt I ripped for the shoot a few days ago. I needed a decent photo with it anyway. I bought the shoes for the same shoot, but originally it was black and it was in model size. As soon as the shoot was over, I traded it in for my size in tan. (Don’t forget you can usually exchange goods in most department stores within 7 days).
Necklace – Freeway (Ramon Valera Collection)
White shirt – SM (Sunjoy)
Belts – Landmark
Rings – Anagon, Wellmansons (Quiapo)
Charm bracelet – Anagon
Watch – Ice Watch
Aliza got there earlier so she was already participating at the fashion photography workshop. I wanted to check it out, too, but due to my gallivanting the night prior I got out of bed pretty late for me. As a side note, the late night was was totally worth it! Caught up with friends I haven’t seen in a while and we watched Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 1 which turns out to be the only movie of the franchise that I truly liked–which is saying a lot, since it wasn’t my favorite book of the series. Anyway, when I got to the bazaar, though, I think we made enough noise to disturb the ongoing workshop when I dropped by Aisa (Archive Clothing) and Ana’s (Anagon) stall.
my sister Bea, Ana, me, Aisa, Melai, Nori and Denise
As I’m on a personal shopping ban, it was really just my sister and Aliza who went shopping
The day was so hot, so we enjoyed a nice big glass of freshly brewed iced tea from Good Spirits.
I’ve always wanted those Gold Dot boots, but the one in black (it’s the one on the left side)
Aliza seemed to be enjoying her brief stint as a fashion photographer
And then the toy exhibit…
We sauntered over to Wabi Sabi, a Vegetarian grocery and noodle house. Pretty good food for its price!
And finally the Eco Fashion and Beauty Forum. Verns started off the activity by demonstrating some simple tips for wearing mineral make-up.
Ava’s son kept cheering for her. Bravo!
Recycled clutch bags made from old denims
Took home an Ecosax
And then I discovered something else when Mary Kay had me try on their oil mattifier (P585). I have never seen anything like it! It just totally sucked out the grease from my T-zone and I can safely say it’s the only mattifier I know that was able to do that. I like that you can wear it under or over make-up. I couldn’t stop touching my nose after that, and had everyone there try it. I think I’m getting it after Christmas.
I didn’t stay at The Collective for the evening, so I’m not sure if there were bands playing after. Though I think it’s a promising spot, I see a couple of problems cropping up for this site. It’s not as accessible as Cubao X (well, now Cubao Expo) who gets a lot of traffic from the malls nearby. And unless they have regular activities such as the film screenings at Mogwai, bazaars like this one, and bands playing, I have a hard time believing that people will frequent this place everyday. I honestly hope it continues, though, and that it improves eventually because this building can get pretty warm and stuffy on a sunny day.
Til the next time, I’m sure. ^_-
Related posts:
I have to agree it’s the new Cubao X! The stores are amazing and the music at B Side is my kind of music, I feel so at home at that little hole
Fab outfit, fab photos
I was supposed to be there, too but I was recovering from a hang over heehee.
Thanks Tara! Sayang naman, but I hope to bump into you there next time. Most of the shops and restos were closed, it was just the bazaar I got to experience. I’m sure there are more.
I had a good time. Let’s go back there when the funds are back. Haha. I wanted to see how it is at night din. Next time!
I also saw a few items that I still want to get from your friends’ shops. I hope I can still get them after a couple of weeks (sweldo day).
I’ll wear that blouse you chose for me when I visit Singapore.
It was just a weekend bazaar, so they’re not there anymore. You might want to go to their online stores to see if they’re still available, just click on the links above.
ahahaa..print screen key ring.. i like it!
Sold out yung Esc and Delete eh, sayang!
)
May vinyl store daw there?
I think I might check it out
Yeah! But that day most of the other shops were closed, so I didn’t get to check out all of the stuff.
Those heels are wicked! It was great seeing you again and meeting Bea, btw.
I wanted to buy lots of stuff from the bazaar but they’re all blazers and really quite impractical for me right now.
Yeah, me too
I hate you shopping ban.
Nice to have met you, too! Sorry, it was so hot we were sorta getting restless.
It was really nice seeing you, alex! too bad i wasn’t able to take a photo with you
the forgetful me! ugh. Next time hopefully!:) really love your shoes, btw!
Thanks! I’m pretty sure we’ll still bump into each other at other events, hehe!
I love the Print Screen key ring.. And I super love your outfit..
Thanks!
I should’ve gotten myself a key ring, too, but they were all out of the nes that I like. xD (such as Delete, Ctrl, End and Escape)
OMG. I don’t think I can post about this this week. I have about two weeks’ worth of blog backlogs. Waaaah! But I certainly want to go back to The Collective. I didn’t know that it was called The Collective. I only go there for exhibits at the Outerspace Gallery…Toink.
Alex! I’m glad you had fun! Sorry I missed you guys, was at another event. Me likey that Pacman figure, it will keep my Tim Yap and Nardong Tae figures company
Yeah it’s cool! But I’m afraid to ask how much it is.
I was supposed to go to the Zonta bazaar two weeks ago, but I missed it too.
Maybe I’ll run into you in another bazaar.
The place was terribly hot. But I really liked the stalls that were there. I wish it was a two-day event, so that more people could make it!
I know! I was glad I was wearing a ripped shirt since it was so hot. The bazaar should’ve been a two-day event. And I wish I could’ve helped promote it more, as the stalls were worth it. I’ll try dropping by the place on a Friday night and see if it’s kicking at that time.
Hope you girls had fun. Sorry if I wasn’t able to chat with you girls. Been really busy. Thanks for dropping by
Thanks for the invite Nori! I did have fun
Hope there are more events like this one.
We are fast becoming our parents who are stuck in a time space warp and I totally agree with you that they just don’t make ‘em like they used to nowadays.
I have a number of favorite bands from the current indie scene of US and some Swedish / Euro bands. They almost make up for the era that has gone by
ME TOO! I listen to some Canadian, Swede and some American indie bands! I really miss listening to NU where the songs that you hear aren’t the overplayed ones.
Of course, I listen to some local indie bands, but they’re mostly limited to friends and their friends haha! The same circles who frequent Cubao X!
Hehe. I think I’ll have fun swapping playlists with ya
I’m curious!
I used to be on last.fm, but nowadays I just Grooveshark. Do you have an account there? I’m curious about your playlist too, I might discover something new.
I love what your wore!!
Wish I had gone to The Collective!!
Next time..
Thank you! Yeah, you should go next time, it’s such a nice spot
Alex
Grabe! Super talented girl! Ikaw lang pala gumawa nun shirt mo!
xoxo
MrsM
Hihi! Yeah, and it was fun to do.
Thanks!
I like this! I get a sneak peak of The Collective
I saw a picture that had the keyboard ring. I think I know who made it; is it from Junk Art Studio?
My batchmate is the owner of it! I bought a bottlecap ring from her last time from the St. James Bazaar 
PLUS! You’re friends pala with Aisa from Archive Clothing. I follow her on Chictopia, she’s awesome!
I love her pieces too! 
The keyboard ring was from Melai of F-stop, although I’ve seen it around na rin before, like the lego rings, so maybe several accessory-makers sell it.
I’ve never been to a St. James Bazaar, but I always hear of it!
Also, I also just met Aisa through our blogs..super chica yan, haha!
The print screen ring looks cute! What’s the name of the store where you bought it from?
It’s from Melai of F-Stop. You can check out her shop here: http://fashionstopshop.multiply.com/
How much yung Mary Kay?
P585 if I remember correctly