The Tiny Closet: Philippines

4.10.2013

...And The Livin' is Easy

After a few months of intensive people watching here in L.A., it's clear that I am not the only chick in town that craves comfortable, easy, sultry ensembles. I am loving the beachy, loose and loungy styles I keep coming across. It's like a perpetual Coachella - very bohemian indeed.

And normally, I steer clear of bohemian styles. Taste-wise it's just never been my bag of tricks. But bohemian looks have definitely evolved past the saturated gypsy/70s vibe and into an eclectic mix of looks that I very much enjoy currently. People like Sienna Miller and Halle Berry are actually a great inspiration to me when branching out to find more sexy, comfy looks.

So on Taco Tuesday, while walking through downtown choosing which taco place to hole up in, I tried my hand at an eclectic bohemian mix. Check it out!

It's about that time again (in California anyway) for sunny, carefree dresses and skirts. During the Winter months, I use my Summer dresses as nightgowns - like here. But since Summers in Seattle are a mere dot in the space time continuum, this skirt has mainly been nightwear.

While getting dressed, Theo asked me why I was wearing my pajamas...

They're not pj's anymore!

My bohemian mixture was a bit Southern with my fedora and tassled oxfords - mixed with a bit of Western with my prairie skirt and beach top. Overall, a very easy bohemian brew.

I also did my hair :)

top: Tiny Closet Collection / oxfords: CMG /

necklace, skirt & fedora were bought at stands in the Philippines

Sonya's Garden: The Esthetic of Charm & Whimsy

After climbing well over 423 stone steps in Batad, swimming in waterfalls and climbing through caves, we were surprisingly exhausted. To kick up our feet, we decided to get a villa in Sonya's Garden and pamper ourselves with massages, facials and amazing food.

The villa was breathtaking but after seeing my bed... I was surprised I went anywhere at all.

I wore a robe most of the time I was there. A choice between two silk robes were laid out for me before our arrival. I never wear robes but needless to say I made an exception as these robes were the most gorgeous I have ever seen...

And to make our stay even more magical that first night, I found on the side of the bed a book, "Romantic Tales of Arabian Nights". Theo read to me into the wee hours of the night and I fell asleep in my silk hand painted robe dreaming of far off Arabian love affairs.

Chandeliers hung everywhere, even in the surrounding gardens. As we left, I made myself a promise that I would find this fairytale place again someday.

Fashion is first an idea before it, shall we say "materializes" into clothing, yes?

I was so overwhelmed by the conceptual esthetic around me at Sonya's Garden that I just had to include it in my blog because the Tiny Closet is a concept as well, see.

Its an esthetic that I've created for myself to express my sense of fashion. And I love conceptual thinking because its so concentrated and streamlined and saturated! Its so extreme. So even though I don't wear florals or own a single doily or have chandeliers hanging in my garden, places like this one is what truly inspires my own concepts and in turn, my wardrobe.

Thanks for reading :) Don't you love this place?

Big News!

I have recently been given the opportunity to travel...

for 3 months!!

In less than a month from now, Theo and I will be on our way to Borocay Island, one of the many islands of the Philippines. Throughout our stay, we will also be visiting, Thailand and Japan which are just a hop skip and a jump away :) Fun huh? Not many Americans know about Borocay (pssst, its a bit like Hawaii). Its a beautiful and luxurious secret - a hot vacation spot for China, Japan and Europe still, oddly enough the signs are mostly in English.

For roughly two months we will be staying at a resort right on the beach and I know what you're thinking because you and I, we're so alike - um, hello:

Resort Collection

... yes please.

The exchange rate in Thailand and the Philippines cause heart palpitations for me and my Tiny Closet. This is an important fact to know. So I have started doing daily breathing exercises in preparation for the major (major) shopping I will be doing when I'm there. And when it comes time to pack (15 minutes before leaving for the airport I'm sure - heehee, just kidding, Theo!) lets just say this will be the only time in my life that I will be packing light. Super light. When I touch down in Manila, it will be the beginning of my very first and oh-so-authentic Resort Collection.

But of course I couldn't wait to get there to start the official Collection. I put an old AllSaints gift card to use and got a gorgeous maxi from the Archive Department. I also couldn't wait to wear it either...as you can see.

Once again, I am mixing Summer with Winter. It just works so well. And while I'm on the subject, let me digress:

The truth is, I just can't stand not wearing all the clothes in my closet just because of the season. It seems like such a waste. You know why? Because inevitably (generally), we will not wear the same Winter clothes next Winter as we did this Winter. And we won't wear the same Summer clothes this Summer as we did last Summer... for the most part. I am of course leaving out the few amazing finds we all come across each year but reallllly, you're only wearing seasonal clothing for one season - which is a fraction of the year that you have to clothe yourself. So how far is our money really going??Californian's you are exempt from this unfortunate reality. I am talking about the states with seasons. Bah! It's a waste and I won't do it. Whether the Tiny Closet is a choice or a circumstance, its a lifestyle and I'm prescribing :)

You'll be seeing Part II of this dress, you just wait! I will wafting over white sands, sans beanie and leather jacket. It'll be flowing, I'll be wafting, blah blah blah, I'll show ya when I get there.

dress: AllSaints / leather jacket: Ever (Sway & Cake boutique) / beanie inside: Free People /

beanie outside: AllSaints / earrings: AllSaints

And this goes without saying, I will of course be chronicling all of my exotic travels,

fashion finds and outfits. Can't wait to share!!

If you like what you see, leave a comment!

Summer Dress = Winter Night Gown

The only thing I don't like about Winter is the short days. About this time each year, I look forward to going home, cozying down into the couch and and doing the rest of my work there until its time to go to bed. Don't get me wrong, I love walking through downtown with the glittering lights surrounding me, viewing the new holiday dresses in the windows at Barney's, grabbing a drink with friends in a crowded bar - all that is great during the Winter. But after rushing around in the cold in my heels all day, its deliciously wonderful to lounge at home during the evenings and holidays.

But what to wear? Yes, I mean at home - that's a perfectly legitimate question. You don't really think I'm going to subject my guy to watching me hibernate in an oversize college t-shirt and PINK boxers, do you? Mama don't run it like that. I was having a difficult time coming up with comfy yet pretty ensembles to wear around the house (mainly in bed) that weren't dry-clean only. Lingerie isn't all that warm. "Cozy" traditional two piece pajamas are not appealing (I'd have to get them tailored with my stature and all) . And robes don't really "speak" to me.... So while I am still mulling over these important things in life, having the most luxurious attractive nightwear a girl can get (within reason), I've come up with the idea of taking last Summer's maxis and sundresses and recycling them into current Winter night gowns.

My in-laws are always going to the Philippines and they bring back little Summer dresses. I've started wearing them in the evenings when I get home and wore one practically all day on Thanksgiving. That's when the realization hit that they act as very attractive night wear. And if they get stretched out from lounging and sleeping, so what? They're inexpensive and my Tiny Closet can certainly handle a collection of them each year.

If you like what you see, leave a comment!

The Tiny Closet

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4.10.2013

...And The Livin' is Easy

2.12.2012

Sonya's Garden: The Esthetic of Charm & Whimsy

12.18.2011

Big News!

11.30.2011

Summer Dress = Winter Night Gown

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