Outfits: Tropical Lagoon

SHIP'S LOG: School's about to start! B helps A get her academic requirements in order at the University of the Philippines Diliman. It's got lagoons, creeks, and scary trees. The temperature? 38 degrees Celsius, so out comes the lighter clothes.



Mothers: their main purpose in life is to tell their daughters to get more exercise. Especially the mothers who spend copious amounts of time at the gym and get mistaken for their daughter's sister! Well, look at us, Mom, jumping across creeks and balancing on bamboo and balete boughs. Is this enough healthful work out for you? If not, then let us kindly mention the running back and forth to get A and B in the same photograph. The hidden holes, the fallen branches, the patch of moss! We fear no danger for the sake of art (otherwise known as a non-blurry picture)!




B says: My guilty pleasure TV show is The Hills, (A's is America's Next Top Model) where I first saw Lauren Conrad's double finger ring. Just when I thought I would never find one I stumbled upon Arlene's shop. For Filipino readers interested in pretty personalized jewelry-check it out. I was quite nervous making such a big purchase online but she was sweet and made fair compromises regarding the down payment. I'm really pleased with the finished product too! I've been wearing it everyday. It's dainty but the double rings make me feel like I'm wearing brass knuckles.



A says: I'm balancing over creek in the first! B told me I look like a "graceful ballerina" in the photos above. FUNNY. The closest I got to prima ballerina status was not close at all. Let's just say my brother has blackmail pictures of me as a yellow daffodil in a third-grade production of the Nutcracker.



This statue of two people reading is part of a long seat in the middle of a wood. We found it so sad that people had scribbled all over them, so we thought they needed make-over (or Ty-over, if you like Tyra Banks on ANTM). Green and blue cardigans!



B says: If you've been following our blog for awhile you surely know how much A and I love musicals. Thus the cheesy Singing-in-the-Rain style pose!



A says: See those blue Chatham sneakers? They are my absolute favourite Keds, which would explain why they are so beat up. I love them so much I still wear them around despite (a) faded canvas that goes from murky green to navy (b) a hole on the right shoe. I wore them hiking up Mount Banahaw and into underwater caves. Slime, moss, and dead leaves yet survival! I wish I could get a brand new pair, but Keds don't stock them anymore. SAD.



B says: So, in these photos I am wearing my new/old thrifted cardigan and oxfords! The oxfords did pinch, as I predicted, but climbing branches and jumping across creeks definitely broke them in. The shorts are from Bangkok- nice little sailor details and a bow. Has anyone else noticed that all the outfits I've posted are blue? I should really try stepping out of my comfort zone!



A says: Lesson learned from Manila American Memorial post: don't go out in a sundress without protective bottoms. I wore biker shorts!



A wears ZARA print dress, green knit cardigan from Topshop, Keds Chatham sneakers, and black fedora from Landmark. B wears thrifted blue cardigan, shorts from Bangkok, thrifted shoes and Fabuleuxity ring.

Inspiration: Plain Brown Hair

SHIP'S LOG: B is trying to grow her hair out and hunts down inspiration that will hopefully help keep her eyes on the prize. We all know chopping it off is a real temptation in the summer heat!

Honestly, I think nothing is cuter for summer than a short, flippy bob. Paired with little sundresses, it adds a hint of playfulness to every outfit. This is probably why A warned me- when I told her my plans to grow my hair out-"you are going to get so bored". Unlike A who has sported variations of that chic little bob over the years, my hair has gone through a greater variety of extremes: boring bob, boyishly cropped, japanese edgy, curly poof (permed! never again!) and now...



I am find myself drawn to the really simple style of a deep side part and shoulder length brunette hair. I know it is not the most original of haircuts but I feel like it's such a classic look. When I had a boyish crop (bleurgh) I found that my wardrobe had to adjust accordingly-wider necklines, girlier dresses. I think I'd enjoy the versatility of this simpler style.



Great examples of movies which have nudged me in this general direction are An Education and Cracks. Maria Valverde as the exotic Spanish beauty and Carey Mulligan as the clever British schoolgirl. I also noticed a similar style on one of my most recent blog discoveries Amanda of The Upside of Wonder. I have a teensy girl crush on her hair and her style.



It's been so long since I grew my hair out and I am enjoying the process so far. I especially like that on bad hairdays I can just put my hair up in several different styles. Bows, braids and buns! Who can ever get bored with the endless styling options? Though to be honest I haven't quite conqered the bow bun but I will get there!



In anycase, I am well overdue for a trim -my favorite Korean salon raised their bloody prices again- so my hair is quite shapeless and thick at the moment. If any of you guys know an interesting hair tutorial or style I can use leave a link below. I would also love to see your hair inspirations for this year.

Inspiration: Glorious 39

SHIP'S LOG: A continues pic-spamming Stephen Poliakoff's pre-World War II drama Glorious 39. In love with each and every outfit of Anne Keyes (Romola Garai), she presents updated versions. Cheers, Polyvore.



Witness the many costume changes for Romola Garai as she plays Anne Keyes nicknamed "Glorious". I love her hat collection and how she pins brooches or bows to them. I think I'm going to have that white and navy dress with zigzags made by the seamstress at UP Shopping Center, once I've got enough money saved. It's a divine sailor dress.

The best part of Glorious 39 costume design is the use of colour. I really like how the designer, Annie Symons, expertly uses the colour wheel. Her colour choices keep the clothes fresh and the audience interested while conveying the mood of a certain scene. I too adore primary colours: reds, blues, and yellows are used boldly without any floral or geometric prints.



Anne of the Manor. I was looking for a khaki Burberry coat that looked slouchy and beaten up but I couldn't find one on Polyvore, so I had to settle for the black and a rather chintzy jumper. I can imagine Anne Keyes pottering about her garden like ladies were supposed to do in Good Ole Blighty, with her mother's old wellies and fluffy sweaters to keep out the biting cold. Though Romola Garai ever had to wear boots in the movie. Not sexy enough!



The next scene has the Keyes family coming back to their London townhouse during the Blitz, so all the furniture is covered in sheets. It's an oddly disconcerting moment because Anne and her brother seem to have a thing. She's adopted, but still! No matter how charming Eddie Redmayne can be lying on your bed, if you're the slightest bit related, you walk out of the room.



Sailor Girl the Spy. Like I said, I love the idea of layering several striped items, some diagonal, others in different shades of blue. I don't know how it would work in Real Life, but I'm game enough to give it ago (SM department store, here I come!). The movie had the heroine in a long tan skirt, but I prefer the fun poufy-ness of the Modcloth mini. As for her Oxfords, well. My search continues.




Hey, I just noticed that I subconsciously chose red shoes for all my updates. It must be because I keep wearing Chantal's Ylla ballet flats, and I love them. Yup, don't think I would say no to a pair of red boat shoes or soft moccasins either.

Three things I will try out: stripes on stripes (nothing can truly be TOO nautical, can it?), red and yellow (which I used to fear because inevitable comparisons to McDonalds), and V-necks that are centimeters away from scandalous but just as close to demure.

I feel rotten that the pictures didn't come out as crisp as I'd like. I'm a horrible screen capturer! Break at Tiffany's has a much better picspam over, so you ought to check it out. Next time, I'll put up my interpretation of Romola's polka dot outfit and a discussion on the other Keyes girl's clothes.

Outfits: Summertime

SHIP'S LOG: In their most effortless shoot yet, A and B spend the afternoon lounging under the hot Manila sun in an attempt to pose as a singer-songwriter duo (a country version of the White Stripes, if you will). They stretch out on wooden floors and strum guitars in the hopes of capturing the spirit of those lazy, hazy summer days.



A stumbled upon Spanish clothing line Kling's summer 2010 lookbook entitled "Funfair", and knew to link B right away. While scrolling through the photos one is momentarily whisked away into the sleepy and softly lit countryside- where floating down the river and lying in a hammock are the orders of the day. The plucky bayou instrumental in the background also helps set the mood.



B's antsiness to recreate such a shoot was further feuled by Rhiannon's latest post which featured a stunning photo of Karen Elson in a romantic coral vintage dress. The epitome of folk singer style. Very old-fashioned, simple and feminine but at the same time a little bit rough.





It was a plus that this shoot came right after the Nancy Drew one because we were genuinely feeling lazy and languid. Also B's house is currently being renovated so it's been looking pretty dusty and bare. (Without a creek or hammock in sight we had to make do)



What are some of your summer inspirations?

A wears white dress from an aunt's closet, plum Keds, straw cloche from Shanghai, and B's deer necklace and belt from Ukay (borrowed from B). B wears chambray dress from Jellybean and boater from Greenhills Market.

Thrift Manila: Skittles Vodka and Finds

SHIP'S LOG: B begins a productive weekend mixing up an alcoholic treat and ends it by thrifting in Cubao! Although her method was haphazard at best (with mixing drinks-never thrifting), she victoriously shares the finished product.

Just the day before my boyfriend's birthday celebration I discovered a tutorial on how to make Skittles vodka! Crazy! Now who doesn't love Skittles? I'll tell you who: me! But unfortunately my boyfriend is just crazy about them so I thought this would be the perfect thing to prepare for his party.



Now, my method was much more slapdash than advisable so I certainly won't post pictures of that here. I did some experimental measuring and spilled a lot of the sticky sweet mixture all over my work table. Eek!

It may not have been perfect but it was a definite conversation starter! Everyone at the party was asking me how I did it and were all initially excited about tasting it. I say initially because the resulting mixture was too sweet for anyone's liking. We had to mix it with quite a bit of soda. Still! The bottles were a festive party decoration! I look forward to trying the Jolly Rancher Vodka in the future. A candy much more to my liking.

In other news, my family and I went ukay-ukay (thrifting) on Sunday (sans my mother- who is not the thrifting type). It was new arrival day at Cubao so everything was more expensive than usual. That was a pain but at least I got first dibs on quite a few things.



I came away with two cardigans - one in periwinkle and the other in lavender (can you tell them apart in the picture?). Lovely shades that will nicely spruce up my very neutral (all right, navy) wardrobe. I also found a pair of Italian made oxfords in just my size. They are a bit narrow at the tip but that is a price I am willing to pay. For now anyway, ask me again later!



Other interesting footwear I saw were sandals with pink leather bows (adorable but silly on me, maybe A would like them?) and ridiculously high but awesome 70's platforms! They were made of the nicest brown leather but definitely too tall for someone who doesn't like getting stared at.

All in all a very successful weekend, I think! How about you guys? How was your weekend spent?

Skittle's Vodka Materials for those in the Philippines: Bottles from SM Department Store, The Bar Apple Vodka (perhaps plain vodka might be better though) and Original Skittles

Play Pretend: Nancy Drew

SHIP'S LOG: A and B follow the footsteps of famous super sleuth Nancy Drew. They climb up perilous walls and avoid bottomless cliffs, all the while looking ace in cardigans and Keds sneakers.



Our winsome girl detectives are on the trail of a dastardly jewel thief who leaves a golden lion as a remembrance! Will A and B find the villain’s lair in the mysterious abandoned house in the middle of quiet Horseshoe Heights? And will they discover the hidden treasure hoard of gold bullion recently stolen? Join us, as A and B investigate­…

The Case of the Cursed Cat Brooch!

“The door’s open,” said B softly. “Do you think anybody’s inside?”

Little did they know, the handsome Leo Felix had a dark surprise in store for them…

There, in the mouldy foliage and burnt grass, was a "clew"!

“B, don’t move! One more step and you fall into a hundred-foot ravine!” cried A in terror.

“Golly!” exclaimed A, holding up the golden chain. “This must be the key!”

Silent as the deathly sloths native to the inner Amazon, A and B crept into the house.

When cleverly positioned in a dodecagonal arrangement, the mirrors revealed the secret passage way into the vault.

Then they turned.

Apologies for the image-heavy post, but we liked so many of the pictures! This set was the hardest to shoot. For one thing, the house that had lain abandoned and broken-down for longer than we both remember was finally renovated. We were expecting paint-chipped walls and cracked windows and we got fresh paint and new fixtures. Not cool.

Interesting bit of trivia: did you know that the outdoor shots were taken a hair's breadth from a thirty-foot drop to a neighbour's lot (you thought we were kidding about the ravine?). While capturing our Keds, A moved aside a plastic container with her foot. She must not know her own strength, because she sent it sailing off the edge and unto the driveway below. The girl detectives definitely high-tailed it from there.

An A Plus B post would not be A & B-like without the obligatory reference to the heat, so here it is: It was thirty plus degrees in the three o'clock sun and we were in winter coats. The sweat fairly dripped down our necks. We'll save the Northern hemisphere-inspired themes for rainy season next time. ;P

See more Nancy Drew out-takes on Flickr.

A wears purple Keds sneakers, black bow from Robinson's Department Store, black polka dot skirt from Cubao thrift store, white tank top from Greenhills Tiangge, and harlequin print knit jumper and khaki trench coat from Anonas thrift store.

B wears blue Keds sneakers, blue skort from ukay-ukay, cream tank top from Greenhills Tiangge, blue sweater and plaid cotton coat from ukay-ukay, and straw cloche hat from Shanghai (borrowed from A).

They're Playing Our Song: Hello Beautiful

SHIP'S LOG: A and B love old Hollywood movies. Most of our collaborative posts involve music from Gigi (1958), My Fair Lady (1964), and Singin' in the Rain (1952) among others streaming in the background. Every week we'll post a video of the last song we played.

Hello, beautiful!
How'd you get so beautiful?
How'd you get that sunshine in your smile?

This week, Maurice Chevalier sings "Hello Beautiful". He played the hilariously charming (and forgetful) eternal playboy, Honore Lachaille, on our favourite movie Gigi. Nothing beats the sunset dinner when Honore reminisces with his former mistress Mamita. I remember it well!

Oh, hello, beautiful!
Listen to me, beautiful!
Fifty million Frenchmen can't be wrong!

Chevalier's song can also be heard in the video "Lay Down Lean" by Maximilla Lukacs. It tells the story of two best friends who are inseparable until one of them gets a love letter... It stars Karen Elson, Zooey Deschanel, and Sarah Sophie Flicker.




Obviously, we love it a lot. We love Maurice Chevalier. He shares our adoration of boater hats.

Outfits: Sunny Days

SHIP'S LOG: Since B is working and A is going to law school, they decided to make the most of a summer weekend. Shooting enough material to fill three posts is daunting by itself, but if you add a blistering tropical sun . . .



A says:

B is wearing an improved dress with a white bow print from Dorothy Perkins. She shortened the hem to hit above the knee and got rid of the tie. It does look ten times better, especially when paired with a thrifted belt and our beloved straw boater. Funny story: B told me about the Dorothy Perkins sale and I almost killed my sisters and self when I drove like a maniac to hit the mall before close-up. I wanted a dress that had the exact same print though cut differently (a scoop neck and empire waist) but they ran out of size 8-12. Oh well, I'll borrow from B!

B says:

My mom hates it when I pair dresses with leather belts. I have no idea why either. She gets so annoyed and says 'oh, there you go pulling out a belt again'! I always feel like dresses look more flattering with belts on. And that it adds an edge of roughness to something that might look too feminine. Oh, mothers! Is there something you guys wear that your parents think is crazy?

A says:

As you will see, I felt awkward posing for pictures. I'm no model, but maybe B and I need more re-runs of the most hilarious television show running: America's Next Top Model. How exactly does one shmeyes? Is there even a proper way to spell "smiling with your eyes"? Like Tyra says, do something with your hands (but what?) and elongate!

B says:

On that note, I have to stop ducking my head in photos because it makes me appear neckless. Blogging is teaching me so much. Haha!

A says:

I like my new shoes from So Fab, bought purposely for school. They are simple enough to match with anything, but the felt hibiscus flower makes them more unique than standard black ballet flats. Also used in this outfit, a fake leather (fleather? Tyra SOS!) handbag from a secondhand store or ukay-ukay next to Anonas train station. It was missing a strap but I daresay I can make do.

Warning: hats in Filipino summers make the heat worse. I'd rather risk sunstroke that wear a wool cloche again. Silly me.

A wears Dress from Meg, Flats from SoFab, Urban Outfitters Cloche, Ukay Black Purse. B wears Dorothy Perkins Dress, Sandals from Charles and Keith, Greenhills Market Boater Hat.

Play Pretend: Cracks Movie

SHIP'S LOG: Inspired by the art house flick Cracks starring Eva Green, Juno Temple, Maria Valverde, and Imogen Poots, B and A present their own interpretation of summers in a 1930s boarding school.



As reported in A's last post (Inspiration: Cracks and Glorious 39), Jordan Scott's debut motion picture Cracks is chockful of envy-inducing pastel goodness. We loved that schoolgirl hair, that schoolgirl smock, that schoolgirl intrigue that ends in the ultimate cat fight ever. So we went to find a sun-filled stairway and trees (so rare in a big city), here are the results:



We loved the floral pastels from the scene where the Team were lounging about the grassy steps in front of their school. So we took the idea of prints and stairs and updated it a bit. The history book and Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped belonged to A's aunts and uncles who read them back in the 1960s. Note how we're using the same boater hat. A left her straw cloche in the car. Boo.



This is the feather printed Ukay dress that B mentioned in the Manila American Memorial post.

B says:

It looked really odd on the hanger with the sleeves and drop waist being too long so I was really happy when it ended up looking much better on. Really, that is why Ukay is so great. You never know when you will find the dress of your dreams. The black blob I am holding in the picture is a cloche from Urban Outfitters. (Wool so it was too hot to actually wear) The brown oxford wedges are what A and I call 'shoot shoes' because they are not really functional for much else. Going up a pebbly stairway and climbing up walls in what we call giraffe hoof shoes is NOT easy. It's really my fault that we had to do everything ourselves, A offered up one of her sisters to be our assistant/ photographer but I was too shy to accept. I don't know if you can tell by my face but I get really awkward when someone takes my photo. You should see our outtakes.

A says:

I got haircut yesterday, and I don't like it that much. It was really pretty all scrunched and blow-dried by the barber hairstylist, but I can't get my hair to go where I want it. Curses! I'm going to try . . . pin curls.

As you can see, our props were limited so creativity was needed! On the little pink notebook where we scribble down A Plus B in the Sea notes, we've got BRING MORE STUFF double underlined. Still, it's a pretty good thing that we're about the same size.

Lessons Learned:

1. We need a camera remote and a tripod, desperately; but top priority is learning what how to fiddle with settings on A's mom's Nikon D60.
2. Four o'clock in the afternoon is the best time to take photographs. It's called golden hour for a reason, mates.
3. Do not forget that climbing up stairs is dangerous. Not only because we might slip in three inch heels, but also because people can see up our skirts. Next time, biker shorts v. imp.

Also, what do we do about creepy middle aged men watching photo shoots? Old ladies asking us why we're taking pictures of ourselves are easy. We just say we're selling our clothes online to earn money for school. But random old fogeys? Maybe, mace and a tazer.

B wears ukay dress, Topshop t-straps, Greenhills Market necklace, and Greenhills Market boater hat. A wears Greenhills Market dress, Gingersnaps skirt, H & M wedges (borrowed from B), and secondhand Dooney and Bourke bag.