Looking Back: Christmas Countdown

SHIP'S LOG: Halfway between Christmas and New Year, we just want to wish you a happy, happy holiday and good 2011 thriftin'. Check out our sponsored item: nightstands.



Hope you've all had a fantastic Christmas (I did) and most items on your wish lists ended up underneath your Christmas trees (mine did!) and that you have a firework-filled but completely accident-free New Year!

Here's a quick look at how I spent my Christmas eve. No photos of gifts and the delectable spread of food during Noche Buena alas. I was too busy jumping for joy upon seeing my new blue suede pumps and stuffing my face with ensaymada, Chinese ham, and steaming cups of hot chocolate.





My cousin and I messed about with the camera before midnight mass at our neighbourhood church. Mortifying but funny story: in the middle of the Homily I realised that I wore my dress back to front! My auntie couldn't stop giggling!




Parols, star-shaped paper lanterns, glowing golden and oh so beautiful.




And here we have the most prettily wrapped present winner as well as a photo that was part of my mother's handmade Christmas gift (a collage courtesy of my younger siblings) . . .




Ah, little brother, karma. :D

A wears red sneakers, thrifted belt, and a Zara smock.

Outfits: Palawan Polka Dots

SHIP'S LOG: B has been dreaming of a white (sand) christmas. Actually Christmas is over but B's wish came true as she and her family are currently in a dreamy resort in El Nido, Palawan.

The lounge chair I'm sitting on right now is rocking back and forth. At least that's what it feels like. I always get so excited to hit the beach only to remember how easily I get sea sick. We took a bangka to a small lagoon today and I was suffering the whole time. I could feel my buffet lunch start to rise in my throat...

We were given 30 minutes to snorkel but I swam straight for the shore. I was whimpering, 'land! land!' and lying face first in the sand. So pathetic. But I felt much better once we entered the lagoon. It was seriously clear blue water and crazy rock formations all around. We entered through a tiny crack in the wall.

My poor brother was the only one rowing since I was busy taking videos. And since I've been neglecting the blog so badly, I realized I could do an 'outfit post' with my retro one piece. Guess who had to take pictures of me then...

I have a big secret about this swimsuit. It's actually thrifted. I bet a lot of you are giving me 'icky face' through your computer screens. (Back at you!) Well, I was feeling pretty iffy about it at first but found the design and price too irresistible. And it was just my size? Couldn't pass it up!

I seriously researched how to sanitize it properly and all that before wearing it though. Now it is my favorite swimsuit and I'm still alive. So I guess thrifting swimsuits isn't so scary after all-though I don't plan on making a habit of it.

There are a lot more pretty spots in Palawan and I plan on stocking up on shoots here. Everyone naps during the afternoon so I will roam around with my tripod then.

I must warn you that the clothes I packed are terribly boring. I have no idea how to dress for the beach. I am pretty envious of the girls walking around with golden tans, mermaid waves and breezy dresses. See my scraggly hair in photo above. Here's hoping the location makes up for my corny clothes!

B wears Triumph polka-dot swimsuit.

Outfits: Little Tokyo

SHIP'S LOG: A announces the winner of the Ichigo contest and pretends to be her Japan-mad sisters in a suitably Asian setting.

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

He chortled in his joy.

So did I, for today marks the beginning of the long holiday and Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky just about catches my mood. Vorpal sword vanquishing manxome foes and all. Ah Legal Theory, many an hour I've stood in uffish thought, and shan't have to hear about Abstraction and Positive for two whole weeks. Oh, beamish girl am I.

Funny how on vacations, when I'm supposed to lie back and relax, I end up cramming my schedule with Christmas parties and beach trips and shopping expeditions, leaving me with almost no time with a good book or a cup of spiced chai tea.

Note to self: remember to Do Nothing.






Those were the last of the Little Tokyo photos. I'm probably going to drop by soon for a bowl of vinegar rice topped with buttery, gigantic, sunset orange fish roe. Sounds slimy but tastes like heaven on earth. Then there are all sorts of yakitori on barbecue sticks to choose from. Yum yum.

Which brings me to the Ichigo giveaway winner! Ichigo means 'strawberry' in Japanese and we hope you'll find the bag berry delicious, Ava of Artsyfartsyava (LOL. Bad pun!). B and I love how spot on her collage was. The use of little cameras and postcards was very much in the theme of Vintage Voyages. We'll contact you soon, Ava! Congratulations!



Every time I see these pictures I burst out laughing because the little Japanese school girl outfit is so not me. Someone said, "You look so Asian!" That's because I am Asian. ;P

A wears a Dorothy Perkins top, Zara skirt, thrifted belt, Ichigo shoes, SM department store boater hat, and an Ichigo bag.

Giveaway: Ichigo and Intramuros

SHIP'S LOG: A, B and Ichigo spread the love with a Christmas give-away! Join below and see a short video of the girls' trespassing adventures in Intramuros. Shh...

Did you guys think that we would be the only ones to partake in Ichigo escapades? Of course not! The super generous Ms. Charlene Yap also gave us a swag bag to use for a contest. This super roomy and versatile Heddy Bag!

To join, all you have to do is:

1. Visit the Ichigo website

2. Pick the item you like best from their shop

3. Leave a comment below creatively presenting how you would style it

Feel free to use Polyvore or make your own little collage using 'mad Photoshop skillz'! Just make sure to link us to your creation. You could even write a little blurb if that's more of your thing. We don't discriminate! In keeping with the Vintage Voyages theme, be imaginative with where you would use the item.

We'll choose our favorite and announce the winner by December 16 2010. If you don't have a blog, make sure to leave a way for us to contact you. This one is open to Filipino readers only.

Anyway here is a short video we made while exploring Casa Manila in Intramuros. We were sneaking around the premises and suddenly stumbled into an empty room. Huzzah! Of course, we had to take full advantage and trespass.

Casa Manila from A B Sea on Vimeo.

In case it isn't obvious, Bea is better with the camera and Arianne is better with the acting. It is apparent in B's awkward twirling and A's lopsided shots. Oh well, learning process...

Outfits: Dream City

SHIP'S LOG: Just a chill day in the park -literally and figuratively. The temperatures are dropping in Manila and B is quick to take advantage of the cold weather with some light layers.

The biggest thing I have to share right now is that I have started work. I am proudly interning for the show: Storyline. It is an absolute dream of a job. I mean, let's be honest. The hours are a bit crazy, the office is nothing fancy and I am getting ZERO pay but I have never been so happy in my life.

Strangely though, my interview was just dismal. I was an awkward fumbling, bumbling mess! I showed up in my most put together business attire to find everyone else dressed in their comfiest clothes. I am talking loose silk blouses, jeans and bad ass riding boots. I felt like a total nerd. I acted like a total nerd. Why did they hire me again?

I cringe to remember how I clumsily dropped my bag, resume and glasses on the floor in the middle of my interview. Seriously, if I was a bully I would have punched my nerdy face in. But in spite of all that, I heard the magic words: 'You start today.'

I could barely believe my luck. The past few days have been a whirlwind of crash courses in editing programs, memorizing technical terms and even playing project manager at a shoot today! I come from a purely academic background so all these things that go into production are still a mystery to me. But I love learning about them and am determined to catch up fast.

I am at work from 10 am to around 11 pm on most days but I have never felt more energized. The people are just so inspiring and I strongly believe in what the show is trying to do. I love the Philippines, I love Filipinos and it's always been my dream to be able to contribute in some way. I love how the crew of Storyline allows people to show their strength and spirit through their stories. I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of something like that.

Enough gushing. On to the outfit! That's why you guys are here right? (I am only half joking.) I was pleased to realize that almost everything here is thrifted. I've been wanting to inject some tough military green in my wardrobe so when I saw this cardigan I snatched it up. The skirt, on the other hand, has been worn many times before.

Berets usually look stupid on me but it seems to work with this outfit. I felt all art student-ey. And luckily, the nights in Manila are so wonderfully chilly now. This outfit was actually appropriate for the weather! Yeah!

I am thinking I will post some of my 'work' outfits next time. I am adamantly trying to redeem myself and erase my initial 'nerd' impression from their minds. Inception...

*The title is a song from Free Energy. They are my obsession. Give them a listen!

B wears cardigan, belt, skirt and oxfords from ukay-ukay, Greenhills tiangge tanktop and Dorothy Perkins beret.

Outfits: Adios y Gracias, Manila Vieja

SHIP'S LOG: Here's an ending to A and B's Vintage Voyages series courtesy of Ichigo. Happy, of course. A's excited for the holiday season!



I absolutely love old houses, so it's a pity that this courtyard is the last we'll see of Casa Manila for a while. Most people my age are holding out for a slick, shiny flat with lots of steel and a fantastic view of the metropolis' skyscrapers. Me, I want a well-lived in house with high ceilings, climbing vines, and trees. Lots of trees.

When my eyes are red-rimmed from reading my Civil Code commentaries, I think about the future Casa Arnique with its colonial-style pearly capiz windows, narra cupboards, cushy floral sofas, and lots and lots of tea cups.




I wore this Forever 21 dress three times in ten days. Scanning the racks for a cousin's birthday gift, I spotted its blue and red flowers and fell in love. Dame Fortune foretold our meeting—it was the last piece in the store!

Forever 21 isn't exactly famous for durability though, so I'm very, very careful when I launder the dress. Here's to its loveliness lasting forever.




I borrowed the trench coat from my sister's closet, and I don't think I'm ever returning it! Though a trifle over-sized, it's lightweight enough for sightseeing tours and December rain showers. At PhP 150.00 or USD 3.50 it was a steal.





A wears floral dress from Forever 21, tan saddle shoes from Ichigo, thrifted khaki trench coat and belt, bucket bag from Ichigo, and felt fez from Bangkok.