Wardrobe Want: Hart of Dixie

I've had a love for Rachel Bilson since the first season of The O.C. so when Hart of Dixie came out, I was all over it. It's incredibly heartwarming and sweet, with the Southern accents, the gorgeous locations and Wade looking hot in a button down and wifebeater. Granted, Rachel Bilson's Zoe Hart is a doctor on the fast track to becoming a surgeon in a prestigious New York hospital when she's told she needs to spend a year in general practice. Long story short, she ends up moving to Bluebell, Alabama where not everyone likes her urban ways, her almost tactless fast talking, and her shorts. Zoe actually sometimes feels like a grown-up Summer Roberts, but we know Rachel Bilson does that character really well. Plus, she goes through all her doctor duties, small town fumbles and life dramas dressed in the most adorable way: a little bit of New York City style made suitable for the hot weather--perfect for the Philippines!

Now that's arriving in town in style.

Not everyone in town may love her shorts, but I sure do!

Those animal print shoes--I want them!

Perfect casual everyday outfit. I would love those boots!

This is for reference, so I can finally wear those red jeans I got that I never wore because I don't know what to wear with them.

Now, yes, I may be partial to Rachel Bilson, but you can't deny that she always looks so cute.

Hart of Dixie airs on the CW on Mondays, and in the Philippines on Thursdays on 2nd Avenue. If you're like me and you download, there's usually good download links by noon on Tuesday.

Wardrobe Want: Pan Am

I've probably checked out most of the shows that debuted this fall, and Pan Am is one of my favorites. Besides the variety of characters, interesting plot points, and beautiful destinations every week, the styling of the show is absolutely gorgeous. I love how everyone on the show looks polished and made up, and no one is rocking bed head and boyfriend jeans for a change. Instead, everyone has perfectly curled hair, either pencil skirts that hug their bodies or full skirts that are adorably girly, and little accessories that I so want to inject into my wardrobe. Pillbox hats! Colored gloves! Pretty little handbags! I die.

Every episode has outfits that are just so spot on, but here are some of my favorites.

The vintage suits make lounging in the sun all the more stylish.

Dangerous curves ahead!

There's a way to stand (out) on the subway.

So collegiate cute!

Kate's my favorite--not only is she a strong female character, but she always looks so perfectly polished too.

Plus this entire outfit--I love!

Pan Am airs on ABC on Sunday nights, but I'm not sure what channel it airs in the Philippines. However, it's so worth the effort to download. 

Why I Geek Out For Geeks

I came across this amusing article today about why women should be dating geeks. It brings up some pretty funny points, which I think are in part based on truth. I mean, computer geeks do know exactly what to do to fix up your various gadgets and they probably don't really care what other people see in them provided as they don't really care how they look and dress in comic book/gaming/slogan shirts that no one really understands (I think the Star Wars puns tees are cute though; "Yoda one for me"? Yes, date you I will). But I think a list like that doesn't really capture just exactly what it is about geeks that appeal to me, and to a lot of other girls for that matter.

Since 2003, when a little TV show called The OC came out, I've always said that I knew exactly who my soulmate is: Seth Cohen. He's this socially awkward thing who's been in love with the same girl since forever; he names his sailboat after her, never mind that he's never had an actual conversation with her. He likes Death Cab for Cutie and is obsessed with comic books, and he has a toy horse named Captain Oats that he talks to on a regular basis. His sense of humor is sarcastic and self-depracating--and I deeply respect anyone who can make fun of themselves--and he actually has a relationship with his parents. AND he stood up on a table and told Summer he loved her in one of the sweetest and cutest grand gestures I've ever seen on television. But it's not just these adorable quirks or even the big romantic gestures that do me in; it's the fact that he makes Summer feel like it's okay to geek out in some ways. He finds out that she also talks to her own Princess Sparkles (a My Little Pony toy that I begged my parents to get me as a kid), and realizes she has a million insecurities that makes her, in some ways, just like him. When Summer fell in love with Seth, she stopped trying so hard to make other people look up to her and like her--she finally had someone who saw who she really was and loved her for it.

I'm a geek, in a lot more ways than I would ever care to admit. I like staying home and watching movies, collecting as many as I can to get different perspectives on the world. I read books, not e-books, because I like paper. I grew up adoring Star Wars and have a deep appreciation for anything the force-related. I listen to K-pop, googling translations and subbed videos so I can find out what the hell these people are saying. I like algebra and solving for the value of X. I like reading about the Big Bang, and when I like something I spazz like crazy. I geek out and, just like Summer, I want someone who tells me it's okay to be weird about stuff and to want to talk about how the universe started out, or point out the elements in A Tale of Two Sisters that hint at the twist at the end, or why I think Koreans are the best lyricists even though I don't understand the language.

Geeks are getting their due these days, what with Michael Cera and Zooey Deschanel carving out a new "cute nerd" category on everyone's radar. But it's not supposed to be just about looking cute in glasses, and not at all about having someone who loves you because they know they can't do any better. It's about embracing who you really are, and not being apologetic about liking what you want. Geeks are passionate about whatever it is that interests them--whether it's Warcraft or mangas or Star Trek. They don't like something halfway; they completely immerse themselves in an interest or lifestyle. They may end up looking like idiots but don't you want to know how it feels to like something so much that you dedicate a huge chunk of your life to it? To feel that passionate about one thing?

If you can find someone who allows you to experience how to live that way, who encourages you to find something you love enough that you don't care that you're at a convention where everyone is dressed up as aliens, then you're lucky. You've found something you can geek about, and someone who will be right there dressed in costume with you.

Cebu Week in (mostly) Instagram Photos

I love going home to Cebu. True, I have been living in Manila for eleven years but I still see myself as a Cebuana so any time that I get to spend some time with family and old friends, I jump at the chance. This time, I got to spend more than just a few days in my hometown, which gave me a lot more time to spend with friends--which also means I miss them more now that I'm back home.

Anyway, I'm not very diligent at taking photos, which means I hardly get as much visual memories as I actually want. I should totally try and change that mindset.

The first Friday night, we threw a little party with our cousins and friends. We spread out a mat on the balcony, and these candles were all that comprised of our "decorations". It all made for a pretty awesome night--we reminisced, made plans, laughed at the young girl from next door who sneaked back into their house by scaling the fence in a miniskirt. 

Ordered pizza from Alberto's at midnight, and it was absolutely delicious. Also considering it costs less than P200 per pizza, it was a great deal. Pizza, chips and lots of alcohol--all we need for a really good night. We finally finished at 4:00am although we probably wouldn't have called it a night if it hadn't rained.

The last time we were home for Halloween, we checked out the Mandaue Horror Booth--an annual event where they transform the gym into a maze of pitch-dark rooms and ghouls and ghosts in various corners. We decided to go this year as well, with our cousins, and aunts and uncle. This year, the booth was divided into three different pathways but we ended up taking the "milder" one because our little cousin was with us. It's really more of a scream-then-laugh-hysterically experience, with the performers doing their best to freak you out. Not completely horrifying, but there's something strangely satisfying about letting out a loud semi-terrified squeal.

Checked into Plantation Bay the next day, which meant a long-awaited beach day. We had some relatives with us, but we also invited friends over to frolic in the saltwater lagoons. I ended up being in the water almost all day, getting in after lunch and then stepping out of the pool at almost midnight, save for a few hours break for dinner.

One of the best things of checking into a resort is room service. A clubhouse sandwich and fries never fail as a good midnight snack.

I got this Totoro hat at the mall for P300. It's a useless purchase, but it's the cutest thing. Also, it reminds me of Wesley Chan. 

Fish in the supermarket in Cebu are huuuge. We were spazzing out over the selections. That's one of the things I really miss about living in Cebu: the wide selection of fresh seafood.

Also one of the things I love in Cebu: La Marea! Having warm brownie cups in different flavors is just absolute heaven. It's a small chocolate indulgence that hits the sweet spot perfectly. Plus the Crossroads branch has the cutest Clayton Tugonon tables.

And I never go home without eating at Harbor City. I've grown up with afternoon snacks of steamed rice, and some days I end up fantasizing about their quail egg siomai. It's one of those things that you remember from childhood and you start to wonder if it's really that good or it's good because it's got all those memories attached to it. Don't really care which--it's all good to me.

Spent the last night in Cebu drinking and pigging out on barbecued goodies at John's Tomatoes. (Here's me with childhood friend Dondon and his girlfriend Candy. I absolutely love these two, I'd totally come home for their wedding. Hahaha!) I love how casual nights in Cebu can be. Although for some reason, I ended up getting pulled to the microphone and singing Alone. That song will be the death of me.

Anyway, I had a really fun time. I liked being home for longer than just a few days, and now I can't wait until my next visit.