The Happy 101 Award and Positive Energy

 I got these white, thigh high stockings from the grocery (of all places. It was so cheap too!) a month ago and was wondering what I could pair it with:

A black, cotton tube top worn as an undergarment and (another) sheer (I love sheer tops!) blouse worn as a mini-dress, both items from MNG from many, many seasons ago (I hardly do floral prints but I thought this one was more sophisticated, color wise, than most. It's predominantly midnight blue.);

dark blue Mary Janes by Marni (I remember having closed my eyes when my credit card was swiped for this one. I couldn't afford them really but I couldn't leave them in the store either. The concept of shopping bans was anathema to me a year ago. Reckless abandon was my game. But I've never regretted buying these. They're one of my faves!);

a Dior handbag from their saddlebag collection many seasons back (Got this thinking I would pair it with my denims; but when push came to shove, the combo seemed redundant. This bag is lonely. It's a sad wall flower. It hardly gets out of the closet.);

 

and the accessories du jour.

The outfit turned out a little Lolita-ish; but the thigh exposure is not as much as I thought it would be. I'm thinking of wearing this to my anniversary party on Friday. (Yes, the hubby and I are turning 15 years together!) Hmmm. The mood will have to dictate that.

Dressing up in conservative Manila requires being courageous amidst disapproving, uninitiated stares. I am fortunate to have hooked up with the hubby who is as adventurous with outfits as I am. (His friends always ask him if his wife does not complain about his long hair, his beard, his funky office jackets, or his beaded bracelets. Naturally, I never do! How could I protest when he is often the most stylish man in the room?!)

AND THEN ... meeting like-minded individuals like all of you has validated my efforts of self expression ... to quote Madame Chanel: "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." I know you sooo get this.

I was just thinking how happy I was having met all of you when I was given the "Happy 101" Award by the lovely Fleur of Fashion Nutty. Please do visit her blogsite. She regales her wizened insights on fashion, magic, Harry Potter, music, chocolate, and lots of H&M! Like you and I, she loves the incomparable Gabrielle Chanel.

As part of receiving the abovementioned, I will now have to name 10 things that make me happy:

1. The hubby and the son.

2. Blogging and meeting all of you!

3. A sunny day.

4. Real friends.

5. Untroubled theater performances under my direction. (I have a big show coming up this Sunday. Wish me luck?! We are raising funds to keep a public school from shutting down. My heart bleeds for all those children!)

6. A good hair day. (Aren't we all super happy when we have that?)

7. A seriously good bargain in a signature shop. (Hello, Prada!)

8. Clear skin. (I have an awful zit on my left cheek right now. Grr!)

9. Good conversation on the dinner table.

10. Vietnamese Spring Rolls. (Totally yummy!)

I now pass on the "Happy 101" Award to 10 fashionable comrades. Please tell us about your 10 happy things and pass on the award to 10 other fantastic bloogers as yourselves?! We need positive energy all the time!

1. Melinda of Shop To Live; who rocks black lace like no other.

2. Jen of Jennifhsieh, a veritable fashion maven in her college at New Jersey.

3. Mary Jane of Mary Jane Girl, who lives and breathes fashion in Athens; and thinks she doesn't have gorgeous hair when she totally does!

4. Jasna of Fashion Jazz, who lives the life we dream about! She maintains a column in Style Scoop and has regular invis to all the best fashion events in Cape Town. She is in the hub, mon amis!

5. Cherie of Tia Cherie, who, despite her current shopping ban, remains chic and unruffled; and now shops in her own vast closet. Genius, right?

6. sweet Gizelle of Vanilla Ice Cream, who lives the beach life in beautiful Cebu. She has the most striking prints ever!

7. multi-talented Vinda of Fashion Atelier, who conceptualizes all her outfits and photos with a mind to editorialize them. She's a great illustrator as well!

8.  Mads of Pop Your Fashion Pill, a young, stylish doctor who thinks fashion is still the best medicine. She's right, of course!

9. The Style Mansion, who champions the cause of up-and-coming designers. Aren't they lucky!?

10. stunning Ally of Fancy Kazoo, who is currently amassing quite a collection of denims and heels!

Hugs to everyone!