Yvan Rodic, the famous street style blogger of Facehunter, will be visiting Manila on December 29, 2010 for a book signing at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street!!!

I got really excited when I received an invitation for this event. Now my dilemma- What should I wear?! LOL!

Just a quick information on the book Facehunter by Yvan Rodic…

*Photo from Amazon*

This book collects the best photographs from Facehunter.com, one of the fashion world s most visited street style blogs. Yvan Rodic, the photographer behind Facehunter.com, has compiled in this book his images that show his unerring sensibility for street style. He has traveled to nearly thirty countries, capturing real people, whose clothes reflect the incredible diversity of the world s cities. Character and charisma are what he prizes people who wear their clothes with confidence. The result is a contemporary portfolio of what s chic on the street, and an insightful predictor of what will be chic on the runway. Whether you re fashion forward, backward, or sideways, you ll find something inspiring in this radical, personal, and unpredictable book of street style around the world.- from Amazon

It really is very imformative. I remember featuring it here in my blog when the book came out. Since then, I’ve been seeing it in bookstores and I’ve been reading it there whenever I needed to kill time. Hehehe! And now that I’m loving makeups too much and I’ve been buying and experimenting on them, I thought I needed to get Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual for myself.

I love how she explained in detail the use of each makeup and brush type. She also gave tips on how to apply each makeup product for every skin type. It is that detailed that she’s like a personal instructor explaining to you the proper way to use concealer, foundation, blush, etc. Some books or videos teaches us the basics, but we have to keep in mind that different skin types and skin colors also vary in techniques when applying each product. Bobbi Brown touched this in her book. She would help you identify your skin type and color. Then, for every makeup product, like concealer, foundation, etc, she would suggest the kind of product (liquid, cream, powder, etc.) to be used for every skin type (oily, dry, combination) in order for the makeup to last. She also recommended shades that would blend and work well for every skin color. The book is picture heavy as well to make it easier for the readers to understand her step-by-step instructions. It literally is a makeup manual, something that makeup enthusiasts have always wanted. Hehehe! So for those starting to appreciate and love the art of makeup, grab a copy now in the nearest bookstore. It’s just quite hard to get one as it’s always out of stock here in Manila (I’m just not sure in the other parts of the world)! Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is now being sold at Amazon for $21.12, but I tell you, every penny is woth it for those who want to learn the basics. In fact, as the book says, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is for everyone from beginner to pro.

Arthur and I were craving for Pepper Lunch last Saturday so we decided to go to Rockwell and have our lunch there. He was doing his last minute shopping too so we really had to pass by Power Plant anyway. When we went inside National Bookstore, look what I saw…

Yes, it’s Nina Garcia’s newest book- The Style Strategy! I’m becoming a fan of Nina Garcia after reading her books, The Little Black Book of Style and The One Hundred. I didn’t know that Nina Garcia released a new book recently. Oooops! My bad! Hehehe! I had a chance to browse through the book, The Style Strategy, and I loved it! It talks about practicality. It’s all about the less-is-more approach to staying chic and shopping smart. Nina Garcia shares secrets of her own style strategy. She says, before you start shopping, you need to ask ourselves the 3 core questions- “What do I have?”, “What do I need”, and “What do I want?”.  Hmmm… sound interesting eh? Let us dig in to these questions…

What do I have? It means raiding your closet and getting rid of all the things you don’t need! Oooops! That I should really do some time soon, but then again, I have this problem of letting go (yes, even in my material stuffs… hehehe). Nina Garcia encourages us to take inventory of the things we already have. Okay, I need to take note of that! Hehehe!

What do I need? From the inventory of your closet, figure out the things you still need. As she said, every wardrobe should have a solid foundation, meaning, the basics such as the LBD, the perfect jeans, the fantastic pair of pumps, etc. You must make a list of these basics, then check out what you have and what you don’t have. You’d be surprised that you actually need a lot less than what you think. *wink*

What do I want? These are usually the trends that refresh our closets. These are the extras that we shouldn’t be spending majority of our budget. It’s okay to keep up with trends, but don’t spend a fortune! Remember, trends come and go so we shouldn’t be exhausting our moolah for such.

Now, if you wanna buy something that’s not in our “need” list, what do you do??? Nina Garcia suggests to follow the rule of thumb. Make sure you have at least three different ways to wear your purchase when you get home!

What I love about her is she insists that being stylish doesn’t mean spending a fortune. She encourages cheap thrills. She wants you to recycle. She wants you to go through your mom’s closet. Now, aren’t you excited to grab her new book, The Style Strategy: A Less-Is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart? If you aren’t so convinced yet, check out Nina Garcia’s interview at ABC News regarding her new book.

But now, Archie has finally made a choice! This is what we have been waiting for so long! So who is the lucky girl? It’s Veronica! So for Archie fanatics, await for this collectible to be out this August!

So now, do you think Archie made the right choice? Voice out your vote!

* Picture ain’t mine. I just got in from an e-mail.

On Money by Adam Khoo

“Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Suzhou (China). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked. He asked, ‘How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?’ My reply was, ‘That’s why I am a millionaire. ‘ He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth (which I wrote about in my latest book ‘Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires’ ). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky). I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur’ s Organization) a few years back (YEO is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worths well over $5m, travelled economy class and some even drove Toyota’s and Nissans (not Audis, Mercs, BMWs).

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers’ and tycoons’ sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family’s wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Thank God my rich dad (oh no! I sound like Kiyosaki) foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, ‘What is the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?’ The thing is that I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life.

Instead, what make ME happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone’s life. What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this BLOG is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life’s work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaninglessness”

P.S. I may be guilty of buying those designer bags or simply shopping ‘til I drop, but I’m happy to say that there was never a point in my life where I have spent all the money I have earned. Saving moolah for the future is always a must whenever pay check comes. I only spend what I can spend. If it turns out that I can spend for a gorgeous bag, why not? It may not be something I really need but it gives a smile to my face. I salute Adam Khoo for not having the need to buy designer brands. I love the kind of life I’m living, though. I want to celebrate life to the fullest.  Enjoy the money I earn even if it means buying a designer bag abroad or just a simple pouch in the bazaar. Although, I never forget that the things I buy are just bonuses, just the way I treat the little money I earn. It is what I actually do everyday and who I’m with that makes my life worthwhile and full of meaning. So does this mean I’m close to becoming a millionaire? Hahaha! Wishful thinking…

The Little Black Book of Style informs you on how to feel good about yourself and what should be inside your closet. She gives out guides on what to wear on certain occasions, proper color combinations, plus numerous advices from fashion icons such as Michael Kors, John Galliano, Vera Wang, and many more. The Little Black Book of Style encourages everyone to have your own remarkable style. And what’s even interesting is it includes a little bit of history for most of the staples she recommends. Aside from the added knowledge, you’ll probably appreciate more each and every fashion item/ staple you have. Those simple trivias will surely amaze you and will urge you to treasure those that you already have.

Oh, can I just say that fashion books, such as this, aren’t just for those who mainly need help with their fashion senses. This book has a lot of things to offer! So if you love the fashion world and you haven’t read this book, grab a copy now. I really think The Little Black Book of Style is definitely a good read.

LOL! I know, it’s nothing biggie to the bookworms. Hahaha! But for a fashion lover like me, it is something! A must-have, I must say! Too bad I wasn’t able to get hold of Nina Garcia’s first book, which is The Little Black Book of Style, since it runs out of stock so quickly! Although I guess that book is somehow similar to The One Hundred, but of course I have yet to read that too! So what’s this book all about?

First of all, The One Hundred is written by Nina Garcia, a former fashion editor of Elle and a Project Runway celebrity. This book is about the one hundred things that can be considered staples from A to Z. Things that do not go out of style. In short, the one hundred must-haves! The One Hundred is also a good read for those who are looking for the right fashion pieces to invest in. And Nina made everything easy for the fashionistas like us! She shares with everyone the brands she fancies for, ways to wear different kinds of clothing, and where to buy those staples she recommends. But okay, just a heads-up, some of the things in Nina’s list may be debatable. As the author said, each one of us may have our own list of one hundred must-have items. In fact, she hopes that this book would serve only as a guide to develop our own style. We should have our own one hundred list as well. Remember, each of us has our own style and we should express ourselves uniquely! Why don’t you grab this book as well to see how lovely her thoughts are? Don’t worry, it is sooo easy to read! And the illustrations by Ruben Toledo are sooo cute!

P.S. Can I just mention what she considers must-haves for the Investment Bag category: The Chanel 2.55, Louis Vuitton Speedy, The Jackie O, and Hermes Birkin.

So Fashion Juice, I think we have to start saving up for the last one huh?! Can we start ordering for us already? Besides, it will take years to get our orders, right? Oh by the way, after sending me pictures yesterday, Hermes Birkin is now a must-have in my list! Hahaha! Or let me rephrase that- a must-have in my dream list only! Bwahahaha! The last one is more like it! LOL!

I have been longing to get makeup lessons. Time wouldn’t just allow me. Just imagine my joy when I learned about this Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual! I know I’m kinda late since this book has been published about a month ago. I have yet to look for it in bookstores but Amazon is already selling this Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual for $21.12.

So why am I overly excited about this book? Well, it is always good to know the basics right? And as a makeup enthusiast, I’d love to hear the basics from an expert. Bobbi has more than 25 years of experience as a makeup artist. Aside from this, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual includes the ten steps to perfect makeup, which would show how to apply makeup in just a matter of minutes. Oh, and who wouldn’t get excited with a makeup guide that says “For Everyone from Beginner to Pro”?!

From Bobbi Brown website:

This is the book that all women have been waiting for-Bobbi’s twenty-five-plus years of makeup artist experience distilled into one complete volume. With over 200 full-color photos and step-by-step instructions including a “Ten Step Guide to Perfect Makeup” that teaches you how to apply your makeup in ten minutes or less, this book shows you how to put on makeup like a pro.

Packed with all the tricks of the trade, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual also offers a unique guide for aspiring makeup artists: how to break into the business, put together a portfolio, book work, and work with photographers, magazine editors, fashion designers, and celebrities. Together with its breathtaking photos-from everyday beauty to runway style-and advice on getting the look you want, this is your ultimate guide to makeup. (Hardcover, 221 pages)