I am getting addicted to boots.

I find this funny, ridiculous, and stupid because I am living in a hot, humid, tropical country where boots are an abomination. And I got 3 pairs!

But before you raise an eyebrow on me for having 3 freakin' pairs that is more useless than a white crayon, let me tell you how it started.

I bought my first pair because I needed one for a Farm-themed party.

I got these ankle boots on sale for P899 (from P1,899). To save this from becoming a single-wear item like how most boots tend to be, I used this in my travels to Taiwan and Japan. It is not as comfy as any of my sneakers (duh), but it does not hurt my feet and that is important. It does well in long walks. The only thing that makes me want to take it off is the annoying tapping sound it makes everytime I walk.

I went to the ukay-ukay the other day and scored this mint condition leather jacket that fits me perfectly for only eighty pesos. Eighty pesos!

I proceeded to a nearby mini grocery afterwards to buy something and left the prized ukay-ukay at the baggage counter where you can just put your things in a box and trust that nobody else will get them. Of course, I've been there a lot of times and so far, no one has taken away my stuff.

I bought the things I needed, went back to the baggage counter, and to my dismay, my jacket was gone! There was a similar red sando bag that's left there but it was full of children's clothes. No one claimed it. So I figured, whoever owned that bag accidentally picked mine. I told the staff to send me a text message in case the owner returns my jacket and claim hers (yes, I assumed she's a mom who bought clothes for her kid). 

We still have a little more than three weeks before our next out-of-the-country trip and I've already packed. Excited? Yes! And that is an understatement. In fact, I am too excited that I almost forgot I'm in the middle of wedding preparations that I left everything on pause since we got our visas approved. Hashtag that, priorities. Duh.

Packing semi-winter clothes for a first day of spring trip.

Just so you know, I used to pack a day or two before the trip. I took pride of my light packing skills. I can fit everything I need for a 4-day trip in a small backpack. But now? I have to ask Jan to get us a check-in baggage because all my clothes won't fit in a medium-sized luggage.

Yes, I have unfortunately gone to the dark side.

Jan and I went shopping for down jackets at Uniqlo yesterday. We were quite pleased that they got almost everything on sale.

He scored an ultralight down jacket for only P1,990. Not bad, I must say. And he was quick to shop. Unlike me, I was torn between colors that it took me quite some time to choose. Picture this, if we were in the battlefield, Jan already got his target acquired with a shot gun and his finger on the trigger. I, on the other hand, will be killed before I even got to choose what weapon to use (mind you, by standards, I shop faster than 90% of girls).

One of the reasons why I was not really into fashion (aside from being boyish and lazy back then) is that I don't have the luxury to splurge on every new trend that hits the town. I was always under the impression that fashion requires a lot of money (blame that to magazines and fashion writers who only feature designer brands, as if frugality has no place in fashion).

I was doing okay with my casual style until one day, I got into a job position that requires meeting and interacting with some of the big names in the industry. From then on, I set all my life bars higher, including my style.

December last year, two of my closest girl friends from the same circle had their weddings on the same day, same time, but different places. Sounds impossible but, yes, we were able to make it to both wedding ceremonies and receptions.

December 28, 2017. Claire and Karren's wedding.

This entry was supposed to be for the color run I was too excited about, but that didn't happen. And that's not even the worst part yet. There was a bit of lashing from disappointed and frustrated participants and we, the bloggers who promoted the event, were somehow caught in the crossfire. I would have loved to talk shit about it since my pre-event post has convinced a fair few people to join. But as a courtesy, I'm keeping my mouth shut until the organizer issues a public official statement - to which as of this writing is still zero, zilch, zip, nada!

This is why I preferred keeping this blog clean from sponsors and ads. Somehow I took the bait and now I feel a little pressured to consistently update this blog with POSITIVE content. I definitely miss those times when I had tons of shit to say without feeling a single ounce of guilt or worry. But right now, that's not going to happen.

I started to purge my closet and got rid of the clothes I no longer wear. Most of my clothes are ukay-ukay, so I have this bad habit of buying anything since it's really cheap because I know I won't feel bad about it even if it's something I probably wouldn't wear. I sorted them according to frequency of use and unsurpsingly, I got more clothes I have not worn and don't remember at all.

Yep, this is honestly a shocking news to everyone. Haha

P.S. You might see me wearing dresses more often but I will still be that badass mountain climbing, muay thai-ing chic you don't want to mess with.

After more than a month of wearing dresses, squarepants, and all things chic because I felt the need to dress my age (my style has always been juvenile and has not changed since high school), I conclude that denim jeans are the least comfortable clothes ever. 

Okay, the "need to dress my age" part is not true at all. I was, honestly, left with no choice because all my clothes are still in the laundry, and that includes all the four jeans I have.

I finally understood why some women do not like wearing jeans. All this time I was led to believe that these closet staples are the comfiest, being conservative and non-restrictive to movement, but my whole life has been a lie.

I love how this hangs like a skirt but is actually pants. I hope this style lasts a long time because I'd like to make it my closet staple like how I did with jeans.

"Miss, may bigger size kayo nito?"

"Ilang taon po ang susuot, maam?"

"10."

I lied.

I got these sandals because I fell in love with it at first fit (it's reeeeally comfy). Then only to realize that being a sneaker worshipper, this is downright blasphemy and I honestly do not know what to do with it.


Or maybe I do.

I can do fashion if I want to. And by fashion, I mean, swap comfort for style and dress like a girl (perhaps I should because with my current haircut, one could easily mistaken me as a boy). I got more clothes in my closet that I don't know what to do with. I got these insta-worthy albeit panuhot-inducing, attention-grabbing, public-scrutinizing clothes that, I may say, would perfectly match the sandals.

For example:

I won't apologize for that mess I made trying on clothes.

I can rock this outfit on my next out-of-the-country trip (because unlike here, people won't really care) BUT how am I supposed to move freely with this?! Di man pud ta ka kiat ani ui. I am a big ball of energy and this is definitely a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

I still have 24 hours to mull things over. Should I keep the sandals (by the way, I got them for free) that I won't be using regularly? Or just replace it with a super lightweight, super-comfy sneakers that's definitely going to be used and abused?

Why is this even a dilemma? I know I don't need another pair of sneakers but...

UPDATE: Had the sandals replaced with new kicks. Thank you, kind spawnsir who wishes to remain anonymous to the public.

"Hey, I got a new badge on my blog."

"Congratulations! You deserve that!"

"Thanks! But I want to add something right there."

There was a pause.

"I want to win a Palanca," I told Jan flat out loud.

He gave me an eager look as he continued to listen to me and my absurd dreams.

I rolled my eyes, gave out a soft sigh, and blurted, "I just do not know how to do it."

You see, I've read this year's winning entries - mostly from established writers, journalist, and columnists - and I certainly do not make the cut.

I was eyeing on this particular shoe for several months even though I do not have a reason to wear it. I think boots are completely out of fashion when you're living in a hot and humid country. But I got one just in case I might need it.

Just so you know, I suffer from a different kind of amnesia. The kind of amnesia when you buy something and totally forget about it. Then later on you will just be surprised finding something you didn't know you have and don't know why you bought it in the first place. I know I'm not alone in this.

Well, the boots almost suffered the same fate. But unlike all the other past purchases, it only took 4 months of being kept hidden in the dark before it was pulled right out of its box. I brought it with me in Taiwan because I thought the weather is just perfect for a bootie. And it was.

A post shared by Sarah Andres (@sarwrites) on Nov 15, 2017 at 5:30pm PST

I absolutely love it! I thought I'd never be able to wear it again until the next trip to a cold country - which isn't happening anytime soon because my priorities have changed and traveling isn't really on my top 3. *sniffs*

Then Christmas happened. In November.

Together with other media men from Davao and some members of the Davao Bloggers Society, Smart Communications invited me to a fun-filled Christmas at the Farm party!

Honestly, I didn't know what to wear. I got confused between a Western farmer and a typical cowboy. But whatever I wear, I knew the boots would cut it. I had to make do with what was already in my closet and this was the closest to a farm girl as I could get (or I could have just been a potato).

A post shared by Sarah Andres (@sarwrites) on Nov 25, 2017 at 2:10am PST

I think I pulled it off. The boots are great. It's just that, I don't think I'll ever be able to wear one again. So, in to the box you go, boots.

I'll be honest. Even though I'm no fashionista and my wardrobe is always out of season, I would be lying if I say I don't like dressing up. It makes me look human.

But what I hate about dressing up is the misery of finding the dress that's actually wearable. And by wearable, I meant something that's casually comfortable but could still be elegant and not unflattering at the same time. For my body type, that's kind of elusive, you know.

My body is so specific. I am skinny but I've got curves. So dresses from the department store can either be too big on the waist or too tight on the bust. Usually, I had my dresses done for me and that's a bummer because it is more expensive than buying RTWs. The ones I got from the department stores are not and will never be perfect fit and had to be sent for repair.

I have never thought that a year after attending my very first Davao Bloggers Society Christmas Party, I will be one of those who will prepare and manage this year's Christmas party.

You see, I have been appointed as the sexy-tary, I mean Secretary of the Davao Bloggers Society. Have I known about the drawbacks that come with it, I would have not accepted the role. Because first, I am no longer eligible to win raffle draws nor will I have the chance to bag the Best Personal Blog Award for this year's Davao Blog Awards again. Bummer, isn't it? Second, being an officer can get exhausting. No kidding, kapoy sya.

As someone who doesn't wear make up, the most comforting words I'll ever hear from another woman are, "I don't know how to put a makeup on either."

Yes! I am still a woman after all. Haha!

The other day, I found new (still sealed) lipsticks in one of our drawers. It was from my dad and mom said it was for me. I'm not really sure how long has it been sitting in there. But I tried it on anyway. I smoothed the lipstick on like a pro, 'cause it was as easy as putting a ChapStick. Then the next thing I know, one of my buck tooth's covered with red. And I broke the lipstick.

I'm an artist. I can make bad designs look good. This should be easy.

First of all, damn I have got to think of a killer opening line for my blog post... "First of all" just doesn't cut it. But yeah, first of all, I'd like to congratulate myself for totally nailing that 299-peso ($6) dress and made it look like Marilyn Monroe's iconic flying skirt.

Yet despite that lack of fashion sense, I definitely am no sloppy dresser either.