That Little Black Body-Con Dress

I went to the wet market to buy fresh vegetables at a very low price the other week and my friend told me that there's an ukay-ukay stalls located at the back of the market. So, we both decided to drop by when we're done buying all the ingredients for a week's menu plan. We searched through the selected sections but unfortunately they're too expensive just for an ukay-ukay. There's one stall at the end of the ukay-ukay area which was looked over by what I believed, a 10 year old kid. To those who doesn't know, child labor is somewhat normal to this country. Every member of the family will work to sustain their families even if you haven't come up to your legal age. Sad right? But this government didn't do a serious focus on this matter. They only think of themselves and how much of the people's money will be put to their bank accounts. Not to mention this so  called "Pork Barrel Scam" headed by the infamous Janet - Lim Napoles as conspired by a lot of popular political figures in this country. For now, all I can do is to help sign petitions to eliminate this PDAF and to support those who are really against corruption through sharing in Facebook, sending emails about this concern to friends and educate the innocent. Anyway, let's not talk about this for now 'coz this is not really the topic I was trying to post. I just want to share with you my new ukay find and I called it my "My Little Black Body-Con Dress". This piece will now become a staple part of my closet. Finally, I have a simple black dress that's so cottony soft. The cloth is 100% cotton and it's really cool and comfy. I've scanned almost all the boutiques in the mall but can't find a simple black dress without any adornment and 100% cotton. The quality is either polyester and nylon and I sweat a lot esp. when I'm tense so I don't really prefer them. Good Lawd! It still look like it's only been used twice. The color isn't faded and that's one tip you look for when buying ukay-ukay. I'm so happy also 'coz this dress only cost P10.00 (*sinister laugh). Yep!!! How lucky I was!!! I'm really lucky to this ukay-ukay thing. It's like a treasure hunting for clothes and the experience is really memorable esp. if your company is also interested in this kind of activity. Without further waiting, the photos below are some of the good snaps my boyfriend took with me wearing my ukay-ukay find. Sssh!!! It's only us who knows about it. Is it obvious or not at all? Be the judge! :)

went shopping for orchids at SM. 

#ootd #oufitoftheday #littleblackdress #bodycondress #bodycon

Reviving This Blog

It's been 4 years now since I last updated this blog. I was making a lot of blogs before and can't really update them much 'coz I'm the kind of person who have so much interest in this world. I'm hoping I can revive this blog starting this month. For 4 years, I have accumulated a lot of Ukay ukay finds that are worth blogging and sharing to the whole world. I also have a lot of tips and Do-it-yourself projects using Ukay-ukay clothes. The cheapest ukay-ukay I have bought is worth 5 pesos and it's a baby blue skirt with pleats and it's somewhat similar to today's fashion trend called the circle skirt or the skater skirt. I bought this skirt 1 year before this trend became popular. Today, a circle skirt is worth a few bucks and it also depends upon the brand producing it. This one is made in Japan and at the time I bought this at the ukay ukay stalls, I can't fit on it since I've gained a lot of weight for the last few years and that's the reason why I've lost interest in the fashion world anymore and another reason why I lost my interest in blogging about fashion. But thank God, I've redeemed myself and lost a lot of weight through exercise and healthy eating and my love for fashion came back. I've also made a new blog about my journey to weight loss, my struggles and success story but I still have doubts whether I would like to share the link to my blog here. Maybe next time...

Anyway, the blue skirt below is the skirt I was talking about. The top is also from ukay-ukay. The shoes is not though but if you're interested where I bought it, it's from Melissa. I've seen a lot of imitations of this shoe right now and I'm really sad about it 'coz I bought this at a staggering 5999.95 pesos. Tsk!!! It's really not worth it anymore seeing fake Melissa Lady Dragons. 

#skaterskirt #circleskirt #copymystyle #beltedskirt #pastel #fashionfinds #fashion #fashionista #asian

My Confessions

My first ukay-ukay item is a blue sundress which my mom bought from the popular ukay ukay stalls in our place and the rest are history. My mom is really excellent in finding cheap and trendy items. She noticed that when I was still a kid I already love to dress. With her drive to continue my passion of dressing-up, she strolls around the mall in her spare time to find lovely pieces that won't cost her budget. Unfortunately, she is not satisfied with the items in the mall because, even if some of them are cheap, the quality of the material is poor.

Here are my own insights of the advantages and disadvantages of ukay ukay items.

Advantages:

• They are extremely cheap and it will not sacrifice your budget.
• Ukay ukay's are 2nd handed clothes from other countries for short they are imported goods. Imported goods usually have good qualities.
• In Ukay ukay, you can find famous designer's brand clothings, bags, shoes etc.
• There are also new items to be found in ukay ukay stalls. Some still have tags on them.
• Ukay ukay items will give you a distinctive style. You will not find another person wearing the same thing.
• If you're an excellent "ukayera" then you will find clothes or items that are also in for the season.
• Going to ukay ukay stalls is a good source of exercise. You will definitely use your muscles to do the digging of piles of clothes, bags, shoes, stuffed toys and many more.

Disadvantages:

• If you have an allergy on dust, then it's not advisable for you to go to these places. Ukay ukay items have chemicals too that emits odors that are strong to your senses. This chemical used by them is to treat bacteria from the clothes since they are surplus items. Soak and wash the ukay ukay first using an antibacterial detergent to wash away the dirt and bacteria.
• Ukay ukay items have stains. It's better to check the items first especially the armpit area, the neck lines and the surface of the item. Whether or not the stain can still be removed using a stain remover. Assess the item thoroughly before buying it or else it's a waste of money and time.
• You must not expect something more from the ukay ukay item because they're technically second hand clothes.To make sure the item is only slightly used, checked for extra buttons on the inside of the shirts or blouses. There are some items who have not yet been used, some still has price tag attached to it.

*I GIVE CREDITS TO THE OWNERS OF THE PHOTOS*

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using an organic solvent rather than water. The solvent used is typically tetracholoroethylene (perchloroethylene), abbreviated "perc" in the industry and "dry-cleaning fluid" by the public. Dry cleaning is necessary for cleaning items which would otherwise be damaged by water and soap or detergent. It may be used if hand washing— and may be needed for some delicate fabrics.

The manner was discovered in the mid-19th century by French dye-works owner Jean Baptiste Jolly, who noticed that his tablecloth became cleaner after his maid spilled kerosene on it, and developed a service cleaning people's clothes in this manner, which he termed "nettoyage à sec" or "dry cleaning" in English.

Dry Cleaning Process: How It Goes?

The process is quiet long and hazardous. That's why dry cleaners are expensive.

I got this image from the web and it's my first to see how a dry cleaner looks like.

Purples & Stripes

Believe it or not buying your clothes in the mall is paying 5 times than the clothes you bought in the ukay2x stalls. Imagine how much money you can save if you will try to change your expensive taste for clothes. Being fashionable is not always sacrificing your budget. Just release that artistic skills inside of you. You can't or barely buy a fashionable and good quality outfit out of your 300 pesos in the mall. If you can, maybe it's not that of good quality and I'm pretty sure of that because a lot of cheaper clothes are from China. I'm not saying China sells poor quality products but some of them are. (You, Us and They can't deny it!)

Here is a photo of me wearing a total outfit that worth P215.00.

Actually me and my best friend are fond of shopping at the ukay ukay stalls in our place.
She was the one who bought this blouse. I'm glad that I already have a purple or lavender colored blouse because I don't have one until she gave me. She is a bit thrifty like me but I'm more extreme than her when it comes to money matters.

I love this skirt because it's not because it only costs P5.oo pesos but I can blend it easily with other colors. The diagonal lines also creates a slim effect to your body because I have a chunky body type (hehe). Also, I will not be banned going inside the school since its length is knee-high and I can comfortably wear it anytime.


You know, I'm a bit worried that this shoe will worn out in time because I wear it 3 times a week and obviously, it's one of my favorite among the shoes I've bought in the ukay ukay. Me and my friend were just hanging out in "Divisoria" when I saw this pretty little thing. At that time, I was in despair because I didn't bring that much money. I said to myself that if this shoe is destined to be mine then when I'll come back the other day it is still there - not yet sold. When I returned the other day, I was so happy because I'm finally a proud owner of this shiny, glittery and very feminine peep-toe shoe.


Voila! Here's how it looks like. By the way, the belt is not ukay ukay. I just found it in my mom's closet and took it. Sorry I cut off my head here because my face looked terrible at this time. The reason is I only had 1.5 hours of sleep because I was working with my presentation in my statutory construction subject.

Please drop your comments, suggestions or ratings in the comment box below. I want to hear any reactions from you guys out there too. (To view in large size click on the image)

Destination: Laundrymat

After shopping, It's now time to go home, feeling tired and dusty, with a little less money but with TONS of GREAT CLOTHES, SHOES and ACCESSORIES! Yes, I know the feeling of getting excited to wear all the new stuffs you've bought but it's wise to have them washed first since it's a second hand/surplus stuffs. They are dusty and some of them got a little dirt on it. I know you have your own way of washing your clothes. But first thing is to check if it bleeds. Read the Labels indicated inside the clothes. Wash it thoroughly with your favorite detergent until the water is clear. Hang to dry and Press the clothes if needed and you're good to go.

Tips Before Hitting Your Way To The Ukay Ukay

Hi! This is my first post and right now I am going to give you some tips before hitting on the "UKAY - UKAY"

Did you know where does the word ukay-ukay originate? Actually, it's from the Ilokano's term "ukay" which means "to dig". Yes! You're right on what you've read. That's what you are really going to do. Dig on the great piles of used clothing, bags, shoes, etc. to find great buys.

Another term for ukay-ukay is "wagwagan" which means " to dust off". Again, yes you're not wrong on what you're reading now because you are going to do some "wagwagan" there in the place where there is ukay-ukay.
Here are my tips that you'll actually need before doing some ukay-ukay:

1. Ask for the local residents on where can you possibly find ukay-ukay. Usually, ukay - ukay stalls are located in the market place in almost everywhere in the Philippines.

2. Make sure you change your big bills to a smaller denomination. It's better to bring a pad of 20 peso bill than a hundred peso bill since the cost of the items found there are usually cheaper in which it range from 5 pesos to 500 pesos (If you'll get lucky).

3. Of course, dress simply when going to these places since it's usually a market place not a party venue. Make sure also to wear flats because there'll be a long time standing and walking to do to catch up some very good bargains. Don't bring any valuable things with you too like jewelries and cellphones because the market place in the Philippines is not a real good time to do some show off of your NOKIA N95 , IPod and Cartier or you'll might get robbed or being snatched.

4. Bring with you an extra big cellophane bag for your hands not to get loaded handling lots of stuffs.

5. Watch for sale signs marked " 2 for 20", " 5 for 100" or any hanging ads for just "P10". That's where you'll find the real steals. Also, never be shy to put up a bargain with the vendor.

6. Another thing, No ENGLISH please. Speak natively since the vendor will find it hard to understand you and you'll sound stupid too if you'll do that there. You'll be called as "OA" (short for OVER-ACTING).

7. Be nice to the vendors while asking for a better price.

8. Most of all, one last tip, try to put up an act. Example, showing that you like an item but find the price too high, learn to put on a nonchalant face for those tougher bargains. If you still find the price too high then you can walk away ( Good if the vendor will call you back and agree on your desired price).


Well, that's all the nicest tips I can give and hope you'll do well on your trip to the Ukay-ukay!