Shoe good for traveling

Dear Rissa, 

I travel a lot and I always end up bringing a lot of pairs of shoes! Please give me footwear tips and the must-haves for travel.

Ms. Shoe Busy

When it comes to traveling, comfort and quality are on the top of my list. When your feet are in pain, you become a grouchy travel companion, you waste precious sightseeing/shopping time just to rest, or you unnecessarily end up spending money for a new pair of shoes. 

Versatility is essential, too. Shoes that can go from day to night match almost any outfit, and take you from meetings, sightseeing, and dinners to parties, making you a smart packer. You leave extra luggage space for your shopping finds, too! I myself am an anal traveler. Whenever I pack, I study the itinerary well so I know what kind of clothes and shoes to bring. I even go to the extent of fitting each outfit and taking a picture of every ensemble! It’s always my goal to be able to bring items that I can easily mix and match, but allow me to look great both in person and in pictures. 

It’s always ideal to pack two versatile pairs of shoes with different heights — flats and heels. Looking back at my recent trips, I’ve packed several Stella Luna shoes because they’ve been everything I want them to be — comfortable, versatile, and stylish. I’ll admit that I actually own quite a number of Stella Luna pairs. They’re practically the perfect pair, whether you’re traveling or you simply have a full busy day here in the city.

Stella Luna boutiques are located at Rockwell Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, Glorietta 4, and Adora Greenbelt 5.  Can also be followed in Facebook at Stella Luna Philippines and cell phone number 09175874033. 

Must-haves include pretty ballerina flats. The ones with little bows go with practically everything!  A more fashionable pair flaunts a toe-cap design. They don’t have the transformative power of high heels, but ballerina flats are chic and timeless. On those days when your feet can no longer endure those mile-high heels, your feet will thank you for it. Kitten heels with pointy toes in basic black or an elegant wine color elongate the legs without the pain of high heels. Apart from being dressier than flats, they still allow you to be mobile and on the go. Don’t be afraid to invest in high heels — Stella Luna boasts some of the most comfortable pairs! Because of the platform design, their pumps and chunky heels give height without the discomfort — perfect for traveling. Plus, with the metallic trend big this season, the Stella Luna chunky heels in metallic hues are definite must-haves.

Lastly, wedges are the ultimate musts. These solve every woman’s shoe concerns — height, comfort, and balance. I own grey Stella Luna wedges and they’ve been one of my most versatile pairs of shoes! Black or red are also versatile colors that perfectly complement any travel outfit.

Rissa

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Work Wear: Skirting The Issue

Dear Lucy,

How can I wear my above-the-knee skirts to work? I am in my late 20s and my ultra-conservative female boss always says I should wear a more decent length, whatever she means by that. My skirts are just one to two inches above the knee, by the way. I cannot afford to buy an entire wardrobe so how can I maximize the wardrobe I already have?

Malena

Yes, you can still use your skirts for as long as you wear tights under them. Not those sheer ones; you must invest in opaque tights immediately. Get several in brown and black, and choose good quality — that way, they do not become disposable (which is always a waste of money). Marks & Spencer is a good stop for these. That said, I’m assuming that you work in an air-conditioned office, otherwise it will really be too hot and you will have no choice but to buy skirts in a longer length to be able to forego the tights.   

In terms of accessories, do not choose anything that is dangling or tinkling or too complicated. Favor studs and nice pearls. Wear pumps, nothing too strappy, or too high for that matter that you cannot function well. Even your makeup should be just right, leave the smoky look for nights out.

I hope that helps.

 Lucy

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Wedding Blues: Billing Questions

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I am getting married in November.  My parents have long been separated, and each now has new partners, which are acceptable to us children.  Both my father and mother want to let their new partners have equal major roles, including marching with them down the aisle.  Is this acceptable?

Joan

Seems like each member of a family should hire an agent before there is to be a wedding, so that questions of billing and roles may be worked out in a businesslike manner with an intermediary.  Otherwise, fights and hurts can ensue.  Perhaps you could do two performances for the wedding.

The sensible answer is to choose one couple as hosts, who will have their names on invitations and announcements, and those hosts must be the original mother and father.  They should both walk you up the aisle, just them.

New partners must be limited to their supporting roles.  They should not have main roles with their new spouses.  No new partners were responsible for copulation and the birthing of the bride.  All four may receive guests after the ceremony at the hall or house.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com and ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Mananquil at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.