Freepping

Everyone has the right to revel in shopping. While there are people who prefer to cave in other interests, there are also others who surprisingly end up obsessive compulsive at it. Thank God I don't need Shopaholics Anonymous to get me in control with my shopping habits.

Growing up a little inadequate in funds has worked to my advantage. The limitations have relatively trained me to one: choose the best-est item that will work for myself, two: embrace the joy of window shopping and the courage it gives me to spend wisely so I could buy what I really want in time, and three: be more of a mindful shopper.

The good news is that it can work for you, too-- may you be lacking or abundant in cash! And we shall call it, freepping!

Freepping is a word used to describe carefree shopping. It's the context of visiting shops to buy new items without spending too much or fearing to have nothing to spend at all, but only to live for the moment.

It is meant for two things: get the item you want at a price you can pay, and relieve stress-- lighthearted and untroubled-- which essentially makes shopping subconsciously healthy for you. 

If you have watched Confessions of a Shopaholic when Isla Fisher auctioned all her clothes and, towards the end of the movie, the mannequins at an Yves Saint Laurent store were beckoning her again but she resisted and instead portrayed the look of a person who enjoys shopping but is now conscious about her expenses? That's also freepping! The act of shopping at ease. 

The secret to freepping?

Surprise visit your favorite stores-- one after another. Be spontaneous with your search for items that suit your taste. Allow yourself to scour chic finds that you don't expect of buying.

There's something reassuring about buying accidental good stuffs. And this is the most exciting part about freepping. 

But always remember the exact amount you have on hand and stick to it. Learn to muster up the courage to disregard the item that goes beyond your estimates. 

Yes, I hear you!

There are certainly times when impulse buying hits us. Buying prompted by a whim on seeing the item displayed. 

I suggest you check the price first before you feed your eyes with the details of how good that item is. Because when you're already lusting over it but your money's coming short, that's when it gets extremely frustrating. 

Sometimes, better things come later. You only have to learn to detach yourself from things. Who knows you might thank the circumstance for denying you of the privilege to own one item in exchange for something exceptionally better.

But then again, it's still freepping to simply find therapy in "just looking" at the items in stores in the grounds of comfort and leisure. Just for comfort and leisure. Then buy an item or two without going crazy about price tags like we go crazy about calories.

Drop the guilt feelings and savor the moment. That's the real purpose of it all.

Take freepping to a grander scale by treating yourself with feelgood eats, maybe a Belgian waffle and a frappe. But if there's none left in your wallet for this pleasure, cluster your shopping bag(s) on your hand and freely swing them as you walk your way home. This act alone is respite from negative vibes, granted! 

                 #freepping

                       Start hashtag-ing it NOW!

Photo Credits:

pinterest (dot) com

A Fashion Dream at Luisa Via Roma x Firenze4ever Event

Every season, I die over women and fashion bloggers who get invited to Luisa Via Roma's Firenze4ever. They come together to celebrate fashion, and more than that, the culture and heritage of Florence, Italy. I'd like to use the word "extraordinary" to describe how the people behind Firenze4ever spruce up things, the way bloggers are primped with fashion pieces from the collections of top international designers, into one (literally and figuratively) perfect event. 

Firenze4ever logo from Luisa Via Roma.com

This three- day event gathers the most influential bloggers to meet one another and join in Style Lab, where  they style themselves into three different looks from the pieces they will handpick from the racks. Professional shoots are done once they finalize the three looks that they will wear. It's an event that recognizes the unique charisma that makes them influential in their respective ways of representing fashion to the world. To be given the liberty to try on firsthand collections and execute their vision on how to stylishly fit all these together, in front of professional photographers in the stretches of Florence, is hearts desire made flesh. They are undoubtedly blessed. It reverberates not only in the elegance of their outfits but the glam of their smiles as they run on the dance hall while their appetites are also served profusely with ornate cuisine above luxurious table runners together with a classical music performance. 

Firenze4ever dinner night at La Specola from Bryanboy.com

The event is the Oscars and Emmy's to every worshiper of fashion, and the bloggers are its nominees. And the price? It's greater than bagging a trophy. It is greatly the gift of winning over the hearts of all the readers and trendsetters around the globe who they inspire to dress good-- and dress good for their own selves. To speak for the right of every woman who deserves to feel confident inside and come by the pleasant attention that she can get from others. Because we all know that fashion is a privilege, and to be liked by others with it is a big bonus. 

But what is fashion if only to be reduced into the label that lies near the neckline to indicate which brand a cloth is from? What is it if only for the coy looks it create on magazines and photos?

Fashion is not entirely aesthetics and the role of bloggers to give life to these fashion pieces with their words, and how it can benefit the people (for wearing them) is precisely what puts character to it. Clothes alone do not possess character-- until affective connections are made to people. To pull any weight at all in fashion, designers and brands have to show personality in each piece through models, and yes, bloggers. That exactly is what Firenze4ever event is there for-- to not only allow bloggers to incarnate the collections and put them on photographs and videos, but to encourage and help each other in a collective discussion about the opportunities they all can pull together to continually improve in blogging, marketing across social media, and reaching out to every fashion- aspiring individual. 

Favorite ensemble from favorite bloggers on one of Firenze4ever events
 (photos  taken from wendy's lookbook and snob essentials)

Without people and the stories they tell, fashion will simply remain an inanimate entertainment which is not bound to last forever. It's the people and the stories that dignify and make it timeless. This is the reason I strongly admire Luisa Via Roma for. Truly a luxurious shopping retail, worldwide. And I will be vocal about it. YES, I want to be part of Luisa Via Roma's Firenze4ever event one day. To say that it is an ultimate dream is not a term of exaggeration. 

This year's Firenze4ever event, held last 15th to 17th of June was inspired by punk fashion's influence on couture.

If you happen to be one of those bloggers invited to the event, I salute you. If you are someone inspired by these amazing bloggers, you are worth it. And if you are someone like me who hopes to share the same privilege at Luisa Via Roma's Firenze4ever, write about it and link it to me. Together we'll tell the world what  magnificent opportunity it makes.

Warm regards.