I'm glad it's Aryanna's summer vacation because I get to spend more time with her. She is already at that age when we can really hangout like girlfriends but only better.
She accompanied me yesterday at Powerplant Mall as I had to shop for a client. The beauty about having a companion while shopping is that someone can help you lug around the shopping bags (haha!) and I have an extra set of eyes to scope out new shops!
Check out what just opened at Powerplant Mall:
Thomas Sabo
Thomas Sabo jewelry has a enormous assortment which includes the "Thomas Sabo Sterling Silver" collection. Within the silver assortment there is certainly a number of pendants, distinct kinds of earrings and sterling silver charm bracelets obtainable. Thomas Sabo has also watches and a beauty collection.
I super want those cherries!
If it's good enough for Katy Perry...
Aryanna and I met Thomas Saba's visual merchandiser Eske Foerschner.
Aryanna and I fell in love with their neon elastic bracelets and super cute charms! So many choices!
These neon cords can double as a necklace or a wrap around bracelet.
Great Mother's Day gift!
I bought a gift for a friend. Can you guess who?
Isn't the gift box so chic?
Thanks, Aryanna! You're the best shopping partner!
There are more than 500 charms to choose from!
Visit Thomas Saba's accessories boutique at the 2nd floor of Powerplant Mall, Rockwell.
Shoppingero/shoppingera, are you planning something special for Mother's Day?
I love button down shirts because they are stylish and versatile. They can be chic when unbuttoned, sexy when worn as a dress, and cool when buttoned-up all the way.
Paris Vogue's new editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt in an avocado-colored button down shirt. I've always related to her style more than Carine Roitfeld's.
“Classic doesn’t mean boring.” Emmanuel Alt
Anyone who has tried Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil will agree that it is one of the best makeup removers in the market. It can soften the toughest mascaras and melt the stickiest foundations.
The late Mr. Shu Uemura made history by introducing the first oil-based cleanser to Japan. The Cleansing Oil is the makeup brand's start product. You can remove makeup and skin impurities in one single step!
Shu Uemura has introduced another revolutionary product: Shu Uemura Pure:Nu Gentle Cleansing Oil-In-Gel. It's a "2-in-1" cleanser for visible skin renewal.
Shu Uemura Pure:Nu Gentle Cleansing Oil-In-Gel
Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin/dermatologically tested/opthalmologically tested/allergy tested/non-comedogenic
Breakthrough technology: Fluid gel formulated with high removal natural origin oils. Spreads smoothly to capture light makeup and dirt, washing away impurities including excess sebum, external pollutants, now usage made possible with both dry and wet hands.
Skin "renewing" complex: infused with bamboo leaf, beet, and lupin extracts
For eco lovers:
97% of raw the materials of the formula are biodegradable
formula reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems
no added: paraben, colorant, alcohol, petroleum surfactant, soap
The catch:
Shu Uemura Pure:Nu Gentle Cleansing Oil-In-Gel will not be available till end of February. However, I was able to get a sample of the product and I loved it! I have sensitive and dry skin so this makeup remover suits me. I love the giant Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil bottle I have at home, but this new cleansing gel is convenient for traveling.
I recommend this product to eco lovers (KC, you'll love this product!) and those with very sensitive skin.
Surprise! I would like one of my amazing readers to try out this product. Tune into my blog as I will be giving away Shu Uemura Pure:Nu Gentle Cleansing Oil-In-Gel this coming February!
Shoppingera, what do you look for in a makeup remover?
Based on FitFlop's press kit, it can talk the talk:
"Each pair of the latest SS 2011 FitFlop sandals prestigiously carries the brand’s reputation as a highly effective functional footwear that provides wearers scientifically proven physical benefits that include improved body posture, enhanced muscle tone and activity, and relief from various bodily strains such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, RLS (restless leg syndrome), scoliosis and degenerative disc disease."
But can it walk the walk?
Let's see...
If you see a woman power walking through the malls, don't be alarmed, it's just me, using my new FitFlop! LOL
I spent a good part of my weekend test driving these babies and I'm happy to report that my calves hurt, in a good way. They felt like I climbed 20 flights of stairs! What I love most about the FitFlop is that it enhanced my posture! The FitFlop's famous Microwobbleboard™ midsole aided me to stand tall. I feel that the slippers stimulated the muscle activity in my lower body.
Technology
FitFlop Microwobbleboard™ technology was engineered in 2006 by Dr David Cook and Darren James at London South Bank University (LSBU).
FitFlop footwear features patent-pending, muscle-loading Microwobbleboard™ technology to increase the time that your muscles are engaged every single time you take a step:
I know that I promised not to wear flip flops anymore when sourcing or while at work, but after trying FitFlop, I may have to break that rule. Well, at least until my legs are "perfect"! Haha!
Here are some of my favorite FitFlop styles:
Electra Strata Black Magic
Floretta Rosy Posy
Hooper Toffee Tan
Supertone Pewter for men
From left: Electra Strata Palladium and Pietra Pewter
I'm excited about FitFlop because I feel that it works! I'm so excited, I just can't hide it! I want you to experience what I'm talking about. Stay tuned as I'm giving away a pair of FitFlop to an amazing reader! Keep your comments coming!
*FitFlops are available in Res|Toe|Run outlets in Trinoma, Gateway, and Ayala Cebu, as well as in BratPack outlets at Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, SM The Block, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro; MOA SM City Cebum FitFlop Kiosk: Alabang Town Center, Trinoma, Robinsons Place Ermita, Iloilo, The Travel Club, Rustan's; Duty Free Philippines; MIX Boutique & Learning Gallery, Iloilo; Chimes DavaoMain's Closet; Bettina's Boutique, JSM, Elizaga CDO; Four of a Kind, Butuan; Signature Brands Lifestyle & City Beach; Pop Tags, Palawan; The Sidewalk, Zamboanga
Shoppingero/shoppingera, have you bought anything or done any exercises to get fit? Please share!
It's a gift to make a statement because you need cajones to do it, and not everyone has them.
Accessories designer, Arnel Papa, wants us to make a statement — an expression of Filipino creativity and beauty.
I was feeling like little-miss-photographer yesterday so did a lil' somthin', somthin' with my favorite Arnel Papa accessories (Please credit my blog if you are going to use my photos. Thanks.)
Visit Arnel Papa's boutique at the 2nd floor Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Shoppingera, what kind of statement accessories do you own?
When it comes to eating healthy, sometimes you have to be creative especially when feeding kids.
I bought some stuff yesterday that are not important, but they are fun to have around the house.
Oatmeal, quinoa, and whole wheat cereals (no sugar) are some of the healthiest breakfast we can feed our children. They are filling, healthy, and gives them energy. If you want your kids to eat them, a fun bowl like this might just do the trick!
“People who eat white bread have no dreams.“ Diana Vreeland
Get your kids to switch to eating whole wheat or whole grain bread. They will love this Fred French Toast Bread Stamper! I have two other bread stampers that my friends got Aryanna as gifts. This will add to our collection.
OK, this Fred Cakewich mold has zero health benefits because to make the sponge cake and filling, you will need butter, butter, and more butter! Haha! The least it could do is to create bonding time with the family when baking.
Excuse me, I have to help Aryanna bake a giant toast for her friends who are sleeping over tonight. Toodles!
Shoppingero/shoppingera, how do you make eating healthy fun?
*Fred and Friends products are available at Fully Booked High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. You can also buy them online.
I met up last week with one of my good friends and co-editor in Philippine Daily Inquirer, Apples Aberin who was visiting from Singapore. Aps, as I fondly call her, is Unilever's Global PR Manager for Pond's. She is also a supermodel (in my opinion, she's the Linda Evangelista of the Philippines) and quite the celebrity here. (I tease her.)
She is probably one of the hottest forty-something year old woman I know! I always kid her that when I turn 40, I want to be like her — tall, sexy and with great skin (Pond's lang pala ang katapat!) Haha! Seriously, if you see her in person, she is stunning! Her skin and body puts some of the twenty-something year old girls to shame. She is a mother of two kids, a successful career woman, and a great friend. Wow, right?
It was nice catching up with each other. I miss her.
Apples style = Oversize worn-in T-shirt + Skinny jeans + Lace-up booties + Messenger bag + Statement necklace (designed by model Tweetie De Leon) + Man's watch (a gift from daughter Sam) + Manicured nails + Well-groomed hair
Me: How do you balance family and fashion? Apples: It's never an effort to balance both. Fashion need not take a backseat once you become a wife and mother. Of course, my style has slowly evolved so that form is balanced by function. Generally, though, it's all about having fun with the latest trends and using these to express my personality. Now that my daughter is 19, we have even more fun discussing fashion, trading clothes and concocting different looks.
Me: Your skin looks flawless. What's your secret? Apples: A skincare routine that consists of really effective anti-ageing products like Pond's Age Miracle. I try to avoid the sun, as well. And I guess good genes help! Thanks mom!
Me: As a career woman, what are your office wear essentials? Apples: Basics like a crisp white polo, classic trousers, a pencil skirt, or a little black dress ---all accentuated with stand-out accessories, statement shoes and a nice bag.
Me: What are your favorite clothing and shoe brands? Where do you shop? Apples: I shop everywhere and I have no favorites, although high-street brands are affordable and stylish enough. Topshop, Zara and the like are dependable but whenever I travel, I hunt for clothing and accessories by local designers.
Me: What is your fashion mantra? Apples: Have fun and be yourself!
I'm sure a lot of you remember Apples from the Pond's TVC and her iconic line: "It's OK to be forty, just as long as you look thirty."
Shoppingera, what do you do to keep yourself young and beautiful?
Whenever I hear of an actress designing a line of clothes, bags, shoes, etc. I'm a bit sceptical. Designing is not for everyone. You need a strong sense of aesthetics, creativity, passion, time, patience, and love for fashion to transcend your vision. Victoria Beckham seems to have them all (OK, maybe except for patience)!
Facts:
VB owns 100+ Hermés Birkin bags
She's impeccably dressed
She has strong aesthetics
She lives, breathes, and eats fashion
She's funny (you also need humor in fashion)
She has a dream (for her name to be as popular as a soap brand in Britain)
She is married to one of the hottest man alive, David (not fashion related but a fact none the less)
I'm not a VB fan but girl can design, or at least she got Katie Hillier (Marc by Marc Jacobs design consultant and bag designer) to collaborate with her and the two have created a beautiful collection.
Watch out spice girls, a new bag designer has joined the fashion arena! Let the games begin...
According to Beckham, her brand is about looking “beautiful from all angles.” Personally, I love structured bags. My favorite is the fossil buffalo travel bag with pale gold hardware (right-most side).
According to fashionista.com, "the two of the styles–the leather and nubuck shoulder bag and the hexagonal chain bag in crocodile–went on sale yesterday at Net-a-Porter. The leather and nubuck sold out within the hour, Elle UK is reporting. The nearly $14,000 crocodile bag (pictured right) sold out by the afternoon."
I've unearthed my structured handbags while I was cleaning out my closet. After seeing VB's collection, it has inspired me to start using them again. Like what I wrote before, let's reuse, reduce, recycle fashion this year! The problem is, I don't own a denim stretch pencil skirt to go with my handbags. Where can I buy? Oh well...
Shoppingera, what treasures have you discovered lately in your closet while decluttering?
