Sunset Goddess Manila

Champagne Room ORIGINAL

2023-11-08T13:37:00.000+08:00

Back in September, the Boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary in one of the restaurants we've wanted to try for the longest time: Champagne Room. This restaurant is located in Manila Hotel, the grand dame of hotels in Manila.

Manila Hotel has recently undergone some renovations and refurbishments, especially with its restaurants. Since Champagne Room has been on our restaurant list, our anniversary was the perfect occasion to find out for ourselves what makes Champagne Room special.

The interiors of Champagne Room are luxurious, without being ostentatious. With its French/ Old European style, right off the bat, you get the feel of the restaurant.

Despite the luxe interiors, it wasn't intimidating but somewhat even cozy. I love the pale printed seats and cushions--quite feminine without being too girly. We were given a corner table with a good view of the rest of the restaurant. Servers were dressed up in coattails, adding to the restaurant's ambiance.

For starters, A. had a smoked salmon roll and french onion soup while I ordered a cream of scallop soup and baked chilean mussels.

In between the appetizers and the entrees, we were given sorbet as palate cleanser.

For my entree, I got the prime rib while A. had lobster termidor.

Our meal ended with banana flambe, served table side by our waiters.

And they also served as complimentary petit fours, all the better to end our evening on a sweet note.

The food in Champagne Room was delicious and well-"executed". It was that and the fact that the whole ambiance of the restaurant was classic, luxurious, and romantic that made us love Champagne Room. Cheers!

Champagne Room
Ground Floor, Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, Manila
Lunch: 11 AM to 3 PM
Dinner: 7 to 11 PM
Call for reservations at (632)527-0011

Hole in the Wall at Century City Mall

2014-11-07T10:04:00.002+08:00

Simple but true words at Hole in the Wall

The other night, we chanced upon the first day of the (soft) opening of Hole in the Wall, the newest dining establishment to open in Century City Mall in Makati.

It's not just any other restaurant, but for me has an innovative dining concept that I'm quite excited to share here. At its most basic, Hole in the Wall is a food court. But compared to any other establishments incorporating the food court style, or compared to food courts you usually see in malls, I think Hole in the Wall has two major unique selling points.

First, unlike the usual food courts, Hole in the Wall is quite upscale. The seating areas, dining tables and chairs, and the overall ambiance of the place is well-designed yet cozy at the same time, with remarkably good design. It has quite a great ambiance for a broad range of dining needs---from casual dining or dates but has spaces large enough to accommodate even dinner with friends or large family dinners. If I were a still a student, I can also picture studying here too. They even have al fresco dining areas!

Dining area in Hole in the Wall

Seating areas have natural "dividers" incorporated into the design (such as grills, a grid of hanging plants, a shipping container as dining area).The whole space can accommodate up to about 400 diners.

The interiors and seating areas are a mix of comfy (plush chairs, lots of natural wood) to industrial (exposed beams, bulbs hanging on wires), which I find very cosmopolitan chic. This is definitely not your usual food court with fluorescent lights and white tiles!

The place was teeming with servers/waiters in chic uniforms serving iced water and clearing tables.

Second selling point of Hole in the Wall for me is that all the restaurants/stalls (which they call "concepts") in this food court all seem to be startups. That means all of them have new, innovative offerings in savory food, desserts, and even drinks. Each "concept" also seems to be selling different types of food from each other so you get a lot of choices.

Some of them that I noticed and photographed were Bad Bird (Umami Fried Chicken), Kwong's Provisions (Chinese), Mister Delicious (All-American breakfast), and Phobobo (beef noodle soup).

For drinks and dessert, there were Scout's Honor (craft cookie shop and ice cream), Spruce (cold-pressed juices), Green Cheese (Japanese cheesecakes), and Tiny Duchess (savory and sweet eclairs).

Green Cheese and Tiny Duchess at Hole in the Wall

Juices in Spruce

Cookies and ice cream at Scout's Cookies

For our visit that night, we tried the food in Kwong's Provisions, marketing itself as having "progressive Chinatown cooking".

We had the Maki mi+ (P190), braised short ribs beef bowl (P270), and amah kwong's lumpia (P150).

For casual dining with such new concepts, the prices were quite on the inexpensive side. I especially like the maki mi+, a noodle soup with very, very thick broth (almost gel-like). It was progressive alright! Next time I want to try their salted egg chicken wings (P200), also one of their bestsellers.

Will we come back? Definitely! I want to try out Hole in the Wall's other food concepts. Hole in the Wall appears to take food court dining in Manila to a new and bigger level, with lots of new food discoveries waiting to be explored.

Do take note that most of the establishments in Hole in the Wall are still on soft opening. When we were there, some of them were not yet even serving anything at all, although their respective signages were already up.

The grand opening of Hole in the Wall to the public will be some time in mid-November. But you can try out Hole in the Wall on soft opening this weekend (November 8 and 9), open for dinner only. Enjoy!

Hole in the Wall

L/4, Century City Mall
Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City

Kerasilk Keratin Treatment from Alex Carbonell for Cynos

2014-07-29T23:24:00.002+08:00

In May, I made the visit to Studio Fix in Greenbelt 5 for my usual cut and color services courtesy of Alex Carbonell, and I was surprised to learn about an exciting brand for hair color and treatments which partnered with Alex as its brand ambassador. It's called CYNOS, a brand that was born in Korea and is now a company with its home base in Canada. Today, in partnership with Alex, it's a brand making its mark in the Philippine salon industry.

First, let me tell you about the fantastic hair color service which I received from Alex, using Cynos hair color products. I started out 2014 with this "new year, new look" cut, at the able hands of Alex of course.

Fast forward five months later and this was the length and condition of my hair, with the icky roots and all:

At this time, I had two main hair concerns. First, I wanted to update the color of my hair for an upcoming trip to Europe in June. I wanted lighter, ash hair that will go well with a tan and truthfully, to make me look less "Oriental". Second, I had a medical condition for which I was undergoing treatment (thankfully, succesful!). That condition at first resulted in some hair loss but because I was already getting better and getting treated for it, the unfortunate result was that I had unruly baby hair growing all over the place and which caused my hair to be buhaghag and out of shape (but of course, it's still something I was thankful for!).

First, I got a cut and color and highlight treatment from Alex at his Greenbelt 5 salon. I always request Eli to assist in coloring, as I've already established a rapport with him as well.

Color and highlights courtesy of Alex Carbonell for Cynos

As always, the service starts with a consultation with Alex on what look I'm going for, then he concocts a blend of colors to achieve my desired look. So many times, readers have asked me the exact shade or number of my hair color and the answer is, there is no exact color as Alex blends different colors together depending on the client's skin tone and desired hair color. I guess, that's what you would call color artistry.

And while he will give you suggestions and show the trendy pegs from magazines, at the end of the day, it's all about what you the client wants. And that's what I appreciate most about Alex (and the rest of his staff for that matter)---they're never pushy and in-your-face on which services to get (a far cry from my recent experience in another salon! But that's another story). It's not about how much you spend in his salon, but whether you're happy when you walk out of it, and not feel like you've been the victim of a hold-up!

Here you will see my new hair color and highlights courtesy of Studio Fix, which was exactly what I had in mind when I came to Alex. (Sorry for all the car selfies but it appears it's my only sane time in the mornings!)

But, while I love the color, I was still not satisfied with the parts of my hair (look at the side!) that were frizzy, buhaghag and unmanageable, as you can see from the photos above and below. I largely blame the aforementioned growing baby hair for it.

So, I was so thankful that Alex invited me the following week to an exclusive event hosted by Cynos at the newest branch of Studio Fix in Century City Mall. This was where my buhaghag hair problem was answered by Alex and Cynos through a hair treatment that I'm excited to share with you.

But first, a quick look at Studio Fix's Century City Mall branch. Compared to the Greenbelt 5 branch, it was smaller. But what it lacked in space, it more than made up for with the cozy atmosphere and well-designed interiors.

For that day's Cynos event, I was so honored to be invited for an afternoon of hair and salon pampering as the "blogger" along with Alex's print media clients Agoo Bengzon (Preview/ Summit Publishing) and Nina Estacio Tan (formerly from Philippine Tatler), and Anna Puno, a fab mom.

The treatment Alex recommended to address my baby hair buhaghag issues was the Kerasilk keratin treatment, exclusively from Cynos and available in all Studio Fix branches. It's a permanent blow dry treatment that lessens kinky and frizzy hair textures, leaving hair straight, healthy and shiny. It is not a hair relaxer, but a reconditioning treatment made of rich keratin that's sealed into the hair. It is not harsh to hair like rebonding (and no yucky medicinal smell at any time during and after the treatment either!)

My "before" photo:

During the treatment:

Before that day, the only time I've ever done a straightening/keratin treatment was back in 2013 (also with Studio Fix) when I wanted to get rid of the remaining brittle curls from my digi perm. Back then, I had to wait hours for the treatment to take effect, and I was told not to wash my hair for several days for the treatment's "straightening" to take effect. This time, with the Kerasilk treatment, my hair was washed after just 20 minutes and I was told that I can shower as per usual.

And immediately, I could see the results. Alex and his team gauged how long the treatment was supposed to stay in my hair. Since my hair already had a fine texture and my only issue was the buhaghag texture especially at the roots due to the growth of baby hair, it didn't take a long time for the Kerasilk treatment to take effect.

For me, this just goes to show how effective the treatment was, since I could see (and feel) the results on my hair immediately, even if the Kerasilk stayed on my hair for just 20 minutes.While we wanted to battle the buhaghag effect of my baby hair, Alex also had to guard against making my hair fall flat. That's why the treatment stayed on for only 20 minutes. It may take longer or shorter depending on the texture of your hair and your needs.

Here's my after shot with Alex:

It is best to use Cynos' Kerasilk Daily Shampoo and Conditioner duo to help maintain the longevity of the keratin treatment.

This other Cynos product is one I swear by, the Argan Oil Thairapy Ultra Hydrating Mask, also available in Studio Fix. It is the best Moroccan argan oil hair treatment mask I have ever tried. It's like you're getting a hair treatment every time you use it (just like a conditioner) and at P870 per jar, it's quite cheap compared to Kerastase's at-home treatments (at around P2500 or more). I use it more than once a week to maintain the smooth texture of my hair from the keratin treatment.

While I could already wash my hair the day after, it's usually recommended to wet the hair about 2 days after the treatment, and not to wear pony tails especially during the don't-wash waiting period. You can color your hair before the Kerasilk treatment (like I did). But if you will color your hair after the Kerasilk treatment, it is better to wait for 2 weeks after the keratin treatment to do so.

As I've done in previous posts, let me also share with you how my hair turned out after I stepped out of the salon. The test of how effective a salon treatment is!

Right after the Kerasilk treatment, I was afraid my hair was going to be too flat. But after one or two washings, the volume was perfect and yet the texture was still very smooth. No more baby hair buhaghag for me! And goodbye to bad hair days!

Look at how my hair looked even after a 15-hour direct flight to London:

And also sharing here some photos from my Europe trip, where I experienced the convenience of not having to worry about my hair---super important to make the most out of my time traveling and sightseeing instead of spending time to blowdry my hair every morning while abroad! As you can see, I could tie my hair up in a ponytail without affecting the texture. For me, the Kerasilk keratin treatment gave me the perfect balance between having volume and getting that nice, smooth texture to my hair.

I hope I got you excited about the Kerasilk keratin treatment! I'm not a salon professional though so for any questions or if you want to know more about this fab hair treatment and other Cynos hair products and services, visit Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell at their Greenbelt and Century City Mall branches, and you can check out Studio Fix on Facebook. If you want to know more about Cynos, they're also on Facebook and Instagram at @cynosinsidehaircare.

Thank you so much to Alex Carbonell and Studio Fix and to the lovely Cynos team!

Cheers and wishing you all good hair days!

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: 632-5013062 and 632-5013064

Level 3, Century City Mall
Makati City

Back to Blogging (Hopefully!)

2014-07-29T19:02:00.000+08:00

Siquijor, August 2013

Hello! Read about my thoughts on getting back to blogging here.

Cheers!

Serendipitous Short Hair at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

2013-04-12T20:41:00.003+08:00

Serendipity occurs when something wonderful happens unexpectedly. Because you don't plan for it to happen, the beautiful or happy event that occurs serendipitously becomes all the more poignant, as if touched by grace. It can happen from the profound and deepest aspects of life (such as love) to the most mundane and kikay of things, like finding an amazing dress at the mall when you've just planned to go there to window shop, and even better, finding it on sale. Or it can happen while getting a haircut. A few months ago (I know it's been months but better late than never!), serendipity happened to me in the hands of my favorite stylist, Alex Carbonell.

It was towards the very end of 2012, and I could smell 2013 and one big word coming---CHANGE. And if change was coming, then my hair better go with that change too. Consciously or unconsciously, I always seem to have a "look" when it comes to my hair almost every year. 2011 was all about bangs, 2012 was all about my digi perm, and for 2013, what will it be? My hair was too long, and too damaged from the perming that I've subjected my hair to, as evident from these pictures I took on the day I went to see Alex:

And I believe this picture says it all. Eep!

As I've said in my post on taking care of digital perms, it's really all about keeping your hair moisturized and maintaining the curls. So I guess, I was guilty of not maintaining my perm well. I guess like other good things in life, it was good while it was lasted. But obviously, it was time to move on and let go! The curls and the long length sometimes looked good, some days they were all over the place, and it was becoming too tiring for me to work on my hair each and every time. So, I went in to see Alex at Studio Fix thinking that I wanted a Keratin treatment for me to go back to my God-given straight hair.

But Alex being Alex, I emerged out of Studio Fix with something altogether different from what I expected. In a good way, as always. Alex told me that I don't need a Keratin treatment since my hair is naturally straight and if I get the treatment, my hair will just turn out flat and lifeless. So he suggested for me to cut my hair and give me a medium length bob, with this cut of Kiera Knightley on this magazine as the peg:

The last time I drastically cut my hair short was back in 2007, and I maintained that bob for two years. While I didn't think I was ready for a super short bob again, I still really wanted something different enough. As I've said, 2013 was just around the corner and what better way to welcome the new year than with a new look right? So Kiera Knightley's medium length bob it is. Alex pointed out that the top part of my curls were still ok, so I could still keep my curls but I just needed to have the length of my hair updated. That way, I could still get the volume from my curls, which I still loved (just not the bottom, very dry and damaged part).

And so, the three-hour transformation began, and not just with my hair length but also my color and highlights. I was someone who used to be afraid of short hair---I had long hair for 13 years before I became brave enough again to cut it short! But after chopping it all off in 2007, I knew that I never had to fear short hair again.

Just like my previous visits, I was once again in the very capable hands not just of Alex himself, but also, of Ellie, his assistant who helped out with my color and highlights.

Aside from all the other things I appreciate about getting my cuts and other hair services in Studio Fix which I've already raved about in my other posts, another thing I appreciate is getting tips from Alex and Ellie about maintaining and styling my new cut. Alex taught me how to properly dry my hair to give it more body ( I have to give it some motion to "swoosh" it) and other tips to maintain the color. It's not just about having your haircut and that's it---we have to live with our hair after we salon. And I appreciate that they care about what happens to our hair and how we take care of it at home.

I loved how my hair turned out, from the ash highlights and the right mix of waviness and "messiness". I instantly felt lighter, without the weight of the previous length bringing me down. It was totally wash and wear, just what I needed---something easy and not hard to maintain at all (a complete turnaround of sorts from my digital perm maintenance routine!)

I remarked to Alex that since the time I first had my hair cut by him in Studio Fix years back, there were certainly a lot more customers now. And true enough, there are now so many of us loyal Studio Fix clients that they have now opened up another branch just in Greenbelt 3! And let me thank also all of my readers who have trusted my advice and gone to Studio Fix and to Alex for their cuts and color. Alex tells me that there have been quite several of you who have gone to him after reading about it from The Sunset Goddess---to all of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for the acknowledgment :)

Anyway, after three years of having long hair since the time I had a short hair style, it was so good to have short hair again. Less maintenance, less time to dry my hair, one less thing to worry about in the morning or throughout the day! And it was the perfect length to either wear down, or up in a ponytail or chignon when it gets too hot or if there's no time to fix it at all.

I always say that the test of a good haircut is how it looks in the weeks and months after you step out of the salon, whether in cold or humid weather, at home or on the road. Here, a short tale of my short hair throughout my travels in the past months.

December in Baguio:

January in Singapore:

January in KL:

January in Bangkok:

February in Samar:

March in Manila:

And now it's April and after almost four months, it's time for an update. And while the roots need some touching up, the color is still as nice. So, now a reason to go back and pamper myself again with Alex and his team :)

Serendipity can happen to us all the time, from the moment we walk out the door every morning to the time we leave the office, from the new people we meet or from old friends, from the most serious matter or even when we just sit down on that chair in our favorite salon. At the end of the day, it's how much we open ourselves to the possibilities. When you've closed the book on change, there is no room for possibilities. But when you're open, the possibilities for the next chapters are endless. That's when serendipity happens.

I wanted change and I thought I would get it by going back to my straight, long hair. Like so many of you women out there, having long hair is a form of security blanket (admit it!). Chopping off our locks takes some form of courage (sartorial or otherwise)---I don't know about you but to me short hair means a spirit of adventurousness, a sense of mischief and a way, going against the norm. As I said, for 13 years I was so afraid of cutting my hair short. Then I had the courage to chop it all off in 2007, grew it back, had the courage to try out a digi perm for the first time ever, and in 2012, cut it short again. Every hair cut or new hair style means change, especially when you chop so many inches from just a trim and go from straight to curly. And change somehow brings out our insecurities, even if the change comes from something so egotistical or vain as our hair. But if you have the courage to do something with your hair---to change it, to go against your usual, to have the bravado to declare to your stylist, "I want something new!"----then what more with the rest of your life? Back in December 2012, I had the courage to go for that change, and never looked back.

What are you afraid of, and what are you holding back? What change do you want to happen for 2013? It's now nearly the middle of the new year, and I hope that you've finally found the courage to make that change, and let the magic of serendipity work for you. Cheers! :)

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: 632-5013062 and 632-5013064

Happy Weekend x Five Things Friday

2013-03-15T08:42:00.000+08:00

Hello, lovelies! I know I haven't been posting here much lately. I blame it on life and work demands, but hopefully that will all soon change as I gear towards more balance in life, work, and creative passions.

Wanted to post this after the previous weekend, but it's now Friday and it looks like this will turn out to be a Five Things Friday post. But it will be all about the things I have loved and appreciated last weekend.

Such as discovering the capability of my new smartphone to capture my handwriting and actually write on my photos! Take that iPhone 5 (kidding!)

Recently, it has been a time of clearing out and letting go of what no longer works for me. Last weekend, it concretely manifested itself in this new stackable clear acryclic organizers, just what I needed to organize my earrings and accessories in heavy rotation,in light of my never-ending organizing project.

And this gifted necklace organizer (arylic too!) was simply what I needed, to declutter my favorite necklaces du jour.

Of course, no de-cluttering and organizing is complete without stacking up the books I'm reading or wanting to read in the near future. This stack is just one of many! And it also completely sums up what I am into at the moment and almost always---travel, love, style, words of wisdom from one of my favorite feminists, as well as from my favorite sources of inspiration---whether in spiritual wisdom or otherwise (Deepak Chopra, Don Miguel Ruiz, Emily Schuman), and is it really so bad that I still can't bring myself to read the last installment of Fifty Shades of Grey?

And in preparation for a friend's wedding which I will be attending this weekend, I decided to clean out my makeup brushes, using just mild baby shampoo. I am no expert when it comes to brush cleaning, and I'm not sure if using makeup brush cleaners is better than just mild soap, but it did work well for my neglected brushes. Anyway, I'm not too anal about them because my brushes work well enough for me, even if they're not expensive. But I did read somewhere before that you're not supposed to dry them by drying them vertically on a holder (because the moisture will go down the brushes and will not dry them properly), so I just allowed them to dry flat on this highly absorbent towel.

{Fanny Serano blush brush, ELF powder brush, Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals brush, Elianto foundation brush, Body Shop eyeshadow brush, Fanny Serano eyeshadow brush, Prescriptives small eyeshadow brush, ArtDeco eyebrow brush, Bare Escentuals concealer brush}

Then the brushes all dried out, in a nostalgic Barbie pencil holder:

Finally, I've realized that I started out and ended the weekend with people who mean a lot in my life. On Friday, it was in the laidback al freso ambiance of Metrowalk, just chilling and talking with someone who I'm beginning to come to know as my guru.

Then the weekend ended with Sunday being full of serendipity, as always. And I've realized that, whatever happens, the best of friends (especially the oldest of friends, and even if it's just one Sunday afternoon) will always make life a little bit lovelier, and always more fun. I wish you every luck and happiness when it comes to friends, as I do :)

How did you spend your weekend? However the past weekend was, and however you will spend the coming one, may it be nothing less than beautiful.

Cheers!

EndDanger: An Arts & Music Fundraiser

2013-01-14T08:30:00.000+08:00

What are you up to this weekend in the city? Consider going to EndDanger, an Eco Art and Music Fest Fundraiser opening on January 19, 2013 (Saturday) in Quezon City.

EndDanger will feature mixed media artworks from the group Artists for Nature and will also have performances from Flying Ipis, Extrapolation, and Peso Movement. EndDanger aims to call attention to the growing problem of animal endangerment in the Philippines and seeks to raise funds to monitor one of the country's most threatened species, the pawikan (giant sea turtle).

I was also happy to learn that all proceeds from the event's ticket sales will go to the Pawikan Watchers training program, which aims to educate volunteers on the ecology and biology of handling sea turtles. Aside from raising funds, Artists for Nature also aims for the exhibit to broaden public awareness of the urgent need to preserve our wildlife.

If you love art and music and would like to make a contribution to the environment and the pawikan, head on over to EndDanger! Details of the event below:

EndDanger will be held at the Conspiracy Garden Cafe.

59 Visayas Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City

The exhibit opens at 5 PM on January 19, 2013 and runs until 8 February 2013

For opening night tickets & more information, contact Wendi Garcia at +639162742859 or artistsfornature@gmail.com

Like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/artistsfornature and follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/artists4nature.

Dreaming of Fall/Winter with a Basic Black Shirt

2013-01-11T08:30:00.000+08:00

Hello there! Hope everyone is having a great start to 2013 so far.

To welcome the new year, I spent a weekend in Baguio, the City of Pines, and welcomed the opportunity to dress for the cold weather. I brought out the knit hats, the jackets and the scarves. Particularly, a breton shirt bought from a recent trip to Korea proved to be quite the remarkable basic item from which I was able to style three different looks, as you can see from these photos via Instagram:

Inspired by using this breton top as a foundation for quite different outfits, I created these looks in cooperation with Javelin, originally a brick and mortar fashion boutique that now has a strong online presence and offers a cultivated and unique selection of brands.

Here you can see how a simple, very basic black long sleeved cotton shirt can be styled depending on your moods and errands---from a casual look for the weekend, to work wear, and a look hardy enough even for the great outdoors.

Great Plains long sleeved shirt/ Tommy Hilfiger Jacket/ Maison Scotch skinny jeans/ Hunter Belsize Calidore wellies/ Fossil Maddox cross body purse/ Pepe Jeans Adpar scarf/ Tommy Hilfiger Perry hat

Great Plains long sleeved shirt/ Ted Baker jacket/ Vera Moda pencil skirt/ Pepe Jeans scarf/ Chinese Laundry Boots/ Fiorelli Satchel/ Ted Baker Gloves

Great Plains long sleeved shirt/ Tommy Hilfiger Gilet/ Great Plains leggings/ B Young Kanoa poncho/ Rocket Dog suede boots/ Kris-Ana Kaba bag/ French Connection Trilby hat/ Superdry Herders Mittens

Whether you're dreaming of fall or winter, or actually experiencing the cold and the snow, consider how you can create and recreate your looks using something as basic as a black long sleeved top.

All the items featured in the above lookbooks are available at Javelin. Happy weekend!

On Love

2012-12-19T08:00:00.000+08:00

{via}

I first discovered Kent Nerburn's "Falling in Love" (also excerpted as "On Love;), a chapter from his book Letters to My Son: A Father's Wisdom on Manhood, Life and Love, way back in high school. Back then, it seems that the worst thing that can happen in the realm of love was realizing a crush doesn't have a crush on me. In 2012, I look back yet again to its simple but profound wisdom, as I know it can still teach me a thing or two about life and love. These are words that any one who has fallen in love should always remember and should never forget.

-0-

Falling in Love

It is a mystery why we fall in love.

It is a mystery how it happens.

It is a mystery when it comes.

It is a mystery why some love grows and it is a mystery why some love fails.

You can analyze this mystery and look for reasons and causes, but you will never do anymore than take the life out of the experience.

Just as life itself is more than the sum of the bones and muscles and electrical impulses in the body, love is more than the sum of the interests and attractions and commonalities that two people share.

And just as life is a gift that comes and goes in its own time, so too, the coming of love must be taken as an unfathomable gift that cannot be questioned in its ways.

Sometimes, hopefully at least once in your life - the gift of love will come to you in full flower, and you will take hold of it and celebrate it in all inexpressible beauty. This is the dream we all share.

More often, it will come and take hold of you, celebrate you for a brief moment, then move on.

When this happens to young people, they too often try to grasp the love and hold it to them, refusing to see that it is gift that is freely given and a gift that just as freely, moves away. When they fall out of love, or the person they love feels the spirit of love leaving, they try desperately to reclaim the love that is lost rather than accepting the gift for what it was, then moving on.

They want answers where there are no answers. They want to know what is wrong in them that makes the other person no longer love them, or they try to get their lover to change, thinking that if some small things were different, love would bloom again. They blame their circumstances and say that if they go far away and start a new life together, their love will grow.They try anything to give meaning to what happened. But there is no meaning beyond the love itself, and until they accept its own mysterious ways, they live in a sea of misery.

You need to know this about love, and to accept it.
You need to treat what it brings you with kindness.

If you find yourself in love with someone who does not love you, be gentle with yourself. There is nothing wrong with you. Love just didn't choose to rest in the other person's heart.

If you find someone else in love with you and you don't love her, feel honoured that love came and called at your door, but gently refuse the gift you cannot return. Do not take advantage, do not cause pain.

How you deal with love is how you deal with you, and all our hearts feel the same pains and joys, even if our lives and ways are different.

If you fall in love with another, and she falls in love with you, and then love chooses to leave, do not try to reclaim it or to assess blame. Let it go. There is a reason and there is a meaning. You will know in time.

Remember that you don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away.

Give it back to the person who brought it alive in you. Give it to others who deem it poor in spirit. Give it to the world around you in anyway you can. This is where many lovers go wrong. Having been so long without love, they understand love only as a need. They see their hearts as empty places that will be filled by love, and they begin to look at love as something that flows to them rather than from them.

The first blush of new love is filled to overflowing, but as their love cools, they revert to seeing their love as a need. They cease to be someone who generates love and instead becomes someone who seeks love. They forget that the secret of love is that it is a gift, and that it can be made to grow only by giving it away.

Remember this, and keep it to your heart. Love has its own time, its own seasons, and its own reasons for coming and going. You cannot bribe it or coerce it, or reason it into staying. You can only embrace it when it arrives and give it away when it comes to you. But if it choose to leave from your heart or from the heart of your lover, there is nothing you can do and there is nothing you should do.

Love always has been and always will be a mystery.
Be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life.

If you keep your heart open, it will come again.

-Kent Nerburn

The Enduring Allure of the Little Black Dress

2012-11-19T11:35:00.001+08:00

Hello there! I've been away for quite some time I know! Traveled to one of my favorite countries last month, celebrated my birthday, and basically just devoted time to catch up with work and family commitments and well, Life.

But I've definitely missed blogging and you my dear readers. This time, I'm back with this post for all you classic (and classy) ladies out there.

For decades, the Little Black Dress (LBD) has been the enduring epitome of classic chic. Before Coco Chanel went against the tide and made the LBD chic, the color black had been associated in history as something that connotes death. Thus, it's usually worn in funerals. I even have a Chinese friend who doesn't have a single piece of black clothing in her closet, a testament to how black is seen as bad luck.

Then Madame Coco came and practically declared the LBD in fashion, back when all of Paris was flushed in pastels. And of course, whenever I think of the LBD, the ever-fab Audrey Hepburn always comes to mind. Breakfast at Tiffany's, that Hubert de Givenchy sheath, and Audrey with her pearls and oversized sunglasses. A classic piece of fashion was born. Since the time of Coco Chanel and Audrey, the LBD has probably become the most celebrated piece in women's fashion.

Today, the LBD comes in different forms and shapes. It may be long or short, and made of various textures. But its enduring allure will always be iconic, and makes any woman who wears it become chic, sassy, sexy, or demure---and only the LBD can gift you with such cameleon-like prowess. I wear my LBDs when I have nothing to wear, or want a more serious look in the office, or if I want to feel sexy for nights out.

If you don't have an LBD in your closet yet (which you should!!) or if you already have some but would want to update your wardrobe (I am of the opinion that you can NEVER have too much LBDs), I bring you some of these LBD offerings in cooperation with my partner site, City Goddess, a great online shopping site, whether you're in the mood for some classic or trendy pieces.

These LBDs are perfect for the office or a romantic dinner, when you just want just a bit of detail to keep them guessing :)

For parties or more formal events, I'd never get tired of the classic elegance of a tube dress, but with unexpected details, like this dress' bow

Or this dress' structured skirt:

Also one of my favorites is the asymmetrical one-shoulder neckline of this dress, and with a fun floaty skirt.

This bandeau body con LBD is perfect for layering and can serve as the starting piece for any fab outfit (think with a jacket or even worn as a top):

For a more modern, updated LBD, I like the cuff detail on this jersey dress, this laser cut dress, and this LBD which combines military and peplum trends.

Whether it's classic or trendy, there's surely an LBD that will suit your style and make you appreciate why the Little Black Dress has this enduring allure, and why the LBD is the most iconic piece of fashion any woman can have. Happy LBD hunting! Cheers :)

All items above are available on City Goddess.

And for those based in the US, you'd be glad to know that City Goddess items will soon be available in their US website.

Champagne Room

2012-10-12T08:00:00.000+08:00

Back in September, I was able to go to one of the restaurants I've wanted to try for the longest time: Champagne Room. This restaurant is located in Manila Hotel, the grand dame of hotels in Manila.

Manila Hotel had recently undergone some renovations and refurbishments, especially with its restaurants. Since Champagne Room has been on my restaurant list, that night was the perfect occasion to find out what makes Champagne Room special.

The interiors of Champagne Room are luxurious, without being ostentatious. With its French/ Old European style, right off the bat, you get the feel of the restaurant.

Despite the luxe interiors, it wasn't intimidating but to me, somewhat even cozy. I loved the pale printed seats and cushions---quite feminine without being too girly. We were given a corner table with a good view of the rest of the restaurant. Servers were dressed up in coattails, adding to the restaurant's ambiance.

For starters, (aside from the sumptuous bread and butter), we had a smoked salmon roll and and a cream of scallop soup and baked chilean mussels.

In between the appetizers and the entrees, we were given sorbet as palate cleanser.

For entrees, we got the prime rib and the lobster termidor.

Our meal ended with banana flambe, served table side by the waiters.

And they also served complimentary petit fours, all the better to end our evening on a sweet note.

The food in Champagne Room was delicious and well-"executed". It was that and the fact that the whole ambiance of the restaurant was classic, luxurious, and romantic that made us love Champagne Room. Cheers!

Champagne Room
Ground Floor, Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, Manila
Lunch: 11 AM to 3 PM
Dinner: 7 to 11 PM
Call for reservations at (632)527-0011

Lookbook: Dress The Part

2012-10-01T12:08:00.000+08:00

Hello there! Just a quick hello and hoping you're having a great weekend. Just want to share with you these looks which I've created in partnership with Van Mildert, an online shopping site which carries the latest looks as well as classic items, and with a wide range of brands.

I think every closet must have dresses as a wardrobe staple, and great dresses are definitely a worthwhile investment. These looks center on how you can use a great dress as the anchor of your outfit for any occasion, whether it's for work or for the weekend.

For the Office

The Pretty Dress Company peplum dress/ Sam Edelman leopard print peep toes/ Marc by Marc Jacobs cross body bag/ Ray-ban aviators

Girls' Night Out

McQ Alexander Mcqueen dress/ Muubaa leather jacket/ Michael Kors tote/ Sam Edelman leather & suede calf boots/ Vivienne Westwood earring

Sunday Brunch

Marc by Marc Jacobs dress/ Vivienne Westwood jacket/ Michael Kors flats/ Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch/ Juicy Couture charm bracelets/ Ray-Ban Wayfarers

What's your favorite look? I hope this inspires you to choose a dress and to work it! :) All these items are available on Van Mildert. Cheers! :)

Color & Hair Treatments at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

2012-08-24T12:00:00.000+08:00

As most of my dear readers already know, my go-to hair stylist is Alex Carbonell of Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell salon. And it's simply just a bonus that among the top posts on this blog are my posts on my experiences with Alex, either from the first time I had my hair cut at his hands or the first time I had my hair colored with him. In fact, readers who have left comments on my posts have also attested to how well he cuts hair and the superb service they themselves have received at Studio Fix.

And I was even happier when I went back again to Alex in July when he told me that he had several customers who told him that they went to Studio Fix after they read my blog. And so before I tell you about my latest Studio Fix experience, I'd like first to thank all those who have read my blog and were encouraged enough to take my word and try out Alex and Studio Fix. Alex even thanked me for sending those clients his way, and it was indeed truly heartwarming :) Here in Sunset Goddess Manila, I really feel happy and quite honored whenever I receive feedback about my posts and I'm glad I'm able to share such fab "finds" as Studio Fix with you :)

Now, on to the treatments. So the last time I got color treatments from Alex was back in late February, where he gave me superb color and highlights.

On more than one occasion, I've gotten emails from readers asking me the exact color of my hair and unfortunately, I won't be able to answer that question because Alex mixes and matches the colors depending on your preferences and skin tone---resulting in a color that's unique and individually suited to each client.

It was now July or about five months since my last color treatment, and since then, I've gotten a rather drastic hair change (in the form of a digi perm in Bang's Tony and Jackey salon) and this was how my hair looked like:

While the highlights were still evident and amazingly, the color of my curls were still good, there was already obvious growth at the roots. It was definitely time to visit Alex once again and get a color update. I braved a stormy, rainy Saturday to visit Studio Fix and I'm glad I didn't let the rain stop me from getting my hair color fix!

I always get a sense of relaxation when I enter Studio Fix---it's several hours away of stepping back from life and pampering myself. With the sense of relaxation is also excitement---from knowing that my hair will be given a new lease in life at the hands of experts, something which I can't do in real life.

And true enough, the "discoloration" of my colored hair was even more obvious when I was already in Studio Fix and getting ready for my treatment.

As I've said, Alex suits the hair color to the client's preferences and skin tone. I told him that I wanted mine to have a more ash color. He also took into consideration that I had my hair digipermed and wanted to be more gentle on my hair. Thus, he wanted to avoid coloring the bottom part. Since that's the "older" part of the hair, that usually tends to be the area with more damage, compared to the top part which has newer growth. So, he limited my color to the top portion of my hair then the color for the bottom part will come from the hair treatment. He told me that my highlights were still ok, and they will still be brought out by the color. I found that amazing since it has been five months since I had the highlights!

Just like last time, I requested for Ellie to be Alex's assistant. But there was a time Ellie was busy with another client and it was even Alex himself who applied the hair color.

Studio Fix uses Schwarzkopf Professional Igoral Royal hair color and judging by my hair color five months after my treatment, the color was really long-lasting and it just needed some root touch-ups.

Aside from the hair color (Php2,100), I also got a hair treatment and Alex recommended that I try the Revlon Professional Nutri-Color Creme treatment (Php1,550). It's more for the bottom portion of my hair, which needed a hair color update as well as a nourishing treatment. Revlon's Nutri-Color treatment gives a moisture treatment plus hair color as well. However, this has no ammonia and peroxide so it's gentle on the hair, something which Alex told me my hair needed especially considering that I had a digiperm. The hair treatment came with a complimentary fabulous back and arm massage as well.

In effect, I got an almost-ombre effect hair color, and I was told that this was the trend for hair color these days. After the color and treatment, it was time for the Studio Fix "signature" blow dry care of Ellie. I love how the brassy touches of my hair were gone and I love how the different shades all came together to create the ombre effect.

Then a final check with Alex.

And finally, of course, a visit with Alex will not be complete with our usual photo op :)

Several weeks on, this was how my hair looked life in my normal, daily life:

And these are latest photos of my hair as of this post, with less of the ash and more of the golden blonde streaks of the color showing through (which I like as well):

Studio Fix is definitely a mainstay in my hair color regimen, whether with straight or permed hair. And Alex Carbonell is definitely my favorite stylist to date.

What are your favorite salons and who are your favorite stylists? How was your own Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell experience? Do let me know and once again, thanks for dropping by my blog :)

My other posts on Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell:
Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell and A Hair Story
Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, Revisited

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: (632)-5013062 and (632)-5013064

The Eco Bag Solution + Relief Ideas

2012-08-08T22:34:00.001+08:00

The aftermath of the monsoon rains and floods which have poured on Metro Manila and neighboring provinces starting on August 6, 2012 until today is simply heartbreaking. While I have been lucky not to suffer from the floods and was not even inconvenienced with a power outage (the only major change in our household was that the cable was out until this evening), I know a lot of people are still suffering, whether in big or small ways. I am simply thankful that all my loved ones and family members and myself are safe, dry, and comfortable in our own homes---and I am praying hard that the rains stop for those who are in unfortunate circumstances because of the torrential downpours.

Relief efforts have already started but the pressing concern in my mind right now is what will be done after those relief efforts have subsided. Of course, I know that these rescue and relief operations are essential to save priceless lives. But there's also a part of me that thinks that giving relief bags is the equivalent of giving survivors fish that will feed them for a day, but will not teach them how to fish to feed them for a lifetime. It's a band-aid solution that's needed at the moment, but a band-aid solution nonetheless.

I am no environmentalist nor am I even actively involved in these rescue efforts. Today, as I worked from home with the city surrounded by flooded streets, I monitored news updates via social media sites (of course, Twitter) and shared them via text to those I know who need the updates. At this point, the most I could give was the gift of our Internet connection, i.e., information. The area outside our street became a parking lot for those who have evacuated their cars to higher ground. My brother allowed his friends to charge their mobile phones at the house.

And what else can I do aside from giving donations to relief centers (which to me are just short-term solutions anyway)? Right now, people are out there saving lives but afterwards, can we also save the quality of life of everyone? Today, I saw pictures over at Twitter, which emphasize, more than ever, that these floods are happening because of our poor garbage disposal habits. And more than just a garbage disposal issue, once again, I go back to the quality of life issue. Having a better quality of life means better urban planning, correct garbage disposal, job generation, and I'm sorry to have to say this now, but family planning as well. And once and for all, a firm and long-term solution for illegal urban settlers, who more often than not, are the ones clogging natural waterways by building their homes below bridges and on top of sewage systems.

I feel like I can only do so much but with what I can do, I know my intentions are heartfelt and sincere. Today I have committed myself to amp up my use of eco bags. I already carry my favorite eco bag from Storage Solutions everyday in my purse but now, more than ever, I will use it to death, along with all the other eco bags that I already have (in fact, I've already collected a lot). No more plastic and paper bags whenever I go shopping and buy groceries. This is my commitment to myself and my personal contribution to my Manila. And I will endeavor to convince the rest of my household to use eco bags as well.

Reusable bag from Storage Solutions

I've also seen these creative relief bag ideas from Jenni Epperson, using cloth rags and old T-shirts:

Very simple but will effectively eliminate the use of plastic bags for relief goods, which will only add to the problem instead of the solution.

How else can we help? Some of my favorite bloggers give relevant information through the following posts:

Run Around Girl's List of Relief Operations and Evacuation Centers and how we can donate to the Red Cross
Lissa Kahayon's informative blog post here (now I know we can actually donate via GCash)
Franny Wanny's post on Operation Help Luzon 2012, with information on where to send donations and where we can volunteer.

Tomorrow, I will go back to work. I'm not brave enough to do the actual rescue efforts myself and I don't think I'm physically strong enough anyway. So I have to go back to work and be productive in my own way. That much I can do, and that is where I'm also needed. That is where I will do my part to contribute. My kudos and prayers for everyone joining in the rescue and relief operations.

Life will definitely go on but hopefully when we reach that proverbial calm after the storm, we would have found our way on the path towards long term solutions for this little piece of the world we call home.

Images via Pinterest

Celebrity Dresses

2012-08-03T19:00:00.000+08:00

One thing I like about shopping online is that there's simply a great range of options available, especially when it comes to clothes. Sure, there's nothing quite like shopping for clothes in a brick-and-mortar store. But I say, shopping for clothes online has its own natural high and is a shopping experience quite unique to our generation ---something that our moms or any older generation of women may never be able to get.

Another fabulous aspect of online shopping is getting to see and buy celebrity dresses. Yes, celebrity dresses---as in, dresses that are copied from or inspired by the clothes celebrities wear. These celebrities may be actresses, pop stars, fictional characters, or royalty. Celebrities can basically wear anything they or their stylists want and they can afford just about anything. But for us mere mortals, the practical and smart solution are celebrity dresses.

These are just some of the celebrity dresses that I like and won't mind getting for myself:

1. Dress inspired by Michelle Obama, incorporating my fave trends: peplum and colorblock :)

2. Asymmetric dress inspired by Angelina Jolie's Golden Globes gown

3.Little Black Dresses inspired by Mad Men

And this dress comes in cobalt blue too (and I can't decide which is better!)

4. Lace peplum dress inspired by Blake Lively

5. And of course, a lace dress inspired by Kate Middleton

Celebrities have stylists and personal shoppers at their disposal, with practically unlimited fashion budget to boot. I think that's really the reason why celebrities become trendsetters and are credited with great personal style. For us normal women without the unlimited budget and A-lister resources, the next best thing are definitely celebrity dresses.

All the dresses above are on sale at Goddiva. Check out all their celebrity dresses here. Happy online shopping! Cheers!

Bag Lust: The Givenchy Antigona

2012-07-06T07:30:00.000+08:00

The days of the "It Bag" may now just be over and yet, there are still some bags that make my heart leap and induce a major case of bag lust. Aside from the Celine Mini Luggage tote, one of the bags on my radar is the Givenchy Antigona.

I really like it mainly because it's the perfect size, appropriate enough for work and has the right "slouch" that makes it go well even when paired with casual outfits. I also love the fact that it's quite understated---no screaming logos but just "Givenchy" along the triangular portion on the front of the bag. This is absolutely a keeper bag, and one that will go well with my quality over quantity principle when it come to fashion and shopping.

{via}

It's also released with different materials and colors and can surely fit anyone's preferences---from serious black to bright cobalt blue, or suede, leather, and snakeskin. And there's even a colorblock version too:

via Purseblog

Aside from the black one, I like this color too:

{via}

Here's a shot of the ever-chic Gywneth Paltrow and Zoe Saldana carrying the Antigona and you'll definitely see how it looks even better when carried:

{via}

And for those who'd want something beyond the basic black, another great version of the Antigona is this one with mirrored patent leather. I personally think that a gold metallic bag is a classic but at the same time, trendy and young enough and it goes well with just about any outfit :)

The Antigona Metallic Gold Small Leather Shoulder Bag is currently available online at Cruise Fashion. Nicely discounted too! :)

Cruise Fashion also has a great range of other designer brands from the likes of Chloe to Jimmy Choo bags. Check out their bag offerings here.

Cheers!

Date A Girl Who Reads

2012-07-05T12:30:00.000+08:00

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

-Rosemarie Urquico

-0-

See the satirical versions of this piece here and here and you will also find yourself smiling. Happy Thursday!

All pictures via Google.

Divisoria Finds!

2012-06-28T20:29:00.001+08:00

Ever since I was in college and moved from Makati to San Juan, I've been going to Divisoria to shop every now and then. From San Juan, Divisoria is so accessible either by car or commuting (ride the LRT2 from the V. Mapa LRT station, get off at Recto station, then Divisoria is just one jeepney ride away). It's a destination that I'm proud to say I can brave by myself, although there is also a different sense of fun to go shopping there with friends.

Then and now, Divisoria has always been the perfect place to score cheap but fabulous finds---whether for home stuff, fabrics, toys, and other knicknacks. But of course, my main reason for turning to Divisoria has always been for fashionable finds, and of course, at cheap prices too. I've always been meaning to make a Divisoria guide/ blog post. So since I was there last Saturday with my friend, I thought this was the perfect time to share with you the great finds I came home with and some Divisoria "tips" as well.

Divisoria has a lot of street stalls selling very cheap shirts and shorts---perfect for house clothes (pambahay) and even for casual wear too. There are outdoor stalls selling short shorts at P150 for 2 and bermuda/walking shorts (tokong) at P100 each.

I got two pairs of walking shorts at P200 (hello, colorblocking!)

There are also several stalls selling t-shirts, racerback tops, and tank tops that are all made of cotton. I got these striped racerback tops at just P50 each:

The outdoor stalls usually sell very cheap stuff. There are some items here that you can't find inside the malls, and the vendors say that those items that they're selling that are also in the malls are priced much cheaper since the sidewalk vendors pay lower rent. Well, I myself think that shopping in the streets of Divisoria (as opposed to just in the malls) is an experience in itself and you can't say you've really shopped in Divisoria unless you've prowled its streets and scored the bargains that can be had there.

While I've enjoyed Divisoria's bargain finds back when the only malls in the area where the Tutuban and Divisoria Malls, it can't be denied that the center for mall shopping in Divisoria nowadays (especially when it comes to clothes and accessories) is 168 Mall.

Street shopping and shopping in Divisoria's 999 and 168 Mall

There's also 999 Mall, which is newer than 168 but I heard from the store clerks that since the rent is higher in 999 Mall, the stores in 999 also charge higher prices for what they're selling. So I usually still go to 168 rather than 999, although this picture I took in 999 in March shows the much wider aisles and definitely less people shopping.

Going back to my Divisoria finds last Saturday, for clothes, I like getting basic pieces such as leggings and cardigans in 168. There are trendy items here too and if you're the type who think that you shouldn't spend too much on trendy stuff that will go away after one season, then better buy them here rather in the usual malls. My finds:

Black leggings (P150)

Purple cardigan and white cardigan (P250 each) -bargained down from P320 since my girlfriends and I bought a total of 7 cardigans

Leopard print, coral, and blush scarves at P100 each

Cobalt blue skinny jeans (P400)

Belts at just P50 each!

Now, it's on to the accessories. 168 is definitely a treasure trove of girly goodies and accessories that will make your eyes grow wide at the cheap prices and variety. You won't find diamonds here but if you're looking for the trendy stuff, look no more than 168 and I'm telling you, you will not shop in the mall again for accessories. After shopping here, you'll regret having to buy accessories at Forever 21 or bazaars. For example, I saw a bracelet selling in Power Plant for P380 and it was just about P90 in 168!!

You want bangles? I'll give you bangles!

Earrings

Similar looking earrings are being sold at Forever 21 at 4x the price!

Rings

Necklaces

We shopped for most of our accessories in the first accessories store that we saw in 168. It's generally better to buy most of your stuff in one store. That way, you can get more discounts. And since there were three of us girls shopping for accessories, we saved more since we were able to get most of our loot at wholesale prices (usually, you have to buy at least 6 pieces of each kind to get the heavily discounted wholesale price).

I was really looking for accessories to add to my existing collection for arm parties (More on arm parties at a later post!) and 168 is really the perfect place to mine arm party finds and so much more.

The arm party is just starting!

"Belt" bracelets at P40 each (from P50 retail) and studded bracelets at P80 each (from P90 retail)

Earrings at P40 each (from P50 retail)

Tribal print earrings (P20)

Bracelets (P60 each)

Bangle set (P80)

Tassel earrings (P35/ 3 for 100)

Travel-themed charm bracelet (P100)

Antique gold cut-out necklace P160 (bargained down from P180)

More arm party bracelets (P50 each)

Bead bracelets (P35)

Leather friendship bracelets (4 for P100)

And my most expensive find: This enamel necklace found at Apartment 8. At P650, it was expensive for 168 standards but it was the only piece selling in the store and I didn't find anything close to it in the other stores so it was definitely a must-buy.

Other great finds in 168 are paper products, stationery, notebooks, and even home decor.

I also like buying fruits in Divisoria because they're really much cheaper than in supermarkets. For example, 6 pieces of seedless oranges will fetch about P150 in SM Supermarket, but will just cost you P100 in Divisoria. So if you bring a car with you, I suggest you hoard not just on accessories but on fruits as well (tip: buy from the row of vendors along Felipe II street, outside Basic Mall, near 168).

I guess the main drawback about shopping in Divisoria is that you will have a severe case of option paralysis (in my Tita's words "minamata-mata")---there are several stores that carry the same types of stuff and it might be hard for you to choose which to buy. So it's a good idea to know beforehand what you're really looking for, but of course, still leaving room for serendipituous finds. Since I've been shopping here regularly, I already know where to buy where instead of going around in circles. I already know which store has the nice scarves, belts, clothes, or hair accessories, but of course, I keep my eyes open for other fab finds. You just have to be patient and strategic when shopping here.

Aside from the usual precautionary tips (like minding your bag & belongings since even 168 and not just the streets can get very crowded too), here's a list of other tips when shopping in Divisoria:

1. Arrive early. It's really better to shop when it's less crowded. Even the malls in Divisoria open as early as 8 am (they close at 7 pm).
2. For me, the best time to shop in Divisoria is during weekdays. But between shopping on Saturdays or Sundays, Sundays are less crowded (and yes, most, if not all, major malls and stores are open even on Sundays).
3. Wear comfortable clothes. It's a good idea to wear leggings and a fitted shirt so that it would be easier for you to fit clothes (most of the stores don't have fitting rooms and you would have to estimate the fit of what you're buying or wear them over your clothes).
4. Bring cash. Most stores don't accept credit cards. But if you run out of cash, there are ATMs all over 168 and 999 (but maybe it's also a good idea to leave your ATM cards with you so that you won't be tempted to withdraw more money and over-shop! haha).
5. Bring a big eco/reusable bag. Aside from being eco-friendly, you will really need a big bag especially if you plan to do a lot of shopping.
6. It helps to know some Chinese phrases and numbers, especially Fookien. This has worked with me so many times already whenever I haggle down the prices with the mostly Fil-Chi owners :). And when you haggle, don't haggle just with the tindera/ store staff but haggle directly with the owner (more often than not, they're Chinese/Fil-Chi and sit at a table where the money is kept)!
7. Enjoy the whole Divisoria experience! Before you can go home and take pride in your bargain treasures, you must really go through and enjoy the whole process of hunting down your fab finds in Divisoria---with all the chaos, and the sights, sounds, and smells that make it, truly, a one-of-a-kind shopping destination in the Philippines!

Happy shopping! Cheers!

Girlfriends & Divisoria arm party finds

Who wants free Uniqlo Gift Certificates?

2012-06-28T19:08:00.001+08:00

I love it when serendipity happens! I just blogged about Uniqlo opening in Manila and now, I got word that Hyundai's Sand Sea and Sky is giving away a shopping spree worth P5,000.00 to Uniqlo! How to join the giveaway? All you have to do is like Hyundai Sand Sea and Sky on Facebook! So easy and who knows, you just might shop your way into the most-talked about store recently :)

To learn more about Hyundai Sand Sea and Sky visit their website.

Cheers!

Uniqlo Opens in Manila

2012-06-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

On Saturday morning, I found myself going to Mall of Asia (MOA) to go to Uniqlo. It just opened the day before and though I heard from friends that the first day was a nightmare with so many people in the store, I figured, going there early on the second day would give me a good chance.

I was there about 15 minutes before the 10 AM opening time and silly me for thinking that there won't be any line. Because this is what I saw when I arrived:

The line was already U-shaped and snaking around the 2nd level of MOA!! I almost turned back when I saw that the Uniqlo staff holding up the "end of the line here" showed that I had to wait 1 hour to get in. But I guess that was based on their experience on opening day because thankfully, I was inside the store about less than 15 minutes after the store opened. Yey!

Scary, there were even bouncers at the entrance:

I didn't really take a lot of pictures in the store. For one, I was doing it surreptitiously (with my S90 and iPhone) since when I asked a staff, I was told that they don't allow photos to be taken inside (although I realized later on that with all the chaos, some of the staff didn't really care and I saw one or two customers taking pictures inside the store). And the other reason was that I was too busy looking around shopping!

The whole hoopla of Uniqlo's store opening was that there were many items being sold at the introductory price of P590.

There were lines for the fitting room and lines for the cashiers.

I thought I would be buying these colored jeans at just P590 (they were selling like hotcakes). But when I got to fit them, I found that they didn't fit me well.

All in all, I noticed that Uniqlo's clothes were a bit basic, which I quite appreciated since that works well with my quality over quantity principle when it comes to clothes lately. In my sweep of the store, Uniqlo seemed to have nothing too trendy (like Forever 21) or nothing too serious and corporate-suited (like Zara).

Fitted this shirt but ended up not buying it

There were "character" shirts like Barbie shirts selling at P590, with some quirky designs and prints, but not my style. Saw some classic striped shirts but I thought their fit was weird and besides, a bit pricey for just some basic shirts.

That said, they have easy, basic pieces that you can layer or style with your existing clothes to come up with almost any outfit. They have these basic men's V-neck tees (see picture above) starting at just P290 (wearable even for women but you can't fit these though), with men's tees with higher cotton grade are priced higher.

They also have clothes for kids:

I ended up getting just two pairs of cropped denim pants, in white and mint green (P990 each). They had a good fit on me and I've been looking for this slimming cropped style since forever. See how I've styled them for work:

Forever 21 Blazer/ Custom made sheer top/ Uniqlo white cropped pants/ Bayo bag/ Parisian heels/ Bayo bag/ Sover vintage sunnies

Alexane blazer/ Fuchsia top from bazaar/ Scarf from Hong Kong/ Uniqlo mint green cropped pants/ Gifted pumps/ Longchamp leather tote/ Rayban aviators

I almost didn't buy these pants since they weren't on sale anyway and I thought I could just go back to Uniqlo when I could shop at leisure instead of roughing it up with the rest of the crowd (totally not the optimal situation to shop and make good acquisition decisions). But I'm glad I trusted my shopping instinct because as this photo shows, most of the items (especially these best-selling lounge pants) were totally wiped out:

Photo from Chuvaness

As I've said, I would go back to Uniqlo for basic pieces. Some would say that for basic pieces, they could be a bit expensive---like there were leggings there for about P800 I think. But knowing how black leggings are really a must in my wardrobe, I'd say that's not a bad price for well-fitting leggings made with good material. The P990-cropped pants that I got were also a bargain, I'd think. Compared to similar colored jeans in the market, the material doesn't seem as if it would stretch out in a bad way. And based on how I've worn them so far, they can be incorporated with the rest of my wardrobe well.

I was in the Uniqlo store by around 10:15 and was out by 11:30 in the morning. And since I was one of the first customers inside that day, I even got a free Uniqlo tote, which is simply perfect for shopping, and it's foldable too:

All in all, I'd say, it was a good way to spend my Saturday morning :) Cheers!

Five Things Friday

2012-06-15T08:00:00.000+08:00

{My new favorite series}

It's a week of reflecting and recommitting myself, including updating my Five Things series, which I haven't added to in a while. I thought it's important to keep track of what's going on and the things that are making my days recently. Not only so that when I grow old and gray, I'll look back on everything and be filled with warm memories. But also because here, in the present, is the time I want to be most grateful for everything that I have and for everything that has come my way. Cheers! :)

{I'm no longer exactly young adult but Jenny Han's Summer Series was the perfect read to say goodbye to summer}

{I already watched the first 15 episodes of Revenge, and this weekend, I can't wait to finish the rest of this riveting series. Image via}

{Bought these acrylic-looking cases in SM Department Store for only P40 each back in January, which I've used to organize my earrings, separated according to color/type. Part of the ever-ongoing organization of my vanity dresser}

{Outfit Shot. Top: Zara/ Blazer: Forever 21/ Jeans: Ralph Lauren/ Bag: Bayo/ Platforms: Primadonna/ Shades: Ray-Ban}

{Friendships made in high school are irreplaceable. Dinner at Cue Modern Barbecue, BHS Central}

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: The Finale

2012-06-11T17:37:00.000+08:00

Now here's the finale post of my 30 for 30 Remix Challenge: The Summer Edition. Over the summer, I came up with 30 outfits from just 30 pieces from my closet, including shoes. Before that, I did my 50 for 50 Project, which was derived from this 30 for 30 Challenge, and which was in turn inspired by Kendi Everyday. And just like in my 50 for 50 Project, I'm still amazed at how I was able to come up with this much outfits, given the limited number of clothes I had to work with.

I already told you about my philosophies and inspirations in coming up with these style challenges for myself (read here, here and here). Now, I want to share with you the lessons and tips on wardrobe remixing that I practiced in these two style challenges:

1. Be creative

Among other reasons, I did these challenges because I wanted to rethink my wardrobe. I have lots of clothes but was often faced with the dilemma of thinking up what to wear, or wanting to have something new to wear despite the finite number of clothes.

But then I realized, the more important thing is to be creative with mixing and matching existing clothes to come up with new outfit ideas. Sometimes, I tend to get lazy in coming up with outfits and that laziness may manifest in just buying up new clothes instead of working with what I have. And like I said before, that kind of consumption is not a sustainable way of living (either for the environment or my wallet).

After doing these style challenges, I realized that the items in my closet may be finite in number, but the number of outfit possibilities in my closet may be endless. All it takes is just just using my creative juices to good use.

2. Styling tool: Layering

For most of us in the corporate world and who are in our air-conditioned offices almost everyday, layering is an easy way to mix and match and come up with easy outfit ideas (meaning, yes, we can work with layering even here in the tropics). Don't forget to use your blazers, jackets, and cardigans for your outfits. And as I've learned here and here, even button down shirts (or even shirt dresses) can be worn as a layering piece.

3. Evaluate the versatility of your clothes

From tops that can be worn in the workplace or on the weekends, to dresses that can be used as a dress, skirt, or top, my Summer Edition of this style challenge was all about VERSATILITY (especially since I really couldn't layer as much because of the summer heat). These style challenges have now made me look at the existing items in my closet with new eyes---how else can I wear each piece aside from its usual use or pairings?

4. Work with your most loved items in your closet.
How did I choose the pieces that I used for my style challenges? Well, basically, it was a combination of the items being versatile and that I loved that particular item. And I made sure that I had a bit of everything---tops, jackets/cardigans, skirts, bottoms, and dresses. The versatility of each item may be different for each of us. for example, my pencil skirts are my go-to pieces for work because they're the foundation for my work wardrobe.

Usually, if you love an item in your closet, you'll tend to wear it more often. And I guess the converse is also true. If you find yourself tending to wear an item more often than any other piece in your closet, then you can conclude that you love that piece. If you love an item in your closet, then you'll want to work with it more and wear it to death, and use to come up with lots of outfits. Think also of the cost per wear formula when buying and wearing clothes.

If you can't do something like this 30 for 30 style challenge, another way to practice your versatility and making the most of what you already have is to pick 8 of the most-loved items in your closet and use them to come up with 10 looks. Use that as a starting point, and surprise yourself with what you can come up with.

5. Styling tool: Colorblocking

Another way to remix your wardrobe is to do colorblocking. Using solid-colored pieces, you can easily come up with several ways to wear and match your existing pieces just by varying one color/piece. Read about my tips on colorblocking brights here and remember that you can do this not just with bright colors but also with neutrals and pastels.

6. Styling tool: Color palettes
When I've run out of outfit ideas, I just think about a color palette that I want to work with and I easily get new combinations. For example, using black and white as your color palette, think of the outfits you can come up with from what you already have in your closet. My other favorites are all black, all white, red, solid + animal print, and nautical.

Color palettes are also an easy way to keep up with trends without really overhauling your wardrobe every season. Check out blogs and fashion websites for the current color trends. For example, supposedly one of the biggest color trends for spring/summer 2012 is mint green. So, check out if your closet already has mint green pieces and just incorporate them in your daily wardrobe. Remember that some trends just get "recycled" (animal print, metallics, floral prints, even color blocking) and can eventually become classics.

Color palette: bright + animal print

Color palette:nautical

Color palette: all white

Color palette: black, white, & red

7. Styling tool: Mix prints
Don't be afraid to mix prints, like floral on floral, or stripes with floral.

8. It's all about having fun!
I ask myself why I do this and at the end of the day, my answer is that I have fun doing it. Dressing up is fun, and it's not a chore for me to shop around in my own closet and come up with these outfit combinations. The moment it stops being fun, then that's when I'll go shopping! (haha, just kidding).

I really don't know at this time whether I'll be continuing on with more style remixes. On the one hand, I'm kind of enjoying these freewheeling days when I don't need to come up with outfits given X number of pieces. I kind of enjoy having my "full" closet back again, and I don't need to have my outfits photographed almost daily (mind you, that too takes its toll).

But on the other hand, having my full closet back and working again with all my clothes is, in a way, overwhelming. There's an aspect of it that makes me think "option paralysis"---now that I have lot more pieces to work with, then it seems the outfit decisions are harder to make, as opposed to knowing that I only have to work with just a few.

So I guess the moment when I no longer enjoy being able to work with all my clothes again, I'll make another style remix for myself again :)

How about you? I hope my 50 for 50 Project and 30 for 30 remix challenge have inspired you to do your own remixing. And please, do share with me your tips on how you mix and match your own wardrobe :) Cheers!

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 5

2012-06-04T08:00:00.000+08:00

And just like that, I've done the last week of my Summer Edition of the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge! For the last week, I attended two concerts (and thus showing the versatility of the pieces from day to night), stayed with no-fail go-tos like color blocking and basically wore the pieces which I have not yet worn at least twice. Watch out for my finale post soon!

#25. At the Lady Gaga Monster Ball concert

(with my sis E., aka, The Videoke Queen)

Forever 21 purple asymmetric top

Apartment 8 peplum skirt

Belt from SM

Matthews jeweled flags

Studded shoulder bag from SM

Aldo earrings

#26. Pink Preppy Pixie

The Ramp white wraparound shirt

Pink pleated skirt from bazaar

Black belt from SM

Bayo bag

Charles and Keith black wedge pumps

#27. Black is Black

Sheer black top from bazaar
SM Classics black pencil skirt
Tomato black belt
Bayo bag
Celine red peep toe heels

#28. Coral + Chambray

Encore coral dress

Gap denim chambray shirt

Belt from SM

Necklace from The Ramp

CMG satchel

Celine nude wedge heels

#29. It Won't be a Complete Summer Remix without Color Blocking Brights!

Tomato cobalt blue top
Fuchsia pink pencil skirt from The Landmark
Yellow cardigan from bazaar
Liz Claiborne leather belt
Charles and Keith black wedge pumps
Longchamp Le Pliage taupe tote

#30. At the NKOTBSB Concert!
Zara breton shirt
Abercrombie & Fitch white cotton skirt
Yellow flats from bazaar
Yellow bead necklace from bazaar
Tomato sling bag

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 4

2012-05-29T12:30:00.000+08:00

What I like about remixing (especially now when I only have 30 pieces to work with) is that I'm forced to rethink my clothes and how I can wear them. This week, the main thing I've realized is that really, there are so many ways to wear certain pieces. For example, this dress which I found for about P200 on the colorful streets of Divisoria years ago proved to be the real deal. It can be worn not just as a tube dress but also with a halter neckline (seen in my travels here) and more than that, as a skirt (and this week, also as a skirt and paired with another dress). I think I can even use it as a top by pairing it with a long, billowy skirt.

Aside from versatility, what I also like about remixing is that I won't be as creative in mixing and matching my clothes. I think if you have so many clothes in your closet, the tendency is you won't think that a piece can be paired with other pieces in your closet. But because a remix like this forces you to rethink each piece, then you'd be surprised with the pairings and combinations you can come up with.

#19. Weekend with the Cousins
Ikat print dress from Divisoria
Yellow cardigan from bazaar
Matthews jeweled flats
Gifted wooden bead necklace
Longchamp Le Pliage tote

#20. Masculine + Feminine

Gap denim chambray shirt

Pink pleated skirt from bazaar

Black belt from SM

Matthews jeweled flats

Bayo bag

Ray-Ban aviators

#21. Yellow, Black, and White

Yellow tie neck top from bazaar
White skirt from bazaar
Random black belt
Gifted pointed pumps

Bayo bag

#22. Dress + Dress

Blanc et Noir white lace dress used as a top
Ikat print dress from Divisoria used as a skirt
Celine wedge heelts
Charles and Keith belt
Black bag from The Landmark
Necklace from bazaar
Random sunglasses

#23. Girly Color Block

Sheer white top with Peter Pan collar from bazaar

Pink pleated skirt from bazaar

Bayo satchel

Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Yellow flats from bazaar

#24. Dress as Top

Vestito black jersey dress worn as top
Apartment 8 peplum skirt
Charles and Keith black wedge pumps
Necklace from bazaar
Belt from SM
LV Speedy

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 3

2012-05-22T08:00:00.000+08:00

Aside from bright colors, white is my favorite thing to wear in the summer. Nothing beats a white top, white skirt, and white pants to counteract the summer heat especially if they're made of breathable, pure cotton. Which is why my white sleeveless cotton top from SM's Copa Cabana has got to be one of the most versatile (and therefore much used) item in my 30 for 30 Summer Remix challenge. And of course, if I believe that no closet should exist without a little black dress, then it's also true that each closet must have its essential twin, the LWD (little white dress). Especially in our tropical country where the heat has been soaring and peaking.

#13. The LWD

Blanc et Noir white lace dress

Matthews x CMG jeweled flats

Bayo bag
i2i sunglasses

#14. Coral & Yellow + Black

Encore coral dress (with cloth belt)
Yellow cardigan from bazaar

Cole Haan bag
Yellow flats from bazaar

#15. White on White

Copa Cabana white cotton top
Abercrombie & Fitch white skirt

Yellow flats from bazaar

Tomato bag

#16. Color block + Black

Color block top from bazaar
SM Classics pencil skirt
SM black belt
Gifted pointed pumps
Necklace from bazaar
Coach bag

#17. More All White

Copa Cabana white cotton top
Plains & Prints white trousers
Celine nude wedges
Vintage red bead necklace
Red ring from bazaar
Longchamp le pliage tote
Ray-Ban aviators

#18. Summer Fresh

Zara breton shirt

Circle skirt from The Landmark

Tomato belt

Longchamp Le Pliage tote

Sunset Goddess Manila

Champagne Room *ORIGINAL*

Hole in the Wall at Century City Mall

Kerasilk Keratin Treatment from Alex Carbonell for Cynos

Back to Blogging (Hopefully!)

Serendipitous Short Hair at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

Happy Weekend x Five Things Friday

EndDanger: An Arts & Music Fundraiser

Dreaming of Fall/Winter with a Basic Black Shirt

On Love

The Enduring Allure of the Little Black Dress

Champagne Room

Lookbook: Dress The Part

Color & Hair Treatments at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

The Eco Bag Solution + Relief Ideas

Celebrity Dresses

Bag Lust: The Givenchy Antigona

Date A Girl Who Reads

Divisoria Finds!

Who wants free Uniqlo Gift Certificates?

Uniqlo Opens in Manila

Five Things Friday

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: The Finale

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 5

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 4

30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 3

Champagne Room ORIGINAL