The Good Old Days

Came across these photos from our road trip to Virginia and D.C.

A couple of weeks before we left for Singapore, we went to Virginia to visit my sister Trina and BIL Jun. We also passed by D.C to see Sarj.

On our first day, we walked around Petersburg, a quaint little historic town with lots of antique stores. And lots of little pockets perfect for outfit shots, hahaha! Can you believe this was an alley way? In  Tagalog, eskinita!

sunglasses: Ray Ban, tunic: H&M, leggings: Martin Margiela, scarf: Love Quotes, sandals: Sigerson Morrison, 

duffel bag: Alexander Wang

This was some random set-up behind a building. I love Berry's pose here! Hahaha!

Here's Berry outside an antique shop. She's sitting on a school chair from an old school house. Kind of like the ones you can imagine Amy, the youngest of the Little Women, sitting on while drawing pictures on her slate! My Little Woman, wait no, my little baby is wearing the googoo&gaga shirt specially designed for her (she's googoo& gaga's 2009 kooky kid of the year!).

Here's the inside of the antique shop, everything's all jumbled up. I can bet there's a chockfull of treasures waiting to be unearthed here!

Berry and I with my sister Trina (R) and SIL Les (L). This was outside the Farmer's Market:

We had lunch at Wabi Sabi, where we overloaded on sushi! Found it pleasantly strange how we were in this little old towne filled with heritage structures, but it was cosmopolitan enough to have a great sushi shop right there. NYC prices too, can you imagine!

The following day, we went to D.C., to do the touristy bit and visit Sarj and Toni (would have been nice to see you too S but didn't bother to message you, we only stayed for a day, and you must be busy waiting for or taking care of Little Amir at the time!)

Sarj and Toni live in an apartment that's a stone's throw from The White House. I thought that was pretty cool! Maybe Sarj can knock on their gate to borrow suka (vinegar) from Mrs. O, or Cristeta Comerford, hahaha!

It's funny and kind of sad, how the whole time we were in the US, we hardly really ever went on road trips. I wish we went to Montauk, Maine, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard,  and Rhode Island as well. We've always meant to, but I guess when you live and work in a place, you kind of take it for granted, because you know it's just there. But when you realize your days are numbered, you kind of panic and want to visit everything, but then, there's hardly any time for that any more.

These days, when we watch movies set in New York, my heart aches a little. I used to get a kick out of watching shows and movies set in New York, and then looking out our window, seeing the city laid out in front of me. 

Don't get me wrong. Singapore is pretty cool, with lots of shops like Pull&Bear and Bimba y Lola that we don't have in New York. Everything is efficient,  and Manila is so near! I guess, it's just hard to move on, when you're still on an Empire State of Mind.

You Kill Me

I die!

Emmanuelle Alt in Isabel Marant. Milan.

(Photo by Craig Arend from Net-a-porter's Facebook page)

ENSEMBLES Designer Collection: Louis Claparols

Last September 17, ENSEMBLES launched the third installment of its Designer Series. Following James Reyes and Debbie Co is Louis Claparols, formerly of Marni's Room and the current president of Young Designers Guild (YDG).

Claparols's Holiday 2010 Collection for ENSEMBLES consists of art-deco dresses, tops, skirts, boleros and trench coats. Made of stretch material, his designs will definitely guarantee a great fit, coupled with comfort. 

Of all his pieces, I'm liking his stretch skirts the best. I think they're striking but still subtle:

And I like how you can just wear it with a plain or solid top, and the total effect is classic, but with a mod kind of vibe. Check it out in stores, it might just be what you need to dress for the holidays, what with all these parties and gatherings coming up this season.

For more about ENSEMBLES and their Holiday 2010 Collection, visit www.ensembles.com.ph, find them on Facebook (search for “Ensembles”) or follow @EnsemblesOnline on Twitter.

Want a Mulberry Alexa?

Stocks for Fall are out now! Check out:

1. Madison Los Angeles - available in Regular and Oversized

2. La Garconne - available in Small Shoulder Clutch, Regular and Oversized

3. Net-a-porter - more stocks  in Regular and Oversized coming soon!

Now you know where to go! If you want one, hurry! I'm pretty sure these will go fast!

Make Time for MUJI

Or shall I say Make Room, since MUJI is now occupying that space on Bonifacio High Street, when it  opens this month!

Typical MUJI interior in Japan & HK

In case you haven't heard of MUJI, it just happens to be one of my favorite places to browse and shop at! I first came across MUJI back in the 1990s in London, incidentally, their first overseas outpost. Back in NYC (Boohoohoo, I miss you already! I'll be visiting as often as I can, promise!),   I often made pit stops at their 40th Street flagship, and the one on Broadway, even if I had no intentions of buying anything. It was also my go to place for uniquely Asian things - like a tabo (hahaha!) and mini washbasin! And back when I was pregnant with Berry, that's where I bought some of my maternity clothes!

I just loved MUJI's loose, drapey, relaxed and very Japanese aesthetic, and the fact that I could wear their clothes up until my final trimester!

Take note, these weren't meant to be maternity clothes, but they worked! And now, I can still wear their tops and shirtdresses! Sulit!

MUJI is short for Mujirushi Ryohin—which translates to “no brand, quality products" and that's exactly what their merchandise is all about! Check out some of the pieces (out of 7,000 SKUs that their shops currently stock ) that you can look out for in MUJI Manila!

Oh yeah, I have to warn you though. Make sure you have tremendous self-control when you go inside the store. It's not uncommon for people to go in just to browse, and end up buying something they don't necessarily need but have to have - just because, once they step inside the store! It's that addicting and MUJI brings out the compulsive shopper in you! Trust me, it can be scary! Scary because you can't stop picking up stuff! But sigh, so much fun!


In the Philippines, Muji is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City.

For Your Little Jewel

The little girl in this photo reminds me so much of Berry! She loves accessories, bags and recently, she started trying on my shoes! And well, her Dada's flip flops! Hahaha!

I'm not entirely sure if it's a good idea for little girls to wear jewelry, because I am guilty of losing some pieces when I was small, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to indulge a little girl's need to accessorize, if the pieces are pretty and not expensive.

What's fun about accessories, other than buying them, is making them yourselves! I am pretty sure these pieces in the following photos are easy to replicate, when you're feeling creative! Just go to Greenhills and you can string some rice pearls or put together some charms to make charm jewellery (how British!) that would get the little one squealing in delight!

Spanx For Hot Mamas

Before I go back to my fashion posts, here's a little something for all my friends and readers who are expecting babies!

Did you know that Spanx makes shapewear for expecting mothers? I remember doing a general post on Spanx previously, and mentioning that, but it completely slipped my mind until I stumbled upon a Spanx UK site that had Spanx maternity tights and slimming/shaping shorts for "mums-to-be".

Nope, we're not yet expecting baby number 2, but I just thought I'd share it here. Serves as a good reminder too, just in case! Heehee!

Power Mama Maternity & Thigh Shaper

Mama Spanx Maternity Tights

It's not so much that these Spanx for mamas slim down the tummy, because that would be a major no-no, hello! It provides support  for the tummy and lower back, while at the same time, smooths the thighs, hips and butt. Ugh, I remember how I had to wear a belly band to support my growing tummy,  it was necessary, but not very comfortable! The slimming effect really is just a plus.

Just A Quick Hello

I know, I know. It's been quiet on the home front and I have lots of catching up on posts to do! Before I go on silent mode again (just for a short while, I promise!), I just wanted to let everyone know that well, the home front has changed! We've moved to Singapore!

Yeah, what a shocker right? I feel like things have been happening so fast, although we pretty much knew we were going to make the move back to Asia sometime, from the very start. Well, that time was now. And it couldn't have come at a better time!

Fast and life changing as it may seem, then again, that's the story of my life. It seems there's always a quick, major move in my life every 3 years or so, always some place new and always for the best - a new school, a new job, a new home or a new country, in no particular order. I've gotten used to it, I almost look forward to moving. So, it's a welcome adjustment! Dear Hubby of course had no qualms about moving, he's always on to his next big goal. We made the move because of him, and we just happily tagged along! Even Berry is taking this change in scenery all in stride, she flew so well, and didn't even cry in the plane! She just hated being strapped with a seat belt. Other than that, she was such a pro, given that it was her first flight, and a long haul one at that! Dear Hubby and I were so relieved! I bet our fellow passengers were relieved as well. When we stepped into the lounge, I could sense some fear amongst the business travelers when they saw Berry. I think they were secretly hoping we weren't in the same flight as them, having spent good money, only to be disturbed by a crying baby! (Hello, that's what noise reduction ear phones are for! But I think I owe it to our seats that convert into a fully flat bed - Berry and I slept like babies snuggled beside each other, well, Berry IS a baby!  Haha! Parents, take note, SQ's A340 - the answer to a pleasant long haul traveling experience for you and your baby!)

But apart from missing NYC and tax free shopping online and in NJ, our siblings (Hi Trina, Jun & Les) still staying in the US, and our friends who've practically become family, it's good to be near home! We love it that Manila is just a 3.5 hour plane ride away, and family and friends can visit more often! Yay!

PS - To my dear readers based in or frequently visit SG, please come out and say hello! And share tips on where to eat, shop and live! We're apartment hunting as I speak! Hope to run into you as well!

Michael Kors Fall 2010

Michael Kors is known for his luxe take on American sportswear. What's best, is that prices aren't steep at all! So, this Christmas, if you're looking for a gift that won't bust your budget, but still speaks loads about your eye for design, then maybe Michael Kors is your go-to guy!

Clockwise from top: Michael Kors Heidi Clutch in Purple Leather, Dark Sand Embossed Python, Gunmetal Metallic Leather, Slate Glazed Embossed Python, and Luggage

L to R: Michael Kors Madison Chronograph Watch in Gray with Silver Accents, in Dark Purple with Gold Accents, & Chocolate with Gold Accents

From top left: Michael Kors Bayville Loafer in Black Patent, Heidi Platform in Black Suede Lizard, Astor Bootie in Black Leather, and Zipper Detail Platform in Black Leather

Michael Kors Collette Large Shoulder Tote in Dark Sand Glazed Embossed Python

In the Philippines, Michael Kors is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, The Power Plant Mall, and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Charriol Celtica

Ready for Christmas yet? In case you're planning to buy a significant other with something to tell time by, this quartz-driven 44 mm-diameter chronograph called Celtica from Charriol is practical (it's equipped with calendar functions) as it is stylish. 

The black PVD-coated bezel is enhanced by steel or pink gold-plated inserts and features a variety of strongly contrasting dials, including white mother-of-pearl and Kevlar counters or black guilloché and white Mother-of-pearl counters. 

In the Philippines Charriol is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, 158 Designers’ Boulevard Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Robinsons Midtown, and Rustan’s Ayala Cebu.

Tory Burch Fall 2010

Fall pieces are out in stores now, and  if you're into Tory Burch, then now's the time to check the store out! Because there's more to the label than those ubiquitous Reva flats!

Tory Burch Fall 2010 was inspired by fashion and art and how they influence each other.

Not surprisingly, this collection was inspired by an art enthusiast, the girl you see in galleries in every city. According to the label, "She has an effortless, eclectic way of dressing and putting things together in unexpected ways. She’s smart, cool and aware of things going on in the world around."

So, are you a Tory Burch girl?

In the Philippines, Tory Burch is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

DwellStudio at 50% Off!

Mark your calendars! Because if you click on the image above, you'll be blown away with the prices! Such good deals! I think this is your chance to stock up on the essentials, or hey, Christmas gifts for the little ones  in your life!

WHAT: 2009 DwellStudio Baby and Kids items at 50% off!
WHEN: September 17-19, 2010
WHERE: Fun Ranch in Ortigas Center

FNO Today!

Last year, Sarj and I wrote about Fashion's Night Out for The Radar. We thought it was just a one time deal, but it was such a hit, that it's happening again this year! And not only in NYC, but in other countries as well:

Check out some of the activities planned for tomorrow! This is practically a lesson on how to throw a fashion party!

Barneys:

Curve:

DVF:

J.Crew:

Lanvin:

Mulberry:

Saks Fifth Avenue:

I don't even know how its possible to go and check out everything, so it's really a matter of choosing your top top picks. Incidentally, I was just at Madewell this afternoon, because I wanted to check out Alexa Chung's pieces for the label (which already came out online) and as it turns out, it's launching in stores, right during FNO!