Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Morellato DROPS Watches

Italian jewelry label Morellato is known for their collectible Morellato DROPS collection, and for Fall-Winter 2014, Morellato DROPS presents an important new arrival.

Drumroll please...Morellato DROPS Watches!

The watch collection makes its debut with modular or pre-composed bracelets. The DROPS watches have a "gemstone case" (26 mm) with crystal inserts on the bezel.

The classic Morellato DROPS charms can be used for the usual necklaces and bracelets, but also for the bracelets of these new watches. So you can add on to the DROPS watch from your old collection of charms!

But of course, feel free to add from the new charms for the season! Here are some of my favorite pieces, along with newly released necklaces, bracelets and rings to herald in the holidays.

Don't you think this makes for a meaningful gift to the women most dear to you?

A visit to Morellato is just like making a personal piece of jewelry that is unique and exclusive to each one - say, a cat charm dangling on a necklace for your cat loving cousin, a pacifier charm on a delicate necklace for your sister who just gave birth to her first child, and maybe a DROPS watch for your mom, with charms to represent each new addition to your growing family!

For more on Morellato Philippines, Like their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MorellatoPhilippines

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Yosi Samra Holiday Collection

Tried and tested, a pair of Yosi Samra flats are always  a great gift idea. Yes, even for the girl who has almost everything.

 Samara in Matte Waxed Croco - Aspen Green, Denim Blue, Ginger, Chili Red, Mulberry, Biscuit

Because a girl can't get enough of pretty and comfortable flats maybe? 

When I am unsure of what to give my best girl friends, sisters or in-laws, I know a new color of Yosi Samras, something they don't have yet, will do the trick! That or I give them gift certificates to get themselves a new pair of Yosi Samra, so they are at liberty to choose what they like, heehee.

There are plenty of new designs from Holiday 2014 that I bet you, you'd personally want to add to your collection. Check out these pairs I found at their store. It's really so much different seeing these up close vs. seeing them in the lookbook the last time! 

Happy Shopping! Wink, Wink!

 Orly in Smoke, Tawny Port and Teal

 Samara in Metallic Leather - Pewter and Bronze

Samara in Soft Patent Leather - Oxford Blue, Smoke, Tawny Port

 Samara in Kid Suede - Rose Cloud, Dark Whiskey, Oxford Blue, Black

 Samantha in Tumbled Metallic Leather and Desert Snake Leather

Abbey in White Giraffe, White/Black, Natural Wildcat

For stock availability and reservations, contact your nearest Yosi Samra branch: 

Yosi Samra Abreeza Davao, 0915-4797156
Yosi Samra Alabang Town Center, 0915-4797133
Yosi Samra Ayala Center Cebu, 0926-6725001
Yosi Samra Glorietta 4, 0915-4797192
Yosi Samra Rockwell Powerplant Mall, 0915-4797138
Yosi Samra SM Aura Premier, 0915-4797121
Yosi Samra SM City Cebu, 0927-3250166
Yosi Samra SM Mall of Asia, 0915-4797127
Yosi Samra SM Megamall, 0915-4797155
Yosi Samra Trinoma, 0915-4797142
Yosi Samra Gas, Greenbelt 3, 0915-4797224

MFO’s Verdict On: Lactacyd Cool & Fresh

I’ve been a Lactacyd user for years now, and I’ve always used this:

So it was with a bit of befuddlement when I couldn’t find it in my usual grocery store some weeks back. 

Instead, I was faced with a full range of product variations – Cool & Fresh, White Intimate, Revitalize, Lactacyd Protecting (the Original, re-packaged), and All Day Care – as in this package I received below: 

But hey, no complaints here! I actually am welcoming the new product line-up, because Lactacyd’s line of feminine hygiene products isn’t as clinical as it once was. It’s actually going the way of Lactacyd Toddler Tubs, which has an element of style and fun to it. The type where you’d actually look forward to bath time, because it’s such fun to use.

I’ve tried every single bottle I received above, and while it would take prolonged use to confirm the youth-reviving and whitening effects of said variants, and I can already vouch for the protecting and cleansing properties of Lactacyd, as I have been a repeat customer for over a decade now, I thought I should highlight Lactacyd Cool & Fresh, because if there’s a bottle worth trying, this is it! 

The Product: Lactacyd Cool & Fresh

 

The Promise: Stay cool and refreshed with Lactacyd Cool & Fresh.Escape feelings of stickiness or sweatiness as a result of excessive humidity, heat, and other environmental factors. Lactacyd Cool and Fresh puts an end to the discomfort with the cooling freshness of natural menthol essences.

• Dermatologically tested safe
• Enriched with refreshing menthol essences for a minty cool sensation
• Provides feeling of freshness from sticky-feel within the day
• Special formulation of natural milk lactoserum and lactic acid maintains pH balance of vagina 

Put to the Test: Following the instruction of using a thumb sized amount and using it as an external wash, I use it every time I shower, and true to its’ promise, the menthol in the product truly gives off a cool, refreshing feeling during and after rinsing. It’s almost like washing your privates with ice. But without the numbing 

Passing the Verdict: The minty feeling lasts well after I shower, but is gone by the time I am dressed. Which I think is just the right amount of time you’d want to feel cool down there. As with the other Lactacyd variants, it keeps me feeling clean and protected throughout the day. 

Practical Tip: I will totally stock up on this, especially during the summer months! 

Price: About Php99 for a 150ml bottle. 

Point of Sale: Lactacyd Cool & Fresh, as well at their entire range of feminine hygiene products are available at your favorite grocery stores, supermarkets and drug stores.

Hello to SMART iPhone 6 + 6 Plus

With my fellow iPhone 6 users: Angela aka Donya Z of Zenutrients, Tita K and moi

The phone that Tita K is using above is the new iPhone 6 Plus. Bongga divah? The phone I am holding close to my chest is the new iPhone 6, big thanks to my blog sponsor, SMART Infinity!

Smart recently launched the new iPhones to its SMART Infinity clients/VIPs last November 13 at Salon de Ning, where Julie Carceller, SMART Infinity business group department head and James Chi, SMART Infinity Marketing Manager led the SMART Infinity VIP Welcome Night.

Julie Carceller and James Chi of SMART Infinity

As it turns out, it is a SMART Infinity tradition to reward their members with the first batch of Smart-released iPhones in the country, which is just fitting for their premium clients who expect nothing less than SMART Infinity's renowned aftersales service and premium perks and privileges.

Case in point: Premium Plan 8000 clients receive two iPhone 6 16GB or an iPhone 6 16GB and a Macbook Air. Wow.

Prestige Plan 5000 clients receive an iPhone 6 64GB or iPhone6 Plus 16GB plus Php5,000 worth of GCs or credits to their Monthly Service Fee.

The countdown to the launch was made more exciting with raffle prizes, gourmet food and live entertainment by Sabor Latino.

I rarely go out at night, but I have to admit, it was fun to be out that evening, enjoying the band's music with Dada, and excitedly awaiting my new phone. Wahaha.

Lola MFO "partying" with James Chi of SMART Infinity and Janice Villanueva aka Mommy Mundo

I was so excited I got a case right there at the event, even before I had the phone.

And when I finally got the phone, woohoo!

But I did not open it and tinker with it until I woke up in the morning, where I instantly loved the lighter feel and bigger screen.

The iPhone 6 launch was not all hype, I have to tell you. 

Just three days after the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launched to the public, this was what greeted me at the SMART Center in Shangri-la as I paid my bill.

For realz.

Want to upgrade to SMART Infinity, and get your hands on the new iPhone 6 phones? Click HERE.

Mini Melissa + My Mini Me

Moms and our Mini Mes in Melissa and Mini Melissa

A few weeks ago, a couple of us moms and our little girls were invited to an afternoon of shoes and sweets, thanks to Mini Melissa!

The area right outside Geleia in Shangri-la East Wing was a happy riot, with girls, young and old, unable to decide on which pretty shoe we'd want to wear.

Berry tried on at least five pairs before deciding on the Mini Melissa Ultragirl + Minnie in pink.

Meanwhile, I couldn't decide between these Vivienne Westwood flats and these Ultragirl + J. Maskrey beauties!

But it wasn't all just shopping ok? We nibbled on cookies, and other treats. There was a gorgeous candy buffet too - that was eventually raided by a swarm of adorable little girls, you can just imagine the sugar rush that followed soon after.

We also did some crafty activities, like this felt passport holder, and played some games, where Berry and I got to bring home a very plushy play mat for her soon to come little bro. Oh, we were so pleased!

Part of the fun of the afternoon was that we got to play dress-up in matching outfits! Berry and I wore our signature striped shirts. A navy Saint James mariniere for me, and an orange breton shirt from J. Crew crewcuts for Berry. Perfect for a colorful little girl!

Let me tell you, Berry's Mini Melissas are her current favorite pair these days. Not only are they super cute, they're very comfortable too! It's the only thing she ever wears now, when she's not wearing her school shoes, or her PE rubber shoes. Pinky swear!

Watch out for their new designs, coming out this month and in December! There's plenty to like!

There's even a "My First Mini Melissa", the most adorable present any doting Tita or Ninang can give a newborn baby girl!

Mini Melissa Shoes are available at Geleia (ATC, Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Shangri-la, SM Aura, Greenbelt 5, Magnolia, Megamall), Rustans (Makati, Shangri-la, Alabang Town Center), Mothercare (Greenbelt 5, GLorietta 4, BGC Active Fun, Magnolia, Shangri-la, Eastwood, Trinoma), Flatshop Eastwood and Greenhills, selected Shoe Salon stores, and at Shoe Thing (High Street, Greenbelt 5, Trinoma, Eastwood, Lucky Chinatown)

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Rabeanco

Who says smooshy leather bags have to break the bank? Not so with Rabeanco.

If you want a good quality everyday bag, this is your go-to label. 

This makes a wonderful gift for yourself, for your sister who is just starting on her corporate career, or for your mom, especially if she's not the type splurge on a designer bag, but appreciates the quality of one.

 

Seam Satchel - Mellow leather satchel. Motif seams on both sides and base. Lined with canvas in contrasting colour. Zip closure on top. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. 

Geometric Hobo Bag - Smooth leather hobo bag. Adjustable and detachable handle and shoulder straps. Magnetic closure on top.

Feather Hobo Bag - Soft leather hobo bag. Zip pockets on both sides in the front. 

Luna Mini Bag - Smooth leather mini shoulder bag. Zip closures on top. Adjustable and detachable chain strap. Versatile to wear as cross body bag. 

Geo Mini Bag - Sturdy leather box shaped small shoulder bag. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. Zip closure on top. 

Cosmos Clutch - Saffiano leather large clutch. Interior in contrasting colour. Multiple card compartments. Pocket at front panel. 

Rabeanco Philippines has gone on to open 3 stores since they first came to Manila in 2012 - in SM Aura, Trinoma and Shangri-la East Wing, to the delight of fans of this Hong Kong leather goods label, known for the quality of their leather, and their contemporary designs that could easily be compared to luxe leather goods side by side, and not pale in comparison.

Fore more on Rabeanco, email rabeanco@istilacompanhia.com, follow @rabeanco on Instagram and Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rabeanco

Shop for FREE with your BDO Rewards Card!

Saving and Shopping has never been this rewarding! 

If like me, you have a BDO Rewards Card that is!

Because from now until December 31, 2014, BDO Rewards cardholders get to shop for FREE at our favorite stores! Just imagine if you have 100,000 rewards points. That’s equivalent to a Php100,000 shopping spree! 

How? We just simply convert our BDO Rewards points from qualified BDO bank transactions, SM and retail partner purchases to gift certificates from RSSI (Benefit Cosmetics, Shiseido, Topshop, River Island, Warehouse, Howards Storage World, True Value, Daiso Japan, etc), Resorts World Manila (Adidas, Bally, Beyond the Box, Bvlgari, Pandora, Rimowa, Rolex, etc) and select Lucky Chinatown Mall stores, Rustans, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Mango, 7 for All Mankind and more. 

Redemption is easy! If you are already a BDO Rewards cardholders just go to your BDO branch of account and look for the branch manager or marketing officer to fill up the redemption form. Another way to convert points is through the BDO Rewards call center hotline, at +02 631-8000 

Branch or call center will then submit request to BDO Rewards Marketing and your GCs will be delivered to your branch of account so you can claim your GCs. 

If you don’t have a BDO Rewards card, but your parents or a sibling has one, you may redeem their points for shopping GCs, with their permission, of course. To save them the hassle, you can even be the one to do the redemption for them, all you need is an authorization letter! 

To get a taste of what’s it like to shop for FREE with a BDO Rewards card, join the BDO Rewards Giveaway! 

Three winners will each get Php2,500 in SM Movie passes and 2,500 Starbucks GCs. 

Just retweet “I want to win the #BDOrewardsGiveaway!” and link to https://www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-rewards/special-offers 

Contest starts on Nov 20, 2014 and last day for entries is on Nov 29, 2014 at 11:59 PM. Join, Join, Join!

NEW! Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection + Sugar Acid Neutralizer

Ahhh, cavities. We must have spent a small fortune on dentist visits for Berry because well, she can't resist sweets. Then again, I do have a sweet tooth, but tempered lately because I don't want to have gestational diabetes. Teehee.

In fact, I have become so paranoid about diabetes, cavities, and the costs associated with it, that I have stopped buying sweets. But then again, Halloween came around, and we found ourselves with bags full of chocolates and candies, resisting proved futile.

However, late last October, and just in the nick of time, Colgate came out with a new breakthrough in cavity protection: this snazzily packaged Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection with Sugar Acid Neutralizer, tadaaa!

According to Mr. Antonio Caro, GM of Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Sugar Acid Neutralizer is the second biggest breakthrough next to fluoride, which makes this a really big deal in oral health care.

Their new product, Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection + Sugar Acid Neutralizers is in fact, the first and only anti-cavity toothpaste that goes beyond the protection of fluoride that directly fights sugar acids in plaque – the #1 cause of cavities.

But did you know that sugar in sweets is NOT the main cause of tooth cavities? Any kind of food can be culprits – from the rice we eat everyday to healthy food such as fruits and vegetables! This is because all of these contain starch, which are converted to sugar acids that weaken teeth and cause cavities. 

So yeah, good to know chocolates and candies aren't exactly the enemy (whew! they ain't so bad after all). But scary that our everyday food is causing cavities too eeep!

Thankfully, the NEW Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutralizer toothpaste fights cavities in two ways with the unique combination of Sugar Acid Neutralizer and Fluoride. 

Sugar Acid Neutralizer helps deactivate the sugar acids in plaque making it easier for Fluoride to strengthen and repair the teeth, thus preventing cavity formation. 

Together, our families get a fighting chance to be truly Cavity-Free!

For more on Colgate Philippines' breakthrough products, Like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ColgatePhilippines

H&M Home in Robinsons Magnolia!

I am so excited about this, I am almost tempted not to share. Heehee.

But fine, in the hopes of gaining good karma, I might as well say it.

H&M is coming to Robinsons Magnolia! But here's the bigger deal. Are you ready for this?

They have H&M HOME!!!

O.M.G.

Back when we were living in the US, I actually had to ask my friend Sarj to get my H&M Home throws, place mats and table linen whenever she'd go home to Europe. It was almost like a precious commodity, even if H&M Home prices are so reasonable. No more waiting! Heehee.

The new store will open its doors on November 20, 2014 at 11am.

The 2-level, 3,000-square meter location will carry the brand’s full assortment for women, men, teenagers and children, as well as H&M Sport and H&M Mama. And just to stress, it will also be the first to offer H&M Home in the Philippines.

Finally, I can get my hands on their rustic table cloths.

I can finally do a chic holiday table setting, without spending a fortune! I can actually afford to do a red theme for Christmas...

As well as a gold theme for the New Year.

I've never tried buying their beddings, so I can't wait to see and feel the fabrics of their sheets and duvets.

The quality of their throw pillows are amazing! I remember Sarj got several for me, for just €5.99 a piece over 5 years ago, and they've lived as long as the Belgian linen ones I have from Restoration Hardware. Sulit na sulit.

I'm not sure I want to brave the crowds on opening day, but I have these pieces on my shopping list. Hopefully, H&M Robinsons Magnolia would still have some left for me!

For those shopping on opening day, you sort of get rewarded for lining up! Expect exclusive opening deals: umbrellas and magazines to the first 500 shoppers, tote bags and gift cards worth P200 to P2,000 each to the first 150 shoppers, and a gift card worth P5,000 await the first in line! Expect also some exciting Holiday deals up to 40% off on selected items.

Opening day store hours will be from 11am until midnight with regular store hours of 10am to 10pm resuming from November 21.