Monday, June 29, 2015

Moleskine Has More


My first Moleskine notebook was a Reporter Notebook that I bought when Dada & I moved to New York in 2007. 

I would whip it out my bag when inspiration strikes, and jot down a nice line I read from a book, a cool interview question from a magazine, ideas for business, wishlists, an adobo recipe, expenses, even actual interview transcripts, back when I still had my column for On The Radar in The Philippine Star.


7 years later, it's still alive to this day. Battered yes, but filled with memories of our years in The City, the last few pages playing witness to our first couple of days in Singapore. 

Thanks to Molekine's acid-free paper, the pages are still as crisp, rough around the rounded edges yes, but my writing still as clear and legible, as the day I wrote them.


I think this is what makes notebooks special. It's a link to the past. There's a story there that transports you back in time. A tinge of nostalgia of the days when Dada & I were newly married, making arrangements to meet with his Harvard friends. Even if it was literally just me, scrawling down the directions to our friend's apartment. 

I don't get the same rush of emotions reading notes I've taken down on one of my gadgets, that's for sure. The feel of paper, and the sight of actual ink on paper, there's just something emotional about it for me. I think this is why I have a soft spot for Moleskine.

Moleskine has gone beyond just notebooks of course. Moleskine as a brand now encompasses a family of tools for creativity and productivity, which includes diaries, device covers, journals, digital apps, bags, writing instruments and reading accessories.

Hence the new "logo" or monogram.

The new monogram presents the brand as designer of open platforms for creativity, communication and sharing. Designed by Achilli Ghizzardi Associati, the intention was to create a fluid visual icon that communicates its multi-faceted and open nature while unifying its many objects, types of users and brand values. 


Last Tuesday, I saw for myself what Moleskine truly is all about, thanks to the Philippine distributor Kerwin & Abigail Haw of Lifestyle Brands, and Consuelo and Liz of Moleskine regional office in Hong Kong, who presented an overview of the history of the brand and what we can expect from Moleskine.

Consuelo and Liz of Moleskine Regional. I love Consuelo's outfit!

Here are some of the highlights.

What makes Moleskine notebooks iconic are the following features: Hard/soft/cardboard cover, rounded corners, elastic closure, expandable inner pocket in cardboard and cloth, front endpaper with 'in case of loss' notice, ivory-coloured, 70 g/m² acid-free paper, and ribbon bookmark


Moleskine notebooks come in 6 configurations: Extra Small, Slim, Pocket, Large, Square, Extra Large, A4, Letter and A3. Aside from the legendary black colorway used by the likes of Van Gogh and Hemingway, they now come in a range of colors such as as white, blue, pink, orange, green and red.


Watch out for Special Edition Planners: Moleskine makes organizing our daily, weekly and monthly activities easy and fun, with their character planners such as this one from Star Wars. The Le Petit Prince and Peanuts planners are visual treats too.


Cahier and Volant Journals are handy dandy: If you find the regular notebooks too heavy for everyday use, Cahier Journals - cardboard covered, singer-bound notebooks are your best bet. They usually come in 8 colors, in packs of 3, in Pocket, Large and XL sizes. Volant Journals are another option - these come in packs of 2 different colors, 8 colorways, and 3 configurations: XS, Pocket and Large.


Take your ArtPlus notebook everywhere: Whether you are into sketching, music or watercolor art, whatever your medium, you have the perfect Moleskine notebook to get creative with. Visit www. moleskine.com/artcollection, and start exploring. Incidentally, Moleskine Philippines has also partnered with leterrer Abbey Sy for a series of workshops. Visit artistic-dreams.com for announcements on future workshops.


The Evernote Business Notebook takes productivity seriously: think a seamless transition from your notebook to digital files - save and share meeting minutes, contact details from LinkedIn and set reminders in Evernote automatically. Amazing.


Collect the Batman and Alice in Wonderland Limited Edition Notebooks: Each year Moleskine pays homage to a cast of characters we've grown up with. This year, it's Batman and Alice in Wonderland.


Meet the Passions Collection: These notebooks are dedicated to keeping track, organizing and recording the passions of our lives. Designed to host notes, clippings, drawings, memories and thoughts on a variety of specific leisurely topics such as Art, Beer, Chocolates, Gardening, even Weddings - for the soon to be bride. Each Journal includes a set of themed page layouts, themed calendars, glossaries, listings, and a core part of alphabetically organized and tabbed pages for you to fill in. 


Document your travels with the Voyageur. It is designed to travel with you. It contains maps, the back of the paperband has been designed as a selfie prop, a declaration that “I am here,” wherever that may be, detachable lists, a backpocket to store a folded piece of A4 paper, and the Moleskine MSK tool allows you to print pages from any URL in Voyageur dimensions so you can stick details such as your flight and hotel accommodations to your travel journal.


Moleskine Pens! They're designed to clip onto any hard cover Moleskine notebook, so you'll always be prepared when inspiration strikes.


Pack your Moleskine and more in their Messenger, Backpack, Tote, Reporter and Shoulder bags: Think bags that are as sleekly designed as a Moleskine notebook - with an elastic band and minimal aesthetic. Ergonomically designed, the inside has compartments, loops and pockets specifically designed to fit essential on-the-road items, with a colored lining to ease finding things in a rush. 


Make it Personal. On the day of the launch, I got to bring home a Moleskine notebook embossed with my name in gold. It can't get any more special than that! If you'd like to give personalized Moleskine products as gifts, or buy in bulk as corporate giveaways, or use them for your training kits (Like Chanel in HK apparently does), email kerwin@lifestylebrands.com.ph so you can make arrangements. Fancy.


In the Philippines, Moleskine is available at store.lifestylebrands.com.ph and in Fully Booked, National Bookstore, Office Warehouse, Chimes Specialty Store Davao, Pormada and Zalora. 

For updates and inquiries follow Moleskine Philippines on Facebook: facebook.com/moleskinefansph and @moleskineph on Instagram.

Fam Cam Bam

Who says you need to install a fancy CCTV system when you can check on your loved ones via your mobile phone when you are away from home? Presenting:



If you are a PLDT HOME DSL subscriber, you can get the new Fam Cam controlled via Telpad, so you can check on your family wherever you may be. 


This is perfect not only for parents who often travel out of town for work, but any parent who goes to the office or even just steps out for a couple of hours to run errands.

Thank goodness for newfangled gadgets that make it easier to be a parent in this day and age. Live worry-free and live the Smart Life ;)

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Entertainment Everywhere

The kids and I hardly get to watch TV these days, so our main form of screen time entertainment really is watching YouTube on my SMART iPhone 6

We've been doing a couple of videos just for fun, but last week, Berry asked me to take a video of her doing a toy review.

She received My Little Pony Princess Twilight Sparkle ponies for her birthday, and she was so excited she asked me to upload. It's so cute, I just have to share it with you here! 



Another guilty pleasure of late is iflix. We got first dibs to try it out prior to the launch and I've got to say, this is the black hole of entertainment.

Think 10,000 hours of TV and movies from all over the world - from Hollywood blockbusters to Koreanovelas, to BBC documentaries. that we can watch whenever we want, wherever, 24/7 on our phone, laptop, tablet, and TV.

Dada and I used to subscribe to Netflix so iflix is pretty much our version here in Asia. I think we were paying $15 a month for our Netflix subscription, but iflix is way more affordable.

Launched in partnership with Smart and PLDT HOME, the monthly fee for iflix is only P99 (about $2) for PLDT HOME and Smart subscribers and P129* (about $3) for non-subscribers. 

Here's a sneak peek of what you can watch on iflix.


Annual subscriptions for unlimited access to iflix for one year will receive a 15% discount to monthly rate. Not a bad deal at all for something that the entire family can enjoy.



Be warned. If you have friends who are suddenly discussing plot twists of a TV series, or lacking sleep from watching entire seasons of their favorite series, I am almost sure iflix is responsible for their behavior.

Ok, I better go now. I'm off to meet Anthony Bourdain to explore Parts Unknown ;)

iflix is a partnership between SMART and PLDT HOME and Hollywood heavyweights, Catcha Group and Evolution Media Capital. Check out iflix now and see what it's about at https://iflix.com/. 

For more on how you too can live the SMART Life, visit http://www.smart.com.ph/smartlife

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Saint James at Signet


There are striped shirts and then there are Saint James shirts. Let's make a distinction here, heehee.

Saint James was founded in 1889 in Lower Normandy, in the commune of Saint-James, close to Mont Saint-Michel. Its fame is based upon a cult item of clothing "the genuine pure new knitted woolen Breton seaman's sweater", which was originally intended for deep sea fishermen, then adopted by known seafarers, and yachtsmen.

In short, they made striped shirts happen. They're all about THE Striped Shirt.

Before I got hooked on Saint James, I had Petit Bateau shirts. While both are built to last, nothing beats the boxy shape of Saint James shirts. Even Goop swears by it: 

Ang chica diba?

The first Saint James shirt I bought was the Naval II, this one on the left. What makes this different from most striped shirts is that the stripes start at the boob area.

It's a men's shirt really, and because I was unfamiliar with Saint James sizing then, I ended up buying an S, which is still so many sizes too big for me. They're so comfy though, I could even wear it up until my 39th week of pregnancy, for all three pregnancies.


My second shirt is the Meridien II, the one on the right. I bought it at the J. Crew store in Time Warner Center. They're perfect for Spring and Fall and it happens to be my favorite piece.

I've been wearing it ever since Berry was a baby and wear it so often that the signature Saint James tag on the sleeve fell off (and of course I sewed it back, lolololz).


My third shirt, the red one in the middle, is Saint James x crewcuts. Yes, it's for kids. Heeheehee. 

I have since added two more to my collection, and I got it right here in Manila, at Signet, the men's specialty store in Makati. Because where else can we find the best tomboy style but in a men's shop, right?


I got the Guildo in red stripes.


The Guildo is made from heavyweight carded cotton, just like the Meridien except it has a shorter body. 


I also got another Naval II, this time in my size, but with blue and white stripes (my first one is navy and white).

So you see, contrary to my husband's opinion, not all striped shirts are made alike, ahihihi.

My next target is that Guildo in navy and ecru one up front. Plus the Levant - a short sleeved t-shirt, in navy and white.


All these shirts have recently been restocked at Signet in Legaspi Village. So if you work or live in Makati, you better visit now. 

Might as well bring the style-challenged guys in your life here for an education. It's a fashion man's cave. They have all the dapper men essentials, from English umbrellas...


Neckties, pocket squares, socks (they have Happy Socks), shoe accessories...


Spanish loafers, Farfalla slippers...


Brogues...


Japanese raw selvedge denim...


Even horn collar stays...


And Italian and Japanese suiting. Once every quarter, they even invite Neapolitan tailors to come and measure their clients so they can order custom made suits. Fancy.


Thanks so much Kevin for telling me about Saint James at Signet. 

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing though. Dear readers, do me a favor. You better go before I beat you to it. Ahihihi.

Signet SA Jayson Ebido and Store Manager Kevin Yapjoco

Signet
Unit 102C Windsor Tower
163 Legazpi St., Legazpi Village
Makati City
Phone: +63 2 894 3934
Mobile: +63 918 985 2895
Facebook: The Signet Store
Instagram: @thesignetstore

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Poolside Playtime with OREO


If eating vegetables were as fun as eating Oreos, parents wouldn't have a problem with picky eaters. The kids put eating Oreos in the same league as playing with toys. Twist it, lick it, dunk it kinda fun.

Add to the fun is the Oreo Strawberry flavor, a Princess flavor if ever there was one. 

Ok, I totally made that up. Seriously though, Berry loves it. She loves the fact that it's pink. And it's strawberry flavored. Your little girls will take a shine to this flavor, if they don't already.


Oreos though, whatever flavor, are such certified hits that when Berry invited some of her friends for merienda and some poolside fun...


We made sure to pack some Oreos in the goody bags we prepared for the kids.


Berry and Xavi even enjoyed putting the goody bags together themselves. Fun for them, less work for me. Win-Win.


Of course, when her friends saw their goodie bags, they were thrilled. A tub of Play-Doh, a Ring Pop and Oreos to bring home, simple things can truly bring so much joy!


How about you? How do you play with Oreo?

For more on how to Play with Oreo, follow @OreoPH on Twitter and Instagram and Like Oreo on Facebook.
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