Meet Elin

When Martina Pangilinan of Catalogue63 invited me to the launch of their new clothing line Elin, she sent along a photo of this dress and I couldn't say no. Well, that and of course because it has been over a year since I last saw her, way back when we were still living in Singapore and I thought it would be nice to see Martina here finally.

Along with Marielle of CraftMNL, Martina and her business partner and friend from grade school, Kathleen King (Pat Pastelero, the third of the Catalogue63 triumvirate was in South Africa) had prepared a fun crafty afternoon for us, where we made bracelets out of scrap fabric...

 

...and badass shredded shirts perfect for moshing in the mosh pit (uso pa ba yan kids?) or worn as a cover-up over a bikini.  

Martina and Kathleen shared with us that just like And Apparel, the current in-house brand of Catalogue 63, Elin also is about comfort and ease, but it has evolved to become more polished and extensive, and includes dressier pieces, basic tees and maternity wear.

“We named our new brand Elin because we wanted a woman’s name that was simple and straightforward,” said Martina. “We also think Elin is a feminine name that’s not too girly, just like our clothes. Our hope is that our customers who love And Apparel will love Elin even more.”

Judging from these pieces seen on their lookbook, Elin is easy to love.

I wore my Elin t-shirt above the other day (excuse the boots, I had just come from the stables. Joke!) and it was just the comfiest thing! The fabric was so soft and cool to the skin, it has uniform potential written all over it.

Catalogue 63 is the brainchild of three childhood friends, Martina Pangilinan, Pat Pastelero and Kathleen King who go way back since their grade school days. Their love for clothes and their desire to bring together the best of Filipino labels and provide an online shopping platform for these brands prompted them to put up Catalogue63. And Apparel and Elin are their own brands borne out of their need for stylish basics, made from quality fabrics.

Elin is exclusively available on www.elin.ph and www.catalogue63.com

The Borough Never Sleeps

If you tell a New Yorker you're having brunch at Borough, they'd probably go "Huh?" or, "Which borough?" Until you take them to Borough at the ground floor of Podium in Ortigas, and then they'd be transported back home after seeing the signage (the typeface used for NYC's subway system in case it wasn't that obvious to you!) and serving them Borough's NYC inspired staples. Listen up, Borough's menu was inspired by Cafeteria in Chelsea and the steak frites at Pastis! Isn't that enough to make you want to check the place out?

Not only that, the interiors are inspired by hip Brooklyn lofts:

While the chintz covered chairs would make Mario Buatta proud. Maybe a reference to the UES, circa 1980's?

Dear Hubby and I find ourselves often reminiscing about our days in The City (which reminds me - so sad The City's been canceled. MTV, how could you!), meeting friends for brunch, and maybe this could be our go to place when we're in Manila. I mean look at the place mat alone, that NY subway map already melts my heart!

Borough promises to dish out comfort food culled from the five boroughs of New York City. And brunch weekends include free flowing coffee and mimosas (hey hey!). Because New York City is the city that never sleeps, Borough is open 24/7. That means, yes, you can drop by any time.

Working Borough's kitchen is 32-year-old Chef Cuit Kaufman, a born and bred New Yorker who trained at the French Culinary Institute and under pastry master Chef Jacques Torres at The New School.

Borough is located at the ground floor, Unit 107A, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.

The second level mezzanine is ideal for private functions and seats 60. For reservations, call: 5708906.

Borough is by the Il Ponticello group, run by Managing Director Patrick Santos.