Luxury Eyewear Giveaway

Don't miss your chance to win Burberry sunnies because Luxury Eyewear PH is giving away a pair once they reach 5,000 followers on Instagram!

 
Here's how to join!

Step 1: Follow @LuxuryEyewearPH on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
Step 2: Repost the photo on your Instagram and Twitter account
Step 3: Hashtag #luxuryeyewearph to let us know you've helped!

Luxury Eyewear Sale at Trinoma

LS Pascual in Trinoma is having a sale on Burberry, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Versace sunnies and more from February 14 to March 4, 2013.

With summer coming soon, now's the time to splurge on sunnies! Especially when you can get them at super good prices!

My SSI Super Sale Finds!

I was invited by my friend Aneth & her colleague Alette to the SSI Super Sale for VIPs held yesterday at Mega Tent in Libis and if you have the time, it is worth a trip because there are quite some good deals to be found. Sale is ongoing from October 24 until October 28, 2012 from 11am to 9pm. 

Mega Tent in Libis is just past Wilcon Builders. They have everything from Rustan's Department Store brands to Gap, Zara, Make Room and all the SSI brands.

 Candy colored peep toe pumps from Prada

Prada - the nude beribboned peep toe pumps above were at 50% off. A long Prada wallet was about Php13,000. There were also bags, iPad cases and other small leather accessories.

nude platforms from Michael Kors

Apart from these ballet flats and boots from Tods, there were classic driving shoes and bags of course.

Smooshy leather bags in that trademark Bottega Veneta intrecciato weave

fancy footwear from Jimmy Choo

More from Jimmy Choo

Bags from YSL. I spotted a Muse Two behind the SAs. Not sure if those we're reserved though.

More styles from YSL

Bags from Burberry. They also had outerwear like rain coats and jackets.

I really wasn't looking for anything to buy for myself or Dada, but I am sure if you looked hard enough, there are some pretty good deals to be unearthed. I spent more time looking at kids stuff and found myself buying pieces for the kiddos. From Gap Kids, I got a onesie for Xavi at about Php400 down from Php1,400 and a tutu skirt for Berry for Php400 down from Php1,800. I also got Superga sneakers for Berry for Php795, they were originally Php1,450.

Check out the SSI Super Sale at Mega Tent in Libis if you have the time! Happening until this Sunday, October 28, 2012!

UPDATE: Sale is exclusive to Citibank clients and cardholders. Cardholders can choose to Pay with Points for up to 50% of their purchases. They can also avail of 0% PayLite for 3 months for at least P3,000 single-receipt purchase. 

Simply present your Citibank Credit Card to enter the sale. If you’re not yet a cardmember now is the time to sign up for a Rustan’s Citibank Card. Once you complete the application form you can join the sale and just pay in cash. 

Citigold clients need to show their Citi ATMs to enter the sale and pay for their purchases in cash. 

Say Hello to Segnatempo

If you love timepieces, the sort to wear everyday, but special enough to make a statement, then Segnatempo in Greenbelt is the store for you. This specialty retailer houses watches from Nixon, Movado, Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, just to name a few.

I got a glimpse of some of their pieces in store, and this is the one I am most excited about, the Nixon 5130! Sort of like the 42-20 which I blogged about almost a year ago. So ladies, if you want a big badass gold watch, this here is the answer! ;)

Then of course there's the Nixon Matte Black/Surplus collection which is totally military inspired. I can actually see myself wearing this too. 

For fans of the Bell&Ross Aviation Collection, the Volta, Nixon's first solar charged watch has sorta the same square face and rugged aesthetic. If a stainless steel band is preferred, then the Riot should be right.

The Time Teller P is a fun and very affordable line from Nixon - whether you like bright and juicy colors or classic blacks and navy, there's a color that's right for you. I think this will also make a cool kiddie watch.

Here are some more watch lines to discover in store. Great idea to give as gifts as well!

Marc by Marc Jacobs - for a younger sister or a favorite niece

Burberry - for a Burberry-crazed friend

Michael Kors - for yourself, since it's a great everyday watch.

Mondaine - as the official Swiss Railways Watch, it spreads out 58 seconds over a minute, which supposedly makes you 2 seconds ahead of time, "therefore always on time" as Wikipedia puts it. Guess this makes it a great gift to a dad, brother, boyfriend or husband, so that they're always reliable and on time.

Movado - for your mom or mom-in-law

To browse a varied selection of well-priced luxury timepieces, visit:

Segnatempo
Ground Floor
Greenbelt Makati
Tel: +632 728 6442

Mongha

Just when I thought I was done with oxfords, I found another style to get obsessed about - monk straps, specifically, double monk straps.

My friends, these three up above, these are no mens shoes. They are monk straps specifically made for the ladies, hence our title Mongha, heehee. 

Discovered these at net-a-porter and I like the Ralph Lauren and Burberry ones the best. The style is still very masculine, but made with feminine proportions in mind. My cup of tea.

Anyhoo, here is some bit of information about monk straps, courtesy of Esquire's The Handbook of Style, which in my opinion, is a must buy for the guy in your life. It's filled with chockfull of background stories and tips, that will hopefully educate your man about style:

The Hallmark: A buckle-and-strap closure that replaces traditional eyelets and laces.

Variations: Navy suede and the quirkier two-strap model.

Wear it with: A serious worsted suit - and almost any other style of suit or tailored trouser. Of course, the rules are different for us girls, we can wear these monk straps with anything! 

Wear it to: Work and play - it's a true chameleon.

Wear it at your own risk: On very formal occasions

Sunnies Sale at SM Mall of Asia

Planning to splurge on sunnies? Don't buy yet!

Wait for the Lobby Sale at SM Mall of Asia (Main Mall) happening on September 16 – 18, 2011! Brands included in the sale are D&G, Dolce&Gabbana, Guess & Ray-Ban!

Discounts also apply on luxury brands like Burberry, Ferragamo, Prada, and Versace, which are outside the lobby sale area.  Check them out at the Ground Floor, Branded Accessories section of SM department store, Mall of Asia!

Oh, and for those purchasing Guess eyewear, you get a free tote bag for your purchase!

Sunnies Sale!

There's a Php 990 Promo on select sunglass labels at all SM Dept. Stores until September 30, 2011!

When you buy any regular priced item worth Php 2,990 and above, you may buy a second pair at just Php990! If I am not mistaken, brands covered in SM are Calvin Klein, Guess and such.

Meanwhile, if luxury eyewear is more your thing, there's the Gold Tag Sale! Get two frames for just Php 7,990 for selected frames from Burberry, D&G, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace! Make sure to look for a "gold tag" so you know the frame you're buying is part of the Gold Tag Sale!

Check out the following stores for great deals on sunnies, and make sure to watch out for the "gold tag"! Promo runs from July 1 to September 30, 2011:

Almeda Optical, Shangri-La
B. Perez Optical
Eyecrafts, Eastwood Mall
George Optical
Goodvision, SM Megamall
J. Perez Optical
LS Pascual Optical
Optical Spex, Greenbelt 5
Optical Works
Sarabia Optical
Shades & Sights
The Eyeshop Plus
The Optical Shop
Unique Vision Center

Burberry Fall 2010

Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts and Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey have transformed the once stodgy British label worn by British Naval officers (as well as being infamously affiliated with "chavs") into the fashion powerhouse it is today, thanks to a savvy re-hauling of its image (toning down on the tartans, etc) and a pioneering interactive advertising campaign launched last July 2010.

Read the Wall Street Journal's profile on Angela here. She is such an inspiration to women in business, and one of the most influential women in fashion today.

These days, Burberry's shearling coats and classic trench coats are still coveted by the stylish set, young and old. Check out the Fall 2010 collection:

Too bad I won't have an excuse to buy a winter coat this year. Pffft. As if I could afford a Burberry coat. Maybe a trench, on sale preferably, but what for? Ahhh, must plot a visit to the cooler climes.

In the Philippines, Burberry is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Department Store Makati, and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Look Who's Wearing Burberry!

Alexa Chung dressed in Burberry at the Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer Womenswear Show in London 

Blake Lively wearing Burberry in New York  

Keira Knightley wearing a Burberry Trench Coat to The Little Dog That Barked after party in London

A Burberry trench coat is on my wish list and one day, I will have one in my closet!  My friend Naomi, who is currently based in London tells me she's seen Burberry trench coats in my size at the outlet stores there! So tempting! I'm scared that I might bite the bullet and tell her to go ahead and get one for me! Heehee!

The exact one I want is the classic trench in Honey. Although the Ivybridge isn't a bad second option since I like that it's a bit more fitted. But either in Honey is my kind of trench coat!

The trench worn by Alexa is cute too, but not as classic. Kiera's is more my thing, but I won't go for black. Incidentally, the coat worn by Blake Lively is from Burberry too! Yes! They do make outerwear other than trench coats!

In the Philippines, Burberry is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Department Store Makati, and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

P.S. Sex & The City Tour Blog Giveaway ongoing until May 8 EST! Join -- here!

Breastfeeding Style

(Wearing my favorite breastfeeding/summer dress from Cheap Monday)

Hi! Read your blog, it's really interesting!

Could rather relate to it, as I'm an expat wife living in Manila now. Just wanted to know, how'd you dress fashionably when you've got such a young baby around?

My baby's 7 months old now (almost the same age as Berry!) and I'm stuck in the same few breastfeeding tops and berms all day. :(

Plus, I'm always lugging around a huge backpack full of baby stuff... can't ever use a small chic handbag anymore.

Cheers
Jean

One thing I told myself, back when I was still single, was that I will never allow myself to slide (in Filipino, "Ayoko maging losyang!") when I get married and have babies. I want to look stylish, fresh, and smelling clean always. Well, it turns out, it's not that easy when one does not have yayas and helpers at home. That means, yes there are days when I putter about the house and run after Berry in pajamas the whole day. That's real life.

So, I "got it" when I became a mom myself. Mothering can really be a challenge, style wise (and grooming wise, I haven't been to a salon in months!). I totally see where you're coming from Jean.

But since I never was one to sacrifice style, I vowed I would never be caught outside the house wearing "boring" clothes. I still want to be me, I don't ever want to hide behind mommy clothes just because I am a mommy now. That was my philosophy too when I was pregnant. It just didn't make sense to buy maternity and breastfeeding clothes. (First, because I wanted to save. It wasn't worth spending on clothes I would only get to use for a few months. And second, there are just too many cuter clothes out there that are worth spending on!)

So I figured, the best clothes that were still "me" but practical enough to wear for breastfeeding would be roomy clothes (I wear a lot of A line tanks and oversized tees) and clothes with easy access points - button downs, snap-ons and wrap styles.

As you can see below, I have button down clothes in all its incarnations:

A button down dress from Cheap Monday which I wore every chance I got the whole summer with my K. Jacques...


A button down drop waist tunic from Old Navy which I wear with leggings or tights...


A button down flannel shirt from Uniqlo that I wear with jeans and Bensimon sneakers...

A button down onesie from A.P.C. that I wore with flat sandals in the summer and tights and my Golden Goose boots during fall/winter...

And yes, a hand-me-down button down shirt from Dear Hubby that I wear with leggings. I suggest you check out your husband's closet for shirts that he can pass on to you...

I also found this really cool Union Jack dress from Twenty8Twelve...

...that has snaps all the way around the neckline and down to the sides, that I can easily breezily remove come feeding time.

Finally, a wrap/mock wrap dress (or a top) is very breastfeeding friendly too! This one from H&M is pretty versatile. I can dress it down with sandals or dress it up with pumps if I have to...

And it is so easy to pull down the front come breastfeeding time...

My best accessories for these clothes are a breastfeeding cover and my breastfeeding bras from Bravado Designs (which I discovered, thanks to my friend Belle!). So there. I still get to wear real clothes, clothes that I love, and I don't have to sacrifice my style over breastfeeding at all.

Now when it comes to bags, you may have given up on small, chic, handbags, but you can easily replace those with big, chic handbags! I have friends who stuff a Louis Vuitton Neverfull with all their essentials, plus that of their baby's. When I go on short trips out, I put 2-3 nappies, baby wipes, a changing pad, an extra set of clothes, a bib and some snacks in a Rootote tote. And when I can only really just carry one bag, I put Berry's stuff inside my super lightweight bag (a Goyard Fidji).

I bring out the big diaper bags when we're out the whole day. Because when we are out for 2-3 hours, Berry hardly needs to change clothes and she only needs to change nappies once if at all (thanks to Pampers Baby Dry!). So in essence, it doesn't make sense to bring along so many things if it's just a short trip out to run errands.

In a nutshell, shop your closet for button downs, wraps and snap-ons and retire your breastfeeding tops. You can wear "real" clothes. Always bring a breastfeeding cover and use an easy to unsnap breastfeeding bra. Get yourself a nice lightweight and roomy tote or hobo (Longchamp, Kipling and LeSportsac are affordable alternatives to luxury bags) and try to whittle down the baby stuff to the essentials. That way, you don't have to lug around a huge backpack. Hope this helps you Jean!

Thank You Time! Part 7: Shoes!

Somebody's taking after her Mommy! Look at Berry's shoe collection at 2 months old!


Soon, she will graduate from socks (Thanks Aunt Sarj & Uncle Toni! My Trumpettes fit me now!)...

To shoes...

Thanks Amah for these flowery mary janes...


..and for saving Dada's first shoes for me!


Thanks Ate Carissa for giving your shoes to me!





Thanks Aunt Sarj & Uncle Toni for my silver Trumpette driving shoes! I can't drive but I know I will go places with these!


Thanks Aunt Janice, Uncle Wilbs and Atchie Audrey for these pristine white mary janes! They will go so well with the sundresses you gave me!


Thanks Aunt Brenda, Uncle Henry and soon-to-come Anastasia for my Burberry kicks!


Thanks Ninang Me-an and Ninong Eric for these pretty pairs from Robeez! Can't wait to walk in them!



Love,

Berry =)