NÃO do Brasil Anniversary Sale!

I've been looking for classic mid-cut sneakers in black, and I finally found a pair at NÃO do Brasil in Megamall:

They're super comfy, no break-ins required. Even my kids love their pairs! So, if you're a huge fan of this sneaker label, or maybe you've been wanting to buy a pair, but still waiting for a reason to, here's one:

Yup! Because #naodobrasilphturns1, they're giving customers this chance to enjoy 30% off on selected items from January 28 to February 1, 2015!

Visit NÃO do Brasil at the 3/F of SM Megamall Fashion Hall to see what they have in store. With the many varied, limited edition pieces they have, there's something to catch your fancy.

A classic solid, like mine

trendy camouflage print

sweet feminine sneakers in various shades of pink prints

For me, the kids styles take the cake.

The color combinations are fun and quite funky.

Wouldn't this be adorbs on a baby girl?

Cute subtle stripe detail on this one.

Of course, I ended up getting something similar to this for Xavi. Always going for what's neutral. Yep, that's me.

I would have wanted this exact pair, but they didn't have it in Xavi's size.

Aihleen Gruba of NÃO do Brasil did tell me before that when I see a color and style I like in the size I need, I better get it because it might be the only pair of that style left.

This is because 70% of their shoes are made from recycled or salvaged materials, sourced from various Brazilian manufacturers. Each pair is entirely made by hand by an artisan, in one of the five workshops set-up in different parts of Brazil. Which makes each pair all the more special.

NÃO do Brasil sneakers come in various styles in hundreds of color combinations, with sizes ranging from 18 (infants) to 47 (adults). Find the perfect pair for you, made more perfect if it's part of the ongoing sale too!

NÃO do Brasil
3/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall
EDSA, Mandaluyong City

Nao do Brasil Hits Manila!

Aihleen with partners Inna & Corinne Yenko

When our friend Aihleen Tan-Gruba first told me about NÃO do Brasil, a French brand of sneakers that she, her husband Mark, and their partners brought in to Manila after discovering and hoarding pairs of it in Paris, I wondered, "If it's French? Why is it called Nao do Brasil?"

Legend has it that a little boy named Adilson, who "lived in the depths of Minas Gerais, an arid region in Brazil", was tired of walking barefoot, and hearing his mother say "NÃO" everytime he asked her to buy him a pair of shoes.

So he decided to make his own shoes, using materials picked up from the slums of Belo Horizonte. Over the years, he refined his craft and his shoes became known for their craftsmanship, color, comfort and style.

When asked whether he had given a name to his shoes, Adilson would recall his mother's words and invariably answer NÃO, with an enigmatic smile on his face.

Today, it is said that Adilson is a happy man, who heads a small firm that produces thousands of multi-colored shoes every year for the enjoyment of all. 

Meanwhile, back in France, in the year 2010, NÃO do Brasil founder Gerard Mandrea opened his first NÃO store in Juan-Les-Pins in France. Today, there are over 20 NÃO do Brasil stores in Europe, the Middle East and now in Asia, by way of the Philippines with the first store opening here at SM Megamall Fashion Hall D.

Of course, I visited the store and was blown away by the sheer variety of choices. There are several styles to choose from ranging from the trademark Caïpi to Noïte, Altaï, Baïana, Drïa, Kerïa, Praï. These styles come in hundreds of color combinations, with sizes ranging from 18 (infants) to 47 (adults).

Aihleen told me that when you see a color and style you like in your size, I better grab onto it because there's no guarantee I will ever find the same thing ever. 

This is because 70% of their shoes are made from recycled or salvaged materials, sourced from various Brazilian manufacturers. Each pair is entirely made by hand by an artisan, in one of the five workshops set-up in different parts of Brazil.

So when I zoomed in on this silver-y pair, I knew this was it for me.

I then found a pair of silver high tops for Berry, and I left feeling like I won a matching game!

With the hundreds, if not thousands of color combinations in store, it is almost impossible to find two similar pairs in the sizes you want.

Of course, these were the pairs that Berry & I wore to the launch of NÃO do Brasil in Megamall last March 25. 

Our biggest supporters, Dada & Xavi, were there to cheer us on, along with my fellow SoMoms, Pam, Jane, Patty, Jenny and Jackie!

Because Berry & I walked the ramp! It was a first for me, OMG!

Berry, the veteran, who already had a gig with Gingersnaps under her belt, was teaching me how to pose backstage and was practicing the counts with me.

She even showed me how she counted from 1 to 5 to hold her pose, while smiling! Too cute!

It was a wonderful bonding experience with Beriray, having our hair done together at Blo and getting dolled up at Make Up for Forever. I am so happy we were in it together. We super enjoyed it!

Such a relief to also walk the ramp in the comfiest of shoes! Not only am I so glad my first ever runway experience was with Berry, I was also happy it was with NÃO do Brasil. It felt so natural to walk with a bounce on my step, with no fear of tumbling all over for all to see! 

Visit the store to see what I mean! 

NÃO do Brasil 

3/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall

SM Megamall Building D

Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

LeBunny Bleu Fall/Winter 2013

Sometime last month, Zerl Chan Ortiz-Luis of LeBunny Bleu Philippines and Chloe Lopez, PR for the brand, invited me & Berry to check out the Fall/Winter 2013 Collection of LeBunny Bleu. 

It truly felt like Fall in store, where ballet flats, loafers and oxfords were rendered in rich details and textures, with animal and checked prints, embellishments and embroidery, shimmery metallics and other sumptuous textures incorporated artfully into each pair.

But it was the introduction of their kids line that really got me excited the most. I loved how the kids styles came with matching adult sizes, so moms & kids can play dress-up in similar outfits. It was just too adorbs.

But I found myself gravitating towards these gorgeous embroidered smoking slippers. Very Hugh Hefner.

Viola loafers Php3,195

Not to say that I didn't like the other pairs from the Fall Collection, because it was pretty tough to choose when you've got styles like these too:

Allen loafers Php2,895

Atheria sneakers Php3,195

Donelle flats with the signature bunny cap toe detail Php3,195

the Lanvin-esque Pot of Gold sneakers Php3,195

Of course, fall dressing would not be complete with their version of toasty warm Ugg boots that also come in both kids and adult sizes

However, it was love at first sight for these Violas. It really was just a toss up between the maroon and the deep green:

Before deciding, I distracted myself by choosing sensible black school shoes for Berry, for her to wear when she starts big school next school year.

With that settled, I decided on the dark green version. It was a neutral enough shade that would guarantee lots of wear.

I guess you can say, "I found some bunny to love."

For inquiries and updates, follow Le Bunny Bleu Philippines on Facebook and @lebunnybleuph on Twitter and Instagram.

Le Bunny Bleu

5/F Bridgeway, East Wing
Shangri-la Plaza Mall
Tel: +632 654 2599

2nd floor Glorietta 5
Tel: +632 (955-7225)

LeBunny Bleu Opens Flagship Store in Shangri-la Plaza Mall

LeBunny Bleu is New York born & bred 

Zerl Chan Ortiz-Luis and her sisters, the ladies behind Quirks Novelties & Curiosities, are up to something quirky once more, bringing in LeBunny Bleu, quirky footwear that are playful as they are practical.

Last July 26, they opened the LeBunny Bleu flagship store in the East Wing of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, to the delight of all the girly girls in town. 

The brightly lit shop, which had a country cottage feel to it, was filled with flats of all styles and colors, from ballerinas to oxfords, boat shoes and espadrilles that were given the LeBunny Bleu touch - ribbons, flowers, sequins, trompe l'oeil effects, you name it. 

Sneaker slip-on (Php1,995)

Kandy oxford (Php2,895)

Zinnia oxford (Php2,895)

sequin slip-on

Of course, bunny references abound, in the form of hardware, metal logo plates and such.

All these flats appeal to the kids in us, no doubt. Come September, the Fall Collection comes in, plus real kids' styles and sizes will be in store. So kids and the kids at heart will have a grand time browsing and shopping LeBunny Bleu.

As for the price? Just like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit. Prices range from Php1,995 to Php2,895 a pair. Hop on over, and bring home a pair.

For inquiries and updates, follow Le Bunny Bleu Philippines on Facebook and @lebunnybleuph on Twitter and Instagram.

Le Bunny Bleu

5/F Bridgeway, East Wing

Shangri-la Plaza Mall

Tel: +632 654 2599

2nd floor Glorietta 5
Tel: +632 (955-7225)

Espadrille Sergeant

Chanel

WHAT THE F! 

WHAT IN TARNATION MADE YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SURVIVE SUMMER WITHOUT THESE LADIES?

VP Uni Espadrilles via Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Ropey Soles

NOW HERE'S SOMETHING FOR YOU, YOU PRISSY LITTLE PRINCESSES!

Valentino

Missoni

Tory Burch

DO I EFFIN MAKE YOU NERVOUS? DO I MAKE YOU QUIVER IN YOUR SWEATY SHOES? GOOD! NOW SHOP UP AND FIGHT!!!

camo via Espadrillesetc.com will make any drill sergeant feel right at home in this season's shoe of the moment

PS - Dada says I sound scary in this post. But I told him, I'm the Espadrille Sergeant kasi. Ahihihi.

Naval Academy

Look! Berry and I are both wearing "navy" shoes! (Hence the title Naval Academy, wahaha). This is an old picture actually.

Here, Berry is wearing Saltwater Sandals, while I am wearing the "pasalubong" (Not Php 10 million, like some generals supposedly get) of Sarj from Barça - alpargatas, better known as espadrilles.

It better stop raining here in Singapore soon so I can start wearing these again. On a sad note, Berry lost half of these Saltwater sandalsback in September, just before we were about to fly here (as in just about, we lost it on our way to the airport). I guess it didn't want to leave the US. I still can't bear the throw the other half because these were Berry's first sandals. Sniff.

Very Well, Madewell!

Finally! You've opened an online store! Like after forever! Now I don't have to step out of the house to check out what's new! Woohoo!

And I'm seeing so many things I like for summer!

romantic ruffle dress $88

wanderlust sumatra shirtdress $88

chignon dress $148

Plus Bensimons in a rainbow of colors! But at $65 for the vintage lace-ups, come on now! I got mine for $55 at Mick Margo! Although I do have to say, your ropey soles espadrilles are slowly drilling into my head. Never mind that I have 2 pairs of Toms plus a pair of pink espadrilles already. But nah, I think I'll pass.

 

Now, that's the bad thing about this whole shebang. It's just too easy to click and add to bag! Then again, I can always choose not to checkout! Ha!