Rainy Days and K-Way

There's something new from Terry S.A., purveyor of all things practical and stylish such as Havaianas, Thread 365, Dupe and Bensimon, and it's equally as fun - it's K-Way! 

A French outerwear concept that has been around since 1965, K-Way is known for its lightweight, waterproof and reversible material that folds into a handy pouch.

More than just classic raincoats...

K-Way also has warm winter jackets.

The styles are so versatile that it complements not just any style, but every lifestyle.

Whether you are into sports, fashion, travel or business, K-Way can chase your rainy day away in a chic way.

K-Way ambassadors Cheryl Tiu and Marco Lobregat with Terry SA's Anne Gonzales

K-Way is available at both CommonThread branches of Greenbelt 5 and Power Plant Mall and online at www.pormada.com. Follow K-Way Philippines on Instagram at @KWayPH

Current Obsession: Herve Chapelier Camo Totes

A few weeks ago, Dada & I met up with our good friends Cathy & Jon Lim, and Cathy's sister Cheryl and her husband Eric Lee. The two couples are the owners of our fave coffee & toast place in UP Town Center, Cafe Shibuya!

While doing a taste test of their proposed Lenten offerings at Cafe Shibuya, we got to talk about Cheryl and Eric's new store, Herve Chapelier in SM Aura, and their best selling camo totes. 

I told them I was familiar with the brand because I used to see women in Manhattan toting Herve Chapeliers as a second bag (it's actually making a comeback in a big way too, says VOGUE). But I have never seen anybody there with a camo version. Apparently, it's a wardrobe staple in Japan.

I had passed by the store a couple of times before, but did not spy any camo totes. Because Cheryl said they sold out so fast, not anticipating such a HUGE demand for it. 

She mentioned there was a wait list for their stocks of camo arriving, and I was like, "OMG!!! Save a bag for me!!! And order more!!!" Yes. With exagg exclamation points.

"Even I could not get my hands on the camo tote!" Cheryl exclaimed.

Rather than keep one for herself, she decided to put her customers first. Which was sweet of her. Heehee. Then she told me to go to the store so I can pre-order the size I wanted. And I did.

I also spied some seriously cute totes, like this one from their high end GP Line, a pebble grained coated canvas...

And soigné 1428ND in Bouganvillier.

But I kept my eye on the prize, texting Cheryl right away the size I wanted reserved. 

Quick as a flash, just a few days after, I got a message from Lyke at Herve Chapelier in SM Aura saying their camo totes were in store!

There was this huge ass one that would make a great overnighter...

As well as this one with short handles, no zippers, so a bit impractical. But it looks so chic!

I ended up with this one, the 1027N. It has a zipper and short handles. Really handy dandy. Super thanks Cheryl!!!

It is rare that I find a camo tote that doesn't look too rugged and sporty. These ones by Herve are just so painfully chic, it hurts not to buy it. 

So I had to go back the next day for the L shopping tote, a bigger sized version with brown straps and a snap.

I need to be armed with at least two different sizes ya know. At least.

About Herve Chapelier:

Frenchman Herve Chapelier started his eponymous label in 1976, creating travel bags that were not only sturdy and supple but were also colorful - orange, purple, fuchsia, red, pink and yellow totes, equipped with flat, braided handles, using a material that was initially designed for car safety belts.

He then went on to designing backpacks that were a hit with students, but it is his famous, classic bi-color “cabas” (traditional French market) bag, which he has sold millions of, that made the brand.  

Herve Chapelier still manufactures his products in France, which are sold everywhere from Paris to Tokyo, as well as New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Rome, Geneva, Venice and now Manila. 

For inquiries and updates, visit Herve Chapelier Philippines on Facebook, HERE.

Affordable Luxury #2: Cadentia Colognes

Rica de Jesus, better known as Heart to Heart online, loves colognes, and it was for this reason that she & her husband James brought in a line of eau de cologne products from France that are as sweet smelling as they are delightfully affordable!

Clockwise from L, Row 2: Nature Fraicheur Intense 250 ml, Nature Fraicheur Lavande 500 ml, Eau de Cologne bebe, Eau des Collines, Nature Anti-Moustiques

These scents are from Laboratoires Cadentia, a French company that has been developing colognes in Aubagne, at the heart of Provence, since 1945. 

Known for their fresh & timeless fragrances that evoke wellness, relaxation and health, they continue to do so today by  only selecting natural essences of fruits, flowers, herbs and essential oils in their purest forms.

I splash Nature Lavande after a bath on myself and Berry and I just love how the scent lingers.

When I bury my face in Berry's neck, I am pleasantly surprised by her sweet baby girl scent, never mind that she's sweaty from running around.

A bottle of Nature Anti-Moustiques is a mommy essential. This is a bug repellant at its finest.

I spray it on liberally because it's practically cologne, a fresh smelling one made with tea & citronella, that also happens to repel mosquitos.

At Php375 for a 250 ml bottle, it not only makes a wonderful gift, it's practical to have a bottle in every room at home so you can spray whenever, wherever to keep mosquitos at bay, and gets you ready for a hug, any time of day.

Cadentia Colognes are available at:
Rustan's Supermarket
Rustan's Flower Shop and More
Shopwise
Robinsons Supermarket
Saddlebrown Manila Polo Club and Rockwell Club
Mpulse Makati Medical Center
St. Lukes Bonifacio Global City and Quezon City
Online: seektheuniq.com

Petit Bateau Sails to Manila

French bébés have it good. 

Many of them grow up wearing Petit Bateau, the well-loved clothing brand from Troyes, France that is not only chic, but fun to wear and well made too.

It is easy to look effortlessly stylish when you open up to a closet filled with pieces like these

How well made? Well, they're built to last, long enough to be passed on from sibling to sibling, parent to child in fact. As the brand likes to say, "Petit Bateau, It's forever."

I totally agree. When I was pregnant with Berry, I wore these Petit Bateau striped shirts:

4 months pregnant with Beriray

almost 7 months pregnant with Beriray

And you know what, these shirts look the same as when I first bought them, even after years of washing. Good enough to be passed on to Beriray herself. That is how hard-wearing the quality is.

The thick cotton tank tops I bought for Berry when she was 2, she can pass on to Xavi, except for the pink ones printed with cupcakes, of course. 

 Donya Beriray wearing a white cotton tank top by Petit Bateau and kimono from Seek The Uniq

Should we blessed with another baby, Xavi's thin cotton Petit Bateau crawlers still have a lot of wear to them.

So of course, I am loving it that a smart, young couple, Hans and Mellie Yao, brought Petit Bateau to our shores. Because if you are the type to go for classic clothes that stand for quality over quantity, then Petit Bateau is the way to go. It also helps that the clothes are full of nautical charm. Just the way I love it!

Petit Bateau in Shangri-la

Petit Bateau for adults

Petit Bateau for kids

Petit Bateau for infants

From underwear to swim trunks, crew neck shirts to the classic striped Marinière, shorts, skirts and dresses, cardigans, pea coats and rain coats, Petit Bateau has it all.

 

Last Saturday,  the second Petit Bateau store opened in SM Aura. Chic mommies Donna Cuna-Pita, Ria Prieto, Ria Trillo, Vanessa Ledesma, Marilen Montenegro, Cheska Kramer and my best friend Nina Corpuz-Rodriguez, with their cute kids in tow, walked the runway to show the latest Spring/Summer collection. It was too adorbs! And the clothes? I can't say chic enough. They were, tres chic!

The Yaos with Petit Bateau Asia Pacific Manager Jing Jin, Patricia Hizon, Kylie Tinga, Donna Cuna-Pita, Ria Prieto, Ria Trillo, Vanessa Ledesma, Marilen Montenegro, Nina Corpuz-Rodriguez & Cheska Kramer

For more on Petit Bateau, like Petit Bateau Philippines on Facebook, and follow @petitbateauph on Twitter and Instagram.

Petit Bateau Shangri-la
4th Level East Wing
Shangri-La Plaza Mall
Mandaluyong City

Petit Bateau SM Aura
L3 SM Aura Premier
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Shades of Neutral

Shirt from Equipment France, H&M shorts, Anthology shoes, J.Crew tote & bracelet, 

bangle from my friend Kaye

It looks like I have been dressing with a theme these days. This time, it's based on color - or rather, the lack of it. Everything here comes in a neutral shade of beige & brown.

Here's a better look at my tote. I'm too lazy to bring around leather bags these days. I like the casual nonchalance of a canvas tote.

Oh, and I just realized my outfit is also an amalgamation of sale finds and presents. I got lucky with the Equipment shirt which I snapped up at a deep discount at Madison Los Angeles, the shorts were marked down to $10 at H&M, my wooden bangle is a gift from my friend Kaye, and the oxfords are from Anthology shoes (thanks Karrots & Ivan!).

I am quite obsessed with Equipment shirts, and I would to buy a rainbow of it when I have the chance.

Carine Roitfeld's life partner started it back in 1976 (same year I was born! ha!) and Current/Elliot's Serge Azria revived the label a year ago. Now, it has become the hottest thing to have and I totally see why. The lineage of this cult brand is just impeccable! Read more about it, here.