MFO Shoe Series: Kat Garcia, Manila

Kat Garcia is my momma fitspiration. Just take a hard look at those seriously hard abs.

I often ask this mom of two for fitness tips and I love how she encourages but never pushes me to workout. What she told me to focus on, was to be conscious of what I eat. Like she always says, "Abs are made in the kitchen! Torn in the gym! 80% nutrition, 20% sweat!"

A self-confessed workout junkie and healthy eating advocate (sugar and salt are the enemy!), she calls herself a "crazy purse collector who loves bikes, cars, pistols, basketball and is a hardcore UFC fan." And I love how her shoe collection is a true reflection of her personal style!

Btw, for this year's series of shoe girls, I enlisted the help of my friend, photographer Camille King, to join me as we take the Shoe Series a notch up with professional photos (when all of our schedules permit of course, heehee). Hope you will love this new look for the series as much as I do. Super thanks Camille for becoming my partner in the MFO Shoe Series now!

Since Kat is a purse collector first & foremost, Camille & I just had to get photos of a few of the highlights of Kat's purse collection.

 

And now, on to her shoes!

How many pairs of shoes do you own? 

I used to own over a 100 pairs but I had to downsize...since I can only bring what I need in our condo.

Girly pairs that she hardly wears, but can't let go of, as these were gifts from her Mom

Boots for traveling to cooler climes

More girly shoes from her mom

What's your shoe size?

Omg... for real? Im a 9.5-10.... hey wait almost 5'8 naman ako! But yes...all my trainers are Men's shoes!

Which pairs are your favorites? 

My Nike 2014 Fly Knit Airmax and Asics Gel Blurr33 - great for all around training.

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be? 

Hahaha!!! I can wear Nike or Asics all day!

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Nike, Asics and New Balance

What's in your shoe lust list? 

Ooooooooh.... tough one but I hope batman (my dad) sees this. Also madame (mom). ALL nike 2014 fly knit mens shoes haha!!! I said ALL! and Asics Kill Bill.

Asics Kill Bill via highsnobiety.com

Where do you buy shoes? 

Nike Shang. Nike at Shang has a good selection as always. Well, I'm obviously a suki since I bully the kuyas there to give me the first dibs on new arrivals! Plus my kids tambay there and the ates and kuyas are okay w/ them haha! 

Planet Sports and Net-a-Porter...oh and GigaSports Hong Kong.

Isabel Marant Bayley Star and Bekett wedge sneakers from Net-a-Porter

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out? 

My Lebron basketball shoes.

Of course, I could never let Kat go with just sharing her shoe collection. I had to ask her about her workout routine, what she eats, and because she has amazingly poreless skin, her skincare routine.

How do you get those abs? I mean seriously!

For my workout routine...I have been going hard these days because of endurance and strength training. I want to be macho so I can maneuver my dream Ducati monster bike. Also I want to join the basketball team here sa Rockwell Gym, I'm not kidding.

I am doing krav maga soon and going back hardcore on kettle bell training. I do cardio via summit trainer and run 4km w/ abs on fire MWF, then tues/thurs/ sat I go heavy on strength training. (Didn't Kat say abs is 80% nutrition? Buti na lang!)

Uhm ok, change topic, hahaha. Let's just talk about what you eat? 80% nutrition, majority wins.

Oh for the food, well I design our own shakes and meals that goes well w/ our training. My husband is on a fat cry/lean up program I designed, while I'm on a high energy/ high protein lean up program. I have perfected one shake I use for pre, during and post workouts. I call it the fat cry/lean up energy shake.

Fat cry/lean up energy shake
1tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 banana
1tbsp whey protein powder ( I use show me the whey from healthy options) but peanut butter will do for the kuripot ones hehe
1/2 yakult or 1/2 nestle strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup almond or skim milk
1/2 cup water

NOTE: WE DON'T COUNT CALORIES, WE FOCUS ON WELL BALANCED NUTRITIOUS SHAKES/MEALS.

Now, tell me about your poreless skin. It looks airbrushed you know.

I use to be a solid La Mer junkie but I had to stop for a while because I want more Airmax and I'm saving up for a 9mm pistol and my dream Ducati monster bike haha!!!

I use pure argan oil all over. I have a bad case of psoriasis and my kids have skin asthma. It was the only product that made us say BYE to the lotion we hoard at S&R hehe!

It was a gift to me last Christmas, it was a lot so I gave them away as well. I really don't plan to sell them...and go all out in the market, but what I use is 100% pure argan oil from Spain and has certification. I supply friends and family and some derma clinics at the Medical City.

PS - Of course, Camille & I ended up buying a bottle of this wonder Argan Oil from Spain and convinced Kat to sell to MFO readers as well! It's unscented and is so non-greasy, I use it on my face each morning as a base for my CC Cream. Email garciakat26@yahoo.com if you'd like to buy too! 

For more on Kat's fitness adventure, follow @mamakathere on Instagram. 

Unless credited, all photos by Camille King of Camille King Photography. Like her Facebook page, HERE.

November 14: Isabel Marant x H&M

What I am most excited about Isabel Marant x H&M is her line for kids! So chic! There's a version of her Jenny boot, and a silk scarf which I already have, that will be coming out especially for the kiddos: 

The best part? The prices for kids are more H&M than Isabel Marant. Much more affordable, I am actually thinking of shopping there instead. 

She has amazing pieces for us though - tops and dresses made from silk, pants made out of leather, linen tees, that sort. Since she is not compromising on materials, its almost like prices are more Etoile Isabel Marant than H&M though.

I've got these pieces on my wishlist:

What's on yours?

MFO Shoe Series: Pat Ramos, Manila

My Shoe Series has been gone for 2 years, and I have only me to blame. No excuses except that we got pregnant, moved countries, went through bed rest, gave birth, found my hands full with two kids and the other demands of daily life. 

I know I said no excuses, but just had to sneak those in, haha. But really, we're back, and back with a bang! Since I am now in good 'ol Manille, I've decided to shoot the shoes myself and do it ala The Coveteur while I'm at it. I mean, the focus is still on shoes but with glimpses of the wearer's character. It's gonna be fun every time, I promise! I have even asked Camille King to collaborate on future shoots, and she said yes, woohoo!

Now, what better way to revive the Shoe Series with a feature on yoga mom Pat Ramos's shoes. 

We've been friends since high school where she was such a jock, I remember she was not only playing for the volleyball team, but the softball team as well. But allow me to destroy preconceived notions about jocks.

Pat loves fashion. You won't see her in her Lululemons doing a school run. I'd bump into her in the mall and she'd be wearing YSL Tribute flats (yes flats). She is the only person I know who actually shopped at Hatch Collection for clothes to wear while pregnant. 

Plus, she has a most amazing shoe collection. Take my word for it. Even the way she organizes her shoes is the stuff legends are made of. While pregnant with her son and ordered to take it easy by her doctor, she went about organizing her shoe closet, ordering boxes from Papemelroti. "Buy 50 boxes and you get a discount!", Pat volunteered generously.

Her very supportive husband then set up a "mini studio" so she can take photos of all her shoes. The result? A wall full of goodness. I know what to do when I finally build my dream shoe closet!

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I stopped counting my shoes just like I stopped counting my age ;)

To give you a clue, this is just but a snippet of her shoe closet. *Wink wink*

What's your shoe size? 

6.5

Which pairs are your favorites?

I did notice that my shoe profile has evolved from sky high heels to sensible flats. Motherhood!!! ;)

Louboutin spiked Pigalle flats - Flats with oomph! Can also be used as a deadly weapon.

Margiela Tabi flats - It's a step away from my usual ballet flats. And I love the metallic rose color.

CDG Silver sneakers - From one of my favorite brands, CDG! The muted color keeps it from looking too "teeny".

Isabel Marant Caleen studded boots - They are so comfortable!! Plus it's a great way to translate fall fashion into the Manila setting

Charlotte Olympia Delphine heels - My date night shoes!

I like the heel...

...and the cute little red heart.

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

Louboutin flats. I can dress them up or down, plus they're comfortable enough to use on mommy errands.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Louboutin, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Dr. Martens

"The colors are easy to work with and it's an easy shoe to wear with practically anything", says Pat.

What's in your shoe lust list? 

I'm looking for the perfect pointy toed pumps. Must be fierce but comfortable :)

And recently (because of you :D), leather loafers haha 

Where do you buy shoes? 

online, the Ramp Crossings, during trips

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out? 
 

My old Nike trainers. Even if they've melted with age I still keep them with my current shoes.

Jewelmer and Jeans

it took many years to complete this triple-strand of Jewelmer pearls

Nothing can be more Doña than pearls. 

Make that, Jewelmer pearls. 

A few months back, Jewelmer invited the SoMoms to a talk about pearls. So that we could further appreciate the work that goes into their pearls, which also leads to understanding why they are priced they way they are, aka expensive.

Actually, even before we had that talk, as early as when I was still in my 20s, it has always been my dream to have Jewelmer pearl studs. And a single strand. That is all.

See naman how it can elevate a white t-shirt, sneakers and jeans to "don't mess with me, I'm loaded levels". Ahihihi.

See how my friends Kris, Jackie and Jenny look so doña here? Oh my, it's those champagne pearl strands! These pearls, such stunners. They have a life of their own!

Well, that is true. Pearls are living gems, and according to Laetitia Meriguet of Jewelmer, require constant warmth and contact even after it has been set as jewelry, to keep its surface glow.

But before we go to pearl care, let me tell you why Jewelmer pearls are special:

• They are real South Sea Pearls, grown in Palawan by the gold-lipped Pinctada maxima oyster, noted for its beautiful shell lining—and for the beautiful gems it produces. 
• It takes 323 precise steps and up to five years of dedicated care: the oyster is bred and grown for two to three years before being grafted. Another two or three years of being carefully monitored and nurtured while it grows the pearl follows before its precious cargo is harvested.
• The nucleus of the pearl is grafted by an expert technician, called a master grafter, who inserts a round bead made from shells from the Mississippi River, together with a piece of mantle or saibo from a donor oyster of the desired color into the gonad of an oyster.
• Only a certain percentage of baby oysters make it to adulthood
• Each harvest is a miracle, and each pearl unique. 

 this is the nucleus that is inserted into the Pinctada Maxima oyster

Now, you will probably never look at a Greenhills South Sea pearl the same way!



And now, I leave you with Jewelmer Pearl wear & care:

• The rule of thumb in pearl wear and care is: Pearls are the last thing you wear when you leave the house in the morning and the first thing you take off when you get home at night. 
• Pearls are composed of thousands of aragonite crystals, an organic substance similar to our teeth and bones. As such, hair spray and perfume don't mix well with pearls. Over-exposure to these chemicals might cause the pearl to lose their luster and become dull. 
• Chlorine also has a similar effect so avoid wearing pearls while swimming. 
• Store your pearls in a moist environment to keep their luster. If you plan on keeping them in a dry environment like a safe for a long period of time, place a small amount of water in a glass to keep the atmosphere moist.
• Separate pearls from other pieces of jewelry to avoid scratching them. Instead, put your pearls in a different compartment or keep them in soft cloth pouches.

Because whether you like to dress all doña or you are the white shirt and jeans kind of girl, there's a perfect pearl waiting to be your perfect match at Jewelmer. 

From July 1 to September 30, 2013 visit a Jewelmer Boutique to discover all about their Perfect Match Earring Studs Promotion. Because these babies deserve a home. Yours.

For more updates, like Jewelmer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewelmer