MFO Gift Guide: Soleil et Lune

Every year, especially around this time of year, I already have a list of items to add to my gift repertoire. While I always have my classic reliables that never fail to delight and somehow still surprise family and friends, I actively look out for products to add to my list year round. 

One such product that made the cut, and I suggest you add too, are scents from Soleil et Lune. 

Yes, it sounds French, and expensive but don't get intimidated. I'm telling you as early as now, it's affordable and will fit into our gift budget, so read on. Heehee. 

It comes in two sizes, and retails for Php780 for the 30ml and Php1,180 for the 50 ml

Soleil et Lune is French for Sun and Moon, but it is 100% Filipino. 

A Mother's Day gift that I received from Kristine and her partner Beth, a bottle of Soleil et Lune  Brigitte surrounded by gorgeous flowers arranged by The Cherry Berry, a flower shop in Quzon City owned by Kristine's favorite Korean florist who trained in Europe

My friend Kristine Dee started the business with a close family friend, Beth Supetran. They have been traveling together with their families for years, and borne out of those travels was a desire to create something that lived up to their appreciation for high quality and authentic ingredients.

Kristine and Beth shares that they wanted to create a high quality perfume brand that will cater to the tastes and unique style of the modern, well traveled Filipina, much like themselves

They came up with scents, largely because of their trips to France. They though of creating scents  that were not too heavy, and would be appropriate for our tropical weather. True to their brand name, the scents may also be worn from day to night.

The partners spent two years to get the right compound for scents that are perfect for everyday use. Committed to their cause, they worked directly with one of France’s top perfumers, selecting from more than a hundred essences from Grasse, to make use of the finest oils and essences. 

The scents come in this gorgeous packaging, and that strip of color 4/5 of the way down the box identifies the scent.

Pink is for Audrey, infused with red apples, peonies and jasmine

While they initially launched with 3 scents, they now have a total of six signature concoctions to capture different moods and personalities. 

All the scents are light and refreshing, and while my personal favorites are Brigitte and Dominique, all six scents certainly feel like an everyday luxury. 

Soleil et Lune scents are available at:

- 3L Power Plant Mall, Rockwell
- The Park, 4L Shangri-la Mall
- Firma Greenbelt 3
- Chimes Boutique Davao
- online at www.chicify.com

 

For more about Soleil et Lune, follow @soleil.et.lune.ph on Instagram and visit www.soleiletlune.co

Necessary Luxuries from Kristine Dee & Paul Syjuco

Necessary Luxuries, Kristine Dee’s and Paul Syjuco’s latest fine jewelry collection launch, happens at 2:00 PM on 17 October 2015 at the Recto Room of The Peninsula Manila.

Pink tourmaline and lavender band diamond earrings by Kristine Dee 

Cuff in rose gold and yellow gold with diamonds by Kristine Dee 

Fire opals, sapphires and diamonds in gold by Paul Syjuco 

Teeth ring in colored diamonds and rose gold by Paul Syjuco 

Necessary Luxuries

Each person defines luxury differently. A designer handbag might make one woman’s pulse race, while her friend might gasp over a bottle of wine from a small producer. Still another friend might visit dozens of galleries to find just the right painting to hang on her living room wall. 

But one thread does run through all of these definitions of luxury—each expresses something special about the woman who chooses it. You can call it an aesthetic or a specific taste. But as she enjoys the handbag, the glass of wine or the painting on her wall, she also uses it as a way to reveal something of herself to the world. 

Perhaps no item fulfills this function of luxurious self-expression like fine jewelry. Worn on the body, it makes a woman feel beautiful, while also making a statement about her personality. And that statement doesn’t have to be heavy-handed. “True luxury, in jewelry as in all things, isn’t about flash,” jeweler Kristine Dee says. “Details such as intricate workmanship matter more. Or choosing a piece and wearing it in a surprising way, like a diamond choker paired with a white T-shirt.” 

Kristine’s inspiration for her newest collection is the medium itself. She lets the shapes, colors and unique qualities of precious stones speak for themselves and weaves them into sensuous, feminine forms. 

Paul Syjuco’s latest collection is quirky and fresh. Among the pieces featured is a ring shaped like a set of lips with diamond teeth and a dazzling pair of earrings that play with color: indigo tanzanites on a bed of pastel sapphires. Paul states: “Luxury to me is having something one-off; something built meticulously, carefully, by hand. An item like that represents many hours spent by skilled craftsmen designing, forming, being on top of every step in the process of bringing the piece to life. Time, nowadays, is the ultimate luxury.” 

To enjoy beautiful things, to express one’s self—these are necessities. Paul and Kristine’s latest collections merge necessity and luxury into one. 

Necessary Luxuries, Kristine Dee’s and Paul Syjuco’s latest fine jewelry collection launch, happens at 2:00 PM on 17 October 2015 at the Recto Room of The Peninsula Manila. The collection may be viewed at Aum Jewels Peninsula and TriNoma as well as Firma Greenbelt 3 after the launch. 

In partnership with Zenutrients. 

For inquiries please contact Kristine at inquiry@kristinedee.com, 0917.895.0816 and Paul at aum@paulsyjuco.com, 0905.219.2948 

About Kristine Dee 

 Kristine Dee obtained her Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute in New York in 2001. She first worked as furniture and home accessories designer both here and abroad, before focusing on jewelry. She has been creating yearly collections through trunk shows since 2003. Kristine enjoys working with one-off and bespoke pieces, updating and developing personal jewelry collections. Her industrial design background fuses her love for jewelry, beautiful gemstones and materials, with her deep appetite for remarkable aesthetics, function and proportion to create noteworthy pieces to collect and treasure. 

About Paul Syjuco 

Paul Syjuco was exposed at an early age to jewelry manufacturing through their family business. After graduating with a degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines, Paul worked for a few years in consumer finance, but eventually decided to pursue a career in jewelry design. In 2002, he earned his Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. Shortly thereafter, he did further training in Jewelry Design and Pearl grading. His work allows him to enjoy the best of all worlds, combining his love for design and his passion for business and industry. He is guided by generations' worth of knowledge in producing timeless, artisanal pieces, all of which are still meticulously handcrafted. His pieces have been included in several jewelry exhibitions in Manila and abroad. He also occasionally holds lectures and workshops on jewelry design and has been consulted for would-be investors of fine jewelry.

22 Weeks: Secret Stash

My sister-in-law Lorr has often told me about her secret place for export overruns and it was only last week that we found the chance to check it out. We went 2 weeks ago (I am actually going on 24 weeks this week) and I have gone back twice since Lorr first brought me there! That same week, to accompany my sister Dianne, and last week, to bring my Mom. Who both were so happy with their stash of clothing!

This was my find during my first visit there, a linen and jersey vest from Rock & Republic. Not bad for Php1200. Actually, I was expecting to pay less, but the saleslady said "Ma'm Rock & Republic yan!" Aba! She knows her brands. Plus Lorr said, I won't be able to find a vest of that quality for Php1200 anywhere. Ok, sold!

 

Worn with a tank from Mango, Topshop leggings, Repetto ballet flats, accessories from J.Crew & Kristine Dee/Paul Syjuco

My next visit, I scored this blush lightweight blazer by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's for Php700. So perfectly summer-y! I love it! I saw some blush blazers at Zara and Mango and OMG, they're like more than 5 times the price of this one. This is practically a steal. (UPDATE: I just got back from Zara, it's almost 10x the price of this one pala!)

Worn with a white tank from Zara, J Brand jeans, Miu Miu flat t-bar sandals (the blush stones on the sandals are the perfect complement to the blazer hee!), accessories from J.Crew and Fenton/Fallon

Prices are really amazing I tell you. Tops are Php400, dresses and blazers are Php700, and there's an area outside where you can score tops from Php200 to Php300.

Overruns are mostly from Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap, Madras, but if you have a good eye, you'll spot various random brands with interesting designs that you won't find anywhere else. Great pieces you can wear to work, or on weekends.

UPDATE: I would have to close the request for the address aka The Secret Circle is closed (as Isabelle, one of my readers put it heehee). I received over 500 emails and I tried my best to reply to every one, including the ones in the Spam folder over the past couple of days. I hope I did not miss out on anybody's email. At this point, I cannot promise I can reply to succeeding emails any more, as it has gotten overwhelming. So sorry! 

20 Weeks: Green is In

This is me and Xavi, who is now 20 weeks old. We had our ultrasound last week, and it's confirmed! Dragon Dychiao is a boy! So we have a new nickname now, Xavi, just like the Spanish footballer. (Although Kat & I agree that Xabi is more guapo, haha).

Last weekend, we went to my good friend Ivy's wedding, and it was just a lucky happenstance that I had this dress on standby. I got this from MYTH last year. I didn't really have an occasion to wear it to then, but I got it any way. It's by Joel Escober. It's not a maternity dress, but it had ample room to fit our growing baby boy. 

Sometimes, it really pays to get a great dress and just wait for an occasion to wear it to. Instead of looking for a dress when an occasion calls for it. At least you end up wearing a piece you love, not something na "pwede na" because you had no options.

Since the dress is a bit of a statement by itself, I accessorized minimally. Just my simple pumps from Louboutin, a pave bracelet from J. Crew, Tom Binns chandelier earrings and this gorgeous agate ring from Kristine Dee and Paul Syjuco!

Here's what I wore another day to meet Mikka at Rockwell, and stroll around the mall. An old dress from Zara. I searched high and low for this dress! Combed Manhattan for this in my size.  Found this in Zara on Broadway. Still something I can wear till full term I think!

Paired it with a FEED 1 tote and these Marni platforms that are the same shade as my dress! Chamba lang! Please excuse my grunge-y polish, wahaha! 

Incidentally, Marni x H&M happens tomorrow, March 8! My friend Naomi is asking her nanny to line up for her in the morning and will take her place when she brings the kids to school. Hay! So excited for her, and me! Heehee!

Accessories on AVA!

Accessories sale ongoing over at AVA!

And! After seeing Kristine's pieces for Deux Yeux, I can't wait to see what's in store for us on Nov 23!

Deux Yeux

Deux Yeux, roughly meaning “two eyes”, refers to Kristine Dee and Paul Syjuco's latest collections for Firma. Inspired by court jewels, the jewelry artists' modern take on royal jewels are decadent yet still wearable.

I have seen some of the pieces and they are indeed a sight to behold! Will share photos soon =)

As with their last collection, pieces from Deux Yeux are produced applying the principles of renewable luxury. Using reclaimed precious metals and forming them into these newly inspired pieces.

Deux Yeux’s launch will be on November 11, 2011 at Firma Greenbelt 3, Friday, at 6pm. Co-presented by Ayala Malls, Moet & Chandon and L’Oreal Paris Philippines.

MFO Shoe Series: Kristine Dee

Jewelry artist Kristine Dee has come a long way from furniture. She trained in industrial design at  DLSU-College of St. Benilde, worked in her family's furniture company for a year, and then left for New York to take her Master’s in Industrial Design focusing in furniture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. To further hone her craft, she took up furniture making in Denmark Design School with her husband Sheldon. 

It was by accident that she stumbled upon the jewelry workshop at Pratt. She found it so fascinating that she signed up for classes in metalsmithing and found so much joy crafting pieces she designed herself.

After graduating from Pratt, she worked for a design studio that created home accessories for the likes of Banana Republic and MoMA. When she and her husband moved back to Manila, they put up their furniture company Duo Living, but rather than forget her love for jewelry design, it only intensified. Today, Kristine has made a name for herself in creating fine jewelry pieces that are testaments to her eye for form, line & function. The same goes for her taste in shoes - it runs the gamut from pretty & delicate to classic & functional to architectural & sculptural. The common denominator: great design.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

About 60 maybe (only what can fit in my closet).

Here is the picture of our shoe cabinet.  Share kami ni hubby, of course, I get more space than him! 

To keep my shoe collection well edited, I give away what cannot fit in here. - Kristine

What's your shoe size?

Size 6 sometimes 6 1/2

Which pairs are your favorites? 

Top 1 : Dries Van Noten I bought 10 years ago in New York

Top 2: white Prada wedge sneakers

Top 3: new silver Birkentstock sandals ( if you consider these as shoes) just because they are so comfy

Top 4: Stella Luna black gladiator boots

Top 5: Alexander Wang heels (but they are too high to wear for a long time)

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

Silver Birkenstock sandals :)

What are your favorite shoe brands?

Dries Van Noten, Alexander Wang, Birkenstock, Jeffrey Campbell, Prada, Stella Luna

Jeffrey Campbell Tick NS bought at SM Fashion Forum

Stella Luna bling sandals

Stella Luna party shoes

Stella Luna wedges

What's in your shoe lust list?

More Alexander Wang, more Dries Van Noten and more Prada

Where do you buy shoes?

While traveling, online, and locally at Stella Luna

Brogues from Giordano Ladies, one of her favorite stores

Frye boots

Cole Haan peep toe pumps which go with everything

Stephen booties bought from a store in Philly, which can be worn two ways

Via Spiga peep-toe booties

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

10 year old Dries Van Noten shoes ( because they have lasted me for such a long time and still in good shape)