MFO Shoe Series: Vanessa Mayuga-Santos, Manila

My friend Vanessa Santos, aka #thevainmama, is The Model Mama.

And not just because she's gorgeous and statuesque. She makes motherhood look so stylish, easy and fun! Not only that, she still manages to squeeze in time to be productive for herself, for her own enjoyment.

Van is the Beauty Seeker for cult online store Seek the Uniq and her cousin Mavis Manotoc-Fuentebella's partner at Stella by TALA. She also contributes to Glam-o-mamas and Glamourbox, in between shuttling the kids to and from their daily activities.

We always look forward to play dates at their home, where she thoughtfully whips up virgin sangrias for us mommas, to go with the sumptuous snacks she puts together in her kitchen. I remember stuffing myself one time with warm bread slathered in butter swirled with strawberry jam while the kids played princess dress up. I couldn't stop eating it. Van told me to just whisk softened butter with strawberry jam in a food processor, et voila - strawberry flavored butter. It's brillz. She's brillz.

When it comes to style, expect nothing less from Van of course. Her marketing and PR stints at Luxasia and Louis Vuitton Philippines have honed and trained her eye to appreciate quality and luxury in a quiet, informed and discerning level. Her selection of shoes reflect just that.

How many pairs of shoes do you own? 

Am basing this on my closet shelves - about 50 pairs.

What's your shoe size?

39 to 40

Which pairs are your favorites?

Lanvin Ballet Flats for traveling. I normally use this on the plane. The are easy to slip on and off and can be dressed up or down.

Cesare Paciotti boots. I scored these at a secret sample sale in Korea. Luckily most of the shoes were in my size! The boots are gorgeous and so comfortable.

The Cesare Paciotti embellished pumps are a statement piece that I'm saving for a special occasion.

YSL Black Tribute Pumps. I call these my "power shoes". They are classic black pumps that always make me feel a little more confident (probably because of the 4 inch heels). I love how the secret platform makes these shoes super comfy and I can wear them the entire day without any problems.

Maison Martin Margiela sneakers. I am not the sporty type but I have accepted that sneakers are the way to go for traveling. In my 30's and with two kids in tow, comfort that is stylish is always a winner.

Etro sandals, my most recent purchase. I lean towards simple, clean pieces when it comes to my clothes. Even in terms of colors, I generally stick to plains and neutrals. This fun pair of sandals should add a punch to most of my favorite shift dresses.

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

Sandals...

...or flats.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Lanvin, YSL, Louis Vuitton, Cesaro Paciotti, Mystique, and Renegade Folk here in Manila.

Van's collection of Louis Vuitton footwear, because an LV girl has to walk the talk

Gypset glam sandals by Mystique

Van's growing collection of Renegade Folk sandals

What's in your shoe lust list? 

I need new flipflops for swimming. I’m so tempted to get the Valentino camo x Havaianas. Its your fault Tin! Haha

Where do you buy shoes? 

Mostly abroad.

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

My patent navy Lanvin Ballet flats from 2008. They were my first pair and I bring them to almost every trip I go to.

All photos by Camille King of Camille King Photography. Like her Facebook page, HERE.

Hong Kong, January 2014: Day 2 at Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau

Vietnam vet meets Mary Kate Olsen

The one thing I love about going to Hong Kong in January is that I get to wear the Fall/Winter clothes I've accumulated during the early years of my married life, when Dada was still a lawyer in Manhattan. They've been unused for close to 3 years now, ever since we moved back to Asia. 

I excitedly packed my old Lanvin boots for this trip. I've had them since 2008, back when I was still pregnant with Berry.

Honeys, let me tell you. Don't scrimp on shoes. I've had these for 5 years now, and they still look great, considering they have survived 2 East Coast fall/winter seasons, and 3 years in storage. I remember searching high & low for them, ever since I saw Mary Kate Olsen wearing a pair back in 2006.

It was love at first sight then. It's still love when I slip into them. Even if I just wear them with Topshop leggings, an Isabel Marant pour H&M linen tee, and a Gap army parka, it makes the whole look I think. Plus, these boots truly are made for walking. 

The whole of Saturday was devoted to outlet shopping, window shopping and eating. The first order of the day was brunch at Tim Ho Wan.

Since we were staying in Admiralty, we decided to go to the Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong Station, Central. Take note that even if the address on the website says IFC Mall, it is not in IFC Mall per se but at Podium Level 1, at the Airport Express check-in area, close to the elevators.

If you step out the train at Central station, just walk towards Hong Kong Station/Airport Express and Tung Chung. When you take the escalator up to Hong Kong Station, you'll reach the level where the taxi stands are. Walk straight and then take another escalator up to Podium 1. That's where Tim Ho Wan IFC is at.

We got to Tim Ho Wan at about 10:45, and we found ourselves seated in just about 10 minutes, with just 2 groups ahead of us. Shortly after 11, seemingly appearing from nowhere, a throng of about 20 would-be-diners were outside, waiting for a table. I strongly suggest that if you intend to eat at Tim Ho Wan, make sure you get there before 11 am.

That said, the baked BBQ buns were as good as I remembered, and Dada & I enjoyed them a lot.

We had the steamed egg cake, shrimp rice rolls, hakaw and pork& shrimp dumplings too, and while they were plump and filling, I am of the opinion that one goes to Tim Ho Wan to enjoy those delicious pork buns. I am so happy that Tim Ho Wan is finally opening in Megamall so I don't have to wait for the next trip to HK or Singapore just to get my fix.

With happy tummies, we went down the elevator to get a taxi to take us to Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau.

Horizon Plaza at Ap Lei Chau is the outlet mall where shopping legends are made of, consisting of 28 floors of fashion, food, home decor and furniture finds.

This is where Lane Crawford, Joyce, Goods of Desire, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Armani, Marni and the distributors of Carven, Anya Hindmarch, Repetto, 3.1 Phillip Lim and more bring all their past season stuff to be marked down to sometimes, almost nothing. 

Love Carven? Check out bluebell warehouse on the 19th floor, which also houses past season Anya Hindmarch, Nancy Gonzalez, Blumarine and Moschino

Lane Crawford had stuff down to up to 90% off.

While a lot of the shoes were too wild for my taste, such as these platform Alaias...

...and studded & beribonned Birkenstocks...

Lane Crawford had Swedish Hasbeens in my size and within my taste range. Reasonably priced too at just about HKD1000.

The cream Celine sweater was at extra 20% off and the white Celine jacket was being sold at an extra 30% off the marked down price...

The last time we were in Hong Kong, my friend Naomi was able to buy Isabel Marant pumps at the  IT Outlet.

Unfortunately for me, there were no shoes to be found. They only had a paltry rack of about 10 pieces of Isabel Marant clothing, with a pair of jeans (not in my size) at 70% off.

Joyce had dresses by Mary Katrantzou, Galliano, Margiela, and more plus a vast array of shoes.

Including Rick Owens and Rodarte. Incidentally, just across is Pollux Books, where you can leave the husband and kids while you peruse the designer-filled racks at Joyce.

Rick Owens wedge and calf hair trimmed Rodarte heels

Girls like me who love flats will love J. Journey Outlet - home of marked down Repetto, Cath Kidston & Uggs.

When I was there, they were selling Repettos BBs for HKD1000 to HKD1500.

As well as the Zizi oxfords and Jackson loafers. There was a even a small section of Repetto for little girls. OMG.

MaxMara offered an extra 20% for the purchase of 4 or more items.

YSL had Belle du Jour clutches for only HKD4000

And Tribute pumps for HKD4400, with some at an additional 30% off for certain sizes. If you are sized 37.5 to 39 in YSL, there's a wide selection of colors to choose from!

Moms would love Bumps to Babes,

They had ELC toys at 50% off!

Architect/Interior Designer Kellyn See frequents Horizon Plaza to check out the furniture and home accessories stores and of all the stores here, I cannot wait to go back to explore the home goods stores more! She says I can actually arrange to have my purchases shipped to Manila too!

At a store selling lacquerware:

At Lene Bjerre

Tree at the 28th floor

OVOstudio

Pet lovers would have a field day at Whiskers N Paws, and if you get hungry from going through all 28 floors, there are a host of cafes and pastry shops such as Sift where you can stop by for coffee and a sweet treat to recharge.

Whiskers n Paws, a shop devoted to supplying the needs of your furry friends

Some tips to help you get to Horizon Plaza & navigate all 28 floors if you are short on time:

- Forget about taking the bus or a shuttle. Just cab it. It will cost you anywhere from HKD95-115 if you are coming from Central

- Get a copy of the directory from the front desk at the ground floor so you can easily find the stores you want to see

- Instead of waiting for the elevator at each and every floor, take the elevator all the way up to Tree at the 28th floor and take the stairs going down

- Leave the husband at home or at the hotel. Let him do his own thing, send him off to a computer shop or bookstore while you devote a few hours or half a day at Ap Lei Chau. Remember, SPACE aka the Prada outlet is also just a few minutes away. Impatient husbands/boyfriends are programmed to kill the shopping mojo or at least curb your spending. Haha.

Horizon Plaza
2 Lee Wing Street
Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2554 9089
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm