Chrysara NEST in Mandaluyong

I first discovered Chrysara, a Pampanga-based export company specializing in home decors, accessories and gift items back in October 2012, at Manila FAME. 

There were so many booths that I fell in love with then, and as you can guess, one of those booths was Chrysara. I loved their vintage-y toys, home decors, religious icons inside bell jars, I even ended up buying these doll busts right on the spot.

When I asked them if they had a store I can visit after the exhibit, they said they had none, but I could go visit their factory in Pampanga. 

Not wanting to make the trek to Pampanga, the following day, I just had to go again to the SMX Convention Center to pick up a mermaid lamp that I put on reserve. I truly was smitten.

Ever since then, the Chrysara booth has always been a pit stop for me every time Manila FAME rolls around.

Sometime last July 2013, I found out that my ballerina friend Rhea Dumdum Bautista was consulting for Alice Reyes Van Doorn, Ballet Philippines (BP) founder turned creative director of Chrysara (who named her company after her kids Chris & Sara). 

Rhea had invited me to the private sale of the newly opened flagship store in Pampanga, and I was like, "OMG, I can totally see myself going to Pampanga just to shop at their store!"

Lucky for me, by November of 2013, I didn't even have to go all the way to the North.

Because Chrysara Nest opened a store right here in Metro Manila, on Col. Buenaventura Stree in Addition Hills, Mandaluyong.  

The store is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, and by appointment on Mondays.

As expected, it is chock-full of finds, and you can easily pick up something interesting for you to decorate your beach house, kids' room and restaurant with, in one fell swoop.

"Weather worn" oars, surfer dudes, and 20s bathing babes for your Batangas beach house

Vintage-inspired toys for the boys' room

Oriental-inspired decor for a modern Chinese restaurant

It was also fun seeing their pieces, such as the fat lady here...

...in a Wisteria catalog, dressed just a bit differently. Chrysara has been exporting their wares to specialty home stores for close to 30 years now. They even supply my favorite home store Restoration Hardware.

1920s Classic French Glass Cloches, as seen on the Restoration Hardware Catalog, are handmade in Pampanga, by Chrysara

A version of the glass cloche with angel wings ala Restoration Hardware

The santos that Joseph Altuzzara talked about in the New York Times?

Chrysara has versions of that too. I want one, or maybe three. I would totally do an Altuzzara and have these ladies wear my necklaces when I am not wearing them.

Apart from busts and santos, I found that they make gorgeous sunburst mirrors too, that can be customised to a client's specifications.

As well as dome glass jars. Chrysara NEST has these in all sizes, with the medium one costing Php3,500 only.

These are just but a fraction of what you would see in the Mandaluyong store, and practically a drop in the bucket of their Pampanga flagship store, but at this rate, it's hard pressed to walk away without a couple of these gorgeous, and yet surprisingly affordable pieces for one's home, office or store.

For more on Chrysara, visit their website, http://www.chrysaranest.com/ or email chrysara@chrysara.com.

Chrysara NEST Pampanga
Angeles Industrial Park
Calibutbut, Bacolor, Pampanga
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm (closed Sunday)
Tel: (02) 246-8347 ; (45) 636-6036

Chrysara NEST Mandaluyong
776 Col. Buenaventura Street (formerly East Street)
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm (closed Monday)
Tel: (02) 724-0172

Finally! H&M in MANILA!

It's finally official with this press release just out.

Where exactly in SM Megamall? BLDG D, honeys!!! Can't wait for 2014 ;)

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

Mommy Mundo Expo Kid 2013

Mudrabelles (ala Karotitay)! Watcha doin' this Saturday? I suggest you check out Mommy Mundo's Expo Kid Year 5 happening tomorrow at 500 Shaw Events Pavilion on Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong! (see map below for directions)

I am going to be there with Berry, because there's plenty of fun for kids in store. Xavi might pop in for a quick visit too! So we hope to see you there!

The event is open to the public with a minimal entrance fee of 20 pesos per person, but you may also get in free if you pre-register by emailing registration@mommymundo.com. Entrance fee proceeds will benefit MomShare outreach projects.

So what's in store for you when you go?

Expo Kid 2013 will feature major interactive activity areas for kids where they can try out crafting stations from Craft MNL, check out the fun learning modules on Jakenpoy.com, music, arts and sports activities from Kids Klub as well as Crayola. There are more booths from other activity providers from all over Metro Manila, as well as a shopping bazaar which is Mommy Mundo’s trademark mompreneur market featuring more than 40+ booths onsite (hint: Grandma's products, Vapor Soove, Aquasana and Boogie Wipes will be there), and more!

• Onstage program featuring the following: Talented performances and demos from Kids Klub such as Julie Borromeo Performing Arts, New York Musical Theater Lab by Miguel Braganza, My Talent by Audie Gemora, the Philippine Gymnastics Academy, Taekwondo by Coach Donnie Geisler, Mathemagis - Singapore Math, KidzArt, Aikido, and Kindermusik by Teacher Suzette & Friends. 
• A multi-arts show from My Masterpiece Movement 
• Informative talks for moms courtesy of the Learning Basket and Wonderworld Toys: Celebrating your child's milestones. 
• Fun and educational demos will be facilitated by Jakenpoy.com and CRAFT MNL featuring screen printing Demonstration and Heritage Craft.

Expo Kid 2013 is set to be a kids’ haven and a great way for parents and kids to discover what activities to get into this summer!

This event is produced by Mommy Mundo, the go-to resource for active and modern moms. Co-presented by PACE, Mommy Matters. In partnership with Jackenpoy.com, CRAFT MNL, Crayola& Kids Klub with the participation 500 Shaw Events Pavilion as our venue partner. Supported by Cycles&Cradle, Parteiziet and Crystal Clear. Media partners, Manila Bulletin, Sense & Style, Smart Parenting, the Style Weekend, Working Mom, Lifestyle Network, Urban Mom, www.mommypages.com.ph and Crossover 105.1 FM.