Chuvaness x NBS

When Cecile van Straten aka Chuvaness asks you to save the date and invites you to the launch of her collaboration with National Bookstore, you block that schedule and you go. That's a no brainer. 

Cecile told me to save the date two weeks before her launch. Without seeing anything from her collection for National Bookstore then, I already knew it was going to be good, and that I would be in for a treat. Because I know enough that when something is Chuva-approved, it's going to be something I would want as well.

True enough, it was a visual treat just being there. It was like stepping into Cecile's world of bleached wood, clean lines, kawaii characters and a wasteland of stationery and travel supplies.

Cecile led the pack in her Vetements sweatshirt, trousers with extra wide cuffs and her signature platform sneakers, but I know her well enough not to ask for her photo, hehe.

Of course, the Ramos women of National Bookstore were there, to welcome the equally chic crowd.

Xandra Ramos-Padilla in Sacai and N21, Tita Presy Ramos in House of Dagmar and Martiniano, Pat Ramos in Uemelo Munenoli, Rachel Comey and Mich Dulce

I think all the guests dressed for Cecile. Well, Pat & I did. We wore Japanese, from Tilda of course.

Wearing Japanese: Pat's top is by Tokyo-based designer Uemelo Munenoli and I wore NICO, by Nicholson and Nicholson, an Osaka-based label by Yusuke Nakagawa

I thought the pieces were totally Chuvaness. Chuvaness x NBS is an inspired collection that represents pieces, illustrations and sayings that we've all come to identify with Cecile and her blog.

There's the cute, tiny tote bag

The Coco Chanel saying, "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

Shoe travel bags that say "Good shoes take you good places"

The most adorable illustrations of chica girls by Keeshia Felipe on this utility kit, graphic design by  Yodel Pe 

The outfit on the girl wearing the polka dotted dress is the exact same dress that inspired Cecile's polka dot birthday party back in 2014. She wore this dress of course, and effortlessly pulled it off, so to me, this is the most Cecile outfit of all

Cecile always sends out thoughtfully packaged presents so it totally makes sense for her to have gift wrappers in her line

There's also round clutches, note cards and so much more, but I ended up buying these.

The gift wrappers and stickers are totally mine. I'm visiting friends in New York soon, and I thought the shoe bags, stationery and pouch would make fun pasalubong. I'm going back for more. I'm thinking ahead, and think these would be great Christmas presents as well!

Prices are very reasonable, and the quality of each piece is impeccable. The gift tags start at Php49 and the most expensive of the lot is the big tote bag at Php699. 

The #ChuvanessxNBS collection is available at the following National Bookstore branches: Alabang Town Center, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Estancia Mall, Festival Supermall, Glorietta 1, Greenbelt,
 Greenlanes Arcade, Katipunan, NAIA, Market! Market!, Power Plant Mall-Rockwell, Quad Alpha Centrum, Quezon Avenue, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Aura Premier, SM Bacoor, SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Sta Rosa, Superbranch Cubao, Trinoma, Uptown Place Mall.

Pat is Madonna's Unapologetic Bitch!

I may have missed out on the concert, but OMG, my friend Pat was the Unapologetic Bitch last night and her experience made up for it!

When I woke up to her iMessage, "I danced with Madonna!!!", complete with a photo, it instantly woke me up, like no alarm has ever done.

All our friends are living vicariously through her now, I swear. We all can't stop talking about it, and I just have to share with you her experience. Ang saya!

Here's my exclusive interview with her, woohoo!

Your outfit was inspired! How long did you plan for it? 

I couldn't decide on an outfit until the night before,  but I was inspired by Madonnas vogue video and equestrian theme in her confessions tour.  I wore my 3 year old Italian suit, borrowed my daughter's bow tie, her classmate Armand's top hat, and my friend Tiffany's Amah's cane. It was an ornate carved Chinese cane that I wrapped with a satin ribbon from National Bookstore.

Outfit for the night was: Equipment silk top, Rachel Comey mars mule  from shoptilda.com, Comme ca bow tie from Emma, Top hat from Armand, Cane from Tiffany's Grandma, 3 year old Italian suit Mac lipstick in Diva, Mac blush, La Perla underwear

Did you plan on being the unapologetic bitch of the night? 

No I did not! It was totally random!! I just dressed up for fun. My husband was actually laughing at me! But he was so happy when he saw me on stage. 

MFO's Note: Pat didn't even know there was such a thing as the unapolegetic bitch because she didn't watch any concert videos prior to last night.

How did they approach you? 

I was standing in front of Krispy Kreme talking to some friends when a nice lady, probably from the production crew, came up said I looked good and asked me if I wanted front row tickets. She gave us two! I said yes immediately! My sister-in-law Gia excitedly joined me.

MFO's Note: Pat still had no clue that she was going to be asked to go up the stage at this point. She was just so happy to score front row tickets without paying for it, hahaha.

You didn't know you were going to dance?

While Madonna was singing Material Girl on stage, one of her girls asked me to go backstage. When I got there, they told me what was going to happen, and that I was going to dance and it was going to be freestyle! They were even debating if I should keep my hat and cane on stage. Then they told me to have fun!

What was the experience like onstage with Madonna? OMG!!!

Surreal. Fantastic. A dream come true. I always told myself that if there was one concert I needed to go to it would be Madonna's. And I suddenly find myself having a normal conversation with her! (What is normal, haha?) I'm going to have to tell my kids about this one day.

MFO's Note: Madonna noticed her rocks! And asked if her diamonds were real. Haha. Madonna really is a material girl!

What happened after you went down?

The dancer I chose went down with me using one of the lifts. It was my first time ever to see what it was like under the stage, there were dancers waiting to be brought up, some were just lounging, even getting dressed right there! The energy was fun and relaxed! I was saying "Hi!" to all of them! 

What are you going to do with the banana?

Photo via Maita Nolledo

We were thinking of how to preserve it, but I think my son ate it already!

MFO's Note: The dancer gave Pat a plastic champagne bottle to keep! Haha! I will figure out a way to post the video of Pat dancing, she was amazing!!! Her conversation with Madonna was so fun and hilarious! 

UPDATE: Here's a transcript of Pat's conversation with Madonna!

Madonna: What is your name?
Pat: Pat.
M: Pat. That's such a hard name to remember. *Pauses* So, uhm, did you wear this suit, so that you can match, like me on the top of a wedding cake? Yes?
P: Yes, and I wanted to channel my inner Madonna.
M: Your inner Madonna. And that looks like a suit.
P: *laughs* Yeah.
M: It's kinda good. I like that. Are those real diamond earrings?
P: Yes.
M: And I see you have a lot of rocks on your hands. Did you buy them yourself?
P: My husband did *laughs*
M: You're married?
P: Yes.
M: Oh. I'm sorry too. I'm just kidding. Good sport! So anyway, the deal is. I'll give you your prize if you give me one of your diamond rings! *then jumps, twirls around and does a couple of jumping jacks! and continues* I'm just kidding. Ok. So everybody knows that the unapologetic bitch of the evening gets a special prize aaaand you are no exception!
P: Do I get to take home one of the guys?
M: What! You want one of the guys? Oh. *whiplash sound in the background* Ok fine, but you're still waiting for me. *audience laughs* Which one do you want?
P: You can join us!
M: It's ok, it's ok *pushes away* there's no turning back now. You blew it already! Ok. Which one do you want? WHICH. ONE. DO. YOU. WANT?

Pat turns around and looks at the guys. The musicians are heckling in the back, shouting, "She's gonna pick the Asian!" The guys all strike a pose. Pat chooses the tallest dancer, on the far left.

M: Ohhhhh. Yes. Yes, he's been given a loooot of really wonderful gifts in life. Yes. You chose the right one. Anyways, so Kish, can you please help Pat...*pauses* Oh right, we haven't given you your prize. I got, I got distracted because you rejected me. *Audience laughs* Rejection doesn't sit well, in my book...Anyways, I've got a special prize for you Pat. And I know exactly where you can stick it.

Madonna whips out a banana. Audience roars in laughter.

M: Don't you just love bananas. You do? They're so good for you right?
P: They are, I have them everyday.
M: You what?
P: I have them everyday.
M: You have them everyday. Where do you put them?
P: In my mouth.
M: And?
P: I bite.
M: She bites. Kish, good luck.

The audience erupts in laughter. Pat steps back.

M: Ok, Anyways, keep back on the stage ok *motions for Pat to move forward*. Pat, you believe that you've got the power, ok. Anyways, you and Kish will have a wonderful diamond filled life together. Ok, Bye, bye Pat. And bye, bye, my fuck yeah bitches!!!

The music goes on and Madonna dances on the stage with three dancers left. Pat goes down the lift with Kish. Ang sayaaaaaa! Goosebumps.

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.