Cole Vintage 2014

My friend Chico is back at Cole Vintage, after a hiatus from fashion, and I'm thrilled to see her back, coming up with chic new styles with her partner Lor, that girls, whatever age, would want to wear!

I've already gone shopping for their printed tunics...

and wrap dresses in jersey...

While I know my sisters will love their take on the Celine Trio...

...and their new sandals, that would look great for Holiday 2014 dressing!

Cole Vintage has truly come a long way from when they first started in 2004 selling locally manufactured bags in bazaars. They're now one of my trusted go to's for easy, effortless dressing that won't put a dent in my pocket.

Today, Cole Vintage has over 10 retail outlets in Metro Manila - at SM Aura Premier/SM Makati/SM City Mall of Asia/SM City BF Paranaque/SM City North Edsa, The Ramp Crossings TriNoma/Shangri-la/Glorietta, Podium Markati Palazzo, Wellworth Department Store and Rockwell Power Plant Mall, consistently churning out new designs that practically demand repeated and consistent visits so you won't miss out on their best sellers!

For more on Cole Vintage, Like them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ColeVintage and follow @colevintageph on Instagram.

The Picture Company Promos + Our Annual Family Photo

Each year, it has become tradition to have a nice family photo taken for us to remember each holiday by. This year, our family photo was taken by Ishee Sayson of The Picture Company in Podium:

The Dychiaos, Christmas 2013 

Thanks to The Picture Company, you can start/continue your own tradition too.

They are offering a FREE photo session for you, my dear readers. Just screen cap and print out this coupon below, call your preferred branch to set an appointment and remember to bring the print out of coupon on picture taking day. This offer is valid until December 15, 2013 only, so better book that session stat!

talk to a The Picture Company staffer for more details on this promo

That said, I would have to share with you how we enjoyed having our photo taken with The Picture Company this year.

The Picture Company at the 3/F Podium Mall

Let me count the ways (parang Hallmark card heehee):

1. They're organized and very professional. Our photographer Ishee called us days before to set our appointment. She then emailed me a booking confirmation, along with it some pegs on how she'd like for us to pose, how we can color coordinate our outfits and a reminder to bring favorite toys and outfits for the kids to wear.

On the day of the shoot, we didn't have to wait too long as they had the studio set-up ready and waiting for us. They were very patient, understanding how hard it is to get kids to cooperate, and obliged Berry's need for several costume changes, haha.

2. The studio is big and very neat. We had to take off our shoes when we stepped into the white backdrop but that was ok, the studio was neat and clean and all the props were organized on shelves  and costumes were hung neatly on racks against the wall. There's a changing room where you can change outfits in privacy, and a mirrored area where you can touch up your makeup.

3.  They work fast. We were in at 1:15 and out by 3:30 pm, and that includes the time where I stepped out to do a bit of shopping while they went through all the photos and edited them so I can just choose the ones we wanted for printing. I got our prints in about a week. 

4. Our pictures turned out great. I will let these photos speak for themselves, heehee.

5. They've got Christmas cards and gift tags! We used to have our family Christmas cards made through Snapfish, but with The Picture Company offering the service, there's no need to get it done elsewhere. Talk about a one stop shop!

The personalized cards & gift tags offer is available only until December 15, 2013 too!

For more on the The Picture Company, visit their website, like them on Facebook and follow @ThePictureCoPH on Twitter!

Belly Blessed Fest 2013: A Festival for Expecting Moms

Calling all expecting moms and dads!

Celebrate the many joys of pregnancy with Belly Blessed Fest 2013! A three-day event dedicated to expectant moms, Belly Blessed Fest will be held from July 12 to 14, 2013 at the 2nd and 3rd Level Atrium of The Podium Mall in Pasig City. 

There’ll be exciting interactive stations to delight expectant moms and dads-to-be like the Pregnancy Portrait Booth sponsored by Little One’s Portraits, Clay Medallion Making Station, and a wishing wall where moms can write special messages to the miracle growing inside their wombs. 

Alongside the activity stations will be booths showcasing the latest mom and baby products and services in the market today at the 3rd level. Moms-to-be can also browse and shop for essentials at the mompreneur booths. There will also be products for toddlers and children, Crumbs and Grubs Lactation goodies and snacks for expectant and nursing moms. As part of the Mommy Mundo events' tradition, there will be raffle draws throughout the day. 

On July 13, Saturday, there will be an all-day program of informative talks and refreshing entertainment. Music and entertainment Gentle Universe and a belly dancing session with the Goddesses of Belly Dance by Jill Ngo will get moms-to-be gently grooving while various and informative talks like that of Rome Kanapi, Childbirth Education teacher to reveal some Labor and relaxation techniques while importance of Safe Sleep will be discussed by Halo Philippines. Protect your baby for life! Listen to Dra. Aurora Tajan of CordLife Philippines, and Teacher Jeannie Castillo of Kindermusik Mama, will help get them more ready for the big Delivery day. A Keepsake Journal Making by Namaste and Craft MNL might just encourage many of them to make one-of-a-kind keepsakes of their pregnancy. 

The event is open to everybody, but expectant moms are encouraged to pre-register to get Belly Blessed Fest goodies; interested attendees may simply text their name and the number of weeks that she are pregnant to 0917-8162524 limited slots available! 

Belly Blessed Fest is presented by Mommy Mundo, the Manila’s go-to resource portal for active, modern moms; PACE, Mommy Matters, Nurture Nook, and venue partner, The Podium Mall. It is supported by Cordlife Cord Blood Banking, GlaxoSmithKline, Cycles Mild Detergent, Cradle, Philips Avent, Crystal Clear, Cluebebe, Little One’s Portraits and Crumbs and Grubs Lactation Goodies. Media partners are Urban Mom, Mommy Pages, Working Mom, Lifestyle Network, Crossover 105.1, and When in Manila. Logistics partner is Creative Juice Communications (www.creativejuiceph.com). 

For more on Belly Blessed, like Belly Blessed on Facebook or visit www.bellyblessed.com or www.mommymundo.com. 

To check out photos of last year's Belly Blessed Fest, click here.

Watch the Belly Blessed 2012 video here. 

The Borough Never Sleeps

If you tell a New Yorker you're having brunch at Borough, they'd probably go "Huh?" or, "Which borough?" Until you take them to Borough at the ground floor of Podium in Ortigas, and then they'd be transported back home after seeing the signage (the typeface used for NYC's subway system in case it wasn't that obvious to you!) and serving them Borough's NYC inspired staples. Listen up, Borough's menu was inspired by Cafeteria in Chelsea and the steak frites at Pastis! Isn't that enough to make you want to check the place out?

Not only that, the interiors are inspired by hip Brooklyn lofts:

While the chintz covered chairs would make Mario Buatta proud. Maybe a reference to the UES, circa 1980's?

Dear Hubby and I find ourselves often reminiscing about our days in The City (which reminds me - so sad The City's been canceled. MTV, how could you!), meeting friends for brunch, and maybe this could be our go to place when we're in Manila. I mean look at the place mat alone, that NY subway map already melts my heart!

Borough promises to dish out comfort food culled from the five boroughs of New York City. And brunch weekends include free flowing coffee and mimosas (hey hey!). Because New York City is the city that never sleeps, Borough is open 24/7. That means, yes, you can drop by any time.

Working Borough's kitchen is 32-year-old Chef Cuit Kaufman, a born and bred New Yorker who trained at the French Culinary Institute and under pastry master Chef Jacques Torres at The New School.

Borough is located at the ground floor, Unit 107A, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.

The second level mezzanine is ideal for private functions and seats 60. For reservations, call: 5708906.

Borough is by the Il Ponticello group, run by Managing Director Patrick Santos.