Renegade Folk's Got Something for Moms

If you're still racking your brains, thinking of what to give Mom on Mother's Day, I would suggest a no fail present: Renegade Folk sandals.

I've never met anyone who isn't in love with her own pair/s. I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to add another pair to her collection. Take it from me, I've got 4 pairs, and running.

To make that Mother's Day pair extra special, consider this. You can bundle that pair with a Renegade Folk exclusive, a framed print made in collaboration with illustrator Jamie Catt,

and designer/calligrapher Anina Rubio.

Now, here's a sweet deal. This bundle of sandals + framed art retail for only Php2950.

But use my coupon code Momsday2015cd and you'll get 10% OFF this bundle, or any purchase made at www.renegadefolk.com. Take note, this framed print, and this bundle, and this coupon code is only available throughout the month of May!

A little Mother's Day treat from this mother to you!

Flaunt Your Finds at Seek the Uniq

Here's wonderful news for you, Seek the Uniq fanatics!

You can make all your STU finds work for you to get a chance to win a carefully curated showcase of goodies from Seek the Uniq's tastemakers and purveyors of style - Mikka, Van and Mariel.

Simply join STU's first ever Flaunt Your Finds contest on Instagram, and you might just get your hands on that sold out piece you've been wanting forever, that you can't seem to add to your cart because so many girls have beat you to it.

We're talking something like this Gypset Donya showcase: A Carioca cover-up, Renegade Folk sandals, a 1969 by Joyce Makitalo necklace, a pineapple resin canister and Butter London lacquer for a total look that says, "I'm bidding Summer 2014 with a huge splash of style!", with matching cocktail on hand.

All three winners will win a crateful of covetable, limited edition pieces from Seek The Uniq.

I've been tasked to help choose 3 winners, along with two beautiful, accomplished and stylish ladies - Stephanie Zubiri and Joyce Makitalo. So exciting!

Ok, so let me cut to the chase, here's how to join @shopseektheuniq's #flauntyourfinds contest on IG!

- Gather your STU Finds and think of a way on how you can present and flaunt it on IG with style and creativity.

- Follow @shopseektheuniq and tag your posts with #flauntyourfinds and #seektheuniq. Make sure your profile is on public viewing so we can all see it!

- The Top 3 most creative entries will win a crateful of covetable, limited edition pieces from Seek The Uniq.

- Promo ends on 15 June 2014, 12MN.
- Promo is open WORLDWIDE.
- You can share as many entries as you wish.

That's it! So easy! We cannot wait to take a look at your entries!

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.

Lazy Weekend

Me: Hon, did you know that for this week, my post on your outfit is the 2nd most popular post next to Cambridge Satchels?

Berry's Dada: Hon, I am not surprised.

Me: Bakit, how many times do you click on it a day?

LOL! Well, it's another weekend, and as usual, Dada was rocking another blog worthy outfit. We had just come from a fun, leisurely brunch at P.S. Cafe with our friends Tim & Sunny who had also just moved to Singapore from NY. Sunny (who grew up in Mexico until she moved to Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu) & I are on a quest for authentic Mexican food here in Singapore (which is sorely lacking), and we both miss La Esquina and Chipotle terribly. Sigh.

Anyhoo, when we got home, I told Dada, "Let's take another photo for a post!". 

Of course, he gamely posed for the camera, and downloaded the photos right away. He even titled the album "MFO Photoshoot". Here's Dada with his seaside prep look - all that is missing is the boat!

Berry, who had just awakened from her nap, was not in the mood to pose, but wanted to be with Dada...

She then ambled over to the play area and asked me to join her. After bouncing around a bit on this 4-seater bouncer...

She wanted me to peek into this "speaker" so that we could see each other from both sides. Turns out I was tricked!

As I peered into the opening, she was watching me from above! Look at that naughty smile!

Now, she's awake and ready for more mischief! Hahaha!

Meanwhile, here's what I wore: a 3 year old shirt dress (I love the pockets!) from H&M, tassled moccasins from Renegade Folk, and bangles from Vita Fede and Alexis Bittar. 

Weekend Outfit

Our Saturday play date started at Go-Go Bambini on Dempsey Hill, where we met with our friends Sara, Bob and Peyton for an hour of going through tunnels, sliding down slides, and swimming in a pool of balls:

I couldn't resist diving into the pool with Berry, because when I was growing up, my mom didn't allow us to play in them. Because it was a pool of germs daw. Well, true, but at some point in time, it has to be done.

When Berry got hungry and started asking for a snack, we decided to rest for a bit, and then headed off to PS Cafe, our current favorite place for brunch. Berry had fish & chips. She loves this. PS Cafe's burgers are so good too. Dada & I are burger people, and this could even be better than that of Spruce's. Will do a more detailed post on PS Cafe soon!

By the time we were done with brunch, Berry changed into a new outfit na. Oh, and I also got to wear my new shoes from Renegade Folk. They sent me the pair I blogged about, so happy! Thank you Bibai! The leather is really soft, and I love the tassels.

Me: Old Navy chambray shirt, shorts & belt from J.Crew, loafers from Renegade Folk, 

Celine luggage tote, bangle from Vita Fede

Berry: shirt from Zara c/o Auntie Lorr, Baby Gap leggings, Saltwater sandals

Dada also brought the Vita Fede bangle I bought from AVA.ph! It's so pretty (see photo above). Actually, Dada brought a lot of the stuff I had Johnny Air-ed from the US, plus gifts sent to their house in Manila, so it felt like Christmas in summer! Will share them with you soon. 

In the meantime, thank you also to Sassa Swimwear for the swimsuit you sent me, and Anne of Bop Baby Bop for the adorable clips and headbands you sent Berry. We got it na! She was so excited, she tore off the gift wrap before I could even take a photo =)

Going Renegade for Loafers!

I am obsessed with loafers lately, I just want to start a collection! But I am not too keen on the classic loafers of my youth, I want something slimmer, and well, more feminine. I've been digging  those Stubbs & Wootton "house slippers" that well, look like the sort of loafers I want to be wearing. I am also lovin' these navy & tan ones from homegrown shoe label Renegade Folk:

These are called "Driving" and are made from real leather. Guess how much! Php2,700 lang! Isn't that amazing? It's "Driving" me crazy! I want!

It also comes in nude, if you want to be more low-key about loafing around:

Renegade Folk also has pony hair loafers that are more of slip-ons in style. These come in leopard or zebra print.

Or shall we say, leopard rosettes and zebra stripes? Ahhh, you've learned your lesson well, my dearies!

Renegade Folk shoes are available online via http://renegadefolk.multiply.com/ or  at:

Tint, Powerplant Rockwell Makati & Greenbelt 3 Makati
Carbon, Powerplant Rockwell Makati & Greenbelt 3 Makati

If you want to know more about Renegade Folk, you may reach them at 0927.7410056 or by email at  renegadefolk@gmail.com. You may also catch them on Twitter @renegade_folk and like them on Facebook - Renegade Folk.

Let's give local labels a whole lot of love! It's easy when they make shoes this pretty!