Rainy Day Gear at SM Kids Fashion

It's been raining off and on these days and when I took out the kids' rain gear from last year, I realized they have outgrown theirs, it was time to get new ones.

I didn't want to spend so much for something they won't be using the entire year. Besides they grow so fast, I thought I'd check out the kids section of The SM Store for affordable ones, and I found the cutest rain gear there, on sale pa!

These jackets are Php399.75 a piece, but with a further 20% off when I bought.

I liked the J. Crew crewcuts-ish vibe of this one (there's a navy and white version too!)...

That I ended up getting one for Xavi, and the pink and white polka dot version for Berry.

There are bigger sized versions for kids ages 7 and up at the girls section too. I love the sweet, pastel colored ones on the left.

Spotted seriously fun rain coats at the characters section too - they had Batman and Superman raincoats! This is for when the kids need superhuman protection from sudden downpours. Ahihihi. 

Is it weird I want it to rain a bit, just so the kids can finally wear their new rain jackets? Heeheehee.

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.

SM Kids Welcomes Summer in Style!

Here I am caught on camera in my element.

Shopping really is one of my most favorite things to do, heehee.

These aren't paparazzi shots though, these are behind the scene shots from the SM Kids' Big Holiday Hunt that happened over the holiday break, where we were tasked to complete 10 outfits with a tight budget and in a span of mere minutes.

The Chinita Moms got pitted against...

The Tisay Moms, heeheehee.

But we all shopped equally well because it was a tie! Because as you know, moms are really such great shoppers when it comes to kids clothes. Between the two groups, we spotted so many cute pieces, it was proof that you can dress your kids for whatever occasion by just going to SM, especially if you've only got so much to spend.

Inspired by our finds from the hunt, I did a lot of my holiday shopping at SM Kids Fashion for Christmas. I especially chose a lot of Hello Kitty pieces for Berry's girl friends...

 

Because I wanted to collect the super adorbs Hello Kitty planners!

 

I scored three Hello Kitty notebooks for 2014 - one that I kept for myself, one for my Mom and one that I gave to my friend Melissa Mejia. Collecting Hello Kitty planners was the highlight of my holiday shopping responsibilities. Not that it was a chore, because I really just mostly shopped between SM Kids, SM Baby and Gingersnaps, and it was so easy to score great finds, I did not have to look hard at all.

Summer 2014 is no exception, because SM Kids Fashion makes it so easy for moms to dress our kids in the cutest and chicest outfits for romping about the pool, play dates at the park, or setting out to beach destinations while on school holiday. 

Last week, SM Kids Fashion invited their friends to a mini fashion show at Shine Bakery in SM Aura so we could see for ourselves what's now in stores, including a roster of international brands like Nautica, Maui & Sons and ELLE Kids.

I tell you, we really are spoilt for choice this summer and the seasons to come!

So adorable! I especially loved the embroidered light blue gingham dress and the Maui & Sons rash guard and board shorts. If there's one thing I'm getting for Berry & Xavi each this summer, that's that!

DV by Dolce Vita at SM

Looking for a great pair of flats or wedges for summer?

These ones from DV by Dolce Vita at the Ladies shoe section of The SM Store could be just the pair you're looking for. Best of all, these won't cost you an arm and a leg. Prices range from Php2,975 to Php3,475 a pair and are made so well, it will serve you well this summer, and for many more summers to come.

Archer Php2,475

 

Alta Php2,475

Apex Php2,975

 

Lira Php3,475

Faroe Php2,975

Jobin Php3,475

 Lunna Php3,475

Soloman Php2,475

Available now at the Ladies shoe section of SM Makati and Megamall. Go and get set for summer!

Xavi the SM Baby + SM Babies Special Moments

Yes! That's our very own Xavi in the photo above for SM Babies! Please indulge this proud and beaming stage mom haha.

Ok background story:

Karrots: ARC PR asking for your cell num, for an SM Babies photoshoot daw, may I give?

Tin: Sure, hehehe

Karrots: Ahihihi oki!

That afternoon, Jenny Yrasuegi of ARC PR got in touch with me. She asked how old Xavi was, and then invited us to be part of the SM Babies exhibit. She said Pilar Tuason was going to be shooting our photo in her studio, etc. etc. I was kilig of course, and thrilled to bits! 

On the day of the shoot, Xavi and I went to Pilar's studio. As soon as we stepped in, that was the only time I realized, OMG, this is serious stuff. What are we doing here? 

The makeup artist proceeded to put on makeup and then, Lourd Ramos arrived with his hair guys. Lourd had cut my hair before, when I was still pregnant with Xavi, so we were so happy when we saw each other after so long! As soon as we were ready, we changed into our shoot clothes, Xavi in his dapper SM Babies party clothes (outfit 1: khaki vest, long sleeved shirt and trousers, outfit 2: plaid pants with suspenders, long sleeved shirts and the cutest bow tie) and me in a lace dress borrowed from the gracious Marta Araneta.

Here's the behind the scenes, it was so fun!!!

Although between you and me, Xavi, who was 4 months old at the time of the shoot, was a little bit of an Il Divo at times. Haha! We had to stop because he wanted milk. He wanted to nap. There were times he refused to smile. Hayayay! We were there from 9 to 2 pm. The moms and kids who went after us were done na! Xavi talaga! But the SM Babies team was so encouraging and so understanding. Thankfully, whole team at the shoot was a joy to work with, even if Xavi was Little Mr. Divo.

While Xavi was napping, I saw their lineup of moms on the wall and I was like, "OMG, how did Xavi and I become part of this?" Hahaha! Here are the rest of the gorgeous moms and their cute babies, as seen during the SM Babies Special Moments launch in Manila Peninsula, last January 28:

Juana & Rosanna

Marta & Tristan

Isabel & Brooke

Maia & Matt

Andi & Elle

Rosanna & Alejandro

 

Delamar & Cooper

Rose & Manu

Nicole & Jaime

Angela & Helena

Georgia & Katia

Grace & Alessi

Emillie & Emilia

Kalurks diba? Ibang levelz! Society moms, celebrities, models. Thank you SM Babies and ARC for just thinking of having us! It was such a wonderful experience. Something I would enjoy telling Xavi over and over again!

Thanks for this photo Jenny aka @jenyrasuegui :)

Ok, back to my background story: 

Xavi and I stayed at the studio long enough to chat with Leslie of SM Babies, who was so sweet and so savvy with carrying Xavi that he didn't mind being with her.  I asked her about the clothes on the racks - a lot of the pieces reminded me of J.Crew crew cuts, Petit Bateau and Bonpoint. She told me that they really have a great selection for kids now, all at affordable, really good price points, which should be available this month.

We left the shoot tired but excited about Xavi's mowdeling stint, haha. Plus, I was really impressed with the selection at SM Babies now, from christening gowns to sleepwear, from play clothes to party clothes - they've really got it all for us!

For more about SM Babies, like the SM Babies Facebook page.