Saint James at Signet

There are striped shirts and then there are Saint James shirts. Let's make a distinction here, heehee.

Saint James was founded in 1889 in Lower Normandy, in the commune of Saint-James, close to Mont Saint-Michel. Its fame is based upon a cult item of clothing "the genuine pure new knitted woolen Breton seaman's sweater", which was originally intended for deep sea fishermen, then adopted by known seafarers, and yachtsmen.

In short, they made striped shirts happen. They're all about THE Striped Shirt.

Before I got hooked on Saint James, I had Petit Bateau shirts. While both are built to last, nothing beats the boxy shape of Saint James shirts. Even Goop swears by it: 

Ang chica diba?

The first Saint James shirt I bought was the Naval II, this one on the left. What makes this different from most striped shirts is that the stripes start at the boob area.

It's a men's shirt really, and because I was unfamiliar with Saint James sizing then, I ended up buying an S, which is still so many sizes too big for me. They're so comfy though, I could even wear it up until my 39th week of pregnancy, for all three pregnancies.

My second shirt is the Meridien II, the one on the right. I bought it at the J. Crew store in Time Warner Center. They're perfect for Spring and Fall and it happens to be my favorite piece.

I've been wearing it ever since Berry was a baby and wear it so often that the signature Saint James tag on the sleeve fell off (and of course I sewed it back, lolololz).

My third shirt, the red one in the middle, is Saint James x crewcuts. Yes, it's for kids. Heeheehee. 

I have since added two more to my collection, and I got it right here in Manila, at Signet, the men's specialty store in Makati. Because where else can we find the best tomboy style but in a men's shop, right?

I got the Guildo in red stripes.

The Guildo is made from heavyweight carded cotton, just like the Meridien except it has a shorter body. 

I also got another Naval II, this time in my size, but with blue and white stripes (my first one is navy and white).

So you see, contrary to my husband's opinion, not all striped shirts are made alike, ahihihi.

My next target is that Guildo in navy and ecru one up front. Plus the Levant - a short sleeved t-shirt, in navy and white.

All these shirts have recently been restocked at Signet in Legaspi Village. So if you work or live in Makati, you better visit now. 

Might as well bring the style-challenged guys in your life here for an education. It's a fashion man's cave. They have all the dapper men essentials, from English umbrellas...

Neckties, pocket squares, socks (they have Happy Socks), shoe accessories...

Spanish loafers, Farfalla slippers...

Brogues...

Japanese raw selvedge denim...

Even horn collar stays...

And Italian and Japanese suiting. Once every quarter, they even invite Neapolitan tailors to come and measure their clients so they can order custom made suits. Fancy.

Thanks so much Kevin for telling me about Saint James at Signet. 

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing though. Dear readers, do me a favor. You better go before I beat you to it. Ahihihi.

Signet SA Jayson Ebido and Store Manager Kevin Yapjoco

Signet
Unit 102C Windsor Tower
163 Legazpi St., Legazpi Village
Makati City
Phone: +63 2 894 3934
Mobile: +63 918 985 2895
Facebook: The Signet Store
Instagram: @thesignetstore

Vancouver 2011: Little Lawn Daisy

Fallen cherry blossom petals on grass, so dreamy and romantic. I feel like I should be wearing blush sandals with a silk chiffon dress, carrying a straw basket filled with freshly cut flowers 

from a nearby meadow

You know how ads or packaging for weedkillers would have little lawn daisies (actually, the proper name is daisy fleabane) on them? Well, I always thought it was a shame to kill this type of weed because they look so cute. Like tiny little flowers on grass.

Apparently, Berry likes them too. When Angkong plucked out a daisy from the grass and gave it to her, she was so thrilled, you'd think she was 16 and her crush gave her a dozen roses, hahaha!

Gap parka from Ate Carissa Carale, Zara jeggings from Auntie Kaye Yao, 

 Trumpette boat shoes from Uncle Toni and Tita Sarj

She wouldn't let go of it, and held on to it until we got home. So precious. She also held it ever so gingerly between two fingers, like a dainty little girl and not the "Destructa" (our nickname for her because she's in that stage where everything she comes across turns to smithereens) that she can be.

I also think Berry's look suits our lovely backdrop. Pretty in pink and red. I was the jarring image in grey and black leather. This was the same photo that came out in Style Bible, my look "inspired by downtown NY and French girls".

Striped top from Saint James (French), a cardigan from J.Crew (bought in Prince St.), 
a Hoss Intropia leather jacket (Spanish, but the showroom is in downtown NY) with J Brand jeans (uhm, got this at Barneys but downtown girls shop there too), Isabel Marant scarf (French), Celine luggage (French) and clog booties from No. 6 (Centre Market Place in Little Italy)

Vancouver 2011: Granville Island Public Market

Granville Island purports itself as Vancouver's Town Square. Fair enough. It's that place in the city where there's everything for everyone in the whole family, in-laws included. You've got art, music, beer, food, sailing, shopping and lots of activities for the little ones to keep them busy.

For us, a trip to Vancouver isn't complete without a visit to Granville Public Market. From organic fruits and vegetables, freshly caught seafood and salmon smoked to perfection, to gourmet coffee, bread and chocolate, there's plenty of gastronomic delights in store.

Yes, excuse me, hello, I would like to know what those are?

An octopus. $7.99 a lb.

Salmon, with the head cut off. What is it about fish heads that freak people out?

Yes, I see I got good shots for Mommy's blog.

Smoked salmon, if you'd rather have them in a bagel with cream cheese... 

A variety of berries in all shapes, colors and sizes...

Mushrooms, peppers, beans, eggplants, cucumbers and herbs...

More leafy green vegetables...although what I am really in the mood for is bread...

A fine selection of pastries at Terra Bread

While I enjoyed browsing the food stalls, Berry had a blast trying to befriend pigeons, and then running after them. Angkong was so amused!

Meanwhile, I managed to coerce Dada to take an outfit shot, which is really just a wardrobe remix of what I've worn previously. Told you I traveled light.

striped shirt from Saint James, Gap jacket, Topshop pleather shorts, 

H&M scarf (the lighter version of the blue one I've worn previously), J.Crew belt, 

Wolford tights, Repetto Jacksons, Celine luggage tote

Speaking of Saint James

Got the photos above from the blog P&P, or P et P in Français. The daring duo behind it, Lorenzo Papace and Vincent Pianina make a mockery of bloggers, French bloggers Louise and Alix in particular!

I'm hoping these girls have a sense of humor about it, because it's so irreverently funny!

Can you see the resemblance?

Louise...

Alix...

It's so funny how they go out of their way to re-create the looks, I mean man, that takes time, effort and creativity! Like they really give each picture as much thought as Alix puts into her outfits! And I mean that in a good way. I love Alix! It's just that P&P is so hilarious! I hope they make more posts! The blog is brilliant!

Berry Nice Weather

 

It was such a nice day out two Saturdays ago, I can't believe it's raining again this week! That weekend, we decided to go out for a walk by the river, just to enjoy the sunshine. And yes! This is Berry now! She's like a little girl already! She started cruising a month ago and now, she can push her "Walk and Ride Lion" around the house. She feeds herself and she even feeds me, pushing Animal Crackers to my lips! Hahaha!

She even runs! When she gets excited, she really makes a run for it! I think she forgets that she is only 9 months old!

 

Mommy: Balenciaga sunnies, Saint James Meridien II shirt, J Brand jeans, French Sole flats. Berry wearing Carter's and Baby Levi's

 

I see that this little girl is a diva in the making. See Berry doing a Pilita!? When she wants to do something else, to get her way, she would bend backwards like that ala Pilita Corrales! Now here's Berry wearing my scarf, because even though the sun was out, it was starting to get a bit chilly.

Another milestone! Last week, we went to her pediatric dentist for a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. She has 4 teeth out already, and two more upper teeth coming out! Now she has her own toothbrush and she laughs when I brush her teeth and gums. I think she gets tickled when I do that. So cute!