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's Verdict On: ItWorks!® Deep Sleep

When my friend Vanessa Santos, aka #TheVainMama sent me the ItWorks!® DEEP SLEEP Line, it was truly heaven sent!

I can probably count the number of times I have had a good night's sleep since 2008, with two hands.

My entire family are such light sleepers, the slightest rustle, the phone ringing or even a kid tossing in bed, lagot na.

Dada even bought those Bose noise reduction ear phones because he really has such sensitive ears, he needs to put it on when the noise gets annoying and he's trying to catch some Zzzzzs. 

Melatonin, Nyquil, raw honey? Tried and tested!

 

But it doesn't hurt to try another sleep solution. Anything to get a good night's sleep, we're game for that. 

From L to R: Dream Mist Pillow Spray, Night Oil, Stress Less, Breathe In Oil, and Turbo Balm

The Product: ItWorks! Deep Sleep Line consisting of a Pillow Mist, Night Oil, Stress Less, Breathe In Oil, and Turbo Balm.

• ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Dream Mist Pillow Mist The  best-selling, natural sleep aid that will fragrance your bed and calm the nerves. The miracle solution to a good night’s sleep. With ItWorks!® signature relaxing fragrance, this pillow spray will become your must-have sleep solution.

• ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Night Oil A natural body oil for a therapeutic nighttime ritual and to keep your skin nourished and looking young. With Grape Seed Oil and Vitamin E, ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Night Oil is a great moisturizer that easily absorbs into skin, reduces the signs of ageing and promotes rested radiance.

• ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Stress Less is a soothing natural remedy to help you breathe more easily and calm your senses promoting a better night’s sleep. Clears your head so you can breathe more deeply and stress less.

• ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Breathe In is a concentrated blend of their signature Deep Sleep fragrance for burners and diffusers.

• ItWorks!® Deep Sleep Turbo Balm is a portable boost of hydration that’s on call for dry lips and skin wherever and whenever you need it. Made with 100% natural ingredients, this non-greasy, multipurpose balm tackles dry areas on the face and body to leave you silky smooth and moisturized.

ItWorks! Turbo Balm via seektheuniq.com

The Promise: In a 7-hour sleep cycle, a person normally gets only 1-2 hours of deep sleep. With our signature blend of French essential oils, ItWorks!® Deep Sleep line doubles the Deep Sleep hours in your sleep cycle. Consequently, a person wakes up energized and refreshed even with just a few hours of sleep. Best for stressed, on-the-go people (e.g. when traveling, doing hospital duties), those who just came from a severe medical condition and for the majority who just wants a deep sleep amidst life’s anxieties.

ItWorks! Dream Mist Pillow Spray via seektheuniq.com

Put to The Test: I was intrigued by the Pillow Mist and that was the first thing I tried. True to their claim, with just a simple spritzing of ItWorks!® Pillow Mist on our pillow, I felt calm and ready to hit the sack already. I've added it to Berry's bedtime routine too, and she loves it. She says it smells like her Mogu Mogu drink, which is a compliment, coming from Berry.

The Night Oil leaves a minty, tingling sensation after application. I liked it.

Deep Sleep Stress Less has a roller ball application so you can rub it unto your temples, and pulse points massaging it gently.

ItWorks! Breathe In via seektheuniq.com

I used our Harrn diffuser with the Breathe In night oil and it does add to the calming feel of the room. Just make sure to blow out the candle before you go to sleep!

The Turbo Balm works like any other balm, it's advantage lies in that it's a multi-tasking balm that works well not just for your lips, but for also for your cuticles, nails, and dry heels.

Passing the Verdict: I keep it in a handy pouch on my bedside, for easy access to a good night's sleep. The pillow mist for one, has become part of our night time routine. Dada, who at first was not convinced of its powers had to agree that he did enjoy a good night's sleep with it.

Aromatherapy is better than Ativan, that's for sure!

Practical Tip: If there's only one product from the line you want to start off with, start with the Pillow Mist. It is absolutely divine and you cannot find a similar product elsewhere.

Eryleen So of ItWorks! recommends that the pillow spray and roll-on are to be used simultaneously. She shares, "Those 2 are our pioneer products. We just added the diffuser oil for those who want their room to smell good and massage body oil after showers to complement our sprays and roll-ons."

Price: from Php120 to Php450

Point of Sale: Available at the following retailers

• Sesou Nature Source Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Market Market, Trinoma, Robinsons Magnolia, Festival Supermall Alabang, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria

• Plana Forma Studios Fort and Eton Centris
• Nuliving Spa Studio D. Tuazon and Binondo
• www.seektheuniq.com
• Online orders: info@goitworksnatural.com

For more on ItWorks! like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/itworksnatural, follow @itworksnatural on Instagram and watch out for their website www.goitworksnatural.com 

Say Hello to Seychelles!

"Seychelles? Isn't that a country? A tax haven? Dada asked when he saw me looking through the launch photos that Pia Miranda sent me.

Well, he's right. But there's more to Seychelles than being a tax-evader's paradise. It's the kind us girls can relate to, because OMG, Seychelles is about cute shoes!!!

It was Anj Dinglasan aka Donya Zenutrients who clued me in, when she told me that this hip, vintage-inspired shoe line from LA was coming to Manila. She introduced me to the ladies responsible for bringing Seychelles to Manila, Pia Miranda & Casey Marty a few months ago and it was such a thrill to get first dibs on the shoes, along with their family & friends.

Casey & Pia invited us to the Seychelles pop-up at Itsie-Bitsie, and that was a lot of fun too!

Casey had told me that she had been a long time fan of Seychelles, back when she was living in NYC, where walking around a lot requires comfortable, but still stylish, shoes. 

When she moved back to Manila, she wanted to do something else apart from her consulting job and so with the help of her friend and partner Pia, who is still based in New York, they contacted Seychelles and the rest, as they say, is history!

Pia Barrios Miranda & Casey Kierulf Marty of Seychelles Philippines

Just look at the adorableness! I am not a colorful shoe kind of girl, but I just can't help but oooh at the prettiness of their flats, T-strap wedges, chunky funky platform heels, classic Mary Janes and ankle-strap heels.

Candy Reyes-Alipio did a fantastic job with the merchandising, making it so much more fun to shop for shoes.

The launch of the Seychelles pop-up was supported by Pia & Casey's friends and family, and attracted just about every girl who appreciates comfort, quality and style! Many of us went to Itsie-Bitsie wearing the Seychelles we pre-shopped! Heehee.

Finina Tugade wearing Thyme and Angela Dinglasan wearing her Seychelles

Moi, wearing my Sage in black, with Karrots & Jackie 

Michelle Santos Lim, Cricket Querubin, Pia Anya Santos, Mariel San Agustin, Isabel Garcia, & Krie Lopez

Tata Mapa, Agoo Bengzon, Pia & Casey, and Pierra Labrador wearing her Trip the Light Fantastic

I first heard of Seychelles from my friends Rissa Chan & Cris Lagdameo who also lived in NYC, and who swear by it, and my sister Trina who has been buying her pairs from Anthropologie from years ago and I don't know what took me so long to get into it. 

My Sage sandals truly are so comfortable, and I wear my pair with anything and everything. Thankfully, Seychelles is here in the Philippines and whenever I need another pair, it's just a skip and a click away.

In the Philippines, Seychelles is available at:

www.seychellesph.com (coming soon!)
www.seektheuniq.com

Itsie Bitsie Boutique
119 Joya Lofts and Towers
Joya Drive, Rockwell Center
Makati City

For wholesale, press and retail inquiries, please contact sey@martymiranda.com or text/call +63917 814 6681.

For updates, Like Seychelles Philippines on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeychellesPH and follow @seychellesPH on Twitter & Instagram.

Stella by TALA

It was like the stars aligned for cousins Mavis Manotoc Fuentebella and Vanessa Mayuga Santos when they came out with their adorable clothing line for little girls called Stella by TALA.

Mavis is the banker turned entrepreneur behind TALA Manila and Grubbies, two women's clothing lines, both known for their easy breezy clothes - dresses perfect for busy weekends, or for a mom's daily duties - from picking the kids up from school to a quick lunch with the girl friends to grocery runs.  

Vanessa is a former VJ, turned luxury marketing executive and now mom to 3 year old Stella and 10 month old Cisco.  It was Stella's request for “dresses like mama” that prompted Mavis and Vanessa to collaborate and launch a full-blown collection of little girls dresses together.

Stella by TALA (Stella is Latin for star while Tala is Tagalog for star, how cute is that?) launched at the TALA store/showroom called UPSTAIRS last April 13 to much success.

When we got there at 10AM, the place was jampacked with mommies in a shopping frenzy. Yes, that early in the morning and most of us with our little girls in tow. I saw women with piles of clothes hanging on their arms. By the time I was combing through the racks, sizes had run out for some of the dresses I wanted. In fact, before I could write about Stella by TALA, most of the styles & sizes were gone if not totally sold out!

Van with the star of the showroom, Stella

Moms done shopping, me with Karrots & Jackie

Maybe because all their guests know a great buy when they see one. What I liked about Stella by Tala is that Mavis and Vanessa used really nice, quality fabrics. The kind that can be passed on to younger siblings, long after our girls have grown into them.

The best example of that would be the “CARMEN” embroidered dress, named after Mavis' and Vanessa's Lola Carmen, and the central showpiece in the collection.

It can convert to a top when the girls grow a little taller.      

Here's a peek at the rest of the collection, what we missed, and what we'll be missing out on if we don't draw out the dough fast enough the second time around, haha.

 

There are actually still some styles available at Seek the Uniq and new drops are coming soon to UPSTAIRS this month.  Watch out for it!

UPSTAIRS Showroom
Unit 103, Three Salcedo Place
121 Tordesillas St.,
Salcedo Village, Makati (Access through Bautista St.)
 Tel +632 385 3681
Mobile: +63 906 493 2930

Showroom Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am to 7pm