Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Vanità Lingerie

a sweet, lacy and very comfy underthing from Vanità

For me at least, there's something intimidating about going inside a lingerie store.

Maybe it's the Catholic school girl in me. I'm more comfortable buying underwear in a department store, and lacy underthings at Anthropologie, Aritzia, Urban Outfitters or Madewell. 

So when I would pass by lingerie store Vanità at the 5/F in the East Wing of Shangri-la Mall, I never even bother to come close. It looks so grown up, womanly, and yes, I'll say it, sexy.

Because it is, it truly is.

But then I realized, why fear a good thing?

The good, no, great thing about Vanità is that it's the kind of place where sexy meets comfy. Tanya Chua of Vanita sent me a couple of pieces to try out, and I have to say there was nothing raunchy, more importantly, itchy about their lingerie.

This is because Vanità offers a range of handmade pieces made from luxurious fabrics - the softest satin and pizzo leavers lace, the highest quality lace in the world. Each piece is designed and made by combining Italian mastery, European systems, Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge designs.

From waist-cinching corsets to lingerie sets in sheer lace, to resort wear, each piece is meant to flatter a woman’s body. It's not just about seduction, it's also about feeling good in something that even only you can see.

The woman behind Vanità lingerie is the Italian born Fabiola Marin. Fabiola studied fashion design at the Instituto Marangoni Fashion and Design school in Milan. A sought after designer for the top lingerie brands in the world, she also led a stellar career as Senior Design Manager of the Intimissimi Group, establishing the Intimissimi brand in 1996. To date there are over 10,000 Intimissimi shops in close to 20 shops worldwide. For us here in the Philippines, we've got Vanità.

So if you're like me, maybe it's time to frequently step into their store. Pick up a gift for yourself, or your girl friends this Christmas. Guys, if you are reading this, take the initiative! And you don't even have to wait until Christmas, it's perfect any time of year.

Because in reality, even if she would never admit it, a girl can never have enough of pretty and comfy lingerie.

For updates and inquiries, Like Vanità Lingerie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Vanitashangrila

Vanita
5/F Shangri-la East Wing

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Morellato Sparkles at Shangri-la East Wing

Italian jewelry brand Morellato, which traces its roots back to Venice, in the year 1930, recently opened its newest store at the East Wing of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, graced no less by Morellato's principals who flew in from Italy, as well as Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno.

The Fioremo Collection, the latest from Morellato

With a strong Italian heritage, all pieces designed by Morellato are made in Italy, crafted from precious materials such as pearls, diamonds, semi-precious materials and surgical stainless steel, which guarantees strength and protection from corrosion.

More than just jewelry, Morellato also offers a selection of watches, leather goods, key chains, and writing instruments. 

Of course, Morellato is also known for its "Drops Collection", which allows us to playfully put together crystals, jewels and blown glass (in true Venetian fashion) to come up with a piece that is truly our own.

Here's what I came up with:

A bracelet with a Dragon for Dragon Boy Xavi, a Baby Carriage for Baby #3 (our latest Dychiao addition!), a Pearl for Donya Beriray, a Crystal Charm for Me, and a Lucky Horseshoe for Dada, who was born in the Year of the Horse! So cute!!! 

For more on Morellato Philippines, Like their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MorellatoPhilippines

Carven comes to Manila!

When I think of Carven, I think of their bow-back slingbacks...

I think of cool girl Alexa Chung, who is often photographed wearing Carven.

And last Spring 2013's toile dresses come to mind. Because they really made an impression on me.

Especially this particular one. So French, with that cool girl appeal.

I would see Carven at Homme et Femme, but it's just like wow when you see the future of an actual store, even while still boarded up. This was back in January I think.

I monitored it's progress, seriously. Around March 2014.

Tadaaaa! This is Carven at Shangri-la East Wing. It's a beauty.

My friend Gretch & I passed by on opening day and the store is just love. 

Gretch & I with Town & Country Philippines fashion editor Carole Cuasay-Tagle

 It's stocked with Spring 2014's crop of new wardrobe faves.

There were a lot of standouts, but it was refreshing to see how Carven treats camo. 

camo get sweet

Alexa Chung's top & skirt, far left

I saw this in Carven Shang as well, also worn by Alexa Chung. OMG!

Of course, they always do shoes really well.

two-tone perforated flats

masculine meets feminine bow embellished sandals

the Banana sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals x Carven

Jessica Alba has an ankle strap version in black. Love. Love.

Now, I need to work my ass off so I can afford to dress in Carven. Because it's not cheap ha! But they are guaranteed to be closet staples that you can wear for a long, long time.

PS - Alexandra Jacobs trains her critical eye on Carven for The Critical Shopper in The New York Times. She writes about Carven a whole lot more eloquently than I just did.

Carven
Level 1 East Wing
Shangri-la  Plaza Mall
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Lock & Lock Opens at Shangri-la East Wing

I remember when Lock & Lock first released their airtight containers, it was so revolutionary. No spills, food would stay fresh, and there was some sort of satisfaction from hearing that clicking/locking sound. Remember, this was the time when Tupperware was like the bees knees.

My mom bought a lot, and I remember buying for myself too, because they made such fantastic lunch containers. By the time Lock & Lock launched Boroseal, it was heaven sent, with everyone so paranoid about the BPA in plastic. 

Again, I stocked up on a lot, because it was also convenient to use. I could store food in the fridge and heat food in the microwave without transferring containers. 

Turns out it can go from oven to table too! We could portion off baked macaroni into smaller Boroseal containers, popping a small glass container into the oven as needed.

So when my friend Michelle aka My Mom Friday invited me and the SoMoms to the newly opened Lock & Lock store in Shangri-la East Wing, I was naturally excited. It was as good as being invited to a shopping party at Bergdorfs.

As expected, the Lock & Lock store has in fact become a treasure trove for people like me looking for innovative storage solutions.

I bought this First Aid Kit, which can also double as a crafting box with all these perfectly sized compartments:

All my friends were raving about their Freezer Containers. I ended up getting a total of 4 sets, because it makes so much sense to portion off meat, fishballs, chicken into cooking/serving portions. And they look so neat in the freezer too. I might just end up getting a few more.

Also spotted these Interlock Glass Food Storage containers which can be screwed together, so you can stack them one on top of the other, with no fear of toppling.

A wooden container with plastic drawers, for storing makeup, pens, note cards or other small items.

I used to buy a separate lunch box for our Lock & Lock containers, but now they have insulated lunch boxes made to fit their containers perfectly.

This one's big enough to pack for a picnic.

I was tempted to get these too - bins for laundry, toys or what nots. I like the natural linen ones, very chic.

More than just storage solutions, Lock & Lock has also come up with a line of cookware, called SpeedCook, which guarantees to cut your cooking time in minutes.

I love this grill pan from SpeedCook, which I won during our cook off. It has an elevated center so it drains fat. Perfect for cooking bacon, or grilling liempo. At Php1,699 it's not expensive too!

What's best, you hardly need oil to cook on a SpeedCook because of its non-stick surface. We also use the grill pan to cook egg fritata, chicken barbeque, even pork barbeque on a stick. If there's one thing you have to buy at Lock & Lock, it's this grill pan. 

Warning though, I cannot guarantee you could walk away from the store with just one thing.

Lock & Lock
6/F Shangri-la East Wing
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila