United Colors of Benetton Spring 2014 Trunk Show

When I think of Spring, I think bright, happy colors.

That's pretty much what comes to mind too, when somebody mentions United Colors of Benetton.

Tessa Prieto-Valdez hosted UCB's Spring 2014 trunk show in  showstopping colors, wearing a Benetton dress underneath a geometric print skirt

United Colors of Benetton recently celebrated the launch of their Spring 2014 Collection via a trunk show at their High Street store.

Four fun and colorful looks were put together by celebrity stylist Alyanna Martinez, and I loved how she playfully put together the super versatile pieces from the collection to come up with practical outfits to wear during casual days.

Loved the reasonably priced pique polo shirts for guys, and the neon dresses for girls! I ended up bringing home a piece from the collection, thanks to Johanna and Rina of Benetton - a pair of super comfy and stretchy fuchsia UCB jeans that hugs at the right places but doesn't make me sweat in this heat!

Love. Love. Love.

Stock up on your spring and summer essentials at United Colors of Benetton at:

UCB Trinoma
L2,2035 Trinoma, EDSA Corner N Ave
Quezon City
Tel: +632 901 3545

UCB Robinsons Galleria
G/F, Ortigas Centre
Pasig City, 1605

UCB Megamall
2nd Level 205, SM Megamall
EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, 1550 Tel: +632 6347952

UCB Robinson's Ermita
1st Level Midtown
Robinson's Place
Ermita, Manila
Tel: +632 2320051

UCB High Street 
Bonifacio High Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel: +632 8562551

UCB Cebu
Level 1
Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu City
Tel: +632 22320051

Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection + Mother's Day (Hint! Hint!)

A couple of days back, my friend Karrots & I were invited over for tea by our friends from Pandora (Hi Rochelle, Tricie & Riza!) at Spices in Manila Peninsula.

with  event stylist Ferdi Salvador and the day's host Issa Litton

 It was for the launch of Pandora's Spring/Summer 2014 Collection and it was oh, so, pretty!

the gorgeous table setting

scones, savories and sweet treats flanking flower beds

look up and the ceiling is equally pretty with flowers galore!

these blooms weren't just for display, Pandora sent us home with a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers to celebrate Spring

As with the day's set-up, the Spring Paradise Collection is a celebration of new life, the unfolding of Spring, taking it's cue from Mother Nature where an assortment of soft florals, pastels, and delicate swarming butterflies take flight in this collection.

Delicate Butterflies in pendants, rings, earrings and charms are made with sterling silver and embellished in zirconia. Some of these pieces are especially crafted with Milgrain Detailing, mimicking the intricate texture of butterfly wings.

the Butterfly, the messenger of Spring,  symbolizes transformation, renewal and rebirth

The flowers of Spring meanwhile are captured in their distinctive colors and hues with the Soft Spring Flora and Roses Collection.

daisy chains, lavenders and wild flowers, bows and everything little girls are made of

 English roses on rings can be worn individually or stacked together

Pandora's popular pave ball charms have been re-imagined as lovely bouquets with multi-colored cubic zirconia in the palest pink, lavender and purple, set in contrasting sizes.

Shimmering Lace meanwhile conveys gentleness, softness and delicateness - qualities that best remind us of the woman who nurtured us with gentleness, whose hands softly brushed our hair after each bath, and whose delicate touch taught us what it also means to be strong.

Mother's Day is coming in a few days, hint! hint!

Yes, I am talking about our moms! Or, us moms, pwede din. Because Mother's Day is happening this Sunday, May 11 and if you're in a tizzy as to what to get her (or yourself!), then Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection has the answer.

Whether it's a starter bracelet or bangle that symbolizes milestones ahead...

Or a full on stylized bracelet with charms, there's always something for the special women in our lives.

Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection is in stores now. Let me repeat, just in time for Mother's Day. Wink! Wink!

Tod's Spring/Summer 2014

The Spring/Summer 2014 women's collection at Tod's is designer Alessandra Facchinetti's first ever collection for the label, and there was plenty to love this season.

The iconic Gommino driving loafer, rendered in pony hair, now comes in stripes and spots.

The Ballerina Gommino comes in bright red, pink and cream...

even criss cross with ankle straps!

But what I love the most are their fringed flats and sandals. Love. Love. Love.

This is very cute! I am actually seeing a lot of styles coming out that are similar to this shape from Carven to Christian Louboutin, when it was like the sole territory of Marni back in the day. This is a must have.

Of course, the bags, the bags. The Tods D-Cube Bag comes in four sizes, with contrasting side panels, in a range of leathers including exotics. I've seen them at the @tods Instagram account and they are gorge.

Of course, the Bauletto gets the fringe treatment and some bags were more embellished than most, but I gravitated towards this sleek boxy Morsetto that incorporates the Tod's textured pattern, which is inspired by the Gommino and imprinted onto the leather.

Another milestone to this season is an extensive ready-to-wear collection which debuted in a runway show back in September 2013. There were gorgeous separates such as this crisp, cotton shirt and skirt below, as well as buttery soft leather capes, shirts, skirts and dresses. 

There's just an ease and refinement to this collection that lives up that casual elegance that Tod's is known for.

I loved the belt on this outfit. It makes the outfit and subtly attract attention with screaming, "Look at me!". Understated but still eye catching.

Meanwhile, the Spring/Summer 2014 men's footwear collection is built around their famous Gommino style, each shoe sporting a rubber pebble sole. 

Betcha you didn't even realize that without me telling you!

These oxfords, brogues and monk straps feature a complex construction wherein a leather sole is treated with rubber injections and rubber Gommini details. They are extremely elegant, and I can imagine, comfortable as well.

Tod's Double Stripe, as the name suggests, is distinguished by double stripes of leather going down or crossing a bag, wallet or shoe. 

It got its start in the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection and has now become a signature motif of the brand, seen here on blue, brown and grey base leathers.

There's a Double Stripe selection of document holders and iPad cases too!

There is in fact a customization service for customers, where a client can choose their own color combination for stripes. There are 12 colors available, with an option to add a monogram that is set on a leather label and hand-stitched inside or outside the bag. 

Ask a Tod's SA about this service, if you're looking for something a bit more special.

In the Philippines, Tod's is exclusively distributed by Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and are available at Tod's boutiques in Greenbelt 4, Rustan's Makati, and Rustan's Tower Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Valentino S/S 2014

I swear, by the time I am a donya, I am going to wear nothing but Valentino!

Yes, kahit sa grocery!

pang cocktail reception

for a fundraiser with an "indigenous couture" theme

for a casual evening gathering at a friend's home

pang sundo sa school. These espadrilles, OMG

pang grocery

for brunch with the junior matronas

for "I'm just lounging at home while my house is being shot for Town & Country or Elle Decor"

for an ancient civilizations themed party

pang grocery ulit

simple but with drama! To a wedding reception

 too short for anywhere really, maybe for the beach house sans jacket

 again, the simplicity! the drama! For another formal evening soiree

to the Met Ball. Eat your heart out Gwyneth. Ahihihi

to a cocktail party

 to a costume party? Haha!