TOMS ba Camo?

What a beaut. Love how they're not literal camos but a washed version instead. Best of all? Women's sizing bebe!

Sarj, you da best!

TOMS + Giving in The Philippines

My "collection" of TOMS through the years

My love affair with TOMS started in 2009 when I was still pregnant with Berry. I had been on the lookout for a comfortable pair of summer shoes, and TOMS just happened to be there at Whole Foods asking to be tried on. Of course it helped that my friend Xsa was with me at the time, and we collectively decided when we got home, that we were going to be TOMS Twins and got these madras ones online:

 

My second pair are these black ones, that are more suitable for walking around Manhattan. This was taken on the sidewalk across the Bookmarc store in the West Village. Berry was napping on my shoulder, and I still managed to take a photo haha.

My third pair are these gray ones, still something neutral, but not too dark like the black ones. Here's Berry wearing her first Tiny TOMS, a Neiman Marcus exclusive that her Uncle Jun and Tita Trina got for her.

Sadly, Berry lost half of this pair in Singapore. It was so tragic for me! Thankfully, I had a back-up pair in red, that she still uses to this day. 

I am now on to my fourth pair and Berry is on to her third, thanks to Sugar Pecjo and Cher El-Khoury of TOMS Philippines who gifted us with TOMS, knowing how big fans we are of the brand and its advocacy! Thanks again Sugar and Cher!

Oh, and I thought it would interest you to know that TOMS has taken their One for One Movement to the Philippines! They have partnered with We International Philippines and did their first shoe drop here last year, giving away shoes to children who are in need of them most. Watch this video and get goosebumps!

Incidentally, have you seen their latest collection for Summer 2012? They have so many designs that came out a few months ago, perfect for everyone in the whole family!

Mens styles are perfect for guys who like to keep it simple – and comfortable. From the rope-soled Cordones to the bolder Stitchouts and Biminis.

Tiny TOMS and Youth have bright and sunny styles for the little ones. With new color-pop outsoles and velcro enclosures for easy wearability.

What I am most excited about are the Womens Strappy Wedges -  a combination of the gently raised platform and the classic TOMS comfort.

Lovin' these wedgesssss! These as well as the other new styles are available at Nothing but Water, Rustans and Adora!

About TOMS Shoes: In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found that they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. To date, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children through giving part- ners around the world.

Snippets of Pregnancy Outfits

It has been so hectic the past few weeks that I haven't been able to really take photos of how I've been dressing my belly as Xavi grows. So here are snippets instead, just to document my old reliables, i.e. the comfortable but still (hopefully) stylish clothes and shoes that still make me feel good, even as I get bigger throughout this pregnancy, hehe :)

Boyfriend denims from Current/Elliott, Boyfriend shirt from Equipment France, Lanvin flats

Denim boyfriend shirt from Old Navy, cut-off shorts from Current/Elliott, Gray TOMS

H&M dress

Red flats with snakeskin cap toe detail from Lupe Saenz

Mango tank, Lauren Conrad blush blazer, J Brand jeans, Lanvin flats

Men's striped shirt from A.P.C., Current/Elliott cut-offs, Play x CDG Converse sneakers

A.P.C. dress, Lanvin flats

Dada's old button down shirt, Topshop leggings, Repetto BBs

Yup, I am about to turn 36 weeks this week, and for those like me who don't want to spend on maternity clothes, it can be done. You can survive without shopping! I just use loose tops, dresses, leggings and boyfriend jeans and wear a lot of flats. 

But I have to admit, the story would be different if you work in a corporate setting. In that case, just wear wrap-around dresses, as well as blazers over maternity tops/tanks with trousers. Maybe best to wear kitten heel pumps. And don't forget to accessorize! 

Toms Style Your Sole

Happening this weekend, 10 am to 7 pm in Rustan's Makati!

Miss-Matched!

Thanks so much Pierra Calasanz-Labrador for the fun challenge of creating looks on Miss-Match and having us turn it into real life outfits for our Little Misses feature! 

From VIRTUAL...

to REALITY:

Me: +J Uniqlo shirt, Zara trousers, Anthology leopard Bea sandals, FEED bag

Berry: Zara t-shirt, Baby Gap jeans, Tiny TOMS

Check out the full feature, HERE!

Dancing Shoes

Look friends! These Tiny TOMS from Tita Trina & Uncle Jun are made for dancing!

Background: We told Berry to pose against the wall so we can send Tita Trina & Uncle Jun a photo of her wearing the shoes they bought for her. Instead, she broke into a dance routine, twirling, pretend flying and smiling as she swayed her arms about. Too cute!

MFO Shoe Series: Gretchen Uy, Manila/Cebu

My husband and my sisters-in-law have been friends with Gretchen and her siblings David & Lesley since they were little. But I also feel like I have known her my whole life. Because we instantly bonded over being moms to active little ones, shoes, shopping, J.Crew and of course, DwellStudio!

You see, Gretch is one half of Quirks Marketing Philippines (the other half being her best friend Oliver) which happens to be the distributor of my favorite source of bed linens and baby stuff - DwellStudio, as well as other baby brands like Kaboost, OBaby & BabyPlus. The self-confessed Daddy's girl also continues to work for her dad, so she shuttles between Manila (for work) and Cebu (for family) a lot.

Apart from her busy professional life, Gretch is wife to her college sweetheart Dicky & proud mom to two boys (2.5 year old Gavin & Shoti, who is arriving in 2 months!)

With a lot on her plate, Gretch is drawn to easy pieces that she can easily mix and match. Her shoe collection reflects the same philosophy. Her shoes are a mix of pretty & practical pieces that would make any girl go "Oooohhh!"

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Tough question! My Dad says I have plenty, my Hubby says I have too many and I say I have options! But if we need a number, I guess it's 50 (that's all that I will declare) hahaha!

My shoe collection is probably best represented by color groups and heel heights.

Looking back, I believe my style was influenced by my childhood exposure to my Mom’s Princess Diana and Jackie Onassis books, while also having the interest in reading Dad’s Time, Fortune and Newsweek magazines. I suppose my style icon would be Princess Diana + GE’s Jack Welch. I love the idea of Princess meets Power, Feminine meets Masculine.

What's your shoe size?
7 or 7 and a half.

Which pairs are your favorites?

Chanel black ballet flats -- I like the combination of the chain and tweed effect detail. It's very... Chanel. =)

Christian Louboutin Simple 80 nude pumps -- i love nude shoes as it goes with alot of my outfits and these are the perfect nude to my skin tone. Plus, the heel height is realistic. I know I can wear these till I'm 50 or 60.

J.Crew Tan oxfords -- this pair started my love affair with oxfords. It's a comfy and edgier alternative to ballet flats.

Valentino kitten heels -- the kitten heel makes it very feminine, while the studs make it edgy. Plus, it's another nude shoe. Love!

Stella Luna jeweled flats -- got me through some dressy summer events (pre-pregnancy), and even some weddings that I had to attend to (since I can't wear heels during pregnancy).

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

Why would you want to do that?! (LOL! Spoken like a true shoeaholic! - MFO)

What are your favorite shoe brands?

The brands that haven't failed me -- Schu (the best flats that get me through every season and pregnancy), YSL (the comfiest heels ever! sexy too! ), Ferragamo (an oldie, but a goodie especially for my bunion friends), Pedder Red (on trend styles with great quality)

What's in your shoe lust list?

I have plenty! Giuseppe Zanotti flower applique blush nude heels

YSL crackled gold tribute sandals

J.Crew black and white oxford ballet flats,

and a two-tone oxford in black and brown (it's out there somewhere!)

Where do you buy shoes?

Locally, Schu, Rustan's, Zara, ALDO, etc. Abroad, HK's Lane Crawford and Joyce, are great mostly for "aspirational" special shoes. HK's Pedder Red is where I usually find reality haha! Singapore's Takashimaya, Tangs, and On Pedder hold great comfy and "realistic" finds.

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

My one and only Chucks in army green with purple shoelaces. It's the pair my boyfriend, now hubby, gave me. It got me through a lot of photo shoots and makeup gigs back when I was still active in that field. Though my style has evolved and rarely wear them, I still put them on when I'm feeling blue. It manages to perk me up. =)

Tell us about your fondest/craziest/sweetest shoe story?

My best shoe memory happened when I was about 9 or 10 years old, and I was made to believe (by my own Father!) that Princess Diana and I wore the same shoes --- I was wearing St. Michaels (made in UK diba?!) patent black round toe flats back then.

That made my day, but of course later on I wised up. I often tease my Dad about it branding it “the only lie you ever told me”. He made up for it (a long time ago, I may add) by supporting my shoe habit (amongst other things). Hahaha!

*Obviously I’m a Daddy’s girl, and I don’t think it is a coincidence that my birthday falls close to Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day again to my Papa!