MFO Shoe Series: Angela Dinglasan, Quezon City

Angela Dinglasan, is the big boss at Zenutrients, a social enterprise whose natural and organic beauty products have created a cult-like following. 

I am not kidding. I am just one of the many who buy the Zenutrients Gugo or Green Tea shampoo & conditioner by the liter, and order bottles of anti-mosquito spray like our lives depended on it. My friends are crazy about the All-Around Spahhhnitizer - it's great for spraying on sweaty yoga mats. Like I've said in an earlier post, I have never met a Zenutrients products I didn't like. 

Apart from my love for Zenutrients, another reason why I've instantly bonded with Angela is the fact that we both love shoes. It's just natural and organic for her too, ahihihi. So, just as she was about to open the latest Zenutrients outpost at the chic & cozy Century City Mall, we scheduled a shoe shoot with my Shoe Series partner in crime Camille King, making full use of the store's beautiful interiors (check it out yo, the lighting is by Olivia d'Aboville and the wall mural is by Soleil Ignacio), the perfect backdrop to a stunning shoe collection.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
 

I haven't counted in years but the last time I did was because my husband and I made a bet to see who had more shoes. Surprisingly we were even at 80 each.

This is just but a snippet, folks! Cool background story on the diffused lighting on the top most portion - they're made of discarded plastic bottles!

What's your shoe size? 

6 / 36

studded pointy flats from Carbon

Donald J. Pliner wedges that's pretty from all sides

Which pairs are your favorites?

My camel high heeled strappy Camilla Skovgaard: because the are soooooooo comfortable and go with everything. I love the serrated heel she has in her shoes, it really provides cushion, making these easy go-to party shoes. 

Black kitten heeled Rockstud Valentinos: beyond the beauty and comfort (so comfy I dream of getting them in all their formats), I remember the hubby gifting me with the pair at the shoe salon at Bergdorfs, so they're extra special to me. 

Patent gold Manolo Blahniks: because who wouldn't love jewel tinted gold shoes? And yes, another gift from the hubby (clearly he knows I love shoes).

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

If I could only wear one pair of shoes: it would have to be the Adidas sneakers. They're my workout sneakers, and honestly the pair I use the most because I use these atleast three times a week.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Favorite shoe brands: Camilla Skovgaard, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, YSL, Yosi Samara, Fendi

What's in your shoe lust list? 

Hahaha. The higher heeled Valentino Rockstud, Roger Vivier Virgule pumps, Aquazzura Freya pumps or Beverly Hills sandals, Rupert Sanderson heels, Lanvin flats, Manolo Blahnik BB white pumps

Where do you buy shoes? 

Everywhere hahaha!

Usually when I travel and online too. 

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

I'd never give away my Valentinos!  

Unless credited, all photos by Camille King of Camille King Photography. Like her Facebook page, HERE!

For more on Zenutrients, visit their website, Like their Facebook page. Better yet, visit the Flagship store in Kapitolyo, one of their 25 mall locations or in partner retailers, hotels, spas and salons.

Hong Kong, January 2014: Day 2 IFC, Pacific Place & Tai Hang

After spending our morning at Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau, we went to Citygate Outlets too. If you are into sneakers and athletic wear, or you are the type to wear Gieves & Hawkes, Aquascutum, Brooks Brothers and such, you will love Citygate.

While bargain hunting at outlet destinations are fun, a trip to Hong Kong is never complete without going to IFC and Pacific Place. The same can be said of COS too actually, ahihihi.

When we were there, most of the stuff at COS were still for Fall/Winter though, so I miraculously left empty handed. I suppose another trip sometime April/May is due.

I really wanted to go to IFC  because supposedly, Lane Crawford stocks the eyeglass frames I've been meaning to buy for Berry. While the store was abuzz with shoppers ogling and trying on their fantastic assortment of shoes, bags and accessories, I was told the kids section in Lane Crawford IFC is nada! Like, it used to be there, but is now long gone. Ugh.

But of course, I was just happy browsing the shops. From outside. My conscience was with me. As in a living, breathing conscience, aka Dada. Haha.

I want that divine white dress from Chloe. Its perfect with those blush chunky heeled pumps right below it

Only because my friend Kaye asked me to check out these 3.1 Phillip Lim bags

I wish I had the chance to leisurely go around IFC, but given that we had to get back to our hotel to scrub up and change for dinner, I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have wanted to. Which was ok, because, who the heck wants to torture herself looking at pretty things she has no serious plans of buying? Pray tell!

When we got back to Pacific Place, Dada went straight to our hotel room to rest and freshen up while I wanted to make full use of my 1 hour of free time to walk around the mall. It is a lot more quiet here than IFC, that I could hear myself think. "Go inside, take a look, no one is stopping you" Parang ganon.

Checked out the bags for my friend Kaye, only to report that Mini Luggage Totes are now HKD22000

Mainit sa mata! If I were a burly bag snatcher I would go for this bag, so fantastically donya! Or maybe not. A sharp-eyed policeman would  immediately spot this, put two and two together, and decide we don't belong together

More hot pink and bright yellow - ipikit ang mata, baka mapabili ka!

After stumbling into the doors of Chanel, I was faced with an all black, canvas, double soled version of my two-tone espadrilles. In. my. size. Can you guess what happened next?

Anyhoo, change topic. Did you know that Tai Hang is so happening? 

Dada and I met up with our friends Paz & Buddy Carale, Paul & Dot Pery and Connie Chu for dinner at Island Tang in Central and after a delicious dinner (a must try is their Braised Fried Rice with Diced Chicken, Black Truffle and Wild Mushroom)

Island Tang at The Galleria in Central

We went dessert hopping (as Connie says, this is the bar hopping of people our age) at Tai Hang. First stop was Lab Made Ice Cream.

What makes it different from other ice cream joints is that there's a science behind how they make their ice cream. Using only fresh ingredients, their ice cream are frozen at-196℃ with super cold Liquid Nitrogen, which allows them use less cream than other premium ice creams, yet still retaining that super smooth texture, all in 60 seconds.

Apart from that, it's just a cool place for young kids to hang out. Even if it means just standing on the sidewalk, because really, there is no seating here. Unless you would count the stackable plastic stools they have lined up against the wall.

I got the crunchy sea salt gelato with caramel sauce,  and ordered the tai chi tofu pudding for Dada.

delicious, but melts quickly!

At HKD44 a scoop, it's an indulgence that you pay for such a novel concept. You can pretty much get a pint of Ben & Jerry's at that price. Or 3 scoops of Bono Gelato here. And Bono Gelato is by leaps and bounds so much creamier and yummier.  But I did enjoy our ice cream, so, Lab Made is still definitely worth a visit, if only for the novelty of saying you've tried it!

Lab Made Ice Cream
G/F, 6 Brown Street
Tai Hang, Hong Kong

Xiao Tian Gu across the street was our next stop. They make traditional desserts made of fruits, almond cream, red bean, black jelly, shaved ice and such. I really enjoyed it here.

We all sat on stools around a flimsy table, in an alley way converted into a seating area, with the electric meter behind me & Dada. I was half expecting Jackie Chan to roll off the tarp awning, bad guys in hot pursuit, and my almond cream with mango spilling into my leather trousers. It was that authentic. I. loved. it.

Xiao Tian Gu 小甜谷 
G/F, 10-11B School Street
(across Lab Made Ice Cream)
Tai Hang, Hong Kong

Double Trouble: Rockstud Double + Valentino x Havaianas

They say trouble comes in twos, and I can totally see that with the Valentino Rockstud Double.

These reversible leather bags don't come cheap at $3295, but when you factor in the fact that you pretty much get two bags in one, in some sick, twisted way, you can convince yourself you are getting a good deal on a Rockstud Double.

Let me break it down to you. Here's bag # 1.

Flip it out, and you get bag # 2.

 Now, do the math. Wink. Wink.

On a more serious note, well ok, it's not serious, but just take a look at the mother of all Havaianas flip flops. As Leo di Caprio said in The Wolf of Wall Street, "Boomshakalaka!"

Is it a want? A need? A want? A need?

At $295 a pair, my logical left brain tells me it's definitely a want. My creative right brain is already thinking of how I will incorporate camo flip flops with studs with the rest of the clothes in my closet. In fact, as I write, it is already flashing "NEED" spelled out in bright, illegal, incandescent bulbs.

Now, wasn't there someone who said right brain people have more fun? Oh yeah, that was just me. Mwahahahaha.

But seriously, I will have to pass on these babies. Too much $$$ for flip flops. But in case I win the lottery or something, and I have serious cash to burn, then why the heck not?

With Valentino it seems, trouble comes in threes. Actually, make that 33s. Check out the online store and you'll see what I mean. Ugh.

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!

Shine the Spotlight

On these babies from Valentino. Made from suede and rhinestones, it's the kind of shoes dreams are made of. They're just so pretty! Pretty pricey too, $1545, eeek.

Very reminiscent of Dorothy's ruby slippers. But these Valentinos come from the Land of Chic.

via tumblr

Even the nastiest witch would approve. In her own bitter way, of course.