Tous Comes to Manila

Spanish jewelry label TOUS finally makes it to Manila. They had a launch last week at Glorietta 2, and I have to say, I'm smitten. 

Look what I found.

stackable Tous Puppies, plus the Tous Cruz. Tous cute!

These threadbare rings are just too chic for words. I love how they can be stacked, or worn to maximum effect with one on each finger.

These are 18k white gold rings with diamonds. I want to stack 'em up and buy 'em all.

Or to make it more meaningful, maybe buy one piece for every occasion: birthday, anniversary, Mother's Day, its-a-bad-day-I-need-to-buy-something kind of celebration, and so on until you get each single piece.

Which leads me to their hashtag #TenderStories. TOUS puts emphasis on celebrating milestones and moments gifting, saying that for every milestone we celebrate, there's always a tender story to tell and to share. That we should celebrate life, and we can do so with a fun and thoughtful present from TOUS that makes for a delightful surprise.

Fair enough. I know I like the idea of it already.

More than just the rings I showed you, TOUS is known for their fun designs. Tous is also known for its iconic teddy bear, the brand’s emblem.

Rosa Oriol, who started TOUS as a small jewelry workshop in her husband's watch repair shop,  designed the teddy bear in 1985, and since then it has become one of the top 100 icons of Spanish design. 

It was inspired by a plush teddy bear in a shop window, and it has become an amulet that evokes all the sweetest memories of childhood. Of course, TOUS is not just for a certain age, as there are plenty of styles for both the young, and young at heart. Even your grandma will find something fun to wear for everyday here.

There's even something for the boys.

See?

The Man Ring and colorful bracelets on the guy

Their Spring/Summer 2015 Collection is a true testament to the tender, fun and youthful spirit TOUS is known for.

Take a look at these, or better yet, visit the TOUS store in Glorietta 2 to see more.

About TOUS:

TOUS is a family business that delights its customers with original jewelry made of luxury materials. Founded in 1920, the brand took off under the direction of Rosa Orio; and Salvador Tous, when they decided to follow an innovative jewelry concept that distinguished itself from traditional fine jewelry. In recent years, it has become a lifestyle brand with its jewelry, handbags, fragrances, watches, glasses and accessories.

Today, TOUS has presence in 5 continents and nearly 500 stores worldwide, from Barcelona to Japan, Mexico, Paris, New York, Hong Kong and now Manila.

Visit TOUS at the ground floor of Glorietta 2 in Makati.

For more on TOUS, visit their website www.tous.com, and follow @tousjewelry and @tousphilippines on Instagram.

Uno de 50 Autumn/Winter 2015 Collection

If you're looking for statement accessories, look no further than Spanish jewelry label, Uno de 50.

From chunky silver charmers, to this big-ass pearl ring (which I happily brought home with me)...

To Swarovski crystal-ized...

To in-your-face Swarovski-d out bling rings...

Uno de 50 has that, and more.

Their Autumn/Winter 2015 Connection collection in particular, made up of 4 varied but equally inspired lines tell a compelling story.

Designs from the Magic line reflect the light, colour and shimmer of the Northern Lights through blue, green, grey and pink Swarovski Elements crystals. 

The Intimacy line are made up of pieces shaped as keys and hearts of different sizes, rendered in leather and silver-coated metal.

Necklaces from the Vastness line, made entirely of silver-coated metal, have organic shapes that are reminiscent of vegetation capped with snow and ice.

The Forest line consists of nature-inspired elements - "drops of frozen dew, stalactites or pebble stones, as well as other natural elements such as insects or berries and the seeds that precede the arrival of the first snowfalls."

There's a rough-hewn yet gentle quality to Uno de 50 pieces, a free-spirited bohemian vibe that is distinctive and artsy. I can totally see artists, ad agency creatives, and just about anybody who appreciates unique but everyday appropriate pieces to rock these.

Uno de 50 was founded in the late 1990's by a group of designers who decided to establish a brand of fashion jewelry and accessories that would break all existing molds. The brand was called Uno de 50 because they started out with the original philosophy of creating exclusively 50 units of each design, which proved to be an unqualified success. To date, Uno de 50 is in 15 countries, from Spain to Belgium, to Mexico, United States, and now the Philippines (Uno de 50 boutiques are at SM Aura and SM Megamall). For more on Uno de 50, visit www.unode50.com/en/int/

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Morellato DROPS Watches

Italian jewelry label Morellato is known for their collectible Morellato DROPS collection, and for Fall-Winter 2014, Morellato DROPS presents an important new arrival.

Drumroll please...Morellato DROPS Watches!

The watch collection makes its debut with modular or pre-composed bracelets. The DROPS watches have a "gemstone case" (26 mm) with crystal inserts on the bezel.

The classic Morellato DROPS charms can be used for the usual necklaces and bracelets, but also for the bracelets of these new watches. So you can add on to the DROPS watch from your old collection of charms!

But of course, feel free to add from the new charms for the season! Here are some of my favorite pieces, along with newly released necklaces, bracelets and rings to herald in the holidays.

Don't you think this makes for a meaningful gift to the women most dear to you?

A visit to Morellato is just like making a personal piece of jewelry that is unique and exclusive to each one - say, a cat charm dangling on a necklace for your cat loving cousin, a pacifier charm on a delicate necklace for your sister who just gave birth to her first child, and maybe a DROPS watch for your mom, with charms to represent each new addition to your growing family!

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

Fun, Cute Find: Heart and Bolt Jewelry

Heart and Bolt's Primadonna Php 950 and Morse code bracelet Php550-950 

For Mother's Day, I received some delicate, super cute jewelry from Heart and Bolt.

I love them so much, that I've worn a piece, or three every single day since I got them.

They remind me of Catbird Jewelry, sweet, stackable and makes a subtle statemement.

Except that Heart and Bolt is a homegrown brand, created and designed by Yendy Yu. The pieces are either made from 14 k gold filled non tarnish components, or sterling silver dipped in gold (vermeil), and because it's Manila-based, much more accessible and affordable. 

You can really afford to pile them on, like so:

Or choose to wear a few pieces at time, with your favorite watch. Either way, they're equally stylish.

Here's showing you a few of the designs that Yendy has come up with, check out her Instagram, heartandbolt and Like the Heart and Bolt Facebook page to see more!

Infinity & Primadonna bracelets, Anchor, Initial and wishbone pendants (wishbone is Php1,850)

moon & star necklace

barre bracelet, ballsy ring, horseshoe necklace, evil eye sapphire bracelet

evil eye bracelets

cute packaging - craft paper boxes with black grosgrain ribbon

Before you go grab yourself a stack of Heart and Bolt bracelets and necklaces, I'd like to leave you with Yendy's tips on how to properly care for and clean your gold filled and vermeil jewelry:

About Gold Filled jewelry:

• Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal.
• Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating. Gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant. It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors. As a matter of fact, anyone who can wear gold can wear gold filled without worries of any allergic reaction to the jewelry
• Gold filled jewelry is an economical alternative to solid gold!

About Vermeil jewelry:

• Vermeil is an overlay of 14kt gold on sterling silver.
• This ensures a quality metal as opposed to base metals under your gold.

Caring for Gold filled and Vermeil jewelry:

• The most important tool against tarnish is preventative care.
• Keep your jewelry in an air-tight bag with an anti-tarnish strip or an air-tight jewelry box. 
• Filled and vermeil jewelry is sensitive to scratching and cleaning, so if you need to polish your jewelry, use only a dry and soft clean cloth. 
• Do not use a silver polishing cloth as it will remove the 14kt overlay from the silver. For severe tarnish or cleaning, you can use a gold polishing cloth lightly, but repeated or excessive use will ruin the surface of the jewelry.

My Citrine Cocktail Ring by Panopio

Citrine is known as the "Lucky Merchant's Stone" or the "Money Stone". My friend who is into crystals, graciously pointed that out to me when she saw me wearing this  giant citrine cocktail ring by Panopio on Instagram (follow me there, I'm @christinedychiao, heehee).

But I did not even realize that until after I wore it. All I know was that I was lucky to receive this beauty from Victoria and Bea Panopio, the sisters behind their eponymous jewelry label, Panopio. 

I have been wearing them when I want to dress up extra nice, and they seem to attract an abundance of compliments wherever I go.

worn with a guipure lace tunic & leggings

worn with a silk top & faux leather shorts

I am not really one to accessorize, because I mostly just stick to my everyday accoutrements, but this gorgeous cocktail ring still feels like me. It's noticeable, but it remains subdued, subtle.

The same goes for the rest of the pieces from this particular collection by Panopio at Zalora. They are enchanting, but don't scream "look at me!". Impressive yet tasteful, colorful yet restrained.

As if those combinations weren't enough, I'd have to add luxurious and yet affordable. 

My cocktail ring retails for Php7,000 - a reasonable amount for a ring made from real citrine stone certified by a GIA trained gemologist and sterling silver dipped in gold.

I can feel it in my heart that my "Money Stone" will bring me more abundance and success, good fortune & good luck. Coupled with a citrine-infused positive flow of energy and confidence, I will then happily buy the green quartz and amethyst cocktail rings too. That's how much I love them. Got to have this giant cocktail ring in all its incarnations, seriously.

Buy your own giant cocktail ring by Panopio at Zalora. 

For more about Panopio Jewelry, like them on Facebook and follow @panopiojewelry on Twitter.

Sunpocket Sunnies at Terminal

 

For a supposed Francophile and eyewear enthusiast, Sunpocket was just a blip in my radar until Mike Te of Terminal, a streetwear shop at the Deck of Ronac Art Center in Greenhills, told me the Sunpocket story and said that he had them in his store. 

Curiosity got the best of me, so I trekked to his store along with Berry and my sister Dianne and finally saw for myself what Sunpocket was all about.

 

Sunpocket = cute, lightweight and foldable sunnies that come in a range of colors

I liked them at first sight. These are the kind of sunnies you don't have to worry about scratching, breaking or losing. Lightweight and made of plastic, they are also tough enough to withstand extreme activities. Foldable and packs in a compact case, it fits in your pocket so you don't have to worry about where to keep them. Not too precious too that you can enjoy yourself in the great outdoors.

According to Mike, Sunpocket is a contemporary accessories brand rooted in ski and surf culture.

 

Its story traces back to the late 1970’s where Sunpocket’s signature foldable shades gained a strong following in the French ski community. Ten years later, Sunpocket had become immensely popular all over Europe. 

 

Sunpocket was re-launched in 2011. With its legacy of innovative and distinctive sunglasses, Sunpocket established itself as a brand known for its style, authenticity and quality. 

Internationally, Sunpocket’s sunglasses are sold in 25 countries, including premium accounts such as Colette Paris, Corso Como Seul, Excelsior Milano, Opening Ceremony in NYC, LA and Tokyo, American Rag (LA), Cali Roots, (Stockholm) Beams (Japan), Lane Crawford (Hong Kong), Burton Flagship Stores (USA), Selfridges & Co (UK), Oipolli (UK), and online at www.sunpocketoriginal.com. 

Here in the Philippines, Sunpocket is available exclusively at Terminal. Plus the good news is, pricing is in line with all the other stockists all around the world. So you don't have to seek them out at countries where you can get them cheaper. Prices start at Php2,500. The collection here is up to date too.

The 2013 Collection will be at Terminal by next week, week of June 17th: 

Mike shares that the more popular style for women are the Samoa and Tonga models since the size is perfect for most women here. For guys it's between the Sport and II models. "Generally the Sport model is the one used most for outdoor activities like surfing, skiing, golfing and various water sport activities.", Mike explains.

I hope Mike brings in these cool leather and neoprene cases too:

 

But wait! That's not all. While we are on the subject of Terminal, I might as well share with you too that Terminal carries a lot of cool stuff. Like these  "designer logo" tees:

And locally made camo iPad cases:

Terminal also carries sneakers, shirts from ssur, and so much more. Now watcha waiting for?



Terminal
The Deck, Ronac Art Center
Ortigas Ave., Greenhills San Juan
+63.2.5024476
Store hours:
Tuesdays-Fridays 3-9PM
Saturdays & Holidays 2-9PM

For more on Terminal email info@terminalinc.com, follow on twitter.com/terminalinc or visit terminalinc.tumblr.com