UCB SALE + New Collection in Stores Now!

If you are on the hunt for great deals on basics, corporate wear, weekend bags and cute flats, you must check out the United Colors of Benetton SALE!

Most everything is at 50% OFF, with pique polo shirts like the one above at just Php897+.

These flats are less than Php1000, down from Php1995!

These summery canvas totes are Php1275.

These sturdy backpacks are Php1775.

A navy knit top that would look great with white pants or shorts is down to Php1275 from Php2550. Doubles as a maternity top too, for preggos like me.

For those who need work in a corporate setting, and need polished but easy to wear dresses, you're in for a steal! 

These shift dresses are about Php2125.

Just pair this knit dress with a pearl necklace, and you're all set for an important meeting at Php1475.

This asymmetrical jersey dress with sequins on the shoulders is down to Php1325.

The New Collection is worth checking out of course! Expect breezy and colorful jersey dresses...

Fun ribboned flats...

Wedge espadrilles, Php2250 only!

These colorful printed pouches would make great gifts this Christmas! Hoard na!

But my favorite of the lot are these linen t-shirts in neon colors.

Isabel Marant linen shirts are like $100. These pure linen shirts are just Php1450.

I have the orange, because I needed the orange t-shirt for Berry's school activity, and we needed to wear her class color, but I am feeling the itch to get the hot pink one too!

Score a great deal on the SALE or find a new fave from the current collection at United Colors of Benetton:

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

H&M in Manila, Very Very Soon!

Now it can be told!

Sometime back in December of last year, just a few days after H&M officially announced their entry to the Philippines, I got an email from Amirul Shah and Lisa Chai of H&M Singapore, telling me they had been wanting to talk to me, because they were looking for PR agency recommendations here in Manila. 

I had met Lisa years ago in Singapore, when I covered the H&M Singapore opening for The Radar in The Philippine Star and we soon reconnected via phone where she confirmed that H&M really was coming to Manila! OMG.

It was one thing reading it on a press release, and another hearing it straight from the source. I had waited years for this, and it was truly, finally, finally happening! 

The excitement continued to build up when I found that a friend of mine from high school, Gigi Mathay, was in charge of HR for H&M Manila and was keeping us all updated and entertained with her H&M training adventures on Facebook.

Fast forward to yesterday, and I finally got to see the H&M Manila showroom. 

I am also happy to share that Lisa chose well from the list of PR agencies and contacts I shared with her because well, apart from the fact that my list was carefully handpicked with only the names of the ones I have worked with and/or I know will not disappoint, she chose Bridges, one of my personal faves, because they are always the nicest! PR peeps, it pays to be nice to MFO. Just kidding. Hahaha.

And with my little role out of the way, haha, here's a sneak peek of what to expect when the store opens very soon, sometime during the 3Q of 2014. I am guessing that's by August at the earliest. Fingers crossed.

patent leather mules, very on trend

delicate slip dresses, sheer tops, knits, faux fur

a matte chain necklace, which also comes in a glossy taupe/gray

crystal flowers on grosgrain

ultra strappy sandals

real cashmere

silk crepe, chiffon, sequins, leopard spots

crystal embellished top

cropped poodle sweatshirt

sequin top

a bright knit

faux leather shorts, influenced probably by the Alexander Wang for H&M line (worldwide drop is in November, and yes, it will be launched here too!)

slip on sneakers in python and mock croc

priced at a fraction of my Celine skates, not bad!

The H&M Manila flagship, a 3,000 square meter store which dedicated followers of fashion and retail know will be at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall, will be a full concept store and will carry everything from the kids line to men, women and teens. Sadly, there will be no home section. For that, you'll need to get that from Europe or the US for your fix for now. Hee.

footwear for kids

cute cat leggings for kids

not your usual sweatpants, it's for men, but I want this for myself

nylon bomber jacket, mesh, leather, wool blended shirts for men

boat shoes in tweed, camo slip ons

I missed Lisa  who was in town, and Gigi who was just back from H&M China at the H&M Open House, as they were inside, working at the office, but it was a treat to see another friend, Chef Florabel Yatco who catered the event. I enjoyed her salted caramel tartlet...

...and I wished I could down these mojitos, but had a glass of refreshing dalandan juice instead, which was just as perfect.

But here's the better treat. Prices will not be too far off from pricing in other markets. As with all H&M markets, there are great deals to be had. This slip dress for instance, according to H&M Showroom Manager Nikki Verzo, will retail for just Php899. Imagine that!

H&M will surely rock our local retail scene. And with this taste of what's to come, will only make us wait with bated breath when it finally opens in just a few months time. Exciting!

The H&M Philippines flagship store will be occupying three floors insde Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall, and is slated to open Q3 of this year.

What's Your Signature of Love?

Whenever my mom would put us to sleep, she would sing this two-line lullaby, over and over until we’d fall asleep:

Sleep my darling baby, mommy’s not so far away. 

Sleep my darling baby, I am always here to stay. 

I am pretty sure she just made it up. I have never heard it anywhere else. It was her special song for us, and hearing her sing it was always so calming. Listening to it in my head transports me back to our childhood room, lights dimmed, my mom cradling our youngest. We had her to ourselves, all of us winding down to sleep, no chore or homework to concern us, and it was always a great way to end our day. 

Now I am in my mom’s shoes. I sing her song for us, to my kids. It is a part of my repertoire of lullabies and I get a bit of a thrill when Berry says, “Again! Sing again please, Mom”. 

This is just one of the many ways we bond, simple things that don’t really take up too much time or effort, but are reassuring and comforting in so many ways. 

Johnson’s Baby calls it a Signature of Love, the unique ritual between mom and baby. Quick, daily activities that define special bonding moments, like a secret message in a wink or a jubilant high five exchanged to celebrate small victories that feel like triumphs of the human spirit. 

As you will see in this video, it is also in that soft, gentle way that I remember seeing my mom use Johnson’s baby shampoo No More Tears to wash a newborn sibling’s hair, and the tender way she’d put baby powder on our armpits and back before getting dressed. It also happens each time I’d do a heart shaped massage on Berry and Xavi’s chests as I put lotion on their arms and legs after a bath.

Which made me think, apart from lullabies at night and heart shaped massages, what are the other bonding moments in our family? Inspired by the Johnson’s TVC, I made this video to share with you the Dychiao Signature of Love:

*please set the gear icon to HD for a clearer view ;)

I had a lot of fun doing this, and you will too. Just going through old photographs will make you eager to create more bonding experiences the kids can always look back to with fondness when they’re all grown up. How much more a video?

That said, Moms, go and make a short 30-second video of your family’s Signature of Love, all the better with a Johnson’s Baby product! It is a fun exercise and a great way to document both everyday and extra-special memories. It could also bring you fame!

Upload your video to the Johnson’s Baby Signature of Love Facebook app, here: https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonsBabyPhilippines/app_269939559814035 and get a chance to see yourselves in a Johnson's Baby's TV commercial and on billboards too!

Now wouldn’t that be a great story to pass on to your kids and their grandkids?

Johnson's Baby, one of the most trusted names in baby care, understands and shares our need to provide only the best care for our babies. Backed by over 100 years of scientific research and close partnerships with expert doctors, nurses and mothers from all over the world, Johnson's Baby has committed itself to meeting the very highest standards of mildness and safety. We should know. After all, aren’t most of us Johnson’s babies too? 

Itsie Bitsie End of Season Sale S/S 2013

I always enjoy browsing at Itsie-Bitsie. The clothes and accessories, down to the Sun Bum Gorilla bottles have a very resort/gypset feel to them. That is why I suggest you check out the Spring 2013 End of Season Sale because the likes of Joie, Velvet, Milly, Antik Batik and Jack Rogers and so much more will be marked down to smithereens.

Visit Itsie-Bitsie from June 12 to 28, 2013 and get 40%-70% on their Spring 2013 Collection.

Itsie-Bitsie 
RS 114 & 119 Joya Lofts & Towers
Joya Drive, Rockwell Center Makati
Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm

Back-To-School Midnight Madness Sale at Glorietta This Weekend!

Calendar this, dear readers! Glorietta is having a Back-to-School Midnight Madness Sale this coming Friday to Sunday, May 31 to June 2, 2013. 

Ayala Malls invited the SoMoms and SoDad to a sneak peek of what's going to be part of the sale via a game kind of like The Amazing Race.

We split up into teams and my partner was Cai of Paper Chic Studio!

We went around Glorietta to look for the best deals and documented our finds:

Keepsake/storage boxes at Papemelroti starting at Php59

Baby Couture diaper bag at 50% off, which now sells for Php549.88

Janylin flats with neon trims starting at Php399

Gingersnaps sandals for kids at 50% off, Php425 from Php849.75

Floral shorts from Kamiseta for Php799. Not on sale, but still a steal!

Basics for Kids Floral print dress at 50% off, Php272.50 from Php545

 

Aztec print sling bag at Payless, Php796 from Php995

Preppy belts for little boys from Spanish brand Mayoral, starting at Php485

Gorgeous dresses for little girls, also from Mayoral (not on sale but pretty though!)

Gingersnaps maternity dress, down to Php750 from Php999.75

Cute oversized shirt from Just G. I cannot remember the price but I remember this was a good deal!

These are just but a fraction of the treasures we found, and judging from what the other teams spotted, there's plenty to keep the school age kids, in fact, the entire family happy and ready to get back to school!

If you've got the time, and the cojones to join the mad rush for deals, thrills, and steals, check out the Glorietta Midnight Madness Sale this Friday to Sunday!

PS - Where did the summer go? I can't believe June is just 2 days away!!!

(Photos 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15 taken by Tammy David)