Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Elin + Like Mother, Like Daughter

Berry wearing the Alice Dress in Pink

Some exciting news over at Elin! This should also solve your "What to give my pregnant sister/friend/cousin?" conundrum, and settle the "What to give my favorite mother-daughter duo?" issue.

For one, Elin has just recently released a special collection for the Holidays - "Like Mother, Like Daughter", where our little girls get to finally dress in the clothes we ourselves love to wear!

Berry was so excited during the shoot, not just because she loved the dresses she modeled, but also because she loved seeing us in matchy-matchy pieces.

Me in the Navy Alice Dress (available in this color way) and Berry in Pink

I am wearing the Lia Dress in Cobalt, Berry is wearing the Lia Dress in Fuchsia

Berry loves the Lia Dress best, she calls it the "Princess Dress" because it's like a gown she can wear every day. All of Elin's pieces come in the softest, most comfortable jersey too, so they are a joy to wear.

More so when you are pregnant like me, and want pieces that will move and stretch with our growing bellies. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces from my shoot with Martina and Kathleen of Elin, and there's more styles to love as you can see in their blog posts here!

Short Sleeved Ellie Nursing Tee (available in Blue, White, Baby Pink, Red Violet, Red, Apple Green and Navy)

Sandra Dress in Blue

Callista Dress in Black (also available in Black Stripes, Cobalt and Oatmeal)

Sage Dress in Fuchsia also available in Black and Blue

 

Tippi Dress in Purple

The Tippi Dress is also available in Oatmeal and Navy

Aria Tee in Black

I love the Aria Tee so much I have it in Grey and Navy too! (also available in Oatmeal)

Carmen Dress in Red (currently out of stock)

Can I just say, I feel so lucky that my third pregnancy has been documented so beautifully, thanks to these photos taken by Kathleen? I love that it's natural and fuss-free. Just the way I like.

Thanks Elin! These pictures alone are gifts I would treasure my entire lifetime!

Clothes: Elin
Makeup: Gex Garcia
Hair: Ivan Albin

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

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Yosi Samra Holiday Collection

Tried and tested, a pair of Yosi Samra flats are always  a great gift idea. Yes, even for the girl who has almost everything.

 Samara in Matte Waxed Croco - Aspen Green, Denim Blue, Ginger, Chili Red, Mulberry, Biscuit

Because a girl can't get enough of pretty and comfortable flats maybe? 

When I am unsure of what to give my best girl friends, sisters or in-laws, I know a new color of Yosi Samras, something they don't have yet, will do the trick! That or I give them gift certificates to get themselves a new pair of Yosi Samra, so they are at liberty to choose what they like, heehee.

There are plenty of new designs from Holiday 2014 that I bet you, you'd personally want to add to your collection. Check out these pairs I found at their store. It's really so much different seeing these up close vs. seeing them in the lookbook the last time! 

Happy Shopping! Wink, Wink!

 Orly in Smoke, Tawny Port and Teal

 Samara in Metallic Leather - Pewter and Bronze

Samara in Soft Patent Leather - Oxford Blue, Smoke, Tawny Port

 Samara in Kid Suede - Rose Cloud, Dark Whiskey, Oxford Blue, Black

 Samantha in Tumbled Metallic Leather and Desert Snake Leather

Abbey in White Giraffe, White/Black, Natural Wildcat

For stock availability and reservations, contact your nearest Yosi Samra branch: 

Yosi Samra Abreeza Davao, 0915-4797156
Yosi Samra Alabang Town Center, 0915-4797133
Yosi Samra Ayala Center Cebu, 0926-6725001
Yosi Samra Glorietta 4, 0915-4797192
Yosi Samra Rockwell Powerplant Mall, 0915-4797138
Yosi Samra SM Aura Premier, 0915-4797121
Yosi Samra SM City Cebu, 0927-3250166
Yosi Samra SM Mall of Asia, 0915-4797127
Yosi Samra SM Megamall, 0915-4797155
Yosi Samra Trinoma, 0915-4797142
Yosi Samra Gas, Greenbelt 3, 0915-4797224

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Rabeanco

Who says smooshy leather bags have to break the bank? Not so with Rabeanco.

If you want a good quality everyday bag, this is your go-to label. 

This makes a wonderful gift for yourself, for your sister who is just starting on her corporate career, or for your mom, especially if she's not the type splurge on a designer bag, but appreciates the quality of one.

 

Seam Satchel - Mellow leather satchel. Motif seams on both sides and base. Lined with canvas in contrasting colour. Zip closure on top. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. 

Geometric Hobo Bag - Smooth leather hobo bag. Adjustable and detachable handle and shoulder straps. Magnetic closure on top.

Feather Hobo Bag - Soft leather hobo bag. Zip pockets on both sides in the front. 

Luna Mini Bag - Smooth leather mini shoulder bag. Zip closures on top. Adjustable and detachable chain strap. Versatile to wear as cross body bag. 

Geo Mini Bag - Sturdy leather box shaped small shoulder bag. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. Zip closure on top. 

Cosmos Clutch - Saffiano leather large clutch. Interior in contrasting colour. Multiple card compartments. Pocket at front panel. 

Rabeanco Philippines has gone on to open 3 stores since they first came to Manila in 2012 - in SM Aura, Trinoma and Shangri-la East Wing, to the delight of fans of this Hong Kong leather goods label, known for the quality of their leather, and their contemporary designs that could easily be compared to luxe leather goods side by side, and not pale in comparison.

Fore more on Rabeanco, email rabeanco@istilacompanhia.com, follow @rabeanco on Instagram and Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rabeanco

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: KOR & JOCO

You know what's a no-fail gift idea?  This.

If we ourselves cannot stop buying sippy cups for our kids, the same goes for adults I think. 

We cannot have enough water/drinking bottles. 

There's always one that's perfect to bring to pilates class, one that fits perfect inside our everyday tote, one that stays cool or hot for hours, and is perfect for long road trips. That sort of thing.

When it comes to water bottles, KOR is a favorite among my friends. 

It's stylish and ergonomically-designed yes, but it's also practical - with features such as a cushioned base, hygienic, easy to drink from spout, an easy to open hinged cap (no worries of losing it!), even an inspirational KOR Stone - for inspiration at every sip. So you really won't "lose it", if ya know what I mean.

But what if like my friends, the people in your gift list already have a KOR or two? Well this is great to have, the KOR NAVA. It turns ordinary tap water into filtered water! The filter is made from 100% pure coconut shell so it's totally natural, no worries about sediments and stuff getting into your drinking water.

In fact, wouldn't it be great to get one for every member of the family? It's perfect to have each one bring this around, especially if your family is the outdoorsy/adventurous type and frequent places where the tap water source is questionable and access to mineral or bottled water is spotty at best.

As if that's not reason enough, through KOR's Thirst for Giving™ program, each time we buy a KOR bottle, KOR donates a percentage of sales to a select group of non-profits focused on water-related causes. Nice no?

But if your friends are more the coffee/tea drinker types than the water therapy kind of peeps, then these JOCO reusable glass coffee cups will float their boat! 

Mel Ongsue-Lee, who distributes KOR and JOCO, sent me these glass coffee cups to try out as well, and I loved it - perfect size, cute to lug around, and made from sturdy glass - the same 100% BPA free, heat resistant, microwave safe borosilicate glass used in cookware, modern baby bottles, even laboratory glassware.

They're not just for adults too! In fact, my kids have co-opted our JOCO cups, and they use these when they drink their hot chocolate or warm milk.

They're great for kids because of the no-slip silicone sleeve, and the splash free lid. If my two little bosses approve, I am sure your bosses and office colleagues will too. These will help them to be kinder to the environment as well, because they get to ditch the paper cups!

At the moment, get your JOCO cups online at www.sunnysunday.com.ph

KOR hydration vessels are available at Howards Storage World, Conlins Element, Alessi, The Flat Shop, The Cutting Edge, Kitchen Pro, Seattles Best, Plana Forma, Beyond Yoga and online at www.sunnysunday.com.ph too!

Start your Christmas shopping na! To get your hands on KOR and JOCO now, click HERE: https://sunnysunday.com.ph/products.do

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Vanità Lingerie

a sweet, lacy and very comfy underthing from Vanità

For me at least, there's something intimidating about going inside a lingerie store.

Maybe it's the Catholic school girl in me. I'm more comfortable buying underwear in a department store, and lacy underthings at Anthropologie, Aritzia, Urban Outfitters or Madewell. 

So when I would pass by lingerie store Vanità at the 5/F in the East Wing of Shangri-la Mall, I never even bother to come close. It looks so grown up, womanly, and yes, I'll say it, sexy.

Because it is, it truly is.

But then I realized, why fear a good thing?

The good, no, great thing about Vanità is that it's the kind of place where sexy meets comfy. Tanya Chua of Vanita sent me a couple of pieces to try out, and I have to say there was nothing raunchy, more importantly, itchy about their lingerie.

This is because Vanità offers a range of handmade pieces made from luxurious fabrics - the softest satin and pizzo leavers lace, the highest quality lace in the world. Each piece is designed and made by combining Italian mastery, European systems, Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge designs.

From waist-cinching corsets to lingerie sets in sheer lace, to resort wear, each piece is meant to flatter a woman’s body. It's not just about seduction, it's also about feeling good in something that even only you can see.

The woman behind Vanità lingerie is the Italian born Fabiola Marin. Fabiola studied fashion design at the Instituto Marangoni Fashion and Design school in Milan. A sought after designer for the top lingerie brands in the world, she also led a stellar career as Senior Design Manager of the Intimissimi Group, establishing the Intimissimi brand in 1996. To date there are over 10,000 Intimissimi shops in close to 20 shops worldwide. For us here in the Philippines, we've got Vanità.

So if you're like me, maybe it's time to frequently step into their store. Pick up a gift for yourself, or your girl friends this Christmas. Guys, if you are reading this, take the initiative! And you don't even have to wait until Christmas, it's perfect any time of year.

Because in reality, even if she would never admit it, a girl can never have enough of pretty and comfy lingerie.

For updates and inquiries, Like Vanità Lingerie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Vanitashangrila

Vanita
5/F Shangri-la East Wing

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Spruce Up Your Holiday with a SPRUCE Giveaway!

Racking your brain figuring out what to give the health nut in your life?

Or maybe there's someone you care about and you want him/her to start living and eating healthy?

Well, I just have the best gift idea. The sort that keeps on giving. 

Presenting, the SPRUCE gift card. Tadaaaa!

Part of sales proceeds from the SPRUCE Gift Cards will go to "BaHaiyan" a student led initiative focused on rehabilitation for those affected by typhoon Yolanda. 

The SPRUCE Gift Cards comes in Php1500, Php1000, Php500 and Php250 denominations: (Php1500 - 6 bottles (or a one day cleanse); Php1000 - 4 bottles; Php500 - 2 bottles; Php250 - 1 bottle) includes a Christmas Greeting Card 5x8 in size w/ envelope, so you can tailor fit the amount you give based on your budget. Here's the skinny:

GIFT CARD PURCHASE:

Text 0917.897.2108 or email contact@drinkspruce.com and provide the ff details:

- Name
- Mobile
- Email
- Order Quantity
- Delivery Method (Pick-Up at select locations or Delivery by Courier (P100 fee))

Bulk / Corporate discounts are available. Gift cards have no expiry and payable via bank deposit. Cards should be ready in 2-3 days.

GIFT CARD REDEMPTION:

Recipient just needs to text 0917.897.2108 or email contact@drinkspruce.com to order preferred juices at least 2 days in advance. Juice will be delivered free of charge anywhere in Metro Manila for the Php1500 GC only. Pick-up at Plaza Cafe, Legaspi Village Makati for the Php1000, Php500, and Php200 GC's.

And now, for the GIVEAWAY!

Since it's the season of giving, SPRUCE & I are giving away 1 Php1500 GC to one lucky reader, for you to keep or give to a loved one who deserves this special treat!

Just leave a comment on this blog post, answering "Who would you like to give SPRUCE to?",  LIKE SPRUCE on Facebook, and Follow @drinkspruce on Instagram and Twitter.

Join by using the Rafflecopter Widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest ends on December 18, 2013 and winner will be announced on December 19, 2013. Enough time to make it to Christmas, woohoo!

SPRUCE
Mobile: 0917.897.2108
E-mail: contact@drinkspruce.com
Website: www.drinkspruce.com (Coming Soon)
Facebook: facebook.com/drinkspruce 
Instagram: @drinkspruce
Twitter: @drinkspruce

Holiday Shopping Tips with Tita K & Moi

Friends & family! Tita K & I know how hard it is to shop for presents, especially this Holiday Season when you have to buy gifts galore. 

That is why we present to you this Holiday Gift Guide done Live Love Lolz style!

From Php10 gifts to crazy True Value finds, secret shopping destinations and dream shopping sites, we take you on a veritable journey of Christmas gift ideas that should solve that forever question, "What do I give everyone this Christmas?"

If you want to watch on a bigger screen, view it HERE, on the New Media Factory site instead!

This Christmas & All Year Round, Shop Domesticity

Last Christmas, I bought a lot of our Christmas presents from Domesticity. Throw pillows, tea towels, notepads and notebooks, that were not only pretty, but practical too. Of course, while shopping for gifts, I picked up a couple of pieces for our place, 2 sets of place mats, a napkin holder, and a cutlery tray that instantly perk up my table settings year round.

The beautiful thing about Domesticity is that is more than just a company that makes lovingly handcrafted products for our homes. It is a social enterprise that was started by Mariel San Agustin in 2002, and has gone on to support all on-going programs and the beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga San Agustin Legacy Village in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Watch this video to understand the impact of supporting Mariel's advocacy whenever we buy from Domesticity:

Galing no? It just makes me want to shop Domesticity all the more! Did you spy the large storage boxes? Parang I need 10  of those. So perfect for household kalat!

Here's a closer look too at the latest designs I spotted during the last Negros Trade Fair.

I couldn't leave without picking up the glass cloche (a steal at Php500 only)...

and the bird pillow (Php700) that perfectly complemented our DwellStudio Zebra throw pillow...

...plus a tray and a baguette basket, eeep!

Seriously, it's kind of hard to walk away without getting something for myself every time.

The great thing is, I can always say, "It's for a good cause!"

Shop Domesticity online at mydomesticity.com and Like Domesticity on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDomesticityPH  to stay in the loop on the Domesticity bazaar tour, so you can follow Mariel like a die-hard Domesticity groupie.

About Domesticity:
 

Domesticity was a small cottage size business started in April of 2002, and for the 11 years that we have been in operation, we not only grew as a company specializing in export-quality products made of Philippine pandan and other indigenous materials as well as products made of faux leather materials, but we have channeled our efforts in order to be the main support to all on-going programs and the beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga San Agustin Legacy Village in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. As of today, the company employs 20 beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga Village.

Baby Jane Booties & Bows

A month or so ago, my friend Candy aka @cuckoo_sing told me that her friend Marie makes baby shoes and wanted to send something for Xavi. I was excited of course, but more so when I opened her package and realized she makes the cutest baby shoes ever! 

 

These 100% cotton baby booties from her line, Baby Jane, are reminiscent of the Robeez ones that Berry wore when she was still learning to walk. Since Robeez are made of leather, and a bit too warm for our weather here in Manila, these cloth baby booties are just perfect. Plus, the prints are too cute!

Baby Jane also has bow ties for boys, that doubles as a hair bow for Atchi Berry!

Marie is an interior designer by profession, so it comes as no surprise that she has a finely tuned eye when it comes to prints and color. Every piece she makes has a fun, preppy vibe and look simply super chic and adorable on the little ones!

There really is a special quality in her booties and bows. Maybe because everything from Baby Jane is handmade with love, the booties are thoughtfully pre-washed using biodegradable detergent and come in canvas dust bags complete with care instructions.

I think these make great baby shower, christening or birthday gifts for baby boys. Receiving one makes you feel like much thought and care was taken in choosing that particular piece given to you, much the same way when Marie sat down to make that one special piece with her own loving hands.

To order or for more info, follow @babyjane.ph on Instagram.

Made in Candy

It was a few weeks before Christmas and all through the house, a little creature was stirring,  saying "Let's open this Mommy!" 

"Not until I take a picture, honey", I told Berry. And as soon as I took a photo, she took the lid off, got the littlest bottle and said, "I am taking this to school, I will share with my friends." How sweet.

When she got home, she would hand me a piece to eat. "But I don't like candy, Berry", I would say every time she offered. Every time, she would go, "No, you eat, its yummy!" Until she got exasperated and forced a piece into my pursed lips. I reluctantly opened my mouth, sucked at the candy, and then.."Hmmm, oh hey, yes, this is yummy!" Not too sweet, and with delicate flavors that do not overpower the mouth, I found myself asking for more. And more. And more.

I am so not a candy person, but seriously, Made in Candy changed all that. I loved it so much, I ended up scrapping my original souvenirs for Xavi's christening and bought bottles of Made in Candy to give our guests. They all enjoyed their candies, of course.

Incidentally, my souvenir tag was made by Pat/101 Grams of Eye Candy of The Candy Shop

Another convincing factor is the fact that Made in Candy is made fresh daily. Darlene, who brought in Made in Candy to the Philippines (along with her cousin Arthur), invited me and Berry to see how candymaking is done, the Made in Candy way. So we headed off to Power Plant mall, where we had fun watching slabs of melted sugar turn into the cutest confections ever!

Darlene of Made in Candy Philippines. I love her style, heehee.

Let me take you on a virtual candymaking session:

It all starts with the design, in this case, a Nuclear symbol

A slab of warm melted sugar waiting on the wings, waiting to be shaped and pulled. As more air is incorporated into the pulled sugar, the shinier it becomes.

The "nuclear" parts, starting to get assembled

Shape, shape, shape...

Roll, roll, roll. I can see it now! Almost there!

Six kilos of candy, shaped into what looks like a humongous baseball bat. The bottle neck makes it easy to hold on to this huge chunk of warm love, while pulling.

Pull and cut, pull and cut, 50x (this is just an approximation heehee)

Inspect! Does it look like the sketch? Yes! Then continue!

Cut, cut, cut, cut, 50000x

Now taste, taste, taste...

Gimme some more of that sour-sweet nuclear lovin'

In essence, this kind of candy is the sort that looks as good as it tastes. Plus, I love the packaging too!

Oh! Did I mention that they also make these candies in such a way that it crumbles gently towards the end? Well, they do! So you don't get "sugat" on the roof of your mouth from sucking on candy that's too hard. Because trust me, you'll eat candy upon candy once you've tasted this. Berry and I managed to finish a small jar, just us two, in one sitting. True story.

P.S.
Made in Candy accepts custom orders as party and corporate giveaways. If I remember correctly, the minimum quantity will come out to just about Php8000 per order. I'll expound on the details as soon as I get them!

Made in Candy 
Level 2, Rockwell Power Plant
Makati

Facebook: Made in Candy Philippines
Instagram and Twitter: @madeincandyph