22 Weeks: Secret Stash

My sister-in-law Lorr has often told me about her secret place for export overruns and it was only last week that we found the chance to check it out. We went 2 weeks ago (I am actually going on 24 weeks this week) and I have gone back twice since Lorr first brought me there! That same week, to accompany my sister Dianne, and last week, to bring my Mom. Who both were so happy with their stash of clothing!

This was my find during my first visit there, a linen and jersey vest from Rock & Republic. Not bad for Php1200. Actually, I was expecting to pay less, but the saleslady said "Ma'm Rock & Republic yan!" Aba! She knows her brands. Plus Lorr said, I won't be able to find a vest of that quality for Php1200 anywhere. Ok, sold!

 

Worn with a tank from Mango, Topshop leggings, Repetto ballet flats, accessories from J.Crew & Kristine Dee/Paul Syjuco

My next visit, I scored this blush lightweight blazer by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's for Php700. So perfectly summer-y! I love it! I saw some blush blazers at Zara and Mango and OMG, they're like more than 5 times the price of this one. This is practically a steal. (UPDATE: I just got back from Zara, it's almost 10x the price of this one pala!)

Worn with a white tank from Zara, J Brand jeans, Miu Miu flat t-bar sandals (the blush stones on the sandals are the perfect complement to the blazer hee!), accessories from J.Crew and Fenton/Fallon

Prices are really amazing I tell you. Tops are Php400, dresses and blazers are Php700, and there's an area outside where you can score tops from Php200 to Php300.

Overruns are mostly from Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap, Madras, but if you have a good eye, you'll spot various random brands with interesting designs that you won't find anywhere else. Great pieces you can wear to work, or on weekends.

UPDATE: I would have to close the request for the address aka The Secret Circle is closed (as Isabelle, one of my readers put it heehee). I received over 500 emails and I tried my best to reply to every one, including the ones in the Spam folder over the past couple of days. I hope I did not miss out on anybody's email. At this point, I cannot promise I can reply to succeeding emails any more, as it has gotten overwhelming. So sorry! 

Patrice Ramos-Diaz at Urban Ashram

It's the middle of March and you know what that means? Patrice Ramos-Diaz's first RTW collection - a line of yoga clothing, will soon be out on March 30, at All Things Yoga, the yoga shop inside Urban Ashram!

I was invited to the launch event at Urban Ashram last month and I saw lots of great pieces for both in and out of the yoga studio. The collection has designs for guys and girls, and are made up of a mix of tribal fabric and dri-fit materials, guaranteeing a balanced mix of style and comfort. You may view the complete collection via Stylebible.ph but let me share with you two of my faves:

This tribal print skirt as worn by the model above, and by jeweler Joyce Orena below:

I also love this wrap-around cover up in heather grey as worn by the model in the middle:

Patrice says her inspiration was to create a yoga line that would could "allow for unrestricted movement, all the while looking stunning". See for yourself the yoga clothes designed by Patrice, in action and as worn by Urban Ashram's yoga enthusiasts here:

Maricar Holopainen, Director & Teacher at Urban Ashram shares that Patrice's collection is part of their advocacy campaign to promote yoga as a lifestyle choice, and to reach a wider audience through fashion.

From L to R: JP, Ivy, Maricar, Marc & Martin of Urban Ashram

Thanks so much to the Urban Ashram Team for inviting me. I had a great time at your launch and can't wait to go back to shop the collection =)

PS - Your studio looks great! Love the interiors and the furniture & fixtures designed by Kenneth Cobonpue. More importantly, hope you can have a pre-natal yoga class soon! Hee! =)

Urban Ashram Manila is located at Suite 302, 3 Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City. For more info, log on to www.urbanashrammanila.com or call 661YOGA, 377YOGA or 0917881YOGA (9642).

Itsie-Bitsie's Spring 2012 Trend Forecast

More than just new arrivals, new brands are launching at Itsie-Bitsie Rockwell! Look out for Pink Chicken, Vanessa Mooney, and my personal fave - Gryphon New York!

Fresh Produce

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by and introduced to Fresh Produce, a casual/resort clothing line based in the US, which was founded in Long Beach, CA back in 1984. What started as a graphic tee/custom jewelry venture that sold out of the parking lot of the Los Angels Coliseum during the 1984 Summer Olympics has become one of the most widely available sportswear brands in the US. It is also worth mentioning that even after three decades, while other brands have shifted production overseas due to rising costs, Fresh Produce clothes are still made in the USA.

And while it has relocated its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado today, it continues to design simple, comfortable clothing that evoke a summer state of mind. 

The fabric is indeed super soft and comfortable - feels like a lived-in sweater that I've had for years.

Fresh Produce may often be associated with resort or summer fashion, but in fact, their clothes can actually be worn year round. I was sent the Standing Ovation Cardigan in black, a lightweight cardigan and one of the nicest in their collection of women's cardigans, so I could try it out and O.M.G. it is love! It is a simple piece, but so stylish and versatile - I can wear it with leggings, shorts, jeans, loose tanks  and tees whatever. Just throw it on, and its a great look in a snap. I think this piece works for traveling too.

Plus, it is long enough and drape-y enough that I could even wear it as a wrap around dress. As long as I secure it with a belt and two safety pins.

Fresh Produce can be found online, in Nordstrom and over 500 specialty boutiques and resort retailers, as well as company-owned stores and factory outlets throughout the US, including exclusive seashore resorts in North America and the Caribbean.

Fresh Produce also ships internationally to over 200 countries. Please read the Shipping FAQ on the Fresh Produce site for details!

Luminox for Tough Guys

I first came across Luminox watches at Mr. Porter, which is the last site you would expect tough guys to shop at. Turns out, more than just well-designed, luxe looking watches, Luminox has its roots in military warfare and law enforcement. Humble yes, but definitely rugged, versatile, durable. So it comes as no surprise that Luminox also counts among its enthusiasts - sportsmen, divers, plus athletic and outdoorsy men and women who want a watch that can withstand abuse and other extreme conditions.

8821KM Recon Pointman Php19,850

After all, Luminox is the only watch that uses the proprietary "Luminox Light Technology" - a Swiss self-powered illumination system which makes Luminox watches extremely visible at night—in fact, the technology Luminox uses provides 24/7 luminosity, regardless of conditions, for up to 25 years. Unlike other watches that use luminescent paint or push button illumination systems.

It is this Luminox Light Technology that got the attention of many military and law enforcement agencies, allowing its highly trained men and women to read the watches in any condition, not just low light, but even in total darkness. It is just a plus that Luminox watches look great.

Check these out:

1148 Tony Kanaan Series Php57,000

Field Valjoux Chronograph Php105,600

1503 Deep Dive Automatic Php99,450

3051 Blackout PHP15,450

7065 Colormark Ladies PHP15,450

9278 F-22 Raptor 9200 Php56,450

Luminox watches are available at:

The Podium
Solenad 2
Paseo de Sta. Rosa
Rudy Project Mall of Asia
Rudy Project Boni facio High Street
Rudy Project Alabang Town Center
Rudy Project Glorietta
Rudy Project TriNoma
Rustan’s Makati
All TIME DEPOT STORES Nationwide
Time Trends Megamall
Duty Free Terminal 3
Duty Free Airmall

PS: Luminox Photo in Action Contest ongoing until April 15, 2012!