Shop Glamourbox + Free Shipping till February 15!

Yes, January was sold out, like December was. Again with February.  But this post ain't just about bad news. If you haven't experienced Glamourbox yet, because they just keep on getting sold out, well, you can shop what has been in Glamourbox plus more cult, hard-to-find brands via the Glamourbox Online Boutique! FREE Shipping too until February 15, 2013.

Here's my January Glamourbox. Getting it in the mail makes me so giddy already, what more the unboxing:

My January 2013 Glamourbox

Like what's inside my Glamourbox? Shop HERE!

Xavi the SM Baby + SM Babies Special Moments

Yes! That's our very own Xavi in the photo above for SM Babies! Please indulge this proud and beaming stage mom haha.

Ok background story:

Karrots: ARC PR asking for your cell num, for an SM Babies photoshoot daw, may I give?

Tin: Sure, hehehe

Karrots: Ahihihi oki!

That afternoon, Jenny Yrasuegi of ARC PR got in touch with me. She asked how old Xavi was, and then invited us to be part of the SM Babies exhibit. She said Pilar Tuason was going to be shooting our photo in her studio, etc. etc. I was kilig of course, and thrilled to bits! 

On the day of the shoot, Xavi and I went to Pilar's studio. As soon as we stepped in, that was the only time I realized, OMG, this is serious stuff. What are we doing here? 

The makeup artist proceeded to put on makeup and then, Lourd Ramos arrived with his hair guys. Lourd had cut my hair before, when I was still pregnant with Xavi, so we were so happy when we saw each other after so long! As soon as we were ready, we changed into our shoot clothes, Xavi in his dapper SM Babies party clothes (outfit 1: khaki vest, long sleeved shirt and trousers, outfit 2: plaid pants with suspenders, long sleeved shirts and the cutest bow tie) and me in a lace dress borrowed from the gracious Marta Araneta.

Here's the behind the scenes, it was so fun!!!

Although between you and me, Xavi, who was 4 months old at the time of the shoot, was a little bit of an Il Divo at times. Haha! We had to stop because he wanted milk. He wanted to nap. There were times he refused to smile. Hayayay! We were there from 9 to 2 pm. The moms and kids who went after us were done na! Xavi talaga! But the SM Babies team was so encouraging and so understanding. Thankfully, whole team at the shoot was a joy to work with, even if Xavi was Little Mr. Divo.

While Xavi was napping, I saw their lineup of moms on the wall and I was like, "OMG, how did Xavi and I become part of this?" Hahaha! Here are the rest of the gorgeous moms and their cute babies, as seen during the SM Babies Special Moments launch in Manila Peninsula, last January 28:

Juana & Rosanna

Marta & Tristan

Isabel & Brooke

Maia & Matt

Andi & Elle

Rosanna & Alejandro

 

Delamar & Cooper

Rose & Manu

Nicole & Jaime

Angela & Helena

Georgia & Katia

Grace & Alessi

Emillie & Emilia

Kalurks diba? Ibang levelz! Society moms, celebrities, models. Thank you SM Babies and ARC for just thinking of having us! It was such a wonderful experience. Something I would enjoy telling Xavi over and over again!

Thanks for this photo Jenny aka @jenyrasuegui :)

Ok, back to my background story: 

Xavi and I stayed at the studio long enough to chat with Leslie of SM Babies, who was so sweet and so savvy with carrying Xavi that he didn't mind being with her.  I asked her about the clothes on the racks - a lot of the pieces reminded me of J.Crew crew cuts, Petit Bateau and Bonpoint. She told me that they really have a great selection for kids now, all at affordable, really good price points, which should be available this month.

We left the shoot tired but excited about Xavi's mowdeling stint, haha. Plus, I was really impressed with the selection at SM Babies now, from christening gowns to sleepwear, from play clothes to party clothes - they've really got it all for us!

For more about SM Babies, like the SM Babies Facebook page.

Nuvo Nails in Greenhills

Before anything, I just have to show you my nails by Nuvo Nails, a cozy nail salon tucked on the corner of the 2nd floor of One Kennedy Place on Club Filipino Drive in Greenhills, where Razon's is. (Whew, that was a long sentence!) Anyhoo, so nice this shade of red, no?
 

It's the 001 by Estessimo TiNS, a cult nail polish brand from Japan. Joanne Gonzaga of Nuvo Nails shares they bring a few bottles in from Japan when they can, because they are so hard to come by. I can see why it has achieved cult status. Apart from the gorgeous color, it dries so fast (even before they put on Seche Vite), doesn't stain the nails, and lasts a long time (2 weeks on my toes with nary a chip).

Service is polite and impeccable. They even offer some tea before starting on your nails. The place is pleasant and clean, seating is comfortable...

...and they even have a touch-up counter where you can touch up on your make-up before heading out to your party (incidentally, one of the owners, Karen, is a make-up artist), hence the thoughtful idea of having a touch-up counter.

It's the little details that count at Nuvo Nails. They make sure their tools are sterilized...

Instead of soaking your nails in a regular bowl, they have a soaking basin where you can rest your hand...

And they use really good nail brands like Estessimo TiNS, Misa, Orly, Seche Vite and more!

Apart from standard nail care services, they also do acrylic nails, nail art...

 

...and UV gel polish, which my sister Dianne tried in Coral. 

Nuvo Nails uses the eco Soak Off line of UV Gel polishes.

 

Dianne liked how meticulous her technician was, even patiently walking us through the step by step when we asked her what she was doing. Over and all, it's a great place to decompress by yourself, bring your little girl for mother/daughter bonding, invite a friend for chika and salon services (they do eyelash extensions, paraffin treatments, hand/foot spa, threading and waxing too!) or throw a SPArty for say, a bridal shower or a birthday party!

For the list of services and corresponding prices, here's the price list:

Hope to bump into you when I'm there! ;)

Nuvo Nails
2/F One Kennedy Place
Club Filipino Drive
Greenhills, San Juan
Tel: +632 6550723
Mobile: +63933 5230592

DIY Parlor Hair: Studio SnR Mane Style Series

If you've always wanted salon gorgeous hair, but don't have the time and extra dough to go to the salon daily, then this is just the thing you need. Studio SnR's workshop for PERSONAL HAIR STYLING! Learn how to do a high pony, beach waves, big curls and more. Type ko, mga day.

It's happening on Feb 8, from 2 PM to 5:30 PM. If you can't make it, send yaya! So she can do your hair every day. Like a Donya!

Register at: www.studiosnr.com/contact.html

SoFA Workshops, Short Courses & Certificate Programs

Start the Year of the Snake right by going for your dream career!

SoFA Design Institute ventures into offering alternative and supplementary design programs in Fashion and Interior Design. SoFA starts afresh this 2013 with a new wave of program offerings including Certificate Programs, Short Courses, and Workshops. 

FAST-TRACK CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS 

SoFA opens, for the first time, fast-track programs ideal for individuals on-the-go seeking to finish any of SoFA’s certificate programs in just two months, instead of four. Choose from a variety of specializations: Fashion Design, Fashion Journalism, and Fashion Styling. Equip yourself with the basic know-how in each of the Certificate Program tracks. 

Certificate in Fashion Design 

Transform your creative thoughts into big concrete ideas. Enroll in the Fashion Design track and get familiarized with design basics in the areas of design studio 1, textile technology, and basic illustration.

Certificate in Fashion Journalism 

Jumpstart a career in the fashion journalism business by taking the Fashion Journalism track and acquiring competency in fashion writing, fashion trends, and fashion photography. The Fashion Writing course is mentored by Arnel Patawaran, current Editor-in-Chief of Sense and Style magazine.

Certificate in Fashion Styling 

Work towards a career in one of the most popular domains in the industry with the Fashion Styling track. Gain command in the area of basic fashion styling, professional makeup techniques, and fashion photography. The fashion styling track closes off with a month long apprenticeship program with celebrated stylist, Luis Espiritu, Jr. 

SHORT COURSES 

SoFA opens opportunities for professionals and beginners in the industry to acquire formal instruction in a variety of disciplines in Fashion. These courses run for 18-sessions and are mentored by industry professionals. Take your pick from SoFA’s roster of short courses this February 2013: 

Basic Fashion Styling
Basic Illustration
Professional Makeup Techniques
Design Studio-Creative Problem Solving
Fashion Styling Apprenticeship
Fashion Photography
Fashion Trends
Fashion Writing
Textile Technology

WORKSHOPS

SoFA opens its doors to passionate visionaries who are on the look out for alternative and supplementary courses on fashion and interior design. Beginners and professionals alike will find the following modules ideal: 

Designing and Constructing Clothes

Learn from fashion designer and Philippine Fashion Week mainstay, Richard Papa, in this workshop on design and apparel production. The basics of fashion design, pattern making, and sewing are conveniently packed into this 6-session capsule program. Lessons gained from the program may be applied for both personal and professional use. 

Interior Styling 

Frame your ideas into spaces. Real Living magazine’s former Creative Director, Gwyn Guanzon, will be mentoring this 6-session workshop tackling the basic principles of Interior Styling such as balance, textures, hues, etc. Learn how best to design spaces according to your or to your client’s requirements. 

Flower Arrangement 

Flowers are one of the best decorative pieces for any space. Learn how to manage arrangements to achieve the best of looks from seasoned floral and event stylist, Archie Chua. Take in the essentials and insider how-to’s in this 6- session workshop.

Construction Project Management 

Work does not stop at coming up with the big idea. See your projects through by gaining an understanding of how to manage the construction phase of a design project. Be mentored by Archt. Carlo Mateo, Managing Partner of MANA Architecture + Interior Design. This workshop runs for 4 sessions. 

Lighting Design 

No space is ever completely planned and styled without good lighting. Walk through the basics of lighting design and familiarize yourself with the newest trends in lighting technology to improve your designer credentials. Gilbert Ong, Lighting Application Specialist, comes in as mentor for this 4-session workshop. 

Landscape Design 

Design need not be confined in interior spaces. Gain proficiency in contouring and beautifying landscapes be it a residential or commercial setting. Take off from, Archt. Cecily Canlas, masteral degree holder in Tropical Landscape Architecture, mentor for this 6-session workshop.

CONTACT: 
Roselle Manlangit
Admissions & Communications Assistant
(+632) 478-4622 loc. 115
0917-5018136
admissions@sofadesigninstitute.edu.ph
shortcourses@sofadesigninstitute.edu.ph