Archive for October, 2009

Sale on at Itsie-Bitsie Boutique! A Common Thread, Earnest Sewn, Elie Tahari, Ella Moss, Graham & Spencer and Velvet now up to 50% off. Take a peek at the Pre-Christmas Sale on October 29 to November 2. Itsie-Bitsie Boutique is located at Unit RS 114 and 119 Joya Lofts and Tower, Joya Drive, Rockwell Center. Store hours are Monday to Sunday, 10AM to 8PM. For inquiries, call 897-1821  or 522-8592.

(Image from the Itsie-Bitsie Boutique website)

Apparently, it is very important. The recent robbery in a Rolex store in a posh mall during Sunday lunch was proof of that. If not for the cctv cameras at the store, there is no way to identify the robbers that forced themselves in – there were details on their clothes that could give way for more information as well, such as the name badges. Apparently, the robbers posed as members of the police force conducting a security check when they broke in. How ironic right?

Home security is one thing that needs to be prioritized too. A friend has invested on a home security system because they are only four in their big house with no guards at night. Her husband enables the security system at night and disables it once he goes out to work during the mornings. That way, they can all sleep soundly knowing they are safe!

Remember when I blogged about Lizzie Miller? Apparently, that small photo featured in Glamour on page 194 sparked thousands of readers to send great feedback about how the magazine is holding up the true beauty of a woman.

And I quote:
 The picture wasn’t of a celebrity. It wasn’t of a supermodel. It was of a woman sitting in her underwear with a smile on her face and a belly that looks…wait for it…normal.

The "woman on p. 194." Gorgeous!

And wait, there’s more!

These are size 12-18 plus-size models who represent the normal women. I would never be a size 4 even in my skinniest. At size 6, I looked like a skeleton with skin – I look great at size 12! And I am so happy that FINALLY magazines like Glamour are going to be featuring REAL women soon!

Seven total knockouts From far left: Crystal Renn, Amy Lemons, Ashley Graham, Kate Dillon, Anansa Sims and Jennie Runk. Bottom Center: Lizzie Miller.

• A continued commitment to showing a wide range of body types—and, of course, racial diversity—in our pages, including fashion and beauty stories.
• A promise to give the best plus models not just work, but the same great work straight-size models get, partnering with top photographers, stylists and makeup artists. Because a generous helping of fantasy, in our view, is fabulous—as long as it’s extended to women of all sizes.
• An ongoing celebration of the so-called imperfections, from nose bumps to gap teeth smiles, that make us all unique.
• Enthusiastic support for any designer who manufactures chic clothes we can photograph on full-bodied models. Isn’t it time for changes like these? Reality, after all, is everywhere. On Twitter, Demi Moore tweets matter-of-factly about her body: “I still have excess skin & stretch marks!” And then, “Comes with having a few kids 4 some of us!” Scott Schuman, a.k.a. the Sartorialist, has attracted a cult following by photographing real people with great style—and quirks. Crystal Renn has written a fascinating new memoir about her transition from an anorexic straight-size model to a healthy, exuberant and very successful plus-size model. And Jeffrey Buchman, professor of advertising and marketing communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology, notes that Renn and plus-size model Johanna Dray have shown up on runways at Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, respectively. “Art leads social change, and high fashion is art,” says Buchman. “So these are not frivolous choices; they are clarion calls.”

The holidays are fast approaching and Christmas is here before you know it. For us family with the worse nasal and sinus allergies,humidifier filters are our best friends these days. Have you begun your Christmas shopping already? If not, check out the latest offerings of another online friend, Faye. She sells authentic Coach bags, Lacoste bags and Fossil watches at a lower price than what you can normally get at the malls.

I personally would L-O-V-E to receive another Coach bag (a matching wallet is going to be such a NICE bonus) but I would need to pray that the husband aka Santa Claus will have a gigantic bonus to give me one – but if that happens, I know what I will be getting.

I clearly remember what my mom told me when I became a mom to my own sweet little girl – that I celebrate each birthday no matter what, but make it extra special when she turns 1, 7, and 18. But there is something about turning sixteen too. I clearly remember how I celebrated mine, and though the great 18th birthday surprise was incomparable, the 16th birthday gifts were sweeter.

Here are some Sweet 16 Gift ideas you might find useful. I based it on the current trends I see among teenage girls and it doesn’t reflect my preference for what I would want to receive:

* Twilight
* The Vampire Diaries
* IPods and Accessories
* Gift Card Ideas

Those are the hottest gift trends among women right now. Who doesn’t want Twilight movie tickets or better yet, a chance to get to the set of the third movie installment Eclipse?

Here are useful gifts she might appreciate:

1. Spa gifts certificates
2. Money (in an envelope, in the form of gift cars to her favorite stores, or better yet, a supplementary credit card)
3. Make-up, beauty products, any cosmetic procedures she would want to have but cannot afford – it can be diamond peeling, treatment for her acne, laser hair removal, teeth whitening, etc.
4. Jewelry
5. Gadgets
6. A new car – since one can now legally drive when one turns 16!

I personally would like a more sentimental gift though, something she can keep and pass on to her kid, in the future. Her birthstone in a jewelry set would be nice, or a book you made. I am working on my own version of “16 Letters to My Daughter” and I am sure she will appreciate, if not when she turns 16, when she becomes a mom herself.

Abernook.com has some great birthday ideas as well. I personally like this – I would give to any teenage girl I know who will turn 16!

It’s a “Don’t Drive Fast” keychain!

The recent robbery heist at a Rolex Store in one of the posh malls in the Makati district at the middle of daylight on a Sunday scared a lot of families. Sunday is usually family day and thousands of families dine and do some shopping on that day in that particular mall. There are others who blame the mall’s security system but others say that police and mall security have reacted as soon as they can.

For that reason, most houses along Makati have invested on new and more reliable Home Security Systems. ADT Security has been named the Best Home Security Surveillance System there is and families have the company as their top choice.

Home Security is something I would not think twice to invest on once I have a home of my own.

If you need gifts for yourself or your family and loved ones this Christmas, consider getting them from Kalakal ni Kikay! She is a good friend who sells authentic items from the US (Coach, Technomarine, RL dresses, Fossil, DKNY and Lacoste watches, Lacoste bags) and ships them here.

There are payment terms available too. Shop now, items will be shipped before Christmas!

These will be held at Rustan’s Makati on October 24 and 25!

Catch the “Star Dust Purification” makeover event by Kanebo Cosmetics at Rustan’s Makati on October 24 and 25, from 1PM – 8PM. Top international makeup artist Suzuki Shunichi will handle the makeovers, and a photo booth will be available to take the requisite “before” and “after” photos. You can also still catch the makeover at Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza up to 8PM today. Call Rustan’s Makati at 813-3739, Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza at 633-4636, or Suzzane Tan at (0917) 538-4210 for more information.

I have been burned with credit card debt before – it was a case of too much too soon. I was fresh out of college and landed a great-paying job right away. Pre-approved cards came one after another and before I knew it, every card was maxxed out as well. It was such a hard lesson to swallow – and now with all of them closed, I really have learned my lesson well.

Many companies actually offer credit repair with their credit repair services when these credit repair companies actually do nothing! RepairYourBadCredit.com has these tips to help you recover:

1. Clean up errors on your credit report
2. Use secured credit cards
3. Take on a reasonable amount of debt
4. Build up your savings
5. Repay your creditors.
6. Look into credit counseling
7. Stay clear of credit repair scams

Remember having good credit standing is essential so you that you can apply and be approved for loans for your home, car or even for any emergency. Do not worry though if you have bad credit – this can still be repaired. You just need to seek help from a reputable company.

This should be an interesting movie. Audrey Tautou is just a woman with grace like Audrey Hepburn, don’t you agree?

The film stars Audrey Tautou and is directed by Anne Fontaine who was given rare access to archives and was lent elusive pieces from Coco Chanel’s personal collection of apparel and fine jewelry.

She is the newest face behind the world’s best selling and most successful fragrance in history, Chanel No.5. In 1921, Coco launched Chanel No. 5, her first-ever fragrance. Today after 88 years since its inception, it continues to be the world’s most legendary scent, and remains the company’s most famous perfume.

Synopsis:
Before she was France’s famous mademoiselle..

Several years after leaving the orphanage to which her father never returned for her, Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar both. She’s both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname Coco from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A liaison with Baron Balsan gives her an entree into French society and a chance to develop her gift for designing increasingly popular hats. When she falls in love with English businessman Arthur Capel further opportunities open up, though life becomes ever more complicated

Some scenes from the movie: