I first heard about Purse Podium when a friend retweeted a link to its Facebook page. It was quite the serendipitous moment because I was Googling for designer bags at that time! What are the odds. :P Anyway, I scoured through the Purse Podium site for the perfect bag for me, one that fit my size and budget, and I chanced upon the Marc by Marc Twisted Q Riz Hobo in a sort of bronze/gold color.

At first I wasn't too sure about the color since it may be difficult to pair up with my outfits, but my fears were baseless. Like a gold necklace or bronze bangle, the bag goes with (more or less) everything!

Working for Filipino retailers has made me appreciate the hard work and talent that goes into each garment, shoe, bag, or accessory. It's really different when it's Pinoy made. Lacking heavy machinery that mass-producing countries like China have, our workers have resorted to more or less creating things by hand.

At least, when it comes to homegrown, small brands. It's the same for locally produced cosmetics brands like Leyende and Venus & Mars.

Anyway, I was surfing blogs a couple of weeks back when I first read about Jewelled Bags. It's a Pinoy brand that makes these beautiful bags that are heavy with beads, semi-precious gems, glass, and other appliques. They also come in indigenous fabrics and luxe skins like snake and leather. 

Each bag is elaborate and obviously carefully made. From what I understand, there is only a limited number made for each style, so you're assured that what you have is more or less unique.

For someone who used to buy only a total of one bag a year, this is a huge development! I think this is the fourth bag I bought with my money this year. I consider this as an early Christmas gift to myself - there's nothing better, is there? 

Anyway! Before I babble on, I just want to share what I got from Nine West in High Street yesterday. I was alternating between the Turn The Corner Tote and this black, multi-textured bag, but I ended up getting this one since it's younger and more casual. The color scheme can take it from day to night plus it was the perfect size, too.

I've been thinking a lot about designer bags lately. Before, I wouldn't give them a moment's hoot - why blow P20,000 to P100,000 and beyond just for a bag? There are equally beautiful bags for much, much less than that. It didn't make sense to me. But now, it sorta does.

Let me tell you a little bit about my line of work. I work in the fashion industry as a PR and marketing person. I meet a lot of clients and people from the media, so it pays to reason that I always need to be at my best. You won't trust someone to represent you if that person looks shabby and all over the place, will you? Some people call it vanity, but I call it simple survival.

They say good shoes will take you to good places. That's true. But I do think that quote also applies to bags, too.

Avon makes interesting bags, but the Manzzini Collection is way past interesting. It's gorgeous! So wait, why is the collection called Manzzini? "The name Manzzini was derived from Via Mazzini, a fashion street in Italy reflecting the designs of the collection. This bag line takes inspiration from a Manzzini woman who travels around the world - as she eats, shops and loves," says Avon.

They're more expensive since they're a special collection, but I do believe the price is worth it. I like that the bags have a sort of detachable organizer inside for your stuff (at least, the black one does, I haven't used the cream yet) and that they're very of-the-moment. The material used doesn't feel cheap at all too!

Here are a few photos of the bags in actual.

Manzzini Tote with Mini Purse

A lot of people have been doing this lately, and so I decided to join the bandwagon. Lol. It's fun! I've actually done it already last year. However, a lot of things has changed since then, so my bag also "evolved" along with them.

What's in my bag depends on what kind of bag I'm using (which in turn depends on my outfit), what I need to do that day, and where I'm going. Yesterday, I was in the office for a presentation, so I didn't wear much makeup. I decided to bring a makeup kit so I can do a full face for a media event I'll be attending later in the evening.

Forever 21 shades, Majolica Majorca makeup kit, alcohol, mint gum, keys, Tony Moly pressed powder, Estee Lauder Sensuous, wallet, iPad (forgot to add the Blackberry in the photo)

As with last year, I still don't bring a makeup kit on a regular basis, but I sometimes do when the need arises.

So, I just want to share what I wore yesterday. I didn't want to don rainy weather clothes (what are rainy weather clothes anyway?) and I only had like five minutes to grab everything and go. Thought to air out this tutu skirt I got from Tomato some weeks back for only P300 - how I wish I bought the other colors while I was there!

Promod cardigan/ Tomato tutu/ Ferretti heels and tote/ SM necklace

I just bought the tote bag yesterday when I visited Ferretti in Glorietta 5. I wasn't really out to buy a bag specifically, but I vaguely wanted something that can carry my laptop and junk without bursting to the brim. The only "trendy" bags I have are small so was looking for something current yet more practical. 

Ok I know I said I'm not a bag person but when I saw this in the store, I just...felt compelled to buy it.

I did mention before that I'm not a bag person, so I ever rarely buy bags for myself. This is why I super appreciate it whenever I get good bags as a gift. XP I got this plastic/mesh bag with orange pleather straps from Avon. It's where they housed their press samples of the recently launched Advance Techniques haircare line (more on that soon).

It's the kind of bag I can actually bring everywhere shamelessly since there are no tawdry logos or details. It's simple, elegant, and looks well-made. It reminds me a little of this cute line of bags from Furla:

There are a lot of beautiful finds inside Parfois. The best thing is, most of the items are not something you'll find just anywhere! There are cocktail rings, statement necklaces, and pretty bags in the store. Shoes, scarves, and wallets are also mainstays.

Indeed, Parfois is your all-around accessory store that's not too painful on the pocket. Rings are between P380 to P650, necklaces at P600-1200 (for the elaborate ones), and bags at P1,200 to 3,000 (for the big ones made for traveling).

Here's what I got!

This necklace is perfect for low-cut dresses and tops

These golden leaves hang beautifully on the neck. Can go with most outfits. Been wearing it nonstop!

I was at the Ferretti store in Glorietta 5 last Saturday to turn over receipts (I work for the the brand) when I spotted the new bags. It was love at first sight! I immediately bought one of the structured satchels since I am into that particular look right now.

Well, I was once seriously considering those Cambridge bags but a friend aptly observed that they're the new Longchamps - meaning everyone had them. I prefer having more unique pieces, and this Ferretti bag fit the bill (quite literally, too, since this style is only available in very very limited quantities).

Did I mention that the bag is just P899? :D It also comes in light taupe.

Parfois (par-fwa) is a Portuguese brand that just opened shop in Manila last year. I remember checking it out in Glorietta 4 then, but I had the impression that it was too expensive for my budget. The store definitely looked swanky and intimidating! But what do you know, the accessories are actually quite affordable. All of them, even the elaborate ones, are less than P1,000, with an average price of P380 to P600+. That's about the same price range as Forever 21 or SM accessories.

I'm really glad that Parfois invited me to be their blogger stylist of the day last Friday. It was my first time to assist customers in a store and I must admit, it's exhausting! Nonetheless, meeting everyone was a real treat; I was impressed by the diversity of Parfois customers. There were students, yuppies, working moms, and even grand old ladies with white hair. I guess this diversity speaks for the kind of items you can find in the store - timeless, versatile pieces that can be worn by anyone regardless of age.

Here's an Avon post...again! I can't help it. Avon is probably the biggest supporter of Project Vanity. They don't pay me or anything, if you're curious. They just send me their latest products to try and it works out so well because I've been a huge fan of Avon even since I was a teen. Anyway, just the other day they gave me three bags of products not just for me, but for YOU! Yup, I'm going to have another major giveaway soon. If you haven't joined the current one, please do!

Today I want to share something they sent me a couple of weeks back. It's one of their newer collections called Desert Oasis, one inspired by the glittering sands of the hot dunes. The collection is quite extensive, with underwear, sandals, accessories, and bags under it. I have a few of them here. Check out the photos!

Eco bags are not a trend - they're here to stay! Using them helps reduce plastic waste, which we all know is not biodegradable. According to CNN, "What's wrong with plastic bags? Lots. They often wind up as litter, or in trees. They drift into oceans and rivers and kill fish. They can take 1,000 years to decompose. And every time we use a plastic bag, we drive up the demand for oil - which is used to make plastics."

Wow, a thousand years! Think about it. Something we used for two hours carrying a box of shoes can continue polluting the environment for a millennium. This is why I prefer shopping in stores that use re-usable paper bags instead of plastic ones! Also, when I buy something that can fit into my bag, I always tell the attendant to skip the plastic kasi kalat lang talaga. If I have to use plastic, I stuff as many things inside as humanly possible, then re-use the bag for the trash cans at home.

Now, I'm sure you've seen SM Eco Bags being sold at SM Supermalls nationwide. I'd like to invite you to use them because aside from the environmental angle, SM Eco Bags are total must-have because they're:

• Extremely convenient. Instead of toting several shopping bags at the same time, you can just put them inside the roomy fabric bag and sling it on your shoulder. 
• Fashionable. So you've got a great outfit going on while you're shopping, but you're carrying three or four plastic bags by hand. How unflattering! If you spend so much time primping, it wouldn't hurt to carry a pretty eco bag with you whenever you go out to shop. SM Eco Bags come in four wearable designs.

• Compact and light. They tie up neatly in a thin rectangular bundle and weigh almost nothing.

If you're going to a party, especially to formal ones, it's not quite chic to sling a tote, shoulder, or hand bag with your cocktail dress. It destroys the mood of your outfit as well as the occasion. It's recommended to bring a clutch bag instead since it's compact, streamlined, and formal.

But of course, clutch bags don't necessarily have to be used only during evening events! You can wear them with casual clothes too, if they're big and roomy enough to function. You may as well have the clutch in black to max out the versatility.

I picked up this gift from Dorothy Perkins yesterday (thanks Michelle!). It's exactly what I need!

The clutch is plain, sleek, and most importantly, roomy! It can easily fit my phone, foundation, and lipstick with lots of room to spare for a wallet and camera. I promptly wore it last night to a dinner date with Marco at 101 in Enderun.