Quick post! I just wanna pop in to say hello, and happy holidays to you all. ^_^ Hope you're having a grand time so far! I'll be having a staycation with my family in a hotel here in Fort, then probably veg and watch cable TV until tomorrow. All I want is a chill and fun time with my loved ones.

Before I leave, thought I'd show you something I got for myself this Christmas. I think that the best gifts are the ones that you actually purchase for yourself, because no one knows what you want better than you do, right? That being said I finally got something I've been looking for a long time: a pouch wallet.

I'm not that picky with brands when it comes to wallets which is why mine always looks kawawa. But in my defense I really want something where I can jam my cash and coins without thinking, where there's space for my cards. I haven't found something like it in stores - that is, until I saw this pouch from Rabeanco in SM Aura.

It is absolutely perfect.

It's hard to move on to business as usual when a tragedy of awful magnitude just struck our country last week. Everyone is still reeling from the loss of life and property, and then the feverish desperation that comes after it. I'm not an emotional person but everytime I read the news about Yolanda's destruction I feel like there's a small twinge near my heart. That's not just because of the graphic stories of suffering on the ground; it's also because of the heroism of our people and the kindness that other countries have shown us.

I don't know what else to say. I just wish that help to those in need comes swiftly, and that in the future we can pass laws that will help minimize the risks from natural disaters (among other things). 

Shall we move on to lighter stuff? If you're here, perhaps you're also looking to feel slightly less burdened from the news. :)

Plains & Prints just released their Holiday 2013 Collection last weekend! There's over a hundred pictures of all the new pieces in the press kit (see the full lookbook here), but for brevity I decided to post Anne Curtis's looks as styled by Liz Uy. Anne as you know is Plains & Prints latest endorser, and I think that it's such a perfect fit!

Anne has a glam-next-door, slightly eclectic taste in fashion. P&P has pretty much the same aesthetic so it was only a natural progression for both fashion powerhouses to work together.

Plains & Prints' Holiday 2013 has four sub-categories: Camo-Chic, Fire, Earth, and Holiday Dresses. See them in detail after the cut!

My bag of the moment is this black Avon Manzzini Bag. I first saw my friend Mara carrying it at an event in Marriott Hotel and I honestly thought it was a high-end bag! Just yesterday someone also asked me if it was designer. It does have an expensive, discreet look to it (minus the key wallet), which may explain the first impression it usually gets.

Dimensions: 12.5" L x 16" H

Best thing? It's only P1,750. It's expensive for an Avon bag, since the normal collections are just around P600-1,000. But if you like the design then why not right? These bags come with a key chain wallet (for the black), detachable organizer, and dust bag (for storage). 

Denim is a staple in our country because of its versatility and sturdiness. If you're a denim lover, there's a new player in town: G-Star RAW.

G-Star RAW is a luxury Dutch brand that's famous abroad for its unwashed, untreated - or raw - denim. It has a militaristic feel to it, with streetwise pockets and edgy zippers conveniently sewn in the fabric. The brand is currently available in 6,000 selling points world wide, with flagship stores located in top fashion capitals such as New York City, Paris, and London. 

And now, the brand is finally in the Philippines. Here are some of the essential G-Star looks to cop!

My favorite!

Do you guys watch Downton Abbey? YOU SHOULD. It's a historical drama about the lives of an English titled family and their servants in the early 20th century. Affecting them all are events happening in the larger world like the sinking of the Titanic and the first World War. The actors are fantastic, the story, poignant, and the clothes! My dears, you shall be inspired.

The ladies wore charming tea dresses with immaculate, softly tailored tops. While we can still definitely do this today, wouldn't it be a little impractical to be walking around in heavy lace and full-length dresses? It is. Which is why I love JC Buendia's collection for Kashieca: it's inspired by Downton Abbey, except the clothes are made for the 21st century no-fuss working woman.

Don't expect any print-crazy trendy stuff. JC Buendia had something a lot more sophisticated and body-friendly in mind! The collection is full of figure enhancing tops and bottoms done in practical fabrics that can handle daily wear and tear.

The cuts aren't the sort that you'll see in your average Bangkok and China rebranded stores. Since the clothes are exclusively designed, you get the extensive experience and knowledge of the female body only a trained designer can give to his work.

I'm in Bonifacio High Street at least three times a week. It's where I grab my favorite drink (Happy Lemon!), walk my dog, run errands, eat dinner every so often. It's one of my favorite places to hang out but I've always wished that there were more shopping choices. I only like the shoe and bag stores there; when it came to clothes, there wasn't anything spectacular.

Until Vogue Concepts opened new stores, that is. :) Bonifacio High Street Central is becoming the next high-street (get it?) shopping mecca. The latest addition is Promod, the French fashion brand! With this new opening, Promod now has 10 stores in the Philippines.

I've talked about Promod many, many times before. Bottomline is, it's a great place to look for on-trend but never tacky pieces to make your existing wardrobe come alive. They also have dresses in classic cuts, as well as the basics like shorts and cotton tops.

This season, Promod presented six key looks that is sure to tickle your stylish imagination. Check them out!

SAINT TROPEZ. Who says summer is over? Mix and match playful pieces with white and  pastel shades that keep you looking and feeling fresh, just like what you need on a hot summer day!

How do you feel about new foreign brands coming to the Philippines at breakneck speeds? I'm loving it! More brands mean more options for picky shoppers like me. The important bit is that prices become more competitive. Gone are the days when new brands can enter at prices that are 50% more than their SRP abroad. (Or am I just kidding myself? Still, let's not forget to buy Pinoy!)

Anyway, there's going to be a new clothing brand in town! It's called Ever New, a  brand founded in Melbourne, Australia. Ever New emerged in late 2006 as a start-up retailer and now trades over 120 stores across seven countries including New Zealand, the United States, Singapore, and now, the Philippines.

Their PR sent me a few photos to whet the appetite. If you like elegant, feminine clothes, then I think you'll love Ever New. 

Out of the tons of foldable flats out in the market, which one should you choose? They're all comfortable and relatively durable in spite of their bendy properties. They all look pretty good too - good enough to wear by themselves instead of just first aid for high heel-caused sore feet. I think there are two things you should look for: how thick and springy the sole is and how convenient the pouch is.

Yes, the pouch matters. So much. I hate having to jam the foldable flats inside a too-small pouch while touching the dirty soles, and I also dislike having to bring a separate bag for my high heels. Thankfully, Cocorose London has got the perfect pouch for both their foldable flats and my heels!

The pouch is very roomy and fits the flats with no trouble. It also comes with a detachable satin bag for the shoes. How cool is that?

Oh but why am I just raving about the pouch? Check out the foldable flats, they are lovely.

Last November, a new fashion brand quietly tiptoed up to the Philippines: Bershka. It’s a brand under the Inditex group, the same company that owns Zara and Mossimo Dutti to name a few. Bershka is like a younger, more carefree version of Zara at more affordable prices so I think you’ll love it!

Expect to see floral and flowy tops, miniskirts, shorts, girly dresses, scarves, and flattering jackets. What’s nice is that the clothes don’t go beyond P1,500, with an average of P700 to P900 per item. Why so affordable, you ask?

Don't you just love how Manila is fast-becoming a world-class shopping mecca? All the best brands are finally arriving in our shoes, and the latest to join the growing list is Japanese casual fashion brand UNIQLO. It's definitely something Pinoys will love because we're very much into laidback basics.

SM, who recently brought Forever21 to Manila, will also carry UNIQLO. It's slated to open come early 2012 so that's something to look forward to next year! The good news is that judging by the pricing of F2, it's reasonable to speculate that UNIQLO pieces will still remain affordable.

Vogue Concepts brought us Promod and Yves Rocher from France, Parfois from Portugal, and Flojos from California. But they're not stopping there! Early this September, they brought in one of London's hottest stores called Peacocks. The fast-fashion brand is London's version of the US's Forever 21, with the goal of translating catwalk trends to wearable retail. 

Here's the lookbook-esque catalogue they rolled out for us (you must look at it from beginning to end, there are so many neat inspirations!)

Morning guys! I just woke up. While sleepily browsing my Twitter timeline (please follow me!), I saw the pictures of the national costume that Miss Philippines-Universe Shamcey Supsup will wear to the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in São Paulo, Brazil. I don't really follow beauty pageants but my gosh, this costume made me wake up pronto.

Shamcey looks beautiful...and shiny! Two things: one, why can't we have our beauty queens wear something, er, fashion-forward? Dress her in Michael Cinco if that's what it takes.

Yes, that's me. I'm a closet Kate Middleton fan. I don't get rabid like the others do, but I'm certainly an ardent admirer of her taste in style and beauty! She is exactly the kind of woman I want to be someday.

One thing I really like about her is that even though she's a Duchess, and possibly Queen in the future, her style is not snooty and unreachable. Sure she wears designer clothes, but she also has a penchant for high street and even drugstore brands. She's the kind of woman who wears what works for her - whatever the brand is.

In this Kate Middleton photo gallery by InStyle, Kate is seen wearing a pair of Sebago shoes. I am completely in love with my own pair of Sebagos

It’s been only a little over a month since I’ve walked into Promod and Parfois, but I’m pleased to see that both brands have so many new stuff to ogle at! I visited their SM Southmall home this time. Speaking of SM Southmall, I noticed that it’s still being renovated, but I noticed that the look and feel of the place has brightened up since last I’ve been there. Can’t wait to see its new look!

Aside from the new interiors, SM Southmall has also been bringing in more trendy brands. I spotted Cache Cache, All Flip Flops, Charles & Keith, Terranova, and La Senza among the usual local names. Promod and Parfois, two of the most trendy yet sophisticated brands in retail right now, are heading the pack. Here are my top picks!

Promod is already raring for fall. Their latest collections have two color stories: on one hand, they have woodsy tan mixed with rich hues like blue, orange, and burnt pastels. On the other hand, the brand features a stark black and red palette for the corporate woman. 

Warning: lots of photos after the cut!