All the news that's hip to print

Forever 21 opens at The Block

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:26:49 GMT

Forever 21 recently opened its fourth store in the Philippines—a 2,300 square-meter space at the 2nd level of The Block Atrium, SM City North EDSA.

Gracing the event were (L-R) SM Senior Vice-President for Controllership Ricky A. Lim, SM President Tessie Sy-Coson, Forever 21 Executive Vice-President Larry Meyer, and Forever 21 Business Unit Head Dixie Li.

Spotted: Wendy Tabusalla

Janeena Chan

Callum David

Ruth Diaz

“At Forever 21, we take a new direction every week. It’s our job to know what’s happening, what’s new and bring that to our customers as soon as possible. That is what we strive to do. Everyday we have new products. Everyday we have new fashion,” said Forever 21 Executive Vice-President Larry Meyer, who flew in from the United States.

The newly opened store carries the lines: Forever 21, Forever 21+, Forever 21 Girls, Heritage 1981, Love 21, 21 Men, shoes, accessories, and intimates.

“Every new store is a different store for Forever 21. Here you’ll see more of what we have even in the other stores because this (North EDSA store) is our latest prototype with different fixtures that make it easy for people to see the wide selection of assortment that we have,” said Meyer.

Forever 21 comes to the Philippines through a partnership with the SM Retail Group. Its flagship store had a phenomenal opening at SM Megamall in 2010, followed by SM Makati in early 2011, and SM City Cebu late last year.
Enjoy exclusive privileges at Forever 21 when you shop using the Forever 21 MasterCard. Apply in Forever 21 stores or BDO branches. Application forms can also be downloaded HERE.

Forever 21 now open at:
The 2nd floor, SM Megamall Building A (Tel. 477-2733)
Ground floor, SM Makati (Tel. 553-0448)
Northwing, SM City Cebu (Tel. 520-2964 • 520-2969)
The Block, SM City North EDSA (Tel. 376-5057)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Ensembles invites you to Wear My Design

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:18:18 GMT

How would you to like see your dress design in Ensembles stores with your name credited and worn by Carmina Villarroel in her next photoshoot?
Ensembles holds its first ever design competition through Wear My Design, where winning pieces will be produced for their Spring Dresses 2013 Collection.
Wear My Design is looking for original yet smartly flattering creations in true Ensembles’ style.
Submit a dress prototype together with the application form you can download HERE.

No experience necessary. Can’t sew, but full of ideas? You can have someone else sew it for you.
No limit on the number of designs submitted. All approved submissions will be uploaded to the Ensembles Facebook Page where voting is worth 10% of judging.
Winning designers will also receive cash prizes, gift certificates, generous gifts from promo partners, like a full make-over at Piandre Salon, great coffee from Bo’s Coffee, and a huge gift pack from VMV Hypoallergenics.
To know more about mechanics and complete set of rules, click HERE.
For inquiries, email dian@elitegarments.com

Follow:
https://www.facebook.com/EnsemblesOnline
https://twitter.com/#!/ensemblesonline
http://pinterest.com/EnsemblesPH/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Is it Lady Gaga or is it Bianca Valerio

Wed, 23 May 2012 03:41:56 GMT

Back of Lady Gaga at the SM Arena, photographed by Everywhere We Shoot

Spotted at the Peninsula Manila lobby. Is it Lady Gaga?

Or is it Bianca Valerio? XO

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

First look at Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:08:24 GMT

Melvin Mojica gave me the latest W magazine with Tom Cruise on the cover

Inside: a six-page spread on the art and times of celebrated artist, Yayoi Kusama, who will unveil her collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Expect to see ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories, shoes, watches, jewelry, and special window displays in early July.
This early, W mag gives us a glimpse of what to expect in the handbag department.
Looks like a Papillon and a Lockit

Can’t wait to see the other pieces, if they are worth coveting.
According to a Louis Vuitton fan on the Purseblog forum, “I was told by the manager at my LV that although this collab is under tight wraps, there will be two releases and the first release (July) will be the higher-end bags and ready to wear. These will be more intense, as pictured in W Magazine.
“The second release will be sometime around October and will feature more traditional collab items such as the Neverfull, Keepall, and probably a Speedy. These will be more wearable, similar to the graffiti line. There will be monogram.” (Source)

What are you thoughts on these two pieces? Yay or Nay?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Carla got her flowers

Tue, 22 May 2012 04:32:54 GMT

I’m happy to report that actress Carla Abellana got her wish as her loved ones received “apology” flowers from http://www.flowers2world.com/.
Carla sent a picture of this new bouquet (L) which looks closer to the file photo (R) on the website.

All’s well that ends well. Glad this case is solved.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Get free gift vouchers when you buy Debenhams for kids

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:01:18 GMT

As a mom of three boys ages 4, 9 and 10, I’m really glad we have more choices when it comes to kids’ wear.
Our usual stops include Gap and Zara, but what’s surprisingly cool is Debenhams, which offers boys wear not found in the other stores I mentioned.
This is where we buy everything from multipack underwear and socks, to sleepwear and long-sleeve T-shirts for traveling.

Debenhams is home to childrenswear from top British designers Matthew Williamson, Jasper Conran and John Rocha for boys up to 14 years old. Kids can also choose great outfits from Debenhams private labels Bluezoo and Mantaray.
Little girls shine in this season’s colors and florals as seen on Butterfly by Matthew Williamson and Bluezoo dresses, or clean and smart nautical outfits from J by Jasper Conran.

Shop now at Debenhams from May 13 to 30 to get a free Php 200 gift voucher for every P2,500 single receipt purchase of Childrenswear. Debenhams Loyalty Card members can also join the raffle for a chance to win a Php 10,000 Childrenswear shopping spree.
Debenhams stores are located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Trinoma and Abreeza Mall in Davao.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Why The Cake Club isn’t just for dessert anymore

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:50:02 GMT

As far as cheesecake goes, my favorite one used to be in a café called So Tired in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Too bad it was no longer there the last time I visited. For the longest time I tried to find good cheesecake in Manila without success. Until last week when we happened to pass by The Cake Club at the new Bonifacio High Street.

I’m not talking about this kind of cheesecake, because I like my cheesecake absolutely plain and traditional

I’m talking about their cheesecake ice cream, which is so creamy. Jeroen says it tastes like they tossed a cheesecake inside a blender and made it into ice cream.

Luckily you can buy these tubs at The Cake Club and take them home.

Best sellers are Supermoist Chocolate Cake, Baked Cheesecake, Black Sesame and Taro & Jack Fruit.

While The Cake Club is already well known for its desserts, a lot of people don’t know that they serve really good food, even though the selection is very limited. The truffle fries are my favorite. They’re a winner! Eat them while they’re piping hot. Perfect with an ice-cold Coke.

Grace loved the Grilled Reuben Sandwich

George and Len liked the Red Beet Burger in the crimson bun

Jeroen recommends the Lamb Burger

the Roasted Red Beet Soup with goat cheese, green apples, and toasted walnuts

and Baked Salmon with Mediterranean crust and saffron risotto.

The Cake Club originates from the Diamond Hotel. It opened its first branch at Rockwell Mall and a second one at Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue.
Aside from hot meals and pastries, The Cake Club also serves coffee and tea. Their selection includes Malongo coffees and Hediard teas from France.

They offer a selection of wines

their famous ensaymada

and a wide range of Royce’ chocolate for you to take home.

Check out the full menu HERE.
The Cake Club is now open at Bonifacio High Street, 7th Street, Bonifacio Global City Taguig.
For reservations and private events, call 621-3176.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The who is this rich Philippine diplomat?

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:13:11 GMT

This news item appeared on the Dutch Telegraph yesterday:

Translated:

PARIS – Burglars in central Paris got the loot of their lives. From the home of a Filipino diplomat they took a mass of precious jewels, vases, watches and other valuables.
Booty had a total value of about 30 million euros, French media reported Saturday.
The stolen items were owned by the former ambassador of the Philippines in Paris. He was traveling when the thieves struck.
An employee of the diplomat discovered the robbery Thursday morning. It is speculated that the night before, the thieves entered through the roof. Using grinder, they broke open the safe containing a suitcase full of jewelery and gems.
Source

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Generation gap

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:18:48 GMT

For my kids, these are The Avengers (2012)

For some, it’s Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes (1998)

For me, it’s Patrick McNee and Diana Rigg (1961-1969)

And for others, it’s a comic book (1963)

What’s your Avengers?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Project: home office

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:17:23 GMT

I do apologize for not having posted much lately.
It’s been difficult during the summer, with the kids around, who wake me up so early in the morning and need my attention the whole day. The only free time I have is when they sleep, and by that time, all I want to do is lie down and watch my downloads.

Everyday I have to squeeze in meetings, appointments, errands and friends who want to see me.
This Monday I finally get to enroll them in school and make sure they have new shoes, uniforms, school supplies, take them to the doctor, dentist, etc.
All the activity in my bedroom has made me decide to convert the “stock room” next door into a small home office and nap room. I just wish it could be done sooner than later, while I look for the right furniture.

Here are some pegs I’ve been looking at:

But who am I kidding? I need a place to nap. I find it hard to sit up all day. These are more like it.

The last one is my favorite.
Note that the space I am working on is about 15 square meters only so I’m looking for furniture that can accommodate, work, nap, and guests.
(To be continued)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Donna Summer 1948-2012

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:50:44 GMT

Thanks for making me dance
when I was 12.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

What you see is what you don’t get

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:16:10 GMT

Last Monday, after depositing four boys and two yayas at Game Zoo, Keri and I had lunch at Tao Yuan at Resorts World. We ordered chicken rice, Peking duck, two kinds of prawns, and this:

That is a picture from the menu: four delicious-looking spring rolls with shrimp and garlic, plus garnish.
When the actual dish arrived at our table, it looked like this:

I was really shocked because it looked nothing like the photo. My inner Claudine almost came out as I put up an argument with the waitress or manager about how pictures menu work—you’re supposed to serve exactly what’s on the menu, otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.
The waitress or manager merely smirked and didn’t seem to see a point in what I was saying.
Meanwhile, Keri was sweating bullets so I stopped. We tried the spring rolls, which tasted really good, thank God. I would order them again. But I do suggest that if Tao Yuan decides to print another picture menu, they need to have new product shots.

Product shots need to match the order
Actress Carla Abellana wasn’t as lucky as what she ordered online as gifts became a source of embarrassment instead.

Carla Abellana photographed by Raymund Isaac

She writes:
“A few days before Mother’s Day, I went online to http://flowers2world.com and ordered 7 HAPPY BASKET FLOWERS (small size), worth $49 each, excluding shipping/delivery charges.
The order was based on this photo (L), which appears to have at least 5 different kinds of flowers in various shades of pink.
As Mother’s Day approached and I saw one of baskets delivered, I was appalled. THERE IS NO WAY I ORDERED THIS ONLINE, I thought.
First, the basket looks cheap. Second, the bouquet is not pink. Third, they are cheap-looking flowers! (R)

“I may not know what specific type of flowers they are, but I believe they are cheap Malaysian mums—the type you use to fill-in bouquets to make them look fuller and bigger. Worse, the flower petals were already falling off when they arrived. The flowers do not look like they’re worth $49. I can get these kinds of flowers in Dangwa for less than Php100 or less than $3! And definitely not beautiful. Sorry but it looks like a centerpiece you see in cheap restaurants. I could’ve done better! But because I trusted their website, I ordered seven!

“I am embarrassed that these were sent out to loved ones as it reflects my choice and style. I have never ranted about anything or anyone because I am the type of person who appreciates simple things in life and sees good in bad—but this, I cannot fathom.
I have emailed and demanded them to deliver nicer flowers or issue a refund. The replies of the website are just as infuriating. If I can just stop other people from patronizing this website, then my rants will be worth it.”

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Goodbye, Housewives

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:04:58 GMT

Desperate Housewives is probably the longest series I have watched entirely from first episode to last.
Prior to this, I wasn’t really into TV shows. But sometime in 2004, my editor Millet Mananquil sent me a DVD and I got hooked.
Eight years and eight seasons later, it’s over. Last night I watched the final two-hour episode which seemed hurriedly done and bitin, but I’m glad it’s over because I was getting tired of the show, with all the stress, never-ending problems and evil people stopping by Wisteria Lane.
Truth to tell they could have ended two seasons earlier. Still I couldn’t help but feel a little sad saying goodbye to the characters played by (L-R) Vanessa Williams, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross.

I can’t say I have a favorite housewife, probably the one I can relate to is Lynette (Felicity Huffman), the supermom and Gabi (Eva Longoria) who speaks her mind.
My least favorite is Bree (Marcia Cross) because she has too much botox and looks like a plastic woman (read: hard to look at).
Teri Hatcher’s character (Susan) is a bit on the wholesome (read: boring) and I’m indifferent to Vanessa Williams who joined the show only recently.
That said, I’m glad the series ended happily with everyone moving out of Wisteria Lane and being successful in their career changes. I am 10% sad and 90% happy it’s over.
Here are the final, final six minutes of the show known as Desperate Housewives.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Meet my new Samsung Note

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:23:21 GMT

Contrary to popular belief, I do have small bags.

This tiny Porter bag is sometimes used when going to Mass

It holds just the bare essentials: wet and normal tissues, wallet, pens, mints, Blackberry, and my latest gadget, the Samsung Galaxy Note, a present from Jeroen’s friend, Sonny Ocampo.

I actually received the Samsung Note last year, but didn’t get into it right away, until last week when MobC sent me a case for it. At first I was upset because I forgot where I’d kept the Galaxy Note. I prayed to St. Anthony—who never fails—and found it inside my bedside drawer.
Here’s the Samsung Note in its new wallet case, next to the BlackBerry

What I love about the Samsung Note:
1) It serves as a backup phone for my BlackBerry which hangs very often. I was so excited, I got another line for this gadget. I can call, text and surf with it, as well as WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.
2) I got Instagram! Follow me on Instagram.
I realize the Galaxy Note doesn’t take pictures as well as the iPhone, but this will do for now.

3) I can surf better on the Samsung Note than the Blackberry. I don’t get so cross-eyed trying to read articles. I keep it on my bedside and read in the dark when everyone’s sleeping.
4) Both BlackBerry and Samsung Note work with the Mili Powerstar I carry around.

5) I super love the size—bigger than the iPhone/BlackBerry and smaller than the Galaxy Tab and iPad.
I still keep the BlackBerry because of BBM and, well, I prefer to type long messages on a keyboard I can touch, not tap.
Until Apple makes a large iPhone with a real keyboard, I’m sticking to this combo.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Remember these?

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:32:40 GMT

I grew up in this house and lived here from 1973-2003.
Thirty years. I never thought of it until now.

During the ’70s we had no internet—we played with toys! One of my favorite toys was Bionic Woman, Jamie Somers.

who lived in this “modern” dome house

I can still remember blowing the dome house and assembling the furniture vividly

My brother had the Six Million Dollar Man, whose eye you could peer through. Meet Steve Austin, astronaut.

I played with the little Charlie’s Angels dolls in colorful jumpsuits

Back in the day you couldn’t buy imported goods in the supermarket, unlike now where M&Ms and Hershey bars can be bought even at the 7-11.
If you wanted imported goods, you went to shops like Cashelmara in Quezon City, Cartimar in Pasay, or Dau in Pampanga. I wasn’t born yet, but this was Cartimar in 1966. (Source)

Back in the day, Cartimar wasn’t a pet depot. It used to sell PX goods, where my sister and I bought scented Hallmark postalettes to trade and collect, while one of my gay friends said he bought comic books and Playgirl magazines there as a young kid

My siblings, cousins and I used to buy army ration food in boxes and eat them at home. I remember it to have canned goods with spaghetti and meatballs or pork and beans, a fork, matches, towelette, coffee and sugar packets, and the yummiest kind of chewing gum. It looked something like this.

This army ration has been haunting me lately. Memories came back as I found some current versions of it online. They are called MREs or Meals, Ready-to-Eat.
An MRE usually contains an entree, side dish, dessert or snack, crackers or bread, peanut butter or jelly spread, a powdered drink mix, utensils, a napkin, matches, seasonings, plus a flameless ration heater.
You can buy MREs in single meals, as separate components (entree, side dish, desserts, drinks), in 3-day supplies, a month’s supply or even a year’s supply. (Source).
Here are some modern-day MRE samples I found online. Instead of the can, entrees are packed in a retort pouch, a thin container built with multiple layers to allow food to be sealed and cooked evenly from the outside, and never exposed to the air until it is opened.
I find them so cute. I wish I could eat them with my boys, but my boys are not adventurous in food. I am really tempted to order or assemble my own.

So maybe my gay friend will join me.
Does anybody else remember eating army ration in the ’70s or is it just me?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Crossings invites you to Philippine Fashion Week

Sun, 13 May 2012 14:33:45 GMT

On May 22, 2012, CROSSINGS labels The Ramp, Mundo and The Ramp Kids, will present their latest collections at Philippine Fashion Week.
Directed by Robby Carmona and styled by siblings Daryl and Andre Chang, the show will feature the collaborative work of Creative Director Mario Barrientos and designer Macel Pangan.
Take a sneak peek at the Fall/Holiday Collection of The Ramp Crossings’ with this teaser video created by Melvin Mojica, Jujiin Samonte and Paulo Castro.

Win free tickets through http://www.facebook.com/therampcrossings.
The Ramp is now available online at //http://www.therampcrossings.com.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Nine years of happiness

Sat, 12 May 2012 18:49:58 GMT

Time flies.
Hard to believe our second child is already nine years old. To me, he’s still a baby.
This year Markus didn’t want a big party, he just wanted to go to the arcade with friends. What a relief.
He wanted to go to Shang to play games and eat Pepper Lunch. But I wanted to give him something more.
Luckily, just ten days before his birthday, I received an invitation to the opening of Game Zoo at Resorts World.

I recognized the naked buff guy on the right as the wallpaper of Marky’s iPod, and emailed Joy Andrade of Resorts World to inquire about the facilities.
Game Zoo softly opened last March 2012 at the 4th level of Resorts World, but grand opening was on May 4th.
I asked Joy if I could visit the site before the event, so I met up with her on May 2.
It was amazing, with two floors of games and two virtual roller coaster rides with special effects.

I even checked the loo and approved!

Sorry I don’t have many pictures of the place, but it was without a doubt the coolest arcade in town.
I emailed some parents with instructions to be at our house before 1 PM on May 8 and booked the Bieber bus, or The Black Fleet, to shuttle 11 kids + 4 parents and yayas to Resorts World.

The kids were excited to ride the Bieber bus, which seats 20 passengers (I call it that because Justin Bieber rode The Black Fleet while he was in Manila). Inside, The Black Fleet had for us some chilled bottled water in a cooler, candies and chips. I also brought cookies and cupcakes by Roshan.
Of course many kids have gadgets these days.

The sweetest thing, The Black Fleet prepared a video collage of Markus from birth to 9 years, which I found so touching.

Upon arriving at Game Zoo, I bought 17 reloadable game cards and distributed them to kids and parents. Then the kids were off and us parents snuck out to have lunch at Tao Yuan two floors below. Chicken rice was in order

and not so soft-shell crab. Seriously, we ordered way too much food.

We came back to experience the 4-D horror roller coaster movie, which was more scary than funny…

The kids were obsessed with this ice cream grabber. They pulled out a few Cornettos and Magnums and gave them to the yayas. I can’t tell you how much money was spent on this machine—we could’ve gone to Select and just bought a ton of ice cream.

Jeroen played one game, while my role was basically the banker. I had to be on standby to reload the cards.

At 5 PM we gathered the kids to leave, otherwise they would not stop and we will be broke!
Traffic was bad on the way home. I was so tried, but we had to stop by McDonald’s at Bonifacio to eat. Imagine a party of 20 occupying McDo.
Got home past 8 PM so tired and we still had to blow some candles.

Guess who did?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

To all the moms who love unconditionally

Sat, 12 May 2012 15:32:16 GMT

As a mother of three, I’m blessed to have given birth to two of them, while the third one was delivered by the stork.
Both of my pregnancies were difficult. Everyone around me suffered, due to the usual aches and pains, morning sickness that lasts all day, worries and anxiety.
I worried during 38 weeks of pregnancy, worried with each ultrasound and doppler scan, even if the doctor says everything looks normal.
When the scans appear normal, I worry that my child will be born with a big black birthmark on the face.
I stop worrying only when the baby is born and placed on my chest. I check to see that the face has no marks, and then I fall asleep. I love newborns.

Post-partum, I used to worry that my baby would get sick and die, but somehow we survived all the sicknesses and hospital confinements.
There were nights I spent Googling about other moms who had lost a child or given birth to children with special needs.
I’m grateful that God didn’t give me a big cross to carry while raising our kids. I just deal with the usual fighting that occurs between siblings or worry when a yaya has to go.
That’s why I have great respect and admiration for moms who are given children with special needs, especially those who decide to keep their baby despite medical odds.
I found this video through my cousin’s Facebook. It tells of a young mom who gave birth to a baby with a rare condition that many people ask: Why did she choose to have the child instead of aborting?
After dealing with people’s stares and whispering behind their back, she created this video to let people know she loves her child just the way he is.
This post is dedicated to all moms who love their children, no matter what.
Happy mother’s day to all, and maybe happy tears.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Suyen’s Beat the Summer sale at Trinoma

Sat, 12 May 2012 03:24:10 GMT

Last call for Suyen Corp’s multi-brand sale today at Trinoma Mall, Quezon City!
Drop by to enjoy 70% off Kashieca, CC-OO, CPS Chaps, Charles & Keith, F&X, Pedro and La Senza.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Prince Charles, weatherman

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:17:44 GMT

The Prince of Wales surprised BBC Scotland viewers by presenting the weather forecast, during a tour of a BBC station in Scotland, where he decided it would be fun to do the weather.
Listen to his royal highness pronounce “Edinburg”. Makes you wish Erap would surprise us and do the weather too.

Here’s what went down behind the scenes

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Trio Gelato for Mamma at Cibo

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:15:18 GMT

To celebrate Mothers Day, Cibo gives away free “Trio Gelato” of Caramello with Sea Salt, Tiramisu Croccante and Vanilla Cioccomatto with every order of Pollo Arrosto with Crema di Zucca or Calzone with Crema di Zucca.

Available from May 11-13 2012 at all Cibo outlets:*
Glorietta 4 (729-2426) • Edsa Shangri-la Plaza (633-2426) • Alabang Town Center (842-7285) • Powerplant Rockwell (898-2426) • Promenade Greenhills (727-2426) • Gateway Araneta Center (913-2426) • Greenbelt 5 (758-2426) • Eastwood Mall (470-2426)

*For dine-in transactions only; not valid in conjunction with other promos and discounts.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Meet the billionaire behind SPANX

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:15:59 GMT

When I read that SPANX creator Sara Blakely was named Forbes’ Youngest Self-Made Woman Billionaire, I was elated as a loyal fan of Spanx. She deserves it!

Not a day passes that SPANX doesn’t touch my body—except when I’m sick in bed and staying home all day.
About a year ago, Spanx arrived in the Philippines care of Rustan’s department stores. Once I tried on the Brallelujah which promises great fit, comfort and no visible lines, I got hooked (no pun intended). There was no turning back.

Yes they are pricey but super worth it. I’m just lucky that Ginggay and Penny gifted me with a bunch of them on my birthday.

For creating the best bras known to woman, SPANX inventor and founder Sara Blakely graces the cover of Forbes magazine’s special issue. She joins a roster of other American self-made women billionaires such as Oprah Winfrey and Meg Whitman of HP.

The Forbes cover story highlights how Blakely turned her $5,000 savings into a global phenomenon, though her way to success was no easy feat. She drove around begging hosiery mill owners to help create a bra from pantyhose material, but was turned down a good many times. Until one day, she got a call from a hosiery buyer from Neiman Marcus who agreed to help her. The rest, they say, is history.

“I really am just like anybody else out there. I found myself in a place where I think many people can relate, but I made the decision and I committed to figure it out for myself. It took a ton of hard work. It was a roller-coaster ride but I feel amazingly blessed to be doing what I do, and I love every minute of it,” she said.

Asked what’s her number one tip for anyone who dreams of starting a business, Blakely replies, “Trust your gut. I didn’t have any background in what I was doing. Trust your gut—it’s a really good compass. The other thing is to differentiate yourself. You’ve got to know why you’re different, why you’re better—and your customer needs to know why you’re different and better and they need to get it in 30 seconds or less.”

Today, SPANX has become a red carpet must-have for celebrities and a daily necessity for women and men everywhere.
It is available in 40 countries and offers more than 200 products ranging from slimming apparel and swimsuits, to bras, activewear and men’s undershirts and underwear.

In addition to keeping butts in place, SPANX also helps shape the world by focusing on its mission of empowering women around the world.
In the Philippines, SPANX is exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corporation and is available at Rustan’s Department Stores in Makati, Shangri-La Plaza, Alabang and Cebu.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Peg!

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:12:12 GMT

I’m kind of shocked to see a look book that looks just like me—the baggy clothes, the no-color, baggy sensibility, the non-smiling model. The pieces from La Garçonne look like my uniform, from the boy blazer

To the basic tees

The mariniere tee

The slip-on platform shoes

And the looks

La Garçonne In-house Projects

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Mochiko for moms at Pepper Lunch!

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:05:11 GMT

The first time we ever tried Mochiko was when they delivered two boxes of frozen ice cream balls wrapped in glutinous rice flour to the house.
My sister Ana is obsessed with vanilla Mochikos and hoards them at Mercato Centrale.
Then, one trip to Tagaytay, we saw the cute little Mochiko store at the Cliffhouse and grabbed them ice cream balls.

That’s when Jeroen thought about bringing them to Pepper Lunch—they are currently available at Rockwell.
But this Mother’s Day, the first 50 moms dining at any of eight Pepper Lunch branches will get a free Mochiko of their choice. So come early and give your mom the coolest treat of all.

Promo available on May 13, 2012 only at Pepper Lunch Rockwell • Shangri-La Plaza • Alabang Town Center • Greenbelt 5 • SM Megamall A • Mall of Asia • Robinson’s Place, Ermita • Food Choices at Trinoma.
To get regular updates, Follow @PepperPhil on Twitter.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Congratulations to 10 winners of Dove Hair Therapy!

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:32:54 GMT

1,183 entries later, ten winners were picked by electronic raffle via random.org.

They are:
Kirstie Kaye Tino of Camarines Sur
Margarette Limyuen of Santiago City
Marilou Francisco of Las Piñas
Drew Sha of Quezon City
Maricar Roxanie Dilag of Pasig
Gessa Marie Condino of Cebu
Karen May Mira of Makati
Aika Tolentino of Alabang
June Izabelle Roque of Antipolo
Karen Mata of Quezon City

Each will receive a Dove Damage Therapy Kit

Which includes: (a bonus) Dove soap, Treatment Mask, Two-Step Treatment, Intense Repair shampoo and conditioner, Daily Treatment Conditioner, an Overnight Treatment, and Dove hair serum

Winners, please check your direct messages on Twitter with instructions on how to verify your entries.
To know more about Dove Hair Therapy, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.