Monday, September 01, 2014

Meet the Topaz Horizon x Ni-QUA clutches

Dearest loyal blog readers, you've been telling me over and over again in the last three years to sell bags again. So, because you love me and I love you, meet the Topaz Clutch!

I'm so thrilled to finally show them to you!

The Topaz Clutch was born from a collaboration with local brand Ni-QUA. If you've been reading my blog recently, you'll be familiar with Ni-QUA because I super love their leather products. Genuine leather, quality craftsmanship, friendly prices. I've stopped longing for foreign brands because local ones are really amazing! That's why I just had to ask Ni-QUA to make my dream come true with this collaboration!

Look at the first two bags from my Topaz Collection:
Brown and basic. For the classic woman who doesn't want a big bag to hide her outfit.
Made of soft and smooth, buttery sheep leather. Features a tassel and gold hardware.
Fits all your essentials! (These are mine!)
The pink version is for the woman who loves a little whimsy.
The pink leather tassel adds fun and flair!
Fits an iPad and a lipstick. Two of my other essentials haha!

They're so pretty, I can't stand it! I love them both so much! Please love them, too! Buy a clutch or both from Ni-QUA! Each clutch is only Php 1,395. Pretty inexpensive for something so pretty and perfect!

Click the links to shop:
I want the brown!
I want the pink!

Thanks! Now, Ni-QUA and I are feeling generous and we'll give away two clutches. One brown and one pink! Here's all you need to do:

  1. Be a fan of Ni-QUA! Like their Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter. Follow them on Instagram. I'm going to check if you liked Ni-QUA, okay?
  2. Grab any photo from this blog post and share it on your social media accounts. Tell us which bag you want and why. 
  3. Use these hashtags: #topazclutch and #niquashop. It's so we can see your entry!
  4. You don't need to share on all your social media accounts (we don't want you to spam your friends), but it will help me a lot if you can leave a comment below telling me if you shared on FB, Twitter or on IG.  

Ni-QUA and I will pick one winner of the brown clutch and one winner of the pink clutch. Contest ends on September 15. Contest is open only to those with a Philippine address. Okay, that's it. Good luck!

Meanwhile, if you don't believe in luck, just buy straight from Ni-QUA's online shop and be one of the first with a Topaz Clutch!

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Happy 27th birthday, Dirty Dancing!

Because this soundtrack is one of the very first (I think it actually may be the first) that I bought on cassette tape! I loved this movie so much!



I just don't know how Born-Again, 10-year-old me got to watch this movie, though. First, that title. Second, the abortion sub-plot. Third, Baby (Grey) was 16 in this movie. Does that make the love scene between her and Johnny (Swayze) statutory rape?!

Thank goodness I was just 10 when I saw this movie. I didn't have to overthink it!

Found out from HuffPost today that this iconic dance pose was done just one time because Jennifer Grey was too scared to do it. One take! So that's why her face was like all thrilled and happy after the lift. It wasn't acting anymore!

One thing HuffPost forgot to mention is how Grey and Swayze absolutely hated each other. Well, I'd never have thought that!

Ok, now I'm LSS-ing on "Time of My Life." I still love that song after all these years. And now more than ever, it applies to every aspect of my life!

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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Sneak peek at the Topaz Clutch!

I am sooo excited to share with you a look at my new clutch for Ni-QUA Bags!
Soft buttery leather
In my wedding colors!

But I'll tell you more soon. Right now, just a sneak peek! I'm soooo excited! And they're so affordable! Buy one, ha? Mwah!

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Sunday, August 17, 2014

Eric Delos Santos designs for KARIMADON Brides and the gowns are gorgeous!

When I need dresses for work events and gowns for special occasions, my first stop is always KARIMADON. My love affair with the 34-year-old Pinoy fashion brand started on my high school graduation and grad ball way back in 1994. When I started working, I also bought my corporate attire from KARIMADON. Even when I was pregnant, it's still KARIMADON for me!
Wore a regal red KARIMADON dress to Elaine and Russell's wedding.

Now, with the launch of KARIMADON Brides, it really is the only fashion retail brand that can provide a woman with stylish options from high school prom to weddings and beyond! Speaking of weddings, my friends at KARIMADON are super excited to announce that they are working with fashion designer Eric Delos Santos for KARIMADON Brides. Eric is known for the dresses he's created for celebrities, beauty queens and other chic personalities, and now, Eric's bridal creations are available to all of us! (Well, all of you since I'm already married!) Just look at these lovely gowns!

I love this pink-hued gown. So Gwen Stefani!

Josie Go, CEO of KARIMADON, and one of the nicest, most wonderful people I've ever known, says, “This exciting milestone in KARIMADON’s history is one of the most creative and exciting endeavors the brand has ever done. We are proud and extremely happy to have Eric Delos Santos be part of the KARIMADON Family.” 

Eric says, “As a designer, I have always known KARIMADON as a successful female brand store because their collections are consistently meant for real women who want to feel beautiful, feminine and [to] stand-out at any event or occasion. I truly feel that this is a most natural and exciting fit. KARIMADON design aesthetics are very similar to mine—romantically soft, feminine, highly wearable and [with] figure-flattering cuts, details and silhouettes. And most of all, it’s a bridal collaboration! Which is my favorite line of design for women!” 

 Eric also designed dresses for the entourage. These are so glam and I love how bridesmaids can still wear them after, for other special events that aren't necessarily bridal. I'm especially loving the mauve gown. That daring neckline is so sexy (and so perfect for breastfeeding me!). 


Must have this!

The Eric Delos Santos Collection for KARIMADON Brides features seven wedding gowns and seven entourage gowns. These will be available in limited quantities at select stores starting this September so, brides, mark your calendars and make sure you visit KARIMADON two weeks from now! A second launch is scheduled in November. 

 By the way, KARIMADON Brides has been offering gowns for years now. They may not be created by a celebrated fashion designer but these gowns are breathtaking nevertheless! Just check them out: 

Sooo pretty and romantic, right? KARIMADON also offers special alteration services so that every bride and her entourage will enjoy a perfect fit. Brides may also select their own colors (from available choices) to match their motifs. All collections under the KARIMADON Brides line range from P18,000 to P70,000. So there's a dress that will fit any kind of budget!

I may not be a bride or a bridesmaid but I think I'll go and buy that mauve gown anyway! See you at KARIMADON!

KARIMADON Brides Wedding Gowns are now available in Glorietta 1, Ayala Fairview Terraces, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria and Ermita stores. The Collaboration Collection of Eric Delos Santos Wedding Gowns for KARIMADON Brides will be available starting September 2014 in Glorietta 1, Ayala Fairview Terraces, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Robinsons Galleria and Ermita stores.
For more information about KARIMADON Brides, visit www.karimadonfashion.com, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@karimadonph).

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The sad and scary mystery that is depression

My Facebook feed is filled with sadness over Robin Williams's death. I'm so sad, too. He was such a funny guy and yet I always wondered why he had such sad eyes. Turns out he was suffering depression. Was it because he never recovered from a lonely childhood, no matter how privileged? Was it because he used to be a fat kid? Was it because he was afraid he'd fail? No one knows. That's the thing with depression. No one knows what causes it.

Depression is very scary. I had a mild taste of it when Vito was born, exactly four years ago today. There I was—happy marriage, great career, good health, new mother to a perfect baby boy—and I wept every single day for six long weeks. It was terrifying to be in that dark place, especially since no one understood. People I told were confused, exasperated, annoyed, dismissive. What I hated hearing most was, "You should be grateful and happy. How can you think only of yourself?" I knew that already. I wasn't stupid. I knew my life was amazing. That's why the overwhelming sadness I felt made me afraid for my sanity. It just didn't make sense! Why was I so unhappy?! It was one of the most terrible times of my life, made sadder by the fact that it should've been the happiest. I'm grateful my husband stood by me throughout that time. He never called me out, never told me to get over it. He just took a month off work to be with me, he helped take care of our baby, and when I finally climbed out of my depression, he was there to welcome me back into the world. 

When I talked about this with my OBG, she said that what I felt was just the baby blues, a mild form of post partum depression. Mild? It was awful! Apparently, when you have PPD, you think about harming yourself or the baby. Since I wasn't in total despair, I was apparently okay.

So thank God my experience was "mild" even though it was certainly alarming for me. And thank goodness it was temporary, an after-effect of pregnancy hormones. For many people with depression, it is a constant battle. Sometimes, like Mr. Williams, they lose. 

If someone you know is depressed, please don't dismiss him. Depressed people need help but are scared to ask because nothing is scarier than being called crazy. If you are depressed, you're not crazy. Just please tell someone and continue asking for help till someone acknowledges you. It's this world that's crazy, but some people do care, and some people are brave enough to help. Please be brave enough to ask for help. 

 Got this helpful information from Survivors of Suicide:
If you have just lost someone to suicide and need help with coping, visitwww.afsp.org/survivingsuicideloss.

If you are currently feeling suicidal, please read this first:
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/

If you are in emotional crisis, need counselors to talk to about suicide and mental health, or are having suicidal thoughts, call the 24/7 ICIC HOPELINE for confidential listening: 
(632) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917-558-HOPE (4673)
0917-852-HOPE (4673)
2919 (toll-free number for GLOBE and TM subscribers)

You may also call the CRISIS LINE anytime for non-sectarian, non-judgmental telephone counseling:
Landline: (02) 893-7603
Globe Duo: 0917-8001123 / 0917-5067314
Sun Double Unlimited: 0922-8938944 / 0922-3468776 

For mental awareness, visit:
http://antonosmena.mapuafamily.com/
www.ngf-hope.org
www.iasp.info
www.afsp.org
www.suicide.org
www.in-touch.org


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