Metro Gaisano Finds

A few weeks ago, I finally had the chance to check out the newest department store in the South (or my probinsya as my friends living in Mordor North like to call it), Metro Gaisano. I was so happy when it opened because it's near home and it's a good source of very cheap finds if you just take the time to rummage around.

Metro Gaisano in Alabang Town Center is quite small and a bit bare in terms of stock on display compared to the bigger department stores in the area, but they do have a few specialty concessionaires and departments that I appreciated.  There's Carolina's, for one, which my sister was quite happy about. They have the usual ribbons, buttons, and sewing essentials and novelties, but they also have a sizeable inventory of fabric. They also have Diva Accessories, a bit redundant since there's already a Diva shop inside the mall. My favorite is the accessories department featuring Cebu designers and brands. I spotted Avatar and Mia Arcenas plus a couple of other designers on display.

The fashion department is quite small and needs beefing up, but I still managed to find a really great pair of black jeggings. I would never have tried it on if it wasn't for the recommendation of their saleslady. I'm glad I did. The fit is perfect!!! Plus the fabric is a bit thick, eliminating the unwanted bulges and lumps that often pop up when you slip into something so tight-fitting. 

Great fitting jeggings for P649.75 only! My friend said her cousin found a similar pair in the plus size section at an even lower price (around P400++). 

Other colors in stock. I'd probably give the white a try if I didn't already have a skinny white pair in my closet. 

I showed it to my friend M, who gave birth a few months ago and confided that her problem area is her butt and tummy area. She tried on the jeggings and she loved it as well! Nakakapayat talaga siya! So I'm happy to say it works on different body types. 

These jeggings hugged my friend's curves nicely. 

My other "winner" buy are these thick canvas placemats in classic patterns. Our old Divisoria-bought wooden stick placemats were already falling apart, and I have been on the lookout for nice ones, so I I'm quite happy I found these. I spotted a few packs bearing Ikea and Williams-Sonoma tags, so at P249.75 for a pack of four, they're really quite a steal. 

Throw pillows are surprisingly pricey but Gaisano has a few designs that are quite affordable. In fact, they had a bunch of one-off throw pillow covers at only P99 each! They had some pretty cute prints on the shelf too (think shabby chic florals, 70s graphics, and polka dots). Creative do-it-yourselfers would enjoy mixing and matching these. 

I loved these ikat printed throw covers at about P349++ each.

The furniture selection is limited but impressive from what I've seen. I read that they also have Cebu furniture makers on the floor so that explains why. The home decors are nice as well—I spotted cute ceramic owls and nice vases on display. 

So yay for Gaisano! Can't wait till they add more merchandise to the store. 

And if you're a Gaisano fan as well, I'd love to know more about your buys. Share them please!

Mia Arcenas Now Available in Zalora

I first met Mia Arcenas at a Hong Kong jewelry show last year where their company booth, Ferimar (of which she is creative director), caught my eye with their sophisticated take on indigenous Pinoy accessories. I saw chunky resin link bracelets that were probably designed for Marc Jacobs, woven clutches made sleek with metallic finishes and graphic mother-of-pearl and resin accents, and a whole slew of covetable accessories that I wanted to buy right off their shelves. It comes as no surprise that the products that caught my eye from the barrage of Zalora ads popping up on my screen every time I open my internet are fresh deliveries from Mia's namesake line. The statuesque Cebuana (she is a Bb. Pilipinas 2012 candidate) has designed pieces that are bold and striking, bound to be commented upon admiringly by your friends and family.

Here are a few of my favorite things from Mia Arcenas:

I want to buy this Silk Fringe necklace (P1500), but I don't know what color to get! Should I get this royal purple number, which would look great against whites and neutrals...

...or do I choose this divine white version? Kaya lang, I'm afraid it won't really stand out against my skin tone and the clothes I normally wear. I'm thinking it would only look really fab on black. What do you think???

I'm also loving Mia's take on the tusk pendant. Hers is suspended from twisted gold wires.  Wire tusk necklace, P2500.

I seriously need a classic black clutch, and this Shell Minaudiere (P6,500) has been tempting me. 

It's sleek and simple, the way a classic black clutch should be!

I know the items are pricier than the average accessory, but I don't mind shelling out a few hundred pesos more for an item that's Filipino designed and made. Given Mia's background, I'm pretty sure these items are export-quality as well. And, they won't be sold in every tiangge and boutique in the metro.

If you do decide to buy, you can get a 5% on Zalora purchases when you use my coupon code KatrinaDy12q (don't forget the caps!).

So wait, should I buy the white or purple fringe necklace? I need your opinions! :)

Headware: The All-Around Accessory

Have you heard about Headware? It's a deceptively simple piece of cloth that's amazing in its multi-purpose-ness. In fact, it deserves a standing ovation!

Headware as a headband.

Headware is shaped like a tube, and slips easily over the head.

What is it? It's an all-purpose, stretchable, breathable, seamless microfibre cloth that's shaped like a tube. As a practical accessory, it keeps hair away from the face, helps wick sweat away from skin, and gives protection from the sun, dust, and other icky elements that might be floating in the air. But, of course, we ladies want more from our accessory than form and function. We clamor for fashion, too! So, the brains behind Headware have devised a whole lot of uses for it. Plus, it comes in tons of colors and prints to choose from! 

Some of my favorite Headware prints include this Mayan Blue design.

The Electric Zigzag is very Missoni!

They also have limited edition prints.

Headware claims to have come up with about 20 ways to use this essential accessory. 20??? I found that hard to believe, until I watched this video, featuring Rovilson Fernandez putting in some serious mileage into his Headware. 

I have to confess that I'm not as resourceful with my Headware as Rovilson was. For me, Headware is the kind of accessory that will definitely come in handy when traveling. Still, I enjoyed wearing it around town as a cute accent to my outfits, and even as a tube top! The easiest way to incorporate it would be to wear it as a headband, but I've never looked good in a headband, so that scraps it out of my repertoire. If you're a skinny Minnie, you can even wear it as a skirt. I tried to do that, but I could barely get my hips into it. I looked like an overstuffed dumpling, hahaha!

Here's how I wore it as a tube top:

Urban Behavior tank; Salsa jeans (altered to a cropped hem); stannard inc quartz pendant necklace; Martina-Martina accessories; Zara heels

I love this tank because it's oversized style has a relaxed feel, but the matte sequins add a touch of sheen and luxe. 

That's Martina-Martina's crystal ball bracelet, and a Nina wrap bracelet. And a shy appearance from my beautiful engagement ring. :)

And my favorite, as a neckpiece! Not quite as bulky as a scarf, but just as interesting! Love the leopard print rendered in blue shades.

Headware scarf in Emerald Leopard; Zara striped top, clutch, and heels; Pull and Bear shorts; Mango sunnies and belt; The Landmark bracelets.

Just realized that almost everything I'm wearing I got on sale! 

Love the rich shades of blue!

These Landmark bracelets were such a good bargain! I think they were P179.75 for a set of five. I bought four sets!

If you don't like wearing heavy, bulky accessories, Headware is a great alternative. You can even wrap it around your wrist as a chunky bracelet. Mix in some chains to create a nice mix of textures on your wrist.

How would you wear your Headware? If you're super creative, join their Lifestyle Photo Contest. All you need to do is send in a photo and a few short lines explaining why your Headware has made you ecstatic. Be as imaginative as you can be! If you've found a new way of using it, even better! Heck, you can even dress your pet in it. Complete photo mechanics below. 50 luck winners will get to a Headware Pack. Deadline for entries is on August 31, so you have a month to brainstorm for your entry.

You can buy Headware online HERE or view a complete list of branches on their Facebook page.

Happy Headware-ing!

Friday's Outfit

My good friend Happy David recently celebrated her one year of living here in the Big Apple with a potluck dinner. I had to dress up of course, I will exploit any reason to dress up haha! Here is what I wore to the party:

Photo by the boofra, whom I have already commissioned to take all my "style" photos

I have already worn this outfit twice and within weeks of each other, which means I really, really like it! The top is from Urban Behavior, bandeau bra from SM Department Store (about Php 150 or $3.50, skinny cargo pants with zippered hem from Almost Famous but bought in Strawberry ($30), lace-up platforms from Parisian by SM Department Store (bought for only Php1,299 or roughly $29), four-layered pink gem bracelet from Forever 21 ($7), white leather wrap-around bracelet with studs, a gift from my friend Nikki), mixed in with a single elastic rhinestone bracelet, part of a set bought in Landmark (Php 150 or $3.50). Oh and aviators by Ray-Ban (free from a press event) and bag from Mango (bought years ago, I have forgotten the price!).

I love anything sequined!

I am loving the top from Urban Behavior, which I bought in Canada for the amazingly low price of $5!!! It's cropped and loose, which makes it perfect for the summer, but it'll also make a good layering piece when the cold weather starts. And though it's sequined, the hue is still very neutral so it's easily wearable during the day. And the deep armholes make it very sexy, so you can let a pretty bra peek out without looking too outrageous.


I'm thinking of what to wear with it next, but haven't decided yet so watch out for its next appearance!