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! :)

Fun Kitchen Gadgets from Wicked Matter

Before moving to New York, I didn't cook. The condo I was living in didn't even have a gas range, so the most I ever did for a meal was to make a sandwich or salad. In New York, however, I was forced to learn as it was the best way to eat well on a budget. Also, I couldn't help but be enthusiastic about cooking as I could easily buy ingredients. We were also living in an apartment that had a really nice electric range/oven—it made cooking surprisingly enjoyable. 

While I am still no Julia Child, I understand how the right gadgets can make kitchen time fun and easy. That's why I got really excited when I received a package of colourful silicone tools from Wicked Matter, a company that, in their own words, "aims to make simple everyday experiences special and extraordinary at a very reasonable price."

My Wicked Matter loot (from bottom left clockwise): ChillBall, Love Cooking Egg Ring, Love Cooking Pot Holders, Lemon Squeezer, and Gerbera Tea Infuser. 

I road tested a few of their products, starting with the Love Cooking Pot Holders, P370. These food grade silicone handles are sold as a pair, come in four fun colours, and give you a good grip on those hot-to-touch pots, pans, and trays. I really needed these since our cotton oven mitts ended up moldy (eeew, right?). A caveat: the pot holders can only withstand heat up to 300°C, so be careful not to use it on anything beyond this temperature. 

Bernadith, our helper, trying out the Pot Holders. 

Another cute product is the Love Cooking Egg Ring, P280, which is shaped like twin hearts. It's so cheesy, it's adorable! If you want to surprise your man (or woman) with breakfast in bed, a heart-shaped, sunny side-up egg on the plate is a surefire way to kick your "Ang sweet mo naman!" level up a few more notches. Simply put it in the pan, crack the egg/s inside it, and wait for the eggs to cook. Once done, you can easily remove the mold. 

Our oven stands on a slightly tilted angle, which is why the egg whites started flowing out of my mold, argh!

I told you I was no Julia Child. I'm quite embarrassed to have messed up a simple sunny side-up egg! I think I overcooked it on high heat.

The following day, Pat attempted another egg, which came out much better than mine!

I was most excited about the ChillBall, P1,100, manufactured by a company called Intelligent Ice. And it's a smart product indeed! ChillBalls are specially designed to maintain the temperature of a chilled glass of white or rosé wine, without having to use ice cubes, which dilute the taste of a drink when it melts.  Each pack comes with six re-freezable food-safe balls and clips that secure the Chill Ball to the wine glass so it stays put and doesn't move around when drinking from the glass. 

ChillBall comes in a handy container that you can take with you on out-of-town trips. 

The clips come in two different lengths that can accommodate standard wine glass sizes. 

I've tested Chill Balls on wine, coconut water and orange juice. The average chilling time is about 30 minutes, which is when the gel contained in the ball fully melts and loses its chilling effect. It doesn't seem like a long time, true, but it's enough to be able to finish a glass of wine, unless you're the type to nurse it for a long time. I'm guessing it also has something to do with our warmer temperature—things just melt faster! To ensure maximum "chilliness", make sure the balls are completely frozen, and once melted, freeze for a minimum of four hours in a freezer at -18 to -22 °C. If pouring another glass, use a new Chill Ball. 

The beauty of Wicked Matter products is that they're uncomplicated, easy-to-use, practical, and just plain delightful with their bright colours and playful designs. They also make for great host/hostess gifts and housewarming presents. They're quite affordable too!

If you want to see the actual products, they are sold in Hobbes and Landes stores in Fort, Greenbelt 5, and Powerplant Mall, Rockwell. You can also shop a wide range of their products over at Zalora. If you use my coupon code KatrinaDy12q (be sure to follow the caps), you'll even get 5% discount! 

Find out more about Wicked Matter on their Facebook page here. 

Review: Cuzo Weekender Bag

Remember my gamit na gamit blue Cuzo Anne Satchel? I ended up using it for days after I blogged about wearing it for a week. That's how much I loved that bag.

Last week, I was able to get my hands on another Cuzo bag, this time their aptly named Weekender carry-all in blue. It features a nylon body, striped black and white grosgrain cotton straps, and black leather accents. It also features a gunmetal zipper, with a leather pull, and silver studs to anchor the leather strips that hold the straps in place. It also comes in red.

I admit that I was hoping for a bigger bag. The Cuzo site gives the Weekender's specs as being 40 cm x 23 cm x 23 cm (L x W x D), with a handle drop of 19 cm. I would say it makes for a perfect gym bag, the nylon body making it easy to clean (just simply wipe down using an all-purpose cleaning spray and rag). However, I wasn't sure if it would hold the things I would normally pack for a weekend getaway.

I decided to give the Weekender a test run last week, as my friends and I had planned a short getaway to Bataan during the long weekend.  I was a bit apprehensive when packing for the two night, two day trip—would the Weekender hold all my outfits, toiletries, and a few extra just-in-case pieces tossed in? Surprise, surprise, it did! Here's a peek into what I packed:

I packed two tops, two shorts, a pambahay outfit of a loose tee and drawstring shorts, a sweater, a cover-up dress, a bikini, a regular Aquazorb towel, and their new amazing ultra thin Sports Towel, a freebie from Zalora. On top of that, I had a quart- and a storage-sized Ziplock bag of toiletries, another quart-sized baggie for my makeup, a small pouch for my electronics, and a pair of sandals. They all fit in quite nicely!

Amidst the mess that was our trunk, the Cuzo Weekender stood out like the pretty preppy bag that it is. 

 I was quite pleased at my packing skills. In fact, my friend Jeremy couldn't quite believe that everything I was bringing was in that bag—I don't exactly have a reputation for being a light packer! But yeah, the Weekender is deceptively roomy! I guess it helps that it's a no-frills bag. It has no pockets, or extra compartments. But the nylon material makes it exceptionally lightweight and pliant, and the non-stiff material means it's easier to squeeze in more clothes (even easier if you've learned the trick of rolling them up!)

Not exactly my best outfit, but it was a laid-back trip, so I pretty much wore my flip-flops the entire time. Sweater, H&M; shorts, The Landmark; hat, bought in New York; flip flops, Havaianas. 

There's enough length in the handles to be able to sling it comfortably on my shoulder. 

Today, Pat and I were supposed to go to Bataan again to check out a potential wedding venue (yes, we're already engaged! :D ), but our truck started overheating before we even got out of Manila. Big fat poopie. I bought along my Weekender for the ride though, so might as well share outfit photos of the day.

Tank, Topshop; skirt, thrifted; sandals, Schu; sunglasses, Mango; scarf, vintage from London; cuff, Get Happy, bag, Cuzo.

In the bag: my Macbook, charger,  and the hefty September issue of Vogue. 

Isn't this scarf pretty? Scored this (plus a couple more) at the Camden Markets in London. 

So, would I recommend the Cuzo Weekender? Definitely! I'd call it the perfect "stash" bag to replace those kinda-tacky-but-you-can't-help-but-use-them paper shopping bags. It's your best (and super chic!) alternative to hold the assortment of kalat that won't fit in your handbag. And it's well-priced at P1,500. But if you use my voucher, you'll get a P100 discount off the price. Here are the deets:

Voucher No: Katdyfinds0827012

Validity: Aug 27 to Sept 2, 2012
Minimum amount: P1,000

So go, shop na! Apart from the Weekender, and the Anne Satchel, Cuzo has a few other well-made styles that are worth your hard-earned peso. To learn more about Cuzo, you can also visit their Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter @Cuzobags . 

Before I leave, let me share with you a few photos taken with my iPhone from that trip in Bataan. Some of them have been posted on Instagram, but the rest are here for you to enjoy.

Pigging out on junk food becomes instinctive on these road trips. How can you not? That mammoth Shell Station on northbound NLEX is a heaven/hell of calorific, cholesterolicious treats. 

The scarf with my yellow striped sweater dress. Nice way to mix prints. 

Amazing end-of-day landscape shot, edited on the Camera+ App on my iPhone. 

I volunteered to make my Banoffee Pie, a simple recipe, but didn't realize it would be quite difficult to make without modern kitchen tools on hand. Crushing a packet of Hobnobs turned out to be a callous-forming chore! Here I am patiently crushing the biscuits using a spoon and a sandok.

Biscuit-crushing turned out be a success! The pie was another story, heehee.

We were all amazed at Manong's agility when climbing up that tree to get our coconuts. 

Fresh coco water. Yum!

Pat and Jeremy, ever the resourceful Canadians, playing hockey using wooden sticks and a crushed can of San Miguel Beer as a puck. And yes, that's Pat using his straw hat as a "net," haha!

The unedited sunset. Bow. 

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!

A Week With Cuzo

Last week, I was the lucky recipient of a Cuzo bag, expressly delivered by Zalora. Cuzo, inspired by the French word "cossu" which means "posh" is a local brand that aspires to be known for its luxurious products, and they're right on track with their Anne satchel. I have been on the lookout for a nice navy bag for everyday use, and this bag fit the bill perfectly, with its lovely crocodile stamped leather, convenient pockets, and cross-body strap. I'm not really a bag person (and by this I mean that I still have to make an investment on a pricey designer bag), preferring to score my bags in thrift and vintage stores. But as I grow older, and my fashion preferences and style change, I've learned to appreciate the beauty and value of a bag made with quality materials and workmanship. I'd still buy a trendy clutch or purse at a fast fashion brand, but for classic, everyday bags, I wouldn't mind spending a bit more to get one made from genuine leather, and possessing the details that I want in a bag.

At P2,850, the Cuzo Anne satchel is a really good buy, considering it's made of genuine cow leather, and features brass hardware. Though the buckles work, the closures on the flap are magnetized for easy access. 

The Anne satchel has a front pocket. This is where I usually put cosmetics and pens.

The inside is fully lined and has an additional flat pocket that can easily fit an iPhone. While the leather is a bit stiff, the satchel is still roomy. Right now, my satchel contains a small planner, a fat coin purse/wallet, a bundle of Belle De Jour discount coupons, a bottle of cologne, Grandma's Secret Spot Remover, pocket-size alcohol,  lip tint, lipstick, a tube of Neutrogena hand cream, shades, three pens, my iPhone and a USB stick. Yep, they all fit!

I was so excited about my bag, that I resolved to use it for the entire week. I wondered if I'd have a hard time coming up with outfits, but my Cuzo satchel was an easy accomplice, and I was able to take it with me to a dinner with girlfriends, a day of meetings, Sunday malling, and a whole day of deliveries for my business. I tend to use a bag for days on end anyway, as I get lazy transferring stuff, so I was delighted that I didn't have to be a picky dresser with my satchel. 

To give you an idea, here's how I wore my Cuzo satchel the past week:

Friday, June 22: had a nice lunch at Wine Depot Westgate, after a gym workout. Had on an easy, fun outfit. Basic ribbed tank (the kind you get at department stores), thrifted cropped denim vest, and my super cute citrus-print shorts from The Landmark (isn't it so Stella McCartney?). "Channeling Chloe" metal-heeled sandals from Schu, and Cuzo bag.

Saturday, June 23: First time to get together with my high school girlfriends since I got back from our Euro trip. Decided to wear a digital-print top from Primark (don't you just love the fishies swimming about?) with a bright red-orange skirt from Forever 21, and my blue/green color-blocked Zara heels. Colorful tribal bangles, and my Cuzo satchel complete the look.

Sunday, June 24: Sunday afternoon malling outfit punched up with crayola green pants from Shopwise (thanks to Leona Lavina Panutat for this cheapo find!), thrifted printed shirt, and Renegade Folk tassel loafers. Accessorized with a denim scarf, and a bevy of chains and leather on one wrist (p.s. that crystal ball bracelet is on sale at Martina-Martina!) 

Tuesday, June 26: Busy day today. Had a few meetings, and a store visit, necessitating travel to San Juan, Cubao, Makati, and Taguig. Wanted to look chic but comfortable so I wore a gray ribbed tank, Africana print culottes thrifted in London, and Rachel Comey lace-up pumps. The tribal bangles make another appearance on the arm, together with an H&M gold neck band, and Kultura necklace. 

Thursday, June 28: Made Martina-Martina deliveries to Schu shops in MOA, Powerplant, and Glorietta (do check out our accessories at these branches!). Remember these tribal print pants? Here's another way I wear it—with a cropped top, and my Renegade folk nude sandals. Accessorized with Martina-Martina's Tassel Necklace. 

Friday, June 29: Happy birthday to me! Didn't really go out, as the boyfriend spoiled me with breakfast in bed, and a surprise tea and scones party with our neighbor Kathy, in the house. Friends also dropped by to surprise me with a birthday cheesecake. Yum! We did however venture out for a late movie, and a drink. Dressed casually in a Zara striped sailor top, and accessorized with a Headware scarf (will blog about this versatile piece next).

Isn't this bag amazing? If you like it as much as I do, you can buy it conveniently at Zalora. Free shipping too! Also comes in brown, maroon, and moss green colors. Each Cuzo piece is proudly Filipino made.