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.  

Daily Thread: Tropicana / High-Low

I've been seeing the mullet style everywhere now. Everyone has really taken to the short-in-front, low-at-the-back skirt style, also referred to as "high-low." I only have one item in this style, the Joel Escober dress I wore to a wedding in Australia, but even though the market's saturated with it, I still like it. Not sure if I would buy it, though. I'm afraid it might be exiting the trend scene soon!

However, I won't say no to a bit of hemline play. When I spotted this H&M skirt, I had to have it! A cool take on the high-low trend, noh? Edgier, graphic, and very clean. I've already envisioned plenty of outfits around it. This time, I wore it with a sunny yellow tropical print top from Primark, color-block sandals from Zara (side note: I loved this style so much, I bought it in two colors! Cheaper in London at GBP29.99. Here, they're selling it for Php2,990), tribal bangles, and my oversized Lancel leather clutch.

Can I just say, I love all the new photo apps on Iphone. I'm able to "photoshop" quickly and easily, and create outfit collages like this!

Here's the other color I bought, as worn by Aimee Song, of the blog Song of Style. Love her quirky outfit!

I wore above-mentioned outfit when I had lunch with Tin of Manila Fashion Observer last Monday. I met Tin in NY, and I love her because she's down-to-earth, super friendly, hip, and of course, stylish in her own nonchalant way. I love the way she carries her designer goods—never OTT, and always discreet. You notice it because of the superb style, not because of the brand.

I also love her because she agreed to do a promo with my baby, the accessories line Martina-Martina! We've got tons of new stuff, and she's giving away three lovely pieces from our latest collections.

One of our most popular styles, the Braidy Bunch Friendship Stack (I like it, too! I wear mine almost always!)

Schoolgirl Collar Necklace in Ivory. A different take on the detachable collar trend.

Gold Tassel Necklace. A wardrobe classic! Long and fringy, just the thing to throw over a shirt and jeans/shorts.

Visit her blog to find out how you can win (super easy, promise!).

Daily Wear: Tribal Print Pants

Friday was spent traveling, via carpool, then train, from Rheinfelden (a small town bordering Germany and Switzerland), to Berlin. Total travel time was about 12 hours, with several train changes in between, so I had to dress in comfy clothes. Here's a snapshot of what I wore:

Sweater and leather wrap-around bracelet, H&M. Pants, bought from a stall in Greenwich Village, NYC. Scarf, vintage from Camden Market, London. Tiger-print cuff, Martina-Martina. Bag, Saba. Sandals, SM Parisian.

I bought these pants last year when I was still living in New York. My friend Happy clued me in to a stall in Greenwich Village, near the store where we were working. Manned by an African immigrant, the small space on the sidewalk consisted mostly of roomy garterized pants, tunics and dresses in the colorful prints typical to African fashion.  When one of us would wear a piece, Happy and I would tease each other "Uuuy, sumu-Suno!" (roughly translated, it means channeling Suno), because they were reminiscent of the earthy mixed patterns of the Kenyan-sourced designer label. It's quite funny that, for its S/S 2012 collection, Burberry Prorsum released pieces that had the same vibe. If I remember correctly the pants cost me $18, and because they were too big for me, I spent Php50 to get them altered at my suki tailor in BF Homes, Parañaque. Still, compared to Suno and Burberry price tags, the pants are quite a find, and oh-so-comfy to wear!

These Suno skinny trouser pants are on sale for $120, originally going for $400. 

Tribal printed pieces from Burberry Prorsum's S/S 2012 show. Photo courtesy of Style Intel.

On a side note, the scarf was a two-for-five pounds, find at Camden Market in London. I was a bit overwhelmed by Camden. This, and the fact that I had limited cash and luggage space, meant I didn't buy much, but I'm always on the market for a vintage scarf, as they are usually cheap, and don't take up a lot of space. Layering puts a damper on accessorizing, and I find that a scarf is the best way to put in that extra pizzazz to an outfit.