Say hello to my high school best friend, Allan John, and his amazing wife, Leah! Leah is a very busy woman during the day, traveling all over the country, but after work, she is a wife and homemaker who's created a beautiful blog about her travels, shopping finds and recipes. Read all about it on The Bright Spot.
Anyway! AJ and Leah had a double date with Vince and me recently at Greenhills since I'm obsessed with pearls and Leah happens to be very educated about them. Leah and AJ are still in their honeymoon stage so they're in the thick of furnishing their home. They were lusting after a Union Jack chest (read all about that here!) in this tiny stall that sells IKEA stuff:
While Leah was haggling away, Vince fell in love with these laundry sacks. We bought England and Italy. We use them for the kids' dirty clothes and cloth diapers.
Meanwhile, I wanted to get these tin can sets in such sweet and delicate designs. But I was in Greenhills for one thing: pearls. So I resisted. Maybe when we go back next time!
Anyway! Like I said, we were here to shop for jewelry, pearls specifically. And Leah says that the Berdori pearls are excellent. Oh my, they certainly were! Leah showed me how to look at lustre, to rub the pearls in my palm, to feel the weight, to check the sizes, to appreciate the imperfections of real pearls. Oh wow. I was overwhelmed!
These are the South Sea pearls. They are waaaay beyond my budget (for now!) but now that I know how much they are, I'm not so intimidated. One client project fee and I can buy me a string of these beauties! Must work hard!
South Sea being unattainable (for now!), we looked at the freshwater pearls selection. Just as breathtaking actually. I want to buy them all!
For Valentine's, Vince gave me a gorgeous set of pearl jewelry: studs and a single strand set in silver. They are lovely! But they whetted my appetite for more pearls! I plan to get drop earrings, a double strand matinee, a rope or the even longer lariat to wrap around my neck, and a bracelet.
Rings? Not really planning on getting any since I already have a lot of rings. But then I saw these:
I'm in love! Each is in the price range of a designer bag. I'm not really into designer bags but you all know I've been longing for a Tod's D Bag. I even told my Nuffnang friends to give me enough work this year to buy me a Tod's (or two haha). But now that I've seen these majestic rings, I'm thinking I'd rather buy these!
Thanks, AJ and Leah! I learned a lot on our fabulous shopping trip. As soon as I can afford another piece of jewelry, I'll call you. Let's go on a double date again!
Thanks, AJ and Leah! I learned a lot on our fabulous shopping trip. As soon as I can afford another piece of jewelry, I'll call you. Let's go on a double date again!
Re. Express skirt. There's an Express clothing store here in the US. Those are probably factory over runs. Here' their website http://www.express.com/home.jsp
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was joking, though. I meant "Ooh express skirt! Is it because it can be taken off fast?" See, it isn't even funny when I had to explain. But we had a ton of laughs about that one. Oh well.
DeleteHi Frances! I'm interested to know which branch of National Bookstore did you visit? I saw they still have a copy of Table for Two and I want to drop by the branch to buy a copy again. I checked that there are two branches in San Juan and I'd like to know which was the one featured on your post. Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! Where in Greenhills can I find the shop selling Ikea stuff?
ReplyDeleteShoppesville. I can't tell you where it is exactly though! Just keep walking around =D
Deletethose pearl rings are so huge. both the gold and white one look good on you. :)
ReplyDeleteand oh, i love that store that sells ikea stuff especially the vintage chests and luggages! they're quite expensive but i'll get them someday. hehehe.
Just wait a bit and you'll get to buy from a real IKEA store!
Deletehttp://www.rappler.com/business/22194-is-ikea-coming-to-the-philippines
Thanks for visiting BERDORI Jewelry in Greenhills Shopping Center. When you're ready to make that big purchase, let me know so we can start haggling! www.facebook.com/berdori (My sister (we're both based in New York / New Jersey) follows your blog and she calls me at 1:43AM and screams, "OMG BERDORI is in someone's blog!" That was exciting. I'll be flying out to Manila tomorrow and will be staying until April. Hope to see you in Greenhills! Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Please thank your sister for reading my blog. Yey! And thank you for saying we can haggle down the price haha. I will definitely be keeping in touch. I am eyeing a ton of pieces from your Greenhills store!
DeleteHi Frances! Is the shop where you bought your pearls from a stall or an actual shop? May I know landmarks if you can still remember it? I loooooove pearls! As a working woman, most of the things I wear are complemented by pearls! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso roughly how much are the SSP strands that you photographed? Ang mahal ng Jewelmer eh, but they are soooo beautiful as well! :)
Btw, I emailed you regarding the Praying Wives Devotional group, I hope you get to read it, I know youre super busy though :)
Thanks a lot!
Candz! I got your email but I haven't had time to reply. I thought a loooong email deserves a loooong reply =D But thank you for your wonderful letter. I am so moved by what you wrote me!
DeleteAnyway, the Berdori shop is a stall dun sa may mga jewelry section. OMG, it is very hard to find. Iikutin mo talaga sila! And they change their positions weekly daw so better to reach them via Facebook.
As for the South Sea pearls, depends kasi on the size of the pearls you want. But definitely not as expensive as Jewelmer. Malayo! If you like, we can ask Leah to bring us there again. Then maybe we can start our own Praying Wives Dripping with Pearls group! =)
Sorry if it was such a long read! Haha! :) But I meant everything I said there about your writing and experiences.
DeleteSige I will look at their FB page nalang, I'm not very matiyaga na mag-ikot eh, I shop like a man actually. And yes! I would love to go with you and your friend Leah the next time you go back there and have the prayer group meeting immediately after! Thanksgiving narin for our pearls. Haha!
Looking forward to your email, no rush though I'm sure you have your hands quite full with all the odds and ends and blessings coming your way! God Bless you!
Thanks Frances! We had a great time with you and Vince, too! Ganun talaga ang pearls, nakaka-addict! Once you have one, you will come back for more! Haha!
ReplyDeleteLet's plan our next double date soon! I know na how to make a good Pad Thai yun naman papatikim ko sa inyo ni Vince =)
Leah!!! Let's go back maybe in April? May pera na ako then haha
DeleteKahet walang pera, masarap maglibot! Haha! Okey April will be fine it's somebody's birthday!
ReplyDeletehello! i love pearls. how much is the freshwater earrings and choker set? if you don't mind :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
It was Vince's gift. Ask him! =D
DeleteHello Mam. Im interested at Vince's life. Each time I ask for it sa National theyd say out if stock. Read it back in college but wasnt able ti have a copy. Thanks
ReplyDelete