Thursday, October 07, 2010

What every woman should have in her wardrobe

My favorite feature in this month's InStyle is "Inside the Files of the Super Stylish." Eleven of the most chic people were asked this question: What should every woman have in her wardrobe? These were some of the answers:

"Great jewelry. It adds drama." 
Kelly Wearstler, interior designer
(I'm working on this! I think I'm turning into a jewelry girl!)

"A lightweight long-sleeve black cashmere crew-neck sweater." 
Michael Kors, fashion designer
(Though I balked at this item, a bit much especially in sweltering Manila,  sweaters like that do hide jiggly arms and make you look slimmer. A necessity indeed!)

"A black cocktail dress!" 
Nicole Richie, actress, novelist, designer
(I have half a dozen black dresses. Always chic!)

"A wrap dress!" 
Diane von Furstenberg, fashion, accessories and housewares designer
(I have one prized DVF wrap dress! I'd like more but they're so frakkin' expensive.)

"Hoop earrings in yellow gold." 
Margherita Missoni, actress, model
(Check!)

"A fabulous dress and gold shoes... Also invest in cashmere cardigans... in a rainbow of colors." 
Deborah Lloyd, co-president and creative directo of Kate Spde
(I have fabulous dresses and gold flats and sandals. I can't get myself to buy gold shoes yet. Seems matronly. I have cardigans in white, black and brown but they're not cashmere. Sigh.)

"A perfectly fitting pair of jeans."
Tory Burch, designer
(Before I got pregnant, my great love was Levi's Lady's Style jeans. Those sweethearts hugged my legs and butt lovingly. Now? I can't even squeeze into them! Weep!)

"A Burberry trench." 
Isabel Dupre celebrity stylist
(None yet. I had a Zara trench that I gave to my sister because I don't travel to cold countries so much. I don't think I'll buy a trench again. But I do have a lovely red wool coat!)

Much as I respect their suggestions, I must wonder about the absence of the style basics, like a sleek black stiletto, crisp white shirt, pearl necklace, diamond studs, sunglasses... I mean, really. Gold shoes? A trench coat? A crew-neck sweater? Nevertheless, the stylistas answered a ton of other questions about the stylish lifestyle and their answers proved to be very interesting. I'm sure my mod readers would find this article interesting, too!

Oh, and do grab this month's OK! magazine. It's our Fashion Issue! Our annual Hollywood's Best Dressed List is particularly exciting.

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Aha! A new shop to shop at!

Got invited to the store opening of Muji at Bonifacio High Street. It opens next week and I'm curious to see what's there. I was told Muji sells everything from clothes and accessories to furniture and food.

Typical Muji store in Japan and Hong Kong.
I wonder if the one here looks like this, too.
Note that the Japanese brand doesn't have branding. The name Muji is short for Mujirushi Ryohin or "no brand, quality products." Ah, so desu ne! Kinda like the Anonymous store we used to have years and years ago (does anyone remember that?). I used to buy a ton of stuff from Anonymous and then have fun personalizing them. I still have Anonymous stuff in my house actually. Then Anonymous closed down and so I am super duper looking forward to shopping at Muji.

What I find most interesting about Muji is its commitment to simplicity and quality. And I read that they only use sustainable raw materials and use minimal packaging so if you have to be a consumer (and aren't we all?), you're assured that your carbon footprint won't be gigantic when you buy from Muji.

For starters, I'll have to buy some gifts. Lots of birthdays coming up. OK!'s associate features editor Elaine says she wants some pens for her 18th birthday (hehe. Happy birthday, E!). Well, I'll get her Muji pens then!
 No need to throw away your pens when you finish the ink.
You can also buy gel pen refills!
I'm a sucker for pens, too, actually. I have drawers full of them. In my bag, I am never without a pen and pencil and notebook. Oh yes, notebooks. Vince and I have love affairs with notebooks (Moleskine especially! Remember my giveaway last year?) but any notebook with nice paper is heaven for me. So you can bet I'm making a bee line for Muji's stationery section next week!  
My fashion designer friend Kate will appreciate coloring pencils.
Who doesn't love notebooks? I'll definitely grab a few!
I'm hoping the prices are not too expensive. Well, the store opens on pay day, October 15, so we're bound to have a bit of cash. So I'll see y'all next week at Muji!

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Start singin'!

Aha! My search for the perfect rain boot just ended today, thanks to shoe designer Loeffler Randall.

Sleek

Understated

Sexy
I walk to work so this is a necessity. Just yesterday, on my first day back to work (huhuhu), my feet and Kenneth Coles got wet. So I need rain boots. This pair is just beautiful. And it's only $195! It's utter perfection!

Mariel, if I buy this and have it sent to your New York apartment, do you think Alvin will find space in his suitcase for this? I'm guessing it's going to come in a big box!

Friday, October 01, 2010

A poem inspired by all the rides I took on the MRT, LRT and the Tube

When Vince and I were at Monument Station, London
HERE, THERE

There, he stood holding the steel post, and the slanted light
Of the dying sun lit up the comic book he held.
Here, he caught me when a sudden curve
In the tracks made me fly straight into his arms.
There, we laughed at the unmoving cars below us—
the rush of speed and our pumping blood thrilling our veins!
Here, our lips first met, strangers charging past us,
In and out the train, going to... who knows where?

Now…
I am running away from the boy
Who changed his mind, who stands
There on the platform, pretending I’m not
Here.

Yuck. It's kinda cheesy pala. Nope, this ain't from personal experience! Just wrote it in a flash. I dedicate it to all the men and women who ride the train and look blankly out the window. I hope the mundane stuff in our everyday life inspires you, too! Happy weekend!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Dreaming of London

Right now, the OK! International Conference is taking place at OK! magazine's headquarters at Northern & Shell in London. Northern & Shell owns OK! plus other magazines and newspapers. That huge blue building along the River Thames houses the entire publishing empire. It's impressive to me especially because Summit Media, where I work, has about 20 titles and the entire company occupies just two floors. 




Anyway, I'm obviously missing all the action since I'm on maternity leave. I really really really wanted to go! The owner of the giant media company sent me an email a few months ago congratulating me and my staff for a job well done. He also wanted me to give a presentation on how we make the Philippine edition because he thinks it's just so darn good! I nearly died of happiness! But... Vito first!

I sent managing editor Lana instead. She'll do a fabulous job--I have the best staff!--and will do me proud. Oh, I'm such a mommy to my staff really. 

Well, work aside, I also wanted to go to London again for personal reasons. Vince and I honeymooned in London two years ago and I've been wanting to go back since.

Here's the plan: I will have a proper English breakfast then go museum hopping in the mornings, pop in the shops on Oxford Street in the afternoons, and watch theater in the evenings. West End is the main reason I want to go back really (oh, and the National Gallery, of course!). The musicals and plays are electrifying! Plus, on our last trip there, Vince and I found out how to buy theater tickets for cheap. Very good seats, too! Oh, every night should be spent in the theater! I also want to spend a few days exploring the English countryside. I'll take the train out of the city... and maybe go straight to Scotland and see the Scottish Highlands, too!

Well, maybe next year then.