I am Loving…

…RuMe Eco Bags!

RuMe stands for ReUse Me, the newest eco lifestyle brand to hit town!

Not only do they have a chic line of bags and accessories that are stylish and functional, but they also promote a more sustainable lifestyle– using less, by re-using more!  Cool, right?  A brand with a conscience!

What I love about RuMe is that it is a structured bag.  It has both sides and a bottom, making the bag more sturdy, and keeping its contents from jostling about.

Made from machine washable and water resistant fabric, each RuMe bag can also hold up to 50 lbs!  Can you just imagine all the stuff this bag can hold?

Lastly, I love that RuMe comes in different sizes, fabrics, and styles, and comes with various accessories as well.

The smallest of the bags is the Mini.

The next and classic size is the Medium (R), followed by the Macro (L).  You can actually even have your RuMe Medium bag customized (details on their website).

If you like lots of pockets on your bag, try the RuMe All.  It has 3 pockets–one in front, and 2 at the sides.  Kind of makes an ideal, lightweight baby bag, don’t you think?

To keep items organized inside your bag, RuMe has a line of accessories starting with the Pocket.  It can be used to store keys, credit cards, money, and a cellphone.  It can also be attached to the straps of the RuMe bag…

Then there’s the Baggie.  Twice the height of the Pocket, this is something that I’d probably use to keep a small notebook and pen in, or maybe a small pack of tissues, my business card holder…  It’s a good, basic size, and looks like it can be used to store a variety of things .

And lastly, there’s the Baggie All which can hold more of your cosmetics and other toiletries.

In Manila, the RuMe brand is distributed by Honest Ventures Corporation.

I actually met the very young and charming President of the company, Jamie, during the Best Food Forward Fair .  She was so enthusiastic about this product, and her enthusiasm totally rubbed off on me!  Hahaha!  But then again, eco bags are my guilty pleasure  I can never have too many, especially when it’s time to do the groceries!  Definitely, NO PLASTIC bags for me!

According to Jamie, RuMe bags are available at Certified Calm at Two Parkade in BGC (along 30th and 7th), and at the Salcedo Weekend Market.

Get your RuMe now, and let’s start re-using!

DVF x GapKids 2.0 Is Launching Soon!

When I found out I was pregnant, I hoped and prayed really hard for a baby girl.

Call me shallow, but to be honest, I wanted a girl because I love dressing up and accessorizing, and I wanted to be able to share this love for fashion with my offspring.  Ofcourse this wasn’t the only reason, but it was one of my main reasons. Hahaha!

Let’s face it–little girls have the best clothes nowadays!  And there’s just so much variety!  From tutus to shift dresses to shorts and skinny jeans–there’s a lot of combinations that can be mixed and matched to make dressing up everyday sort of like a fashion show!  And I love that!  Hahaha!

A couple of days ago, I heard the news that DVF will be launching another summer collection with GapKids.  OMG!!!!  You know what that means…even MORE cute outfits for the little one!

If you remember, I wrote about the first collection here.  And here is the little one, “mowdeling” her DVF wrap dress (in case you’re wondering, no, I did not ask her to pose that way.  Hahaha! This was a completely candid shot ).

This second collaboration looks like it’s going to be even better!  Entitled The Explorers, the collection is bold, graphic and fun!  Very signature DVF!  And the images from the lookbook are just too adorable!  Here are a couple that have been released…

The DVF x GapKids will be available in stores (in the US) and online on April 25th.  I can’t wait!!!

Photos from here and here.

Blog Give-Away ALERT!!!

Menorquinas Bangkok is giving away 2 pairs of their comfy and stylish sandals!

To know more about these uber chic slip ons as well as contest details, all you have to do is hop on over to www.matteroftasteonline.com.

Let’s all join na!

*Contest is open to anyone with a valid address within SouthEast Asia*

I am Loving…

…these statement neckpieces by Ken Samudio and Piesa by Phoebe!

I actually never learned how to layer my necklaces successfully.  For some reason, I just couldn’t get it.  I guess that’s why I pretty much stayed away from this trend.

Until now.

I decided to give it a try and layered my crystal necklace from Ken Samudio over my fabric-covered wire bib necklace from Piesa by Phoebe.

I think it kinda worked.  Hahaha!

Do you?

Well, whether worn solo or together, I still love them both!!!

Fabulous Find : V-neck Tees

I’m a uniform kind of gal.

As I’ve gotten older, practical but stylish dressing has been key in helping me keep up with the demands of my family, my career, and my lifestyle.

Now that I’ve pretty much figured out the kind of silhouette that works best for my body type, I tend to stick to this type of clothing–hence, the uniform.

Lately, it’s been all about t-shirts and pencil cut skirts.  Not only is it very classic, but I also love that the look can go from casual and relaxed, to dressy and sophisticated with just a change in accessories and footwear!

Last weekend, as I was treating myself to some retail therapy at the Karl Edwards Bazaar in BGC, I happened upon a stall that was selling cotton v-neck shirts in bright, bold colors!  Perfect for the summer!  At only Php150 a tee, I could not resist buying it in 5 different colors!  What a steal, right?

I even found a great pencil cut skirt in a lovely shade of magenta too.  I love that it will go with any of these tees!

So there you have it, my fabulous find for the week–v-necks in the colors of summer!  Not only are they bright, happy and versatile, but I love that they were so affordable too!

I Am Loving…

…these LoveBirdsLA clutches!!!

I just love having really talented friends and family .

LoveBirdsLA is a partnership between 2 long-time friends, M and K, who also happen to be both friends and family of mine (K is married to the H’s cousin! )

LoveBirdsLA is a line of gorgeous, unique clutches–all hand-made by K–with fabrics sourced from exotic places like South America and Asia!

Aren’t they so cheery and colorful?  They definitely add an instant pop to my wardrobe!

The neon zip is definitely my favorite detail .  I love that it is quite unexpected, and oh so eye-catching!

I use my LoveBirdsLA clutches all the time now!  In the daytime, it’s in my bag carrying smaller items–my wallet, lip balm, my cellphone, a pen, and my planner. When I have to leave the office, I no longer have to bring my ginormous work bag with me.  I simply grab my LoveBirdsLA clutch, and I’m out the door with all my essentials!

At night, I’ve used it as a statement clutch to accent my LBD.  Since I’ve been feeling quite lazy to dress up lately, I can actually get away with wearing a simple dress, then just amp it up with my colorful clutch!  Don’t you just love dressing made easy?  Hahaha

If you wanna know more about LoveBirdsLA, visit their site at http://www.shop.lovebirdsla.com

Halloween 2012

A couple of months ago, I saw this image on Pinterest.

I knew, without a doubt, that this was going to be A’s Halloween costume this year.

And I think I pulled it off!

Check out how the little miss looked:

Presenting….Holly Golightly!!!  Hahaha!  :)

I love that it cost me next to nothing to come up with this costume!

Her black dress was an old tank top of mine that I simply tied and pinned together.

The necklace, the sunglasses and shoes were items we already had at home.

So the only thing I had to purchase was her tiny tiara, which only cost me 40 pesos in Shoe Mart!!!

And the best part was that the little one was really comfortable in her costume!

I really had a fun time putting this look together .

I’m glad A seemed to like it too!

I figured I’d enjoy dressing her up before she starts choosing her clothes and telling me what she wants to wear (although that already happens sometimes)!  Hahaha!

Oh the joys of motherhood!

Rest In Peace

I hate goodbyes .

Especially when it’s to a loyal companion, that’s seen me through a lot of my life’s journeys.

Before you start getting the wrong idea, let me clarify .

I’m actually talking about my JCrew tan sneakers.  They’ve seen their last trip, I’m afraid .

I’ve had these kicks for years–since I was living in New York.

They’re my most favorite travel shoes–they’re easy to pair with a lot of my clothes, and they’re really comfy! Plus, I think they look more chic than running shoes, and less typical than the usual Converse Chucks .

But alas, all good things must come to an end–as the saying goes.  And while I’ve enjoyed our time together (and definitely got my money’s worth out of it!), unfortunately, none of my efforts to resuscitate these sneakers have been successful .  From these pictures, you’ll see that while it still looks pretty good on the surface, the soles are beyond repair.  I have lovingly worn them out, I’m afraid .

I guess I have to accept that it is time to move on.

And to be honest, these new sneakers have made moving on much easier for me.  Hahaha!

These are Bensimons.  I’m currently obsessing over them!

Don’t they look soooooooo cool?

I love that they’re French too!

*Sigh*  I can’t decide what color I want to get .

But definitely, I can’t wait to get myself a pair…or two .  Hahahaha!

Unfortunately, they’re only available online for now and cost anywhere from about $48-$55 a pair.  That means I need to get them shipped to a US address.

Good thing I have several relatives on their way home, so it shouldn’t be a long wait .  It’s practically Christmas already!  Hahaha!

Ooooh, something to look forward to!

I guess saying goodbye didn’t turn out to be so bad after all .

I am Loving…

…High Low Skirts!

Quite surprising because I’m not that into clothing trends, but there’s something about this hemline that’s got my interest piqued .

Skirts are actually my default clothing.  I practically live in my pencil cut skirts as I wear them both to work and even during the weekends with a classic vee or a round-neck tee.

But lately I’ve been wanting to spice things up, and this style seems to be just the thing I need to add a bit more perk into my wardrobe.

I’m a bit iffy about the sheer, pleated variations, though.  Too young.

I think a darker color and longer hemline would be more my thang .

And if I could find one in jersey just like the ones above, that would be even more perfect!

Baubles + Happy Weekend

Hopefully, around the same time next weekend, I will be the proud owner of this:

What is it, you ask?  They’re embellished shoulder pads with three layers of draped crystals!  Yes, it’s a bit of an unconventional type of accessory, but I’ve always been one for drama and oomph!  Hahaha!  Bongga!

Made by the talented Yekky Balingit of the brand miadore, I am truly amazed by the workmanship and detail of this fabulous piece!  I’ve been lusting after it ever since it made an appearance in his Las Mujeres lookbook.  And next week, it will be MINE!!!

Nothing like a little bit of bling to start off this weekend .

Hope you have a wonderful one, folks!

Photo Credit: miadore FaceBook page