Manila Shopaholic

Whee! I received PHP250 credit from the Flower Collection because I think I registered to be a part of it? And you can get that same thing too! Just register at The Flower Collection Website. (Click here)

Aside from that I think they are having a 30% off on all regular items.

And because I got the PHP250 credit, I grabbed it and bought this Eula dress – quarter-sleeved, knee-dress with draped overlapping bodice. Bias skirt with loose wavy hemline – which is sure to complement any kind of body.

Eula Dark Grey

I got the Dark Gray color – yes, I know that many of you guys might thing that’s kind of dull, why didn’t I get the Dark Coral. Probably because when I looked into my closet, all of my dresses are colored red, pink and orange. Got too much of those hot colors in there and it’s too loud of the office. I’m pretty sure that if I wear my red dresses again, people will react. PFFT.

Sharing with you this wonderful Color Blocked Jersey Dress that is being sold at Ava.ph. Happy Weekend Everyone!

Happy Shopping! :)

Ava Tyler

Hey Guys! I just got back and wanted to share with you the newest item from The Flower Collection.

Ribbons and Ruffles. So girly yet such a classic. I have to say, The Flower Collection stuff that I bought last February truly helped me survive a 49-day Business Trip. My clothes definitely kept me professional looking yet girly at the same time. One sample is this yellow ruffled polo that I got from them.

This was taken during one fine night in Shanghai when the weather was really cold and w were too tamad to go out of the hotel to buy dinner. It was raining outside and we took advantage of the hotel’s Seafood Dinner buffet promo – Buy 1, Take 1 for only RMB 199 (PHP 1,393). Where in Manila can you get a hotel buffet that costs around PHP 696.50 each?! Cool, huh?

Marriott Courtyard Shanghai-Pudong – probably one of the things that I will miss in Shanghai. ;)

If you notice big companies who also sell online, you would notice that most of them would have a link that would direct you to the items that they only sell online – that is online exclusives which is becoming a pretty common term for all of us.

One of the companies that is taking the lead right now in this concept is The Flower Collection. Check out this link.

Currently, they have shawls. The Tiara Shawl is a super soft and classically cool shawl made of jersey knits. So it’s not that heavy to wear during the summer time.

Another item in their list is the Lt Blouse. It’s a short sleeve blouse with pleated ruffles bordering mandarin collar on the chest area. This is made out of non-stretch woven fabric.

The LV (nope, not the bag!) is a batwing-sleeved blouse with ruffles on the neckline and pintucks at the center.

So, what do you think? To get a chance to win GCs from The Flower Collection, click here.

Spring and summer are two of my favorite seasons! Why? Probably because I love the colors that they bring. The colors that they bring also bring happiness and joy. And since we’re already in February, most of the Philippine brands are already coming out with their Spring and Summer collections. When you walk through the halls of the malls now, you would probably already find stores having their own versions of bikinis, cover-ups and beach stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised, we are filled with some of the most wonderfull beaches in the world.

Leading the pack this summer is Ensembles. I have always liked Ensembles even in college. I remember whenever I would have a business presentation in school, I’d pick up a thing or two from this store and be my “porma” self in school. Little did I know that I was going to end up in an IT company and not make porma at all! Haha. No, sometimes we do, at some very rare occasions.

Since Manila Shopaholic has had a very close relationship with the Ensembles Group of Companies, I got first dibs on what they have in store for you. Here’s the press release…

Ensembles Spring/Summer 2012 Press Release:

The most exciting of seasons when the world seems fresh and bright is Spring, that midway respite between the cold season and summer.

The excitement and anticipation of the warmer days to come is more fun when you have the perfect wardrobe to take you through the summer and through many summers beyond. Celebrate the season with Ensembles Spring/Summer 2012 Collections with a colorful flair. A very mod, vibrant take on delicate florals and hints of sheer and light fabrics. The collection features items such as sheer maxi dresses, flirty floral prints perfect for your hot weather activities and of course, corporate summer suits like smart tailored dresses, dressed-up blazers and square pants.

And what is summer romp without hitting the beach! Let your sweet side shine through with Ensembles’ beach must-haves: exquisite array of dainty swimsuits and cover-ups. The swimwear collection includes beautifully cut swim tops and bottoms and swimsuits that are flattering more than anything.

Ensembles’ brand celebrity ambassador, Carmina Villarroel, graces the Spring/Summer 2012 campaign and talks about the pieces she wore at the shoot, “I love the entire collection! Fashionable, stylish and wearable. I love the colors too and the materials used for the dresses, very light and comfy!”. Also featured in the campaign are her Muñiz Shoes, a brand owned and created by Carmina Villaroel featuring her own creative design ideas.

We interviewed Carmina about her summer plans, reveals her upcoming TV shows and her faves:

1. What are your plans for this summer? – We are planning to go to Japan. I want to experience enjoying the cherry blossoms so I’m hoping we can go this April.

2. Your fave summer outfits? How about for swimsuits (tankinis, bikinis)? – Shorts, tank tops, comfy maxi dress and light summer colors. Tankinis are okay but not two-piece bikinis! haha!

3. If you didn’t become a celebrity, what everyday occupation would you have liked? – hmmm…. either a pre-school teacher, guidance counselor or a psychiartist/ psychologist.

4. What are your summer activities for the twins this year? summer activities for the twins? – For Mavy tennis, swimming and socceer. For Cassy its gymnastics and swimming. Art classes for both of them too. Fyi- all their activities are on going now so they will just continue doing these things this summer.

5. What takes up most of your time now? – My new talk show called Showbiz Inside Report with Ate Janice, Kuya Joey Marquez and Ogie Diaz. That’s every Sat. Then the rest of the week I spend it either with my family, exercising and guesting for ABS CBN shows and preparing for my upcoming teleserye .

6. Who or what is your inspiration for your fashion style? – Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez are my inspiration, but I don’t really copy their style. I guess I have my own style. What is important is that I look and feel good.

7. What is one of the most important lessons you have learned that you have applied to your lifestyle? – Live within your means. You don’t have to be rich to be stylish and fashionable. Just be yourself! It’s how you carry yourself. If you are happy and content, you will always be beautiful inside and out.

8. How would you describe Ensembles’ Spring/Summer 2012 collection? – I love the new collection of Ensembles. It’s fashionable, stylish and wearable. I love the colors and the materials they used for the dresses. very light and comfy. As always it is fun working with my dream photo shoot team. I love working with these people because they are all talented!

9. You’ve been with Ensembles for a long time now. How is it like working with them? – They are all nice, supportive and they make me feel that we are one. I wouldn’t be with them for such a long time if we didn’t jive at all. It’s like we have the same goal and purpose. Just be yourself and we have no pretentions. They are my family too!

Check out the lovely Spring/Summer collection as it hits the stores this February. Perfect, timeless smart pieces that you’ll want to wear everyday for the years to come.

This dress looks interesting. Now, this is my kind of dress! :)

Visit www.ensembles.com.ph. Facebook: Facebook.com/EnsemblesOnline. Twitter: Twitter.com/EnsemblesOnline. Muniz Shoes: www.munizshoes.com (Muñiz Shoes & Accessories are available at Ensembles Trinoma, SM Megamall, Robinson’s Ermita & Alabang Town Center.)

Note to self: Next time I must feature Muniz shoes!

Collaborations, collaborations. That’s the name of the game now. Especially for Freeway, Ensembles, Solo and 22BC and mind you, I do believe that they’re doing such a great job in it.

Who is Lisa Macuja-Elizalde?

Lisa Teresita Pacheco Macuja-Elizalde is a Prima Ballerina. She is the first Philippine ballerina and first foreign soloist who ever joined the Kirov Ballet in 1984. In the Philippines, she is the Artistic Director of Ballet Manila and Vice-Chairman of the Philippine UNESCO National Commission. She was also the Commissioner of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. She is also the Directress and faculty member of the Ballet Manila School – a training center for ballet professionals who are steeped in the Russian Vaganova method. (from Wikipedia)

All good things must come to an end…

In about 3 years time, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is set to retire in three years and will dance her last full-length “Swan Song Series” in a series of performances. To show their support, Freeway has released Limited Edition Lisa Macuja Shirts and this collection is now available in all Freeway stores.

Freeway’s Limited Edition Shirts

Freeway loves Art. With its well-loved National Artist Collectors’ Series, the brand has already established its name in celebrating various forms of Art by bringing creative fusion of fashion and works of art of our National Artists—literature, visual art and fashion design. And this time, Freeway embraces another form of art that brought pride to the country, Ballet. Freeway pays tribute to Philippines’ prima ballerina, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. Lisa is set to ease into retirement within the period of three years and will dance her last full-length “Swan Song Series” in a series of performances. The production kicked off last year with “Swan Lake” and “Romeo and Juliet”. The entire series will unfold in the next two to three years. To support this significant event, Freeway created a special edition “Swan Song Series” sublimation tee- shirt that immortalizes the signature ballets of Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This limited edition collection is now available in all Freeway stores nationwide. www.freeway.net.ph

Connect with Freeway thru Facebook http://facebook.com/FreewayOnline and Twitter http://twitter.com/FreewayOnline. Also, check out http://www.balletmanila.com.ph.

Swan Lake

I checked out the Ballet Manila site and I saw that “Swan Lake” will be shown on October 7, 8, 9. This will be the last full length performance of Lisa Macuja-Elizalde which also happens to be one of the most revered of the ballet classics. It’s a must see for all dance lovers.

Have a happy week ahead everyone!

Hugs and Kisses,
Manila Shopaholic