SM Accessories Cebu Launch

SM has always been my go-to place when I look for something that I know I'll have difficulty finding. "We've got it all for you!", their department store claims, and although some stores have tag lines that don't exactly hold true, it's safe to say that SM actually has, well, it all for you. With that said, you can only imagine how excited I was for the SM Accessories Launch last September 16, 2011 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Showing that the SM Accessories line has something for everybody, a bevy of local personalities (some with their kids) and models from both Cebu & Manila walked the runway.

Christina Garcia-Frasco & SM Accessories VP John Kenner Chua

Humberto Villegas, Jamie Zanoria, Cybill Gayatin, & Mikey Sanchez

Arcy Gayatin, Carmen Campbell, Marvi and Rosebud Sala, Marissa Fernan, & Teresin Menezona

Izara Ugarte

Mikel Rama & Mia Arcenas

Patrice Uytengsu

Tess Lampert & her kids

Patrick Rizarri

Agnes Huettel

Of Rings That Don't Fit

One of my favorite things is when something I order online finally arrives. Two weeks ago, though, I received a notice from the post office that actually didn't spark any bit of excitement in me. It was the second notice already, and I couldn't even remember getting a first, but I didn't mind going to the post office to claim the package because first, I was busy with my thesis, and second, I had no idea what the package was (the latter I now see as a stupid reason). I received a THIRD notice in the mail yesterday and finally decided to drive myself downtown to the post office, with a great hope that the package I was about to claim contained something really expensive and/or amazing and/or rare from a generous anonymous person.

I finally got the brown envelope and had to contain myself from tearing it right away because I wanted to document the, say, "unboxing":

 Bubble wrap (that I still have not popped):

 

The package turned out to contain 5 rings that I had ordered from Singapore last... May (so much for my hopes of receiving something expensive and/or amazing and/or rare). Yes, these finger accessories had been waiting to be claimed for about 4 months.

UNFORTUNATELY, they actually didn't fit my Mickey Mouse fingers, so I decided to sell them (my sister, however, claimed ownership of the Darth Vader one). Depressed at how I had to let go of the rings, I ordered myself a mid-afternoon snack in Casino Espanol that I'm sure a normal person would consider to be a full meal (soup + salad + chips + roast beef sandwich + sans rival for just PHP 165!)...

...while my sister had a Carbonara

This post may not be of any significance to you, but I've gained quite a few lessons: don't get your expectations too high lest you want to get disappointed and typing on a laptop is not considered as adequate finger exercise.

Forget Cool

"'Forget Cool’, Fish18's first advertising campaign launched just last May, is an unequivocal expression of its identity. An assertion of Fish18’s individuality, it is bound to resonate with the like-minded Fish18 consumer who dresses not to make an impression but for the pure joy of self-expression” (read more from a previous post)

Fish18 may tell you to forget cool, but I have to say that their branch in SM has got to be one of the, well, coolest stores in the entire mall.

Here's a look at some of the items available in Fish18:

 

And to get myself in the "Forget Cool" mood, I am actually wearing the exact same shirt:

Fish18 is located at The Northwing, SM City Cebu and The Block, Sm North Edsa.

SM AX Fashion Invasion

Did I mention that on the day of the Islands Stay press gathering, I woke up at 9 AM after only 6 hours of sleep (I need at least 9 hours to function properly), went to SM to have my thesis printed & photocopied, buy stuff for my defense (which is happening tomorrow, wish me luck), and went to school at around 1:30 PM to finally pass my paper. I then went to Islands Stay after and thank God there was free Starbucks. I downed 2 cups of coffee, which is why I still had enough energy to attend the SM AX Fashion Invasion at Radisson Blu.

My sister and I arrived a bit later than we had planned because the traffic was terrible. Heavy traffic always stresses me out, even if I know that events almost always never start on time. Anyway, to keep the long story short, we arrived, got to our seats, and waited for the show to start. The opening segment was definitely my favorite part.

 

A group of about 30 models in trench coats and with umbrellas then went on the runway:

Cebu and Davao personalities and celebrities were also featured:

 And for some shameless self-promotion, here's my sister Kristina in a Stitch In The City (the online clothing store we both run) sleeveless top:

Thanks to Katsy, David, and Mikey of Zee for the invite!

Islands Stay Hotels

Yet again, I've found myself with a new blog. The one I used to have on Tumblr got too crazy too often and there were times people couldn't open the site at all. Also, I had trouble with the domain name because I tried transferring it here on Blogspot. I ended up not being able to get it to work, so I tried getting it back on Tumblr... which, again, did not work. So here I am, with the important realization that I am not to mess with these Internet data things, which I clearly lack an understanding of, anymore.
So what could be more fitting for my welcoming entry here on Blogspot than an entry about a... welcoming hotel? Haha. I'm talking about the Islands Stay Hotels (which there are currently 2 of here in Cebu - one in Mactan and another one along Archbishop Reyes, which is literally a 3-minute walk from Ayala). I was invited to attend a small press gathering at the along Archbishop Reyes, and was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into the hotel.

This Henry Miller quote greets as you as you go up the stairs

Embracing the new trend of no-frills accommodations, the place has, well, no frills (and also because you are offered a cold towel as soon as you enter). 

Front desk and snack bar

"Until today, travelers get confused by 'deluxe', 'superior', and 'standard' room classifications," Jay Aldeguer, The Islands Group's Chief Executive Director, explains, which is the reason the rooms in the Islands Stay Hotels are simply labeled S, M, L, and XL. All rooms are equipped with quality beds & linen, rainshowers, flat screen TVs, and free wireless broadband access.

XL room

L room

 

 

 

 

 

I was so amazed at how Starbucks does personalized services.

 "Just because it's a value hotel, it doesn't mean you won't be treated well," says Aldeguer.

Islands Stay concentrates on pure and simple accommodations without the unnecessary fuss that results in high room rates and hidden costs. It offers its guests only the most needed and basic amenities without sacrificing good service and ultimately & most importantly, a great experience.

For more information, check out their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.


Thank you to Jay Aldeguer and Cybill & Kaye of A-List for the invite.