Category Archives: Blogs

INTRODUCING THE NEW SWAROVSKI FALL COLLECTION 2018

This fall Swarovski invites women to express their individuality with style and tell MY STORY after all, nothing says a style story better than jewelry, watches and accessories. There are endless ways to sparkle with the coveted and game-changing Swarovski Remix Collection brimming with a rich variety of strands that can be easily combined to create seemingly endless combinations of bracelets, necklaces, and strandages. The innovative magnetic feature allows for customization so women can spread their sparkle wherever they go and make the world just that little more brilliant.
Swarovski’s Creative Director Nathalie Colin says of the new collection: “Jewelry is an expression of our individual personality, our style and taste. It is very personal and can therefore give a strong identity to every single look. At Swarovski we believe in empowering women to express themselves through our jewelry, to shine brightly and let their sparkle light up the world all day. With the Swarovski Remix Collection, every woman can follow her mood of the day, and create the jewel that best illustrate who she is. Sparkle meets the ultimate in versatility through glittering letters, birthstones and symbol charms to offer women a palette of options to create one-of-a-kind statements of style and offer seemingly endless ways to sparkle all day, every day.”

Mix and match the collection to create a piece of jewelry that nobody else has and easily adapt it anytime to the mood or occasion. Channel cool romantic, vintage glam, and sparkling elegance styles with chic and elegant combinations that take you from day to night.

There is a bright new line added into the mix this season with easy to clip on Swarovski Remix Charms in the form of Swarovski crystal pavé letters, colorful birthstones, and shimmering symbols.

Spell it out and tell your story with alphabet letters, ideal for those who love the more minimalist style with maximum meaning. Plated in rhodium for luxe appeal, dazzling initials shine brightly in clear Swarovski crystal pavé, give any outfit a personal touch, and make brilliant gifts.

It’s all about the finer details with the beautifully crafted birthstone Swarovski Remix Charms. Every month of the year is represented by a beautiful birthstone, each with its own meaning. The reverse of each piece features the Swan logo and glittering Swarovski crystal pavé, while the eye-catching front brings dazzling pops of color to everyday looks and make thoughtful gifts that will stand the test of time.

Sentimental and symbolic jewelry is taking center stage. Swarovski offers a shining array of versatile symbols that are beautifully finished on both sides to express as well as protect oneself, including the evil eye, hamsa hand, swan, moon, and star.

The Swarovski Remix Collection celebrates diversity with brilliantly versatile designs that raise the style stakes this season and empower women to shine bright and share their sparkle with the world. About Swarovski

Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting. The Swarovski Crystal Business is run by the fifth generation of family members and has a global reach with approximately 3,000 stores in around 170 countries, more than 27,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.7 billion euros in 2017.

Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2017, the Group generated revenue of about 3.5 billion euros and employed more than 32,000 people. A responsible relationship with people and the planet has always been an integral part of Swarovski’s heritage, and is embedded today in the company’s well-established global sustainability agenda.

In addition, global Swarovski Waterschool education program has reached 500,000 children on the world’s greatest rivers, and the Swarovski Foundation, set up in 2013, works to support culture and creativity, promote the rights and wellbeing of women and children, and conserve natural resources to achieve positive social impact.

In the Philippines, Swarovski is available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, and Rustan’s Ayala Cebu.  Swarovski is also available through boutiques owned and operated by Stores Specialists, Inc. located at Newport Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia and TriNoma Mall, and The Podium Mall. Follow @ssilifeph and @rustansph on Instagram or visit www.ssilife.com.phfor more information.


SSI Group, 30 Years of the Curated Life

On its 30^th year, the SSI Group partners with one of the world’s leading banks, Citibank, to bring the Curated Life to every Filipino with rewarding shopping experiences and perks. With a retail network of over 600 stores and various retail format offerings, the SSI Group continues to make an impact on the lifestyle values of its consumers, by inspiring, enabling, indulging, and rallying them to live a life well-lived—a life that’s well-curated.

 Always a breath of fresh air being with this pretty lady, Karen @karenskitchenph
As usual she is so thoughtful and brought me pasalubong from Cebu and a book reminding me of my wife duties 🙂
Karen is known as Karen’s Kitchen baking the best pastries but aside from that she channels her time with other things. She is also a good writer and you can follow her at @butterflyinthespring1 ( instagram ) and her website here https://butterflyinthespring.com

She said that one day she will publish a book. Let’s keep that in suspense for now. She spends a lot of her time accompanying her husband both for work and pleasure.
Thank you Karen for your friendship and looking forward to more adventures together ?? #butterflyinthespring#h2hpeople

Click below to go to her blog

Faith Encouragement through Life Seasons

Sunday family lunch for the bienvenida of Gaby 🙂  who is in Manila for a year as a teacher.  She will also be writing a book about her grandpa 🙂    Roast Pork cuapao buns Momofuku style (served with pickled cucumber, leeks and hoisin sauce) by Chef Michelle Tomacruz @chefmichelledt Not only is her food good it’s also good value for money. P2,100 for all that! Contact 631-0541 / 635-0351 / cell 917-8122354 and ask for her complete list. She also has a lot of choices! See whatelse we had for Sunday lunch by John and Keena #h2hsundayfamilylunch#h2hpartyplatters #h2hpork

There’s a new Starbucks @starbucksph in Terminal 3 (International )after immigration yipee  #starbucksph#h2hstarbucks

 Meghan Markle in Givenchy Haute Couture

The House of Givenchy is honoured to announce that Artistic Director Clare Waight Keller custom designed the wedding gown worn by Meghan Markle to the Royal Wedding on May 19^th, 2018 in London UK.

Clare Waight Keller states:

“It is truly an honor to have been given the opportunity to closely collaborate with Meghan Markle on such a remarkable occasion. We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasize the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts. In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle. As a British designer at a Parisian Haute Couture house, and on behalf of all of us at Givenchy who have been able to experience such an extraordinary process of creativity, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Kensington Palace for allowing us to be part of this historical chapter. It has been an immensely rewarding experience to get to know Meghan on a personal level, one I will forever carry with me. The House of Givenchy joins me in wishing her and Prince Harry every wish of happiness in their future.”

The Wedding Dress

The dress epitomizes a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian Haute Couture atelier founded in 1952.

True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasizes the slender sculptured waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple skirt organza. The slim three quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.

The Veil

Ms. Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.

The veil is five meters long and made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza. Each flower was worked flat, in three dimensions to create a unique and delicate design. The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine. In addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, Ms. Markle also selected two personal favorites.

Symmetrically placed at the very front of the veil, crops of wheat are delicately embroidered and blend into the flora, to symbolize love and charity.

The Wedding Shoes

The wedding shoes are based on the Givenchy refined pointed SS18 Haute Couture design made of a silk duchess satin.

The Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Clare Waight Keller also designed the six bridesmaids’ dresses, hand crafted in the Givenchy Haute Couture Atelier in Paris. The dresses were designed to have the same timeless purity as Ms. Markle’s dress.

Each dress is sculpted in Ivory silk radzimir, and is high waisted with short puff sleeves and hand finished with a double silk ribbon detail tied at the back in a bow. The Bridesmaids’ dresses include pockets and pleated skirts to create a relaxed and luxurious silhouette.

Credits:

Wedding dress by Givenchy Haute Couture by Clare Waight Keller

Official portraits (taken at Windsor Castle) by Alexi Lubomirski

The copyright in the photographs is vested in The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

In the Philippines, Givenchy is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, and Solaire. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifephon Instagram for more information.

GIANVITO ROSSI SPRING SUMMER 2018

 An overt sensuality inspired by the lingerie world rings through the Gianvito Rossi Spring Summer 2018 collection where a fetish undertone and intriguing transparencies define the new season. The ultimate expression of seduction, the shoes become statement pieces that reveal and expose a woman’s more intimate side with class and sass.

A well-defined message that starts with an exclusive array of materials – stretch lace, mesh, Plexiglas and Latex – matched to, or alternated with leather, suede and stretch satin.

In signature Gianvito Rossi style, the silhouettes are clean, lean and graphic with a predominance of towering stiletto heels and pointy toes, the latter are also used on sandals and mules creating an unexpected new silhouette.

Mules, sandals, pumps, booties and boots dominate the offering for a round-the-clock elegance. Here and there, dainty bows, feathers and rhinestone buckles provide an extra touch of modern glamour. The color palette features an abundance of white, black, blush and sparks of red, purple and fuchsia, plus flashes of silver and gold.

Embroidered lace, at times fused on a mesh base, sets the mood, whether wrapped around the ankle on the Halle cuffed sandals, on lace-up booties, or slithering all the way up to the knee and beyond on the sexy cut-out Isabella boots. On the scalloped open-toe Missy or pointy Brinn bootie, black and red lace create an on-trend sock effect, like the one obtained with black mesh inserted inside the Idol ankle-strap sandal.

Latex is combined with patent leather, again as an ankle detail or on the open-toe laced-up Ree ankle boot, setting off a high-impact contrast both in terms of colors and textures. True to its name, the G-String sandals are crafted with thin strips of leather matched to see-through Plexi for an inventive nude effect. A combination of innuendo and elegance for strong-minded women who are not afraid to show their sensual side.

 Gianvito Rossi is available in Rustan’s.

We were given drawstring bags
 in preparation for our Melukat 🙂

When I read this, i could not refuse the experience 🙂

MELUKAT
Experience a Balinese moment bathing in sacred waters in a traditional water purification ceremony, ridding the mind and body of negative influences. Let go of stress and sin from current or past lives, according to Balinese beliefs.

The History:
Traditionally referred to as “Melukat,” derived from the word “Lukat” which means to purify in Balinese, the soul purification is centered on holy water. The Melukat ceremony cleanses the mind and soul spiritually, to eliminate negative influences from the body. This tradition has been passed from generation to generation.

The Process:
Melukat is done by connecting the body with stone, front and back alternately, such as entering a waterfall, so that the body is only half seen. With the hard sound of the water, the body is washed by water, the mind is washed by honesty, and the soul is cleansed by wisdom. Water used for bathing is believed to be sacred. #melukat#eoabcbali2018 #eophilippines #h2heo

 You have to wear a sarong or else you have to rent one We left our little things here before entering.  though we were prepared and came in bathing suits underneath our clothes already
 

 The water was very very cold!!! 🙂  Bali crafts while waiting to take your turn in the bath 🙂

JENNIFER LOPEZ WEARS TIFFANY & CO. IN MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “EL ANILLO

Jennifer Lopez exclusively donned Tiffany & Co. throughout her latest music video for her new song “El Anillo,” which is Spanish for “The Ring.” The focal point of the video is an Emerald Cut, Internally Flawless 15 carat Tiffany diamond engagement ring, which is presented to Lopez in the brand’s new personalized Tiffany Blue® engagement ring box, embossed with gold initials “JL.”

Lopez is also styled in a variety of pieces including two stunning bracelets from the newest collection, Tiffany Paper Flowers™

Additionally, Lopez gleamed in gold wearing the Elsa Peretti Bone Cuffs and rings from the T Collection stacked on both hands.

Tiffany & Co. is available in Rustan’s.