Back in high school (whoa, major throwback right there), Glorietta was the only cool place to hang…read moreout in. There were only a handful of stores I could visit where I could actually afford to buy something. Broadway Gems was one of those places. What was a simple store to get scrunchies, headbands and clips from has grown at a phenomenal rate. They now have several branches across the metro. The size of their stores and the product lines have also grown significantly. They now offer shades, jewelry and my favorite additions: tiaras and wigs! Many years after first experiencing the wonders of Broadway Gems and they still make me feel like a giddy high schooler.

If you're looking for ANYTHING that you want to put on your hair, this is the place! From headbands…read moreto clips and extensions... you'll find anything in a huge variety of colours! Nothing too elegant but does the job! :D

Just the place to get some bargain knock offs! Yep, I'm cheap. Everyone's respectful and no one…read morepushes their stuff on to you. Just check them out and get only what you want.

Over the years, Tumblr users have skyrocketed. It's so popular that a lot of kids, teens and hip…read moreyuppies get inspiration from Tumblr blogs. May it be photography, quotes, memes, gifs, art, pop culture, style and most especially fashion. My friend actually introduced my sister and I to Fashion Market. After learning about it, we go there every time were at this mall. Fashion Market is split into 2 sides on the mall - the left and the right. I suggest going through all stores. It can take hours though, haha, but you won't regret it. They have every style and trend you'd typically see on Tumblr, fashion blogs, Youtube beauty channels and fashion week! Inside, you'll also find spas, salons, money changers and ATM's. The prices range from super inexpensive to normal clothing price rates. A lot of stores sell super hip shoes, clothes, hats, shades and even prom dresses and traditional Filipino costumes. Definitely check out these stores I frequent when you're there - (right side) Push Thru, Mastermind Chase and Muradito, (left side) Nava, Berca and Ballow. Happy shopping! :)

My friend introduced my sister and me to N. Cat. We were hanging out and checked out Japan Home…read moreCenter because it was nearing Christmas and we had last minute presents to shop for. Originally, I wasn't going to buy anything as my friend and sister was. They wanted to find simple, everyday jewelry to add to their collection. I was only going to look around but then I saw some really cool stuff that I just had to buy. I bought this hand mirror that was very 'Beauty & the Beast' and very Anna Sui (one of my favorite fashion designers). Anna Sui products are sooo expensive that I never owned anything by the brand. Until then, I'll settle for the really pretty, gothic dupe mirror I got from N. Cat. They also had a mini version with an equally beautiful comb so naturally, I had to buy that too, hehe. I got some rings, necklaces (one with a bullet pendant), pretty pearl headbands (so I can feel like a mermaid or channel Queen Mary from the television show 'Reign') and (I got a panda and skulls) phone accessories as well. Their accessories are affordable and I discovered that they don't tarnish and make my skin green. Bonus points for that! They also just opened a store in Market! Market! so if you're in the area, check it out!

I feel like it's a quintessential female trait to loose hair accessories and the ever elusive bobby…read morepin. We don't mean to do it. They just simply disappear. It makes me think that bobby pins are actually alien life forms who visit us, hang for a bit and then leave. Or they could also be those playful pixies who mess with you so they can have fun. There could also be a black hole specifically made for bobby pins. *dundundunnn* Haha, I just love conspiracy theories. I wouldn't be surprised if bobby pins were part of the Illuminati. It can get pretty hassling and expensive for us girls when we lose our precious hair ornaments and hair accessory survival kits for everyday especially in this hot and humid weather. It's a good thing that there's Marcella. Whenever I need a good and cheap hair item, I always visit this store. They have rows upon rows of any hair tie or clip, headbands and hair ornaments you could ever want, even scrunchies! They also sell some prom accessories so you can also stop by Marcella if you want something inexpensive. Especially since you're only using it/them for one night.

If there was a store that would be the epitome of me, it would be A'postrophe. My style and…read moreinterests are very eclectic - bohemian, old world, vintage, Gothic, antique-y, Renaissance-esque...the same style of the accessories and clothes A'postrophe sells. I'm a huge fan of their hip and cool items like hats with cat ears (I bought 2 of different colors and because I love cats), rings with skulls and tea cups on top, flats with an embroidered skull design, mugs with Renaissance paintings printed on them as well as wallets, containers that look like vintage books and a lot of bohemian themed stuff! I pretty much mentioned most of the stuff I've bought from them, hehe. One time, I was looking for birthday presents for my sister and I loved the stuff I got her from the store so much that I got myself the same things! Crazy, I know but I can't help myself when I'm in this store. Pull me away if you see me passing by! Haha! Sadly, some of their stuff is a bit pricey but they do have sales on sale season so you can watch out for that. :)

I've had a recent interest in kooky jewelry using found objects and odds and ends, stringing them…read moreonto chains or rope and wearing them as necklaces. There's really nothing skillful or crafty about it, but it's fun to do with stuff that are pretty but you have no idea what to do with them. And I don't know anywhere else to get small chains but in Quiapo, at Joyo Fashion Accessories. It's very easy to miss this store walking along Evangelista St. from the Recto LRT Station, since it's covered by the area's wealth of stands hawking religious items, flowers, and candles, but it's not hard to find, really, since it's near the church and one of few stalls there that aren't selling construction supplies or phones and gadgets. If you've ever been around the stores in Quiapo, it's very much like most other places there, just stacks and racks and walls of stuff everywhere. You see necklaces, earrings, rings, and other accessories first before you get to the actual good stuff--beads, charms, trinkets, lace, cording, and other things you'll need to make your own jewelry. There are other places in the area selling similar things, but Joyo has an advantage being closer to Recto Station, and being in the somehow calmer, less dense area of Quiapo.

I love shopping at Claire's especially at Christmas time and I have a lot gifts for my tween and…read moreteen godchildren. They have the cutest items that are great for that age range. The truth is, I also buy a lot of things at Claire's for myself. They have a lot of hip accessories like sunglasses, jewelry, hats and bags. The best gift I found there were locked diaries for tweens with cute owl designs and a bejeweled red one. They are also among the few stores that have gloves, we're not really a glove-wearing country so that's a bit hard to find before Claire's. And they also carry the Prism line of Katy Perry. They often go on sale offering buy 1, take 1 promos for items of the same price. If you ever chance upon one of those, I suggest going big on the shopping because you will always be able to find young girls and those young-at-heart to give the items to.

Claire's is every pre-teens dream come true. When i would vacation in the US, my shopping itinerary…read morealways included Claire's for all my kikay needs. Their accessories are the best! They sell colorful hair pieces as well as cute earrings, belly rings (for the rebellious kind) and even boy band merchandise. Just so you know, i didnt buy any of the Justin Bieber stuff when he was super famous. In grade 6, all my classmates wanted to have my denim wallet which had glitters and the world Angel stitched on the front part. When i told them it was from Claire's their faces looked a bit upset because they knew they wouldnt be able to buy it right away. When i saw Claire's open their first branch in BGC i remember feeling what i used to feel when i wouls enter their US stores before. Unfortunately i was already working so i decided to be happy for the preteens instead. I still pass by once in a while and delight in the cute stuff they have.

Personally, I'm a minimalist in fashion, style and aesthetics, but I've always had an affinity for…read moreSoutheast Asian handicrafts, artistry and intricate detail, so it was such a delight to see that this beautiful store exists here in Manila. It's really HARD to miss, because the pops of color everywhere will really draw you in to take a wander. This store reminded me of the flea markets in Jalan Surabaya in Jakarta--batik, bright and earthy colors, intricate prints, designs with a slight hint of European influence, trinkets from the past making its way into the present. This shop is extremely well-curated that not one item for sale seems out of place. Beautiful, beaded accessories, oversized plush batik kangaroos (really popular in Indonesia, I have smaller dinosaur versions of these), flowy pants with intricate prints, intricate embroidery on everything... It's really as if you're walking around in a stylish, well-traveled woman's closet full of personal treasures handpicked from her trips around Asia. Their goods inspire you to travel/remind you of your travels, and each piece tells a story and evokes a sense of culture. I love how just putting on even just one Southeast-asian inspired accessory--may it be a necklace, batik scarf, or flowy, paisley pants--makes your outfit comes alive instantly from basic everyday to exotic, chic jetsetter (also, a good way to "fake it" and look like a well-traveled, stylish backpacker, if I might say so. Haha!).

For quite some time, a friend and I have been trying to find an excuse to buy something from…read moreL'Indochine. With my friend having to buy treats for when they head to the U.S. for summer, it was the perfect excuse to go crazy at L'Indochine. Their goods are sourced from all over Asia and are of very good quality - from trinkets to home decor, from accessories to clothing. Merely looking at and appreciating everything in this store can already take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, so all the more when you have two ladies deciding on what to get for several other people. My friend finally decided to get handcrafted bracelets in assorted colors from Thailand, and silver I.D. statement bracelets to give to cousins and friends. While she was shopping, I found something I fancied myself. With the unforgiving summer heat, I gravitated towards the dresses and found a loose fitting yet very fashion-forward dress that i felt perfect for the hot summer days when I have to be comfortable without sacrificing style. We got out of the store with our buys of the day happy and vibrant, just like the vibe of the store itself.

I may be giving out my age here but this shop used to be my best friend when cellular phones and…read morethe internet are not yet household names. I go to Papemelroti when I need to send a love letter to the girl I'm courting. Yes kids, it's that thing where you use an actual pen and paper to communicate with the girl you like. We really used to do that. And you have to wait for a day or even several days just to receive a response. Papemelroti has stationaries and notebooks made out of recycled paper with cute designs and vintage look. The said stationaries and notebooks also have nice designs and even sayings. They also sell trinkets like brass necklaces and bracelets. They even have little jewelry boxes made of recycled materials. The fact that Ms. Patty, who partly owns Papemelroti together with her siblings, is such a nice person is another reason for me to continue patronizing this store. Yes, the first two letters of Papemelroti is from her name. RO is for Robert, the sibling who is the creator of the designs and drawings you see in their products. Their classic and beautiful items should be more than enough reason for customers to continue patronizing them. If you need another reason then it's nice to know that the crafts and trinkets that they sell are handmade by mothers living in destitute areas. Papemelroti provides them with materials and pays them for the labor. Just keep in mind that everytime you purchase an item from Papemelroti, you are also supporting these mothers who found a decent livelihood because of Papemelroti.

Ever since I started working, there was never a year that I did not receive a gift coming from…read morePapemelroti. This just goes to show that this rustic-vintage inspired store is on top of a lot people's list for gift items. I can't blame them, it's on top of mine too. The place sells a wide array of stationery made of recycled paper which gives their items the old fashioned vibe without making it look used or scrappy. They also have small trinkets and thingamajigs perfect for giveaways or tabletop displays. What I usually get from this store is their small boxes of inspirational messages that can brighten anyone's day in a jiff. I would just tie a little ribbon around it and it's good to go. I wouldn't have to spend a little extra for gift wrapping. So the next time a friend or family member celebrates anything and you can't think of a present to give, you can always go back to the basics and give this place a visit.

Everywhere I travel in Asia I seek out a Muji. For travel items,stationary,tee shirts,kitchen ware…read more( I still use a pair of heat resistant silicone tipped extra long chopsticks when wok frying I bought in HK 10 years ago). Japanese minimalism at its finest..... hop inside if you see one.

I love this store, period. It's clean and simple and everything I want my home to be, but…read moreunfortunately isn't. I think people are drawn to this store because it makes even the most mundane things in your home look cool. With barely any color, this store manages to capture the eyes of most who walk by. I'm fascinated with all the store offers from clothing to shelving needs, notebooks & pens, travel gear, home wares, personal hygiene products and even food in some of the outlets. How a company can manufacture so many different products and still be successful and profitable is a feat. I don't care how they do it because I get to enjoy the benefits of their clever little store. The prices are definitely on the high side, which is a good thing. Otherwise, I would be walking away with the entire store and trying to figure out where to put it all. The only thing that bothers me is all the plastic. I wish they would move away from all the plastic and switch to glass. This is for all their personal care items. There is too much synthetic crap in the world and Japan is great at taking the environment seriously. Muji, please take note and do your part to switch to glass!