Hit up Dapitan Arcade on a random Saturday morning last month looking for some cute plates to…read morespruce up my dinner parties, and holy crap, I walked out like a kid in a candy store. The place is this chaotic maze of stalls bursting with everything--gorgeous ceramic plates in patterns you won't find in malls, stacks of mason jars for peanuts (grabbed a bunch at like ₱40 each), quirky little gnomes, funky lighting, and even those trendy gold-rimmed teacups that make instant coffee feel fancy. Prices are stupidly low, so my ₱800 budget turned into three full bags of treasures I didn't even know I needed. Haggling was half the fun--smiled, asked nicely, and knocked off a good chunk every time. Yeah, it's hot, a bit crowded, and smells like the wet market next door, but that's part of the charm. Left feeling like I scored big and already planning my next trip for Christmas lights. Absolute treasure hunt heaven. 5 stars, no contest.

If you're a person who loves cheap finds, gets kilig when you see unusual stuff, and doesn't mind…read moresweating when you're bargain-hunting, the Dapitan Arcade is a place that you should visit. Situated along Dapitan St. and Kanlaon St., the arcade is a collection of small stalls and kiosks that sells glassware, murals, ceramic plates, lighting fixtures, decorations, and a multitude of home furnishings at very affordable prices. There are some stuff here that will make you say, "hmm.. I don't really need this thing but it's cute and inexpensive, might as well get it." By the time you leave, you'll have two hands worth of shopping bags. I frequent Dapitan Arcade whenever I need ceramic and wood plates, mason jars and other glasses, and other things that I might need for my cooking and plating. They have a lot of plate designs that are not available elsewhere. When I use them for plating my dishes, it makesmy food feel more sosyal, meaning I can charge more haha. The very trendy mason jars are available here. The normal size ones go for around P50.00. They sell per piece and by bulk. The latter will always get you an ever better price. As early as September, the arcade takes on a more festive look because they start selling Christmas decorations and lights. You want to have a miniature Santa Clause swinging from a light post? Or a robotic St. Nick jiggling his merry booty to some Christmas tunes? Well, they got 'em. And a whole lot of other fun stuff too! When you visit, make sure to bring your "kapal" face so you can ask for discounts. Take away: unusual finds and good deals. Your P1000 pesos will go a long way here!

Best place to find those one-of-a-kind accessories and furniture. Even if you're not shopping, a…read moretrip down here is just so inspirational!

From the owner: Furniture & Home decor/Interior Designread more

This place offers a wide variety of Filipino handcrafted items. There's a large selection of…read moretraditional and artisan products from wooden decor, parols (star lanterns), fans, capiz frames, pearls, cookware, furniture, to clothing and local food items. This is a great place for unique souvenirs or gifts. This is a great place to shop for gifts & souvenirs. Great options if you're taking gifts home. Can be pricey but very unique gifts.

As soon as we walked in, a lady was called to assist us and hold a basket for us and also answer…read moreany questions. They have a large selection of balikbayan items. Prices are fair.

Slow living and handmade things - that's what Craftsmith Living aims to instill in their customers…read more You will be shocked because you will find the most bespoke, indie and minimalist shop in a housing tower. Located at the second floor of Crown Tower, you will feel like you're in a another country upon seeing the store. When you enter, it feels like you've entered a studio of an artist. You will see rustic items everywhere - from the wall, to the tables, and even to the merchandises. It makes you think you've been transported to Copenhagen. Magazines like Kinfolk, Cereal and Truve are available here, all of which are leisure magazines. High-end looking arts and crafts materials such as nib pens, notebooks, cards can also be found here. If you're looking for home stuff it's also found here! There are just different kinds of items you can find, it's hard to categorize them! I can't stop thinking on how pretty the place is - calligraphy posters are everywhere, along with vintage looking ones. How I wish my room could look that artsy all the time!

AC+632 always has, hands-down, the best store window displays in any local mall here in the city…read more Always dressed to the nines and conceptualized with so much imagination and creativity, I always can't help but take a minute to stop and marvel at their story-filled tableaus. An interesting store filled to the brim with all sorts of interesting pieces like fine jewelry, clothes, tableware, garden tools, and all sorts of bric-a-brac, stepping inside AC+632 is like entering the charming boudoir of a 18th century French monarch. The touches found inside are very much distinct that it almost feels as if you were transported into a European city. Make sure to comb through the whole store and keep your eyes peeled for something curious and interesting. Since it's very packed with so much stuff, there might be lots of gems that you might miss out on.

I have such trouble remembering this store's name. Whenever I try to describe this store to my…read morefriends, I usually end up just saying "that expensive store that has a lot of pretty and weird stuff and has some letters and numbers in its name". AC+632 is one of those stores that you really have a hard time trying to fit into a category, as it sells a lot of things--home decor, accessories, clothing, antiques/strange artifacts, body products, and the list goes on. The only common thing about these items is that they are pricey. But, this store really attracts a lot of window shoppers such as myself. The experience is like going inside a museum--you just look at things because it's entertaining and can somewhat be educational. And, their window displays are amazing--all whimsical and tastefully curated. Well...except for the taxidermied animals (I DESPERATELY hope these are fake) and framed, preserved insects such as butterflies that make me SO ANGRY because it's so cruel :(

Whenever I find myself in Greenbelt 5, I always make it a point to visit the Bleach Lifestyle…read moreStore, an inspired retail space specializing in creating edgy and quirky home pieces for the customer who has a penchant for art and design. Working a lot with linens and the process of silk-screening, having a Bleach piece in your home is akin to owning a piece of art. May it be a 15th century French painting on a pillow, cracked white paint on a placemat, vintage signage on an apron - it will certainly be a talking piece and a piece that talks. The store itself is a work of art. Painted in white with wooden accents, it acts like a canvas for the items found in the store. And as usual, it was hard for me to walk out empty-handed. My home is filled with Bleach items - from my bed, to my couch to my dining table - Bleach is very present. So much so that my place already looks like another outpost of the brand. And I like it like that.

This store first made headlines as a clothing store that catered to those with a more off-kilter…read morefashion sense. There were tops that you weren't sure were dresses and even had collaborations with the likes of Cecile Van Straten whose statement tees went something like "Revenge Is Sweeter Than Dessert." These days, the store has dropped "Catastrophe" and simply goes by the name Bleach. The major overhaul not only came with a newly renovated store but also with new items to purchase. From an apparel and accessories store, Bleach has transformed into a lifestyle hub that houses small items for the home and now just a handful of clothes. The wit and character are all still there despite the change in merchandise. Place mats that read "Cheat Day" to throw pillows covered with digital images of cigarette butts in ashtrays stay true to the store's DNA. I'm no hipster so my favorite items in the store are definitely the pillows. Just the right amount of "non-conformis cool," the throw pillows add personality to any room. Depending on the season and collection, the pillows can easily go from cutesy to grungy so best get your hands on a pillow that you like when you can.

Can i grow organic herbs and vegetables for my every day cooking in my living room, without soil…read moreand not worry about watering them? Yes, i can!! I am not dreaming, nor kidding. The store Grass roots is offering a product called "Urban Farm" which can do everything that i mentioned above. Urban Farmer is a hydroponic system that is built inside a cabinet which you can place anywhere in your house. Hydroponics is a system of growing plants without having to use soil. The conditions in a hydroponics system are same throughout the year allowing year round growth of plants. The system also uses only 10% of water as against the traditional methods. I was informed that using this system you can produce 4 times more and the plants grow at a much faster pace. However it all comes with a price. The big cabinet costs 90,000 peso and a smaller one with two trays comes for 30,000 peso. This is something i would really want to buy once i save up enough money.

I'm a big fan of stores that are nationalistic, quality-oriented and eco-friendly. Grassroots is…read morejust that. Their products - (furniture and home accessories) are all made out of indigenous materials and have high standard craftsmanship made by skilled weavers from provinces. Another thing I love about the store is the distinct and modern Filipino-island themed motif they have for all of their products. They even have collections to choose from so if you want to pair certain items with the same materials or color scheme or mix and match, you can definitely do so. What's more is that they also do custom work so if you want something specially made, go for it! I haven't bought any furniture from them since I don't have a place of my own yet but I do love their picture frames and storage boxes. I love jewelry so I have gotten some jewelry boxes for myself and my mum (she has a jewelry collection that can match Rachel Zoe's!) and I also gave her some watch boxes which she adored.

I have been to many furniture shops here in Metro Manila, but this is the first time I have fallen…read morein love with one. As soon as I stepped inside A-11, the place took my breath away. I have never seen so many beautiful yet functional bespoke furniture and decorative pieces in my life. Eric Paras is a goddamn genius and I am so thankful I finally found my way to his showroom. I have never coveted furniture the way I did during my visit there, and if I were living in a big enough place (and had the money to begin with) I may have bought half the joint out. Talking about that though, the price point's obviously high over here, but for what you're getting, it's totally worth the investment. These are statement pieces that will stand the test of time. You should really look into this place and see if there is something here for you and your home.

Manila is a city filled with interesting places found off the beaten path. Once such space is A-11…read moreFurniture Gallery, local interior designer Eric Paras' beautiful showroom housed in a spacious compound along F.B. Harrison Street in Pasay City. The compound itself is a sight to behold with its row of liberation-style houses, five of which were renovated and restored as The Henry Hotel; a boutique hotel project helmed by Paras himself. At the edge of the compound sits A-11 in all its post-war glory. Upon entering, I couldn't help but be taken aback by the beautiful interiors, put together so tastefully by the designer. The showroom feels very much like a lived-in residence, whose owner probably just went off to the market. You may not see him or her, but every inch of the space undoubtedly has his or her mark. Perhaps one of the grandest displays in the room is a wall of decorative plates artfully arranged and looking out to a beautiful tableau of ceramic and porcelain tableware. The kitchen is another sight to behold with its high-ceilings and rustic kitchenware on display. Upstairs, the colonial rooms are dressed up in a contemporary way while still keeping a vintage feel. One really can't help but feel enthused as each room is perused. If you are on the hunt for some inspiration on furnishing your home, a visit to A-11 is definitely a must.