Each time I pass by home décor and fine jewelry store, Firma in Greenbelt 2, I always do a double…read moretake. Consistently well-designed and always remarkable, Firma's store tableaus are always a source of inspiration. They are always a good introduction of what's in store for its visitors. Filled with lovely (and very expensive) pieces for the home, Firma's selection leans more towards an Asian or Eastern sensibility. (It's also noteworthy to point out that Firma is the brainchild by the same duo that own AC+632 in Greenbelt 3, a home décor store with a more European sensibility). It's always a pleasure for my to pore over Firma's selection of fine trays and china, sculptural home décor items and incredible fine jewelry made by local artisans. Aside from the décor and jewelry, there is also a selection of quirky hats and handbags for the lady or gent with offbeat taste.

My mum's an interior designer so she'd always take me with her when I was a little kid (until now…read moreactually, haha) whenever she'd go canvas for items in furniture or home accessories stores. It has actually turned into a special mother-daughter time. Firma to me is a unique furniture store...unlike any I've seen because of the amazingggg, must-see store displays that change every month or every other month (Seriously, I need to know who does those. I want to hire them to design some of the rooms in my future home!). They are art masterpieces on it's own. I also love the very homey vibe you feel when you enter the store. It's like you're transported to a beautiful, exotic, old-world Eurasian country. The only thing missing is a wise, old Chinese man greeting you by the door as a bell chimes. Their home accessories are quirky but glamorous and you can also find some vintage items there. If you love statement jewelry, you will LOVE their display of gorgeous wildlife, nature and sea inspired pieces. They're like gems you'd find in a treasure chest. I only find the store a bit small. I wish it were bigger as I'd love to see more stuff from them. I've bought bohemian-y jewelry from them before and they have turned into everyday jewelry for me and I do get a lot of compliments from wearing them. I love stopping by the store every time I'm in Greenbelt.

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

I can't remember how many times I've been to the Landmark since I moved to Manila. I guess it was…read morethe first store my husband showed me. I remember that entering there was like a baptism, a début. I could almost hear the voice over: "Welcome, Danyella! This is the one and only Landmark! Here you'll find EVERYTHING you may need from now on. And for a cheaper price!". Did I say EVERYTHING? Yes, because that's exactly the feeling you have when you enter the Landmark. I just cannot decide where to look at. All products catch my attention. It's crazy. I'll give you a short list of what I already bought there, so you can feel the vibe: a Hello Kitty towel as a monito monita gift; a beautiful tea pot; maternity clothes; comfortable shoes; baby onesies; underwear; step ladders to reach high shelves; cute notebooks; toiletries; Instax instant film; scarfs; bags; a wallet; table linens and much more items. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the grocery. It's cheaper than Rustan's and even SM and you can find great variety. TIP: They sell Santis's meats and cold cuts at Landmark! I highly recommend it because of the quality. It's great to have this facility, so I don't have to split my grocery list anymore and go to Santis Deli at Rockwell.

So many cutesy butingting, so little room in the house…read more There is a section at the Landmark Department Store that can be considered a haven for hipsters - in that it features products that are shabby chic, and full of typography and graphic designed travel stuff. As you enter from the walkway that connects it to Greenbelt, you'll see the area on travel-inspired designs of notebooks and planners. And then there's the tin-can containers reminiscent of the things we used in the 80s as kids but the design is more English rose country and shabby chic. Still some of the home decor items are of prints and typography that would fit any room occupied by a hipster. Not that I'm a hipster, lol. But they are soooo cute!

My mother-in-law is not a fan of Chinese zodiac signs and their meanings, but she believes in the…read moreenergy of gemstones. Hence, each year she buys charms and bracelets that are appropriate for her and her children's Chinese zodiac signs. On the year that she turned 59, I decided to buy her a bracelet that would protect her from harm and boost her health. Since my mother-in-law has a good fashion sense, I knew that I needed to buy her something that's charming and genuine. Therefore, buying from a tiangge was not an option. I scoured many stores that sell good-luck bracelets and charms, but the place where I found what I was looking for was The Red Jasper in Power Plant Mall. This place sells Asian-inspired jewelry and accessories that are enchanting but a bit pricey. Still, I believe that I got good value for my money because the stones and quartz set in my mother-in-law's bracelet were solid, cold (meaning genuine), and heavy. The best part my purchase was when I saw her happily using my gift.

Vintage Grail, which is located at The Peninsula Manila right in the middle of Makati CBD, has an…read moreinsane collection of vintage and modern watches - just about everything you can't seem to find anywhere else. I walked in and came across a wide range of vintage Rolex Daytona and GMT models and a full lineup of Patek Philippe Nautilus and Aquanaut watches up for sale. They mentioned that they can source watches from around the world as well. Definitely a must visit for watch collectors who happen to be in Makati!

Horrible staff. They laughed when I wanted to inquire about their inventory. They did not even…read moreoffer to let me try on anything

One of the most disappointing things about being a guy is the lack of manjewellry. Earings,…read morenecklaces, and bracelets are all borderline cases, and the only clearly masculine accessory is the watch. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to visit Lucerne (the city or the store), so a visit to its more accessible younger brother Washington is an option. That sounds like a potshot, but it isn't; some people just want to know the time, and the differences in timekeeping between brands is marginal at best. One just has to make sure that they buy from a reputable dealer and one that offers servicing, and Washington has been around long enough to be the best at what it does. I come here sometimes to check if they have anything new, and between the Rolexes you'll find younger leaning brands like UBoat or Seven Friday. Neither of those are to my tastes, but they do have Tudor--whose recent resurgence has turned them into a design darling and not just Rolex's inferior brother.