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! :)

Remember when you were in highschool and you had no idea what to wear for Prom? Well back then, we…read moreonly had beepers and tamagochis and the internet had almost nothing in it. There were no smart phones, no Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to help us figure out what kind of dress was best. Even more, most of our stores back then were local. No Zara or Mango stores at the time and if we needed something formal, a trip to the local mananahi with our mothers who usually decide on everything was our only option. Nowadays, kids have it easy. They can easily just go to Se La Vi Clothing and walk away worry-free, clutching a new gown that fits like a glove. It's no wonder so many ladies trust this shop- they can create a custom dress from scratch, working with little as a sketch and create something beautiful in a short amount of time. For students in need of a prom dress, I suggest you get in touch with Angelie Sevilla, the owner at least 2 months before your prom. Best to get ahead of everyone.

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. :)

So it's been 17 years since last went to the Philippines, and I didn't know what to expect…read more What a pleasant surprise it was when my parents and I checked in to the Airbnb and we find out that the Venice Grand Canal Mall was just across the street. I spent a lot of time here. As soon as you walk into the mall, it doesn't feel like you're in the Philippines anymore. The canal was nice to see during the day and at night. You can even take a gondola through the canal. They also have an area where you can feed pigeons seeds. They have a lot of the stores and the restaurants that we have in the US. I was joking around saying that I traveled 7200 miles to eat at a Denny's in the Philippines. Lol. And you know I had to hit up the Uniqlo here! Will I be back? Of course. Especially if I stay at the same Airbnb. I'll see you when I see you Venice Grand Canal Mall!

The Venice Grand Canal Mall is a large lifestyle center located in Taguig, Philippines…read more The Venice Grand Canal Mall should be viewed within the context of a master planned development. Encircling this mall are apartments, condos and office towers. The mall offers a lot: a supermarket; bookstores; fast food and casual dining restaurants; a multi-screen movie theater; spaces for dance and play--and a lot of retail shopping. You can also buy tickets for a gondola ride or rent a swan boat. This location provided an opportunity for me to people watch; examine products and brands unfamiliar to me; and to price compare goods in the PHL, versus back home. It was interesting.

Need to update your wardrobe this year? Want a new swimwear? Or do you just want to shop till you…read moredrop without burying your wallet alive? Then this discreet yet stunning local clothing line could do the trick for you. Apartment 8, with branches in Trinoma, Greenhills and Glorietta, have been around for some time and has been creating quite a stir because of their trendy collections. Endorsed by famous fashion bloggers, Apartment 8 offers clothes for women, mostly for teenagers and young adults. But hey, their clothing line is for everybody, as long as you wear the dress, and not let the dress wear you. From casual to formal, from summer to winter, from vintage to modern - Apartment 8 surely has them all.

Having a custom made dress doesn't necessarily mean that it will turn out looking amazing…read more Sometimes, even the best couturiers have their bad days. Enter Miss Selfridge. Miss Selfridge is a good place to buy ready to wear formalwear. It's relatively cheaper than a custom made dress. They have short cocktail dresses and full on formal wear with sparkly beading, embroidery and the works. They usually have good deals on their sale racks but be careful when buying last pieces. There are usually runs on the dresses. If not, the beading tends to be incomplete. A lot of people are afraid of buying ready to wear gowns because they run the risk of having another person show up wearing exactly the same thing. I always buy ready to wear formal wear and I've never had a twin at an event. Even then, it's always a game of Who Wore it Best. Rock that gown and everybody will only remember you.

I always make sure to check the latest collection of Miss Selfridge because they have really nice…read morepieces. I like how their clothing items range from casual to evening wear. I have had times, especially during the sales, where I would buy a lot of great looking tops - may it be for the beach, everyday or corporate wear. There were also times where I am in dire need of semi-formal or evening wear and I would also find it here. The price range for Miss Selfridge is okay especially if you need a dress for a special occasion but I recommend that you wait for their sale if you want to purchase some casual/corporate wear for everyday use. They also have really nice and sturdy accessories - scarves, bags, and very beautiful hats! Some of my scarves from Miss Selfridge have been with me for years and they haven't faded at all. Good price for the quality.

BGC Bonifacio Global City will always be my first choice whenever I visit Manila, and Bonifacio…read moreHigh Street is most defintely a highlight. This reminds me of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, where wide pedestrian walkways/parks are between several retail. service and restaurants, and where people can stop and rest at benches, stairs/tables right at the center. There is literally a chain, or blocks fn these walkway/parks so we can walk through one, cross a street, the enter another. It's very family oriented. We saw several families playing in the park. It's also very pet-oriented where several people were walking (or carrying) their dogs. It's one big social. The choices of dining are endless, and one can take-out fast food, or stop and dine inside a restaurant. For US residents, it's almost like being in the USA because of the amazing number of US-based restaurants. Best of all, as a female senior citizen I felt perfectly safe walking by myself.

This place is so overhyped lol. Wasn't really amazed since I've already been to other Asian…read morecountries with MUCH huger shopping districts and more developed infrastructure. Just a hype spot that's oversaturated by people obsessed with spamming their social media taking posing photos in this place. People here are not friendly, wouldn't recommend for families.

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.

The Cut is where boys go to become men (No, not the filthy way). If you're a guy with discerning…read moretastes, and the mall shops doesn't represent the real you, this is where you go. Located in a spot on Salcedo Village that is increasingly becoming hipper by the day, The Cut carries a lot of exclusive and limited release stuff, stuff you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. They carry shoes, shirts, bags, wallets, cufflinks, hair care products, socks, tobacco, handkerchiefs, and everything in between.The items have been "curated" to bring out your inner swag and differentiate you from the heathens wearing those China knock-offs they bought from 168. Yes, the prices here are a bit on the high side, but that is a paltry price to pay for being the most well-dressed man in Manila. Man up, man. While you're here, you might as well go up the mezzanine and check out Felipe and Sons, the parent company of The Cut, where you can get a proper shave and cut, and probably get a suit tailored for you as well. Because that's how real men roll.