Hi there fellow shopaholics!

When a friend of mine brought me to the Tyler shop in Glorietta , looking for our Graduation outfits years back, it instantly occurred to me that I am soon gonna be a constant, devoted Tyler window shopper simply because this brand carries one of a kind, elegant and timeless pieces of clothing…Plus the sales assistant was very polite and accommodating, not to mention that she didn’t follow us around the store, suspecting us like we were those cheap shot thieves who just got bored stealing from department stores.. (ok, that was too specific. :p )

Anyway, when i woke up last Friday, I was thrilled to see my package beside my pillows and I literally ripped it then slowly retrieved my precious top/coat from the pitiful wreck of plastic and paper…. hehehe Anyway, nothing brings me more joy than getting a great big bargain! This top is new w/ tag still on, never worn (stored in the closet) and I won it for only 650php! hehehe

here’s my coat/top:

Another coat i bought 2 weeks ago, from this very nice ebay seller who, even the item has still 5 days, ended the bidding early for me. How? It’s simply by asking! Anyway, i thought this glam coat was too thin and just so so given that i paid only 300php for this. Turned out that this was really nice, the fabric thick enough and the quality is superb! I can compare the quality to that you can buy at zara or mango. Anyway, this has no brand however I got this new (you can smell it, though).

here’s the pic:

Oh, i just love online shopping!

There so many raves for gladiator sandals, being so much in trend nowadays. I was looking around some blogs and I saw this nice pair of gladiator sandals by Steve Madden at alternative outfitters. It costs US$ 47.95 and comes in brown and black.

On the other hand, for those who want a pair but can’t afford to order online abroad, your buddy, Bargain Boggart, found a local seller online who sells and offers quality genuine leather products. Chelsi Leathershop makes quality custom-made leather goods! So if you fell in-love with a designer leather bag, wallet, shoes, sandals or belt but, just like me, always on a tight budget, there’s hope for you to get that same thing but for a fraction of the price.

” It is also the only tannery in the Philippines who offers tanned exotic skins like crocodile, ostrich, snake, goat hair-on, cow hair-on, lizards and fish. In this regard, consumers would enjoy these new products that not only patronizes our very own local items, but are also completely different yet a class of its’ own.”

You can visit their factory outlets at:

Bulacan:

Ground Floor, Mancon Building, McArthur Highway, Calvario, Meycauayan, Bulacan

tel no. (02) 482 2861 / (02) 294 0659 / (0922) 818 5072

Quezon City:

Com unit 4, Ground Floor, 305 Prince David Condominum, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City 1108

tel no. (02) 435 4176

Here’s some pictures of their gladiator sandals. Each costs only 800php (US$ 19.50)

Yay! After months and months of professional bum-hood, I will start volunteering in a Home for the aged in QC next week.. I don’t really mind if I won’t have any salary or undergo any formal training for this. The thought of me finally doing something related to nursing is just overwhelming.

So, I did MAJOR rummaging on my closet for my old scrub suits, hoping they’d be great for my duty. I had 2 dark blue scrubs from my student days and sadly, one needs to retire now because it’s so comfty that I use it as my “pambahay”, as it looked ratty and the fabric is just awful. Meaning, I only have 1 functional scrub suit and that won’t do if I have to volunteer M-F.

I had been looking around multiply and luckily, one of my business contacts sells scrub suits. “Apple Care is a sought-after brand of scrub suits among doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, known for providing stylish, comfortable and high-quality medical apparel and accessories.” Here, you can actually choose designs and fabrics according to your preference. It’s really nice because they offer a variety of colors and prints plus if you’re into adding “umph” to your stethoscopes and BP apps, you can also purchase covers and cuffs for them. Another thing, it’s also affordable! You can get a set( top and pants) for only 450php.

Here are some of the different scrub suit styles:

Classic Vneck top

Classic Unisex pants
Classic overlap top

Flare scrub pants

Straight cut scrub pants

Anyway, for those who have time to go shopping, I accidentally discovered a “tiangge” stall that sells scrub suits. If you pass by Padre Faura st., side of PGH, just before Robinson’s Galleria (coming from Taft Ave.) there’s a stall there that sells scrub suits for only 300php per set, plus they have also various styles, colors and prints. Hahaha This is where I actually bought mine… (of course, I go for the lowest price with good quality). Don’t be fooled because at first, from afar, they seem to sell low quality scrubs, but if you check them out and go through everything, you can find scrubs that are made of US tetoron and the fabric is not cheap looking and the stitches are well-made. I was really surprised when the vendor told me that it’s only 300php per set. I bought 2 tops (purple and light blue) and 2 pants (purple and old rose) and I got a discount on the second pair. I paid 560php for all 4 garments! Hahahaha That’s the magic of being BargainBoggart!

Here’s my purple scrub suit:

For fashion accessories junkies, you might wanna add these chunky, semi-precious stone rings to your collection. Despite my on-going love-hate relationship with accessories, I wouldn’t mind wearing rings by Ana Lloren. These rings are from India and made of silver & semi-precious stones which includes Amethyst, Black Onyx, Chalcedony, Moonstone, Citrine, Malachite & Rose Quartz. Ana Lloren also sells other semi-precious jewelries such as earrings, bracelets and necklaces and markets them under the brand One Gem. The jewelries are affordable yet look posh and classy. The chunky rings prices range from 700- 1,200php.

You may check out Gems by Ana Lloren sold at mixedwarehouse.multiply.com. Or you can contact One Gem at 63.917.7567396 or 63.2.8509520.

I fell in love with the Amethyst ring (below, left) , which is also my birthstone (february). On the right is the moonstone ring.

When you get used working your way through Ebay.ph, you will find that some sellers consistently have nice pieces and my featured seller, raicheal1015 is one of my favorites for 3 reasons.

1. Most of her items are branded and are sold at low prices. Also, the anxiety of them being pre-owned- clothes may have undeclared defects- will not bug you at all because all her clothings are in excellent condition. Plus, a seller’s reputation and credibility is reflected on her feedback score ( number beside the username) and the precentage of positive feedbacks, which is her case is 100%. Meaning she hasn’t received any negative feedback at all and that’s really good.

2. Her listings have pictures when you are browsing among thousands of clothes in the Women’s clothing category. So it’ll save you the pain in the neck of clicking the item and waiting for the picture to upload. Then if it’s not “visually appealing”, you got to go back to the list and proceed to another item, thus the cycle continues. Believe me, it’s really annoying doing it repeatedly.

3. She gives detailed description of each clothing and if you have other questions, the seller responds promptly. Also, her shipping rate is same to that of Air21 (80php for Metro Manila) and a reasonable 120php flat rate for provincial shipping. Some sellers in Ebay.ph has a shipping of 100php for MM or 150php flat rate to all destinations. This depends on which courier the seller is using or if they intend to gain a little bit by overpricing the shipping fee. So as a buyer, you also have to consider the shipping fee and the courier the seller uses because some couriers have the “Critical Areas” where they don’t deliver or the shipping rate zooms up to 200-300php if your place is not covered by their delivery services.

However, some draw back about buying from this seller (and others) is that since her items are more visible than others, bidding prices soars up very high and fast, the competition is very stiff and if you have a slug-like connection, the moment you have just clicked the confirm bid button, another person had already outbided you. Also, you really have to watch your item closely 2 hours before it ends because that’s when the bidding war gets nasty and CRAZY. You have to refresh every minute. So the point here is it’s very hard to win an item you really like if you aren’t very vigilant and aggressive. So be ready to shed it all for that Marc jacobs top or Diane von Furstenberg tunic or Mango gold haltertop or Anna Sui printed minidress!

Here are some of here items. You can view all of the items HERE. (Take note of the remaining time before bidding ends always). Happy viewing!

1. White Crochet Oversized sleeves dressy top

2. Zara Blue design Minidress

3. Sinequanone Brown Tunic/ Minidress

4. Escada Sport Embelished Violet top

5. Ann Taylor Violet design Babydoll Top

6. ZARA TRF Black Ruffles Victorian Turtleneck top

7. Marc Jacobs Brown Floral Silk Overlap top

There are numerous local online stores that sell swimsuits, beach wears and accessories. Nui clothing is one of the online stores who offers a variety of clothes and accessories- from basics to trendy ones. I managed to purchase a black baby doll top from them last december and it’s been one of my faves. And while everybody’s busy getting tans and the summer breeze blowing off your feet to the beach, you might wanna first check on NUI clothing’s release of their unique fashion line of bikinis, swimwear, beachwear and cover ups good for that island getaway! Plus-sized women, don’t fret, they also carry a hip line that flatters your figure. Their clothes are reasonably priced. In terms of quality, you really get what you  paid for.

You can visit the Nui clothing website and check out their catalogue and how to order online.

Hi there beach babes! I saw a myriad of beach cover ups worn from my recent trip at the beach- sheer, cotton or crochet, dyed, printed or solid color, short or long, et.al. Before our trip, I was considering buying one but I decided not to at the last minute because I have this pure silk,tangerine kaftan-like top which i think is a unique and functional piece. (And I am bragging that I brought it with me because I got lots of second looks while we were checking out the night life at Puerto galera because of it. Woohooo!)

If you wanna check more items at Ebay.ph:

Type “cover” at the search box and choose the “Clothing, Shoes and Accessories” Category. This will yield the most number of results.

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Mango White Longsleeved cover up

END TIME: Apr 13, 2008 17:48:32 PHT

STARTING BID: 149php (US$ 3.75)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Imported White overlap bikini cover up
END TIME: Apr 14, 2008 03:22:50 PHT

STARTING BID: 300php (US$7.50)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Brown Indian-inspired printed Top

END TIME: Apr 11, 2008 22:29:25 PHT

STARTING BID: 420php (US$10.50)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Crochet Swimsuit cover up

END TIME: Apr 18, 2008 03:58:31 PHT

STARTING BID: 300php (US$7.50)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Beach Cover ups- Peach beige floral

END TIME: Apr 11, 2008 00:15:40 PHT

STARTING BID: 55php (US$13.75)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: Summer Babydoll Dress/Top

END TIME: Apr 10, 2008 09:52:38 PHT

STARTING BID: 299php (approx.US$7.50)

I never noticed these scarves until I read a blog by Aileen in her multiply and while I was browsing Ebay for wool scarves. I found some info about them in wikipedia.

While I was going around Tutuban mall 2 days ago, looking for wool sweaters, I saw them again and I knew at that moment, the buying itch has been initiated! hahaha I asked the sales lady on the price and she said it costs 300php per scarf. After series of questions and chit chats, I didn’t buy the scarf because I didn’t have an extra money for sideline shopping. So here I am again, scouring Ebay and online stores for these scarves and I found a seller who sells them 2 yashmaghs for 400ph(shipping included) and 2 shemaghs for 500php (shipping included) and 750php for 2 surbans (shipping included). Isn’t that a great deal? Here are some the scarves he sell:

I love the beach… but I am afraid…(ahem).. afraid of the sun’s harmful UV rays that’s why I am armed with sunblock, hat, umbrella and clothes that will cover my entire body! hahahaha (major KJ) Anyway, my bf and I are so psyched on our trip to Puerto gallera this weekend because it’s our first trip to the beach alone as a couple ever since we started dating 2 years ago.

Anyway, summer is all about bright colors, tans, swimsuits and virtually anything related to the beach. I found out that Beachbaby clothing has a website. I ordered a pair of lounge pants from Miss Nikki of beachbaby 3 years ago, only learning about it from a magazine article and I whined and nagged my elder brother to drive me to the Ms. Nikki’s house. (I’m not a good sister!) I picked it up from her place in Tandang Sora, Q.C. because I didn’t know about shipping or gcash before! Until now, the yellow pants is still in very good condition and the talk about comfort, i don’t have any bad thing to say! Worth every cent! They are made from 100% soft cotton… Also you can wear it anywhere- beaches, strolling in malls, doing the grocery, in your bed, etc..! I bought it for 300php but after 3 years, I guess it’s reasonable that the price will be higher (350php). Right now they have added other styles in their catalog which is great! You can now choose from lounge pants, gaucho, elephant pants, capris, bermuda shorts or kaftan.

If you are looking for affordable, quality and comfortable outfit for summer, then a Beachbaby is a must have!

(sorry I don’t have pictures for this one.. Just visit their website instead.)

Kill me for being impulsive! haha Naah Recently, I’m dragging my BF all over metro manila malls for my spring coat hunt! or any cold climate clothing, for that matter. I’m having my early shopping to prevent cramming and buying stuff that i will regret afterwards. So I have seen candidates and potential buys mostly in Zara but it’s quite expensive for me despite their 30% off on coats and jackets. Besides our planned trip to Baguio with polkadotrn this April to invade the “ukay-ukays” or thrift shops , I have been on a constant prowl at ebay for sweaters, coats and jackets. So here’s my latest online purchase– Authentic MNG white sweater! I won it for a total of 655php (US$15.99) (inclusive of shipping) and it’s used only once! hahaha Not bad, if you’re gonna ask me. I really went all out for this one! starting bid is 350php, another bidder wants it so bad too but, again, I outsmarted her and placed my final bid at the last 40 seconds. hahaha Her final bid was 650php. I won by 5php. hahaha