Look What I Got!

Here's what I bought from the recent Global Pinoy Bazaar held at Rockwell Tent last November 10th.  I was working as a stylist (aka personal shopper) for Erzullie at that time, but bazaars really can't keep me staying at one place.  So I had to browse all shops during breaks and ended up purchasing some items (hihi).  I love trinkets, canvases, anything vintage and anything made locally.  This kind of bazaar definitely gave me the highs!  :)  I, obviously, support local businesses, and you should too.  Supporting local businesses creates more jobs to our fellowmen.  :)  Oh, you can definitely see how really creative Filipinos are in these kinds of bazaars.  Get inspired.

Handbound leather journal from Alunsina, Php 550
Pencil case (well, I'll call it a bag) from FabManila, Php 150

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Let me tell you something about Alunsina Handbound Books.  All of their journals and accessories are made from scratch with materials sourced locally.  Owners and creators Nadj (a colleague of mine from our previous job ages ago) and Enan wanted to revive people's interest on writing, thus, the birth of Alunsina.  It took them three years to master the Coptic binding technique where they align and stitch paper sheets using thread and needle (yes, no adhesive) so that you can flip your journals 360 degrees.  Sweet!

There are many designs to choose from, and I instantly fell in love with this one (Php 550).  It gives me the traveler feel, more like Brendan Fraser's character on "The Mummy", or Christopher Columbus.  Seriously! :)  I just have to find that pen.  Fountain pen?  Hmm.    

Alunsina is a Tumandok tribe goddess that has inspired poets and artisans alike.

Acid-free paper! :)

I love its rough edges.  Gives more authenticity to it.

Look how they beautifully and meticulously sew on the leather.

I'm a sucker when it comes to notebooks, journals, anything paper.  Obviously, I love writing (but not professionally) since I have a loud mind.  Though I'm having a hard time what to write on my latest addition to the collection.  Haha!  Recipes and travel log with a lot of doodling?  Uhuh.  This is a great buy and wonderful gift to loved ones.  Too bad they ran out of mini leather journal necklaces.  They come in different designs and colors too, only for Php 250.

Alunsina Handbound Books products are viewed here and you can order online and have it shipped to your doorstep.  Neat!  :)



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FabManila's corner grabbed my attention due to their wide variation of prints on bags, pouches and whatnots.  Most of the prints they have for sleeves, pouches, etc are vintage designs, which I absolutely love!  I love anything colorful, but when purchasing something for my own use, I always pick dark, neutral colors so as to lessen the hassle of cleaning.  Call me lazy.  Hehe.

I got this pencil case (bag) for only Php 150.  Sweet!

Jen and Sheila, who are sisters and travel buddies, co-owns FabManila.  Their travels inspired them to put up this line using local materials and are made locally.

Aren't they inspiring?  Turn simple ideas into business, who knows, you might be the next millionaire.  :)

Personal Shopper At Your Service

I've been wearing different hats since I-don't-know-when, and will be adding another hat on the list -- personal shopper!

Personal shopper is fairly new here in the Philippines, but it's been going on for years now.  Basically, what a personal shopper does is to give advice, suggestions and tips to customers.  It's more of like a stylist. Think of makeover TV shows.  Get the picture?

It's way different to a saleslady because they focus on sales, while I focus on styling the clients.  Personally, I loathe salesladies in department stores or boutiques because most often than not, when I ask for their opinion, of course, they will always say it looks good on you or they up-sell most of the time.  And the fact that they don't look stylish (insert uniform), kind of give me doubts on their advice. :p  

photo grabbed from http://erzullie.blogspot.com

Thankfully, Erzullie Fierce Plus-Size Fashion were looking for personal shoppers for their bazaars and I'm glad to be chosen to be part of the team.  Meeting Berna and Aries personally was a treasure because they really are the kind of people that I like--confident, empowering, fierce, and positive.  They know what they want and they act on it.  Very inspiring!  And the fact that having someone say to you that they like you for who you are and what you do, even having a long list of skills and experiences on my CV doesn't bother them is such a compliment.  I haven't felt that kind of encouragement from an individual who I barely know, because, you know, I still encounter people who questions you for doing so many things, and kept me thinking why does it bother them in the first place.  I don't harm them in any way, so what's the deal with that?  So, Berna and Aries (and a few other creative people who I recently met) are such a blessing.  They remind me to continue on doing my thing and live life.  Thanks for the inspiration, guys! :D

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Why Erzullie?  I used to be bullied back in grade school because of my weight.  I still have the emotional scars with me and it sometimes bother me to this day.  I lost and gained weight over the years, until I accepted the fact to just love what I have.  It's my body, it's my temple.  If you can't accept my curves, then you're too shallow, dear.  

Erzullie and The Plump Pinay are some of the people I look up to (knowing they're way younger than I am, yet they are strong. Kudos, ladies!) and their advocacy is truly inspiring: Beauty is in all shapes and sizes.  You don't have to conform to what the media tells you how to look like.  Just be yourself.  Embrace yourself.  You're beautiful no matter what.  So working with these kind of women is empowering and fulfilling because in very little way as possible, I can also touch one's life and inspire them to be real just by sharing them my ideas and the oomph that they need.  :)

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I'm beyond excited on taking another role.  Sharing ideas, styling, and giving confidence to others is what I usually do, and this side job is just perfect.  Can't wait to see you, ladies, this coming Saturday, November 10th, 10AM - 10 PM, at Rockwell Tent.  Just look for Erzullie's booth.  The Global Pinoy Bazaar runs only this weekend, November 10th and 11th, though I won't be there on the 11th as I have prior commitment.

Thanks, Erzullie, for featuring me and my fellow personal shopper Bea on your blog! :) <3 div="div">