I am happy with my latest jewelry purchase. I got Auric and Ice’s crescent flatback for my conch and I am really impressed with the quality, craftsmanship, and sparkle! They used G+ colored diamonds for this piece, and it is internally-threaded. It is the perfect piece for downsizing my conch piercing.
For genuine gold and diamond local piercing jewelry, follow Auric and Ice on Instagram! This is not a sponsored post. I am simply a satisfied customer.
I recently bought an 18k gold bow ring for myself from Maria’s Gold Iloilo. I have always liked ribbons, but I was told that I was not girly enough to wear them. Now that I am 34 years old, I have realized that my style can be a mix of girly and fierce. In this case, my bow ring ties together my feminine and edgy styles.
I think that it is okay to be both feminine and sporty. I also have an edgy side, which is evident in my piercings and love for black. What matters most is that I carry myself with elegance and dignity no matter what my outfit of the day is. Confidence is timeless.
I recently purchased a titanium navel barbell from local shop Fibi Candy Body Jewelry. Their selling point is their anodizing service which they currently offer for free with every purchase of their titanium jewelry. This gives their customers the option to have colorful bling composed of a safe, implant-grade metal.
Since I was feeling fancy, I chose to have my selection anodized in light blue. I was not disappointed, and I loved the result!
You may also purchase your own implant-grade titanium body jewelry from Fibi Candy! Simply go to their Shopee page and chat with the seller to specify your chosen color for your jewelry.
Stay safe and healthy!
I went shopping the other day for purposeful items which will benefit our heroic frontliners. I want to help in my own small way during the enhanced community quarantine. Fortunately, two of my favorite brands have offered to make it easier for me to pay it forward.
Rags 2 Riches has recently released their summer collection aptly named Sol. It is a joyful collection of bags and clothes made of upcycled materials. As always, each item is made by Filipino artisans.
Proceeds will go to frontliners and families affected by the pandemic. This was enough for me to support this worthy cause.
Image from Pulseras by Kim
Another local brand that I continue supporting is Pulseras by Kim. The jewelry brand has recently dropped a fundraiser collection to benefit frontliners as well. I bought this locket, which featured a free photo printing service with each purchase. Of course, this made the decision to purchase easier.
Shopping for a cause is one of my favorite things to do. I hope that you will also support brands that pay it forward, because we can all make a difference even while at home.
Yesterday, I spent my day running errands and buying stuff at Quezon City, my hometown! I started with Human Nature Cubao, the newest branch of the brand I support. I fulfilled some offline orders here to show the branch some love.
If ever you need hand sanitizers and other natural personal care products, you may also buy from my Human Nature online store. Not only will you support me, you will also be helping communities who work with the brand to provide natural ingredients and raw materials. Thank you!
Then, I had early dinner at Kanto Pares. I love pares! This Pinoy beef delicacy is my go-to comfort food whenever I want a quick and filling meal. I order extra egg and drizzle mine with soy sauce, calamansi, and chili. Sarap!
I also got to walk through Teacher’s Village and found some beautiful blooms such as this one.
My last stop was Pulseras By Kim, a well-loved studio that is known for gold-filled and gold-plated non-tarnish minimalist jewelry. I got some bow huggers for myself and new earrings for my cousin from Canada.
This shop is full of heart and the owner, Kim, has already become a friend. If you are also into everyday pieces that won’t break the bank, I suggest that you check them out! They are located right beside Holy Family School at Maginhawa.
It doesn’t take much to make me happy. A quick stroll through a familiar street, some local brands, and comfort food are all I need to have a fun day.
Here’s to more good days and happy memories!
Ever since I started collecting rings from homegrown brand Borealis Crystals, I appreciated fine craftsmanship more. This PWD-owned and managed social enterprise works with local artisans to produce handmade jewelry made out of the finest precious metals and gems. The most important part here is that they choose to offer budget-friendly bling to customers who with a taste for handcrafted and bespoke quality.
The author wears her tiny teal diamond ring on her ring finger
Here is now my current Borealis stack: my Borealis heart, my green sapphire fruit drop, and my latest from this shop, the Tillie. It is a teal tiny diamond in 10k white gold which I wear on my ring finger. All three rings are sparklier in real life and are worth every single peso.
I hope that you will also support Borealis Crystals! This is not an ad, rather, I am just a happy customer who recognizes fine workmanship when I see it. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed and the wait for your jewelry is definitely worth it.
I recently ordered a bespoke ring from local jewelry company Borealis Crystals. It is a PWD-run online jewelry boutique which I have been stalking on Instagram for quite some time now. I have been privileged to earn some money from freelance work, and I set aside some of my pay to have a custom ring made for me.
After a month of communicating with C & J, the couple behind this homegrown brand, I finally got the pink ring of my dreams.
I love that they added a couple of Flat Tops with my order for a touch of whimsy.
My pink tourmaline is professionally-set in rose gold. I requested for a comfort-fit band, and I have been wearing this daily for almost a week now. I can definitely say that it lives up to its comfort-fit name, as it is really comfortable. I was able to write at work and the ring felt light on my fingers. I think it helps that C is into calligraphy, so she knows that a ring must not get in the way when one is writing.
I love supporting social enterprises, and businesses that empower PWD’s. I am happy that I can wear something that’s both handmade and bespoke everyday. What’s more, I get to wear a ring with a story that’s more radiant than its innate sparkle.
I highly recommend this brand, and I hope that you can check out their Instagram page for their latest on-hand designs. You may also order bespoke jewelry. Production time is from 1-2 months, depending on the design. May they help you realize the jewelry of your dreams!
I have been selling Human Nature products for five years now, and I have been an online seller of their natural products this year. My Human Nature online store continues to be a blessing to my life, as I am able to earn extra by selling products which I personally use and have transformed the lives of many Filipinos. Please support my store by making a purchase today!
To my regular customers, and to all of you who have made a purchase by reading my blog entries, thank you! It is because of you that I continue to believe in Human Nature and its effective products.
More importantly, your support has enabled me to believe in myself. And because of this, I have supported Human Nature’s fundraising initiative for Marawi this Christmas. In exchange for my support, I received this beautiful bracelet by Silverworks.
My life continues to be blessed, thanks to brands like Human Nature that allow me to give back with every purchase and product sold.
Walang Iwanan!
I celebrated Easter Monday with a visit to Barkin Blends Dog Cafe. I missed my furry friends, and I also got to enjoy my favorite dark chocolate milk tea and pesto pasta.
Also, how adorable are these dog treats for sale at the cafe!
After paying for my meal and one hour stay, I finally received kisses from Forrest, Ella (I’m not supposed to have a favorite, but I do love this little girl), and Skye.
Each visit to the cafe is a relaxing endeavor. It transports me to another world where problems don’t exist.
Everything can be solved with a nap and milk tea!
After my cuddle time with the dogs, I watched Never Not Love You starring James Reid and Nadine Lustre. I loved it! It was real, gritty, and well-acted.
I got home to my new necklace and earrings from an online store. I am happy that yellow gold is on trend again, and I am pleased to sport 90’s jewelry these days.
My Easter Monday was fun and chill. I do have my constants, and Barkin Blends is one of them. I hope that you will also find your own go-to happy place.
I have always been a supporter of locally-made items, handmade businesses, and social enterprises.
These three factors all make up Calado, a heritage jewelry brand owned by Tricia Ancheta. I met her during my Banaue trip, and I was fascinated with her handmade earrings once I viewed them online. Her merchandise are handmade by plateros or silversmiths in Dauis, Bohol. These craftspeople have inherited the art of jewelry-making from their ancestors, who learned the skill during the Spanish regime.
The jewelry are all made of sterling silver, with the option of having them dipped in 24k. Since my style leans toward edgy and minimalist, Tricia personally helped me select the pair which would suit my taste. Her suggestion, the Mirasol spiral hoop earrings in sterling silver, was perfect and I bought them with no regrets.
I love the premium packaging and classy presentation of my purchase.
My Mirasol hoops looks even better in person! Check out the intricate detail, which is a trademark of Dauis jewelry-making.
My favorite thing about Calado earrings is that they are lightweight! Tricia wanted to present a brand of earrings that she could comfortably wear (and buy, as the prices are reasonable for the amazing quality of the pieces).
The story of Calado is included inside their jewelry boxes.
I am delighted to own a pair of Calado earrings and I hope that more ladies will discover this local, handmade, and social-enterprise-made brand! I will rock these earrings in my everyday life and fancier events.
The earrings make me feel beautiful and classy!
When was the last time you wore something that inspired you to be a fighter?
I experienced that when I purchased my Nawa bangles and rings. I received it the other day, and it honestly felt like Christmas all over again.
My bling was packaged in eco-conscious materials and the rings were housed in this adorable woven pouch.
I ordered three bangles because I already have ten Natalya Lagdameo ones, and I needed to make it a stack of thirteen (it is my lucky number). I also got rings, because I thought it was cool to have stacks on both my wrist and finger.
I feel thankful that I selected these bangles and rings for my Valentine’s gift to self this 2018. It is a gift that gives back to the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato who created these bling. Also, their culture and traditions are preserved and kept alive through the efforts of SLT.
Also, the girlbosses behind the brand (Timmy Potenciano and Jopie Sanchez) are rad and they are totally supportive of the community and their customers. I personally like how Timmy designed the jewelry to have rounded ends for comfort and ease of wear. Putting them on is a breeze and the quality is superb. The bangles and rings are lightweight and they have a modern look (Read: they are not your usual tribal jewelry!).
They sell individually too if you prefer ordering just one ring or bangle. If you want a full wrist of bangles, they sell stacks of ten as well!
Not to mention that these babies are still minimalist enough to join a stack or blend with your existing jewelry without making you look tacky.
Whenever I feel challenged or troubled, all I have to do is look at my warrior bangles and rings. I immediately feel empowered with my North to South stack, but I am more partial towards my Nawa pieces because they are social enterprise-made (handmade by Filipino craftspeople) and inspired by centuries of rich T’boli heritage.
It is my turn now to go further in life and continue being a fighter, with meaningful bling to boot!
