Moonleaf Tea Shop, Makati branch

This is Maginhawa Street, all the way in UP Teacher's Village in Diliman, Quezon City, I don't know how many miles from Makati.




It seems like a good neighborhood, with nearby restaurants, spas, barbershops/salons, a bookstore, laundromats, a BPO hub, and of course, schools.




In such an area, a café or a tea shop is sure to rake it in, what with a captive and loyal clientele: people like me who suddenly crave for milk tea and almost do not mind the distance and the time.

Just imagine if someone franchised Moonleaf Tea Shop and brought it to Makati. Mind you, I am not alone in making this gentle yet urgent plea.

Do you know how many people travel to Makati every single day?





My friends and I would tie polka dot ribbons around the trees of Makati City just to prove a point. (Ummm, think of them as pearls. :P)


Moonleaf Tea Shop currently has three branches:
- 44 Magiting Street, UP Teacher's Village East (near Ministop Maginhawa), 1101 Diliman District, Quezon City
- 103 Maginhawa Street, UP Teacher's Village East (beside Delish)...
- Esteban Abada Street (next to Crave), Loyola Heights, Quezon City


Shirt, Ben Sherman; jeans, Bench; belt, Brave Beltworks; Converse sneakers, thrifted; viscose scarf from Mindanao

Cameo shots by Thysz Estrada, bow tie by Ziggy Savella

Dyeing for a change: last look?

I'll be chopping off what's left of my previously ash blonde hair soon, since my black roots are growing longer. Perfect time I think for a beige and brown outfit.




Slowly integrating pieces from Don Protasio's Holiday 2011 collection into my wardrobe. For this, I decided to match a fitted top and jacket with Don's very very baggy pants.




I love the cut. See the diagonal of the stitches? This is also a good time to wind down with loose trousers because of the rainy season: a time where I feel more comfortable with boots and skinny (or carrot-cut!) jeans.






Looking much much taller than I really am. Seems like a skirt from the side.




Now I'm thinking I'll miss the beiges and blues that go so well with blonde hair. (Though I know some of you will merely sigh in relief.)




But hey, maybe I'll be back with an even more radical hair color, maybe in a few weeks or even months. Maybe I'll surprise you again.




A little info on the polo shirt I'm wearing. Bought it from Ritual at The Collective, Malugay Street, Makati.




It is made from unbleached, undyed, handpicked cotton from Ilocos and Dumaguete in the Philipines, and is also knitted locally. The buttons are made from coconut husks and the shirt feels snug and very comfortable. (Included in this pic are the rest of my purchases: fair trade coffe and a canvas tote.)




Read about Ritual on my Benetton blog. Happy Monday!


Polo shirt, Ritual; pants, Don Protasio; espadrilles from Aldevinco, Davao

Outfit photos by Patricia Suzara

Found objects: I Love You Store x Trilogy Boutique

These accessories are by Kel Sampayan, and were launched last November 27 in a collaboration between the I Love You Store and Trilogy Boutique and Canteen.




I love the idea of recycling objects and finding a different purpose for them than originally intended.

The particular piece that amazes me includes a plastic disco ball resembling a chandelier tear. Maison Martin Margiela once created a necklace with different-shaped chandelier crystals as pendants.




I plan to continue what I have started with Bosquejo Bauble, and start searching for such seemingly throwaway objects I can rescue from the bin and transform into something that can be cherished.


I Love You Store: 31 Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo Street, Cubao, Quezon City

Trilogy Boutique and Canteen: 110 Alvion Center, Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City