The Launch of CAL the Brand

Stepping out of the shadows of proud mom Dimples Romana and dad Boyet Ahmee is daughter Callie as she now embarks on launching a new business venture called CAL THE BRAND.

She's only 17, and yes, she initially had challenges taking this idea off since she had to source materials for it. She built, learned the ropes and did this from the ground up. She burned the midnight oil learning about the business and started quite early with her fascination of Rattan bags. She ultimately wanted to support local artisans who mostly made these pieces by hand. She now wants these to reach a younger audience, who like her, would have love for aesthetic that is same as hers, which is all locally made and sourced.

As a person who has been working in fashion shows, photography stints who has probably seen lots of these, I could say what she's getting out in the market is SUPER nice. Sans her age, maturity, she sees things quite clearly curating each piece from local artisans. I am very impressed about how she was able to put this up in such a short time too.

Callie says "A few years from now, I hope to see more people with products from Cal. I want to see them wearing and using them proudly because they know how good it is, and how it is made proudly local. I hope Cal would make more individuals be inclined to support local artisans and promote them more here and abroad!"

She adds "Thank you for taking time out and joining me in supporting local brands, I hope this influences people and the communities that are being helped, from fashion items, furniture, to support our local artisans. Thank you!"

Here's our talk yesterday

There's a lot to see in her Instagram account where you can also order the items. She's planning a few things after this particular launch, like clothing, furniture, some things she's going to be proudly coming out real soon. Take a breather and look at how good the items are in her store here https://www.instagram.com/calthebrand as CAL The Brand starts their journey.

Easter Got So Better With Villa Del Conte Chocolates

I rarely get surprised when getting stuff but this one's the sweetest! A few days ago, this arrived in my home and I didn't get to take a good look at it until I went to Solaire a couple of nights ago during the Century Tuna Superbods 2014 launch. It was too cute to eat so I stared at it for a few minutes before deciding I should try and taste one. I know how precious this is because it is after all the Villa Del Conte brand in Padova, Italy. 

The packaging alone was neat and classy. It's not too fancy, buy you get to know that it's perfect to give away during Easter Sunday which is going to happen a few days from now. Villa Del Conte chocolates was brought here and distributed by lovely couple Vince and Rhoda Aldanese. A short pilgrimage to the country made them fall in love with these sweet wonders. They immediately made arrangements to get this to the Philippines and elsewhere internationally because of its delectable chocolate goodness.

This lovely bunch right here is their Ovicini. It's sugar coated dreamy dark chocolate eggs that's got soft gooey hazelnut cream filling inside. I was swearing when I had my first bite. I knew right then that this thing was what dreams were made of. The crunchy thin outer shell mimic candy on a good day. It's highly addictive I guess, but with good reasons.

They usually run out of these in stores because everybody loves artisanal stuff. Their other products like the Praline Balls and Praline Sticks are to die for! This Villa del Conte Ovicinis limited edition 100g Easter Bunny Pouch is priced at Php 380.00. Perfect for the kids and kids at heart. Their stores are located in Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Mall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center and Robinson’s Magnolia. If you would like to place special orders just call them at 8932575 or 6216101. Give in and indulge on chocolates on Easter. After all, he's risen and got you the life you've always wanted. It's time you spend something for yourself. You deserve the great things in life and this is it!

For more information about their products:

Villa Del Conte Chocolates

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http://www.villadelcontecioccolato.com

Santoni Shoes Now in Manila

I dream of perfect shoes.

I still probably have around 30 shoes on the shelf that I haven't even used. A problem? Yes. I admit I'm a shoe-a-holic. 

If I find something nice, if I find something unique and something good... I usually pick it up and pay for it on the counter no matter what the price is. When I got an invite to Santoni's launch a few days ago, I almost fainted at the sight of the shoes.

 

He is Francesco de Santis. He's one of the few artisans left in the world who still make hand made shoes with Italian brand Santoni. There are only a handful left because some Italians choose other careers other than making good shoes like these. Sad, but they are fighting that by showing the difference of these gorgeous pieces of heavenly foot covers. If you don't actually see it up close like this, you won't appreciate how much care they put in on making shoes. See how he tortured that show on his hand by folding it? It comes back to form when he released that. That's how confident he is.

 Madame Edith Dychiao says it's time that the Filipinos have this world class brand. It's time they get pampered. Shoes of this class wasn't even imaginable before because people were always associating the Philippines as a third world country. Today, men and women of different professions in this place prove to have more purchasing power than ever. Be it luxury cars, bags, other products, all can be splurged and appreciated by people like us. Santoni presents itself as upscale, but the practicality of it all depends on quality. 

 

Quality that means your shoe will fit perfectly and would last you years. Aside from that, the design and craftsmanship would be never questioned. Famous people, Hollywood stars and even world leaders wear it. If you had your shoe customized by them, your permanent shoe size will be stored on their records together with these famous people says Andrea Casavecchia, Santoni's Asia Area Manager. Isn't that amazing!?

The shoe fitting. I really hate David Celdran when he got the chance to have one of these pairs. While I watch in the sidelines. It'll take around 6 months before the actual shoe is made because of the care and love they put into it. They measure the right and the left foot separately. I didn't know before this that there was a difference, but it does make sense. 

It's nice to know something classy like this is now available in the Philippines. Santoni is open at the East Wing of Shangrila Mall. Don't be afraid to come in and check out what they have inside the store. I on the other hand am still dreaming. I didn't even get to fit the shoe during the event. I'll have to wait to get one of my own. Soon.

See what I mean by addicting? :)

For more information about their stores:

Santoni

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http://www.santonishoesusa.com

Harina Artisan Bakery Café

There are many things that a blogger can do and one of them is eat. I don't just eat though, because I am very picky about breads. I mostly love those freshly baked ones in hotels because those are made by chef-artisans. I didn't know there was one quite near my neighborhood. This is Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe!

This quaint all day breakfast store in 118 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains in Quezon City (who has SUPERB bread sticks btw!) embraces the notion of selling only the best artisanal breads (no artificial flavors or preservatives) this side of the metro without holding back on the freshest ingredients... a word of warning, it shows on their products. We had the best ones from the menu and tried them out one quaint morning. It looked pretty good!

Brunch is special. The Iced Tea, ahm I've got to be honest. It wasn't a special brew but it was alright. It's not sweet, encourages you to eat a bit because you'll feel refreshed in a hot afternoon.

This is the Chicken Caesar Sandwich. Much like the salad dish that they wanted to emulate, it takes a whole different level if you put in on toasty, crunchy bread. That thing makes a whole lotta difference because its really good. It's not a run of the mill commercial bakeshop thing, it's all pure unadulterated bread, with all the nice greens, crispy bacon, runny egg and mouthwatering dressing.

 

This is Harina's Bloomin' Bread. I had tons of this. Imagine that fresh yeast smell pouring out on soft pillowy center and that crunch you get on the outer shell. Dip it in herbed balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Heavenly.

This is their Waldorf Salad Sandwich. Light, filling and very tasty. Bread is croissant like. I love this and imagine I could go out for brunch with a friend eating just this.

This is their Breakfast Tart. Imagine flaky puff pastry topped with cream cheese, spinach, baked tomatoes, bacon and eggs. I'd recommend this for two people but if you are a little hungry this would be so easy. 

This awesome PBB and Chocolate-Stuffed French Toast is highly recommended. It's comfort food that is contained in your dreams... then come to reality. The toasty whole wheat bread isn't bad either. For the price you pay for this breakfast, totally worth it!

Nice and light, Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast is just one of those dangerously looking calorie bombs that really isn't. We were surprised at how light and airy this was as compared to the other French Toast variant mentioned above. For health buffs, if you are to cheat... get this healthier alternative since its got fruit on it. But if an honest match goes, I'd rather choose the PBB Chocolate Stuffed French Toast because its more sinful.

Oh and if you are crazy with Cronuts, they've got their version too!

Sweet and flaky, you can get the Laminated Donuts in Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Blueberry Cheesecake variants. Good to take home.

Sweet and moist Chocolatey Brownie topped with Cream Cheese and Slivers of Fresh Strawberry and sides of sweet Red and Yellow Fruit Syrup. How can anyone say NO to this? Of course it's already gone after a few minutes!

DO NOT FORGET to take home a bunch of these scrumptious, sweet, decadent and wonderful Cinnamon Rolls. We can't have enough of this and it'll surely run out of the box in no time if you have kids or people like me looking at the box. Pretty good, another reason why you should make an effort to go and drop by the White Plains area. They are right in front of the row of the gardens on the side streets. Take my word for it and get the best artisan made products in a simple neighborhood store in Quezon City.

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe is one place I could vouch for. For meetings, a small get together with friends and family, consider this a warning... if you don't try the place, you'll regret it.

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Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe