PERFECT COMBINATION

 

Mimi Vergara – Tupas is one woman who lives a multifaceted life. When she graced my page about 2 years ago, she talked about her style inclinations and how she manages her time in between family and building her fashion empire (better known as Soul Lifestyle). Months after hearing about her new print-worthy ventures, I finally got the chance to catch her in between press time and get the latest on the life of the “Pinkmother” (as she calls herself on social media). This time around, we also hear a male voice --- Mimi’s soul mate, Jun --- sharing episodes from their daily occurrences and happy memories.

 

 

Everything feels very light and GP (General Patronage) when you’re around Mimi and Jun. They complement each other in all that they do. In business, Jun takes over the financial aspect while Mimi, who has a knack for selling anything and for cultivating brands, works on the marketing campaign. There, I’d say two heads are definitely better than one. Theirs have sired a brood of profitable investments which are centered to what’s close to their hearts. Mimi and Jun’s partnership proves to be a fruitful one, not only in terms of business but also in raising a family. Open communication is one of the key principles they apply into their parenting style and they’ve maintained a cool, fun, friendly and creative environment in their home.

 

Their family life is probably one I’d look forward to see on TV. Think reality series with touches of other genres --- Martha Stewart Show, The Apprentice, Rachel Ray Show and Oprah all rolled into one. The family wakes up to an array of delectable recipes carefully put together by Mimi (that’s a cooking show happening right there). Right after sending off the kids to school, the couple visits their stores (3 branches of clothing boutiques for her and 3 pet paw-lors and 1 dog hotel for him) to check on operations and tend to staff meetings. All those brainstorming, strategic planning and special projects are enough to remind you of a business oriented game show. Late afternoons we’d find the family congregating over some homework or carrying on with their personal interests. Daughters Yllana and Ysabella have inherited their mom’s talent in writing and crafting while unico hijo, Uno, takes after their dad’s interest in music and photography. On other days, the couple continues work via satellite office located in their home. Chitchats resume over sumptuous dinner, which usually last until right about bedtime. On weekends, the girls bond over anything and everything DIY (a Martha Stewart moment) followed by a talk show of some sort with dear friends and family. Had we caught the family in between furniture hunting and home development, we would have had an interior design element added into the show. 

 

Too bad we can’t document that part anymore as the family has just moved into their dream house a few months ago.

 

New home

The family lived in a townhouse for more than a decade. A few years ago, they bought a vacant lot in a subdivision within downtown Davao, which they later on divided between their family and Mimi’s mom. “To me, it’s so convenient having my mom next door. We get to check on her as well. One of the best parts of having your mom as neighbor is the abundance of food being sent in!” squeals Mimi.

 

 

They made use of their lot to build a two-floor dwelling, one with big windows to bring in natural light. 

 

“I’d say, the timing was just right,” says Jun. “Had we built this dream home back when the kids were young, it would have looked totally different. We’d have to tailor it according to needs of the kids. Imagine toys in every nook and cranny? This kind of design we have now won’t work if you have toddlers. The kids are now all in middle school. They have grown into their own interests and preferences and they are old enough to style up their rooms according to their personality. This house project also gave us, as a couple, an opportunity to revisit and bring to life our dreams and aspirations. We built this house with that purpose in mind.”

 

True to their nature, there is also nothing pretentious about their home. The simplicity of style in this modern home is indicative of how the couple complements each other’s character. It was like translating fashion sense to design preferences. They streamlined their interiors and optimized space with white walls, added mirrors to reflect light and make the place look bigger, and doubled the ceiling height in the living room for more breathing space and to keep the natural energy flowing. The goal was to balance aesthetics with functionality, sticking to only objects and design elements that will really fulfill a purpose in their home.

“That goes the same for our closets,” quips Mimi. “I learned to say goodbye to clothes which I think won’t be of use to me anymore.”

Amidst the polished and glistening appeal of the house are hints of Mimi’s flair for visual display. Creative inspirations are everywhere with a few framed word art which speaks of positivity and love for family --- all lovingly made by the Pinkmother herself. The dining and entertainment rooms are common areas where the family congregates for hours to end.

 

Mimi adds, “We made sure that the WiFi signal won’t reach the dining area because we want the family to communicate openly especially during the time we’re together. It’s a good thing I have such good kids who are not addicted to the internet. They may be tech savvy, but their lives are not centered on the internet. I’m happy to see them enjoying their craft. Yllana just won in a feature writing contest. Ysa has inherited my love for scrapbooking and crafting. She’d surprise us with her little cards and sweet notes. Uno is very much like Jun. He spends time mixing music in his room which he designed to look like a bachelor’s pad.”

 

“We really wanted a house that spells simplicity and cleanliness,” explains Jun. “We realized that the only thing that stands in between spic and span is the lack of organizing solutions. So, we invested in storage options and multi-functional furniture. That whole block of built-in full-length mirrors at the ground level opens to a home office where Mimi and I work.”

 

For the kitchen, the couple decided to open up the counter space to create more room for prep work. In a way, it also draws conversations from anyone between the dining area and the kitchen.

The husband rates Mimi’s cooking skills with a thumbs up. “I am in full support of Mimi’s kitchen adventures. She didn’t have any formal training in culinary arts, but she is a good cook. She can spruce up anything in the kitchen and the kids and I buy it.”

A New Lifestyle Brand: Soul Kitchen Co.

One of the delicious adventures Mimi has stumbled upon in their dream home is her new line of cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices.

Jun tells us how this concoction welcomed him home. “Mimi is so dedicated to juicing --- not for weight loss but for proper nutrition. She religiously prepares all these healthy mixes for the kids. She has been doing this for about a year. Then, one Sunday afternoon, I came home and discovered that Mimi has just created her own brand for cold-pressed juices. Everything was done within that same day --- logo, labels, Facebook, Instagram and all. It was that fast. As I understand it, more and more Davaoeños are hooked to this new trend in health and wellness. I guess she has seen the potential of turning this existing healthy practice of hers into a business. The difference between then and now is that she spends more time in the kitchen than in any other space in our house during the day.”

Soul Kitchen Co.’s lineup of juices has 6 varieties: Whisk (apples, cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon ginger), Cleanse (cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon, carrots, apples), Jolt (carrots, apples, pineapple, lemon, ginger, cayenne pepper), Boost (apples, carrots, orange, pineapple), Flow (beets, apples, cocowater), and Glow (tomato, cucumber, lemon, sea salt, celery).

 

Aside from the bottled juices, other bestsellers include her variety of Almond Mylk: Coco, Soy and Choco. Made entirely of almonds, each almond mix is high in protein, antioxidants, phytochemicals, living enzymes, calcium, zinc, manganese, vitamin E, iron, B12 and potassium. Mimi’s own recipes for meatloaf and chunky chicken cream are also a hit among locals.

 

To date, the brand is a little over a month old and has sold more than 500 bottles all over Davao City.

 

Jun has nothing but pride and gratitude with how far Mimi has gone, translating her own passion into something she can share with the community. “All our brands are really about lifestyle and family --- be it style essentials, pet care, or personal wellness. I guess what makes our business partnership work is the fact that we are family-oriented. We always go back to what is close to our heart and what we love doing together. We always help each other out. We function as support system for each other. You just have to trust each one’s capabilities and strength. That won’t only benefit you in business, but also in marriage and parenting.”

Follow soulkitchenco on Facebook and Instagram to know more about Soul Kitchen Co.'s urban eats and bottled drinks. To order, please contact 0917 704 8060.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 08, 26 March 2014. 

 

THE VIVID HUES OF HAVAIANAS SUMMER 2014 COLLECTION

 

Summer is a time when we all feel free to enjoy and indulge in life’s pleasures. We deck ourselves in the comfiest of clothes and footwear as we bask in the summer heat. This season’s wardrobe staples / must-haves normally shorts, tank top, sunnies, swimwear, and flip-flops. Looking at aesthetics, nothing says summer more than bright colors and a kaleidoscope of patterns.

 

A footwear brand trusted by families for over 50 years, Havaianas continues to reinvent itself by introducing new styles each year. This summer, Havaianas splashes into the season with a new flip-flops collection featuring bold prints and vibrant “popsicle” shades. This collection was launched in Davao just last week in a fashion show hosted by Martish Marketing Co. (MMC), the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in South East Mindanao, owned and managed by cousins Marga Nograles and Tisha Dominguez.

 

 

Dubbed as Obrigada - which is Thank You in Portuguese, the language used in Brazil – is MMC’s annual thanksgiving event for their loyal clients and media partners.

The fashion event showcased women of all ages decked in the latest Havaianas styles. It was refreshing to see not only young moms and pretty bachelorettes but also little girls on the runway. Each model wore their own style interpretation of summer, which consisted mostly of knee-length dresses, sleeveless tops, shorts, light fabric and floral prints.

Havaianas flip-flops have been an essential ingredient for every summer escapade at the beach or in the city. Every summer, flip-flops lovers sport their favorite Havaianas as they journey to new destinations, stroll with loved ones in shopping malls, or lounge in the summer sun. The brand lives on the summer tradition by inspiring people to indulge in happiness, go out, make a splash, and simply have fun.
---Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue 3, 19 March 2014.

 

ADAM ON BOARD

 

A baby can change your life in so many ways. You discover an inner strength you never thought you had. Things that once seemed important to you would later on turn out to be meaningless as compared to loving and raising a child. You become less consumed about yourself and worry more about your baby’s welfare than yours. Eventually, you learn to understand, respect and love your own parents in a new way. In a nutshell, parenthood changes one for the better.
 

 

 

For first time mom, Aizza Celene “Atot” Tan-Barlis, parenthood has been nothing but blissful for her and her husband, Alain (widely known as Boods). “My husband and I really embrace parenting and we are having so much fun being new parents. Our son, Adam Blake, is the best thing that ever happened to us. Our priorities and interests now revolve mostly around him. Boods and I learned to take challenges in a different light because of all the good and happy memories we have with Adam.”

 

The couple, who met in 2004 through common friends, says that friendship became a good foundation for their relationship. Constant communication helped bridge the distance during the four years Atot worked abroad while Boods finished studies in Manila. Shortly after their wedding in year 2012, the couple moved to Sydney and took on a new direction. As Atot described it, “Married life has been so much fun. We started from scratch. We were on our own and we had to do everything together. Our bond became stronger as we went through the struggles and joy of settling in a different country.”

“We found out we were expecting a child on Father’s Day that same year. We were ecstatic! News of my pregnancy couldn’t have come at a better timing.” 

  

“It was generally a smooth and happy pregnancy. I had so much energy and I was always on my feet. I never really had any cravings or mood swings. And giving birth didn’t turn out to be like how it was in movies. I was so calm and relaxed with my husband by my side. He held my hand all throughout and my mom sat beside me in the birthing suite.”

 

Now a year old, Adam has grown into a little heartthrob. Not only is he the apple of his parents’ eyes, but also of his Ninongs’, Ninangs’ and relatives’. Atot and Boods had put together a little celebration for him in Sydney on his actual natal day. A few weeks after, they flew back to Davao to spend time with their family. After all, what better way to celebrate Adam’s first year than to party with family and friends?

 

 

Event stylist Brenda Cam helped Atot with the preparations for the “Airplanes” themed party. Atot also had a hand in putting together the party elements and in choosing suppliers like Anna Ibarreta-Santos for the giveaway lunch boxes and Joel Rodriguez (Osvaldo’s) for the birthday cake.
 

 

 

“Most of the attendees first met and saw Adam in person during the party. We’ll be returning to Sydney soon and it will be a while before Adam can come back to Davao to be with our family, friends and relatives. This is the reason why we’ve put a lot of effort into this party. We are just so blessed to have Adam in our life and we want to share this special day with the people who matter to us. Adam reinforced in us the meaning and importance of family and how beautiful life is. Our journey has become more meaningful and fulfilling --- all because of him,” concludes the proud mom, beaming.
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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 254, 12 March 2014.

 

FACE VALUE

 

Carine Bacani is more than just a pretty face. At first glance, she may look like any sweet and fragile lady. Well-mannered, graceful and every-inch-so-feminine, you’d be surprised to see this mom of two lifting kettlebells and jumping double-under inside the CrossFit Box. Her take on life is always refreshing and inspiring. As if her beauty and wit are not enough, Carine is also a burgeoning makeup artist in the city. To date, she is one of the most photographed aestheticians in town, trusted by the crème de la crème.

 

 

Beauty call

“They say children learn by example. As early as 6 years old, I already became a keen observer of how my mom would put on makeup for work.”

“I tinkered around with my mom’s makeup and try them on following instructions in the magazines. When I was in high school, I remember visiting the MAC Cosmetics store in Makati when it first opened. My jaw dropped! Everything looked so beautiful and they even happily gave makeovers! I was still a student at that time and I couldn’t afford to buy my own makeup, so the free makeovers were a real treat!”

 

Carine and her family

“I finished college in Manila and worked in a bank before pursuing a career in beauty. I have always known where my passion lies, so I enrolled in the Professional Makeup Artistry course of the Macquillage Professionnel at the Fort in Manila.”

 

 

Carine and her husband, Alpi, spent their first few years of married life in Australia and then moved to Davao just three years ago. While Alpi devoted his time in agricultural ventures, Carine finally gained ground in her own field and soon her clientele grew by the numbers.

The Look

“I don’t use makeup to transform a woman’s face. Rather, I use it to enhance and accentuate her best features and let her distinct beauty shine through.”

 

 

What is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

“I think reverse contouring is very flattering especially for us Filipinas. Instead of applying a darker contour powder, I do the opposite which is using a shade lighter on key areas to brighten and highlight the face.”

 

 

What is the easiest/quickest way to turn a day/work look into something that works for a night out?

“Nothing transforms a look quite as obvious as a bright lip. Go for a daring bright lipstick.” 

 

Are there any celebrities / influential personalities whom you would like to work with?

“If I can travel back in time, I would love to work with Marilyn Monroe. There is something about her easy charm and sex appeal, on and off-screen, that catches one’s attention.”

 

 

Ace of base

“My makeup kit is never complete without a good under eye concealer. This quickly brightens and livens up the face, the makeup becoming an equivalent to a good night’s sleep. Bobbi Brown calls it the ‘secret of the universe.’”

“The perfect under eye concealer is one that is one to three shades lighter than your foundation. This should be set with powder in order to last the whole day.”

What are some common beauty mistakes most women make?

“Do you notice how women’s faces sometimes look a bit ashen in pictures? Choosing a wrong undertone of foundation usually causes this to happen. You have to remember that the undertone is different from the shade of foundation. The shade dictates your color – light, medium, or dark - whereas the undertone dictates your complexion. A cool complexion will have undertones of pink, red, or blue while a warm complexion will have undertones of yellow, gold, or peach. Filipinas and Asians, in general, have warm complexion with yellow undertone so it’s best to choose a yellow based foundation in your shade.”

How to achieve the dewy-fresh face look?

Carine with husband, Alpi

 “It’s all about the skin. If you take extra care of your skin, your face will always look fresh with or without makeup.”

“Skin care should be part of your everyday routine. I understand that today’s busy woman is tired at end of the day but this is no excuse to sleep with makeup on. Always remove your makeup and cleanse the face thoroughly at the end of the day. Moisturize, put on a good eye cream, drink a lot of water and get 8 hours of sleep. Your 70 year old self will thank you for it.”

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 249, 05 March 2014.