PARTY DECOR-ROOM



Creations Party Depot's Ena Tai with her baby Hailey
(photo by Ayie Hernandez) 

From Paris to Oz or another imaginary land far and away, every excited parents’ imagination run wild with each monumental occasion in their child’s life. Supported by event specialists, parents are able to achieve the best scenery and décor with style impact and flair. Nowadays, there is a good roster of talented stylists who can help parents conceptualize a creative setting that brings any event to life.

Ena and family

Creations Party Depot is the brainchild of two dedicated mothers, Rowena Marie “Ena” C. Tai and Marie F. Lo, bound together by their love for all things related to parenting and motherhood. This event styling company specializes in beautifying event spaces with party decors and furnishings that are tailor-fit to every client’s taste and budget.

Marie Lo, husband Jay and kids Mika and Macy
(photo by Mima Tan)

 

“We’ve always loved arts and crafts even before we became mothers,” shares Ena. “And now that we have our own children, we get to enjoy more of crafting by sharing little handmade creations with kids and fellow mommies. We’re also very hands on when it comes to planning our own parties. We even make the decors, invites, and pastries ourselves.”

(photos by Ayie Hernandez)

 

Channeling Martha Stewart eventually took Marie and Ena from one creative venture to another. “As DIY (do-it-yourself) fanatics, we are always on the lookout for unique art materials --- to a point that we’ve become hoarders. To our dismay, there are just a few shops in town which sell these items and we end up buying our materials abroad or in Manila. We knew a lot of mothers are also into crafting, nowadays. So we decided to put up our own online shop and supply materials to other DIY fanatics.”

(photos by Ayie Hernandez)

“It didn’t take long before inquiries started to come in, asking us if we supply party decors. Soon, our online craft shop became a full-blown business, servicing parties and other events. Now, aside from supplying craft materials, we also lease out food carts and design dessert stations and table centerpieces. We also customize loot bags, giveaways, invitations, and other party decors.”

Ena describes their planning and design philosophy as creative, contemporary, and fun. “Some parents may have this notion that anything DIY or handmade is expensive. Marie and I understand and share all these concerns on budget and party planning. That’s why we always work around our client’s budget. After all, our main function is to help every family create happy memories.” 

Follow @creationspartydepot on Instagram and Facebook to view their list of products and party packages. For inquiries, bookings and/or orders, please contact Ena or Marie at 0925-5231951.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom. A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue 32, 30 April 2014.

 

MOMMY INCORPORATED

Anna Ibarreta-Santos with her daughter, Arianna.

Whether it’s creative solutions, event planning or crafting, each one of us has a marketable skill that can serve as foundation for any kind of business. Nowadays, many moms, because of the demands of motherhood, choose to have home-based businesses in order to make the most of their time with family and strike a better balance between business and home life. Mompreneurs, as they are now called, represent the fastest growing segments in our economy. This mompreneur movement has become a very interesting one as it gradually changed attitudes towards stay at home mothers. Not only do modern moms get to nurture and express their creativity and business acumen by having their own business, they have also become their own boss and they get to work on the field they are passionate about.

Freelance businesses are easy to start, low in risk and offer a great combination of flexibility and high income potential with only minimal start-up capital. The rise of the Internet has spawned a new generation of entrepreneurs, particularly among women. Accessible Web tools and techniques have made it possible and easy for anyone to create, launch and sustain new businesses.

 

 

Take it from Anna Ibarreta-Santos, the woman behind the successful Fabianne Trends Unlimited (FTU) line of party and utility bags.

Penchant for selling

“Ever since I was little I had a penchant for selling,” explains Anna. “Every weekend back in the 80’s, I would always ask my Mom to buy me pack of candies and I sold them at a restaurant for 50 cents each. When I learned to bake, I also took in orders for the holidays. I also sold pre-loved clothes whenever I felt I had too much in my closet.”

 

 

“I finished a Business Management course in Ateneo and took an internship at Palatinit GmBH in Mannheim, Germany for AIESEC’s Exchange Program. I returned to Davao after I completed my internship and worked for 5 years as an Operations Manager for a Manila based Recruitment firm.”

 

“I was determined to take things more seriously and become a successful entrepreneur. I left the corporate world and began joining bazaars to sell totes and clutch bags with my good friend Karyn Flores. I’ve always loved making bags and I am just fascinated with the versatility of this product. When she left to pursue job opportunities abroad, I decided to continue on my own and started to consign items at Sunlab and Oak & Acorn.  Soon after that, I explored the online marketplace and started taking orders through the Internet. I began selling personalized tote bags, backpacks, sling bags and utility pouches for birthdays, baptisms, showers and weddings and customize kits for seminars, schools and companies. In 2010, I decided to expand my business further and opened a shop so customers can visit, look at actual samples and discuss product designs,” Anna proudly shares.

 

“We have been very busy ever since the shop opened. There would always be mothers coming in, looking for the unique loot bags to give away at their kids’ party. There are also couples scouting for wedding giveaways for their guests. Even companies come and order customized giveaways for their clients. The busiest time of the year is September as this is when we get the bulk of orders for personalized Christmas gifts and giveaways like luggage organizers, toiletry kits, charger bags, shoe bags, laundry bags and passport holders.”

 

“Having this kind of business allows me to spend quality time with my husband and my daughter, Arianna. I get a lot of support from them, too. In fact, Arianna is my main product endorser as she also uses all the bags I make for her, starting from diaper bags, lunch pouch, travel purse and kikay kits.”

Follow Fabianne Trends Unlimited on Facebook or visit their shop in Rivera Village #4 apartment (at the back of BPI Bank). You may also email them for inquiries or orders through ftutokens@yahoo.com or call 0908-3641933 / 0932-8710761.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue 27, 23 April 2014

 

THE TALENTED MISS JOEY

We hear her on radio. She is the voice that who kept us company while driving on the way to work. She is also the voice behind countless radio commercials, promos, narrations, corporate presentations, web audio and political sound clips. Her voice even sometimes looms through speakers inside the malls, talking of trends, hot deals and must-see shows in town. We’ve seen her onstage hosting mall events and corporate gatherings. Eloquent and chic, she keeps her audience entertained with her wit and humor as she talks to guests in front. One day you see her talking business, history and statistics, while on other days she pokes fun with wacky poses alongside equally charming and comical music artists. She even dared a selfie onstage with the country’s most followed and sought-after celebrity stylist. Clearly, there is no dead air when Joey takes the mic. She not only commands attention, but also stirs up laughter and enthusiasm in any scene.

Selfie with celebrity stylist, Liz Uy.

 

Joan Marie “Joey” Sy Domingo made her mark in events and broadcasting through her 13 years with the Davao-born radio station 105.9 MIXFM. Since then, Joey has become a household name and usually the first choice when it comes to voice talents and event hosting. Married in 2007 to Chris Domingo, Joey is blessed with an equally articulate and smart daughter, Jia Beatrice.

Jia Beatrice --- Joey's unica hija.

 

 

This fun, quirky, multi-hyphenate and talented woman is one I consider as the jack of all trades. Just when you thought voice is her only talent, she turned everyone egg-static when she launched her own twist of the famous Brazo de Mercedes. Flazo, as she calls it, has become a popular dessert and gift-du-jour in less than 6 months.

Flazos from the Flazo queen

 

Sound and Flazo bites aside, Joey maintains that it is her love for life, family, creativity and play that saw her throughout her 14 years as a voice talent and radio personality. 

Get up and Go

“My penultimate dream before was to be a news anchor and to be seen on TV. However, during that time, I was too young and had no way of getting myself into the business. So, I followed my father’s request and took up architecture instead. My reverie remained a dream for a couple more years. In 2001, I learned that MIXFM needed a newscaster. A day after I submitted a demo, I got a call and was asked to come back for an interview. The manager back then, Mr. Nigel Gamalong, christened me with the name “JOEY” and trained me for a year. When Mr. Bong Aportadera assumed the position of Station Manager, he gave me a slot in his morning show and worked as his newsie and eventually made me his sidekick in the Get up and Go morning Show which launched the Get up and Go with hometown heroes Sonny and Joey. The show lasted for 8 years and received numerous praises.”

Joey and her team from MIX FM.

“In my years in radio, I’ve learned that career is not a linear experience. Meaning your career is neither a ladder nor a pyramid. To me, it’s the idea of climbing a ladder, at one point, thinking we will ever reach the top? Contrary to what happened to me, I’ve learned to appreciate radio, hosting, voice over stints, teaching and baking as a way of life and not as an 8 to 5 job. Passion grows in me through the days and years, just as learning is an everyday experience. It is like any favorite app on iPhone --- you simply download it and get hooked.”

 

Multi-faceted life

“It’s really hard to tell how many events or roles I take in every week. I start my day early to prepare my daughter for school. Tuesdays and Thursdays see me at the University of Immaculate Conception where I teach Radio and Television Principles and Interpersonal Communication Skills. I record and write scripts for clients several times in a week. In between busy days, I bake and deliver Flazos. I also handle special events, hosting and voice over jobs for corporate and mall events.”

“Teaching in a university has always been in my bucket list. When I got the offer last year, I saw it as an opportunity for me to share what I’ve learned from the industry. I enjoy discussions in class. Sometimes, three hours is not even enough. I took it upon myself to share everything I know, also with help from friends in the industry who also eager to share their time and knowledge. I find teaching an extremely rewarding career. Watching young minds learn and helping them realize their full potential is truly a gratifying experience.”  

Live and learn

“I always maintain the attitude of a student --- I don’t stop learning. I try my best to make each day count. Every time I bake, I feel happy and excited that I’m sharing something that I love with friends. Instagram and Facebook posts about Flazo inspire me to create more flavors and make them available to everyone. When I host and do voice over stints, I try to be as professional and engaging as possible. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life. Entertaining people and keeping them in high spirits are my goals. The world will definitely become a better place if we all did our part in keeping the people around us happy and cheerful. And who says the world has to live under gray skies all the time anyway?”

MIX FM at 12

“Through the years, I’ve realized that if you aren’t passionate about something, it is hard to express your true self to anyone. If you cannot identify with an activity that you are exploring, then it’s hard to truly understand yourself as an individual. Our love of certain things, ideas and beliefs that exceed anything tangible and those which are close to our hearts make us passionate human beings. I consider myself a student— I learn and try to discover something new everyday, even through little missteps along the road.”

 

Joey gets wacky with Kate Torralba

 

“For me passion and inspiration are related to the idea of loving life. If you are able to figure out what makes you tick and feel alive, you can improve your life greatly and make every day exciting.”

To order Flazos, please contact Joey through mobile number 0920 951 6494. You may also place your orders through www.facebook.com/FLAZODVO.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue 23, 16 April 2014.

BACK TO BASICS

Celebrity stylist, LIZ UY

Right-sizing my wardrobe to only functional pieces has always been a challenge for me, despite the fact that I live and breathe each waking weekday in my office uniform. I started playing dress up at the age of 5 and have not stopped since then. Through the years, I’ve learned that a sustainable wardrobe doesn’t need to be expensive. I am not a big shopper and most of what I have were just accumulated through the years. However, I’ve reached that point wherein I’d have to rummage through my closet just to get a pair of jeans yet I still sometimes feel like I don’t have enough clothes to wear. “That’s because you don’t classify your clothes according to use. You have to make space for key pieces which you can mix and match, use and reuse many times,” snapped my friend.

Getting reacquainted with the basics couldn’t have come at a better time. I got my copy of Liz Uy’s StyLIZed just when I began with my spring cleaning.

StyLIZed: Liz Uy's 10 style essentials

StyLIZed is, by far, the hottest fashion book to hit the stores this year. In this book, fashion editor and stylist Liz Uy introduces to readers how to build a fashionable and highly functional wardrobe with only 10 versatile pieces. She details not only the basics every woman should have, but also the different ways of wearing them.

During the book signing event held at SM Lanang Premier, Liz Uy shared how this style guide came about. “I’ve seen trends come and go during my years as fashion editor. In this style guide, I outlined 10 wardrobe staples which are the most basic and ubiquitous pieces we probably all have in our closets. These are ones that can be worn for different occasions, styled in multiple ways, and are immune to trends regardless of the season.”

Liz doesn’t impose her own style and personality on her readers. She talks more about what goes into the process of putting together an ensemble and stresses on sensibility when it comes to choosing clothes and accessories that complement your body and character.

 

The book inspires readers to think out of the box and explore styling possibilities from combining edgy and classic pieces to giving second life to old clothes with easy DIY tricks. It opens ideas on how a woman can better appreciate and express her style and flaunt her assets. These useful tips and fresh ideas are more than enough to help women achieve and maintain a chic wardrobe that is practical at the same time. “No matter how basic the item is, it can truly go from day to night with just a simple tweak in how you fold it or what you wear it with. You can never go wrong with the basics. I would advise every girl to arm yourself with these pieces which you can definitely wear to many occasions at any time of the day. A little creativity goes a long way.”
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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue 18, 9 April 2014. 

 

HAPPY SKIN: COLORFUL COSMETIC LINE FOR FILIPINAS, BY FILIPINAS

 

Happy Skin takes cosmetics to a whole new level of hip and happy, with its promise of providing women with an entire line of makeup that cares for your skin. This brainchild of beauty experts Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo now proves to be the latest must-have in every Filipina’s beauty arsenal. Not only do their products boast of skin care benefits, the packaging is also way too cute for words!

 

“Each product name and design was painstakingly thought of and perfected to bring out a little smile in everyone,” shares Jacqe who spearheaded developing global brands under personal care leader Unilever. “Happy Skin is the first makeup line that offers an entire range of skin-caring makeup. It is especially created for women who want to look naturally beautiful, but want to make sure that their skin is also cared for. It’s for women who don't want to compromise on beauty. Our products are infused with special skincare ingredients, such as Japanese tea leaf, cherry blossom, hyaluronic acid, and Argan oil, to name a few. All our key products are sourced and made in Japan because we recognize the importance of skincare in this beauty capital.”

 

“I think good makeup should be easy to use, good for your skin, and makes you feel more beautiful,” Jacqe continues. “The reason why I started Happy Skin is because I’m a firm believer in good skincare and I don't like compromising my skin because of the makeup that I use. I’ve talked to a lot of women, and they’re scared to use makeup because they feel that it will harm their skin. That made me think of combining skin care and makeup! Why not create a makeup line that actually cares for your skin, too?”

 

 

As the local beauty scene grows more and more sophisticated, and Pinay women long for truly enhancing their natural beauty, Happy Skin came at the most opportune time.

“It was really my dream to create a brand of my own, one that will provide the best products that will excite people, make their lives happier and better,” recalls Jacqe. And so, after nearly a decade in the beauty and personal care industry, Jacqe took a leap of faith and created her own cosmetics brand—Happy Skin, makeup that cares for the skin. Bringing with her years of brand development experience and expertise from within the country and across the region, Jacqe injects her familiar stamp of brand strength to her very own “baby.”

 

To give Happy Skin its wings, Jacqe partnered with Rissa Mananquil-Trillo. This isn’t the first time Jacqe and Rissa worked together. Unknown to many, they built a close relationship when Rissa came on board as brand ambassador for one of the beauty brands Jacqe was handling. Bringing to the table her expert eye in beauty and her shared passion to make women look and feel beautiful, Rissa joined Jacque in her latest beauty venture. “I knew how hard it was to find good makeup for morenas when I first started modeling ten years ago. I’ve been modeling for more than a decade and I have had every imaginable makeup brand on my face. Many of them can instantly prettify you, but the biggest beauty woe is going home with ruined skin. Truly good makeup should be your ally—not your enemy—in making you look and feel more beautiful,” shares Rissa. “Even as a beauty columnist, I’ve always been proud to be brown and dreamed to create the perfect makeup line that would wonderfully celebrate Filipina skin.”

 

“Jacqe and I weathered many challenges and likewise celebrated many victories,” recalls Rissa of their growing friendship. “Jacqe possesses one of the most brilliant minds I know, and I love that she’s a perfectionist like me. Ours is a friendship that goes beyond the workplace,” she says. “Every time I’m with her, she always makes me feel like we’re sisters, so partnering with Jacqe felt so logical and natural.”

 

Recognizing the strength of their tried and tested tandem, Jacqe likewise speaks fondly of Rissa. “I may have devoted a decade of my life in understanding how to make women feel beautiful, but I have actually partnered with Rissa who is an actual expert in beauty,” explains Jacqe. “She’s the first one I approached to try the Happy Skin line when we were formulating the products. I very much respect Rissa’s experience both as a model and a beauty columnist, and I knew she’d be able to understand if this was something that women would love. I was very ecstatic that she loved the products, so much so that she signed on to become my partner and joined me in creating the product line of Happy Skin.” 

 

So, what’s in store for this happy brand? Rissa says there are so many more things to be excited about. “In fact, we’re preparing to launch the next set of products soon. One of the most recent items we introduced is the limited edition lipstick called Valentine Kiss which was the result of our collaboration with Kris Aquino.” Inspired by her favorite pink color, Kris Aquino approached the Happy Skin founders and asked them to create a limited-edition lipstick called Valentine Kiss. Branded with her autograph, this marks her stamp of approval for this special lippie in her signature pop of pink.

 

“Happy Skin believes that women should be able to live life to the fullest, worry-free! Our skin-loving products were designed to be fuss-free, easy-to-apply, and come in shades specifically formulated to complement Filipina skintones. Jacqe and I are very hands-on and we test every single sample until we achieve a product that will make women—and their skin—happy,” explains Rissa.

Happy Skin is currently available at Chimes Specialty Store located along Gov. Sales St., Davao City. Follow @chimesstore on Instagram for exclusive deals and featured products. Visit www.happyskincosmetics.com for a complete list of stores around the country.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 13, 02 April 2014.