Exploring Bangkok in Style with TBS 1978 from Hit The Road PH

Before leaving Manila to visit Bangkok for a few weeks, I was able to get a hold of a shoe brand called TBS 1978. I was really excited to add it in my OOTD. Normally whenever I travel, I just bring my trusty hiking boots and a pair of flip flops. This time around knowing that I'll be spending most of my days in the city, it is fitting to dress up a bit and be stylish more than the usual "backpacker get-up" (tho the rugged look is still my comfort zone haha).



To learn more about this brand,

TBS 1978 is a ready-to-wear shoe brand that is proud of its French heritage and has been introduced in the Philippines via Hit The Road PH. It is best known for leather sneakers that bring to you comfort, style and versatility as it integrates its active lifestyle design with premium full- grain leather to marry the need for everyday stylish comfort. 

Each pair is crafted with a cushion in-sole to increase comfort, a Technogrip patterned sole to ensure grip and a full-grain leather exterior that outlasts the test of time.

So now that I got to test it, I must say that it is very comfortable. I walked the whole day thinking that because it was brand new, it needed a little break-in (based from my experience) and I was ready to get some little bruises from it, but amazingly nothing! It felt as if I've been using it for a long time already.

Surat Journals New Products + Giveaway

Lately, I have been experimenting with some new products for Surat Journals. I got a lot of request to do a cellphone cover, wallet, business card holder...etc etc etc. So the past few days, I have been doing an all nighter to come up with some new leather crafts for you guys (naks).

[caption id="attachment_4845" align="alignnone" width="800"] Our Passport Covers[/caption]

Aside from the leather journals, last year, we have launched our passport covers and the response are amazing (thanks guys).

This time around, I am happy to introduce 2 additional items in our Surat Journal product line.

LEATHER POUCH

[caption id="attachment_4847" align="alignnone" width="800"] Assorted leather pouches[/caption]

It can be for your phone, glasses, passport, pens, brushes....basically anything that can fit pouch. I have been wanting to make one of these for ages, and now that I am becoming more confident with my leather stitching techniques (the trick is, use pliers guys haha), I was able to play around with this idea, and I love the result.



 

CARD + CASH SLEEVE

[caption id="attachment_4846" align="alignnone" width="800"] Assorted Card + Cash Sleeves[/caption]

Originally just a business card holder, but when I was doing a photo for Instagram, I used the bills I have collected from my travels, and surprisingly, they fit perfectly in the sleeves.

I love how I can play around with leather colors, mix matching them to create 2-slots for your cards and cash.

You can get these items directly from our FB page www.suratjournals.com and from the 10th of February 2017 onwards, The Good Stuff will be selling them in several markets/bazaars across Dubai (they will also sell it online, yipeee).

Also, don't forget, you can get our journals here: click this link

[caption id="attachment_4857" align="alignnone" width="800"] photo by @thatguynamedpatrick[/caption]

Follow our official IG page to get more updates on our products @SuratJournals.

TIME FOR A GIVEAWAY

WIN A CARD + CASH SLEEVE

As part of my birthday giveaways, it is a no brainer that I will give something from my own brand. Just share this blog in Fb and join the rafflecopter below (that easy).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Due to shipping restrictions, only those who have PH or UAE address can join this giveaway. 



Good luck guys!

Check out some of our other Birthday Giveaways here: 

Deuter Roadway Giveaway

Cabin Zero Vintage 44L Cabin Sized Bag

 

Cabin Zero Vintage 44L Cabin Sized Bag Review + Giveaway Announcement

As a budget traveler, whenever I travel,  I always carry just a backpack (if I can) because first and foremost, it is easier to move, especially that most of the ‘old’ European cities are big fans of stairs and cobbled streets. It is also a way to avoid queuing at the airport baggage drop off so you can just hop and go. Aside from that, in most budget airlines, you have to purchase your allowance for check-in luggage, which I rather spend in eating local delicacies or paying for a tour.

So it is very fitting when Cabin Zero sent me a 44L Vintage bag to test around. Yes! I am very happy! I got to bring it in my previous trip in the UAE and Hong Kong and I must say it didn’t disappoint.

[caption id="attachment_4777" align="alignnone" width="800"] Me and My Cabin Zero at Hong Kong Airport[/caption]

Here’s a quick run down of what I thought about my Cabin Zero. Also, there is an announcement for a giveaway at the end (yipeee).

STYLE

I got a gray bag from their 44L Vintage Bag Collection. As most of you might have noticed, I love gray and blue, so a gray one is very fitting for my OOTD ( haha).

I love how stylish it looks. It can pass as a casual bag if not only for its size. There are leather elements around the bag which makes it very trendy aside from the simplicity of the whole design.

You are not limited with this collection. Cabin Zero comes in Vintage (mine), Army, Classic and Camo

https://www.instagram.com/p/5TzbR5xvDN/?taken-by=cabinzero

 



You can check out more designs in this link.

SIZE AND COMPARTMENTS

The size is just perfect to bring inside the plane cabin compartment. Although there is a slim chance you will be asked upon boarding/check point, it is still advisable to check the weight (don’t bring more than your check-in limit if you are flying, just to be safe --- airports are now very strict with this, I learned my lesson). The good thing about it, the materials used to make a Cabin Zero Bag are all light weight compared to trolleys and other heavy duty backpacks.

Check out airlines cabin bag allowances here

[caption id="attachment_4766" align="alignnone" width="800"] photo c/o @cabinzero[/caption]

It also has several compartments. The front zip sleeve is useful for items you want to access easily. I placed my books and some paper documents there. Inside, you have 1 net pocket and another horizontal zip pocket where I store random stuff like chargers, wires and pens. You also have a back sleeve for your laptop. The main compartment is generous enough for all your clothes ( I say, roll them up to fit perfectly).

I got to use it as well in carrying some of the stuff (aside from traveling) I need. Such as my Surat Journals and power tools.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMssfzwh5CI/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNuquLVBWMq/?taken-by=suratjournals

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPthyXKgpur/?taken-by=kennethsurat

Recently I purchased their Cabin Cubes which will help me organize my clothes even more inside my Cabin Zero. I am excited to have them. Will update this post once they arrive.

SECURITY

The bag itself looks very sturdy. From the stitching to its heavy duty lockable zippers. I know a friend who had it checked-in and it survived the whole journey (you know what goes on inside those secret conveyors right?).

What I love about its security features is that, all Cabin Zero bags (including the Cubes) are built with a Global Tracker which is powered by Okoban. This will help you easily locate your bag if it gets lost (which hopefully will not happen).

Check out more information about this through this link

[caption id="attachment_4772" align="alignnone" width="800"] photo c/o @cabinzero[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4778" align="alignnone" width="800"] Dubai International Airport (T3)[/caption]

All in all I am so happy with my Cabin Zero. I have a lot of friends who also use this bag and everyone like it so far.

---

GIVEAWAY TIME

Do you want to have your own Cabin Zero?

Because it is my BIRTHDAY MONTH, I am giving away 1 Camo 44L Cabin Zero Bag. Just watch out for this post. I will be updating it on the 9^th of February 2017 to activate the GIVEAWAY LINK.

[caption id="attachment_4770" align="alignnone" width="800"] Cabin Zero Classic 44L Camouflage Collection to Giveaway. photo c/o @cabinzero[/caption]

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!!!

Where Can You Get A Surat Journal?

For those who have been following my Instagram and Facebook (ok, even in Youtube) you already know that I started a hand crafter journal called Surat Journals.

I am so happy to tell everyone that now, instead of getting your orders through our FB page (www.suratjournals.com) you can go directly to our online shop and also a physical shop where you can get our sought after little blank books (both stitched and original blank books).

GET IT ONLINE:

You can get it online through our online shop at http://www.ideyna.com/shop/surat-journals.html. All journal purchased can be shipped wherever you are in the world.

[caption id="attachment_3989" align="alignnone" width="800"] Get it at www.Ideyna.com[/caption]

 

VISIT OUR SHOP (Physical Shop):

If you fancy our camel leather stitched journals and would love to see and feel it first, you can visit the creative shop at the Alserkal Cultural Foundation, Heritage House in the Bastakiya (Al Fahidi) Compound , Burdubai, Dubai, UAE.

Check the location here: MAP

[caption id="attachment_3991" align="alignnone" width="800"] Get it at the Heritage House[/caption]

With these options, we are so happy that our journals can reach more people and getting one is becoming easier. We are developing other collaborations and we will keep you all updated.

Also don't forget to follow us at www.instagram.com/suratjournals and www.instagram.com/thetravelingjournalproject

CONTINUE DREAMING AND CONTINUE WRITING!

 



 

My Dubai Splash Fashion League: A Splash of Fashion.

I posted a poster before about Splash’s fashion show with a running title “Splash Fashion League (see this link). It was indeed a very fashionable event full of a very edgy and sporty spring/ summer collection. 

Me and my photographer friend Zheena were invited to gazed this event and have a look at their new collections. 

The good thing about Splash is that their stuff are not expensive (will fit everyone’s budget), all you have to do is to be creative and and have a bit of imagination, which is what this fashion show is all about——CREATIVE FASHION.

Me and my friend Zheena along the red carpet.

The show begins…..

With Splash’s CEO, Raza Beig proud to close this momentous event. 

To know more about Splash and locate their stores here in Dubai, you can click on this link. ——> SPLASH

My Dubai Travel/ Fashion Blog: Dubai Global Village

Before Dubai’s Global Village came to a close, we thought of celebrating a friend’s birthday and try “what they say” as the best and authentic tom yum soup in town. Our street food adventure became a bargain spree adventure, and also a chance of doing an outfit blog.

Because it was just an impromptu invitation, I just grabbed what I can from my closet. Global village is located just a bit outside the metro so it was expected that it will be colder compared to city. 

Forget about the floral plastic bag, but it complimented what I was wearing.^^

We spent most of the time in the Thailand Court. We got a lot of stuff there and ate a lot as well. We bought some bamboo magic towel also in the Austrian Court (we love it).

What am I wearing: Striped round neck shirt and long sleeves shirt both from TOPMAN, Pants from H&M and Shoes from ALDO.

My Paris Fashion Emergency

As what I have mentioned in my previous travel blog (click here), my luggage was declared missing during my arrival in Paris. After waiting for 3 days, I decided that it was about time for me to move on and buy new clothes to wear ( I still have a lot of days left for my “back packing trip” and I don’t want to spend them wearing the same khaki shorts and souvenir shirts). 

I walked along the street of Champs Elysees and found an H&M shop! PERFECT! I love H&M! I love how their clothes perfectly fit my asian built (not to mention very affordable), that is why it was a no brainer that this should be the first shop where I will get my new ensembles for this trip.

The first thing I looked for was a blazer (and a scarf to follow), although it was summer, Paris weather was still very cold for me in the evening.I also grabbed a few colored skinny pants, a couple of T-shirts and checkered slim fit shirts, sets of underwear and lastly I bought a leather bag so I can use it as an alternative to the one I lost in the airport.

I love what I bought and from the looks of it, there was no need for me to look for another shop! I completed my whole outfit for the whole trip! Thanks to H&M! ….NOW I AM REALLY READY TO HIT PARIS!

My Dubai Event & Fashion Blog : A Breeze of Glamour and Luxury

Designing an event is somewhat a very daunting task. While tracking down a few exhibition stands in Dubai is fairly simple, implementing them effectively takes a trained eye. Then you have lighting, music, entertainment. It can all become quite overwhelming, but the end result is nothing short of pure bliss. To see the success of the event is like seeing your baby’s first walk+graduation and wedding in one package (well, I don’t have a baby yet, so I am just assuming).

Last month, we were privileged to work with Cartier Middle East in designing their Polo event. It was interesting because first and foremost, I don’t have any idea how this sport works and obviously, you will not see me fashioning a Cartier piece (but I am claiming that I will be soon).

It was indeed a day of glamour and gathering of some top socialistas and fashionistas in the part of the world.

I will just be posting personal photos because we still don’t have the approval from Cartier to post the “event photos”..will share some soon once we get the approval.

What I am wearing: H&M knitted blazer, Aeropostale black shirt, H&M khaki skinny pants, RL highcut sneakers and Ray-ban Aviator. 

[gallery]

Summer is almost here!!….and here’s a photo of my cutie li’l cousin on the cover of “kids Domain” magazine summer issue. Fashionista in the making.

(photos c/o kids domain magazine australia)

check out their website:

http://www.kidsdomainmagazine.com.au

My Dubai Event and Fashion Blog: The Age of the Graphic Tees - URSOM's Grand Launching

Who doesn’t love a good T-shirt? If I have a choice, I will wear it everyday, even at work. People are always drawn to comfort and a T-shirt (cotton shirt) is indeed comfort at its basic form—oooh deep

Graphic tees have been around for quite some time now. I still remember, back in my college days,I always get fascinated seeing shirts with prints such as “Tummy illfigure” instead of Tommy Hilfiger and “GI Jose” as a Mexican/Filipino spoof of GI Joe.  They are brilliant—and funny.

Aside from the spoof graphic shirts, with the age of digital printing, having a very intricate art print on a shirt is not a problem anymore.  

Now, T-shirts are not only a piece of clothing, but also another form of canvass where we can express ourselves and where fashion can become an expression of one’s passion.

I was totally intrigued when a friend of mine linked me an article from Gulf News reporting that a new T-shirt brand will be launching here in Dubai, where artists can have their artworks printed (and get a percentage of the sales). Since I just started doing some fashion blogs, I was interested to know how this brand came into being.

 Ursom (which means draw in Arabic) – according to an article from art in the city, is the first e-commerce site that sells designer T-shirts by artist from across the Middle East. — bridging the gap between the worlds of art and fashion. Printed on high quality T-shirts with state of the art equipment, Ursom operates the entire production line out of Dubai

To read the full article clink on this link: http://www.artinthecity.com/en/articles/post/2013/02/12/ursom-celebrates-the-launch-of-its-website-with-regional-artists-and-designers/512/?cct=119&ccid=512

(Sample graphic tees. Showcased by hanging them around the venue on clothes line.)

(giveaways—YEY)

What I love about Ursom is that the idea is so simple but brilliant. T SHIRT + ARTIST = EXCELLENT GRAPHIC SHIRTS.  This is perfect with the emerging artist communities in Dubai.

 

(With my brother —there is a story behind this). What am i wearing: 21 Men cardigan, black skinny jeans from TopMan, scarf from Urban Behavior, leather bag from Ted Baker.

(With Ursom’s co-founder, Luma.)

(yey—food. What a treat!)

The event was simple. I was able to talk to one of the co-founders, Luma, who told me that they wanted the event to be as casual as possible—and it did turn out to be so. The place was full of artists and promising entrepreneurs eager to have a glimpse of the T-shirts being showcased during the event. –The venue was also awesome! (and I will do a separate blog about it)

I can’t wait to submit my design to Ursom and have someone wear it (and pay )

 

You can check out what they have in their online shop by checking their website at http://ursom.com/. As of the moment T-shirts are available AED 120 each.

Photos from Ursom Official FB page and Zheena Vergara Photography

impulse buying and a lot of FAITH

It seemed as if everything happened so fast ( but believe me it was not). It was almost 3 months now since my BIG FRANCE-SPAIN-ITALY backpacking trip, i cant believe it— i don’t want it to be removed in my memory..i will share stories on my travel in future blog posts.— For the mean time i just want to share how it all started…. as the tittle suggested, It all started with an impulse buying! YES!!

I was walking by the mall and passed  by a north face shop and saw that it was on sale! didnt have any second thought..i entered confidently and fixed my mind that i will leave the shop with a back pack on my shoulders, what for?? hmmm..i still dont know, during that time all i knew was, i was drooling for this bag for ages (since college to be exact) and now that i have some money and it was on sale, I NEED TO BUY THEM!!…

Once i paid for it..it started to linger in my mind that it was an expensive bag, urgh.. as i left the store, on my way home i laid my hands on the bag and did a declaration!!!.. I WILL USE THIS BAG THIS YEAR!! THIS BAG WILL BECOME DIRTY AND FULL OF SCRATCHES FROM TRAVELING THE WORLD!!

…and YES by FAITH it did!!!