A stormy day and thebaghag goes to “work” :)

So I didn’t post for 2 days. The weather was so nice (and stormy) and was just perfect for lounging and sleeping (PLUS, CARRYING A GOYARD FIDJI HOBO!!)– none of which I did actually, except the Goyard part haha (see, I’m not a real “bum” after all! hehe). The other day (day 1 of the storm), I met up with the Metro gals *sans Fi who was sick :(* to celebrate Metro Weddings Managing Editor JoanS’s birthday at Crustasia. DaphP was there too, and still looks sexy despite being heavily pregnant (she has a big belly, but is still so small everywhere else *Envy envy… memories of my whale blimp stage kept popping right before my eyes. Bawl!*)

Hehehe, anyway, the food at Crustasia was just soo yummy. We had squids, seafood rice served in bamboo, some dimsum, and crabs, among other dishes! In DaphP’s words, it was “exagg” 😀 I stuffed myself (ate like I hadn’t eaten in a decade, thank you), and in the process, gained what, 10 pounds? (Poor excuse for stuffing myself: “Girls, I have hyperacidity, I need to have a full stomach all the time *muwahahaha*”). We headed off to Cibo after lunch for dessert (and yes, I took a huge chunk of the panna cotta. I know I’m gaining weight. Pfffft hehe).

Yesterday was quite nice as well– kids had no school yet again, which allowed plenty playtime for me and them (ahhh bonding). In the afternoon though, Mrs.T had to run off and go do some “work”. I actually can’t quite consider it work, since it’s something I love.

You already all know by now that I am also a mall rat. Metro’s editor-in-chief MelC always teases me, “Hey girl, what have you been up to lately… Shopping again?” At one point, I was telling my good friend that it is soo bad to be typecast as a hag who doesn’t do anything but shop (take note, shop doesn’t always equate spending money, ok? *defensive stance hehe*)

But know what, it ain’t so bad to be a mall rat. Because if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have been able to discover stores like RELIGIOSO.

I did a small writeup of the store before, but this time, I got up close and personal behind the creative force of this clothing line with a catchy name. And before I introduce what they have, here is the team 😀L-R: Marty Ilagan, Choc Religioso- Dayrit, Yvette Religioso- Ilagan, May Alzona, and Aldrich Dayrit.

Marty Ilagan, who was a professional tennis player (Team Manila!) and is now a golfer with a serious passion for it, is responsible for creating the sporting line (active wear) of Religioso. It is his first stint as a designer, and he already shows a flair for it. Having gotten tired of the “traditional” golf attires on the course, he decided to have some clothes made for himself to wear on the “green”– clothes which he infused with color, clothes that are anything but dull (Golfers: Kiss those khaki pants goodbye!). And his keen sense of golfing fashion has already gotten his clothing line a following. In fact, he is already designing clothes for the country’s top two amateur golfers, as well as one veteran pro golfer! And let me tell you this (and this is no joke)– his clothes WILL want to make you learn how to play golf. (ok, time to ask DB if he will sponsor my golf club membership *Woohoo* Remember I need a sport? This might be it for me!)

Aldrich Dayrit, husband of Choc and a proud father-to-be, takes care of the men’s line for the brand, and he dresses the part as well (oh how I wish DH would let me pick his clothes!! :D) The men’s button downs have that comfortable feel, without compromising style or going over the top. The clothes still retain that conservative look, but is definitely not boring. I personally dislike having to see men wearing similar looking shirts all the time (plaid, checkered, solids… ugh), so I was pleased to see men’s shirts with subtle embroidery designs at Religioso. So if you wanna makeover your man little by little, you can start right there. I’m pretty sure your man will thank you afterwards. 🙂

Uber stylish and glowing mom- to- be Choc Religioso- Dayrit, currently 7 months pregnant with her first child, went to design school, and has enjoyed dabbling at fashion design along with her sister, Yvette Religioso- Ilagan (one of Preview Mag’s best dressed for 2006– and hags, believe me when I say this, she carries herself so well! *and I am just one clumsy ugly duckling next to her, seriously*). They already have a retail store, Faro (sounds familiar?), which caters to plus- sized women, when they decided they wanted to extend their designing sensibilities by opening another shop. Since these tall and thin (yes, ugh, I am soo envious) sisters have already been custom-designing clothes for their clients, they decided to put up shop at the former location of Faro in the Shangrila Plaza Mall.

They haven’t looked back since. Religioso is fast becoming known as the one-stop tops “couture” shop, where hags like you and me, can get tailored shirts– but wait, they’re not your average garden variety tailored shirts. It’s really all in the details, which makes it so special. Again, why blend in with the rest of the crowd when you can obviously stand out AND look good? Religioso femme has lacey tops with contrasting pink “cummerbunds”, and those nicely tailored and ultra feminine shirts (out with the basic white shirt, hags! They’re a dime a dozen!). Also hot sellers are their dresses, skirts, and shorty shorts (I love using that term! Shorty shorts).

The best thing about it is, you won’t really be seeing twenty people wearing the same top as you. Each of their clothing is considered a work of art– and this is the one of the best things– you won’t see over 5 pieces of that same style being sold.

So if you are tired of your wardrobe, do pay Religioso a visit at Level 3, Shangrila Plaza Mall (tel. 02-6332901). Whee and thanks to them, I got new shortyshorts *woohoo!!*, a black shirt with a very dramatic collar, and a very nice black belt *double woohoo!!* to wear with my soon-to-come tailored white shirt with dramatic details (hehe Karate Kid, eat your heart out!)

The daytrip wouldn’t really be complete now without a bag photo, so here it is 🙂 Metro’s fashion editor TrishC (and now also Metro Weddings’ fashion editor *congrats!!*) brought her new Louis Vuitton Pandora Speedy 30 to play with my now-old Hermes Paris- Cannes 🙂

Ok, a looming acne war is about to erupt on my forehead. Ugh. I better catch some shuteye (boy what a very unsightly picture I paint, right before going to sleep… acne war. Eww)

Night night hags and have a good one 🙂

xo