Christmas must-haves at Chimes

“Christmas must-haves at Chimes”

Sun.Star Davao, Dec. 20, 2014

“What to give? What to wear? Where to buy?” Without a doubt, these are the frequently-asked questions this holiday rush.

It’s 5 days before Christmas but don’t you fret as Chimes Specialty Store’s two leading brands rise up to the demands of the Yuletide season with their exquisite style and beauty.

Be the dressiest damsel of the party with Plains and Prints’ 2014 Holiday Collection!

Rhett Eala, designer and creative director of Plains and Prints, shares that the brand’s holiday collection plays up on the Modern Metropolis theme featuring 20 unique, trendy dresses inspired by the different cities around the world.

“I think one of the things many people dream of is to experience what it’s like to spend the holidays abroad. With the collection, we’re sort of letting them do that through famous cities such as Milan, Shanghai and London,” says Eala.

Another fascinating aspect of this collection is the mishmash of materials to create unique pieces with interesting cuts, silhouettes, colors and prints.

“We also wanted to reflect global fashion, and that’s going towards the edgy side. However, we still wanted to retain the classy, timeless vibe we are known for. So, we incorporated that by using a combination of many different fabrics in classic silhouettes”, explains Eala.

Other exciting themes for the holiday collection include the East Meets West which is inspired by the merging cultures of east and west in varying shades of red and fuchsia with warm tones of peach and gray combining chic and elegance in flattering silhouettes; and the Heaven and Earth Collection which is influenced by the vibrant colors of the sky with complementing touches of earth color tones.

           

And, what better way to showcase and wear the Plains and Prints’ Holiday Collection than our best dolled-up faces using the skin-caring and proudly Filipino makeup brand, Happy Skin.

Last month, I was on fan girl mode when I personally met awe-inspiring model, columnist and Happy Skin co-founder Rissa Mananquil-Trillo during the launch of their latest beauty products in an intimate affair aptly dubbed as “Save Room for Dessert” at Chimes.

Joining Rissa was Happy Skin’s resident make-up artist Sophie Uy who skillfully showed guests how to apply make up in a jiffy with vavavoom results.

In time for their first anniversary celebration, Happy Skin introduced their hot new must-try products:

HAPPY SKIN SHUT UP & KISS ME LIP & CHEEK MOUSSE (P699 each) is a “dual-action lip-cheek wand that colors your puckers with velvety richness and lends cheeks a lasting, happy flush” in three shades: “yuletide-red “Mistletoe Kiss”, a bold must for festively feisty chicks; “Swept Off My Feet”, a sweet but punchy pink; and “Warm and Toasty”, a friendly taupe that’ll keep your nude pucker appropriate but warmly approachable”.

HAPPY SKIN ALL EYES ON HUE EYESHADOW PALETTE (P1,299)  is set to bring on the happy from day to night with a carefully curated palette of very useful colors such as Oatmeal, Biscuit, Hazelnut and Espresso. “For Happy Skin’s first ever eyeshadow palette, we made sure to feature four ultra wearable shades that complement each other and that also flatter every skin tone!”, shares Rissa.

HAPPY SKIN EYE NEED A MIRACLE CORRECTOR (P799) proves that “you can fake happy ‘til you feel it. This potent product claims that it can powerfully tackle fatigue under the eyes, extremely dark circles, scars, veins, bruises, and even tattoos and birthmarks!”

Still clueless on what to give the nicest people on your Christmas list? They would absolutely squeal in delight once they receive these adorably packaged Happy Skin treats from the Save Room for Dessert Holiday Collection 2014.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT (set of 3 Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me lippies at P1,399 or P549 each) tin set with new lippie shades, “Mistletoe Kiss”, “Under the Sheets”, and “Naughty and Nice”. The lippies have excellent color pigmentation, high level of moisturization and can last for hours without retouching.

SEALED WITH A KISS (set of 3 bestselling lippies at P1,299) tin. This is Happy Skin’s small gift back to their loyal fans in “First Kiss”, “Summer Fling” and “Crushing on You” shades.

EYE CANDY SET (set of 4 mini eyeliners at P1,299) tin. A collection of limited edition colors of Happy Skin’s bestselling gel eyeliners in “Plum”, “Watermelon”, “Cotton Candy” and “Butterscotch”. These new hues have a hint of modern, wearable pearl that can easily transform your everyday look.

HAPPY SKIN SERVED ON A SILVER PLATTER (collection of 5 bestselling products at P1,999) set showcasing Shut Up and Kiss Me “Honeymoon Glow” lippie, Get Cheeky with Me blush in “First Kiss”, Eye Am Here to Stay 24H Gel Eyeliner, SS cream and foundation brush.

The Christmas countdown may be almost over but don’t hit the panic button just yet. Head on to Chimes now for these Christmas must-haves!

Wishing you and your families a blessed and meaningful Christmas!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Sheikh Shack sarap!

“Sheikh Shack sarap!”

Sun.Star Davao, Dec. 6, 2014

Succulent beef brisket slowly braised in its secret house stock, meticulously diced into cubes and pan seared to perfection. Then, the heavenly beef is generously wrapped in tortilla bread with fresh and crisp vegetables and drizzled with a specially-concocted garlic sauce. Put them all together and what do you have? Sheikh Shack sarap!

The delicious idea of Sheikh Shack was born in early July this year. One of the partners, Engr. Jerome Go, broached the idea of opening a shawarma stall to his group of friends. So, they enlisted the help of Chef Caitlin Yao to make the menu.

Chef Caitlin has worked for Café Firenzo and Dimsum Diner prior to opening the Shack. She also runs her own small food business, Not an Ordinary Meal (NOM).

When the partners were throwing names around, partner Eng. Paeng Rodriguez suggested the name Sheikh Shack. The play on words was inspired partly by the popular burger franchise Shake Shack and the word sheikh, an Arabic honorific used for royalty.

A month later, Sheikh Shack successfully debuted at the DAVCON Kadayawan Bazaar where they were sold out every single night. Seeing the potential the Shack had to offer, these friends, 12 guys and a girl, decided to open its first branch.

“We can best describe the food at the Shack as an elevated food stall. We were inspired by the concept of food trucks and awesome quality of food for affordable prices”, shares Chef Caitlin.

“Our bestseller is our beef shawarma wrap and rice. Our one-of-a-kind garlic sauce is what we believe to be our specialty. We can’t tell you what’s in it, but we can promise you that once you try it you’ll never be satisfied with any other garlic sauce out there”, the young chef guarantees.

Sheikh Shack is a favorite hang-out of a lot of families and kids who come in after school for snacks. “They usually order the beef shawarma rice with egg”, says Chef Caitlin.

“We think that the Shack offers something familiar but better. It is comfort food that we’ve managed to do really well and we at the Shack feel that our products won’t be a fad but rather a staple. It’s something that you look for when you’re on the go or in the mood to give yourself a treat”, enthuses Chef Caitlin.

Sheikh Shack’s first branch just celebrated its one-month anniversary recently. And, when asked what is the experience like doing business with friends, Earl Ang and Chef Caitlin Yao who are both managing partners and cousins, have this to say, “Running a business with friends is not easy but it is most definitely fun. The multitude of ideas and personalities are what make Sheikh Shack. The most important thing is that we all respect each other’s ideas and decisions. This common feeling of respect makes the Shack run smoothly”.

For budding young entrepreneurs, Earl and Chef Caitlin have this sound advice, “Go out there and take the risk, it’s scary and tiring at first but nothing beats the feeling of owning something that’s your own.”

Sheikh Shack is located at Corner Palma Gil St., Bo. Obrero, Davao City (along Starr, Bricklane Compound and the Brewery). They are open from 10am to 10pm, Mondays through Saturdays. Call telephone number 3004692 for pick-up orders. Sheikh Shack’s second branch will be opening soon at the basement of Gaisano Mall of Davao (near Handyman), from 10am-9pm Mondays through Sundays.

Follow them on Facebook via Sheikh Shack Shawarma and at Instagram@SheikhShackShawarma.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.