The Ultimate Gift for Dad

One of my goals is to buy my dad a luxury item he THINKS he doesn't need ;) 
Like Italian watch brand U-Boat:

I love how macho these big-face watches are...

This is in my wish list, encased in this vault-like steel box:

With a magnifying glass to show off the details of the face

The oak-colored leather straps gives it a vintage feel.

Another one is this one, packaged in an "Hermes-Orange" leather box :D

This has an even bigger face, 
and a has a more modern take to it with its glossy hardware finish.

And you can see everything at the back of this watch

Both watches come in very limited stocks, each having their own serial number.  

Making each piece a very special timekeeper that can be passed on for generations.

U-BOAT Manila ITS 'BOUT TIME INC. Maxims Hotel,Resorts World Manila Newport Boulevard, Newport City Cybertourism Zone, Pasay 1309 Metro Manila, Philippines +632 836 9937 marketing.uboat@frigate.com.ph

Visit their facebook by clicking on the link.

Gifts for Dad

I'm done shopping for Father's Day gifts to my dad (Burberry shirts) and my husband (Kenneth Cole sling bag and a Tumi wallet)—I did mine during my England vacay.  Two down, one more to go: for my father-in-law, that is.  Good thing, Rustan's sent me some great gift suggestions that might be helpful for you as well:

ONLY THE BEST FOR THE GREATEST DAD FROM RUSTAN’S

Every son and daughter knows that fathers never ask for too much. So for his special day on Father’s Day, surprise him and give him something that will put a smile on his face. Show him how much you truly appreciate him and reward him for all his hard work and love. This Father’s Day, discover the perfect gift that every father would love for work and play only at Rustan’s.

Spend a relaxing weekend with dad in style and visit Rustan's for the best outfits and accessories, like this clean and crisp look from Faconnable. Throw this stylish jacket from the Monte-Carlo Masters Series Collection on a fitted polo and shorts and dad's confident to step out, casual and polished. 

We all know dads strive to be at the top of their game at work, so reward him with top-notch business suits, formal shirts and leather belts from Hackett and quality leather shoes from Magnnani. Other classic gifts like Nautica Plain White Hankies, Faconnable and Geoffrey Beene neckties, Michael Kors timepieces and Hackett and Jean-Louis Scherrer cufflinks round-up Rustan's perfect offerings for the dad at work.

It doesn't matter whether dad's an avid gym regular or is allergic to the treadmill. Get him motivated with gym clothes that use the best performance fabrics and technology, like this Sugoi Zap Jacket, sleeveless top and shorts. Klean Kanteen water bottles are perfect for any sporting activity, as well as the Timex Iron Man watches. Get dad into the active lifestyle and keep him healthy for longer.

Treat dad to a much deserved vacation and gift him these other travel essentials like the Panasonic Portable Battery Shaver, or a set of Hackett International Polos. Pile them all into the lightweight Bric's Dynamic Trolley Luggage, and have him wear a pair of D&G shades and dad's all set to jet to the locale of your choice.

This Father’s Day, Rustan’s celebrates this special day by offering the best selection of gifts that a Father will surely want! Give your father that special token that spells out “I love you” or “Thank you” with Rustan’s many stylish apparel and timeless treasures.

Have you found the perfect gift? Hope so :) 

Happy Father's Day!

Sale stuff for Dad and You

Still no gift for dad? Check this out:

Beauty Bar is giving 25% off on all Anthology products (except kits) for Father's Day.

Oh, and if there's a Mango store nearby, you might want to drop by 

and see what fab finds are on sale!

*photo taken last season :o 

Wasn't able to take a photo last Wednesday night when I was at Power Plant mall.

How We Spent Dada's Day

I mentioned in my earlier post that we'll most probably be spending Father's Day at Power Plant Mall, which we did right after our lunch at Tsukiji—the boys love this Japanese resto :P

I brought dad to Lacoste as promised, and guess what he picked! The Karas model in low-cut whites. It was half a size bigger, but dad loved the style that he'll just wear thicker socks for this pair. The sales staff checked with other branches if there are still available pairs, but only Cebu and Davao were left on the list. Grrr... oh well, we still got it for dad.

Next stop was Mango for me and mom. Got these colorful bandeaus for P189 each.

We stumbled upon these really nice (and expensive) Tempur mattresses and pillows at the concourse level. Would you believe this whole set costs about P600,000? Tempur is recommended by over 30,000 medical practitioners, and is believed to help improve circulation. It also lessens the stress on your spine by helping it rest in its natural position. Thus, promoting better sleep quality. According to their website, "it has been clinically proven to reduce tossing and turning from an average of 100 times during the night, to just 17 times."

You can even try the bed and the pillow in this room, if you're uncomfy with lying down on the display models in public. We all tried and loved it! I love how it molds to the contours of our body, but stays hard yet soft at the same time. It's thick density makes it stable. You really have to try them yourself.

Their latest is the Sonata Pillow, perfect for those who sleep on their side.

This, I think, I need—I experience a lot of upper backaches and neck pains. Pillows are priced at about P4000 and up, and comes in a lot of sizes and styles. It might be a bit steep, but if it does help you sleep better, why not? If you think about it, you sleep on your pillows for more than 8 hours everyday... And only for today is Tempur giving 10% off, just because it's Father's Day. If you want to check out these amazing soft pillows, you can visit their branch in Shangri-la Plaza mall.

My family and I (with hubby) parted ways after checking out Tempur. My brothers were getting bored. Hubby and I went straight to Gingersnaps to pay for a pair of shorts we wanted for little J.

Hubby and I loved these plaid shorts...

It reminded us of his own plaid pair... in a slightly different color combination :)

And so, we bought this set for little J. So excited for him to wear these :) Price: P499.50 each.

Wonder how often we'll be shopping if we have a daughter in the future? I was telling hubby she'll be a very stylish lady when she grows up—hopefully! How could she not be? When she has a mom for a fashion and beauty writer/editor, and a dad who used to be a clothing purchaser for a major department store? ;)

Btw, Gingersnaps Shangri-la Plaza mall branch is on sale. We found some good buys for as low as P150 a shirt for toddlers. I also saw some nice dresses for teens (that could fit us) for only P350. So, do pass by and check out the goods. Might as well drop by Mango when you have the time :)

More gadgets for Dad

Here's a store that you might find interesting: Cutting Edge. From the distributors of the famous Bicycle cards, Parker ballpens and Victorinox tools, the owners took on a venture into opening a novelty shop for big boys. I met their brand assistant, Babeth Cruz, about a year ago at their branch in SM Megamall; and I was quite impressed with their offerings. Definitely unique and quite special as gifts for the men and boys in your life.

I remember her showing me this gadget: Vuzix AV310. A handy wearable small TV screen (worn as a visor) that comes with earphones that makes portable watching possible. I was actually weirded out at first when she showed me this gadget, but I realized that men will surely think this is a cool gadget to have. It's almost always sold out! Price: P13,995.

If your dad's like McGyver, then this handy Victorinox Hunstman SIlverTech Translucent, P1800, will be in his pocket all the time. A perfect gift for the boy scout in him ;)

* Cutting Edge outlets are located at the 2nd Level TriNoma; UG/F Bldg. A SM Megamall; 2/F Entertainment mall, SM Mall of Asia; and 3/F Greenbelt 5.

Daddy promo from Kiehl's

A Nokia E71 could be yours (or your dad's). Find out how:

Mechanics:

1. From June 19-21, 2009, Kiehl's customers get a chance to win a brand new Nokia E71 (Grey Steel) via purchase bidding.

2. A minimum of P10,000 single receipt purchase automatically qualifies as a bid.

3. Customer with the highest single receipt purchase throughout the specified time period will win the Nokia E71 (grey steel).

If the whole family is into Kiehl's, then this single purchase would be easy for you ;) Good luck!

For the (secretly) Vain Dad

I'm sure your dad secretly wishes that he could age gracefully as well. (photo courtesy of Clarins)

Most dads are too embarrassed to ask for help with regards to vanity,

so why don't you give him some skin care products to try?

Sleepless working nights can make him look older through his eye area. Help him fight wrinkles

and puffiness with these Clarins products. The Line-Control Eye Balm (left) smoothes and firms

the eye area; while the Anti-Fatigue Eye serum (right) prevents dark circles and puffiness from

appearing. Don't forget to teach your dad how to apply these creams

by lightly touching the eye area with just one finger (or his ring finger).

It's a long-time fave shave cream that works for all skin types. And you don't have to use much on your skin,

just a very thin layer of this product will do. Dads who love mint (like mine) will surely love this,

since it comes with Menthol and Camphor to give an antiseptic cooling effect.

If you hear your dad talking about sagging skin and his double chin getting bigger, then give him

this Shiseido Men Facial Contour Refiner. It has Yeast Extract, which enhances

the tightening of collagen fibers.

The Body Shop's Maca Root men's care range is an affordable starter/travel kit. According to the brand, Maca Root is the "super food of the Andes"

that grows in the mountains of Peru. It has essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that have been used

by the Incas 2,000 years ago—believed to make them strong before going to battle. Now, it comes in a skin care line

to keep men's skin healthy, radiant and firm.

Where to go this Father's Day?

Why don't you spend Father's Day at Rockwell Power Plant Mall? For every minimum purchase of P1000 (single receipt) from any store in the mall, you get to have a photo taken with your dad, courtesy of Vint. I would love that :) We usually spend our Sundays at Power Plant Mall. Hopefully, the lines won't be that long. Who doesn't want a free photo-op? Tip: You could buy something impromptu for him when you get there, and use that receipt to avail of the free photo ;)

Three Tangent Retro Radio from Acoustic Dimension will also be given away. Just have 5 coupons from the Ultimate Father's Day card stamped by the respective stores and restaurants and get a chance to win of one of these cool radios. To claim your raffle stub, simply head to the Archaelogy Hug Station. There's also the UP Jazz Ensemble Concert that starts at 6pm. Interested parties can make restaurant reservations by giving Mark Dantes at call at 898-1702 local 110. Winners will be announced during the concert at the Concourse Level.

For the Athletic Workaholic Dads

More and more people are getting into a fitness regime, be it daily workouts at the gym, mountain biking or good ol' fashion running. And for every fitness activity you take on, your goal is to get better at it everyday by beating your own record.

I've found the perfect partner to keep your dad (and you) in tip-top shape and form. Timex recently launched a new sports watch called the Timex Ironman Wireless Fitness Tracker that's geared for heavy-duty trainings. It consists of a 50-lap memory recall chronograph with lap, split, speed pace, distance and total stoppage time. It also comes with a training log that stores workouts by date, with best lap, average lap, distance per lap, pace per lap, total time and total calories (whew!). That's a lot to keep note of, and this little gadget (that's also a watch, by the way) can store all these data and can easily be accessed, too!

This wonder of gadget also comes with a digital transmitter that can be attached to the waist. This transmitter wirelessly sends information to the watch that displays the information such as calories, distance, steps and pace. Other bonuses include alarm, timer with countdown stop or repeat and an interval timer with five segments, automatic interval repetition counter and INDiGLO night-light with night-mode feature. No need to worry about battery replacements, as these two high-performance gadgets have batteries that are easily changed. It's also great for water sports fanatics, since it's water resistant up to 50 meters.

If your dad's into sports or interested in keeping/wanting to be fit, then he'll surely enjoy tinkering its programs and settings. This tiny lightweight timepiece is equipped to help you understand your body better and reach your goal as you beat your own record day by day. It's definitely an essential sports gadget to recruit to be your fitness training ally.

Available in black, blue and pink, Timex Ironman Wireless Fitness Tracker is the perfect training partner that records all your fitness activity every step of the way. This duo gadget is sleek, handy and light. You'll hardly feel it as you go about your daily fitness routine.

*Timex watches are distributed by Newtrends International Corp. and are available at all Timex stores and leading department stores.

For the Stylish Dad

Got this text earlier this week. For the whole month of June, Tyler is giving a free Prosecco or beer in Cafe Adora (Greenbelt 5) for every purchase of one regular men's item—in any Tyler branch. Promo ends June 30.

Feet-ish Dads

If you think your dad needs a new pair of sneaks, then Lacoste would be your safe and best bet for a Father's Day gift. A classic footwear brand that would surely meet your dad's taste—don't all dads love Lacoste shirts? :) Footwear in casual, preppy, country club and nautical styles are the staple looks of the brand, and has been reinvented to give a mix of retro styles and contemporary materials for a more modern vibe. Reasonably priced at approximately P5000 a pair, this is a refreshing alternative present to give indeed!

A combination of suede and perforated leather, the Hawthorn (comes in black and white)

is for the hip young dad and is perfect for casual weekends.

The Karas will surely be a bestseller. A stylish take on the hiking shoe,

this leather pair lends a sophisticated vibe for weekend city hikes.

The white version is my fave from the lot.

The Ortai style could also be his pick. Reminiscent of retro bowling shoes, these classy leather sneaks

are comfy and stylish enough to wear to just about any occasion.

I'm bringing my dad to a Lacoste store this Sunday, so he can personally pick a pair. He's quite finicky when it comes to shoes, so better play safe. And I just might see you there, too? ;)

*Lacoste footwear is available at Power Plant Mall, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Glorietta 3, Robinsons Place Manila and Robinsons Galleria, The Podium, The Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Megamall Atrium, TriNoma, SM City Davao, and Ayala Center Cebu.

Go, Go, Gadget Man

Less than a week to go—it's Father's Day this June 21 (Sunday). It's always hard to get something for dads (or moms, even)! They can afford anything, so it's really a challenge to find something that will make them smile. Gotta find something unique, quirky, funny and useful; all with one gift. Well, I'd like to think I've found the solution with products from 4hermanas. Check out what cool gift suggestions they have for you:

This XL Beer Glass, P750, can fit up to 5 bottles. Perfect for those who loooove beer.

Then again, they can just use it to put whatever drink they want, like juice, water and soft drinks.

Two Bottle Tote, special price of P1050 (from P1150). This neoprene tote keeps

your wine bottles (750ml-1L)safe and hot/cold for up to four hours.

Now, this noodle cup (P950) would make my dad smile. He loves instant noodles.

But what's so different about this? It's made of ceramic, so you get to save Mother Earth and look retro-cool at the same time.

For the athletic dad, this Dr. Cool Pack (P950) will help alleviate muscle pains.

The packaging is quite cool, too! Reminds me of medical plasma bags :)

These spherical headphones give an '80s retro vibe. It's the perfect accompaniment for dads who love to watch TV

(and who don't want to be disturbed). Zumreed ZHP005 headphones, P1850.

For those who love coffee. This white porcelain cup is a cool way to drink in the office.

It's made of double walled thermal porcelain to keep your drinks hot/cold. Price: P1100.

A cool bottle opener in the form of a hammer, P750. Well, it's also actually a hammer ;)

For more gift ideas, visit http://4hermanas.multiply.com

Meeting points: Ortigas Center Area, Greenhills, Katipunan/Ateneo, Makati; or they can ship your orders.

Payments can be made either by depositing in the 4hermanas bank account at any BDO branch or when you meet.

For your orders or other concerns, contact Mishi at 0917-5393369.