Christmas Decors Part 1

I found it really tough to decorate our Abreeza shop for Christmas. It is Victorian inspired and everything is white (except for the chandelier). I had a few ideas in mind but I knew I needed a professional to interpret and edit what I wanted to happen. It wasn't a surprise therefore when I called my good friend Dyna of Crafter's Haven to help me. I've seen the invites she made in the past so I knew she could pull a trick or two for my Christmas decor dilemma. After discussing what I wanted (tasteful but not expensive, unique and modern but classic, nothing tacky or over the top etc.), Dyna knew exactly what needs to be done. I would like to share with you what Dyna did for our shop. It is probably the least expensive decors we ever had but they are definitely chic. I just love how everything came together.

Paper Wreath

How the wall looks with the wreaths

Lovely Paper Angels with Pearls

More Paper Angels

Thank you Dyna. Job well done. You may get in touch with Dyna at Crafter's Haven, Door 2 Metro Avenue Bldg. De Guzman St. Davao City, Philippines.  Tel. (+63.82.3052058) Email: crafters.haven@yahoo.com

Zee Lifestyle, October 2012

I contributed a short article about colored gems on Zee Lifestyle's October 2012 Luxury Issue.  The Davao section also features our current collection of stingray rings, crosses, animals and colored gem fine jewelry. I just love how the pictures came out with the fruits.  Thank you Marissa T. and Carmina D. for this wonderful opportunity. My appreciation also goes to the great talents of JM S and Aidx P who were absolutely fun to work with.  Thank you Zee Lifestyle. 

Raw, Rough and Natural Love

I must admit I fall easily with anything organic. I find organic materials and  designs as very simple and natural yet very classy and enigmatic. Sometimes I attribute it to the artist in me (classical piano) and sometimes I just think I have weird taste:P  Although our view of beauty is always relative, we may all agree that anything and everything natural is absolutely beautiful.

When my jeweler and designer friend first shared and showed me his new find of rough and natural diamonds in 2009,  I immediately fell in love with them: First, the stones were near their natural state.  Second, they were available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Third, they were almost always opaque.

Designing jewelry incorporating these new diamonds can be very tricky too.  One false design would spell tacky and would do a huge disservice to these lovely creations of nature. And so I am sharing with you some of what we've done in the last 3 years with raw, rough and natural diamonds. Truly, these diamonds and designs are just one of a kind.  

Raw Yellow-Orange-Brown Naturals set with Multi Color Natural and Round Brilliant Bursts 

                         

Pretty in Pink: Raw Pink Naturals with Pink Brilliant Cuts in Pink Gold

Organic on Organic:  Square Shaped Golden Naturals set in Organic Matte Finish

Crocifisso Preview

Crocifisso happens in 3 days.  We've been quite busy with the preparations. I've been lacking sleep for a week and, yes, I am stressed out.  But I know it's going to be worth it. Some of the designs have been executed really well and I would like to give you a preview of what we will exhibit on August 8.

A personal favorite is the Maharajah inspired cross.

So if you have time, please drop by the Abreeza shop on August 8 for Crocifisso.

Crocifisso

Giving Back. That's what Crocifisso is all about.  It's our way of saying "Thank You" for the graces and blessings, for family and friends, for happiness and for life.  You are all invited on August 8, 2012 at our shop at the Abreeza Mall. My sister and I will be very happy  to show you our cross collection. Proceeds from this collection will go to the Divine Mercy Philippines Archidiocese of Davao as they host the Mindanao Apostolic Congress of Mercy in Davao City on September.

Let me know if you're my follower. I might just have a surprise for you.

  

She Wears Emilia's

Hijos de Davao is definitely the Reddest Carpet event in the city. It is an occasion where Davao society women don their best ternos and heirloom blings spring out from their vaults. So when I heard good friend Gemma Velez's son Jiolo is this year's escort to the muse,  I asked Gemma, who is probably the busiest and outright the best banker in town, if she was part of the Rigodon de Honor.  When she said yes,  I knew it would be a great opportunity to dress her up in chunky dramatic chandelier earrings set with cascading fancy-yellow-pear-shaped-diamonds and white round diamonds combination.  From the pictures I've seen,  Gemma pulled this off effortlessly and looked absolutely brilliant.

Thank you very much Gemma for trusting us with your jewelry.

picture courtesy of Meg of Scene It

Thank you Gemma for allowing me to grab a photo from your FB. My big thanks also to Meg of Scene It for sharing Gemma's photo from Hijos with me.

For more 2012 Hijos de Davao moments,  please click here, here and here.  

Happiness Comes in Pairs

Good friend JS came to the shop to have some of her older pieces redesigned and reset.  I knew I was in for a challenge as she is a young businesswoman with impeccable taste. When she showed me her pair of South Sea Pearl earrings which she wanted to combine with her Citrine pairs, I immediately took notice of  the rich color of the Citrine.  After checking, I found out these were in fact original Tiffany and Co. earrings.  

I told JS I wasn't too keen with touching the Citrine as this was a signature piece. I suggested we make jackets for the 2 pairs to give them an entirely new look without destroying the essence of each pair.  JS still wanted Citrine with her Pearls. I then presented her with designs for the jackets.

She gave her go signal.  I immediately sent her pieces to the workshop.  After 2 months of waiting,  the final products came in today.  I am just so proud of how the earrings came out.

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JS can now enjoy 4 different looks for her 2 pairs.  I hope I made her happy.

Flower Gems for Mom

We all love giving flowers to our Moms especially on Mother's Day.  But wouldn't it be nice to give her flowers which don't wilt? (And I don't mean plastic flowers!) In our current collection, we have pieces inspired by flowers, their colors and shapes. Incorporating only natural gems, each piece is sure to give and leave a smile on our Moms' faces. On Mother's Day, it would nice to give them somethings nice, something unique and something that would last forever. An Emilia's flower gem may just do the trick.

Flower Cameo Pendant

Flower Earrings, Pendants, and Rings 

The Great Gold Rush

Gold jewelry, as a piece of accessory, is an essential part of a woman's wardrobe. As an investment, one can never go wrong with Gold. We all saw how Gold prices rose faster than oil. And just when you think it's going to be harder to own a beautiful piece of Gold jewelry these days because of its current price,  Emilia's Jewelry Collection at SM City Davao brings you "The Great Gold Rush." Enjoy 50% discount on all fine Gold jewelry as you update your wardrobe with modern and current designs from our Gold jewelry counter. After all, Gold jewelry is a beautiful investment you can wear.

She wears Emilia's---- in Summer Colors

I've known Claudine Bautista, Dendee to her family and friends, ever since she was a chubby little girl. I always tease her as  the poor little rich girl with a big heart and the Malita Royalty who makes Davao her home. Always a source of fun stories, friendly gossips and great shopping escapades (not Outlets mind you, but Paris!), Dendee is a "Thinspiration." She showed steel-like will power to shed the extra pounds to look amazing as she is today. She passed by the shop earlier, shared bits of stories of her class reunion in Switzerland, how she bravely enjoyed Europe alone, the challenges of running the family's agricultural businesses and her upcoming trip with her family to Dubai. Apart from sporting a thinner frame, she was in great summer colors too. I asked her to try 3 of our "summery" danglers which complements her vibrant and bubbly aura. Of course, the earrings had to take away some of the show from her bag and belt. Daddy's baby is now Daddy's Lady. Well Dendee, let's show Daddy these 3 pairs. He'll probably get all of them for you.

Mali Green Garnets and Citrine Dangler

Rhodolite, Tourmaline and London Topaz Dangler

Purple and Lilac Amethysts and Tourmaline Danglers

How she wears Emilia's--- Front View

Stylish Summer Girl.  Emilia's danglers go so well with the H belt, H bag and that thinner frame. 

Dangling Time --- Our First Treat!

I was fixing the window display earlier today at the Abreeza Mall when I thought of pairing some exquisite dangling earrings from the Sophie and Sonia Collection with the cool Vabene Sole Watches.  If you passed by the shop,  this lovely lady greets you with the earrings and watches.

Since I'm in such a great mood today,  I've decided to give all of you a treat. If you purchase any of the 3 pre selected pairs of dangling earrings on the display, you get to take home the paired Vabene Sole Watch for FREE! How's that for a post Easter treat? Check them out at our Abreeza Mall Shop.

Pink Tourmaline, Rhodolite, London Topaz, Diamonds Earrings paired with White Vabene Sole

Blue Topaz and Diamonds Earrings paired with Blue Vabene Sole

Purple and Lilac Amethyst and Tourmaline Earrings paired with Purple Vabene Sole

He wears Emilia's

JP Punzalan of Ningnang Food Service was the very first person who bought a Vabene Watch from us. A few days ago,  he came by Abreeza and fell in love with the spring up chocolate stingray bracelet. Today, he wore his Vabene with his stingray.  I think it's the coolest.  So I had to take a photo and share it with you.  Thanks JP and enjoy Paris! 

She wears Emilia's

My BFF, Nina Custodio, doctor-trained ophthalmologist-writer-poet-newspaper contributor-cook-advice giver-dancer and most importantly all around SURVIVOR (she beat cancer, asthma and one scary blood infection) came by the shop to visit me. I suggested the 15mm South Sea Pearls with Yellow and White Diamonds on display as a testament of her struggles and how she rose from all of them.  A classic jewelry piece to celebrate life's blessings. 

 

A Charmed Life

Inspired largely by our very good friend, Davao's top lifestyle writer, PR guru and travel blogger Jinggoy Salvador (yes, the Jinggoy Salvador, the creative genius behind Argento del Salvador) who suggested we do bracelets with full charms, we created this heart and key charm bracelet and added a blue chalcedony cabochon as a lovely twist. Thank you Jinggoy for sharing the gift of creativity.

Spinning Spinel

Spinels are one of my favorites. I like the idea it is an underdog of a gem.  It's bright, vivid and attractive colors have ironically made it as the most under appreciated gem.  Since ancient times,  Spinels have been confused with better known stones like Rubies and Sapphires.  And for pretty good reasons too. Apart from their wonderful colors, Spinels are hard and tough gems, suitable for everyday wear.  Some Spinels even show color-change. So it was not a big surprise when loose multi color spinels took my attention. Setting them with diamonds just made them just so lovely.