My friend, businesswoman Mags Cue,  travels around the world to personally source the accessories and other fashion items for her 22 Mags stores nationwide.

She recently celebrated  her birthday by holding a party dubbed “Glitz and Glamour” at the Emerald Ballroom of Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

Prominent personalities from CDO and nearby cities of Northern Mindanao went to the party, as did fashion designer Renee Salud and Mutya ng Pilipinas execs Lynette Padolina and Mayenne Vijandre.

Young and handsome Filipino-Australian actor-singer James Reid, star of the hit romantic-comedies “Diary ng Panget” and “Talk Back and You’re Dead,” surprised the guests with a song number from his self-titled album. He serenaded the birthday celebrator with his enchanting voice that made many women-guests swoon.

Some of the celebrities who have worked with Mags and whom she personally knew as well as her famille also extended their greetings through a video presentation. Personal messages were given by gorgeous actress Angel Aquino, Philippine Tatler’s Iloilo correspondent Nonoi Ybiernas, and moi, naturellement, palangga.

It was very touching watching Mags. She shed tears of happiness while delivering her “thank you” message.

Marks & Spencer

During my school days in London, I’d go shopping at England’s iconic Marks & Spencer department store. And even in Manila, I still do, dahlings.

So I’m very glad that Marks & Spencer opened a flagship store at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City.

The store carries the familiar M&S sections such as women’s wear, men’s wear, lingerie and beauty essentials, and a stand-alone food store. (I remember that in London, I’d buy sandwiches from M&S.)

The Marks & Spencer opening was in collaboration with the SoFa Design Institute, which hosted a style competition at the Central Square Atrium. Eight students from the school were asked to create key looks from the Marks & Spencer collections based on three themes: Stylish Work Wear, Laid-back Casual Weekend and Stylish Night Out.

The winner received P50,000 in cash and M&S gift vouchers. Runners-up received P10,000 worth of M&S gift vouchers each.

“The newest store aims to improve the customer journey through improved navigation of personal style preferences,” said Marks & Spencer international visual merchandising head Lee-Oliver Morley. “[The store provides] a better layout and more inspiring in-store customer experience.”

Marks & Spencer is at Central Square, 5th Ave. and 30th St., Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City. Store hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday -Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Bespoke bazaar

Caravan II: Bespoke, the second installment of the popular lifestyle market, brought in an awesome assortment of brands with a très unique twist.

Guests were able to make their lifestyle finds completely their own by having them personalized by artisans.

Now that’s what I call real service, dahlings.

For one weekend, the Kirov Model Unit at Rockwell became the mecca for stylish people.

Available were monogrammed leather folios from Coco and Tres; clever plates by The Wareshop Total; stamps and embossers by The Best Impressions; delicate Morse code accessories from Adorno Handmade; choose-your-own charms from Stockton Row.

Michelline Syjuco’s latest collection and Lovlos were a hit with buyers.

Attendees were also able to witness “art in action” with Robby Singh’s on-the-spot pet murals and digital paintings by Mawee Borromeo.

Designer Nicole Whisenhunt, tastemaker Blue Carreon and Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, with his wife Marga, couldn’t stop from milling around the booths, while enjoying tasty yummies from participating eateries, Your Local and Scarsdale.

Also spotted were Ria Prieto, head of Inquirer Red magazine; Hannah Cruz; and mother-and-daughter beauty duo, Dr. Vicki Belo and Cristalle Belo Henares of Belo Essentials.

The latter brought her dog Maki and had his portrait done by artist Robby Singh.

The second coming of Caravan proved what I’ve always said—that “everything looks exquisitely better with that personal touch.”

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