Walking in Style at the Ipanema Walkathon @ The Fort

2:00 PM at The Fort yesterday, people were already present and lining up to register for the Ipanema Walk the Green Mile Walkathon. The crowd included young people, parents and kids, and even models and actresses.

Everyone donned their favorite walking outfit and all I could come up with was this:

The Ipanema Walk the Green Mile Walkathon official shirt, black shorts, Ipanema baller ID, and a pair of Ipanema Thong Fem. Early birds were given the official Ipanema Walk the Green Mile Walkathon shirts, yey! :)

Models including Raya Mananquil and actress Karla Humprey definitely knew how to walk in style with their own pairs of Ipanemas and remain glamorous under the summer's heat.

Prior to the walkathon, some attendees took the time to shop at specially discounted Ipanema flip flops and Haribon Foundation shirts at their respective tents.

Patxi Elizalde leads the Walkathon with family and friends

The Uganda band had an easy time walking and playing music with their Ipanemas on . Thanks to them everyone enjoyed energizing music while walking "the green mile".

The walkathon ended with a rewarding cocktail at Le Souffle and an Ipanema fashion show. Who knew walkathons can be this fabulous right?

Congratulations to Ipanema and thank you for getting everyone to stand up and walk for the environment.

Are you a Stylista?

Hi! readers, are you a fashionista, model, fashion blogger, fashion designer, or a fashion photographer? Style and Relax is creating a database of people like you for future events and activities that are blazing with glamour and style!

Send your name, website url, email address, and mobile number to styleandrelax@gmail.com, let me know which of the above you are :)

All information will be kept confidential and will only be used to send exclusive invitations to exclusive events.

See you all!

Adidas Originals by Originals - Jeremy Scott

ObyO or Originals by Originals is Adidas' latest collaboration project with three of the world's most unique street fashion designers. Among the three designer collections, my heart and eyes go to Jeremy Scott.

Known for his outrageous and almost comical approach in fashion, Jeremy Scott also mixed the latest trends in style for Adidas. Look at this shirt dress - fringe fringe fringe! :)

Fun and casual leopard animal print that would make anyone feel like a Pussycat Doll.

And the best of all, Jeremy Scott's Adidas Wings. If you read Greek Mythology, this pair will remind you of Hermes the Olympian god. Good news, the wings are actually detachable!

Suddenly, I feel like running. Don't you? I can't wait to meet these pieces in person. Learn more about Jeremy Scott in the latest issue of Status Magazine! He is on the cover :)

Mallxercise with Fitflops

Flip flops companies have gone more aggressive in marketing as soon as the summer season kicked in. This is good news for shoppers as we are presented with creative and fun activities like walkathons or being able to help a cause by shopping.

The latest flip flops brand that is coming up with an activity is called Fitflops. I've researched about it and learned that it's called Fitflops because it helps ladies tone their leg muscles and get more exercise just by wearing these sandals. It has a patented multi-density microwobble board mid-sole that tones the bum, legs and thigh muscles with each stride. Great invention, yes?

Walk Star Aqua

On March 28, if you are one of the first 20 persons who purchase a pair of Fitflops - you will be entitled to join their Mallxercise session around the Powerplant Mall where ladies would be taught how to walk properly while visiting health and wellness boutiques. There will also be fun activities like a scavenger hunt where you can win prizes! :) A limited edition “Aurelia” gladiator-style FitFlop will be up for grabs. See you there!

From Rags to Bags - The Rags II Riches Collection by Aranaz

Maria Rosa Tote and Maria Rosa Clutch

Bags had a whole new meaning last night as Aranaz launched the Rags2Riches aka RIIR bag collection. The bags are proudly made of scrap materials and rags skillfully woven by the empowered women from Payatas. Usually seen as doormats and as "basahans", the rags have been transformed into high-end bags designed by Amina Aranaz into their new ultra stylish glory.


Aplaya Shopper and Aplaya Carry-all

Rags2Riches Inc. has been empowering women from poor communities like Payatas by giving them an opportunity to create and collaborate with high end fashion designers like Rajo Laurel, fashion directors, models, and marketers.


The ladies behind the bags :)

Last night's show was made more interesting with mannequins dressed with recycled newspapers designed by top fashion designers Jojie Lloren, Avel Bacudio and Dong Omaga Diaz. These creations emphasized the intricate details and craftsmanship poured onto each Rags2Riches bags.


StyleandRelax.net with Bernice and Renee of Stylebible.ph; Reese Fernandez of Rags2Riches, Zarah Perez and friend Boyet.


Fashion designer Ely Gonzales with the R2R Team

I managed to take a peek on the prices of these bags in case one would like to make a purchase for a worthy cause. A medium sized bag only costs Php 1,500.00 which is quiet a steal knowing that you are purchasing an Aranaz creation. More than that, the thought that you helped merge two very different worlds: high end fashion and underprivileged communities, is breathtaking.


Bumped into model/host Mike Montalban

Guests lined up to purchase the bags for the first time and amongst the crowd were the women of Payatas looking very proud and blooming with happiness. It was truly their shining night and they deserved it well.


Amina Aranaz-Alunan with guests

Know more about Rags2Riches by visiting their website: http://rags2riches.ph/

MAC Hello Kitty - Makeup and Fashion

I don't really use blushes but the MAC Hello Kitty powder blush makes me want to use one! I confess I just want the clam container with Hello Kitty's face on it.

More than makeup, don't you think the arrival of the MAC Hello Kitty collection would inspire colour combinations of pink and black when it comes to fashion? While you are thinking, watch the MAC advertisement below for more fashion inspiration.


Knee high socks, high heels, black, pink, pearls, cotton candy, shiny fabric, girly goth, bondage look...

The MAC Hello Kitty Collection will be launched on March 21, Saturday at Rustans Makati.

Anti-Acne Skin Regimen that Works

I am very excited to share this skin regimen to you my dear readers! Let me start by saying that my battle with acne has cost me thousands of pesos and dozens of treatments. Some treatments worked as long as you regularly visit the clinic and have expensive procedures done like bi-monthly chemical peels, facials, or monthly diamond peels. It was very financially and physically frustrating.


Until I asked my dermatologist Dra. Rose Gatmaytan if she had a solution for my face. She is the same dermatologist of Caraderme clinic that made my back clear from acne. She asked if I wanted procedures but I said I was only ready to buy the medicines. She then gave me a list of her skin regimen. She had forewarned me that my skin will look red and flaky for a month.

This was my face before this skin regimen: stressed, dark, blotchy, prominent acne scars, active pimples, and bumpy.

BEFORE: with and without powder

And this is my proud face now - minimum acne scars, brighter, and clearer.
AFTER: with and without powder

READ MORE ABOUT THE REGIMENT AFTER THE JUMP....

The Regimen:

Morning:

1. Benzoderm Soap
2. Azelaic Acid
3. Benzomycin Gel
4. Parsol Gel

Evening:

1. Benzoderm Soap
2. Astrimycin Toner
3. Requinol A
4. Requinol B
5. Acne Cystisol
6. Acnelyt

Total damage: Php 2,500 + /-
Appointment/consultation fee: Php 500

Most of the medicines like the gels and Requinol A need to be refrigerated for them not to lose their potency. Again, if you will start this regimen make sure that you can afford to have a red peeling face for one whole month, give around 2 more weeks allowance. The peeling stage can get ugly and it is best to skip make up or it might irritate the new layer of skin. This is the hardest and most embarrassing stage but is well worth it if you want to end your skin problems once and for all.

You will be given an instruction sheet to follow by the dermatologist if you choose to go to Caraderme. If not, ask your own dermatologist if she has these medicines in stock and if it is suitable for your skin condition.

During the first few weeks, the medicine will feel very stingy or itchy - it is best to apply it in front of an electric fan (the things we do for beauty). After your skin has peeled and normalized to its new beautiful condition the medicines will not sting anymore.


Of course you have to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and relax to avoid getting break outs. If a bump appears, just put a cotton with acne cystisol on top of the pimple and let dry for 15-30 minutes. Top with acnelyt and the next day, it is visibly smaller.

Visit http://caraderme.com and if you have any other suggested anti-acne skin regimen that worked for you, please share it with us via the comments link below :)

How to Enjoy a Tapas Party at Hermanos

Here's a quick social etiquette lesson: How to enjoy a Tapas Party.

Tapas mean appetizers in Spain, imagine our ancestors during the Spanish era gathering around a wide variety of tapas - full of style, flair, conversations, and wine.

I personally did not know how to enjoy "tapas" the right way until I experienced a Tapas party at Hermanos. Located along Julia Vargas, tucked inside rows of mini bars and hang out joints.

Inside you will be greeted by wooden cabinets of wine and brick walls that you will feel transported back to old Manila. Up the wooden staircase, are welcoming tables enough to accomodate groups of friends under hanging light insulations. Very classy and nostalgic indeed.

A good venue is necessary for an enjoyable tapas party. Afterall, tapas are not meant to make a person full but rather, to promote conversation. Based on my research, tapas also encourage people to stand up and move around the venue, make friends, and nurture a good glass of wine. This could be the reason behind Hermano's lady-like serving. Not too much but just enough to share.

What to Order:

Bola-bola Paella Dela Guerra - my favorite starter which you can deep in chili tomato sauce. These are deep fried breaded paella rice balls.

Karne de la Patria Adorada - my choice of meat which is not too dry and it has a flavorful pepper garlic sauce.

Tapang Usa de Katipunan - deer meat that is best with wine to compliment it's solid-dry yet flavorful texture. This is almost like a jerky if I may compare.

At Hermanos, wine seems overflowing and waiters know which wine goes well with what type of tapas. By now, we should know that tapas are not limited to beef but also cheese, mushrooms, calamares and other appetizers. Both red and white wines are available at Hermanos.

Personally, the best time to enjoy tapas is just before dinner when one's stomach is mid-empty. Take the time to taste the flavor of each tapas (appetizers) and how they interact with wine. Each tapas is an interesting conversation starter with friends already.

Hermanos is great place to have long and relaxed conversations with friends, even meet new ones. The place is very cozy and the atmosphere is soft with the perfect lighting and music. During the night I have won a handful of new friends over at Hermanos.

Hermanos is located at Unit 104, Bldg. C, Ortigas Home Depot Complex, Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Purples and Dots

Dotted satin purple dress

Polka dots or just plain dots are making a scene this 2009. Probably the new view on this "retro/classic" style was brought about by the recent Comme des Garçons capsule collection.

I just had to check at Style.com if my vision is correct about these dots, and yes the dots are hitting Spring/Summer 2009 runways of Betsey Johnson, Mikhael Cors, and Louis Vuitton.

Mini dress with polka dots in many colors

Dots can come in many forms and sizes, colors, transparency, but I like mine small, happy, and affordable :) I've noted how purple or violet was last year's it color but is somehow just catching on this year, on a shinier form - check out the purple Lanvin dress in the Shopaholic movie.