It's beginning to look a lot like...

True to Filipino tradition, Christmas starts in September.

Here's proof:

Ali Mall is already installing their Christmas decor.

The most wonderful time of the year has begun.

It’s a stick-up!

When we were kids, stickers were a thing. 

We’d go,to National Book Store in Quezon Avenue after school, and we’d browse the sticker racks for cute and cool stickers that we’d put on our bags, lunch boxes, notebooks and cabinets. 

There were so many cool designs, from Ziggy to Transformers to Care Bears to fun quotes. The design possibilities were endless, and that’s also why we had so, so, so many packs of stickers back then.

Then, there’s the Panini Sticker book that got me hooked back in the 80s and 90s. First, you’ll have to buy the book which came with 1 free sticker pack. Then, they’d sell the stickers by pack and the objective was to fill up the album. My collection consisted on He-Man, Thundercats, among others.

Nowadays, it seems like stickers are making a comeback. I’ve seen many sticker shops popping-up in malls and bazaars. One of my former writers - Lanz - has a sticker business and she makes a lot of cute, food themed stickers.

After seeing a store in Ali Mall on my way home, Inadvertently stopped by one and started to browse all their sticker collection. And in less than 15 minutes, I went home with these:

Will I be stuck stickering again? 

We shall see.

Palaz-zo Chic, part deux

People who really know me also know this factoid: whenever I find an article of clothing that's really, really, really, REALLY nice, my tendency is to buy it in all the available colours.

Such is the case with the Plains & Prints Varvara pants. Yup, the Palazzo pants in white that was written about just a few days ago.

The style and silhouette were so chic, I had to check if they had it in other colours. And they did! It's also available in black!

So, it was off to Plains & Prints Ali Mall since they were able to find a pair for me. While waiting for them to bring out the pants, I browsed the racks and found this asymmetric khaki top that went so well with the pants.

Now, Ate has 2 pairs and 2 ways of rocking these pants.

Window dressing

The story of this dress literally started at the window.

BCBL isn’t s new brand for me. It was in 2017 when I first discovered this brand in Greenhills. They have a store there, and I found their dresses well-designed with very unique prints. It was like Plains & Prints, but for a slightly older market.

Due to this factoid, i’d Usually but BCBL dresses for Mom, then Plains & Prints for my sisters.

Then, I found out that they were also available in The Landmark Department Store, and that’s when I started to notice that they also had younger designs. Then, they eventually opened in Ali Mall, and we’d go there with Mom and Ate.

That’s when I started buying the brand for Ate Bullet as well.

Sometime late last year, I went to Ali Mall and decided to drop by the BCBL store. Alas, it was closed.

But, from the window, I saw this dress that automatically caught my eye. It was a classic dress with a white, floral print fabric. I wanted to buy it, but since the store was closed, I just looked at and lined for the dress from the window.

Each time I’d visit Ali Mall after that, my routine would be passing by BCBL. And each time, they were closed. I went to The Landmark, but they didn’t have the dress there.

Last week, while checking out Lazada, a shop suggestion popped out. It was the BCBL Lazada Store!

And what do you know, they had the dress there! Of course, I added to cart and checked out faster than you can say BCBL!

It’s the same dress that I wrote about yesterday.

The dress has so many chic details. For starters, it has a black, bateau neckline that’s very Audrey Hepburn. (I know, I said this yesterday. But it’s something worth repeating.)

Then the black detail extends to the side, culminating in a ribbon on both sides of the waist.

If that’s not enough, the back has an exposed zipper! And you know me, put an exposed zipper and an Audrey Hepburn reference “and I’m on board.’ Yes, i’m quoting Nigel.

And that’s the story of how the dress from the window finally got home.

On Sale. Online.

Gosh, I miss the Plains & Prints Purple Sales of yore.

Before the start of the sale, I'd usually go to my regular branches like Shangrila Mall, SM Megamall, Glorietta and Ali Mall, then I'd ask the store managers what collections would be on sale. Then, I'd start checking out lookbooks and show them the dresses I'd be interested in. 

In case they had those dresses available, they'd be kind enough to save it for me. Then, when the day of the Preview Sale would arrive, you'll find me at the store by lunch time. More often, they'd have a BDO Sale and I'd get extra perks aside from the 50% discount.

Then, I'd walk out with several bags in my hand and a huge smile on my face.

Nowadays, my "visits" to the Purple Sale are just online.

Aside from this, Joan of Ali Mall would alert me about the new sale dresses in medium. Which is great because I get first dibs on sale items.

The feeling might be different, but still, the fabulous finds are still the same.

X-citing!

Ali Mall looks like it's really upping its mall game.

They expanded their food area and they now have a lot of food options. It's something to draw the foodies in.

Now, they have something to bring in the more artsy, hipster crowd.

Ali X is an offshoot from Cubao X. Looks like they're shutting that down and relocated the concept here.

The hallway draws you in visually. It's very bright and colorful, and has that Moroccan feel to it. On the sides, thrift shops and vintage stores line both sides. It's so easy to get lost in all the curios and one-of-a-kind finds in the area.

Looks like I'll have another x-citing reason to visit Ali Mall.