charmed life♥

Yes, you all read it right... just like that my little boutique is 15.   My story: What started as a handmade headbands and accessories shop on Multiply (August 5, 2011) ... is now on it's Crystal Anniversary.  It took weeks before I was noticed and sold my first headband and it felt really good.  With P500.00 as my initial capital...  going to Divisoria to buy materials, making the headbands, bracelets and necklaces after work and during weekends... I put a lot of love and hard work to it.  I cannot imagine that I could reach this milestone.  It's not an easy journey... there are good and bad days... but I endured.  Especially now with the growth of online shops (who do live selling - which I can't do)  and inflation (played a vital role - "mahirap ang buhay"), I admit  my sales really went down... but I know I should not give up...  and be resilient... because I know tomorrow is another day...  Where I got my shop name? ...

Today, Fabulousity by Chiq♥  turns 12!  I am super grateful to all who patronage my small business.   As I have said in my previous blog that it was a dream to have my own boutique...  It's not all roses but I keep on holding on...   I try to innovate and develop new product lines... from the original Fabulouschq where I make bracelets, necklaces and headbands and Little Fab Closet for your little ones.  I have three new babies - the Fabulouschq Pets that offers unique, luxury pet clothes & accessories and from making accessories before I now make necklaces for pets and I call it Chiquita Riviere; and since I love personalization I launched  Bespoke Ribbons by Chiq  last year, where I do personalized ribbons.   But the 3rd is not full time (because I still have a day job), Delish by Chiq  - yes, I do cook and bake... I accept food orders on special occasions.   Again, thank you Papa God for everything, for ...

source: Google I can't believe that my online boutique is now 6 years old!♥ Thank you Father God, Papa Jesus, Mama Mary...  St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Clare of Assisi I would also like to thank all the fabulous ladies for the trust and for continuously patronizing my products.  You did not only helped me fulfill a childhood dream... (having my own boutique), but also it's an additional source of income to support my parents...(who are both Senior Citizens already) To all BIG THANK YOU!♥♥♥

It's April! Gosh, time really flies so fast.  We are done with the first quarter of 2016: March is quite a so-so month for me.  Lost a friend and just before the close of the month my friend's mom (whom I am really close) joined our creator too.  A little bumpy on the last week of March (which made me cancel my bucket list travel somewhere), but I am still hopeful that everything will be okay (Nothing is impossible with God).  I wish and hope that April will be a great month to all of us... filled with happy moments, good adventures, less worries and stress. So what's in store for this month? Wanted to start the month with something cool and exciting...that's why I thought if this... My online boutique's #FabFridayPromo kicks-off today!   source: Megan Hess One of the best thing to de-stress is to SHOP! (*wink!) Starting today and all Fridays of the month (April), my online boutique will be having a special sale -   #FabF...

It's the LOVE month... I know it's a bit late to greet everyone "Happy Valentine's or Happy Hearts day".  The valentine week had been so toxic for me, my Tita just came out of the hospital: after her parathyroid operation.  Well now, I'm back!  My new collection is now out on my online boutique...   Sweetheart Collection♥ heart and padlock pendants made from high quality acrylic.  Perfect for the Love month and also for summer.  Sweetheart bracelets come in black/tortoise, blush, blue bianco and nude Sweetheart necklace : long necklace with heart pendant embellished with gems (also available in black/tortoise, other colors are available via pre order) What's good about my Sweetheart necklace: you can wear it alone or pile it together with my Nate necklace!♥ My obsession to padlocks: Lochetta dámore is born!  You can also pile this with my Nero or Marbled Cenere Nate. Well, that's it!  Hope you visit my boutique a...

I just can't imagine that my online boutique is 4 today!  I remember when I first took a plunge in the online selling world, when I got my first order in Multiply back then - I was very happy and excited. It was a really a fulfillment of a childhood dream (to have my boutique, even if it's not a physical store.. who knows maybe soon.. ), and I never expected that this dream will come true.   From Multiply to Facebook and last year I joined Instagram. Yes, there are ups and downs in businesses... (I was not spared from joy reservers...but I tried my best not to get affected, of course it's annoying but it's a part of selling - you will come across these kind of people)  but what I have learned from my grand parents is that you should always think positive, never give up and most importantly - be honest to your customers.  There are a lot of bogus sellers online but in order to gain the trust of someone, one should: (1) Be reliable, by doing what you say;...

I have this thing for piling or layering my arm candies.  (actually not just bracelets but also necklaces once in a while)  I love bracelets!  For me one isn't enough but 2 or 3 even 4 would just be fine! (*wink)  Though sometimes it really bothers me because of the clacking sound it makes especially when I am wearing resin bangles. (tiis ganda na lang). Beginning this year I will try to share my accessory/jewelry styling hopefully I can do this weekly or monthly. (crossing my fingers here) Bangles and cuffs are still a trend this year... No bracelet charms for the meantime, except for Pandora that is very popular these days. Here are my picks for the month of January 2015: 1. My top pick! These are my current fave! H x H: Loving the color yellow + black for an added drama.  Pink is actually my favorite color, but nowadays I really love yellow things from bracelets, clothes and even bags.  Maybe because yellow is the color of sunshine, it will r...

This season Fabulousity by Chiq♥ introduces these colorful braided clay bracelets.  Braided cord embellished with clay bead with pave crystals, magnetic enclosure.  These arm candies will surely perk up your whole ensemble.  It comes in 10 gorgeous colors. Play with your braids! You can wear it alone,  pile them together or stack with your favorite wrist wear!

Add some SPARKLE to your outfit!!!  (on this gloomy weather) Find these FAB and "sparkly" arm candies at Fabulousity by Chiq♥ 1. Deco Statement leather wrap 2. Crystals and gems stretchy bracelet 3. Mixed crystals stretchy bracelet

Just can't get enough of these floral accessories!  So refreshing to the eyes... In this gloomy weather: better to glam up your outfit with bright colors! Grab these yummy pieces at Fabulousity by Chiq♥

It's been a while since I designed and crafted bracelets for my online shop.  Well, the two days holiday gave me a chance to make a couple of bracelets (God I really missed doing that!).  Stretchy bracelets piled or stacked together with bangles are soo coming back... I am so excited to make new designs: my ever popular mish-mash or stack bracelet sets.  For those who does not know, just a little throwback: When I started my shop in 2011, I only sell bracelets that I personally design and make.  Popular ones were my half stretch bracelet and my bracelet stack sets.   First two designs (2014): Filigree heart stretchy bracelet made of crystals with filigree heart charm, Beach babe stretchy bracelet made of turquoise beads and silver crystals with flipflops and star charms.   The bracelets are sold separately but you can mix them together, here on the photo I even added my silver bangles for a more fab feel.  You can wear this wit...

OPS! Objects recently launched their new collection for Spring/Summer 2014: Trèsor .  The currency shaped charms are 80's inspired with polyutherane double face design.  This Italian made: vanilla scented wrist wear comes in resin soft touch maxi chain with T-bar or toggle closure.  Photo credit: OPS!Objects website It is available in 1 charm ( un charm ) and 5 charms ( con 5 charms ): 10 bright colors.   OPS! Tresor bracciali un charm OPS! Tresor bracciali un charm OPS! Tresor bracciali un charm OPS! Tresor bracciali con 5 charms OPS! Tresor bracciali con 5 charms If you're interested in getting these yummy arm candies, you can order it at Fabulousity by Chiq♥.

For somebody who loves fashion styling it is really a great opportunity to meet one of our country's top fashion stylist!  Was lucky to have accompanied my nephew Lance on his Gingersnaps photo shoot last Saturday.  After meeting up with Ms. Liz Uy when she had her book launch in Podium, I was able to meet and have a little conversation with Ms. Pam Quinones . (Pam also worked with my cousin Owen Santos in Marie Claire magazine) Truly one of my memorable experience... I was able to see how a stylist works on every photo shoot. (How she and Mark Nicdao work together to come up with  outstanding fashion photos, yes I also experienced Mark Nicdao, unfortunately I was not able to have a photo with, maybe next time.) It's been a dream to be working on the fashion world... to meet with the people I truly admire with regards to fashion and styling.  Notes: Pam Quinones is one of the well-known fashion stylist in the Philippines.  Styled the following sta...

Best thing I love about summer! Add some pop of colors to your summer outfit... Visit Fabulousity by Chiq♥ for fabulous summer jewelries! Bits: When you go out... always put on sunscreen!

One of the best thing I love about summer is accessorizing!!! Loving my new Michael Kors arm candies... Monogram bangles with gemstones and tortoise... and tortoise link bracelet.  Truly something suitable to any kind of outfit!   Summer Fling with MK!♥

It's SUMMER! One of the most colorful seasons...  Bold, Bright, Neon colored outfits, bags and of course don't forget to accessorize! POP some colors to your wrist with SUMMER BANGLES... Resin bangles are perfect if you are going to hit the beach... Wooden and metal one's are best worn when malling, site seeing or just having coffee with your friends. Happy Summer!♥

Crystal Crush necklace It's a YES!!! For more SPARKLE this summer with crystal statement necklaces!!! Crystal clear ... Versatile, Colorless stones Add daytime Drama and evening Elegance... Crystal Compilation necklace Works on any outfit!!! Making it more GLAMOROUS!♥ Floral Deco Necklace 50 year necklace These and more... SPARK-KELY and Fabulous necklaces!!! Check out Fabulousity by Chiq♥ on Facebook or follow me on Instagram @fabulouschq

Finally I get to meet Miss Liz Uy... actually this was not my first encounter with her.  Few years back, i already met her in one of the events of Sta.Lucia: Victory Party when the realtors won the 2003 All-Filipino Championship.    In her book signing at SM Podium last Saturday March 8... polished as she is, stunning in her white sleeveless top, teal / blue green trousers and black strappy sandals... (of course a Chanel bag to complete the look).   Fabulouschq meets StyLized!♥ Got my book signed ... Short chat with her...(I told her that we already bumped into each in 2003) Here's how our conversation goes: Me: Hi Liz! We met each other before... Liz: Hi! Oh where? Me: In Sta.Lucia  Liz: Sino kasama ko? (and gave me an intriguing smile..I know she already knew who I am talking about) Me: (I'm really hesitant to say John Lloyd's name) Alam mo na yon!  Liz: Si JL? Me: Yah..  Liz:  Si Tita Mate...I'm sti...

First look for 2014!♥ This features my favorite local retail clothing brand  Plains & Prints : Avery dress from their new Collection.  The classic Tory Burch Reva ballet flats and Priscilla calf hair satchel... An outfit is not complete without accessories!   Love stack bracelet from my online shop:  Fabulousity by Chiq♥  it's a 4 piece bracelet set. Photo credits: Plains and prints facebook account and Tory Burch website

Temperature is rising! Can you feel it? Cool weather is starting to say "Sayonara" to us...  I can now feel the summer heat.  For the past weeks I've been going to work wearing the jacket I wore on my Winter holiday 2011 in Sydney... sleeping on jammies and cuddling my comforter (without the aircon or electric fan).  I know everyone will agree with me that: last weekend the "hanging amihan" was never felt in Manila... My sweat glands are so active!!! Summer is here! Are you summer ready?  I know everyone is very excited! Though I'm not totally obsessed about summer, since I am not a beach person.  I'd rather stay in-doors than go out in the sun... But what I love about summer is the fashion: colors, trends and style!   Here are some of my summer must haves: 1. Sunnies: I love wearing sunnies! (shades, sunglasses...whatever you call it!)  It protects our eyes from the sun... but you must always remember that if you buy sunnies be s...