Easy dressing, preggy or not

DEAR LUCY,

I am in my late 30s and I just gave birth. My arms are small, but I still have to tone my mid section. My best friend suggested that I continue to wear my maternity clothes. Should I?

PEARLYN

It depends on the kind of maternity clothes. I’m sure there are a few pieces that can work still, post partum, but I would like to point you to Tint and Carbon, two brands that any woman, pregnant or not, would love. The clothes are very easy to wear, as they skim the body and are cut so cleverly. Made of washed linen, silk, or Japanese crisp cotton, they look so chic and are so easy to dress up or down. They can be worn with sandals or heels, and can easily go from day to night with just a change of accessories. They travel really well, too. Available at Greenbelt 3. Check them out on IG also — tint_manila and carbon_manila.

LUCY

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Pearls are forever: Breathtaking Jewelmer South Sea pearls last a lifetime. Starting today until Sept. 30, Jewelmer offers the quintessential pair of pearls with the Ultimate Essentials 2015. Purchase a pair of South Sea pearl stud earrings and receive a limited-edition leather jewelry tray made exclusively for Jewelmer Joaillerie. Jewelmer showrooms are located at The Peninsula Manila, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, TriNoma, SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center, Mall of Asia, Ayala Center Cebu, Abreeza Mall Davao.

 

PEARLS, THE ULTIMATE ESSENTIAL

DEAR RISSA

I am getting married in a few months and I decided I want to wear pearl earrings on my wedding day. I am now on the hunt for the perfect pair. What color do you suggest? And please share what is the proper way to care for pearls.

KATHRINA

I love that you chose to wear pearls for your big day. They say when a woman wears diamonds, it’s the stones that sparkle. When a woman wears pearls, it is she who glows.

When it comes to pearls, the authority that comes to mind is Jewelmer. They’ve been cultivating South Sea pearls in the pristine waters of Palawan for over 30 years. Seeing their creations always gives me a sense of Filipino pride. For your wedding, it’s really best you turn to them. Jewelmer issues Certificates of Authenticity that guarantee the quality of each item. 

As for the color of the pearls, white or champagne will look beautiful for your wedding. The choice between white and champagne will depend on the color of your wedding gown, too. Is your gown stark white, off-white, ecru, or perhaps colored? When you get to the store, try on the pearl earrings under good light. It’s similar to choosing makeup and lipstick: Go for the pair which gives your complexion a natural glow.

Pearls are a timeless investment because you can wear them many times over, even after your wedding day. Jewelmer pearls are precious pieces you can also pass on to your daughter.

To care for your pearls, always remember pearls should be the last thing you wear when you leave the house in the morning and the first thing you take off when you get home at night. Over-exposure to chemicals like hairspray or perfume might cause the pearl to lose its luster and become dull. Chlorine also has a similar effect, so avoid wearing pearls while swimming.

Always separate pearls from other pieces of jewelry to avoid scratching them. Make an effort to put your pearls in a different compartment or keep them in soft cloth pouches. To clean your pearls, simply wipe them with a soft, damp cloth. You don’t need to use soap, detergent, or oils of any kind. But the best way to care for your pearls is to wear them. Pearls glow best when worn against the skin. The skin’s natural oils keep pearls from getting dry and brittle, and wearing them helps maintain the pearls’ luster so they last a lifetime.

RISSA

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.