Bohemian Nation's Coffee Company

I've been a loyal visitor of this amazing Coffee Company. There's just this desire to quit Starbucks Coffee (for their boring coffee & over rated name), Seattles Best (for not just being the best), and all those other Coffee joints. I'm not trying to dis these names, but I'm just explaining to my readers my own opinion (I am still entitled to that right?).

What really struck me hard (and good) was BoNa's:

1. Amazing service (tops with the staff's amazing English)
2. Ambiance (The first time I walked in that cozy coffee shop, I was struck by a speeding yellow bus)
3. Great Coffee (very different from any other Coffee makers)

photos all from bonacoffeecompany.com

4. Exclusivity (not much coffee drinkers know this place, so I'd add that up for a perk)

For more information, please visit Bohemian Nation's Coffee Company website, or better yet, visit them at:

Unit E Banco Filipino Building
Elizalde St. BF Commercial Plaza
Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines

And if you live in Dubai, Vancouver, Hong Kong or Shanghai, there's a BoNa Coffee coming your way soon.

BoNa is also about to open their newest Coffee shop at Westgate, Filinvest, so watch out for that.

Louis Vuitton's One Colored Ensembles

Hypocrisy from what I preach, but these single shaded outfits have mocked my teachings and condemned me to kingdom-come.

I've always told you never ever to be too mis-matchy, but these creations by Louis Vuitton with their Spring Summer take took my breath away and I am, by all means, allowing singulars for now.

Posh Blue

Pure White

Earth Toned

Grey Matter

Dark Skinned

Midnight Black

photos all from men.style.com

Note: tuck-in shirts may look 'dorky' if paired with the wrong bottoms, and the Midnight Black outfit is indeed that divorce between the top and the bottom, but the outerwear is the bond which keeps it balanced and harmonious. Well done LV.

Ralph Lauren: Rugby

Yet again another line for Ralph Lauren, an even cheaper price too.

photo from noun.files.wordpress.com

Ralph Lauren Rugby caters to the outgoing sports youth, wardrobe of the idle rich of the Orange County or Silicon Valley. Californiacation anyone?

The website even features a "make your own Ralph Lauren Rugby shirt" with customized patch placements and what not. If you're the 'throw your hands in the air, and wave it like you just don't care' type of teen, and if beach walking is in your daily routine, then by all means, RRL is the one for you.

Comfort clothes with class.

V Man Magazine: Search for a Cover Man

If you've got what it takes, then go for it. We do need an Asian Male Model, and if you win, please do remember Haute Chocolait.

For more information, Click Moi

The 'Umph' Factor

Common looks, amazing designs. These pieces from Dries Van Noten from the Spring Summer collection have clicked my tingly spot and I'm sure you'll love them as well.

Earthly Desires

Earth toned pants (with perfect fit, I have to say) clash with a fierce red top, distinct yet blends. With a contrast neck wear, deep in the eyes, but curiosity never killed the cat.

Inorganic Material
Going green is in, but plastic makes sense. This unique material brings in past memories of wet summers, familiar yet distinctive.

'Not so Mitchy-Matchy'
The most distinctive color in the plaid will marry pants of the same color. Match the orange of the plaid with the orange of the pants, and you'll have a feast for the eyes.

That Stand-Out Shine
Summer is the sun, and have some contrast sun in the outfit.

You have Haute Chocolait's word, you can knock-off these looks straight from the runway fixtures, better yet but the Dries van Noten itself. They are all made in Heaven, in perfect harmony for the streets. Don't be afraid, they're perfect.

Trend Seeker

I've gone through some of the Spring Summer fashion shows and I've selected some noteworthy trends walking down the cat walk.

And trust me when I do spot some nice ones, it's very hard to please me.

When I spot a trend, it must be fresh, exciting, daring even. I don't do boring old comfort clothes, but I don't go overboard either. I make sure what I recommend is wearable yet chic.

Trend: Drop-down Shoulder Shapes

Emporio Armani

photo from men.stlye.com

See, this outfit right here is still going overboard. You'll know how to test your ability to make a wrong decision correct by tweaking this outfit a little bit, but retain the beauty of the design. The drop-down shoulder shirt is still too new for society to accept, and that is why we take it slowly without jeopardizing the design.

Byblos

photo from wgsn.com

Fashion meets Social functionality in this smart ensemble by Byblos in their Spring Summer collection. The drop-down style is still present, but the classic polo-tee is blended in. Magnificent.

Ditch the Denim Jeans

You've got it, Denim Jeans are light years away and bring in a tide of color, and not to mention variety, to your daily outfits.

Calvin Klein Jeans

photo from frillr.com

I said ditch, not destroy. Let's face it, denims might not appear in the hottest runways, but they're always in style. Denim is like the legendary creation of all time, timeless and one hell of a tough pair of pants. They're God's gift to casual clothing.

But too much of everything is a sin, and too much of denim, is a major faux pas. You are branded as 'normal' or worse, 'BORING' if you're everyday casual wear is composed of a denim bottom.

"But they go perfect with anything." True true, but different pant styles/colors will do an exciting new look. It will cost you more to bubble up an outfit top + bottom, instead of just changing the top, but Fashion is always an investment, and investments do need money.

The denim alternatives: (all by Roberto Cavalli)

Bright Red

Jet Black

Powder Blue

Basic White

photos from men.style.com

Exciting isn't it? Always remember this, try not to pair up your bottoms with your tops, it's a common faux pas. There are exemptions to these rules of course (such as the Black-on-Black ensemble), as to many faux pas, and you have to extremely be careful in trying on a single colored outfit.

To be safe, play with contrasts (Brown top with White Pants, Brown top with Red pants), and with the foot ware, match with the top, creating a harmonial layer of contrasting colors.

The White top and powder blue pants is a perfect easy-cool and feather weight outfit, just to add.

Always remember, fashion forward men are daring yet careful, the most expensive pieces can be a disaster if paired with the wrong mate.

Who Is Gossip Girl? I Know.

"The secret is out GG, you're numbers are up. Surrender now, or face the punishment. What will it be? The Truth or the Consequences? Either way you're up on the stake, there's only one word I've got for you. Goodbye."

Don't ya just love how GG formulates her sentences? I lavet!

The word is out, GG is revealed, and you'll catch it here first.

The upcoming episode, Season 1 Episode 16, will reveal a homosexual relationship between two of the most eligible bachelors of the Upper East Side. This is it, the biggest bomb-shell to ever drop Manhattan, Eric van der Woodsen and Asher Hornsby (Little J's dog-walker boy-fling), step right up and claim your homosexuality!

These two love birdies will have a lip-locking scene on the next episode.

From the homosexuality to the real identity of Gossip Girl....

OH COME ON, ISN'T IT ALREADY OBVIOUS BY NOW?!

Yes, the real Gossip Girl is Eric van der Woodsen, and this is no guess of mine, I have sources from the Gossip Girl production staff to support this claim.

It's safe to say I can seriously laugh my ass off if they change the 'Gossip Girl is actually Eric' plot, because I know the alternate truth to that change.

And this is why I love me.

xoxo, Haute Chocolait

Stylish in the Rain

Enough with the Summer essentials, back here in Manila, we're starting to experience the beginning of the Rainy season, and who says you can't weather storm in style?

But of course, the unflattering sport jackets and hoodies from Gap are the most popular picks for Rainy season over-covers.

Trend report: vintage jackets are so over and sporty jackets are for SPORTS (thus the name). In the first place, the material for these unfathomable things are not designed to repel rain at all. They actually absorb the rain, thus giving the jacket a wet density.

When we speak of rain, it should only mean one thing: and that's the Rain Coat.

There are many variants of Rain Coats, and the most stylish of them all is the Trench. From the traditional Trench Coat colours (Black & Badge)

Burberry Prorsum

photo from men.style.com

...to the electrifying colors (Blue, Yellow, Orange) [If you've seen Gossip Girl 1x15: Desperately Seeking Serena, Charles "Chuck" Bass played by Ed Westwick was featured wearing an electrifying Blue Trench in one scene, and an Orange one in the next.]

The trench gave you a doable edged candy bar, Fashion & Function. Reserve those hoodies for poor-outfit days because seriously, hoodies just aren't flattering on a man.

I've actually seen a number of guys around the upper side of Manila wearing short-trench coats to mend off the rain, and it's a two thumbs up and a toast of champagne.

Tom Ford Advert Banned

photo from frillr.com

Labeled as "Markedly Vulgar", this specific advert for Tom Ford sunglasses was banned by an Italian Ad Organization. "...Transcends the limits of simple bad taste and offends the sensibility" of a viewer (from frillr.com). Another Advert from the same campaign was not banned however, featuring a woman grabbing some guy's crotch. I'm not sexist or anything, but what the heck?

The way I look at this ad, I see an empowered woman biting off a guy's fingah, nothing degrading about that. (Upcoming cliche) That's ART.

Dior Homme Spring-Summer 2008

First impression: LIMITED (in terms of usage)

If you're the heir to the throne of 'Gutsdenburge', then go ahead, get the whole collection, but if you're a street-smart socialite, then I'd suggest a different designer/collection.

But in fashion, you must NEVER copy a look from a photo shoot/fashion show and wear the whole outfit, you must match each piece with another piece from another designer and/or another look. Always remember:

"designers are merely gods, but the people have the will."

It's safe to say that I could buy a piece from the collection and it would look tres tres bien with Dolce & Gabbana pants.

In terms of "thoughts becoming things", Kris van Assche, Dior's new creative director for the Homme line, was able to serve his ideas to the table and make it realito. If I'm not mistaken, he wanted to elaborate the prestige and exclusivity of Dior through the Spring collection, ergo, the sleek and sophisticated line for Dior Monsieur.

Notice the crumpled effect on those loose grey pants? That's INNOVATION at it's beauty.



And check out these HUGE pants, aren't they just fabulouso?! Goodbye skinny slacks; it's easy, breezy, beautiful, Dior Homme.

photos from frillir.com

Chanel Homme Spring Summer 2008

Chanel is well known for their women's collection, but what many (perhaps) do not know, is that Chanel also makes limited Men's pieces in their pool of women's wear. And when they make these limited pieces, they make sure it's the BEST

I, personally, never have seen a Chanel Homme piece I didn't like. What's there not to like about an outfit that's already on-hold and guest-listed even before it's made.

In fear of Copyright violations done to Chanel, and I do have extreme respect to the House of Chanel, I will not post a photo, nor add a link to the collection.

For more information on the Chanel Homme Spring Summer 2008 collection, please visit the Chanel official website, and look for the Spring Summer Pret-a-porte (Ready-to-Wear) collection.

(Tip, the men are engulfed by the number of womenswear, do be patient and look for the scattered Testosterone in the Runway spread, they're worth it. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE)

Enjoy your cup of Haute Chocolait? Ciao for now.

Chanel Mobile Art

In fear of any Copyright violations against Chanel, I will not post photos, nor link the Chanel website on my blog.

The House of Chanel presents the Chanel Mobile Art, currently in Hong Kong, it will soon transfer to Tokyo (the land of the extreme end of Fashion), and eventually travel around the surface of the globe.

If you have time to catch the Global phenomenon, please do send me some of your latest grabs (photos) from the event. I'd love if you do.

For more information, please visit the official website of Chanel, and look for the Chanel Mobile Art.

P.S Karl Lagerfeld, I LOVE your limited Chanel Homme pieces I spotted at an old fashion show held at the Santa Monica Airport. If only I could go and grab me a pair of those adorable pants, but I bet the waiting list is already at it's 5 digits.

Enjoy your cup of Haute Chocolait? Ciao for now.

The Weekender

I hope I'm not violating any copyright laws of some sort.

As you've seen earlier, my only companion to long travels is my Louis Vuitton Monogram trunk chest. That's the only piece of luggage in which I feel mentally secure with my belongings. I don't want my $600 shoes getting dented. Have you seen how those maniacs back at the airports throw around your check-in luggage? Those insecure Tunguska's are in serious need of therapy.

I want to try something new this time around, and I was thinking... Weekend duffel bags? For those 2-3 days out of town, driving around the mountains in the south of France to Monaco, with a Gucci or Louis Vuitton weekend bag at the passenger seat... I'll do that SOON.

Here are some of the potential weekend bags that may land on my credit card bill soon (when I arrive at Hong Kong tomorrow).

Large carry-on duffel with double handles, single shoulder strap, zip-top closure, and inside pocket.

Price: $955

Duffel with double handles, adjustable shoulder strap, zip-top closure, interlocking G detail, signature web, front zip pocket, and inside zip pocket.

Price: $1095

Carry-on duffel with double signature web handles, zip-top closure, Gucci crest trademark, inside pocket, and cell phone pocket.
Price: $625

Large carry-on duffel with double handles, single shoulder strap, zip-top closure, and inside pocket.
Price: $895

large carry-on duffel with double signature web handles, zip-top closure, Gucci crest trademark, front zip pocket, inside zip pocket, and cell phone pocket.
Price: $495

photos and information from Gucci.com

Men and their Louis Vuittons?

Am I breaking any copyright laws by using "Louis Vuitton" in my blog? Because seriously, I don't want to get in trouble. I do state my sources (as explained in middle school), and I hope no one gets angry. I'm an innocent ASS-PLUG.

My motha never lets a moment pass by without telling me to stop buying Louis Vuitton bags (specially with the Monogram [flowers & 'LV' initials] and Damier [checkered] designs on them). I was only allowed to purchase the leather materials for my Louis Vuittons, ergo, all my personal bags are plain and Louis Vuitton-silent. OK, that Speedy Snoop Dogg is holding is so for women (correct me if I'm wrong alrght?) True or Mockery? You guys tell me.

Louis Vuitton director, Marc Jacobs (and his Louis Vuitton) with actress Christina Ricci

photo from timeinc.net

Rapper Pharrell in his Louis Vuitton ad campaign spread

photo from frillr.com

Hillarious photo of Snoop Dogg and his Speedy

photo from pursepage.com