I’m always on the go- from home to the office, meeting to meeting, and constant traveling. It’s important that I have all my essentials with me- I carry my life in my bag! Blackberry, reading glasses, lipstick, moisturizer, etc… But I always end up rummaging through trying to dig out what I need. I just received the perfect gift to remedy that problem: the Inouis Core. It’s a handbag insert that organizes the bottomless pit that is my bag. I love that it’s flexible and adjustable to fit different bags and is made from quality leather! Thank you Inouis!

-Josie

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Looking forward to Valentine’s Day- a great holiday to show your appreciation for loved ones! This year I am taking my husband to La Grenouille for a romantic dinner. No need for any gift exchange… he is my gift!


-Josie

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Whew! What a relief- our Fall ready-to-wear presentation went so smoothly thanks to an amazing team! Presenting the collection on mannequins made it feel like a gallery installation- pretty interesting! It allows everyone to touch, feel and interact with each look which is especially important for this collection. We have a myriad of amazing fabrics with different textures plus a variety of fabulous shapes and cuts! Thank you to the many members of our team that made this collection happen…I feel very blessed to have them.

-Josie

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Thursday, February 3, 2011

It’s market week and we’ve been busy presenting our Fall 2011 lingerie collections to store buyers. What a rewarding feeling to hear rave reviews – bravo and thanks to a most amazing design team!

We are making a bold statement for fall about modern dressing. It’s about everyday pieces with style, wear it at home or out! After 33 years we are returning to our roots, the idea that Natori was built upon: a way of dressing without boundaries- hang around in it, go out in it, sleep in it, live in it!

Here’s a sneak peek of a couple looks for Fall 2011!

-Josie

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Worked my way through the home and lingerie shows in Paris this weekend. It’s always stimulating to see new trends and styles, though it means you’re on your feet for 8 straight hours. Maison Objet in particular is visually tantalizing with every aspect of home decor one can dream of. Love the ethnic section where one can delight in the best from around the world, without ever leaving. So inspiring!


-Josie

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Travel Tips: Surviving Holiday Trips


Each year I look forward to my family Christmas celebration in the Philippines—I love reuniting with family and spending time at home. But to get there I endure an exhausting 18 hour plane trip!


Here are a few tips I’ve learned that have helped me through endless days of traveling:
• Drinking plenty of water keeps me hydrated and combats dry plane air
• Stretching and walking every few hours keeps me from getting achy
• Take advantage of the free time to catch up on work; you can focus without normal day-to-day distractions and it helps pass the time
• It’s all in your mindset- instead of thinking I’m stuck on a plane for hours, my husband and I think of it as a mini-vacation- quite time with no interruptions. We love these long trips together!
• A glass of wine with dinner helps me fall asleep


Carry-on Essentials: tooth brush and toothpaste, moisturizing lotion (Natori travel size body crème), lots of reading material, travel/sample sizes of go-to products like Dr. Sebagh and Cle de Peau cleansers and eye creams, Guerlain and By Terry makeup (especially the Touch Expert concealer) for the best quick fix, an eye mask, Natori fragrance purse spray.


It might take a lot of work and preparation to get there, but there’s no better feeling than going home!


-Josie

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is one non-stop party. Our family is so large that just one side is hundreds of people! On Christmas Eve we celebrate with 150 cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, the list goes on… Christmas Day the party continues with 300 other relatives. That’s my father’s side, the Cruz clan, and we’re such a huge group we have to wear color coded t-shirts to signify each immediate family! But my Father is like Santa Claus; he knows every person who’s coming and has a gift for every single one of them.


Then it’s off to the beach to recuperate/ continue to party! This year will be particularly special because we’re bringing my grandson Cruz with us for the first time to the Philippines. My son and daughter-in-law are nervous to travel with him during 18 hours of flying but I’ve volunteered to babysit on the plane! It will all be worth it when my extended family can meet my grandson for the first time.


I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!


-Josie

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What a relief to see people out shopping again! Enough is enough when it comes to criticizing shoppers. We’re all doing our part to boost the economy, as shown by a great post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend. I am a shopaholic myself. I’ve always believed that when you work hard, indulgence is a necessity! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for Christmas…so far so good!


-Josie

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I’m looking forward to relaxing, spending quality time with my family and of course having a fabulous Thanksgiving meal. For our dinner my husband usually takes charge in the kitchen, cooking the traditional American Thanksgiving meal adding in some great Filipino recipes. One of my favorites is a traditional Filipino dish, Chicken Relleno. To spice up your Thanksgiving meal this year, try it out!


What you’ll need:

A deboned chicken

For the marinade: calamansi juice and a couple tablespoons of soy sauce (marinate 3+ hours)

For the stuffing: mix 3 ounces chopped cooked ham, ¾ lb ground lean pork, 2 pieces of finely chopped chorizo de bilbao, 2 eggs, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 diced onion, 1 diced tomato, 3 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish, ¼ cup of finely chopped raisins and of course salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, brush the chicken with melted butter and let it bake for about an hour and a half. Be sure to continue to baste the chicken with butter as it cooks. Enjoy!

-Josie

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Every woman has one makeup product they feel bare without. Mine is lip color and my product of choice is Guerlain’s Rouge G lipstick in Gracia. It is the perfect muted plum shade that can be worn all year round, day or night. It has a lightweight texture that lasts for hours and moisturizes. An added bonus: the sleek silver case actually has a mirror for on-the-go touch ups!

-Josie

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