Eat Well. Travel Often

The Non-Stop Action Sports shop - GRIND advocates for individuals to release their inhibitions and have an adventure-fueled life. GRIND took its name from a skateboard trick that involves the skateboarder sliding along mainly relying on the use of the trucks of a skateboard. Even the concept store’s goal is not for the faint-hearted -- the store aims to be a one-stop, non-stop shop for thrill-seeking Filipinos to find everything they need for their next surf, skate, bike or wake adventure.

Managed by the country’s biggest retail company, Primer Group of Companies, Grind carries only the most celebrated of action sports and lifestyle brands. Grind’s customers are sure to get not just an adrenaline high but also a boost of confidence that only wearing the most renowned brands of the industry can give.

Those who get their adrenaline fix from the pavements can sport well-loved skate brands like Globe, Supra, DC Shoes, Brixton, Baker, Big H, Fluid Surf, Nike SB and Adidas as they pull off sick tricks. Meanwhile, surfers and beach bums will find all the essentials -- rashguards, boardshorts, and swimwear -- from Hurley, Seafolly, Volcom, O’Neill, Roxy, Quiksilver, while technical water sports brand O’Neill offers wake vests for those who want to take it to the rails. If it’s speeding down roads and hills on a bike that gets you going, Grind also carries Fox brand, including its trusty helmets, gloves, protective gear, and apparel.

Apart from its premium action sports brands, Grind is also home to street-style aesthetics, carrying some of the most interesting accessory brands – Stance’s unique and intricate socks, fashionable and quality specs from Komono, Raen and Spy, as well as classic style backpacks from Herschel Supply co. and heritage snapbacks from Mitchell & Ness.

But the very heart of Grind lies in its mission to grow a community of individuals sharing the same passion and thirst for adventure.

Despite the different sports that Grind supports, it’s the shared culture of discipline, camaraderie, ingenuity and self-expression that the concept store advocates for. Grind sees itself as an instigator – igniting the sparks in these individuals and giving them the confidence to pursue what they love.

Grind goes beyond just carrying products. What they really want seek is to be part of the development of action sports, especially in terms of engaging communities where these sports thrive. Grind has been actively present in some of the skate and surfing scene in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in the growing surf scene in Davao, and the opening of skatepark in CDO.

Grind currently has 17 stores nationwide. To know more about the latest Grind news, follow their social networking sites: facebook.com/originalgrind and instagram.com/grind.ph.

Nothing beats a smartphone as a Christmas present to let loved ones feel that they are special, but the cost is not exactly affordable. Thankfully, mobile technology brand OPPO is offering a selection of smartphones at prices within budget.

“OPPO smartphones have shown that premium quality doesn’t have to come at a high price. This holiday season, we are offering shoppers a treat by making some of our best units available at discounted prices,” said OPPO Philippines Brand Marketing Manager Stephen Cheng. “Our phones will definitely make for great gifts that will capture your most precious holiday moments.”

Whether for selfies or group shots with family, the following OPPO phones are sure to capture the holiday festivities in photos worth sharing.

OPPO F1

Like the F1s, its predecessor the OPPO F1 is built to capture bright photos in less-than-ideal lighting. The first in OPPO’s camera-focused F1 series, the F1 sports an 8MP front camera that can snap selfies with 30 percent better clarity than a 5MP camera. The f/2.0 aperture lens and 0.25-inch sensor ensure images that are 44 percent brighter than those captured by an f/2.4 lens.

The phone’s Beautify 3.0 app comes with three beautification modes and several filters for flawless selfies ready for upload.

Originally priced at P11,990, the F1 is now available for only P9,990.

OPPO A37

Apart from ensuring bright selfies in any type of lighting, the A37 stands out for its light unibody design for a comfortable grip. The price has also dropped from P8,990 to P7,990 for the holidays.

The discounted F1 and A37 will be available until January 8, 2017.

OPPO F1s& Selfies Speak Christmas raffle

The latest in OPPO’s F1 series has a 16MP front-facing camera with a large aperture for clear and bright selfies even in dim light. The Beautify 4.0 app also ensures flawless photos through seven beautification levels and two skin modes.

Other features such as Super GIF and double exposure add fun to images by letting users play with movement. Lighting-speed fingerprint recognition further makes phone access very easy, while options for palm- and voice-activated shutter reduce the hassle of taking selfies.

The special edition metallic grey F1s Limited is currently available in stores. Financial service provider Home Credit also offers the F1s at P1,449 per month with zero percent interest.

OPPO’s Selfies Speak Christmas raffle also offers a chance to get a free F1s with the purchase of any OPPO smartphone.

To join the promo, shoppers must follow the online registration link posted on OPPO Philippines’ Facebook page to submit an entry. Entries will only be accepted until January 8, 2017 by 11:59PM.

Participants must provide their name, address, landline or cellphone number, and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, as well as the name of the store where they bought their phone. The winners will be announced on OPPO’s Facebook page.

For more information, please log on to http://www.oppo.com/ph/index.html.

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Press Release from OPPO Marketing Team

As the Christmas season approaches and a new year draws near, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf reminds us that life is not about what we receive for ourselves, but about the things we share with others like gifts, love, and time.

From October 22, customers can start collecting stamps for the 2017 Giving Journal in all The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores.

Each stamp card consists of 12 circles with corresponding purchased drink assignments. You must complete the stamps to get your own Giving Journal. A box of CBTL capsules earns the customer 2 stamps, while any CBTL Single Serve Beverage System purchase automatically allows you to claim the 2017 Giving Journal.

The Giving Journal is available in 4 cool colors - Gray, Rose, Turquoise, and Purple. Each Giving Journal has its icon on its cover and it's a graphic representation of how The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf commits to giving back to the community, through promoting goodwill and social responsibility.

Caring Cup Global - To give back to farmers and the community who work hard to supply good coffee products.

Radiating Heart - It signifies how we can live up to the essence of giving by performing little acts of kindness towards others.

Coffee Tree Cup - Signifies The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's hopeful mission - to nurture growth and provide a better life for others, once cup at a time.

Overflows - Acknowledge life that is ready to overflow. Developing one's self, striving to reach your full potential, and sharing your unique gifts and blessings with others.

Through the 2017 Giving Journal, you empower scholars by giving them gift of education through the Real Life Foundation, the Giving Journal's beneficiary since 2011.

Start collecting those stamps now and begin your Giving Journey by giving the gift of education this holiday season.

For more information, visit www.coffeebean.com.ph

Facebook - www.facebook.com/coffeebeanphilippines

Instagram - www.instagram.com/cbtlph

Twitter: www.twitter.com/brewph

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx

For Fall/Holiday 2016, Converse launched their Counter Climate Footwear Collection. They combined classic sneaker designs with premium weatherized features. The innovative sneaker collections feature a bold mix of colors and materials including water repellant canvas, rubber and leather, and waterproof neoprene.

Divided into 3 unique categories: Shiel Canvas, Leather, and Rubber --- these collections are intended to stand up against the unpredictable inclement weather.

Each sneaker has been treated to help tackle rainy weather while maintaining comfort and style. The Converse Counter Climate Shield Canvas sneakers have been given a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, standing guard as the first line of defense against the rain. These rubber sneakers are winter-ready with water resistant material and heat retention.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Shield Canvas

Designed for the Chuck Taylor lover who can’t give up their Chucks no matter what the weather, the new Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Shield Canvas sneaker combines the enhanced comfort of a Lunarlon sock liner, non-slip padded tongue and micro-suede lining with materials that can also withstand most climate challenges. Converse has added a water-repellent Shield Canvas and a gusseted tongue, as well as removing the medial eyelets to make a durable sneaker that is ready for wet and rainy adventures. The sneakers also feature reflective heel webbing and barrel laces for added visibility in low light environments.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Rubber

Another iteration of the Chuck II will also be releasing this fall - the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Rubber. By incorporating a transparent rubber overlay on the iconic Chuck II silhouette, this allows for the sneaker to breathe while repelling water and protecting feet from the elements. The sneaker includes all the features and benefits of the Chuck II such as a Lunarlon sockliner and a non-slip padded tongue, while adding a beautifully crafted dimensional canvas for breathability, micro-perforated leather lining for comfort, and a heat reflecting barrier at the footbed for warmth.

Converse Cons One Star Shield Canvas

This season, the Converse Cons Star also receives the Shield Canvas treatment, combining the enhanced comfort of a Lunarlon sockliner with a lightweight and breathable canvas that can also withstand the rain. Added features include a gusseted tongue and removed medial eyelets allowing the sneaker to tolerate wet environments. Traction rubber has also been incorporated to the outsole, providing additional grip.

Converse Jack Purcell Signature Twill Shield Canvas

The Converse Jack Purcell Signature collection introduces a thicker Shield Canvas with a water repellent finish, and a tri-color reflective heel stay. A mesh lining backing the shield canvas regulates temperatures across a range of climates while still keeping the sneaker breathable. Reflective laces add flare while a gusseted tongue construction will prevent water from seeping into the dual pod Nike Zoom Air insole technology.

Converse Essentials

The collection features quality and durable everyday basics for your active, on-the-go lifestyle. Constructed for comfort and fit, the Converse Essentials collection will get softer with time. Each piece includes a natural color fade of fabric with long-term wear, durable stitching, and a managed shrinkage fit that remains the same throughout the lifespan. The collection includes the Converse Essentials Tee, Converse Essentials Pullover Hoodie, Converse Essentials Full Zip Hoodie and Converse Essentials Jogger.

The new Fall/Holiday 2016 Converse Counter Climate Footwear Collection and Essentials are now available at Converse stores nationwide. Visit or www.facebook.com/ConversePhilippines for more!

#ConversePHCounterClimate

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx

Aside from the gifts I receive during the holiday season, I've been looking forward to getting a Starbucks planner each year. I've been a fan of their planners ever since and I like the thrill of collecting stickers to get a planner. I like the designs from the previous years but I think these year's designs will be on top of my list.

On November 2, you can start collecting stickers for the 2017 Starbucks Planners. There are two different designs for you to choose from - The Coffee Stain and The Blue Siren.

The Starbucks Coffee Stain planner has brown watercolor paintings and coffee beans. It comes with a brown pouch with a gold coffee logo and a zipper. It's simple and elegant.

The Blue Siren planner, on the other hand, is very colorful with jade, aqua, and teal colors. It has an embossed pattern of gold Starbucks stars that really stand out. It also has a blue pouch with a Siren's tail and gold zipper.

These planners come with stickers, a magnetic coffee bookmark, discount coupons, and an erasable pen. I am excited to collect stickers and own even just one Starbucks Planner for next year but I might collect more stickers so I can have both designs! :)

If you want to own one too, follow these terms and conditions.

Starbucks 2017 Planners Terms and Conditions

A customer can avail of a Starbucks® Christmas Traditions Promo card from November 2, 2016 to January 8, 2017 with no purchase required.
One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks® handcrafted beverage purchase. Holder must accumulate a total of eighteen (18) stickers, to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner.
Beverages and corresponding Required Number of Stickers:
- Holiday Featured Beverages, choice of any of the following: (hot, iced, or Frappuccino® blended) Toffee Nut Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and Santa Hat Dark Mocha – 9 stickers
- Any Starbucks Core Handcrafted Beverage of your choice EXCEPT bottled beverages – 9 stickers
Customer must present the Starbucks® Christmas Traditions card to the barista upon purchase to get the corresponding number of stickers.
In case any of the Holiday featured beverages are not available (ex. Toffee Nut Latte), customers can substitute it with any of the remaining holiday featured beverages (ex. Santa Hat Dark Mocha or Peppermint Mocha). Should all three (3) not be available, only then can customers substitute with any espresso-based or Frappuccino® blended beverage of their choice.
A customer must complete the required number of stickers to qualify for the redemption of one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner. A combination of up to two (2) promo cards will be allowed, provided that the 9 featured plus 9 core beverages have been purchased. Excess stickers for combined cards will be forfeited.
Once all stickers are completed, customer must submit the Starbucks® Christmas Traditions Card/s to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner from any Starbucks Coffee store in the Philippines.
Tampering with and/or transferring of stickers to obtain the required number of stickers will render all promo cards null and void.
Every purchase of a handcrafted beverage (including Starbucks Signature Pairings bundled beverage) using a Starbucks Card will be awarded one (1) sticker and one (1) Beverage Star. Terms and conditions that apply to the Starbucks Card are available on www.starbucks.ph/card.
Single receipt bulk purchase of food and other retail items (merchandise, whole bean and Starbucks VIA®) worth at least ₱7,000 will entitle the customer to one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner. Combination of receipts is not allowed.
Bulk purchase of gift certificates and Starbucks Card load/reload of at least ₱7,000 will not entitle the customer to a planner.
The following transactions and discounts are qualified for this promotion.
- Senior Citizen discount
- PWD discount
- VAT Exempt
- Personal Cup/Tumbler ₱5 discount
The following coupons and discounts are disqualified for this promotion.
- Service Recovery Coupon
- Free Tall Beverage Coupon
- Customer Voice Redemption
- Starbucks Card Registration Treat
- Starbucks Card Beverage Treat Redemption
Promotion starts on November 2, 2016. Stickers may be obtained from November 2, 2016 to January 8, 2017.
Redemption of the Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner starts November 2, 2016 up to March 9, 2017, at Starbucks stores in the Philippines only.