Ibarra Manila

Nostalgic yet timeless. A Filipino watch brand with global style. BY INA AMOR MEJIA

SOMEHOW I REMEMBER all the watches I've ever had, like we were kindred at one point. I remember my first real pay check and buying my first real watch. I remember sitting in a dark theater with this boy and feeling like it was meant to be, because we had the same backlighting in our timepieces. I remember when my Mom gave me her vintage gold watch. The first time my husband gave me a watch while we were dating. The second time, after our daughter was born. And that one time, I was wearing a rather flashy gold watch and clumsily flushed it down the toilet of an airplane. Listen, those things can really suck.

A watch is my daily necessity, and I've had my eye on Ibarra Manila since its launch late last year. I am thrilled that there's finally a local brand that I can wear everyday, no matter the time or place. 

Named after the main character in Jose Rizal's seminal Noli me Tangere (Latin for Touch me not), the brand is patriotic, paying tribute to legendary Filipino gentlemen both fictional and real. Its first watch is named after Rizal himself--the national hero who was an elegant polymath.

The Rizal watch comes in two diameters, and in gold, rose gold, or silver plating. The calfskin leather strap comes in brown or black. The watch has Swiss quartz movement and a scratch-proof Sapphire crystal window. All the essentials of a proper watch.

Ibarra's young founder is Nico Moreno, originally a physicist turned entrepreneur. At the launch of the brand, he said the aim was to show the world that the Filipino "could compete at a language everyone speaks." Rizal would have been proud.
The watches are water resistant. You can wear them while white water rafting, swimming, fishing. Although I may not be wearing my Rizal in the water, I will be wearing it every other time.

This is one watch I'm never flushing down an airplane toilet. Not in a million years.

Ibarra Manila's new limited line, the Plaridel, is now available for pre-order here.

* Tales from the Cusp supports Ibarra Manila. Go here to read more about the brands we support. All photos by Ina Amor Mejia.

For the Weekend

Three kitchen to-dos, one new craft, and a lot of reflection. BY INA AMOR MEJIA

I'VE GOT SOME EDIBLE PROMISES to keep this weekend, starting with the yogurt Caroline has been bugging me to make. Yes it's true, it's really easy and tastes incredible. I also promised Gabby some hummus, made with dried garbanzos this time, so we'll see how that goes. And a twist on the Spanish Fabada.

  

Also happy to share with you the latest DIY I've done, the faux leather catch-all tray you see above, which is now up on this great new site Preen. You've probably seen similar trays somewhere on the web, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. This tray was made without any special leather crafting tools whatsoever. Check out the DIY here. 

Finally, I'll be thinking about some recent events in the news. Especially about that little Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi, who drowned with his brother and mother and other migrants desperate to escape the horrors of war. I'll be thinking of his father, who survived, and all the stories like his that unfold tragically as we speak. In my heart I believe, as I know many of you do, that we must all try and help those who suffer, anywhere in the world. We simply cannot ignore it.

Here are 5 practical ways you can help refugees find safety in Europe. 

I wish you a thoughtful, peaceful and restful weekend. And here are more links from around the web. 

CHECK IT OUT

Why there's more to life than being happy

LOVED THIS SHORT FILM

How to take a detox bath

A BEAUTIFUL COVER PHOTO OF A YOUNG ACTRESS

Can you guess how many trees there are in the world?

THIS SMALL HOME IS SO BEAUTIFUL

Proof that Kanye West is always sleeping

AND 20 FASHION MISTAKES YOU MAKE IN YOUR 20s 
(hello number 5)
line

Thanks for reading!

At the Beach with a Book

THERE IS NO CURE like the sea. We had a few days at the beach leading up to Easter and after, and I came away, yet again, longing to live near the sea (someday!). In the meantime, here are my favorite picks for the summer. And it looks like the one-pice suit is making a comeback. Hooray!

Above: Olinger Stories by John Updike, Yellow Bandeau Bikini Top, Replica Beach Walk fragrance, blue striped tote, burlap slip-on, Fruit card set.

Above: The Goldfinch by Donna Tart, Black ruched halter one-piece swimsuit, Love & Salt beach hair and body mist, bubble glass, Pink and gold key fob, Genuine leather slip-on sandals.

Above: The Sea by John Banville, Gathered halter one-piece swimsuit, Alice flat sandals, Burgundy nail polish, Hanging clear glass terrarium, Fabric rectangular tote.

Hope you have a great summer!

A few finds

This 14k gold Whisk Necklace, Ginger Miso Ice Cream, an Immaculate White Wall Clock (on sale), and this dreamy photo (via Her Paperweight).

A few finds

Love these gold, woven oxfords. This sweet photo that reminds me of someone. Pear tartines with blue cheese and honey. And this blue backpack. 

Finds No. 2

Clockwise from top left: Romantic science, anyone? This book is incredible. This lovely catch all tray is going fast.  These cookies are just too cute to eat. And how I love this moody, mysterious, beautiful print of the sea.

Christmas Finds

Some last minute Christmas daydreaming. BY INA AMOR MEJIA

Clockwise from top left: What a simple and pretty way to wrap gifts. This burlap banner would brighten up any room. And after it's all said and done, I would have this coffee and this view.