I couldn’t quite contain my happiness and excitement that a big branch of Saizen discount store has opened at the Faura Wing of Robinsons Place Manila (Robinsons Place Ermita, if you wish!) As I love all things Saizen, this is bad news for my wallet, but am certainly glad it is just a few steps away from where I work now. It used to be that I waited for the opportunity to go to their branch in Robinsons Galleria to buy all those cute and funky stuff I adore!

The good thing with shopping in Saizen, there’s new items each time. But you really have to allot time and effort to go through each stacks and try to decipher the labels which are often written in Japanese.

For instance, I just discovered how wonderful the food section in Saizen is.They have all these sauces and dressings, noodles, furikake, biscuits, rice crackers and all those chichirya.

A great shopping find: Buy One Take One on Meiji Chocolates!

The friendly store clerk recommended their bestseller mukiguri or peeled chestnuts and true enough, it was good! It’s great just for munching or for adding to savory dishes like chicken. Christmas being the chestnuts or kastanyas season, I plan to buy some for placing on the holiday table

The make-up and beauty tools racks are another popular section in the Everything 85! retail store. Even celebrities go here for unique finds! I spotted interesting items like a nose powder, marine lotion and horse fat foot cream.I bought this lipstick style hair dye for fixing my white hair (uban). Ouch! let’s see if this is effective

Featured here are three kinds of soap bars: the rice bran soap, stainless steel smell remover and the charcoal soap.Bar in the middle is not really a soap, you just rub it on your hands to get rid of strong odors like fish. I thought it’s amazing!

My other favorite stop is the kitchenware section where you can find bento tools, Japanese lacquer ware, dainty cups, bake ware and other items of interest. Spotted: pretty lunch boxes a la Cath Kidston !

Prettily embroidered chair leg covers. I never thought stuff like this existed… hehe.

Tsinelas in attractive designs and colors ….

These stackable wooden boxes are made from the Paulowania tree, “a special kind of tree,” so the label says.

I could spend hours and hours exploring the racks and the crux of the matter is: you’re better off not bringing your significant other along with you. He will surely get bored with the passing time, haha. Now that the Christmas season is here, you know where to scour for some of your gifts!

Thanks to Ms. Josette Salac and the amiable staff of Saizen Manila for inviting us. The store was crowded even on opening day. I guess a lot of people love Saizen shopping

Aside from Robinsons Manila, Saizen branches are found in Robinsons Galleria, Ali Mall, Marquee Mall, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall (Davao City) and Pavilion Mall. More branches opening in other parts of the country soon.

I was in Robinsons Galleria last Saturday and quickly switched on my shopaholic mode. There’s nothing like a good bargain when you see one! We have until August 31 to get a hold of great deals in all Robinsons Malls (full list after this post). Here’s a few I’ve spotted in Rob Galleria:

Cute household items & other knick-knacks from Saizen for as low as P25 (a big drop from the usual 88).I always go to this store for hard-to-find bento stuff, stationery and even make-up.They’ve now stocked up on those delicious Japanese sauces & dressings too – a must-buy for my next visit.

These dainty tops for up to 50% off at Bayo.I love this Filipino clothing brand for their neat, up-to-date styles. Getting them at a big discount is a steal!

Have you heard of Beabi? They’re this store specializing in bag organizers and containers for your toiletries. I spotted this see-through organizer for only P117. It’s not a bad time to shop for your Christmas gifts early

The poster from Payless Shoesource says it all: Buy Three Get One on their hip and trendy shoe styles!

Toys r’ Us is a kiddie wonderland and it was nice to see that they’ve put up their big sale signs too.I saw lots of stuff to make our baby girl happy like dolls, a kitchen set and a counting candles birthday cake from Leap Frog. It’s not just for babies because this store also boasts of stuff for the big boys and even the young at heart. Toys R’ Us items are now up to 70% off, plus you get a free gift with every purchase.

More sale items at my favorite foreign high street brands like Topshop, Warehouse and Dorothy Perkins. Here’s me getting something off the rack at Warehouse. The top was being sold for only P600++ from the usual P1500 or so. Warehouse dresses are really fab but they can be pricey. This sale is a great way to get them

Vans has been on my radar lately because of their Hello Kitty collection. Some of these shoes were selling for only P1,000 … not Hello Kitty, but nice enough for the kiddies.

Here’s more chances for shoppers to win and take home something great:

- Get a chance to win a fashion umbrella by spending a minimum of P1, 000 in the Red Hot Sale promo.

- At Robinsons Department Store,shoppers will get a 70% discount on selected items.

- Handyman will raffle off 100 tickets from Cebu Pacific for local
destinations

- In Robinsons Galleria, get the 20th anniversary discount booklet for a minimum of P2,000 single receipt purchase in participating stores. Inside the booklet are more freebies and discounts.

Catch the Robinsons Mall’s Red Hot Sale at the following branches:

Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila; Robinsons Place Bacolod; Robinsons Place Imus; Robinsons Town Mall Los Baños; Robinsons Cebu; Robinsons Nova Market (formerly Robinsons Place Novaliches); Robinsons Metro East; Robinsons Place Iloilo; Robinsons Starmills; Robinsons Sta. Rosa Market (formerly Robinsons Place Santa Rosa); Robinsons Place Dasmariñas; Robinsons
Place Lipa; Robinsons Cainta; Robinsons Angeles; Forum Robinsons (formerly Robinsons Place Pioneer);Robinsons Cabanatuan; Robinsons Place Tacloban; Robinsons Place Gensan; Robinsons Place Dumaguete; and Robinsons Ilocos.

1. Look out for their products labelled Made in Japan. Some of the stuff is Made in China, and if you say China, you might as well look in Divisoria. Japan-made means you’re assured of the quality and the uniqueness of the item, such as those bento picks, onigiri rice ball maker and other kitchen accessories I chose.

2. Have a shopping budget, and stick to it. It’s hard when everything you see is cute and pretty so you might as well set money aside. The difficult part is that the store accepts credit cards, which brings you the illusion that you can have this and have that

3. Be ready with your own shopping list. Related to No. 2. Having a list means you’re guided on what to buy, and will not act on impulse.

4. Look elsewhere before you buy. The shopping savvy would do well being familiar with various shopping destinations in the metro and compare prices. This is so you’ll not be overwhelmed on your first Saizen visit and scoop up something you see at the first opportunity.

5. Shop hungry. This is my own general shopping mantra. I do find that when I am out on an empty stomach, I tend to like things less. Of course it didn’t help that I was in the store till its closing hour and by the time I got out, most of the restos were about to close too.

6. Promise to come back next time. Yes Virginia, there will always ne next time. So don’t fill your shopping basket like there’s no tomorrow. Prioritize what to buy, and you’ll be fine. Happy shopping!

Fast forward to 2009, one need not fly as far because the real 100-yen (hyaku-en) shop named Saizen opened its first branch at the Robinsons Galleria last April 29. Everything at 85 pesos each! I have to admit: the extent of their offerings makes Japan Home Center a poor cousin. Must-buys here, in my opinion: beauty aids, home organizers and kitchen tools, including bento accessories that I’ve been looking for. And of course, things related to Japan!

I just wish Saizen would go forth and multiply soon, and not limit its store to faraway Ortigas.

Some interesting items:

French fries container, almost like the way it looks in McDonalds. Bought a pack, so kids will think it’s the real thing

Multi-colored, brightly-designed chopsticks.

I look at these, and if I were the copywriter, I’d say: “Hayden Kho-inspired banana holders.”

Seven Dwarfs home ornaments ~ complete them all!

My Saizen loot netted me P3,060. Aaaargh! And they say 100-yen shops are cheap? Hehe.

My favorites from this batch are the bento picks, lunch cloth, the polka-dotted hair turban, gold-colored bracelets, the magnetic dolls as well as the kikay accessories like nail art and eyelashes. They’re all the height of cute!

The sales clerk told me celebrities like Judy Ann, Chynna and Carmina have been flocking to the store too…. so we’re definitely not in the wrong company.

My next post will tell you all about shopping wisely in this Saizen. Mata ne!