OMG.
Crate and Barrel is here.
It’s really here.
Remember when I was posting a while back through my gratitude challenge about how grateful I was able to spend some time with my cousin? Well, that particular cousin, was the International Trainer who came from Crate Corporate to train the staff and orient them for the new Crate Opening in Megamall Fashion Hall.
I was just beside myself waiting for the opening! These are the store openings I get really excited for!
So because I was able to snap a few pictures and walk around before the mad dash to fill our baskets and carts started, I wanted to share some of these things with you just in time for Christmas. I plan to post a lot on all my Crate and Barrel finds so be sure to be on the look out for fun posts with lots of great products for the hearth and home.
For those of you who are not famliar with Crate and Barrel, it began as a family owned business which started in 1962. Gordon and Carole Segal of Chicago, Illinois first opened their doors after they were inspired by the well designed and affordable products they found on their honeymoon in Europe. They were able to open up their first store which was mostly home furnishings using the CRATES and the BARRELS that their inventory had been shipped in. Hence, the name Crate & Barrel.
Years after opening, this iconic store which has most everything for the home with outlets in major North American cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. They have even penetrated the international market with franchise locations in Dubai, Singapore, Mexico, and now-The Philippines.
How happy am I that SM Retail has opened one of my favorite stores in SM Megamall???
Today, Crate is my go to store for everything kitchen. I am inspired to create meals that are a step above what I would normally prepare for my family when I visit the Housewares section of any Crate outlet. I look for the little clever items that can make lunch packing easier for my kids, cut meal time preparation in half, or cookbooks to guide me through unexplored cuisines. I know that when I buy at Crate, I will not only be assisted by knowledgeable staff who know the uses and the tricks to using the small appliances that they sell but that I am assured of the quality and the return policy.
When I was still living in NY, I would often visit the warehouse sales, the outlets in various outlet shopping malls for deals and steals. Aside from looking for great deals, I would be sure to check out their Paramus, NJ store for everything that was new, current, and in season as well.
From my sturdy silverware set that I used yesterday in our makeshift Thanksgiving dinner, to our hutch where I proudly display the Wedgewood China that we received as part of our wedding gifts, and the Steamer Bar that sits in our living room waiting for when we have guests…we are a Crate Family who appreciates what goes into quality for the home and for the kitchen.
Check out my photo stream of the opening last week that I was so lucky to attend!
There was a ton of people in attendance for the opening!!! I was able to chat for only a few minutes with my cousin’s friend April. She is in the green dress and would you believe that I remember her from Paramus!
My guy certainly wasn’t as excited as I was for the opening, but he did accompany me all the way to Megamall so that I wouldn’t have to go by myself.
Since my house is fully furnished na, I was looking at more of the accessories and housewares section. I love the neutral colors in this grouping of pillows.
Crate always has really cute gift items too. I swear they think of everything. I picked up a Mr. & Mr. ring dish for my dear friends Arlu and Anthony who just tied the knot this summer in New York.
I can totally imagine using these chargers in a woodland fairy themed party. I no longer have to beg my husband to cut up some wood on the side of the road after some of the trees fall during a storm. It’s here in Crate already!!!
Like I said earlier…I really wasn’t looking too much at the furniture (although I LOVE Crate furniture and my home now, is a testament to that) I wouldn’t mind finding a place for this table. Both Tin and I were saying how nice it would be to make our pie crusts on that marble surface!!!
Tin is also a pie maker too! She shared that she likes to make apple pie (just like me) and that her hubby Harvey LOVES it! Doesn’t she look fab? Would you guess that she is about to have baby number 3 looking this great?
In my dream house, I have an herb garden close to the kitchen. These herb cutting scissors would make a great gift in a basket with some potted herbs for your friend who loves to cook! Add the Herbsicle Ice Cube maker so that your friend can store fresh herbs for future use as well! I would LOVE to receive that as a gift for my kitchen 🙂
If we are talking about Gift Ideas from Crate, I really could go on and on. Check out this super cute Tea Infuser. Package with some loose tea and a cute collectible tea cup from Instagram online seller, Bella Shoppers and it’s perfect for your favorite tea drinker.
My friends have always asked me how I roast my garlic. This makes roasting garlic a no brainer. Easy to use by slicing the tops off your garlic head, drizzling with a little EVOO, some oregano, salt and pepper-and you can serve roasted garlic with fresh toasted focaccia.
Lunch packing can be made easy with the right tools. From dippers, to stainless steel containers, and resusable, washable bags, you can visit this section of Housewares and find everything you need.
When I’m cooking, I need a fresh dishtowel to keep my hands clean. I wash my hands often, so I keep one dishtowel near the sink and one on the counter. This way I’m sure nothing is cross contaminated. I like the waffle dishtowels because even when drying the dishes-they do not leave behind any lint on your glasses.
I love the novelty of pulling these milk jugs from the fridge!!! Aren’t they super cute?
I am a self proclaimed Cheese Momster. (In case you didn’t know 🙂 ) I would love it if someone put these items in a Christmas gift basket for me…wouldn’t you? Or, if you didn’t want to spend for all three, choose anything from the cheese accessory section (I just made that up but they are all bunched together in one area so you can find everything easily.) and then package it with a nice piece of cheese from Santi’s or Earle’s.
I love the idea of this gift. It’s a pretty plate. But that’s not all. Many times I give a gift of a cake, cupcakes, or cookies in a box. Eliminate the box and put the baked item on the plate and package it with the little book that comes with it. Inside, you write what you gave the recipient, on what occasion, a small note, and picture of the item on the plate. Then the person can regift the plate with the book to another person who they would like to bake for until the book is filled. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Cute no?
Do you have a bar and like to entertain? I found this super helpful in explaining all the different types of barware you can invest in. Actually, I found a lot of items that would be great for my bar.
Like these decanters:
Which one would you choose?
For a more casual gathering-these beer plates would be great for apps, or even an outdoor barbeque. I love the packaging. I find it so clever.
I have this one cousin…who loves placemats. I know that she would love this wall…In fact…I love this wall…In fact, I think I have a thing for placemats as well. Prices range from about Php200-Php500+ per placemat.
I collect cook books. Feel free to put in a good word for me for Santa…any of these will do 🙂 But seriously, Crate has a whole slew of cookbooks to choose from.
I said I didn’t really browse the furniture while I was there during the opening, but I was drawn to the Drew Chair.
And this mirror. The Elgin Floor Mirror retails for Php36,799.
Even cute little items that would work well on my shelving. Can you guess which decorative piece might be calling my name?
But in all honesty…this is probably one of my most favorite parts of the store. While I love the furniture, I love the decorative pillows, and clever ways to package gifts, I also LOVE the gadget wall. So many of these gadgets can make your life easy while you are in the kitchen cooking up something good. I will tell you about some of these gadgets in future posts. I have gadgets that I have purchase years ago from this same wall in the Paramus store. Some I have even purchased from their Madison Avenue store while I was visiting my cousin during her stint there.
Any gadget on this wall would be a welcome gift for someone who likes to spend time in the kitchen. Looking forward to checkin out some new gadgets now that Crate is here in Manila…
Obviously, when you walk into a store like Crate & Barrel, there will be things that you will be drawn to…you will find products to make your life easier, small appliances to help you eat and drink healthier, and furniture that will warm up any room in your home to make it more inviting.
I only chose a few things that I wanted to share with you that I found helpful and which would fit well in my home, but I’m sure if you take some time to explore the store -you’ll find lotsa things that would work well in your home as well.
Have you gone and visited already? What did you find that you were drawn to?
Please share!!!
For more information:
Crate and Barrel
SM Megamall Fashion Hall
Mon-Sun: 10am to 10pm
Oh my!!! I’m drooling while I scroll through your photos! I’ve already spotted several items I wish I can have, hahaha… LOVE the marble table too! And the red plate, placemats, wood chargers, cutlery, etc. so many! Can’t wait to visit the store!
Diba?!?! Seriously, I could spend hours in the store. I want to play with all the gadgets on the gadget wall. I want to pull up a chair and leaf thru the cookbooks. I want to build my bar set so I can invite friends over and serve cocktails. Oh the list could go on and on…
Love reading your article especially about Crate. It’s s place where I enjoy going❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Tita Vicky!! I’m so thankful you are one oft regular visitors. I enjoy writing about fab finds and all the things about our lives here in Manila so family and friends abroad can also keep up with what we are doing, and how the kids are growing 🙂 miss you and Cho Ernie and looking forward to the time when you will retire here soon!!
you are making me want to go back home hahaha!!! my dream job is to design for crate and barrel but it would be soooo nice to have some of their products at home – after our reno 🙂
Aw! MYE!!!! I can stay in that store FOREVERRRRRR!!! There are so many nooks and crannies to explore! I think you would be a great designer for their team!!!