The author and mom Merlie Bernad Zamora

THE HOLIDAYS are the perfect time to relax and curl up with a good book whether that’s out by the beach somewhere in the tropics or snug at home with a hot chocolate. To give you a head start in your gift list, Mia Zamora’s boo—”Kikay 15 Years of Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice”—is the perfect gift idea for for your kikay friend or, well, for yourself.

Don’t judge the book by its cover though because “Kikay” delves into more than just style. “Kikay” is a work compilation of Cebu Daily News’ fashion and beauty writer, Mia Zamora—but also it’s really more than that.

What started out as a weekly column, is now every woman’s smart guide to health, fashion, etiquette, life and everything in-between.

Here’s what you may not know about the book and its author.

•It helps you to find your personal style.
“Trends are not for everybody,” and that’s how honest as it can be. In her recent book launch, Mia shared that the basic principle in fashion is to know your
personal style; to explore what flatters you best because not everything will look good on you. But once you’ve found your personal style, then be confident and stick to it. Her life mantra? Believe in yourself.

• It has a section dedicated for the 15-Minute Face.

Curious yet?

Mia revealed that she’d be lucky if she has enough time to put on makeup every day. Fifteen minutes is mostly the time she can spare, hence, the guide to do your makeup in 15 minutes and still look amazing. Of course, it helps if you observe proper skin care such as wearing sun block when you go out. The use of Vitamin C serum or Argan oil at night are also is also recommended in your daily skin care routine.

• It teaches you about style, makeup, hosting soirees, and life in general.

It’s more than just stylish pink book. It tapped Cary Santiago for fashion and Wenwen Zaspa for makeup. It has a section for occasions and events, one about the modern day woman on etiquette, life and its many adventures, and so much more.

•It celebrates you as a woman.
“ Kikay” is perfect for working ladies, stylish mommies, young women and women young at heart. Celebrate who you are; whoever you are. Do not allow anybody to put you in a box. Be unapologetically You. Mia believes that women can do so much to empower each other. Back when “Kikay” was still a weekly fashion column, to Mia, it’s her kikay readers —some of whom are men—that inspired her to write more.

• The idea of a book titled “Kikay” came five years ago. It took four months of work before it saw print.
The author’s fashion icons are more than one. It is influenced by TV shows like “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Sex and The City,” “Gossip Girl,” and the likes. Mia has always liked fashion and style books like Chanel or Dior as far as she can remember, and she had always been meaning to do one. The title is already “Kikay” from the start but it took some time to wait until there was enough material.

• The author was no Grace Kelly growing up.
Contrary to what you may expect, the name Mia Zamora is not synonymous to “Grace Kelly” and, by no means, a peg for beauty and fashion as how she would put it. Rather, she was that awkward young adult. She was barely out of college and didn’t have the slightest idea that writing would become a regular stint, not to mention something that would last for 15 years and counting. Despite this, she
always knew exactly what kind of lady she wanted to become. Her first beauty column on
Cebu Daily News was published in October 2002. Her advice is not just for aspiring writers but for anyone aspiring for anything. Do it. Instead of worrying what people say, go for it. In her words, “Do whatever it is that you’re good at and the practice that you gain over time will make you better on it.”

• The last chapter was the hardest to write.
But it is also the author’s favorite chapter. Life and Its Other Adventures had to be written with all honesty. It holds the chronicles of Mia’s growth as a person. This is where many of her experiences and realizations took place, and somewhere in those pages she grew up.

“Kikay 15 Years of Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice” can be ordered through Anahaw Books online and have it shipped to your doorstep. Or you can send Mia Zamora a message via Facebook.
Incidentally, Mia will pursue Master of Business Administration in Spain next year.