LIVE.LOVE.LIFE

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil

2011-10-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of Cirque Du Soleil and of course the King of Pop Michael Jackson and having the 2 together in 1 show is simply AMAZING!!!! Watching the trailer gave me goosebumps!!! I hope they include Philippines in their world tour. :) I shall keep my fingers crossed for this :)

Cereal Prawns

2011-10-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

I kept telling my friend Zhaye and Blue about how I miss and love the Cereal Prawns from Singapore. So when they flew in to arrange their 2012 wedding they gave me Cereal Prawn Mix! :) It's super easy to cook and super good as well! Hubby and I loved it!

Thank you Zhaye and Blue! :) I can't wait for your 06-15-12 wedding! :) yipee!

25 Ways to Wear a scarf

2011-10-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

My mom and I are now on a scarf phase! :) Having a scarf in your bag is very convenient because the weather here in Manila has been very unpredictable. It is usually hot when I leave our house but during the afternoon it gets cloudy and starts to rain and gets cold. So whenever it rains, I just pull out my scarf and it keeps me warm and it also protects me from getting wet. :) Since, I've been sporting my scarves I had to find different ways to wear it.

Watch this video and take your pick!!! :)

Sol Gelato at The Venice Piazza Mall

2011-08-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

After having dinner my sister introduced us to Sol Gelato at The Venice Piazza Mall.

The place is cozy and small. They also have free wifi.

They had so much flavors to choose from...you can try it before ordering.

But I decided to try the almond roca and pistachio flavors :) Almond Roca ice cream had tiny bits of Almond Roca chocolate. It was very good. A great way to end your dinner.

Sol Gelato

Ground Floor, The Piazza, McKinley Hill
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
+632 7980411

Monte Carlo Chanel Coco Shine Lipstick

2011-08-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to try the Chanel Coco Shine lipstick but I couldn't get myself to buy it because it costs around PHP 1,850 at Rustans department store.

Good thing my friend from Singapore gave me a tip that it was much cheaper at the Singapore Airport it only costs around SGD 35. So I asked my friend to get me one there. When my friend arrived I was surprised because he just gifted it to me! :) yipee!

Color is very sheer and it doesn't leave your lips dry! :) Definitely a must have for everyday look. :)

8 inch high Ballet shoes by Christian Louboutin

2011-07-31T00:48:00.000-07:00

I came across this very interesting ballet shoes by Christian Louboutin. It's very pretty and super deadly at the same time.

These are 8-inch, ballet-inspired silk stilettos that is delicately embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Beyonce loves it! :) It is absolutely amazing how she can dance in them.

Crazy Katsu Night

2011-07-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Our friend Mike has been raving about Crazy Katsu and according to him they have the BEST chicken katsu. So finally we decided to go the distance to try their famous chicken katsu.

Traffic was terrible and we were all starving. After an hour of traffic, we finally got there! :)

I would have to say that it was worth the traffic and distance.

I love their chicken katsu! Definitely a must try! :)

#81 Unit I Maginhawa St.,
Teacher’s Village U.P., Diliman
Open from Monday to Saturday
11AM – 10PM

Eat all you can at Zensho

2011-07-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had dinner with hubby's high school buddies and the lucky pick was Zensho. All of us haven't tried Zensho so we were all excited for the buffet. In preparation for this, hubby only ate a little for lunch and I didn't eat anything at all. :)

We reserved a function room for 12. We wanted privacy since we were pretty sure that the boys will be very loud since they haven't seen each other for a long time. We paid an extra PHP 300 for the room. Buffet was PHP 595++ It was worth it. They had a wide variety of food to choose from and it was ala carte style so the food are served fresh.

We ordered like there's no tomorrow! :) Our stomachs were truly happy, it was worth the sacrifice of not eating anything for the whole day.

Unfortunately, dessert was not part of the buffet so we had to cross to yoh-gurt froz to get our yogurt fix :) It was a great night, great food and great friends. :) Till our next get together!

Zensho
168 Tomas Morato cor. Roces Ave.
Quezon City
Contact no: (63 2) 929-1069

Kitchen Restaurant Greenbelt 3

2011-07-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Our friend from Dubai just got back and decided to treat us. He was craving for Filipino Cuisine and I am a fat of Kitchen's "aligue" crab fat rice so I immediately chose Kitchen for his dinner treat. :)

We started of with appetizers, we ordered Big Cheese

It's fried mozzarella with cranberry sauce.

PHP 125.00

This is good! The cranberry sauce complimented the mozzarella sticks.

We also ordered the Caps & Rolls. Lettuce wraps! A must try! It was super good that we forgot to take a picture of it :)

PHP 130.00

For my main course, of course I ordered my all time favorite Egg-On.

It's crab fat rice with mixed vegetables omelette

PHP 190.00

Japs ordered Undercover. It is chicken fillet with sweet chili sauce that is wrapped in pandan leaves

PHP 200.00

Joanna ordered Too Good , It's so True.

PHP 210.00

The servings were pretty generous. All food can be shared by two persons. We all walked out with happy tummies :)

Kitchen
Greenbelt 3
(02) 757-4565 to 66

Zero Urban Decay 247 Glide-on Eye Pencil

2011-07-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

For the longest time, I've been using Benefit's Babe Cake Eye Lining Kit. I like it but putting it on is pretty time consuming so I was in search for the BEST and EASY to use eye liner.

I started reading blogs about eye liners and I read good reviews about the Urban Decay 247 Glide On Eye Pencil.

Unfortunately, Rustans doesn't carry Urban Decay anymore, so I looked for on line sellers who carry Urban Decay Make up. Luckily French Macaroons has it! :) Kriss gave me a great discount! :) I immediately bought it and was super happy when I used it. It doesn't smudge even if you wear it all day long.

It's official URBAN DECAY LINER is my FAVORITE liner! :)

You can also buy it online at Sephora or at Urban Decay's site. It costs around $18 but it's really worth it. :)

Battlestar Galactica Universal Studios Singapore

2011-07-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, when hubby and I went to Universal Studios last February the Cyclon side of Battlestar Galactica was closed so we only got to try the Human side. The human side was exhilarating, there was no dull moment (the climbing part of rollercoasters) the whole ride was exciting! It was soooo fast from the beginning till the end.

But I would recommend you ride the Cyclon first before the Human side because this will sort of help lessen the dizziness after the ride (this is based on my own experience)

Here's a video of the Human side:

Fortunately, when my family and I went back last June ALL of the rides were open! Finally, we were able to try the Cyclon side and it was FUN FUN FUN! The ride was soooooo good. It is one of my favorite rollercoasters now.

Here's a video of the Cyclon side:

Cirque du Soleil - Varekai

2011-07-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

I've always been a fan of Cirque Du Soleil and when I heard that they were coming to Manila I was super excited.

I've seen Zaia in Macau

and Beatles LOVE in Vegas

They always give a fantastic show!

My sister and I were very lucky to get discounted tickets for Varekai. My friend Lenlen is such an angel :). She gave us a really good deal for the tickets! :)

We were seated at the 203 area, the venue was small so our seats were pretty good. We were close enough.

The show was AMAZING! I was really impressed, I actually liked Varekai more than Zaia! :)

Don't miss out on this amazing show! Tickets can be bought online at:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/varekai/tickets/manila/prices.aspx

It's worth every penny! Buy now or REGRET later!

I'm Shoe in Love bazaar

2011-06-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

I am extremely excited for this shoe event! better mark your calendars :)

Dates and Aunthenticity Codes

2011-06-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

All information are from: http://www.yoogiscloset.com

Chanel

Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right). The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining. The serial number sticker has Chanel logos and was protected by a clear tape with hologram security feature from approximately 2000-on. The sticker, Chanel logo, and hologram design varied with the manufacturing date:

Serial Number	Year Manufactured	Style of Numbers	Style of Serial Number Sticker	Picture of Serial Number Sticker
13XXXXXX	2009 to 2010	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
12XXXXXX	2008 to 2009	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
11XXXXXX	2006 to 2008	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
10XXXXXX	2005 to 2006	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
9XXXXXX	2004 to 2005	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
8XXXXXX	2003 to 2004	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
7XXXXXX	2002 to 2003	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
6XXXXXX	2000 to 2002	0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
5XXXXXX	1997 to 1999	0's have strikethroughs up to 51XXXXX. 0's have no strikethroughs from 52XXXXX to 56XXXXX. 0's have strikethroughs from 57XXXXX on. 1's have small serifs (feet) from 57XXXXX on.	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos from 57XXXXX on."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on right right side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
4XXXXXX	1996 to 1997	0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker.
3XXXXXX	1994 to 1996	0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker.
2XXXXXX	1991 to 1994	0's have no strikethroughs up to 27XXXXXX. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker.
1XXXXXX	1989 to 1991	0's have no strikethroughs. 1's have serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos and left-sided cutout. Opaque film covers sticker.
0XXXXXX	1986 to 1988	0's have no strikethroughs. 1's have serifs (feet).	Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos and left-sided cutout. Opaque film covers sticker.

Crocs Sale

2011-06-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

I really love Crocs!
My ultimate favorite style is the Rio sandals.
I absolutely love them, to the point that I bought all colors!!! :))

They're super comfy and I hope they've nice wedge sandals on sale too!
I can't wait for their upcoming sale event!! :)

See you all there!

Enchanted Kingdom

2011-05-18T02:24:00.000-07:00

It has been more than 5 years since I last visited Enchanted Kingdom and when hubby told me that we were going to "E.K." I was super excited. During weekdays the park opens from 2pm - 9pm. We arrived at around 1:30pm and it was scorching HOOOOTT so we bought our tickets first & decided to stay in the car first while waiting for the park to open.

For weekdays ticket cost:

Adults: PHP 400.00

Kids: PHP 250.00

Students: PHP 300.00

2:00 pm! Now, we're all excited to enjoy the park!

Since it was super hooootttt! We decided to do the air-conditioned attractions first.

I was surprised that they now have a 4D movie. We had to pay extra PHP 60.00 for this. I was impressed because this was similar to Hong Kong Disneyland's Fantas-mic 4D :)

Then we decided to head to Rialto. Happy Feet was showing and the kids absolutely enjoyed it!

Dinosaur Ride

The kids rode this more than 3 times! :)

We actually rode all the kiddie rides and I've never been sooo dizzy :)

Our nephew Xavier was brave enough to ride the Log Jam!

We are all sooo proud of him! He is such a brave little boy :)

After this daring ride, we rode the Wheel of Fate

After this, the kids played games and won several toys! :)

This was the last photo we took because our camera's battery died :(

I totally regret not charging it!

After a long day of riding rides and playing we had dinner and headed home.

Enchanted Kingdom is well maintained and it's a good thing they added more attractions so that people will have something to look forward to when they visit the theme park. :)

Stone Grill House of Wagyu

2011-05-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

It was time to celebrate my good friend's birthday, and the birthday girl chose House of Wagyu for her birthday treat. I am very lucky to be part of this experience :P

Before ordering your steak, there is a presentation to explain the cuts of the steaks and the "grade" of the steak. They said the higher the grade the better the quality.

The price of the steak is a bit expensive but it is worth every penny.

First up, was the salad.

This can be shared by 2 persons.

Before they serve the steak, they will put on your mini apron to prevent your shirt from getting dirty.

Birthday girl with her apron.

Then for the main event....

THE STEAK!

We ordered the steak for triple sharing and this is my share.

The serving was pretty generous.

The waitress will allow the steak to cook in front of you for about 30 seconds &

then they will flip the steak once.
TIP: Don't slice all of your steak in small pieces because this will make your steak dry. Just slice the portion that you will take one at a time. :)

The steak was very tasty and didn't need any sauce.

It was also very tender.

The steak comes with the soup of the day.

And a choice of: Plain rice, Garlic rice or Mashed potato.

I ordered garlic rice.

We were all very satisfied with the food and the service. You really get what you paid for. :)

House of Wagyu, The Podium

5/F The Podium, Ortigas Commercial Center

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 635-3056

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today, I would like to honor the greatest person I know.. my mom. I would have to say it is very difficult to be a mom to a kid like me and my siblings :) and my mom has done that flawlessly :) I am very grateful for all the sacrifices that she has done for me and my siblings :) She has always put us first, love you ma! :) Like what I always say, I know that one day I will be a good mom because I learn from the best :)

Lessons that my mom has taught me:

Be forgiving
Life is too short to have grudges against anyone
Be happy, stay happy
Learn to appreciate the little things
Always believe that miracles do come true
PRAY! God will bless and take care of your family.
Always listen to your parents
Honor your parents no matter

There are many more but these are my favorites :)

Persia Grill Makati

2011-05-06T01:14:00.000-07:00

Whenever my sister and I would walk going to Greenbelt from our Tita's condo, we'd always pass by Persia Grill and I would always say "let's try that place soon!". Well, FINALLY after months of just walking by the restaurant we decided to have dinner there. :) yipee!

My sister ordered the Chicken Biryani

The chicken was embedded inside the rice.

It was served with steamed long grain Basmati Biryani rice, vegetable salad & yogurt.

It was very good! :)

PHP 265.00

I ordered the Grilled Lamb Chops

The lamb was very tender.

It was also served with long grain basmati rice and veggies

PHP295.00

I also order the Mango Yogurt

It was very refreshing!

PHP 75.00

We loved the ambiance and the food! :) We would definitely come back!

Persia Grill

Valero Carpark 2, Valero St., Salcedo Village

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Contact no: (02) 818-9090

Make Your Own Havaianas

2011-05-05T02:53:00.000-07:00

Summer is really everywhere!! :)

It's time to Make Your Own Havaianas

Take note of the dates! :)

Definitely a must for the summer!

Dinner at Kirin

2011-05-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Kirin is the only Chinese restaurant at Bonifacio High Street, and I've been wanting to try it because I've been attracted to their glass "waterfalls" display. I was too excited that I forgot to take a picture of it. I would have to say that the interior and exterior of the place is very attractive.

We started off with the century egg jelly

PHP 230.00

Next up, was the Fried Squid with Salt & Pepper.

PHP 280.00

Sweet & Sour Pork

PHP 260.00

Yang Chow Fried Rice.

1 order is good for 2-3 persons.

PHP 198.00

Lechon Macau

I loved the crunchiness of the pork's skin.

It's a little bit pricey but definitely worth a try.

PHP 480.00

Sizzling Beef Steak

This is beef steak with a twist.

PHP 280.00

Crab with Garlic

PHP 840.00

Braised Pata.

It was very tender. :)

PHP 800.00

I would have to commend their staff for being very accommodating. The service was impressive. The place is a bit pricey and I am glad that I've tried it. :)

Kirin Chinese Dining
Building 7, Fort Bonifacio Global City
5th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact No.: (63 2) 799-9338

Amazing Presentation of the Stations of the Cross

2011-04-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Bonifacio High Street had a very amazing installation of the Stations of the Cross. It was very comprehensive and interactive. Kids and Adults can really relate and understand the presentation.
They had a practical application in every station. I must say, this is the simplified version of the Stations of the Cross.

Church can be simple! :)

Tea Lounge & Buffet at Manila Peninsula Hotel

2011-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Most of the establishments were closed on Good Friday, good thing Manila Peninsula was open. So we decided to try out their Tea Lounge & Buffet. I must say, we were very disappointed with the service and the food served for the buffet. Manila Peninsula is a five star hotel, so we expect ~~good~~ great service. They should be very keen on refilling the buffet because food kept on running out.

The buffet costs around PHP 700++, it comes with free ice tea and tea.

The Lobby

The ambiance is perfect for afternoon tea.

Pad Thai

Assorted Sandwiches

Cheese! :)

Bacon and Egg Quiche

Chicken Satay

Desserts! :)

This was only part of the buffet that I enjoyed.

For more inquires call them at 02-887-2888

Universal Studios Singapore

2011-04-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

When we arrived at Universal Studios we were surprised to see a very long line, good thing our friend advised us to get our tickets online. This saved us ALOT of time.

First thing we did, was to get the schedule of the shows and the map so that we can strategically plan our activities for the day.

Since it was a bit cloudy, we decided to start our day with a very daring ride! :) Battlestar Galactica was our first ride, good thing the line was short. It was exhilarating, we all enjoyed it. We wanted to ride it again but the ride closed during the afternoon (I think it was due to the rain).

Next, was a picture with Shrek and Fiona. The line for this was even longer than Battlestar Galactica.

Then we decided to have lunch at Food Republic in Vivo City because the food choices at Universal Studios was very limited. After lunch we headed back to Universal Studios for more rides.

The Mummy was next in line, this is another MUST ride! :) It was amazing, the whole ride was full of surprises. The line was pretty long, we waited for 45 minutes but I would have to say that the wait was worth it! :) We wanted to ride it again but the line was terrible and we weren't willing to wait that long again because there were sooo much more that we had to do.

Then we watched the street boys. I was surprised to see the old "Street boys" dance group from Manila in Singapore. They made a come back but in a different country :)

After that, we watched monster rock show. It was a great production.

Next up was the Shrek 4D. This was also amazing. The effects were unpredictable, definitely a MUST also.

We ended our day with the Water World show. We were brave enough to stay at the splash zone. The show was AMAZING! It was very interactive. The pirates were funny and interacted with the audience very well. The stunts again were very good, this was another superb production. Something that you shouldn't miss when visiting Universal Studios. :)

I would say, one day was not enough to see all the shows and ride all the rides because the park opens at 10:00am and closes at 7:00pm. We missed out on some of the shows and rides, so there's a reason to come back and visit Universal Studios again :)

After our long day at Universal Studios, we had dimsum feast :)

Goodnight! :)

Simple Seafood Pasta Recipe

2011-04-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

250 grams of Shrimps
500 grams Cream Dory sliced thinly
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can Nestle all purpose cream
Cream cheese
Quick melt cheese
Parsley
Garlic (grated)
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Spaghetti noodles

Procedure:

Saute shrimps with garlic and butter. When shrimp turns orange set aside. Wait for it to cool down, then peel the shrimp one by one. After peeling it, slice it in the middle and set aside.

Sauce:

Mix the cream of mushroom with water (water should be half of the can). Mix until you get a smooth consistency.

Add the can of Nestle all purpose cream, mix continuously.

Grate quick melt cheese while mixing.

Grate cream cheese as well, continue mixing.

Then put salt and pepper to fit your taste :)

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

After mixing all the ingredients for the sauce, pour the sauce over the spaghetti noodles. Mix it evenly. Then top it with the shrimps and parsley.

Viola! A very simple recipe to impress your guests :)

Cooking time takes 30-45 minutes

MIL's birthdday dinner at Kanin Club

2011-04-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

My mother in law celebrated her 61st birthday and we all wanted to try something new. So we all decided to celebrate it at Kanin Club, Ayala Triangle gardens, Makati.

Kanin Club doesn't accept reservations, so hubby and I went there early to make our reservations. We got there at around 6:30pm and we were already third on the wait list. :) We waited for about 30-45 minutes before we were seated inside. But I would have to say that our long wait was well worth it! :)

We ordered the Crispy Liempo for the kids. They loved it! They ate more than their usual food intake :)

The liempo was crunchy :)

PHP 142.00

Seafood Kare kare, is definitely a MUST! :)

Instead of the usual meat they placed seafood which was perfect! :)

Definitely one of the best sellers on our table :P

PHP 298.00

Binukadkad na Tilipia.

This was also good.

It made eating the Tilapia very easy :)

PHP 246.00

Pinakbet

Mixed vegetables.

PHP 239.00

Crispy Dinuguan.

This is Dinuguan with a twist.

This is the ONLY dinuguan that I have ever tried :)

and will ONLY eat :)

PHP 261.00

Sinangag na Sinigang.

This was my favorite! :) A MUST MUST try! :)

PHP 224.00

Kanin Club has four branches:

C2 Classic Cuisine

2011-04-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

My cousin from San Francisco arrived and she was craving for good old Filipino food. So I took her to C2 Classic Cuisine at the Atrium of Megamall.

We ordered their specialty which was the Crispy Kare-Kare. This is Kare-Kare with a twist. The sauce and vegetables of the Kare-Kare were not mixed together like the typical Kare-Kare. The dish looked very appetizing and when we tried it, it definitely didn't fail us. It was soooo good. The pork was very tender and the peanut sauce was very tasty, they complimented each other :).

Crispy Kare-Kare

One order is definitely good for 4-5 persons :)

Must be paired with plain rice :)

PHP 675.00

For our refreshments, we ordered the Buko Pandan Shake.

Every, balikbayan's craving.

Again, this did not disappoint us. :)

PHP 90.00

We ended our meal with their Award winning dessert: Bibingka Souffle.

This is again Bibingka with a twist. My cousin absolutely loved this!

PHP 145.00

I would rate the place:

10 out of 10 for taste

9 out of 10 for ambiance

8 out of 10 for affordability

C2 Classic Cuisine

The Atrium

SM Megamall

470-1152

Apple Leather Cleaner

2011-03-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

Apple leather cleaner is truly a blessing. I've been searching for a leather cleaner that is not harsh and will not cause any discoloration on my bags. I tried other leather cleaners but they turned out being harsh leaving a mark on the bag and even rubbing out some of its color :(. I learned this the hard way :( So ladies out there, please learn from me..USE ONLY APPLE LEATHER CLEANER! :)

You just got to do, what you have to do to PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENTS :)

It comes in a set for only PHP 1,000

Leather cleaner 4 oz (PHP 700) and conditioner 8 oz (PHP 900) are also sold separately.

Leather cleaner (4 oz) & leather conditioner (4 oz) are the perfect combination :)

The rain & stain repellent is also very helpful.

Just spray it around your bag to lessen the probability of having jeans color transfer on your bag :)

This is advisable if you are using a light colored bag. :)

This is only PHP 800.

You can check out Apple leather cleaner's site or you can order at Purse podium's site or Purse Podium's facebook account. Purse Podium offers free shipping when you order the leather cleaner.

Hotel Re! Singapore

2011-03-20T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hotel Re! is a new hotel. It is located at Pearl's Hill. Going to the hotel from the airport was very easy. You just have to take the train and exit at Outram park then look for exit B. They have signs leading to the hotel. You can either walk, this will take about 8-10 minutes depending on your pace or you can take the free shuttle (you just have to know the schedule of the shuttle pick up). But I would suggest to walk because it is very relaxing since the hotel is uphill so there are sceneries and a park is near by where you can relax after a long and busy day around the city.

The interior of the hotel is very hip and colorful. It gives a very welcoming and happy vibe. The staff are very helpful.

The room was very hip too. It was a bit small but definitely cozy. I really liked their bed, for some reason I was able to sleep very well. The bed was very very comfortable.

Overall, we were very happy with our stay. The hotel made everything so convenient for us. During our stay in Singapore it was raining and the hotel provided us with umbrellas.

I would definitely recommend this hotel!

For best rates check out Agoda. :)

Hotel Re!

175A Chin Swee Road Singapore 169879

Tel: +65 6827 8288

What to do during an earthquake

2011-03-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

Information was taken from fema.gov

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Fukushima Nuclear Accident – a simple and accurate explanation

2011-03-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I found this informative read about the nuclear accident in Japan...

Please read it, to help us all calm down

http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fukushima-simple-explanation/

Future Technology Watch your day in 2020

2011-03-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

Amazing!

Should the ipad replace children's textbooks, paper and pencil?

2011-03-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

I am pretty amazed with the advancement of technology and how it influences children. I am also quite shocked with how kids now need to carry a cellphone. How they'd rather play their PSPs (Play Station Portable) than the old school games like tumbang preso or patintero. I find it sad that children don't get to exercise their creativity anymore, they just stay in one corner with either an iphone, PSP or ipad. Sometimes they don't even interact with other children because they are too engrossed in their games. :( For me, the best type of play is really exploring. :) How I miss being a kid again.

I found a very interesting article that is worth reading: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/education/05tablets.html?_r=1. I was surprised that children are now using ipads in school. They are soooo technologically advanced. Imagine what children will be using in year 2020! :)

Should the ipad replace children's textbooks, paper and pencil?!?!?!

Apple ipad 2

2011-03-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

I am soooooo excited for the release of the ipad 2! :) I'm really looking forward to seeing the white Ipad 2! This is soooooo meant to be. :) How I wish hubby will get me an early Anniversary gift. ;P

10 Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

2011-03-03T06:14:00.000-08:00

1) See the Petronas Towers.

The Petronas Towers is also known as the Petronas Twin Towers or KLCC. The Petronas Towers used to be the tallest building until surpassed by the Taipei 101 but it remains to be the tallest twin buildings in the world.

Tourists can go up the observation deck to have a better view of the city. Tourists need to bring their passports because they won't be allowed to go up without it (they discourage locals from going up the towers).

You have to see the towers BOTH during the day and at night. Really amazing view.

2) Walk around the KLCC Public Park. If you don't want to kill time by shopping inside the mall you can just relax at the park.

3) Menara Tower also known as the Kuala Lumpur Tower. It is the second tallest communication tower in the world.

4) Hop On Hop Off KL tour. This will take a full day. You can tour around the city at your own pace and go down where ever you want. This is definitely a must! :)

5) Visit a Vincci store. They have very trendy yet affordable shoes. :)

6) Berjaya Times Square

This mall is amazing, it has a theme park inside and all your shopping needs are here. They have cheap clothes and souvenirs.

7) Electronics shopping at Plaza Low Yat. It is the largest IT mall in Malaysia. Electronics are cheap and tax free.

8) Pavilion Mall. This is definitely my favorite mall. :) I love the decorations and of course the shops inside :)

9) Bird Park.

10) Batu Caves. Batu caves is about an hour drive from the city, metered taxi will cost around RM 25 (PHP 375). Batu caves is a limestone hill which has a series of temples and caves. While climbing up the caves, monkeys are just walking and playing around the stairs and caves freely. If you are fond of monkeys you can bring food and feed them. :)

Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2011-03-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

When going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sky Hotel located at Bukit Bintang is definitely a good place to stay. The hotel is strategically located in the center of Bukit Bintang. No need to take a taxi to get around when you stay in Sky Hotel, everything is walking distance. Shopping malls, Petronas Towers, monorail, Berjaya Times Square etc. are just near by.

From the airport, you can take the bus going to the hotel. Sky Hotel is located right behind Federal Hotel which is very popular in the area, so you won't have a hard time finding it. The bus ride will cost around RM 18 which is around PHP 270 per person.

When we arrived at Sky Hotel, we were greeted by their very hospitable staff. Special mention to Ramesh who was very helpful to us during our stay.

The lobby of the hotel is located at the third floor.

Our room was surprisingly big. A group of four can fit in the room.

It was very spacious.

The bathroom was also spacious.

Overall, we were very impressed with the hotel. We got the hotel for $65 (PHP 2,965) at Agoda. The hotel exceeded our expectations and truly made our stay at Kuala Lumpur very convenient and fun.

I would definitely recommend this hotel! :)

Sky Hotel Kuala Lumpur
No. 1A, Jalan Bintang,
55100, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2148 6777
Fax: +603 2148 5777
Email: enquiries@skyhotel.com.my

Crystal Room at Establishment

2011-02-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

Lately, online coupons are now a hit and my mom got a coupon from Deal Grocer. The meal is valued at PHP 970.00 for one but with the promo my mom got it for PHP 485.00 for one making it PHP 970.00 for 2! :) What a great deal!

The Establishment launched their guest chef for their lunch special, Chef Him Uy de Baron.

Chef Him prepared a delicious lunch menu as expected from his extensive training from Le Cordon Bleu, experience as Executive Chef of Chef Cuisine catering and consultancy, his stints at East Creative Asian at Rustan’s, Le Souffle & Edsa Shangri-la Plaza and as a Chef Consultant for numerous large food corporations.

The crystal room of The Establishment had a pretty impressive interior. The place is very classy.

While waiting for our food, complimentary bread with pesto spread were given.

Appetizer: Tempura of Squash Blossom filled with Prawn Mousse and Plum Chili Dressing.

I really enjoyed this tempura with a twist.

Main: Pan Roasted Chicken with Asian Mushrooms Ravioli and Chicken Jus.

Dessert: Mango Panacotta with Pandan Cream, Muscovado Syrup & Fresh Fruits

The meal was ended with a choice of Gourmet Capuccino Or English Tea Latte.

I would rate the place:

8 out of 10 for taste

10 out of 10 for ambiance

8 out of 10 for affordability

The Establishment
Unit A The Fort Entertainment Complex
26th St. corner 5th Avenue
For Bonifacio, Taguig City
Phone: (632) 844 6364

Taiwan Hotel

2011-02-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

During my first visit at Taiwan my friends and I stayed at Deja Vu Hotel. The room was made for 2 persons but 4 of us occupied the room. Instead of having 2 persons in a single bed, each of us had our own single beds! :) The room was very spacious. The bathroom even had a steam room, so after a very long day of walking, walking and eating you can relax in the steam room before taking a shower.

This was how our "converted" room looked liked :)

You can check out the rooms at Deja Vu Hotel's site.

The location of the hotel is very convenient. It is walking distance from the bus stop (going to the airport), Sogo mall and the train station.

The room costs around $98 which is PHP 4,410 per night

On my second visit, a friend, hubby and I stayed at Hotel 73. The room was smaller compared to the DejaVu Hotel, only 2 people can stay in the room. The interior of the rooms were very hip and modern. The bathroom was clean, it has a bath tub. The whole hotel has free wifi.

Modern design.

Hip room designs are at Hotel 73's website.

The Lobby was interesting.

The fixtures were made out of scrap wood.

The location of the hotel is also convenient, it is near the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial hall and the train station. But it is a bit far from the bus station (going to the airport). You can either take the bus going to the airport bus station or the train.

The room costs around $66 which is PHP 2,947 per night inclusive of buffet breakfast.

Overall, I would recommend both hotels. :) If you're out on a business trip and you need to stay connected all the time, Hotel 73 is the hotel for you. But Deja Vu's location is much more convenient than Hotel 73. :)

You can book the hotels at Asiarooms or Agoda. They give very good rates and if you book early, you can get more discounts. :)

Shi Lin

2011-02-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

I love Xiao Long Bao and I've been searching for something that is close to Din Tai Fung's Xiao Long Bao. Now, the search is OVER! I have found the BEST Xiao Long Bao in Manila!

SHI LIN!

Shi Lin is located at the 3rd floor of the Podium mall.

Dumplings and noodles are made fresh everyday and you can watch the chefs while waiting for you orders.

We ordered the 6-pc Xiao Long Bao.

I wasn't disappointed at all, Shi Lin's Xiao Long Bao was close

Din Tai Fung's :)

PHP 128.00 for 6 pcs and PHP 210.00 for 10 pcs

For you to enjoy the Xiao Long Bao, you should follow the guide. :)

Each table has one.

Next, we ordered Noodles w/ Sesame & Spicy Peanut Sauce.

This is definitely a must-try! I love the sauce!

The serving was pretty generous, one order is good for 2 people.

PHP 130.00

Fried rice with Shrimp and Egg

This is also good for sharing. I was surprised with the generous amount of shrimp given the price of the order.

PHP 98.00

Shi Lin is now my favorite restaurant! :)

I would rate this place:

10 out of 10 for ambiance

10 out of 10 for taste

10 out of 10 for affordability

Caffe Ti-amo

2011-02-07T05:46:00.000-08:00

I've been eying this gelato place for months since it opened and FINALLY I was able to try it and I wasn't disappointed at all :)

The ambiance was very cozy. They even have wifi and while you're surfing you are comfortably seated in their couches, chairs and rocking chairs :)

I love this poster! :)

Hubby order the small Milk Cheese Gelato.

PHP 49.00

I ordered the small waffle gelato. I chose Tiramisu for my gelato. I was very happy with my order, the tiramisu gelato complimented the waffle very well.

PHP 95.00

Overall, Hubby and I enjoyed our desserts. :)

I would rate the place:

9 out of 10 for taste

10 out of 10 for ambiance

8 out of 10 for affordability

Caffe Ti-amo is located at Greenbelt 5

Taipei, Taiwan FOOD TRIP

2011-02-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

Taiwan is a happy place for your tummy. If you're looking for a gastronomical adventure....TAIWAN is the place for you! :) The food is cheap and very good. Thoughts of Taiwan is making my tummy grumble.

Here are the list of the food that you MUST try when you visit Taiwan:

Candy coated Strawberries.

Tofu.

This was a very different kind of tofu. Definitely a MUST try!

Congee with sugar.

Rice noodles with oyster.

This place has been open since 1975 and they just sell 1 item!

Amazing, people really line up for the noodles.

And once you've tried it, you'll understand the reason why ;)

Beef roll.

Radish cake! yuuummmmm

Hotpot!

It was really cold during our visit so having hotpot was perfect.

Hotpot had seafood buffet, unlimited angus beef, unlimited drinks

& the BEST part Haagen-dazs ice cream buffet!!!

Taiwan Sausage.

The bun is made of sticky rice which made the sausage even more amazing.

Taiwan shaved ice!

Simply refreshing. The ice was very fine, it tasted like clouds.

Xaio Long Bao from Din Tai Fung

One of the highlights of our trip.

Milk tea

Cold taho

Giant Chicken nugget

Healthy Sandwich.

I still don't know why they call this the healthy sandwich because the bun is fried and it is full of mayonnaise. :)

Egg roll

Donut dipped in Soy Milk

Make sure that you don't miss out on any of these food items! :) Because you will surely regret it! ;P

LEE KUM KEE is truly a blessing

2011-01-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I just got married last 10-10-10. It was a perfect wedding..(*wedding flashbacks*i miss everyone*FUN FUN FUN day!) Okay! Going back to the topic :) I was soooo used to having my yaya cook ~~good~~ GREAT meals for me and dear hubby was used to his mom's delightful cooking as well. So this was the part that frightened me the most...I WASN'T ready for the cooking part of being a wifey. (aaaahhhhh!)

Well, good thing I've discovered a great cooking companion. I am pleased to introduce everyone to Lee Kum Kee, my new found friend. :)

Lee Kum Kee has a very helpful website for beginners like me. Besides having the wonderful website, Lee Kum Kee also has a wide variety of sauces that all you have to do is mix it all together and VIOLA, a wonderful meal is served! :) The pre-packed sauces are not only very good but they are very affordable as well.

Here are the two pre-packed sauces that I have tried:

Chili Garlic Sauce.

I just sauteed the shrimps with this sauce and VIOLA!

Happy hubby finished the shrimp w/ chili garlic sauce and was even asking for MORE!

Lemon Chicken Sauce.

Mix breaded chicken with the lemon sauce and VIOLA!

Great recipe number 2! :)

You can purchase Lee Kum Kee products at any supermarket near you!

Happy cooking!

Cheap Date

2011-01-28T04:24:00.000-08:00

I am soooo amazed with all the freebies that credit card companies give today. Before, we usually spend more than PHP 1,000.00 every time my hubby and I go out but now we get sooooo much freebies.

So this is how our date went. Movie for two c/o Citibank card (every time you spend PHP 1,500 you get a free ticket worth PHP 100; you can collect the charge slips so that you won't have to pay for anything :) well...that's what hubby and I did).

We watched Love & Other Drugs.

The movie was funny. Anne Hathaway showed a very different side of her. She didn't hold back in her performance in this film. :)

Next, was dinner at Red Ribbon c/o Metrobank card. (check out their site for the promo). We got Salisbury steak with rice and vegetables and cake of the day with drinks! :) Pretty great for a free meal! Hubby and I were full.

3-piece Pasalubong pack

Another treat from Metrobank.

Salisbury Steak meal :)

Then, after the movie we got some free gift certificates from Bench (GC's can also be used in Celio, Aldo, Face Shop, Kashieca , La Senza etc.) c/o Banco de Oro.

Overall, this date was indeed fun and cheap. Spending time with dear hubby is priceless! :)

Oh! by the way, we spent PHP 50.00 for parking. :)

Always remember to read the leaflets inserted in your credit card bills :)

It can really help you save :)

Wee Nam Kee

2011-01-27T05:41:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot of praises about Wee Nam Kee at Ayala Triangle Gardens..so we decided to try it out..The staff were friendly and very accommodating, they immediately gave us a seat and assisted us. The place had a nice interior, it was clean and very casual :).

For our orders, hubby ordered the personal set of the roasted chicken while I ordered the personal set of the famous hainanese chicken. Personal set came with plain soup and rice. Then for drinks, I had the fresh Barley Juice.

Roasted chicken.

It was okay, it was tender and tasty. It worked very well with the chicken rice, however the serving of the rice was not enough (to satisfy a man's hunger! :P)

PHP 168.00

Fresh Barley Juice.

After the long walk from my Aunt's condo to the restaurant, this drink really quenched my thirst. It was very refreshing.

PHP 55.00

Hainanese Chicken Rice.

I was really excited to try this. It was okay, I was expecting more from all the good reviews that I have heard. The chicken that was served to me was a bit cold, this was the only part that disappointed me. But it still tasted good :).

PHP 168.00

Overall, I am glad I've tried the restaurant but it is not something that I will crave for. :)

I would rate the place:

8 out of 10 for taste
8 out of 10 for affordability
8 out of 10 for ambiance

Wee Nam Kee
Ayala Triangle Gardens
Ayala Avenue, Ayala Triangle
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact No: 846-8924

25 Blogs you should be reading

2011-01-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

Inquirer Lifestyle made a list of the blogs that are worth reading to distract you from Facebook :)

It's pretty interesting. I found new blog sites to follow!

Check out the link http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/super/super/view/20101204-306867/25-Blogs-you-should-be-reading

Enjoy!

Mulberry Alexa

2011-01-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

I've been lusting over the Mulberry Alexa bag for the longest time...as in I was super close to getting the bag in Oak but something inside of me was hesitant...:) BUT when Mulberry released their new colors for 2011..I immediately fell in love with the watermelon version of the Alexa bag! :) I said to myself "I ~~have~~ NEED to get that bag!, it's sooooo meant for me!!" When I held the bag, it was like magic! I couldn't let go of it..so to cut the long story short...I bought it :) And I absolutely LOVE it! :)

Alexa in watermelon..I am speechless :)

Picture from:Mulberry website

Oversized Alexa in Oak

Oversized Alexa in Black

Regular Alexa in Oak

I got the regular size of the Alexa bag mainly because I'm short :) I'm only 5" so the oversized one looked really huge on me :)

Okay, so my only problem was the long strap, when I don't use it it sags awkwardly (since I'm short :)) but I learned how to shorten the strap for it to be just right :)

Clip both straps on one side of the bag

Let the strap pass through buckle

Belt it in the buckle :)

Now, the strap is just the same length as a Balenciaga bag :)

You can purchase your Alexa at Net-A-Porter and LuisaViaRoma.

Taken By Cars

2011-01-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

I am soooooo proud of Taken By Cars! They were featured in Time magazine as part of the "Five New Bands to Watch"

Pinoy Pride!

Manila Represent!!! :)

Grab a copy of Time magazine January 31,2011! :) and don't forget to buy their album at any record store near you!!!!!

Let's support Filipino talent!

SWAROVSKI FITFLOP SANDALS

2011-01-24T23:38:00.000-08:00

FitFlop Sandals are the most comfortable sandals EVER! You can walk around the metro all day long without having to worry about you feet! :) I LOVE LOVE them! :) Besides the comfort that it brings, it also gives you an instant work out, this is the part that truly amazes me :) working out while shopping, that’s hitting two birds in one stone :)

Anyways, my Aunt Eleanor bought a pair of limited edition FitFlop sandals. :) They’re sooooo pretty! :) The topside is covered with Swarovski stones making them glisten while you walk. :) They cost around PHP 14,999; a bit pricey but worth it :) My Aunt couldn’t stop raving about them :)

Aunt Eleanor with her limited edition swarovski FitFlop sandals :)

Don't you just love them?!?!?!

They're just sooooo pretty :)

You can purchase your own pair at a Bratpack store near you :) You have to call in advance because they only released 100 pieces :)

Or if you have relatives from the States you can order online at http://www.fitflop.com/sandals/rock-chic/invt/rockchicwhite/&colour=Ice%20White

I would rate the item:
10 out of 10 for style
10 out of 10 for comfort
6 out of 10 for affordability :)