Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Lotion Bottles

Meet the body lotions I currently lather myself with


These do not include the creamS i use on my face.

I use Nivea for basic moisturizing, it's the most effective for my skin - and it doesn't break the bank. I alternate it with the Olay bottle. I use JASON Pomegranate if I want my skin to feel extra silky. If I want the moisturized and shiny-but-not-oiled look, i top my legs and arms with Kiehl's Creme de Corp. These 2 are for special occasions only.

And my favorite tub of moisturizer for my hands and feet is... petroleum jelly. If you don't mind the motor grease feel, it's guaranteed to make your hand and feet soft and smooth. I use this as an overnight treatment. 

PhP 90 lang.

These get me in trouble when Person A and I travel. He doesn't understand why one little girl needs a lot of bottles to moisturize her skin with.

Those who can relate say "Aye!"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Just Like Old Times

I just came from the coffee shop to finish a frappuccino and read a few chapters. On a Sunday afternoon.



Good times!

I used to do this very often... until I got fat and a bit busy. Though I still read a book whenever I can and have my coffee minus the whipped cream and all the sugar and fat it contains.

The initial intent was to make a stop at Moonleaf Makati to get my wintermelon milk tea fix. And like their branch in QC, you can't figure out the schedule on Sundays. It's closed!



So I went to the coffee shop.

And speaking of old times, let me show you a picture I snapped at home (my real home back in the province) last Christmas.

Me with my tutu when I was 7!



I miss ballet... dancing ... a lot. One day, we'll be reunited, probably I'll do jazz.

Also take notice of our Last Supper frame and the GIANT spoon which comes with a GIGANTIC fork on the other side of the painting.

I don't get the spoon and fork thing. Typical Pinoy Dining Area.

I miss home.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Summer Refreshment

The temperature this summer is crazy. Presenting the number of ways I cooled myself with calories.

Ice cream tops the list


Magnum, the official 2012 summer cooler. I like that it's the cheaper version of Haagen Daz's vanilla and almond bar with its decadent chocolate coating and silky vanilla ice cream. 


Frozen yoghurt from Golden Spoon. Among the froyo shops, I like Golden Spoon best because of their creative, non-fat flavors. Cake batter, cafe latte and tart.


Akazuki Ice Cream Sandwich which we got from a Japanese grocery store in Little Tokyo. Vanilla and bean taste good together.


Butter Pecan ice cream from Sebastian's - Person A's favorite ice cream. It's sweet, creamy and salty, all at the same time.


Really good.

M&M's and Snickers ice cream from the grocery store. Not as flavorful as the chocolate bars but cool enough.


Coffee jelly. Best dessert ever. Espresso jelly with cream and topped with vanilla ice cream


Milk tea! My favorite. I've now moved on from my typical milk tea to cheese-flavored, cream topped chocolate smoothie.


For a healthier cooler, I usually purchase a bottle of freshly-squeezed orange juice


Or make my own concoction of honeyed lemon juice.


One lemon, 2 tbsp honey and cold water.

What's your favorite summer cooler?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Tonkatsuya: The Best Katsudon in Town

I love Japanese cuisine.

It generally tastes delicate and not too flavorful. I especially like ramen (or whatever Japanese hot noodle), it's my ultimate comfort food. I eat ramen when I am sad and I eat ramen when I am happy. 


I love Japanese TTTTHHHHIIIIISSSSS much that our default Friday night date place is Little Tokyo near Makati Cinema Square. 


I am yet to try most of the Japanese places along Pasay Road. 

Apart from noodles, katsudon is also a staple during our mini Japanese feasts.

Katsudon is a popular Japanese rice bowl topped with deep-fried pork cutlet, egg and condiments. Its name is derived from tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and donburi (rice bowl dish). 


It has become a modern ritual for Japanese students to eat katsudon before an exam because the work "katsu" is a homophone of the verb "to win".

I am especially lucky since my neighborhood Japanese restaurant serves the best katsudon in town: Tonkatsuya. The place is in an obscure condo building in San Antonio Village, Makati. 


The pork cutlet is exceptionally soft while the condiment flavor has the right sweet and salty mix. Like no other! Most restaurants either get the pork right or the condiment great. Not together. 

An order costs PhP 220. 

Bloggers have been talking about this hole in the wall restaurant, some even consider this as the best Japanese place in the metro. I am not ecstatic about the Chasue Ramen (pictured) but I go crazy with their Udon - noodles with egg. Perfect with katsudon!


The place can only sit around 30, has a carinderia feel and prices are ~ PhP 200 per dish.


I also read that the Katsu Chef (he's Japanese, btw) can cook for you for a very reasonable price. Imagine the possibilities!

In case you are interested.



LG, Palm Tower - B,
7706 St. Paul Road
San Antonio Village
Makati
63.2.896.1990
Mon-Sun, 10AM - 9PM

Sunday, May 20, 2012

VESTI Bag Winners!

With the heartwarming honoring for the boundless, self-less love our Moms have shown us, I had difficulty choosing winners! If only I can give each one of you the bag, I definitely would!


A few of my takeaways from your entries: 

1. Moms scale Mount Everest to give us a comfortable life, no matter how difficult it is for them. 

2. In between preparing breakfast and doing laundry, Moms take time to help us mold our dreams and make us a contributing member of society.

3. Not only superstars have superfans, our Moms are our biggest "Ra-Ra-Ra-Sis-boom-bah!"fan!

The moms you described make motherhood rock! Thanks for sharing them with Maybe She's That Girl and Vesti.

CONGRATULATIONS .... !!!

CECILLE ANNE CORAZO

I want to give Mama Chedette a VESTI bag as a thank you gift. She was both a mother and father to us, having brought up 5 young kids on her own when our dad passed away. She's one of the most caring and strongest women I know. She taught us early on to be independent individuals and never say no to anything (as long as it's not illegal). I hope I could be as awesome as her someday. In short, she's my idol! 

CAMILLE QUIAMBAO (Dear, please leave your email below -(",)-*wink* )

I want to give Mama a VESTI Bag for Mother's Day. She taught me the value of love for country that's why I decided to pursue a career in teaching cultural literacy and social studies to preschool kids. My mom's gentle hands molded me to care for others and her happy soul inspired me to appreciate the little things in life. Words are not enough to thank her for bringing me into this beautiful world.

AUDREY TOMADA

I want to give Mama Deling a VESTI Bag for Mother's Day, for three simple reasons:1) She's from beautiful Mindanao and because she's an anthropologist herself, she understands the culture in the south very well and has taught us how to appreciate everything about it; 2) She has been an inspiration (of what it is to be a housewife) not only to me and my 4 other sisters but to those who happen to meet her with her maternal instincts and motherly advocacies (including breastfeeding!); and lastly,3) Until now and even when we were growing up, she has been our number 1 fan and never ceases to be that's why she deserves the best not only on Mother's day, but everyday of her life. :)

And the rest of the entries are just as good, I had difficulty choosing.

Wait for my message on Facebook so I can send your prizes!

The Week, According to Mark Zuckerberg

As if he couldn't surprise us some more, the 28-year old got married on May 19!



Mark Zuckerberg ear-marked this week to be HIS week.

May 14, he turned 28.



May 14, Priscilla Chan, his girlfriend of 9 years, received her Medical degree from University of California, SF. Organ donation on Facebook is rumored to be her influence.



He reportedly posted this on his Facebook page "I'm so proud of you, Dr. Chan :)"

And who can forget the most-hyped IPO since Google.



May 18, Facebook rang the bell at NASDAQ.

Yeah, I'm turning 28: will earn $19 billion, take my company public, and get married.

If this what 28 is all about, I CAN'T WAIT TO BE 28.

Admirable, Mark! Very admirable.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Close your Eyes, Open your Eyes

Surprise.

This is what I found on my kitchen counter upon coming home one night.


And a few days later, this note was stuck to the clasp of my bag. Most of the time, I really don't like driving.


Stalker behaviors that make my heart flutter. I usually find it (stalker behavior) creepy.

And like most random things you do, these acts plaster the biggest and silliest smile on my face.


Yes, you do!

Friday, May 11, 2012

VESTI Mother's Day Giveaway (Contest Closed)

I always love to see the surprised look on people's faces when I tell them that I from Mindanao. I can imagine the things running in their mind: terrorists, bombings, political killings, lack of electricity and all horrible things imaginable. To be truthful, that's very far from the Mindanao I know and most people from my place would agree. I grew up in a place where peace and quiet is the norm and not a luxury, mountains and forests surround the city, white sand beaches are the finest, lapu-lapu and tuna are the freshest (and extra cheap!), fruits can be had for PhP 15 a kilo, lechon is the best and flowers are forever in bloom


Mindanao is also home to beautiful, indigenous fabrics that make beautiful bags.


VESTI, a proudly Mindanao brand, showcases the beauty of handwoven, natural fibers from different tribes in Mindanao. VESTI is wearable, sustainable lifestyle fashion bags combining "Mindanaonon-materials" and modern embellishments.


While browsing through the collection last week, I can't help but get giddy with most of it. If I have to narrow things down to a few personal picks, these are my preference


Abacago clutch (top), Abanze (middle), Amour Sling (bottom) and Jing Clutch (right). I can use these bags on a casual brunch, running errands and a night cap. Mind you, these bags are priced reasonably. Check themall.ph for prices.

The fabulous lady behind the brand is another proud Mindanao-bred: Martha Rodriguez. 


She's raised in Cagayan de Oro, graduated BS Clothing Technology and Textiles from UP Diliman (yes, she knows her fabrics and bags) and has worked for renowned international fashion labels both in New York and Manila. To follow her passion in promoting the place where she's from and give back to the community, she quit her glamorous job (no matter how many shoes it can buy) and start sketching bags.

Since its release in October 2011, famous fashionistas have been spotted carrying VESTI bags. As featured in Stylebible.ph, meet the ladies who rock Vesti. 


Aprille Cabrera toting Dita Drawstring (rightmost top), "ETCETERA' host (and Jericho Rosales's girlfriend) Patti Grandidge carrying the Amour clutch (leftmost top), the Grassalfon clutch as featured in Laureen Uy's blog (lower left) and how to create the 60s look with Jing Clutch (top photo second to the right) as featured in themall.ph.

Lovely, no?

In celebration of Mother's Day, Maybe She's That Girl and VESTI WILL BE GIVING AWAY 3 BAGS TO INDIVIDUALS (daughters/sons/husbands/anyone) WHO WISH TO HONOR THEIR MOTHERS or the mother figure IN THEIR LIVES THIS MOTHER'S DAY. The bags will come from the yet-to-be-released collection so the recipient gets first dibs on the products.

This giveaway is very personal for Martha and I. We both admire and are at awe with our respective moms. VESTI will not be possible without the support of her fashion idol: her mom.


For me, I can never say thank you enough to the strongest, most compassionate and loving woman who raised me. If I'd turn out half the woman she is, I'd be very happy.


Don't you love winning one of these bags for the most amazing woman in your life?

Giveaway mechanics are as follows:

1. Leave a comment on the blog: "I want to give Mama/Mommy/Ma'am _______ (name of mother/mother figure) a VESTI Bag for Mother's Day". In 3 sentences OR LESS describe why she's awesome and deserves the best for her day. Don't forget to leave your Facebook User Name.

"I want to give Mama Yeye a VESTI Bag for Mother's Day. She gives the best reassuring words when the going gets tough. She encourages and supports me to pursue my dreams. She is simply the best.

Sol Karen Regalado"

2. Like VESTI's Facebook Page. Click here.

3. Click the Facebook link at the end of the entry to post this blog on YOUR Facebook page. Please make sure that this post is on "Public View"

4. Contest ends on May 17, 11:59 PM.

5. Only one entry per person on this blog but feel free to repost and share as many times as you like.

6. Three winners will be selected by Maybe She's That Girl and will be announced on May 20, 8:00PM. Please make sure that you've done Steps 1-3, I'll check Vesti's Page and YOUR page once your comment has been chosen.

7. Winners will be contacted through Facebook and goodies will be sent via courier (for outside Metro Manila) and courier/meet-up in Makati (if within Metro Manila)

8. Contest is open to ANYONE, ANYWHERE who wants to thank their mother/mother figure on Mother's Day.

Good Luck!

VESTI bags are available Online, Manila and Cebu:

Online

Manila
Vesti Showroom (for appointment only)
#14 Unit 2 CRM Imelda Street
BF Almanza, Las Pinas
+63.906.435.0124

Moana Boutique
G/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Metro Manila

Cebu
Anthill Fabric Gallery, Pedro Calamarde St. co Acacia St.
Gorordo, Lahug
Cebu City

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Exciting News for Mother's Day

I can't help but share.

Maybe She's That Girl and VESTI are cooking up a Mother's Day giveaway !!!


VESTI is wearable lifestyle sustainable fashion bags combining "Mindanaonon-materials" and modern embellishments.

Watch out for it on Friday, May 11.

Check the blog around 10PM.

'Til then. -(",)-*wink*




Monday, May 7, 2012

Let's Beat the Monday Blues

Never. Ever. Give Up.

Arthur Boorman was a disabled veteran and was told by his doctors that he would never be able to walk on his own, ever again. He stumbled upon an article about Diamond Dallas Page doing Yoga and decided to give it a try -- he couldn't do traditional, higher impact exercise, so he tried DDP YOGA and sent an email to Dallas telling him his story. His story is proof, that we cannot place limits on what we are capable of doing, because we often do not know our own potential. Niether Arthur, nor Dallas knew what he would go on to accomplish, but this video speaks for itself. In less than a year, Arthur completely transformed his life. If only he had known what he was capable of, 15 years earlier.


With persistence, hardwork and prayer, nothing is insurmountable. Whatever disappointments you feel right now, there are people who believe in you. Quoting Arthur "Just because I can't do it today, doesn't mean I  am not gonna be able to do it someday." We will definitely trip and fall but what matters more is that we get up. Never underestimate what you can accomplish. And for every bad thing that happened today there are at least 3 blessings that are staring right in front of you.

Let's start seizing those dreams. Cut eating junk, lace up those running shoes, stop complaining, take that first step... make your dream happen.

And Never Ever Give Up.

#inspired and #sendingpositivevibes

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Weekend Habit: Battle of the Baby Back Ribs

Weekends are always a welcome break from the weekday grind. I find comfort in cleaning the house, doing laundry, typing long blog entries and rewarding myself with baby back ribs for the things that I haven't accomplished. Yes, I love myself too much that I go on eating binge, retail therapy and doing nothing productive for hours... just because I want too! 

I have shared a few times that I am steering clear from red meat (pork and beef) most of the time to compliment my healthy lifestyle. Weekdays are reserved for tuyo, pritong galunggong (in trans-fat laden cooking oil), sinigang na bangus and bulanglang (the most uninspired sabaw na gulay, ever!). However, on weekends, INDULGE is the name of the game: I have red meat in a meal or two, I eat more pieces of chocolate and pancakes with butter are in order for Saturday brunch. The past four weekends are special, I had my serving of one of my favorite red meat meal: baby back ribs. Walang palya, baby!

Person A even spelled out my name with the bones that I polished, to remind me how I love my ribs.


Baby back ribs are pork cuts taken from the top of the rib cage between the spine and spare ribs and from market weight hogs. A rack of back ribs contain 8 - 13 bones. The meat and bones are slow-cooked (baked) while drenched in your sauce of choice. Lesson learned: if the rack you ordered has less than 8 bones, you've been cheated. 

Kidding. 

Here's my round-up of some of the baby back ribs in town that has contributed to the stubborn fats happily living around my belly.

Rack's Baby Back Ribs (half-slab, PhP 330)


The more famous among the baby backs. The meat is well done making it dry and a bit stringy. The saving grace are it is still fall-off the bone and the barbeque sauce goes well with the meat. It is also the cheapest among the baby backs in town with 2 side dishes. We like ours with mac and cheese and I wash it down with Rack's brewed iced tea. 

I'll get Rack's if I want baby back and I am on a strict budget cap.

Apartment 1B's Baby Back Ribs (PhP 630)

Honey bourbon marinade, comes with garlic mashed potato, corn and vegetables.


The meat is medium done, fall-off the bone perfection while the barbeque sauce dominates the flavor of the meat and the mashed potato. The mild sweetness of honey and tang of bourbon are mixed to the right proportion. The mashed potato is also awesome. This is my favorite. 

Burgoo's Oklahoma Baby Back Ribs (PhP ~ 595)

Seasoned pork ribs, marinated overnight in Oklahoma-style sauce, char-boiled and basted with Burgoo's barbeque sauce. 


I was disappointed. This is my first time to try Burgoo and I had high expectations. The meat is stringy, well done and is not fall-off the bone. I like the sauce though. I will be ordering a different dish the next time I visit. The rice pilaf is okay.

Myron's Baby Back Ribs with Mesquite Sauce (PhP 495)


The meat is tender, medium done and also fall-off the bone. These 2 are my criteria for a great baby back. What sets this apart is the sauce, I like the sweet, smokey taste of the marinade on my meat. I am still thinking whether I should downgrade my favorite baby back in favor of Myron's. 

Also worth the try!

Mr. Jones Orange Baby Back Ribs (PhP ~ 500)

The meat is also soft and tender with the fall-off the bone bit done right. The sauce is something that Person A and I can't seem to agree. The base is your typical marinade goodness, barbeque with a hint of sweetness but the tang bit is given by the orange. I like it in its unique but Person A finds it too dominating. 


Nonetheless, this is a great order if you are in the Glorietta-Greenbelt area. Don't miss out on their mac and cheese, it's heavenly.

In summary, value for money order is from Racks, my personal favorite is Apartment 1B's while Myron's and Mr. Jones are also in my runner-up list.

Share with me your baby back ribs find, let's get fat together.

Friday, May 4, 2012

It's A Brogues Life

I gravitate towards anything classic, clean and pretty. Classic translates to something that I will still wear when I am 40. Yeah, I am that forward-looking and Manang-ish, no regrets on the latter.

Getting dressed for work on a daily basis is also no fuss: long pants is a must, we have company uniform and when it comes to footwear: feet covered and no sky-high heels are a norm. Thus, I go with ballet flats, trainers (yes, i can go to work in my trainers!) and if I wanna glamour up a bit, I do wedges. It's a man's world after-all.

Ballet flats is my top choice: it's pretty and classy, 


however for the past year I've been thirsting to get my first pair of brogues! 


The brogue is a style of low-heeled shoe characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather with decorative perforations known as "brogueing" and serration along the edge. Modern brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary shoe originating in Scotland and Ireland that was constructed using untanned hide with perforations that allowed water to drain from the shoes. Wingtip and oxfords are the more popular type of these shoes.

I've always loved brogues on men. Person A's kagwapuhan shoots up to the sky when he wears brogues with his suit and his more formal wear. Think Hugo Boss.



Person A is all for my hunt for the perfect brogues. He agrees that I can wear the shoes with dress, shorts and pants. 

Ala this....


And this...


I like it because it looks good without being too girly ... leaning towards a mix of pretty and androgynous. Finally, I gave in and got my first pair because I was in the mood for some retail therapy. For the last three days, I wore the camel-colored pair to work. I love it.



Though rocking the sock-less look requires some medical help.


Looks like I'll be getting my next pair. 

Photos are from  here, here, and here,

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...