Eat Shop Play

Indigo Pearl Resort, Part 2

2011-07-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Warning: Graphics heavy post

As mentioned in my previous entries, Indigo Pearl is a huge resort. Hubby and I wanted to explore it as much as possible. Thanks to the free wi-fi in our rooms, I was able to see the tip left by a foursquare user to take advantage of the 50% off cocktails at Pool #2 from 4 to 6PM. So I dragged hubby out to look for Pool #2 and #3 so that we could get a bit buzzed.

So up and down we went traversing the grounds of Indigo Pearl. Looking for the pools. Along the way I was really astounded at how big the place was.

We finally found pool #2 and a couple were already frolicking in the pool. The pool wasn't that big as compared to pool #1 so we felt it might be better to give them some privacy.

We decided then to try to check out pool #3. Good thing we found it relatively quickly since it was near pool #2. It has this little walkway that goes through a pond that has water lilies. So cute!

How happy was I that there was a bar right next to the pool so that you don't even need to get out of the water to grab a drink! Of course it was also at 50% for cocktails and our bartender was happy to offer us the cocktail of our choice.

We were the only hotel guests who were Asians at this pool so the bartender was chatting us up a bit. He actually asked if hubby was my brother! How weird is that? This is the second time someone has thought he was my brother. Do I look like I'd go to a resort like this with only my brother?

The lounge chairs were scattered around the pool allowing guests a little bit of privacy yet fast access to the water.

I'm not posting any pictures of myself in a swim suit so you'll just have to settle for this shot of our rooms at night. I love the mood lighting around the resort at twilight. However if you intend to go around at night you should bring a flashlight as it gets quite dark.

If you just want to stay around in the resort without going out, Indigo Pearl is perfect for that. There isn't much of a nightlife outside the resort at Nai Yang beach. Just a few restaurants dot the beach front.

I believe the more "happening" place is Patong or Karon. If you want to go there from Nai Yang I recommend you rent a car and drive there.

Nai Yang beach

2011-07-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Admittedly one of the reasons I consented to go to Phuket was because I was curious about the beaches that were being compared to Boracay. I absolutely love Boracay and spent a good 4 days there basking in the sun and the sea a few months ago. I wanted to check if Phuket could come close to Boracay and honestly, in terms of the beach it did not.

The sand though soft is not a powdery white. The water comes off as muddy. Nai Yang beach is like the equivalent of Station 1 and there weren't many people. In fact, I looked like the only person on the beach frolicking in the water.

Here is hubby getting a feel of the sand.

The place looked quite lonely. If you want to relax and not be disturbed this is the perfect place for it.

Yes, it may look like I was only added to the picture via Photoshop but I was really there!

I guess the one thing that Nai Yang beach can brag about is the privacy it affords its tourists. Station 1 in Boracay on the other hand is still filled with a lot of people. I think this is because you can't really compare the islands. Phuket is a huge island where you'll need to drive to get to Karon or Patong. Even our drive to Old Phuket town took a good 40 minutes. On Boracay you can walk from one boat station to the other. So if you want your privacy, Nai Yang beach is definitely it.

However if I wanted to enjoy the beach, I will still go to Boracay.

Indigo Pearl Resort, Coqoon spa

2011-07-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

Warning: Graphics heavy post

This was our fourth day in Thailand and I was really tired with all the stuff we'd been doing. Hubby suggested we try the Coqoon spa since we heard that it was garnering all sorts of awards. My siblings on the other hand opted to go to the Phi Phi islands. I listened to my body and decided that a visit to the spa was what I most needed.

I asked the front-desk how much the treatments were and they said that it was best if I went to the spa since they kept their spa menu there plus there were usually promos that we could avail of. A good tip to keep in mind is that Coqoon spa gives a 20% discount on services if you avail of them from 10AM to 2PM.

Lobby of the Coqoon Spa

Reception area of Coqoon Spa

You need to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your appointment so that the spa representative can have you fill out a questionnaire about your body's aches and health issues such as arthritis they should know about. See those cute little bottles on the table? They're not just for decoration. Each bottle contains a scented oil such as lemongrass and peppermint. You will be asked to sniff each oil sample to choose which oil will be used during your massage.

From the spa lobby area we were escorted by our therapist down the stairs to the spa cottage we would be using.

We even had to cross the street to get to these spa cottages.

Another more expensive option would have been to use the actual Coqoon therapy room. Yup, that's not just a weird looking structure but an actual room!

Each spa cottage has its own lavatory. The massage I choose was the Relaxation Massage. Thus, I was asked to change out of my clothes and wear a thong! Hubby could wear a loose shirt and pants since he opted for the Thai massage.

This is where our massages took place.

Remember when I mentioned that my left thigh muscle tightened up going down Wat Arun here? I was having a lot of trouble going up and down stairs and walking on an uneven surface was a bit painful. I mentioned this issue to my therapist and she said she'd take care of it. She also said she'd concentrate on my back since I was having back pains.

I have to admit, their massage is very good. I love the entire spa experience. Usually I only get a home massage service so this was truly a splurge for us.

After our massage we were pleasantly surprised to find ginger tea and fresh pineapple waiting for us at the couch outside. It was a lovely touch to end such a relaxing experience.

When we were done, Bambi, my therapist cleared up the tea and dishes.

To give you an idea on the prices for the massages, they are like Hotel Spa rates. Thus a 60 minute massage will reach 2,000 Baht and just double that for 120 minutes. So let's say I spent around 4,000 Baht for my two hours massage, change that to pesos and it will come out to 5,600. Good thing we availed of the 20% discount.

I loved the entire experience but I can't really say that I will spend that much for this spa treatment again. Maybe I'm too used to the simple massages with no extra stuff.

The Coqoon Spa is located in the Indigo Pearl resort, Nai Yang beach, Phuket.

Indigo Pearl Resort, Part 1

2011-07-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Warning: Graphics heavy post.

I was pretty happy just to stay in Bangkok and go around but my siblings wanted to visit Phuket since we were there already. Hubby mentioned it on his Facebook feed and his former colleague recommended this resort to us. Turns out Siri's family owns the Indigo Pearl Resort. She was very helpful in getting us a booking and she even offered us free upgrades.

My first impression of the resort however is that it looked a bit gloomy since the reception area was quite dim.

The decor was quite interesting and seemed like a combination of Asian and industrial influences.

They had these huge couches that seemed like beds that you could lounge in near the reception area.

Once you step out of the reception area and take a peek at the grounds you will feel your spirit get lighter. Oh my gosh this place is huge and they have three pools. This is pool number 1.

The grounds are beautifully cared for as evidenced by these hedges that look like they could be part of a maze.

I think this place is probably on the level of a Shangri-La resort. It was huge!

The room they gave us was also huge. Notice hubby and I taking pictures.

Nice comfy soft bed. Once you lie down on it you don't want to get up.

Work area for the workaholics. Yes hubby set up his laptop here.

The shower is open. This room is really for couples! Even the side of the shower is just transparent glass. You have the option to make it a rain shower type or just use the shower head.

This tub was huge! I could lie down in it fully stretched out and I'm 5 feet 2 inches. Takes a while to fill though.

His and hers wash basins.

Toilet is open as well and if you need privacy there's a curtain you draw to close the area.

Our room had two balconies! This is balcony 1.

This is balcony 2. Why two balconies? I have no idea. Maybe if you guys fight or something and want space. Perhaps if one smokes and the other does not?

View from the balcony

This room is fantastic and I believe would be perfect for honeymooners. Another thought is that you could use this room if you brought your children with you.

My next post will have more pictures of the grounds and the internationally renowned spa of Indigo Pearl, Coqoon.

Thailand Family Trip: the Grand Palace and Wat Arun

2011-07-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Warning: Graphics heavy post

If we left it up to my sister, we'd be shopping our entire stay in Bangkok. However my brother really wanted to see some temples so we upgraded our complimentary tour package into one that included the Grand Palace. I haven't gone to this place before so I was excited to see it.

Meet Apple, our tour guide. She was very friendly and was kind enough to wait while my sister had to change into less revealing attire since they do not allow sleeveless shirts in temples.

Unfortunately, my sister did not bring a pair of jeans and her shorts were also deemed too revealing. Thus she had to wear a sarong. I thought wearing leggings would be OK but I was still asked to cover up as well. I look horrible. Look at that clash of prints.

The Grand Palace itself is a lovely place to visit. Bring sunglasses though and an umbrella as the sun is quite strong.

Before we entered, we were able to witness the changing of the guard.

Here's hubby heading towards the temples.

This is one of the large demon statues guarding the temple.

Notice this golden temple? They used actual gold leaf on it. It shimmered in the sun.

They even have a mini replica of Angkor Wat here. It is a 1 to 500 scale model.

Here I am feeling a little playful.

Apple was kind enough to take this picture of me and hubby.

I could have taken more pictures but I got so tired already and decided to just pose for the cameras my brother and sister had. Our next stop was Wat Arun. We had to take a riverboat to get to it. Here is Wat Arun as we were crossing the river.

Wat Arun is a temple that you can actually climb. I was game but then I noticed that the steps were quite steep and narrow. Apple told us to please hold on to the railings and I understood why. Climbing Wat Arun is scary!

I only made it up half way. In fact when I was going down, I pulled a muscle on my left thigh!

Hubby however was not scared at all and went all the way up!

We ended up so sweaty but we still had to stop by the Gem Gallery since it turns out the tour guides get a mini-commission when they bring their tourists there. All we did was watch a short film on how gems and jewelry are manufactured in Thailand.

We also passed through the jewelry room. Hubby almost bought me a pair of pink sapphire earrings but I remember my mom saying it is over priced in Gem Gallery. I really wanted to go to the night market since that is where I bought my bracelet before but our friend Mike said it was closed.

Apple asked us where we wanted to be dropped off and so off we went to Paragon Plaza. We didn't go there to shop but rather to eat a late lunch at their food court. I had the most amazing assorted meat balls in Tom Yung soup.

It looks really spicy but I could still handle it. What surprised me was the peanut element in the broth that added some additional crunch as I slurped it up. I loved this dish so much we went back here on our last day.

Shabushi!

2011-07-03T23:20:00.000-07:00

Before we had even arrived in Bangkok my sister's boyfriend kept telling us that we must eat in the conveyor belt Japanese restaurant. At first my sister did not want to go there because she saw some pictures online and it looked "yucky" to her. Good thing we didn't listen to her and went to the restaurant first. One glance inside told us that it was something worth trying even if for the sheer novelty of seeing conveyor belts bringing food all around the restaurant.

That restaurant my friends is called Shabushi.

We got there pretty early for lunch but noticed that some people were already happily munching away.

This was our table. Notice the bowls for the shabu-shabu and my brother seating himself right next to the conveyor belt. He strategically positioned himself so that he could dump every food item that interested him into our shabu-shabu pot.

Good thing you could divide the pot into the spicy soup side and the normal soup side. Among the items you could dump in your pot were noodles, veggies, meat, pork dumplings, shrimp dumplings, squid, shrimp, fish, tofu and crab sticks. It was a glutton's heaven.

I started with the tempura and gyoza since we waited for our food to cook in the soup. The gyoza had its own sauce which had a sweet and spicy kick.

M got a whole lot of sushi. He really loves this place.

Shabushi in action. We paid 320 baht per person. Turns out you can only stay in the restaurant for 2 hours. We stayed less than that and were super filled up with the food. M even had ice-cream while the rest of us were too full.

Shabushi can be found in most malls I believe. We went to the one in a mall in Phuket.

Home Kitchen: Khrua Nai Baan

2011-07-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing our friend Mike has been based in Bangkok for some time because he took us to this restaurant that we probably would never have been able to go to since it was not in a mall and was in one of the streets in Bangkok. I was quite intrigued since if a resident wanted to bring us here, it must be good. It was only after looking back at my pictures that I saw this place was recognized by the Miele guide as one of the finest restaurants in Asia.

Khrua Nai Baan itself doesn't look high end. It had the feel of one of those Chinese restaurants at home that was quite busy but surely had stupendous food. The lady with the rainbow mohawk attended to us to help us find a table.

Here's hubby standing around till they gave us a table.

We were super excited for this meal. My brother insisted that he must have crab and we also went for the usualy shredded catfish with mango relish. I insisted also that we have the Tom Yung Gung soup.

Free dumpling appetizer

This had veggies and cashew nuts and something else. Quite yummy!

Shredded catfish with mango relish

The mango relish came in a separate bowl. This is a good dish but with several guys as my competition, it got wiped out pretty fast.

Squid with vegetables

I admit, I don't recall the exact name of this dish but it was devoured quickly as well.

Friend pork with garlic and pepper

Another good dish. We didn't want to eat this too fast as our rice had not appeared yet.

Tom Yung Gung soup

This was downright fantastic. I absolutely loved this soup. The right amount of spice yet tempered by the hint of lemongrass.

Black Pepper Crab

The best crab I've ever tasted. I ate this with my hands with my fingers trying to get every last inch of crab meat out of the shell. My mouth was tingling after I ate this with all the black pepper it was loaded with.

Shark's fin collection

Saw this in the restaurant. Sad.

Cognac collection

I wonder if this really goes with the food? I prefer iced tea myself.

This was the best meal I had in Thailand. I don't remember the prices since our receipt was in Thai. We did however spend a good 500-600 baht each for 5 people. Oh, on their website you can see the prices of their food.

You might be wondering where the picture of the rice is. We ordered salted fish fried rice and when it arrived we attacked our food. Thus, I wasn't able to take a picture of the rice. I think we also ordered extra rice for the boys. Hehehe.

If I go back to Bangkok I am definitely eating here again. It has amazing food and the price is very good.

Khrua Nai Baan

94 Langsuan road, Lumpini

Pathumwan, Bangkok

Tel: 0-2253-1888, 0-2254-9888

Thailand Family Trip: Day 1

2011-07-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Yup, I went to Thailand with the hubby, my brother, my sister and her boyfriend. We originally were supposed to go to Japan but with the earthquake and tsunami that happened plus the risk of radiation we decided to find a different country to visit. I've actually been to Bangkok before and I loved shopping in the lower end malls because stuff can get so cheap! Hubby too has been to Bangkok before and actually worked there for 9 months. That's why he has a penchant for spicy food and knows some Thai phrases.

Our hotel was located in the Pratunam district right across Platinum mall and on the same street as Pratunam mall. The room and bathroom were ok. The included breakfast buffet is quite nice as it had Western, Asian and even Indian food. On our first day however a fuse broke but the staff was able to replace it quickly. That's probably all I can say about our hotel.

The last time I was in Bangkok there was no Platinum mall yet. Thus it was our first venue to visit especially since my sister insisted that it was the place all her friends bought clothes. However, we were hungry and went to the food court first. Admittedly, on my first visit I was afraid of Thai food and only went to KFC or similar fast food options but now I was feeling a bit braver.

I looked around the food court and settled on this stall.

It seemed like the guy would just haphazardly grab the displayed items such as the noodles and pork and put them in a bowl then add the hot soup.

Here's a closer look at the items in my noodle soup. Oh and this dish was only 45 Baht or PhP 63!

I was a bit scared since it looked like I grabbed a dish with pork entrails but just said to myself "parang sisig lang yan!" It's just like sisig. My brother laughed at me and told me that all that matters is that it should taste good.

After eating and going around a bit, my sister decided that we should split up so that we could be more efficient with our time since we liked looking at different shops. I actually didn't buy anything except a luggage tag and a belt from Platinum. I know I should have tried to buy more clothes but unfortunately the ladies at the stalls in Platinum would not let you try on the clothes plus it was no refund, no exchange. I gazed upon the clothes but felt conscious since they were obviously meant for slimmer girls. I gave up and decided maybe I'll just find a place that had clothes that I could fit in.

Next on our agenda was meeting our friend Mike who has been based in Bangkok for the last 9 years as he was going to take us out for dinner. That dinner turned out to be the best meal I had in Thailand.

Becca Beach tint in Watermelon

2011-06-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

I've had my eye on this Becca Beach tint for some time but it isn't readily available here in the Philippines. However since my brother was coming over for a visit I decided to buy it over at Amazon and ship it to his address. I've heard a lot of good reviews over this and wanted to try it out in the hot and humid Manila weather.

Imagine my surprise at seeing how tiny the bottle is for the price I paid for it!

Looks big?

Compared to my Kiehl's lip gloss

Swatched

I'm still testing this out right now. I love the scent. It really does smell like a watermelon. I read online that you have to shake the bottle before squeezing a bit out or else it comes out watery. Thus I did shake the bottle and squirted a bit on my hand for swatching purposes. The color looks fantastic and is very easy to blend. Applying a bit to my cheeks and lips was easy and gave me natural looking color.

I'm still thinking if I'll post pictures of myself since my skin is not in tip-top condition right now. I do hope this is able to last all day. I just applied moisturizer and then the tint. Let's see if it can last on my oily skin. I'll also road test this next week when we head to Bangkok and Phuket.

You can buy this on Amazon or Sephora for $25 plus tax.

Shoes!

2011-06-16T02:17:00.000-07:00

It is truly a testament to my boredom that I'm making a shoe blog post. I used to love wearing high heels because they really gave a boost to my mood but ever since I became a mom flats have been an integral part of my life. Still, I do wear high heels when I'm on a date with hubby or when I'm meeting friends and not bringing the kiddo along.

Clockwise from upper right: Mizuno running shoes, Adidas AdiZero running shoes, Nike Sister One running shoes, Nike LunarElite running shoes, Puma slip on rubber shoes and Nike rubber ballet flats.

When I worked in Makati I used to go the gym regularly. That explains my collection of running shoes. The other rubberized shoes just looked too cute and were very comfy so I got them.

My favorite running shoes right now are my Mizuno shoes and the AdiZero shoes. I have done a 5k in the Mizuno shoes but am trying to get accustomed to a flatter sole hence the AdiZero shoes. The Nike shoes I take out every so often but I am using them more as sneakers than actual running shoes. My feet ached the first few times I was using the Nike LunarElites so I wanted to sell them but no buyers so they stayed with me. They've actually gotten better with use so maybe they just needed to be broken in.

Clockwise from top right: gray Anthology banana flats, zebra Anthology flats, red Anthology ballet flats, Anthology boat shoes, blue Anthology banana flats, black Anthology banana flats

I consider this my Anthology collection. It started with the black banana flats that were super comfy. I used it all the time and even had it resoled. I found myself wanting other colors and then trying on the different styles. One thing I love about the brand is that the shoes are ultra comfy! I'm now saving up for the NYC wedge bootie.

Clockwise from top right: Bronze Charles & Keith heels, Matthew black wedge sandals, Black zipper Charles & Keith heels, white Aldo pumps, blue Charles & Keith high heeled sandals, beige Charles & Keith wedges

I'm a big fan of Charles & Keith since they have a lot of styles at a very affordable price point. The problem is that you can't expect them to last for years. The leather will get thin and the slightest scuff will cause it to tear. The Aldo shoes I picked up from the outlet store. The Matthew sandals I got on sale from CMG. I used to have more but due to wear and tear they have been given away.

Hmm.. I think I forgot to take a picture of a pair of brogues, Ichigo flats and another pair of pink heels. My Pluey rain boots. Oh well.

I think my collection is quite below average for the normal girl. I think I'm missing a good pair of boots and a flat sandal to complete a bohemian look. I'm sure however that I'll find time to get these missing shoes ;)

Le Bistro Vert

2011-06-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you all have tried at least once to purchase from a daily deal site. I happened to chance upon a P500 for P1,000 worth of food and beverages at Le Bistro Vert and I immediately grabbed the deal.

Le Bistro Vert is what you can call a "green" restaurant. It doesn't mean that everything you eat there are vegetables but that they promote a sustainable lifestyle. Thus they aim to source most of the ingredients they use for their food and beverages locally thus minimizing their carbon footprint. Their chef is also Chef Sau del Rosario who I think did Chelsea and Mr. Jones.

I got to my reserved table a bit early and decided to grab some soup for myself and an appetizer for the hubby.

Spiced Pumpkin soup with Papadum P155

Mushroom Raviolo P295

I adored my Spiced Pumpkin soup. The weather was actually a bit gloomy and this was a perfect item to warm the cockles of my heart. The soup was just the right texture, not too creamy and definitely not watery. I think the spice portion in the soup is a heavy dose of fresh ground black pepper and some cayenne pepper. The pappadum cracker included was a nice surprise to alternate some crunch after sipping the creamy soup.

I had also asked the waiter which appetizer he would recommend and he said the Mushroom Raviolo. Think yummy mushrooms wrapped up in ravioli pasta swimming in a sublime sauce of cream and cheese. Absolutely deadly but worth the calories.

Asian Beef Salad P295

Pasta Vongole P250

Hubby is really into fitness so he had the Asian Beef Salad while I had the Pasta Vongole. It is a creamier and spicier version than the Pasta Vongole you'd find in Cyma. Yes that's right, it was a spicy cream sauce! It was quite a surprise for me since usually the spicy sauces are red like Arrabiata. However in this instance it still worked and offset the heavy creaminess a white sauce usually has.

Calamansi Lime Pie

Last but not the least we had Calamansi Lime pie. This was definitely a good change from all the cheesecake and chocolate cakes we would usually order for dessert. I like the fact that it uses the common calamansi into a dish that is right up there with cheesecake. It has a slight bite to it but is still sweet. Hubby and I gobbled this up.

In summary, Le Bistro Vert is a lovely place to dine and the menu is filled with delicious dishes. This does however come with a price premium that can easily place it with the restaurants in the high-end malls. In spite of having a P1,000 coupon we still had to shell out an additional P400 for our bill. However I'd still go back because the food is worth it.

You can find Le Bistro Vert in Fraser Place, Valero St. Makati or even follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/lebistrovert

P.S. Pardon the pictures as I just used my phone to take them.

Tao Yuan Resort World

2011-02-06T00:15:00.001-08:00

This is actually the second time I've eaten at Tao Yuan at Resorts World. The first time was when I insisted to hubby that we try their Hainese chicken. I absolutely loved the Hainese chicken and chicken rice at Tao Yuan. Their dried scallops with two kinds of vegetables was also very good. Too bad I was unable to take pictures.

This time I brought hubby's family to Tao Yuan because it was his Aunt's birthday. Thus we decided that there had to be birthday noodles in our order. We also ordered the Peking duck which was a hit and the highly recommended Lapu lapu with Mango Salsa.

Whole Peking duck P1,900

Peking duck crispy skin and meat

Wrapping for the Peking duck slices

2nd way for Peking duck, fried with salt and pepper

We really loved the Peking duck that was fried in salt and pepper. The duck was crispy but still juicy enough you definitely could tell from the flavor that it was duck.

Yangchow fried rice P380

Lapu lapu with Mango Salsa P1,110

Birthday noodles P460

Hot and Sour soup P388

I liked the hot and sour soup. I loved the texture of the soup with whole shrimps in it and some tofu and mushrooms. I would have preferred it to be a bit spicier but it was still good soup.

Tao Yuan emphasizes that they do not put MSG in their dishes. This is a good thing since sometimes I will end up with a headache after eating too much Chinese food due to the MSG that was added. You will however notice that the dishes are very expensive.

I can't really say how good the other dishes were since I was nursing a cold and most items tasted bland to me unless they were very spicy. I will however go back for the Hainese chicken and the Dried scallops with 2 kinds of vegetables.

Tao Yuan

2F Resort World, Newport

For reservations: 659-3321/ 846-9998

Aldo outlet shop at Marquee Mall

2011-02-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

I was in Pampanga for personal reasons and due to us using the "bawal" car we decided to kill time at Marquee Mall. It's an Ayala mall and there were a lot of shops that are usually present in most malls. A lot of shops were on sale since it was also Chinese New Year.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was an Aldo outlet shop there. I don't usually buy from Aldo since I find the shoes pricey but how could I resist when shoes were around Php 1k and sunglasses were down to P300!

I bought a pair of white high heeled shoes. I think white is a neutral color and it'll be refreshing to see in the summer.

Notice also that the heels are not that high. Some of the other shoes in Aldo were very pretty but once I tried them on my feet begged for mercy due to the height of the heels.

I also got this pair of oversized sunglasses. This is to provide more protection not just for my eyes but also the skin around it.

I guess now if hubby asks me to go to Pampanga again with him I will say yes as long as we get a chance to visit Marquee mall again.

MAC Pink Nouveau lipstick

2011-01-31T22:58:00.000-08:00

I've been a bit stressed lately with my work at home gig and since I had some Rustan's gift certificates from HSBC I decided to put them to use. I dropped by today and grabbed Pink Nouveau lipstick from MAC. It's going to be summer soon so I wanted a very fresh and vibrant pink on my lips.

Swatched on the back of my hand

Plain lips

With Pink Nouveau

It's a very pretty color that I would recommend for those with light skin tones. I can't wait to use it on a date with hubby. Lastly, this retails for Php 1,000 at MAC Rustan's. The sales assistant informed me that they increased their prices yesterday.

Kamiseta luggage, an Aranaz clutch and more!

2011-01-19T01:59:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy! Today I got the prizes that I won from Candy's birthday contest. She had fantastic prizes like gift certificates for dinner at restaurants and jewelry. In fact, I had my eye on the rings that were one of the prizes.

Today all the winners from her contest met up in Salon de Ning in the Pen for her to give the prizes. Now we had to draw lots and see which set of prizes we got since there were 6 winners. Unfortunately I did not get the lot with the rings. I did however get the one with the Levi's 10k gift certificate, the Aranaz clutch, 2 1 hour GCs for a play school and 1 GC for a free Tivoli business lunch.

I was happy yet also sad. It is so difficult for me to find good fitting jeans and I sincerely doubted that I'd find any at Levi's. My last pair of jeans was actually made to order from Viktor since I have generous hips and thighs.

Then Candy announced we could bargain for each other's prizes if we were so inclined. I immediately let it know I was willing to bargain for the rings and the Kamiseta luggage. Unfortunately, the winner who got the rings was really happy with them so she was not letting them go. However, the winner who had the Kamiseta luggage was willing to part with them for a sufficient exchange option. I expressed my willingness to exchange the luggage with the Levi's GC but another person also wanted the luggage and was willing to trade the Keratin treatment GC for it.

I certainly wasn't going to give up without a fight. I really wanted that Kamiseta luggage. I ruthlessly compared the two options while obviously making it appear that my option was the best. Thankfully the winner choose my option. Hooray for me!

So now here are pictures of my lovely prizes.

Kyoot Kamiseta luggage

Another perspective to get an idea on the sizes of the luggage

The big one.

The big one opened.

The overnighter.

The overnighter opened.

The travel case.

The travel case opened.

I super duper love the Kamiseta luggage. I can use the largest one when I go to Hong Kong (paging hubby) and perhaps the overnighter when I have to do a quick overnight in Tagaytay for someone's wedding. The travel case/valise I'm not sure when I'll use it. Perhaps when you go to an event and you need to bring an extra change of clothes? Definitely only for one day excursions.

Another prize that I was glad to grab is the Aranaz clutch. Finally, I have a dressy clutch to use at formal events. I can't find the evening bag that I used to use :( I think it is in my old room where my sister now resides.

Aranaz clutch

This item is truly a beauty. Look at the exquisite carving of flowers on the wood. This is something that I'll treasure since it is also proudly a Philippine made product.

Thank you Candy for the wonderful prizes.

MAC PRO Longwear Lip creme in Faithfully Yours

2010-12-19T18:33:00.000-08:00

I am an avid follower of the blog Temptalia and I think MAC always gives you enough bang for your buck so I definitely wanted one of these long wearing lip cremes. Thus, I asked my mom to buy me this lipstick when she was in the US. I think this came to about $18 but I told her she can consider it an early Christmas gift.

I wanted a different color since most of my lipstick colors are pink or mauves and are pretty much neutral. So I chose Faithfully yours which is a bit of a dark color. I thought that perhaps I would use this for nights out and for parties where a more formal looking lip color would be needed.

Lovely casing

Pro Longwear LipCreme in Faithfully Yours

Dark Mauve-Brown shade

Swatched on skin

So this is my bare mouth

with Faithfully Yours

I've used this to a wedding and though hubby said that I looked a bit Gothic, it wore beautifully the entire night. I was left with a red stain at the end of the evening and that was after a full dinner and dessert buffet. I think maybe it is the contrast of this dark color with my relatively light skin tone that provoked hubby to think of Goth but I remember I did use blush to warm up my face. Either that or he's not used to me in anything bu neutral colors.

Anyway, I loved that this lip creme went on creamily and it did not dry out my lips like most longwearing lip colors. I am in fact thinking of getting it in a pinkish or neutral lip color for every day but I still have my Tony Moly lipstain. So maybe I'll finish off the other stuff I bought before I buy more. :)

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a quality longwearing lipcolor. MAC has a range of colors for this line so I'm positive you'll be able to find a shade you'll like.

I want to win the Vosges Haute Chocolate Goodie Giveaway on Trip or Treats

2010-12-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

Trip or Treats is a blog that I stumbled on looking for restaurant reviews. Turns out ToT does not only go out of her way to eat at restaurants that serve delicious food but she is an avid traveler as well who loves to taste whatever is good in the country she visits.

ToT is holding a contest right now for some delectable chocolates and you can join! Visit the giveaway page here.

Here's hoping that I win!

L'Oreal HiP

2010-10-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

I don't really do eye make-up and what little I do is usually some light wash of color on my lids. However while I was browsing Amazon for some stuff I came upon some cheap L'Oreal HiP eyeshadow duos and eyeliner. They were around a dollar each so I thought they were a great deal. I was initially very interested in the Urban Decay Naked palette but it is always out of stock and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend $44 on something I would barely use. Thus, in the interest of getting my feet wet I decided to grab these cheap eyeshadow duos and try them out.

Eyeshadow due in Shocked (metallic gold and khaki)

Eyeshadow duo in Lively (shimmery beige and dark camo green)

Eyeshadow duo in Charged (metallic bronze and copper)

Swatches from left to right: Shocked, Lively and Charged

I like the first two eyeshadow duos. They have good pigmentation but I'm having a bit of trouble blending them. Maybe I need to get a real eyeshadow brush and blender. I was able to do a nice eye look using Shocked but I think I'll try it again before I take a picture. I can however say that Shocked really came off as very metallic. The eye look I did using Lively came off a bit shimmery and not as metallic. I didn't even bother with Charged as I am not sure how to deal with such strong metallic colors. I'll probably research and see what other people have done using these colors.

I also bought a metallic blue eyeliner pencil. I just felt like it and thought it would be great for the holidays. I experimented a bit lining my eyes with it and noticed that the tip is very soft so you have to apply light pressure. The color is fantastic and I'm definitely going to try this for a party at night.

L'Oreal HiP Chrome eyeliner in Blue Spark

Swatch of Blue Spark

I think next on my to-do list is to get a decent eyeshadow brush and blender. Then maybe once the hullabaloo over the UD Naked palette dies down I can get one for myself. I always was a sucker for neutrals. If you have any suggestions for some affordable brushes let me know in the comments!

Kirin Chinese Dining

2010-10-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

My family and I belatedly celebrated my son's birthday at Kirin. We've eaten here before with some friends and the food is just really good. Every dish I tried here is delicious so I wanted to go back with my family to try some more.

Entrance to Kirin

Side view of Kirin along Bonifacio High Street

Interior of Kirin

To start out we ordered some appetizers. Inevitably I ordered siomai since my family loves dimsum and instead of the usual hakao as well I ordered the radish cake with XO sauce. Yes, I'm in the mood for some radish cake.

Siomai P98

Radish Cake with XO sauce

I'll admit it, my family absolutely has no mercy when it comes to dimsum. I let them eat it. I do remember though from the last time I had the siomai that it was nice and meaty. The radish cake was a good surprise. Not only is it crispy on the outside and soft inside but the XO sauce gives it an extra kick. I really liked it!

After ordering the appetizers I made sure to order the dish that I came here for which is the roast duck. Usually roast duck is something that I'd only eat in Peking Garden or Hong Kong but they do the dish quite well here. Unfortunately when we ate here yesterday the taste was spot on but the duck itself was slightly tough.

Half order Roast Duck around P740

I also ordered some items that hubby and I always look for like the Broccoli in Garlic and the Salt and Pepper Squid. The squid was yummy and even better once you drizzled with vinegary sauce on it. The broccoli was slightly cool which is probably because you would rinse it in ice water to retain the crispness of the vegetable after cooking. My only complaint is that the dish was a bit small.

Salt and Pepper Squid around P280

Broccoli with Garlic

I also wanted to try other dishes that I have read about in other blogs like the Hot Chicken and Prawn salad. This is fried prawns and chicken fillets in a sweet mayo like sauce with various bits of fruit. I liked the dish.

Hot Chicken and Prawn salad

I ordered the Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic for my Dad since he shouldn't be eating too much meat. This dish is something my mom started whispering about that we could do it at home. I think we probably could but I need to figure out what they steamed the fish fillet with. We suspect that there's some sesame oil, garlic and ginger in the mix.

Last but not the least, we must have Yangchow fried rice. Every time we eat at a Chinese restaurant it must always be Yangchow fried rice. The server will try to get you to order more rice saying that this is good only for two but it was able to feed 6 of us!

Yangchow fried rice

Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic

I would definitely go back to Kirin because the food is good and the price is still affordable for being a notch above the usual Chinese restaurant. Needless to say almost everything was wiped out when we were done eating though I brought home some radish cake and some of the duck.

Kirin is located at Building 7, Bonifacio HighStreet.

Sugi Makati

2010-10-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sugi is one of those no-fail classic Japanese restaurants that you would bring your family to. I have memories of special occasions being celebrated in Sugi Greenhills. So while wandering around Greenbelt hubby and I decided to eat at Sugi Makati.

The interiors are very classic Japanese. Cute Japanese lanterns adorn the ceiling while the dining tables and chairs are dark varnished wood.

I also took a picture of the condiments and toothpick holders because they were so cute.

Since it was only the two of us, we only ordered two dishes. The ebi tempura and this sweet spicy fried chicken dish.

Ebi Tempura

Sweet spicy fried chicken

I remember both dishes being almost P400 each. The sweet spicy chicken dish reminded me of the General's chicken at Recipes by Cafe Metro and for me the tempura was good but Kimpura's is better.

Japanese fried rice P100

I can't believe I paid P100 for fried rice. To think that the only reason I did that was because plain rice was P80! Our total bill came out to P 1,200 with drinks. I think the food is good but the price just stepped over my personal limit.

If only the Kimpura in Glorietta was still around. For me, Kimpura has the better tempura and Japanese fried rice.

Now this makes me want to eat at Kimpura. Stay tuned, I may actually drag my family over to the Kimpura in Greenhills. :)

The Great Asian Secrets Giveaway: P40,000 worth of prizes!

2010-09-07T23:27:00.000-07:00

Liz of Project Vanity is holding an amazing contest for all us lovely females. This is the Great Asian Secrets Giveaway. See the mechanics below.

Contest mechanics

1. Simply answer this question!

For the brides: The big day draws near and you have to look perfect. How do you plan to look your best? You're encouraged to talk about your gown, makeup artist, desired look, motif, beauty rituals, and how Asian Secrets can help you on your big day.

For the general readers: What are your beauty secrets? You're encouraged to talk about the beauty products, tips, tricks that you swear by, plus how Asian Secrets can be incorporated in your routine.

2. Blog your answer, post it as a note on Facebook, Twitter, and Plurk it. Don't forget to include four things: your answer to the question, the contest poster, mechanics, and link to the contest page. For Twitter and Plurk entries, include the hashtag #asiansecrets.

3. Post all the direct links of your entries in the comments page (http://bit.ly/d4yaED). Don't forget this step, because without it, we won't know you joined! Also include a valid email address.

Here's my answer:

I am already married so I'll just talk about what my top 5 beauty secrets are.

First and foremost, always wash your face before you go to sleep for the night and remove all make-up. The only thing on my face at night is my erythromycin lotion and night cream.

Second, get 8 hours of sleep! Nothing dulls skin more than not getting enough sleep, plus you'll most likely end up with eye bags. In addition to this, sleep on your back not your stomach or on your side. If you sleep on your side or stomach you'll end up with your face against the pillow which could lead to wrinkles.

Third, always remember to put sunblock on every day. Sun damage in our youth will reflect on our faces when we're older. See your lolas with age spots and discoloring? Make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Fourth, try to exfoliate once a week. I have oily skin so sometimes I'll even exfoliate twice a week. This gets rid of all those old skin cells and makes sure the new ones get to shine through.

For my fifth and last beauty secret, go and get some exercise! Exercise makes us sweat and in our sweat toxins are excreted. Exercise also helps us improve our circulation and helps us keep fit.

So there's my entry for The Great Asian Secrets Giveaway. I hope I win!

Terry's Selection Salcedo Village

2010-09-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not updating my blog in some time. If I don't get really good pictures of the food I'm eating I rarely want to post it for the world to see. I've actually got a backlog of blog posts I want to do but without good pictures I am hesitant to write them.

Anyway, I finally remembered to bring my camera when I go out and got some good pictures of the food I ate at Terry's Selection in Salcedo Village. The first branch of Terry's that I tried was the one in Podium in the basement and this new one is quite unassuming as well. In fact if you weren't really looking for it you might even pass the restaurant since the signage is so low-key.

Once you step in you find yourself in a mix of a restaurant and a deli. There are shelves containing some of the food items that Terry's sells as well as a ref in the side containing some frozen items.

Terry's selection

Cold storage meats and seafood

On the other side of the nook is the display for some cheese and sausages.

Cheese!

Deli meat

Hubby and I decided to share the soup since it was raining very hard. I wanted to try their tomato soup over the squash soup.

Crema de Tomate a la Albahaca Fresca P160 (take note this is half a serving)

I really liked their tomato soup! Sometimes when I get some tomato soup I have the feeling that all that is missing is the pasta but not with this soup. It had that nice tart tomato taste with hints of basil and cream to smoothen it out. Definitely something that I would order again.

Hubby opted to get the Coq Au Vin while I selected a pasta dish.

Gnocchi al Gorgonzola con Prosciutto y Porcini P380

I think the last time I had Gnocchi was in that Italian place by the Don Bosco priests. It has super cheesy and heavenly. I was expecting more of the same but was extremely surprised at how heavy the Gnoochi in Terry's was. The moment it hit my belly it was like the pasta was expanding! The sauce is not cheddar cheesy but of the matured variety and creamy. Good thing the porcini mushroom and fried bacon bits added texture to the sauce as it can get quite overwhelming. The dish itself is quite pricey and I believe this is due to the high quality ingredients.

Coq Au Vin P370

I was able to sneak a few bites of hubby's Coq Au Vin and it was good! However instead of it being all chicken there was some pork. Not sure why although I prefer the chicken pieces. The mushrooms that are part of the red win sauce were scrumptious! Every time I would get umay with my pasta, I'd grab some of the chicken or mushroom pieces on my hubby's dish.

Terry's Selection is actually 3 floors with the main deli on the 3rd floor. They encourage customers to visit the deli while waiting for their food to arrive. I believe there is also a good wine selection for guests to peruse but I've never really been that knowledgeable about wine.

I did ask the waitress if they had any cooking wine and they were glad to oblige me. They brought out this white wine/ cooking sherry that they claimed they used as well. I wanted to try it but at P700 a bottle I decided to think about it first.

When we were done eating the waitress asked us if we wanted some dessert but poor hubby was already dead tired so we decided to just go home with full bellies. Their service is really outstanding because the guard also escorted us through the rain to our car.

In conclusion, Terry's Selection Salcedo is a priced high but the service and the food are worth it. Perhaps I'll try their wine next time.

Bugsy's Makati

2010-08-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Bugsy's in Makati is located on San Agustin street which is parallel to Valero street in Salcedo Village. It is a humble enough looking place from the outside but the interior lends itself well to the whole mafia bar image. Trying to get a table there on a Friday or Saturday night is a lost cause unless you go there right after work or have had the foresight to reserve a table.

So what does one do if one desires the buffalo chicken tenders and could not get a table at night? You go during lunch when the place is practically empty.

Bugsy's not only has some pretty affordable alcoholic beverages but delicious bar chow as well. Their bestseller is the Buffalo Chicken Tenders which are pieces of chicken deep fried then tossed in a special spicy sauce that I would kill to get the recipe of. You cannot go wrong with ordering this spicy and tangy dish. Hubby and I have actually just hung out here ordering their appetizers and some beer. Don't forget to smother the chicken tenders in the accompanying cheese dip.

Buffalo chicken tenders P175

Bugsy's Cured Beef Surprise aka Tapa

After raving about the chicken tenders to some friends, they commented that the tapa here was pretty good as well. Thus, we ordered some of the tapa and they are correct! The tapa, or the Bugsy's Cured Beef Surprise, is a dish of marinated beef strips that you can dip into the accompanying shot glass of vinegar.

Mashed Potato with gravy

I'm actually trying to lessen my rice intake but I did order myself the mashed potato with gravy side. Imagine a mound of mashed potato that is soft and not chunky swimming in gravy. I'll pretend I'm carbo-loading so that I can consume this without guilt. I find it becomes the perfect dish to complement the chicken tenders.

Bugsy's is a fantastic place to hang out at after work with affordable drinks and food. You can have dinner here and end up doing shots before the night is over. The have a smoking and non-smoking section but the place is still quite modestly small. Thus I cannot reiterate enough that if you want a table here on a weekend night, be prepared to go early or call to reserve one.

Azuthai

2010-08-09T23:56:00.000-07:00

I got hit with the flu two weeks ago and it wasn't pretty. I could barely get out of bed but I did manage to stay updated with twitter and Facebook. A friend posted that she had a late dinner at Azuthai and I got envious and promptly demanded that hubby and I eat lunch there the next day.

Azuthai is the Thai restaurant that is part of the group of restaurants of El Cirkulo and Milky way fame. It's located at the ground floor of the Milky Way building on Pasay road.

The interiors are very Thai/Asian and quite lovely. Though we ate there during lunch, the restaurant is quite dim as they used mood lighting.

Bar

Interior

Lovely chandelier

The food at Azuthai is the most authentic that hubby and I have tried so far in Manila. Hubby spent 9 months in Bangkok and can eat the really spicy stuff with ease. However, I can only go up to medium spicy level. The nice thing about Azuthai is that the waiter will always ask you what kind of spice level you would like your food to be. If you really want to test your taste buds then ask for "Bangkok spicy" level which always leaves my hubby in catatonic delight.

Shrimp Cake with Sweet Spicy Dipping Sauce "Tod Man Goong" P325

I ordered the Shrimp cake since hubby insisted on ordering the chicken in bangkok spicy level. I knew that if I wanted to get any food in my tummy that I had to have something that was not bangkok level spicy. The shrimp cake is OK and not something I would rave about.

Stir-Fried Minced Chicken with Chili and Basil Leaves "Gai Kra Prow" P325

Hubby was really craving for Bangkok spice level so I let him order the chicken. My first thoughts upon tasting a spoonful of this is that it was good and tasty. Then the spice level registered in my brain and my mouth was on fire. I could not eat any more of this. The spice level was too much for me. Hubby on the other hand devoured this.

Hot and Sour Prawn Soup with Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves and Fresh Coriander "Tom Yum Goong" P345

Now this soup is the main reason I wanted to eat at Azuthai after my bout with the flu. This is a wonderful soup to warm the cockles of your heart. The spiciness is there but tempered with the lemongrass flavor. The shrimp in the soup may be few but quite sizable. Just drinking this soup is enough to replenish your soul after being devastated by the flu.

As much as I'd love to eat at Azuthai whenever the mood strikes me the truth of the matter is that it is quite pricey. Our bill always tries to reach 2k whenever we eat here. So save this lovely restaurant for special occasions. That is unless you've got oodles of cash. However the food is worth your money and the quality always has us coming back for more.

Anthology shoes is giving away a pair of Shanghai shoes!

2010-07-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Get Shanghaied! Anthology shoes is at it again. Tell them how you would wear this pair of size 8 gold Shanghai shoes from them and get a chance to win these shoes!
I would love to wear these with a pair of shorts for some cool, laid back vibes.