melvelscloset

Loco for Rocco

2011-12-10T20:08:00.000+08:00

I'm still alive! It's been a busy month which explains the lack of updates, and it looks like my schedule will be just as bad this December. I'll still try to update as much as I can. Let me start with my newest obsession (thisclose to becoming my Christmas gift to myself):

It's the Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel Bag! This bag is not new, actually. It's been around since 2009, but I've been loving the studs and leather trend (on bags, shoes and belts) lately and I've been looking for perfect bag with that vibe.

The Rocco is almost perfect. The leather is oh-so-yummy:

The studs (grommets?) are so bad-ass:

And there's a detachable strap that converts it from a satchel/arm-bag to a shoulder bag/duffel:

There are some minor flaws, though. The bag weighs a whopping 1.5kg (all that hardware no doubt contributing to the weight!). And the price is a bit steep for USD875. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any cheaper studded black leather bag that suits my taste. Except for this Alexa bag from BagInc which is basically a Rocco knock-off:

A very well-made knock-off, if I may add. It's almost an exact copy! It's made of real calfskin leather and is only USD149! Plus, shipping is free to anywhere in the world!

Now, if only I can get over my aversion to knock-offs, I would totally buy that Alexa bag. For now though, the Rocco is still calling out to me. Decisions, decisions!

Kate's Look for Less

2011-11-01T20:00:00.003+08:00

As I have said many times over, I am obsessed with Kate Middleton and her sense of style. She always manages to look elegant and classy, never boring (which is a feat considering all the minimalstic clothing that she wears). She had me with this blue Issa engagement dress:

Truth be told, I did not know who Issa was before I saw this dress. A little Googling revealed that she is a young up-and-coming Brazilian designer who is one of Kate's favorites. While her clothes are not as expensive as those from the established designers, they are still quite pricey for us ordinary folk. That dress costs 427 pounds (over P20,000)! Yikes.

The good news is that there are a lot of dresses cut similarly to Kate's famous Issa dress, like this one from Mossimo (by Target):

It's only US$29.99! And it comes in 11 different colors! At the time I first saw this, I was in a Missoni shopping frenzy and had to reluctantly pass on this purchase. A week later, the dress went on sale at 20% off, with free shipping! I took that as a sign and ordered it in black (better go with the safe color first!)

The best part of that purchase? I had a coupon code for $5.00 off, so I ended up paying just $18.99 for the dress, shipping included.

I just received the dress a few days ago and I have to say the dress is worth it. I wish I had a full length mirror or a willing photographer so I can show you how it looks like when worn, but unfortunately I don't have either. The modeling photo on the website is quite accurate though:

Yep, the neckline is a little low, but it's nothing that a nice cami can't fix. Now I'm on the hunt for some skinny belts to complete the look, since all black is a little too severe for daytime. I'm thinking a leopard print or bright red patent skinny belt would be nice. Any suggestions where I could find those?

Need vs. Want

2011-10-19T23:19:00.001+08:00

I need another pair of shoes to wear for an upcoming wedding. It has to be neutral or gold-toned.

I have this bad habit of buying formal shoes to match a particular dress that I'll be wearing, and then never wearing those shoes again! This time, I vowed to find something that I can wear for multiple events or parties.

So I narrowed down my choices to this pair (the Almond one):

Or this pair (also the Almond one):

Both pairs are from VNC (or Vincci in Malaysia). I love the design of the first pair more, but it was mostly made of faux leather...and we all know how faux leather tends to crack and chip when you don't use the shoes very often. So I decided to get the second pair, made of satin which will hold up well even if I store it for a long time:

I love having an excuse to buy new shoes! LOL

Unfortunately, I don't have an excuse for this next pair except to say that I really really wanted it.

As usual, my photography skills suck, so here's the stock photo of the Tokyo ballet flats from the Anthology website:

I purchased the flats from the Anthology sale at AVA.ph (still ongoing for selected styles!). This is the first time I've purchased from AVA and I have nothing but praises for their customer service. I ordered on a Friday, and the website said that I should expect the package within 3-7 business days. To my surprise, I received the AVA package the following Monday. Whoa!

I promised Jill of Kikay Exchange that I would document the "unboxing" of the AVA package so here goes.

The box was wrapped in cling wrap:

The contents:

The folded black thing on the side of the Anthology shoe box is actually a complimentary sling bag from AVA:

Nice, no? Makes me want to purchase more from the site, but these recent acquisitons mean that I am now on a shoe ban again. I promise. :)

Panic Buying (My Missoni for Target Haul)

2011-10-17T00:43:00.001+08:00

Last September 13, while everyone was glued to the TV watching Shamcey compete in Miss Universe, I was glued to my laptop/iPad/iPhone hitting refresh like a mad woman, waiting for Target to finally upload the Missoni collection online. I've been eagerly anticipating this launch for months, and even had a partial shopping list for it!

After more than one month of waiting , I finally received the items I ordered:

Actually, these are not the only items I ordered, but they were the only ones I received. Because of the unprecedented demand for this collection, Target.com crashed. Repeatedly. A few days after I placed my orders on Target.com, I received several e-mail notifications for cancelled orders. I'm guessing they unintentionally oversold some items and didn't have enough stock to meet everyone's demands.

Most of the items that were cancelled from my order were houseware stuff (throw blankets, mugs and shower curtains, to name a few). I guess those were the most coveted pieces in this collection. The blanket is going for about $120-150 on eBay, and its retail price was just $49.99!

Was all the trouble worth it? I'd say yes, even if this shopping spree cost me a few hundred dollars. Here's a rundown of what I got, and what I think of each piece.

First, the clothes. I initially just wanted a vest, but I ended up getting this hoodie because it looked cute on the model:

The velour hoodie is surprisingly very well made, and the best part is...the pattern lines up perfectly ! I'm very finicky about misaligned patterns, you see. I'm keeping this.

I also purchased this cardigan because it looked like something I can wear to the office:

The cardigan fit nicely and looked expensive, but it also had gold thread sewn all over, which makes it a bit iffy for daytime. And it looks a bit matronly for my taste. I'm on the fence about it.

This sweater was one of my later purchases (I actually ordered it a day after the launch, and was surprised to see that it was stil there) and it turned out to be my favorite clothing item! It's so comfortable even if it's long-sleeved. Plus, the colors make me happy! Definitely a keeper.

Based on the reviews, the general consensus is that this next cardigan is the best clothing item in the collection and is the piece that comes closest to the real Missoni in quality. I tend to agree.

The cardigan is made of very heavy knit and looks really nice when worn. My only complaint is that it's quite heavy on the shoulders! I will definitely keep it, but will only wear it when it's really really cold.

Next up, the accessories. These were mostly hit or miss.

The ballet flats and the umbrella were 1-2 on my wishlist and I ended up being underwhelmed by both items. I'm still keeping both, though.

My favorite non-clothing item is the bag on the left of the picture above. They call it a travel tote, but I'll be using it as a laptop/office files tote. It fits long file folders and expandable envelopes with lots of room to spare. The small make-up pouch is made of the same waterproof material as the travel tote ... I just wish they used the inside lining on the outside instead. It's cuter!

My overall assessment: it's no surprise that there was such a frenzy surrounding this collection...it's probably the best designer collection Target has ever done. The clothes are definitely not as exquisite as real Missoni, but they're a good representation of the brand for the price.

After this shopping spree, I'm taking a vacation from designer collaborations for a while...my wallet is hurting! For those curious though, the next designer collaborations are the following:

October 30 - Albertus Swanepoel for Target (hats)
Dana Kellin for Target (jewelry)
Josie Natori for Target (lingerie and loungewear)

November 17 - Versace for H&M (mostly clothing)

February 2012 - Jason Wu for Target (mostly clothing)

If any of those collaborations interest you, be warned! Get your wallets and web browers ready!

Pining for Palazzo

2011-09-07T23:32:00.002+08:00

I don't usually jump on fashion trends right away. Most of the time, I appreciate trends when they're no longer uso! But I just can't seem to get these type of pants out of my head:

Photo taken from Forever21.com

They're called palazzo pants. I'm not really sure from where the name originates, but Chicify.com gives a good retrospective of this style in this blog entry: Words That Shaped The Week: Palazzo Pants.

I've been on the hunt for the perfect palazzo pants in green (ala La Salle green or to be more specific, Green Pantone 355U. Haha!). They have to be made of stretch jersey, and must have a garterized waist (no zippers please). So far, these are the ones that caught my eye:

Option No. 1: From Chicify.com:

Photo from Chicify.com

Pros: It's the exact shade of green I want. It comes in three sizes, and they provide measurements for each size (I'm a Large, of course). I've ordered from Chicify before and they're very reliable and accommodating.

Cons: The price! It's P1,599.00 (or about US$37.00). I could buy a couple of denims for that price!

Option No. 2: From I Love Koi

Photo from ilovekoi.multiply.com

Pros: It's relatively cheap at P980.00 (about US$23.00). It comes in several colors, and there are actually three shades of green!

Cons: It comes in free size only. I honestly don't know if it will fit me.

Option No. 3: From Meg Clothing

Photo from meg.ph

Pros: Meg has retail stores in quite a few malls nationwide, so I can check out the pants in person (and fit it, if I want). I actually dig the wider waistband on this style.

Cons: The price! It costs P1,499.00 (about US$33.00). And like the Koi version, this one comes in free size only.

Bayo's current collection features a pair of palazzo pants for less than P800.00 and the Large size fits me perfectly. Unfortunately, it only comes in black. But if Bayo can sell jersey pants for that much, why can't these lesser-known retailers price their merchandise a bit lower? Sigh.

Anyway, I'm going to check out Greenhills and SM this weekend to see if they have cheaper options. If not, I'm going to settle for Koi. Wish me luck!

No Return, No Exchange

2011-09-04T03:10:00.000+08:00

Despite my initial excitement upon learning that Payless Shoesource will be opening stores in the Philippines, I only bought my first Payless pair(s) of shoes locally last week....more than a year since the stores opened!

I honestly have no idea who Isabel Toledo is, but her collaboration with Payless is just adorable. Especially this style:

Ghillie Flats in Black

I am ultra conservative and boring when it comes to picking shoes for the office, but for casual wear...it's anything goes for me. The quirkier, the weirder, the better! And that's why these Ghillie flats with the ballerina-like criss-cross lace thing caught my eye immediately. They look fugly in the pictures, but they became 1000x more interesting when I wore them. I wish I took an action shot!

And since I was on a roll, I also came home with this:

Pompom Flat

Yes, I love those flats, pompoms and all. I can't help it!

The best part is that both pairs were on sale at 45% off. I honestly would have thought twice or thrice if those shoes were sold at full price (P2,450.00 each), but at about P1,400.00, I didn't need any convincing. Both pairs were originally priced at $34.99 in the U.S., so with the discount, I got them for slightly less than the U.S. price. Pwede na!

Lookbook from the Isabel Toledo for Payless Fall 2010 collection

One minor quibble: when I bought these shoes, the salespeople reminded me that I cannot return nor exchange items on sale. Store policy, according to them. What is up with that? I know Payless is not the only store which doesn't accept sale items for return or exchange (and honestly, I really won't return or exchange these shoes anyway), but it still annoys me whenever I hear this policy being implemented. The fact that you paid less for an item shouldn't give you less consumer rights compared to a customer who paid full price. It doesn't make sense to me. Oh well...

All Payless "designer collaboration" shoes (including Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Alice and Olivia) are still on sale and will remain so until they run out of the past season's styles. Happy shopping!

A Slightly Crazy and Possibly Stupid Review

2011-08-21T02:05:00.001+08:00

I meant to write a decent review of Crazy Stupid Love, but when I started Googling for pictures to accompany my review, I found this:

Maybe an indecent review is more appropriate? Hee hee!

Anyway, I'll still try to write something coherent...

If ogling Ryan Gosling isn't your thing, then you'd be happy to hear that Crazy Stupid Love is actually a really good movie. It's sweet and touching without going overboard (except maybe for the penultimate scene), it's funny without trying too hard, and it catches you completely off-guard with that suprising twist which I did not expect (I don't know if I was just dense, but I really was surprised!) All the actors have their moments, but I should give special props to the kid who played Steve Carrell's son. He is just adorable and funny.

And can I just say that the posters for this movie are adorable too?

Ang gwapo pa rin ni Ryan even while in the midst of a scuffle!

And my favorite of the set:

Because I am an equal-opportunity admirer, I would also like to profess my fangirl crush on Emma Stone. I want to be her when I grow up (which doesn't make sense, because she's just 22, but whatever). I want her voice! It's super sexy and bad-ass at the same time, which is so hard to pull off without sounding weird. She and Ryan are so bagay on screen, I was ecstatic to learn they're currently shooting another film together!

Crazy Stupid Love isn't your typical summer movie because it doesn't feature a superhero, it isn't a sequel and it doesn't star any A-list actors (unless you consider Steve Carrell an A-lister, but I don't). For those reasons, I don't expect this film to stay long in theaters, so if you're convinced by this review which barely made sense, go rush to the cinemas now! The film (actually Ryan's abs alone) is well worth the price of admission.

Mark Your Calendars: Missoni for Target

2011-08-18T23:08:00.003+08:00

On September 13, one of the most anticipated designer collaborations of Target will finally debut in stores and online:

To say I am excited would be an understatement! I've been waiting for this day to come since Target first announced the collaboration early this year. I love the colorful Missoni prints, but they're so damn expensive! Thank you, Target, for making the prints accessible to all of us.

I've already made a preliminary shopping list based on the preview of the collection available online. Here are my "sure buys":

Ballet flats, US$29.99

Missoni flats in Adora cost about P20,000.00, last time I checked. The Target version will be roughly P1,500.00. I know the quality won't be the same, but it's the print I want so I don't really care!

I can't pass on this adorable folding umbrella...

Umbrella, US$19.99

Or these socks (I want the one on the lower left)...

Socks, US$6.00 each

That tiny knit clutch would look great inside my transparent bags:

Knit clutch, US$22.99

So my "sure buys" already cost US$78.97 total. These next items are the ones I'm still thinking through:

Throw, US$39.99

Extra long scarf, US$24.99

Sleeveless sweater, uS$29.99

Silk headbands, US$14.99 each

Those are my picks just from the preview items shown online. The collection spans 400 items, from clothing to kitchenware to stationery to furniture...there's even a bicycle! Ubusan na ng pera to!

Those who've been shopping online at Target.com already know that the website accepts non-US issued credit cards, so no need to ask your friends or relatives to buy the goods for you. You can just go online on September 13 and shop to your heart's delight, and have the items shipped to a friend's or relative's address (or to Johnny Air). One last tip though: if you're as desperate to get ahold of the items as I am, make sure to park in front of your computer at 12 am on launch date, beacuse the coveted items are sure to get sold out fast (they do restock, but not right away). I learned this the hard way when Liberty for Target was launched, I logged on later in the day and most of the items I wanted were all sold out already! I will not make the same mistake again :)

A sneak peek of the Missoni for Target collection can be viewed here.

Shopping on a Sunday

2011-08-15T00:54:00.006+08:00

I have very low shopping EQ, it's embarrassing.

Take this day, for example. I watched another DLSU game live, my team lost on an almost-buzzer beater shot by the opponent. It was so frustrating that I when I passed by Forever 21 in Makati on my way home, it's hard not to guess what happened.

Welcome the new additons to my wardrobe:

Holey Tee, PhP1,100.00 (US$22.80 on the online store)

It's a hole-y top, made of rubberized cloth so they edges of the holes won't fray. This top is such a conversation piece that I had to get it, even if it's too bold for my conservative taste. I'll wear just like this model here:

Photo taken from Forever21.com

And I just have to remember not to be near any hooks and other point-y things while I'm wearing it! Haha.

I picked up another plain tee from Forever 21, just because they make the best affordable plain tees:

V-neck tee, PhP235.00 (US$4.50 on the online store)

Obviously, I'm not the only one who thinks Forever 21 tees are the bomb because it's so hard to catch these tees in the stores. They get sold out so fast! Tsambahan lang talaga.

I also brought home this top, because my polka dot love affair is still going strong:

Cropped top, PhP815.00 (US$15.80 on the online store)

I don't know why it looks so loose and wide in my picture, but it actually looks like this when worn:

Photo taken from Forever21.com

Unfortunately, I didn't notice that the top had a small tear at the side. Now I have to go back to the store and exchange it (I'm crossing my fingers that they still have this top in my size, darn it!)

Yes, even the curtains in my room have polka dots. LOL

Forever 21 is right next to Watson's, and I remember wanting get ahold of those limited edition UAAP mini hand sanitizers. So I got a couple of the DLSU kind:

Hand sanitizer is P60.00 each

I wanted to buy the U.P. version too in honor of my law school alma mater, but I didn't like the color. It wasn't the right shade of maroon (yes, maarte ako). Sayang. Earthlingorgeous has a picture of all the hand sanitizers available. Get 'em while you can!

My New Wasteland

2011-08-07T23:43:00.001+08:00

Ever since I read this post from Lootwagonista, I've always wanted to check out Egg, a local store that sells accessories and trinkets. I've been desperately searching for a pouch that will hold two phones comfortably, just like the pouch Aimee featured in her post. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of Egg outlets near my home or office. Last weekend, I finally spotted an Egg store in SM MOA! Yay!

Behold my new abubot wasteland:

Connected to Egg was this store called Simplejoys, another store selling mostly accessories:

Apparently, Egg and Simplejoys are owned by the people behind Regalong Pambahay. Definitely local brands then.

This Egg/Simplejoys branch reminds me a lot of the British brand Accesorize. They both sell bags, jewelry and other girly stuff, and the sheer volume of stuff in the store can be nauseating, in a good way :)

I went straight to the pouch section, which was the reason I dropped by this store in the first place:

So many pouches to choose from! Those floral printed ones are like Liberty of London prints. Sosyal.

They had some cute bags too, including these brightly-colored satchels (faux-leather only):

I grabbed the black hand in this display, thinking it was for sale. Pang-display lang pala. Seriously, where can I find a hand like that? It would be useful for storing and displaying cocktail rings.

They even had these Swatch-inspired jelly double-strap watches just like mine (forgot to check out the price though):

Even the paper bag is kinda cute:

So I ended up getting what I planned to in the first place, and nothing else. I chose the most plain-looking pouch design in olive and pink leatherette material.

Finally my two phones have a home and I don't have to scrounge around my bag anymore to look for them. The pouch has an extra flap at the front, and that's where I store my flash drive.

For local brands, Egg and Simplejoys stuff are relatively expensive though. The pouch I bought is P285.00 (approximately US$6.50). The good news is that they have an outlet store located in Pioneer St. near the Kapitolyo in Pasig, which sells merchandise at 20% off retail price. I'll definitely check that out one of these days.

I Survived the Juju Cleanse!

2011-07-31T23:14:00.003+08:00

Those who follow me on Twitter already know that I completed my first ever detox "program" yesterday, the Juju Cleanse. I promised to do a review for the benefit of those who want to try it out, so here it is!

The Juju Cleanse One-Day Pack

I've always wanted to do a cleanse or detox program but the more popular programs were either too expensive (e.g. The Farm) or too hard-core (e.g. The Master Cleanse). Juju Cleanse was perfect because it was relatively affordable, and you can choose the program best suited to your needs. My goal is just to start eating healthy, so I chose to do the level one program for one day (P2,500.00), and see how it progresses from there. (As you will find out later on, choosing to do level one turned out to be a really wise decision.)

Ordering the Juju Cleanse is a breeze. Just send an email to info@juju.com.ph and specify the level and the number of days you want to do the cleanse, and whether you want it delivered (if within their delivery area) or picked up. Kat Azanza (the woman behind Juju) responds very quickly to inquiries and even gives you tips on what program is best for you! I was very satisfied with their customer service.

As it turned out, my office was within their delivery area, so my Juju pack arrived in the afternoon of Friday, the day before my cleanse:

The Juju Cleanse pack side by side with a Speedy, for size reference

The juices came nicely packed in an insulated bag with an ice pack on top. I was surprised at how small the bag was! It was even smaller than a Speedy 30 bag, which makes it very easy to lug around when you have to go somewhere on the day of your cleanse. I didn't really need to use the bag though, since I decided to stay home while doing the cleanse, in case I would feel weak or woozy.

Juices are numbered to indicate the order how you drink them

Aside from the six numbered bottles and the ice pack, the bag came with a few sprigs of mint leaves (for making tea) and some instruction pamphlets with descriptions of each juice and when to drink them. Since I don't drink or make tea at all, I had to ask Kat how to make mint tea from the leaves. She said I just had to steep the leaves in hot water, but she also said that the mint tea is really just for those who usually start off the day with something hot. I decided to skip this step and go straight to the first juice at 8:00 a.m.:

The Green Bomb is "an elixir of assorted green veggies which loads you up with important nutrients and enzymes that our bodies desperately need to keep alive and well down to the cellular level." Sounds fancy! Unfortunately, the green concotion was so unpalatable for me that I had to take three gulps and struggled to keep it down. I think it was the overwhelming taste of celery that I couldn't stomach. I nearly vomited after the last gulp. Thankfully, I didn't. I just drank a glass of water afterward to take the aftertaste off. (By the way, you are not prohibited from drinking water during the cleanse...in fact, you're encouraged to drink lots and lots of it!)

The juices are supposed to be taken in two-and-a-half hour intervals, so the next drink came at 10:30 a.m.:

The Spicy Limonada is "not just your ordinary lemonade, this version packs a little extra heat and health into every sip with cayenne pepper". This lemonade+cayenne pepper combination is the drink used in the Master Cleanse program. I am happy to report that this is actually quite good! It's so refreshing that I downed it in only one gulp! And I didn't have to drink a glass of water to wash the aftertaste off!

At this point, I noticed that I had to pee more than usual. And I was not experiencing any sort of hunger pangs yet. I could smell breakfast of french toast downstairs though, so I locked myself in my upstairs room to avoid all temptation. Hehe.

The third drink was scheduled at 1:00 p.m.

The Red Giant is a "potent potion of beets, pineapple, carrots and ginger" and is "as healthy as it is delicious". I've actually tried a pineapple carrot drink before and that was actually delicious. This drink? Not so much. I think it was because the ginger overpowered the pineapple taste and I'm not exactly fond of ginger to begin with. Still, this was definitely more palatable than the Green Bomb and I was able to consume it in three gulps, no need to wash off the taste after.

Still no hunger pangs, still no dizziness. Meanwhile, I can smell the lunch of porkchops downstairs. Sigh.

At 3:30, I took the next drink:

The Alkazest is a "rich mix of grapefruit, pineapple and coconut juice designed to replenish your electrolytes and boost your energy levels to help you get through the rest of the day." This one tastes like Fit and Right Four Seasons! I literally consumed this in one gulp, bottoms up. It was a little bit sweet, so I had to drink a glass of water after.

Hmmm, I'm noticing a pattern here. One bad drink followed by one good drink. And that means the next one is...

Another bottle of Green Bomb. Hay!

It took me one hour to finish this second Green Bomb (30 minutes of that was spent just staring at the bottle hoping it will disappear.) The taste didn't improve. At least I didn't get the urge to vomit this time.

Finally at 9:30 p.m. (time adjusted because I finished the previous drink really late), I drank this:

Salaba't Lemon is a "potent ginger tonic that provides excellent expectorant relief for those with respiratory problems." This was heavy on the ginger as well, but the lemon-y taste was also strong so the ginger taste was not as overwhelming. This one tastes like Toast Box's Lemon Ginger tea, and like the Limonada, was very refreshing.

At the end of the day, I felt quite accomplished. I don't think I've ever gone a day without eating anything before. It's amazing that I didn't feel the urge to eat! All that liquid really made me feel full and bloated.

Today is the day after my cleanse and I thought I would eat like a mad woman, but I didn't. I ate normal portions and didn't even eat any junk food. I don't know if it's only psychological, but at least now I'm trying to watch what I eat. Sayang naman P2,500 ko, no! (As an aside, I'm happy to report that I have not consumed any form of soda for seven days running. Let's see how far this will go.)

Bottom line: I'm very very pleased with the Juju Cleanse. I honestly have no idea if I did get rid of some toxins with the one-day only juice fast, so I'm now contemplating on doing the three-day juice fast. I have to stick to level one though, since I cannot take any more servings of the Green Bomb in one day (the higher level of cleanse, the more veggie drinks there are). When I decide to do the three-day program, I'll write an updated review.

For more information on the Juju Cleanse, go to www.jujucleanse.com.

I Missed This

2011-07-23T23:54:00.001+08:00

I watched a UAAP game live for the first time in over two years.* Oh, how I missed the excitement of college sports!

DLSU vs. UP, the view from Upper A

When I was still in college, I watched almost all the DLSU basketball games live. Those were the glory days of DLSU basketball- we won 3 out 4 championships when I was an undergraduate in DLSU Taft, and 2 out of 4 championships when I was in law school. Good times! I cut classes just to watch games! I had enough green shirts to last a whole season! I cried whenever our team lost (lol)! I was a groupie, no doubt about it.

Fast forward to now, and I can barely watch the games on tv, let alone live in the arena. Work always gets in the way :) I'm hoping with today's game, I can ease myself back into watching live (at least the weekend games). It's so much fun being with fellow die-hards!

I have to say that I also missed this terribly:

It's my absolute favorite Carambolas on Rice with Parmesan Cream and Ham sauce! I swear I can eat this for the rest of my life. I wish Cafe Bola didn't have to close its branch in Greenbelt, now I have to go all the way to Cubao just to eat this. I need to find a way to bring my mother to Araneta so she can copy this recipe.

*In case anyone is interested, DLSU won by 12 points. It's our first win of the season! Hopefully the start of a winning streak!

The "Kate"

2011-07-04T20:39:00.000+08:00

For weeks now, I've been obsessed with the pair of shoes that Kate Middleton is wearing in these pictures:

The shoes are a combination of three things I love in footwear: wedge heel + patent leather + round toe. In short, winner!

At first I thought the shoes were the Lanvin Wedge Espadrille Pump (unfortunately out of reach at US$550.00!)

Thanks to the nosy British press, I found out that the shoes (which I hereafter dub "The Kate") are actually the Maddox style from the U.K. brand L.K. Bennett:

The Maddox is more affordable at £165.00 (and still available on the website in my size), but that's still way above my budget for a single pair of shoes. Now the search for the more affordable alternative begins. Has anyone seen a similar pair at friendlier price? I'll be eternally grateful!

Art Appreciation Saturday

2011-07-04T00:50:00.003+08:00

Everyone's been raving about Varekai and how it's the must-see event of the moment, but I'm not really a dance/performance-art/circus-appreciating kind of girl. I'm much more interested in musical theater, so this is more my cup of tea:

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber features Australian talents singing selected songs from ALW's famous (and not-so-famous) musicals. It's a musical revue of sorts.... the singers don't really act as characters in play, they just sing and (sometimes) dance. It's a different way of presenting ALW's music, and I actually loved it!*

Just a tiny nitpick before I get to the show proper, I hate it when theater venues require patrons to surrender their cameras. I know it's to prevent people from taking pictures to distract the performers, but I just think it's useless given that a lot of mobile phones nowadays can take pictures anyway (some even with flash, like my own phone). Besides, I really had no intention of taking pictures, given that we were seated this far from the stage:

Ninja phone shot taking during the intermission

Now on to my favorite moments from the show:

1 - "High Flying Adored" from Evita - This is my absolute favorite song from Evita, and it's not really one of the more prominent tunes so I was pleasantly surprised to hear this included in the setlist. Beautifully sung, and it transitioned perfectly into...

2 - "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita - I cannot see which lady sang this tune from my vantage point, but she did a very excellent job (complete with pa-emote emote and hand movements!)

3 - "One Rock and Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express - I'm pretty sure that 99% of the audience that night have not heard this song before. I'm one of the 1% who has heard this before, thanks to Syesha from American Idol. It's a sexy, vampy song and I like the way it was done ala Grease.

4 - "Phantom of the Opera" and "Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera - These two songs never fail to bring the house down. Phantom alternates as my favorite Broadway show (the other one being Les Miserables) so how can I not love this segment?

A few disappointments:

1 - I've read other reviews, and I don't know why "I Don't Know How To Love Him" (from Jesus Christ Superstar) wasn't sung in our show. Bummer.

2 - I wish they had featured more upbeat tunes from ALW's lesser known musicals. I just felt there were too many solo female power ballads (maybe that's why they ditched I Don't Know How To Love Him?)

3 - On a shallow note, I wish they had sung the title tune from Starlight Express, Only You and Make Up My Heart. 80's cheese-fest!

Overall, I had a great time! I'm looking forward to seeing more of these types of shows in the Philippines. On my wishlist: Phantom, Mamma Mia and Wicked, please!

*Of course, I probably would not have loved it as much if I had to pay for the tickets. Why are theater tickets so damn expensive in this country? No wonder we rarely get good shows here!

The Kids are All Right

2011-06-21T02:00:00.000+08:00

I've been raving about Super 8 for days on Twitter, but 140 characters are just not enough to express how much I truly love this film. I'll resume my fangirl fawning here!

It's so easy for a film like Super 8 to be forgotten amidst all the summer blockbusters. It's not based on a comic book, it's not a sequel and it doesn't feature any A-list star:

(from left) Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning and Ron Eldard

Yeah, those four are the main characters, and I guess only film nerds like me would know that the guy on the left is from Friday Night Lights, the girl is Dakota Fanning's sister and guy on the left was Julianna Margulies' love interest on E.R. Not exactly household names. But who needs A-listers when your director is J.J. Abrams (the genius who created Alias and Lost) and your executive producer is Steven Spielberg (who needs no introduction)?

I wanted to do full review of Super 8, but I can't discuss the merits of the film without spoiling the plot for those who haven't seen it yet. Instead, here are the reasons why I liked this film a lot (and if you can relate, then you'll probably love it much as I do):

1 - Super 8 reminded me of the 80's Spielberg classics, particularly E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (both of which I have seen a gazillion times). The way the scenes were shot, the ending, and the sympathetic characters are so Spielberg-ian that I was not suprised to learn the similarities were completely intentional. Heck, even the posters are similar:

Some would say that it's a rip-off, I prefer to call it a homage.

2 - There's a movie within a movie! A recurring storyline involves the kids making their own zombie movie (using Super 8 film, of course). When you watch Super 8 you think this storyline is just there to justify the big event at the start of the movie, but then you get to the credits, you'll see that they did actually make their own zombie film! And their film made sense (and was quite cute, actually).

3 - Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney are amazing. The Fanning talent gene is a given, but it's hard to believe this is Courtney's first professional acting job. His Joe and Elle's Alice are the emotional core of this film. And I have to say (SPOILER AHEAD), the fact that they didn't have a kissing scene earns so many points in my book. There were several moments in the film when I silently thought to myself: Please JJ, don't make this movie cheesy.. resist the urge to have a hero-damsel in distress kiss! And there was none! Hooray!

4 - It's not just Elle and Joel who deserves credit actually. All six kids were perfectly cast and all had their moments in the film. (My favorite: When they shot the train goodbye scene. All the boys' reactions to Alice's acting were hilarious!) The kids ensemble elevates this film to a place alongside The Goonies.

Believe me, I have so much more to rave about, but I might get into details/spoiler territory already. One last word for those not yet convinced (or at least curious) to watch Super 8: I gave up ogling Ryan Reynolds' abs just to watch Super 8. And I don't regret that choice at all :)

The Search Is Over *

2011-06-16T23:01:00.006+08:00

(This is a self-indulgent shopping post. Don't say I didn't warn you!)

A bright (literally!) ray of sunshine on this otherwise exhausting day:

I found a pink blazer! In the exact shade of pink that I wanted! Nevermind that I can never wear this thing to work, it's perfect for those days when I want to pull off that polished preppy look ala Pippa Middleton:

Yes, I am fascinated by the Middleton sisters. I love how they both look stylish without having to wear expensive designers. Pippa's blue blazer is from Zara, just like my pink one :)

And right on cue, this was delivered today:

It's my first and only pair of brogues, from the local brand Renegade Folk. I've been meaning to get a pair, but I didn't want to spend so much on shoes that I wouldn't be able to use a lot. Then I stumbled upon this pair on sale at more than 50% off, and I couldn't resist. A pair of genuine leather brogues at P1,199.00 is a good deal! It was serendipity, I tell you :)

There are still a lot of shoes on sale right now at Renegade Folk's Multiply site. I highly recommend this brand...not only are the shoes locally made, they're also very well made. I also have a pair of loafers from this brand. I am particularly impressed that the soles are stitched on, not just glued on.

(Meanwhile, I've obviously just discovered the wonders of Instagram. Hehe)

*Also the title of a power ballad by 80's band Survivor, a song I was so obsessed with in high school. I still know the lyrics down to the last word after all these years. Cheesy, I know.

Prepping for My Best Friend's Wedding

2011-05-16T00:24:00.000+08:00

It took nearly a month, but I finally found the perfect maid-of-honor shoes!

The stock photo looks better :)

My best friend and bride-to-be said the shoes had to be "light gray or matte silver (non-glossy)". That seemed simple enough, but believe it or not every single department store I checked out did not have presentable shoes of that description. Everything I saw was either shiny silver, or looked like it will fall apart after one use. Thank god for Schu!

This pair is so comfortable (I love how the ankle strap is elastic), and nice enough to be worn for other occasions. The best part? Thanks to these CashCashPinoy vouchers:

I ended up paying less P610.00 off the retail price of P2599.00! It pays to buy vouchers from group buying sites :)

Now the only problem is, I kinda want to buy the black version too. Somebody stop me!

I Just Can't Get Enough

2011-05-01T15:34:00.001+08:00

It's been two days and I still can't stop Googling pictures and channel-surfing to catch more glimpses of the wedding of the century. Seriously, I'm obsessed!

Especially with this wedding gown:

More details of the lace overlay:

Even the skirt is fully overlaid in (hand-sewn) lace

When I first saw Kate emerge in that dress, I immediately thought it was very reminiscent of Grace Kelly's gown! Then I started looking online, and realized Grace Kelly is not the only prominent lady to have a "sheer sleeved top over a bustier" wedding dress.

Here's the Grace Kelly gown (worn in 1956). In fairness, Rainier looks so gwapo here:

Princess Margaret (sister of Queen Elizabeth) in 1960:

Princess Marie Chantal of Greece (wife of the crown prince) in 1995:

Ivanka Trump is not royalty, but she's just as rich (and besides, I adore this dress so much):

It's a classic design that will look timeless even thirty years from now. Very good choice, Kate! You are truly a budding fashionista.

The Universe is Conspiring...

2011-04-29T15:36:00.000+08:00

...to convince me to buy that Kate Spade Essex Scout satchel that I really really want!

First, someone from Kate Spade Philippines sent this to my email (I don't know who, but thank you):

I guess they read my wishlist and knew I didn't need to be convinced?

And then, a friend tells me that SSI stores allow purchases by credit card at 3 months installment, with 0% interest!

Argh, now I'm really really tempted. I wonder if the model I want is still available though? It's been a month since I first saw the bag in stores, I wouldn't be surprised if it's all sold out now.

Today's the Day!

2011-04-29T01:17:00.006+08:00

I'm sure everyone's bombarded with news on the upcoming nuptials, but I can't help it. I'm excited! I want to see Kate's dress, her hair and make-up, her tiara, that Cinderella-like carriage...the works! For sure, I'll be parked in front of the TV (or should I say telly, in honor of the British? LOL) later this evening channel-surfing to get the best coverage possible.

And since I will find any excuse to go shopping (or online window-shopping), allow me to present some royal wedding souvenirs that won't break your pocket. I swear I didn't buy any of these, but I admit I was soooo tempted to.

Bath and Body Works released a royal collection a couple of months ago, featuring lip glosses and hand sanitizers with names like "Princess in Training" or "If the Tiara Fits". The items are just US$1.50-4.00 each, so head on over to bathandbodyworks.com to see what's left:

My favorite Cath Kidston also has its own Royal Wedding Collection. This set priced at 30 UK pounds, includes a fabric tote, a poster, a mug and a keychain:

Unfortunately, this set is currently sold out. You can still get this t-shirt though: William and Kate 4EVA! (I'm kidding, that's not what the shirt says).

David and Goliath tees also released a line of cheeky royal wedding t-shirts:

I've seen the shirts sold locally, and to be honest... I think they're only appropriate for teens and tweens. I'm passing on this line. But I do love this shirt from David and Goliath, which has nothing to do with the royal wedding whatsoever:

Pretty no? But I will not be distracted!

Finally, if you want the real deal, the Royal Collection Shop has some official wedding merchandise available for purchase online. The most popular, of course, is this commemorative plate at 40 UK pounds:

Again, I'll pass. But I'm sure my mother would love this.

Any other inexpensive royal wedding memorabilia worth checking out? Let me know in the comments section! :)

-----

By the way, today is also the day when the iPad 2 will finally be available in authorized Apple resellers in the Philippines. A complete list of all the retailers who will have iPad 2's in stock can be found here. The units are very reasonably priced (same as US retail price, plus the customary tax), so if you've been dying to get an iPad 2, now is the time to do it. Stocks are still in limited quantity in other parts of the world, and I expect that the same thing will be true here. Tip: Digital Hub/Digital Walker offers great terms (6 months installment at 0% interest). Call their Greenhills branch to reserve right away!

My Weekend in Cebu (Part 3)

2011-04-24T15:44:00.005+08:00

I've already described our accommodations in Shangri-la Mactan, and what we did in Cebu, so now I'll share my thoughts on Shangri-la's facilities and amenities.

Our day started with buffet breakfast at Tides, located at the garden level of the resort. I was unable to take pictures of the restaurant and the buffet area because of two reasons: one, there were just too many people crowding the area; and two, we were so hungry... so photos weren't a priority :)

This is the view from where we seated at Tides, it's the first of two swimming pools inside the resort (btw, all pictures on this blog are reduced in size due to blog template restrictions. but you may double click on them to see the full size):

Tip # 1 for future visitors: Take your buffet breakfast at Acqua, the other restaurant option. It's farther from the main lobby (almost near the beach area), but there are a lot less people there for breakfast. The food offerings are just the same, so if you want to avoid the crowd, the extra walk is worth it.

The food is pretty much what you would expect from a five-star hotel buffet. There are separate stations for rice and viands (the bacon is wonderful!), noodles and congee, sushi and kani salad, breads, pancakes and waffles (try the waffle topped with bananas, chocolate sauce and cream...so sinful!), fruits and desserts. You can actually have breakfast a little later (say, around 9:30) and eat until the restaurant closes for lunch. You won't get hungry until late afternoon, so there's no need to eat lunch anymore.

After brunch, it's pool time!

We parked ourselves besides the other pool near the beach, i.e. the infinity pool. Again, since it's a longer walk from the main area, there are a lot less people (read: kids and babies) here. We just wanted to lay around in the sun and take a dip occasionally, so this pool was perfect:

A couple of hours later, we trooped down to the beach area. Truthfully, this beach is nothing to write home about. I may be wrong, but I think it's man-made?

Man-made or not, that didn't deter the resort guests from enjoying the beach. This was the most crowded of all the swimming options.

Tip # 2: When booking a standard room, request the one with the ocean view. The price difference is not that significant, but you get an amazing view, and you'll be close to the infinity pool and the beach.

After a few hours under the sun, we walked around the resort to check out the other amenities. Here are a few more photos:

This is Cowrie Cove, which becomes a bar at night:

The entrance to the Chi Spa (This is as far as we could go, haha):

As you can see, I'm such a poor and lazy photographer. I always forget to retrieve my camera when I see a nice place!

My photography fail aside, I don't think I need to show more pictures to convince anyone that Shangri-la Mactan truly lives up to its five-star billing. Unfortunately, the five-star amenities and service also come with a five-star price. The good news is that Shangri-la regularly offers reduced rates (also for their Boracay resort), so all you have to do is wait for a good deal like we did.

To wrap-up my Cebu trip, here are my ratings:

Shangri-la Mactan (accommodations, amenities and buffet breakfast) - A

The Spa at Cebu - A for massage services, B for mani/pedi service

Tajimaya Yakniku - A minus (great food, a little improvement needed on interiors)

La Tegola - B plus (love the pasta, pizza needs to be more consistent)

My Weekend in Cebu (Part 2)

2011-04-21T22:25:00.006+08:00

In my last blog entry, I talked briefly about Shangri-La Mactan (specifically our hotel room) and our first meal in Cebu. Now let me share what we actually did in Cebu.

After lunch at Tajimaya, we wanted to get a good massage but the rates at Shangri-La's Chi Spa were just not within our budget. Thankfully, Cebu is overflowing with spas and massage salons that we had a lot of options to choose from. We decided to go with The Spa at Cebu, located in the new wing of Ayala Center Cebu:

We chose this one because the prices seemed reasonable, and the location was very convenient. This isn't the same as The Spa franchise we have in Manila, though.

This is how our massage room looked like (very clean and spacious):

Each room had a separate steam bath and sauna (and a bathroom/shower on the opposite side of the room):

I got the Cebu Touch of Heaven Deluxe package (P1,700.00 or about US$38.00) which included a 60-minute aromatherapy whole body massage and 60-minute foot massage. I can definitely say it was heaven because I was snoozing (and probably snoring!) in a matter of minutes. It was so relaxing!

After the massage, we got a mani/pedi in the same place (P150.00 or about US$3.50 each). Honestly, after the massage we just wanted to go back to the hotel to sleep and rest. But since we already paid, we just decided to go through with the mani/pedi anyway. They had a respectable selection of Korean polishes (Face Shop, Skin Food), but I think they have to add more for variety (mostly pinks and nudes in there).

It was still early for dinner, so we decided to look around Ayala Center for an hour. The last time I was in Cebu, the new wing (called The Terraces) was not yet open, so I had something new to see. And because I am physically incapable of going to a mall without buying anything, I ended up buying something...the pink Stellar top from the Rajo Laurel Plains and Prints collection that I've coveted for so long!

It's actually a convertible top which can be worn several different ways. It looks shapeless, so they included an elastic belt if you want to accentuate your waist. Here's another way to wear it:

I have this in black already, and I loved it so much I wanted in all colors... but the price was prohibitive (P1,375.00 or about US$30.00) so I vowed to just get two of the five. I found the pink one in Cebu, of all places. And it was the last one on the rack! Is that destiny, or what?

We then had dinner at La Tegola in The Terraces. (I just Googled and La Tegola is apparently "The Tile" in Italian. Huh?) Anyway, this place was highly recommended:

I really love the interior decor of the restaurant. Very old school and homey:

We ordered the house specialties, starting with Spaghetti Al Cartocchio (P295.00 or about US$6.50):

The dish is described in the menu as "spaghetti pasta with assorted seafoods, tomato sauce and olive oil wrapped in aluminum foil, baked in oven." As you can see, we requested cream sauce instead of tomato sauce, and they were happy to oblige our request. I appreciate that they didn't scrimp on fish chunks, baby clams and squid rings. The sauce was tasty but not overly rich unlike some cream-based sauces. The verdict: I loved it!

Next up is their version of the four-cheese pizza, the Pizza 4 Formaggi (P330.00 or about US$7.00):

This dish would have been perfect if they had done a better job of distributing the cheeses on the pizza. Some slices didn't have enough cheese on them, while others had too much. The ones which were made just right were absolutely delicious though! I also loved how perfectly thin the slices were...this is how a thin crust pizza should be, IMO (Shakey's should take note).

We didn't order dessert anymore because there wasn't any space left in our tummies! Next time, I promise I will eat here again.

That's it for our first day in Cebu. There will still be a part 3, but it's going to be all about Shangri-La since we spent most of the day in the resort.

My Weekend in Cebu (Part 1)

2011-04-19T22:47:00.001+08:00

Let me get this out of the way: if I were given a choice to go on vacation to either: (a) a tropical island surrounded by miles of warm sand and clear blue sea or (b) a city full of tourist attractions and shopping destinations, 99 times out of a 100, I would choose option (b).

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the sun, sand and sea. I am just more interested in visiting museums and tourist spots, going on guided tours, and of course...shopping. :) These days though, I'll take any kind of break! That's why I jumped at the chance to spend a weekend at the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort in Mactan Island Cebu.

Shangri-La's beach front

I normally wouldn't stay in a hotel as swanky as Shangri-La, but we (I was traveling with one of my best friends) got a good deal on this...around P7,000.00 per person for a two-night stay, with 2 buffet breakfasts included and free use of all facilities (pools, gyms, non-motorized water sports). That's still not cheap cheap, but we figured we might as well go for it since we may never get a deal as reasonable as this again.

I have two minimum requirements for choosing hotels when I travel. First, the rooms have to be squeaky clean. I don't mind if the furnishings are old, but I don't want to see visible stains and spots on the beddings or the upholstery or the curtains. Thankfully, Shangri-La passes the test with flying colors!

We got a standard room with two double beds:

My favorite part of every hotel bedroom...the chaise lounge! (seriously, I need to get one of these for my own bedroom)

The view from the chaise lounge (excuse the mess, we literally just dumped all our stuff on the dresser):

Second requirement: The bathroom has to be spacious! Again, no problems here:

On the first day, we actually didn't spend much time at the hotel. After an early morning flight, we freshened up a bit and made our way to Cebu City with another girl friend and her hubby (they're based in Cebu). Lunch was at the Tajimaya Yakiniku Charcoal Grill at the Crossroads Mall. At that point, I was so hungry that I forgot to take pictures, so let me just post this picture of the restaurant I found online:

Believe it or not, it's my first time to eat in a Yakiniku restaurant, and I'm glad this was my first try. The food was delicious! We ordered the eat-all-you-can beef and chicken (for PhP360.00 a head) and ordered some rice and lettuce on the side. Among the four of us, I think we finished about 10 servings of the beef and about 5 of the chicken. We were that hungry!

The good news is that Tajimaya has a branch in SM Mall of Asia. I'll definitely try that one out, and I promise to do a proper restaurant review next time :)

That's it for now. Next up: more food, shopping (!) and a tour of Shangri-la's grounds.

Why you SHOULDN'T buy a Cambridge Satchel

2011-04-11T19:25:00.002+08:00

If you follow a lot of local lifestyle and fashion blogs like I do, it's impossible to miss the recent frenzy surrounding the Cambridge Satchels, a line of leather bags in various colors made in the U.K. I first heard of these bags here and here. At that time, i wasn't very interested because the bags looked stiff and too structured. Plus, I was still enamored with the Mulberry Alexa then. Actually, I am still salivating over the Alexa until now, but didn't see them anywhere in the U.S. (China, if you're reading this, you're my only hope! Hehe)

Fast forward a few months later, and guess what I saw while watching An Education on HBO?

It's Carey Mulligan (as Jenny) with a brown Cambridge Satchel! And just like that, I wanted the bag again. The film had a lot to do with it...Carey used it in all her scenes wearing her schoolgirl outfit, it was basically her trademark accessory. (On this note, if you haven't seen An Education yet...what are you waiting for? Great film, great production design, great acting. A little bit slow, but the fashion and cinematography make up for that).

A week after I saw An Education, I decided to purchase the bag. Even if I was in the United States, I somehow managed to reserve and buy one from a local Multiply seller. (My shopping skills transcend continents! LOL). Long story short, I now have a Cambridge Satchel and I'm loving every inch of it!

I won't elaborate anymore on why I'm pleased with this purchase...you'll find plenty of rave reviews around the web anyway. I think it's more helpful to point out why this bag will not work for everyone (hence the title of this blog entry).

First off, if you like your bags slouchy and soft, the Cambridge Satchel is not for you. This bag is stiff as a board and no amount of usage will make the leather softer in time.

Very schoolgirl chic!

If you're a little bit careless with your bags and just throw and fling them around, be careful of getting the leather scratched. The leather on the Cambridge Satchel is smooth and even, I think even an accidental scratch from a long fingernail would create a noticeable mark on the leather. In other words, this bag needs to be handled with a little more care than usual. So if you're looking for a pang-harabas type of bag, this is not the bag for you.

Finally, if you're the type of girl (or boy) who brings everything but the kitchen sink in your handbag, forget the Cambridge Satchel. The bag can accommodate only a few items, the thickness is approximately about 2.5-3 inches for the 13" version (and the thickness doesn't increase substantially in the 14" and 15" versions either). This is how a fully packed satchel would look like:

I only managed to fit the following items in the main compartment: kikay kit (the floral pouch on the left), comb, wallet (the pink thing on the right), Moleskine planner, iPhone charger and camera (which goes in the middle part). In the front pocket, I have a small notepad, a pen, my phone and my office ID. I normally carry sunglasses, a mini emergency kit/pouch and a pencil case when I use other bags. I had to discard those when I'm using the Cambridge Satchel.

Bottom line is: the Cambridge Satchel serves a specific purpose (at least for me). I use it when I don't feel the need to carry too much, or a secondary bag (for a laptop or tablet and some papers). So the limitations of the bag don't really bother me. But I suggest you take these limitations into consideration before taking the plunge. The bag is not as expensive as the Alexa or the Kate Spade Essex Scout, but P5,500-7,500 isn't loose change either :)

Cambridge Satchels are available at Schu boutiques in Metro Manila, Madison in Rockwell Power Plant and in Multiply (French Macaroons online store).

Decoding Jake Gyllenhaal

2011-04-07T00:10:00.000+08:00

I cannot remember the last time I watched a film in a movie theater. Either I've been too busy, or there just wasn't a film that caught my interest.

Last weekend was different. One of my dearest friends (and my frequent movie buddy) is soon to be an OFW. Before she leaves Manila, we had to watch something! But I'm not going to watch Justin Bieber. Or Sara and Gerard. Or Hop.

So it was Limitless or Source Code. We chose the latter. And I'm glad we did, because Source Code is the most refreshing thriller I've seen in quite some time.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to write a synopsis of the film because even the basic plot already reveals too much. Basta Jake Gyllenhaal is solidier for the U.S. Army, who finds himself in a train heading to Chicago with no recollection of how he got there. And...that's about as much plot as I can give. Really. This film made me Google and read up on "quantum physics" on a Saturday night when I should be resting my brain for the week ahead. That's how much I love it.

Even if you don't end up loving the film like I do, at the very least you'll have to agree with me that this film is thought-provoking (I hate using that term, but there you go), without being pretentious.

And since I can't reveal anything more, let me just marvel at how, in a span of ten years, Jake Gyllenhaal can go from this:

Bubble Boy, circa 2011

To this:

Source Code, circa 2011

He has matured quite nicely, don't you think? He reminds me a little bit of Matt Damon... character actors packaged as a leading men, not traditionally "handsome" but still appealing anyway and watchable even in films that are utter failures (Jake: Love and Other Drugs, Matt: Hereafter). Now all Jake needs is a critical and commercial hit, like the Bourne series. No more Prince of Persia sequels, please!

Bottom line: Source Code gets B+ marks from me (Jake gets A+). Go and watch the film before it gets pulled out in local theaters (and I suspect it will be pulled out soon, since the theater was barely half full when we watched. And this was a Saturday night!)