Animetric's World

Trader Joe's in California, USA

2013-05-24T12:35:00.000+08:00

My hubby and I went to Trader Joe's in Studio City, California today. We had breakfast at Du-par's Restaurant and Bakery when we noticed there was a big sprawling Trader Joe's nearby. Given the popularity of Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter in the Philippines, I grabbed the opportunity to go see the actual store for myself.

Trader Joe's is a specialty grocery store which sells a whole lot of food and drink.

It looks like a big and bright supermarket. There are flowers, fruits, nuts, and a whole lot of stuff like healthy snacks, ice cream, wine, beer, juices...

I saw boxes of Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookies. They cost about US$2-3. Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter was out of stock though. It's actually easier to find Biscoff Spread here in the US because every Walmart, Target, and CVS carries it whereas you can only buy Trader Joe's products from Trader Joe's.

I took a quick look at the freezer and saw Trader Joe's S'Mores Frozen Sandwiches. Looks yummy... but since we're flying back to Manila tomorrow I can't really buy a box anymore.

There are a lot of interesting ice cream flavors.

Waaah... Trader Joe's Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Wedges look like mini cheesecakes on a popsicle stick! I wish I had gone here earlier on so I could have tasted some of these frozen treats, lol.

I wasn't sure if I could take photos inside the store so I just used my cellphone to take these on the sly. At least now I know what Trader Joe's is like, hehe.

Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura Blvd.,
Studio City, CA 91604, United States
+1(818)509-0168
http://www.traderjoes.com/

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Pandora Bracelet for me!

2013-05-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

I always shop when I go abroad. Always. As I was looking around the Miracle Mile Mall at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, I spied a cute little shop called Pandora.

I went inside and was dazzled by the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) jewelry available. You can make your own necklace, earrings, and bracelet. I took home a brochure and spent the rest of the evening browsing through it up until I got to my mom's house. I decided to go back the next day and get myself a bracelet.

I got a starter set consisting of a silver bracelet, 2 clips, and a charm of your choice worth up to US$35. You get the bracelet, 2 clips, and the charm for US$140 (+ sales tax... in Las Vegas that's 8.1%). I read that a silver bracelet alone costs P4,500 in the Manila. If you buy 3 charms, you get P500 off so it costs P4,000. The problem is, charms start at P1,920 in Manila whereas they start at US$20 here in the US. Charm prices range from US$20 to US$100+ depending on what kind you get. US$20 charms are usually just sterling silver. Murano glass charms cost US$35 - US$45. Charms with 14k gold cost the most at over US$100 per piece.

I ended up getting 5 charms because wearing a bracelet with just one charm seemed so... pathetic, lol.

I got a gingerbread man (US$35), a snake (US$25), a murano glass (US$35), a die (US$30), and a dangling red heart called Pandora Forever (US$35). My starter set came with the murano glass charm and the prices of the other charms were just added.

Here's a closer look. The die charm is exclusive to Las Vegas and cannot be bought online or anywhere outside Las Vegas so I chose it.

Here's the back view... check out the Pandora lock.

Including sales tax, I paid a little over US$280 (that's about P12k) for my bracelet. It's cheaper here in the US compared to the Philippines since US$140 (about P5,600) can already get you a bracelet, 2 clips, and a charm whereas P4,500 can only get you the bracelet (US$65 here in the US) in Manila. My wrist was fitted prior to purchase too.

I don't think I'll go into hardcore collection mode when it comes to charms but I'll probably grab some occasionally as time goes by.

In the Philippines, you can purchase Pandora jewelry at Adora in Greenbelt 5, Pandora Glorietta, Pandora Newport City, Pandora BGC, and Duty Free Philippines.

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TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2013-05-22T13:16:00.000+08:00

When I first went to Hollywood over a decade ago, this was known as Mann's Chinese Theatre. Apparently, it was renamed to TCL Chinese Theater last January because China's TCL Corporation bought the naming rights for 5 million dollars.

The appearance hasn't changed. This iconic landmark has made many movie appearances too. If you've watched Speed, Forrest Gump, Rush Hour, Austin Powers, Nancy Drew, etc. no doubt you've seen this theatre in some scenes.

If I look tired it's because I am, lol. I was jetlagged when we walked over to the theatre having just arrived in the US the night before. It's located just behind Loews Hollywood Hotel where we stayed. There are always tourists taking photos out front but it's a real functional theater with screenings and it's actually a popular venue for movie premieres with stars.

The concrete tiles in front of TCL Chinese Theatre has handprints, footprints, and signatures of famous celebrities. I guess this is the closest I will get to Meryl Streep who I really admire.

The street where TCL Chinese Theatre is located is actually the Hollywood Walk of Fame where stars have well... stars on the floor with their name and an icon representing which entertainment sector they're famous in. Obviously for Michael Jackson, it's recording since he's one of the most popular singers in the world. I really looked for his star, hehe. Good thing it's pretty close to TCL Chinese Theatre so I didn't have to wander very far.

Checking out TCL Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to do... unless you actually decide to see a movie there or you take photos with people in costume loitering around the walk. You'll see a wide variety of characters (I didn't take photos of them because they will charge me lol) like Bumble Bee (from Transformers), Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Elvis, Minnie Mouse, etc. They generally charge a few bucks for photo ops. I didn't really care for any since I didn't think they looked that great.

TCL Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd.,
Hollywood, CA 90028
http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/

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Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour

2013-05-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

Last May 17, hubby and I decided to go on the Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour. We had the entire day free since the AI finals were only up to the 16th.

Prior to leaving the hotel, we reserved slots for the 11:15am tour online. When we got there however, we were told there were slots for 11am and we had the option to go earlier. So we went on the 11am tour. We were ushered inside a mini theater for a brief orientation and video screening then we went outside and boarded a motorized cart.

The cart looks like that one above. Our tour guide took us through what they refer to as the jungle. Paths go round and round, twisting and turning so that it creates the illusion of a vast endless forest.

This area is like a pit that they can fill with water to make it look like a lagoon and even the sea. They actually shot Free Willy here, filling it up with water then putting in the mechanical whale.

These houses are actually offices but they use it to shoot neighborhood scenes and stuff like that.

We went to the sound stage areas. A red light outside the sound stage means that there's shooting going on.

We took a peek at the Staff Shop where various props are made. There's a section for wood props, metal props, and all other kinds of props.

Then we went to an area filled with cars from past movies. This one is from Arthur starring Russell Brand.

This is the Batmobile... rather, one of many Batmobiles. The last Batman movie I really watched was the one with Christian Bale and Katie Holmes... I don't remember where this one appeared.

Here's another Batmobile. There are like 3 more... including Michael Keaton's.

This is the motorcycle from The Matrix.

Yup, the car from Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone.

Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine was there too!

There's Austin Powers' ride. There were actually more cars like Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino but I can't fill up this post with all cars, lol.

We visited even more prop and furniture areas.

These types of flexible pans are what they use to hit each other in movies.

Flexible rubberized weapons too.

We also saw the Casablanca piano.

I'm sure a lot of you will recognize this set. It's retired and preserved for all to see.

Yup, it's Central Perk from Friends! We were allowed to sit on the couch for photos. Would you believe I've never watched Friends? Lol. Not much of a TV person, but with the advent of downloads I am now familiar with a number of American TV series.

This is the menu from the last episode of Friends. They sprayed it with a protective top coat so it stays that way forever.

We actually went inside the sound stages which contain the sets for The Mentalist and 2 Broke Girls (both of which I watch). Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos. Did you know that when you see dirty stuff on TV or movies (rusty chains, dirty boxes, etc.), they are all actually clean? They use what is called clean dirt. The rust is just spray paint and they have techniques for making stuff look old, worn, and dirty that don't require any real dirt and grime.

We also went inside the Warner Brothers Museum (again, we were not allowed to take photos) and it had all sorts of props and costumes from famous movies like Harry Potter (in fact the entire second floor is dedicated to Harry Potter), Inception, The Hangover, Batman, Selena... and a whole bunch of other films.

The tour was very in-depth and informative. It lasted a little over 2 hours. You will enjoy it more if you've actually watched the movies and TV series that are being talked about... I was lucky we got The Mentalist and 2 Broke Girls. If it were something I didn't know like Gilmore Girls (the show one of our tour mates really wanted) I would've been bored. It's purely behind-the-scenes though and you can't approach any of the areas where taping is going on so realistically speaking it's highly unlikely that you will see any movie stars. I definitely do not recommend this tour for kids. They will get bored as its mostly show and tell on the tour guide's side.

Tickets cost about US$55 each. We reserved and paid for it online and we were able to get a coupon code for US$5 off per ticket so we just paid US$50 per person. There's a parking lot across the entrance and you can park for several dollars (flat rate).

For more information and online bookings, check out http://vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com/.

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Loews Hollywood Hotel in California, USA

2013-05-20T08:00:00.000+08:00

My hubby and I flew to Los Angeles last May 14 for the American Idol 2013 finales. When we got to the LAX (Los Angeles Airport), we were met by a guy in a suit driving an Escalade who then whisked us off to Loews Hollywood Hotel where we would be staying.

We left the airport a bit after 8:30pm and got to the hotel past 9pm. We immediately checked in and we were given a room on the 16th floor.

A welcome tray was waiting for us on the study table of our room. There was a bowl of fresh fruits, a bottle of red wine, and two bottles of Fiji water.

One thing we really loved about Loews Hollywood Hotel was the exceptionally comfortable bed. If there was ever such a thing as a perfect bed, this was it. The mattress is not too soft and not too hard, the pillows are always perfectly fluffy, and the comforter is well... super comfy in the sense that it gave just enough warmth to match the air-conditioning. It's really conducive to sleep which made managing jetlag a lot easier for me. A major problem of mine is insomnia whenever I travel, as in I go on for days without sleep and it sucks. At Loews, I was able to sleep every single night.

Our room had a flatscreen LCD TV, iPod docking stations, a coffee maker with complimentary premium coffee, and a wide selection of tea. We also had a small refrigerator.

There was also this snazzy-looking lounge chair with matching coffee table.

The bathroom is much more spacious compared to those found in most Asian hotels.

It comes with amenities like a lighted magnifying mirror, hair dryer, and basic toiletries.

Our stay was inclusive of breakfast and we had it at Fleming's Restaurant on the mezzanine level daily. We had US$60 credit for breakfast every morning and instead of ordering ala carte we always opted for the buffet which cost US$24 per person.

The buffet selection consisted of breakfast potatoes, French Toast, bacon, chicken and apple sausages (pictured above), eggs, breads, cereals, yogurt... let me just say that the chicken and apple sausages are the best breakfast sausages I've ever tasted. You can actually taste the combination of the chicken and apple. Yummy!

There's also an omelet station... we always ordered omelet with everything on it – spinach, ham, sausage, onions (green and red), bell peppers, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese... sooo good. There's a pancake and waffle station as well but I decided not to have them because I was already eating too much, lol!

We loved the fresh fruit selection. I ate strawberries every single day because they're not so easy to come by in the Philippines and they're usually overpriced.

All in all, we had a lovely stay at Loews Hollywood Hotel. We liked that the room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The location is quite convenient as well because you can just walk to Mann's Chinese Theater, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and a mall-esque type of structure which had shops like Forever 21, Gap, Oakley, Sephora, Skechers, etc. There are a lot of restaurants within walking distance too.

The staff did stress me out once when they called me on May 17 to tell me that I was supposed to check out (my itinerary and voucher indicated May 18). Our keys were no longer working when we got back and I had to go to the lobby and straighten things out. For a moment there I began to doubt myself when I told them that my voucher said May 18 and they had to dig it up from their files. Upon finding my voucher, they saw that we were indeed paid up until May 18 and they apologized. We were issued a new set of keys and we checked out the next day hassle-free. I thought I was going to have to pay for an extra night (the hotel rate is US$200+ per night) which was ridiculous considering my mom's house is just 15-16 miles away. Other than that though, everything was peachy keen.

Again thanks to Greenwich Pizza, Star World, and Fox Philippines for setting us up at a nice hotel like Loews. :)

Loews Hollywood Hotel
1755 N. Highland Ave.,
Hollywood, CA, 90028 USA
http://www.loewshotels.com/Hollywood-Hotel

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Science Summer for 6 at The Mind Museum + giveaway!

2013-05-18T15:30:00.002+08:00

It's summer vacation... and as such, my kids are off school! Since they have a hefty amount of time on their hands, we decided it was a good opportunity to revisit The Mind Museum at Bonifacio Global City. They currently have an ongoing promotion, Science Summer for 6, wherein you get 1 free ticket for every purchase of 5 tickets.

It's not available for online purchases though, you would have to go to The Mind Museum to get your tickets.

Anyhow, six of us (myself, son, daughter, sister, niece, yaya) trooped to The Mind Museum last May 9, 2013. Although it's the second visit for my children and I (our first time was last December), it was the first for my sister and my one and only niece. A familiar sight greeted us upon entry -- Aedi, The Mind Museum's talking robot girl.

We were ushered to the MindMoving Studio right after Aedi's introductory spiel so we could catch the live science experiment that was being conducted by the Junior Mind Movers. They showed us how the process of condensation works using a plastic bottle and an air pump.

This fish fossil is actually one of the new exhibits added to The Mind Museum's existing roster. It's the ancestor of the arrowana -- it's about 47-50 million years old and it was found in Wyoming, USA so do take time to check it out when you get a chance.

Telescopes like this one are among the new additions too.

Last time we were at The Mind Museum, we weren't able to go inside The Space Shell because of the long line. Since it was a weekday, there was no line. What's more, The Space Shell had just been renovated and furnished with special couches that let you take in the sights in perfectly reclined comfort.

We watched Cosmic Collisions in The Spaceshell as narrated by Robert Redford. It's the story of how our galaxy came to be. It's pretty amazing. We were awed by comets, meteors, and asteroids flying over our heads. We even got to experience the spectacular light show -- the aurora borealis. I highly recommend prioritizing The Spaceshell when you visit! It's definitely one of the best and most interesting attractions at The Mind Museum.

The Omniglobe is one of the best interactive displays in the museum. By pressing on the touch screen, you can transform the globe into any planet, moon, or star in our solar system. This is the Earth.

Press a button and voila, it transforms into Jupiter! You can also get visual updates on the current weather conditions around the world via live sattelite feeds. Tsunamis, active volcanoes, and earthquakes are just a few of the natural occurrences you can view.

My kids took time to check out the exhibits they missed the first time we went.

My niece had the most fun playing with the interactive displays.

Look, it's a device that measures your pulse! Just hold onto the handle bars to be able to hear your pulse out loud.

I think we missed this Carbon game area the first time around too.

This is another exhibit which caught my eye. It's a booth which demonstrates static electricity.

Holding on to the charged metal ball for a while makes your hair stand on end.

My kids were quite amused, lol!

We also went into the Shadow Box for the first time. It works kind of like a photo booth You stand in front of the wall, pose, and then the flash goes off. Your shadow is left on the wall for about 15 seconds before it gradually fades. Pretty neat!

I thought we had already seen most of what The Mind Museum has to offer but it looks like I was mistaken. We had a blast going through the new attractions and exhibits that we had overlooked on our first visit. The Mind Museum is continuously adding new things to its 250+ interactive exhibits so there will always be something new to look forward to. Now's the best time to go because of the Science Summer for 6 promo (until May 31, 2013 only).

Good news, I am giving away a pair of tickets to The Mind Museum! Please note however that these tickets cannot be used in conjunction with the ongoing Science Summer for 6 promo. Just follow the mechanics below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway is open to all Philippine residents. I will ship the tickets to the winner. Good luck!

The Mind Museum
J. Y. Campos Park, 3rd Ave.,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
909-6463
http://www.themindmuseum.org

E-mail your questions here inquiry@themindmuseum.org and get a speedy reply.

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My American Idol 2013 Experience!

2013-05-17T22:47:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone! Sorry if I've been remiss in posting the past few days. My hubby and I flew to the US last May 14 via Philippine Airlines and well, we left at night and then arrived at night so my body clock was totally thrown off course. Episode 1 of the American Idol finale was happening the very next day so I had no choice but to force myself to sleep.

Still jetlagged, we rented a car and drove down to the Nokia Theatre Box Office to claim our tickets the next day. It's funny because I actually got an extra pair of tickets to the first episode because some AI staff were on the street and I was asking where I could claim my tickets. Apparently, they thought we were asking for tickets so they gave us a couple. Crazy! So what we did was compare which seats were better for the first night and sat there. The first night was basically a showdown between the two AI finalists Kree and Candice. Then the judges gave their feedback. We somehow got the message that Candice was their choice.

Carly Rae Jepsen performed her latest song "I Take a Picture" live too. I think it's some sort of theme for Coca Cola. It's catchy though and very Call Me Maybe-esque. Cameras, cellphones, and all recording devices are prohibited at the venue so I was forced to leave everything in the car. I'm borrowing photos from the American Idol website (photo above) and The Associated Press via The Oregonian (all AI photos below).

The next night was finals night. It was twice as long as the previous show. We got to watch a multitude of performances including a couple from music legends Frankie Valli and Aretha Franklin. Angie Miller (pictured above left), American Idol's third placer, performed "Titanium" with Adam Lambert (pictured above right). I think Angie is better than Kree and is definitely box office material. She also sang a duet with Jessie J (whom I did not recognize at all because she totally changed her look). Candice Glover had a duet with Jennifer Hudson and I thought she totally trumped Jennifer Hudson. Kree Harrison performed with AI judges Keith Urban and Randy Jackson.

Surprise of the night: Psy! He performed his new song "Gentleman". I honestly never thought I'd see Psy live. I kinda wish he had performed "Gangnam Style" instead though, hehe although "Gentleman" is a lot like "Gangnam Style".

What totally changed my life was Jennifer Lopez. I was never a fan but wow, after watching her perform "Live It Up" with Pitbull live, I am officially converted. CDs, TV, mp3s, and all other media DO NOT even begin to do her justice. J. Lo's voice is just so much better in person and her stage presence is soooo overwhelmingly powerful it will blow you away. That performance alone made my day, night, and perhaps even my year. Mariah's medley performance was pre-recorded so it didn't really do anything for me.

We watched AI history because after 12 years of being a judge on the show, Randy Jackson bade AI goodbye. There was a very touching video tribute too.

After all the powerhouse performances, Ryan Seacrest announced the winner... Candice! We weren't surprised, really. We actually got to see Candice and Kree up close (as in really really close like next to me close) on the red carpet on the way to the theater. But having left all my stuff in the car, I couldn't take any photos.

That about concludes my American Idol 2013 experience. It was worth every second! I'm so fortunate to have been given this chance. I'd like to thank Greenwich Pizza, Star World, and Fox Philippines for the opportunity. You can catch the replays on Star World on May 18 from 4-7pm. I'm sure there will be more replays so check out the complete schedule at http://www.starworldasia.tv.

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SpongeBob Summer at the North Calendar of Events

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000+08:00

SpongeBob and the gang, as well as the entire Bikini Bottom, will be at SM North EDSA until May 31, 2013!

There are a lot of special activities in store for kids and the kids at heart so block off these dates:

May 18, 2013 - SpongeBob and Patrick Meet & Greet at The Block Atrium! Get to Meet and greet the beloved best friends.

May 18-19, 2013 - Face Painting at The Block Atrium! Everyone can wear SpongeBob SquarePants’ colors with pride at the Face Painting session.

May 18-31, 2013 - Get Squared Photo Op at The Block Atrium and at the Skygarden! The Block Atrium is transformed into an underwater city inspired by the Bikini Bottom. Mallgoers can take a tour of SpongeBob's Pineapple House, be amazed at his exquisite furniture and decor, and even get to meet his pet snail, Gary. The Skygarden will have the infamous Jellyfish Fields where SpongeBob and Patrick always go Jellyfishing as well as ponds and waterfalls.

I visited Bikini Bottom at SM North EDSA a while back and it's worth checking out if you're a SpongeBob fan. :D

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SpongeBob Squarepants Summer at SM North EDSA!

2013-05-14T17:55:00.002+08:00

Last April 5, I witnessed the launch of SpongeBob Squarepants Summer at the North. My kids both love SpongeBob... as in, my son has been watching it ever since he was a toddler and he's now 12 years old!

Anyhow, SpongeBob fans like my kids and I will be happy to know that The Block Atrium at SM City North EDSA has been converted to a life-sized replica of Bikini Bottom.

There's SpongeBob's pineapple-shaped house. Remember how the show's opening song goes? Who lives in a pineapple under the sea... SpongeBob Squarepants!

I just had to take a photo with SpongeBob! I even wore yellow so we would match, lol!

You can even go inside his house and find his faithful pet snail Gary!

Even Spongebob's neighbor Squidward's Easter Island moai-esque house was there.

Of course, it just wouldn't be Bikini Bottom if The Krusty Krab, the diner where Spongebob works, wasn't there. You can actually go inside and have a seat. There are even pretend burgers and fries on the table! Outside The Krusty Krab is SpongeBob's best friend Patrick.

I like Patrick! I think he is the cutest character in the show.

There's an indoor maze you can explore.

On the walls of the maze are a myriad of factoids about SpongeBob. I didn't know that the creator Stephen Hillenburg was a marine biologist prior to reading about it there, but it does kinda figure since he created the underwater world of Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants.

There are even raw sketches you can peruse.

During the launch, we got to watch a live performance.

There was music, dancing, and even a bit of acrobatics.

It was very festive. Everyone wore ocean-themed costumes.

The show culminated with SpongeBob and Patrick making a live appearance.

They danced along with the other performers.

So if you're looking to chill this summer, visit SpongeBob and friends plus take a tour of Bikini Bottom at SM North EDSA! :D

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Amy Adams for Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme

2013-05-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

Last April 30, I took part in an intimate gathering at SEDA Hotel's Roofdeck for Lacoste's latest fragrance, Eau De Lacoste Pour Femme.

Eau De Lacoste Pour Femme is a light fruity floral fragrance that's perfect for summer. It's simple yet sensual, reminiscent of a crisp white cotton shirt. How fitting that the unpretentious Amy Adams is the face of Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme.

Before I go on, please do check out Amy Adams' 20-second TVC for Eau de Lacoste.

The event was at 5pm, a time when the sun is about to set with the twilight perfectly outlining Bonifacio Global City's skyline.

We had some delightful snacks and cocktails.

There's also Eau de Lacoste L.12.12, a new fragrance collection for men which comes in four variants: Rouge (energetic, invigorating, and fresh), Vert (relaxed, fresh, and casual), Blanc (pure, fresh, and crisp), and Bleu (powerful, fresh, and aquatic).

I learned a lot about scents that day.

Perfumes are basically comprised of three layers: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are what you smell on first spritz. In Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme's case, the top notes are comprised of white pineapple, mandarin, and bergamot. These lend the fragrance a sweet and fruity aroma. These are followed by middle notes of orange flower and Jasmine. The sensual base notes that bind it all together are derived from sandalwood and vanilla enveloped with vetyver and peru balsam. The result is a light fruity floral yet sensual fragrance.

It was a fun event. We played a lot of games.

This one was a trivia game. I picked a question out of the bag.

I knew the answer. It used to be my daughter's favorite movie -- Enchanted.

For answering correctly, I won a Lacoste travel pouch. We all won, lol.

The next game was all about identifying perfume notes. Everyone won again, hehe!

Thank you Rustan Marketing Corporation for inviting me to this super fun event. My perfume IQ definitely rose. :)

Eau De Lacoste is available at leading department stores nationwide. Prices are P3,000 for 30ml / P4,250 for 50ml / P5,650 for 90ml.

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Please go out there and VOTE!

2013-05-13T13:02:00.000+08:00

I'm not the least bit interested in politics nor am I interested in campaigning for any specific candidate here on my blog (although I did go to one candidate's blogger event a long time ago due to sheer morbid curiosity)... and no, I did not vote for him this time around. I even refused to post political ads here on my blog even when offered payment.

Although I reside in Quezon City now, I've lived in Caloocan City all my life and so I am still a registered voter there. That said, it's not really all the convenient for me because I have to wake up early every election day and drive all the way to Caloocan just to vote at the earliest time possible. This morning was no exception. I drove all the way to my dad's house and went to the precint with my aunt, cousin, and our helpers there. I finished voting by 9am this morning.

I saw my brother looking sleepy. I asked him if he was voting, he said no. I asked him why not? The precint is just like 2-3 corners away from our dad's house. He just smiled. The sad thing is, my brother is not the only person I know who isn't voting today. I know a lot of people who are now out of town, out of the country, and well, just lounging at home. Like me they are all educated, having graduated from good schools. They see what's happening to our country. They know what's right and wrong. But they are not going to vote.

Our precint in Caloocan is located in Bagong Barrio, which is admittedly a pretty depressed area... but wow, the masses appeared in droves, diligently lining up to vote. They were pretty loud and chatty about who they were voting for and yes, this is the crowd whose vote usually goes to celebrities or political dynasty members with a lot of name recall.

And we wonder why actors, political scions, and the like always end up in office. Then we complain. Then we put down the system. The more important question is... did you at least do your part to help get us out of this vicious cycle?

A lot of you think that your single vote will not do much. It won't count. Jeez, put together all the votes of people who remain at home thinking that and I'm pretty sure we will end up with a substantial number. There is still time. For the love of all that's good, please go out there and vote.

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Greeka Kouzina in San Juan City

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000+08:00

My hubby, kids, and I had dinner with my aunt at Greeka Kouzina along P. Guevarra St. (closer to the Pinaglabanan side) a few months back. We were advised to go early (as in 6pm) because meal time crowds at this restaurant get really thick.

Since we went in the evening, I was able to see Greeka Kouzina's colorful ceiling lamps in their full glory. The place isn't big but it's got two floors.

Without futher ado, we proceeded to the more brightly lit second floor and ordered dinner. The place fills up so fast it's best to get your orders in before the mealtime crowd comes in. For starters we had Fig Roka Salata (P390, pictured above). My most favorite salad in the world is Cyma's Roka Salata but wow, this is way bigger, better, and cheaper! It has sweet figs too, which really made its flavor profile a lot more unique.

Then we had Kalamari Toganito (P260, pictured above). Squids, complete with tentacles, are battered and fried then served some dipping sauce on the side. I found the squid pieces too big for comfort. I probably would not order this again.

For the main course, four of us (hubby, son, aunt, and myself) ordered Beef Souvlaki (P390, pictured above). It's a char-grilled skewer with big chunks of beef and veggies coupled with your choice of siding... and wow, there are so many delicious-looking sidings to choose from. Bad news about the beef though... it was tough, full of unchewable ligaments, and not the least bit tender. My son and I had a hard time eating it. The good thing about our Beef Souvlaki was the sidings (which normally cost P180 per order)! Each of us picked a different one to share.

My hubby and son went for the Greeka Patates Tiganites, which simply put are french fried potatoes with feta cheese and gravy. It's soooo good. I thought the gravy tasted a bit like KFC's famous gravy, lol.

I chose to have the Mousakka, which is actually ground meat, eggplant, and potatoes baked with lots of melted cheese on top so it's kind of lasagna-ish. If you're not fond of eggplant, don't worry... this doesn't taste anything like it. Pretty good!

My aunt chose to have the Stuffed Zucchini with zesty Avgolemono Sauce. I would describe it as tomato rice with citrusy cream sauce. Like the other two kinds of sidings, it was delicious.

My daughter chose to have Salmon in Avgolemono Sauce (P495, pictured above). Juicy and tasty salmon is served the the same citrus cream sauce that the Stuffed Zucchini came with. Thumbs up for this dish.

For dessert, we ordered Milopita (P180, pictured above) or Apple Pastry with Ice Cream to share. Baked flaky phyllo pastry is stuffed with stewed apples and cinnamon then topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Next time I will try Greeka Yogurt. :D

I really enjoyed everything I tried at Greeka Kouzina except for the squid and the beef skewer. Servings are pretty big so given the prices, I'd say this place gives good value for money. Service was kind of slow. We had to wait a long time for some of our orders to materialize and it was so hard to get the servers' attention just to get a water refill. I would not line up at this restaurant for hours just to get a turn... I would go early, like we did.

Greeka Kouzina
285 P. Guevarra St.,
San Juan City
624-5974

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Dove Essential Nourishment Body Lotion + giveaway!

2013-05-12T18:21:00.000+08:00

The latest Dove Body Lotion variant I've tried is Dove Essential Nourishment for Normal to Dry Skin. Although I take care of my face relentlessly, I'm really not very motivated when it comes to using lotion (except for sunscreen) for my body. I'm trying to change that since I'm growing older by the day and I'm sure I will regret not moisturizing myself from neck down if I don't oblige myself to.

Some months ago I reviewed Dove Go Fresh Nourishment Body Lotion, the lightest among the four variants since it's for normal skin. This particular variant, Dove Essential Nourishment Body Lotion, is a notch (just a notch) heavier since it can be used for dry skin as well. Like all the other variants, it employs the unique DeepCare Complex which includes natural skin nutrients and rich essential oil to help improve the skin from deep down.

One of this variant's main ingredients is collagen which improves skin elasticity. Collagen makes skin soft and supple. In fact collagen loss is one of the reasons why we get wrinkles. The lotion itself is white in color. It has a very light unobtrusive scent so whatever scented soap or shower gel you are using won't conflict with it. It's relatively light yet creamy in terms of consistency.

What I like about Dove Essential Nourishment Body Lotion:

I like the light and pleasant non-perfumey scent.
It's light and at the same time creamy, good to use even during the scorching hot summer.
It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy feeling, just smooth and moisturized skin.
It contains no colorants -- that's at least a couple less chemicals in the ingredients list.
It provides moisture for 24 hours.

Downside? None really. Dove Body Lotion is available at all leading supermarkets, drugstores, and department stores for P200 per 250 ml bottle.

Here's the good news... since it's Mother's Day today, I will be giving away five (5) Dove Body Lotion gift packs like the one above (a pack of 6 bottles, valued at P1,200). Thank you so much to Dove Philippines for this lovely treat! Just follow the simple mechanics below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway is open to everyone who can claim the gift packs in Makati City. Please note they will NOT be shipped. Good luck and Happy Mother's Day!

Congratulations Maria Luz Broqueza, Abigail Chang, Jim Philip, Rochelle Miko Kawasaki, and Albert Rendal for each winning Dove Body Lotion gift packs! I will e-mail you the prize claim details! :D

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A very special Mother's Day...

2013-05-12T08:00:00.000+08:00

I was invited to a special Mother's Day movie screening at Greenbelt 3 by Ceelin. The movie we were watching was The Big Wedding, starring Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Katherine Hiegl, etc.

Anyhow, I was seated shortly after I arrived at the theater. Some movie trailers played out. However, after the trailers, instead of The Big Wedding, I saw Jasmine Curtis Smith on the screen. She was talking about her mother.

After Jasmine, a few other people followed. Everyone was sharing what their mothers had imparted to them. Although each had just a few minutes to talk, it was very emotional.

Everyone had photos with their mothers too.

It was a Mother's Day surprise from Ceelin. The event could not have been more appropriate because when I was a little girl, my mom gave me Ceelin too. In fact, my own children take Ceelin. Of course, all the moms in the audience were very touched by the presentation. The movie screening came after.

When I was in gradeschool, my mom was always the one who would drive my sister and I to and from school, much like what I'm doing now to my own children now. Everyday I balance my time between my children, my work, my blog, and all the other things I have to do to run the household like pay bills, go grocery shopping, etc. It's never easy because I hardly have me time. My day starts at 6am and ends way past midnight when there are classes. My mom had a lot on her plate when we were growing up too. To top it off, she had to contend with other problems which I am fortunate enough not to be burdened with. She has always led by example in teaching us how to be strong and how to be able to stand up for ourselves.

It was never an easy life for my mom. Being a Filipina in the 70's, marrying into a Chinese family was not easy. She experienced discrimination. She was whisked off to a world where she did not understand the language, but she learned. She couldn't stand the thought of not knowing what everyone else was saying and so despite not having any Chinese background whatsoever she ended up being able to understand Hokkien and even speak Hokkien, the dialect that is used by Chinese here in the Philippines. But that is just a small part of what she had to go through. Now that I have a family of my own, I understand her more than ever. If there is one thing she imparted to us, it's strength. Even through my turbulent growing up years (I think I was one of the very few kids in my school, a Chinese school for that matter, whose parents had separated. It was pretty taboo back then), I never once contemplated drugs, suicide, running away, and whatnot. Never. I had a one track mind which told me to finish school, go to a prestigious university, and make something of myself. This inner strength... it's definitely something that I got from my mom. Just as my mom had taught us to be strong, I'd like to see my kids go out there in the future and conquer life's challenges in the best way they can.

As a mom, I make it a point to be there for my children. Family should always come first. Whatever I do, I always check first if it will affect my family. Take blogging for example. I admit that when you're where I am, a lot of opportunities present themselves. Something I always tell my blogger friends is that blogging is really more suited for single people who have more freedom to do things. Whenever something comes my way, I always have to make sure it does not coincide with anything that concerns my family (school, family business, activities, etc.). More than just myself, I always have to put my hubby and kids in the equation. I am first and foremost a mom to children who need me.

Anyhow, I was able to catch Jasmine and her mom outside the movie theater before I left. Jasmine is a very friendly girl who immediately and smilingly obliged when I asked if I could take their photo.

What have you learned from your mother? Do share. :)

With that, I would like to greet you all a Happy Mother's Day!

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United Colors of Benetton Refreshing Body Mist from Fresh Fragrance Bar

2013-05-11T16:37:00.001+08:00

I was invited to the launch of Benetton Body Mist earlier this year but things came up at work and I could not make it even if I confirmed my attendance.

Yup, uber late post. I think the timing is perfect though because it's summer and it's Mother's Day tomorrow. My mom is a perfume addict and she can't help but buy perfumes monthly... no, weekly. We're polar opposites that way because I'm something of a scent loyalist. I find a scent I like and I keep using it and using it over and over... the way I finished 3 bottles of Origins Spring Fever during my younger years, lol. United Colors of Benetton Refreshing Body Mist has a whopping 12 floral and fruity variants so there's something for everyone.

The lovely folks at Fresh Fragrance Bar still sent me these even if I was unable to attend the event. I recommend popping them into the refrigerator to make them more refreshing. United Colors of Benetton Refreshing Body Mists retail for anywhere from P495 to P499.95 depending on where you buy them. P495 is Fresh Fragrance Bar's price.

They gave me a Fresh Fragrance Bar Card too.

You get 10% off all fragrances (except body mist, body splash, and hand sanitizer). It's valid till Dec. 31, 2013. You can get your own card simply by visiting Fresh Fragrance Bar.

My mom is currently in the US but if she were here you can bet I'd take her to Fresh Fragrance Bar. I'll be in the US next week and so I'll be gifting her with more fragrances for sure. :)

Fresh Fragrance Bar has stores in Eastwood Mall, Alabang Town Center, Lucky Chinatown Mall, The District Cavite, Abreeza Mall, Centrio Mall, Marquee Mall, and The District Northpoint.

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Cupcakes by Sonja opens in Glorietta 2

2013-05-10T08:00:00.000+08:00

I was invited to the launch of Cupcakes by Sonja's new store in Glorietta 2 last April 24, 2013. Yup, you read right... a full seven years after starting the cupcake revolution in Serendra (yes, Sonja is the original purveyor of big delicious and uniquely flavored cupcakes here in Manila... everyone else just followed, lol!), Cupcakes by Sonja finally opens a second store.

There were a lot of people at the launch so I couldn't take photos of the counter properly. I borrowed the first two photos in this post from their Facebook Page.

There are a lot of tables and chairs where you can stay because aside from yummy cupcakes, Cupcakes by Sonja now serves equally delightful coffee. I had a hot cup of cappuccino while I was there and wow, it was very good.

You can actually order custom cupcake creations for special occasions.

I took a peek at the cupcakes on display. Saw a new one, Cookie Monster (P85, pictured above). My old faves Berries and Cream and Bunny Hugger Carrot Cupcake are still both available too.

Another variant that's new to me is Banana Custard. It's filled with creamy banana custard inside.

Anyhow guests were treated to a cupcake buffet. Thank goodness they served bite-sized cupcakes so we could try more flavors.

There were Red Velvet Cakepops too. My son said it's the best cakepop he has ever tasted.

I picked 5 variants to try -- Banana Monkey Cream Pie, Elvis, Pistachio Berries and Cream (new), Red Velvet Vixen, and Berry Delight Strawberry Cheesecake. I only went around the buffet area once. Talk about self-control, lol!

Sonja herself joined us for a bit and I immediately asked her why it took her so long to open a second store. She said Cupcakes by Sonja is her baby and she couldn't bear the thought of not being able to take care of it properly. She has since found partners who she believes would be able to help her and so she decided it was time to expand. Her next store is opening at the new Shangrila Mall East Wing.

Thanks Rina (a.k.a. Mrs. Pickiest Eater, above right) for snapping this pic! I usually fail to photograph myself at events, lol.

Cupcakes by Sonja
2/F Bridgeway Glorietta 2
Ayala Center, Makati City

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Tory Burch Sunglasses from Branded Luxury Eyewear

2013-05-09T08:00:00.000+08:00

Last month, I was invited by Branded Lifestyle Inc. to check out the latest eyewear collections from luxury designer brands like Prada, Tiffany and Co., Bvlgari, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Coach, and Tory Burch (more on my actual eyewear tour in the next post). Yup, BLI is the official distributor of all these brands here in the Philippines.

I swear, it's virtually impossible to drive or walk under the sun without eye protection these days because of the sun's extreme glare. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources is actually one of the risk factors for cataracts and so more than a fashion statement, sunglasses are a must for health reasons. For this post, let's zero in on Tory Burch.

Wherever I go, I always see women toting around Tory Burch bags and wearing Tory Burch sandals and shoes... so I wasn't surprised to see the Tory Burch eyewear collection in Branded Luxury Eyewear's roster.

There are a lot of styles to choose from. All of them sport Tory Burch's trademark T medallion logo. For a bit of background, Tory Burch is an American designer who started a fashion label back in 2004 (I know right, she's been around almost a decade but it seems only fairly recently that her name is catching on here in the Philippines). Prior to becoming a designer and establishing her own brand she worked at Harper's Bazaar magazine, Vera Wang, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Anyhow, after my eyewear tour at BLI, I was given a pair of Tory Burch sunnies as a token. They had already been pre-selected by the BLI folks as the pair that would suit me best based on photos of me here on my blog. It came with an orange purse-like case that's so big and spacious it's like a clutch.

Aside from the case, the sunnies also came with this silk pouch so they would be protected from external stuff that could scratch the lens. Even the pouch has Tory's trademark T medallion.

This pair is the Tory Burch TY 6016 Sunglasses. It's frameless and it has uniquely shaped pentagon-ish lens that are purple gray in hue.

The sunglasses' metal arms are attached to the lens via this Tory Burch logo.

Wow, I was surprised at how well it suited me. The BLI folks really know their stuff! I find it amazing how they were able to recommend a pair of sunnies that are so perfect for me based on my blog photos alone.

I love these sunnies! They're fashionable, lightweight, and very classy. The only downside is, I can't really have the lenses changed to graded ones (I have astigmatism and myopia) because doing so would mean these super cool pentagon bevelled lens would be replaced by regular ones. Anyhow, it's still good if I'm just walking around. As long as I don't have to drive, I can use them. :D

Love love love! <3

I was told that all Tory Burch sunnies cost around P10,000 per pair. They're considered entry level in branded luxury eyewear (other brands like Prada cost around P15k per pair while Bvlgari can go way up to P21k).

I'm really digging these. Thanks BLI! I'm actually a regular customer because I've bought Ralph Lauren shades (which they also distribute) and Prada eyeglasses (yep, their brand too) in the past. I don't buy eyewear all that often but when I do I want designer ones, lol!

You can find Tory Burch eyewear at all leading optical shops nationwide. Check out Branded Luxury Eyewear on Facebook for updates. You can also follow @luxuryeyewearph on Twitter and Instagram.

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Tamayaki Philippines, take 2!

2013-05-08T10:25:00.000+08:00

If you've been reading my blog, you probably know that I visited Tamayaki in San Juan right after they opened some months ago. I wasn't too happy because:

The service was crappy, we had to wait an hour for our takoyaki and drinks.
The takoyaki tasted like it was made with Maya pancake mix.
Our drink orders were messed up, they forgot to put the add-ons we paid for.

The drinks were good though albeit small in size and quite expensive compared to other tea places. Still, the thought of waiting an hour for a simple snack and beverage was enough discourage us from going back.

Last April, I was invited to Tamayaki. My hubby jokingly said but if we order two kinds of takoyaki we might end up waiting two hours. My friend and fellow blogger Marj Sia, who was helping out the owners, assured me that all I had to do was go there, give them another try, and I wouldn't even have to blog about it again. I was told to bring my hubby along since he was with me during the first ill-fated visit, lol.

So we went. We were told we could order any drink we wanted to try. We ordered Milk Tea with Sake and Glutinous Rice Balls (P100 for regular size, above left) and Blueberry Yogurt with Popball (P80 for regular size, above right). Both are yummy! The popballs are filled with yogurt inside so they pop when you chew them. Compared to other places though they're really quite small in size... but that's good if you don't want to get fat, haha! Our drinks arrived in less than 10 minutes too!

Then we ordered takoyaki. Hubby and I decided to try two different variants. Good news, it took maybe 10 minutes for our orders to materialize! No more one hour waiting time.

I ordered Oyster and Mozzarella Cheese (P125 for 4 pcs, pictured above). Each piece has an oyster and gooey cheese in it. Very good! Hubby and I had two each.

Hubby opted for Oriental Beef (P125, pictured above). It had pieces of yummy marinated beef inside. We were surprised by how flavorful it was.

Verdict: Their takoyaki has definitely improved, I didn't taste the Maya pancake mix this time.

You can order a combo when you're there... your drink will come with a tray of takoyaki on top and then there's a slot for the straw so you don't have to remove the takoyaki.

We also tried Cheese Milk Tea... I forgot what add-on they put in. Tamayaki has a wide array of unconventional milk tea flavors (the most unique line-up I've seen so far). If I could drink more without having to worry about my weight or blood sugar, I would have tried all of them, lol.

It was more or less a milk tea and takoyaki party with fellow bloggers Seph, Jackie, Michelle, and Marj. I took home some for the kids and they liked it too.

All I can say is I'm happy they've improved their takoyaki and their service.

Tamayaki
453 P. Guevarra St.,
San Juan City
570-7789

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Off to the American Idol 2013 finale!

2013-05-07T20:20:00.001+08:00

I'm not really into showbiz all that much but at the very least I know who Ryan Seacrest is (American Idol host since time immemorial) as well as the four AI judges this year -- Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson (too bad Simon Cowell isn't around anymore). So yeah, I won't get lost in translation... lol. I have actually watched some past seasons of the show (I remember the one with Fantasia Barrino most distinctly because I was outraged when Diana Degarmo lost) so I know what it's all about.

Anyhow, a couple of weeks ago I got a call asking if I wanted to go to the US for a few days and watch the American Idol finales. I refused at first because I was asked to decide on the spot and I needed to check on a lot of things -- my kids' enrollment schedules, pending projects, and a myriad of other things I had going on. I mean if I were single without a care in the world it would've been a no-brainer, especially since my mom lives in California... quite close to where the event was taking place. I said no. That was that.

The next week I received a call again and I was informed I would actually be given time to get my bearings before I agreed. Turns out the finales would be taking place after my kids' enrollment in their respective schools so it looked like there wouldn't be a problem. So this time, I said yes. I guess it helps that practically everybody online knows I have a US visa based on my past travel posts.

Some days later I got an email from Fremantle Media asking me to confirm my attendance. Upon confirmation I got PDF files containing show information and guidelines. I kept quiet until I actually got the travel itinerary (flight and hotel details) earlier today.

There was also a map to show where the finale was taking place.

So I guess I'm off to watch the American Idol 2013 finale. I don't think I'll get another chance like this, lol, so I should consider myself fortunate. I'll be visiting my mom afterwards too. This is the second out-of-the-country trip I'm taking for my blog... Hong Kong Disneyland was the first.

Thank you so much to Greenwich Pizza for making it possible. I'll be posting about the AI experience soon.

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L'oreal Fall Repair 3x Anti Hair Fall Shampoo and Conditioner

2013-05-07T10:10:00.000+08:00

I got a bottle of L'oreal Fall Repair 3x Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo with a matching bottle of L'oreal Fall Repair 3x Anti-Hair Fall Conditioner for review a couple of months ago. Then I got another set from the March 2013 BDJ Box which I gave to my sister. It took a while for me to get to these because I had way too many products in my shower area so I had to finish a few first, lol.

Finally, I got to test drive L'oreal Fall Repair 3x.

I've actually seen this ad on a billboard along EDSA. I didn't recognize J. Lo right away. I normally don't buy hair fall prevention products because hair fall never really bothered me. I have a very thick head of hair so I don't find falling hair particularly worrisome.

So anyway, yes I do have hair fall. I usually experience the brunt of it when I'm drying my hair after taking a shower. This is my usual amount of hair fall after shampooing and conditioning.

So I put a little shampoo on my hand. It's white, just like the last dozen or so shampoos I've used (I guess colored shampoos are out now with all the fuss about chemicals, artificial coloring, and so forth). It smelled sooo nice and fresh. I don't know how to describe the scent but I find it neither fruity nor flowery... just bright and happy for some reason.

Of course the conditioner isn't as liquid as the shampoo. It smells just as delightful though. When I used both products in tandem I noticed a moisturizing effect right away. My hair felt slippery and smooth as I was rinsing... and that's usually means there will be no tangles afterwards.

I do actually have less hair fall after using L'oreal Fall Repair 3x for several days.

My hair was very manageable too... I was able to dry it and style it so that it actually complied to my wishes, lol! Please take note that my hair is rebonded.

According to research by L'oreal, there are 3 major causes of hair fall:

Hair Malnutrition - When hair grows without essential nutrients, it becomes weak and underdeveloped.

Root Fragility - When the diameter of the hair fiber is below average, it breaks more easily.

Fiber Damage - Disruption of the hair's cuticle, which acts as a shield for the hair, leads to more vulnerable hair.

L'oreal Fall Repair 3x addresses these concerns. It's enriched with Arginine, an essential amino acid vital for hair growth so it nourishes hair from the root, restructures hair fiber, and makes hair stronger. Stronger hair means hair that won't break or fall so easily. Aside from shampoo and conditioner, there is actually a third product in this line, L'oreal Fall Repair 3x Leave In Tonic.

What I like about L'oreal Fall Repair 3x Shampoo and Conditioner:

The scent! I love the bright, pleasant scent. Hair smells fresh hours after you shampoo... up to the next day even.
I did have less hair fall after using it. If I use it more, it should theoretically strengthen my hair and result to even fewer hair strands coming off in the future.
I liked how manageable and smooth my hair was after use... and my hair is rebonded at that, so plus points for these products.
Hair is completely detangled by the conditioner so it's easy to comb or brush through.
My hair seems to be getting better and better with each use (more smooth, more shiny, more manageable).
Products are reasonably priced with the shampoo at P110, conditioner at P119, and tonic at P259.

Downside? None really. I highly recommend these products even if you're not experiencing hair fall problems.

L'oreal Fall Repair 3x products are available at all leading department stores, drug stores, and supermarkets nationwide.

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Chops Chicago Steakhouse in Greenbelt 5

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

I was invited to Chops Chicago Steakhouse's press lunch last April 30, 2013. I initially thought it was a franchise from abroad but it's actually a local concept from the Red Crab group of restaurants. It's headed by Chef Peter Ayson, who himself had actually spent some time working and living in Chicago.

Chops Chicago Steakhouse is located on the 4th level of Greenbelt 5. It gives off that date place / fine dining vibe with the dimmed lights and luxe interiors.

While waiting for what was in store, we were served some tasty focaccia bread with a ramekin filled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping.

We were offered wine but since I'm not really a wine person, I just had a glass of Chops Signature Iced Tea (P110, pictured above).

Then the steak tray was brought out so we could choose which kind we wanted. Everything was huge and we were told that these were the actual sizes of what was going to be served. I knew I couldn't finish such big slabs of meat and so I opted for the smallest cut size, which turned out to be a 10 oz. cut of Snake River Farms' Wagyu. I only found out days after that it was actually the most expensive at P3,850. At the time, I chose it because of the size, and well I did hear the server say it was wagyu. The gigantic 21 oz. cuts of meat on the tray good for two people cost P2,000+. We were asked about our preferred doneness after and I said medium well.

As our steaks were being cooked, we were served appetizers starting with The Bone Marrow (P295, pictured above). OMG in sinfulness, I tell you. It's roasted bone marrow served open-faced so you can dig into it with a spoon and spread it on the crostini it's served with. It's soooo good but I only had a teaspoonful because I was afraid of the consequences, haha.

Then we had Charbroiled Slab of Bacon (P320, pictured above). It's Chops' homemade smoked bacon served with pomegranate honey mustard and black pepper. It reminds me somewhat of asado.

We each had a bowl of Smoked Tomato and Cheese Soup (P170, pictured above). It's made with real pureed tomatoes and I could still taste tiny chunks of it as I sipped the soup. Chops offers several kinds of soup and they are all priced the same per bowl.

We each also had a personal serving of Apples and Arugula Salad (P320 for a regular serving) comprised of mixed salad greens, arugula, smoked bacon, green apple slices, candied walnuts, and croutons with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

After the appetizers, my steak was served. It came with a small dish of steak sauce which tasted like A-1 steak sauce.

Oh wow, it turned out to be the best steak I've had in a looong time. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfectly cooked... bursting with flavor as I chewed on each morsel. You don't need sauce! It's divine on its own. I couldn't finish the whole 10 ounces though, I think I had half. Next time I will split with my hubby as not to waste such a lovely steak.

An order of steak usually comes with one siding of your choice but Chef Pete wanted to let us try three of their best ones. First out was Parmesan Creamed Spinach with Organic Egg (P180 ala carte, pictured above -- all sidings are priced the same). You're supposed to mix it all together before digging in as the egg is at the bottom and sides of the dish. It's sooo nice and creamy while at the same time savory because of the cheese. I will probably order this again next time. :D

We also had Wild Succotash which is comprised of wild black rice and sweet corn kernels. I enjoyed the chewy texture of the rice.

Then came the aromatic Truffled Mac and Cheese. Nothing like the scent of truffles to whet your appetite for more!

For dessert, we had something special created by Chef Pete just for the occasion -- Triple Cookie! Chocolate Chip cookies topped with what seemed fudge and ice cream. On top of it sits a Dark Chocolate Cigar (basically barquillos wrapped in dark chocolate then filled with marscapone cheese and speculoos cookie butter!). I found the cookie/cake portion too sweet but wow, the chocolate cigar is way beyond awesome. Chops actually does have a dessert called Dark Chocolate Cigars which is priced at P280 but normally it doesn't have cookie butter.

All in all I had a wonderful meal at Chops Chicago Steakhouse. Like I said, it was the best steak I've had in a long time. Everything was superb. I would definitely go back with my hubby (since I can't finish the meats by myself, lol) because they still have a lot more to offer which I'd like to try (like baby back ribs, hehe!).

If you love meat and you love steak, Chops Chicago Steakhouse is definitely a must-try!

Chops Chicago Steakhouse
4/F Greenbelt 5,
Legazpi St., Legazpi Village, Makati City
945-8088

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Win HP Deskjet Ink Advantage Printers from Animetric x HP Philippines!

2013-05-05T08:00:00.000+08:00

As promised, I am giving away not just one but three (3) HP Deskjet Ink Advantage Printers to three lucky readers!

Over the past two weeks, my children and I have been engaging in fun activities using our HP 5525 Deskjet Printer.

We made a Megamind 3D model with just some specialty paper (can be bought from bookstores), the HP 5525 Deskjet Printer, scissors, and glue.

We also made Snake Finger Puppets using the same materials.

Then we made these geometric heart boxes.

We are really loving our HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 5525 Printer and here's why:

We can print wirelessly from any device -- iPad, iPod, cellphone, tablet... you name it!
It can print up to 550 pages of high quality prints so it's pretty economical. I can have quantity without sacrificing quality... this will be especially useful when school starts for both kids.
The printouts look amazing.
We did a lot of gluing and folding using printed sides of the paper and the inks did not stain our hands at any time.
The inks come in individual cartridges so you can replace only what's running low. Colored cartridges used to come in a single block and so if yellow is out even if cyan and magenta are still okay you would have to replace the entire thing.
The digital display eliminates the need for instruction manuals because you can view video tutorials to see how things are supposed to be done.
You don't need internet to print wirelessly because you can just use HP Direct.
The unit is reasonably priced at P7,990 for all it can do.

Would you like an HP Printer with has all the above features? You're in luck because I am giving away some right here right now.

Presenting the HP Deskjet 3525 Printer! It can do everything I've demonstrated in the past few blog posts. It's worth P6,990. One of you will be taking this baby home.

Two consolation prize winners will be getting an HP Deskjet 2515 Printer worth P3,790 each. It can do most things my printer can do except print wirelessly.

So what do you have to do to win? Follow the mechanics I've listed on Rafflecopter below. The best photo as determined via judging will win, I am just using Rafflecopter to make sure all the mechanics are followed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Deadline for entries is on May 19, 2013. This contest is open to everyone who can claim the prizes in Makati City, they will not be shipped. Winners may send a representative to claim on their behalf. Limit one (1) photo entry per person. Additional photos will be disqualified.

Good luck everyone!

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Arts and crafts time with HP 5525 Deskjet e-All-in-One Printer!

2013-05-04T15:54:00.000+08:00

For our third and last demo project for the HP 5525 Deskjet e-All-in-One Printer, my daughter and I spent the afternoon making geometric heart boxes.

There were different designs to choose from but my daughter opted for pastel-colored hearts.

I don't think I ever want to go through the trouble of hooking up a computer to the printer ever again because printing via wifi is way too convenient, lol! I never even needed to use the installer CD that came out of the box.

See? Voila! Just having my phone on hand is enough to print out virtually anything.

We were making three pastel-colored heart boxes.

After printing comes cutting.

We cut them all up so now they're ready for folding and gluing.

We just used a regular glue stick for all the HP projects.

After folding and gluing, the boxes are done! These actually remind me of Korean brand Etude House's packaging style.

We were pretty happy with the results.

These cute heart boxes can be used in place of the usual greeting cards that we use for occasions like Valentines, Mother's Day, and so forth.

I hope you enjoyed the third installment in our HP series of fun activities for kids! Tune in tomorrow to find out how you can win a state-of-the-art HP wifi printer similar to the one I've been using. :D

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Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist SPF 50

2013-05-03T11:31:00.000+08:00

I got a bottle of Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist for review a couple of months ago. I brought it with me to Guam during Holy Week because I knew we'd be at the beach almost everyday.

My morning ritual in Guam included spraying myself with Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist before going out to the beach. My friend and fellow blogger Marj swears by it. She road-tested it in Palawan where she wore her watch the entire time and she didn't get a strap mark!

Spraying yourself with Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist gives your skin a sheen which is kind of like how hairspray coats your hair. It practically disappears when it dries completely though.

Did it work? I'll let you be the judge. This is my swimsuit's shoulder strap. My arms are naturally darker compared to my shoulders because I'm always driving.

This is a photo of my shoulder without the swimsuit strap after two days of going to the beach every morning, staying an average of two hours each time. I swam, waded, and sat by the shore. No swimsuit strap mark! Of course I really overdid the spraying... so much so that my hubby would practically yell at me to stop already since our hotel room was becoming hazy and mist-filled, lol. Well, you know how afraid I am of the sun. :P

What I like about Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist SPF 50:

It's relatively easy and mess-free to apply because you just spray it all over your body.
It does have a cooling sensation.
It's not sticky after it dries completely.
It works -- look ma, no strap marks!
It doesn't come off when you swim.

Downside? The mist and the scent can get overpowering (since it's in aerosol form) if you spray it on to the max like I did, lol. Other than that, there's really no downside. Nivea Sun Invisible Cooling Mist costs P550 per bottle and is available at all leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets nationwide.

If you want max protection against sun damage and skin darkening this summer, this is definitely what you need!

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Family Mart Philippines opens in Makati!

2013-05-02T19:46:00.000+08:00

Back in 2005, my hubby and I took a trip to Tokyo and checked in Tokyo Green Hotel. Right beside our hotel was a quaint 24/7 convenient store called Family Mart. It was where we would buy drinks, snacks, and even breakfast since they had a wide array of delicious and affordable Japanese eats like onigiri, sushi, rice meals, and even oden.

I attended Family Mart's press launch last April 22, 2013. Prior to that however, I had already visited their store in Glorietta 3 (located below Gold's Gym near Serenitea, facing the street). Unfortunately, taking photos is prohibited inside the premises.

Family Mart is actually a joint venture between Store Specialists, the Ayala group, and Family Mart Japan. Store Specialists and Ayala formed a new company which has a 60% stake at Family Mart Philippines (Family Mart Japan holds the remaining 40%). I'm sooooo happy they invited me to the launch because I super love Family Mart. I was there virtually everyday when I was in Tokyo.

Anyhow, the area outside The Peninsula's Conservatory was turned into a virtual showcase of food and drink that Family Mart offers. Everything you see here is sold in Family Mart. That sushi set retails for P99. It's pretty decent too. I can totally have this for lunch and be satisfied.

Oh my... onigiri! I love onigiri (rice ball). Family Mart sells several variants of it for P39 each. In Japan, I'd buy them for 60-80 yen a piece (back in 2008) so the price here is pretty fair.

Family Mart Philippines even offers cold noodles and katsudon. I tried them both and they're yummy!

These look like plain sandwiches but they're really good. The bread used is so soft and chewy... the ham is lean and meaty and wow, I think I tasted American cheese.

They have all sorts of burgers too.

Sandwich heaven... that's what Family Mart is.

They even let us try their juices -- Calamansi and Dalandan. They have soft-serve ice cream too (I failed to take a photo). At P15 per cone, they have unique flavors like guinomis!

Sake (Japanese rice wine) anyone? Family Mart sells different kinds of sake. I quite enjoyed sampling their Sparkling Sake.

As a token, we were all given a picnic basket full of Family Mart Collection branded goodies! They have Caramel Corn, Tortilla Chips, Rice Crackers, Chocolates, Chestnuts, and lots more! Each pack retails for an average of P85. They're so yummy! I miss Japan more than ever now. At least now I can go to Family Mart. I was told their next branch will be by the Ayala MRT Station and then they'll be opening in Ortigas.

This is how Family Mart in Glorietta 3 looks. I grabbed this photo from the press kit. It's so neat, clean, and bright. They even have tables and chairs where you have your meal. In Japan, it's all countertops and stools. I can't say it enough but I super love Family Mart and I'm glad they're trying their best to keep things up to par with Japan.

For more information and updates, check out FamilyMart Philippines on Facebook.

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