Beyond Pink Stripes

No Rice Dinner Diet: THE RESULT

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 11:29:00 +0000

Then again, my blogging has taken the backseat...no thanks to my uber hectic schedule. T_T

Anyway, I promised to my dear readers (if any, LOL) that I would give an update on the result of my NO RICE DINNER DIET (NRDD) after a month. I failed to do so because obviously, a period of three months has already passed since I first consciously avoided consuming such delicious white grains during evening meals.

However, as they say, better late than never so here I am trying to squeeze some time out of my uber hectic schedule (repeated for emphasis haha) for this short but sweet post.^^

So here's how I look after three months. Based on the visual evidence and the comments of people around me, I believe I was able to somehow "deflate" the balloon that is my body haha.:)

For the "before" photos, click here.

Taken on July 9, 2014

I couldn't claim though that the regimen was religiously followed because there were times when I gave in to temptation due to extreme hunger. There were also times when I totally forgot that I was on a diet.^^

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend No Rice Dinner Diet to anyone who wants to lose weight. It's safe, effective and economical. More importantly, no extreme starvation is involved. After all, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that could fill the tummy during dinner...well, other than rice.^^

Health & Wellness Tips This Summer

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:16:00 +0000

*Guest Post by fellow blogger, Cristina Beltran

Most people are looking for the best fitness regimens all throughout the year so they can achieve their desired body shape and weight. However, summer is the peak time when everyone just wants to get into shape and flaunt the body assets. Who wouldn’t want to wear a tight bikini or to show off big guns and rock-hard abs?

Photo Source: http://agreport365.com/step-away-building-lean-muscular-body/

Here are some health and wellness tips to help you achieve the perfect summer body:

Eat Healthy

Do not terrorize yourself by creating a diet plan that you will most likely give up in a few days. Focus on fresh ingredients instead of instant meals so you can get yourself in the direction to eating healthy. You can eat more than three times a day as long as you correct the portions. Start with using a small plate so you can get used to eating smaller meals. Give up the chips and chocolates as snacks and replace them with fruits.

Practice Yoga

If you are looking for a routine that can significantly improve your health and wellness, then yoga is your best bet. There are certain yoga postures that are known to promote the proper function of the body. To stimulate the vital force of the liver, which is known as a detoxifier and a cleanser, the best postures are backbends including cobra pose, bow pose, wheel pose, and spinal twist. To cleanse the colon, some postures that you can practice on an empty stomach are the bellow’s pose (first thing in the morning), fire pose, peacock pose, and nauli kriya or abdominal churning.

Sign up for a short-term yoga program with unlimited sessions to determine if it’s the right workout for you. There are some credit card deals that offer one-month unlimited yoga at 50% off.

Hydrate Yourself

While you may be busy searching for low-calorie and detox drinks and recipes, there is one essential drink in your fridge that should be part of your weight loss plan.

Water is regarded as a natural appetite suppressant and metabolism booster. A research conducted at the University of Washington showed that drinking one 8-oz. of water expelled 98% of the subjects’ midnight hunger which consequently decreased calorie intake. In “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” a study stated that the consumption of 16 oz. of water advanced the metabolism by 30%, which is primarily attributable to the warming of the water to body temperature.

Stick with pure water. Avoid carbonated drinks since these contain empty calories and it prevents your body from easily absorbing the water it needs. Caffeinated drinks are also a no-no since it has a diuretic effect that increases your water excretion which can do more harm than good.

Slimming Services

There are two non-invasive slimming treatments that have been enticing both males and females to pay dermatology clinics and slimming centers regular visits since there are no fitness requirements and no recovery period.

Radio frequency (RF) and lipo-cavitation promote cellulite removal and fat reduction. There are some promos that offer up to 80% off on slimming services through credit card deals. However, do not rely on these slimming treatments if you’re not thinking about engaging in a diet plan and regular exercise.

Gym / Fitness Clubs

Avoid getting into a routine because you are most likely to reach a plateau. Try fitness classes or new equipment to keep your body guessing. Don’t rely on brisk walking on the treadmill or leisurely biking for your cardio workout. If it’s not intense enough, then you’re not burning a decent amount calories and fat. The same logic applies for strength training. If you feel the burn when lifting weights, then you are building muscle mass effectively.

Plan the best fitness program for summer by following a regimen that challenges to you to discipline yourself in a reasonable manner. The key to making it an effective program is to identify your SWOTs (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and your budget.

While it pays to have a healthy and active lifestyle, you can minimize your spending by tracking promos. Bringing around or even spending a lot of cash for your fitness is not necessary, but there’s a good reason as to why you need to have your credit card with you.

Deflating the Balloon a.k.a. My Body :P

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:43:00 +0000

I believe that I am at my "largest" these days...in terms of physique, that is.^^

If it had been in my younger years, it would not even be a concern to me. I was skinny for the longest time and very much happy with the fact that my voracious eating habits never took a toll on my vital statistics. I thought it would last forever.^^

Taken during my graduation a decade ago.:)

But now, it is an entirely different story. Having viewed my photos taken during last Sunday's Easter celebration, the undeniable truth was smacked right in my face. After three decades, my body has finally succumbed to the "ballooning phenomenon".T_T [Note to dear readers: I take full credit for such term! I am pretty sure you read it first here on my blog hihi. (^ . ^)]

Do I blame it then on slower metabolism that comes with aging? I dunno but one thing is for sure... the challenge is on to bring back my old figure or at least fix the problem areas such as my arms and tummy.

No, please don't get me wrong. I do not have anything against those on the heavier side of the scale. For me, they are beautiful beings who should be defined neither by pounds nor inches, but rather by the goodness of character.

However, the decision to go on a diet occurred to me because I am already starting to get tired of lots and lots and lots of people in my circle expressing disbelief over the sudden and drastic change in my shape. My usual rebuttal consists of these lines ---> "I merely became voluptuous" or "My body had simply matured" LOL but even those are not enough to stop all the comments from sprouting here, there and everywhere. It can really get annoying, mind you. @_@

Besides, I also want to be able to wear again my clothes which are still in good condition but do not fit me anymore. Talk about saving on wardrobe expenses!

Enter...No Rice Dinner Diet (NRDD)!

Since I am too busy (or lazy...whatever haha) to go to the gym, exercise, or prepare a special dietary menu and I am not yet ready to give up sinful food, the ultimate plan is to simply cut on my carbs in the evening. Anyway, less energy is required and utilized at that time compared to the rest of the day.

This scheme is obviously not novel and many have already tried it. Just the same, I am still curious if it would give me positive result after a month.^^ Anyway, should it be not as effective as initially thought, at the very least, it would pave the way for Hubby and I to stretch our rice supply a little more, hence, more savings for us.^^

Tonight counts as No Rice Dinner #1. A follow-up will be posted after a month to determine if the goal to deflate the "balloon", a.k.a. my body, has been attained. LOL!

So, good luck to me!^^

Birthday Buffet at Vikings Marikina (Photo Heavy!^^)

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 20:09:00 +0000

With the wide array of enticing and delicious food all in one place just waiting to be devoured plus the freedom to eat as much as one wants... BUFFETS are always a treat to the senses and provide one helluva gastronomic experience to just about anybody.^^

But not all buffets are created equal. Some have limited food choices, probably 2-3 main courses only. But some have selection vast enough to create a "where-to-begin" sort of panic to any diner haha.

That sort of panic was what I felt the moment I stepped into VIKINGS (A Feast From The Sea) Marikina, the buffet place where we celebrated Hubby's birthday last February (my surprise for him, actually ^^). There was a loooooong queue of everything edible and yes, there was indeed a feast going on! Mind you, it was not my first time to dine in Vikings and yet I felt tremendously excited just the same.^^

RESERVATION and BIRTHDAY PROMO

Prior to our Vikings date, I had to reserve in order for us to be assured of seats. I called this mobile number for such purpose: +639178766888. It took me a few dials before I was able to get through, securing 2 seats for Sunday dinner, a day after the Hubby's actual birthday.

I also informed Vikings during the call that my Hubby would be availing of the Birthday Promo aka FREE DINNER!:) Yeah, any celebrator can dine for lunch or dinner WAIVED OF FEES 3 days prior, on his birthday and 3 days after! Weeeeeeeee!^^

The call ended with some instructions: to be at the restaurant between 5:00 pm to 6:30pm or else the reservation will be forfeited and to bring the Hubby's ID with birthday indicated on it.

ON WITH THE BIRTHDAY FEAST

Upon entering the restaurant, we were led to what I would dub as the "couple's area" or the row of 2-seater tables. The tables were so close to each other though that I had to be very careful in navigating, lest the risk of bumping into the tables of the diners to our right and left.I bet the tables were arranged that way to maximize the space but somehow, it brought about inconvenience to a certain degree. If I would have something to complain to Vikings, this would be it. Anyway, the buffet itself proved to be enough compensation for such hassle.

Moving on... it took me about 15 minutes to survey the overwhelming stretch of "tastebud-delights" before zeroing in on my first batch of tummy fillers haha. Here are some of the photos I took during such deciding period which would more or less give you an idea on the buffet's awesomeness.

BREAD AND PASTRIES

CANAPES AND SALADS

CHINESE CUISINE

FILIPINO FARE

JUST JAPANESE

K-FOOD (KOREAN)

GRILL STATION

OYSTERSSSSS!!!!!!

FOR KIDS AND FEELING KIDS HAHA

MEAT GALORE

PIZZA

SWEETS...

MORE SWEETS...

MORE MORE SWEETS...

MORE MORE MORE SWEETS!^^

THE STUFF THAT MADE MY TUMMY HAPPY ^^

Yep, ALL MINE!^^ (I wasn't able to document Hubby's dinner LOL)

FIRST BATCH OF TUMMY FILLERS

SECOND BATCH OF TUMMY FILLERS

CHEERS!
STRAWBERRY AND MANGO JUICE + SAKE

MY DESSERT PLATE

The AVOCADO ICE CREAM was a big hit for us that we weren't contented
with just a serving. We had to wait for about 5 minutes before the
"best-selling" ice cream for the night was replenished.^^

The Hubby was given a cute birthday cake, compliments of Vikings. Birthday singers were supposed to sing "Happy Birthday" to him as well but he opted not to be serenaded as he did not want to draw attention haha.^^

Needless to say, Hubby and I died and went to food heaven that night haha!^^

There will surely be a next time for Vikings Buffet!^^

********************

VIKINGS BUFFET Marikina Branch

2nd Floor SM Marikina

For rates, branches and and other info, click here.

Instant Korean Army Soup

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 15:36:00 +0000

Ever since I got to sample budae jjigae or military/ army soup during my trip to Korea in 2011, I have been meaning to recreate such dish at home.

Just a little bit of history...the origins of army soup can be traced back to the period after the Korean War wherein people had to be resourceful in order to survive amidst food scarcity. It was named as such because surplus food from US forces were combined with traditional Korean spicy soup to create the filling fare.

Lifted off my previous post about my Seoul experience.
To read more about it, click here.:)

Moving on...so I have been meaning to cook army soup since 2011 but, lo and behold, it would take me 3 years to finally do so hahaha.^^

Tonight, Hubby and I rummaged through our fridge and found the right ingredients for our instant army soup!^^ And I am more than glad to share with everyone how we did it.

INSTANT ARMY SOUP

Ingredients:

Fresh corn kernels

Hotdogs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Fishballs

Boiled eggs

Korean instant noodles (spicy variant)

Directions:

1. Boil eggs. Set aside.

2. Boil corn kernels until tender.

3. Throw in hotdogs and fishballs into the casserole .

4. After 2-3 minutes, add instant noodles.

5. Stir the mixture occasionally, adding water as desired or to adjust the level of spiciness.

6. Once the noodles are cooked, remove from fire.

7. Add the boiled eggs.

8. Serve and enjoy!

Tadaaaaaaaah....our "Korean" dinner!^^

In making army soup, any suitable ingredients such as (fresh or leftover) luncheon meat, ham and other cold cuts, plus vegetables and what have you can actually be utilized. Except chocolates, perhaps? LOL ^^

Needless to say, a little creativity in the kitchen can do wonders for this dish.^^

Sadness: Some Kinda Philosophy

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 01:15:00 +0000

I dunno but right now, it seems that I am holding on to this some kinda "philosophy"...

"Wallow in sadness so that even with the slightest speck of hope, you can be at your happiest." ©goldabidz

Sounds masochistic right? Ironically though, I find comfort in such words.

Photo source: http://3rdbillion.net/2013/10/sad-dog-pictures/

Oh yeah, maybe I'm just having one of those "sentimental" days.

Camiguin Island: Sunken Cemetery and Sto. Niño Cold Spring

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 16:22:00 +0000

What made the end of my 2013 really memorable? After 15 long years, I was finally able to set foot again in the beautiful island that is home to both my paternal and maternal roots --- CAMIGUIN!

The whole family,including the Hubby who was a first timer, journeyed by land (bus), air (plane) and sea (ferry) to be at a dear cousin's wedding. To say that our reunion with relatives was uber fun is simply an understatement. We were literally laughing the whole time we were in the "Isla" and also in Cagayan de Oro where we made stopovers. Our stay was only for a weekend and yeah, I now miss all our folks back there big time.T_T

What also made our vacation in Camiguin amazing was the opportunity to visit some of the tourist spots the Island takes pride on. Due to time constraints, we were able to go to only two spots situated in Catarman, the actual hometown of my parents. Still, these are definitely worth sharing with everyone.^^

------------------------------

SUNKEN CEMETERY

The old cemetery submerged into the sea as a result of the eruption of Mt. Vulcan in 1871. The huge cross which serve as the cemetery's marker was erected only in 1982. To date, many tourists flock this spot, some of whom go diving to really see the grave site.

To get to the cross, we had to rent a boat for a minimum fee of P20.00 per person. We gave additional tip though because we were satisfied by the boatmen's service. One of these boatmen, we found out, once upon a time became a scholar of my late Tito Fred who was my mom's eldest brother. Small world indeed!:D

The travel from the shore to the cross took us merely a few minutes. We were all giddy except for my dad who seemed a bit nervous, no thanks to the small waves haha.:D

Stepping on the hardened lava on which the huge cross stood was truly an overwhelming experience for me. I could only imagine the horrific tragedy that sunk this part of the ancient Camiguin, together with the unfortunate locals and the remains of their departed loved ones.

Anyway, what's a visit without "picture-picture"?^^ Manong boatman, the scholar of my uncle, proved to be an amazing photographer. He wowed us with a lot of tricks!:D

Finally, it was time to go back and leave the buried Camigueños in peace. The boat was then paddled along the area with what I would call a "safety rope", tied from the shore to the cross.

STO. NIÑO COLD SPRING

After our Sunken Cemetery adventure, we headed straight to one of Camiguin's famous cold springs. I have read somewhere that this natural pool measures 25 meters by 40 meters, with a maximum depth of around 2 meters.

The moment I dipped my foot on the water, I immediately felt cooooooold (remember, 'twas December then!) but it was such a refreshing feeling that I did not hesitate to fully immerse myself in the spring. The water was so clear that the sandy bottom, the stones and even fish were very much visible!:D

Because he deemed it too chilly for his liking, we appointed our dad as the official photographer while we had fun hahaha.:D

By the way, we saw this dog at the entrance of Sto. Niño. It must be the coldness that prompted him to "wear socks". LOL!^^

------------------------------

There you go!^^ Oh boy, if only one would just see for himself all the wonders the Island has to offer, he would not be able to resist when the wind whispers, "Come-again to Camiguin!".^^

As for me, well, I will surely be back pretty soon!:D

For more information on Camiguin Island, click here.

Leftover Makeover: Hotdog "Paella"

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 08:39:00 +0000

The other night, it was just Jiggly and I at home so I felt too lazy to cook dinner. There was still some rice left from the previous meal so I scanned through the few ingredients in the fridge waiting to be noticed haha.

The result is another delicous, albeit lazy, leftover experiment inspired by the famous Valencian rice dish, PAELLA, with an Italian twist.:D

HOTDOG PAELLA

Ingredients:

Leftover Rice

Hotdog, cut in bite-size pieces

Butter

Spaghetti Sauce

Water

Cheese, grated or cut in small pieces

Seasoning

Directions:

1. Pan fry hotdog with a scoop of butter.

2. Pour in spaghetti sauce and some water.

3. Add cheese to the mixture.

4. Stir and let it simmer.

5. Season to taste.

6. Mix leftover rice until well-coated.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Other ingredients may be added such as carrots, peas and bell pepper. The possibilities are actually endless.:D

Taraaaaaaaaaaan!:D INSTANT MEAL!

I'm sure kids and kids-at-heart will love this as much as I did.:D

Leftover Makeover: Scrambled Egg Con Lechon

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 09:06:00 +0000

Until now, Hubby and I are still thriving on Christmas and New Year leftovers.:) It's not a bad thing though because we spend less on food these days hohoho.:)

Anyway, my post would be about what we had for brunch today. Made out of leftovers (yeah!), it's a very ordinary dish but the taste turned out to be so good that I thought of sharing the idea with everyone.

SCRAMBLED EGG CON LECHON

Ingredients:

Leftover Lechon (cut in strips)

Leftover Quickmelt Cheese (cut in desired size)

Egg

Seasoning

Directions:

1. Beat egg.

2. Add cheese and seasoning.

3. Set aside egg mixture.

4. Fry lechon strips until crispy. (Fat from lechon may be used as cooking oil substitute)

5. Add egg mixture.

6. Cook as you would a scrambled egg.

7. Serve and enjoy!

Sorry for this seemingly "unflattering" photo LOL!

Very simple and easy to do, right? But the taste? Ooooohhhhh, simply awesome!:)

This dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch too and yes, even dinner.

Happy cooking and eating!:)

My Final Artwork for 2013 ^^

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 07:36:00 +0000

Time flies so fast and today marks the end of 2013! Instead of looking back to the year that was, for now I'd rather look forward to the year that will be.:)

Here are my aspirations for 2014, as symbolized by my final artwork for 2013 ----

My Customized and Handmade Planner Cover!:)

Unlike its "predecessor" which is more on the cool pastel side, the cover of my new planner screams of sparkle, shimmer and all that!

It might be too lustrous for some but, hey, that's how I want my 2014 to be.:) I want to "radiate" endless energy and enthusiasm to be able to take giant leaps in reaching my goals and accomplishing even those I haven't had courage to do before.

The color scheme is also reminiscent of our wedding motif. I hope 2014 will be another fruitful year for our marriage, in whatever means possible.

As for the gold ribbon, it also signifies me, Golda being my name haha. It simply means that one of my aspirations for the coming year is to have more opportunities to express my individuality, my skills and whatever that would speak of who/what I really am, sans fear of rejection or indifference.

The color violet (my fave!) is also for royalty. Maybe, just maybe, I will be a real princess in my own palace come 2014.:)

Finally, the heart on the cover denotes my yearning to give more love and care to family, friends and just about anybody in my own little way. Of course, such would not be possible without first acknowledging God's great love for humanity.

So that's my final artwork for 2013. More than a visual masterpiece (or at least that's how I perceive it lol), it is an unabashed display of my heart's desires for 2014. May all of these (and yours too!) come true, God-willing.

I wish everyone Wondrous & Joyful New Year!^^

------------------------------

UPDATE: January 27, 2014

After barely a month, the metallic coating on the letters I used for my name already began to chip off. Hence, I decided to just use plain foam cut-outs, material of which is similar to the ones I used for "2014".:)

Here's the current look of my planner cover teehee...:)

ADVENT 2013: Of Observance and Crafts

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 10:27:00 +0000

Today, the 1st of December, marks the beginning of ADVENT, a season that Christians observe before Christmas. It is a time of reflection, anticipation and preparation for the nativity of Jesus.:)

A Catholic myself, I grew up having an Advent wreath in our home as part of the season's observance. Every year, the presence of the wreath would nurture my spirituality, reminding me of what the season is all about.

Source: http://christmastraditions.net/advent.shtml

An Advent wreath has many symbolism in itself. Traditionally made of evergreen, its color signifies eternal life. Its circular shape speaks of the belief that God has no beginning nor end.

There are four candles on the wreath, representing the four weeks of Advent. Three of which are purple and one is pink.

The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead. The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. (www.catholiceducation.org)

In the past, it is my mother who always took the initiative to set up an Advent wreath. Now that I am living in separate residence with my Hubby (and JIGGLY :)), I happily assumed the "responsibility".:)

To be honest though, until yesterday morning, I did not have a clear idea on how to go about setting up our own Advent wreath. Afternoon came and I was cramming already. Since time wasn't enough for me to go to wherever to buy a ready-made wreath, I decided to improvise one.:) I suddenly had inspiration when I rummaged through the available materials in the house. Thank God, I was able to come up with this... tadaaaaah!:)

Materials used:

4 wine glasses
4 candles (3 purple and 1 pink) ---> Courtesy of my mom ^^
Green Garlands

See, I did not have to spend much for our simple wreath! I truly hope that with this in our home, as in the past years, I would always be prompted of the true essence of Advent which leads up to the most joyous yet meaningful time of the year, Christmas.:)

WIN A BORACAY TRAVEL AND TOUR PACKAGE!:)

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:48:00 +0000

I am pleased to share with everyone this exciting invite that I received from I-map Websolutions, Inc. :D

Greetings!

We are pleased to invite you to our “Expression of Love Blogging Contest.” Share a story of a captivating moment involving flowers and gifts that made your heart goes “awwwww”. Be it your own experience or someone’s magical moment as long as you can convey the expression of love into words. Be as creative as you can be!

MECHANICS

The topic should be about giving flowers and gifts in any occasions.
Must be an original composition with 500 words but not more than 600 words.
Should promote our products and business. (Philflora.com, ManilaBlossoms.com, PHgifts.com)
Willing to put up the article in their personal blogs.
Content must be in English.
Participants can submit one (1) entry per website. (Philflora.com, ManilaBlossoms.com, PHgifts.com)

NOTE: Participants can request photos for the writing purposes.

Deadline of Submission

Submit on or before November 20, 2013.

Registration Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19i4BtLRxoM01dPG8JYjeK8L5FRp9Plk-I-owC90e9P8/viewform

Announcement will be on December 07, 2013.

Criteria for Judging

25% - originality

25% - creativity (writing style)

20% - use of media

30% - promotional and marketing relevance, key wording and overall content

Exciting Prizes

1^st Prize – 3 days and 2 nights travel package and tour in Boracay

2^nd Prize – Blog website and 1 year hosting

3^rd Prize – Ebook reader

If you have any questions or you would like to participate, please contact us by email. You can also forward this email to your blog’s followers and following.

Eagerly looking forward to your participation!

Best Regards,

Philflora, ManilaBlossoms, PHgifts
IMAP WEBSOLUTIONS, INC.
Address: 2E Patricia Bldg. 1050 EDSA Magallanes, Makati City
Website: www.imapwebsolutions.com www.philflora.com www.manilablossoms.com www.phgifts.com

Just a lil Boracay "visual aid" haha. Lifted off this old post of mine.

So what are you waiting for? Join “Expression of Love Blogging Contest” now and get a chance to fly to BORACAY for FREE!:D

Good luck!

Staycation at Tune Hotel Quezon City (The Good and The Bad))

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:36:00 +0000

Hubby and I took advantage of the recent holiday with what we've been desiring for some time --- a relaxing activity with just the two of us. Our ultimate consideration? Destination should be away from home but just within the metro as neither of us were in the mood to subject ourselves to long, tiring travel.:) All we wanted to do was simply chill out without much effort. Hence, our staycation.:)

Weeks prior, we booked a room in Tune Hotel Quezon City via Asia Rooms website. Located just along Timog Avenue, it seemed to be the perfect staycation venue for us. The hotel opened early October of the year making it one of the newest hotels in the city. It is part of a "limited service" hotel chain in the Philippines operated by a group under Tony Fernandes, the founder and CEO of AirAsia. (Notice the semblance between Tune's logo and that of Air Asia.^^)

Because of the "limited service" feature, the hotel is perfect for the budget-conscious because one can opt to pay only for the basic offerings (but of high quality as claimed) to guarantee a 5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price ---> 5-star bed and powerful hot shower. Customization can then be done by adding any of the optional services as deemed necessary like aircon, cable TV and internet access. Each add-on has a corresponding price.

In our case, since we booked via Asia Rooms, we got a package inclusive of toiletries, cable TV and wifi. No breakfast though due to absence of restaurant/ cafe in Tune Hotel Quezon City for the time being. The total amount that we paid for was merely Php1320.00... yeah so affordable that our pockets danced for joy.:)

Anyway, to know more about Tune Hotels, visit their website.

So much for the introduction, now it's time to share the unanimous thoughts of Hubby and I on Tune Hotel Quezon City during our staycation.

THE HOTEL

Facade during the day and at night.

Tune Hotel Quezon City looked really new and clean to us. We were especially delighted by the sight of the lobby with an oh-so-modern feel plus the background of the reception...the coolest we have seen in a hotel so far. :)

We were given a room at the 4th floor. Upon stepping out of the elevator, we knew we were in the right place because of the huge number 4 in front of us. The hallways seemed a little narrow but we did not really feel claustrophobic because of the transparent door at the far end which let the light in.

THE ROOM

Compared to most that we've been into, the room's quite small but there was still enough space for the Hubby and I to navigate comfortably. We observed though the nonexistence of the usual stuff that can be seen in a hotel room such as refrigerator, bar, coffee maker, cabinet, bathrobe, slippers, laundry bag, complimetary water, paper and pen.

But we would have to agree with the "5-star bed" claim as the mattress felt really soft and contributed a lot to the coziness that we experienced during our staycation. Not to mention, the TV that was cleverly installed on the wall made viewing while lying on the bed such a pleasure.

I happily picked up some space-saving ideas which I could apply to our own room in the future.:) Such as the foldable wall table...

...and the compact acrylic desk.

We noticed the presence of a ceiling fan. So we thought, in case we opted to forgo the aircon (very unlikely to happen though haha) to save some cash, ventilation's still very much possible. One comment on the aircon though, it was a bit noisy that for several times, I though it was raining outside.

The fire sprinkler in the room was definitely a reassuring sight for both the Hubby and I. We're just glad that the safety feature wasn't actually put to use during our stay.:)

TOILET AND BATHROOM

The cleanliness indeed met our expectation. Like the room, it's not really that big but the arrangement of the elements (the bowl, sink, shower,etc.) made it look spacious, well at least for us. (Another space-saving inspiration for our future T&B!^^)

Warning though, the door's translucent. It was alright for Hubby and I since we're married but we're not sure if everyone will be amenable to having a translucent toilet and bathroom door.:)

TOILETRIES

We were handed two bright red eco-drawstring bags, each containing towel, soap and shampoo. Had it been other (and more expensive) hotels, there'd be more than soap and shampoo.:) Then again, we did not mind because we brought our own stuff. Besides, Hubby and I both agreed that the red bags compensated for the lack of toiletries LOL.:)

STAYCATION

From check-in (at 12NN) until sleeping time, we truly enjoyed our stay at Tune Hotel Quezon City.:)

Minding our own businesses:
Me taking selfies and the Hubby so intent
on the program he's watching haha

MORNING AFTER (THE BAD)

The time we woke up was a different story though.:(

While snuggling lazily in bed, we heard a person or two walking outside our window. And then a few minutes later, we smelled PAINT FUMES. The odor got stronger that we were compelled to get up and start fixing ourselves so we can leave already.

While the Hubby was showering, I slightly drew the edge of the curtain and secretly took a peek on what's going on outside our window and I saw this!

So that's why we smelled PAINT FUMES! There was a painting job happening right outside our room!

Here are more of the ninja shots I took:

The incident sadly RUINED whatever good experience we had at Tune Hotel Quezon City.

WHY?!

Firstly, we just couldn't take the smell of paint fumes. We would have wanted to stay snuggled for a little more time but we ended up vacating the room at 10AM, an hour before the official check-out time. @_@

Secondly, the presence of strangers right outside the window just felt creepy. It's as if our privacy was invaded. We're pretty sure that anyone who'd suddenly wake up with strangers so close to his hotel window, or any window for that matter, will also feel uncomfortable, if not threatened. @_@

We informed the Manager of the situation and told her that we should have been placed in another room from the start since workers would be painting our side of the building come morning. To be fair, the Manager was apologetic about the lack of coordination. It seemed that she did not know/was not informed of the scheduled painting job. Even Manong Guard kindly asked us what happened and recorded it in his log book.

For the price we paid for the hotel, some might judge that ours was a petty complaint. But we did complain with the future guests in mind so they would not experience the same inconvenience. Hubby let me do the talking because of my more diplomatic personality haha. I did not raise my voice but I believe I was firm enough to convey our message. After all, service should always be of quality...doesn't matter if it's cheap or costly. Right?

FINAL THOUGHTS

If not for the paint fumes, our staycation at Tune Hotel Quezon City would have been a perfect one. Oh well, better luck next time.:)

********************

TUNE HOTEL QUEZON CITY

100 Timog Avenue,

Barangay Sacred Heart,

Quezon City

1103

Philippines

Our Dog's Amazing Transformation ^^

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 08:07:00 +0000

Out of boredom, I juxtaposed a photo of our pet dog during his early days with a more recent snapshot. The result is a depiction of his amazing transformation which happened in barely a year!:)

Though JIGGLY remains to be a playful and overly energetic furball sometimes to the point of being destructive haha, it is without doubt that he has already grown.

I do wish our otherwise loyal pet would remain with us until 100 dog years or beyond. Never mind the x number of slippers and stuff that he has nibbled and would nibble to disintegration...never mind his annoying hobbies which include licking human skin, nipping human legs and playing tug-of-war with a rag...he would always be forgiven as long as he stays healthy and keeps us company for the longest time possible.:)

Uh...on second thought, I take back what I said about the slippers and stuff LOL.:)

3 Easy to Cook and Healthy Meals

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Admittedly, I am no good cook. I would rather eat, munch, devour than whip out delightful dishes unlike the Hubby who really knows his way in the kitchen. :)

Lately though, out of necessity since I do not want to be branded as a useless wife LOL, I find myself tinkering in the kitchen and experimenting on ingredients to come up with easy to cook and healthy meals to feed the household (and that's just me, the Hubby and our dog, Jiggly ^^)

Hence, I am pleased to share 3 dishes "conjured" out of my imagination (no cook book, mind you!). Preparation and cooking take about 15 minutes only so these are perfect for busy COOK-WANNABE LIKE ME. With vegetables as main ingredients, these dishes are not only healthy but yummy as well, as attested by the worst critic AKA the Hubby and... ehem... yours truly who is a voracious meat/ junk eater.

Anybody can add/replace ingredients to further develop these dishes according to preference.

Enjoy!:D (Excuse me if I misused any cooking term^^)

STIR FRIED STRING BEANS WITH LUNCHEON MEAT

Ingredients:

(Amount is according to one's discretion)

String Beans

Luncheon Meat, sliced to bite-size pieces (Or Canned Tuna)

Seasoning

Cooking oil

Simple steps:

1. Heat the luncheon meat. (In my case, I fry the luncheon meat until crispy on the outside)

2. Add the string beans and stir fry for a few minutes. Careful not to overcook the beans to retain the crispiness.

3. Sprinkle some seasoning.

4. Done!^^

POTATO AND CHICHARO CURRY

Ingredients:

(Amount is according to one's discretion)

Potatoes

Chicharo
Squid Balls

Curry Powder

Water

Seasoning

Cooking oil

Simple steps:

1. Fry the potatoes until golden brown. Set aside.
2. Fry squid balls until golden brown.
3. Add the potatoes to the squid balls.

2. Add chicharo and stir fry for a few minutes. Careful not to overcook the beans to retain the crispiness.

3. Add curry powder.

4. Pour in a little water, enough to make a thick sauce sauce.

5. Sprinkle some seasoning.

6. Let it simmer.

7. Done!^^

POTATO AND MUSHROOM IN OYSTER SAUCE

Ingredients:

(Amount is according to one's discretion)

Potatoes (I like using baby potatoes)

Mushrooms (fresh or canned)

Oyster Sauce

Seasoning

Cooking oil

Simple steps:

1. Fry the potatoes until golden brown.

2. Add mushroom.

3. Add oyster sauce.

5. Sprinkle some seasoning.

6. Stir fry for a few minutes.

7. Done!^^

BON APPETIT!:D

PSA: Ridin' on the SMILE TRAIN:)

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 06:14:00 +0000

This is a Public Service Announcement.

The world can be cruel for children born with cleft lip and palate, a type of congenital facial abnormality.

Such was the case of Jhoanna who experienced being the object of ridicule in school due to her condition. The young girl's mother often fought with neighbors in defense of her daughter's cleft. Born to an impoverished family, an operation to correct her condition seemed to be a far-fetched dream.

But Jhoanna's ordeal was finally put to an end upon receiving a free cleft lip surgery thanks to Philippine Band of Mercy, one of the partners of SMILE TRAIN in the Philippines.

Photo courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES

SMILE TRAIN is the leading cleft charity responsible for Jhoanna's life-changing "SMILEstone". Since its establishment in 1999, the organization has performed hundreds of thousands of free cleft lip surgery to poverty-stricken children around the globe. [In fact, Jhoanna holds the record of being the 750,000th recipient of Smile Train's benevolent service.]

To quote Ms. Kimmy Flaviano, Country Manager for Smile Train in the Philippines:

“It only takes a very simple procedure, to change a child’s life. It is sad that so many children in the Philippines, particularly those from poor families, do not have the means to correct this condition. They have to go through life bearing the physical and health complications, as well as the shame and isolation. This is why we, at Smile Train, are very passionate about carrying-out the organization’s mission to give an opportunity to every child with a cleft case to live a full and productive life.”

Photo Courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES

Jhoanna is truly a living testimony that there is hope for children born with cleft lip and palate. With Smile Train, such physical abnormality would never again hinder anyone from beaming oh-so-brightly to the whole wide world.

**********************

Ride on the Smile Train!

If you know anyone in the Philippines in need of FREE cleft lip and palate surgery, contact Smile Train Philippines by calling or sending a message to 0917-52-TRAIN (0917-52-87246).

Photo courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES

Misses Dressy

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:53:00 +0000

There's this site that I visit every now and then whenever I want to happily get lost in a world of gorgeous gowns and dazzling dresses.

Introducing Misses Dressy, an online shop that carries a lavish collection of wedding and prom gowns, cocktail and evening dresses, plus shoes and other accessories.

Though the physical store of Misses Dressy is in New York, anybody in the world who is in that "I-want-a-gown-that-would-make-me-feel-oh-so-princess-y" state may order online in the comforts of home.^^

Shipping is free for orders $500 and up, even for international clients. If it ain't a perfect fit, the item may be returned within 7 days to get a full refund, with no questions asked (well, according to the website^^)!

Here are some of the myriad designs which caught my attention. Take your pick!:)

Photos lifted from Misses Dressy website.

For more of the gorgeous gowns and dazzling dresses, visit Misses Dressy website.

aVeneto Pizzeria Ristorante - Pizza, Pasta, Hero!

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Last Fri-"date" night, Hubby and I were supposed to join a some sort of Vegetarian Diners Club but certain circumstance led us instead to a restaurant which I first discovered through my dear friends from work.^^ Since it's located near the office, we just walked hand in hand to the place as the moon smiled and softly sighed, as if we're such lovely sight. Ooooops... the cheesiness ends right there LOL! ^^

Haha, sorry for that.^^ Anyway, the restaurant is called aVeneto Pizzeria Ristorante.

The Italian-sounding name is very much telling of what the restaurant's specialties are - PIZZA, PASTA and HERO. Not convinced? Go check the signage on its facade haha.^^

Upon entering aVeneto, a waiter led us to a table and handed us the menu. I had a bit of dilemma as I wasn't really hungry yet, with my tummy feeling so full thanks to the two consecutive afternoon snacks (heavy mind you!) we had at the office. But my mind insisted that I cannot not miss any of the delicious offerings in the menu. Needless to say, my mind won over my tummy haha.:)

Mandatory "me" shot haha, while browsing through the menu.

It was actually the Hubby's first time to dine at aVeneto so I had a say on what to order. I purposely limited ourselves to three dishes so as not to tolerate the glutton in me haha.

These are what we "feasted" on for our dinner:

CHEDDAR MUNCHERS (10 pieces)
Php 165

I love anything that has cheese and potato so this appetizer should have been a perfect one. However, Hubby and I noticed that the potato overpowered the rest of the ingredients which made us wonder where the cheese went haha. The dish would have been more appropriately called Potato Munchers .^^ Anyway, I would still recommend it especially as a good alternative to fries.

The tomato sauce, by the way, added a much needed twist to the usual "fried food" flavor.

NUT PESTO WITH CHICKEN
Php 275

I remember having this for lunch with my work pals and since I enjoyed it, I had to let the Hubby have a taste of it too. As expected, he enjoyed it for various reasons.

"Pasta's firm, every strand is generously coated with pesto, it's not too oily and serving is good for 2-3 pax, or even more!", Hubby said.

When I asked him what he didn't like about the pasta, well, he merely continued munching with gusto haha.^^

No doubt about the Hubby's observation but so far, I still maintain that the best part of this pasta dish is ...(drum roll)...the fried (and I think herbed) chicken topping! It gives variety to the taste of the dish thus, ensuring that it does not become boring, so to speak. Moreover, I believe that it can be a stand-alone fare meant to be savored with or without the pasta.

Last Friday, I tried dipping chicken pieces into the tomato sauce of the Cheddar Munchers. The experiment turned out to be a yummy one!^^

Concentrating on his meal. :)

CHICKEN WINGS (6 pieces)
Php 175

Of all that I have sampled in aVeneto, this one's gotta be my favorite! I have always loved how each chicken piece retains its crispiness on the outside (and the right tenderness on the inside!) even with the smothered sweet chili sauce. In the menu, it is placed under "Starter" but for just two people, I deem that it is enough to be considered a main course.

That particular Fri-"date" night though, I had a slightly different experience with the said dish. Halfway through the Cheese Munchers and Nut-Pesto Pasta, I thought that the waiting time for the Chicken Wings took longer than usual so I had a feeling that our order was forgotten. When I called a waiter's attention, he advised us that preparation will take a while since they're waiting for the oil to be very hot etc. etc. Just an excuse? Maybe, maybe not... LOL. To be fair though, he gave us an option to cancel the order but we were willing to wait at any rate.

When the order finally arrived, I told the Hubby that the crispiness was not the same as before. Probably due to rushed cooking? I dunno. Nevertheless, it was still an awesome gastronomic fare.

Generally, it was a delightful Fri-"date" at aVeneto Pizzeria Ristorante. Once in a while, I would stop eating to relax my already loaded stomach. But I would resume because I just couldn't resist what's on our table. I realized then that it's not a good idea to dine at such restaurant with a full tummy to begin with because you won't be able to take as much food as your mind wants. Haha.^^

********************

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante is located at 23 Visayas Ave., Project 6, Quezon City;

Phone Number: (+63 2) 454-2999

For other branches, click here.

Indie Maxie is Now a Musicale!:)

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Having watched a number of plays, participated in amateur stage performances, read some of Shakespeare's masterpieces and attended theater classes, I can somehow claim that I am no stranger to such fine art that is theater. The closest I have come to "professional" theater though was back in college when I took an elective which paved the way for my involvement in a Dulaang UP production.^^

Theater gives me a certain kind of high, what with characters breathing life to an act with no cuts and retakes plus intense monologues/ dialogues delivered live. The stage never seems to run out of stories to tell, effortlessly weaving threads of reality and fantasy.

In the recent years however, the theater aficionado in me slowly entered dormancy due to pursuit of other passions and interests.

But last Friday, I was vigorously roused from such quiescence state when I found myself at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to grace the kick-off event of Maxie The Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.

Based on the award-winning independent film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", the story is summarized as follows:

An effeminate, adolescent boy Maxie grows up in the slums of Manila and is deeply loyal to his family of petty thieves. His world revolves around taking care of his father Paco and two brothers Bogs and Boy, who love and protect him. When Maxie meets a young, handsome, and idealistic policeman Victor, the two quickly form a friendship and Maxie begins to realize that he can have a better life, which soon incurs the ire and disapproval of Maxie’s family. Torn between his emerging affection for Victor and unquestioning devotion to his father and brothers, “Maxie The Musical” is a tale of lost innocence and redemption amidst poverty and corruption.

(courtesy of Bit by Bit Company)

The event last Friday was merely a teaser, a "patikim nang shlight". Thus, only selected scenes were showcased through songs and oral interpretation (hello pink folders :D) by performers who weren't necessarily the ones partaking in the actual musical to be staged from November 9 to December 8, 2013 at PETA Theater Center in New Manila Q.C.

Here's a video of one of the performances. NOT YET PERFECT, yes, but still cool just like that.:)

It is too soon to make a comprehensive review on Maxie the Musicale since it is still a work in progress. Rehearsals are still ongoing and there stands the possibility of revision even for the acts/ songs already shown during the kick-off, as told during the Q&A portion with the producers and the artistic team.

PRODUCED by Bit by Bit Company
in cooperation with the PETA Theater Center and the Cultural Center of the Philippines
BOOK AND LYRICS by Nicolas B. Pichay
MUSIC by William Manzano, Arkel Mendoza, and JJ Pimpinio
DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY by Dexter M. Santos

But surely, what I have witnessed last Friday at the CCP left me wanting for MORE.

Now I want to hear more of the catchy melodies laden with lyrics both heart tugging and mind stirring...see more of the comical antics of the actors...ponder EVEN MORE on the existing issues that today's society of either shuns or bravely faces.

It is interesting to note that the lead actor of Maxie The Musicale, 14-year old Jayvhot Galang, is a theater freshie who did not audition for the musical, well initially. Instead, he was pursued after being discovered in a noontime show where he appeared as a game contestant. His casting was a case of "you're-perfect-for-the-role-so-we-had-to-go-find-you.^^

During the kick-off, Jayvhot aka Maxie only went onstage during the closing performance. My outright observations: His looks did not disappoint as he's what I imagined Maxie to be. His voice proved to have a lot of potential. Though it's true that he still has a lot to unleash, I am so positive that he's already taken the first step to becoming the next theater star.

Hubby and I spotted "Maxie" outside CCP with his family waiting for a cab. ^^

Indeed a must-see, I bet "Maxie the Musical, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" would be the gayest (no pun intended!) musicale of the year!

For ticket info and other details, visit Maxie The Musicale Facebook page.

Special thanks to Mr. Nick Guila of Bit by Bit for this opportunity.

Kitaro Sushi: Japanese Food, Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 10:04:00 +0000

Irrashaimase!

Spotlight is on ...KITARO SUSHI!

As the name suggests, it is a restaurant serving fares from the Land of the Rising Sun such as tempura, ramen, sashimi, and of course sushi.

Recently, Hubby and I dropped by one of KITARO's branches (@Emerald Avenue, Ortigas) to satisfy our craving for Japanese cuisine.

There were only a few diners at that time but since it's not fast food, we had to wait for a while before our orders were served.

Donald playing the waiting game haha :)

Love the oriental lighting fixtures

Complimentary Tea

As soon as the dishes arrived, we inevitably felt like we were caught in a "gastronomic" battle, prompting us to eagerly "attack" on everything that was on our table using our not-so-secret "weapon" - chopsticks! LOL.

********************

TORI UDON SALAD

Grilled chicken, rice noodles, wakame on greens with sesame vinaigrette

(Php 129.00)

Personally, I would eat this everyday if I were on a diet. I enjoyed the sweet-sour-salty-sesame blend of the vinaigrette plus the crunchy veggies. The Hubby did not only share the same salad bowl with me but my sentiments on this dish as well.^^

SEAFOOD RAMEN

Assorted seafood in light shio (salt) broth

Php 229

If only for the generous serving of shrimp, squid and kani, I would give this ramen my all-out approval. However, I did not like the taste of shitake mushroom which was quite overpowering for me. As for the Hubby, the ramen was not that hot for his liking.

TEMPURA PLATTER

12 pieces assorted vegetable and seafood tempura

Php 199

The "crunchy-on-the outside and soft-in-the inside" texture was perfect for me. The ginger soy sauce dip was ok but I actually dipped my tempura in the remaining sesame vinaigrette. And boy, was it sooooo delicious!

In this particular platter, I avoided the onion and eggplant tempura because I never really liked those two anyway. The Hubby happily munched anything away though. I asked for his official statement on the dish, he uttered just a word, "Masarap", meaning delicious in English.^^

GREEN TEA JELLY

COFFEE JELLY

Php 49 each

Green Tea Jelly was fruity with only a hint of tea aftertaste. It had some nata de coco embedded in it.

The two-layered Coffee Jelly was able to capture the true flavor of the aromatic drink. The firmer layer on top had a stronger taste and can be likened to black coffee. The bottom part was softer and had a milder taste as if creamer was added to the concoction.

The sweetest part of our meal, literally. Both jelly variants surpassed our expectation in terms of taste.

********************

We left KITARO SUSHI with heavy but truly satisfied tummies.

Me "Cheek to cheek" with a giant sashimi LOL

Will we go back? Why not?:)

My only complaint though is that KITARO SUSHI has limited branches. I believe more people would be able to dine conveniently in the restaurant if more mall-based branches would be opened soon. But then again, that's just my opinion.:)

For more information on KITARO SUSHI, click here.

Peach Post (OOTD)

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 16:54:00 +0000

I don't usually do OOTDs (Outfit of the Day) but since I couldn't remember when was the last time I wore PEACH and then I finally did, I thought of posting this for reference purpose.:D

This is what I wore last Saturday when I attended/hosted the 18th birthday celebration of a family friend. Beforehand, the invited ladies and girls were asked to wear any pastel colors.

Dress: Shopaholic

Accessories: from various bazaars

Shoes: from a bazaar

If I were to total the cost of my wardrobe here, excluding hair and make-up, it would not even reach a thousand bucks. That's what I call "practical fashion".:D

Now, the million dollar question is...

Do I look 29 here?^^

Candied Twist...Twisted Candy!^^

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:55:00 +0000

I can't help but connect this afternoon's discovery with the following "sugary" quote:

"Candy is nature's way of making up for Mondays". (Author Unknown)

**********

Maximizing what's left of the long (and rainy!) weekend, the Hubby and I found ourselves in front of this attractive candy store at the 3rd floor of SM North EDSA The Block. The moment we set our eyes on the store, we suddenly felt like we were Hansel and Gretel (except, of course, that we did not become siblings LOL!) who were inevitably enticed by ""confectionery house" so-called Twisted Candy.

What really caught our attention were the candy chefs kneading, pulling and twisting what seemed to be soft and plump candy dough with some design at the center.

Out of the plump dough, thin strips were produced, each one bearing the same design as the “mother dough”. ^^ The kneading continued until the strips hardened and then cut into bite-sized portions to officially look like rock candies :D

Watch the step-by-step process on how twisted candies are done. Click here.

It was truly an amazing sight but having come from a buffet, we did not really intend to buy some candies. However, we graciously accepted the samples handed to us. As I dropped a piece into my mouth, I immediately noticed the intense sweet and sour taste which I totally enjoyed. The Hubby enjoyed the taste even more that he asked me to pick a pack for us to purchase.:D

I opted for watermelon candies!^^

The Hubby "forcefully" took a photo of me holding my first ever Twisted Candy purchase. I also took his photo with the watermelon candies while he wasn’t looking hahaha.

Yeah I know...it was so SILLY of us taking photos with a pack of candies LMAO!

Anyway, before leaving Twisted Candy, I took more shots of pouches and jars filled with nothing but C-A-N-D-I-E-S!^^

**********

Back home, as I compose this post, the Hubby and I are happily munching on the candies and guess what, I am just not sure if it's just a psychological thing but it seems that the candies are slowly making it easier for us to finally accept that the long weekend's over and that Monday is just a few hours away hahaha :D

Over-all, I am pleased with Twisted Candy except that I don't think I would be purchasing candies from the store often primarily because of the price. But then...I would surely buy again because of the taste.:D

**********

TWISTED CANDY Branches:

Robinsons Galleria

SM North EDSA The Block

Prices:

Lollies: Php 35

Pouch 80g: Php90

Jar 70g: Php100

Jar 175g: Php225

Twisted Candy also accepts personalized orders for souvenirs, giveaways, etc.

Mary Thomas Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 14:20:00 +0000

Our quest to find a somehow quite place inside Robinson's Metroeast, away from the heavy foot traffic and all, lead us to the mall's 5th level where we found this little restaurant with fancy interior and cozy ambience.

Oh hello there, Mary Thomas Kitchen!:D

The Hubby and I immediately decided to dine in even if we didn't know who Mary Thomas was haha and how long had "her" restaurant been existing that we never discovered it until such moment.:)

When I opened the menu, I noticed there wasn't really anything unique to it. I scanned through the usual roster - sandwich, pasta, burgers, cakes, rice meals, appetizers, hot and cold drinks, etc.

After flipping through the menu, the Hubby chose lasagna (good for sharing) and cappuccino.

I settled with nachos (good for sharing) and blended iced tea.

Taste-wise, food was ok for me but the blended iced tea definitely stood out. I totally enjoyed its refreshing sweet and sour taste...aaaaahhhh!:)

Played with a photo of myself enjoying my blended iced tea
using my fave online photo editing service - PIXLR :)

I forgot the exact amount we paid for our orders (memory gap haha) but I'm pretty sure the bill's less than 500 bucks. Not bad.

Anyway, if Hubby and I were to return to Mary Thomas Kitchen, food won't really be the primary reason. It would be more of the restaurant's homey feel, allowing us to dine and talk without much disturbance. And since it's located at the topmost floor of the mall, I believe it would always be a nice place to go to if we get tired of the usual mall crowd. :)

****************************

MARY THOMAS KITCHEN

5th Level

Robinsons Metroeast

Marcos Highway, Cainta

Rememberin' SEOUL Part 2: A PHOTO DIARY^^

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:53:00 +0000

This is the second installment of the photo gallery telling the story of my wonderful "business cum pleasure" trip to Seoul, Korea in 2011, thanks to my then connection with a cosmetic and skincare brand.

READ ABOUT DAYS 1 AND 2 here.^^

It's unfortunate that I was not able to document the details in writing, but hey, the photos live to tell the tale.:D

MARCH 9, 2011

DAY 3 Highlights

*"Field Trip" to one of Amore Pacific's factories located in Suwon, about 30 km south of Seoul.
Amore is the mother company of Etude House,
as well as of other cosmetic brands hailing from Korea.:)

*Sumptuous LUNCH and a poster perfect restaurant in the countryside.:)

*Amore Pacific Cosmetic Museum.

History of beauty, anyone?^^

*FREE TIME after the trip to the countryside:

Savoring the Streets of Seoul

*DINNER on the Floor once again!:)

*Obligatory Solo Shots LOL

*After Dinner Entertainment:

FANTA-STICK

A modern interpretation of Korean traditional performances -

percussion, string, break dancing, martial arts and dance.

MARCH 10, 2011

DAY 4 Highlights

*Final Lunch in Seoul - Samgyetang
Yup, that's a whole chicken stuffed with rice and ginger for each one!:)

*Last "picture-picture" at MyeongDong before flying back to the Phils.

*Facade of Seoul Royal Hotel

After 4 days, I bade Korea not "farewell" but "see ya again soon!" because I know there's still a lot more to explore in the Land of the Morning Calm.

I intend to fly back to Seoul, or South Korea for that matter, on two conditions:

1. It would purely be a pleasure trip.

2. I would be with my ultimate travel buddy...the Hubby.<3

End of my sharing. Thanks for viewing!:DDDD

Rememberin' SEOUL on a Rainy Sunday: A PHOTO DIARY ^^

noreply@blogger.com (goldabidz) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 12:37:00 +0000

Here's my life equation for today:

Sky Shower + Sunday = Opportunity to just stay home and walk down memory lane by revisiting old photos.:)

In 2011, my then connection with a cosmetic and skincare brand paved the way for my first ever visit to the Land of the Morning Calm, Korea. Along with several editors, writers and TV personalities, I stayed in Seoul from the 7th to 10th of March for a "business cum pleasure" trip.

Unfortunately, I was not able to document the details in writing, e.g. the name of the places, food, etc.. But the PHOTOS are very much intact... I believe they'd do a great job in helping me reminisce and share with everyone (after 2 years!) my superb experience.:D

MARCH 7, 2011

DAY 1 Highlights

*Aboard Cathay Pacific, my tastebuds experienced gastronomic delight.:)

*Seoul Royal Hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul...our haven for 4 days.

*First Dinner in Seoul --- MILITARY SOUP -
a tasty hodgepodge of noodles, cold cuts, veggies in spicy broth.:)

*The Philippine Delegation after the sumptuous dinner.

*First glimpse of MyeongDong at night.

*South Korean Won :D

MARCH 8, 2011

DAY 2 Highlights

*The primary reason why our feet landed on the soils of Seoul.:)

*First lunch in Seoul after a fruitful training/ workshop.

*Visit to a doll house so-called Etude House located in ShinChon...it meant access to loads of cosmetics and skincare products, especially those which weren't available in the Philippines yet.:)

*Irresistible sweets, cakes too pretty to be eaten...
all from a pastry shop just beside Etude House.
Wasn't able to note the name of the pastry shop though :(

*Next destination after satisfying our sweet tooth --- Insa-Dong.
Main purpose? To check out antiques and artworks plus...shopping!:)

Some kinda candy that's delicate with SUGAR "HAIRS" (LOL) and peanut filling...aaaargh I forgot how it's called!^^

P.S. That ain't my hand haha :D

*DINNER --- Authentic Korean Barbecue!

*Second glimpse of MyeongDong at night...K-POP's everywhere! ^^

*Compliments of the hotel...a perfect way to end Day 2 in Seoul.:)

MARCH 9-10, 2011

DAY 3 and 4 Highlights

SEE NEXT POST...CLICK HERE ^^