Hello Halloween 2010

                                            Credit to Kiko Brillo for the photo

Here comes the Halloween! One of my favorite days of the year. Im so excited to pick up a cool costume. Im thinking if I would go like Dark Angel or Flower Fairy (?) hahaha. We are planning to go to SM to trick or treatin' with the kiddos. What excites me most are the treats from Blog ni Ako's oven....




 and The Peach Kitchen's party tips......




 I remember my old days back in Palawan, halloween is just an ordinary day. Normally we were at home watching scary movies, kinda boring though. This photo was taken when I was working in Hotel Fleuris in Palawan years ago. We had trick or treat activity then, it was all fun with the Hotel Fleurisian!!!




Last year, we had a great spooky stories for Halloween. We went to a mall with ykai and this photo of ykai's scared face shows the whole story.




Im wondering what would be this year's Halloween look like. With the preparation made by Peachy and Anney, this is something to look forward to, for sure. How about you, Have you came up with cool halloween ideas?




"Pasalubong"

Pasalubong  in general, is a "gift for a relation or friend brought by" a "traveler returning from a trip"  and could also refer to "anything given as a gift to someone on the way home to a certain place" . It could also mean "homecoming gift" or a present which signifies appreciation to the services rendered by the recipient. 


It is very popular among us, Filipinos. It keeps the bond with friends, family, relatives or someone who does have close relationship with you. The gesture of handing out "pasalubong" conveys that love ones are being remembered while away. 


For me, it is not really the "pasalubong" that matters but an old inspiration who comes back home and let me inspire again. Welcome home, Doremon!!!!

Somewhere in Time (film, 1980)

A story of young writer who sacrifices his life in the present to find happiness in the past, where his true love awaits him. A time travel romance....




Young Richard Collier ( Christopher Reeve) is approached by an elderly woman who gives him an antique gold watch and who pleads with him to return in time with her. Years later, Richard Collier is overwhelmed by a photograph of a beautiful young woman, Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour). Another picture of this woman in her later years reveals to him that she is the same woman who had given him the gold watch. Collier then becomes obsessed with returning to 1912 to meet the beautiful young woman who awaits him there. He tries to find out about her and learns that she is a famous stage actress. Determined to meet her somehow, he employs self hypnosis and wills himself to go back in time where he meets her. They fall in love, which does not make her manager happy at all. Her manager fears the romance will derail her career and resolves to stop her.

CuisineKnow - Al Fresco

Al Fresco

1.) Eating in the open air.
2.) In the fresh air, outdoors

We love to dine al fresco.

Red Mango Frozen Yogurt


Introduced to me by Peachy who loves froyo more than a Prada bag or LV. Red Mango is the pioneer of all natural frozen yogurt offering perfect escape for today's active, health-conscious consumer ho wants to eat well and look great.




Unlike other desserts, it is all natural, nonfat, and gluten free. It is fun to get creative with delicious and exciting toppings like fresh fruits and fruity pebbles. I chose green tea with kiwi fruit on top, the result is an extremely satisfying, one-of-a kind sensation that is irresistibly delicious and undeniably nutritious.


Red Ribbon's Bloggers Event

 
I was invited by Peachy of The Peach Kitchen to attend the launching of Chocolate Fudge Cake at Red Ribbon in Rizal Drive, The Fort. This is the second time I attended a blogger event courtesy of her. What I liked about blogger events are the  and the freebies and free food.....


 We had Crispy Chicken, Salad with Caesar dressing and Carbonara.


I really love attending a blogger's event. I'm looking forward to attend more.

Red Ribbon's Chocolate Fudge Cake

Comfort food is like a warm embrace. It's a back rub after a hard, long, stressful day. It's a reassuring word. It makes me feel wonderful even with just a taste.  It lifts the spirit. It's food that simply satisfies. All of us have our own list of comfort food, and I'm sure, in your list there is always a chocolate cake. 


Red Ribbon whipped up a version of the classic chocolate cake with its new Chocolate Fudge Cake. This comfort food list-topper is made with its moist chocolate pound cake layered with luscious chocolate fudge filling and then smothered with velvety chocolate icing.

Give in to a slice or two with a cup of brew, freshly steeped tea, or warm glass of milk. It's the kind that will make you savor every bite, scrape off the last bit of crumb and icing on your plate, and then lick the fork clean. Chocolate Fudge Cake can easily get i all Red Ribbon Stores nationwide, available in regular size for Php 460.00 and junior size for only Php 275.00

Astoria Plaza



Full service Residential Suites, a 3 star Hotel. Located in one of the Philippines' progressive business and commercial districts, Astoria Plaza in  Ortigas Center offers you your private niche in the heart of the city.


 
It is the new standard in urban living with all the space and comfort of home combined with the modern convenience of a deluxe hotel. With rooms ranging from a minimum of 60 sq. meters to a maximum of 130 sq. meters, Astoria's spacious suites give you the freedom to enjoy your living space separate from your workspace. 

                                         


Astoria Plaza is only within walking distance to leading shopping centers, malls, hospitals, universities and electronic railway transits. Astoria's facilities include a gym, a lap pool, Regenere spa and massage center, Santis Delicatessen, McGill Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, Travelnet, Genesis Valet Shop and Laundry Service, ISHQ and TONIC trendy clothing shops. Complimentary round trip shuttle service to the Ortigas Business District is available upon request.


Be above the rest. Settle with nothing but the best. Live the good life amidst stylish Zen-inspired settings yet stay close to where the action is...


Welcome to Astoria Plaza --- Setting the New Standard in Urban Living

excerpt from http://www.astoriaplaza.com/index.html


ASTORIA PLAZA
J. Escriva Drive (formerly Amber Avenue)
Ortigas Business District, Pasig City, Philippines
Voice (+632) 687-1111
Fax: (+632) 910-0370
Email: Sales@astoriaplaza.com

CuisineKnow - Concoction

Concoction

1. To prepare by mixing ingredients, as in cooking, using skill or ingenuity.
2. A mixture prepared in such a way. Something made-up. An Invention.
3. A Combination of different ingredients.

Something concocted : I tasted my latest concoction, a mixture of liquor, garlicky, sweet and spicy sausages. A strange but tasteful mixture.

Miracle Fruit

         beautiful picture courtesy of Marcial Bolen

Edinburgh Castle - In Visul Meu

I was able to see the Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh City, Scotland a couple of times. In my dreams.....


 The castle's view from Princess Garden. Credit to Guia Balerite for the picture.

Dampa - True Tastes of Pinoy

                                          Calamares

We went to Dampa in Macapagal Boulevard near Mall of Asia to celebrate one of my colleagues birthday last Saturday. We choose Dampa because of deliciously fresh, authentic, and affordable seafood.

                                           Buttered Shrimp


                                           Lato

It is a one-stop shop to explore Filipino favorites and other Asian Cuisines. If you are craving for Asian cuisine, Im sure you'll be very satisfied here.



  Sinigang na Bangus sa Miso

                                                                                    Charcoal Grilled   Liempo

                                          Ensaladang Manga with Shrimp Paste


 The concept is: buying seafood in the market  and ask the restaurant of your choice to cook it. You may also request to cook it according to your liking. Most of the food will play around Php 100- 350 per kilo price range, expect to pay Php 100-200 /kilo more if you avail the cooking service, depending on the type of seafood and cooking you wish to cook.

                                          Baked Tahong

If you dont like to buy seafood and get wet in the market, just simply pick the yummiest seafood on their menu.

Have a Havaianas


Happy feet again! I am ready to continue my journey with wonderful steps, of course with havaianas on my feet. After my old slippers said "I wanna retire" (click here if you missed the story), I purchased a brand new flip-flops in Bonifacio High Street, where the largest Havaianas store in the country is located. It was difficult to choose from wide variety of flip-flops, they have different colors, patterns, themes, prints and designs. I want my Havs to be used in the house, going to the malls, in walking at the seashore, for gimmicks to parties, even to the office.


I tried the new arrival metallic havainas but its kinda expensive. I tried different designs that would fit my feet and would deserve the "do-anything-shoe" rule until I came accross this bubblegum colored havs and when I put them on I felt different from the others. The thick rubber concoction perfectly fits the curves of my feet. This is it! Luckily, it came along with free Havaianas Beach Towel. Wasn't it  perfect? 


Havaianas referred to as the best  rubber sandal in the world. The philosophy  behind is comfort and fashion. The addictive nature of these flip-flops is because of the 42 year old  secret rubber formula which makes them butter-soft and bouncy.100% rubber concoction makes havaianas ultra comfortable and highly durable.



Coffee, Tea and Me - Starbucks' Via



Whatever you call it, for me, it's not just an instant coffee but instant bliss. For just Php 130.00, you can have 3 great cups of coffeeAnytime you want, anywhere you are. A cup of instant coffee that's rich and full-bodied like their fresh-brewed. It is 100% natural roasted coffee, packaged in a protective atmosphere, microground to release its rich aroma and full flavor.



When you dont have the time, or perhaps the inclination to brew a whole pot - this is perfect for road trips, all-nighters (like me), unexpected guests, groggy housemates, and workaholics.




The watery, bad taste broth of coffee in the office is a pretty sad affair. Forget everything you think you know about ready brew coffee. It tastes as bold and flavorful as any cup of freshly-brewed. It packs up light and helps make any journey a pleasant one. It is good to know that in the face of extraordinary circumstances, you have a bold partner by your side. Just like Via, ready and willing in a matter of seconds, you can count on to go any distance.


'Ole Havaianas



My first havaianas was the classic, limited edition, Cartonistas. Cozy to use at work during dress down days, comfy to use everyday at home (pambahay).


Never had I worn flip-flops that felt like home to my feet. Havaianas is great for almost any occasion. I never know that I would get hooked on it.  Then there's another havaianas I have encountered in the mall and I loved it.  I liked it to the point that I used it everyday at home, going to the wet market, mall, outing, church and party. They are the ultimate "do anything" shoe. I overused it for almost 2 years, they're now, the classic example of ruined, exhausted, injured and destructed havaianas.


Take a closer look at it,  the "s" was torn and the below picture shows "avaiana". I figured,  It is the time to purchase a brand new one, doncha think?


Coffee, Tea and Me

Who doesn't like rich, thick, hot, steaming coffee in a lazy, drizzling Friday morning?

Spending time alone is at its best when you have a cup of coffee in your hand and Marlboro lights in the other. I love coffee. I wouldn't pass a day without a doze of caffeine in my system. A brand, time of day,  nor the price doesn't matter to me. i need coffee or tea to keep me going. Most of the time, I sip on a cup of coffee early in the morning while appreciating the goodness of life.


Today I've realized, Life Doesn't let you stand still for long, does it? Well that's no reason to leave great coffee and tea behind.