Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Color Inspiration

I was sorting the pictures in my phone and found these to be soothing.. I decided to share it with you just in case, like me (!!!), you're already wishing that it's Thursday afternoon. I hope the following pictures appease your souls and ease the midweek blues. ;)

 
 

 
 
Looking forward to the loooong weekend,
S <3

Monday, November 26, 2012

Taipei-d

Hello everyone! Just a quick post before bed. I'm starting to enjoy my Taiwan experience and despite the pain that my wisdom teeth (yes, plural!) is causing me, I am starting to really enjoy the company of all my new found friends.

It's been a very tiring few days and honestly I can't wait to go home but I'm making the most of my trip because I know this experience (considering it's my first alone) will forever be etched in my memory.

So here's to happiness in the next few days!

Positivity people! :)

Friday, November 23, 2012

Greetings from Taipei!

Hello  everyone! Just a quick post co'z it feels a bit lonely abroad. Just wanted to say hello from Taipei!

This is my first trip abroad "alone" (not with family or friends) and even if I'm having fun, it still ain't as fun as when I'm with familiar people.

Still, much love to my new-found friends and equally crazy ladies from the Philippines! *group hug!*


Will do a post on this beautiful city in the next days so stay tuned! Lol at the "stay tuned" :P

Missing Manila,
Ninin

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Scentsational Holidays

It's the Holiday season once again and I don't know why but during this time, I tend to go perfume-crazy. There are so many great scents introduced this year (and some from last year) and I've listed here my favorites:

1. Britney Spears' Midnight Fantasy and Fantasy

I've heard rave reviews about Britney's Fantasy and so I wanted to check it out immediately. Turns out it's one of Britney's top sellers and even if Britney has already produced newer scents, they had to reproduce this because of the overwhelming demand from the market. The scent has a sweet vanilla smell with fruity undertones. The warm sweetness is just perfect for the cold season.

Britney's Midnight Fantasy is the newer version of  Fantasy. As I said, they've already stopped making Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy is what they intended to replace it with. Midnight still had the sweet smell of Fantasy but this time, it had a cool mint-y tone to it. It smells sophisticated but still very feminine. It's refreshing and smells just perfect for a romantic out of town dinner.

2. Katy Perry's Purr and Meow



When Katy Perry's perfume first came out, I didn't like it-- I don't know why but the next time I smelt it, I absolutely loved it and even bought a bottle for myself.

When I first got a whiff of Purr, I thought it smelled of kisses-- you know, the small fragrant wax-like balls we used to play with when we were young? In other words, I didn't like it. But when I tried spraying it on my wrists, it smelled so good I was surprised myself!

Meow on the other hand is what I'd normally gravitate to. It has a warm powdery vanilla smell. The smell is very faint and not overwhelming. It is truly a good scent to wear this Christmas season.

3. Marc Jacob's Dot

I've always had this "thing" for Marc Jacob's Daisy. There are days I love it and then there are times I think it smells "old". That's the reason why I've never gotten myself a bottle of it. However, things changed when I got a whiff of Marc Jacob's newest scent, Dot-- it was a no-second-thought moment. I just knew I had to buy it.

The smell is so sophisticated. It's not very fruity or floral-y or vanilla-y, it's all that and more. It feels like one of those perfumes that is perfect for watching theatrical shows or operas, if you know what I mean. I feel very feminine and grown up when I wear this perfume. It's perfect for special occasions and Christmas dinners where you want to stand out from the crowd.

4. Vera Wang's Princess
 This perfume is more of my trademark-- sweet vanilla scents. Vera Wang's Princess is sweet and very girly but the best thing about it is that it's not too sweet to annoy the people around you (y'know how sometimes people detest perfumes that are too sugar-y?). It is very feminine and again has a warm vanilla undertone which is just perfect for the cold season.

5. Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck
 I obviously have a penchant for celebrity scents these days don't I? Well, this one is in my list because it smells wonderful! It, too is fruity and sweet. It reminds me of guava and strawberry. It has a very fruity smell and yet still has this rich warm undertone to it that makes it perfect for the holidays. This one is more suited for the younger crowd but if you feel young yourself and want to wear something equally youthful, then this would be perfect for you.

6. Anne Curtis for Bench
 This may come as a surprise to some but trust me on this. Anne Curtis' perfume line for Bench smells wonderful! I love Glamorous the most probably because it also has that warm vanilla scent to it that qualifies it as a "holiday perfume". It is not as long-lasting as its more expensive counterparts (listed above) but really, for a meager 400 pesos, this is a good steal!

Apart from those that made it to my list of favorites, you may also wish to check out Lanvin's Marry Me and Ferragamo's Signorina both of which I've used this year (and no surprise, they smell of vanilla too).

...and for the men, I HIGHLY recommend using this:

It smells so goooood! I'm not sure if that's the actual bottle though, I just asked a guy friend what perfume he's using because it smells wonderful and he said this. If I had a boyfriend, I'd give him this for Christmas just because I'd want to smell this on him. It's so manly but not overbearing. It's one of those perfumes that draws a girl's attention even a yard away. It has that "axe effect" and I'm not kidding about it!

So there goes my list! You may want to get these for yourself or buy these as gifts this Christmas. Here's to a fragrant holiday season for us all! :)

Monday, November 19, 2012

Black and yellow and black

These past months, I haven't been dressing up as much as I used to. I've purged a lot of stuff from my closet and replaced them with plain t-shirts and basics. I guess when you grow older, you tend to not be too flashy with your outfits anymore. But of course, it's a gradual process and even if I try to mute down my fashion choices, there are days when I can't resist and I have to go all out NEON.


When I saw these neon green shorts, my first instinct was to pull it off the rack and pay for it. But like I said, I'm trying to mute down my fashion choices as of late and so I had to take time and think about first. When I deliberate on buying something, I always ask myself, would I able to sleep soundly if I don't buy this? If the answer is no, then I have to get it right then and there. Well, the answer is obvious in this case-- I won't.

I paired it with a plain black tee just because it's already too loud on its own. It's actually a very bright highlighter kind of yellow shade so it's best to pair it with something simple.

I wore this to the closing ceremony of the National Theater Festival at the CCP. The event was held outdoors and everyone was just so laid back and having fun. Really, theater people are fun people! They are an entire clique of their own. Congratulations to everyone who participated! I am still sad I didn't get to catch Battalia Royale, but maybe next time? (If there will still be a next time *sobs*)
Black t-shirt: Bench
Neon shorts: Kirin Kirin
Cat eye sunnies: Aldo

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Crafty Discovery

Several days ago, I posted about my eyelet lace puncher. Now, let me share with you all my other purchases!

Some of you are probably already itching to know where I got my crafts supplies. Okay here goes.. It's a quaint yet well-stocked scrapbooking store disguised as an unassuming apartment unit. Passing by the house, you'll see no signage nor will you get any hint that craft heaven is actually through that tiny gate. Hehe.  The place is called Lasting Impressions. Based from another blog where I learned about the shop, it is owned by Iris Babao Uy - a hardcore scrapbooker herself.

Side story: Back in college, I was an avid (albeit newbie) scrapbooker. I've done scrapbooks for my highschool mementos and another one for my gradeschool mementos. My addiction to scrapbooking came to a halt when our house got renovated. I left (and lost!!!) my crafts supplies and my finished scrapbooks. :( Still hopeful to find my scrapbooks, I still get excited whenever my mom decides to have one of the many old boxes in our storage opened.
 
Directions to Lasting Impressions: From Ortigas Avenue, turn left at Wilson St. Go straight (you'll pass by Cardinal Santos), look for Jose Abad Santos St. and turn right. After 3 streets, you'll see V. Ibanez St. where you should turn right. The 2nd house on your left (the yellow one) is the magical place I'm talking about. Don't be confused, doorbells for units B-E are visible, the one on the far right, near the lone gate, is the doorbell for unit A. Don't be shy, buzz 'em! :)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Wild over Wildflour Cafe + Bakery


Went to The Fort to try the much talked about (in the online world, at least) Wildflour Cafe + Bakery. Everything was just so delectable.. here are the pictures to prove it.

 
I won't go into detail about every dish we ordered. I didn't get to taste all of it because I was planning to finish my order, the tomato soup+salad+grilled cheese sandwich, which was simple and rustic yet really filling and satisfying. Let's just let the pictures do the talking, shall we? Oh, but aside from my order  I finished off another dish. The dessert! It was a Valrhona Chocolate mousse topped with salted caramel and almonds. De-licious! :)


Drooling yet? Wildflour Cafe + Bakery is located at the 26th street corner 4th street in Bonifacio Global City, The Fort, Taguig City.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Very Productive Crafternoon

I've been secretly eyeing customized stamps for months now. I haven't been pursuing it because I'm not a very artsy fartsy person. In fact, I am TERRIBLE at drawing. Back in college, Ninin was always in charge of drawing and I was always in charge of coloring. Haha!  In case you didn't know, one of the most important steps of doing homemade stamps is to draw your design.

Anyway, exactly two months ago (proof that I'm such a lazy blogger, blogging about this just now), I took a big leap and signed up for a Rubbercutting Crafternoon with Mansy of HeyKessy and Alessa of Lifeafterbreakfast. Initially I was so excited for September 15 to come but as the date got nearer, I got more and more anxious. I was anxious because, as I've said, I couldn't draw to save my life!! So to counteract my nervousness, I decided to search for really simple stamp patterns and ended up getting simple shapes that could pass as geometric patterns (or so I thought).

The day came and I rushed to Katipunan for the 1st ever Rubbercutting Crafternoon session. When I arrived, most of the participants were already there. So I quickly searched for an empty seat, sat down and saw a black box, a strip of sticker paper and a pink cutting mat in front of me. The first thing we were asked to do was to create our name tag using the sticker paper and the handmade alphabet stamps on the table. Here's how mine looked like:

My name tag which is now on the bedroom wall (I was so nervous, my hand was shaking while I stamped this. Haha! How more un-artsy could I get)
The Kit (black box I mentioned) contains 1 GIANT eraser, 1 regular sized eraser (the white one), the cutting mat, carving tools (not seen in pic: ruler, pencil, cutter, carbon paper, paper for stamping)

Before we started doodling and cutting rubber, Alessa and Mansy told us about the basics of stamping like carving to achieve a 'negative' or a 'positive' stamp, different techniques and mediums, as well as the importance of reversing the text when doing word stamps.

Along the way, my 'classmates' figured that it's much easier to make big simple designs than small shapes or patterns. I was so surprised and unprepared (lemme reiterate, I don't know how to draw!!) because I was trying to do small boxes. Anyway, I stuck to what I was doing and ended up finishing (messily, mind you) my first ever stamp! Then I decided to do a much more easier (hahaha..I'm suuuch an artist. haha!) design..another geometric pattern but this time with 3 triangles. And just like that, I had my 2nd ever handmade stamp. ;)) Try to suppress your laughter.. here's my finished products..

And look at what my classmates made!!!! @_@ I was in awe with their designs. I wanted to keep mine in the box. Haha. Fortunately, my seatmate, Jean, was so kind and encouraging that she wanted me to stamp on her paper and sign it (aww..). She also said that it'd be cool to make as a gift wrapper or border for stationery. Yes! That was my plan. That's why I did geometric patterns. Someone gets me! :)))
Made by my frontmates, Mia and Edwina
Aside from the action-filled (yes, action-filled. it was hard to fight with the rubber ha) activity,  we were served delcious, healthy food from Pipino <3 and were serenaded by Johnoy Danao. Loved the mushroom salpicao, wicked walnut salad and cheeseless vegetarian lasagna as well as Johnoy's songs! Before leaving, we took a class photo. ;)
P.S. I was too nervous that I completely forgot to take pictures during the event. Grabbed the pictures here (Mansy).

Two months have passed and the Rubbercutting bug hasn't left me (thankfully!), here's my collection of stamps:


Hoping to take up more crafts! ;)

Friday, November 9, 2012

Holidays at your favorite Cafes

It's almost Christmas and one of the first signs that it is fast approaching is the introduction/ return of some interesting holiday offerings at my favorite coffee shops!

Here's a brief list of my favorite holiday treats from my choice cafes:

1.Seattle's Best Coffee's Caramel Apple Mocha
 When I heard that SBC offered a Caramel Apple drink, I almost wanted to run to the Cafe. I am on an "apple" addiction phase and just the mention of apple, caramel and cinnamon to me sends me on an excited fit. I just HAD to try it:

 Looks yum and tastes yum too! Of all the Christmas drinks, this would have to be my favorite. It's so unique and tasty! I've always enjoyed SBC's brew of all the coffee shops because it has a subtle yet satisfying coffee taste. Add to that apples, cinnamon and caramel and what have you? A drink made in Christmas heaven! Yum!

2. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Red Velvet Cocoa
  

CBTL's  Red Velvet Cocoa is a favorite from last year-- except I regretted that I didn't get to drink a lot of it in 2011 because I discovered it too late and come December, their supply of red velvet powder ran low. Finding a branch that offered it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. This year however, I made sure I got to have it before they ran out. In fact when I went to my favorite branch, the barista said they were out of stock but when he saw the disappointment in my face, he pulled some strings and got me my drink. Yey :)

3. Starbuck's Vanilla Butterscotch Pecan Twist

Of course, who could forget Starbucks? My favorite would be that little piece of heaven right there. I didn't know what force beckoned me to get it but I'm grateful because it tastes heavenly! I have been munching on these babies consecutively for days this entire week. I'd even market it to my colleagues at work because something so tasty should be shared! Really, you guys should try it. Trust me. It's just the perfect Christmas pastry!

So there goes my list! I obviously spend too much time in coffee shops. Lol! Seriously though, these Holiday offerings are just so good, and given that they're available for a limited time, I highly suggest you try them before they run out! 

Advance Happy Holidays!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Lace on Paper

Doesn't this make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? :)
Visited a newly discovered crafts store yesterday, and went a little crazy. The Martha Stewart eyelet lace puncher <3 above is one of my purchases. Stay tuned for the other items I got and for the directions to the said crafts store ;)

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Table Tennis turned virtual

Most people don't know that I play Table Tennis. I think I just don't register as the athletic type-- but really, I am. Of all the sports though, I take pride in my Table Tennis skills. I used to be in the junior varsity in grade school, bagged the MVP award in high school and played in the inter-college games in College.

I love Table Tennis. I didn't have time to train nor did I ever consider really pursuing it but it always gave me great joy. The problem with it though is that there are very few people who know how to play. Also, it isn't a very convenient sport to play. You have to find a table and a suitable place, and given that it's already hard to find someone to play with, the entire task becomes difficult altogether.

Watching the 2012 Women's Table Tennis World Cup yesternight however woke my inner desire to play again. And because I'm very persistent when it comes to things I want, I scoured the internet for the next best thing: a virtual table tennis app.

I didn't expect much from the app. I mean, hello, it's a computer game-- skills are not really required-- well, apparently I'm wrong! The game is so challenging and feels so real! I love how tough the opponents are and how certain strategies that are used in actual games can be applied!

That's a screen cap from one of my toughest opponents. Hate him! He keeps "dropping" the ball! So irritating!--but at the same time, really challenging! Each opponent has their own style, some have really strong spins, or hard drives. You have to adjust your style with each one. Love it!

...and I don't know if it's real but my back ached after playing. I think I got so carried away, I don't just use my finger in flicking the paddle, I used my entire arm to give it force. Lol!

How 'bout you guys, do you play table tennis?

Homemade Milk Tea with Cheese


I've been on a milk tea addiction these past few days. I've been able to satisfy my cravings almost everyday for the past week but because I didn't leave the house yesterday, I decided to just make my own Iced Milk Tea with Cheese.

I wanted to do a sweet-salty concoction and so I decided to add cheese. I loooove cheese and as always it made it taste better!

It's simple really. Just boil some tea with sugar, whip some all purpose cream, grate some cheese and voila! Perfection :) The key here is adding ice cubes and whipped cream on top before adding the cheese. If you don't do this, the cheese will just sink to the bottom and you won't have that salty-sweet taste.

I am so proud and happy with my drink! Now I can enjoy my favorite milk tea without the need to leave the house!

Go on, try it for yourself!

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