Are you an it girl?

You should be since you're reading this blog. I mean, this is afterall, the ultimate it girl's online guide, right? *wink! Well, hooray to you it girl! But before you go on celebrating, there is still one very important thing that an it girl should have-- and no, that is not make-up. It's more of the thing to keep us, it girls, organized and aid us in remembering all the coolest sales and parties all year round-- the Belle de Jour Planner!

Properly called, 'Belle de Jour' which in French translates to It Girl, this planner is 2008's first must-have item! Aside from being the ultimate girls' planner, it also boasts of a wide array of discount coupons from top brands such as Bayo, Red Box, All Flip Flops, and Crustasia, among others. Fab, right?

Well, me and S already have ours and so I've provided you the real low-down for the power planner:

Let's start with the cover: wonderful design! It's quite weird though that it's not glossy. It's smooth but shine-free. Because of that, I'm scared that it might get scratch marks once I use it. Still, it gets high thumbs up for the really "it girl" look it gives.

The articles are a really cool thing to add to the planner. It gives you tips on various things. My favorite as of the moment being the one on how to change a tire. It actually features a lot of things from how to be independent to how to find your prince. Each article is found at the start of each month so you're sure to learn something new every 30-31 days. Cool, ey?

Aside from the articles, one of the very, very unique things about the planner are its sections on menstruation, budget, travel, goals, picture page and birthday guides. I really love the part for the menstruation tracker because I track my period by encircling dates on my calendar (which by the way is displayed in my room for everyone to see! ack!). Aside from the the place where you can indicate the date you had your period, there is also a space you can fill where you could jot down anything and everything you experience when you feel like you're about to have your period. I was telling S about this and how it's a good thing because sometimes we say we're grumpy when we're about to get our period but in reality, we're actually very happy the day we get it. See how we could be wrong?

Well, here's a sample page from the planner. Honestly, I don't like that it's not lined like the Starbucks planner but I like how it has big space for all my little escapades and appointments. Each page also has a cute little line above which aims to boost your confidence. Each week also has a section where you can put the urgent tasks, important stuff, treats you want to enjoy, and errands to run. It's cool that you are able to see all your tasks for the week and also how you're given leeway to treat yourself too each week.

Finally, the coupons! These little things are one of the reasons S and I got our planners back in October-- yes, the discounts! I mean, who wouldn't want to get stuff a little bit cheaper right? Well, the coupons did not fail us! They had everything for your every whim-- clothes, makeup, food, gimmicks, spas, you name it! They're very cool because the coupons appeals to different kinds of girls with different wants and needs. =)

And finally, the one very special surprise that made my eyes sparkle-- the page marker! I was incredibly pleased when I saw how cute the page markers were. They all had little items attached to them like small slippers, notebooks, and puppies like mine!

Overall, I am very happy with my Belle de Jour planner. I can't wait for 2008 so I can fill it up already. I am actually already stacking up on pictures to be printed so I can paste mine in the photo space of the planner-- yeah, what a way to make it feel so personalised!

So, to all you it girls who didn't get the chance to order their planners beforehand, don't fret too much, you could still check if they are still available in their website or you could go visit the following stores. Just make sure to call ahead to check if they're available already.

Crossings: The Ramp
The Podium (Ortigas), Shangri-La Mall (Pasig), TriNoma Mall (Quezon City).

Sonja’s Cupcakes
Serendra Piazza, Fort Bonifacio Makati.

National Bookstore: Selected branches
Quezon City (Dec 17): TriNoma Mall, Katipunan Ave., SM City North EDSA
Quezon Ave. Ortigas (Dec 16): Shangri-la Plaza, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria
Makati/Taguig (Dec 16): Glorietta, Rockwell, Market! Market!
Alabang (Dec 17): New Alabang Commercial Center
Manila (Dec 16): SM Mall of Asia
Provincial (TBA): SM Cebu, SM Iloilo, Gaisano Mall Davao, SM City Davao

Powerbooks Specialty Store: Limited copies in selected branches
Makati (Dec 16): Greenbelt, Glorietta
Ortigas (Dec 16): Megamall, Shangri-la
Alabang (Dec 17): Alabang Town Center
Manila (Dec 16): SM Mall of Asia
Quezon City (Dec 17): TriNoma Mall

Each power planner costs P548

So goodluck girls! Hope you all could get your hands on the powerplanners because again, you're not an It Girl if you don't own one. Ha!

A different christmas party

The first three weeks of a partyphile's December events calendar is surely booked by now. However, every Peppermint Kiss girl should make it a point to fit one of the most important Christmas parties this year. With clubs sprouting all over the metro, wouldn't it be a good change to spend some time at home with your girlfriends watching movies and chatting over cups of hot chocolate, bowls of popcorn and chips, and stacks of s'mores? To start off your movie marathon, I've listed several movie themes for you to choose from...

1.childish - there's a saying that you don't stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing. so we suggest that instead of heading to the thank-you-doctors, why not try watching sensible cartoons first? you'll never know what lessons on life you might get from the cartoons ;)


2. childhood romance - if you have friends who have fond memories about their childhood sweethearts, i suggest you remind them about it and watch these:


3. girly bonding - reminiscing about your friendship is also a nice thing to do. let these flicks help you remember:



4. latest fantasy film -want to watch the latest chick flick/fantasy flick releases? try these heartwarming movies:



5. screamfest -why not extend halloween? ;) if you're the type who doesn't get easily scared or surprised, then try observing your friends. which of them get talkative, which of them get speechless? which of them shouts the loudest, shouts first? :)


6. tearjerkers -dare each other to not cry! or stock up on kleenex!




7. christmas spirit -since it is christmas, it would only be proper to watch christmas themed movies such as:


now, whatever theme you choose, remember to have FUN! no matter where you are, you are with your friends. so go and enjoy their company ;) tah-tah!

Figaro, figaro, figaro!

I have never been a fan of Figaro. Of all the coffee shops I have tried since I was a little girl (mind you, I have tried a lot) this I have to say is my least favorite of all. Well, for one, the first time I tried their coffee which was back in the fifth grade, I got brain freeze on my very first sip which was a total bummer!-- and add to that the extremely bitter taste of the coffee. Ugh!

Still, I didn't want to close my door to them so the time when I was far from my favorite cafe and was craving for some caramel macchiatto, I decided to go there instead. I was planning to stay for a long time since I was waiting for someone so I decided to buy coffee. I opted for their Caramel Macchiatto which to my surprise, was priced at only 49 pesos. Cheap, huh? Well, turns out, their caramel macchiatto was served in this teeny weeny shot cup! It was so hilarious! I wanted to laugh right then and there! I really felt like I was playing tea party with my girlfriends or something as I held the cup daintily with my thumb and fore finger. Well, so much for my plan of staying long! Well, as they say, the third time's a charm so I decided to try it out again with my good friend. So, how was it? let me break down the essentials:

service: Super bad! First of all, they lacked advertisements for their new products. My friend and I were so disappointed to find out they sold Peppermint mocha lattes after we have already ordered. Plus, they didn't have the usual, self-service technique most cafes have so you have to wait to be served by waiters. The idea is good but then, the execution has not been properly planned. See, you're given numbers for your table but the numbers cannot stand up on their own so the waiters have a hard time looking for you. Also, the waiting time was too long! Plus, the items don't come at the same time so you'd most likely be choking on your food already but your drink has not arrived yet or vice versa.

food: I only tried the pastries and so far, so good. They serve them really hot you'd think they were fresh out the oven. They smell pretty good too and for the minimal price you have to pay, I say it's a good deal.

coffee: and so here goes the most critical of all! The coffee! Oh yes the coffee! I ordered the Caramel Frost Light while my friend got the Coffee Jelly. The coffee jelly was so bitter! It was so far from the usual coffee jellies being sold at other cafes. The packaging wasn't very pretty too. For one, it arrived without the lid on and had no other topping design aside from a small amount of whipped cream. The Caramel Frost Light I ordered on the other hand did not disappoint. It was true to its promise of being light meaning subtle coffee taste, minimal sweetness, just LIGHT! For once, I thought it was pretty good!

Verdict: Overall, the whole coffee experience was not very good. It's not really something you would want to do over again in the very near future. Still, I say the third time's a charm! This time is a far cry from my past Figaro experiences so maybe, just maybe, I'd change my mind about them soon.

Peppermintkiss rating: ♥♥♥

got milk?

Sipping coffee in cozy coffee shops has become a lifestyle for a handful Filipinos nowadays. However, we at peppermint kiss suggest that we choose HEALTHY. yes, we are also coffee addicts but don't you like the thought of opting for healthier 'drink' alternatives?

To further get our point across, we have compiled several Got Milk? ads for you to drool over. :)










Remember, the next time you head to a coffee shop, go ahead and get that peppermint brownie but eat it with chilled low-fat milk, ayt? :)

Xmas shopping places

It's Christmas time once again and for most people, it also means time to go hunt for the perfect gifts! It's easy really, most people go to shopping malls as most malls go on sale anyway. But then, if you're like me who likes giving out unique and "special" gifts, then mall-bought items just won't work! They're much too mass produced if you know what I mean. So, what do you do now? You go visit bazaars!

I am a huge fan of beautiful stuff but I'm also a cheapskate too. So bazaars are just the perfect venue for me to find those beautiful but unique finds. =) Over the years I have been going to the bazaar at the Manila Peninsula but in lieu of the recent event, I guess there won't be a bazaar this year. So, what I did was looked for other venues that would hopefully be as cool as the one in Manila Penn. Here's what I've found:
Merry Loop Christmas Bazaar and Car exhibit
Filinvest East Promenade
(beside the Parish Church of Saint Therese of The Child Jesus)
December 15-16, 2007

Karl Edward's Bazaar
NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio
December 1-2, 8-9, 15-23

Ayala Alabang Village Bazaar
Cuenca Court in Ayala Alabang
December 8-9 and 15-16

Noel Bazaar
World Trade Center in Manila
21-23

Grand Christmas Bazaar ’07 @ The Big Tent

Isidora Hills, Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio Village

December 1-2, 15, 23

Christmas Kidz Kraze '07

Warehouse, Calle Industria, Libis

December 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 19-21

Bazaar sa Bulwagang Claret Year 5
December 2, 9, 16, 23
Immaculate Heart of Parish
UP Village, Diliman (Claret Church)

Corinthian Bazaar '07
December 1-2
Corinthian Garden Clubhouse

Cubao Expo Holiday Weekend Bazaar
Marikina Shoe Expo Compound, Araneta Center, Cubao
December 1, 8, 15, 22


Here Comes Santa Claus Christmas Bazaar
December 15-16
Celebrity Sports Club, Capitol Hills Drive (near Balara and Commonwealth)http://apexevents.multiply.com/

Santa's Christmas Bazaar
La Vista Clubhouse, Katipunan
December 15-16

Pasko na Naman Bazaar @ White Plains

December 1-2, 21-23

White Plains Subdivision

It's crunch time girls! Time to get down and get busy shopping. Christmas in our country is getting sadder and sadder so it's our job to keep the happiness alive by making sure our gifts are just perfect. I mean, if we could all just put a smile in someone's lips this Christmas through our gifts, then we have succeeded in our mission of spreading joy this season!

Merry Christmas!