Teaddiction

I've recently developed this liking for drinking tea. Started when I had the worst colds (with asthma) last week. I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am for warm drinks to unclog my sinuses. With that said, let me share with you my recent tea finds--

Marks & Spencer naturally caffeine free tea! 

I cannot tell you how good these taste! I'm not a tea drinker, I am a coffee girl. But after trying these, I think I may start to like tea now.

The thing with me and tea is that I think it's very bland and tasteless. So normally I put milk and a lot of sugar or honey in my tea. Surprisingly though, I didn't have to do that with these variants! They are naturally sweet and the bitter tea taste isn't present! It was just so sophisticated tasting and for lack of a better word, dainty. Very subtle! My favorite is the Rooibos and vanilla fusion because I am a big vanilla girl but the fruitiness of the raspberry is also heavenly, I can't really pick one over the other.

If not for the expiry date, I would have hoarded these at M&S. There are so many variants plus the packaging is so pretty!

And since we're on great packaging and stuff you get from Marks and Spencer, let me share another of my favorites-- sugar free candy drops!

I am a candy girl. I keep candy in my bag. My default candy of choice however are tictacs but recently, I've been gravitating to these. These are so good! I love that it's sugarfree and its smell is beyond words! I can live off the smell without eating 'em. And the packaging! Pink and green, oh so girly and pretty! And best part is-- for Php70.00 per pack, these babies are quite cheap!

So sorry for the lack of updates this month. We've been very busy. I, for one is taking my exams plus I've been sick (still is actually). March however is bound to be more exciting! I missed blogging. Hope you missed us too! Lol. Have a great day our dear readers! :)

Hello, MTV Pinoy

People who know me knows I'm a big fan of MTV. Not just about the channel itself and the music, I actually once wanted to work for MTV (and well, I did on a very short internship). I've always had that connection with the show way back when I was still in grade school and Donita Rose awarded me letter of the day with my paper mache-d request letter I mailed all the way to Singapore. There's even a time I exchanged personal emails with Eiffelene Salvador, another former MTV host. I cannot emphasize enough how close to my heart MTV is-- which is exactly why I am doubly happy to find out that MTV Pilipinas is back!!!

photo credit: wikipedia.com

...well, not MTV Pilipinas, more of MTV Pinoy. But still! Same thing! The show was officially launched last February 14 and features 4 new vj's: Sam Pinto, Yassi Pressman, Andre Paras and Josh Padilla.

photo credit: interaksyon.com

To be truly honest, the first week of the shows aren't very promising cause they've been playing rather cheeky Pinoy songs, but I have high hopes! It's still MTV! And if anyone knows music, trends and the youth... it would be MTV!

I am really excited about this! I know it may be a little premature at this stage but I look forward to when the Philippines can hold an MTV World Stage! If Malaysia was able to host it last year, who could say the Philippines can't this year or the next? So excited for that!

I will always be an MTV girl. I grew up with MTV and it has been part of my past and I just want it to always be there in my future. To the vjs, all the best to you guys! I love you all already!  This is the start of good things to come. Rock on, MTV Pinoy!

Stop and Feel the Love

Valentine's is never a single girl's favorite day. Yes, it is a celebration of love, in all its forms, but even if we don't admit it, most often celebrating Vday is a privilege handed to those who have found their significant others. Although I have to admit, it is pretty annoying to think of it that way, it can also be encouraging in the sense that we would WANT to be able to celebrate Vday with our significant others too someday. Envy is a good thing you know. It's not always something to be ashamed of, especially when the thing you're envying is something truly amazing and universal like love. I mean, it is never wrong to be envious of people in love! In fact, I encourage you to be envious! And I encourage you to want what they have! The universe listens-- always remember that.

It is my 25th year without a Valentine's date. I have to say I didn't imagine it would be THIS bad! It's just numbers but sometimes we have to stop justifying facts and accept it for what it really is-- 25 dateless Valentine's days. I won't tell you it's okay because it's not. I have this thing about accepting reality. People always say that you should learn to be grateful for what you have and see the good things about it but I think that kind of thinking also limits us from what MORE we could become; to the possibilities that our desire for MORE will allow us to have. It's not always about seeing the good in painful situations, sometimes it's also about seeing the painful situation as it is and DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. So (with shame), I am broadcasting here my bitterness for having a dateless Valentine's-- no, I'm kidding. Well, partly. I think single ladies (or men) shouldn't be afraid to say they're not okay being dateless this Valentine's. Because really, you shouldn't be okay being alone this time of the year. Yes, you have friends. You have family. But it ain't the same!

It's always hard when every year you are reminded how bad you've been faring in your love life. But it's also a good blunt reminder that you should get out there more. That maybe there's a BIG reason why your relationships don't work out. That maybe it's not about what you've been doing wrong all these years, but about what you've not been doing.

Vday may just be one of many other ordinary days for some, but I think Vday is also a day to reflect. To step back and for one day, think about your lovelife. To take a moment from work, school, family obligations, stressors, and all else and just think about love. Just for one day. It's like that saying about slowing down to smell the flowers. Well, I think Vday is like that-- it is a day we should slow down and think about love. Afterall, shouldn't it be everyone's life goal to find love and be loved in return? Well, here's a day to bluntly remind us of that goal.

Just keep at it. Remember, love if it finds you worthy will direct your course-- hopefully in time for Valentine's Day next year. :)

Wicked!

I am a big theater fan so you know I wouldn't miss seeing Wicked. I have to admit though that I had no expectations for the musical. I think it was because I fell asleep watching Phantom of the Opera (and I was so excited for that) so I was half-expecting to fall asleep at Wicked too. But no-- sleep was not possible! I was hooked; enchanted; captivated!

I loved that the play was so simple and the song numbers well executed. It didn't have to have all the extravagant special effects, it was just what it was-- a beautiful musical play.

I won't spoil it for you but just trust me when I say that it really is worth every penny you'll spend for it. It is really beautiful, enough to make me want to see it one or two more times. Also, if you're fortunate enough to get orchestra seats, I hope you take time to notice the scent of the fog smoke. It was so addicting! At first I thought it was just my seatmate's perfume but as the show went on, I realized the smoke was coming from the fog machines. I can't describe its scent perfectly, the top notes are reminiscent of those in arabic shops but the longer you smell it, it turns ito this sweet musk that is just so addicting! I feel like I will forever associate that scent to Wicked-- and for some reason, I think it was the perfect scent to describe the musical. Wait for the scene when Elphaba and Fiyero sings As Long As You're Mine, the smoke machine on full blast and the scent, together with how magical that scene was is a memory that will be etched in my heart forever.

I really enjoyed the play. There's only one other musical I enjoyed a lot --Cats. I watched that three times because I loved every scene. Now, Wicked is becoming like Cats! I've lost count of the number of times I've replayed For Good on my Ipod the last couple of days. It's such a beautiful song! There are so many beautiful songs in the play, the  most famous I believe is Defying Gravity. Then there's also my favorite, "I'm Not That Girl" but I think "For Good" topped them all and just hit me right in the core! Such a beautiful, beautiful song! And of course that scene where it was sung-- just magical!

Little black dress: Oxygen | Pink oversized blazer: Forever21 | Black pointed pumps: Parisian | Rose gold clutch: Marc Jacobs

I hope you'd be able to catch the show. I hear the entire February is sold out, so you better book your tickets for March now! It will run only up to March 9 so hurry up!

To close, I leave you my favorite song from the musical :)

Coats and Jackets 101

Manila's weather has been really bizarre as of late. It's been too cold! The temperature outside is pleasant but inside the office-- well that's another story!

We've been teasing one of our colleagues who brought her trench coat to work cause of the cold  but she defended herself saying it's actually just a wind breaker. Her reply got me thinking. There are so many types of coats out there and I think it's high time we Filipinos got educated on their proper terms so we'd stop referring to everything as mere coats and everything else trench coats.

1. The Trench Coat

The Trench Coat is actually an optional piece of clothing in the British Army. It is a double breasted raincoat with ten buttons. It has since been a staple for every woman's wardrobe and comes in the most flattering colors.

2. Pea coat

Pea coats were originally worn by sailors and navy seals. It is typically a double breasted coat that falls just below the hips. The female version of the pea coat is usually referred to as the Jackie O coat. Personally, I love pea coats because they look so chic.

3. Moto jacket

As its name implies, the moto jacket (motorcycle jacket) is a jacket typically worn by motorcycle riders. It falls right below the waist and most often has a zipper closure.

4. Down jacket

A down jacket is termed as so because it is a jacket filled with soft down feathers of duck or goose. The feathers give the jacket insulation properties which is perfect for extremely chilly weather.

5. Parka

A parka can be a down jacket or raincoat with a hood that is often lined with fur or feather. Having a furry hood is what distinguishes a parka from other coats.

6. Utility jacket

The utility jacket has long emerged from being a frumpy unfashionable jacket. This jacket is characterized as being a light weight waxed cotton jacket. IIt also has front pockets (for utility purposes) and closes with zippers. I personally love utility jackets because they are so comfortable and with the new styles coming out nowadays, they've become very fashionable as well.

7. Wrap coat

A wrap coat is akin to a robe that overlaps and is cinched at the waist with a belt. This is also one of my favorite styles because of how easy it is to use and I like how I can dress it up with a nice belt or down with a big bow depending on my mood.

8. Cape coat

The cape coat is one of my favorite styles ever. Perhaps it is because it lends a sort of medieval feel to any outfit. This however can be very tricky to wear especially for people with full figures because the coat is not structured.

9. Military Coat

Military coats are usually long, right above the knee but modern styles have versions that are shorter. The most identifying characteristic of military coats lies on its buttons. Military coats normally have two sets of brass buttons that run down the front.

10. Windbreaker

A windbreaker can be easily mistaken for a trench coat but what it really is a jacket made of light material. It can be made of synthetic fabric that resists water or a light cotton material with lining, depending on the style. It normally has a hood to protect for the rains.

There you go! Ten most common types of jackets/coats for your information! Even if we live in a tropical country, it is always nice to address items of clothing through their proper names. Here's to having fun this unusually chilly season!

// photo credit: google images. Sorry too many sites to mention.