Saturday, December 22, 2012

Another Cosmetic Hoard

Sorry for the long hiatus. I've been busy with work (teaching can be so stressful and it took me a lot of time to actually blog again). Anyways, since it's Christmas vacation, I'm back! :)

I bought a lot of cosmetics during the Black Friday sale. It's that time of the year when everything is on sale in the U.S. and me residing here in Manila, joined the bandwagon of shopping. It took one month for the items to be shipped here. Here's a sneak peek of what I bought.


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sebastian's: One of Manila's Finest Artisan Ice Cream

Me and Gino are food lovers. I know there are a lot of Artisan Ice Creams in the Metro and I heard that there are 3 top choices for Artisan Ice Creams and those are Sebatian's, Carmen's Best Artisanal Ice Cream and Gelato and Merry Moo Ice Cream.

Yesterday, I saw a blog about Sebatian's Green Mango Ice Cream with Bagoong on Top. I was intrigued by the flavor. For one, I have never tried an Ice Cream with Bagong on top....so, today, we decided to look for the nearest Sebatian's Ice Cream shop and we found one at The Podium.

I got a little sad because the Green Mango Ice Cream was not available. So, we opted to try the other flavors. Gino bought the Palitaw Ice Cream (Php 100) and I bought the Once in a Blue Moon Ice Cream (Php 140).

Palitaw Ice Cream (Left) Once In A Blue Moon Ice Cream (Right)

My goodness...these are really artisan ice creams. The flavor is rich and you can taste the real deal in the ice creams. It's like eating a real palitaw and a real blue cheese ice cream. The blue cheese ice cream was topped with carmel syrup (I think if I'm not mistaken) and walnuts. It taste heavenly.

They have other ice cream flavors to choose from like the Red Velvet, Sapin-Sapin, Champorado, Pure Mango, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Cookies n Cream, etc.

We would definitely go back to try the Green Mango with Bagoong Ice Cream


Sebastian's Ice Cream
The Podium Mall
4th Floor The Podium
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Sebastians.Ice.Cream



Sunday, July 15, 2012

Intense Japanese Experience: Drum Tao The Art of Japanese Drumming

Today is one of the best days of my life. I got to watch Drum Tao with Gino.

The sensational group from Japan, would be here from July 12 - 22, 2012. To give you a preview, here's a teaser clip from youtube.



I don't want to post a lot of spoilers but all I can say is that you have to watch it yourself. It is a different experience for your eyes and your ears. I am so amazed with the lady drummers of TAO. They were graceful and yet they were the ones playing with the biggest drums in the set.

I love the in-between acts of the drummers. They actually let the audience participate in the in-between acts. It's also quite humorous. It reminds me of that MTV Asia Parody. Comical relief.


We actually got our tickets 20% off. Just say the code: TRAVELIFE while purchasing the ticket. I really don't want to spoil anything. So you better watch them while they are still here :)



For Tickets and Reservations:

Ticketworld
http://www.ticketworld.com.ph

Drum Tao Manila: The Art of Japanese Drumming
Resorts World Manila
Newport Performing Arts Theatre
+62 (2) 836-6333
website: http://www.rwmanila.com/entertainment-at-resorts-world-manila/newport-performing-arts-theater/

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Mind Museum

Last Saturday, Gino and I went to The Mind Museum at the Fort. I've wanted to check the museum to see if it was worth the buzz.

We went there a little before 9am for the first slot of the tour. I got a little disappointed because we thought we won't be able to join the 9am spot but good thing, we were able to purchase tickets :)


Since I'm a teacher, I got the ticket for Php 150. Gino's ticket costs Php 600. Public school students have the same price with teachers which is Php 150. Private school students and children tickets are Php 450.


The lobby guests would be welcomed by a robot named Aedi. Cameras are allowed inside the museum. Food and drinks are not allowed. According to our guide Julia, the museum is partitioned into 5 divisions. I'm really not sure whether Gino and I actually visited the 5 divisions because we kind of got tired from roaming around the area.


The first division we went to was the Universe part. That's our guide Julia. We were not really guided. She just explained how to go about hthe museum and we were free to roam around afterwards.


There's a lot of things you can do inside the museum with your hands. You just have to explore. 


The best part for me was the part where the bones of the T-Rex was. It was amazing.

Overall, I think the museum is still a work in progress. In the coming months, I am sure there would be much more addition to this. If you want to check it out, visit the Mind Museum at the Fort Global City Bonifacio.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Oreo Cheesecake

My boyfriend Gino requested me to make a cheesecake. He wanted me to bake an Oreo Cheesecake. Sadly, my first attempt in making a cheesecake was a DISASTER! It came out from the oven burnt and the cheesecake tasted like egg tarts.

So I looked-up some recipes that required no baking and VOILA! The output is this baby!






Monday, April 23, 2012

Movie Rant: The Lucky One

Last Sunday, me and my neighbor watched The Lucky One. Yeah, the movie where Zac Efron is oooozing with Sex Appeal! LOL :))


Okay, this part would be full of spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie, it's up to you if you want to read this.

The Lucky One is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. It tells the story of a marine who had a near death experience. The morning after the raid, he saw a shiny object that caught his attention near a pile of rubles. It was a picture of a woman and at the back it says 'keep safe'. Right after he got the picture, a few meters apart from where he was standing, an aerial attack happened.



I don't want to say that this movie is similar to my story but let's skip that part because it's all in the past now. LOL :)))) but to be honest, this movie made me cry because I can relate to it.

All the characters are fictitious but it gives you a vision of what happens in their world. I love the story because it's not as dramatic as the other novels that turned into movies (the ones that Nicholas Sparks wrote). It's very light and anyone can relate because it happens or it might have happen in real life.


Plus, who wouldn't want to see Zac Efron, almost naked and hot. LOL :)) Zac did a pretty good job in buffing up his body. Hell Yeah!

I would recommend girls to watch this movie. It's light and romantic. I don't want to comment so much on technical aspects or the plot. You have to see it yourself.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

My late Birthday Gift to Gino's Mom

As promised, I made Mama Gi a belated birthday cake (cause I gave my brother the cake I was supposed to give to her). This is the end result of the cake that I made.




And I will quote the SMS of my beloved:

"Yung cake na bigay mo love, nangalahati na :) "

and I said thank you, for appreciating the effort and for eating the cake that I made :)

And with that, I am going to buy the ingredients for Luke's cake. He wanted a Spongebob themed cake. Good luck on that. HAHAHA :))

Monday, April 16, 2012

Chocolate Cake for my Brother's Birthday

I made Mighty a Chocolate Cake for his Birthday. Initially, this was for Mama Gie's birthday (Gino's Mom). I'll just make her another one and also, another cake for Lucas because it's his birthday on the 22nd.



Chocolate Cake with Choco Frosting Recipe


Ingredients
1 cup cocoa powder
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, room temperature
2  - 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
2 - 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 9-inches cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, stir the boiling water into the cocoa until smooth and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. At medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar for 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Turn the mixer to low speed. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Stir in the vanilla and do not over beat.
8. Pour and equal amount og batter into each of the 3 prepared pans.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (I baked mine for 25 minutes) or until cake tester comes out clean.
10. Cool in pan or racks for 10 minutes.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Magic's New Toys

I got my package from Ms. Odyssa just this morning! I'm excited to see Magic tomorrow and let him try his new toys :)

Gino was looking for toys for Magic because Magic is actually teething. Whenever his teeth touches any part of our body, it's kind of painful. Gino was looking for toys online and found the brand Kong. I found Ms. Odyssa's shop online via Sulit.com.ph and I found the Kong Extreme which we were looking for :)

Thank you Ms. Odyssa for being so accommodating and patient :) Shopping at her shop was a bliss. :) I would upload videos and photos soon :)

Kong Extreme Medium
Red and White Rope Chew Toy 
Ms. Odyssa's South Bark :)

our baby Magic :)


For Pet Supplies Contact Ms. Odyssa at:

Odyssa Abrille
09189135538
http://www.facebook.com/SouthBarkShop

Chocolate Lovers: Baking Heaven

My sister asked me yesterday if I wanted to go with her at Chocolate Lovers. Chocolate Lovers is the Castle like structure in Cubao that is filled with all your baking needs! It is baking heaven in there. The traffic was just terrible. We used the White Plains route in going to EDSA from our house. It took us an hour just to go there and the worst part is, it was the hottest day yesterday. Around 36 degrees. Oven hot!

Anyways, since I'm into baking now, I got myself a few stuff.

Caster Sugar
Cream of Tartar
Cake Flour
Cocoa Powder
Cupcake Liners
I want to visit there again. A few minutes was not enough for me. Boohoo!!

If you want to check it out, Chocolate Lovers is located at:

Chocolate Lovers
45 P Tuazon St. Cor. Q. Benitez St., Cubao, Quezon City
Contact Numbers;
(632) 411-7474 / (632) 724-5752 / (632) 724-4964
http://www.echocolatelover.com

Monday, April 2, 2012

3 Day Bohol Trip

30 March 2012 - 01 April 2012

I've been on hiatus for 3 days because me and Gino went to Bohol. I love Bohol! Last year, this time around, I was also in Bohol in time for the Holy Week. This post would be picture heavy so please bear with me :)

So, we took airphil express as our choice of plane from Manila going to Tagbilaran airport.

The weather was hot in Tagbilaran during the weekend. When it was wet and raining in Manila, it was freaking hot in Bohol.

Sherwood Aqua Bay

We checked-in at the hotel resort called Sherwood Bay Resort and Dive School. It is situated at Panglao Island. Around 20-30 mins drive from Tagbilaran Airport. The owner of the hotel is Ms. Lisa Gomi. Her name obviously is foreign sounding. She's very very nice and accommodating. We had the time to chit-chat with her and according to her, she's actually Japanese. She's blonde looking with a British Accent. Her mother is British and her father is Japanese. She moved in the Philippines 10 years ago and the resort is 3 years old. They love the Philippines and they've decided to build a hotel resort in Bohol. Their resort is really nice. It's actually far from the city but we like how serene the place is.



Sherwood Aqua Bay Resort



Bird of Paradise Room


Bathroom

We took the Country Side Tour for this trip. Although I already took it before, doing it again, this time with Gino, is a different experience. Aside from the usual tour, we also went to the Hagdanan Cave and the Mang-aso Waterfalls. It was a pain in the neck to go to the waterfalls. Senior Citizens can never ever go there. They'll struggle climbing the hundred plus stairs going down to the falls. LOL :))

Hagdanan Cave

Mang-aso Waterfalls

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Because I'm Bored.....I'll try baking a Cheesecake! Yumm!!

I was looking for baking stuff online...I found several recipes for a cheesecake and stumbled upon this:


From allrecipes.com




Chantal's New York Cheesecake


Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Ready in: 7 hours 30 mins



Ingredients

  • 15 graham crackers, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  •  
  • 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.
  3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.


*It says there the wait time is 7 hours...I HOPE I CAN WAIT THAT LONG! LOL :))

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

My niece's 2nd Birthday

My niece celebrated her second birthday last March 24, 2012. Day before the party, I decided to help my sister Con in preparing the desserts for her dessert buffet.

I tried making the Red Velvet Cupcakes from My Heavenly Desserts. For a first timer, I did pretty awesome! Hahaha :)



That was the picture taken from my Blackberry. I had a hard time mixing all the ingredients together. If we had a mixer, I wouldn't be so exhausted...




I also made Chocolate cupcakes for the dessert table


My sister made her famous cake poppers which everyone loves.


And then she also made a Zebra themed Fondant Cake. The Carrot Cake inside was so Delish! 


And she also made some cake pops :)


And some rocky road brownies


And her famous Snicker Doodles which was featured at Working Mom's Magazine as Editor's Pick (November 2011 issue)





With that, since I have nothing to do this summer, I am so inspired to do a lot of baking! Yeeaaah!! :)

My Heavenly Desserts
Con Alberto-Asignacion
website : http://www.myheavenlydesserts.com
email: heavenlydesserts@yahoo.com
mobile: 0915.888.9862
FB Fan Page: 

http://www.facebook.com/myheavenlydesserts


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

New Teaser: Breaking Dawn Part 2

I saw this yesterday. The super short teaser clip of Breaking Dawn Part 2. They would release the full teaser trailer on March 26. I can't wait :)


Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Fashion 2012

Spring is finally here. How I love love love loveeeeeee Spring. Anyways, I was browsing the net for Spring Fashion and here is what I found:

Pastels are very much in trend this season! OOOOOoooraaahhh!!

I also noticed that color blocking is in trend this season

From Chictopia.com