Blue is for Peace...of Mind

When you're in need of happy hormones, do something with your nails.  Better yet, find a nail salon (like Nail-A-Holics), and get your nails done by happy, chatty manikuristas.

I was the only customer left, so I went for a photo op.

Up-close.

Happy hormones, please start kicking in.

Yellow

borrowed H&M bag from my sister

Mirror

Goodbye, Korean Popstar Exboyfriend

HE NEEDED A HAIRCUT...BADLY.  So, we trooped on over to (a very busy) Azta Urban Salon, asked for Sir Jojie's magical hands and waited for his turn at the chair.  We are liking the results.

#instagram

Having a hard time saying goodbye to his hair?

Mr. Shampoo Assistant

In a matter of minutes (and a few instagram uploads), his hair is gone!

Ok, I made an effort of looking for a photo of him wearing the same shirt para malakas ang effect ng BEFORE haircut.  (Hello, sweet corn!)

Voila.  Will take a photo of him in the daylight.  Yan muna kasi na-excite na ako mag-blog eh.

Momo (Ho-hum) Cafe

Being a semi-permanent resident of Eastwood City, I've been wanting to try Momo Cafe for the longest time.  It is strategically located at the entrance of the Eastwood Mall, so I see it everyday (quickly glancing at random customers' mouthwatering orders).  I could go on and on building enough momentum about waiting to finally eat there, and then telling you how disappointed I am at the overpriced comfort food served to us during that fateful day.  But I wouldn't.  Am no food blogger, but I would like to think that I am a reasonable consumer.   

Staff was very accommodating.  We took a long time going through the menu (which was very enticing) because almost all food items were labeled with "Great for sharing".  So with the price, we thought they were reasonable.

Melted Crab and Spinach Blue Cheese Dip

Wouldn't rave about this.  Cut up veggies for dipping in melted cheese didn't make any sense.  Good point was that this was served hot (melty, stringy cheese almost saved it).

Crispy Bacon Carbonara Linguine

One of the best carbonara we've had so far.  Egg yolk was a fun surprise.  Pasta was al dente and sauce was to die for.  Having said that, it is definitely NOT for sharing. 

Melted Four-Cheese Pizza

Sana nag-Pizza Hut na lang kami.  Grrr.

Unhappy.

While waiting for the bill. #overoveroverpriced

We took home most of the pizza.  #sayang

Honestly, I felt cheated!  I was promised comfort food, but I slowly got bitter about spending that much on food that I waited so long to sample.  Momo Cafe, please do something about your portions and taste. 

Would I go back?  Certainly.  That is, if I wanted really, really good carbonara with no one to share it with. :)

Parking Lot

Gap | Nava | Mango | Brash | Liz Claiborne | Girlshoppe

(photo by Paulo)

Jumpshot

in my Terranova over-sized shirt and Comfit flats

(photo by Paulo)

RB 5226 | 2034 - Transparent

My Marie Claire specs worn here have been with me through thick and thin, but I have to say, it's time to let go.  Those who know me are very much aware that I, ladies and gentlemen, am practically blind.  I am a 500(L)-475(R).  Too much books won't kill you, mabubulag ka lang eventually.  

Anyway, I've been obsessing about the cat eyeglasses from Ray-Ban and finally bought a pair yesterday from Perez Optical in Trinoma.  Lenses are ultra-thin and had the Nikon authenticity card.  Financial damage was around Php 15,000. 

I picked them up today and am very, very pleased.  

Etude Summer Loot!

I don't wear make-up on a daily basis.  I don't like fussing every minute, checking on the amount of accumulated grease on my face or the formation of panda spots care of my smudged eyeliner.  I am a fan of natural beauty but I will always, always hoard cheap and practical beauty products for emergency purposes.   I keep a stash in my kikay kit, but they almost always expire before I begin liking them.

I blogged about Etude House during my trip to the US last year.  It was just an unassuming shelf at Duty Free at the Nagoya airport in Japan.  It's all over the Philippines and finally, a brand-new Etude House branch opened just a few cartwheels away from my office!  

Being the irresponsible blogger, Paulo's camera is missing in action once again.  I took photos of my very cheap purchases using my iPad.  Will make bawi with better photos when I begin testing the products.  Promise.

Lukot yun paper bag kasi ang dami kong dala.

Line Nuance Duo #4 Php 248.00

Bronze eyeshadow and greenish liner in one for big, bold Rihanna eyes

Pink atomizer Php 178.00

Tired of bringing heavy bottles of your favorite perfume?  This is the perfect solution. Atomizers should be everyone's constant travel buddies.

Lucidarling Fantastic Rouge #13 Coral Tangerine Php 478.00

Just so beach-y peachy!

Face Color Corset #5 Php 248.00

With this unpredictable weather, you'll never go wrong with natural, sun-kissed cheeks

Bee Happy Anti-Radiation Sticker Free with purchase

I asked the saleslady, "Didikit ko ito sa katawan ko?"  

She happily corrected me saying, "Sa cellphone po, ma'am."

Browsing through endless choices of products in the midst of flawless Korean male pop singer photos  is quite a task.  Mapapaisip ka kung babagay sa kulay ng balat ng Pinoy eh.  My tip?  Make an educated purchase with products labeled "TESTER".

Can't wait to try them all!

Royce Unwrapped

My friend Iris and I were intending on buying the chocolate-covered potato chips (Potatochip Chocolate) of the pang-mayaman chocolate brand, Royce.  This brand is from Japan and opened its doors in the Philippines last 2008.  And, if you're used to the presyo of chocolates sa grocery, well, mahalia ito ng konti.  Sadly, Royce at the Eastwood Mall only had caramel-covered ones.  Potatochip Chocolates are priced at around Php 400.00, so when we want chocolate, we should get chocolate (and not caramel).

After some free sampling, I bought Paulo some Nama chocolates instead (...that I ate afterwards. haha!).  Nama chocolates are made of select chocolates, fresh cream and hints of liquor.  These are currently their best-sellers.  For this purchase, I bought the mild cacao variety.  I am not a fan of alcoholic chocolates, so this one didn't have any.  

I am no chocolate connoisseur, but I know that expensive chocolates should taste as good.  For its price, it surely did not disappoint.  Can't wait to try everything else! #chocoholic

Summer Hairstyle Peg

Your thoughts?

Instagram

Not yet a fan of Instagram.  Here are some Beta shots.

After being pampered at the G Getaway Spa (will be a good blogger and post a review of this soon!)

Our maki sampler at Kimono Ken

(Super sarap, pero syempre we didn't finish the entire thing.)

Wins the best ice cream (marketing) award.

Random Roadtrip: T House, Tagaytay

We like random things.  This random road trip brought us to the South, particularly in Tagaytay.  With the recent improvements done to the South Luzon Expressway, Tagaytay-bound tourists can now enjoy a 45-minute drive from the Metro (without the help of the Skyway ha).  

Me not driving.

Tagaytay is boring.  There's not much to offer apart from the breathtaking views of the Taal volcano.  After you've taken in so much of the volcano that you start getting hungry, bulalo and tawilis are just a stone's throw away from practically anywhere in the city.  Slowly, the sebo-formation in your bulalo will become unpleasing to the tongue, you start thinking of other sights to see or even things to do.  Then you realize, there's really nothing else so you begin to drive home.

Having said that, this city is clearly not meant for the adrenaline junkies. What Tagaytay is, in fact, a haven for the hardworking, tired and stressed out workforce of the country.  Tagaytay has charmed throngs of tourists seeking relaxation and pampering, solace and peace of mind. So whenever I plan a trip to Tagaytay, you know why.

For this Tagaytay trip, we went to the T House to get massages but were surprised to see that its Valentine promo is still on-going.  It was our first time at the T House so we thought of availing the Recharge package (for only Php 2,990.00) to try out their spa services (a 60-minute massage) plus their 4-course dinner for two.  Promo ended last March 15th.

Stopover at Solenad 2 -- most of the stores are still closed for business

Sunset.

The sun was almost down, so we only took pictures at the front desk.  The place is nice and (very) quiet.

Lounging while waiting for our turn at the massage tables.

I did not take pictures of the spa area, but this was us after the massage.  I have to say, massages were ok, but it was not "whoa".  We are still in search of the best spa within the budget-friendly category.

Ok, if you guys avail of any Valentine promo, expect the table setting to be cheeseballs. #ugh

First course:  Cream of pumpkin soup with roasted almond and seared scallop

The pumpkin soup was sweet and creamy, the scallop was seared to perfection, almond was a lovely surprise for texture.

Second course: Carpaccio of cantaloupe salad with arugula, prosciutto and toasted walnut in balsamic vinaigrette

Loved the cantaloupe and prosciutto with all the greens except for the arugula (too bitter for my taste).  Balsamic vinegar was too overpowering.

Terra Vega cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay

Her Main Course: Herb crusted salmon with roasted lemon

I ate everything on the plate.  Salmon was cooked perfectly!

His Main Course: Beef tenderloin steak with mashed potato with béarnaise, mushroom and pepper sauce

He didn't say he loved it, but he wants worcestershire sauce on his meat, so.

We were satisfied with the dinner service. 

While waiting for dessert.

Dessert:  Green tea pannacotta pavlova in mango sauce 

Loved the pannacotta + meringue combo. Didn't understand the mango-chocolate sauce.

All in all, it was a sulit experience.  In my opinion, overnight accommodations in Tagaytay are fairly expensive so I recommend it to those of you who are in need of a 4-hour escape from the metro.  

So if you find yourself wondering what to do in Tagaytay, think no more.  Humanap ka ng spa (if you're not too finicky about services, T House should be ok), magkape (preferably sa Java Jazz - right next door to the T House) at magmuni muni.  Pwede rin pa-picture sa Taal volcano para may souvenir.