Christmas Treat: Buffet at Marriot Cafe

 Don’t you just love Christmas? Party here and there (and everywhere ??? ) Before the year ends, i was able to experience a special Christmas treat ~ lunch buffet at Marriot Cafe. For just a week, Marriot Cafe offered a 50% off on their lunch buffet last December, which includes unlimited tea or coffee.  With such a good offer, my friends grabbed the opportunity to try it.  It was our second time to have our lunch around Newport area.  Newport is just a few minutes away from Makati especially if you take the Skyway and restaurants are not crowded with diners. Well i guess it’s because we go there during lunch hour.  But for sure, there are many customers at night.

Excited as we enter the hotel, we got a very good location inside the restaurant (just beside the buffet area).  We scanned the food and as soon as we have settled down, we began to take the plunge lol.

Salad Station:

My first stop was at the salad station.  So many greens, topping, dressing etc.  Can’t choose what kind of salad to make

 Green Leafy Vegetables

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Tags: Balsamic Vinegar, Breads, Buffet, Buffet Lunch, Buffet Lunch at Marriot, Buffet Lunch At Marriot Cafe, Cafe, Cakes, Cheese, Chicken, Chinese Food, Crabs, Desserts, Dimsum, Dressings, Fondue, Food, Gingerbread House, Hakao, Hakaw, Hotel, Ice Cream, International Cuisines, japanese Food, Lunch, Maki, Manila, Marriot, Marriot Cafe, Marriot Hotel, Mussels, Newport, Newport City, Noodles, Nuts, Pasay, Restaurant, Salads, Salmon, Seafoods, Shrimps, Siomai, Soup, Spareribs, Tempura, Tiramisu, Tuna, US Ribeye

Rediscovering Malacanan Palace (Power, Palace & A Shot of Beer)

I’ve always wished that I’ll be able to enter Malacanang Palace.  I’ve tried to schedule and join Ivan Man Dy’s Power, Palace and a Shot of Beer however, my schedule wont fit me.  I’m just happy that I was able to get a slot last month.  Meet up was in the patio of the Legarda Mansion (Cocina ni Tita Moning).  When everyone else have been settled, we headed to our destination – Malacanan.  The security was tight. You cannot just visit the musuem any day you want.  You need to inform them at least 7 days before your preferred date and time.  Even our cameras were inspected and placed a sticker on it. 

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Tags: Commonwealth, EDSA, EDSA Revolution, Executive Secretary, Ferdinand Marcos, First Philippine Republic, Governor General, Imelda, Imelda Marcos, Independence Day, Ivan, Ivan Man Dy, Kalayaan Hall, La Cocina de Tita Moning, Library, Malacanan, Malacanan Palace, Malacanan Palace Museum & Library, Malacanang, Malacanang Palace, Manila, Martial Law, Museum, Nationalism, Old Manila Walks, Past Presidents, People Power, Power Palace and A Shot of Beer, President Marcos, Presidents, Revolution, San Miguel

Goodbye 2011…Hello 2012

The last celebration for 2011, Media Noche, highlights the welcoming of the New Year.  After buying those firecrackers to welcome another year, we Filipinos prepare the whole day or even a week the menu for this event.  For us, i planned for our menu a day before the New Year’s Eve.  On my list:

1. Sisig,
2. Lengua
3. Paksiw na Pechon
4. Pasta
5. Chips and Dips
6. Alcoholic Beverage

Of course, on the day itself, only the sisig and lengua have been cooked. There had been minor changes hahaha.  We had siomai, puto and banana muffin instead.  I prepared for the banana muffin, bought some puto and the rest of the dishes, my mom cooked it

siomai

fruits (pampa-swerte)

presenting my boxer dog ~ Happy

Our media noche feast. 

If your looking for the other dishes, they’re inside the ref already.  We don’t normally eat heavy meal while celebrating New Year.

our firecracker (sparkler). 

We no longer buy those lusis, trompilyo, watusi and we don’t even buy those bawang, judas belt, etc.  As years pass by, we just watched our neighbors who really buy expensive ones.

A Prosperous New Year To All

Let’s welcome the year with a big Dragon ROAR!!!

Tags: 13 fruits, 2011, 2012, 2012 New Year, Celebrating New Year, Celebrating New Year in the Philippines, December 31, Family, Farewell 2011, Feast, Filipino Celebration, Firecrackers, Goodbye 2011, Happy New Year, Hello 2012, January 1, Media Noche, New Year, Welcome 2012, Year of the Dragon

Fashion + Food + Travel = Good Book

 This year i was able to grab a copy of 2 great books whose authors were both Filipina.  What’s more, i was able to have it signed by the authors (kilig).  My first ever signed book from a blogger, creative stylist, fashion writer and of course, winner of the Best Lifestyle Blog from the recent concluded Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards, Jenni Epperson.  It’s a Fashion + Food Entertaining at Home in Style.  The book offers creative look on how to celebrate various occasions (Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc) in style.   The book features ideas/ tips on how to set-up a  table, recommended dishes and suggestive outfit that is perfect for every occassion.  

“The Occasion + Easy elegant meals + Fabulous table setting + What to wear = Fashion + Food”

Book signing event held at Glorietta 5 Activity Center (photo from National Bookstore FB page)  The event was well attended by famous personalities. Wow saw a lot of star ( nanliit ako hahaha)

I super liked this table setting because of the cutie tablewares (its pink) and the cupcakes

(photo from National Bookstore FB page)

Another awesome table setting (photo from National Bookstore FB page)

My signed book

Here is a sneak peak of what’s inside.

 Don’t you just love the her book? 

Last August, i blogged about my fave book from a Filipino author, Samantha Sotto, Before Ever After.  Samantha came up with a series book signing event but wasn’t have a chance to have my book signed.  Thanks to the Writer’s Block Philippines, they were able to organize an event featuring Samantha  Sotto. Of course it includes book signing.  I grab the chance to attend it for which the event was held at Le Vistro Bert in Salcedo Village.

 Samantha Sotto and her hubby

So surreal to see in person the author of Before Ever After.  Can’t contain the happy feeling while listening to her story on how she started the book until it get published.

Getting ready to line up for the book signing.

my signed copy weeee. Of course i have a photo op with the author as well

So happy with my 2 signed book.  These are my priceless collections hehehe.  Hope to get a signed copy of Nicholas Sparks’  The Best of Me…who could possibly give me – Santa???

Do you have a copy of these books already?

Tags: Before Ever After, Book, Entertainment, Fashion, Fashion + Food, Food, Glorietta 5, Glorietta 5 Activity Center, Good Book, Good Read, Home Style, Jenni Epperson, Le Vistro Vert, Makati, Meals, National Book Store, Reading, Salcedo Village, Samantha Sotto, Special Occasion, Table Setting, Travel, Writer's Block Philippines

Merry Christmas

A Blessed Merry CHRISTmas to Everyone!!!

Tags: 2011 Christmas, Christ, Christmas, love, Merry Christmas, Philippines, Seasons of Love

Snoe Beauty Products

Yey! my first blogger event since i started blogging. For my online friends and readers, i have not done any blog post  relating to fashion or beauty since mostly this blog is more on food and travel or photoblog. Now let’s see if i can give justice to this hahaha.

I came across Snoe through the site of Jenni Epperson when she introduced some of the Snoe’s products. From there, i started following this brand via twitter and facebook.  When they mentioned that they will be having an event and looking for a photographer blogger (feeling diba hahah), i registered and gladly, i received the invitation above (love the invite – its pink ).

So what is Snoe (pronounced as sno?)?

Snoe is named after the only daughter of founder Jen Gerodias- Diaz, Justine Emmanuelle Diaz or Noe for short. When Noe was born, everyone who would see Noe would say she is white as Snow. Hence the name SNOE

Snoe Inc. was established on February 2010 as a specialty cosmetics brand abiding to these strategies:

• Effective products with high quality ingredients
• Reasonably priced
• Wide range of products to cater everyone
• Intricate, luxury packaging with wide array of colors and scents

Our logo is the Snoe snow flake. It symbolizes the 6 essential aspects of an individual that embody a balanced life: The mind, body, spirit, heart, relationships and beauty for a balanced and holistic approach on life

I arrived early at the venue so i was able to have some chit chat with the owners, Jen G and Gen G, as well as try some of their products. 

sampled products

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Tags: All Natural, Argan Oil, BB Cream, Beautiful, Beauty, Beauty Bars, Beauty Products, Beso Balm, Body Ritual Recipes, Body Softener, Clay Mask, Emu, Emuthology, Eye Boop, Eye Boop Liquid Eye Liner, Fashion, Hair Heroes, Hand Sanitizers, Lip and Cheek Stain, Liquid Eye Liner, Magic Apple, Milk Whitening Scrub, S Skin, Singkamas, Snoe, Snoe Beauty Products, Snoe Glam, Snoe S Skin, Snoe S Skin BB Cream, SPF, SPF 30, SPF 45, Sunblock, Sunblock Lotion, Whitening Detox Clay Mask, Whitening S-Rub, Whitening Scrub

My Milk Tea Experience

Milk Tea stores began to open everywhere.  I believe it was Serenitea which started the Milk Tea craze (tama ba?)  When i heard people enjoying milk tea, i’m so hesitant to try it because i’m not comfortable putting milk on my tea. Well until recently, when one of the famous Milk Tea store, Cha Dao, opened a branch near the office.  So i said, why not try it and discover why other people are enjoying it.

Cha Dao Tea Place offers several flavors.  They have milk tea based, yakult based , fruit teas and the basic teas.  Remember the pearls (black sago) of Zagu?  Well they have that one too.  They call them as “sinkers”.  Aside from pearls, they have nata, red beans, Egg Pudding, Coffee Jelly, grass jelly and the popping bobba.

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Tags: Assam, Assam Milk Tea, Black Tea, Cha Dao Tea Place, Cold Drink, Drink, Milk Tea, Okinawa Milk Tea, Serenitea, Sinkers, Tea, Wintermelon Milk Tea

Oh Christmas Tree…Oh Christmas Tree

Where do put the “Star” of Bethlehem?  - on a Christmas Tree.  Last year, Dusit Thani Hotel launched the Unity in Diversity Christmas Tree Project.  It’s a Christmas Tree decorations beautifully made by fashion designers, private companies, prominent personalities, school, etc.  The decorations were so amazing, they were able to use, dolls, glass balls, native decorations, etc as ornaments on the Christmas Trees. I’m not just so sure which tree won the contest.

20ft Christmas Tree of Dusit Thani Manila

For this year, Dusit again have this Christmas Tree project and called it “Family Tree”.  “Dusit Thani Manila believes that it is the spirit of giving and that the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each others’ arms“ .  I visited the hotel one early Sunday morning before doing my grocery and here are the beautiful Christmas Tree prepared by the family who joined the project:

 

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Tags: 2011 Christmas, Carrion Family, Christmas, Christmas 2011, Christmas Tree, Cruz Family, Cunanan Family, De Venecia Family, Dusit, Dusit Thani, Dusit Thani Manila, Family Christmas Tree, Jacinto Family, Llamas Family, Makati, Villar Family, Yao Family

Starlight…Starbright

The Philippines is the only country which has the longest Christmas celebration come the start of the “ber” months.  And as September 1 arrives, you can already hear Christmas carols being played everywhere.  But as December enters, people begin to become alive as they wait the coming of Christmas.  Last month, Ayala Triangle Gardens started the display of lights and sound show.  I was lucky to have watched it last year and was totally amazed how these flickering lights danced to the tune of the Christmas songs. 

feels like it’s raining with light

so beautiful

This year, Ayala Triangle management changed the lights they and used an LED christmas lights which as they say more energy efficient.  What’s more beautiful is that from afar, the lights are like firecrackers or meteor showers.  Another change they made was the star. Last year, it’s a Filipino-inspired look as they used “parols” to decorate the trees.  This year, they use inflatable stars to decorate the trees. As the show begins, the stars started to pop up and changes its colors.

December 2, 5:30 PM
Spotlight 2011
Makati Inter-High School Christmas Carolling Competiton

December 8, 10 AM
Brilliant Trees
Tree Ornamentation by Makati Ad Agencies

December 9, 6PM
2nd Avenue’s Christmas Concierto
A Concert Featuring The Company and Push Up Brass
(concierto and awarding of Brilliant Trees)

December 15-23, 6PM
Thanksgiving Masses (everyday)
Offered by Makati Corporate Locators

Tags: 2011 Symphony of Lights and Sounds, A Symphony of Lights and Sounds, A Symphony of Lights and Sounds 2011, A Symphony of Lights and Sounds at Ayala Triangle, A Symphony of Lights and Sounds at Ayala Triangle Garden, A Symphony of Lights and Sounds at the Garden, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Triangle Garden, Christmas, Christmas 2011, Christmas Lights, Lights, Lights and Sounds, Lights and Sounds at Ayala Triangle, Lights and Sounds at the Garden, Makati, Sounds, Stars, Symphony of Lights, Symphony of Lights and Sounds

Dear Santa I’ve Been Good: Bloggers Christmas Exchange Gift 2

This is what i like about Christmas – gifts, gifts and lots of gifts hahaha.  A fellow blogger is hosting for the second time the Blogger Christmas Exchange Gift.  I had fun last year and i will definitely join again.  So here are my wishlists:

Something small:                 Pink lock and key

Something big:                       Pink laptop sleeve (15 inch)

Something cute:                    Ref Magnets and Key chains

Something soft:                      Red Velvet Cake

Something techie:                  Pink Cellphone Case for Samsung Galaxy Ace

Something fancy:                  Long necklace with heart pendant (big)

Something (insert your favorite color):                Pink

Something wearable:            pretty headbands

Something you need:             Pink umbrella (medium size yung kasya sa bag)**

Something you can use for work: Pink Stapler/ Pink Puncher/ Pink Table Organizer

Something sweet: Starbucks VIA (or Christmas Blend in sachet) or big marshmallows

Dear Santa I’ve Been Good and I really, really, really want: A new laptop hahaha try lang

It’s so easy to join.  For more details just head over PM‘s site Join now, the more the merrier.

 PS:  Tip lang, i really need the one with asterisk

Tags: Christmas, Dear Santa, Exchange Gifts, Gift Giving