Monday, January 30, 2012

Shabu-Shabu Time

We had lunch yesterday at Gansu-Shabuway in Power Plant Mall:
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The menu only serves vegetables and beef (Meyer and Kobe beef), with two kinds of soup (seaweed and spicy miso).  The seaweed broth was bland, but I loved it when I mixed it with tons of sesame sauce
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... along with a dash of minced garlic, minced radish, and chopped onion leeks :D
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Our family agrees that you can just order their normal Meyer beef since you really can't tell the difference when cooked in shabu-shabu style.
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The broth is, of course, unlimited... along with their rice.  Here's how my meal was: rice, cooked beef in their soy sauce/vinegar dipping, and broth mixed with sesame sauce ;P  
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Menu is quite limited, which makes ordering simple and fast.  Ramen and udon noodles are also available, which we ordered for our son---who wiped out his bowl of noodles fast!

Friday, January 27, 2012

See you at the Baby Fair

I'm pretty excited to check out the Grand Baby Fair tomorrow.  Even though my son is over 2 years old, I'm sure I'll find something I would need for him ;)


Here's the schedule for this weekend, should you find something interesting to check out as well:
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GBF2b


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See you all there! :D

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

For the Little Ones

Baby Company, the Baby Specialist, is inviting us again to the biggest baby event of the year—the Baby Company Grand Baby Fair.  I went to their event last year, and bought a lot of the little one, and gifts for my nephews/nieces and even godchildren.  It's a one-stop-shop for all your mommy-and-baby needs.
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Visit the Baby Company Grand Baby Fair on January 27, 28 and 29 at The Megatrade Hall 2 & 3 of SM Megamall.  This 3-day event brings you the most trusted brands and specialists in maternity, parenting, and child care under one place.  Shopping is also fun with up to 70% off on merchandise by over 100 exhibitors.  Talks by celebrity guests and professionals, plus raffle prizes await shoppers.  Plus, get a swag bag with a P2,000 single-receipt purchase and enjoy exclusive perks for Mom card members :D  See you there!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Orange is the Color of the Year

Yes, you read it right!  Orange is the color du jour for 2012.  I expected as much, with Celine having much to do with re-introducing this color last year with the leather totes and "luggages."  Don't you agree?

So, with this in mind, I decided to paint my nails in shades of oranges at Posh Nails in Connecticut Street in Greenhills
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Just had to share that I'm pretty impressed with their toilet, btw ;)
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To get squeaky clean for the New Year, I got myself a hand and foot scrub, along with my usual maniped
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These were my color choices:
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Reminded myself that orange is the color for 2012, so I opted to get these shades of oranges: orange sorbet for my fingernails and red orange for my toe nails :D
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Welcome the Water Dragon, and cheers to a blessed new year!
Gong Xi Fa Cai :D

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

True Blu

I just had to share this article that came out last month on the first year anniversary of Radisson Blu:


It was my first time to attend an event in Cebu, and we were pleasantly surprised with how the Cebuanos partied at the First Year Anniversary of Raddison Blu last weekend.


The newest and grandest hotel’s ballroom was transported into a 1920s themed venue, with their staff dressed in bright blue fringe shift dresses, boas and feathered headpieces. And they weren’t the only ones who followed the ’20 look, the venue was filled with gentlemen in dashing suits and hats, and ladies wearing accessories such as headbands, gloves, pearl necklaces, fascinators, and feathered boas.


The citizens of the Queen City of the South sure do know how to get into the fashion game. Here are some of them who took the extra effort to look the part:


Cybill Gayatin went for a black-and-white ensemble that’s very Coco Chanel, and topped it off with a beaded head wrap she had made out of an old beaded vest.
R Cybill Gayatin

David Cua was all about prints as he went for a striped necktie and plaid blazer. He kept it sleek and clean in black and white tones.
R David Cua

Katsy Borromeo picked a sheer black shift dress and accentuated it with a long pearl necklace and a black rosette headband.
R Katsy Borromeo

Carla Herrera’s thin black headband and gold-and-pearl neckpiece were the perfect accompaniments to her little black dress.
R carla herrera

Sheryl Songsong proved that all you need is a fur scarf to get the roaring ’20s look.
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Best dressed awards went to Yvette Vaas and Bong Deiparine. A special mention wento to Jessie Glova for the effort.
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You gotta hand it to these guests. My media colleagues all agree that Cebuanos know how to party and how to dress for the party!  Congratulations again, Radisson Blu :D

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A New You

Got myself a copy of Good Housekeeping this month:
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I tried following PBL (Pinoy Biggest Loser) as much as I can, but it's been busy the last few months of 2011 that I lost track of what happened to the show.  But, I am very amazed at how much the contestants lost—you should check out the inside pages and find out for yourself.  They also have a section where they feature other "losers" with one of them losing more than 200lbs. You really should check this out.

Another reason why I got myself a copy is that I am featured, along with the likes of Frances Amper Sales, and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, on being a multi-tasking mom.  Hope you grab yourself a copy and be inspired on how we live out lives :D

*Read more about them by grabbing your copy of the January-February issue of Good Housekeeping, available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets nationwide.
*For more updates, become a fan of Good Housekeeping on Facebook via Facebook.com/goodhousekeeping.ph and follow them on Twitter via Twitter.com/ghphils.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Missing Cebu

One thing I love about Radisson Blu Cebu is the food and the ambiance.  Here are some of my fave food shots :)

Prosciutto - yummy!



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salads and cheese aplenty
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Each soup bowl has its own set of crispy croutons and strips of mozzarella cheese
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home-made pasta, and so many choices!
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I ended up with this :)
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Pizza, anyone?
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There are so many main dishes to choose from. They can even grill for you.  Sorry, I wasn't able to take photos of them.  As you can see from this blog post, I enjoy appetizers (salads and soups) and dessert the most :)
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We were able to try their Barbecue Nights, and it was pretty good, too!
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Isn't this relaxing? :)
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For their buffet, try to go on a Tuesday lunch to get 50% off the regular rate ;)  
Hope everyone's having fun at Cebu this weekend for the Sinulog Festival.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Next stop: Cebu for Sinulog

If you're still undecided on where your next local trip is and you are free this weekend, why don't you head to Cebu for the Sinulog festival? :)
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The parade will be held this Sunday, and it is the most-awaited event next to the festival.  I'm pretty sure all the hotels are booked, but do try to get yourself a room at Radisson Blu, who just recently celebrated its first year anniversary last November.
raddison blu
photo taken from living.cebunetwork.com


To make reservations, click on this link.

Monday, January 9, 2012

It's More Fun in the Philippines

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, and I'm so amazed at how this is going viral.   Here are some of the "contributions" of talented and witty netizens, which I've taken from Roland Benzon


I like this one because the word "schools" is associated with something close to my heart—getting an education, which isn't really related to this photo... but still :D
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This makes "getting lost" a fun activity
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A creative version of the "youtube"
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Enough said, tweeting is more fun here
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This shows the photographer enjoying the fantastic view of what he's shooting
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This proves that the seniors can have fun, too!
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Now, I would love to do this soon :)
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I chose this as the last one, because I have personally experienced this and it is AMAZING!
You should try it sometime :)  The one who took us around and swam with us is the head of the whaleshark conservation group, and his name is NogNog 0918-4592646.  He is based in Donsol :)
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Launched last January 6 with a very successful social buzz, the new Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. shares: “Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable.”

Even the Lonely Planet guidebook refers to Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.'—a reputation I am proud of :)  I hope this keeps up, and more and more Pinoys will share their fun memories and experiences through this project.  Thank you also to BBDO Guerrero for the fabulous campaign.  Never mind that "some" think you copied it from an old 1950s Swiss ad, I think this is a better campaign than any I've seen :D


I leave you with this video that I'm sure will inspire you to fill 2012 up with local trips :D

Tara, biyahe tayo! 

Care to share your favorite spots and where else do you want to go? ;)

Friday, January 6, 2012

Gift Quickies

Not done with gift giving? Here are a few more gift ideas that just may help you in your search for the perfect gift for your best gal pal:

For the stylista
xmas trousseau
She may be booked almost every night of this festive season, so why don’t you give her something from Trousseau? Its Stingray collection of accessories is available in eye-catching hues of purple and pink, to name a few. Choose from its wide array of minaudiere, cuffs and bangles. For more information, visit http://www.trousseaubyreshma.com

For the sweet girl
xmas patchi
Chocolate-lovers will surely appreciate a gift from Patchi’s Christmas collection. With over 145 boutiques worldwide, this brand from Israel boasts of the finest imported ingredients that contain no preservatives, artificial flavors, and vegetable oil. Take your pick from their box sets and fancy arrangements that are unique only to Patchi. Visit their stores at Bonifacio High Street and Greenbelt 5.

For the fully-booked lass
xmas butterfly twist
Parties and function everyday (and sometimes two or three in a night) will most likely give you tired legs and achy feet. Help your gal pal get through the evening with a pair of foldable ballerinas from Butterfly Twists, so she can easily change her shoes and rest the feet. These flats come in three sizes: small (US Sizes 5-6), Medium (US Sizes 7-8), and Large (US Sizes 9-10). Available at most CMG stores.

For the busy bee
xmas memo magnet
Help her get through a packed working day with fun office tools from Quirks. The store adds a touch of quirkiness to everyday items to make working a breeze. Take your pick from cute memo magnets, wheelie desk bin tidy (pen holder shaped into a small plastic trash bin), and pegs memo (wall-mounted note board with pegs to hold notes and keys). Visit Quirks at Power Plant Mall and Shangri-La Plaza mall for more choices.

Monday, January 2, 2012

See you at Forever 21 :D

Time to grab yourselves fab finds in any of the Forever 21 stores in SM Megamall, SM Makati and SM City Cebu :)

Happy New Year :D

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