Quantcast
Channel: She Said, she said
Viewing all 130 articles
Browse latest View live

The Way We Ate- Green Pastures

$
0
0
I've been wanting to try Green Pastures ever since it opened last year, but because of the considerable distance we have to travel to get there, it's only recently that Bianca and I got to check out this restaurant since we were in the vicinity last weekend.

Green Pastures, located at the sprawling new wing of Shangri-La Plaza in Ortigas Center has been drawing in the crowds for their unique farm-to-table dining experience. 
It literally means that the food that you are served at the restaurant's table comes directly from a farm. This translates to meat, fruits and vegetables served at their freshest so this usually means you are eating healthier because the ingredients that they use are not canned or processed.

Duck You! - duck fat fries, duck skin chicharon, duck confit.

Green Pastures uses the best natural and local ingredients, and everything from the ketchup, the pasta, to the cheeses are all house made. Nothing is imported except the olive oil. Knowing this made me quite impressed with all the effort put in each dish we ordered and made me understand that I was getting what I was paying for because their prices are not what you would usually pay for at a regular restaurant.

Scampi Chorizo Pasta- river shrimps, ALBA'S chorizo, light sofrito, linguini.

We actually arrived at Green Pastures with not so hungry stomachs because we had just come from having some yogurt and fruit snacks elsewhere. Thinking that we had a long drive home, we decided to get something light for our dinner to tide us through the traffic we were expecting to encounter. We ended up ordering one dish after another and realized that we had already spent a good 3 hours at the restaurant! Time flies when you're having fun and lots of good food to keep you company : )

80/20 Burger- 80% Wagyu beef 20% double smoked organic pancetta with house made stracciatella, buttered brioche. Served with sweet potato fries.

Milkeggshoney- organic honeycomb. house made Greek yogurt, citrus curd.

Whenever we eat out, Bianca takes charge of all the food photos plus she likes snapping unguarded photos of me. I try to take photos of her too when I have a steady hand : )

Here's a pic I took of Bianca, rocking her new specs. She's gone back to wearing her glasses for her astigmatism and nearsightedness. She looks a a bit, uhm, scholastic, don't you think?
And that's me on the right. Bianca caught me trying to take a selfie. Lol.



Green Pastures
4th level East Wing
Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City



Fresh Fashion Picks at the Shang

$
0
0
If you've seen my inspiration boards, you can probably tell that I'm in love with fashion. I always refresh my Instagram feed for the latest updates from brands, designers, models, and magazine editors, because it's the easiest way to update myself on upcoming trends and pretty pieces. 

I love summertime because I don't need to wear my school uniform. I always make a big deal about my outfit even if we're not going anywhere fancy, which my mom could probably write a book about, because she is the (unfortunate) person I consult first when I can't decide between my light blue jeans and dark blue jeans. : )

So we were really, really excited when we were invited to Shangri-La Plaza's Summer Fashion Show last week, which featured the mall's top kids and youth brands! Here are a few pictures of the event.



I definitely got a lot of new outfit ideas for the summer. I'll be looking at my closet in a new way and mixing and matching new colors and patterns for sure! A model was even wearing the exact same skirt as me at one point. #HotOffTheRunway

I enjoyed the show a lot. It was a super cool experience, and a great way to cap off a busy but fun month of April. Hopefully mom and I get to reach all our goals this May!


Shangri-La Plaza Mall
EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

Floral Cupcake Centerpiece

$
0
0

I love flowers, and I try to have a fresh flower arrangement on top of our dining table, at the very least. Nothing fancy. Just a simple centerpiece to brighten things up at home. Bianca's not as into plants, flowers and gardening as I am, so I'm not expecting any handmade floral bouquets from her this coming Mother's Day.

Last Christmas, I received a dainty (and very useful) white coated, wire cupcake stand from my cousins in New Jersey. I love its vintage look and remember seeing the same stand used as a floral centerpiece all over Pinterest.

To celebrate Mother's Day, I made myself a pretty arrangement that will  keep me happy for the rest of the week. Flowers always put me in a good mood : ) 

This non-edible but sweet looking centerpiece was easy to make. All you need are some floral foam, spring flowers, roses, or whatever flowers you want to use, and some wax lined baking cups.


How to arrange:

1. Soak floral foam in water. With a knife or cutter, cut out 2" x 2" blocks to fit your baking cups.

2. Cut off flower stems, leaving enough length so the flowers sit just above the rim of each baking cup. Insert cut flowers into foam then put inside baking cups. Important note: Use only wax lined baking cups so water won't leak out.

3. Arrange your flower filled cups on the cupcake stand. You can also use a tiered glass or ceramic cake stand. The blooms will last for about 5-6 days. Just make sure the foam doesn't dry out and re-soak in water as needed.


Happy Mother's Day!


 

Dream Destination

$
0
0
Mom and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning pinning pretty photos on Pinterest. We've both been longing to travel all summer long. And believe it or not, we still have that packed suitcase from last year, filled with some of our scarves and sweaters, all ready for a cool weathered vacation.

Sometimes, I get discouraged and lose all hope that we'll be traveling soon. But mom, who is forever the optimist, keeps telling me to never give up dreaming. Although it's hard to admit, her positive vibes are slowly rubbing off on me : )

Paris is our ultimate dream destination. We both had so much fun pinning places in Paris that we'd like to visit, and the food we are going to eat as soon as we get there. We even picked out our hotel, and of course, some outfit inspiration - because you can't look too shabby when you're on holiday in the fashion capital of the world!

For more photos, check out our Paris Pinterest Board here.

French baguettes, Angelina's chocolate chaud, crepes, macarons, Croque Madam.

Our address in Paris- Hotel Villa Saint Germain Des Pres, a small boutique hotel in the heart of Paris and just a short walk from The Louvre, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre-Dame and other beautiful monuments. The clincher: Laduree Patisserie is just across the street from the hotel!

Pont de l'Archeveche, Tuileries Garden, Sainte-Chapelle, Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe.

Parisian Chic.



Bonne Fête des Mères

$
0
0
Mom and I weren't able to properly celebrate Mother's Day (May 11th here in the Philippines) because she wasn't feeling well. Luckily, Mother's Day in France falls on May 25 - so since we've been in Paris mode all week, we'll be honoring this special day along with the French instead!

The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

David Lebovitz is a well known pastry chef who moved to Paris in 2004. He runs a food blog and has published six successful books, along with this one, which my mom is currently reading. The book includes lots of yummy recipes and funny stories of his life in Paris. I can tell she really, really loves it, because she brings it everywhere she goes, and even asked me to read it to her one night! : )

Mom, I know I can be difficult sometimes, or maybe all the time, but thank you for always believing in me, encouraging me, and supporting me through everything. People always say a mother's love is unconditional. Thank you for loving me, even when I make mistakes. Know that my love for you is the same. You always tell me to live happy, and that is what I intend to do - with you right there with me. You're everything I want to be, mama. (I started crying after I typed that. I'm staring at the screen with blurred eyes. I hope I don't misspell anything.) You're beautiful, inspiring, positive, hard working, and you never ever give up. I can't wait to go on more adventures together! We still have so much ahead of us. Though I'm scared of what the future brings, I'm blessed to have such a strong, driving force like yours in my life. Bonne Fête des Mères, mommy! I love you.

Maman tu es la plus belle du monde car tant d'amour inonde tes jolis yeux.


Summer Picnic

$
0
0
The weather lately has been in between summer sun and cool winds - which I love! I think it's the perfect weather for a picnic, hence this inspiration board featuring pieces from ModCloth.com : )

ModCloth is an online retailer that specializes in unique vintage and retro-inspired clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes, and even home decor. I love browsing through all of their cute pieces and finding outfit inspiration from their vast selection of fashionable designs!

Day to Daylight Hat, Work to Play Dress in Navy, Ain't We Haute Fun? Dress in Kaleidoscope, Outer Bank On It Sandal in White, Step Into Style Flat in Turquiose 

Summer always reminds me of  crisp colors. These two dresses are effortlessly cool and really easy to dress up or dress down, depending on the occasion. Pretty dresses have been closet staples of mine for as long as I can remember, and I've never outgrown my love for them. The two pieces I picked for me and my mom remind me why I totally adore dresses so much! 

I also chose these cute sandals and flats to go along with the outfits - simply because I think flats are the most comfortable, sensible kinds of shoes. They're really versatile when chosen properly! I stole my mom's nude ballet flats from her closet and I'm pretty sure I wear them 90 percent of the time we go out..oops?

I hope we'll be able to go on a picnic soon - complete with some adorable little floral arrangements that my mom is fond of assembling around the house, and lots of sweets. (We'll make sure to look the part.) 

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

ModCloth
International Shipping options available
Call: 1-888-495-9699 or contact via 
email or Live Chat 
Facebook page

The Way We Ate- Chateau 1771

$
0
0
It's been so long since we've last eaten at Chateau 1771! We were so excited to go back and enjoy the restaurant's food and charming ambiance. It was the highlight of our trip to Greenbelt last Saturday - we love walking around and looking in lots of stores together, especially because we rarely go to this part of town. Definitely worth the trip!

Goat Cheese & Grilled Apple Salad - Malagos Farm chevre (goat cheese), green ice lettuce, mizuna, grilled red apples, kalamata olives, Pommery vinaigrette topped with bacon bits.

Pasta Chorizo - Spaghetti tossed in brown chorizo and garlic sauce.

 Beef Tenderloin with Cafe de Paris butter

Baked Potato

Lemon Basilic Sorbet- very refreshing and perfect for summer dessert!

Chateau 1771
Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St  
Legaspi Village, MakatiCity
(02) 729-9760

Keeping up with Kindness

$
0
0
Last year, mom and I went to a lot of schools to share little acts of kindness with kids. Unfortunately, I spent majority of my free time this summer studying for college entrance tests, and we had to put our project on the back burner.

We were so excited to be able to squeeze in a little session right before my break ended, with these sweet kids from our good friend Teacher Nikki's art class : )

The kids were super cooperative and nice, and they even gave us a performance of their own! Here they are jamming to The Eagles'"Hotel California" : P

This is me singing a few songs with my ukulele! (I hope to learn how to play the guitar soon...)

I love these little sessions we have, because they remind me of why we started our blog in the first place - to spread kindness, happiness, and love! <3 




Sweet Sixteen in Paris

$
0
0
To My Dearest Bianca,

Happy 16th Birthday, my love! What a blessing it is that we are celebrating your birthday in Paris, of all places. I can feel your excitement and your joy ever since we arrived here and I'm just so thankful for this gift.

We've been through lots of heartaches and sad times you and I, and I know that this is God's way of making it up to both of us. 

I know there were times when you felt discouraged when you thought your prayers were never heard or answered. But, this is proof that God hears and answers all our prayers in His perfect time. We just have to believe and keep the faith.

We have so much to be thankful for. How are friends and family rallied us on and the outpouring of love and support to make this dream trip happen is just so overwhelming! The only way we can ever repay them is to give back.

Thank you for bringing me so much happiness and laughter. I am so proud of all your accomplishments and the wonderful, caring and responsible young lady you have grown up to be. You are the reason I get up in the morning.

Dream big, my dear Bianca. Don't let anything hold you back. Be the best that you can be. Because now you know, that nothing is impossible with God.

Love,
Mama

 Bianca trying out the tiaras at the L' Opera Boutique.

The Story Behind Paris

$
0
0


The story behind our trip to Paris is certainly an amazing one to tell and I don't think I'll ever get tired of sharing and retelling it over and over for years to come.

Last Mother's Day, May 11th, I joined a Mother's Day Giveaway sponsored by Katie Mitchell Photography. Katie Mitchell is an Australian lifestyle photographer and to commemorate Mother's Day, she was giving away a Mother & Daughter Portrait Session in Paris. Despite reading the fine print that travel expenses were not included, I proceeded to secretly join the giveaway as I had wanted to surprise Bianca to celebrate her Sweet Sixteen in our ultimate dream destination.  I told myself  that if the trip was meant to be, I would be chosen as the winner. Everything would fall into place for the trip - visas, airfare, accommodations and pocket money and the lack of all these details would not hinder me.

I kept positive from day one after submitting my entry and without even a clue if I would be chosen, I started preparing for the trip. I got our passports renewed, and secured an appointment at the French Embassy for our visa interview. Everyday I would do little things to prepare for the trip like sending our sweaters out to be dry cleaned, looking up hotels and places to stay. I even got Bianca to create an Inspiration Board of all the places we wanted to visit and all the food we wanted to eat in Paris and continued to harness positive thoughts, positive energies and most importantly positive actions.

When I received the email that my entry was chosen, I was in tears. Not in disbelief, but in sheer joy and happiness because I knew that it was finally happening and our trip to Paris would soon be a reality.

Our family and friends came together with their unwavering love and support which kept me going and kept my eyes focused on the goal all the more. One thing lead to another, overwhelmingly so, and in three weeks, Bianca and I found ourselves boarding our plane ride to The City of Light.

I just wanted to share this story with all of you who have dreams still unfulfilled. Paris has been on our bucket list since 2007 and honestly, there were times when I thought it was an impossible dream. But God's timing is always perfect. So, keep dreaming and  keep believing, because dreams really do come true.


Paris Diaries: Walking through the Montmartre and Le Marais Districts

$
0
0


We are so happy to share with all of you the travel diaries of our amazing trip to Paris just last week. We are both going through some serious vacation withdrawal, since everything about our trip is still so fresh in our minds. 

Both Bianca and I are trying to get back to the regular groove of school and housework and writing for our blog, but on most days we usually just end up daydreaming about the long walks we took around the Eiffel Tower trying to decide which angle had the best view, the charming cafes on every corner, the beautiful ornate buildings, and the way the sun didn't set until almost 10:00pm, rightfully proving that Paris is indeed the City of Light.

We visited some of the most incredible places. Every street in Paris is photogenic and you won't be able to resist taking snapshots every chance you get. It was our first trip to Paris, and to Europe, and we'll be doing a couple of posts about some of our favorite places and things to do.

Where we stayed

We stayed in an apartment in the Montmartre district which we found through AirBNB.


 We wanted to stay in a quiet residential area that had easy access to a bus stop with nearby shops and cafes. We also wanted to stay in a place that had a functioning kitchen that would allow us to prepare simple meals, mostly for breakfast so we could load up before a full day of sightseeing and walking. An important consideration was that the apartment building must have an elevator. Most Paris apartments are accessible by stairs only, so if your apartment is on a higher floor then you might have a hard time lugging up your suitcase.

I was initially scared of renting an apartment, preferring that sense of security you get when staying in a hotel. But everything turned out perfect and afforded us to stay in Paris for a whole week at half the cost.



For our first day in Paris, we decided to explore our area first thing in the morning, to check out all the nearby cafes, markets, boulangeries, and fromageries to stock up our kitchen.

 Wearing outfits by Bayo Clothing



We had so much fun familiarizing ourselves with our neighborhood and we were happy that there was a supermarket, a pharmacy and a newspaper stand just right around the corner. We became regulars at the boulangerie across the street where we would buy hot out of the oven baguettes and my favorite fresh apricot tarts for breakfast every morning, as well as some basic grocery items at the Carrefour supermarket nearby.


 We put together a quick lunch from our happy purchases back at the apartment and after a short rest, we were off to explore Le Marais, a charming neighborhood with narrow cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture.





For this entire trip, we chose to go around the city by bus. We found taking the taxi to be quite expensive so we reserved our cab rides from the airport to the apartment and back. Bus stops can be found all around the city and most are equipped with an electronic information system that tell you what time to expect the next bus. Going around by bus is also more scenic and made it possible for us to see more of Paris as compared to using the Metro. Bus routes and neighborhood maps are displayed at each station and tickets can be purchased in advance at any Tabac- a cigarette/newspaper stand which also sells postage stamps, lottery tickets and sometimes coffee.



Traveler Tip

If you are disabled or an elderly traveler, the bus may be a better option for you. The buses we took were relatively clean, comfortable and accessible if you are using a wheelchair.



Coming up next - Part 2: The Louvre and Tuileries Garden


This article is also published on PhilStar.com


Inspiration Board: Rain Check

$
0
0
I love the rainy weather - I had been wishing for drizzly days the whole summer long. Listening to music with rain in the background makes it sound so much better, and naps seem all the more inviting with the cool breeze that the weather brings. But being caught out in the rain unprepared or inappropriately dressed is just the worst, so here is my idea of a rainy day outfit. (I mean, how cute is that umbrella?!)



A.P.C. Cropped Striped Cotton T-Shirt, Kate Spade Rain Check Umbrella, ASOS Clear Rain Trench, 7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans, JUJU Wellies, Alexander Wang Rocco Light Blue Satchel 

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday, and don't forget your umbrella just in case! 


 

Paris Diaries 2: The Mona Lisa Up Close and Hanging Out with the Locals at Jardin des Tuileries

$
0
0


With millions of visitors every year, Musée du Louvre is easily the world's most visited museum. Tons of people flock to see the Mona Lisa in person, and appreciate thousands of other sculptures and paintings. It's always advisable to purchase tickets in advance so you can avoid the long lines, or even opt to have a guided tour. But since we didn't have enough time to plan out our itinerary for every single day of our trip, we decided to go at our own pace instead, based on a shortlist of places we wanted to visit.

The Louvre Pyramid


Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

Once we got off the bus, we were in awe of the beautiful architecture and headed straight toward the Louvre Pyramid for our photo ops. It was a pretty sunny day, and there were lots of people lined up waiting to enter the famous tourist destination. Luckily, we found a way to avoid the crowds.

She Said: The best way to enter the museum is through Carrousel du Louvre- the underground shopping mall. Across the street from the Pyramid, look for the La France Victorieuse statue. Right behind this statue is a stairwell that will lead you down to the mall and towards the alternate line to enter the museum.


she said: It's a must to carry a mobile device when you're traveling so you can stay connected in case of an emergency. We purchased local prepaid SIM cards for our mobile phones which are available at the Relay Boutique at Charles de Gaulle airport (arrival area) and at most convenience stores around the city.


 La France Victorieuse statue and the entrance to Carrousel du Louvre

Carrousel du Louvre

Musée du Louvre Main Reception & Information Area - audio guides are available in 12 languages, as well as maps to help you navigate your way around the museum.


 The Louvre is a historic monument and one of the largest museums in the world. It was impossible for us to see everything in a day, because the place is just so massive and overwhelming.
 
 The most famous painting in the museum is the Mona Lisa. It is so popular that there is always a crowd around it, and you'll have to inch your way to the front so you can get a closer look and a good photo.

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa

A view of the courtyard - there are hundreds of windows that provide unique views of the areas surrounding the museum.

After a couple of hours, we decided to end our museum tour and took the exit leading to Rue de Rivoli on a quest to find Angelina Tearoom & Patisserie. The street is lined with lots of souvenir shops. After asking around a bit, we finally found the place. We didn't have to wait long to be seated, and soon, we were ushered to a little table in the main room. 


Angelina Salon de Thé~Restaurant~Boutique
226 Rue de Rivoli
75001, Paris

Built in 1903, Angelina on Rue de Rivoli was the first and original tearoom that became a must-not-miss venue for French personalities such as Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust.
 
Tarte Framboise Pistache

Angelina's famous Chocolat L' Africain is decadent, delicious and super photogenic, you almost forget the price tag - about 8 or Php 480 for one serving.

After finishing up our meal, we crossed the street to explore Jardin des Tuileries, a public park landscaped in French formal garden style. It was actually packed with more locals than tourists - a sea of people, all casually hanging out on the now iconic green metal chairs on a bright, cloudless day and soaking in the sun. Just being there and spending time with the locals gives you this wonderful, exhilarating feeling. It is an experience that is not to be missed!





Please stay tuned for the last part of our Paris Diaries: The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.

This article is also published on PhilStar.com.


Paris Diaries 3: La Tour Eiffel and Notre Dame Cathedral

$
0
0

The Eiffel Tower is definitely a must see when you go to Paris. Constructed in 1887 to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, this iron lattice tower is the city's centerpiece and one of the tallest buildings in the world.

We were so in awe of the Eiffel Tower that we visited it not only once, but twice! We walked all the way from Trocadéro to Champ de Mars and to École Militaire just to get the best views of the Eiffel Tower from all its glorious angles. Such a sight to behold.







she said: You have to try the delicious Nutella crepes at the Creperie by the foot of the Eiffel Tower!




Another must visit is the Notre Dame de Paris, a Catholic cathedral considered as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Located in Ile de la Cité, an island in the middle of the River Seine, this historical monument is decorated by beautiful stained glass windows, many of which date back to the 13th century when the cathedral was built.

The Seine River

Notre Dame Cathedral

The South Rose Window is dedicated to the New Testament. It has eighty four panes, divided into four circles.



Appearances of the Risen Christ.

She Said: There are several weekday masses and Sunday services. You may check the website for the schedule. All services are in French except for the 11:30am mass on Sundays where part of the readings and prayers are in English.

Don't miss the souvenir shops along side the Seine River. Lots of interesting finds - vintage books, magazines, & postcards.




Then cap off your visit with some delicious choux à la crème (cream puffs) at Odette on Rue Galande, just a short walk from the cathedral.


Rue Galande is a charming little street lined with cafes and restaurants.


Odette Paris
77 Rue Galande
75005 Paris, France

You can have these bite-sized gems either to go or sit at a table upstairs where you'll have a view of Notre Dame. You must try the mixed berries and salted caramel flavors!

Our time in Paris was short but sweet and we’re happy we got to visit most of the major attractions as well as explore the city’s backstreets. We’d love to get the chance to visit again soon!We fell in love with French pastries, and we can’t wait to have more. 

This article is also published on PhilStar.com



Kitchen Stories- Pinoy Brandade

$
0
0
The Blue Kitchen is a specialty food store that has been a go-to for artisanal homemade specialties, ready to cook, and ready to serve food for close to 18 years now.

Favorite Filipino specialties like native sausages, sweets, local coffee, pastries, and their popular garlic tuyo can be found alongside hard to find international brands. 

They just opened their newest branch in Robinson's Magnolia,Quezon City. Luckily we frequent this area on weekends, so aside from their other branches in Power Plant Mall and Shangri-la Mall, it is now more convenient for us to stock up on our favorites!

Now open! The Blue Kitchen is located at the 3rd level of Robinson's Magnolia.

 Filipino sweets and assorted gourmet products.

What we love most about The Blue Kitchen is that you can find everything you need to prepare lunch or dinner all in one store! It's perfect for busy households like ours who don't have house help and need to prepare quick but delicious dishes. You can choose from a variety of bottled pasta sauces, salad dressings, frozen cooked dishes and even desserts. This makes it easy to whip up and enjoy a home-cooked meal without the fuss! And knowing that their homemade selections are prepared without preservatives, using only the freshest natural ingredients available, is definitely a winner in my book : ) 

We were recently invited to a cookout & lunch where we got to try our hand at cooking and tasting several dishes using some of The Blue Kitchen's bestsellers. One of our favorites is this tasty appetizer recipe that makes use of Daing Bacalao - preserved, salted codfish.


Brandade is a creamy appetizer typically made with codfish and olive oil. Here's a Pinoy version you can try at home that's fast and easy to prepare, especially when you have guests. Best served warm with some toasted bread.




More recipes from The Blue Kitchen, coming soon in our next posts!


This article is also published on PhilStar.com



The Blue Kitchen
3rd Level, Robinson's Magnolia
Aurora Boulevard corner Hemady St.,
Quezon City
Facebook page
website 


Easy Pasta Dishes with The Blue Kitchen

$
0
0
We love pasta dishes! Besides being hearty and filling, they're a cinch to prepare. All you have to do is boil a pot of water, simmer the sauce, and you've got yourself a meal! We always have pasta and stand by ingredients such as bottled sauces and some kind of chorizo or sausage in our freezer to prepare a quick dinner on busy weeknights.

The Blue Kitchen is a specialty food store where you can find pantry staples and lots of choices for add-ins to make a delicious meal at home whether it's for your family or friends.

Here are some of our latest food finds at The Blue Kitchen with recipes to match!




Visit The Blue Kitchen at Robinson's Magnolia and their other branches at Shangri-la Mall and Power Plant Mall!

This article is also published on PhilStar.com.

The Blue Kitchen
Facebook page
website

Design Pegs for our Home Office

$
0
0

When we started our blog in January 2013, our goal was to chronicle our mother & daughter relationship in an online journal so both Bianca and I could have something to look back on. We wanted to challenge our creative side too. Bianca is a budding photographer and writer, while I became interested in writing as a form of therapy and self expression. 

We have been blessed with a growing number of readers and all the positive feedback we have been receiving for the blog has truly encouraged and inspired us to share our thoughts and experiences into words even more.

Most of the time, writing and conceptualizing our posts takes place inside the bedroom where, truth be told, our 10" screen Acer laptop sits on a  26" plastic folding table. And as I write this post, I'm actually sitting on the edge of my bed, with the plastic table pulled towards my lap. Bianca's room has a perfectly set up study table, I don't know why I don't use it as often as I should. Maybe, it's just that I find it more convenient to write and take naps in between since my bed is just right here, hahaha. Bad habits die hard.

Seriously though, I need to do something about this bad habit of mine before I develop a back or neck problem which I'm sure nobody wants to have.

I've been daydreaming of setting up a home office in the space between our living and dining areas. Ideally, I would like the home office to have a work table big enough for two persons so Bianca and I can work together and also have a place to keep files, books, props for our photo shoots, reference materials that we use when we blog, and where we can do our craft projects.

Here are some home office inspiration I found online. Follow us on Pinterest to see more design pegs.








Certificate Courses at PowerSkills

$
0
0
Whenever we eat out in new restaurants, I always take mental notes on how much I enjoyed the whole dining experience. Good food and good customer service are elements that go hand in hand and a big deciding factor on whether I would visit that particular restaurant again.

I have a couple of favorite places that I've come to love not just for their delicious food but for their consistently excellent customer service. I bring my family and friends to these restaurants, and over the years, I can say that I am loyal to these establishments because they put a premium on keeping their staff well trained and committed to quality, value, and service.

PowerSkills, Inc., is a training and development company that I've had the pleasure to work with for many years now. I have had the opportunity to attend as well as facilitate several of their customized seminars and workshops.

As a recognized international Management Training and Development firm and preferred partner of professionals in the Asia-Pacific region, PowerSkills continues to work with leading local organizations and corporations in Europe & the USA.

In their commitment to continually develop programs that provide a competitive advantage and be the best source of stategies, policies and inspiration, PowerSkills is now offering Certificate courses in Restaurant Management & Development. Their roster of clients include Starbucks, Jollibee, HEAT Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Spiral at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, and Hen Lin, among others.


We are inviting all our friends in the restaurant, hotel and food business to explore the advantages of conducting customized training for your organization.

For more information and inquiries, you may contact PowerSkills, Inc. at:
Tel: 475.6334
Mobile: 0917.8579664
www.powerskillsinc.com


The Way We Ate- Rustique Kitchen

$
0
0

Chef Bruce Lim serves up comfort food with a Filipino twist at his new restaurant, Rustique Kitchen in Makati City.

An American born Filipino-Chinese chef and a graduate of Le Cordon Blue in London, Chef Bruce made a name for himself in the Philippines as a TV personality and restaurateur. He is currently the host of Asian Food Channel's The Boss which showcases his take on modern Filipino dishes.

At Rustique Kitchen, he promises to treat your taste buds to an explosion of flavors in a comfortable, homey ambience. "We're serving comfort food," he explains. "We don't want to intimidate our customers. We'd like to make them feel right at home."

 Chef Bruce with Bianca & Cynthia.

We were treated to a generous sampling of some of the restaurant's bestsellers and new dishes. Thank you so much to Rustique Kitchen for inviting us, and many thanks to Ross Del Rosario and Aldous Calubad for organizing this special event.

 Freshly baked bread served with Herbed Butter and Coffee Maple Butter. 

Pata Fritters- new on the menu!

 Cozy dining at Rustique Kitchen.

 Lapu lapu Ceviche- Fresh rock fish marinated in citrus vinaigrette, topped with crispy danggit.

 Country Pumpkin Pasta- Pasta tossed in a kalabasa cream sauce, served with roasted Cornish hen and deep fried squash blossoms.

 Soon to be introduced is a Slab Menu- family style servings of salmon (shown above), steaks, pork confit and other seafood.

 Warm Chocolate Tart.

Quesong Puti Cheesecake- Classic baked cheesecake served with mangoes and strawberries.

Congratulations, Chef Bruce! We'll see you again soon!

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.


Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen
Ground Floor, Leelin Building
820 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City

Martin Nievera at The Bellevue Hotel

$
0
0


The Association of St. John Marie Vianney (ASJMV) of Saint James The Great Parish in Alabang is having a fundraising concert on September 12, 2014 at The Bellevue Hotel.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and be serenaded by the country's top performer, Martin Nievera, as he sings pops and ballads at the Grand Ballroom of The Bellevue Hotel Manila. This is a one night only show you can't miss!

We are inviting everyone to support ASJMV in their mission to promote priestly vocations by providing for the education needs of poor but deserving seminarians. The association has helped a total 37 seminarians who have all graduated and ordained to into priesthood. Proceeds of this year's fundraising event will benefit the 31 seminarians and 4 priest scholars currently in their scholarship program as well as  many more applicants in various seminaries in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

For ticket inquiries please contact Ms. Louiza Asinas, Events Department of The Bellevue Hotel, Tel. (02) 771.8181.


Viewing all 130 articles
Browse latest View live