Slice High St.

We continued our Sunday family day at BHS. It's a good escape from crowded malls plus we love it here because my little girl can freely scream, run and play. Also, the weather was something we really wish for, giving us cool breeze even at 2pm. That's very unlikely in Manila.


I was already looking for coffee or pastry shops before she tires out her energy running here and there. She will most definitely ask for something to eat, so I should come up with a plan before she says the magic word. Good thing, SLICE was just right behind us.


Sadly, I couldn't spot a free table outside. Gusto ko pa naman sana ma-enjoy yung libreng hangin. It turns out that being seated inside was way better. I really loved the color scheme, anything in green to me is "queen-like", that elegant! It made the shop look more calm and restful, everything was so appealing.


I asked Mom to check out the cake displays and gleefully suggested to try the Double Choco Yema cake. Insert "magugustuhan ni Daphne yan kasi chocolate!". It was my first to hear a "yema cake", too sweet I suppose, but we gave it a shot. They ran out of Banoffee pie so I replaced it with Brownie Sundae. Sugar treats!


Double Choco Yema Cake Php240
Two words: THE BEST! It was thick, moist and decadent. It was a generous slice, my pictures don't give justice. And I was too quick to judge, the cake wasn't even sweet at all. In fact, it was the chocolate that neutralised the sweetness. I'm happy that my daughter approved this order as she clearly enjoyed every bite. The three of us shared one slice and we could hardly finish it. It was that rich! I suggest you order this when you visit SLICE and grab someone to share with. I also have to mention that right after this cake was served, three tables had the same order.


Brownie Sundae Php220
I describe it as "milky-chocolatey" and the brownie bars were chunky. I used to combine cake and ice cream (regardless of the flavors) whenever we have both at home, so this one's a better version. Though if I was aware of the cake size, I'd probably just settle with the Double Choco Yema and add some fruit juice.


Yeah, drop those gadgets, talk to your seatmates and enjoy the good food. I'm happy with this random food discovery and will be back very soon. Let's try the healthy burgers and salads next time! :-)

SLICE
Bonifacio High Street Central
G/F Bonifacio High Street Central,
7th Ave cor 29th St
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 553-7783


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Sunshine Kitchen

"When was the last time you did something for the first time?" Haha. Yeah, I still have this Frozen movie hangover. But if you really wanna know my answer to that, it would be purchasing a deal from a group buying site. I know, I'm way way behind! It's just that my shopping preference is quite uncommon, or let's say, quite outdated from today's trend. I chanced to be a member of about three group buying sites for quite some time but didn't ever proceed to the check out counter. Why is that? *face palm*


Moving forward, and congratulations to me for finally getting rid of my old-fashioned way, I finally purchased my first ever deal last December! *woohoo* My plan was to take the hubby for a brunch date for no particular occasion. (Of course, wives can do it the other way around!) I was actually certain that we will only be able to use this after the holidays and even our wedding anniversary.


When we entered Sunshine Kitchen, I noticed right away how it is contrary to early morning sun rays and bright skies. It's basically a bistro, with dark wooden furniture and bricked walls, that serves good breakfast.


Had I forgotten to book a reservation, there will be no free table for us at 12nn on a Sunday. Little girl chose that spot, near the window, so she can freely see kids playing at the Fort Strip grounds.


Limitless Strawberry bellinis
Don't be fooled, it may look sweet and refreshing, but the alcohol's presence will kick in on your second glass. Or could it be my tolerance went down to zero now? Nevertheless, Mom and I enjoyed our champagne for brunch. It would have been lovelier if dining al fresco.


Breakfast Pizza
I always liked my pizza thick but this artisan pizza can be an exemption. Also, I'm not used to small round pizza, so I was contemplating if this really is good for sharing. Surprisingly, it can be filling. As for the taste, I can't recall anything to rave.


Crabcake Benedict
I wasn't into something leafy that day so Mom took the greens. She did like the salad and finished the limited dip. I can't really say if the salad and crabcake was a good pair. It is though, on pictures. As for the crabcake, it is crispy from the outside and oily from the inside, like I cringed when the oil juiced out when I sank my teeth.


Peach French Toast with Chocolate Caramel Sauce and Creme Anglaise
Finally, there's something served that could cheer me up. You should know the power of chocolates in a human body. My french toast wasn't fluffy nor soft but just about right to hold the peaches on top. I also recognized the bittersweet mixture, so dark chocolate must be used.


Though my first visit did not exceed my expectations, I'm still giving Sunshine Kitchen a next try. I'd probably order Slow Roast Porchetta and Key Lime Pie. Just before posting this, I emailed them a little inquiry about this purchase on Deal Grocer, something wasn't right and I want it confirmed. Updates later.



Sunshine Kitchen
2nd Floor Fort Pointe Bldg 1
The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig
(0928) 821-2625

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I can't help but be sad..

Let me just clear, I wasn't sad the whole day. In fact, this day was one of the happiest as of this year because I get to see my little darling seated in a coin-operated car with her Lola, with a big big smile on her face. At the same time it was nostalgic, rekindling childhood memories at the Fiesta Carnival during mid-80's. I saw me in that sepia picture Mom kept for years and now it's my little one's turn. Oh, happy days! Time is flying so fast.

So what really made me feel upset was this: a horrible break-up by my old time friends who later on became real-life couple. Just newly-wed couple. And it breaks my heart to see my Instagram timeline.

For kwento's sake, this couple were younger than me, but they reached certain milestones in their chosen careers. I've seen how their courtship bloom, turn into a more vivid and colorful relationship and blessed by both parties to get married and be united as one. Their love story is, I am not exaggerating, what every girl can dream of. Me included.

I haven't been in my what I call "hometown" for several years. I qouted hometown as what mentioned in my old post that we often transfer to different addresses, but Antipolo in Rizal is where my heart truly lived. Despite the lack of physical presence, we continued to keep in touch through social sites. That's what I liked about FB or IG, you need not ask how old friends are doing..you just browse the timeline or check out their profile. Ironically, it's also proven to feed you some bad news, like this one, or worse, one's demise.

These are my friends, we respect the silence, and we did not intend to ask why, how and when.. But to me, it must be that terrible for someone to step out the house and fly to that other part of the world. And it's not just days that passed, it's been three months! It must be that painful and I am personally affected by the separation. It felt like the gates were totally shut and no more looking back. Like it was THAT broken.

Makes me think this way, what could possibly make me do such thing if the inevitable comes? My husband having a concubine? Him having uncontrollable vices or alcoholism? Me being emotionally and physically battered? No. I'm not buying the thought. One must not invite such idea and I have no right to judge the situation.

But for someone who slammed the door on the way out, it must have valid grounds, and it must be a never-ending offense. Whatever that is, I am praying to our dear God to bless them and help save the marriage, to give them a kind heart in taking things into consideration, to light their path if one is in darkness, to give the other one enough strength to endure what is bearable and right, and to remind them of what made them fall in love in the first place. Amen.

Deep in my heart, my prayers for my own marriage is also the same. We are never secure with all the temptations but our God is bigger than that and only He can save us by His grace.

What are your health goals?

I have been coughing for the longest time now. Sunday night when my throat irritation started to kick in and then when I woke up the next day, voila, I started barking terribly! Moreso, I've noticed how my immune system gradually deflated last year that I'm always the first to easily catch the flu. This leads me to thinking what are my health goals for 2014. Apparently, lazy-ing is a lot easier than dragging myself to wake up early on a weekend for an active head start. Hello, WEEKEND nga eh, diba? Though my job doesn't require me to follow their timezone, I still believe I am not a day person, hence, waking up early is indeed an extra challenge.

Going back to health goals, have you listed yours already? Here's mine. I think wellness and beauty should also be added on the list.

1. Be holistic with beauty regimens. I was never a die-hard believer on skin care. When I was a bit younger, I thought kung maganda talaga ang balat mo, kahit nasa arawan, tabing-dagat, bundok or talahiban ka, maganda talaga yan. But looking at the extremities of our weather condition, it's really unsafe to disregard your skin, especially facial skin. With the newly-added word in the Dictionary, a.k.a. Selfie, migosh even filters can't hide impurities. I should not be contented with just merely washing my face. Toner, cream and moisturizer should complete the pre-bedtime regimens. 

2. Drink as much water as I can. Very guilty about this especially when entire focus is on my computer screen. Why the heck do I love buying mugs and tumblers when it doesn't serve its purpose. Hay talaga. I remember Kris Aquino saying before to regularly drink 8 glasses of water. Nakakalunod, I know, but we got to keep hydrated. 

3. Re-start jogging frenzy. If there's a sport I am completely comfortable with, that would be running. Mind you, I already shopped for my gears mid last year. Ayun, bagong-bago pa din sila, naka-ilang laba pa lang yata! Here's a funny confession. After giving birth to a healthy 7.9lbs baby girl in 2011, I decided to start jogging again just last year. To be fair, I was able to use my gears naman pala for a while. Yes, FOR A WHILE. After three straight days of afternoon run in and out the condo premises, my knees were badly hurt, precisely because of my weight gain. I won't mention the figures but if you knew me personally, I used to be slim talaga. I mean, I was chubby in college but in general, I was once a member of the "chako gang", if you know what I mean. So I was really traumatized with that injury, I can't even climb the stairs and our bathroom is on the second floor! Until now, that remains my primary concern if ever I go back running. How should I start kaya? Can you give some advice?

4. Try juicing. I've been very tempted to join the bandwagon, plus the juice bottles are Instagram worthy pa noh? Enter bitch-slap fest like the famous celebrity, LOL. But kidding aside, it's expensive to maintain such, so I'll stick to Del Monte Pineapple - the one with tidbits. My uncle used to drink it during his month-long cleansing diet, he was diagnosed with diabetes.

5. Early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Hmmm, I think this should be at the #1 spot noh? I need to be more productive not just during working days. I fancy movies with actors doing a lot of things, rushing to several places, juggling personal, work and social lives in one day. I think it can really be possible, even if in most days we feel so wasted already with work, social life (i.e. coffee-ing, quick gimmick) not yet included. I wonder how many hours of sleep do billionaires consume? I should check the statistics, malay mo may chance din tayo! I also noticed how one's brain can absorb a lot when you read in the morning. In fact, it's the best time to review during exams. So let's cap this off with right amount of sleep and early call time.

6. Take vitamins regularly. My ever generous SIL in the US is the one sending us hefty containers of vitamins. We are three adults at home and could barely finish 500 caplets in a year. I am more diligent pa nga in giving vitamins to my daughter than myself. Where do you store your vitamins? It should really be somewhere that will easily remind you to take it daily. Also, I might as well include regular inventory of our medicine kit, so to take precautions right away.

7. Eat in small portions with consistency. Before I head to the beach, I can go on hunger strike for weeks and then transform my tummy really flat. But after my C-section, I can only tolerate no rice in the morning because after that, I really feel lightheaded with uncontrollable hand shakiness. I don't wonder as our body indeed undergo changes as we get older. So, okay, eat in small portions. That hashtag #cheatday should never have existed anyway.

8,9, and 10. I have so many things in mind but this health goal is not as easy as entering them in bullet points. Maybe I should sum it up to engaging to a healthier and active lifestyle. Enough of being a couch potato. Must get out from this comfort zone. Pag-pawisan na ang dapat pagpawisan! 

I don't need to be skinny as I'm past that hot babe era. Oo na, magkakape ako mamaya! Haha! 

But really, I just want to be fit and healthy for my daughter, husband and myself. Target is to shed off 30 pounds before 33rd birthday. 

I can do this. God bless me.

Claim your free Whopper day!

Who doesn't love freebies? Anyone? Unless you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, I guess freebies and tokens don't attract you at all. Or it still depends because what if it's a free house and lot or a latest edition of sports car, right?


Well, I didn't receive any of the above mentioned but whenever simple tokens or gift certificates are handed to me, my excitement is always that mile high. During my early 20's, believe me or not, I used to be ultimately shy to claim my coupons. My mentality was, I don't want that person who does the validation to make me feel inferior, like I can't afford to pay for it and just rely on freebies. Have you felt that way too?


Anyhoo, a few months ago, I claimed my BPI card and enclosed is a "claim your free Whopper at any Burger King branch". It wasn't a big deal to me at first as my mentality ate me up again but last week, just when the coupon is about to expire in 2 days, I finally gave it a try.


I went to the new Burger King in SM Megamall A and was quite surprised how this fast-food chain looked tidy and really attractive.  I have a 'thing' with wooden chairs plus they placed couches on the side like you're in a milk tea or coffee shop.


It's been a while since my last 'man versus Whopper' and my taste buds were delighted again with this meaty flame-grilled burger. The juicy and fresh beef patty tasted and smelled really good as always. The crisp lettuce and tangy pickles added more flavor to my burger.


Thank you so much BPI for this once in a lifetime treat! Or should I say, there's more to come?


Of course, it won't be a complete meal without my favorite strawberry sundae! My calorie counter was temporary shut down that moment. :-)

Fifth Season Spa

 

The holiday season took so much of our time and energy that we may have felt a bit overwhelmed with all the reunions, gatherings and non-stop feasts. I bet you also had that tired feet hopping from one mall to another and queuing to the cashier section to get all those fabulous gifts. So to help myself stay rejuvenated, I went for a little spa pampering at Fifth Season Spa.

 

I purchased a 50% promo via Deal Grocer that includes a relaxing 60-Minute Swedish Full-Body Massage plus a 20-minute Express Foot Massage. The price is originally Php1,100. Click the link to see this ongoing promo.

 

My spa treatment started with a hand ritual from this area. I picked the eucalyptus bath salts over rosemary to wash my hands with. The relaxing properties of the aromatherapy helped me breathe better after being patted dry.

 

The therapists will take you to this area for foot therapy and nail care services. I was ushered to one of  the couches for my express foot massage. Boy, it was really good! My sore feet loved the pressure and the rosemary scent made it more tranquilizing. Apart from whole body massage, Fifth Season Spa also offers other spa services such as face therapy and body therapy.

 

The individual treatment rooms are of course named after the four seasons - Autumn, Winter, Summer (photo above), and Spring. While the Fifth Season is for the couples room. Very clever! :-)

 

To sum it all, my spa treatment was a pure bliss! I still had a bad cough and colds when I came here so imagine how my muscles felt so soothed after the massage. The receptionist asked if I want to upgrade the service to traditional massage or hilot but I had to decline as too much pressure might constrain my body more. Back-pain has always been my issue and I'm glad I went out with a lighter feeling. 

 

And here's the obligatory restroom selfie. I felt so much relieved, no more stiff shoulders! 

Thanks to the wonders these professional therapist's hands can do. On a different note, I think it would be best to book a room too at Astoria Plaza - that would definitely be 10x R&R!

FIFTH SEASON SPA

3rd level of Astoria Plaza, J. Escriva Drive,
Ortigas Centre, Pasig City

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Posh Nails

Part of my 2014 goal is to help myself feel good and look good at all times. I am someone who can leave the house with a bare face and pale lips, but this year will be different. I don't mean to overdo myself even if just heading to the nearest grocery store, but I am now open to render a little effort in fixing my eyebrows or applying a bit of pink blush as a good start.

 

So one afternoon, instead of de-stressing myself with some sweets or so, I decided to step in to this lovely hot pink and bright purple nail salon of Posh Nails. It's impossible to resist peeking at the cotton candy colored interiors and fluffy pillows.

 

Like any other girls, I am a frequent visitor of nail salons to, of course, make my nails look pretty and neat. It's been months since I last had a foot spa so I checked out the rates for the spa services. Foot spa + pedicure Php460, manicure Php150.

 

The SM Megamall branch is right across the MegaTrade Hall of Bldg B. 

 

The staff soaked my feet in a bubble foot spa machine for a little less than 5 minutes as she prepared for her tools and scrubs.

 

They use Orly and O.P.I. nail lacquers with no extra charge. Glad to see a number of Orly variants.

 

At this point, I am struggling wether to doze off or not. The staff's hands were too light I could easily forget she's doing my foot spa!

 

I had stuffy nose that day so I barely recognized the scent of the scrub used. She said something like "lemon citrus scrub". All I know, it was very cool on my skin when she applied.

 

And for the nail polish, I chose Orly Frisky in Teal Creme and French Manicure for a natural look on my hands. My nails were perfectly and professionally done! Hats off to their staff named Meya who didn't hurt my always-injured big toe.

 

The verdict:
As much as possible, I only want one person to do my foot spa and mani/pedi, so this one's a big check. For a total of Php610, I think the service is quite okay for the price. I just wish they have this UV light lamp to dry my nails. Quick dry can be too messy, plus the nail salon is inside a mall so we can't be that helpless just because of wet nail polish. The staff were kind enough not to talk loud while customers take time for quick naps. The fluffy pillows and comfy sofa helped a lot during my short stay. It can be full even before 4PM so expect to walk like in a maze on your way out. Also, I wasn't sure if the tools used were pre-sterilized. Perhaps to me, they fall short on 'modern' equipment to keep up with newly-opened competitors in the metro.

POSH NAILS
5th Level, SM Megamall Bldg. B,
Mandaluyong City


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Pizza Hut

Hooray for my first food entry this 2014!
How's your new year's resolutions so far? I hope we all stick with our "diet" plans (in case that is on your list) and hold on to that until the next holiday season! Should I say, a big good luck to all? Ha ha


Anyway, just two days ago, the three of us decided to have some pizza and pasta treat for a Sunday late lunch. For some reasons, I missed munching the cheese stuffed-crust pizza at Pizza Hut! Good thing they're all over the metro and you can opt for delivery if too lazy to get out of bed.


Their tall and crispy bread sticks are my little one's favorite.


Seafood Vongole
This is my new favorite dish at Pizza Hut, and my first time to try Vongole in white wine garnished with lots of garlic. I realized how hungry I was just by smelling it.


Crab salad spring roll
This one's a blockbuster. I love the combination of fresh crab meat and lettuce. It's good they added new varieties on their menu so we don't just settle for pizza and pasta alone.


Super Supreme pizza with cheese stuffed-crust
Our family's favorite pizza flavor and would usually prefer to have it in thick crust. On a sad note, our pizza was not even warm when served. Anyone would like to pull a slice with stretched, melted cheese.


Good thing the little one enjoyed this lunch date. I just really hope she can join us soon eating everything that's on our table. She will be turning three soon so I wonder if that age would make her a bit experimental on food choices. I noticed her fascination on home-cooked meals, especially her granny's chicken adobo.