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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Yabu: House of Katsu Part 2

 

Two years have passed yet the katsu hype in me has never diminished. There were a number of attempts to dine here but if you pass by at exactly lunch or dinner time, you should be willing to wait for the next available seat. Unfortunately, the hubby isn't always willing to waste few minutes of his time so most likely than not, we just turn our backs and hope the next visit isn't as crowded. But today is a different story.

I was still paying for Daphne's wardrobe in preparation for a friend's wedding this month when I suggested that we dine at Yabu. Surprisingly, there was no hint of disagreement this time. It was probably quarter past two when we set foot at the waiting area. The courteous staff immediately asked which table do we prefer. For a better dining experience, I opted to be seated inside so at the same time I'd be able to check if there were changes on the fixtures. It was still the same pleasant vibe inside and I'm glad it wasn't as rowdy compared to other Japanese restos when a new customer comes in, if you know what I mean.

After checking out the menu, I was served right away with two bowls of sesame seeds. This is one of the few unique things I've experienced during our first visit. To those who are not familiar, you have to pound these sesame seeds using the wood pestle. You then mix it with the special katsu sauce that is sweet and tangy. Two scoops usually work well with me as I don't really want my katsu slathered in too much sauce. My daughter was also handed with crayons and a coloring paper with Manga characters drawn on it. That kept her busy for a while and gave me ample time to enjoy pounding my sesame seeds. 

 

It took nearly 15 minutes when our orders came. This time I tried their seafood katsu set - Cream Dory Katsu 120g for P335. It also came with a tartar sauce, Japanese pickles, bowl of miso soup and fruits, unlimited rice and cabbages! Isn't that a good deal? 

 

My cream dory katsu was divine! It looked very crispy from the outside but has the usual soft, white fish meat. It wasn't soggy but the fillet is soft enough not to crumble into pieces using your chopsticks. I blended a small amount of wasabi in my tartar sauce and my katsu tasted extremely mouth watering! And since I'm eating fish, the biggest serving doesn't seem to be that sinful. The sticky rice I can manage to skip. While the unli cabbage with unli dressing was surely a hit! I got mine refilled. Ha ha! 

 

Hubby got Rosu Special Katsudon for P330. To me, it looked like a thick sliced meat cut from tender pork loins. He loves pork above all other types of meat, but this time, he gave a good score on the cream dory. 

 

As you can see, the left arm of a mother is never still when her child is beside her. And because I surely enjoyed what my husband claimed a tummy-filling second Yabu experience, a third visit is a must. I also hope by that time my daughter will explore more outside her favorite fast food meals. We had to buy a different food just so she can eat with us too. The kiddie chicken katsu set can be a good start. 

May we all have a sweet start of November! :-)

Yabu House of Katsu
2nd Level, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall,
EDSA corner Julia Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City

Sumo Sam: Mega Food Sale

I went home straight after work at 3pm. It's Friday and with the upcoming long weekend and a recent pay day for bi-monthly wage earners, I'm sure Manila's traffic becomes instant. Taking an early weekend rest isn't the plan though. I only picked Mom and Daphne and hurried to SM Megamall before bulk shoppers and foodies block all the entry points. Why? Because I purposely want to experience the Mega Food Sale event! I really suggest you pay a visit and relish their food offerings. Read here for some participating shops.

It was only the other day when I learned that Sumo Sam opened another branch in Megamall. There is something in Japanese cuisine that enthralls my taste buds. First, I like how they pay attention to details during food preparation. Second, I find it healthy because most dishes are a combination of seafood, fruits and veggies. Third, servings are of small portions if not bite sized. And lastly, I have this love and hate relationship with wasabi.

Sumo Sam, as we all know, is a reinvented traditional Japanese cuisine that house a variety of selection from noodles, tempura, salad, sushi and seafood. We were greeted by the staff's genuine smiles upon entering. It's a pleasant feeling and somehow an assurance that their food will satisfy your palate. After getting comfy in our seats, our bottomless drinks immediately followed. We tried their Sushi-all-you-can for Php355 with a little less expectation.

Dynamite Roll

Garnished with a few spice but definitely was the bomb!

I like how the toppings easily melt in my mouth and how the spice compliments with the sushi rolls.

Crunchy Tuna Roll

This is Mom's favorite, perhaps she finds the uniqueness of the tempura batter on top.

This sushi roll is like a medley of different tastes and textures.

Las Vegas Roll

I just love the richness of the melted cheese plus there were some strands of cucumber which has a noticeable crispness. It certainly has a flair among the rest. My favorite! 

 

California Roll

At this point, Mom and I were already full so I didn't really notice a lot of distinction aside from the obvious that it was fully loaded with crab meat. Nonetheless, we still left the plate empty with wide smiles! ^^

Gosh, I am so overjoyed the fact that we were served with these blockbuster sushi rolls! The ingredients were all fresh and my wasabi, as always, played the important role. The ambiance exudes a cozy welcome and the dining experience was exceeded.  Be sure to come in an empty tummy if you wish to try the Sushi-all-you-can from 2-5pm. Visit them at the Lower Ground Floor, Bldg A of SM Megamall. You still have 2 days left to enjoy the Mega Food sale so if you aim to go malling this weekend then this is the place to be. 

Special thanks to Sean and Az for this Foodate. ^^

SM Megamall’s Mega Food Sale, August 17 to 19, 2012

Hey food lovers, SM Megamall’s Mega Food Sale is back! Now bigger and better, get ready for nonstop dining discounts and promos, huge price offs & delicious offers – Buy 1 Take 1s, Eat all you cans, free appetizers, free desserts, free drinks, and many more! And here’s the icing on the cake: Get a chance to win an all-expense paid food trip to exciting destinations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam!

There will also be a Foodie Fair with SM Supermarket & the Lifestyle Network at the Event Center. This is One Mega Food Trip that can’t be missed!

Here are just some of the many offers we can enjoy, available only at the SM Megamall Mega Food Sale:

Sumo Sam (Lower G/F, SM Megamall A)

Sushi All You Can with bottomless soft drinks for only Php 355.00

Dulcinea (4/F, SM Megamall Bridgeway)

Get Unlimited Churos con Chocolate for only P 108.00 only from 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Gotti’s Ristorante (4/F, Mega Atrium at SM Megamall)

Enjoy 50% off on all to-share pastas.

J.Co Donuts and Coffee (SM Megamall Mega Strip, B)

Free (1) J.COOL single with one (1) topping of his/her choice for a minimum purchase of (1) dozen donuts in a single receipt

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (3/F, SM Megamall Bridgeway)

Free upsize on any drink (Small to Regular / Regular to Large)

Gumbo (2/F Mega Atrium at SM Megamall)

Free Seafood  Jambalaya for a minimum receipt of P500 (that's P395 in savings!)

Masuki (Lower G/F, SM Megamall B)

Mami and Siopao all you can for only Php 250.00

Papa John's Pizza (3/F, SM Megamall A)

Enjoy 50% off on the following pizzas: 9" Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Simply Cheese, Margherita

Chewy Junior (Lower G/F, SM Megamall A)

For every purchase of one (1) box of six (6) pieces, get FREE one (1) box of eight (8) minis

Pepper Lunch (Upper G/F, SM Megamall A)

Get their special Garlic Beef Pepper Rice for only Php 168.00

Yabu: House of Katsu (2/F Mega Atrium at SM Megamall)

Free appetizer set & (2) bottomless lemonades for every order of (2) Katsu sets and All-day bottomless Miso soup for every Katsu set. 

Check SM Megamall’s Facebook page and Twitter account for updates and to win delicious free treats!

See you there!

Much Love,

OneGutsyMom

Kebab Factory

I just want to share our recent family bonding last weekend. My hubby DMs is connected to a large-scale construction company and is currently overseeing an out-of-town project. That means most of his weekdays are dedicated for work and can only spend limited hours with us during Saturdays and Sundays. Imagine the adjustment we both had at first, but times like these, I've proven that constant communication is a couple's strongest gear to maintain a happy relationship despite the distance. 

So whenever he's here, we always see to it that we have our little planned activities together. I noticed that as my little girl grows, she also develops this excitement whenever I tell her that Daddy's coming home. You can see her walk swiftly through our door once she hears someone moving the door knob, perhaps aware that it's her Dad. Next to that is non-stop loud giggles echoing in our humble abode. 

Last Sunday, DMs took us out for lunch at Kebab Factory. Being a chilli sauce and spicy foods lover, he came here to gauge his limits on curry and other spices. I, on the other hand, had fun taking photos of Daphne before we settled for our orders. Look how funny she was acting how to read the menu. ^^

 

  

Daphne's OOTD - dress: Teaberry, shoes: Disney Princess, hairclips: Marcella

 


Check them out for authentic Indian cuisine.

  

Our little girl's essentials.

 

I forgot what's this called but was something like Chicken Mast kebab which is good for two. This belongs to their set of promo for July. The chicken is tender, not sure how this is being prepared but I can say that it was marinated well. Best enjoyed with those curry and garlic sauce on top photo. The butter rice made it more scrumptious! I'm glad we ordered bottomless iced tea 'coz it's really flaming hot.

 

Take a closer look. Is this spicy enough for you?
What other Persian / Indian restaurants have you tried so far?

 

Hubby looked bored and sleepy here but was really satisfied when we finished our food. It was just OK for me but I'd rather dine here where there is less crowd. It took them a while though to serve our food especially the added butter rice he ordered, but no biggie for me as I got impressed that they have Rubbermaid high chairs for the kids.

      
It was another fun-filled family Sunday for me and hubby. We also paid a visit to Daphne's Lola in QC. My little girl is the happiest so that's three checks for us. :)

Much Love,
OneGutsyMom

SM iButterfly Launch

I received an invite to SM iButterfly Promo Launch at SM Megamall yesterday. In case you haven't heard yet, iButterfly is an Augmented Reality Application on our IOS and Android mobile devices. All you need to do is search for the iButterfly Asia application via Google Play and Apple Apps Store and download it. You can then start catching the iButterflies in the real world and your phone's GPS helps you find where the iButterflies are. They have corresponding promo prizes from stores like Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Forever 21, David’s Salon, Kenny Rogers, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Greenwich, Smart, BDO and McDonald’s.