Marks and Spencer's Luxy Gold Teabags

Marks & Spencer recently had a sale and I ended up picking up some digestives (again) as well as some tea.

Marks and Spencer's Luxury Gold Tea Bags and Dark Chocolate Digestives

I got some milk chocolate digestives as well, but nothing really beats the dark chocolate.  Directions and storage information are in the back, you can check this as well as the expiration date before deciding to buy.

Marks & Spencer's Luxury Gold Tea Bags

I got this at P198 (around $5) for 80 bags as an everyday tea. I didn't expect anything special from this, just an everyday tea I can drink.

Marks & Spencer Luxry Gold Tea Bags Foil Wrap

I  like the fact that they're foil wrapped and stamped with their expiration date. For its price, I don't expect a good dark, airtight container for them but it's very helpful when stuffing them into pre-existing ones: I can stuff 40 bags in a can - not 80 - and I don't have to worry about the other 40.

Marks & Spencer Luxury Gold Tea Bags Round

These tea bags are round - they might not diffuse as well as the polyhedral ones but I don't have a problem since I find this tea on the strong side. The lack of string would be annoying as well if I take it alone, but since I prefer this with milk, I use a teaspoon and it's not much of a minus.

Marks & Spencer Luxry Gold Tea Bags Brewed

I prefer to steep this at a bit less than 3 mins since I find it way too strong when steeped longer than that. It also leaves my mouth dry when used alone and is a bit bitter on its own - I find that adding some milk solves this problem. The color of the tea is on the red side but disappears with milk. It tastes better with sugar, but since I'm trying to cut it out of my hot drink intake, I usually take it with just milk.

I may try this iced in the future, but I have a powdered iced tea I'm really fond of right now. We'll see.

At this price point, I have no real complaints though I do still prefer the Lipton Yellow for the flavor and effort payoff for an everyday tea. While I can and will finish this as my everyday tea (averaging 2 bag a day right now), I wouldn't buy it again: too much effort for tea I'm just ok with.

September: Instant Coffee Rotation

It's a bit late, but I'd just like to share the instant coffees I've been trying last month.

1. Good Day Vanilla Latte

2. Good Day Cappuccino

3. Great Taste White

Top: Good Day Vanilla Latte, Left: Good Day Cappuccino, Right: Great Taste White.

I like the good day Cappuccino best in terms of coffee-ness, foam and flavor. The sprinkles are a plus, but not so important in the scheme of things.

The Great Taste White is what I prefer next: it's very sweet (unlike its tasteless, cold tetrapack counterpart) and can actually be further diluted with more milk.

I like the Good Day Vanilla Latte least, though I wouldn't turn my nose up at it.

I wouldn't buy these just now because I want to try other things, but I would buy again.

Instant coffee has a lot of sugar and fats in it, which is one of the reasons why I prefer the brewed versions. It also has much less of a kick. Still, for days where you're too lazy to set-up or too rushed to do so (without wanting to spend much) and you really need your coffee - I still go for instant coffee.

Australian Harvest Oatmeal in a Box

Between Quaker, Australian Harvest and other brands, I'd choose the one most convenient for me: either the Quaker single serves or the Australian Harvest resealable bag - the only brand I've seen that had resealable packaging. I'd choose other brands, but I didn't have a dedicated container to place it in. Fortunately, Australian Harvest came up with new packaging: a reusable box! 

Australia Harvest Oatmeal

I got it because I wanted a container for my oats: The non-box packaging doesn't seem to be resealable anymore. The package with the box is a bit more expensive than the bag version, but the convenience made me buy it anyway... but I might refill it with a different brand, considering that the "refills" are 500g for a 400g jar, and a single serving has a whopping 1.3g of salt per serving. FYI, you're only supposed to have 5g a day!  Still, right now, it's one of the healthier cheap convenient options I have for a healthy meal or snack. Pair it with some fruit, milk, spice or even coffee for different delicious variations.

Vietnamese Coffee: Phin Filter with Phuc Long Moka Blend

Boy, do I have a lot of coffee posts :))

A few weeks ago, I posted about using a concentrate in order to make Vietnamese iced coffee. Today, I'd like to talk about a more traditional way to make coffee with the use of a phin filter.

Have you ever used a phin filter? For those who haven't, a phin filter is a small metal device which is what the Vietnamese traditionally use to make their coffee. Unlike a french press, it can only make a cup at a time, but being made completely of metal, it's a lot sturdier, cheaper and takes up less space. 

Phuc Long Phin Filter

Clean & Clear Fruit Essentials Facial Cleanser

I got the Clean & Clear Fruit Essentials Facial Cleanser in Energizing Berry because I wanted to try out a cheaper salicylic acid cleanser other than Neutrogena for a change. It doesn't list its concentration, but should be around the 0.5% range. There are two versions I've seen- the red or berry version and the yellow or lemon- but I prefer berry over citrus. Those who prefer something more refreshing might prefer the lemon version. There is supposed to be a third version, but I haven't seen it here.

Clean &Clear Fruit Essentials Facial Cleanser Energizing Berry

The two main draws of these were its salicylic acid content and the berry-licious scent. The cleanser itself is faintly pink with a liquid to gel consistency. It doesn't lather well, but a little goes a long way and it spreads and rinses of easily. It also helps control my acne, very much like the Neutrogena Deep Clean. I like that it doesn't dry my skin, and can be used more than once daily.

What I didn't get was the bursting beads: they didn't burst on my face and required some effort to burst between my palms. I'd never use that much force on my face for cleansing!

Packaged in a clear plastic bottle with a flip-top cap, it's easy to see how much product you've used. It also has an expiration date clearly marked at the back. At around P150 for 100 ml, it does the job cheaply and can be used twice daily (as compared to the Neutrogena Deep Clean which sells for around P250 for 150 ml and dries my skin out more).

I'd buy this again, but would like to try out some other products first. Luckily, I don't think I'll run out of this anytime soon.

How Cow Milk Shake Factory

This weekend, I tried the newly opened How Cow Milk Shake Factory, a kiosk on the ground floor of Robinsons Galleria. The cute balloons were the ones that attracted my attention. Upon asking, I was told that it sold milk shakes - and I was sold.

How Cow Milk Shake Factory

 The smallest size, 12 oz., costs P45 for their standard items. Their premium items, which have chocolates shown below (menu not pictured), started at P75. The fliers at the side stated that it contained 14 nutrients, but I didn't really pay attention to it.

Regular Menu

Available Chocolate Mixes

Choco Truffle 12 oz

I chose the Choco Truffle in the smallest size. I liked the fact that they made an effort to decorate the cup. While I don't know the chocolate they used, the drink was pretty yummy.

Unfortunately, there was still a lot of ice chips in my drink, so I didn't enjoy it as much. I wouldn't really call this a milkshake because of it even if it falls under the definition: for me, milkshakes should be creamy - I shouldn't need to crunch ice between my teeth. It's more of an ice blended drink when you cross Zagu with chocolate and whipped cream.

I still enjoyed it, especially as it makes a change from coffee based frappes and milk teas. I'd drink this on a hot day -given enough time for most of the ice to melt.

Sisters Super Heavy Flow

Is it weird that I'm super excited about these? Haha.

Anyway, finally! A long pad at a competitive price. I'm not sure, but it's P21-25 for 4 pads (4+1 for the introductory promo). As someone who likes to move around in my sleep, i've found that longer pads do make a difference.  Most pads available here in the Philippines are either under 300mm, even for night use, or are too expensive to contemplate.

Sisters 340mm

Luckily, there are these now!

Longer pads means more careful application, but the results are worth it, IMO.

This is also not my favorite brand, that distinction goes to Laurier with their super long, super absorbent and and super thin napkins, but at this price point - I have nothing to complain about.

Now, I may change my mind if other brands become more competitive, but for now, for women tired of shelling out so much for something thrown away in around 8 hours, you might want to try Sisters out :)

Cloud 9 Chocolate Milk Drink

Around two weeks ago, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this Cloud 9 tetrapack at a convenience store. One of my favorite childhood chocolates was now in liquid form! Hurrah!

I couldn't buy it then, but last weekend, I was able to purchase one for P15 with my groceries.

The drink seems relatively low calorie at 130 per serving, probably owing to the skimmed milk powder used and was a bit more nutritious than expected with calcium and some other vitamins. Unfortunately, I found the taste very disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, it was pleasant - not to sweet and not too thick. BUT WHERE IS THE CARAMEL? THE PEANUT? THE NOUGAT?

Though it was called a Cloud Nine Chocolate Milk Drink, it had none of Cloud 9's flavor, just a facsimile of its chocolate shell.

Children and adults who like chocolate milk might enjoy this but for those who love Cloud 9, the chocolate, the product is a lie :(

Royal Kona: Roy's 10% Kona Coffee Blend

It's been a short relationship with this sample size of Royal Kona's Roy's 10% Kona Coffee Blend from Hawaii. I only got a small size so I was barely able to appreciate it, but I did enjoy it while I had it.

It's a medium-dark (vienna) to dark roast of arabica beans, albeit with added flavoring. Being only 10% Kona and a medium-dark blend to boot, I doubt it captures the taste of good Kona coffee. However, I still liked it. It's very mild, even though it stays on the tongue, so it makes a good afternoon cup - especially when I'm craving something sweet. Don't expect it to keep you up though.

This sample was supposed to make 10 cups but made closer to 7.

I don't think I'd look for this, but it was nice while it lasted.

Seattle's Best Coffee: Javakulas!

I posted a few days ago about CBTL having an open house for their newest Caramel Brownie Ice Blended. I did try it out and it was yummy. A dessert drink that's hard to say no to! However, this season's favorite is, hands down, from Seattle's Best Coffee: Peppermint Pot Javakula.

I have tried all 3 new Javakulas: Peppermint Pot, Sea Salt Caramel and Strawberry Fields. Why do I like this best? All of them have a far better presentation than either CBTL or Starbucks. Peppermint Pot comes with a real mint sprig on a mountain of crumbled cookie bits. Sea Salt Caramel comes with a little smiling star and Strawberry Fields comes with a small strawberry (not the real thing, mind you). They're all super cute!

But I am, forever, a sucker for peppermint (which is why I do love the Starbucks holiday season).

Currently for the new offerings:

Peppermint Pot Javakula > Caramel Brownie Ice Blended > Strawberry Fields > Sea Salt Caramel

While I do like the Strawberry Fields Javakula, it's flavor is "nakakaumay." The Sea Salt Caramel, adorable as it is, is a bit too sweet for me. A major con for me though is Seattle's Best's Javakulas have a consistency that's hit and miss (compared to CBTL and Starbucks). Go for their large size since the smaller sizes are the ones that tend to be more ice than happiness.

I haven't tried Starbucks' Tiramisu or Banana Rasberry Frappucino - though I do love both tiramisu and raspberries - because I don't think I'll be going to Starbucks for a while. Maybe until I decide if I'll go for a planner this year - if their holiday drinks are enticing enough.

Am I the only one that feels unhappy because they decided to put the minimum load for their card at P300? I prefer a P200 minimum, if ever because shelling out P300 in one go is a bit steep for me. I might as well buy a new card each time! I still haven't figured out how to pool cards together either.

Anyway, Seattles Best Coffee has a BOGO promo on their Javakulas from 10 am - 2pm until Friday, September 12.

Dr. Kauffman Medicated Sulfur Soap

I have mixed feelings about sulfur, since while it's supposed to help acne, it's also drying and possibly anti-exfoliative. And as nice as the color is, the smell of rotting eggs isn't really that appetizing.

However, as in a previous post, I still use it as a face and body soap once a day, in order to both cut down on product usage and to get rid of all the stuff I have in my closet. Which soap did I buy?

What I like about this product is that it doesn't smell very sulfuric (no egg smell!), and none of the "medicinal" scent is left behind after rinsing it off. It helps control breakouts of acne of the face and body quite cheaply. It doesn't do anything for cystic acne. It doesn't lather well, but as a result lasts quite long. As a bar soap, it doesn't melt quickly, which also increases its lifespan. It has a clearly marked expiration date on the side of the packaging, so I know until when it's good for.

What I don't like is that this sulfur soap is a bit drying so I really can't use it more than once a day, even if the instructions on the box is to use it twice daily.

Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sulfur, Perfume, Zinc Oxide, Lanolin, Water, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cl 21108, Cl 12490

I'd recommend those with oily skin and those with mild break outs to try this out for a few weeks. I wouldn't recommend this for those with very bad acne or for those with dry skin.

Will I buy this again? Nah. After 3 bars of this soap with ok but not stellar results, I'd like to try something else.

The Last 5 Years

I finally got to watch the Last 5 Years at RCBC! The show runs for 1 hour and 30 minutes without an intermission and will be running until the end of August.

While I did enjoy watching, I wouldn't consider this a great show. Nikki Gil, though her voice seems to be maturing, still does better in comedy. At times, her voice turns nasal (reminding of her usual bubbly roles) and goes flat at the high notes- and the sound system doesn't help: turning it loud and painful. Joaquin Valdez, able to manipulate his to make you understand his emotions, still doesn't have that fullness that makes you feel it.

Also, one of the songs contains that na-na-na-na that reminds me of a very successful british boy band.

That all said, the production was simple, but decent with some nice songs written in. Both leads were able to carry the show until the end.

For those who want to, you can still catch it this weekend. Tickets can be purchased at ticketworld or on-site. For those who won't be able to watch, a movie version will be coming out sometime in the future.

Trung Nguyen Coffee

Have you ever tried vietnamese coffee? If not, you really should! In Manila, Highlands Coffee serves Cafe Da (Iced Coffee) and Cafe Sua Da (Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk). While I do enjoy those two drinks, Highlands Coffee is significantly more expensive here than in Vietnam. Fortunately, there are cheaper ways to enjoy Vietnamese coffee!

Caphe Tuoi by Trung Nguyen

Money Drains or Things to Buy:

It's a good thing that there's an Open House for CBTL Swirl Card holders this Sunday, August 17, 2014... because there are a lot of things I want to get (which I may or may not get)

1. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet: This is a book based on the web series, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, available on Youtube. If you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice, The LBD are a must watch (it even won an Emmy).

2. Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen: If you're a fan of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom Series, you'd want to read this. I have and love the Abhorsen Trilogy, and though I haven't read the companion works, I find myself interested in this.

3. Chicago: A musical coming to the Philippines this December, showing in Solaire. Tickets are already available via Ticketworld.

4. Beauty and the Beast: A musical coming to the Philippines January 2015, showing in CCP. Tickets are already available via Ticketworld.

I don't really want to watch Potted Potter or the Noli Me Tangere Opera, but would welcome tickets for it, if I could get them.

At least for now, I have the The Last 5 Years to look forward to this month.

Lactacyd Protecting Daily Feminine Wash

I've tried a couple of feminine washes in my life before I've found that water alone is usually enough for everyday use. Though I love the "cooling sensation" some of them have, most of them actually do nothing - a waste of money, I believe. Nonetheless, I still like to stock a bottle in my shower caddie because there are a few occasions I believe that a feminine wash can be helpful:

1. During your period: Because you're not just getting rid of your normal vaginal secretions. It's not just blood, but endometrium coming out of you. It also makes that area a bit more alkaline so some acidity may be helpful.

2. Preventing or during an infection: Some washes contain ingredients that might be helpful in preventing or ameliorating an infection down there (ex. yeast infections).

3. Pre and post surgery

I end up using it just a few times a month, but I see value in having one lying around. I've tried many different feminine washes, but right now I'm using Lactacyd, protecting version. Why this and not the other variants? It's because I really don't use it regularly so I'm unlikely to see any of the other effects (such as claimed in its whitening variant).

Lactacyd Protecting Daily Feminine Wash Packaging

A phrase worth repeating: for external use only!

Lactacyd Protecting Daily Feminine Wash

Why this and not other brands? While I do love the cooling sensation I find with some other brands, I've found that most others really don't do anything that water and a mild soap can do - with a few exceptions. For example, I'd think that for pre and post surgery, I'd prefer using a wash with iodine. Luckily, I don't need to have anything done down under!

While I buy Lactacyd because of its active ingredients, Lactoserum and Lactic Acid, I dislike the fact that this bottle, unlike some other variants, do not contain an actual ingredients list. Note that while the bottles from the Philippines don't seem to have it, the ones imported from Vietnam do.

I'm also glad that I don't use this often because the scent of this wash is very strong and sharp. On the other hand, I'm sure to wash my hand after every use, because I'd rather not have this lingering around. The product itself is a runny liquid that turns creamy when rubbed - it's a bit difficult to get small amount, especially with a large bottle. I get the largest bottle size because the price difference between the smallest and the largest is a lot. The 250 ml bottle is only around P250 while the smallest size at 60 ml is around P60.

As always, wash the product off and dry thoroughly after.

For women succeptible to or with infections, I'd recommend buying this. But I'd like to reiterate, I don't recommend using this daily.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

A few years ago, I never could have empathised with those who have a fear of dentists even if I'd had braces or half my wisdom teeth removed. I disliked going, of course, but more because of the shame I'd feel once he or she found out how poorly I took care of my teeth or the annoyance and expense of needing something done because of my poor oral hygiene/diet. For some strange reason - maybe it is only now that I'm older and more conscious of what's going on around and within me  - I keep dwelling on my latest dental procedure: having my wisdom teeth removed.

As nice as my the dentist was, I did not enjoy the procedure and had difficulty falling asleep because I kept re-living the experience. Even now, in partial pain and an inability to eat most foods, my biggest con was the actual removal, and the reflections thereof.

If you do not need to have them removed, I'd advise you not to. But for those who DO need to, here's a rough guide for what to do and expect:

Pre-Op: Canvass for both your doctor and your panoramic xray. Some dentists will have a machine in their office and some will not. You will need to have a panoramic xray done so your teeth can be evaluated before the surgery and as a guide during the procedure. Costs for this, as well as for the procedure itself will vary. Note that while you may be charged for your consult, inquiries over the phone aren't- so don't be afraid to ask for a rough estimate. Have your xray done, find a doctor and schedule an appointment sometime where you have at least a day to recover.

Also, talk to your doctor about issues such as:

Will you need to take antibiotics before the procedure? Because if you have an infection there, you might need to in order to avoid complications later on or to defer the procedure until it's cleared up (this is where actual consultation is crucial). Ask him or her about that and other problems you may have - such as allergies to certain medications, problems with bleeding and clotting. Be informative. They'll need as much info as they can. Also, ask all the questions you may possibly have: when you go for a consult (with all healthcare professionals), its good to prepare a list of concern and questions in your head.

Other costs such as anaesthesia and medications after. Generally, the estimate they give you includes whatever local anaesthetic they use (but it never hurts to inquire, just in case). However, if you really want deep sedation, use of a general anaesthetic is much more expensive and may require an anaesthesiologist.  You may also need antibiotics after the procedure (especially if you are older). You will definitely need pain medication after. Factor in the cost of your meds.

Your dentist is your ally, but you have to things yourself. Research. Google is your friend. You should know how to take care of yourself post-op since you might be unable to after. You can also choose to stock up on the foods you will be able to eat. Hint: Ice cream diet!

Op Day: Do all of the preparations he or she tells you to and be sure to bring your xray. Come a bit ahead of time in order to do your paperwork. Hope that the procedure is quick and painless (don't be afraid to ask for more medication if you feel any). Follow the instructions he gives you and schedule your return for follow-up, if necessary (ex. suture removal). If you can, have someone with you to take you home (do not attempt to drive yourself).

Post-Op: Remember all the things you've researched and act accordingly. Make sure the blood clot doesn't dislodge and keep the area clean. If you have any problems, don't be afraid to contact your dentist and book an appointment.

After everything's done, don't forget to keep caring for your teeth.

Marks & Spencer White Peach & Almond Hand & Nail Cream

There's a part of me that can't believe that I've reached a point in my life where I regularly need hand cream.

A month or so ago, I began using this when I saw that regular lotion wasn't just cutting it due to frequent hand and dish washing, along with some laundry. My poor, dry hands then found this M&S White Peach & Almond Hand & Nail Cream lying around the house.

M&S White Peach & Almond Hand & Nail Cream

I think this is an older version, and current packaging is far prettier but with a flip-top cap. As a 100 ml tube, it's a bit bulky to carry around. The screw cap, however, is a good fit if you have a big enough bag. The scent is really nice and lasts for a while, and sinks into damp to dry skin in less than a minute.

While this isn't a miracle cream, it does the job of moisturizing my hands well enough without leaving any residue. I've been using it twice or thrice a day while in the house since I find it too big for my bag.

I don't think this product is suitable for either very dry skin or cold weather, but for those living in the tropics, this is a very adequate everyday hand cream.

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil

A few weeks ago, I had a skin reaction. Now I'm not sure if it was due to too much exposure to the sun, too much alcohol or an effect of my own sweat, or even a combination of 2 or even all 3 -but it did leave parts of my skin red and even sting-y at times. My normal lotions made it sting more so I decided to use an oil instead.

At first I tried Neutrogena Body Oil, which I love using. However, it still stung my sensitive skin. I then thought of using a natural oil - but I was out of sunflower oil and coconut oil - while it didn't sting, also didn't sink into my skin. I couldn't wear a nice shirt on top of it, much less leave the house. Fortunately, I found a bottle of Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil lying around the house and decided to use it.

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil

I put more than a few drops of the oil 2-3 times a day after showers. It stung a bit at first (but much less than the lotions and neutrogena during the first two days of use) and not a t all after. While the oil doesn't absorb as easily as the Neutrogena Body Oil, it did sink in after 20 minutes or so -unlike my VCO. The oil smelt like chocolate and the residual scent lasted a bit longer than the Neutrogena. I don't know how much this product costs, but I did like this product as my skin was no longer red by the end of the week.

The only thing I dislike about this product is that, like the Neutrogena Body Oil, the container gets oiled  up easily (you can see the oil marks on the bottom, advantage to Neutrogena), though it hasn't accumulated as much dirt.

I haven't used this on my face (its been off any moisturizers - I've been using a concentrate for the summer, and am unlikely to switch until my skin gets drier) but I might try it out in the future. I won't hesitate to use this anytime my skin becomes sensitive and reacts to something, and I'd recommend this for those with dry or problematic skin like I did.

DIY Scarf

I haven't been very productive this summer, so I wanted to make something to prove to myself that I was not a 100% bum. Maybe 99% only. So here it goes:

I went out and got myself 2 skeins of yarn and used this youtube tutorial here to make myself a scarf. This was a hand-knitted scarf: the youtube instructions were for a cowl but I made a long scarf instead.

Red Heart Reflective Yarn in Peacock

I bought was Red Heart Reflective Yarn  in Peacock from V.C. Trading in Cubao. Each skein costs P340 for a total of P680. That was all I spent on this project since no needles were required. I wish I could find something cheaper since this yarn costs $6. Use a bulky yarn - in my case, each skein was 100g and 80m long for a 6mm needle. I'd actually prefer using a bulkier yarn and use this to knit with needles, but I couldn't find a thicker alternative.

I ended up with a scarf with a loose weave, around 8 ft long since I stopped only once I saw that I was running out of yarn. For some reason, it looks green-ish in the pictures but it's actually blue.

The weave is really loose and it's not meant to be stretched out. Because its reflective, it's best used at night :D

Compared with something green to see the blue tones better. A nice messy scarf for a night out with friends.

Does one ever outgrow chocolate?

After gorging myself on a variety of choco-licious goodies, I began to wonder wether or not I should stop, or at least moderate my intake of this gift of the gods, be it in solid or liquid form. Now, I won't say how old I am, but ever since I stopped being a teen, I've told myself that it would be the last year of me eating whatever I pleased, and I'd do better once I was a year older - because my metabolism would be slower and I needed to take better care of myself. And this went on ad nauseam (was this expression even used correctly? Oh well).

Now, I have definitely noticed a decrease in my metabolic capability - as evidenced by the clockwise movement of the bathroom scales as the years pass. I also have had some success at slowing the rate of weight increase by a variety of mechanisms - healthy or otherwise.

However, there is one food group that I have failed to suppress the consumption thereof:

Chocolate.

It deserves its own category separate from sweets or any other. It is a food group on its own. It is happiness in your mouth (yes, even more than my other beloved - bacon).

Whether local or imported: I cannot stop myself from devouring these treats. Bite-sized bits (why bother calling them party-sized?) disappoint me; a full sized bar to share or to hoard is something I look forward to, even as I know that it does not fill the stomach like it fills the mouth.

Will there ever come a time that I disdain chocolate? Probably not.

One day, I hope to try all the good chocolate there is. Right now, I'll satisfy myself with whatever I can find.


Was there a point to this?

Yes. I'd like to point out that I just really love chocolate!

Biore UV Bright Face Milk

Though the weather seems to be turning - rainy season is on its way - I'd like to say a little about my summer's unsung hero: Biore UV Bright Face Milk with SPF 50+ and PA+++. Mind you, this bottle is an older formulation - the newer one is supposed to have PA ++++ under the new rating system.

At first, I didn't much like it because of the distinct smell of alcohol when first sniffed and applied, but I gradually changed my mind. It doesn't sting, dries quickly and leaves a nice powdery matte finish that lasts all day. I don't quite remember how much I paid for it, but it was at a drugstore price -very cheap. I'd buy it or its ilk if I could since this bottle is now empty.

Goodbye summer!

Lemon Deal: Asia's Lashes Full Body Wax

Have you ever had a lemon deal? A deal voucher that promises a lot of things but under-delivers? It's not my first time to have one, and it probably won't be my last.

I bought a voucher for a full body wax session at Asia's Lashes - a P1950 value for P399. However, when I got there - I was told that I would be given only four services: upper lip, underarm, bikini wax and full leg waxing. According to their price list, value is only actually at P1280 value. Now, for P399, it's not a bad deal - but still false advertising... unless either my math is wrong or their full body wax session entails only those 4 services.

Total lemon.

While there are other reasons for me not to continue using this establishment, outside the scope of this post,  this is one major turn-off.

Thankfully, not all deals are lemons. Hoping I have less of those in the future.

Benefit Brow Wax Beneficence - Maleficence

Benefit had half off on their brow waxing service for a week, lasting until today. On one hand, my eyebrows have never before looked more groomed. On the other hand, it took out a giant chunk of skin at the end of my left eyebrow.

Benefit Brow Wax Effect

You can see it as a triangular patch that starts at the end of my eyebrow. At first I thought it was simple swelling, but when I got home, I saw otherwise.

So, i'm never doing that again. I think I'll stick to tweezing and threading instead.

Hoping for tips on how to regrow the skin properly without getting a scar. I can't wait until I can wash the area so i can seal it up. :(

Choco-late de Batirol

What is a trip to Baguio without the ubiquitous trip to Camp John Hay?

Some people go for the shopping, I go for the food. It's a good thing that Baguio is much cooler than Manila, especially in summer - so you can best enjoy hot chocolate and other goodies such as suman and bibingka. I had this as a mid-morning snack after the long drive up, and it's the perfect pick me-up to start sight-seeing.

Different sets were available, and what we got came with their signature batirol hot chocolate, suman and bibingka. For those who don't know, a batirol, batidor or molinillo is a wooden implement used to whisk the hot chocolate. This version, while frothy also contains a lot of "grit" which gives it a nice texture as well as flavor. Note that this hot chocolate is not as sweet or as creamy as your standard Starbucks hot chocolate. It does not overwhelm the tongue, which pairs it well with both the bibingka and the suman. The serving of hot chocolate is generous, but the food was not enough for our hungry tummies - we had to order another serving of delicious bibingka.

Suman (F), Choco-late de Batirol (M) and Bibinka (B) at Choco-late de Batirol

It is possible to order a concentrate of the product at their store. However, included instructions were a bit too complicated for me right now. Maybe in the future, or at one of their other branches.

Choco-late de Batirol
Camp John Hay
Baguio City, Philippines

Halo Halo de iloko

Halo Halo de Iloko is a great place to try Filipino dishes. The decor includes bits of old furniture and framed comments of famous (I think) people who've been there.

Out of the dishes we tried, the Sisig Iloko was the best. We tried the okoy, which was also very popular, but liked the sisig best.

Sisig Iloko

We also tried their halo-halo. The deep fried halo-halo is a must try. Though it's delicious, I think a bit more ice cream would have been preferred.

Fried Halo-halo

There were two other halo-halos on their menu, one served in a coconut and one in a glass. By the time we ate, there was no longer any of the former so we had the classic one instead. It did not disappoint.

Fiesta Halo-halo

I wish I got to try the Buko Halo-halo, but we did not have time to return; the restaurant only has a set amount of Buko Halo-halo per day. The night we came (dinner time) was very busy, and there was a waiting time of around 30 minutes before we could get a table. Since it was also very busy, the food took a while to come.

I would suggest going a bit earlier in the day, to best savor the icy coldness of the halo-halo.

Halo-halo de Iloko
San Fernando, La Union

How to Remain Young at Heart: The Musical

Weeks ago I saw a poster promoted by the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Disease (FLEHD) for a production of “How to Remain Young at Heart: The Musical.”   Though I had my doubts as to how entertaining it would be with education on heart disease as a topic, with three magic words –musical, free admission- I decided to attend. Yesterday, May 5, 2014, I watched something at Meralco Theater which I did not expect, to say the least.

First of all, I thought that the musical’s target audience would be lay people. To my surprise, the majority of attendees were doctors, and I felt very out of place. The songs included terms such as “ventricular fibrillation” and “suboptimal intrauterine conditions” among other things. I think this show was targeted at health workers in general, and doctors in particular.

On a minor note, I felt peevish in the beginning because the performance started on a sung prayer which we had to stand for. I will not go further into this topic.

Secondly, it was not a musical. It probably would have been better to say that it was a musical experience. I first had my doubts when I saw that the orchestra was on stage. Though there was a plot, there were no actual characters performing, and one of the first ballet performances had no connection with the lyrics being sung. It was a good thing that three screens were provided on which the libretto was flashed, or else it would have been impossible to follow. However, as I let go of the expectation of a true musical, I began to enjoy myself further.

The show was divided into 6 acts: While the music, some of which reminded me of other works, and lyrics weren’t connected, I did enjoy it in varying degrees. I learned a bit of information in Act I – it was definitely the most educational part of the night. I must say I did not truly enjoy myself until the end of it. The last song, “Haw Haw Hee,” was in Cebuano and was probably the only song targeted to actual lay persons.

Acts II and III were definitely the most enjoyable part of the evening with the bulk of the performances. On the other hand, I did not read anything – and therefore, learn anything – during that period. Why? With the choice of the ballet and the libretto, I chose the former. For one thing, Lisa Macuja – Elizalde. For another, an unknown hot guy from Ballet Philippines did a number wearing a fedora and suspender, sans shirt! Girls, zero percent body fat and muscles in all the places…

Acts IV to VI were not memorable. I left after curtain call – 2 hours after the start of the program. It was only as I got home that I realized that there were a few more songs to go.

It was an interesting night. One I would not like to repeat, but do not regret nonetheless.

Cafe Mary Grace

I've always thought of Cafe Mary Grace as a dessert place, with its yummy hot chocolate, lemon squares and ensaymada. However, I'd never eaten anything truly substantial there before. Apparently, their pasta is also decent in size and flavor. It's not exactly a heavy meal, but it's not a light one either.

While their cream pastas are ok (specifically, the mushroom cream and salmon and cream), my friends and I agree that the sardines and olives pasta (P264, service charge not included) was the most delicious of the three we ordered. 

Sardines and Olives Pasta

Service is decent, with very accomodating servers, though we were a bit neglected with our plentiful requests for water - maybe due to our position outdoors. Still, the decor is very pretty and it's, for me, especially nice once the lights are on.

Nasi Lemak at Robinsons Galleria

I may not be able to go to Singapore, but I sure can eat some Singaporean food this summer!

Nasi Lemak Singapore Laksa

 I've been here a few times and I really liked their salad (the one with shrimp bits), along with their laksa. There were some other dishes I liked but I can't remember their names. While I did learn how to eat hainanese chicken here (more chicken, less rice rendering rice-all-you-can hainanese chicken places filling but inappropriate), it's not something I'm crazy about. I also liked their service: they use a buzzer system so you need never raise your arms :)) and they're very friendly.

Dishes are good for sharing.

Nasi Lemak Lava Cake

Not so much the lava cake though. Nice presentation (one of the drops looks almost like a heart), warm but lacking in consistency (more like a warm brownie or a dry cake) and lava.

I'd recommend this place for their entrees but I'd go for dessert elsewhere.

Summertime Sun Suggestions: FTU

Alright, another short summer post! This time, it's for everyone's benefit....

A lot of reminders have been going up about wearing sunscreen or sunblock; the amount of SPF and PA it has to have; and how often to apply it - so i'm not going to go into that unless pressed. However, what I often fail to see is advice as to the amount of product you're supposed to use. I hear the term a shot glass full a little bit, but it's very hard to figure out how much you're really supposed to use.

So, I'd like to promote the idea of the Finger-Tip-Unit (FTU) for daily use.

An FTU is a straight line of product from the tip of one finger to the first crease/joint. It would help to do a basic google image source since there are pictures and tables easily available depending on one's age group. An FTU is usually used when dealing with topical corticosteroids, but work quite as well for your choice of sun protection since good coverage is required for both.

For the average adult:

Face and neck: 2.5 FTUs
Chest: 7 FTUs
Back: 7 FTUs
Arm: 3 FTUs
Hand: 1 FTU
Leg: 6 FTUs
Foot: 2 FTU

Note that this is the minimum amount you should use. If ever, err on the side of caution and add more if you feel like you need to.

Stay safe!

Summertime Self Suggestions

With one of the hottest days ever just a few days ago, it's tempting to just stay home and nap, or bathe a billion times. While I'm very tempted to do that (and probably will on some days) this summer, I will do my best to improve both my body and my mind.

While I can't disclose the details, it does mean that I should log at least (and I hope, even more than) 1 hour a day for the improvement of my mind.

For the former, it's to go back to my body of 2 years ago at worst (or 4 years ago, at best) - in the healthiest way possible:

I will try for 30 minutes a day devoted to exercise.

Reduce my intake to either 1 brewed or 2 instants coffees a day.

Minimize junk food for healthier snacks.

And also, to do the other duties given to me.

I am writing these here as a reminder to myself. These past years, I've been sliding down and making some new bad habits, or breaking my old good ones.

It's time to clean house.

Wish me luck!!!

My Mug Omelette

Those who know me would know that I'm not one for cooking - when I do eat at home, I tend to use the microwave to just heat things up. Recently, I've been experimenting with mug omelettes. Here's how I do it:

Requirements:

• microwave
• microwaveable mug
• fork

Ingredients:

• 1 medium egg
• 1 thick slice cheddar cheese
• milk, around 2 tablespoons
• salt, a pinch

I don't use measuring utensils, so I usually add how much I feel like putting (some days require more cheese than others).

Directions:

Place the milk, eggs and salt together and lightly whisk. Use your hands to crumble the cheese to smaller pieces. Heat in the microwave for 30 secs then crumble with a fork. Heat again for another 30 to 40 seconds.

Here's how mine turned out:

Basic Mug Omelette

You can actually make multiple servings at a time depending on the size of the cup. Mine can take 2 eggs at the most. Also you can add other ingredients and nuke them before hand, but I just like a basic egg omelette so this is how it turned out. The egg tends to separate from the side of the cup, so you can actually serve it to other people on a plate with a little help from the fork:

Mug Omelette: Single Serving

 So many decorating possibilities...

Inside the Mug Omelette

But I think I'd rather just eat it. Above is a pic, partially eaten. XD

Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste

Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste Directions and Ingredients

I'm in search of a good toothpaste and so far, I haven't met my HG toothpaste yet. In the meantime, one toothpaste i've tried is  Aquafresh Whitening. It has a nice minty taste and with a Fluoride content of 1450, it isn't bad at all. However, it really doesn't whiten my coffee-loving teeth (or even prevent darkening with 2x a day brushing) so I guess this one is kind of meh. I'm actively trying to cut down my coffee consumption but I do want a toothpaste that can keep up and improve my teeth without damaging it.

I'm starting to think I'm probably going to need to have 2 on hand: a specialized toothpaste to remove stains which is harsh on the teeth (and should not be used long term) and a standard whitening toothpaste.

One semi-good thing about this toothpaste is that it has a twist-cap which prevents toothpaste spillage/exposure which I'm very picky about. I took points of because of something you can see in the picture below:

Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste Cap

While it's fine while there's a lot of toothpaste inside the tube, something happens once you start using it - there's a gap between the cap and tube and some parts of the inside are exposed :(

I don't think I'll be buying this again, even as a standard toothpaste, because I have mixed feelings about the cap.... HG toothpaste, where are you?