I Dream of an Herb Garden..

This heat is killing me! and it somehow triggered my asthma - although I suspect it's just one of the many things, the weather. For one, I think my brain needs rest - I told you, I have been working 60-70 hours per week for about  two months now and our little family of 4 is, yet again, at a crossroad which requires some serious pushing and shoving by yours truly, applied to the hesitating hubby.

I know I'm the reckless one, he's the careful-slash-calmer one. Did I just say we compliment each other? But sometimes, he can be that hundred year old mountain-slash-rock - so hard to move.

Anyway.I know I need to do something to distract me from all these serious life issues happening around me. Crazy to be thinking of something else to do when I have my hands full already, but what can I do? That's how my system works - and I like productive distractions. ;)

Moving on, I went ahead and got me a plant. I mean, why not? He's little, he's pretty, and he's healthy enough to  live and grow despite living with us crazies - I think he's a little too independent, he needs just a little water everyday and some sun and he's good to go. But then again, I don't think I can handle anything clingy and helpless at this point.

Maybe I'll call you Grey. or Christian. or Fifty Shades. lol ;)

But what I really want to do is grow an herb garden. not that I am an  herb-fanatic, it's just that I feel they are manageable and very cute. Perhaps the bonus would be tastier pastas and sauces. lol :D

Anyway, I'm thinking, maybe something like this:

photo credit and DIY instruction:  http://www.notjustahousewife.net   

or maybe something smaller ^^

#needhappybubble!fast!

C's First Ever Big Screen Experience: The Avengers

Yesterday marked a very important milestone in C's life. It's his first ever big screen experience! Yey!

Yep, it was a success and I'm very proud of my son because at 1 year and 7 months, he was able to finish the whole movie without any fuss. Okay, I had to let out my boobies twice - thank goodness, it was dark and the cinema was not that full as it was a Thursday afternoon. lol.

Photo from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/

It was a really nice movie, The Avengers. We had fun! It was an impromptu movie date for me as I was not really planning to go out that day (I was all cough and sniffles -.-) but all three of them were too excited and they practically dragged me out of the house - which explains the uneven eyebrows and haphazardly applied makeup. lol :D

There was a point when C got restless and he started walking side to side but he didn't really go far. Then he got bored and decided to sleep, which means "dede" time. He climbed up onto my lap and fell asleep soon after. He spent the last half of the movie sleeping. lol :D We didn't mind, we were just happy we could concentrate on the movie instead.

If you are planning to bring your baby to a movie house too, just make sure the baby is not afraid of the dark to begin with. And bring his or her favorite munchies. And lots of distraction - ours was an iTouch loaded with his beloved apps and videos. lol :D

#yeyforsuccessfulfamilymoviedates!kisses!

NOT MY USUAL MONDAY: Guest Blogger D and Her Trip to Cintai by Corito's Garden

Today, I am going to welcome my first ever guest blogger and good friend D, with her featured blog post, discussed over  pizza and a slice of chocolate cake last week. lol. Didn't expect her to come up with something like this. This place is so amazing! I am pasting her article (text part), dispersed between these awesome photos she managed to take during her trip. So, let's start! ~g

Dear Ms. G,

For some reasons, I am not knowledgeable on using any domain to create my blog, nevertheless, I still took time typing my so called blog post using the Microsoft Word, so much to thank to our computer class back in HS

As promised, I took some time out from my busy schedule as a 30something mom blogger to bring information and even fun to your readers! More power and more blogs to come!

Please bear with me, I am just so scared cause I am not as a good writer as you! I just hope I can bring fair justice on this

Ms. D

NOT MY USUAL MONDAY

My Mondays are usually dedicated to running errands, checking bank payments and marathon meetings but this time around, I took a time off to my usual Mondays to be with my Family. It is also a great timing because it’s Summer naman! At least for a while, we can feel the Summer break and not only the Summer heat!

We decided to go on a road trip, not so near yet not too far, just an hour drive from San Pablo City (Laguna) via Lipa shortcut route. I have discovered this Balinese-inspired garden turned into its own paradise. 

The place is more on a relaxation, quiet time and “finding-yourself” peg! There’s no other activity to do than swimming and taking pictures with amazing and gigantic Balinese carvings!

A bit-pricey for a practical wifey, all-around mom like me but you can never go wrong with the ambiance and experience you will have inside the garden. (For a day tour package, including lunch and PM snack is at 1500 per adult and 800 per child plus the taxes. Villas for overnight stays are available, you can check their website!) At least we have sojourned once in Bali in Balete and not in Indonesia well, nevertheless it is still a lot cheaper than booking a flight to Indonesia! Hahaha

The sun was really up but daughter and I managed to look around the whole place. Took pictures of each and every angle of the garden.

We were amazed by beautiful statues and carvings!

Lunch is served at your assigned cottage. Food is pretty much ok, serving is good enough (actually more than) to fill our empty stomach. I haven’t gone to the food critic stage yet, for a 30something mom who doesn’t have the know-how in the kitchen, magrereklamo pa ba ako?? Whatever looks good and smells good, is still palatable for my taste buds! Wahaha Service wise is fair enough, staffs have been pleasant in accommodating us.

To sum this up, I can recommend Cintai Corito’s Garden for a quick escape from your ordinary, routinary, stressful Manic Mondays!

Btw, it’s open any time of the week, it just so happened we visited it on a Monday!


Below are some more photos I grabbed from Miss D's Facebook account, with her permission, of course. And since these are NOT my photos, EACH AND EVERY photo you can find within this post (watermarked and otherwise) cannot be used/reproduced as copyrights belong to Miss D ;) ~g

Thank you Miss D! I had fun sorting your photos (all 100+ of them!) and I wish I could post them all here as they are really really amazing however photo size limits got in the way. And, no need to be scared, you did really well on your first blog post! I look forward to more guest postings from you!

Miss D is a passionate traveler. Social events organizer by profession, she is the person behind Just For Fun. For inquiries re: social events needs, please contact her through this number: 09175004307. 

For more information about Cintai by Corito's Garden, please visit their website: http://www.coritosgarden.com/

#dreamingofbali.sigh :)

What Made Me Happy Today: Carmex and Book Reader App Update. Yey!

Okay, this Carmex mail made me happy YESTERDAY. I got glued to the tube watching Walking Dead (which is pretty awesome and addicting if you ask me although I think they could use some more hunky babes there!) that by the time I was able to walk away from it, it was very late and Mr. C was really really cranky. lol :D 

These are for review so I better get my lazy bum up and start using these babies!

Thank you Carmex PH! ^^

I'm a voracious reader and I'm currently using a BB Playbook to read ebooks (since the hubby became very cranky about my paperbacks and hardbounds, claiming that they were taking too much space and pretty soon, they would replace the beds, sofas etc) Anyway, the other night, I uploaded new ebooks and updated my PB's OS before turning in for the night. Morning came and *surprise! surprise!* Book Reader app got buggy due to the OS update not being compatible with the app (aka no access to ebooks for the next few hours/days).

*insert royally p*ssed face here*

Yesterday the app was fixed by Untangled Development (and pretty fast, I will have to say) but since RIM takes their sweet time reviewing and propagating apps - which explains sucky PB apps and yes, I am ranting - it is only this morning that the Book Reader app was made available for me to upgrade. Hohwell..

Here below is Igor's (Book Reader developer) email this morning which made me try the update again. 

Excellent support!

Seeing this so early in the morning made me wanna kiss Igor - and I told him so. lol :D Now I'm "reunited" with my favorite author, John Grisham and together we will take a journey through his new book "Calico Joe" ;)

#evenstrangerscanmakeyouhappy!kisses!

Ribs, Wings and Fries: Chubby's Rib Shack

Yet another late, late post! Before ATC finally decided to expand and improve their dining selections, Solenad II-Sta. Rosa (Laguna) was our favorite. Chubby's Rib Shack is one of the latecomers as there are now only less than 5 stalls yet to open. Nonetheless, Chubby's Rib Shack is a hit since it closes very late, serves beer, good portioning, prices are very reasonable and of course, food is good ^^ 

Their staff was very accommodating and helpful. During our first visit, we were not sure what to order but they didn't hesitate to throw in some suggestions on what to get and what to expect.

Look at that, description alone can make you want to order more - which we did. lol :D

Ninja shot 1:  Wings menu

I took ninja shots of their menu as I'm really really bad at prices and names. You see eating for me, demands full and undivided attention. lol :D I don't think ninja shots were necessary though as they didn't seem to mind my taking pictures of their place.

Ninja shot 2: BBQ menu

As we were only trying out the place the first time, we ordered default: fries and wings.

Chili Cheese Fries is definitely the way to go! Ms. R and I love fries and this passed - with flying colors - our palate rating scale. sooo good! :)

..and because CCF has chilis in it, we ordered some more drinks. lol :D then came the wings..

Honey BBQ wings

Buffalo Wings - The Rookie with Bleu Cheese

Okay, I'm not really into buffalo wings unless it is from Pizza Hut which I think is nowhere near the authentic taste of a buffalo wing. For me, buffalo wings, in general, is too sour and  I just can't take the smell so you just have to trust my hubby on this one and he said it's two thumbs up (I meant to insert his silly, oh-so-good photo here but the baby accidentally deleted it from my mobile phone -.-)

Second visit, I ordered pulled pork. It was good but I was soo full - from drinking too much milk tea - I ended up with a doggie bag. lol :D

Good thing too they know how to keep the kids busy while the adults busy themselves eating wings - and making a mess out of it!

C prefer to color this way. With him on top of the table. ^^

I'm not really sure if they have a website so I am linking you guys to their Facebook page.

#hungry.again.

What Made Me Happy Today: Catching Up With My Friend D :)

The extreme heat earlier today didn't stop the long, over due get together with my friend D. We've been friends since high school - that's more or less, what, 17 years? I was a transferee and didn't know a soul - I was alone and very scared - but of course, sporting my poker face! lol :D She was the only one who didn't hesitate to talk to me, she even invited me to join her group, even if she was literally surrounded by her own set of friends. It was weird but I was just happy I was being saved. ^^

Fast forward many years, here we are: short haired sissies! ^^  

I say, those 3 hours spent talking about our lives and our plans and our woes and what-have-yous over pizza and a slice of chocolate cake were not enough. Then we extended our bonding time to another hour of foot and hand massage c/o their friendly neighborhood spa. It's really nice to be able to talk to someone who has known you all your life ^^

By the way, we're not really cam-shy, we did this pose to show off our almost identical haircuts. lol ^^

#perfectwaytodestress!kisses!

Random Tuesday: Tapsi, Jamba Juice, Sampinit, Moonleaf and Mario Bros Wallpaper

Working 70hours a week is no joke, I tell you. Good thing I have this blog, it helps me cope with the stress. Anyway, here's my Random Tuesday post and I'm just so happy I'm not missing it this week! lol :D

There are days when only a foodcourt food will satisfy a crave. I've been craving for beefsilog from Tapsi for about 2 weeks now. Pair this with their own signature (naks!) vinegar.

Jamba Juice has opened their Alabang Town Center branch and it's right beside Krispy Kreme. I *love* ^^

When I was younger, say, Elementary days <God, I'm soooo old> sampinit or sapinit - wild raspberry, in English - was only 5Php a half-bagful. Half-bagful, as in that plastic used when you buy a Coke but wasn't allowed to take home the bottle. lol :D Now, a tiny plastic - plastic, as in that plastic used when you go claim your newly polished earrings - will cost you 25Php. I figure now that it was featured by Jessica Soho, and claimed to be a potential cancer cure, there will be yet another price hike. 

Yey for Moonleaf for making their milk tea more accessible to me! This is their Paseo de Sta. Rosa branch :)

..annnnd, after Tokidoki wallpaper, I found a nice Mario Bros 3d wallpaper for my iTouch which I absolutely love!

That's it for now, my loves! now back to work for me as I am going out with a friend in a while. lol :D

#excited!kisses!

Watsons Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Tape Review

You all know that I am a nose pore strip addict right? For me, SKINFOOD Black Bean Nose Pack Pore Strip is still the best however, acquiring it - even in box of 7 - proves to be a little expensive, especially if I don't really have anything else to buy along with it - as I still have to consider the shipping fee which sometimes costs more than the product itself. So yes, I hoard whenever opportunity presents itself but I knew back then, I need something cheaper as an alternative.

A quick browse through racks of Watsons and this is what I came up with:

Watsons Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Tape

To tell you the truth, I'm not really a fan of Watsons products. Yes, I'm impressed with how big their selections are, in terms of brand-product variety - hell, it's like a big department store of all things beauty! - but when it comes to their own products, I always catch myself a wee bit hesitating. Okay, what convinced me to give this a try is the country, written on the label, where these pore strips were made:  Korea. Well, that's interesting enough for me so I bought a box (10 sheets) for 99Php

So, basically it works the same as any other pore strip. It should clean clogged pores and remove unwanted blackheads.

TO USE:  Wash face and towel dry. Wet nose area (ONLY nose area!!) then with dry hands, peel off the white strip off the plastic film then apply onto your wet nose. Smooth out any trapped bubbles from ridge to sides then leave for 10-15 minutes. Wait until it hardens then peel off. Rinse residue with water or clean with toner. Of course, avoid using on broken, damaged  or sensitive skin.

OKAY, HERE'S MY VERDICT.

I like this pore strip as it was able to pull out blackheads as efficiently as the Skin Food pore strip; okay not 100% but 80% maybe, which is good enough for me as I use this twice a week anyway. What I don't like about it is the type of glue they used to make the pore strip. While the glue grips like crazy on skin (ouchy! ouchy!), it creates fuzz-like threads of stray glue on the edges of the strip that tickle the nose (upon application) - can get really annoying! Aside from that, I'm quite satisfied with this pore strip :) so yes, I recommend it. In fact, I'm down to my last pore strip and will buy another box within the week. :)

#grouchyme.ihatemondays.

Food tripping: Mom and Tina's Bakery Café

Another fab Katipunan find is Mom and Tina's Bakery Café. I tell you, Katipunan is a goldmine for foodlovers like moi! One time we were able to bust a good 2k for a day of food tripping limited to the Katipunan area as color-coding got in the way and we were forced to limit our food hunts to feet-capacity. lol :D

Mom and Tina's Bakery Café is just beside PBCo aka Peanut Butter Company, not far away is the BonChon Chicken branch I blogged about last week (or was it THIS week?) The hubby was a little hesitant to try Mom and Tina's at first but I gently coaxed him to just try the cakes and decide from there..

*love* the homey feel :)

I just love the way they decorated their place! For someone like me who sorely miss home and authentic home cooking :(( - this is a plus. I could spend the whole day here just people watching and perhaps.. stuffing myself silly with their delish cakes? ^^

sorry ladies, this is the only decent interior shot  i have :(

Here below is my Exhibit A, don't they all look gorgeous? 

I'm not really picky when it comes to pastries and cakes, just as long as they are not too sweet so everything they offer at Mom and Tina's is thumbs up for me. Needless to say, the whole family's hooked. My hubby's personal favorite is mini Oreo cheesecake (125Php, i think - it's the one on top row, first one from left) My daughter digs their cupcakes bigtime! (bottom row)

..and this is my Exhibit B. Picture is enough to make you crave, methinks.

checking out the cakes ^^

The next time we get to visit, I swear, I'll be ready for their All Day Breakfast! That "Bacon, Egg and Hashbrowns" sounds right up my alley! ^^ so yeah, we're definitely coming back ^^

Check out their website! Branches, menu, prices and number to call for delivery are all there for you to see: Mom and Tina's Bakery Café

#needbacon.fast!kisses! :)

My Ultimate Comfort Food: Pho Hoa's Pho Bo Kho (Beef Stew Noodles)

..Aannnnd because I need a lot of "comforting" these days (I think it is THAT time of the month for me when all my lower part/half of the body does is to be constantly upset and painfully numb, giving me chest aches and unbelievably crazy mood swings aka PMS)  I am posting my ULTIMATE comfort food:  Pho Hoa's Beef Stew Noodles.

I know, i know. I should have posted something with ice or at the very least, something cool to the eye. Here below is not anywhere near the aforementioned descriptions. It is a beef soup, therefore it should be served and consumed hot (unless you want to end up with a beef flavored lip balm on top of your soup) and it is fiery red because it has lots of chilis in it. and onion rings. lol :D 

 Beef is perfectly tender and served in generous portions, so does the noodles. I honestly think that their price (small bowl is 200+Php but no more than 250Php as of January-ish) is reasonable as it can be shared by two.

I like mine with a squeeze of lemon. nomnom :)

The hubby and the kids don't share my love for this beef noodles; I really don't mind. I'd be glad if they pass and let me eat my beef noodles in peace ^^

 

FYI, Pho Hoa is a Vietnamese resto/chain that serves authentic Vietnamese dishes. They also have several branches in and out of the metro - ATC have one - and indeed, branches outside of the Philippines  (US, Canada and other Asian countries).

#absolutelynoshare!kisses! :)