ANTZ-Y

How do you sweeten the blow of uric acid. Have it presented this way...This mongo swirl is just one of the many goodies showcased by Antz The Bread Factory, a self-service bakeshop-cum-fastfood located in key areas of the metropolis. Armed with a tray and pair of tongs, one can scrutinize and make selections from over forty Antz baked creations before finally paying at the cash register. You bet those kitchen sinks would be full, after great meals spent at this interesting bakeshop.

I have not had the chance to really explore their bread line-up but suffice it to say that I have been satisfied during the few visits that I've made. Breads are soft and fresh, and baked with generous amounts of fillings and toppings. A great and cheap alternative to Bread Talk!

MAIN BRANCH
2nd Floor, Dolmar Gold Tower
107 Carlos Palanca St.
Legaspi Village, Makati City
T 632.8402643 to 44
W http://www.antzbreadfactory.com

SM MANILA
Upper Ground Floor
Taxi Bay Area
T 632.4841694

SM STA. ROSA
Ground Floor
T 632.5342139

GOLDEN RULES TO RECESSION-PROOF YOUR LIFE

It is undeniable. Everyone is feeling it. Living it. Recession is here. And while you may think otherwise, you can actually survive it and even come out on top. How? Here are some tips.

1) For starters, pay off all your credit cards, loans, and other debts. If you steer clear of debt, you'll surely be in a better position to borrow in the future.

2) Cut corners in every aspect of the household--food budget, unnecessary shopping and recreation expenses, even family dates and trips to the mall. Oh and by the way, did you know that it's the in thing to bring baon to work? So do so!

3) Opt for commuting or carpooling to save on gas.

4) Reuse. Reduce. Recycle. Hold a garage sale if you must, to turn trash (or that extra stash) into cash.

5) Should you have extra funds, try to invest, rather than spend on the unnecessary. It's good to purchase stocks while the market is down. Another option is to purchase gold (the likes of those being offered by monex.com), which has been recognized as an age-old and sure-fire practice to preserve one's wealth. After all, gold has stood the test of centuries and it never ever depreciates.

So when the going get's tough, better get tough and get that ass going. Do something!

Before you know it, you will realize that you have survived yet another recession.

PUDDLE PERFECT

More than a year after my first Plueys post, here comes the rain again!

To the uninitiated, the humble rubber boots of our childhood have since been reinvented via these brave and bright boot inventions named Plueys. A playful adaption of the French term, "pluie" which stands for for "rain", Plueys are both the stylish and sensible solution to keep your feet from ever getting wet again (SRP starts at P2,399.00).

And now, from the same geniuses who brought Plueys to Manila, come another fab and fun alternative to stomp in style. Enter...Rain Flats!

These rubber, waterproof ballet flats are the more feminine alternative to those cute wellies. They come with full cotton, not to mention, tastefully designed linings and are packed with complimentary heel protectors to keep your feet both water and blister-proof (SRP 1,450.00).

To complete your cute rain ensemble, why not purchase your very own supah cute my+brolly umbrellas for as low as P999.00? With unique hand-painted designs, these fashionable rain shields have been produced for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds from a my+brolly sale will be earmarked for the purchase of wheelmobiles to benefit the handicapped.
All of these fab pieces are brought to your by Brightcloud, Inc.

Ready for Rain
E: info@readyforrain.com
T: +632-2164073 / +63917-8175843.
W: http://www.readyforrain.com/

Also available at:
BACKSTAGE
2nd Floor Serendra
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel. +632-872-7534

*All photos were taken by me except for my+brolly which was taken from the Ready for Rain site.

ARE YOU READY TO HAVE TB?

This announcement is not for the weak at heart...

SUPERGA SUPERSALE

My son, the Haligilet, is at a stage in which he eats, drinks and dresses like his Dad. And so, when I stumbled upon these at the Superga sale, I didn't hesitate to buy him a pair to give in to his "I-am-Haligi's-Minime" phase..SRP P1,450 slashed down to P797.50. Woot! Woot! Get your own pair, NOW!

Superga is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Rustan’s Alabang, Eastwood Mall, and Greenbelt 5.

MATRIOSKA, ANYONE?

Visions of Fendi's vinyl-coated canvas tote in signature Zucca print have been making the rounds of malls lately.The bag's shape and drop is a lot like the Goyard St. Louis and LV's Neverfull. What's your take on it? Love it? Or leave it?

LOSING ITS TOUCH?

I was terribly disappointed with the my order of Ragu Di Maiale Con Risotto(Chunky Italian style braised pork with risotto and peas) from Amici last night. Why? With the dish swimming in pig fat and oozing with cheese, it was the bowled version of a heart attack...Yes, diet pills. I am all yours! There is no doubt that I would have to have to work double time to work off all those calories. Amici Risotto--fail!

RADA'S RADICAL SECRET

Trilogy Boutique and Canteen is making waves via three must-haves for any young (or even not-so-young) consumer--clothes, accessories and books (maybe soon, even textbooks). This new lifestyle outlet offers a wide array of fashion finds, complemented by the gastronomic delights of resident chef, Fern Aracama of Embassy (and Uva). All this, right in the heart of Legaspi Village. The store showcases popular brands such as Adidas, Andy Warhol, WeSC, Generic Surplus, Dimmak, Incase, Supra, Matiko, C.Luce, Gourmet, and other fashion candy handpicked by the Herrera siblings--Jon, Rosario and Vicky, who are behind this revolutionary retail concept.

While we did not really have enough time to do some retail therapy, my Mom, my son and I definitely experienced a high from the delectable dishes from Aracama's kitchen which boasts of an interesting array of soups, salads, panini, rice meals and pastas.

For this very first visit, we had the SA's suggestions. The French Onion Soup...
Uva Fresh Salad with Grapes, Kesong Puti and Walnuts... Honey-glazed Mahi-Mahi with Soy Rice...
Homemade Meatball Pasta... and last but not the least, a long overdue reunion with Uva's choc NOT ice cream...
Ahhh, this is the life. We can't wait to go back.

Trilogy Boutique and Canteen
Open from Monday to Sunday
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
110 Alvion Center
Rada St., Legaspi Vill.,
Makati, Philippines
http://trilogyboutique.multiply.com

SHRIMPY AMAZING!

Why do I love thee? Let me count the ways...Generous amounts of melted cheese.
Succulent shrimps.
Chopped garlic.
Fresh parsley.

The new Garlic-Shrimp New York Style Pizza--P549.00/whole; P99.00/slice.

Only from S&R.

HAPPY 72nd, KK!

Cheers to the birthday celebrant! Check out one of the many holiday invitations sent by Krispy Kreme to celebrate the special day...And we are all invited to party...

Make Krispy Kreme's 72nd birthday special by picking up the following treats for only Php72:

1. Original Glazed doughnut with medium Signature Coffee combo (choice of Smooth or Decaf), save P24.00;
2. A refreshing glass of Orange You Glad or Very Berry Chiller, save P33.00; OR
3. Purchase a dozen doughnuts and get each novelty items for only P72.00--an eco-friendly bag, (save Php28++); a gift tin can, save P72++); or Kiddie Krispy Kreme Shirt, save P213.00.

Happy birthday KK!

THE SERENITY PRAYER

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference (as to which color I should choose)...

Hehehe!

Tory Burch Reva Jelly flats
$95.00

SHOPAHOLICS, UNITE...

MADDEN MADNESS

Look at what I stumbled upon at the Steve Madden store this weekend, at sixty-freakin-five off... From the original price tag of P4,200.00, a pair now costs P1,475.00. I was so happy with the steal, the I stole another pair, in purple. Hihi!

Happy. Happy. Happy.

Steve Madden
A: Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5
T: +632.7290814

SMELLS LIKE SCHOOL SPIRIT

Welcome the UAAP and NCAA season with these exclusively - designed UAAP and NCAA Smart Bro Prepaid modems!

UAAP

1 Ateneo de Manila University
2 De La Salle University
3 University of Sto . Tomas
4 University of the Philippines
5 Far Eastern University
6 University of the East
7 Adamson University
8 National University

NCAA

1 Arellano University
2 Lyceum
3 Emilio Aguinaldo College
4 Lourdes College
5 San Beda College
6 San Sebastian College
7 Jose Rizal University
8 Mapua Institute of Technology
9 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
10 University of Perpetual Help System
11 DLSU College of St. Benilde

This USB-powered modems run on SMART's nationwidest HSPA network and come with a built in slot for a memory card--the perfect complement to your secure online storage. For more information log on to: http://smart.com.ph/bro

Hurry, limited stocks only! Mag No. 1 broadband na!

JOLLY OVER JOLLIJEEPS

If you work in Makati, chances are, you are no stranger to the neighborhood jollijeeps--those familiar metal cubes that line the streets of the Makati CBD. They are fixtures at every corner, making you think that they came straight off the shelf, just like those discount classroom furniture. But I digress.

Over in C. Palanca Street, in Legaspi Village, a certain jollijeep is reinventing the stainless food outlet game.

"Lirio's Canteen," the jollijeep just at the foot of the PSBank outlet, serves its food on styro containers, complete with your choice of drink and a set of plastic utensils. Food is piping hot, carefully laid out on chafing dishes, and usually packaged via set meals or combos. They also have other snack favorites to choose from like hot and cold sandwich fillings on wheat bread, steamed siomai, pasta, lugaw, and tokwa't baboy.

While not to friendly to Mother Earth (yes, styro galore!), and to the pocket (average cost of combos is P60.00 up), I find that Lirio's Canteen is THE ultimate jollijeep experience, marrying the elements of good food, great choices, and ideal sanitary conditions. They have actually been awarded best jollijeep operator just recently, testament that their efforts at reinventing the jollijeep game did not go unnoticed.

I will truly miss meals courtesy of Lirio's Canteen when we move down south, which is why I have resolved to purchase a bite or two from the outlet everyday. Hehehe. This is what I had for Friday's breakfast... Lirio's Canteen
C. Palanca Street
Legaspi Village

(FIVE) PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

And a nifty camera.

I knew it was a long shot, but I joined this just the same...
I am hoping that some of the photos I took for my 2009 365 Project would land on that news wall.

You see, I have taken quite a liking to photography lately. And while the features of my point and shoot buddy can be quite limiting, I still get the ultimate high in clicking away at subject after subject. After all, I find that I am able to say what I mean, without having to resort to writing or talking (Lord knows that public speaking fear is quite extreme).

Anyway, even if I don't make it far, 'twas an experience nonetheless to have taken part in this contest.

FLATLINERS

First, I fell in love with Crocs. Then, Melissas. I also had a short-lived romance with Lyn. Now, Anthology Shoes have claimed my heart.

However, my love affair with flats is currently being threatened by Stella Luna...Retailing at P4200+ per pair, the shoes are kinda steep compared to my previous flames. But what the heck, you only live once.

Stella Luna, I am falling for you.

Outlets:
Adora, Greenbelt 5
Power Plant
Shangri-La Mall

THE GREAT GREENBELT 5 SALE

Your favorite Greebelt 5 outlets are spreading the sale fever till July 15th!

Plus, don't let these exciting offers pass you by:

Master the Fine Art of Beauty
Get a free makeover or consultation from renowned makeup and skin car brands.
Jurlique & Shiseido, Greenbelt 3 Hallways
July 11-12, 2009

Wonderful Weekends at Greenbelt
Art and Crafts with Fully Booked, Lower Ground Level Greenbelt 5
Doll Making with Manikako, 3rd Level Greenbelt 5
Playtime with Timezone, 3rd Level Greenbelt 5
Graffiti Art with Bratpack, 2nd Level Greenbelt 5
July 11-12, 2009