URBAN LIVING

This weekend is going to be really packed, and I am hoping I don't suffer a heart atack. You see, our big residential move is coming up this weekend and we still have lotsa things to do. And more importantly, I want to get all the moving duties out of the way so that I can make room for this...At the rate things are going, it might be wise for me to get those blood pressure monitor like the Philips AED just to be on the safe side. Or tell me, am I just being a hypochondriac?

AMBER

Ask a Makati CBD denizen about food delivery services, and I'm sure top of mind answer, aside from the usual burger joints, would be Amber's.

Amber's is famous for its noodle platters and other party fare. My personal favorites are their spaghetti, pork bbq, and pichi-pichi. Servings are very generous, flavorful, and have very affordable prices.I hope someone holds an office party soon!

Amber Golden Plate Restaurant
1324 Filmore cor. Emilia Streets
Palanan, Makati City
T: +632.8848888
W: http://www.amberestaurant.com

STAM BY ME

When of all of this cross country moving (or at least it feels that way) is over, please Lord, spare me one last one for the year... I have not had the opportunity to meet a Marc Jacobs Stam Quilted Satchel up close and personal just yet, but I am pretty sure that I'd want to have one to join my bag collection someday.

This bag features a frame top and then the soft quilted leather body, and comes with gold hardware for its shoulder strap and kiss-lock. This "it" bag has been a huge success season after season.

Oh be mine, please, pretty please?

AUGUST 21 IS NINOY DAY

So let your shirts do the talking...

From Team Manila P550.00 each
http://www.teammanila.com

Limited Edition My Pilipinas shirts from From C2
Prices start at P700.00, depending on shirt size.
http://www.collezione-c2.com/

LE DELICE

Now that we are a week away from our house move, our family is looking forward to days spent at Le Delice, the snack and deli shop located at Merville Country Club. While the Haligi and the Haligilet are looking forward to dips in the pool, I for one, am really excited that I can now get my regular pizza fix.

Today, I couldn't contain my excitement that I just had to make a quick Le Delice date with my 90-year-old grandma. Lola Chacha, despite her recent difficulties in mobility (my eldest aunt is actually thinking of getting her one of those walk in tubs), and the onset of Alzheimers Disease, still knows how to appreciate a sumptuous meal. Quattro Formaggio rocks!Le Delice Snack and Deli Shop
A: Merville Park Country Club
Belvedere Road, Merville Park, Paranaque
T: +632.8244234 / 632.8236127

BE SEEN AT THE SCENE

Why not take a break from those electronics and gadget sales and focus on fashion treats for a change?

From August 26th to the 28th, The Power Plant Mall at Rockwell will run the first ever Be Scene Fashion Registry. Top stylists from METRO, MEGA and PREVIEW magazines will come up with fashion picks from Power Plant’s stores, and will create exciting in-store displays at the mall for all to enjoy, and covet. Just sign up for the Fashion Registry, fill out a “wish card” and get the chance to win the stylists’ top fashion picks. This event will also introduce the POWER STYLE Card, which will be given to the 1st 150 guests of the night. Just present this card to participating R2 Level stores and get exciting discounts and freebies!

Happy shopping!

BETTER BAGS FOR A BETTER PLANET

With climate change as a growing concern for every human being, reusable shopping bags have been sprouting in every corner of the market. My all time favorite of course, is the Longchamp Les Pliage Tote. However, if money were an issue, there are still other reuseable bag options that give you a great combo of (earth) sense and style. They're great arm candy for malling, the gym, the beach, even to your school classes (medical coding training courses perhaps?). Here are my favorites.

Envirosax. I was blown away by the quality & style of the lightweight, portable and surprisingly roomy Envirosax reusable shopping bags. Plus, they look fab. It's pretty obvious I've amassed a sizeable collection, right? Shame! Shame!Available at Hobbes, Bratpack, Fully Booked, R.O.X.

P410.00 each http://www.envirosax.com

Rootote. I love the Rootote Crutto series because it allows you to get two bags (since they're reversible) for the price of one. Like the Envirosax series, it is water-proof, foldable and can easily fit into your bag. It also has a lobster claw which attaches easily to the (outer or inner) straps of your arm candy. I love, love, love that it is a great all-weather partner to my sister's French Capitals version. I have yet to use mine though. Baka magtampo ang mga Envirosax. Hehehe!Prices star at P1,250.00 each
http://roototephilippines.multiply.com

Baggu. If you want a reusable bag shopping bag that's sans the frills, prints and vectors, here's a simpler and more straightforward version of the Envirosax.
P400.00 each
http://shopspot.multiply.com

And last, but definitely not the least,

Benetton. Benetton Japan has taken part in the effort to save the environment with its newly designed “Kitchen Eco Bag” to replace the use of supermarket plastic/paper bags.The bags collapse and fold into plastic tubes that convert into bag handles when the eco bags are in use.Approximately P500.00 each.
Available at ebay.

HALLOWEEN IS HERE

This, to my mind, tops the charts as far as Halloween party invitations are concerned.
After all, this ain't your ordinary spooky, trick-or-treat party. The greatest treat from this one-of-a-kind marathon, aside from a fitter and trimmer body, is the kick out of watching runners masquerading in the most imaginative, bordering on hilarious halloween and not-so-halloween characters.

Word has it that last year's edition was loads of fun. And this one promises to be a thriller of an event as well. Details on the venue, fees and prizes soon!

BODY BEAUTIFUL

Check out this dream of a sale from Body Shop, which offers over seven hundred natural beauty products. From natural skin care to make-up, from body butter to aromatherapy, from body care to hair care, plus a host of your bath and body essentials, Body shop is indeed a perfect complement to your eye wrinkle cream stash from the Great Ponds Sale...August 14 to September 3, 2009.

READY, GET SET, MOVE!

We've got less than two weeks till our house move and boy are we packing double time! It still puzzles me how we were able to accumulate so much wares (AND yes bags too) over the years. When I think about it, I'm not even sure if our current stash of moving boxes would be enough to house all our stuff.

Thankfully, my friend, J's idea was heavensent. Instead of purchasing new balikbayan boxes from the neighborhood hardware store. She advised us to just purchase old boxes from the grocery at just, hold your breath--a TENTH of the price! Boxing problem solved! Try it!

BIG BEAUTY BLOWOUT

The global pioneer in beauty and skin lightening, Pond’s gives its loyal consumers a chance to indulge in the wide array of Pond’s products via its first-ever nationwide Big Beauty Sale! Enjoy as much as 70% off of your favorite Pond’s products such as night wrinkle creams, whitening creams, facial washes and other beauty essentials .

Grab onto your seats as the Pond’s Beauty Sale runs for a limited period from August 15 until September 15. Text 7days (city) to 2948 (i.e. Text 7days (Manila) to 2948) or log on to www.ponds.com.ph for a list of participating stores nationwide.

Discover the beauty within with Pond’s.

SEEING RED

Coming soon to Greenbelt 3 (cinema level)...Thank God I've got another healthy reason (aka an excuse) to hit the mall. Now everything is falling into place. Exercise, diet, a host of healthy options, and a hopefully soon, a lot of willpower. Otherwise it'll be hello conjugated linoleic acid cla for me.

Red Mango

Eastwood Mall Veranda
Ground Level, Food & Dining

TriNoma Mall
3rd Level

Megamall
Building A

Soon: Greenbelt 3
Cinema Level

I RUNNETH OVER

...to The Fort. Literally.Details here.

HAUTE HOTTIES

Word has it that the cinema and tv guards have changed. And we see no one complaining--especially if all eyes and video surveillance equipment are drawn to these hotties...

Chris Evans
"Nanny Diaries"

Channing Tatum

"GI Joe"

James Marsden
"27 Dresses"

Bill Hallisay
"Privileged"

Bryan Greenberg
"One Tree Hill"

Gabriel Macht
"Because I Said So"

And is it just me, or are they uber cuter when they are facing off-cam? Drool...

NEW NEIGHBOR

Uh-oh, here's another temptation to keep us off the track to wellness. One wrong move, and it's off to a fat burner regimen we go. Nonetheless, we are welcoming our new neighbor with open arms.And, pun intended, the new kid on the block is making us extremely happy! Get you Happy Creampuff stash, now!

Happy Cream Puff
W: http://www.happycreampuff.com

The Zone
Malugay St. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.
Makati City

Rada Regency
Unit G-16 Rada cor. Dela Rosa St.
Legaspi Village, Makati City

GOOD FOOD WITH GREAT FRIENDS

After being postponed time and again, a meet-up with my "bestest" online buddies finally pushed through. And as always, the perfect complement to celebrate great friendships, is you guessed right--good food!

Conveniently located in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Chelsea Market & Café has an indoor seating capacity of 60 and an outdoor café of 40 seats. Their menu, which is kept lively by its sumptuous array of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and main entrées, is sure to make your dining experience unforgettable, not to mention, calorific too (so better get the ever reliable testoripped ready). You be the judge...

Chelsea's House Bread Pizza of the Day--Classic Seafood The Classic Creamy Carbonara Stuffed Whole Garlic Rosemary Lemon Roasted Chicken Pan Roasted Gourmet Sausages

Damage? P500/head for a party of six with a full round of drinks and complementary dessert, thanks to the Enjoy Card. Not bad eh?

Other favored dishes include the filling Molten Cheese Risotto Balls, items from the Cheese Cabinet, deli finds, and unique salad selections. And aside from its specialties, Chelsea offers a variety of flavorful refreshments and delectable desserts.

Chelsea Market & Café
Serendra, Bonifacio Global City
T: +632.9097011 / 9015817
E: marketing@chelseamarketcafe.com

A WIRELESS HOME

Our move date has been finalized. We will be making new memories in our southern home come August 26th. Now that we will be moving away from the mall which boasts of wifi zones, the Haligi and I are seriously considering getting our own internet connection. And if ever, it will be toss between this... and a Linksys router especially those being offered at Buy.com. Your thoughts will be much appreciated.

PURE JOY FROM SIMPLE JOYS

Once again, the quaint little accessories shop called Simple Joys did not fail at pushing me to purchase something that I didn't really need. Look at these beaded headpieces that had a meet and greet with the store's barcode scanner at just around $3.00 each! Cutie patootie!
Simple Joys / Regalong Pambahay
3rd Level Megamall B
SM City Manila
SM North Edsa
SM Southmall