CBTL

We have just been given more reason to pay those CBTL (Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf) steel buildings a visit...The Frozen Swirl Open House will entitle CBTL patrons to a cup of any of these Frozen Swirl yogurt for FREE: The Original, Lemoncello, Banana Caramel, Pomegranate, Berry’d Treasure, Classic Vanilla, Affogato, Caramel Affogato, Matcha Green Tea and Hazelnut – their so called secret flavor. The exclusive line of frozen yogurt will be offered for three consecutive weekends at specified locations.

Enjoy!

iMHOOKED

I have been missing in action from the blogosphere for days now. Aside from being down with an upset stomach over the weekend, I have busy with these...Thank God for my husband's iPod, I didn't mind being in my sick bed over the weekend. I've been going crazy over my iPod games that I just might take up the Haligi on his offer to get me an iPhone for Christmas.

This actually comes at an opportune time since I just stumbled upon Sourcebits.com, a goldmine when it comes to iPhone Apps and tips, and now, even iPad apps. And I'm glad to know that my phone upgrade choices would not have to be limited to the iPhone since the site contains Android Apps and Blackberry software as well.

Now, if only the husband's budget could squeeze a new bag too...

SWATCH

My friends and I have been obsessing with the latest line of SWATCHES. No, not timepieces. This ones... With the recent release of the Balenciaga SS 2011 Precollection Color Card, you can be sure that my friends and I have gone through serious ogling and nail-biting episodes.

Can you blame us? With its array eye-catching leather colors, not to mention chewy leather that is absolutely TDF, it is no wonder Balenciaga handbags has garnered a cult following for years.

I still haven't decided on which color I like most. This is actually a relief because that means that it would take me awhile before I bring out my box cutter to use on that all too familiar courier box. But this hasn't stopped me from dreaming and drooling.

How about you, what color(s) do you find yourself drawn to most?

I C U C3

I was decided to get an E72 this Christmas after reading dozens of mobile computer reviews. But I am now having second thoughts when I stumbled upon the latest cutie patootie trio from Nokia. The C3.Built for the social network savvy, the Nokia C3 offers instant access to favorite computer sites straight from the homescreen, allowing people to easily chat, tweet, blog, post photos straight from the 2.0-MP camera, send email and replies with just a few clicks on the Nokia phone. Writing messages is quick and effortless thanks to the full QWERTY keyboard--sorta like having your mobile PC. Plus, email and chat accounts can be set up straight from the device. Everything's as easy as one-two-three, even when your away from your personal computer.

It's just too bad (or maybe twas a good thing) that I missed the July promo which slashed the C3 SRP from P7,395 to P6,395. If ever, I may have gone home with a pink phone.

I SAY GREEN!

FIC is giving away a truck-load of ice cream to the winner of the La Salle vs Ateneo UAAP basketball game this weekend! They will be driving the FIC Cream Machine to the campus of the winner and giving away ice cream for free! (First come, first served. Until supplies last). So go root for your team! Winning will be a whole lot sweeter this time!

Go Team Green! Animo!

NOOOOO!!!

The thing about 0% installment plans is that while it gives you a lot of financial leeway, it gives you a lot of room for regret too. I'm not even halfway through my LX3 payments when I stumbled upon this... The Panasonic DMC-LX5!

This 10.1-megapixel beauty succeeds the DMC-LX3 as the highest-specced Lumix compact camera to date. It's designed to slip into the pocket of the off-duty prosumer. Panasonic hasn't announced a price yet, but the LX5 won't come cheap.

Sana Mahalia Fuentes so the blow won't hurt as bad. Bitter Ocampo lang.

NEW BREW

Something is brewing along Ayala Avenue--quite literally in fact...

Zentea, the newest tea stand found at the Blessing and Prosperity foodcourt (yes, the cheesiest-named foodcourt, LOL!), offers a variety of fruit, milk and pearl teas at very reasonable prices (P4-60 only for a gigantic tumbler!). The brews are packed with flavor and comes sans the dreaded calories that may require fat burners in the long run.

I particularly like their carnival milk tea, which is their not-so-sweet take on the caramel tea. It's light, creamy with a hint of toffee or caramel flavor. They also have that blast-from-the-past Horlicks flavor. Quite a disappointment by my standards, but worth a try na din if you ask me.

I.must.try.the,Nai.Chai.soon.

Zentea
Blessings and Prosperity Foodcourt
Ayala Ave. cor. Rufino Drive.
Makati City

A GOLD MINE THIS SUNDAY

One of the many things I miss about living in Makati is the Legaspi Sunday Market. You see, our family enjoyed frequent trips to the Legaspi Park--hearing mass, grabbing a bite, and treating our son to a trip to the playground.

This we did, almost every weekend, in all the five years that we called Makati home. Now, there is more reason for a homecoming. Our favorite weekend bazaar is celebrating its 5th year and it is doing so, with a bang!

A grand buffet featuring all of Legaspi Market's food vendors will be available to all bazaar patrons for a special no-sharing, no-leftover price of P180.00 only. We have struck gold indeed!

Now, speaking of gold, I recently stumbled upon the United States Gold Bureau site which showcases sound investment tools like jewelry, precious metals and even gold coins. It has been stated that such an investment promises security and high yield--the primary criteria that I look for in a savings instrument.

I am willing to wait for the yield of this investment. But if there is one thing I cannot wait for, that is the bazaar buffet on July 25th. See you at the park this Sunday!

FIRST DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN BEST

So switch to the bigger, better and SMARTER unlimited...

SEEING RED

For a change, I was reading up on ways to save money, and not ways to spend it. And because of this, I stumbled upon usgoldbureau.com which showcases interesting investment options.

The resources available from the website are simplified and very easy to understand--which means a lot to a numerophobe like me. The information on security and yields was very promising that I just might consider investing in gold coins in the very near future.

To those who know me, this is quite a stretch since I can be very pessimistic when it comes to long term savings tools. But I am almost 100% convinced to make the sound investment. And the main rationale behind this change of heart is that fact that I am jumpstarting a savings fund. And it's all because I caught this on my radar screen...
I will indeed need all the gold coin yield I could get to afford this byootiful red PS1 number. But oh well, dreams, after all, are for free.

And just like that, we are back to regular programming. :)

I MISSED YOU, TIRAMISU

I would have to say that Cibo is one of my favorite restaurants. I never tire of their pasta and pizzas (their Tonno pizza with toppings of tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham. arugula and parmesan is dabomb!!!). I don't mind at all if its sans the frills and chandeliers of the usual Italian resto. Neither do I mind the waiting time whenever the Cibo gets crowded. You see, this is worth the wait...
Yes, after going on a no-carb diet for close to a month now, I cheated again today. But with this heavenly concoction, which is their take on the Tiramisu, can you blame me? Probably not.

Cibo

ABS-CBN
(02) 410-2122
Alabang Town Center
(02) 842-7285
Greenhills Shopping
(02) 727-3359
Greenbelt 5
(02) 758-2426
Trinoma
(02) 916-7165
Gateway Mall
(02) 913-2426
Glorietta 4
(02) 892-3963
Power Plant Mall
(02) 898-0366
Shangri-la Plaza Mall
(02) 631-7753

THE PERFECT EXCUSE

Because I lost a lot of weight the natural way (gosh, I was this close to purchasing any diet pill that works), I now have an excuse to update my wardrobe. I am now uber inspired to hit my favorite retail outlets. And what do you know, my top three--Zara, Mango and Bayo are current only sale...

Browse the Bayo collection at bayo.com.ph and the Kids of Bayo collection at kidsofbayo.com.ph. You can visit their Facebook page for updates too.

See you at the mall!

CREAM OF THE CROP

Ever since our son had a close dengue call, we became extra careful that he was protected against mosquito bites. After all, we all know that those pesky mosquitoes are carriers of the dreaded disease. Since I can't keep an eye on the Haligilet 24/7, I am so thankful that an enterprising group has helped keep me worry-free against dengue. Meet INDIGObaby's all-natural Shoo Fly anti-mosquito spray.A light, non-greasy, sweet-smelling spray on cream/lotion, this concoction only contains elements from mother nature like lavender, geranium, eucalyptus and citronella. All you need to do is spray a bit on the palm of your hand and massage all over your little one's body.

This is absolutely amazing--heaven-sent indeed, for protective mom's like me. Well, he is my ONLY child, so I would fight tooth and nail to keep him safe. But I know my protection and my cream remedies would only go so far. And I don't think it would ever come to a point that I would be giving him testosterone creams as well. God forbid. Hehe.

INDIGObaby
http://indigomanila.multiply.com
indigo.manila@gmail.com

ODE TO PIZZA

Ok so I ditched my diet and cheated. Sue me.

Cut me some slack ok guys? Pizza and I haven't been anywhere near each other for two months now. I vow to make up for this by burning calories on that jog path (plus a little help from diet pills that work perhaps?).

But can you blame me for my humanity if the pizza that I've had a chance to meet and greet looks as perfect as this...
This beautiful creation, consisting of half Tutta Carne (all-meat) and half Napoli toppings (vegetarian plus anchovies) is courtesy of Le Delice Snack & Deli shop over at Merville Park Country Club.

Delizioso!

Le Delice Snack & Deli Shop
A: Merville Park Country Club, Belvedere Rd., Merville Park, Paranaque
T: +632.8244234 / +632.8236127

TEMPTATION SEASON

I vowed to keep away from any form of retail therapy for this quarter but with the great opportunity to upgrade our current ipods, the Haligi and I fell prey to this...Safe to say that I was able to keep a lid on my wallet, purchasing just a few trinkets that didn't burn any holes in our pockets. Plus it was a great opportunity too, to bond with my two boys. That, and a chance meet-up with an old grade school chum was more valuable than an iPad or any other prize.

EARLY

I was so inspired by the fact that I was able to pull off my son's school party from scratch last year (meaning I took care of the invites, supplies, and even the cooking) that I already started shopping for the Haligilet's 6th.

Now, don't get me wrong. The party won't be grand and would be sans the frills--entertainment, decors, photo booths and photo cards. It would be one straightforward kiddie party at school, spent with my son's classmates and us of course.

Ever the party-planning junkie, look at what I stumbled upon at my "default" shopping haven--the dependable Landmark, all for less than five hundred bucks!I also told our cake supplier, Anna Baluyot of Icings 'N Sprinkles to come up with a cake similar to this...Now, if you're thinking of holding a Toy Story party like myself, I suggest you purchase stuff already because they're selling like hotcakes. I'm pretty sure, they're still overflowing in Divi. But with the rainy season making it's presence felt, maybe the Pasig River's overflowing at Divi too. Hehe!

Happy planning!

HOT AND COLD

While our friends and family are enjoying those hot firework displays in the US to celebrate the 4th of July, Paul Smith shops in the metro will be greeting July 4th in cooler way...Dubbed as the Cool Sale, patrons of Paul Smith will be treated to bottomless cool refreshments on the 4th of July. And lest you think you'd be needing a dose of noxycut, after all that liquid overload, do note that all the drinks will be coming from healthy and refreshing Fruit Magic.

Greenbelt 5
A: Ayala Center, Makati City
T: +632.7299898 / +63920.9168906

Shangri-la Mall
A: Shop Number 318, Level 3, Mandaluyong City
T: +632.6360488

BIG

Pretty soon, we will be seeing this all over the news and tv stands...Dubbed as the biggest Southeast Asian marathon to date, the Summit Water CAMSUR Marathon 2010 will gather 20,000 elite runners from all over the world. The brains behind this premiere running event--Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. and Coach Rio De La Cruz are pulling out all the stops to stage what they envision as a world-class international marathon. Proceeds of the marathon will be for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga.

So come and experience Camsur's unspoiled wonders and very own brand of fun and adventure. Register now at: http://www.camsurmarathon.com/registration/.