DREAMING OF SYDNEY

My bff who's based is the land down under is hell bent on losing weight before her wedding. I guess it wouldn't hurt for her to go over those hydroxycut reviews for her peace of mind.

Oh I would give anything to discuss her diet issues in person. You see, my Manila-based bff and I have long been dreaming of a Sydney reunion for our trio. And now that Lukring No. 3 is getting married looks like we finally found the perfect opportunity.

But since the wedding's far off, and we haven't gotten around making this reunion a reality just yet, I would be happy to settle for this version of Sydney for now...

DO, RE, MI, PHO HOA

Whenever my officemates and I hit Greenbelt 1, we usually at Pho Hoa (pronounced as FA). After all, its menu boasts of a great mix of Vietnamese-slash-Asian entrees at reasonable prices. More importantly, consuming loads of them dishes comes sans the guilt and necessity to look for weight loss regimens (nope, not even those diet pills that work without exercise.

Oh lookie...

A WEEKEND FOR KIDS

Can you feel the onset of the Yuletide breeze already? Oh yes, you bet it's time to bring out those windbreakers and sweaters! Hooray!

Now, if the kids have outgrown their stash of pullovers, all ye shopaholic moms out there would be pleased to know that you can get great clothing bargains and can even get started with some early Yuletide shopping these weekend, given these exciting kiddie sales in the metro...

TIME FOR SOME BB TODAY...

And I am not talking about a mobile phone...

I'M AN ARMY BRAT

The Haligi and I are burger junkies. And so when the opportunity presented itself to try out the Army Navy Burger + Burrito's, we jumped at it. And like hungry sailors preparing for a long journey, look at what we gobbled up all in one go (oh my Lord, please lead me to the number 1 fat burner--pronto).

Perfectly crisp and well-seasoned Freedom Fries...
Cheese Quesadillas would uber generous fillings...
A Steak burrito for the gluttons that we are (too rice-y for my taste though)...
And their version of the Philly Cheese steak, aptly called the Hungry Sailor...
It would've been a great experience as whole had it not been for their terrible kitchen service. But I am willing to overlook this given the great meal I shared with my "Captain." Yihee.

ArmyNavy Burger + Burrito

Glorrieta 5, Dela Rosa St., La Salle Taft, SM Fairview, SM City Sky Garden and Tagaytay

WHERE'S WENTWORTH?

After months of procrastination, I finally got around finishing the last season of Prison Break.

In this soap's final installment, there are no prisons to break out of and nobody to run from. Like a treasure hunt of sorts, the Fox River focus their efforts in getting their hands on, not a gold bullion, but on a device known as Scylla, as the very key to bring the Company down.

Speaking of bullions, did you know that those being offered by United States Gold Bureau is recognized to be one of the most effective ways of preserving one's wealth and purchasing power? It is a great way to diversify investments, and promises great yields. If the Fox River 8 had known about it, maybe they would've abandoned pursuit of Scylla and sought out these bullions instead. Hehehe.

The final season of Prison Break is as action-packed, as unpredictable and bordering unbelievable, but 100% as entertaining as the previous seasons. Be prepared for significant casualties, noble sacrifices, and the most interesting twists and turns.

As has always been the case with Prison Break, if you're willing to turn off your brain and just enjoy the characters and the outlandish predicaments they face-– there are plenty of hours of entertainment to be had in this closing season.

MY OUTLET

Everyone needs an outlet. Be it be a favorite sport, a pastime, a vacay, or a hobby, outlets help us relax, destress and unwind. Come September-end, methinks that this will prove to be a great outlet for many, quite literally in fact...One of the most-awaited retail experiences evarrr, the Big Outlet Sale at the Megatent brings together the best and biggest brands in shoes and apparel, electronics, travel, health and beauty. I plan to convince my ils to go especially since the sale may just be what my fil needs to replenish his stash of shampoo for thinning hair. Ssshhh!!!

The Big Outlet Sale is open to the public and grants free entrance to all BPI Cardholders with a valid ID. Additional discounts, raffle items and other offerings are also up for grabs for all BPI Express Credit Edge Cardholders!

The Big Outlet Sale
September 24-26, 2010,
10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
The Megatent, 30 Meralco Ave. Ortigas Ctr., Pasig City

A DIFFERENT OCTOBERFEST

Festival season usually happens during the summer. But what do you know, come October, we will treated to the same colorful affair.

At this festival however, instead of packing all those pounds and calories on food and booze, this one will surely help you burn unwanted kcals...and boy, oh boy, how!Now since I am still undecided if I should get started on the most effective diet pills 10K with the Haligi may prove to be a worthy alternative! Join us?

The Fort Running Festival
5/10/21K
October 17, 2010
The Fort

SALE OF ASIA

It's sale season once again and one of the most awaited and biggest sales is happening this weekend--where else but in what has been dubbed as one of Asia's biggest malls...I usually shy away from the Mall of Asia. But at the moment, I am just itching to catch great deals on some shoes and clothing pieces, like women's sweaters, which need replacing in my wardrobe. Now that the ber months are here, we now have an excuse to strut all those pullovers.

So I guess I'll be seeing all of you at the MOA!

S&R HOUR

This weekend, all roads lead to S&R because of this...Modeled after the warehouse membership shopping chains in the US, S&R offers high quality products on local and international brand names that guarantee satisfaction and unmatched savings. This is the main reason why I have indulged in S&R shopping all these years.

We have always depended on S&R for our stash of imported home items, snacks, vitamins and calcium supplements. This weekend's sale is just the perfect excuse to get my long overdue S&R fix.

See you there!

SKIN DEEP

I consider myself lucky as I have never really encountered any serious concerns with my skin. I am thankful that my skin problems, if at all, were basic and did not warrant products like acnepril.

My skin regimen is simple and only involves mild skin cleanser, water and moisturizer. I have never been to a derma and nor do I have any complicated skin care procedure. My skin is as low maintenance as it can be.

But there are other beauty products that I cannot do without. Bag beauty products, that is. Thanks to my bff, my latest stash of Loving My Bags finally arrived!
A pioneering bag care system, it is the first ever handbag cleaning bundle developed to prolong the life and beauty of designer handbags. Now if you'd excuse me, I am about to perform a bag spa! :)

SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA

Have you started your Yuletide shopping already? Well I haven't, and by the looks of it, I may have to do it photo finish style once again. A lot has been going on both at work and at home that I just cannot bring myself to go to the mall and splurge as if there were no tomorrow.

At times like these, I wish I had heeded a friend's call to consider investing in gold coins, which, she says, is one of the best ways of preserving one's wealth and purchasing power. Had I had listened to her advise to get those coins and precious metals from United States Gold Bureau, I may already be reaping the benefits of my investment to afford me an early Yuletide spree, most especially at one of my favorite stores...

LOVE AT SECOND BITE

I am sure most of you are staying away from all those sleeping aids, now that our favorite soaps are back on air. And let me let out a resounding yawp now that the second season of The Vampire Diaries is finally here! As expected, the second helping of TVD is as fast-paced, as exciting and as truly addicting as the first season.

For the uninitiated, The Vampire Diaries chronicles the tale of two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, who are infatuated with the same beautiful girl, Elana-slash-Katherine. What happens next is a web of mystery, intrigue and of course, romance, as the two brothers battle with their instinct of preying on humans, just to protect the one woman they have come to love.

Sleepless nights, here I come!

PIGGING OUT WITH PIG

Oh my lord. This has been one sinful week. While in Cebu, my friends and I pigged out on Cebu Lechon, Carcar Chicharon and loads of Sinugba (grilled meat)--all the prerequisites for colon cleansing indeed. And if that weren't enough, I just had to bring a tub of this to share with the Haligi and the Haligilet. It did not disappoint, I tell you. Dubbed as the best roast pork dish in the world by Anthony Bourdain's standards, Zubuchon sells for Php450 a kilo. It can be bought freshly cooked at the Banilad outlet, or frozen and properly boxed up, from the Mactan airport stall, which I opted to do. It is cooked the old-fashioned way, sans preservatives and MSG. It is straightforward lechon at its finest. My Zubuchon sisig variant (Php385/tub) came with cooking instructions too. Lavset!

Zubuchon
Banilad Town Center & Mactan Airport
032-236-5264 (M-F 9am-4pm)
Look for Edrid or Beverly
Php450/kilo

FOR A CHANGE

I haven't joined a marathon in months and this seems interesting...Set on October, 10, 2010, the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River aims to bring together 120,000 runners. What makes it more exciting is it aims to beat an existing Guinness World Record for the largest foot race in the world. The current holder is the San Francisco Bay Breakers with 110,000 runners.

While the 120,000 target looks within reach, CTSI, the official logistics partner of the event, is calling on all volunteers to help handle the baggage deposit and retrieval areas. Volunteers are tasked to receive, tag, store the bags from the three different start areas (MOA grounds for 3K, CCP grounds for 5K and in front of Manila Peninsula for 10K), transport them to the finish area at MOA and distribute them to the rightful owners. The expected number of bags which will be deposited is close to 70,000 and based on CTSI simulations and projections, and estimated 500-600 people are needed to man the booths and counters.

So if you are equipped with your updated medical and life insurance quotes, and are able-bodied, why not donate your time and energy to helping other people run by volunteering at CTSI?

FOR THE BABY AND THE BIG BABY

My officemate is pregnant with her second child. She is now on her 4th month and knowing my office buddies, we would soon be giving out baby shower invitations in honor of our dear, dear friend. Instead of the usualy shower gifts however, I plan to pass on my stash of maternity clothes to her (yes, I have no more use for them :D). Also, I plan to get this for her firstborn who is celebrating her birthday soon...I was so impressed with the review at Daphne Osena's blog, that I just had to get the Haligilet a set of his own.

What I liked about Firefly toothbrush is how is designed for little hands. It is very easy to hold and work with.
Best of all, the Firefly toothbrush flashes for a minute and lets your child know how long it should take to brush upper teeth. You can press it again to guide your little one when he/she does his lower set of teeth.The Firefly toothbrush also reminds you when it’s time to change your child’s toothbrush. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months, and Firefly toothbrush reminds you because the light stops working just in time.

Happy brushing!

Available in SM and Watsons.

GETTING ZIGGY WITH IT

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to bring myself to save. I have no excuses except that I have no discipline at all. Maybe it's hight time I consider various savings options such as the gold bullion which is believed to be one of the best ways to preserve wealth and purchasing power.

I really hope I can get into the savings groove, especially now that Christmas is just around the corner. And I already have one item on my Christmas wish list. This...Reebok launched its revolutionary line of footwear that promises to change the fitness landscape. Called the ZigTech, it is a new training and running shoe that’s equipped with technology that literally gives power to its wearer. Through its unique zigzag soles, the Reebok ZigTech absorbs the impact of a heel strike, enables energy transfer back to the actual running stride.

It is available in three variants; Zigpulse, Zigfuel and Zigenergy, and may be found at Reebok concept stores in Megamall, Trinoma and Festival Mall and at The Shoe Shop Rockwell and Royal Sporting House Robinson’s Ermita.

Must.Start.Saving.

LONGCHAMPINOY

If Paris has it...And China does...
And so does Japan...
why can't we have a Le Pliage version of our own?

What do you say folks? If Longchamp were to come up with a Pinas version of the Le Pliage, how should it look like? I spent the last few minutes of my work day coming up with these. Thank you, Photoshop.

Just because he-who-must-not-be-named lives in the house of dreams...
This red number would've been great had we not been witness to that hostage drama that was broadcast on every Samsung HDTV. However, it must be released in tandem with design #1 since it happened in he-who-must-not-be named's watch. :P
Sapagkat Lintik lang ang Walang Ganti, bigyan pugay natin si Dante Varona at ang San Juanico bridge (my favorite!)...Major Major este Bonggang Bongang Batanes...The perfect cone on the perfect color. Naaayon ang Mayon sa Kiwi (also my favorite!)...
Show me the Manny (Nike, borrow!)...
And last, but not the least, ang pambansang Pokwang...What's YOUR favorite? :D