Being a princess . . .

The Vampire Diaries

2010-11-15T18:59:00.001+08:00

Am loving The TV episodes of the Vampire Diaries. It's the first time I preferred the tv/movie version over the book version. I read all 5 books but I love the tv version much much better. . Of course it helps that Damon and Stefan are both gorgeous hunks :) lucky, lucky Elena.

I love flowers ! ! !

2010-11-14T14:33:00.000+08:00

Especially if they are prints on my new handbag . . .

Cath Kidston bunch flowers day bag

Since I am on maternity leave, my shopping addiction is limited to online browsing rather than actual malling. A friend of mine who recently came from London mentioned Cath Kidston bags - they are playful, girlish and soooo cute. Being a bag addict, I of course visited their site and immediately fell in love with their designs. The only downfall is that they have shops only in UK, Ireland and Japan (so sad :().

I am very resourceful when it comes to bags and shoes thus, I was able to do an online purchase on this day bag and had it shipped here. The actual price of the bag is very affordable but the shipping cost doubles the price. Oh well, rather than have sleepless nights, I had to get this. Now I'm excited for it to arrive.

Bags . . Bags . . and more bags!!

2010-09-07T11:47:00.001+08:00

Before any negative reactions :), let me say that I have no plans to buy any of these bags in the near future. I havent even used three new bags of mine ( I just love to stare at them in my closet hehehe). The husband says I'm crazy LOL! I dunno why, but I have been having a fascination with other bag brands recently. Seems like I have had it with Gucci's, Chanel, and Vuittons. I am now loving Chloe, Cartier, Valentino and Tod's.

The Chloe Paraty in python leather

This piece sells for a little less than $4000 in Neiman Marcus. I would settle for the cheaper leather version at $1895. I am so loving its shape and size. I used to covet the Paddington but the lock is too heavy.

Valentino Petale hobo

I know this is a bit over the top but I am so attracted to it since I saw a good friend tote one. It can be paired with a simple top and jeans and serve as a great accessory. This color is soooo nice but it comes in other varieties like beige, red etc. Retails at Nordstrom for $2495.

Tod's G bag Sacca Grande

I always had the impression that Tod's bags are a bit boring though a good friend swears by their durability and class. The G bag changed this impression. It looks sturdy, the zippers on the side are nice accents and adds to its functionability. Retails at Sak's for $1495

Hongkong Loots

2010-08-06T19:46:00.004+08:00

The hubby recently went to our favorite shopping destination - Hongkong. I was supposed to go with him but since I'm on my third trimester, I decided to forego the trip. He was with our friends and they had a grand time shopping. Here are some of his shopping loots:

Marks and Spencer onesies for the coming baby

Cute Tommy onesies

Loots for Nica

I am so happy the husband shares my shopping addiction. He would really go around shopping malls, eskinitas and small stores with glee. He was able to snag cute stuff from H&M, nice tops for us from Zara, and cheap perfumes from Bonjour.

This is his big purchase for himself. A reward for months of hardwork and stress. A "mid life crisis" gift I tease him :)

Calibre De Cartier Men's automatic watch

And this is mine:

Marcello De Cartier Shopping tote in ltd ed red

I couldn't decide what bag to ask from him. I was torn between a Jimmy Choo Skye hobo, an LV monogram delightful or a Cartier saddle bag. Well, he decided for me and I love his choice. It's unique and I haven't seen that many peeps in Manila tote a Cartier bag.

I'm hoping this cures me of my bag addiction at least for the year. We need to save up for the newest addition to the family. No more big purchases until the next year . . . I hope . . .

A quick summer get away

2010-07-23T10:15:00.002+08:00

Forgot to blog about our quick summer (or is it post summer already?) getaway last month in Subic. Since I am preggy, we cannot go to Boracay or Guam as promised to the little girl who loves frolicking in beaches. We instead decided to have a quick weekender in Subic with some friends. We stayed at Subic Holiday Villas and we a had fun albeit very brief vacation.

We got 2 villas for us and we were quite happy with them. There was a mini kitchen, veranda, living room set, 2 TV sets and a mini dining table. The adults played poker the whole time while the kids were swimming in the pool. The pool was only a few feet away from our veranda thus, we were able to check on them all the time.

Rockwell's Multiply Bazaar

2010-07-10T13:06:00.000+08:00

hurry!! hurry!! The bazaar ends tomorrow, July 11. One will surely find treasures in this collaboration of Multiply sellers. Am sooo going . . .

Food trip Part 1

2010-07-05T13:11:00.001+08:00

As eating is one of my all time favorite thing to do, I have discovered sumptous treats all around the Metro. This food trip blog is dedicated to helping one find great treats just around the corner. Mind you, these are personal favorites of mine and may not apply to everyone's taste buds :)

1. Best Buffet: (Splurge): Spirals at Hotel Sofitel (formerly Westin Philippine Plaza) Php 1828 net for a lunch buffet. I personally love their Chinese spread (yummy Peking duck) and their cheese platters

(Save:) Dad's Buffet: For only Php 700, one can enjoy the fusion of Filipino (Kamayan), Japanese (Saisaki) and Continental (Dad's) dishes.

2. Best Steak - I used to think Angus was the best til I tried Wagyu steak. One can have a Grade 8 Premium Rib Eye for around Php 3K at The House of Wagyu in Podium or try their Wagyu at Melo's and you can't go wrong. You may also opt to go to Salcedo Market during weekends and you just might stumble upon slices of Wagyu for about Php 300/piece. Just don't overcook it.

3. Best Fried Chicken - Max's all the way for me!!

4. Best Japanese Food - Sugi in Greenhills or Inagiku in Makati Shangri la.

5. Best Filipino Food - my personal choice would be Fely J's in Greenbelt 5 or Abe in Serendra or Trinoma. One should try Abe's binukadkad na pla-pla and sinuteng baby squid. Pair these with their dilis rice for a sumptuous treat.

6. Best Chinese Food - Choi Garden in Annapolis Street or any of the authentic Chinese resto in Binondo would be my bet

7. Best street food (isaw, barbecue, chicken tails etc,) - Grill Queen

Now, I'm alloting a separate blog for the best desserts out there. Dessert time is the highlight of any meal for me thus, it would be wise to dedicate a whole blog for these.

MNG is on Sale!!!

2010-06-22T11:47:00.000+08:00

is on Sale!!! The Sale started last week and there are tons of great buys at lower prices. I got leggings and tops for as low as Php 390 each. Bags are at Php 999 up. What are you waiting for?? Go go go to your nearest MNG outlet.

Magic Milk

2010-05-25T16:47:00.000+08:00

My daughter and I are currently addicted to Golden Spoon frozen yogurt. I think of it as my calcium source :) She loves Belgian chocolate with cookie dough topping. I prefer strawberry and chocolate mint. Gosh, just blogging about it makes me crave for a cup.

Delightful!!!!

2010-05-20T17:14:00.001+08:00

I'm so excited for this . . .

Welcome the newest offering from Louis Vuitton - the Monogram Delightful. It's slated to be released in June 2010 but a friend of mine who came from Guam was able to get one already. Apparently, the LV Guam store almost always gets the newest stocks ahead of time. I am sooooo jealous. It's so beautiful - a combination of Artsy and Neverfull. Its extra supple hobo shape makes it a joy to carry as it molds to your body. And the price is really great - $760 for the PM (which is almost as big as a Neverfull MM), $855 for the MM and $1100 for the GM. The PM and MM versions do not have the zippered pockets in front thus, the affordable price.

This is sure to be a popular choice when it comes out. I bet there will be qeues for orders just like when the Neverfull first entered the market. Hmmmm . . I think I should line up already hehehe

The Kane Chronicles

2010-05-19T14:24:00.000+08:00

After reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, this author gained a fan in me. I am now excited to read his newly released book - The Red Pyramid under the Kane Chronicles series.

While the Percy Jackson series revolved aound Greek mythology, the Kane Chronicles tackle Egyptian mythology. I've always been fascinated with mythology, be it Greek, Roman, Norse or Egyptian. I am more familiar with the first three thus, Egyptian mythology would be a new avenue for me. Unfortunately, I may have to wait a little longer before I get hold of this book as it is sold out in all boookstores here. It only came out in Fully Booked last week but all copies were sold out in a few days.

A unique birthday party

2010-05-18T10:01:00.003+08:00

A godson of mine, Zee Lota celebrated his first birthday in a most unique fashion. Instead of the traditional birthday parties usually given to toddlers, his mom decided to hold a sort of concert party for the little tot. As he is showing a huge interest in music, the party was held in Teatrino Greenhills - a very unlikely venue for a first birthday :) The theme is a mixture of Barney musical and GLEE!!

mini Glee concert by mommy Aileen, tito's and tita's

There were of course the usual mini playground for kids, clowns, jugglers and musicians. There was also a mini Glee themed concert done by Zee's mom, friends and sister. Both adults and kids truly had fun. The party lasted until 9PM with a rockeoke being the finale. T'was truly a different and unique experience.

I'm an uptown girl

2010-05-07T14:54:00.002+08:00

Being an undeniable shopaholic and baghag, I couldn't resist this piece of Kate Spade cutie:

It's a shopper's bag perfect for a weekend of malling. It's quite huge and has two pockets inside. But what sold me to it (aside from a bargain price) is that it has this design on the other side:

Adorable right? It's like having two bags for the price of one. The price is a bargain at $99 at Bloomingdales but I got it from a local supplier for Php 6500 (not bad huh?). Subway inspired symbols dot the entire thing. The inside is as gorgeous as the outside. Two zippered pockets adorn the two sides carrying names of various spots in Manhattan. Such a great find for me!!

Movies I'm looking forward to . . .

2010-05-06T13:23:00.000+08:00

Though not much of a movie buff, I still get excited over a good flick. Unlike most gals, I'm not into chick flicks and prefer horror and fantasy movies. I am most excited to watch the following upcoming films:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts 1 and 2) - showing in November 2010 and July 2011

2. Eclipse - June 30, 2010

3. X Men First Class - June, 2011

4. The Avengers Movie - May 2012

5. Mighty Thor - May 6, 2011

6. Captain America - July 22, 2011

7. Prince of Persia - May 28, 2010

Tom Ford or Chanel?

2010-04-21T11:41:00.001+08:00

I'm in a dilemma . . can't decide what shades to get as an alternative to my Gucci's. I initially wanted to get another pair of Gucci shades but decided against it so I may try other brands. Am now torn between getting these . . .
Chanel shades

or these . . .

Tom Ford Sabine

Whaccha think?

Best Anti Ageing Creams

2010-04-14T15:26:00.003+08:00

As we get a bit older, we need to exert extra effort in keeping our looks younger looking and fresh. Having a dry complexion, I never had probblems with pimples or acne. My main concern however as I reached my mid 30's, is that dry skin tends to age faster than oily skin. I heavily invest on moisturizers and ant ageing creams. I have tried plenty, believe me but I can personally vouch for these 3 as the best for me:

Strivectin SD

This was originally formulated to treat stubborn stretch marks but countless women swear that it is the best anti wrinkle cream in the market. I tried it and I could swear with the results afte one month. The only drawback is that it is a bit pricey at $135. But, it's money well spent.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist

Perfectionist by Estee Lauder is not only a very effective anti wrinkle serum, it also smoothens the skin. One will immediately feel the effect after application. It is a great cream for the eye and forehead area as it drastically improves the appearance of the skin after a few application. Regular price is $100 but one can get it from Amazon at a lower price.

Olay Total Effects

The best value for money moisturizer and anti ageing lotion in the local market. SRP is only Php 750 but it can compete with high end creams. I use this as a make up base for a well mosturized complexion. Combined with Perfectionist or Strivectin, results will be obvious and fast.

Love this book . . .

2010-04-06T16:07:00.001+08:00

I've always been an avid reader. Since I learned how to read at an early age, books have been my best friends. I'd rather read than watch tv or do anything else. I have a wide collection of books by my favorite authors - Judith Mc Naught, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown and Sidney Sheldon. In fact I have a complete collection of all their published works. My most valuable acquisition though are my 7 First Editions of Harry Potter books (yes, I'm a child at heart!). I also have all Twilight books and my newest addition to my collection - the Percy Jackson books. All five of them.

I first got interested in Percy Jackson when I saw the movie The Lightning Thief as I have a fascination with Greek and Roman mythology. The movie was ok but a friend mentioned that the book is much much better. So, I bought the first book in the series and got hooked. True enough, the plot and characters were more exciting. In fact, the gist of the movie kinda deviated from the actual book. I finished the first 4 books during the Holy week (4 days!!). I just purchased the final book The Last Olympian today as it was out of stock in almost all bookstores. Good thing they still have a few left in Powerbooks Greenbelt 4. I am so excited to read it. :)

Summertime. . . Vacation time

2010-03-31T11:09:00.002+08:00

Our family is always excited when summer comes. It is a time to unwind and visit our favorite getaways. My daughter loves the beach and would gladly go to Boracay anytime. The husband and myself personally love cold places. Our most memorable vacation in the last few years was our trip to the States 4 years ago. The weather then in LA was cold as it was early Spring. We stayed in Chino Hills and went to Las Vegas for a weekend. We had a blast in Disneyland, Sea World and Universal Studios. Of course, I did not dare miss all the fabulous outlets there like Cabazon, Carlsbad, Primms etc.

The little brat had a lot of fun trying out the rides in Universal Studios but got scared of Kingkong. Her most anticipated moment however is to see and experience some snow. Being in LA however, there is of course no snow. We were seriously thinking of trying vail vacation rentals just to make her happy then. I heard from friends who were from the States that their vacation packages are well worth it and truly remarkable. One can ski, play golf, shop and dine in any of their getaways. The rooms or cottages are comfortable and well equipped thus ensuring a truly perfect vacation. Unfortunately for us, our time then was limited thus we had to forego our planned getaway. Next time we go to the States, we will definitely avail of vail valley's vacation packages.

Cheek Stains

2010-03-18T11:32:00.002+08:00

Benefit Benetint

This cheek stain is the best one in the market for me. It not only smells wonderfull (fresh cut roses scent), it also lasts practically the whole day. It's non greasy and easy to apply. Don't be deceived by the bright red color as it lightens when applied. Apply moderately on cheeks and blend with your fingertips. Apply a light powder afterwards to lessen the harshness. If applied moderately, one pot would last for 8-12 months. SRP is about Php 1800. Got mine for HKD300.

Tarte Cheek Stain

The Tarte Cheek Stain available in most Sephora stores is a water based gel cheek color. Unlike the Benetint which comes in only one color (not considering the Posie tint), Tarte has a variety of shades, all of which are great and smells yummy! My personal favorites are tipsy (sheer coral pink and apricot scented) and flush (sheer berry and raspbery scented). I particularly prefer this cheek stain as it blends well wih dry skinned gals like myself. Since it's gel type, it glides easily leaving a rosy and dewy flush. The only disadvantage is that it does not last as long as the Benetint. Tarte cheek stain: $30 in Sephora.

Smashbox O Glow

As I am partial to Smashbox products, I decided to try their O Glow as well. All their powder based blush, liquid foundation, primer and lipstick work well for me thus, I thought this would do as well. It is said to be an "intuitive" stain that reacts to your natural skin chemistry to turn cheeks into the color you blush naturally. Ths product is ok I guess, but I'd rather get the Tarte or Benetint. It doesn't last that long (it lasts longer than the Tarte though), and it's a bit chalky sometimes. Plus, you have to apply a bit much for it to work. It's much too pink for my taste as well. SRP: Php 1300 in Beauty Bar.

I LoVe my New LV Galliera

2010-01-26T11:06:00.001+08:00

This is what I got for my birthday this year and I'm absolutely ecstatic!!!

I've always eyed this baby since last year. In fact, I was torn between getting this Galliera or the Chanel patent biarritz when we were in HK last year. I ended up getting the Chanel as I wanted a new black bag then but I still dreamt of owning this bag. Luckily, the ever thoughtful and generous hubby granted my wish during my recent birthday. I was really surprised as I didn't expect anything grand from him this year coz he said that the Rolex he gave me last year was good for 2 birthdays (hehehe).

Thank you baby, i LoVe my gift!!

In search of the perfect planner

2010-01-15T17:04:00.000+08:00

Every new year, I am in a dilemma as to what planner to use for the year. There's the ever popular Starbucks planner, our very own Bayan planner and several others from clients. My problem was solved however when I saw the Belle De Jour planner in National Bookstore.

This planner is absolutely perfect for my needs. It's not only cute but it's loaded with necessities such as a plastic pouch, Forget-me-not notes, discount coupons, habit tracker, wellness tips and even a menstrual cycle monitor! It has numerous tips on how to save money, keep track of your expenses and how to enjoy life to the fullest. It's such a great find and such a joy to use.

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-04T14:59:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year to everyone. May 2010 bring us positive changes, better luck, the best of health and abundant material and spiritual blessings.

According to Astrologers, the lucky colors for the Year of the Tiger is yellow or blue. Good news for me as yellow is one of my favorite colors. As it is the year of the metal tiger, silver is considered to be a lucky charm as well. So got get those silver bracelets, amulets or any other charms.

Singapore Adventure

2009-12-07T16:10:00.001+08:00

The husband and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary last October. Since I ran out of creative ideas onwhat to give him (and I can't afford his wish - an IWC watch!!), I decided to surprise him with a trip to Singapore for myself, Nica and him (wise gift huh?)

We stayed at the Concorde Hotel along Orchard Road for 4 days and 3 nights. It was a good location since Orchard Road is where all the prime Shopping malls in Singapore are located. We spent Day 1 just strolling along Orchard Road. We did a little shopping in Ion and Takashimaya.

We went to Sentosa Park on our second day and stayed there the whole Day until Closing time. The daughter loved the theme Parks there particularly Underwater World and Siloso Beach. She wanted to swim in Siloso but we did not bring swimwear thus she had to make do with just a plain stroll along the shore. The Songs of the Sea presentation was spectacular as well.

Since the little girl was not able to swim in Siloso Beach, we allowed her to swim in the Hotel pool on our third day. She had a great time as the pool was all hers the whole morning. We again went around the Shopping Malls in Orchard during the afternoon to buy Pasalubong. I was tempted to get another bag but realized that it's cheaper to get it in Hongkong instead. :)

We went to the Night Safari on our last night in Singapore. Nica was hesitant to go at first since she's afraid of animals in the Dark. She got more agitated when she saw that the animals were not in cages but were roaming freely. After a while though, she got relaxed and enjoyed the tram ride. She even bought pasalubong to all her classmates from the Night Safari stores. Her best buy - a furry backpack with little windows and animals inside the windows that can be pulled out and enjoyed individually.

Our last day in Singapore was spent shopping for last minute stuff and more pasalubongs. I had to sneak around Rhoand as I had to buy him a birthday gift. Good thing he was also busy getting some stuff thus, he didn't notice. It was also not a good day for me as I received word from home that my maternal grandfather passed away. I was very close to my lolo thus, it was a hard time for me. Good thing we were bound home when it happened.

All in all we enjoyed our vacation. Nica loved Singapore more than Hongkong. It was not exactly an ideal place for shopping as everything is expensive, but we had fun going around the theme parks. I heard that Universal Studios will open there sometime early next year. We may have to make another visit just for this. :)

The smell of Christmas . .

2009-12-01T14:41:00.002+08:00

Christmas is literally around the corner and I can already smell it. I usually associate Christmas with the smell of pine, peppermint, cranberry and cinnamon. I had friends who recently came from the States and I asked them to get me my favorite products for a truly Christmas spirit:

What used to be Very Merry Cranberry and fun frosted cranberry is now called Frosted Cranberry. I adore their scented candle and the body splash (so sorry it was discontinued). Good thing they still have the scented oils, the candles and the soap and lotion caddy. This envelopes you in a vivid blend of strawberry, cranberry and raspberry scents for a truly joyful air.

This is the special Christmas bottle for Vanilla Bean Noel hand soap. It is a mixture of fresh vanilla bean and warm caramel scents. The scent is sooo yummy, one would wash his hand over and over again.

HIERARCHY at The Fort

2009-11-18T15:12:00.002+08:00

The husband and I are not fond of bar hopping anymore maybe because we've burned out from too much night outs during our younger (er single) days. We would rather play poker or mahjong in our friends' houses than go to bars.

The only bar we love to visit is the Hierarchy Bar at The Fort Strip. It is owned by a good friend of ours and we love the feel and ambiance of the bar. It's classy, not too noisy and the crowd is not rowdy. We would often hang out every Thursdays as they have a band where the audience could jam with. They also have a VIP area should one wish to have some privacy.

http://www.hierarchyclub.com/

The bar is also perfect for corporate events as they are very flexible with the time, budget and menu. It caters to young and old alike as they have themed nights such as a hip-hop night for the young ones and the totally 80's night for the still young ones like us (LOL!).

She loves Yaya and Angelina . .

2009-11-13T23:28:00.001+08:00

Nica is fascinated with Yaya and Angelina, thus we decided to bring her with us for the VIP premiere of the movie. She had so much fun and relates well to Angelina (sigh . .) She thinks Angelina is fun and cute. Though, she loves Michael V as well.

We also went briefly to the after movie dinner in Gerry's Grill Promenade. The little girl was up and about despite the late time. She went home calling me "yaya" and herself Angelina (Oh my!!). That is the power of media :)

Rafe Shoes and Bags SALE!!!

2009-11-13T13:02:00.002+08:00

World renowned bags and accessories designer Rafe Totengco is donating shoes and bags for the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Tapulanga Foundation in Negros. This one day only SALE will be held at Promocentral 3F Promenade Building 198 Wilson cor P. Guevarra Sts., San Juan on November 14, 2009 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Rafe shoes and bags will be sold for Php 2,500 - Php 5,000 - that's 70% - 85% off the original price. Rafe products are unique, classy and fnctional. One of my favorite tote bags is made by Rafe in blue patent leather. It's huge, with lots of compartments and looks great with jeans and a white tee.

So, grab stocks early on as the supplies are on a limited basis. Please bring cash as payments are on cash basis only.

I wish I had . . .

2009-11-11T15:12:00.001+08:00

. . . a Dior gaucho bag in white. I heart this bag so much but it's no longer available in Dior stores. A friend of mine got hers in black and brown and another friend has the limited edition in croc skin. They are really soooo beautiful. The maroon one is nice too but I have too much red bags already thus, I covet the white one.

The Gaucho is made of supple washed calf leather folded over for a true saddle shape. The bag has two compartments and is very roomy. It has chunky "antiqued" metal hardwares and a Dior medalion that sets it off nicely. The entire bag has a "vintage" look and feel to it.

It's quite costly at over $2K but it's really unique and classy. Oh well . .

Date Codes in Louis Vuitton's

2009-10-30T11:41:00.021+08:00

Ever wondered what the date codes in your LV bags mean? One way of identifying a fake from a real LV piece are the date codes. If the codes do not mean anything, chances are the item is counterfeit.

Louis Vuitton started using date codes in 1980 thus, any vintage pieces before then will not have date codes. The date codes are usually two letters followed by four numbers. In older pieces, this may not hold true. But for the new ones, the first 2 letters would indicate the country where the piece was manufactured (LV started manufacturing bags outside France in 1990). Some are made in the USA, Spain or Italy.

Those made in France should have the codes: A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, CT, DU, ET, FL, MB, MI,NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI
Those made in USA should have the codes: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD
Those made in Spain: CA, LO, LB, LM, LW

Those made in Italy: CE and SA

Those made in Germany: LP

The 4 numbers following the letters would indicate the month and year the item was manufactured. The first and third number represents the month and the second and fourth represent the year. For instance, a bag with date code AR 0979 means that this item was made in Italy in July 1999.

Note though that in 2007, LV again changed the number format to indicate the week the item was made. The first and third numbers indicate the week of the year the bag was made. Thus an item with date code FC 1087 would mean that this item was made in the USA on the 18th week of the year 2007.

Hope this info helps!

Top Ten Hunk Hotties

2009-10-27T16:49:00.005+08:00

My top ten gorgeous hunks in particular order:

1. Pierce Brosnan - Loved him way back in Remington Steele days. He's still to die for even at 56.

2. Channing Tatum - I can't get over my infatuation with this gorgeous hunk when I saw him on G.I Joe. Uber hot!

3. Ben Affleck - An epitome of tall, dark and handsome. Lucky lucky Jen Garner.

4. Brandon Routh - He really did justice to Superman Returns. Pity there's no sequel yet.

5. David Boreanaz - Am still an obsessed fan of Buffy and Angel.

6. Ryan Reynolds - Got my attention as Deadpool in Wolverine. Soooo cute as well in "The Proposal".

7. Hugh Jackman - I liked him as Wolverine but was really impressed when he hosted the 81st Academy Awards. He's got Talent!!

8. Eric Dane - Saw him first in Charmed and he was cute! He gained recognition as Multiple Man in X Men and as Dr. Sloan in Greys Anatomy.

9. Val Kilmer - I stll think he is the best Bruce Wayne ever!

10. Julian McMahon - As Cole Turner in Charmed, he got me hooked on the series. I stopped watching when he was gone.

Nokia N97

2009-10-20T16:34:00.005+08:00

My Husband and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary last October 7. We have decided to save on extravagant presents this year as we had several huge expenses the past months or rather, HE had huge expenses this year (LOL!!) - he got me my Rolex for my birthday, a new car and two vacations all in one year. My gift to him (which doubled as a birthday gift) was a trip to Singapore with our Unica Hija.

I did not expect him to get me any presents since we agreed not to spend. He surprised me with a new phone though!! I really planned on getting a new cellphone since I lost my Nokia cellphone last May and had to make do with our spare Ericson phone, but I planned on getting the N6300 only. To my great pleasure, he got me the new Nokia N97 cellphone.

The N97 has a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and video light; it has an internal memory of 32GB; and is on 3.5G Network; it has a touchscreen function but can also slide to reveal the keyboard. Technically, it is capable of so much more but I am not a techie person so, I have not fully discovered its potential.

Dream Vacations

2009-10-05T13:40:00.003+08:00

If I had an unlimited supply of moolah, I would spend most of it on travelling. My family loves to travel. We would make it a point to travel at least twice a year. It's our stress buster and a way of getting away from the pressures of our usual routine.

Our dream vacations would be in:

Champs Elysee

1. Paris, France - We would take the Da Vinci Tour and visit the Louvre. We would stroll down Champs Elysee and have coffee and beignets. Then, we would go check out the famous Eiffel Tower. Shopping in Paris would also be definitely heaven for me.

2. Switzerland - Who would not want to see the Swiss Alps even if one cannot ski? My daughter is fond of snow and would surely love it here. The husband would have a grand time in Geneva as he has a passion for watches.

3. Disneyworld, Florida - My friends and in laws who have been to Disneyworld would say that it is grander compared to Disneyland in LA. We had a great time in Anaheim and would surely have a better time in Disneyworld Florida. After maybe 2 days in Disneyworld, we can explore Miami beach and enjoy the tropical weather there.

4. Rome, Italy - It would be perfect if we can attend mass in St. Peter's Basilica with the Pope officiating. Then we could explore Ancient Rome and see the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and Castel Sant' Angelo.

5. Athens, Greece - Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated with Greek Mythology. When kids my age would read fairy tales, I would read the story of the ancient gods and godesses. Greece would be a perfect destination to discover and see for myself what I only read in books. Top attarctions for me would be: The Temple of Zeus in Olympia, The Parthenon, The Temple of Hephaestus and the Statue of Athena.

These are dream vacations for now, but I hope in the future, we will have the opportunity, time and moolah to visit these destinations.

Let's help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy

2009-10-01T14:28:00.002+08:00

The tragedy brought about by Typhoon Ondoy (International code name: Ketsana) in the Philippines was very traumatic and unexpected. It was thought to be just another typhoon that hits the country several times a year. We were shocked when we saw on TV that people lost their homes, their cars, their lives from the huge flood that suddenly appeared. I'm very thankful that God spared my family and loved ones from this devastation but sad as well coz some officemates and friemds were greatly affected by it.

Our officemates and other friends truly showed their Kabayanihan spirit by donating food, money, clothing and water to the vistims of the typhoon. I also got some food from the grocery like noodles, canned goods, drinks and biscuits to donate.

Donations may still be delivered in GMA, ABS CBN, Ateneo Covered Courts and Philippine Red Cross. To friends and kababayans in the USA, if you wish to help, pls call the American Red Cross at 1-800-435-7669. Please specify that this is for Ondoy Philippines relief operations.

Let us all pray and hope that all the victims may be able to recover physically, emotionally and financially. Let's not lose hope and faith.

Princess Hongkong Invasion

2009-09-22T12:28:00.017+08:00

The Princesses were off to Hongkong last August to take part in the great Hongkong Shopping Sale. We were able to book promo tickets last April courtesy of Tracy's tiyaga. There were 7 of us who went: Tricia, Snowy, Tracy, Regie, Charina, myself and my hubby. We were booked at the Marco Polo Hotel in Harbor City coz we wanted to have easy access to all the shops early on.

We went to Hongkong Disneyland on our first day to visit our "turf" and shopped at the Outlet Stores in TungChung afterwards. For dinner, we went in search for our favorite roast duck and suckling pig (cholesterol high!!). We were out strolling along Nathan Road until 11PM and got great steals from our usual haunts - Bonjour, Zara, Marks and Spencer, Sasa, HMV and Esprit.

On our second day, we just went around the Harbour City Shops. I was looking for a bag as usual and had to decide whether to get the LV Galliera, Jimmy Choo Mona or a Chanel tote. I eventually got myself the Chanel and vowed to get my Jimmy Choo next Time (lol!!). The other princesses went crazy shopping too!! Reg got a Cartier watch, Tricia got a Gucci Jolie, Trae got a Guccy large joy bag and the Snowy got so much stuff that I can't name them all. We also went to Times Square to check out the Designer Bazaar. Designer stuff like Juicy Couture, Michael Kors and Mossimo Dutti were on 50% to 70% off!! I almost got a juicy patent bag but realized it was a dog carrier hahaha!!

Tracy, Tricia and myself had a bet that whoever spends the least in HK shall be entitled to a special treat from the 2 losers who spent more. Of course, Tricia and I lost to Tracy and we got her a Zara jacket (haaay. . . why do we bet against her when we always lose).

Day 3 was our last day and the hubby was complaining why we had to book for 3 days only. Unfortunately, our tickets were non rebookable :) We went to Toys are Us to get Nica some pasalubong. The hubby got some stuff from Bally and I got my very first pair of Christian Louboutin from Lane Crawford (soooo excited!!). After checking out of the hotel, we went to Elements Mall to do express check in. We had about an hour to go so I got more goodies from See's Candies and more Zara.

All in all, it was pure fun, fun, fun!!! Our next plan is to go to either Japan, Seoul or Australia. Wish us luck!

The Scent of Royalty

2009-09-16T11:17:00.005+08:00

I am not really a perfume person as I love lighter scents of colognes. So far, I have only liked and used Clinique Happy, Givenchy Tartine et Chocolat, Prescriptives Calyx and for a short while, L'eau Par Kenzo. I am more inclined towards citrus-y scents more than floral notes. That is until I discovered Creed Spring Flower by Creed.

It is said to be a scent designed for Royalty (appropriate for Princesses hehehe). It begins with citrus fruity notes of peach, lemon, bergamot and peach with a touch of herbal notes. Then this perfume has middle notes of jasmine, rose, waterlilies, melon, and apple. The base notes of Spring Flower are made of cedarwood, musk, amber and vanilla. It is very fragrant, very vivid and has a long lasting power after eight hours. It's a very citrus fruity yet floral scent with a freshness that most women would find appropriate of all ages. Spring Flower by Creed is perfect for both day and night.

It is quite an investment as it is more pricey than the usual perfumes, but I tell you, it's well worth it. So, go visit Rustan's and get yourself a bottle.:)

We love Baguio

2009-09-09T14:49:00.006+08:00

Baguio 2009

Baguio 2006

I am probably one of the few people who prefers cold places to Beaches like Boracay. One of my all time local favorite destination . . . BAGUIO. Our family always make it a point to go to Baguio at least once a year. We normally stay at the Manor in Camp John Hay as Nica loves running around their grounds. Me and the husband meanwhile love the Outlets there.

The cold weather is really relaxing for us and the daughter loves it as well. She would normally go horseback riding (her favorite Baguio activity). My husband and I looove the coffee and biscuit plus the ambiance of Cafe by the ruins at night. :) Am not so fond of fresh strawberries but the Butter Oats from Baguio are soooo yummy. Try them next time you're there.

My Family . . .

2009-09-03T09:54:00.003+08:00

This is my family . . my love . . my life. That's my hubby Rhoand and unica hija Nica. Our daughter is 8 years old and already starting to be soooo bratty and maarte. I wonder where she got those traits (hehehe). We're hoping to have a baby boy soon and we're praying hard for one. My hubby is an only child as well as my Mom. It must run in both our families thus, we only have one child so far. I wish we'd be able to break that trend.

Meet the Princesses

2009-09-02T14:14:00.002+08:00

Can you imagine a group of middle aged girls and gays who calls themselves "the princesses" and actually believe they are? That's us!! In the picture are: Noel F, Tracy (aka Princess Fiona), Tricia (aka Gingy aka Gingerbreadman aka Belle whew), Anette (aka Rose Red), Elaine (aka Alice), Aileen (aka Sleeping Beauty) and myself (aka Cinderella). Not in picture is the Head Princess "Snowy" for Snow White. You'll meet him (or it) in my future blogs. We made a surprise CD for him on his last birthday thus, he's not in the picture. We mostly hang around the Castle to play mahjong or poker. We sometimes go to Gingy's bar at the Fort or just eat out. Whatever we do, we always make sure we have lots of fun.

Lazy Saturday Night

2008-09-20T23:12:00.000+08:00

I can't believe I'm at home watching Buffy reruns on the tube instead of being out playing poker or Cranium with the Princesses. It's because the other royalties are otherwise unavailable. Tracy aka Fiony is in HK for the premiere of their movie Italy, Ate Aileen aka Aurora is being a dutiful mom as it is Anton's birthday, Tricia aka Belle is busy managing her new bar, Hierarchy and the head princess Joey aka Snowy is at home hibernating hahaha (Snow bear). Oh well, it's also nice to be at home on a weekend and just be lazy, eat Oreo Cakestersn and TGIF tato skins, play with Nica, my daughter or watch DVD's with my hubby, Rhoand. Great way to relax . . .