1.31.2012

Lanee's baby shower

I'm so excited for my good friend, Lanee, when I learned about her pregnancy. Soon she'll have her own little bundle of joy. Her sister, Candice and our co-Fab 5, Vida, helped me organize her baby shower (thanks so much ladies!). First came in my mind was everything should be pretty in pink since she's having a baby girl.

The invite...

My inspiration...

Now let the party begin...
the decor set up are made by yours truly ;) 
For paper pom-poms tutorial you can download here. The japanese lanterns I got it from UNTC.

Lovely gifts (Rustan's wrapper) are from Lanee as her token to the guests ;)
the onesie cutouts are for the guests' wishes while the calendar was for the birthing date prediction!
I used Cricut cutting machine for the onesie and preggy mom paper cutouts with Cricut Everyday Pop-Up Cards cartridge. I got the cute pink frames from National bookstore. While the pink pails from Saizen/Daiso (inside True Value) in Trinoma Mall.

Food were catered by Lanee's dear friend, Pria's Kitchen.
Pink Lemonade concoction by Celine ;) got the mason jars from True Value
Red Velvet (my fave!) and Ganache cupcakes from Karen's Kitchen
The menu...
YUMMY! love everything :)
Games and Gift Giving...
Sid had a hard time guessing this one. lol!

FAB 5 was complete! Glad Jo was able to join the last minute ;p
Thanks ladies! *hugs*
Good luck, Mare! Can't wait to meet your 'little' you ;)

1.28.2012

Va Bene!

DH and I love to try out new restos (new to us) every now and then. Our latest food venture was at Va Bene Pasta Deli! We've been hearing good reviews about this Italian resto at Petron station from our friends. Since we're in the vicinity, might as well we go for it. The place was packed and there was queue outside but it wasn't so bad.

This was served as their complementary appetizer...
Freshly made!
Excellent!!
Mushrooms Soup (mixed mushrooms) with truffle oil

Buffalo Mozzarella Salad
I asked my good friend, Lanee, who's a regular there for recommendation. She said her fave was the Black Ink Homemade Spaghetti with seafood marinara.
Now I know why! This is to die for!
I must say it was truly one of the best tasting pasta I've ever had ;)
We also tried the Organic Eggs Tagliolini with Portobello mushrooms, white wine cream sauce, and truffle oil.
This was good too! The sauce was almost similar with their mushrooms soup...
DH tried their cappuccino...
I'm not a coffee drinker but this is tempting ;p
The chef/owner gave us a free dessert cause we were so persistent. We can't believe all the desserts we ordered were done.
Homemade Profiteroles 
I was really sad that I wasn't able to try their Panna Cotta and Strawberries a la Milena that night. Oh well til our next date at Va Bene! Can't wait, DH ;P

I loved their homemade pasta that we ordered for take home.
Here are the pasta dishes I made for DS and DH :)
French Beans and Japanese Mushroom with mushroom sauce
Black Ink Homemade Pasta with Shrimp and Creamy White Sauce
Plus I love the title of the cookbook from their shelves ;)
Wish I can take this with me. lol
Va Bene Pasta Deli
2/L Petron Gas Station, EDSA corner Pasay Road
(in front of Dusit Thani Hotel or beside Dasmarinas Village Gate),
Makati City
556-9442

1.27.2012

My myHome Feature : Collector's Edition

I was quite excited about this project. I've been dreaming that one day I'll have the opportunity to design a retro modern residential. Fortunately one of our good friends, Jeremy, referred me to her best friend to design her pad ;)

I'm proud to present to you my myhome feature. But this time it's in their Collector's Edition. LOVE!
Elegant cover! Love the contrast of black and neon pink :)
But first let me walk you through the initial look of the place...

Here's the finished product. Indeed a "labor of love"!



Thanks so much Sir Jie for this fantabulous feature! I'm really happy with the outcome :) Keep up the good work!

Here are some of the photos taken from my personal camera before the shoot.
small yet functional kitchen :)
Hard work does really paid-off!
I would also like to thank Maison 68 for lending us the fab accessories for the shoot ;)

1.12.2012

Eat . Shop . Love

Dreams do really come true! There are not enough words to explain -- over joy and excitement was rushing all over our faces as soon as we touched down the Hong Kong airport.
S' first plane ride :)
We've been planning this trip for the longest time. I felt so guilty when DS was three months old and left him with my parents. Since then, I told DH I will not travel again unless we'll bring him along.

A week before our trip, I was contemplating whether I'll survive this trip without a yaya with us or not. Luckily, DH has a friend who lives there. His nanny referred us to her co-nanny friend (my savior! lol). After learning about this great news, I felt so relieved! We'll definitely enjoy this vacation ;p
bzzz.... his first train ride (airport express)
knocked down! he was wide awake the entire plane ride
Our hotel... JIA Boutique Hotel
(sorry, I wasn't able to take nice shots...)
Stunning lobby!!!
The first boutique hotel in Asia designed by Philippe Starck 
Chic dining area!
Love Philippe Starck Cicatrices De Luxe chandelier and Mirrored pantry cabinet
Glam reception desk!
Stylish Yet Functional -- more storages behind those curtains :)
Love these accent chairs!
while waiting for our room, I sat on the Hudson rocking chair (silver) and made DS sleep longer ;o
Foyer and Hallway!
love the Starck mirror :)
Our room...
Functional space planning!
Essential utensils and crockery are found inside the cupboard
Good thing DH was able to take this shot before we took over the t&b!
Hard to drag myself out of this bed! Wish I can take this home. LOL
Love it - sheer curtains as divider (similar with Carrie's room in SATC)
Some of the details we love in this room...

Child-friendly...
they provided the baby cot and bath tub
(you have to request ahead of time, ideally once you book the hotel)
DH liked their slippers...
made of terry cloth (same with bath towel)
It was our first time we stayed here. We highly recommend it!
We were comfortable enough. We're glad about the room, cleanliness, hotel staff, food, ambiance and location.

Our first HKG meal... Lunch at Delicious Kitchen
Image from kinndle
Long queue but worth the long wait. Ooops! We were so hungry that I forgot to take photos of the food. haha
Must order : Pork Chop/Rib with Veggie Rice,
Scrambled Egg White with Shrimp & Pine Nuts and Fried Wanton Dumpling
Addresses:
9 Cleveland St. (Shop B, G/F), Causeway Bay
20 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

After walking around in Times Square, we've decided to try one of the restos at the top floor.
LOVE Hotpot!!
S is trying to figure out on how to use the chopsticks ;) 
Yin and Yang soup base -- basic and sate
Their shrimp dumplings, mushroom meatballs, sliced beef & assorted veggies are so gooood!! 
I like their signature dessert - jello with red beans :)
of course I wouldn't end my night without my fave milk tea!
how convenient! only 3 minutes walking distance from our hotel
On our way to MTR...
like an emperor's child! LOL ;p
his first MTR ride :)
S was imitating the guy beside him...nam nam nam! LOL
how fascinating! the grumpy faces around him can't help but to smile when they see him :)  
First court encounter with daddy...
daddy's biggest fan! ;)
S: me dada!! (pointing at himself and the ring) ;p
Breastfeeding and changing room at Harbour City...
(kids station area)
All breastfeeding moms will love this!
Did you see the parking station for strollers? (top right)
I really hope we have as nice and hi-tech as this in Manila :(
Sweets...
I'm craving for their hazelnut and almond pralins ;o
More sweets...
Yo mama! Love the green tea yogurt (not too sweet) with fresh strawberries :D
CRUMBS -- always have a room for this!
my fave combinations are fresh blueberries and fresh strawberries with crumbs, of course ;p
Address:
Shop 1C, G/F, Central Mansion, 8 Cannon St., Causeway Bay
(behind Sogo, near World Trade and Mannings)
actually they opened another (same st.) store approximately 18 meters away lang! 

More food...
Hong Kong has the best japanese food. We like shopping fresh sashimis at City Super or 360. They have great arrays of sashimi - they have almost everything! Whenever DH goes to HKG, he always buys and bring them home (fresh & chilled) :)
top-bottom: toro/tuna belly, hamachi/yellow-tail, hokkigai/red clam sashimis
more japanese food at Itacho Sushi - saliva free! LOL
Address:
Shop L1-12B, Hong Kong Station, Central

This is the best baked pork buns in town!
soft, flakey and just-right sweetness on the outside. moist, tender and well-flavored in the inside gives an x-factor experience. the more you indulge the more you want it! 
The resto is kinda old and nothing fancy.
I still can't believe DH ordered 3 ~ 3pcs/order! I ate 2 and 2 for yaya, so you do the math ;o

Address:
Tim Ho Wan Restaurant
G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing St., Sham Shui Po

One more time...
By far this is the best xiao long bao I've tasted ;D 
Addresses:
Din Tai Fung Restaurant
Shop G03-G11 G/F, 68 Yee Wo St., Causeway Bay
How convenient! They're just across our hotel ;)
Shop 130 & Restaurant C. 3/F Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Some of the things we saw...
giant teddy bear at i.t!
how cute are these! miniature rococo-inspired chairs ;)
colorful leathers ~ i was drooling over these the entire trip! LOL
Best in merchandise...
Love! Heaven - my eyes are overloaded ;)
I think DS is "hiyang" in HKG. We are certain that he likes the weather and food there. Obviously he gained some weight, and us too :)
dozed off while waiting for the airport express...going back home! huhuhu
We'll surely go back soon! Can't wait for our next family vacation :)