Shoot, Day 1: All is Pink in Love and War

My cousin Ate Popsie (yes, you have seen her here and here) and I planned a 3-Day shoot this summer! 


Day 1: All is Pink in Love and War


We actually planned an outdoor shoot but the suckish weather didn't permit us to do so. So we improvised a little...


Add in the antique sala set, Ate's Photography Skills, my modelling capabilities (HAHA!) and Shinyuu. Shake well and enjoy...

That's all folks! :)


Tune in for Day 2 and 3 

Beauty n' Butter

I'm always attracted to the colorful interior of Beauty and Butter in SM San Lazaro and would want to try one of their services.


So after our internship, Marimar and I went to Beauty and Butter for a facial...

say hello to Marimar, my intern sister
and partner in crime >:)

Things worth noticing in Beauty and Butter:


1. Rows and rows of rainbow-colored nail polish

2. Chic interior

Check out the 'chandelier' 

3. Comfy chairs

4. Free use of iPad (with minimum purchase of Php 500)

ze Verdict:

I think Beauty and Butter is more on hand and foot services. Their facial is okay but they lack certain materials like the steamer and such. But it is very affordable, only Php 250.00.

grade for the facial: 7/10

The Book of Tommorrow

"You shouldn't try to stop everything from happening. Sometimes you're supposed to feel awkward. Sometimes you're supposed to be vulnerable in front of people. Sometimes it's necessary because it's all part of you getting to the next part of yourself, the next day."

The Summary


Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she's ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with its own private beach, a wardrobe full of designer clothes and all that a girl could ever wish for. She's always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow. But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country. Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gatehouse is a world away from Tamara's childhood. With her mother shut away with grief, and her aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin.When a travelling library passes through Kilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. What she discovers within the pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to its core.


The Verdict


Cecelia Ahern did a great job in this book with all those mysteries, thrillers and revelations. Being born in the life of luxury and wealth Tamara Goodwin never really cared about the future. Yup, Tamara's one of those 'rich kids' and 'spoiled brats' that we usually encounter and probably most people would love to switch places with her. The story has a great mix up of reality and fantasy. Once you've started reading, you won't be able to stop and you'll feel the urge to tie those loose ends at the earlier chapters of the novel. It may sound a little bit of cliche, the 'rich girl's going poor' plot is such a classic but still Ahern had her own writing style together with those twists and surprising revelations.


"What if you can tell the future?" It's basically one of the 'question themes' of the story, followed by "Would you change it?" Everybody, in our own different ways, is like Tamara... young, hesitant and reckless. In spite of Tamara's luxurious life, she's just a normal girl like anybody else. She wants to have fun and know more about herself. As the story unfolds and Tamara knows more about the mystery of the Kilsaney, she'll know who she really is... her real identity that has been kept away from her. Personally, when I started reading this novel I was excited by the sudden twisted plot, and all of those hanging questions to top it off, I was really surprised when those questions were answered and all of those mysteries were unfolded, so be prepared for that shaky plot and a dashing revelation!

Home Sweet Home ♥

After finishing my 200 hours of Community Pharmacy Internship, I can finally say - SUMMER TIME! 


Amethyst and I already planned some of our summer activities and here are some of them...

go swimming at thunderbird

bake, bake, bake! 

*photo not mine

watch Mischievous Kiss!

I already watched the whole series thrice 

but I want amethyst to watch it too

 

Bubble Tea

We were part of SM Megamall's Big Sale! YAY!

But we were only able to visit two stores - F21 and Etude House. We shopped at F21 for almost 4 hours and the store is packed! Not to mention the long lines at the counter/dressing room. After stashing 9 items in the F21 shopping bag, I was only able to buy 1 shirt...boo!


After all the shopping that we did in F21, we were hungry...

I was the one who suggested that we eat in Bubble Tea since I heard a lot of good reviews about this place and I also saw this on TV before.


the Place

Bubble Tea in Megamall is quite small and there are more seats outside. I did not even see what it looks inside so I was not able to take any pictures (sorry!). 

Seriously, I want their bubbles. HAHAHA

The Food

Their menu is not the usual traditional Japanese food but it has this nice modern twist, it's kind of funky.  


1. California Maki - the never ending california maki - mango, crab stick, cucumber, nori and cabbage rolled into Japanese rice and sprinkled with ebiko(?)

Their california maki is larger than the usual maki that I eat.

 2. Tofu Steak - crispy, breaded tofu with shiitake (?) mushrooms in their steak sauce

This is one of my favorite dish since I love tofu and their sauce is awesome (not to mention all the mushrooms in it)

Jocel's verdict: it was very nicely made, the tofu inside the coating was perfect"

However, Marimar doesn't eat tofu so she doesn't like this dish.

3. Tonkatsu Yakisoba - stir-fried noodles with breaded pork cutlet

I love, love, love yakisoba (and yes I also like nissin yakisoba)! And this dish did not fail me. Unlike Tokyo-Tokyo's yakisoba, this actually has flavor in it and not just oil and bland noodles! 

Jocel's verdict: I really lied this because the noodles are not that greasy

and the taste was very delicious. The tonkatsu was also good especially

since it has this slight barbecue sauce on top of it

Marimar's verdict: My favorite among the rest!

4. Nippon Ebi - panko breaded prawn rolled in sushi rice topped with mango on melted mozarella cheese. Superstar!

Better than california maki! The combination of cheese, mango, tempura and the sauce on top of it is a refreshing combination

Jocel's verdict: Nippon ebi which was new to us was really good. I love the mango toppings on top of the Nippon ebi sushi 

Marimar's verdict: really good and the blend of flavors is something to look forward too

5. Chicken Lollipop with honey mustard sauce

This is my favorite! The chicken is very crunchy on the outside but tender on the inside! The honey-mustard sauce makes this dish extraordinary and special, perfect combo! Jocel's Verdict: Chicken Lollipop with honey mustard sauce is really good. It has this nice crunchy feel and having the honey mustard as it's sauce was very delicious! Marimar's verdict: I don't usually like mustard, but this sauce is different! It is sweet with a sour kick!

Our drink:

Royal Milk Tea! 

Unlike all the other milk tea's in the market, this is not too sweet and the bubbles/tapioca is soft and chewy.  We all love this drink!

The Verdict:

Food: over-all, the food was delicious! big serving size (we did not finish our food so we had it take-out and we were still able to let the others at our Intern Place taste it) 

   grade: 8.6/10 (Jocel), 7.5/10 (Marimar), 8.5/10 (me)

Place: quite small but the wall is so cute! 

   grade: 8/10 

Price: we didn't have a unanimous decision on this. It is quite expensive but the serving size is huge. 

   grade: 7/10 

Service: ate was very friendly and helpful. She's very patient in waiting for our orders and quite humorous. The waiting time for the food was not also long.

   grade:  9/10

I find it kawaii that they serve their milk tea in root beer mugs! so cool!

with Kath a.k.a Marimar - my generics buddy and sister! She is so fun to be with and so patient too.

Say hello to Jocel :) She is one of the kindest people that I have met, not too mention one of the most generous too. :)

Bubble Tea is located at SM Megamall (near California Berry),

SM North Edsa and T. Morato

Gelato for Dessert

After eating lunch at Greens, we all decided to have Gelato for dessert.

Before my Dessert Review, let’s have a crash course first. J

Difference of Gelato and Ice Cream

Here is a brief comparison between the two.

It is my second time eating here in Amici (pizza.pasta.gelato) and they really serve good Italian food at affordable prices. 

The Place

I agree with Ate Popsie that Amici/Caramia has the ‘Cafeteria Vibe’ and it is not advisable for dates. HOWEVER, it is a good hangout spot! 

I wish I could bring amethyst here someday. 

The Food

Oh, how I wish I could taste everything♥

More gelato!

The Food

Disclaimer: I copy pasted the descriptions of the food from Ate Popsie’s tumblr. 

Mango Sans Rival. A mango lover’s dream! Delightful mango gelato mixed with their to-die for sans rival gelato embeaded in layers of crunchy meringue wafers

It’s okay but the mango does not taste right.

7/10 

Banana Blast. Their best seller. Banana, strawberry and gelato provide a delightful mix of flavors on a chocolate flavored crust.

Bananas and Strawberries, one of the best combinations in the world!

8.5/10 

Choco Tartufo. Chocolate and vanilla gelato mixed with bits of nuts and cherries in a shell of rich, moist chocolate cake topped with ganache.

I enjoyed eating the chocolate moist cake it is really chocolate-y and moist (hahaha). The cherry gelato (?) in the center neutralized the rich flavor of the chocolate.

This is perfect for all those chocolate lovers like me!

9/10

Amici also serves pasta and pizza! 

(P.S We did not order p & p this time, I took this shot from the table behind us. Hihihi, they must have thought that I was weird. HAHA)

Amici is located at Bellagio Square (Tomas Morato), SM North Edsa, Don Bosco

The Devil and Miss Prym

Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors. He never seizes to amaze me with his thoughts and ideas. So for today’s Friday Book Review, we will be having...

‘People want to change everything and, at the same time,
want it all to remain the same.’

The Summary

In a quest to find if man is naturally good or evil, one man went in the remote town of Viscos and brought with him an evil proposal – 11 Bars of Gold in exchange for another person’s life (murder). 

He buried the 11 bars in a forest and on the way back, he met Chantal Prym, who longed to escape the quiet and slow-paced town of Viscos. He showed her the treasure and told her his proposal.

Chantal Prym then decided to tell her co-villagers for she knows that they all will refuse.

But things were completely the opposite of what Miss Prym thought – the villagers decided to kill someone in exchange for the gold bars.

The Verdict

The Devil and Miss Prym is relatively a short book so you can finish it in no time. But you will pause once in a while for it has this lessons or thoughts that will keep you thinking if man is really good by nature or is just good for their own intention. 

'Greens' is in

Another thing that we(Ate Popsie and I) love? FOOD! ♥  

So after hours of endless shopping, we went in Tomas Morato to eat lunch since they wanted me to taste the food in Greens. 


It's my first time eating in a vegetarian restaurant and I wouldn't think twice on eating there again. 

Meet my lunch buddies - Ate Popsie and her boyfriend, Kuya Mickey

The Place


From the outside:

Greens looks like an ordinary house. The ones you see in Old American Movies – so quaint and so dainty. ♥

In the inside:


The walls are painted Apple green which reminded me so much of my room and lots of paintings were hanged - so nice and relaxing to look at! 


 The inside is  divided into two rooms:

If you want a more private setting, I suggest that you ask for a table o the second room or the “inner room” 

  I could already picture myself reading in this quiet corner. J

The Food

Disclaimer: I copy pasted the descriptions of the food from Ate Popsie’s tumblr. 

1. Greens Vegetarian Barbecue  sliced gluten in a marinade of crushed garlic, freshly ground pepper, pineapple and soy sauce served with a tangy sweet pickled salad.

Is it beef? Or is it vegetable? Or maybe it’s both? HAHAHA! 

Who cares as long as it’s yummy. 

P.S Thank you Ate Popsie for giving me a piece of your BBQ J

2. Grilled Mushroom and Tofu Kebabs marinated fresh button mushrooms and tofu, red and green bell peppers, zucchini and shallots.

Tender mushrooms + firm and savory tofu = heaven

Oh, I just love this dish

And for our drinks...

We all ordered Lassi which is a yoghurt drink and their best seller. 

The Verdict

 

This resto is perfect if you want to relax and eat healthy. The place is just like home, with the garden and stuffs. I also love how they let us chose what kind of rice we want (brown/white) and how helpful their waitress is.

 

Food: 9/10

Service: 9/10        

Place: 9/10

Price: 10/10 

Over-all grade: 9.25/10

Mukha ng busog. HAHAHA!

Greens is located at #92 Castor Street,
Quezon City

Next stop, dessert! Tune in ;)