beauty products

Stopped by a Tony Moly store today at SM North. Did you know that there are about 5 different types of BB cream? The luminous BB caught my eye, but then I found out that BB cream only serves as a foundation or a primer and I thought that it would only serve a similar purpose as the Chanel Aqua Lumiere liquid foundation I've been using (and loving!).

There are about 4 different eye creams - for anti-wrinkling, whitening, reducing puffiness, lightening dark circles, respectively. There are 5 different types of moisturizers and lotions and cleansers.

My mind was spinning as I looked at all the different products. The same happens whenever I walk into the many beauty shops that have spawned over the Metro - Etude House, Face Shop, Skin Food, Beauty Bar, etc.

Although I've been using some products for years, I've been on the look out for something better. Ironically, with all the different possibilities, I've mostly just stuck with my old lineup. Choosing from all the available products in the market seems quite a handful of work.

nono's chocolate oblivion

Needing a little afternoon break, D and I hied off to Classic Confections. It was my first time there and since I've been hearing a lot of good reviews about their Chocolate Oblivion cake, it was my cake-to-try for the day. Although their banana cream pie did look quite inviting as well - all light and fluffy. Paired my dessert with a green tea latte, which only had a touch of green tea taste but was wonderfully milky and smelled lovely.

When I cut the cake in half, I was greeted by a light colored gooey chocolate fudge/cream. Upon taking a bite, I was surprised to find that it was a light cream and didn't make one feel to overloaded by chocolate. Each bite also packed a wonderful crunch thanks to the coating of nuts outside the cake. It gave the cake just the right amount of texture. This chocolate cake was just the right amount of sweet too :) I'd definitely go back to Classic Confections for this cake.

Other cakes I'd like to try are their Cheesecake Obsession (3 cheesecake flavors in 1 cake!) and coconut cake. Coconut cakes remind me of the wonderful coconut cupcakes from The Magnolia Bakery in New York.

boot peep toe heels!

 I got a pair of slouchy boot peep toe heels! I don't know how to formally name them but they look like boots, are peep toes and have a slouchy design :) I've been looking for a pair of nude pumps for a classic finish to outfits. I love the pair of black patent heels i got from C&K years back, and they're still in fighting form now! Sadly, I haven't been able to find a nude version of those heels from C&K.

While these aren't exactly nude, they still fit into the brown category so should be easy to pair them up with simple pieces. It instantly adds a touch of rock glamour to the outfit :) Below's a photo of me with my boot peep toes in a simple shirt and skirt. It works!

And the best thing is they're really comfortable! At least for the 10 minutes or so that I had them on in the store, and the 10 minutes or so I spent walking around the house in them.

Had a mani/pedi date with Lin yesterday :) My toenails are a rockin' shade of blue. Ateneo spirit :D

food food food

It's been a food-filled weekend for me and D. Started off the long weekend of eating with dinner at Circles, then the day after celebrated D's birthday with dinner at Yumemiya in Greenhills. The highlight of the meal would have to be the desserts - loved the milk pudding and the strawberry shortcake. Reminded me of Pastel in Nagoya and brought back memories of my student days in Japan :)

Had dinner with friends at Pino but photos for that will come in a separate entry :)

Today, had a light lunch with D at Paris Delice along Makati Ave. Their pain au chocolat (chocolate bread) is yummy! So buttery and chocolate-y! Best eaten warm :) It would be lovely to enjoy this with a warm glass of milk, or even coffee if you're more of a coffee person. I'm sure it would be great with a cup of hot chocolate too.

Watched Crazy Stupid Love afterwards. I loved the movie. It was sweet, funny, and heartwarming. There were lots of crazy moments that just kept the audience laughing. Although it may seem a bit too optimistic, I liked the idea of fighting for love and for your soulmate. Like what Cal said, a soulmate is someone you love even when you hate him/her. Love is such a crazy thing and it makes you feel all sorts of different things, but in the end, more than the feeling, it's the responsibility and commitment that keep a relationship going. Oh, and don't forget a big dollop of humor. Humorless relationships are sad things :( Another memorable line: You look like you were photoshopped! ;) I found all the characters endearing but my favorite would have to be Robbie.

Got a few books from Powerbooks at a good deal! Then, we had dinner at B&T Mexican Kitchen in GH. The owners were nice and accommodating. The burritos were packed with ingredients and were quite filling :) Yum!

fully loaded

D's back in Manila! :D

I got to spend some time at home the past two weeks because of D's China business trip. I was able to just rest and lounge at home, while typing furiously on my laptop for a translation project :|

Ate at Tao Yuan with my parents and Zel where we had cereal prawns, hainanese chicken, and wonderfully crunchy kailan vegetables :)

Was also able to watch The Smurfs with them. I smurf you! The movie was cute. Although dragging in the beginning, it got better towards the end. I love the Smurfs playing guitar hero scene :)

So this past Sunday, had lunch with D's family where I ate a LOT of sushi :| Then, we sort of hibernated at home for a while so i could do a few pages of translation (20 pages left as of this entry :D), then we went to Trinoma where I bought a polka dotted umbrella for the weird on-again, off-again rain we're experiencing. Also got myself books :) Can't wait to read Sarah Addison Allen's new book. Her books never fail to enchant me.

Had dinner at Abe with my grandparents and cousins whom nini ran into so our dinner was made more livelier :) ended the night with red mango's blueberry swirl yogurt.

It was quite a filling weekend, literally :| Hehe

death by tablea

I discovered the yummiest chocolate cake. My cousin introduced me to Chocolat's Death by Tablea.

It's the softest chocolate cake with tablea chocolate fudge layers. I think the cakes are topped with shaved chocolate bits which add an extra crunch to the cake. The cake isn't too sweet. I hear that the tablea cake is a bittersweet chocolate version and that the hazelnut or caramel versions pack more sweetness. 

I am very happy about my new chocolate cake find :) A slice of this cake would be heavenly with a tall glass of cold milk.

Can't wait to buy a cake to share with friends and family :)

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Had dinner with friends at Wee Nam Kee last night. The food was okay, nothing spectacular. I think Boon Tong Kee had better presentation, though I can't really compare as I wasn't able to visit the SG Wee Nam Kee. 

It was my first time to visit the Ayala Triangle. It's a quiet spot (apparently it's much busier on weekdays with the office crowd and all). 

Capped the night off with a CBTL drinks and a game of Monopoly Deal!

CBTL sells their own espresso machines now, with beautifully packaged beverage capsules sold separately. The sampler pack sells for 480 pesos (for 12 capsules,  I think). The machines are quite sleek and fashionable, although I'm still doubtful of its usefulness.

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Ever heard of Moroccan argan oil? Got myself a 30ml bottle from Deal Grocers. Am curious about its so-proclaimed beauty advantages, although I got it primarily to try on my hair.

plana forma

Angry bird cupcakes! :D Aren't they cute? Cupcakes are a dense chocolate that's wonderful to bite into.

On Sunday, I tried plana forma, which is similar to barre3 in that it also features yoga and pilates in its workout. However, plana forma had a more aerobics feel and was more upbeat and fast-paced. I like the abs workout from barre3 better though because i didn't have to strain my body so much to do the exercises. I'm trying plana forma again because i got the 2-for-1 newcomer promo rate. I wish it were nearer home though as it is quite far :|

we baked!

I had a good session with J on Saturday. She was able to remember the days of the week, months, and dates in Nihongo :) And of course, we spent some time chatting about Singapore too. Really nice way to end the work week.

D and I had a late lunch at Charlie's Grind and Grill last Sunday. D liked his burger but I found the veggie shroom burger too heavy for my taste. Plus, it wasn't really a burger - just a breaded portobello mushroom with cheese. I miss VeganBurg :(

Had a pearl milk tea fix at Serenitea before heading off to bake!

We tried out two recipes from Yummy - oatmeal choco chip cookies and strawberry crumble bars. Both were relatively easy to make. They both turned out less-than-spectacular (lol) but they weren't horribly disappointing either :) So I'd give us both a B+ ;)

At least the cookies turned out round instead of one large rectangular cookie. The strawberry crumble bar had a crumbly crust. I don't think it was supposed to be that crumbly. But the strawberry surprisingly complemented the cookie dough base. Perfect with bold teas :)

Cookie dough

Into the oven you go...

...and out you come after 20 mintues :)

 Strawberry crumble bars pre-oven