BAGUIO escape: Oh my Gulay & Vocas

A healthy feast for the soul. My Baguio trip won’t be complete without dropping by Oh my Gulay! I’ve read great reviews from different blogs about how beautiful the ambiance is. This little artsy café is a gem hidden within the green walls of La Azotea building, located along session road right across Metrobank.

Climbing all the way up to the 5^th floor is definitely worth it. The flight of stairs going to the café was filled with wood carvings, artworks and ads.

This café combined with Vocas art gallery gives out an aura of peace and imagination. Full of different artworks of different genres you’ll surely take out your pen and start composing your own masterpiece. The artworks are inspiring and beautiful.

Oh my Gulay! Only serves vegetarian dishes, from salads, pastas and desserts. Food items are reasonably priced especially for the amount of serving per plate.

For my main meal, I ordered “Kabute” , pasta topped with mushrooms, overflowing with béchamel sauce and cheese. The serving is good for 2 hungry persons. A guiltless dish that’s so good even without bacon.

For dessert, I ordered “Saging at Mani Love Affair”, crepe filled with bananas and peanut butter drizzled with chocolate and melted vanilla ice cream on top. This dessert is not too sweet, no “umay” factor, just be ready with a glass of water :D

I really needed this simple retreat because I’ve been missing Jai. I’m out of town and he’s out of the country. Can’t wait to see my adventure buddy.

 view from my seat

The ambiance is magical! The best looking café in Baguio I’ve seen, even better than Café by the ruins. No crowded tables, No noisy diners, affordable food and for the love of art. Priceless! I suggest that you don’t leave Baguio without visiting this place.


MENU

 

going to the 2nd floor

spilled melted ice cream formed into a heart

PLDT myDSL & Nuffnang bring you The Avengers!

Oh Anna Banana - or is it BONANA? 

First thing that comes to mind... CUTE! This commercial reflects how Moms would do almost anything to make their children happy and feel like a million bucks. Technology is really amazing! It easily plugs us in and connects us with our loved ones and presents new ways of doing something special for them without getting caught. Haha! Imagine if he knew that it was his mom who was viewing his video all this time, he'd be a little embarrassed right? Nonetheless it was the sweetest thing! 

A new version of serenading someone and expressing how you feel by using the internet. Now, I'm really curious who Anna Banana is... is she really hot as a fried banana? :D 


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Sing to the tune of Anna Banana without the sounding like a broken record because of slow downloads and repetitive connection downtime. Don't settle for less when you can get more! Be you own star or better yet make your loved one a special surprise, maybe make a Papa Banana or Mama Banana song and easily upload it. 

Watch these VIDEOS:

MUNCH MONSTER raid: Ramen Cool

MUNCHSTER BITES: Bee-nondo Food Adventure

Our impromptu food adventure on a budget! After reading a number of blogs I wrote down a list of restaurants that will be our itinerary. Prior to Binondo, Jai and I did a little shopping at Divisoria, mostly scouted the streets for affordable things.

It’s been a while since we’ve gone out for a date, we usually stay at their house to watch movies and play with MEI (their cute dog) due to limited date money. But since its payday, I convinced Jai to go on a food trip adventure with only 1,000 pesos to spare. So did we succeed or went way over our budget? 

Food Roll:

Waiying Restaurant @ 3^rd Flr. of 168 Shopping Mall

Hakaw (P70.00) Plump shrimps, considered as one of Waiying’s best sellers, Plump shrimps! It didn’t disappoint although it would be better if they added more soup (Jai’s comment). Unfortunately the milk tea wasn’t available that time, so we decided to order from their branch in Benavidez.

Sincerity Café @ 497 E.T. Yuchengco St. Binondo Manila

Sincerity Fried Chicken

Famous for their flavorful Fried Chicken (P150/half), we were hearing raves about how good their chicken tasted but after tasting it, we felt like eating chicken lollipops rather than chicken cuts we kept chewing on small pieces of bones.  We enjoyed their Kikiam (P100/order – 2 rolls) more, filled with real pork and not mere extenders.

Kikiam from Sincerity Cafe

Dong Bei Dumplings @ 842 Yunchengco St. Binondo Manila

Value for money dumplings, you can actually see how they make it. My first time to eat Kutchay Dumplings (P100/14 dumplings) and I enjoyed every bite. Definitely flavorful and worthy of a repeat!

Waiying @ 810 Benavidez St. Binondo Manila

The best Milk Tea (P50/cup) I’ve ever tasted! Seriously! It’s so addicting that you’ll go to Binondo just for it. One order is not enough.

Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=279810784163&set=a.279805144163.143053.279797584163&type=3&theater

Shanghai Fried Siopao @ Ongpin cor. Bahamas St. Binondo Manila

Because steamed siopao is so mainstream. Bee liked it a lot and even ate mine because I was too full to consume one whole piece. Best fried siopao (P16/pc.) filled with kutchay and meat, no sauce needed.

Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera so all of the photos posted are borrowed.

This was our last food stop because we were so full to continue eating. We will comeback for our part 2 food trip – our next Bii-nondo Date!

 Bee - Jai, Bii - is me  :D !


Extra! Extra! Revisiting Binondo with my twin sister Sha :D 
Dong Bei Round 2, now with pictures! 

Waitress preparing fresh dumplings

my twin sister- ready to eat!

P100 for 14 pcs. Kutchay Dumplings

P60.00 Fried Rice  (Good for 3)

P60 for 4pcs. Xiao Long Bao

My sister enjoyed our lunch date, she really loves siomai so bringing her here was a treat. The Xiao Long Bao was our favorite! Flavorful meat with soup plus Dong Bei uses thick wonton wrappers that holds the meat perfectly.


Total food cost: (with bee): Hakaw - P70 + Half Chicken - P150 + Kikiam - P100 + Dumplings - P100 + Milk Tea (2) - P100 + Siopao (2) - P32 = P552.00  


Total food cost (dong bei round 2): Fried Rice- P60 + Kutchay Dumplings- P100 + Xiao Long Bao- P60.00 = P220.00 


Walker Map: From LRT2 Recto 
1. Ride a jeep going to Divisoria.
2. Tell the driver to drop you off at Binondo. 
3. Jeepney fare: P8.50 


Bite Cost: P300 is a conservative amount to enjoy a Binondo food trip. 
Munch Worthy: 10/10 bites! A great adventure enjoyed with friends. 
Walker repeat: Yes. Yes. Yes

HAPPY Z TRAVELS: Ace Water Spa

A refreshing, relaxing and a bit itchy experience at Ace Water Spa. I’ve wanted to try Ace Water Spa with Jai ever since, even before they opened the Kapitolyo branch. So when I saw a deal from Cash Cash Pinoy I immediately grabbed it and bought two vouchers for the price of one.

Later this afternoon, we headed off to Ace. We arrived around past 12 already and there were a handful of guests that time but not too crowded, you still get to enjoy the facilities. There is a dedicated line for voucher holders; we were given two keys for our lockers, separate wash areas for men and women. You are asked to surrender your stub and leave your slippers upon entering and take a shower before dipping in the pool.

The facilities were clean and well maintained. The wash area was clean and complete with bath essentials, hair dryers and slippers. The staff even gives you a swimming cap that you can use for free which is required by Ace Water Spa.  Jai even mentioned that the amount of chlorine was just right and not too strong on the skin. I had free swimming lessons from Jai too.

We tried all of the different massages and pools. Each jet massage system will focus on a particular part of the body; just press the dedicated button per massage and presto massage heaven. The only issue is that I felt itchy after every jet massage, it maybe because of the pressure concentrating on one area, well I’m not really sure.

Hydro Therapy massage alleviates tension, stiffness and muscle pains. You can really opt for this kind of massage system if you’re the ticklish type and wouldn’t want others touching you.

I love dipping in the hot herbal pools and plunging into the freezing water after. My favorite herbal pool is Lavender 40 Degrees Celsius and the Mint for Jai which is 36 Degrees Celsius. You should rest your nape on a cold metal pillow bar when dipping in the herbal pool to keep your temperature from rising up. Staying in the sauna and steam after a swim is divine, a sweat all you can hub, feel the toxins leaving your body.

A fitted swimsuit is required for women while trunks for men to withstand the water pressure plus a swimming cap to prevent hair from falling into the pool. Swimsuit rental costs P200.00 for women and P100.00 for men.

Hungry? Ace Water Spa prohibits guests from bringing food but they have a café where you can enjoy their buffet offerings for P450 on weekdays and P550.00 on weekends.

Overall, a new experience shared with Jai. We can’t wait for another deal from Ace and bring tita weng (jai’s mom). The regular rate for adults is P550.00 for 4 hours and P250.00 for kids below 4 ft.

The spa is located at United corner st. Brixton st. near Pioneer Center Pasig City. Open from 6am – 10pm (Sundays to Thursdays) and 6am – 11pm (Fridays to Saturdays).

MONSTERY SPECIAL: Su Zhou Dimsum

 

A spontaneous adventure for one special night. 

Last night is our special date night - monthsary! :D 

Both of us had nothing planned, well I was secretly planning a coffee date but instead we felt spontaneous and decided to go to Su Zhou Dimsum. I've been curious about this place since I researched about Crystal Jade. Bloggers claim that they serve delicious Xiao Long Bao. This is one of our "restaurants to go to" list.

After running errands for Jai's mom, Jai and I headed off to dinner. We arrived around 8pm and there were only one couple dinning that time. The facade of the establishment wasn't that appealing or striking at all. If you’re not aware that the restaurant serves great dimsum you wouldn't be curious enough to stop by.

We were seated by the window; two servers assisted us in ordering. 

condiments

Xiao Long Bao (4pcs/order) - P110.00

It's my first time trying this kind of dimsum. Each dumpling was moist, generously filled with pork and soup. I’ll probably order this again on our next visit.

Shrimp Wonton on Soy Sauce (8pcs/order - P130.00 

Hefty servings. 8 – 10 pcs. Per order. Good enough but not that spicy. 

I call this a tipid ala carte dish :)

Pancake (8 slices) - P100/order

Add mozzarella cheese and it will pass for pizza. It had an eggy taste, bite through the crispy thin slices! nom nom nom. ~15 mins. to prepare. 

Su Zhou Fried Rice - P140.00 (Good for 2-3 persons)

Yummy Rice filled with veggies and shrimp

The food was great! Two thumbs up. Although I felt a little awkward because one of the servers were standing right in front of me watching me eat. I’m usually a clumsy eater and the couple seated on the opposite table beside us would stare whenever I drop something or react loudly- sheesh! They even left one slice of pancake they ordered. It annoys me when people do that – wasting food because they know they can afford it is not “sosyal” at all.

Well, over all it was a great experience. Both of us were happy and satisfied. I recommend Su Zhou Dimsum for thrifty daters like us.

Total food cost: Su Zhou Fried Rice – P140.00 + Xiao Long Bao (4 pcs.) – P110.00 + Shrimp Wonton on Soy Sauce – P130.00 + Pancake – P100.00 + Tip – P20.00 = P500.00

Walker Map: From Starmall Crossing/ MRT Shaw starmall side

1. From Starmall Crossing go straight ahead until you reach Shell Station in front of Liberty Center/Puregold.

2. Turn right and enter Mabini Street.

3. Go straight (pass by Mabini street) until you see Ah Pao.

4. Beside Ah Pao is Su Zhou Dimsum right at the corner of A. Mabini and Araullo. 

Bite Cost: P100/meal

Munch Worthy: Recommended! 9/10 bites

Walker repeat: Yes. Xiao Long Bao yum!

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Located at 837 A. Mabini Corner Araullo Streets, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Phone: +6327216105 

Other branches:

QC: 411 Ns Amoranto Street, La Loma, Quezon City, Metro Manila 

SAN JUAN: Promenade Greenhills

MALATE: A. Mabini St. Malate Manila, Metro Manila

"Summer is hotter with Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion, Schick, & Nuffnang"

My ideal Nuffnang Summer is…

1. Hitting the beach (possible for a Summer Fling?), never had one though but I do have my summer fling for life J Can’t wait to go back to Magalawa Island.

    2. Volunteer for a good cause – thinking about Red Cross and the possibility of being out in the field to serve.

    3. Scout the metro for the latest events, trends and of course-FOODIE HUNT!

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     All these activities involve body and sun exposure and I am not one of those gals lucky enough to have fine hair on certain body parts, such as under arms and legs and most of my activities involve exposing them. I cannot and refuse to go to the beach with curly sue armpits and legs- so much for flaunting my curves right? And I mean CURVES (tummy curves to exact!) – Not that I’m pregnant ok. Imagine going to the beach wearing leggings just to hide those nasty body curls. Even wearing shorts and sleeveless tops is a dilemma, wearing jeans with this weather is quite impossible and very uncomfortable. Good thing there’s an over the counter quick solution. Since early college days I’ve been using Schick Razor, I use the one with the aloe strip because as I’ve mentioned I do have sensitive skin. Its part of my beauty emergency kit in times where waxing isn’t available. I am very conscious and this helped me be confident and do things without hesitation.

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Another thing is the heat! Summer is literally hotter! Although soaking up some Vitamin D is good, excessive exposure causes the harsh rays of the sun to penetrate our skin that leads to darkening and damage our DNA and makes us vulnerable to dangerous health risks such as skin cancer. We have to be equipped with survival kits and protect ourselves. My trusted ally - Banana Boat Sunscreen with Aloe Vera. It’s a value for money product, affordable and commits to protecting your skin .

I just can’t wait for an activity filled and productive summer ahead.

Just a reminder! Do not expose yourself or put sunscreen immediately on newly shaved skin or broken skin this may cause irritation :D Allow some time before you do so.

Don’t peel off your banana delicate skin, protect and moisturize with Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion and practice your smooth moves with Schick. Free your skin! 

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