Nuffnang's 5th Anniversary Party

It was a blue night at Borough - Podium Mall last Monday, February 27, 2012. Nuffnang turned 5, so bloggers were treated to a party. Everyone followed the blue dress code.. blue for Nuffnang!





I tagged my friend Joy to the party.
The lovely Jing was there too.






My first time to have a sip of "kamikaze".

Whoa, this one is not for me!





Something to munch.. here is calamari with popcorn.
Interesting combination huh?





Spicy chicken wings.. I mean, very spicy!
It was served with cucumber and carrots sticks, though.


 

And finally, there were these juicy sliders.
Hmmm.. look and taste yummy!



 

With fellow bloggers John, Michelle & Andrea. Thanks Joy for this photo.
Sorry, I forgot the name of Nuffnang staff behind me :/






A shot before going home..
Jing, me, Joy, Earth and Andrea.






Our souvenir shots from the photo booth.
I wore my new blue scarf and my favorite sailor striped top.



It's fun to be a Nuffnang member. Thanks Nuffnang!

Yogurt with Strawberries

Back-blogging here: It was one lazy afternoon in Istanbul. The weather was at least a little hotter by 14 degrees. I opened the fridge and saw lots of strawberries. When I noticed a bucket of plain yogurt beside them, I know I just have to make myself a yummy and healthy snack. At first, I thought I could make some strawberry-yogurt smoothies. I didn't find my mother-in-law's blender, so I ended up making this.





It's fresh strawberries with yogurt and vanilla ice cream!




Easy to prepare. Just wash and slice some fresh strawberries.




Scoop some plain yogurt in a small bowl. Mix it with strawberries.




Top the mixture with vanilla ice cream and serve.


This treat may serve as a dessert too. Just substitute strawberries to any fruit in season.
It's the best snack you can enjoy for summer!

Al Fresco Dining in Shangri-La Mactan

My family went to Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa for a day tour on our second day in Cebu. We left Islands Stay Hotel at 9 o'clock without any breakfast so we had to look for a place to eat right after paying for our tags. Tides was inviting but it was already crowded when we passed by. Hence, we tried checking the Buko Bar but unfortunately, it doesn't open until 10 in the morning.


 
Our feet guided us back to Tides. We queued to get a table, then asked the waitress for an al fresco dining when it was already our turn. I ordered Filipino breakfast for hubby, pancakes for me and cereal with milk for my daughter. While waiting for our food, the complimentary tea, juice and a plateful of cake and pastries came. We realized there was too much food on table that we had to cancel the cereal with milk by the time the pancakes and Filipino breakfast arrived. The pancakes alone were too much. They gave me 4 pieces served with fresh fruits on the side. I couldn't finish it since I was almost full with the cakes and pastries alone. Anyhow, I managed to consume the fruits and a piece of pancake. Total bill with what we ordered.. P995.


The al fresco dining during breakfast was nice so we did it again at lunch. This time, we chose a table nearer the talisay tree where we could see the birds closely. It was just fun eating while watching them flying from the tree to the empty tables, looking for some crumbs to eat. It was even more enjoying having that scrumptious buffet lunch (available from 11AM to 2PM) inclusive to the day tour tags which we paid P2500 per person; while the little one was free of charge.


The Tides around 2 o'clock in the afternoon.


Bird advisory for diners and guests.


Maya birds occupying the empty seats.


 
A bird alone in the tree.



More birds waiting for something to feed on.
-That's all for now. Will write separate posts on food from our Cebu trip later! :)


--- Tides - Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu Cebu 6015 Philippines Tel: (63 32) 231 0288 Fax: (63 32) 231 1688

Join the 40 for 40 Giveaway!

Hello ladies! How's your Wednesday morning?
I just want to spread the news about this awesome giveaway.




Cherry dear is hosting a 40 for 40 birthday giveaway where you can have a chance to win over $500 worth of cash and products. There's  $40 worth of cash, a Rollei Camera, B.Makowsky satchel (photo above), H&M accessories and Sasa products at stake.

Her giveaway is open until the end of the month, so join now!

Happy 5th Birthday, Nuffnang!

Nuffnang is turning 5 this coming February 27, 2012!

Being a Nuffnanger, I hereby post my personal greeting.

To you Nuffnang, I give this very yummy cake. Cheers to the 5 years of awesome Nuffnang days!
You guys, if you wish to be a part of Nuffnang's birthday celebration, visit nuffnangphilippines.com.ph to know how.

Islands Stay Hotel - Mactan Branch

I was fascinated with this hotel's fun and modern design. I love its location, very near the Cebu Mactan International Airport, only a 3-minute taxi ride. If you need to go to a store or restaurant, you just have to walk for 2 minutes. There are awesome beach resorts and spas within the same island, too. Well, just some of the reasons why I chose Islands Stay Hotel - Mactan branch for our recent Cebu trip.

 
I wasn't able to photograph the facade of the hotel, but this is the front desk. The left side is the newly opened Zubuchon, famous Cebu lechon, Anthony Bourdain's "Best pig.. ever!"


These are the rooms with the parking lot on the right. It's more like a motel from one of those Hollywood movies, right? :)


The Islands Stay Hotel - Mactan Branch has Small P980, Medium P1450 and Large rooms for P1650 per night. Ours was a large room that could occupy up to 4 pax.


There are just a few colors you can see in this hotel. They are white, orange and green.


Each room has an LCD TV, aircon and land-line telephone. However, only Large rooms has tables and chairs and kitchenette (below).



The bathroom has hot and cold shower other than toilet and lavatory. And, supplies of clean towels, shampoo, soap and cotton buds come everyday.


Things that I DO NOT LIKE about the hotel: -Most pillows, including this bean bag lack fluffiness. -The kitchenette is bare*. There is nothing in it. -They do not serve breakfast in the hotel. Thus, the affordable rate. -There were no chairs on our first night and just a single one came the next day.


Things that I LIKE about the hotel: -All the things I mentioned above. Plus.. -Budget-friendly. -There is free wifi for everyone. -They have Zubuchon at the hotel lobby. -The staff are friendly. You forget your complain after you see them smile.

Overall, I am giving this hotel a 7/10 rating. If I were to go back to Cebu, I would possibly stay at the same place.

*They charge P200 per night for the use of ref as per request.
Note: Book a medium or large room 1 month in advance to get 15% discount.

--- Islands Stay Hotel - Mactan Branch M.L. Quezon, Lapu-lapu City booknow@islandsstay.com Tel. (032) 239-5456 Cel. 0915-539-4118

SKIN: The TAO Model's Party Part 2

Hi there lovely ladies! Greetings from Cebu!! I know I should be enjoying my vacation, but I just have to post this one.  I told you that the continuation of  my SKIN Party post will come after a couple of days so here it is!


  The TAO (Talent Agents’ Organization) Model's Party begins. Enter the models.
 
Sorry kinda blurry but this is Phoemela Baranda. She's a flawless, fair-skinned beauty.


Marvin Keifer from Survivor Philippines Season 2. Walking her as one of TAO's celebrity models.


Jef Gaitan, also from Survivor Philippines Season 2. She's Marvin Keifer's ex-girlfriend.



Lovi Poe walking the runwy for Belo Medical Group. I love her hair that way.. so pretty.

 
Isabelle Daza looking real gorgeous in a red dress. Yay, this girl deserves a crown!


Fourth Runner Up to Miss Universe 2010 Venus Raj. I was literally holding my breath when she came down the runway.


She was so so beautiful. Really beautiful kahit nakatalikod.


Then, Miss World 2011 1st Runner Up Gwendoline Ruais. She is also pretty but I like Venus better.


Christian Bautista seranades the crowd. He looks the same in person, just exactly like on TV.


Recognized some of these girls? They're commercial and print models.


Here's more of them. The 6th lady from the right is the prettiest.

 
And now, the tall and real-life mannequins. Krista Kleiner was among them, but my shots of her aren't good enough.


The models wore dresses from Rick Policarpio's Collection. I love the chiffon and leather combination.


It's always good to be seated at the front row. A perfect spot for taking photos and spying celebrities.



Grateful to have a friend in the industry. Thanks Jing for the invitation. You are the best! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the 14th of February.
What are you ladies doing today?
Dya have a date with your boyfriend/ husband?



Tell me how do you celebrate this special day.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! <3

SKIN: The TAO Model's Party Part 1

Hello dearies! Wow, it's been a while. Sorry for no updates.
Been busy doing errands and stuff prior to my vacation.
Anyway, here is my post on SKIN Party.





It was a glamorous party held at Genting Club in Resorts World Manila.
Celebrities, actors and models gathered for the TAO (Talent Agents’ Organization) Skin Party.

 
I came around 7 PM so I was able to take photos of the early birds. Here is, the “Prince of Soul", Jay-R rehearsing his number for the program.

 
One of the leading stars of Legacy on the runway. That's Lovi Poe, rehearsing her walk.

 
She came to the place wearing this chiffon top and leather-like shorts. I like her top, looks very comfortable to wear.


Now, check this very lovely girl. She's oozing with sex appeal.


Very much alike the younger version of her beauty queen mom noh? I swear Isabelle Daza wil win Bb. Pilipinas if she joins the pageant.


Rehearsal is over. Came the celebrity doctor and her fiance Hayden Kho. Here, the were asked about the date of their marriage and she said, "Secret!" The secret was revealed yesterday.. Dra. Vicki Belo and Hayden just split up! Oh yeah, for the 9th time? WOW! That's a very sad Valentine!
--- That's all for now ladies. I will schedule the continuation of this post in a couple of days. Wait for the part 2 of this photo story, OK? :)
xoxo