All new interior of Cafe Monaco!

My visit: November 28, 2009

Cafe Monaco

SKS Bldg.

647 Banawe St.,

Quezon City

7432685

After typhoon Ondoy struck, many establishments that have been affected have undergone renovation. Cafe Monaco is one of them. It has been a wonderful site to see that Cafe Monaco is back in the game. Now, boasting leather couch seats and mix matched furniture.

 kimchi 

The food and service are still the same. 2 kinds of appetizers were served and a pitcher of water placed on our table.

Get loaded... top 5 will win $5, 000!!!

If you are in the US, you might want to check this out and win $5, 000!!!

Got questions, just ask a loaded question and it might give you the opportunity to win big time!

Visit the contest rules.

Contest ends January 31, 2010.

Family Game Night by Hasbro Games!

Family game night is a lot of fun. During my childhood days, my family and I would play a lot of Scrabble, Boggle and other board games. These games are good because you get to test your spelling and at the same time interact with other players.

I am so saddened that kids nowadays prefer sitting alone in one corner while playing a video game. Thus, they seem to lack in social skills.

I hope that adults would introduce more board games to the present generation. I, for one, initiated this by giving board games to my nephews and nieces on occasions such as their birthdays and christmas. In my little way, I hope to enriched their knowledge and to improved on their social skills.

This contest is brought to you by Animetric's World and Color Mix Toys and Games

Daphne is Luxury!

I went to the launching of new bed linen designs by Daphne for Linens Direct last November 25, 2009 at the Atrium, SM Megamall.

Daphne Paez for Linens Direct

Daphne invited 5 personalities to present their very own bedrooms. These were David Celdran, Krist Bansuelo, Ingrid Chua- Go, Robbie Carmona ad Cecile Van Straten. The bedrooms were all well thought of and presented with luxury in mind.

I got it: Johnson's Body Care sampler pack

After weeks in waiting, finally my Johnson's Body Care sampler pack has arrived.

 (l-r) Melt Away Stress and 24-Hour lasting Moisture

MrsMartinez meets Chuvaness!

I was so thrilled to meet Chuvaness in the launching of Daphne's new collection from Linens Direct. 

 with Chuvaness

I got it: Clinique 3 step skin care

I got my free samples from a Clinique counter in Rustan's Makati. A free consultation will determine what number suits your skin. I got number two for oily T-zone and dry cheeks.

free samples

Simply join the Clinique facebook group. A two week supply samples are given after you present to any Clinique counters a print copy of your Facebook profile with Clinique Philippines as one of the groups you are a member of.

Clinique counters are found in Rustan's Department Stores- Glorietta 4, Shangri-la Mall, Gateway, Robinson's Place, Alabang Town Center, Marionnaud SM Mall of Asia and Ayala Center in Cebu.

Hurry, you can get your freebies until the end of the month!

MrsMartinez meets the future first lady of the Philippines

green vs yellow

It was just supposed to be a baptismal party. Guess who was one of the ninang.... Shalani Soledad. The gf of Noy Noy... that's who! She was nice and could not say no for photo ops requests. So, piktur piktur. 

Merienda TIme: Junior Stik-O

chocolate wafer stick

Yes, the secret is out, I am eating chocolate wafer stick whenever I am hungry in mid morning, merienda and even before dinner. That's why I need to exercise! Now na!

Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Grocery

My visit: November 24, 2009

Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Grocery

2nd level, Glorietta 4

Ayala Center, Makati

7282512

When looking for a Japanese restaurant in Glorietta, most often than not, my family and I would chose Jipan. The food is big to share with reasonable price.

But I don't know what got into me and my DS one Tuesday lunch, we tried out Sakura for a change.

 store display

Ok na sana kaso super babad sa sauce. Buti sana kung masarap sa panlasa ko eh hindi naman. Mahilig pa naman ako sa sauce. Ang kaso mo, maalat siya. Kaya mapapadami ang kain mo ng kanin.

Thanksgiving sale in SM Megamall

My visit: November 26, 2009

SM Megamall

parking area

The store opens at exactly 10 a.m. DH and I were there 10 minutes before the opening time. I took a pic of the parking area and the people waiting for the doors to open lol. This is a big sale because for the whole day, SM is offering 10% off on almost all items. Even those with 50% off markdown. Upon presenting your SM Advantage Card (SMAC).

 few parking spaces left

DH shopped for the company's Christmas give- away while I shopped for some gifts for the kids.

By mid afternoon, the place was full. Lining up for the gift wrapping service was such a waste of time- DH lined up for an hour with only two other persons in front of him. We ended up waiting until 3 p.m. that day to pick up the wrapped items.

Breakfast: Nestle Cereals and Alaska Slim

Don't you just love mixing your cereal with milk? I do! 

 Nestle cereal

This morning I put Nestle Honey Gold Flakes on my bowl and pour in cold Alaska Slim milk. Sooo... sarap!!! 

On sale: Fino again!

My visit: November 2, 2009

Fino Leatherware, Inc

Level 3 Shangri- La Plaza

Mandaluyong City

6315073 6321788

I bought this red coin cube purse at 30% off just last August. When I went back to Shangri- la Plaza Mall this week, I found these two cute cube purse below selling for only PhP262.50. A 50% off the original price of PhP525.

 red bought it at PhP367

Battle of the toilet papers

Kleenex 3 ply 9pcs.- PhP208

I used to buy and patronized Kleenex until one time while I was in the supermarket, I was approached by a sales representative to try a different brand, Vanita. The sales pitch was Vanita Supreme has 12 rolls plus an additional 3 rolls of 4 ply each roll. Kleenex has only 9 rolls of 3 ply each roll. Both are priced at PhP208.

Daphne for Linens Direct

My event: November 25, 2009

Linens Direct

The Atrium

SM Megamall

Daphne Osena Paez

Remember When... first picture!

first picture 

Haha can you remember the very first picture that you have taken with your DH? This is our first picture when we were still bf/gf... so CHEESY! Un "hh" namin nasa likod di pwedeng ipakita haha

Oh Eem Gee!

l-r the bag hag, daphne, chuvaness and I

Finally, I get to meet the bloggers that are on my side link... I'm so happy!

Thanks to Ingrid Go aka The Bag Hag for making it happen ;p

Remember When... USTe!

UST

The photo above was taken just last Sunday when I attended the birthday party of Father Ed, the same priest who solemnized our wedding.

Wreath

I recently purchased a new wreath for our front door. Take note that the color is gold. In my past post, I wrote that I was contemplating on changing my color motif from red to gold.

golden wreath

 So, this is a good start, don't you think?

Enter to win a FREE Boracay Package!

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Beach Resort on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.
Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel

- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines

- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila Domestic Airport

- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat

- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.seairphilippines.com

The Frazzled Cook

My visit: November 21, 2009

The Frazzled Cook
916 Luna Mencias St.,
Addition Hills,
Madaluyong City
7825980 7253354
09291502222

When I read in Inquirer that the same chef of Fat Michael's (located in Makati) opened a restaurant in Mandaluyong, I got giddy and excited. I read about the food and the eclectic approach in design of Fat Michael's and I have always been curious. I have been wanting to go but it's just too far from our place... read- DH does not want to drive that far from our office!

Last Saturday, after asking me where to take his friend from Canada for dinner sometime this week, I blurted out "The Frazzled Cook". I told him I saw the restaurant packed with cars on a Friday night on my way to Power Plant, Rockwell to watch New Moon. DH decided that he wanted to try out the place first before bringing someone over. Maybe DH was wondering what a restaurant with a "frazzled cook" can offer.

The word 'frazzled' means worn out or exhausted. Hopefully, the meaning would not reflect on their food or else we would be very disappointed.

We were a bit early as usual for dinner but it's a good thing though because we were able to park in one of the three or four slots available inside the gate. Otherwise, I think you can park outside the gate along the street at your own risk.

Once we entered the restaurant, Pinky- the server, asked if we have reservation for the night. We don't have one ; p She was able to find us a spot beside a book shelf and handed us their menu.

happy diners

You can actually browse and read the books on display while waiting for your food to arrive. There was a bag beside where DH was seating, he asked if the bag belonged to another customer, turned out that it's part of the decor!

Free Gift Certificate from Confetti Spa just by reposting this blog

Confetti Spa is a home spa service located in Eastwood, Quezon City. Their mantra, A Massage To Remember, that is a massage which is more than a luxury – it is a tune up for the body, mind, and soul. Please take a moment to browse their site to learn about the treatments and services they provide. Or you can avail free gift certificate to try their service.

Okay, enough nose bleed. Eto ang dapat gawin.

1. Repost. I-repost ang buong blog na ito (yep, copy and paste) sa kahit anong blogsite na trip mo. Halimbawa: Friendster blog, Multiply blog, Facebook Notes, Blogspot, WordPress, MySpace, self-hosted sites.

2. Kailangang ilagay ang subject na: Free Gift Certificate from Confetti Spa by just reposting this blog. Kapag hindi ganyan ang subject, hindi valid ang entry. Sana po maliwanag ito.

3. Linkback. Pumunta sa http://salbehe.wordpress.com/kontest-2/ at ilagay ang link ng iyong blog. Isang valid link ay isang koment.

4. I-ra-raffle ang Confetti Spa Gift Certificate sa Nov. 28, 2009.

Happy reposting!

I Am Nicely! is Giving Away a Vintage Stylish Cellphone Mobile Design Watch Necklace on Her Birthday

Hi, guys! I would like to invite you to participate in another blog contest that I am holding in celebration of my birthday on December 7. It is so easy to join!

Here's the mechanics:

1. Copy and paste this entire post (including the necklace photo below) in your websites, blogs or facebook notes.

2. Kindly fill in the blank: All I wish for Nicely is good health and wealth.

3. The title of your post must exactly be "I Am Nicely! is Giving Away a Vintage Stylish Cellphone Mobile Design Watch Necklace on Her Birthday"

4. To validate your entry, please leave a comment and your entry's link on this post so that I can check and get back to you as soon as possible. Please don't forget to include your full name and e-mail address, too ☺

Deadline for submission of entries will be at 11:59PM of December 6, 2009. The winner will be drawn by an online raffle device and will be announced on my birthday.

The lucky one will then receive a Vintage Stylish Cellphone Mobile Design Watch Necklace, courtesy of my eBay.ph sponsor, Tinatindera. The winner will be informed of his/her winning through e-mail and the item will be sent to his/her preferred mailing address not later than December 14, 2009. The prize is not refundable for cash.

I saw rainbow!!

These days, we seldom see a rainbow. And boy was I lucky when I saw one this afternoon on our way home from work.

rainbow

Enjoy!

Home Improvement: OMNI adaptors

Since I put up my Christmas decor, I have been looking for different adaptors available in the market. I have some bad buys and finally settled for these.

 universal adaptor with switch

Ok, this type I use it on my laptop computer. See my previous post. I changed my old brand to Omni because this brand is more reliable. I found out that electricity still runs through even though the switch is off. This is more expensive at PhP80.

Mandarin Sky Seafood & Shabu Shabu Restaurant

My visit: November 21, 2009

Mandarin Sky Seafood & Shabu Shabu Restaurant

Banawe corner Atok St.,

Quezon City

7405783 7406134

DH and I were in luck. Mandarin Sky opens early this week and today a 20% discount was given to all diners. The downside was that you have to pay in cash. No credit cards yet. We were there before 11am, the aircon has not cooled the surroundings yet. A waiter was still mopping the floor. Some waitresses were still putting utensils on the empty tables. So, even with only one other table being occupied, it was hard to call the attention of the waiters/ waitresses.

hakao

Their price is cheaper compared to Causeway's. Maybe that's why their version is smaller too?

My Precious with full hair!

Precious my pomeranian

After shedding too much hair and making me allergic to it, finally Precious now has a full hair! Ganda na ng bruha! haha at mana sa akin magaling na mag pose in front of the camera lol

Christmas is just around the corner!

my Christmas Tree

I can't help myself the other night and took some more shots of our Christmas tree with lights and all. That's about it.

Christmas Packaging

 bear loot bags and twisties

I bought the bear loot bag inside SM department store at SM Megamall for only PhpP60 (10 pcs.) and the twisties at PhP40 per bundle (approximately 20 pcs.) from Carolina's.

New find: PJs Sleepwear

PJs Sleepwear

Level 4, Shangri-la Mall

Mandaluyong City

3710796

pjssleepwear@gmail.com

PhP395

I first saw this shop tucked in the corner just outside Rustan's Shangri-la when I was looking for a perfect gift for my inaanak. That was almost a year ago and I have been a fan ever since. I give these PJs to my inaanak, nephews, nieces and other kids on their birthdays. With Christmas season coming up, I'm also planning to give this as Christmas gifts. I love their designs and the material they used. And what's more, the price for each set starts from PhP395. I hope they can come up with discount cards though for loyal customers like me.

New find: Aquazorb Hair Turban

 hair turban

I actually bought my Aquazorb hair turban almost a year ago. But I just had it personalized recently while I was in SM Megamall with CML. I was contemplating on putting Sweetie on my hair turban. CML told me that MrsMartinez looked and sounds better. So, that's what I did! I'm happy that I put MrsMartinez, I like it! CML, you have such a big influence on me!

Team Edward or Team Jacob?!?

DS with team jacob badge

My DS and I got free buttons from the movie New Moon. DS got the team Jacob button so I have no other choice but to get team Edward lol

When MrsMartinez meets The Bag Hag

This photo was taken just outside Burgoo, Rockwell earlier tonight.

me and the bag hag

For those who are not in the know, I won tickets for the New Moon sometime ago in the bag hag's blog contest. When I claimed the movie tickets, only her partner was in their store, Acccessory Lab.

I hope to meet Chuvaness and Ms. Daphne, whose blogs I follow, in the near future too!

Konbini Store Tokyo Market

My visit: November 16, 2009

Konbini Store

57 Connecticut St.,

Northeast Greenhils,

San Juan City

7224263

I saw Konbini Store when I dined at Angel's Kitchen with my BFF last June. It was only a couple of days ago that I got the opportunity to visit and dine in Konbini. And it did not disappoint.

lots of Japanese treats to buy; even bread is sold here

At first glance, you would think that Konbini Store is just a Japanese convenience store with racks of food items like salad dressing, ready to cook food and condiments among others. There are two cash registers, one near the entrance for your grocery items and one for the self service restaurant. When you get pass the aisles, enclosed in a room is the dining area. I was surprised to see numerous diners since their name does not suggest that it is a restaurant.

Banana Leaf

My visit: November 15, 2009

Banana Leaf

213 Level 2

Greenbelt 3 Mall

Ayala Center, Makati City

7293333

It's been years since my last visit in this restaurant. My friend, CML, always has good words for this restaurant. So when we went to Makati yesterday and saw it, I gave DH a nudge to have our dinner there. We only have 45 minutes for dinner before the movie 2012 starts. Buti nalang, the service was fast.

ceiling lights and wall

I like the ceiling light design and also their wall in the dining area... very artsy- fartsy.

Congrats Manny!

winning moment by Naoki Fukuda

Congrats!

New find: Aquazorb Towels

DH and I were at Landmark Makati yesterday and we bought a lot of Aquazorb products to give to our friends and relatives for the coming holiday. Good thing Aquazorb is on a 10% discount and with each product purchased, you get a free gift bag. Too bad, they don't offer stitching of names on towels in this branch.

free gift bag and tag with every towel purchased

Thai Dara Bangkok Street Food

My visit: November 14, 2009

Thai Dara Bangkok Street Food

56 Granada St.,

Valencia, Quezon City

5150469

This restaurant has a bright, sleek and cheery interior with Thai collections visibly displayed in every wall. Waiters are dressed in sarong, black shirt and the customary chinelas.

 On one wall displays Apsara dancers. It is a very nice touch to a white wall. When you look closely, the drawings, if I am not mistaken, were silk screened on a black cloth.

NP Kopi Tiam

My visit: November 13, 2009

NP Kopi Tiam

3 C. Benitez St.,

Horseshoe Village, Santolan,

Cubao, Quezon City

7235674 5715674

DH and I travelled from Malabon to Ortigas for nearly two hours. And going back was just the same. With "ber" months, I expect heavy traffic. It's always like that. And I hate it! It was in this horrendous traffic situation that lead us to try NP Kopi Tiam. It has always been on our list of restaurants to try but there was always no opportunity to dine here until last Friday. I was hoping that Friday the 13th will not jinx this food experience. But apparently, I got hexed lol

bakery

The mini bakery display was what caught my eyes upon entering the main door of the restaurant. It has such great selection of bread, mamon, cakes and even sushi on the side. I ordered cheese cup cake PhP24, cheese ensaymada PhP38, and a fudge brownies PhP26.

The interior is quite impressive, I like the earthy feel to it. It makes the restaurant fit for a tete-a-tete moment. A group of older patrons were seated on the elevated area. They were on their way out as DH and I were settling on our seats. 

Laptop: Moshi Codex shell casing

This laptop bag has been with me since I bought my laptop 2 years ago. I am so happy to report that there are no scratches on the bag. The material used is durable and scratch proof. It is lightweight, insulted and ultra sleek. Other colors are available but I went with Metallic black as I have a black macbook. Such an OC!

moshi laptop bag PhP3500

I bought this shell casing in Power Mac Trinoma. A bit pricey at PhP 3500 but well worth it. You don't even have to remove your macbook from the shell casing when you use it. You just have to open the zip and work from there. But if you are a laptop slave like me who uses her laptop for hours, you can opt to take it out and place it on top of a laptop cooling fan.

I went to a Power Mac store in SM Megamall yesterday and I saw that they have lowered the price of a moshi codex at PhP 3000. Nice deal!