Kuretake Restaurant in Power Plant Mall

My visit: February 12, 2012

Kuretake Restaurant

 R1- Level Power Plant Mall 

Lopez Drive, Rockwell Center, 

JP Rizal, Makati City

8980509   8980718

DH and I attended the special screening of The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. You can call it our pre-Valentine's movie date. Of course, a date would not be complete without having dinner at a restaurant. 

We were initially looking for another restaurant but sadly, it closed down already. We chanced upon Kuretake Restaurant and I warned DH that it's a pretty expensive Japanese restaurant. 

gyudon ala carte PhP 420

We reluctantly entered the restaurant, keeping in mind to order only our favorite sushi and sashimi. 

I can't live without rice so I ordered gyudon. DH & I shared a bowl of thinly sliced beef over glass noodles and warm rice. The slices of onion make this order sweet. This order has only a few strips of beef and almost half of the strip is fat---> look at the photo above ; p The miso that comes free with this order is good though. 

Save up to 80% on Watsons Compliance Pack!

My event: February 8, 2011

Compliance Pack 

Compliance is key

Palawan Ballroom

EDSA Shangri-la Plaza Hotel

Over a year and a half ago, Watsons Pharmacy launched the country's first compliance pack program which aims to help improve health & well- being of patients with chronic conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetic.

Watsons Compliance Pack is sold in packs of 30

This year, Watsons is partnering with Unilab to come up with an even better deal of the Compliance Pack program. The program made it even more affordable- up to 80% savings, informative and rewarding.

Watsons Compliance Pack:

• Amplodipine, Losartan & Metoprolol for hypertension
• Metformin for diabetes
• Simvastatin for high cholesterol

Read after the break on how to save up to 80% from Watsons Compliance Packs!

Chick-In now in Quezon City

My event: February 7, 2012

Chick-In Chicken Inasal

Sulit Sarap sa Rice All You Can

75-B Gil Preciosa Bldg.

Timog Ave., Quezon City

9210892

I was recently invited to a newly opened restaurant along Timog Ave., Quezon City called Chick-In. I learned that this is already the third branch, the other two are found in San Antonio Village, Makati City (5536715) and EDSA cor. Taft Ave., Pasay City (4782077). 

Smoked Chorizo from Boracay PhP55/ stick

Let me start by raving about my favorite... smoked chorizo from Boracay! I am not ashamed to say that I finished two sticks. Chorizo brings back good memories of the original chori-burger from Boracay.

Chorizo (pork sausage) is best paired with rice! A stick consist of 3 slices of smoked chorizo.

Don't you just hate it when the chorizo you are eating has a lot of fat? Well, this one is meaty and delicious too. I hope Chick-In will offer to sell frozen chorizo so I can have my very own smoked Chorizo from Boracay anytime I want ; p Or I could just call for a delivery!

Creamy Queso de Bola Cheesecake from Indulgence by Irene

Indulgence by Irene

0922-8303900 

0917-6225800 

My friend, Irene, sent over a small red box of Queso de Bola cheesecake a few weeks ago. I couldn't resist the temptation and immediately got me a slice of the milky & creamy cheesecake. 

who could resist such a temptation?

I had it during breakfast, nibbled on it during my afternoon snack and you bet it right, I had it as an after dinner dessert. Ok, don't judge me, the cake is quite small---> mini in size, so I figured I could not get fat from eating it after every meal hahaha

Celeteque DermoScience Sun Care Soothing Lip Balm & Hydration Make-Up Remover Wipes

Most of my beauty posts are now all about lipsticks because I seldom put any makeup on when I go out these days. It's not that I became sloppy, it's just that, now, I dare to bare my face for everyone to see. I have to thank my dermatologist for my clear skin ; p 

Celeteque DermoScience Sun Care Soothing Lip Balm with SPF 15 8g PhP135

Anyway, since I have come down to bare minimum in terms of taking good care of my skin, I have discovered several products and I am sharing it with you in my succeeding posts. I am going to start with Celeteque DermoScience Sun Care Soothing Lip Balm.

Celeteque DermoScience Sun Care line includes:

• Facial Moisturizer with SPF15
• Mattifying Sunblock SPF30
• After-Sun Soothing Gel 
• Lip Balm with SPF 15

Among those items on the list, I only have sunblock and lip balm with me which were sent to me a couple of weeks back as samples.

Charlie Brown Cafe Korea

My visit: December 31, 2011

Day 9 (4th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Charlie Brown Cafe Korea
Hongik University,
Hongdae, Korea
02-26520106

You would think that after eating several cakes at Hello Kitty Cafe, we would proceed to Myeongdong to have our money exchanged, right? No, instead we went looking for another famous cafe in Hongdae- Charlie Brown Cafe ; p

I <3 you, Charlie Brown!

You would not miss this cafe because it has several character standees (I don't know the right term, heeelp!) outside like in the photo above. Cute, huh?

These characters are almost the same height as me ; p

Hello Kitty Cafe Seoul Korea

My visit: December 31, 2011

Day 9 (4th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Hello Kitty Cafe Coffee & Dessert
Hongik University
Hongdae, Seoul,
Korea
02-3346570

Remember my post about Hongdae where we don't have enough cash for that one day? Before leaving for Myeongdong to exchange more WON, Korea's currency, we see to it that we first visit Hongdae's cafes. It was a good thing that we brought our credit cards, we were able to seat and relax at two of the most famous cafe in the university- Hello Kitty Cafe and Charlie Brown Cafe.

Happy New Year written on Cafe Latte W3, 800 (PhP152) ; p

It was hard to look for the area where the cafe is located, it didn't help when we asked the woman in the Information Center for directions because she can barely speak english. We did not bother to ask the people around us, we decided it would be better to explore the area by ourselves.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

I seldom buy anything on impulse but I find pink lipsticks irresistible. When I went to SM's 3 day sale last week, I bought several makeup products and that includes Revlon's New ColorBurst Lip Butter. It is not on sale but with SM Advantage card, it's 10% off when you pay between 10 a.m. to 12 n.n. Plus, I got an additional 5% off because my mom charged it to her BDO credit card with minimum purchase requirement of PhP5, 000. By the way, you can also opt to pay the charged amount in 3 monthly installments, 0% interest. How's that for fun shopping? lol

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart PhP525

I was already waiting in line for my turn in one of the cashier counters in the makeup section when I saw Revlon's booth. Pressed for time, I asked the sales lady for a pink shade. I was given Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart. A swatch at the back of my hand revealed a cute shade of pink. Without even thinking twice, I got one.

Nomama Artisanal Ramen in Quezon City

My visit: February 12, 2012

Nomama Artisanal Ramen + Modern Japanese Cuisine
by Chef Him Uy de Baron of East Cafe
G/F FSS Bldg. II
18 Scout Tuason cor. Scout Castor,
Quezon City 9214913

Nomama opened September of last year. It means "That's It!" in Japanese.

We came by a bit early and the restaurant was not yet opened but we were welcomed by a waitress inside. I didn't know that cement finish and wood combination will turn out to be chic until I entered the restaurant. The restaurant is minimalist- cement flooring, pipes running around the ceiling and plastic chairs. The first thing that you will see upon entering is an open kitchen where several chefs were busy manning it.

 broiled tofu with mushrooms PhP285

We ordered broiled tofu with mushroom. A bit pricey considering an order consists of only two chunks of tofu. The presentation is nice with edemame and katsuobushi (shaved dried fish) topping and slices of shitake mushroom on the side. The sauce is miso-sweet soy marinade, taste like teriyaki sauce. 

Surprise! Surprise! J.PoPs Baby Donuts from J.CO

Remember my post about J.CO Donuts & Coffee opening a store here in Manila last January? Well, in less than a month's time, you will be able to savour the signature soft bite that only J.CO can offer. In the meantime, let me show you a sneak peek of what to expect on the shelves of J.CO.

 salivating yet?

3 boxes of J.PoPs Baby Donuts were delivered to my house last week. A box contains 24 delectable bite- sized donuts. This is perfect! I can try different flavors in one seating ; p Affordable at only PhP 250 per box!

Precious Dog: Crazy Dog Green Apple Grooming Spray

My dog, Precious, is a pomeranian. How many of you have poms as dogs? Sure, these dogs are cute and cuddly but come combing time, their fur is really hard to comb, right? I don't know about you but I don't let other people give Precious a bath. Only family members can give her a bath because she gets really stressed out. Adding more stress is the combing part of the process. 

Once, when she was about a year old, DH and I brought her to a grooming salon for cut and shampoo. The salon needed to sedate her to calm her down. After that incident, I never took her anywhere near a grooming salon. 

Green Apple Grooming Spray for dogs 237 ml (8 fl. oz.) PhP345

Anyway, my SIL bought Crazy Dog Green Apple Grooming Spray for Precious. It works wonders and cuts our drying and combing time into half. What's even better? She doesn't get stressed or angry anymore!

Buffet 101 International Cuisine in SM MOA

My visit: January 31, 2012

Buffet 101 International Cuisine 

Bldg. K, Seaside Blvd.,

SM Mall Of Asia Complex

Pasay City

5562888   5563888

Mon- Fri 

Lunch PhP699

Dinner PhP950

Sat- Sun/ Holidays PhP1050

Kids 

4ft up PhP499

under 3ft FREE

Leftover PhP1350

Buffet 101 is now open in Robinsons Magnolia!

We went there on a weekday to celebrate my BIL's birthday. We have a table reserved for our group of 16. We were a big group so our table was long and on the side. It was a long walk to the buffet set up but I don't mind. 

unlimited fresh juice, coffee and tea

This is just our first two drinks lol Kiwi is good but the watermelon is too sweet. After the first glass, I requested that no syrup will be added on my second glass of watermelon ; p

New Year's Eve in Hongdae (Hongik University)

My visit: December 31, 2011

Day 9 (4th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Hongdae (Hongik Daehakgy University)

Seoul, Korea

We went to Hongdae twice in one day. You will know why as you read along. Hongdae is an abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgy. Hongik University is an art school, other than that the area is well known for entertainment/clubs, coffee shops and of course, shopping! 

Hongik at night

We went there on a Sunday, suffice to say, the banks are all close. When you are out of the country, you lose track of time. That's what happened to us but how the hell do we suppose to know that there isn't a single money exchange in the area? Now, you know why we have to go back the second time. But before that let me tell you more about what happened that day.

My Urban Ashram Manila Experience

My visit: January 25, 2012

Urban Ashram Manila

Suite 302, 3rd Level, 3 Brixton Street

Kapitolyo, Pasig

377 YOGA/ 661 YOGA/ 0917881 YOGA

Mon- Fri: 6:30 am - 9:00 pm

Sat         : 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

I was invited by Bheng & Michelle to try Flexibility Not Required (FNR), one of the four yoga classes taught in Urban Ashram Manila. The other three are Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Hatha.  

Urban Ashram Manila is a full service center with a pool of highly-qualified Yoga Alliance- registered teachers offering a wide variety of yoga classes on regular schedules.

Since I have stopped practicing yoga a long time ago, I was ecstatic to try out this newly- opened studio. It was far from my place so I just went and hitched a ride with Michelle. We were only asked to bring a towel. I asked "No mat?" Soon, I learned that everything is provided for including towel- of course, for a small fee of PhP40. 

my triangle pose; photo credit: MyMom-Friday

Flexibility Not Required is a yoga revolution and Ashram's Signature. Developed by Marc Macadaeg, FNR classes teach the basics and foundations of yoga. Class sequencing is built around the sun salutations and is geared towards building internal heat to warm up your body and gradually and intelligently opening your body up in order to make more challenging poses easier to understand and more accessible, building a lot of cardiovascular endurance, strength and increasing your range of motion.

We had a short introduction and briefing before we took the class. There were only four of us in this special class. I learned that I am the only one who has practiced yoga before. All three were beginners.

“There is a misperception that only flexible people can do yoga when in fact, they can build their flexibility through the regular practice of yoga,” says Dr. Ngo. “The flipside to that is, of course, strength. A well-balanced practice should make you both more flexible and stronger than ever before.”

New Dove Damage Therapy Intense Repair

A few weeks ago, a bag filled with Dove hair care products was delivered at my house. I was glad that it was the Intense Repair line. You know how I love to experiment with my hair. Over the past years, I have permed my hair 4x, colored my hair thrice and finally decided to cut my hair short. 

Dove Damage Therapy Intense Repair

Naturally, I can't wait to give it a try. I picked a few products to test drive- Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Nutri-Oil Serum with Nutri-Oil Essence, Dove Damage Therapy Intense Repair Overnight Treatment and Dove Damage Therapy Intense Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner with Fiber Actives. 

Seattle's Best Coffee's Valentine Cookies & SBC Milk Tea

My event: February 10, 2012

Seattle's Best Coffee

Greenhills Town Center

Granada Street, San Juan

It's the love month! Seattle's Best Coffee introduced this limited edition Valentine Cookies last Friday over a cup of SBC Milk Tea. These delectable heart-shaped cookies come in 2 flavors- chocolate- flavored butter cookie and classic butter cookie. Each cookie is covered in fondant and carries 4 different designs. 

this heart-shaped cookie has my signature XOXO written on it ; p

I chose this yellow heart-shaped cookie because it has "xoxo" written on top of it ; p For some husbands (or sometimes boyfriends) like my DH who doesn't like giving flowers, heart-shaped cookies would do the trick hahaha DH should get me one, right now! After all, it's the thought that counts. 

When in Manila: MOA eye

Mall of Asia (MOA) Eye

San Miguel Bay City

SM Mall of Asia Complex

PhP150/ticket

At 180 ft (55 meters) tall, MOA Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines. Inaugurated last December 18, 2011, it has 36 air-conditioned gondolas. Each gondolas can carry a maximum of 6 persons totaling 216 passengers in one cycle. The duration of the ride is 10 minutes.

OOTN

LOOK by Elcid- eyeglasses from Korea

Terranova- black blouse

bought in Hong Kong- dress

bought in Taiwan- knee length stockings

bought in Taiwan- black shoes

Korea Chronicle: Myeongdong

My visit: December 30, 2011

Day 8 (3rd day DIY Seoul Tour)

Myeongdong
Seoul, Korea

A few days before, I was disappointed when we visited Dongdaemun with our tour group as part of our itinerary. It is much like an open air market place. The place is huge, there is one area that sold meat, an alley that sold cameras and another that sold dry goods. During winter, you can't possibly stay outdoors long enough without getting chills. Needless to say, during our DIY tour, we never went back ; p We choose to visit Myeongdong instead.

at Myeongdong eating chestnuts

Myeongdong is big too. Sure, some wares are also peddled on the streets but at least here, you can go inside a department store or in my case beauty stores whenever I felt shivers because of the cold.

Korea Chronicle: Lotte World Korea

My visit: December 29, 2011

Day 7 (2nd day DIY Seoul Tour)

Lotte World
40-1, Songpa- Ku Chamshil- dong,
Seoul, Korea
02- 4112000

Weekday: 9:30am to 7:30pm
Weekend: 9:30am to 8:30pm

We were already in Lotte World around 11:30am but decided to wait until it was 4pm before buying a ticket. The After4 Special Pass entrance fee is cheaper- W23, 000 (PhP 920) per person ; p

There were ticket booths/ticket vending machines located on all 4 levels. It was not even weekend- it's Thursday but the line was really long when we got there. We saw a lot of tourists flocked near the entrance and also visitors in their teens plus families with kids in tow. We assumed that the waiting time for rides is going to be longer in the morning than in the afternoon.

welcome to Lotte World

While waiting, we had lunch at Lotteria. It's like Korea's version of McDonald's. We spent like W5, 900 (PhP236) for lunch- a meal consisting of a burger, fries & drink. We shared 1 order ; p Pa sweet effect! The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping looking around  Lotte Department Store and Shopping Mall for cheap finds.

How to eat Sangchu-ssam

When in Korea, learn how to eat the Korean way. On our first day, our tour guide, Mike taught us how to eat Sangchu-ssam.

DH holding sangchu-ssam

Cooked rice and other food wrapped in Korean lettuce is called Sangchu- ssam- Wikipedia

sangchu- lettuce

ssam means wrap

We ate at Korean Restaurant- what a creative name, huh?- when we went to check out in advance our ride for our trip back to the airport using KORAIL Seoul Station.

TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection... Hair Intervention!

Commercial Break!

A bag containing a set of TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection arrived at my door step last year. I was only able to give it a try just last month. Ok, I know, I am like a bee... always busy ; p

TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidote Resurrection Damage Level 3

Anyway, I thought this set came at the right time! I just had my hair colored in Orange Brown, yes, for the third time- where were you?! My hair is still alive but I know that if I continue doing this to my hair, it will need an intervention. Drum roll... TIGI Bed Head is the solution!

RESURRECTION is perfect for weak, brittle hair that needs an intervention. Bring hair back to life with this powerful, moisture packed shampoo and let the hydration therapy begin. 

TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidote Shampoo  250ml PhP1, 850

TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidote Conditioner 200ml PhP1, 930

Expires 12 months after initial use.

MrsMartinez Gives: Special Screening of The Vow

Hey, you, lovebirds! Do you have a date on Valentine's Day? I have good news to share, MrsMartinez in cooperation with Carmex Philippines and Zoya Manila is giving away 5 pairs of tickets to watch the special screening of the movie The Vow.

The Vow movie poster

Starring:

Channing Tatum as Leo

Rachel McAdams as Paige

The Vow is based on a true story about a couple- Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. It was in 1993 when their car was hit from behind by truck. Waking up with a memory loss, the husband tries to win her heart again.

Directed by: Michael Sucsy

Read after the break for mechanics...

Korea Chronicle: Ramada Seoul

My visit: December 28, 2011 to January 1, 2012

Ramada Seoul

112-5 Samseong-dong

Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

02-62022000

Located an hour's drive from Incheon airport, Ramada Seoul is 40 minutes away from Kimpo Airport and 20 minutes from down town by car. Approximately, 10 minutes walk from Seolleung Station Subway Line 7. 

Executive Room for $195

We were not as lucky as with our other trips abroad, most of the rooms we got have either twin or double bed. I am very picky with the size of bed I sleep in because I can hardly sleep without anyone by my side. We I have been bugging our tour guide to check and double check the bed that we will be having on our four nights stay in Ramada Seoul. Up until our check in date, my efforts remained futile. The hotel cannot accommodate our request so instead of giving us a Superior Room, we were upgraded to an Executive Room with twin beds... waaaaaah!

New find: Min Sok Restaurant Makati

My visit: January 21, 2012

Min Sok Saeng Deung Sim

5655 Don Pedro St., cor Jacobo,

Poblacion, Makati 

8959586

After coming back from our 10-day Korean vacation, we had enough of Korean barbecue, or so we thought. DH and I miss Korean barbecue so much so that for two consecutive Saturdays, we were on a look out for authentic Korean restaurants. 

Last January 14, we went to Korean Village in Nakpil, Malate after going to Quiapo. The week after, we paid Min Sok- a hole in the wall restaurant in Poblacion, Makati, a visit. 

sangchu-ssam; short ribs PhP490

It was a post I read in FB by Dr. Allan Pua last January 7 that pique my curiosity. In his post, he was raving about Min Sok Saeng Deung Sim- an authentic Korean Restaurant. I only got a vague description on where it is located. Thank goodness Min Sok is known within the area where the go-so dance clubs are located. After asking a couple of bystanders, we were able to locate the restaurant.

Sangchu-ssam is a term used for cooked rice and other food wrapped in lettuce

Korea Chronicle: Fashionista in Starbucks

My visit: December 28, 2011

Day 6 (1st day DIY Seoul Tour)

Fashionista? Ako yun ; p lol 

The hotel that we stayed in Seoul did not include breakfast in the package. It was a good thing that Seoul have a lot of coffee shops around. But we opted to enter a familiar coffee shop- Starbucks.

me and my signature hot chocolate W4, 800 (PhP192)

It was too late when I saw a menu with calorie count near the cashier. I already ordered a hot chocolate which has around 478 kcal, if I remembered it right. I should have just ordered Starbucks' Coffee Frappuccino which has less than 200 kcal... waaaaaah!

We also ordered Cranberry Chicken sandwich (not in the photo) for W3, 900 (PhP156).

Favorite: Excelente Chinese Cooked Ham

My visit: January 14, 2012

Excelente Ham Inc.

155- 157 Carlos Palanca St.,

Quiapo, Manila

7336355   7336360

Due to our busy schedule last holiday season- DH & I were in Korea for 10 days, we were not able to buy a ham from our favorite brand, Excelente Chinese Cooked Ham. 

Excelente Chinese Cooked Ham

One Saturday after office, DH and I went to Quiapo. With holiday season over, the place was not that crowded anymore. We were able to park in one of the banks situated in Carlos Palanca St. I removed any jewelry that I had since we were just going to walk around the area.

We have 2 things to do that day, have my camera fixed and buy our favorite ham ;p

Korea Chronicle: Kimchi School

My visit: December 27, 2011

Day 5 (afternoon)

Kimchi School

Seoul, Korea

02-3089688

After visiting Changdeok Palace in the morning, we went to KimChi School where according to our tour guide, we will make our very own kimchi. 

infront of KimChi School

Kimchi also spelled gimchi, kimchee or kim chee is a traditional fermented Korean dish made of vegetable and varied seasonings.

Ha Yuan opens in Greenhills Town Center Granada, QC

My visit: January 15, 2012

Ha Yuan Signatures Since 1956

Greenhills Town Center

Granada St., Valencia, Quezon City

Every Sunday, my family and I spend time together. After spending the afternoon in a mall, we visited the newest hang out in San Juan/ Quezon City- Greenhills Town Center along Granada St. 

fresh lumpia PhP60

The area is huge. There are a lot of food choices like McDonald's, Seattle' Best, Sumo Sam and Hanobe. Tucked inside is Ha Yuan Signatures. It serves Tsinoy Comfort Food like maki mi and fresh lumpia. It brings back old childhood memories!

Celeteque DermoScience Giveaway!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I am so happy to announce my first giveaway for the year 2012! MrsMartinez's Raves & Rants in cooperation with Unilab, makers of Celeteque DermoScience is giving away 2 gift packs worth PhP3, 500! Each gift packs contains a complete set of Advanced Anti-Aging & Hydrating line! You can share the Anti- Aging line with your mom and personally use the Hydrating line. How's that for a New Year Blowout Giveaway! 

Celeteque DermoScience Anti- Aging Line

I have not yet tried these new products from Celeteque! You are so lucky to get to try it before I do! With that, I want to know which Celeteque DermoScience product do you love the most and why.

Read the complete mechanics after the break...