DIY Anniversary Surprise (Verleo Catering & Pastry Princess)

This 2013 marks my 10th year wedding anniversary with DH. Since I am the mushy one in our relationship, I want to make the celebration extra special for my best friend, my partner in crime and my soul mate so I surprised him with an elaborate dinner not just for two but for our entire family!

DH and I celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary

I planned the whole surprise 10th wedding anniversary in less than a week. Yes, from ordering a cake to calling a caterer. It really helps if you are "best friends" with the caterer lol I really wanted to bring over a priest to officiate/ bless us as a couple but I was out of luck. I guess I am pushing too hard already ; p

Anyway, read more after the break...

Surprises on my Birthday!

This year, my birthday is extra special because I celebrated it for the first time with my daughter. Plus the fact that family, relatives, friends and readers from all over the world greeted me online via Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. I received a lot of SMS greetings too. I even got one from our ex-househelp who now works for my SIL ; p Some even attempted to call me on my phone but my cellphone is always on SILENT mode these days lol

People who are close to me know that celebrating my birthday is a big thing for me. Getting all the attention for one day has made me a very happy person so thank you all!

Dulcelin Mango Torte from my carebear friend, Leony

I just want to thank the following people who made my day extra special starting with my very good friend and elementary classmate, Leony. She never fails to deliver something special for my birthday. This year, she gave a very delicious Mango Torte from Dulcelin. I kept it frozen and only took it out for dessert after dinner last night ; p

Read the rest of the surprises after the break...

Espressamente Illy in Power Plant Mall Rockwell

April 6, 2013

Espressamente Illy
3rd floor, Power Plant Mall
Rockwell Center, Makati City
846-9165

Last Saturday, I went to Rockwell with my family to check out an expo held in Rockwell tent. However, I could not stand the hotness and humidity inside the tent. We were in and out of the tent in less than a few minutes ; p

While strolling inside the mall, I spotted TWG banners all over. I decided to check it out. By checking, I mean, checking the price on the menu ; p I find it not within my budget for an afternoon snack. We finally settled for a quaint Italian cafe called Espressamente Illy.

Sardines and Eggs PhP 265

Perusing the menu, Sardines and Eggs caught my attention. I ordered it and I recommend it to whoever will dine here in Espressamente Illy.

An order consists of 2 sunny side up egg, grilled tomatoes, balsamic salad, garlic rice and several pieces of sardines. I lost count as there were four of us who shared this plate ; p

This dish is totally worth my money!

For the rest of what we ordered, read after the break...

Max's Create Your Own Merienda Mixes for only PhP 95!

December 9, 2012

Max's Fried Chicken

Level 2, Robinsons Magnolia Branch

Quezon City

Ever since my my mom saw Max's tarpaulin on the second floor of Robinsons Magnolia, she eagerly awaited for its opening day. She mentioned something about "Max's Create Your Own Merienda Mixes" and her operating word is "mura lang!" 

When we visited the mall two Sundays ago, we saw that the restaurant was already open. It was buzzing with families having their afternoon snack.

 Champorado Petit - a Max's Classic Merienda

Step 1: Choose from Max's Corner Bakery Treat

Step 2: Add a Max's Classic Merienda

Step 3: Complete it with a drink

All for only PhP 95! What a treat, right?!

For Max's Classic Merienda, aside from Champorado Petit, you can opt for Pancit Canton (small) or Pancit Luglug Plain.

The Champorado Petit I ordered was chocolate-y good! The downside is its size, it was bitin!

To know more about the other combination available, read after the break...

Gift Guide: Baked Twinkles

Baked Twinkles
Made with Love and Happiness
09166590088

While I was out the whole afternoon, our helper received a bagful of baked goodies from Baked Twinkles. I excitedly unwrapped each of the four boxes found inside the bag. While taking photos, I could not contain myself from tasting the delicious treats inside! A sneak peek of what's inside the bag below...

 Baked Twinkles Low Sugar Apple-Walnut Cake with Oat Streusel PhP 700 set of 4 minis per order (PhP 175 each)

I decided to include Baked Twinkles in my Holiday Gift Guide because I love homemade goodies especially those that are not too sweet! Plus, the packaging is perfect for the Christmas season ; )

Low Sugar Apple-Walnut Cake with Oat Streusel - chunks of apples and walnuts in moist cake that is low in sugar (coconut sugar) topped with oat streusel

Want to see what's inside the other boxes, read more after the break...

Halo Halo Cake at UCC One Rockwell

May 11, 2012

UCC

West Tower, One Rockwell

Rockwell Drive

Jin invited DH and I to try out UCC newest cake creations. I know it will be crazy to turn down such an invite but I have a problem, the event date would fall on our wedding anniversary.  A dilemma that didn't last long because as I continued to read her invite, the second paragraph said that she will be presenting... The Halo Halo Cake!

UCC Halo Halo cake PhP250

Yes, she got me at Halo Halo because I have been deprived of dessert for some time. With all the binge eating I have been doing, I can't eat desserts anymore lest I want to balloon up to 200 pounds at the end of the year. Anyway, Jin also promised that we will experience a bongga night ; p

The Halo Halo came in at the latter part of the meal but I was able to taste the creamy leche flan sandwiched in between layers of soft ube chiffon. Cream, caramelized banana, langka and macapuno made up the rest of the filling. Of course, as with any other halo halo, it was topped with cornflakes and nangkasuy ice cream on the side. Surprisingly, it was not too sweet at all, making it a perfect substitute of the usual halo halo that we were used to.

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.

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

Good Fellas steaks and burgers

My event: September 2, 2010

Good Fellas Steaks and Burgers

36 T. Gener corner K-1st Street

Kamuning, Quezon CIty

9645385   4133187

ootn

Esprit brown blouse

Guess jeans

necklace birthday gift from AC

chunky ring Christmas gift from JJ

hair pulled up in a bun

Figaro All- Day Breakfast, Figaro a la carte and cakes!

Blogger Event:: June 2, 2010

Figaro

G/F Hanston Bldg.

Emerald Ave.,

Ortigas Center

The invitation I got from NomNom Club was timely because I just encountered a bad experience the day before in Figaro Promenade. I aired my concern to the management and they promised me that they will look into it. So, hopefully they could do something about it.

It was an impromptu invite and my mom, who was a loyal patron for more than 5 years, was with me that day. We were able to taste Figaro's All Day Breakfast by Chef Karl Marxist Tan. All breakfast set are served with 8 oz. brewed coffee.

classic corned beef PhP175

The classic corned beef was my dad's favorite. Chunky corned beef served with egg and garlic rice. They could have cooked the egg well to make it more palatable lol

Finally, a candle to blow and a cake to eat from Hizon's and Estrel's!

My, oh, my! The party has just started! It seems like I will be celebrating the whole month of May lol I tell you, with good family and friends around, who is counting! I say enjoy and live a happy life!

celebrators that night