Style and Soul

Dining Destination: Marriott Cafe

2012-02-13T12:07:00.003+08:00

Most of you might already have plans for the big V-day tomorrow. However, I have this strong feeling that a lot of you still have no idea where to go and/or are probably going to choose your date place at the very last minute. If you haven't decided yet, I highly suggest you to go to Marriott Cafe!

Last week, I welcomed an exclusive blogger invitation and went there with my boyfriend for a pre-Valentine lunch. Just so you know, JR is the only one who's fond of eat-all-you-can banquets. Unfortunately for me, I usually can finish one serving only which totally defeats the purpose of eating in these kinds of restaurants. To my surprise, my trip to Marriott Cafe in Resorts World Manila was the first time that I genuinely appreciated and enjoyed a buffet set-up.

Imagine when I got home, I couldn't stop talking about it to my family and friends. Until now, I couldn't forget about its extensive food selection that are all tasty and stellar in quality.

My own photos didn't do its food enough justice and so for this entry, I'm stealing yet crediting the amazing photos of lifestyle blogger Dennison Uy of Audio Visual Junkie.

Marriott Cafe has over 14 stations from appetizer to dessert and I don't really know where to begin. Let me start with JR's favorite - the meat stations! One of these is the Cru Steakhouse which offers family-size steak portions with sides of grilled veggies and carbs. Meat lovers will definitely be delighted to choose among Angus beef rib eye, strip loin steak, foie gras, grilled tiger prawns and calamari, and lapu-lapu with choices of marinade sauce.

The Carving Counter focuses on the Australian prime rib with roasted lamb and traditional lechon served with sauces, condiments and salsas.

My boyfriend particularly loved this station because it also served foie gras, a luxury dish which originated from French cuisine, which is made of fattened duck or goose's liver. JR shared that during his stay in France, he wasn't able to afford this due to its very steep price. On this food trip, he seized the moment and got two pieces on his plate!

As thrilling as all the meat looked like, there was nothing more exciting to me than the shells and seafood section. Now that's my favorite! It contains lobsters, tiger prawns, clams, oysters, salmon, Japanese sashimi, wicked rolls and lot of other exotic choices like octopus, blue crab, New Zealand mussels and a whole lot more.

Marriott Cafe also has a unique pasta bar called Antonio's which features Italian specialties that are all cooked right before your eyes. You can actually see the chefs making the pasta noodles out of scratch using dough. Unlike other buffets wherein the pasta doesn't taste good anymore because it has been sitting on the counter for hours, at Marriott, all the high-end ingredients are laid down and the customer picks a pasta on the menu. The chef will then whip it up and serve it hot and fresh!

Other than pasta, Antonio's also offers other mouthwatering Italian dishes like pumpkin tortellini's, spinach gnocchi, salmon and cream cheese ravioli with truffle paste (I love this!), risotto and fresh truffles. The station's menu changes every week so each visit remains exciting!

Of course, expect the standard buffet sections to be present as well - a definite epicurean treat: Yakitori, Tandoor, Chinese, Chowder, Gourmet Salumiere, Cheese Studio, Salad Bar and Desserts.

Yakitori brings to the table Japanese grilled chicken parts

Tandoori: some Asian bestsellers here are tandoori chicken, Dal makhani and naan w/ chutneys

Chinese food area

Food items in the Chowder or soup station are also cooked fresh upon ordering

Gourmet Salumiere features a selection of premium ham and almost all sorts of bread.

Cheese Studio include various types of cheese.

Another stand-out area at Marriott Cafe is the wine and cocktails station. I'm not into alcoholic drinks but judging at how all the people got giddy in this area, it's safe to assume that this is indeed a hit among Marriott's clientele.

The Martini Bar allows you to have your own personalized drink!

You won't believe how delectable, hefty the dishes (that I've tried) are. Since I'm not much of an eater unlike my boyfriend, I only got the pasta, seafood and steak but overall, I liked what I've had.

After all that cosmic appetizer-main course goodness, never forget to save some space for desserts! It has a great variety of pastries and baked treats of flans, cakes, pies and brownies. You may also choose among its wide assortment of yummy gellato variants.

Before I end this entry, I saved the best station for last - the Chocolate Room! If you have any plans of getting your loved one some expensive box of chocolates, skip that and bring her/him here instead! This area will enthuse both kids and adults, or even bring out the child in you with its jam-packed room of heavenly selection of chocolates!

Cap off your fine dining experience with these sinful sweets. To name a few, there were raspberry ganache pound cake, milk chocolate mouse with caramel, Maracaibo chocolate cheesecake, brownies, choco chip cookies, truffles, pecan tart and chocolate macarons! The grand chocolate fountain with condiments and fruits is such a tempting indulgence while clusters of 100% Belgian and Swiss chocolate bars gave me a different kind of sugar high. Magsawa ka hanggang maumay ka!

Left: You really have to pick out the macarons from this edible chocolate Sakura tree creation

There's white chocolate too!

For a more lavish appeal, Marriott Cafe's chocolate room has a special and picture-worthy attraction - a life-size, decadent chocolate covered ambassador! I freaked out when I found out that it was a real person but after some thought, hey I changed my mind. How cool was that?!

You won't believe how long we stayed there just to eat - three whole hours! Haha. For a brunch buffet price of P2,000/head every Sunday, you really have to make every peso count. I know, it's pricey for some of my budget-conscious readers. But when you save up for it, you'll discover that it's worth the food quality, elegant and classy ambiance and the total fine dining experience. Of course, if times are really tight, just go here for that very special occasion this year. Definitely a must-try!

It's the best buffet that I've had so far. I still have a hang over, can't wait to go back!

Special thanks to Anton Carranza, Savannah Santiago and Marriott Cafe for the generous accommodation.

Photo Credits: Dennison Uy of Audio Visual Junkie

Marriott Cafe, Marriott Hotel Manila

No. 10, Newport Blvd., Marriott Hotel Manila, Newport City Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines

Contact: 988-9990

VALENTINE'S PROMO: Avail the room package from February 13 to 15 for P12,500 which includes buffet breakfast for two and tickets to Seasons of Love or Love Valentine concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

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Quickest Giveaway: "The Vow" Movie Premiere Tickets

2012-02-11T15:15:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone! I've been very busy with a lot of things lately and I totally forgot to post about this giveaway! The premiere night is tomorrow, February 12, 2012, 4PM at Cinema 1 in Rockwell Powerplant Mall.

To join, simply add/follow/like:

1. Carmex Philippines = Facebook and Twitter

2. ZoyaManila = Facebook and Twitter

3. Style and Soul = Facebook and Twitter

4. Tweet "I want to watch THE VOW tomorrow @thestyleandsoul @CarmexPH @responsiblespa"

First 2 people to tweet will automatically win! The first will win 3 tickets while the second one wins 2 tickets!

SUPER QUICK AND EASY! Join now!!! I will validate the winners today and contact you guys tomorrow on how to claim your tickets. Make sure you comment here below your full name (on valid ID), birth date, age, mobile number and e-mail address so I can contact you ASAP!

Good luck everyone! Happy Valentine's Day!

Commuting in Style: Quick shift from day to night look

2012-02-10T11:00:00.000+08:00

I find it quite ironic how my previous blog entry has talked about "starting over" and yet, as soon as I hit my life's "reboot" button, the sooner I slip back to my old habits. By that I mean being absent from blogging (or social media) for the past week. Aaaaw. Hmmm... It's been a little frustrating because I really want myself to efficiently multitask, but it seems like I need to push so much harder on achieving that. Every time work comes up, I don't know why, but it has its own way of consuming most of my time and energy, and that just drains me, making me unable to blog anymore.

Despite everything, my disposition in life remains positive. This mind-set requires me to believe that what happened is just a tiny setback that I can easily reverse as I continue to figure out how to master the art of time management and juggling multiple tasks.

Before I go on over and over about this, I'm stopping myself right at the second paragraph to give way for my entry's real topic for today. You see, the core and most important pieces of advice here in my Commuting in Style segment are all stated in my pilot entry, Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety. Most of my tips there are probably quite similar to the ones you might just encounter in some of my future posts.

Now, one of the major dilemmas of fashionista commuters is changing looks from day to night. Imagine, you either have work or school in the morning till afternoon then after, you need to go directly to a dinner or event in the evening.

Again, like what I always say, I'm not an expert on anything. Everything I say in this segment is purely based on experience. I know the feeling of how burdensome it is, tiis-ganda lang ang peg, when dealing with this situation. So how do I manage to wing it?

1. Choose a versatile closet piece that'll last till night

To those who have their own cars, this will never be a grave predicament. All they have to do is put their items in the trunk and conveniently change at the backseat. But since you don't have the luxury of time and space to do so, you have no other choice but to pick one and that's it!

Bringing extra clothes is impractical. It will be such a hassle to carry along a heavy bag during a lengthy walk on the side road and foot bridges; especially on public transport vehicles. Also, switching to a completely different ensemble is too tedious; not to mention, very time consuming.

For this outfit, I decided to stick with my cute floral dress and popping yellow blazer

2. It's either a minor add-on or take-off

If you really can't stand wearing the exact same outfit during the day to your night affair, fine, you may pack just one additional clothing. Example, wear a casual dress and put on a sequined blazer at night for instant glam. If you're donning separates like a skirt and a blouse, or a shirt and pants; just modify either the top or the bottom piece.

You can also choose to take off something instead. I've had one of those days when what I did was I wore a bodycon dress and put on over a maxi skirt and sandals. When I got to the event, I made a quick change by getting rid of my skirt and slipping on some sexy pumps then I was so ready to party!

Switched my red flats to Parisian boots, black tassel necklace and black and gold accessories

3. Shoes and accessories will do it
When you're already feeling good about your evening ensemble, then just seal the deal with a change of heels and accessories - two of the easiest things to add in your look. Meanwhile, accessories are the lightest items to have in your handbag.

4. Make-up: The best change of all

If you're too lazy to bring anything at all, simply put on make-up for an effortless yet dramatic transformation. You can either do a smoky eye and dab a red lipstick; or in my case, I just sweep heavy eyeliner and mascara then I'm done!

From bare face, I added a dash of pink lip tint and swiped some liquid eyeliner

It's definitely a tough act to balance practicality and style especially when you have to be at different places and various occasions all in just one day. Add "commuting" as a factor and most of you would probably just go for the easy way out and not dress up at all. However, there are always a lot of means to go around it. If there's a will, there's a way! Cheers to us fashionista commuters!

BTW, let me know if you find these tips useful. If there are topics about budget shopping and commuting in style tips that you want me to blog about, feel free to tell me! Happy Friday everyone, I miss you all!

Photo Credits: Paul Chuapoco

Last day to join my GIVEAWAY!

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See you tonight at FOREPLAY!

2012-02-10T10:26:00.000+08:00

I'll be hosting a pre-Valentine party tonight! I'm not so much of a party person (I swear!) but these days, I have to because it's all work! If you don't have any plans tonight, go here! It seems pretty fun because there'll be a fashion show, drinking games, body shots and other "romantic" games.

This "most epic v-day celebration" will be held Area 05 Superclub in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Door price is P300. See you tonight everyone!!!

This Friday, come out and play!

Kimono Dressing for a Fresh and Fab February

2012-02-01T11:00:00.000+08:00

Out with the old, in with the new. This was my mantra when I started 2012 with the best intentions, vowing to ditch my old and negative ways in exchange for a better version of myself.

I did some thinking and reflected upon the past month. On one end, I'm more than proud to say that I was able to adhere to three of my new year's resolutions while at the same time, I feel quite sad that I have broken the rest on my list. But since I looked at the glass as half full instead of half empty, I'm still rewarding myself a pat on the back because at the very least, I have kept a few promises that I made to myself.

Kimono tunic and bag Thrifted | Boots SM Parisian | Bangles Random

Although I started off slow in a lot of my "priorities," over all, January has been a good month. Like some people, I've had my own fair share of off-track moments. What's more important is that I was able to pull through to live another day.

Then it just hit me. I still don't know what to do with my life, where exactly I'm headed. I've been enjoying freelancing because it has given me the freedom that I enjoy, and because I have learned a so much by creating my own path. Looking back, I knew I wouldn't want to dwell in a life filled with regrets and what ifs.

You know, it's not a bad thing to just go with the flow and take your time to make a steady footing of what you really want out of life. It is when you lose your way that you find your direction.

I've come to realize that "starting over" isn't just a mind set every new year. Instead, it's an everyday commitment to work on me, only better. Each day is an opportunity for me to assess how I did and contemplate on how I can do better tomorrow; and that's growth.

Hitting that "refresh" button. Moving on. Turning on a new chapter. It all happens everyday.

So leave yesterday behind because here is another beginning. Happy February everyone!

P.S. With the theme in mind as starting new things in life, my friend, DJ Boom of 91.5 just put up his own blog. It'll be about music, the life of a radio DJ and how you can score a career in the radio industry. It's pretty interesting! Let's follow the THE BOOM BOX!

Join my GIVEAWAY!

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Commuting in Style: Anything goes in wearing prints

2012-01-31T19:00:00.000+08:00

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered so many views and feedback. For that, I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this has inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

Denim Jacket Thrifted | Dress Gifted | Bag c/o Freeway

Times have certainly changed. In the past, wearing a "print-on-print" ensemble was just a trend. Today, prints have become a part of our everyday style. A creative mix of florals, animal skins, stripes, polka dots, and tribal prints never fails to make an eye-catching statement.

If you ask me, there are no definitive set of rules on how to wear prints. Still, you just can't pile on the prints and expect them to blend perfectly without a little effort. A daredevil stylephile may go all-out and crazy with it, and in the end, manage to pull it off. However, not many of us possess that gift.

In wearing prints, most of us would want to look well put-together rather than a random mess. Without any "expertise" on this matter, let me share with you how I go about injecting prints and patterns to my own personal style.

1. Pay attention to the color and texture of the garment

Let the fabric speak to you. O ha, parang baliw lang, haha. Lay down all your clothes first and check out which ones seem to go well together. In her blog, I remember Camille Co saying that there should be at least one color/shade/palette which is related to the rest of the items in your outfit.

This is true to a certain extent. If you notice my outfit, you'd see that accents of brown are consistent in my look. However, you may also go on a completely opposite direction and avoid coordinating the colors and prints. A balanced contrast is a good thing, just like this acid wash jacket, yellow zebra print dress and colorful canvass tote bag.

2. Have a fashion inspiration

What I always do is I surf the web for style blogs and e-mags that I could use for reference. Magazine editorials are also very helpful. I make sure that I don't just put a personal spin to it, but also make it appropriate for my lifestyle.

3. Do not excessorize

A print is a show-stopper in itself. Do not overkill by layering too much accessories. Remember that when commuting, your outfit is already a head-turner so keep everything else plain and simple as much as possible. Kung hindi, baka tuluyan ka nang ma-hold up nyan teh, haha!

4. At least one item in solid color

You have the option to discard this tip. If you want to go printed literally from head to toe, including your shoes, socks, bag, accessories and everything, go ahead! Ikaw na, bongga ka teh! But realistically speaking, I personally think you shouldn't over-do it. Some prints just call for a single pairing. For example this ensemble, I went for brown boots and stacked a few black and brown thin bangles.

P.S. Was wearing flats during public transport.

Boots c/o Shoe Etiquette

5. Confidence is the only key

Sometimes we have a feeling that a certain style or trend would only fit "certain people". We tend to be too hard on ourselves, yung tipong, sa kanya lang naman bagay yun eh. Well change the mind set, will you? Yes "prettier" girls may have a way of wearing anything with their faces as their saving grace when all else fails.

Go and face the mirror, now na. What do you see? You are looking at a beautiful person who's deserving to wear anything that her heart desires. Carry lang girl! You can't buy confidence. It's something that you have to harness from within. Work on that!

Get a chance to win this canvas tote bag from Freeway! Join my GIVEAWAY !

From a fashionista commuter's perspective, these are just a few factors on how to successfully wear prints. A good deal of practice and research will also help you hone your print-on-print palate. Only a few could pull off such a daring look but again, just be confident and proud. It's the only way so never fear to go for a graphic get-up every single day.

Join my GIVEAWAY!

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Multiply Bloggers Picks (+Giveaway Winners)

2012-01-30T11:00:00.000+08:00

I'd like to open this blog entry by saying a big THANKS to everyone!

Bloggers United has an ongoing project with Multiply Philippines, the no.1 online shopping site in the country. It's called, Multiply Bloggers Picks campaign wherein selected bloggers are featured on a special curated page along with their selected products from Multiply's merchants who are using its new shopping cart system.

The launch of the campaign included us, Bloggers United founders: me, Aisa and Ana. The reason why saying thanks is the best way to open this post is because so far, according to Multiply, the curated site is gaining positive feedback and a good number of hits. Really, all because of your overwhelming support, so thank you, thank you!

Starting tomorrow (or next week) you'll be seeing new bloggers on the campaign and before our feature ends, I'd like to share with you my Multiply picks!

1. The Psyche Shop's colorful, printed, one-sided cocktail dress

2. Stylista.ph's splattered-print full skirt

3. The Bag Finder's metallic satchel

4. Archive Clothing's mustard button-down shirt

5. Anagon's chain fringe necklace

6. NatCzar's motorcycle jacket

7. The Posh Wardrobe's basic black pants

8. Be Like A Star's statement necklace

9. Stylista.ph's sequined collar blouse

10. Plus Minus Times Divide's metal collar necklace

11. Leg Love's velvet leggings

10. LizHerbon & Company's sheer blouse

The campaign also featured us on a few online ads. Lookie!

I felt chills the first time I saw this. I've never been on an ad before other than the Globe Tattoo billboard campaign. Happy lang!

See what Aisa and Ana has picked! Check out the Multiply Bloggers Picks campaign!

Before I forget the two winners of P1,000 worth of Multiply GCs (each) are:

Almira de Villa and Gemnikka Alcantara! Congratulations girls! Will notify you both. To the rest, I still have one more ongoing giveaway. You'll get a chance to win a Freeway X Manansala bag!

Join my GIVEAWAY!

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ANNOUNCEMENT: 2012 Giveaway Winners!

2012-01-28T21:23:00.000+08:00

Before 2011 ended, I had a thanksgiving giveaway for the year that was. The goal was to share to my readers the simple but special treats that I've had because of blogging. Thank you to everyone who joined. I appreciate your entries.

It took me about three weeks to sort all entries because I've been checking each and every entry. Of course, it is only fair that I award the items to the people who truly deserve to win. Good thing I also double checked because I found a few who have not really 1) done the additional entries and/or 2) lacking in the steps that they said they've accomplished.

I would like to congratulate the winners of this giveaway! You were all picked via random.org. I checked, and yes, you've done everything posted on your comments, *clap, clap*. I will notify you guys via e-mail and I hope when your packages come, you'd love items that you'll be receiving. :)

Blah, blah, all talk. I know you want me to skip this part already! Haha, excited much? Okay ito na mga teh!

*Drum roll*

3rd Prize: Kritz Villegas
(Surprise consolation prize coming your way!)

2nd Place: FBTL Manila

1st Place: Gizelle Alfonso

Congratulations to all the winners!!! I'm happy for you guys! Happy 2012! I wish you luck continues throughout the year! Everyone, till my next giveaway/s! Madami pang susunod (there'll be more to come)!

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Taking Advertisers by Storm: Glasses-free 3D

2012-01-25T23:20:00.003+08:00

In my previous post, I shared my all-black ensemble to a hosting job that I did for 3D Vizion's media launch. I'm blushing because of your compliments, haha! Anyway, because it's too techie for me, my boyfriend JR is helping me again to explain this amazing new technology that is about to alter the way we do advertising here in the country - 3D screens w/o the glasses! Keep on reading to know more about it!

When advertising, it is important to catch the attention of consumers with compelling images and messages to make them remember the product. Doing so requires a significant amount of strategizing and effort.

With various companies competing for space and air time, how can one stand out?

3D VIZION has the answer - glasses-free 3D screens. This proudly Pinoy company is determined to change the advertising landscape here in our country.

A Unique Way to Advertise

"Glasses-free 3D screens leave such a lasting imprint that studies have shown that it is 10 times more effective than regular 2D media," said Ms. Katrina Bantug, President and CEO of the company. "In the US, a study discovered that when used in a mall, the sales of the brand featured in the glasses-free 3D screen went up at least 12%,” she added.

Katrina Bantug, President and CEO of 3D Vizion

According to 3D Vizion’s press release, multiple researches found that this technology has a proven track record of heightened engagement, and extreme brand recall. Because of the peculiar 3D experience, it is also said that customers will more likely follow it with an actual purchase.

Indeed, glasses-free 3D is the way to go in this constantly evolving technology arena. Let's go back in time: personal computers were once too big and heavy, so we created laptops to bring around. Telephones didn’t allow calls unless it was plugged in, so now we have cellphones to enable us to keep in touch with anyone, anywhere. As of now, current 3D technology can only be appreciated with a number of specially made glasses which can be cumbersome and dorky at times. So now, 3D Vizion ditched them and voila, glasses-free 3D technology!

How does glasses-free 3D work?

From what I understand, the screens make use of lenticular arrays, composed of transparent cylindrical lenses, that are laid on top of the screen. For you to picture this, here's a video about lenticular 3D. This somehow tricks your eyes into seeing 2D images in 3D. They are similar to the 3D cartoon cards a number of us had when we were young.

Melai says: It's really complicated to explain. JR can do that but it will be too wordy and might bore you to death. I love you guys so I researched a little and found this video on youtube! Maybe this would help you understand more. :) *wink*

Advertising With 3D Vizion

With 3D advertising being new in the Philippines, many companies may not be able to take full advantage of the technology. However, 3D Vizion has it all covered. It offers a variety of services to make it easier for the brands adapt to the medium. These include:

Content Creation = ad creation is handled by 3D Vizion from “concept development to execution,”
Content Conversion = wherein 2D or old 3D media is converted to suit the glasses-free 3D media
Content Optimization = the 3D materials are corrected and enhanced.

A number of 3D screens have already been installed around Metro Manila (mostly Ayala Malls) but 3D Vizion plans to expand to other areas in the future. In their website, they promise “ANY SCREEN, ANYWHERE IN 3D GLASSES-FREE.” The glasses-free 3D screens can be installed almost anywhere or be brought to events like product launches, trade shows and parties to wow the attendees. With their own content management system, your ads can be broadcast to any screen in the metro, making distribution quick and easy.

When will the novelty expire?

Ms. Bantug believes that 3D will stay long after the hype withers away. 3D media will not be restricted to advertising or to television and film consumers only. According to her, it will remain a fad for probably about 10 more years. The same thing happened after immense interest was generated by the invention of "things" like TV or mobile phone. Today, these technologies have been part of our lifestyle to the point that imagining life without these would be terribly difficult to do.

But where does glasses-free 3D technology go from here? Ms. Bantug suggested that such breakthrough could be used in military or medicine. I then remembered some scenes from James Cameron’s “Avatar”, and how the humans made use of different 3D interfaces in doing their jobs. (Coincidentally, it was Avatar that started this 3D craze.)

But it doesn’t end there. Engineers and architects can use the the technology to create accurate three dimensional plans of buildings, doctors can create 3D images of patients bodies to assist them in diagnosing diseases and in surgeries, news agencies can bring live events to the living rooms of their audiences and immerse them in it. With a little imagination, you can think of all the different possibilities.
(c) article by JR Espejo

*******

We have spoken about it. Now, all you have to do is see it for yourselves! No amount of words can fully describe the experience unless it's first hand. It is uuh-maaazing I'm telling you! I do hope you enjoy JR's guest post and my occasional butt-ins, haha! Before I end this entry, I'd like to thank 3D Vizion, Geiser Maclang and Amorita Resort!

My kind of basic black

2012-01-25T19:45:00.000+08:00

According to style experts, every woman should have a "little black dress" as a closet staple. I don't disagree with that. In fact, that is totally right. If I would have to show you my closet (which is something I won't do for this post), you'd find that I personally own a lot of basic blacks - top, skirt, blazer, vest, pants, shorts, cardigan, and the list goes on. Name it, and I probably have it in black.

Sequined top, belt and bag with fur flap, thrifted | Necklace, Anagon

Since I've started living the fashionista life, I have come to realize that one of my most essential blacks in the closet is my BBST - basic black sequined top. I swear, you really should have one, or even two in your closet! It gives that "pow!" to any look.

If you frequent my blog for quite a long time now, you'd notice how my black sequined top has consistently reappeared on numerous outfits. I couldn't quite remember how many times exactly I've worn this item but until now, it still seems to be in very good condition, with all the sequins still intact. It has been serving its purpose well and you won't be seeing it in my closet sale anytime soon, haha. Just to remind you, I've worn this when I hosted Bloggers United Bazaar (Part 1) and during the Globe Tattoo Awards (to name some).

Skirt SM Dept. Store | Shoes c/o Payless

Usually, most girls would probably never wear this item ever again to any other special occasion. But since I'm not like most women, I don't really care. Not even how many times I'd get photographed in it.

Wait, do you remember what I said about repeating outfits? Just NEVER MIND! And because I don't give a damn, I wore it again to another hosting job last week. My mind was in a cloud of doubt on what to wear, and so, I went for something safe with this top, black midi skirt, Payless printed shoes and made sure accents of gold are consistent in my head-to-toe look.

Once again, my BBST never failed me. I was pretty confident while I hosted the media launch of 3D Vizion, which featured technology, lifestyle and business bloggers. Yeah, it was really not my crowd. However, it was refreshing to meet new people who write about something else other than fashion.

Left hand: (first) black square bangle with gold piping, c/o Pinkbox

In my next post, I'll tell you more about 3D Vizion and its latest glasses-free 3D screens. Meaning, you don't have to wear glasses just to be able to see a video material in 3D. The images basically appear to pop up on screen. Amazing. But because I'm not the best person to write about technology, my boyfriend JR will do a guest blog again! Excited to see what he has come up with. Ciao bellas!

Join my GIVEAWAY!

Freeway X Manansala
P2K Worth of Multiply GCs

*2012 Giveaway winner to be announced this week!

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What's new January?

2012-01-25T13:00:00.000+08:00

Penshoppe's Pre-summer 2012

This start of the year, your favorite casual yet trendy line will bring something traditional with clean nautical touches. For 2012, Penshoppe is all about easy dressing with light, relaxed and easy-to-wear apparels. As what the brand has showcased in the past Philippine Fashion Week, trends we can expect in the coming months include more vivid use of colors, clean silhouettes, acid wash jeans and its highly popular varsity jackets.

Technically we don't have spring in the country but during this "pre-summer" period, Penshoppe releases a collection of modern yet cheerful wardrobe staples mirroring the signature styles of its strongest brand endorsers, Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick, Asian superstar Mario Maurer and local "It" girl Solenn Heusaff.

CASUAL COOL

Think Chuck Bass - luxurious classics and effortless dressing using closet basics.

SMILE

Mario Maurer's asian pop style, with a boy-next-door vibe to it, is a trendier version which is in contrast with Ed Westwick's. His style caters to a market of teenagers and young adults. Nothing best describes it but fast fashion because anything Mario wears is said to immediately run out of stocks!

HIP to be "IT"

As one of the most sought after female celebrities today, Solenn Heusaff has this sophisticated and sexy style that embodies the perfect female lead. For every girl who wants to be in the limelight, her style is indeed an inspiration for the next "It" girls of this generation.

Win tickets to Anne Curtis' "Annebisyosa" Concert!

MECHANICS:

Post your own Annebisyosa look wearing RED LIPSTIC and PRIMADONNA SHOES.

1. Like Primadonna Shoes Official on Facebook.

Post this on you wall together with the picture: "I want to win tickets to ANNEBISYOSA NO OTHER

CONCERT! @PrimadonnaPH" Make sure you tag Primadonna Shoes Official on your post.

2. Follow Primadonna on Twitter.

Tweet this with the pic: "I want to win tickets to ANNEBISYOSA NO OTHER CONCERT!

#Primadonna PH" tag or mention @PrimadonnaPH

Send Primadonna an email with the LINK OF YOUR POST and full name.

customerservice@primadonna.com.ph

Primadonna will repost your photos on Facebook as your official contest entry.

3. Invite everyone to LIKE Primadonna on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Person with the highest number of likes by the cut-off date wins! Contest ends on January 26, 2012. 12 winners will win 2 tickets each! Good luck!

Dream on!

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000+08:00

What? It's already been over a decade?

Yes friends, we are all 10 years older! Take that!

I was around 10 as well when American Idol first began airing on Fox in 2002. Wow. I haven't realized how much I have aged (because in my heart, I'm forever 18, haha), not until I watched the 11th season of this reality TV singing competition which featured a lot of teen-year-olds. Oh my!

Man, I am getting old, er... older.

Watching the past three episodes of American Idol Season 11 on ETC (local channel), I've been pretty much amazed with all the young and gifted individuals that I have seen on the show so far. Just in case you want to start, GO! You haven't missed much yet. Time slots are every Thursday and Friday at 6PM with a prime time replay at 9PM (+8GMT Manila).

As an aspiring host, aside from the incredibly jaw dropping performances, one of the things I love about the show is Ryan Seacrest, someone I look up to in the field of hosting. Wishing to pick up something from his hosting style, I make sure I observe how he does it - his manner of speaking, including spiels, voice overs, gestures and tone.

Of course, when it comes to the fashion factor, J. Lo's chic outfits are worth mentioning! Hello? Every single time I see her, I just find her so beautiful (considering her age) that she makes me want to have a prettier version of my self, haha. How superficial, I know right!

But seriously, the show made a way for me to rediscover songs that I wasn't that into until I heard another version from one of the contestants. A sample of this is Sunday Morning by Maroon 5. This song isn't my favorite from this band (She Will be Loved is the one). Not until... one of the contestants, Gabi Carruba sang it to perfection. I'm personally rooting for her now. Check her audition video!

Here's another quirky talent, Reed Grimm!

Gosh, there are so many that I've come to admire, and for this post, it's difficult to narrow it down. Watch these two because they have something special too!

If you think it's the same old singing show that you've been watching for years, I beg to differ. Number one, talent is NEVER overrated. And number two, dreams are TIMELESS.

All of us have dreams. I have a lot of it - all are big and very ambitious. The thing is, I have an idea and yet, ironically, I feel like I am totally clueless how to get there. Still, no matter what, I'll always keep my mind, not just eye, on the prize. One of the reasons why I never get tired of watching shows like American Idol is because as cheesy as this may sound, I find it uplifting when people succeed in life. Seeing someone's journey before the big win keeps me hopeful and fighting.

Gaahd, it's just getting more and more exciting! I'm betting on a lot of dramatic turns as American Idol continues to search for contestants who possess raw talent and potential. Can't wait to find out who gets to impress the judges come "Hollywood rounds" and by the end of February, the first group of semifinalists will finally take the Idol stage for their first live performance! Will never miss it out for sure.

If you want to get involved in all the Idol happening, or share your personal favorites like I did, share what you have to say about American Idol on ETC's Twitter, Facebook and/or Website. You could win a little something! Get hooked on #aionetc!

Join my GIVEAWAY!

Freeway X Manansala
P2K Worth of Multiply GCs

*2012 Giveaway winner to be announced this week!

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From tea party to disco night

2012-01-23T20:00:00.000+08:00

Black cover-up Ana's closet | Printed sheer tunic and Boots F-STOP | Necklace c/o Penshoppe

When you're a fashionista commuter like me, you don't have the luxury of time (and space) to slip into a different outfit every time you hop from one event to another. Since I don't have a car, errr... technically my family has pala but I don't get to use it because either my parents or older siblings drive it. Anyway, it's too much of a hassle to change to a completely new set of clothes.

I wore this printed tunic from F-STOP's upcoming February collection (watch out for that!) for a daytime tea party at the Pinkbox event while the sparkly cover-up was added on purpose to achieve a glamorous yet edgy touch to my ensemble when I went to Solar's thanksgiving party in Resorts World at night. To complete my tough look, I went for a more toned down way of accessorizing just by wearing one statement piece which is a black layered cross necklace.

Being practical doesn't mean you have to let go of style. There are times when I feel restrained because commuting keeps me from being my over-the-top self, but it's always about compromise.

Join my GIVEAWAY!

Freeway X Manansala
P2K Worth of Multiply GCs

*2012 Giveaway winner to be announced this week!

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Join the ride to 'Destination Entertainment'

2012-01-23T13:30:00.000+08:00

Who needs TV when you can watch almost everything online?

For a lot of us who just seem to ignore the fact that access to internet is still a privilege we enjoy, just so you know, most of the Filipino population (talking about those in C, D, E classes especially in rural areas) still lack the means to be able to surf the web. If that's the case, imagine how few can afford cable? The numbers may seem big but comparing it to how huge the actual populace is (we're talking about millions here!), the percentage of Filipinos getting quality television shows is very little.

For so many years, Pinoys who rely on free TV for their daily dose of amusement and information had no choice but to endure some horrible and idiotic TV programs shown on leading networks. It's a good thing that recently, some of the shows on air are getting [a little] better and the general public has [a little] more channels to choose from.

In 2011, one of the newest channels on free television is ETC. This was made possible by Solar Entertainment, the media conglomerate which is also behind cable networks 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Diva Universal and Universal Channel. Celebrating a fruitful 2011, Solar held "Destination Entertainment," a thanksgiving party last January 17 at Genting Club in Resorts World Manila. It was a night of food, music, prizes and presentation of the media company's line up of shows for this year.

After the Pinkbox event, I still managed to go to the party just to show my support to Bloggers United's ETC family. Dubbed as the No. 1 channel for the young female demographic, ETC has believed and supported our [Bloggers United] event since the beginning and the least that I can do was show up.

Kudos to Solar for such a grand gathering!

Patti Grandidge and Kim Jones - the hosts of Etcetera

Shows You'll Love

I hate sounding so biased, but honestly, a lot of my favorite US series are on Solar's channels. Allow me to name a few:

American Idol, Season 11 (ETC)

Coming Soon: Project Runway Philippines (ETC)

I'm such a sucker for reality shows that feature talent and hard work. Being a big dreamer like everyone else, I believe I can relate to the contestants and knowing their life stories are always a good source of daily inspiration.

Two Broke Girls (ETC)

How I Met Your Mother (2nd Avenue)

New Girl (ETC)

Big Bang Theory (Jack TV)

Modern Family (2nd Avenue)

Friends with Benefits (ETC)

Cliche' but true. Laughter indeed is one of the best medicines. That's why I make sure I take it as a supplement. These shows are not just funny, but very witty as well!

Smash (2nd Avenue)
From the makers of Chicago, Smash is a drama series about a girl who wants to make it big in broadway. Think of Glee but for a more mature audience with a better treatment at its production numbers.

Etcetera

It's a 15-minute magazine capsule about the latest trends in fashion, TV and World Wide Web. All their shows are great but only a few are local ones. I wish ETC would start producing more Filipino shows aside from US syndicated ones.

Join my GIVEAWAY!

Freeway X Manansala
P2K Worth of Multiply GCs

*2012 Giveaway winner to be announced this week!

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Giveaway: Freeway X Manasala

2012-01-23T02:25:00.000+08:00

Thank you so much Freeway for giving Style and Soul this Freeway X Manansala cavass tote bag! Will be sharing one (brand new) of this to a lucky reader.

Mechanics are simple!

1. Follow Style and Soul on GFC and like on Facebook

2. Like Freeway on Facebook and follow on Twitter

3. Follow Style and Soul on Twitter and tweet this: @FreewayOnline X Manansala bag is up for grabs on @thestyleandsoul's blog! (include giveaway link)

4. Comment with your name, email, facebook name and giveaway tweet link

Optional / Additional

Follow me on Lookbook, Chictopia (1 each)

Note: Include your lookbook and chictopia links in the comment.

Important Details:

Contest ends on February 10, 2012. Open to local readers only!

Join my other GIVEAWAY!

P2K Worth of Multiply GCs
*2012 Giveaway winner to be announced this week!

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Meet and Greet with Katy Perry!

2012-01-22T10:45:00.002+08:00

A blessed Sunday everyone! Today is Katy Perry's concert at SM Mall of Asia (MoA)! But before this musical feast, Katy Perry went to MoA's atrium yesterday to sign a few autographs for her fans.

For the past few days before this, I couldn't stop tweeting about going to Katy Perry's MEET AND GREET. My good friends we're teasing me, saying, ang yabang ko daw! Sorry na guys! Didn't really want to come off that way. It was a case of super excitement, joy and still, disbelief that out of so many bloggers, we were given the chance to go there.

Even though I was sick with flu and needed a bed rest, I picked myself up and commuted all the way to MoA from Quezon City. From my house, I took a cab going to Q.Ave MRT station, then got off at Taft station and took a bus all the way to the venue. It was a three-stop ride, but I've been used to it and it wasn't such a hassle since I follow commuting-in-style guidelines (check my post here).

When I got there, I was slightly upset to find out that the invite only allowed access to the VIP area, just right below the stage. Only the first 100 people who bought the Katy Perry "Purr" fragrance (worth P3,700, 100ml) would be able to go up for a signature and the opportunity to actually greet and interact with her. *sobs* We even spotted Divine Lee, Sam Pinto and Hayden Kho together with other local celebrities, who bought "Purr" and really fell in line just for her!

The e-mail invitation had my hopes up of personally meeting her but looking at the brighter side of life, I realized that a lot of people would do anything just to have an invite. Seeing the huge crowd of fans outside the barricaded area, I know I'm still blessed to be where I am, just a few kembot away from Katy. Like what Ava said, we were pretty close, close enough. Just minus the autograph and photo.

Nevertheless, Ana, Ava and I remain very thankful for the experience. Blessing as always! BTW, what happened to Paul? He gave his invite to Ana as a birthday gift! How sweet and touching! Since he can afford to do so, he bought his own "Purr" perfume kahit pambabae yun at hindi naman daw talaga niya gagamitin, haha! And because we were such supportive blogger friends, we waited for his turn to go up the stage and documented his Katy Perry moment!

Thank you so much Prestige Brands PH for inviting us! Thank you very much for all the love! Will be posting more photos soon!

P.S. Video stolen from Ava!

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Take a peek inside the Pinkbox!

2012-01-21T18:00:00.000+08:00

All grown up!

Pinkbox, a local accessories brand, which used to be more popular for its cute and kiddie accessories, has now reintroduced itself as a more mature yet still youthful label. In the past 10 years, with over 27 company-owned branches nationwide, Pinkbox has evolved into a more fashion-forward line dedicated to cater the feminine stylephiles of this generation.

To celebrate this change, the brand invited an intimate crowd of fashion and beauty bloggers to Sweet Bella Cafe in Burgos Circle, Taguig. I came in late at the event, hence the lack of photos. Despite that, I was glad to have caught up with Lissa, Verniece and Tracy who managed to save me a seat.

It was such an honor meeting Nelly See, owner of the brand. Like most success stories, hers is a very inspiring one. Despite all her achievements, she has remained very down-to-earth. She sat on our table and shared her experiences as a full time mom and entrepreneur.

While we were talking to her, I noticed how Nelly is so proud that her store now carries trendy and bold pieces for reasonable prices. Statement necklaces, over-sized bangles, bracelet sets and detailed earrings can now be found in its outlets. Although it still has a collection of novelty items as well as trinkets and hair accessories for kids, Pinkbox's selection of accessories has become really diverse that it can now be worn by women of all ages.

Check out Pinkbox's website, twitter and facebook!

With Pinkbox's relaunch, it aims to take center stage as one of the go-to places for each fashionista's accessory craving. Pinkbox wants you to make it your regular outfit staple, to use its wide array of accessories to complete your everyday chic look.

As a stronger and more competetive brand, Pinkbox is confident to say, "You're never full-dressed without it!"

P.S. Thank you Pinkbox and Liz for having me at the event. The bloggers all went gaga over the accessories buffet but I still snagged awesome pieces. Can't wait to share my outfit posts with it!

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P2K Worth of Multiply GCs

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January Gifts

2012-01-21T10:30:00.000+08:00

Post holiday presents from generous brands!

1. Accessorize heart-shaped floral purse

2. Myra Vita Glow gift pack (will survive the year w/o buying a moisturizer but I will share of course)

3. Moschino Hippy Fizz perfume from Prestige Brands Philippines (available at Rustan's)

I'm finally catching up with my backlogs. However, there are still a LOT on my plate. Expect shorter posts these next few days as I finish most of my delayed blog entries. I hope you understand. Will get back to blogging more soulful write-ups after I finish my to-do blog posts.

Unlike the top-most bloggers, I don't have a ton of sponsors in my list. However, I'm really happy and more than thankful that certain brands trust me enough and appreciate my style and my body of work to keep on giving me some love. I wish everyone all the blessings they can have - no matter how big or small. Have a great day ahead!

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Giveaway: P2K worth of Multiply GCs!

2012-01-20T22:00:00.000+08:00

Following the success and positive feedback of Multiply Philippines and Bloggers United's collaboration campaign, I would be giving away P2,000 worth of Multiply gift certificates which you can use at ANY multiply online stores which are using the latest multiply shopping system!

Mechanics are easy!

1. Follow Style and Soul on GFC (publicly) and Twitter.

2. Share this Facebook wall post on your FB wall (make sure its public).

3. Retweet this tweet on twitter.

4. Comment with the following details:

Name, Email Address, Link of YOUR shared FB post and Twitter usernames

Additional entries:

1. Like Style and Soul on Facebook.

2. Blog about this giveaway.

3. Tweet this: I wanna win @thestyleandsoul P2K @shopatmultiply GCs! #MultiplyBloggersPicks (include link of giveaway post)

*Note: Don't forget to include your additional entries (put your links)!

Prizes: Two winners will win P1,000 GC each! Deadline is January 27, 2012! Open to local residents only!

Check out: Multiply Bloggers' Picks

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Yabu round 2!

2012-01-20T20:30:00.000+08:00

Went to another trip to Yabu with one of my closest college friends, DJ Boom, a local radio jock for 91.5 Big Radio.

Just in case you haven't noticed, I rarely blog about my real life friends and family (aside from my boyfriend). Again, this blog is a mix of personal and fashion entries but not personal enough. This is the reason why I think I have always kept my balance because I always know how to draw the line and to compartmentalize things.

This year, I guess I'm becoming more open to my friends, letting them in to the other realm that I'm also a part of - the blogging world. And so, I thought the best way to introduce it to DJ Boom is by treating him to a meal courtesy of Yabu!

Before the dinner, I paid him a visit to the radio station where he works. Let me share our 91.5 photo booth pictures!

I am ultimately a MORENA in person. Dunno why we looked so ghostly white! Haha

I love my hair! It was perfect that day! :)

Wearing centipede body harness c/o of Anagon!

DJ Boom, who wasn't such a big fan of katsus, was really skeptical since this was his first time. Pare-pareho lang daw lahat ng katsus na natikman niya. Rather than convincing him to believe me, I let the food speak for itself.

While waiting for our meals, he was pretty much amused with the katsu sauce making ritual!

Pa-art shots of the sesame seeds coming your way!

Both of us ordered chicken katsu sets and with just one bite, I had DJ Boom on my team Yabu side!

Is katsu just a food fad that will soon lay low after a couple of months? With Yabu, I don't think so. Bias aside, I really believe it has one of the best tasting katsus that I've ever had so far - soft, crisp and scrumptious. Nothing compared to other Japanese restaurants, really.

I would like to personally mention Sir Mon and Ms. Jessica of Yabu for the warm accommodation. They even gave us a free choco lava for dessert. Super thanks po!

P.S. Support my good friend DJ Boom (trivia: not his real name, haha)! Like his page on Facebook and follow him on Twitter!

Yabu: House of Katsu

2nd Floor, Atrium, SM Mega Mall

Facebook and Twitter

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Lego Love

2012-01-20T17:00:00.000+08:00

Pants Bazaar | Top SM | Vest Thrifted | Sneakers c/o Keds | Bag c/o Closet Chic

Lego necklace c/o Built To Wear | Lego ring DIY | White ring, spiked bangles Random

My best-est friend in the world is currently going through some marital problems and being her best friend for most of our lives (since pre-school), I really take my time to bring her out whenever I find my schedule free.

It's really sad to see someone so young, and who I truly care about suffer, especially now that she's carrying a baby inside her womb. I know I shouldn't meddle because it's their own business as a married couple, and all I can really do is make a great deal of effort to cheer up my friend. My boyfriend and I took her to dinner and for a quick stroll around the mall.

Decided to dress down a bit. Until now, my best friend admits she gets conscious having a "fashionista" friend around. I constantly remind her that nothing about me has changed when we are together; except probably for my style. We never grew apart for we've always stayed close at most of the phases in our lives.

For a laid back ensemble, I decided to go for some comfy pants, sheer top and Keds sneakers. To add an edgy touch, I wore a vest and carried with me my Closet Chic zebra sling bag. I was in the mood for something quirky that day so I put on this Built To Wear lego necklace given by the really sweet and thoughtful Kat Austria as a Christmas present last year. Also added a yellow translucent spike bangles and DIY lego ring.

Definitely comfy with an edgy touch and quirky accents!

P.S. My personal style is featured on the latest Multiply Bloggers Picks campaign. See my style and my top 10 Multiply store picks along with Bloggers United's Ana and Aisa!

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Slimming Science

2012-01-20T10:43:00.000+08:00

The folks from Allura Body Contour and Slimming Center invited me over to their clinic a week ago to try a few of their services. I would definitely not lie to you about being interested to experience non-surgical weight loss treatments. I've never been to one and so, a visit to Allura was definitely my first time.

Allura, which is turning one year this 2012, focuses on non-invasive slimming technology. It centers on weight loss, reshaping and re-contouring one's body. According to Dr. Manuel Ma, one of the doctors behind it, one of the benefits of being relatively new in the industry is that Allura has the most updated equipment compared to its competitors. The slimming programs it offers do not just include the use of the equipment but also the consultation its medical team provides to the clients.

Allura is perfect for people who are:

Too lazy to work out
Too busy to squeeze exercise in their schedule
Expecting visible results in a short span of time
Willing to spend only a few minutes on weight loss
Afraid to undergo surgery

It's always a plus to see clean hallways

Before getting started, I had a personal assessment. They referred me to Ms. Mari, one of their specialists, to evaluate my fat percentage, body mass index and to advise me on the kind of treatment appropriate for my body's needs. We had a quick discussion about my body type, which was characterized as pear-shaped. It means my upper extremities are normally lean but I am heavy down to my hips, thighs and/or legs.

True enough, this is what I notice about my own body. I wear pants that are 2-3 sizes bigger not because of my waistline but because of how the jeans would fit my thighs. When I was younger, I get intimidated because my older brothers would tease me and call my legs "logs" instead (haha).

Ms. Mari added that no matter how I lose weight or what form of exercise I do, it would be extremely difficult to get rid of my natural body shape. Therefore she recommended a treatment that would target my localized fat in the thigh and tummy area - Lipo Cavitation (P3,500/session) and Lipo Endermology (P2,800/session).

Nice and neat rooms

Step 1: Weight, height, fat percentage and body mass index measurement

Step 2: Check the results. I was diagnosed to be "overweight" by 5.5kg. Ideal weight is 50kg.

Target area: THIGHS! Pata!!

Lipo Cavitation uses ultrasound technology to break down fat tissue and converts it to expendable energy (Source: Press Kit).

First, an ultrasound gel was applied on my thighs. Then, the Cavitalipo machine was pressed on to it in circular motion. I heard a beeping sound that was an effect of being in contact with the apparatus (caused by ultrasound waves) and I felt a slight burning sensation.

Lipo Endermology is a mechanized body sculpting method that intends to reduce the size and volume of the treated area. It was done on my thighs and bilbil (belly bulges). I don't know how to exactly describe it but just to give you an idea, during Lipo Endermology, I felt like my fats were being sucked and at the same time, the machine rolls over the target area to flatten it out.

Lipo Endermology Machine

The procedure requires the patient to wear a body suit. Too shy to show how funny I looked in it.

At level 2.5, it was a bit painful for me to tolerate. Couldn't imagine how level 5 would feel!

As a bonus, I also got to try their bestseller and most popular program, Thermo-Lipolysis (P5,500/session). It features a hi-tech capsule that is said to dissolve fat and speed up one's metabolism.

It's like a tanning machine but what it does is it burns your fats, not your skin.

Had to change into this space suit-ish ensemble to protect my skin from the heat of the machine.

It resembles a sauna too. After the procedure, I was soaking wet with sweat!

My trip to Allura felt pretty good. It was like going to the spa to relax and at the same time lose weight. Before I end this entry, let me give you a quick rundown.

1. Price: All my treatments cost P11,800. I find it expensive for the working class who probably earn about the same amount monthly. But for rich people, they can definitely afford this. To further get a discount, check out their available packages!

2. Service: The medical team and staff of Allura know how to treat their clients well. Everyone is very friendly, prompt and hospitable.

3. Accommodation: The halls are clean and its rooms are all tidy and cozy. Plus, the whole clinic smells great too.

4. Results: It was only a one-day experience and I'm not in the position to say how effective the treatments are. A client should go through a program which is tailored to a specific need. Measurable and visible results would take about 8 - 20 sessions depending on the case. Allura also recommends multiple treatments because all its procedures go hand in hand.

If you don't mind spending on these treatments, by all means, go ahead! However, keep in mind that the key to a successful weight loss is maintenance. After achieving your ideal weight or body shape, make sure you watch out for what you eat.

We all wanted to be the best version of ourselves - physically, mentally and emotionally. Admit it or not, looking good on the outside gives that positive kick in the inside. Like what Allura's endorser and radio jock Nicole Hyala said, what you'll lose in pounds, you'll gain in confidence!

Allura Body Contour and Slimming Center
102 Richwell Center, Timog Avenue, QC
Telephone number: 352-7876
Visit them on Facebook

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Shopping for a cause

2012-01-18T10:16:00.002+08:00

Polka sheer top Thrifted | Skirt c/o Oxygen | Centipede body necklace c/o Anagon | Boots F-STOP

When Sendong struck Cagayan De Oro and Iligan in Mindanao a few days before Christmas last year, we knew we had to something. As a team, we at Bloggers United felt that in our own little way that we had to contribute. After seeing how much damage the typhoon caused, we really couldn't help it. And so, we went out of our way and organized a mini pop-up bazaar in partnership with Moonleaf. Together with a few bloggers, we sold our pre-loved items and donated the rest of the things we weren't able to sell. Moonleaf's marketing manager, Thyz, has accounted about P20,000 raised from the event plus a garage full of donated stuff.

It wasn't big but at it meant a lot to whoever received it because one of the most difficult things to do in life is starting over. And I just hope what we came up with was able to change even just one person, to move past this and live his life the way he used to.

Bloggers United Charity Site

Now, we are proud to have extended shopping for a cause by putting up Bloggers United Charity Site in partnership with Multiply. We would really like to thank Multiply for supporting all our endeavors and for believing in blogging's CSR side - community (not corporate) social responsibility.

Click to shop here!

When we first thought about it, we said, madali lang yan kasi charitable naman ang mga Filipinos. But of course, like any other projects, we realized that not everything is easy. We really need your help - either by shopping or by donating your wearable, good quality pre-loved items for us to sell on the site. Proceeds will ALL go to our chosen charity. Aisa is currently in the process of talking with the possible beneficiary. We need to reach P20,000 first before we turnover the money. After that, the next accumulated P20,000 will be given to the next beneficiary.

DONATE to BU Charity Site

Interested? e-mail melanie_entuna@yahoo.com

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Dining Destination: The Burger Project

2012-01-17T13:21:00.006+08:00

If you are in dire need of a satisfying burger craving, then you better head to Maginhawa Street, Teacher's Village in Quezon City and look for The Burger Project.

It is one of the unique burger joints in the Metro because here, you have all the freedom to create your own burger. A form will be provided and you can choose the type of bun, burger patty (they cater to vegans too), cheese, fresh toppings and sauces that you'd like for your very own customized burger. You even get to name it yourself!

I created my "Style and Soul" burger which is made of:

Burger: Chicken, 2pcs (P95/each)
Bun: Oatmeal (P15/each)
Cheese: Mozzarella (P35/each)
Premium Toppings: Bacon (P25/each)
Basic Toppings: Egg (P20/each)
Free Toppings: Lettuce
Sauce: Garlic (P15/each)

You'd probably think that my burger, which costs P300.00, is a bit expensive. Wait till you see how large the serving is! If you eat the way that I do, you can still share it with two other people. But definitely, I can say that its burgers are good enough for sharing. My blogger friends Aie and Aisa shared their "Paxie Corpuz" burger while I was able to take home my leftover. Without an extra patty, you would only have to shell out around P200-P250 for a burger.

Thinking of getting the "Style and Soul" burger? Go ahead! I'm pretty proud to whip up something delicious! The garlic sauce was flavorful and the chicken burger was hefty to the belly. It's thick, juicy, soft and tastes 100% chicken.

Just in case you're not that experimental to the point that you're too scared to throw your money on something you probably won't like, well problem solved because The Burger Project cleverly offers equally appetizing burgers on the menu created by its very own chefs.

Of course, the dining is experience won't be complete without side orders. We absolutely loved the stuffed mozzarella sticks and crispy huge french fries! However, if you're looking for something else, it also has onion rings, buffalo wings, sweet potato fries and an array of drinks including milkshakes.

The Burger Project is definitely a must try. It doesn't only serve good food, the restaurant itself is a cozy tambayan with a homey feel to it.

(L-R) Sarah, Aisa, Catch, Reuben of Burger Project, Aie, Me, Ana

My first time at Burger Project was not only delightful but most of all, memorable. They sponsored our mini bloggers Christmas party which bonded us even more. Thank you so much for the invitation, we truly enjoyed our stay. Reuben Lanot, the owner of the restaurant (and Aisa's good friend way back college) was very accommodating and not to mention entertaining. I can't wait to try his other restaurants along Maginhawa, Pino and Brgy. Bagnet!

For each burger craving, you know where to go!

Add The Burger Project on Facebook!

Photo Credits: Catch G, Ana and Aisa

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Golden Globes 2012 : Red carpet favorites

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000+08:00

I don't own a lot of gowns. Aside from my prom, there's no other event wherein I had to wear one. Right this moment, if I would be invited to a very formal affair like an awards night or grand company ball, I would've freaked out because there's nothing for me to wear.

Good thing I don't really have to bother because I think I won't be needing one any time soon. For now, I just like to admire what the stars wore during the recent Golden Globes 2012. Take a look at my personal favorites!

My most favorite of all, Claire Dane's J. Mendel dress! I love how incredibly simple it looks with a wow factor at the back. It's sexy yet classy and sophisticated. Depending on the styling, I can definitely toughen it up!

Just a 0.5 point away from being my all-time fave this Golden Globes 2012 is Salma Hayek's Gucci glittery ensemble! I'm taking a moment of silence to adore this Latina goddess and her ombre wavy locks!

Emma Stone looked incredibly ravishing in this Lanvin deep plum gown with raspberry paneling on the side and strong embroidered shoulders. I would totally sport this dress including that belt. I'm not so sure though if the color would suit my morena complexion. However, it sure did complimented her porcelain and flawless skin.

Even if I'm more known for my edgy sensibilities, it doesn't mean I'm not into pearls, soft, flowy and feminine dresses. My softer side would love to wear this pretty and sparkly Givenchy number worn by Jessica Chastain. Since I'm a budget fashionista, this works as 2-in-1 ball gown and wedding dress, haha!

Silver, shimmering, splendid: That's how Nicole Richie and Lea Michele opted to be at the awards night. Nicole looked fresh and simple yet totally stunning in this Julien Macdonald dress. On the other hand, the Glee star, who's 5 years younger than Richie, looked the same age (or even older) with a more mature and seductive Marchesa showstopper.

Nude-ity: Diane Lane (first photo) looked far younger than 46 (hell yeah) in this nude dress with gold embellishments from Reem Acra. Meanwhile, Katherine McPhee proved that simplicity is never an understatement in her Donna Karan mid-length dress. It was such a delight to see someone who's very simple but unbelievably gorgeous at the same time. Ganda lang!

Studs and laces: Nicole Kidman is rocking this sexy, studded Versace gown and although I've seen Jessica Biel dress better, her lacy number wasn't so bad.

I was blown away by Ariel Winter's glam do and bright purple frock with furry skirt and black tulle lining from Dolce&Gabbana. Watching this kid (read: 13 years old!) in Modern Family, I can't believe what a fine young lass she'd look like when all dressed up. Kudos to her because everything looked age appropriate. Kelly Osbourne reminds me of Imelda Marcos in this Filipiniana-ish dress by Zac Posen.

I don't know why I like this. I just do. Tilda Swinton had everything working for her - the hair, the color and the androgynous touch of this dress. Looked really nice!

There you go! Which ones are your favorite?

Now that I'm done being fascinated with Hollywood celebrities and their gowns, I need to step back to reality. The impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona begins today. I hope Filipinos will keep themselves updated and involved with the things happening in our country.

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Commuting in Style: Applying it in real life

2012-01-16T09:32:00.001+08:00

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered many views and feedback and I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this has inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

For another Commuting in Style segment, I'll take a break from the usual how-to format and show you the "application" of the things that I've talked about in my past blog entries. But before everything else, here's what I was caught wearing: sheer tunic with floral bodycon dress worn underneath, F-STOP boots and my everyday bag.

Sheer tunic Thrifted | Floral bodycon dress (underneath) c/o Closet Chic | Boots F-STOP | Necklace c/o Diva

"Commuting in Style" Tip of the Week:
Never mind repeating items for forever.

Just in case you haven't notice, I've been using the same Accessorize gray messenger bag for so many outfits already. So many that I lost count on how often I've used it. For budget and fashionista commuters like me (raise your hand), conscious spending and practicality is our lifestyle. Never be ashamed to keep on repeating and repeating and repeating. It doesn't make you less of a person and not even close to being less fashionable if you do.

To those who can afford having too many bags, that they can change everyday for about a month (or more), this is a totally different story. Sometimes I even find it funny when other people tell you it's "okay" to repeat clothes only to find out they've only worn a certain item twice, thrice or a few counts more. Regular people repeat outfits for as long as they like.

To refresh your memories, here are my previous tips:
1. Safety always comes FIRST.
2. Never forget your flats.
3. Don't get your bling on yet.
4. Save your stylish self for later.

To read more details about each tip, make sure you check my entry, Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety (click on the link). And for you to see how I actually look while I commute... tadah!

The change is really subtle but little details like these make commuting safer without totally compromising your sense of style.

Above is a before-and-after photo to give you an idea. And oh, one last tip: find a really stylish bag that'll fit your heels. I'm carrying a studded one so it's really not that obvious. I know, bringing another bag seems too much of a hassle but who ever said things are way too easy? It's not. It never is. If you want to be a fashionista, well, magtiis-ganda ka, haha!

P.S. I haven't chosen a giveaway winner yet. I'm still finding the time to collate all entries. Hope you can still wait! Thanks guys! :)

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Katy "Purr" Perry in Manila!

2012-01-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

Your "California Dreams" are about to come true as American pop superstar Katy Perry performs live here in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on January 22, 2011 (next week)! With five consecutive number 1 singles under her belt, Katy Perry comes back to Manila with a breathtaking spectacle for her Filipino fans. Just watching her concerts online, there's no doubt that we can expect a major musical feast which will be worth every peso. In an interview, the platinum-selling artist said that "it's going to engage all of your senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and touch."

Speaking of "smell," just a month ago before this upcoming concert, Katy Perry's first fragrance, Purr, was launched here in the country. The perfume was first introduced internationally last November of 2010 and at last, after more than a year, it has been made available locally.

Photo taken last December 10 during Katy Perry "Purr" launch with blogger friends c/o Paul

Prestige Brands Philippines, the company handling the local distribution of the fragrance, said that Katy Perry was deeply involved in developing her signature scent just so it would turn out to be a delicious reflection of her unique personality. Her obsession with anything feline has also inspired the concept of the perfume and its bottle, which Katy designed herself.

Available nationwide at P3,700 100ml | P2,600 50ml | P2,100 30ml

If you ask me, its really hard to fully describe how it smells. One thing I'm very sure of is that Purr perfectly suits a young lady. How can I tell? Well, you know how fruity scents seem to fit teenage girls while on the other hand, strong and powerful notes remind you of older and mature women? The scent of Purr by Katy Perry lies in the middle - not exactly juvenile but not quite matronly; something someone my age (early 20s) would probably wear. It has a balanced mix of floral and fruity scent that works well for the feminine type.

For reference, it is composed of "peach nectar, apple and green bamboo with supporting notes which include jasmine blossom, pink freesia and Bulgarian rose, plus a hint of vanilla orchid, white amber, sandalwood and musk." (Source: PR)

The packaging totally won me over! I'm definitely a cat person since I've been taking care of one since I was a child. I didn't know, not until the launch, that Katy and I have the similar affinity for such animals. For this reason, you can probably tell my bias over Purr's adorable cat bottle complete with its jewel eyes, metallic accents and lavender color.

Purr is said to be the extension of Katy's sophisticated yet playful style and envelope-pushing lyrics. Now that she has become probably everything that she wanted to be, I'm sure there's no stopping the Firework singer in expanding her brand into beauty starting with this fragrance line.

Following the success of Purr, Katy just released her second scent called Meow in the US just before 2011 ended. Can't wait for it's launching here in the country!

P.S. Special thanks to Prestige Brands Philippines for sending me a Moschino Hippy Fizz perfume!
Photo Credits: starpulse.com & Paul Chuapoco

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A sneaker story

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000+08:00

Tiger print tunic and acid wash denim jacket, thrifted | Sneakers c/o Keds

Braided neck piece Extreme Finds | Turquoise long necklace Diva | Gladiator bangle Bazaar

Rings, brown and black thin bangles Random | Printed bangle Tomato

Messenger bag Accessorize

Once upon a time, not too long ago (December last year), I was invited to a sneaker-painting session with talented artist CJ De Silva courtesy of Keds Philippines and Brown Bag Market. At first, I was hesitant. I told myself, "Yeah, it sure did sound exciting but the last time I was 'artistic' was way back in 2009 when I used to design the pages of my planner."

2010 marked the year when I began to doodle less and kept my planners simple and neat instead. After years of not drawing and/or coloring anything, I felt unworthy of such invitation for I didn't want to make a fool of myself by coming up with a kiddie project side by side the works of creative souls like Tin Iglesias, Ana Gonzales and Ava Te, to name a few. Also, the fact that other renowned illustrators like Danika Navarro and Valerie Tan had also designed for Keds was pressuring enough.

"Should I go?" I asked myself.

What the heck. And I went for it.

Upon my arrival, I was welcomed by friendly and lovely faces, Kaye Ko and Katrina Ong of Keds. Like Cinderella's godmother, they gave me a pair of shoes which were far from glass slippers, but rather plain white sneakers which fitted me perfectly.

Then came our mentor, CJ De Silva, the Promil Kid of the 90s. She graced the event without the air of being the know-it-all and treated all of us as equals. In every step of the way, she was there to guide, assist and advise us as we work on our own pair.

By the end of the evening, I was proud to whip out something minimal but totally me.

**THE END**

I know this entry is way too late but still, all the love and thanks to Keds Philippines (Ms. Kaye and Katrina) and Nori of BBM for encouraging me to customize my own sneakers. It has tapped my artsy side and the whole experience was memorable and inspiring. The one that I came up with totally matched a lot of the items in my closet. It was an awesome, early Christmas gift. Lavet!

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Dining Destination: Dolci Bar

2012-01-10T20:31:00.000+08:00

Some of you might find it a bit funny that the first few 2012 blog posts published on my site have something to do with food. Seems like I haven't had enough of eating these past holiday festivities (oh you bet, haha!). After underscoring Yabu's full main course meals of delicious kastsu dishes as a new year starter, I will be featuring a dessert bistro that you definitely should try (just in case you havent)!

For one, if you're looking for a relaxed place to hang out at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, you might want to check out Burgos Circle because it has a good line up of cafés and restaurants. So far, I've only been to one, Bar Dolci, a snack bar which is very popular for its sugary servings of macarons and Italian gelato!

Since I've been trying to lessen my saccharin intake, I was pretty pleased to know that Bar Dolci also offers various dough delights. Not a lot of people know that I'm sucker for breads. In Shakey's I can even finish up their small basket of garlic bread on my own! Bar Dolci's roster of breads all looked incredibly tempting. However, I only tried Bar Dolci's Bacon and Cheese Bruschetta (P260), an Italian antipasto with bacon and creamy cheese toppings over seasoned focaccia bread.

The bruschetta is pretty much like a bacon and cheese pizza made so much better. The focaccia bread that they used was soft and easy to munch on. The toppings and all the herbs came together in such an appetizing treat.

Despite my attempt to cut on the sweets, I couldn't help but gratify myself with Bar Dolci's famous macarons which are said to be one of the best in Manila. They come in yummy flavors that I wish I could all try but at a retail price of P50 for each piece, around five or less would be enough to indulge on.

My top three choices of macaron flavors include the bestseller Ferrero (my all time favorite chocolate), Pistachio and French Vanilla. All the macarons that I've tried were delectable. I truly enjoyed the mixed texture of the soft ganache-filling, sandwiched between crisp but moist meringues.

And because the macarons are small and a bit pricey to fully satisfy my craving for heavenly sweets, I was told that a trip to Bar Dolci is incomplete without giving their so-called "authentic, Italian gelato" a try. Gelato is just a fancier term for ice cream or sorbet (haha!), but it was definitely a moment wherein I just had to give in to that urge. Just looking at the array of flavors, how can I say no right?

I was torn between the organic yogurt with blueberry and again, my weakness, Ferrero (hihi)! But since it was a first time, I decided to go with their bestseller, a mix of caramel and Ferrero. A cup costs around P120 and it was refreshing to relish on something that is not too sweet which was totally far from what I expected it to be.

A cup is actually hefty enough to be shared by two people.

It was worthwhile to commute all the way to Fort just to check out this orange-themed, sweet spot. If it's not too far from your area, take the time to explore Burgos Circle and pay Bar Dolci a visit. For fashionistas, I would have to say the whole area is actually an outfit-shot-friendly place. At night, its bright lights and high-end structures will make you wonder, am I just really in Taguig, or a city in some other country? Just look at Sarah and Ana here!

Special thanks to Bar Dolci and Open Rice for inviting me to come over. Bar Dolci is located at F133 Forbeswood Heights cor. Burgos Circle, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. You may contact them (02) 846-8245.

Visit them online: Official Website, Facebook Page

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Subtle

2012-01-08T21:05:00.001+08:00

Floral cover F-STOP | Twiggy shirt Thrifted | Boots c/o Shoe Etiquette | Bag c/o Accessorize | Pants

Subtle floral on floral. Floral cardi over floral bangle.

This was the outfit that I wore during a casual dinner date with my boyfriend at Yabu. I took the time to go to the Atrium in Megamall to check out this new restaurant on the block and I would have to say that based on my experience, Yabu is one of the best places to go to for scrumptious katsus (I swear)! If you need more information, my boyfriend guest-blogged for me and wrote an in-depth food review!

Anyway, lately, I've been feeling a writer's block in my system. I've been losing all the creative ideas about the topics that I would really like to write about. I don't exactly know why I couldn't think of anything to scribble about these days. I'm guessing working simultaneously on different projects might have something to do with draining my thoughts but I'm really hoping to get my groove back on in the following weeks.

So how are you guys? My first week of January was pretty busy. Our Bloggers United team met up with Multiply for an exciting collaboration. We will launch a campaign featuring bloggers around the third week of this month. Aside from that, we recently opened a multiply store which will sell pre-loved blogger items and when sales reach up to P20,000 then we will choose a charity to donate it to and sell more till we reach another P20k for another foundation. We hope you can donate your clothes for a cause. Just e-mail me if you're interested. :)

On personal projects, I feel so blessed to have been chosen as the host of an upcoming big media launch for 3D Vision Philippines (on Jan 18 at Forbes Park, Makati). I'm really nervous because over a hundred of technology/business/lifestyle bloggers were invited to the event and I just want to do well and to prove myself worthy of such an opportunity.

*Sigh* There are so many happenings in my life in just the past week and I wish I could tell more. Sometimes kasi I feel na baka mayabang na pala yung dating (I'm afraid to be misunderstood as cocky) if I talk too much about my job and the projects that happen to be given to me.

Basta ako, I just want to do well in life. Yun lang. I'm from a middle class family and I'm aspiring for more, like most of you are. This blog will somehow show you my journey as I go for my dreams and I hope all of us will get somewhere. I'm really focused right now on my track because if I don't depend on myself and to God, there's no other way I'm going places.

I hope everyone's doing well! Keep on checking my blog. Been meaning to update more! Haha.

P.S. Thank you to everyone who joined my 2012 giveaway! Please wait patiently for the announcement of winners! :)

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Dining Destination: Yabu (House of Katsu)

2012-01-07T13:30:00.000+08:00

This 2012, I thought of getting my boyfriend JR more involved in my blog (other than taking my photos). I like his writing style and I believe he has a lot to say when it comes to a variety of topics. This year, expect him to do a couple of guest blogs for me every now and then.

True to its slogan, Yabu has chosen to focus on katsu, described as a “sliced piece of meat that is breaded and fried.” To help them in their effort, they have hired an expert consultant in all things battered and deep fried by the name of Chef Kazuya Takeda to teach their chefs how to prepare the most delicious katsu dishes. Chef Takeda is the head chef of Tonkatsu Takeshin, a popular tonkatsu restaurant in Japan, and someone who definitely knows how to make really good katsu dishes.

The interior of the restaurant has a very interesting design. One side of the place is decorated with wooden cups used for drinking Sake. The other side is decorated with some manga, depicting a katsu related story. Other parts of the room have shelves decorated with rows of sake bottles. I wish I could say more, but I know nothing about interior design so I'll go straight to the food instead.

Being treated to a meal makes me evoke the Filipino “hiya” in me. I’d usually go for the biggest and tastiest dish on the menu, but I’d convince myself to find some compromise and instead, find the sweet spot between reasonably tasty and affordable. This time though, I just had to go for the best item in the menu. It was just too tantalizing to pass up. The item in question was the ”Kurobuta,” premium pork sourced from the Berkshire pig and said to be the “Kobe beef” of pork. From what I know of Kobe beef, I bet these Berkshire pigs were pampered, fed the best grains, massaged frequently to loosen the muscles and given a generally stress free life in order to generate the highest quality meat. Melai on the other hand ordered the Tiger Prawn Katsu.

As we were waiting for our dish, we were given an amusing distraction to pass the time away. Small bowls of sesame seed were served and the waiter instructed us to grind the seeds by swirling our wooden mortar along the inside of the ridged bowl to release their aroma before pouring the katsu sauce over them.

The appetizers were the first to arrive. We had the wakame (seaweed) and the potato salad. I’ve never had any good experience eating seaweed in the past, the only apt description I could muster about their taste is “lasang dagat.” Fortunately, the wakame was pretty good. There was a certain savoriness to the dish that had my chopsticks digging into it frequently. The potato salad was one of the best I’ve had. It was extra creamy and had a hint of wasabe in it to give it some kick.

Our dishes finally arrived and they were pretty hefty. All meal sets come with miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables, fruits and sliced cabbage. The pork in the kurobuta is noticeably thicker than the pork katsus served in other Japanese restaurants. I took the first bite without the sauce, to get a better taste and feel of the dish, and I was impressed. The kurobuta was very soft and succulent, a testament to the elite pedigree and the fine upbringing of the pigs this dish was sourced from. After years of eating regular pork katsus, Yabu’s kurobuta definitely raised the bar a lot higher.

Kurobuta

Melai’s shrimp katsu was pretty good as well, though in my opinion, the shrimp to breading ratio seemed to lean too much into the latter. I’d also wish they had tempura sauce to go with it.

Tiger Prawn Katsu

The sliced cabbage was a really big surprise. I’m not much of a vegetable eater and was a bit disappointed to learn that they gave unlimited servings only for the cabbage, not the rice. Paired with the sesame dressing, it became a delicious and refreshing counterpart to the fried katsus. During the course of the meal, I've had two whole refills for the cabbage and if it weren’t for the limited space and elasticity of my belly, I’d definitely would’ve had more. Just thinking about it makes me want to come back to Yabu, and when I say that about a vegetable, that is saying a lot!

The service was pretty good. The waiters were always attentive, refilling our glasses with more water and taking away empty plates and bowls. They took the time to answer our questions like when we were asking them about condiments on the table and/or asking about how to do the katsu sauce making ritual. Once the restaurant filled up, it did take some effort to call their attention, but with them being busy with all the customers around, it was very much forgivable.

I admit, the price is a little too high to make this a regular lunch time affair. But Yabu isn’t just a place to fill your belly during those thirty minute lunch breaks. In Yabu, you should just sit back and relax and enjoy their various gastronomic delights. Yabu is a experience one should indulge in from time to time, a place to celebrate or to share special moments with friends and family, a place that I’ll definitely be coming back to soon. (c) JR Espejo 2012

*****

When I got invited by Ms.Isay from Yabu to try the newly opened restaurant that everyone was raving about, I brought JR along for a date. JR loves to eat and he was very much delighted with Yabu and so am I. This food review is the best debut for JR's series of guest blogs for my site. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did!

Follow Yabu on Twitter and like them on Facebook

Last day to join my 2012 GIVEAWAY!

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Off to a great start

2012-01-04T15:42:00.000+08:00

Say hello to my New Year's eve polka number! (dress, thrifted)

R: Square bangle from F-STOP; the rest from bazaars

Necklace gifted by Anagon

Thanks to my sister for saving me from my camera and taking these instagram outfit shots!

Ballet flats | SM Dept Store (Solemate)

First post for 2012.

Maybe some of you are expecting me to write about something heavy to go with my Christmas entry but not today, haha. I prefer to kick things off on a light note since I just came from a vacation. Nope, I didn't go on a trip somewhere but I went on a break to give myself my much-needed "me" time.

We're now on the fourth day after the year 2012 opened and I'd like to share with you how the past few days have been for me.

2012 Salubong.
My nanay (this is how I address my mom) has asked me to come up with a new year's party that would gather our neighbors in the apartment building where we live in. Nothing grand, really. We had a simple celebration revolving around the concept of bayanihan. Each participating household brought any dish for everyone to share. I prepared bakya parlor games for the kids while some tenants volunteered to provide the prizes. My big brother and I also played Santa by giving aguinaldo to the children in the form of crispy 20 and 50 peso bills. For the adults, I borrowed my friend's videoke microphone so they could entertain themselves by singing along to their favorite songs. The night culminated with all of us welcoming 2012 with sparklers while watching the fireworks display supervised by the men from our building.

For the past 20 years that I've been living here, we've never had a new year's party and I feel accomplished and really glad for being able to put up a get-together that paved the way for the residents to mingle and to get to know the other at the very least. Lavet!

General cleaning.

Not only did I clean my own room, but my boyfriend's desks and shelves too. Both of us want a fresh start and the perfect place to begin is with each of our own personal spaces. A neat and well-organized room has an effect on one's productivity and disposition and so I did a major closet clean up, placed all my shoes in clear plastic boxes, changed the sheets and curtains, filed all my papers, readings and documents, and segregated my accessories, bags, apparels and beauty products accordingly. I also sent all my dirty clothes to the laundry, mopped the floor and removed the dust off the ceilings and corners. All of these took about three rounds of cleaning for two days.

Going home everyday to this room is such a stress reliever. It's been about five days since I've done this and so far I've been doing my best to maintain it (crossing my fingers!).

Business meetings.
Aisa, Ana and I are officially back to work. Bloggers United opened a lot of doors for our team - opportunities we never really thought would come to us out of what-was-thought-of as a small endeavor. I don't want to jinx anything because our team has so much potential of working in a variety of projects and collaborations. I'm just whole-heartedly grateful to everyone (companies, brands, people) who have put their trust and faith in us. I pray for God's best for us, we who have come from the very bottom, just to place ourselves in a cut-throat industry.

Soon this January 2012, the Bloggers United X Multiply charity selling site will be in active operation. Watch out for that. Support us by donating your items. For more information, e-mail me at melanie_entuna@yahoo.com.

Prepping a business comeback.
After a hectic schedule because of Bloggers United, I decided to take a supposedly quick break from handling F-STOP. It's been three months since the hiatus and even though I don't really need to maintain the business anymore due to the projects that I've been receiving, I couldn't let go of it. I loved the business dearly because it was my stepping stone on getting involved with fashion and eventually into blogging. I can't afford to lose it completely because I've been really attached to it. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it gives off extra income right, haha.

The only thing I'm upset about is starting the year with tons of backlogs to blog about. I aim to flush everything out within this week. Hopefully I succeed in that! I haven't had the chance to drop by the blog sites that I usually follow but I know everyone's doing great as well. How about you guys? How's the start of the year for you? Feel free to share! Happy 2012 everyone!

Last chance to join my 2012 GIVEAWAY!

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Defying Negativity

2011-12-28T17:17:00.001+08:00

Top and Boots F-STOP | Houndstooth printed skirt Thrifted | Accessories Random

Bag courtesy of Closet Chic

Centipede body necklace gifted from Anagon

This was my outfit when I did a hosting job for My House Husband, Ikaw Na! Grand Press Conference. The thrift gods blessed me with this houndstooth-printed pencil skirt which looked good as new when I found it in an ukay shop in Cubao. I actually had this on sale for P300 during the DLSU December bazaar (F-STOP Vintage Collection) but to my surprise, nobody had the interest to buy it. And so, I decided I'll just keep it to myself because maybe it was really meant for me.

Everyone loved this skirt when they saw it! Aisa even said she would purchase this if she only knew that it is used to be for sale. Haha! The houndstooth print has made a huge comeback this season as seen on the Fall/Winter 2011 runway shows of Alexander Mcqueen, Salvatore Ferragamo and Marc Jacobs.

By the way, I got a few negative comments from anonymous people (which I opt not to publish) in one of my previous posts, Do you know why we wear red during Christmas? and I would like to say what's on my mind.

First and foremost, I created my blog and named it Style and Soul for a reason. If you're expecting to read about my recent shopping hauls and the things I do on a daily basis each and every time I publish and outfit post, then sorry to disappoint you.

Fashion can indeed attract but I aim to use words to make an impact. Whenever I feel like it, I blog about politics, society, life, God and other matters of my soul. This is the reason why I would like to consider myself different from other fashion bloggers. I want my "followers" to read, to think and to reflect. I don't want them to merely look at my photos, admire my outfits or even idolize me and at the end of the day get nothing out of my blog. Let me make myself clear: I don't blog for that purpose.

In my Christmas entry, I know, it's none of my business how other people spend their money. However, I also have the right to express a personal opinion and I have an advocacy that I wanted readers to reflect upon. If some are getting offended or hurt, I will not make apologies because I was true to myself and to the message I wanted to get across.

If others want to blog just photos, just outfits or whatnot, that's their choice and I don't really care. But with my blog, I want to express myself to the point that blogging would seem impossible if I don't write something from my heart. Yes, this blog is about fashion. But this is also about the many other things, more important things than that.

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Now Showing: My House Husband, Ikaw Na!

2011-12-27T17:37:00.000+08:00

It has come to this: after the series of bloggers conferences that I've featured here in my blog, here is the final and grandest bloggers conference (with 50 bloggers + mainstream media) of My House Husband Ikaw Na! - movie entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2011.

OctoArts Films in cooperation with Bloggers United has put up all these series of events (A few things I learned from Direk Joey Reyes, There is no other woman but Eugene Domingo, When love seems like an ideal thing: Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo) to boost the social media promotions of My House Husband which is up against movies with major backing from huge production outfits like Enteng Ng Ina Mo (Star Cinema), Segunda Mano (Star Cinema) and Panday (GMA Films).

SUMMARY:

Ryan Agoncillo (Rod) plays the role of a man who lost his job and is forced by circumstances to take over the household chores while his wife Judy Ann Santos (Mia), assumes the role of the provider. As he stays at home, he becomes friends with Eugene Domingo (Aida), the next door neighbor who'll develop a special friendship with him. Will Eugene really be the other woman? Watch the film to find out!

Reversal of roles within the family has been happening for quite a long time in Philippine society but our macho (not to mention patriarchal) culture has failed to admit this. We hope that with this movie, Filipinos will come to realize that it's not just about who is earning for the family but how two people can just work together, pride set aside, and be good parents to their children.

I strongly believe in this film and if you do too, promote it to your social media accounts and invite your friends and family to check it out. In this film festival filled with fantasy movies, here is a stand out, a movie that offers real life.

My House Husband, Ikaw Na! is now showing at all theaters nationwide!

P.S. It was such an honor to be hosting side by side with Shalala, in front of these stars! Thank you so much OctoArts for the opportunity! If you guys need a host for any of your events, just message me! :)

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Do you know why we wear red during Christmas?

2011-12-26T11:14:00.001+08:00

Red polka cardigan gifted from Ana | Ball tee c/o Giordano | Pleated skirt Thrifted
Shoes Parisian | Bag c/o Accessorize | Necklace custom-made by Aie

An attempt to make an e-Christmas card for all Style and Soul readers.

Every time I go on observing most people (something I really find myself doing), I can't help but hate at how the holiday season has instilled superficiality and materialism among us. Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying it's wrong to shop this season. What I frown at is the fact that a lot of other people overspend their money buying what? - things they excessively have like too much food, clothes, shoes, etc. What's even more dismal is most of these people say they know the real essence of Christmas. But if that is so true then I disagree with how they go about it.

Commercialism is one of the reasons why we wear red during Christmas. Santa Claus (a.k.a Father Christmas) was originally clothed in GREEN with fur lining (source: A Christmas Carol, 1843). In the 20th century (around 1930s), Santa's depiction as a round, welcoming old man clothed in RED owes its popular origins not to traditional values but to one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history - the Coca-Cola advertising (source: Live Science, 2011).

Santa's image as a benevolent gift-giving character has influenced the tradition of buying every Christmas. Business enterprises have seen the major demand for presents, commodities, food, decorations and have lured people to continue shopping for more by putting up sales and introducing new items. As a digital entrepreneur myself, I know for a fact that Christmas is the most profitable time of the year for retailers throughout the world.

All these I'm saying isn't hypocrisy. If you ask me, yes, I'll tell you I did shop for this season. But all I really wanted to say is when you have more than enough - more than enough food, more than enough shoes, more than enough clothes, etc; I just hope you'll be able to find it in yourself, to think about what your money is worth for other people (particularly our poor fellowmen).

If I may quote my own self in my Christmas-related entry last year, I have always believed that it is not wrong to buy material things that for some people mean happiness (it's your money anyway). What I personally endorse is mindful spending and frugality. The only thing that I particularly condone is the act of "over spending" merely because Christmas is about Christ, not a month-long shopping ritual.

I don't want to spoil the holiday cheers for you. The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed special and worth celebrating. Despite my skepticism, I still celebrate this special occasion but not as lucrative as others do. I just want my readers to think about how they spent Christmas this year.

I leave you with something to reflect upon: Did you really seek for Christ? Or you lost Him along the way while going over your lengthy shopping list?

Sincerely wishing everyone a merry Christmas and I pray for all of you, especially the victims of the recent Typhoon Sendong in CDO and Iligan.

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When Love Seems Like an Ideal Thing: Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo

2011-12-25T07:03:00.000+08:00

Real-life husband and wife, Judy Ann "Juday" Santos and Ryan Agoncillo are back on the big screen, starring in a MMFF movie entry, My House Husband, Ikaw Na!

Producer OctoArts Films, in cooperation with Bloggers United, organized a series of of blogger conferences to boost the social media promotions of this movie which also stars Eugene Domingo, directed by Joey Reyes.

A third sequel to my previous blog entries, A few things I learned from Direk Joey Reyes and There is no other woman but Eugene Domingo, this installment of My House Husband bloggerscon was held last Dec. 7, at NAPA Restaurant and Bar located in Scout Borromeo, Q.C. where an intimate circle of entertainment and lifestyle bloggers (the last time I checked, I'm still on the fashion category, haha) were invited featuring the showbiz couple.

The movie is a light family-oriented dramedy (drama-comedy) about Rod (Ryan Agoncillo), a man who loses his job and becomes a stay-at-home husband who does all the household chores while his wife Mia (Judy Ann Santos) assumes the role of the provider. Together, they face the struggles of this kind of set-up and as Rod adapts the "wifey" role, he encounters situations that will make him realize the value of one of the hardest jobs in the world - being a housewife (or househusband for that matter).

The event should have started at 7:00 PM but it was a bit delayed due to the couple's crazy schedule of unlimited press interviews here and there. We (Aisa, Ana, Me and Mich) arrived at NAPA and saw Bianca Gonzales (ABS-CBN 2) ready to interview the couple while Zoren Legaspi for TV5 was waiting next in line.

Chandelier at NAPA. Taking photos while waiting.

We didn't really mind waiting because the bloggers were entertained by delightfully scrumptious meals from the host restaurant NAPA. I'm not kidding when I say the steak was soft and tasted really great plus the sauce was flavorful. The serving was also very satisfying and Aisa and I can't wait to go back there again. The owner Rich Ilustre, also the director of Talentadong Pinoy, was nice enough to go around and introduce himself to the bloggers.

Food at NAPA . Sorry naman Ate almost half of it when I realized, "Shocks, photo!"

Really delicious and tasty steak, I swear!

The bloggers ate ALL of it! Ito nalang natira when the food was passed to me. Haha.

At last, the couple finally entered the room. Juday looked so stunning and skinny! I was amazed with her incredible weight loss right after giving birth. Meanwhile, Ryan remained the cutie-geeky, boy-next-door that he always is. They entered with smiling faces and were very happy to meet us after hearing nice stories from Direk Joey of how receptive the bloggers were during his own bloggerscon. Juday and Ryan were friendly in person. Like Ms. Eugene, both seemed very natural and sincere with each of their answers while managing to inject humor to their statements.

Ryan and Juday are an interesting couple to watch. Married for two years and a half after going steady for five years, they seem to compliment each other, like a match made in heaven.

You'll notice my often use of the word "seem." I'm an outsider. Not a friend nor a family member. I don't know what they are truly like and so, I try to speak from an observer's perspective. Being in a three-year relationship myself, I listened well on what they have to say about love, relationship and marriage because I wanted to learn a thing or two from their experience.

On Lovers' Quarrel

You know what I find really funny, is when people (the fans) assume that they are perfect. Of course not. I bet they also fight like all couples do. The only difference is that, unlike other celebrity-couples who broadcast all their problems (e.g. hello Kris Aquino!), Juday and Ryan know when to keep things private. Juday said, "Kung meron, man hindi rin namin aaminin!" and the crowd broke into a laugh.

I agree when the couple advised other people to choose their own battles. Know when it's not worth a fight. Don't make a big fuss over something really simple and try to end it as soon as you can. I could relate to Ryan in his preferred method to really talk things over while my boyfriend JR is more of like Juday who's not that comfortable with confrontations (but she learned how to do it in the process of their relationship).

Parenting Style

Ryan shared that when it comes to their kids, they are bringing them up the way both of their parents have raised them. It's a combination of both plus pointers from their good friends. He accepted the fact that children today are in a different situation and environment and so, they cannot apply everything that was true during their time.

Both of them also have the same sentiment about keeping Yohan off-limits to show business even though she really wanted to be a celebrity like her mom and dad. Ryan said, "We are very grateful to this industry. It has served as our bread and butter. But I also knew the hardships that my wife went through as a child actress and we didn't want Yohan to experience the same pressure and burden." The couple wanted their kids to finish school and enjoy being private citizens first before being public figures.

When It's Over, It's Over

So far, Ryan seemed very ecstatic with the way things are going with his wife. Juday kept on saying "Masayang, masaya pa naman kami hanggang ngayon." However, when asked if there comes a time that they will have to separate, I was a bit shocked but gave my nod of approval when both of them said that when that time comes (knock on wood), they won't keep the relationship for the sake of the kids. Doing so will just make up one unhappy family and they don't want that for their (adopted) daugther Yohan and son Lucho.

Thinking back, I remember how "in love" the atmosphere was with these two at the bloggerscon. They look like the ultimate ideal couple. Like any other girl, I hope that I'll have the same happy, healthy and long-lasting relationship that Juday and Ryan seem to share. But what's left unsaid about their love in this post is something you can already read online given the number of interviews they've had and articles written about them (search Google!). It's just more fun and more inspiring re-learning it from them in person.

To end the night, Ryan addressed an issue (which I had no idea about) that he had with a reporter whom he encountered in a traffic altercation. He hoped that through our blogs, he could send out his sincere apology for the incident. I wouldn't elaborate on that too much because http://www.pep.ph has already published in-depth articles about it (part 1 and 2).

Meeting them was a humbling experience. Imagine, these two are very successful individuals. Ryan is someone I truly admire in the field of hosting (since I dream to become one some day) and Juday, a local super star since childhood, both appeared to be really down-to-earth. To tell you honestly, they seemed more grounded than other famous internet bloggers and online personalities that I've met, REALLY.

Support Ryan and Judy Ann's comeback movie My House Husband as Metro Manila Film Festival opens today! Let us support all local films!

My camera died on me but thanks to http://www.kumagcow.com and Paul for the rest of the photos!

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Blogging will really take you to places

2011-12-21T15:55:00.000+08:00

Sheer top c/o Oxygen | Skirt Thrifted | Boots F-STOP | Bone ring c/o OS | Necklace Aie Corpuz

Been able to get this Oxygen top because of the P3k GCs they gave when I attended their summer preview event.

Paul Jatayna gave me this ring courtesy of OS as an advance Christmas gift. Aaaaw super sweet!

Got my necklace from Aie's booth during the Bloggers United Bazaar 2

Ava, Mike, Dred, Gizelle, Aisa

Mike bought this polka polo at Bjorn's booth last Bloggers United 2

Borough food

Gizelle looks pretty!

Eden introduced us to her good friend Jeff :)

Best dressed of the night goes to Sarah Tirona!

Most of you know Tricia G. right? She's one of the very first bloggers here in the Philippines who has proved that indeed, blogging will really take you to places. From then on, many were inspired to blog as well, wanting to achieve the same opportunities that she had. Even her blog title (Tricia Will Go Places), has indeed been one of her power mantras and oh yeah, she has come a long way since then.

Similarly, Cebu bloggers who participated in the latest Bloggers United Bazaar 2 were able to fly here in Manila for free because of the Bloggers United team's sponsors. I would like to specially mention Multiply Philippines, our most generous sponsor of all, an event partner and major contributor in the event's funding because if it weren't for them, our Cebu blogger friends wouldn't make it here.

The bazaar itself was a busy one and so, we weren't able to bond with our Cebu friends. Despite tremendous exhaustion from the previous day's tiring work, we picked ourselves the day after and had dinner with these awesome group in Borough, Podium, before the fly back to Cebu. They were all so nice and reading each other's blogs seemed like we already know each other beforehand. Ang galing lang. No awkward moments just hours of chatting!

Bloggers United, in our own little way has taken some people to places. Starting from Cebu to Manila. We hope to be able to gather together other bloggers as well (sana dami pang sponsors, haha). Thanks again Multiply Philippines! BTW, if you guys are on a holiday shopping rush and the rainy weather is pissing you off, shop online instead!

Photo credits: Dred & Gizelle
Outfit shots: JR Espejo

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