Pamper Me!

Friday was just a long day at work with triple the work and everything was due last month. :P
I always look forward to my HK Mag and THE LIST each week. The former is issued each week while the latter, once every two weeks. This week's issues were tough to find around HK since my usual Starbucks @ Alexandra House and IFC CitySuper has stop stocking these now. I had to go all the way to IFC's Pacific Coffee and Jardine House's Grappa's for my copies. Such a hassle!
Thus this weekend, I plan to go back-to-back on pampering as what THE LIST's Pamper Me Issue stated through my high tea adventures thus I had to stack up my reading materials.
I still think that massages and spas are more economical in Manila so I'll just reserve that when I get home.
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How you learn something everyday and remember the past...
A friend of mine just joined in the bandwagon of blogging, Angela, and I've been checking out her blog often. The blog is currently more of trends and fashion but will surely be more by the time she gets the hang of it. I recently stumbled upon something that my nephew has been wanting - soft shoes (online) and it was through Angela's site referral that helped me on this. It's soft shoes for my little JJ Jr through PiperLime. Rad stuff girl! Can't wait to see more of your postings. :)
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Ventured out of HK Island for some traditional high tea this weekend. Going "high tea hopping" ~ this weekend. :) **big grin** How I do love living the "single life" to the max. :)
As per recommendation by everyone (local) here in HK, Peninsula Hotel (Pen) in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is the only place I can experience true "British" high tea in HK.
Afternoon tea starts from 2pm to 7pm (the longest one in HK as per date) and the lineups are surely record breaking because of it's quality/excellence and this week's weather was just perfect for this. :) I was lucky to have lined up a few minutes earlier than the crowd - a decent line-up, if you ask me. Check out the line after I sat down on my table!

Food was so-so. Odd though that even if I ordered for two persons' portions...most if the nice desserts like the petite cakes were all one pieces...even the salmon sandwich, which sucks since it would mean having to cut the piece for the other person. This shouldn't be the case!

The only thing I love is the ham sandwich - it's from their own deli & has a wonderful smoked taste. That's one I would go back for...though maybe just go buy some ham from their deli. :P

Tea selection is okay - got the Peninsula Afternoon & Cinammon...not really that memorable. I love cinammon and it smelled great but taste-wise, just okay.

Verdict: wouldn't really go back there again...not my thing...experience and all. Good thing that I tested it out else mom would surely tell me it wasn't worth it. :P

Just maybe a helpful comment to the management of Pen - do not argue with a customer in a line-up since it's quite visible to everyone standing & seated. If dress code is a problem, then maybe they should have an extra shoe or "correct slippers" for the customer to use since a lot of these customers really treck out to your lounge for the "famous high tea" and not being able to go - just because they are in Havaianas is just wrong. I think you will have to put your dress code on your site or something better than just informing them when they are already there!
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Sunday - I had it all planned out - get up late (perfect), run an errand soe Ali then have a different sort of high tea at Ritz Carlton (RC). Got up as planned but forgot that it's Father's Day and it would be best to book a table first ... oh well. I just played it by chance. :)
I phone and got a bit of a rude lady - who said that I can reserve a table (I thought they weren't full and can give me a table) ... only to find out that she couldn't confirm my reservation because they were full. Okay - what was all that information taking and saying I can book. She didn't tell me that she will just put me in her "wait list" and call me around 2pm to see if anyone else cancels out. It ticked me off a bit since I thought it was a done deal and she didn't inform me that she would call me either way - have or not have a table so I had to call her to clarify again. Frustrating as that...oh well...not much she or I can really do, if they are fully booked.
Thus, I had to wait till 2pm to get my confirmation for a 3pm afternoon tea buffet. Around half past 2pm, I made sure that my phone was beside me since I wanted to know if I was to run to another venue for my breakfast/lunch. Good thing she did call me at quarter to 2pm with good news - since I was looking forward to this all week and didn't know what alternative plan I was going to go, if this plan didn't fall through.
You might ask me - "What's so different with the RC for their high tea to the rest of the other high tea places I've been already ", right? The difference is that the RC offers afternoon tea buffet style!
I was able to finished off some errands at IKEA then off I went - to RC for breakfast/lunch and dinner! :) I had the choice of high tea (pictured above), which Ali took, or the tea buffet (pictured below)...guess I was super hungry and there was no one else at that time who ordered the typical high tea set - so off to the buffet table I went. :) No regrets!
It was pure food galore by the time I got started at 3pm. The buffet runs from 3 to 6pm but the servings cover everything - from Chinese to Singaporean, from Japanese to Malaysian, from American to British...it was pure fun! I had random things in one plate - see all the random photos. :P
It was fun to have so many choices - the dim sum choices were fresh and scrumptious. The English/British finger foods were flavor-full and fluffy, especially the mushroom puffs. There were Cantonese typical afternoon treats like chicken wings and dried scallop with abalone slices congee (the right consistency as how I wanted...yummy!!!). I like the fact that there is someone who is always on the floor and keeps an eye out to make sure that there is always tons of food available and would refill, if there is a need to. How's that for generosity! Sky's the limit!
It was good that I woke up late and this buffet was my only meal for the day, which was all I needed and by the time I really finished, I was too dazed out to know what the heck was going on. Good thing too that the seats were so comfy (couches for all) with sturdy arm-rests, and atmosphere was quiet, serene & with only one pianist playing good soft music! :P All this...for hk220 - what a steal!

Helpful tip: next time, gotta pace myself. I finished off 4/5 plates...cool stuff! I'm planning to bring my mom there, if time permits.
With all that food, I need to walk it all off else I would surely nightmares as per old folklore. :) Ali and I went to CWB and got the Rayure* shirt that I've been wanting for weeks. I was lucky to get the jacket to pair my blouse since it's already sold-out in HK and the size is a bit bigger for my mom and me...oh well - jackets are suppose to be bigger. :D
*Some Background: RAYURE was established in 1993 in Paris, France and is pure French with all shirts made in France by French designers and fabrics. It specializes exclusively in women's black and white shirts with styles that include casual, executive, sexy, classic and evening. For the last ten years, RAYURE has dominated the market as the shirt maker for the woman in all forms. Using white for purity and black for classic, the RAYURE shirt has proven to be timeless. With 2 seasons a year and over 100 styles per season, the black and white theme persists through all seasons and trends.

June 19 - Happy Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) to you all!
I love this holiday since my aunt would always give me the triangular sticky rice or "ma-chang" with tons of special treats in the middle of the triangular rice mold like chicken, stewed pork, chesnut, etc in the middle, wrapped in special leaves all tied firmly in string. Cooking instruction: boil in hot water for about 30 min or so, depending on where the rice came from, fridge or freezer. :) Remember not to cut the string so the whole rice wouldn't be floating around the hot water pot as per experience...don't ask...just do it. :PDifferent parts of China have their own version of sticky rice - some with beans, some with meat, some with red bean...even eating it with either soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, catsup, etc. It's all great eats but I prefer my stick rice as a savory than a sweet one. :)
The tradition of the sticky rice is part of an old folklore tale about giving offerings to the dragon in the sea. My aunt does a real mean one. I'm saving a few to share with my mom, when she comes this week since she only gave me three pieces. :) It's all in the freezer - ready to be eaten!
To learn more about this festival and all the cool types of sticky rice that is made, you can read Discover HK and Wikipedia.
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Kit: Toffee Apple (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Designer: Deanna Patterson (ShabbyScrapDesigns)
Program: PS7.0
Font: High Tower Text & MS Serif
Journaling: Food Adventures 2007. Four Seasons HK. This is one of the best high tea experience I have gone through as per date in HK. It’s easy to see why - food, service & its little details are all out-of-this-world! There is so much “wow” factor oozing all over the place that makes this a great “adventure”!
Notes: This is one of the many wonderful experiences (and now frequent bad habit - hahahah!) that I've had the honor to go through living in HK - high tea at Four Seasons HK.

Thumbs Up & Down

Friday (June 8)
Did nothing...had to stay late at work.
Was planning to have a nice dinner at Bricolage but turned to nothing since work somehow piled up to weird proportions by 6.30pm!
Another Friday it is then...I need some good wine in my week.
--> THUMBS DOWN...not happy...gotta make up for this soon.

Saturday (June 9)
I headed to Causeway Bay (CWB) to meet up Donna & Michelle, her out-of-town friend, and had dimsum at Tao Hing. It was a good dimsum and cheap too! HK50/pax...I believe we chose the heavier dimsum orders so that made us all full quickly. Shopped around @ IKEA, Island Beverly Shopping Center (pictured), Giordano Ladies, G2000 Ladies, Coach, Club 8 (very similar to the band with the same name...my fav actually) and Times Square. I bumped into an ex-Citi pep at G2000 - Tish Dy of Greenhills CTB, who's now with Banco De Oro (BDO). The world is getting smaller by the days. Amazingly...I ended up with just one cheap/discounted dress from Island Shopping Center. Donna got one in grey/black while I got the black/grey one! We are so much like twins! It's a steal for HK100 (around Php700 or USD15)
--> THUMBS UP...with a deal like that...and unique clothing for 1/4th the price...who would complain?!?

Donna & Michelle had to head back and drop their purchases,mostly Michelle's, at home before coming back to CWB to meet up for dinner at CWB. :) Dinner was at Red Pepper Szechuan Resto at CWB, near Krispy Kreme, with ex-Citi pep like Peter Pantanco (still with Citi), his wife and Sonny Munoz (BNP). This place is basically known for their ever spicy hot dishes. We had the spicy chicken & cashew, the sizzling chili shrimp, stir-fried spicy string beans and fried chili squid. Oh...free ice cream at the end of your mean...definitely a must to neutralize the numbness of my tongue.
We then headed off to Soho's Portabello for some cheesecake and more catching ups.
--> THUMBS UP for the Chili Chicken with Cashew Nuts :)

Sunday (June 10)
Lunch @ Crystal Jade as a simple one since I wanted to prep myself for high tea with Ali. :) Line-up was long but good that it's just me...so getting a table didn't take me more than 10 minutes. These are the days when I love eating out alone. :P

After lunch, I headed A/X to inquire at IFC, exact branch as photographed, to check if I have a discount card since I've been getting their VIP mailers for so long now.
These mailers are normally for their VIP cardholders informing them of new arrivals and private sales. The most recent mailer I got was for a private sale last weekend. I thus had to check and see.
Lo and behold, I do have a discount card! The manager has informed me that they have phased out the physical discount cards and it's all done by giving your name and birthday, thus I do not have a discount card in my possession now. :P
I remember that I had one back 1999 and I didn't know that it's sort of a lifetime card for them. They do have a promo that if I have accummulated 10k points (10k spending) within a year, I get to have hk500 gift certificate. If you think about it it's a bit of a rip off since it's not even 10%...though remember, 10% is given upon each purchase already...so it's all a balance. :P
Upon confirming the details, I got to renew my card now since policies have been changing...meaning I should get something...not bad since I got 2 white shirts (my main color nowadays) that I really wanted a while back now plus with discount! I'm all smiles now.
A/X's styles are more appealing to me this season than CK so that's great. I'm happy and it all turned out well.
--> THUMBS DOWN for me not being able to stop buying things but THUMBS UP for my discount card still useable.

Isn't this a beauty? It's was one of the lace/pattern designs by Paul & Joe Couture that I was able to try on during my shopping expedition around Lane Crawford. It's one cocktail dress with a high collor...very vintage/Old English and has a inner dress since the lace was totally see-through. The style isn't really "me" so that is out. Good thing thought since the price was a bit...well...totally steep especially when I can only see myself use this only a few times only since it's a really fancy and definitely for party standards. :)
--> THUMBS DOWN for the dress not being "me" but THUMBS UP for the lace design.

High Tea at Hotel Intercontinental, TST
Ali and I planned to check out this hotel's high tea since she was informed that the hotel is one of the best and stylish hotels in Kowloon. It is the Asia-Pacific flagship for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
Verdict: not really what I expected with service, let alone the food. Kindly note that there are three criteria for me with regards to rating high tea in general:
(1) food
(2) ambiance/environment
(3) service
They are all important but if you only have one out of the three...it's not really worth the price you will pay since you are being charged for all three. Hong Kong is a mecca for food...why settle for anything less than what you are already charged for?
Food was okay...just satifactory. The portions are bigger but less refine to be called as high tea. Nothing noteworthy on the sweets or petite fours that were provided. The scones were not as nice as the ones at 4Seasons or even Mandarin. A bit disappointing for me...and the size is about the same but came cold already. I remember Cora would ask me if I would like freshly baked ones on my last two visits.
Weird thing that happened that needs pointing out: Ali & I asked for a tea set for two but the stuff that came seems to be only for one person. In 4seasons, they would have given us each two sandwiches so we can both enjoy the portion that we are entitled to...not here. Plus when we asked for two different teas (which should have been a dead giveaway that we ordered two high tea sets), and came up with only one we complained to the guy that took our order, who was also the head waiter/manager - he seems a bit annoyed and was holding his tongue on "other things he wanted to tell us" while telling us that we ordered only one tea for the two of us. This is dumb because I swear that we specifically ordered two very different teas. Nonetheless...even if we were wrong, he should not have said that we ordered one and we were to share this - what an insult! Right or wrong..."paying customer" is right and this is what we are paying them...the extra of superb service, which we didn't get. No refills & it seems that both of us had to make the set fit us in the end. The table we got was pretty small (can you see the tiny round table in the photo?) so understand...we had four pots (2 hot water pots, which I think they can do without & 2 tea pots,which at first was the same tea!!!), one tea set stand and that was it for us...nothing else could have fitted on our small circular table! Ali and I agree...not nice!
Service/environment was just not refine and "smooth" as what is expected from a 5 star hotel. Service could have been better in handling our "tea problem" and they should teach their staff not to try to be a typical "cha chan ting" (Cantonese canteen/restaurant) by having to pick-up two hot pots in one hand in front of their guests while balancing a heavy tray. The waiter could have just said that he would come back to pick the pots or have gotten a fresh pot on his way to drop off the heavy tray of cleared-up dishes then exchanged pots instead. No cramming us in his busy schedule while showing no flair. You see it vividly in the other waiter services or just asking them a question. One of the waiters almost smacked Ali in the face while he was refilling her tea! I felt the gush of wind on that one. It's quite sad to see that training is very much lacking.
Plus it's a bit noisier than the typical lobby lounge since they have a big band playing at the background. This is NOT a great place if you want to have a quiet tea or talk with friends.
View was spectacular...definitely something nice to visit and look at but I'm sure that I can have that view at another venuw, more worthy of my business.
After this experience, my mom said that maybe I should write a compliant letter on this hotel since it's quite rare for a hotel to have their staff be conducted that way. Oh well...I don't think I will bother...I'll just make a mental note not to go to their Lobby Lounge for high tea.
THOUGH - Ali recommends other restos of Intercontinental for EW and I to try out like THE STEAK HOUSE and NOBU (yep the same one as the NYC franchise by world-famous chief Nobu Matsuhisa..and I heard the interior is rocking modern - ust how EW likes it).
--> THUMBS DOWN...WAY DOWN...not even the THUMBS UP for the view can save this! You can go and visit...take photos of the view and maybe run to another place for high tea...4Seasons still tops my list.

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June 12 is Philippine's Independence Day!
Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy!
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Joining the YouTube bandwagon...my brother!
Enjoy some of my nephew's increasing antics. :) I'm so proud of him!
Love your own...THUMBS UP (way up) for my little nephew!
Tricks


Goodnight Gorilla ... love his laughter...or his hysterics


Kit: Toffee Apple (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Designer: Deanna Patterson (ShabbyScrapDesigns)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Script MT Bold/High Tower Text
Journaling: Balthazar Resto Experience. this was definitely a great highlight for our NYC 2006 visit. Located in Soho (NYC’s hippie district), it is a evocation of a typical Paris brasserie is all about, meaning crowded-next-to-each-other tables, busy-body waiters, loud, etc at the same time home to savory dishes! Noteworthy - French Onion Soup
The resto also has a superb bake shop next door. Mom & I were drooling over all the mouth-watering goodies on display. Too bad both of us were already full...but that doesn’t stop us from ordering somecakes home for our mid-night snacks! Can’t wait for our next trip to NYC again!
Notes: just a little reminder of the food adventure my family and I had on our last NYC trip. Can't wait to get back there again. :)

Up the Hill & Back

01 June, Friday
~ Went around on my lunch break for some white/beige dresses that could be used for the civil event as per my mom's instruction since she said that I don't have anything white or beige to use that's appropriate for the event. It was good timing since spring sales are up and new summer stuff are available too. It's shopping time...a justified shopping spree. :P I ended up with a nice wrap-around dress in Vivianne Tam though not for the civil wedding...oh well. My discount card has already expired and I couldn't find anything else there to renew the card...since I had to purchase more. I was able to avail 10% off though since it's private sale weekend. :)

~ Dinner was at Jo&KC's place for Jac-jac's birthday. Thai home-cooked food (Yati's back & I'm sure they are all happy!) and company was great just the experience of getting to the venue and how I got to the venue was just troubling.
Damn taxi lines and limited taxis on Fridays! In a city that supposedly never sleeps, HK didn't have enough taxis to sustain the people living in it!
Swong was too tired out of her mind to come and join us. It was a sad. Also Ali just had her tooth taken out by the dentist so she hardly ate since I know she's feeling tons of pain. At least the kids were all in good spirit with all this and Jac-jac was happy. :)
Happy Birthday, KC & Jac-jac!

02 June, Saturday

~ Visited Agnes b for new stock, deals or just plain browsing. Found out that they have a promo - buy a certain amount and get the limited edition wallet chain, which reminds me of the 90's belt chain that I had in high school that was the coolest things around to hang on your jeans. See...only a woman will fall something like this...not for a man. :P It's the same case for getting a discount card and/or free gifts, etc.
Yes, this won me over & I gotta have that chain!

I am still searching for the B&W stripe t-shirt/blouse but couldn't find it on this trip. Instead, I got some good polo shirts and one "rock n'roll is not dead" punker t-shirt that matches the wallet chain's theme quite well! BONUS!

~ Visa errands in the morning...enough said. After getting the documents straightened out and paid the fees, I felt better after seeing them and paying the full payment for my wedding date. All the stress of the week has somehow melted away. I rewarded myself with a high tea set at 4 Seasons IFC again. I didn't mind the wait since I was in no real hurry and didn't really want to go home just yet. Check out my previous rave about high tea at 4seasons.
Cora was there and was really nice to give me priority seating at a really nice area and the staff seems to be more attentive again to me due to my connections. Love the stuff...relaxing and definitely a nice place to just "chill". As per Cora's recommendation, I love the passion fruit chocolate tart...totally not very chocolatey but nice! You can see what it looks like on the left photo below and it's the chocolate dessert on the left side of the top most plate. It has a raspberry on top. Yummy!
--> refilling station for high tea set (right)...not sure if the cakes on display on the other side is available. The ones that was normally offered to other people are on the silver tray on the right. I will have to ask Cora about that. I love the tea box that technically everytime a customer comes and orders the high tea set, you are entitled to get the "spiel" of knowing the types of teas that 4Seasons offers. :) You gotta smell the tea leaves...so nice! And yes, to promote again - it's Tea Leaves from Vancouver! :) On this trip, I got to try the Hong Kong Shangri-la Tea Blend, which is suppose to be green tea
My verdict: nice but still lovin' the Harmony blend. Too bad that the gift shop doesn't have it offered for purchase.

<--my high tea set in detail (left) - the usual savory petite fours, scones (yey!) and sweet tarts & desserts (tiramisu) at the top section. For HKD190 for high tea set that entitles you to the the food and one coffee/tea, this is a real steal for me since it somehow caps my expenses and let me stop from running and rushing around all over the place. Oh, plus I get to catch up on some news and good light reading. :) I was seated by the window so I had the couches and a great view of the city. What a rewarding day after all the effort. :) I enjoyed this a lot...this is my type of R&R. I'm surely going to miss this sort of "loungin' weekends" when I move back since I won't have the luxury or the food options for these small pleasures. I better get as much out of these things as possible. ~ Upon getting home, I didn't have dinner anymore since the high tea was more than ample to keep me happy for the night already. Good that it did since I just learned around 11pm that I need to physically go back and fix something again!?!

03 June, Sunday

~ I had to go back to fix some visa paperwork again though it was quicker now since I just needed to show my passport and change some things on the form. By the time I was out, I was hungry since I dashed out of the house early for a Sunday and forgot to have breakfast. I wanted to check out lunch at 4seasons but it was so far away...instead, I opted for brunch at Mandarin's Cafe Causette. Got the Chinese Breakfast set - included soya bean milk, dimsum selections like steamed BBQ buns, veggie/shrimp/pork dumplings, friend noodles, chicken & abalone congee, and Chinese tea. I don't know but I only liked the soya bean milk that came with the set and the noodles...the latter one was the clincher for me to even order this set. I wouldn't order this again...maybe I'll try to order just the soy milk. It was nice since it was not too sweet but very smooth. :)

~ I love passing by Armani Fiori (AF), Armani label's florist store at Chater House. The arrangements/bouquets created by this store oozes variety and imaginative creativity through flowers. :) The cool thing about this store is that their decor/arrangements changes every few days. All of which are well-thought of and totally never the same thing. I always try to make my way there just to see what new arrangements are on display.
**Note that I'm not really a flower sort of person but seeing these lovely arrangements just puts a smile on my face, no matter how bad my day turns out to be. :)
Gary Kwok, gifted HK-based florist, was invited by Armani Group to be the store director in AF and to create the first Armani Fiori in Asia-Hong Kong 2002. Subsequently, she was requested by Mr. Giorgio Armani himself to be the Floral Consultant of Armani Fiori Milan and Armani Casa beginning 2006. More on Gary Kwok can be read on her website.

~ After shopping like there's no tomorrow yet again, I wanted to head to Agnes b Cafe to see friends (Ming & Teddy); but because I got there too late and the cafe was already preparing for their dinner guests, I wasn't accommodated anymore. With such a disappointment (I was already picturing my Monsiour Croquette and Moroccan Mint Tea), I was walking and wondering if I should just cook dinner and save some money for another day. Well...guess not since I passed by Lee Gardens, and remembered that there's a Cova Resto there...basically checked their menu since I wanted some pasta. The rest was history as pictured. :P I ordered the Spaghetti with Sea Bass in Dill Sauce. Love the sea bass and the pasta was cooked well...but the sauce...hmm...still puzzles me up to today.

~ Damage done for today: 1 VT dress, 1 VT t-shirt, 1 VT chinese knitted sleeveless top, 1 VT gold leather pouch, 4 RY shirts...all on discounted prices due to the seasonal sales. :)

Random Thoughts...
~ 天下烏鴉一般黑 (Tianxia wuya yiban hei)
"All crows under heaven are of the same black color."
Everyone is guilty of the same in iniquities - be they be corrupt, collusion, oppression or violence. No one, save the thickest of hides, can take the moral high ground. This saying was taken from Chapter 57 of the Chinese novel, "Dream of the Red Mansions", which is used to describe the idential nature of pawnshop receipts wherever they were issued. It is interpreted to be taken in negative overtones and is not used to refer to things or people tarred with the same unsavoury brush.
This was in an article I read at South China Morning Post this Sunday morning about a writer conversing with a Taiwan cab driver on his way to the hotel. The discussion revolved around colonization and Taiwan-China / Taiwan-Fuk Yuen Tribe.
I would like to think that a normal person would be good but then again, it's like everyone thinking that they the "right". It's a one-sided thinking. Sad at times especially when it's not only one type of people that makes up this world. Opinions and tolerance are key.
Only the Almighty can be the judge to anyone.

~ HK Magazine...my favorite weekend read. :) I always make sure that I get the latests one every Friday/Saturday so I can chill at a coffeeshop and just no have to worry about no reading material. :) I enjoy the articles and features...definitely read this inside out and sometimes dictates how next weekend's schedule is. :)
The issue pictured isn't the latest one this week nor is it last week's issue, but is significant to me. This was the issue that a friend of mine who was interning at the magazine at that time, requested me to wrote something on a particular section...my favorite section actually - Top 10 Picks. :) I have attached some photos below that you can click and see what I had to say for this article. My topic was Top 5 Business Lunches. :) The photo I provided is also the photo that MizzM did a layout of and used to be a photo on my old blog banner.


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Kit Name: Sent From Above (available at SBE)
Kit Designer: Sweet Sodypop Designs (Brenda Johnson)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Script MT Bold
For: SBE's Blue Moon Challenge

Journaling: Jeremy Eddie ...2...of the most important people in my life are Ed and Jj Jr. Before them, I was the independent and “baby” in the family. With the addition of a partern and a new member in our ever-growing family, I learned to open my heart to these changes and embrace life’s beauty even more!

Notes: for the Blue Moon Challenge at SBE, which is to scrap a major change or impact to you. :) It was a fun challenge. Thanks, Brenda!
TYFL!


Got Digizines Boutique Layout Feature for one of my recent layouts. For a better picture, please check out the entry.

May 2007 Manila Trip

Capricciosa
Itallian
Greenbelt 3, Ground Level, Ayala Center, Makati City
632.757.7811; 632.757.7898

This came highly recommended by KW and ironically, EW went there already in the past...another coincidence, SIL's godparents' nephew is the owner!

Capricciosa is a very popular and very "lined-up" Itallian resto in Japan. This resto sparked an Italian boom in Japan as a pioneer of casual Italian restaurant with its home made style delicious foods and casual atmosphere of sharing a large portion with many people. Its start was the one in Shibuya opened by Masaaki Honda in 1977. Since then, Capricciosa have grown rapidly and now it is operating more than 130 locations in not only Japan but also Guam and Saipan. Manila is now one of the lucky locations in the world to have opened its first doors at Greenbelt October 21, 2006. The resto's concept is still the same as in Japan, which is sharing a large portion of home made style pasta and pizza with many people and enjoying fun atmosphere. Everything is cooked fresh, before your eyes, in the open kitchen. That’s the kind of quality that has made Capricciosa famous for nearly 30 years. Although Capricciosa’s name means "spontaneity," this does not mean it’s sloppy. Leave the preconceptions of a family restaurant at the door. While the interiors are comfy enough for a Sunday lunch with the kids, the classy modern interiors are still classy enough for a date or a meeting with clients.

Ed and I ordered a Ceasar Salad and a Seafood Spaghetti to share. Caesar was caesar but the veggies were fresh and crisp so I enjoyed this. We both love the Seafood Spaghetti and at P310 for about 2 to 3 people, it's a pure steal! It was filled with fish (don't know what type exactly) calamari, mussels, shrimp in tomato and spicy garlic-like sauce. The portions are huge and thus we got to take home the spaghetti and I had it the following day.

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Cibo @ Rockwell Power Plant
Itallian
Level 1, Power Plant, Rockwell Makati
632.842.7285
11am - 10pm

Just to let you know that "food" in Itallian is "cibo". Ultra chic and modern, in addition to great Italian food, Cibo has done it again! Although EW and I terribly miss "Arnold" our favorite waiter @Cibo PP, we did get to enjoy the new revamped menu of the place.

To quote Margarita "Gaita" Fores (the owner, founder and creator...photo of her with pasta on her hair...that is also part of the menu), "...unlike in the past when most of her customers came from the A-B market, more Filipinos now are open to trying new tastes and savors. "Our market has diversified. We needed to make the menu more accessible and easier to understand but still maintain that edgy look we are known for." she said. The menu is now black (than it's former grey) and has popping images of bruschettas and zuppes, paninis, pastas, desserts and drinks. The menu is now more readable and is complemented with colorful pictures that works for me since I pick food through my eyes than through words. :P There are more sandwich and salad selections, pizza (a first!) and more pasta dishes that has whipped up for her frequent patrons. There are sharing portions for salad and the sandwiches are quite creative ~one having pulled pork on a bun with two different dips (apple/pear, and mayonnaise-like).

On my most recent visit, I tried their salad (forgot the name...can't believe it!), red grape shake and Spaghetti Alfonso (my fav!!!). Salad was okay though comparing this to Capricciosa's fresh greens that I got...it was was hardly on the "green" side. Shake is and will forever be good...too bad it doesn't last through half of my meal. Spaghetti Alfonso was a bit different but quite good nonetheless. EW tried a new pasta yet again that has creamy sauce but he just said that it's "so-so" so I won't bother finding out the name for this blog. :P EW's always trying new pasta dishes while I, no matter how I try, still stick to the good ol' Spaghetti Alfonso.Quality is still the same but with the added menu and friendly & fast service ...what else would we really need!

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CYMA (pronounced as see-ma)
Greek Taverna
G/F Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati City
632.729.4837

EW and I met up with two of our classmates, Jen & Ker at Cyma on Saturday night for some catching up and EW to ask Ker on some stuff. It was Jen & Ker's first time since our group bondings wouldn't include Makati since some of our other friends are further from here. I handled the ordering since Jen didn't know what and where to start while Ker & EW were in conversation already by the time we were complete. I ordered for us the Saganaki (House specialty - flaming cheese with people yelling Opa!), Roka Salata to share (Cyma's House salad - veggies and sun dried tomatoes on balsamic vinegar dressing with candied walnuts...yum!) , Lamb Souvlaki, Cyma Pork Chops (Popular - charbroiled served with traditional yoghurt dip, and choice of Greek potatoes or rice stuffed peppers --> the stuffed peppers are nicer), Solomos Angel Hair to share (a Cyma's original - sauteed salmon with tomato, basil cream sauce, fresh lime juice, feta and Romano cheese). The Saganaki came first and was so-so based on the other expressions on people's faces. I didn't have any since I already know what it is and to be honest...nothing really new. I do have some weird cravings for salads when I got home so each meal EW and I had included a salad. :P This time was no exception...but I do know that Cyma's house salad is one of the best, I've had in months. :P Jen & Ker would agree...heck, even EW, who hardly eats greens, did too. I love their candied walnuts...it's a great balance! I still crave for this tangy, sweet salad as I write this. :P The pork chops were good and thick. I missed out telling the waitress that we would like the stuffed peppers instead but the potatoes were good too. The Lamb Souvlaki was a bit of a problem since it seems a bit drier than it used to be.

Cyma's 2nd branch at Greenbelt 2 is nothing like it's predecessor branch at Edsa Shangri-La Mall. The service could be better and denifitely still needs to be work on. This is the difference with some Philippine-based restos. I'm not saying that Filipino hospitality is dead but it is in danger. I have read through so many other postings of people who had blunders worst than mine so I am thankful. One of these had to wait 15min to be seated then not getting their food even after 30min though the table next to them who were seated 10 before they left, got their food by the time they were about to leave! Oh my indeed! I wonder why the service would deteriorate especially it's now in the heart of the upbeat Makati. Their Shangri-La branch is still somewhat better. I wonder why Cyma's owners didn't train their servers first like what the Agnes b Le Pain Grille did...they trained them for a good few months then have most, if not all, of their well-trained waiters/staff move to the newer branch and got to maintain their very friendly and personalized service. Hay...it's far better than having bad reviews posted online to such a well-positioned resto...in Makati nonetheless!

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Martinis @ The Mandarin
Bar/Lounge
G/F The Mandarin Oriental Manila
632.750.8888
11am-3am (Monday to Friday), 6pm-3am (Saturday), 6am-12am(Sunday)

No night can be called a night without a nightcap. And the perfect place is Martini's, Mandarin's newest, hippest watering hole. I definitely needed a night cap after an unsuccessful dessert trip to Bizu (Due to the fact that the store didn't bother to replenish their stock the following day. They didn't have the dessert I wanted and ran out of hot choco for EW! What do you expect us to have then...no dessert which I've already forgiven but to not have anything for EW to drink?!?)

Martinis is fast becoming a hot spot as what Ed and I were told by friends. Ed found out about it when he applied for the Mandarin Card. It's normally standing room for peak times but thankfully EW and I went early since our earlier event at One McKinley Place's Pool Party was not a good idea with the constant rains at that time.

Interior design is in the art deco style. There is a baby grand piano when you enter the place that brings up a sophistication atmospher. The place is smoker friendly, which EW was informed when he inquired about the place a few days ago. Smokers are allowed inside...a first for Makati. Although this, the place was not as smokey as other places that EW and I have visited. I think the ventillation can accommodate the smoke...and most of the people there were digging the music and the martinis than smoke. A lot of chatter and has a really great vibe.

Martinis menu boasts 33 (!) different types of customized martinis, which our waitress helpfully informed us when we asked for the specialities or her fav, to suit anyone and everyone and is definitely worth investigating, with such temptations as Sake Martinis, Choco-chilli Martinis, and Dirty Martinis. There are the typical classics like from Singapore Slings to Mai Tais and offered alongside a range of scrumptious bar snacks and diverse selection of premium cigars. At P320++ for a cocktail that totals to about P400/martini, with taxes and service charge. Ed had the "Flirt", Vodka, Pineapple while I had the "Tiramisu", a mixture of Belvedere vodka, Bailey's, Amaretto and Chilled Espresso.Live music starts every night at 7pm and carries on until two in the morning. I have got to go back and try the "Sake Martini" with EW again!

The live jazz band was nice since it was filled with good bossa music while I can still talk to EW at the end of the table without me having to shout or yell.

Also, remember to check the back of the menu for some martini quotes that totally rocks! EW's favorite is
"One martini is perfectly fine;
Two martinis at most.
Three martinis put you under the table.
And four put you under the host!"
**Note that a lady quoted this.

A noted one for me is
"One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough."
by James Thurber

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Paseo Uno @ Mandarin Oriental
Continental/Buffet
G/F The Mandarin Oriental Manila
632.750.8888
Daily: 6am-12am, Breakfast: 5am-10:30am, Lunch: 12pm-2:30pm, Snack: 3pm-4pm, Dinner: 6pm-12am, All day dining menu: 6am-12am

Supposedly, this restaurant has created quite a stir since it opened in June 2003. The interior is dramatic, with indoor and outdoor ponds and glass encased rivulets of water. Designed by respected Tokyo company - Design Studio Spin, Paseo Uno combines modern elements with touches of colonial history in the little details like Spanish glass, Japanese paper and Filipino shells. There’s something delicious being served at every hour of the day, from buffet breakfast to a la carte dinner. If you like something to watch while you’re eating, the open kitchens are a hive of activity.

Sunday lunch buffet consisted of me, EW and Lex. Too bad, Charms wasn't able to come with us due to a family affair. I saw the biggest tuna (dead of course) I have ever seen...as the chief was slicing it into sashimi pieces on top of the sushi/oyster counter. Huge! I was just so amazed on how big that fish could be...it was right smack at me.

Some notable dishes: Lamb Kebabs, Salmon Sashimi, Shrimp Tempura, and Grilled Swordfish. The tomato soup was not the same as when I first had it there. I think they somehow changed the seasoning...not as happy with this batch.

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Manila Updates: Now what did I do in Manila...met up some suppliers as usual like the printers, designer and definitely visit my darling nephew, JJ Jr! I was able to rest up on Friday and catch Spiderman 3 with EW since he hasn't seen it yet. It's as good as how I remembered though I already know the ending and what's to happen.

Chanced upon a blog entry about "cool business cards". Pretty interesting stuff and definitely is up in the unique standards. I especially love the stylish embossing - simple yet elegant indeed.

Would you believe on how much weird freebees companies give out? DHL, the courier company, gave out mints to their customers. I didn't know they would even come up with these things. A co-worker of mine had to show this to me and I thought at first that it was his medicine...till he told me to look closer. What happened to good ol' dependable company pens with their contact details or websites on them? I could use a good few of thoese instead...or maybe a keychain measuring tape. I know I would rather have something I can use everyday than making sure I whip these things out after a meal and offer this to friends like gum. Plus with DHL brand mints...quality and effects might be questionnable. :P

Raining Knots...
Congratulations to Berns & Sher for their upcoming wedding this coming weekend. I'm sorry to miss this out but do hope that you enjoy the gift I was able to get for you.
The same goes for CO for March 2008 ~ you rock girl! Can't wait to chat about how this came about on my next trip back. I want details, dear!
Also, just found out that my BFF, CC, is finally (!) pushing through with her wedding also in December this year! Congratulations girl! Let me know if you need help. :D
The latter two are my groupies and will be joining Swats, Lua, me, Denis to enter marital status. :P

For now...still prepping other HK things outside of work and it's so far driving me crazy!
March 30 (Wednesday)...mark that ~ "the day everyone BUT MY OFFICE drove me off-the-wall"!

Previous Posting Comments Problem

For those you wanted to leave a post for the previous postings, you can leave it here. :)
Thank you for Dawn in pointing this error out!

GNO, New Shopping Buddy, 4Seasons...MIAMI INK!

Friday...
- light enough day at work. I love Fridays because of this. There is time to write, enjoy my casual day and just be thankful that the weekend is here.

- IFC & Emporio Armani (Chater House...my fav building in HK). went to check out some errands and canvas some personal stuff. I finally took my mom's advice(s):
"If there's something makes you lose sleep over, I think it would be best to just succumb yourself to it...I would have taken the 'unique' and the one with the 'ummf' than just the 'plain-jane looking' clothing item that people will not take a 2nd look at it. Classics like that will be vintage and will last for years to come, even if I don't get to wear it everyday."
That's my mom for you! She dresses far younger than me...and has instill a very "unique taste" in clothing to me. Oh, big fan of retro stuff...all because of her. :P
Continuing...checked out Emporio Armani for the clothing article that makes me lose sleep for the past few weeks. There's doubt in me getting one since though the front is quite traditional and good for office use, the back had some problems that I just had to wear it a few more times. As per lesson, if I can wear it again and again in the store and not grow tired of it then it's okay to get it. I so remember the ML story. I was so sure that "it" was "the one" till after 3 visites of wearing it and showing it to my gal pals...the novelty of it and all lost it for me. Now, for my "it gown" - I'm going to avoid it like the plague since I already paid for it and no turning back! Hahahaha!
I ended up getting the top. I did it very quickly so as not to have time to say no or 2nd thoughts. I like it a lot! No regrets and I do sleep better at night now. :P

- Girls Night Out (GNO) @ Cafe Causette: my three gal pals, Swong & Ali, went for the unlimited wine & 3 course dinner at the Mandarin. Dinner was suppose to be at 8:30pm but Swong called up at 7pm and asking me if I can head there (Swong was already there for a company cocktails event but it was still too early) since she was dying of hunger - and with drinks at her event, she would surely be wiped out! I told her that I can be out in about 15min to meet SWong. Ali will catch up.
Got to the Mandarin Cafe Causette (see previous post for info) first and while I was browsing the menu, the waitress informed me that we were able to pick entrees from a particular set of the menu...all Indian, I might add. The image of Ali...in India...having an awful time with the food flashed through my head. She's not going to be too happy with the news. :P
Swong came after about a few minutes and I told her about this "hitch". Swong, being the more pro-active one, inquired to ask if she can take the a la carte and still get the wine tasting bit...which later the manager consented and told us to just spend roughly around the price of the course and we'll be fine. Good great great!
Swong and I were both hungry...she was truely stomach-hungry...I was more like thinking-hungry. We both got the lamb rack while she had the soft shell crab for starter while I had the Vietnamese chicken summer roll. :) Ali came a bit later and got the salad to start and the Angus Steak for her entree. We, three, shared on berry crumble and apple tart for dessert with our teas and wine. It was a night full of gal talk and wine...lovely evening indeed!
Showed my purchase to my gal pals but Ali also commented that she would have gotten the dress (see below) instead...I predicted thoughts in my head started coming out by then. I'm so dead! We had to wrap things up by 11:30pm since Ali had an early morning appointment else I think we could have stayed longer with the chats. ;)

Saturday...
- waited for DHL man...guy came past 11am! Hay...I could have slept in. He was nice enough to ring me to tell me that too though...maybe because they know that I might have forgotten or have slept through them in the past. :P

- gloomy rainy weather...rain, rain and more rain. I wouldn't complain if it was another weekend but today's the day I meet up with KW since he is currently my shopping buddy. I had lunch at home and met KW at CWB's Time Square to help with me on some errands.
First stop, by Giordano to check out the grey pants I saw last week. I didn't get to find the original one but there was another grey pants that seems to be okay...though there's a weird buckle at the back that doesn't allow me to wear a belt else it would be too bulky. Would you believe that I had to get a 24 to make it work? I'm so afraid that there wouldn't be enough room for me to grow into them or have them last more than a year but heck, I needed a grey pants. Got an OK from KW about it so I guess it's a go.
Picked up another black stretch pants from Agnes' Gigi and got a white everyday shirt...quick stops so as not to bore KW.
The rain was still not letting up and it was quite annoying to go around CWB in the rain so I basically told him that we just head for tea at Le Pain Grille. Upon entering, Ming was heading out for something - it was really a great treat to see him...especially KW and I were both like wet ducks! :P Ming gave us a table, Teddy waved behind the counter and we were all set to order! I was a bit more peckish than I expected so I had the Croque Monsieur Ggratin (ham & cheese sandwich with cheese on top, not the fried egg) while KW had the tea set (blueberry cheesecake and hot cafe latte). We basically chatted up a storm while the same was happening outside. First time to try the sandwich though EW's mom had awhile back. Love the cheese...so nice and definitely was a great pairing with the stringie fries and salad on the side. Yum! Good choice for a wet and cold day. KW was only so-so for the blueberry cheesecake, which is my regular. :)
It's one of the few places that do serve the infamous Absinth ~ the ones the old European master painters got addicted on...though I think the ones offered nowadays is less toxic (or next to none already). Gotta give it a shot when EW comes over. He's always game for these things. :P

- dinner at Sai Kung with Lex, Wil & KW and Wil's family. Lex had craving for seafood with the wet & rainy weather. It was a funny and interesting experience to meet Wil's family, Lex to be having such a great time eating and KW being an all sport with being "it" for the evening. Seafood was the main guest of the evening...anything and everything seafood was on our table. The long drive in the rain was worth it. Lex can vouch for that. :)

Sunday...
- Tasty Dumplings. Had my usual wonton noodle soup, veggies and rice noodle dish. It was nice and definitely enough to last for the next meal - high tea! Service was fast and courteous. I enjoy it there since I can be alone and no one will really care. There are people who would mind eating alone on the weekends but I guess I have been alone enough to go over that fear. I have the right to be there as everyone else and I'm definitely a paying customer, if not a returining one. :P I enjoy going to other places that enable me to relax alone even in a crowd of people like Mi-Ne-Sushi (CWB), Le Pain Grille (CWB), Delicious Kitchen (CWB), Metropolican Cafe (Admiralty), Metropole Dim Sum (Admiralty), St. Alps (CWB), Cafe Causette (Central), Starbucks (all over) , Pacific Coffee (IFC), CitySuper food court, etc...as long as I bring reading materials else I'd be staring at things at the resto/cafe.

- Emporio Armani or EA (yet again). I had to go back to recheck a dress that ALi told me is really nice and what she would have bought than the shirt. I requested for a few more dresses that were kept inside*. I tried on a few but still didn't really make me look "good"...though I think it would take more than just really nice dresses to make me as cool looking as the poster. :P The girl also insisted on one of the dresses to be the one in the poster, which it wasn't as I closely examine it. :P Nope...no sale from me. I didn't find the dresses easy to wear and I need more casual/semi-formal ones these days. Oh, plus most of the nice ones are 100% silk so dry cleaning expenses will skyrocket yet again.
*Side Note: This is as per Swong's tip that not all merchndize will be displayed in the store due to space and demand. A lot of the really nice ones are kept inside and will only be shown if requested by the client. The nice feature about this EA though too is the there are no cash counters and you can just sit in the couch while the sales lady brings out hangers and hangers of what you wanted. I remember suits are a good example when I went with Swong to see their new suits.

- HMV. CD binges again. It's been awhile since I went and really browsed again. I had my list of chillout CDs to hunt down that I got from Radio Beat IO. It was not a long enough stay...1 hour of listening and going around. I didn't bother to the DVD section since I am so trying to limit:
1.) Plague Stories (Various Artist), released 2006~ for Imogen Heap's Glittering Cloud (really worth the listen...the rest of the CD is not my thing...I'd still get it for that one song) ...for Imogen...for sure! Plus I know there's no single for this one.
2.) Makes Me Wonder (Maroon 5), released 2007~ for Makes Me Wonder...the songs that keeps looming in my head constantly!
3.) Are You Listening? (Dolores O'Riordan), released 2007 ~ for Ordinary Day...long awaited album and though she's on her own in this...there is still the Cranberries sounds quite prevalent. I still love her stuff...great listen!

My CD Frustrations...(the hunt is still on)
*Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape (Single), taken from The Sweet Escape ~ only liked that one song on the sophomore CD. I can't see the justification of getting the whole CD...I think I would have just bought her debut album than this one. I'll just feel frustrated with having a hard time finding this single, even if the song, like the Maroon 5 song has been looming for weeks on end in my head!

*Timbaland feat. Nelly & JT's Give It To Me (Single), from the CD, Presents Shock Value ~ only liked that one song so...why bother having to get the whole thing.

*Tori Amos' American Doll Posse ~ getting this in Manila...if it's what I have here in HK (23 tracks)...cheaper for course!

* Chungking's Hungry Years ~ love the mood of the cd...very chillout and definitely "Making Music" got me hooked up. She's got a lot of slow ones and the good 3/4ths of the cd is quite worthy. I'm surprised that I didn't get to see her cd on the shelves since she has been included in a few Hed Khandi CDs...one of which I have - Hed Khandi's Winter Chill 06.03 with the song, Please Don't Talk. That's an awesome song that's included in the said cd too! :P
Also, Chungking's latest, Stay Up Forever (UK), May 2007. Noteworthy tracks are Beautiful Inside; I Love You and Love is Here To Stay. Man...all this crazy CDs out...I can't believe I've missed out on quite a few!

*Feist's The Reminder, released 2007 ~ Top of Amazon's CD list as of date...amazing but not surprising from such a talented artist such as Leslie Feist. I love Feist (being a pro-Canadian Supporter and the breakout artist of Broken Social Scene) with all my heart and totally adore her as close as Sarah but her lastest one was a really hard one for me to relate. There were more hush and sombre songs that I'm willing to shell out the money for it. I would like depressing songs but I can move them to a more chillout state and after a hard day's work...I think I would rather pay for more cheerier or funnier/a bit upbeat/remixed songs. I miss the days of Feist's balanced CDs like Let It Die and definitely not like her Open Sessions: Remixes & Collaborations. I wish there were more songs that reminded me of Open Sessions...I do love that quality in her. I think I will have to hear that CD a few more times to really get the hang of the new Feist. There are a few favorites already though like "1 2 3 4" and "How My Heart Behaves". I'll probably get the CD for Feist and the two songs sake...another time soon. :)
**FYI - I used to stay at HMV and spend most of my first few paychecks back in 1999 in that store? I met a few of the staff and they basically know that I stay there on the weekends? Oh...those were the days...oh, found cute guys there...:P

- Four Seasons HK High Tea Experience. I called up in the morning to ask if I can book or need to book a time for high tea at the Four Seasons (4Seasons) but I was informed that I do not need one...walk-ins are okay. This comes highly recommended by my gal pals and a few other people, aside from the Penn at TST (Tsim Sha Tsui ).
I was still deciding on whether to go or wait for another time to go...with the rains and the dreary weather side...I needed some good warmth going so at around late afternoon, I went to 4Seasons. Man...I should have placed my name in their list early because there was a waiting list drawn up by the time I go there at alittle plast 3:30pm!
***Before I go further, I gotta say that you gotta love your own country men because it will help you far and beyond when the time comes. Take for example - Filipinos are one of the most special people in this world, if not the best. I know my parents told me that if you do find one aboard your cruise ship, you're in for the best service, treatment and hospitality the world has to offer. I got to meet Cora (Corazon) and Dave, fellow Flips, at The Lounge, who provided wonderful and exceptional service for my first Four Seasons High Tea Experience.
(I guess that's the way you know it's good over here...the ones with long line-ups are really good and worth it.)
I finally got a table about 4pm. Although, a Chinese man took my order and not Cora or Dave, this man did a fairly good job of explaining to me the different types of teas in the menu...boy, it was far longer than what Mandarin had and there were some specialized teas, which is wonderful for tea lovers like me.
Four Seasons is the only place in HK that I can get Vancouver based tea supplier Tea Leaves. I love that store...never got around to get anything when I'm there but I know that they have a really appealing store and tons of teas to choose from. There's a Four Season's blend that was made specially for the hotel. It's a great way to remember and enjoy Vancouver even if I'm so far away. The last time I had the brand Tea Leaves was at the Bellagio's VIP check-in lounge in Vegas (2006)...love those silk packets.
By the way, I decided on Harmony, a herbal blend of Peppermint leaves, chamomile flowers, orange blossoms, and allspice, to accompany my snacks and scones. Lovely ... love the minty yet freshing merge.
I was informed by Dave (first Flip that I met) that petite fours and tea are refillable, as he placed the high tea stack. Dave is so funny and definitely both of us are happy to see some friendly Flip face amidst all the Canto/Chinese atmosphere. The decor and feel is quite cozy and homey...definitely far different from my Mandarin High Tea Experience.
I later got to met Cora while she asked me how my tea service is going. I guess there was so weird awkwardness since I was alone...reading my newspaper in a place like that for High Tea...especially when most of the people went there in pairs or groups of family members/ friends. Cora got all chatty when she found out that I'm a Flip working in HK also. It was great since I was able to get more information about their teas - great tea selection - "T" from Vancouver; the only hotel that carries this brand in HK. Lovely stuff...gotta go back again!
Oh, and definitely get mom to try it out next month!
PS: I get the same wonderful treatment at Agnes b's Le Pain Grille for the same reason from fellow Flip, Teddy and Ming (though not Flip but referred by Teddy to me to look for if he's away)

- Giordano (HK) CWB. I picked up my grey pants that I had them cut shorter for me. Good thing that the weather is more coorperative...just small drizzles. Funny on how people like KW think that I always need to go for the brand-named items...or maybe I show that but for good dependable clothing articles - Giordano works quite well already. They seem to get the fit and design right for me. I love the pants that I got...I had doubts but somehow, it worked. Doubts because I was reduced to a size 24 from two week ago's 26! I think it's gotta be the style since I tried on other brand of jeans in size 26 and it didn't seem to fit well...I was squeezing every living being of me into those 26 pants! I was so TH - "trying hard". :P
Since I was there, I checked out Giordano Ladies, upstairs...no harm done and I had to make use of the MTR fare. I found some nice black dresses (yes...it will be black, white, beige and grey clothing articles for me for a very long time) that might work well with me. Guess what...it does! I like since it's cut in a more modern than "cute" kind of way. I love the clean and fresh touches with some special draping...some pleating in strategic positions and another with some really cool buttons! I love them both - can't wait to use them! Oh, the nice thing too is that Giordano had sample black sandals per dressing room so you can wear them to see if the outfit will work with you. I got stares when I inquired for other colors, sizes and other new styles from people outside of the dressing room. Here I go again...the Club Monaco experience all over again. :P I'm so embarrassed to come out already! Good that KW wasn't there...now that would be embarrassing. No offense, KW!
Thus...damage this week from Giorgano is 2 black dresses (work and play purpose) and 1 pair of grey jeans...love them!

Monday...
TV and Reality Show Buff. I'm currently too hooked with TLC's Miami Ink. I love reality shows but this one is really different. There's a shop and you see the various types of people who come in. Each one has their own stories and it's up to these artists to somehow immortalize those stories through their art. The artists are Ami James, Chris Garver, Chris Nunez, Darren Brass and Yojiro "Yoji" Harda. The gal tattoo artist in the photo is Kat Von D, who did some work at Miami Ink and has now set-up a tattoo shop in the West Coast called LA Ink. :)
I guess I can relate to this since I had my share of those things ~ Lammer can verify that. Got the artwork, the place, etc ready...coincidences and all. Maybe I can get around it in another lifetime...or if I'm at Miami. I want to be tattooed by Chris Garver and would either be something Japanese/Chinese or a Celtic design. I'm so envious of my pal, Wendi, who did end up getting her's during college when we (Laura, Wendi and I) promised that we'd get them all together. :P She was the only one who did end up getting. I'll try to find the sketch and post it up sometime. I love that and worked hard on it before I finally decided that it was done ~ it's a Celtic design inspired by Janet Jackson's pelvic tattoo. :)
"A tattoo will last longer than romance." ~Ami James, Miami Ink

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Title: A Tiny Miracle
Kit Name: June Bonus - Map of Me (ScrapOutSideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Script MT Bold
Journaling: A Tiny Miracle (Author: Kathy from Scrapbook.com) "You are a tiny miracle. Laying close to my beating heart, Each and everyday l feel your presence inside of my womb. We can't wait to meet you."
Notes: A preggy gal pal of mine from Vancouver...6 months old! Wow...so sweet and amazingly big now! :) 1st child (and grandchild for both families)...surely will be showered with much love. Congrats, Mandy & Conrad! TYFL!

That's it for layouts this week...I'm going off to Manila for a vacation! :) I'm going to be painting Manila "RED"!

A Side Note: A friend sent me this...$250,000 Gundam will rock your, uh, socks --> Boys and their toys. It's a 5-inch Gundam slathered in platinum with diamonds for eyes, manufactured by Bandai. What else would they think up next? I can sometimes understand the Prada and D&G mobile phone but this is taking things too extreme. Diamond eyes!

***To answer TiggerLily's Question on my previous blog: TYFL = Thank You For Looking :) ***