Happy Halloween!

One of the school activities that I was looking forward to doing this year was Ate's first Trick or Treat!  I got excited with thinking of what she's going to wear, haha!  One thing was for sure, she won't be a princess or a fairy because she is not into those. . . yet.  I wanted her to wear something she really likes and one that makes her happy.  I figured that if she likes what it is, she would definitely wear the costume.

And if there's one thing she really likes now, it's M&M's chocolate (Plain)!  So I went online and googled for some costumes which my Mom's dressmaker can make.  Initially, I wanted something like this:

Iimage from www.spirithalloween.com

But went with this instead . . .

Image from www.spoonful.com

because it looked more COMFORTABLE!

Mom's dressmaker did a good job with the yellow top.  As for the M&M's logo, I just sent it to the Printer and had it printed. =)

She LOVED it!!!  And was excited to wear it!

As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I love the school's idea of recycling old shoe boxes and turning them into a Trick or Treat bag.  

Ate actually worked on the pumpkin during her Arts and Crafts time in class =)

Ate's Costume Parade/Trick or Treat in pictures. . . 

I'm glad she enjoyed her first Trick or Treat =) 

Everyone at home enjoyed it too. . . .Thanks to her candies!  Haha!

Wishing all of you a great weekend! =)

Name the Object

I am officially a Criminal Case (an adventure game I play in  FB) addict! (Thanks to my friend M, haha!)

I get to play a detective (and feel like a part of CSI) in Criminal Case, find hidden objects and solve a crime.  Not that I want to become a detective!  It's just that I'm used to looking for objects. . . because I tend to misplace things, haha!

While playing this game, I've encountered in my list of "things to find" some objects which I don't know.  For example, Shuriken, Nanchaku and Balaclava!

If you know what they are, give yourself a pat in the back and a star!  

So thanks to this game, these are not just mere objects which I know and I've seen (thanks to my Dad's love of watching Bruce Lee, Martial Arts and Action-packed films!), I can now actually name them! 

Evidence #1 - Nanchaku (I actually know them as Chaku!)

Image Source

Evidence #2 - Shuriken (I can imagine a Black or White Ninja while looking at this photo, haha!)

www.makefive.com

Evidence #3 - Balaclava (Yep, this headgear actually has a name, hehe)

Image from www.oxford-products.com

Don't you just love it when you learn something new everyday?!

If you like Detective-type of games, try playing Criminal Case in FB.

And if you're my FB friend, please send me some Energy!!!! Haha!

NOMNOMNOM (A Long Food Post!)

AS I've mentioned in an earlier post, Hubby came home for a 3 week vacation.  And when you're on vacation, Food is right there in the equation!

Here are some eats which we enjoyed . . .

(Warning: Reading this post may result to sudden cravings, haha!)

1. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Roast Chicken and Mushroom Fusilli

I am not a CBTL fan (I have my personal faves for my coffee drinks and pastries in other coffee shops) BUT I would go back to CBTL for this!  I know, this looks simple but it's actually good and flavorful (garlic + creamy white sauce = love). 

2. Fely J's (Greenbelt 5 in Makati)

There is no way that Hubby won't have his share of local food (meaning cholesterol laden food, haha!) when he's home so went to to Fely J's in Greenbelt and enjoyed the following . . .

Crispy Pata 

Fely J's Crispy Pata is one of the better ones we had.  But if you want to know which Crispy Pata tops our list. . . it is still the one being served in Blanvil!  Blanvil is a simple restaurant which was previously located at an apartment building along Alfaro St in Salcedo Village, Makati.  I know they moved to the Ground Level of the LPL Center in Leviste St (near the Makati Sports Club).  I hope it's still around!

Adobo

We ordered this because it's one of the few things that Ate eats.

Gule Magalang

The owner of Fely J has Capampangan roots (like me).  "Gule" means Vegetable and I assume that he is from Magalang, one of the towns in the province of Pampanga.  I was telling Hubby that we actually cook something like this at home. . .the same reason why I will not order it.  Actually, we ordered another vegetable dish but our waitress had our order wrong.  But it's okay, Hubby and I actually liked it!  This dish exceeded my expectations.  

 3. Yellow Cab

My Ultimate Fave!  I was telling Hubby that in my book, Yellow Cab's NY Finest is the best pizza!!!  He said that I only say that because I haven't really tasted an authentic New York pizza.  Well Hun, we should do something about that . . . let's go to NY!!!  Haha! 

New York's Finest

Fleet Starters - Hot Wings, Oven-baked potato wedges and Tortilla chips
with Salsa and Garlic Ranch Dips 

4. Tempura Japanese Grill

Tori Karaage

It reminds me of a Jollibee fried chicken because of its crispiness (not the taste).  I love that it comes with a curry gravy sauce!  (Curry lover here!)

Dynamite Ebi Roll (comes in 8 pcs)

A roll that consists of Tempura, Kani Stick and asparagus topped with slivers of Mango, Tobiko and drizzled with Japanese mayo =) (Arrrgghh!!! Now I'm craving!)

Writing a food post close to midnight is not a good idea!  Hahaha!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post . . . as much as we enjoyed eating!

Weekend is here . . . that means Cheat days are here!  Heehee . . .   

Ready to go food tripping?!

Staycation at Holiday Inn

I love Staycations in hotels!  It is like having a new home or being in a grand vacation (in this case, without having to fly elsewhere) and being pampered. . . and it also means having a clean room all the time, haha! 

While Hubby was here, we got to chance to have one at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Makati (which opened late last year).  The hotel is located in the heart of Makati's Shopping District and is conveniently connected to the Glorietta Mall.  

The Hotel Reception is at the 4th Level of the Hotel.  If you are bringing a car, there is a Mall Parking Entrance near the hotel.   Please proceed to B2 (Basement 2) and there is a specified area for hotel guests.  

The Hotel in pictures. . . 

Level 4 - Reception Area/Hotel Lobby

Checking into the hotel was a breeze.

Guest Room

I love the room . . . because it is spacious!

And that the TV has a lot of cable channels, haha!  

The room also has a Philips Clock/Radio with an Iphone/Ipod docking station.

And my most favorite things in the room (besides the free wifi and Samsung TV, heehee). . . .   

One of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on!

And fluffiest pillows too . . . . 

I love the embroidered details on them

Bathroom - When it comes to bathroom, there is only one important thing for me . . .that it's clean!  And it was!  

I prefer an enclosed shower over one with a bath tub.

By the way, the Hotel also has a pool at the Roof Deck which we didn't get the chance to see.  (There is a next time!)

Holiday Inn (Makati) has just become another family fave. . . .Excellent location, nice rooms (reasonably-priced!), good service and they have the best Housekeeping staff!  

Thank you to a dear friend, J, who helped us with our hotel accommodation.

To end this post, I want to share with you my most favorite photo from our Staycation---- 

Spell DONYA!!!  Haha!

For more details about Holiday Inn Makati, please visit their FB page and their website.

What the F!

And It's not what you are (might be) thinking, haha!  But my Sunday was all about the letter F!    

I had Fun with the Family . . . had some girl bonding time with L, my Sister (and as we grew older, she has become one of my Best friends too.  Sis, I know you are reading this---yiheee, haha) and some quality time with my Princess too.

Scored some good Finds that are marked down significantly. . . 70%!!!  Sweeeet!

Got myself a pair of jeans (from Php 3,150 to Php 945), a black linen capri (from Php 1,650 to Php 660) and a top (from 1,650 to Php 660).  You gotta love a Sale!  Haha!

And because we want to look good and be Fab for somebody (you will know who in the succeeding posts!) we went to the Salon.  

It was Ate's first time to have her hair cut in this Salon I go to.  We usually go to a Kids Salon for her haircut where there are toys and cartoons to watch.  But I think she's ready for a "grown up" salon!  She sat still, enjoyed being shampooed (I know it doesn't show, haha!  But she did like it) and didn't even mind the blow dry!

I waaannt her hair!  Haha!  And I think she loves it as much as we do!

And of course. . . though shall not forget. . . FOOD! Haha!  Having Ate with us only means we go to a place where there is soup and noodles. . . .so we had Ramen!

(Will be blogging about this in a separate post)

So yep, my Sunday was all about Fs.  But if I have to give one word to sum up everything, it was a Fruitful day!

Hope you enjoyed yours and wishing you a good week ahead!

As for me, I'm going to have a really, really memorable week!  You'll know why soon!

P.S., If you loved Ate's hair (we loved ours too!), please look for Lita at H&M Hair and Make-Up Studio located at 4/F, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati. =)