Costa Coffee

I'm not really a coffee drinker so I thought I'd never enjoy coffee shops... until my first frappuccino. I remember someone said that young people only like coffee because of the sugar it comes with. When you're an adult and crave for real coffee as in with all it's bitter glory that's when you actually enjoy coffee in itself. So yeah I probably only liked the sugar part that's why frap was the only reason I enjoyed coffee shops. And then days would come when my order of fraps were devoid of whipped creams until I ordered it less and less frequently until I stopped ordering fraps altogether. Right now I'm into chai latte. I try to find out which coffee shops serve the best chai for me and so far there's one that stood out. But going back to non-coffee drinks, even if i stop liking fraps i still try new ones like Costa Coffee's frostino. For now we've only tried key lime frostino and I liked it so much that I'm all set to ordering it each time we go there. But yeah I think I might give other drinks a try too.

Costa would always comes up whenever i read books written by British authors that's why I was kind of excited when I learned they have branches here already. The only sad part is that there's none yet near Makati so we'd always have to include a sidetrip when there's one near our outings. 

Costa Coffee was founded in London in 1971 by the Costa family as a wholesale operation supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops. It is a British multinational coffeehouse company headquartered in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Whitbread. It is the second largest coffeehouse chain in the world and the largest in Britain. (Wikipedia) 

 

Must Try: Spaghetti Ramen

Here are the things I've recently discovered and liked...

Bibimbob's bibimbap, P99
When SM Makati's supermarket recently opened along with the Food Hall across it, Bibimbob was a blockbuster that it was hard to find a vacant seat. When the hype finally subsided we found out what all this was about. For P99 it was a sulit meal. It was loaded and yummy and it's like a pinoy version of bibimbap that it's easy to make your own at home.

Cafe ti amo's waffle gelato, small P99, regular P199

Coldstone's mint ice cream, lick it P95

 

Goldilock's blackforest, singles P80
better than just a slice of cake  :)

Ministop's vanilla ice cream, cup P18
I found their vanilla better than other food chains's

Betty Crocker's peanut butter cookie mix, P120.75

 

Spaghetti ramen, P50 (available in Landmark's grocery, international isle)
i super like this spag ramen, it's new to the taste yet familiar.

Taco Bell's rice meal, chicken P169

Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum opened for free one Saturday of July and we did not pass up the chance to experience it. We just had to write down on a piece of paper the answer to the question (sorry I forgot, something like "how can you be an inspiration to others?"), handed it to the girls in charge and we were stamped and allowed to get inside. We were given red stubs too to claim our free cokes-in-can.

by Jana Benitez

More paintings by Jana Benitez

Upon entering, right behind the reception area are the paintings of Jana Benitez. They are 35 new large-scale paintings and although I don't know much about paintings I make them out as beautiful creations. I have favorite among the paintings so I didn't forget to click away so I'd have solid remembrance that I saw them in person.

Dioramas

Second floor houses the dioramas of the history of the Philippines, from prehistoric to our Independence. The dioramas are carved by artisans from Paete, Laguna and I tell you each and every diorama is worth instagramming. They are so carefully thought of and so perfect. If these were presented to me when I was a kid I'd have understood and passed all my history quizzes haha. At the end was a multimedia presentation of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. I don't know about you but every time this event is shown I get proud that something as huge as this ever happened to our country. We were so united.

Another diorama: Recognition of Philippine Independence

Fernando Zobel's paintings are exhibited in the museum's 3rd floor gallery. I look at his works and imagine how his hands made each careful stroke. They are simple but really not that simple. I especially love the paintings in black. Too bad taking photos were not allowed but since the collections are part of the museum's permanent display anyone who wishes to see them can visit anytime.

Cagayan Valley Life

Gold objects are seen on the 4th floor. They are exhibition of our ancestors' adornments. We saw earrings, bracelets and bangles, anklets, rings, tiaras, necklaces and much more. Multimedia presentation is also shown and watching the short film makes you understand these gold pieces all the more. The other side showcases centuries-old ceramics. They age beautifully which just tells how each piece were made cautiously to have stood the test of time.

Historical Book

One of the bands that performed that day: Hidden Nikki

We were also given the chance to make use of Filipinas Heritage Library for free. Located at 6th floor of the museum, the library is said to be “dedicated to books and other materials authored by Filipinos or about the Philippines with focus on history and culture.” For students who want to delve deeper into our history and who don’t solely rely on Google, the library has antiquarian books, maps, manuscripts and serials from as early as 16th century. Even in the advent of advanced technology, I still like to hold and own a book. Libraries, one of the things I miss about school.

Source: www.ayalamuseum.org

Must Try: Uniqlo, Human Nature, Family Mart, Jelly G

Uniqlo's Legging Jeans
The truth is I never really liked the concept of jeggings until this brand. It just sounded and looked fake, sorry but that's just me. And like I said Uniqlo changed my perception of jeggings when I gave in and tried it on. It hugs perfectly well and it doesn't compromise comfort which I mostly see from other women where they adjust their tush (or maybe the jeans :) )most of the time. It even feels like you're not wearing any butt-hugging jeans at all.

Jelly G's Cheesy Jasmine Tea
I love the combination of cheese and jasmine tea, refreshing and tastes good nevertheless.

Human Nature's Natural Healthy Lotion
A body lotion that's devoid of harmful chemical ingredients must really be worth the try. I've never changed brand since.

Family Mart's Green Tea Ice Cream
It wouldn't be their bestseller for nothing.

SM's Cube Storage Cabinet
Very versatile (in our home, it also serves as divider) and a better option for places with small spaces.

must try Director's Club SM Mega Fashion Hall

I've tried Director's Club too many a times that is why it has become my favorite. We don't regularly watch here but we reserve it for more special movies like Ironman, Hunger Games or movies by either Steven Spielberg or Michael Bay. Since DC was just in Mall of Asia then, it was there we caught our first DC experience. Back then there were no freebies and we could bring any take-outs inside the theatre. The next thing I knew, free popcorn is now included and you can't bring just any food inside. The only ones allowed are the foods or drinks purchased inside DC itself.

Last Valentine's Day we've tried SM Aura's DC and here's what I had noticed, please click here.

Reception area

And then 2 Sundays ago, we watched Non-stop in DC, Mega Fashion Hall. Unlike in SM Aura, the laZBoys here are comfortably spaced apart. A bowl of buttered popcorn is still free and should you need a drink you can tell the usher/usherette to order one and then pay for it. I forgot how much iced tea was but it for sure costs less than P100. There's comfort room inside the cinema but unlike in Mall of Asia there were no alcohol, lotion, or powder available. LaZBoys are way better here because there's now a push button beside you for when you want to adjust your seat as cozy as you wish. 

inside DC Mega Fashion Hall

the clearer version

Tickets are P352 per. You can wish to reserve online or buy tickets there. Like I said your ticket is inclusive of popcorn and you’re not allowed to buy drinks from other sources but them. There are other grubs offered, you can ask for a menu should you crave for more munchies. Picture taking’s allowed for as long as the movie hasn’t started yet or has just ended. DC is located 5th floor of Mega Fashion Hall near Imax and the skating rink. If you came in early there’s receiving area to while the time away. 

Press buttons to adjust your seat

Free buttered popcorn served in a bowl

Enjoy the experience because it’s worth it. If you love watching movies, don’t miss this and try it at least once. By the way, if you’re not aware yet, DC I think is better meant for partners because the seats are for a pair. So the experience wasn’t just for the right movie but for the right movie partner too.

must try Yummies

When we go out and we have a budget, we hardly buy new clothes or new things for us but when we're about to sit down and eat, that's where we always splurge and try something new. We were never a creature of habit. If it's the same restaurant we've already tried, we try out new offerings. Be it a pastry, a new frap, a new juice or milk tea station, new yogurt flavor, as much as possible, we try them out. I want to see how this "trying-out-new-yummies" goes for us...

Tous les Jours' cream cheese pastry. (P68, Greenbelt 5) I guess this is one of their bestseller and it's really yummy. I think this is one of the few pastry I would always go back to.

Oishi's choco cereals. (less than P20, Rustan's) Not as pricey as the one we're all used to. For me, it's better as is, without milk.

 Marks & Spencer custard cream. (P125, SM MoA) This may be a tad sweet for me but I still like it.

 Tous les Jours' peanut butter cookie. (P28) Reminds me of peanut brittle but in a cookie form.

 

Tous les Jours' pumpkin muffin. (P58) We veered away from the usual muffins like blueberry and corn. Pumpkin sounds interesting and true enough it tastes unique but for us it's a thumbs up.

 Vanilla cupcake bakery's vanilla caramel. (P75, Glorietta) I love the frosting and I love the cake.

Vanilla cupcake bakery's black and white cupcake.(P75) Yummy chocolate cupcake and a perfect pair for tea or cappuccino.

Banapple's strawberry cheesecake (P110/slice, Ayala Triangle Gardens) and Fat and chewy chocolate chip cookie. (P70) The cheesecake is to die for, the cookie is sinful. OMG!

 Pinkberry's lychee with lime yogurt. This is heaven. This is my type of yogurt. I soooooo love this.

 Hungry rover's pork barbecue and US beef tapa. (Cucina Andare, Makati) Both are good, I just didn't like the spicy rice.

CBTL's bagel with cream cheese. Bitin sa cream cheese but both are a good combo without a tinge of doubt.

 

 Tokyo Cafe's Loco Moco meal (P180). The beef is fresh and that's what matters. :)

 Serendipitea's Mango yakult (P60, Sct Tobias,QC) You can never go wrong with anything yakult-y. :)

Serendipitiea's Dark chocolate with rock and salt cheese. (P90) This is also perfect, rock salt cheese adds flavor to this already yummy chocolatey drink.

Tokyo Cafe's Bangus meal. (P180) This is served with double the rice, I don't know if it's half-half rice that made it technically a cup or is it really 2 cups of rice? This will definitely full your happy tummy.

Mesa's Tinapa rice (P150, Tomas Morato). Which I hope I can copy. The plate is pretty, that I want to own one and the rice is complete in itself. Must try!

must try Healthy Snacks

What comes to mind when you say healthy snacks is that they're not fun to eat. So when you're presented with those that are confirmed healthy but don't taste bland and boring you get your money's worth. It's fair to indulge once in a while but for the most part you have to be conscious with what's good for you. I'm in search for healthy but fun munch and these are what I found for now...

 Angry Puffs. No preservatives, no food coloring.Just like your childhood cheesecurls but with different choices for flavors. I liked sour cream and cheese.

Chimara. No synthetic additives and not over-processed. Their tofu chips equaled that of the multi-grain snack available in groceries  when it comes to taste. Even if it's served in a big bag, will still be less of a worry.

what healthy snacks do you recommend too?

must try Ice Cream Bars

I love chocolates. They're one of the best comfort food ever. But for me I like these ice cream bars better than their chocolate bar counterparts. :) Downside is, they're easier to gobble up. In just a few minutes, gone gone gone.

 Snickers Ice cream bar

 

Twix Ice cream bar

must try: Mochipia

From the makers of ube hopia (na hindi tinipid :) ) comes another creation that’s perfect a combo as bread & butter or tuyo & champorado or gravy & mashed potatoes. Eng Beetin’s new hopia, the mochipia. 

Mochi + Hopia = Mochipia. Gets? 

We tried buko pandan–ube and monggo-ube and as expected both did not disappoint. More yummy fillings than ever. 

Mochipia, P55 @ SM Hypermarket