MrsMommyHolic

Finally, my family and I were able to go to Pico de Loro for the first time about a month ago. It was my mother-in-law who organized the trip since my brother-in-law and his family were visiting from the States.

Before, only Pico De Loro beach unit owners or Pico De Loro country club members were allowed to enjoy the facilities. But now, Pico De Loro is open to the public via the Pico Sands Hotel or by renting a condo. At first, we were thinking whether to stay at the hotel but since we were a lot, my mother-in-law just decided to rent 2 condo units through Airbnb.

If you check Airbnb, each condo unit has a different look depending on how the owner decorated the place. So really up to you to decide which one to book based on your taste and availability. And of course what size based on how many you are:
Studio (31.87 - 35.28sqm) - max of 4 pax, estimated rental ranges from P5,500 to P6,000
1BR (39.54 - 55sqm) - max of 6 pax, estimated rental ranges from P6,500 to P7,500
2BR (91.39-124.35sqm) - max of 9 pax, estimated rental ranges from P10,500 to P12,000
3BR (125.47-205.08sqm) - max of 12 pax, estimated rental ranges from P15,000 to P16,000

There are also 4 condo buildings namely JACANA, CAROLA, MYNA, and MIRANDA (see map for reference). The units we got were at Miranda which was closest to the beach. If you want it closer to the Country Club which is where the pool is, you should rent a unit at Jacana or maybe Carola. But don't worry, there are free shuttles that will take you to the different parts of the property. But it is possible and also nice to walk along the paths along the lagoon.

Guest Endorsement and Authorization Forms will be sent via email which you will need to present upon registration at the main gate before entering Pico De Loro.

guest registration area

This is where you will also pay for club registration fees so you can have access to all the facilities. Since we went on a weekend, guest fee rate for adults was P1,200 per person (discounted for senior citizens), P400 for kids 4-12 years old, and free for 3 years old below. This is a one time payment for the entire duration of your stay. I believe if you go on a weekday (Monday to Thursday), guest fees are lower.

You will be given a wrist band which you will have to wear to have access to the facilities. If it gets ripped, just go to the Country Club lobby where they will replace it with a new one.

We also got a guest cash card which is a pre-paid card valid for 1 year. The card is P50 and minimum initial load is P1000, which is needed if you want to make purchases at the Country Club like food for example.

Check-in was 2pm and check-out was at 11am. The unit caretaker was there to welcome us, give the keys and show us around the unit. Anyway, we were laughing so much when we were unloading our stuff since it looked like we were moving houses! What's nice about staying in a condo is you can cook. And my mother-in-law brought so much food like there was no tomorrow lol! The unit provides kitchen housewares and cookwares for use, but we brought our own paper plates and plastic utensils.

This was the unit where my family stayed. It was a studio unit, with a queen sized bed and a sofa bed. It could fit 4 adults comfortably, but we also brought an airbed for the kids.

This was the sofa bed. We also brought our own beddings and pillows.

Our unit had a balcony which provided gorgeous views of the mountains, lagoon and the other buildings around it. You could even see the beach and Country Club from a distance.

It also had a drying rack which I loved. Don't you just hate it when you stay at hotels and you don't have space in the bathroom to hang anything since all the wet clothes, bathing suits and towels are there?! And they don't even dry properly since it's inside.

This was the other unit which was much bigger but didn't have a balcony. It had a queen sized bed and 3 sofa beds.

This was how the condo's corridor looked outside our room.

We stayed for 2 nights and had a great time. Although I wouldn't mind staying at the hotel next time just to try it out especially if overnight only. Next up, I'll be blogging about the facilities like the beach and pool areas of Pico De Loro. :)

The Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas
Website: picodeloroclub.com

During our stay at Pico De Loro, we rented a condo via Airbnb. As mentioned in my previous post, you will have to pay a separate club registration fee so you can have access to all the facilities in the resort. Since we went on a weekend, guest fee rate for adults was P1,200 per person (discounted for senior citizens), P400 for kids 4-12 years old, and free for 3 years old below. This is a one time payment for the entire duration of your stay. I believe if you go on a weekday (Monday to Thursday), guest fees are lower.

There are different buildings around the property, namely the 4 condominiums (Jacana, Myna, Carola, Miranda), the Pico Sands Hotel, the Pico De Loro Country Club. and the Pico De Loro Beach Club.

The Pico De Loro BEACH CLUB is for members and guests accompanied by members only. So the member should be physically present at the time of registration so he or she could endorse you personally. The Beach Club is right by the beach and has a pool, although it is smaller than the one at the Country Club. But since this is for members only, there are considerably less people here, especially during weekends.

that building on the far end is the Beach Club

As regular guests having paid the club registration fee, you will have access to all facilities except those for members only. So all guests have access to the Pico Beach, the Country Club pools, shower areas and locker rooms.

Pico De Loro COUNTRY CLUB

You will have to wear a wrist band upon registration for your entire stay. If it gets ripped or detached, you can just get a new one at the Country Club lobby.

Use of gym, basketball, badminton, squash courts, and other activities have separate costs which you will have to pay if you want to use them.

Personally, I think the pool area at the Country Club is much nicer than the one at the Beach Club. It is definitely bigger too. The only problem is you can expect a lot of people here especially if it's the weekend. We stayed Saturday to Monday, and there were so many people on Saturday. But Sunday and Monday, we practically had the whole place to ourselves.

The view of the man-made lagoon and the surrounding buildings from the pool were so nice!

I liked that there were lifeguards on duty all the time

the Country Club restaurant

There was also a kids play area in the Country Club but we weren't even able to set foot here since we were enjoying the pool so much! I wasn't even able to take a pic of the place so I just googled these images for reference. Definitely next time. :)

source

Everyone also has access to Pico Beach, where you can do outdoor activities like banana boat, jetski, cove tour, scuba diving, paddle board, water taxi, kayak, and snorkeling for a fee. The rate for guests vs members is also more expensive.

Again, if you can, avoid going on a weekend because there really will be a LOT of people. This was on a Saturday and there was even a team building happening on the other side.

Good thing most people probably checked out the next day (Sunday) so it was more relaxing to hang out by the beach.

Take note that the sand is dark. And you can only stay in the water until 6:00 PM. The lifeguards will really ask you to get out. But you can still stay in the beach and hang out, just not go swimming.

Our condo at Miranda was actually walking distance to the beach but far from the Country Club. But it is possible to walk along the paths along the lagoon. Also a good place to go running, which I saw a lot of people doing in the morning.

There are free shuttles that will take you to the different parts of the property. Usual wait is about 10 minutes or less.

We really enjoyed our stay at Pico De Loro and can't wait to be back!

The Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas
Website: picodeloroclub.com

We decided to explore Shibuya on our last night in Tokyo. Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with lots of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Of course, I was really excited to finally see the famous Shibuya Crossing in person!

It was really a sight seeing all these people cross the intersection at the same time. And this being Japan, it was still so organized!

selfie!

Of course, I had to take a pic while crossing, much to the annoyance of hubby! Haaay how do fashion bloggers have such amazing shots here???

It rained shortly after and good thing we brought with us an umbrella from our Airbnb. That's why always check the weather forecast for the day when traveling!

They say the best view of Shibuya Crossing is from the second-story window of Starbucks Coffee in the Tsutaya building (which is behind me in this pic). Sadly, we weren't able to check it out anymore, since there were so many people that time.

We also had to say hi to Hachiko, the famous statue of a loyal dog and one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points. According to the story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. Since we were there during the Christmas season, Hachiko was even wearing a Santa hat! :)

I also had to check out Shibuya 109, which is a famous fashion complex with more than one hundred boutiques on TEN floors. I went around but didn't buy anything, coz for me it was kinda pricey. But my gosh, all the women shopping there were so gorgeous and dressed so fashionably! As in, nakaka-insecure lol! ;p

Anyway, we were looking for somewhere to eat and since this was our last night, we wanted to splurge a little and have steak. We chanced upon Han No Daidokoro just a short walk from the Shibuya crossing.

What caught our eye were these signs outside the restaurant which says they have a high rating on TripAdvisor.

The servers were extremely nice and spoke English, so this is a very tourist friendly place. Plus there is an English menu as well.

O-toshi

we also got Kimchi as a side dish

I don't recall what exact type of meat we ordered since it was hubby who chose, but we definitely got Kobe beef. And oh my gosh, it was really amazing! The beef really melts in your mouth and you don't even need to chew since it was that tender.

Definitely a fitting end to our Japan trip! We've never had a bad meal in Tokyo since everything was so good, but this was definitely a highlight. Of course, it was a bit expensive but worth every penny in my opinion!

You really have to try this place if you love meat. A must if you're looking for quality beef, a great atmosphere and good service!

location map

My son was craving for ramen one time we were at Alabang Town Center. Upon looking at the list of restaurants, we found one tucked away in the 2nd floor of the new wing. It was kinda surprising to find this place here since most of the stores on this level are for clothes, shoes, and sports stuff. And then suddenly, there's this ramen place in the middle of it all!

I wasn't familiar with the restaurant but apparently, they are originally from Osaka and also have branches in Trinoma and Rockwell.

We were there early for lunch so the place was still empty, which allowed me to appreciate all the cute decor and details. I loved the wooden artworks on the wall, plus all the modern light fixtures.

that string artwork on the right is in the shape of a pig

hot tea

Gyoza P180

We had to order their specialty, the Signature Happiness Ramen (P480). This is their founder Takaku Arakawa's ramen masterpiece: a shoyu tonkatsu broth ramen topped with tender, slow-braised custom cut soft bone pork rib.

We also got the Arakawa Abura Soba (P290). Made in partnership with Wrong Ramen, it has pan fried ramen noodles in reduced tonkatsu, slow-cooked spareribs, onsen egg, R.Lapid's chicharon, nori strips, negi.

Lastly, we got the Pot Belly Rice Bowl (P280), which is Kakuni with onions on rice.

Everything tasted so good! The meat was super tender and practically melts in your mouth. I loved the noodles which are al dente, so the texture was chewy which I really liked. The ramen broth was yummy and flavorful. We enjoyed every bite, especially my son! Bottomline, I'm happy I discovered this restaurant which is now one of our faves. They really serve bowls of happiness and guarantee that you'll leave with a happy tummy. :)

Hanamaruken Ramen

2L New Wing, Alabang Town Center

2/F Trinoma Mall, QC

The Grove by Rockwell

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hanamarukenph

Instagram & Twitter: @hanamaruken_ph

It's now the month of September and I'm sure you can already hear Christmas songs and see Christmas decors in malls! Anyway, if you're planning a trip to Japan for the holidays, you should definitely include seeing the Winter Illuminations in your itinerary. These usually start in November and last until January to mid February.

We went to Tokyo last year around the first week of December so we were able to catch a lot of displays. It was my first time to see light displays as extravagant as this, so it really took my breath away. Everything was just so magical and it felt so romantic, especially since I was experiencing it with the hubby (naks!). Anyway, I'll be listing the schedules last year so you can get an idea of when it starts and ends.

CARETTA SHIODOME
November 19, 2015 to February 14, 2016 (except January 1-2)
From 17:00 to 23:00

Caretta Shiodome is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. The theme of last year's illumination was “Canyon D’Azur” which featured approximately 250,000 LED lights! There was also a 10 minute light and music show, and then in between, you can enter the display to have your photo taken.

ROPPONGI HILLS
November 4 to December 25, 2015
17:00 to 23:00 (until 24:00 at 66 Plaza)

The "Artelligent Christmas" event held at Roppongi Hills includes illumination displays around the base of Mori Tower and along Keyakizaka Street in the back of the tower.

The best place to see the lights and also get a great view of the Tokyo Tower is from the bridge over the street by the Louis Vuitton store. Here you can see the trees changing color from a “Snow & Blue” theme to “Candle & Red” every couple of minutes.

There's also a cute Christmas Market in one of the malls!

TOKYO MIDTOWN
November 12 to December 25, 2015
17:00 to 23:00

From Roppongi Hills, we just walked to Tokyo Midtown to check out the "Starlight Garden" which is a popular display located in the park behind the main tower. The display was huge and had a planet theme which was choreographed to music. It was super mesmerizing and spectacular and pictures don't really do it justice.

ODAIBA
Sunset to 24:00 (longer on December 31)

The Decks Odaiba shopping center offers illuminations around the year, including the "Daiba Memorial Tree". Several other places on Odaiba, such as Venusfort and Diver City, offer seasonal illumination events.

Even Gundam was all lighted up, as well as the trees in front of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza.

OMOTESANDO
December 1 to 25, 2015
Sunset to 21:00

The trees and shrubs lining Omotesando are decorated with LED lights along most of the street's length between Harajuku and Omotesando stations. It makes shopping and sight-seeing all the more wonderful!

And even on the way home, I was surprised to see that the Haneda Airport had their own illuminations as well!

These displays and illuminations make visiting Japan during the autumn and winter seasons super worth it! It's like lights on a whole other level I tell you! Definitely a must-see during the holidays. :)

My family loves staycations because it's more convenient than going on an out-of-town trip... but you still feel like you're on vacation! So when I was invited to a Mothers Who Brunch event in Discovery Primea, I was really excited since I would be able to tour the hotel and check out their rooms and facilities.

lobby

First of all, what I love about Disovery Primea is its location. It's along Ayala Avenue, right in the heart of the Makati CBD. An underpass just in front of the hotel will bring you to Glorietta and Rustan's within minutes. It is also walking distance to SM, Landmark, and Greenbelt. Shopping heaven right there!

This plush Makati serviced residence has 141 modern suites. But first, we were shown the details that make this hotel very guest-friendly. Right by the elevators on the room floors, you will find fresh apples (instead of flowers) that you can grab on the go. There's also a telephone that automatically connects to the operator, just in case you get locked out of your room and need a spare key. This is actually such a great idea since I've experienced having my key card suddenly not work in different hotels. I've had to go all the way down to the lobby to have it fixed. But a phone on your room floor will save you all that trouble since someone will just go to you with a new key.

Plus, their rooms are configured in such a way that there are no adjoining rooms. This is so you won't get to hear your neighbors right next door or through the walls. This is also a plus for those with kids like me, since I'm always worried about them being too loud when they're playing haha! ;p

We were shown the Business Flat first which is their standard room and has a 40 sq.m floor area.

Each room has complimentary high speed internet access, a 46" LED TV, Hypoallergenic Goose Feather Mattresses, and a pillow menu.

those beds look so fluffy and inviting!

I love that reading light connected to the headboard! And you can also control the aircon and lights from your bedside table.

minibar

Nespresso machine

The luggage rack and closet is in a separate corner, right by the bathroom door. This space is great since you can tuck your bags and all your things here without having to trip over them in the room.

I'm maselan with bathrooms so I really have to make sure it's nice before booking anywhere. And Discovery Primea did not disappoint! The bathroom is equipped with a rain shower, bathtub, and premium bath amenities.

And the best part, there's also a 19" LED TV in the bathroom! Love!

Next we were shown the Primea Suite which has a 94 sq.m floor area. It has two separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, dining area, and fully-furnished kitchen.

Complimentary high-speed Internet access around the room, pressreader access, and Internet Protocol Television can be found in the working area.

The kitchen area is equipped with an electric stove, refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, refreshment center, minibar, nespresso machine, coffee/tea facility, and glassware. Everything you need for a comfortable stay.

induction cooking range, washer & dryer, cleaning materials

Another great feature in this hotel (aside from the awesome views) is that you won't hear any sound coming from the outside. Even if your room is facing Ayala Ave., they made sure the double glass windows are so thick the only sound you would hear in your room is the aircon.

hallway

master bedroom

guest bedroom

Children's amenities are available upon request, including cribs, strollers, car seats, and even babysitting services.

And they really made sure to think of every comfort for their guests. Even their bedroom slippers have rubber soles (not just those thin paper ones that break so easily). They even provide a jewelry holder for their in-room safe.

Anyway, Discovery Primea currently has an ongoing promo until October 31, 2016. You get to enjoy a complimentary room upgrade from a Business Flat to an Executive Suite for every two nights booked. Just use the Promo Code SUITEUP when you book direct at www.discoveryprimea.com/suite-upgrade.

Of course, Discovery Primea also has amazing facilities like their 20-meter heated infinity pool with great views of Makati's skyline. Their swimming pool is located at the 3rd floor and is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.

They also have a modern and spacious gym which features state-of-the-art equipment from TechnoGym. I think this is probably the nicest hotel gym I've ever seen. You can even do sprints from one end of the room to the other, it's that big. They even have a studio where they offer group classes like Zumba (Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:00pm) and Vinyasa Yoga (Saturdays at 9:30am). 37 Degrees Gym is located at the 3rd floor and is open 24 hours a day.

They also have a lifestyle shop, Lily, which sells curated furniture, fashion accessories, home decors, and art pieces. They also offer everyday basics such as refreshments, snacks, toiletries, kitchen essentials, and much more. Lily also supports local artisans by showcasing a select product line of gift items crafted by some of the best Filipino designers and artists. Other services offered include personal shopping for gift ideas, and gift wrapping. Lily is open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm

And I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they even have a chapel where they hold mass. Truly this hotel has everything and more!

Anway, I'll be sharing more from our wonderful day at Discovery Primea, like the spa, salon, and of course the food!

Discovery Primea
Address: 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226 Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 955 8888
Fax: +632 955 8889
Website: www.discoveryprimea.com
Instagram: @DiscoveryPrimea
Room Reservations: dp.rsvn@discovery.com.ph
Banquets and Events: dpevents@discovery.com.ph
Room Sales: dpsales@discovery.com.ph

The second LEGO Certified Store in the Philippines (the first branch is in BGC) opened last September 10, 2016 in Alabang Town Center. We were super excited to check it out because my kids love Lego of course!

The store is located at the ground floor of Corte de las Palmas, right beside Italianni's and across Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Lots of cute Lego details like this mini town, which reminded me of MINILAND in Legoland Malaysia.

There was also a Duplo play area which my baby boy enjoyed.

And of course, lots and lots of Lego sets and merchandise!

Lego Classics and Lego City

Lego Friends, Juniors, Duplo

Lego Architecture and Lego Creator

these HUGE sets cost P15K upwards!

keychains

Mixels and Minifigures

if you need missing parts, you can find them here

Everyone was buying these polybags which were just P100 each! What's nice is that all proceeds will be given to a good cause.

And we also had a blast building our own Minifigures! You can buy a set of 3 figures for P499.75.

You get to personalize it by choosing the head, hat or hair, body, legs, and accessory. It was so much fun mixing and matching different elements!

In the end, these are what my kids got. And I even love the plastic container they put the minifigures in.

Haha, I don't know why they look so sad in the pic even after buying their toys! But promise, they had fun! ;p

LEGO Certified Store
Alabang Town Center
Ground Floor, Corte de las Palmas
Facebook: LEGO Certified Store PH
Instagram: @LegoStorePH
www.bricksphilippines.com

Last September 10, I was invited to another Mothers Who Brunch event in Discovery Primea. I love going to these events because I get to spend the day with fellow moms, as well as have some "me" time. We were first given a tour of the hotel, then shown the spa and salon where us ladies would experience a few hours of pampering.

The Terazi Spa, which is located at the 3rd floor of the hotel, offers many luxurious treatments which features a menu of traditional and natural healing therapies.

The place is very intimate and sophisticated, with its limited number of treatment rooms, exclusive steaming facilities and soaking tub.

Our group was split in half, with some availing of the spa's Signature or Facial Massage. The treatments use naturally-sourced ingredients from flowers, plants and fruits - all prepared and administered by well-trained expert therapists.

photos from Tina Ong

Terazi Spa also boasts of being the only spa in the metro with a hammam or authentic Turkish bath. I've only seen this in the movies before, so it was cool to actually see a room like this in person.

Some of us decided to go to the hotel's in-house salon run by the renowned Toni&Guy. I was super excited for this since I probably only go to the parlor once a year, no joke. ;p

The salon, also located at the 3rd floor of the hotel, is very intimate with only 5 seats. You can find their other branch in SM Aura.

First, we were given an exclusive hair and scalp diagnosis. The device on the left was what they put on our head, then we were able to see every single follicle and strand up close on the cellphone at the same time. Cool right?

As expected, my hair and scalp were very dry. I hardly even use conditioner kasi! Plus, I don't even get regular hair treatments or hot oils.

Good thing we were all given a Kerastase Treatment to boost our dull and tired hair. I know I definitely needed this!

They also recommended these products to help maintain my hair.

We also all enjoyed an exclusive Toni&Guy back massage while getting our treatments. So relaxing!

photo from Marj Argel

I also got a haircut, and I just asked them to fix my layers. I'm still not ready to part with my long hair for now. ;p Anyway, I was so happy with the way my hair felt and looked after! We were all joking that we needed to go on a date with our husbands later that night haha. And when my kids picked me up, they said "Mommy, you look so pretty!"How I wish I can go to the salon regularly na talaga!

We all felt so pampered and refreshed after! A big thanks to Mothers Who Brunch, Discovery Primea, and Toni&Guy for this awesome treat. :)

photo from Marj Argel

To see more of Discovery Primea's rooms and other facilities, check out my post HERE.

Discovery Primea
Address: 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226 Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 955 8888
Fax: +632 955 8889
Website: www.discoveryprimea.com
Instagram: @DiscoveryPrimea
Room Reservations: dp.rsvn@discovery.com.ph
Banquets and Events: dpevents@discovery.com.ph
Room Sales: dpsales@discovery.com.ph

One thing I love about the Mothers Who Brunch events are what else, the food of course! And last September 10, our group was treated to a tour of Discovery Primea Hotel including its in-house restaurants. Our first stop was FLAME, a modern European restaurant located on the 16th floor of the hotel. The newest creation under the partnership of General Manager David Pardo de Ayala and Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco, FLAME takes its name from the team’s burning passion and desire to create new experiences through food.

The first thing that greets you when you enter the restaurant is this gorgeous "living" chandelier. The rest of the interiors were as classy and sophisticated, with its expansive marble-top open kitchen, contemporary decor and light fixtures, and stunning views of the Metro Manila skyline.

This area can be closed off for a small private event. And those floor to ceiling glass windows really provide an amazing panoramic view of the city!

They even have an Enomatic wine dispenser which is designed to help preserve wine, ensuring that they are always fresh and served at their optimum temperatures.

This extended table top allows guests to sit right where the action is, right next to the kitchen where they can see the food being prepared.

FLAME’s menu combines modern European cuisine with Asian flavors and contemporary culinary techniques, to create dishes that tantalize with every taste and texture.

After the rest of our hotel tour and our pampering session, we then had lunch at TAPENADE, located at the ground floor.

We were able to sample the Mediterranean Family Feast, which is available Saturdays and Sundays, 12NN to 3:00PM at P2,000 net per head.

excited to eat!

We were able to grub on weekend-only specials, like a U.S. Ribeye carving station, a selection of pizzas, paellas, dessert bar, a variety of chilled juices, and of course, access to the famous Tapenade Salad Room.

the Salad Room

gourmet salad bar

fresh oysters and salmon

cheese, salami & traditional charcuterie

carving station

paellas

buffet selection

soup of the day

freshly-baked pizzas

dessert bar

Everything was so good, I really had food coma after lol! Anyway, you can check out Tapenade's website to know more about their current promos and specials. So if you're looking for a great place to have a date night, or lunch with the fam, Discovery Primea has got you covered.

with Mildred of Discovery Primea, Maggie, me, Chessy (and her adorable daughter), Sab, Mish, Michelle, and Tina

Discovery Primea
Address: 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226 Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 955 8888
Fax: +632 955 8889
Website: www.discoveryprimea.com
Instagram: @DiscoveryPrimea
Room Reservations: dp.rsvn@discovery.com.ph
Banquets and Events: dpevents@discovery.com.ph
Room Sales: dpsales@discovery.com.ph

Hubby and I went to Vancouver, Canada last month and we were able to check out the annual Richmond Night Market, which is the biggest night market in North America.

The Richmond Night Market is held through the summer months and runs on weekends from May 13 to October 10, 2016. It is held near Bridgeport Station and River Rock Casino.

The market is huge with lots of retail and food booths.

If you noticed, the theme of the night market is Magical Dino Park. So it was a treat seeing all these life-size dinosaurs, which move and even roar! I felt like I was in Jurassic Park lol! ;p

It was fun looking at the items in the booths, but everything reminded me of stuff in Divisoria! Actually, I felt like I was somewhere like Bangkok or Hong Kong since even the vendors were Asian haha. There were a lot of socks, clothes, novelty and gift items. But I didn't buy anything since it would be cheaper pa in Manila haha! :)

There was also so much food to choose from, again mostly Asian like Korean, Chinese, or Japanese food. But hubby and I just had dinner so we were pretty full. But super sarap to food trip here!

But what I really enjoyed was the game area which was filled with lots of carnival games! It brought me back to when I was a kid and we would go to Boom na Boom every Christmas time. But of course, the prizes here in Canada are so much nicer haha!

Omg, I'm revealing my age but if you remember Glico's back in the day, this Bowler Roller thingie was my FAVORITE game!

Water Walker

inflatable fun at the Magic Smiley Castle

rides

nice seating area

They even had live entertainment and it was a band made up of 3 young girls when we were there. I even think the singer was Filipina!

Anyway, there are 3 more weekends left to eat and shop at Richmond Night Market. So if you're in Vancouver of planning to visit soon, definitely check them out.

RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET
www.richmondnightmarket.com
www.facebook.com/Richmond-Night-Market
8351 River Road, Richmond, British Columbia
MAY 13 - OCTOBER 10, 2016
FRIDAY & SATURDAY - 7PM to 12AM
SUNDAY& HOLIDAYS - 7PM to 11PM

The last time I had my hair colored was almost 2 years ago. So it's basically all grown out now except for a little left at the ends.

Well, I was feeling adventurous one day and decided I wanted to color my hair again. I mean, I was getting a bit bored with my look and wanted a change! But instead of going to a salon, I figured why not do it at home? I wanted highlights and I knew it would probably cost me a lot of money. So I actually went on YouTube and searched for tutorials on how to achieve the balayage look I wanted. It seemed like something I could actually do and I figured if it turns out bad, I'll just have it fixed professionally. ;p

So off I went to the mall and decided to get this L'Oréal hair dye (6.13 Golden Nude Brown) based on the "AFTER" shade from dark hair. Plus it was also on sale for just P299 lol!

It came with a Protective Pre-Color Serum which you rub all over your dry hair and leave in while you color. Then I just followed the instructions to pour the Creme Colorant into the Creme Developer bottle. Shake well and you're good to go!

What I liked about the formula is that it's clear so you don't get those nasty stains on your hands or around your face when appyling it on your hair.

Again, I went on YouTube and searched for tutorials on how to do this. There are actually a lot of ways and techniques to achieve this look, but personally, I followed this video. Since I wanted HIGHLIGHTS and a BALAYAGE effect, I didn't apply the mixture all over my hair. Instead, you just get small sections of hair that you want to lighten. You should also put more dye on the tips of your hair so the ends will be lighter, and then just rub upwards. Just check out the tutorial I followed to see the technique.

The instructions said the let the dye develop for about 20-30 minutes. But I probably let it sit for longer than that from the time I started. Maybe 45 minutes total? Well, here's what it looked like after!

Well, this was my first time doing this so it definitely wasn't perfect. I initially was just supposed to lighten like midway down my hair but I ended up putting dye even higher up near the roots. I don't know, I guess I was thinking it might not be noticeable or something lol! But anyway, I was happy with how it looked since I was able to lighten my hair while giving it subtle highlights. Basically I didn't want it to be one even color all throughout, so I think I achived that.

Well... I still wasn't satisfied even though it looked ok already. I just wanted something more. So I bought this highlight kit which was only P79! I honestly didn't even know if this was gonna work since it was so cheap haha!

What's funny is that I thought it came with a special shower cap to hightlight the hair. You know, the one with holes in it that they use in salons? Well, it was just a regular shower cap haha! And then you have to make the holes yourself manually. What?? Haha I mean with the price tag I shouldn't have been surprised. ;p

Anyway, I just followed the instructions and was surprised to find a blue mixture after! I was a bit nervous but no backing out now...

This time I used a wide toothed comb to apply the dye.

Then I just run it through my hair lightly and again rubbing a little bit more to the tips of my hair.

After, I was REALLY happy with the results! All for less than P500!!! If you can see from the pic, the ends of my hair really lightened.

Here's a closer look at the strands. I really like the uneven shade.

So what do you think? Just a disclaimer, I'm not a hair expert or anything and I just did this as a sort of experiment on my hair. The end result of the dye will definitely vary on different types of hair (especially those with existing color already). So if you're thinking of trying this, do at your own risk (like me), and definitely check out tutorials on YouTube for some guidance. :)

Did you know that coffee is the 3rd most consumed beverage in the world, after water and tea? That's why it's no surprise to see coffee shops left and right and in practically every corner. Well, here in the south, Bowen 24 Cafe recently opened last September 29, 2016 and they're here to serve specialty coffee that will make you rethink how coffee should really taste like!

But before we get into that, let's talk about Bowen's gorgeous interiors! Actually, this place used to be Paume's Pastryhouse with a Parisian inspired theme. But now, I have to say that it really looks so much better! I love the black and white color scheme which makes it look so classy (and Instagram worthy!).

And the details! I love the pendant lights, that gray ombre honeycomb wall (which I am so thinking about doing at home) and also the letters on the tables that spell BOWEN 24.

And if you're a mom like me, any place with a kid's corner is heaven-sent! I mean look at this super cute area! Even I would like to go inside that tent and read a book.

Btw, just a little trivia, the name Bowen 24 came from the location of owner Roxie's apartment in Brisbane, Australia (seen in the framed photo below).

Anyway, Roxie obviously loves coffee and back here in Manila would frequent Toby's Estate practically everyday. Which is why when she and her partners decided to open Bowen 24, they turned to Toby's Estate to provide their coffee, specially roasted just for them.

Bowen 24 held a "coffee appreciation day" last September 24 and they invited Andy (that's him in the black and white shirt), an award winning barista from Toby's Estate.

We started with a fun little exercise, where Andy made 7 cups of coffee brewed dfferently. We then had to taste it and see if we could tell which ones were underextracted, overextracted, or just right.

My hubby was able to get it correct (cup #4) since he's the serious coffee drinker between us. What I learned is that contrary to popular belief, coffee is NOT supposed to be bitter. The taste depends on how you process and prepare it, much like wine. And in Bowen 24, they highlight the chocolate and nut flavors instead.

Next, we did pairing and had dark chocolate with long black coffee, which highlighted the flavors more.

For the cappuccinos, we had it with some cashews to highlight the nuttiness of the coffee. And don't you just love some good latte art?

My favorite was probably the iced coffee, which was sweet enough without having any sugar added! Really refreshing.

Bowen 24 also serves food, like these homemade cakes.

I really learned a lot about coffee that day and definitely learned to appreciate it more. Hubby and I were joking that we're more discerning about coffee now (bawal na ang instant lol!). So if you're looking for a great neighborhood cafe where you can sit and relax for hours while enjoying an excellent cup of coffee, look no further than Bowen 24. :)

BOWEN 24 CAFE
#29 Presidents Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque (across Puregold and McDonald's)
from 7am to 9pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bowen24cafe
Instagram: @bowen24cafe

Shopping for home decor has got to be my favorite (next to clothes of course). And during our trip to Vancouver Canada, I stumbled upon a motherload of fabulous finds at HomeSense!

HomeSense is a chain of home furnishing stores in Canada and Europe. The Canadian chain is similar to HomeGoods in the US. They sell unique home fashion assortments for every room in the home – including kitchen and gourmet cookware, accent furniture, lighting, rugs, decorative accessories and pillows, wall art, bedding and bath, kids’ decor and toys, storage, pet, and seasonal decor.

Basically, I was hyperventilating going through the store! I wanted to buy everything! I mean take a look at these gorgeous items:

Usually I find so much stuff at the clearance section, but not this time since most of them had damage that was pretty obvious.

And on your way to pay, there's more cute stuff along the counter that will surely get you sidetracked!

So did your heart start pounding just looking at all the photos? Imagine if you were right there! I was practically drooling and crying from wanting to bring everything home. And it was so hard to shop since I had limited baggage space! Plus the usual side comments from hubby like "do you really need that?", "you have something similar already!", "I bet you won't even use that!" and so on and so on! I really had to control myself and just ended up getting a few decorative pieces that I knew I could cram in my luggage. Plus, exchange rate for the Canadian dollar was about $1 = P36 so it was pretty cheap!

Anyway, I have a love affair with globes and I found a couple of different pieces. At one point I had 4 globes in my cart! But I had to limit myself to these 2 since they were the most unique. These globes were crafted in India which made me love them more.

$24.99

$19.99

I also love owls so I had to get this plain white one.

$9.99

I also got this large metal jack. It was pretty heavy but I thought it would look great as an accent piece on top of my coffee table.

$9.99

I love the color of this copper wire bowl. I use it as a fruit basket and it looks great with apples in it!

$9.99

I love the print of this table runner. And it was so cheap too!

$9.00

Lastly, I had to buy these mirrors! I saw something similar at True Value being sold for almost triple the price at Php1,495. These I ended up removing from the box and hand-carrying home.

$14.99

So if you're heading to Canada and love home decor as much as I do, you definitely have to find a HomeSense near you. Don't say I didn't warn you since you will want to spend the whole day there lol! Please take me back there now! :)

Had dinner with my friends about 2 weeks ago at Va Bene Pasta Deli in BGC. My BFF Pier was in town from Singapore and she was craving for some Italian food. She's half-Italian btw, so let's see if Va Bene passed her expectations. ;p

Aside from BGC, Va Bene Pasta Deli has two other branches in Makati, the original one in the Petron Gas Station on the corner of EDSA and Pasay Road. The other one is in Circuit Makati.

multi-awarded

complimentary bruscheta with tomato salsa

The must try is defeinitely their pasta, which is freshly made upon order and cooked al dente. These 2 pasta dishes were so good, but I have to say I loved the Organic Eggs Tagliatelle more. Soooo yummy!

Organic Eggs Tagliatelle - P440
Portobello mushrooms, white wine cream sauce, truffle oil

Pappardelle - P460
twelve (12) hours braised lamb shank, Italian sausage, semi-dried tomatoes, black olives

They also had this Summer Truffle Menu promo when we dined there:

Rolled Spinach Cannelloni - P390
spinach, ham, light tomato cream sauce

Their pizzas are served in rectangular slices, which pay homage to the street pizzas of Italy. To be honest, we were so full already from the pasta that we just took this home.

Pizza al taglio (Square Pizza)

What's the verdict of my Italian friend? She really liked it! And to think she just also came from vacation in Italy, so that's saying a lot. Personally, I think Va Bene is one of the best Italian restaurants here in Manila, especially their pasta dishes. Will definitely be back! :)

VA BENE PASTA DELI
BGC branch: 3/F Central Square Bldg. BHS BGC Taguig
958-5018
MON-WED: 12:00PM-3:00PM / 6:00PM-10:00PM
THURSDAY: 12:00PM-10:00PM
FRI-SUN: 12:00PM-11:00PM
Website: www.vabenepastadeli.com
Instagram: @VaBenePastaDeliPH
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vabenepastadelimakati

One of the first places we visited in Canada was the quaint seaside village of Steveston. We saw a lot of beautiful homes, boutiques, and eateries all around.

Steveston is a historic fishing village, with over 600 fishing boats - Canada's largest fleet. It's also still a major centre for commercial fishing.

It was so relaxing to walk along the boardwalk, viewing the lovely scenery, checking out the different restaurants and just people watching.

There are also lots of stores where you can go shopping for some souvenirs.

You can also buy fresh fish and seafood from parked boats along the dock.

They also have whale watching tours. Maybe next time though. :)

Anyway, you definitely have to eat some fish and chips when you're here. It was so good and tasted so fresh!

There's also historic sites such as the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Museum. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia, and is now a national historic site and a popular interactive museum.

Anyway, I just couldn't get enough of all the picturesque boats. Everything looked so pretty! Steveston is definitely a lively and beautiful seaside town that has many attractions for families and visitors.

Mothers all around the world share a similar challenge: getting their babies to sleep and stay sleeping. Studies indicate that 20-30 percent of babies experience sleep problems, including difficulty in falling asleep and sleeping through the night. This does not only cause problems for mothers, but also impacts the healthy development of their babies.

That's why last October 12, 2016, Johnson's invited parents to discover the benefits of a bedtime routine.

Research shows that establishing a routine is one of the most important things parents can do to help their baby sleep better through the night. Recognising this, Johnson's has launched a clinically proven Bedtime Routine that engages the senses and helps baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer in 3 steps:

With the Johnson's Bedtime Routine, mothers are allowing their babies to grow better physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Research has shown that by following a good bedtime routine, babies fall asleep 37% faster, wakes up 38% less frequently, and spends 32% less time awake, while moms are found to have been 36% less tense, 46% less tired, and 22% more energized.

Dr. Agnes Tirona-Remulla
Sleep Medicine Expert for Johnson's Baby discusses the impact of bedtime rituals on the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of babies.

As a first time mom, JOHNSON’S® Baby endorser, Bianca Gonzalez has been very open about her struggles in managing and securing her baby’s sleep patterns and development. Here, she shares her excitement to experience the clinically-proven benefits of the Bedtime™ line of products and App.

As part of the nightly routine, Johnson's has likewise launched the BEDTIME® baby sleep app – one that has been designed to equip mothers with information on how to ensure longer and better sleep for their baby.

Now available in countries around the world, the App features a proprietary customized sleep profile tool to get research based analysis of baby's sleeping habits, a lullaby album and ambient sound mixer to make playing lullabies convient, information on the Bedtime Routine and products, and access to Johnson's sleep experts to answer sleep-related questions.

Moms can follow their baby’s daily sleep habits, including how long she sleeps and when she wakes, and even produces a sleep analysis score that comes with recommendations from Johnson's sleep experts. Parents can also get advice from our Johnson's sleep experts on sleep-related topics such as naptime, before bed, and night waking’s and even submit sleep-related queries, and receive personalized advice.

Johnson's encourages moms and dads to learn how to establish a good nighttime routine early on. To know more about Johnson’s and how you can enhance a baby’s bed time experience, visit www.johnsonsbaby.com.

Have you seen the show Once Upon A Time? In the story, the Evil Queen banishes every fairy tale character we’ve ever known to the sleepy town of Storybrooke, Maine. But in reality, they film the show in Vancouver, Canada!

Storybrooke is actually the quaint neighbourhood of Steveston which I blogged about HERE.

Most of the filming takes place here at Moncton Street. I was really excited to see the Storybrooke Library behind me, which is shown a lot in the show.

When the film crew is shooting here, they change the signs of the real businesses like this POSH! store which transforms into Mr. Gold's.

But there are some establishments that keep their Storybrooke signages all year-round, like Romania Country Bread which has become Storybrooke Country Bread.

And of course, there's lots of Once Upon a Time merchandise to be found at the Visitor Centre too.

It was such a treat to walk through this village being a fan of the show. It would have been better if they were actually filming though! But whether you watch this show or not, the place is still lovely to visit, with all the quaint boutiques and many restaurants to choose from.

Halloween is fast approaching and when I asked my son what he wanted to be this year, he firmly said: Ash Ketchum from Pokemon. He and his dad love playing Pokémon Go until now and I can't believe he practically knows all the names of the different Pokémons and their evolutions!

Anyway, I googled images of Ash Ketchum and it looked easy to do. The main component was just the vest, which was pretty basic. First, I bought a plain blue shirt, which cost about P150 from any department store.

I already had an old white collared shirt, but you can also buy this easily if you don't have one lying around. I cut off the sleeves and collar like so:

I also cut the sleeves off the blue shirt and cut straight down the middle for the opening of the vest. Then I just attached the sleeves and collar using a basic running stitch.

I also hemmed the middle section for a neater look, but you really don't need to if you're in a rush. Maybe you can use fabric glue instead.

For the yellow trim, I just bought some ribbon which was an inch wide.

Then I just sewed this to the bottom part, as well as for the "pockets" of the vest. Again, you can use fabric glue for this if sewing is not your thing.

The buttons on the vest are also optional, but I wanted to make it look as close to the actual one as possible. I just got a small piece of cloth from the cut sleeves, made a rectangle shape, and cut out 2 circles from my yellow ribbon.

To make sure the edges of the ribbon don't fray, I placed some nail polish on the outer edge to seal it.

Then just sew them in place.

And here's the finished vest! So happy with how it turned out. :)

Ash Ketchum also wears green gloves, so I just looked for some green socks. These were 3 pairs for P120. You only need one pair though.

I then cut the socks above the part of the heel:

Turn it inside out and sew the open part. Again, I just hand sewed this using a basic running stitch.

Turn it right side out and make 4 small holes at the top and 1 hole at the side for the thumb.

I didn't cut out the holes too big, since when you let your child wear them, it will stretch out naturally.

Another important part is the hat and I found one from an online seller HatahHatah.

And of course, don't forget your Poké ball and Pikachu! We just bought these from a tiangge a long time ago already.

To complete the look, he just wore a black shirt, jeans, and rubber shoes. Say hello to Ash Ketchum! Needless to say, my son gave me his approval. :)

Hope this gives you Pokémon Go fans an idea for Halloween! :)

I'm super scared of heights, but I definitey couldn't pass up the chance to go to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, one of Vancouver’s most iconic sites.

The main attraction in this 11 hectare park is of course the suspension bridge, which stretches 137 metres (450 feet) across, at 70 metres (230 feet) above Capilano River. Seeing the bridge was quite nerve-wracking, especially when I took my first step on it. You actually have to hold on to the railings since the bridge moves and sways, especially with all the people crossing it. But despite my fears, the bridge is very sturdy. In fact, a huge tree fell on it back in 2006, but the bridge's cables remained undamaged and the bridge stayed in place. Whew!

can you spot me?

gorgeous view from the bridge

Aside from the suspension bridge, there are so many other things to see and do in the park. It was so relaxing strolling through the rainforest and ponds, and seeing all the majestic trees hundreds of years old!

Another attraction was the Treetops Adventure, a unique, tree-friendly encounter high in the forest. The seven suspension bridges of Treetops Adventure puts you over 30 metres (100 feet) into the tree canopy. This was more fun for me since it wasn't so high up and the bridges were shorter. I felt like we were in an Ewok Village or something. :)

There was even a fun activity for kids where they answer a series of questions as they go through the forest. Once they have collected all the answers, they earn their very own Rainforest Explorer's badge!

The newest addition to the park is the Cliffwalk, another exhilirating experience. The Cliffwalk hangs for a heart-stopping 213m (700 feet) and reaches up to 91m (300 feet) high. This stunning walkway, made partly of glass, hugs the granite cliffside as it offers a panoramic view of the rainforest and canyon far below.

The park also features rain forest ecotours, award-winning gardens, nature trails, North America's largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park's history and the surrounding temperate rain forest.

I definitely conquered my fear of heights after our visit here! Beautiful and breathtaking, Capilano is a must visit when in Vancouver.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Open every day except Christmas Day
Daily: 9am - 5pm | Summer: 8:30am - 8pm
Website: www.capbridge.com
Email: info@capbridge.com
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1

Right after our visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, we headed to Grouse Mountain. As Vancouver's most visited four-season attraction, there's definitely lots of things to see and experience here.

You can get to the top of the mountain by hiking The Grouse Grind, which is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” My husband has already done this before and he warned me that it's not for the faint of heart. The trail is very challenging and on average it takes up to an hour and a half to complete the hike. For novice hikers, two hours is recommended. So for me, maybe 5 hours haha! ;p

this is where the hikers put their time for a photo-op after

The easier way to get up the mountain is through the Skyride, North America's largest aerial tramway system. The views were gorgeous as we went up and then later down the mountian.

Once you reach the top, it's definitely a lot colder. During the winter season, this becomes completely covered with snow and visitors can ski and snowboard!

It was so funny because right after I read this sign, we saw a deer just behind us in the bushes! I got so praning, baka may bear na lang bigla! ;p

We also took the Peak Chairlift Ride, which transports you to the apex of Grouse Mountain in fourteen minutes. From the top, the views were simply breathtaking and spectacular.

This is The Eye of the Wind, the world’s first and only wind turbine where you can have a 360-degree view from the top of the tower,

They also have a wildlife refuge where you can see grizzly bears up close.

bear den

the grizzly bears Grinder and Coola

Hubby kept wanting to explore and wander around but I kept thinking there might be bears on the loose! Can you spot him in the photo below? That's how huge the trees and this place is!

Anyway, I really had an amazing experience here at Grouse Mountain. I'm super thankful the weather was also perfect when we went last August. It was sunny and the skies were clear so we could really see the views down below. Vancouver is really so beautiful, with places like these that make you appreciate nature more. Definitely another must when you visit Canada. :)

Grouse Mountain Resorts
6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9
Website: www.grousemountain.com

Renting a Pico De Loro condo via Airbnb

Pico De Loro Beach & Country Club

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Shibuya (plus our best meal in Tokyo)

Hanamaruken Ramen in ATC

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Winter Illuminations

Discovery Primea Hotel

LEGO Certified Store opens in Alabang Town Center

Mothers Who Brunch: Getting pampered at Discovery Primea

Mothers Who Brunch: Dining at Discovery Primea

Vancouver Vacation: Richmond Night Market 2016

DIY Balayage Highlights

Specialty coffee at Bowen 24 Cafe

Vancouver Vacation: Shopping heaven at HomeSense

Va Bene Pasta Deli in BGC

Vancouver Vacation: Steveston Fishing Village

The importance of a bedtime routine from Johnson's Baby

Vancouver Vacation: Once Upon A Time in Storybrooke

DIY Ash Ketchum Pokemon Costume

Vancouver Vacation: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Vancouver Vacation: Grouse Mountain