Society Lounge

If you're looking for a place where you can talk, with perfect lighting, beautiful ambiance, right temperature, and French, this is the perfect place - Society Lounge.  

Located at  The Atrium, Makati, it's by the end of the building, and a Valet service shall welcome you when you park your car right up the curb. 

The valet crew  assisted us with our gifts and accompanied us inside the restaurant.  Such a warm welcome, I said to myself...

My DS doesn't want to drive especially during the holiday season.  But unfortunately, our drivers were too busy with their "Holiday bugs" as well...  Since it is the Purse Ladies' Christmas Party, we had to pursue with the plan and DS had to accept the fact that she's driving...  I was so relieved when traffic was abnormally moderate, and was really happy with the valet service...  I saw one of the PL's arriving too, G, we were the first ones to arrive...  

For appetizers, we tried the

Stick Mozzarella and ham with tomato sauce and garlic

P325.00

and

Shrimp Potato Noodle Spring Rolls with Garlic and Chili

 P425.00

The Mozarella stick was dry, the sauce helped a little, but still, I probably didn't like the use of Mozarella per se on cheese sticks...  Maybe if they added another cheese or two, it would taste a lot better, perhaps ricotta or brie...

On the contrary, the Spring Roll was impressive!  I love that it was presented beautifully, with different dips to compliment the flavor.  

I loved the spiciness of the chili  on this...

Purse Ladies A and D arrived shortly.

Now, for the main course, I had steak, (most of us did)

Beef Tenderloin Morel Sauce and Potato Gratin

P1,325.00

While the others had these yummy, delightful entrees...

Duck Breast with Apple and Peach Juice

P1,225.00

Grilled Scallops, covered with bacon  and stuffed Calamari

P1,175.00

Let me just tell you that all entrees were deliciously prepared.  And our palates were delightfully satisfied...  

And for dessert, we had these....  Unfortunately, I forgot to take note of the names and prices...  

Read:  But actually, they're nothing spectacular...

The restaurant also serves delectable dishes that doesn't cost much, such as, Linguine Carbonara at P475.00,  Tagliatelle Porcini and Fresh Mushroom at P775.00, Special Beef Burger at P625.00, and California Beef Fajitas at P425.00

It was another fun, yummy Christmas night with the 

Purse Ladies... 

Too bad some of the ladies weren't able to join us...   

Photo Credits:  Dennis Robles - The Bag Genie

Oh Christmas Lights!

Last Sunday, I took the kids to Power Plant Mall at Rockwell.  I wanted them to feel the Christmas vibe. When I was about 5 years old, my dad used to take me to Cubao C.O.D. mall, where we watch a short Christmas story, made with huge papier mache figures moving, by the building's facade.  Now, I believe this work art and concept can be seen in Greenhills Shopping Center. 

Honestly, now that I'm 40, I am still eager to feel that vibe...  But unfortunately, it is true that as we grow older, Christmas doesn't seem too much fun anymore...  Traffic, endless shopping (but budget isn't endless), traffic, Christmas parties here and there, traffic, gifts for security guards, teachers, classmates, friends, colleagues, staff, and the list goes on and on...  Traffic here in Manila is unbearable...  I've been to many places and I've never seen traffic as worse than Manila traffic especially during Christmas season...  Well, those are the ones that makes Christmas "not fun"...  But it's reality...  It's part of a Filipino Christmas...  A lot of times I find myself saying, wow, traffic!!!  It's the Christmas Spirit!!! (Think positive) And it feels better...  You won't even notice that you've reached your destination already...

I was so happy I brought my kids out that day...  Fonzie (my 3 year old boy) was wowed when we entered the Power Plant...  I saw him smiling as he looked everywhere as the mall was wonderfully decorated with red and gold ornaments...  I know how he feels...  And I know it's one of the most wonderful feeling ever...  Hearing Christmas songs, and seeing lots of people carrying loads of gift packs, walking here and there...  

Since we were all having that "Christmas vibe", I took them to Ayala Triangle Gardens to watch Christmas at the Gardens, featuring "Parol". 

The harmonized lights and sounds illuminated the whole garden and it felt so magical and Christmassy...  I think this once a year event is a "must see"...  After all, it's free...  The event is on going from Dec. 1 - 23, every 30 minutes, from 6pm to 8pm...  Here's a short video clip. (not so loud & clear, sorry)

The kids were still high by 8pm.  I think the lights had something to do with their energy...  I thought of bringing them to Policarpio Street for some "house sight-seeing"... For years, I've been hearing about this particular street that houses a strip of fully lit and decorated homes...  I never got to see it until last Sunday...  It is somewhere in Mandaluyong, near the city's Municipal Hall...  We parked at the street perpendicular to Policarpio since the street is narrow, and cars are not allowed anyway.   I didn't mind at all since It was just a short walk and the street itself is not even long...  Probably around 24 houses left and right...

This particular house has a huge Belen on its facade  

 This has the "Vegas" look

 

 The House of Santa Claus

 

Flying reindeers with Santa's sleigh

The fully lit house, including its repeater antenna (my favorite)

It's nice to see people decorating their houses like this, setting aside their problems, or maybe bad memories, or even unfulfilled dreams...  I see their positivity in keeping the spirit alive even though things don't come the way they wanted to... They made me believe that Christmas is still fun, the way it used to be, back when I was 5...

It's SeptemBER!!!

So much has been said about Filipinos...  I am 50% Filipino by blood and I am hurt about what others say...  A tragedy happened, and incidentally, 

a Filipino is involved.  But doesn't it happen to anybody in any other countries???  

Oh well...  I just have to accept that people shall always be 

judgmental (generally)...  

And I always believed that we ALL shall be judged - someday...

Gee, I can't believe we're approaching the last quarter of the year!!! 

Here in the Philippines, we call it the BER months...  

Meaning, Christmas is just around the corner...  

We start to hear Christmas songs as early as September 1, would you believe???  

And, of course, the countdown to Christmas Day on some 

TV and Radio stations starts today...  

This just reminds us that Filipinos love festivities so much.  

Many still believe that Christmas is the time to be 

Christ-like, generous, kind, giving, loving, caring...  

Generally, Filipinos are Christ-like...  

But just like any other human, we err, we fail... 

I hope this thing about condemning Filipinos stops...  

On a lighter note... 

Since we've just entered the Ber month, 

I can't stop myself thinking of Christmas...

Now, I'm thinking of ways to wrap my Christmas presents...  

I always consider the presents as "decor" to my house.  

I don't usually hang too much ornaments or  table top displays 

in the house since I have a very small space.  

I only have a humongous tree which I decorate  differently every year, 

and I want the gifts to look lovely beside it.  

The beautifully wrapped presents completes 

the Christmas ambiance...

I'm still in the midst of deciding what to be my theme for this year...  

I like the idea of a plain white wrapper 

with gold and silver trimmings...  

Just like this...

 or silver wrapper with Christmas acorn and plastic leaves,

or maybe a craft paper with plastic fruits and berries and leaves like these

 well, yeah it could be a little boring or UN-festive, 

why don't I try wrapping it with Christmas candies???  

I'd probably do this but I wouldn't take off the plastic wrap 

for it will attract an army of ants!!!

 

 Or maybe a plain red wrapper with layers of 

white and red ribbons ala Martha Stewart!!!

Printed Christmas wrappers look best when wrapped with ribbons...  

If I'm going for polka dots, I'll do it this way...  

Two different sized ribbons to accentuate 

and contrast the monotones!!!

How about you???  Have you made your Christmas list yet???

Tribute to MJ, Here's to you, King of Pop!!!

This was in 2007, my brother, hubby, brother in law, and cousin danced for the company's Christmas party...

Again, as an 80's girl, I feel saddened by MJ's death... He will never be replaced...

Christmas Window Wonderland

I love Window Shopping... I remember when I was a kid, one reason why I enjoy Christmas is looking at window displays in malls... Many of you guys don't live here in Manila so you are not familiar with the so-called COD... It was a mall during the 70's (I have no idea if it still exists) and they were the first ones to construct Christmas Themed moving dolls and statues at the mall facade, and all Filipinos gathered together to watch the scene... It was really crowded, and my dad had to carry me up his shoulders just to get a glimpse. Of course during those days, we all found it techy, unique, and very beautiful... Now, that COD theme has transferred to another location (Greenhills Shopping Center) and has attracted thousands of Filipinos too...

Here are some Christmas Window Displays from different malls all over the world...
Courtesy of Forbes.

Selfridges - London

This year, the Oxford Street retailer went glam rock, with windows featuring mannequins dressed in jewel colors and wearing "rock royalty" crowns. One window contains 11 looks from designer Matthew Williamson's legendary 1997 "electric angels" collection, in association with the Matthew Williamson exhibition at the Design Museum in London. Another features a car studded in Swarovski crystals.

Mitsukoshi - Tokyo, Japan

Although Christmas Day is not an observed holiday in Japan, retail stores tend to take full advantage of the season, playing Christmas carols in English and decking the aisles with garland, lights and other festive accoutrements. Major department store Mitsukoshi draws in the masses with a billboard that features a huge Christmas tree made entirely of lights. Here, in one of its many windows, the retailer displays festive plaid ties with a mirrored background and hundreds of gold bulbs strewn around.

Macy's - Chicago, USA

Formerly the location of the beloved Marshall Fields department store, this Macy's flagship does as much to its windows as its New York City location. This year, the retailer chose "The Nutcracker" as its theme, with each window depicting a different scene, from the dance of the sugar plum fairies to Mother Ginger and her polichinelles.

Harvey Nichols - London

Stroll past luxury retailer Harvey Nichols and you'll see an icy wonderland display with mannequins strewn about in designer dresses. The one-shouldered charcoal gray Donna Karan gown shown here retails for 1150 pounds, or about $2,300.

Bergdorf Goodman - USA

This year, senior director of window merchandising David Hoey created windows based on the five elements: earth, air, fire, water and light. "Earth" is filled with plants, animals, insects and flowers, along with dozens of paper-mache animal figurines. "Air" depicts a whimsical garden and a giant flying elephant. "Fire" features a fire-breathing dragon, while "Light" (pictured) places the sun, moon and stars front and center with lots of gold and glitter.

Barneys New York - USA

Visit the retailer's Madison Avenue location this month and you'll be told to "Have a Green Holiday." The Simon Doonan-conceived windows feature a Rudolph the Recycling Reindeer (with a green nose), elves sitting under "certified organic" mushrooms and a tree decorated with Christmas bulbs depicting "heroes of green," including Al Gore, George Clooney and Bono. Although they don't feature actual products in the windows, Doonan believes that the displays are the company's most effective marketing effort during the holidays.

Galleries La Fayette - Paris

Holiday lights coat the exterior of this Parisian department store, but its windows are more subdued. Instead of using mannequins, the retailer's creative team designed story board-like backgrounds for each window, framing them with streamers. Each features sketches of purple- and blue-toned snow scenes with polar bears and penguins.

Harrods - London

For a "Russian Winter's Tale," visual window manager Sarah Southgate was inspired by the large number of Russian tourists and immigrants that visit Harrods in search of Faberge and Baccarat. Each window is an image inspired by Czarist Russia; some depict scenes from ballets like "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty." The window shown features a replica of candelabra designed originally for Czar Nicholas II.

And lastly, my favorite...

Lord and Taylor - NY

America's oldest department store features windows with no products. Created by Manoel Renha, this year's theme is "Christmas is the Moment." Each window is framed in antique maps of the world, displaying images of different Christmas scenes, including a Russian ball and a French bakery. The scene shown depicts a Viennese mansion filled with musicians playing in a room covered in garlands and bows.