Food Blog: Spasso

We all have different sets of friends...  I have grouped mine...  Of course they are all very nice, loving, sincere, and caring to me...  But they all come from different stages in my life so I had to categorize them...   I'm pretty sure you guys do the same too...

I have Travel/Coffee Friends....  These are the group of friends that randomly spends coffee nights at UCC, Starbucks, etc...  And we see to it that we travel out of the metro once a year to at least, relieve ourselves from the stress we get from the business...

Last Friday, they invited us to join them watch  

Acoustic Indulgence at Spasso (Italian Tapas & Enoteca).

Spasso is located at the Luxe Residences, 4th Avenue corner 28th Street, 

The Fort (Fort Bonifacio, Taguig). 

We had tapas, vino, dinner, and dessert while enjoying the music of the trio... 

Spinach Frittata

Chicken Diablo

Herb Crusted Chicken

Aglio Olio with Truffle Oil

The last one is my favorite!  I love garlic and olive oil...  The truffle made it more superb!!!

What's more interesting is, I love listening to Acoustic Indulgence!!!  

They played songs of Corinne Bailey Rae, Alanis Morisette, Alicia Keys, and other lounge music that made me feel relaxed sitting comfortably, 

with a glass of fine Bordeaux in my hand...

The Bag Genie turns 30

What do Pete Sampras, Aga Muhlach, and Dennis Robles have in common?  They are all August 12 Birthday Celebrants...  And what else???  They're all famous for their own talent, craft, and ability...  Dennis is, as how Mega Magazine described him, the Philippines' Bag Genie, and as an inspiration to Jeffrey Campbell who called him, the "Bag Connoisseur".

  He loves to travel, and does it in first class...

He loves to collect, and gets the top of the line...

He is unsinkable...  

His timing is superb, and he knows when to stop...

It is an honor to be invited to see his new home, and I call it, 

Molto Costoso Casa (a very expensive house, It.)

I know a lot of people who buys expensive stuff for themselves for the purpose of showing off.

(bags and cars?) But when you look inside their houses, "A Mess" is definitely an understatement.

The Bag Genie's house is a clean, small abode with everything on it! 

I can live and stay there for a month!

I am so proud of my friend...

Thank you for the wonderful dinner and overflowing booze...

Here's what the Purse Ladies got for you!

The only framed picture in the living room... And that's us!!!

Photography:  Peegee Silo of Digiglimpse

Do short people need to have short hair?

They say that shoulder-length is universally the most flattering length. Think about it: No matter how tall or short you are, no matter how fat or narrow your face is, no matter how frizzy or curly your locks, you will look good in shoulder-length hair.

Long hair generally means below the shoulders. Women with long straight hair are usually the gifted ones (sourgraping) who has oval and square faces, and who are thin...

Super-short people (ehem, me super short?) don't usually grow their hair long because it tends to make them look shorter.

But actually, choosing on how to wear your hair is up to you... I have friends who are shorter than I am but have very long, luscious hair and they seem to carry it with confidence. I think this is where the face shape comes in.

For us with round shaped face, it is advisable for us to have a bob hair cut in layers so it won't look like a big mass of hair. It's good if our hair moves flawlessly when we turn our heads left and right... If we want to grow longer hair, say, below the shoulders, we need to have the front part (lip and chin) layered so as to make our face a little longer. Adding side swept bangs also helps to create an illusion...

Here are some pics of women who has round shape faces and look great on short hair...




I am short and I want to grow my hair long.... Say below the chest area... I'm determined to do so because this is the first time I am doing it and, for years, I have had a bob cut. So far my friends seem to love my present hairstyle. Since I have natural wavy hair, I had the top part cut in layers, and trim down until the ends. Making the ends soft and wavy.



I am happy with my hair and eventhough I am on the "short and plump" side, I believe I can carry it with confidence. I have also learned that "a good hair cut masks your downfalls and promotes your best features".

How about you? Which haircut do you think works for you???

10 ways to look slimmer on photos

Because almost everybody is on Facebook, almost everybody has a camera... And since everyone has a camera, everyone needs to have a copy of a group picture taken, and it takes forever to get all pictures done. I feel awkward at times when our group asks a waiter to take our picture and hand him around 6 to 8 cameras!!! It's a little distracting especially to other people who are on the same venue... And a lot of times, the waiter needs to rush off, but he couldn't get everyone's attention, so he feels a little pissed, waiting for us to settle down, before he clicks the shutter! One more thing, sometimes, if the camera is way too professional, the owner has to instruct the waiter on how to click the shutter, and how to focus, how to zoom and how to put us in the middle of a square, etc... haha, it is endless...

But that's how it is... There's no way we can change it... We are happy with that, and when we see the pictures on Facebook, it brings back good memories, laughter, and more things to talk about... That is why it is always good to look slimmer on photos...

Since I am (totally) not slim, I have somehow mastered the art of hiding from the camera... Here are some useful tips.

1. If you're in a restaurant, don't sit right in front of the photographer. Choose a location where you can stand behind who's sitting.

2. Turn partially sideways to the camera, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back foot.

3. Pull head forward slightly to minimize any appearance of a double chin.

4. Hold arms slightly away from your body. This keeps upper arm flab from flattening out.

5. Pull shoulders back, chest forward and gently suck stomach in. Be careful not to suck stomach so far in that your ribs show.

6. Use objects you are holding to your advantage by placing them in front of parts of you you'd prefer to hide. A purse or corsage in front of your belly. A jacket slung over the shoulder.

7. Wear Spanx. (Lovin' it)

8. Put on some bronzer. (makes your face look smaller)

9. It's not just black that makes you look thinner. Wearing an entire outfit of just one color will do the trick as well, whether it be white, beige, brown, blue or red. One color tends to elongate your figure.

And this one last tip, not just to make you look slimmer, but makes you look naturally beautiful, try the look away trick. Here's the way to do this, (1) project, (2) look away from the camera, then (3) turn towards it, breaking into a smile just before the camera clicks. Your smile will appear fresh, not frozen.

There you go... You'll always look fresh and fabulous on your photos from now on...

Bring my "mojo" back...

It's been almost a year since I last blogged... So much pain, guilt, and regrets have gone my way, was hurt, was insulted, was laughed at... I chose to keep it low, remained calm, remove myself from the blogosphere...

Last week, I started reading blogs again, and it inspired me... Made me miss blogging, and motivated me to move on...

I realized that I've grown older, wiser, and more optimistic than before... And this time, I am saying NO to Negativity...

You will see no more negative things on my blog and will try my best to make it worth reading...

Thank you to all who inspired me in bringing back my "mojo" again...

Johnny Rockets... My Review...

I love beef!!! Burger is one type of food which I crave every now and then... When I heard that Johnny Rockets is now open, I scheduled one Sunday with my family to eat

real American burgers!

Sadly, I was disappointed... First, the queue... The receptionist outside wasn't friendly enough... When I approached her, she looked really tired and almost discouraged me of dining in... I thought maybe her facial expression is just not too inviting... She said, ma'am, you have to wait for your table, and you're number 7 on the list... I asked, how long will be the waiting time? She said, (with sour-looking face) about 30-45 minutes... So I said, ok, we'll wait... Anyway, it was just 6pm that time, I thought I still have time to go to Office Warehouse... My kids played by the park, watched very cute dogs walking...

I was so engrossed watching the dogs when I noticed that the receptionists of
Johnny Rockets were also dancing while the queue was getting longer and longer...



I got irritated by that... They thought it was cute... But I had goosebumps watching them... Anyway, we were seated 20 minutes after... The menu was simple... I think their food selection is not too overwhelming. I asked our server what their best seller is and she referred the #12 Burger... It's called Number 12 because according to their history, when their burgers were rated 1-10, 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest grade, the judge gave them a 12! Ok, that's convincing enough... So I tried it...

It comes with a siding, you can choose either French Fries or Garden Salad... I chose the salad since most of them ordered fries already... The prices on their menu ranges from P285.00 - P585.00. I don't recall seeing below P200.00 on the main course list..

The taste... It's charbroiled, but, tasteless... I had to put a lot of ketchup to make my food likeable... So I think that the Number 12 is overrated... I'd give it a 4...



The music by the way is Rock N' Roll... Very American... I thought it's the appropriate theme for the restaurant... But while I was trying to enjoy my ketchup-loaded burger, they played "Last Dance" by Donna Summer... I thought, hmmmm, this is not Rock n' Roll...
Probably from 70's or early 80's era...

But the music was too loud, and the staff were shouting...
That's when I noticed that the waiters and waitresses were
doing a choreographed dance number...

Yikes... I like NOT!


We also ordered super tasteless onion rings...


I bet those were the artificial ones sold in frozen boxes...
But I liked their Chili Fries... Loved the taste of beef and chili,
with cheese and onions on the side...
This is the only food that I appreciated at Johnny Rockets...

The bill...
Here's what we ordered: (6 adults and 2 kids)
1 original soy burger
1 original Johnny Rockets burger with cheese
1 number 12
1 philly cheese steak (sucks)
1 chicken tenders (not so tender)
1 chicken tenders for kids
1 burger meal for kids
1 chili fries
1 onion rings
1 strawberry milkshake
1 chocolate milkshake
1 mocha fudge milkshake
1 perfect brownie sundae

To the tune of: P4,323.00

I think it's really expensive...

When we left the restaurant, 4 people in front of me (also ate there) were asking themselves if they liked the food, yes, pardon my eavesdropping - can't help...
One of them said, I will never go back to that place again...

Now, the question is, will I???
Sorry, but, my answer is...

No way!!!

Joey for me is a genius...

I just have to re-post this. I definitely agree. Bravo, Mr. Joey De Leon!


(The Philippine Star) Updated August 09, 2009 12:00 AM

The funeral cortege of former Pres. Cory Aquino: My tears came
naturally


MANILA, Philippines -

Wala na sa piling ng mga Pilipino,
Tinig ng awiting Mga Kababayan Ko,
At lumisan na rin noong isang Sabado,
Inang nagpalipad sa awiting Bayan Ko.
Ako'y sumasaludo, paalam Pangulo,
May isa 'kong lihim, kay tagal itinago,
Sa lahat nang inabot kong mga namuno,
Tanging ikaw lang sa luha ko'y nagpatulo.

* * *

Marami ang nalungkot sa iyong pagyao,
Magalang ang lahat at puno ng respeto,
Nagpasalamat pa nga Kapamilya sa 'yo,
Dahil kanilang himpilan naibalik mo.

* * *

Subalit ano itong nabalitaan ko?
Nangyari noong Lunes, a-tres ng Agosto,
Habang inililipat ang mga labi mo,
Ika'y parang nabastos sa isang TV show.

* * *

At ang napakasaklap at masakit dito,
Ang nambastos pa'y kapamilya ng anak mo,
Napanood ito ng tao at publiko,
Kakaunti na nga, ngunit lahat nahilo.
Sabi ng TV host na mainit ang ulo
Pagkakita sa video na kanyang kasalo,
"Sandali, meron akong ano... sa'ting ano...
Hindi naman sa ano," nagkaanu-ano!
Ayon sa Internet, meron pa s'yang nasambit,
" Sana pakitanggal muna 'yan sa'ting traffic..."
At 'di maaalis sa iyong pag-iisip,
Ang parada ng patay ang pinaliligpit!
At dagdag pa daw ng naghahari-harian,
"I don't think na dapat n'yong ipakita iyan..."
Nasaan naman ang paggalang, o nasaan?
Mga sinasabi natin minsa'y pag-ingatan.

* * *

At 'di pa nangimi nang sumunod na araw,
Pinilit pa ring ginawa n'ya ay tama raw,
Mga nakarinig 'di na nakagalaw
At ayon sa iba sila na la'y napa-wow!

* * *

"... Pero ako, totoo 'ko eh ... ", sabi kuno,
Totoo nga at totoo ring walang modo,
Pwede namang sabihin itong pa-sikreto,
Kaya't wala na rin mga paliwanag mo.

* * *

"Kung ganyan, pakita na lang 'yan!", ang hamon pa,
Para bang ang prusisyon nila-"lang - lang" lang ba,
Ang pangasiwaan ay pinapili pa n'ya,
Sumunod ang himpilan, nung August 5 wala s'ya.

* * *

May mga komentong pwede nang pang-harapan,
"On camera" baga sa TV ang tawag d'yan
At kung sensitibo man ang gustong bitawan,
Pagpasok ng commercial, hintayin mo na lang.

* * *

Matutong magbaba muna ng mikropono
At saka idikta lahat ng iyong gusto,
Lagi kang mataas lahat daw takot sa 'yo,
Ratings lang ang mababa - totoo ba ito?

* * *

The breaking news breaks your heart - at 'yan ang bawi mo,
Nang mahalata mong sumablay ang pasok mo,
Pero sigurado ika'y maa-abswelto,
'Di ba ikaw rin ang may-ari ng network n'yo?
Nung Hueves nag-apologize sa diario naman,
O, akala ko ba wala kang kasalanan,
Tapos ng angalan, sunod paliwanagan -
COMPLAIN before you EXPLAIN ka na naman!
O ito kaya ay isa na namang "glitch" lang,
Tulad ng "two-zero" 'di na natin nalaman,
O ito ay maliwanag na kabobohan?
Sa tingin ng marami, mahirap lusutan.

* * *

Ang sabi ng iba - istupidong mayabang,
At giit ng iba - istupidong mayaman,
Mayaman man o mayabang ang tiyak diyan,
Napakayaman n'ya sa kaistupiduhan.

* * *

Buti pa ang apat na honor guards ni Cory -
Sina Malab, Laguindan, Rodriguez, Cadiente,
Walong oras tumayo sa ulan at viaje,
Ang lahat ay tiniis at walang sinabi.

* * *

Samantalang ikaw na may bubong sa ulo,
Komportable ka lang sa malamig na studio,
Nang kapirasong libing sa TV sumalo,
Angal at inis ang sumambulat sa iyo.

* * *

Maaari din namang pabayaan na s'ya,
Subalit ang nangyari'y mabigat talaga,
Namayapang pangulo'y huling paalam na,
'Di mo pa pinagbigyan ... hoy, nag-iisa ka!

* * *

At nais ko lang sabihin at ipagyabang
Sa mahigit na s'yam na libong tanghalian,
Sa limang pangulong sa Bulaga'y dumaan,
Kahit isa wala kaming nilapastangan

Nagmamahal,

Joey De Leon

Revitalash - My review

I started using Revitalash "Eyelash Conditioner" last May 9, 2009. I haven't consumed the whole bottle yet. I think I could probably finish up the contents until the end of August...

What I've noticed:

1. During the first week, I noticed that my eyes became darker. No, not the racoon type, but, the smudged/smeared eyeliner effect... I actually didn't like it because it made me look haggard.

2. By the end of the first week, I noticed that the lower lashes started growing.

3. On the 2nd month, no one notices my longer lashes except myself.

4. By the end of the 2nd month, which is the present time, people began asking me if I am wearing eye make up.

The Verdict:

Yes, Revitalash is effective. But it takes a lot of patience and determination to religiously apply the solution to your eyelids.

Many of my friends find it impossible to do this religiously. It is because they don't have facial regimens before going to bed. Unlike me, I regularly apply moisturizer every night and I make Revitalash application as my final step.

Here are some before and after pics of my lashes...

BEFORE

AFTER
(Enhanced by a lash curler only, no eyeliner nor mascara)

Tell me what you think...