CFDA Tote, i want one!

I know my cutoff points but I couldn’t resist the appeal it has on me, and I know my happiness would be boundless if I would have this piece.

Okay, I’m not lurking to have one of the exclusive 50 designer bags that were sold out in no time; I only wanted the standard CFDA tote.

CFDA Tote USD35 (photo credits: ebay.com)

 About the Brand

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives. The Council’s membership comprises more than 370 of America’s foremost designers of women’s wear, men’s wear, jewelry, and accessories. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talents in the industry, the organization offers programs that support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Business Services Network, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities.

The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages Fashion Targets Breast Cancer; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations with 7th on Sale; addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative; and is a key participant in other programs such as the annual Fashion’s Night Out.

 

Description

Tote by CFDA features dual handles, adjustable shoulder strap, coordinating stitching, brass-tone hardware, and the saying “YOU CAN’T FAKE FASHION” in blue on the front. Interior features include cell phone pouch and pouch pocket.

•Bag comes with YOU CAN’T FAKE FASHION Authenticity Certificate Card

•Fully lined

•Imported

•Shell: 100% cotton/Lining: 100% cotton

•Dimensions: 18 inches wide x 12 inches high x 4.5 inches deep

•Shoulder drop: 18 inches(fully extended)

•Handle drop: 5 inches

 

Now, the challenge for me is to look for it on ebay and get free shipping so I wouldn’t feel any guilt at all. Good luck to me!  

 

a night in Isla with my Piltea family

Every now and then I would set a date for us to meet up and get-together over a bottle of beer and delicious grilled seafood at Talyer. It’s an old school chill-out place for my Piltea friends and we can’t think of any other place to get merry during the Christmas month. The date, December 19, I organized a small fête for my now small group of five gentleman (Leoncio included). Yes, I am the only lady of this group, so, you know I team up with these big boys that are too ready to kill anyone that would get in my way, hehehe.

A day before this event, I asked George to come earlier so he can reserve a corner for us but on the day itself our excitement was a bit disrupted because Talyer would not be available for the night. Oh my! How come? Well, we found out that it was earlier reserved for a Christmas party. At the last minute, I was asking George how we are going to push our own little party. Thankfully George was able to suggest a place, I never heard of it until then and because it was nearby Talyer, we never had a hard time locating Isla –a beach concept bar and restaurant within the city limits.

Isla Bar and Restaurant’s welcoming facade

George and Babu by now were on their second bottles of beer when Leoncio and I arrived, Pel followed shortly and lastly Gem, who’s consistent in coming in late.

We no longer groove like party animals because of age and the most we look after during nights like these is to unwind, one good and lengthy conversation and good food of course.

The feast we had,

    

    

Crispy Pata, Beef Tapa, Onion Rings, Tokwa’t Baboy and Pancit Canton. The prices were a little upscale compared to Talyer plus the serving was smaller. And the flavors, ah probably I’d say nothing but the average.

Anyhow, we didn’t go there to devour much on the foodstuff, the beers were more than enough to keep us company through the night.

The plus point of Isla was the performers that night, it’s like you’ve been transported to Boracay with these fire dancers. It’s amazingly very entertaining as everyone stopped and watched the show. Namiss ko bigla ang Boracay but lo and behold I’ll hit the sand and sun in Bora in 2 months time, excited!

As the night goes on all I can remember were hilarity and more reminiscing of the good old days. Everybody remembered the “Padilla Bros” and to give you a picture of what I am talking about, here. They don’t look identical with the famous Padilla brood of local showbiz but in many ways they are similar

Babu tagged as Rommel (tama ba Babs? hehehe)

Pel as Robin, no need to ask why. He’s even villainous but remains a gentleman as he is, especially to pretty girls.

Gem as Rustom (turned BB, kaya gusto na nya magpalit ng character! hahaha)

Nelson as Royette, okay we miss you buddy and as we were talking you all night we hope you don’t choke awfully!

And George being the always neutral and cool never had any trade name at all. Mommy Eva ikaw ba yan? hahaha…

Time flies so fast and we’ve been friends for 16 years now. Iba talaga ang may pinagsamahan!

I only wish the group was complete, yea, we dearly miss those based out of the country during times like this (and we hope you guys miss us too).

 

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Isla

1149 Chino Roces Ave

Makati City, Metro Manila 

Phone: +63(919)9470113

 

 

 

Kanin Club

During the holidays and the shopping (for others) month getting a decent meal was never been a priority for us. We would always end up getting lunch when it’s nearly dinner time. Probably we were more eager to delight our eyes on never ending sale rather than our tummies with warm and delicious dishes. And the succeeding dining experience happened out of the blue.

In one of our trips to Paseo de Sta. Rosa before Christmas, we try out a new resto. Well, for me it was a new-found dining place while my sister had spent most of her lunches probably on its branch near her Makati office, hehehe. We were famished by all the walking and shopping, and waiting that time wasn’t an option, so, we picked the place because it was less crowded and the seats seemed to be comfortable.

I’ve been hearing about Kanin Club ever since I started blogging in 2008 but I never had the chance to check it out even though I read good reviews about it. Perhaps because the resto offers “lutong-bahay” dishes, I was afraid that I might get dissatisfied and end up comparing it with my Nanay’s cooking at home. Forgive me but we tend to do that most of the time when dining out in a classic Pinoy resto. Anyway, because we already found a comfortable seat in one corner we keep mum while waiting to be offered with anything.

As everyone got busy checking what to order, I noticed the table embellishment, it’s like our capiz windows back in Cavite –set in with a glass table top.

And the interior of the resto has a vintage look, from its wooden flooring to glass doors and windowpane. I love every detail of it plus those batibot chairs (no photo) placed outside. I really long to have that set of batibot chairs and table soon, kelan kaya un soon.

Back to our table, my sister almost did the ordering part because I only wanted to sample their dinuguan.

Crispy Liempo. Light and crunchy pork belly strips ready for dipping in three kinds of sauce. I suddenly remember the crispy bacon I had over my birthday weekend, it tasted more like it.

Crispy Tenga. Crispy pork ears. Don’t knock ‘em, ’till you’ve tried ‘em! Well, I had to admit it’s good but nothing can beat Talyer’s cooking of these piggy ears.

Crispy Dinuguan. Their most copied signature dish! Pork heavenly deep-fried to a crisp then set in a semi-dry stew of pork blood. Proven to have convinced non-dinuguan eaters to like the dish. There’s no doubt it tasted good and crispy and it’s quite unique.

Bangus sa Miso. Milkfish soup flavored with fermented soybean paste. A simple soup that tastes rich. This was the breaker of our fatty and very sinful pork dishes.

We ended our meal with an order of Turon ala mode. It isn’t your ordinary banana fritters because it has purple yam, monggo and macapuno inside. Yum!

The prices at Kanin Club may not sound cheap but with its big serving you will find out it’s still worth your money. I will certainly give this resto a second visit once we’re back in Paseo.

Happy diners!

 

P.S. We pass over ordering their famous fried rice however, we enjoy their All You Kanin, hehehe.  

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Kanin Club

Paseo De Sta.Rosa
Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
(049) 544-0332

 

after the Christmas month, i look forward to another long weekend

Despite the busyness of the holidays, husband and I survived the Manila-Cavite trip almost every week. We took the chance as it means we get to see Bea frequently plus the many occasions happening last month. And because this post is pretty long overdue I will compress everything as it happens one after the other.

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My excellent companion (aside from the husband ).

Even before December come into the big picture, we spent the weekend in Cavite. It was one of the casual weekend,  a short break with my family –sleep, eat and Tagaytay!

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Dec 3-4, husband and I escaped the metro to smell pine and go into a two-day gastronomic adventure. It was a wonderful break for us from the city life and we came back feeling revitalized and ready to hop to another escapade.

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Dec 10-11, we attended a kiddie-party (which I still haven’t blog yet) in Cavite but later on decided to drive to Tagaytay to feel the holiday season and give Bea and Ate Shen a treat at SB (no coffee for them, donuts only ).

It wasn’t an easy job being parents to these breeds.

The joy of having Bea around –she may no longer be the cute little puppy but she have a way of endearing herself to us.

Lovely portrait!

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P don’t look so hungry, hehehe…

Dec 17-18, we went to Pampanga to splurge a little , we felt it was a never ending day only to realize that we skipped meals and we run out of cash, hehehe. Good thing we survived and spent another evening in Tagaytay.

Chilly Tagaytay would always be love for us!

Christmas is a week away when my sister’s Christmas tree was up and lit. And btw, this is Tonyo now.

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Excuse Bea’s sleepy look on Christmas Eve.

Dec 24-25, we welcome Christmas with happy hearts, with gifts and with the people dear to us. And regardless of the heavy traffic our way to Sta. Rosa we made it on the night of Christmas Day.

It’s so Christmas and yet we are still out to shop, I fervently pray for a money tree!

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Dec 27, two days after Christmas we drive back to Cavite for the feast of St. John the Evangelist. It was a get-together of our families on both sides as we all feast on the yummy spread of meat and seafood.

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Dec 30, all prep for welcoming the New Year. And because this year husband and I didn’t have any charity program, I thought of giving a party to our house helpers. I team up with my Nanay and sister for this event. It was a very happy occasion and endless fun for everyone.

    

    

As everyone enjoyed the games, I enjoyed shooting their best moments!

The E-cousin Christmas tradition happened this day too. Not in complete attendance but still a cheery night to account.

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Dec 31, if you think we had enough fun, well, we had one more occasion before finally welcoming the NY. We had the whole afternoon to party with my maternal family as we convene and get-together.

And as 2011 finally bid goodbye to us, we welcome 2012 with high hopes that this would be a better and brighter year for everyone.

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Now, husband cannot blame me if going back and forth to Cavite would always excite me in spite of the hike of fuel prices these days. Tomorrow will be the start of another long weekend and I’m afraid you’ll end up finding me again in Tagaytay, hehehe.

 

 

trips to Debenhams

Well, after the very eventful month of December comes January, a dear month to me because it’s my, oh I mean our birthday month!

Anyway, I’ve done my post about the birthday weekend so I won’t talk about it anymore, basta it’s a blast! Let me just account this time that as January come into a lot of sale is happening too. You can’t blame me if my anticipation builds up every day, hehehe. I can’t wait for the final reductions signage and the blue cross thing.

Actually, I previously visited Debenhams twice this month after the 50% markdown was announced. I sneaked on items that are on sale and if they still have my size. I tried on some dresses, tops, trousers and even swimwear but I didn’t get any yet.

I can’t deny loving this piece, it looked dainty for the plus size me.

Not until last Monday when I went on leave and gave Debenhams a second visit, probably I just panicked a bit because the stocks are getting lesser, and so, I went home with these items.

Dark violet roll sleeve shirt, it’s darker physically.

photo from: debenhams.com

I want the red colored one however, it isn’t part of the sale yet.

I also got myself a pair of trouser for office wear.

photo from: debenhams.com

I got the exact color and I can only wish they have it in black.

I somehow regret getting these at 55% only (5% is because of the loyalty card), you can’t blame me if my sizes are becoming in demand these days, hahaha. For now, I should think of an excuse so I can beat the first day of the Blue Cross sale (at next week na un!).

 

P.S.  I got my favorite uncle a gift, finally!

 

my birthday weekend

I have no plans of celebrating my birthday big this year but a Chinese friend told me that my age is a critical number for the Chinese so I should celebrate to shoo away whatever evil will come my way. The number of days per year is less in a Chinese calendar. Therefore, when compared to English Calendar, you’ll be older according to Chinese year calendar. That briefly explains because my Chinese age is accounted with the number 9 this year (yes! I’m marking my 39th in Chinese Calendar), which stands for finality and judgment. No, I am no Chinese for the nth time and I think there’s nothing to lose if I would take the advice.

 

January 14. I started the day early with husband and we delight our tummies at Ascott Makati –most luxurious of Manila’s serviced apartment that is conveniently located within Makati’s prime business district.

Café on the 6^th can be found on its 6^th floor which offer hearty breakfast buffets that is remarkable and classy. I never had any second thought soon as husband invited me over sms three days prior this day.

Because there were plenty of guests already when we arrived I shy away from taking photos of the buffet station. Anyway, I have save something to make you drool over.

Cold cuts, bacon, Hungarian sausage, bacon with feta, brie and gorgonzola cheese. I super like their crispy bacon!

Steamed salmon, fish fillet in cream sauce, meatball, potato masala and scrambled egg. There was an egg omelette station that serves hot and fresh right off the pan but I didn’t sample it –I was saving space for croissants and fruits.

I love that the café have such a wide selection of bread, jams and butter.

And plentiful of fruits and yogurts.

I don’t know but coming from the very festive Christmas month I slow down my eating routine, I didn’t sample everything. But if you care to know they have mostly American staples –pancake, hash brown, cereals, nuts, garden salad station and cold cuts. They also have congee, egg drop soup and pancit canton; and juice station with flavors to choose from –four seasons, guava, cranberry and orange.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. T for sponsoring this delicious breakfast.

    

Well, before we left I made sure I had photo of the captivating hotel lobby which became once part of our political history.

 

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Back at home, my Nanay was all day busy preparing a small dinner for few invitees.

You call these small? Oh my! I wonder how fancy it’s like if I say big, hehehe.

The spread,

Garden Salad our very own version with honey mustard and thousand islands dressing

Egg and Tuna canapé

Shrimp is everyone’s favorite

Baby back ribs, our second attempt was successful! Yehey! It was such a hit to our entire guest that night.

My Nanay’s pancit bihon with canton was very yummy! She also prepared palitaw with peanut toppings and creamy maja blanca.

Mixed sushi from Wasabi Sushi Bar

And my lovely cake from Costa Brava. Thanks for the sponsors!

I’m glad that even if my cousins had an occasion the following day, they make it and celebrate with me as I blow another birthday candle this year. Happy Birthday to me!

And I don’t regret turning down the Baguio trip over the weekend. Bea was the happiest!

And thank you ‘ney for starting my day right!

 

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January 15. My family and I drive to Monte Maria in Alfonso to attend the healing mass of Fr. Fernando Suarez.

It was our first time to see him and visit the place. The healing mass starts at 10am on Sunday and Fr. Suarez only prays with people after the celebration of a healing Mass.

As I witnessed the thousands of visitors and devotees that day, there’s no sense for me not to believe in and doubt. I silently pray for my intentions and with great faith seek for a miracle to happen.

And as we left the Monte Maria I feel blessed, I feel the Lord presence and I would find time to visit his ministry again.

 

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Since it was nearly lunch time when we left Monte Maria our group decided to go straight into my cousin’s house in Alulod. We enjoyed the spread as they celebrate the feast of the Holy Child.

And we were able to watch the karakol dancers as they dance with colorful costumes.

We didn’t stay long like the usual probably because we were a bit tired and sleepy so we left earlier than the usual.

 

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Before we end the day that Sunday, we gave Bea her most awaited treat –a trip to McDonald’s completed her day and our weekend too!

With all the happenings I had over the weekend I cannot ask for more. I had a wonderful birthday weekend and I want to thank everyone especially my maternal family for making it truly exceptional.

 

And I’ll pick up Lolo Mario’s words of wisdom as I age – “Napakabilis ng panahon, wag mong sasayanging sa mga walang kabuluhang bagay. At gaano man kalayo ang marating, wag mong kakalimutan kung saan ka nanggaling… Pinanganak ka para maging maligaya. Ang mga kaibigan at pamilya mo ang magpapakita kung paano.”