Michi Photostory

Early this year, I blogged about Isla Sugbu Seafood City Paluto All You Can. It is a buffet restaurant in Cebu, my husband loves this restaurant so he always eats here whenever he is in the city. This is also the reason why I want to go back to Cebu so I can try this level-up Sutukil of the Cebuano. You can check my review here.

Last month, my friend messaged me and asking me about “Isla Sugbu”, her officemate stumbled upon my post and they are planning to eat here. I’ve learned from her na magkakaroon na pala Isla Sugbu Seafood City sa Venice Piazza and I was so happy. Hindi ko na pala kelangan lumipad ng Cebu para ma-try itong Seafood City.


Honestly, this type of restaurant is no longer new to us because we already have “dampa” restaurants where you can buy seafood or meat at the market and bring it to the restaurant staffs so they can cook it according to your preference. Of course, you have to pay and the fee depends on sa dami or luto na gusto mo. But I love Isla Sugbu Seafood City's concept because you can eat as much as want for a fixed price. Wala ng wet market because you can choose your seafood inside the restaurant. Indeed, you will enjoy their Paluto-All-You-Can talaga.


I told my husband about this, kaso inunahan na naman niya kami so hindi ko pa siya natry. They had Christmas lunch here last week and according to him, the set-up is the same sa Cebu. The only difference is fewer selections and mas mahal yung rate. There are fresh and live seafood, vegetables, and for the meat lover, don’t worry they have chicken and pork too.





My husband was busy eating so I only have limited photos but you can check my other post, to give you an idea kung ano pwede niyo paluto since there is no fixed menu but there are staffs that will assist you. Take note, not all foods are free or included in the buffet rate. Meron dun na may bayad din pero for sure mabubusog ka na dun sa mga free.

* All drinks, desserts, and other items labeled as PREMIUM are charged separately.

Read: Isla Sugbu Seafood City Paluto-All-You-Can Cebu

Isla Sugbu Seafood City Paluto-All-You-Can Steps 

1. Choose 

What are your cravings for today? Take your pick from our wide array of fresh & Live Seafood.

2. Cook 

After getting your fresh catch, let us know how you want your seafood cooked. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take our recommendation.

3. Eat 

Time to dig into your delicious seafood feast! If you need anything else, we’re just a call away.

4. Repeat 

Once is never enough. So go ahead and dive in again.

Paluto-All-You-Can Promo Rates 

P1300 P848 - Monday to Thursday, 11AM to 3PM
P1300 P888 - Monday to Thursday 6PM to 11PM
                    - Fridays and Holidays 11AM to 3PM and 6PM to 11PM
                    - Saturdays and Sundays 10AM to 3PM and 6PM to 11PM

* Prices are inclusive of VAT and are subject to a service charge.

I hope makainan ko siya habang promo rate pa.

Isla Sugbu Seafood City Venice Piazza 
2/F Venice Grand Canal Mall,
McKinley Hill, Taguig City

I had my lab test and a doctor’s appointment last week. After check-up, instead of going home, I told my husband to go straight to Alabang Town Center so I can look for Christmas Gifts. We had lunch first at Amici. It’s been years since the last time we ate here, sa dami ba naman kasi na restaurant sa Alabang Town Center ang dami ko gusto kainan. Most of the time, we will just buy gelato here.


I remembered our first dining experience in Amici Don Bosco Branch, 7 six years ago self-service pa siya but now, you don’t need to go to the cashier to order and pay your bill. Our old favorites here are Tutta Carne Pizza, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Pollo Arrostito, Sansrival, and Gelato.

Amici serves pasta, pizza, and gelato. While browsing their menu, I noticed na ang dami na nila food choices, may option sa pasta if you want regular or grande size and may rice meals na rin. My husband and I ordered Spaghetti ai Tesori del Mare P420 (Regular), Margherita Pizza P345 and Oreo & Blueberry Cheesecake Madness P210.

The staff offered Gusto Privelege Card where you can get a discount for every visit but we declined since we seldom visit ATC or dine at Amici. While waiting, they served complimentary hot bread and it is good. Sana pwede refill, hehehe!


After finishing our bread, they served our pasta, ang bilis ng service nila. Spaghetti ai Tesori del Mare is a mildly spicy feast of spaghetti, tomatoes, scallops, clams and chili oil. I’m not fond of spicy food but I liked this pasta because the spiciness is really mild.


I ordered Margherita pizza and while eating, my husband said bakit wala ko malasahan na toppings. I just laughed and I told him, Margherita lang order ko so cheese and basil lang yun. Hehehe! Nasanay siya na Tutta Carne order ko.


For dessert, I initially ordered Ferrero-Chocolate Overload but it is not available so I ordered Oreo & Blueberry Cheesecake Madness. Combination of an oreo cookie and blueberry cheesecake gelato topped with caramel syrup, brownie chunks, whipped cream, and cherry. We liked this gelato and it is good for sharing.


We are satisfied with our order and also the service is really good. We already have a bottled of water on our table but the staff kept on refilling our glass. Bawal ba ang half-filled glass? So never kami naglagay ng water sa glass namin. Lol

December 20, 2018

We fetched our son in school and off we went to Alabang Town Center to buy his gift, we were so busy with so many things and we forgot to buy stuff for ourselves. We just ate at Amici last week but we decided to eat here again, this time with my son. We ordered the same pasta which is Spaghetti ai Tesori del Mare P420 (Regular) because we liked it. My son ordered Ham and Two Cheese Pizza P368.


While waiting, they gave us complimentary bread, one stick of bread per person. The staff gave a Kiddie Sheet and crayons to my son. My son read the note “Present this completed Kiddie Sheet to your server and get a Free Junior Scoop of Gelato” so he immediately colored and answered the page.




My son likes pepperoni pizza but it is not available so he chose Ham and Two Cheese Pizza, it has ham, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese. Mukhang corn or pineapple yung cheddar cheese.


We only ordered pasta and pizza but still, we did not finish our food. May take-out pa rin kami na pizza to think na tatlo na kami kumain. But of course, we won’t leave without eating gelato. We showed the Kiddie Sheet and asked the staff kung totoo ba na may free gelato yung anak ko and she said yes. So my husband and I ordered Junior Gelato Cup too P60 each.

The staff informed us na maliit lang yung cup but we still ordered the junior size because the last time that we ordered Oreo & Blueberry Cheesecake Madness gelato, nahirapan kami ubusin yung order namin. My son chose Ferrero, my husband chose Pistachio and I ordered Blueberry Cheesecake again.


While waiting for our gelato, the staff served a slice of cake on our table. Sasabihin ko na sana na hindi kami nag-order ng cake but the staff already said na FREE daw yun. Wow, may free gelato and free cake kami that day. The Midnight Dream Cake is layered decadent chocolate chiffon with caramelized cashews, chocolate, and cream.


When they served the gelato, ang liit ang talaga but it is enough to satisfy our gelato cravings. Again, we were satisfied with the food and service. Mukhang mapapadalas na kami sa Amici at may mga freebies. hehehe!

Amici - Alabang Town Center 
Alabang Town Center, Commerce Avenue,
Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
Mon to Thurs 11AM to 9PM
Fri to Sunday 10Am to 9PM

It’s been more than a year already since I started my Korean skincare journey. I’ve been buying and trying different products since last year and so far, I am happy with my purchase. But of course, I won’t deny that I have my own favorites too so if you are looking for a gift for yourself, why not buy a skincare product. Let me share my top 10 favorite products that I bought at Althea Korea site.

Top 10 Beauty Products at Althea Korea 



1. Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic White Vita - C Essence 

Last year, I bought Althea Korea Head to Toe Box and this package includes Skin & Lab White Vita-C Essence and among the products in the box, this is my favorite. This essence will brighten your skin tone, moisturizes, and whitens the skin. Get this if you have a dark skin tone, dull skin, uneven skin tone, or if you want a good essence for your skin. They no longer offer the Althea Korea Head to Toe Box but you can buy this for P730 at Althea Korea. I’m already on my third bottle of this. Unfortunately, sometimes it is out of stock so it is better to hoard before you run out of stock. Or you can also check the Skin & Lab Red Serum and Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic K Plus Red-X Essence.

Skin & Lab White Vita - C Essence P730


2. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask 

This sleeping mask is expensive for my budget but I splurged on this one and it is part of my birthday haul. I like this sleeping mask because it helps you relax before sleeping and it soothes, hydrates, moisturizes, and brightens your skin. It helps your skin to recover and repair overnight. This mask is lightweight, non-sticky, and good for all skin types.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask P980

3. Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic Vita Energy Toner & Mist

I was satisfied with my Skin & Lab Vita-C Essence so I decided to check the other Skin & Lab products and I purchased the Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic Vita Energy Toner & Mist. What I like about this product is you are hitting two birds in one stone, you can use it as a toner and mist. It is so easy to use and it makes your skin looks healthy and bright. It is good for all skin types.

Buy Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic Vita Energy Toner & Mist P450

4. Rire Pore Tightening Fresh 

While I was browsing Althea Korea site, I saw Rire Pore Tightening Fresh, this 300ml toner is only P360, it is cheaper compared to the Skin & Lab so I bought it. So far, I am satisfied with this toner and I already bought two bottles of this. This toner deep cleanses your pores, minimizes enlarged pores, control excess sebum, and doesn’t dry your skin.

Rire Pore Tightening Fresh Toner P360


5. Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer 

I started using Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer last July, it is part of my Welcome Kit at Althea Angels. I am really lazy in doing my skincare routine so I was happy to try this 10 seconds wash-off mask. I used this as my cleanser every night. This product cleanses, soothes, and protects your sensitive skin. It smooths and adds glow to your skin. It is available in two variants, Rose and Green Tea.

Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Rose P550 
Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Green Tea P550 

6. Onsaemeein Yogurt Peeling Mask 

Onsaemeein Yogurt Peeling is part of my shopping loot during my first order at Althea Korea. It was on sale at that time so I added it to my cart. I got it for P210 only. This is one of my favorites because it gently removes my dead skin cells and the scent is very light. No redness after using it.

Onsaemeein Yogurt Peeling Mask P330

7. The Saem Saemmul Cream Stick Blusher 

The Saem Saemmul Cream Stick Blusher was part of my Althea Korea Lazy Sunday Box. It was my first time using a cream blusher and I loved it. And because I am satisfied with the product, I also bought another color of this cream stick blusher. I like this because it is a lip and cheek tint and it doesn’t stain my finger after applying this. I have Coral and Rose Fire color.

The Saem Saemmul Cream Stick Blusher Rose Fire P440


8. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream Ex 

This is part of my birthday haul too but I just started using it last month. Like Laneige Brand, Innisfree is on the expensive side. I’ve tried a lot of cream at Althea Korea and so far this is my favorite cream because it is lightweight and not sticky cream. I like the smell of green tea too. It makes my skin hydrated and soft.

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream Ex P790

9. Innisfree Camellia Essential Shampoo

This is the second shampoo that I tried in Althea Korea. I find it expensive for a shampoo but I still bought it. After few weeks of using it, my husband noticed my hair and he asked me what shampoo I’m using. And because of that, may kashare na ko sa shampoo ko. Hehehe! Innisfree Camellia Essential Shampoo makes my hair looks healthy and shiny. I don’t even use conditioner but this shampoo already moisturizes and conditions my hair. It is silicon-free too. I even bought Innisfree Green Tea Mint Fresh Shampoo a few months ago but I haven’t tried it yet.

Innisfree Camellia Essential Shampoo P290

10. Elizavecca Skin Liar Primer

Whenever I watched YouTube videos, I always hear primer so when I saw Elizavecca Skin Liar Primer, I immediately added it to my cart. I like this primer because it smooths your skin texture, fills in pores and it has a flawless matte finish. I love the scent and the price is budget-friendly too.

Elizavecca Skin Liar Primer P280

Read: My Shopping Experience at Althea Korea 

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and it is known for Petronas Twin Towers so if you are going to visit this city, I’m pretty sure that you won’t leave the place without visiting this skyscraper. When we first visited Kuala Lumpur, we stayed at Bukit Bintang area so we were able to visit the Twin Tower during day and night though it is a long walk from our hotel.


But there are a lot of hotels where you can stay which is just a few minutes away from Petronas Twin Towers like InterContinental Hotel. It is located in the strategic location of Jalan Ampang, it is five minutes away from Suria KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers, two minutes away from Ampang LRT station and few minutes walk from shopping centers in Bukit Bintang area. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle services around the entertainment hubs.

Read: Petronas Twin Towers 

My husband stayed at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur hotel last week during his business trip. They had a one-day event at the said hotel. It was his first time in InterContinental hotel and according to him, you can see that the hotel is already old but clean. He likes the good service and there were so many Filipino staffs there.


The room is a little bit bigger compared to other hotels that he tried in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. This is the room.



They have coffee and tea set but it was the first time that I saw a Milk Menu. They offer a complimentary selection of milk for their guest, you can choose full milk, low-fat milk or soy milk. You can request via their Instant Service button, you can order hot or cold milk.

The bathroom has a separate shower and bathtub.



The room package includes buffet breakfast at Serena Brassiere. It provides appetizing breakfast for business and leisure travelers. It is ideal for a family too because they have a children’s corner. It serves mixed of local and international cuisines.








They have a spa, swimming pool, and fitness center for you to enjoy but because of limited time, my husband was not able to visit these facilities.

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur Hotel 
165, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

For many homeowners, making improvements several times to enhance the appearance of their houses is necessary. When it comes to the bathroom, the kind of vanity you have can either make or break your space. Most people find it best to create space intimate to them, especially when it comes to their bathroom. Buying the right vanity set may not be as smooth as you would imagine because there are several factors you need to put into consideration. The following are tips you can use to help you buy the right vanity set;


Your bathroom décor 

The kind of bathroom décor you have will highly determine what kind of vanity set you will get. Also, if you are planning to revamp your house or bathroom in the near future, then you should think about what you intend to do to it while buying your vanity set. Just like the rest of your house, you want your bathroom to look spectacular, so make sure that your vanity set goes well with the décor.

Measurements 

When it comes to measurements, measure the height and width of the area you purpose to install your vanity set. Also, make sure you get the measurements of prospective vanity sets before purchasing to ensure that it sits well in the space you intend it to be. To get the best vanity set then take the right measurements and choose quality over anything.

Storage space needed 

Storage space can be a crucial factor for some people and that is why it plays a huge role in determining the kind of vanity set you will get. So, when purchasing your vanity set, you need to consider the amount of space you want it to have in. The size of your vanity set does not matter because you can have a small one with enough space or a huge one with little space.

Your budget 

Your budget will go a long way to determine your vanity set by either limiting or increasing your options. Even on a small budget, you can get something of high quality in a small size as long as you emphasize enough on its quality. The trick is to understand what you want then weigh your options depending on the money you have.

Purpose 

Another great tip that will help you get the right vanity set for your bathroom is your reason for getting one. If you want to do away with your old vintage look to a new stylish and modern look, then get a vanity set that will sit well with the new appearance. You may also want to replace an old broken vanity set with a new one. Simply, your reason for buying a new vanity set will play a huge role in determining your purchase.

Part of growing up means that you will move out of your parent’s house at one point. Most teenagers and individuals just joining the working class social group look forward to this. The first apartment is often a big deal. When you move out on your own, you are now responsible for setting your own standards. Renting your first apartment is a good investment, but you probably have a few questions about how to go about signing a lease for your own home, especially if you have never done this before. We will help you understand what to expect and how to make a smooth transition using the tips below:


1. Know Your Financial Capabilities 

It is important to set a budget if you intend to rent an apartment. Conduct research and have an estimate of how much you are likely to spend. Your credit score is also a basic step you would want to consider as one of the factors property owners look into while evaluating potential tenants. As outlined here https://www.crediful.com/rent-apartment-with-bad-credit/, checking and improving your credit score is not as complicated as you would think.

If you think you have a poor credit score, read some tips about "No Credit Check Apartment". Assessing your financial position ensures that you do not strain your budget and still get a great apartment. Also, set aside some emergency fund for a rainy day.

2. Location 

The location of your potential apartment is crucial. It would help if you considered factors such as proximity to your workplace or school. It would not make sense if you ended up paying more for commuting to work or school than the rental apartment. It would help if you found a balance that will match both your needs and budget. Select a location that is convenient and cost effective for you. Security is a significant consideration when you are choosing a location. Some areas are safe while others have a high crime rate. Check for security reviews in your chosen geographical area. You can read the reviews online from other tenants or area residents. Apartments that cater to security measures often charge a bit higher than the rest. However, your safety is a priority and worth each penny.

3. Utilities 

Utility bills really eat into a person’s income, and it becomes even more evident once we move out of our parents’ or guardian’s homes. Some of these bills include light, heating, water, and electricity. Come up with a cost-effective plan of conserving energy. For example, ensure that the lights are switched off when you are not using a certain room. Alternatively, you can set a budget limit for each utility bill.

4. Read Your Contract 

Most people do not take time to read a contract before signing. It is important to know the content of your contact. You will understand what is expected, hence, reducing the number of times your paths cross with the property owner or renting agency. Reading the contract also helps you to identify any hidden costs. Some property owners will charge a higher amount by incorporating irrelevant costs. Feel free to inquire about the contract to enhance understanding between both parties. Sign your contract once you are content with it. Confirm that you have provided accurate personal information. Keep a copy of the contract for future references.

Tagaytay and Nuvali are our favorite weekend escape if we have nothing to do at home. It is more or less 45 minutes of travel time from our place via SLEX. But things changed now, we rarely go to Tagaytay and Nuvali because my husband is always out of the country so most of the time, sa bahay na lang kami.

But of course, the year won’t end without visiting this place. Nuvali is a project of Ayala Land and it is their first and largest eco-city development. To be honest, parang ang sarap tumira sa Nuvali kasi halos complete na siya. There are residential communities, schools, shopping centers, business offices, recreations, and even hotels.


April 3, 2010 was our first visit to Nuvali and the rest is history. We’ve been to Nuvali for the nth already and a lot of things have changed. When we first visited, Solenad 1 pa lang, now meron ng Solenad 2 and Solenad 3. There are so many improvements, happenings, and events every month.


People love to go here and I’m one of those people who like to visit Nuvali. One reason is you can enjoy most of the amenities for FREE. Yes, there’s no entrance fee and no parking fee. If you haven’t been here. Let me share the different things that you can do in Nuvali.

THINGS TO DO IN NUVALI 

1. Fish Feeding 



If you have kids, go to Solenad 1 so you can enjoy fish feeding. This is the favorite activity of my son and we will never leave the place without buying fish feeds for P15. Open from 8AM to 5PM.

2. Boating 



You can also ride the water taxi or taxi boat for P30 per person but there is a minimum capacity of 6 persons. It is a few minutes of joy ride. I’m not sure if the rate is still the same because we just tried this once for the experience.

3. Biking or Running

You can bring your own bike or you can rent a bike per hour (Don't forget to bring with you your repair kit because anything can happen; if you still don't have this, you may choose one here https://outdoorsly.org/best-bike-tool-kit/). Nuvali has running trails, hiking paths and off-road mountain bike trails about 35-kilometer. If you love biking, you can also enjoy Dirt Weekend. It is one of the popular activities in Nuvali since 2008 dedicated to cyclists or bikers.

4. Walking 

If you love to walk and art, then you can do “Walk Your Way to Art”. There are Greenstallations with an important message about our environment around Nuvali where you can visit. It is about 2000 steps or 1.5km

“The Last Tree,” located near Solenad 1 and Two Evotech
“Flower Primitive,” located near the Lake
“Community of Creation,” located near the Lake
“Luksong Lubid,” located behind the Monochrome

5. Camp N at Nuvali 

For the adventure seeker, you can visit Camp N and enjoy different activities like Aerial Walk, Zipline, Obstacle Courses and Rope Courses. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm

6. Wakeboarding 

There is Republic Wake Park in Nuvali and you don’t have to travel far to experience wakeboarding.

Operating Days; Monday - Sunday

Weekdays: Monday to Thursday
08:30am - 05:30pm
Weekends:  Friday to Sunday
08:30am - 10:00pm

7. Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Nuvali preserved its 17 km forest zone to allow natural habitat to grow and multiply within the area. Bird walkers or bird watchers will enjoy this place. You can see birds and you can read trivia about the birds. Don’t forget to bring your own binoculars or telescopes. The best time to do your bird watching is 6-9AM and 4-6PM to make sure that birds are not hiding from the sun.

8. Bazaar and Event 

Sometimes there are bazaars, sales or events in Nuvali so make sure you are following their social media to keep you updated. Here are some of the activities that we have tried.



* Free Activity – from time to time there free activities that you can join, just like this “Every Day Earth Day”. My son had fun in painting and molding clay. He was able to take home his finished project.

Read: Cheapest Way to Spend Your Weekend



* Night Sky Cinema - Nuvali offers FREE movie screening and it is called Night Sky Cinema. You can watch three movies in one night. It is free movie night, there are mats that you can use but it is first come first serve so it is better to bring your own blanket or mat.

Read: Our Night Sky Cinema Experience 

* Magical Field of Lights - it is a Christmas light show which features hundreds of colorful lights in 3600 sq meter grass field. The area is open to the public. It is FREE and no reservation needed.


* Tienda sa Ayala Mall - a weekend traveling market where you can buy fresh produce from different parts of the Philippines.

Read: Tienda sa Ayala Mall Experience 

9. Shopping 

Shopaholic will enjoy Nuvali because there are several outlets that you can visit and if you are lucky some stores are on sale. You can also find Ayala Mall and Landmark at Solenad 3. S&R is nearby too.

10. Play Area 

If you have kids in tow, aside from fish feeding and boating, they can also visit Kidzoona. There are free and paid activities that you can join. My son enjoyed his ride in Skidkart Circuit.

Read: Skidkart Circuit Skidcart Circuit 

11. Picnic 

As I mentioned, Nuvali offers nature amenities so there are grass fields where you can use and have a picnic with your family. Bring your own picnic mats, foods and drinks.

12. Food Trip 

We always visit Nuvali for a food trip or we will just buy cakes and pastries from Contis or Purple Oven. But there are so many restaurants in Solenad 1, 2 and 3 that you can visit. Here are some restaurants that we've already tried in Nuvali, though I think some of these restaurants are already close like Tonkatsu by Terazawa and Claw Daddy.

Food Trip in Nuvali 

Pepper Lunch
The Farm Organics
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Kuya J Restaurant
Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen
Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar
LZM restaurant
Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Buffalo Wings N Things
Purple Oven
Contis
Claw Daddy 

13. Staycation

If one day trip in Nuvali is not enough, you can also do a staycation, You can stay at Seda Nuvali or Microtel South Forbes. You can also go to Tagaytay for another adventure.

Read: Where to Stay in Tagaytay 

Here are just 13 things that you can do in Nuvali. I’m pretty sure there are more activities that I haven’t learned about. How about you? What’s your favorite activity in Nuvali?

HOW TO GET TO NUVALI

Nuvali is located in Tagaytay Rd, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, 4025 Laguna, Philippines so you can have a stopover here before going to Tagaytay.

Via Private Vehicle 

If you have your own transportation, going to Nuvali is not a problem because it is accessible through different exits in SLEX such as Greenfield City/Unilab/Mamplasan (secured access), Sta. Rosa, Eton City-Greenfield, Silangan, Calamba.

Via Public Transportation; Commuter Guide

Bus - BGC

Monday to Friday
Nuvali to BGC
Drop off at Market! Market! – 6:30AM
BGC to Nuvali
Pick up at Market! Market! – 6:30PM and 7:15PM

Jam Liner

Monday to Friday
Nuvali to Makati – 6:00AM and 6:30AM
Makati to Nuvali – 5:30PM, 6:30PM and 7:30PM

Saturday, Sunday and Holiday
Nuvali to Makati – 8:00PM
Makati to Nuvali – 10:00AM

Jeepneys

Monday to Sunday
Balibago Terminal to Nuvali – All Day
Nuvali to Balibago Terminal – All Day
*Makati (Corner of Courtyard Drive and Station Road, Ayala Center)

P2P Bus

Monday to Friday
Makati (via Skyway) to Solenad Terminal – All Day
Pick-up points: Circuit Lane and Glorietta 2 Palm Drive
Solenad Terminal to Makati (via Skyway) – All Day
Drop off points: Ayala Center Paseo de Roxas cor. Ayala Ave. and Circuit Lane
*Makati (Corner of Courtyard Drive and Station Road, Ayala Center)
Fare is Php150. Beep cards are also accepted.

UBE Express

Monday to Sunday
Ayala Malls Solenad to NAIA Terminal - 4AM to 10AM; 12NN to 8PM
NAIA Terminal to Ayala Malls Solenad - 6AM to 10AM ; 12NN to 8PM

Nuvali Entrance along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road, 4026 Santa Rosa, Laguna

Holidays are special and most of them come only once a year. For this reason, nothing is more exciting and memorable than sharing a decent meal with friends, loved ones or acquaintances during the holidays. But what if you’re the one preparing the meal? Well, for most people, creating a great holiday meal can prove to be a daunting task, especially when you want to wow your guests and keep their taste buds eager for the next invite from you.

In a nutshell, this may rarely be the case without proper planning, research (especially recipes), and seeking assistance. Nonetheless, here are 4 tips for cooking a great holiday meal.


1. Plan In Advance 

Planning your meals in advance will help you save a lot of time in the kitchen and from wandering around in grocery stores pondering on what to cook. It really doesn't matter if it’s a quick and easy meal or a buffet. It's always important that you decide what to cook in advance and get the necessary ingredients/requirements early enough before the D-day.

2. Measure Your Ingredients

Before You Start Cooking Getting the right ingredients is barely enough when looking to create a great holiday meal. What you put into the cooking pot should be just the right measure. To get it right when preparing your holiday meal, you’ll want to invest in a digital kitchen scale that allows you to weight your ingredients in grams, milligrams, ounces, and so on. Measuring ingredients in the kitchen is key ensuring consistency as far as food quality, taste and flavor are concerned. It also helps to reduce wastage and control your kitchen costs.

3. Share the Load 

The fact that you'll probably be cooking more than you usually do, can be reason enough to allocate duties to trusted members of the household. They don’t have to do much, easy tasks will take a load off your table to give you time to concentrate on other areas of the kitchen. Furthermore, cooking under pressure can ruin the whole recipe. Additionally, it's fun cooking when you’ve got people pitching in, not forgetting that it can be a great time to socialize as you all contribute to making a great holiday meal.

4. Invest In a Recipe Book 

A recipe book can also come in handy, especially if you’re out of ideas or you’re completely clueless about how to cook a certain meal for holiday. There are many recipe books that you can choose from, including some that focus on holiday meals. Alternatively, you can also search recipe ideas, cooking tips, and guides online from YouTube, culinary websites, and cooking social forums. You will find plenty o these on the internet. Recipes will help you to know exactly what ingredients to use, the utensils to use, the cooking procedure, the recommended cooking time, the appliances to use, and even the amount of heat to utilize.

In addition to the above, your meal preparation process will always be affected by the cooking appliance/s you use. Can your roast or bake a turkey using a coffee maker? Of course not! Even when you bring the best of your cooking expert skills, a microwave or barbeque grill may not be relevant if you’ve planned to wow your holiday guests with some mouth-watering tacos.

No one wants their homes to be too stuffy as it can be suffocating and you will not feel comfortable inside it. To help keep your home clutter-free, here are some tips you can follow.


1. Do some spring cleaning regularly 

This has to be something that you form into a habit. Try to always see if there are things you can give away, throw away, or even sell.

2. Have enough storage areas tucked all over the house

If you are still having a hard time getting rid of all your knick-knacks and such, you just need to place them in the house in such a way that they will not look too congested. Not all your souvenirs from your travels have to be placed on one shelf. You can scatter them in strategic places all over the house and they can even make for an interesting conversation piece when you have guests all over. Try to have a variety of storage options, and see if some pieces can multitask. Such as an ottoman, which can serve as a stool but also where you can place some rugs or scarfs for storage.

3. Keep your kitchen clean 

The kitchen is one of those places in the house where, if it is not cleaned and maintained, even in just one area, it would be really awful and dirty. A dirty kitchen can attract flies, cockroaches, and other insects. And, if there is a pest infestation, you need to hire an experienced company like Aptive pest control MI for the effective removal of such nasties. 

I love planning so as early as September, I started preparing for the holiday. I already bought few gifts but when October came, life became pretty loaded. And because of that, I forgot about the holidays, as in wala na ko nagawa sa mga “Things to do list” ko. Then the DepEd announced for an early Christmas break, waah! Wala pa nga ko gifts for teachers and even exchange gifts. Well, I still don’t know if our school will follow it or not so saka ko na siya problemahin.

Now I’m cramming for my Advent Calendar. My son is already a tweenager so I thought he doesn’t want to do this activity anymore, pero gusto pa pala niya. So I guess I will do this every year hanggang magsawa siya.

Check below the different activities that we have done for the past years.

Advent Calendar 2014
Advent Calendar 2015
Advent Calendar 2016
Advent Calendar 2017

For 2018, here are my Advent Calendar ideas. Click here to print the FREE Printable


December 1 - Eat doughnut -checked
December 2 - Help decorate a tree - checked
December 3- Watch Christmas movie
December 4 - Write 3 things for which you’re grateful
December 5 - Sing Christmas carol
December 6 - Read a Christmas book
December 7 - Make a holiday card
December 8 - Do an extra chore
December 9- Play a board game
December 10 - Enjoy a hot chocolate
December 11 - Have a pajama day
December 12 - Give someone a 10-second hug
December 13 - Play Christmas music
December 14 - Draw pictures of fun Christmas activities we’ve done
December 15 - Wrap gift for others
December 16 - Organized your closet
December 17 - Count you money on your piggy bank
December 18 - Go look in your stocking for a special surprise
December 19 - Cook a pancake
December 20 - Research Christmas in another country
December 21 - Tidy your bedroom
December 22 - Read some stories about the birth of Jesus
December 23 - Open one small gift
December 24 - Help mommy cook
December 25 - Write 3 goals for the new year

People would love the chance to visit other countries. It’s a great way to experience different cultures and meet new friends. But one of the downsides of traveling to another country is the mind-numbingly long flight. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to survive 13 hours as long as you’re ready with these long-haul flight essentials.


Neck Pillow

You may as well get comfortable since you’re going to be sitting down for hours on end. Most airplanes have cushioned seats, which you can lean back to get yourself comfortable. But they usually don’t have neck pillows, so you can get a crick in your neck if have to sleep in that position for too long.

Avoid getting a stiff neck by bringing a snug neck pillow. This way, you can take a long nap and wake up feeling refreshed. On long travels, sometimes a neck pillow can make all the difference.

E-reader 

There are primarily two ways to survive a long-haul flight. One is to sleep through it, and the other is to bring enough entertainment to distract yourself. If you can’t get any shut-eye, you can while away the time by reading a good book or two (even three).

Fortunately for you, you don’t have to haul your entire library or bring the books on your reading list with you. Bringing an e-reader will do.

Most e-readers can hold hundreds to thousands of e-books, so you can browse through your collections and read as many books as you want to ease your boredom through the long trip. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about your eyes hurting after reading for hours since most e-readers nowadays have paperlike screens and displays that mimic real books.

Fully Charged Phone 

Your smartphone is another thing that you can use to distract yourself through the flight, so make sure to charge it fully before you leave. You can listen to your favorite playlists, check your social media accounts, chat with your friends, play games, and watch videos.

If you have last-minute details to iron out your travel itinerary, you can use your phone to do just that. You can book a ride to pick you up at the airport, contact your hotel for a change of plans, or book reservations for a tour or a diving class. A smartphone is as invaluable for travel as it is in everyday life.

Portable Chargers 

While manufacturers have done their best to extend the battery life of smartphones and other devices, there’s still not enough power to last an entire day of constant use. Avoid the nightmare of a dead phone during a long flight by bringing a portable charger (or chargers if you have other devices). With a portable charger, you can recharge your phone in flight and continue listening to your playlist, watching cute animal videos, and browsing Facebook and Instagram.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

If you’re unlucky, you might spend a long flight trying to block noise from fellow passengers. You can’t jump off the airplane (or throw those disruptive passengers out). Fortunately, you can bring noise-canceling headphones with you. With these headphones, you can put on your Zen or classical music playlist and enjoy a noise-free rest throughout the whole flight. If the noise-canceling headphones don’t work, you can always bring some earplugs.

Scarf or Travel Wrap

Airlines can be such capitalists and will charge you for anything you request. Airplanes can be especially cold, and if you hate the cold, you should bring a warm scarf or travel wrap to use in flight if you don’t want to be charged a fee for a blanket.

You can pack a fleece scarf or travel wrap. It’s thick yet lightweight and will keep you warm, so you can be cozy for all those hours.

Travel Kit

Be prepared for every occasion by bringing a travel kit. Your kit should include small-sized toiletries; a mini first aid kit with medicine for motion sickness, diarrhea, fever, and pain; things for oral hygiene; and emergency cleaning products to remove clothing stains and the like.

There are a lot of travel kits you can buy nowadays. But it’s you who knows what you need so it may be best to pack your own travel kit to make sure you don’t miss out any of your travel essentials.

Journal and Pen

If you’re not used to long-haul flights and get bored or frustrated during one, you can work out your thoughts and emotions by writing them in a journal. Keeping a journal has many benefits to your well-being.

Aside from cataloging your thoughts, ideas, and experiences, journal writing helps you process all of them to declutter your mind and make way for new information and memories. It also helps you understand yourself and your thought better so you can identify the parts of yourself that you need to improve.

If you can’t seem to find the time in your everyday life to write in your journal, take the opportunity to do it midflight, when you don’t have anything else to do and have nothing to distract you.

Lightweight Duffel Bag 

You can’t pack all the long-haul flight essentials without a durable, lightweight bag. A duffel bag is the perfect carry-on luggage since it’s spacious, easy to carry, and stylish, like this water-repellent canvas duffel bag from Groovy Groomsmen Gifts.

You can fit all your travel essentials in a duffel and still have space. If you like traveling in style, it can also match outfits better than a backpack or roll carry-on luggage.

Final Word 

Nobody has ever died of boredom during a long-haul flight, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from it. Don’t sacrifice your sanity by going into a 13-hour flight without preparation. Prepare everything you need for comfort, such as your own pillow and wrap. And don’t forget noise-canceling headphones to get a restful sleep in flight.

Pack your e-reader, and load it with as many books as you can so you have more than enough books to read. Charge your smartphone (and other smart devices), and bring portable chargers to enjoy different kinds of entertainment for hours.

You can also make a productive use of your time by writing on your journal. Do everything you can to make every aspect of your travel fun and relaxing.

It’s been more than a year since I started buying Korean Beauty Products at Althea Korea site and as time goes by, Althea is creating their own product line. It started with Althea Velvet Petal Powder, Bare Essentials Set, Real Fresh Skin Detoxer, Petal Velvet Sunaway, and now Milk Peel Cream Mask.


As part of Althea Angels, I received Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask two weeks ago, it is a gentle exfoliating mask that is good for all skin types. Not a lot of people are using an exfoliating mask, maybe because it is an additional expense to your skincare or maybe because you don’t know the reason why you need to exfoliate.

To Exfoliate or Not to Exfoliate 

The truth is we don’t need to exfoliate because our skin renews itself every month so if you are still young, you don’t need an exfoliating mask. But if you are always out and you have too much sun exposure, you need to exfoliate because sun exposure makes your skin thicker, rough, or flaky. When you hit the age 30, the renewing process of your skin begins to slow down so we need a helping hand. We need to exfoliate to help the skin remove the old, damaged, and dead skin cells and replace them with younger and healthier ones.

If you want to look young, age gracefully, and have healthy skin then you need to add Exfoliating Mask to your skincare routine. Below are the reasons why you need to exfoliate.

Why Do We Need to Exfoliate 

1. To remove dead skin cells
2. To prevent fine lines and wrinkles
3. To reduce skin pigmentation and discoloration
4. To improve the absorption of skincare products
5. To prevent blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, acne
6. To reduce pores size

There are two types of exfoliation, you can choose depending on your preference; mechanical exfoliation or chemical exfoliation. Mechanical Exfoliation is using small grains, granules, brushes or other materials that will help you in rubbing the layer of dead skin cells while Chemical Exfoliation is using chemicals like AHA and BHA to shred your dead skin cells.

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask 

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is under chemical exfoliation, it is formulated with Milk Protein Extract, AHA and BHA.


Key Ingredients 

Milk Protein Extract - moisturizes, refreshes, and strengthens the skin
AHA & BHA - Double exfoliating effect. Gently exfoliates away dead skin cells for a smooth complexion
   AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) a light chemical peel that removes dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. It is ideal for oily skin
   BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) a light chemical peel that removes impurities and unclogs the pores. It is ideal for acne-prone skin
Kaolin - detoxifies and pull out impurities from the pores.

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is Suitable for 

All skin types
Enlarged pores
Rough, sensitive skin that needs gentle exfoliation
Dry skin that needs to stay moisturized even after peeling

I started using Peeling Mask last year so I’m glad when Althea Korea sent this product to me, kasi paubos na ang aking Peeling Mask. They said that it is good for daily use but personally, I don’t exfoliate my skin every day because I believe that less is more. Exfoliating too much is not good for my skin (I have psoriasis) and for your skin because if you remove too much, your skin might get irritated, red and open to contaminants or pollution.

According to my research, here is your guide on how many times you can exfoliate. But of course, it all depends on your skin so it is up to you. My skin is normal to combination but I use a peeling mask once a week or twice a month, depende sa sipag ko. Hehehe!

For sensitive skin - once or twice a week
For oily skin - up to five times a week
For normal to combination skin - up to three times a week


How to Use Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask 

Dampen the skin and apply an even layer onto the skin massaging till lather forms. Leave on for 30-60 seconds before rinsing away with lukewarm water.


Tip: After exfoliating, apply moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, exfoliating can dry your skin and make your skin sensitive to UV rays so do not forget to apply sunscreen before going out.

What I like About Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask 

1. I like the packaging, it has a pump so it is more hygienic for me.
2. Among the Althea products, I love the scent of this Milk Peel Cream Mask. It is light and powdery, amoy baby.
3. I’m so amazed at the texture, from soft clay cream for whipped cream bubble texture. I tried some cleansing foam pero hindi naman siya nagfoam ng ganito. I want to leave it for more than 60 seconds nga sa sobrang aliw ko.
4. You can exfoliate your face in less than few minutes.
5. It makes my face looks brighter and smoother.

What I Don’t Like About Milk Peel Cream Mask 

1. I don’t know if my skin is just sensitive but there is a slight sting on my face while waiting for 30-60 seconds. Though there is no redness or rashes after using it.
2. Because of the whipped cream bubble texture, I don’t see any visible peeling or dead skin cells so feeling ko hindi ako nag-exfoliate.

I’m torn if I will purchase this product or I will stick to my Yogurt Peeling. Let's see, I will continue to use this and I will update this post after I emptied it.

Anyway, if you want to prevent scaly and rough skin and if you want younger and nourished skin, then add this to your skincare routine. Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is available at Althea Korea site for P490 (50ml).

Read: My Shopping Experience at Althea Korea

A lot of theories revolve around what tonic water is, what it does and whether it's harmful. No one seems to agree with the other which has granted people the freedom to make their conclusions on tonic water.

Therefore, What is Tonic Water?


From the definition, tonic water is a carbonated soft drink. However, most people become stuck in the soft drink part of the explanation. Despite the confusion and back and forth, tonic water continues to be a digestive and appetite stimulant. Also, it is a prevalent mixer with spirits and gin.

Tonic water has a bitter flavor, and this is thanks to the amount of quinine dissolved in it. Now, quinine is primarily used as a medication to treat malaria, so how then does it fit into a soft drink? Initially, tonic water was created as carbonated medication to help ease constipation, increase appetite and even treat malaria and babesiosis. However, with time, the drink has evolved and edged its way into the soft drink shelf.

Why Quinine is an Ingredient in Tonic Water ?

Quinine is medication, as earlier established. However, the bitter flavor from the compound makes it a perfect element for tonic water. Despite quinine being in large quantities in the soft drink, the amount used is safe for consumption.

For use as malaria medication, concentrated amounts of quinine get administered in the form of pills; however, it is harmless when in tonic water.

Mixed with gin and spirits, the bitter flavor in tonic water blends well to give a tasty drink. However, despite the assurances about the amount of quinine used in tonic water, many people still have reservations and deem the drink harmful.

Benefits of Using Tonic Water

It is important to note that tonic water is not the same as soda water. Yes, they’re both carbonated soft drinks, but their ingredients, benefits, and uses differ. Soda water is a simple carbonated drink. That said, here are the benefits of tonic water.

I. Used for digestive purposes and as an appetite boost 

Many people suffer constipation due to slow digestion. This all results from poor metabolism. Using tonic water helps boost your metabolism which results in faster absorption. It also inadvertently affects your appetite.

II. The health of your teeth 

Tonic water is excellent for your teeth but not good for your mouth. If used too often, carbonated drinks lower the PH in your mouth which can lead to odor and overall poor health of your mouth. However, tonic water used well is great for your teeth.

III. Helps ease stomach aches 

Tonic water’s main ingredient is quinine which is medication. Consumption of tonic water helps heal stomach aches by helping increase and facilitate bowel movement.

Why is Tonic Water Harmful? 

In as much as the amount of quinine in tonic water is consumable, daily consumption is highly discouraged. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tonic water every day may lead to health complications.

Who Should Avoid Tonic Water? 

Tonic water is a soft drink, but it is not for the faint of heart. It is meant literally, if you have an abnormal heart rhythm or any heart conditions, stay away from tonic water. Also on the stay way list is:

•    People with low blood sugar
•    Liver disease
•    Kidney complications
•    Expectant Mothers

Side Effects of Tonic Water 

Used in large amounts and regularly, tonic water may pose the following risks and side effects:

•    Nausea
•    Nervousness
•    Stomach cramps
•    Vomiting
•    Confusion
•    Ringing in your ears
•    Kidney damage
•    Bleeding problems

To Sum Up

Tonic water is that controversial drink that some people will always be on the fence about and others will keep enjoying its benefits. If it helps, 99% of consumable products have side effects; the secret is to consume wisely. The same goes for tonic water, use the right amounts.