Ours and Our Kids: 2011

Review on a Purchased Deal : Ristorante Pia y Damaso

P300 for P600 worth of Food and Drinks at Restaurante Pia Y Damaso in Greenbelt 5!

Comments :

This was our first attempt to eat at a resto in Greenbelt 5 and our first time to consume a deal bought from any groupon site. We first went here the day I bought the voucher. My bad, I didn't notice that the redemption date should be a week after pa. So anyway, we were already there and we already consumed P800 something bucks for a meal that I'm sure my hubby can do better at. With that, I was able to prove that the write ups I've read about this resto was indeed true.

I instantly agreed that they we're not good at their main courses. When we returned at this resto a week after, we consumed P600 worth of voucher on desserts,where they are well know for talaga, siyempre this means we ate dinner somewhere else na.Lol.

BTW, we devoured on Sisa's Dementia and Ibarra's Kiss. :)

Rating (5 being the highest) : 3.5 for the main course but hats off to their desserts, i'll give that a rating of 5 :)

Ristorante Pia y Damaso, Greenbelt 5
2/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St. , Legaspi Village
Makati City, Metro Manila

(02) 729-5511

* Images taken from Our Awesome Planet and BlueLawByAnna

Review on a Purchased Deal : Focaccia Italian Restaurant

50% OFF! Enjoy Pizza, Pasta, and More Mouthwatering Italian Food from Focaccia Restaurant. Only P250 for a Food and Drinks Voucher. (P500 Value)

Comments :

I'm so happy that I discovered this pizza house. It's my top pizza store outlet at the moments. Their pazzo rollios are mouth watering.

And they have a hefty serving of their argula and alfalfa sprouts. It's a sooo worth it purchase!

You can follow this link for another post I made about Focaccia.

Rating (5 being the highest) : 5++++

Focaccia Italian Restaurant

A. Venue Mall Branch
Ground Level, A. Venue Mall
7829 Makati Ave. corner Valdez St., Antel Lifestyle City
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone Number: (63 920) 921-8891, (63 2) 729-9403

The Fort Strip Branch
Katipunan Circle cor. 7th Ave., Bonifacio Global City
Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone Number: (63 2) 475-3724

*Images taken from the Serial Tripper

Review on Purchased Deal : Benefits Style Salon

Only P249 for Hair Keratin Treatment for all hair lengths at Benefits Style Salon (valued up to P1,000)

Comments :
Last week, I went to Benefits Style Salon at Libis and enjoyed this hair spa deal together with my SIL . It was actually me and my sweetie's advance birthday gift for her.hehe.. Again, service is great.:) Their team at this salon was very accommodating. Not sure if it's just part of the deal but we we're also given complementary iced tea once we arrived.

Going there is just a little difficult though especially if you haven't been to Libis area. Good thing my SIL knows this place very well.

Rating (5 being the highest) : 5+

Benefits Style Salon
2F Fashion Square Bldg. Eastwood Citywalk, Libis, QC

Call the following nos. for reservation:
Phone #:
(02) 421-6961
(02) 421-6965
Email: benefitstylesalon@yahoo.com

Review on a Purchased Deal : Shokuji Restaurant

Only P250 to Enjoy Succulent Sashimi, Crunchy Maki & More Healthy Japanese Treats at Shokuji Restaurant! (Original Price: P500)

Comments :
Me and my sweetie were supposed to spend this deal on our 5th wedding anniversary. But since, we didn't have the luxury of time to visit Shokuji's branch in Makati on that day, we decided to visit this place after a working day.

This is one deal that was really a sure value for our money. The service was great. Crews were nice and attentive to our requests. I so much enjoyed eating their Shitake Beef Rolls. Just hearing the name makes me want to come back and order it again. I still can't get over the taste. The sweetness of the sauce was just right, the mushroom was juicy and the beef was cooked perfectly. I love how the taste come all together in my mouth.Yum!Yum! I also enjoyed their Gyoza! It was soooo tasty. Since this is one hidden resto at the heart of Makati, you won't really find this place crowded even if the area is not that big. They also have a small area where you can have a small gathering for i guess 20 or 25 pax?

Rating (5 being the highest) : 5 ++++

Shokuji Bar & Restaurant
G/F LPL Center San Agustin cor. Sedeno St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. (632) 812 9235

What a Lazy Afternoon..

It's a rainy stormy Chedeng day this afternoon.. and it makes me feel kinda lazy.. Just a little (don't worry). Anyway, since the storm is up, want to share this laaaazy song with you from Bruno Mars. This nice and light song. Really funny. You better watch the music video, it hilarious! I like it! A lot!

The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything

I'm gonna kick my feet up then stare at the fan
Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants
Nobody's gon' tell me I can't

I'll be lounging on the couch just chilling in my Snuggie
Click to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie
'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man

Oh yes, I said it, I said it
I said it 'cause I can

Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything
Nothing at all, nothing at all

Tomorrow I'll wake up, do some P90X
Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex
And she's gonna scream out

This is great
(Oh my god, this is great)

Yeah, I might mess around
And get my college degree
I bet my old man will be so proud of me
But sorry pops, you'll just have to wait

Oh yes, I said it, I said it
I said it 'cause I can

Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything

No, I ain't gonna comb my hair
'Cause I ain't going anywhere
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

I'll just strut in my birthday suit
And let everything hang loose
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh, today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything

Nothing at all
Nothing at all
Nothing at all

Review on Purchased Deal : ACT Dance and Arts Academy

We got two vouchers for ACTS from Cash Cash Pinoy. The deal says "Only 175 for a Dance or Fitness session at ACTS Dance & Arts Academy!

Comments :

I bought this because the deal said that you can use it for classical ballet. When I called act academy to schedule a session for my two girls, they said classical ballet is not included on the deal. If you look at the description at CashCashPinoy, it clearly stated that classical ballet is part of their open class offering. I tried to do a refund on CashCash but they just suggested to give the voucher to a friend. So disappointing.

I need to comment out the post I previously made for this deal. Am just so grateful that after a couple of email exchange with Cash Cash Pinoy, they extended there service a bit by taking time to discuss this deal with ACTS. So thank God that my girls were able to consume the vouchers we bought. Special thanks to my sweetie for accompanying our girls to their ballet session and to my two SILs for coming with them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go with them since there were no available weekend schedules for their pre-ballet class.

Here are some fun pics:)

More pictures from our fb page:)

Cheers!

Baking 101 with my daughters

I almost bake every night. And my girls have already gotten used to seeing me in the kitchen
with what they call "my stuff". My girls, specially missy, usually goes to me and asks me tons
of questions when i do "my stuff". Questions like "what are you baking today mommy?",
or "what is that?" and "what does it do?" (while pointing to an ingredient i've just
added on my mixing bowl) are just some of her common repeating questions.

Now, once missy sees me do "my stuff" she always tells me that she wants to help.
It's fun coz i feel like im starting to breed a future pastry chef here. lol.

Oh well, here are some pictures of me and my girls..on the kitchen..doing "my stuff". :)

mommy pouring milk while missy stir the egg yolks

missy explaining to me what she's doing:)

here's cj as she gets excited to see her sister use "my stuff" :)

cj as she tries stirring the ingredients

Cheers!

My first edible Cherry blossoms

I'd like to share this site i recently discovered. The instructions was so easy to follow and I was so happy that i was able to do my cherry blossom decor so easy as a-b-c:)

Here are some pictures of my project. They almost look so real!

Cheers!

My Baby Models :)

One of the activities I did with my girls last weekend was to take pictures of them while they model some of their hand me down dresses from their ate Asia. thank God I don't need to think about buying them new dresses for a little while :)

Here are the edited version of their shots:

ate Missy in a rose garden painting

Cj having fun on her imaginary garden (described by ate Missy when i showed this to her)

And their raw pictures:

You can view more of their shots on our fb page :)

Cheers!

A Review on Our Purchased Deal/Groupon Vouchers

Just want to share my review from the deals that we've consumed so far. Hope this helps you in deciding where you want to put some of your extra money. :)

Cash Cash Pinoy
1. 50% Off! P200 For P400 Worth of Delicious Food and Drinks at Gino's Brick Oven Pizza!!
Comments : I the found the pizza quite small for my craving appetite.. The Bianca Verde was definitely delicious though. We also ordered some donuts from Cello's (Gino's wife) and i sooo enjoyed all the flavors. I specially like the Choco Oreo and Cheese :) Rating (5 being the highest) : 3

My picture was not that good so I borrowed this one from The Tangled Web

3. 77% OFF! Only P350 for a Haircut at the Manila's premiere luxury Philippe's Salon in Sofitel Plaza Hotel!! - scheduled next month

4. Only P500 for Balinese Coffee Scrub + manicure, pedicure and Luxury Foot Treatment at Islands Massage! (instead of P1350)
Comments : I was not able to bring my camera when we went here. The place was okay but I did not expect it to be that small. The lobby/reception area is where they do the foot treatment, manicure, and pedicure. The one who handled my foot treatment was good. But the pedicurist left the right thumb on my foot swollen for days:( If I could suggest, it would be nice to have a television or magazine on their lobby/reception area. Rating (5 being the highest) : 2.5

5. Only P300 for ANY eXtra-Large Pizza plus 4 Iced tea at Sicilian Express!
Comments : We've bought several times from Sicilian Express. So when I came across this deal, I did not hesitate to grab one :) I looove their pizzas! My recos : - White Pizza, Cheese Margherita, Pizza Cinque Formaggi Rating (5 being the highest ) : 5+++

Ensogo
1.Only P299 for Teeth-Cleaning Service at K Dental Studio, Ortigas, Pasig (value at P600) - Comments : scheduled next month

Ebay Kuponan
1. 50% OFF on Assorted Petite Cream Puff Box (14pcs), Valued @ P 280
Comments : still awaiting my voucher. Should be on my email by tomorrow :)

Metro Deal
1. P250 instead of P500 for an All-Day Pass to Spash Island, the Ultimate Water Adventure Fun Park in the Philippines - Save 50%
Comments : We got 12 vouchers last March. It was the best! We've been at this place last year. They were able to perk up this place in just a small span of time. New twists added were the following : a. Their wave pool already has floating boats which you can use when the wave is not turned on. b. They have rock climbing and zipline near the Harbour area c. The entire place is tiki theme inspired - I'm not a big fan of this tiki idea though. I mean, were not in Hawaii right?? Rating (5 being the highest) : 5+++

2. P345 instead of P1150 for a heavenly Shui Hilot Triple 90 Min. Combo Massage & Foot Treatment at Shui Hilot Healing Spa
Comments : scheduled for next week. I got this deal from my aunt and mom but both have no time to relax. So I and my hubby are consuming this deal instead. I believe we do really need one once in a while.

Cheers and more deals to consume! lol

Me at 30

I'm officially 30 and at the same time celebrating my 5th wedding togetherness and happiness with my sweetie! A lot of things to thank God but not enough time to blog it all since I still got lots of brownies, cookies, and cakes to bake this evening.:) But some important highlights / blessings I would say would be the following:

I have 2 beautiful, sweet, and caring daughters
The business we started 3 years ago is continuously growing
My pagibig housing loan application has already been approved as of yesterday
My job is doing great. just recently earned another certification last month (http://www.prlog.org/11414205-misnet-consultants-gets-talend-certification.html)
I recently finished paying one of my bank loan and by next month will be finishing another one:) One more left and we'll finally be debt free! weeee..
We've already started investing on mutual funds since last year
I have a loving, caring, and hardworking husband who's always been there to support me.

I know all these happened because God loves me so much and I know he will always be my provider. Of course life sometimes has its ups and downs but everything will always turn out great in the end because God is there and will always be there for us no matter what. :) So thank you Lord for my 30 years of existence and am excited to see what more plans you have for me in the next 30 or more years.:)

Praise God!

Pazzo Rollio! My latest food find :)

If you're one of those pizza lover who enjoys your pizza with veggies, I encourage you to try Focaccia's pazzo rollio!

Focaccia is one of the best pizza store offering paper thin crust pizzas here in the metro. What i love about their pazzo rollio is that:

it has the right amount of saltiness(unlike yellow cab's na mejo salty for me),
there are lots of different cheeses on top,
they give you so many alfalfa and arugula leaves unlike other pizza outlets na para kang nang limos ng gulay dahil kakapirangot lang ang inilagay.
there are tons of flavors to choose from
it's fairly cheap!
and of course their pazzo rollios just smells soooo deliciously tempting good!

Not sure about their other dishes though. I tried one of the appettizers, Bruschetta con Pomodoro, but i got disappointed. I feel like i can make something better that that.

Focaccia has two branches here in Metro Manila. We always go the the Fort Strip branch in Global City. The resto's size, just enough for probably 25 or so pax. We've never seen this branch jam packed though.

Hurray for Great Deals and Discounts!

Living in this age where almost everything you want to know is barely at your fingertips is just amazing. Gone were the days when only those privileged, and I mean those who can afford to buy Almanac, Websters, or World Book encyclopedias, are able to grasps and learn massive information. Gone were the days when you have to walk through building of books on your school library and search hundreds of pages just to get the right data that you need for your research. Now, almost all questions that bothers your head can be answered by simply typing some words on the search box and hitting the Go button on your favorite search engine. Even people from all walks of life get discovered and get world wide recognition due to sites such as YouTube! Something that no one could have ever imagine can happen a few decades ago.

And now, another trend is fast spreading on the internet. Another brilliant idea I would say that I myself am taking advantage of. I'm talking about these sites that offer great deals and discounts! I'm not sure yet where and who started this idea but it's definitely sure hit! If you're from the Philippines and haven't heard about these sites yet, consider yourself lucky!=)

Here are some of the site that can help you spend some of your hard earned money on some luxurious treats :)

1. CashCashPinoy
2. Buyanihan
3. Ensogo
4. MetroDeal
5. DealGrocer
6. CrazyDeal
7. BeEconomic
8. LocalRoam

Hope you don't miss checking out these deal sites as often as I do. hahaha.

Cheers!
Emz

Dessert Station : A sweet treat for your guests :)

I feel too guilty for not being able to find time to update this blog as often as i want to. If you look at this blog's history, never will a month pass without me posting anything on it. Oh well, i'll try to revive this blog by starting with this first post for year 2011. =)

As some My Chocolate Heaven (MCH) fans know, we're already offering dessert bar setups as part of our mch products and services. The concept simply started when i realized that we can actually put all our dessert products together on one table.^_^ And since we already have TONS of competitors on our chocolate fountain business but just a few ones in the line of dessert bars/station, I knew that surely this would be a hit.

Am actually happy that our dessert bar setup has started flourishing in the market of party planners. Honestly, it's kinda difficult to compete with dessert bar suppliers because I only have the recipe books, the internet, my 20years of baking experience, and my God given talent and skills as resource. I so much want to go to a baking class to learn more baking and decorating
techniques. But my techie work on weekdays and our events on weekends might never permit me to do such.

So to make sure that we are not "kulelat" in this line, we always research about
a. what's new on the market,
b. how these desserts can be presented in a fab/chic way, and
c. which products prospective clients would love

To date, we are now offering these dessert treats below that clients can mix and match for their party's dessert station:

1. Chocolate fountain
2. Cakes (rectangular pan)
3. Miniature bundt cakes
4. Brownies and Fudge bars
5. Cookies
6. Parfaits (on shot glass)
7. Fruitie Jell-o's (on shot glass)
8. Fruits Exotiques au Ginemebre et au Miel (on shot glass)
9. Mini tarts
10.Gourmet mini donuts
11. Pastillas
12. Yemas
13. Pulvorons

We're still continuously researching and testing more dessert treats that we can include in this selection! I will actually be adding some 4 or 5 more dessert products on our dessert list above:)

Here are some dessert bars that we've already done so far.