Dark Coffee Specialty Coffee - SM North EDSA

In this time and age when coffee fuels the soul of almost every living person in the world, do you still know anyone who doesn’t drink coffee? For those you know who do, do you have an idea as to what type of coffee they prefer? I remember how my former S.O. would always joke around whenever I asked him how he likes his coffee. He would always respond: “I like my coffee dark, just like my soul.” He just thinks that he has that, but he is the opposite of a dark soul, he was nothing but a lovely creature. As for me, I love the bitter sweet kind, it’s not that my soul is bitter sweet, but my life is, I guess.

Anyhoo, speaking of dark and coffee, I discovered this café named Dark Specialty Coffee during one of the rare times that I found myself in SM North EDSA. You can find it in the main (and oldest) building of the SM North EDSA mall complex, near the cinemas and the walkway to the parking building. It is somehow interconnected with the store beside it which is Onesimus, (looks like this well-known brand that makes and retails barongs, suits and formal wear for men has also ventured in the food and beverage sector). Both of which are owned by the same company, yes.

Affojeans - Manila's Affogato

I love coffee and I couldn’t reiterate enough how much important it is to me. Clinically speaking, I don’t think caffeine still has any effects on me physiologically. I guess drinking several cups of coffee a day made me immune to caffeine that it doesn’t really work its magic on me now unlike before. Nowadays it’s more of a psychological effect. But I still couldn’t skip drinking at least 1 cup after I roll out of bed. Whatever it is my relationship with coffee, it still is the fuel of my soul.

I like my coffee bitter sweet, but I’m always up for trying other variants. I don’t know if you have heard of affogato? I’ve come across it in the past but I’m kind of confused as to where it falls. Is it a dessert? Is it coffee? Though restaurants and cafes in Italy categorize the affogato as a dessert, some restaurants and cafes outside Italy categorize it as a beverage.

Helpful Tips About Your Wedding Hair and Makeup Trials

When coming up with the hair and makeup you want to wear on your wedding day, you will probably use some photos as inspiration. However, your look in the end might look completely different on the photograph that you drew the inspiration from and the concept in your mind. Not to mention that only when you actually see yourself in the mirror will you be able to say if that's exactly how you want to see yourself on your wedding day. That's why scheduling a hair and makeup trial is of great importance. You'll be able to make a final decision about your previously envisioned ‘do, as well as about your maquillage and make all the necessary changes to make you look fabulous on the big day.

Say yes to the dress first

Don't even think about scheduling a hair trial until you found your wedding gown. You may think that you want a sweetheart neckline and an A-line gown, but that ultimately may not be the choice you go with. That's why you shouldn't schedule a hair trial and have your gorgeous locks curled up when you may end up buying a dress with an open back that will require your hair to be slightly if not completely up in a bun so that you can flaunt that sexy backside.

New Dishes from Tori Chizu - U.P. Town Center

Chizu is a Japanese word that means a thousand storks and the stork plays an interesting role in Japanese arts and culture. It can have a variety of meanings depending on how it was depicted in a story, a historical record, and more. In many East Asian countries, the stork is believed to represent prosperity and longevity. It is also a symbol of grace, wisdom, and luck. On the other hand, in Western cultures, stork is known to symbolize birth and new life and are sometimes included in fictional stories depicting that the stork brings in babies for expecting parents.

Another meaning of chizu is cheese. I am not sure if this meaning is a gairaigo or Japanese loan word from English (or a Japanized English word) but as far as my research went it kind of looks like it is. I am not sure why Scottland Incorporated decided to name one of their restaurants as such (the are also the ones behind Go Bento and Bon Chon) but based on the articles I’ve read Tori Chizu literally means “chiken” and “cheese”.

Unli-Pasta and Homey Fusion Dishes at Chef Robert Greenhills

One fact that is true for all, is that food will always give emotional comfort. Studies show that the brain responds to happiness and stress relief by continuing to crave the same comfort foods. It may be emotional eating or you’re just craving for your favorite foods of your childhood; these nourishments provide some relief from negative moods or enhance a current elated feeling.

My comfort food are sinigang and caldereta. I always search for them whenever I’m feeling stressed as I believe these lessens some of my burdens or I just like to believe that they do. Sometimes, I crave for the same dishes for whenever I feel nostalgic or just feeling good overall, that I’m in the mood to cook or eat them. How about you? What comes to mind when you think of comfort food? Or where do you go to get them?

Exploring the Magic of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

Sydney’s eastern suburbs are one of the most amazing parts of this fabulous city. Situated between the pretty Rose Bay, offering stunning harbour views and Double Bay, famous for jewellery designers’ workshops, this location is bathed in sun from dawn to dusk. There is Rushcutters Bay, where you can hire a yacht or anchor your own and many great sporting events at Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in Moore Park. And the list goes on… So, what makes this part of Sydney so popular?

Bondi beach
It wouldn’t be fair to start with any other part of the suburbs than the internationally renowned Bondi beach. This crescent-shaped stretch of white marble sand and rolling waves symbolize the relaxed beach culture of the city. Bondi is just 8km from the city centre, so it comes as no surprise that it’s one of the busiest suburbs of Sydney. Apart from the beach, you can find a lot of cafes and restaurants, as well as nice promenades where you can enjoy the sunshine and laid-back attitude to life.

Flattering Swimsuits for Every Body Type

A few days ago the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration declared that it is already the start of the rainy season in the Philippines. Usually summer ends in May in this part of the world but somehow this year it was extended until the mid of June. Even if it is technically the monsoon season, I still can’t feel it because up until this day, the weather is still super humid and hot. And I wish I’m not in the city but in a beach somewhere.

The good thing about living in a country lying on the tropical belt is that it’s basically three hundred sixty five days of summer here. It may rain but it doesn’t mean it is going to rain every day or for weeks during the rainy months. So even if the weather is a bit cloudy or gloomy, that is not a reason for people to enjoy the outdoors or go to swimming pool or the beach.

Dong Juan Marikina - Burgers, Pasta, Pizza and More

Cebu is known as the Queen City of the South not only because of its rich history, its many tourists spots, beautiful beaches and lovely people but also because it’s a culinary paradise as well. Some of Manila’s great restaurants have its origins in Cebu and I just visited one of them at Lamp Quarters in Marikina – Dong Juan.

I’m from the East but I’ve never been to Lamp Quarters until last weekend. Lamp Quarters is a beautiful food park except that it houses full blown restaurants rather than food stalls. Why haven’t I been here before? The moment I stepped on the compound all I can say is that “Ang ganda naman dito!” (It’s so pretty here!).

Delicious Eats and Quirky Finds at Q House Uptown Place Mall BGC

I know I have become somewhat a tita/auntie, not full blown though as I still don’t have a kikay kit with Katinko, essential oils or Salon pass. But I admit that I rarely go out now, unless I have to go to an event or meet up with friends for something important. Most of the time I tend to stay home on weekends, do household chores and errands or catch up with all the backlogs for my blog and social media, unlike before that you would me in a mall for hours on end. That's why if you ask me now if I know what a concept store is, I wouldn't know unless I look it up.

So what then is a concept store? Well based on my quick research, it is a place that sells carefully curated and unique selection of products pulled together from different brands that connect to a broadscale theme. Concept stores cover just about anything, heck, even food.

6 Tips to a Happy Wedding Day

For many, a wedding is an exceptionally joyous event, but several psychological factors come into play while approaching this significant life point. With the wedding requirements and practicalities fast piling up, it’s critical for you to focus on the larger picture, and hold certain values in your heart. Below are six tips that every couple should keep in mind, so they are well prepared for the wedding day.

Don’t Ignore Family Dynamics

Weddings are the perfect events for bringing people you love together for the celebration of love itself. Unfortunately, as relatives who haven’t seen each other in a while meet, it’s likely to ignite old family memories that aren’t always pleasant. This includes things like overprotective fathers, critical stepparents, or even jealous mothers.