Weekend Food Tripping at: Bigbys Cafe and Restaurant

Me and my hubby had it full for late lunch so we weren't expecting to dine anywhere "heavy". But when I got a text message from Paul & Joe's Cathy on the sale at the Megatrade Hall, I have to stock up on some P&J goodies, so me and the wonderful hubby went to SM Megamall. After long walks, I remembered my dearest friends Beatrilicious and Shannaholic were raving about the new restaurant opened at the Atrium of the mall. Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. There are known to be a restaurant who serves "worldwide" dishes, but seriously? I felt like TGIF all over again!

Here's the nice paper mat that greets us from around the globe!

The lovely interior that screams Creativity!
I love the ambiance!



Tiki Wacky Chicken Salad
Php295 (approx $6.00)

A chunky and heartwarming treat with tomatoes,
Yellow mango, grapes, walnuts, cheese, croutons
and creamy chicken salad on top of fresh romaine lettuce



Cheese Quesadillas
FREE for above Php500 (approx $11.00) order




Triple Crunch Platter
Php369.00 (approx $7.50)

An appetizer that includes tic-tac rolls or vegetable rolls,

nachos and sweet onion loops

I think the food is just so so, but what I seriously love? The friendliness of the staff and their knowledge on the food they serve! Though it was a cholesterol and fat blowout, it's a nice change. I think this place would be wonderful for group of colleagues or friends or even families! Don't forget this is also a great place for lovers *winks*

Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant
Atrium, SM Megamall EDSA, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

tel: (632) 499-9035

---------------------------------------

Oh yeah, I went to the CCIP Pilipinas ang Ganda Mo! Cosmetics Fair 2009 at the SM Megatrade Hall, I bought a couple of stuffs I will share soon for you to know what's to expect for more product reviews! Oh yeah, there's so many discounts going on for products like L'oreal, Garnier, Maybelline, Paul & Joe, Suesh, HBC, etc...!!! I'm not sure though if they still have enough stocks as they're almost out on most stuffs I want yesterday! Today's the last day my dear Philippine Readers, so if you're off to SM Megamall, do visit the Megatrade Hall, entrance is free anyways, nothing to lose! :D

If you get the chance to go here are my tips:

1. grab on L'oreal Elseve Hair masks for only Php70.00 (less than $2.00)!
2. purchase Maybelline mascara for only Php100.00 (approx $2.50), but I guess the non-waterproofs are the ones left!
3. grab on some Maybelline eyestudio eyeshadow quad for around Php200+ (approx $4-5).
4. if you plan to buy a Suesh brush set, they have a stall there and they deduct Php100-200 on their regular prices online! What's better? You get to see and touch the products!
5. Garnier "at home" hair color treatment for Php100.00 (approx $2.50)
6. Selected Paul & Joe products for 50% off!
7. Scents like Maria Sharapova, FCUK for 50% off or the rest are 30% off!
8. Grab some snacks! They have Filipino dishes, Italian buffet and some hotdog sandwiches! yum!!!

Enjoy your weekend!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Nick Chavez Flocker

I have a thing for hair products recently, because I have a lot of reader questions on hair products I use. I don't use a lot of products on my hair, I usually go for hair care products rather than styling products. But because of my super layered cut courtesy of the wonderful Creative Director of Basement Salon, Shangri-La branch Mr. Jeave Gabiana, I know I must enjoy it while I can!

When I chanced up a brand called "Nick Chavez Beverly Hills", I got excited as Beverly Hills reminded me of "Beverly Hills 90210" and the series reminded me of beautiful ladies with wonderful hair! Now, I don't know if it's even related but that's how my mind flies! lol

**photo from website

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Flocker says ---

A state-of-the-art, fast-drying, texturizing and volumizing universal hair styling spray.
Adds lift, dimension, volume and style support to all hair types.
Can be used on wet or dry hair.

Ingredients:
Water / Aqua, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, VP/VA Copolymer, Dimethyl Ether, Propylene Glycol, Butane, PVP, Polysorbate-20, PEG-20 Almond Glycerides, PPG-5 Ceteth-20, Fragrance / Parfum, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate,
Benzyl Benzoate, D-Limonene, Lilial.

DANGER:
Highly flammable! Contains Alcohol. Keep out of reach of children.
Keep away from sources of ignition. Use only in a well ventilated area.

IMPORTANT:
Pressurized container, protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperature exceeding 50°C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray on a naked flame or any incandescent material. Use only as directed. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling contents can be harmful or fatal.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• non-sticky
• does not feel heavy on hair
• the volume came out naturally, like my hair is "newly" blow dried all day!
• does not make my hair dry
• my hair feels GORGEOUS!
• the "volume" lasts the whole day
• gives "volume" without using too much heat from blow dryers
• very light to non-existent scent

Cons

• not readily available locally, I'm not even sure it's readily available all over the US.
• if you're not used to putting products on your hair, this may not be exciting for you

Overall

When I got the chance to try on the Nick Chavez Beverly Hills in the Bottle for their "Volumizing" line, The "Flocker" is the first product I tried right away as I've got super layered cut and I find it a bit hard to "showcase" it as I've got my hair chemically straightened almost a year ago so the wonderful cut won't show.

I started by "not reading instructions" by spraying it straight to my hair and I know there must be something wrong with what I do. So I've tried it again the second time, shaking the bottle first, spray the product on my hand then flipped my head upside down and scrunch the product near my roots. I just blowdried my hair the usual and "voila"! Volume that doesn't scream 80s!!!

I believe having volume can only happen by teasing and loads of hairspray, I am glad I only need to do that on special occasion and I can always achieve the "uplift" daily sans the hairspray! Of course, you have to keep in mind that if you want to achieve a really strong "pouf", nothing can replace a hairspray!

Tips

• do not spray this directly onto hair, spray this onto the palm first, rub between your hands and gently massage this onto the "hair roots".
• though this product is work-able on both wet and dry hair, I personally like working this on dry hair
• start by using not too much and slowly add up, do not use too much as it could just cause product build up
• new to their products? Try their value sets

Will I repurchase?

I'd love to! Especially for my kind of hair cut, this product is wonderful!

Where to purchase and how much?

Online store USD20.00 (approx Php980.00) for 8oz.

The arrow pointing is the area I concentrated on the product, this hair do stayed the whole day! I only blowdried my hair with a round brush and used the "Flocker".

Hair color done at Univers Kaizen Salon
using Matrix ColorPro in Copper Brown
(love it that it has been 2 months and color is still fab!)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: Diesel Only the Brave

Diesel Only The Brave is about Faith, Force and Self-Achievement. It is about believing in oneself and the mental power, the inner-strength to follow one’s way. Power is in your hand, inside yourself.

It is a campaign of values composed of portraits of 4 men with different attitudes; ---

Rebellion & Force (Sam)

Leadership & Belief (Daniel)

Truth & Inner-strength (Tony)

A 4th image chosen to be the image model for the Philippines.

Common is worldwide known artist. He’s a Hip Hop singer who has sold over 5 million albums. He’s also an actor, a writer, a very positive model for young people via his commitment to charity work.

He is one of the most respected artists in the Hip Hop industry as he has always taken risks musically. He has performed with Alicia Keys, Kanye West, The Game, Lily Allen…

Having Common’s endorsement on the OTB campaign is a great opportunity to reach a young audience with a keen interest in music & cinema.

Only The Brave
The New Fragrance

I'd love to sniff them...
the models or the fragrance..are both ok! lol

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Solo "Discover You" Online Poster Making Contest

Dear Philippine Readers:

Solo is launching its ground breaking online Old Manila Campaign Contest to celebrate its new website and the new Old Manila Graphic Tees Series! SOLO wants you to "Discover YOU"! One can just join the contest, by buying any Solo Old Manila Tee and photograph themselves wearing the tee. Contestant can use their creativity and graphic elements using available vectors online, then upload it to the Solo website at www.solo.com.ph. As the contest progresses, anyone registering on the site can vote and even share entries on their Facebook walls. The winning submissions win cash, gift certificates, G-Shock watches from Time Depot and becomes the next face of Solo! To join, go to www.solo.com.ph/postermaking.

To Join:

• Male or Female, at least 18 years old
• Residing in the Philippines
• Contestant can be an individual or a team which consist of a model and a graphic artist/stylist
• Individual entries can be both graphic artist/stylist and model, and if chosen will receive both prizes for winning model and winning graphic artist/stylist
• Have a remarkable/unique Solo Personality
• Doesn’t have a modeling/endorsement contract with a clothing line or competing label
• Images should be:
  • 450 x 573 pixels, RGB format
  • At least 72 DPI Resolution
  • JPEG File
• Entries must be submitted between September 1 to November 30, 2009
• To see complete Rules and Regulations go to www.solo.com.ph/postermaking/mechanics

If you're creative, this is the chance to show it and who knows? You may be the winner! :)
Goodluck!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Amu'in Alaga Moisturizing Hand Lotion

Do you remember the first time you held hands with your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Guys probably do not feel this way, but I felt self-conscious! Because I feel that I have laundry hands, actually I did have laundry hands when I was younger, I guess when you're born with pretty face, your hands aren't perfect *major laugh!!!!* lol (where did that come from?) hahahaha I am laughing so hard now! So sorry! hahaha

Anyways, back to my story, I've always had laundry hands and holding hands with my first boyfriend, KEITH :D, was the best and worst moment of my life! The moment was ruined as I'm super self-conscious with how he feels after holding my hands. Will my dry hands turn him off? Well, it obviously didn't but he did admitted to me that I have dry hands back then!
How I wish there are easy-to-bring hand lotion before!

He looks into my eyes
Reached out for my hands
*PAUSE!!!!*
*takes out the hand lotion*
*quickly apply lotion*
*UN-PAUSE*
................
Doesn't work eh? LOL

Amu'in Hand Lotion

**photo from Amu'in

Amu'in Alaga Hand Lotion says ---

Moisturize and soften your hands and other rough spots with this luscious anti-ageing and moisturizing hand cream made of shea butter and mangosteen extract blended with sweet orange and lime essential oils.

Ingredients

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• all natural ingredients
• not tested on animals
• moisturizes the hands
  
• no waxy feel
• scent isn't overwhelming
• relaxing scent
• has expiration date
  

Cons

• if you're nearing to finishing the product, you have to pump many times for the remaining product to come out.
  
• not readily available all across the country or worldwide (I wish it'll happen soon)
  

Overall

As you read in the first part of this post, I do have dry, rough hands. I thought when you're born with it, you're doomed to live with it. That is totally untrue! I learn that being consistent in applying your hand lotion will help the texture of your hands. Just like anti-aging products, it does take time and the time and effort pays off! I seriously have better hands due to my constant application of hand lotions, and having a hand lotion that's easy to take along, plus the scent that relaxes you, is a wonderful plus! It isn't hard to be loyal to Amu'in Alaga Moisturizing Hand Lotion.


Tips

• According to Amu'in: Store in cool dry place, avoid light and heat, do not use if pregnant, not to be taken internally. Keep out of reach of children. Use within 12 months after opening. Natural ingredients may cause color variations.
• re-apply as much as needed, but make sure to wash your hands before you eat.
  
• if you want to take the hand lotion everywhere you go, purchase their travel sizes. Size is 25ml
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes!

Where to purchase and how much?

Price for 250ml = Php435.00 (approx $8.90)

ECHO STORE

Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City

SANCTUARIO SPA

1829 Jorge Bocobo Street, Malate

WORLD OF WELLNESS

2/F V-Mall (formerly Virra Mall) Greenhills

URBAN SPA

Level 5 Wellness Zone, Shangri-La Plaza Mall

BEAUTY BY SM

G/F SM Department Store, Megamall

THE SPA

Mandarin Oriental Manila

MOGAMBO SPRINGS

Plantation Bay, Cebu

AMANPULO

Another great addition in my daily staples!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy
Happy weekend!!!