Weekend Food Tripping at: Shanghai Hand Pulled Noodle

To some of you who don't know, I've worked and lived in China for more than 3 years.  I've mingled with locals and I've tasted local delicacies.  I've been back in Manila for more than 5 years, though there's a lot of Chinese restaurants down here, I do miss the authentic hand-pulled noodles I've tried several years ago. 

On our way home, we passed by Shanghai Hand Pulled Noodle restaurant which caught my attention as I was craving for something warm.  A small yet cozy and very oriental looking restaurant greeted us.  As menu was served, I am quite surprised because the prices are very affordable for such fresh noodles!

You can see your noodles being made by the Chef <-- which I heard was trained in China.

 Dry Shanghai Beef Noodles

Php105.00 (approx $2.30)

It's not really dry but the soup/broth was served separately

I am not a fan of coriander but the beef is really tasty

and the noodles are definitely fresh!  Love this with chili!

 

Special Beef Noodle Soup

Php105.00 (approx $2.30)

Exact same taste as the Dry Shanghai Beef Noodles

Generous amount of noodles, can be shared

 

 Steamed Pork Dumpling

Php55.00 (approx $1.20) for 7pcs

Php95.00 (approx $2.00) for 14pcs

I love this better than the fried version

Cheapest dumpling I've tried and yet, it tastes great!

 

Fried Pork Dumpling

Php65.00 (approx $1.40) for 7pcs

Php105.00 (approx $2.30) for 14pcs 

 

Shanghai Hand-Pulled Noodle

411 NS Amoranto Street Retiro

Quezon City

tel no: 632-732-7061

Definitely a worthy restaurant to try if you're craving for authentic, fresh ---  noodles and dumplings.  They do offer lamb, chicken, beef and vegetable dumplings too!  If you're craving for rice meal, then this is not the place.  As the restaurant name stated, they are the masters of Hand-Pulled Noodles :)

*sigh* I was back to memory lane dining here! 

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!
Happy weekend food tripping! :)

I Wonder: "Do You Use Facial Sprays?"

I remember my first facial spray was the huge can from Evian.  Evian was such a huge brand name at that time as there wasn't much choices then.  It was pricey, but it was a great way to waken my senses without going to the dirty washroom during my high school years (which wasn't that long ago by the way...*laughs guiltily*)

Now, facial sprays have evolved.  From expensive to inexpensive, fragrance-free to scented ones, uncomfortable to tote around to handy...

I do not use facial spray on myself but I like using these to clients prior to make-up application.  For clients, I use MAC Charged Water and I use the more inexpensive brands for OC-ness spritzing such as spritzing my brush or sponges if needed.

One good fine is a Facial Spray from Watsons.  They are quite inexpensive, handy and of course smells wonderful!  They come in variable scents.  I bought this in Shanghai!  I'm not sure if this is available locally?

Watsons Facial Spray in Anti-oxidant variant

Closer look on the spritz bottle

 

I like it that this is recyclable!

I can use the spritzer to fill in alcohol!

 

Now I wonder:
"Do You Use Facial Sprays?"  

How do you like using them?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics Free Airbrush Demo and Trial

**photo from Glambox

Dear Philippine Readers:

Women have heard of airbrush makeup and they know its benefits of flawless skin.  However, many have aprehensions due to the perception that it is hard to use and sole for makeup artists!

GlamBox wants the normal Filipina kikay girl to be able to look their best through airbrush anyday.  To break the misconceptions, they are offering a FREE airbrush makeup demo and trial on December 19, 2009 from 1:00-5:00pm at Suesh Showroom and studio in 34 Wilson Street, San Juan, MM.

If you are interested in attending, all you have to do is to go to their website www.glamboxairbrush.com and register your name and the time you will be dropping by.

This is a rare opportunity to get a free demo and trial!
Hope you airbrush enthusiast gals find this interesting! 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

AMW Reviews: Stila Convertible Color in Peony

When I purchased the Stila's Ulta-mate set, it came with the Stila's Convertible lip and cheek color in Peony.  I didn't gave it a bit of thought as the color looks "bleh" on pan!  But when I went to makeup school and learned the magical secret of cream blushes, I have to give this a go and so far...I'm in ELO-ELO-ELO-VE! *winks*

 

**photo from Amazon

Stila convertible color in Peony says ---

As seen in In Style's Best Beauty Buys 2007! This multi-tasking marvel brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. A must-have in every stila girl's kit.
Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves to be irresistible. As seen in In Style's Best Beauty Buys 2007! This versatile favorite brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. Tap onto cheeks and press onto lips. The sheer tint adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. Our two-in-one compact holds the key to easy, monochromatic makeup. A must-have in every stila girl's kit.

AMW says ---

Pros

• dries up easily once blended well
• creates a very soft and natural glow and blush
• makes my powder blushes stays a little bit longer
  
• pigmented
• on cheeks: very natural look, can build up pigmentation
• on lips: applies easily and quite creamy
  

Cons

• some people fine this hard to blend or tedious to use
• if you have zits or acne scars around the cheek area it enhances it more
• is not moisturizing enough for dry lips
• I'm not a fan of using this as a lip tint
  

Overall

Peony shade definitely looks boring on pan!  I never thought I'll give this the time of the day!  It looks brownish and dirty and I thought it won't do anything for my skin!  Boy am I glad I was wrong!  This is such a lovely peachy pink color that gives out a very natural glow on the cheeks!  I love using this prior to powder blush application.  This works well on pink and peachy colored blushes! 

This definitely is a great investment if you don't want your blushes to be gone just half a day!  I found this as the best 'secret' especially for wedding makeup or any makeup gigs!

Peony and Nars Orgasm!   

(Milot is a beautiful client of mine!  Thanks for the trust!)  

 

Tips

• test on different brushes and look for the one you're most comfortable to use
• if you're interested to know, I love using the Foundation brush from Smashbox for the convertible color, works perfectly and never too clownish

 

• always pat on powder blush to "set" the cream blush, then using a big fluffy brush, gently blend
  
• if used on lips: always prep your lips with moisturizer, or if your lips are super dry, top with a clear gloss to prevent lips from chapping
• always start applying sparingly then slowly build up the color
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes.  Thanks to my dear angel B I got the Petunia shade!!!  Post about the shade in the future!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's for the full size approx $20.00 (Php850.00) not sure on the price, so please correct me if I'm wrong thanks!

A sample size of Peony on pan

Swatch on hand

Applied sparingly on cheeks

no powder blush applied

 

*whew* a bit too much information for just a tiny cream blush eh?

Have a wonderful day dearies!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Pantene Clinicare Hair Time Renewal Treatment

I've bought Pantene Clinicare when I went to Hong Kong last May.  This reminded me of the Pantene 3-minute miracle which is widely available locally due to the packaging and it's squeeze type 15ml tube size.  Base on research, I believe the Pantene Clinicare is only available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.  But worry no more as we have our counterpart locally which works just as well, if not, works exactly the same.

 

Pantene Clinicare says ---

One Wash Treatment is a single dose, rinse-type treatment with an effective rich formula that stimulates hair shaft regrowth.  It locks in moisture, repairing and protecting the hair as it completely seals every hair strand.  It is targeted at hair ends with accumulated damage and is apparently able to offer non-stop protection of every strand of hair.

AMW says---

Pros

• hair tangle free
• hair is super soft after using this treatment
• the softness retained even after several days
• leaves hair light and non-oily
• easy twist tube
• smells wonderful
  

Cons

• not available locally, but you can check out Pantene Pro-V 3minute treatment 

• do not expect fast regrowth, come on..do you really believe that? lol
• if you have super damaged hair: Do not expect miracles! :)
• hair goes back to regular state once you stopped using this
  

Overall

Most 3-5 minutes treatment do not work for me and I believe a lot of you have the same sentiments as I do!  But when I met Pantene's treatment that comes in tubes, they both WORKED!  They don't work for long term just like regular hot oil treatment, but with constant usage, it does improve the "shine" and "feel" of the hair.  I can't tell if the Clinicare Hair Time Renewal Treatment and the Pro-V's 3 minute miracle have the exact same ingredients as the Clinicare version I bought has Japanese words written all over.  But based on my personal experience, both works exactly the same, so if you have Clinicare available in your country or Pro-V 3 minute miracle, both are ok to purchase...yes, it's a GO signal from me! :)

Tips

• squeeze off excess water after shampooing
• apply the cream from midshaft of hair down to the ends
• leave it longer, more than 5 minutes if possible
• use it consistently 2-3 times a week depending on your hair texture
• if your hair is super short, 2 treatments can be done in 1 tube
  

Will I repurchase?

I'd love to!  But I did repurchased Pantene 3-minute miracle instead

Where to purchase and how much?

If you want the Clinicare version, you can try Ebay.  For Pantene Pro-V 3 minute miracle, it costs around Php100 (approx $2.50) per tube or Php300 (approx $6.50) for box of 3.

Any other instant treatment you've tried that works?
You know you can always spill the beans here!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Have a wonderful day!