Antonov Vodka before 2011!

Disclaimer: I am not fond of alcoholic beverages.  Period! 

Alcoholic beverage lovers out there?  Don't take it personally, I am not even a fan of water!  You guys know how much I love coffee and that's the only drink you can see me down on more than 3 glasses!  *LOL*  

Anyways, for someone who's not a fan of alcoholic beverages, why do I even have Antonov Vodka on my post?  Well, first of all, I got 10 bottles of Antonov Vodka sent to my office via lovely friend Ian! *waves hi!*  

Antonov Vodka Apple is a clear premium Vodka-based mixed drink infused with apple extracts and flavors.  This premium-vodka cocktail is 5% alc/vol, is ready to drink, and is making waves as the new beverage of choice for the trendy drinking crowd.

Honestly speaking, I don't like apple drinks!  But there's no reason to be a Grinch, I shared bottles to the "delivery guy" and to my colleagues!  It puts a huge smile on their faces as its perfect excuse to eat and bond whenever there's alcoholic beverages around.

I promise you, I gave this a try and it's not bad, but it does not change my liking for apple flavored anything! I do wish they would come up with different fruit mix in the future!  Maybe, orange?  Lemon?  Grapes?

And BOSS?  If ever you read my blog, we had drinks AFTER office hours, ok?  *lol*  

Perfect with chips and wonderful conversation!
P.S. Oh, there's also Bagnet c/o Ghetto S! Thanks!

Again, thanks Ian for the drinks and thanks to Ginebra San Miguel for creating "office girls gone wild!" --- NOT!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Products sent as gift.  Author is not affiliated with the brand or company.  Purchase this only if you're 18 and above)

Weekend Food Tripping at: Antonio's Grill Tagaytay + More Blings!

The weekend food tripping post happened before the year 2010 ended.  My brother who came back for a short vacation wanted to relax with the family and wanted a short car drive just to unwind!  Tagaytay has always been top of the list even though we always do nothing there but eat!  That's our definition of relaxation - just in case if you don't know!  *hahaha*

It was a first for us to dine at Antonio's Grill because most of the time, the place is jampacked so we always visit other nearby restaurants instead.  Since it was our lucky day, though most of the people from the Metro are off to Tagaytay (base on the highway traffic), we are lucky to be a step ahead in everything and got a nice parking space and was able to get a table in no time! 

Sizzling Sisig

Php290.00 (approx $6.60)

Anyone who visits the Philippines must give Sisig a try.  Antonio's Grill Sisig is made from chopped pig's ears and cheeks with Chicken Liver.  It's a bit oilier than other Sisig I've tried but there's always calamansi (local lemon) to help ease the oiliness!

Pinakbet

Sorry I lose track of the price of this dish.  But Pinakbet or Pakbet which is also known as Meat-Vegetables Stew.  Various vegetables where used accentuated with Bagoong (Shrimp Paste), some would put Gata (coconut milk).  The whole country has its own version of Pinakbet, I've tasted quite a lot of version but my mom, who lived in Baguio for quite some time said this is the Ilocano version.  Could be right or wrong, who cares?  It's yummy!

Bulalo (Filipino Beef Bone Marrow Stew)

Php625.00 (approx $13.50)

Beef Bulalo is actually made from beef bone marrow which is boiled for hours until the marrow is tapped out from the bone. Sounds cholesterol infested dish right?  It is!  Great for once in awhile though!

I have to admit, I will choose Sinigang anytime of the day instead of Bulalo, I am not a fan of this!  But since my brother loves this soup dish and he's actually craving for this, we can't miss this right?  Funny how the waiter says this is good for 2 persons, there's 6 of us and this is enough for sharing!  

Chicken Inasal

(Grilled Barbecue Chicken)

Pecho (breast) 

Php110.00 (approx $2.50)

You can choose between regular or spicy, and obviously, I chose the spicy version because I'm feisty that way!  :P  I like how fresh the chicken tastes and eventhough breast part tends to be the driest part, I am actually impressed with the juiciness of the meat!

Bottomless Drinks (Iced Tea, Lemonade or Cola)

Php80.00 (approx $2.00)

The place is really relaxing and customers  are coming in for that "Home-style" cooking!  Waiters are quite attentive and you have a wonderful view of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano! 

On another note, I've been addicted to "blings" lately, after my "bling-y" nail art tutorial, I purchased a Jewelry Seal for my mobile phone! 

Instead of putting it directly at the back of my phone, I applied it on my black phone case instead!  I know the blings are not going to last long but who cares?  It's too cute! 

Best of all?  Bought it at Digibabe (SM Mall) for only Php80.00 (less than $2.00)!  Cheap find!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!
Enjoy your weekend food tripping and forget about diet! :P

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "I Wanna Be A Billionaire" Nails

Welcome first day of 2011!!!

I had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration with the family!  As usual, reunion includes great conversations and good food!  I had a wonderful 2010 as seen on "AMW 2010 Memories" post and I am looking forward for an even better 2011!  Let's all stay positive that a better, more exciting year is in store for all of us!

Since I am starting the year with a positive attitude and on a positive note, I may as well create a very positive nail art tutorial!  As we all know, circles or polka-dots are good luck for Chinese culture!  Aside from it bringing good fortune, I added up "diamond-like" rhinestones and a lot of sparkles for that "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" fortune! 

Sing with me ala Travie McCoy ---

"I wanna be a billionaire, so freakin' bad...

Buy all of the things I never had..."

Step 1:

Protect your nails with a coat of your preferred Base Coat.  Apply 2 coats of your base color.  I want to thank my dear friend Frances for gifting me OPI Nail Lacquer in Yodel Me On My Cell.  The color is gorgeous, I love the fact that she thinks I can carry such shade amidst my age! :P Applied 2 coats of this and let dry.

Step 2:

Using any glittery polish, I am using BW Clear sparkly polish and gently apply only on the top most part of the nail.  Imagine gradient nails effect.

Step 3:

Using a dotting tool or any tool with round surface, I applied random dots using BNC Green polish.

Step 4:

Continued applying random pink dots using a smaller dotting tool.  I used OPI Nail Lacquer in Cotton Candy.

Step 5:

Using the same smaller dotting tool, applied random yellow dots.  I've used BNC polish in Yellow.

Step 6:

It is very important to wait and make sure all the dots are COMPLETELY dry before you apply a clear polish on top of the dots. 

Step 7:

While clear polish is still wet, apply rhinestones randomly for that nice, tiny sparkles that screams.... "DIAMONDS"!!!

Step 8:

After pressing and double pressing to rhinestones to make sure it does not budge or move around, applied another coat of your preferred top coat.  I am using Elianto Top Coat.

Let the polish dry and enjoy your "I Wanna Be A Billionaire" Nails perfect for the start of the New Year!  If you find this nail art to be too 'extravagant' for your taste, you can choose to tone down the colors of the polish.  You can choose to use only one shade for the dots! 

That's what I love about nail art, you can be free with your color choices and combination!

To make sure luck and prosperity is there at the first day of the year, wear something that has polka-dots too!  More money..more honey! *winks* --- that's a bit too corny! Blech!

How's your first day of 2011?
 
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Winner! Kustie Cucumber Body Butter and Body Scrub

Dear Philippine Readers:

Thank you so much for joining the Kustie Cucumber Body Butter and Body Scrub contest.  I know the contest ended a couple of days ago but it was only now I got the chance to pick the winner! 

After copying down the names of those who joined the contest and put it all in the Electronic Fruit Machine, well, one lady is in luck for the start of the year! 

Congratulations to ---

Angel

I will email you Angel for your mailing information!
To the rest, please keep reading AMW and there will be more contests coming up soon!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy 2011!!!

AMW 2010 Memories + Happy New Year!!!

Dear AMW Readers:
2010 started off with a bang!  I remembered sharing to everyone how challenging 2009 was for me, a lot of you wished me for a better 2010 and I want to thank everyone because the well-wishes sent my way did came true!  My 2010 has been like a roller coaster, just like every other years, but just like Mr. AMW wrote on his Christmas Letter to me...

"You've worked so hard for the year 2010 and you deserve all the blessings..."

Yes, I worked extra hard for the year 2010 and what inspires me to move on are my families, friends and of course..Mr. AMW himself!  Here's a quick flashback on how God is so good for giving me such a wonderful year!

Series of Dollface Makeup Workshops

Thanks Pearl of Dollface Cosmetics for entrusting to me her loyal clients, and thanks to all my students for signing up and for being such a wonderful students!

First Dollface Personal Makeup Workshop

Second Dollface Personal Makeup Workshop

Dollface Seminar at The Event Factory for 40+ students

My First Fashion Styling Challenge

Promod's "Je Ne Sais Quo" Style

As you all know, AskMeWhats has always been a beauty blog rather than a fashion blog!  That's why when I got an invite from our dear friends from Stratworks to join a fashion styling contest for Promod, I was game!  The game sounds even better when I can bring one "fashionista" friend to help me with the styling challenge!  It was a day filled with fun and laughter!

I want to congratulate my dearest friends Shen and Tara for winning the challenge!  They did great and I am so glad to share this experience with dear friends!

First getaway with Bloggers

at Neutrogena Healthy Summer Skin Event at Anvaya Cove

It was a whole day event for bloggers to experience the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock.  It was a full day of food, fun activities and of course learning about skin protection against the harmful rays of the sun!

A Road Trip of a Lifetime!

Vaseline Road Trip Experience

When I got an invite to take part on a Road Trip of a Lifetime, I thought it was just like regular trips I have encountered in the past, but I was wrong!  It was one experience that gave me a huge impact for the year 2010!  Aside from learning how beautiful our country is, I got to dig deeper on our culture at the same time, get to know a lot of people from different background!  They have all became my friends and I have to thank Vaseline for picking me as part of this activity!   

It was also a first for me to be part of Vaseline TV Commercials, and it was also a first to see my face on huge local magazines with fellow bloggers Hannah and Ada!

A summary of our Roadtrip in a video plus behind-the-scenes! :)

My Dream Travel Came True

My Adventures in Seoul Korea!

I've always been stalking YouTube videos on Seoul food, read Seoul Travel Blogs and of course, stalk on Korean Cosmetics!  I've always knew I'll be setting food on Seoul someday but I did not expect it to happen so fast!  My wish to see Seoul in real life, not only in Korean series came true!  I also had a great time live reporting on my whereabouts because of the wonderful hotel I've stayed with free internet access!  Now shall I wish for a next Dream Travel?  (Hint: Another Land of cuteness still!)

Me, being a piggy, paid off!

Manila's Signature Dishes 2010

I must have done something right, or shall I say, I must have eaten so much and it turn out to be quite obvious that I'm not only into anything fashionable or beautiful, but I'm also into EATING!  Weekend Food Tripping after the other, I was quite lucky to be chosen as one of the blogger to give Manila's Signature Dishes a try!  It was a fun experience to food trip on several restaurants around the Metro, try different dishes I seldom order on my mind!  Thanks to Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), the restaurants part of UFS, Nuffnang and to the food bloggers I've got to meet and dine with...I ended a year not only with a bang but 5 pounds heavier!  The statement, by the way is not a complaint, the food are all worth it! 

First Time Judging for Fashionably Fun Award

Crissa Dance Synergy - The Final Showdown

I am not a Simon Cowell But Simon never judged for Crissa, I did! *conceited mode, lol*  It was fun, it was intense, but I got to show my "eye for fashion" in this event!  Thanks Crissa for believing in me!

(thanks to Tin Iglesias and her Mom for the photo)

AMW is a Finalist for Fashion and Beauty Blog

I am not into awards and I don't even think of being nominated of anything!  Well, I did wished for "Best Daughter" award but of course, my mom will give it to me without doubt and I'll share it to my sister anyways so it loses the point of competition!  *laughs*  

I have to be honest, I felt really good and happy that my blog got nominated this year!  Thank you, thank you, and did I say thank you? 

AMW Goes International?

When I was included in a US website and a magazine from Singapore, it was such a huge compliment and achievement on my part and I wasn't asking for anything more....

Top Fifty Stylish Beauty & Makeup Blogs

Project Smitten (Singapore Magazine)

Thanks Renee of Beautyfool for the magazine scan and for feature AMW!  I actually got the hardcopy of this magazine, I want to thank Pam and her brother for purchasing this magazine for me!

Recently, my nail art caught another magazine's attention, and it was from India, this year has been a great year not only for me but also for my nails!!! 

Contributor on StyleSpeak Magazine (India)

2010 Makeup Clients

They are the reason why prettifying people is my profession, they put their full trust in me to beautify them on their special day or whatever special occasion they are going to attend!  These are the wonderful clients who gave not only their trust but friendship!  Thank you dear AMW clients! 

(Note from author: Sorry, not everyone is included in this collage)

It has been a wonderful year right?  Of course, I have to admit, it wasn't all roses and sunshine, I've had my fair share of challenges but I opt to share and see the positive side of the year rather than dwell on the negative!  Life is too short to be sad and grumpy!  It takes a huge effort to remain cheerful but hey, if I survived all the hardships, I know you can and you will too! 

If you are currently suffering from personal problems and stress, just look at ME as an example, I went through HELL and I am a SURVIVOR!  So you know you can too ok?

Out of everything I've written above, the best that happened for the year 2010 is not about money or fame!  The best for AMW for the year 2010?

My mom survived a traumatic experience 

and she is getting better!
A whole lot better!

Thank you 2010 for the life lessons, thank you family for the support, thank you dear friends for the unending love and support and for listening to all my blabbing whether in person or online!  And most of all, thank you Mr. AMW for always love me no matter how crazy I can get!

Thank you AMW Readers for always checking my site and for reading my thoughts!
Happy New Year everyone!
Cheers for a Prosperous and Healthy 2011!!!

What are you thankful for this year?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!