Sunday, November 13, 2011

Weekend Food Tripping at: Hong Kong Chef Seafood Restaurant

Happy Sunday!  Today's weekend food tripping is one of the most clueless food posts I will be doing!  Why?  Well, the restaurant was suggested by my dad and I gave him the liberty to take charge on order taking!  That's why I apologize for my lack of knowledge of these dishes!  

It's fun to see my dad ordering what he wants because he usually says: "Your choice.  You guys do the ordering!"  I'm glad its his time to go for what he craves for.  Definitely Authentic Cantonese Food!

I was told by my dad that the restaurant's chef is from Hong Kong!

Steamed Live Shrimps
Super fresh, one of the best I've tried!

Their Combination Platter


Various Vegetables with Fresh Fish
I can't even tell what fish it is but it tastes good!

Garlic Broccoli
Another fresh serve! I don't mine eating Broccoli without any seafood or meat! 
I don't mind eating the whole plate!

Totally Clueless about this, I asked my dad about this and he answered in Cantonese and I can't even translate it into English!  *laughs* I am such a lousy translator!  Oh wait!  Translating is not a job of mine so I'm all good!


The restaurant accepts cash and credit card transactions.  Servers were attentive but the place is quite small for huge gatherings. A bit pricey but great for those once in a while family gathering.

Hong Kong Chef Seafood Restaurant
Unit 05-06 Hong Kong Sun Plaza,
Roxas Blvd. Pasay City
(632) 831-8308

This is one of the most authentic Chinese Restaurant I've tried in the Metro.  You can always go for the regular Chinese dishes served in other restaurants.  My dad was just a bit adventurous this time and I'm glad!

What's your weekend food craving?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



Saturday, November 12, 2011

AMW Reports: The Clinique Real Women Campaign Party!

One word that I could think off when you mention the brand Clinique --- REAL

Clinique wanted to celebrate the real beauty of women via a campaign called The Clinique Chronicles!  I am very happy to be part of this as you all know, when I started blogging, one of the few brands that was mentioned on the first month of blogging was Clinique (then Paul & Joe then Shu Uemura and the list goes on...).  But it was Clinique who jump started my love for skincare and the brand will always be close to my heart.

I want to thank AMW readers who joined the online contest to be my date last November 5th at Clinique Rockwell Branch.

It was a very full day for me as it was an early Saturday call time for a Prenup Shoot with 3 different locations and 3 different makeup looks to be done.  I actually left the "scene" 4:30pm and got to Rockwell on time, stopping by at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for my coffee fix to keep myself awake.

Then I was greeted with this....


And THIS!


It was a "natural high" I tell you!  I went on and greeted the people I get to meet through blogging!

L-R Paolo Maranan - Makeup Consultant of Clinique
Mirabelle Villanueva - Marketing Manager of Clinique




Kate Reye - Brand Coordinator of Clinique

And here are the gorgeous ladies I spent the party with!



Liz and her date Mina

Shen and her Date Pinky together with Lloyda

Sophie and her date Esquire
 

Friends from Havoc Digital
L-R Maui, Mina and Bryce

My date came!
Jenn!
Gorgeous girl isn't she?

Here's the gist of what happened, our "dates" were given the chance to experience the famous Clinique Assessment (being done worldwide) and there were given the answer to what type of skin they have.

Jenn, my date whispered to me how she was advised by her dermatologist to purchase Clinique as the brand is dermatology-tested and is good for sensitive skin.  It was difficult for her at the start as she was just starting out on a job and spending quite a lot on skincare is such a pain (I'm sure a lot of you can relate to that), the moral of the story is...All of us will get there!  I used to think like Jenny and I always have an automatic "NO" when I get close to a pricey skincare counter.  Things have changed and things WILL change, let us just focus on what we need and start saving up!  At the end of the day, our skin will thank us for using the right products and we will definitely see the difference! (this pertains to any skincare regimen/brand that works for you, not just Clinique.)

Afterwards, each ladies were given the makeover they deserve!

Pinky
Shen's Date
The Sylvanian Families Collector


Esquire
Sophie's Date
The Caruso Steam Roller Enthusiast! *lol*

Mina
Liz's Date
The Lady with a Cute smile
Gino
Lloyda's Date
The skincare Enthusiast and 
the one with the glowing skin

Jenn
My date
The Poised :)

I had fun chatting with blogger friends at the same time meeting fellow Clinique Fans!  It wasn't hard to bond right away as we all came from the same background --- Our Love for Clinique.

Jenn after the makeover, doesn't she look gorgeous?


Whether you like it or not, I'm sharing you my proud pose at the Clinique Counter :)

Thanks Clinique Philippines Team for the warm welcome and for opening up your counter for us to get to know more about the brand and the people working behind it!

Thanks to the gorgeous ladies who made this event such an inspiration, as they are all gorgeous in and out!

Non-watermarked photos came from Clinique.

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Friday, November 11, 2011

AMW Reviews: Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-hour Eye Color

Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-hour Eye Colour --- I've seen this in various international blog sites a month ago and I stalked on Sephora site waiting for family members or friends arriving from the States.  Now, isn't it good news to know that this will be available locally?

Yes!  This month!

Clinique Lid Smoothie says ---
Creamy, crease-resistant eye color wears for 8 hours. Instantly cools thanks to a unique applicator. Nourishing ingredients coax fine lid lines into a blanket of smoothness. Antioxidants help protect eye-area skin. 

Shades: 
 L-R Currant Affair, Cute-Cumber, Pinko Biloba
 L-R Bit O' Honey, Born Freesia, Cashew Later
 Net wt. 0.24 oz. 

AMW says ---
Pros
  • The shade names are unique and fun!
  • Hygienic packaging as you can get a bit of the product and apply with brush if you plan to use this on other people. 
  • If applied alone gives a nice shimmer on lids minus the overly glittery effect.
  • For personal use, apply directly gives a "cooling" effect due to its' unique metal applicator.  This applicator does not irritate my eyes.
  • Using the metal applicator alone can blend the product with less tugging.  If you're uncomfortable, you can freely use your clean fingers in blending the rest.  No brush or special tools needed.
  • A little goes a super long way so one tube can last for a long time.
  • Though the product comes off sheer and has a slight shimmer to it, it can "liven" up any eyeshadow I own.
  • No weird scent.
  • Allergy tested, ophthalmologist tested and 100% fragrance free.
Cons
  • To those who plan to wear this alone, the color comes off very sheer.
  • Can crease on oily to very oily lids!  On myself, it creases a bit after 5-6 hours.
  • The subtle shimmer may still not get the thumbs up mark for those who prefer matte shadows.
  • A bit pricey at one look especially if you don't maximize the usage.
Overall
These reminded me so much of Coffret D'or Fluffy Shine Eyes or the Elianto Aqua Shadows 

I like the fact that this stayed on my lids for the whole day without creasing (please consider that my lids aren't that oily to start with).  I like using this on its own and pat with a very sheer powder eye shadow.  It can brighten up my eyes instantly!

Tips
  • Perfect if used as base for smokey eye makeup as it gives a nice contrast against the matte shadow.
  • Since I do not have super oily lids and I haven't tried this on clients with oily lids I suggest to use an eyeshadow primer.
  • To make this product work, apply a good amount all over lids, do not use tiny amount as it won't do anything! (Tried and tested.  Kindly check photo below to see the right amount needed on each lid)]
  • Wipe the applicator with a towel after every use.
  • For this particular shade, you can feel free to use this to highlight the brow bone area and inner corner of the eyes.
  •  You can wear it on its own if you feel like you don't need to put on much eye makeup and finish with an eyeliner.
  • Combine this with different shades of eye shadow and create better looking eye shadow shades.
Will I repurchase?
Yes, but in other shades.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Subtle eye shadow wearers who are stuck in a rut and wants a different look without using loud colors!  Bright colored eye shadow wearers would enjoy different shades from same eye shadows they've been using.

Where to purchase and how much?
Available at Clinique Counters for Php1,550.00 (approx $35.00)


07 Pinko Biloba
Gives out a nice pink shimmer


Blended on lid
The Lid Smoothie almost went invisible leaving a nice sheen

Light colored eyeshadow
Above: Majolica Majorca BR742 Light Champaigne shade alone
Below: Same shade with 07 Pinko Biloba underneath

Dark Colored Eyeshadow
Above: Bobbi Brown Pretty Palette Chocolate Caviar alone
Below: Same with with 07 Pinko Biloba underneath

Huge difference can be seen for a product that may look a bit boring on its' own.

Do you use any cream shadows underneath your powdered eye shadows?
Share to us which brand and tell us if it lasts the whole day!


Keep smilin' 
Stay happy

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Tech Bulletin: Protect+ for all Apple Gadgets

I never thought I'll join in the apple bandwagon but we actually own a small number of Apple products.  The most recent would be our iPad 2 which we enjoyed watching our favorite movies online  via YouTube. 

The thing about "The AMWs" (think of this as The Kardashians! lol)  and their gadgets, we do take serious care of them as whether they are gifted or bought, it was the hard earned money that was used to be able to enjoy such product.

Don't we want to cradle them dearly and hope it lasts til the next "big thing"?


I recently receive an email for Apple gadget owners out there who loves them dearly....(and I'm happy to share it to everyone)

"Protect + is a new “gadget” that will fortify your Apple experience. It is a very practical tool that will enhance the protection of your Apple gadget specifically Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, iMac Mini, iPad, iPod"(Note: iPhones not included)



In simpler terms, Protect + ensures our gadgets are repaired or replaced conveniently without interrupting our activities (in my case, YT watching, email checking, game playing and blogging!). It is an extension to AppleCare warranty that covers theft and accidental damages to our Apple gadget.
"It offers you a FREE 30-day trial within 7 days from date of purchase. Apple Protect Plus has flexible terms when it comes to duration of coverage and payment of premiums. It is available to you within 14 days from date of purchase."
I like the fact that this feels like my car insurance, we don't want bad things to happen to our car but there are uncontrollable circumstances and all we need to do is give ourselves extra protection!

Same to our Apple gadgets, PhilFire Protect + will be there to take off the hassle.





Here are some important details you need to know ---
  • Philfire will indemnify the insured against the cost of Repair or the Replacement of the Equipment (with similar specifications, which may be by way of refurbished equipment).
  • Philfire Insurance shall only be liable to pay for a maximum of (2) Repairs during the period of insurance.
  • 12 Months protection from Accidental Damafe (Standard Repairs and Unit Replacement).
  • 12 Months Protection from Theft.
To those who are interested, here's how to activate Protect +
  • Visit your nearest DigitalHub store to purchase your favorite apple gadget.
  • Ask for assistance from the sales representative to register for the 30-day free trial of the Protectt Plus.
  • Visit the PhilFire website at http://www.philfire.com.ph
  •  Click on the Products and choose "Protect+"
  • Create your own account by supplying your personal information and details of your purchase.  (Purchase should be within 7 days of purchase).
  • Successful registration will be confirmed by means of  an email verification of your purchase details.
  • For 6-12 months coverage, your insurance policies will be delivered to your preferred address.
  • For pricing concerns, feel free to add them up on facebook HERE and HERE.
CLEAR?  (KUHA MO?) *lol*

For more inquiries, you can visit any DigitalHub stores.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digitalhub.ph
Twitter: @DigitalHub_RP

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!





(Author is not affiliated with the company, this post serves as information purposes only.)

Eureka Moment: Yosi Samra

I used to own an "almost foldable" ballet flats that was ruined after constant walking during my Seoul, Korea trip.  I vouch to find another pair that's comfortable yet easy to put inside my bag especially when I go out for events.  

Given a choice, I would choose flats and sandals over high heels anytime of the day. Unfortunately, as a woman, there will always be those special events that needs me to dress up and I always have a spare sandals or flats inside my car.

Do I have to go all the way back to the parking lot every time I need to change for comfortable shoes?

Eureka Moment!

Thanks to Will and Charmaine of Monsters Centaur Production Inc. for introducing me to Yosi Samra!

I bet some of you have already chosen their favorite color at this point!  *evil laugh*


Tadah!  You're mine Navy Blue!


According to Yosi Samra ----
"Yosi Samra's years of experience within the footwear industry has allowed him to produce the highest quality ballet flats at the lowest price points.  The innovative split-sole structure is made of 1/8" durable rubber allowing the shoes to fold neatly yet also ensuring that they do not wear when worn.  The actual shoe are made from the best materials and are thick enough that you do not see the outlines of your feet. "
 

I am very "OC" when it comes to shoes or sandals and I would check on them closely and base on the stitching, thick patent leather and the elastic band that's snugly fit my feet minus the discomfort or pain.


A reminder why this got into my Eureka Moment post? It's foldable!  The Yosi Samra folds into a conveniently sized 4.5" x 3" package.  I can easily store this inside my bag without taking much of my bag space and getting my other stuff dirty!

Yay!  I can take this along with me all the time (just like my mini umbrella) for feet emergencies!


I'm obviously excited with this as it works on almost any outfit!  From dresses, skirts, leggings, jeans to shorts!


Other designs I'm eyeing for....

Burnished Rose
Php3,295 (approx $75.00)

 Classic Gold 
Php2,795.00 (approx $63.50)

 Perforated Teal
Php2,995.00 (approx $68.00)
 Two Toned Black and Nude
Php2,995.00 (approx $68.00)
 Limited Edition Tie Dye Multi Color
Php3,795.00 (approx $86.25)

You can find Yosi Samra at GAS, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma Mall

Can you tell me how you deal with painful heels?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!