Sunday, February 28, 2010

Starbucks Coffee Seminar: The Art of Blending and Roasting



What’s Chic?

Last February 2009, I attended Starbuck’s first coffee seminar for this year at One E-Com Center, SM Mall of Asia. I’ve learned a lot from Starbucks history to the kinds of beans that they use, to the roasting progression, and of course what I love the best is coffee tasting and food pairing.

This is the right way to savor your coffee:
1) Smell your coffee.
2) Slurp. The louder, the better.
3) Locate the experience in your tongue. (Sweet, bitter)

(Don’t worry guys, your favorite baristas will teach you how to do it.)

Food Pairing:
1) Slurp
2) Bite
3) Slurp

For me, brewed Starbucks coffee is best paired with Starbucks Chocolate Walnut Cookie rather than the donuts.





That was really fun! There’s more during the seminar, but I will not spoil it here guys. Hope to see more coffee lovers in the next Starbucks seminars.


What’s Cheap?

Starbucks seminars are FREE! Look for the upcoming schedules on Starbucks Philippines Fan Page.

And if you have completed 4 out of 6 seminars, you’ll have a special treat from your best coffee shop in town.


Become a Fan: Starbucks Philippines

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pizza Niro: My Chic and Cheap Pizza



What's Chic?

9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20... How about a 30-inch pizza? How will you carry it and how will your stomach handle it?



I've seen it first on TV, first tasted it in Dela Rosa Car Park 1. But still I can't get over with my cravings with this 30-inch Primavera-flavored thin crust pizza. And do you want it spicy? They don't just use the common red hot sauce, but a spicy chili sesame oil sauce. And it's good to pair with your favorite soda.

For the second time, we have it delivered in our office for our supervisor's despedida. All were shocked of its size and it is funny because it didn't fit into our office door going through the pantry. (Hahaha, now, can you imagine how big it is?)




What's Cheap?

Pizza Niro prices range from P400 to P1500, good for 20-25 persons depending on the pizza sizes. You can ask to slice it in your usual triangular-shaped slice or in a pizza square slice. Available in different sizes and flavors.


Pizza Niro Branches:
G/F, Dela Rosa Carpark 1, Dela Rosa St.
Makati City, Metro Manila

284 Aguirre Ave, BF Homes
ParaƱaque City, Metro Manila

1313 Adriatico St., Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila

Monday, February 22, 2010

Winning Piece: Ipanema's Share Your Brazilian Fantasy

What's Chic?

This is my entry to Ipanema's Share Your Brazilian Fantasy essay writing contest and I won!!!


Do you wanna know what makes up Brazil? Let's get to know more Brazil by spelling it out. Ready?

So B, B is for biodiverse regions. Nature seekers like me would like to encounter the flora and fauna of Brazil and take a stroll on its tropical rain forest and lush tropical landscapes. From the mountains, let's go down to the beach!

Now R, R is for relaxing beach resorts. Surf, ski, snorkel, and swimming, and other water sports, name it and they have it. But what's more relaxing for sun bathers and sun lovers like me is letter A. A is for "a walk to remember" at the beach with my Ipanema flipflops.

Hey wait, let's not forget Z. Z stands for zoom in the camera. Brazil is really photogenic. No wonder camera whores like me can't help clicking to catch Brazil's gorgeous secluded beaches, beautiful beach people and even food.

Speaking of food, letter I stands for indigenous foods from Brazil which consist of different flavors of Brazilian local cuisines and tropical fruit blends.

Now, that's life in the tropics. L stands for live, love and life.

Oh, no! My time is up here in the Internet shop. Searching Brazil in Google feels like I was really in Brazil. Let's first review the word, "BRAZIL".

B - Biodiverse regions.
R - Relaxing beach resorts.
A - A walk to remember at the beach with Ipanema flip flops.
Z - Zoom in the camera
I - Indigenous foods
L - Live, love and life

And the day in Brazil comes to an end. Time to go!


What's Cheap?

As a prize, I got the chance to choose one pair of Ipanema flipflops from Bambu Store in Glorietta 4 and an Ipanema shirt.






Ipanema Flip Flops are available in different designs and sizes. Price ranges from P800+ to P1000+. Not bad for a very comfy flop.


WEBSITE: www.ipanemaphils.com
Become a Fan: Ipanema Philippines

Blog My Butter Event: The Body Shop and The White Hat




What's Chic?

The Body Shop, one of the country's premier cosmetics company brings back its "Originals" on January 8, 2010 at The Body Shop, Robinson's Galleria. Bloggers celebrated to a wide The Body Shop products sale and to a short program about the Originals collection and TBS Body Butters.

The Originals collection comprises a fresh, fruity line-up of cleansers and moisturizers for our face and body and hair care products.

I Love Originals include Dewberry Bath and Shower Gel, Dewberry Lotion, Fuzzy Peach Bath and Shower Gel, Banana Shampoo, Banana Conditioner, Green Apple Bath and Shower Gel, Ice Blue Shampoo, Cucumber Cleansing Milk, Cucumber Freshening Water, Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel and Carrot Moisture Cream.




What's Cheap?


The body butters and Originals collection are available at great prices that will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

The White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt partnered with The Body Shop to give a chance to the bloggers to experience the creaminess and elegant swirls of their frozen yogurt for free.

I also was lucky enough to score one body butter and one originals and got a chance to rub elbows with pro bloggers and other media partners.





WEBSITE:
www.thebodyshop.com.ph
www.thewhitehat.com.ph

Become a Fan:
The Body Shop, Philippines
The White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt

BF Pasko Fun Run 2009: My First Run


What's Chic?

I thought that getting to the finish line was easy, but it was not. It was my first time to get on the race at the first-ever BF Pasko Fun Run held at The Village Sports Club, BF Homes, Paranaque City last December 13, 2009.

Over a hundred professional and amateur runners made a dash in the 3K, 5K and 10K race. I felt a lot of aches after the run, but it was worth it because the proceeds are for the benefit of "Presentation of The Child Jesus Parish", also in BF Homes.


What's Cheap?

Race kits and finisher shirts for 3K, 5K and 10K only cost P350 for non-club members and free for the club members of the said sports club.

I was really happy to have my first run with my officemates for a healthy life and to race for a charitable cause.




FOR THE RECORD:
BF PASKO FUN RUN:
Type of Race: 3km
Pace 11:47 min/km
Time: 00:35:23
Rank: 60

WEBSITE: http://www.thevillagesportsclub.com/ http://www.thevillagesportsclub.com/bfpasko.html

Belle De Jour 2010 Planner Launch: Exceeding Boundaries


What's Chic?


Last October 2009, Belle De Jour Power Planner was launched at Eastwood City, Quezon City. Belled De Jour girls were luck enough to be treated to exciting activities like yoga activity (Tone Your Body, Cool Your Mind), modeling “I Want to be A Supermodel” and BDJ Scavenger Hunt; and a wide range of fair talks wherein speakers talked about fashion and beauty (Break Fashion Rules, Debunk Beauty Myths), career (Create Your Brand in the Work Place & Reach for the Skies) and a lot more. Other Bellas like me were very happy to meet new friends, learn new things and feel more confident after the affair.

What's Cheap?

BDJ Girls got fresh-off-the-press Belle De Jour Power Planner 2010 for only P480 from the regular price of P580.


The Belle De Jour Planner is equipped with BDJ coupons with envelope, forget-me-not pocket, monthly view pages, goal setting, habit tracker, menstrual tracker, health checklist, vacation planner, special events tracker, Christmas gift list, expense tracker, savings tracker, etc.


Belle De Jour Power Planner users also enjoy perks and freebies at the fair:
Free massage from The Spa, free hair makeover from Azta Urban Salon, free ice cream from Selecta, free lunch, open bar with The Bar, free photo sessions, free fortune telling, free hand wax from The Strip, free Garnier samplers and other freebies from Motolite and Ace Water Spa.








Register to be part of BDJ Circle:
BDJ Webiste: http://belledejourpowerplanner.com/
Become a Fan: Belle De Jour Power Planner

Get Your Copy Now At Leading Bookstores Nationwide!!!