tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34357212769265238712024-03-04T22:25:10.373-08:00auntielicious ~lovin' being a (fabulous) aunt!Fabulous with other people's tots!blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-1144512620708233882010-12-23T06:59:00.000-08:002010-12-23T06:59:27.590-08:00Great Styling for Nieces and Nephews (and Godsons and Goddaughters)I started shopping for children this Christmas and could not resist buying clothes. Here's one cute little number that I put together:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSztChKb3gbxMMV0XGDgvA91uRPPNphKtAVbbWgaksTqGbQjg0oZzTojTYA8_CVZg035oGvS_C6ECw667wXM3NNSLxmYvSEpf5m8Exo1fKC3af19YjGm2hDdA80F2qKQmmw-hoM59eUQg/s1600/babydress01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light pink empire waist sleeveless top from SM, Baby bloomers from <a href="http://www.erinetvivien.com/">Erin et Vivien</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who said that prints shouldn't clash? The rules changed especially when, as Tim Gunn would say, you "make it work." Spring 2010 has a lot of clashing prints. I think this one works especially with hot pink stockings and mint green Mary Janes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>There are two things I consider when I buy clothes for my nieces and nephew (and also all inaanaks):<br />
<ol><li>They are cute and fashionable, and</li>
<li>They still look like little kids</li>
</ol>It seems that lately, a lot of clothes have been invented for kids so that they look like miniature versions of their parents or miniature versions of some adult celebrity or model. While some of them really are fashionable, I just don't get the need for tube tops, halter tops, and high heels (especially for little girls.) In my opinion, childhood is only there for awhile so there's really no sense hurrying growing up. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Here's another number for my niece:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY4W6HHmU_al071191Zq71a8LJ2sU5yyS7xHo4ZdAJby8tV-z8-EvhjfnVxcWxX519IexSprVWxpuvtge2aI-WOTiH1xhYrGDN8-sJX8bdb2lB0aTt_278V6YCODY9LMPeqsRDW9YNoI/s1600/babydress02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple polka dot top from SM, Baby bloomers from <a href="http://www.erinetvivien.com/">Erin et Vivien, </a>Knee high purple socks from SM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In this section, I chose baby bloomers with purple frills at the back to complement the purple top more. Although everything should work because pink and purple always go together.<br />
<br />
Why have different flower printed socks with the polka dots? In fashion, it seems, that as you grow older, you tend to be more minimalist with the prints. My nieces just turned one. They should get away with it better when for their age, fashion is supposed to be more fun! (Plus, I take a cue from Strawberry Shortcake...cuteness!)<br />
<br />
The boys shouldn't be left out too. I've bought some gifts for my nephew and godson:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MixiQoLkUDGRkOL5968-QG3Og3zeZ4zK-3MeS3Ty3gGSuKNxi1St8YJeNzqChweew9ksX0p0-nQxl-_kFW5pkVGyh5rhAT0QJemZ8E3inFzUSAZB8gw4sSS9eb0TeB8Za-lqEoiCY8c/s1600/tshirt01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MixiQoLkUDGRkOL5968-QG3Og3zeZ4zK-3MeS3Ty3gGSuKNxi1St8YJeNzqChweew9ksX0p0-nQxl-_kFW5pkVGyh5rhAT0QJemZ8E3inFzUSAZB8gw4sSS9eb0TeB8Za-lqEoiCY8c/s1600/tshirt01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toku T-Shirt from SM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarZZcpMu7w8LefaRHTgwYYklov0S3DZ19iiyl9-rZmqGuAr-NtMay8qHdUUKfViiwslCqy1Wt8U6TtYu5R0O1SrS2rVEMVqGux2LaJzQZaqnpg83hQxHTDO-dGd1mbcpK6oQODs5wpAE/s1600/tshirt02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beverly Hills polo at SM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarZZcpMu7w8LefaRHTgwYYklov0S3DZ19iiyl9-rZmqGuAr-NtMay8qHdUUKfViiwslCqy1Wt8U6TtYu5R0O1SrS2rVEMVqGux2LaJzQZaqnpg83hQxHTDO-dGd1mbcpK6oQODs5wpAE/s1600/tshirt02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Same thing for the boys. I thought that while they are kids, I should veer away from everything that makes them look all adult. The Toku shirt is even very cheap (at around P200++) and features a lot of <i>anime</i> characters such as the Panda-Z. Panda-Z is a very masculine character but not all too grown-up. Little boys don't have to be that serious in their couture.<br />
<br />
The orange polo shirt is just hot. Here's where I get out of my 'kids fashion' philosophy. This shirt is too classic and would add <i>pogi</i> points to an adult if a size were available for them. I just had to get it!blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-22753175080749953762010-12-09T11:15:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:20:51.274-08:00Getting a new passport wasn't that bad (as before)I have delayed much in getting my Philippine passport renewed. I thought I still have enough time until I realized that it's only 5 more months until its expiration. I had a green passport which was very special. On my last two trips, I had to go to a special lane in all airports. In Narita, they even had to pull a special computer just to verify me. So moving from a green to a machine-readable passport is a must. <br />
<br />
Delayed trips happen when you procrastinate, but one of the main reasons why I kept putting it off was because of the horror story I had when I got mine ten years.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Ten years ago, I needed my passport more than I than did now because I have to go on a trip in a month with tickets paid and all. The problem with my passport then was that it got wiped out in a fluke flood (which only happened once ever) that went up to our waists. I was told that I needed to make an affidavit of mutilation and make a personal appearance for it. So I went to the DFA at 7 am to line up, and the rest is horrendous history:<br />
<ol><li>At 8 am, I lined up and already saw a multitude of people lining up in two single queues made of around 15 people each. Whew! It pays to be early...or so I thought.</li>
<li>The line wasn't moving at 10:30 am and I am getting impatient since more queues have piled up. Then I meet up a guy who said that there's an easier way. He was also in line and he said that there was an easier way by going to another DFA office. It turns out to be an office outside of the DFA, one block across the street. Another person in my queue agree with him and we both go with him to the office.</li>
<li>By now, I understand that he was a fixer and he left us there in the "office" (full of tables and typewriters) and that they would charge PHP2,000 for getting my passport and it would only take one week from the usual 3 weeks to 1 month of the DFA. Out of desperation, I agreed but when I got back to the car, my dad and I called my mom who had the foresight and wisdom to disagree with the process. So I went back to the office and demanded my PHP2,000 back. The smiles disappeared and with a frown, they asked me to just pay PHP100 since I used the signed application form. I said yes just to get my papers out of there. <br />
<br />
And yes, I had it inside of me even beforehand that this was something fishy, but I had acted in haste because I was lining up in worry and desperation. I thought I would be more at ease if my passport was with me earlier than the normal process. I didn't trust that the system would get it to me in time. So the lesson learned is: do not act in haste or worry. I chalk this one up to experience.</li>
<li>I went back to the line and with my time wasted, there were now unbelievably 6 queues. (For lesson learned, refer to #3)</li>
<li>Paper evaluation was ok. </li>
<li>At that time, you don't have to take your picture there. You can just bring your photo from a studio as long as it had the right specifications. Turns out, the photo I had the right specifications in measurement but the DFA said it wasn't suitable because it was blurred. So they said I can take a photo in the booth they've got there. I was wearing a sleeveless blouse and I needed one with collar. (Un)fortunately, they have some blouses (not coats) on a rack that I can borrow. The only suitable one for ladies was sweaty and smelly. The blouse really really stinks with so much previous people's B.O. that I wasn't breathing when the photographer asked me to smile. Moreover, I was in line outside for 4 hours that my photo had me looking so haggard and sweaty.</li>
<li>After the long ordeal outside, I thought the line was over. But as it turns out, when you enter the DFA main office, there are more lines. </li>
<li>Before the last step was over, they had to close the office at 5 pm, so they said I had to come back. I dreaded the next day because of the long queues.</li>
<li>The next day, I went at 8 am and lined up for another 4 hours and finished mid-day to have the last step.</li>
<li>After the last step was finished, I had to go back after 3-4 weeks to get my passport. This is the only time there were no queues and I was able to get it in 30 minutes.</li>
</ol>Fast forward to yesterday when I got my machine-readable passport from the DFA.<br />
<ol><li> I logged on to <a href="http://www.passport.com.ph/">www.passport.com.ph</a> to set an appointment online. The latest day I got was one month from that day, so I reapplied again and again to get the earliest possible date. I ended up getting a date 3 weeks from the day I applied. </li>
<li>I went to the DFA 30 minutes before the appointed time with my documents. My appointment was 4:00 so I clock in at 3:30. </li>
<li>For the appointment paper, a staff would verify with a barcode if you indeed have the appointment. After mine was verified, I got into my queue for the 4 pm appointment. I was disappointed to see 3 queues of 20-30 people each.</li>
<li>By 4 pm, the line was moving so fast that I was inside the main DFA building, moving through the queues to get my papers evaluated. I was done by 4:45 pm. </li>
<li>I went to the 2nd floor to pay for the passport fee. I chose the express processing (costs PHP1,200 and have 10 processing days) over the regular processing (costs PHP800 and have 20 processing days.) I went to the FedEx counter to pay an additional PHP120 to have the passport delivered to me. You can also choose LBC for the same amount.</li>
<li>I took a number to enroll myself to get my photo, details and signature encoded. I was aghast to learn that I need to wait for 400 more people before my turn. </li>
<li>Fortunately, there are around 60 terminals for encoding and the turnover was so fast. For fun, I calculated to myself how long I need to wait till my number was called. <br />
<br />
Here's what I did: There is a screen that would call the number and the corresponding terminal to it (as in a bank or payment center.) I took the last number that was called at that time (for example, 2000) and then waited 10 minutes, to get the latest number that was called on the screen. (for example, 2035) I then subtracted the last number from the first number (for example, 2035 - 2000 = 35) to see that in 10 minutes, that's how many people are called. I did this for the next ten minutes to verify the number. <br />
<br />
I know it's kind of nerdy but I was prepared for a long wait and I didn't bring a book! But then I found out that the system enabled approximately 35 people every 10 minutes. Since I have 400 people to go, it would take 2 hours until my number is called. Bummer.<br />
<br />
Give or take my margin of error, I think I have an hour and a half to walk around, brush my hair, cross the street to the nearest Mercury to buy some allergy pills and see the stars. All of which I did.</li>
<li>I returned and exactly as I have calculated, saw that there were only 5 more people before my number is called.</li>
<li>I gave my papers, signed my signature and had this done in 10 minutes. </li>
<li>I clock out at 6:35. Three hours of queuing compared to 2 1/2 days of ten years back.</li>
</ol>Things that I laud about the DFA are:<br />
<ul><li> Technology works. This is what happens when the government invests in technology. It also lessens the bureaucracy and fixers.</li>
<li>The new DFA office does indeed look good which is a good place for waiting, and a convenient McDonald's across the street.</li>
<li>Senior citizens and parents who brought kids are given special lanes, which is a very good thing for them to consider!</li>
<li>No 5 pm old government culture closing times! Because everything is computerized, all the appointments have to be finished that day and the people in the terminals stay until each number has been encoded.</li>
<li>Everyone is given fair treatment (or at least the day I applied) -- rich, poor, OFWs, government officials. Of course there is a special lane for government, seniors and parents with kids that they all rightly deserve. But I've seen people in slippers and people with children waiting and playing with their iPad to overcome their boredom in the same waiting room. </li>
<li>For those who need a passport earlier than the system can provide an appointment, there is a special lane to meet the director. (Provided that you have given the right reason, of course.)</li>
<li>Let's just give credit where credit is due: this was done during GMA's term and cannot be attributed to this president's credit. Before you think anything of me about this, I'm just saying to give credit where it is due. And no, I did <b style="color: red;"><u>not</u></b> vote for GMA the last two terms.</li>
</ul>Things to remember when getting your passport:<br />
<ul><li>Apply early. It takes a month now because of the many people who need to renew to the machine readable passport.</li>
<li>Take note of all the documents you need. Xerox them all. Don't have them xeroxed there because the xerox is a long queue and it costs PHP5.00 each per xerox! It's the only monopoly allowed in this office.</li>
<li>Bring a book, PSP, sudoku or something to pass the time. It's still 3 hours.</li>
<li>If you can apply with a senior citizen or if you can bring your kids (7 and below), do that so that you'll end up shorter than 3 hours.</li>
</ul>Finally, I just want to let you know that I have actually found it a relief to have a good passport renewal experience. I'm just sharing it.<br />
<br />
By the way, I'm not a government employee or connected to the DFA. Please do not ask me for any process-oriented questions. Please refer to <a href="http://www.passport.com.ph/">www.passport.com.ph</a> instead, ok?blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-31839713232463263922010-11-23T05:49:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:26:55.915-08:00My nephew presents our harvested pepper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq1_EPBab-LO_13WqCtZn8dpExlIYTPVUistHRzRtmXzv8fZJkMsZWusuDJtCHr0r9mX-f_BUN_7bWqs2L5CMBPmBABPQlYj-LKG2Fp5nZm0bOc4vLQNVhFVucXei6H6NVpLNQMaYdAI/s640/stingy.jpg" width="640" /></div>My nephew was so proud with the pepper he harvested. He watered it (or made sure somebody did!) so we went out to take a picture of Stingy, the harvested pepper. (Stingy...stings. He established that name after playing Plants vs. Zombies.)blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-8358293533884589082010-11-19T02:48:00.000-08:002010-11-19T02:48:24.380-08:00A great gift for your daughter, niece or goddaughter<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4u4bWkMVd4n7taifYVjdXMhFKDRZNy3RBXKR6jH-K4XM-v8RANyglcgDyU-N_I_IfpevUfE5_zExkLIHK-EQTSiGL5OXtynd-txF4KjYmeHOmTsTzpayCAo9c8yDzLRTOo0GZs0eHig/s320/erinetvivien03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="212" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin et Vivien colored tutus</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8CwMIVCU6Lf6yASIzXpU0iitghdGPLfDSxqzicoBpS9tnYgLq7ZfUWW6gjsNgtBsWPXK8iaj6_h2K8CCPpngu_azta1Q9R4dOzeEx0JNbh1ZpMIEo3Ox13N1mNEhs-FD0xQy25jb2wI/s320/erinetvivien04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>We've just recently launched <a href="http://www.erinetvivien.com/"><i>Erin et Vivien</i></a>, which consists of tutu dress skirts, baby bloomers (awesome ruffly diaper covers) and kimono shoes for little princesses. These can be for babies (even newborns) or up to little girls aged 8!<br />
<br />
It all started with a philosophy that little girls love to be little princesses and mommies and daddies would be delighted in dressing them up. But at the same time, I don't think it's quite cool to hurry them up and dress them like they're teens. Kids should still be kids. It'd be great to treasure this moment so why hurry them up? At the same time, skirts like these are fluffy and not-itchy -- kids' comfort were always top of mind. It can be worn over leggings, high socks or even jeans! Get creative with your little princess!<br />
<a name='more'></a>Just recently, <a href="http://www.erinetvivien.com/2010/11/18/erin-viviens-booth-zonta-bazaar-cuenca-alabang/">Erin et Vivien was launched at the Zonta Bazaar in Cuenca, Ayala Alabang</a>. This gave the initial showcase of the Christmas collection for 2010. <br />
<br />
The rest of the collection are available via orders through the site.blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-78318733829070859412010-10-29T09:18:00.000-07:002010-10-31T00:13:36.042-07:00When the moon hits your eye like a big PIZZA pie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="383/" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIodTp9kdAscggadTBk9ijPE53yJJ9qvtzPIeZOuvJVaVHi5TRXh6JP2iW1JpR1KOMJhkaF_JoQv1_VzplDf09Xs1dwIeBW6kUKtjlpiaoxVHv0UwC7Rvw_1RU_mGeo94gjBuL_IAXBI/s1600/morgantina.jpg" width="500" /></div><br />
That's <i>amore</i>!<br />
Exactly what I felt when that huge pizza pie in the form of the Quattro Stagioni hit me here at <a href="http://www.morgantina.ph/" target="_blank">Morgantina</a> (formerly La Dolce Vita.) In the middle of Las Pinas, the place seems unlikely but as you enter, it's completely like an Italian trattoria from the interiors to the inexpensive yet filling food. <br />
<br />
I wrote a full review about it on a local restaurant review site.<br />
<a name='more'></a>And this is just what my review said:<br />
It was quite surprising to find an authentic Italian restaurant in the middle of Las Pinas since most Italian restaurants are usually in the Alabang area. <br />
<br />
Morgantina, formerly called La Dolce Vita, is actually owned by Italians. The place itself is unlikely and the outside does not look like a restaurant. Inside though, the furnishing and interiors look a little bit modest but the "homey" and casual comfort style looks like an authentic Italian <i>trattoria</i>, complete with tourist photos of old Italy and Sicily on its walls.<br />
<br />
You can see the brick oven within the dining area and can see for yourself that the pizza is cooked in the old brick oven style. This is why old favorites like Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese) and Quattro Stagioni pizzas have a delectable and crispy crust, as evidence from the pizzas being hand-tossed and cooked in this oven.<br />
<br />
What's most astounding here is the food. I can tell it's authentic Italian pasta when it's served with minced tomatoes as sauce and only the spices of pepper and oregano would dominate your tongue instead of the tangy after taste of tomato paste. Every pasta is cooked completely <i>al dente</i> which you may not find in mainstream Italian restaurant. That's because the menu was designed by the Italian chefs and owners. If they did not cook the food themselves, they manage the place and you will see them walking around doing a quality check on the food the chefs they trained brought out. <br />
<br />
My favorite pasta is always seafood so I always get the Vongole. If you must choose a pasta though, choose the ones with the red sauce so that you can actually taste good ol' trattoria goodness that's truly <i>delizioso</i>!<br />
<br />
Also, don't go without getting the caramal panna cotta. The panna cotta is unlike the usual ones served in mainstream Italian or Mediterranean restaurants as this one has a harder consistency, but it is creamy and not too sweet this way.<br />
<br />
I would say that Morgantina is such a great find! In its earlier months of operation, they even offered lunch buffets for PHP350 where they unleash all the great Italian cold cuts and well-cooked risottos! (The Italians love their meat so the cold cuts that include Italian ham and salami are not to be missed!) I just wish they could do that again. But nevertheless, it's a great thing for Las PInas residents to find an authentic <i>trattoria</i> right in the middle of the South! The food is great and the price is not that expensive. Great trade off for authentic Italian fare!blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-68056457903653560652010-10-26T04:29:00.000-07:002010-10-26T04:36:49.293-07:00auntielicious tries: Alamid Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeRX0ynwppL_nNYjzDvWT1Mq20WG1uWIJpQ8lRVS_frBiNryNTIWd1veNeJlFxcBSY8PRScwU9tpU5qsz-np9WkW6ouYboffa4MsBOFx6xpJ1kNikPpTTiwYcv-tGD_fkxx9xue2-4CE/s640/18days.jpg" width="550" /></div>My friend Marga was around the Southern area and came for the sole purpose of trying "the caviar of coffee" after learning from it in her MBA class. She told me it was called alamid coffee -- civet coffee -- because it the civet, an exotic cat, would eat the coffee cherries and after digesting them, would have these coffee beans in its droppings. And yes, that was the content of this exotic and rare brew.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I tried it. I wasn't shocked. I was curious. We Filipinos eat a lot of stuff and aren't queasy when we make "tusok the fishball," right? Besides, this would be useful in case I tried something exotic when I join <i>The Amazing Race</i>.<br />
<br />
In the South of Manila, this is available in 18 Days Cafe in Insular building in front of Festival Mall in Alabang. The brew is only good for <a href="http://arengga.com/index.php/18-days-freshly-roasted.mpc" target="blank">18 days upon roasting</a>. You can buy an entire can for PHP2,400. But you can be a member and get it for cheap. But for having a nice cup of this unique brew, I got a cappuccino for PHP240. (Small cup.) That's twice the usual signature coffee, but hey, it's rare.<br />
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Marga wanted to smell it. They let us do that. It did not smell like civet droppings. They smelled like a fine roast of beans. While the manufacturers say it has a "<span id="goog_1944288825"></span><a href="http://arengga.com/" target="_blank">strong, sweet, dark chocolatey taste<span id="goog_1944288826"></span></a>" to me it taste bitter as dark chocolate but didn't seem strong. Not as strong as the barako blend but it didn't have the tangy and mildly sour aftertaste as barako. It tasted to me like it's fine and smooth, not robust. Seems like a good brew to me. Plus, they like to help farmers who discovered this kind of brew which sounds really, really good to me! <br />
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But I guess I'm not much of a coffee drinker. Marga was asking me what I thought of it and all I can say was, "It's very smooth. I guess civet poo-poo isn't that bad." My sister who doesn't even like to look at the photo of the coffee beans I took a picture of will try it. (Because I am coercing her to.)blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-80026330000012489662010-10-23T09:25:00.000-07:002010-10-23T09:25:48.626-07:00PJ meets a friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_C2qkIU8k-EYLzoIsOtQctIlNitmZbmvPQ2gGMZDGcWN0yJBhhsuWBNaWHAKuZ6IChJHZdjVsgNzTkFMI80tRbBtRmwpFOZgEvWghDgqg5yDVI_iFRd06HCSu6-wHGRBsgkOY_ZJn0g/s1600/DSC00032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_C2qkIU8k-EYLzoIsOtQctIlNitmZbmvPQ2gGMZDGcWN0yJBhhsuWBNaWHAKuZ6IChJHZdjVsgNzTkFMI80tRbBtRmwpFOZgEvWghDgqg5yDVI_iFRd06HCSu6-wHGRBsgkOY_ZJn0g/s1600/DSC00032.jpg" /></a></div>I thought I'd place a nice shot of my goddaughter PJ (left) and my friend's cute little Sunday Schooler toddler (right) in its raw form. I was using George Michael (my Sony T5) which settings allowed to capture their hands in a blur in yellow and low lighting, but at least it didn't fail to capture their innocent expressions back at me. <br />
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You see, before this, my goddaughter was having a lot of fun with her new friend. He's so cute and such a hit with all the girls (including me!) blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-9222572207202374602010-10-21T21:10:00.000-07:002010-10-21T21:10:25.240-07:00Peek a Boo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHpgZqbK-cGv0Hk4lClnbDg_vF7QXeU3KRRDb8aB6N2MCHguJ3b3gtiA-nyRnpue7bCdaayNeKkZQEqfjoSPym4so5iHpKMjXsr__hDkNF8cUUT9J9siqFfkldqu-N-30F2zxBRYXTI8/s1600/peekaboo.jpg" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peek a boo! I was thinking of what stuff to add today to this blog and then this photo came out. My nephew was just a year old! So cute! I guess the rest of the content will be a surprise! </div>blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-67784322593422483432010-10-21T09:50:00.000-07:002010-10-21T09:50:30.734-07:00I'm a PANK!I just recently learned that I'm a <a href="http://www.savvyauntie.com/About.aspx?GroupId=389&Name=PANK:%20Professional%20Aunt%20No%20Kids" target="_blank">PANK</a> (Professional Aunt, No Kids), which is actually quite fun to know that I'm part of an influential market segment. Somebody knew this all along and didn't tell me!<br />
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I found that on a site called Savvy Auntie, of whose founder (Melanie Notkin), is someone I can relate to. Aunties usually get the stereotype of being the old unkempt lady who will die alone in her dilapidated house with her cats. Things have clearly changed. (Manolos have replaced the cats!)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://www.savvyauntie.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0/" src="http://www.savvyauntie.com/badges/SavvyAuntieBadgeFlower.jpg" /></a></div>blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-1705426644110315262010-10-17T22:41:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:20:34.499-07:00Just turning one!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyeqPnAqaYkx3E6wj3m4sWWLcnpIm6N2UYnccUcAE6aSrEEH1yXFJbO6Bwj37Z-kCrSZh7pX1En8Fc5lCuoFYFH5v9FZ9s3UYdpFtUmaLinXTFahsVAx1h3GPdwuNAhUFT1LJoF-nLWA/s1600/canada.jpg" /></div>Old classic photos of a picnic in Canada with my niece. She was just turning one and a week right after was her birthday. Just doing a collage of memories! We went to the African lion safari here before the picnic. Then a parade of elephants all linked together with their tails just walked by! I thought that just happened in cartoons!<br />
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Captured via George Michael, my red Sony T5. (Old, but I still like George Michael.)blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435721276926523871.post-81165518005538458022010-10-14T08:52:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:20:56.299-07:00Icky feet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQiNXEK14rRb88m8EhhOz9j4otg8DEbpEhADUuR48fzgBrwSLfvwv3JYIQjro9EV2QjvqyfpX5oOSmKelxiAswpQV4BFQWHBmIl2Ltgd3skVT9DY4nZODS3tCiClIM9LiiofG9Xx_Wj0/s1600/auntielicious-feet.jpg" /></div>Well, this was us kidding around with my baby nephew's tangy smelling feet! (It really is.) But as you know (except for some very few exceptions), baby feet sweat can still be adorable until they're 2.<br />
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The above captured on my Macbook's Photo Booth!blessedbabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690890021846797315noreply@blogger.com0