Saturday, May 6, 2023
Finding the perfect scent is a lifelong quest. Sometimes your nose just knows that you have found The One! I have finally found mine in a bottle of 802 Praline Vanilla by Scentsmith Perfumery, a gender-neutral scent. I've always been partial to gourmand scents like vanilla when paired with other notes.
Praline Vanilla has the following fragrance profile:
Scentsmith Type: Sweet
Top Notes: Black currant and pear
Middle Notes: Iris, jasmine and orange blossom
Base: Praline, vanilla, patchouli and tonka bean
Another thing I love about this fragrance is the apothecary style packaging which is perfectly my aesthetic. Definitely a homegrown perfumery brand worth checking out!
Scenthsmith Perfumery
Upper Ground Floor, SM City Iloilo (In front of Aeropostale)
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Fancy a quiet pajama party or self-care chill time?
An Airbnb is a good alternative to pricey hotels if you want a staycation or just a change of scenery. And why would we want a change of scenery when we are already in our comfort zones? Sometimes we need to focus on completing a personal project like an art or craft project, a space to meditate or contemplate or just to work or study without any distractions. Sliding into your comfortable bed and falling asleep is the last thing you need.
There are lots of good Airbnb accommodations in Iloilo City (mostly condominium studios) to choose from depending on your budget and mood. There is one Superhost Airbnb accommodation worth checking out. Cozy Homestay in an Attic Studio is the perfect millennial boho style room that is wonderfully spacious, super clean and comfortable. I booked a stay several months ago and truly enjoyed the cozy setting and natural wood aesthetic. There were plenty of self-help books to read so my stay was very chill, relaxing and good for the soul. I need to start writing the first few pages of my novel so another booking at the Attic Studio should be in order soon.
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Wednesday, April 26, 2023
The recently concluded Summer AnimeFest 2023 held at Festive Walk Iloilo was a treasure trove of kawaii finds for the young and not-so-young alike. As a Gen-Xer, I grew up on Japanese cartoons but sadly our generation missed out on cosplay and such. But as generation at the cusp of analog and digital culture, we kinda caught up on the newer Anime stuff, thanks partly to Netflix. Anyway, there were cosplay contests, anime toy exhibition and bazaar. I found myself awkwardly swarming around the bazaar booths with millennials and Gen-Zs (people young enough to be my kids!). Yes, there were good stuff that appealed to Gen-Xers so I am remotely not THAT old.
One of my uber cute finds at the bazaar were these cute waterproof stickers and mini easel cards by Purr Crafts x Studio. I have not outgrown my love for cute stickers and of course anything feline inspired. These inspirational mantra cards sit on my office desk to remind me that yes, I am still growing.
If you love hand drawn cat stickers and stationery like me, visit Purr Crafts x Studio on their Facebook page. You can also find them on Instagram.
Kawaii forever!
I adore the interiors of the Dai Pai Dong. Decorated in both and chic and kitschy Chinoiserie, it is the perfect place to enjoy a solo dinner or a dinner date. The place was quiet and empty with only a couple of tables occupied. I liked it that way though. It's like having the entire restaurant to myself. Hehehe.
The menu offering is sparse and simple, sorely lacking the signature Hong Kong dishes that define a real Dai Pai Dong. Anyway, I settled for the generic Hainanese Chicken Rice paired with hot black tea. Much to my horror, the tea was served lukewarm in a melamine tumbler. I want tea properly served so I gave the food attendant the unsolicited, spicy advice that decent tea should be served in ceramic cups to retain the heat. If you want more customers, serve tea properly!
The Hainanese Chicken Rice didn't satisfy my unusually large appetite that night so I ordered another dish in the menu. This time, it’s another generic Chinese fare--Wonton Noodles. I also ordered a slice of lemon square which was served from the cafe upstairs.
I'm very forgiving when it comes to reviewing food, but I have to stay the wonton noodle dish was salty enough to elevate my blood pressure by several points. Too salty that I left it virtually untouched. I enjoyed the lemon square (I bake a better version at home though) to wash the salty aftertaste of the Wonton noodles. My verdict? Skip the food at Dai Pai Dong next time and just have coffee and cake in the cafe upstairs. Oh Dai Pai Dong, work on your menu and polish your food preparation techniques to attract more customers. The building is too pretty to be hastily reincarnated into another joint.
Sunday, April 23, 2023
I had my first taste of Eduardo Taqueria’s insanely delicious burritos and tacos at a now defunct foodpark near Angelicum School in Jaro and I have been hooked ever since. Flavor wise, Eduardo’s home-style Mexican dishes are as authentic as it can get as the owners have lived in the United States and have brought home the authentic taste of real South of the Border flavors for Ilonggos to enjoy.
The food park eventually closed but Eduardo Taqueria continued operating a thriving cloud kitchen right at their home in Gran Plains Subdivision which is a stone’s throw away from our house. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and those of us working at home would always find ourselves craving for the deeply satisfying flavors of Eduardo’s Taqueria’s buttitos, fajitas and other tastebud tingling dishes. Orders were coursed through their Facebook page and fulfilled via Maxim Delivery. A few years down the line, Eduardo’s opened a home restaurant that can seat approximately 20 patrons at a time. A small and cozy place with festive touches of colorful Mexican inspired art such as a pop art Virgin of Guadalupe as well as colorful Papel Picado buntings. Unlike the delivery menu, dining at the restaurant offers a wider choice of dishes, drinks and even dessert.
So we find ourselves craving for Mexican food and despite the scorching hot muy caliente noontime weather, we head over to Alusiman Street in Gran Plains to enjoy a cozy meal. I am flexitarian and don’t eat meat so I’m really happy that there’s shrimp in the menu. Shrimp fajitas, burritos, quesadillas! Aye, aye, senor!
The food is on the pricey side but worth every centavo! It’s value for money and the restaurant does not scrimp on ingredients. Muy bien!
Phase III, Alusiman Dt., Gran Plains Subdivision
Iloilo City
Contact no: 09292704616
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