MY CONFESSIONS

I guess seeing that I actually uploaded a trailer of the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" you already have a clue on why I entitled this post "My Confessions" instead of the movie title itself, yes, Imma self confessed shopaholic and I cannot remember how many times I've watch this movie but every time I do, I still can't stop myself fr drooling over Rebecca's shoes and clothes played by Isla Fisher. I can relate to almost every scene in this movie, well except for the part that she was being chase by the debt collector because I don't own a credit card and I don't intend to coz I'm such an impulsive buyer but I don't have anything against those that have these magical plastics,lol! its just that for me, it's not really advisable. What I also love about the movie, is how her parents taught her that anyone shouldn't be define by the clothes they wear or by any material things that they own, love of family and friends is still what matters, I'm also guilty of forgetting it sometimes, though I wont go through the details anymore coz I don't want to sound like a drama queen,lol! I love shopping, like how I love writing, fashion and being a foodie but I'm proud to say that once in a while I practice the art of being a practical shopper. I go to the malls, only to check  the latest collection of some high end brands and then I go to bazaars to shop for dresses that almost has the same style with those that I saw in malls. Most of the time there's not much of a difference, even the fabric is also the same but you can get them for less than half the price. You don't really have to buy knock off items but there are really good finds fr the not so popular brands.

BIZU PATISSERIE

I've always wanted to try French Cuisine and yesteday I finally got to experience it when I went to Bizu Patiserrie in Greenbelt 2, in Makati. There's also another branch in Alabang Town Center but I preferred to try the one in Greenbelt because it's a bigger place, therefore photos of the place would be better :D

I love their motif which are pink and purple, so girly, so me!

A complimentary dish of bread that came with butter and herbs was served while waiting for my order. Their complimentary dish is already so good. 

When I went there, I'm not really hungry,so I just ordered for something light in the tummy. I tried their La Doyenne. A forest ham sandwich that they toasted and pan fried, topped with dark cherry preserves and chantily cream. I'd give this dish a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. The Dark cherry preserves are too sweet that after a couple of bites, I scraped some of it from the bread because I might get tired of the taste, good thing the sandwich also has cheese to give it a li'l salty taste but for me it wasn't really enough, those cherries are still too sweet.

I also tried their Cafe mocha, which deserves a perfect score. I sooo love the taste  and how it looks. This is perfect for a cold weather and it kinda tasted like choknut drink of one of the restaurants that I also visited before.

My trip to this place is such a treat. I love the ambience and the friendly staff. A must try for French cuisine craving. 

SUNSCREEN

This is not actually a type of sunscreen that you apply on your skin to protect it the fr sun's harmful rays, though my fave would have to be Celeteque Face and Body Sun Defense Cream with SPF 50 :D but for this particular blog post, I'm referring to this song fr Baz Luhrmann that was first popularized in the 90's. I remember when I first heard the song I wasn't really a fan of it, back then I was really young and doesn't really care on what my fave songs are about, so long as I love the rhythm, I'll already consider it as my favorite, LOL! Anyway this song is a music single of an article titled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" by Mary Schmich and was published as  a column in Chicago Tribune in 1997.

The video that I uploaded is already the typography of it's lyrics, but I still included the lyrics below coz you might feel dizzy if you're gonna sing along with the lyrics on the video itself, after reading the lyrics for sure you will all agree with me on why I featured this song here in my blog, by the way I came across with this song, again, in my training at work, thanks to one of the coolest trainers that I've ever had, Cel! :)

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '99
Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they've faded but trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back
At photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine

Don't worry about the future
Or know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you

Sing

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts

Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy

Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults, if you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you wanna do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to your knees
You'll miss them when they're gone

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the 'Funky Chicken'
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly

Brother and sister 

Together we'll make it through

Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there

I know you've been hurting 

But I've been waiting

To be there for you

And I'll be there just helping you out

Whenever I can

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they're your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future

Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young

Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once but leave before it makes you soft

Travel

Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you, too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders

Respect your elders

Don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you never know when either one might run out

Don't mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you're 40 it will look 85

Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
And recycling it for more than it's worth

But trust me on the sunscreen

Brother and sister 

Together we'll make it through

Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there

I know you've been hurting 

But I've been waiting

To be there for you

And I'll be there just helping you out

Whenever I can

Everybody's free

Everybody's free

To feel good

BE MOTIVATED WHILE DANCING

I immediately fell in love with the song the moment I hear it playing on the radio, I sooo love the rthym, it really makes me want to dance, much more when I researched the lyrics. I just love the part when Britney says "You wanna hot body

You wanna Bugatti

You wanna Maseratti

You better work b*tch

You wanna Lamborghini

Sip martinis

Look hot in a bikini

You better work b*tch

You wanna live fancy

Live in a big mansion

Party in France"

These are some of the things that I want to do but since I'm not really born with a silver spoon in my mouth, then I really have to work my a** off. I think I should listen to these type of songs more often especially that I'll  be starting with my new job on Monday, hehe! Wish me luck :D

Feel free to sing along with it while you shake your booty, playing the music vid :D

You wanna...
You wanna...

You wanna hot body
You wanna Bugatti
You wanna Maseratti
You better work b*tch

You wanna Lamborghini
Sip martinis
Look hot in a bikini
You better work bitch

You wanna live fancy
Live in a big mansion
Party in France
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch

Now get to work b*tch
(aaaaaa oooh)
Now get to work b*tch
(aaaaaa oooh)

Bring it on
Ring the alarm
Don't stop now just be the champion
Work it hard like its your profession
Watch out now
Cause here it comes

Here comes the smasher
Here comes the master
Here comes the big beat
Big beat to blast off

No time to quit now
Just time to get it now
Pick up what I'm puttin down
Pick up what I'm puttin down

You wanna hot body
You wanna Bugatti
You wanna Maseratti
You better work b*tch

You wanna Lamborghini
Sip martinis
Look hot in a bikini
You better work b*tch

You wanna live fancy
Live in a big a mansion
Party in France
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch

Now get to work b*tch
(aaaaa oohhh)
Now get to work bitch
(aaaaa ohhhh)

Break it off
Break it down
See me coming
You can hear my sound

Tell somebody
In your town
Spread the word
Spread the word

Go call the police
Go call the governor
I bring the trouble
Don't mean to trouble ya

I make it bubble up
Call me the bubbler
I am the bad b*tch
The bitch that you're lovin' up

Hold your hand high
Fingers to the sky
They gon try to try ya
But they cant deny ya
Keep it movin higher
And higher
Keep it movin higher
And higher

So hold your hand high
Fingers to the sky
Now they dont believe ya
But they gonna need ya
Keep it movin higher
And higher
Keep it movin higher
And higher
And higher

Work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work,
Work it out, work it out, work it out, work it out,
Work it out, work it out, work it out, work it out,
Work it out, work it out, work it out,
Work it out, work it out, work it out

You better work b*tch
You better work b*tch

Lyrics courtesy of metrolyrics.com

ITALIAN AND AFFORDABLE

  I've always love, love, love Italian food, especially pasta and because of this I've been dreaming of going to Italy just to experience the authentic Italian food, but since I can't afford to go there yet, I just scouted for the nearest Italian restaurant and the most affordable one that I know was Sicilycisimo in Festival Mall, Alabang.

  It's actually my third time going here and this time I was with my cousin, who's my usual food trip buddy :D

  

  Their interiors are a lot better now, though the old look of the resto wasn't bad at all, it's just that I really like the additional paintings of the place.

  These two pics below are my fave among all the quotes on their wall. 

  A complimentary dish of garlic stick was served while waiting for our orders.

   As always, I ordered for pesto pasta, theirs has a twist though. It's for php249. This one's called Pesto Wrap, which I would give a 4 out of 5 star rating. I really don't see the point of having it wrapped into something that is not edible but nevertheless it still tastes good, though I kinda got tired with the taste after consuming almost half of it, maybe because it's cream based as well which as you all know,  I'm not a fan of.

  We also ordered their Canneloni, which means large reeds in Italian, for php249, it's kinda like an enlarged penne pasta, usually served with a filling inside and covered by sauce, which I would give a 5 star rating. It's really good, though it's creamy, no "umay" at all.

  Another dish that we tried was their Fantasia Pizza, for php389, which deserves a perfect score as well, this pizza has mushrooms, bacon and sunny side up egg in the middle.

   My most fave among all our orders is this dessert called Cannoli, for only php159, which is made of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dish with a sweet creamy filling inside, I believe its cream cheese. These are two types of Cannoli, two pieces for each type, one has cherries and the other one has chocolate chips.

  Another thing that I love with Sicilysimo, is that the whole place is really clean and the staff are also very friendly. I would highly suggest this restaurant for Italian food lovers out there who's also on a budget. You would definitely get your money's worth.

REMINISCING ABOUT THAILAND

   I remember when I went to Thailand way back in 2008, aside from falling in love with the shopping experience, I kinda went gaga with their food as well :D

  When I went to Mall of Asia earlier, I suddenly remember how I loved Thai foods, it was just a pure spur of the moment thought. So when I pass by a  restaurant with a tag line that says, "eat thai, love thai", without a second thought, I went inside :D 

  I actually love their interiors, the first thing that came into my mind when I entered the place was that, it was STYLISH. I love the combination of black and purple which are their main motifs.

  Aren't they cute? Well for me, it is :D

   Most of the purple walls are adorned with black laces and we all know how laces are kinda hit again in fashion since last season if I'm not mistaken (sorry if laces aren't really visible in this pic and I think this shot of their wall looks more of a door, LOL!)

  A complimentary dish of chips and nuts were served while waiting for my order.

   I tried their Thai Rice Noodles with Chicken Fillet. For a reasonable price of Php228, this dish deserves  a 5 star rating. It was really flavorful, I wouldn't mind munching on this even on the summer season where the sun is scorching hot. It also has mung beans which was in great combination with the rice noodles, and the white onions, which I'm not a fan of, actually even the purple ones, but with this dish it doesn't taste like onions at all, it's more of like turnip or "singkamas" but it's definitely white onions.

   I also tried their Thai Coffee Cream Shake, which I would give a 4.5 star rating. By the way for its price of Php98, it's almost a treat coz of the  scoop of ice cream on top, which I think is vanilla flavored, but what kept me from giving this drink a perfect score was the fact that I got tired with the taste or what you call "umay" even if I haven't consumed half of it yet.

  But all in all it was a pleasurable experience visiting this place because of their friendly staff and they don't have service charge, LOL!

SOMETHING CHINESE

    I was pretty impress that P.F. Chang's branch in Alabang Town Center was their first in Asia. They also have another one in Taguig but being the Southerner that I am of course I went to ATC to finally experience this Chinese restaurant that first gained popularity in the US.

  One of their FRIENDLY staff offered to mix a special sauce for me while waiting for my order (very kind of her or maybe it's an SOP to them, anyhow I appreciated it ) just in case I would need one. She mixed a small amount of hot mustard, the one on the small cup on the left, a small amount of chili paste, the one on the small cup on the right, they mixed it with this special sauce on the small cup on the center, I'm sorry I wasn't able to ask what made the sauce special, anyway I wasn't able to use the sauce that was mixed for me because my order was flavorful enough.

  

   I ordered their Sichuan Chicken Chow Fun Noodle. It's a rice noodle stir fried with minced chicken, preserved veggies, black mushrooms and onions in a spicy sauce but I requested for mine to be less spicy. I'd give this dish a 4 star rating out of my usual 5 star rating as being the highest, it has a bitter taste into it, it seems that the mushrooms were burnt, or maybe the black mushroom is supposed to taste like that. I think it's better off without the mushroom or they could have just added a different mushroom instead.

   I also tried their apple juice that I would give a 3 star rating because it kinda tasted like one of our local apple flavored light alcoholic drink. 

   But what i really really like with P.F. Chang's though is their EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. I need to put emphasis on that, their staff are uber friendly and  definitely deserve a 5 star rating.

  Another thing that I love with this place is their interiors. I'm sorry I wasn't able to post pics of it because my cam wasn't cooperating when I tried to take pics #Sorry

   They also gave me  a discount card which will take 500 php off on my next visit if I will be ordering worth at least 1500 php #NotBad

A SONG ABOUT EQUALITY

  I just love the message behind this wonderful song from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It was actually released since last year but it was only a couple of days when it was played in our local radio stations. Anyway this song is about the gay and lesbian rights, talking about same sex marriage and  yours truly also shares the same belief that it should be legalized :)

  Here's the lyrics, feel free to sing along while you play the music video :D 

When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay,
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight.
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-k, trippin' "
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head.
I remember doing the math like, "Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A preconceived idea of what it all meant
For those that liked the same sex
Had the characteristics
The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We become so numb to what we're saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom till we're equal, damn right I support it

(I don't know)

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on
With the veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
Till the day that my uncles can be united by law
When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law is gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever God you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up... sex

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is patient
Love is kind
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
Love is kind

Lyrics courtesy of azlyrics.com

DOUBLE FRIED CHICKEN

  I once watched a local tv show counting down the latest food craze that we have on the Metro. One of the food craze that was mentioned was double fried chicken. Imagine how crispy your chicken can get if it's fried that way, right? :D and the first restaurant in Manila to give our all time fave dish a twist was Chicken Charlie and they actually opened their first store in 2010 but thank goodness coz only after three years they opened up a store in our very own SM Calamba, yay! :D I'm actually a food traveller so I was really happy when I saw a branch that is only 10 min tricycle ride away,haha! I don't have to go all the way to Manila.

  Anyway, I was with my cousin when I went to Chicken Charlie yesterday and were actually both on a budget so this was really a perfect place coz they have value meals,haha! 

  We tried their value meal F which comprises of a generous serving of Charlie's Signature Burger, fries and drinks, for a very affordable price of 145 php this is such a treat, and yep the chicken is oh so C-R-I-S-P-Y :D

   We also ordered their value meal B which has 2 pc drumsticks, rice and drinks. My cousin actually opted to try two different flavors for the drumsticks, one is chilli and one is plain flavored. This meal is only for 138 php.

  All in all we super love everything that we ordered, their chicken is REALLY CRISPY! We definitely got our money's worth.