3.27.2015

Mom-Finds Round-Up from Chicify, L'Indochine, and Calima

Last Friday of the month:  Shopping / Fashion / Accessories

I can't believe the first quarter of the year is almost over.  It's gonna be Holy Week next week and many are expected to be taking a vacation or long break. I will also be having a short break online -- I consider it a sacrifice, as I've done in the past. No blog post on Good Friday. But today is the last Friday of my birthday month and I want to make this a really exciting post. I've been on a "shopping drought" lately, if you noticed, so let me end the quarter with these unique finds that are all worth your hard-earned moolah! =)


Compared to the past years, I haven't been able to attend blogger events even if I wanted to, mainly due to my homeschooling and fetching duties, among others. I was actually surprised, and lucky to be able to attend and have fun at three events -- all in one month! This was totally unexpected and a welcome change to my routine.

Enough with the back story and let me show you my #MomFridayFinds for this month! I will also post the albums of each event on My Mom-Friday Facebook page. 

Get ready to shop after reading this! =)


CHICIFY.COM


During the Chicify Shopping Party, I was able to view most of the brands they carry and was quite pleased with the price points and variety being offered. Since it's an online store, having the party was a great opportunity to actually touch and feel, and fit the clothes, which made me buy this Chicify 'Chin Culottes' in gray, and a Sexy White Tee. There were cool animal printed dresses, tunics, and summery maxi dresses that you can choose from, as well as statement pieces like this ethnic clutch from Quiver and accessories from House of Heirloom. Leather "mandals" from Cole Vintage are best-sellers as well.


I also got to bring home this very light and comfy navy jersey top courtesy of our friend Pam of Willow Clothing. One of the most versatile designs that will flatter any figure is the batwing, and this one comes in short sleeves or pullover. Anybody, any shape and size, can wear this style. There were dresses and two-way button-down shirts too! You can find Willow Clothing over at Chicify.com or in SM department stores (Megamall, Makati, North Edsa, Cubao, Mall of Asia, BF ParaƱaque), and The Ramp (Glorietta and Trinoma).
(Photos of Willow Clothing from Chicify.com)

Easy online Shopping at: 


L'INDOCHINE 


L’Inodchine (pronounced Lahn-doe-sheen) recently conducted their first L'Indochine Workshop at their flagship store in SM Megamall. I will tell you more about it on another blog feature.  For now, I'll focus on their interesting array of well-curated items with modern Asian style that the shop has been known for since it opened in 2013. You can expect hard-to-find items from India, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand.


The lifestyle concept store features a limited collection of fashionable pieces, home furniture and accents that will surely add a boho touch to your style and exotic Asian feel for your home. From intricate batik printed wooden trays, eclectic Cermin Dinding Rono mirrors from Indonesia, to embroidered bags and clutches from India and Thailand, you're sure to discover some very interesting "treasure" in the store.  These make great gifts too.


3rd level, SM Aura Premier, BGC
4th level, SM Mega Fashion Hall
(Photos on the collage provided by L'Indochine)


CALIMA JEWELLERY


Calima Jewellery (British spelling) was founded by Bogota native Claudia Hernandez, a long-time Manila resident who pioneered in pre-Columbian jewelry in the Philippines almost two decades ago. Calima jewelries are authentic artisan-crafted pieces that include hand-made reproductions of the El Dorado pre-Columbian treasures, only seen in the world famous Gold Museum in Bogota. 

It was just last Wednesday that I got to meet the woman behind Calima, and my friends and I were in awe at how each piece of jewelry was made -- very exquisite, and reasonably priced. According to Ms. Hernandez, these one-of-a-kind pieces are made using the "lost-wax process" (an ancient process casting metal sculptures from wax molds).  Her eye-catching pieces are crafted from brass metal and plated with either pure silver or a mixture of 24K and 18K gold, giving them depth and intense colors. The designs incorporate selected semi-precious stones like carnelian, sodalite, amethyst, jasper, onyx, and agate, resulting in the most stunning pieces that celebrate ancient craftsmanship and cultural ingenuity.


Look what I tried on -- a chain of gold and carnelian beads with a golden lizard pendant. This is on my wishlist! (Thanks Tina, for this close-up shot of the necklace). In addition to jewelry, Calima also sells colorful hand-woven Wayuu bags (mochilas) and belts intricately hand-crafted by members of Colombia's native Wayuu tribe. Every purchase helps the indigenous tribes that created them.


G/F 6053 Palma St. Galeria Lagman Bldg.
(At the back of Rockwell), Poblacion, Makati City

What did you like from my finds? Anything that caught your fancy? =)


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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3.20.2015

Fun Friday: Oreo Playdate at Fun Farm in Sta. Elena

Third Friday of the month:  Travel / Recreation

It was a school holiday last Feburary 25 so it's a perfect day to set out for Laguna and bring the "Oreo families" to the farm.  The Sta. Elena Fun Farm in Cabuyao is a favorite back-to-nature recreational destination, making it the ideal venue for our playdate and bring the whole gang for a day of outdoor adventure with Oreo.


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3.18.2015

Afternoon at the Museum: Fundacion Sansó

We've been planning to go a museum since last month, but didn't get the time to do so. There were several choices in mind, and this newly opened Sansó museum in our neighborhood was the most convenient.  We don't know what to expect from this place, and not one of my friends have visited yet. In line with the boy's art subject, we are trying to get to know a few world-renowned artists.  He already read about the father of cubism, Pablo Picasso. This time, it's master Juvenal Sansó.

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3.13.2015

Family Friday: Just Another Candle on the Cake

Second Friday of the month: Personal / Motherhood

My birthday came and went. It was just like any usual Monday, even more stressful actually, kasi it's the girl's assessment week. In short, it was like lessons and studying the whole day for me, from homeschooling the boy, then reviewing the girl until dinner time. So, no birthday "leave" for this mom.  At least a break from cooking that day. We just went to a Japanese resto for dinner to celebrate.  I turned 42.


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3.12.2015

Sulit Bundle of Smart Bro + Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite for 499 Only!

Yes, you read that right -- PhP499 Plan gets you a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite with high-speed mobile internet in this all-in-one Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plan, and may Dora doll ka pa for your kid! =) 


As a "Smart mom", I am always the bearer of good news when it comes to new and exciting offers from Smart. This fantastic deal is for a limited time only, so read on.

I'm excited to share this super affordable plan for the whole family to enjoy. My techie husband thinks this is a sulit bundle especially for those with young kids, given all the add-ons in the 499 Plan. Check this out:

Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plan 499
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite
  • Samsung Kids grip case with stylus
  • Smart Bro Pocket Wifi + 1.7Gb of internet/month
    • 50 surfing hours per month through Smart Bro Pocket WiFi
  • Dora Plush Doll
  • Extra 30-day Samsung KidsTime app subscription voucher
    • parental control
    • child’s usage report
    • other safety features
    • a library of book and educational games, with characters like Dora and Diego
For more details, go to the Smart store now and check out Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plan here!

So, if you're thinking about getting a tablet to share with the family, this Smart Bro + Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite bundle is for you. Grab it while you can, pronto!
Promo runs until March 31, 2015 only.


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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3.06.2015

Foodie Friday: Great Kahuna at Teddy's Bigger Burgers

First Friday of the month:  Restaurant / Burgers

I am a carnivore. My husband and kids too! We all love a good, meaty, juicy burger matched with our favorite refreshments and crunchy potato fries on the side. Naturally, when a friend invites us to dine at one of the newest burger joints in town, we say 'yay'! Aloha to Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Hawaii’s number one burger since 2001!



Did I say meaty and juicy? Look at that perfect "medium well" quarter-pound beefy goodness! Welcome to Teddy's!

From what I learned about Teddy's, this Hawaiian franchise started as a backyard business of Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula, who both love a good home-cooked burger. They wanted to create the best quality burger in a quick service restaurant and ‘reinvent the burger joint’. In 1998, they opened their first Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, and has now landed on our local shores with two branches.


A few Saturdays ago, we trooped to Teddy's in Shangri-la Plaza Mall and were greeted with a sunny Hawaiian-theme welcome from the staff. The cozy dining area is like a 1950s diner but with a beach vibe complete with cool surfboards mounted on one wall by the entrance.


As soon as my family was seated with my blogger friends, I went up to the counter and was overwhelmed by the mouth-watering choices of burgers on offer. Ang tagal ko talagang naka-decide what to try!

What's up with Teddy's Bigger Burgers?

"Teddy’s uses only 100% USDA Ground Chuck Patty (no fillers or binders), hand-pattied daily and always charbroiled to order. Because all menu items are fresh and prepared to order, it takes a little longer to serve. Teddy's goal is to make it worth the wait."

I zoomed in on the specialty creations under the Great Kahuna Burgers line. Read the menu board and you'll find that everything looks delicious!


Teddy's burger features:
  • 1/4 lb. beef patty from 100% USDA ground chuck -- flame-broiled burgers
  • A creative combination of chunky toppings and cheeses
  • Signature sauces
  • Burgers on a potato bun
  • Choice of burger sizes and doneness -- up to 9 oz. burgers, cooked from rare to well done

I always go for medium well, which is Teddy's standard. Simply specify your preferences upon ordering.  We really appreciated these extra options to enjoy our burgers better.


A view from our table. We had soda, house-blended lemonade and iced tea to down our hearty burgers and fries.


Bae-con Me Crazy Burger is love, I highly recommend this!
This was my quarter-pounder burger with flavor overload. It's got everything I want -- bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, grilled onions, drizzled with special sauce and truffle honey. All complementing the flame-broiled, well-seasoned juicy beef patty on a soft potato bun. Sorry the burger is hiding in this photo. Believe me, it's big and tasty, not greasy at all. I'm salivating as I type this!


"Super Sauce is Teddy’s own sweet and tangy creation, not the usual thousand island dressing. Teddy’s Teriyaki Sauce is a traditional recipe made from scratch.
Our produce and potato buns are delivered fresh daily."

Diablo is the name.  See those jalapeƱos? J had this one and I got a little taste of it.  The mild heat from the peppers are compounded by a medley of sauces -- fire sauce, buffalo sauce and special sauce top this spicy burger.  It's not too hot for me, tamang-tama lang ang spiciness, so I'll definitely have this in future visits.


The Gaucho has a big crunchy beer-battered onion ring, on bacon and cheddar cheese, topped with Teddy's barbecue sauce. J and I split this one coz the kids wanted plain burger instead. It's good 'coz I enjoy eating bacon and onion rings, but realized I'm not fond of bbq sauce on burgers.


It was a Hau'Oli split between these two who wanted no frills on their burger, except it has to have cheese.  Lettuce was omitted, as requested. The boy munched on the fries, while the girl got a side order of yummy Corn Dog.  Simot lahat!



We went home so full and happy! After this very satisfying dining experience at Teddy's Bigger Burgers, we have now added this in our list of favorite family restaurants. Teddy's food choices already made a good impression on the kids, thus making it an easy choice for us the next time we crave for gourmet-quality burgers!

I'm already thinking about our next visit and eyeing the Bleu Cheese Bacon, the Elvis, or the crave-worthy Kukaelio burger with cheese-garlic-bacon-stuffed portobello mushroom! OMG!


Visit Teddy’s Bigger Burgers with the whole gang.
Follow Teddy's Bigger Burgers on Facebook for the latest updates!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers branches:
Level 3, Greenbelt 3 
Level 6, The Ledge, Shangri-La Plaza


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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