The Sweet Side of the Moon

Last night, we dined out at Kirin Chinese Dining. IT WAS AMAZING. Well, it is the only acceptable Chinese fine dining in Bonifacio High Street anyway. I'll tell you about it next time. haha
Be sure to watch out for it: Kirin vs. Shanghai Bistro vs. Peking Garden: The Battle for the Best Chinese Fine Dining Restaurant.

Anyway, I had to tell you about it, because it was where I got my Mooncake craving fix.

'Cos see, Mooncakes are apparently everywhere.
Just last week, when we dined out at Banana Leaf Asian Cafe, we were offered the same scrumptious treat.
But my dad refused so :(
Well he does have a point, the one they're selling at such restaurants are way too expensive, with just the exact same goodness and quality compared to the cheaper Mooncakes of Ongpin.

Although, you can never go wrong with their presentation:


They are very well crafted as so, since they are usually sent out as gifts.



After much prodding, my dad eventually gave in. By the way, Kirin is a sister company of Banana Leaf, hence, they offer the exact same Mooncakes.

For 888 pesos, they offer 4 Mooncake flavors: White Lotus Seed Paste with Egg Yolk, Pineapple Paste Moon, Sweet Corn Paste with Nuts, and Red Bean Paste with Nuts and Egg Yolk.

They were all really good, of which every Mooncake are supposed to be like, given that they are very expensive.
But the one that appealed to me the most was


White Lotus Seed Paste with Egg Yolk


I know, in layman's term it might be: an oversized hopia with a salted egg yolk in the core.
But to me, it was like falling in love, or going on that first date.
GOSH, IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD.
...must buy some more.



So, apparently, Mooncakes are everywhere because it is almost Mooncake Festival.
Mooncake Festival is celebrated usually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. So this year, it falls on September 22, 2010.

It was during the Yuan dynasty, that China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered.
The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes.
Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack.
On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government.

And so, Mooncakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.


Chinese or not, even if you are not a very traditional type of person, why miss the chance of eating Mooncake and drinking tea while looking at the moon?
Seriously, WHY? Mooncakes symbolize togetherness in a family, and have I mentioned already? IT IS VERY DELICIOUS.

A Lot Like Amour

If we were in a fashion/foodie magazine, we'd tell you that dreams really do come true, once you set your mind and heart into it, but we're not, so let's just hope that this blog gets at least a thousand hits.

And, IT DID! YAAAAAAAY!
SUPER THANKS EVERYONE!
We love you so.


Nikki (the one on the right, with the shorter hair) and I (the other one, obviously) started this blog in hope that it would usher us into making our dreams come true. Come almost 2 months, still, her dream of becoming a stylist, and mine as a professional foodie still seem so near yet so far. HAHAHA

But all because of your positive feedbacks and never-ending support, we find enough strength and determination to continue in fueling our passion into such respective fields.
I mean, this is where it all starts! And while this humble blog is not something to obsess over, a thousand hits, obviously mean that this entire thing has not been a failure.



Thanks guys!
You continue to inspire us to best enjoy ourselves now, because somehow, we are going somewhere soon.


See, everyone, somewhere, has something beautiful to share, and the important thing is to let people know. So showcase the world what you've got!
You need not be the most stunning individual, or the best blogger in the whole wide world.

True, when someone so beautiful walks into the room, I may drop my dessert menu for a while and take time to admire her beauty. But after a while, it doesn't appeal so much to me anymore. I mean, could there possibly be someone, or something more appealing than desserts?

But the ability to be able to show people that you are beautiful, that you felt amazing things, and that you lived, and you loved as much as you could, while you could, that is immortal.

So take pictures, lots and lots of pictures.
#1 rule in Fotography: Something does not need to be beautiful to be extraordinary.

And blog. Say things a thousand different ways. Twist words inside and out and double them back over onto themselves. Come up with words in different languages, say the same words over and over again. Write it down and spell it out stressing each syllable across intercontinental static.
Scare the world and fill it with pages and pages of what you mean to say.

And more importantly, do it with a friend -- or share it with friends (like the way we shared it with you guys)!
'Cos see, friends are like your most trusted accessories. May it be your multi-purpose scarf, or bow belt, beaded necklace, most stylish clutch or designer stilettos. True, one can live without them.
As your skinny jeans or mini skirt or even your statement shirt defines your outfit. But gain some extra pounds and such clothing items betray you.

Nevertheless, your most-trusted accessories stand by you and would make you look and feel fabulous, no matter what :)

Bowtastic

Weird title huh. It's the first thing that came to me.:))

Anyhow, bows can be seen more lately on just about any item you can wear; in headbands, shoes, bags, necklaces, rings, it goes on.

I myself have grown to be quite fond of them and am growing a collection. I find that they add just the right amount of charm and cuteness to an otherwise boring outfit.

The belt was given by a friend and the rest I made myself; a brooch, a ring and a cuff. I sometimes attach the brooch to a necklace. I also try the scarf-as-headband trend but with just half-a-bow only due to the small size of my scarf. If you want to try this, let these girls from stylesightings.com serve as inspiration:

It's a pretty refreshing sight to see don't you think?

The bow has been featured on the runway by major designers this season (Fall 2010). If you aren't sure about the bow yet get ready to be delighted and converted!

pretty pastels from Miu Miu

patent leather goodness at l: Prada, r: Valentino

bow tie blouses for a touch of vintage at l: Balmain, r: Ferragamo

DIY-friendly bows from l: Dolce & Gabbana, r: Chloe

Now don't those last two make you want to run to your nearest supplies store to grab a yard of silky ribbon? It can be worn as a ponytail and headband, too. So go ahead and add a touch of charm and sweetness to your outfit with a bow.

Runway images taken from style.com

3 Simple Ways to Wear A Scarf

A scarf can add charm and quirkiness to any outfit. It is pretty versatile, too. It can be worn on your hair, on your head, on your neck, your arm, on your waist and may even be worn as a top or skirt when using the really large square scarves.

We've been meaning to have a scarf how-to for some time now. And finally did it yesterday.
A small square scarf was used for this shoot.

A large handkerchief can be used as an alternative for a more casual look.

note: We had to do this shoot really quickly so I didn't get to consult a mirror for all three which explains their hasty feel. On the other hand, it shows you how easy and fast you can execute them.;)

We start with a single fold for each look.

This first one we'll call "the Stewardess".:))

Yeah, I know it's kind of sloppy. Moral of the story: make sure you do this with a mirror.

The next one is a headband. You can make this even cuter by doing a bow or half a bow instead of a simple knot.

And this last one is the simplest requiring just a fold and a knot.

And that concludes our first how-to.

For Czeila

One of the first and best people I know in college has made quite an accomplishment that I just have to share through this blog. Czeila, now otherwise known as Princess Faye, has been published for the very first time! She sent out manuscripts to the top pocketbook romance churner in the country, Precious Hearts Romances, which recognized her potential and talent and has approved all that she has sent them. Her first approved romance just recently came out in their bookstores.

And I am the very first one to get copies! I am just so not excited for her.

Yep, that's my name on the dedication page.;)

I of course had to share this with BFJ and Cheska.
And since this week didn't go as planned with me being unable to (or not being allowed to :P) capture BFJ in her costumes, she modeled the book for me. She looked so great!

We just cannot go through this post without a shot of her awesome shoes.

And then came Cheska who has already read a PHR book a long time ago.

I know she will be so engrossed with this story later. hehe.
I know I was.
And so will you so grab a copy and be sure to watch out for her next titles!