Gratitude

...is definitely more than just a cafe.
And it adds up to today, being more than just a day :)


IDK what BFN ate (or did not eat this morning) that she agreed to go on a gastronomic adventure with me today. haha
See, BFN is NOT A FOOD PERSON.
She finds eating, nakakatamad :/

Maybe it was because of the fact as well that we never had the time to bond anymore :(
Papers, reports, exams, sheesh, acads are interfering with our friendship T_T

Whatever it is, I thank that reason.


We found going there really fun.
We got to talk about people (haha), on how to get more readers of this blog, how to make this blog better, future fotoshoot themes, yea, we also talked about pimples, and things we used to do when we were so young,
we talked about everything BFFs talk about :)



It was both our first time to go there.
Neither had I seen the walls of that place in my whole life.
I only found out about it through OurAwesomePlanet, and it fascinated me so much that there is now a similar cafe in the Philippines that my dearest Jason Mraz loved so much.

After gas mileage and so much asking,
we finally got there!
(I think from The Fort we went right, and then left, and then right again. haha)




What made me fall in love most about gratitude cafe was their extremely polite, cheerful, and attentive staff.
We were immediately greeted "Good Afternoon Madams!" as soon as we entered.
Plus, we were seated in a flash as well.

While waiting for the menu to come, we were served this somehow bowl of thoughts :))
It's like a fortune cookie, minus the cookie.
Well fine, they don't say much about your fortune as well (sheesh, I suck at comparisons :/)







It offers inspirational quotes.
Mine was: I love and accept myself the way I am and I love and accept others in the same way.




THE FOOD WAS AMAZIIIING!
Well, the foods' names were MOST AMAZING, and the way the staff serve you the food are EXEMPLARY :))

They offer a diverse range of organic food.


BFN was refreshing, and blessed.
I was charming and creative. (IKR HAHAHA)

And we were both sweet :)



Okay, not being self-conceited here. haha
Let me explain.

I am charming.

This is their home-made iced tea. It was really good. It was somewhat minty, lemony, and black tea-ish.
I found it perfect. I'm adding it up to my list of favorite home-made iced teas.

I am creative.

Don't eat meat? This is suitable for you!
It looks like meat, and it definitely tastes OOOH SOOO MEAT.
But, it's gluten chunks in hickory barbecue sauce.
It tasted SOOOOOO GOOD. Although I didn't find it hickory barbecue-ish.

I am blessed.

I only had a pinch of it. And all I could tell you is that the fish really was flavorful, and I loved it.
BFN didn't comment so much about it. The only review I heard from her the whole time she was eating this was that the veggies on the side was really, really bland.

I am sweet.

And so, I DIED.
I was never a fan of carrot cakes, but this is a carrot cake like no other!
IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD.
It wasn't too sweet, it wasn't too carrot-ty as well.
The cream cheese icing and the nuts, and chocolate syrup AAAAAH BRING ME BACK TO GRATITUDE CAFE T_T

Although, they only offer one dessert, per month, I think.
So if you want to try this one, you better run. :))

I am refreshing is distilled water.



The place could cater to about 20 people.
But they also have a second floor.

The place was very serene, and comfortable.
Despite being at the heart of humongous buildings and corporate greed.

The customers were mostly corporate women, and people who seem like grabbing a bite after yoga (judging from the yoga mat that they have).


I am not a fan of eating alone, but if you are, go and do so.
You won't find it boring here since they offer a pile of reading materials.






And I guess, MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT, because they also offer:



And before you leave, they let you write in this giant white board, that serves as their guestbook or something.
haha This is the total opposite of Van Gogh is Bipolar's Red Shit Wall :))










While these may be the sweetest.









HAHAHA Ours, definitely define SHAMELESS PLUGGING =))





Gratitude: More than a restaurant, because here, not only the food are yummy and healthy for your body, but for your soul as well :)
And really, more than all that, I was thankful that I shared the experience with none other than,

Little Quiapo

August 25 is the National Banana Split Day.
A renowned Ice Cream Parlor already sent me an SMS, a definite split on banana splits on the said day, from P185 to P79 to celebrate the very treat that has been mending broken hearts billions and billions of years already.

True, when the going gets tough, I eat ice cream.


But after having been to Little Quiapo for the nth time last night, I think I would prefer the perfect blend of sweetened beans, fruits, custard and ube halaya all on shaved ice, masked oh-so-perfectly by milk.

Little Quiapo Halo-Halo: The Halo-Halo served in a flash.


I don't really know if this counts as a food blog, because I will not talk about the much-hyped Halo-Halo in this post, neither will this be about the best Palabok in the whole wide world.

Food need not to strike a special pose, nor wear fancy make-up. They already look good on their own. Hence, I did not take pictures of them. haha I'm sorry :(


Little Quiapo is way older than me, even older than my dad, I think it already earned every positive adjective in the English, and even Filipino Dictionary, just so to express the greatness of the authentic Filipino food they have to offer.



It's just that last night, what really captured my heart and served as a scrumptious feast for me, was their decors!

I remember back then, when every edible substance tasted alike to my palette, I would hate my dad for taking me to Little Quiapo every time.

Oh believe me, 10+ years ago, Little Quiapo does live up to its name: chaotic, and unsanitary. Oh sheeez.
But they do have exemplary Halo-Halo and Palabok, of which I never noticed back then.
Oh well, I guess epicureanicity isn't something you get to be born with :P


Anyway, just look at it now!



AMAAAAZING RIIIGHT?

I'm sorry, I did not study any kind of design principle, but I believe that I do not need such to appreciate what Little Quiapo put out: Contemporary Filipino (I think).



A perfect place to remind you that it is indeed hot in the Philippines, but where else could you possibly enjoy a cold treat such as Halo-Halo?


Look at the wall and ceiling decors as well!










Very Filipino, right?
Some people may think that it's baduy, or cheap.


But to top it all off with this?





...is like Leche Flan on top of a glass of beans, a treat like no other.

Shoecrazed: Oxfords

First shoe post!

I have been thinking about a shoe post (being the shoe-lover that I am) for some time now and have only been able to actually make it now. But there was no need for wracking my brains on what shoe to feature. There was only one kind of shoe on my mind. That is the oxford shoe.

The oxfords are very versatile. They may come heeled or in the form of boots like the one above. And you can wear them with anything. Yeah, they may look very masculine but it's all in the styling. Here are some of the outfit options that can be worn.

Aren't they all very flirty and feminine? You can definitely wear them with heels or ballet flats but wearing them with oxfords will make the outfit more interesting and the manliness of the shoes balances out with the girly feel of the clothes.

You can of course also opt to go with the androgynous look.

The key to pulling these off is to make sure your ankles are not hidden underneath the pants so keep 'em just above by rolling those pants up as shown.

They may look blah now. That's where accessories come in. Chunky bracelets, a straw hat or a fedora, statement rings or necklaces would complete any look.

It seems these lace-ups are only coming to our shores now. I've been searching in our malls for some time now but have only seen them recently. Those in Bayo in particular are pretty sweet.

I'm hoping to lay my hands on, or rather feet, in these somehow. Don't be limited to ballet flats and sneakers. Try the oxfords for yourself. They are definitely a practical and classic must-have.

All items can be found in polyvore.com

Friggatriskaideka: Friday the Thirteenth

Today is Friday the Thirteenth.
Many believes in the superstition that whenever the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, it is a very unlucky day.

Well, I do not actually believe in such.
But, I can say that bad things happen on Friday the 13th.


Looking back at posts, well, you will find none of mine.
At least posts of which are unusually dated like, forever ago.


True, academics have been taking up my time, as well as organization activities.
That, is a valid statement.
But a statement I could possibly attest my affirmation is that:

I have been so uninspired lately.

Too uninspired that food, my ultimate source of happiness, does not seem so fascinating to me anymore.


And so I decided to find other things I could possibly amuse myself with.
And a million thanks to my ever so dear BFN, that she agreed to nurture my Fotographic Dream.



Friday the Thirteenth: The most perfect theme for the shoot.

And oh yes. After two shots, my batteries died on me :/

Sheeez, a definite bad luck for a frustrated photographer.


But then we bought new ones and all went well, eventually.



There may be significant, horrifying events that took place on a Friday the Thirteenth, but I don't know,


1. my muse in such a cute little black dress is just way too adorable to be a witch in disguise.



and

2. why should you avoid looking in a mirror if you are as stunning as NikkiT?





Maybe I am just not that kind of person who believes in superstition.

The incidence of the 13th falling on a Friday

could happen thrice a year.


And shit happens almost every split of a second.


It's just that in the slightest hint of a scientist that I am, superstitions is inexact science, at its best.
Signs, occurence, and impacts?

All guessworks.



Disclaimer: The author seeks thou's forgiveness for this post not having any relation to food nor fashion. I guess what I could provide you right now is my pursuit of Fotography. But, I promise to get back up in the food blogging game as soon as inspiration strikes.

Again, apologies.

Off the Runway: Isabel Marant FW 10-11

Leather. Metallics. Fur.
These were put on spotlight for Isabel Marant's fall/winter collection. I instantly fell in love with each look (although I'm not too sure about the fur). The collection was fifties inspired; with the oh-so-chic fitted cropped pants, scarves, and the styling of the girls' hair and make-up.

Aren't those leather pants just amazing? They are very rock and roll and yet still feminine. And those pumps with bows complete the looks perfectly.
I can't say that I have a favorite look. It's hard to choose just one! Those shown in this post are the ones that really spoke to me. Aren't they just lovely?

You would notice that the collection is wearable. I'm sure all fashion-lovers out there would want to get their hands on these, or at least try to recreate them on their own. I for one am surely going to.

All pictures taken from isabelmarant.tm.fr