Ultimate Food show: WOFEX Marketplace at SMX July 31 - August 3

The World Food Expo (WOFEX) is finally happening this week! It's a humongous expo that happens every year, and it only gets bigger this 2013.

Here is what you need to know: The event is happening in two venues. The World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center.Where to go? If you are looking for ingredients to buy, then head to the WOFEX Marketplace at SMX. This is what I intend to do.

However, if you are a serious trader i.e. kitchen equipment then head to the WOFEX trade at WTC.



Unlike its trade counterpart, the WOFEX Marketplace is open to the public from July 31- August 3. Ticket price is Php 150. This is a serious venue to explore food trends, source ingredients for personal or small business use, and learn from the free on-stage cooking demos.

Important reminder: You cannot bring children to the venue. The crowd is thick and is not condusive for children's comfort. As much as possible, attendees are requested to leave as soon as they are finished with shopping to make room for other visitors. Yes, this is how packed WOFEX can be!

However, it's still a must-visit especially for people like me who are the designated "marketer" and "chef" at home. Apart from food shopping, I am keeping my eyes peeled for new recipes and business ideas. The organizers and partners are very generous in teaching. In fact, here's the line up of free stage shows for the WOFEX Marketplace attendees:

DAY 1 July 31, 2013 (Wednesday)

12nn-1pm No Compromise Cooking with Borges

1pm – 2pm Savor The Long Life Happiness

2pm – 3pm Yummy Dishes Made Easy!

3pm – 4pm Food Creativity by World Class Concepts

4pm – 5pm Gourmet-to-Go, A ScanAsia Cooking Demo

5pm – 6pm Difficult is Easy: Hassle-free Food Preppin’ with Breville


DAY 2 August 1, 2013 (Thursday)

12nn – 1pm Taste the Difference with Divella

1pm - 2pm Menu: The Magic of Cooking featuring Chef Ric Loteria

2pm – 3pm Everyday Food Made Better With Eden

3pm – 4pm Classic Touch by Chef Heny Sison

4pm – 6pm HRCAP-CATFABS Chefs Culinary Showdown



Day 3, August 2, 2013 (Friday)

10am-11am Sarap Super Q

11am – 12nn Cooking with Marca Chef

12nn – 1pm Yummy Dishes Made Easy!

1pm – 2pm Idol sa Kusina

2pm – 3pm Barista Choi Coffee Demo

3pm – 4pm Good Food Deserves Lurpak

5pm – 6pm Chute & Squeeze: Healthy Juicing Made Easier with Breville


Day 4, August 3, 2013 (Saturday)

11am – 12nn Everyday Creations by Chef Nino Logarta

12nn – 1pm Crumbled Goodness that Crisp to the Taste

1pm – 2pm Paella Arroz Caldo Toppings

2pm – 3pm Menu: The Magic of Cooking featuring Chef Ric Loteria

3pm – 4pm McCormick Foodservice Brings Passion to Flavor

4pm – 6pm Quick and Easy Cooking with Oster and KitchenAid


This is a lot of free knowledge not just for small business owners but for homemakers as well. Make sure you come prepared, and make sure you attend this year's ultimate food show! :)

Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WOFEX

The Off Price Show now in Manila - Shop famous brands at discounts

While driving through EDSA, I thought I was dreaming when I saw a bus advertisement about The Off Price Show. I knew it was a regular event in the UK but in the Philippines? Wake up to a 3 day shopping bliss starting from 28-30 September!




I'm so excited to attend this shopping event franchise for the very first time. This is happening at my oddest shopping mecca, The World Trade Center. Would you believe I do most of my bulk shopping there every Christmas season?

Paying full price is a swear word in my thrifty dictionary. For sure smart shoppers will be there early so I'm planning my trip and start at exactly 10AM. This might be a good chance for me to own my first pair of Melissa shoes.

And how many of us daydream about IKEA furniture? I am not brand conscious but the ergonomics and space saving features of this brand is just awesome. IKEA is not all about furniture, they have baby and toddler stuff too. Plus points for my toddler Ashton!

According to my sources, this won't be a mediocre show. All retailers will be selling stock at 50-80% off. I hope this is true because I've got a lot on my shopping list:

- Clothes for Ashton
- Plain cotton shirts & shorts for me (just can't have enough)
- A flat pair of shoes
- Comfy shift dresses
- Polo shirts for my husband
- Quirky stuff from Ikea

Aside from shopping, visitors can also enjoy the food center, and a styling and fashion show.

Here's a tip: Make the most out of your shopping day by wearing flats, bring lots of eco bags, and don't forget that The World Trade Center has a nice restaurant on the second floor where you can dine in peace if you wish. It's also my secret pit stop when my legs are dead tired from all the walking.

Are you excited yet? I am! See you all at The Off Price Show :)

Event: Yoga in the Wild Book Launch | Feb. 13 @ Fully Booked BHS

Learn about the adventurous yet healthy and healing lifestyle that yoga brings. Strictly RSVP. The book’s proceeds are going to Roots of Health, an organization that advocates to improve the reproductive health and overall well-being of women and girls, and to decrease malnutrition in babies and young children within community groups in Palawan.

Chinese New Year 2012 - Events, Shows, Eats and More

I was looking for a place to celebrate Chinese New Year and thought of sharing all of these to you :) I was big on feng-shui in 2011 and it was a lucky and blessed year indeed. Celebrating Chinese New Year is always fun especially dragon dancing and fireworks!

Take your pick below so you can celebrate Kung Hei Fat Choi in style. Don't forget your red dress!

Welcome the Year of the Water Dragon at the Manila Hotel:



Watch the Spring Festival Movies at Shangri-la Plaza



Shop at the Lucky Dragon Bazaar



Grab the 2012 Water Dragon Lunar Calendar from Master Joseph Chau



Kung Hei Fat Choi Buffet at Diamond Hotel



Have a prosperous and FUN Chinese New Year everyone! :)

Fashion Bloggers at the Blogapalooza

I know I shouldn't be here anymore (especially I was wearing my Maria la del Barrio, peasant look) but it was great to see the new & improved breed of Manila fashion bloggers!

They're all so young, vibrant, and skinny. @diannedequina @paxieness @artsyava @anagon @thestyleandsoul @earthlingorgeous me: @lacellanora



My blogging friends, long time - no see.. And that's a full shot of my outfit.


Inspiration

On that note, I super love my fashion experiment that day. It's not what you wear but how you wear it. Perhaps I can get away with a trash bag next time? That's a joke.

Time to Step Out: Solenad 2 opens July 29

Mark the date little monsters, it's time to step out in front of your computers and enjoy the outdoors on July 29 when Solenad 2 opens. It is the newest retail playground in NUVALI, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.



A retail and dining destination built with the community and family in mind, Solenad 2 was designed around the mindset of work-life balance. The community center , with its carefully handpicked mix of food establishments and shopping brands embraces the Filipinos’ love for bonding and coming together through dining and shopping experiences. This is made more distinct and special by Solenad 2’s unique outdoor environment.

Opening Event and Activities

From July 29 to 31, experience first-hand the excitement of living the outdoors as Solenad 2 opens with Plug and Play at Solenad - a three-day weekend fair for showcasing fun activities.

Relive your high school memories and bring out your inner competitive side in one of the game booths. Spend time with family and friends, while you munch and crunch on sweet treats. Move and groove to the popular beats of today’s most sought after bands - Urbandub and Taken By Cars.

Shops, Spas, and Dining at Solenad 2

Explore the diverse range of shopping options from active lifestyle brands of Stoked, All Flip Flops, Aloha Boardsports, L-Time, Quicktime, Sebago, Bratpack, Restoerun, RUNNR; to the latest trends from Payless Shoesource, Aerosoles, Nine West, Bench, Cushe, Hush Puppies, Aldo, GEOX, Alberto, 158 DB, Officine, C2. Experience the convenient way of living through the reliable services of Bench Fix, Nailaholics, Nisce, Montessori Di Maria Bambinella, LBC and Globe. Satisfy your cravings with Solenad 2’s handpicked dining selection of Toastbox, Krispy Kreme, Max’s, Seafood Island, Sumo Sam, Gerry’s Grill, Bo’s Coffee, FIC, Serenitea, Breadtalk, Pancake House, Pho24, Army Navy, Fruitty Froyo and LZM.

Are you excited now? I am and I will do my best to be at Nuvali on July 29 weekend :) See you there!

Read about my last visit to Nuvali and find out why I love it.

How to Get the Most out of the Food Adventure at Venice Piazza, McKinley Hills

I've earned the Food Adventurer badge last night at Venice Piazza, McKinley Hills. Not an easy feat, mind you - 12 phases of degustation in one sitting. It's now my mission to help you, fellow gluttons on how to enjoy the Food Adventure for yourselves. Notes that this is happening all weekends of July only from 6PM to 10PM.

Below are photos of actual food/serving sizes taken from last night.

1. Arrive early - you read it right, 12 phases of eating tasteful dishes and they are not samplers. You'll need all the time in the world to finish and enjoy each and every plate without the hurrying up to the next meal.

2. Enjoy your restaurant hopping - Walk through the restaurants at Venice Piazza and enjoy the differing ambiance that goes with each food adventure. Use this time to check out shops too, like The Big Apple Spa on the second floor. This activity also means you burn extra calories getting up and walking. If coming with friends, why not split up the group so you can exchange notes and experiences when you bump into each other? :)

3. Read the itinerary - your passport comes with an envelope packed with a suggested itinerary. You'll see a suggestion of meals to order first or restaurants to enjoy last. You wouldn't want to start your degustation adventure with a gelato, though the idea is very hard to resist after our experience at Sol Gelato.

4. Here's a saving tip - bring your own soda or drinks. The food adventure passport doesn't come with drinks but you can always order. Though it may defeat the purpose of coming in and out of restaurants quickly to complete your adventure. You can always also ask for service water because soda will fill up your tummy and fast.

5. Take a break - you and your stomach will need it. I walked around after 5 plates and Venice Piazza is an endearing venue for a quiet walk. They have a covered pathway that goes downwards (perfect!), a playground where you can take your kid to, and a fountain you can be mesmerized with.

Or, you can go around the Cook Out! tent, pick some exotic seafood like snails and have it cooked. Of course, do ask for it to be packed so you can enjoy it at home or bring it as pasalubong.

6. When you're about to surrender and die full - ask for the waiter (kindly) if the leftovers can be packed. The Food Adventure passport is only for dine-in customers but you don't want your leftovers in the rubbish when plenty are starving in the third world.

Alternatively, you can phone a friend to help you but be sure to hand the passport to him. Just like in a relay race, pass the baton for your friend to enjoy other unstamped meals at their designated restaurants. Sharing is not allowed.



7. Finally, don't forget to take photos - having a Food Adventure this affordable Php 550 and you get to eat at 12 places, is not usual! Who eats at 12 restaurants a day right? Oh wait, you did! So that deserves a Kodak moment and an invisible badge that you survived Venice Piazza's Food Adventure! :)

Food adventure at Venice Piazza | McKinley Hill

My family and I can't help but drool whenever food is featured on TV. Actually, it's the only thing that we all agree on. And when we saw this feature about the Food Adventure in McKinley Hill at The Fort - the room was filled with ooh's and aah's.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

So I am not letting this pass me by, especially when it happens on weekends. It's a good excuse to go out plus, experience something exciting with friends or family. Great food events like these are hard to come by.

I have my eyes on the exotic food like fried frogs but they might be extinct soon so no, but maybe fried baluts and the sweet desert egg-che-flan. You have to buy a food adventure passport worth Php 500 + to try samplers inside the restaurants. But as seen in the video, there are stalls that you can buy food from as you wish. No passport required.



See above poster for more information on the happenings. The place is spacious and if you are bringing kids then that's a plus. Don't you think this is also a perfect place to have a romantic delicious date?

See you all there!

Pond's Flawless White Unbeaten Challenge Night @ Fiama

Tuesday was one beautiful night at Fiama where we beauty bloggers celebrated the end of our Pond's Flawless White Challenge :) All the Pond's beauty ambassadors were there and that's us!



Thanks to everyone who supported me and my partner, Earth - both of us enjoyed the experience and honestly, Pond's Flawless White visible day cream allowed me to trim down my skincare regimen this summer. It's the perfect sun protection cream against UV and dark spots.



Thank you as well to Plains and Prints for providing our chic clothes. Thank you to Azrael, my husband who chose this red dress for me. Red is becoming my favorite and lucky color :D

Upcoming Events and You're Invited!

It's Friday and is the purrfect time to let loose! So I am making a random post about everything and here it goes.

First, I can't believe I haven't followed up on my favorite TV series, Grey's Anatomy and haven't seen McSteamy and his doctor uniform. I've been dreaming of celebrities in medical uniforms and medical scrub pants! I should keep my notebook open tonight and download away.

If you feel that watching TV and staying at home is boring, then I have loads of events for you to attend.

Number one:



Head on over to Trinoma tonight and check out our latest collection in Style Origin. Models + hot summer fashion + Rico Blanco = one awesome show!

Number two:



Meet Akihiro Sato on April 10 at Trinoma. Save the date!

Are you going? Leave me a line and I might see you there *wink* Oh and look below for Red Mango's Get Spotted event too. You can have your photos taken and printed for free. It will be the best chill out spot in between your shopping duties :)

The Red Box Rock, Dine, and Roll promo is also still going - so far I only have 5 entries and there are 10 prizes to be won. SO this weekend, remember to take a snap shot of your rockstar outfit and send it to styleandrelax (at) gmail (dot) com.

Style Scene: Penshoppe Summer Launch

Yesterday at Dusit Hotel, the afternoon was hotter than usual because of a guy named Aki.



Joining him is the equally gorgeous Penshoppe model and summer goddess, Bea Soriano:



She's the epitome of summer fresh! Is she even wearing makeup?

And of course, our fashion bloggers *wink*



To be updated on the latest Penshoppe events and promos, follow them on Facebook.



Of course, don't forget to LIKE me too! :)

Event: A Techno Life Affair | SM Cyberzone March 24-26

My husband who just bought me an Acer Aspire 4743Z is one of the speakers for Cyberzone's Techno Life Affair happening on Marcg 24-26. He will be speaking about blogging on the 26th to be exact. More than him, I'd go to see Alodia whom I super adore <3



Alodia's sharing her techie hobbies at the event

When/Where: March 24-26, 2011; SM Megamall Event Centre

What: "TechnoLife Affair"; A convention displaying the latest gadgets today, and the hottest personalities in the tech & online scene.

Some Special Features: Gadget Update by Abe Olandres, Blogging101 by Azrael Coladilla, Alodia Meet & Greet with special costume exhibit, as well as special lectures/features by various technology brands.



Speaker of the house, Azrael Coladilla

See you all there! This is an open event and anyone can join for free without the need to register. Are you coming?

Valentines Day at Ayala Triangle

I am wishing hard not to stay at home during Valentines Day! And I wish Daddy Cupid has something planned because I have no time to plan this red panties letter day.

Here's another place where you can spend heart's day <3



I love the Ayala Triangle, especially Bonchon. It would be wise to make reservations with your favorite restaurants so you have sure seats.

Now make love not war.

3 Simple Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year

Are you celebrating Chinese New Year? I will! And even if you are not Chinese, it's a good way to gather friends and family! Here are some simple ideas on how to have a Kung Hei Fat Choi party at home.



1. Table Staples - tikoy, dumplings, fish, shrimps, and sweets. I got mine yesterday at Powerplant Mall where they are having a Chinese food fair. Just for fun, I think I'll use instant noodles (Lucky Me!) too.



2. Decorate - don't overdo this, I just want a Chinese lantern with a drawing of a boy and girl. Hopefully, this would make me and my husband get along more (lol)

3. Wave your wishes - I recently saw on TV how you can get these sticks with flowers on its end. There's a small envelope on it too, where you can insert your wish. Wave this on February 3 12AM towards the moon.

Some luck wouldn't hurt. I am going to check out another Feng Shui shop today at Shangrila Hotel. I did visit another one yesterday and had an unpleasant experience. I bet they had an unpleasant experience with me too! I am not giving up on Chinese New Year though ;)

Amazing Lunch with The Amazing Race Asia winner Richard Hardin from Team Philippines

Aren't we lucky we have good-looking representatives for Amazing Race Asia? Yeah Team Philippines!



But yesterday at our lunch at Dusit Hotel, the other Richard (Herrera) was absent.

Rich says as early as now, they're flooded with offers for TV commercials, shows, and hosting gigs.

I wish I asked Rich for aguinaldo. Their team won US$100,000.00

Did you know that Rich proposed to his girlfriend Rachel after the race? Here's the lucky girl called Andrea.

Amazing team Joyce and Az.



Here's our table vs. paparazzi. I hope they didn't overlook this nirvana of desserts at Dusit Hotel.



While munching on these, Rich shared with us that there is more to the Reality TV Show that's not aired. Like how they must do their own laundry during the race. They wouldn't want to spend their Leg Money on laundry.



Then there's how team mate, actor and model Richard (Hererra) is a self-confessed OC that they'd sometimes fight about how toiletries are messed up.



Joyce who's handling gazillion accounts as an International Publicist, had Rich raffle off minor prizes like trips to Misibis Bay, US, and another Asian country I failed to remember.

I went home with some L'oreal makeup and hair products which was the prize I really was wishing for haha.




Braving the streets of Manila in December is like an Amazing Race by itself. Especially the part when the taxi driver speaks gibrish. Yet I'm glad I didn't miss this one! Congratulations to the Richards for winning The Amazing Race Asia.

UCC launches a Vision Logbook not a Planner

One afternoon at UCC Cafe Terrace, guru's like Francis Kong and Raju Mandhyan were talking about how a "vision logbook" could be beneficial to normal beings like me.



Francis Kong, Prof. Jay Bernardo III, Hubert Young, Raju Mandhyan and Randell Tiiongson are UCC’s beacons of change, experts in their respective fields and are all well-versed when it comes to planning for change.



The UCC Vision Logbook contains readings like this. This could just be my favorite page in the logbook.

Mind mapping expert Raju said that we generate thousands of ideas some worth millions but we forget them along the way. Hence, a "vision logbook" can help you and me write and be more creative rather than a planner which dictates us like robots. (I feel that way when I look at mine but can't live without it!)



Coincidentally that morning I had my new Paris notebook with me. But unlike the UCC Vision Logbook, it doesn't come with a chance to get a seat to a Group Collaboration Talk with Francis Kong.



The basic vision logbook includes 2011 and 2012 calendars and contains various useful modules such as a travel vision logbook, conversion tables, notes, and Francis Kong stories, tips, and quotations.

This can be claimed after a UCC customer accumulates P5,000 in UCC Coffee Concept Store receipts.



And more promotional coupons for free dishes or drinks are inside the logbook. UCC Chocolate French Toast anyone? :)