Valentines in Style: Greenbelt Treats & Flicks!

Let's call this a quick dry-run of how to spend Valentines at Greenbelt :) Over the weekend, my partner and I had the agenda to dine and watch a movie here. The sun was scorching so we headed first at Greenbelt 5 and found ourselves inside Pinkberry.



Pinkberry is just the perfect place to catch your breath after a long afternoon drive. It sets a healthy and fruity mood for the day with their frozen yogurt treats. Plus, the atmosphere in Greenbelt is always quiet relaxing with the sparse crowd and greenery.

We love Pinkberry so we ordered a take away tub (but enjoyed it in). With a take away tub, you can have two flavors - perfect for opposite duos.



You can also choose from fresh toppings like kiwi, mangoes, and even mochi balls.



Here's ours, original tart and green tea. We failed to finish it in one sitting so the take away insulated bag came very handy.



I figured it will go really well with some Tofu chips from Chimara. I love the white cheddar tofu chips! Actually, I was more excited about it than the movie. I get the big bag for P270 - ahh the price you pay for being healthy.



And after gathering mouth stuffings, it's time to pick a flick. We compromised to watch Journey 2 which was the second installment for Journey to the Center of the Earth. Adventurous and light-hearted watch. Perfect with my light healthy snacks!



It's always nice and comfy to watch in Greenbelt, just the right place for a casual date. Especially with the myriad of diners to choose from.

Ayala Cinemas also had this fun and free photo booth. Get your photos taken and printed on a ref magnet for free after your movie. Have fun with funny hats too!

And that concluded our afternoon early Valentine weekend in Greenbelt. We trooped to SM Mall of Asia after and that's coming up next :)

No new clothes or fancy shoes, just life.

Get offline, start living.

You can start in Nuvali at Sta. Rosa Laguna.
Although there's more to life than shopping, you may fancy a stroll in Solenad 2 where stores like Nine West, Hush Puppies, and Payless Shoe Store can be found.

Find peace and quiet at Indulgence Spa.
I recommend their P250 chair massage.

5 Ways to recharge at Bonifacio High Street Global City

Rarely do I get out these days and when I do, I like to maximize it and have the most enjoyable time ever. So Bonifacio High Street may not be something new and exciting but for people who have cocooned like me, this is the perfect place to unwind and relax in peace sans the crowd. The open air setup is lovely at night, so follow my lead on an evening say 6PM onwards.



1. Grab a grub at Italianni's - I am not a blogger endorser of this diner but I love how the place always have space for me. Lets me cross out waiting for a table on my hassle's list. Plus, the atmosphere takes me to Italy (I know). I am a sucker for interior design and the framed photos of great Italian places sends me a romantic vibe.



What to order: Their spinach and artichoke formaggio is good stuff but when on a budget, I love their free focaccia bread dipped in E-V-O-O and balsamic vinegar while waiting for my roast pork. Did I mention they have both Perrier and San Pellegrino?

2. Enjoy The Spa - remember to walk-in The Spa before you go for dinner but don't slip on that robe just yet. Simply make a quick reservation for when after you have enjoyed your food. This way you don't have to, you guessed it, wait for your turn once you are ready.



What to get: A full body massage at The Spa starts at Php 800 and you can already enjoy both a sauna and a dip in the jacuzzi. Perfect for burning the calories from dinner.

3. Window shop - at night it is more breezy to walk along the different shops Bonifacio High Street has to offer. I like spending some minutes in Make Room and Havaianas to try on the latest flip flops. Muji also recently opened which could also fancy you for 30 minutes or so.



4. Bookworms crawl to Fully Booked - a book lover can stay for hours inside's Fully Booked's 6 storey worth of books. My latest guilty purchase was of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic and Mini Shopaholic. Further your enthusiasm for reading by browsing in areas you wouldn't normally read on.

For the next item, you may wish to purchase the latest issue of your favorite magazine. Mine currently are Working Mom and Smart Parenting. Go figure.



5. Cap this perfect night at Starbucks - and you don't have to leave Fully Booked's building because Starbucks is on the fourth floor. For a more interesting time here, make it a frappucino happy hour. Order something different like the new Soy Green Tea Frappucino or for a warm mug, try their hot Chai Tea Latte.

And if you are not ready to go home yet, Serendra is just right across the High Street. You can find pastry shops in there and one must-try for takeaways is Conti's and Mary Grace.

Lifestyle Promo: Be a Rockstar at Red Box!

Hi! Everyone, it's been such a busy week and hey it's only Monday! I think we all deserve to rock it out somewhere with family and friends. One venue I frequent for a fun, chic, and delicious affair is Red Box at Greenbelt 3. They just had redesigned every nook and cranny of their place which is obviously not just for high quality karaoke but for delicious food.



Red Box's Interior Design is created by a renowned Australian Interior Designer who is also responsible for creative boutique hotels in Singapore.
If you don't know yet, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Red Box are owned by the same person/group. I didn't know until my last visit and was surprised to be served with CBTL coffee. Paired it with their flan and banana fritters from their buffet (every lunch and dinner), I couldn't care less about singing.



The cute guy is Walden Chu and he owns Red Box as well as CBTL

Aside from having fun, Red Box is also now more condusive for meetings. No more smoking allowed so cleaner air means fresher scent. Rooms are now designed and renovated to become more spacious.

Not to forget, super fast WiFi that lets me do some work (while still having fun). Even my 10 month old feels comfy here. So much room to play in and dance to the music, new top hits to be exact. Red Box is the only Karaoke joint who follows the law on copyrights :) Hence, they get the latest hits first, and with real audio and music video.

NOW I AM SURE YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS! Here's how to join:

1. Like the Style and Relax FB Page
2. Like the Red Box FB Page

3. And take a photo of yourself wearing your best rockstar outfit! Email it to styleandrelax@gmail.com with a short description.

There will be TEN winners so tell your barkada to join.

1st Prize: 1 winner (+4 friends) free headcharge with buffet

The remaining 9 winners: 1 free headcharge each!

I am ending the promo on April 15, 2011 because I cannot wait to rock it with my readers! :) There are plenty of prizes to go around so share this contest and be lucky!

Travel: Boracay Garden Resort | Pay as low as P1,900 per person!

Boracay Garden Resort is a subsidiary of Henann Management Group, owner and operator of the Boracay Regency and Regency Lagoon. Formerly Hotel Seraph, it rests on a two-hectare property located at the center of Station 2. The resort has 201 well-appointed deluxe and premiere rooms with charming and elegant interiors. It has premiere rooms with direct access to the pool and family rooms that can fit up to six persons.



The spacious rooms each has a private terrace, wi-fi access, bath tub with separate shower area, individually controlled air conditioning, cable television, direct dial phone, in-room safe, coffee and tea-making facilities and personal refrigerator.

The resort now features a newly renovated business center, swimming pools, fitness center and landscaped gardens.



Visit Boracay Garden Resort’s booth at the 18th Travel Tour Expo at the SMX Convention Center from February 18 to 20 and get up to 80% off on room rates. Based on quadruple sharing, pay for as low as P1,900.00 per person for a three-day stay in a deluxe room. Travel period is from February 19 to June 3, 2011.

For inquiries on room rates, packages and reservations, call Boracay Garden Resort’s Manila Booking Office at 353-1111 or email manilareservations@boracaygarden.com.ph.

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.

Where are you spending Valentines Day?

I've been pestering my husband and asking him where we are spending Valentine's Day. It happens 3 days before my birthday but I feel the need to celebrate it nonetheless. Top of mind choices are a dinner buffet (which I assume are now on waiting list) and an overnight stay somewhere.


Executive Suite, should have an LED TV though.

Lancaster is one hotel with a Valentine's Day promo, sounds cheesy but this room look lovely. I can easily imagine me and my husband working on that table! Both of us are inseparable from our notebooks.


The bed at the Junior Suites.

Love Above the Metropolis

Buffet breakfast for two, two glasses of wine, complimentary Internet connection, and complimentary shuttle service to Ortigas shopping malls. As a special treat on February 14, guests get a long-stemmed rose.


Rates for this package are as follows:

PHP 2,900 for the Junior Suite
PHP 3,350 for the Executive Suite
PHP 4,800 for the Deluxe Suite
PHP 5,900 for the Lancaster Suite

Promo is valid from February 1 to 28, 2011

I am still undecided. I bet we'll just stay at home and watch TV! Or, surprise me.

Where I'm Staying at this New Year | Dusit Thani Hotel

Okay make that next year's new year.

If I had mind reading powers, I would've planned differently and booked a hotel room. But hey, you on the otherhand have time to change plans and reserve a room here.

New Year's Eve Countdown - December 31, 2010 only

Deluxe: Php 9,788 ++
Suites: Php 11,788 ++

New Years always stresses me out, the smoke, the noise, and gory visuals of amputated fingers. Forget all that at Dusit Thani's Devarans Spa.

Inclusions:

• Crossover Dinner for 2 persons
• New Year's Eve Countdown party with unlimited drinks for 2 persons
• 20% discount from Deravana Spa
• In-room wine
  

I'd love to wake up to this pool instead of the warzone-like scene New Year leaves behind. And I'm also excited to see if my 7 month old knows how to swim :)

The Crossover Dinner takes you across Dusit Hotel's 4 restaurants for a spectacular fest.

Basix which serves International Food

Umu for authentic Japanese Cuisine

Tosca for exquisite Italian food, Manila's latest fine dining restaurant

Royal Thai dining experience at Benjarong

I think I'll try the famous Dusit Crossover Brunch this Sunday, first day of 2011! So far, I've only dined at Basix where I spotted Amazing Race Asia winner Richard Hardin.



Time to race to Dusit and begin the year with a luxurious feast!The Crossover Brunch happens every Sunday, 11.30AM to 3.00PM. Php 1,600 for adults, Php 800 for kids aged 6-12, for kids under 6, it's free of charge.



For reservations contact 867-3333 ext. 3888

See you!

First Bite: Bon Chon Chicken at Ayala Triangle

When a lot of people are talking about a certain restaurant, I don't get my hopes high because most of the time, it's just a fad.



Or so I thought.

Surely you've heard about Bon Chon, the latest "it" chicken in the metro, next to KFC's Double Down burger.

They say Bon Chon is Singapore's KFC. I took the chicken by its wing and ravaged it for the first bite. It is different from all the fried chickens I ever ate.

It's a wonder to me how Bon Chon's chickens have caramelized crusts. This separates it from the rest of the poultry. While eating, I completely forgot about the gravy. It wasn't served, I doubt if they have it, and I doubt if I need it.



Bon Chon's chickens (wings, thighs, legs - you can choose what parts you like) are tasty by themselves and in their crusty crispy glory. My mates tried the spicy wings but I chickened out. I could see how red their faces were turning.




Though Bon Chon is much more expensive than the usual, say Php 125 for 6 pieces of chicken wings, I can vouch that the taste and experience are worth the price. Next time, I'm ordering rice.

What I also like about Bon Chon is how you can order by parts, like wings are cheaper than legs, and you can also get some chicken breasts. It's also located at Ayala Triangle where the Holiday Lights Show is ongoing.



I am going back to Bon Chon tomorrow because my taste buds tell me so.

Walk Through of Mariott Hotel's Buffet at M Cafe

If you are a food monster like me (noted I am getting fat), leave room for the newest buffet spread in town at the Marriott Hotel. Restaurant's name is M Cafe. I was there a few days back for their Guiness World Record-Breaking Thai Dinner Buffet. Tonight, I want to go back. Shall I take you to a salivating tour of their spread, yes?


Lovely spread of bread for starters, and those cute imported butter in small packages :p


Cold cuts.

During the Thai Dinner buffet, I had the chance to taste authentic lip smacking spicy thai dishes like curry, pad thai, etc. It was excellent and for Php 1,200 ++ it is worth it.



Japanese. Their prawn tempura is one of the best I ever had. Thin crisp batter but juicy prawns inside. They make it in front of you too, hot and juicy.





Grilled Veggies to go with their roast beef station.



Though I would suggest to the chef, if possible, to make the desserts a bit richer. Pretty please, because I want my cheesecakes really cheesy, heavy, and all of its sinful glory.



Desserts are best friends.

The Thai Dinner is over and M cafe at Marriott Hotel should be serving the usual Filipino, American, and Japanese buffet by now. Since the hotel is new, the buffet is a good excuse to go see the place and tour the entire Resorts World complex.

Happy Eating!

PLACES: Ecoliving Weekend at NUVALI

Ride this bus to Nuvali

Here's another road trip for you and your friends or family - head to Nuvali in Laguna for a one of a kind nature tripping. From Makati, it only took us an hour to reach Nuvali - the latest development of Ayala Land. Read: bird watching, man-made lake, boat riding, fish feeding, and Bonifacio High Street style of a resto hub.


The future EDSA

I did not expect Nuvali to be so huge, according to our guide this will be the new metro manila. We were actually passing through the future EDSA, 6 lanes of a road that was carved from the mountains. Although, everything will be finished in 40 years but with the pace of development, it could be much sooner than we think.



Let us wish Ayala Land will keep its promise of sustainable development. Because who better take care of the environment than private units and NGOs. They are working together with the Haribon Foundation to ensure that bird counts do not decrease. In fact, more species are being discovered in Nuvali.


Nuvali Bike

I am excited at the idea of two bus lanes which will be operated by Nuvali (same idea as The Fort bus which is ideal), one walking lane, and two bike lanes.


Bird Watching Point

First stop was the watch out point for birds. A tall nipa hut that is overlooking wide greenery can be climbed up together with your binoculars. Spot for a number of bird species or take photos of a rare sight of trees and shrubs, I heard this spot can even be rented out for events as long as they happen when the sun is up. Since the area is mountaneous, the atmosphere is cool and breezy. I wonder if you can setup a picnic here?



Before we headed to lunch, my husband and I checked out some houses including a "green" house where it is naturally cooler because of green technology implemented. This could be as simple as having the right number of windows, having double-sided walls which protects from heat, and having plants to naturally provide shade and fresh oxygen.


Couldn't help but play house.

There are many choices of residencial areas in Nuvali, each subdivision/village varies on land cuts and affordability. Whichever area you please, all the attractions are within your reach. According to our guide, bike trails will be plenty and that means fit family time. Though, you can also enjoy Nuvali without buying a property (like us).

Boat ride, around Php 30

And off we went to ride the boat on a man-made lake. This will be the same boat that will transport workers and residents of Nuvali to places they want to go to. It's also the same boat that will let you feed these guys:


Fish feed about Php 10



Fish feed is available, lots of hungry Japanese Cois! I can't wait to let Ashton experience this for himself. These days, we can't hardly connect with nature and fish feeding will make anyone beam and release all tension.



When the fishes are full, it's time for us to get lunch. Lots of choices here near the boat dock such as Pig Out, Kanin Get It, and Italianni's. Of course, Starbucks is just at the corner. My husband and I enjoyed an awesome Crispy Pata at Pig Out.


Pig Out Staff. They break into cowboy dances during lunch time! :D fun fun fun


This Crispy Pata's skin is like a peking duck's. Thin, crispy, easy to eat and sinful!

Definitely coming back for more of this food and this trip. That's what you can expect from a trip to Nuvali. To know more about Nuvali and how to get there, visit http://www.nuvalievoliving.com/