Look Book

In this day and age, we are very free to do anything we want, including the type of clothing, the design, the texture and style we want to wear. What's even more exciting is that we can share it online and allow our followers to see our OOTD or Outfit of the Day. 

Just last year, I joined the bandwagon of posting my ootd online. Below are just some and I am sure that there are more to come. 

I randomly post my OOTD on my Twitter and Instagram accounts, follow me: @iamfabulud to view it right away. 

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Sweetrus

This is going to be my first time to blog about a recipe I personally made. After I tried the Calamansi Muffin in Boracay, which obviously I liked very much, I got too inspired to make a version of my own. I am sharing it here and please feel free to comment or share your baking secrets to better imrpove my muffins.

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs 

1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup calamansi juice

lemon essence

Procedure:

1. Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg to the mixture.

2. Sift all the dry ingredients.

3. Add dry ingredients to the cream.

4. Add the calamansi juice and a few drops of lemon extracts. 

5. Mix well and pre-heat oven.

6. Fold in a cupcake pan and bake for 15 minutes. 

7. Allow to cool and there, they are ready to serve.

I am also in the process of trial-and-error in doing... 

Mom told me to not share the recipe as she is planning to make money out of it soon. 

So here goes a collage of my citrus pie.

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Tasted & Tested

The -ber months have just begun and so we also started looking for a venue, conceptualizing the theme, and the best part is, the food-tasting for our annual year-end Christmas party.

We had a hard time finding a function area where all our employees can be accommodated and would also give in to our needs and demands. As per my boss, we were handling this too late as most companies book a reservation during the first quarter of the year. I was initially surprised by that thought but only then when I realized why we always find it hard to look for a party venue. It shall be set and done as soon as we welcome the brand new year!

Luckily, New Horizon Hotel in Boni, Mandaluyong was still open for reservation on December 16, 2013. All weekends were already marked off and so we have no choice but to grab the deal. Besides, it is the only hotel that approves most of our demands.

Fast-forward, skipping the series of discussions and meetings, we got invited for a food-tasting session. We were informed that the food they will serve is good for 3 people -- Ms Criz, Ms Des, and myself. For this I thank my bosses for letting me be part of the committee. 

For appetizer, these were served:

                               Ham Croquette Balls

                             Chicken Liver Mousse

                           Shrimp & Vegetable Aspic

The soup was a bit salty, but their house bread and unsalted butter taste good.

                                  Spinach Veloute

Two salads were on our table as well. Both were sooo yummy that we left nothing but an empty plates.

                               Belgian Potato Salad

                                      Waldorf Salad

The main dishes consist of the following:

                                Irish Beef Casserole

                 Stewed Pork Loin with Tarragon Sauce

                                      Coq Au Vin

                         Fish Fillet Meuniere au Beure

                               Batonnet Vegetables

Our sweet tooth was managed by these yummy desserts:

                          Belgian Chocolate Mousse; 

                      Vanilla and Chocolate Log Cakes

                        Strawberry & Ube Log Cakes

All these were served at Picasso's Place, located also at New Horizon Hotel. The food were perfectly good though there were some that we requested the chef to adjust its flavor and sugar content a little. I'm sure our executives & employees will definitely enjoy the buffet stretch on our party. 

I would like to end this entry with me feasting on the sinfully delicious dessert. 

Advanced Merry Christmas and a Happy Tummy! 

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Days Well-Spent

A couple of months ago, I, together with my mom and a few relatives, flew in to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We booked our flight 9 months before the departure date which means we have enough time to save money to manage the expenses when we get there. 

Since I am very particular with the must-try, must-do, must-eat, must-etc., I conducted my own research through online blogs and personal experiences of my friends. And I finally came up to our 3-day itinerary. 

Below are the highlights of our 4days/3nights stay in Puerto Princesa.

Day 1

We arrived in the city around 2pm. We did not waste any time so with our bags and luggages at the van compartment, we headed to the City Tour. It was rainy during that day but the plan still pushed through. We first went to Plaza Cuartel. It is not an ordinary park but a historical one -- 143 American soldiers were burned alive by Japanese invaders. Only 11 prisoners have survived in that ill-fated event. Right in-front of Plaza Cuartel is a beautiful cathedral, known as Immaculate Concepcion Church. Since it was our first time there, we prayed inside and made a wish. I'm crossing my fingers that my wishes will be granted! The rain was pouring non-stop but our tourist guide continued to tour us around the city. House of Pasalubongs can be found along the way so we stopped for a few minutes to buy anik-anik. Our next stop was at Crocodile Farm. Well, I'm not really fascinated with crocodiles. Maybe I have fears because of what I mostly see on movies or heard on the news. The last stop was at Baker's Hill and there we bought breads and pastries, which believe or not, we downed during our tours. Then we were dropped to Go Hotels, our decent home for the next 3 days. This hotel wowed me and it's "not bad" for I felt like we were not in a budget hotel. Affordable accommodation without compromising quality and good service. The hotel is situated beside Robinsons Puerto Princesa and so we had the perks of dining out, do a little bit of grocery & mall shopping, and grab some drinks to cap off the night.

Day 2

We woke up early the following day to have breakfast and prepare for the Underground River Tour. The weather was better than yesterday but because of the ocean's big waves, the coast guards did not allow the boatmen to sail on. Instead, we headed to Honda Bay Tour. We were given a few minutes to change into a swimming attire for the tour. We travelled by land for less than an hour and there, we started the tour. We tried snorkeling and fish-feeding. That underwater experience was so amazing! Of course during that tour, we enjoyed the magnificent beach, cottony clouds, the fine sands, the paradise, and the time  of spending together -- chikahan, tawanan, and the boodle fight for lunch. It was late in the afternoon when we got back in the hotel. We freshen up and went out again to dine either in KaLui or Kinabuch. Our feet brought us to the latter. The food was just fine for me and kind of pricey I must say.

Day 3

I dreamt last night that Underground Tour will be cancelled yet again because of the bad weather. I can't accept that because it was the highlight of this trip. We were there because we wanted to see why it is part of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. Lucky me and sure because of our prayers, it was just a dream. The weather wasn't too good -- it was sunny and rainy for a weird reason but the coast guards allowed the tourists to go on a tour. Land travel from our hotel took us about 2 hours and in that terminal, we waited for a boat. From one boat we sailed over the sea and transfered to another boat. Sailed again and then we walked through the woods and finally saw the river and the cave. There was a queue but you won't notice that the time was passing by quickly because of the beautiful scenery. To cut the long story short, we were able to witness the beauty of the Underground River. It should never be missed! 

We had our late lunch at a nearby buffet house and went straight to our hotel. I thanked Mary Ann, our tourist guide, for a stress-free vacation. Her intelligence and wit made the whole experience educational and fun. I have her number if you need her service! 

Since it was our last night and we have no plans early in the morning, we explored Puerto Princesa at night. We found the lively bar called, Tiki Bar. Great place to chill, drink, party, and enjoy the live music of Manila Pop. Then we hit the sack.

Day 4

Nothing much happened this day. We woke up late since we went back to the hotel late. All I can remember, we packed our things and ate our lunch at Mang Inasal then we headed off to the airport. Argh, it was so hard to leave that place, especially we had days very well-spent.

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