Monday, January 28, 2013
Yay! Another Hollywood awards show so it's another chance for me to look at and drool over those gorgeous gowns. Fortunately, the 19th SAG Awards was better than the Golden Globes fashion-wise. I actually had a hard time deciding who to include on my top 12 best dressed since I initially had 17 beautiful ladies on my list. Oh well, life sucks, yada yada, here goes my best dressed list:
Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta - Gorgeous golden lady in a gorgeous golden dress. I love how Jennifer cleans up on the red carpet. She always looks sexy yet still wholesome, a feat that I imagine, is not that easy to accomplish.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/pictures/sag-awards-2013-red-carpet-dresses-2013271/27916
Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior - I love the simplicity of the dress and the how the color contrasts with her milky skin. And not to mention that it really showcases her to die for body (but not in a slutty way).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/27/jennifer-lawrence-amanda-seyfried-2013-sag-awards_n_2564055.html?ir=Style
Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen - Who says that redheads can't wear red? Jessica is a living testament that redheads can look HOTT in a rocking red gown.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/sag-awards-2013-gallery-1.1249258
Rose Byrne in Valentino - I think that this is a fashion risk that paid off. She looks so dainty and just plain lovely in that floral print and pastel colors.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/pictures/sag-awards-2013-red-carpet-dresses-2013271/27922
Nicole Kidman in Vivienne Westwood - As usual, Nicole looks sexy and gorgeous like she always does on the red carpet. I hope she has stopped using too much Botox because she really doesn't need it.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/pictures/sag-awards-2013-red-carpet-dresses-2013271/27905
Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza - I loved this dress's very striking red color. And it looks very princessy. Would have preferred her with a low bun and jewels though.
http://www.zimbio.com/Kaley+Cuoco
Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen - I loved the color of this dress and how the train drapes on the floor. Would have preferred a diamond choker on her though, instead of that long necklace.
http://iheartdelena.tumblr.com/post/ask
Viola Davis in Monique Lhuiller - I loved the seafoam green color of this dress. The train is a nice touch too.
http://www.styleite.com/media/sag-awards-2013-red-carpet/#0
Teyonah Parris in Monique Lhuiller - I love this Grecian-style dress and how it displays the lady's great figure. Sexy!
http://www.stylebistro.com/Best+Worst+Dressed+at+the+SAG+Awards+2013
Gretchn Mol in Calvin Klein - Another color that I adore. And this dress is the epitome of 'simplicity is beauty.' She looks fantastic!
http://www.styleite.com/media/sag-awards-2013-red-carpet/#0
Ellie Kemper in Reem Acra - This is probably one of my top 3 favorites: I am currently crazy about seaform green color on gowns, I love the lace, and overall, this dress is just so sexy but ladylike at the same time. And it looks good with her red hair.
http://www.wtov9.com/photo/entertainment/sag-awards/pnbxw/
Kate Flannery in Theia - This is the perfect combination of green dress and red hair and pale pale skin.
http://www.wtov9.com/photo/entertainment/sag-awards/pnbxw/
So that's my best-dressed list and I hope you also think that these ladies looked beautiful. I can hardly wait for the Oscars and see all those beautiful gowns again! :)
Sunday, January 20, 2013
When I saw that J. Cuppacakes had opened a branch in Eastwood, I decided to give this cupcake another go. I know that my previous review was not that favorable but I was hoping that there had been some improvements since then.
J. Cuppacakes in Eastwood is located beside the Citywalk Mall entrance, right across Bigoli. The shop was as charming and as quaint as ever, with white wooden cabinets and shelves, floral accents, and pink decors all around. Very very pretty indeed.
As for the cupcakes, I bought 2 cuppies: red velvet (60php) and dulce de leche (45php). I am very disappointed to say that there has been no improvement at all on the red velvet. Read on to the photo captions to see what I thought of the cuppies, this time around:
No change on the packaging, still pretty.
Reminds me of Chinese food take out boxes, only a lot prettier.
Abundance of frosting but darn, this cupcake is SMALL.
It could pass for a kinda large mini cupcake, if my memory serves me right.
In all fairness, this cupcake tastes good. I loved the light frosting and the cream filling.
And would you believe that it was gone after 3 bites? That's 15php for one bite! This cupcake would have been worth it had it been bigger.
Looks nice but looks can be deceiving.
I can't believe that after the 5php price increase that the cupcake became even smaller!
Taste-wise, it was very so-so. Nothing memorable about both the cake and frosting. The frosting looks creamcheesy but it's not when you taste it. And I still got the impression that the cupcake itself tastes like spongy bibingka.
My final verdict is that for the taste and size, the cupcakes are so not worth it. There are so many more that can give you more bang for your buck like Sophie's Mom or Gigi's. Would be great for presents because of the packaging but if you're after the taste like I am, you may want to pass.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
It's awards season in Hollywood again and I can hardly wait to see the stars' red carpet looks. First for this year would be the Golden Globes. Although there were a lot of nice dresses, I guess this year's red carpet was a bit tame, with no great standouts. I guess I'm still missing someone that can liven up the red carpet like last year's Angelina Jolie's "the leg" at the Oscars. Mind you, some stars have aspired to emulate "the leg" (like Halle Berry, Miranda Kerr, etc.) but there can only be one Angelina Jolie.
Anyway, here are my favorite red carpet looks from this year's Golden Globes:
Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen - this fierce look is perfect in every way. And she has a rockin' body too!
http://www.popsugar.com/Kate-Hudson-Black-Golden-Globes-2013-26797341
Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood - She looks gorgeous and the color really compliments her skin. Ben is one lucky guy!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/i528225-8/best--worst-dressed-at-the-golden-globes-2013-jennifer-garner.html
Amy Adams in Marchesa - I super liked the blush pink color though she looks a bit washed out. And what a body!
http://www.fabsugar.com/Amy-Adams-Golden-Globes-Red-Carpet-Fashion-2013-26756458
Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta - Pretty as a princess, and I liked the simple pearl necklace in the midst of stars trying to outshine each other with their loaned jewelries.
http://www.popsugar.com/Zooey-Deschanel-Golden-Globes-2013-26780034
Sofia Vergara in Michael Cinco - Vavavoom! Dangerous curves ahead! This woman is so damn sexy and the gown only enhances this sexiness... though I would have preferred her hair in waves, rather than being pin straight.
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2013/01/golden-globes-2013-red-carpet.html
Julianne Hough in Monique Lhuiller - Love love the dress, but her eyes are a bit creepy. Seems almost colorless.
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2013/01/golden-globes-2013-red-carpet.html
Lucy Liu in Carolina Herrera - Not a favorite among fashion critics but I thought the gown was very pretty. I would have preferred Lucy's hair either in loose waves or in an updo.
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2013/01/golden-globes-2013-red-carpet.html
Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta - This look is oozing old Hollywood glamour, with the gown, sideswept waves and the v-shaped necklace. This would have been perfect if not for that furry clutch. What the heck was she thinking???
http://www.popsugar.com/Jessica-Alba-Golden-Globes-2013-Pictures-26757709
Julia Louis Dreyfus in Vera Wang - I've always been a fan of black lace over skin tone fabric so I really liked this dress.
http://www.becauseiamfabulous.com/
Kaley Cuoco in Zuhair Murad - I thought the dress was sexy but she ruined it with her awkward pose and dark lipstick. Would have preferred fire-engine red lips or nude lips to go with this dress. Well anyway, it's a beautiful dress nonetheless, hence I'm including it on my list.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/golden-globes-2013-what-the-stars-wore-2013131/27541
So there goes my best dressed list for the Golden Globes. Do you agree with the list? :)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Last December, my family and A LOT of our friends went to Baguio to spend a few days there before the New Year. Actually, my primary reason for going there was to attend one of my dearest friend's wedding, since Phoenix was one of the flower girls. My mom's friends (and their families) just tagged along.
We were there for 3days and 2nights, and we stayed at a transient house near Camp John Hay. The place is called North Pines, and I highly recommend the place. It's not all that but the rates are dirt cheap (300php/person/night), and the rooms are comfortable too. Too bad I didn't get to take pics but they're not too bad. I also liked that their parking area was spacious so it wasn't a problem that there were 4 cars from our group.
Anyway, here are some pics of the place that I managed to take:
Picture of the second and third levels.
View from the balcony, you can see the pretty sunset to the right.
The outside hallway, and yes, that's the sun setting in the background.
Since I was busy prepping for the wedding during the first part of the trip, I did not get to tour Baguio that much. I missed the trip to the Strawberry farm and PMA and I actually just got to go around on our last day, right before we left for Manila. Here are pics of our mini-trips:
Starbucks Camp John Hay... yay for 5 stickers for that day!
One of my fave Starbucks in the country. Very homey feel.
The mandatory Minesview Park trip. I bought an Island Souvenir T-shirt here.
Phoenix was bugging me for a 'horse ride' so we had her 'ride' one of those pink-haired horses.
That's 100php for 5 shots, I think.
Irritated with the horse owner since he only gave us the hat on the last shot, he might have been hoping that I'll fork over another 100 bucks for another round of pics. No freaking way.
The cute St. Bernard! In all fairness, this dog smells good, even better some people. LOL! That's 50php for 4 shots.
Fresh corn! Yummy!
One of the signs inside the Good Shepherd Convent.
Posing inside Good Shepherd, after purchasing my favorites: 1 bottle of Ube Jam, 2 bottles of Alfajor and 3 bottles of Snowballs. YUMMY!!!
Showing off the very bright pink shawl purchased in Minesview (as well as my new bangs!).
Oh, and another thing, don't be deceived by the short skirt and shorts I was wearing in Baguio: it was COLD when we were there. I think that this is around the 6th or 7th time that I've been to Baguio but this is the coldest I've ever experienced. I really liked the weather up there and it was a cruel slap in the face when we had a stopover in Tarlac and I felt the heat! I wish that Manila had the same weather as Baguio but that's impossible. Oh well...
Anyway, I'm looking forward to our next Baguio trip. Next time, I'll be ready and make sure I bring boots with me.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
When I saw that J.CO donuts was under construction near our office building in Eastwood City late last year, I felt happy. I have been hearing rave reviews about these donuts and I wanted the chance to try them out without me going out of my way just to do so.
When the store finally opened this week (not sure what day, when I went back to work on the 3rd, it was already open), I promised myself that I will not let this week pass me by without me trying even one donut flavor.
I finally had my chance after shift this morning. I knew that the place opens at 7am so I convinced two of my officemates to go with me after work. We arrived at around 7:30 and we were blown away by the line! What the eff??? We were not expecting the line to be that long since it's only been 30 minutes since the shop opened. We decided to go ahead and wait in line, initially planning to grab a box for takeout then have coffee and a donut in the shop.
Fast forward 1 hour and 45 minutes later... yes that's how long it took us to actually get to the cashier and pay for our donuts. After waiting that long with our aching feet, we decided to forgo the coffee and just get our takeout boxes. It's no wonder that despite the blockbuster line, most of the seats were unoccupied: people must have felt the same way that we did, that after enduring such a long wait, there's no way we can take staying in the shop just to get our caffeine fix.
Anyway, while waiting I quietly observed and tried to analyze why it takes too damn long to get your donuts. Here's my analysis and some recommendations:
Root Cause:
- They are understaffed. With the volume of customers that they have, they should have more staff to make the donuts and assist the customers.
- The staff at the counter are disorganized. Seems like they dip the donuts randomly instead of specific people having a task assigned especially for him/her.
- Too few people who actually assist customers: majority of the staff in front are making the donuts.
- The donut supply cannot keep up with the demand of the customers: most of the time, most of the trays are empty, resulting in customers having to wait before their order gets completed.
My Recommendations:
- Hire more staff! I think this particular branch can benefit from additional 2-3 heads.
- Assign people specific tasks so that confusion can be eliminated and it will be easier to troubleshoot issues.
- Create a separate queue for 'short orders', meaning for those who only want to buy 1-2 donuts or just coffee or just froyo. I think this will create more profit since people who just want a quick sugar or caffeine fix are easily turned off by the long lines. I for one will NEVER EVER consider wasting anything above 15 minutes just for 1-2 donuts. Cupcakes, I might reconsider, but donuts, no thanks.
- They might consider using the number system like they do in Globe business centers or banks. That way, people have time to sit down and relax while waiting for their turn, instead of standing in line and getting tired and disgruntled in the process.
One more thing, the male cashier on the morning shift at the Eastwood branch got on my nerves big-time! After enduring the waiting time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. it would have been a major consolation to be at least assisted by friendly and patient staff! But NO! This person appears to be very impatient, his friendliness VERY FORCED, and looks very unwilling to assist customers, and bordering on rude. The girl who assisted me and my friend with our orders messed up and bulked our orders in one number, though we never told her to do that. This cashier guy started punching our orders and when I informed the him that we will be paying separately, he talked to us accussingly as if it was our fault that the girl messed up, with gritted teeth and clenched jaw and all! What the eff? We did NOT need this after enduring the LOOOOOOOOONG wait. Although I was already cranky, I managed to control my temper by reminding myself that it's sooo not worth it. I even heard this guy say in an aggressive way, "Ayaw nyo ba ng order nyo???? Ano ayaw nyo????" when a customer took a bit of a while to get her order when her number called. C'mon, with that snaking line, how can this guy expect the poor customer to be in front of him in an instant? Very irritating! I recommend transferring this cashier guy to the kitchen or cleaning because he's one of the reasons why I was a bit turned off by the shop.
Anyway, here are pics of this morning's 'interesting' experience. Verdict will come after the pics:
(That's the head of the line)
View of the middle part of the line from where I'm standing from the end.
After 30 minutes, reached 1/3 of the line and this is my view of the end of the line.
Comfy chairs... wondering why the seats are not filled despite the blockbuster line... I found out soon enough.
Random shot... says free wifi... wish they would print the password so that customers need not go to the cashier to ask for the password.
Wow, they're also selling their own drinking merchandise like Starbucks.
View of the merch up close: I'll bet they'll also come up with their own planner for 2014.
Menu / pricelist of donuts and coffee. The dozen box is good value for money.
People busy making the donuts.
Caviar donuts!
Their bestseller Alcapone donuts.
The box.
Almost unboxed
And the unboxing! I chose the following flavors to try: Alcapone, Oreology, Tiramisu, Chocolate Caviar, Creme La Fame, Forest Glam, Funilla Glaze and Glazzy.
So I guess the question now is, are the donuts worth the almost two hours wait? The answer is a big fat NO. Granted that the donuts are good.... very good in fact.... great even, but they were not that divine for me to waste even 30 minutes on it. But that could just be me, since I do not have a burning love affair with donuts like I do with cupcakes and cheesecakes. If you are a certified donut lover, then I guess then the wait time will be worth it. It all boils down to personal taste: I just happen to fall into the small minority that still do not get what the fuss is all about.
Up next will be my review on each donut I actually get to eat.
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