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Mabuhay!

I am grateful that a lot of home stores have opened up in Manila and have been bringing in beautiful brands. They make home improvements a joy.

One of my favorite home accessories and storage brands, Seletti (Italy), is finally available in Manila! I saw them yesterday at Dimensione, Bonifacio High Street. I only saw some home accessories, tableware, and storage containers. I hope they bring the furniture.

Seletti is the glammed up (and in my opinion, more interesting) version of MUJI. It is also more pricey, but investing on a few pieces can add a lot of charm to your home — a little goes a long way.

You'll know what I mean as you scroll down:

Furniture:

Do I smell a D.I.Y. project?
Aryanna has a similar 1950's style all-white console cabinet in her room. I think it's time to refurbish it to something like this.

Tell me, how chic is this?

Home accessories:

I love the white "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil' Monkeys candelabra!

Yes, another D.I. Y. idea.

Storage boxes/kits:

Storage containers have never been this kyoot:

For Tom

I have one of these "Fabrica" containers. It's made of tin with lace and mirror print which I use to store some of my beauty paraphernalia.

For your kids' room

Trash cans:

I. Want.
Seletti "Trash-Chic"

Tableware:

OMG... OMG...

I feel that this collection was designed for me! LOL

Sold!

Dear Dimensione, I want this "Gold Estetico" collection. Call me!

Ask Pauline Juan and she will tell you that I've been looking for matte gold cutlery. She bought a beautiful set of matte gold at Rustan's and I've been obsessed since.

Kitch "Keytlery"

For Aryanna

The colors are so now!

Got these for Aryanna. She loves the all-black matte finish. We played dress-up last night and they looked great with her poufy dresses!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, visit Dimensione now!

Beauty Day

Mabuhay!

If you're following me on Twitter, you would know that I've been sick for almost a week now. My doctor advised me to get bed rest. I was happy to be home with the kids.

After two days of being bed-ridden, sumakit na ang likod ko! I need to be productive... in bed... surrounded by goose down pillows... drinking Perrier Lemon. @.@

I spotted my unorganized budoir and thought that this would be a good time to sort it out while "resting". I own four makeup kits (all gifts from friends) and they are in a state of constant flux. It's quite fun fixing them, actually. I still have two more kits to organize, plus I have space to add new palette!

Attention beauty junkies out there, here are the newest kolorettes for our kikay kits:

YSL Rouge Pur Couture "The Lipstick of Heroines"

If you're a beauty junkie, then you must have been waiting for this collection. Well, it's now available... But not in Manila. I know. Start calling your relatives abroad or beg friends who are traveling to buy them for you.

I'm lucky I found someone who's buying them for me.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture "The Lipstick of Heroines"
A new-generation lipstick inspired by Monsieur Saint Laurent’s iconic color palette—red, fuchsia and orange—in a collection of captivating couture shades that offer each complexion a customized look. Enveloped in a luxurious gold case designed by Creative Director Stefano Pilati, Rouge Pur Couture speaks elegance. Lips are saturated with intense, stay-true color, thanks to the Coloreveal Technology while natural extracts provide comforting moisture that lasts all day. Provides medium to full coverage with a radiant, satin finish. SPF 15

YSL Rouge Pur Couture "7 Le Fuchsia" is the only fuchsia lipstick you'll ever need... Till the next season at least.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture "13 Le Orange" I'm on a quest to find the "perfect" red-orange lipchook, let's hope this is the one!

Givenchy's Acid Brights Collection

My friend Tina Tinio is the international area manager for Parfums Givenchy (LVMH) in Tokyo. If she was here, she'd make sure I get the whole collection! Right, mads? Unfortunately for me, Tina is still in Japan (she's brave to stay there) so I have to search for a "buyer".

Givenchy's Acid Brights collections, meet Le Prisimissine Eyes Acid Lights No61, a limited edition palette offering nine colours including turquoise, anise green, coral, mauve, sparkling white and Frappe coffee. Created with spherical polymers, these shadows slip over lids like butter. Touch them onto inner and outer corners of eyes to lift your look with a neon shot. Available in May.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Any makeup brand/color that has the word "Chubby" or "Giant" in them is mine. Kyoot!

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - delicious, wearable colours with back-to-school appeal, you just trace these nourishing crayons over your lips for lasting colour with a satin finish. Choose from eight shades including Chunky Cherry, Whoppin Watermelon and Richer Raisin.

Creme de la Mer The Radiant Concealer

I swear by Creme de la Mer. My dry skin agrees with it, my wallet doesn't.

Creme de la Mer The Radiant Concealer - from the prestigious skincare line developed by a space scientist, this was roadtested by makeup artists working on the Mad Men series and it's the smoothest, creamiest concealer in the world - you won't believe the way its liquid silk texture melts into skin.

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

Because models and fashion editors abroad wear them, I want them too! LOL

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil - the A-listers (and uber-model Iris Strubegger who fronts the ad campaign) have had these velvety stubbies for weeks - fashion director Kathryn Hogben even made a film about them. Available since late January, in six shades including fruity Club Mix.

Essie Wickedly Delicious Collection

Nail polish is the new lipstick. These are the hottest colors for this season and the next.

Dear Pam Pastor, where can I buy Essie "Chocolate Cakes"?

M∙A∙C Cosmetics Wonder Woman "Spitfire" Lipstick

This lipchook is sooo last season! Chos! Sorry, I'm still bitter for missing out on buying it when it launched in Manila. Thank God, I had a breakthrough yesterday! Thanks to Bubbles Paraiso, she was able to hook me with an angel who can make WW "Spitfire" miracles happen! Haha! 

M∙A∙C Cosmetics Wonder Woman "Spitfire" Lipstick

If you want to see how my makeup kits turned out (at least two of them), here's the Twitpic.
Warning: I know I have a lot of makeup, no one needs that much stuff! LOL

Tune in to my blog for more beauty giveaways!

Shoppingera, what new makeup would you like to add to your budoir?

Food Bazaar

Mabuhay!

Hope to see you there!

 Shoppingero/shoppingera, check out all the booths!

Meatless Fridays: Century Corned Tuna Ala King

Mabuhay!

On my quest for a healthier lifestyle, I want to start eating less meat, or at least abstain from eating it, once a week.

Thank God for Century Tuna dahil di ko kering maggulay-gulayan lagi! 

Welcome to the newest category on my blog: "Meatless Fridays"

Century Corned Tuna Ala King

Ratings (1-5 scale, 5 being the highest):

Level of easiness: 5

Taste: 5

Impress the guest factor: 5

Watchunid:

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup water
Himalayan Pink Salt, Saturday Salcedo Market
or ancient sea salt, Rustan's grocery

Can I just say, my friends teased me about using Himalayan Pink Salt — very "shala" (soshal) lang daw. Haha! So, that particular ingredient is dedicated to Divine Lee and Charina Sarte! Pink is fashion! Alam n'yo yan! Sorry, Nix walang EVOO today. LOL

1 can Century Corned Tuna, 1 can Century Chili Corned Tuna

Whole wheat slice bread without crusts

1/2 onion, chopped; 1 small pack of frozen peas (thawed); 1 whole carrot, cubed

1 1/2 cups Angel Evaporated Filled Milk

Easy Peasy:

To make the whole wheat toast cups:

Step 1: Using a rolling pin (if you don't own a rolling pin, you can use a glass bottle instead), flatten the whole wheat bread
Step 2: Place the flattened bread  into a muffin pan

 Step 3: Bake the bread in the oven at 375 º for about 15 minutes, or until light brown

 To make the Century Corned Tuna filling:

Step 1: Melt the butter in the pan

Step 2: Add the flour

Tip: Cook the roux (cooking equal parts of butter, flour, and milk. It's usually used as base for making gravy and soup) in low to medium heat to avoid burning it.

Step 3: Slowly add 1 1/2 cups of evaporated milk, while continuously mixing the roux
Step 4: Add the 1/2 cup of water
Season with Himalayan Pink Salt
Be careful not to burn it.
Tip: You can add more water if needed or if you want the gravy to have a thinner consistency.

Step 5: Using a whisk, mix the white gravy.
Tip: Do a figure "8" when whisking. This will easily take out the clumps.

Step 6: Add all the veggies to the white gravy and stir

Step 7: Add the cans of Century Corned Tuna (drain the oil), stir till the veggies cook
Tip: Don't overcook the veggies to create a crunchy texture to the dish.

Makes 12 small servings

Plating:

Serve with a smile! :D

Creamy, healthy, goodness! So delicious!

Me: "Try this Corned Tuna Ala King I cooked! It's really good!"
Aryanna: "No."
Me: "Aryanna! Try it!"
Tom: "Don't force her, Jen."
Aryanna: "I only eat plain tuna, mom. You know that."
Tom: "Are those peas in there? I don't like peas."
Me: "Kaloka kayo... I need your opinion guys before I blog about this dish!"
Aryanna: "Fine." *Tastes*
Tom: "Fine." *Tastes*
Me: "So..."
Aryanna: "Is there tuna in here?"
Me: "Yes! Two whole cans!
Tom: "Ooh... It's got a bit of kick!"
Me: "What? Tell me!"
Aryanna: *Beams* "I hate to admit it, but... it's so good... it's so creamy... it's the best, mom!"
Tom: "Hun, did you make more? This made me hungry."
Me: *Jumps for joy* *Beams with pride*
Aryanna: "How did you make the bread cups? They're shhhooo kyoot!"
Tom: "Yeah, the bread cups are cool. How did you make them?"
Me: "You have to read my blog to find out."
Aryanna: "Mom!"
Tom: *With an English twang* "Kalowkah kah!"

This recipe is easy to make and yummy! You can prepare this dish as the main course, snack for both grown-ups and kids, and also serve it as a party treat! Enjoy!


Shoppingero/shoppingera, when was the last time you tried something new?