Craving for a bit of Italian? The first thing that comes to mind is a big heaping bowl of pasta, covered with your favorite sauce and sprinkled with lots of Parmesan cheese. It is a dish that everyone loves to eat often, that pasta has become a kitchen pantry staple. Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta brings a taste of Italy to the Filipino home with its line of Italian artisanal pasta noodles, made of 100% durum wheat semolina.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="333"] PENNE (singular penna) RIGATE (ridged). The pasta gets its name from penna, meaning feather or quill. It is often used in various pasta dishes, boiled until al dente and tossed with sauces or baked in ovens. Available in 250g & 500g packs[/caption]

Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta is produced according to the tradition of true Italian pasta. There is actually an Italian law that prescribes that pasta must be made using 100% durum wheat semolina, which is the hardest of all the wheat varieties and has the highest protein content. It is the use of durum wheat that makes pasta “al dente” or “firm to the bite.” Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta is also made using traditional bronze dies, which gives the noodles ridges, which helps the sauce cling to the noodles more, for a richer flavor. Plus, Doña Elena uses all natural GMO-free ingredients in its pasta, which makes it really good for you!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The most popular form of pasta, SPAGHETTI is (singular spaghetto) derived from the Italian word spago, meaning thin string or twine. Its best-known servings are Spaghetti alla Bolognese and Aglio Olio. Available in 500g pack[/caption]

Over the years, pasta has become such a favorite dish for Filipinos. In fact, almost every gathering or special occasion isn’t complete without a big platter of spaghetti Bolognese or baked macaroni. Or maybe even an original recipe using shrimp, Spanish sardines or even spicy tuyo. Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta brings the Filipino’s passion for this versatile noodle to the forefront with the celebration of World Pasta Month, this October. The celebration started in Rome in 1995 with the First World Pasta Congress, and countries all over the world have come up with their own festivities since. After all, pasta is a global food consumed in all five continents and is a perfect fit for a dynamic and healthy lifestyle. The campaign and series of events will highlight every foodie’s love for pasta and how it has become such an integral part of Pinoy culture.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Come join us this October 9 as we celebrate the World Pasta Month and say... It's Al Dente! Join our online contest and pre-register for the event, visit www.aldentepastamonth.com.[/caption]

The campaign kicks off with the Doña Elena Al Dente Online Pasta Recipe Contest, which is open to all home cooks and pasta enthusiasts. The mechanics are simple – upload a photo of your pasta dish with your original or favorite recipe made using Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta to Instagram and tag @DonaElenaCuisineraClub with the hashtag #AlDentePastaMonth.

I guess I'm gonna say that this certain make up is "for ME". Why?

Cause I was supposed to buy another makeup primer at Watson's, and SM Sucat has two of those. And both places doesn't have the primer I initially wanted- the Quick FX no shine Mattifier...

When I stumbled upon the shelf full of something new to my eyes- Bobbie Cosmetics. I tested out their Poof! concealer, lipsticks and pressed powders but I am saddened that they don't have a liquid foundation when I checked it out.



Then I saw their Dare to Bare Mattifying Face Primer and I was torn on weather I should buy it or not. In the end I thought that if I can't get it out of myself within the day then I'll come back tomorrow and I set out to try and find reviews of the stuff. There was none, but I did see a contest being held by Bobbie Cosmetics themselves, and I entered it. I was thinking that this must be for me to try out if I win said contest and...

Well I won, and now I have something new to review and rave about with you guys! YAY! So without further ado, let's see the nitty gritty of this primer!

The Nitty Gritty: (as seen on the box)



Prime, Prep and perfect your skin with Bobbie Cosmetics Dare to Bare Mattifying Face Primer and give your face the ideal base that allows make up to glide on and blend beautifully for an even, flawless makeup application. Contains skin friendly matifying actives that reduce shine and prolong foundation wear.

Longevity, Finish and Swatches:

Stuff is pretty amazing as it can instantly "velvetize" your face into a matte canvas, and I love how it can help my (oiliest type/dewy) foundation last way longer than it should.

I LOVE BUFFETS. Especially those buffets that let me try new stuff or new cuisines from all over the world, and one of those buffets that is on my top HIT list is Sambo Kojin in SM Southmall.


I am very much into Yakiniku cause of... well, you guessed it- Sambo Kojin and Pichi. I was introduced to this by my husband and he wanted me to have a go at it so the first time we went to Sambo Kojin was our 2nd Civil wedding anniversary... we had lots of fun that night and we were so full when we got out of the place.


And when we came back just recently this June, it's like we never left. The way they served the food, the ambiance, the delectable smell of different meats and marinades and rubs grilling made me feel at home. Of course, it also made me feel very excited cause finally after trying to save up for this restaurant and having to set it aside for other priorities, pichi and me were finally able to give in to our desires. So I'll just let the photos do the talking now. :3



Our usual fare of tender and thin slices of pork and beef, marinated in different delectable sauces up for grilling.. :3

Heya! As a mom I've always found myself in a bit of a quandary on what to make for my kids for a quick snack.. Until I found out how to make some kamote-q for myself, and I was stressing on how difficult it might be, well in fact it's actually pretty easy! So I've decided to share with you guys the low down on making the ever popular street food in the Philippines- Kamote -Q (Candied sweet potato fries)

Ingredients:

• Brown Sugar (As many as you want, try to make it proportional to how much sweet potatoes you're gonna use)

• Sweet potatoes (I recommend the ones that have brown skin and are pale orange within, as this type have more flavor within rather than the usual violet ones.)


• Pomace Olive Oil, or vegetable oil for frying

Remember the time I posted about the greatest thing that have occured here in the Philippines this summer? That one about the crazies who founded Outbreak Manila,  Break Out Philippines and Slidefest PH? Well, they're back with more slides and more inflatables, more fun and more foam!


Reliving our summer fun everyday is gonna be awesome, and it's gonna start with the biggest slip and slide event in the country becomes even bigger as Slidefest Philippines partners up with the most caring sun protection, Nivea Sun with NIVEA SLIDEFEST!



Now we can expect worry free fun under the sun as we slip through clouds of foam in the biggest slide in the country, while enjoying the exciting new inflatables, an obstacle course and a maze inflatable so that you'll still have fun while you wait :3

I recently have been into buying makeup and replenishing my stash last July to August. I have may reasons, one is cause I'm still trying to look for an alternative to my beloved L'Oreal Super Blendable foundation, and another is because I have been obsessed with trying out Cosplay. Yep. I'll be showing you guys a few ideas for a Haloween costume and my interpretations of our favorite childhood characters soon so watch out for that one :)


So I've been testing this one out for weeks already and I think that it's time I gave you guys my views on one of the most affordable and great coverage foundations out there in the market- San San HD Liquid Foundation. :)

The Nitty Gritty:

It's claims are as follows: (Got them from the back of the box.)

Excellent Coverage for skin imperfections
Formulated with Vitamins A,C and E & SPF 30 for a healthier and naturally radiant skin
Oil Free Liquid Foundation. Blends superbly with any color cosmetics for a picture perfect look.

I had a fun time last week when one of my friends celebrated his birthday and coincidentally, we had planned to try out this modern little spot around Katipunan in Makati- Angel's Pizza.h


The place is pretty modern, and I feel like stepping into a fast food joint in America cause of the woodsy and modern ambiance and fixtures. And for a relatively small space, it's actually quite maaliwalas, cause of the mirrors in place. I had asked around and got myself a drink, their service is pretty good, especially since it's around lunchtime that I got there and the place is packed to the brim.

So without further ado, here are the stuff that made my tastebuds and me smile:



I love this Pinoy-esque  Classic Spaghetti that Angel's has. It's not too sweet and not too sour too. I feel like this is the perfect marriage of Pinoy sweet spaghetti and the classic italian marinara. :3



This Cheesy Lasagna is pretty impressive for something that's worth 139Php and has quite a lot in. Lots of herbs and ricotta cheese and all the yummy gooeyness that you would want to expect in a lasagna.. This is served with a side of breadsticks that has half cooked garlic bits.





This one is their Chicken Aloha which I would like to point out is VERY LOADED with toppings of chicken chunks, pineapple, bbq sauce, lots of mozzarella cheese, ham, good ole bacon and bellpeppers. Best taken in with their lasagna for a filling contentment for the tummy.

I've been down emotionally and physically the past few days but now I'm trying to get back on track. And what better way to start than by posting about good food, great service and majestic city landscapes eh?



The Nest at Vivere Alabang is located at the 31st topmost floor of Vivere Hotel and Resorts in Filinvest city Alabang.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Photo by Orange Magazine.net[/caption]

I've been here a couple of times before, loved and still love their service, and until now I'm still wishing that pichi might bring me here for a romantic date sometime soon... But it was just now that I have seen their restaurant so contemporary and in the times when it comes to the ambiance and view. Click here to check out their panoramic 360 view... Just click on the picture with the words "The Nest" and you'll get what I mean with it's magical view that's pretty perfect for those romantic dates or just a night out with friends and great food.

I got to sample some of their dishes and here's my two cents on their flavors:



Crispy Catfish Salad is essentially green mango salad topped with crispy fried flaked catfish meat, onions, peanuts and cilantro leaves. I think this would've been better with a bit of dried pepper on top, and for that it's on the sour side. I loved this nonetheless and you should not get out of the nest without trying this dish.



This Greek Goddess Salad is pretty beautiful and yummy, and it's paired with a strawberry vinaigrette which makes it the perfect salad to give to your kids and make them appreciate the greens more as the vinaigrette is a bit on the sweet side. Unfortunately for those with allergies with nuts I suggest you ask first cause this baby has walnuts and also chicken.



This is their Pork Binagoongan which is perfect for those who are not into bagoong much or those who would want to control the saltiness as the pork is essentially sitting on top of the bagoong. Also you have an appetizer with this dish cause you also have your green mangoes on the side. The pork itself is very tender already and the bagoong does not have that "malansa" taste so it's perfect. :3