My Cup of Coffee

My First Baked Pasta

2010-01-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

... was a success :-)

Here's the recipe:

1. Cook the Pasta (elbow macaroni). Undercook it for 5 minutes.

2. Prepare the Sauce.

Heat 3tbsp. butter, add 3tbsp olive oil. Add 1/4kg minced lean beef. Add 3 or more cloves of garlic.

Add 1/4kg of ham, thinly sliced, 1 small can of button mushrooms, sliced, 1 diced red bell pepper. 1tsp of chopped basil leaves. Add 1 1/2 - 2 cups of pasta sauce (i used prego's mushroom and garlic). Add 2-3 tbsp brown sugar. Boil and simmer.

3. Prepare the Topping.

Melt 1/3 cup of butter (anchor), add 3 tbsp flour. Stir in 2c water. Stir in 1c evaporated milk (carnation). Add half a block of kraft cheddar cheese, half a block of philadelphia cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Toss the pasta and sauce. Pour in baking dish. Pour topping, make sure to cover all the pasta and seal the edges. Bake at 180deg. 20-25 minutes.

5. Enjoy with your favorite bread and ice cold Coke! :-)

How to Celebrate an Auspicious Lunar New Year

2010-01-18T22:47:00.000-08:00

I got this from a flyer on Chinese New Year Festivities. Btw, the Lunar Year of the Tiger starts on 14 February 2010.

DO'S

Stock up with plenty of food
Have new, fashionable clothes ----> I like this :-)
Celebrate with sumptuous feasts
Put away all brooms, brushes, dusters and dustpans
Have new furnishings
All rooms must be brightly lit and cheerful

DON'TS

Do not wear black
No crying. Unless they are tears of joy.
Do not stop shopping. ----> As in? hahhaa
No trashing of rubbish during the first 5 days of the new year
Do not eat congee or porridge
Do not wash your hair on 1st day

The world is flat...

2010-01-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

..and so are my shoes. I want them flat, comfy yet chic and stylish. I haven't been using heels since we moved to Singapore except for special occasions .. and whenever we go out the little girl is with us and puro lakaran so it is really very convenient to wear flats.

Black ballet flats has always been a staple in my wardrobe. My favorite pair from Zara has become my daily uniform 'cause its super comfy and it goes with almost everything in my closet ... its really a favorite so I have to save it and find reinforcement :-)

When hubby and I went for a stroll in the mall after our "first-ever movie-date" here in Singapore...we stopped by at Tod's (Sale!) just to take a look and "appreciate" the merchandise ... no budget eh so window-shopping lang talaga :-)

Saw these flats on sale @ around SGD 400-600. Not exactly the colors and styles that I wanted and saw at the shop but very close ---

Then, I ended up buying this one from Charles and Keith at 50% off :-)

These, on the other hand, are nice to have too ...

Miu Miu Flats

Tory Burch Reva

more miu miu's

and this, i think is the shoe, also a miu miu, which "inspired" the one i got from Charles & Keith. This miu miu used to be priced at around $400 something and i got my version for only sgd 27 (even at its original price sgd 55)...quite a steal!

This year ...

2010-01-16T16:29:00.001-08:00

Want to 'generate' your own new year's resolution? try this - http://moninavelarde.com/newyears/

Prada's "eye-candy" Collection

2010-01-15T02:22:00.000-08:00

Since I came to Singapore, I have never entered a Prada store nor looked closely into it's display windows, until I saw this bag -

...love the color, the material and the hip design :-)

But since, there's no way I can afford to buy any expensive item at this time :-( I just browsed through the rest of the collection over the web and here are some numbers which I liked ...

and, i love this black dress! --

A Prayer for Haiti

2010-01-15T01:29:00.000-08:00

"Heavenly Father,

It is with a heavy heart that we come to you, not necessarily knowing what we should ask for because many of us are wondering, 'Why did this happen? Why has tragedy struck Haiti again and why do so many lives have to be lost again? Why has this beautiful island been struck by a catastrophic earthquake and ruined?' But as many questions as we have regarding the situation, we still humble ourselves before you to ask for your mercy to be upon Haiti and its people. Extend your hand upon the land and restore all that has been lost, destroyed and damaged to be better than it was before. As rescue teams search for casualties, give them foresight. May they be led by your wisdom, and encouraged by your strength and advised by your discernment. There are yet people who are surviving and I pray that the rescue workers would find them in time and revive them. For the lives that will be lost, we pray for immediate comfort to come to the family and friends of the deceased. For those of us who are watching this unfold from the outside, I pray that you would give us hearts of compassion so that we can give out of our surplus to fill the deficit that is widening in Haiti. May we all extend ourselves in any way possible to secure our brothers and sisters in Haiti. And may every prayer regarding this tragedy be heard and responded to in your good time.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen"

Blued

2010-01-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

Play Kitchen

2009-12-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

I really like to have this play kitchen as a Christmas present for my daughter. I'm absolutely sure she will love it!

So cute, isn't it?

It's got a pretend induction hob (they call hot plate) that has light diodes that can be switched on and off, plenty of storage space for pretend food, a sink and a top section with 'microwave'. It's got height adjustable legs so it can grow with the child :-) One thing that sets it apart from most play kitchens in the market is that it's made from fibreboard and birch plywood, making it a safe and sturdy buy.

What's even great is that you can accessorize this with play utensils, cutlery, pots and pans, dinnerware & tea and coffee set...all from IKEA.

All of these are miniatures and made of stainless steel. Tested and approved for food contact :-)

I might just have to pass on the dinnerware and teaset, though it's made of tough stoneware, still it is breakable and thus not very safe for my fragile little one.

And by the way, i also thought this would go well with the kiddie chair & table we bought for her earlier this year, now we have to convert it to a dining set once we get this kitchen set :-) I just love IKEA!

Shoulderbrella

2009-08-21T02:52:00.001-07:00

We've all been in that situation at least once....it's raining and you are lugging some shopping bags or bags of groceries or whatever.. you're hands are full that makes it impossible for you to hold an umbrella.

As usual, someone from Japan came up with an ingenious solution, the Shoulderbrella ---

It really looks practical and useful but I'm not sure if I would actually use one, hehe, maybe if a lot are already using it , it looks kinda weird :-) But, for a mommy like me who usually goes out with a toddler in tow, this is definitely a great 'invention'. Whether I am carrying her or seated on her stroller, both my hands would be full to hold an umbrella. It always rains or drizzles in Singapore pa :-)

Happy Nose?

2009-07-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Patawa to. We went to Raffles Place last night and as I was looking around some stalls full of novelty stuff, this caught my attention --

Read the caption:

In order to make your little nose clearer, more beautiful and full of happiness, this product is necessary for your nose!

hahahaha, funny!

Quote of the Day

2009-07-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

"Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late. Today, this hour, this minute is the day, the hour, the minute for each of us to sense the fact that life is good, with all of its trials and troubles, and perhaps more interesting because of them."

Robert R. Updegraff
Author of "Be Thankful For Your Troubles"

Kiddie Chair and Table

2009-07-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

My little girl loves to 'read' and write and color ...and to sit on chairs (big or small) that's why I've been searching for the perfect table and chair for her for few months now. It's just hard to find the one with all the features I want -- cute (nice color and material), safe for a toddler to use, and NOT expensive. All the ones I saw are either nice and expensive or cheap but not safe .

I was just so delighted when I saw this on display at IKEA -

I really find it cute. My girl could use it both for her "art" activities and mealtimes as well. Just the right size and height, think it would work well for her age. The table and chairs seems very sturdy. The base material is solid beech and the table/seat is fibreboard with acrylic paint. Amara is a climber, so I know that as soon as my back is turned, she'll be on top of almost anything. But even though I won't allow her to climb on it, I know if she happens to get up there, it'll be fine. And, the BIG PLUS is, the price is very reasonable!

The only problem I have with it is , the table top is white. I am pretty sure she will mess this up they way she did with our white walls hehe. I guess, my next challenge would be to find something which I can use to color&mess-proof it with.

One more thing I liked about this set is that it won't really be an eyesore i fyou have to you place it in your bedroom, living room or even in the kitchen (if you have a big one). Think it could blend-in nicely in rooms like these-

The bad news news is....it's out of stock!!! hayyy. Still have to wait. Hope we would get it in time for my daughter's 2nd birthday, would definitely be a nice present for her :-)

Ikea Annual Clearance Sale

2009-07-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ferragamo's Sofia Bag

2009-06-26T10:37:00.001-07:00

I was never a fan of Ferragamo bags but im seriously liking this one --

Very simple yet functional. Seems perfect for everyday use and not-so-formal office-wear. The leather seems nice, plus the bag features both a top handle and a removable shoulder strap, making it a good choice if you're always on the run.

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

2009-06-26T10:17:00.001-07:00

One great talent...

Thank you for your music. May you rest in peace.

Zara Sale Starts Today!

2009-06-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Yehey! I've been waiting for this since the start of the GSS, thats why i've been holding off "non-essential" purchases ...Except for some good buys i got from this --

So far, after going to three MNG outlets, i just got two pieces of white tops and a mini-dress, buti na lang....still have some budget left for Zara hehe :-)

Laugh off

2009-06-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ancient Technology

After digging to a depth of 100 metres last year, Japanese scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 1000 years, and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network one thousand years ago.

So, not to be outdone, in the weeks that followed, American scientists dug 200 metres and headlines in the US papers read: " US scientists have found traces of 2000 year old optical fibres, and have concluded that their ancestors already had advanced high-tech digital telephone 1000 years earlier than the Japanese".

One week later, a Filipino newspaper reported the following: "After digging as deep as 500 metres, Filipino scientists have found absolutely NOTHING. They have concluded that 5000 years ago, their ancestors were already using wireless technology".

wahahaha!

Sale I

2009-06-08T02:46:00.001-07:00

@30% off. Burberry upto 50% off. Miu Miu and Prada: @30-50% off, super long queue yesterday, i heard...

Need a haircut ...

2009-06-01T00:24:00.001-07:00

I want a new hair cut... I've had long hair for years although my last cut was shorter, just below the shoulders which I loved but it didn't look good if not styled. I just don't have the time to even dry my hair so I always end up wearing a pony-tail and i'm bored with it! I want someting new, i want it shorter but easy to manage (wash&wear). I like katie holmes' hair but im not sure if it would look good on me, maybe not :-(

Or maybe, Gwyneth's is better?

whatchathink?

" "

2009-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

"Take chances, take a lot of them. Because honestly, no matter where you end up and with whom, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are. You learn and grow with each choice you
make. Everything is worth it. Say how you feel, always. Be you, and be okay with it."
~ Unknown

Lovely Gown

2009-05-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

I love the gown, and only the gown. Guess this would be lovelier if worn by Nicole Kidman or Charlize Theron..or Gwyneth Paltrow, maybe. The color, the fabric, the cut (except the very high-slit)...heavenly! Wish I could wear something like this someday..on the red carpet? why not :-)

Auto-Sanitizer

2009-05-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

We went to Paragon yesterday to check on Van's Gucci bag, and yes, it is still available, wish I could get one for myself too..well, next time :-) After Gucci, we went to Toys r'Us to get a barney toy for amara and I saw this on our way to the shop --

An automatic hand sanitizer installed beside every elevator "up/down" button. Ok noh?

The "Eye"

2009-05-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

During last Sunday's mass, my daughter and I were looking at the postings on the church's bulletin board. There's a picture of a dove and I asked her what it was, she quickly answered - "bird!". While I was busy looking for other images which she could easily identify, something caught her attention and was saying "i" or "ay" repeatedly. I asked her what's "i", where is that? She pointed at this picture -

Ah ok, it was an "eye!" Wala lang, i'm just quite amazed :-) I showed hubby the poster and asked him what the image was, and he said - "ano yan?", and my sil -"hmmm, whale?" , hehehe.

Adam's Audition

2009-05-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

I just can't stop watching his videos and this one is currently my favorite...his audition, which i missed and just saw after the finale --

I love how he looked without the makeup, no funky costume and hair-do. He is just undeniably 'pretty' and I love his smile!!

A treat for my skin

2009-05-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

A lot of shops are now on sale. I guess they can't wait til the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) officially starts...and they call it Pre-GSS Sale :-) This was my first purchase at 50% off --

Such a great deal since I was about to buy one at regular price. My skin has been extremely-dry lately and after I gave it this yummy spread, skin looked 'happy' and refreshed indeed, and I looooove the clean scent of shea.

Shea butter is one of nature's great moisturizers. Body Shop says 'this product is a hit with celebrity fans like Jennifer Lopez, Victoria and David Beckham, and Reese Witherspoon. So you are in good company when you indulge in the luxurious, 24-hour, non-stop moisturizing formula, packed with Community Trade ingredients. And you can feel good when you use it, knowing that you are helping to provide a community of women in Ghana with regular work and income.' Ay, buti pa ang women of Ghana, hehehe :-)

which Gucci tote...?

2009-05-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

The "sukey" tote -

I liked this bag the first time i saw it at Gucci Paragon but what they had was the large one, tried it on, was too big for my frame :-( got to check if they now have the medium.

or, this 'very-gucci' ' jolie tote which hubby likes --

and lastly... influenced by my friend van, i thought this bag really looks "neat and pretty" :-) i just dont think they have this at the stores yet, all the other blush colored bags i saw looked "pale" and boring, unlike this "abbey" --

so, what's your choice?

My Girl - A Young Leo

2009-05-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Leo children are rays of light - playful, willing to be the center of attention, always ready to put on a show. This child is highly entertaining and able to assess the presence of an audience with surprising sophistication. In infants you may notice his showmanship just by their alert and pleasant nature, like stars ready to go onstage. There is warmth and charm about little Leos. As the baby grows into a toddler, there will be a marked agility with the body, a natural athleticism, good balance, and physical features such as a wide brow or a big head of hair. Leo children are natural stars and may need a little help when it comes to fitting in with their peer group. They are naturally popular, but may have issues when it's not their turn with a toy or game, or simply not their turn to shine. Rebuffs or accidental slights might be taken as deep insults. Imagine a cat getting water poured on its fur! At these junctures, help your little Leo understand that they are not the target of ridicule, even though they feel terribly humiliated because it means so much to them to be loved, adored, even worshipped! Remember, many actors, rock stars, and politicians are Leos, so you have a big personality on your hands! Leo is a fire sign and thus warm, affectionate and sexually uninhibited. Encourage your child's free expression with the body, maybe introducing dance lessons when he or she is ready. Some kind of physical exercise that channels all that fiery exuberance is recommended, lest the energy be repressed or express itself in unproductive ways. Be the parent who gently reminds your son or daughter about boundaries and limits, their own and other people's, so that you are a trusted source of support, not a critical judge.

Get your child's astro profile here.

"J"

2009-03-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Van ....

Rules: It’s harder than it looks!

Copy to your own blog, erase my answers, enter yours, and send to as many people as you can.Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.

They have to be real . . . nothing made up!If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1. What is your name: Jen

2. A four letter word: Jump

3. A boy’s name: Jack

4. A girl’s name: Jill

5. An occupation: Janitor

6. A color: Jaundice Yellow

7. Something you wear: Jacket

8. A food: Jam

9. Something found in the bathroom: Johnson's top-to-toe wash

10. A place: Jakarta

11. A reason for being late: Just forgot to set the alarm

12. Something you shout:

13. A movie title: Jerry Maguire

14. Something you drink: Juice

15. A musical group: Jackson 5

16. An animal: Jaguar

17. A street name: (21) Jump St

18. A type of car: Jaguar

19. The title of a song: Just Once

My Wishlist for the Year 2009

2009-01-06T23:19:00.000-08:00

1. A Job.
2. A cozy flat for my family.
3. A playroom for my sweet girl.
4. Peace of mind for dear hubby.
5. Good Health.
6. World Peace.

my girl's name

2008-06-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

A lot of my friends have been asking where i got my baby's name from and what it means, so here's the answer ....I have actually browsed a lot of baby names websites and listed all the unique names that are nice and sounded nicely along with our family name. We wanted a unique name since our last name is quite common. After a lot of searches on the internet, we finally found the name we liked and it is "Amara". I researched for it's meaning and I found different results for every language and here are some which I liked best -- from its Latin origin, its meaning is "everlasting"; in Greek, it means "of eternal beauty", "unfading, eternally beautiful"; in German -- steadfast, immortal. I have yet to find out it's meaning in Spanish, or French and Italian, if there's any. Finding its Hindi translation or meaning in any African dialect would also be interesting. Let me google it :-)

A Cool Coffee Day in Tagaytay

2008-04-12T02:07:00.000-07:00

Its a sunny and sooooo hot afternoon in Manila so hubby and I decided to drive to Tagaytay... Just to savor the cool wind and relax :-) As expected, traffic was heavy in SLEX, from bicutan to sta. rosa. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the roadtrip...thank goodness for airconditioning!

We reached Tagaytay around 430pm, and its still too early for dinner, or shall i say too early for hubby's favorite tagaytay delight - bulalo and tawilis. So, we decided to drive to our favorite corner in Tagaytay -- The Cliffhouse...and sat on our favorite corner in Cliffhouse, the mini-day bed with canopy at the alfresco dining area of Buon Giorno. It is really a cool spot to relax, enjoy the view, and have a nice conversation over a cup of coffee :-) But, instead of having coffee, we ordered their best-selling pizza and pasta. We give four thumbs up for the Pasta with Olive Oil and Anchovies! We just shared one order so it was quite bitin and it really tasted gooooood! We were almost done with the pasta when the pizza was served. We ordered the Seafood with Basil Pesto Pizza and it was also good. The serving was big enough for a couple with big appetite like us. We were too full that I had to force myself to eat the last slice of pizza, hehe!

After that refreshing meal, we walked to Cafe Breton to have my favorite pair of CAPPUCINO and La Pinay Crepe (minus-the-ice cream)...this one really made my day!

to be continued ...