Weekend Footnotes: La Vita Ristorante Italiano at Podium Mall

Every so often, usually on weekends, I get a taste of the empty nesters life when all the kids have plans to go out with friends. When that happens, c and I try to enjoy our time together by trying out a new resto. We enjoy these long dinners together when we can take our time and not worry about having to pick up a child from training or a late law class.

It's a good time to have time as a couple, instead of just functioning as mom and dad.

A few weekends ago, we had one of those nights and we chose to try La Vita Ristorante Italiano, an newly opened Italian restaurant at Podium Mall. I wanted to try La Vita because I've seen friends post about their Burrata Pizza. Imagine a whole burrata ball on top of a pizza! Yum!

How I Enjoy Me Time

When moms hear "Me Time," the first thing that goes to mind is that we need to get away for some time alone. While a trip abroad would be a fun thing to do, the reality is most of us can't just jet away for some personal alone time as often as we'd like.

In order to make Me Time a daily habit, we need to realize that this much-needed personal escape is something that we can all do during our pockets of quiet all throughout the day.

For myself, one of my favorite ways of spending my time alone is to curl up on my side of the bed. I often do this in the early afternoon, right after lunch, to prepare me for the busy pre-dinner time. There are times this happens at night, right after dinner, before I go to bed. With a good book in hand, I am content with everything in my life. If there's no book, there are a lot of saved online articles to read or sometimes I enjoy watching Gordon Ramsay's Masterchef, too.

What completes this ritual for me is catching a whiff of the mild clean scent of my sheets. For me, the scent of my sheets is like an anti-stress agent which helps to relax me. Parang when I smell it, it sends a signal to my brain to relax.

Our #BestEverLife with the #BestEverJoy

In my family, so many bonding moments are done over food. Either we eat out in our fave spots, try out new restos, or cook in our own kitchen. I'm sure for a lot of families, ganito din ang frequent bonding moments nila.

Grocery Shopping at SYSU Food Hub + a GIVEAWAY

As a mom who prepares meals for my family everyday, it is just but natural that I spend a lot of time in the grocery. Personally, some days I love to go grocery shopping. I would go through aisles leisurely and see good deals on items on sale or discover new products I didn’t know about. During these times, I am also more willing to try new foods and recipes.

Other days, I just need to get in and out of the grocery immediately. Days like this, I stick to tried and tested products from brands  that I have used through the years. By sticking with the brand, I know the quality that I'll get each time.

My grocery haul during a recent visit to SYSU Food Hub

Chinese New Year with honestbee

I can't believe it's been a month into 2019 already. In a few days, Chinese New Year na!

For most Chinese, it is a tradition to welcome it with a grand celebration along with an abundance of dishes to bring everyone good luck for the coming year. Usually, we celebrate Chinese New Year's Eve by having dinner with my side of the family and New Year's Lunch with my husband's side of the family.

My mom prepares the same dishes yearly which she believes will bring good luck to all of us. My mother in law has her own beliefs naman. But what almost all Chinese families have in common is that a few days leading up to Chinese New Year, almost everyone is in Chinatown stocking up on things to welcome the New Year.

I just ordered my weekly grocery the other day from S&R via honestbee. And while I was buying my groceries online, I discovered that honestbee now has a category to specifically cater to families celebrating Chinese New Year.

Curves Magnolia + IG Giveaway

Whenever I see women my age with toned arms, I wish that mine would look like that, too. I miss the arms I had when I was in my 20s. Now that I'm in my 40s, I just stopped wearing sleeveless tops because I just want to hide my arms. It's not that I have big arms, it's just that they are devoid of muscles. It would look more attractive to wear sleeveless tops pag my definition sa arms kahit papaano, di ba?

My most recent photo. I'm happy to see that I've lost a few inches off my thighs and hips which are so stubborn and most difficult to take out. Do you have that problem, too?

Christmas Offerings by honestbee

The holiday season calls for a lot of get-togethers with friends and reunions with family members. I'm so looking forward to all the eating that I'm going to be doing this season. After all the holidays is a good excuse to indulge ourselves and enjoy all the food!

But, i'm also dreading the holiday rush AND the holiday traffic AND the long queues. It's a good thing honestbee just added several more merchants to its carefully curated list of vendors. Now I can spend more time celebrating rather than wasting my time in never ending lines and in traffic jams that takes forever. I simply just place my order online and honestbee comes to my rescue. Whether its food for potluck dinner reunions, sweets for the dessert table or food gift baskets, honestbee has got us covered!

With the honestbee mascot and Rowena of Animetric's World 

My Honestbee Experience | Online Concierge & Delivery Service

A few weeks ago, Honestbee invited me to an intimate lunch to share the good news of its newest partnership with S&R Membership Shopping.

Honestbee, Asia’s leading online concierge and delivery service, helps you shop for groceries and basic household needs in the comfort of your own home, with its all-in-one, easy-to-use platform. 

Launched in the Philippines in 2017, honestbee gathers all the best products around in one marketplace, and gets it to you on time, all the time.

Cowrie Grill by Manila Hotel

Every Sunday is family day for us. We go attend Sunday Service and then we meet up with my MIL and SIL and her family for lunch. My in-laws are creatures of habits. They like to stick to restaurants that they are familiar with and tested to be good.

One of the places we frequent for Sunday lunch is The Manila Hotel, especially when my FIL was still alive. I remember in 2011, when Manila Hotel rebranded Cafe Ilang-Ilang, my FIL booked reservations for all of us to try the newly renovated outlet as soon as it re-opened its doors.

Rootote Is In Manila

My girls were so overjoyed to find out that one of their favorite bag brands is finally in Manila!

Rootote, the iconic Japanese brand known for its multi-functional totes and backpacks now has a store at the 3/F of The Block in SM North EDSA. No need to ask relatives traveling to Japan to buy for them.

Hygiene Essentials from Sanicare

Being a mom to three kids, one of the things I always remind them is the importance of good hygiene. It is, after all, a major part of staying healthy. I don't want them getting sick because I get so stressed worrying about them.

But apart from wanting to avoid the stress I get when the kids are sick, being clean and looking neat also contributes a great part in their confidence. I am sure no one wants to be made fun off because they have body odor, smelly feet, bad breath or look unkempt.

One of the most important things I can do as a mom, aside from the reminders that I give, is to provide them with the right hygiene products.

My personal choice when it comes to hygiene is Sanicare. I have relied on Sanicare for my family's hygiene needs for many years. I love the brand because its tissues are made from 100% virgin pulp, which means less toxic chemicals that touch my family's skin. I can rest assured that it is safe for my family's use.

Sanicare Tissues and wipes are made from 100% virgin pulp and has a soft, cloth like texture.

Roy & Biv

If someone gave you your dream designer bag, for FREE, I bet your heart will pound with excitement! Shempre naman, di ba?

But what if the bag is in the color that you least like? Medyo panira ano?

That's because color affects human behavior. Colors have meaning. They impart a tone and emotional impact. Wouldn't it be great to go to a store where you can shop according to your favorite colors?

The Roy & Biv concept store in Glorietta 2 is one such store. It's a visual feast!

Team Sushimoto: Sushi + Bento Box Workshop

If I would look back on all the restaurants my family ate in, it would appear that Japanese is our favorite cuisine.

My family can't get enough of sashimi, tempura, Kobe beef and let's not forget sushi!

The kids and I have also tried doing our own sushi at home. It's a fun activity whenever we have an easy weekend with nothing planned. Afterall, what could be better than making your own sushi where you get to choose the filling that you want to put in.

When my friend, Melanee invited me to join her for a sushi-making class, I immediately said yes! I'd like to have more sushi nights at home, and I'd like to learn more from a sushi chef.

Contadina and Nigella Lawson

In my home, the kitchen is the focus of the energy most of the time. The sizzling sound of the heated pan, the smell of chopped herbs, the visual delight of plating a finished dish... everything just stimulates the senses and encourages creativity.

Like all home-cooks, cooking is a great form of relaxation for me. It makes me feel good knowing that what I am doing serves as nourishment for the people I love very much. In the same manner, my family's appreciation of what I cook nurtures me emotionally, as well.

When I got an invite earlier this month for an exclusive lunch with Nigella Lawson as she introduced Contadina to the Philippine market, it was a dream come true!

Nigella Lawson reflects the Contadina woman through her food philosophy. 

Contadina is Italian for “woman of the fields”, very particular and discriminating about 

the quality of ingredients she uses for the home-cooked meals she lovingly prepares.

Digital Walker's Early Christmas Sale

This Friday, I already blocked my schedule to go shopping at Digital Walker's Christmas Comes Early Sale at the Mega Trade Hall 3 of SM Megamall. They say that discounts are up to 90% off, this is definitely an early holiday treat for everyone!

Digital Walker carries the widest selection of consumer technology products that range from smartphones, tablets, cameras, cases, speakers, headphones, earphones and many more. Whether you’re a true technophile or just someone who just wants to enjoy technology, Digital Walker surely has the product that’s perfect for you.

#ColorYourMood with Freshlook & Air Optix Colors

I've been a contact lens wearer for many years now.

It's much more convenient than eyeglasses. I don't have to deal with my glasses fogging up due to change in temperature. Eyeglasses are annoying to wear when it rains. And when you get sweaty, the frame constantly slides down your nose.

I am currently using monthly disposable ones by Air Optix.

I love the way it feels when I put it on. It feels weightless, like I don't have any contact lenses on.

I'm so happy that I have finally found a contact lens that can take me from morning to evening. There's finally a contact lens that can give me the comfort I need all day long.

And now that I found out they have colored ones, as well, I can't wait to try them!

#ColorYourMood with Freshlook & Air Optix Colors

Uma Uma Ramen + Whisky Bar

I have this group of mom-friends who I meet up with regularly to eat, its always just to eat. WE love to eat, and so we bond over good food. Together, we visit restaurants we've never tried before, but there are also times that one of us would just host a dinner party at home.

I honestly don't recall having gone out shopping with this group, nor did we ever watch a movie together.

Because of our common love for eating, our viber group is called The Cupcake Group because we love to have coffee and eat cupcakes. Well, to be accurate, they have coffee and I just drink warm water.

It did not surprise me when I learned that the one who hosted our recent dinner has a nephew who runs this super popular ramen bar in Singapore called, Uma Uma. The nephew, Russell Yu, is a Filipino-Chinese who grew up in the US but is now based in Singapore.

Uma Uma Ramen, {Forum Mall, Orchard Road, Singapore}

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ZIPPY Kidstore + How To Make The Most of Your Kids' Clothes

One of the things I realized as a mom is that kids grow out of stuff fast! Especially now that I've got pre-teens, it seems like they grow an inch everytime I turn around. I buy my eleven year old son a new pair of jeans, and after six months bitin na! He outgrows his pants so fast that I've decided we are going to stop buying pants in the meantime. Mag shorts na lang muna siya! Hahaha!

Belo Baby: 100% Certified Natural, 0% Harmful Chemicals

Belo Baby

Now that it's summer, it can only mean one thing for my swimmers - twice a day training. Twice a day swim training also means taking a bath twice a day, which means drier skin.

Every stroke my kids take in chlorinated water, and even the after-swim shower damages their skin. I make sure that the shampoo, body wash and lotion they use is gentle enough for frequent use. It's right timing that I discovered Belo Baby. Belo Baby is a new product line from Belo, crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms.

Even if my kids are not babies anymore, they still need gentle and all-natural skin products for their skin, which is prone to dryness because of their constant exposure to chlorine water.

Lysol To-Go, Clean On-The-Go!

I think for every newbie mom, there's always that time in our lives when we were paranoid about germs, bacteria, viruses and such. Did you ever pass through that phase when your newborn just came home and you felt like you had to clean your hands every 10 minutes? Or when your toddler's plastic toy needed to be washed everytime it touched the floor?

I can clearly remember those days. Hahaha! BUT, I slowly turned into a free-range parent by the time my third child came around. Because, hello! What doesn't kill them, makes them stronger. Teehee!