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Showing posts from February, 2015

LOOKBOOK | 25Feb2015: Bringing back the tie, casually

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Oh yes, I have a photo bomber behind me. Anyway, this was last Wednesday, which was my back-to-work day after getting sick for two days. Now on with the outfit. I missed wearing ties and so thought of wearing one here. I sometimes lament how business or "corporate" wear in this part of town has become less and less...well, corporate. Not that I'm totally free of guilt on this but everything seems to slip more and more into casual. And mind you, I see a lot that I can't even call casual -- even on non-Fridays.

DINING | Barbecue and everything grilled: Rediscovering Larsian

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Dinner for two. It became a trip down memory lane when I suggested that popular barbecue place called Larsian near the Fuente Osmeña Circle  for dinner one night when we were in town. The place, after all, was just a short walk from Pillows Hotel Cebu where we were staying. I have frequented the place many times over with board-mates back in college, and the last time I've been there was more than a decade ago already. It simply used to be a strip of barbecue stalls, each one with a few tables behind the grill for diners and a basic sink for hand-washing. People who went there ate with their hands ( kinamot in the local dialect), as did I of course. Given the layout, it was a given you'd be leaving the place smelling like smoke. I don't know when they did decide to overhaul the place but today Larsian is totally different from what I remember.

TRAVEL | Basic comforts at Pillows Hotel Cebu

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Our king-size bed at Pillows Hotel Cebu. Finding a place to stay in a city like Cebu can be daunting, not because there aren't much choices but because there are just so many options. On our recent trip there we tried out a smaller hotel, one that's still a relative unknown because it's still fairly new. It's also got a really cute name: Pillows Hotel Cebu . Here's a rundown of our stay:

FASHION | Black and blue

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Just saw on East Dane recently its feature on combining outfits in black and blue. I was surprised with the caption that read, "Thought you couldn't wear them together? Think again." To me it's a combo that works but apparently some people don't usually think of these two colors in one outfit ensemble. Well, I just wanted to share with you their mini-lookbook that will convince non-believers that black and blue are as perfect a combo as anything else. Long-sleeve shirt from Schnayderman's . T-shirts from S.N.S. Herning and Wings + Horns . Patrik Ervell jeans. Montoro Derby Shoes from WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie .

LOOKBOOK | 18Feb2015: A touch of Chinese

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Chinese New Year . Happy it's a holiday here. So yesterday I thought of wearing something with a bit of an Oriental touch. Just a bit.

PETS | Forcing the idea of Chinese New Year on our cats

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I know, how cute is our dear Kwittie Boy. But he's not happy at all that all these New Year's Eve paraphernalia are being shoved in his face. And apparently our three other cats share the same feeling. Well, it's Chinese New Year and I thought we could use all those old cardboard trumpets for fun. It's still a New Year celebration, right? So what happens when you force this idea of Chinese New Year (even though we're not Chinese) on all four of our furry friends? Here's what...

TRAVEL | Suroy-suroy sa Fuente (Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City)

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The Fuente Osmeña fountain, with remnants of Christmas in the foreground. Never really thought much about it. Throughout my college years in Cebu City, Fuente Osmeña  has always been just one of those places that's just...there, hardly an attraction to me, though we did loiter around there several times before. But one night while in the city recently, I just thought of taking a stroll there with Kwittiegirl after a filling dinner at Larsian . Suroy-suroy 'ta! (Let's go take a stroll!) The night was a little chilly, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Because it's a rotunda and traffic is therefore free-flowing around it, crossing the street to get there takes a bit of courage and timing. At one of the gates I noticed this worn-out marker with a QR code:

DINING | The Vito Selma-designed Rico's Lechon Acacia

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Lovely lamps. I like lechon (roasted pig) but I'm not a sucker for it. I've spent my entire college life in Cebu -- a place that probably every Filipino agrees is where you can find the best lechon -- and it had never been anything I'd crave. Nowadays, though, I've come to appreciate it, but only the Cebu variety. While visiting family there just recently, we sort of went out of our way to check out this new Rico's Lechon branch designed by famed Cebu-based furniture designer Vito Selma . We didn't know where it was and so did our cab driver, who brought us to a different branch somewhere in Lahug instead. Unfortunately -- though which proved to be blessing in disguise -- they ran out of lechon. Unbelievable! But then a restaurant staffer directed our driver to a new restaurant near Ayala Center Cebu. Bam! Tucked away in a small street behind the Infinity KTV Bar along Archbisop Reyes Ave, it was the branch we were hunting all along.

LOOKBOOK | 13Feb2015: Tweetums and tough

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Last working day of the week. Friday the 13th. The eve of Valentine's. A lot going on on this day! At any rate, expect a lot of nauseatingly sweet and mushy stuff. I know, paper hearts behind me, all with Pinoy "pick-up lines" printed on them. This was at our office.

FASHION | Date night

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I already shared with you -- the ladies specifically -- some pointers on what to possibly give us guys as gifts this Valentine's . Not that we're expecting one really, but still. Well, now it's time to think about what to wear on your night out with your girl. I mean, you are going out on a date, right? So anyway, what's it going to be, a little formal in some fancy restaurant, or something a bit more casual? At any rate, bring a jacket that you can put over her shoulder if it gets a little too chilly. The more formal option Start off with a crisp white shirt, then trousers and a jacket to match. Top it off with a bow tie, a pocket square. Wear brown leather instead of black. And maybe you could ditch the watch. After all, why would you be keeping track of time when you have a lovely lady by your side? Try a cuff or a bracelet instead. Tropical wool jacket and suit trousers by Marc Jacobs . MELINDAGLOSS   officer collar shirt. Paul Smith untied bow tie.

TRAVEL | Domicillo Tagaytay: The newest B&B in town with style, taste, and a really great view

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A magnificent view of the Taal Volcano and Lake from Domicillo's view deck. What a great vantage point to just soak in that tirelessly gorgeous view of the Taal Volcano and Lake, don't you think? It's but a sampling of what you're getting from Tagaytay's newest bed and breakfast called Domicillo Tagaytay . It's still in its soft opening phase, however, having opened its doors to guests only last December 23. The other weekend Kwittiegirl and I gave it a try (while rocking an outfit with my new Albertus Swanepoel for Bench hat ). Reservation and checkin With no online booking facility, reservations are made via phone (though I'm not sure if they intend to have one once they've fully opened). And as customary with many B&Bs in Tagaytay, your reservation is confirmed after a 50% deposit to their bank account. The balance is settled upon checkin.

FASHION | Valentine's gift ideas for guys

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Oh no, you still haven't picked up a Valentine's gift for the man in your life? Fret not, as you've got a lot of choices from online menswear shopping site East Dane sans the hassle. They offer free worldwide express delivery for purchases worth $100 and above, by the way, and your gift will arrive in no time. Here are a few ideas to help you: A watch Get him a new watch; he'll love it. I mean, I would if I'll get one. Left to right: Standard Issue Field Watch from Weiss Watch Co. Hand-built from Swiss parts and finished in Los Angeles, he'll surely love this timepiece. Miansai M24 Blue Dial Watch. Just look at that sleek watchface! How about introducing some gold into your man's life? Try this Winston Monte Carlo Watch from KOMONO . If he's the sporty type, get him this G-Shock Rangeman Watch.

DINING | Bait's Seafood Kitchen: The new restaurant next door

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So the new restaurant next door just opened last Tuesday. It's called Bait's Seafood Kitchen , and the other night after a quick look at their menu we tried it out. Obviously it's a seafood place but other than that we knew nothing of it until Erwan Heussaff approached our table and asked us if he can help us navigate the menu. With that I could only assume he owned the place or that he's a partner at least. He later stepped outside and when he came back in he was ushering girlfriend Anne Curtis to a table. I didn't realize Anne Curtis photobombed this shot of Bait's. But how was our experience? Here's a rundown.

LOOKBOOK | 03Feb2015: Fluorescent

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It was one of those days again when it was so hard to get out of bed. Weekend hangover, perhaps? But it's Tuesday already. Anyhow, I've been going casual a lot these past days as if it were a perennial weekend. After sporting an understated, light brown-dominated outfit with camo print pants last Sunday, I thought I should throw in some color today. And what I got was a really bright color: fluorescent yellow.

LOOKBOOK | 01Feb2015: Off-duty

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Maybe it's the cool Tagaytay air (that I really enjoyed, thank heavens) or the handsomely designed interiors of this new bed and breakfast called Domicillo Tagaytay where we stayed, but it was definitely a good weekend for me. Or maybe it's the hat. Yes, it must be the hat.