There has been such a clamor for this yummy churros since last year, or some 2 years back. I first heard it from my favorite DJs (Chico, Delamar and Gino) as they talk about the long lines and heavy clamor for La Lola's churros.

I've been meaning to try it for ages but I can't find it anywhere. So when one fine afternoon, before the #FabSkye and I head for an event at Rockwell, I didn't miss the chance to drop by their Rockwell store.

So far, I must say that I totally get the clamor. Imagine soft chewy churros with dark chocolate dip? Heaven! I love it's not too sweet so I was able to share the churros to my daughter who also loved it. My only concern is that it’s too much for the #FabSkye and I. Di namin naubos mag ina. Probably because the churros are really heavy. Obvious na hindi puro enhancers.

I also love the simplicity of their churros and super yummy chocolate dip. Super perfect! Go and try them out.

I spent my Friday night at the cinema with my Babe and our travel buddies. Of course, we just had to catch last installment of our beloved Hunger Games series - Mockingjay.

So how was it? Well, I am pretty sure it doesn't matter what I say because you will still watch it nonetheless. Harhar! This series is too iconic to miss. :) But I will tell you my thoughts about it...

First, I really hope there are more Katniss-Peeta scenes. I am a huge #TeamPeeta because I read the book. I know a lot of girls are #TeamGale because, Liam Hemsworth. Bow. Hahahaha! But on the book you would really feel that it was Peeta. It has always been Peeta since book 1. Ever since she realized that Peeta would do everything for her. Ever since that first kiss on the 74th Hunger Games. It has always been Peeta. But the games, the horror, the trauma made it difficult for Katniss. For both of them. But only Peeta could understand Katniss. He is the only one she needs.

That, is what's missing on this film. The heart behind the characters. The pain. The trauma. The love. That Primrose bombing scene was even lacking some depth.

I was also wishing for some more action scenes. It was the WAR anyway. The action scenes on the first part of the film was crazy okay. But I find it lacking on the later part. Sabi nga nung friend ko, "yun na yun? Lakad lakad lang tapos na?".

But JLaw is definitely excellent. Iba sya uy! And Hutcherson and Hemsworth are really perfect for the job. That girl who played the role of Johanna also deserved a standing ovation. This is such a stellar cast and everyone delivered with flying colors.

I just miss the crazy funny antics of Haymitch, the craziness of Effie, Caesar. Some of the supporting characters just pass by. I didn’t even notice them. Sad.

So, should you watch it? Definitely! Hey! You do not miss the final installment of the Hunger Games. Just because. :)

Hay, I will miss Katniss. And Peeta.

Finding the right hair and make-up artist is a very important part of a wedding preparation. And that task always belongs to me every time a close friend would get married. They know how meticulous I am when it comes to that aspect. Plus most of my friends are make-up noob.

 

I say it is very important to find “The One” HMUA because they could really make or break your look. There are times when I would browse on some wedding photos and would cringe on the bride’s look. The brows’ too strong, not the right lip color, too much smoky eyes, crazy long lashes, too much contouring, too magazine-ish, the nose line (!). Imagine checking out your wedding day photos and not recognizing yourself? Or worst, your guests not recognizing you at all! Do not laugh, it happened to me once. Que horror! Haha!

So now allow me to share with you some tips on finding “The One”.

Hair and Make-up Artist Hunting Tips by yours truly…

1. Find someone who always, always makes the perfect eye brow for the bride. This is a tip you don’t usually get but I mean it. Brows are difficult to do. Most of the time I would see make-up artists who could do a perfect eye brow shape. Too perfect. And they would do that eye brow shape in each and every girl clientele. But every girl’s face is different. For some a strong brow is perfect, while some needs a soft one. Some too archy, some straight. I would usually browse on their profile and look at each girl’s eye brow and see if they could adjust according to the girl’s face. Once you find a make-up artist who could do your brow perfectly, you’ll be good to go. The rest would be fine, believe me.

 

2. Find someone you feel comfortable with. They could be good, the best even. But if you can’t talk to her properly and express what you want openly then you’ll be doomed. Because of my next tip.

3. Find someone who listens and respects your wishes but is not afraid give valuable advice. Each girl has a peg. Right? Some wants smoky eyes because they feel comfortable with it. Some wants contouring galore. Some wants to look like they came off a magazine. While most wants a fresh look. A woke-up-like-this, barely-there make up. So find someone who listens to your wishes and would follow your peg. But they shouldn’t be afraid to share their advice as well. Just make sure they don’t insist on what they want. At the end of the day, you should be the boss. It’s your day anyway. Additional tip though, listen to what they have to say. They are professionals on that field for a reason. *wink*

4. Read reviews and feedback. Bridestory, my new favorite wedding site, has that feature where a bride could share their feedback about a specific supplier. Read them. It is important that you read up on how the other brides feel about them.

5. Have a trial make-up session. That way you could see how they work. If they have the knack for following your instructions or wishes or pegs. If you are someone who doesn’t know make-ups at all, find someone who could pick the right colors for you. Trial make-up session is very important coz then you’d get an idea on how you’d look like on your wedding day. S/he should make you look like a better you.

6. Don’t be shy to ask about their make-up tools. It is important that your make-up artist is using top-notch make-up tools and cosmetics. I mean a wedding lasts an entire day. Them make-up should stay put, right? And you don’t expect cheap make-up to last that long. Plus you could justify their rates according to the brand of make-up products they use. If the rates’ too high but they are only using drugstore cosmetics then you are not getting value for your money. You could also ask if they have a make-up chair, if they have lights on their make-up table, how often they clean their brushes. Everything you want to know, ask away!

7. They should be hands on. If you book a make-up artist, clarify with them if they’ll be the one who’ll do your make-up or if they might send somebody else. If you are okay with them sending somebody else, I suggest you do a trial make-up session with that back up make artist too. I really appreciate a make-up artist whose very hands on. The make-up artist we booked for my best friend joined us on location during the prenup photoshoot. She would adjust the hair, do a minor retouch, everything. And I appreciate that. Some make-up artist would do your hair and make-up and stay on the room while you shoot. Although it’s kinda okay. But honestly, the extra effort really matters.

 

8. They should be able to highlight your best asset and improve your not-so-good features. A good make-up artist would really make sure that they highlight your best features and improve the not-so-good ones. You should be a prettier version of yourself.

Good luck on your wedding preps!! Let me know if you have more tips to share, comment away.

The ReigningTatay is a huge ramen fan. Who isn’t these days? Japanese everything is taking Manila by storm. Crazy.

I am a huge Japanese food lover (hello sushi and maki) myself, waaaaay before the rest of Philippines go crazy with them. So when I heard that a restaurant in BGC now specializes in Japanese udon noodles, I know I have to go check them out.

I first heard of Oudon from my best friend's blog. She gave it a really positive review but the dish she tried isn’t one of their best udon dishes, so I know I have to check it out myself. So when my friends from Zomato invited me and my fellow foodies, I know I just have to go to the 1st restaurant in the Philippines that offers authentic udon noodles.

For those of you who’s not familiar with udon, it is a type of thick white flour Japanese noodles. Very similar to our own lomi (though lomi is an egg noodles), though much heavier. Udon is usually served hot or cold. They are much less popular than ramen though according to the staff of udon, it is the much healthier option.

Oudon is located at the 2nd floor of The Forum in BGC right above McDonalds. The interiors are that of a traditional Japanese restaurant. Minimalist style with lots of woods. The place is spacious and well lit.

The restroom is clean and spacious too. I love the sink and the minimal decors inside. Really clean rest room is a major plus points for me.

The wait staff are attentive and friendly. I love that they know the dishes enough to answer basic questions.

So now, on to the best part – the food.

The moment we were seated, we were asked if we wanted hot or cold tea for refreshments. I opted for the cold tea because we came all the way from Makati that time and I want something cold to freshen me up. Their cold tea is really nice. Well, I generally love tea but theirs is really perfect to cleanse the palate after all the eating we did. I love that the tea is not too strong.

 

For starters, we were served with Ika Daikon. A simmered squid and radish dish. I love this one. The radish is soft and the squid is perfectly cooked, not rubbery.

One of the best dish on the table is the Teba Gyoza. I am not really a fan of gyoza but this one is a genius! Teba gyoza is stuffed chicken wings and they are yummy!! Oozing with flavor with the just the right amount of crisp. I found myself munching on this one over and over. Too yummy for words. Really!

Karaage is my perfect ramen partner. Oudon’s Tori Karaage is oour usual crispy fried chicken. Nothing really spectacular but I have to admit that the sauce that comes with it made this dish stand out.

Another crowd favorite is Satsuma Age or the fried fish cake. The moment this dish hits my mouth, I just have to know what it is. I can’t explain the dish but it’s like crab meat and fish cake deep fried into perfection. It has that mild sweet taste with a little crisp. Hay! This is really super yummy my mouth is watering just imagining it. Must try.

Their sashimi is nothing spectacular but is really delicious. I have to commend on the quality of the tuna and salmon they used – super fresh. You could really taste the freshness.

I am very hard to please when it comes to tempura. I don’t like heavily breaded tempura. And I also don’t like those super oily ones. I must say that Oudon’s tempura is one of the best I’ve tried so far. The shrimp are really fresh and they are not too oily. Plus the dip is really, really perfect.

For my main dish, I opted for their hot oudon meal – Nobeyaki Oudon. It’s a hot pot of udon with tempura and veggies served on a not too rich broth with japanese rice on the side. I love that the soup is not as thick as ramen (which I somestimes find nakakaumay). The udon noodles though is very heavy. I can’t even finish it! Oh my gulay.The tempura toppings is perfect for the soup and noodles. I think I prefer udons more than ramens.

Though I didn’t try the cold noodles, I took the liberty of taking a picture of my fellow foodie’s meal. Haha! When she was served with this huge tray, I literally saw her eyes popped. Too much. Too much food on one tray. Hahaha! So I could say that their meals are not pricey at all. Not pricey! And if I may add, the noodles are refillable. That is, if you ever want more. Which I doubt.

For dessert we had matcha ice cream. It was yummy and really rich. Perfect way to end a meal.

Though I prefer the ankoro mochi more, just beause its mochi. But I tried to combine this with the matcha ice cream and it was soooo much better. I am one happy kid!

This photo was taken some weeks back at BGC. We went there with sissy and the #FabSkye for an event and did a quick #OOTD photo shoot upon seeing the nice grassy part of BGC.

I really love BGC. They have greens and buildings all over. What a contrast. But super beautiful. I hope they won’t end up being too overcrowded like Makati. Hinay hinay lang Taguig. :)

Anyway, I know that these set of photos are not so flattering. Hello?! Love handles!!!! Yeps. I still have those crazy bulges that doesn’t want to go away. Pwede naman daw yan maalis basta mag work out ako. Kumusta naman?

I am posting this as a reminder for me and to document my improvement. I am slowly losing weight. Promise! If you’ve seen me a couple of moths back o kahit last year. Oh my gulay!

I also don’t know what happened. I just lost weight. Probably because Skye’s almost 2 now and I’m still breastfeeding. But whatever.

I will try to work out. I. Will. TRY. Just try.

But it felt really good to be back on track. I am now slowly going back to my old self. Been wearing make up again. Trying to look decent. And I love it. Yey for beauty!!

Next target is my hair. I need to have it fixed ASAP. Then maybe I could kalkal my wardrobe na. Time to bring out the old clothes. Yihee!!

Well, I've been snapchatting for quite some time now. Since last year pa ata. But its only now that I am fully enjoying the app. I love that I could send "snaps" on my stories and just let it be. It will self destruct in 24hrs so I could totally forget it. Harhar! Perfect for my random crazy. Plus people can't comment on my posts. Bwahahahaha! I see that people view it but I don't know what they think about it. I. LOVE. IT.

Be warned though. I really post super random stuff. As in crazy random stuff. So if you wanna get bored with my crazy, go follow my story. Umay levels to.

If you are on SnapChat too, let me know. I'll follow your crazies too.