Bake it 'til you make it!

Baking is a part of our family - even at a very young age. Back in my grade school days, I'd buy those pre-packed Devil's Food Cake mixes and try to make it at home. Some would succeed, others would look like burnt cakes on the outside but liquid inside. 

The interest came from my Mom who's a good baker. She'd make apple pie and empanadas for merienda when we were kids. And they were spectacular! Ate Lissa is also a good baker, and her specialty back then was macaroons. 

There was a book at home called "Cooking it up with Nora," written by the legendary Nora Daza. It had a section on cakes and baking, and I'd find myself reading the recipes and imagining that I'd make them.

When I was in high school, my interest in baking was still there. And around that time, I was determined to make that interest something real. So, with money saved from my allowance, I bought my first baking cook book.

And that cook book is still with me until now - 35 years after I bought it.

This book helped me become more confident in my skills. Through this book. I made my first Caramel Butter Tarts (which later became my specialty), my first Mud Pie, and my first attempt at making Dark Fruit Cake. 

Opening the pages of this book brought back so many fond and fun memories. More than that, it made me want to try making these recipes again.

One of these days, I'm going to make those Caramel Butter Tarts again.

Book her!

It’s been a while since my last book purchase. For myself, at least.

Yes, i’ve been buying  books from Big Bad Wold the past years, but they’re mostly for gifts.

Looks like that’s about to change. Thanks to this book.

It’s no secret that I’m a Britney Spears fan. And as much as we all love her showniz persona, it would be interesting to k ow her story a bit deeper.

Hoping that Fully Booked will eventually carry this title. 

Dress you up

No, this isn't a post about Madonna's iconic 80s song.

Though I like that song a lot. And my 2 sisters used to love dancing to that very infectious pop tune.

This is about a book that I've finally gotten around to start reading.

A book that chronicles the evolution of dresses, "The Dress: 100 ideas that changed fashion forever," is such a rich resource for anyone who's interested in fashion. 

It takes the world's biggest dress trends and tracks its historical context - some as far back as the Ancient Egyptian times. It clearly shows how fashion has evolved, but at the same time, is still rooted in the rich history of the generations and races that have come before us.

Another thing enjoyable about reading this book is that it features some of my favourite fashion designers and some of the breakthrough fashion moments. From Paul Poiret to Madame Gres to Paco Rabanne. From Issey Miyake's pleats to Dior's "New Look" to Azzedine Alaia's body con dresses.

Reading this is making me want to bring out my sketch pad and start doing my chicken scratches again. And hopefully soon, those sketches can be brought to Joy who will bring them to life as dresses.

Who's afraid of the...

I've heard of "Big Bad Wolf Books" when they still had their physical event. A lot of my bibliophile friends would flock to the warehouse where they would have it, and they would buy lots and lots and lots of books.

While I'm a bibliophile and love books myself, whenever I see photos of the crowds and cashier lines, it would discourage me because it felt like it was too much of a hassle. Besides, I'm used to getting books at a bargain at the NBS Outlet Store in Cubao anyway.

Then, sometime last year, I discovered that Big Bag Wolf Books had a Lazada store. And I checked it out. And I've been there on a weekly basis ever since.

Now, there's a pile of books here at home. Some are for personal consumption. Others are for gifting.

So, who's afraid of Big Bad Wolf Books?

Me? Because if I don't stop, our house might look like a bookstore soon.

Closing a Chapter

When I used to live in TST, one of my usual haunts in Swindon Book Company in Lock Road.

This is one of the oldest book stores in HKG, and -personally - it has one of the best selections of books and magazines. Even better than Page One.

Aside from the selection, they're also priced better compared to the other bookstore chains. I'd often buy my InStyle Magazines there when I can't find it in HMV.

Unlike the big bookstore chains, this bookstore feels more bespoke and cozy. It's one of the places where you can get a book, find a quiet nook, then browse as much as you can. Being there feels like being in a familiar neighbourhood, and hanging out with neighbours.

Like a lot of small businesses in HKG, this pandemic has affected Swindon Book Co. Ltd. And that was confirmed when I saw this piece of news.

It's sad, but the next time I find myself in HKG, Swindon Book Co. Ltd. won't be there to welcome me anymore.

And another chapter in my book of HKG haunts come to a close.

Pole Positioning

And just like that, school is opening again!

This weekend, I went to SSC to gather some books for my subject for this semester, a foundation course on the business of advertising.

One book that really taught me a lot about advertising was "Positioning" by Al Ries and Jack Trout. This was almost like the bible for advertising. It taught me how important it is to be on the consumer's "top of mind," how important it is to "Cherchez le creneau" and that advertising is all about mental shortcuts.

That's why this book is a must-read for my class.

It's an updated version of the original book, but this one's by Jack Trout.

I'm so excited to re-read this. And for school to start.

When coloring is in Vogue

Here's something that takes the concept of adult coloring books to a totally different level:

Vogue coloring books!

I found this while roaming around SM City Legazpi, and is one of the Best Buy's of this trip.

Next stop: fashionable crayons,

Dior-ama!

In between reading books for school, I try to squeeze in some leisurely, social reading. And this week's book is a retrospective on the work of Christian Dior.

He was truly ahead of his time, and truly inspiring. In face, I'm inspired to do some sketching now.

Royal rumble, well, almost

So, I saw this Alexander McQueen book from afar. It was just one, last copy on the shelf.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a well-dressed lady also looking at the same book.

As I took a few steps forward towards the shelf, I noticed her doing the same thing, but faster. It was clear at that point, she was going for the book.

Thank goodness I have larger strides. Because I wanted that book, too.

In the end...

And guess what? The book was on sale! Less than P500!

A McQueen book for less than P500! That's a royal deal!

Booking Mrs. Herrera

One of the highlights of my 2016 was when I got to see the Carolina Herrera retrospective exhibit at SCAD in Atlanta.

During that exhibit, they were selling a book which chronicled her 35 years in fashion. It was a beautifully art directed and photographed coffee table book, and I wanted to get a copy.

Unfortunately, I started packing and immediately knew that I wouldn't have space for it in my luggage. Aside from the book being quite large, it was also heavy. So, there was a problem both in space and weight.

This weekend, I dropped by National Bookstore, and lo and behold!

It's the same book I wanted to buy!

Not only was it available at National Bookstore, it was at 90% off! Seriously, it was less than P500!

It might have come 2 years later, but it's worth it! (Literally and figuratively.)

Graphic Novel

It was a feeling of shock after seeing this book on sale near the Children's section of a book sale in SG.

A cartoon depicting a shooting! Complete with blood spurting from his chest!

Amazing what you can read - and see - these days.

Sweet read

A good book is an essential item on my bedside table. It's what I do to wind down and fall asleep.

And here's the book I'm reading now.

I wouldn't be surprised if I have sweet dreams.

Gift du jour

Every year, I have a favorite Christmas gift that I can't give enough of. It's a gift that I usually buy in multiples, and they should come in different variants so I can  avoid duplicates.

This year, the gift du jour is Busy Books.

These are multi-purpose books that engage the child's imagination in more ways than one. It has a storybook that the child can read or ask his or her parents to read. It also has 10 figurines that lets the child act out the story. And it has a playmat where the child can invent stories as well. How's that for an imaginative toy?

Good thing that Busy Books come in many titles. There's one that fit each kid in my Christmas list, and I had a lot of fun choosing and buying them.

I'm hoping that they'll still have this next year, and they introduce more and more titles. It's a gift I wouldn't mind giving again and again and again.

My new travel buddy

Melvin and I headed off to Festival Walk today after mass and it was surprising that this was his first time to visit the mall. He goes down at the Kowloon Tong KCR station each time he travels from Shenzhen to HK, but he always takes the subway so he missed seeing one of my favorite malls in HK. One reason why I love Festival Walk is because of its humungous Page One branch. Long before Page Once came (and gone) to Manila, i've seen it in HK when Chris brought Maricar and me to the mall way back in 2001. That time, it was still pretty new and people came in droves to check out the myriad of book choices the store offered. Today, I picked up this book which will be my new travel buddy as of tonight. Entitled "1,000 places to see before you die," it features the 1,000 top travel destinations from all around the world. And man! Do they have every part of the world covered. From usual tourist traps like Europe, to relatively unknown islands like Bonaire, - they have it in their review. What's great about this book is that it avoids the tourist cliches and the oft-beaten paths. In contrast, it visits nice restaurants, unknown museums, houses with historical significance, and other must-see attractions. I leafed through the pages quickly and found out that a lot of the places I visited are listed there, but at the same time, an equal number of my favorite spots aren't even mentioned. Most of my favorite places in Mexico, like San Luis Potosi didn't even appear in the book, to my dismay. From my quick 30 minute scan of the book, here are some things i've learned: 1. I've been to all the "must visit" spots in Prague 2. The author and I feel exactly the same way about San Miguel de Allende 3. The Philippines has 3 entries in the book: Tagaytay, Banaue and Amanpulo 4. I've been to Amsterdam a couple of times, and there's this "must visit" place behind the flat I was staying in, and I didn't even notice it. 5. There are more Carribean Islands than we could have imagined. 6. I MUST VISIT BRAZIL! This book is a good buy, plus a must read, considering i'm off to Spain again next year. After looking at the "Spain" section, my resolve to take a train from Barcelona to Madrid to Bilbao to Santiago has further been heightened. At least now, I have an idea where to go. Ah, the travel bug bites once more.