Simply Put

One of my recent discoveries that's truly rave worthy is Simply Soft Hand Wash. Particularly the Fragrant Olive & Cedar Wood scent.

This smells so divine. It has that nice blend of earthy and gourmand. I'm actually tempted to bathe in it! 

But don't worry. I haven't.

Yet.

Gosh, if they had this scent in a body wash, I'd hoard it!

It's that simple.

Peak of irritation

How man times do I have to say this?

It's "Sneak Peek", not "Sneak Peak."

This is one of the top pet peeves I have. It's so simple and basic, but a lot of people still get it wrong.

Proofreader, please!

Peek-a-boo!

Cut-outs seem to be a recurring theme for clothes this season.

This 90s style staple is back on the racks. There are a number of pieces from Zara, Monki, H&M, among others.

Even local brands are joining the bandwagon. Just like this very stylish (and very affordable) dress from The SM Store.

The focal point are the subtle cut-out details near the waist. It’s a nice break from the fresh and vibrant print that covers the dress.

The peek-a-boo detail extends to the back, with a ribbon detail that literally ties the look together.

Well played, SM Store! 

Here comes the Grain!

Aside from the Gardenia Fruit and Nut Loaf in SG, one of their variants that I'd always bring home is their Multigrain Loaf.

The different mix of textures of the grains give the bread a different taste profile and mouth feel that we enjoy at home. We'd usually eat it on its own or with cream cheese.

Imagine my thrill after finding out that they now have a similar product here in MNL!

Multigrain buns!

Gave it a try, and it was as good as the SG loaf!

Now that the multigrain is here, hopefully the Fruit and Nut Loaf will follow suit soon!

At Seventeen

Nope, this isn't about Janis Ian's iconic song.

But don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of that song. Heck, it might be my FMM soon. It's just a Sunday, after all.

This post is about looking back 17 years ago when I had my next foray into adulthood.

On this day, in 2005, I was busy looking for a flat in HKG. Back then, I've checked out more than 30 flats but didn't find anything interesting. First, they were flats in Hong Kong Island, near the office. Eventually, I decided to look for one in Kowloon, despite the ridicule from my colleagues.

Eventually, I found - and stayed - in the same flat for almost 4 years. It was in Austin Road in Jordan, and it really was my home away from home.

That's when I learned that independence was really fun and enriching.

And I learned that truth, 17 years ago.

When life gives you lemons...

Or more accurately:

“When your neighbor sells really cheap lemons...”

Well, you all know what happens next:

I’m actually a lemonade fan and usually buy fresh lemonade from malls. But of course, there’s a different sense of accomplishment if you make lemonade on your own.

Freshly squeezed lemonade, anyone?

FMM: Cheeky!

Several family members love to dance the swing.

Mom, Kuya Marv and Ate Lissa are really good at it. Tito Linden is a good swing dancer, too. Whenever we'd have family parties, they would usually take the dance floor when all these familiar swing songs from the 70s are played.

One of the songs they love dancing to is this classic from 1979. It's from the group called Poussez called "Never Say Goodbye."

The reason why this song stuck to my head is because of that catchy part of the refrain that goes:

"Cheeky, Cheeky, Ah, Ah!"

Somehow, this line sounds so 70s. And even if I hear it in 2022, it always transports me back to the 70s.

And yes, Friday is meant for going back in time and enjoying songs like this.

Cheeky as it may seem.

Stew You

One of the dishes that Dad enjoys cooking is this Spanish/Portuguese stew called "Tacho."

Tacho is made of shredded chicken, white beans, and chorizo. It's a very hearty stew that you can eat on its own, or with bread or rice. It has that very rich blend of flavours, but not too overwhelming. Despite the many ingredients, the dish is still very balanced.

Even as kids, this would be part of his repertoire, along with Pochero. These 2 dishes are similar in some ways, particularly with the use of legumes.

We're lucky that Dad still loves to cook these dishes until now. We enjoy a taste of our childhood even as adults.

This Zucks

You'd think that "Zucchini" would be a simple word to spell, right?

Apparently not.

Then again, this might be a different variety of Zucchini. Heck, maybe it's Zuckerberg's very own version of the vegetable. If that's the case, then it makes sense.

But I guess it's not. So, proofreader please!

Moda Cerrada

Just when Vero Moda Lazada Store was fast becoming my source for unique fast fashion finds, this happens:

They're closed! Not only is their physical store (formerly at the G/F of SM Megamall) gone, their online store has shuttered as well.

Well, it looks like I'll have to start looking for a new source.

Findin’ Budin

As a kid visiting Bicol, one of the things I’d constantly look forward to is being able to eat “Budin”

This is a traditional dessert in Bicol. It’s a small cake made of pili nuts, with whole piles on top. They’re square shaped and we’re wrapped in white paper.

Lolo Doring and Lola Pining’s house in Malinao would never run out of budin, and they were so good that it wasn’t uncommon for me to finish a pack in one sitting.

It’s been a while since we had this at home, mainly because it’s been years since my last trip to Bicol.

The next time i’m there, this will be one of the things that i’ll make sure to find.

All you need is Lavender

Out of curiosity, I bought a can of the Bench Antibacterial Spray in Lavender.

Gosh! This smells so good! It has this very calm and spa-like scent that really fills the house. Imagine, I sprayed it in the living room, and I could smell it from my room on the 3rd floor.

Best part, it's antibacterial! So, it keeps the air clean while keeping it fragrant.

You gotta love that!

Eat’s Inspirational!

On last Thursday’s episode of “Eat Bulaga,” they featured young cancer survivors in one of their segments.

According to the hosts, through the collective stories of these different survivors - all under 25 years old - they’ll create awareness and inspiration for young people.

And among those who shared their inspiring stories is my niece, Toni!

She’s actually been actively campaigning about wellness and awareness for years now. I’ve sat in one of the webinars she was invited to, and proudly watched as she shared her story with so many people. That’s exactly what she did in Eat Bulaga, albeit for millions of people now.

Awesome job on this guesting, Toni! You truly are an inspiration!

FMM: Feel it!

Stevie Wonder is known for his ballads and love songs. That's a given.

But is upbeat and jazzy songs are equally awesome! He had a song from 70s that was in a greatest hits cassette tape that Dad had. As a kid, I'd always get that cassette tape and play it because of one song. One who's lyrics and refrain were so catchy, and peculiarly, the title of this song only came out once in the lyrics.

That song is entitled "Sir Duke" and is today's Friday Magic Madness song.

It has such an effervescent and happy vibe that - as the song aptly captures - "you can feel it all over."

Which is what I'm feeling now.

Fabric (Nenu)conditioner

For my generation, the name "Nenuco" is iconic!

It's the cologne that people my age would bathe in when we were in high school. We'd buy the big bottles at Greenhills, Rustan's, or those PX stores.

The scent is very "Spanish Cologne" - light, fruity and very pleasant. We'd always have bottles of these at home, and my sisters would bathe their clothes - in Nenuco.

Now, you can literally do that. Especially after this discovery at my go-to online grocery.

Nenuco fabric conditioner!

Now, you can smell like Nenuco without even spraying Nenuco.

How cool is that?

Midweek Cheese

Since "Purple Hearts" consistently popped up on our Netflix selection, my thought was: "Hey, let's give it a shot!"

It's been a while since I've last seen a romantic-drama that has this much cheese. All the ingredients are there: headstrong female character, stubborn male character, they-hated-each-other-upon-first-meeting, they-started-to-like-each-other-after-knowing-each-other-more, and the love-turned-to-hate-after-a-pivotal-moment.

Whew!

It almost feels like watching a romantic-drama based on a Nicholas Sparks book. Without the you-know-what. And with added cheese.

Strangely though, it works! No wonder it's on the Top 10 list in the Philippines.

Looks like we're really fond of cheese.

Smells like Friendship

This is something I found online that was so novel, I couldn't resist buying them.

These are scents inspired by TV shows! Particularly, this pair was inspired by Monica's Apartment from the hit series "Friends."

Hope they come up with a Central Perk-inspired scent, too.

Thai-ming

If you can't go to BKK, let BKK come to you.

Every trip to BKK, one of the first things on my agenda is to visit their 7-11 or groceries to get local snacks. Among them, the local version and local flavours of Lay's Potato Chips.

Recently, in one of my "Mexican Moms try..." binge-watching days, I came across their feature on Thai chips:

This made me crave for those snacks so bad!

Thankfully, there's a Thai Mart online, and was able to order this from them.

Yes! Lay's Truffle Potato Chips.

This is perfect timing! I might not be able to go back to BKK yet, but at least my taste buds can.

Color Story: Brown Butter

One of the more popular coffee flavours at my nephew’s coffee shop is a concoction the call “Brown Butter Coffee.”

It combines coffee with this homemade, golden caramel syrup, and it creates this combination that’s both strong and smooth.

Well, at least that’s how their regulars describe it. It’s common knowledge that i’m not a coffee drinker.

But Brown Butter Caramel is the color inspiration behind this outfit that I gave Rose for her birthday.

The top is a golden butter color with dolman sleeves from ForMe, while the caramel colored jeans are from Betshka.

To complete the look, a pair of brown mules from Zalora.

It might not be coffee, but this look will surely perk a person up.

Sweet Memories

One of the episodes of the "Mexican Moms" series that I watch and re-watch is the one where they rank Mexican snacks.

Para mi, this is delightful to watch because of 2 reasons:

1. It features a lot of the Mexican snacks that I would eat during my stay in Mexico. This includes Gansitos, Bubu Lubu, Paleta Payaso, Galetas Marias, Cacahuates, among others.

2. I'm a huge fan of Pinguinos, and I've written about it here several times. But this episode gave Pinguinos more heart after hearing the story of Xotchil and what it meant to her as a child.

Gosh! I should stop watching videos like these. I'm suddenly having an intense craving for Mexican sweets!

FMM: Don't be Shy

After EBTG last week, it's a fact that Workshy can't be far behind.

This trio from England had their career high in the 90s, around the same time as EBTG. Because of that, their music was also part of our working and overtime repertoire at Adformatix.

They have a lot of great songs. And for today's Friday Magic Madness, I'll go back to 1994 and play their hit that was a remake of an even older song from Dionne Warwick.

While Dionne's "I Say A Little Prayer" was iconic, Workshy's laid-back and jazzy rendition has its own charm. It's the perfect song to play on a long weekend drive. Or while fixing my room. Or while reading. Or while getting ready to sleep.

Okay, I won't be shy about it. I'm a huge fan of this song. Obviously.

The 4(7)11

One of the scents that I like and never tire of is the very classic 4711 cologne from Germany.

It  has this light, citrusy scent that's very subtle and natural. When sprayed on, the dry down melds well with the skin. You almost forget that you're wearing cologne, and it feels like you just have really great smelling skin.

Fun information about 4711, it's the oldest cologne and was developed in the 18th century in Cologne, Germany. Yes, cologne actually came from Cologne. 

Because it's been around for more than 200 years, it's an honest-to-goodness classic. Actually, I remember my Lola Dita had 4711 cologne on her dresser. It's because it has that Spanish scent that she gravitated towards.

My Mom also used this, so do we from time to time. So, it's safe to say that it's a scent that's part of 3 generations of our family.

No other cologne can lay claim to that. And that's what makes 4711 special!

‘’Wich-ing hour

One of the first sandwiches that I learned to make as a kid was the classic hotdog sandwich.

It had a twist, though. 

Instead of the hotdog being on a bun, I’d slice it in the middle and put it on tasty bread. Of course, the tasty bread would have butter on one side and sandwich spread on the other.

I’d make it for breakfast and merienda. I’d even make it as my recess in school, wrapping it in either aluminum foil or the iconic checkered table napkins that were the rage back then.

Today, I went back to my childhood and made this for breakfast!

Yup, it’s as good now as it was then.

Suddenly

The world woke up to the sad news that one of the world's biggest musical icons - Olivia Newton John - suddenly passed away.

"Iconic" is an apt way to describe both her and her music. 

From her start in the industry in the 70s until now, she was always a bright light and shining presence. I've been a fan of hers, starting from my childhood. Proof is how she's been featured in several of my blog posts.

And further proof is how I can sing "Xanadu" at the drop of a hat.

Heaven will suddenly be filled with beautiful music now that ONJ is there.

Crazy Eights

That would definitely be a good way to describe this 8.8 sale, particularly on Lazada.

Went back to my cart, particularly the items from the Stella line at Robinsons Department Store to see if they're discounted. The shocking result:

The items are just P88! 

Yes, they're P88!!!

Gosh, to think that when they went on sale for P111, I thought that was already a steal. But this!!!

Crazy! But in a very good way.

The Yaki that's Yummy

In Japan, "Yaki" means "cooked directly over heat." It can be seen as fried, but it can be other things.

That's why you see a lot of "Yaki" food in Japan. There's "Yakisoba," "Okonomiyaki," "Yaktori," among others.

But one that I'm suddenly missing and craving for is "Takoyaki."

Mark and I have 2 favourite Takoyaki places in Japan. 

There's the mainstream "Gindaco" which is a chain that you'll find all over Japan. Of course, the one we frequent would most likely be the one in DiverCity Mall because of its proximity to Mark's former dorm - TIEC. If memory serves me right, they also have it in Nakano Broadway.

The other one is this hole-in-the-wall Takoyaki place in Ueno. It's a take-out only place and you can eat your order by the street side. We always go to this place when we go to Ueno, and we even brought Isa and family there once.

Gosh! I really hope we can go back to Japan soon!

Mon Cherie

Cherie Gil is undoubtedly one of the icons and gems of Philippine Cinema.

She one of those actresses that can easily shift from being a villain to a heroine. Yes, she played heroines in her career, in films like "Oro, Plata, Mata," "Sana'y wala nang wakas," among others.

But yes, she's better known as the villain. A classy, elegant, intelligent and loveable villain. 

One of her iconic roles is as Lavinia Arguelles in "Bituing Walang Ningning." It's so iconic that her famous line: "You're nothing but a second rate, trying hard, copycat!" is part of Filipino Pop Culture for almost 4 decades now.

Given how it's still part of the local lexicon until now, it's safe to say that those lines will be seared into the consciousness of the Filipinos and will never be forgotten.

And as Cherie Gil closes the curtain on her illustrious career, I'm certain that neither will she.

FMM: Double-Cross (My heart)

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is inspired by yesterday's post on those crosses purchased online. So, you can call it a double-feature.

Truth be told, while typing that blog title, this song was playing in my head.

"Cross my heart" is one of the most iconic songs by Everything But The Girl. Although it was released in 1986, I only became familiar with this song in the mid-90s. This group was introduced to me by Danz, who would play it in their work area, and sometimes in his car when I'd ride home with him.

There's something very soothing and calming about this song. More than just the way it's sung, it's also the lyrics. It's so easy to visualize this song because of the intricacy of the lytics. 

Bonus: this is the first song that I heard that actually used the word "appalled" in the lyrics. How boffo is that?

That's why until now, this song is one of my faves that's played on repeat.

And that's no lie. Cross my heart.

Cross, My heart

While looking for Mexican folk crosses on-line, I found these wooden, hand painted crosses.

Just like the ones in Mexico which are hand-made works of art, these crosses are lovingly handmade by a Filipino artist's hands with different patterns, including one that's inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Although this wasn't exactly what I was looking for, my heart leapt with joy after seeing them. Thus, I got this pair.

But I'll still be on the lookout for those Mexican-style crosses.

Take it to the street!

After binge-watching "Street Food: Latin America" and "Street Food: Asia," the series that constantly and consistently made me hungry is back! Now, they're featuring street food in the good old U.S.A.!

Thanks to this series, I'm now seriously planning to go to Hawaii for their authentic Spam Musubi and Poke bowls. The Poi looks interesting, too. 

Also, watching this makes me want to go to New Orleans for Yakemein and Hansen's Sno Bliz, Portland for Mama Dut's vegetarian bahn mi and Loaded plates, and California for Carnitas del Momo and the Pinoy restaurant called Dollar Hits.

Hope they feature street food places in Atlanta and Houston as well, since that's where we frequent. But until that U.S. trip happens, let me just feast my eyes on American street food.

Picking Sunflowers

When I was a kid - like, grade school kid - crackers were our go-to morning and afternoon snack.

And when it came to crackers, you were either Team Skyflakes or Team Sunflower.

Each cracker was distinct. 

Skyflakes were thicker and fuller, and had a very neutral taste which made it ideal for spreads. Often, we'd top Skyflakes with guava jelly, strawberry jam or coco jam.

Sunflower was thinner and crunchier. It had a distinct savoury taste that you could eat on its own. Sometimes, we'd use the same spreads on it, but this one was much better eaten alone.

For that reason, I was Team Sunflower. From grade school, to high school, to college, even as an adult.

Eventually, they had more and more variants of Sunflower which I welcomed. You can never go wrong with variety! They had Chicken, Pizza, Garlic and Onion, Strawberry filled and Mango filled. And I'm sure there's a flavour or 2 that I missed.

Now, there are a lot more choices when in comes to crackers. Not only do you have the American brands like Ritz Crackers, European brands like McVitie's, and even Asian brands like HaiTai. And while these diversify the cracker landscape, whenever I'm craving for something really good and really familiar, it's still Sunflower Crackers for me.

Sunflower Crackers Chicken, in particular.

I'd pick this anytime. All the time.

Tokyo on a budget

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory is a fixture in JPN.

Back when Mark and I were in Tokyo, we'd often see their stores in Lumine Shinkjuku or at the Tokyo Eki, Their cheese filled cookies were super delish and it's so easy to finish one box in one sitting. The combination of gorgonzola cheese and honey is the perfect balance of savoury and sweet.

It's so unique that it would often be my last minute pasalubong during my JPN trips. It helps that they have a store in Haneda Airport which makes it easy to bring home.

Back in 2019, they opened their first store in MNL, and it was great because people didn't need to fly to JPN to get a taste of their cookies.

But of course, just like there are budget flights to JPN, there are people who are looking for a budget version of these cookies. And luckily, there is:

Hansel Premium Hokkaido-style White Cheese biscuits is a good - and cheaper - alternative to Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory. The taste of the filling is similar, though the cookie texture is very different. But if you're looking for the taste of the filling rather than the consistency of the cookie, this would be a good choice.

Actually, people think that this is a new product. Which it isn't. This was launched much earlier, maybe around 2017-ish? I remember because this product was one of the creative projects that I asked my advertising class to do. They had 2 other flavours back then - Matcha and Cherry Blossom.

So, while traveling is still a bit restricted and people are still watching their budget, go ahead and get this Hansel Premium Sandwich and get that taste of Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory for less.

Grimace-inducing memories

Mom was cleaning up some of the cabinets in the house. She found this and immediately knew that this was mine.

It's a Grimace stuffed toy!

Grimace is very memorable and is an indelible part of my teen years. When I was 17 years old and working at McDonald's, they'd sometimes ask me to wear the Grimace costume and perform the "Wiggle, Wiggle" dance during kiddie parties.

While it was fun and I'd get a kick out of it, the whole process was difficult because I had to bend my knees to make Grimace look short and stubby. As a character, he's supposed to be stubby, and I was 5'10", so a tall Grimace just wouldn't cut it.

Thus, I'd spend about 15 minutes with knees bent, dancing to the delight of kids. It was difficult, yes, but hearing the kids laughing and cheering always made the discomfort worth it.

And that's why Grimace is very memorable.

And that's why I still have this Grimace toy with me.

A Steak in the Conversation

Both Mom and Dad are avid and excellent cooks. 

Even as kids, both my parents worked wonders in the kitchen and made every meal time a special one. From Dad's special beef pochero where he would make an actual "pochero bar" where we could assemble the pochero the way we wanted to, to Mom's chicken empanada which she'd make from scratch.

They love food so much that we usually talk about food even while eating. Such was the case during dinner last Thursday.

After hearing the news of Alfredo's Steak House closing, we reminisced all the steak places we had easy access to when we were living in Morato. The most obvious one was Mario's since it was just 2 houses away from us. There's Alfredo's which was just 1 block away. Then, there was Tamarind Grill across the street.

The entire dinner was a conversation about steaks, so it sorta didn't come as a surprise when we had this for lunch yesterday.

It's Tuna Belly Steak! Smothered in butter and generously topped with toasted garlic. 

Our conversation must've been so intense that they couldn't get steaks out of their mind. And what the mind can conceive, Mom and Dad will achieve.

FMM: Two-gether

Lest you think that Odie being dragged out of the pound to be put down was the end of "Here Comes Garfield," it's not.

The ending is actually a happy one. 

After they grabbed Odie, Garfield rallied the other dogs in the pound to go against the oppressive leader. Then, they all overpowered him and were able to gain their freedom. And with that, Garfield and Odie came back home together to the chagrin - and delight - of Jon.

That happy scene was punctuated by this song, again from Desiree Goyette and Lou Rawls. Entitled "Together Again," it's today's happy Friday Magic Madness song.

Because best friends - whether they're cats and dogs - deserve to be together.

Bliss in a box

Those words would best describe my recent discovery - Vinamilk Tea Bliss.

Considering that it's a pre-packaged milk tea, the flavour of this is really fresh. It has that distinct wintermelon taste, the right amount of tea and milk, and it's super refreshing.

My only comment would be how small the pack is. I'm able to finish the whole box in 2 sips and can finish 3 of these in one sitting.

If they have a 1-liter pack of this, then that would really be blissful!

Gold. Finger.

Because of the articles I've been reading online about Cloud 9 Gold Caramel Nut Crisp, there was a lot of intrigue about the product on my part.

That's why when I chanced upon it at the supermarket, instinct led to me grab and buy a few bars.

Verdict: IT"S TRUE! 

This variant of Cloud 9 Gold is a lot like Butterfinger!

Of course, nothing beats the original. But in case it's not available in stores, this will be a good back-up.

WATN: (Not) Over the Hill

Lauryn Hill has one of the most captivating voices in American music. It's so soulful and smooth, and whether she's doing a ballad or a rap, the emotion of the lyrics pierce through and hit you directly.

My ears first heard the magic of Lauryn Hill was during her stellar performance in "Sister Act 2."

Whether she sang "His eye on the Sparrow" or "Joyful, Joyful," you can't help but be mesmerized by her voice and presence.

Then, she sang "Killing me softly" with The Fugees, and her more upbeat rendition gave a unique and fresh take to the Roberta Flack original.

When her album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" came out, in 1988 I rushed to Music One to get a CD.  That CD was on repeat whenever I was at work and working overtime, especially "Doo Wop (That thing.)"

Until now, this song is on repeat, and I've been listening to it on a daily basis for months. now. I've also been watching her youtube performances of the same song from more recent shows in the US, and it's as engaging and head-bopping now as it was then.

This makes me wonder where she is now and when she's going to make new music. We need to hear more of Lauryn Hill, stat!

Goody-goody Onigiri

Passed by the 7-11 near our office and spotted their Onigiri.

Bought it to see if it's as good as the ones in Japan.

Sugoi ne! They are! This Salmon Mayo Onigiri is da bomb! The nori wrap was crispy and had a hint of sweetness. The rice is nice and sticky. And they didn't scrimp on the filling. There was a lot!

Okay! This is now going to be my go-to for a quick and good Onigiri in Manila.

Que Horror!

Thanks to Netflix, more and more Spanish films and series are made available to us in the Philippines.

One of their most famous imports is "La Casa de Papel," or better known as "Money Heist." It's so popular that they now have international versions of the film.

This weekend, we were able to catch this Spanish action/horror film from 2020. 

The English title is "Valley of the Dead," which doesn't have that much of a ring to it unlike the original title "Malnazidos." 

Though the genre isn't new, and we've been seeing Zombie films since as far back as the 60s, there are a lot of elements of this film that feel fresh and new. Which makes it a fun film to watch.

Oh, and I tried watching it in Spanish to help me brush up on my Espanol. But I had to revert back to English after a few minutes.

Spag-Hot-ti

While rummaging through the kitchen cabinet in search of something to eat for an afternoon snack, I chanced upon this pack of Nongshim Chapagetti.

Maybe it's because of watching "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and some other Korean movies, but there was a sudden urge to eat a bowl of Korean noodles. So, after snagging the pack and preparing it per packaging instructions, it was time for the Spicy Chapagetti.

Gosh! Spicy it was! Just a few mouthfuls and my forehead was sweaty already. But compared to that Super Spicy Buldak noodle, this was more bearable.

While this hot Korean Spaghetti was good, give me the classic Pinoy-style Spaghetti anytime!

FMM: Frenemies to Friends

Both in the comic strip and the animated series, Garfield and Odie are the quintessential frenemies. They're cats and dogs, for Pete's sake.

Often, you'll see Garfield beating up Odie, and Odie doesn't retaliate. Instead, he'll just gingerly lick Garfield's face to show that he doesn't take offense.

But there's a pivotal scene in the TV film "Here Comes Garfield" in 1982. 

Garfield and Odie were captured in a pound and were locked up together in a cold jail cell. It was raining outside, and Odie was shivering while lying on the cold, concrete floor. That's when Garfield hugged him and realized that he can't live without his frenemy.

That scene was made even more emotional by the song that was playing in the background. The same song which is today's Friday Magic Madness song.

"So long, old friend" by Desiree Goyette upped the EQ of this song by 1000000x! As a very young kid, watching this scene made me bawl non-stop. Then, when we were in High School, we watched this film again, and I bawled like a young kid again.

Even now, 40 years since this film aired, I'd watch it and still get teary eyed whenever this scene comes up.

It's such a powerful song - and scene - on friendship.

And of course it's Garfield! That makes all the difference.

Taking Tokyo to Town

Looks like 7-Eleven in the Philippines is really serious about catching up to its Asian neighbours in terms of its snack and prepared food line-up.

Whenever we're in Tokyo, Mark and I both marvel at the breadth of snack options in 7-i. Of course, our all-time fave are the onigiris in all shapes and types. 

The same onigiri is also available in 7-Eleven stores in South Korea and SG. And I've been wondering when they'll have it here.

The answer came early this year when they launched this.

When you can't go to Tokyo (yet), let Tokyo come to you!

(Mi)doors closing

Because of its proximity to my former flat in Jordan, Mido Cafe in Yau Ma Tei was one of my most visited cafes in HKG.

Usually on weekends, I'd wake up early and walk to Mido to get breakfast. It's usually my fave - condensed milk and peanut butter toast, with milk tea. I never got tired of this combo even if I had it several times a week.

Because of its fame, Mido Cafe would usually have long lines outside, much like Australian Dairy Co. To beat the crowd, I'd go there really, really early.

While I dream of visiting Mido Cafe again, that'll just be a dream now. Apparently, they're closing down after more than 70 years.

Gosh, the pandemic claims another HKG icon. Hopefully, when things are finally back to normal-normal, they'll pick-up where they left off and open their doors again.

In Theory

It's a known fact that I'm not a very fashionable person.

My preferences in fashion are very plain and basic. Back in college, my uniform consisted of jeans and plain t-shirts. That carried over until now - except when we have client meetings with upper management. Those days, I have to look half-decent and wear jeans with plain oxford shirts.

Because of this no-nonsense approach to fashion, I've always been drawn to the aesthetic of the brand Theory.

This New York-based brand is known for their very sparse and basic designs, but always with a twist. Whether it's the fabric, the seaming, or the silhouette. They were very popular during 2010 to 2014 when Olivier Theyskens was at the helm of the house. Theyskens is known for his penchant of transforming something basic into something visually interesting.

This is precisely the reason why whenever Uniqlo comes out with a collaboration with Theory, I make it a point to score a few shirts from the collection. Just like these ones:

The fabric is super soft and comfortable, the shape is loose and easy, and it's a perfect shirt to wear when you don't want to think of what to wear.

That's the theory - nay, the truth - why I'm a fan of this brand.

Missing Muji

Muji always brings back good memories.

When I was still living in HKG, one of the stores that I never got tired of visiting was Muji in Mira Place. It was my "black hole" before Uniqlo came along.

I'd walk in, check out snacks and stationery items, and suddenly, more than an hour passed. Then, I'd walk b y their clothing section, then another hour would fly by.

There's something about Muji that's so calming. That's why it's so easy to just hang out in that store.

Then, there's the Muji in Tokyo Midtown. It's the place where I'd be while waiting for Mark to finish his classes. 

It's been a while since I last stepped into a Muji store. Last March, I dropped off my cousins from Spain at Muji in Greenbelt because they wanted to shop there. As much as I wanted to accompany them inside, there were other errands that needed to be done.

One of my colleagues said that there's a huge Muji store in Shangrila Plaza Mall. And now that I'm writing about Muji and missing it a lot more, I'll have to visit that store very soon.

LFLTAT: K, fine

It's something I've noticed since my first trip to Korea.

The Korean sense of fashion.

Their way of dress - whether traditional garbs or street wear - have a distinct look. It's so distinct that you can actually use their country name as an adjective. Like: "Her outfit is so Korean!"

It's something that's also evident in the few Korean series that I catch on Netflix. Whether it's a rom-com, an action film, a mystery-thriller or a drama, the characters are always distinctly - and beautifully - dressed.

One of the recurring fashion themes is the pencil skirt and turtle neck blouse. This is their usual office wear, and it's usually topped with a trench coat or a loose blazer during spring or winter. But during summer, or while they're in their office, the pencil skirt and blouse is a go-to for women.

That look is what inspired this LFLTAT.

The top is an old top from Maldita. It's something I've written about 2 years ago. 

It's a top with a mock turtle neck and draped sleeves. The fabric is cotton jersey, so it's perfect for the local weather. And it has a muted colour - another recurring Korean theme.

Then, there's the pencil skirt from Zalora. But to give it a fashionable twist, it's a wrap skirt with a subtle drape in front. And it's dusty pink hue is a perfect match for the gray top.

For an outfit that's less than P800, this ensemble is not just okay, it's a "K"!

So extraordinary

The Korean Nettflix series, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", appeals to me because of 2 reasons:

1. The lead character - Attorney Woo - is in the autism spectrum, just like my nephew.

2. She's also a lawyer - something I aspired to be when I was younger.

Aside from these, the stories per episode are engaging, surprising and timely. And true to the Korean genre, they're also unexpected.

Particularly, the twist of Episode 2 caught me unaware, and in a good way. Seeing the character development of the bride just made me smile.

It's rare that I watch a Korean series. But this series wooed me and has me hooked.

FMM: Rock & Rawls

Who doesn't know the iconic voice of Lou Rawls?

His voice is so distinct. So, buttery-soft and smooth. He sings in a way that's commanding yet calming. People will also say that his voice is very sensual. Which is true.

While he's best known for songs like "You'll never find another love like mine," that's not the song that made me familiar with his work.

And you'll be surprised at what song first made me familiar with Lou Rawls. It's the song for today's Friday Magic Madness:

Yes, it's a song from the cartoon show "Garfield."

As a kid, I'd watch the old Garfield animated series, and one episode featured this song. Once it played, I couldn't help but ask: "Who is this singer?" After finding out who, everything was history.

Thanks to Garfield, here comes Lou Rawls again.

Nuts about Singapore

It's been 3 years since my last trip to SG.

Frankly, I'm missing my trips - routine and random - to the city. And I'm hoping I can go back there soon. Very soon.

In the meantime, let me nosh on these.

Nut exactly the same thing, but it'll do.