Triple Treat

One of the great things about HKG is its size. Because it's a fairly compact island, it's so easy to go from one part to another in less than an hour. One can travel from East to West with such ease, and it's easy to meet a lot of friends even with a limited time frame.

Which is exactly what I did last Saturday. As my first full day in HKG, I made it a point to see my friends who I haven't seen in years - and for one - more than a decade.

First, it was off to Kwun Tong to meet Bebe. She was a former colleague, a brilliant art director, and now pursuing her passion of advocating a healthy lifestyle through Traditional Chinese Herbal Teas.

The last time I saw her was in 2009, so it was great to catch up after more than a decade.

Then, it was off to the opposite side of HKG, in Tung Chung. It was here where I met up with Tanya - one of my great friends in College who also became my first "local" friend when I moved to HKG in 2005. Actually. we saw each other a few months ago here in MNL, but it's different when you see friends in their "home court."

Third, it was time to meet Monna. Another friend I made while living in HKG. She's the cousin of Ovvian, my college friend, and we also became friends after that initial and accidental meeting. Too bad I don't have a photo of our meet-up, but yes it happened.

Three awesome friends in just 1 day. That's really a treat!

See you, G.U.!

Just an hour or so later after arriving in HKG, this was the first stop.

Gosh! I've missed G.U. so much that I had to go straight to their Mira Place branch after checking in our hotel.

As always, G.U. did not disappoint.

I'm so glad to see you!

CX-cited

After a few years of being apart, I'm reunited with my favourite airline!

Hello again, CX! It's so good to be back!

FMM: Travel back

This weekend will definitely be one that I'll spend reminiscing. It's going to be at a place that was my home for a few years and holds a lot of wonderful memories.

With that, it's time to bring back a 1988 classic that used to be played a lot at home. It's from Johnny Hates Jazz, and the vibe of this song is perfect for my upcoming weekend.

I'm looking forward to 3 days of going back to "Turn Back the Clock." 

Heeeres Hotaru!

There seems to be a Japanese series influx on Netflix. More and more, J-Dramas and J-Rom Coms are popping up on the suggestions list.

After finishing "Atelier" and "Born to be a Flower," a pleasant surprise came into view.

"Hotaru no Hikari" is on Netflix!

Binge-watching this will take me back to my HKG days for sure.

"A" big mistake

It's amazing how a single letter can turn an otherwise good sentence into an erroneous one.

Exhibit A. Literally.

See how a misplaced "A" made a difference? It ruined this perfectly designed poster at SM Megamall.

Proofreader, please!

Doggone it!

Oh no! Kuro and Chunky just figured out how to escape from Ate’s garage!

Kuro was successful in his escape, using different chairs to hop out of the barrier, then he was gone! We had to chase him after he escaped. No do8bt, Chunky will learn the same trick soon.

Smart dogs!

Petrichor period

This was a word that I learned way back when I was still in elementary school.

It was at the library in Claret School. While reading this science book, one page talked about “Petrixhor.” Because the word sounded so intriguing and complex, it stuck in my mind.

Basically, it’s the scent of rain after it falls on the soil and grass. It’s something I’d smell a lot when we were in Bicol, mainly because Lolo’s House was surrounded by carabao grass. After the rain, that distinct scent would waft in the balcony, and my first thought would be:

“Ahhh... Pertichor.”

It’s been a while since that smell reached the concrete jungle where we live. But that will change after buying this Replica scent in Shangrila Mall recently.

‘When the rain stops” aims to replicate the scent of land after its been drenched in rain. While it seems like an unusual scent to wear, after smelling the sample of this perfume, it brought me back to that period in my childhood in Bicol.

Another scent memory unlocked.

In the right place

Of course, I had to watch "Your Place or Mine" the day it started streaming on Netflix.

It's a nice, uncomplicated and easy-to-watch Valentine's film. The fact that the main characters are a bit older, with "old people concerns" make this film relatable. And yes, Reese Witherspoon hasn't lost her timing and charm in rom-coms.

Yup, the film has its heart in the right place.

Worn out shirt

I'm not really a cologne wearer. That's why when there's a cologne at home - most often gifts - it takes years before the bottle is finished. No matter how big or small the bottle is.

So, it must mean something when a bottle of cologne doesn't last longer than 4 months. That's what happened to the bottle of Bath and Body Works White T-Shirt. 

Yes, it's all used up after just a few months. As it, to the last drop.

That's because this scent is so nondescript and it just feels like you're wearing freshly laundered shirts. 

Thankfully, there are still 2 more bottles at home. (And 2 more on the way!)

FMM: Steps up

Just like Wham!, there was another popular English singing duo back in the 80s. While they weren't as super popular as George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, they also had a number of hits and had songs that enjoyed a lot of airplay in the Philippines.

That group was "Giant Steps." While it might not immediately ring a bell, their song most likely will.

Their 1988 hit "Into You," was one of the ear worms of that decade. It had that same laid back groove and catchy beat. They'd also play this quite often in the MTV shows back in the day.

Just like the song title, I'm still into this song even after 35 years.

That’s Fresh

When Bath and Body Works launched "White T-Shirt," it was part of a collection that included 2 more scents. The 1st was "Fresh Getaway" and the 2nd was "Fresh Cotton and Coconut."

Thankfully, Gary brought a pair of that other scent from the US when he came home for Christmas! Woot!

Like its name, the scent is very fresh and is similar to "White T-Shirt." But it has a hint of coconut that gives it a tropical vibe.

It'll be good to have something fresh to rotate the White T-shirt with.

Palaz-zo Chic, part deux

People who really know me also know this factoid: whenever I find an article of clothing that's really, really, really, REALLY nice, my tendency is to buy it in all the available colours.

Such is the case with the Plains & Prints Varvara pants. Yup, the Palazzo pants in white that was written about just a few days ago.

The style and silhouette were so chic, I had to check if they had it in other colours. And they did! It's also available in black!

So, it was off to Plains & Prints Ali Mall since they were able to find a pair for me. While waiting for them to bring out the pants, I browsed the racks and found this asymmetric khaki top that went so well with the pants.

Now, Ate has 2 pairs and 2 ways of rocking these pants.

Mango Picking

While there’s a different feeling of joy and thrill when shopping at Mango stores, shopping online also has its unique benefits.

One recent discovery after browsing their site - the sales are bigger and the prices are lower online. Plus, there are way more items to pick and choose from. These irresistible deals led me to make my 1st order from the website. And my orders are here!

Looking at the waybill, the items came all the way from Spain! So, it’s def straight from the source!

Hello to another great way to shop for Mango!

Three-riffic!

And just like that, Olivia Rose is now 3 years old!

Don't grow up too fast, Via. And visit your Wowos and Wowas in MNL soon.

Star Studded

Among the many franchises of "Star Trek," my favourite would be "Star Trek The Next Generation."

No wonder that the series "Star Trek:Picard" has always been on my radar. But since we don't have Prime Video, I still haven't seen the series.

But after seeing the trailer for Season 3 of the series, it might be the trigger for that Prime Video subscription!

Picard, Riker, Troi, Crusher, LaForge, Data - and Seven of Nine. In one series!

Must. Subscribe. Now!

Thank you, Next!

No, this isn’t about an Ariana Grande Song.

It’s about the fact that “Next in Fashion” is having  a 2nd season!

This is going to be next on my binge-watch list!

FMM: Scent to Song

After receiving my boxes of Bath and Body Works products, I proceeded to excitedly opening one box after the other. And while opening one of the boxes, today’s Friday Magic Madness song just smoothly eased in my mind.

It’s this 1980s hit by Larry Graham which is such a cool and easy-listening song that’s super worthy of an FMM mention.

“One in a Million You” enjoyed a lot of air play back in the 80s. It was so popular that a lot of the local artists would also sing it in different TV show and radio show guestings. One of the famous Filipino singers who would sing this was the late Ric Segreto. And his voice was perfect for the song.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what scent inspired this song, it’s this one.

Smooth transition, eh?

Palaz-zo Chic

While Palazzo Pants were most prevalent in the late 60s and the 70s, it hasn’t really disappeared from the fashion scene. Every decade since then, we’ve seen some iteration of this wide-legged pant in some shape or form.

That’s understandable considering how chic this silhouette is. It has that certain ease and elegance when a pant strongly resembles a skirt. It makes a person do a double take, making you wonder what she’s wearing.

In one of its collections the past years, Plains & Prints came up with their version of the Palazzo Pant called the “Varvara Pant.” It was from a year or 2 back, and it was featured in one of their Shop Live events when face-to-face shopping was still restricted.

In this January’s Purple Sale, that pant found its way to the Ali Mall store at 50% off. Of course, we know what happened next.

Aside from the pant, there was this two-fer blouse that was a perfect pair for the pant. It was the same colour, but had a striped sleeveless top with a belt. This made it a perfect breaker to this all-white look.

So chic indeed!

(Bath and) Body Rocks!

The box that Biboy sent from the U.S. is finally here!

I’ve been waiting for it because of this:

My sale stash of Bath and Body Works!

Gosh, my room will look like a mini-Store after unpacking.