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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Facial & Skin Care Products I Use

I was recently invited by ImRiz to her new kikay meme called Beauty Madness. I cannot share much because i am not fussy about make-ups and I certainly don't have a beauty regimen. But I value all my blogger friends so I will try my best to be a part of this meme.

The first topic, which I missed talks about Facial Care. Funny because teh other day, Hubby asked If I ever used Eskinol back in the Philippines. He's got six sisters and probably wondering why he does not see any facial cleanser in our bathroom (grin).



I think cleansers only dries up my skin. With the kind of weather we have here in Dubai, I opted to invest on moisturizers. I use a separate day and night Olay Total Effects Moisturizer.


Currently, the topic is on Skin Care and this is where I go gaga about. I'm a huge fan of body moisturizers - especially the scented ones. Our bath is full of those pretty little bottles! 

Bath & Body Works Sea Island Cotton

While the weather is still warm, this is my current my favorite. Even Hubby complimented the refreshing scent, and he is not known to appreciate perfumes or colognes. He says he finds them too artificial (grin).


B&B Warm Vanilla Sugar


And come December or when it is cold enough, I will be using this for my bubble bath. Boy, its makes your skin good enough to eat!







Yardley English Lavender Soap





As for soap, I recently tried Yardley and I like the creamy lather - and it's old English appearance.The lavender scent too wafts comfortingly every time you open the bath.


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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Cuppa Illustrated

I got this from Twitter (if you don't have have an account, you are missing huge). Although Hubby and I are a coffee drinkers, our vocabulary is limited to Americano, Cappucino, and Machiatto when ordering our cup. Below is an illustrated common espresso-based drinks which will help us remember how these drinks differ.

Thank you to Lokesh Dhakar for sharing.


Click photo to enlarge

**Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. One can add 'extra shots' of espresso to make a drink stronger.

**Barista is what you call an expert operator of an espresso machine. It is the Italian word for 'bartender.'

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Sheeesh

I got a very busy week and I am so lovin it! I have a product review to do on Kero's Celebration but first, the family got to use/enjoy/try them first. And then another restaurant review is up on Friday. 

In between those, I wrap Christmas gifts; I have to accompany my son up there on the rooftop pool; and trips to Zabeel Park now that the weather is cooling down to 35 degrees C. Last Thursday, we had our first mini-picnic for autumn. I cooked amplaya con egg and cabanossi (dried pork sausage) and packed with steamed rice, we had a hearty supper on the grass.And we look forward to doing it again every Thursday.

On another thought, I commend LBC UAE for efficient and fast cargo service. We sent a box bound for Batanes. The cargo left the house first week of August and last Friday, my grandmother happily called to tell that it has arrived. On previous occasions (and through a different cargo company), it took about two to three months. I had no complains though so long as the cargo arrives to the recipient. But Hubby's officemate recommended LBC and since their Dubai branch is near our place, we  thought why not try their service. 

Speaking of Christmas gifts, my son received an early one but I will be sharing it in another post. Ciao!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Home-Made Tiramisu

I recently learned how to make Tiramisu, thank you to the kindness of Julie who shared her recipe. Hubby was impressed and kept praising how good it tastes. Last week, he was so stressed from the week-long arbitration I decided he needs pampering once he arrives home for the whole week. So I made another batch of Tiramisu. Hubby's appetite for the dessert never wavered. He will have it for breakfast and after dinner dessert. I swear he even closes his eyes savoring the taste lol!

My first Tiramisu creation.
Tiramisu is one of the latest additions to “traditional” Italian cooking. Unknown until about fifteen years ago, it is believed to have been invented in the town of Treviso in northern Italy. In merely a decade it has become a world-renowned dessert, extremely popular from the United States to Japan.


It is considered a semifreddo (a dessert served cold, but not frozen). This dessert has many variations, with the only constant ingredient, the mascarpone cheese. My home made version uses 500ml thick cream blended in 240ml cheese spread and two teaspoons of brandy. For amaretto, I use  300ml Ali Cafe Black Coffee. It's probably the reason why rumors persist that Tiramisu is invented in an Italian brothel to provide energy to exhausted customers lol!




Tiramisu’ can be prepared in advance and kept in the freezer. Remember to remove it from the freezer enough time in advance to serve it cold at refrigerated temperature, but not frozen. Sprinkle it with more cocoa powder before serving. If you happen to ran out of a baking cocoa, fret not because the powdered Cadbury Buon Vita will work just fine. It maybe coarser but taste and goodness does not differ.

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The Christmas List Continues

As I previously shared, I have started my Christmas shopping. I first checked off items for our friends and relatives back home in the Philippines. We are halfway filling up the balikbayan box. We will just add more grocery items and a couple of girly things from Forever 21 for the adolescents. If we can make a trip to Carrefour later today after the boys' swimming, the box can be sealed, ready for cargo next week.

And so right now, I am listing down neighbors, friends, and family members in Dubai. I am also including the kind building watchman and cleaner and Hubby's office tea boy. These are the people who make our lives easier everyday. Christmas is a perfect opportunity to show how much we appreciate what they do for us.

Illuminator UFO for indoor growers

As for Hubby, I am seriously considering led grow lights. He is such an avid gardener. Even if we lack backyard in our apartment, he makes up by buying plant boxes and burying whatever seeds and bulbs he can get his hands on. Mostly survive to seedlings and then wilt away. One can see they need proper sunlight. But the harsh Dubai sun which still unmercifully heats up to 44 degrees Celsius in September will not help. That leaves me thinking led grow lights are Hubby's best option.

Floris Toiletries

In keeping up to its luxury reputation, complimentary toiletries for hotel residents of Atlantis The Palm are provided by Floris, an English retailer of luxury toiletries and accessories.


Floris was founded in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris, who arrived in England from his native island of Menorca to seek fortune. Shortly after his arrival, in 1730, he secured premises in Jermyn Street, in the elegant quarter of London's St. James. Juan Famenias Floris initially set up business as a barber and comb-maker, however, he soon missed the aromas and sensations of his Mediterranean youth.


On the tubes are Moisturizing Body Lotion with Jojoba Oil, Enriched Conditioner with Thyme extract, Luxury shampoo, and Bath & Shower Gel with Arnica extract

Since opening in 1730, Floris has provided fragrance, fine toiletries and accessories to an incredibly loyal customer base. The Floris archives hold reams of treasured letters from customers detailing their preferences and their thanks, examples include:



**Florence Nightingale: 25 July 1863 - thanking Mr.Floris for his 'sweet-smelling nosegay' and giving news of the Army's sickness record in India.

**Mary Shelley, who whilst abroad sent friends clear instructions on where to purchase her favourite combs: Floris.

**Beau Brummell, the dandy of his day in the early 19th century, would discuss his current fragrances at length with Mr. Floris

**Floris is even a fictional character's choice. Ian Fleming's James Bond always wore Floris No.89

**Al Pacino's character in Scent of a Woman famously declared he knew the woman in his 'sights' was wearing Floris fragrance.

Send-Off Party Planning

We just arrived from dinner with Hubby's high school classmate who also happens to be a godfather to our son. G will be leaving Dubai soon to join his nurse wife in the United States. And so the dinner partly talked about the despedida or send off party.

We have barely two months to plan. We have a tight budget but since G has been a very good family friend, we still want to trow something memorable.  Our initial plans are to invite all their high school classmates (and their spouses) who are now residing in Dubai. There will be around 7-9 people. We will book a hotel room, contact a Chinese catering, and bring Magic Sing for an all night videoke. I am imagining already how many people will be dancing on the table lol!


The highlight  of the party will be - first, the Tequila girl. I wonder who is it going to be this time. The wives take turn hahaha. And secondly, the masonic ring for a present. I found a great and informative website that sells antique and modern masonic rings and jewelry. It is understood among them that G is a member of the international brotherhood.

We will just have to choose which fits our budget and hopefully we can place an order next week. Well I gotta go now and research on some fun send-off games. One of their classmate called and he is thinking of making power point presentation of G's life in Dubai. I bet that would be hilarious. Saying goodbye is tough but we have to make this a memorable event.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Dubai Water Taxi

 Station 40, Jumeirah Open Beach

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Monday, September 6, 2010

Al Qasr Fountain

The hotel is designed as a Sheik's summer residence. The driveway greets you with enormous fountain with bronze sculptures of Arabian horses.

 Photo from our visit last year at Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah

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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream

I had this lovely creamy ice-cream with pistachio bits to perk me up while stopping by Shakespeare & Co. at the Dubai Mall.

"Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal." ~ Voltaire

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