Monday, May 20, 2019

JUMPER SERIES

People who know me know that I'm not a T-shirt-jeans kind of girl. I'm the type who would wear prints on prints or leopard boots during summer time. No matter what season nor reason, I love to dress up in style. You may spot me by looking for the weird one who dresses up in boots or leather clothing during summer time! It's crazy, but fashion is just my passion. I love sporting stylish, edgy and sophisticated looks. Yes, I'm not just a follower of trends, but a trendsetter who wears what she wants any time of the day.
So what do I wear on casual days? A slip on midi dress or a sleek jumper would do! So for this weekend, I decided to pair my eye-popping color jumper with my Uniqlo AIRism shirt.  Trust me, it's very breezy, That's the effect of Uniqlo's AIRism. It's my ultimate innerwear in any and every outfit. AIRism is your perfect camisole to beat this Manila heat. You won't regret this purchase as AIRism collection is a must have in my closet. Feeling cool has never felt this simple & possible. Best of all, this AIRism shirt hugs my body in all the right places. The flesh tone shirt blends in perfectly to my jumper OOTD, right?
To finish off my casual chic look, I decided to pair this OOTD with my Parisian Boots. The kitten heels will enable me to walk comfortably all day long without sacrificing my sense of style & fashion. Dressing down doesn't mean not caring about how one looks. You can choose to accessorize less and wear less revealing clothes to still blend in while standing out. 
           Shirt | AIRism                   Boots | Parisian
So what do you think of my casual look? Hope you like this style peg. Feel free to copy my look for that cool chic casual vibe! Who knows Cupid might shoot that arrow. You'd want to look AHH-mazing in the arms of your Prince Charming, right?!

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Sunday, May 5, 2019

SUMMER SPLASH

SUMMER is HERE !
And you know what this means.
Pool parties, beach trips, BBQ sessions & more.

Everyone needs a summer to dip to literally & figuratively cool off.
And I love to dress my part with the perfect summer vibe.
Check out my cool pool accessories.
It's fun to unleash the kid in me once in a while.
As Mother's day is fast approaching.
The perfect gift would be a family getaway.
This is the pefect excuse for a time-off from all the stress in the city.
Why not enjoy a weekend trip to a resort or a beach trip?
  Swimwear | POPREAL                                          Matching Outfits | POPREAL




















Pack the most interesting OOTDs in your suitcase as this should be a trip to remember!
And if you want the most IG-worthy family pics, I'd suggest you give POPREAL a look.
They have the coolest & most stylish matching outfit ideas for the whole family.
I'm sure you'll be able to find something as Popreal is so affordable, chic and effortless.

If you need more options for your kids, just check out  swimsuit for girls !
Let her Little Mermaid dreams come true.
If, however, your family is not fond of beaches or pools,
You can also opt for costume parties & dress up sessions.
Surely, every kid loves to sport a certain fairytale Princess look.
Snow White or Elsa of Frozen perhaps?
Feel free to check out more children dresses that your child will love to wear.

As for us women, we can dress as we please.
We don't have to bare too much skin if we are not comfortable to.
Cover-ups are available too for that extra oomph factor.
This adds to the Wet 'N Wild effect.
As for men, surely they'd go topless to flaunt their bods and abs!
Yes, they can have fun & pretend to be part of the Baywatch Club as well.

At the end of the day, what matters most is the bond we share as a family & the memories that go with it. It's all about having fun with a summer splash!



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Monday, April 22, 2019

PLANET GRAPES--- The Undiscovered Planet of Food Hunters

I'm always on a food quest for hidden restaurants that deserved to be noticed. They're like finding buried treasures to satisfy growling tummies. Oh, I love to discover restaurants that surprisingly tickles my taste buds in the most flavorful way!
If in case you are a new reader or follower, I'd like to give you a flashback of the restaurants I've voluntarily written for such as Francesco's Kitchen (Italian), Wafu (Japanese) and Kettle (American), just to name a few of my favorites that fall under my Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice gastronomic escapades. Now, I've got a newly discovered planet---PLANET GRAPES (International & Modern Filipino), serving local comfort food with a GRAPEy twist! 
So this was my OOTD for tonight's dinner at Planet Grapes. Yes, a little strip tease for summer. Nudes to have a more elongated and casual look & florals to keep up with the summer trend. This is my kind of look when dressing up for late nights or dinner dates while enjoying that glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir.
Off to Planet Grapes for now.
Oh, I'm so excited to try this planet out for the 1st time.
I'll check in & update you guys later after my sumptuous meal.
So when I heard of Planet Grapes, first thing that came into my mind was Planet of the Apes! Hahaha. Kidding aside, Planet Grapes is a place where wines from all over the world can be tasted under one roof, one grape at a time! Their menus even suggest the type of wines which are best paired with the chosen entree. Even their chandelier invites you to have a sip of their wine collections. 
The Wine Bar was AHHH-mazing, but the food was exceptional & highly recommended. The chefs deserve a 'Bravo!' All the dishes had a unique taste, the flavors so bold, and the price just right for this kind of culinary expertise. The chefs behind the dishes we ordered are so commendable that I'd hire them if I had a hotel or fine dining restaurant. Each dish had a soul, each dish made me mouthwater, craving for more of these savory recipes.
Gambas & Chorizo (Php450)
For starters, you'd already know that this restaurant will bring you into a food coma. The spicy chorizo fused with the garlicy gambas made my palate excited for the next dishes yet to come!
Grilled Norwegian Salmon (Php 665)
Healthy can be tasty when cooked right. The salmon was excellent that we had to order (2) kinds of salmon dishes. It wasn't at all dry or bland. This definitely met our expectations! This dish was served with a light kamut salad, but I prefer that this be served with risotto for that creamier finish.
Salmon fillet in Crosta (Php695)
The serving of Salmon fillet in Crosta was generous. 2pcs baked salmon fillet coated with crunchy cereal and herbs are quite generous compared to other upscale restaurants. The salmon is so tender that it tasted so good even without the usual cream sauce. This is perfect for those people looking for a healthy diet without sacrificing taste & quality. Trust me, you won't even feel you are dieting. Definitely a fresh catch at Planet Grapes.
Tenderloin Salpicao (Php390)
This is not your traditional beef salpicao. Trust me, your sense will be awakened. It's nothing you have expected. This came in a 2-pc skewer, perfectly marinated and grilled in soy and garlic, oozing with flavors that will tickle your tastebuds. The tenderloin was just so tender that these sticks would be gone if no one was dining with me. Must order more sticks next time.
Roast Chicken Dinner (Php575)
For Php575, I expected one whole roasted chicken already. For only half a serving, this is quite pricey. The chicken meat was so flavorful because it was marinated overnight with lemongrass, garlic and dill. Even the white meat was surprisingly tender and juicy. Yes, I'm not really into white meats because I prefer the leg-thigh combos, but this specific dish changed my mindset that white meat doesn't always mean that they're harder chicken parts.  Wow! So impressed with how tender their roast chicken is, no matter what part was left on the plate. And you know what the real winner here is, it's the sauce! It had so much attitude, a hint of curry, cream and gravy rolled into one. I just love the burst of flavors. The sauce definitely won me over.
Beef Shank Caldereta (Php645)
This is a must-order for meat lovers! You'd need several bowls of rice for this dish as it's just so damn good. Oh, I just love the generous serving of beef shank and marrow braised for hours. Mind you, it's definitely not your ordinary caldereta. Surely, there was wine involved in making this dish so savory and flavorful. It's the bomb. Worth the price!
Chorizo & Salted Egg Fried Rice (Php75)
Anything cooked and battered in salted egg will always taste good! And when you add chorizo Macau to the mixture, then 1 cup of rice will never be good enough to satisfy this hungry belly. What a delicious yet simple fried rice.
Planet Grapes Leche Flan (Php150)
No wonder this was so tasty! Carabao Milk made this Leche Flan oh-so-creamy. I just love how it melts in my mouth. Best of all, this came for free because it's a BOOKY PRIME restaurant, which I'm a proud member of.
Oh, thanks to Booky PH we got this Leche Flan dessert for free, aside from the Php300 off that was deducted from our total bill. Booky is just so worth it that attending just (1) booking transaction will be worth your monthly membership fee of Php199 already. What a steal, right?! For all those foodies out there, Booky will be your best friend 'cause of all the discounts and freebies you'll be getting. You'll definitely be in for a treat.
So I ended this dinner looking like I'm 2 month pregnants. Yes, all the calories was so worth it. This is definitely a must visit place for those date nights when you are craving for affordable 5-star cuisine dining with savory wines. The ambiance is classy, private and romantic, enough to bring you into a very relaxed vibe. The dishes will surely bring out the piggie in you & me. 

Don't worry, you're not the only piggy who became hungry while I'm writing this post because this piggy will surely return to Planet Grapes, the Undiscovered Planet of Food Hunters! Kudos to the chefs of these delicious entrees. Can't wait to dine here again 'cause surely I'll be in another feast of the gods experience.
'Til the next resto worthy of a feature,
SOPHIEsticated

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Sunday, March 31, 2019

CITY OF DREAMS

Each one of us has his own dreams and aspirations. If we didn't, then what's the point of living, right? Our dream can be as simple as finding Mr. Right, settling down and starting a family or be as complex as amassing an empire greater than that of Bill Gates or as dramatic & prestigious as competing to win the title of Ms. Universe like Catriona Gray.

We live in a City of Dreams, where people crave for luxury goods & upscale lifestyles. That's just how life is. Everyone wants the best. Who wouldn't, right? So today, I dreamt of becoming like Ms. Universe Catriona Gray as I had the perfect excuse to flaunt my ear cuffs at the wedding reception I attended last week. For this wedding OOTD, I decided to keep my look simple with an off-shoulder rose gold gown in a mermaid cut. My fashion statement would focus on my Catriona Gray-inspired gold ear cuffs, complemented by my sparkly round necklace.
Ear Cuffs | SM ACCESSORIES WWW!
Believe it or not, these accessories are so affordable that every fashionista wouldn't think twice to buy these. I got these ultra-stylish pieces from SM Accessories WWW!(What Women Want)! They're one of my favorite brands when it comes to fashion accessories. They never fail to make my outfits an A-Lister! Do check out their collections. So how do you like my hairstyle? It's my D-I-Y look as I had no time to go to the parlor. I'm sure you didn't notice, but this is just a fake hair clip-on! Cool, right?! I was able to look fab in just seconds. All my hair is stylishly in place. Oh, I just feel like a Barbie doll with this look.
Necklace | SM Accessories WWW!Earrings |  Bodhi
Oh, weddings always have a soft spot in me. Yes, I'm just a hopeless romantic who loves seeing people find their 'happy ever afters.' Every couple's love story is unique. Some could have met in a business meeting, a formal party or via social dating app. No matter how the love story started, it would always be special and unpredictable! That's how exciting love is. It comes when you least expect it.
Keane and Kim's love story is a relationship tested by distance. Keane's from Manila and Kim's from Cagayan de Oro. Truly, with constant communication, long distance relationships can stand the test of time. And now, they're finally married! The smiles on their faces show how happy they are. It's just so contagious.
As the wedding in Manila Cathedral happened at 10am, we decided to spend time and check out what's new at City of Dreams as the reception would follow at Century Park hotel. City of Dreams has this interesting place called 'The Garage', where there was an infusion of two entertainments concepts:  A more classy food trailer truck concept & a Bandai Namco VR Game Zone! This is surely a hit for kids & kids at heart.
'The Garage' is very spacious, which boasts of a 2,700sqm space, currently having around 10 beautifully designed food trucks with artistic murals in every corner. Some of the notable food stalls were Pink's Hotdog, Pizza Grigliata, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, Katsu Sora, Little Flour and El Chupacabra, amongst others.
After trying out these delicious Pink's Sausages & milkshakes with a flavorful twist, we decided to go to Nobu Hotel to take some more pictures and have a change of scenery. It was so convenient to explore City of Dreams & Nobu Hotel because of the annex.
The interiors & exteriors of Nobu Hotel is so AHHH-mazing and picturesque. So much IG-worthy spots. It's definitely worth a stroll here.
Nobu Hotel
After a fun-filled day of exploring City of Dreams, time to go to the wedding reception now. Hands down to the team behind the decors & backdrop of Keane & Kim's wedding reception. It was dreamy and romantic! 
Aside from the fact that Century Seafood Resto served delicious & mouthwatering dishes, I also enjoyed the wedding because my boyfriend and I were able to participate in the trivia game and we won Php1,000, which we split in half for team effort!
Wishing Keane & Kim (Team K.K.) a happy marriage. No distance can separate them from each other. Cheers to Keane for giving up Manila for CDO, to start a life and family of his own with the love of his life! What a brave and bold move. Congratulations to the love birds.
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Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Flesh For Summer!


Summer is finally here and it's time to flaunt a little more skin this summer. So how do you look fresh this summer? Say it with Flesh!

Earth tones, nudes or skin toned outfits give you that instant oomph factor. It's so sexy, classy & figure flattering. For a 5'1 petite girl, I look taller & more elongated right?! Yes, the secret is wearing skin toned or nude colors to create that illusion effect.

Sporting the monochrome look can make you a head-turner. Imagine your curves will be more emphasized and you will instantly have a more elongated & slimmer look. Oh, I'm just a 5'1 petite girl, but I do look taller and thinner with my flesh heels right?! I always love stand out pieces--- either studs, laces, see-through pieces, tie-me-up onesies or velvet cutouts here and there. Yes, I like making bold & stylish statements. And my outfits says it all. It's just so effortless. 


This March 2019 has been so crazy for so many households including ours. Unfortunately, we are part of those households still experiencing the crazy water interruption schedules. For over a week now, we have been on our feet, filling up dozens of pails during the 3-4 hour window every day. I have never imagined that water can run out, so now, I've realized that every drop really counts.


So let me share with you my 5-Liter Water Challenge! Believe it or not, due to the unexpected & unannounced water shortage, I just had to resort to this crazy decision on the very 1st day when water ran out. After a long tiring day at work, of course, I just had to take a shower. I was deciding between spending Php5,000 to check-in at a hotel to have a decent shower with my family vs. spending just Php100 to shower with a 5-Liter distilled water I had at home. I initially hesitated to use the distilled water, but in the end, emergency is an emergency. I didn't want to end up smelly at the office right?! It was a very hard challenge for me to shower with so little water, but a little sacrifice can go a long way. Taking a shower in the pool too was also one of my options, but just thought of using pool water for flushing the toilet purposes.

Oh, it took me over 20 mins to shower with so little water because I had to strategize as to how to save and maximize my water usage. I ended up a bit soapy & bubbly but I managed to wipe everything off with a towel. I felt so good now! Yes, I just had to share with you guys my crazy water challenge. Now, I have gigantic pails with ample supply. Who's affected with these water interruptions too? What a nightmare, right?!


Keep fresh this summer by saying it with flesh! Summer is having fun under the sun, flaunting your curves, engaging in more outdoor activities and the perfect season to use as an excuse to wear sexier & more revealing OOTDs. Whether it's a body hugging long sleeved onesie with a sexy strappy look or a colorful crop top terno, just remember to wear everything with the right glow that's perfect for the summer vibe. Always maintain good hygiene, take care of your body and pamper yourself once in a while because you deserve it! Invest in your skin because your flesh and looking fresh are your greatest assets. Having great skin is always a win!

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