Take me back to Causeway Bay

There's a place that I would always love to visit, no matter how many times I've been there already. The first time I stepped onto a busy Times Square plaza two years ago, I knew I would keep coming back. It gives me butterflies in my tummy every time I'm there. Just the sight of trams, shops, and the feeling of being a part of the Causeway Bay action makes me wonder why I never thought about staying here forever. This is the main reason why we chose to stay in Causeway Bay right in front of Times Square--we wanted to wake up and come home to our happy place.

These waffle egg balls were so yummy! There's a stall selling these munchies right below our place. They make for a great midnight or pre-lunch time snack.

I really can't get enough of Causeway! During the course of our six-day stay, we explored it and went to the major shops to fully soak in the atmosphere.

Denim jacket and studded top from Topshop, shorts from Zara, Accessorize necklace

On our fourth day, we split up with Jake who went to check out his own brands, so the girls and I went shopping by ourselves. We had a blast at Sogo department store and bought lipsticks, make-up, and bags. I can't believe how cheap they sell Clinique and Nine West here compared to Manila! The girls also took the chance to stock up on YSL and Givenchy lipsticks since we can't find the brands in old Manille.

Me and my obsession with trams. I'm an old-fashioned gal.

We explored the side streets of Causeway and had a grand old time going in and out of the shops. Hong Kong shopping is crazy! I long to find a street here in Manila where you can find back to back shops in every street. The malls were also the best--Times Square, Sogo, and Hysan Place kept us occupied pretty much the whole time.

Knitted frayed cover up from Dorothy Perkins, scalloped top and daisy dukes from Topshop, Aldo necklace

A couple of steps away from our place are the specialty shops. Here's one of BAPE, another Joaquin-favored brand.

And we dropped by Cath Kidston! I was so excited to go here, since we also had to buy stuff for our officemate. It's like a girly land exploded inside.

Here's Jake after our morning shopping. The perks of staying in Causeway while shopping? We get to drop off our bags before we proceed to our next destination! 

I almost forgot to shop at Bershka which was just inside Times Square. Good thing I came across it while on my way to Denim and Supply to meet up with Jake on our last night. I swear it's such a happy place! I got a quilted bag for only $159, what a steal! Trousers were at $199 each!

Happy boy getting his chambray shirt! He's gotten quite attached to Ralph Lauren during our whole trip.

Jake really loved the area, 'cause he got to buy beers at the K shop a couple of steps away from our place right in front of Times Square. Even when it's late at night, the whole place is bustling. I love this place!

Happy times! We're definitely staying at Causeway again next year! I can't wait to walk around this place for days!

Why I keep coming back to the island

wearing H&M bikini

I always tell myself I'll just pack up one day and book a one way ticket to Boracay. Whenever I'm there, it's always too easy to imagine leaving everything here in Manila and live alone to do some growing up and soul-searching or whatever it is confused girls do. The lure of the bohemian life is too strong when there are days of all work and no play and when I see my tan beginning to fade. Maybe, just maybe, I'll have the guts to leave the city and be the beach baby I always wanted to be. Or not. I don't think I can survive on the island's Mango outlet store forever..nor convince Jake to live there with me despite the promise of  Jonah's/beers and chori burgers all day.

Moving on, yes I know deep musings never suit me, I meant to write that it's now tradition to at least head back there once a year. This year, the boyfriend and I went with the boys--his barkada from Ateneo High and who are now almost like brothers to me after almost six years of hanging out at inumans and deciphering their funny boy talk.

Four whole days and nights, seven crazy boys, one girl, and the island. You bet your ass we had a blast!

wearing Dorothy Perkins bikini

Bright, sunny days and breezy nights passed by in a blur of waking up to get our Jonah's fix, swimming and snorkeling between beaches, eating chori burgers, walking from one station to another, and hopping from one party place to the next when the boys are drinking and the rain (which, weirdly, only pours at 2am every night) starts pouring.

Since we went during Labor Day Weekend, practically everyone there knew each other. Boracay was like one huge campus where everybody knows everybody. We ran into blockmates, high school classmates, and relatives from Manila the whole time!

And now, my thoughts are so disorganized that I have just decided to write and re-live the highlights by day in separate posts instead of randomly sharing tidbits. But first, can I just say that I'm so happy they finally built a proper airport at Caticlan? When I was there last year, they broke my luggage 'cause there's no proper luggage circular ramp thingy and had to wait under the scorching heat of the sun for it. That new airport was so zen.

Kudos, people of Caticlan!

Singapore-lah Day 5

To wrap up my Singapore vacation series, here are the pictures from our last full day at the lovely Singapura:

It was Easter Sunday so I went to mass with Maan, and because my mom would kill me. I had to take pictures inside the church as proof for my lovely mother. St. Joseph's was a short walk from our hotel. Their version of a Catholic mass was slightly more formal and a bit shorter compared to our drawn-out masses here in Manila where you can walk in or walk out at any point. They have ushers at every aisle so you can't just sit anywhere.

On our way back to the hotel, we passed by the National Public Library and because we were both book worms, Maan and I were sorely tempted to skip breakfast and read books all day. The place is a mecca for book lovers. Plus, the architecture was just awesome. It's Benilde's SDA meets RCBC Plaza. Our own National Public Library does not stand a chance.

 wearing Dorothy Perkins top, Zara skirt, Kickers loafers, Longchamp Le Pliage

And for brekky, we headed over to the hawker center in front of our hotel and I had my last authentic Hainanese and Milo dinosaur. I also ordered spring rolls that come in a fried shell, yummy! I'm getting all hungry reminiscing about chicken rice and Milo. 

There was also a snake charmer outside our place and a man with a flock of trained African lovebirds walking out and about the ground. I love where we stayed, Bugis area is a cultural melting pot.

After a quick stop at the awesome Iluma mall for shoe shopping, we headed straight for the Singapore Flyer. The view was amazing but you can barely feel the thing move.

 

After a final shopping stop at Cotton On (sob!), I met up with Jake at Orchard for the Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration of his grandparents. The whole clan went to Singapore to celebrate! It was such an awesome feeling meeting all his uncles, aunts, and cousins from Bacolod--they were such a happy, loving, and inspiring family.

Waiting for the others at his hotel lounge.

Dinner at No Signboard Seafood restaurant at the colorful and vibrant Clarke Quay!

 wearing Topshop tube top, Due cardigan, Forever 21 skirt, D&C ribbon flats, Le Pliage

Cereal crayfish FTW!

It was great seeing Manong Jake with his little cousins. He truly is a little kid at heart.

After dinner, we set off for Park Hotel at Clarke Quay for the surprise celebration. Thing is, Papa Quining spotted this tell-tale sign at the hotel lobby before we went up to the function room. :-)

Inspiring, touching messages and tributes kept us laughing and smiling all night. I felt so lucky to have been invited to celebrate with such a warm and loving family. This was really the perfect way to end my Singapore trip. I was wide awake with memories for our 6am flight the next morning. :-)

 

Cupcakes & burgers on my mind

I'm badly craving cupcakes. Particularly Sonja's. Ever since I got sick my supposed cupcake dates keep getting postponed so now I am left hankering for my usual Vanilla Sunshine with chocolate icing. Is this too much to ask? Jake! This weekend--you promised! At this rate you owe me at least three cupcakes.

 

On the bright side, back to back Sango and Charlie's dates with Jake when I felt better. I missed burgers and buffalo wings. I acted up a bit at Sango, though. I was feeling dizzy so I didn't enjoy my burger. I was loads better the day after, and you can never go wrong with Charlie's. I love eating there on a Friday night before the weekend crowd shows up. Jake and I had the whole patio at Ronac to ourselves. We were also leaning towards Ristras--I was craving for some quesadilla and he wanted a wet burrito but we decided to try out their new branch at Fort for a change. Good thing Charlie's is walking distance from his house--I ate too much and needed to walk off the nomnoms. I know I'm blabbing on about food but I need to put on a couple of pounds because I am looking alarmingly malnourished. I need my boobs back. 

The moment I felt better on Friday, I immediately pranced around the office to spread some Christmas cheer. I finally found the perfect antlers for my blinking red nose and my boss got me the most perfect accessory for this Christmas: a red-hot H&M bag! I can already imagine the all white or black outfit that would go with it:

wearing Dorothy Perkins top, Zara skirt, Kickers boat shoes, Aldo necklace, H&M bag

Lalalala. I'm looking forward to more cheat days this week! Can't wait to try BonChon Chicken and Wee Nam Kee at Ayala Triangle. Jake has been telling me about BonChon 'cause he ate there in New York and it's supposed to be very yummy. We have to eat dinner there this week, I'm all hyped up from all the reviews I've been reading. Great, NOW I'm really hungry.