More Orchard Road shenanigans

Orchard Road will always have a special place in my heart. It's where Jake and I constantly met up last 2011 so we can have quick dates (he was there with family, and I was with officemates) at Ben & Jerry's and Cotton On. Also, for a shopaholic like me, Orchard Road will always be a shopping mecca with all my favorite brands!

316@Somerset has always been my favorite mall. It's where Jake and I initially met up for a quick hi and hello before heading to Clarke Quay on our first time here. Aside from Cotton On, it also has Forever 21, Zara, and Cold Storage where I like to buy giant Hello Panda cans and OWL kopitiam roast instant coffee packs for pasalubongs.

Now, it's even better because H&M has decided to set up shop right beside 313@Somerset! I went crazy inside.

It's best to walk down the whole stretch of Orchard to go mall-hopping. There are nice mini-parks on the side street for cooling down if window-shopping ain't your thang.

I also love Takashimaya mall since it reminds me of Times Square in Hong Kong. My cousin Inah, who has been working at MBS, went with us that day and was a huge help since it rained and she was our expert guide at the underground mall loops and passes. 

She also treated us to this amazing mudpie ice cream cake at Kinokuniya! Heaven on earth, I tell ya.

My sister and I mainly enjoyed Takashimaya since its Kinokuniya bookstore branch was way bigger than the one we visited at the Paragon mall in Bangkok. We also found the elusive original novel of The Phantom of the Opera here! We literally had to drag the heave metal ladder to this corner just so we can get the book before anyone else did (yes, we're THAT obsessed with it).

I also went to Tangs to get Jake's Happy Socks pasalubong. I would totally wear these funky socks if I were into sneakers! There is currently no store in Manila which carries the Happy Socks brand so I was happy to get some for my fashion-conscious boyfriend.

Since it was raining, we didn't get to take a photo of the ION Mall facade. We DID get to enjoy the crazy sale at Rubi Shoes, though! Ah, I wish I lived here if only for the shoes. The Cotton On branches here in Manila only carry a limited style range. Inah even helped mom with her shopping and directed the mudra to her favorite Nine West and Charles & Keith shops.

This really is the place for shopaholics.

The one that got away--the Vicomte de Chagny

I finally got to watch The Phantom of the Opera, after years of obsessing about it and pretending I'm Christine. However, that is not the point of this blog post. I have, for the most obvious reasons, fallen in love with Raoul. Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny! I never thought I'd like him, given how I've always been rooting for the Phantom to end up with the girl, but Anthony Downing did such an amazing job that he had me at "CAN IT BE, CAN IT BE CHRISTINE?"

Bravo, Mr. Downing!

I mean, look at that Prince Charming face! The movie-version Raoul was such a wimp in comparison to Anthony Downing. He was so dreamy and romantic. He really did justice to the role. But all shallowness aside, Anthony Downing really managed to deliver an awesome job as Raoul. I never really liked the character, but he made me fall for him. I would normally root for Phantom but when I watched, I kept rooting for Raoul to win Christine. Anthony Downing was the perfect gentleman. He's the kind of guy you'd want by your side, protecting you always. It DOES help that he has such a charming and endearing face. 

In fact, I crushed on him so hard that I even made my account public and stalked him on Twitter, posting random tweets for him. (NO HE DID NOT REPLY). I normally don't have celebrity crushes, but he was my only exception. I'm still hopelessly hoping I'd run into him one day, preferably dressed as the Vicomte de Chagny.

Raoul photos from here