What Brews with your Coffee? - Not for the Faint of Heart

As part of my cost-cutting measures (for the new bag love!), I have foregone my daily designer coffee (UCC, Starbucks) fix for the instant coffee mixes. We have to be practical and some sacrifices have to be made.

Luckily, my office has those instant coffee vending machines. Drop your coins, make your selection (black, with sugar, with cream) and the machine adds hot water and you get your instant coffee in seconds. With prices no higher than P12, these vending machines are a heaven sent for caffeine junkies needing a quick fix.

Last Saturday, I saw a sign tacked to the vending machine:

Want to see what the sign says? Read below. I must warn you - it may make you lose your appetite...

Last warning...


As you can deduce, I am now getting my caffeine fix from Coke Zero.

To the concessionaire, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!

Update - 10/2/08: The machine has been replaced! Yahoo!

More Hermes Odds and Ends

If money is no object, what would you buy? Apparently, some people buy Hermes gardening tools! The Spade, Trowel and Weeding Fork set with textile bag and cherry tree handles is "reasonably" priced at USD330.


What else can you buy from Hermes aside from the Twillys and Birkins?

More odds and ends after the jump...

Tea anyone? This Hermes teapot is good for two. USD375. Matching mugs and cups sold separately. After all, you may want to mix and match.

Having a quiet dinner with friends? Need to open a bottle of wine? Come prepared with this Hermes pocket leather corkscrew. USD405.


Feeling chilly? Cozy up with a Hermes wool and cashmere blanket in red. USD1175. Black also available.

Finally, do think twice about tapping your cigarette ash on this work of art:

Hermes ashtray USD500

Ok, enough daydreaming. Back to my memorandum drafting.

Hermes for Babies

Now, I admit that I am somewhat of a label whore. And yes, I can see myself clothing my future (distant, at that) babies in Baby Dior. Wait, a minute! The (distant)future mommy will need her bag love fix. So, maybe not Baby Dior.

Anyway, I was browsing through the Hermes website daydreaming when I stumbled upon this...

Hermes Baby Gifts!

Hermes Small Plush Horse USD490! Large size USD890

Whoa! That horse must have gold teeth. Hehehe.

Moving on, for the baby born with a Titanium Mastercard in her mouth, feed her using nothing but the best utensils like this Hermes Spoon and Fork Set in sterling silver for USD445.

And of course, we have these lambskin booties. Adorable. USD215. Good until 3 months.


I guess for that precious bundle of joy, some things may never be too much for some mommies. Hehehe! What do you think, Mrs. AAP?

Men are sooo Observant!

Ever noticed how (not)observant men are?

Last Sunday, taking advantage of the long weekend, I went to Cielo Salon for my scheduled haircut and color with Louis Kee. I have been going to him for the past year and I've been really happy with the results.

Anyways, when my session was done, Louis told me that I couldn't wash my hair for the next three days to let the color absorb and prevent premature fading. Alrighty. Good thing Monday is a holiday.

Tuesday comes and the daily grind begins anew. My entire office was in full busy mode. We were also one lawyer short as one of the lawyers underwent Lasik surgery. It won't be a problem in bigger law firms but it sure is felt in our 7-man team.

Wednesday. I'm getting antsy. Three days of not washing your hair causes oil to build up. I know it's weird but I really felt like the oil from my hair was literally travelling down my face making me feel blah the entire day.

Thursday. After two washings, the oil is gone. The color is starting to come out and I can see the reddish-brown tones in my hair. The layered bob with side-swept bangs works nicely with my hair texture (I have a slight wave in my hair.)Happy, happy. Louis is really a god!

The entire time, I am carrying on intensive conversations with the other female lawyers in my office about the state of my hair. Hehehe. Shallow, I know. But it keeps us from going insane come crunch time.

Friday, I walked into work and into a minor crisis. Conferring the entire time with my boss, I settled the slight problem. Thereafter, I was asked to attend a meeting for my boss. Slightly before lunch, I walk back to the office.

My male officemate stares at me and remarks if I had something done to my hair. It looked different, he said. The girls in my office roll their eyes and inform him that I've been sporting my new hairdo since Tuesday. He responds that he hadn't notice. Sigh.

Later, my boss walks up to me. This time, it was his turn to remark that my hair looked nice and if I had gotten a haircut LAST NIGHT. He then proceeds to say that I was probably fixing my hair because I have a crush in the office. Yes, I am a 17-year old giggly teenager. Sigh. Sigh.

So, ladies, unfortunately, unless you paint your hair orange, men really couldn't tell the difference.

If you do want to try out Louis, contact Cielo Salon at 9013066. They are located at the Columns along Ayala Avenue. Louis will be opening his own salon at the Fort in September. Come for an appointment until September 3 and receive a privilege card.

Where to get your Janylin sale fix

An anonymous reader sent this comment:

hi...is totally off topic. I'm sorry sa kakulitan ko. I saw your comment in stylemanila last aug 1 about your janilyn fix??? I am a janilyn fanatic but lately they've become pricey..uggghhh. Where in cubao is janilyn heaven? without the hefty price tag? Thanks a lot. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Answer after the jump...

Hi there! Thanks for your comment!

For Janylin fanatics who can't afford their steep price tag, go to Cubao X (formerly Marikina Shoe Expo) to their outlet stores. Janylin has, not one, but two, stores in Cubao X. The stores also carry their other brand, Juan. Pumps in various colors are available for cheap, with prices going below PhP1000.00. Stock and size availability can be seasonal so do pass by regularly to check out what's available.

Also, the Janylin stores can do repairs and other shoe services. Love your shoes but finding the color blah? Janylin in Cubao X can change the color for you. They even stretch the shoes for you if you are between sizes.

A good tip I recommend is to get to know the salesladies as they are very accomodating.

There are also other shoe stores in Cubao X and I hear some of them offer custom-made shoes but have yet to try this out for myself.

Tired after your shopping frenzy? The restaurants inside Cubao X offer great food for their reasonable prices. I always have a good time at Cubao X and I am sure you will too.

Here's a map to help you get to Cubao X:


Map from Kitongzki

Stop Reading this Blog and Watch the Olympics

... ok, don't stop reading this blog. However, do watch the Olympics! Sorry, bag lovers, I was forced to interrupt my one track musings about bags to give you six(!) good reasons to watch the Olympics.

Reasons after the jump!

Reasons 1 to 3:

Reasons 4 to 6:

What did I tell you? What are you waiting for?! Go watch the Olympics and the re-runs ASAP!

Images courtesy of New York Magazine

Project Runway Philippines - Episode 1

Any thoughts on last night's pilot episode of Project Runway Philippines? I think it had promise but was not too impressed yet with any of the designers. Couldn't remember their names as of now. What I can say though is that...

I think I have a girl crush on PRP's host, Teresa Herrera. Wow, she is so gorgeous!



Watch Project Runway Philippines on ETC, Wednesdays at 10 p.m.