Posts Tagged ‘decor’

Christmas under and over the sea!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Christmas season in The Philippines is really the best!  We start hearing Christmas songs on the radio as early as September and most of us keep the Christmas decor till February! LOL!  It is almost tradition for me and my friends to attend Tessa & Dennis Valdes‘s Christmas party…or should I say EXTRAVAGANZA!

Their parties get more festive and over the top as the years progress.  One year, they had a machine that would snow inside their house.  This year’s theme was an underwater Christmas!  They transformed their home into an underwater world worthy of Nemo and Ariel!

The foyer of the house had beach balls that we were all instructed to write down our wishes for next year.

The foyer of the house had beach balls that we were all instructed to write down our wishes for next year.

Gold fishes in aquariums, dotted the entire home.

Gold fishes in aquariums, dotted the entire home.

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Cafe Adriatico

Monday, July 20th, 2009

When you’re in the Manila area, you have to try out Cafe Adriatico.  It’s located in the Malate area. This restaurant has been around for what seems to be like forever. I have so many memories here, as we would always make this a last stop before we headed home from a long night of partying in places like Subway or even Isis (era late ’80s). LOL!

When in Manila, just ask around for the Adriatico circle and look for this sign.

When in Manila, just ask around for the Adriatico circle and look for this sign.

Cafe Adriatico's facade.

Cafe Adriatico's facade.

Each time I go and visit Cafe Adriatico, I am transported back to a time where everything seemed to be ideal. The decor of the place has remained the same, but the patina of age has made it even more special. I love the dark woods with the most intricate carvings and the ghostlike paintings. If these walls could just talk…oh the stories it could tell.

The interiors, unchanged since it started more than 2 decades ago. ( I guess?)

The interiors, unchanged since the business started more than 2 decades ago. (I guess?)

Check out the paintings that dot the restaurant. This one is the facade of the restaurant.

Check out the paintings that dot the restaurant. This one is the facade of the restaurant.

Love the dark wood and the intricate carvings.

Love the dark wood and the intricate carvings.

When in Manila, you have to come here and order the adobo spare ribs, as this is truly their signature dish! My mouth still waters each time I think of the meat falling off the rib bone while the succulent juices flow into the hot steamed rice while I mix it with the nutty golden brown fried whole garlic! HEAVEN!

This is the ultimate comfort food! Cafe Adriatico's Spare Ribs ADOBO!

This is the ultimate comfort food! Cafe Adriatico's Spare Ribs ADOBO!

HUGS!
RAJO!

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Christmas at The Pen!

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

I have always loved the lobby of the Peninsula Manila.  In my humble opinion, it really is the best lobby in the land!  More so when they decorate it for Christmas!  What I love about it is that it’s not OTT (over the top) as it is really tasteful and elegant!  The sense of drama is also there as they have like this gigantic tree that make me feel like an elf! LOL!

The front desk. Simple and tastefully elegant.

The front desk. Simple and tastefully elegant.

Loving the tree of The Pen! So festive and fabulous!

Loving the tree of The Pen! So festive and fabulous!

A detail shot of the decor!

A detail shot of the decor!

Another view of the tree from where I sat! Being there just made me smile!

Another view of the tree from where I sat! Being there just made me smile!

Bob, Bernard, Nix and I decided to have a nightcap there and I really felt the Christmas spirit again!

Bernard, could not help posing! Walang pasko sa China noh! LOL!

Bernard, could not help posing! Walang pasko sa China noh! LOL!

For those scrooges out there, head out to The Pen and have a hot chocolate, or better yet, order one of their ice cream creations and see all your woes disappear and have some holiday cheer! (Sorry about the rhyme, could not help it!)  See you around.
HUGS!
RAJO!

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Full Christmas Decoration Mode!

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Five days ago I decided to start decorating our apartment for Christmas!  I started with the tree and since then, I relish going home more as the smell of fresh pine just makes me happy!  Nix and I decided to use the long weekend to get some ideas on how we would decorate the house.  We first started out in Evangelista Street in Makati.  For those not in the know, this area in our local version of  the Clingancourt Market in Paris!  LOL!  ( Please manage everyone’s expectations!) It’s a series of streets in Makati that sells old
stuff.  I just love going here as you never know what you’re going to find. This trip was quite a success, as we found these amazing candlesticks for just 350 pesos each!  (reminder to self that I should do an entry on all our finds).

Found this sculpture interesting in Evangelista. It's so baduy that it's actually cool! I also found these chairs that we could refinish but the last thing we need are more chairs in our tiny apartment.

Found this sculpture interesting in Evangelista. It's so baduy that it's actually cool! I also found these chairs that we could refinish but the last thing we need are more chairs in our tiny apartment.

We stayed for less that an hour and then headed to Rustan’s as Nix wanted to get COCO!  COCO is our new love!  He is actually a ceramic monkey!  When I saw him it was love at first sight!  We had to have
him!  He was the cornerstone of our Christmas theme, which we christened  “A very Quirky Christmas!”

NIx with our COCO!

NIx with our COCO!

COCO as the star in our tableau!

COCO as the star in our tableau!

We then headed off to Shoemart as this for me is the best place to find the best deals in town. Nix and I went mad in the Christmas decor department!   We were so happy when the cashier ran up our bill as it was just a little over 5,000 pesos!  That was it!  We were able to get most of  our decor in for that!  Is that not amazing or what?  I love SHOEMART!

Our apartment in Christmas mode.

Our apartment in Christmas mode.

Our apartment is not done yet but its still a work in progress.  In the meantime, I am in search for ribbons and more notions to spruce up our tree!  When it’s done I will have a Cocktail Christmas party!!!

A close-up of the table and our tree

A close-up of the table and our tree

Our tree almost done. Figuring out if we like these "Lashes" that we bought? Need to sleep on that one!

Our tree almost done. Figuring out if we like these

HUGS!
RAJO!
PS.  My fave blogger in the whole world CHUVANESS. mentioned my blog in her entry today and I was so honored and happy that I had a huge smile the whole day!!!  That huge considering that I have been down
with a flu  bug thats making me not my usual sparkly self.  LOL!

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