Sugar Shocker

One of my favorite food blogs, Dessert Comes First, will celebrate its 6th anniversary with a party that's sure to cause a major rush and I was lucky enough to win an invite to this exclusive event. That's right, I had to enter and win a contest for this sweet spectacle.

Even with the invite, the fact that I would have to shell out Php500.00 at the venue threw me off a little. But I guess it's worth it considering there will be 11 bakers serving some of the best desserts in town. What worries me more now though is the idea of going alone. This would not be the first time for me to attend a blog event all by myself but I really wish I could bring MFG with me. I think pigging out to the point of a cardiac arrest would be more fun with him. Besides, between the two of us, he's more the munch master and he himself bakes.

Oh well. It seems like a really fun party. As long as there are no "parlor games", I'll be fine.

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Tweet Tweet

It has only been about 3 weeks since I signed up so I still consider myself a Twitter newbie. I still get surprised every once in a while when exploring the site.

This, in particular, put a smile on my face. Oh, he never fails to amuse.

Meanwhile...

Hahahah... Today is Wednesday, tomorrow is Thursday and Friday comes afterwards so have a good day!

literarybulimia@gmail.com

LOVE

My life lately has been a series of expensive, fattening meetings that last for hours and hours. So let me take this moment to indulge in a little vanity, yeah? It's been a while since I last abused the self-timer you know.

We were at Bonifacio High Street the other day working on our paper when I decided to step out and take a breather. Then voila! Love at first sight!

I just had to have it. It's made of porcelain so it's quite fragile. Oh the irony.

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Vilebrequin

When Hermes came to Manila, I began to doubt if the Philippines really is still a third-world country. This doubt increased when I chanced upon this store in Greenbelt 5 called 'Vilebrequin' last Saturday. I haven't heard of the brand before but it being where it is and seeing "St. Tropez" right under the name, I knew it's not your regular swimwear store. I got curious after seeing all the men's swim shorts neatly on display so I went in and inspected the items closely.

Fancy boxer shorts anyone?

The garments look very well-made and I like how these shorts look tailored to fit just right; not too tight, not too baggy. The prints are fun yet timeless. The materials used also look and feel very comfortable and lush  (read: expensive). I forgot the exact price the sales rep said when I asked her but it's around Php8,900 I believe. Steep I know. They're made in "Bulgarian French" according to her but whether they prevent shrinkage or not was not confirmed.

Without batting an eyelash, I whipped out the plastic and got a bag of shorts that I'll wear on my upcoming summer trip to Maldives. Not.

Anyhow, click here to know more about George Clooney's swimwear of choice when vacationing at the French Riviera.

Photo: forbes.com

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Honey and Tea

This post is going to make me appear either as a granny stuck in a guy's body or a domestic daddy wannabe.

If I can have it my way, I'd use the real, all-natural honey that's not sold in supermarkets. But this one is the closest I can get living in Manila. Back home, we'd occasionally get good honey as a pasalubong from an uncle who lives in Romblon.

I love honey because you can use it for so many different things---plus I like to believe it's healthy.

I was never really a tea person until a few months ago when I bought a box of Twinings. Does it come with age? It tastes exactly how I remembered it to be but I didn't hate it. In fact, I now ask for refills whenever I'm in a Chinese Restaurant. The strongest tea I've had is The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's version of genmaicha. It's so woodsy and a little nutty. Not exactly my type but it's perfect when you want to lose weight if you know what I mean.

Tea with honey and biscuits or cookies is a great midnight snack on a quiet night methinks. My friend Rica thinks it's very English of me. Hahah... I just like how it fills you up but still keeps you feeling light and not bloated. I'll try the iced version soon.

Good night!

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Rising Sun

When you woke up this morning, you probably thought this is going to be just another day in your life. That's what most people in Japan thought too last Friday. Then it happened.

Words can barely describe the devastation that struck the country. It's the strongest earthquake on record to hit Japan followed by a massive tsunami that wiped out towns and cities. But disaster doesn't stop there as nuclear power plant explosions wreak more havoc and a meltdown threatens to cause even more destruction not limited within the ailing nation.

While you're reading this, probably comfortably sheltered in your home or perhaps your office, our Japanese friends are struggling to survive. It has only been four days and the scale of damage already compares to that of World War II. The death toll is estimated to reach at least 10,000. It is very hard to imagine that such a powerful country, a strong force in the global economy, is experiencing food shortage. The ones spared may have the means to buy food but what do you do when there's no food to buy? People there, including the ones in cities, literally have nothing to eat or have no clean water to drink. Over 500,000 of them are housed in evacuation centers with no clear knowledge of their fate within the coming days.

How do you begin to recover when everything you have is gone? Think of it. Your food, your clothes and belongings, your home, the ground your house used to stand on, and unfortunately, perhaps even your loved ones, all gone, just like that.

Being aware is good. But it doesn't stop there. As much as I'd like to personally hand over goods or try to comfort shocked survivors, not all of us have the opportunity to do so. However, there's a force that we can channel our sincere thoughts to that will help avert this crisis and heal suffering. I'm not there physically but I am praying for each grieving victim, for each casualty, for the ones living in fear, living in danger and for those who are going out of their way to help out. I'm humbly asking you to take some time and do the same.

Tomorrow, when you wake up thinking it's going to be just another day, be thankful---and hope that, if it can't be a better one, it may as well indeed be a regular day in your life.

Meanwhile, click here, here, here, or here for more ways to help.

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Just Always Pray At Night

The supposedly humorous acronym of J.A.P.A.N. has never been more appropriate. This is no laughing matter though which is why I find it utterly insensitive that people are tweeting jokes and spreading false reports about the recent catastrophe that has left a first world nation in shambles and the rest in fear, empathy and grief. (And yes, I'm on Twitter now.)

I'm never one to write about heavy current events and phenomena but this one hits home. The recent natural disasters are an issue of survival and cause of worldwide concern. I have a cousin who lives in Japan with his family and MFG just flew to Osaka the other day to check on something. It doesn't end there; threats of more damaging occurrences spread each day.

It doesn't help that school is sucking the life out of me. I have now developed an anger towards two ineffective professors.

Anyway, needless to say, I am very worried.

#fingerscrossed

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Paris S'il Vous Plait

I am very jealous. When I woke up this morning, I wish the only problem I had was what to wear to the Chanel show.

Left: Balmain Right: Lanvin; See, it even rhymes.

A few things about Paris fashion week:

• The devil wears Viktor and Rolf. Outstanding! The Swedish duo did it again.
• It just occurred to me. Lanvin is the evening wear of the girl who wears Balmain during the day. Emmanuelle Alt?
• Dior is finally without John Galliano. In my opinion, this is not a bad thing at all. He needs to sober up while the label needs a newer, fresher take on the Dior aesthetic. Also, don't fuck with them Jews.
• The other buzz in Paris around the fashion circle is the Mugler show where Lady Gaga reportedly upstaged the models. Is that even surprising? The show seems like a lot of fun and I do like most of the clothes but I feel like I've seen these looks before. By the way, 'Born This Way' doesn't sound like Madonna. It's more Pink to me.
• Riccardo Tisci got me all in a tizzy! The latest Givenchy womenswear collection comes across as a dark, dreamy fairytale to me with a biker twist which I like. But it's those men's thigh highs and mutt prints that leave me daydreaming of the possibilities. Fucking insane. I love it!

That's all for now. Au revoir!

Photos: nymag.com

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Breakfast Berries

How beautiful is this sight?

Best with pineapple juice or the like.

That's oatmeal topped with strawberries glazed with honey. You know how I love those fresh, juicy, vibrantly red, little ones. My friend H brought me home the strawberries from Baguio. They're so fresh they came with a live baby leech.

literarybulimia@gmail.com

Becoming Lindsay Lohan

Thanks to the unreliable rail system of Manila, which is really supposed to be the fastest way to get to Greenbelt at 8pm, I was late so MFG and I missed the earlier screening of I Am Number Four.

We killed the time by having a quick dinner---but not before walking a couple of blocks while having a little argument. Then we decided to have drinks at Dillinger where the female bartenders/servers found it amusing how we downed shots like it's going out of style.

Great liquor selection at Dillinger.

The place looks like an upscale pub. No frills. No gimmicks.Very straightforward. I like it, even with the TVs. It's the kind of bar where people really go to drink and chat and not to be seen. I hope it stays that way.

Just like the place, I wanted my drink to be straightforward, no frills. That heat from the mouth down to the throat was what I was after so MFG got us shots of vodka. After half an hour or so, the score was MFG-4, moi-3.

Plain Vodka on the rocks over the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on TV.

I have to admit, by the time we went up to the cinema, I was a little buzzed. But definitely not too buzzed for frozen yogurt.

The movie was alright. I was expecting something more intelligent. It gets exciting towards the end though. Or was that just me dying to go pee?

Anyway, I've been consuming too much alcohol lately. Last night was not even a weekend. Is this the start of my downward spiral? What am I going to wear in court? This teenage drama queen had fun though. It was a new experience with MFG, thanks to alcohol.

literarybulimia@gmail.com