Monthly Archives: March 2017

NUDIST

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On a scale of 1- 10 the level of sucking it in that I had to do in this dress is a definite 10 which is why I chose to pair this gorgeous body con dress with my equally gorgeous suede cover up that I scored at Forever21 during their 3 day sale. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! As of yesterday’s quick visit to SM, they’re still on sale!!

And for pointing out the obvious’ sake, yes, I did gain weight and no, I will not be sporting a bikini body this summer but then again, when have I ever? I’m learning how to cook, guys, the food I make has to go some where.

Will write you guys some good stuff soon, I promise. I’ve just been so consumed in work and cleaning- work and cleaning and cooking, that’s basically what my life has been about recently. I’m sure you all can understand <3

plus size prom gown in UK  

Glasses, Dress, Cover Up: Forever21| Bag: Barkin (YES!!!)

xx,

Issa P.

Tim Ho Wan Finally Opens In Cebu!

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It’s about time Cebu finally gets a taste of what a Michelin- starred restaurant tastes like! Tim Ho Wan, the most affordable Michelin approved and starred dim sum restaurant, has finally opened their doors to eager Cebuano foodies after a year of waiting.

Tim Ho Wan started in 2009 when Chef Mak Kwai Pui and Chef Leung Fai Keun opened a modest 20-seater hole-in-the-wall eatery in Mongok, Hong Kong. A year after, it earned the coveted star in the 2010 HK and Macau Michelin guide, the international benchmark of good food and highest form of recognition in the culinary world.

Since then, the restaurant branched out around Hong Kong and brought its delicious and affordable dim sum overseas. Tim Ho Wan opened its first international location in Singapore in 2013 then the Philippines in 2014, followed by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Macau, and most recently New York, USA. With six branches in Luzon, it opens its 360- sqm. branch in Cebu at the Upper Ground Floor, Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City. The yum cha restaurant seats 83 persons in its main dining area and 19 in its function room.

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I paid a visit to this world renowned restaurant during their press & media launching earlier today and had a chance to sample almost all of their dishes. And although I won’t go into too much detail for each dish, this is basically my verdict:

As someone who frequently eats Oriental Asian food but doesn’t necessarily enjoy it, I can easily understand why many people enjoy Tim Ho Wan’s dishes. Their Big 4 Heavenly King dishes are delicious (Baked Buns, Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp) while some are quite foreign to me (pan fried radish cake & steamed egg cake) but altogether enjoyable.

Of all the dishes that we sampled, my top choices would have to be: the baked buns with BBQ pork, Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp, Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp, Chow Mien Stir Fried Noodles, Prawn Dumpling, Pork Dumpling with Shrimp, Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin and the Mango Pomelo Sago.

The best thing about Tim Ho Wan, along with every other dimsums, is the communal dining setting which encourages sharing diners to share each dish among one another.

Check them out:

Big 4 Heavenly Kings

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pcs) – P145.00

  
Pan Fried Radish Cake- P120.00


Steamed Egg Cake- P 85.00


Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp- P140.00

Vermicelli Rolls


[above] Vermicelli Roll with Sweet & Sesame Sauce- P 140.00
Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp- P190.00

Stir Fried


Chow Mien Stir Fried Noodle- P 130.00

Steamed


Prawn Dumpling- P 160.00


Pork Dumpling with Shrimp- P 150.00


Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin- P 120.00


Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp- P120.00

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Braised Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce- P120.00

Congee


Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg- P 140.00

Rice


Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf- P 190.00


Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom- P 170.00


Steam Minced Pork with Dried Squid- P 170.00

Dessert


[Left- Right] Taro Coconut Milk with Sago & Mango Pomelo- P 120.00

To celebrate its arrival in Cebu, Tim Ho Wan Cebu will be giving one (1) complimentary order of Baked Buns with BBQ Pork every day to the first 100 quests with a minimum bill of P500.00 during its opening week from March 25- 31, 2017.

Tim Ho Wan Cebu is located at the Upper Ground Floor, Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu and is open daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Seating for dine-on is on a first- come, first- served basis.

Follow Tim Ho Wan Philippines on Facebook and @TimHoWanPh on Instagram and Twitter for thr latest events and updates. For inquiries, contact (032) 341 5770 and 0917 118 6453.

HAPPY EATING,

Issa P.

Ukulele. Food. Travel: Uke Hub Kafe, Mactan

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Mactan, other than it being an entry way for visitors into our beautiful island, is a great representation of what Cebu’s culture is really like. With most of the beaches being on this island, it would be no surprise how much of an influence music plays in our culture. After all, we have been recognized time and again for our outstanding craftsmanship when it comes to guitar manufacturing.

When it comes to Cebu and guitars… or in this case, ukuleles, there’s one particular brand that comes to mind- Susing’s Guitars. This humble yet extraordinary establishment has been creating top quality guitars and instruments since 1990 and have now  decided to create a hub for travelers, locals and lovers of music and food here in Cebu!

Uke Hub is located along the airport road of Mactan (across Ricos Lechon) and is the perfect place to chill, listen to good music, learn how to play a new instrument, spend a crafty afternoon, dine and drink!

As I spent an entire afternoon there, I pictured myself as a backpacker waiting for my next flight out or me and Paolo drinking coffee and gushing over their wide selection of ukulele’s that you can even take out and play.

THE FOOD

They offer a few meal variations such as pastas and sandwiches which are freshly made and are absolutely filling! I was able to sample the lasagna and Hungry Harry’s sandwiches specialty piece, the Cubano Cebuano, and I was left wanting more… which is completely fine though cuz I totally brought that sandwich home with me 😉

Lasagna – P 120.00

Cubano Cebuano – P 165.00

ACTIVITIES

Our visit, more than to check out the place and try out their food, was mostly to indulge in an afternoon of craftsmanship and merry making. In more appealing terms, I actually went there to paint my own Ukulele and actually learn how to play it! 🙂 It was such a relaxing afternoon with my friends from the media and the best part about it, was that I got to go home with my very own Ukulele! If you want to see/ hear me play it, check out my podcast here.

Uke Hub also offers these design your own ukulele sessions and playing lessons at a very reasonable fee of  P1,000.00 including art supplies and your own ukulele so you and your friends can spend an afternoon getting crafty and learning to play them after.

Before

Posing with our finished products with Kiddie Rodaje & Carlo Olano.

Make sure to follow Uke Hub Kafe on Facebook and Instagram to get details about any upcoming shows, craft sessions, meal & drink additions and more! <3

I’m Yourssss,

Issa P.

Cooking For Dummies: Breakfast Burritos

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I’ve been picking up a new hobby lately- cooking. I’m pretty late in the game though as I guess most men & women learn how to cook at a pretty early age. On most days, I still have a hard time figuring out how to cook rice. But it’s been an interesting journey so far and I wanted to share a favorite dish of our which was surprisingly easy to make- the Breakfast Burrito.

I got this recipe of Pinterest and I thought that I would share it with all of you!

Tortilla Wrap Recipe

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (+ flour to coat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
Preparation

  1. Mix flour, salt, water and oil in a big bowl.
  2. Place mixture on a floured surface and knead it around 10 times while adding bits of flour & water to the mixture until you’ve achieve a smooth dough.
  3. Leave mixture for a few minutes. (I suggest watching one of my VLOGS in the meantime!)
  4. Divide dough into 6-8 portions, depending on how thick/ big you want your wrap to be.
  5. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 7- in circle.
    * note: I suggest adding flour every now and then to your floured surface to avoid it getting too sticky. Also, it’s a good idea to add flour to your rolling pin as well. If you don’t have a rolling pin, a large glass still works- but it will hurt!

Cooking your tortilla

  1. In a large skillet, add a small amount of cooking oil or lightly spray your skillet with oil. Cook tortilla for about a minute or until each side is slightly brown.

    * note: I made my wraps a night before so I could sleep in in the morning. 

Breakfast Burrito Fillings

  • 6 eggs (1 for each wrap I was able to make)
  • 1/2 large onion (finely chopped)
  • 3 medium sized tomatoes (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 large bell pepper (cut into thin slices)
  • A splash of milk
  • bacon
  • ketchup
    optional: ham or whatever meat you would want to add

Directions:

  1. In a bowl mix eggs, a splash of milk and tomatoes. Add salt & pepper to the mixture and scramble. (You’re basically making an omelette). Set aside.
  2. In a pan under medium heat, saute onions and bell pepper in oil until onions become translucent. Then add egg mixture. Cook like you would any regular egg.
  3. Once eggs are done cooking, set that aside. In the same pan, cook bacon/ meat of your choice.

Assembly:

  1. Lay your tortilla wrap on a flat surface.
  2. Add a portion of eggs, followed by a thin layer of ketchup and your meat of choice.
  3. Wrap tortilla and secure tight by adding some ketchup to the ends.
  4. Place on white sheets with perfect lighting for an awesome instagram post. HAHA!

Seriously, if I can make this… then so can you!

Tag me on @issaplease (IG/ FACEBOOK) if you ever decide to make this <3

xx,

Issa P.

90’s Fashion

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There’s a lot going on with fashion nowadays- my moms impeccable then style is now a thing again which means I could have raided her closet… if she had only kept her clothes from way back when.

High waist + ripped jeans, turtle necks, dark lipstick and boots- I’m almost a hundred percent sure I’ve seen my mom wearing the exact same thing almost 30 years ago which goes to show that you should never dispose clothes because you never know when it’ll be in style again. Jk. I do not promote hoarding!

Seriously, I need to unearth some bomb photos…


Top: H&M| Jeans: Let’s Stylize| Boots: H&M

Sorry for the brain fart!

xx,

Issa P.

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Things I “need” right now:

  • make up
  • clothes
  • clothes for a wedding
  • shoes
  • everything in my check out bag on Zalora
  • everything on my HEARTS list on Zalora
  • a fridge
  • a microphone
  • lights
  • a bed. i’m so tired.

How To Style: Metallic Pleated Skirts

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Anyone will tell you that wearing a loose top with a loose skirt is unflattering and will make your frame look shorter which is probably something you would want to avoid if you have a petite frame like I do. But no one will tell you how liberating it is not to care about looking taller or shorter and how rewarding it is to be able to hide your belly in this outfit especially after 5 dishes of Mexican food. So forget the rules, here’s how I style my metallic pleated skirt anyways!

This skirt has been around since last year and I’ve been able to get a hold on this bad boy since I first saw it. I was thinking about doing a more in depth version of this but unfortunately, I never really got around to doing it but I have been sporting this bad boy for quite a while now. It’s been a great companion on “fancy” events or even when I’m out doing chores.

Top: Forever21| Skirt: H&M| Watch: Michael Kors| Flats: Car-car| Glasses: Specs by Charlie

I am aware that I gained weight,

Issa P.