Glass mosaic lanterns/Mandarin Orange - Monday

Turkish glass mosaic lanterns at an antique store.

Linking to Mandarin Orange - Monday

Parachuting/Blue Monday

Colorful parachutes dazzled shoppers and diners at the Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila.  This was at The Plaza, a charming indoor piazza naturally lit by a glass skylight.  I took my friend Petra here for coffee and some shopping before bringing her to the airport across the street for her flight home to Davao.

Linking to Blue Monday

Window shopping/Blue Monday

A perfect match to my worn-out pair of jeans.

Window-shopping at Atelier Avatar in Greenbelt 5.

Linking to Sally's Blue Monday

Sconces/Blue Monday

A Venetian mirror and a set of wall sconces at an antique shop.  Share something blue with Sally @ Blue Monday.

Pizza perfect

@ mirandablue

I was shoe-shopping at the mall last week when the aroma of pizza hit me.  Didn't want to eat pizza alone so I called a pizza-loving friend [who swore she's on diet] to join me at CPK.  It didn't take much to tempt her and we finished off the 6 slices of Pepperoni Supremo.  It's one of CPK's thin crust pizzas with Italian pomodoro sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses, topped with fresh herbs.  I am not a pizza connoisseur but this pizza was one of the best pizzas I've had in recent memory!   Or probably because I only eat pizza on rare occasions.  Pepperoni Supremo is a bit spicy [which I love], and although 2 slices are usually my maximum, I reached for the 3rd slice instead of ordering dessert.

But before pizza was shoveled into a pair of maws, we had the Original BBQ Chicken Chopped salad--a balm for a guilty conscience.

The salad and pizza gave me enough energy to chop wood.  Burned it off by walking around the mall for the next two hours and not using the escalators/elevators.  

Don't blame me, shoe shopping does make people hungry!:p

@ mirandablue

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Chinese room [RT]

@ mirandablue

A red-walled room and antique Chinese furniture.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Chair [RT]

@ mirandablue

In a room full of antique furniture in an old mansion in San Juan, this silver and ruby Chippendale chair caught my attention.  I love the rich red velvet upholstery.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

The Nutcracker at the Fiesta Market [My World and Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

The Fiesta Market is an outdoor market area of Market! Market!, a mall in Global City, Taguig.  It has regional food stalls where I go when I have cravings for native delicacies like kwakoy, mango tart, lengua de gato and other favorites like dried squid, roasted coffee from Bukidnon, and Vigan empanada.  It has the freshness of a Sunday street market where you can find fresh vegetables and fruits, flowers and seafoods.   There is also a hawker's area where you can sample various Filipino food--from pork BBQ to halo-halo, lechon, fish kinilaw, pancit habhab and dinuguan.  Fiesta Market also has  a well-stocked rice vendor and wine stores.  

Separated by a fountain is Market! Market!'s Christmas display---The Nutcracker.   This  attracts kids an adults alike.  Standing beside a bunch of kids, I was as fascinated by a life- size Clara dancing with her prince, with larger-than-life rotating nutcracker and a host of animated characters.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

 

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Stars in High Street [My World & Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

I did a little shopping at Bonifacio High Street on Saturday and was delighted at the Christmas installations. The stars in red and gold caught my attention---they're made from abaca rope and rattan poles, homegrown and simple yet they add a festive air to the al fresco shopping experience.  With synchronized music and lighting, these Christmas installations dominate the garden area, an added interest to shoppers.  Christmas is definitely in the air albeit the warm breezes.  

@ mirandablue

This mall is popular to people with dogs and kids---there's a stretch of garden in the middle with water features and contemporary art installations where dogs [and their humans] can socialize and compare notes.    There are restaurants and coffee shops, fashion specialty stores and global brands, sports and electronic stores, hobby and lifestyle shops, a book and music store, a spa, health and beauty shops.  A shopping playground where nothing feels cramped or hurried.  And anyone can find his/her quiet spot.

@ mirandablue

Exercise buffs also found a haven here.  And these stars would visually entertain the joggers while they huff and puff on the sidewalks.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Slim Santa [Ruby Tuesday]

Santa is on a diet, so don't leave milk and cookies for him! Centuries of junk food and snacks have taken their toll on Santa's waistline. He's been warned of his cholesterol levels so he's cutting on sugar, carbs, and alcohol. Leave him apples and some bananas.

"There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus."

- Author Unknown

These slim santas were designed by Weennee Lagdameo of Accent Pieces.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Kalesa [Ruby Tuesday]

Kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven carriage introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish in the 18th century that only the rich and high-ranked officials could afford. The kalesa has become a rarity these days and can only be seen in historical areas and tourist belts like Binondo and Intramuros in Manila, Vigan and Laoag City.

This carriage can carry 2 passengers and a kalesa driver. These kalesas were parked in Tiendesitas, a shopping destination showcasing locally-made products. Kids and adults can enjoy a kalesa ride around Tiendesitas for a fee.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday: Captivating capiz

Everything in this photo is made from capiz shell---from the chandelier, to the vases and bowls, the plates at the background to the pedestal where the red vase and bowls are displayed. Capiz or windowpane oyster is a bivalve shell of a mollusk with smooth translucent and shiny interior. The meat is eaten and the shells are turned into these captivating pieces of home accessories.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Pike Place Market [Palengke for Litratong Pinoy]

 

 

Sosy ang palengke ko ngayong linggo.  Isa sa pinakalumang palengke ito sa Amerika na nagbukas noong 1907 pa, at dinadayo ng mga turista.  Ang Pike Place Market sa Seattle, isang pampublikong palengke sa tabi ng Elliott Bay.  Hindi lang isda ang mabibili dito kundi  pati mga sariwang gulay at prutas, crafts ng mga local artists,  fresh flowers, may antique shops at tindahan ng comic books.  Maraming restaurants at dito rin matatagpuan ang pinakaunang Starbucks sa kasaysayan ng kape.

 Medyo nagulat ako nang sinabi ng aking kaibigan na pupunta kami sa palengke.  Feeling turista ako e, bakit sa palengke?  Ang pinagkakaguluhan pala dito ay ang pagbili ng salmon.  Kapag may bumili ng isda, dadamputin ng tindero ang 3-foot salmon at ihahagis nya sa isa pang tindero, at ihahagis naman uli hanggang masalo ng  kahero ang isda.  O di ba kakaiba?  Nagulat ako nang maghagisan sila ng isda, di ako nakakuha ng litrato!

Di pa nagsawa, bumalik pa kami sa gabi para magkape at mag-pose sa tabi ni Rachel, ang bronze cast piggy bank at unofficial mascot ng Pike Place Market.  Sa isang taon, umaabot daw sa $9,000 ang nilalaman ng liempo ni Rachel na  hinuhulog ng mga turista galing sa iba't-ibang bansa.

Sino ang mas sexy sa amin ni Rachel, aber?

Check out the markets at Litratong Pinoy

Photo-Hunt: advertisement

My attention was caught by this Adidas window ad a few weeks ago---their Wanted Old Shoes promo. Unfortunately, I was not in the market for new running shoes. But I'm sure for parents with children who are going back to school this month, this promo was definitely a good deal. And for a good cause, too.

Posted for Photo Hunt

Litratong Pinoy: blusa/polo

Binalikan ko pa sa Kamiseta itong kulay orange na blusa noong Linggo---di ba bagay na bagay 'to ngayong summer? Buti na lang napigilan ko ang aking urge na gumastos. Nangako kasi ako sa aking sarili na bawas-bawasan ko muna ang pagbili ng damit, sapatos at bag ngayong taon habang naghihirap ang buong mundo dahil sa krisis pang-ekonomiya. At napapanahon na rin talaga na mag-ipon ako para sa aking pagtanda (parang totoo daw o!), di ba?

I counted from 1 to 20 while admiring this orange blouse at Kamiseta last Sunday---I thought it's a great top for summer. Good thing I was able to walk away before I finished counting, and was able to control my urge to spend. I promised myself to go easy on shopping for clothes, shoes and bags this year while the world is reeling from the economic crisis. And it's about time I start saving for my old age, don't you think?

At dahil na rin sa init ng panahon, ito ang paborito kong shirt ngayong summer. Hindi na ito bago pero di pa fully-depreciated 'ika nga. Maganda itong ipares sa jeans, gawa sa malambot na cotton ang tela kaya malamig sa katawan. Nagustuhan ko rin ang slim fit silhouette ng shirt na 'to at ang kanyang vintage look.

P.S. Ang hirap pala kumuha ng litrato ng damit na walang mannequin!

And this cool shirt is my favorite this summer. It's not new but it still has some mileage left. This shirt is great with jeans, it's made from soft, lightweight cotton and it's cool on the skin. I also love its slim fit silhouette and vintage look.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy