deluxeduck

Hello everyone! I know its been ages since I last updated this blog. For some reason, I kept on postponing it because I really do not know what to say. I do not know the reason why but somehow, I felt like I have hit a wall. I did not feel creative enough to blog anything. I became confused and all. I'm uncertain what is the reason behind all this however, I am slowly trying to figure it out one step at a time.

In two days, I will turn another year older. I thank Him for all the blessings that I have received. I admit, my life never is, never was, and never will be perfect but we should really just be thankful (something that I am working on myself) what what he have as of the moment.

So enough chit chat and here's a recap, in photos, of my recently-concluded summer trip. OOOH, but before that, let me just tell everyone how I absolutely love SmarTone Prepaid 3G! I used it in my recent trip to Hong Kong. Their prepaid 3G service is lovely. I used my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and used the Mobile AP feature and I get unlimited internet for HK$24 a day (until 11:59pm of the same day so what I do is, I access the internet service before we leave and turn it on the whole day. If you activate it in the afternoon, you wouldn't really maximize the "whole day" part.) Mind you, their mobile internet speed is really REALLY fast. Yes I know, spending HK$ 24 a day might be too pricey for mobile internet but it works flawlessly, even inside the subway which is heaven so I really don't mind spending money for something that really works.

OK eto na talaga ang pictures. Enjoy!




TV watching.





I wish France but this was taken from the window of Holiday Plaza in Shenzhen, across is Windows Of The World Theme Park (We didn't go in.)





Asking for HD, Digital TV here in the Philippines is like asking for the moon. You can basically see the pores of those in TV but I guess they use copious amounts of good makeup to cover blemishes.





This grilled chicken burger from McDonald's is tasty and perfect for those who are into mildly spicy food (I'm not into mildly spicy food but I found it pretty good!)





A convenience store, cheap thrills Vanilla Ice cream encased in Mochi to the tune of ~ RMB2 (~ PHP 13)






The perks of renting an apartment as opposed to staying in a hotel. Amazingly fast residential broadband connection!






Weird name pero puede na.





Legit Dim-Sum! HEAVENNN!





Love this! Chewy with the right sweetness sans the crystal sugar coating.





I don't know if this a new mall or a newly-renovated mall. I didn't go in because I have to wait for my siblings to finish their Forever 21 craze





If you can. Go and try Cafe One in Windsor House. It's the in-house restaurant of Park Lane Hotel, just above Ikea. The buffet dinner is a little higher than Spiral's current prices at about 1/4 the choices but the good service, wonderful view of Victoria Park (and Causeway Bay at night) not to mention, unlimited Haagen Dazs ice cream make up for it. I'd like to thank the generous benefactor for this dinner. If I can afford it for dinner every night, I will, but I can't so I don't. I am happy and content with Swedish meatballs from Ikea mind you.






I know this costs more than your average Coke in can in Hong Kong but I think I paid for the import and novelty of this Aluminum Coke can with a twist cap from Japan. I think it tastes more refreshing than your normal Coke in can.





Hui Lau Shan in Mongkok. I haven't confirmed this but a friend of mine told me that Hui Lau Shan's prices vary from place to place. Fortunately, I bought in a place where it is more cheaper so I'm thankful for that. The mangoes in my drink is sweet enough and not diabetic.






For those of you who cannot get enough of Haribo gummy bears, DFS Galleria in HKIA is selling these 450 gram gummi bears at around HK$100+ a pack. I just saw the individually packed ones in the city (Sogo supermarket in Causeway Bay to be exact) and was surprised o see these in the airport before I boarded my flight.





I never get tired of being in this airport even if I have been here countless of times already.  Is it really too much for us to ask for a decent, clean and comfortable airport as this.





went out to the outdoor smoking deck (not for a cigarette)





Airport at night






Pork Loin from Saboten as my last meal in Hong Kong. A little better than Yabu here in Manila but the sauce is more salty. However the rice is magnificent.






Causeway Bay




Love these stairs in OCT Harbour, Shenzhen, China






Ang drama ng restaurant. I love the whole idea in this place.






Albeit trippy with its steep steps, I find this bridge which felt like old-world China but this hints of modern design, appropriate for the location.



So that's it everyone. Hope you enjoyed :)

Эксклюзивная карта расположения скульптур Давида Черны в Праге.



http://www.euroholidays.cz/allnews/108-david-cerny

Nina Garcia—fashion expert and creative director of Marie Claire—is set to arrive in Manila to promote JAG Origins, a fashion and design advocacy program to benefit Filipino design students and budding fashion entrepreneurs.
On May 24, 2013, the celebrated Project Runway judge will be at Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center, to lead a forum-type discussion that will focus on global style, design, and fashion trends worldwide.

Sharing her global perspective on fashion, Nina will give guests a sneak preview of what’s to come for JAG Origins 2014.
During the forum, Filipino designers Jerome Salaya Ang, Normal Noriega and Jeffrey Rogador will present special collections that will highlight Filipino artistry.
The forum will culminate in JAG’s Holiday 2013 fashion presentation, featuring JAG’s Ankle Cut Jeans for women and JAG Stretch Denims for men.

Do you want to see Nina Garcia in Manila?
I’m giving away ten pairs of VIP tickets to the JAG Origins forum at SMX. That’s 10 winners of two VIP tickets each.
Plus, 20 pairs of JAG ankle-cut jeans for women or JAG stretch jeans for men will also be given away.

Here’s how:
1) Open to anyone with a Twitter or Facebook account.
2) Follow @Jagjeans76 on Twitter or like them on Facebook.
3) Click on the Tweet or Like button at the bottom of this entry.
4) Register HERE.
5) Contest runs from May 21-23, 2013.
6) Winners will be raffled electronically and posted here on Chuvaness.com.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Last Thursday, everything was all about Sarah Jessica Parker opening the new SM Aura mall in Taguig.
Almost everyone I knew was going to be there, including my husband who opened the 16th Pepper Lunch store at Food on Four.
I was invited by SM’s Millie Dizon to SJP’s press conference at 6 PM.
I left the house around 5 PM and got there at 5:30 PM.
Here’s what greeted us: massive but moving traffic.

It was well-organized.
A couple of days prior, everyone was asking if I would be attending, and some asked if I could bring them in, like Paulo and Jujiin who are known to dress crazy, even on a regular day.

I told Jujiin, “If you go, can you please not wear a costume?”
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them all dressed up like this:

L-R: Jake Galvez, Matt Gozun, Jujiin Samonte, Paulo Castro

We all went in for the presscon, but it was crazy crowded. I have to thank these guys and Elmer Lapeña of SAGA for helping us get through security. Joey Mead was hosting.

Everyone was there

I’m so grateful I was able to secure a front row seat, but the presscon was crazy. Not a good idea to mix the press with the fans, because this was my view:

Behind me: Saab and Maxene Magalona with Mary Ann Tinio and Teddyboy Locsin, who patiently tried to listen through the noise

Seriously. The fans would not stop chattering, we could not hear a thing.
Anyway, Sarah Jessica Parker was a vision in a simple black dress, no vulgar jewelry, just simple hair and makeup.

She is much more beautiful in person, I just can’t put my finger on why as she is not a conventionally beautiful woman.
We are the same height, but she is probably 30 lbs lighter.

I wish I had better pictures, but butts were in my face.
These pictures I borrowed from Instagram. She is really beautiful.

Photo: Liza Ilarde

Photo: Deneb Villanueva

Photo: Deneb Villanueva

Photo: Kat Malicsi

I wasn’t able to look inside the SM Store with its new look, but I’ll be back when the crowd thins out.

Tried to eat at Pepper Lunch but it’s been packed since it opened at 11 AM on Thursday.

My friends and I ended up checking out what’s open. Digital Walker has a gorgeous store on the 4th level

Forever 21 had a crazy queue when it opened to the public yesterday

Passed by Cotton On

Spotted: Yvette Fernandez after a shopping spree

Passed by briefly at the cocktails, where I saw Robby Carmona, Cedric Cid, Dong Ronquillo, and Tim Yap

Ended up at Uniqlo to buy the lounge pants I’m wearing now

Overall an exciting experience. Haven’t seen so many people in suits in Manila, and SM Aura has the aircons to accommodate them, even in this heat.

I’m scared of crowds, so I’ll be back to check out the rest of the mall—maybe next month.
Watch this!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

A Forgotten Station, oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm, 2013



Original oil painting by Eugene Ivanov

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So Jeroen got a free Samsung home theater DVD player when he bought a new TV for the restaurant.


I was excited to use it, but found out it won't play my Amazon-bought DVDs.
A few years ago I had watched the TV installer hack our DVD player to make it multi-region. So I figured a hack probably exists in the Internet, and here's what I did.

1) Take your DVD remote control and power on.
2) Wait for the "no disc" message.
3) Press the "enter" button that looks like this:

4) Press 8, 4, 2, 6, 9
5) Press "enter button"

6) Power off and on again.
7) Test a DVD to see if it works.