PTT Thailand Open 2011

Photo Courtesy of http://pttthailandopen.org/

ATP Tour has landed on Bangkok for the annual PTT Thailand Open. From September 24 - October 2, some of ATP's biggest name will be playing in one of Thailand's big tennis event. Among them are Rank 4 Andy Murray of Scotland, Rank 6 Robin Soderling of Sweden, Rank 7 Gael Monfils of France and Rank 12 Gilles Simon also from France.

PTT Thailand Open Hall of Fame - Singles

• 2010 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain) 
• 2009 Gilles Simon (France)
• 2008 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France)
• 2007 Dmitry Tursunov (Russia)
• 2006 James Blake (USA)
• 2005 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
• 2004 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
• 2003 Taylor Dent (USA)

The venue for this year's event is at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. A prize money of $644,500 awaits this year's winner.

Buko Pandan Salad

 

Buko Pandan Salad

Nathaniel's Bakeshop

San Fernando, Pampanga

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Fragrance Collection

More than a week ago, I got the chance to join the "20 Seconds of Fame" made available by Lacoste to the first 1,212 facebook fans all over the world. 

LA MACHINE L.12.12 is a spectacular mechanical and virtual installation which will be exhibited at New York’s Grand Central Terminal from the 19 – 27 September 2011. Constructed from hexagonal modules, resembling the scaly texture of a crocodile, LA MACHINE L.12.12 was created especially to mark the transformation of LACOSTE’s classic L.12.12 polo into a new fragrance collection. 

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/Lacoste

The installation will combine innovative design with special user-generated videos. Users can then watch as their video is remixed live – a process filmed by 2-3 cameras – before being shown on LA MACHINE L.12.12 for everyone to see. With 35,000 limited time slots available, it’s an exclusive opportunity not to be missed. 

Just head to www.lamachinel1212.com to secure a place for your video – it’s open from September 19th 2011, but it’s first come, first served so be quick and make sure you don’t miss out.

Loukanika

 

Loukanika

Cyma Greek Taverna

Shangri-la Plaza

http://www.cymarestaurants.com/

California Pizza Kitchen Birthday Club

I don't mind getting old. 

And I don't mind getting a treat. 

Yes, for my birthday California Pizza Kitchen is giving me a birthday treat.

Do you want a treat on your birthday?

All you have to do is join the CPK Birthday Club. Simply like the CPK Philippines facebook page. Then send an email to birthdayclub@cpk.com.ph with the subject BIRTHDAY CLUB REGISTRATION.  Provide the following details:

• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Contact Number
• Email Address
• Preferred CPK Branch to claim your treat

Please take note that reservation period is one month before your birthday month.  The CPK Birthday Club is open to all CPK Philippines facebook fans age 11 and up.

Now, which among these should I choose?

• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Tomato Basil Spaghettini
• Roasted Duck Salad
• Hawaiian Canadian Pepperoni Pizza

Shang Cineplex E-See Club: The Easy Way To Watch

I'm a big fan of online banking, online shopping, online food delivery and yes..online movie reservations. I recently applied for the Shang Cineplex E-See Club to save myself from queuing in anticipation of the last installment of Harry Potter. Since I prefer watching 3D movies at Shangri-la, I decided it's about time I get a membership of the E-See Club and enjoy the convenience of reserving movie seats online.

For a one-time membership fee of PhP300, you can reserve your preferred movie seats online upon receiving your card with loaded value. It took 4 weeks waiting time before I got my card. An option to reserve seats by phone is available while waiting for the card.  The easy card welcome kit comes with coupons for one free movie ticket, a popcorn and 16 oz drink. I actually got my E-See Card at a discounted price of PhP240 so it seems like I did not really pay for the fee at all because of the freebies.

Another great thing with the E-See Club is the Member's E-See Lane exclusively reserved for members. The queue here never gets very long since most members have already made prior reservations.

Other perks include Reward Points, Event Venue Discount, Exclusive Promos and regular updates about upcoming shows, movies and events.

Drive Home Your Dream Ride

An all-new VOLVO S60 Sports Sedan will be given away on the grand raffle draw of Shangri-la Plaza's Drive Home Your Dream Ride Promo. You'll get a chance to win this handsome car by simply shopping and dining. A raffle coupon can be claimed for every P2,500 single receipt purchase. 

Photo courtesy of http://www.shangrila-plaza.com/

This car is on display near the cinema ticket booth on Level 6 and I can't help but daydream of driving this home on September 17, Saturday.  The promo duration is from April 29 to September 11. The deadline for the dropping of raffle stubs will be until 10 pm on September 16.

I'll be watching the draw and who knows, I might not need to ride my husband's car on our way home.

Wish me luck.

Gelato

Gelato
Cara Mia
SM Megamall

The FACE Shop

I was not aware of The Face Shop brand until 2008 when a friend introduced me to the brand. The Face Shop is a Korean cosmetic brand founded in 1962 as a wholesale manufacturer. The brand went into retail in 2003 and launched its first retail store in Myungdong. 

I have been on a lookout for cosmetic products that is skin-friendly considering the fact that I have a very sensitive skin. I have read on The Face Shop's website that their product has combined the benefits of both nature and science. I have also read positive reviews from other girls with sensitive skins who are using The Face Shop and are very satisfied with how their skins react with the products. 

I've been using this product since then and my favorite is the Quick and Clean line. The serum control toner and the mild emulsion work well with my skin. I make sure I always have a stock of the toner because most of the time the stores in my country run out of stock and I'll have to wait for the shipment to arrive from Korea.

During my recent visit to their store, I bought a nail polish and I fell in love with it. I love the color and how the polish glides on my nail. I'm way too conservative with nail colors and this color matched my preference.

The blemish balm cream or more commonly known as BB Cream is the latest craze among Asian women. I am currently using a different brand which I am kinda satisfied but I'm still on a hunt for something better so I will definitely try The Face Shop's BB Cream soon.

Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2011

 

My husband wants this so bad. He wouldn't settle for any other shoes. We went mall hopping just to find a pair that fits. Nike stores in our country do not carry a complete line of new products and most have limited stocks and sizes. This is one disadvantage of living in the Philippines -- the availability of great merchandise. We often resort to buying online and have stuff delivered to us. Our Ferrari polo shirts were even shipped from Germany. The shipping cost is.. oh forget it.

I will not really understand how wonderful this pair is.  He said it is lightweight and thus create quickness. My husband is already good in playing basketball. I'm sure this shoes will make him even better. I believe in Nike shoes technology because I have a pair of Nike Air Max 90. And the shoes feel different compared to other brands. So they say, Rajon Rondo is comfortable with Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2011 as he take on his defenders and Russell Westbrook is quicker than anybody else as he get from baseline to baseline... I say, I wanna watch my husband on his upcoming tournament and see how he play in his new pair of shoes.

Condiments

Vinegar, Chicken Oil and Soy Sauce
Mang Inasal
SM Masinag
http://www.manginasal.com/

Life As I See It

it's either full or empty

And The Countdown Begins

The radio started playing Christmas songs, facebook status updates flooded with countdowns, early Christmas promos being offered and before we know it -- Christmas is here.

Two Christmases ago, I gave as gift to some friends Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas . 

People nowadays see Christmas as a time to splurge, to shop, to go on extravagant holiday vacation. Rick Warren reminds us the true meaning of Christmas. That there is more to it than the traffic jams and the swiping of credit cards. 

An excerpt from the book:

The first purpose of Christmas is celebration! We learn this from the angel's opening statement to the shepherds of Bethlehem. God had wonderful news for us that would cause us all to rejoice, celebrate, and throw a party: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating for three reasons. It is personal: "I bring YOU." It is positive: "GOOD news of great joy." And it is universal: "for ALL the people." It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, where you've been, or where you're headed — this news is for you.

This book is a perfect gift for the occasion. I  even wrote my messages to my friends on the first page of the book (whew! no need for a separate greeting card ;P) If you've got friends who are into Kindle, there is also a Kindle Edition available.

115 days before Christmas... do you know the Purpose of Christmas?

US Open 2011: It Must Be Love

The US Open is the final tennis major to complete the grand slam. It started last August 29 and will run until September 11. Roger Federer, a five time US Open champion, played on the opening day and advances on to the second round.

The tournament is being played at the tennis center located at Flushing Meadows in New York. The US Open is an indoor, hard court tournament. The highlight of the tournament consists of Men's and Women's Singles, Men and Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles. Other events include Juniors, Seniors and Wheelchair tennis.

Best bets among the men are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and the number one seed Novak Djokovic. For the ladies, the bets are Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Caroline Wozniacki.

The other three majors are the Australian Open, the Roland Garros and the Wimbledon.

Yesterday I Cried

"Life is about cleaning up the crap and, while you're doing it, 

being okay with the fact that you have to do it.... A word of caution. 

You can't get caught up in the crap! If you do, 

you will surely lose sight of the real meaning of life and lose your Self."

My friend sent me a book written by Iyanla Vanzant. It has been with me for a week now but I just can't get past the page where the poem is written. One of the best poems I have ever read. I envy the author because after reading the poem, I felt like this is the poem I wish I had written.

The book YESTERDAY I CRIED is an inspirational book about celebrating the lessons of living and loving. I'm so lucky to have a friend who knows the kind of books I like. This book is such a treasure. I recently installed the Kindle for Android on my phone and I hope I'll find an e-book version of this.

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