Experience 3rd Wave Coffee with Coffee Empire

Coffee. I love coffee. There is just something about coffee that most people love. Most people depend on it to stay awake all night to finish a project or to wake them up in the morning. Some people like to enjoy a cup of coffee just for the relaxation it gives. 

But its most coffee shops are just the same don't you think? I was thankful to experience a new kind of coffee experience with the Coffee Empire a couple of weeks back. 

Their first branch along the stretch of West Avenue in Quezon City is from the brainchild Chef Ernest Joggler Martin and entrepreneur Anthony Lim. 

Their winning ticket for a new kind of coffee experience? The third wave coffee concept. This concept aspires the highest form of appreciation to coffee. 

The preparation of coffee has actually become an art in which each step is specifically calculated from the sourcing, roasting, all the way to its final brew. With this kind of experience, We will be able to experience the finest coffee of the world also with what our coffee can offer. 

The Coffee Empire offers a wide selection of high-grade, hand-picked coffee beans roasted to perfection and served at its peak where the balance of its tastes, texture and aroma is achieved. 

I was really amazed on their coffee bean selections from here to abroad. I was able to sample an espresso made from the best coffee beans from Baguio. 

The opening was really a great experience because they also held a competition for latte art which features some of the best in the metro. Of course the contest will not be one if there is no prize right? The prize for the best latte art is an iPhone 5! 

How envious I am for the winner but quite honestly I have never seen a pack of men oggle during a cafe latte art competition like this. It was something to be seen really. 

Please do visit Coffee Empire soon! They are located at 74 West Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City (Besides Hap Chan)

Make sure to visit as well their Facebook page for more updates. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-Empire/232090526957737

Much Love!

xoxo Alice 

Get Close with Birds of Prey in Manila Ocean Park

Birds of prey or raptors are avian predators or flying predators that use their powerful talons, hooked beaks, and acute sense of sight to hunt and feed on their prey which includes fish, small mammals and reptiles. 

There are two orders of raptors which are the Falconiformes and the Strigiformes.

Falconiformes are diurnal avian predators which mean they hunt their prey in the daytime. Among these are the eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys, and vultures.

Strigiformes are in the other hand nocturnal which means they hunt and feed on their prey during night time. Most common animal in this order is the owl.

Would it be a great if you get to interact with these magical birds? You can actually do so! 

Manila Ocean Park's newest attraction called the Birds of Prey Kingdom features one of the most stunning coastal raptors in the country, The Brahminy Kites or commonly known as Lawin. 

A little trivia about these birds: They can commonly be seen in Bohol, Mindoro, Palawan, Cebu, Marinduque, Guimaras, Leyte, Lubang, Sarangani, Masbate, Tawi-Tawi and other parts of the country.

A Brahminy Kite or Lawin has a pure white head and chest contrasting with chestnut back, wings, tail, and black primary feathers. These bird feeds on dead animals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, and also fish. 

Last January 15, I was very fortunate to be able to experience interacting with them. It was a bit scary since they would be flying above you. But the birds are very comfortable with humans around them. 

One of the exciting traits of this attraction is you are able to have a picture taken with these birds while feeding them. This is a great experience and also educational for the children since you will be able to show the children these wonderful creatures up close and personal and also share to them that if we take care of our environment, we will be able to see them more. 

Thanks to Mac for this photo! too bad the bird was looking the other way

If you want to experience this wonderful attraction you can visit Manila Ocean Park to see these wonderful Birds of  Prey in action. 

Hey! I love this pic!

Much Love! 

xx Alice 

A Perfect Gift for Mom this Mother's Day from Marriott Hotel

One of the people that know my taste in food is my mom. She would always cook delectable meals that fit me and my brother’s picky taste buds. One of her passions is eating too, so I’m pretty sure she will be so happy if I bring her to the Marriott Café for mother’s day for Sunday brunch in which the Marriott Café is known for having an upscale yet cosy venue to enjoy a great brunch with the family. 

Team Building and outing @ 9 Waves!

 

Last Saturday (April 21) me and my office mates went on our annual team outing. This is actually my second time and I am really happy that I was able to join. 

Last year we went to Bosay Resort in Antipolo since last year it was just a spur of the moment thing while with this one we had a little over a month to prepare everything. 

First Summer Outing with my friends at Loreland + short review

Happy Summer! 

Last Saturday (April 14) Me and my friends went on a summer outing at Loreland in Antipolo. I have actually been really curious about this resort since I've seen their website and also reviews saying that this is a great place. 

Me and my friends chose to go on a night swimming trip since almost all the pools are outdoor pools which means that we would suffer sun burn with this. Its actually okay for me since my skin would get back to normal anyways :D 

Stop and take a look for a while

I live in the city where almost everything is fast paced and always on the go. I usually live like that but there are times I just stop and take a look at the world around me. 

I get fascinated all the time with these kinds of sights that most people take advantage of. 

These pictures were taken not so long ago...I think it was last February or January. 

I just love the colors that I really had to get a picture for you to see. 

Have you stopped for a while and just look at the beautiful scenario around you?

Try it ^^,

Much Love! 

-- Alice 

Get lost at Cubao Expo

I won't say much about this blog post. Just look at the pictures and see how simple life was back then. I actually like going here in Cubao Expo when I need to think. 

Much Love! 

-- Alice 

Pizza and red wine party with my college friends

It just seems that I feel like I'm old because I am now appreciating red wine more....nah just kidding! but really for some reason when me and my college friends get together we tend to drink red wine....well me and Michelle anyway! :D

Christmas and year-ender party @ MCDO

Last December 28 I was able to have a Christmas and Year ender party with my office mates. We actually held it at McDonald's  since we were already out of time. 

My Rainy Saturday with Michelle

Ola!

So how's your weekend? mine?...hmmm... it was great since I was able to shop for some items and get to spend some time with my friend Michelle. It was supposed to be me, Michelle and 2 of our friends but something came up so they weren't able to come. 

Where Have I been up to???

Sorry I have not been updating this page as much as I want to. 

I have been pretty busy lately so I can't really do a lot of things to update my food blog.

I have been having this cycle of eating my first meal of the day past 2pm every single day, I don't know if this is bad but currently I haven't felt bad.

 

So during the weekend I was able to attend 2 events. The first event was for Diana Stalder in Tutuban Mall. 

I was not expecting much on Tutuban Mall since I think the last time was there was October of 2010. It has improved and I honestly like it since its much more roomy now...or maybe its roomy because there is not much people? haha! I don't know. 

I wasn't able to buy anything since I was just there for the event of Diana Stalder, if you want to know more about it click here for the details. 

 I also got a picture with Diana Meneses which was really nice! 

Ang taba ko talaga pag katabi sya! LOL 

Much Love! 

-- Alice

Enjoying a Big Uhaw won't kill you

I have a friend who once criticized me about drinking 711's Big Gulp that it would kill me. 

I know where she is coming from, but lets set things straight-

 

I DON'T DRINK BIG GULP ON A DAILY BASIS.

I know that too much of something can kill you. I would enjoy a big gulp on a day before or on my payday which comes only twice a month, so why judge me in indulging on something I only get twice a month? 

I am not ranting if you are wondering, but there are things in life that we cannot have all the time, and when people judge you for at least enjoying it once in a while, just ignore them. 

Food is there to nourish and to comfort us. Enjoying some once in a while is okay, just don't make it your only way to comfort yourself. 

Much Love! 

-- Alice

Dinner with my sister and the family at Banapple

Duane, me, Joyce, and baby Jezriel

Ola! I am now starting to update this blog more. 

It may be a little late (blame it on my schedule) but I will update this what ever it takes.

If you read my beauty blog, you would already have seen the first part of my Saturday last September 24. I was able to attend this event by Dollface cosmetics held in Purebeauty in Serendra. 

I had a great time and I was able to meet Noe, Janah, Teena and also Pearl, the owner of Dollface Cosmetics. 

If you want to see more of this event you can click here

So I actually stayed in my sister's house the rest of the weekend and one highlight of this weekend is the party and what we did on Sunday evening. 

Sunday evening we went out and had dinner in Banapple in Katipunan. I haven't actually ate there before but whenever I pass by on the way to my dad's I would be so curious because their place is highly recommended. The place was always packed but there were some things that kind of turned me off. 

look at that serving! ^^

The interior is great, it has this homey feel. The lighting has a romantic feel to it. There were a lot of couples, and also families that ate there. 

I ordered fettuccine jacinta which costs 170 per serving. When it was served to me, I was shocked to see that the serving is actually good for two! 

Here are some things I was a bit off about the place. For one is that we have to wait for like 10 mins or more to get a seat. Not all of their employees were approachable and some of them didn't even smile. It was okay for me  because I think they were having a lot of people to serve but honestly, at least show some courtesy. Even I would still force a smile when I'm stressed. 

But no biggie, I was there for the food and the ambiance, not really much on the staff. There were a bit fast but were a bit lacking in smiles. 

Would I eat again in Banapple? Of course! I would try their other specialties next time but not on a weekend. 

Have you been to Banapple? 

How was your experience? 

Tell me on the comment box and I'll talk to you soon! 

Much Love! 

-- Alice 

I wanna learn how to make macarons!

 Macarons or macaroons as we know it has changed throughout the years. 

I remember that only Macaroon I know is coconut. That's it.

This delectable treat actually came from France. The French pastry shop called Laduree first made these. These treats actually made a cameo on a film entitled Marie Antoinette. Yep you guessed it, its about Marie Antoinette. 

And one of the tasks I would have to accomplish is actually make these precious treats. 

I am not really sure where to start but I will find a way to make one ^_^

A macaroon is actually made from almond powder, powdered sugar and among others. 

I will try to make more blogs about my cooking experience! :) 

I miss cooking and I want to learn more cuisines as I grow older :) 

Wish me luck! 

Much Love! 

-- Alice

Night Out with my College Friends

From L to R: Marica, Danica, Michelle, Kathy, Gracie, and Joan

Last Saturday I was able to hang out with my college friends in Michelle's house. 

If you are one of my readers Michelle is one of my biggest supporter and my uber best friend.

We actually started at around 5pm because some of us came a little later than the time that was set up haha! Sorry Filipino time again LOL 

Of course since it has been a while since we got together there were a lot of catching up to do. And also a lot of gossiping, its a normal thing since WE are girls you know! haha! 

The initial plan was actually a night out in Eastwood, then it became Madison's then Padi's Cubao. But the final decision was in Michelle's house. You should have seen the thread we made on Facebook, it was like a week's worth! 

Random moment.

 Hanging out with my college girl friends is actually much fun than those with my High school friends. There I said it. Because I can't connect with their likes to what I like. I'm fairly a girly girl in person if you ask me. And I was a different person when I was in High school, Its nowhere near what I am right now. 

Going back to the topic. 

It was actually a bit awkward when we started, it was like when we were in Freshman year in college all over again haha! but later on we were able to get comfortable. 

bottle number 1.

We started the evening with a bottle of red wine from Italy. We also got a lesson about wine from Michelle's tito Arnold :) 

The second bottle that we had was a bit harder to finish than the first one. The second wine actually didn't tasted that good. ick!

We also had pizza! haha! we were actually planning on ordering Big Guy's Pizza but when we were informed that it will be delivered at 10 pm we just said THANK YOU! 

The ever so known "Dyahe" piece. And for some reason I was the one who ate this piece. 

We also had Pancit Palabok from.... I forgot! sorry haha! but it tasted really good. ^_^

Here are some of the pictures of what happened. 

Enjoy! :) 

I am really sorry for the exaggerated pose. WE WERE HUNGRY!

 And now I leave you with a picture of one of my friends who got first serving of the pancit palabok

Much Love! 

-- Alice