Carlos' Pizza Restaurant Baguio

After a failed attempt to get seats at one of Baguio's favorite restaurants, Forest House Restaurant (I should have made reservations, but was too lazy to make one - DARN), we decided to try one of the restaurants at Mile Hi Center in Camp John Hay.  

So there we were, standing long-faced across Mile Hi Center after the Forest House incident.  We ended entering the first restaurant in sight - the Carlos' Pizza Restaurant!   Carlos' Pizza  is an Italian casual dining restaurant. 

My boys love pizza and pasta, so there is still hope for a successful late night dinner, after all :P


We ordered the highly recommended, chicken fingers and fries, mozzarella cheese sticks,  quattro formaggi (four cheese) pizza and my kids staple favorite pasta - carbonara, and a pitcher of ice tea.

 

VERDICT:

• Ambiance - As there were few people around (not full packed liked most restaurants in Baguio, hehehe...) we truly enjoyed the warm and fast service. The place maybe casual, but service was first class.
• Price - Reasonable; Serving is hefty, more than enough for my hungry kiddos and hubbby.
• Food - The four cheese pizza is must.  My husband hogged the entire pizza pan, I literally had to use my charm to get a piece. The carbonara was also delicious - but I would have chosen another house specialty, if not for my kid's love for carbonara.  The chicken fingers and mozzarella cheese sticks were also very good.

Do try Carlos' Pizza in your next trip to Baguio.

 

Glamour Box - Perfectly Pristine (April 2014)

For April 2014, Glamour box gifted subscribers with essentials that aim to restore your hair and skin's natural beauty.

 

 

As always, I giddily opened my GB box, as soon as I got it.  Grinning from ear-to-ear, I excitedly unopened the box and inspected the content.  Inside April's box are eight (8) items and three (3) fillers.

 

• Bare Natural's the Mane Event Nourishing Hair Mask in Oat Protein Macadamia Nut and Argan Brazilian - Full size 130g cost P380. I tried it already and I could feel the difference on my hair (smells so good too).

• Bare Natural's Sexy Back Scrub with Sacha Inchi Oil - Full size 130g cost P290. It is back scrub enriched with special oil to make your back smooth and sexy (this, I must try, as soon as I find someone to do it on me).

• Seba Med - Full size 200ml cost P425 (but they only sent a tiny 20ml).  I just have to say (again) that I so hate such small samplers (I don't know why they even bother sending - package is too small to say if it works on you or not).   It is an anti-dandruft shampoo - will have no use for this one. NEXT please...

• Belo Intensive Whitening Bar - Full size 65g cost P59.75.  I am not a Belo product user, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to test one.

• Avon Skin So Soft Fast Hydration Body Gel Lotion - Full size 250ml cost P330.  I placed it by my bedside table.  I love the scent and the guide card says it instantly hydrates & revitalized your skin.  

• Vanilla & Co. Moisturizing Witch Hazel Beauty Tonic - Full size 150ml cost P199.  I got 50-60ml sampler (I am not so sure of the size, the bottle doesn't say actual size) I have not yet tried this one, but I think this is absolutely timely for summer.  My skin is in need of all the protection it can get from the scorching Mr. Sun.  This one went straight to my office make-up kit.

• Venus & Mars Naturals Smooch Lip Detox SPF15 - Full size 10g cost P205.  This one came in, in such perfect timing.  My lips were feeling rather sunburnt from our recent beach frolicking and just as I saw this balm I applied it on my lips right away.  The balm has just enough menthol to cool my lips.  It becomes a bit greasy after, but doesn't leave a bad taste.  I have been using it for 3 days now and it does real good to my lips.

• Zen Zest Anti Mosquito Room Fragrance - Full size 250g cost P250.  Sample size included in the box is 50ml.  I have no use of it right now.  There are no mosquitoes at home, but this would definitely be part of my "to bring item" in our next trip.

• Add Ons:
• CLEAN Fragrance Shower Fresh - smells really good, but quite expensive (30ml cost P2000).   
• ALOE DERMA Pure Aloe Vera Gel - a multi-purpose gel which gives relief to sunburn, minor cuts, wounds, insect bites and even acne (Full size 114g cost 460).   
• VALDA Pastilles - chewable pastilles for instant fresh breath (Full size 50g).  Cool!

Mission Complete: April 2014 GB unboxed!!!!

 

Compare Glamourbox and BDJ April 2014 gift boxes and tell me what you think!

 

 

 

Ridgewood Residence Baguio (our little Camp John Hay Manor)

 

I was on a hunt for a last minute decent, but affordable hotel accommodation in Baguio on a Holy Week and saw this small boutique hotel via Asia Travel.  Ridgewood Residence's price was perfect for our budget.

 

There were mixed reviews (both good and bad) in the net, but given the price (which was a major consideration) and the difficulty of looking for an alternative hotel on a Holy Week, I don't think I can really be choosy now, can I? 

From Top (L-R), (a) Ridgewood signage, (b) hotel view form the drive way, (c) Ridgewood's walk-in garden and (d) my boys cozily seating by the receiving area.

From Top to Bottom (L-R), (a) clean basic bath, (b) generous toiletries supply and (c) my youngest doing his famous bed test :P 



From L-R (Top to Bottom), (a) Dining interiors, (b) buffet breakfast set-up, (c) fresh fruits and (d) my boys ready for breakfast 

Ridgewood Residences is akin to a mini-Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM) in looks.  It has a rustic ambiance to it, transporting guests back to the old Baguio I used to know. 

This hotel is tucked a few minutes away, Baguio City proper.
This may be difficult for those, without personal transportation (although taxi is not at all difficult to find), but for us, this was an opportunity to really get to enjoy Baguio's beauty away from the crowd and pollution.   

The hotel also has one of most attentive and amiable personnel, I have met, which gives the feel you are staying in your own vacation home.

The choices for the complimentary buffet breakfast were limited, but these were very delicious (well, the fact that breakfast was served by cordial staff spelled the difference).

If you are looking for cozy-homey hotel in Baguio City, Ridgewood Residence may be the hotel for you.

Ridgewood Residences is located at #17 Julian Felipe St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City. 

For inquiries you may call their Manila Office at (632) 299-6411 or through mobile (632) 299-6411.


Notes: 
(a) The deluxe room may be a little small for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids, I would suggest you get an extra bed or book a bigger room.

(b) The rooms are not air-conditioned, but you wont need any (just open the veranda windows and feel Baguio's magic).

 

Matutina's (chow stop over)

Dubbed as one of the best restaurants up North of Luzon is Matutina's Seafood Haus & Restaurant in Pangasinan. 

 

I have read very good reviews about this place and the curious cat in me just had to give in and taste first hand what this restaurant has to offer.

 

 

We were on our way back to Manila from  our San Fabian beach frolicking and decided to drop by the well reviewed Matutina's Seafood Haus.  

 

The Matutina's branch we visited is the one located at Barangay Tulong, Urdaneta, which they call Annex I. 

We passed by a much bigger branch in Urdaneta City a few kilometers from their Annex I.   

 

Annex I is a bit cramped. Not sure if the summer heat was just too hot for their air-condition to handle.  We were just 2-3 groups at the waiting table and we were already feeling uncomfortable. 

 

I am glad we reached the restaurant a little early for lunch, since as soon as we finished ordering flocks of hungry guests arrived. 

 

We were offered complimentary "pastillas" as we waited for our order.  Which was a good thing, since it took a while for our orders to arrive.

 

For our group of 5 adults and 2 kids, we ordered:

•  two pieces grilled bangus
• tortang talaba
• ensaladang talong, okra, kamatis
• their two kare-kare versions (beef and seafoods)
• rice and
• drinks

 

 

 

VERDICT: 

 

PRICE

For the price of a little over P1500, I find the servings generous (good for 3-4 pax).

We ended bringing some of our orders "to go".

 

FOOD

Food is reasonably cheap (additional hoorah for the free sweets), but was just okay for me.   There was nothing very special to rave about.

 

I liked their seafood kare-kare, but find the grilled bangus ordinary.   The tortang talaba was good too, but every time I take a bite, I was worried for my dear heart (hahaha).

 

AMBIANCE

I already mentioned that the place is small (at least for the Annex I) and was not very attractive (I felt like eating in a canteen). 

 

A scenic garden or play ground for kids to stretch fatigued muscles from the long travel (not to mention, take time off waiting for orders to come) would be a welcomed bonus.  

 

SERVICE

Service was on the slow side, but that was okay, we were not in a hurry. However, it would have been a more enjoyable experience if the attendants smile more and act as if they are enjoying what they were doing.

 

 

 

 

 

BDJ Box - PIXY truly Asian beauty edition (April 2014)

 

 I was so inspired with my Glamour Box (GB), I just had to see and try if BDJ will be as good...

BDJ's box may pale in comparison to GB's elegant, white, hard case box, but as soon as I open the box, I was overwhelmed to see the content. 

 

True from other bloggers' review BDJ is truly generous.

This is way-way more than I was expecting (real huge GRIN).  

 

 

 

 

SO WHAT IS INSIDE?

I received a complete make-up set of nine (9) full size items from PIXY. 

Pixy is an Indonesian-based cosmetic line using Japanese technology and ingredients.  It is Asian, so I was partly assured I am using cosmetics meant for Asian skin.

• Three (3) types of face powder:
• UV Whitening (Two Way Cake Perfect Fit Compact) - 12.2g cost P275
• UV Whitening (Two Way Cake Perfect Matte Refill) - 12g cost P145
• Ultimate Makeup Cake - 12.5g cost P445

• Colors of Delight Blush On - 3.5g cost P285

• Three (3) types of lipstick
• Colors of Delight Lipstick Silky Fit Semi-Matte - 3.8g cost P265
• Colors of Delight Lipstick Silky Fit Lasting Matte - 3.8g cost P325
• Colors of Delight Lipstick Silky Fit Satin - 3.8g cost P245

• Colors of Delight Eyeliner Pencil - 1.14g cost P265

• Colors of Delight Waterproof Mascara - 7ml cost P260

Total loot price is over P2500 versus actual box cost of P580.  No wonder BDJ Boxes are so in demand and almost always sold out.

So far I have only tried using the (1) Silky Fit Satin lipstick and (2) blush on.  Pixy is comparable to other Asian brands we have around.  I have sensitive skin and I never had any allergic reaction to these Pixy products I have tried so far. 

I will definitely use the Ultimate makeup, mascara and eyeliner; Soon as I finish the ones I am currently using. 

As for the other items in the box, I was  feeling generous (like BDJ and PIXY) so I gave my sister and mom each the extra UV Whitening two-way-cake and lipstick.  Both were thrilled as expected (GIRLS!). 

So is it BDJ of GB for me?  I think I will have BOTH!!!