Le Belly Diaries: 27 & 28 Weeks

So I'm on my third trimester already. Wow! That was fast. I think I'm having such a blast with me being preggo that I completely lost count of my weeks. I still think that I'm not halfway yet but I only have 11 weeks and 2 days to go before giving birth. Oh my! I still can't believe it! I'm going to see my Baby Cloud soon! I can't be more elated.

Well, they say that the third trimester is the hardest among the three. I still couldn't tell since its too early but I think that the first trimester was the hardest for me. Although, I didn't have any morning sickness and food aversions at that time, I was yet recovering from my one month hospitalization due to a rare auto-immune disease. So my body was weak and fragile. I suffered badly from fatigue and I just can tell that my body was not yet at its normal state. 

I was truly surprised to know that I was pregnant after recuperating in less than a month.  It was quite an astonishment for me you see, because my whole system bounced back faster that I thought it would. The disease impaired my body quite a bit and I was delighted to know that I healed fast. After being sick that bad, you constantly worry if your body would still be back to normal. So for me, getting pregnant was such a blessing. My whole system was fine after all it took from the disease.  My body accepted the baby. It was one joyous occasion for me. For us.

First trimester for me was difficult because my body was still adjusting and adapting after the disease and recovery. I would easily feel tired and frail. At times, I didn't want to get out of bed. I would always feel nauseous and light-headed. I still couldn't drink any vitamins nor medications at that moment since the recuperation prohibited such. It was utterly an ordeal for me and my little bean. But we gladly surpassed it and second trimester became a little bit of a breeze for us, if not for the occasional flu and colds, it was a lot easier.

Now that I'm on the start of third trimester, I don't know what to expect. I know that my baby bump is going to be bigger and heavier and also, that the stretchmarks are going to be crazier than now but other than that, I'm somewhat clueless. But I think that's what make this baby journey all the more exciting. Don't you think?

I'm happy to share this baby journey with my baby daddy, Jet, even more because it just brings us closer together. Family. Awww.. Mushy I know. Forgive me.

Oh and I'm also counting my baby kicks already and its so much fun. Its our little bonding. So cuute!

So, how was your third trimester? Share your thoughts!

Le Delish Diaries: Something Speculoosly Good Baking At Go Nuts Donuts

Go Nuts Donuts had been on my list of my fave sweets shop since college. I would crave their donuts every now and then and even up to now. My all-time fave flavor are Pastillas and Strawberry. I could devour 3 donuts in one sitting. I like how soft and pillowy their dough is and you can really taste the strawberry flavor and its not too sweet either.  Its just the perfect donut for moi.

And now, Go Nuts Donuts has officially joined the craze. Speculoos Cookie Butter craze that is. Manila has been going ga-ga over the Speculoos Cookie Butter for quite sometime now. So, Go Nuts Donuts came up with this brilliant idea of adding Cookie Butter as one of their donut flavors, inspired by Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter. Amazing right??

As seen from their Facebook Page and Instagram, they are baking something speculoosly spectacular and its coming soon. I just cannot wait! Can you?

Photo from Facebook.com/GoNutsDonuts

Speculoos Cookie Butter is a cookie butter spread from Trader's Joes. You can spread it on pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, ice cream topping, dip, etc. It also has Lotus Biscoff Spread as the European counterpart. Personally, I love both.

Visit the Go Nuts Donuts FB Page for more updates and info or better yet, visit one of their branches.

*This post is not sponsored and the photo is taken from the Go Nuts Donuts Facebook Page. Merci!*

So, are you excited for the newest Go Nuts Donuts flavor? Share your thoughts!

Le Delish Diaries: In-N-Out Burger at Bonifacio High Street for One Day ONLY

OMG! OMG! OMG! Foodie Alert!!

The rumors are true!! In-N-Out Burger are grilling today and just for today at Bonifacio High Street near ClawDaddy for 11AM to 3PM or while supplies last. 

Menu:

Double-Double - Php 160

Cheeseburger - Php 120

Hamburger - Php 80

(Burgers available in Animal and Protein Style)

Potato Chips - Php 40

Combos are also available and they are selling shirts too!

Double-Double Burger

This might be the one of those days that I regret living in the north. Why does is it have to be today and only today?!!! Why oh why??!!!!!

Info can be seen at Bonifacio High Street FB Page

Le Beauty Diaries: Lusting over the new NYX Eye Shadow Palettes

I know for one that we, pinays, like NYX Cosmetics since they have adorable colors, affordable and the products really deliver and so you'll be delighted to hear that to kick off 2013, NYX Cosmetics launched their new line of eye palettes that is totally drool-worthy. Hurray! I, myself, was drooling over the gorgeous, decadent colors. They have three new palettes to fall in love with namely Love In Rio, Love In Paris and Love In Florence.

The Love In Rio ($6) is a 3 eye shadow palette that are a mix of natural and pulsating colors. It is available in 22 color selections. My personal favorites of the selection are:

No Tan Line Allowed - Shimmery taupe, nude, matte black 

Segredos De Giselle - Shimmery peach, beige and bronze

Sway With Lola - Soft pink, shimmery light brown, baby blue

The Love In Paris ($10) on the other hand is a 9 eye shadow palette that is said to complement all eye colors and fashion ensembles. It is available in 12 color selections. This palette has got to be my favorite out of the 3 palettes. The colors are just heavenly and it just reminds me of the Parisian lifestyle. My faves among the 12 color selections are:

Pardon My French - Shimmery beiges, golds, browns and greens

Let Them Eat Cake - Shimmery and matte pinks, browns and beiges

Je Ne Sais Quoi - Shimmer and matte browns, cream, silver and plum

Lastly, the Love In Florence ($8) is a lush 5 eye shadow palette in rich hues and said to cater to all eye colors and looks. Oh bella! It is available in 10 different complementary collections. This palette is also love. You can easily turn your day make-up to night in an instant. My faves of the selection are:

Prima Donna - Shimmery and matte champagne, purples and black

Gelato For Two - Shimmery and matte grey, peach and plums

La Dolce Vita - Shimmery and matte silver, blues and white

All the compacts comes with a nifty dual ended applicator for on-the-go applications and I just love the ribbon detail on the front.

Now, I don't have any of these yet hence the title, 'lusting over' but I know that they're just going to be amazing and I can't wait to have them once sold here. If you are those girls who just can't wait to get your hands on these lovely palettes, you can head down to nyxcosmetics.com to purchase or Ulta. So what are you waiting for?


*This post is not sponsored and all photos are taken from nyxcosmetics.com. Merci!*


Lusting over the new NYX Cosmetics palettes like moi? Share your thoughts!

Le Delish Diaries: Jollibee's Ultimate Burger Steak

Jollibee's Ultimate Burger Steak had hit my Facebook and Instagram feed like a storm. Everybody's talking about it and I've always been curious since it was launched. Even the fiance wanted to try it because we're such fans already of their regular Burger Steak. And so last weekend, we did.

Jollibee's Ultimate Burger Steak

For the price of Php 119, you get the Ultimate Burger Steak plus a soda. Not bad, I mean not bad at all. The patty was as big as the patty of their Champ Burger which was way bigger than the regular patty. It also came with rice topped with fried egg, fries underneath the quite huge patty then mushrooms, garlic bits and gravy to top it all off. 

The serving was huge compared to their other meals and it can be pretty heavy on the tummy as well which I think is a good buy for its price. It also tasted delish since we were already a fan of the regular Burger Steak except this is way more self-indulgent because of the fries and fried egg.

I finished the whole plate in no time savoring all the meaty goodness. Jet loved it too and I think after licking our plates clean, we loved Jollibee even more. I hope their Ultimate Burger Steak will be a mainstay on their menu for good. Yum!

Have you tried Jollibee's Ultimate Burger Steak yet? Share your thoughts!

Le Belly Diaries: 26 Weeks

My baby boy, Cloud, is now the size of a Cucumber according to the app, What To Expect Pregnancy. Awww.. He's really getting bigger by the day. So adorable. He's getting heavier too since I now have a bit of an ordeal with stairs. Climbing the stairs that is. It feels like I'm carrying chock-full of grocery bags on both my hands. Heavy! I can also tell that my baby boy is getting heavier since I now have varicose veins on my legs which I didn't have any before. I just wish those nasty, blue veins disappear after my delivery.  Oh the joys of being preggo..

My appetite had been pretty much the same with my not-preggo-self. I think. I don't really have any food aversion which is a blessing. I just want some stuff more than other stuff. Like I'm more fond of anything creamy, rich and milky. I'm also into sweets a bit more than usual since I'm not really a sweet tooth. And so my go to brekky lately had been Nesvita Sweet Corn mixed with cold low fat milk instead of water and a banana. I love Nesvita Sweet Corn so much that I also drink it before going to bed. I'm pretty sure Baby Cloud likes it as much as mumma does.

My go to brekky lately

Did I also mention stretch marks? Seriously. The joys, oh the joys of being preggo. I'm using Palmer's Cocoa Butter on my tummy now. I've ran out of Bio Oil already and I think that would be more effective than the one of Palmer's. I'm contemplating on Mustella though. Hmm..

Any thoughts on lotions or creams for belly stretchmarks? Share your thoughts!

Le Happy Diaries: Salut!

Mary Grace Velvet Cake and Chocolate Cake

So I officially turned 29 last Sunday and boy, how time flies. I was pretty excited to celebrate my birthday mainly because of the two lovely boys in my life. My fiance, Jet, and my baby boy, Cloud. It was also a first for us to celebrate a birthday together so yay!

It was a simple yet wonderful and intimate day with my two boys. We had lunch at Kanin Club at Ayala Triangle with Jet's fambam and then headed down to Glorietta after for an afternoon stroll. At night, we went to Eastwood since I was craving for TGIFridays. Jet also gifted me yummy and cute cakes from Mary Grace. After all, a birthday wouldn't be complete with a cake and wishes. 

Lunch at Kanin Club with the boyfie's fambam

Dinner at TGIFridays Eastwood

Hungry boyfie

Fridays Pork Adobo

And my all-time fave, Chicken Fingers

I really enjoyed my special day. Having spent it with my two boys made it even extra special. I'm actually looking forward for this year. I just feel that there's so much in store for us this 2013 apart from me and Jet having a little fambam of our own, I just know that from this year on and the following years to come, will be the happiest days of our lives. Challenging maybe but still the happiest.

Thank you love again for a really wonderful day! I love you much, Jet! 

 

And here's to hoping for an amazing year ahead. Salut!

Le Delish Diaries: Bono Artisanal Gelato

Ice Cream is my kind of dessert. I'm not really a sweet tooth but ice cream is a sweet that I would crave from time to time. Gelato for me is a way more decadent ice cream and a good gelato can transport me to heaven and back.

I've been to Rome, Italy 3 times and every time I'm in the city center I would chow down a scoop of gelato. Now from my experience, not every gelato is equally good. Some are just really plain ice cream disguised as a gelato. I've tried a few on my first visit to Rome and didn't quite like it. On my second tip however, while walking in Piazza Navona I bumped into this tiny shop that claims to have artisanal gelato and so I got curious and tried it. The gelato shop name was Frigidarium. It does sound a little creepy but not a bit in the shop was creepy. I say its more like heavenly. They serve all kinds of flavors and I just fell in love with their Pistachio. I know you might say that it could be just any pistachio ice cream in the market. It could've been but not. It was the tastiest, most decadent, richest and creamiest pistachio gelato I've ever tried. It was divine.

 

After that divine gelato experience, I'm always on the look out for something that would topped that experience. And it took me by surprise that a gelato divine experience like that at Frigidarium can be found here in Manila and I shit you not.

Last Sunday, Jet and I went to Makati after coming from the SuperSale Bazaar. I've already seen Bono Artisanal Gelato every time I go to SM Makati but never tried it since I thought there would be nothing special about it. But as I read food blogs, I found out that it has good reviews and also, the owner of Bono actually studied gelato making in Italy and that got me really interested.  That being said, I dragged my fiance to have a taste of their artisanal gelato.

Php 130 for a scoop

As I was choosing my flavor, I had quite an ordeal deciding what to get. I wanted all seriously. In the end, I was in a battle between Speculoos and Cereal & Milk. The winner? Cereal & Milk and it was the perfect choice. I like how big the cereal bits were and it also had a tinge of saltiness to it. Yummmyyyy!!! It was just oh so creamy and rich and milky! I wanted a whole tub of it on my fridge every day!! It transported me to Italy and back. The experience was delicious and I promised myself that I would get a scoop every time I'm in the area or even a double.

Their ingredients are fresh and top-notch and they also make it by batches. Nothing beats good quality. I officially salute Bono Artisanal Gelato for an equally divine gelato experience like the one I had in Rome. And I'm so glad that I don't have to travel far just to get a damn good gelato. Benissimo!

Bono Gelato Website 

Bono Gelato in FB 

So, have you tried Bono Gelato lately? Share your thoughts! 

Le Lifestyle Diaries: SuperSale Bazaar March 2013

I'm a bazaar junkie. I just love bazaars to death. And yesterday was my first SuperSale Bazaar experience. Yay! At long last!!

You see, I've always wanted to go to a SuperSale Bazaar but I was always in Dubai or somewhere else. They also held a SuperSale Bazaar last December when I was already officially back home but I wasn't able to find the time to attend it. Bummer, I know. We missed it and went to the Christmas Bazaar instead which was just ok. And so, you can imagine the happiness I felt when Jet told me that we were going last weekend. I seriously went giddy like a little kid. He wanted to surprise me since my birthday is coming up soon. Awww.. Isn't he the sweetest? I'm such a lucky girl.

Anyway, back to the SuperSale Bazaar. To be honest, I was expecting it to be huge with lotsa stalls but I was surprised to see that it only occupied the small annex outside the big hall of the World Trade Center. Well, the venue might be small but the brands that they carry was huge enough to put a hole in your wallet. And by that, I don't mean expensive, I mean you would want to get every thing that they sell. From bikinis to sunnies to sandals to crop tops to make-up to shorts and watches. They have everything a girl would want. And then some for the guys as well.

Tickets and sling bag

We went early like around 11AM and there wasn't a lot of people yet. Entrance Fee was Php 100 and you get a sling bag to put your haul into.  Mine was orange. 

My first buy of the day was from the shop, 1721 which sells tons of hair tools and accessories. I bought a Bun Maker (Php 150) for long hair and a nifty looking bobby pin (Php 30). I like how the shop owner demo-ed the products without hesitation.

My second buy was a cute pair of gold and leopard loafers from Sewn Sandals. I got it for Php 750 and I love how soft and comfy it is. And adorable too! The shop has also a lot of cool sandals and shoes.

 

And for my last buy of the day was a Lip Stain/Gloss Kit from a Korean shop with two nice and lovely Korean sellers, White Beauty Secret. They sell Korean clothes and make-up. They will even do a demo of the make-up product you want to try. I bought the kit for (Php 400). The kit contains a BB Primer, BB Cream, Lip Stain and Lip Gloss. The kit was said to give you a natural looking stained lips. The lovely Korean seller demo-ed it to me and it was quite nice. I forgot to take pictures though but I'll do a review soon. 

 

If I wasn't preggy, I would have bought clothes and bikinis. If only my belly would fit, I would buy those ombre shorts from Vanilla Breeze Clothing and maybe a pair of wedge sneakers too, maybe. And I wanted to go back for that Neon Island Rawr and Meow Sweater too!

All in all, I loved my first SuperSale Bazaar experience and would go again on their next bazaars.

Thank you love, Jet, for my advanced gifts! I love you!

So, how was your SuperSale Bazaar experience? Share your thoughts!

Le Belly Diaries: 25 Weeks

Last Saturday was the get-to-know-your-babys-gender-day and I couldn't be more excited! Me and Jet have our own guesses already and we were just so anxious for the result.

And finally after 25 weeks of arduous waiting. Ta-daaa!

I happily present to you our cute, little baby BOY! Yes! Our little munchkin is a healthy, bouncy baby boy!!! And Baby Cloud says hi!!!

Our hearts were just overwhelmed with pure bliss and delight. It was indeed inexpressible. Such a happy moment in our lives.

It also turned out that we were both correct with our guesses. Awww.. Now we know what baby stuff to buy. Yay!

25 Weeks

What to Expect Pregnancy App

According to the app, What to Expect Pregnancy, our baby boy is still the size of an Eggplant but a bit heavier this week.

Only 14 weeks and 6 days to go before I can cuddle Baby Cloud. OMG! So near yet so far. Well, I say that gives us plenty of time to prepare then! 

So, what was the gender of your first baby? Share your thoughts!