Torta

My mother once told me that
if I wanted to keep love,
I should know how to prepare it.
I didn't know then how should I prepare
something as special and as appetizing
as love.

Not until I learned to tie
my combat boots
and travel southbound 70.5 kilometers
away from my comfort zone.
I met the secret at Chitang's.

I learned that if I wanted it to stay longer,
I should not force it to be ready
in a split second.
I must learn how to wait.
I must learn how to start a fire just
by rubbing pieces of aching driftwood.

The experts told me,
I should bake it using a hurno.
Baking it following the traditional way,
though long and tasking,
is always better than the
fast and contemporary one.

I, too, should be careful of its temperature.
Leaving it too hot may burn it,
leaving it too low may leave it -
coarse, dense and heavy.
Incapable of rising in its own.
Moderation is necessary for it to grow.

I might consider pouring some tuba into it too.
Not only to make it last longer
but also to balance its taste.
I must understand;
it's not suppose to be too sweet
or too sour.

If I want it special,
then I should make it bigger than the ones
I've seen in grocery stores.
Top it with the sweet roughness of time,
sprinkle it with some creamy poems,
serve it with a hot sikwate,
and let it glide freely against my tongue.

photo from http://www.imgrum.net/user/aaadrian87/619732354

Work It with Ozspecials

      While it is important to note that sometimes you have to follow certain dress code or at least look professionally , comfort must also be something that you have to consider. Not because you want to break some guidelines embedded in your workplace, but because in order to work properly, somehow you also have to be able to work comfortably with what you are wearing.

       For my profession, which is teaching, I have to look professional or at least modest at all times. Our wash day isn't an exemption for us to dress improperly. In those days, I make sure I have prepared work casual outfits that I can wear all throughout the day. It is also important for me to consider the tropical temperature in our country. Having considered that, I believe that a clothing made out of cotton or chiffon is a good idea.

      Here are some of the tops from Ozspecials that I would consider wearing if I don't have to wear any uniform. Of course, I might pair some of these with a functional pair of pants or a simple black pencil skirt.

The Virgin

      These are some white colored tops that I would really consider wearing. You know how white can match perfectly in a black bottom right? Also, it is the perfect color for a very hot weather.

New Classic Shirts Career Chiffon Blouse Lace Sleeve Shirt Hollow Out Tops Shirts 45

34 Sleeve Lace Hollow Shirt Casual Chiffon Blouse Black White

Flower Power

      Another collection of work casual tops for me would be these floral top. I personally think these are great ways for me to add some colors in my outfit while still looking work ready.

Chiffon Shirts Fashion Flowers Printed Long Sleeve Shirts

Print Chiffon Blouse Blue Flower Printed Shirt

Lofty Laces

If you have been in my blog for quite some time already, you'd know how much j'adore anything with lace. And who said you can't have them in your work outfits? They are perfect to show tiny bit of your skin and style from your usual work top.

Lace Patchwork Blouses Cape Style Button Down Long Sleeve Loose Chiffon Shirts

Long Sleeve Casual Dolman Lace Loose Shirt Batwing Tops Lady Sexy Tops

      I do have so many other ideas in mind right now about tops which would be very much work appropriate too, but as of now, those are what's in store for this post. If you are interested with the tops above, you should definitely check out Ozspecials too. Not only do they have free shipping in most countries but they also have the 100% full refund if their customers are not satisfied with their service and products. Most of their items are also very affordable which is also a good thing right?

      I hope you enjoy reading this post. How about you? what kind of top would you wear as your work casual outfit? Let me know on the comment section below. Thank you and have a wonderful week!

love lots,

Tin

The Chocolate Chamber Review

   I don't consider myself as a chocolate buddy but I won't say no to chocolates. I mean, who doesn't like chocolates? lol you gotta be kidding if you'd say you do.

    Recently, I went out for an appointment and found myself in a very cozy and "chocolatey" cafe called The Chocolate Chamber. It is a quaint place that serves a number of food variants that serves a great deal of chocolates. The place looks amazing, it's beyond artistic and aside from the smell of the chocolate wafting throughout the place, you can also smell the owner's passion in serving their customers.

    While I was staying at the cafe, I found out that the business has a very solid foundation. Aside from the charms of the place, what is most interesting about it is that their chocolate products were all made from pure Tablea. It is a local Filipino chocolate produced from Cacao beans. A chocolate drink made out of it is called "sikwate" here in our country.

     I consider the drink as something typical and traditional, but what they serve in The Chocolate Chamber is way cooler because I bet they are made to perfection. I'm not flattering the drink, its taste made me declare that it is. And you'll know why when you check out the place by yourself and try their products. lelx

     Here are some photos that I took from my very quick visit of The Chocolate Chamber. And sorry, the photos aren't looking great because I only have my phone with me :)

The place is LOVE! It is filled with love and beauty. Painting which I bet are made using tableas were all over the place.

     How pretty is the flower that they use in their tables? I don't know if you guys know the flower, but in the Philippines we call it Cadena de Amor. It literally means Chain of Love. Chos! It look like a small version of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms, but they grow in vines not in a tree. I remember there's a place that I used to pass by going to school before where such flowers grow. Well now, the flowers are gone because a mall is now erected in the place where it once grew.
      Okay, enough of that. It's just that it's been quite long since I saw the flower again and the sight of it just made me feel nostalgic.

     Such a cool note. Can you believe that I found this at their comfort room? lol hahahha yes, even their comfort room is looking so dope.

      Look at that big chocolate fountain? too bad it doesn't have chocolate during my visit. But you can imagine right? ahahha

     I only ordered a drink from TCC. I got a cup of Chocolate with Lavender drink that costs 210php. Quite expensive for a cup right? But it's totally fine because it is amazing!

    It was served to me with a cookie and a glass of water. I love how thoughtful they are to their customers. The cashier and the guys who served me the drink were very kind too and yes, even their guard! It's a really good place to visit.

You may have seen some of the photos above if you have followed me on my Instagram account. lol

I definitely had a wonderful time with TCC and I will certainly go back to their place and try more of whats in their menu. I will surely try some of their cakes which looked heavenly.

If you are aching for an amazing gastromical experience, check out The Chocolate Chamber. And please don't forget to have a cup of sikwate!

The Chocolate Chamber is located at 22 Pres. Quirino St. Villa Aurora, Cebu City.

For more detail and inquiries about the place, you may visit their Facebook account or ring them a bell at 0917 628 7661.

Have a sweet day!

love lots,

Tin

Freebies: Travel Planner

     It's officially summer here in the Philippines. yayy!!!That means most Filipino people are planning for their very own perfect getaway somewhere. Of course, our beautiful beaches will always be one of our favorite options. They are just one of the things that we Filipinos are proud of.
 
     As for me, I am planning to go backpacking in the southern part of Cebu. It is something that I have been planning and saving for since last year. It always feels great to be able to relax and enjoy your long break right? An amazing travel, may it be short or long will always be more memorable if you planned everything that you need ahead. What better way to do that than to have your own travel planner to help you?

     In that case, here's my second freebie in my blog- a downloadable travel planner! Yep, it's available for download and of course, it's for free! Here's what it looks like:

Download here

      Edited it using free editing tools online. I also designed the whole thing to look like a brochure just because haha feel ko lang girl lol In all seriousness, I just feel like making it look like a brochure would also make it look a whole lot cooler. I do hope  succeed in making a "cool" travel planner. *winks

       I do hope you like my second freebie, and let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below. It would be amazing to see you use it in your future getaways too.

love lots,

Tin