30 November 2015

Shop and Save via Shopback

I have a new and exciting discovery to share with you!

I recently shopped for my two new Mango tops from Zalora via ShopBack and actually got cashback from my purchase.  Do I hear a resounding, "What? How? Where?"  First, let me tell you about ShopBack, they are a cashback site - basically, they pay back consumers to shop online, and the payments come in the form of savings.

Here are the two new Mango tops I shopped for at Zalora via ShopBack



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19 November 2015

The New Nescafé Dolce Gusto Drop

I can still remember when the first Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines came out back in 2011.  I absolutely loved the way it was designed, it was futuristic-looking, it makes you think "what is it?".  The design was so good, I remember, it won a "Red Dot" award.  The “Red Dot”, is the revered international seal of outstanding design quality.

Recently, Nescafé launched the latest addition to the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Collection, The Nescafé Dolce Gusto Drop.  It's unique and modern design takes inspiration from a coffee droplet, it is easily operated by touchscreen technology and is engineered in Switzerland.


With my blogger friends Phya and Chessika

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18 November 2015

Experience Real Care with Dove Deodorants and get a chance to win a Getaway for Two!

We are officially on high gear for the holidays!  All of us are busy planning for gatherings with family and friends, sewing together plans for holiday trips, making sure that we have bought the perfect gift for our loved ones. 

There are a million and one things we need to do before Christmas arrives and worrying about our underarms should be the least of our worries.  In fact, while 8 out of 10 women consistently engage in underarm hair removal to prepare for the season, all that plucking, shaving and waxing actually causes damage to their underarm skin, leading to irritation and bumpiness. 

Dove believes that active women like us deserve to experience real care and encourages us to show off our beautiful underarms with confidence, no matter what season it may be.  With its unique 1/4 moisturizing cream, Dove lessens underarm skin irritation due to plucking, shaving and waxing, leaving women with lighter and smoother underarms.

And as Dove Deo takes care of women's underarms, Dove now wants us girls to experience real care through a relaxing getaway for two!



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Marks & Spencer's Shop Your Way to the UK 2015 draw winners

Marks & Spencer, one of the UK's leading retailers, currently has 14 stores in Metro Manila, 6 Provincial stores and 2 outlet stores in the Philippines.  A clear indication that Marks & Spencer has also become one of Manila's favorite retail stores offering men and women's fashion lines, lingerie, beauty products and food & wine.    

Recently, Marks & Spencer had a Promo open to all their Loyalty members where they can earn one raffle ticket for every P2,500 purchase of full priced or promo items in any Marks & Spencer store from August 14 to November 1, 2015.


In this photo (left to right) : Tina Villa, Chessika, Phya and Jeanne

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17 November 2015

Costa Coffee Masterclass with Master Gennaro Pelliccia

Being a coffee lover at a very young age, I have become a good judge of how good coffee tastes like.  I have learned through experience that not because any good restaurant or establishment serves freshly brewed coffee it automatically tastes good.  Yes, I have experienced ordering an expensive cup of coffee that actually tastes bad and watered down.  Oftentimes, I felt shortchanged.

When I was recently invited to a Costa Coffee Master Class,  I was excited because I know that it will definitely give me more knowledge on how to appreciate coffee even more.  It's like being granted a free scholarship to a coffee university.

The by-invite only Costa Coffee Masterclass was conducted by no less than Costa Coffee's official tastemaker himself, Master Gennaro Pelliccia.  He ensures that Costa Coffee's only blend, the Mocha Italia, which is created from the perfect combination of Arabica and Robusta beans, is still the same as it was in 1971 - smooth, round, rich with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.  It is with this special concoction that all Costa Coffee drinks are made from, all of which are espresso based.

Everyday, before leaving the roastery, Chief Taster and Master Roaster Gennaro makes it a point to taste the coffee, carefully preserving the taste that Costa Coffee is known for.  His tongue is so highly valued that in 2009 Costa Coffee insured it with Lloyds of London for a whopping GBP 10 million! 


Come and take a peek inside our Costa Coffee Masterclass!

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08 November 2015

Casa Villa gets ready for Christmas 2015

As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year", Christmas is just around the corner, 5 Sundays away to be exact.  Stores have dressed up their window displays with Christmas-themed decor, Christmas carols are being played everywhere and shoppers are trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones.  We are officially on high gear for the Christmas season.

At Casa Villa, I have always dreamed of dressing up our space for Christmas.  This year, Mickey and I were finally able to do it.  There is a store in San Juan that's all about Christmas.  They cater to international clients like Neiman Marcus, Harrods, Target, among many others.  When they do open their doors again for the local market during the months of September to December, I am always sure to be there to take a first look at their current Christmas designs.  This store is Color it Christmas.  

They had many designs in the store when we visited, but there was one Christmas motif that they had that was in a corner that captured our eye.  They decorated this big Christmas tree covered with different red berries, mini apples, pears, pine cones,  twigs, leaves, shiny red Christmas balls, striped red bows and birds that dwell in the tree.  Mickey and I are very picky when it comes to design, but this one, just brought a smile to our face. 

I sat down with them and told them that I needed a Christmas tree that looks exactly like this but a
slimmer version of it since we live in a condo. Plus, we also wanted just the right size for our space.  For the height, I asked them to make it as tall as Mickey, which is 6 feet tall. 

Along with our first custom designed tree, I also ordered a Christmas wreath for our door, with specific measurements, just right for the size of our door and a Christmas table décor to tie up the look altogether.  They told me that it takes a week for them to make everything, which was fine with us since it was October when we ordered the tree.

Mickey told them that he will take care of buying the Christmas lights, he said that he wanted warm white LED Christmas lights for our tree.  We provided them the lights a few days after so that they can incorporate it in the tree.  A week later, our Christmas tree, wreath and table décor were delivered to our space.  "Let's come in". 

It instantly transformed our home in time for Christmas.


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07 November 2015

Nescafe Red Mug Machine

As a coffee lover and a frequent visitor of many coffee shops, I often wish I could bring home the same coffee experience.  I already have the ambience down as I have made the feel of our home very warm and cozy but one thing is missing, I would love to make coffee drinks at home that are fast, easy to make, and gives me the taste, look and feel as if my perfectly brewed cup of coffee was made in a coffee shop.


The Nescafe Red Mug Machine is a coffee lover's simple dream come true.  Here's why:
  • It can help you create café style coffee in just 2 minutes. 
  • You don't need expensive coffee capsules to make your perfect coffee creations - All you need is Nescafe Classic and Nestle Coffee mate. You can make Espresso, foamy Cappuccino, layered Latte, fancy Mocha, velvety Americano and other coffee drinks easily.
  • It is developed in Switzerland by Nestle coffee machine experts.  It has a coffee chamber with a unique cyclone that brings out the Nescafe Classic aroma and flavor.  It also has a foaming jet technology that creates foam with ease, inspired by the barista steam in coffee shops.
  • It is compact, has a sleek design and comes in a glossy red color that is perfect for a cozy, modern space - whether you're living in a condo, an apartment, or house, the Nescafe Red Mug Machine is sure to blend well, not occupy too much space and adds a punch color to your space.  
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02 November 2015

Costa Coffee, UK's No. 1 Coffee Chain opens in Bonifacio Global City

If there is one beverage I am sure to drink every morning to kick start my day, it would definitely be a cup of coffee.  I oftentimes find myself drinking between two to three cups a day and capping off a good meal with it.  You can call it my happy drink. 

So, can you just imagine how I happily welcomed with open arms an invitation, to celebrate the opening of UK's No. 1 Coffee Chain, Costa Coffee, One Global Place, Bonifacio Global City?  On opening day, Costa Coffee BGC was filled with coffee lovers like me, enjoying Costa coffee pairings with pastries and sandwiches.  I ordered a Double Chocolate Cookie Mocha Frostino and surprisingly, even if it sounds sinful, it wasn't too sweet at all.  I loved that the sugar was on a controlled level. 


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