September has been lovely. And busy. Maybe because the Christmas season is here, maybe because I’ve been at many bazaars, or there have been just so many new happenings in the city, but this month’s list of favorite things is longer than usual. To be honest, it’s not easy to pick just a few things each month… so why not indulge in sharing some of my wonderful finds during this month?
Well, here is TSM’s September’s Fave Things List — and it’s a bit of everything : from food, home and yes, to kiddie fashion as well! Take a look :
Pierre Hermé Macarons
I was in Hong Kong recently on business (more on that in a future post), and I just had to have my favorite French macarons. I got my top three flavors and allowed myself to indulge (without hesitations!): Dark Chocolate, Salted Butter Caramel, and Milk Chocolate & Passion Fruit. They were all heavenly: moist, chewy, crisp all at the same time! I am secretly hoping someone brings this to Manila someday!
Pierre Hermé (Hong Kong)
* Shop 1019C, Level One IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central
* Shop 2410, Level 2, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Kowloon
web / facebook
Real Girl Toy Kitchen Dips and Spreads
One of the perks of participating in bazaars is shopping in them too! My latest favorite food find comes via the recent Spectrum Fair Manila: Real Girl Toy Kitchen‘s dips and spreads. I particularly like the Spinach Artichoke Dip (left) and the Chipotle Hummus (right). They’re freshly-made, creamy and deliciously healthy. I have them with crackers, but they’re also good with warm pita or toasted bread.
Real Girl Toy Kitchen
johanna@realgirltoykitchen.com
+63 2 958 3720 / +63 917 808 5302
web / facebook
Calamansi Cake with Marshmallow Frosting by Casa San Luis
I’m a chocoholic, but I also can’t resist a good lemon or in this case—a good calamansi cake. Look at how gorgeous that marshmallow frosting is! And the cake itself? Let me tell you that it’s light, fluffy, moist and just plain delicious—without being too sour or too sweet. Love at first bite which went all the way to the last! This is what all calamansi cakes should be like!
Casa San Luis Pastries
casasanluispastries@gmail.com
+63 916 644 8522
web / facebook
Products are made upon order so give 48 hours lead time
ZIN Gourmet Finishing Salt
After a long time, I’m back in the kitchen—at least more often than I had been. I’ve been in the mood to try out new recipes, especially with these new kitchen finds: special blends of gourmet salt or shall I say “finishing salt” ? My top picks are these three: the Himalayan Pink Salt, Rosemary and Lemon Salt, and Coffee Salt. These are great for marinades, for rubbing on your meat, as toppings for popcorn or fries, or for sprinkling on a sweet treat! (Coffee Salt on chocolate ice cream anyone?)
ZIN Manila
zinmanila@gmail.com
+63 917 8771948
instagram
L’Occitane’s Aromachologie Bath and Body Line
When the day has been particularly trying and tiring, I look forward to a long, hot soak in the bath. It’s been especially indulgent to have the latest L’Occitane bath and body products, Aromachologie. It’s a line designed to soothe the body and calm the mind, with essential oils that revitalize and relax. And you all know how I am a big advocate in spoiling the mummies too! We should not forget to take care and pamper ourselves too. After a long day, it’s good to get yourself some rest starting with a long, aroma-filled bath.
L’Occitane is available at all Rustan’s and Rustan’s The Beauty Source outlets.
Chanel Makeup, Fall 2015 Collection: Les Automnales
The party season is upon us, right? More events and special occasions are filling up our calendars. My makeup palette of choice lately for night outs is leaning towards the smoky side, inspired by Chanel’s Fall 2015 Collection. My current picks from this collection are the: Long Wear Luminous Matte Eyeshadow (106 Fleur de Pierre), Multi Effect Quadra Eyeshadow (254 Tisse d’ Automne), Powder Blush (260 Alezane), and my new fave lipstick, Rouge Coco Shine in 112 Temeraire. To complete the look, my nails get a bluish-black shade, with this mysterious Vert Obscur. Everything in this collection is just oh-so lovely!
Chanel is available at all Rustan’s and Rustan’s The Beauty Source outlets.
Voluspa Diffuser in Eden and Pear
There’s really something about a well-scented room that makes me feel happy and energised. I use my Grace Home Candle (perks of customizing your own scent!) all the time, but I also like matching it with other lovely scents, like this find from one of my favorite lifestyle concept stores, Cura V. This Voluspa Diffuser in Eden and Pear doesn’t just smell nice, it comes in a handsome, nice bottle too and elegant diffuser sticks. I do think that if you surround yourself with beautiful things, your mood tends to lighten up too!
Cura V
2F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City
+63 2 8961691
facebook / instagram
Paez Shoes
Well, my fashion find isn’t exactly for me, but for my mini-me! My daughter has been wearing her new Paez shoes lately and she chose this very colorful pair herself. She said it matches all her clothes as it has all the colors of the rainbow! 🙂 Paez shoes are from Argentina and are really soft and comfortable, very well-made. It’s Mummy- and, most importantly, kid-approved!
Paez Shoes (Philippines)
* R2 Level Archeaology WIng, Power Plant Mall
* Rustan’s, Makati and Alabang (Young Adults section)
facebook / instagram
What are your favorite things this month of September? Share them here with me!
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To see the previous month’s TSM FAVORITE THINGS, click here.
curious with coffee salt…hmmmm… what is it?
It’s salt with coffee bits! 🙂