It’s the end of the hot summer month of May (which hopefully should mean our heat wave in the city should also end soon!), so here goes our monthly round up of favorite things!

What made it to TSM FAVE THINGS for May? Take a look :

A BEACH HOLIDAY

For Labor Day holiday, my family and I decided to stay put and not leave the country, as we’ve been really tired of travelling to far flung places for the most part of the year. Our kids begged us to go to the beach (since we haven’t been in a long time), but all resorts and flights were full, as expected on a national holiday! We were waitlisted in all our flights and in the hotels and resorts that we wanted — from El Nido to Amanpulo, Bohol, Boracay, and to everything else in between!

We were already getting hopeless as the date was drawing near… until we got a flight and hotel opening in Boracay! It was a busy season to be in Boracay for sure (Laboracay was in full swing), but The Lind resort where we ended up staying (it was our second time here) made it so much easier and comfortable for us. It was the right choice for our family, as it proved to be not too crowded compared to the other places in Station 1. The hotel is pretty much brand new too (which is a big plus for me), and service was personal, food was delicious. Oh and the spa (which is being run by the reliable The Spa chain) was just as amazing!

Bottom line? Being in the beach makes everyone happy — and my kids are no exception, they loved every single minute of this quick holiday!

The Lind Boracay
Station 1, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan, 5608, Philippines
www.thelindhotels.com

BASQUE BURNT CHEESECAKE

This Basque Burnt Cheesecake by Chef Miko Aspiras is cheesy, creamy and just ideally light!

We all know by now how Chef Miko is a genius in the kitchen, but I must tell you that this one is something more special than his other desserts. He got his inspiration for this cheesecake from his last trip to San Sebastian, Spain. He bakes it an unusually high temperature to get that “burnt” almost caramel and custard-like top. And as a bonus, this cheesecake comes with it its own pack of dulce de leche pecan sauce.  So if you like your desserts extra sweet and nutty, all you have to do is just add them on top and your sweet cravings will surely be satisfied!

But if you ask me…I think this cheesecake is just perfect on its own! It’s the cake I don’t feel guilty about indulging in because it’s really THAT light and THAT good!

Workshop Bespoke Bakery by Le Petit Soufflé
Inside Le Petit Soufflé, 2nd/Floor
Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas
Visit their Facebook or Instagram page for details

TIRAMISU MILLE CREPE

Here’s another dessert I also love and highly recommend. Paper Moon Cafe’s Tiramisu Mille Crepe is the right dessert if you are looking for something not too sugary sweet and yet still deliciously light, tasty and filling. It pairs well with your espresso and is best eaten in the afternoon — as your dessert after a good lunch, or simply as your little “pick me upper” (especially with your coffee) during the day!

Paper Moon Cafe
www.papermoon.com.ph

 JO MALONE

May is also Mother’s Day month and the very first gift I received made my cheeks blush! It was this lovely fresh floral box from no less than one of my favorite perfumeries, Jo Malone. And the fragrance they gave me which is the Orange Blossom, is my everyday scent! I love it because it’s light and fruity, without being too strong or heady — so this was a welcome and pleasant surprise to me!

Jo Malone
Greenbelt 5, S Maison, SM Aura, and SM Megamall
www.jomalone.com.ph

NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES

Neal’s Yard Remedies is my latest discovery in skin care. (And you probably know by now how much of a skin care junkie I am!) But what I really love about it though is that this line is all about giving our skin all-natural, clean and organic ingredients. And to be honest, they have some of the most gentle and yet effective products I’ve ever tried! 

So what are my favorite products from this line?

Organic Eye Makeup Remover  — it gently removes all traces of makeup (even my most resistant waterproof mascara), and it conditions the lashes too

White Tea Toning Eye Gel — it cools, soothes and tones the delicate skin around the eye area, and helps reduce wrinkles

Beauty Sleep Concentrate — it supports the skin’s night-time regeneration while we sleep, making sure that we wake up the next day looking refreshed and recharged

Wild Rose Beauty Balm — it can be used in many ways : as a cleanser, moisturizer, facial mask, lip balm and yes — even nail balm. No wonder this product has a cult following and is the brand’s best selling vitamin and anti-oxidant rich multi-purpose cream!

Neal’s Yard Remedies
Available at Rustan’s Beauty Source
www.nealsyardremedies.com

What are your favorite things this month of May? Share them here with me!

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To go back and see our previous TSM Fave Things, click here.