Escolta, Manila--- Maestro Fernando C. Amorsolo, a renowned Filipino painter and National Artist was given the honor by the Mayor of the City of Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim, of having the 30th of May be declared as the "Fernando Amorsolo Day."  Hence, last May 30, 2013, the very first celebration of Amorsolo Day was held in the culturally-rich place Escolta that likewise commemorated maestro's 121st birth anniversary with a theme "Ipinita ang Maynila."

There is such a thing as art in cooking.  For most people, cooking may just sound like one of the normal house routines that wives and daughters do.  However, today’s society does not just regard cooking as a way of turning raw food to a ‘cooked’ meal. Media has played a significant role on this, as home buddies suddenly become inclined to experimenting different cuisine and cooking techniques that would either promote extra-ordinary taste or healthy cooking choices! 
Our one day experience as a student-chef ---"Chef" Caroleen and "Chef" Ely (at yer service eh:) in AICA taught as many techniques we didn't learn in our own kitchen.

A BIG HEARTY THANKS to Academy for International Culinary Arts and eglobalMD for this free culinary arts session. We had fun preparing our Chinese cuisine with Chef Nicki Zamora and pigging out after! 

what we prepared: 
Pinsec Frito
Yang Chow Fried Rice
Sweet and Sour Pork

Almond Jelly by Chef Nicki Zamora 

i had fun cooking at AICA professional Kitchen, my first time to visit and actually work around in one (with all those sophisticated kitchen equipment, indeed i felt like im a culinary student! ) it was a memorable experience to somebody (like me) who is not good at cooking.LOL. really, Ely is a better cook/photog.

AICA or Academy for International Culinary Arts is one of the leading culinary schools in the Philippines.  they have two big campuses in Pasig City and in Cebu City.  

AICA takes pride in the kind of culinary education they provide---the traditional/ classic culinary education with high hands on policy, complete and functional facilities and kitchen and bar equipment and a roster of experienced professors.
   
Cooking is an art, and like art, people can either be born with it or to a better advantage, be armed with it.  To be armed with it, entails the formal training of classic culinary education.  When we say ‘classic’ it pertains to the traditional yet timely form of technique in food preparation.  According to research, classic culinary education is that of which trains culinary arts students of the two important aspects in food preparation: the native ingredients and the classic French technique.  These two are the major factors that distinctly provide the edge in the whole classic culinary education.  

 In classic culinary education, the native ingredients program is taught in a detailed course.  Some schools do not regard this topic as a main course or program compared to those culinary arts institution that highly features classic culinary education above all.  The native ingredient course exposes the students to the use of indigenous ingredients, spices and herbs that make a certain dish ‘classic’ and sumptuous. It encourages culinary arts students to embrace and be familiar with natural ingredients that the world may have not discovered yet. 

Meanwhile,   classic French technique endows students with the basic and sought-after kind of technique in every professional culinary kitchen in the world.  As an art, culinary technique may be done uniquely by individuals; however, one can never perform a unique approach without having grasp any knowledge on the classic French culinary technique.  Knowledge on this gives a student the edge in which he or she would definitely utilize in the demanding world of culinary arts.  

 Technical cooking preparation techniques and an in-depth knowledge on history of native ingredients use as well as the study and practice of traditional trends in culinary arts are likewise encompassed in the broad study of classic culinary education.  

   Food preparation, when done as a profession, would always require some classic schools of thought.  In cooking, perhaps, this classic culinary education may be deemed as the basis or the base ground that guides every chef in creating a world-class dish; a sumptuous feast that doesn’t just delight a stomach, but feeds the creative mind.

Maillot is--as stated in Wiki, a designer's label or name for a woman's one-piece swimsuit. 

The term is commonly used by designers and swimwear retailers, hence, for some people who do not really pay attention to labels the term is quite unfamiliar. 

Maillots fit perfectly to a woman's body no matter how petite, skinny or thick they are.  This is so because women have natural curves and a maillot, designed as a body hugger ca n expose women's curves subtly and with class.

Perhaps, one of the best maillot styles i have seen is ilovekoi's two tone maillot. I've seen their styles from ilovekoi.com.ph and amongst the available maillot designs they have, this rust-purple two tone maillot caught my attention. 

Why do i love it?
 

First, the color combination is perfect for my fair skin type.   It promotes a fine blending with my skin hence it was not too bright to wear. 

Second, the V neck detail is SUPER sexy. It shows your collar bone and the cleavage for a daring effect. I love it even though I don't really have that Victoria's Secret model body (haha).

Third, it has a sexy feminine back detail.  It shows too much skin at the back. The ribbon is adjustable.

Fourth, the bikini cut is not too high to expose too much waist. Perfect for those who do not really want to go for thin bikini strings:)

I did make some adjustments though especially with the V neck as it shows too much... (bones? right. LOL). Kidding aside, I actually got the larger-than-my-size size during the Bazaar at the Word Trade Center last February, because there was only one of this type left! And i BADLY WANT it. 


So i thought, i can ask my auntie to alter that part so I can wear it more comfortably at the beach. (Yes, that's what you will do when you really want something)!

And so that March when we headed to the beach in Morong Bataan, I was able to wear it, the altered one and this is how it looked:

Fine and perfect, I even played with the kids of Morong Bataan, without worrying about the V neck area.

As a mom, I used to worry a lot about the clothes I wear, much more with swim suits, as my body has changed due  to pregnancy. Somehow with right aerobics training and by eating well, I have managed to be back in shape. I guess, the best learning I realized during the whole journey of being thin to becoming huge (carrying Bien inside) and then thick or chubby down to my-almost-there-ideal-weight, is that:

No matter what size you are and what color you have, you will only be beautiful in others' eyes if you can see that in your own. Every girl can wear swim suit! Just look for the best style that you feel comfortable with. 

Shoes are girls' obsession, (well at least one of those) and this is true especially to girls who have dreamt of having their walk-in closet full of shoes, Imelda-inspired lifestyle or as little girls would claim, being "princesses" in their own little way.

Aside from clothes, make up and perfume, a collection of shoes is one of my wish list.  While it is hard to actually just buy and buy shoes especially those that cost too dear, a collection of shoes that I dream of is one that has a variety of style, hot colors, and functionality (yep, for some shoes are good for display or photo shoots only huh?) hehe.

Nevertheless, girls still buy it.  Reason? well it makes us happy! 

One of my best shoe-purchases include this hot red wedges I got during the Super Bazaar at the World Trade Center, summer of 2013.  The shoe store is Tonic by Kim. According to their FB page, the shoes are personally designed and locally manufactured!  You'll actually be surprised because it is as classy and as sturdy as those international shoe brands that takes too much of your shopping budget! (Just sayin').
Seriously though, the shoes do not hurt my feet. Even if it is actually 4-5 inches high, I can wear it long enough without feeling too much pressure on the heel and toes.  Plus, amongst the high platform wedges i have tried (ever in my whole life!... seriously) this pair of wedges did not make me fall, especially the first time i tried it on!  

I'm saying this because normally i go for stilettos because every time i attempt to fit wedges,there's a "falling" effect that I really hate!  

But with this pair, really I feel safe. You can walk tall and elegantly without worrying you might fall.  

If I remember it right, I bought the pair at less than 500php during the Super Bazaar.  The original price was 900+php.  I was so happy with my purchase.  

The red color is so classy. Plus, the ribbon like cross-hugging detail gives it a darling feminine look!  So dainty, these wedges can be worn with either casual dress , semi-formal lace dress or with skinny jeans!

My fashion advice: Don't just stick with the usual designs that you have, try something new once in a while, have a variety of shoe designs, types, colors not just to go with the trend or to look fabulous, but to help you explore your creativity from within, bring out your inner confidence through shoes that you wear, and clothes you mix and match.

Visit TonicBagsShoesMAnila on facebook and get updates on their products and event announcements!