Cooking Fashionistas Episode 2: Ham and Hang

Hey foodies!

       Sorry we haven't been able to produce this episode on schedule. We realized we had to plan and organize things better. So now, we hope you guys will like this and the following episodes even more. For this episode, we went French. I taught Issa how to make Croque Monsieur and she taught made me a frame accessory organizer which was just the thing I needed (though it's not like I have truckloads of accessories; I'm kinda OC so I love organizing things as much as possible). I was mind blown with her idea even when we were still planning it. It was something so simple yet so fascinating! I'm sure you girls will love this, too! 

[click here to watch on youtube]

        So, here's the recipe and know-hows for the Croque Monsieur (I'd rather type it than say, thank you). It's actually a pan-fried ham and cheese sandwich. We did both single and double layer versions. :D

CROQUE MONSIEUR

Ingredients:

4    pcs            slice bread (we used wheat bread)
1    small bar   Quickmelt cheese (or Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, gruyere)
2    pcs            King's Cooked Ham, cut in quarters
4    tbsp           Mayonnaise 
1    tbsp           butter
1    tbsp           cooking oil (we used canola)
1    large          egg
2    tbsp           fresh milk


Procedure:

1. Slather the mayo on the bread and place the cheese, ham and cheese again. Repeat order for the second layer.

2. Add milk to the egg. Carefully dip all sides of the sandwich in the egg and milk mixture.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add butter over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and flip to other side after 5 mins. Careful not to burn each side.

4. You can finish the sandwich in your oven for the cheese to melt or you can just eat it after cooking in the pan. The cheese will eventually melt anyway. Easy as pie! :)



          Now, you can head on to Issa's blog for the deets on the accessory organizer. She's a genius, I tell ya! I'm excited for you! GO! NOW! :D


          Big big thanks to FMJ & Co. for producing this vid with us. It was great working with you guys. You should check out more of their videos on their youtube channel: http://youtube.com/FMJCO. Like and Subscribe! :D

'Til the next episode! Hope you guys liked this one! If you did, please like, subscribe and share! Thanks! :D

When Food and Fashion Meet 2: Back-breaking and Cowgirl-ing

Two enthusiastic ladies exploring

the best city in the world, Cebu, on a 

quest to uncover the best places to shop, dine and lounge around.

From hole-in-the-walls, downtown best-kept secrets, 

to fancy date spots and splurge sprees -- we’ll be on it!

          It's time for "When Food and Fashion Meet" again! Wow, last month sure just flew by. WFFM's first post was fun, and I'm proud to say, this coverage was definitely another worthwhile adventure!

          This time, we scour the alleys of downtown for a secret shopping destination that makes every girl's dream come true of owning any kind of accessory she wants without breaking the bank; and then we dragged ourselves back uptown to let loose on a well-deserved meal.  

Aizilym Enterprises
#37 Lincon St., Cebu City

Store Hours: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm (Monday- Saturday); 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Sundays)

Jeepney Guide:

from Lahug - 17B and get off at USJR --> we took this from IT Park! :D

from Talamban/Banilad - 62B

from Ayala - 06B

         I've been itching to check out this secret shop since forever because I've seen and heard of so many cute and unbelievably more-than-affordable pieces through friends from that little cave. It's about time I stocked up on new accessories myself. I've been wanting to buy a long necklace and stud earrings. 

         Getting there, I couldn't believe this little Issa could brave those streets because this was the home of bandits and all sorts of sneaky culprits waiting to jump you. I mean, this was the heart of downtown we're talking about. But she ruled the streets like it was her turf. Even the security guard of "Aizi" -- as more popularly and fondly called by schoolgirl shopping einsteins -- recognized her! This was definitely her turn to take me around and amaze me.

         I only had a shady expectation of the shop, thinking it would be a regular-sized one where everything is in full view once you enter. But boy, was I surprised when I saw that it had all the works of a mini-mall -- security guards to check your bags as you enter and leave, a courtesy booth for your bags if you wanna shop "light", a few rows of cashiers like those at the grocery, and best (or worst) of all, aisles and aisles of accessories to choose from. We got a serious problem here. I can take reeaally long to decide when buying things because I'm not an impulsive shopper like Issa and my mom (typical girls) are. I like to invest in good pieces that last me at least four seasons. 

         Oh, and by the way, picture taking is NOT allowed here, which explains the lack of photos on my post. But Issa the ninja just had to sneak some for you guys to have an idea how it looks like. So, check out her post to see photos of some of the stuff sold there. She also has a map guide and survival tips! :D

my weak revenge for that embarrassing photo of me in her post :p 

          To cut to the chase, I bought way more than as planned, and we stayed way longer than planned -- two hours! I couldn't believe I bought so much and only for a fraction of the price if I had shopped elsewhere. Sweeet! Now, I felt like a girl... and an old lady with my aching back from all the bending over  with my heavy bag (because I brought my books with me to study for exams) -- big mistake!

My haul:

Total: 14 items = P477.78

Issa, my craziest friend, was hooked to some weird accessories that made one look like she worships an "EYE" god. This seriously freaks me out. :))

        So, obviously, Aizilym is synonymous to accessory hoarding. Once you step inside, you can't leave... empty-handed! Secret's out, girls!

 For a map guide and survival tips when shopping here, visit Issa's blog. :D

Having gladly burned a hole in our wallets, we could barely walk from the exhaustion and nausea of the endless merchandise to choose from. 

We submitted to the cab to nurse our broken backs and swollen legs. 

Rodeo Grill

Archbishop Reyes Ave., beside Hotel Elizabeth

Contact:  (032) 406 4294

Price range: P99 - P399

Rodeo Hours:

        I got a request from a reader to try this resto because she wanted to know if I'd recommend it. I have heard inconsistent reviews about the place so I was reluctant to, but I'm the type who wants to see things myself before I have a stand on it. This actually wasn't the original plan for this part of the series but since we overstayed in Aizilym, I had to think of something else quick.

       I always love the charm and mystery that Cebu Secret resto's have, especially the first time I visit them. I love (nice) surprises, you see. Nothing makes me more giddy than exploring new resto's or resto's I haven't been to yet. This, in particular, was a beauty in the daylight. A humble facade with a huge menu board gave us a preview of the feast that would await us inside. As we entered, we were welcomed by attentive servers (props to the good serice!) and a cozy ambience brought by neat interiors and warm lighting. Though the place was small, the space was well utilized.  

Swing right in, par'ner!

       It felt so good to be back in civilization and retire in an airconditioned place! Apparently, Issa was no stranger here. Taking her suggestion, I got their bestseller, the Sgt. Peppers Sizzler while she got their Deputy Short Sizzler which was bigger than my order. Yes, don't underestimate this cunning little girl's appetite. :D

Mine:

Sgt. Peppers Sizzler - P159

            By the way, my order came with UNLIMITED rice! Yeah boys, you heard read that right. With that, the place is easily loveable for the guys. My first bite into my steak really impressed me. I hate margarine though, and it was pretty pronounced in the gravy. But the steak is mighty fine even without the gravy!

Issa's: 

Deputy Short Sizzler - P169

         Issa, little ms. mashed potato, ordered an extra serving. And I'd have to agree with Issa, that they have one of the best mashed potatoes in town.

        I have no regrets in the change of plans for our lunch at all. This choice was timely for our famished cowgirl appetites from all that shopping. The sound of our sizzling meals was like music to our ears. You could say the feasting began in our ears. :))

      I would definitely wanna go back for more. I wanna try these next time:

       Check out Issa's shot at being a food blogger, too! Click here to read her post about our cowboy meal.

P.S.  Issa actually learned a thing or two from me during this episode. I taught her how to compute discounts at Aizilym, and also taught her how to slice her steak. :))

                               Before                                       After

             


       I hope you enjoyed this second episode of our blog series! Feel free to comment and share your thoughts and suggestions.

Til the next episode,

xx

Issa Please

and

Babe for Food

When Food and Fashion Meet 1: Shop. Eat. Play

Hello hello, dear readers! 

       I know I've been saying it over and over but I really am and have been so excited about this! And I hope you are, too! If not, I'm sure you will be at the end of this post. ;)

        First of all, let me refresh you on what this little project of ours (with THE Issa Perez) is:

Two enthusiastic ladies exploring the best city in the world, Cebu, on a 

quest to uncover the best places to shop, dine and lounge around.

From hole-in-the-walls, downtown best-kept secrets, 

to fancy date spots and splurge sprees -- we’ll be on it!

         What do you think, eh? Issa Perez has been one of my dearest friends for 6 years now and we've managed to keep in touch and catch up with each other from time to time despite our different lifestyles. She's a dynamic fashion blogger and one thing we both have in common with our blogs is that we cover "Cebu Secrets" in our respective niches -- fashion and food. This detail brought us to the concept of doing a collab for this blog series we named "When Food and Fashion Meet" to offer our readers convenience and something interesting to look forward to on our blogs.   

          So one afternoon, we took to the streets, walking and commuting in jeepneys, to the Cebu Secret destinations. First, to...

Cebu Handicrafts Vendors Association
North Reclamation, across SM North Wing parking lot

How to get here by jeep:
(from downtown) 01K
(from Ayala or Lahug) 04L

         I've noticed this place whenever I pass by North Reclamation going to SM and I also read about it on Issa's blog before. It may just look like a couple of yellow shabby shacks across the North Wing parking lot of SM but it's a haven for tourists looking to buy some local or native accessories as souvenirs and gifts to friends. Issa and I made a mission to buy our own souvenir to remember the first day of our collab -- friendship bracelets!

          All the items sold here are HANDMADE and of export quality yet unbelievably low-priced! You can buy beads here and create your own accessories, too. The things you find here are so much more expensive in the malls and souvenir shops. 

(photo by: Issa Perez)

Mission accomplished!

bracelets @ P10 each!

like grade school best friends :))

          I'll leave it to the fashion blogger to expound more on what you can get here. :))
After that little ocular of the pretty handicrafts, we then headed off to...


The Chillage
G/F Adnama Bldg, Larrazabal Ave., North Reclamation, 6014 Cebu City

Operating Hours: Tues - Sun   10 am - 10 pm

Contact: +63 917 704 3827

Twitter:       @thechillage
Facebook:    The Chillage
instagram:   thechillagestore
tumblr:       thechillage

How to get here by jeep:
(from downtown) 01K
(from Ayala) 03Q to SM, get down at Sun Gold and take a 01K to Cebu Doctor's University 

         I've been so curious about The Chillage since I've seen photos of it on instagram by fellow bloggers and I also visited the stall during Sinulog Blastoff. Issa and I had to WALK around the whole block of Cebu Doctor's University (CDU) before we found the entrance to Adnama bldg where The Chillage is. The entrance was enchanting in itself. 

         A rush of excitement filled me when we got there. I couldn't wait to get inside!

first view as you enter -- the radiant cafe

           Issa and I felt like Alice in Wonderland, finding ourselves in a different world, completely cluttered with quirky things that made our heads spin in amusement and euphoria. We couldn't stop gushing over the things in the shop and the modern details of the interior.

           The concept of The Chillage is, it's a retail store on the front part, a cafe as you go deeper, and a place to "chill" in their own little fun room.  It's a totally wholesome environment, suitable for family, friends, lovers and artists! Their tagline is Shop.Eat.Play. Thus, the title of our first post for our series since it's exactly what we did.  

          The Chillage offers exclusively local products from Manila and Cebu; from accessories, to clothing, to toiletries and what nots. It makes you appreciate local products at a whole new level. 

Lookie what we found!

          They even have free candy. And they taste good! :D

           I have to mention, I'm a fan of pretty restrooms, and so far, this is THE best in town, hands down! Talk about finding a couch right inside the restroom for your girlfriends to hang out and share beauty secrets while doing each other's make up. :D

         I was just as excited to try the food as much as I was excited about the shop. The menu surprised me by how affordable it is! Everything's less than P200! They have pasta, sandwiches, salad, chips&dips and dessert. I guess they're really catering to the students of the neighboring university. 

Theo & Philo chocolates from Manila! Dubbed as the best by Spot.ph 

             We got their Taparoni (their version of beef tapa and macaroni) and Spinach Dip. Both had generous servings and reasonable prices! It was then that I fell hard for the place. It was so impressive to find that they did not use just ground beef. Now that's an HONEST menu; a rare find these days. 

Taparoni  P130

Spinach and Cream Cheese Chips & Dip  P90

I'm in love :)

The Fun Room

- the epitome of chill

           What a day! I fell more in love with Cebu because of The Chillage and since I love it so much, I'll be making a separate post about it. This post is getting so long. Haha. 

            So, that was it. Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as we did! Next post for the series will be out next month, March 2.

             Please visit Issa's blog for her take on that fun-filled day. :D