Showing posts with label Victoria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victoria. Show all posts
For months and months our smiles have been obscured underneath face masks.
 Let me indulge for just a bit, and please don't hurl accusations. 
Hubby and I dropped our face masks real quick to dine and to have these photos taken. 
There's a new food spot close to home. 
I've been seeing photos of this place and I knew we had to check it out. 
The boardwalk that has a swing at the far end, matched with the serene sea as a backdrop is very 'grammable and who could say no to discovering new places.
More about Igot Shore after the jump.
It was early August when we went there and back then, there were barely any recorded cases of COVID19 in our area so the Victoria-Allen border was not too strict. We were under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) so restaurants were allowed to operate to a limited capacity, given that health protocols are implemented.

Things have changed by the end of August. The COVID19 cases in our province have increased and in truth, it will take a while before we venture out again even if we are under MGCQ  so I'm glad we were able to visit before things got a little bit more crazy.

Let me walk you through Igot Shore. I bet by the end of this post you would want to visit too. 
The short trip was a cake walk, like I said, there isn't much traffic to deal with if you live in the province, moreso if it's a Sunday and there is a community quarantine. 
The place isn't hard to find since the boardwalk that juts out to the sea can be viewed from the highway.
"Charming, serene, and inviting"
I thought when this came into view.
Restaurants operating at limited capacity makes you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Hubby and I definitely loved the ambiance. I loved the cool sea breeze that I didn't even bother removing my jacket. They couldn't get any cooler but Queen's songs were blaring on the speaker and I couldn't help but belt some. 
After a while, we fell into companionable silence while admiring the whole place. We were afforded a good view of the Dalupiri Pass and San Antonio Island in a distance. I saw people paddling their bancas, some were catching fish.  
How peaceful, we could ALMOST forget that we have a pandemic at our helm. 😆
When you see this part you actually try to act cool and not run towards it immediately. Ha! It can wait, we need to eat first, I told myself. 
 While waiting for our food, my dear photographer of a husband took the chance to shoot.
Whilst I took the chance to take photos of the place.

I'm amazed that we didn't have to wait too long for our food to arrive. Another big plus, especially if I am with a crabby guy for a companion. I'm bummed tho that I wasn't able to take a photo of the menu but I would say that they serve regular farings in Filipino diners. So think pancit, lumpia, chopseuy, bulalo, and basically anything that goes well with rice. They have those. They also have fries, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and shakes, which was what we ordered, along with the requisite fried chicken, another Pinoy staple. 😁 Don't worry, the prices are aren't astronomical plus the servings are sizeable so you'll definitely get your money's worth.
I  wish I could have taken better photos before we devoured our meal but we are not keen on doing that, plus we were so hungry we downed everything in a single barf. 
Before we took our last bite we agreed that we would come back soon because we really enjoyed the food and the place. We mused about how lovely (and romantic) this place would look like at night. Someday soon. I heard they close the place at 9:30 so it's perfect for a dinner date. 
Some parts in the compound were still under construction so I have no doubt that there's still more to come for Igot Shore.

The photos at the boardwalk were just icing on the cake. 
But how could we leave without one, so. 😉

Igot Shore is located at Brgy. Colab-og, Victoria, Northern Samar
I found their Facebook Page and their phone number is listed: 09458511134
It also says that they are open from 9:00 AM  to 9:30 PM

Now, masks on. 
😷

Xo,
caRissa

Sunday Lunch at Igot Shore

by on Saturday, September 05, 2020
For months and months our smiles have been obscured underneath face masks.  Let me indulge for just a bit, and please don't hurl accusat...
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Someone's busy making sandcastles. 

While I try to get us three, in one photo.

We keep our feet on the ground.

We look forward to what lies ahead.

XO,
Carissa :)
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Well, if April could retort, I bet he or she would say that yes, it does. Time flies when you are having fun. 


#SummerFeels...
What is summer without a day or at least half a day at the beach? Still at the local beach in Victoria. :) Great good Friday weather, btw.
Three makes complete. :)
The little lady is still daddy's baby. :)
My daughter's little mermaid moment. Although she was belting Moana medleys.
The Easter Weekend...
The looooong weekend also allowed me and Tin to visit Leyte. We arrived to a stormy weather. Like literally, after crossing the San Juanico Bridge, the weather was really different from Samar's. On Black Saturday, Tacloban's streets were flooded due to the rains brought by Tropical Depression Crising. Thankfully the weather cleared up on Easter Sunday. Hung out at Robinsons Place Tacloban the entire day.


The Posh girls looking fab!
Bunny Love...
There's mayhem if both of them love to hop around, kid and bunny.
Celestine and Napoleon. 
Favorite Products...
Here are some of my much-used products this summer.
For my base, of course I reach for something that has a good amount of SPF. The Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream gives me that plus tons of other skin benefits. For keeping my oily skin and huge pores in check, the Quick FX No-Shine Mattifier has got my back. The Maybelline White Super Fresh Powder Foundation sets my bb cream. Did I mention that it also has SPF 34? I have BYS Contour and Highlighting Kit to thank for my bronzy summer glow. Maybelline's Fashion Brow Palette has been helping me achieve some brows on fleek and I am so in love with it that I'm already thinking of repurchasing it for years and years and years.

For my puckers, I'm also very nude-heavy these days. My favorite is the Maybelline Creamy Matte Color Sensational in Clay Crush. Sometimes I wear it alone or top it with the Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Sunny Day. Sometimes I wear the gloss alone and it also looks fab. If I want a pinkish hint of color, I go for the Maybelline Baby Lips Love Color Lip Balm in Cherry Kiss. It nourishes my lips really well and doesn't feel heavy.

Click the heavy fonts for reviews of each product.

*Disclaimer: Some of these products were sent to me for review purposes but it doesn't in any way affect my opinions about the them.  This is definitely not a paid post. :)  I'm just sharing honest love for each one of them. *

I've Read...
....Jay Asher's novel called Thirteen Reasons Why. Yes, the Netflix series of the same title is based on this book. I got curious about it when I saw the teaser on Facebook. But then I can't really do Netflix so I decided to just read the book. I'll post a separate review about in the future. It didn't really give me the goosebumps that I expected.

***
Here's a panoramic shot of the beach front in Victoria , 1 PM-ish, last Good Friday. What's not to love? None, April says. ;) Postcard perfect.

XO,
Carissa
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And so, on some days you'll be amazed at the shadow that She casts on the white sand.

Or that She plays catch with the waves.

You'll be content that She finds zen when She sits on the edge of the water.

Or you'll be reminded of a certain goddess who rose from, when She stands on the sea foams.

I have never used my own wit on waters that took away the sand castles that I build. She does so freely, and in abundance.

***
The beach is called Burobudyongan. Yes, that's the name of the place, not a tongue twister. It also goes by the name 'Spice of Life' or just 'Spice'. I'm debating whether I should say this is in Allen town or in Victoria town because it's somewhere in the middle. It's the favorite local watering hole, and understandably so. It's beautiful. It's basically free. There are no entrance fees. You only pay some when you rent a cottage or one of those overnight spots on the beach front. We are frequenters and usually do our stuff at 6:00 am when the air is fresh, the front is clean and the place isn't swarmed yet by the locals.
***
Meanwhile. Yes, Celestine's wearing a toga because on the 21st of March she moved up from Day Care Schmaycare and come June will enroll into Kindergarten Schmarten. Everyday I'm amazed at how close she to getting into college. It felt like only yesterday when I first saw that slimy head of hers. Ha ha. Anyway, I hope she learns to read soon so she will know all the wonderful stuff that I write about her in this blog. Every milestone is a milestone. ;)

The classic peace sign.

I know she looks kinda tall. Trust me, she just turned five.

The classic salakot. Literal na suru-salakot an kasayaw. Classic, kids.



...And the classic choral presentation that will have us laughing and tearing up when the time comes. They sang "It's A Beautiful Day", these little munchkins.

Proud parents are we now. Always, always.
XO,
Mummy Cassie
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That title sure is a mouthful! Ha ha!. I decided to hit two birds with one stone today. Or two stories in one blog post would be more like it. :) We went to the beach this weekend, and the weather was really fine. And the sun could literally burn you.  I suddenly remembered (silly me!) that I had this almost unused Belo SunExpert Ultra Gentle Spay SPF 50 and figured out that this day was the perfect time to use it. I mean, I had no other options because I just consumed all my other  sunblocks. (^,^)
Here's my 5th order from Sample Room during my VIP Membership.
The Deets
Full Size: 140ml//Price: PHP 539.75
"Belo’s very first kid-friendly product. Belo SunExpert Ultragentle Sheer Spray SPF50 and PA+++ is specially formulated sunscreen that is gentle enough for kids yet effective and strong enough to protect everyone in the family. Its ultragentle formulation provides effective broad-spectrum protection against harmful UV rays. Its Cell Protect® formula strengthens the skin’s defense system and actively prevents accelerated premature skin aging.

Belo SunExpert Ultragentle Sheer Spray SPF50 and PA+++ is hypoallergenic, dermatologist- tested,and paraben-free. It is also non-sticky and quick-drying, and works immediately upon application."

The Verdict
I think I got this one last February from Sample Room. It comes in a pressurized can container and sprays with a fizz. When I tried it back then I didn't like it very much. It felt sticky and oily when applied to the skin and therefore felt rather uncomfortable. I also don't like the scent of it; I dunno, it's almost like petroleum to me. And so it kind of stayed with the pile of unused stuff in the dresser. Lo and behold it was resurrected last weekend.
The details and lists of ingredients, etc.
Sprayed and spread on my arm. I know that it doesn't look oily or sticky in the photo but it does look and feel that way in person.
So those are the details about the product, written on the labels. I followed the instructions and didn't spray it directly on the face of my kid, but rather I sprayed it on my hands and spread on her face. I feels cool on the skin upon spraying and then you can immediately feel that it's sticky and oily, even if it says in the label that it's not sticky. 

What amazed me though was that, at the end of the day, even if my daughter stayed up to 5 hours under the sun, even if babad na babad sya, there were no signs of sunburns. As in, none at all. Her skin also did not turn as dark as it used to whenever she got exposed in the sun for long periods; back then I used a different kind of sunblock. As for me, I think I only spent about  2 hours under the sun and I am happy that my skin also didn't turn very dark and I didn't get sunburns. 

So that's how I was compelled to write a review. If you can go beyond the sticky and oily feeling, and the little not so nose-friendly scent, I think this product is good in protecting your skin from sunburns. Anyway, when you start taking a dip in the water, you would hardly notice the sticky/oily feeling. I don't think I can put up with the uncomfortable feeling of wearing this everyday so I think this one is best used in the beach. Anyway, the product expires in 2018 so there's plenty of time to use this for all the family outings. LOL.

Meanwhile, here are some photos of our fun time at the beach.

The beach front at Burubudyongan Beach in Victoria, Northern Samar.
The little girl in the center is my Celestine. <3 <3 <3
Tin meets a little sea urchin for the first time. She puts up a poker face but I think she's amazed.
Daddy finds a sea urchin just off the beach. He took it back to the sea after showing it to us.
I leave you now with a photo of me, daddy and Celestine, the beach bums. :)

Love lots,

Carissa
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Like, literally.
After all, it won't hurt to see some crowns, gowns, jewels, and palaces here and there. It's always fun to see some historical drama unfold. Oh, the power struggle too!
Always great to see a female protagonist slayin' it.
So here they are...My title's quiet up front, ain't it?! Ha ha

The White Queen
The White Queen
I'm not sure how many times I've seen The White Queen. And I think my first blog post here is about this series; you can read it here, for a trip down memory lane. It's about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Woodville who became Queen of England when she married the newly crowned  Edward IV. It was set during the Wars of the Roses, when York and Lancaster were battling it out for the throne. And being the Yorkist that I am, I knew from history that things won't turn out great for them. But still, I rooted for them so I cried a whole lot while watching this. This is adapted from the book of the same title written by Philippa Gregory.

Reign
Reign
This one is about Mary Stuart; I think that's reason enough to excite me because I don't see much about her in movies. The ones that I have always portray her as 'the other Queen' who tried to steal Queen Elizabeth I's thunder so she was decapitated. I am curious about the girl who made QE I jealous. She must have been very beautiful. This is the part where I remind myself to not stray too far. According to reviews, this is loosely based on the real thing so there is very little historical accuracy. The poster above though is proof that  they didn't miss the detail about beauty...but I actually thought M QS was a redhead? Well anyway, it says 'The Rise of Mary Queen of Scots' which means that this encompasses the best days of her life: when she was being raised in the beautiful court of France, waiting to be married to the dauphin, Francis and eventually ascending  the throne with him. Like I said, enough to make my heart beat fast.

 Victoria
Victoria
This one hasn't aired yet but I already feel like binge-watching it because it is about one of my most favorite monarchs: Queen Victoria. I have seen the movie The Young Victoria in the past, as portrayed by Emily Blunt. I doubt it if there would be much difference in the story line since it would be covering the same period but since this one is an eight-part series I think we can have the luxury to be a bit more detailed about the story. Moreover, that crown and the intricately braided hair underneath it is also something to look forward to. (^,^)

The White Princess
The White Princess
The White Princess is yet to make its TV debut but I am very much familiar about its story line. Well, that is if it follows closely the book of the same title, also by Philippa Gregory on which this series is based. The White Princess is Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter of The White Queen and King Edward IV, who married the victor of the Battle of Bosworth, Henry Tudor. Henry founded the Tudor Dynasty and took the crown as Henry VII (father of Henry VIII). The marriage of Elizabeth of York and Henry Tudor was made to unite the warring Yorkists and Lancastrians to finally pacify the entire kingdom. But far from achieving peace, England experienced many uprisings from people who were still rallying behind the Yorkist heirs, and with that the growing tension between the young couple. Even if they were already married and had kids, her husband still treats her like an enemy.

The Crown
The Crown
I've seen the trailer of The Crown and I must admit that I am quiet surprised. I've seen dozens and dozens of photos of the young Queen Elizabeth II and she always strikes me as someone confident and happy about her role. On the trailer, I saw a girl who trembles a lot. Well, if you would become queen at 25 maybe you would tremble too. And having Winston as Prime Minister, that would be unnerving. And with the popularity of the monarchy in shambles, maybe it's all too much for a young girl. More than 60 years later and here we are; the British Monarchy is a well admired institution and we can only credit it to the hardworking QE II who also leads by example. Vivat Regina!


There there, these are my five queens...that's three Elizabeths, one Victoria and one Mary.  I didn't mean to make it look like an all girls squad but I've always been drawn towards them. If you happen to look for some cute guys, I'm pretty sure you can spot some of them in these shows too *cough* MAX IRONS (King Edward IV in The White Queen) *cough*. Ha ha. Or maybe checkout those old episodes of The Tudors. Seriously though, the royalty nut aspect of me is pretty hardcore. I've constructed Queen Victoria's Family Tree in the past; that one left my old roomies scratching their heads. I was once obsessed with the Romanov Family. I still kind of am. I sometimes catch myself daydreaming over tiaras.

So there. If can have the chance to see all of these series, I'd be over the moon.

XO,
Carissa
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