Cardstock Buntings ♡

by she said

We had a couple of hours of power interruption while some electrical repairs were being done on our street last weekend. And because we had no internet, meaning no connection to the outside world, my mom and I got restless. To beat the boredom, we got into our crafty mode and made these cute buntings to hang in my room.

My mom loves collecting scrapbook materials and all sorts of pretty paper. Whenever we're in a bookstore or happen to chance by a novelty store, she always buys something for arts and crafts. 

Mom: Biancs!!!!! These are really nice. We could use them for something.

Me: uh-huh.....ok

She has this whole collection of washi tape, stickers, labels, rubber stamps, bakers twine - the list could go on and on. But I only have two scrapbooks to my name, so go figure.

My mom got these designer cardstock in pretty patterns from Gourdo's.

We just cut them in half and folded them over bakers twine,

and secured with some double sided tape.

Fast and easy. Now, they're ready to hang in my room.

I tried them out on my bedroom light. Nah, too low.

On the wall above my bookcase. Cute.

On my study table. What do you think? My mom works here during the day when I'm in school.

I think this is the perfect spot.

Disclaimer: We fixed up and organized my room before we took photos. It is now back to its original messy state, so please don't be fooled : )

Kitchen Stories - Breakfast Cookies

By She Said

My daughter is not very fond of bananas. I try to let her eat a variety of fruits and vegetables but every time we have bananas at home she just won't eat it. When I came across this two ingredient cookie recipe over at The Burlap Bag, I thought it was sheer genius. Imagine a cookie with just bananas and oatmeal? I just knew I had to try it to make my daughter change her mind about bananas.

The recipe calls for:

2 over ripe bananas
1/2 cup instant oats

That's it! You can add your choice of mix-ins like raisins, nuts, chocolate chips if you like. I used a handful of dried cranberries with this recipe only because we had some at home.

Just mash up the bananas, they have to be very ripe because you won't be adding any sugar. The sweetness will come from the bananas. Combine the bananas with the oatmeal and dried fruits or nuts, making sure the mixture is not runny. Not all bananas are the same size so you may have to add a little bit more oatmeal if you'll be using larger sized ones. Place rounded teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart and bake 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Yields about 12 cookies.

The verdict: I have already made two batches this week and although it still tastes like bananas, it was nice and chewy and my daughter liked hers with chocolate chips. These are perfect for breakfasts on the go!

I could eat a batch of these in one sitting. They're very good right out of the oven. Try it out. So easy and simple to make and delicious too!

The Way We Ate- Marriott Cafe

by she said

My mom and I were invited to a very special birthday celebration at the Marriott Cafe at Resorts World Manila over the weekend! We don't eat in hotel buffets that often so this was a real treat. We can be big eaters sometimes, but not so much that we can make the most out of the cost of a hotel buffet, about P2000 per person.

Some hotel buffets have such massive choices, leaving diners confused and wondering where to start. Thankfully, the selection at the Marriot Cafe is pretty simple, straightforward and not to mention, delicious. We actually surprised ourselves because we ate a lot!

Here are some of the Food Stations we enjoyed at the buffet.

Create your own noodle soup bowl.

Roasted meats.

Dimsum.

I am a big fan of breads and cheeses.

Japanese Maki.

I tried to get a proper photo of the delicious prawn tempura, one of the best I've had, but every time a fresh batch would be served up, it would be gone in a second!

Calamari and roasted vegetables.

US Angus Beef- before and .....

..... After. Perfect with Black Peppercorn Sauce.

What's dessert without chocolate? I actually started my meal with some chocolate to whet my appetite,  because who can resist a chocolate fountain, right?

Marshmallows, cookies, fruit and cake pieces ready to be submerged in the chocolate waterfall.

I will never get tired of chocolate fondue! I would make my grandma take me to Max Brenner in Greenbelt  when I was a kid just to look at the big machines filled with chocolate.

 I loved these little white chocolate and fruit tarts!

Super creamy gelato. Cookies & Cream for me and Strawberry for my mom.

I don't think it's healthy for us to be going to buffets often. I'm pretty sure I gained ten pounds on that day alone! : P

Nonetheless, I loved being around two of my favorite things: food, and really awesome people. A rainy afternoon very well spent! Happy birthday, Ninang L! Love you ♡


Marriott Cafe
Marriott Hotel Manila
Newport City Complex, 
Pasay City, Manila
website

Washi Coasters

by she said

My mom and I have been planning to make Washi Tape Coasters for awhile! We thought they'd be cute to make as a fun party activity, but we just couldn't wait. So we tried out our idea yesterday : D

Here's what you need:

Set of cork coasters (or ceramic coasters, if you like!)
Washi tape
Scissors
Hobby knife or cutter
Craft mat
Paint brush
Mod Podge
Clear acrylic sealer (optional)

Mod Podge- waterbase sealer, glue and finish. You can get this at Deovir Art Supplies.

Cork coasters, set of 10 from Muji.

Just place strips of washi tape next to one another in any pattern you like. Make sure to get the tape as close to each other as possible and that no part of the cork coaster is showing. Don't forget that washi tape is removable and re-positionable so it's easy to fix if you mess up! We get our washi tape from Paper Chic Studio

After completely covering the coaster with tape, flip it over a cutting mat. Using a craft knife, trim the excess as close to the edge as possible.

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the top and sides of the coaster with a brush and let dry 15-20 minutes. You may opt to spray with a clear acrylic sealer to waterproof them if you like.

They turned out so well, we're planning on making more to give as Christmas presents. Making these was definitely a way of de-stressing after exam week and also getting to bond (aka fight over who gets to cut the tape...hehehe) with mom! What a great Saturday. : )

Kitchen Stories- Chocolate Chip Pancakes

by she said
 
Dear Mama,

Thanks for always taking care of me whenever I get sick. You always know how to make me feel better. I made these pancakes especially for you. Happy Saturday!

Love you,
Bianca

The Way We Ate- Kenji Tei Ramen House

By She Said

Yesterday, when we found out that my sister was planning to cook adobo for dinner, my daughter and I exchanged knowing looks. We love her adobo, but our taste buds were looking for something else last night. Good thing my sister shares our love for eating out so we didn't have a hard time convincing her to forgo the adobo for another time. Plus, we wanted to escape cleaning up and washing the dishes after. Haha! Good thing there's a Kenji Tei nearby. The rainy weather was perfect for some Japanese food.

Our first experience eating in Kenji Tei was a few years back, sometime in 2009. They started as a small restaurant in BF Homes, Paranaque and easily gained popularity for their ramen and sushi simply by word of mouth.

BF Homes in the south has become a hub of all types of establishments. Overflowing with dining choices, you can easily get confused on deciding where to eat when you're in the area. But Kenji Tei accomplished quite a feat as evidenced by a regular following of hungry customers crowding their tiny spot in BF.

By 2011, they opened a branch in Greenbelt 5 Makati and eventually closed their BF branch in favor of a bigger, better and more accessible branch in Alabang Town Center in 2012. We couldn't be more pleased : )

Kenji Tei, Alabang Town Center. Modern interiors and eye catching ramen inspired ceiling.

 Crunchy Kani Maki

 Gyudon

Chahan- Japanese fried rice.

Ebi Tempura

Crispy Chicken Teriyaki- grilled crispy chicken glazed in teriyaki sauce.

Now that we've satisfied our Japanese food craving, we are now ready for some of that homemade adobo! With lots of steaming hot white rice and some sliced tomatoes. Who wants to join us for dinner? ; )

Kenji Tei Ramen House
Ground Level, Cinema Complex
Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
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