Starbucks: Sorta Like a Real Library

Today, I held office in a new place -- Starbucks in Standard Chartered Building, Makati.

Although having office in a Starbucks branch was not alien to me, it was the fact that this particular branch had a new set up that truly attracted me to it.

I felt like I was being transported to one of those movie scenes in the US libraries. It truly felt like it.

But other than that, it was a great move for Starbucks to have switched a portion of their regular coffee tables to this sort of library desk. Since cafes have now turned into the modern day's internet cafe and library, it is good to know that Starbucks has gone the extra mile for this. Plus, these tables can actually accommodate individual guests who want to use their computer while drinking their coffee or tea (a.k.a. ME). They also have available power sources for these tables!

Great job Starbucks Standard Chartered Building! More please!

This branch is located at Standard Chartered Building, 6788 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Telephone: 02 886 7143. Operating hours: 6:30am - 12:30am (Monday-Friday) closed on weekends. To check out other Starbucks' branches in the Philippines, open this link: http://philippines.starbucks.com/en-US/_Our+Stores/

EatsTrixie!'s 5 Things to do to Battle Pinoy Summer Heat

You know the heat is so intolerable these days when you just stepped out of the shower and you're already sweating. Yes, summer. It's that hot. Since some of us can't have the luxury to escape to the beach, we've got to make do with the intense heat we're experiencing. Here are some of the things I suggest to battle the hot summer season:

1. Wear comfortable clothing
Unless you're going to a formal event, leave out the pumps and formal wear. Go for shorts and light colored tank tops where you can feel comfortable in.

Check out Sueno de Espadrilles-- they're the perfect summer shoes at only P650!

2. Go to your favorite coffee shop

In my case, it's Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf because I get to use their free Wi-Fi and plug my laptop. Also, I like Starbucks'-- especially if I'm in Rockwell area because it's so comfortable to work there. I usually order the Mocha Ice Blended from CBTL and Java Chip from Starbucks.

CBTL or Starbucks?

3. Watch a movie

Oh yes. A movie always works. You get to entertain yourself for the next couple of hours, depending on the film that your watching. Plus, you get free air conditioning!


4. Eat ice cream


You can get cheap thrills such as McDonald's Sundae or indulge in uber expensive ice cream by Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry's! Depending on your budget, ice cream always does the trick.

McDonald's or Haagen-Dazs?

I recently got to discover a new Korean ice cream called Ched'or when a Korean friend bought one for me. I used to eat Samanco before but now that I got to taste this new ice cream, this became my new choice.

Ched'or Berrymix

A few days ago, I went to the Korean grocery located below Makati Palace Hotel in P. Burgos St. and looked for Ched'or. I wasn't able to find the Berrymix flavor and was shocked that it came in another variety--Espresso. I decided to try it out and boy! I loved it more! This ice cream cost P56. 

Ched'or Espresso Flavor

5. Stay indoors


Well, if you don't have any money and it's too hot to even move, just stay indoors and take a bath. :)

War of the 2011 Journals: The 2011 Giving Journal

With the Christmas season coming in near, it can only mean one thing: time to hunt for the perfect 2011 journal! I remember my journal for 2009 was the Belle-De-Jour journal which I never got to use!

I never used this!

My journal for this year was the Navi 2010. I did use this journal but not on a daily basis because it was too heavy to carry along with my laptop.

My 2010 journal

After reading Animetric's post about the 2011 Starbucks Planner, I decided to start collecting stickers for it. Unfortunately, I found Starbucks' coffee a little too expensive, especially since they do not have free Wi-Fi. Ever since I became a freelancer, I have always frequented The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I especially love their Southern Blend iced tea because I'm not really much of a coffee drinker.

Southern Blend Iced Tea

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's 2011 Journal

While I was waiting for Angel to get off work last Friday, it was only routine for us to meet at CBTL in Greenbelt 3. Lucky enough, I got to see their new 2011 Giving Journal which they released not too long ago.

I was really excited with this journal for many reasons:

1. It looks a bit like my old planner.
2. Unlike the Belle-Du-Jour planner, it does not correlate to just a specific gender.

3. I can actually collect the stickers!
4. An order of regular or large Southern Blend = 1 sticker!
5. It's centered around the concept of Giving Back.

When I was able to see the journal, I instantaneously gave up my Starbucks' sticker collection and gave it to Angel. I really like CBTL's journal because I don't have to waste money in coffee that I don't really drink just so I could get the journal. With them, the journal is really just their present to me for being a loyal customer! ^,^

I found the right journal for me! Have you?