Food Talk: Epicurean Cakes

Hey! Am I the only one who thought today is Thursday? That's bad I guess since that means that I've lost track of time and it's seemingly slowing down. ^^

Anyway, let the cupcake testing continue! A few weeks ago, I came across Epicurean Cakes in Sumi Go's blog, The Purple Doll (Check out her entry here.) Yes, I do love reading food blogs just as much as I love beauty blogs and Sumi's blog is one of the awesome-st food blogs I've ever read. Let's just say I dare you not to get hungry while looking at her pictures or reading her entries. 

I was a bit hesitant to try these out, mainly because it was online and I have a thing about online purchases. I've only bought makeup online because I trust my color-instincts when it comes to makeup. But with food or clothes and shoes, my gut-feel falls down to the zero-range.

But being the pretend daredevil that I am, and since Sumi spoke highly of these babies, I immediately sent a text to the owner of Epicurean Cakes and braced myself.

I later on found out, a countless text messages later that is, that Epicurean Cakes is owned by blogger Kim Buenafe of kimiviajera and her sister. I actually read her blog and couldn't make the connection until I asked her about it. ^^She was really kind and patient enough to answer my questions and I had a LOT because it was my first time buying food online. Well, unless you'd count takeouts from McDonalds. After a few arrangements, I made my payment thru BPI and had my dad pick it up from BGC. (Pick-ups are available around Antipolo and BGC and delivery are for orders 12 pcs. and up)

Minimum order is 6 pcs./flavor. Each cupcake is 40 Php. Quite on the lower-priced side of the cupcake town. This one is called Kitkat Choco Swirl/Twirl, I forgot. ^^ I was having a KitKat episode when I ordered this, but I did ask for my family's opinion. There are other interesting flavors like Red Velvet, Oreo S'mores, and others. Oh,they also have Charlie's Chocolate cupcake, which is 200% chocolate. Maybe it's meant for me? *haha*

Each cupcake is placed in a royal blue tin paper-is cup and they are all housed in a cute blue box.

The Verdict:

 I must say that I expected it to taste like the run-of-the-mill cupcakes I used to have but I was quite impressed. A little blown away actually. For its price, the cupcakes were pretty good. The base was very moist. The cupcake itself had a great balance between the base and frosting and I loved the Kitkat. I mean, that's an entire Kitkat stick jammed into a single cupcake. And the frosting, and you know I have frosting issues, the frosting was really good. My sister found it a little to milk-y but said it was still good. My family enjoyed it too. Let's just say the three of us enjoyed it so much that my dad just had to take our word for it with the taste. Loved it. ^^

We'd definitely be ordering from Epicurean Cakes again. Actually, my dad just ordered 6 of their red velvet cupcakes when he picked these up. Visit Epicurean Cake's Facebook page here for more information.

By the way, Epicurean Cakes needs at least 1 to 2 days to prep before delivery and a 50% downpayment is needed. ^^ Totally worth it, trust me.

I'd always be a loyal fan of Cupcakes by Sonja, but I must say, these cupcakes may just be as awesome. ^^

Cheerio!

UPDATE (05/31/13)- Tried their Red Velvet cuppies. So good! The frosting almost seemed like pure cream cheese. It was so thick and creamy and the cupcake base was just as great. Next flavor coming next week! ^^

I Nailed It #7: Jocarste Nail Polish in A61

Howdy! It seems like the rainy season is peeking in. ^^ Make sure to gear up.^^

Lately, as much as possible, I try not to indulge in buying nail polishes because aside from the top coat, reds, and neutral-colored polishes, I can't seem to empty polishes out before they dry up.

I always see the Jocarste polishes whenever I'm in the beauty section of SM or Trinoma. I never really took the time to try them out until I saw this color. Jocarste actually has a lot of shades that I'd love to try. (Too bad the back information doesn't make any sense ^^)

The shade is called A61. The camera can't really show the color well but off-cam, it looks like a bubblegum peach shade, which anyone can rock. The color makes your nails look like they're freshly manicured even if they're not. I find myself reaching for this shade very often.

Each bottle costs 39.00. I love its gel finish but I wish it didn't smell too much like paint. This looks good as a base for a royal blue tipped-nails. ^^

You can find the Jocarste nail polishes in the Shawill makeup area.

What nail color are you wearing today? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Food Talk: Cafe Dominic

Hi guys! Welcome to the all-new Charlie's Mirror, where I talk about my constant craving for sweets. ^^ Kidding. My "beauty products" are currently on their roadtesting stage, so they would probably be ready in a few weeks or so. ^^ For now, I decided to "feed" you with what I've been trying for the past weeks. Stress does this to me. ^^

Every day, on my way to work, I see this small cafe housed inside the Sto. Domingo Church area. Cafe Dominic is at Biak na Bato. If you walk around Sto. Domingo Church, you won't miss it. One day I just decided to see what was inside.

I ended up bringing home a slice of their caramel chocolate cake (110.00/slice) and a mini devil's food cake(140.00/mini, 130.00/slice). The caramel slice was actually quite big and I picked up the mini version of the devil's food cake because it looked cute. ^^ They also had a pecan pie, a black and white mousse cake, and carrot cake.

The cafe itself could probably fit around 20-30 people since there are also seats and tables outside. They also offer coffee and a couple of juice drinks. Prices of their drinks play at aroun 100+ if I remember correctly. They also offer unlimited cakes and coffee for 200.00, although I don't know if that's a scheduled promo.

The Verdict:

The cakes were very moist and even survived an hour long of travel without falling apart. I liked how their slices are really big that you get what you actually paid for. My favorite would have to be the devil's food cake. The light meringue really brought out the sweet taste of the chocolate cake. While my sister's a middle field player, my mom and dad enjoyed the caramel. It was a little too sweet for my taste but it was good. Kinda like eating chocolate cake topped with yema. I'm guessing it would be best paired with coffee.

I'd love to try their other cakes but a definite must-but for me would be the devil's food cake. It rocks!

If you'd ever find yourself around the Sto. Domingo Church area or you had just attended Mass, I suggest visiting Cafe Dominic and trying out their sweet treats.

Find more about them here. Cheerio!

Food Talk: Cupcakes by Sonja

Hi guys! Another cupcake entry here. This one probably is the most way overdue post. ^^ My first "legit" cupcake was the Bunny Hugger from Sonja's (we call it Sonja's at home since saying Cupcakes by Sonja is quite a mouthful). That was around 2007 or 2008. I remember reading a short feature on her shop in a magazine and immediately decided that I wanted to try Sonja Ocampo's cupcakes, even if it's at Serendra in Taguig, which is very very very far from where I'm from. Since then, I've been a big, big fan and Cupcakes by Sonja has become a family favorite. Birthdays in our family were celebrated with cupcakes from Sonja's cupcake shop. ^^ I think her shop is actually what tickled my fancy in trying out other cupcake shops.

During my family's recent trip to Sonja's, I wasn't able to come but it seems that her shop has gone some major revamping and she's branching out (YEY!). Cupcakes by Sonja actually just opened a stall at Glorietta 2. Although I loved her quaint floral themed shop before, I love her new shop better. She infused a lot of red to what used to be pastel-colored.

*Photos by my sister

Cupcakes by Sonja's signature light blue box with the new red sticker

                                                             Bunny Hugger (80.00)

                                          

Vanilla Sunshine (65.00)

                                                                

Mocha Motion (72.00)

S'mores Tart (88.00)

Peppermint Patty (72.00)

Choco Surprise (80.00)

The Verdict:
Without a doubt, Cupcakes by Sonja will always be my favorite. So far, all their cupcakes I've tried for the past 5 years have never failed to impress me ^^-- moist base with awesomely flavored frosting. Most of the cupcakes look simple but they are all oozing with flavor. The cupcakes are never too sweet for me. My ultimate favorite is the Bunny Hugger, which is basically a carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting dusted with cinnamon. I've never really enjoyed frosting because most frostings can be too butter-y and greasy, but that's different when it comes to these cupcakes. My sister loves the Vanilla Surprise. It was also her first Sonja's cupcake. ^^ All in all, love these cupcakes. ^^
We've tried a couple of their berries and cream variations, the lemon drop one, and the S'mores tart. All were amazing, but, a word of advice, if you'll be trying the S'mores tart, eat it just as it comes of the freezer or refrigerator. It's a refrigerated cupcake so it has a tendency to fall apart and become a little messy to eat when in room temperature. ^^

You can visit Cupcakes by Sonja at Serendra or at the 2nd floor of Bridgeway, Glorietta 2.

Cheerio!

UPDATE (11-10-13)- I saw to-be-shops in Greenhills and SM North Edsa recently wrapped in Cupcakes by Sonja banners. Yes, I am sooooooooooo excited that my favorite cupcake shop will have branches closer to home. ^^
UPDATE (05-20-14) - I saw a stall for Cupcakes by Sonja in the the new fashion hall of SM Megamall. So many branches, so little time. :D

Charlie Plays Dress Up #1: Blue Ballerina

Hi guys! Today, I'll be introducing a new blog "segment". I don't think I've ever talked about fashion here. I've been known to dress up once in a while. I followed a few trends, boo-ed some of them. At the end of the day, I don't talk about dressing-up because I'm more of a uniform person. Not that I have to wear a uniform to work. It's just I have a tendency to wear the same outfit over and over again--see sneakers and sweats or T-shirts. ^^ But since I kind of need to have a few more sets of outfits to wear to work, I find my self buying a few "essentials" for my closet. Nah, I just wanted a legit reason to buy stuff that I find pretty. ^^

When we were strolling around The Ramp, Crossings in Quezon Avenue, I found this tulle skirt on the SALE rack. It was less than 400 bucks, if I remember correctly. It's from the Pill Clothing and Footwear. I instantly fell in love with it because it looks like a ballerina tutu. *Memory shoots back to 2nd grade*. The corset is my sister's, also from The Ramp, from the brand Apartment 8 Clothing. In this shot, the entire back part of the corset was "hairclipped" for fitting purposes.^^ The faux-emerald necklace is from our favorite accessories shop in Quiapo. ^^ When we go there, we always end up spending more than a few hundred bucks.

I had my sister pose with the skirt with my favorite printed coral sneakers from Converse. Let me tell you a little secret about me. ^^ Chucks will always be my favorite pair of shoes. I only have two pairs--both I bought way back in middle school with my savings. It took me a LOT of allowances to get 'em. A lot I tell you. ^^ haha.

I hope you enjoyed this fashion entry and I want to share more with you. Cheerio! ^^

Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Pressed Powder in Nude Beige

Hi guys. Before the weekend finally, well, ends, I just wanted to share with you this pressed powder that I've been using the past couple of weeks. My mom has finished two of this pressed powder. I, on the other hand, have always been loyal to my BB powder ever since I found out about it. I finished three pans. ^^

But I figured I should try to see if other pressed powders can work for me. So I decided to try this one from Maybelline.

I had a hard time choosing the shade though because I don't want to pick up a powder that'd look weird on my yellow skin. I ended up picking Nude Beige over Honey, which had a stronger yellow tone, but a bit darker. A pan costs 199.00 but Maybelline now has a to-go smaller compact which is only 99.00.

The Verdict:

When I tried this on at home, on my entire face, I realized it wasn't an exact shade match. Well, getting my exact shade match in powders and BB creams and foundations is like an ordinary-miracle-and-once-in-a-blue-moon moment. But, the good thing is that it's not entirely off. A bit too light for me but with a lighter application or good blending, it's fine. I love that it keeps my oil at bay for a good 3 to 3 and a half hours and even has SPF. I hope that it had more coverage and a lot smoother finish though. Probably their foundation version does a better job in these areas. It is unscented, as claimed.

Price is quite alright for a pressed powder and it has a lot of product too. I hope they improve the sponge though. Because my mom has tried this long before I did, I happen to know that the sponge gets ruined easily after washing since the top part is glued on. If it were stitched, it'd probably be better.

It is a good pressed powder but I'm all for more coverage. I'd probably end up trying their compact foundation. ^^

Anyways, have a great week ahead. Cheerio!

Etude House Baby Choux Base in #3 Peach Choux

Hello!

I've probably mentioned wanting to have the Baby Choux Base in most of my previous entries. Aside for fan-girling over Sulli, I'm actually looking for a promising primer or base. But, when the products from the Sweet Recipe line hit the stores, only the Berry shade was available.

Finally, last month, I saw that there were already two tester jars of the Baby Choux. Right then I knew that the peach shade has arrived. All I could say was AT LAST. Even my mom and sister were thankful since I can't stop talking about wanting to buy this.

I wanted the Peach shade since I've read that this one is for people with yellowish skin. This is also available in the green one, for those with reddish areas, and the berry one for pale or fair skinned. A jar costs Php 628.00. Well, you're not just paying for the product. I mean look at that cute-sy jar. ^^

The consistency is that of whipped cream and it smells like, well, peaches.

Pros:

1. Have I told you how absolutely cute the jar is? Well, I sure am keeping it when I empty it out.

2. Smells like peaches. I love scented cosmetics as long as they're not overpowering. You'd smell peaches a little after you apply it but it goes away, eventually.

3. A little goes a long way and provides light coverage.

4. I love that it has a semi-matte finish and I can blend it on my skin easily.

5. Has SPF 25. Enough protection if you're not spending time under the sun for too long.

6. Makes makeup application easy. It makes the skin so smooth to work on.

7. Can lengthen oil control for about half an hour to an hour. Lately, 've been blotting after two hours (it's because it's too hot these days!). When I use this, I could reach a little before lunchtime not looking too greasy.

Cons:

1. Applying a little too much can give you a too-white look. Either you blend well or apply a little.

2. I wished it made my pores appear smaller. Maybe it did miracles for some of my pores, but those big ones are still there

3. It has silica. I heard a lot of people are allergic to this so this might be a con for them.

4. Not much of a con, but a wish. More oil control power!

5. A little pricey for a base.

At times when I feel like my skin needs to breathe, I just put this on and dust some powder on. I actually like it and I will always be happy that I bought it. My most reached-for product these days. ^^

Cheerio!