Best Yang Chow in Chinatown!

I think every city in this world has a Chinatown. May it be in Canada, Philippines, United Kingdom, even in the US! It's a global staple. A lot of the states here in the US of A have at least one Chinese store or restaurant. Of course, New York isn't an exception.

We went to Chinatown to buy cheap fridge goods (a.k.a. meat, fish, vegetables, etc.) and got a bit hungry a little while after strolling a great part of the place. A few steps away from us was an underground restaurant, dubbed by many people - even Hollywood celebrities - as a great place for authentic Chinese cuisine.

We went down the stairs just above the Hop Kee Restaurant sign. It was a small place which was right below a dimsum place. It didn't have that usual Chinese restaurant smell, but they do have really fast service!

The Shala Girl Lurves: Red Mango Blueberries n' Cream Waffle

For the longest time, I haven't been on a date with my lovely chichi girls! Good thing we all had a common free time last weekend, and the three of us agreed to meet at Eastwood. Afterhaving lunch, we decided to get something for our sweet tooth and stumbled upon Red Mango.

I tried their Blueberries n' Cream Waffles with yogurt. (Php 125) It was awesome! Being a waffle lover myself, I'm big on crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside- and Red Mango perfected it! Their waffle even came in a cute heart shape!

To all dessert lovers out there, try Red Mango's waffles. It's definitely delish!

Red Mango

located at Eastwood Mall, TriNoma, SM Megamall, and Greenbelt 3

The Shala Girl Lurves: Straw Trilby Hat

So as I mentioned, I'm not allowed to go out right? I'm on a "fun" ban right now and I've been living under a rock for a couple of weeks already. Envy runs through my veins whenever I see my friends share their beach photo albums on Facebook! I've been missing out on a lot (x9999) of parties, night-outs, and out-of-town trips! I srsly cannot wait for the 25th to come. After that, I'm hauling my humps to the outside world.

For almost a month I haven't shopped for any piece yet. I feel so bad! I think the first thing that I would do after the 25th is to shop, shop, shop! Before my house arrest got implemented, I was searching for a nice big floppy straw hat. I've been to 6 malls and I couldn't find one. When I got to the 7th mall, I saw a straw trilby hat that's kinda chic. It wasn't the big one that I was eyeing for, but for some reason I wanted to have that trilby. I was supposed to purchase it, but I thought I'll give it another week.

I never got the chance to buy it! I just reassured myself that I'll find a nice floppy straw hat soon, that's why I never got to buy the trilby hat... but my mom did!

She handed it to me the moment she got home earlier today. I felt so happy because I got a straw hat! (and I didn't spend a single peso heehee) I tried it on and I felt so chica that I wanted to play dress-up and abuse my camera. Don't worry, I didn't. ;)

My mom got it from the men's accessories area of a department store so it's uber cheap. Good find, I must say. I'm wearing this to make my outfit summer-y! I am so ready to enjoy the world in 2 weeks!

Look who's feelin' good with my trilby hat :)

His name is Taba- a styro-stuffed chick plushie who only has one eye.

Can't wait to be out and about!!

Proenza Schouler Spring 2010

photos via NY Mag

Ultimate snaps to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for bringing rich colors to their Spring collection. Flowy and flashy, that's how the Proenza Schouler line appears to my shala eyes. I totally adore the pieces in their collection, especially their jersey dresses! Its the perfect outfit for any beach getaway, paired with chic accessories and sky-high heels. I can imagine myself donning Proenza while sipping frozen margaritas beside a pristine shore!

The Shala Girl Lurves: CBTL Iced Chai Tea

Earlier today I had this big craving for milk tea. Since Serenitea is a 30-minute drive away from where I am right now, I decided to look for an alternative that's somewhere near. I asked Patty and Judd where I can find the best milk tea around the area. We all agreed that Starbucks' Chai Latte sucks; Patty suggested The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Judd pitched Kirin. Then I decided to follow the former, since I felt that the latter would serve me a take-out quality of tea stirred in with local milk and poured in a plastic to-go cup.

I walked my self across to The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and ordered for what I was craving for.

I got an Iced Chai Tea. It's Black tea combined with spices, Chai Masala, steamed non-fat milk (I requested for whole, still hoping to gain sexy weight), and French Deluxe Vanilla.

I was a bit nervous about my first-sip verdict, because the last Chai drink that I had was from Starbucks and I became a very unhappy girl. That Chai did not (x10) pass my shala tastebud standards. I expected my Chai Tea to look like a normal milk tea- brown in color, and sweeter than usual. Lo and behold, my Iced Chai Tea was white as heavenly full-cream milk.

My mouth felt the straw, and I went to Chai heaven. It was fabulous lurveeee at first sip. Best (local) Chai Tea I've ever tasted. It doesn't have that ginger-y taste, and you can really sense the spices and Chai Masala playing in your tastebuds. The hint of French Vanilla made the drink even yummier. Definitely refreshing! I am so getting another large cup tomorrow.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is located at Tomas Morato, Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, TriNoma, Ayala Technohub, SM North The Block, Robinsons Galleria, Greenbelt 3, Salcedo, Rockwell, A.Venue, Promenade, SM Megamall, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio High Street, SM Mall of Asia, McKinley Hill, Ortigas Park, Alabang Town Center, and Robinsons Ermita.

Gap Summer 2010

The everyday 36-C heat in Manila is definitely making people strip layers of clothing off their skin. The temperature is just making me sweat all the time, which by the way I really hate! Good thing Gap is saving us from this distress- Gap has just released a new line just in time for the hot hot Summer!


For this line, Gap focused more on bringing pastels and naturals to life. The floral prints look very airy and sweet, plus it gives a hint of vintage chic.


I la-la-la-love the denim trousers and maxi dresses! Absolutely shala! These two things are definitely on my must-have list this summer. Can't wait to have these pieces on my closet!


Gap (CCSI)
Available at SM Mall of Asia, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, TriNoMa Mall, Glorietta 4, Bonifacio High Street, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall and Robinsons Place Manila.

The Shala Girl Lurves: BreadTalk Triple Chocolate

After class I decided to pick up a few pieces at Zara, so I grabbed a bite on the way.

I was choosing between Krispy Kreme and Bread Talk. Since I was craving for variety, I favored the latter. I got a few pastries, and cheesy loaf to take home. While I was waiting in line, I saw a fresh batch of chocolate covered buns being placed on the middle rack. So, I took some since they look so enticing.

As soon as I paid for everything, I took out a piece of chocolate covered bun and had my first bite. And then another. And then another.
The Triple Chocolate bun was ultimate heaven! It's a sure treat for chocolate lovers- dark chocolate ganache-filled chocolate bun covered with semi-sweet chocolate shell.


Sorry for the crappy photo. It doesn't give justice to the luscious Triple Chocolate bun.

I assure you, one bun isn't enough! I lurveeet,I know you will too!