Inspiration: House Lamps

In the literal sense. How cute are these?

[1] Good Night Lamp via Design Milk
[2] Creative House-Shaped Night Lamp via Mini in the Box
[3] House Lights by Kristian Aus via Home Reviews

Fashion: Hermès x Comme des Garçons

Another collaboration has finally made its way out. The "Comme des Carrés" scarf collection is a feast for the eyes. Each one is art on its own. If I could, I would get my two favorites. I will probably secure them on black frames, and put them in my forever living room.

Copyright Hermes. Via highsnob

Copyright Hermes. Via hypebeast.

Do you like them as much as I do?

Well, I heard they retail between $550 and $720. You can get them at COMME des GARCONS in Paris, New York and Tokyo, and at Dover Street Market in Ginza and London.

Crafts/DIY: Easy Hang

Do you have a hard time pounding a nail on your plywood wall (or concrete wall for that matter) to hang that cute little canvas art you have? I never had a hard time when our house used to have drywalls. But now, most of the walls I encounter are either made from plywood or concrete.

My sister got this cute "You are my sunshine" canvas art for her birthday. Her boyfriend gave it to her. Sweet huh? Well, her room walls are all concrete. So her canvas art pretty much stayed on the floor for about a month.

Enter 3M's Command Picture Hanging Strips. 3M boasts that it can carry up to 16 lbs! You don't need to drill or put nails. No more holes, cracked plaster or sticky residue, they say. Then, if you want to take the art down, it's easy to remove.

Look, the artwork is finally up. Painless and easy to put in place.

Have you discovered some other easy way to hang photos or art?

Food: P.F. Chang's at BGC

P.F. Chang's used to be only at Alabang. They finally opened one at Bonifacio Global City, at W Global Center. This new location makes P.F. Chang's more accessible for diners living in the northern and central part of the metro.

In every P.F. Chang's that I've been at, in and out of the country, they have their signature horse figures flank each side of the entrance.

The space has two floors. No elevators though, so the stairs require actual exercise. All 29 steps. Haha.

Five ancient hand-painted Chinese murals adorn the walls of the dining areas. A Taiwanese friend told me that the red stamps you see on Chinese paintings tell the history of its ownership.

Wood rafters occupy the ceiling space with a range of lighting choices -- all of which have warm lighting. One thing I learned from design school is that restaurants that want you to stay longer often use yellow or warm lights. They make food look good. Go ahead, check out those fast food joints; they usually have white light. White light makes food look blah, which in turn make you eat faster and leave sooner.

Of course, the terracotta warriors at P.F. Chang's will never go away. I got a miniature chocolate version of this one as a gift from P.F. Chang's during their media launch.

If I could describe the media luncheon, it was a foodie heaven. Just look at the menu.

Of course, their plate of special sauces is there. They mix the hot mustard with the soy, vinegar and chili paste.

Top row: Distilled white vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil
Bottom row: hot mustard, soy sauce, chili paste

The last time I got invited at P.F. Chang's, I was treated to their Asian Pear Mojito, which I really love. This time, I wanted to try something refreshing, and our waiter recommended the Honey Dew Cucumber Smoothie. It was excellent! It would have been perfect if there was no whipped cream. I like my smoothies slush, and uhmm, lower fat.

Top row: Honey Dew Cucumber Smoothie, Chang's Mai Tai (I think)
Bottom Row: Royal Poolside, Asian Pear Mojito

Just for clarification, I only had the smoothie, and none of the cocktails ha. Buti nalang, because I had to drive back home earlier than expected because of some misunderstanding with AAV people. Grr. Anyway, the folks at P.F. Chang's must have known my love for their Chicken Lettuce Wraps, because that's what came out first. But seriously, if you have not tried it yet, you should. You won't be disappointed. It's their best seller.

After that, the food just kept on coming and coming. Obviously, the Chicken Lettuce Wraps are my favorite of the bunch. The Dynamite Shrimp (pictured in a martini glass) came a close second. I also enjoyed the Seared Ahi Tuna, which was very fresh, by the way. The sauce and salad dressing complement one another. The Pork Dumplings is also a staple Chinese food, but P.F. Chang's reminded me of Japanese Gyoza. It wasn't memorable enough for me. The Crab Wontons, on the other hand, looks so fancy. They taste good too.

Below are their Sichuan-style Asparagus and Lo Mein.

The main dishes were really yummy. Chang's Spare Ribs is moist and tangy. The Shrimp with Candied Walnuts is a surprise because it came with honeydew balls. I didn't think the honeydew will work with the sauce, but amazingly, it did. You must try it. The Spicy Chicken was okay. The Mongolian Beef was really yummy. The green onions were just too much though. The dish can be called Green Onions with Caramelize Beef. Haha. It's still one of my favorites.

One thing I must say about P.F. Chang's dishes is that unlike authentic Chinese food, their food is never too oily, and is presented (and cooked) very consistently. At least here in the Philippines (so kudos to you P.F. Chang's Philippines).

I was only able to take pictures of the desserts. I had to go early. But based on my previous P.F. Chang's experiences, you can never go wrong with these two. Keep in mind, though, when you order the Great Wall, there must be at least 4 people in your table, or that you must be really really hungry. It's ginormous!

To celebrate the opening of its second location, P.F. Chang's offers a 20% rebate for every P1,000 dine-in purchase this coming Chinese New Year on February 10. It's a one-day offer folks, so make sure to drop by!

P.F. Chang's 

W Global Center
Bonifactio Global City
+63 2 664 5956

Corte
Alabang Town Center
+63 2 869 7837

Drink: Ginger Tea and Sympathy

I've been sick for the past couple of days, so I wasn't able to post stuff recently. I started with an itchy throat. I feel a lot better, although I still have the sniffles. My constant companion? Twinings of London Lemon and Ginger tea with a little bit of sage honey. :)

It reminded me of The Spa's ginger tea. Although that one is so much better -- it has this pandan and caramelized sugar taste. 

But for now, Twinings will do.