Something New: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ice Cream Ice Blended + OPEN HOUSE!

Yesterday's event was so fun because I probably consumed around 5,000 calories in one sitting. LOL! Kidding aside, I was grateful to be invited to the launch of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's (CBTL) Ice Cream Ice Blended drinks at 26th Bistro! (Yup, I'm a north girl but I was lured all the way to BGC because one particular flavor excited me. Clue: Something MINTY!)

Their hashtag for these drinks is #DiscoverHappiness, and I couldn't agree more. Just thinking of ice cream brings back happy childhood memories. Even up to now, ice cream is able to solve a bad day! I love ice cream even if I shouldn't be regularly eating it because it messes up with my choir voice. HOHO! Besides, it's so hot everyday so ice cream a too lovely treat to miss out on.

But first, the FOOD! 

The Vegetarian

 

Grilled Chicken Pesto

The Vegetarian and Grilled Chicken Pesto are just some of their newest sandwich offerings, and they sell very fast! I was able to try both, and though I expected to like Grilled Chicken Pesto more because of my bias towards anything with pesto, I surprisingly loved The Vegetarian! It's so good and healthy, it's almost unreal. :D

 

Cakes! ♥

Chicago Cheesecake

The cheesecake that needs no introduction! ♥ This one is best paired with CBTL's Café Latte, but I'm guessing it would go well with anything just because it's so good. It's tangy and creamy. It melts in your mouth. It's one of my favorites at CBTL, and you have to try it!

 

Guiltless Chocolate Delight

I can't believe something as decadent and sweet as this can be made guiltless. CBTL surely worked their magic on this one. The health conscious chocolate lovers can rejoice! But then, I still love my Chicago Cheesecake more.

 

It's time to try the newest flavors of the Ice Cream Ice Blended! I thought they were going to serve samplers first, but no! We were served 3 huge glasses. :o (Panda, where are you?)

Pure Salted Pistachio Ice Blended

Sweet and creamy salted pistachio blended in vanilla. It's definitely a heavenly delight.

The first drink that was served was the Pure Salted Pistachio Ice Blended. It's a bold blend of sweet and salty. If you're into salted caramel things, you might like this one! It's caffeine-free so it'll surely satisfy the sweet tooth of the young and the young at heart! :D

 

Mint Chip Ice Blended

A refreshing combination of peppermint sauce, chocolate-covered espresso beans and creamy vanilla. A splash of cool in the middle of the day!

Of course Mint Chip Ice Blended is my favorite. I think it has been my favorite even before I tried it. HAHA! But really, among the three new flavors, this one was really a crowd-pleaser! It gives you a jolt of energy + that undeniable refreshing flavor. Don't worry, it doesn't taste like toothpaste. :D I'd order this again!

 

Cookies & Cream Ice Blended

A timeless favorite enjoyed by all ages crafted with scrumptious cookie bits combined with creamy vanilla.

Cookies & Cream is my favorite ice cream flavor when I was a kid. My sisters and I would get all excited when we find a huge chunk of cookie inside the ice cream. Haha! This flavor is a timeless favorite best shared with someone special. :> This drink can also be enjoyed coffee-free - the perfect treat for my niece on our next mall trip!

 

Hello, Krissy! :D

 

You can find the Ice Cream Ice Blended drinks at all CBTL stores. The price range of these drinks are from P165 to P195, depending on the flavor and size. Not bad for something that gives us comfort and brings back blissful memories! :>

Swirl Rewards card holders get an exclusive sneak peek and first tasting of the new flavors of the Ice Cream Ice Blended at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Open House on June 5, 2016 from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Visit a store nearest you to find out more on how to avail of your own Swirl Rewards card and be part of the CBTL community!

Facebook: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Philippines)

Twitter & Instagram: @cbtlph

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Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch!

Lucky Citrine on Facebook
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Cathy Doll Haul + Prices

I've blogged about Cathy Doll's launch last month, and now I'll be sharing with you what I took home with me that day. This will serve as a haul post, and I'll include the prices of the product so you'd know how affordable these cuties are! Cathy Doll is a Thai beauty brand but most of their products are formulated in Korea. Even the packaging screams cuteness - very Korean-inspired indeed!

At first glace, I thought that the sachets were GWPs, but it turns out, Cathy Doll does sell some of their products in sample sizes AKA sachets. This is helpful because you can try their products without committing to a full-sized version just yet.

FACIAL CARE:

Cathy Doll L-Glutathione Magic Cream SPF50 (P49/8ml, P299/60ml, P599/138ml)

• Features: L-Glutathione, SPF 50 PA+++
• Benefits: Whitening; very good protection grade against UVA

Cathy Doll Acne Solution Serum Foam Cleanser (P18/6ml, P299/100ml)

• Features: Glutathione, Arbutin; Collagen, Vitamin E, Tea Tree Serum
• Benefits:  Whitening, spot remover; nourishing (for sensitive skin), brightening, oil control, and anti-acne

Cathy Doll Aura Whitening Serum Foam Cleanser (P18/6ml, P299/100ml)

• Features: Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Korean Primula Veris Extract, Glutathione Serum; Vitamin B3, Shallow Mallow Extract
• Benefits: Whitening, anti-dark spot, and anti-blemish; deeply nourishes skin, reducing wrinkles, revives dull skin

Cathy Doll Snail Pore Reducing Serum for Oily Skin (P999/50g)

• Features: Snail mucus extract (60%) which contains Allantoin, Gluconic Acid, Collagen, and Elastin; Tannic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, and AHA
• Benefits: For oily and combination skin, fades scars; tightens skin pores effectively, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, repairs and regenerates skin

Cathy Doll Ready 2 White Milky White Cream Pack (P49/6ml, P499/100ml)

• Features: Ascorbic Acid and Adenosine
• Benefits: Instant whitening, brightening, moisturizing, and pore-tightening of facial skin

Cathy Doll So Happy Berry Yogurt Peeling Gel (P49/6ml, P499/60ml)

• Features: Strawberry extract, Yogurt, Glutathione
• Benefits: Moisturizes dry skin, removes impurities, improves skin discoloration

Cathy Doll White Heads Cleansing Black Clay Mask (P129/25g)

• Features: Volcanic charcoal stone from Japan, Mineral Water
• Benefits: Cleans dull skin, removes skin impurities; washes away unwanted oil, renews, and smoothens the skin

 

Cathy Doll Water Splash Essence with L-Glutathione (P69/5g, P649/50g)

• Features: L-Glutathione, Onsen Mineral Water
• Benefits: Quick step whitening, can be use as a primer for make-up, hydrates and moisturizes skin, eliminates wrinkles, and minimize pores

Cathy Doll Milky Splash Essence with Heot Gae Na Mu (P69/5g, P649/50g)

• Features: Heot Gae Na Mu, Arbutin, Gold Capsule, Goat Milk Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide 8, Super Berry Complex
• Benefits: Moisturizes skin, instant white and radiant skin with Botox effect

Cathy Doll Gold Splash Essence with Bee Venom (P69/5g, P649/50g)

• Features: Gold Essence, Sea Grape Serum, Bee Venom Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen
• Benefits: Oil control, makes skin glow, revives dry skin, bright and youthful looking skin

MAKEUP:

Cathy Doll Speed White CC Cream SPF 50 Light Beige (P49/6g, P399/50g)

• Features: Mineral Water, Marine Collagen, Multivitamin, Arbutin, SPF 50
• Benefits: Smoothens and whitens skin, evens out skintone, reduces wrinkles and covers imperfection all day long, protects skin from harmful UV rays

Cathy Doll Speed White CC Powder Pact SPF40 (P399/12g)

• Shades: Light Beige and Natural Beige
• Features: SPF40, fine powder texture, sebum control innovation
• Benefits: Smoothens and whitens skin, evens out skintone, reduces wrinkles and covers imperfection all day long, 8-hour oil control

Cathy Doll Triple Eyebrow Designing (P249/2.5g)

• Shades: Blonde Brown, Natural Brown, and Red Brown
• Features: 3 dimensional look (3 shades), comes with 2 headed brush for easy application, can be use on the nose to highlight nose line
• Benefits: Beautiful eyebrows, natural look, long-lasting, easy to use on the go

Cathy Doll Sexy Brow Pencil (P199/0.25g)

• Shades: #01 Black, #02 Dark Brown, #03 Brown, #04 Ash Brown
• Features: Available in 4 natural shades, creamy texture, waterproof
• Benefits: Beautiful eyebrows, natural look, long-wearing

 Cathy Doll Geisha Moteru Gel Liner Pot (P249/2g)

• Shades: #01 Black, #02 Red, #03 Gold
• Features: Available in 3 vibrant shades, silky texture, compact pot with specially designed brush, waterproof
• Benefits: Easy to use, makes eyes more round and captivating, long-wearing

 

Cathy Doll Lip Smile Color Lip Balm Stick (P199/3.5g)

• Shades: #01 Baby Pink, #02 Cherry Kiss, #03 Summer Peach, #04 Berry Crush
• Features: Available in 4 lovely bright shades, with intense moisturizer, sunscreen
• Benefits: Minimizes cracking and peeling, moisturized lips with natural tint, smoothens lips, decreases dark spots, protects from harmful UV rays

Cathy Doll Geisha Hanazakari Lip Matte (P349/7g)

• Shades: #01 Sakura, #02 Pink Moss, #03 Wine Orchid, #04 Red Rose, #05 Coral Red
• Features: Available in 5 flower shades that matches Asian lip skin tone, innovative texture matte with semi gloss
• Benefits: Beautiful lips (soft, velvet texture), long-wearing, moisturized lips

BODY CARE:

 

  Cathy Doll Ready 2 White One Day Whitener Body Cleanser (P349/450ml) 

• Features: Glutathione, Milk Protein, Arbutin, Sweet Floral Fragrance
• Benefits: Nourishes, brightens and corrects skin tone, improves elasticity of skin and removes unwanted spots, fragrant smelling skin

 

Cathy Doll Come On Baby Intimate Cleansing Gel (P169/100ml)

• Features: Paraben-free, infused with natural blend of Mugwort, Angelica Root, Cnidium, Peony, and Jujube Extracts
• Benefits: Removes unpleasant odor, balances pH levels, and reduces bacteria while protecting your skin

Cathy Doll Pom Pom Girl Whitening & Pore Reducing Armpit Toner (P349/120ml)

• Features: Vit. C, AHA, Arbutin, Witch Hazel extract
• Benefits: Flawless and smooth armpit

 

Cathy Doll Chili Bomb Anti-Stretch Mark Intense Cream (P349/100g)

• Features: Rosemary, Centella Asiatica, Chili Extract,  Cucumber, and Aloe
• Benefits: Prevents wrinkles and stretch marks, reduces appearance of dark spots and scars, hydrates skin

Cathy Doll Chili Bomb Firming Legs & Arms Essence (P349/100g)

• Features: Chili extract, L-Carnitine, Cucumber
• Benefits: Stimulates breakdown of fats, slims and firms the arms and legs

I'm really curious about the Snail Pore Reducing Serum, Speed White CC Powder Pact, Lip Smile Color Lip Balm Stick, Cathy Geisha Hanazakari Lip Matte, and Pom Pom Girl Whitening & Pore Reducing Armpit Toner! :D

How about you? Any products you'd want me to review first?

Cathy Doll is available in the following locations:

Facebook: Cathy Doll Philippines
Instagram: @cathydollphils

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

Lucky Citrine on Facebook
Lucky Citrine on Instagram

Eat and Drink All You Can at Sandaya Yakiniku Restaurant

Last Friday was a very long day because I had a 100 item final exam during the morning, 2 events in the afternoon, and a dinner/movie date with Panda! YAY! Panda and I love indulging in good food, our favorite being Japanese cuisine. (He was the only one who successfully made me try sashimi, and now I super love it!) 
 

We've passed by Sandaya Yakiniku Restaurant in Fisher Mall many times already and have always been curious about their eat all you can promo. Good thing we were able to score coupons from Metrodeal! I think the promo is ongoing until June 3.

For only P355/person, you can have a Buffet Platter includes US Beef Short Plate, Brazilian Boneless Pork Belly, US Boneless Chicken Leg Quarter, Japanese Rice, Miso Soup, Sprout Salad, and Lemon Iced Tea. Just by the sound of it, it looks like a pretty good deal already.

Unlimited lemon iced tea, miso soup, and Japanese rice

The miso soup was really good, but we didn't get refills because this might fill us up. It had to be the meat, para sulit! :D

Unlimited sprout salad AKA toge

The toge was okay, just normal. We asked for only 1 plate of this just to try it. No need for refills at all.

 

My favorite part was grilling, because Panda cooked and I looked. Haha :D At first, I thought they will add a tray or something, but apparently you cook the meat directly here, so you can't pour sauce on the meat while cooking or else it will drip into the flames. However, you can coat the meat first before putting it in the grill.

Special sauces!
 

The meats were already marinated, so they taste really good even on their own. The chicken took a long time to cook, so we had their friendly staff cook it for us. Hehe! (That's a tip for you!) Our favorite were the delicious beef slices. It was thinly sliced so it sort of melts in the mouth - so tender! The pork was very good too, even if I don't usually eat pork on a normal basis. The chicken was soft, but nothing really special about it. The catch here is that you can only order a meat refill when you've finished the entire plate. Each of us had 1 plate of meat, and Panda and I ordered our third plate to share. I asked if they can leave out the chicken since it was the last plate we're ordering, but it wasn't allowed. So yeah, we had to finish it all. Haha :P

Our buffet experience in Sandaya Yakinuki Restaurant was pretty nice. The food they served were fresh and of good quality, but the meat served were a bit on the oily side due to the marinate so I had to place them on top of a tissue paper first after cooking to absorb the oil. More oil, more delicious. LOL! But maybe they can improve on that, for the benefit of their more health conscious customers. We'd consider going back here soon (or as long as they have a groupon deal). :D

Facebook: Sandaya Yakiniku-Fisher Mall

Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch!

Lucky Citrine on Facebook
Lucky Citrine on Instagram