Nespresso Now in the Philippines

Yes it's true. Gone are the days when we have to allocate precious luggage space for the machines and pods because family and friends have asked us to buy for them, or requested for it as pasalubong. 

I don't know though if this will lessen the allure for Titas and Lolas who like stashing unused pods from the hotel Nespresso machine and bringing them home, heehee.

Because Nespresso really is finally here.

What better way to welcome Nespresso than with a Coconut laced coffee drink care of Chef Sunshine Puey

One fine afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting the Nespresso Philippines Team led by Patrick Pesengco. Together with Ms. Lai Ching Kok, Nespresso Regional Head of B2C Asia, who joined us for coffee, sandwiches and sweet treats, Pat explained that while Nespresso B2B (Business to Business) was already up and running, they had to prepare and set-up the right infrastructure for a seamless B2C (Business to Consumer) experience.

I am happy to share that it is definitely worth the wait. Here's why:

1) While the first Nespresso Boutique in the country is set to open in December (which should be as fun as going to the one in Ion Orchard in Singapore or Champs Elysess in Paris), we can already start buying the machines and pods at Rustan's Makati, Rustan's Shangri-la and Abenson's BGC.

2) Because we are dealing with machines here, they've set-up a Customer Hotline where Nespresso Coffee Specialists can offer consultation and receive orders. 

3) Wherever you are in the country, you can get your Nespresso fix, because we can all now order online at www.nespresso.ph. 

Customers who register their information online automatically become Nespresso Club Members, allowing them exclusive perks and privileges. One such perk? Nespresso Club Members are provided a temporary machine when they have their machines serviced so they don't have to go crazy missing out on their morning coffee.

I registered to become a Nespresso Club Member on the spot, it only takes a few minutes

If you are wondering about price points, prices for pods range from Php31 to Php36 and machines cost anywhere from Php6,500 for the entry level Essenza to Php26,300 for the Lattissima Touch.

Currently, the Nespresso website carries 9 machines.

24 kinds of capsules.

And 11 accessories covering cups and glassware, milk frothers and descaling kits.

I know disposable coffee pods can be a hot topic, and if you are concerned about sustainability, Ms. Lai Ching Kok shares that because the pods are made from aluminum, these are recyclable. Just peel of the foil, take out the coffee grounds and use it for compost, wash the emptied pods and set aside to be sent to a recycling facility. My friend Kat Holigores shares that her aunt sends their used Nespresso pods to a local organization to be repurposed. Patrick also shares they are currently working on finding partners so these pods can be recycled more efficiently.

For more about Nespresso in the Philippines, visit www.nespresso.ph. For more about Nespresso's commitment to sustainability, visit https://www.nestle-nespresso.com/nespresso-sustainability

Let's Make Paperless Post Happen Here

I recently got a Save the Date card for my US based cousin's wedding via Paperless Post recently and it was such a pleasant surprise. It's been ages since I've gotten one this way, ever since we moved back to Asia actually.

Which got me thinking, we really ought to make Paperless Post happen here because not only does it save us on time, paper, gas and money (effectively lessening our carbon footprint, hello), it's great for the host's sanity too. Guests can RSVP by email, and can leave notes for you, so you can track attendance in one place.

Case in point, every time we have an event, that one additional thing that always adds to the pressure of mounting one is sending out paper invites. Going back and forth on the designs and negotiating costs and deadlines with the printer are also not exactly my favorite tasks. Additional handwringing happens when we have to send everything out after, and we need to block out our driver's schedule, or spend on courier fees, just to make sure the invites are sent out on time.

There was actually one time I was tempted to start sending out Paperless Post invites to our guests.

What stopped me was the fact that I'm just not sure how it will be received here in The Philippines. While we've been using it for years in the US - for birthdays, holidays, weddings, baby showers and other occasions, I have yet to receive a Paperless Post invite from someone here.

Check out the invites I've made on Paperless Post, first was this Save the Date card for Berry's first birthday (obviously I was a newbie here and wasn't experimental with the designs yet)...

...and an invite for our send off party in the US

But it is just so easy you know. We can literally make invites and send them out in minutes.

Plus points - card designs by Kate Spade and Rifle Paper Co. These alone makes a whole lot of sense to send out invites this way.

 Kate Spade invites in the designer's signature polka dots, colorful prints and clever quips

Rifle Paper Co's distinctive hand painted botanicals

I swear, this is life changing stuff. And if you're thinking you'd rather go old school, well you can print these invites out still ;)

Know what, since I'm in the subject of parties, I might as well share with you these DIY tips for planning a party without an event planner, which I wrote some years back and can still read HERE.

Of course, let's not forget my most favorite part. Next to planning out the details, the guest list, the food and the decor is dressing up for it! It's been a while since I've written a post on fashion actually, so I thought it would be a welcome bonus to share some contemporary ideas on what to wear to parties, because I get a lot of that from family, friends and readers. Here goes!

Dressy daytime event, say a baptism or morning wedding:

Roksanda at net-a-porter. A sight for sleepy eyes forced to wake up early for that morning event on a weekend.

A family gathering or children's party:

 Jesse Kamm sailor pants as seen on Shop One of a Few. You can seriously run after kids in these, and if you get spaghetti stains on them, just throw it in the wash and they'll come out good as new.

Beach or poolside barbecue:

 Vyshyvanka by Vitakin from Matches Fashion. Get a budget friendly version from Zara, if you worry about ruining a $1000 dress with barbecue sauce and chlorinated water.

A baby shower:

Head to toe Rachel Comey as seen on Vogue. It says I dress for comfort but I care about looking stylish too.

Cocktails:

Valentino at net-a-porter. It's really all about the silhouette that makes this dress blend in, and yet also stand out.

A casual dinner at home with friends:

Pink zip jumpsuit as seen on Horses Atelier - but wear with sneakers or slip on mules.

A wedding or evening fete:

Self-Portrait lace dress as seen on net-a-porter. I'm actually planning to wear something similar to my cousin's wedding!

Well that was fun! And we haven't even had that party planned yet!

*This post is published in cooperation with Paperless Post, an online invitations and cards site I've been using since 2010.

AllHome is Your One-Stop Shop for the Home

On my way to visit my parents in the South, we would pass by the Vista Mall with a huge AllHome store. I've always wondered what was in there so out of curiosity, and because I also needed to buy a door knob and extension cord for our house, we decided to check it out.

Not only did I get to find what I was looking for,

 I discovered that AllHome really and truly is a one-stop shop for the home.

As with typical home depots, it has everything from outdoor tiles

To indoor tiles and painting supplies

Wall tiles for your bathroom and kitchen

As well as laminated wood for your bedroom floor or office.

There's plumbing supplies of course, apart from cleaning, electrical, lighting, hardware and carpentry tools. Basically everything a home needs.

While price points are mostly low to mid-range and will definitely appeal to the budget conscious, AllHome also carries some good quality lines like Iris Ceramica from Italy and INAX bath products from Japan.

INAX faucets are just part of the line at AllHome, they also have ceramics and sanitary ware

A selection of Italian tiles by Iris Ceramica

DIY builders products abound and handyman hobbyists will enjoy going through the aisles with such a wide range of items to choose from and sections to browse at. 

The bathroom section probably carries at least 10 sanitary ware brands

The furniture selection is ideal for those with a limited budget but still want something decent and modern

Whether you are furnishing a condo, a rental or a starter family home, there's a lot to choose from in terms of size here

Home goods abound, where you can find everyday glassware to Pinterest pretty party supplies and other storage ware.

Of course there's functional cooking ware

And not entirely needed but nice to have vintage looking scales - I want to go back for this aaaack! 

They don't just have electrical appliances, they have essentials like safes too

outdoor and garden furniture

Who says you need to build a kitchen from scratch? AllHome offers modular kitchens too 

They've got exercise equipment for your home gym and instruments for your music room   

You may even consult their in-store assistants for design advice!

There are now several branches to visit, usually inside Star Mall or Vista Mall locations in Alabang, Antipolo, Bulacan, Cebu, Daang Hari, EDSA Shaw, Imus, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Pampanga, Quezon City, Santa Rosa and Taguig.

For more about AllHome, visit allhome.com.ph

Love Japan? You’ll Love the BDO JCB Platinum Credit Card

We brought our kids to Osaka last summer and they loved it so much, they’ve decided we need to keep on coming back to Japan to explore more of it. 

 Kani Doraku in Dotonbori 

 The fake food that still looked appetizing 

Ichiran ramen 

The sights were a treat, but it was the everyday experiences that fascinated them. From the food we ate, to the vending machines we’d pass by, from riding the subway to just getting lost in the streets – it was a visual feast. 

Xavi loved the vending machines, he would ask us to take photos of him beside each one 

And that was just one city! There are still so many Japanese cities and towns to discover, and from watching documentaries on Netflix, it does not even require any convincing on their part to get us to schedule regular visits. 

I’m sure we are not the only family that thinks this way. As they say, Japan is the new Hong Kong, so it makes sense to get the newly launched BDO JCB Platinum Credit Card if you also foresee more trips to Japan in the years to come. 

The BDO JCB Platinum card is exclusively issued by BDO. Their partner is JCB, a major player in the Japanese card business and accepted not only in most Japanese shops and restuarants, but also by many merchants all over the world.

It comes in with all the standard Platinum Card features like: 

• Complimentary access to select VIP airport lounges 
• 24/365 Platinum Desk Concierge Desk for restaurant and golf course reservations, sightseeing, entertainment and support for credit-card related emergencies 
• Special rates for Airport Meeting Service 
• Up to Php20,000,000 Travel Insurance Coverage 

With the BDO JCB Platinum Credit Card, you earn one (1) point for every P40 transaction you charge to your credit card. Your points are convertible to travel miles, gift certificates for shopping and dining or Annual Membership Fee waiver. Credit Card points do not expire, and up to 6 Supplementary cards are FREE for LIFE. 

But here’s where it gets exciting. When you use the card in Japan, you get: 

• Free Wifi access in more than 200,000 hotspots across Japan, 
• 10% discount on the Kansai Rail Pass 
• free admission to various Japan towers 
• extra discounts on tax free shopping for electronics and home appliances 
• plus so many more exclusive benefits only for BDO JCB Platinum Credit Cardholders 

From L to R: Ma. Nannette R. Regala, BDO Senior Vice President and Consumer Lending Group Marketing Head, Yuichiro Kadowaki, JCB Senior Vice President - Head of Development and Coordination, Rolando C. Tanchanco, BDO Executive Vice President and Consumer Lending Group Head, Mikihisa Asano, JCB Country Manager and Geraldine C. Liggayu, BDO First Vice President and Consumer Lending Group Cards Issuing Head 

To learn more about the BDO JCB Platinum Credit Card, visit https://bdo.com.ph/personal/credit-cards/jcb/jcb-platinum