J.CO Premium Affogato Series + Lifestyle Cafe' Concept Store

Wednesday last week started earlier than it should be. Before heading straight to work, I found myself braving the traffic to get to the opening of J.CO Donuts and Coffee's newest lifestyle cafe concept store in SM East Ortigas. The terrible heat is getting uncomfortable, especially for us who commutes daily going to work. So instead of waiting for Mr. Sun to cool down, we find various ways to wake us up and cool us down at the same time, this summer season. Fortunately, the innovative minds of J.CO Donuts and Coffee have come up with an Affogato concept to help us beat summer heat, in a most delicious way. The opening of the new lifetyle cafe concept store also coincides with the launching of the Affogato series.

It was also a perfect timing to catch up with one of my closest blogger friends, Lhyzie. We haven't seen each other for quite a while since I started working again. J.CO's newest lifestyle cafe concept store was the perfect place for the event. Its simplistic urban aesthetics, cozy and inviting furniture surely made the event an intimate one. So whether you’re with your family, a friend, or the entire barkada having a sip of their coffee and gorging on their donuts, you'll surely have a great time.

Aside from the Affogato series and their signature donuts, we were served with their J.Club Sandwiches or Savory Sandwiches which is available in Katsu, Sausage and Salami. I ordered the Salami J.Club Sandwich which was served with a Kani Salad, potato chips and lemon iced tea. The Kani Salad isn't available yet in any J.CO stores nationwide.

J.CO AFFOGATO SERIES

A traditional affogato is a scoop of ice cream drowned in a shot of piping hot espresso. It is then either consumed as a mildly cold beverage or eaten like an espresso “soup”.

J.CO's Affogato series comes in 3 different variants; Iced Cafe Avocado Affogato, Iced Jcoccino Affogato and Iced Chocolate Affogato. Using beans sourced from the Sumatra and Sulawesi regions in Indonesia, each cup ensures quality, delicious flavor, and intense strength.

• Iced Cafe Avocado Affogato

The rich and creamy flavors in the Avocado Affogato blend just as well as they rhyme! J.CO has blended the smooth and creamy taste of avocado with its premium coffee blend and topped it off with a scoop of luscious chocolate ice cream which all come together to form a harmonious combination of distinct flavors.

• Iced Jcoccino Affogato

A rich, buttery scoop of milk chocolate ice cream makes this crowd favorite extra creamy. Definitely a must-try for any coffee enthusiast looking to get a quick cooling caffeine fix.

• Iced Chocolate Affogato

You can never have too much of a good thing. Case in point: the chocolatey goodness of the Iced Chocolate Affogato, which is a sweet serving of chocolate milk topped with a heaping scoop of chocolate ice cream. Definitely a chocolate lover’s dream realized and made available in a cup.

Don't let the summer heat take the best of you, all you need is a refreshing push to get you through the day so make sure to grab a cup of Affogato to go with your J.CO signature donuts.

The Affogato series is available in all J.CO branches nationwide including their new lifestyle cafe concept store in SM East Ortigas.

Lips in the nude with Ever Bilena lipsticks

Recently, nude lipsticks have been sharing the spotlight with the classic red shade because of their ability to suit women of varying complexions. A perfect go-to color all year round, a quick swipe will automatically make a statement to the “no-make- up make-up” look with just the slightest color to make its presence known.

But did you know that nude lipsticks come in shades that, if not matched with the skin tone, may end up giving a pale-faced look? Good thing Ever Bilena, the country’s leading cosmetics brand, offers a spectrum of shades in the Matte Lipstick Nude Collection to ensure that there’s a perfect shade for every skin type.

Nude is in with the Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Nude Collection

(L-R): Mirrored Mocha, Port, and Skin

For instance, tinges of dusty, baby pink will work best for women with alabaster or fair complexion. This will warm up the lips and draw a separation between the lips and the skin. With Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Mirrored Mocha, they can immediately color to the face with its fabulous mix of nude and red.

Meanwhile, beige and caramel hues are perfect for medium skin tone. Go a shade lighter than your skin tone with The Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Skin, then add dimension to your whole look with smoky, more defined eye make-up.

Lastly, women with dark skin tone should go for shades that are darker than their complexion. To brighten the face, use bronzy browns with hints of shimmer or dusty rose with toffee shades like Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Port. Its subdued red color is guaranteed to flatter this skin type.

The Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Nude Collection (P165 each) has a stunning matte finish and has a rich pigment that glides smoothly. What’s even better is that each lipstick in this line-up is rich in vitamin E content to ensure that its matte finish won’t dry up the lips, making it a worthy addition to your make-up arsenal

To know more about Ever Bilena, visit Ever Bilena’s website, www.everbilena.com.ph and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.

Insanely Simple DIY Tips To Maintain The Home

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Everyone wants their home to run efficiently, yet houses are notorious for breaking down. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a draft from the windows and doors, there is always something that needs addressing. Sure, you can call a professional and fix the problems in no time. But, where’s the fun in that? Plus, it will cost an absolute fortune! 

There is an alternative answer, and it’s DIY. Doing it yourself nature’s ways of renovating without spending a fortune. But, if you’re a beginner, you don’t want to tackle anything big or nasty just yet. So, below are the simple DIY jobs which anyone can do with a little bit of help. Good luck. 

Baby Bath Time: Tips New Moms Need

The firsts are always scary when it comes to your newborn baby. For example, the first feed can be a challenging experience, especially as you are recovering from the birth. And the first time out can often be a stressful encounter. Another first which leaves mom stressing is bath time. After all, they worry about harming their little one in the tub. And they worry about getting through bath time without a ton of tears. But bath time doesn’t have to be an awful experience. In fact, here are some tips every new mom needs when it’s time for the first bath time.

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Five Easy Ways To Organize Your Bathroom In Style

I think that our bathrooms are one of the rooms in the home that often gets a little neglected when it comes to organizing. How often have we been through our bathroom cabinets and thrown away the things that we no longer need or that have been used up? So if like me, it may have been a while, here are a few tips and tricks to help you to organize your bathroom. It is a room that we use every day, so it makes sense that we have it organized. Then we’ll know where everything is and if we need to get anything more. 

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Cheeky Treats: How To Save Money On Your Luxuries

It’s good to treat yourself sometimes. You work hard, take care of your family, and cut back on luxuries wherever necessary so everyone can go on holiday. You do deserve an occasional treat, and you don’t need to feel guilty for indulging in something you enjoy. To make your treat extra guilt-free, here are a few money-saving tips to help you get your usual luxuries at a fraction of the usual cost. 

DIY Spa

While it’s nice to go for a spa retreat, there is no reason why you can’t create the same experience in the comfort of your own home. You’ll have to get creative, there are plenty of home remedies online for face masks, or hair products, which only require things you’d put on your grocery list. The best part is, you can make as much as you need and store the leftovers for regular treatments. When the holidays come around, these also make wonderful gifts. 

Starbucks at home

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Whether you have a preferred coffee establishment or not, you can’t deny that you’ve sometimes popped in for a creamy cappuccino or a smooth latte. Money saving experts recommend making your morning coffee at home to save a few dollars each week, but it doesn’t quite taste the same. However, if you buy a Coffee maker with a grinder you’ll soon be able to enjoy the same fresh brew that you get in your favorite coffee place. Your dream coffee machine may seem like a big investment at first, but you will get your money’s worth once you stop popping into your local Starbucks. 

Don’t buy brand new devices

It seems that every year an electronics giant announces that they’ll be releasing a new model later that year, even though it seems like they’ve just released their old one. Fortunately for you, this means that the prices drop on the previous model, making it more affordable than it was when it first came out. More importantly, they still perform most of the same functions as the new release, so you’re not missing out on much if you don’t buy the latest gadget. 

Also, if you negotiate a good deal with your provider, you might be able to save a few dollars on your family plan. Don’t be afraid to haggle; phone companies don’t want to lose your business. 

Discount designs

Everyone needs to buy new clothes at some point, whether for practical purposes or because they’d like something new for the changing season. The easiest solution is to shop in thrift stores, where you can find some really nice clothes for a bargain, especially if you shop in high end neighborhoods. However, if you’re handy with a needle, you could upcycle your clothes into something new or simply repair a few holes. If you have friends who are also looking to buy new clothes get everyone together for a clothes swap. You’ll all have a whole new look, without having spent a penny.

City Versus Country Living: Which Is Best For Kids?

Parents worry a lot about their kids. One of the things that most concern them is where their children should be raised. Should they be raised in the countryside or in the city? It’s a tough question because both living inside and outside of town have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here we’re going to make a case for both. Then it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your kids.