Stockedia Philippines

Every person has their own unique love story.  It might sound cliche, but I knew Hubby was the one for me after a few months of dating.  Apparently, he felt the same because he proposed 9 months after we got together.  Talk about whirlwind romance!  But hey, as I always tell my single/heartbroken friends, if a person really is meant for you, then the whole universe will conspire to make it work, no matter what happens.  

From the moment you know you've find "the one", what's the next step?  Get married, of course!  But of course, there's no getting married without a proposal right?  A proposal that will knock the socks off your girl and make her say "yes, yes yes!" am I right, guys?  In order for that to happen, the very first step is to find the right ring.  But what's a guy to do when you've found your girl but the money is a bit tight?  That's where Stockedia comes in.

Who or what is Stockedia?  Stockedia Philippines is the country's most liked online jewelry store which sells affordable yet fabulous titanium and tungsten carbide engegement rings and wedding bands.  Whereas most of us are familiar with gold, titanium and tungsten carbide is new.  So I did the liberty of researching and here's what I came up with: 
 

Titanium, (according to Wikipedia) is a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density and high strength. It is highly resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia and chlorine. The two most useful properties of the metal are corrosion resistance and the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element.  In its unalloyed condition, titanium is as strong as some steels, but less dense.

Tungsten Carbide, on the other hand, (according to Wikipedia), is a chemical compound (specifically, a carbide) containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed and formed into shapes for use in industrial machinery, cutting tools, abrasives, armor-piercing rounds, other tools and instruments, and jewelry. Tungsten carbide is approximately two times stiffer than steel, and is much denser than steel or titanium. 

As strong and stronger than steel?  Whoa.  This just means that these Titanium and Tungsten Carbide rings will last you a lifetime.  And if it's love we're talking about, then a lifetime is definitely what we are going for, right? (wink, wink)

Here are some of my favorites from their collection:

Engagement rings:

Flared heart titanium engagement ring with swarovski

Swirl titanium engagement ring with swarovski crystals

Ribbon cut halo swarovski titanium engagement ring

 Wedding Rings:

Smooth two tone gold plated titanium wedding bands

Black titanium wedding ring

Heartbeat in silver titanium wedding rings

Multi-faceted tungsten ring in rose gold wedding bands

These are some amazing looking rings huh?  Not only that, Stockedia Philippines offers lifetime warranty, free shipping worldwide and they also do meet ups if you want to see the ring in person!  If you think that's great, then you'd want to hear the best part:  Stockedia Philippines is on sale now and  most of these are less than Php 5000!  YES, Php 5000!  And no, I did not forget to put the additional zero. :)

Tis the season to be jolly!  With Christmas only a few days away, have you gotten all your gifts sorted out?  If you're the last minute shopper like I am, then the answer would probably be "still working on it!".  These rings are so affordable that you can also give them out as gifts for loved ones and friends.  So stop whatever you're doing right now, go over to the Stockedia website and shop, shop, shop!

For more information about Stockedia Philippines, visit their website here.

Like their Facebook Page and also follow them on Instagram (@stockedia.philippines) for more of these great jewelry finds!

Hong Kong Eats: Gough 40

If you think my past two food posts about Hong Kong Eats were good, then prepare to get your mind blown with this one.  Yes, I saved the best for last!

Gough 70, tucked in the quiet part of Central, is not actually part of my food itinerary.  It just so happens that Mom's good friend Auntie EL and her husband Uncle PL knew of it, loved it, and wanted to share this gem of a restaurant with  us.  I can only be too happy when you tell me we're eating steak.  Yup, this girl loves her meat!

The outside of Gough 70

I loved how the place, with their outside seating and all, reminds me the nice, quaint restaurants in Paris.  

Garlic Bread

First up, was the garlic bread.  Auntie EL was telling us how delicious it was, and from the moment it gave me that cruuuuch sound, I knew she was right.

Oysters

Sadly, raw oysters aren't my thing.  But judging from the slurps of everyone else in the table and the words "fresh" and "delicious" coming from them, I'd say they loved it.

Seared Scallops with Lemon Coriander Vinaigrette Salad

Being the vegetable-hater that I am, I ate the salad then saved the scallops for last.  The salad did nothing for me, but the scallops?  Oh.  Dear.  Possibly one of the best scallops I've had!

Blue Dungeness Crab Pasta

The Boston lobster linguine in Cafe Landmark might be the pasta love of my life, but this one comes at a close second.  So rich and so flavorful!

Panfried Fish 

The fish was cooked perfectly; it was very very moist and tender, with just the right amount of saltiness to it.

And of course, the highlight of the night:

Steak (raw)

Steak (cooked)

...and more steak!

Drooling yet?  I know I am.  How I wish I could transport myself back to the night we had these and savor that moment over and over again.  This piece of steak was huge.  Might not look much from the photos, but I think it's close to 2 kilos.  And did you notice how the insides are just the right pink without all the blood?  Perfection.  Gough 70 really know their steaks.  I don't really know how, but the steak was really, really tender, yet it wasn't oily at all!  

Sides

Apple Pie

Uncle PL loved the apple pie in Gough 70.  I got to take a forkful of it, and it's not bad.  I guess the steak somehow overshadowed everything else.

Molten Chocolate Cake

I was stuffed to the brim by the time the meal was over, but the server mentioned molten cake and I just could not pass it up!  So here it is.  'Twas good, but I've had even better ones.

So the verdict?  Do I even need to say it?  Auntie EL and Uncle PL are foodies themselves, and when they say something is good, then you bet it's good.  Everyone had a great time that night, even Dad who is not a huge fan of anything else but Chinese cuisine.  LOL.  5 out of 5 stars!  Thank you Auntie EL and Uncle PL!

Gough 40 is at G/F, 40 Gough Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Eats: Cafe Landmark

During a late night group chat while I was in Hong Kong, I mentioned to two of my friends that I was running out of new places to try in Hong Kong.  Sure, there are about a billion restaurants out there, but I don't want to risk trying something that doesn't come highly recommended.  After all, a few days is all I've got and some meals were already blocked off by my dad's Chinese food cravings!  My friend SL then suggested that I try Cafe Landmark.  They have pretty good lobster pasta, she said.  And that was all it took for me to march to Cafe Landmark and try it for myself.

View from Cafe Landmark

Check out the view!  If you love people watching, then it's a must that you get the tables on the sides.  It gives an amazing view of the entire Landmark Mall.

Complimentary Bread

I don't think I've enjoyed complimentary bread this good in a long, long time.  Cafe Landmark serves three kinds of complimentary bread.  One's fruity, one's herb-y and the other one... Shoot I actually forgot.  (sorry!) 

Boston Lobster Linguine

Grilled half lobster and lobster cream sauce

I actually arrived during tea time.  They had a number of yummy sounding dishes on their tea time menu, but since I went there for the lobster pasta and the lobster pasta only, I went ahead and ordered it.  Good thing their lunch and dinner menu is available all day long.

A closer view of the lobster pasta

I don't think the photo does enough justice as to how good the lobster pasta actually is...

The verdict?  My friend SL is absolutely right!  The lobster pasta is really delicious!  The lobster was succulent, and the sauce was creamy without going over-the-top creamy.  Crazy good.  Shame I wasn't able to order more dishes since I was all alone, but I'm definitely going back for more on my next trip to Hong Kong!  5 out of 5 stars!

Cafe Landmark is at 107-108, 1/F, Landmark Atrium, 16 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Eats: la vache!

la vache!  The mere mention of the name already sounds so posh.  And what made it more intriguing was seeing two of my friends' drool-worthy posts on two separate occasions.  So I made it a point to schedule a la vache! visit on my trip to Hong Kong this time.  Alone.  Yup, time for some me-time.  

Trekking (yes, trekking!) to la vache! is no easy task.  If not for my ever-so-reliable mobile data connection, I don't think I'll ever find this place.  It's not located in any of my usual familiar territory, so halfway through, a sweaty and grumpy 'ol me was already cursing my gluttonous self for venturing into the unknown.  But hey, life is nothing but an adventure, right?  Might as well make the most of it!   

la vache! Finally!

...and finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, this sign greeted me.

  

Menu

See the "menu" above?  This is actually the ONLY thing they serve.  I was hoping for more options but was mildly surprised when the server told me that they don't really have anything else.  Vegetarians, beware!

Got a bit bored while waiting for my food, so I did a bit of utensil photography.  LOL.

Bread

Nothing special.  Zzzzz....

Salad

If you must know, vegetables are my absolute enemy.  So it takes a really good salad for me to actually eat it.  And this, is definitely not one of them.

Steak!

Finally, the main entree.  Looks pretty good huh?

Steak and fries

More steak!!!

Would you take a look at that!  Oooh... take me back!!!

Warmer

Loved the fact that they served the steak on this plate complete with the warmer at the bottom to keep the steak hot.  Because the last thing you'd want is a cold steak.

Dessert

Nope, didn't even bother to finish the dessert.  It's not as good as it looks.

So what was my impression of la vache?  It was the bomb!  Forget everything else, the steak is everything you need.  Next to wagyu, this is the juiciest piece of steak I've ever tasted.  Sooooo good!  And for HK$258, I'd stay this is such a steal!  On my next trip, I'll make sure to bring the whole clan here.  LOL.  5 out of 5 stars! (at least, for the steak)

la vache! is at 48 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong