Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell & A Hair Story

Last Saturday, I decided to get a cut in the salon, from the hair stylist ,that's fast becoming my favorite, Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell.

Admittedly, this was only the second time that I was going to have my hair cut by Alex. I'm the type of girl who likes to develop a relationship with the person cutting my hair. Whether from Doc from the neighborhood David's (who moved to a different branch) to Kei Rivera of Toni & Guy who first cut my hair into a precision bob in 2007 after 13 years of long hair. I was so impressed with her attention to every little detail of the cut that after leaving Toni & Guy, I even followed Kei to Basement Salon and when she migrated to Australia soon after, I scrambled searching for a worthy replacement.

2007. Kei from Toni & Guy

In the search for my stylist, I experienced a nightmarish incident with a know-no-English Korean stylist in Tony and Jackey (although I'll reconsider having my hair permed there based on a boss' recent nice big curls). I was traumatized by having my hair cut by somebody who couldn't even understand a word I was saying. Another Korean stylist who knew Tagalog had to step in and save my hair. My cut in Tony & Jackey was super cheap compared to other salons but the precision (which is the most important thing with bobs) left much to be desired, as you will see from this pic:

2008. From Tony and Jackey Makati

Then I even got my bob styled in late 2008 with Chiyo Tagami of Sei Salon, the Japanese stylist famous for giving Gretchen her super short bob at the time. When I told her if she can replicate Gretchen's bob on me, she told me, "But the shape of Greta's head is perfect!" Ang taray! But at least she could understand English and Tagalog. I was still happy with my cut with her, even with the P1,500 price tag. She cut my hair really short and it grew out really nice. I wasn't able to take a picture but this was how it looked close to that time Chiyo cut my hair. For me, one of the tests of a good haircut is how well it will grow months after the stylist cuts it. And I certainly had my money's worth with Chiyo. :)

Later on, I grew out my hair and I was back to being a long haired girl again. Fast forward to 2010, when I first had my hair cut by Alex Carbonell, THE Alex Carbonell I later learned. He was referred to me by my good friend from Samar, Joel Estrelles, who is also making his name in the world of wedding hairstyling.

What I instantly liked about Alex was that he was pleasant but was not too machika and thus, didn't come off as fake. And of course, it goes without saying that I liked how he cut my hair.Very gentle and respectful and effortless. Yet you could see the results. The first time he cut my hair, I wanted long layers. In my mind, I was thinking "rich girl layers"---as in you know that cut which most ladies who lunch have? Just the right amount of layers and waves and body. And without so many words, he got it. :)

With Alex Carbonell at Studio Fix (September 2010)

Of course, this was the salon perfect version---as in fresh from rollers & a professional blow out. In real life, I am not a lady who lunches ---YET! (hehe) so I will save that cut for a later chapter in my life. In the meantime, I had to have a cut that will work with my often stressful weekday mornings. I never ever blow dry my hair at home and the only wind my hair gets daily is from the electric fan. Or sometimes, no time to do even that at all. And no time for daily conditioner either! And yet I must say, even with my God-given straight hair, the cut still worked. :)

September 2010

After five months (!! so guilty of not getting hair properly trimmed!), and with the layers now all over the place, it's finally time for another cut with Alex.

March 2011

Studio Fix is actually the high end salon of the Fix group of salons (Bench) and Alex is not only the creative director but a partner in Studio Fix as well. He's available in Studio Fix only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays, he trains the stylists of Fix salons. It's best to book your appointment with him in advance. I called in my appointment the day before and the earliest slot for Saturday was already at 4 pm. A cut by Alex (as Creative Director) is at P1,200.00. For me, the relaxing feel of the salon (even if it was full) plus the awesomest head massage ever while my hair was being washed were already worth half the price. And of course, with the cut itself, I was definitely happily satisfied.

This time, I had wanted super full bangs (incidentally like Bianca Gonzales', whose hair Alex has been doing for the last decade). But as Alex was cutting, he found that something about the direction my hair was growing made him suggest to just give me not-so full bangs which I could later style sideways as they grow. It was just as well because I was kind of having second thoughts with the full bangs due to the coming humid summer months.


And he even told me that I could come cover for bangs trimming FOR FREE :) Love! And I loved my hair even more after I went home and styled it myself, sans the blow dryer--perhaps the real test of a good haircut :)

A few days before the cut:

And after:

If you're looking for a stylist who cuts really well and with with whom you can even build a hair relationship, Alex Carbonell is the man :) Cheers!

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: 632-5013062 and 632-5013064

Dim Sum Buffet at Li Li

One Saturday morning, we decided to get some dim sum. And not just any other dim sum but a dim sum lunch buffet! Originally, we planned to try out Makati Shangri-La's Dim Sum Plus but decided at the last minute that the dim sum buffet in LiLi at the Hyatt was a better deal. Plus, the City of Manila was closer hence we chose LiLi :)

Sweet Bella Cafe

Sweet Bella's Chocolata

After the usual Friday night post-work dinner, I tried out Sweet Bella Cafe with my friends, I. and B., the new dessert place in the area where our office is located (Burgos Circle/ Forbestown). I first heard of Sweet Bella in 2007 when it was declared by Lori of Dessert Comes First as one of Manila's 10 Best Desserts for that year. At that time, it was still operating out of Dasmarinas Village in Makati. Now, what a surprise to find that they now have a free standing dessert bar where we can enjoy their specialty cakes and even more surprisingly, "real" food. Sweet Bella Cafe occupies two floors. First floor is where the bread and cakes are displayed and where the takeout counter is located while the second floor is the dining area.

I've tried their Strawberry Charlotte (P1,600) when we were still in charge of ordering food for our weekly department meetings. And since they don't offer it in miniature size or by the slice, we tried the miniature Chocolata instead, which was also on Lori's Top 10 list and a bestseller. It's chocolate cake layered with rich ganache topped with chocolate glass. I like how the sweetness of the chocolate paired well with the just-right sourness of the strawberry slices. The one thing I can complain about was that there wasn't enough strawberry on the cake for all three of us!

B. also ordered another miniature cake which I really loved. We didn't know the name of the cake at the time but based on my research, it could be the Sabine, an espresso mousse layered with caramelized banana on chocolate fudge cake topped with caramel ganache. I would love to go back and try it out again to be sure! :)

We spent hours in the cafe, where we talked the Friday night away over the yummy cakes and coffee. And as a bonus, it turned out dessert and coffee were B's treat! woohoo! And we even had a sighting there of a young actor na napapabalitang bading, who was with his friends. And with the resident artista expert, B., judging him from his mannerisms and the way he held his fork, bading na bading daw talaga! (My back was to him so didn't have much of a view). If you watch Juicy, this is the clue: Swimmer! I have no problems with you being gay, honey. Just don't fool the Filipino masa who swoon at you and your ka-love team!

All in all, certainly a great way to welcome the weekend :)


Here are pictures of the menu (please click to enlarge). They have sandwiches, brick oven pizza, pasta, all day breakfast, and a variety of shakes and coffee. Food looks tad expensive. but will try next time to see if worth the price:

Sweet Bella Cafe
Burgos Circle corner Rizal Drive
Bonifacio Global City
632- 8440680 or 632-3927571
For Inquiries 63928-5025027

www.sweetbelladesserts.com

Chatime Tea

We've found a new tea place! It's Chatime located in Banawe in Quezon City. I went home to Samar for my fiesta holiday and when I came back, I didn't want to go to Serenitea anymore but to Chatime instead! :)

Chatime is a bubble tea franchise from Taiwan. This is the "brand story" as described in the website (pardon the English though!):

"In the year of 2008, the third generation tea shop named “Chatime”were released & emphasized the concept of healthy and exquisite Japanese style tea unlike other brands rigid and inflexible, The purple decoration of our tea shops looks bright no matter day or night time,. In addition to the appearance to vogues style, Chatime also introducing the concept of "tea technology" through unitary set up of mechanization, to be consistent in the quality of every single cup of tea can be delivered to consumers."

"In the year of 2008, Chatime holds a conviction for creating a whole new concept of eastern healthy drinking space. To achieve such target, we had integrated more than 40 years’tea manufacturing experience with our professional team of new product development, consumer demand marketing, fresh material outsourcing & all other respects to be improved constantly. We hope to create a well known Taiwanese brand globally & settle down in Taiwan. Currently, Chatime set up nearly a hundred branches of tea stores all over Taiwan & over three hundred oversea branches including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia etc…and continue growing. This year, we will set up hundred more direct Stores at Shanghai & actively set up an over all arrangement to the global territory of our business."

The first Chatime tea that I've tried was their Taro Pudding Milk Tea. I must admit that I didn't like it. Not at all. Then the next time I came back, I got one of their bestsellers, the Pearl Milk Tea and I loved it. Prices are reasonable and the tea in the drinks are fresh. I wasn't much of a tea drinker but Serenitea, and now Chatime, changed all that.

I guess one reason why I like Chatime is because as compared to Serenitea, there was actually SPACE in this establishment. Space to hang and to actually enjoy and finish your tea. There's a big flat screen TV in front of a couch and some DVDs.

In fact, they have game boards (Life, Cranium) and card games for customers to play with. And this was where I discovered Monopoly Deal. The last time I was in Chatime, I spent more than three hours there playing Monopoly Deal and ordering about two drinks.




The next time you're in the Banawe area, try out Chatime! Good Tea Good Time

Chilling in Chatime

Chatime Banawe
75 C Nicanor Roxas Street, Banawe, Quezon City
T: 632- 7080687

Chatime Australia

Shang Palace

I was finally able to try out Shang Palace in Makati Shangri-La, one of my must-try places, especially since I love love love Chinese food.

Looking at the menu, I thought to myself, "I'm not in North Park anymore." Or maybe I said it out loud!