Va Bene in BGC's Central Square Mall

Lunch last Friday with my favourite Serendra resident was in Va Bene. I had already eaten in the Va Bene branch located in Petron Dasmariñas Village before, and this branch opened just last year. I was also able to try their catering service for an event in Serendra last 2014 - Valentine's Day dinner. I was able to meet Chef Massimo and his wife Carolyn, and they were able to help me with the heart's day event in Serendra.

For starters, we ordered Arugula Salad with Chicken Milanese. The salad had a light balsamico dressing. I took a picture of it, but after reviewing it on the laptop, it was quite fuzzy.

We ordered two types of pasta. The first one, which was such a hit with me, was the Veal Cheeks Ravioli with portobello mushrooms, veal juice, and fresh parmesan cheese.

Our 2nd pasta was the Black Ink Tagliolini, which had mixed seafood, marinara, and light tomato cream sauce. We had it topped with fresh ground pepper and minced chilis to give it an extra bite.

Va Bene uses fresh pasta, which made all the difference. Their pasta was just superb. I remember they used to sell fresh made pasta in the branch in Petron Dasmariñas Village before.

We had such an appetite for lunch, because that morning we went to Shaw Boulevard, to Jelly Bellies, for a meeting regarding the party we're organising for April. The theme of the party is Strawberry Shortcake, which is so retro, but apparently has been revamped for 2014-2015.

Please feel free to visit Va Bene in Central Square Mall, and do try their delicious fresh pasta.

Va Bene Pasta Deli
Cinema Level, 3rd Floor
Bonifacio High Street Central Square Mall
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
tel. no. 0917.722.5780

Philips Umbra Room Stylers Shades in Garden Barn

Since my birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year, Mommy and I decided to go out on a Black Friday drive around Metro Manila the following day.

Whenever my mother feels ill, window-shopping (or plain shopping) always makes her feel better.

Our first stop for that Friday was Garden Barn in North East Square in Greenhills. I wanted to update several stainless steel lamps that I was able to purchase from Serendra's garage sale so I went around looking for Philips Umbra Room Stylers shades - which used to be readily available in your friendly neighbourhood Handyman store.

These shades, however, have been pulled out and are now only being sold directly by the importer, Garden Barn, in their showroom in Greenhills.

Now, I'm sure this information is going to be pretty useful, since I had gone around trying to research what options for shades I had available here in Metro Manila - and unless you want to get bespoke shades from Keystone (at bespoke prices of course), these Philips Umbra shades are actually quite an affordable alternative. Their prices range from PhP 325.00 to PhP 495.00, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, heights, and color.

Above are some samples of the shades that are available in Garden Barn. They have these in beige, in grey, brown (both dark, bordering on purplish, and a light mocha shade) and red.

For the stainless steel lamps from the bazaar, I purchased a brown shade, sample of the color from their HK website borrowed below:

It only cost me Php 395.00 per shade. Coincidentally, it is the same colour and style I purchased for a mother and child lamp I had updated early this year.

I also bought a red small shade priced at PhP 325.00 for a colourful Brunei jar my mother had wanted to convert into a lamp:

I'm sure a lot of DIY-ers, like me, have probably asked this question: Where can I buy shades for my lamp?

If you want to update the look of your lamps, feel free to visit Garden Barn, and check out their assortment of Philips Umbra Room Stylers shades.

Garden Barn
UG North East Square, Connecticut Street,
Greenhills, San Juan
telephone number: 02.654.9068
opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays (10:00AM to 7:00PM)