Sharing OOTDs has been fun for me. However, I feel like I'm always caught wearing cutesy, girly, dolly outfits. So I thought, why not change it up a bit? I've been wanting to experiment with my personal style, so I hope this post channels it... Even just a little bit.


If you haven't met me in person yet, chances are, you'd think I don't stand too short. However, truth be told, I'm teeny-weeny standing at just 5'1 or about 155cm. And with this height, there will always be clothing pieces that I really want, but can't seem to rock.

If you've been a reader for a while now, you might already know of my family's love for Vikings Luxury Buffet. We've spent countless occasions pigging out at this eat-all-you-can destination, and have come to consider it an extension of the house's kitchen and dining room. For the past few years, we've been witnesses to how this buffet concept has tried to better itself, and grow more branches in and out of the metro. But while it has already placed itself as a "luxury" buffet when it first opened, the same people behind this success still decided to up the game a notch higher... With NIU by Vikings.


Although selection at the Vikings Luxury Buffet is already extensive, NIU by Vikings is what better rivals against higher-end buffets in hotels. It's located at the 6th level of SM Aura Premier, and carries more expensive items like foie gras, on top of the free-flowing alcohol -- wine and cocktails included. Of course, pricing is also significantly higher.

How does it feel to not have to touch up your makeup through the day? Really, I don't know. Ever since I first started to put on makeup, there wasn't a single time when I didn't need a retouch at all. I've always had oily-combination skin, as far as I can remember. And whenever I put on foundation, mattifying ones, I'd only need to wait about an hour before my face turns into a grease ball. So when I was sent L'Oreal's new mattifying powder foundation, Mat Magique, I knew I just had to try it and put this product to the test.


While having dewy, supple skin is a sign of youth, having overly shiny face is not a good sign at all. I've always gone for the dewy look since I didn't want to cake my face with too much mattifying powder. However, even if I put on tons of powder, I'd still end up shiny, oily and not picture-ready after an hour or so. Actually, photos of me with my friends would easily tell you that I have really oily skin. Especially when the photos were taken with flash. Ugh! I just hate when my friends had to use flash. (Peace to said friends! ｖ（=＾▽＾=）ｖ Just being honest here.) It makes me even more oily and haggard-looking. (◍•﹏•)

Rediscovering my hometown is something I haven't thought of doing, until now. And I'm really happy that I got a go at it. You see, I've lived over 20 years of my life in the city of Malabon. However, I haven't actually explored it much. So last month, when I received an invitation to join the Malabon Tricycle Tours, I knew I just had to say yes!


Organized by the local government of Malabon, led by Malabon Mayor Antolin "Len-Len" Oreta III's wife, Chef Melissa Sison-Oreta, the Malabon Tricycle Tours aims to showcase a different side of the city as part of the #VisitPhilippines2015 campaign. If you haven't lived or been to Malabon, then you might think that the city only offers pichi-pichi, Pancit Malabon, a multitude of factories, and flooded streets. And this, my friends, is why I joined the tour. I wanted to see more of my city behind all the pre- and misconceptions.

Ahhh... Skin talk. This is something very close to my heart after living through my whole life with skin asthma, and the past ten years with worsening eczema. Not a long time ago, I even shared a story of the topical steroid withdrawal I just went, and am still going through. And although the use and abuse of topical steroids as (mis)guided by my previous derma was what drove me to use home remedies, and resort to the more natural ways of healing the skin, it would be unfair to assume that all dermatologists are like her.


So after over five months of not seeing any dermatologists, I have found myself again at the doorstep of another derm clinic. But this time, at the more reputable Luminisce Holistic Skin Innovations on the 2nd floor of Mercury Drug Building in Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome ya'll showed to my first ever OOTD post! (▰˘◡˘▰) I've actually been quite anxious how fashion blogging would fit me and the blog. You know, this being a food and lifestyle blog, generally... But because of the warmth and support, I've become more excited to share with you even more looks! Yay! ヾ（*⌒ヮ⌒*）ゞ


This one, I wore back in December, when I went out to pre-Christmas dinner at Grace Park with the bf, Berylle and her other half. And before you judge the bad lighting and photo quality, and my derp face and awkward poses, I'm already giving you a heads up that most of the looks I'll be posting for now are ones I wore and shot last month. BUT, I'll definitely be trying my best to put up better-looking OOTDs -- photo-wise, pose-wise and style-wise.

If you've been a long-time reader, you'd already know of my undying love for Japanese food. However, unbeknownst to many, Italian cuisine is also one of my comfort foods. Pasta, pizza, panizza, gelato -- name it, I probably love it! So a few weeks ago, after a session at Luminisce Holistic Skin Innovations, my friend Kenny and I decided to check out this Italian restaurant when we were looking for a nice place to have late lunch at in SM Aura.


I first came across Mona Lisa Ristorante when I visited the now-closed Studio Kitchen in Commerce Center, Alabang. I've heard from acquaintances that it's a really good restaurant to get Italian food from. But as much as I want to visit it, going to Alabang will take either a tiresome commute, or a long spiel to convince the boyf to drive for me. *sigh*

Last year was quite a trying time for me. Apart from feeling aesthetically lacking, I wasn't fully functional. There were things I, my hands specifically, can't do because of a bad case of hand eczema. I couldn't help with house chores, wash my clothes, let alone wash my own hair, even if I wanted to. Of course, getting my nails done is also out of the question.


It was really a challenging three months. So when my hands started to get better, I knew I also had to treat it better. Use but not abuse it, be wary of things (especially chemicals) I touch, stop washing it to death, and let it enjoy a primping and pampering session. That's why when I had the chance to check out Make Me Blush Nail Spa and Beauty Lounge at Hemady Square in Quezon City, I just had to jump right in. It was high time to say goodbye to my awful chipped manicure and say hello to colorful and better-looking nails!

A few days ago, I mentioned that I'll be trying my hands on fashion blogging. And ta-da! Here's my first attempt at posting an OOTD. You be the judge if I win, or fail at it. Haha!


I have a fascination with the color orange. My boyfriend and little sister would usually make fun of me when I pick out bright orange clothing, bags or accessories when I shop with them. But hey, it's a happy color and I just want some more happiness in my life.

Apart from the heavy traffic, another thing I don't like about the holiday season is the inevitable weight gain. Just for December alone, I think my waistline have already gained an additional inch or two. Or maybe three. But, I can't deny that at the end of the day, it was worth it. I got to meet up, eat out and catch up with friends I don't often see. And one of which was my recent dinner date at Locavore with two of my college girl friends.


Kapitolyo in Pasig City has been home to a number of hole-in-the-wall and mom-and-pop restaurants for the past few years. And every year, it just grows. It's been over a year since the last time I went to the area, and I can't believe that there are now more restaurants worth checking out. So just imagine my joy when my friends and I agreed on having dinner at Kapitolyo. And take note, they let me choose the restaurant! Lakas maka-pressure!

Happy happy 2015 everyone! Hope you had a merry and safe holiday celebration! ✿

In other news... I'm not sure if you've already noticed, but my blog has been revamped! Yay! After about a week of sleepless nights tweaking and testing this new blog design, I'm finally satisfied with how it turned out, despite some still-existing hiccups. It's mobile-responsive, so please give it a try. I calibrated it using my Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 though, so if it looks a little messy on your device, I'd suggest to use the landscape orientation.


Anyway, I decided to make this more personal-ish post just to make things official -- to mark the end of the older The Purple Doll and the coming of a new, (hopefully) better one. 'Cause not only did I change the blog design and fonts, but there will also be some changes with the content as well. So please hear me on this, will 'ya?

Okay, so this is embarrassing. I started the Little Tokyo Series back in 2012, and have put it to indefinite status right after. I've been meaning to go back to the complex for more great Japanese eats, but I always unintentionally find reason to delay the trip. Until, my college friends and I decided to have our long-needed get-together at one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo just a few weeks ago...


It's funny how when friends and acquaintances ask me for recommendations on where to get authentic Japanese food from, I'd be telling them to go and check out Izakaya Kikufuji in Little Tokyo. A big however, I actually haven't eaten there yet until two weeks ago. Ehehe... And before you judge me, I did hear from fellow bloggers and some friends that this place is indeed a go-to restaurant for Japanese izakaya (bar) food. Sashimi, sushi, hotpot and more -- the perfect lineup of Japanese favorites with or without the alcohol.

The holidays is the merry time most of us stray from our diets. And if you add good food with great company, then all hell breaks loose on one's waistline. I think this is exactly what happened during our pre-Christmas double date with Berylle and D at Grace Park in One Rockwell. Good thing this place serves healthier-than-the-norm food. Whew!


Last Saturday, we all decided to head to Rockwell to have our annual pre-Christmas dinner. We were contemplating of trying out any among Mamou Too!, CDP (Chef du Partie) and Grace Park. Without any reservation, by the way. However, since the first two choices were fully booked -- even the al fresco areas, we tried our luck with the farther option. (Both Mamou Too! and CDP were at the Power Plant Mall, while Grace Park is at One Rockwell.) And thank the heavens there were free tables at Grace Park, albeit al fresco.

A destination for the ultimate urban dweller, Solaire Resort and Casino in the Entertainment City on Aseana Avenue, Parañaque has already been synonymous to luxury ever since it opened its first phase March of last year. However, just a month ago, it introduced more reasons for all of us to visit. To add to its already-existing glitz and glamor is the new spacious and opulent leisure complex, the all-suites Sky Tower.


If you've already been to Solaire Resort and Casino before, then you probably already know how luxurious and lakas maka-donya this urban destination is. But the new Sky Tower brings the whole of Solaire to even more luxurious heights. “The Sky Tower elevates Solaire to another step higher into the very top tier of world-class integrated resorts, and is a tremendous game-changer in providing best in class guest experience,” said Thomas Arasi, Bloomberry Resorts Corporation president and chief operating officer.

Have you seen this candy shop in SM Megamall? Unlike most candy stores which sport a colorful, toy shop-like feel, Made in Candy which originated in Singapore, flaunts a more sophisticated, mature and edgy vibe with its sleek store front. Actually, if it wasn't for my friend Berylle, I wouldn't have noticed that this is indeed a candy shop!

But it's not to say that Made in Candy isn't enticing. In fact, when the candy-making session starts, a lot of people would flock the open candy workshop through the store's ceiling-to-floor window. And this is just what I got to experience with my friends Berylle, Stacy and Roch last Saturday as we got to try our hands on actual candy making.

Not sure if you already know. But despite my smaller frame, I'm actually a lover of all things carbs. Rice, pasta, breads -- name the carb, I probably love it! So when I had the chance to visit a homey bakery cafe along Katipunan in White Plains, Quezon City, I knew I just have to grab it like how carbs grab onto my belly and thighs for its life.


Previously known as Monsees Café, Harina Artisan Bakery Café is a neighborhood shop with a cozy dining area and a takeout corner where guests can buy fresh breads, pastries and other baked goodies Harina has to offer. And while I never got to go to the cafe back when it was still named Monsees, I'm sure glad I was able to check it out now after its re-opening. Heard it's now more spacious and offers more dishes for dine-in.