Pretty Triots

TRAVEL DIARY: What to do in Osaka & Kyoto

It’s almost the holidays, time to pack your bags and travel. There are many places to visit during this time of the year. In case you’re planning a trip to Japan, here are some of things I did last July in Osaka and Kyoto that you can add to your list.

KINKAKU-JI the most iconic place in Kyoto, it is also known as the Golden Pavilion. As its’ name implies, it is a pavilion covered in gold leaf. There is also a tea garden where you can try their matcha tea and sweets

KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE stroll in Kimono and see the magnificent view where the colors of the trees changes each season.

FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE must visit place which is known for its thousands of red torii gates. Outside the shrine, there are souvenir shops and food stalls. I went there during the afternoon and it’s packed with tourists so I suggest try going early morning or evening.

RYOKAN experience staying in a traditional Japanese Inn, wearing a yukata, and having a kaiseki meal.

OSAKA-JO famous landmark in Osaka and a symbol of Osaka for hundreds of years. Also known as Osaka Castle. It is surrounded with gates, moats and stoned walls. There are also food vendors and souvenir shops around the main tower of the Osaka Castle. On the other side, Osaka Castle Park an open area surrounding the castle, it is also the ideal spot for cherry blossom viewing during early April.

KUROMON MARKET perfect place to eat and shop from different local stores in one place.

HOGWARTS, UNIVERSAL STUDIO for Potterheads, it is a dream to experience the Wizarding World. In the Universal Studios, you can tour around the replicated Hogwarts, buy wands and harry potter souvenirs and also try their Butterbeer. We tried the 4K3D ride in Hogwarts where we had to queue for almost 2 hours but it’s worth it.

DOTONBORI is a must visit place for food lovers, there are different Japanese restaurants in every corner and next to it would be SHINSAIBASHI, the shopping heaven from retail stores to luxury shops. It is also nice to visit during nigh time and see different neon lights illuminating.

100 YEN SUSHI a budget-friendly way of trying different sushi that won’t hurt your wallet. Almost everything in the menu is only 100 yen (exclusive of tax). You can find tons of restaurants with this concept. I also heard that some 100 yen sushi stores also became known for their desserts.

Also, try learning these Japanese phrases that could come in handy during your trip:

Hello - Konnichiwa

Thank you - Arigatō

Thank you very much - Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu

Excuse me / Pardon me - Sumimasen

I'm sorry - Gomen Nasai

Yes- Hai

No- Iie

How much is this? - Kore wa ikura desu ka?

Where is the toilet? - Toire wa doku desu ka?

Where is _? - _ wa doku desu ka?

I understand - Wakarimasu

I don't understand - Wakarimasen

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed it. For some food suggestions, check out this post.
Stay tuned for our next update!

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, by MIA

In Bakery, Boulangerie22

BOULANGERIE22: A Sweet Haven for the Sweet Tooth

Paris, France is one of the top dream destination of most people. Along with this, came the popularity of French bakeries. Because French take great pride with their breads, several bakeries emerged to give us a taste of France. One of these French themed bakeries was Boulangerie22.

I happen to pass by it in the Lucky Chinatown Mall. They offer a lot of pastries and cakes. It all looked so enticing that I felt like I was being pulled in. The ambiance of their bakery was clean, bright, and conducive for small talks.

Being a glutton, I bought a lot of goods to try. To be specific, we ordered their strawberry cream cheese muffin, cream cheese muffin, chicken floss bread, what the fudge cake, dark chocolate cookie, and classic loaf bread. (Yeah, I know, I really did order a lot aaaaand I wasn't eating alone. I went with my sister.)

I first tried the strawberry cream cheese muffin because it looks really delicious! And upon biting, it didn't disappoint me. It was delicious and the texture of the muffin was moist and tender compared to other muffins, that are a little dry and dense. It had the right softness to it. But after eating almost half of it, I couldn't finish my muffin. ☹ It was so sweet! There was something stopping me from finishing the whole muffin. I also took a bite from the cream cheese muffin and dark chocolate cookie of my sister, and again, both were also delicious but too sweet for me.

Due to the sweetness of the muffins and cookie, I decided to taste the classic loaf bread and chicken floss bread next. The classic loaf bread tasted like the wheat bread sold in Shopwise bakery. It tastes bland which is perfect when coupled with a good jam and what I like about this is that when you fold it, it doesn't break apart unlike other supermarket loaf breads.

On the other hand, the chicken floss bread is by far my favorite. It's not sweet (obviously) and the taste is better than other normal chicken floss. I can't exactly pin point what made it better than the others because I'm not a food critique but all I can say is it tastes better.

And lastly, I saved the "what the fudge" cake for last due to the fact that I'm an extreme chocolate lover. For me, it is the same as the muffin, delicious but the sweetness is overwhelming. It also reminds me of the triple chocolate roll sold in Red Ribbon. The taste is very similar. Probably the only difference between the two is their texture. The Red Ribbon is a bit spongy while the one in Boulangerie22 is velvety.

Overall, I think the bakery is a haven for the sweet tooth but I'm not one of them. So I guess, the bakery was just not for me. We all have different tastes anyway so I think it's best to go and try their pastries. &#x1F609

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, by LYN

In Art, Art & Design

EVOLUTION: Walkthrough at PSID's 49th Exhibit

Philippine School of Interior Design Batch 2016 presents:

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Marked it's 49th year as one of the best Interior Design school in the country. The exhibit was showcased last September 30 to October 31, 2016. It was held in the Square Building, Greenfield District, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

A sum of 3 galleries where 24 groups of PSID graduating students presented their own concepts and designs in relation to their theme. It’s a showcase of ideas coming from the new generation. This exhibition molded young designers' mind that made it astounding.

Here are some of my top picks:

In the Past gallery, where they showcased mid-century design styles from 1940s to the 1970s.

My top favorites are:

Warren Platner

A Dining room: Welcome to the 1960s in this retroriffic room with neon lights, shelving from vintage luggage, and of course, the steel frames of the Platner chair.

Designed by Patricia Rianna Angeles, Romualdo Eduardo Anselmo, Peter Paul Ascaño, Elisabeth Elisha Caballas, Joana May Cipriano, Karla Angeline Domingo, Denise Camille Velasco, and Jolina Paula Turqueza.

Charles Eames

A Study room. The Eames chair looks very manly, and the room is a perfect foil for this. Masculine in color, lines and furniture, as inspired by Eames' own house, the room has so many good things going for it, least of which, the Eames Lego-like furniture.

Designed by Jeremi Anne Arive, Patrick Paul Corpuz, Francine Fariñas, Bernard Sampilo, Analyn Santos, and Yuka Tachibana.

For the Present gallery is a classic style with a twist of modern trends.

My top pick is:

Modern Tropical

A Dining room: Welcome to the colorful sunny jungle of your dining room! Each element of this room is well thought of—from the moss that cleans the air and looks good on the wall, the waterfall that trickles by as you gaze into your parakeets, the decorative terrariums, to the mural that just says – jungle!

Designed by Michelle Bueno, Pamela Cato, JoAnna Lauren Chua, Erika Elejido, Dominique Anne Manalo, and Isabelle Monique Zuñiga.

Lastly, the Future gallery where the designers came up with a valiant projection of the future designs based on the modern trends of today.

My top picks are:

Organic Opulence

A Lanai. Designed to be a few steps away from the beach, the lanai uses wood and materials from the coconut tree usually thrown away into a one-of-a-kind wall decoration. Opulence with sustainability.

Designed by Monica Layug, Samantha Felisse Concha, Carizza Leonor, Lynn Ogoy, Flory Christie Paguirigan, and Reynaldo Parale.

Rustic Luxe

A Living room. A rustic hunting lodge for the modern times with in white clean lines, diffused lighting from the ceiling, and a wall-scone design that looks graphic and cool.