First Impressions : Yummylly Cakes - Cafe

This cafe has been open for some time and people have been bugging me to do a review on it but I've always tried to put it off. Why? For the simple fact that my 2nd degree cousin & his lovely wife own the place. Willy & Yummy started Yummylly Cakes a few years back and have now opened their 1st cafe branch at Nunez Ext. Crossing, behind ADZU, beside TV Surplus shop (Zamboanga City)... People may think that I'd be biased because of the fact I'm related to Willy, but I've always given 100% honest reviews and this particular one won't be any different... Now that we got that out there, let's get on with the review... My friend D.A. & I stopped by around 3:30pm. There were a couple of other people in the cafe to place in cake orders but we were the only ones there who were actually going to stuff our faces with food. *lol* Their color motif was pleasing to the eyes - a soft pink & a teal blue color. We loved the lighting fixtures, cutesy throw pillows and also their long stretch "sofa" couch. The fondant covered cakes on display also offered a touch of quirkiness to the place that balanced everything out... We all agreed to give Yummylly Cakes a 5/5 for their cafe set up. What's better than FREE WIFI? *winks* (ilovecakes) I liked that they used a chalkboard as their menu board because these gives them the option of spicing things up with colored chalk or other decorative writing styles... Though their current one was a bit out of place with the overall cuteness of the cafe... They have a variety of finger foods available and they even have rice meals! We decided to order a strawberry frappe, a cookie monster "monster frappe" (monster frappes were on a separate menu board), a slice of their yema cake and plain salted fries... *Quick story : My friend D.A. got really pissed off with the one manning the cash register and taking our orders because she gave off this really mean attitude. She talked to us as if she wasn't in the mood (in Chavacano "dol nuay le gana combersa na customers) and seemed impatient to answer my questions regarding the monster frappes. My friend decided to just go sit down at our table before she also goes all b*tchy while I was left to handle the situation... (Bawas pogi points tayo sa ganito eh!) Only 3/5 for this particular customer service. Our orders arrived in batches (something that irks me at times) starting with the yema cake, the frappes then lastly our plate of fries. We digged in and started  comparing notes on our orders... Strawberry Frappe P75/order Taste : 4/5 Presentation : 3/5 D.A. & I liked this frappe a lot. It had the distinct strawberry flavor you'd expect from a strawberry frappe and it had a generous serving of whipped cream on top. We just wished it had more of an "oomph" presentation-wise. Cookie Monster - Monster Frappe P150/order Taste : 2/5 Presentation : 5/5 We gave this frappe a 2/5 for taste because it lacked that cookie or chocolate-y taste we were expecting. Most of the "flavor" from this frappe came from the toppings but the actual "milkshake" portion of the drink did nothing to satisfy our tastebuds. Having said that, we gave this a 5/5 for presentation because come on, just look at this thing! It was overloaded with yummy goodness! It was impressive enough to warrant the P150 price tag. Plain Salt Fries P50/order Taste : 2/5 Presentation : 2/5 This were your standard "from the package" kind of fries that came with a dusting of salt. The serving size was a decent "good for 2 unless your'e fry obsessed". Presentation was MEH! I wish they had a separate container for their fry sauce (mayo+ketchup, I think) because it can get a bit messy if it's squirted directly onto the serving plate... I know they could have done better on their presentation but at P50/order, you definitely get what you pay for.  Yema Cake P55/order Taste : 2/5 Presentation : 3/5 I had high expectations for this... This is supposed to be their best seller, an all time favorite... I got disappointed because of the taste. I was saddened because my friends D.A. & A. also had the same opinion about the taste of this particular slice. The yema filling and frosting had this really weird "plastic-balloon" kind of taste, and it wasn't an after taste at all, it was straight up plastic balloon (the kind I played with as a kid) in my mouth. At first it was subtle, but as we progressed into the cake, it tasted more and more like the plastic balloon that we ended up not finishing this piece. I've had my share of yema cakes so I definitely know what it's supposed to taste like, and believe me when I say that this piece tasted nothing like a yema cake. *sad sigh* I really think it's the frosting was the thing that was off since the cake was light and fluffy by itself. Well that's it for now. We're giving Yummylly Cakes cafe an overall 3/5. There's definitely room for improvement on several factors. So, has anyone tried this place out yet? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Christmas 2015 Wish List!

My Christmas 2015 wish list is pretty straight forward. Most of the things on this list fall into the "need" category. It's free to dream, so I'm dreaming that I wake up to these on Christmas day! *chuckles*  Let's get started!

First on my short list is the Longchamp Le Pliage Neo in Navy. I'd really like to have this in size small. I have 3 other Longchamp bags and they have served me well but this one with the sling will definitely be easier for me to go on "hands-free" mode! Please someone give this to me! HAHAHAHA! :D Syala Collections dresses. I'm in a size 4XL. The owner, Miss Day, is really easy to talk to and the quality of their dresses is superb! Another cool thing is that all these designs can have sleeves added to them which is really important for me since I'm self conscious about my arms.
Letter "J" and a stand mixer charm from Pandora. I have a growing collection of charms and trinkets from Pandora. They are of excellent quality and I love building my bracelets to accommodate charms that really personify my character. Lastly, I'd like several wooden stirring spoons, rubber spatulas and colorful mixing bowls. As a baker, you can never have too much of any of these items... Help me expand my kitchen stuff! *lol*
That's it for this year's list. What are your picks for your personal list? Tell me in the comments below! :)

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December 1st : City Mall Tetutan (Zamboanga) Grand Christmas Tree Lighting

 I promised myself I'd be a better blogger (yes for the nth time!) this month. I'm starting December 2015 with my first ever "event". I was invited to City Mall Tetuan' s Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony by Mr. Edzel Nohay, Marketing Assistant & Team Leader of City Mall Tetuan. I received the official invitation a few days ago and the press package earlier during the event. 
I was really about to miss the event due to some personal reasons but everything worked out in the end... *smiles*

While reading the content of the announcement page included in the press package, I learned that today the City Mall Christmas tree was unveiled simultaneously with other locations nationwide. Isn't that a cool concept? They definitely kicked off their December with an awesome event that the entire family could enjoy!

Check out Santa chilling before the program started... I bet he knows hordes of kids will be all over him in a few minutes expecting sweets and hugs and greeting of Christmas!

Miss Maria Morena of YES FM was their enthusiastic host for todays event. She was bubbly and energetic and was exactly the type of host to rile up the public to join in the fun. What I liked the most about her hosting style is that she got the audience involved and even spoke in Chavacano, the local dialect which I feel is awesome because it helps promote something that is genuinely a representation of what it is to be part of Zamboanga City.
   Welcoming remarks were given by Mr. Denmar Madriaga, Marketing Assistant of Double Dragon Properties Corp. The corporation owns 66% of City Mall while SM Investments Corp owns the other 34%... He warmly welcomed all the special guests, media personnel, City Mall personnel and the other mall goers to the event.

There were also performances by local artists & students like this one from Zamboanga City High School Main's marching band... I was able to take a short clip for your enjoyment.

Another group that performed was a vocal choir called RJ's Choir. These kids are really talented and blessed with amazing voices that blended together so well. I won't lie, I definitely got goosebumps! I was also able to take a short clip of their performance...

The last video I got was of the actual Christmas Tree lighting... 

These little kids dressed up as Santa received special surprises.

Here's a photo of me alongside other special guests to the event...
Some other cool things happening at City Mall is their active participation in an activity called Hoverboard Nation, a perfect past time for the entire family located at the mall's back entrance. The shoppers get 15 inutes free usage of City Mall owned hoverboards for a minimum receipt of P300 from ANY City Mall store! Check out the photos below. 

There was food ready for the guests after the event but I only nibbled a few bites off the food because I was reserving my tummy for something else I've been wanting to try out... RICE PA MORE is a newly opened food kiosk located alongside other food kiosks at City Mall's hypermarket... It's owned by "Kuya" Al & Sam, the awesome people who made all my debut dreams come true (a couple of years ago!)... To those from Zamboanga City, go check them out. I tried their best seller, SHAWARMA RICE  which combines two of my favorites, RICE & SHAWARMA!!! I was in heaven and at P55/order, so was my wallet.

I also got this bottle of wine as part of my press package. I'm not much of a wine drinker, but my parents will definitely enjoy this treat.
So there goes my December 1st. I definitely had a blast. How did your December 1st go? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

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Thank You : Year End Edition (V.7)

   It's already a tradition for me to post Year End Thank Yous so despite my very busy schedule I've chosen to take time to sit my butt in front of the computer and type my 2014 year end thank you post although it technically isn't the "end of 2014" anymore. Last year I had a short list. Maybe this year it's going to be a bit longer.  Before I begin, I just want to point out that I've had my hair chopped short again. I feel that I always start the new year with shorter hair. I guess that's another tradition. *wink* Let me start this post by thanking the almighty Father. I am thankful to the Lord for all the blessings He has showered upon me this year 2014. I am also thankful for all the challenges He has sent my way because it has helped me to become a better person. I'm not a perfect Catholic but the Lord has never failed to amaze me with His patience, kindness and love. Thank you to my parents. For the love, support and understanding you both have given me. Thank you for bringing me up well and making me feel that it's okay for me to be myself. Thank you for guiding me always and yet allowing me to make my own decisions so I can learn from them. I know 2014 has been tough on our family but we've managed to pull through. I appreciate every thing you've done and given me. To my grandparents, thank you. Thank you for taking care of me for the past 4 years. Thank you for listening to all my whining and consoling me when I've had a particularly bad day. Lola, thank you for being my second mum while mum is away. Thank you for spoiling me (almost rotten) and for handing down family secrets for baking. Lola, you are my numero uno, my best-set best friend, my most trusted confidant. Always. Forever. I love you! Lolo, thank you for constantly reminding me that life and living isn't always about the big things. Thank you for also being my most willing taste tester! Thank you as well to my lil sister. You aren't so little anymore and you've always taken better care of me than me of you. Thank you for being my sidekick. Thank you for being my solid rock when the times emotional waters tend to drown me. I love you. I will always be "Ate Pipi" and you can always, ALWAYS count on me to have your back in everything you decide to pursue. Never allow assholes to make you feel like the lesser human, and never let them dictate what path you want to follow. Dream big my little sister, I know you will go a long way.
Thank you to my yaya & mamang. You've stuck by us through thick and thin and have never left the family when we needed you both the most. I can never repay that kind of loyalty. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you to my real friends. I can only count the total on one hand, but I've also learned that it isn't a bad thing at all. Though you guys are few and far away, I know I can always count on you. No need for special mentions (lest others get jealous, HAHA!) because I know none of you are the type to be too showy. I appreciate all the things you've done for me especially during the times that I'm feeling  downtrodden. I know our paths will always cross no matter the miles between us.
Thank you to my CMZ co-workers from my unit & complex. I've grown as a nurse because of all the teachings I've gotten from you all. I will never forget how each of you took me under your wing and made sure that I learned the best techniques to survive our unit's toxicity. I may have had rough relationships with some at the start but I'm still thankful that everything has worked out in the end. I hope to work beside each of you for a long time and enhance my skills and knowledge even more.
ANAS.
Thank you to everyone that made my 2014 a year to never forget. Hoping for a better 2015!

 

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Merry Christmas!

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone. <3

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