Le Fleur Cafe PH A Dainty Instagram-worthy Coffee Shop in Fairview Quezon City

Let's admit it, most of us would go to franchise of foreign branded coffee shops to grab our cup of joe or we would prefer to linger over our chai latte while we chat with friends or scroll through our social media feeds. Luckily, there are coffee shops that can offer more than just free Wi-FI connection but a local cafe that had something more than just hot beverages and pastries. I recently discovered this little gem of a cafe called Le Fleur Cafe PH. They satisfy both your caffeine and Instagram addictions.  And bookworms will also be delighted to know that they can read some best selling titles here too for free as they sip their coffee?

Le Fleur in French means "The Flower"  Le Fleur Cafe is airy, quaint and full of light. As you enjoy Le Fleur Cafe PH's signature brewed coffee or their fantastic tea leaves, you can take photographs of the colorful flowers and lovely decor by the windows. The photo opportunities are limitless. They have rustic-chic decor. It maybe small  but it adds more character to this coffee hub as it combines the different elements of quaint and a unique touch to a cozy spot.

When it comes to nailing the perfect brunch spread, while being Insta-worthy at the same time, Le Fleur Cafe PH truly excel. Located in the heart of Fairview (strategically located at the back of FEU-Nicanor Reyes Hospital), we've recently discovered this dainty and cozy cafe. 

Whether you're after the perfect breakfast bowl or a warm cup of freshly steeped tea or a cup of joe, the lovely interior design of this cafe with an indoor garden vibe, Le Fleur Cafe PH has perfectly curated your next Instagrammable brunch. Basically, your feed will never look better. Thus, you really have to visit Le Fleur Cafe PH and add this to your must-eat and must-visit list immediately. 

Le Fleur Cafe PH is nothing short of spectacular. Although it has feminine interior design accents, it gives off a super-elegant feel, perfect for special occasion brunches or even a 'treat yourself' moments. This cafe-meets-garden is the definition of 'urban oasis' with its white wicker detailing, abundance of plants and pretty floral ceiling. An abundance of roses pretty foliage and plenty of light cute accents, Le Fleur Cafe PH feels like an easy breezy and visually pleasing holiday from real life. No wonder it's becoming a favorite shooting location among leading TV shows (Trivia: Alden Richards' ongoing TV series, "The Gift" had some of its scenes taken at the cafe.) Despite of the bustling location, Le Fleur Cafe PH with its decor, it easily transports you elsewhere and provides for the perfect mid-day coffee break. 

The vibe here is relaxed, comfortable and exceedingly well-decorated, leaving you feeling like you're brunching at the home or garden of a good friend with an excellent taste in decor. 

As for the coffee enthusiasts, serious coffee-devotees as well as tea lovers will be happy to note that they have here freshly steep and brewed tea leaves and coffee respectively. Le Fleur know how to make a good brew. " We steep our tea leaves and brew our coffee only upon order," says Ms. Chelsea Quiambao, the pretty young proprietor. 

Known for their strong blends, if you're feeling adventurous, you can try their signature blend. But me and my friends quickly fell in love with their specialty teas. It was love at first sip for me when I've tried their Sunrise Brew and Blossom Tea.  My friends who were with me also loved it. I guess their teas alone is enough to make your trip to Le Fleur Cafe worth it. 

Chelsea, the owner, who coincidentally is my fellow alumna from La Consolacion College Manila (I get it, yes, she's way younger than me!😊) said she started out by baking impeccably delicious pastries during her college days and sold them among her friends and also online. Eventually it was but natural for her to think of something and together with her mom, they came up with Le Fleur Cafe PH. They have created a dreamy space in which to enjoy a scone or a decadent cake with your tea or coffee. 

As for the grubs and chows, they also have awesome menu to choose from: Pasta (Creamy Carbonara, Chicken Pesto, Meaty Spaghetti, Spanish Sardines and Baked Mac), Sandwiches (3-Cheese Grilled, Egg Sandwich and Spamwich), All-Day Breakfast (Eggs, Sausage, Waffle and Hashbrown combo, Waffle, Champorado with Cornflakes). for snacks, they have Mozarella Cheese Sticks, Smiley Fries, Brownies ala Mode and Le Fleur Fondue. 

Those with sweet tooth will surely be satiated with their decadent cakes: Moist Choco

Caramel cake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookie and Revel Bars. 

For your beverages, they have coffee based, lattes, fresh tea, non-coffee (like matcha), ice blended and milk tea. They even offer ChamNum Yen or better known as Thai Milk tea. 

Enjoy Instagramming your fave drink or having a selfie against a background decor that perfectly blends the rustic with the whimsical. 

Come and visit Le Fleur Cafe located at 19A Ground Floor, Che-Riss Residence Building, Rolex Street, Fairview, Quezon City

Follow them on social media to get updates and promos @lefleurcafeph on Facebook and Instagram. 

P.S. They also offer ready-to-go ground beans of their signature coffee blends (Php680 for 500 grams and Php 530 for 250 grams) as well as reusable 16 ounce tumblers (Php180) available in white and black variants. They also sell reusable metal straws with brush cleaner and pouch for Php180. 

Le Fleur Cafe is open from Mondays to Sundays from 10AM-11PM. 

Prices mentioned may be subject to change without prior notice. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post, opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Feast on Your Favorite Chef Laudico Guevarra' s Dish Have It Delivered Right at Your Doorstep with Guevarra's Handaan Kahit Saan

Chefs Jac and Rolando Laudico at Chef Laudico Guevarra's

The Holiday Season is probably one of the most stressful days for everyone else. Aside from the usual merrymaking, this so-called season of joy also brings everyone lots of pressure--from buying our loved ones presents to decorating our homes all the way to preparing what foods to serve for our guests, it could really be daunting. 

Yes, it's potluck time of the year again as we receive party invites, reunions or a simple get-together with friends here and there at these times of the year. Rather than we stress ourselves with what food to bring or serve our guests, (where sometimes there are even surprise visits or friends who would drop by our house on a really short notice!), with such  little time to run to a nearby grocery or market, it's always impossible to cook or whip up a dish, most of us would often resort to food delivery just so we'd have something nice to serve our guests. It's also really helpful when you don't feel like cooking but would still want to enjoy a sumptuous meal for your family. 

Last Sunday, we just had a fantastic lunch of our old-time favorite, Beef Kare-kare and Sansrival cake from Chef Laudico Guevarra's Handaan Kahit Saan. It's a food delivery and pick-up service of Chef Laudico Guevarra's where one can order party trays and feast on your Guevarra's favorites anywhere you like. Most of the dishes are available in two sizes, servings are good from 12-15 and 6-8 persons. 

Since they had opened their doors to the public in 2013, Chef Laudico Guevarra's has been the go-to place for buffet enthusiasts and it had also been the top choice as venue for important events. The sprawling lawn and the 1920's heritage house had been witnessed to numerous birthdays, baptismal, weddings, product launches and corporate parties. Their 80-item buffet of both classic and modern Filipino dishes are well-thought of by celebrity chefs Rolando "Lau" and Jac Laudico. 

The good news is, it's now possible for you to enjoy their dishes without having to travel to San Juan City. Guevarra's Handaan Kahit Saan is really ideal at this time of the year.  Just give Guevarra's a call and your delicious meals will either be delivered to you piping hot and freshly cooked from their kitchen or you can pick them up at the restaurant. 

Unlike in other food deliveries, you won't have to worry if the food will taste good. After all, it's from Chef Laudico Guevarra's and it's one of their signature meals--that alone gives you a hundred percent guarantee and gives you an assurance that it isn't a hit-or-miss kind of thing. Based on my own experience, it's hassle and worry-free. Now, all you have to think about is how you'd mingle and entertain your guests. 

The choices are their Lechon (that's charcoal-spit roasted to perfection), Pugon-Roasted Pork Bellychon and Pugon-Roasted US Angus Beef Shortplate. Also on the list are their mouthwatering Beef Kare-Kare, Kaldereta, and Grilled Beef Tapa--all made with US Angus beef. Chicken options are Tamarind and Lemongrass-Spiced Roast Chicken Sinampalukan which is best served with Kamote Salad, and Fried Chicken Adobo. Noodles and pasta options are Pansit Bihon Guisado, Pansit Canton Guisado, Palabok, and Party Spaghetti. 

The dishes are reasonably-priced and won't burn a hole on your pockets. "These are the items that are most requested, we get complaints when they are not available," said chef Jac. 

The best part? At Guevarra's they make everything prepared from scratch. They do everything the traditional way, without any shortcuts. When we ordered Kare-kare, we could really taste it in every spoonful of its rich peanut-based sauce. Guevarra's take on the classic Kare-Kare still reigns supreme as the epitome of Filipino comfort food.  With its creamy, mustard-colored sauce luxuriously coating the generous chunks of beef meat, eggplant, and petchay, it's a deliciously savory and nutty way to demolish mountains of freshly-steamed rice. 

Maybe for those unfamiliar, the combination of fork-tender beef and peanuts doesn't sound too appetizing. But when you marry together those two ingredients, along with the flavors from the eggplant, petchay and string beans, the unfamiliar becomes enlightened to the deliciousness of Kare-Kare. 

As far as I remember, a piping hot dish of Kare-Kare has always been a staple at parties and celebrations all over the country. Nowadays, just about every household, carinderia, or restaurant has their own version of the decadent, comforting dish. With Guevarra's Kare-Kare, the bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) alone is a viand on its own. 

Along with the Kare-Kare, we also ordered Guevarra's Sans Rival Cake. It's one of Chef Jac's specialties along with her Strawberry Shortcake, Brazo de Calamansi, Mocha Cake, and Brigaderos. They make great presents, along with boxes of Butterscotch, Crinkles, Brigaderos Balls (Yema and Dark Chocolate Truffles), Kalabasa Pastillas Balls (milk candies lightened with squash), Maja Blanca, and Cassava Cake Flan. 

Gateau le Sans Rival came from the French word which means "without rival." It's a Filipino meringue-based layer cake served on special occasions or as a dessert. The sansrival is much like a French dacquiose (nut meringue). 

What do I love most about Guevarra's Sansrival cake? The texture of meringue wafers produce thick and crunchy layers unlike the others I've tried which are compact or hick but airy. Guevarra's Sansrival Cake had perfectly baked meringue forms as base. It's rich and smooth buttercream gives it that unrivaled character compared with sponged-based cakes. Chopped nuts lend flavor and texture to the whole cake, sprinkled on top and mixed into the meringue itself. 

Guevarra's Handaan Kahit Saan is a real life saver. All items are available all-year round. So on days when you're simply too tired to do any kitchen chores and would rather plop on a chair and chill at home, remember that your favorite dishes at Guevarra's are just a phone call away.

Guevarra's Handaan Kahit Saan items can be picked up from Chef Laudico Guevarra's at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne Streets, Addition Hills, San Juan City. It cluld also be sent through various delivery services available such as Grab and Lalamove. 

For orders and inquiries, you may call (02) 8705-1811,(02) 8705-1874,(0917) 3112222. For more information, follow @guevarras_ on Instagram and on Facebook at @guevarrasrestaurant. 

Holiday Christmas Gift Ideas for Each Discerning Individual

Filipinos are known to spread the holiday cheer with good food, parties and giving gifts. We love to reciprocate one's generosity each time we are given presents. But looking for the right gift may not exactly be an easy task. We all want that our gifts will surely be appreciated by their recipients. 

We've come up with a list of gift ideas that will surely delight the hearts of whoever receives them. These are surely the kind of gifts anyone would want to receive for Christmas. Check these out:

Novuhair – If your friend or relative has a receding hairline or has problems with hair loss and falling hair, Novuhair will be your best bet. Proven and tested scientifically to rejuvenate hairloss, Novuhair is alsoknown as Nature’s answer to hair loss, it is formulated with 19 natural ingredients – mostly herbal, essential oils and co-factor nutrients. This topical scalp lotion does not only help prevent the hair shedding malady, but also aids in stimulating growth of the “crowning glory.” It helps enhance improve overall appearance, maintain moisture, and promote nourishment and rejuvenation. Celebrity hair stylist Fanny Serrano swears by the effects of Novuhair. 

In the celebration of their 10th year in the industry, the brand and their long-time partner Mercury Drug is offering a whopping 64% savings on their promo pack Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion 200ml with free 120ml bottle.

For more info on the product, you may check their FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/NovuhairOfficial/

Fanny Serrano shares how he discovered Nuvohair and how he became its brand ambassador.

Start Investing with Php100 via Sun Life Mutual Funds

Life insurance is one of the pillars of personal finance, deserving of consideration by every household. I’d even go so far as to say it’s the most important. Yet, despite its nearly universal applicability, there remains a great deal of confusion, and even skepticism, regarding life insurance.

Personally, I think this is because of life insurance’s complexity, the posture of those who sell it or merely our preference for avoiding the topic of our own demise. But armed with the proper information, you can simplify the decision-making process and arrive at the right choice for you and your family. I consider myself fortunate enough for being able to at least somehow understand the complexities of insurance and money management because I had been attending money management and financial workshops in the past. Somehow it had given me some valuable tools to understand how to properly use my money to my advantage. 

Sun Life Asset Management Company Inc. (SLAMCI), the mutual fund arm of Sun Life Canada Philippines, recently revealed that the country will he having a better, stronger, and faster economy come year 2020. Sun Life Chief Investments Officer, Mr. Michael Enriquez said that after he had reviewed thoroughly the fundamentals, he is confident that the economy is set to significantly improve in the next couple of years, beginning on the year 2020. 

"While inflation fell to a low of .08% in October 2019, we expect proces to slowly inch up as we forsee the year 2020 inflation at 2.4%. This figure is much lover than 2018 inflation of 5.21%," said Enriquez.

For currency, Enriquez also believes that the Philippine peso might also have a chance to go up a bit higher from a range of Php50.70 to Php52.50 equivalent to a dollar. our 2019 USD-Php forecast is at Php51.00 and for 2020, a slightly higher at Php52.50." 

Given these possibilities, we encourage investors to stay the course. It is only with long-term vision and solid commitment to their investments that they can benefit fom a better and faster Phlippine economy. 

What I personally liked best about Sun Life is that anyone can make an investment. The said insurance company gives opportunities for people from all walks of life to learn how to properly nvest their hard-earned money the right way. They even launched a Php100 starting investment fund where all thy need is a Php100 intial investment, a government issued Identification Card (ID) and a selfie so they can start their future investment plan and save money for the rainy days. 

Here, we had a short video panel interview from a Sun Life executive where he says they are starting them young, teaching kids and those millenials on how to properly invest their money by giving them seminars for free at their schools, colleges and universities. 

https://youtu.be/S_Cmef3juBw

Yes, you can now invest with just a Php100 pesos as initial starting investment on your account. And once you have saved, played your cards well, you might just get that dream vacation or dream house or car you have always wanted. How? Just open an account online via sunlifefunds.com or access via their moble app. Sign up, add a selfie so you can have a face to the name. And voila, you now have a starting investment. 

With a minmum of P1,000 for Bond funds and Equitable funds, investing is no longer difficult to do. After getting started, adding a few more  pesos or a thousand into that account and letting it grow is no longer impossible. 

When investing, you have to think of your long term goals. It is only with that vision along with a solid commitment to your investing journey that one can truly benefit from a better, brighter and faster Philippines in 2020. 

Cultivate a Love for Reading this Christmas

Stuck for present ideas this Christmas season? I have discovered stacks of enthralling stories for the festive season as well as books featuring the works of renowned National Artist for Painting, Benedicto Cabrera--better known as BenCab through awesome concept coloring books, writing, and spot the difference activities, finger puppet and paper doll dress up. These are sold by CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development. They have an array of selections by age or by child's interest.

I read once that a child who reads is a child that leads. Encourage a love for reading in every child. Help your child to know sounds, words and language, and develop early literacy skills. Learn to value books and stories. Spark a child's imagination and stimulate curiosity. By gifting a child with books, you help a child's brain, develop his or her social and communication skills. 

CANVAS also has specific story books geared towards those 9-12 years olds. They even have something for the adults too. Art aficionados will be happy to note they also have titles which they can add to their personal collections. Multi-awarded writer and Philstar Columnist, Butch Dalisay has his book called "Why Words Matter," his reflection is complemented by lyrical artist Marcel Antonio. "Nadia and the Blue Stars" is about a tale of hope and has been used for psychosocial therapy to help children who were forced to flee their homes, either by man-made conflict or by natural calamities and how they dealt with the trauma. There's also "Ang Aklatang Pusa" written by Palanca Hall of Famer Eugene Evasco with artworks by award-winning painter and sculptor, Jared Yokte.

Aside from books, you can also find cards, journals, fans, notepads, art magnets and limited edition art prints, and stickers to collect at CANVAS' online store where you will surely find something that will catch your fancy because they truly have something for everybody. You can avoid the hassle of Christmas shopping at the comfort of your homes with just a few clicks on your mouse. All you need to do is to log in to www.lookingforjuan.com to get these exciting products. 

You may even request for personalized and customized items for corporate gifts, all you need to do is order ahead of time and order by bulk so that they can accommodate your requests. 

The best part about buying books here? For every purchase of an activity book, two copies will be donated and given to underprivileged children. I mean, how good is that? You have given more opportunity for children to learn through reading as well as help others through sustainable living. The more you buy, the bigger contribution you would have in inspiring children to learn to love reading. 

Other interesting books worth mentioning are "RizalPabeto," a published book in celebration of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary. It is a collection of award-winning poet, fictionist, playwright, and essayist Vim Nadera's poems about our National Hero, Rizal. Using the letters of the Alphabet, he wrote a poem on each letter while the graphics are interpreted by prominent contemporary painter, Elmer Borlongan in the tradition of letras y figuras.

CANVAS makes beautiful artwork from waste materials by upcycling them. Discarded old tarpaulins are given a new lease on life and re ncarnated them into wonderful new products such as this tarpaulin bags. 

Upcycling, in case you don't know is the creative process in which one transforms by-products m waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality and environmental value. Meanwhile, recycled art is a creative work that's made from discarded materials that once had another purpose. Artists who make recycled art take those materials and make em into something new. 

And here's the good news for online shoppers of the said site: Because  it's Christmas, the website is running a seasonal promo of Buy-One-Take-One on books if you use the discount code: L4JPASKO2019 before you check out. Isn't that a good deal? Since it's the season of gving, what better way to buy more so that you'd be able to give more without spending as much. The more you buy, the more you are also helping CANVAS with their advocacy, thereby making a huge contribution to the "One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children" campaign of the organization which aims to inspire children to develop a love for reading. 

The brainchild of this project is the non-profit organization CANVAS which has produced 30 titles since year 2005. "When companies and individuals buy from us, they are also helping us with our advocacy," says Gigo Alampay, CANVAS Founder and Executive Director. To date, they have given away more than 250,000 books to communities from Ifugao to Basilan. 

So far, they have partnered with both individuals and organizations who work directly in the field and with communities all over the country. They make it possible to reach as many kids and give books in all corners of the Philippines. Communities visited by horrific disasters, both natural (such as Typhoon Yolanda) and caused by man (like the conflict in Zamboanga) are some of the beneficiaries of this initiatives," shares Alampay.

So what are you waiting for? Start shopping and help spread the love for reading while saving both time and money as you make your shopping online with these awesome and one-of-a-kind products. Take advantage of the discount code we've given you above, 😉😍