Birthday Celebration: Chicago Weekend Getaway

Chicago Getaway: A very special birthday celebrations with my in-laws.

Sweet Hello Everyone :)

First post of the month and couldn't be more happier and excited. Indeed, I missed blogging and missed you all dearly. I was just little busy in past few weeks (I think its a good excuse to have.. wink:) Since, I started this blog (5 years ago) I always do a blog post about my birthday celebration and this year is no exception. It's better late than never right? As you may remembered my birthday celebration last year. Get that excitement coming!! because I'm taking you with me and together we are going to unfold fun birthday celebration with family plus unforgettable Chicago trip with my in-laws.Grab your favorite drink and lets make a toss for awesome birthday 2017 and for memorable experience.

I feel so grateful and super lucky to have such a wonderful family who spoiled me not only on my birthday but everyday. It just felt amazing that my hubby and kids took me to Red Velvet Cafe for the first time. I ordered 4 cupcakes and Mango Bubble Tea for drink. It was so good!

Then, we head out to Bonifacio (Modern Filipino Restaurant) for scrumptious dinner experience. I ordered my ultimate favorite Filipino dish which is Lechon Kawali.. It was so tasty! I really feel like I'm home. Other food that my family ordered were Lumpia Shanghai, Spaghetti and Fried Chicken and Sisig Taco for hubby. Overall food experience at Bonifacio was amazing!

Aside from delicious Lechon Kawali that I ordered. I also got very refreshing drink which I totally forgot the name, kinda taste like lemonade level up because of alcohol content (wink).  Lastly, how about Special Halo-Halo for dessert? Can we all scream!!!! for Halo-Halo? I'm just super excited to have Halo-Halo again. Its been almost two years since the last time I had one,and it was back on our 2015 Outerbanks, NC trip It was indeed such a sweet birthday treat for me. 

.. That's not ALL... Let me welcome you to our Girls Weekend Birthday Getaway at Chicago.....

You heard it right! I'm taking you to Chicago where we celebrated our birthday's together with my beloved in-laws. We flew and stayed at Luxurious Waldorf Astoria, Chicago. The place was amazing, relaxing, and fancy. Then, we head out for dinner at Tavern on Rush. The food was so good and the serving was huge. It was really fun night!

We started early the next day for our Spa & Massage Appointment which is located in the hotel. It was best ever experience! Spa + Sauna = Relaxation.

After a very relaxing experience at Spa, we head out to explore Chicago at its BEST. We eat brunch and stroll around. It was so FUN! The people, the surroundings, noises, the big buildings. 

We, then head out for authentic Italian dinner experience at Volare Ristorante Italiano. I was really good! As you may remembered my Instagram post of the food that I ordered I'm such a huge seafood lover.  Can you tell? wink   

Time goes fast when your having fun and it was our last day at Chicago. But, before we head home we explore the place to the fullest. We hit the bridge that overlooked the big buildings of Chicago and it was beautiful. We walked, took a lot of pictures, and subway experience. Indeed, unforgettable birthday experience. I can sit on the couch and talked about our Chicago trip all day..and forever (hahaha) But, it's about time to take my kids to school. I hope you have fun reading my blog today and learn new things to experience. 

I will see you next time for more fun and exciting post. Have a great day everyone! Stay gorgeous and don't forget to wear that big SMILE! :)

P.S. I would like to say Thank You to my beloved family for being the BEST. To my wonderful in-laws who invited me to celebrate really fabulous birthday experience. To my cousin Lorlyn- salamat kayo sa gift Dai. To my family and friends who greeted me offline and online. Thank you so much for sweet greetings, being so generous, and wonderful. I love you all!

xoxox- Melgie

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Fried Bangus Recipe

Fried Bangus Recipe

( My version of Fried Milkfish Recipe )

Hello Everyone!

I woke up this morning feeling happy and energized! I have fresh brew coffee on hand, kids are eating their breakfast, and I'm preparing one of my favorite breakfast food. O, Yes! Fried Bangus, boiled eggs, fresh tomatoes, over steamy plate of rice sound amazing. Isn't it? This ultimate breakfast experience is absolutely delicious and I simply can't wait to share with you my own version of Fried Bangus. This Fried Bangus recipe is perfect for any occasions and surely impresses everyone. It's cripsy, flavorful, and just perfect. Are you ready for delicious morning experience. Let's get cooking! Shall we?

Notes:

I used  Sarangani Baby Milkfish Marinated Bangus on this recipe ( which is available on many Asian supermarkets)

- Adjust the quantity according to your needs.

- Pair the Fried Bangus with your favorite sawsawan.

Fried Bangus Recipe

Ingredients:

Marinated Baby Milkfish 

Cooking Oil

Pan

Optional:

Sliced Tomatoes

Boiled Eggs

Sawsawan

Cooking Directions: 

1.) In large pan, heat the cooking oil in medium heat. Fry the Milkfish for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. I prefer my Bangus little crispy (wink)

Note: Be careful of oil splatter when placing the milkfish onto hot oil. 

2.) Place the Fried Bangus in paper towel to drained excess oil.
3.) Serve with boiled eggs, fresh tomato, sawsawan and steamy place of rice. Yum!

What make this Fried Bangus recipe extra amazing? It doesn't take time to make. Perfect for morning rush and its incredibly delicious. If you love fish especially milkfish this recipe is right for you. I can't explain how I LOVE Fried Bangus-  this is something that reminds me back home, something that I really enjoy eating. It is a part of me (hahaha) 

Next time you craved for something fishy, delicious, crispy, and remind you about Philippines give Fried Bangus a try. Its absolutely delicious! I hope this blog post inspire you for delicious recipe experience. Until next time everyone! Don't forget to SMILE and stay GORGEOUS as always.:)

xoxox- Melgie

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Outerbanks, NC Summer Vacation 2016

Summer Vacation 2016

Hello Everyone!

Summer time is always something that I look forward to- that warm weather reminds me of fun under the sun activities. Hanging out at the beach/pool is something that I really love and enjoy to do with my family. So, this summer I'm taking you with me to my beach and beyond experience at Outerbanks, NC - a place where you can relax and creates memories that will last for lifetime. I will never get tired going back to this place over and over again and over again... I'm so grateful to my in-laws for always inviting us for fun summer vacation. As you may remembered my first  Outerbanks, NC experience back in 2013, followed by Outerbanks Escapades 2014 and of course Outerbanks, NC 2015 where I get a chance to visit Jollibee on our way back home..:)

This summer vacation 2016 is no different. Once again, we hit out paradise destination! Outerbanks, NC. I can't wait to share with you, another fun memorable memories this summer. If you can't get enough of summer vacation. Checked my Disney World Florida Experience 2016. Grab your favorite drink and keep on reading. Its going to be awesome summer ahead!

Best thing about this vacation was hanging out at BEACH anytime you WANT. There's no time restrictions, you go as you please. Our condo was located very close to the beach and has unlimited access to the pool and hot tub anytime. Awesome right? That's not all--- sunset and sunrise overview from deck was amazing!

One of the things that you can do while at Outerbanks is go fishing. My in-laws said it was super FUN and they caught a lot of fish. I was able to enjoyed that fresh caught fish. Checked out my last photo.

Bonfire & Smore's at the BEACH is another fun activities you could do at Outerbanks. All you need is a fire permit, smore's essentials, music, and family. I LOVE Smore's and hearing the ocean breeze feels wonderful. This was one of the things that I looked forward in doing every time I'm at Outerbanks.

Beach and Beyond Experience with Family- nothing can beat being with your family just hanging out at the beach all day long. Feeling the sand between your toes, building sand castle, swimming, long walk, and sunbathe. So relaxing!

Jockey's Ridge "Sand Dune Adventure" was something that I looked forward in doing at Outerbanks. My kids loved climbing, running, playing with the sand and so do I. Next on the list is Souvenir Shopping as its BEST that's right my friend. Since, everything is so close together you can just walked to get your souvenir. Its fun walking with hubby, get exercise, and catches as many Pokemon (wink) I have to admit! Pokemon Go is addicting! Don't you agree?

Lists of fun things to do at Outerbanks:

*Wright Brother Memorial Park-  I visited this park back in 2013 and it was amazing. Its great experience for the whole family.
*Aquarium Adventure
* watched "The Lost Colony" @ Roanoke, Island
*Bowling
 .....and so many more!:)

Summer vacation won't be complete without delicious meal at the end of the day. Yup, that's right I will be sharing my delicious foodie escapades. Starting off my with my scrumptious brunch at Nags Head Fishing Pier. I ordered "Special EM" which composed of sausage, egg, toast and grits. OMG! It was delicious- sausage egg and grits together is simply delicious. Not to mention that we have a great view of the ocean while enjoying brunch together with my family.

I made homemade fresh blue fish and Spanish mackerel. Yes! Delicious- my in-laws went fishing and caught these fish. Best ever! I had scrumptious meatloaf, crab cakes, macaroni & cheese, corn, buns, pizza, wings. Aside from this delicious food. I also get a chance to celebrate two wonderful birthday's

A summer vacation that forever be treasure in my heart and memories of lifetime. That's how I spent my summer vacation with my wonderful family. I hope this blog post will inspires you this summer. Don't forget to smile and always be grateful. Until next time everyone! Stay gorgeous as always.

P.S Thank you to my family for another wonderful Outerbanks summer vacation. :)

xoxox- Melgie

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