♦ Lusso

Lusso is a take on modern French food by manila's food savior Margarita Fores. It is situated in greenbelt 5, beside balenciaga and across Ayala museum. 

We were originally going to eat there for our school gastronomy club, but decided on just having a nice non-school affiliated dinner instead. 

Well-priced considering the amount of truffle oil they lather on the food and generous servings of foie gras. Not fancy enough for a tablecloth and fine silver, but a perfect place for a nice meal that ranges from 500-800 pesos. It is relatively expensive, but not astronomical or cheap, so as we said, well-priced. The ambiance is luxurious but not extravagant, with plush velvet chairs and bright yellow lighting from the chandelier above. The cutlery and plates are fairly simple, but with little touches, like a cute capiz knife to spread the dip. 

The dinner ended at 8 because it was a school night, and we parted ways. It was a pleasant dinner with lovely company and we're already planning our next gastronomical venture soon.  

facing: Julia Cu Unijeng, Lala Singian, Sabie Romulo,  Miko Tiu Laurel
back: Shelly Aguirre, Jose Fores, Ina Kole

laughing 

truffle potato chips

Julia's famous burger with foie gras. I didn't try this decadent sandwich but apparently it was delicious.

truffle fries, truffle everything

Jose's duck confit

my foie gras croque monsieur with truffle potato chips yet again 

♥ Shelly & Lala
(words by Lala)

♫ RIP Lou Reed

"There's a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out." 

- Lou Reed

Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground

A Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed

Lou Reed, influential lead singer of the Velvet Underground passed away at 71 earlier today.

Two of his more popular songs are shown above. We remember him as a pioneer of a softer-sounding rock music that tackled the most grimy and taboo subject matters. He related to the minorities, the outcasts, the gays and the transexuals of his time. Lou talked about debauchery pretty frankly, no sugar coating allowed. Despite this, the man had a creative mind who sung words that when strung together, had the ability to send chills down your spine.  

His songs are sentimental and poignant, and we remember him by revisiting his music today. A fine poet has left this world to play music that transcends the mundane some place else. 

Rest in Peace, Lou Reed.

❀ Lala

♛ Philippine Fashion Week - Giordano Show!

The two of us took the opportunity to attend the amazing Giordano show at Philippine Fashion week on Saturday, October 26. 

We gave away our 9 free tickets to 9 of our blog readers!

All our thanks to the wonderful Ericka Bugia  for the tickets, the all access passes to fashion week and backstage passes!

We accidentally ended up at SMX Convention Center and had to walk in our heels all the way to the Main MOA atrium. Waiting outside for our reader-winners we weren't able to get the best of seats. But it was a great and very fun learning experience, where we left with more than we came in with.

Pictures aren't of the best quality, but keep posted because better pictures with the official camera are coming up soon!

We were given media passes which gave us access to all fashion shows in Philippine Fashion Week but were only able to catch the Giordano show due to conflicting schedules ):

On Shelly:
top: topshop; billowy skirt: topshop; beige suede wedges: topshop

On Lala:
top: recycled ballet leotard from pre-k days haha..; skirt: houndstooth zara skirt; bag: forzieri italy

We stumbled backstage and interview some models! Posts about our interviews with the models coming up soon, as well as a follow up on the show!

Keep posted, thanks for taking the time to read this :)

♥ Shelly and Lala

♛ Philippine Fashion Week Giordano Show Tickets

Congratulations to the following winners of the Philippine Fashion Week Giordano tickets! :)

@nikki_marella

@ghelinesays

@eda0712

@_callmeGraceee

@LoveJungilWoo

@nadiaxpizza

@samantha_tero

@NUNUtellla

*

Please wait for information on how to obtain the tickets.

Also, keep checking this blog for more contests with more prizes!

(*note: this is not a complete list, for some people wished to keep their twitters private)

♥ Shelly and Lala

☀ The Farm at San Benito

The Farm at San Benito is a beautiful health sanctuary and hotel just a few hours away from Manila, in Bataan. I was lucky enough to be able to visit the organic haven, and it was a rejuvenating experience.

All the meals at ALIVE! restaurant were vegan: no meat, no dairy, no eggs - but we didn't mind, really, because the concoctions were creative, beautifully presented and delicious.

In terms of fitness, I'd wakeup with  yoga in the mornings and calisthenics and boot camp in the afternoons. After my workouts, I'd usually go for a swim. I also did some lazy man's yoga - which means I had a masahe hehe and it was guh-reat.

The landscaping is overwhelming, with foliage that soothed my city-accustomed eyes. There were peacocks, geese and ducks roaming around every turn I took. Even if the greenery was manicured, the environment was so relaxing and a perfect escape from the Manila hustle.

Scratching my leg, because there are some sacrifices that need to be made while in nature - which means a hella lotta ants

Atrium

Peacock party outside of the villa

Rub a dub dub - even baths are organic and au naturale

The beautiful infinity pool

Swimming

The all-glass gym - heaven to fitness junkies

Gyming in a box surrounded by a jungle is a good enough motivation to keep running & lifting

Apologies for my shitty collage lol but hey,
Doesn't it look delicious?
Well thankfully it's all organic and vegan so you don't have to worry about anything unhealthy entering your body!

Take this for example, a Vegan Breakfast
"Bacon" substituted by Coconut
"Scrambled Eggs" substituted by Cauliflower

yum

❀ Lala

☀ First Week with 1500 views!

Today marks our first week and we already have 1500 views!

Thank you so much to our readers, and the people who took the time to read our blog! Please keep tuned in, because we've just begun posting.

We changed our name from deuxbonnesvivantes to twoaroundtown so it rolls easier off the toungue.

The following are our new social networking sites to follow:

twitter: http://twitter.com/twoaroundtown
instagram: twoaroundtown

ask.fm: http://ask.fm/twoaroundtown

Shelly (left): forever 21 red dress, Lala (right): forever 21 floral dress
(c) Miko Tiu-Laurel
taken in: forbes park playground

Much love,

♥ Shelly and Lala

☀ Dog Days

Our pets are pretty much representations of ourselves in little furry bodies. We love our little babies and  we would proudly like to introduce Ringo and Funga!

Ringo is Lala's 4-month basset hound puppy, and Funga is Shelly's miniature schnauzer. 

The two met on a playdate in Shelly's house. After a little barking, growling and tail-biting, they eventually got along swimmingly. The next few pictures are of their date:

Funga (left): wearing a salt-and-pepper coat;
Ringo (right): wearing a red collar from Dogs and the City

Confrontation

Playing tag

**Viewer's Discretion is advised** just kidding, sorry, it's all canine nature

And if you're more of a cat person, here's us in the fort after the puppy date with clothes full of fur and legs with scratch marks from the jumping dogs!

Shelly (left): Topshop crop tee shirt, Topshop acid wash jeans, Aldo shades;
Lala (right): H&M mesh sweater, H&M highwaisted shorts, Coach bag

Woof

♥ Shelly and Lala

♛ Philippine Fashion Week Ticket Contest

We're giving away 9 free tickets to the Philippine Fashion Week Giordano (https://twitter.com/GiordanoPH) fashion show on Saturday, October 26 2013 in MOA!

To win one of these nine free tickets:

1. post the link of our blog "twoaroundtown.blogspot.com" on instagram or twitter

2. tag our twitter or instagram with the username @twoaroundtown

5 winners will be chosen randomly

Contest ends: October 22, 2013. 

So you better get to it!

Winners will be contacted and given instructions on how to get the tickets.

♥ Shelly and Lala

♫ Mausi - Body Language

I don't know how my friends manage to watch Mausi's video and send a snapchat in its first half hour out, but the lil hipsters somehow do. Not half bad considering how the internet can give instant access to a song released in New Castle to Manila in a few minutes.

From the lyrics, it can be easily gleaned that Mausi's Body Language is about the science of male-female attraction. Attraction that results in sweaty palms, a palpitating heart and a rush of blood one gets from well, body language. The song is topped off with their indispensable synths and more recent palmas (clapping used in flamenco) that your feet will struggle not dancing to.

Mausi's self-directed video that accompanies the song shoudn't be skipped out on either. It's just as much a visual, if not slightly epileptic treat.

Overall, their new song is pretty damn good - you can tell Mausi is playing strong, kudos to them!

Body Language is the leading song to Mausi's "Autumn/Winter Collection" mixtape, coming out October 21st, so keep an eye out for that - it's closer than you might expect.
The song is up for a free download on their facebook on October 21 as well. Best be checking out the video above to see why you should be twiddling your thumbs in anticipation for the band that is on its way blowing up big time.

❀ Lala

EDIT: Mausi was kind enough to make our day by tweeting our first ever music post!

☀ Bright & Bonnes Vivantes

Do you like good food? Do you have an affinity for fashion?

Are you looking for new tunes to jam to, or movies to pass the time?

What about finding a place to have a good time with friends?

Is Manila boring you?

You're always looking for somewhere to go, something to do.

We're always exploring and we'd like to share with you.

Deux Bonnes Vivantes is a french expression which means two people who live life well, and we'd like to think we can call ourselves that.

Welcome to our blog!

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

Lala Singian & Shelly Aguirre

~~~~

Introducing: Shelly

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

~~~~

Introducing: Lala

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

(c) Miko Tiu Laurel

Cheers! ☀

(C) all pictures by Miko Tiu Laurel