DiscoverMNL x Grammer.ph Flatlay Workshop

DiscoverMNL and Grammer.ph held a workshop last August 27 at Retail Lab Rockwell and I was one of the lucky winners to grab a slot. This was such a privilege because only 5 winners were picked and I really wanted a slot because it will help me massively on social media, I'm super excited! The workshop was about flatlay, instagram tips and food styling. So here I'm going to share some tips that I learned from this AWESOME workshop :)

BASIC TIPS for FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

• Less is more - Use less food than you normally would
• Add a feel to it - Use paper to add texture to plates (color white is mostly used)
• Make it POP - Look for contrasts with backgrounds
• Take action shots - Allow food to spill over naturally
• Get some work-in progress shots - The simpler the better
• Choose simple crockery and tableware - Emphasize the natural beauty of the food
• Make them want it - Try and capture the YUM factor
• Stay curious - Always be on the lookout for ideas (pinterest is a good place)

California Crunch Challenge

FOOD STYLING

• Strategic layering of food
• Uniformity (same plates, silverware, papers, tablecloth and the like)
• Use small plates and bowls
• Think about the "YUM" factor of your food
• Choose your props
• Keep it fresh
• Choose your angle and focus

Lifestyle Challenge

HOW TO MASTER THE #FLATLAY

• Use basic background (preferably white)
• Shoot in natural light
• Leave space between each object
• Pick a THEME
• Get inspired (pinterest is a good place to look into)
• Shoot from a birds eye view
• Experiment with arrangement layouts
• Build a prop box
• Have a HERO piece

I won a prize for this! :) Thanks to Rus for helping us with the layout. Check him out and click on his name for the link :)

The Coffee Bean Challenge which I won a prize again :)

All photos were taken from my phone (Samsung S7 Edge)

So those were the tips I learned from this amazing workshop! Many thanks to Grammer.ph and DiscoverMNL for hosting this. I learned so much (plus met new friends!) and I'm hoping to level up my skills and join the next workshops :)

Follow them on Instagram!

Grammer.ph - @grammer.ph

DiscoverMNL - @discovermnl

Retail Lab - @retaillabph

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

For the love of Nude

 I've always loved Nude colors, it best compliments with my skin tone plus I wanted to make a look out of this cute dress from Lazada hihi. Who would have thought a cute dress like this would be available! I wore this when we watched Suicide Squad at the newly opened Cinema at UP Town Center. Partnered with a white off-shoulder from Zahia.ph to balance the colors, instantly I'm in love with this look.

Dress: Lazada

Off-shoulder top: Zahia.ph

Bag: Michaela

Sandals: Parisian

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Cheek and Lip Tint | SophiaandKalel

The last time I tried on Cheek and Lip tints was when I was back in High School (that was 2004) and now they are back again! What I have here are tints from SophiaandKalel called Intense Tint, and the tints did represent their name.

These tints are super pigmented made from natural ingredients, with coconut extract, aloe vera and vitamin B5 to keep your lips hydrated and they are long lasting! I tried rubbing them off and they didn't! hahaha. They are best for everyday use if you are not a fan of lipsticks.

P150

So here are the shades from top to bottom:

Martini - Deep red with warm undertone

Champagne - Deep red with cool undertone (strawberry red)

Sangria - Deep red with purple undertone

Tequila - Intense purple pink

Mojito - Bright red orange

I love the smell, it's like that cherry lip balm. They are easy to apply, one layer it looks like a lip stain, two layers it looks like a matte lippie. Right now I'm loving Martini as I have a warm undertone. If you want these Lip Stains you can buy from SophiaandKalel for only P150! I'm sure tatagal to sakin :) By the way they also sell other beauty products so don't forget to check them out! The links are below.

Here's a short video for you guys to see a demo. Enjoy!

SophiaandKalel

Instagram: @sophiaandkalel

Viber: 09178577520

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Kumori PH | Japanese Bakery

By this time a lot of Bakeries are sprouting everywhere but only a few offers something new or unique. I'm in love with cheese and ever since I visited HK and tried their Cheese tart (Hanjuku) I have been looking vigorously here in the Philippines where I can find the same or something alike. While browsing through facebook their photo popped and it catched my eye immediately, after that I've been wanting to visit their branch at SM North Edsa.

Kumori Philippines has is making a name in the market and is continuing to grow. They have 3 branches, SM North Edsa, Landmark Makati and SM Makati. With their slogan "It's Japan Baked Daily" what they create at KUMORI brings calm and comfort through an authentic variety of Japanese breads and pastries.

BEST SELLER: CHEESE TART

You can shop and/or dine here, with the self service corner you will be needing plastic tongs and a tray for that. I love how colorful and tasty the pastries look :)

I've never tried Hanjuku Cheese before, after dining here it tasted heavenly! I like this better than the cheesecake. They also have a chocolate flavor.

Cheese Tart, Hanjuku Cheese and Cottage Cheese. I think the cottage cheese is a bit like pudding. Pwedeng ipalaman sa bread :)

Kumori PH did not disappoint! I was very happy I stumbled upon here and look how crowded the place is! It's a total hit. Place and price is just right :)

Here's a short video I made, please do watch and enjoy! 

Kumori PH from Alyssa Tuangco on Vimeo.

Branches:

SM Makati Lower Ground Floor

(+63) 917-569430

Landmark Makati Lower Ground Floor

(+63) 917-6569430

SM North EDSA The Block

(+63) 917-6569430

Kumori Philippines

Facebook: kumoriph

Instagram: kumoriph

Website

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Coffee Project | Garden Cafe

Are you an avid fan of coffees, cakes, desserts, good ambiance, interiors and loves to instagram? Well get ready because I'll be sharing with you a cafe whose got everything! Located at Wil Tower Quezon City, in front of ABS-CBN, you can visit this rustic atisanal cafe which offers a variety of drinks, desserts and even brunch. Coffee Project branches are all located inside AllHome with the purpose of offering food to shoppers. Oh by the way everything you see inside the cafe can be bought at AllHome, yay for us!

First floor. Just like any other cafes you can have meetings, group studies and hang out with friends, personal charging stations are available almost anywhere so you can charge your laptops or phones.

Mezzanine, perfect for meetings.

Hallway

And of course I took a picture of their restroom. Even that looks instagram worthy!

Here we ordered Sea Caramel Frappe (P175) which I loved and Iced Mud (P185). They also have other specialty drinks like the Iced Vietnamese.

Yema Cake

Japanese Cheesecake

Coffee Project currently has 6 branches you can visit, tho the QC branch is the unique one and high-end version of all branches with it's wide variety or menu. I loved the place, how they serve drinks which has a platform ready for instagram. The ceiling totally wow-ed me, a flower chandelier to brighten up the mood, I just wish that they have a bit floral smell since the place is swarming with flowers. Again, all their furnitures and decorations are available at AllHome. Coffee Project is definitely A+ and is continuing to make their way through the market.

Operating Hours:

Starmall Alabang  9AM - 10PM
Vista Place Q.C. 7AM - 11PM
AllHome Imus  6:30AM - 12MN
Vista Mall Sta. Rosa  7AM-11PM
Vista Mall Pampanga  7AM - 11PM
Vista Mall Balanga 7AM - 11PM

Coffee Project

Facebook: coffeeprojectofficial

Instagram: @coffeeprojectofficial

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥