Instagram profiles can now be seen on the web! Your family and friends can now easily access to your instagram photos online. 

Two years after it arrived on the iPhone, Instagram launched a web companion for users of its photo-sharing and filtering app Monday.

The most striking thing about the new web profiles, which are being gradually rolled out to users, is its resemblance to Facebook Timeline. An animated, rotating mosaic of Instagram photos occupies about the same amount of space as Facebook Timeline’s Cover photo; a small profile image, short bio and follower stats are situated just beneath. Photo thumbnails are organized in reverse-chronological order further down the page; click on one, and it’ll appear at full size alongside likes and comments. 

source: Mashable.com 


And here’s mine: instagram.com/ibyang

I’m glad with this development because it will benefit my parents who doesn’t have an instagram account as it’s not all the time that I share my instagram photo in my FB page. 

A little trivia: I’ve been asked if what I was holding in my IG profile pic was wine and the answer is I’m holding a syphoned coffee in a wine glass. 

It’s very seldom that I go to Starbucks now. If you follow this blog, you’d know that I’ve been frequenting other cafes when I go out. But when I had my “Me” time yesterday, I decided to reunite with my favourite seasonal beverage “Toffee Nut Latte“. Drinking this helps me feel the Christmas spirit and somehow brings me to happy memories from my other home, Manila.

The Starbucks I used to frequent had a new set of staff. I was kind of sad and missed my old barista but the new one was good as well. He made my Toffee Nut Latte perfectly sweet (no need to add sugar). 

A few musings while I was enjoying my cuppa:
Starbucks coffee is really expensive. My tall latte with whipped cream cost me about $5.30. Most cafes here charge less and taste better. I find more value buying their coffee beans and making coffee the way I like it.

Husband and I unconsciously choose to have coffee at home since we’ve had the Nespresso. And because of that we are saving money. How? We save on petrol, we save on time going out, we save on money because we are not tempted to buy things we don’t need when we’re out and most of all, the Nespresso coffee pods are cheap (a coffee pod costs between 68cents-70cents) and yet we get great quality coffee.

Drinking coffee in the Philippines is expensive. Yes while having coffee, I thought of how expensive it is to maintain a “coffee lifestyle” in the Phils. Wala lang, naisip ko lang. Let’s not do the converting of dollars to peso because that’s not the point. I just have this comparison. The money you pay to buy a tall latte in the Philippines is equivalent to a few  train rides in the MRT; while in Australia, a tall latte is equivalent to one train ride. Also, we can find a good cup of coffee in Australia from AUD$2.70 to $3.50. The Phils has cheaper alternatives but in general it still seems expensive to me. While drinking coffee (in cafes) in Australia is likened to a basic commodity, drinking coffee (in cafes) in the Phils seems like a luxury. 

So there, just a few idle thoughts of mine yesterday. Have a lovely day today!

I have a thing for churros and I’m so glad that my favourite churros from Melbourne has arrived in Sydney. Spanish Doughnuts opened a store at Macquarie Centre in April this year. It was great timing when I took my Mum there as she had a taste of these super delicious churros that I always rave about.
Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)
Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)

This branch has a dining area which can accommodate a few group of people or for someone like me who enjoys having her churros with a cup of coffee.

Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)
Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)

The friendly staff was nice enough to show me how it’s all done.

Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)

 Here she is about to drop the churros into the deep fryer.

Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)

Churros are served with your choice of chocolate dipping (I always get the milk chocolate).

Spanish Doughnuts at Macquarie Centre (North Ryde, NSW)

Good news! More stores to opening soon including one in George Street, Sydney. 

Spanish Doughnuts

Level 4, Shop No 407A, Macquarie Centre
Cnr Herring and Waterloo Roads,
North Ryde, Australia

Ph: (02) 9889 3574

Mon-Fri: 7:30am – 9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 8:00am – 9:30pm

Related Posts:
Melbourne Spring Getaway
Churros from Spanish Doughnuts (Melbourne, Australia)
Chocolate Cafe: Chocolateria San Churros

Nothing beats starting my weekend mornings with great tasting coffee. Once or twice a week, I let myself indulge with a cup of coffee. I wake up early and spend my first hour grinding coffee beans (if I’m not having Nespresso, that is.), french pressing coffee granules and savouring a hot cup of strong, black coffee.

Thanks to my dear friend Majo, who recently sent me my favourite coffee from the Philippines, the Barista Blend of Bo’s Coffee. I’ve missed this old friend of mine and I’m glad that thru my friend’s thoughtfulness (she also got me a Bo’s Coffee mug!), I’m able to have a feel of my other home by just sipping this rich blend.
Mornings with Bo's Coffee
Mornings with Bo's Coffee

“I met Bo” during the time I’ve worked in Cebu. Bo’s Coffee was a humble cafe in Ayala Centre Cebu. When the Husband and I were still dating, one of our favourite cafes then was Bo’s Coffee in Robinson’s Galleria. Numerous lunch/dinner dates end at Bo’s Coffee for dessert or nightcap.

When I visited Manila last year,I was glad to know that Bo’s Coffee has more branches in Metro Manila. It meant more chance to have “coffee klatches with Bo“.

Mornings with Bo's Coffee
Mornings with Bo's Coffee
Mornings with Bo's Coffee
When we were in Manila and there’s a nearby Bo’s Coffee, we’d make time for a cuppa so I can have my fill  of Bo’s Coffee, and yes, sneak in for a few of their desserts too.