A Dose of Sweetness at Cakelicious

It’s been raining cupcakes since Sundrenched started ‘wishing’ for cupcake shops to open. Being a sweet-tooth myself, Cakelicious is a sure welcome addition to our list.

We discovered Cakelicious by chance, as me and the hubby drove along Thalateen street. From outside, you can see the colorful cupcakes, cakes and chocolates that are tempting enough for a stop. The cupcakes where the ones that drew my attention. I saw the red velvet ones from afar and wanted to try them first since it’s the variant I love the most. As you enter the shop, the smell of sweet icing welcomes you. It’s time for another sugar-load!

What makes Cakelicious different is that they have brownies! I am a fan of brownies and used to bake them a lot since I don’t find them in any of the local bakeshops here. They have them in two flavors: caramel and cheese.

The caramel brownies are love.

These cheese brownies are loaded.

The brownies come in huge and half slices for SAR 15 and SAR 8.  

Their brownies were not that chewy or moist to my liking. They were a bit dry to my taste. However, I like how they weren’t too sweet even with the caramel syrup on top. They were good enough to satisfy my brownie craving. The hubby said it’s the only brownie he’ll finish, so that’s really a compliment! He seldom appreciates the sweet stuff in general.

Now, onto the cupcakes. I was able to try the velvet, carrot, toffee and chocolate variants. They have them in other flavors too like blueberry and vanilla. So far, these are the only ones I’ve seen in the shop. I loved their velvet and carrot cupcakes the most. In spite of the icing being too sweet, it was the kind of cupcake I was actually looking for. The icing and the cake itself was loaded and compact. You can see that they did not cost-cut with the cakes individually. These are sold at SAR 8 each.

Vegetables are good for you.

The vanilla cupcake is topped with yellow.

Stop counting the calories!

The red velvet cupcake is my fave because it's...red. Haha.

The shop sells some mini cakes (SAR 15) and chocolates too. They also offer made to order cakes for birthdays and other special occasions as I was able to browse their catalog.



Wanna try the layered velvet cake next!




Hyperglycemia. LOL.



Cakelicious sure is worth visiting for those who would love to have another dose of sugar in their bloodstream, LOL. Pampa-hyper! You’ll find their cakes irresistible to try, since we girls just love all ‘nice, sweet and cute’ in one package. Watch out for their other branches opening soon in Tahlia, Alrabwa, Alrawda and Exit 9 in case you’ll miss the one in Thalateen Street.

♥Shoegarfreeruby♥

Party Prepping in Riyadh

When I first started my second job as Recreation Manager, my team and I tried to do everything by ourselves. We would scour the riyalin shops for party decors and give aways. We'd make our own banderitas and I've even introduced our native Pabitin game to the compound kids! Often we would drain our energy preparing, that by the end of the event, we were all dead tired.

If you have children, you can probably relate and understand how hard it is to organize a kid's party all by yourself! Especially in Riyadh where there's no Divisoria-esque shops where you can get everything in bulk.

Don't let the facade fool you! They have the newest stocks!

It was then that I realized that we needed the help of professionals. I found The Good Ship Lollipop by searching online. No, I am not talking about Shirley Temple's Goodship Lollipop. They are not related to a song or a cocktail! The Goodship Lollipop is a specialty shop for every party needs. Located near Centria, right beside Chanel (corner Olaya and Tahlia street), the quaint little shop is an event coordinator's wonderland.

Matching paper cups, plates, banners and party hats!

High quality balloons in a variety of colors!

Giveaways and prizes!

Masks and party hats!

They also offer party products and services like bouncy castles, rides, mascots, clowns, magicians, hotdog stands, cotton candy machines, AV setups, chairs and tables!

That bouncy castle is 6m x 7m rented at 1500 SR for the whole day

For our parties, we usually rent the bouncy castle. It's really a big hit with my young residents. They can literally jump around for 4 hours non-stop! The clown provides the games and entertains the kid's with magic tricks and balloon animals! Their parents can finally relax, go over some vendor's merchandise or chat with their friends.

All though some of the products are priced a little higher than what you'd normally find in the riyalin shops, the convenience of finding it in good condition and the time you save is well worth it. So the next time you want to go all out on preparing for a kiddie party, or the "kid-at-heart party", you know who to call! Ghostbusters! Goodship Lollipop!

Goodship Lollipop

Corner Olaya and Tahlia Street (beside Chanel)

Tel: 01-4624064

Love,

Sampaguita Pride

Rockin' Johnny Rockets!

Once a week, I go out with my fave dining buddies - Eyecandy and Sundrenched. They have a knack for finding good places to eat. E in particular is a delight to watch. She not only dines but she savors each flavorful bite. She's a sight to behold, I tell you!

One day, we couldn't decide where to eat so we drew lots and off we went to Johnny Rockets. It's a fancy burger joint along Tahlia Street (across Applebee's). Johnny Rockets has a 1950's diner vibe minus the rollerskating waitresses. I love the decor and the whole concept. The place was well lit and clean. The staff were nice and helpful.

Diner Dash?

It reminds me of Cafe World on Facebook. hehe...

We came in before prayer time but they couldn't serve us immediately because there wasn't enough time to cook the burgers. They grill to order so it takes time. That's okay though because that gave us a lot of time to chat and decide on what to order. What's important is that we were inside the restaurant. While waiting, E gave a colorful analogy of the different "levels" of chilis as she contemplated ordering the Houston Burger, a spicy burger with jalapeños and pepper jack cheese. 

Smileys are a fun way to pass the time.

Maybe it's just me but looking at menus makes me dizzy- with hunger. All the mouthwatering descriptions were making me hungry and I couldn't decide on what to order! But one thing was for sure, I was going to get some Fried Mozarella Sticks.

Mozarella Cheese Stick, 18SR.
 

You see I'm a big fan of cheesy food so this was an instant winner for me. Imagine Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza... remember the cheesy goodness wrapped in those pizza bread? That's exactly how it tasted. Can you see the cheese popping out of the breading? I'm getting hungry just writing about it. @.@ Cheeeessseeeee...

S's Bacon Cheddar Single. 29SR

E ordered the Houston Burger, S ordered a Bacon Cheddar Single and I ordered a St. Louis. I was a bit overwhelmed by the flavor, I only finished half of it. If you're looking for a meaty, flavorful burger then I think you should try Johnny Rockets.

We also ordered Chili Fries, Grilled Cheese and Rocket Wings! Oh and of course, you don't go to a diner and not order their chocolate shakes. Oh the calories! But what the heck! 

Rocket Wings, 27SR

Chili Fries topped with cheese and chopped onions, 23 SR

Grilled Cheese. 16 SR

Oh the calories! Chocolate milkshake for 19SR

All in all, Johnny Rockets is a good place to hangout with your friends and get stuffed. I'll probably come back for some more Mozarella sticks. Hmmmm.... cheese....

Johnny Rockets
www.johnnyrockets.com
Tahlia St, Riyadh
T: +966-1-2791333


Sampaguita Pride

Double Celebration

We're having a double celebration today as we celebrate Sampaguita Pride's birthday and Father's Day! (Okay, triple na since birthday din ni Jose Rizal (the Philippines' national hero)! :D

As you all know, our newest member Sampaguita Pride is this blog's DIY Queen. She does not only act on things she's set on doing but she find ways, sometimes going as far as being eco-friendly and organic, to do them. Behind the beautiful face is a more beautiful personality that had us at first sight... she is a welcome fit to The Pink Tarha!

For the hard work and patience in your studies and career, for the gift of hope you share with the kids in your advocacy, for the care and love you shower your family and friends... we're proud of you, P! Thank you for being a part of this blog, and our lives. ^_^

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sampaguita Pride!

And since you're on your vacation in the Philippines, we're expecting a birthday feast when you get back. Lol!

Of course, today is father's day too. So to all fathers out there, including the men who serve as the pillars of The Pink Tarha's lives...

HAPPY, HAPPY

FATHER'S

DAY!

For Shoegarfreeruby and I (the remaining Pink Tarhas in Riyadh because E and P are on their vacation in Manila), we consider ourselves our fathers' daughters... in all the sense of that phrase. And this quote has always been true:

"There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself."  And their "guiding hand will remain forever in our hearts." 

To our fathers, we love you! :)

How To Survive Riyadh's Sale Seasons

Brace yourself for yet another sale season, fellow Tarhas! The sale season is starting and bet your bottom dollar riyals that it will be chaotic, crazy-fun, and stressful (lol)!

But we have to be realistic here. In our opinion (as veterans of the sale seasons in Riyadh, ehermn, lol), the sales have diminished in value, both in quality and quantity, over the years. It's not like before when we can find really good items at rock bottom prices in large quantities. Now, every thing is just so-so and there are some shops that don't hold it as fervently anymore. But the sale season is still worth going mad over because you'll never know what you'll find. We like surprises! So kung galit ka sa pera, go lang ng go!

Are you set?!

Here's a few tips on how to experience the lows and highs of our favorite season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

1. There are two basic huge sale seasons: the start of the year and the middle of the year. (There are also the less stellar mid-season and end-of-season sales.) The latter is the one beginning this month, if schedules are still the same. Although we enjoy the mid-year sale season, it's the end/start of the year sale (December-February) that we usually wait for when shops go all out!  However, let's not disregard this coming sale season because good deals also come this June to August. Prepare your fulos, ladies! They're about to go to battle! :P

2. Take note of the periods of a sale season, which we'll liken to the stages of "cooking water" here. (Sorry, water is the only thing I can cook, lol. #S)

a. Poaching. This the beginning where the water is kept warm but there's no visible bubbling to indicate heat. In this period, the sale season has started but they're still not advertised loudly. Merchandisers are preparing and any minute now, they'll be amping up the temperature so we can all feel the heat! You should power up your sixth sense shopping radar so you get the latest sale scoops. Also during this time, the department stores are already on sale. Centrepoint and Citymax just went on sale three weekends ago so that's a good sign. They wouldn't want to compete with the bigger brands during the sale season so inunahan na nila. Lol. For those who are eyeing the more known brands, wait for the next period before unleashing your cash... As you know, the "poaching" stage this year is over last week. Hope you got good finds in Centrepoint, Citymax, and Iconic. I know I did. *wink*

b. Simmering. Here we will see bubbles forming and gently rising to the surface of the water, but the water is not yet at a full rolling boil. You will see the red signs hanging and you'll probably think, this is it! It's here, it's sale season so let's go! Okay, hold it! The stores don't go all out at once. If you noticed in past sale seasons, they usually begin at 25% to 50% off. 25% and 50% off are good because well, you still get to save something. But we all know they can get lower two weeks, or even a month, from now so you can wait it out further. However, the advantage of having a major shopping spree during the "simmering" period is you get the first dibs on every thing. There will still be a lot of items that come in your size. The clothing, shoes, and accessories are in tip-top shape. Unlike when you wait out the 75% discount, you get items that were already handled many times. We're currently in this stage now. MNG, New Look, and Parfois are simmering and my wallet's suffering from a first degree burn from yesterday's visit to Othaim Mall.

c. Boiling. Of course, the hottest point among the periods! It's the most exciting part but also the most damaging (to your wallets). During this time, the stores are already offering 75%-90% off, the lowest they can get. The red signs are blaring and glaring and they’re utterly tempting. Unfortunately, this is also the time when a lot of people have already caught on the sale season virus and are in the malls almost all the time scouring for more goodies. You have more competition! You now need to dig deep in the bins for undamaged items and search the racks with passion for your shoe size. Lol. We say that this period is the most damaging to your wallets because even if you don't notice it, you buy a lot! You are attracted to the SR 10 necklace or the SR40 pair of shoes... which leads you to buy more stuff you're not even sure you need or want. Just so because they're cheap. Well, hold on for dear life! The boiling stage this year might be 2 weeks before and after Ramadan, which falls on August this year.

d. Cooling. Every thing is naghihingalo by now. The salesmen rearranging and replenishing stocks over and over, the racks losing shape and stuff, the pockets (of your husbands, lol), your wallets... you. You'll be tried from all the sprees that you will need to rest. And you will need to give the discounted stuff a rest too. By this time, latak na lang ang natitira. These are the stuff left behind by every one else and you will need to let go of them too because they're no longer worth it, even if it's so cheap. Alright, we had that time in our lives that we still went out and check out the latak just because we wanted to and unbelievably, we still had the energy to do so. But now, we know better (we do?!?). We let those stuff go... because we'll prolly see them again next sale season. Hahaha.

3. Mind what you buy. It's easy to get lost in the euphoria of the sale season but it will be a good thing to think before you buy (yeah right!). During the "poaching" period, head to the malls to check out the brands you love and take note of the products you'll want to buy when they go on sale. It’s also a good thing to be chummy-chummy (friendly) with the salesmen so you can ask the exact date when they’ll go on sale. During the "simmering" period, buy the stuff you really, really want (tipong hindi ka makatulog sa gabi sa kaiisip) even if it's just on a 25%-30% off because you'll never know if you'll still see it again during the boiling period. Wag nang maging super kuripot noh at mag-intay pa ng 75% off para sa mga bagay na gusto mo talaga. Sabi nga nila, "The early bird catches the worm." May gan’on?!  Grab and buy the clothes, shoes, and sandals that you love (and can never let off the hook) during the simmering period because they still have it in your size. During the "boiling" period, go crazy in the stores! By that we mean this: get a shopping bag, grab all the stuff you want without thinking, and sort later. During sorting, that’s the moment you think about it. Take the stuff out one by one and debate (in your head or with friends) if you need it or just want it. Discard those which do not make the cut. It will actually be helpful if you return them to the shelves and racks where you got them so other people can check them out immediately. During the "cooling" period, the only thing worth buying are prolly the small accessories that didn't get beaten up in the duration of the past three periods.

Oh my, oh my!

4. Mind your budget. We're the number one offenders of this rule. We go over budget during the sale season and we usually say we'll not gonna repeat it in the next sale season but we do repeat it. (Bad girls!) However, please feel free to not imitate us and work with the money you allotted for the sale season. Allot a specific amount for the sale shopping spree. It will be hard because we're betting you'll want a lot but just try and spend your money wisely. If you're having your vacation on the latter half of the year, then it might be wise to spend some money on pasalubong already. When it comes to saving, we're probably the worst persons to give you advice so we end this tip #4 now. Lol.

5. Have fun and enjoy the experience. It will be more exhilarating and fun when you shop with friends and your family (only if your husband is supportive, lol). You get to ask them their opinions. You get to eat lunches and dinners together. You get to wait out the salat with them. And you get to laugh at yourselves when you think how crazy you are for acting on your shopping impulses. Wives, please don't fight with your husbands when it comes to taking you to malls, orayt? Ask them nicely and sweetly. Threaten for a separation only when he gives you an almost ultimate refusal. Hahaha. Just kidding. It will be good to have one person who’s more decisive than you are. Chances are you will regret a lot of things you didn’t get but don’t fret, there will be more gorgeous stuff coming your way on the next seasons. 'Nga pala, wag namang parang end of the world na at mag-hoard ha?

6. This is the most important: Read The Pink Tarha for sale alerts so you always get informed! :)

Orayt, that’s it. We'll see you in the malls, ladies! Say hi when you bump to any one of us. Hopefully, we don't fight over the same stuff. Haha.

§undrenched