Kid-Friendly Nail Salon

Toto has shown interest in girly things like makeup, dresses, princesses, and nail polish. Instead of fight it, we are just going with it (while also offering other things like basketball and toy cars). Since Tita R was in town we booked a girls morning at Coco Nail Studio. All their polish is free of the nasty stuff, and the small, cozy salon is kid-friendly! There are little chairs, kid-safe nail polish, and a play area. 

The salon opens at 11am, but they opened early for us so we could squeeze it in before Toto's nap. On the weekends you can have a tea party with scones, macaroons, and cupcakes (you must book in advance). Toto was thrilled that I let her have a cupcake at 10am.

Tea Party packages:
Saint Germain package for 2: regular mani with paraffin pedi (P2,300)
Las Marais package for 2: mani-pedi spa with premium polish (P1,800)
Toto got the Coco Petite - not sure how much that was :)

Directions from Makati: Take SLEX, Exit Sucat, cross to West Service Road, make a R at the Total gas station, Don Jesus building on left (above Pancake House)

Call or Text: 0917 561 9555

Manila's Chinatown

I've had a brochure for Old Manila Walks since we arrived in 2011, but just finally got around to taking a tour last week - The Big Binondo Food Wok. The tour was about P1,200 per person ($30) and lasted 3 hours. When I first hear three hours of walking in Manila I spazzed a bit - the pollution, the traffic, the heat! But January was an awesome time to do it, as was a Saturday morning. The three hours flew by as we walked and ate with our fabulous Chinoy guide, Ivan. Highly recommended (even for vegetarians-just let them know in advance)!

Veggie Lumpia

Best dumplings ever.

Managed to squeeze in some shopping