The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's "2015 Giving Journal"

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's "2015 Giving Journal". All photos on this article are from CBTL and not mine.

I was supposed to be here and missed it big time. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf just recently held the launch of their "Giving Journal 2015" a few days ago in CBTL Bonifacio Global City. I know some of you probably have this in their system already to at least get one of their journals, but remember this has something to do with them giving proceeds to Real Life Foundation and other non government organizations in various communities. For those who don't know, Real Life Foundation funds LIFE scholarships where some of our  poor but deserving scholars are given material and financial assistance so that they could finish high school and college degrees. They also take part in doing Life Coaching so exemplar good record mentors help scholars with values and skills that they'll need to succeed out here in the real world. Life means Leadership, Integrity, Faith and Excellence. They have already been able to assist almost a thousand scholars and over 200 college graduates. This means your cup of coffee went a long way to service those who need it. 

Ana Gonzales headed the activity

Proudly showing their accomplished artworks using copper wires.

During the launch, Fashion blogger and entrepreneur Ana Gonzales facilitated a workshop making art out of copper wires. I've seen some of the things she's done like the personalized hangers she's sold in Bazaars and I wanted one for my closet. To make things more interesting with their brand new spanking giving journal, the CBTL people and Ana got them to think of a word that would best represent what they would wish for in the coming year, or perhaps a word that would best represent their personality and have that imprinted on the copper wires. 

Mind you, these guys were really serious about crafting. I've seen really good ones from the shots I got from CBTL.

Just look at Jeman of OrangemagazineTV and you can feel how painstakingly he's bending those copper wires to form his favorite word in the world, ORANGE. He's going to get this done and put it on his 2015 Giving Journal so it would look unique just the way he likes it.

Participants of the workshop began making their own artwork early. Different people, different meanings, different words went on their head. This 2015 is going to be better, and they're going to make that a reality by starting with the Giving Journal 2015. I do hope people getting their journals this year know the value of it. Together with their goal of having personal fulfillment, professional growth and stronger relationships, I hope they know that this small gesture of giving back and sharing with the community would make them feel so much better inside. 

The promo has started last October 25, 2014 and will run up until January 11, 2015. Promo ends 60 days after that. Make sure you get your 2015 Giving Journal now!

For more information about their stores:

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.coffeebean.com.ph/

Brewing Your Best Year with CBTL

Been invited a couple of days ago on Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's event "Brew Your Best Year!". True enough, it was something different.. it was something off path. I was hesitating to actually go to this because it was hosted by people who made the Belle de Jour Planner (which I know was only for women right?). I might end up being the only guy there, not good for a good looking introvert LOL. I was surprised though because there were a lot of attendees, too much that I didn't get to do stuff on a table. I think there were around 60+ people if I'm not mistaken.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf wanted us to brew our best year. They invited PJ and Alessandra Lanot of http://www.lifeafterbreakfast.com/ to talk about goal setting and conduct a chalk lettering workshop.

Unfortunately I was a wee bit late and I only got the chance to listen to PJ talk on the last part where he requested to write down goals for 2014. I saw some of my blogger friends write down their goals for 2016 so I frantically had to do that too. Best effort LOL. I guess it boils down to specifics and perspective on what you think is achievable in 2015-2016. My seatmate was telling me I was putting in general things so I did rewrite some of the things I indicated. I don't have to tell you my goals do I? LOL... let's just say it was personal. They also asked everyone to put in their professional goals and some for relationships. It was easy for me but it was a little time pressured because they need to finish the gig in around 2 hours. Time did go by fast. I learned a lot from that.

Of course I didn't go without tasting some of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Brewed Coffee and Sandwiches. I love that pizza thing on top and the brownie looking thing on the right. The coffee was just something I needed since I barely had sleep hehe.

Alessandra made us a bit crafty. I suck at lettering in college so this was a painful reminder of it haha. Well, I think I got the hang of it once she handed the paper about Typography. I guess even if we ran out of ideas, the guide would probably become a safe haven.

 

Then we went ahead and became a little competitive. We wrote down our goals on boards and doodled a bunch of things we'll regret later haha. Nah, but really some of the others were really good at it. I think one of the guys who won did this for a living LOL.

It was so fast and I had to finish something, so can you guess where my work is? =))

Overall I had fun. Activities like these enrich the mind and gives a lot of perspective in social behavior, mindset and keeping it real. Your realistic goals are achievable; and it only takes a few letters to create something out of nothing happen. It reminds you of what you can do and a journal pretty much is a nifty tool to have these days. Sometimes you just want to feel paper. Write on it. Things like that make you happy.

Kudos to the team that made this happen. Good news is, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will make this activity happen every month from here on. For more information on how to join, please check out their channels below. :) This is your year, claim it!

For more information about their activities:

CBTL

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.brewyourbestyear.com/

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's "26th Bistro" at BGC

Anyone who's anyone knows Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf by heart. If you're in the metro, you probably have one near your place or maybe frequent one in malls. I have one outside my office so it's a given I go there most of the time. I thought it would always look like a coffee shop but I experienced something new a few days ago. Or if I could put it into one word, something that can ultimately make EVERYDAYEXTRAORDINARY!

At the corner of 26th street in Bonifacio Global City lies this huge, one of a kind Bistro that CBTL had put up; looking quite differently from the usual coffee and tea shop they have if I may say. It's seating capacity could probably go more or less 100; but states a sit down a la carte menu unbeholden with other branches. It's a breather, it's quite special and the promise of an extra ordinary experience everyday at the store is quite attractive. I bet people have been trying it out these past few days and I've personally suggested it with a few friends. They totally agree with me and say thanks that I've posted some of these products on Instagram. Last comment i got was about the pasta, saying it was divine!

One of my regular must order items is this frozen Pure Double Chocolate. I'm not much of a caffeine freak so I order the non or less caffeinated drinks off the menu. It's intense chocolate flavor really hits the spot. You can opt not to have the whipped cream, but really who doesn't love that?

Comforting as comfort food comes, this bowl of Wild Mushroom Soup came along. Probably made of roasted Portabello mushrooms, its got a very deep, earthy, gritty feel and flavor to it. The dob of cream made it thick and creamy just the way we liked it. They say Mushrooms help combat hormonal aging, which is a good thing. They prolly dropped a few extra virgin olive oil on top to make it even richer, fuller and finished shiny. The garlic bread stick provides a crunchy break from all that earthy goodness. 

 This is CBTL's Salmom Fishcake and Greens. I'm a picky eater and I don't really eat that much greens but this combination was like a marriage. The sweet tangy vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil was so good on peppery leaves. The shards of cheese was a welcome addition too. This salmon fishcake was soft and moist, it's not to greasy either. Everyone else on the table was raving about the Aioli sauce that came with it; people were wiping it off the plate. This is such a nice date food if you want to bring your special someone along.

Think about thick white sauce on linguine topped with a huge prawn, seafood, mushroom and shards of parmesan cheese. This is CBTL's own Tiger Prawn with Shitake Mushroom Linguine. It's creamy sauce was a dead giveaway that this is good. For shrimp lovers, the tiger prawn was not overcooked, it was sweet and succulent probably because it was cooked separately. I love white sauce on pasta so this is indeed one of my favorites. I even splurged on shrimp even if I was allergic because I couldn't let this pass! Delish!

For the main course, we had this! I'm a self confessed carnivore so this was my weakness. It's CBTL's Hanging Tender Steak with Potato Gratin and Marsala. The steak was perfectly cooked! It was laid on a bed of potato gratin and smothered with a gravy of marsala sauce. I loved every bit of it. The gratin was something to rave about too because it was good. The Asparagus spears were not overcooked either so it was worth it! I'd like to have more of these on my next visit. Medium for me please! :)

Then when it was time for dessert, we had two! This one's the CBTL Apple Crumble a la Mode. It's was almost room temperature apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream. You already know this was good just by looking at it. It was not too sweet which is a plus on my books; and the apples kinda give away a tangy-fruity taste which goes well with the melted vanilla ice cream. Have a cup of coffee with this and it's a done deal!

We died. We went to heaven... and back to CBTL's 26th Street Bistro again for this sinful Chocolate Lava a la Mode. This is chocolate goodness on a ramekin. I loved this one too. It had that oozing chocolate center when you slice into it. Imagine that with the melted vanilla ice cream on top and you'll probably end up swearing a lot in that joint. I wanted more but I had to share haha. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf really has amped up it's offerings on this new approach with their coffee shops. It's a full bistro-restaurant now and this is one awesome way of celebrating their 50th year in the business!

I totally agree in making #EVERYDAYEXTRAORDINARY and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's bistro should be your next destination when having brunch, lunch or dinner when in the Fort Bonifacio area. This probably won't be the last one I hope. Congratulations to this brand who has been giving us the best coffee, tea and food choices since 1963! Thank you Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf! You really made my day extra ordinary! Now it's time for YOU to try it out and see why they can make your day way better!

For more information

Like them on Facebook!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Philippines)

Follow them on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/cbtlph


Or visit the Bistro!

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf  26th Street Bistro 
BGC Net Lima Building, 5th Avenue corner 26th Street
BGC, Taguig