It’s November already, which means one thing: the Starbucks holiday season is here and plenty of us are racing to collect stickers for the planner and the newly-launched travel organizer. As you all know, I’m a planner geek and have used one since 2005. It’s a useful tool for someone forgetful, and while I’ve tried the Calendar app, there’s just something satisfying about crossing off a finished task.

This year, Starbucks is offering four more versions in two variants: two planners and two travel organizers. Here’s everything you need to know and I’m doing my annual giveaway. I have a little surprise so make sure to read everything!

Both the planner and travel organizers are consciously made to lessen its impact on nature. The covers are made from purely natural substances coming from pre-consumer recycled cowhide fibers, and bonded by natural latex. The eco-friendly materials are sourced from leather factories in Valencia, Spain, a region known for artisanal leather tanning methods.

The inside pages are also eco-friendly. They are produced in a facility certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an indepent organization that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests.

So let’s get on with the planners and travel organizers!

Starbucks 2020 Planner

The 2020 planner comes in two colors: Berry Pink and Frost Gray. Both come in a hardbound leather cover with the iconic Starbucks Siren embossed. I like how the strap is thicker and looks sturdier compared to other planners with a thinner strap. Inside features the traditional weekly spread on the left and a blank page on the right for doodles. I personally copy the lines on the left and add the things I have to do each day, regardless of the deadline. Dividing the months are facts about coffee.

The Starbucks 2020 planner comes with stickers, a bookmark, and beverage vouchers that can be used in the store. Additionally, it comes with a suede pouch that feel luxurious to the touch. I especially like the Siren logo zipper.

Starbucks 2020 Travel Organizer

Meanwhile, the travel organizer looks so elegant. There’s a Neo Mint and a Coffee version, and both have a mini-notebook with grid, dotted, and plain formats perfect for journaling. Moreover, it has several card slots, spaces for a smartphone or a passport, and a pen holder.

Like the planner, the travel organizer comes with stickers, a bookmark, and beverage vouchers that can be used in the store.

How to Avail the Starbucks 2020 Planners and Travel Organizers

Availing the planner and the travel organizer is easy. Collect one sticker for every purchase of any Tall, Grande, or Venti Starbucks beverage. Collect 18 stickers and you can choose your prize. Collection of stickers is from November 2, 2019 until January 7, 2020. Redemption of the planner or travel organizer is from November 2, 2019 to March 7, 2020. Click here to read about the drinks you can avail to get stickers.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

 

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A post shared by Koji Arsua (@kojiarsua) on Nov 6, 2019 at 4:44am PST

Because it’s the Christmas season, I will be raffling off not one, but two prizes! I’ll be giving away one planner in Frost Gray and one travel organizer in Coffee! Simply click this link, follow my Instagram account, comment on the Instagram post why you should win, and tag someone who should join, too. Please also indicate which prize you want. I will announce the winners on November 14 on this post, and I will also contact you via Instagram (Please note I will be out of the country on November 14 so I will be able to send the prize after I get back on November 21).

Jollibee proudly introduces the latest member of its ever-growing family of endorsers—actress, dancer, and singer Maja Salvador as the newest face of Jollibee Super Meals.

Maja Salvador is a self-professed loyal Jollibee fan since childhood. She is a natural choice to endorse Jollibee’s Super Meals because of her many talents that have made her an enduring icon of Philippine showbiz for 16 years. The all-star offering puts together Jollibee’s iconic and best-tasting favorites—Chickenjoy, Burger Steak, and Jolly Spaghetti—in one meal!

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It’s November, which means it’s the start of the Starbucks holiday season. From November 2 until the end of December, we get to try seasonal drinks and food, collect limited-edition merchandise, and join the race to get the new Starbucks planner. For 2020, the coffee chain is releasing two designs again, and you can choose from the planner and the travel organizer. We’ll be talking more about that tomorrow, and this post will focus on the holiday collection.

Here’s what you can expect for Starbucks’ Christmas season:

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Halloween is right around the corner, and chances are you and your friends are already spooking yourselves with scary movies, TV shows, and stories, all in the spirit of the season. While all those things are just stories in your head, have you ever experienced dealing with the very real fear of eating out when you just don’t have the budget?

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We don’t have an official national dish, but ask anyone what it should be and chances are, they would say it’s adobo. The dish is known for being marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns, but there are countless ways to prepare it, depending on where you are in the Philippines. Holiday Inn & Suites is celebrating the dish with Adobo Nation, a month-long buffet offering where you can enjoy different versions at Flavors Restaurant.

Adobo Queen Nancy Reyes-Lumen worked with chefs Jen Seranilla and Jaja Andal to create an extensive menu featuring adobo, which you can enjoy every day this October. I was able to try some of these dishes and was surprised at how versatile this dish is.

There’s the sinful Adobo Chicken Roulade with Sisig Stuffing, the perfect dish for those who enjoy meat and lots of it. This pairs well with the Rodrigo’s Roast, or rolled pork belly braised adobo style. Of course, these dishes are best enjoyed with rice so you can get a scoopful of Adobo Paella.

Those who like seafood will enjoy the Adobong Tuna and the Stuffed Squid with Spiced Adobo Garlic Sauce. I especially liked the Adobong Tuna because it was new to my tastebuds!

Flavors Restaurant is covering all bases, even including a dessert dish. The Adobo Cheesecake has an intriguing flavor that balances sweet and savory. Holiday Inn is certainly good with cheesecakes. Their Ube is my favorite and I also enjoy the Red Velvet.

Out of all the dishes, my favorite would have to be the Adobo sa Turon. It’s a traditional turon (banana roll)  but it’s draped with a delicious adobo sauce. It’s more savory than sweet, though. I had four pieces.

If you plan to go, I suggest you really go around to explore the restaurant. I missed some intriguing dishes, like the Adobo Maki, Adobo Pizza, and Adobo Pasta.

This story is in partnership with Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. For more information, visit the website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“The House That Fried Chicken Built” and the beloved culinary heritage brand responsible for Sarap-To-The-Bones goodness turns 74 this October. In celebration of its birthday, Max’s Restaurant offers a special treat: all dine-in transactions with a regular or family-sized whole fried chicken can avail of a special pick from the Mystery Box containing Sorpresang Sarap coupons for only P74.

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We have our Disney Classics reboots, old school playlists, and ’90s fashion comebacks, but nothing says ultimate throwback quite like 7-Eleven’s latest Childhood Classics promo!

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A celebration is being held every single day. There’s a day for Batman (September 15), cats (August 8), and coffee (October 1). September 10 is now dedicated to duck and I got to try all types of duck dishes for its first festivity in Manila.

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