The 'Black Mirror' Movie 'Bandersnatch' is a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Book Come to Life

I am shookt.

I have never said that phrase in my life, but I don't know how else to explain it. The 'Black Mirror' movie 'Bandersnatch' is finally out on Netflix, and it's an interactive experience that I have never experienced in a series before. It. Is. Amazing.

'Bandersnatch' revolves around a guy named Stefan who works on a video game based on a book, where in the game, you sometimes come to a choice point where you have ten seconds to choose the option that you want. And that's exactly how the entire movie works.

When you play it, you will be told that there will be questions throughout the movie and you choose which option you'd like. If you didn't grow up with 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books, it's basically like that 'Walking Dead' video game if you've ever played it - and it's so much fun. If you fail to choose an option within ten seconds, the movie will choose one for you.



The first question is tame enough with you having to choose the music that Stefan listens to on his Walkman... and when I clicked that button, I knew I was in for something that I will probably keep looking for in the future.

It's not all just about small decisions like music, either. There are bigger decisions to choose from throughout the movie, as well, like your career path, and whether you want to open up about your past or how you treat the people around you. Plus, the music is PURE GOLD.



The best part is that since there are different options, you can rewatch the movie and try different choices and scenarios. And for the first time ever, you can change what happens in a movie depending on your mood. You will never get sick of watching 'Bandersnatch' over and over again, and maybe even watching it with your friends to see which choices they will make.



More than that, I love how 'Bandersnatch' gives us the chance to change things when things go wrong. In one part of the movie, the doctor says "The past is immutable. NO matter how painful it is, we can't change things. We can't choose differently with hindsight. We have to learn to accept that." And yet with this movie, we do get to do that - something that I really, really, really wish I could do in real life. Having that sort of control to change things, if even just in a movie, really helped me feel better in my current situation.

Two thumbs up and a standing ovation for you, Netflix. You have outdone yourself. I am truly amazed.

Get Up to 90% Off at the Digital Walker Madness Sale!

This year was a sad year for my gadget-needing life. Every time I felt the need to buy something cool or even something that I needed, I found myself looking at the price and walking away (I know the other mothers out there will totally feel me!).

So, when I heard that Digital Walker was having a massive gadget sale, my gadget-loving heart wouldn't stop pounding. This is not a drill: you can get up to 90% off on premium tech brands, like Motorola, Marshall, UAG, Fuse Chicken, and Scosche.

Here are some of the Digital Walker Madness Deals that you shouldn't miss out on:

Braven 705 BT Speaker at Php1,950 (SRP Php4,950)

Motorola Hint Earbuds at Php1,635 (SRP Php5,450)

Fuse Chicken Bobine Watch at Php500 (SRP Php1,350)

Fuse Chicken Armor Travel Lightning Cable at Php500 (SRP Php1,990)

Fuse Chicken Bobine Auto at Php500 (SRP Php1,950)

Marshall Major II FX Headphones at Php2,500 (SRP Php5,450)

Motorola Verve Ones at Php2,985 (SRP Php9,950)

Scosche GoBat 3000 mAh at Php550 (SRP Php1,950)

All UAG cases for Php300

The Digital Walker Madness Sale 2018 also happens to be a great place to go for those last-minute Christmas gifts. Need ideas? They've got powerbanks, Bluetooth speakers and headsets, mobile phone cases, car mounts, dash cams, and a whole lot more! You definitely won't have any trouble finding something for anyone on your Christmas list here.

Don't miss out. Entrance to the Digital Walker Madness Sale 2018 is absolutely free, but it only lasts until December 30, 2018 (11AM to 10PM daily). It is located at the newly opened Santolan Town Plaza at 276 Boni Serrano Avenue in San Juan. Head on over NOW while supplies last!

To stay up-to-date with Digital Walker's promos, like them on Facebook, follow them on social media at @digitalwalkerPH or at the hashtag #DWMadnessSale2018

Spotify Wrapped: Which Songs Shaped Your 2018?

Spotify has been a part of my life ever since it came out and I use it practically everyday: when I work out, on road trips, and when I'm feeling "certain kinds of moods". I don't really pay much attention or keep tabs of what I listen to on a daily basis, so finding out what my year has been like through Spotify Wrapped is always fun.

If you're a Spotify Premium subscriber, as well, you might want to check it out to find out what your past 365 days of Spotify music has been like.

The slideshow starts with the first song that you listened to in 2018 and the first artist that you discovered. It seems fitting that I started the year on an emo note coz, well, that's me.

It is then followed by a quick quiz where you guess how many minutes you listed to Spotify in 2018. I guessed correctly: 5,270. Apparently, that's 74% more minutes than last year.

Not surprised that my favorite artist of the year was Panic! at the Disco. I was, after all, prepping for their concert by listening to them for months non-stop (which I was able to attend a few months 

Other top artists were of course, my all-time favorites Incubus and Ed Sheeran. And I also went through a musical phase coz of 'The Greatest Showman' (I mean, come on. Who didn't?)

My favorite part about this slideshow, though, is the part where they put all of your favorite songs of 2018 together in a playlist, so you can listen to your top 100 tracks of the year.



They also curate a playlist called 'Tastebreakers' for you, where you can find a group of artists and songs that Spotify thinks you might like based on the music that you listened to in 2018. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how spot-on Spotify can be when it comes to this. Besides, who doesn't love discovering new amazing music?

Just click on 'For You' in the app to find these playlists.

Of course, Spotify also offers you the chance to share your 2018 on various social media accounts; but since I loved the slideshow so much, I decided to blog about it instead.

Check out your Spotify Wrapped stats here.

Would love it if you shared your top songs of the year with me. As mentioned earlier, I LOVE discovering new music, so please do send some over for my enjoyment! :D Love you, guys!

Find the Perfect Belle de Jour Planner for 2019

I've been a Bella (a Belle de Jour girl) ever since I moved to the Philippines almost a decade ago. I was in love with their convenient and useful planner (there was only one back then). I had even subscribed to their BDJ Box back in the day and religiously attended all of the BDJ events I could attend.

This year, they've got a wide array of planners for you to choose from - with styles that will suit any lifestyle, but all of which aim to help you try, dare, succeed, experience, and live. Check them out:

Belle de Jour Power Planner

(Php598 to Php980)

The Belle de Jour Power Planner is a fun one, filled with worksheets about lifestyle, fashion, career, and finance so you can get to know your mood, strengths, priorities, and goals better. It also has a pocket sleeve where you can keep your cards, bills, and receipts.

Navi Journal

(Php598)

Love to travel Then the Navi Journal is for you. Instead of just sightseeing on your trips, the Navi Journal challenges you to really immerse yourself in every place that you visit and take parts in its traditions and festivals. It also comes with a packing checklist, a bucket list, and a list of must-see places.

Everything is Possible

Php598

If you want to meet your goals this 2019, get the EIP planner, which hopes to empower you to reach your goals this coming year.

Focus Journal

(Php498)

Focusing is never easy nowadays, especially in this fast-paced world we currently live in. The Focus Journal hopes to help you find clarity and calm this 2010 with sheets that will help you write down your thoughts and worries, and discover your real purpose and desires.

Essentials Planner

(Php380)

Are you a minimalist? Then you'll love the designs of the Essential Planner, which is ideal for both bullet journaling and creative journaling. Although I wouldn't consider myself a minimalist in real life, these are my favorite BDJ planners this year as I can get as creative as I'd like with them.

Quest Journal

(Php280 to Php480)

If you're the type who likes getting creative, you might want to consider the Quest Journal, as well. It comes in different colors of the same classic design and has refillable and interchangeable notebooks to suit your lifestyle as needed.

Gameplan

(Php180)

Choose your inspirational quote and stay on top of your game. Each of these planners is good for three months and is filled with dotted space for bullet journaling and timestamps to plan your days by the hour.

They also have notebooks and stickers and other items that will turn your 2019 into the most organized and most fun one of your planner life.

Want to win your BDJ planner of choice? Join the Rafflecopter contest here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Game of Thrones Fans Will Love This Limited Edition White Walker Whisky in Manila

Calling all of my fellow Game of Thrones fans and all of my fellow alcohol aficionados! For months, I've been waiting for the announcement that the Johnnie Walker Game of Thrones-inspired White Walker whisky would make it to our shores. And now, winter is definitely coming to the Philippines if only in the form of this bad-ass drink.

I went to the launch of the White Walker whisky here in Manila last night. It was held at Run Rabbit Run in Poblacion and my geeky heart was once again incredibly happy.

Before even entering Run Rabbit Run, an Iron Throne was outside for us to take photos on:

Empty bottles of the new White Walker by Johnnie Walker were also on display at the registration booth. Drawing inspiration from the winters North of the Wall, the bottle's icy white and blue design is the perfect backdrop for the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man now fashioned in armor to fit in among the ranks of the Night King's forces.

How cool is that bottle? Wait til you stick it in the freezer!!! Thanks to temperature-sensitive ink technology, fans will be reminded that "Winter is Here" from an unexpected icy reveal on the bottle when frozen.

The whole place was Game of Thrones-inspired!

Even the food had a royal feast fit for the show!

Naturally, the drinks were Game of Thrones-inspired, as well. Before introducing the new drink, we got to try the following at the ground floor of the bar:

The refreshingly delicious Black Wild Fire made with Johnnie Walker Black Label, grapefruit juice, lime soda, a grapefruit slice, and dill.

The super strong Red Throne Highball made with Johnnie Walker Red Label, ginger ale, tonic water, and rosemary.

Upstairs, they had prepared a super cold room for us complete with smoke machines, cotton in place of snow, and ice sculptures with White Walker bottles stuck in them.

So cool!

This is where Nico Bolzico told us more about the new White Walker by Johnnie Walker.

Known for their icy blue eyes and led by the Night King, the undead army of White Walkers is amazingly captured in this limited edition whisky that evokes their icy world.

Created by whisky specialist George Harper and a small team of expert blenders at Johnnie Walker, this innovative whisky is best served directly from the freezer at 1.5 degrees and develops layers of flavors as it warms to room temperature. It is definitely an entirely new experience (or at least it was for me).

On the second floor, we also got to try cocktails mixed by the sixth best bartender in the world!!! And boy were those drinks to die for (pun intended). Called the Night King's Sour (made with White Walker by Johnnie Walker, blue curacao, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and white grape juice), it was one of the best cocktails I've ever had in my life. Not exaggerating!

It was actually so good, I had five glasses of the cocktail. Not exaggerating. Don't worry, though, as Johnnie Walker always makes sure to "drink responsibly". As such, glasses of water were passed around during the event to ensure that everyone had fun and no one went home feeling like death (pun intended again).

Cesar Gangoso, Marketing Director of Diageo Philippines, explains that "White Walker by Johnnie Walker was created in celebration of the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones, and is the perfect gift for Game of Thrones fans or anyone who appreciates great Scotch whisky."

Have any friends or family members who are Game of Thrones fans> This is the perfect Christmas gift for them, whether they drink or not, because the bottle in itself looks absolutely amazing. I gave my bottle to my dad as an early Christmas gift and he was so in awe of it.

White Walker by Johnnie Walker will be available until supplies last starting on December 10, 2018 for Php1,299 at http://www.spiritsbyjohnnie.com and all leading supermarkets nationwide. We heard that it was sold out in S&R mere hours after its early release there, so make sure you get yours as soon as you can!

For more info, like Johnnie Walker Philippines on Facebook and follow @johnniewalkerph on Instagram