In the heat of summer sunshine…..I feel really, really hot, and drained! It’s just been a struggle working in the midst of the heat, I sometimes just want to faint, and sleep all day in the A/C.

Then, in the brink of exhaustion stress, I turn to my urban oasis – The Spa. I was seeking some me-time that led me to The Spa, and let me tell you my experience about it!

The nearest The Spa branch was TriNoma for me, and me, wanting some me-time ( I sometimes dislike massage-and-run places ) and relief. When I entered The Spa, I could never have thought that it was a part of a mall in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a really busy EDSA.

The common Female Locker Room which house the different amenities such as steam and shower.
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I must admit that I haven’t been frequenting spas, at least, this year, for that much-needed pampering. Things have been just so busy!

I’m just so happy that friends Jamie and Justin have been constantly reminding me about their invite to visit their spa, Mod Lei Studio, situated in the heart if Katipunan ( very near Ateneo! ), to try out their services.

I have always been fans of these two girls. I’m a Venus & Mars Botanicals fan myself, and I really patronize their products. I particularly love their Never A Bad Hair Day Shampoo that is really helpful and non-reactive towards my scalp dermatitis. I also love their Smooch Lip Detox that I would shout over and over again, as one of the best lip balms that I’ve ever tried! Continue reading

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Last weekend, I was given the change to re-charge, and relax. Last weekend, I was able to runaway from reality for three days in my most favorite place in this world. Thank God, I’m Filipino. Thank God, I’m born, and I live in the Philippines. Thank God, I have Boracay here with me. In my country, in my heart.

Just a funny fact, that I have booked this trip on January 1 ( first day of the year! ) during an Airphil seat sale. I cancelled it last minute because I needed to join Cosmetologie that year, and I was happy that I still got the fare that low even so! But really, in the midst of the crazy ber months, and the even crazier things happening in my life ( with beauty blogging, my work in our family business, Charm makeup brushes, and a new online venture happening very soon – you’ll be in the loop ok! ) , I’ve felt that my brain = mashed potatoes. Don’t get me wrong, I love, LOVE what I do, but the pressures of meeting deadlines, being a perfectionist, and just mobilizing things entail hard work, and can be exhaustive. I love it that we have the loveliest beach in the world right here in our country, as I feel that I always get to re-stock on that supply of energy, intensely good vibes ( sunshine there makes me happy! ) , and I just love staying there. It’s as if I’m away from the busy world, just enjoying paradise.

During this beach trip, I was able to save up on airfare, and just re-allocate my budget with a good resort. I have this thing about nice resorts and accommodations in every travel I make, and try to save up for it as much as I can. My choice, forever, and ever, in Boracay, would be Two Seasons. Great rooms, spacious bathrooms!
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For a week already, I’ve been complaining about a really painful left shoulder. Sigh. My body is just a nodule-magnet ( lamig, in Filipino terms ). I get nodules easily, as my body absorbs outside elements like the cold easily. Whenever raindrops fall on my shoulders, my shoulders become so painful that it takes a really hot (not sure if you can tolerate what I usually do) shower and Tiger Balm to soothe it out. I get these kinds of pain often that whenever I go to Singapore, I hoard around 12 tubes of Tiger Balm Muscle Boost that I usually bring with me in my handbag or during trips.

Anyway, going back to my shoulder, as I was experiencing really bad pain from the moment I wake up (not a good way to start the day, methinks), and the pain in my shoulder is amplified when I go to a cold place ( or even be in an airconditioned room is plain torture to me), I decided to book a massage at Zense Taipei. Zense Taipei, in my opinion, is the best massage place in Banawe, though I think it is the most expensive one in Banawe, with prices of massage in Banawe ranging from 250-500 max. Continue reading

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It was one lazy Saturday that I was feeling the need for pampering and de-stressing, that I entered Ellen’s Aesthetic Center for a day’s worth of pampering. To be honest, Ellen’s exuded that “old” feel that mature people would walk in to, because it’s been the oldest, if not, one of the oldest aesthetics/facial center in the country, boasting of 30 years in the market already. I honestly did not know what to expect, but I was open to experience anything ( like – wow me! )

Janice of Ellen’s Aesthetic Center had the day planned for me for a day’s worth of pampering and experiencing what Ellen’s Aesthetic Center was all about. First was an Ofuro Akasuri Treatment which was a relaxing beauty bath, with some body scrubbing that claimed to get rid of all the “libag” ( or a trial translation in English would be “skin dirt” or skin debris” ) on the skin surface. Well, I was so game for it! I was asked to change in a bathrobe, and escorted into this room, which had a shower bath, a flat bed, and ultimately, a bath tub!
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It’s no secret that I am a discount voucher/groupon addict. I just love hunting for good discount deals, when you can purchase, or experience something at a lower price! Money is hard to earn nowadays, that it’d be such a treat to have a discount on services, or things that you want, to make the most out of your pay cheque.

Last year was the advent of the groupon buying sites craze, ands I was definitely addicted to it! As more and more groupon buying sites emerged, I was more challenged to check out more deals, and learn how to spot good deals, from not so good ones.

The first discount voucher/groupon that I ever bought was from Ensogo. Ensogo is one of the pioneers of the group buying sites in the Philippines that has so much deals every single day. I have previously bought food vouchers, and spa vouchers from Ensogo, which I have been happy about.

But with beauty deals, I consider myself extra careful in choosing them in groupon buying sites. I stay away from hair rebonding deals as I am afraid that the chemicals used might be inferior ( because of the ridiculously priced discount ) , but there are other deals such as massages that I have experienced to be very satisfactory, and makes me want to pay full price for my next visit. Last week, I was able to spot a good deal at Ensogo – Nails and Beyond’s Slimming Massage Deal of 5 sessions, priced at P 1,125 , a 50% discount from P 2,200.00.
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Let me tell you about my weekend.

Last weekend, specifically Saturday, M and I decided to treat ourselves to some relaxation by doing to the spa. We decided to used our coupons, and we were just so excited because this certain spa was housed in a hotel/luxury suites that with the reputation of that place, the spa would be at par, and give us a wonderful experience. We were much satisfied with Antel Spa Suites’ Toccare Spa, and this one looked quite promising.

In a span of an hour and a half, I was just glad that it was over. The therapist seemed to be lacking strength, she was able to detect a sore spot on my left shoulder, and she just couldn’t seem to be able to handle it well. My night ended in total disappointment, with me vowing to myself that I’d never go back there again. Too bad that the room was really fancy – with a private, beautiful bathroom, and even a jacuzzi! Looking at their services menu, you will never ever make me pay that kind of amount for such kind of service. Good thing we bought coupons at a substantial discount.
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Oh here I go again reminiscing my recent vacation, as I don’t think I will be indulging myself with another one in the next few months. Memories of shopping full of hyped and excited emotions ( only happens in Bangkok! ), good food, beautiful tourist spots, and well, there was much, much walking involved during that trip! ( and my previous trip, too! )

So, with all the happiness and memories compiled, I also remember that all that walking built up much stress to my feet. Adrenalin or having a sense of adventure would divert the feeling for a while, but when you just settle down and rest, it all comes rushing in. Quite painfully!
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Ahhh. I just love coupons! Let me just comment on how the coupon/groupon sites have taken the Philippine online community by storm! With enticing deals from hotel accommodations, hotel buffets, cosmetic services, even car services to spa services, I just love it that we get to try something that is discounted. Yes, coupon sites are awesome because we get to try alot of services at a discounted rate! A bad thing about it though, is that we have more motivation to…spend! Ahh!

One of the coupons that I was able to avail was the Toccare Spa Special Romantic Valentine’s Day Couples Package from Cashcashpinoy. It cost me around P 1650, a price-sash from P 3,400.00 that consists of a welcome foot ritual, classic massage for two, and dinner for two.
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Majority of our activities during our trip in Cambodia consisted of walking. We walked to the markets, walked around town, walked to temples and back, and walked to restaurants. W.A.L.K. was the daily word. Haha! With all the walking, walking, and walking we did in Angkor, Cambodia, our feet were just torn and tired, pleading for a massage. ( read up my Cambodian adventure here! )
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