1.15.2014

Fifth Season Spa

Fifth Season Spa 
The holiday season took so much of our time and energy that we may have felt a bit overwhelmed with all the reunions, gatherings and non-stop feasts. I bet you also had that tired feet hopping from one mall to another and queuing to the cashier section to get all those fabulous gifts. So to help myself stay rejuvenated, I went for a little spa pampering at Fifth Season Spa.

Fifth Season Spa 
I purchased a 50% promo via Deal Grocer that includes a relaxing 60-Minute Swedish Full-Body Massage plus a 20-minute Express Foot Massage. The price is originally Php1,100. Click the link to see this ongoing promo.

Fifth Season Spa 
My spa treatment started with a hand ritual from this area. I picked the eucalyptus bath salts over rosemary to wash my hands with. The relaxing properties of the aromatherapy helped me breathe better after being patted dry.

Fifth Season Spa 
The therapists will take you to this area for foot therapy and nail care services. I was ushered to one of  the couches for my express foot massage. Boy, it was really good! My sore feet loved the pressure and the rosemary scent made it more tranquilizing. Apart from whole body massage, Fifth Season Spa also offers other spa services such as face therapy and body therapy.

Fifth Season Spa 
The individual treatment rooms are of course named after the four seasons - Autumn, Winter, Summer (photo above), and Spring. While the Fifth Season is for the couples room. Very clever! :-)

Fifth Season Spa 
To sum it all, my spa treatment was a pure bliss! I still had a bad cough and colds when I came here so imagine how my muscles felt so soothed after the massage. The receptionist asked if I want to upgrade the service to traditional massage or hilot but I had to decline as too much pressure might constrain my body more. Back-pain has always been my issue and I'm glad I went out with a lighter feeling. 

Fifth Season Spa 
And here's the obligatory restroom selfie. I felt so much relieved, no more stiff shoulders! 
Thanks to the wonders these professional therapist's hands can do. On a different note, I think it would be best to book a room too at Astoria Plaza - that would definitely be 10x R&R!

3rd level of Astoria Plaza, J. Escriva Drive,
Ortigas Centre, Pasig City

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1.13.2014

Posh Nails

Part of my 2014 goal is to help myself feel good and look good at all times. I am someone who can leave the house with a bare face and pale lips, but this year will be different. I don't mean to overdo myself even if just heading to the nearest grocery store, but I am now open to render a little effort in fixing my eyebrows or applying a bit of pink blush as a good start.

Posh Nails 
So one afternoon, instead of de-stressing myself with some sweets or so, I decided to step in to this lovely hot pink and bright purple nail salon of Posh Nails. It's impossible to resist peeking at the cotton candy colored interiors and fluffy pillows.

Posh Nails 
Like any other girls, I am a frequent visitor of nail salons to, of course, make my nails look pretty and neat. It's been months since I last had a foot spa so I checked out the rates for the spa services. Foot spa + pedicure Php460, manicure Php150.

Posh Nails 
The SM Megamall branch is right across the MegaTrade Hall of Bldg B. 

Posh Nails Posh Nails 
The staff soaked my feet in a bubble foot spa machine for a little less than 5 minutes as she prepared for her tools and scrubs.

Posh Nails 
They use Orly and O.P.I. nail lacquers with no extra charge. Glad to see a number of Orly variants.

Posh Nails 
At this point, I am struggling wether to doze off or not. The staff's hands were too light I could easily forget she's doing my foot spa!

Posh Nails 
I had stuffy nose that day so I barely recognized the scent of the scrub used. She said something like "lemon citrus scrub". All I know, it was very cool on my skin when she applied.

Posh Nails 
And for the nail polish, I chose Orly Frisky in Teal Creme and French Manicure for a natural look on my hands. My nails were perfectly and professionally done! Hats off to their staff named Meya who didn't hurt my always-injured big toe.

Posh Nails 

The verdict:
As much as possible, I only want one person to do my foot spa and mani/pedi, so this one's a big check. For a total of Php610, I think the service is quite okay for the price. I just wish they have this UV light lamp to dry my nails. Quick dry can be too messy, plus the nail salon is inside a mall so we can't be that helpless just because of wet nail polish. The staff were kind enough not to talk loud while customers take time for quick naps. The fluffy pillows and comfy sofa helped a lot during my short stay. It can be full even before 4PM so expect to walk like in a maze on your way out. Also, I wasn't sure if the tools used were pre-sterilized. Perhaps to me, they fall short on 'modern' equipment to keep up with newly-opened competitors in the metro.

POSH NAILS
5th Level, SM Megamall Bldg. B,
Mandaluyong City


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1.08.2014

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut
Hooray for my first food entry this 2014!
How's your new year's resolutions so far? I hope we all stick with our "diet" plans (in case that is on your list) and hold on to that until the next holiday season! Should I say, a big good luck to all? Ha ha

Pizza Hut
Anyway, just two days ago, the three of us decided to have some pizza and pasta treat for a Sunday late lunch. For some reasons, I missed munching the cheese stuffed-crust pizza at Pizza Hut! Good thing they're all over the metro and you can opt for delivery if too lazy to get out of bed.

Pizza Hut Pizza Hut
Their tall and crispy bread sticks are my little one's favorite.

Pizza Hut
Seafood Vongole
This is my new favorite dish at Pizza Hut, and my first time to try Vongole in white wine garnished with lots of garlic. I realized how hungry I was just by smelling it.

Pizza Hut
Crab salad spring roll
This one's a blockbuster. I love the combination of fresh crab meat and lettuce. It's good they added new varieties on their menu so we don't just settle for pizza and pasta alone.

Pizza Hut
Super Supreme pizza with cheese stuffed-crust
Our family's favorite pizza flavor and would usually prefer to have it in thick crust. On a sad note, our pizza was not even warm when served. Anyone would like to pull a slice with stretched, melted cheese.

Pizza Hut
Good thing the little one enjoyed this lunch date. I just really hope she can join us soon eating everything that's on our table. She will be turning three soon so I wonder if that age would make her a bit experimental on food choices. I noticed her fascination on home-cooked meals, especially her granny's chicken adobo.

1.04.2014

Roar!


Not all of you know that I have been a fan of Katy Perry since 2008. Yup, her songs were the most played in my iPod touch back then. To tell you honestly, my national anthem for months was "Thinking Of You".. OMG, I was emotionally and deeply attached with that song!

Anyway, about two months ago, I first played her music video Roar and showed it to my daughter. From then, this song is all over our house 24/7. I could even hear it playing while writing my SQL commands at work! Promise! And I love how my little one sings her cutest versions, have even posted short clips on IG. I thought, the song really catches attention of kids like her, aside from Katy Perry's beautiful face. But as I read just the plain lyrics while music off, wow this is definitely my peg for 2014!

I'm claiming it.. I am a CHAMPION and you're gonna hear ME roaaaaarrrr!!!

1.01.2014

ACE Hotel and Suites

Before anything else, I'd like to greet you all a Happy New Year and wishing more success in all our future endeavors. I hope you all had a safe and wonderful celebration with your loved ones!

ACE Hotel and Suites
My family and I decided to spend our new year stay-cation in one of the famous and newest hotel situated near the business district of Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Before I give you an in-depth review, let me just tell you that we literally had the ace experience during our overnight stay. First off, they accepted early check-in from 10:30am onwards. That was exceptional!

ACE Hotel and Suites
Since we were a group of four, I chose to book a junior suite at Php4,950 (excluding VAT and other taxes, breakfast for two included). Of course, we won't fit in a queen-sized bed so I requested for an additional bed. So that was roughly a total of Php7,500+ for a holiday overnight stay.

ACE Hotel and Suites 
I browsed a few reviews prior to booking at Ace Hotel and Suites and have found interesting comments from the guests. It was only in 2012 when they opened the business to the public, technically the hotel is still new. Though I have set my expectations, I am still caught by surprise to what welcomed me and my family.

ACE Hotel and Suites
The room was simply yet elegantly designed and quite spacious for a junior suite. We had a mini living area where we were comfortably seated as we watched cable channels in our 32" LCD TV. Our room was really clean and neat. I forgot to take a "before" photo of our bed but it was queen-sized by default and the pillows were fluffy, I can hug it all day. In fact, my daughter really had a good time sleeping and curling under the duvet. I hope this photo below can describe it for you.

Ace Hotel
ACE Hotel and Suites
There's also an office space where you can work/blog during your stay. WiFi is available, an iPod dock should you wish to listen to your playlist, and a digital safe for your valuable items.

ACE Hotel and Suites
A mini-bar with complementary wine and drinks. The small fridge is beneath the cabinet.

ACE Hotel and Suites
Fruits were also served right after we settled in our room.

ACE Hotel and Suites
This is Mom's favorite spot as she's into coffee and tea set.

ACE Hotel and Suites ACE Hotel and Suites
How cool is this? Doing work with a glass of red wine!

ACE Hotel and Suites ACE Hotel and Suites
While here is my favorite area - the toilet and bathroom! I am very particular with the cleanliness of bathrooms and lavatories. Thankfully, Ace Hotel and Suites did not disappoint. And look at the rain drop shower head! I want this for our future home!

ACE Hotel and Suites ACE Hotel and Suites
Complementary toiletries ready for use. I didn't need a bathtub and some may find the entire T&B a little small, but in general, it was orderly and really clean. I did not have this feeling of "namamahay" whenever I had to sit down on the throne. :-)

ACE Hotel and Suites
After a quick rest, we checked out the Sky Garden located at the 8th floor. The weather made it really possible to take good pictures with my family.

ACE Hotel and Suites ACE Hotel and Suites
We also checked the Sky High Bar at the 21st floor. Cool spot for a happy social drinking session. You will be overlooking this Ortigas skyline, really nice view. That night, they were selling tickets for the New Year's Eve countdown for Php1,399 (drinks + dinner buffet). We didn't try it though as this stay-cation is exclusively for family bonding.

ACE Hotel and Suites
We had our dinner buffet at the ground floor. Didn't take a lot of food pics but we all had an epic dinner with sushis, shabu shabu, Chinese and Korean dishes, lots of cakes, pastries and desserts. I'm glad the new year's eve was free from doing all the cooking at home. Everything was served completely.We were really full that we decided to go back to the Sky Garden for a little walk and viewing the early fireworks display across Manila skyline. We did our own countdown inside the room - fireworks display for free viewing from the window. Thankfully, we did not smell the smog brought by the extravagant celebration.

ACE Hotel and Suites
Breakfast buffet is still courtesy of ACE Coffee Lounge. We stayed a little late so we're only up by 7am. This is what greeted our morning.

ACE Hotel and Suites
The buffet area was jam packed unlike the night before, probably because this one's included in the room rate.

ACE Hotel and Suites
We were ushered to the right part of the resto but that was quite far from the food. So I requested to find us a closer table once there is one available. The waiter came back after three minutes and table is ready in front of the coffee lounge that's also facing the other side of the pool. Spot on!

ACE Hotel and Suites
Hubby and I love breakfast food. He was more happy to see the crispy fried danggit. I got hash browns, bacon and blueberry pancakes! Little girl enjoyed her Coco Crunch, while Mom had fruits and omelet. Again, not much food pics.

ACE Hotel and Suites
One of the reasons of choosing ACE Hotel is because of their water spa, but sad to admit, I didn't get to use the complementary pass. But since this is just a 20-minute drive from our place, would definitely want to go back and try this. There were a few people swimming but I think it was too cold to enjoy the water.

Overall, we had the best overnight stay at ACE Hotel and Suites as we welcome 2014. Hoping to do this more often with the family, so I'm looking forward to feature more hotel reviews for you this year. :-)

ACE HOTEL & SUITES
United Street corner Brixton Street near Pioneer
Pasig City Philippines
Reservation: (632) 462-8283

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