Category: Lifestyle

A Pampered Afternoon at Nuat Thai Libis

Posted on by jane

One Saturday afternoon, a group of mommy bloggers, including myself, headed out to try a spa we had never been to (at least for most of us) — Nuat Thai Libis.

I was only familiar with another spa place along Libis so it was nice to find out that there was an alternative one. I had a pretty looooong week then so getting a Thai body and foot massage was something I was really looking forward to. The fact that I was going to experience this with mommy bloggers was an extra treat!

With Janine Ching-Go and Jay Tiu of Nuat Thai Libis

My pictures from hereon are few and a bit dark. After all, why would I spoil a spa experience by taking lots of pictures instead of just surrendering to the hands of our masseuse?

My choice for the afternoon was a Swedish body massage followed by a foot massage. But first, we had to have a foot bath.
Entrance to foot bath
The ambience was truly Thai — including the touches with flowers floating on water, tiles with flat, dark stones in between them, and strategically placed lighted candles to give it that warm, inviting, relaxing feeling. Inside the foot bath room, I saw two foot ceramic basins with individual faucets and a raised wooden seating area.
That’s me getting a nice foot scrub

Rubber slippers were provided after the foot scrub and I was led to the area where they do the back massages. Oh! They had mattresses on the floors and each cubicle was discreetly separated by dark curtains for privacy. And I thought my friends and I would be lying visibly next to each other! Hahaha.

I changed out of my clothes and promptly lay down on the mattress. I was a bit afraid of how the Swedish massage would go because the last time I had one at another massage place nearer home, the lady masseuse seemed to have had a bad day because she pounded me no end, leaving me feeling worse after the massage and achy all over.
To my relief and great delight, I had a very good masseuse. She kneaded me all over, just exerting the right pressure. I had a choice of eucalyptus oil, green tea or lavender oil. I chose lavender oil, my favorite aromatherapy scent for relaxing.
Choice of scented oils
(photo courtesy of MyMom-Friday)
I felt totally relaxed under the skillful hands of the masseuse assigned to me. I just regretted that I did not thoroughly enjoy the experience because in the cubicle right next to me, a guy who was also getting a massage insisted on talking on his mobile phone for a very long time. That, despite the shushing that my masseuse kept giving him. Some people really have no ethics when it comes to mobile phone use.
Anyway, back to my massage experience…
After the body massage, I dressed up and was led to still another room where Lazy Boys were. Again, my masseuse did a good job with the reflexology points and the Thai stretching that came after. One slight discomfort though. I was seated right next to the door, with my chair facing the reception area. So since the rooms were all dark, every time someone opened the sliding door from the reception area to the hallway, the sunlight from outside would blind me. Next time I go visit them, I’ll specifically ask not to be seated in that chair. Or maybe they can reposition the chairs, taking that into account.
View of body massage and foot massage areas
(photo courtesy of My Mom-Friday)

At the end of our massage, the Nuat Thai people made sure we were well fed – Serenitea (my favorite!) and some cookies and ensaymada completed the afternoon as we mommies spent time chitchatting around the reception area.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience despite some problems I encountered. Nuat Thai does have good masseuse and that is actually one of the key successes of spas. Their gowns and towels are very clean and look hygienic; the wonderfully scented oils they use truly enhance the relaxation experience.

Last but not least of all, their prices are so reasonable! Take a look at these:

Nuat Thai foot massage (1 hour) – Php 250
Thai body massage (1 hour) – Php 250; Php 300 with oil
Thai back massage ( 1 hour) – Php 250; Php 300 with oil
Swedish massage (1 hour) – Php 350
Aromatheraphy massage w/ herbal balls (1-1/2 hrs) = Php 550
Hot oil massage (1-1/2 hrs) – Php 550
Thai head, back & shoulder massage (1 hour) – Php 250; Php 300 with oil

My boy has been hankering for a foot massage so one of these days, I’ll probably bring him there for one while I try their back massage once again. This time I am hoping there won’t be a repeat incident with anyone who cannot even leave his mobile phone on silent in order to fully enjoy his own spa massage.

Nuat Thai Libis
2/F 90 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. (across Shopwise, above Allied and RCBC Bank)
Libis, Quezon City
Tel (02) 477-5004
Open daily 12 noon to 2:00 AM

Contest: Havaianas All Summer: Race to Hawaii

Posted on by jane

Just a few more months to go and it will be summer and you know what that means.

Well, as a mother, it means I don’t need to stress out over car schedules bringing kids to/from school or buying school supplies or even just making sure they do homework before chatting with friends online.

But for a lot of us that also means lots of sun, the beach, beach games, Boracay, and your favorite flipflops.

Havaianas is helping make summer a year-round celebration of happiness and kindness among us Pinoys by launching a nationwide contest, “All Summer: Race to Hawaii”.

100 two-member teams (65 from Metro Manila, 35 from the provinces)  will compete in a fun, elimination round at the NBC Tent, Global City. The provincial teams get all-expense paid trips to Manila for the competition.

20 teams who pass the elimination rounds will be flown to Boracay for the final round. Again, airfare and accommodations will be taken care of by Havaianas. The team with the best time in all the summer tasks win an all-expense paid trip for two to sunny Hawaii.

Who Can Join?

You need to be a Philippine resident, 18 years old and above, fit to travel and engage in physical activities and must hold a valid passport to qualify for this contest.

Any single-receipt purchase of two (2) Havaianas pairs from any participating Havaianas retailers from February 4, 2011 to March 27, 2011 will merit one (1) Race to Hawaii scratch card, which contains a unique code that the participant can use to register in the www.havaianassummer.com website. Participants have until March 28, 2011, 11:59PM to register or add codes.

Get ready for a Hawaiian summer getaway with a friend or special someone. This will be one summer you won’t ever forget. Let Havaianas treat you to a well-deserved vacation.

For additional contest details and mechanics, visit the Havaianas Always Summer website.

The Starbucks Coffee 2011 Planner

Posted on by jane
(L-R: Wood, Velvet, Steel Starbucks planners)
It’s that time of the year again when the Christmas spirit is clearly in the air and the excitement is building up with every day that passes. 
My girls, like many of their friends, are already preparing for the turn of the year by choosing their planners. And there are a lot of planners out there. When I was growing up, the planners all looked the same. Executive type, with the company stamp and company history pages making the only difference in look. Very business-like, especially those with gold-edged pages.

Starbucks was one of those who took planners out of the business mold. Now on its 8th year into the planner tradition, Starbucks has come out with three variants. Each of these variants represents something familiar that you find in each Starbucks store: Maroon Velvet Fabric (their familiar lounge chairs), Cool Clean Stainless Steel (interiors) and Stained Dark Wood Panels.

Being Starbucks coffee drinkers, my kids and I like the way the Starbucks planner incorporates coupons for free drinks on certain dates of the year, plus discount coupons for other yuppie outlets that they can use throughout the year. These coupons alone represent savings for my kids who save up for these services or items with their limited school allowances. But, as my eldest girl once said, there is something about the way Starbucks planners look and how the sections are presented, that suit her active lifestyle very much. In a way, it has also become a fashion statement when seen carrying the planner around as well.

Since November 3, Starbucks patrons could get a Starbucks Christmas traditions planner promo card. With every Starbucks beverage purchased, one is entitled to a sticker to be placed on the card. It only takes seventeen (17) stickers to be able to bring home the planner of one’s choice. Nine (9) of the stickers must be Christmas beverage favorites (any of the following): Peppermint Mocha, Praline Mocha and Toffee Nut Latte. The other eight (8) stickers are for any of the core beverages. Buying a Starbucks VIA Ready Brew 3-pack booklet also entitles you to one (1) sticker while the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew box of 12 earns you two (2) stickers.

When one finally gets the Starbucks 2011 Planner, you are also helping Starbucks realize its dream to help its flagship program for early childhood care and development in partnership with UNICEF — SparkHope. Each redemption of the planner represents a donation to SparkHope.

If you’re a Starbucks coffee lover, then remember to have your sticker placed on your promo card. And once filled, redeem the planner for yourself, a family member or a friend. You not only get a wonderful Starbucks gift but you also just helped make a contribution to SparkHope.

Have a wonderful, Starbucks-y Christmas ahead!

Weddings with Josiah's Catering

Weddings with Josiah’s Catering

Posted on by jane

June is a very romantic month because aside from December, this is the marry-est month in the calendar. There were no such things as wedding coordinators during my time so I basically had to do my own research, canvassing and preparations when I got married. Now, with a proliferation of wedding planners, brides now have an easier time than I did before.

So, it was very exciting to check out what modern wedding receptions look like nowadays. 1 Esplanade played host to a wedding themed affair prepared by one of the top caterers in town, Josiah’s Catering. “Seasons of Love: A Wedding Banquet Expo” featured Four Seasons set-up, one of many packages that well-known Filipino event designer, Ms. Beth Amat, designed especially for Josiah’s Catering. No matter what month of the year you plan to get married, there is a theme just for you.

Continue reading “Weddings with Josiah’s Catering” →

Ipanema Launches its "Colorful Sea" Collection

Ipanema Launches its “Colorful Sea” Collection

Posted on by jane

I have several pairs of Ipanema flipflops and each one is just so comfortable and pliant. I can do a ballet pointe and the flipflops would just follow the curve of my pointed foot.

For 2010, Ipanema is once again launching its latest GB collection, which it dubbed “Colorful Sea”. The GB line (GB which stands for Gisele Bundchen, a Brazilian and the world’s most successful supermodel who endorses Ipanema GB) is known for its hip design, unmatched style and high quality as well as for being an important medium for eco-awareness.

A devoted environmentalist, Gisele Bündchen actively adheres to her role as UN ambassador by using each GB collection to raise funds and awareness for specific eco-causes. The 2010 “Colorful Sea” collection supports the preservation of Brazil’s turtle population as well as the welfare of our own local marine life.

Continue reading “Ipanema Launches its “Colorful Sea” Collection” →