Saturday, April 23, 2011

Swedish Hasbeens!

These Swedish Hasbeens are so adorable! I personally am eyeing on these low hasbeens! I can feel them snuggling my feet by merely looking at them!

Low hasbeens in the middle!! Wish they're available in delectable colors that make up Children's Hasbeens, though! :S
Images from google.com
 
 "Swedish Hasbeens shoes are hand-made using the same craftsmanship as in the the 70s which is kind to people and nature. We use natural materials and you could pretty much bury your shoes in your garden.

Like all hand-made stuff using natural materials every pair will be unique which is a sign of quality. So don’t worry if the wood varies in color and if there are twigs in it. Natural grain leather may also have marks and may vary in color and thickness.The untreated natural colored leather will darken with time. The colored leather, like black, might rub off on other light stuff. The color on the painted wooden sole and the rubber sole will wear off in a natural way with time." -Swedish Hasbeens


The different heels height of Swedish Hasbeens. They also have loafers, boots, bags and belts and children's hasbeens. List of products here in Swedish Hasbeens' site (where I got these photos).

Swedish Hasbeens and H&M collaborated for Spring 2011 (came out in stores just recently; April 20th to be exact) featuring three wood-sole clog designs which are available in different colors to suit anyone's spring outfit! This collection makes the look of a '70s Bohemian woman.
 
also available in tan and white


Images from Swedish Hasbeens, Google Images, and H&M.
 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Giveaway: They say I am lucky

Super delayed post! :\ It is never too late to be thankful!!

Most friends say I am lucky at winning giveaways. I rather would prefer say that I am blessed. I won a number of times already and the latest loot that got delivered to our home is from Manila Fashion Observer! :)

Her giveaway mechanics made everyone to answer a few questions. I don't usually join a giveaway that makes one put so much effort and those that would make me come up with garlandy answer just so I'll win what's at stake. One of the questions she asked was the type of question I would love to answer and share to other people, though. The question asked for the joiner's favorite labels and/or places to shop at. I feel giddy to share this type of information to other people and talk about them. Anyway, my answer went like this: 

 My favorite labels and/or place to shop at are the following: TRF for trendy streetstyle ragged clothes; Gap for cheap yet chic bags; Levis for jeans; redattic for vintage clothes; Rockwell Tent and World Trade Center (American Women's, in particular) bazaars; Aranaz for chic local bags --from clutches to big bags and now her accessories (or her sister's); RIIR bags as well for that streetstyle native-eco vibe feel; The Ramp for putting up everything local in a one stop shop; Hongkong boutiques; H&M thru e-bay and muliply stores --I have yet to visit Hongkong's flagship store or the soon-to-open H&M Singapore flagship store; and of course, thrift shops in Cubao and Anonas area.

After submitting my entry and waiting for the giveaway result, it turned out I'll get the prize!

I got...
Marc Jacobs keychain! Don't you just love the leopard print! <3
Navi and Belle de Jour 2011 Planner where I got my discount coupons for our Ace Water Spa.
**note that I received this loot January pa! Ooooops, late post! haha!
And a J.Crew reusable canvas tote!
 The package came with a letter from Ms. Christine of MFO too. :)

Isn't it great to get stuff for free?! haha! 



Friday, April 15, 2011

THE AFTERMATH: BonChon and Banapple (and Forever 21)

What better way to do after immersing yourself in the water than eat. We went to Ayala Triangle Gardens to try BonChon.

BonChon originated from South Korea and is voted as the Best Chicken in America. It is cooked the Korean way by frying the chicken twice. This makes the skin and fat to separate and makes the skin really crispy. Hence, they claim that they serve healthier chicken with zero trans fat. I'll tell you about my personal dining experience at Bonchon through pictures and the captions. :)
I actually prefer my friend's Chicken Chop Rice (P125)! The flavor we chose is both Soy Garlic. I wonder why his' is way way tastier. :( 
We ordered iced tea with our meals which reminded us of A La Creme's and Rumpa's.
 I ordered 3 pc. Soy Garlic flavored chicken wings with rice (P145). You have a choice of either wings or drumstick. Then, for flavor either Soy Garlic or Hot & Spicy.
Most of the reviews I read said that Hot & Spicy is really spicy which made me opt to order Soy Garlic. Having tasted Soy Garlic, I think, on the contrary, that it lacks kick and tasted a bit bland. Unlike other reviews also which said that the flavor of the chicken seeps through, I found mine otherwise. The flavor is only concentrated in the skin. I guess they have to make their chicken consistent. Quite disheartening but I would like to try it again.
 I wish that they allow customers to mix flavors even for short orders. 
 One of us ordered Bulgogi Rice (P125). Which reminds me, I want to try the Bulgogi Wrap!!
 The walls are nice and the hanged photos inside frames tell so much story about BonChon which is really nice and informative. Nothing special on the place and the ambiance much in general.

Bon Chon Chicken Philippines
Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. They also have one outlet in Greenbelt 1.
Operating Hours: Everyday 11am to 10pm
Soon to open at Megamall

After having late lunch at BonChon, we had dessert at the over-rated-God-knows-why dining place that is Banapple. Few minutes after settling, Boo came and ordered pasta and two more cakes. Banapple never fails to give me the homey dining experience. Plus, their servings are good for sharing! :)
Four different slices of cakes ransacked! We ordered three different variants of cheesecake: Banana starry-berry custard cheesecake, Snicker Fudge Cheesecake, Oreo Brownie Fudge Cheesecake and one cake of different type! O.O 
Baked Creamy Cheesy Penne!! I love their pasta and the herbed bread that comes with it.... and SALAD too which we did not order, though. We didn't order their best-selling Banoffee Pie too since Ju objected. Hee.
Menu here.

Banapple is open everyday as early as 7:30AM to 11:30PM.
Banapple is located at the following areas: (1) 225 & 206 Katipunan Ave, Blue Ridge, QC; (2) Northeast Square at 47 Connecticut st., Northeast Greenhills, San Juan; (3) Ayala Triangle Gardens at Ayala Ave, Ayala Triangle Makati; and (4) 2/L Il Terrazzo at 35 Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

We visited Forever 21 in Makati on its first day too! It's quite bigger!!! The queues are long!!




Saturday, April 9, 2011

Ace Water Spa!!

It was about 10 AM when we arrived at Ace Water Spa. We opted to visit on a weekday to avoid huge pool of patrons. We used the discount coupon I have from Navi and Belle de Jour and so we paid half the entrance price (supposedly P550 per head).

After paying at the reception area, we were handed locker keys and swimming caps and were asked to go upstairs to change into our swimwear and were lastly asked to shower before proceeding to the pool/spa area.

They are stringent with the attire. Patrons must be in fitted swimwear --trunks for male and swimsuit for female-- since you will be submerged to some highly pressured hydro massage treatments. Even my tight swimwear slightly inflated and went to the wrong places when I tried some of the hard hydro massages. Yikes. :)) I suggest women to wear one-piece suit instead of a two-piece suit because the pressure can literally take your top off specifically with the chest massages.

All you need to bring is a swimwear and a towel. Slippers, shampoo, body soap, and even hair dryer are provided in the shower-cum-locker room. The amenities are really clean that I didn't bother stepping on their tiles/plastic floors barefooted 'coz usually I need rubber slippers whenever I am in any resort restroom/shower room. Wet toilet floors and dirty toilet tiles are quite gross, y'know.
They sell swimwear in case you forgot to bring one or one accompany did not know
Notice the Bert Lozada Swim School 'logo' above? Yes, they offer swimming lessons for kids and teens.

There were quite a number of customers but the pool area still is not crowded. Most were senior citizens plainly relaxing and children having their swimming lessons, some with their parents and siblings for family bonding.

 FYI, cameras are not allowed inside. So, I had to take this photo at the cafe.
The place looks bigger in photos!! But, the place is big enough that it has all the services they promise to offer. :)
Some of their facilities are in the left most of this photo --the herbal pools, most hydro massage areas, steams and saunas. 
 Cropped from Ace Water Spa
 Ahhhh... hot herbal pools! 
Two images from google

When we got into the spa arena, we decided to sit on the Bubble Pool first but it wasn't producing bubbles and so we moved to try another one instead. Little did we know that the massage treatments should be personally activated by pressing buttons placed just near each of them. After we figured that out, off we jumped from one treatment to another to make use of the allotted 4 hours wisely. 

The four (4) hour span of time you are given seems short but we were already settled after 3 hours of using all facilities and services and decided to take a shower already to change out of a wet swimsuit into clothes.
 Our skins were smoother... silkier! SO GOOD!
Went nautical with yesterday's dress! :)
Look! My shoulder is kumikinang*** after!

The facilities are composed of approximately 25m 4-lanes lap pool, lazy river, steam, sauna, hot herbal pools with three scents of varying temperature level, resting area, and the many hydrotherapy/water massage areas.    

The massages are categorized into three: soft, medium, and hard massages. What is good about the place is they get to explain each treatment with the signages that you can find near each treatment indicating how to use it, to whom the treatment is best suited, what it cures/do to you, and to whom the treatment is prohibited even. Thus, I advice that you read the information and precautions first before using any of their services especially if you or any companion has a serious medical condition. The massages are as follow:
     1. Bubble Bed 
     Lay down comfortably on the designed bubble bed to fully feel the air and bubbles emitted on the surface  
through small holes as it slightly beats down your back, buttocks and feet.
     2. Bubble Pool
    This facility effectively massages the temporal pressure points specifically on the back portion of the legs and hip area.
     3. Bubble Massage
     This system has an effect of “feel good all over” after bathing as air combined with warm water comes out on holes at the floor surface that massages the body.
     4. Hydro-Acupuncture Bed
     It produces the effects of acupuncture that allows a person to enjoy the pricking sensation through the use of high pressure warm water with air coming from the tiny holes within the bed surface. 
    5. Rainfall Acupuncture
    It is best enjoyed when lying face down wherein million raindrops with various intensities gently massage every part of the body.
     6. Eight Nozzle Shower
     This shower is designed as an alternative way of cooling down after using the hot herbal pools, steam and sauna if you do not want to use the cold pool.
     7. Hydro-Buoyancy Massage
     This facility uses a jet driven water from the bottom that creates suppleness to build a floating sensation especially when combined with breathing exercises.
     8. Buttocks Massage
     While sitting comfortably, water pressure gushes out on the surface which hits and rubs down the buttocks.
     9. Jet Chair
     In a sitting position, water pressure gushes out directly towards the meridian points of the body to eliminate stress and at the same time loosens up tight muscles.
     10. Jet Chair with Foot Massage
    In a sitting position, water pressure gushes out directly towards the meridian points of the body while simultaneously receiving foot massage. 
     11. Head and Shoulder Massage
     The water coming from the equipment strongly hits the upper portion of the body.
     12. Water Falls
     The surging water from the falls strikes in all parts of the body largely on the upper portion.
     13. Multi-point Massage
     The surrounding wall towers with water nozzles injects variety of water pressure that massage different parts of the body.
     14. Chest Jet Massage
     This System is best relished in a squatting position to fully feel the water pressure that strikes directly towards your chest.
     15. Waist Jet Massage
     This system uses high and low water jet nozzles that produces strong water pressure.
     16. Upper Body Jet Massage
     Rigid water pours down from the elevated jets rubbing down the upper parts of the body. This massage system is NOT RECOMMENDED for those with osteoporosis.
     17. High Pressure Massage
     This system uses high and low water jet nozzles that produces strong water pressure.

Kids also could enjoy the following facilities which we got try as well:
     1. Kids Pool – a specially designed pool ideal for small kids. Play hide and seek in the mushroom falls as you get hit by a big water gun. (the big water guns weren't working when we visited the place)
     2. Floor Fountain – try “walking” on water as you enjoy the fountain. (this too isn't functioning yesterday)
    3. Bucket Splash – cool down in this exciting “pull the string” surprise!
     4. Lazy River – enjoy floating around in the current that goes the entire pool while bonding with the family.
Other facilities are: 
Feel rejuvenated in the 6 hot pools that have natural herbs for a relaxing aromatic experience.
    1. Mint Pool – has the temperature of 36 C.
    2. Jasmine Pool – will surely make you invigorated while relaxing your muscles. This pool is marked at 38 C.
    3. Lavander Pool – is the hottest pool with 40 C as its temperature, while the lavander scent keeps the skin soft and smooth. 
    4. Steam and Sauna
The Steam and Sauna will remove excess water and fats from the body.
As you step outside in this area, the cool and misty natural fog that is sprayed in the area will surely complete this heavenly ambiance.
    5. Cold Pool
This is the fastest way to cool down after using the hot herbal pools, steam or sauna.
Contrast Therapy Plunge is a special hydrotherapy experience wherein an alternate plunging into the hot herbal pools and cool pool takes place. Why do you need to do this? Click here. Tried this twice after each hot herbal pool session and dipped for few seconds. Really cold!
    6. Lapping Pool
Approximately 25m 4-lanes swimming pool is ideal for swimmers and soon-to-be swimmers to practice their “winning” strokes.
***All services information copied from Ace Water Spa's Website

 Kids' Area, Soft Massages and Moderate Massages accordingly. 
Photos from Ace Water Spa's website which I compiled myself.
 Hard Massages, Hot Herbal Pools, and Steam, Sauna and Pools accordingly. 
Photos from Ace Water Spa's website which I compiled myself.

We went to their cafe after to avail our complimentary soup and ordered Chicken Quesadilla which is really flavorful and has good amount of filling!

In totality, we had a great time! Deciding to go at Ace Water Spa is the nearest, most convinient, and one of the cheapest escapades EVERRR! It is also the most enticing getaway without the need and the hassle to go out of the metro for the want to plunge into the water. :) They have steam and sauna and hot herbal pools which I dig the most at Ace Water Spa. AHHH... sooooo good! 
  YAY! Them outside the building!

Entrance fee is P550 for adults and P250 for kids below 4 feet tall.

Ace Water Spa Quezon City:
399 Del Monte Avenue (near cor. Banaue St.)
SFDM, Quezon City
Trunkline:
(02) 367-8040 to 41 | (02) 367-8061 to 62 | (02) 415-0164

Ace Water Spa Pasig City:
United st. cor. Brixton st. (near Pioneer)
Pasig City
Trunkline: (02) 451-1111 | (02) 582-5754
Customer Hotline: 
(02) 404-9995


Operating Hours:
Sundays to Thursdays - 6 AM to 10 PM
Fridays to Saturdays - 6 AM to 11 PM



  

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I keep coming back to Los Banos!

Los Banos will forever be my escape from my walled dread. I even have this make-believe that Los Banos is a separate entity, that it has a world of its own. At times, its weather even deviates from other/most PH areas. How come? Or is it just me? ;) What I am certain of though is there's always, always that feeling that I am in a different world  whenever I am there --a world where I can always start anew, a world away from stress, anxiety, anger, and even plain boredom. 

I went back to Los Banos last Thursday and was there till Friday. The place never fails to calm my spirit and fill me up again. Parang 'gas station' lang... ganon! Parang ex lang pero clingy pa rin ako sa kanya... ganon!
Stone benches!
Pink and lace love!! <3
 Saw Dinobunsoy! <3
 LB visit was funded! Helloooo, I currently don't have extra money! :X
 Great catchin' up with Lyn! 
Hope you land on a great job, pretty! <3
Fall in LB!
Tambayan for 3 years! 
Beloved department in that building!

How about you? Where is your happy place? :-)



 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

I was once painted!

Some of you might know about this already, I was painted as a T'boli woman of Lake Sebu by our very own Jun Alfon! haha! 
Kamukha ko ba? ;)
T'boli kids in traditional wear <3
 T'boli women of South Cotabato are known as great weavers. 
T’nalak is made from abaca and dyed with natural vegetable dyes in red and black. The red is said to represent bravery, commitment and love, while the black stands for struggles, hardships and perseverance. The geometric patterns vary from piece to piece, with no two pieces of t’nalak being exactly alike. In the past, T’nalak was used as a dowry or a bride price, as well as to barter for farm animals.

Aside from the well-made T'nalak, they also produce beadworks such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, belts and other more!

Which reminds me of the necklace I wore on my previous post :)
From Abaseria formerly Ethnic Ventures in Cebu


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