[ACE your summer]

Get a different kind of spa experience through hydrotherapy from ACE WATER SPA, like what we had yesterday.

Our family, my sister's & my mom went to its Pasig branch located inside the ACE Plaza (corner United & Brixton Streets). But only us girls, entered the spa premises while the boys waited for us in the lounge. It was a relaxing, therapeutic experience for us.  Aside from the lap pool, lazy river & water features, one can enjoy the health benefits of the 25 unique & fully automated ultrasonic massage systems. I particularly favored the ones that get to massage your shoulders, backs, torso & feet. The full-length shower system that massages your whole body while lying face down is also a repeat go-to area. For a relaxing treat, a dip in their 4 hot herbal pools (lavender, citronella, mint & jasmine) is recommended.  However, children & adults with a history of hypertension are not allowed in this area, including the sauna & steam rooms.

All in all, the price of Php 550/head for 4-hours maximum stay is worth it. It maybe expensive for some, I think this pays for the clean pool/shower/locker areas & nice staff service. It's a good thing also that the lifeguards were very visible & reasonably strict with their rules to ensure your safe stay while in the premises.

Too bad, not enough pictures of the spa were taken while we were inside because of their privacy policy. Only these sneak peeks.

taken from the lounge area

buffet offers at the ACE Coffee Lounge

The lady at the counter informed us of their on-going SPA & SPA+BUFFET promos. Call them to inquire about these.

Before going there to get yourself hydro-massaged,  it's best to know their rules.

[a nice, catchy tune]

I've been hearing this song so frequently for the past weeks from my girls. Getting my own dose of LSS (last song syndrome].

It's SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW by Gotye, a Belgian singer/songwriter who wrote this to lyrically capture the experiences he has had with relationships. The song was released on July 2011, rose to critical acclaim & a surprising success in Australia, became #1on the music charts in mid-April 2012 in many countries, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Denmark, and the USA. As of April this year,  4.5 million copies had been sold  worldwide according to Universal Republic.

It has become so popular that many versions of the song have come up:

in GLEE

in AMERICAN IDOL

[PEP TALK FOR TODAY series: #41]

[PEP TALK FOR TODAY series: #40]

[PEP TALK FOR TODAY series: #39]

[PEP TALK FOR TODAY series: #38]

[not just another SNOW WHITE]

Another take on the classic fairy tale-turned-into-a-movie, SNOW WHITE. 

This upcoming action fantasy film stars CHARLIZE THERON as the evil QUEEN RAVENNA, KRISTEN STEWART as Snow White, CHRIS HEMSWORTH as the Hunstman & SAM CLAFLIN as Prince William.

In a kingdom ruled by tyranny, the vain and selfish Queen Ravenna  learns that her stepdaughter, Snow White , is destined to surpass her not only as the "Fairest One of All" but also as the kingdom's future ruler. The Queen learns from her Magic Mirror (Christopher Obi) that the only way to remain in power is to consume Snow White's heart and achieve immortality. Meanwhile, Snow White escapes into the Dark Forest and Ravenna recruits the Huntsman Eric to kill Snow White. Eric, however, takes pity on the young princess and teaches Snow White the art of war. Now, with the aid of eight dwarves and Prince William, Snow White begins a rebellion to bring down her stepmother once and for all.

Watch this:

Coming to Manila soon.

[the marvelous AVENGERS]

We have yet to see this movie. So excited, but I guess it will just have to wait till this weekend.

The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The film was written and directed by Joss Whedon  and features an ensemble cast, which includes Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, & Samuel L. Jackson.  


In the movie, Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Iron Man, Thor, & Captain America to save the world from destruction.

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Open now in cinemas. Catch it.

[DESIGN PEG series: HUMONGOUS PENDANT LAMPS]

Proportion is one element to be considered in design. But sometimes, to provide that statement, one can go overboard & it still turns out fine, even fantastic, like these interiors with humongous pendant lamps:

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[scenes from a convention]

Had to set aside my mommy duties to attend the 38th UAP Convention  for 2 days at the SMX Convention Center. These are the photos I took.

OPENING DAY 

EXHIBIT AREA of CONEX 2012

SEMINARS

Day 1

Atty. ROSE BEATRIZ CRUZ-ANGELES tackled The National Cultural Heritage  Act of 2009, an Act providing for the Protection & Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage, Strengthening the National Commission on Culture & the Arts (NCCA) & its affiliated cultural agencies & for other purposes. Learn more about this law here.

Mr. MARK UNGLAUB, an American Certified Door Consultant (CDC) & Architectural Hardware Consultant (AHC)  discussed the door elements & components of fire doors in FIRE & LIFE SAFETY.

Ar. EMELITO PUNZALAN talked about Climate Change, Sustainable Design & the GREEEN Building Rating System of Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI) in Working with GREEEN.

Day 2

 Product demonstration by KWIKSET

Dean GLORIA B. TEODORO of the the School of Architecture, Industrial Design & the Built Environment of the Mapua Institute of Technology delved on Nurturing the Gift of Mentoring of Future Architects.

Venue of special NATCON events

Ar. GLENN BONTIGAO spoke about his involvement in the planning & design of the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in LANDMARKS: Iconic Architecture. 

Ar. JOJO TOLENTINO of AIDEA, Philippines told the audience how his company became an internationally renowned architectural firm, Top 86 out of 100 in 2009, through his firm's efforts in providing professional design services to local & global clients in CROSS-BORDER DESIGN COLLABORATION.

Product Demonstration by MATIMCO

Ar. MAE MICHELENA-CRUZ of LEANDRO V. LOCSIN & Partners, discussed the life & works of National Artist for Architecture, Ar. Leandro Locsin, Sr. &  the stories behind his projects, notably the CCP, which are considered iconic structures today. Aside from these, she also described the firm's latest projects in ICONS OF ARCHITECTURE.

the National Artist as a young architect

[someone's wearing a KIMONO jacket]

Kimono jackets are becoming the trend now.

You can see celebrities

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& fashion bloggers wearing them.

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My eldest wanted to have one so we scoured the stores in M!M! fashion market & found it. Haggled it for  Php 500  (from Php 550). The Greenhills tiangge (bazaar)  is also a good place to get this. 

[up close & personal]

While looking through the HOUZZ website for my post on pendant lamps, this one caught my eye. It's huge & dandelion-like.

And I saw this today, up close & personal, at the RICAD booth at CONEX 2012, an on-going construction exhibition held in conjunction with the 38th UAP National Convention. 

It's the MASKROS from IKEA, a 55"-inch diameter pendant lamp which projects different patterns on the wall & ceiling when lit.

RICAD is just one of the many exhibitor-participants at CONEX 2012. If you want to know & see for yourself the latest construction material trends, catch it on its last day tomorrow,  from 9 am-6 pm at the SMX Convention Center.

[GOT TO HAVE THIS! series: MASTER BEDROOMS]

Grab those 40 winks or indulge in deep slumber in one of these master bedroom design inspirations.

What I love about the rooms:

capiz pendant lamp,  sunburst mirror, soothing room color

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four-poster bed with draw curtains

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geometric pattern in wallpaper, built-in headboard & side tables, night lamps

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curtains instead of closet doors

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pendant lamp, framed photos on a ledge, fabric pattern of padded headboard

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oversized pendant lamp  & ladder used as clothes rack

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grasscloth wallpaper, swing chair, tufted headboard, 

ceramic stool used as side table

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