Everyday Adventures: January 2015

A Day of Pampering at Borsa Nail Salon and Spa

By Mommy Donna and Kib - January 30, 2015

I rarely get a mani-pedi. I feel ashamed to show my nails, particularly my toenails. It has been mentioned on my earlier post that I prefer having a massage than having a mani-pedi as my stress reliever.

Anyway, since it's holiday season, I just wanted to treat myself with a mani-pedi. I have been seeing Borsa Nail Salon and Spa at the second floor of the building outside our village whenever I pay bills at Bayad Center. I wanted to give it a try, but due to time constraints, I can’t stay extra longer to treat myself. I saw their Facebook page and the level of my curiosity heightened as they are using organic nail polish brands such as Zoya, Sparituals, and Orly. So, I promised to myself that I will find time to try their services the next time I pay bills.

This is what you will see as you enter the building. Their counter looks classy

Here's their stash of organic nail polish. They still have another bucket but I wasn't able to take photos of it

So last December, after paying bills, I dropped by at Borsa Nail Salon and Spa since I don’t have anything to do then. I availed of the organic hand and feet spa since it is also on promo (20% off from their regular price). My son chose to have hand spa. Immediately the staff prepared the things needed, they’re very quick to move around.

My son is also having a 'me time'. The attendant was very glad to be of service to Kib, nagno-nosebleed daw sya, haha

Two ladies attended to me, one for the hands and one for the feet

At first my feet and hands were soaked in warm water with something on it. After that they have scrubbed my hands up to elbow level and feet up to knee level. Then, the mani-pedi begins….

The attendants also massaged my arms and legs in-between mani-pedi session.

Aaaahhh!!!!! So relaxing!

Since I want a Christmas-themed nail polish, I chose a metallic blue color with glitters on top.

My nails without the glitters

Tada! This is now the finished product!

My toenails being dried

The usual Kib...made friends with other customers while waiting for me to be done

My son also enjoyed his manicure that he was proud of his nails ‘shining like a diamond’.

"Mommy, my fingernails are shining like a diamond!" The attendant put a clear nail polish on his fingernails

Overall, I was so happy with the color and service. For sure, I will try Borsa Nail Spa again for some kikay stuff.

Borsa Nail Salon and Spa is at second floor, Rublou Marketplace, A. Bonifacio St., Cainta, Rizal

0 Comments

Aqua Mineral

One Fine Saturday

By Mommy Donna and Kib - January 26, 2015

When weekend is coming near, Kib will always ask me, “Mom where are we going this weekend?” I guess he also feels boredom because all week long we are just at home (remember, he is homeschooled and I work from home). So this Saturday, January 24^th, I was able to find something to do outside our home. I always make sure that my day outside home is productive because I want to save energy and gasoline.

First, I went to Sophiaphotography studio to pick-up Kib’s DVD compilation of the raw and edited photos from his last photoshoot (see previous blog here).

Next stop, Gateway Cubao. I met a college friend whom I haven’t seen for a long time. So surprised to learn that we work at the same company as ESL Online Teacher and we do both have a blog (shameless plug: please do check her blog, inlovewithsunflower.blogspot.com). We ate lunch together and she was also delighted to meet my son for the first time. We parted ways at around 3pm.

Our groupie photo

While walking towards the basement parking, a salesperson from Aqua Mineral gave me a piece of glycerin soap and immediately took my time by demonstrating the other products to me. I didn’t mind being stopped since I am not in a hurry on that day. Actually I already have seen and tested their products before; however I find it pricey so I didn’t purchase anything from them. But since they have some ongoing promos I got somehow interested in their products.

I also liked the way the salesperson accommodated Kib. Most of the time people get intimidated at Kib since he is an English-speaking boy. But the salesperson also talked with Kib in English with confidence and without ‘complaining’ to me that she is having a hard time talking with my son. Also, when adults talk about skin care, kids are not part of the conversation or sales talk, but the salesperson let Kib experience the products too to show that their products are kid-friendly. Actually, I am really in search of kid-friendly products since Kib is into modeling industry so I want to keep his skin soft and blemish-free. I cannot just use any adult skin care products on him because it might destroy Kib’s young skin. In short, I was convinced to purchase their products.

Part of my ‘freebie’ was a facial using their products. It was not non-invasive; the salesperson just let me experience the other Aqua Mineral products. At first she only treated half of my face so that I can compare the results to the other half of my face. Honestly, I was happy with the results. The salesperson also let Kib to have something on his face too! Am I raising a ‘kikoy’ here? Haha

Half of my face being treated

Can you see any difference?

Kib having an experience with Aqua Mineral products

Tada! I feel fresh! I so love it!

One reason that I was convinced to purchase is because they have a zero percent interest installment plan in three months; therefore, I swiped the plastic, hihi. I’m just so happy with the customer service I received from them :)

This is what I bought from Aqua Mineral, can't wait to have kikay sessions with Kib, haha

Last stop for the day was at Greenfield Weekend Market. Reason why I wanted to check it out is because I wanted to buy organic veggies from Homegrown Organics. I was so surprised that their prices are cheap! I hoarded basil, lettuce, and arugula, haha…if you want to know how much it cost, just send me a private message. I think I am not in liberty to put it here because their regular price is much different from their selling price at Greenfield Weekend Market.

Yummy veggies! Can't wait to cook using these organic veggies

I also liked the vibe of the weekend market. It is just like the Balik-Bukid event in Sta. Elena Fun Farm but in the urban setting. There were picnic tables around, picnic mats on the lawn, and soothing live music to entertain the people. There were different varieties of stalls there, from food to accessories to home décor to antiques. The cool weather added to the wonderful ambience. The place was also pet-friendly; we greeted some dogs and had a short chat with their humans. There was a space at the back where kids can run and play with each other. I let Kib play with other kids for few minutes before we headed home.

Weather is so cool! Love it!

Kib joined an art contest courtesy of Trend Micro

He loves the grass!

My dinner. Pad Thai and green tea. I wasn't able to take photos of Kib's food because he's so hungry, haha

Here's Macho, a Basset Hound

Kib playing with the other kids at Greenfield Weekend Market

As I drive going home, Kib was already asking me to go back to Greenfield Weekend Market next week.

Next week’s adventure is for definitely a different one. One thing’s for sure,: we will have a wonderful time no matter what.

3 Comments

animals

Kib's Animal Encounters

By Mommy Donna and Kib - January 22, 2015

I love animals. I truly appreciate animals no matter if they are dangerous or not, I mean, they're God's creation, definitely they have a purpose on earth. I also wanted my son to appreciate God's creation and one way of showing that is to expose him to different animals.

Since Kib was a year old, he has already lots of animal encounters from the zoos, pet shops, and animal shelters that we had visited.

Kib's first encounter with a snake

Most animal encounters are with animals that me myself won't even dare to touch. Please don't judge me for being a sissy mom; I can touch furry and feathery animals but not reptiles. You can let me touch a baby tiger but not a baby crocodile or a baby snake. You can let me touch a giant bird, even allowing it to sit on my arms or shoulders but not bats. Therefore, I'm choosy on which animals to touch, haha.

Below are his photos from different places that we visited:

1. Ark Avilon

2. From Kinder Zoo

3. Boracay

4. Bohol

5. Manila Ocean Park

6. Tagaytay

7. Zoobic Safari

8. Sta. Elena Fun Farm

9. Davao

Even if Kib has lots of animal encounters, there are some instances that Kib still fears them. He likes dogs but not those dogs who are too playful and who bark at him. He likes carrying crocodiles but it should be light in weight (nabibigatan). He likes touching the feathers of birds and letting it sit on his finger but not on his arms (nasasaktan sa mga claws).

I also do not mind paying extra bucks for a photo opportunity with the animals in the zoo. For me it is the zoo's 'creative' way of generating funds for the zoo because taking care of these animals is no joke, it's really costly. Sometimes, I put few bucks on the donation boxes if a zoo has that.

I would love to have another encounter with animals again. If budget permits, I wish to go to Thailand to ride an elephant, isn't that cool?!