Qiwellness Living Tagaytay: the Bath House

I was very fortunate to be invited last August 30 to Qiwellness Living, a new dining and spa destination in Tagaytay. They had just opened recently so I was really excited to check the place out with hubby, who was my date for the evening.

We were greeted by these huge red doors which only hinted as to what lay behind them...

Once we entered, we were welcomed by the sound of a gong, which they do to announce their guests' arrival. We were a bit surprised by this since the sound was quite loud, but it was pretty cool hehe. ;p

Inspired by centuries-old architecture, cuisine, and healing practices of China, and combined with modern design, culinary techniques, and advances in wellness, Qiwellness Living reflects the sublime synergy of the old and the new, and presents a distinctive ambient, dining, and spa experience. I have to say, every inch of the place looks gorgeous and was begging for a photo-op! 

remember my dress? finally got to wear it hehe ;p

I loved all the furniture, but my absolute favorite has got to be these Ming Dynasty 2 meter high chairs. Don't we look so regal sitting on them? Parang King and Queen ang peg lol! ;p

The place is divided into 2 areas: the Bath House, which is their spa, & the Tea House, which is the restaurant. I'll dedicate this post to the Bath House first, so I can focus on showing you their facilities for massages and treatments.

The Chinese Bath House

Bath houses have been part of Chinese culture for hundreds of years. The Chinese congregate in a common place that is the bath house, similar to other bathing cultures. The bathhouse at Qiwellness Living offers one a sanctuary of relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal. They bring effective traditional and holistic healing practices in a modern setting thru massages and hydrotherapy.

This is their yin yang pool, which provides cold and hot plunges offering a multitude of health benefits while giving a greater sense of overall well-being. I can't wait to be back and just take a dip with that amazing view of the Taal lake. Pure perfection right? :)

This is the opium den where their dry signature massage and reflexology treatments are done.

This is their private room with an ensuite rainshower for their other spa services.

So nice right? If you're into massages and spas, then this place is a must for you to visit. You can check out their website for a list of their services and packages. I definitely can't wait to be back with hubby to avail our 90-minute signature massage! :)

Read about their TEA HOUSE HERE.

Website: www.qiwellnessliving.ph

Facebook: www.facebook.com/qiwellnessliving

Teaser for our family pictorial

We're finally done with our latest family photoshoot and I am so excited to see the pictures! Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect hehe. :)

Here's the outfits I came up with based on my Pinterest inspirations. We also changed into another set, but you'll have to wait for the edited photos later on to see. :)

The photographer did an excellent job with the set-up. I asked for a travel theme and I love all the props he used! I think our outfits matched the background perfectly too. :)

It was a very long and tiring day making the kids pose and stand still for the camera. It was definitely challenging getting everyone to smile for the family pics! There would always be someone looking away, or with their eyes closed, or not smiling haha! I just hope we got at least one perfect shot. ;p

Anyway, I was so surprised when I saw Sabre's pic on the photographer's Facebook page the next day (with more than 700 likes!). The photos looks amazing but I have to be patient since it will take about 3-4 weeks to edit everything daw!

Can't wait to see the rest of the finished pics and share them with all of you! :)

How I got my Korean Tourist Visa

Applying for my Korean Tourist Visa was so much easier that I expected. Not like when I applied for my Australian Tourist Visa which was more complicated and expensive too!

All you have to do is visit the Korean Embassy website for the requirements. Love how there's even a category for housewives hehe. :)

http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/requirement/index.jsp

Then, just print out and fill up the application form also found on their website. There's a second page which gives instructions on how to fill out the form.

http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/form/20111026/28259_file_VISA%20APPLICATION%20FORM.pdf

Good news also for BPI Gold and Platinum Cardholders since I saw this notice in their Visa Announcement section:

When you have all your requirements, just proceed to the Korean Embassy located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

• The Korean Embassy is located at the corner of Upper Mckinley Rd. and C5 Rd, right beside the British Embassy.
• From Guadalupe MRT Station or Market-Market, take the FTI-C5 jeepney. It will take 20 minutes from Guadalupe MRT Station and 7 minutes from Market-Market.
• From the Venice Piazza at Mckinley Hill, there is a free shuttle bus that will take you to Upper McKinely Rd. The ride will take about 10 minutes. The Embassy is within walking distance from the last Bust Stop at Mckinley Rd.
• When you take a cab/taxi, ask the driver to drop you off at the Korean Embassy at Mckinley Hill along C5 road, beside the British Embassy.

Visa application time is from 9am-11am, Monday to Friday. I went on a Tuesday and arrived there at about 9:30am. I signed in their log sheet and was required to leave an ID in exchange for their guest pass.

Once inside, I just handed my documents to the person right by the entrance who is in charge of checking the papers. Everything was ok so he gave me a number and told me to go to Window 3, which is for frequent travelers or those who have traveled as tourists to the OECD member countries within 5 years (in my case Australia). When I checked the number that was called, I was surprised that I was next! And once it was my turn, the girl just checked if my documents were complete then gave me the claim stub which said that my passport would be released after 3 days.

It just took me all of 10 minutes and I was done! It was so funny since just when hubby was able to find parking, he received my text that I was finished hehe. Sayang daw P30 niya! I guess I was just lucky din since I noticed more people arriving when I left. ;p

Anyway, I guess I was so happy and excited when I was done that I didn't realize until we got home that I still had that damn guest ID clipped on me! Which meant I left my driver's license back at the Embassy. Haaaay stupid! Good thing my brother-in-law works in Fort so he was able to go there na lang and get it for me. ;p

We went back last Friday to the Embassy for the releasing of passports which is from 2pm-4pm, Monday to Friday. It started raining like crazy when we were on the road so we got stuck in a bit of traffic. I got there at 3:30pm but I had to walk quite a bit since hubby wasn't able to drop me right in front. And it was getting flooded na ha! Needless to say, I got soaked and my shoes got ruined. But again, it was very quick once I got inside since I was able to get my passport immediately in just a few minutes. And good news since I was approved for multiple entries for 3 years! Yahoooo! Korea, here I come! :)


KOREAN EMBASSY Contact Numbers:

• (Tel) (63-2) 856-9210  visa local no. 270, 500
• (FAX) (63-2) 856-9008, 9019, 9024 (Consular section)
• (E-Mail) philippines@mofa.go.kr, ph04@mofa.go.kr (Consular section)

Korea, here I come!

My hubby will be going to Korea for work for a few days and after much deliberation, I've decided to join him. I really had to think hard about it since I'm still exclusively breastfeeding Skyler. I thought about bringing him, but then decided against it. I personally feel that young kids, especially those 1 year old and below, won't appreciate or remember anything from the trip anyway. And they'll just get tired particularly if you spend the whole day outside walking and sightseeing. Kawawa naman especially if it's hot or you go to crowded places. For me, I feel that it's better for them to stay at home where they'll be more comfortable. Of course, it's a different story if you have no one to leave your baby with. But in my case, my mom was very willing to take care of the kids while we're away.

Don't get me wrong, I admire parents who bring their kids everywhere because I know it's not easy. We've traveled with Miley and Sabre last year to Singapore without a yaya and it was definitely challenging. Anytime you travel with kids, you have to think about them first. You have to realize that you can't go to all the places you want or do everything on your itinerary. You have to deal with temper tantrums, bathroom breaks, lugging around strollers and heavy baby bags... At times, it may not even feel like a vacation since you're extra tired too!

I'm sure for other parents, the prospect of leaving their kids while they go away seems outrageous. And I do understand that feeling as well. I think anytime you're away from you're kids, you get apprehensive and end up missing and thinking about them the whole time.

This will be the first time I'll be away from Skyler since he was born so I'm still honestly feeling mommy guilt. But he's turning 8 months now and I think I've got to cut myself some slack. Breastfeeding makes things a little bit more difficult, but I've been working on my milk stash this past month so Skyler will have plenty to drink while I'm away. I also fully intend to pump on this trip and bring my breastmilk home. I've already done the research and bought all the necessary storage supplies.

Bottom-line, I'm going on this trip since I believe it's important to have a break once in a while. Like any other job, being a stay-at-home mom can be exhausting. I love my kids but there are honestly days when I just want to get some "me" time. This will also be a great time for me and hubby to spend quality time together which I think is important for any couple. :)

So yes, I've finally allowed myself to get excited about this trip since this will also be my first time to visit Korea. I'm sure I'll miss my kids everyday and I'll probably be thinking about them the whole time I'm there. But I also know that when I come back, I'll be recharged and ready to face my mommy duties head on once more! :)

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Family Portrait Outfit Ideas - Neutrals

I've just booked a session for a new family photoshoot in the coming weeks and I'm super excited (check out our past portraits HERE and HERE). Right now though, I'm thinking of what we're all going to wear and I've pretty much changed my mind so many times already. We've already done white, black, and denim outfits before so I want to do something different although I love how those looks turned out.

I've always been a big fan of neutrals when it comes to portraits since I want to keep it simple, classic and timeless. Besides, you want the focus to be on you and not the clothes right? But of course, I think you should still choose outfits that show your personal style so that you'll be comfortable and confident during the shoot. I've been searching Pinterest for ideas and inspirations and here are some of my favorites:

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What do you think? I love how they're not so "matchy-matchy" but everything still looks good together. Now time to make up my mind and I still have some shopping to do! ;p

Flaunting my Finds from Seek the Uniq

I don't remember exactly how I came across the online store Seek the Uniq in Instagram, but I know that once I did, I was definitely hooked! They have such fabulous clothes, especially their bestselling kimonos and tunics. The only problem was that everything would get sold out at once, so you really have to make up your mind quickly when you see something you like or else you'll miss out.

love how they wrap their packages :)

I personally find the clothes a bit on the expensive side, since the prices range from P1,500 to about P3,000. The kimonos start at P1,400 while the tunics are P1,660. I really love all the clothes, but honestly I kept thinking that I could buy more items for the same price elsewhere. Like I've found kimonos online and in bazaars for as low as P180 each.

But I guess that's why they're called Seek the Uniq - because their items are indeed unique. Aside from clothing, they also sell accessories, bags, make-up, home decor, and even books! So after stalking their site for the longest time, I finally made my first purchase... and then some more. ;p

I finally found a tunic I liked that wasn't sold out at once!

This wooden peacock tray was something I couldn't pass up.

I also got a baby kimono for Miley. Like mother, like daughter! ;p

You all know I love pineapples, so this canister was a no-brainer. I also got it in green.

Now, they had a contest a few months ago called "Flaunt Your Finds" where you post your most creative shots of your buys on Instagram. Can you spot some of my entries below? ;)

Needless to say, I really, really, REALLY wanted to win. And I guess I was quite lucky because I did! Check out my winning entry, Tray Chic:

Check out my prizes! The box it came in was an extra special treat too - it was so nice!

Renegade Folk sandals (the ones I wanted were out of my size, but these were cute too)

1969 by Joyce Makitalo Oracle necklace

Butter London nail polish

Napoli Mesh Coverup

another Pineapple Canister in pink...

which perfectly fits in with the other two I already had.

Not a bad haul for just posting a photo on IG right? I'm still stalking their site like crazy though, drooling over all the items practically everyday. I'll probably give in one of these days and buy something. But for now, these finds will do. :)

DIY: String Laser Maze

My kids get so active sometimes, it's hard to think of ways to keep them entertained at home. They're at that age where they love playing pretend and using their imaginations. I find it so cute when I catch them talking to themselves while playing with their toys, making up different scenarios and characters! :)

One afternoon, Miley was telling me how she was bored and wanted to do arts and crafts. I honestly wasn't in the mood to take out all their painting materials again since they had just made a huge mess in our room the day before. So I thought of doing this activity I read about - a String Laser Maze!

It's super fast and easy to do but you're kids will spend hours having so much fun, guaranteed! All you need is yarn (or any type of long string) and masking tape!

Just tape the end of the yarn to the wall and then start weaving it in a criss-cross pattern across the room at varying heights...

I also threaded the yarn through the cabinet handles...

And also through the chairs...

In the end, you'll have something that looks like this! It's ideal to do this in a hallway, in your garden, or any area where you don't have to worry about breaking anything. In our case, we used the dining room and just pushed the table and chairs to one side so we had more floor space.

Needless to say, the kids were so excited to play spy agents, Mission Impossible style! We made up this whole story where they had to get the treasure at the other end of the maze. If they touched the string, an "alarm" would go off (basically me just making a siren sound lol!) and then the cops (me again) would have to bring them to jail! Haha! ;p

I swear this was so much fun, and it was a great workout for the kids too. You'd be amazed at how a simple piece of string could provide so much excitement! This was a great experience and we've done it a number of times again since the kids couldn't get enough. Go ahead and try it too and have your own spy adventure with the whole family! :)