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Sponsored Review Last month, I took a short spa vacation amidst the bustle and hustle of Orchard Road. Despite the absence of balmy breezes, sunshine and relaxing sounds of ocean waves, I still found bliss in a luxurious whirlpool tub, spacious steam room and a slew of invigorating body massages. Forget the sun and sand. Melt the lingering stress and tension away with swoon-worthy services by Spa Infinity . Psst! I’m giving away free facials too! You wouldn’t believe it. The luxurious oasis I am talking about is located just behind this badly painted door… … and across this carpark at the basement of Far East Shopping Centre. Tadah! And here we are! Enter the premises and you’ll be immediately greeted by the warm smiles of the Spa Infinity staff. Spa Infinity is actually an affiliate of Spa Symphony (SS) which I reviewed earlier so I thought the spa exuded the same luxuriant essence as SS with its lush facilities and services. I was also glad to hear that the therapists at Spa Infinity are also certified and well-trained in providing spa services. Kelly of Spa Infinity assured me that their treatments use only high quality natural ingredients that are eco-certified and suitable for all skin types. Most products are made in France and awarded by the renowned International Beauty Institute. And now, to enjoy the Spa Infinity experience to the fullest, play this and take a quick pictorial tour with me! Comfy cushioned chairs in the lobby The spa gives off a natural rainforest aura with its relaxing ginger scents, soothing meditation music and generous pots of green plants that can be spotted at every corner. There are also comfortable massage beds that are hidden behind ‘bushes’ for quick stress relief. Spa Infinity adds a dash of the tropics to the already awesome experience with warm fruit teas that are served before the massage. I also explored the bathroom and was awed by the large jacuzzi, steam room and comprehensive range of toiletries provided in it. The walls and platforms were distinctively designed with shiny tiles and tiny pebbles to complement the resort design of the spa. The changing room was also aptly equipped with lockers, robes and hangers. My six-hour spa experience commenced with a beauty assessment with the Spa Infinity therapists where I addressed my skincare and body concerns. I was also asked to fill out these forms for their records. My heavy workload has made me fall victim to stress related symptoms like indigestion, headaches and back aches. So Angeline of Spa Infinity suggested that I use Life Source’s Essential Oils Body Elixir to treat the symptoms. Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of rubbing oil all over the body as they tend to clog pores and cause breakouts on my back. Angeline assured me that the oils are non-pore clogging as they are water soluble which allows the pores to ‘breathe’ even after applying multiple layers on the skin. The oils are mainly made up of high concentrations of Oleic Sunflower Oil, Rice Bran, Almond Oil and Vitamin E. These are some of the uses of the oils. Angeline has chosen ‘HEAL’ for my massage to target the stress-related pains and discomfort. And here we go! Warning! Gratuitous topless shot coming up next! LOL! My massage was executed by Zhou Hua, an experienced masseuse who’s served thousands of satisfied customers over her 9-year career. I get frequent migraines so Zhou Hua also rubbed my temples and the area above the arch of my brows to relax the muscles. She even taught me some basic massage techniques to prevent future headaches! How sweet. 🙂 After two and a half hours of friendly banter and therapeutic massages with Lifesource products, Zhou Hua treated me to a heavenly Green Tea Thermal Detox Mask that relieves body aches, aids digestion and circulation. Zhou Hua laid a loosely woven gauze sheet on my back and applied a warm layer of green tea mask on it. I’m a big matcha fanatic so the rich green tea aroma of the mask sent me to seventh heaven instantly. In case you’re wondering, the key ingredients of the mask are french seaweed mud and green tea. Long term usage helps reduce fat storage, boost metabolism and relieve aches and pains. It is best used to curb stress, back or shoulder aches and belly fat. If you’re looking to reduce cellulite and firm skin, you could also request to add organic products from Centella into your mask. The main ingredients in Centella products are Pure Spring Water and Centella Asiatica. There are a thousand great benefits of the Pure Spring Water. Some of them include improving blood circulation and skin cell regeneration, promoting collagen proliferation, accelerating skin healing and reducing formation of fine lines. Centella Asiatica, which originated in Asia and Madagascar, is used to lighten acne scars and pigmentation, accelerate skin healing, erase fine lines, promote collagen synthesis and prevent premature aging. Feeling refreshed after the salubrious session. Before I went on to my next treatment, I was invited to the Spa’s very own diner for a quick lunch. The diner offered some pretty cool culinary choices such as sandwiches, glutinous rice and ice-cream! And I chose this mouth-watering Tom Yam soup! Haha! It wasn’t on the menu but they offer daily specials and that day, the special item was my favorite Thai Tom Yam soup! After a hearty and fulfilling meal, I proceeded to my next treatment that was administered by the lovely Chloe. I was asked to choose a facial treatment for this session and I chose to experience the goodness of the Bian Stone Gua Sha facial again. You can read about my full review of the facial here . The Bian Stone Gua Sha facial is actually the brainchild of Albert who’s also the Training Manager of Spa Infinity. I met Albert during lunch and he explained the advantages of using the bian stone instead of machines for treatments. According to him, the stone has a warming effect which creates ultrasonic wave pulses to enable skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Massaging the bian stone on the skin will promote circulation of oxygen-laden blood that in turn helps to clean the pores and dissolve toxins. This not only helps you achieve healthier complexion, it also slims and firms the face effectively. Since this is his baby, it’s no surprise that the man himself is a regular enjoyer of the Bian Stone Gua Sha facial. Albert is more than 50 years old and this is his face after years of Bian Stone treatment. :O Albert, Training Manager of Spa Infinity ‘Nuff said! Where’s my Bian stone? I need a thorough facial treatment now! I had CC cream on so Chloe removed it with a a mild herbal aroma conditioning plant make up remover that did not contain chemicals and colorant. She then measured the distance between my nose and jaw. It’s 4.6 inches before the treatment. After some cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and bian stone massaging, she measured my face again. The distance between the nose and jaw was shortened to 4.5 inches. Amazing! Does my face look sharper? 😛 What’s a facial treatment without a facial mask? Chloe applied the H2O mask which is power packed with antioxidants that help fight free radicals, slow down the effects of aging and encourage collagen production for healthy, glowing skin. Read more about it here . And I’m done! I’ve turned on the flash to give you a clearer view of my face. I thought it was glowing with radiance. What do you think? 😀 Thanks Chloe! Chloe and me. Do you suffer from headaches, joint, neck, back or any other musculoskeletal pain? These could be due to various factors such as muscle strain, injury, poor posture, etc. Well, to get a more accurate diagnosis, you could also visit Spa Infinity’s in-house Chiropractic Clinic that is managed by Dr. Alexandros Karaplis. According to Dr. Karaplis, the most common causes of headaches are dysfunction of the joints in the neck, stress, bad posture and visual strain. And after some examination, he deduced that my neck had a slight deviation to the right side which may in turn be the reason why I get headaches now and then. The deviation is a result of my bad sitting posture as a consequence of sitting in front of a laptop and typing everyday. Geez. Never knew blogging has occupational hazards too. To rectify this, he suggested using my less dominant hand (which is the left hand) to move my computer mouse. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the natural forward curve of the lower back with ergonomically designed chairs or cushions that provide back support. Dr. Karaplis provided many useful tips that afternoon on correcting and restoring spinal instability and strengthening spinal muscles. If you would like to relieve your body pain and improve your posture without medication or surgery, you may want to consider Chiropractic. For further info, consult their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/InfinityChiropractic88 Dr. Karaplis did some chiropractic adjustments and recommended that I use the jacuzzi and steam bath to relax the stiff joints and muscles after the session. And so I did! 😀 Just when you think it can’t get any better. 😛 Afterthoughts… It is evident that I had a great time at Spa Infinity. Despite its lavish treatments and facilities, it’s not a frou frou establishment. The spa delivers top-notch service and effective wellness programs that are not only therapeutic but also surprisingly affordable – most facials at Spa Infinity cost SGD250 or less. Both therapists, Chloe and Zhou Hua also seemed pretty happy and contented with their jobs and constantly sang praises of their boss and the managment team of Spa Infinity. Well, happy employees make happy clients. I was smiling from ear to ear throughout the treatment. Trust me, you’ll love its positive atmosphere too. 4.5 Honeyz crowns! Spa Infinity is located at 545 Orchard Road #B1-22 Far East Shopping Centre, Singapore 238882. Contact them at +65 6738 0069 for appointments. Visit their website at www.spainfinity.com.sg for further info about their services and promotions. Exclusive for Honeyz Belles! Spa Infinity wants to treat two lucky belles to their Rejuvenating 60-min Organic Facial (worth SGD130)! The Rejuvenating Organic Facial uses miracle herb Centella Asiatica to aid skin renewal, smoothen skin’s texture, lighten acne scars and dark spots, encourage collagen production to erase fine lines and to prevent premature aging. And it includes a relaxing pressure point massage to promote better circulation for luminous, glowing skin. And guess what? The chosen winners will be entitled to two facial sessions each!!! All you have to do is like Honeyz’ Facebook Page and Spa Infinity’s Facebook Page. Then share this photo (see Honeyz’ Facebook Page ) and tag five of your friends in the comments box. Contest ends 28 August 2013, Wednesday 10pm. Good luck! Behold a beauty miracle with Spa Infinity! Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beautyreview #contest #beauty #SpaInfinity #SpaSymphony

Happy National Day everyone! Have a fantastic time ogling at the fireworks later! Your friend, Juliana #greetingcard #NationalDay2013

Heartiest greetings to all of you – Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Honeyz Cube extends our compliments to you with 100 free cubepoints! Enter ‘RAYA2013’ at http://honeyzcube.com/RedeemCode.aspx to celebrate this joyous and special occasion! *Promo code is valid till 14 August 2013. Your friend, Juliana #contest #beauty #FacebookGiveaway #HoneyzCube #HariRaya2013

Sponsored Review August is the month of flags, fireworks and… challenges! Yup. I bravely accepted The Body Shop’s 3-Day Clear Skin Challenge and this post documents the trials and tribulations of my beauty evolution. Wonder if I beat the challenge? Click to find out! The Body Shop calls them the Tea Tree Super Power Trio and these beauty warriors were sent to my abode for the 3-day clear skin challenge. Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash (SGD20.90) The new Tea Tree Cool and Creamy Wash is a deep-cleansing daily wash which leaves skin super-clean, fresh and velvety soft. For anyone concerned about blemishes, cleansing is the most important stage of a skincare regime, yet many of us find traditional face washes drying and demand something that is effective yet gentle on their skin. The Body Shop Tea Tree Cool and Creamy Wash is tough on blemish-causing bacteria and soft on skin. Working to intensely cleanse and purify, it instantly removes all impurities and excess oils, without over-drying. From the very first use, skin looks clearer and fresher and feels softer. Prevent further outbreaks with regular use. My verdict: As the name suggests, the texture is extremely creamy and soft. The menthol in the facial wash creates a cold sensation which leaves the skin visibly bright and refreshed after washing. It is mild on the skin and harsh on the acne-causing bacteria. My skin hardly feels tight or dry after washing and excess sebum and impurities were also successfully eradicated after the second use. 4 Honeyz crowns for adhering to its promises! Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub (SGD24.90) The Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub effortlessly removes accumulated dirt and impurities of the day. Suspended within The Body Shop’s vibrant cooling gel, specially selected exfoliants gently uproot impurities whilst caring bursting beads release their skin loving goodness. My verdict: I’ve always chosen my scrubs very carefully as harsh exfoliators may cause redness and wrinkles. Before I embarked on my ‘Squeaky Clean’ journey, I squirted a small blop as shown below to feel the composition of the gel and beads. I never liked scrubs that use rough and irregularly-shaped beads as they produce a gritty and abrasive feeling on the skin. Thankfully, the Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub uses round and smooth granules that felt gentle yet effective. I was also glad that it does not contain glycol which may loosen the bonds of my lash extension glue . For its skin-polishing efficacy and minty fragrance, 3.5 Honeyz crowns! Tea Tree Oil (SGD18.90) The Tea Tree Oil can be used directly on the skin or during facial steaming. My verdict: Even though the product is in oil form, the skin did not feel greasy for long after application. The oil was absorbed almost immediately by the skin leaving only a chilly sensation by the menthol. The zesty blend of tea tree and lemon oils also emitted a soothing fragrance that stimulated the senses, producing a relaxing effect. My angry-looking zits also looked calmer after the first use. They cleared up by the third day. 🙂 4.5 Honeyz crowns for its affordability and effectiveness. Here are some photos of my progress over the three-day challenge… Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 I thought my skin looked happier and more radiant! More reasons why we should support The Body Shop’s Tea Tree range… The Body Shop encourages sustainable and organic farming practices by sourcing their tea tree oil from the Kenya Organic Oil Farmers Association in Mount Kenya National Park. This preserves the park’s natural biodiversity while producing Community Fair Trade organic tea tree oil for The Body Shop products. So fight acne woes with The Body Shop’s Tea Tree range too! For more info on their latest promos and products, visit their website at www.thebodyshop.com.sg or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheBodyShopSingapore . Have you tried the products from The Body Shop’s Tea Tree range too? Let me know by sharing your review at Honeyz Cube ! Have fun! ❤ Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beauty #beautyreview #TheBodyShop

Advertorial  We’ve all bought insurance for our homes, health, cars but have you heard? You can now acquire insurance for your ez-link card too! And wait for it… AT ABSOLUTELY NO COST! The perks are out of this world. Click to find out more about their latest ‘Activate!’ programme! If you’re registered with ‘Activate!’, there are 3 key functions of this programme that you can enjoy: [It’s a one-time, simple, registration which is absolutely free by the way!] • EZ-Manage • EZ-Protect • EZ-Deals Registered ‘Activate!’ ez-link card holders can check the transaction history of their cards for up to three months, block and recover funds should they lose their cards, and enjoy additional protection against unauthorised usage before the lost card is blocked! EZ-Manage Have you ever lost your ez-link card right after topping up the value? I’m sure it has happened to some of you! Yeap. This catastrophic scenario happened to me once. I was a student at that time so it was definitely upsetting for me since my modes of transport can only be accessed with the ez-link card. So I totally endorse the new EZ-Link ‘Activate!’ programme because by registering with it, I am now protected by EZ-Manage when I lose or misplace my ez-link cards. And they do this by blocking further usage when I report a lost card and allowing me to enjoy the refund of the remaining stored value in the lost card later. Amazing isn’t it? Also with EZ-Manage, I’m able to monitor my transit and retail transaction history up to three months*, either at the ‘Activate!’ website or via the EZ-Link mobile app! * ‘Activate!’ only applies to adult ez-link cards issued by EZ-Link and does not apply to concession cards issued by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). EZ-Protect  Should there be unauthorised usage of funds between the time the customer calls EZ-Link to block their card and before the card is successfully blocked (which can take up to 48 hours), EZ-Protect provides an additional safeguard of up to SGD10, on top of being able to block your EZ-link card and fund recovery. This means that consumers can safely store more value on their cards instead of having to top-up their cards frequently. In partnership with ACE Insurance, EZ-Protect has a robust system which requires verification of personal details and reinforces security in case someone else picks up the card and tries to make a fraudulent claim. My favorite feature is the transaction history where I can check the available funds in my card before I board the bus. No more multiple beeps for the whole world to know that I’ve insufficient funds on my card. Now I can prepare small change for bus tickets without ransacking my bag in a moving bus. Yay! Most deals come with a price, but not with ‘Activate!’ In the months of July and August 2013, all registered ‘Activate!’ ez-link cardholders stand a chance to have their retail transactions on their registered ez-link cards… WAIVED FOR THE MONTH! Woohoo! I love my ez-link. Muuaahhh!  Terms and conditions will apply, of course. Details, and Terms and Conditions can be found at http://www.ezlinkactivate.com.sg/ez-deals/promotions Hurry and register with Activate!, simply visit http://ezlinkactivate.com.sg/ . You can also register via the EZ-Link app available at the iTunes App store for Apple mobile device owners. Google Play Store for Android devices. Because there’s really nothing to lose and all to gain! Your friend, Juliana #advertorial #EZLink #travel

Business profile? Checked. Bank account? Checked. Best team in the world? Double checked! It seems like we’re just one step away from being a full-fledged business – we need a gorgeous and productive office space! A good office layout boosts your mood and enhances the thought process. So I’ve been scouring the web for great office space ideas for Honeyz Cube ‘s future office. Our signature colors are purple and pink which are great for fengshui according to this Fengshui color chart below. 😛 I’m no expert at interior design but I definitely know what I want in my future office – chic spaces clad in shades of purple and pink without being overbearing. Here are some great examples: The main office area My room perhaps? A soothing color like aqua is great too! But if rosy hues are badly needed, add some fluffy pink beanbags or a hot pink stool as shown in the photo. So what do you think? What are some of your favorite decoration ideas? Share with me by commenting below! Your friend, Juliana #officespace #Interiordesign #decor #Design #HoneyzCube #lifestyle