MojoPages VIP: Place 360 Health + Spa

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This is my 3rd VIP Event with MojoPages and in a separate post I'll talk about how you can become a VIP and why you should do it. This time I want to concentrate about my experience at Place 360 Health + Spa.

I live near Dowtown so going to Del Mar is always a treat, especially when a business is on Camino del Mar, just love the view of the ocean as I drive down on Del Mar Heights. Place 360 is located inside the Del Mar Medical Arts building in the second floor.

As soon as you enter the Spa you will notice all the attention to detail in the decoration and ambiance; on the floor, ceiling and walls you will see some beautiful details without being overwhelming.

The event started with a tour of the spa where we got to see the different massage and consultation rooms. As the name says Place 360 wants to provide complete health to the body by offering Health Services such as Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Custom Herbal Remedies, Life Coaching, Nutrition and Outdoor Fitness. As well as making us look pretty with Body Treatments, Eyelash Extensions, Massage, Skin Care, Semi-Permanent Makeup, Waxing & Tinting. The rooms themselves are amazing, very beautiful and look very relaxing.

My first stop was the Relaxation Room which is used as their waiting area where you can begin to unwind. And I was lucky I had a chance to wait, before getting to the event I went to see a football match at Shakespeare's Pub & Grill (Manchester United vs Tottenham) the place was packed with fans from both teams. Then I had to rush to Del Mar, I was with a testosterone and adrenaline overload and took me time to unwind and get in the tranquil mood. The Relaxation Room, plus snacks and pomegranate mimosa did the trick.

Before the event we had to fill out a questionnaire and among other things we told the spa what we were interested in and they catered my visit exactly to what we said. My second stop was with Toni, my new favorite person in San Diego. Toni Elwell is an amazing Massage Therapist & Skin Care Specialist with 16 years of experience. She had a true calling for the profession since she turned 14 and even though her credentials are amazing, I was won over by her voice. As she explained my massage, which would be concentrated on the feet, my neck with a touch of aromatherapy (exactly what I asked for) I just felt so at ease. And she was truly wonderful.

The attention to detail is not only concentrated on the decoration, but also in the way Place 360 serve the clients. Among them, extreme cleanliness, Toni explained several things that the spa does to ensure that very high standards are met. Also, depending on the type of treatment you book, you may get to use the Steam Shower, which, is covered by stones brought directly from Bali. You can see the same detail in the bathroom.

After the massage several of us spent an hour with Kimberly Higgins, Life Coach & Nutrition. The session was very interesting, I've always been curious about what life coaches do and from what I understand there's no one way, everything depends on the client. Kim gave us some tips we could take with us and in many ways it felt like a therapy session. We asked her what would be the difference between the two terms and she said that therapy dealt with people who had a trauma and checked more into the past. Life Coaching is for individuals that might find themselves stuck and just need the extra push, she concentrates more on the "now" and the person's feelings. The process looks very interesting and something many people (including me) could benefit from.

Then Kim changed her hat from Life Coach to Nutritionist and explained how she looks at nutrition, not with a rigid diet guideline, but looking at your habits, food preferences, time and feelings. She says that our bodies can direct us as to what it needs, when I tried that later in the day, my body/mind said Spanish rice and re-fried beans. And it makes sense, when we deprive ourselves by eating what is considered healthy, we'll probably end up eating more because we are not satisfied. I greatly enjoyed the time spent with her.

Finally it was acupuncture, something I've never done before. My practitioner was Dwayne Lee, L.Ac. board certified in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. My major area of complaint is the tension on my neck, since I spend an ungodly amount of time in front of a computer. He gave me some pointers for correct posture while I'm sitting at my chair (which I'm doing today) and then he began the treatment. He applied the needles on the back of my neck, a couple in my back and a couple on the side of my calves close to the ankle.

As I said, this is the first time I do it and he explained what I should expect. I did feel a small discomfort at the beginning, but nothing bigger than a pinch. I was left to relax and let the needles do their work, after awhile I no longer felt the needles, but the muscles actually got more tense, which is normal. I felt a little dizzy when we were done and from what he told me I would feel better by the next day. And he was right, my neck/shoulder area does feel little better. Although I know I need heavy duty help and will most likely return....but with Toni and her amazing hands. Sorry Dwayne.

Place 360 Health + Spa.

One Night Six Bars

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Last week a cousin came to town, we don't see each other as much as we would like, but when we get together it's always a blast. All this happened on a Thursday night, so even though there was a lot of activity, nowhere was completely packed.

We started the night by going to El Camino in Little Italy, which you might think, two Mexicans going to eat Mexican food its overkill, but its not. The food in El Camino, has such an amazing flavor, the selection is limited and the dishes are simple, but the taste is all gourmet. If anyone has people coming out of town who want Mexican Food, El Camino is it, and I'm not even get into the decoration. Anyway, to continue with the tale; the place was very busy so we sat at the outside bar area, had our food and for my cousin her first drinks, a Sangria and a Margarita on the rocks. We could have easily spent hours there eating, drinking and talking, but the night was young so off we went.

The next place we went to was Avenue 5, from the last time I went there with MojoPages: Night at Ave 5 I knew I had to go back. This time, no food which is was a pity, but I got to try the Rose Petal martini, so good. My cousin had a Mojito and an Appletini. There we met a guy who lived in the neighborhood and we struck a conversation. After the drinks were done, the three of us went to our next stop. I know I have to get back there for some more risotto.

Almost next door to Avenue 5 is Barrio Star, a Mexican Soul Food restaurant, this one is also my to-eat list. The decoration is very cute and but I didn't even have a chance to look at the menu. From here on my cousin had Merlot and I had Coke or water. The bartender was very friendly and we met some other guys at the bar. Well, more like, she met other guys. I'm actually shy and don't socialize very well, but my cousin is a people person, she commands attention and gets it, I just ride her coattails and that works for us.

Next was the Imperial House (still the 3 of us), they have the Mystery Cafe Dinner Theater, very fun and entertaining. We went to the bar and this was the only place that was almost empty. There was a handful of older men and my cousin met them all. One of them was employed there and he took the three of us to the top floor so we could see the Downtown view, it was amazing and it reminds me how lucky I am to live in San Diego. See what I mean about riding her coattail? That wouldn't have happened to me.

After that, I left Mr Ave 5 at his place and we headed out to the Gaslamp. Our first stop was Patrick's II, it was quite crowded with a live band, small for Gaslamp standards but looks like a cool place to hangout. There we met some military guys, but left pretty quickly since we barely had time for one more stop before last call.

Finally it was The Tipsy Crow, if I remember correctly this place has 3 floors, on Thursday only the main floor was open, by now I didn't even bother looking at the guys my cousin met, I was so tired. Still I enjoyed the music a lot, great bartenders and quite packed for a Thursday. Of all the places we went, this one had the best looking guys. My cousin was like a kid on a candy store and once again I was reminded how much I take for granted the beauty around me. I definitely have to go back and check out the three floors.

And that was it for one night, next morning she had to go back home and I was left to get ready for the New Year's Eve celebrations.

My New Year's Resolutions

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I normally don't make New Year's Resolutions, since I know I'll break them. But just for fun I made some unusual ones for 2010 and here are the results:

Get to work only half hour late.
This is the equivalent of exercising every day, I just don't function in the morning, good thing my boss knows this and has a similar handicap. I did accomplish it for first three days, by Thursday I was back at my old habits and still am.

Reduce my coffee intake to only 3 cups a day.
This could be the equivalent of going on a diet. More than one person tells me I should switch to herbal or green teas. All I need to do is remind them how I am in the morning and without an exception, they all agree I should keep on the coffee. Funny thing, I am drinking more tea now, but its an Irish brand called Barry's, a favorite in Cork, which has a nice dash of caffeine. So overall, caffeine is my main addiction and I'm keeping it.

Stop being afraid  of Tequila and take shots like a good Mexican.
Not sure if it because of the horrible "Tequila" drinks I used to get for free on Ladie's Nights back in the day. Or the shots from waiters in TJ clubs, where not only do they give you a shot, but also shake you and even swing you upside down to get a better effect. The thing is, I smell Tequila and my immediate reflex is to throw up. And it's a tad bit embarrasing that everyone seems to be able to drink it, except me. I did try once during the year, but I just couldn't do it. Tequila is my cryptonite.

Learn and use English swear words.
My swear words are in Spanish, I learned them from truckers and those lessons stuck. I do say a bit more English curse words now, but it's not the same, there's very few of them. In Spanish you can actually conjugate them. So in a way this one I did accomplish it.

Stop focusing on men's exterior and look to their wallets instead.
Can't say I was totally materialistic in 2010, I went on dates with guys that were penniless, carless, generous, handsome, ugly, skinny, overweight, young, very young, too young, over 40, boring, interesting, Black, Irish, Mexican, Asian, American, Italian, Budhist, Atheist etc. etc. I had fun, but I'm still single, so I can't say my increased spectrum worked for me.

So there you have it, my 2010 resolutions and their results. As for 2011, I went ahead and made some:

Go to Ireland.
Want to do it in the summer time. I think I should be renewing my passport soon.

Finish my book.
I've started on the whole planning part about 6 months ago and now I'm at Chapter 5 out of 100 or so. But it'll get done, one chapter at a time.

Focus on work not on dating.
Especially since I want to go to Ireland and get lucky! I'll never forget how I had a chance to get lucky in Germany and didn't because I didn't want to cheat. Not this time.

And to finish off, in the immortal words I saw on a sticker in a bar "I promise not to drink anymore, but I won’t drink any less either."

Holiday Lights in South Park

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One of the things I love about this time of year are the Holiday Lights all over people's homes. I like to drive or walk around and look at them, after all they're shiny things and I get easily distracted by them. My neighborhood is next to South Park and going on 30th Street is always a treat.

If you take 30th street from Broadway after a few block, 30th turns into Fern Street and back to 30th, weird I know. Park around Fern & Ivy, get some coffee at Rebecca's and walk around looking at several nice displays, not to mention very cute stores in that area.

The following are not the best pictures I've taken, but you can always go and see the lights for yourself.

Hornblower Cruises & Events

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This year, my company's holiday party was held at a private Hornblower yacht called High Spirits, we had a cruise all over San Diego bay with dinner and dancing.

This is definitely something San Diego residents should do more than once. Even though the cruise was at night the views were breathtaking. We got to see the Hotel Del Coronado with holiday lights and were lucky enough to see fireworks just as we passed the U.S.S. Midway. Cruising under the Coronado bridge and looking at downtown truly gives you a sense of why this is America's Finest City....and we get to live in it!!

Because this was a Holiday Party I refused to compromise and wore my 5" heels, praying I wouldn't fall.

And I didn't! The ride was so smooth that I had no problems at all. Only the stairs proved to be a challenge but I survived without enduring any physical pain, and believe it or not, those shoes are very comfy.

The top of the ship was covered giving us a heated dinning room and a dance floor at the back. The front was uncovered so you can go outside to smell the ocean air and look at the views.

The inside of the ship was comfortable, although not very tall, some of the men over 6" had to be careful, I had no problems, even with my high heels.

The Hornblower offers many different event & wedding packages, dinner, brunch and whale watching. This is a great way to pass the afternoon or to take your out of town guests and make them even more jealous.

Lace Necklace

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As you know, I'm a guest writer for the fashion blog Style Bust, based in San Francisco. Recently the gals sent me a Lace Necklace as a gift and its one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.

Every single time I wear it, someone comments on it. At the store, in the street, at coffee shops, men and women, they all have something to say about it. The necklace is a piece of stiff lace that looks very unique and after a person praises it, they want to know what is it (great conversation starter). Some people think its made of thin wood, others think its a tattoo, and even from far away it gets noticed thanks to its unique shape.

So I wanted to give a special Thank You for the gift and if you are interested in getting one for yourself you can visit Leyna Lightman Etsy Store for other styles of necklaces and earrings.

At Ave 5 in Hillcrest/Bankers Hill

At The Ould Sod in Adams Ave.

MojoPages: Night at Ave 5

Hey There:

I was invited to another MojoPages event, this time it was at Ave.5 located on 5th Avenue in the Bankers Hill / Hillcrest area, this is an amazing restaurant that is now among my favorites.


We were greeted by the Mojo Hostess and proceeded to be amazed by Mike Yen, Ave 5's Molecular Mixologist. First we had these crazy drinks on a spoon. The one that looks like an egg is made of peach something with something and something placed on this solution that turned it into the yellow ball. The white is made from a champagne reduction with something and something and once you "drank" it the yolk part popped inside your mouth and there was an aftertaste of Pop Rocks. Amazing!

The second spoon also tasted amazing with the little balls popping and releasing a really yummy drink. Mike explained how he made it and the ingredients, but thanks to many years in metal concerts, my hearing is not as it should be so I didn't catch some of the explanation.

Then he made us a drink without a name that contained Gin infused with green tea, lemon and honey, was processed in this canister. It was christening Mojo Tea, hope it catches on, it was awesome. And to finish off, we had a PumpkinTini...so cute and yummy.

Mike also made a drink called Cotton Candy Cuban, he served a martini glass with cotton candy (which he makes himself) and you pour the drink on top of it dissolving the candy. I didn't taste it, but it looked so cool.

Now the drinks are not the only great item in the restaurant, their menu is to die for. We met the Chef and Owner, he greeted us told us about the food we were about to try. We had risottos, salads, mussels, tortellini, fries and I can say each bite was amazing. Everybody cleared their plates....twice.

To finalize the event, we had pumpkin creme brulee topped with pomegranate seeds. The Chef explained how he likes to make layered creme brulee's and it really was very good.

Ave 5 prides itself with using locally grown food from their own garden located in Ramona, their menu is seasonal and I know I said it a lot, but it is amazing!