GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee? Lucky Clue#7

It seemed only appropriate to include the photo above of lucky 7 of from last night's restaurant. Love this clever idea for table markers! Had I not been such a little miss piggy tee last night, I likely would have also managed to capture a shot of my pizza Margherita, complete with Mozzarella di Bufala... Mmm!

Fear not, today I capture a many photos that will hopefully reveal more of at least what I've been up to and where (interior wise) these past two days.

Now onto the pics...


Photo 1: Above, a detail shot of one of my purchases (to support the local economy of course!), and use as my daily "uniform" this week.


Photo 2: Above, post "morning routine." I was thankful that today we had lil baby bowls to place the soothing oils. Yesterday I accidentally poured a bit too much in my hand... Oops! Pas probleme, my feet didn't mind, they benefited!


Photo 3: Above, one of my favourite corners of the "barn."

Okay, so the next few shots I blame (or credit? You be the judge!) on my years of marketing architecture/design firms for being drawn to photograph such thoughtful design details.


Photos 4, 5 and 6: Above, I spy delicately beautiful design.

Today's "morning routine" was followed by the "beautiful bliss" I mentioned yesterday:


Photo 7: Above, the shot of the identical chair across from me as I was pampered in style by the kind and oh so accommodating A.


Photo 8: Above, the fresh milk, honey and cardamom bath my feet got to taste.

Did I mention my feet and legs savoured on a dark brown sugar, clove and honey dessert that followed, plus a post-clay treatment, wrapped like mummies in steamy hot towels (while my eyes were treated to a heated herbal pillow no less) before my pedicure?

Originally unsure if I'd indulge in a manicure complete with a massage with Ayurvedic oils too.... A little voice inside of me screamed, "Go on, spoil yourself, just this once..." Could it have been you, luckypenny, telepathically? ;)


Photo 9: Above, a playful shot of the end result of my super soft left hand. It's not easy taking pampered photos of yourself! Less dramatic than the Japanese Rose, I loved the subtle sweet and shimmery shade of pink Sugar Daddy looked on my fingers tips.

One final thought, as I lay soaking in a hot lavender-infused French kiss bath tonight, I wondered, can one over-pamper oneself? With my mini getaway approaching it's second-half mark I say "Absolutely not!" 0;D

I have many more shots but I'm sleepy. I will end bidding you sweet sweet dreams, as tasty as these delicious strawberries I had for dessert tonight...


xo,
tee.

PS - Just one lil request, specifically to my immediate pamilya. Please refrain from publicly guessing from now on, instead please shoot me an email. In an effort to be fair, I shall mimic the standard contest rules...

"Members of A Cuppa Tea, its contest sponsor, advertising and promotional agencies and their respective affiliates and associates and such employees' immediate family members and persons with whom such members/employees are domiciled are excluded from this contest."

Besides if you fall under the above descrip, you likely have an unfair advantage ;) Pasensya na lang, hindi ka (po) pwedeng manalo. Thanks for understanding! xo.

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee? Clue#6

Clue #6 consists of multiple photographs, nine to be exact, by yours truly...

Photo 1: Above, items specially awaiting me in the salle de bain where I'm staying. At first I didn't think I was a fan of the shampoo and conditioner, except for their mint awakening qualities, yet I must admit afterwards my hair never felt so soft when left to air-dry before.

As you may recall from Clue #1 when I first announced the Where in the world is tee? GIVEAWAY I posted a photograph. What I didn't mention, but you likely guessed, is it's an entrance way. A shot lovingly borrowed, like Clue#2 (first image) and Clue #4, from the website of where I am spending most of my days. Photo 2: Above is my Clue #1 shot.

I was so pleased, yet not that entirely surprised to discover that it in fact looks exactly as their website appears, if not even more tranquil.

Photo 3: Above is a shot of the "rear" of the same building.

Photos 4 and 5: Above, shots of the surrounding property. The first, my view as I lay outside in the sun, eyes closed for the most part, iPod playing a special mix from Sweet Pea Sis for my getaway, appreciating the present. The second, a chair I caught shyly smiling at me. Perhaps tomorrow I'll take seat with him.

Photo 6: Above, tea kindly served to me as I contemplated what indulgences I would surrender to tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Photo 7: Above, the gorgeous wood floor of the shop I stumbled upon, where I think I may purchase the pasalubong prize! I know, I know, it's only a shot of the floor... But isn't it a colourful one?

Photo 8: Above, my lunch. After the relatively early and active morning I had (in comparison to my usual freelance schedule), I did my best to keep healthy. Gargonzola cheese is healthy right? ;)

Photo 9: Above, finally, of course, had to stop and smell flowers after lunch :)

While I don't mind if tomorrow takes its time in coming... I very much look forward to a more "gentle" yet still early start to the day, followed by "beautiful "bliss."

Here's hoping today's clue helped. Remember to keep those guesses coming. You're welcome to guess/comment as often as you wish, simply note that your last post will be considered your final answer ;)

xo,

tee.

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee? Clue#5

Current Facebook Status: "Vacation auto-reply on. Laptop stored. Come the stroke of midnight I'm on a Facebook and GMail cleanse for one whole week. Please visit acuppatee.blogspot.com for whereabouts and updates. Tweets will be limited to blog updates too. Wish me luck! Ciao. xo, tee." -yesterday.

Confession: I won't lie, going cold turkey on Facebook and GMail ain't easy, but I figure if I'm saying that during my getaway than clearly it's also very necessary.

Giveaway Clue#5: So I've arrived. Well sort of. My mini sojourn involves more than one destination... In any case, doesn't the saying go it's about the journey not the destination(s)? :)

Speaking of journeys, made a friend along the second leg of my trip, a fellow traveler named George from Windsor, UK. I told him about my blog and asked if I could capture a memento for all of you... He said yes, and promised not to reveal where we met. Here's hoping he keeps his promise ;)

Upon inspecting his photo, he exclaimed "I look pudgy." I think just jet-lagged:

Clue #5 also includes a shot of some local cuisine, I grabbed this morning. Unhealthy but delicious:

Tomorrow photo clues will likely be posted in the evenings... For the next few days are filled with calm and relaxation and will begin early!

Keep those guesses coming! The more the better!

xo,

tee.

Happy Mama's Day Mamas! + GIVEAWAY Clue#4

Happy Mama's Day Mamas!

A special shout out to my own Mama, Ima, Lola, Titas, Cousins Who Are Yummy Mommies, and every Mother Figure I've Ever Been Blessed to Know!

So for yesterday's Clue#3 I just searched for interesting looking shots of my modes of transportation. Today's Clue #4, I revert to lovingly loaning an image from the place I will be spending the majority of my stay away. I caught a glimpse of it, and instantly thought it was also a very apropos Mama's Day shot.

What do you think?

Keep those guesses coming! I leave today... Woohoo!

xo,

tee.

PS - For those of you haven't yet seen the special shout out and wish to, simply drop me a line similar to the request for a free facial and I'll happily send it your way! As you may infer, it's on the personal side, so I've chosen not to embed it.

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee [going]? Clue #3

So it's Saturday, and I usually don't blog over the weekends. Then again overall my blogging schedule isn't exactly precise 0;)

Clue#3 is dedicated to all of you dying to win the pasalubong (rightthismoment!) including my folks. That's right, even they don't know!

Note: I'm not going to throw a "red herring" in *insert mischievous/angelic looking grin here* by telling you these photos are shots of the actual transportation I will be taking. They are mere representations. Minus the automobile and my feet of course.

Love Bus by Mon Solo

Hyperdriiiiiiiiive by discurrere

BYE BYE BABY from Emsedge

Oh and to all my dear friends and Dad, who are showering me with multiple queries. Sorry, no 20 questions and answers here. I will keep mum until I return and whoever is correct or closest to the right answer wins!

Guess as often as you like. In fact I encourage several speculations. However, I shall consider your most recent comment your final answer upon my return.

Happy Saturday! Et Bonne Chance ;) Thanks for playing.

xo,

tee.

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee [going]? Clue#2 + This Week's OM: "free facial!"

I love this shot. I cropped and adjusted the contrast a bit. Nope I didn't take it. Along with yesterday's Clue#1, it's lovingly loaned from one of the major places of my destination. And yes, if you haven't guessed it, I am planning on seriously pampering myself throughout my weeklong getaway!

- - -

So with Clue#2 out of the way, onto this week's OM, also pampering and beautifying related! I am thrilled to introduce local esthetician maggie of maggie&co, and share the background story on how I met her...

Sunny Tuesday afternoon, Big Brother G was at his new favorite caffeine-equipped joint/office: the Linux Caffe here in Toronto, and encouraged über-tall little brother and I to come say hello. He offered to treat us to frozen yogurt. How could we refuse?

Linux Caffe by leigheldridge.

A couple lemon frozen yogurts later, G went to Spanish class, and über-tall lil bro and I stuck around inside to warm up with some chai tea. Nothing like tasty contrasts, right?

By now, you're wondering where does maggie fall into this story? Well as it happens... Now! For the moment I sat down on the perfect people watching bar stool, and not more than two inches from where I placed my cuppa chai tea I stumbled upon this...

As you can guess, I took the card read it and placed it in my purse. A couple days later I serendipitously remembered to call maggie when I was in need of some beautifying for a special someone's big 3-0 extravaganza tonight! Happy Birthday Cee ;)

Not only was maggie super friendly and professional, her home set-up truly is a hidden gem.

Located on an assuming corner a couple blocks north of Little Italy's College Street, I couldn't help but grin when she explained why local celebs are regulars... The privacy! Truth be told, although it was a short appointment, she made me feel like a starlet all my own. A seasoned Stillwater Spa alumna, she knew exactly how I wanted my brows done before I said a peep... Natural and tee for tidy of course.

I have no pics of maggie&co. After all, we starlets need our privacy ;) However, if like me, you love supporting local small business owners with charm and would adore a free facial, drop me a line. I'll happily email you her digits.

I love how this One Moment of joining my brothers for frozen yogurt, resulted in another great One Moment of meeting maggie.

I'm returning for my complimentary facial when I land back in Toronto from my petit sojourn! Remember to stay tuned for more clues to win a pasalubong!

Bon weekend!

xo,

tee.

PS - Thanks again to À la Mode for creating such a neat and simple meet up! Wanna join? Click below.

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee [going]? Clue#1

I must admit once I finally decided where I was going I got pretty excited, and am secretly enjoying the fact that I'm not telling a soul. Except perhaps my travel agents ;) Who thankfully also happen to be my aunt and uncle, so I've got my emergency contact covered too!

So where in the world am I going you wonder? Well, I'm not revealing that easily, but I am providing visual clues beginning with the one above. Click on the image for a larger view :D

In fact, I consulted über-tall lil bro, and I've decided I should incorporate this into my first ever little giveaway. Truth be told, post-ecojotting days, I didn't think I could afford to host one. Then I figured, why not? While I can't promise the prize to be of an enormous monetary value, I promise it to be as we Filipinos call a pasalubong.

Pasalubong. [Pah sah luh´bong] The practice of giving little tokens of friendship and affection to loved ones after one has gone on a trip. [As quoted from: Ano Yon? Ano Yan?]

Much more than just a souvenir... If you manage to guess where I was by the time I return, I shall present you with a special pasalubong that I will have picked up during my mini sojourn.

Bonne chance mes amis !

xo,

tee.