[Honest Review] Spa Elements

Many of my friends may know that I love going for massages (No, I am not rich but I am one that goes for trials and Groupon deals - hence I am not really paying a lot to experience the services, but I guess they are more than enough for me to post my reviews on here!)

Unfortunately, there is no photograph taken for this review due to the rushed job (You will read more about it in later part of this post)

If you are someone who does read-ups of reviews (like me) before deciding to purchase any packages or deals from spa/massage companies, you will be glad to chance upon my blog as I will post my honest opinions on here (I am always honest, anyway. HAHA)

And one thing I always look out for is WHETHER a company will do hard-selling. 

I totally HATE hard-selling, it totally puts me off. Even if I am impressed by your services, I will NOT want to sign up with one that pushes sales. I am sure potential consumers like yourselves dislike it, too.

Enough said, I shall review on one of the massage companies I recently visited -Spa Elements. 

Unlike previous deals, I did not purchase it through Groupon - but rather, a voucher that was given to my friend (she is my massage khaki!).

We paid around $23 (inclusive of GST) after the services.

From their brochure, I noticed that there are two branches - One at The Cathay (Dhoby Ghaut area, which is the one I went to) and another at Orchard Ion.

Services: 6/10

Not sure if it's due to overwhelming response as they have an ongoing promotion, I feel that they have compromised on the quality of their services. 

From beginning to end, everything seemed like a pretty rushed job. 

I remembered the masseur knocking on my door to ask if I was ready when I've not even removed my shirt!

I was supposed to feel relaxed during the massage, but I felt somehow pressurized as the massage started off in a VERY fast-paced manner. Yes, it was still a 1-hour massage nonetheless and I guess they were just trying to make the best out of it. The masseur did slow down her pace in the middle though.

Quality of massage (Depending on the masseur): 7/10

The masseur had not bad skills. She did massage on some of my joints that badly needed a good massaging; and I felt they were on point.

Environment: 6/10

Quite a small and simple place, but cosy enough. There was a large wardrobe in each room for us to place our belongings.

Hard-selling factor: 2/10

I'm relieved. There's no hard-selling involved, even tough they did introduce some of their packages to us. The promotional price for their packages are at $68 per session, and I would say that it is not very cheap, as compared to other places I've been to.

Nonetheless, I am glad they are not pushy about their sales. That's a plus point.

Overall,I would say that they are still pretty okay - but not the best I've been to. I'll be reviewing more places on my blog in time to come - Stay tuned for more! :)

Photography Services lobang!!

Have you ever wanted to own a set of professionally taken photographs, but yet have no 'lobang' for a an ideal photographer??

OR

Are you looking for someone to capture your beautiful moments on camera during your ROM/Engagement party/wedding? (Come on, it's a BIG day and you wouldn't want to mess that up with poorly-taken photographs, right?!?!)

OR

Are you looking for someone to capture that once-in-a-lifetime moment during maternity? 

OR

Or are you simply looking for a photographer who has the ability to turn your images into something model-worthy?!

If your answer is Yes, yes, yes, yes anddd YES.. then read on because I am going to introduce a special lobang for you!

Meet Sweetz Memoirs Photography  

, made up of a team of dedicated Singapore-based photographers whose aim is nothing but to capture your best moments in life.

(Okay lah, I can vouch for the quality because one of the photographers is my personal friend, but that doesn't mean I am biased hor!! I just know a good work when I see one)

They have a Facebook page that is constantly being updated as well, and I just love seeing some of their works there... With credits to their Facebook page, let me share with you some of my personal favorites:

A ROM shot that makes me so jealous:

Personal makeover shot: (Now that makes me tempted to shoot something like this, too..)

(YES, do you know that they provide hair and makeup artist too?! So do not worry if you don't know how to make-up. Just leave everything to their good hands!)

Okay lah, there are more on their Facebook page- You can click in to see for yourself!

Honestly, I do think investing in photoshoots at least once in your lifetime is WORTH it.  Sometimes, I love being photographed - Not because I'm trying to show off anything, but I just feel that the moments captured are just... timeless. It's that specific moment stays in there forever - immortalized. You could look back at the photograph 15 years later - and that youth captured was priceless. No amount of money can bring those moments back, but photographs will always be there to remind you of them.

It's like a pictorial diary of events in your life.

If not for the fact that my parents really dislike being in photographs to the core, I would really want to arrange for a family photoshoot. Oh well.. I guess that will never happen for me.)

Ah, back to topic- 

If you would like to engage their services, here's the price list I've gotten from them - (Personally, I think they have one of the best prices around in the industry.)

Wedding (actual day) - $800/-

Max of 10 hours of coverage

Additional hours chargeable at $60/hr

Deliverables:

Edited pictures in CD / DVD format

1 x 8R print out of your choice (canvas print)

ROM / Engagement party / Event coverage - 

$80/hr (min 2hour max 4 hours)

Deliverables:

Edited pictures in CD / DVD format

1 x 8R print out of your choice

Maternity shoot (home or outdoors) - $300/-

Maternity shoot (Studio) - $420/-

Hair and Make up provided

Max: 3hours 

Deliverables:

Edited picture in CD / DVD format

1 x 8R print of your choice

Personal portfolio/makeover (outdoors/home) - $200/-

Personal portfolio/makeover (studio) - $350/-

Hair and makeup provided (2 looks/ sets of clothing max)

Max: 2hours

*clothings not provided

*theme to be made known earlier as to plan for Hair & make up. 

*20 selected pic edited and given back in soft copy 

*All unedited shots given back.

* 1 x 8R of your choice 

Deliverables:

Edited picture in CD / DVD format

Terms and conditions:

*All event, ROM, maternity, family or personal portfolio shoot, pictures will be delivered 2 weeks from shoot. 

* Actual day wedding pictures will be delivered one month from date of event.

* Request for prints or additional prints are subjected to $10/print. 8R size only. Non canvas prints only.

* Photobook / custom album are subjected to availability. Please ask for quote.

If you are interested to know more, feel free to contact the friendly team at:

enquiry@sweetzmemoirsphotography.com

Complaint: SINGTEL

Guess who just got featured on today's post?

Yes, SINGTEL.

I'm going to lodge a complaint against them. *clenches teeth*

Yes, I do agree that Singtel values its customers and I do personally like their customer service support.

BUT their quality of products SUCK!

So we were persuaded into signing up for their *exclusive* 2-year Fibre optic + MIO + Etc package , which their staff claimed that its so much better than our existing plan as we were not getting the most out of the price we paid.

Well, blah blah blah... And my dad was convinced to sign up since we have been a Singtel customer for years.

I mean, our current plan has internet of slower speed, and the channels we have on the MIO modem are quite limited. Singtel then proudly proclaimed that they could give my dad all of his desired channels at only a small fraction of the price he has been constantly paying.

And so the technician came to install everything for us.

We realized that the speed of loading up the new modem IS SO FREAKING SLOW. 

On top of that, we were not informed of any internet connection changes.

Sungtel cancelled my old internet login details and gave us a new one, which I did NOT even know that it was mine until I attempted to connect it using my mobile phone.

The username and password have apparently changed, and we weren't given any of the details. 

What THE heck is this?!

And now I can't connect to any external devices because I do not know my own connection login details.

This is it. 

I am going to complain this coming Monday.

Fun with the kids @ AWWA - KOPFS 3rd Anniversary!

Oh God, this is such an overdue entry. But I am still going to post it nonetheless as it sure was a memorable event worth remembering. 

(That is what makes a blog even more important, right? Maybe I will be my own reader someday and read my own old entries while reminiscing the old times. LOL!)

Ah, have I ever mentioned in my blog that I am a proud member of KOPFS? (King Of Pop Fanatics Singapore).

Anyway, it is an official Michael Jackson Fanclub in Singapore (with one of my buddies, Marie, as the President of the club). We would have occasional gatherings, annual charity events, etc.

Having been a Michael Jackson fan for only 3 years, I felt it was more than that. The people and love I have met and received throughout the years were simply amazing. 

It was our 3rd Anniversary this year and we thought we could do something special ... By volunteering our services at AWWA at one of their annual events.

Basically, it was a day of fun with the children from lower privileged families. (Those children are so OMG adorable. You should have seen them!)

Unfortunately, I am unable to post photos of the children due to privacy issues :( 

Was' feeling kinda' disappointed as I had wanted to share on my blog- but I guess I shall respect the unspoken rules.

Pardon the poor quality photos as they are taken off my Facebook:

Marie, the lovely President from KOPFS. She was happily playing with the alphabet puppets that she brought and donated to the centre! :) 

Puppets? The children were thrilled!

After 1-2 hours of fun with the children at the centre - making sandwiches and playing with dress-ups, we set off to our destination of the day - Marina Barrage.

And that's me, busy camwhoring while doing an advertorial for Glampuss :)

(Yes, this beautiful ring is sponsored by them!)

We brought along the sandwiches that we made: (Egg Mayo and Tuna!)

Captured a photo of MBS at a distance. Cool, huh?

I was totally in love with this kid - She is such a darling - and a totally good sport at posing for my camera.

Kissing poses, peace signs, etc... You name it and she had all done it!

Although her face is censored due to privacy issues, but you can still see her expressions. Hahaha.

*Awww*

While the other kids were enjoying themselves flying kites and playing with water, here we were - Having some camwhoring marathon and taking photos of ourselves. LOL:

Different poses, same spot =_=:

And here comes the monkey shot: (Gosh. we were crazy! LOL)

And me trying to act sexy:

*cough* *cough*

I love our expressions from this shot. HAHAHA. I don't know why I am loving this UN-glamorous photo though!

Marie: I'm gonna strangle you!

Cat (me): I'm gonna poke your nostrils!

Miao: Oh wait - I'm flying!

Okay, am gonna post a normal shot of us before anyone submits my blog to the mental hospital:

Children having fun with the water:

(I dared not go near the water as one of the kids had wanted to splash me with it! - and I didn't have another set of clothes to change into!)

It was about to rain and I took this shot - Artistic NOT?!?!

Afraid of getting drenched, we came up with a genius idea of shielding everyone from the rain:

(I thought we looked like some walking pasar-malam! LOL!)

RELUCTANTLY, the day ended as everyone parted ways to head back home.

I am glad that everyone, especially the children had fun nonetheless. (Those smiles from the children will melt your heart anytime, really!)

I would totally do it again if given a chance.

Special thanks to Miao and Marie for being part of this special day as well. :))

If anyone knows of any charity organizations / service centres that wish to collaborate for any future events, etc... Do feel free to let me know!
I am actually considering to sell my art pieces to help the needy. (I had thought of this idea since last year, but didn't have the chance to put this plan into action.)
Seriously, I don't mind exchanging my passion for art to create a difference in someone's life.
Let's spread the love.