On this Thanksgiving weekend, I look back with a grateful heart at all the bountiful blessings that I’ve received, including all my travels throughout the year. My hubby Dennis and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a safari adventure in Kenya and Tanzania. We have just returned with many wonderful memories and unforgettable encounters, but I’ll write about them later.

 

Just before that trip, I made sure to have my nails done at Japanese gel nail art salon Kiyosa. Young Japanese entrepreneur Kiyosa Kato opened her first salon at the ground floor of F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City. She hopes to bring us more advanced nail art techniques from Japan.

 

Kiyosa Salon offers high-quality Japanese techniques in nail care and design. Managed by Tagalog-speaking Rie Shimoji, the salon treats its customers to the most bejeweled and artistic nails skillfully created by Japanese-trained technicians.

 

For the grand launch last month, Kiyosa collaborated with Cath Sobrevega and Maita Baello, head stylists of Qurator Studio, for a fashion show with different themes like Wedding, Harajuku, Sporty, Holiday, Jungle Fever and more. The most creative nail art designs were showcased that evening and delighted the guests.

 

A Japanese garden backdrop served as a scenic photo area where ladies were treated to a stamping session and “mani cam” photos. Each of Kiyosa’s staff—four Japanese and seven Filipinos—had personalized booths to showcase one’s art and expertise.

 

I had fun hosting the program, and DJ Sanya Smith got the crowd dancing after the grand presentation.

 

My Japanese nail technician told me that the pretty Kiyosa nails last up to three weeks and are quite durable.

 

Visit Kiyosa-nail.com; tel. 8058888.

 

Thrilling night

 

All my nail bling was perfect for the recent concert of five-time, Grammy-award-winning artist Mariah Carey. PLDT Home Fibr, the home’s most powerful broadband, sponsored the show—a thrilling night that mostly featured the singer’s ballads and R&B hits.

 

As part of “The Elusive Chanteuse Show,” Carey’s tour in support of her 14th studio album “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,” the Philippine leg took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

 

Carey took the crowd back to the ’90s and early 2000s with her most memorable classics, and also dished out select tracks from her current album. Her closing performances included “We Belong Together” and smashing encore numbers “Always Be My Baby” and “Butterfly,” which brought down the jam-packed house.

 

PLDT Home Fibr delivers consistent high-speed and powerful Internet up to 100 Mbps, access to Clickplay and hundreds of movies on-demand, and Cignal Digital TV channels. It is now available in more than 1,400 villages nationwide, including Ayala Alabang, Bel-Air, Dasmariñas, Forbes Park, Urdaneta, Valle Verde, Corinthian Gardens, Greenhills, La Vista and Loyola Grand Villas.

 

Visit Pldthome.com/fibr; tel. 101-FIBR (3427).

 

New benchmark

 

After the concert, I flew to Cebu the next day to attend the opening of Azure Beach Club, Crimson’s new flagship restaurant and bar. Embracing Cebu’s charm and valiant, fun-seeking attitude, Azure is the right venue to chill and enjoy life.

 

James Montenegro, Azure GM, said the development and completion of the beach club is a milestone as it continues to set a new benchmark in dining and events. The place features an Asian Grill restaurant with day and night menus, a beach lounge area for sun worshippers, and a bar by the cliff for a perfect sundown cocktail and nightcap.

 

At the exciting launch, Azure Beach Club took its guests to new heights with a mix of elegant ambience, contemporary fun and chic atmosphere right by the beach.

 

Chef Godfrey Laforteza is at the helm of the food concept, with a sumptuous menu ranging from pizza and sandwiches to hearty roasts and grills of seafood and premium cuts.

 

Azure Beach Club features a nightly DJ for lounge and house music. For the grand opening party, Fierce Angel and Mark Doyle shared their brand of music for an unforgettable event. Mark is the creator of Hed Kandi and was flown in just for the opening. Event host Tim Yap told me how famous Mark is among DJs.

 

Azure Beach Club at Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan; tel. 032-401999.

 

Great shape

 

I am most grateful also for the gift of health. Although I have not participated in any triathlons or marathons this year, I’m in great shape thanks to my weekly run with the Girls Run For Breakfast gang.

 

Timex has been very supportive of my triathlete life. The athlete’s watch brings to the Philippines its 2014 Fall-Winter collection. The global, iconic watch brand launched this new range in an exclusive lunch with the media at Cav Wine Shop and Café in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

 

Guglielmo Bertani, Timex vice president for Asia markets, graced this special affair, which also celebrated the brand’s 160th year. Since 1854, Timex has been producing genuine and classic timepieces that allow people to express their individuality with panache.

 

The Timex 2014 Fall-Winter collection features four remarkable lines—Waterbury, Timex 80s, Shock Expedition and Indiglo. I found out that the roots of Timex hark back to the Waterbury Clock Co. from the 1800s. Timex paid tribute to its 16 decades of history by launching a line that drew inspiration from its archives, thus the Waterbury collection.

 

My other favorite line was Indiglo, a portmanteau of indigo and glow. Indeed, the watches sport a blue-green, luminous display, the defining characteristic of the Indiglo line. With a number of watches to choose from, one may have a hard time selecting the best fit. But as a Timex campaign says, “It all boils down to character. And it turns out, you’ve got it. Wear it well.”

 

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or visit www.tessaprietovaldes.com.