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15 · Wednesday, February 6, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Connect with your partner (NC)--It's hard to make quality time with your partner a priority when life gets busy with work and kids. But with Valentine's Day right around the corner, there's no better time to work on your relationship and reconnect with your partner. Here are three tips on how to rediscover the fun now, and for the rest of the year: Learn something new together: It's easy to get bored when life revolves around routine. Keep things interesting by picking up a new skill. Learn to speak French, learn to play a new sport or take a cooking class together. Sharing in the challenges of learning is a great way to bond and build communication skills. Play together: Take a cue from your kids and lighten the mood with some games. Challenge your partner to a game of cards or play video games together on a console like PlayStation 3. Video games aren't just about competing ­ cooperative games are a great way to learn how to work together, or you can get creative by designing levels together in games such as the LittleBigPlanet. Advertorial Affordable pampering at Hand & Stone Whether you book a spa appointment yourself or receive a spa visit as a gift, it's all about pampering yourself. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa makes the experience accessible to everyone, providing affordable massage and facial services that easily fit into everyone's demanding schedule. Less than a year after the opening of the first Hand & Stone in Oakville in late 2011 (there are now eight in the GTA), the spa was the recipient of the Diamond award in both the Massage Clinic and Best New Business categories. The awards are a result of the spa's main goal, which is to rival the look and feel of the high-end day spas at prices 15 to 35 per cent less, in a retail shopping environment, attracting folks with no spa experience or people who have done it at a resort. Clients can book their appointments with Registered Massage Therapists on the same day. With Valentine's Day approaching, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa makes it easy to pamper loved ones with a Warm Escape for One Spa Package. The Warm Escape for Two Spa Packages lets you share the love with this special offer for couples. Discounts make the gift of relaxation even more affordable. In addition to great prices, Hand & Stone offers the convenience of being open seven days a week and until 10 p.m. weekdays. Its services are performed in an upscale relaxing atmosphere featuring attractive spa rooms equipped with the finest equipment. Hand & Stone has become the best in massage and facial treatments. In addition to the traditional relaxation massage and facial treatments, they offer a number of signature services including Hot Stone Massage and Hot Towel/Cold Stone Face Massage. Other specialty massages include deep tissue, sports massage, trigger point, prenatal massage, etc. Signature Facials only use the purest ingredients. In addition to the Classic Facial, choose from a variety of specialty facials: Men's facial, Teen Facial, Rejuvenating Facial, De-tox Facial, Sensitive Skin Facial and Collagen Facial. The owner of the new franchise, Magdalena Gomez, is a long-time resident of Oakville, and is delighted to be part of the Oakville business community. "This is a unique concept providing well being in an affordable and convenient way. The "Affordable Luxury" slogan had me sold," said Magdalena. Hand & Stone Oakville 511 Maple Grove Drive, Unit 21, Oakville, ON L6J 6X Phone: 289-837-3838 www.handandstone.ca Spa gift packages Go out on a date: Schedule time to go out together, without the kids. A date doesn't have to break the bank, go for a coffee and take time to reminisce about how you met, about your first date, or about your wedding. If it's not possible to get a sitter, consider meeting for a lunch date during the week. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you focus on each other, make an effort at least once a month, and don't forget to avoid distractions like your cellphone. REGISTERED MASSAGE | FACIALS | WAXING Valentine Specials* SHOW your LOVE $ Warm Escape for One 99 95 for your Valentine, give the gift of relaxation Reg $124.95 Hot Stone Massage with Hot Towel Foot Exfoliation Massage $ SHARE your LOVE Warm Escape for Two 189 90 A variety of Spa Packages and Gift Cards are available Gift Card www.handandstone.ca Reg $249.90 Couples Hot Stone Massage with Hot Towel Foot Exfoliation Massage * One hour service. Offer expires February 15, 2013. Cannot be combined with other offers. Call now: Or book online: www.handandstone.ca 289.837.3838 Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa ­ Open 7 days, until 10:00 pm weekdays 511 Maple Grove Drive, Unit 21, Oakville (near Sobeys in the Maple Grove Village)