Friday, October 30, 2009

Pining for the perfect spa robe


I'm not much of a robe girl at home but when I go to a spa I expect to find a stylish, yet functional, robe hanging in my locker. The sad truth is it rarely happens. They're always oversized and make me feel like I'm 10-years old again and playing in my mom's closet. So, I'm hunting down the perfect spa robe and I want one with a hood like this lovely from the Ace Hotel Palm Springs. Anyone have any suggestions?

Photo courtesy of Miyoko39 from Flickr.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Review: Harvest Spice Aromatherapy Massage

It's back! I found my review of the Harvest Spice Aromatherapy Massage at Dtox. This offer is only good for the month of October. Jump on it.

Oh Dtox, what have you done to me? I used to be a traditionalist. A 50-minute deep tissue massage kind of girl. But then I started trying out new treatments plucked straight from your monthly email specials. And with a Harvest Spice Aromatherapy Massage on tap this month, what’s a girl to do?

I checked in right about 2:30 pm and quickly slipped into my old routine Yes, I still remember my way back to the ladies changing room. (Seriously, it’s only been about a month.) After a quick rinse I pulled on my terry robe and my way to the co-ed waiting area. I grabbed myself some cucumber and lemon water and settled in on one of the chaise loungers. When it was my turn a female massage therapist introduced herself and escorted me off to the treatment room.

Full disclosure, I’ve already had this treatment before. The massage is essentially the Dtox Custom Massage with a “Harvest Spice Aromatherapy” add on. The treatment was everything I’d expected. The scent of Harvest Spice was subtle but instantly created a warm and relaxing cocoon in which I remained for the next 50 minutes.

Following the massage I was hesitant to wash the oil off my skin. I wanted to remember that scent. That is, until it started making me kind of hungry. That night and into the next day I had an insatiable appetite. I wanted potatoes, roasted veggies...pretty much anything that pairs well slice a pumpkin pie. Warning to dieters: steer clear if your will power is a little faint.

Why thank you Mister Parker


Just got an email from Mister Parker and had to share the news. For a limited time the Parker Palm Springs is offering an insane spa steal. From November 1 through December 29th book a $179 a night room Monday through Thursday and get a $200 spa credit. The catch? To seal the deal you have to book by midnight tomorrow (October 29). More details and fine print here. Who's in?

Photo courtesy of Parker Palm Springs website.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Doh!

I'm crushed...somehow I deleted my recent review of the Harvest Spice Aromatherapy Massage I had a few weeks back at Dtox Day Spa. Guess I got kinda trigger happy when messing around with widgets on this fancy tool we call the World Wide Web. I'm trying to resurrect it from somewhere in cyberspace. Hope to have it back online soon.

Monday, October 26, 2009

The sky is falling


I finally had the pleasure of eating at The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel last week. The food was incredible. Celebrity chef José Andrés sat at the table next to ours opening bottles of wine throughout the night. So L.A. Though I didn't get to check it out, next time I'm in the neighborhood Ciel Spa is on my list. From what I hear the white-on-white Philippe Starck-designed spa is one of the best new spots in Los Angeles. I'm saving my pennies for the Escape package which includes a 60-minute specialty massage, a 90-minute customized facial, spa lunch at the pool (cuisine by José Andrés) and finishes with a mani pedi. OK, so maybe I've got my head in the clouds.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Raising eyebrows


I am so bad about keeping my brows tweezed. But, with Flo & Steph's wedding right around the corner and friends flooding into town for the nuptials, it's time to hit Stark Waxing Studio. The oil-based wax they use removes hair without irritating my skin.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Birthday Bonanza!


I'm dedicating this post to someone very special who turned thirty something today. Here's to many more years of spa days, slumber parties, and flip flops with socks. Miss you lady! xoxo

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Let's hear it for the boy


I’m not quite sure how or when it happened but I’m now a proud member of UrbanDaddy. I guess somewhere in cyberspace my identity was swapped and now spammers think I’m a dude. I'm not complaining. Especially when the UrbanDaddy membership comes with a 40% discount at Ona Spa in West Hollywood. I think I'll skip the Botox and cash in the discount for a massage. UrbanDaddy, Can you please hook me up with some discounted snowboarding gear soon? It snowed over a foot in Mammoth today. Thanks!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I caved...

I did it. I've been holding out all week and just couldn't stand it anymore. I booked an appointment tomorrow afternoon for the harvest spice aromatherapy massage at Dtox Day Spa. Check back soon for my review.

Good Day Sunshine


I don't often spend big bucks on skincare products. O.K., so maybe that's a little white lie. From time to time I cave and buy one or two expensive products following a good facial. There is, however, one exception: sunscreen. Being a redhead, I've spent most of my life dreaming of the perfect concoction. You know, something that provides full coverage while moisturizing but without causing breakouts minutes after application. After years of experimentation, I think I finally cracked the code thanks to Eminence Organics and its SPF 30 Sun Defense Minerals. I'd heard rumors about powdered sunscreen but had written it off until one enlightened esthetician told me this was the sole product she couldn't live without. So, I tried it. It's water-resistant (this part still blows my mind), organic, and doubled as my go-to foundation the entire summer. It comes in several shades from light to dark (I'm a No. 1). The powder is stored in a handy brush applicator making it super easy for girls on the go. Until something better comes along, I'm a total convert. What's your go-to sunscreen?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Land of Milk + Honey


On my first and only trip to Austin nearly four years ago my dear friend Lisa and I happened upon Milk + Honey day spa. It was Friday night and we were looking to make appointments somewhere nice but not the Four Seasons. Hotel spas often feel like massage factories. Word of mouth, and a quick Google search, landed us appointments the following day at Milk + Honey. It was the new kid in town back then. In fact, I think it had only opened a couple weeks earlier. I booked a facial, and Lisa a massage. I fell in love the moment I walked in the door. It was small, sweet…in every way a big city boutique day spa. Absolutely perfect. I remember having one of the best treatments of my life than rainy Saturday. Lisa must have too. We were so impressed, in fact, that we booked appointments to return the very next day.

On our way out the door we met founder Alissa Bayer. She told us her story of how she moved to Austin to attend graduate school, fell in love with the city and stayed. Just one thing was missing from Austin and that was a good day spa. Combining her business acumen with big-city spa sense, she opened Milk + Honey. Since that fateful day in January almost four years ago, I’ve watched Milk + Honey grow from afar. (They’ve now got two locations and a salon.) And I’m still on the email list even though I have no idea when I’ll ever land back in Austin. I guess I left a little piece of my heart in Austin, TX that weekend thanks to Alissa and to the land of Milk + Honey.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Spa baby


Between tennis lessons and building sand castles on the beach, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I couldn't help but share this adorable pic of my niece from our trip to Lana'i last summer. She's a total spa diva in the making. Love her!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Oktoberfest


Hello fall. It's been cooler than normal for October in Southern California and with the cool weather comes cravings for pumpkin spice lattes, roasted fall veggies, and butternut squash soup. There's just something in the air that makes me want to host potlucks and dig out my crockpot (even though the only thing I've ever successfully made in it is mulled wine). I'm just in a fall frame of mind. So when an email landed in my Inbox earlier this week from Dtox Day Spa I was beside myself. Included among this month's specials is a "harvest spice aromatherapy massage" with a $25 savings to boot. Yum! I think I might follow up my treatment with some curried pumpkin soup.

Monday, October 5, 2009

12-step program

Not sure when or how it happened. Maybe it was the plush terry robes. Or, the rubbery spa slippers. The smell? You know, the citrus-y, cucumber-y, lavender aroma that floats through the air the moment you walk into any good day spa-smell? Like I said, I’m not sure when or how it happened but it did. I have a confession to make. I’m a junkie. A complete spa addict.

I didn’t think it was a problem. I mean massages are good for one, right? But then I found myself rushing out of work a little early for a “personal appointment” on a Tuesday afternoon. I’d reason, “If I leave at 5 o’clock I can squeeze in a 50-minute massage and still have time to hit the steam room before dinner.”


So, admission is the first step. And this inaugural post is all part of my 12-step program. In the coming days, weeks and months I’ll share with you all those little things that led me here today. I’ll write about my favorite spas, treatments, robes, scents, even post-spa feasts. You can expect to find pretty much anything spa-related. What’s your addiction?