Valley Girls

Dtox Day Spa Encino opens today. Yes, the same Dtox that I go on and on about so regularly...well, it's growing. Check it out during the "soft launch" month of August and get a 25% discount on all 50-minute services. The new location includes all that you'd expect from Dtox and a little more like co-ed outdoor relaxation cabanas, a large steam room with cold plunge pool and a dry sauna. Worthy of a trip to the Valley? If I weren't already planning an epic spa retreat in Napa this month (more on this soon), I don't think I could resist this offer. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Birthday Special

So, yesterday was my birthday. I was in Portland over the weekend for my cousin's wedding and celebrated my birthday with a delicious brunch at Urban Farmer followed by an afternoon at Sauvie Island blueberry picking. I couldn't have asked for a better day. But, I have a 15 percent bitrhday discount at Dtox Day Spa burning a hole in my pocket . So, I'm keeping the celebration going all week and treating myself to an organic custom facial this evening. Looking forward to another year full of adventures and love.

I Believe

Enough said


We Believe from STEVEN PIPES on Vimeo.

Made Over

I am not really a makeup kind of girl. I've always wanted to be able to wear smokey eyes for a night on the town but I've never perfected the art of eyeliner (let alone the shadow it must take to pull off the look). But, with a friend's wedding coming up and the eye shadow I purchased over a year ago running dry, I hit the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom last Saturday and emerged with a whole new look. I left feeling pulled together, but most importantly, like me. I've even had a couple compliments at work. Oh, la la.

Image via Musings of a Muse.

Miracle Manor Retreat

As mentioned in my previous post, our girls weekend in the desert had a last-minute change of venues. Instead of the Viceroy, we stayed at Miracle Manor Retreat in Desert Hot Springs. It's a quaint B&B off the beaten path, pleasantly refurbished and definitely a retreat from frenetic life of Los Angeles. (The inn keeper even whispered as she showed us to our room.) The furnishings were nice, the rooms clean, and I definitely enjoyed the complimentary breakfast and bottomless coffee both mornings. But, for the girls staying in Room #3, it would have been more a lot more relaxing if the AC didn't fizzle out in one of our rooms on not one but two nights. After a toasty first night, the AC issue was brought to the attention of the helpful inn keeper and she promptly called in reinforcements to "fix" the issue. But, when we made our way back to Miracle Manor after a full day at the Parker, the AC still wasn't working. We're talking about the desert in May, with day-time temps over 100 degrees. There's just no excuse a faulty AC. And, upon check out, hotel management only wanted to provide a 10 percent discount on one night. Unfortunately, that's not enough to win me over for a second stay.

Thank you Mister Parker for pulling a rabbit out of your hat

Some last minute changes led to a shift in venues for my girl’s weekend in Palm Springs this past weekend. Instead of the Viceroy we found ourselves shacking up in Desert Hot Springs at Miracle Manor (more on that in a future post). And, instead of checking out Estrella Spa at the Viceroy, I finally had an opportunity to visit the Palm Springs Yacht Club at The Parker. Thank you Mister Parker. You did not disappoint. Click "Read more..." below for the full scoop.

Spa 24/7

I kind of consider myself a spanista (you know, like a fashionista, but of spas). But, with all my spa experience, can you believe I've never been to a Korean spa?! I know, I'm kind of shocked too. I guess I didn't really think about it, or understand the Korean spa tradition, until I heard rave reviews of the Olympic Spa from numerous people. So, I started doing some research and came across Wi Spa (corner of Wilshire and Rampart). The whooping 48,000 square foot space includes hot tubs, cold tubs, dry saunas, steam saunas, a full restaurant, fitness facilities and even a co-ed waiting room. To top it all off, it's open 24/7. So, if you're dying for a shiatsu rub down at 2 a.m. this is the place for you. If anyone's been, let me know. I'm dying for a first-hand review.

Photo of the Salt Sauna via the Wi Spa website.

DIY - Spa Goodies Class

Just in time for Mother's Day, The Craft Kitchen is hosting a DIY spa goodies workshop at The Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica. For $65 (supplies included) you'll learn how to make a boatload of spa goodies including soy candles, scrubs, beeswax lip balm, lip gloss, soap, spritzers & bath bomb. I'd be there in a heartbeat if I didn't already have a lunch date planned with my mom. Saturday, May 8. Sign-up here.

Don't cry for me Argentina

If i had infinite funds and unlimited days off Namasthé Spa at Loi Suites Iguazú Hotel would be on my summer hit list. The spa made Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List Spas 2010 and the hotel doesn't look half bad either. Nestled into the jungle, it's a stones throw from Iguazú Falls (another item on my bucket list thanks to an introduction from a friend that visited the falls late last year). Talk about kill two birds with one stone.



Photos via hotel website.

Gilt-y pleasure

Remember my post awhile back about the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa in New York’s Plaza Hotel? Well, now is your opportunity to check it out on the cheap. From now until 9pm Eastern tomorrow (April 29) Gilt's offering up discounted spa packages. They've included everything from massages to the signature Cabernet scrub. New York ladies represent! (And send me your full review after your treatment.)

Latest vice, The Viceroy

I'm off to Palm Springs for another swanky bachlorette weekend in May and we're doing it the right way with a villa at the Viceroy Palm Springs. I'm looking forward to signature drinks (like the Popsicle Tini), lounging by the pool, and a visit to The Estrella Spa. I know I should settle for a more modest treatment like a 60-minute custom massage. But, I'm seriously tempted by the Head to Toe Indulgence which includes a facial and reflexology foot massage done simultaneously by two therapists in tandem. Indulgence indeed!

Photo from the Viceroy Palm Springs website.

My favorite things

Two of my favorite things: 1) Foot Massage and 2) Wine. Life is beautiful. Despite being on the other side of the planet (considering LA traffic patterns) this place is on my spring hit list.

Photo via the Buddha Lounge web site.

Back Blogging

Keeping up on regular blog posts is a lot harder than one might think. With big changes happening at my day job, I haven’t posted in more than two months. That’s just plain embarrassing…especially because one of my last posts promised a review of my February trip to the spa at the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont. I’ll try to make it up by getting back on the blog-wagon this spring. With spring in full effect (well, almost...today it's raining), I've been focused on getting back in shape for summer. I've even been considering self-tanner. I guess living in LA has finally got me. But before I move forward, let's do a quick rewind to February and the Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Just two weeks after a snowboarding injury I had epsom salts on the brain when I checked in for my 50-minute massage at the Stowe Mountain Lodge. I spent the day prior snowboarding for the first time post injury. Despite a couple of painful moments and some swelling, I was in pretty decent shape. I checked in for my treatment around 9 in the morning and was impressed by the spa boutique. Lots of organic grooming products. After being whisked off to the women's locker room by a friendly staffer, I changed and made my way to the waiting area. The view was incredible. The wind had picked up (it was a brisk 27 degrees) and I was happy we'd decided to spend Sunday at the spa instead of on the mountain.

I'd let my massage therapist know that I had an ankle injury and she spent some time working on it to "encourage lymphatic drainage." I'm not sure if it was all that effective but I left feeling relaxed and less tense. If you're ever in Stowe it's worth a drop by the spa. On the weekends the facilities get crowded so book well in advance. And if you're staying at the hotel, it's worth noting that the walls are thin.

Happy Valentine's Day

Photo via tonx photostream on flickr.

Spent most of today relaxing around the house and doing laundry. Grabbed a latte and granola for a nice low-key breakfast with my man. My latte came out with a heart kind of like this one. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Winter Wonderland

I've been absent for a couple weeks. But, I swear, I have a good excuse. Who can be expected to blog regularly when you're living in a Christmas card?! I snapped this image on our girls weekend to Stowe, Vermont. Seriously, who lives like this?! Amazing! Lots of high points including haunted bridges, $4 pints, deep tissue massages, The Alchemist, Ben & Jerry's, Cider donuts and snowboarding Stowe. One major low...winter dry skin. Being a Southern California girl, I had no idea the lengths you east coast ladies go to. I mean, humidifiers in every room? The depths of winter requires serious skincare. So, here are a few of my favorites (and one from a friend).

Fend off winter chapped lips with Dr. Haschka's Lip Care Stick. Made of jojoba wax and shea butter, this stick is all natural. Contains no petroleum.

Kill crackling dry hands and feet with Malin + Goetz vitamin b5 body moisturizer. It's got a refreshing citrus scent to remind you of sunnier days.

Splurge on the triple oxygen treatment at Bliss Spa.

More to come from my trip...including a review of the spa at the Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Pampered to a Pulp

When I was flipping channels at the cabin (post injury) last weekend, I came across this episode of Roseanne. Maybe spa life isn't for everybody.

Injured List

I'm nursing a sprained ankle after a snowboarding injury last weekend. My foots black and blue and rather swollen. I'm getting bored of ice mostly because it's winter, and even in Southern California, it's not fun to plunge my foot in an ice bath several times a day in January. A colleague of mine, who happens to be a beach volleyball player and has nursed herself back to health after numerous ankle sprains, told me to try Epsom Salts. It's a warmer alternative to ice and can mitigate swelling and bruising. From what I've found online, I think I'll try it out tonight.

Spa Style

I came across these images online. What beautiful spa design. Can't get over the warm wood detailing. I also can't figure out who's the designer, or where this is. If you happen to know, please share. I might want to visit this place someday.

Lip Service

I'm not a big fan Valentine's Day schmaltziness. But, here's something I can embrace. Check out Dolce & Gabbana's new Roses Lipstick Collection. Each shade pays homage to a different rose and is infused with its scent. The collection comes out in February. I might just have to add this to my winter wardrobe.

via Splendicity

Stoked for Stowe

Being a Southern California girl I typically spend summers on the beach (Malibu anyone?) and winters riding Mammoth Mountain (which got an incredible 8+ feet of snow this week). But, today, I'm stoked for Stowe. I'm off to New York next month for a week-long winter visit and will be spending the weekend in Vermont. We're staying here. And, yes, a big factor in picking this place was the spa. Cut me some slack...there's a "Healing Lodge." Sigh, I'm hopeless.

Photo via the Stowe Mountain Lodge site.

Vinothérapie?

Anyone that knows me well understands that two of my favorite things in life are spas and wine (in no particular order). So when I was browsing an old copy of Food & Wine while waiting for a deep tissue massage last week and came across a profile on the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa at the Plaza in New York, I was disappointed in myself that this is the first I'm hearing of it. Opened in 2008 (I'm so behind), the Vinothérapie Spa at the Plaza is one of four Caudalie spas in the world. The first was founded in 1995 by spouses Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas at the family’s Bordeaux vineyard. The spa features an experience rich in grape seed extracts, which is apparently great for the skin. Treatments include everything from wine-soaked baths to traditional massages. You can even end your stay with a glass of wine in the relaxation lounge which conveniently doubles as a tasting room. Am I dreaming?

Rain Rain Go Away...

I'm actually a huge fan of this crazy Southern California weather we're having. But, it's kinda difficult to fully embrace it since I've got this sexy new pair of shoes that I'm dying to show off. I got them as a little present for myself on my last day in Las Vegas for CES. Joycie, you're a bad influence but I love you for it. Yes, folks, they're Chloé and they were on sale. P.S. Excuse the bad pic but I couldn't find a good image online.



I also got these motorcyle boots from Madewell when I was shopping with my mom the other day. They're great for this week's weather but don't show off my fresh pedi.

Help Haiti!

Help Haiti! $15 gets you this t-shirt, designed by Studio Number One, & 100% of the cost goes to UNICEF relief efforts in Haiti. Go here to purchase.

Please re-post this and help SNO spread the word!

Let's get physical!

OK, so this post isn't exactly spa related...but humor me because it's related to fitness and, let's face it, we're all hoping to look better under those spa robes. So, I wanted to share with you my little secret. Since August I've been dance-r-sizing. And, I am happy to report, the results aren't half bad. I've been going to Heartbeat House, a self described non-competitive dance/workout/fitness studio in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. On Monday nights I take Awesome 80s Dance Party, Wednesday Zumba or African Dance and on Friday it's about kicking the weekend off with Cardio Ballet Barre. Classes are fun, relatively inexpensive and I typically leave drenched in sweat. I admit sometimes I feel a little silly, especially with passersby peering into the store-front window. But hey, it's a good escape from the monotony of the YMCA.

I have a dream

I've been feeling run down as of late. Maybe it was the whirlwind trip to Las Vegas for CES last week? CES is partially to blame I'm certain. But, it's more than that. So, I'm taking Thursday and Friday off and with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday that makes for a 5-day weekend. I promise I'm not trying to make you jealous. But, I have been trying to figure out what to do with 5 days off in a row. (Send me your ideas if you have any.)

With some good snow falling in the Pacific Northwest I've been dreaming up a last minute trip to Whistler to snowboard. And then, this afternoon an email landed in my inbox. Scandinave Spa Whistler opens January 30. Think traditional Onsen, Finnish saunas and hot springs nestled into the gorgeous Whistler mountains. The pictures look amazing and the treatments are sure to be worth it after a long day on the mountain. With my typical snowboarding buddy out for the season with a knee injury I couldn't find anyone to make the trip this weekend. And now, I have a reason to wait for the end of the month. Please someone...help make this dream come true.

Happy New Year!

Photo by Brigitte Sire.

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010. I had tea with my 89-year old grandmother (and kind of my life mentor) on New Year's day and talked about my resolution for 2010. Balance. For at least the last six months (if not my entire life) I've been a little "unbalanced." So, in 2010, I strive to bring a little more balance to my life. Read, take time outs, work less, play more, snowboard often, travel, write, love, eat, cook, decompress. (Oh, and spa visits at least once monthly!) I'm looking forward to what life brings in 2010. What's your resolution?