About-Face

Kick off 2010 with a fresh start and a fresh face. The Foundation at Barneys in Beverly Hills has two skincare events coming up in January. The Fresh Facial event on January 17 includes a facial and shoulder massage. If that's not your style, check out the Shu Uemura facial event on January 22. For the New Yorkers, enjoy a complimentary (yup, I said free) 45-minute Jurlique Signature Facial on January 5. Here's the scoop. Give your face a 180 degree turn.

Image by Joseph Newton.

Comeback kid

After a couple weeks off, I'm back. I guess I could blame my absence on a few crazy work weeks mixed with the madness of the holiday season. I could, but I won't. A lot has happened and there's much to catch up on. Here's a quick look back at what I've been up to and some exciting things to look foward to in 2010. Hope you're all enjoying the holidays. Spend some relaxing with friends and family and take some time for yourself. It's so needed at this time of year. xoxo

A look back

• Took Holiday Cocktail Party cooking class at Barbrix with Seonna
• Winter White Elephant Brunch at Flo & Steph's
• Bloggers dinner at Bottega Louie with Carrie, Joycie, Sarah and Jean
• Holiday Related Event at our house (successfully prepared and served three dishes from cocktail party cooking class)
• Facial at Dtox Day Spa with Heather while she was in town for a few days
• Christmas Eve at my folks
• Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Day

Coming up

• Low key New Year's Eve with friends
• Riding with Marissa
• CES and the Wynn Las Vegas
• Bacara (thanks for the gift certificate Mom & Dad)

Image by Justin Krietemeyer (taken from our Holiday-Related Event invitation)

Raining shoes

Happened upon an estate sale in Burbank last weekend landed myself a few pairs of new shoes. Correction: Make that nine pairs of shoes. Yes, I went a little overboard. But at $10 a pair on unworn vintage heals and boots, I couldn't resist. This woman was a fan of the peep toe which means I'll be in need of some regular tender-loving foot care. Anyone recommend a good place in Los Angeles for a reasonably priced pedi?

Dear Jeanette...

Since you're the most knowledgeable spa aficionado I know, do you have any suggestions for a great facial?

XO -joycie

First off, aficionado? Joycie, you flatter me. So, I spent some time trolling my mental encyclopedia of past treatments and came up with the following suggestions.

1. The Clinic at Kate Somerville - O.K., confession, as you'd know if you read my recent post about The Clinic, I've never actually had a facial at Kate Somerville. But, I've always wanted one. Is that good enough? From others' rave reviews, it sounds like aestheticians at The Clinic are miracle workers. If I ever get around to booking a treatment you can expect a thorough review.
2. dtoxygen facial at Dtox Day Spa - I really should get a discount at Dtox since I'm constantly giving props to the folks there. It's in my hood, so I drop in a lot. Recently I tried out the dtoxygen facial when I was feeling a little, well, down in the dumps and left the place feeling like a goddess. I swear. While this treatment is perfect to get you "camera ready," I stopped in for no special occasion on a weekday evening and reaped the rewards for a week following my treatment. Note: They don't do extractions when you're getting an oxygen treatment so don't do the dtoxygen facial in you want someone to dig in.
3. Bliss Spa at the W Hotel - I thought really long and hard about this. And, hands down, the facial I got at Bliss while lounging at the W San Francisco was perhaps the best ever. I haven't been to the spa at the W Westwood (probably because I'm scared to venture west of La Brea) but as long as the West Los Angeles location is on par with its San Francisco counterpart, you can't go wrong.

What's your fav facial?

The final countdown

Just a matter of time now and we're off to the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs for some R&R. Took a look at the weather this morning and it could rain tomorrow afternoon. Rain in the desert? Maybe I'll kill some time with a spa treatment or two. Anyone want to help me choose from this list of goodies? Have a fabulous long weekend!

Photo from Robert.Montalvo's photostream on Flickr.

Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're enjoying eating fabulous food with your closest friends and family. Today I'm thankful for so many things...my health, my man, friends, family, Nico...the list goes on. Before the busy month of December hits carve out some time and try this do-it-yourself Pumpkin Body Scrub (courtesy of the Menacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania). You should have many of the ingredients leftover from your turkey-day feast.

Pumpkin Body Scrub
From Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort via SpaFinder
1 small can pumpkin
2 cups of sea salt
½ cup of raw sugar
2 Tablespoons of Oil (sunflower or safflower)
¼ tsp. Vanilla
½ tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon
Mix all ingredients by hand until scrub has a firm consistency. Apply pumpkin body scrub in tub or shower and rinse thoroughly. Refrigerate product when not in use. Discard any unused product after three weeks.

Photo from the cat & the exercise bike's photostream on Flickr

H2O

In preparation for turkey day, I spent some time trying to find a good recipe for spa water. It's expected to be a warm day in Los Angeles and some cucumber-infused deliciousness seems to fit the occasion. I came across this Southern Living recipe and the cranberries sold me. Try it out for your Thanksgiving feast.

Decked-Out Water

Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber
- 12 cups of water
- 3 thin orange slices
- 3 fresh, thin ginger slices
- 3 fresh flat leaf parsley or cilantro sprigs
- 6 fresh cranberries

Preparation

1. Cut 2 thin lengthwise slices from cucumber. Reserve remaining for another use.

2. Stir together cucumber slices, 12 cups water, and next 5 ingredients in a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Pour over ice in glasses before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Enjoy!