Spa Girl says everyone should visit VANCOUVER!

Anitra Brown says I've been watching the Olympics and have been blown away by how gorgeous Vancouver is. I've never been there, in part because I have a fantastic contributor, Sue Frause, who has written several articles on spas in Vancouver, including a piece on the best day spas in Vancouver and reviews on The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress, Poet's Cove Resort & Spa, Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa and Kingfisher Oceanside Resort. Vancouver is officially on my "to-do" list now!

http://spas.about.com/b/2010/02/25/spas-in-vancouver.htm

Spa Girl loves a Home Sanctuary

We can’t always escape the day-to-day hubbub by driving to a log cabin in the Québec woods or flying to an isolated beach on the Riviera Maya.

But with a few changes you can create a private sanctuary in your home, even if you live in midtown Manhattan, a sky-high condo in Toronto or a bustling soccer-Mom suburb.

http://ow.ly/1aWfT

Spa Girls Says--Time for a Massage!

According to the 2009 AMTA consumer survey, an average of 22 percent of adult Americans received at least one massage between July 2008 and July 2009, and an average of 34 percent of adult Americans received a massage in the previous five years.6

In July 2008 and July 2009, 40 percent of women and 29 percent of men reported having a massage in the past five years.4

Spas are where most people continue to receive massage, with 24 percent of those surveyed in July 2009 saying they had their last massage at a spa

http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet2010.html

Spa Girl knows the nose knows!

Research increasingly shows that smell doesn’t just affect how we feel: It affects how we think, in ways that are just beginning to be understood. Studies have confirmed that scents can trigger generosity, and that they affect our decision-making processes and judgments rather than just emotions. Even when smells aren’t on the forefront of our consciousness, our minds are trying to match them with other sensory information to interpret our surroundings.

Read more about what the nose knows!

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/14/the_sweet_smell_of_morality/?page=1

Spa Girl loves Cupid and all the decadent delights of the Day!

It’s Valentines Day, a holiday established in 496 AD by Pope Gelasius I. Cupid has a long and intoxicating history and Spa Girl loves all the decadent delights of the day—chocolates, roses, cards and of course a day at the Spa.

Chocolate is a natural on Valentines Day because it triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that produce a heady feeling similar to when one falls in love, and who doesn’t love this! In addition chocolate is a true sensory indulgence, it contains over 300 different compounds that have a significant impact on one's health and beauty.

Add to your special day try a chocolate body scrub which will leave your skin feeling silky and smooth or a heavenly chocolate mud wrap which revitalizes the body with it’s natural minerals and enhances skin tone, or how about a chocolate massage that is sure to release all those built up tensions and relieve stress—ideal for Valentines Day!

Disappear into a world of total indulgence; immerse yourself in chocolate as your body enjoys one of nature’s most sumptuous treats!

Chocolate Body Wrap
6 fresh strawberries (can also use thawed frozen strawberries
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup chocolate morsels (chips)
3/4 cup champagne or sparkling cider
Melt chocolate and let cool, puree strawberries, honey and add to chocolate. Paint mixture to body staring at your feet then mist sparkling cider or champagne. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off.

Chocolate Honey Scrub
8 tbs unsweetened chocolate, finely grated or cocoa powder
2 cups honey
2 cups Dead Sea salts
½ cup grape seed oil
Mix honey, oil, chocolate and Dead Sea salts and blend until evenly combined. Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body starting at the feet. Shower to remove.

Chocolate Facial Mask
1/3 cup cocoa
4 tbs heavy cream
2 tsp cottage cheese
1/4 cup honey
3 tbs of oatmeal
Mix all the ingredients together and apply to the face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water using a gentle circular method to massage and exfoliate.

Spa Girl says check out the newest addition to your Spa visit!

LIKE Wi-Fi, on-demand movies and fitness centers, yoga is becoming an amenity many hotels and resorts just can’t do without.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/travel/07pracyoga.html

Spa Girl says pass it on!

Make a Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath

By: Mindy Terry

Here's a relaxing, skin-softening bath soak you can make at home.

Ahh, the new year—it's full of new possibilities, new beginnings, and new challenges. And sometimes all of this newness sounds a bit exhausting! These raised expectations often leave people needing a little lift come late-January.

Luckily, a few familiar scents left over from the holiday season may offer some pleasant and unexpected benefits. Vanilla is often used in aromatherapy to treat depression, and ginger is known for health benefits like alleviating headaches, menstrual cramps, and nausea. Cinnamon, according to one study, boosts cognitive function and memory.

While you raise your spirits, why not perk up your body with a long bath to wash away the stressors of the day? This Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath is not only divine, it is also a great treatment for dry winter skin.

Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath

Add 2 tsp. vanilla, 3 tsp. ginger (freshly grated or powdered), and 1 tsp. cinnamon to ½ cup honey and blend. Add the honey mixture and ½ cup dry milk to warm running bath water. Relax and enjoy.

This bath is best enjoyed fresh. Do not mix larger quantities and store for future use. To enhance the skin-softening benefits, use a loofah or coarse washcloth. Working from the upper chest down, massage each part of the body in circular motions while in the bath. If unpeeled, fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. In the freezer, ginger will keep for up to six months. For tubs with jets, this bath foams nicely. If using freshly grated ginger, consider placing it in a muslin tea bag before putting it in the bath to prevent the ginger from clogging the jets.

With 17 years in the spa industry, Mindy Terry is the Founder and President of Creative Spa Concepts. Terry is also a licensed cosmetologist, aesthetician, yoga instructor, and certified infant massage instructor. Image: Veer Photography

Spa Girl is heading to the tub, thanks Mindy!

Spa Girl—hard as Nails…

I have used nail polish since I was a young girl when my aunte would paint my fingers and toes.  Now I primarily have my toes done and several years ago decided to treat myself to a French manicure as I was concerned how yellow and dull they were becoming from the coloured polishes. I have never looked back. I did some research and found a few great recipes to help allievate this problem. Taking care of your nails and hands is a must as our hands tend to age more quickly, not surprisingly as they bare the harsh everyday wear and tear of soaps, detergents, cold, heat, water…and a thousand other risk factors.

Most experts will tell you that to keep fingernails and cuticles healthy eat a diet rich in vitamins, moisturize regularly, use a really good nail polish, and stay away from soaps, detergents and hot water as much as possible. Fingernails are made of keratin, the same protein as hair and grow roughly 1mm a week. It takes six months for a lost nail to regenerate and fingernails grow faster than toenails. It is also important to remember that the skin on our hands is thin, delicate and prone to being dry and is vulnerable to damage and injury and contains less collagen than the skin covering other parts of the body.

The wiseGeek says, “Keratin is an extremely strong protein which is a major component in skin, hair, nails, hooves, horns, and teeth. The amino acids which combine to form keratin have several unique properties, and depending on the levels of the various amino acids, keratin can be inflexible and hard, like hooves, or soft, as is the case with skin. Most of the keratin that people interact with is actually dead; hair, skin, and nails are all formed from dead cells which the body sheds as new cells push up from underneath. If the dead cells are kept in good condition, they will serve as an insulating layer to protect the delicate new keratin below them”.

Here are a few helpful tips:

• To harden soft nails and make them more flexible, soak them in warm olive oil and one capsule of vitamin E for about 20 minutes, two or three times a week—especially in the winter. I recommend adding a nice dip in paraffin wax allowing the oils to soak into the hands.
• 
  
  To whiten stained and dull nails soak them in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of warm water for 15 minutes or try mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water. Make sure to rinse with warm water, pat dry and apply moisturizer after your soak.
• 
  
  Don’t remove the cuticles as it makes the nail susceptible to infection, rather use a good cuticle oil and push back the cuticles with an orangewood stick. Ideally push back cuticles after you soak in the warm olive oil.
• 
  
  File your nails when you are wearing polish as this will help prevent splitting and breaking.
• 
  
  Wearing nail polish, even a colourless base coat is recommended if you have brittle nails.

Love your nails with an Almond-Jojoba nail and cuticle treatment from our friends at “Secrets of the Spas”. Recipe:

2 tablespoons almond oil, 2 tablespoons jojoba oil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (or 3-4 vitamin E oil capsules, broken open)

Mix all the ingredients together. Soak nails in warm water for 10 minutes, pat dry, then massage mixture into hands and feet (if you like) concentrating on nails and cuticles. Wash off with warm water and pat dry, add moisturizer. Recipe makes about four hand treatments.

Enjoy Spa Girls!

Spa Girl knows the perfect way to relax and it starts with an S!

I have been on the go for the past two weeks and I’m ready to hit the spa and remember just how good it feels to relax. Booked myself in and spent the afternoon having a massage and a Clayton Shagal facial. Can’t count how many times I fell asleep during the two and a half hour treatment, especially when that heavenly steam was rolling over my face, opening all my pores and preparing my face for what was to come. This particular facial takes one and a half hours and leaves your face wonderfully clean and feeling soft, silky and extremely moisturized. I highly recommend this product.

I have blogged about this product line previously, but it is worth repeating. Clayton Shagal is a privately owned skin care line launched in the early 1980’s created in Germany and manufactured in Quebec, Canada. It is 99% pure extracted collagen and since 2004 has been used not only in high-end spas but for medical use as well. It’s expensive, but well worth the investment.

There are many great benefits of collagen: it revitalizes and normalizes the production of collagen in the dermis; fortifies the skin's foundation and improves suppleness of the skin; accelerates healing of scars and burns; delays formation of wrinkles (and who doesn’t like that!); it is ideal for pre laser procedures to increase the skin's ability to retain moisture & promote skin resiliency; and accelerates skin recovery and improves skin density.

Along with the extracted collagen Clayton Shagal products include elastin which improves moisturization and elasticity of the skin; penetrates deeply into the dermis and combines with collagen fibers to fortify the skin; improves skin tone, firms, and reduces sagging skin; and reduces redness and inflammation by normalizing the basic functions of the skin. Two great ingredients for a great looking face!

Check out the website.  http://claytonshagal.com/site_ang.html

There are several Clayton Shagal products to select from; I opted for the gel lotion cleanser and bamboo and honey exfoliant which smells wonderful, a rich moisturizing mask and several active treatment products prior to a hynoderm cream which not only locks in moisture but protects your face from damaging ultra violet rays and environmental pollutants. One of my favorite aspects of a great facial is the process itself, the careful application of product, hot steam, and layers of hot facial towels applied several times during the hour and a half which help you relax and open up all your pores. My face will feel great for days!

In most cities there are training facilities, schools who teach the techniques of esthetics and massage. In many cases you can book yourself an appointment and pay a very reasonable fee for any number of spa services.

So take a page out of Spa Girls book, when you have over done it, take some time for yourself and head to the nearest spa and say facial please!

Spa Girl says check out the Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0123/1224262672858.html

Spa Girl on microdemabrasion

Skin is the largest organ in the body. The body naturally exfoliates the top layer of dead skin every three to four months. Microdemabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that gently exfoliates the top layer of dead skin. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic procedure which can be performed at home, in beauty salons, spas and medical or dermatological offices.

As you age the renewal process begins to slow down and your skin can become dull, not to mention the annual advancement of wrinkles. I use a home microdemabrasion treatment, exfoliating several times a month. Many of my friends use their home-based treatments several times a week. There are a number of home-based microdemabrasion treatments to select from; my preference is Susan Lucci's Youthful Essence microdemabrasion kit from http://www.youthfulessence.com/ specially designed to gently smooth away dead surface cells to reveal the silky soft skin beneath. I love the smell of this product and how it diminishes the fine lines and wrinkles on my face. Microdemabrasion can also refine enlarged pores and help to lessen age spots and since microdemabrasion only exfoliates the top layer of skin there are no risks. However if you have skin problems you should consult your health care practitioner before you try this treatment.

Regularly exfoliating your skin will improve texture and appearance, your face will be softer, smoother and younger looking and freckles, age spots and fine lines will diminish.

Spa Girl Loves London for so many reasons!

http://www.timeout.com/london/sport/features/2483/London-s_20_best_spas.html

Spa Girl’s suggestions for a great looking FACE

One of my favourite spa treatments is a facial which over the years has really kept my skin looking great. I also love that it is so relaxing. But having great looking skin requires care and attention on several fronts.

Good nutrition and exercise are the basic building blocks for a healthy body, including great looking skin. Drinking plenty of water is also an essential component. Add to that a wonderful spa treatment and there is nothing like a professional facial to deep cleanse your skin—I have one every four to six weeks as that is how long it take the skin to regenerate—and toss the soap. Ask your esthetician about a good home skin-care routine, and wear sunscreen everyday. Most good face creams now have sunscreen in them; remember that sun damage is the single most cause of premature aging of the skin.

A spa facial generally includes cleansing, steam, massage, masks, tonners and the application of protective creams. You will never look back after you have had someone massage your eyebrows and the edge of your chin! A good facial not only cleans the face, but exfoliates the surface of your skin removing all dead and dry tissue in order to nourishes and promote clean well-hydrated skin.

The esthetician will examine your skin with a bright light and magnifying lamp in order to determine the best course of action, she will look to see if your skin is normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive or mature, the condition of your pores or any other skin conditions that might be present.

There are several facials to select from, so it’s a good idea to do a wee bit of research before you book your appointment, but most are a variation on the classic European facial. Look at the list your spa offers and ask which is best for you. For example I love to treat myself to an anti aging Clayton Shagal facial which leaves my skin silky smooth. One facial I have not tried is a photo facial, a treatment employing light which boost collagen and great for treating acne. Which ever facial treatment you select, I guarantee you will feel rejuvenated, revitalized and refreshed.

Can’t get to the spa this week, here is a home facial which includes everyone’s favourite sweetener—honey. Honey is a natural humectant which has the ability to attract and retain moisture. It is also has natural antioxidant properties which play an important role in protecting the skin from VU rays and aiding in skin rejuvenation. The skin’s ability to stay hydrated is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity.

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerine (available in most drug stores) and enough flour to form a paste. Wash face then smooth mixture over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water and pat dry. Finish off with your favourite face cream.

All-natural honey has been used as a beauty product since the days of Cleopatra—and what’s good for Cleo is surely good for Spa Girls.

Spa Girl loves a Get-Away!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/restandrelaxation

Need some R&R time--here are some great get-aways around the world.

Spa Girl found this great link: The secret benefits of mineral waters

The secret benefits of mineral waters: Beauty [2/2] - Elle Canada : Today

Posted using ShareThis

Spa Girl asks...Why Choose a Green Spa?

There are so many choices when selecting a spa and it can be confusing, so it is important to check them out prior to booking an appointment. The spa you select must feel “right” for you; it must feel comfortable, is clean and follows good hygiene practices, offers a good variety of treatments at fair prices and uses products that are highly regarded. It is also important to ask what training the therapists have and how long they have been practicing. In making your selection you might also want to consider those spas that are “green”, here are some of the reasons…

Green spas are naturally healthy - By eliminating toxins in their skin care products and in their spa’s environment, green spas provide a healthier experience.

Green spas are more relaxing - By putting aside the stressors of modern life – including noise, pollution, toxins and waste – green spas are able to offer a more balanced and relaxing experience.

Green spa treatments are more effective - Synthetically derived skincare products may produce quick results, but they might also cause damage. Natural treatments are gentler and help ensure long-term health and beauty.

Green spas put the body in harmony with nature - Green spas are attuned to the rhythms of nature as well as the rhythms of the human body. When nature and body are in harmony humans feel healthier, stronger and more attractive.

Green spas are good business - Although up-front costs for some greening programs may be high, they usually pay for themselves and start to provide savings within one to two years. For example: investing in low-flow shower heads and toilets will cost up front, but the savings in water use will continue well into the future.

Green spas are naturally healthy - By eliminating toxins in their skin care products and in their spa’s environment, green spas provide a healthier experience.

  

http://greenspanetwork.org/

Spa Girl says make looking after yourself as routine as brushing your teeth!

I wish everyone a joyful New Year, one that is filled with happiness and goodwill with time set aside to relax, rejuvenate and restore.

Make a promise yourself—before you get to busy to think—to go to the spa and pamper yourself every few months, look into some aromatherapy treats to pour into your bath and make sure to look after your feet over the next few months as they carry us through the winter.

I just placed my on-line order for 20 pounds of Dead Sea Salts. I make several lovely blends of bath salts (baking soda, clay, Dead Sea salt, Epson salt plus essential oils) which I pour into all my baths. I also make little give away batches for friends who love the bath as much as I do. Making your own combinations of bath salts is not only easy but economical.

Do your research to ensure the salts your are buying are from the Dead Sea in Israel as the salt concentration is 10 times higher than ocean water, and it's high in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium chlorides and high concentration of bromides. These remarkable salts enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture and salt baths draw toxins out of the body and help to relieve skin ailments such as Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne. 

Basic Salt Soak

2 cup Dead Sea salts

4 cups baking soda

2 cup Epsom salts

2 to 4 tablespoons glycerin per bath

Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts and stir to blend. Pour 1 cup into the bath while the tub is filling and store the remaining in a glass jar. Add a capful of glycerin to keep your skin from drying out and essential oils of choice. There are also a number of great clay products you can add to this mixture.

The history of salt is fascinating, click the link below to read all about it. http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_HistoryOfSalt.asp

“Since its discovery, several thousand years ago, salt has profoundly affected human life, not only with respect to the feeding habits or the ancient food preserving home industry, but also in the human, economic, mythological and religious spheres. Last but not least, on beliefs, habits and superstitions. Salt was a greatly appreciated exchange commodity, so much so that the so-called "salt routes" were born, through which merchants transported and sold it in countries where it was not produced”.

Spa Girl jumps into a home made Seaweed Bath

Another bath blog—what can I say!

Not only a great way to unwind after a busy day but a nice hot bath is so good for your skin as the waters gently soften, revitalize and cleanse. From cupboard to face, your kitchen is a great source of natural ingredients to soften (yogurt), soothe (oatmeal & cucumber), and invigorate (citrus) to name but a few.

It was in Ireland that I first discovered seaweed baths, now they have become very popular and can be found in spas all around the globe. To my delight one of the baths I visited had take-away seaweed for home use.

It is important when having any type of hot bath to drink lots of water and best to jump in when you have an empty stomach. Seaweed baths are widely-known for there therapeutic value as the seaweed is rich in minerals—calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, magnesium, vitamin A & K.

I now buy seaweed at the health food store and add about 3 to 5 ounces to a very hot bath and let it steep until the water has cooled enough to jump in. Depending on the type of seaweed you buy (kelp, dulse, nori or a combination) you might want to put it into a mesh bag (you can also use old stockings) as you don’t want the seaweed to go down the drain when you empty the tub. Then simply soak until the seaweed gel released into the water starts to dissolve from your skin. Sometimes I will also add a mixture of carrier oil and several drops of my favourite essential oil depending on whether I want to relax or rejuvenate. Make sure to put your head into the water as the gel released from the seaweed is also very good for your hair.

Spa Girl Loves Ireland for so many reasons (seaweed baths & products)
http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/11/spa-girl-loves-ireland-for-many-reasons.html://

Spa Girl says Happy Holidays Everyone!

‘Tis’ the season of utter folly, cars, cars and more cars, impossible parking, line ups for your organic turkey, last minute shopping, not to mention some pretty dreadful snow storms—sound familiar!

With all this seasonal activity buzzing around me I took the time today for my last spa experience of 2009. I had a facial and a massage—one of my favourite spa combos—ideal for all those sore muscles from carrying bags of holiday treats. I came away feeling relaxed and ready for all the holiday festivities still to come.

2009 was a remarkable year for the Spa industry which is changing before our eyes. Not only is it growing at a phenomenal rate (the number of spas in the U.S. grew at an annual rate of 21% from 1995-1999) the industry is also remodeling itself, incorporating overall health and wellness into the regime; so along with that great massage or body wrap you can expect splendid organic spa food, personal trainers, yoga and Tai Chi classes, water and land fitness programs, meditation and stress management sessions, to name just a few. Indeed the spa is becoming a place to regain peace of mind and pamper yourself back into (or maintain) total health.

The International Spa Association, recognized worldwide as the professional organization and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 3,200 health and wellness facilities and providers in 83 countries indicates that in 2007 there were 138 million spa visits. So Spa Girls we are not alone in this revolution to relax, rejuvenate, and restore.

The ISPA lists on their web site http://www.experienceispa.com/ TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO LIVE WELL. I have blogged about many of these gems of wisdom which include: get eight hours of sleep; eat and drink healthy organic fruits and veggies and water; exercise, Yoga, Tai Chi, Walking; meditate & breath; enjoy nature and beautiful things; nurture your body with a spa visit, massage, facials, body wraps; learn or teach someone else; volunteer, give back to your community and your earth; avoid negativity from yourself or from others; love yourself and others around you.

So as you begin to put together your to-do list for 2010 make sure your overall well-being is top of list! Happy holidays and thanks for supporting my blog.

Spa Girl says it is all a matter of BALANCE

I stood in line for over an hour this week waiting to post Christmas cards and gifts to various parts of the world and reminded myself that my overall well-being is all a matter of balance--and of course timing. If I had been more organized the cards would have been written and ready to post two weeks earlier and the lines would have been negligible.

In that hour I considered the whole issue of balance—the teadertodder between work and play and what is sensible or not! Women are particularly poor at creating balance as we are always looking after someone besides ourselves. Long ago I gave up the idea that I was super woman, but I do like to think that I’m someone who can multi-task while not turning myself into a pretzel.

Since I love posting aromatherapy recipes, I thought why not create a recipe to help achieve and/or maintain a critical life balance. After all, if we can understand how to balance our lives then we are in a better position to be content. Learning to juggle all the balls, or perhaps even deciding to give up a few might mean a more satisfying and manageable lifestyle. The alternative of course is irritability, exhaustion, headaches and total frustration! Problems will of course crop up, but if your life is generally on an even keel you are in a much better position to deal with whatever comes your way.

A number of years ago I participated in a professional development workshop with two physiologists. The foundation of the week-long program was undertaking the Myers Briggs test, a questionnaire designed to measure knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. In other words, to better understand how people perceive the world and make decisions. I mention this as it was instrumental in understanding (as a manager) how to create balance and achieve goals when dealing with so many different workplace personalities. Even now I find myself reflecting on what I learned in this workshop and how it relates to my own ability to understand and achieve personal balance. Don’t get me wrong, I still have days when I am exhausted and frustrated, that’s when I head to the spa!

I was telling friends at dinner tonight that I was writing this blog on balance and the general consensus was balance requires paying equal attention to our emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual well-being. With this in mind, here is my recipe.

The first ingredient in creating balance is to know you’re self, take the time to reflect and determine new paths. It is not true that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks.

Learn to say NO. This is very difficult for me as I love to say yes and figure it out as I go—it’s almost a challenge. Being aware of this trait I now try to think about it and decide if with will help or hinder.

Make sure you get enough sleep; if you are constantly tired even small problems can become overwhelming.

Make sure to do something that you personally enjoy, like having dinner with friends, having fun relieves stress and reminds us that life does not have to be serious all the time.

Exercise & eat well—what can I say!

Take a ‘time out’ just for your self, meditate, pick up a good book or magazine, whatever brings you contentment.

Enjoy one day at a time and love the one you’re with. Nurturing those we love has so many benefits.

And lastly go to the spa! Remember Spa Girls motto: relax, rejuvenate and restore!

We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing." Unknown

Spa Girl says YES to seducing the senses with devine design

I was surfing the bookstores and came across this beautiful book. I’m the first to admit that although I have way too many books (is that possible?) and not enough time, I have a deep passion for books. I think it’s their tangible nature that attracts me. I also think there is nothing better than sitting in front of a roaring fire or on a sunny beach with a good book. A friend once remarked that if you like reading you will never be lonely.

Books that have a sense of their own aesthetic are also high on my priority list—so well designed that you slide into them like a comfortable pair of shoes.

I am also an enthusiast of great architecture, so a book that marries architecture and spas, well Spa Girl thinks this seduces the senses! The title of the book is Architectural Interiors: Spas and this is what they say…

This stylish volume showcases page after page of spa aesthetics in a delightful manner that is bound to capture the interest of spa operators, designers, architects, the design-savvy public, and spa worshippers.

A handbook of real-world interiors
A comprehensive reference resource of inspiration, fresh thinking, and new ideas
A visually stunning array of eye-catching photographs

The spas of today are fuelled by a holistic awareness that is fast becoming a given in today's fast-paced society. As more people are getting in touch with their inner well-being, spas are the top-choice destination for those after a balanced lifestyle. From inner city spas catering to busy executives to luxurious resorts dotting the fringes of exotic islands, each spa featured in Architectural Interiors: Spas was designed for the ultimate relaxation and pampering of the mind, body, and soul, with some even picking up awards along the way. Published in 2007 (ISBN: 28889348)

Only one click away Spa Girls!

Spa Girl is all a glow ♥

It’s definitely winter out there and not one my favourite times of the year especially when you live in cold climes. I am also on holiday so what better way to liberate one self from the chills than to go the Spa.

So off I went for a blissful salt glow & wrap with a Vichy Shower which I find totally relaxing and is one of my all time favourite spa treatments.

Salt glows are an ideal way to exfoliate & hydrate your skin; first the estition prepared a mixture of sea salt and essential oils which filled the wet room with a heavenly scent. Depending on the spa, you might be lying on a massage table covered with a towel or sheet or a thin piece of plastic, or on a wet table, basically a big shower room with a table covered in plastic and a solar blanket to wrap you up in. Some spas offer disposable underwear but I find I am quite comfortable with just being covered with towels.

Today I was lying on a wet table draped with a towel as she massaged this delightful fusion of sea salt, oil, and aromatics (lemon & lavender) into my skin, one side then the other. Once she completed the salt massage I was wrapped up like a mummy in order for my body to heat up and absorb the rich mixture of salt and essential oils. For the next 20 minutes as I “baked” I got a face and scalp massage, now Spa Girls, this is just over the moon! Having someone massage your face—especially my eye brows and chin—releases all the stress and stain from your day.

The last part of the treatment was having a Vichy shower, which is a special six or seven-headed shower parallel to the table. There is something magical about having a horizontal shower. The hot rain-drop like shower puts me into a meditate state and don’t want it to end. I highly recommend it.

Having a salt glow & wrap leaves your skin feeling rejuvenated and velvet like but don’t book an appointment if you have just had your hair done, you are soaked from head to toe!

I learned something else today. Prior to heading to the spa I went to a staff Christmas lunch and I was not all that comfortable lying on my stomach as I was full from a not so great meal. So better to stick with those wonderful spa cuisine receipts I posted and have linked below.

Stay warm Spa Girls and enjoy the salt, essentail oils and Vichy shower!


Playing on the salt flats.

http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/09/spa-girl-loves-good-salt-glow-wrap-with.html
http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/10/spa-girls-says-take-little-time-to_07.html

Aura Cacia - high quality essential oils and ready-to-use natural and organic personal care products

Aura Cacia - high quality essential oils and ready-to-use natural and organic personal care products

SpaFinder’s Seventh Annual “Top 10 Global Spa Trends to Watch in 2010”

President Susie Ellis Names 2010 “The Year of the Hammam”—Predicts Hybrid Spas and the New “P” Word Will Change Industry

NEW YORK, NY – December 8, 2010 – SpaFinder, Inc., the global spa and wellness resource, today revealed its “2010 Spa Trends Forecast,” naming global spa trends that will influence spa experiences for both consumers and the industry in 2010 and for years to come. Now in its seventh year, SpaFinder’s annual forecast is widely anticipated by the $255 billion-plus global spa and wellness industries and the business community.

SpaFinder President, Susie Ellis, previewed the trends at a special online presentation attended by press and industry professionals, held in association with The University of California, Irvine, Spa and Hospitality Management Program.

1) The New “P” Word
Goodbye, pampering. Hello, prevention. Well, not so fast. It’s more like, move over, pampering; hello, prevention. Against the backdrop of a global healthcare crisis, prevention is poised to be the new “it” word of the spa industry in 2010 and beyond. But rather than replacing established industry concepts like pampering and wellness, it’s a sharp (and smart) refocusing of the conversation. Pampering, after all, speaks to the stress-reduction, relaxation goal of most spa-goers, and that in itself is preventive.

2) Year of the Hammam
With spa-goers increasingly seeking authenticity, tradition, and that magical spa experience that also offers true results, the Middle Eastern hammam (hamam in Turkey) represents one of the hottest trends for 2010, albeit with a distinctly modern expression. This is the year in which people who have never heard the term hammam will learn its meaning, and those already familiar with it will discover new places to experience it.

3) Not “Going to,” But “Belonging to” a Spa
No longer a place where you infrequently “go” for the occasional treatment, spas are being creatively re-imagined as places of “belonging”—not only through the big rise in membership programs, but also in the diverse ways spas are being recast as social or communal hubs—contributing the additional, although unspoken, benefit of emotional health.

4) The Online Spa
2010 will be a watershed year for the spa industry’s virtual presence. Consumers are already online searching for spas, booking treatments, joining online weight loss and coaching groups, and embracing social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. (Some even play the online Sally Spa game.) But there’s more to come.
Get ready for gaming while you exercise, for having health information (like your blood pressure and heart rate) automatically uploaded for access online by your spa or doctor, and for spas to use yield management software that—much like the airlines—enables price variation, so spas can offer a less expensive massage on weekday mornings, compared to Saturday afternoons. And in early 2010, you’ll be able to stroll down any street in the U.S. and check your iPhone to pinpoint the spa nearest you, thanks to the upcoming SpaFinder App.

5) The Hybrid Spa
The modern spa is increasingly a “hyphenated” affair, with spas incorporating far more fitness, fitness centers incorporating more spa, hospitals incorporating spa elements, and spas bringing in more medical doctors and specialists. The era of the spa/fitness/integrated-health-center/hospital/spiritual-retreat/wellness-center/beauty-clinic is on a serious upswing. It’s one integrated human body, after all, and the “pure” spa is on the decline, while the hybrid spa is busy inventing new you-name-it plugged-in hybrid models.

6) The Price Is (Still) Right
2009’s headline spa story was the industry’s aggressive response to the global recession and the near-universal focus on deals, deals, and more deals. While there’s (cautious) consensus that the economy is in recovery mode, there’s great news for consumers in 2010: The spa bargains will continue apace, not only straight discounting, but also more innovative incentives smartly designed by spas to drive incremental revenue and retain loyal customers. And keep an eye out for savvy new spas combining less expensive treatments and facilities with a touch of glamour, hitting a sweet spot between nice and price.

7) Wellness Tourism Wows
We’re familiar with people seeking spas for wellness—and also with “medical tourism,” crossing borders for medical procedures (often plastic surgery, dentistry, knee replacements, etc.). Well, make room for “wellness tourism,” a new term describing travel across borders for preventive services, diagnostics, spa and well-being vacations, even stem cell banking. The concept not only dramatically broadens the appeal of the medical tourism model (which has suffered from its narrow association with plastic surgery), it’s increasingly poised to become the way we define our time away from home and work in the future.

8) Scary and Silly Spa Stories Drive Evidence, Science, and Standards
The fallout from heavily publicized spa horror stories—and the recession-driven consumer insistence on no-gimmick treatments with real, measurable benefits—will quicken a rising industry trend: the demand for evidence-based therapies, stricter industry standards, and greater transparency/resources to help spa-goers separate the wheat from the chaff. As spas move into the health and wellness sectors, facts, evidence, and science that support industry approaches will move front and center, even at the cost of a few diamond facials.

9) Diversity at a Tipping Point
For years analysts have discussed how the spa industry has been attracting new demographics (men, teens, seniors, new ethnic groups). But in 2010 diversity has reached a tipping point: It has fully arrived, and it’s here to stay. Spa-going has become so mainstream that the face of the spa-goer will now continue to reflect the wider global population. Every spa region has its unique “diversity story,” and around the globe far more men, younger and older generations, and ethnic groups are hitting the spa. And spas are taking note, with offerings that cater to these diverse groups’ needs and wants. Set to explode: In the U.S. alone, where approximately 78 million baby boomers are poised to enter their 60s, watch for “silver spa-ing” to really take off.

10) Stillness
The modern human experience is an unprecedented amount of sensory overload, noise, and media stimulation. We’re wired to the gills, spending nearly all waking hours in front of TV and computer screens—bombarded, texting, tweeting, clattering away—now even on airplanes. With the spa as one of the last remaining sanctuaries of silence and serenity, look for the industry to put a new emphasis on stillness, on slowness, on silence. From totally silent massages/treatments or using white noise and subtle nature sounds instead of music; to silent walks, hikes, and dinners at Red Mountain or Rancho La Puerta; to Six Senses Spas’ focus on a “Slow Life” approach; to an upswing in meditation offerings and programs, spas will help clients move from busy-ness and overload to quiet, to stillness. “Sounds” awfully good.

Bonus Trend: Celebrating Celebration
In a recent survey, travel agents reported the #1 emerging spa travel trend was people increasingly hitting stay spas for special occasions like the big ’0s’, anniversaries, weddings, retirement parties, etc. And after the severe downturn in spas’ corporate/meetings business (which, because of virtual conferencing, will continue to decline), the industry is aggressively incentivizing group celebration travel to revitalize lost business. This concept was born at the day spa (with its long tradition of bachelorette, graduation and “girlfriend” parties), and its rapid migration into the travel arena in 2010 is one great reason for the industry to celebrate.

LEARN MORE: To learn more about SpaFinder’s 2010 Trends Report, or to speak to SpaFinder president Susie Ellis, contact: Betsy Isroelit, (213) 300-0108 or betsy@spafinder.com

About SpaFinder, Inc.:
The world’s largest spa media, marketing, and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc., connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s media properties include the award-winning Spafinder.com, the Spa Enthusiast newsletter, and the annual Global Spa and Wellness Directory. SpaFinder and its new gift division, Salon Wish, offer spa gift certificates and cards that are redeemable at a combined network of over 9,000 spas and salons worldwide and are available at thousands of retail outlets. The company’s technology division innovates new solutions that help spas build and streamline their businesses, including the popular SpaBooker online booking system. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing and gifting programs, including localized, native-language websites. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan./p>

Copyright © 2008, SpaFinder, Inc. Information and data extracted from this press release is to be accompanied by a statement identifying SpaFinder (Inc.) as the publisher and source.

Spa Girl says if you like to ski & go to the Spa check out this top ten!

http://www.spafinder.com/top-ten-spas/best-ski-spas.jsp

Spa Girl says indulgence is devine!

I started my holidays last week and I decided since I wasn’t going away I would check out a few spas in the area and kick start my R&R into high gear. I was also beginning to feel human again after a rather nasty encounter with H1N1 so the idea of heading to the spa really appealed. There is nothing like a little pampering to remind yourself of all things good in your life.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. I started the week in a hot salt water pool enjoying a Watsu session which frankly left me feeling like a bowl of jelly and I slept for 10 hours that evening! Then it was off to one of my favourite little places for a wonderful pedicure and French polish, don’t you just love your toes! I ended the week with a Clayton Shagal facial and hot oil massage which not only left my skin feeling like velvet, but I was so stress-free when we started I experienced a whole other level of relaxation. It made me think just how much stress we carry around with us, often without even realizing it!

With Christmas decorations to organize and presents to wrap I cannot think of a better way to start your holidays than a little spa indulgence.

Spa Girl says cupboard to face works for me!

I love to research, in fact I can spend hours just picking my way through material. I spent a delightful afternoon last week carefully looking through a book that was in one of my many bookselves. It's old and very fragile, and came to me from my mom's library, and most likely her mom's library before that. Its a 1904 edition of a 1887 White House Cookbook that describes itself as "A Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home" published by The Saalfield Publishing Company.

The web is another amazing source of information and between the two here are a few fun ideas that take you from cupboard to face.

Milk: The lactic acid in milk serves as a gentle skin exfoliant while its natural fat content acts as a moisturizer. Add a gallon of whole milk to a tubful of warm water and soak. For a fragranced bath, add 10 to 20 drops of an essential oil such as lavender.

Eggs: Are high protein content and help to improve hair's resilience and luster. Whisk together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons coconut oil which is rich in moisturizing fats and 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Apply the mixture to dry hair and wrap a hot, moist towel around your head. Relax for five to 10 minutes. Without wetting hair first, work in a handful of shampoo, and then rinse and condition your hair.

Apple-Cider Vinegar: Its high acid content makes skin inhospitable to blemish-causing bacteria. Place a handful of parsley, a skin-clarifying herb, into a French press and cover it with 1/2 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, and then plunge and let the liquid cool. Transfer to a spray bottle along with a splash of vinegar and four drops of tea tree oil which is an antiseptic and shake well; spritz on a freshly cleansed face. Store the spray bottle in the fridge.

Oatmeal: Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oatmeal contains beta glucan a soluble fiber that creates a thin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin. Place a handful of whole oats in a clean washcloth and immerse it in warm water and squeeze the bag four or five times. Once the water is cloudy, splash it on your face and then air-dry.

Avocado Oil: Its abundant fatty acids help balance skin's moisture levels and the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E protect skin from damage. Combine equal parts avocado oil and evening-primrose oil, which supports collagen synthesis with its gamma linoleic acid, in a sealable bottle and shake to blend. Massage five or six drops into clean skin, and then cover your face with a warm washcloth for a minute to help the oils sink in.

Walnuts: Rich in oil walnuts make for extra-gentle sloughing. Blend 1/4 cup shelled walnuts, 1/2 cup olive oil, for extra emollients, and a tablespoon of honey to seal moisture into your skin in a food processor creating a fine-particle scrub. Work the mixture thoroughly over your skin for a couple of minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Oranges: Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice of one half into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup olive oil and then blend into a moisture-rich scrub. Rub the exposed side of the other half of the orange over knees, elbows, heels, and any other dry spots. Last, rub in the sugar mixture to slough off dead skin. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Spa Girl says Watsu is massage magic for water babies like me!

Founded in the early 1980’s by Harold Dull director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage in California, Watsu is a magical aquatic massage therapy.

Floating weightlessly in a warm pool the Watsu therapist guides your body through a series of gentle movements and stretches intended to completely relax the body and mind. For those of you who have done any water exercise programs know that working out in water is fabulous as the water supports the entire body and lets you push just that wee bit further without injury. At the heart of Watsu is a combination of shiatsu and ancient Chinese pressure-point therapy intended to help with the bodies energy flow along the meridian points, elements of massage, joint mobilization, muscle stretching and dance are also part of this amazing water therapy.

Many years ago at the height of their popularity I routinely headed for the floatation tanks and found them just amazing. Like floating, Watsu slows your mind down and as your body relaxes in warm water (around 35°C.) you can find yourself in a dream-like state. I found when I floated I could put an idea in my mind and then watch as the idea unraveled, often solving some difficult questions for me. Clearly when you have an opportunity to relax both the mind and the body it helps relieve overall stress and definitely makes for a better sleep! And Spa Girl asks who doesn’t need that!

Watsu is finding a place in many international health and wellness spas as well as in aquatic physiotherapy programmes, aiding recovery from injury, relieving muscular and joint pain and encouraging movement and flexibility.

While I have only participated in Watsu in a dedicated pool, I understand that in Chilean Patagonia and Argentina are some of the best thermal waters with therapeutic effects which combined with Watsu, well lets just say it is an out of body experience.

So if you think this therapy is for you check out hot springs in your area and see if they offer Watsu, if not head to your favourite Spa and Watsu baby, Watsu!

http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/10/spa-girl-loves-japanese-art-of-shiatsu.html

Spa Girl says a rosemary infused bath fixes almost everything!

One of my all time favourite plants for cooking and bathing is rosemary, and as I have said many times, in many different ways, a good bath fixes almost everything. Now if only someone would renovate my bathroom with a jetted soaker tub (preferably copper) I would be in heaven.

On the mend from H1N1 and having some regained energy I decided to dig into that wonderful pail of spa goodies from my friend Indigo and have a decadent rosemary oil body scrub and a hot bath. Oh yes!

Rosemary is known for revival powers, it helps clear the mind and helps with nasal congestion, all good things on the path to recovery. It is known as the herb of remembrance. The plant produces an almost colorless essential oil with a strong, fresh, camphor aroma.

Like a good massage, lightly scrubbing your body in a circular motion with a loofah or textured sponge improves circulation as it cleanses and exfoliates the skin. I always start with my feet and work my way up to hands, arms, shoulders, down the back—you may want help for this area—and then to my tummy towards the heart.

I use one cup of medium Dead Sea salts (not to fine, not to coarse) and 1/2 cup of rosemary oil and mix together in a bowl. Alternatively you can dip your loofah or sponge in the oil then the salts and go from there. I generally stand in the tub because it can be messy. Once I have revitalized my entire body I fill the tub and sink into the hot heavenly smells of the rosemary oil. I also have a few fresh sprigs floating about. The salt will make your skin feel like silk. I then rinse off under the shower and pat dry and use my favourite organic moisturizer—a new woman is born.



http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/09/spa-girl-says-its-time-for-bath-in.html


http://spagirl007.blogspot.com/2009/09/spa-girl-says-great-big-thank-you.html
Enjoy…

Spa Girl says it's time for those essentail oils

Well like many I somehow managed to contract H1N1 and have been feeling pretty crumy! So I went on line to look for some alternative "feel good" remedies and of course it's never to late for those wonderful age-old essential oils. Several oils have considerable anti- viral activity, and help to boost the immune system. For maximum effectiveness, it is important that you use them at the earliest sign of influenza or in some cases before contracting cold/flu to boost your immune system as a preventative.

Essential oils of basil, eucalyptus, peppermint, and pine help to ease nasal congestion. Choose one to three of these oils and use them as inhalants or in steam inhalation treatments.

For chest congestion, a steam inhalation treatment made with basil, pine, and/ or tea tree oil can help to clear mucus and ease breathing. Rubbing a massage oil prepared with these oils over the chest may also be helpful.

An aromatherapy bath prepared with elemi, myrrh, pine, and/ or tea tree oil can help to soothe achy feeling all over your body that accompanies flu. Use a lukewarm bath for fever, a hot bath for chills.

To stop the spread of airborne viruses during the flu season:

Protect yourself from others by gargling daily with 1 drop each of the essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon in a glass of warm water; stir well before each mouthful. Do not swallow.

Mix a blend of essential oils to use in your diffuser or for use in steam inhalation.

Blend together:

ravensare - 3 parts
naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part
lemon - 1 part
rosewood - 1 part
lavender - 1 part

Ravensare and naiouli have antiviral properties, while the other essential oils in the blend act as antiseptics while at the same time providing a wonderful aroma.

Diffuser Application

Add about 50 drops of the above blend to your diffuser at a time.

Fumigate the house with oils to help prevent the spread of flu. Put 2-3 drops on a radiator to evaporate or add 10 drops of essential oils to a small plant spray filled with water. Spray the room frequently.

Steam Inhalation

Add six to eight drops of the above blend to a bowl of just-boiled water. Place a towel over your head and inhale. Repeat this treatment two or three times a day, if necessary.

For chills:

Add 3 drops of rosemary and 3 drops of ginger or black pepper essential oils to your bath.

Mix 5 drops of ravensare and 15 drops of rosewood in ½ ounce of carrier oil such as olive or almond. This makes an energizing massage oil blend.

Other Essential Oils Useful for Flu:

Tea Tree oil
Eucalyptus oil
Lemon oil
Lavender oil
If you come down with the flu, add 10 to 20 drops of tea tree to hot water and take a hot bath. This may help your immune system fight the viral infection and ease your symptoms. Use a pure, unadulterated form of tea tree oil; adulterated forms can be irritating to the skin.

To help alleviate and disinfect dry air passages, add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water or vaporizer and leave in bedroom overnight. A small handkerchief sprinkled with a few drops of the oil and left under the pillow may help as well.

Caution: Do Not Overdo this. Prolonged inhalation of essential oils can cause an enlarged liver.

If you have a congested nose or chest, add a few drops of essential oils of eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus) or peppermint (Mentha piperita) to a steam vaporizer.

Caution: If you are asthmatic, be cautious the first time you try this; if you have not been exposed to essential oils before, inhaling the vapor may actually precipitate an attack.



Spa Girl says feel better and take care during this flu season!

Spa Girl loves Ireland for many reasons!

I have traveled to Ireland more than any other country in the world, other than perhaps the USA, and I quite simply love this enchanted emerald isle. One of my dreams (when I win the lottery) is to open a spa in one of the many old historic houses, with its rambling gardens, which dot the Irish landscape.

This picture is one of many of my favourite heritage sites, the Mussenden Temple on the Downhill Estate, Northern Ireland.

Traveling in both the North and South of Ireland, whether by car, train, boat or bike is a real treat, the people are wonderful, the landscape incredible and the history engaging. On one occasion, after reading about them in a book, I dropped everything and drove right across the island in order to take a hot saltwater seaweed bath. Seaweed baths are very popular in Ireland dating back to Edwardian times. If you have never tried a seaweed bath it is worth the trip! On one such outing I came across a local company which has created the most heavenly seaweed based skin care products.

Seavite, a company producing organic skincare products is one of Galway’s pride and joys. Founded in 1993 by the late Patrick, a marine scientist and Kaye Mulrooney, Sevite is a family owned business. Its medical directors are the Mulrooney daughters, Jane and Katherine, both doctors specializing in dermatology. Their brother James is the company’s financial director and strategist.

Seaweed is well-known for its therapeutic properties. Scientific studies confirm seaweed helps reduce stress, relieves dry skin and is also good for soothing muscle aches and joint stiffness. Michael Guiry’s Seaweed Site provides some great information and benefits of seaweed: http://www.seaweed.ie/index.html

Kilcullen’s bath house situated on the eastern end of the Enniscrone seafront is one of Ireland’s oldest seaweed bath houses. http://www.kilcullenseaweedbaths.com/ The bathhouse still has the original enormous glazed porcelain tubs and solid brass Edwardian taps. You can book a double room with a steam box and two bath tubs so you can enjoy a nice hot steam before jumping into your bath with your favourite side-kick. Not only did my partner love it he sang to me as the air filled with the briny smells of the sea—is this romantic or what! If however, the idea of taking a hot saltwater seaweed bath is not appealing you can opt to enjoy the natural ingredients of Seavite instead.

Needless to say I was delighted when a package arrived on my door step last Christmas full of Seavite products, thanks honey. It’s almost Christmas again!

For more information on the array of great products available from Seavite just click on the link http://www.seavite.ie/