JADE STONE MASSAGE AT LE PETITE RETREAT DAY SPA IN LARCHMONT

May 20, 2010

Wow, what a little treat.  I fell in love with LE PETITE RETREAT DAY SPA  while parking my car. Don't let the corporate website design fool you – I too wish the design reflected the specialness of the spa – you know I'm mad about good web design – but sadly it doesn't – still, don't be discouraged!  Beautiful relaxing music (Asian? Tibetan?) is piped right into the parking lot of this charming, secret, little understated spot in Larchmont. 

It really is a hidden treasure. An oasis, a little va-ca to Thailand right in the middle of town. (And up the block from Koo Koo Roo – my fave).

I had the Jade Stone Massage.  Well, the pre-natal version if it. Which means I didn't get the ultra-deep work I crave, love and demand or the hot and cold stone therapy (only hot to keep my temp regulated) but man did I get a flavor of what cool massage it is. The lovely Michael worked this hot hot Jade stone into my muscles like a tool and I was amazed at how goooood it felt.  At first I thought…Stones? Big whoop. Just dig into me with the force of 100 Trojans…But I soon felt the healing therapy of the smoothness of the stones, not to mention there is a chakra healing element to the Jade (green = heart) if you are into that sort of thing. I was in a pretty, outdoor room with lots of natural light and birds chirping and I really did feel like I was in some exotic land. 

I checked out this very cool copper bath inside where they offer (couples too) some interesting bath therapies. I'd love to sink into one of those one day! 

The massage is on the pricer side – $150 for 60 mins – so I suggest fully taking advantage of your time there. Relax, have some tea, a piece of fruit, take a sauna, shower and enjoy the amenities to make a real day of it.

Here's a peek at their treatments.

And the owner Lysa is very sweet.  

Jade Stone Massage Therapy (Our Signature)

Our hands-on Swedish-Deep combo massage incorporates hot & cool stones that are massaged into your body. Heat helps to relax muscle tissue & coolness helps reduce inflammation & flushes out toxins through the lymphatic system. We also integrate Shiatsu & Thai massage strokes for therapeutic results lasting longer than other massages. A favorite for couples or individuals (also pregnant women) — it's the only massage of its kind in LA !

60 mins $150   90 mins $ 225


Le Petite Retreat Day Spa         

 331 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004          

Phone 323.466.1028



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GROOMED L.A.’s new beauty squad – Meet BRIDGET OBERLIN!

May 18, 2010

GROOMED L.A.'s next new contributing Beauty Editor is the fab-glam Bridget Oberlin. She'll be hitting the North Hollywood and Valley beat.  Here's a bit about her.  I just want to turn her face into a cupcake and eat it – she's that fricken adorable.  Ok, that sounds gross.  But take a look at her photo and you'll get my point.

BRIDGET OBERLIN

Bridget Oberlin is a former on-air radio personality ( XM-Syrius and WSYR,  Syracuse NY) and journalist.  She’s also an actress and comic and just you may recognize from the CMT and a bunch of other commercials.   She's obsessed with all things beauty and spends countless hours on-line and in salons researching the newest beauty breakthroughs in search of the best products and practitioners.   A true “Valley Girl,”  Bridget was raised in the good ol' San Fernando Valley and often finds herself defending the valley’s radness to all the haters.

Bridget currently lives in Toluca Lake and likes to keep her grooming close to home though she has begrudgingly admitted to having driven as far as San Diego for a beauty treatment.  Bridget loves a good deal but is deathly allergic to cheapness and secretly loves that her husband has a tendency to splurge on fine dining and travel.  Now, if only she could convince him that spending money at Sephora is a household necessity…

My current beauty obsessions: Anything skin related (that really works); gorgeous lashes and mascaras that don’t run; curling shampoos, sprays, gels; Enzo Milano curling irons; soft make-up brushes;  The Wonderful Wonderbar;  Zoya nailpolishes; Flash Shiner by Design Nail to name a few.


My current non-beauty obsessions:  my wonderful husband, Rooibos tea, my adorable dog, anything that sparkles,  Dateline NBC,  Bazaar at SLS by Jose Andres where my husband just took me for my birthday, a Stairmaster, buying locally grown and grass feed healthy stuff, See’s candy especially the California Brittle (that counts as local, right?), organizing and downsizing, my gorgeous hydrangea, and vintage jewelry – especially wide 1950’s rhinestone bracelets with hide inside clasps and anything YSL. 


My current beauty missions:  Finding a manicurist who is reasonably priced, by-the-book clean and available last minute. (I know, impossible tri-fecta) and finding the perfect spray tan.


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Meet GROOMED L.A.’s newest Beauty Editors! First up, NATASHA BARRETT.

The countdown is on!  Only two and a half more weeks until the baby boy that lives in my tummy (but really just feels like a super bad case of gas right now) makes his grand entrance. 

So GROOMED L.A. has staffed up in preparation!

I am supremely excited to introduce you to the first of our four new awesome beauty-junkie-beauties who will be giving you the latest 411 on hot tips about skin-care, beauty, fitness and health around L.A. and whatever other style or fun fashion flavors and trends float their boat!  

We've also got a great division on area codes to spread the insider grooming love and our first is gonna hit the Sherman Oaks beat. 

If you have a hot tip on a beauty hot-spot in the Valley, please contact GROOMED L.A.: emily@groomed-la.com

NATASHA BARRETT

Natasha Barrett is former editor at Detour Magazine and has written for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Variety, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Santa Barbara Magazine and many more. After bouncing between editorial, film and the L.A. fashion industry, Natasha decided to try

her hand at motherhood – and it stuck!  She still enjoys the occasional trip downtown but calls Sherman Oaks home now. Don’t let this Valley Mom fool you – she’ll be over the hill in five minutes flat for dinner at any one of Suzanne Goin’s restaurants or an aesthetician that

promises glowing skin.

Stuff I’m into: super-sized smoky eyes, “greige” nail polish, pony tails, Goe Oil, a good brunette hair colorist (know of one??), red wine, black coffee and white teeth, Rene Furterer Dry Shampoo, ballerina flats, farms, my kids!!!, anything that makes me look less tired, water, sunscreen, cocktail rings, cocktails (Lillet over ice with a sliver of blood orange, anyone?), L.A. fashion, farmer’s markets, good design, Omorovicza’s Deep Cleansing Mask, traveling to countries with colorful currency, and last but not least, my sexy husband who has even more fun trying new products than I do.

(How cute is she? Love the cocktail!)

Natasha Barrett
 

Oh man, RECESS NAIL SPA is the shizzy…

I've never done this before…posted TWICE about a fave grooming spot…but I had a long overdue mani-pedi yesterday at RECESS and it was just so special, I had to write about it again. The place is so beauteous, the care and expertise so top-notch, the owner Nidhi soooo lovely, the products and polishes so exquisite, it really is worth treating yourself to the Recess experience one of these days if you have yet to get there.  

Perfect for a date with a date with a girlfriend or if you need a suppperr relaxing hour away from the noise of work, kids, life in general.  Not only do I lose my mind over the insane polish collections and brands to choose from, but man, do the have the best junky-fun magazine collection in town!!

No wonder it's a fave of all these glossy mags.

8408-B Beverly Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel 323.782.9919    fax 323.782.9929 

Mon By Appointment Only
Tues – Sat 10AM – 7PM
Sun 11AM – 6PM 

Recess is a one of a kind spa that is internationally recognized for its cutting edge techniques, offering organic and non-toxic services in an environmentally responsible way. It was founded on the simple idea of combining the best of all worlds, in order to provide our guests with a unique atmosphere for their beauty services. It is an aesthetically and physically soothing salon to congregate with your friends and loved ones and enjoy our relaxing spa services. 


mani

pedi
express mani   20   30
all organic    22   32
basic mani   25   35
recess signature   35   50
thirsty hands and feet   50   70
ultimate recess    65   75
acrylic rehab     75    
sole searching pedicure        80

therapy enhancements
Dead Sea Salt & Sugar Scrub 6 / 8
Lavender Paraffin Wrap 6 / 8
Garlic Formula Natural Nail Strengthener (for brittle nails) 6 / 8
Warm Oil Cuticle Treatment 15
Natural, Heat-Activated Callus Treatment 15
Extra 10 minute Massage 15
Hot Stone Massage Therapy 15
Natural AHA Hand Crème Treatment with Paraffin 18
Natural Honey Moisture Treatment with Paraffin Wrap 25
30 Minute Foot Massage 35

waxing & eyebrow services available 

All RECESS products are organic, free of parabens, dyes and formaldehyde.  Made with essential oil blends, they are sourced from the freshest ingredients and are purchased through Fair Trade.  Nail polishes, basecoats, topcoats, and nail strengtheners are all toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, and phthalate free (including DBP).

SHESWAI LAQUER – Formaldehyde, toluene, and dbp free nail laquer…

May 17, 2010

Looking for a chemical free (no formaldehyde,toluene and DBP) nail polish? One that happens to be less toxic, with sustainably harvested wooden caps, entirely made in the USA not to mention glamorously eco-chic?

SHESWAI has made seven beautiful classic colors for their first collection, designed and created by Cloutier Agency repped manicurist Debbie Leavitt.

I'm crazy about NICE – a subtle beige/nude; a chic alternative to the ‘no color’ color.

Take a peek at their lovely website! You can purchase a bottle right here for $16.

They've also got lots of fun things to check out.

Polish : $16

And they offer ONE THE GO - an in-home mani-pedi experience. I'll be booking one of these once baby comes and I'm home bound…

You are invited to experience the pleasure of a manicure & pedicure in the comfort of your own home or office.

Each natural nail care service includes a lovely nail shape and buff, a warm sudsy soak, and tender cuticle care. 


sheswai custom blended oils and scrubs are used to nourish & soothe your hands and feet… and of course a perfect polish to complete!

sheswai…on the go is a great way to treat yourself and makes a sweet gift for others.


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