Category Archives: SPA + TRAVEL

Book Your Valentine Spa Date NOW!

February 6, 2017

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles is all about self-empowerment this Valentine’s Day. The downtown Los Angeles luxury spa offers a variety of self-indulgent experiences for the best practice of self-love this holiday.

Mani’s Over Men – 50 minutes/$75

Enjoy a classic manicure with a customized mask and paraffin to completely wash your hands clean off stupid cupid. Toast to the single life—and perfectly polished nails—with a glass of “I Don’t Want Your Rosé” and eat your heart out with some soothingly sweet treats. Leave the spa wearing a commemorative “Mani’s Over Men” badge of pride.

Retreat from Romance – Up to 4 guests – $160 per person/5-8 guests – $145 per person

Escape all the ex’s and oh’s and celebrate friendship with a bottle of bubbly, an Anti-Valentine’s Day Gift bag, and a 50-minute treatment of choice, and enjoy tranquil time together in the spa sanctuary.

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside

Get whisked away to Tuscany at Kelly’s Spa, voted a top ten spa in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler in 2014, as they are featuring a selection of Italian-inspired couple’s packages, highlighted by the use of their Tuscan-inspired Villas and treatments using February’s signature flower, the rose.  

Italian Rendezvous for Two – 125 minutes/$475.00

A day of pampering in one of the hotel’s Tuscan-inspired Villas and an afternoon of relaxation for two includes a Chardonnay body scrub, couples massage, temple tension therapeutic scalp massage, champagne for two, and selection of Kelly’s chocolate truffles

A Walk Down Lover’s Lane – 50 minutes/$75.00  

Features a relaxing rose petal foot bath, a Rosehip & Maize exfoliant, and a sweet red rose treatment designed to revitalize and hydrate skin

Romancing the Stone – 105 minutes/$250.00

Offers a stress melting experience—a warm stone massage, followed by a luxurious rose petal bath and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne Rosé

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert

At The Spa at Dessert Springs a tranquil desert escape awaits within the private Spa Suite Sanctuary of Southern California’s largest luxury spa. Guests can enjoy Valentine’s Day treatments within the suite that offers access to an indoor and outdoor fireplace, an outdoor patio with Jacuzzi, a hydrotherapy bath tub with lavender mists and moisturizers, desert rain showers, and a spa butler to pour champagne and refill platters of chocolate covered strawberries and other treats.

Chocolates & Caviar60 min/$140

A protein-rich caviar facial is just the beginning of this decadent treatment.  The experience begins with a luxurious caviar facial (trust us, it works) that firms, hydrates, lifts, and smooths the skin.  This protein-rich Caviar combined with powerful antioxidants dramatically improves skin moisture.  As you experience the sensation of the caviar facial, indulge with a selection of rich chocolate truffles.    

Romance Ritual120 minute couples experience/$ 485

This romantic spa suite features side by side 60 minute relaxing massage with organic oils.  Step into a bubble bath laden with minerals and trace elements and enjoy your time together while applying a cooling gel masque to each other’s face.  Hydrate each other’s skin with Lavender Body Spray and a nourishing facial moisturizer.  Sip on a glass of champagne and enjoy fresh seasonal fruit. 

 

5 Destinations To Scratch Your Adventure + Travel Bug

February 2, 2017

Dark Hedges, Ireland

British correspondent Lucy Parks reports with some inspiration on the following beautiful destinations just waiting to be explored. The world is filled with so many stunning landscapes.

Cape Town, South Africa

From hiking, biking and surfing, Cape Town has it all. The crown jewel of the city is, of course, Table Mountain National Park, which is only complemented by the surrounding landscapes that will take your breath away.

Cape town also offers a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Christians, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu people living in harmony in the quaint towns and villages. The best of Cape Town comes from the strength of the locals, who each have a unique story to tell, and will gladly tell it to a friendly ear. Learn more with the Cape Town guide.

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

One of the most beautiful destinations on the planet is the Scottish Highlands, which offers rolling green mountains, exquisite castles and beautiful lochs. While many cities across the UK have changed over the years, the Scottish Highlands continues to retain its rugged landscape, which will most likely remain unchanged in decades to come. The locals are also the embodiment of hospitality, and you will fall in love with the delicious food on offer at this fairy-tale destination. Just some of the highland areas you can explore are the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Fort William, to name but a few.

Cappadocia, Turkey  

Few destinations can quite compare to the beauty of Turkey’s Cappadocia, which offers stark savannas that offer remarkable panoramas you are unlikely to forget in a hurry. Due to the soft stone plains, many people have sought shelter underground, and tourists can now step inside the rock-cut churches as part of Goreme Open-Air Museum.

Cappadocia is a hiker’s haven, as you will feel a million miles away from the stresses of everyday life when you make your way across the orange valleys. You need to see it to believe it.

The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland

Many people may recognise The Dark Hedges from the HBO hit TV show Game of Thrones, which is used as a fictional area in the Kingsroad. However, the trees are really based in Northern Island on the coast of the beautiful Antrim. The natural beauty really does look like something out of a fiction book, but the tunnel-tree avenue has been created by beech trees that were first planted in the 18th century.

Hvar Island, Croatia

How can you not fall in love with an island that offers approximately 2,274 hours of sunshine every single year? Hvar Island is a sun-worshipper’s paradise, as you can unwind by the poolside in one of the many luxurious hotels. You can also take a stroll along the gorgeous northern coastal towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad, and if money is not an issue, you can enjoy a trip on a stunning yacht to experience the island in all her glory. The island is also home to amazing vineyards, lavender fields and rocky, rugged peaks, as well as isolated coves that are synonymous with this underrated destination.

XX Lucy Parks.  Lucy has been working in the fashion industry for six years. A dedicated follower of all things fashion and beauty, she is passionate about new industry developments. Lucy is now a full time freelance fashion writer.

ZEEL Massage on Demand has a deal for Black Friday + Cyber Monday You Don’t Want To Miss!

November 23, 2016

Zeel Massage on Demand has some exciting promotions to help you (and your loved ones, your boss, your ex’s, your crushes) relax and unwind this holiday season!

Starting this Thursday, November 24th – through Friday, November 27th, Zeel is offering $35 off massages for first time clients (using code BFRIDAY) and $20 off massages for past clients (using code BFRIDAY20), so you can relax and unwind in the comfort of your home post-Black Friday shopping.  

Zeel is also offering 20% off all their gift cards purchased on Cyber Monday, allowing you to give the gift of rest and relaxation to everyone on your list!

In addition to the gift certificate options, Zeel has put together the ultimate in-home massage package. Complete with a plush Zeel robe, a luxurious massage table sheet set, a relaxing Dune Sage candle, a 60-minute in-home Zeel Massage and a bottle of Frangipani Oil by Elemis this package offers everything you need to transfer your home into a spa oasis.

All you need to do in download the APP, set up and account and a divine massage is just a few taps away. It’s the Uber of in-home massage at your fingertips and on-demand.

Can you say ahhh???

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New Spa Alert in Pacific Palisades: SkinxFive by Dr. Ava Shamban

October 23, 2016

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When you want to feel rested, you escape to the spa. When you want results, you make an appointment with the dermatologist. If only there was a destination where you could pop in on your lunch break and emerge an hour later feeling relaxed, restored and looking ten year younger. Now there is!

With SkinxFive (skin-times-five), Dr. Ava Shamban — one of L.A.’s most renowned celebrity dermatologists (and a GLA top doc!) — has created just that. Designed to combat the five signs of aging, SkinxFive offers five tech-driven dermatologist-designed treatments for fighting dullness, dehydration, lines, pigmentation and acne-prone skin at every age… all with little or no down time. Think of SkinxFive as Dry Bar for you skin.

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I recently tried SkinxFive, based in the Pacific Palisades, and can personally attest — SkinxFive is the real deal. The five treatments offered include The Refresher, The Infuser, The Lineless, The Spotless and The Firminator — plus a selection of customizations and add-ons. In desperate need of a deep-down cleaning and boost for my dull, dry skin, I opted for a customized Refresher (a custom light peel) and Infuser (an infusing microdermabrasian facial). The results were immediate and I emerged 90 minutes later, relaxed and glowing with no rednesss, no need to hide from the world. My skin was plump and dewy and I was recharged and ready to re-enter the day.

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With prices starting at $49, run don’t walk.

Protect what you’ve got. Correct what you’ve lost.  Love yourself more.

1 The Refresher: A CUSTOM LIGHT PEEL TO GET GLOWING

2 The Infuser: INFUSING MICRODERMABRASION FACIAL

3 The Lineless: INJECTIONS TO UNWRINKLE

4 The Spotless: THE LASER TO RESURFACE.

5 The Firminator: RADIOFREQUENCY TO TIGHTEN UP

SKINxFIVE
970 Monument Street, Suite #216
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
424.322.8780screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-7-16-56-pm screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-7-16-58-pm
 xx Natasha B.

INTO THE WILD HIKE WEEKEND at OAKS SPA in OJAI

October 18, 2016

The Oaks Ojai (I have yet to check it out!) is offering a physical and spirit filled weekend of wilderness hiking, healthy eating, and soulful practices that clear and rejuvenate the mind, body, soul. This unique event has limited space and requires an additional fee.  They are proud to work GoMacro as their sponsor.

Contact [email protected] Hiking Packages for more info.

This link takes you to the fitness assessment, sample itineraries and other details.

Dec.  9  – 12 

As the season changes, Hiking Packages with Carol are a delightful and vigorous way to re-vitalize the inner beauty within us.  The hikes are designed to connect us back with nature and with our deeper peaceful and more humorous self.  Challenge and pace will respect the terrain and move with the rhythms of the group.  Participants should be comfortable with distances of ten miles.  
Unlike any other hikes offered at The Oaks, this special and inclusive experience is offered only to qualified people.  The group is small and intimate so that you are assured full attention and fun!  The additional fee for the hike week is $800 and for the weekend, $500.  (Our Room Rates).  Please check the proposed itinerary below and review Carol’s extensive credentials – we think you’ll see why this is a hiking enthusiast’s dream getaway!
With a group of three or more, Carol will create a customized hiking adventure package.  This means the distance, type of terrain and dates are customized for your group.
Food is always included with these hikes, either served at The Oaks or carried with us.  Depending on weather and the group, the hikes described may be subject to change.  Please note:  Poison Ivy is a plant very common to the California trails.  Though we plan on educating you and avoiding this plant, if you know you are sensitive, please wear long pants for extra protection.  IS THIS HIKING WEEK FOR YOU?  ALL INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS MUST COMPLETE THE HIKING ASSESSMENT.  Below is a tentative schedule.

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