I had to include a spa in my Mother's Day roundup. I am the go-to person in my family so I gave myself a gift this month. I love a good spa. The kind that is so good when you wake up from a treatment you have to ask yourself - where am I? This is what I asked myself last week when I spent time at The Mandarin Oriental's Spa here in DC. I needed some getaway time because the next few months are packed. Work hard, play hard, work harder. (Thank goodness for overtime!) The great thing about the Mandarin in DC is location. It's a 10 minute walk from me. Maybe that is a bad thing :) As I entered the spa I immediately felt relaxed. I was then whisked away to change and spent time in the vitality pool and amethyst steam room before my treatments began.
I had the best facial of my life thus far from a spa. Yes, I said it. I usually have facials that are for maintenance. For me facials are like going to the doctor. You have to do them but they are never in a fancy hotel. I don't dip in the vitality pool, relax in the sauna, or take it easy in the relaxation room. This was a treat. The Mandarin's new Vitamin Infusion Facial with Somme Institute Skincare left me with a glow that even The Don recognized. The next day I did something I never do. I went to work with only mascara and lip gloss on. All the girls were like "your makeup is so pretty." I had to explain to them about this facial. Shae was an excellent technician and she is also a licensed massage therapist. Her massages are so good that you will need to be awaken when it's over.
My mother is coming to visit this summer and we will definitely spend time at the Mandarin in July. They need to put this hotel in Houston. ASAP.
Happy Hump Day!
What do you see when you look to the left? I see relaxation, tranquility, and the fact that I already miss this spa. This comes to mind in my description of the ME Melia's Yhi Spa. I love relaxing in the spa on holiday. I've finally learned how not to over plan and return home exhausted. As we walked into the Yhi Spa we realized this was easy to do. Yhi also carries one of my favorite lines, Sundari, which I will be writing about later this month.
The spa wants you to arrive an hour early to pass through their “water ritual” hydrotherapy system. Basically it’s a path of heated and scented massage showers that you go through before stepping into the spa therapy pool. The pool has an underwater massage chair where you look out at the ocean before your appointment.
I suggest the Purification Flowers Wrap which detoxifies the body. They soak a Mexican blanket in lavender, chamomile, and Jamaica blossoms. Then you are wrapped until all the flower mixtures penetrate the body. Then, and only then, can you lose your mind with the Xtabentun Bath Ritual. It is a decadent as it sounds. Anise seed oil is blended with mineral salts for a relaxing bath. This is followed by a massage in the water and out of the water.
As I left the Yhi I vowed to return. New Year's Eve 2008 is looking rather tempting.
Ladies. Do you know when you have reached that Zen state of travel? It's after a great vacation and when all your friend makes its flight back home and yours is canceled due to airplane problems. This was my problem yesterday as I waited in the Cancun airport. After waiting on a delayed aircraft - I along with dozens of other people were told that the flight had been canceled. Was I upset. Not really, I rather be in a perfectly safe plane than a not so perfect one. Plus, the glow of the beach and the spa left me feeling relaxed. Another plus of traveling is getting delicious travel sized products such as ESPA's Traveller line of products. After I arrived at my "emergency accommodation hotel" I refreshed my face with ESPA's Cleansing Milk and Floral SpaFresh. I finished with the 24 Balancing Complex because after arriving at the host hotel 4 hours later - I needed a little balancing. The products are all carry-on size. They are full of natural ingredients. Also, if it's good enough for Peter Greenberg, it is definitely good enough for me.
I am scheduled on a 10:00 a.m. flight. I'm crossing everything I have 2 of. I'm waiting to get home to start ideas for next year's trip and plan the rest of this year.
Inhale - let, Exhale - go.
Greetings and Ola from a poolside cabana at the fabulous ME Melia Cancun. It has been fabulous days of spa, shopping, chatting, sleeping, and being super chill. I left DC a little tired and run down. But I'm a relaxed and brown shimmy shimmy cocoa puff of relaxation. If you can't tell, look at the picture in the infinity pool.
Adios and Besos!!!
Ladies, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I'm waiting on the car service, checking emails, and preparing for a quick girlfriend getaway. If you haven't thought about getting together with your girls - think about it and plan now. If you can't leave the country you can still plan a spa day, movie marathon day, or cocktails at home with everyone contributing with a certain cocktail of their choice. If you need any ideas, turn to Girlfriend Getaways magazine.
A bientot and Bises.
I'm going to Houston early Saturday morning for my friend Dolo's baby shower. I can't wait to see her and the hubby because they are the nicest, generous and most loving people in the world. Also, her brother is super hot so it's a bonus for me to see them :) But here's the kicker: I'm coming back Sunday morning. Yes, I'm flying home for a little over 24 hours and desperately trying not to check my luggage. My dilemma is not clothes. It's products. How do I look super cute with all my liquid items fitting into a small quart size bag.
First, I'm going to pack my makeup brushes. I have the older version of this Sephora set. I love the size of the powder and the blush brush because they are not those tiny ones that work on dolls. What about bronzer? Most bronzers are large compacts or loose, but this Armani Sheer Bronzer is the size of a fifty cent piece. It's so light, natural and beautiful for a 24 hour trip. It's THE perfect size and because we are going to a friend's house for dinner, I must have a little eyes to play with. My Mark Flip-It in Milan will be perfect for the multitude of shades my face is currently rocking due to being in the sun. Lip gloss is a whole other story. I am committing to only bringing three tubes. Yes, three. Two will be MAC's 3-D Lip Glass in Boundless and In 3-D and Chanel's Fall 2007 Glossimer in Hibiscus. I'm adding color to my lips starting now. To the lovely people at Laura Mercier. It would really help if I could get my beloved Sun Dust in a compact for travel. Just a thought.
I have my makeup down, but I need to figure out what music to put on the Ipod. I just got a bigger one and it's already over half-way full of music, podcasts, audiobooks and Tricia Sawyer's makeup videos. Crazy.
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