image: sxc.hu

On Monday morning, bright and early, I will be heading off to my first office job in almost nine years, which means that I will no longer be writing for b5media. I’m amazingly excited to have been offered, and accepting, the position of Director of Marketing and PR for an incredibly interesting start up in Vancouver. I’ll be able to tell everyone more about it soon, but I have to get my messaging down first!

I’ve really enjoyed writing about spa products, home treatments and experiences here, and it’s time to hand that pleasurable job to someone new.

Thank you to everyone who read, commented, re-tweeted my posts, and came back again and again. Quite honestly, this site would never had become what it was without you all.

I’ll miss writing here, but keep an eye out on my main site, MissManifesto, where I’ll be writing again soon!  The blogging and writing bug has bitten me, I won’t be able to stay away!

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Changing of the Guard

Nordic Naturals has a new spa line of Omega fish oils called Omega Therapi, an age defying omega-3 fish oil blend and Omega

Image: Spa Series by Nordic Naturals

Radiance, for lustrous hair, skin and nails plus hormonal support.

The main idea behind the Nordic Naturals is cellular balance; the appearance of skin, hair and nails are a reflection of your inner state of health. At the core of maintaining your beauty includes a healthy lifestyle and diet, but as busy women, we rarely put ourselves first, and we definitely don’t get all of our needs from diet. The human body can make most of the fats it needs, except for Omega 3 and Omega 6. If you’re not eating salmon or other oily fish on a very very regular basis, you’re simply not getting the omega fatty acids you need.

The foundation of a youthful appearance doesn’t come from vials of botox, creams, lotions, lifts and concealers – it comes from the healthy cells with the right balance of essential fatty acids. I’ve always known that, and the best I’ve ever looked was when I was being a good girl, eating right, working out and taking my supplements like I’m supposed to.

What impressed me at first about these two products is that the capsules don’t smell fishy like most fish oil products. There’s no fishy aftertaste, or the deaded “fish burbs” that you can get from taking regular supplements.  Using a natural, patended flavouring process, Nordic Naturals’  Omega Therapi smells like lemons, and Omega Radience smells slightly peachy to me.

I’ve only just recently added the Omega combination to my regimine, and it’s just a bit too early for noticeable results, but be sure that I’ll let you know what I notice as soon as possible!

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Beauty from the Inside Out

Image: Sxc.hu

Dry, cracked heels can be painful, as well as unattractive! But, all is not lost – dry cracked heels can be repaired with a few simple steps and some diligence.

Your best option is to get a good foot file like a microplane, or a callus remover like Dr. Scholl’s. There are several options out there, with varying price points. Just know that these tools are not recommended for people with diabetes or circulation problems.

Soak your feet first in a solution of warm water and tea tree oil which is an antiseptic will soften the rough skin and clean your feet at the same time. Stay in the foot soak for at least 20 or 30 minutes, until your skin softens up. Pat your feet dry and then start filing. File in one direction, and keep at it until you can’t feel the rough skin anymore. You may still see cracks, but you’ll be well on your way to smooth heels again.

Once you’ve filed your heels down, apply an intense moisturizer, such as TriDerma Extreme Dryness Plus or Nouriva Repair.  Both products are intended for extremely dry skin, which is what you’re dealing with when you start talking about cracked heels. Both products are available onlune from Amazon or DermStore.com. I personally prefer the TriDerma Extreme Dryness Creak as it’s a little easier to smooth onto skin than the Nouriva, which is quite thick.

Don’t be stingy with the cream – slather it on nice and thick, and then put on socks right away. It’s going to feel kind of weird at first, but remember, beauty knows no pain (or discomfort!). If you can, sleep in your socks, and in the morning you should be well on your way to repairing those cracks.

Repeat this process once a day or once every two days until you’ve got gorgeous, soft heels and then flaunt those sexy sandals!

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Dry Cracked Heels?

Beau Bain Bath Bombs

Imagine fields of bright purple and delicate mauve under a deep blue sky, take a deep breath and experience the true scent and color of Provence. This collection is the ultimate lavender experience for your bath that includes all four of our Lavender scent combinations, including; Lavender Fields, Lavender Vanilla, Lavender & Black Amber, and Lavender Rosemary.

I’ve tried on of the Lavender Bath Bombs from Beau Bain – it was one of the most relaxing baths I’ve ever had! (Read my Beau Bain bath bombs review.)

So, how do you win? You just need to leave a comment here and tell us about your favorite relaxation technique. With your comment, you will be automatically entered into the giveaway. It’s a one-day only deal. At 11:59 pm ET tonight, the contest is over. We will select one random winner from all the comments to receive the Beau Bain bath bombs!

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March Madness: Beau Bain Lavender

The Tiberius cologne is spiked with “notes of freshness and sensuality.” The cologne apparently has sweet citron zest, black

Genki Wear Tiberius

pepper, and cedar as its top notes and warm vanilla, white musk, and sandalwood as its base notes.  The company promises that  “Tiberius Cologne for men is difficult to define and impossible to refuse”.

Red Shirt cologne (whose tag line is “Because Tomorrow May Never Come”) is in honour of the frequently nameless crew of the Enterprise.  The cologne has top notes of green mandarin, bergamot, and lavender, with base notes of leather and grey musk.

The third in the trio, a perfume for women called Ponn Farr, is supposed to “drive him wild”, and since it’s named for a Vulcan mating ritual. More details and images coming from the company soon.

Genki Wear Red Shirt

Both the Tiberius and Red Shirts are 100ml (3.4 oz) quality colognes built from long lasting fragrances for men, and will retail for $30-40 depending on the department or retail store.

All the Star Trek fragrances will be available this April at department and retail stores, and at online retailers.

The conference halls that hold all the Trekkie conventions are either going to smell a lot better, or they’ll be completely overwhelming! I guess it’s all going to depend on how heavy handed the geeks get with their Tiberius or their Red Shirt.

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Making Geeks Smell Good

Image: Kohler Water Spas

I didn’t ever make the leap to KOHLER branching out into day spas.

Not surprisingly, the KOHLER spas all revolve around the theory that water is the best therapy, and so includes Vichy Showers (which I still kinda don’t get) and other various water therapies.

There are three locations, none of which make a ton of sense to me, but they may be connected to the brand in some way – Kohler, Wisconsin, (which is, um, obvious!), Burr Ridge (outside of Chicago) IL, and St. Andrews Scotland.

All three locations offer various spa packages, water therapies, spa fitness and spa cuisine.  The two US locations are offering Mother’s Day packages as well as spring manuicures and pedicures. Visit Destination Kohler for more information on the services and locations. (You have to actually go into the site to find the link to the Chicago area spa).

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Faucet Manufacturer Launches Spas…?

Destination Spa - Image: Colleen Coplick on Flickr

While this certainly won’t apply to everyone, primarily due to geography, many of the destination spas offer the use of their facilities with just one treatment. If you can’t afford an overnight stay or a weekend, book a massage, a facial or a scrub at a destination spa, and take advantage of their pool, steam room, sauna and other lovely amenities.

NBC News did an article about this very thing, and found that the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, located not far from Los Angeles, offers their guests use if the facilities. A destination spa known for it’s lavender gardens and approach that draws on Native American traditions, can make guests feel like they’re on a mini-vacation just by spending an hour or three at the spa.

As for other spas offering similar money-saving options, the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC with 50 minute massages available rather than more expensive 80 minute massages, where they used to begin. The Cliff House Resort in Maine is offering a spa sampler on Sundays for $99.

Other tips for finding luxury spa experiences without the luxury price include booking treatments on Monday through Wednesday, when the spas are typically quieter or asking about any specials they have going on, like mother-daughter discounts for the spring season. Many spas have them if you ask, but always talk about them.

Also, take a look at some of the closer-to-home destination spas. For example, the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa is a luxury lakeside hotel located in Kirkland WA, just a few minutes outside of Seattle. On a Friday afternoon at 3pm, normally the beginning of rush hour, it took me less than 20 minutes to get from downtown Seattle to Kirkland.

The Woodmark is a gorgeous retreat-like space, with large suites, beautiful lake views, sweeping staircases and a gorgeous spa. Despite being only 15 minutes outside of the centre of the city, I could have been hours away from the city.

Take a look around, just outside your city, and see what you can find. Even just a quick drive can yield some hidden gems, that won’t cost a fortune.

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A Way to Spa, Despite Economic Woes

Susan Ciminelli

After steaming, apply one of the following masks.

Oatmeal and Raw Honey Mask – Ideal for dry skin, this mask helps soften the skin, moisturizing the upper layers, leaving it vibrant and radiant.

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup filtered warm water
½ cup raw organic honey

Combine the oatmeal and water and allow oatmeal to absorb water.  Mix in the honey.  Leave on for 30 minutes, rinse with cool water

Pureed Pumpkin and Prune Enzyme Peel – This peel is perfect for every kind of skin.  The salicylic acid in pumpkin and prunes helps remove a buildup of oil in the pores and will brighten your complexion.

1/2 cup pitted prunes
½ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

Combine the prunes with 4 cups spring water in a pot and heat on low for 30 minutes. Combine the prunes and pumpkin puree in a food processor and pulse until smooth.  Apply and leave on for 30 minutes.  Rinse with cool water.

Both of these masks are easy to make with products you’ve likely got in your pantry, or if not, the ingredients are super easy to get.

At home masks and beauty products are fast and effective, if you manage to make just enough for one application. Otherwise, your fridge won’t have any room for food, it’ll be so full of cosmetics!

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Home Masks From Susan Ciminelli

Avocados - sxc.hu

Avocado Wrap

3 Avocados
3 tbsp. Of Yogurt

1. Mix avocado with yogurt
2. Apply over full body
3. Wrap feet and hands with a plastic bag
4. Take a rest and relax for ten or fifteen minutes
5. Rinse off

This super hydrating body wrap is rich in Vitamin E and is specially designed for dry skin.

Grand Velas Spa is the crown jewel of the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World. The spa features 20 treatment rooms, over 80 spa treatments, a high-performance gym and exercise room, spa boutique and a beauty salon.

Stone Spa

From Spa Manager, Javier Pano, from the Stone Spa Barcelona, Spain

Sugar Scrub for Body : Mix olive oil with fine salt in the same proportions (use a spoon) and scrub using whole hand in circular movements.  Good for dry skin

Sugar Scrub for Face : Mix sugar with natural yogurt and scrub carefully in circular movements.  Good for oily skin.

1. Cleanse the skin before scrubbing.
2. Leave on for 2 to 3 minutes
3. Rinse with cool water

Both scrubs remove dead skin cells skin leaving the skin cleaner, smoother and brighter.

The Stone Spa, located in the Casanova by Rafael Hotels , is available to anyone seeking a rarified spa experience that combines pampering with innovative therapies. The spa boasts a treatment menu inspired by the Earth’s healing properties. Gemstones, smooth river stones and indigenous botanicals, culled from wellness traditions around the globe, are integrated into all of the treatments.  Each guest departs with a small stone or crystal, a tactile reminder of their experience at Barcelona’s most transformative refuge, the Stone Spa.

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Exotic Home Treatments

Sandy Lane, St James Barbados

The Spa is one of the Caribbean’s most stunning and complete facilities with more than 47,000-square-feet, recently unveiled a new panoramic sauna, Rhassoul Bath, and debuted a new line of products and treatments by exclusive skincare line Anne Sémonin.

One of the only Rhassoul Baths in the Caribbean, guests enjoy an herbal steam bath after a therapist has applied a layer of natural and detoxifying Rhassoul clay.

For the next ten minutes, dry heat bakes and softens the clay, as it works to enrich the skin. Next, a tepid experience rain shower rinses away the mask, rejuvenating the body and mind. Ambient sound, light, aromatherapy and water temperature combine to envelop the bather. A soothing moisturizer is offered to round out a revitalizing spa experience.

Some of the fantastic treatments you can experience at Sandy Lane include:

Sandy Lane Liquid Gold Facial

Using pure extracts from the apricot kernel known as ‘liquid gold’ to restore and revitalize the skin, this treatment is exclusive to Sandy Lane.  Lie back onto warmed bubbling seaweed as your therapist blends and prescribes products that suit your specific needs.  This dynamic facial treatment also incorporates a personalized eye and décolleté treatment.

Crushed Ice L’Experience Body Ritual Sandy Lane

An uplifting oil and sea salt scrub prepares the skin for this ritual which awakens the senses and invigorates the entire body.  As crushed aromatic ice is massaged from head to toe, warm oils are drizzled to firm and tone.  To round out the treatment, main tension zones on the scalp, eyes and reflex points of the feet are massaged.

Sandy Lane Stone Massage

This massage revolves around the energy of warm basalt stones, which increase circulation, soothe away tension and ease muscular aches and pains. The stones are then placed on the body’s chakras (energy centers) along the spine as the individual slowly opens up to their healing effect. Gentle stretching helps release any tension around the neck and shoulders, while an acupressure head massage completes the calming effect.

Bajan Experience At Sandy Lane

This experience begins with a relaxing Foot Soak followed by the traditional Bajan Sugar Cane Scrub to exfoliate and soften the skin.  Then, the guest will enjoy a Sandy Lane Full Body Massage using either one of the exclusive Sunset or Sunrise Signature Oils to aid total relaxation. After, guests can choose between a De-stressing Soother Body Wrap or Rose Hydrating Body Wrap which both include a Bajan Head Massage focusing on the vital energy points, using the Resort’s own hair oil. Then rumba, calypso or reggae your way, as the Bajans say, to the Spa Café for a delightful light spa lunch.

Sandy Lane originally opened in 1961 and was completely rebuilt and expanded, preserving its classic elegance and grace while modernizing the resort to welcome a new generation of travelers in 2001. The 112-room resort is set in an ancient mahogany grove overlooking a gorgeous crescent of beach on Barbados’ western coast, and was rebuilt in the same neo-Palladian style, complete with its white coral stone rotunda.

I don’t know about you, but I think I need to disappear to Barbados for a little while.

[images provided by The Spa at Sandy Lane]

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Disappear to Barbados for Some R and R