Spa Party of the Month: ...Every Now & Zen Baby Sprinkle

Spring is finally on it's way and one thing that Spring is good for is tea parties. For this month's Spa Party of the Month, I figured I'd share some ideas for an Asian/tea themed baby shower (Because even mommies deserve a bit of pampering Every Now & Zen). I think this shower is perfect for a mom who already has at least one kid under the belt. Opinions vary on whether to hold baby showers after the first baby, but I say go for it! I think that these type of showers or "sprinkles" are the perfect opportunity to focus less on the gifts and more on having a nice event for the mom-to-be to celebrate the impending addition to her family, and an excuse to get together with women who will encourage and support mom through this additional chapter in her life.

Getting Comfy

In many Asian cultures it is traditional not to wear shoes inside the home. Taking off ones' shoes also helps you get comfy and in a spa-like mood. Wouldn't it be fun to have an assortment of Japanese tabi socks available for guest to slip on upon entering.

Photo: Sock Dreams

If you really want to get into the theme, ask guests to bring a kimono robe to change into once they arrive.

Treatment

2010 is the Year of the Tiger so this baby may be one that the ladies can't wait to "get their paws on". Since mothers of newborns are often concerned about germs, washing/sanitizing ones hands before even winking at the baby is Rule #1. Therfore, manicures should be the treatment of the day.

I'd suggest DIYing it with help. Look for a eco-friendly nail technician who is willing to come out and walk guests through "greening" thier nail care routine. She can introduce a variety of eco-friendly products that allow moms-to-be to pamper themselves without feeling their are going to pass out from the noxious fumes regularly associated with nail care. For tips on what types of products are appropriate, see my Green Manicure for Earth Day post from last year.

Give your manicures a some Asian flair by having guests soak thier fingers in tea cups filled partially with bath tea, which can be poured warm from a kettle. Follow the soak with an exfoliating scrub like the Bamboo & Black Sesame Body Rub from Bella Lucce's Asian Indulgences collection, kumquat scented solid sugar cubes by Naid (love these!) or create a scrub of your own using this recipe from Bella Sugar:

Chinese Sesame Ginger Scrub

1. Chop about an inch of fresh ginger root into pieces, use a coffee grinder to chop it finely.
2. In a bowl, add in 1 tbsp. of ginseng powder, one-and-a-half tbsp. of sugar, four tbsp. of sesame oil, 1 tbsp. of rose-hip oil, five drops of myrrh, and five drops of mandarin essential oil. Mix it together with the ground ginger. (Myrrh is not reccommended for use by pregnant women)

For a nice "twist" offer mandarin scented oshibori towels for guest to use when removing their scrubs. What is oshibori you ask??

An oshibori (おしぼり or お絞り?) or hot towel in English is a wet hand towel offered to customers in places such as restaurants or bars in Japan and in Japanese restaurants worldwide. -wikipedia

Kick your oshibori up a notch by trying out some "origami".

Photo: Oshiboriart.com

Presents/Activities

Though gifts may not be the central focus of a "sprinkle", the mom-to-be will inevitably recieve some gifts. Encourage guest to wrap their gifts using the Japanese art of Furoshiki, known as Bojagi in Korea. No need to buy a special cloth, try wrapping the gifts in a baby blanket. Here is an example from YouTube of how this wrapping style works.

For more tutorials visit bobowrap.com, or check out this guide produced by Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

In addition to reducing the wrapping paper waste, these cloths can lend themselves to some fun shower games, like a Baby-Gami (swaddling) relay, or a Furoshiki fashion show. There are some great videos on how to make furoshiki handbags here, here and here.

In the next post in the series, I'll be sharing what food works well for this theme.

Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: The Flintstones Meet the Jetset

Whew, this year is flying by, I can't believe we are almost into the 2nd week of February. I've been behind on my blogging schedule, and I still have one more post to complete January's Spa Party of the Month Series.

However, I've been itching to share February's Party theme "The Flintstones Meet the Jetset". This is actually one of the very first themes I cooked up when I initially decided to launch this blog in April of last year. Since it is a couples party, I've saved it until now, because of Valentine's Day of course.

When coming up with a couples spa party I was very consious of creating a theme I thought that the guys would like as much as the ladies. I skipped all of the cliche V-day reds, pinks, hearts and lace, and tried to come up with a fresh theme that'd work year-round, even for an "over the hill" party.

A tad bit of background... My husband is what some might call a "man's man...think Tim the Tool Man Taylor. The type of guy who doesn't expect his name and spa to occur in the same sentence unless your talking about a massage... and even then it better be a sports massage. He's your pre-metrosexual throwback guy who might even be referred to as a caveman. This party is for just that type of Fred Flintstone guy who has now stepped into the 21st century.

Flintstones Meet The Jetset by Hennergy on Polyvore.com

(When I tell you I was excited about this party, I wasn't exaggerating. I created the above Polyvore set in April. It incorporates both treatment & decor inspiration but I'll only be covering the treatments in this post)

Entertainment

While waiting for your treatments play an updated version of Barney & Fred's favorite game by bowling via Wii, and for only about $20 more you can get a Wii Bowling Ball for an even more authentic experience.

Treatments

Rubble Rub Down: full body hot stone massage (the whole gang would enjoy this one)

    or

 BEDRock Pedicure: "Pillow Pedicure" with hot stone massage (Wilma & Betty)

Pebbles Pedicure: traditional pedi with hot stone foot & leg massage (Wilma & Betty)

Bam Bam Thank You Mam: hot stone foot & leg massage ( Fred & Barney)

the hot stones* work perfectly with a caveman theme and are great warming elements during a cold season.

Most of the treatments are pretty self explainatory, execept for the "pillow pedicure." This treatment which I read about in Nails Magazine, is a soak-less pedicure created by Leslyn Zak of Wild Ivy Day Spa in Rockport, Mass. After running out of pedicure stations during a spa party, this quick thinking therapist developed the treatment on the fly using a massage table. When performed with hot towels and combined with stones I'm sure you won't miss the foot soak at all. In addition to the traditional foot & leg massage, the pillow pedi includes a hand and arm massage while you are waiting for your paraffin dip/masque to be removed; this could easily be substituted or supplemented with a scalp massage if your therapist is licensed or experienced in performing that service. Likewise, the Bam Bam can also include other extremities that don't require disrobing. Since this is a couples event and both parties will be in the room simultaneously, hiring both a massage therapist and a nail tech is a good idea as they may be able to switch off with each other to provide a custom experience.

When booking your therapist, see if they can get their hands on the Earth SpaPedicure Line by CND (Creative Nail Design), formerly known as Raw Earth, this line is supposed to appeal to both men & women and has an earthy/neutral feel. The line consists of a mineral bath, warming scrub, moisture masque & hydrating lotion.  If you are inclined to include a paraffin dip, try a greener and more sanitary alternative, that travels much easier the Soy SpaBath.

Getting the Pebbles Pedi? if your therapist isn't using an electric foot bath, she can also use hot rocks at the bottom of the pedicure tub to prevent the water from cooling too quickly.

You can also enhance your services by adding some warming wraps which come in a cheetah print that'll tie in well with the theme.

* Note: therapists may use actual basalt stones or self-heating (disposable) stones for treatments, inquire when booking if you have a preference.

Would your guy attend this party?

Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Hawaiian Staycation

It is COLD outside, and as great as it would be escape the winter weather by hopping on a plane headed for a tropical destination, that luxury may not be in many of our budgets.  However, with a little creativity you can throw together a Winter Staycation that will wow all of your Recessionista friends, and be almost as fun as a full-blown girls getaway.

Destination: Hawaii

You don't have to leave your living room to visit the Aloha State, ALOHA is after all a state of mind .

The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.

According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist in space, multiply and spread over to others. - from to-hawaii.com

When in Hawaii....

  Do a dance!

If you were to go to Hawaii for vacation, it is very likely that you'd catch a show featuring Polynesian (Hula) dancers, and that they'd pull you up for some audience participation. A private hula lesson is just the thing to get you moving and help shake off those winter blues (and pounds). If you are having trouble finding a Polynesian dancer in your area don't give up just yet, many bellydance teachers have been exposed to Hula and may be able to conduct a beginner lesson, as the fluidity of the movement is similar in both dance styles. If all else fails pop in a DVD like the Island Girl Dance Fitness Workout Set.

  Get a massage

Many times when people go on vacation they indulge in things that they wouldn't necessarily treat themselves to at home, like a full body massage at the resort's spa. Bring the resort to you by hiring a mobile spa technician to provide massage services, and lend a tropical element to the treatment by using a massage oil with hints of citrus or pure coconut oil. If you can find someone who is certified get traditional Hawaiian massages, called Lomi Lomi. It is probably best to have massage services performed in a private room/bedroom, separate from the main party area.

To get a feel for Lomi Lomi watch the short video below (it's in French but you'll be able to see the technique)



In the next segment I'll be sharing ideas on what you should eat on your Hawaiian Staycation. Of course tropical frozen drinks are a must. But don't use all of your fruits for drinking, pineapples & papayas both contain enzymes that make great facial peels, mix the pulp w a bit of honey and green tea (optional), and you've got an easy DIY facial mask to use while you wait for your massage treatments.


Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Sole-ful New Year

For the last Spa Party of the Month Theme of 2009, I thought it appropriate to share tips on hosting a spa party that'll help you kick off 2010 right. This unisex New Year's Day party is perfect for a day of relaxation and reflection with family, friends, and even a little football.


Many use the New Year as an opportunity to renew their purpose, reflect on areas for growth, and resolve to be better in the upcoming 12 months. Help your guests to Kick the New Year off right, by offering foot massages, to rejuvenate them and begin the year in health.

Why Foot Massage?

Well other than the fact that it allows me to use phrases like "Kick the New Year Off" or "Put Your Best Foot Forward", foot massage works well for a New Years Day Gathering for several reasons.

• It is a treatment that both men and women enjoy
• It is a treatment that doesn't require the removal of a great deal of clothing making it perfect for a mixed gathering
• It is not very time consuming, making it perfect for an informal party setting
• It's focus is on health and wellbeing rather than beauty, which ties in well with many of the most popular New Year's resolutions
• If your guests were up all night dancing and celebrating they'll surely appreciate it.

Kicking It Up A Knotch
 add one or more of these modalities to a basic foot massage for a truly special experience...

Aromatherapy: is based on the knowledge that scent has the power to impact one's emotional and physical health. Essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant-derived oils, are often incoporated into massage oils to provide various aromatherapeutic benefits. In a nod to another popular New Year's Day tradition, college bowl games, choose one of the citrus-laced massage blends available at The Spalibrations Shop.

CALM - Orange, lemon, lavender, bergamot and cedarwood essential oils serve to soothe and calm. *Note: not to be used during pregnancy.
ENERGIZE - Lemon, lime, tangerine and rosemary essential oils perk you up and bring a renewed energy. *Note: not to be used during pregnancy.
REFRESH - Orange, lime, geranium, bergamot and mandarin essential oils refresh, renew and uplift. *Note: not to be used during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Reflexology: is based on the theory that there are "reflex" areas on the feet that correspond to other parts of the body including organs and glands. "Practitioners believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.... A scientific explanation is that the pressure may send signals that balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress. " (About.com)  Thai Foot Massage is also based on the priciples of reflexology, but can include additional elements such as a relaxing foot bath and the use of a wooden stick to apply pressure. Just one look at these videos on YouTube, and I'm sure you'll be clamoring for a Thai foot massage too. Thai massage with out stick, & with Stick.


Hot Stones: tell the troubles of '09 to "Kick Rocks"...sorry I just couldn't resist. However, the use of heated stones incorporated will be equally as irresistable, especially on a cold January day.

Toe Reading: while not directly associated with foot massage, you may find some reflexologists that also offer this service. Toe reading, is unlike physic readings in that it does not claim to make predictions, but rather to use the positions of ones toes to interpret what has been going on in one's life. Toe readers, seem to be concentrated in certain areas of the country, but if you can find one to come out to your event, it may be a fun and unique experience to offer guests. A Tidbit on Toe Reading from The Arizona Spa Girls.

Make It Special

Often when we entertain at our homes, we take our guests coats and throw them in a bedroom. Make the moment that guests enter your home truly special by taking it one step further and setting up a welcome station, as suggested by the party pros over at Partybluprints.com. You can ask guests to bring slippers, or have slippers/comfy socks provided, as they slip out of their coats and shoes offer them a glass of sparkling cider, or if it is an especially cold day a mug of tea.

Note: As mentioned earlier, New Year's Day is a time when many guys and gals enjoy watching college bowl games. If you really want the men in your family to participate it is a good idea to have an area separate from the treatment space where they can "kick back" and watch football. When you tell them they get football, food, and foot massages I'm sure you'll get no complaints from that corner.

In the next installment of this month's spa party theme I'll provide menu suggestions for a Soul Food spread that puts a twist on traditional New Year's foods like black-eyed peas.

Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Milk-n-Cookies Spajama Party

It is getting cold outside quickly! It seems that overnight my 22 month old transitioned from going to bed in a onsie to slip sliding across the floor each morning in his footie pajamas. His bedtime routine for the past few months consists of changing into his pajamas, and reading two books (though he always wants another). Within the last month, after lights out he falls asleep (On his own YAY!) to his Louis Lion Sings Goodnight CD from the Baby Loves Jazz series. Though we don't always follow a set schedule during the day, his books, kisses and hugs at bedtime are something he's come to expect, from both my husband and myself, and he'll readily point out what activity comes next if either of us strays from the routine.

Unfortunately, not all children have these comforting rituals to look forward to at bedtime. The Pajama Program was established precisely to help fill this need.

The Pajama Program provides new pajamas and new books to children in need, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted. Thousands of the children [they] serve live in orphanages, group homes, and shelters and are shuffled often between temporary living facilities. Many of them have been abused or abandoned, and have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in at bedtime and read to them. Since 2001 [the Pajama Program has provided] more than 430,000 pajamas and 190,000 books to children in need nationwide.  -The Pajama Program

The winter is not only the coldest season, but one filled with reminders of friendship, family, love and gift-giving. For those children awaiting a family or who are otherwise estranged from their own, this can be a time when they are feeling loneliest. The gift of Pajamas from the Pajama Program, is often the first pair that any of these children have owned, and they provide  warmth and comfort on a number of levels.

For youngsters, new pajamas are a necessary part of promoting good health and preventing infections and disease, as well as providing psychological benefits," says Pajama Program advisory board member Sheldon Cherry, M.D., a clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York's Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.

In order to drum up awareness of this organization among your friends/family, host a Spajama Party! This fun and whimsical theme lends itself well to a multi generational event, with the added bonus of involving children in charitable work. Ask guests to come clad in PJs and to bring along a donation of either a new book, new PJs or both. After your party, you can deliver the items that you've collected to your local Pajama Program chapter. November is also National Adoption Month and this party offers a great opportunity to spread the word about the many children who are in need of homes.

Fun & Games   

• By suggesting that guests to donate a new copy of their favorite childhood story, you can create an icebreaker discussion topic with no extra work on your part. If there is a group that knows each other well, like family, you can take the idea one step further by creating a game of guessing who brought which book. 
•  Offer door prizes for the cutest PJs, funniest slippers, etc. 

Treatments

The theme for this party is fittingly Milk & Cookies, which will influence not only the menu but the spa treatments as well. For this party I'd suggest offering guests the products and tools they'll need to complete DIY manicures. Using my Seven S Strategy, I'll break down the things you'll need to pull off your milk-n-cookies manicures.

       1. Soak: Plain or Chocolate Milk Bath (see recipe below)

       2. Shape: nail clippers, nail files, and orangewood sticks

       3. Scrub: Milk & Cookeez makes adorable bath tub cookies that look good enough to eat. Though they are normally immersed in a bathtub, the combination of sea salt, epsom salt, sugar and oils make for an exfoliating scrub if you wet them by dipping them into your milk soak.

       4. Slather: You may want to finish your treatments with a more "grown up" scent, because not everyone will want to spend the rest of the evening smelling like a chocolate chip. The WHEREVER Body Cream by Vintage body Spa is a non greasy moisturizer that is well suited for the job. Try it in the sweet yet sophisticated scents of Warm Sugar or Praline Pecan.
  
       5.Slick: your choice of polishes



       6. Sanitize: Asking guests to begin their treatments by washing their hands is a good way to cut down on spreading germs, having nail brushes and a cookie scented moisturizing hand soap available at the sink will make this task fit in well with the theme. Most other implements required for a manicure (emery board, orangewood sticks) are inexpensive, disposable and come packaged in quantities making it easy enough for you to provide one per person. Stainless Steel manicure tools, like clippers may be a little harder to come by in bulk, to look for good deals on these visit your local beauty supply or dollar store. Have several  clippers on hand and encourage guests to use alcohol wipes between uses. If you do not have enough manicure bowls for each individual, make sure that they are washed between uses. A sanitizing pack from CleanWell is good to have on hand, as it contains a sanitizing spray, wipes, and soap which are all free of harsh chemicals and kid-friendly.

       7.Signature:  In lieu of the Cookeez, you can encourage your guest to create their own custom manicure by offering them a cookie scented  create-your-own scrub bar. Start with the ingredients for a simple sugar scrub which include a carrier oil(s) of your choosing [i.e. olive, sweet almond, jojoba, avocado, or grapeseed oil] and some sugar [brown and/or white table sugar will do just fine]. Purchase a few fragrance oils such as Almond Biscotti, Buttercream &Snickerdoodle, Dark Rich Chocolate, Gingersnap or Orange Mocha from Brambleberry and Easter Cookie  or Vanilla Pumpkin from From Nature With Love. You can even provide small containers for guest to take their scrubs home as a favor, if you choose to do so, it is a good idea to also provide vitamin E as a scrub ingredient as it is a natural preservative.

    Recipes 

Chocolate Milk Bath 
1 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender, if desired
Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Add to running bath water. Makes 1 large bath

- facts-about-chocolate.com

You can find recipes for Bath Tub Whoppie Pies, Coco-Lime, and Rainbow Sprinkle tub cookies on the Natural Beauty Workshop blog.


Note: if you are having children attend your event it is a good idea to steer away from products that contain nut oils such as Sweet Almond, as nut allergies have become increasingly prevalent.

Entertainment

During your treatments guests can   either enjoy one another's conversation or to set a "bedtime mood" listen to an audiobook. One collection of tales which has made for plenty a bedtime story is the 1,001 Arabian Nights, from which we'd all recognize the story of Aladdin.  The Arabian Nights audiobook by Kate Douglas Wiggins and Nora A. Smith, is one that I quite enjoyed listening to, and it is available for download on Itunes.  Out of the ten stories included in the book, I'd recommend The Talking Bird, The Singing Tree & The Golden Water and The Story of Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves. Be warned these are not short stories but the storytelling is intriguing and colorful.

If you are planning on having an actual sleepover, pop in a movie, The Princess Bride, and The Neverending Story, and the more recent Bedtime Stories featuring Adam Sandler all fit well with the theme.

For more cookie inspiration, see my previous post Sweet Invitations & Favors.

In the next Spa Party of the Month post, I'll share ideas on how to put together a great spread of edible cookies.

In the meantime feel free to share with the class, what your favorite children's story is.



Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

FALL in Love with Apples

Photo: North Carolina Department of Agriculture; Jill Wright Spa; thesungblog

Since around mid July I've been waiting for fall to arrive. The beautiful foliage, cute chunky knits and crisp air aside, I've been wanting to blog about this apple-themed pedicure party that I dreamed up during the summer months. Party inspiration can really come from anywhere, and after coming across the idea of a candy apple bar (which I'll share more about in the next post), I've been totally smitten with the idea of a fall apple party. So grab your chunky knit sweaters, roll up those jeans, and indulge in a cinnamon kissed pedicure party before your toes go into hibernation for the winter.

Start your pedicures off with a warm aromatic soak in a galvanized metal beverage tub, which adds a little country feel. You can use either The Cinnamon Apple Pedi Redi a brand which is used in many a professional nail salon, or create your own apple cider soak with the following instructions from the blog Pretty By Nature:

Roughly grate [an] apple and bind it together with a little honey. Wrap it in some cheesecloth with a cinnamon stick and a cup of oats. Tie it off and throw it in the bath

Follow the soak with an exfoliating scrub, you can whip up a simple scrub by combining brown sugar,  and pumpkin pie spice with a light oil like grapeseed until it is just wet. If you want somethinga bit more complex this scrub recipe from Donna Maria, combines the textures of tapioca pearls, oatmeal, and sea salt for more intense exfoliation than a brown sugar scrub would offer.

Rosemary's Apple Crisp Body Scrub

Ingredients
5 tablespoons whipping cream
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons freshly juiced apple juice
4 tablespoons tapioca pearls
2 tablespoons whole rolled oats, lightly crushed
1 cup Epsom salts or coarse sea salt
1 drop rose essential oil
1 drop neroli essential oil
2 drops palmarosa essential oil
2 drops lemon peel essential oil

1. Warm whipping cream in microwave for about 15 seconds, then remove from microwave.

2. Add honey and apple juice, then stir to combine.
3. Add tapioca and oats, then stir.
4. Add salt and stir well.
5. Add essential oils and stir.
6. “Age” the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before using

After exfoliating, give feet an extra treat by using SoHo Too Cool  Apple & Oatmeal Detoxifying Foot Facial Mask, which will draw toxins from the skin while imparting vitamins and nutrients to promote cell renewal. The last step before hibernation ensues (other than polish if you like) is a rich moisturizer to fight seasonally dry skin that starts creeping in when we turn on our heaters. There are a host of enticing apple scented body butters available on Etsy, some that look good  are the Apples & Oak Whipped Body Butter , the Autumn's Harvest Body Butter with Apple Extract, and The Mulled Cider Velvet Butter Cream.

Did you know: An apple a day may keep the dermatologist away. In addition to the health benefits of eating apples, using apples, apple juice and apple cider in your skin care regimine can help brighten and tighten your complexion. Apples contain a host of vitamins plus  antioxidants, organic acids, tannin and pectin that serve to tone, tighten, moisturize and heal skin. Granny Smith and Red Delicious apples contain more collagen and elastin than most other apple varieties, while Braeburn apples help protect against UV rays.

Your Resident Spashionista!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Spaparazzi

Photo: Photobucket user karlapictures

Last month's Spa Party was all about fresh faces, where I provided tips on throwing a back to school facial party for a teen/tween. This month I'll stick to the face but this time for the "Grown& Sexy". This party is a little less "spa" than the others and a bit more "salon". This party works best if stations are set up for guests to rotate through.

Stations

Eyebrows

Rashida B. owner of The B. Spot, a Chicago salon dedicated to Brows, has this to say about having one's eyebrows professionally shaped:

Short of plastic surgery having your brows properly groomed is the one sure fire way short of plastic surgery to update and enhance your look and take years off your appearance. Hollywood starlets have their thousand dollar a day personal stylists, fitness gurus and $600.00 haircuts, but every girl, every woman can have an eyebrow guru.

You can give your guests Hollywood worthy makeovers that'll last after the makeup gets wiped away by having a brow specialist at your party. Depending on the level of specialization and expertise of the brow guru you choose, they may also offer eyebrow tinting, which is good for those people who use hair dye and want their eyebrows to be a complementary hue.

While most make up artists can provide eyebrow services, doing eyebrows as a separate station ensures more attention to the brows, and a better flow for your party.

Make Up

Even if you are the type to pour through all the beauty blogs, and watch all the make up tutorials on YouTube, I'd still suggest hiring a make up artist for your party. Professional make up artists know how to bring the best out in each client, they have knowledge of various skin types and tones; how makeup looks in photos and different lighting settings, how to play up your best features, and minimize those you don't want to shine. Make up artists also have a wider selection of products, and brushes than you'd have at home. Hiring a pro frees you up to have fun with your friends, and allows you to pick up some tips and techniques along the way. Stay tuned, later this month when I explore what to look for when hiring a make up pro.

Vanity

Since makeovers are the order of the day, it is best for your guest's to arrive with clean faces. However, some ladies won't be caught dead outside of their homes without make up on even for a minute, or if your party is after work everyone may not have yet had the opportunity to return to their natural look. Provide make up removal wipes in your vanity area, so that is one less thing your make up artist will have to worry about. If folks really need a good scrub, you can set up a facial washing station in the bathroom with cleansers, astringents, and cotton rounds.

You are bringing in pros for make up but what about hair? Hopefully guests will arrive with their hair looking pretty good. However, it's a good idea for you to set up a vanity area for last minute touch ups, or style changes. Offer a flat iron, 1-3 curling irons, bobby pins, and your favorite hair products for hold, and shine. If you are leaning more towards the vintage glam feel, provide guest with a few hair accessories like the ones in the sleepy albatross, Live in Style, KAANG, and LovMely Etsy shops. Place a jewelry cleaner in your vanity area so that guests can get their wedding rings, and other jewelry photo ready.

While this party is great as a stand-alone event, it is also a wonderful precursor to a girl's night out on the town. If you and the ladies plan to hit some night spots after getting your makeup done it is a good idea to have some of Peaches & Boo Boo's Save My Feet Blister Elixer on hand so you can wear your party shoes without the pain.

Photos

Since you are springing for a professional make up artist, it only makes sense to have a professional photographer to capture the results. While anybody can take a picture, photography is truly and art, and some folks just have the knack for capturing the most beautiful images. Since many photographers charge by the hour, it is a good idea to have them come toward the end of the party when everyone's make up and hair is already complete. In this month's decor post, I'll go over setting up a mini photo station, for group shots and amature pics while waiting for the photographer.

If you are hosting the party for a tight knit group of friends or family and are likely to take a couple group shots, you should set a color scheme or theme of dress to help unify the group's look. One possible look to go with is the little black dress. Try to keep the clothing fairly simple so that it doesn't overpower your beautifully made up faces. Wearing a solid color palette also allows guest to have more fun adding accessories that make their outfit and pictures pop. For a vintagey feel, channel your inner Rachel Zoe and hit consignment and thrift stores for accessories like hats, handbags, gloves, jackets and costume jewlery.

Massage/Aromatherapy

If you want to introduce a bit more spa into the party, offer a mini-relaxation station. Place one or two stationary foot massagers in front of a seating area for your guests to enjoy while they wait for their makeovers.

If you are a gadget person, you may enjoy this towel warmer, which has gotten pretty good online reviews from folks who love having a hot towel when they get out of the shower. That's nice you say, but what the heck does it have to do with my party... Well if you drag this little baby out of the bathroom and into your living room it will allow you to offer your guests warm herbal shoulder/neck wraps without the constant trips to the microwave.

Lastly, you might want to have some hot and/or cold herbal eye packs that guests can use before their make overs to refresh and rejuvenate their tired eyes.

In the next Spa Party of the Month segment I'll provide suggestions of what to serve your guest's to eat!

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Prep School

Photo:WebMD

Summer is drawing to a close. What better way to get your daughter and her friends excited about the impending school year than by hosting a spa party for them. After an almost 3 month absence youngins of either gender are eager to make a good impression on their peers on the first day back to school. If your child attends a school where uniforms aren't worn this becomes apparent in the endless hours some children can spend picking out the perfect outfit for the first day of school. With all of the pressure to impress one of the worst things that can happen is a facial breakout. Help the girls preempt this and give them a boost of confidence by inviting them all over for facials.

Welcome to Esthy High!

Esthy is a nickname used for estheticians, professionals who specialize in skincare. As the Headmistress of Esthy High it'll be your job to help your "students" learn how to take good care of their skin, and help them but their best face forward. You can set the tone for the party by creating folders for each guest that will include the class schedule as well as some course material. Some good ideas for course material include: this article on 10 Common Skincare Mistakes, and recipes for DIY facial care from Make Your Cosmetics.com like the Breakfast Mask, Blueberry Lemon Face Mask, the Egyptian Facial Mask and the Zit Zapper. You can also kick the school day off with a quiz like this What Really Causes Acne quiz that debunks common myths about where pimples come from.

Classes

Lab:Facials

For lab have students sit around a table and supply each with a large bowl, a face cloth, and a hand towel. In the center of the table place the materials that they will need to give themselves complete facials, this includes: a pitcher of hot water, fresh mint or peppermint tea bags, a facial cleanser, facial exfoliator, and a facial mask. For this party, I'll recommend Queen Helene's line of Mint Julep facial products for a few reasons:

1. Many of the products in the line are available locally at Walgreens or a beauty supply store.

2. You probably want to throw a nice party without breaking the bank and all of the products are available for under $5. The entire line can be found at Metrobeauty.com.

3. Queen Helene's Mint Julep Facial Masque has gotten very positive reviews, it has been around a long time and is many people's go-to cheapie facial product.

4. The mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, which makes it ohhh so Southern Belle, and I thought it would tie in well with a preppy pamper party theme.

It is worth noting however, that the facial scrub contains ground walnut shells as the exfoliant so be careful of nut allergies; also though the tingly sensation of mint is often refreshing, those with extremely sensitive skin may find that it burns.

The headmistress will be responsible for walking the girls through each step of their facials. If you need tips on how to do a facial at home check out this How Tute video care of Howcast.

For an additional step you can also have girls give themselves lip treatments to make sure their gloss goes on smooth. Lip facials can include either 2 or 3 steps, the first is to apply an exfoliating scrub, the 2nd which is optional is to use a lip masque, and lastly all lip treatments should end with the application of a moisturizing balm or oil. BathLife has a Peppermint Kiss Lip Scrub with jojoba beads, and Peppermint Creamy Shea Butter Lip Balm,which both fit in perfectly with the mint julep facial. Alternately, you can teach girls how to make their own "lip facial" products these two recipes are a good start:

Grapefruit Sugar Lip Scrub (Beauty Secrets Revealed)

One Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
One Tsp. Honey
5-6 Drops Grapefruit Juice

Mix everything together and apply the mixture on your lips. Gently scrub after 5 minutes. It removes dead skin layer and reveals Soft and Smooth Lips.

Super Smoother Lip Masque (Nature's Gift)

• 4 teaspoons kaolin or other cosmetic clay (either white or pink cosmetic clay...green clay is more drying)
• 1 teaspoon Avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rosewater or neroli hydrosol (Orange blossom water)

Procedure: Measure clay and set aside. Measure rose hydrosol(rosewater), honey and oil and warm in a custard cup in a pan of HOT water for two minutes, until "baby bottle warm" Stir the liquid ingredients together until smooth. Add the clay and stir until smooth and lump-free.
Apply to lips and let dry for two minutes...no talking or laughing!
Rinse with warm water, blot dry gently and apply your favorite lip balm

Now the girls should have fresh, glowing faces, and be a bit more aware of how to keep them that way. You might want to add that staying away from boys is also a good skincare tip, if they disbelieve you say "Boys = Stress = Breakouts capisce".


Phys. Ed.: Yoga

These days our kids are busy. I may not yet be the mother of a tween/teen but between swim class, gym class and playdates my 19 month old's social calendar is about as packed as mine was at 19 years old. These busy bees often experience a lot of stress, they are dealing with increasingly test crazed schools, peers, parents, self-image and more. While it comes naturally for some people to take a deep breath, others need to be taught the skills to cope with it all. Yoga when done regularly can help kids/teens mentally by improving concentration, clarity and relaxation, as well as the physical benefits of increased strength, balance, and flexibility. It is likely that you can find a yoga instructor who will come to your house to do an hour long group lesson for between $60- $120. While the girls may not remember all the poses, tell the instructor that you'd like her to emphasize breathing and relaxation techniques that they'll be able to utilize. If you tell the instructor that you are doing a school theme, she may even have some course material that can be added to the folders.

In the next Spa Party of the Month segment, I'll discuss what to serve for lunch.

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Everything's Comin' Up Roses (Touch)

Back in my May 17th Tweet of the Week post I wrote about Damask roses and the ever popular Damask pattern and promised that I'd cook up a bridesmaid's brunch spa party that combined the two. Well here goes...

A bridesmaid's sprunch is a perfect excuse for the bride and her bridal party to relax before the big day, while getting some necessary beauty treatments. The party is meant to be thrown in late morning/early afternoon prior to the rehearsal dinner (if there is one).

Roses are most associated with love and romance and thus are a perfect theme for a pre-wedding event. However, as you'll see when I get to the decor segment of this series, using yellow roses for decoration signifies joy, friendship and the bonds that one shares with the women who she's chosen to surround herself with on her special day.

The Treatments

Manicures
Pedicures
Massage (optional)

Note: Though rosewater is an excellent facial toner and there are great rose based facials available, I'd warn against trying any new products on the bridal parties faces only hours before the wedding.

There are actually two different approaches to this spa party in terms of the "flavor" of the treatments, one is a more Eastern feel featuring Moroccan rose oil and yogurt, while the other is a more Western feel featuring a line of Rose & Champagne products.

Scents from the East

Lassi Soak: this treatment is one from my very own imagination and is inspired by a popular drink in India. In my Slumdog Slumber Party food post I featured a recipe for a mango lassi which is essentially a yogurt based smoothie. I've tasted a rose lassi from a local Indian restaurant, and while it is definitely an acquired taste, its contents provided the inspiration for this luxurious spa treatment. You may have heard of the benefits of milk in skincare, as it is rumored that Queen Cleopatra took milk baths to keep her skin smooth, but you may not know the skin loving properties of yogurt. Yogurt has been used for centuries as a skin treatment in countries such as Greece and India, with a higher lactic acid concentration than milk, it soothes, hydrates, tightens and softens the skin. The antibacterial and antifungal properties in yogurt make it excellent for ridding the skin of impurities, and its full of vitamins and minerals like calcium and zinc. In order to create your own rose lassi soak you'll need a ME! Bath Valley of the Roses Bath Ice Cream, yogurt powder, water and fresh rose petals. Dissolve the Bath Ice Cream in warm water, and add yogurt powder according to package directions, sprinkle a few fresh rose petals and enjoy. If you are planning to use the lassi soak for the hands and the feet, add about a cup and a half more water than you want for the feet when mixing, remove the extra liquid and reserve for the nail soak.

Tip: if you want to add a bit of a rosy tint to the soak try adding in a red kid's fizzy tub tints tablet.

After soaking those fingers and toes its time to exfoliate, this simple Rose Mint salt scrub on Bella Sugar or a pre-mixed scrub by Uhma Nagri will surely do the trick of sloughing off the dry skin. For an extra treat ask the esthetician who is providing your services to remove your scrub with a hot towel. The Body Shop's Moroccan Rose Body Milk can be applied to hands/forearms/legs and feet during the customary massage, for dryer areas like heels use a bit of the Moroccan Rose Body Butter for extra moisturizing. In addition to roses, The Body Shop's Moroccan Rose products are laced with lemon oil, a hint of spice, warm vanilla and sensual musk.

If you are looking for a candle that will complement the fragrances used in the treatments as well as add to the ambiance the Moroccan rose petal top candle from Red Flower should do the trick.

Gifting your bridal party flip flops that go with your color scheme is a good way to keep everyone cute and comfy throughout the festivities, present them with their footwear at the sprunch so they don't get their pedis messed up. There are plenty of options in wedding flip flops like Dessy's matte satin or taffeta, and sandals with a bit of bling like Jamie Krietman, Girl Two Doors Down, Deborah Evans, or studded Havaianas from crystalflipflops.com.

Western Sensibility

For a take on the rose that originates a little closer to home ask your esthetician about Keyano's Champagne and Rose line that is only available to salon and spa professionals. Your treatments would begin with the Champagne and Rose Mineral bath, followed by the companion scrub, and topped off with the hydrating butter cream, the company also makes a Champagne and Rose candle.

Massage

If your nail technician is worth her salt you and your guests will receive massages for your lower legs, forearms, hands and feet as part of your manicure and pedicure services. However, some brides may opt to further de-stress by getting a more extensive massage especially in those areas that seem to hold tension like the back and shoulders. For the bride on a budget, you can purchase a chair massager that can be placed over the chair where your guests will receive their hand and foot treatments. Another fairly inexpensive option is to hire a chair massage therapist, which generally runs for about $60/hr, and offer the bridal party 10-30 minute massages. If you really want a treat, you can opt for the full body massage, which requires more privacy, and more time. The Body Shop, Uhma Nagri, and Keyano all offer rose scented massage oils to fit in seemlessly with the other treatments you chose. If you do choose to go with a full body massage make sure that your therapist knows that you have a wedding coming up soon. If the massage is too intense you could experience soreness, similiar to that feeling you'd get after a hard workout, and no one wants walk down the aisle in pain.

Tip: Francoise Rapp, renowned aromatherapist and alchemist suggests placing towels in a crockpot of water set on low with two drops of rose essential oil, to wrap over the face when the massage is complete.

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Hippie Luxe

The "Summer of Love" may only be a memory, but a hippie inspired spa party is a great way to spread love, beauty and peace among chicks of any generation. Guests will experience a natural high with relaxing treatments and groovy body art, and happiness will surely ensue.

HIPPIE

Hippies were all about alternatives to the mainstream so why not have some fun books on alternative healing/therapies available for browsing while guests wait. Books on color therapy/colorstrology, numerology, astrology, crystal therapy and even kokology can provide light reading and generate conversation.

Another therapeutic and healing art from the East is yoga. You can spring for a private yoga lesson for your group or simply set up a meditation corner with flash cards depicting poses for guests to try.

LUXE

Stoned Massage
Invite your guests to get stoned. No need to worry about your neighbors calling the cops this very legal treatment will have your guests feeling like they are floating on air. Hot stone massage is a specialty treatment that uses smooth heated rocks helping relieve tight muscles and allowing skilled therapists to more easily perform deep tissue massage. If your expecting a large crowd or don't want to incur the expense of full body massages, offer hand, foot or facial massages which target some of the most overworked muscles in the body but take a lot less time and require less privacy.




Henna

Add a fun, funky and "alternative" beauty treatment to your hippie inspired spa party by inviting a henna artist to bless your guests with temporary body art. While any pattern will do, I've found some great patterns on Catherine Cartwright Jones' website The Reverend Bunny's Secret Henna Diary. The Heart, Peace 2 & 3, Zena, Flower, Barefoot, Dragonfly all seem appropriate for the hippie theme. For a quick and colorful alternative to henna offer airbrush tattoos using the same peace and love inspired patterns.










Green Thumb

If you want to give your guests an even more treats offer manis and/or pedis as well. You can hire a professional esthetician or set up DIY manicure stations. Check out my posts on green manicures for tips on products to use and how to tips. Adding flower petals or herbs to a hand/foot soak will fit in nicely with the "flower power" vibe.

In the next blog post in this series I'll cover what to foods to serve, as guests are likely to be famished after getting stoned.

Read More...

Spa Party of the Month: Slumdog Slumber Party

Over the past few weeks since I've started blogging I've introduced several ongoing blog features including K.I.S.S. & Tweet of the Week. Finally, I'm unveiling my signature feature the Spa Party of the Month! Each month I'll write a three part series based on one theme covering everything from decor and food, to types of spa treatments and suggested products. I'm so excited about this feature because I have so many different themes up my sleeve ranging from kids themes to adult; ladies only to couples and family events. 

This year Slumdog Millionaire took home 8 Oscars including Best Picture, and was a crowd favorite. The movie lends itself to a great party because of the ability to tie in cultural elements, a game night and a movie night all rolled into one.

Treatments:


Manicures &/or Pedicures: The beauty and uniqueness of henna designs attract a lot of attention to the hands and feet, so make sure you offer guests manicure and pedicure treatments. You can either hire a mobile spa technician or do it DIY style by having manicure supplies on hand.  An exfoliating scrub that fits in perfectly with the party theme is this Choco Chai Warming Scrub.

Mehndi:

Since the movie is based in India, there are so many cultural elements that can be tied in to make this party truly special; including henna of course! You can use the Henna Page's Artist Directory to find a henna artist near you; or if you think your guests are up to the challenge order premixed henna cones and take turns drawing designs on one another. Some henna/mehndi artists are also experienced in eyebrow threading which is inexpensive, quick, and easier on sensitive skin than most other methods of eyebrow shaping.


Indian Head Massage:
Another simple treatment that can be easily incorporated into your own Slumdog themed Spajama party is Indian head massage. Guests can take turns giving and receiving these by following the steps in this How Tute, optionally oils can be used to supplement this treatment such as coconut, sesame, almond or your favorite hair oil.

Facials:
One of the advantages to hosting a slumber spa party is the treatments can be broken upover the course of two days so there is plenty of time for both spa treatments and other activities. A treatment that would be appropriate for the morning is facials, using a Rhassoul Clay Masque.

Entertainment:

While girls wait for their treatments, have them test their smarts with the Who Wants to Be A Millionaire DVD game. You can even customize your own version to test how well your daughter's friends really know about her by using this PowerPoint template. When the treatments are finished have the girsl settle in for Movie Night featuring the 2008 Movie of the Year Slumdog Millionaire and one of my Bollywood faves Bride & Prejudice starring Aishwarya Rai. In the morning kick off the day with a Bollyrobics dance workout DVD.

In the next blog post I'll cover food ideas for the Slumdog Slumber Party theme.

Read More...

Pooped? Get Pampered Party

Happy Mother's Day All! Though all Moms are deserving of a spa party experience, I think we can agree that one of the demographics most in need of a special treat are moms postpartum. Not only are postpartum moms prone to boughts of depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation; their bodies are in recovery from 9 months of pregnancy and labor. When I was in this very state a little over a year ago, being a member of a local new moms group was wonderful for the support, advice, and camaraderie. If my new mom's group would have hosted a spa party, that would have just been the icing on the (diaper) cake! Here are just a few ideas on putting together a Pampered party for moms that is baby friendly, in case they aren't yet ready to part with their little bundles.

1. Invite a presenter to come out and give the group a lesson on infant massage.
   


2. Have a bonga line. These bonger massage tools are easy enough for the lay person to use (just avoid the kidneys), and are inexpensive enough to be given as party favors so mom's can request the treatment at home as well. Have attendees stand in a circle, place the babies in their infant car seats in the center, and have everyone give & receive shoulder and back massages.
   


3. One thing pregnancy is good for is making your feet and ankles swell. Foot treatments are also great for this crowd because it leaves mom's lap and hands free to take care of baby without interrupting the treatment.
   
   
   
   
   1. Foot soaks in none other than Milk, which is great for softening and moisturizing. Try adding lavender or chamomile to powdered milk for a relaxing scent that won't be too strong for the babies; honey also makes a great addition.
      
   
   
   2. Bring in a professional for foot massages, unless daddies want to volunteer for this duty.
      


4. A diaper cake is always a cute centerpiece, and can be given away as a door prize. I made the diaper cake for my own shower using the instructions from this video, and I added some embellishments from the scrapbooking section of my local craft store. Or try creating a towel cake with a baby bath towel apron.
   

Pampered Party Product Picks

Earth Mama Angel Baby's Angel Baby Oil

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Leg & Foot Creme , Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion & Baby Bee Apricot Oil

Here also is a ultra comfy looking changing pad, made by a local mom that is filled with memory foam, and would be great for the infant massage.

Read More...