Barefoot & Pregnant Spa May 30, 2009

http://spa.barefootandpregnant.com/

I wish this concept had been around when I was pregnant for my 7 year old son.  During my pregnancy, I visited Mirbeau Inn & Spa is Skanaeateles, NY twice.  I must have thought that with a newborn on the way, I might never spa again.  But it felt weird to be at the spa while pregnant – you didn’t exactly see a lot of pregnant women running around with their bellies bulging through their spa robes.  It was even stranger to climb up on the treatment table and to have to talk to the therapist about what my expectant body could tolerate and what it could not (no laying on your stomach and not too much heat).  This meant no steam or sauna and no treatments that raise the body temperature, like wraps.  I went in with a pretty good understanding of things, but what if I hadn’t?  If the therapist hand’s been educated in treating pregnant women, could I endanger my unborn baby?

That’s why I love the concept of Barefoot & Pregnant Spa.  The therapists are specially trained to understand and empathize with what pregnant women are feeling during each stage of pregnancy. The spa treatments are designed with an expectant mother’s safety and comfort in mind.  The estheticians and massage therapists are specially trained to care for the unique needs of prenatal and postpartum women.

Barefoot & Pregnant Spas offer unique treatments that you don’t find at a regular spa:  belly facials, belly casting, and a treatment add-on called “Nap Time”, where for $40 extra you can linger in your treatment room for an extra 30 minutes after your treatment ends for total bliss.

The website also promotes the concept babymoons – a sort of “honeymoon” for expectant parents. Babymoons are a way for expectant couples to get away before the birth of their child to relax and focus on each other. 

The site also features a retail shop that sells products, gift certificates and books.

There is also an online social community at http://www.barefootandpregnant.com/.

Review of Spa On The River (Baldwinsville, NY) May 29, 2009

Spa On The River

http://www.spaontheriver.com/

2372 West Genesee Road

Baldwinsville, NY  13027  315-638-1238

After reading about the award winning Spa on The River, I knew I needed to schedule a visit soon.  

• One of CNY’s Top Day Spas by the CNY Business Journal
• Viewers voted Spa on The River one of Syracuse’s top five salons in local television WTVH-TV5’s on line poll
• A five star beauty destination by the worlds number one publication magazine “New Beauty.”

Two phone calls to the spa’s owner went unreturned for several weeks – so I thought I would try it just like everyone else does:  by appointment and without the cover of cnyspagirl.  For this visit, I was going to be a regular first time client!  The spa was running a special:  Two spa pedicures for the price of one ($50) when you bring a friend.  When my good friend and fellow spa enthusiast said she needed a pedicure, I had just the place in mind!

When I called to make the appointment, the person answering the phone was a bit distracted, asking me to hold while she talked to a co-worker about another matter.  I’ve had better first client interactions, but we moved on.  I  booked the pedicure special with Erika and Janna.

Things improved on our arrival at the spa on a recent Wednesday when our cheerful and friendly therapists were ready and waiting to take us back to the pedicure area.   As a new client, I would have welcomed the offer of a tour spa, but we were ready to begin.  If you’ve read my posts before, you know that I strongly advocate for spa managers and owners to encourage staff to give every new client a tour.  This makes them feel at home and welcome and introduces them to other services the spa offers.

The pedicure was like most, so I’ll mention what stood out to me as being unique:

• Bottled water provided at the beginning of the treatment
• Spa Ritual nail polish – Vegan nail care that is formaldehyde, toluene and DBP free (nasty chemicals that are absorbed through the nail bed into the body)
• Instead of using a pumice or file to remove dry calloused skin, they used a PedEgg
• They used a netted sponge to remove the scrub residue from legs and feet
• 3 scrubs – first a peppermint scrub, then a dead sea salt and citrus scrub, and finally an almond scented scrub that is marketed for manicures but makes a wonderful foot/leg or full body scrub.  We liked this product so much we each bought one to use at home!

The Roman-themed spa is beautifully decorated with plants, statues and fountains.  Every wall is painted in a different rich, earth tone color.  Some areas are carpeted, others are tiled – but it is evident that no expense was spared in selecting materials for the spa.  There are beautiful murals on the walls with some hand painted accents.  

Spa On The River is a full service spa and salon.  There are  private or semi-private spaced carved out for each type of treatment – a makeup room, a couples massage room with gas fireplace, an individual massage room, a facial room, a “Botox room” (the spa hosts Botox parties), and dedicated spaces for manicures, pedicures, hair cutting and other treatments.

What I liked :

• Our therapists gave us referral cards good for $5 off our next visit when we refer a friend who makes an appointment.  The friend receives $5 off too.
• We were provided with spa brochures detailing each service including a price list
• I love the names of the treatments, giving a nod to the owners Italian heritage – our pedicure was called “Roman Roads”.

Room for improvement:

• As mentioned before, an up front tour
• The owner was onsite and passed by a few times, but never checked in to greet us or to see how we were enjoying our first visit.  This simple gesture would go a long way in forging a personal bond with new clients.
• Admittedly, my heels were very rough and cracked when I arrived for my treatment.  Post-treatment, they look better but could have used a little extra TLC.  Giving credit where it is due, Janna gave me some advice on how to attack the problem incrementally – exfoliate, moisturize, repeat.
• The spa is beautiful, but I didn’t get that calm and serene feeling that I’ve come to associate with most spas.  This could be because I was getting a pedicure and maybe the feeling would be different with a more relaxing treatment.  Spa on The River is large and I get the sense that it might get busy at times, especially on the weekends.  There was a cozy waiting area near the entrance – but not the kind of spot that I’d want to relax in wearing a spa robe after a massage.  Perhaps there is another calm relaxation area in another part of the spa that we weren’t shown.  (We did end up asking for a tour at the end and Erika and Janna were happy to show us around. )

Would I go again?  Sure, especially for a great special like the 2 pedicures for the price of one that we took advantage of.  It’s a bit far from home in Jamesville, but worth the drive for a special.  Would I recommend it to a friend?  Yes.

Spa On The River Pedicure Area

Like tea? You’ll love Teavana! May 28, 2009

I almost never go to Carousel Mall in Syracuse.  Never is a strong word choice – maybe a few times a year and only when absolutely necessary.  Yesterday, I went to the Apple Store to technologically advance myself into the world of Mac’s.  On my way back to the car, I passed by a store I’d never seen before….Teavana.  Seriously, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Teavana means “a heaven of tea”.  I LOVE tea…hot tea, iced tea, white tea, green tea, oolong tea.  Not as big a fan of black tea, but I can tolerate it.  They had every kind of tea imaginable – over 100 varieties all lined up in big, colorful tins behind the counter.

And tea accessories – tea strainers, tea pots, tea cups, tea makers.  And German Rock Cane Sugar crystals to use in place of unhealthy white sugar.  Maybe everyone else in the world knows about Teavana but me!  But I, for one, am very excited at this new find.

So I asked for an iced tea.  What kind of iced tea?  I had hundreds of blends to choose from.   The Teavana employee created a perfect fruity blend of white tea and oolong tea, sweetened exactly according to my specifications, brewed fresh right in front of me in 5 minutes time.   And it was the best glass of iced tea I’ve ever had, hands down.  The price for all of this customization?  $3.99 plus tax.

By joining Teavana’s email mailing list, you can get a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase.  And free shipping for online orders over $50.  You might be thinking, how can I spend $50 on tea?  It’s easy when some of the blends cost $15 to $25 for 2 ounces.  2 ounces brews 15 (16 ounce) cups of tea.  Not all the blends are that expensive, but the ones containing real dried fruit chunks and exotic ingredients do.  I can’t wait to get my $10 coupon so I can place my first order.

Tea has incredible health benefits, depending on the variety.  Oolong tea is known for enhancing digestion and metabolism and is good for weight loss.  Sign me up!  Green tea lowers cholesterol, helps prevent cavities and aging, may help to prevent cancer and regulates blood sugar.  The list of health benefits of tea are endless.  And tea has much less caffeine than coffee, if you’re concerned about that kind of thing.

Teavana currently has over 100 stores in more than 30 states and in Mexico.  There may just be a Teavana near you!  Now I’d love to see Teavana teas served at my favorite spa….

Back on the wagon… May 25, 2009

….the wellness wagon, that is.  I don’t profess to have a super healthy lifestyle, but I do try to incorporate wellness into my daily life.

I spent Memorial Day Weekend camping at Wellesley Island State Park in the Thousand Island Region of Northern New York, along the St. Lawrence River.  It’s traditionally the first camping trip of the season after a long, cold winter and an 8 1/2 month hiatus from camping.  From here, we plan as many camping trips as we can squeeze into a short summer. 

Family and friends gather for a weekend of food, drinks and fun – usually in that order.   Breakfast is hearty and plentiful – eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, belgium waffles with fruit and whipped cream, bagels, cream cheese.  You get the idea.  So plentiful it doesn’t occur to me to get hungry until late afternoon – happy hour time!  With my favorite “drinking buddy” in tow (as I affectionately refer to her, she knows who she is!), it’s time for cocktails and appetizers.  Usually, its the worlds best cosmos – made by previously mentioned drinking buddy.  This time, it was the box of wine at the beach while the kids played.  The cheese and crackers.  The pita chips with hummus.   

Dinner is just around the corner – steak, shrimp, tacos.  An anniversary celebration – hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and of course cake in every flavor.  And don’t forget the requisite camping treat:  S’mores!

It wasn’t a completely sedentary weekend.  There were the frequent 3 mile bike rides to the cottages where the rest of our family stayed – a total of 24 miles cycled.  There was the nature trail hike for our first attempt at letterboxing.  And there was the walk around the campground scoping out the best campsites for next time.  Not to mention the short but seemingly endless walks from our campsite to our friends and families sites.  

On a positive note, I was able to catch up on sleep that I’ve been lacking for weeks.  And, a great time was had by all.

With the weekend behind me, I look forward to getting back to the routine of my portion controlled, fruit and veggie eating, greek yogurt for breakfast, whole grain daily existence.  I look forward to my almost daily 2.5 mile walk in the hills hear my home.  I look forward to getting back to my skin care routine (I guess there isn’t room for my regular skin care product in my 23 foot travel trailer towed by a full size pickup truck…they never seem to make the trip.)  And my vitamins.   A relaxing pedicure would be nice too – camping is rough on the feet.  In short, I look forward to getting back on the wellness wagon.   At least until the next camping trip!

Next spa trip: The Lodge at Woodloch May 22, 2009

http://www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com/Welcome14.html

109 River Birch Lane, Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428

866.953.8500

In a little more than a week, I’ll be headed to The Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa in Hawley, PA.  The trip is courtesy of my grand prize winning of the Spa Day for You & Mom contest at Innerrewards.com.  I won $1,000 gift certificate to the spa of my choice be earning the most points by contributing contest to the site over a one week period.  (Actually, the contest was so popular that I tied with another member, Holly, for first place.  InnerRewards generously awarded both of us the first place prize).

I’ve been following The Lodge at Woodloch since before it opened 3 years ago.  I kept telling myself I HAD to find a way to get there, but it remained unaffordable.  A single weekend night will set you back almost $700 a person, double occupancy after you factor in an 18% service charge and taxes.  This includes accommodations, 3 gourmet meals per day,  a $120 daily spa credit, mind and body classes and use of all fitness facilities.

Enter a spectacular mid-week magic promotion, $50 in lodge credit per person per night before 5/31, and $1,000 gift certificate and I’m so there!  I’m taking my mom as a belated Mother’s Day present.  I’ll be having the Awakening the Senses Facial.  Here’s the description:

Experience the synergy of our signature facial, as aromatherapy, chromatherapy (color therapy), healing sound, choreographed two-disc stone massage and delightful flavors blend with profoundly effective skin care. Designed to increase the skin’s capacity to function more efficiently, a gentle marine peel, age-defying complex serum and two nutrient-rich masks restore the skin and promote moisture balance, tone and clarity. A facial experience you will long remember! For all skin types. 75 minutes $175

I can’t wait – it sounds so indulgent!  Mom is having a European Deep Cleansing Facial.   I’ll be writing a full review upon my return so be sure to check back!

Linda Troeller – The Wellness and Spa Photographer May 20, 2009

JacuzziCalastoga HOT SPRINGS, CA. AWARD WINNING PHOTO, PICTURES OF THE YEAR

http://www.lindatroeller.com

I’ve been enjoying the photographic work of Linda Troeller, often referred to as the wellness and spa photographer.  Linda’s articles and photographs have been featured in magazines galore:  Oprah, New York Times, Spa Management  and Marie Claire just to name a few.  How amazing would it be to write about spas with Linda Troeller photographing the experience with me?

I asked Linda how and why she started photographing spas and wellness.  Here is her response: 

“I went to Mexico in 1976 to get over an engagement break up.  I visit the painter, Leonara Carrington, who lives in Mexico City. She said in Mexico you can heal with taking mushrooms at Palanque or go to a mineral baths.  I
chose the baths and went to Ixtapan.  I bathed with the local Indians and they told me also about San Jose Purua spa.  There I took mud baths and healed as well.  I took some images but dreamed of going to other healing mineral waters.  At this time in the USA, mineral baths fell out of favor and were boarded up so I went to Japan to Kyushu to their springs and photographed.  The images caught the attention of photo editors and magazines and I continued to pursue the topic.  The next place was Calistoga Hot Springs, where I took a picture that was published in Life Magazine…and then I continued creating new images at these beautiful and often fairly unknown locations at the time.”

Living in Syracuse, NY it was interesting to learn that Linda attended Syracuse University in the 1970’s.  She has recently had her life’s photography archives acquired by the Bird Library at S.U., “when I die, not yet..but it is good to know my prints, art etc. are in a place for all times”.

The rest of this post is reprinted with Linda’s permission from an interview by Gina Molinari, a spa consultant.  The photos are also shared with you with Linda’s permission.  Enjoy!

THE WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHER

Linda Troeller is best known as the “Spa photographer”, able to capture the poetic ecstasy of Wellness by evolving artistic shoots for spas and product companies and also with her books “Healing Waters” and “Spa Journeys”.  As a photographer and journalist, she has conquered international recognition thanks to her refined and atmospheric images and art. In her career she has obtained several important awards for her collections dedicated to healing and social issues. Her projects range from TB AIDS DIARY and Erotic Lives of Women (1998) to Chelsea Hotel (2008). 

– What role does Visual Art play for deep relaxation?

Visual art has the power to transform a person to another place and time which can uplift mood. When the spa chooses art that is a true reflection of the aspiration of the spa’s brand identity, it has a further opportunity to bring the guest’s spa treatment experience to a more successful level.

These images can be incorporated into the treatments rooms, halls, and hotel rooms. This artistic theme can be carried through to the brochures, website and direct mail.

 – How have spas included your art in their settings?

I will start with Hippocrates since they decorated a treatment room with my photograph Jacuzzi, Calistoga Hot Springs, Ca.  It is framed beside a massage table.  Even before you enter this room you see a healing term printed on wood on the door — purity or harmony.  Another spa, Toskana Therme, Bad Sulza, Germany commissioned of a group of my photographs to hang at the entry to the Liquid Sound pool to visually prepare the bather with the floating style that exists inside this pool.  The Feline Day Spa owner in NYC gave each of the therapists a chance to choose one of my photographs for the decor of their treatment room. They told me how much more they enjoy the space and often talk about the art with the clients.

 – Tell us why you still work on the healing topic?

I have been shooting Goddess Portraits created with Kat James, Total Transformation workshops held for a week in North Carolina, with women after spa therapies, and a hair and make up application. I aim at bringing out the soul and best energies of the women. These photographs can framed and put in the women’s home to inspire lifestyle or identity changes, some women use them on their Facebook page even.

For GB Hotels, Abano Spa, Italy I photographed five towns in their region which included the water city of the world, Venice. They plan to make an art brochure of my images to inspire spa guests to guide in how to explore the region during their cure. 

What are some current projects?

Lately, I’ve been influenced by new technology that offers new modalities such as LED colored lights to improve Energy balance and Gem therapy to enervate certain regions of the body.

I’ve been shooting images that look toward the ‘future.’ I also have taught “photography” on cruise boats, and as a guest artist at Rancho La Puerto Spa, Mexico.

 -What kind of emotions do you want to communicate in your photos?

 Peacefulness. Sensuality. Energy. Sexuality. Amazement

LiquidSound, Bad Sulza, Germany by Linda Troeller

Feline Day Spa – NYC

Visage Therapeutic Skin Care & Spa (Dewitt, NY) May 19, 2009

3709 Erie Boulevard East

Dewitt, NY  13214

315-251-2121

visageskinspa.com

I stopped by Visage Therapeutic Skin Care & Spa on a busy Friday afternoon.   General Manager and Senior Esthetician Allie was happy to show me around. 

Visage is located near a busy intersection of Erie Boulevard East and East Genesee Street in Dewitt, NY. This prime location is near a shopping mall, restaurants and Wegmans, the areas major grocery store chain.

Visage has a full menu of spa treatments: skin care, body treatments, manicures and pedicures, massage, botanical hair removal and more. They are a medical spa and are known for injectable facial treatments, laser hair removal, and laser facial treatments.

There is a well-lit waiting room nicely decorated in plush furniture where guests can complete their intake form or wait for their treatments. Once inside the spa, there is another relaxation area filled with plants, fountains and ambient lighting.

If you are a guest of the spa for the day, Visage provides a complementary lunch from Chili’s restaurant next door – a nice touch. 

I didn’t have a treatment during my tour of the spa but plan to schedule one soon and will provide a full review.

CNY Healing Arts Spring Fling Open House May 17, 2009

191 Intrepid Lane
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-671-5755

http://www.cnyhealingarts.com

On Thursday, May 21 2009 from 04:00 PM  – 07:00PM, CNY Healing Arts (Syracuse Location) will be hosting a Spring Fling Open House.

“The flowers are in full bloom in our lovely outside garden and our doors will be open. We welcome you to come meet our practitioners, ask questions, watch demonstrations, take a tour of our beautiful, relaxing facility and enjoy some light refreshments. At 5PM Dr. Rob Kiltz will share some of his positive words and thoughts about how to live your Best Life and enjoy each and every day to the fullest! There is no charge to attend. * Please RSVP to Chris at events@robertkiltz.com.”

I toured CNY Healing Arts in April and was pleasantly wowed by how beautiful the space was.  You can read my post on my visit here.

InnerRewards.com – An online wellness community May 16, 2009

A few weeks ago I posted about an on-line wellness community I had just joined called InnerRewards.com.  According to the website, “InnerRewards (IR) was created for people passionate about wellness (spa-goers and owners alike), as a true, balanced ecosystem around the Wellness Lifestyle.”  IR was founded by CEO Julie Elaine Brown.

I would love for you to check this site out and become a member.  Membership is free and easy – it just takes a few moments.  But the best part is that once you join, you begin earning points that translate into free spa and wellness services at the provider of your choice.  How do you earn points?  Glad you asked.  It’s easy and fun!

• Become a Member of InnerRewards – 25 pts.
• Invite Friends to Become Members of InnerRewards – 25 pts. (per new member)
• Review A Business – 25 pts.
• Add Vibes To A Business – 5 pts.
• Start A New Discussion or Write a Post – 10 pts.
• Upload A New Photo – 10 pts.
• Post a Comment on an Article, Discussion, Post, Photo, or Video – 5 pts.
• Purchase A Deal – 50 pts.

I joined a few weeks ago and I’ve already earned enough points for one $100 gift certificate and I’m very close to earning my second gift certificate for $100.

InnerRewards has great contests, too.  I just won a $1,000 gift certificate to the spa of my choice in a Mom’s Day Spa Giveaway contest.  The rules were simple:  In one week, you had to earn the most points on the site.  There was a tie and IR awarded both winners with the grand prize.  I’m taking my mom to The Lodge at Woodloch, an award winning, luxury destination spa in Hawley, Pennsylvania.  Our overnight stay will include meals, use of all facilities and equipment, exercise classes, a spa treatment and so much more. 

Join InnerRewards today!  You can join on your own by going to the site, or I can send you personalized invitation to join.  They have a new contest where you can win a $1000 certificate for a romantic daycation with your significant other.  Just earn the most points on the site between Thursday, May 14th 6am PDT and Thursday, May 28 Noon PDT.  The runner up wins a $500 certificate.

SpaFinder’s Eigth Annual Reader’s Choice Awards May 15, 2009

http://www.spafinder.com/readerschoice2009

The June 1st deadline is quickly approaching to cast your last-minute votes for SpaFinder’s Eighth Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Tell SpaFinder about a fabulous vacation you took to a destination or resort spa and enter to win a trip for two to the spectacular Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Australia.

Vote before June 1, 2009, and you will be entered to win a vacation for two at Australia’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.  Gwinganna was voted as SpaFinder’s readers’ Favorite Spa in Australia in 2008.  The prize will include five nights’ accommodations, all meals and snacks, three massages and one facial (per person), a health and well-being analysis, and more.  The prize is valued at $3800.