Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Indian Springs, Calistoga
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Beautiful sanctified, Northern California.
From November 1st thru March Indian Springs, a posh resort & spa in Calistoga, offers excellent rates for the colder months. I personally prefer going to hot springs in the winter because that's when I want to jump into a 104degree thermal olympic sized pool. That's when I want to enjoy being up to my neck in heavy, hot, detoxifying volcanic mud. That's when I want to sit by the fire sipping cool cucumber water.
I booked Sam's Bungalow for $195. This is a cottage with kitchenette and it includes 2 free mudbaths (priced at $85 each). If you rent the room you also have access to the gorgeous beverly-hills-hotel-esque thermal pool until midnight (it closes to non-overnight guests at 5). Another perk is a stable of beach cruisers to ride around Calistoga, not to mention as much cuke water as you can drink. So for the bargain rate of $195 you get an overnight stay access to the grounds, bike rides, pool dips, and mudbaths at the spa. I almost forgot to mention the tennis, bocci ball and croquet courts. Awesome.
Critique:
The bungalow is small and lets be real, who needs a kitchenette for one night. We should have stayed in the lodge which is much more modern and comfortable. The bungalow also had energy efficient lighting which dampens my mood. The bathroom was remodeled very well and they had L'Occitane products! In the morning a continental breakfast would've been nice.. but alas, just coffee and tea and green apples. Not a fan of green apples before 9am.
At the spa they sell some sweet smelling and high quality goods including their huge flannel towels (of which I bought 3). Inside the mudbaths the quality of service is calming and unpretentious. Volcanic ash mud is super relaxing.
The women at the front desk of the hotel and the spa were professional and kind. I am amazed at the thorough thoughtful service. Thank you to the staff. This was one of the most rejuvenating days I ever had. You should visit Indian Springs.
Beautiful sanctified, Northern California.
From November 1st thru March Indian Springs, a posh resort & spa in Calistoga, offers excellent rates for the colder months. I personally prefer going to hot springs in the winter because that's when I want to jump into a 104degree thermal olympic sized pool. That's when I want to enjoy being up to my neck in heavy, hot, detoxifying volcanic mud. That's when I want to sit by the fire sipping cool cucumber water.
I booked Sam's Bungalow for $195. This is a cottage with kitchenette and it includes 2 free mudbaths (priced at $85 each). If you rent the room you also have access to the gorgeous beverly-hills-hotel-esque thermal pool until midnight (it closes to non-overnight guests at 5). Another perk is a stable of beach cruisers to ride around Calistoga, not to mention as much cuke water as you can drink. So for the bargain rate of $195 you get an overnight stay access to the grounds, bike rides, pool dips, and mudbaths at the spa. I almost forgot to mention the tennis, bocci ball and croquet courts. Awesome.
Critique:
The bungalow is small and lets be real, who needs a kitchenette for one night. We should have stayed in the lodge which is much more modern and comfortable. The bungalow also had energy efficient lighting which dampens my mood. The bathroom was remodeled very well and they had L'Occitane products! In the morning a continental breakfast would've been nice.. but alas, just coffee and tea and green apples. Not a fan of green apples before 9am.
At the spa they sell some sweet smelling and high quality goods including their huge flannel towels (of which I bought 3). Inside the mudbaths the quality of service is calming and unpretentious. Volcanic ash mud is super relaxing.
The women at the front desk of the hotel and the spa were professional and kind. I am amazed at the thorough thoughtful service. Thank you to the staff. This was one of the most rejuvenating days I ever had. You should visit Indian Springs.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Bold Brows
Let's accurately describe what a bold brow is. It is not a natural brow. I have made the mistake of believing that a bold brow is growing out my brows and not doing anything to them, then trying to figure out why I don't look like a supermodel. The bold brow does not let you off the hook with upkeep. of course it is a more "natural" look. I believe that attaining a natural look requires a more advanced approach to makeup as you need to find makeup up colors that make you look healthy, and also have a light artistic hand so that the makeup goes unnoticed. Let's look at some inspiration and then try to achieve this magnificent look.
These women look expensive. The bold brow is groomed so that there is a beautiful space of clear skin between the eyes. The hairs are swept back and they are most definitely penciled. The pearlescent gray tones make their eyes seem sharp and luminescent. Bold brows in Chinese face reading indicate a strong personality and willfulness. These are the eyes of a woman who knows what she wants.
There are professionals who can help you achieve a strong brow. The esthetician needs to clear the space between your brows with wax, otherwise it will not look clean. A bit above the tops of the eyebrows do need to be groomed with wax, and as you can see the women here have clearly defined temples, there are no stray hairs there. The underneath should be mildly groomed. If you want an arch and don't have one this look is not for you. You need to accept your brow shape and accentuate it. It will not work to have a natural brow and then try to pluck a little arch into it. If you want an arch later you can achieve it with pencil. The trick to grooming the brows without thinning them is self-restraint. Start with your tweezer against your nose and get only the hairs closest to your eyelid as you move outward along the bottom of the brow bone.
The best brow makeup 100% without a doubt goes to Anastasia of Beverly Hills. Holy Lord. She has a color called Ultimate brown-- best brown color pencil ever. Plus, on the end of the pencil is the stiffest little mascara wand to brush your brows up and back and to blend the color (Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil). Anastasia also has a waxy clear pencil that you use over to keep them in place (Anastasia Brow Fix Wax). it's like pomade for your brows-- it's not a weird shiny gel that'll make you look like you were just born, or worse, flake off-- it's a matte natural hold. I've tried many different brow gels, powders and pencils, save yourself the time and effort and money.
The next element in this look is clear bright skin. notice that there is a glow on the skin. Dewy skin is not oily skin. Dewey skin requires a light foundation like Benefit's You Rebel and also a light dusting of super fine micro powder such as Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil. A flesh colored pinked lip is acheived with Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment. I use the Sugar Plum color and my lips look as fresh and healthy and lineless as a 3 year old. I may be the only woman in America that hates lip gloss-- sticky, messy, tastes terrible, gets on my teeth, needs constant attention and reapplication. I hate it.
For the final touch blush is important. In the next post we will explore blush colors that make your skin look it's healthiest. Until then Beautiful Star.
These women look expensive. The bold brow is groomed so that there is a beautiful space of clear skin between the eyes. The hairs are swept back and they are most definitely penciled. The pearlescent gray tones make their eyes seem sharp and luminescent. Bold brows in Chinese face reading indicate a strong personality and willfulness. These are the eyes of a woman who knows what she wants.
There are professionals who can help you achieve a strong brow. The esthetician needs to clear the space between your brows with wax, otherwise it will not look clean. A bit above the tops of the eyebrows do need to be groomed with wax, and as you can see the women here have clearly defined temples, there are no stray hairs there. The underneath should be mildly groomed. If you want an arch and don't have one this look is not for you. You need to accept your brow shape and accentuate it. It will not work to have a natural brow and then try to pluck a little arch into it. If you want an arch later you can achieve it with pencil. The trick to grooming the brows without thinning them is self-restraint. Start with your tweezer against your nose and get only the hairs closest to your eyelid as you move outward along the bottom of the brow bone.
The best brow makeup 100% without a doubt goes to Anastasia of Beverly Hills. Holy Lord. She has a color called Ultimate brown-- best brown color pencil ever. Plus, on the end of the pencil is the stiffest little mascara wand to brush your brows up and back and to blend the color (Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil). Anastasia also has a waxy clear pencil that you use over to keep them in place (Anastasia Brow Fix Wax). it's like pomade for your brows-- it's not a weird shiny gel that'll make you look like you were just born, or worse, flake off-- it's a matte natural hold. I've tried many different brow gels, powders and pencils, save yourself the time and effort and money.
The next element in this look is clear bright skin. notice that there is a glow on the skin. Dewy skin is not oily skin. Dewey skin requires a light foundation like Benefit's You Rebel and also a light dusting of super fine micro powder such as Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil. A flesh colored pinked lip is acheived with Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment. I use the Sugar Plum color and my lips look as fresh and healthy and lineless as a 3 year old. I may be the only woman in America that hates lip gloss-- sticky, messy, tastes terrible, gets on my teeth, needs constant attention and reapplication. I hate it.
For the final touch blush is important. In the next post we will explore blush colors that make your skin look it's healthiest. Until then Beautiful Star.
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