Get a Pedicure for a Good Cause!

Aqua Nail Bar is hosting a Pink Pedi Party! On October 5th from 10 am -6pm. Pink Champagne will be served, have fun listening to 80's music and indulge in a pink champagne pedicure ($35). A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Visit Aqua Nail Bar for more info!

Pedicure at Le Reve!

Today I indulged in the Nouveau Milk and Honey pedicure at Le Reve. Sofia was the pedicurist and she was so sweet and did a great job. I sat in a cozy little bungalow chair and soaked my feet in warm milk and honey. Sofia also gave me a massage with rose oil -- I love Jurlique rose products. It was a little foggy and chilly this morning in Santa Barbara and of course I was wearing my weekend flip flops so the warm paraffin felt really good to warm my toes!

Travel Girl Magazine

I'm so excited! I have a tip in Travel Girl Magazine! You can read it online at www.travelgirlinc.com or you can read it here!:

Travelgirl, Heal Thyself!
Before you leave for your trip, consult with a massage therapist or an acupuncturist to learn a few main pressure points that may help to relieve motion sickness, edema, constipation and other travel-related ailments. This way, you have a more natural way to deal with these symptoms instead of taking over-the-counter medicines!
Melissa Mellott
Santa Barbara, California

Women's Economic Venture

I was fortunate to be invited as a guest speaker to the Women's Economic Venture training day! WEV assists women in starting their own businesses -- it's an awesome nonprofit! I presented on Niche marketing to about 100 participants. I met many great women with amazing businesses and ideas! I saw my friend Ann Peyrat, former editor of Woman Magazine for the Newspress -- she's a super star! I also saw Valerie, a supporter of WEV, who I met 7 years ago when I first came to Santa Barbara and I was looking for any kind of work! These sort of functions are always good for networking too. I met Mikki Reilly, who is a fitness trainer and owner of www.fitnesstransform.com; we exchanged links on each of our sites -- you will see her listed on the blog links soon! I also met a massage therapist Bernita Brazia for "Affordable Health Plan. For Health. For Life." I met Merley Greenidge of Celebrate Sweetly and Carlos Amaro (yes there was a token male at WEV!) and so many others wanted to write books and start businesses -- and cool businesses too! Thanks WEV for inviting me to be a part of the training!

Newspress announces Skin Care Seminar!

September 22, SB Newspress:

Skin Essentials Skin Care Spa in Montecito will host a seminar Oct. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cabrillo Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. The seminar will explore the benefits of products and services available in the spa to address most common complaints, such as fine lines and sun damage. Experts on hand will include Bryan Johns , president and CEO of Innovative Skin Care; Shea Boothe , president and CEO of SkinWithin; trainer Victoria Rose; lecturer Joy Snowden; and makeup artist Jane Iredale. Each attendee will receive a $50 gift certificate toward a service at Skin Essentials. Gift baskets from each of the vendors will be given away, and all products will be discounted

Lake Austin Review

My Lake Austin Review is live for Spas of America! You can view it by clicking here. Lake Austin is one of my favorite spas! While in Austin, I also discovered many lavender farms just north of Austin near Fredericksburg, a small German town. I would love to buy a lavender farm; unfortunately California land is crazy expensive, but perhaps I could check out the Texas lavender farms!

Skincare Seminar!

Skin Essentials Skin Care Spa in Montecito is excited to announce their upcoming seminar Sunday, October 15, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Cabrillo Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Industry experts in skincare will be explaining the benefits of products and services available in the spa to address the most common complaints such as fine lines and sun damage.
Each attendee will receive a $50 gift certificate toward a service at Skin Essentials.

Gift baskets from each of the vendors will be given away and all products will be discounted.

Register by calling: 805-695-8699 Attendance fee $15; seating limited!

Aqua Nail Salon

Today me and one of my best gal pals Marjorie went to Aqua Nail Salon in Goleta for pedicures! She got the Pure Figi Pedi with coconut scrub and massage and I got the Peachy Pedi. We both agree the environment of Aqua is so cool and relaxing! We also both love our pedicures too. One of my favorite places to get a pedi is Enchante in Solvang and also Carol at Indulgence is awesome, but I would definitely visit Aqua again.

Lake Austin Spa

I recently visited Austin Texas for my brother's 30th birthday! That's R.J. my brother below with little Matthew (I just adore both of them!). The other pics are of Lake Austin Spa; I went with Daniella, my sister in law. I had such a great time in Austin with my family; my mom and her husband also visited from NM. Lake Austin is amazing and I can't wait to go again. I got the Texas Starry Night Lavender massage and herb wrap and lounged at the lake and pool; having Daniella with me made it that much more enjoyable! My review of Lake Austin for Spas of America, will be online soon!

Kauai Photos

Here are some photos of my time in Kauai! While there, I did my first review for Spas of America at the Grand Hyatt Anara Spa in Kauai. To read my review, go to http://www.spasofamerica.com/lifestyle/reviews/anara_spa_kauai
These pics top to bottom: Visiting a Hawaiian Village, the Napali Coast, the entrance to Anara Spa, Rick at Waimea Canyon, secret beach, sunset cruise. I would love to work as an esthetician in Maui for awhile if anyone has any contacts!

Skin Essentials Photoshoot

Today Rick and I went to Skin Essentials to get a few more photos. While there, we met these 3 lovely little ladies! Their family owns and operates Pane e Vino, the Italian restaurant next to Skin Essentials. Aren't they cute?

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received May - 2006

Hi Melissa –

Just a quick update on my weekend trip to SB and the spa experience.

Based on our weekend plans, my friend and I chose to visit The Biltmore on Sunday late morning. Though they’re going through renovations, we weren’t disappointed in the least.

They’re using two large suites to substitute for men’s and women’s changing rooms. The “relaxing” room is still intact and truly provided both a pre- and post- massage soothing, quiet time. My friend said the deep tissue massage he received was the BEST he ever received. I received a Swedish massage and it was equally as good, if not better, as any I’d ever experienced. What added to an already memorable event was the setting – not only the grounds but the actual massage rooms.

Large, open, airy, with a fire place and tranquil music – the ambiance of the room was heightened further by having the doors of the balcony open so I could hear the crashing waves on the beach.

It really was a fantastic feast for the senses! I would like to do it again, but I’m also very interested in the Sycamore Springs retreat you identified earlier in this e-mail string.

Thanks once more for your suggestions and opinions – they were very informative and helpful in pointing me in the direction we ultimately took.

Enjoy the blessed and beautiful surroundings that is Santa Barbara!

Kind regards,

Ryan

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received May - 2006

Melissa -

I came across your website from Santa Barbara.Com and I love it!! I also wanted to mention that Julia Dubiel has taken wonderful care of my skin during Facial Acupuncture treatments and she is a delight, extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend an hour with while she was beautifying my skin. I know she carries many responsibilities and I want to highly recommend her professional abilities to everyone..

I look forward to checking your website from time to time to see what is new in town that you highly recommend in the way of "head to toe" treatments above the rest!!

Thank you, Barbara Rubino

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received August - 2006

hi melissa -- yes, our spa experience was awesome!! considering we have never stayed in santa barbara before, your help was definately needed. we attended the LeReve and had the relaxation massages. so wonderful -- in fact, i even fell asleep and my (very nice) gal had to wake me! wow, that was a first for me! the greatest part was that we were able to walk wherever we went (including to the spa which was just around the corner from our hotel). our santa barbara stay was so wonderful for our 'girls weekend away' that we'd decided to do it more often, and visiting the spa is a future must!! thanks for your help.........deb & kath

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received August - 2006

Melissa,

I appreciate your expertise on spas etc. that you check out
and give your opinion - much appreciated. I can also recommend some
fabulous make-up (La Bella Donna) which can only be purchased at Le Reve
Spa. I came across it in Del Mar at a new Spa where my daughter lives -
fabulous - it is compressed/powder - they have all the info at the spa,
booklets etc. It is the best so far of this type...

Barbara Rubino

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received August - 2006

Melissa -

I scheduled a visit to Avia Spa several weeks ago and it was suggested I have the Myofascial Release Therapy session because of an issue with my psoas muscle and unfortunately I cannot remember the wonderful woman that gave me the therapy session but she was absolutely fantastic. She was a blond, probably 40ish (not very good with age) but she was european and told me more than once she loved her work and what she does. I was there for 90 minutes which included a consultation - the spa is very soothing for the mind and sole, dim light, the sound of running water, absolutely clean and healthy bathroom, shower and locker room, lovely waiting area for your massage with lounge chairs, water with lemon etc. - also robes and slippers. Very sterile and I felt like I was out in the country away from the fast pace and noise of the city. Highly recommended. I will go back for the same or another type massage. This was also the Western Menu.

I will continue to check your website for more spas as well as places for manicures and pedicures.

Thanks Melissa!

Barbara

** TESTIMONIAL ** Fan Mail for local Spa!

Email received August - 2006

I am a frequent client at Skin Essentials and so pleased with the
professionalism of Julie and her staff as well as the outstanding
quality of her products.

- Jane Habermann

Montecito Med Spa added!

Spa Defined has added a Montecito Medical Skin Care Spa -- Skin Essentials! Julie Phillips, the owner and esthetician, has been in the skin care business for over 20 years. I love that Skin Essentials is in a very private location, tucked away in Montecito. Skin Essentials also has a physician assistant -- Julie Richter to work with clients who want medical treatments such as Botox. One interesting product I discovered at Skin Essentials is a product called Age Intervention which actually stimulates eye lash growth -- Julie says it really works! Has anyone else out there tried this product...I surely wouldn't mind my lashes being fuller! I've heard and read many great things about Julie Phillips and can't wait to get a facial!