New Treatment from FRANCE

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FROM FRANCE: Amara Day Spa and Salon in Summerland is now offering the innovativeskin and body treatment, Vacuodermie/Pressotherapy. With the twotreatments, you can experience total body renovation. Vacuodermie reduces the appearance of fat, improves the body's contourand stimulates and increases the body's natural functions. The result isa noticeable reduction in cellulite and a smoother, more contoured andtoned body. The process is done with a non-invasive, painless procedurewhere gentle suction is used in precise maneuvers to penetrate deep intothe tissue. Vacuodermie is also wonderful for Edema and overall fluidre-absorption. It effectively aids in Lymphatic drainage, and improvesblood flow and oxygenation. Pressotherapy is a procedure in which two large boot- like sleeves areplaced on the client's legs. A computer controlled compression systeminflates individual sections of the garment, which forces toxins andfatty deposits into the circulatory system. The boots inflate andtighten around the legs in order to help with your overall circulationand your body's ability to eliminate toxins. This procedure isconsidered non-invasive and painless. Call Amara Day Spa and Salon to reserve your appointment! You willenjoy a revitalized body for the beautiful coastal summers.

New Massage Therapist at Amara!

I recently had a divine 2 hour massage by Tatiana from Amara Spa by the Sea. She is mobile, so she came to my house, but clients can also see her at Amara.

In celebration of being new at Amara, Tatiana is offering a 20% discount for all first-time clients who schedule a treatment with her at Amara. Call Amara to schedule your massage!

P.S. Tatiana also makes one of my FAVE little indulgences (I know this is what will make her famous!)...she is the founder of Sweet Love Chocolates which are available at Amara or Chocolate Maya downtown. They are of course, on my "Gotta Have It" list on Spa Defined!

Spa Docu-Reality Show!

I recently spent the day with Mioshi, a producer from L.A. who is working with a network to create a docu-reality show on spa lifestyle. I instantly connected with Mioshi (she just moved here from Colorado!) and we visited a few local spas based on her needs and requests. It was fun speaking with the spa owners and managers about the ins and outs of the spa business and by the end of the day we were both exhausted and should have scheduled a spa treatment ourselves just to recoop from all of the driving, talking, and interviewing. But I had a great time! Several of Spa Defined's clients and editors that I work with have said that I should be a host of a spa show for the travel channel ... yes, that would be nice! I'm sure many people would like to have that job, but until that happens, I am extremely content with my recent dreamy spa experiences in Italy and then being able to come home to SB is heavenly. For this project with Mioshi, I am just happy to answer questions and be a guide for what she may need for this possible spa show.

Sushi, etc at Four Seasons!

I attended the first of three Spa Soirees at the Four Seasons Westlake Village (see previous post about the events) this past Wednesday night. I had a lot of fun! The event was by the poolside; it was a gorgeous evening with warm winds and the Japanese pagoda in the background. After saying hello to Shelby, the spa director, I indulged in a Poinsetta (champagne and cranberry juice). I ate a little sushi, and watched a demo of botox -- nice combo, huh?:) I was then going to get a 20 minute foot massage by the pool side in a great little cabana, but instead opted to listen to Billy Yamaguchi, a celebrity stylist, talk about his feng shui philosophy on hair style. He is a great speaker and I thought how fun it might be to get my hair "fengshuied" (I don't think that is a word!), but I couldn't help but chuckle just a little as I listened to him; I just thought it was so "California" and I thought about what my friends in Texas or Colorado would say about my elements!:) Nevertheless, I found him fascinating and wish I could afford getting my hair cut and colored by him at least once -- $200 just for a cut and at least that for color. His advice for my hair -- shave my head ... okay, just joking ... he said he loved my natural look and he might suggest the "Kimberly" cut and he also liked my color, which actually is the result of a box color I did (reading the directions in Italian!) in Tuscany two months ago! He said he may want to make my hair lighter too.

After two hours of sushi and mini spa treatments, I left with a gift bag full of goodies. I definitely plan to attend the next event on July 11!

Summer Spa Soirees at Four Seasons Westlake!

This past January I visited the NEW Four Seasons Westlake Village Spa (read a short write up in the most recent issue of YWD magazine!) The spa, with beautiful Eastern influence decor and treatments is so peaceful -- complete with a Japanese pagoda by the outside pool -- truly spectacular.

The Spa is hosting a specialy collection of evening receptions at the Serenity Pool at The Spa. For three exclusive evenings, an open-air lounge will be created with mini-treatments in the cabanas, consultations with beauty experts from Yamaguchi Salon and advice from industry experts from companies such as Kerstin Florian. Signature cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served in the tranquil setting amidst lush gardens and rare orchids. Dates are:

Wednesday, June 13th
Wednesday, July 11th
Wednesday, August 15th
6:00-9:00 pm
$75 per person, per soiree

For reservations or more information, call 818-597-3350.

Spa in Tuscany

While I was in Tuscany, I had the pleasure of visiting Terme di Saturnia, which is located in Tuscany's gorgeous countryside between Siena and Grossetto. The healing waters and the natural spa are about 2000 years old and the facilities are set in a beautiful, natural setting.
Unfortunately I was able to only stay one day, but I was pampered with a facial and then enjoyed the warm, healing waters.

Last week, an event was organized by Trica Jean-Baptiste Communications, and held at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, promoting Terme di Saturnia. I was delighted to go, mainly because I was missing anything that reminded me of my time in Tuscany. When I arrived at Shutters, I was happy to meet Laura Mennilli again -- she is the Director of PR for Terme di Saturnia and I originally met her in Tuscany. She is so gracious! We talked spa and about the golf course at Saturnia now also being an attraction, but we also talked about the Palio coming up in August in Siena (famous horse race!).

I had the pleasure of meeting 4 travel agents from LA also and they were so fun to talk with and hang out with. We all enjoyed wine and a slide show of the Terme. I was surprised because I was one of only a few people there that actually had the pleasure of visiting the Terme. I feel so lucky that I was able to experience the healing waters at Saturnia.

Splurging and visiting a day spa locally is a treat, but if you ever get the chance and are planning to visit Italy, a visit to Saturnia is highly recommended and the ultimate indulgence.

Your Wedding Day Magazine

I recently attended an event at Sevilla celebrating Your Wedding Day Magazine's new issue! I wrote a short write-up on a handful of new spas in California. I wrote the article before I left for Tuscany and was happy to see it in print as soon as I returned to California!

Ricky Mia, Spa Defined's webmaster and photographer, and I attended the event and saw Roxy (and her hubby!) from Cielo at Sevilla -- by the way...Roxy gave me a heads up that Cielo has a great new skin care line called Talulah...I can't wait to try it! A

The new spas I wrote about include: Four Seasons Westlake, Spa Terra in Napa Valley, Cielo Spa in Santa Barbara, Walter Claudio in Santa Barbara, and Divine in Los Olivos. Make sure to pick up the latest issue of the magazine -- there is awesome info for new brides! Now...I need to work on the next piece because the deadline is coming up!