Trip to SYV

Yesterday I splurged a bit and took a leisure drive to the Santa Ynez Valley. My usual route is stopping by the apple orchard (great activity for the fall), lavender field, Rocky Mtn. Chocolate factory in Solvang and then if I have time I will get a pedicure at Enchante in Solvang. I also love to stop by some fave little boutique shops -- Sage in Santa Ynez, Lady Bug in Santa Ynez and Cherry Blossom in Solvang.

My biggest discovery yesterday however, is a little massage business. As I drove along Sagunto street in Santa Ynez, I noticed a beautiful little sign that said "Terra Massage," so of course I stopped in. I met the owner and practitioner Joachim Creten; a very nice and knowledgeable LMT who creates his own essential oils also. I don't have a lot of resources in the Santa Ynez Valley for spas (except Enchante, Chumas and Divine), and so I am delighted that there is another place to refer clients. Check out the website and let me know if you have already visited Terra Massage or if you plan to -- I would love your feedback!

Seminar in Montecito!

Reserve your space now for Skin Essentials Radiesse Seminar (the injectable filler that eliminates deep facial lines and wrinkles.)

Sunday, October 7th, 1-4pm at the Pan E Vino Trattoria Patio

(right next door to Skin Essentials)

• Live injectable demonstrations
• Jane Iredale consultant and products available
• Food provided by Pan e Vino
• Fall gift bags with discount coupons

Limited seating available.

R.S.V.P. 695-8699 -- Admission $15

Skin Essentials and Pan E Vino Trattoria

Located in Upper Village Montecito at 1482 East Valley Road

Spa Defined Member in the Media!

Jacque Jackson of Montecito Body Works was highlighted in Skin Inc. Magazine in the "Vocal Point" section. The question: What new ingredient would you like to incorporate into your menu and why?

Jacque: "I am going to bring in anything made with neem (an Indian evergreen tree with fruits and seeds that bear oil when pressed.) I love the fragrance of neem and it is very therapeutic and has been proven to have many different healing properties. I believe it will benefit my clients greatly."

Visit Jacque's website for more information on scheduling a massage!

Spa Defined Featured in SB Fitness!

Spa Defined is featured in this week's SB Fitness E-newsletter! Thank you Allie for the opportunity to answer the questions about my favorite topic -- Spas!!! If you don't subscribe to the e-newsletter, here is the Q&A: (And there is a great recipe in the newsletter for baked salmon with coconut crust -- yummy!!)


Melissa Mellott, M.Ed., L.E.

Melissa Mellott is a local author and expert on spa health, with a masters degree from Azuza Pacific. She reveals to us the scoops on how to enjoy a spa treatment without blowing your pay check, how to find the right spa for you, and why spending some R&R time of self-indulgence can help improve your general health.

Occupation: Writer

Resident of Santa Barbara since: 2000… well, two years were spent in the LA area while I attended Azusa Pacific University for graduate school. I am originally from Colorado. I love living in Santa Barbara!

Favorite Local Restaurant: My overall fave is Roys on Carrillo St. I also love Cold Springs Tavern and I like going to visit Bill at Surf Dog in Carp; he is a character and always has something to say. Oh ya, and I love Rose Café – they have crushed ice for my Diet Coke.

Favorite Workout Music: My workout consists of walking a lot, a little Pilates now and then, hiking perhaps and biking on my pink “fat cruiser.” My iPod music collection is… diverse. I could be listening to JT or Bee Gees… or my Italian lessons.

My idea of a dream vacation: I lived in Siena Italy for 3 months this past spring–- that was pretty dreamy. For a dream vacation, it must be warm and I must be there long enough to really “live” and not just be a visitor-– that’s ideal. I’m not into tourists or crowds and am more interested in the concept of “slow travel,” so I would pick a close or far away favorite like a nearby spa, or Austin, Maui, Tuscany or somewhere else in CA (these are all my favorite places) and just enjoy being in that one spot. I would eat, observe people and most likely write about it. At this very moment, I would like to be in Siena, Italy eating arrancia rosso gelato and then I would like to blink my eyes and wiggle my nose and be in Austin visiting my brother; (blink, blink) I am in Wyoming visiting my mom before it gets too cold and hoping to see the Cowboys in Wal Mart again – that’s a great short story that I didn’t finish. Places that I would love to visit that I haven’t been too yet include France, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, and Ireland.

Where I see myself in ten years: I’ll be 42 in ten years, so … nothing out of the ordinary-– perhaps married with children (or not) … doing work I love and that makes a difference in some way, perhaps a writing deal that supports my lifestyle… I would just want to be healthy and happy, nothing fancy.

How I first got involved with the health/fitness industry: I don’t like membership gyms and the like; I prefer walking outside, hiking perhaps, and just eating healthy. I tried yoga and I just couldn’t sit still or concentrate, so I tried Pilates – love Pilates … actually no, I don’t “like” Pilates, I like the results Pilates gives me. And then I got involved in spa health and fitness… definitely more my style-– the overall concept is to take care of yourself with stress management and relaxation techniques and your mind, spirit, heart and body will thank you.

Why I feel spa health is an important part of the fitness community: Spa health and overall fitness support one another. It’s simple-- combined with exercise and nutrition, it is a balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle.

My favorite spas in Santa Barbara: Honestly, it’s hard to pick an overall favorite; I love certain things about each one. That’s why I started Spa Defined, so I could highlight what is unique and special about each spa and the people who work there. If someone wanted a referral for a spa, I would suggest they look at Spa Defined and see what spa resonates with them, depending on their needs.

What I love most about my job: As a spa health writer, it’s a sweet perk to get free spa treatments or products to sample. It was also pure bliss to travel to Italy and visit spas; I loved learning about the terme’s and their healing waters. I also had the best massage by Stefano in Positano. My job as a writer overall… well, I love to travel and LOVE seeing humor, or a story or character in just about every situation. Being able to write a good story about real life experiences is very fulfilling.

Tips to enjoying a “spa treatment” without having to spend hundreds of dollars: If you are on a budget, you should avoid Resort Spas and instead indulge in one of the many little day spas in SB. You can get a facial or massage at any of the day spas or skin care spas on my website for less than $100. If you’re on a really tight budget, either visit the cosmetology school or massage school for discounted facials and massages (less than $50). Lastly, spa treatments are a GREAT gift, so don’t spend a penny and the next time you are asked what you want for your birthday, ask for a spa gift certificate. It’s one of my favorite gifts to give and get!

My definition of “healthy?” Mentally, spiritually, physically balanced… this is difficult to accomplish with jobs and family, etc., but one can come close to balance, that to me defines “healthy.” I also have a strong opinion on simplifying one’s life which I think ultimately helps with balance and health. And of course, spa health-– meaning taking care of yourself through stress management and relaxation supports a healthy lifestyle. Spa health does not require a $100 massage every week, spa health is simply seeking solitude-– read, take a walk, and enjoy quiet time, whatever brings you rejuvenation and relaxation.

How I would like to see the fitness community of Santa Barbara evolve over the next ten years: I would love to see a Wellness Spa opened in SB. There are many quaint day spas, a couple of resort spas, many medical spas, but SB does not have a Wellness spa. This would incorporate spa treatments, alternative therapies such as acupuncture, a fitness facility, nutrition services and a café. It would be designed with a relaxing, spa like environment in mind, not a gym atmosphere. A good model for this concept would be Sycamore Hot Springs, Murad Spa in Santa Monica, and Lake Austin Spa in Texas. Most of the Termes in Italy are like a wellness spa, focused on health, rather than beauty.

Visit www.spadefined.com to read about the spas that Melissa reviews in your surrounding areas.

Published Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:49 AM by Allie

About AllieAllie graduated from UCSB, graduating with a double major in Global Studies and Sociology. She has a wide range of interest in sports, growing up on soccer, track, tennis, and softball teams. She was also a member of the nationally-ranked UCSB rowing team, racing in both statewide and national competitions. She has been with SB Fitness magazine since January 2006 as a writer, editor, and intern manager.

Almost 200,000!

Spa Defined continues to grow and after two years online, we have 190,044 hits! This month alone we have hit almost 5,000! Most of our visitors are from the U.S., although we get a handful of international visitors daily -- it's always a neat feeling to see that someone in Italy or Spain or some far away distant land is looking at the site! Still, the majority of the visitors are good ole' Californians looking for some serious spa time!

Melasma -- woe is me

I have melasma -- this is a discoloration of the skin. About two years ago I was having breakouts in the jaw line area. Typically I have clear skin, so I went to the dermatologist to find out how to stop these breakouts! According to my dermatologist, acne around the chin and jawline is due to hormones and given that I was, according to my dermatologist, at an age (early 30's) when hormones are changing, this can be a side effect. So ... because it was hormone related, I was prescribed a birth control pill which was supposed to help control the breakouts. However, after being on the birth control pill for less than a week, I developed melasma on my forehead; it seemed that overnight it happened. I woke up and there it was. Many pregnant women also get this -- known as "pregnancy mask", again due to the change in hormones. Sun exposure can also cause melasma or make it worse. I have light skin and am sensitive to the sun, but have been wearing spf 30 for almost 5 years now.

Going through esthetician training has also been helpful to me in understanding my skin, but melasma is a stubborn problem and finally this summer, I felt I had to do something about it. First, I thought I would zap it with a laser and voila it would be gone -- that didn't work. In fact, IPL can actually worsen the condition. Although I spoke with my friend Jesse Smith who is a plastic surgeon and there are lasers that specialize in aiding with sun damage and melasma. I didn't know about those lasers at the time and basically left two medical spas discouraged because they said I couldn't have the IPL and with a sad look on their face, they said, "sorry, there's really nothing we can do." I was super bummed out...and frustrated.

Being an esthetician...stubborn...and a researcher, I googled and googled and read and read. I knew that a deep chemical peel could help and I do plan on doing that, but I also wanted to look into natural remedies and do a combo therapy with a chemical peel. I read many things about the use of licorice root and grape seed extract as natural remedies. In fact, Dr. Perricone apparently has some product with licorice root used to treat melasma (I read this online), but it is not on the market yet. So, I went to the health food store and bought licorce root extract and grape seed extract. I also got a very mild microdermabrasion and peel (may get a deep peel later). Dr. Smith also gave me a sample of NIA24, a new skincare line with Niacin used to treat sun damage. It has been almost three months with this regimen (well, the Nia24 cleanser I only use 1-2 times a week, not every day), but I have been taking the grapeseed and licorice also. I have seen a big difference! The discoloration in my skin has greatly improved and I am encouraged by the results.

The ultimate message here ... First, be aware of the side effects that birth control pills can have not only on your skin, but your whole system. Second, educate yourself on ways to create health and well being and learn about alternative medicine or natural medicine; these options can be helpful combined with other treatments. Third, you know your body and skin better than anyone so listen to it and know it's needs. I have been told for years that my diet doesn't affect my skin (because research doesn't support it), but there is no doubt that what I eat AND don't eat effects my skin's condition (in fact, the main thing I use to keep my skin clear of breakouts is eating a lot of salmon). Lastly, this regimen I used for my melasma was my answer...it does NOT mean it is yours and you should consult your western doc, acupuncturist or naturalopathic doc before starting any regimen because of allergies and contraindications. Nevertheless, I hope this information is helpful to you in some way!

Spas in Italy

Spa Defined has added the information about the spas and natural hot springs in Italy I visited while I lived there for 3 months! Go to Spa Defined, click on "Melissa's Tuscany Trip" above my photo and review info on spas, a language school, blogging and even watch a photo slide show! Thank you also to Rick, Spa Defined's photographer and webmaster, for this beautiful addition to Spa Defined!

Where Have I Been?

Hello fellow spa-goers, friends and visitors of Spa Defined! You may be wondering why I haven't been blogging very much ... well, I do apologize, but I have been traveling a LOT this summer -- Wyoming, Texas and Colorado. My best friend, lives in Del Norte Colorado where we grew up and I was there visiting her. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in July and started her chemo just a couple of weeks ago. There have been many complications with her surgery (double masectomy with heart problems), then ugly chemo, then an infection which took her back to the hospital for another surgery. She is only 31 with two kiddos and a hubby; she is also a daughter, sister, social worker, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and a friend to so many! She is an amazing woman and a fighter. Thanks to friends for the thoughts and prayers over the past couple of months.

And now, I am back in Santa Barbara and still may be traveling to various places, but getting back on track with informing you of any spa news I come across! There's always something fun to report!