Cielo Spa featured in Santa Barbara Magazine!

Remember the clip from the recent Sex in the City Movie when Samantha notices Miranda's "less than groomed" bikini area? It's summer time gals ... don't be a Miranda! Now, I'm not suggesting everyone should get a Brazilian, but just basic "clean-up" as us estheticians like to call it, is necessary. All SB Spas offer waxing services; choose your favorite spa and trust your esthetician with questions, concerns and how-to's of bikini waxing.

Speaking of waxing experts, congratulations to Roxanne Zbinden, owner of Cielo Spa, who is featured in the August/September issue of the Santa Barbara Magazine!
Check out their "Guide to Top Waxes" (page 83). SB magazine says, "'Cielo' is Spanish for heaven - where you can de-stress while you de-hair".

See Cielo's website for spa and wax services and treatments ... and for goodness sakes -- get your brows shaped, wax off the mustache or those lovely chin hairs, and be a little daring and go for the bikini!

Advanced Esthetic Training!

Two Day Esthetician Course
at Skin Essentials by Julie Phillips

Julie Phillips of Skin Essentials is offering a 2-day advanced esthetics course.
Julie has had a successful skin care practice in Montecito, CA for 10 years.
She has spent 15 years working with the renowned Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Dr. Joe Fiore. Julie has also developed two of her own skin care products.
Now that you have your esthetician license what are you going to do with it?
The 600 hours of class and study has given you the basics.
This class will take you to the next level of education to help you become a
successful skin care expert.

WHAT THIS COURSE WILL OFFER
One full day of hands-on training in learning how to
give treatments with the following machines:
•Microdermabrasion •Silk Peel •Ultrasound •Vibraderm •Oxygen
You will also learn techniques for extractions,
and peels that will enhance your treatments.
One full day of instruction on:
•Promoting yourself •Consultation with your client
•Record keeping and charting •Products that help you enhance your practice
You will also learn how to identify a Fitzpatrick type, and learn the Glogau
classification, as well as learn how to use a Wood’s light.

You will be tested on the information and given a certificate on the completion of
the course. You may also use Skin Essentials as a referral source.
Limited to 4 students. All cancellations require one week notice to avoid a
$100 fee. Payment can be made by either credit card, check or cash.

Call 805-695-8699
CLASS SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 10, and Monday, August 11, 2008
Hours are 9 a.m.- 5p.m. The course fee is $800 for both days, and must be prepaid prior to the class.

I just gotta say THANK YOU!

Last Friday I turned 33!

The Esthetician students I teach, gave me a *sweet* little celebration in class! ... pizza, pasta, scrumptious chocolate cake, a pink princess tiara (that wouldn't fit on my head), flowers and such kind, sweet words from them. I was SO delighted.

I can't believe that the class is already more than half way through -- they graduate in November! It's gone by so fast and I LOVE and ADORE being their teacher and have realized special characteristics of each person. The students are the reason I love my job:)

They are wonderful! You should experience one of their divine facials!!

So, I just gotta say a GI-NORMOUS THANK YOU! to:

Janel
Rikki
Rachel
Andrea
Thuy
Serina
Heather
Michelle
Christy
Chantrell
Jennifer
Kiz
Lori
Awanda (thank you for the Loud Speaker Birthday announcement!)

Update on My Esthetician Class

It has been an incredible summer with the esthetician class I teach! In the past month we have enjoyed such great speakers, made our own body scrubs and have been studying facial anatomy!

I was able to borrow two skulls from Professor Barron at SBCC and I really think it is helping with the learning process -- I don't want to give the skulls back! We have had a great line-up of speakers too! In June, Dermatologist Dr. Stewart lectured on skin disorders and since then, we have had a waxing class from Maria, who was so funny and such a great instructor, and Adelle who taught us about alternative spa treatments such as light therapy and foot baths -- that was so cool!

Just in the past couple of weeks, the esthetician students have learned the 8 cranium bones and 14 facial skeleton bones. Dr. Paveloff swept the class off their feet teaching everything from eye muscles, bones, nerves and blepharoplasty. We also enjoyed a demo of the Oxygen and Ultrasonic machines by Julie Phillips, an esthetician for 20 years (she was such an inspiration!) and a lecture by Jenefer Palmer, founder of Osea Skincare in Malibu. Jenefer was so delightful and enthusiastic about her German ancestry and why she started Osea ... and then we got to sample her wonderful algae products!

Next week, we welcome Dr. Aguilar, founder of DNA Skincare and the following week Dr. MacKenzie, Facial Plastic Surgeon -- we are so excited!

Dream Assignment: Last Stop -- Roma

So Rick and I had spent over a week in a fairytale for our work assignment -- one night at the Capri Palace, 6 nights at the J.K. Capri, (One night at a memorable "less than glamorous" Inn called the Pensione), an afternoon in Positano at Le Sirenuse.

After having a delicious dinner at Sirenuse, we headed back to Rome, where we stayed for two days before coming back to California.

Before leaving California, we found the *greatest* apartment in Rome which we made reservations for before we left. How great is Craigslist?? We found this adorable, affordable, perfect apartment called Casa Orbilio on Craiglist Rome (this is also how I found a great apartment in Tuscany the year before!). Firenzia, the owner of the apartment arranged for our travel to the airport and everything! Firenzia is a young travel and tour guide for people visiting Rome and she also rents this extra apartment that she owns. She was so professional, nice, and helpful. It was the best find ever.

When we arrived at Casa Orbilio, it was about 2am. Sleeping on the doormat were kittens and their momma; I just gushed ... and gushed over these fluffballs. Rick, on the other hand, who is VERY allergic to cats, said, "Great, just great." Well, they were the neighbor's cats that just happened to find peace on the other doormat, so there was no cat hair in the apartment luckily, except for what I brought in from loving, kissing and hugging on them.

So the last two days in Italy were just to see Rome (no spa visits) -- I had visited the spring before, but Rick had never been to Rome, so it was so fun to see the sites again with a good friend who was amazed by it all. We hit most of the main spots -- the Colosseum, St. Peters, Vatican City and the Trevi Fountain. Rick of course being a photographer, took some beautiful shots ... better than what you see on most calendars and post cards!

Exhausted and amazed, Ricky and I came back home. He has been editing hundreds of photos for weeks and I have been going through notes, writing and editing. We can't wait to share with you the most amazing wedding story of Gil and Fawni in Capri Italy -- we will let you know when the issue of Your Wedding Day magazine is released!

Ciao!

Dream Assignment: Positano

After checking out of the J.K. Capri (I thought Rick was going to have to pull me away) ... and I was tempted to hide in a closet and not come out so I wouldn't have to leave! By this point I had been kissed so many times on each cheek with a "Ciao, come back soon" that I had natural blushing ... and ya know, as much as I love this Italian gesture, I just can't seem to get used to it. Sometimes awkward ... which cheek to start on? Anyway ... our next stop was Positano and that was a good incentive to get on the Ferry.

From Capri, to Ferry, to Naples, Rick and I rented a car and drove to Positano. A few curvy roads later, Rick was not feeling so great. Our plan was to visit Le Sirenuse in Positano; this was the spa and hotel I reviewed in Spring 2007 and the article was published in Your Wedding Day Magazine ! I was excited to personally deliver the magazine to them which featured their lovely hotel and spa. I couldnj't wait for Rick to see the cliffs of Positano and of course Le Sirenuse; we arrived and he was amazed.

The staff at Le Sirenuse were so excited by our surprise visit and they gushed about the magazine! We met Andrea Lembo, the manager and he was a jolly, smiley fella, eager to show us the hotel and it's renovations. We took another quick tour of the hotel and I got to see Silvia, the spa manager (the spa at Le Sirenuse is an Aveda Concept Spa)! I remembered her from before -- such a beautiful, blue-eyed, and olive skinned woman and so delightful! She was thrilled to see me again too!

Then we were invited us to stay for dinner on the deck, overlooking Positano and the Sea. It was whimsical and breathtaking, just as I remembered from before. After a divine dinner of pasta, seafood and wine (not too much as we had to drive to Rome), we were on our way to Rome for two days before we came back to Cali.

Oh wait until you see the photo of the adorable kittens in Rome (yes, kittens, not statues or monuments...oh okay, those were pretty great too!)...see ya next blog!

Dream Assignment: Capri Italy, Spa at J.K.

Well, the amazing wedding week with Gil and Fawni was so incredible (I've been working on the article for YWD Magazine and it's bringing back some wonderful memories.) After 6 days at the J.K. Capri, Rick and I were on our way to Positano then Rome for a couple of days.

I had been so busy the whole week, up all day and many nights, but I hadn't a moment to see the spa at the very place I was staying! So before I left the J.K., I scheduled a spa visit and treatment. The J.K. Capri Spa, simple and elegant, was located near the pool; it's small and quaint with 3 treatment rooms, but it also includes an fitness room and relaxation lounge overlooking the outdoor pool area ... with the cliffs overlooking the Sea just steps away.

I received a delightful, detoxifying body massage enhanced with uplifting grapefruit and eucalyptus combined with cypress and juniper berry (having diuretic properties) which was perfect after a long week of walking in heels. The Spa at the J.K. is new and in the beginning stages of developing it's philosophy, but simplicity will remain the theme as "Spa" is not the focus of the J.K.; I mean let's face it, just staying at the J.K. is a relaxing spa visit.

Honestly, my favorite part of the spa visit was meeting dear Donatella, the spa manager. She's absolutely adorable and I think she and I could have talked all day about spas. I can see why guests would love her -- she's quite personable and has a such a sincere sweetness (and such an enthusiasm for her job!) She has done such a wonderful job implementing the new skincare line ESPA and spa menu for guests. Donatella gave me the most wonderful gift of ESPA essential oils (which I shared with my esthetician class last week to make body scrubs!). I would love the opportunity to work with Donatella and I know we could learn so much from each other!

After my spa treatment, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Ori Kafri, owner of J.K. Capri (and J.K. Firenze.) He is a brilliant mind and a dashing, handsome man. We basically just talked about his ideas and philsophy regarding the spa; his focus is really the hotel itself and wants to keep the spa quaint and focus on the beauty of simplicity.

I certainly hope to visit J.K. Capri again and I hope all of the staff remain the same!

Dream Assignment: Capri Italy, Another Gift!

After sharing California gifts with Fawni and Gil, I thought of one more idea. Since they were getting married in Capri and since this is where many memories would be made, Rick and I wanted to include a gift from Capri ... something that was all about Capri.

I "conspired" with Fabrizio Ruocco whose family owns the well-known Carthusia Perfume of Capri. Fabrizio and I had emailed a couple of times before I left the California and planned to meet at his shop on Capri. When I finally arrived, I met Silvio and Fabrizio Ruocco -- father and son. Both, extremely hospitable and enthusiastic about sharing their gifts with Fawni and Gil. We discussed what Fawni and Gil would enjoy most and then I took a tour around their shops and factory on Capri.

The following day, an amazing (BIG) gift box was delivered to the J.K.; it was a teared box that opened in levels and it was filled with the famous scents of Carthusia, known world-wide actually. The gift contained perfume and cologne for both Fawni and Gil, candles and soap. The best part was that, unbeknownst to me, Fawni loves this line and when taking the travel to Capri had her own bottle which was taken at the airport (the infamous no liquid carry on rule!) So she was so happy to get the entire gift box! The Ruocco family was quite excited to share their passion with her.

Fabrizio also sent me my very own little gift, Via Camerelle, and I adore it. When I wear it, it reminds me of Capri ... and handsome Fabrizio of course. For the next 6 days in Capri, I would see Fabrizio often, standing outside of his shop talking with friends. And everytime I walked by, on my way to the Gucci store (to stare in the window), Fabrizio would say "Ciao Meleesa" with a cute wink, and that Italian smile ... I have to admit, the charm was quite flattering.

Dream Assignment: Capri Italy, Gifts Galore!

Before I left for my dream assignment in Capri Italy to cover the wedding of Fawni and Gil at the J.K. Capri, I thought about a wedding gift that I would want to take to the Bride.

I wanted to give Fawni something special and unique ... and something from Santa Barbara. I flipped through my mind contemplating gift ideas and then I remembered all of the wonderful things made right here in SB (my favorites!). I knew that SB folks would be thrilled to share California love with an Austrian Bride for her fairytale wedding in Capri.

This gift "project" ended up being much bigger than I thought and I presented Fawni with her gift bag the day after her wedding at a heart-felt party with her friends and family. I think Fawni was so surprised and delighted by these special treats which included:

Sharon Bolton Scents -- Sharon delivered to me a bottle of each of her divine scents, but also samples for all of the girls at the pajama party. To have scents created by an SB local and shared with women from all over the world -- well, they were SO excited (and Sharon Bolton seemed to then linger in the halls of the J.K.!)

I discovered Sharon Bolton Scents at Treat in SB, but there I also discovered Shannon Len Designs. The first time I saw earrings at Treat designed by Shannon, I wanted a pair SO badly and the visual had lingered in my mind (I did get a pair!). Being from San Luis Obispo, I thought it would be perfect to add these earrings to the gift bag. Shannon delivered gold earrings with stones and pearls -- so beautifully crafted and unique. As soon as Fawni opened these, she held them up and we all oohed and awed, then she put them on.

If you know Santa Barbara products, you definitely know about Jaqua Beauty products -- I mean who hasn't heard of their Butter Cream Frosting Body Butter?! It's scrumptous. Jaqua sent me away to Capri with not only a Body Butter for Fawni, but also enough body butters, oh-so-cutely packaged as Jaqua is known for, with Buttercream Frosting, Pink Potion and Pink Champagne scents. The whole Pink concept tickled the girls and Fawni and the buttercream frosting prompted the "2nd and 3rd (sniff)...Oh my god, that's incredible, I want to eat it!" response.

This was a wedding/bridal/bachelorette gift and so I wanted to include that "sexy" element and I wanted something different than lingerie or a gag gift (although on the night of the bachelorette party ... the night none of us slept at all ... I vaguely remember Fawni wearing a necklace made of plastic penis's ... oh well, tradition lives on!) So ... sexy ... I called upon my friend Laura who works with Coco Demer; the owners of this high end sex boutique live in Montecito, but stores are in London and L.A. Laura picked out the perfect gift -- a black, satin blindfold that reads, "Freedom is choosing whose slave you want to be" It was beautiful and a hit at the party when Fawni read it to curious friends.

So we're talking girly stuff here ... so, Sweet Spot (yes, that sweet spot) delivered 15 hot pink gift bags, each filled with Sweet Spot balancing mist, on-the-go towlettes and shower cleanser. Slight scents included Geranium Lavender and Citrus and ingredients like essential oils and vitamins -- ooh-la-la. This was a perfect gift to present at the pj party. And we were in Italy ... at a celebrity wedding ... and everything had to be luxurious, even this ... from satin blindbolds to body butters to a luxurious mist!

And talk about cutie patootie (yes, I said that) ... A local SB mom, Cadence, designed a clothing line called Nineteen and the style is so adorable, comfy and cozy! I wore my Nineteen shirt for part of the pj party and it was a hit! Fawni got a Nineteen shirt also and she loves pink (which is in the main logo), so it couldn't have been more perfect. Cadence, the SB designer, is so adorable and such a picture perfect California mom -- blonde hair, blue eyes -- her style is reflected in her clothing -- just go to her site and you'll see what I mean!

Ok, so about about Gil? We're talking about all this feminine stuff, but ... I remembered Gil! I thought about my favorite surf photographer here in SB ... actually he's famous now! Branden Aroyan of Low Tide Rising, not only travels for amazing surf assignments for magazines, but he and his wife also have a clothing line business -- Shirts with Branden's surf images. Fawni got a cute T called the Mexico Barrel and Gil a "totally rad" shirt called the Chili Lineup, one of Branden's most famous surf photos. When Fawni saw the shirt she actually put it on over her Roberto Cavalli dress!

Speaking of shirts ... Velvet gave the most beautiful silk tie-dyed shirt. Velvet, headquartered in L.A., was thrilled to share this piece with a pop star. Fawni had emailed me a couple of weeks later and said she loves it so much and has been wearing it often!

I wanted to share these sincere gifts with the hotel managers and spa managers that I met too -- all of which happened to be women! Verena, Valeria, Caroline and Donatella all received Sharon Bolton Scents, Sweet Spot bags and Jaqua Body Butters.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to deliver SB/CA gifts to an Austrian Bride Pop Singer! ... much better than a crockpot (I'm guessing Fawni won't be using a crockpot for awhile as she is on tour!) However, if she did need a crockpot, I visualize her in the heels and two piece bikini she wore the whole time, stirring up something for Gil!

And Fawni's friends, from around the world, got to enjoy these lovely treats too -- so fun! I must tell you though ... the best gift Fawni got was not a shirt, lotion or jewlery. As Fawni opened her gifts, she received one of the most beautiful gifts; she was speechless ... teary-eyed ... as we all were the moment she shared her gift with us. What was it?? ... read the story in YWD Magazine in the Fall and find out!

Dream Assignment: Capri Italy (Part III)

My experiences at the Capri Palace and the J.K. Capri Place proved to be such a surreal experience. Every morning I would wake up (I did get a few hours of sleep) and expected to wake up from a fantastic dream, but nope...there I was still in Italy with a great writing assignment surrounded by the coolest group of people.

By week's end, I felt like Capri was home and the staff at the J.K. were friends -- seeing them throughout the day and having such a good time with them. Aside from the wedding festivities and Fawni and Gil, which were all beyond fairytale, the other moments spent with Mauro, Constantino, Donatella and others at the hotel are very memorable and bring a bright smile.

I have this great memory of Mauro, a young and handsome Italian about 20 years old. He worked at the front desk of the J.K. and was so quick to help with anything. In fact, the day Rick and I left for Rome, we stupidly (I think there must have been a sign on our backs reading "Naive Americans") bought Ferry tickets back to the mainland from a stranger for a great deal ... well, these tickets were for locals only (tall, beautiful Italians). You can imagine when we handed these local tickets to the gatekeeper, we did not pass as Italians (gee, I can't imagine why). Well, anyway, Mauro came to our rescue; we explained to the gatekeepers what happened and they asked where we were staying and then they called Mauro at the J.K.. He explained the mix-up and we barely got on the ferry in time! Thank You Mauro!

I have this great memory of Mauro also sitting at the front desk, telling me about his 40-something American mistress and minutes later, I came down the stairs and an, excited young man, who had never been off of Capri, said in an excited Italian accent, "Melissa! I am so excited; I just bought my tickets to go to America for 6 months!" His cheeks were rosey, his lips and eyes were both smiling and he was so excited to go to America.

Verena, the J.K. Capri Hotel Manager, is a beautiful Brazilian Blonde. Incredibly sophisticated and serious, by the end of the week, we both were cracking smiles and laughing. I brought a gift for her from from Santa Barbara; I handed it to her and said, "Per te." She had a delighted look on her face and said, "Per me?!" Verena and I had a good laugh at the end of the week when we imitated the front desk manager at the neighboring hotel who was less than hospitable...I think I will write a short story about that because we all laughed about it for days.

Donatella ... what a delightful, cheery, sweet woman. Donatella is the spa manager; I will soon write a blog about the spa at the J.K. There was one day she and I talked about our life experiences -- lovers, relationships, life ... I really connected with her and thought I could talk with her for hours about spas ... life ... over a glass of prosecco of course. We have emailed a couple of times making plans for spa reviews on Ishia; I love our emails -- her English is about as good as my Italian, so we get through and have a great conversation doing it!

Ori Kafri, the owner of the J.K. Capri ... his name alone stands strong and bold. One would imagine him as a man in his 50's or so ... but ... this extremely successful and sophisticated gentleman is in his late 20's. I met Ori and had a short conversation with him about the hotel, the spa ... I could have listened to his wisdom and ideas for hours. Remaining quite serious during our whole conversation, a relaxed phase swept over his face when he started talking about his fascination with Entourage, the popular show on HBO. If somebody out there is reading this and you have connections to this show, Ori said he would host you in Capri at his hotel and insists that filming for an episode happen at the J.K. I think it's brilliant! How could one resist that offer!

And Costantino, Director of Food and Beverage ... he was my favorite and I don't think I tried very hard in keeping that a secret. Costantino, such a handsome and sweet Italian man; he offered me my first prosecco and my last. He also gave me a cooking lesson and just spoiled me the whole time I was at the J.K. going out of his way to accomodate me ... gosh, even when I didn't realize I needed to be accomodated! I had so much fun in the kitchen of the J.K. with Costantino! He shared with me the most amazing, but so simple recipes. There was a lot of laughing happening in the kitchen and the other chefs like to tease him; the bantering was so fun to observe. I'll post the recipes soon ... now I just need to find those in my notebook!

I would love to make one of those recipes and have all of the Capri gang over for dinner ... well, actually I would like to hop on a plane and go back and have dinner at the JK overlooking the Sea.

Dream Assignment: Capri Italy (Part II)

With light-feeling and little-looking ankles from Dr. Canonaco's treatment at the Capri Beauty Farm, I was in heaven ... I was in Capri Italy! My surroundings -- views of the Mediterranean Sea, the beautiful language, the lifestyle of Italians ... and the wedding celebration that I was to be a part of and write about -- it was all just divine.

The dream assignment came from Your Wedding Day Magazine; I had received emails for almost a month first introducing me to the Bride and Groom -- Stefanie Pschill and Gil Corber and then getting to know them via email. Both Rick and I could sense from the emails separately from Stefanie (also known as Fawni) and Gil that this couple was dynamic, fun-loving and completely in love.

I'll give you a little peak into the couple and the amazing wedding week, but don't want to give too much away -- you have to read the feature article in Your Wedding Day Magazine in the Fall!

Stefanie is a pop singer from Vienna Austria, but recently signed with another label here in the US. Gil is also from Austria and is in the high-end real estate business. However, Prince Gil met his Pop Princess in California.

This was truly a Wedding Week, not just a Wedding Day celebration. Stefanie and Gil, with impeccable taste, had the entire J.K. Capri Place reserved for the whole week, for friends and family. This amazing 22-room boutique hotel, situated literally on the cliff overlooking the Sea, was filled with friends and family from all over the world -- LA, Austria, Italy, England, Israel.

Did someone say party?! Rick and I were definitely focused on the task/assignment given to us ... and what more could motivate a writer and photographer than this amazing setting and truly, the most beautiful, crazy-fun and diverse group of characters. But ... the wedding celebrations included a spa and pajama party, casino night, sunset cruise and the wedding day of course (details in the article folks!) It was a celebration everyday, all night, every night ... surrounded by happy people with constant smiles.

The J.K. became our home for 6 days and it truly felt like home; because it was a boutique hotel, (and so very classy and chicque), every morning was waking up, walking down the stairs as if you were staying at a friend's home, and then having an espresso made for you. Dreamy? Oh Definitely ... Hospitable? Incredibly. (If you haven't peaked yet at the photos from my link ... uh, now would be the time to do that, so you can see what I'm talking about!) You can also visit Ricky's blog and get a glimpse into the wedding week, but again you will see more with his photos featured in the article.

I walked around most of the week with a prosecco in one hand and a pen and notepad in the other; Ricky -- A Canon 1D Mark II-n (That's a fancy camera folks) and a prosecco. It worked out quite well actually.

Highlights of the Wedding Week at the J.K. were ... well, everyday, everyone, every activity ... how will I summarize this in an article? (Well, I do have a book of notes and a mind full of images, tastes and feelings to finish my dream assignment.)
The things that stand out most in my mind of the wedding week (without giving too much away), are the J.K. Capri Place (I think I'll move in; even living in the closet would be suitable), the incredible, fun staff at the J.K. -- Costantino, Luigi, Donatella, Mauro, Verana, all who reminded me daily "Relax bella, another Prosecco for you?"

And ... the best part of the entire week ... hands down -- Fawni and Gil and their friends and family. Observing, listening and participating in their celebration was a writer's dream -- true characters of a story in the making. I hope they have an anniversary party every year at the J.K. ... anything's possible!
I can't wait to complete the feature article and see it in Your Wedding Day Magazine!

Here's a glimpse into the amazing photos by Ricky Mia...