Spa Willamina

K and I got a 75 minute hot-stone couples massage for Valentine's Day at Spa Willamina in Portland, OR.  It was pure bliss.  This was our first couples spa treatment and it was fun being in the same room, relaxing, and knowing that my love was getting the royal treatment.  We loved the therapists, the treatment, the soothing hot stones, and the facility (an old craftsman style house, dimly lit with spa music trickling down the halls).  But what we didn't love, and this was my first experience with this, was the therapist following us into the lobby and double-team sales pitching us to buy $28 Epsom's salt baths and $525 spa packages 'on sale' for re-booking.  It was so assaulting, especially after just arising from a blissful hour+ of massage.  Has anyone else ever had this happen!?  I know that spas are turning more into retail shops with their own designer products, but one would think that the employees would be discouraged from bombarding a client right after a treatment.  There could be a bit more finesse to this. 

Despite the sales pitches, I would still give this spa high marks.  We got a smoking deal on the treatments and we loved the actual work we got there too.   They are also running a fabulous $99 special that includes a 60 minute massage or facial + a separate 30 minute foot massage and soak treatment using essential oils, warm milk and a sugar scrub ultimately creating softer, more radiant skin.  AND...Each client will also receive a complimentary 4 ounce jar of Spa Willamina Signature Bath Soak.  This is an awesome deal.

 Now, only 2 more weeks until girls day at the DragonTree spa where we have several treatments booked for 2 & 1/2 hours of relaxing massages, foot baths, scrubs, and hot oil scalp massages!!  eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Exciting stuff!!

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February BirchBox



February BirchBox

Clockwise



EYE ROCK - Designer Liner (Single-use stick-on liner strips)

dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant

Nail File - Hot pink heart

Jouer - Luminizing Moisture Tint in Pearl

beautyblender - the original beautyblender foundation sponge

I really love this months BirchBox.  It doesn't look like much but has a few items I am very excited about!!  I have ALWAYS wanted a beautyblender foundation sponge.  I personally use a foundation brush for myself, but the sponge works better for when I am doing make-up (freelance and for friends) to give a more airbrushed finish.  I bought a few knockoffs at F21 of these that were so-so, not wanting to spend the $25.95/for 2 price on the actual beautyblender, but am super stoked to have one of these.  So much softer with a nicer texture than the F21 ones.  I also LOVE Dermalogica, and am very excited to try this exfoliating wash.  I am BIG on exfoliation.  I don't care what the experts say...I NEED daily exfoliation to prevent my skin from breaking out like I work over a fryer!!  All in all, I am happy with this months selection, and consider yourself redeemed BB!



A day to love

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I have heard some v-day scrooges say that today is a manufactured holiday that doesn't represent anything or that it is a quick fix for people who don't show their love any other day .  I would like it to be noted; being negative about Valentine's Day doesn't make you a more perceptive romantic and it certainly doesn't make you any better at expressing your love the other days of the year.  Setting your partner up to understand that you aren't going to go out of your way today doesn't mean that deep down somewhere they aren't hoping for a little sumthin' sumthin'!  I understand where people are coming from with this, don't get me wrong, but I think it is perfectly harmless to celebrate today.  Go buy your love some chocolates, a pink gorilla, and lay on some sweet nothings.  There is nothing wrong with people taking a day to get a little sentimental and celebrate love!! 

In my book, Valentine's gestures need not be large or expensive.  They need to be from the heart.  So don't forget to express yourself, somehow, to the one you love.  Sentimental expressions of love is what today is all about. 

And don't forget...love starts inside of you.  You cannot truly love another unless you explicitly love yourself.  And NEVER settle for anything less than amazing.  If you are single, chin up, and appreciate today because being solo on Valentine's Day just means that your door is still open, waiting on the perfect partner to walk through, and that is exciting stuff. 

XOXO,

Lisa Marie

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AND THE WINNER OF THE SEPHORA LIP COLLECTION GIVEAWAY IS......

Mimi and Lucas' Mommy!

I swear to god this was random...all her support (facebook and comments) paid off!!  And don't fret if you tried hard and didn't win...this was only the first of many more giveaways to come.  The new one will be announced soon! :)

ALSO.....

I decided to giveaway 2 runner-up prizes of $10 Sephora e-gift certificates and the winners are....

Jillian

&

Laura Caffeine

**Check your  email inboxes for your e-gift certificates**

A big THANK YOU to all of you who entered and all of the continued support!!!!!

Super Saturday

 Breakfast at Down to Earth Cafe 

 French Toast covered in fresh fruit & cream

The bestie and I decided to grab some breakfast and coffee before heading to our early afternoon spa pedicures.  There is an area in Portland, OR called Multnomah Village that remained unexplored by us, so we picked a place off of yelp to have breakfast.  Down to earth cafe had great reviews on yelp and has a lot of options for the vegan/veggie/natural food crowd, which I love to dabble in.  We both had the french toast (pictured above), mine with veggie sausage and bestie's with bacon, and it was so delicious.  We lingered over coffee, seated in a window booth, and caught each other up on life.

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After breakfast we only had about 20 mins to look around and we popped into an antique shop.  I snapped some photos of the vintage packaging and tins, which were abundant and caught my eye with their coloring and illustrations.

This little creamer was my favorite pick from the shop. 

After antiquing we spent 2 hours getting spa pedicures, then off to lunch, followed by TJ Maxx home goods.  Does it get any more perfect than this day?  Great bestie bonding and lots of laughs, definitely what I needed.

Hope you all had a great weekend and filled it with smiles and snoozes! :)

Party pop

Tissue Tassel - Sherbert

Tissue Tassel - Pinks and Blues

Rainbow Dots

Circus Fabrics

Party Poms

Hearts

Storybook

Origami Stars

Yarn Pom-Poms

Doesn't seeing all this colorful garland make you just want to throw a party?  Etsy is brimming with all kinds of textures, shapes, and colors of garland.  People are so crafty, but these would also be really fun to make too.  One of my friends is busying herself preparing for an upcoming 1st birthday party for her daughter and, in visions of pink, I can totally see garland like this at the party.   Such a cute and festive way to add a pop of color to a party.

While standing at Michael's Crafts the other day I had a vision of making a garland to hang above my bed.   I don't think I would go for as much color as these, but they are inspiring none the less.   My crafty hamster wheel is turning.

This week.

The only thing getting me through the days right now is knowing, in 22 days from today I will be descending on a vacation of a lifetime.  Open ocean, blue water, and pure bliss for 10 days.

I don't exactly remember the moment I became an adult.  Slowly this stress has crept up and over me.   I always remember my dad telling me in my youth 'have fun now because it's a grind later'.  He was right. 

I just need to remember to relax.  I still haven't learned how to fully just let my mind go.

In the meantime I just plan to enjoy lots of Valentine's Day chocolates to soothe my soul.  What is it about working in an office, there is always a non stop source of endless treats around holidays?  Where does it all come from!? It never ends, and I never say no.

It is weeks like these that make me yearn to have more fun in my life.

Happy Friday!!   I just woke up from a 3 hour nap, I am so exhausted.  I crashed after getting home from work and nearly slept through getting this blog post up.   I am just cranky, not feeling well, potentially having a PMS flare, and I just need to have a really good weekend.  I just gotta get through Friday.  Is there any better feeling than that drive home on Friday evening after your work week is over, just cruising on that Friday, it's the weekend high!? 

Hope you all have an awesome weekend.  Let's all have some fun.  But be safe!  And if you can't be safe...BE FAMOUS!

{  Sephora Lip Collection Giveaway   }

Only 3 more days until a winner is announced!

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Chic Boho-Gypsy Bling

{  DOLORES PETUNIA  }

I love these one of a kind pieces made by artist Courtney Prince.  They are so fresh and vibrant.  You can tell she puts a lot of love, thought, and a unique style into each one of her pieces.  Though this jewelry is not every day wear, it is so bold it could spice up any outfit you pair it with.  I would wear one of these cuffs with a neutral dolman sleeve sweater, trouser jeans, and wedges into the darkness of a  girls night on the town.  They would also go really well with a maxi dress or skirt.  I want to own one of these pieces so badly.  (Who am I kidding?  I want to own ALL of these pieces)  These are definitely for the girl who dresses for herself and wears whatever she wants - that chic/boho-gypsy girl that gets 15 compliments on her hair that she just rolled out of bed with. 

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