Ladies day out.

 SACSAYHUAMÁN + ROJA SANGRIA

 Avocado with crab & Beets with pickled vegetables

 Cupcakes at Saint Cupcake

Toasted coconut & The Big Top (chocolate chip with buttercream) cupcakes

Sangha Room with foot baths

* stock image because I was too excited/relaxed to remember to take photos :)

Had a gorgeous Saturday with some wonderful lady friends.  We met for lunch, had dessert, and followed it up with several hours at the spa.  Here is the  long version of how it all went. :)

First we started with lunch at Andina, a popular peruvian restaurant.  I ordered sangria and the other girls got the ever popular and oh-so-delicious sacsayhuman (habanero pepper vodka shaken with pureed passion fruit and cane sugar,served up with a sugar rim and a cilantro leaf garnish).  Both drinks are SOOOOO good.  We ate a light lunch of tapas style plates and shared conversation with lots of laughs.  Mostly laughing at a guy who was visibly drunk trying to impress his date, over lunch, with his most recent Rosetta Stone lesson.  This guy was literally SCREAMING "GRACIAS, BONITA" and "DE NADA, NO POR FAVOR" - literally just screaming out spanish phrases completely out of context and to the total embarassment of his female companion.  Sometimes the public really does just bring out situations you have to just laugh at.  People are crazy!!

After lunch we headed over to Saint Cupcake for a pre-spa day treat.  They have the most delicious frosting and yummy cupcakes in large and small sizes.  I had the toasted coconut and the bigtop.  Both of which I could have eaten several of, debated about having more several times, forced ourselves to leave, and made sure to bring a few home for K who loves a good treat!

The center of the whole day was a spa day at the Dragontree spa.  All 3 of us got the spa package called the Element Infusion.  When we got there we were served the delicous herbal house tea, changed into robes and relaxed alongside a little waterfall on large fluffy couches.  We were then escorted into the Sangha Room, seated in elevated couches, and our necks were wrapped in hot packs.  Large copper bowls were wheeled under our feet, where we were scrubbed with salts on our feet and legs, and left to bathe our feet in a warm relaxing bath.  After this our heads were drizzled with warm oil and massaged.   Once we finished our Sangha room treatments, where we got to enjoy the spa treatments together, we all went away to private 90 minute massages.  After all of this pampering we were all very drowsy, kinda puffy, and ready for a nap.  

It was all in all a wonderful, calming, spirited day filled with lots of laughs and girl time.  It doesn't really get much better than this. 

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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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Spa Junkie

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I am a self confessed spa junkie.  I love a spa treatment, massage, day at the spa more than most things in this world.  But spa time doesn't come cheap and a massage can run you upwards of $100+.  I certainly don't have endless funds to spend on these luxuries so I have had to figure out ways to stretch my spa dollars.  Here are my tips to help you readers get yourselves some much needed spa time without spending a ton of money. 

1. Yelp - Go to yelp and research the highest rated spas in your area.  Then watch the spas websites for monthly specials and packages.  Most spas change their specials every month and run packages that are deeply discounted.

2. Facebook - Like your local spas on facebook.  Most spas run a daily deal - they look at their books and seek to fill the gaps by advertising last minute specials.  These last minute specials are usually at a great discount than the service would normally cost. 

3. Twitter - Spas also advertise last minute specials via twitter.  

4. Spa Finder - Purchase $100 of spa finder credit for only $80 at costco. These gift certificates work just like cash at any spa finder spa. There are so many local spas and spas all over the country (think vacation) that accept these. 

Use these gift certificates on already promoted monthly specials to double your discounts.  For example - I purchased $300 of spa finder for $240 at Costco, then booked myself an entire spa day at Qua spa - 3 total services that were also listed as monthly specials, about 3.5 hours, with TIP for only $240.  That was a SMOKIN' deal.

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These ones are for you Portlanders

Spa Willamina (5 stars on Yelp) is having a special 'love is in the air' special.  You can buy a gift certificate for only $45 which will purchase a 75 min massage or 75 min facial (there are 2 other options as well).  Go to their website home page, click purchase gift certificates, then under choose an amount or service, select services to see which ones are for sale. 

I purchased a massage for myself and one for my honey to have some couples spa time - just in time for Valentine's Day.

Spa Willamina

If you like Spa Willamina on Facebook -

If you like Dragontree Holistic Day Spa (a SpaFinder spa) on Facebook - this was their special they ran today, just to see what they are sending out -

Our Last Minute Special for Sunday, February 5th:
45 minute Swedish Massage for $55
60 minute Custom Facial for $75

Just some ideas to get you girls thinking about pampering yourselves.  Great idea for something to ask for from your sweetie for Valentine's Day too.  :)  If you ever have any questions about spa's or spa services (I have had most) just email me and I will be more than happy to help you find the best deal and a service that matches what you are looking for.

DIY SPA DAY

Lavender Foam Bath $3.29

Orgins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask - $15

Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple Soy Candle - $6

This week, as I pretend to work and kill time staring at my computer monitor, I can find nothing to occupy myself but daydreaming.  I cannot focus on my job, and have been so checked out these past few weeks. I find myself looking up excursion for my upcoming cruise, looking at places close by to take a weekend trip to, and really anything that can take my mind away from the reality of my desk job. I think I am trying to send myself a message... 'you need a break'. 

 Today I found my thoughts drifting to a spa day full of services and relaxation.  But with the Christmas season fully upon me, not time nor wallet will allow such a thing.  So, I settled for the next best thing...at home DIY Spa time.  I got my flannel pj's ready and set aside.  Sliced up a cucumber for my tired eyes, drew up a hot bath, and used a lavender foaming mineral bath (that smelled amazing!).  I lit a candle, turned off the lights, and put on Pandora Radio to the Spa Suite channel.  Using the Orgins charcoal mask, I slathered on a layer over my face, put my hair up, put the cucumber over my eyes, and sunk myself into the hot bath.  Total and complete bliss.  It is amazing what 15 minutes of pure relaxation can do.  I also heated up my bottle of lotion by putting it in the hot water, and once I got out, slathering on warm lotion felt amazing. 

Every time I have these little nights to myself, I think, why don't I do this more often!?  Everyone needs to have some time to drift and just be one with themselves.  I need to restock my DIY spa treats, and am going to be getting more of the mineral bath (shown above) at Whole Foods to have on hand.  Below is my list of wants for nights like these.

Dr. Hauschka Aromatherapy Bath Kit - $15.96

(I just ordered this...I couldn't resist)

Pure Fiji Mini Sampler - $33

Pure Fiji is used at Qua spa and the products are amazing.  The moisturizer is so emollient and they all have an amazing scent.  Love this stuff.

Aveda Balancing Ritual - $42.50

Everything in this set is delicious