Emergency Winter Skincare and Skin-Repair
When planning and packing for a trip to cold climates, it is vital to have the correct clothing to stay warm. However, it’s just as important to have the right products to protect and soothe skin from the cool, dry air.
This was an essential tip I forgot to follow myself while spending the holidays in Lake Tahoe. My face moisturizer ran out the day I arrived; my lip moisturizer was nowhere to be found.
Armed only with my eye crème and borrowed ChapStick from my brother, my lackluster skincare regimen proved no match for the elements.
Upon returning from my trip, I made a beeline for my medicine cabinet, hoping to find a miracle in there to cure my parched face, hangnails, and peeling lips. And miracle (make that 3 miracles) I did find:
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(for the face) G.M. Collin Hydramucine Optimal Gel – specially designed with a botanical complex and vegetal peptides to hydrate the skin. This left my skin soft and moisturized, while not at all greasy (good for normal to oily skin). |
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(for lips) Jane Iredale Sugar&Butter Lip Exfoliator/Plumper – organic brown sugar buffs away dry skin, and tinted lip plumper moistens with shea butter and peptides. After a good scrub with the exfoliating end, my lips were kissably soft. |
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(for hands) Sephora by OPI Restorative Hand Moisturizer – blend of almond, avocado, and shea butter provides instant hydration. I randomly had a sample of this, and am now in love. The instant it is applied, skin becomes baby soft with no oily or greasy feel whatsoever. |
Though only meant to be a temporary fix, I can guarantee that these products will now become a regular part of my skincare routine!
—Veronica Sooley, photo editor
top image: iStockphoto.com
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Biodynamic Wines from Truett Hurst Winery
With holiday parties and New Year’s plans in full swing, the perfect pairing for any party is a great bottle of wine. Make it a biodynamic wine, and do better for yourself and the environment.
I recently visited Truett Hurst winery in Healdsburg, California’s Dry Creek Valley, and was blown away by the beauty of the property, as well as their biodynamic farming principals. Here you will find an indoor tasting area with two tasting bars and lounge area, an outdoor lounging/picnic patio (made of eco-friendly materials!), and peaceful, creek-side seating where you can enjoy a glass of wine and watch the fish swim by. There are even goats and sheep on the property (part of the biodynamic principals).
Of course, besides the beautiful property, the main focus is wine! My personal favorite is the Dessert Wine; it’s honestly one of the best I’ve ever had.
They have a great Zinfandel Rose that is perfect for pairing with lighter dishes and meats like seafood, turkey, and chicken, and an amazing selection of reds—their specialty.
Truett Hurst wines can be purchased online, or stop by their tasting room and try them for yourself!
For other holiday drink recommendations, check out Natalie’s picks on Day 5 of our holiday gift guide.
—Veronica Sooley, photo editor
Photographs by Veronica Sooley
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How to Pick the Right Airline Snack Food
Ever wondered how many calories are in those little ham sandwiches your airline hands out as you’re flying over Ohio? If you have, then you’ll want to read The Diet Detective’s Annual Airline Snacking and Onboard Food Survey.
The Diet Detective (Charles Stuart Platkin) surveyed seven major airlines and gathered nutritional information on all their onboard food offerings. In his report, he shares those findings, recommends the best snack choices on each airline (hint: skip the muffins), and estimates the amount of exercise it will take to burn those snacks off once you land.
If you’re interested in making smart food choices while you travel, you might want to read the whole survey. I did and I’m sticking with the honey-roasted peanuts.
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/ / CC BY 2.0
—Stephanie Kinnear, web editor
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Six Senses: The Gift of Luxury
Whenever I tell people I recently spent nine months living at luxury spas, I’m always asked the same question: Which one was your favorite?
The truth is, I don’t have a favorite. (It’s the safe answer, I know.) Each location really offered something special—though I will admit there were a few standouts. One of them was Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi.
From my Thai spa therapist Elle who managed to release tension I never knew I had to my loveable butler Tony who made sure that my bathroom was stocked with lemon grass-scented products and not lavender, the Six Senses staff succeeded in anticipating my needs without ever intruding in my space. And for me, that is exactly what makes a destination spa worth going back to.
So when I received an email announcing that Six Senses is now selling gift certificates, I was especially excited. The certificates are available in denominations of $100 and $1,000. They can be used for any spa service, or for stays at any Six Senses, Soneva, and Evason resort. Staying true to the company’s commitment to protecting the environment, each order is packaged in a unique box that is handcrafted from 100 percent recycled elephant poo. (Don’t worry the paper is odorless!)
A tip for spa connoisseurs: If you’re lucky enough to be on the receiving end of this lavish present, redeem your certificates at the newly opened Soneva Kiri by Six Senses. This tropical wonderland is located on the secluded island of Koh Kood, Thailand. Accessed by the resort’s private plane, it features 42 private pool villas and, of course, the brand’s signature Six Senses Spa.
—Maria Wakem, senior editor
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Snowy Spa-going at the New Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe
Looking for an active winter vacation that also includes some relaxing moments at the spa? Check out the brand new Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, which opened last week, just in time for the winter sports season.
Filled with natural light and contemporary mountain décor, the property is the first LEED-designed Ritz-Carlton resort in the world (certification is expected in the spring) and is connected by gondola to the restaurants and shops of Northstar-at-Tahoe, the nation’s first LEED-certified ski resort village.
The hotel’s chic Northern California vibe includes ski-in/ski-out access; organic and locally grown delicacies at Manzanita, a restaurant by award-winning San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins; and the luxurious Highlands Spa to soothe aching muscles after you hit the slopes.
To celebrate its grand opening, the resort is offering several introductory packages, including one spa-centric option:
The Deal: “Woods and Water Spa Experience”
The Dates: Through April 11
The Details: overnight accommodations, a one-hour guided snowshoe tour through the Northstar trails, a signature Pinyon Pine Nut Organic massage (50 minutes), and an Energizing Body Glow & Rain Shower (45 minutes)
The Cost: $575 for the first person; treatments for a second person in the same room can be added at a discount
—Victor Maze, art director
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Ageless Vitality Workshop at Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa
If improved fitness and improved health are on your list of New Year’s resolutions, the Ageless Vitality Workshop at Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa might be the perfect way for you to start 2010.
Led by Mary Horn M.S., the program will address “mindful eating” and provide daily exercise classes.
Program: Ageless Vitality Workshop
Details: Four-day intensive program designed to “explore health challenges women experience throughout the decades of their lives and offer healthy lifestyle changes that will impact their future wellbeing.” Daily lectures, meals, and exercise classes are included.
Dates: January 11 – 14, 2010
Cost: $900 per person for workshop (does not include accommodations). Discounted rates for program guests are available starting at $349/night.
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Spa Alert! Body and Soul Partner’s Retreat at Mii amo in Sedona
It’s never to early to start making Valentine’s Day plans, right? Right.
We’ve got the perfect getaway for you—an opportunity to spend real quality time with your significant other and to learn new ways of communicating: the 4-night Body and Soul Partners retreat at Mii amo in Sedona, hosted by Dr. Lana Holstein and Dr. David Taylor (both are experts in couples communication).
The Deal: Couples: Body and Soul Partners Retreat
The Dates: Sunday, February 14 – Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Details: Four nights accommodations. Three meals a day at Mii amo Café, two 60-min and two 90-min spa treatments per person, and complimentary ongoing fitness classes including yoga, nature walks, aqua aerobics, dance, Pilates and Tai Chi. Other activities include mountain biking, stargazing, red rock hikes, cooking demonstrations and art classes.
The Cost: $3,124.80 per person
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Hot Deal: The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Florida
If the fall weather is already getting you down, it might be time to plan a trip south to Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Florida (it’s 79 degrees there right now). Take advantage of these awesome rates and use your savings on a few treatments at the spa.
The Deal: Fall & Winter Value Rates
The Details: Accommodations in a newly-remodeled guest room, two reserved beach chairs, unlimited tennis, access to the resort’s world-class Spa and complete Fitness Center (with use of the exercise room, whirlpool, sauna and steam room), valet parking, afternoon tea and cookies, and admission for children ages five to 12 in the morning activities of the Beach Klub 4 Kids supervised child activity program.
The Dough: $159 per room, per night*
The Deadline: December 20, 2009
* Prices subject to change.
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Caribbean Deal! Sonesta St. Maarten’s Resorts
(Update: Due to an overwhelming response this deal has been extended. Post has been edited to reflect new dates.)
Sonesta St. Maarten’s Resorts is calling this their “Black Friday Beach Blowout,” and, fittingly, if you book between 12:01 a.m. EST Friday, November 27, 2009 and midnight Monday, November 30, 2009 you’ll get an amazing 50% off your stay. We highly recommend using those savings at the spa!
The Deal: “Black Friday Beach Blowout”
The Details: Book between 12:01 a.m. EST Friday November 27 and midnight Monday, November 30 (for travel between Dec 18 and March 31, 2010) and get 50% off your room rate at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino. Use booking code: BF09. Based on availability for room-only and all-inclusive rates.
The Deadline: Book between 12:01 a.m. EST Friday Nov. 27 and midnight Monday, Nov. 30. Travel between Dec. 18, 2009 and March 31, 2010.
Image: Water Sports at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino
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What Would You Give for a Trip to Amsterdam?
No, really: What prized possession would you be willing to part with for airfare for two to Amsterdam, three nights accommodation at the Lloyd Hotel, dinner for two at the Lloyd Hotel, and daily breakfast at the Lloyd Hotel?
Better think about it because the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions is partnering with the Lloyd Hotel for this strange but awesome contest. All you need to do to enter is go to Holland’s Facebook page and upload a photo of a possession you are willing to trade in exchange for the trip.
The contest starts today and ends on December 7, 2009. Get all the details here.
Image: us.holland.com
—Stephanie Kinnear, web editor
