Thai massages are one of the hottest “new” massages available in spas around the world, but they are well known in the far east as they originated in India where they were developed by Buddhist monks and introduced in Thailand over 2,500 years ago. Known for their healing and relaxing powers, Thai massages are based on Ayurveda and Yoga and use passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines, known as “Sen” to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body’s energy systems. The intention of the massage is to guide the body, mind, and spirit into balance and harmony, providing an opportunity for self-healing.

Unlike many other well known massages, the Thai massage is practiced when you are fully dressed and many spas even provide you with a specific outfit to wear. You start by laying on your back, and the therapist uses gentle compression and stretching techniques to open up your body, beginning with you feet. The therapist literally uses her whole body, including her feet, to move your body into various positions, so in some ways it feels intimate, but it is by no means to be confused with sensual or sexual massages. Thai massages originated from spiritual tradition and their purpose is to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Designer Roberto Cavalli opened his first nightclub in the beautiful city of Florence in Italy this past week. Cavalli chose a 15th century deconsecrated church as the location of the club which was in a desperate need for a restoration. The church, and now his nightclub, is near the 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine, and it is adorned with Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Masaccio and Masolino. “I feel I helped recover a real jewel,” says Cavalli of the recovered church which is now turned into a luxurious nightclub. Cavalli along side with architect Italo Rota took full advantage of the high ceilings of the original building and also added additional level. A lounge bar is located on the ground floor; a stage with a piano is placed in a niche where the altar used to be, and a 50-seat restaurant is on the upper floor. The decor is greatly nature inspired including steel leaves decorating the columns, a huge twisting steel snake on the side of the bar, an aquarium, an oversize shell on one wall, and seats with the designer’s infamous animal prints. Cavalli will open two more nightclubs in the upcoming year, one in Dubai at the end of January 2009, which will have a “a huge stairway” and plenty of glittering Swarovski crystals, and the other in Milan in February 2009. The designer is also working on renovating Milan’s former Just Cavalli Café and turning it into a Club.

Barbie’s 50th Birthday is coming up next year and for her special runway show in 2009, the infamous doll is getting to ready to wear a fabulous pair of Louboutins. Christian Louboutin is designing a pair of pumps in the legendary Barbie Pantone 219 Pink that will make their debut at the Barbie Mattel runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. As of now, 50 designers, unfortunately still undisclosed, will create Barbie inspired outfits for the extravagant show and each of the models will wear the special pink Louboutins. As for Louboutin, whose pumps are by far the most wanted worldwide, he is a longtime fan of Barbie, “I guess I always had a little “girlie side” who liked Barbie. Barbie needs to wear great shoes because every girl needs to wear great shoes.”

The new edition of Elle France published new on-set stills from the upcoming film Coco Avant Chanel starring Audrey Tautou. The movie is currently filming in Paris and is said to be released in France in May of 2009 and will be available worldwide following later in the year. The film will center around Coco Chanel’s earlier years. Designer Karl Lagerfeld has collaborated with costumer Catherine Leterrier for the extravagant film costumes which will include classic Chanel designs and will show how Mademoiselle Chanel was “different from the ladies of her time” — “she was poor, but she had her own style.”

The most glamorous ring available from the Autumn/Winter 2009 Swarovski collection Passages of Night is the Forever ring. Its name says it all as this extraordinary piece is the ultimate perfection of sparkle, style and timeless class which will last Forever. The clear all around crystal is decorated with a cross band detail of glittering Golden Shadow crystal pavé. The ring is Gold-plated and it is priced at CAD $390. Judging by its price, this ring has got to offer something spectacular and it truly does. The combination of gold and clear silver adds an irresistible appeal that is stunningly special especially for the coming Holidays as well as for any other unforgettable occasion. I love the crystal band detail as it reminds me a princess ring and because of its sparkle in color, you can wear this with both gold or silver accessories.