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Treat Yourself

kateparker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:19:51 -0500

Once in a while a girl has got to pamper herself. What better time than late in the year, as the impending holiday craziness looms near!

On my recent trip to Napa, I paid a visit to the Spa Villagio at the Vintage Estate in Yountville, and I can say that it was - hands down - the best spa experience I’ve ever had.

Now, most women I know have at least one thing that is their thing - they thing they splurge on once in a while because it does wonderful things for the soul to be pampered every now and then. For some, it’s a fancy new haircut or highlights. For others, it’s regular manicures. Or weekly yoga sessions. And for a very lucky few, it’s Manolo Blahniks. Me? I’m a spa girl. Massages are my thing. The fact that I’m prone to terrible migraines and back problems gives me all the more reason (read: medical necessity) to indulge in this luxury every few months when I’m really aching.

The Spa Villagio was one of the most relaxing, beautiful spaces I’ve ever visited. Every material, every light fixture, every detail was carefully curated to create the ultimate luxury spa environment. The design is made to feel very residential, far from some city-based spas I’ve been to that tend to make you feel like a cog in an assembly line. At Spa Villagio, you feel like a spoiled guest at someone’s Tuscan Villa. There’s plenty of room for relaxing, and everything is oh so Mediterranean, so you feel far, far away from the everyday world. The robe I was given upon arrival was so comfortable I didn’t want to ever take it off. Even the water is special - infused with different herbs and fruits and juices each day - cranberry ginger one day, camomile mint the next.

The Spa boasts both Men’s and Women’s Lounge Wings that are some of the best I’ve seen - serenely appointed and with all the facilities you could want - steam room, dry sauna, private soaking tubs, outdoor private courtyard with fireplace, swiss-style showers (this is a shower with 10 shower heads - an experience not to be missed), cozy robes and lockers for all, and a lounge room with comfy couches and chaise loungers with a TV and fireplace. They’re very private and comfortable, and open from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm - plenty of time for relaxing well into the evening.

Our recent stay at the Vintage Inn allowed the Boyfriend and I access to the Lounges at the Spa Villagio every day- and boy did we use it! Every night before dinner (after a long day of wine-tasting and sight-seeing - I know, rough), we’d walk over to the spa for a good hour or so of relaxing and spa-ing. I think I only showered in our room once - the swiss-style showers in the Women’s Lounge were just too amazing! Plus the hair products in the Spa were better than the ones I packed.

Even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can book an appointment at the spa and use the facilities all you want on the day of your appointment. I highly suggest making a day out of it - it always makes the price of a massage or other treatment so much more worth it when you get all those extras.

Speaking of massages - we decided to do the Couple’s Massage in one of their Spa Suites. They have five of these special suites, all appointed with fireplaces, daybeds, steam showers, wet bars, soaking tubs, outdoor decks, and private terraces. We were greeted with a glass of champagne before our massage - hello relaxation! - and enjoyed an incredible dinner afterwards.

As part of the Spa Suite experience, the Villagio’s on-site culinary team will serve light refreshments (before or after your treatment) and even a full lunch and dinner menu. The food was delicious - just like eating in one of the fancy restaurants in Yountville - except that you get to eat in your bathrobe and drink wine out on a private terrace by a fireplace after having a relaxing massage! Heaven. The spa therapists we had were extremely skilled - the perfect amount of pressure, and incredible technique. I’m picky about this kind of thing - and let me tell you - they nailed it.

I’m aware that this whole thing is a totally indulgent experience - and it’s one I certainly can’t afford to have on a regular basis - but once in a while, for a very special treat, this was - from start to finish - the perfect pampering experience.

It’s certainly the kind of place to celebrate a very special occasion. Weddings, Honeymoons, Anniversaries, Milestone Birthdays - the Spa Villagio sees it all, and this would be the perfect gift or surprise to give to someone on just such an occasion (hint hint for any male readers that may be out there - major brownie points if you take your gal here!).

Looking to plan a Spa Bachelorette party? This is the place. I would just love to take all my girlfriends here and indulge in some body treatments and hang-out time in the lounge. There’s even a separate facility for parties such as this so you can laugh and talk amongst yourselves all you want without disturbing other spa guests. You can even make a meal a part of the party too.

Trying to squeeze in some exercise while you’re on a gastronomical tour of the wine region? (Seriously, the food out there is so amazing). Why not stop in for some Pilates? With two studio locations and some very friendly, non-intimidating, gentle-with-your-body instructors, Pilates Napa Valley is the way to go.

I loved the session I did with Heidi so much that I’m back on a I vow to do Pilates regularly kick (fingers crossed it lasts). The best part? They play hip music while you workout (not dorky standard gym music), and the studio in Yountville is right above the Villagio Spa. You can check them out and see class schedules here. If you end up going out there with a group of girls, you could probably book a special private class just for your group.

I recommend planning your spa treatments for after the workout, since the massages are so good you’ll feel like a wet noodle afterwards, not in any shape to be exercising!

Tell me, do you ever treat yourself? How?

The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapters 1 - 13

kathleenharris — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:25:11 -0500

And we’re off – it was so difficult to put this book down. I was completely riveted and sped through the first few chapters. But before I get ahead of myself, I first want to thank you for sharing your amazing pet stories. I had quite a few good laughs – from farting dogs to over-sized lap dogs. You can’t help but smile reading all of them.

Now, let’s talk about Chapter 1. From the first sentence, I got emotional reading this book written from Enzo’s point of view. It just made me think about what my dog Lucy must be thinking all day long and how I wish I could understand her better. It definitely brought tears to my eye, in a wistful kind of way.

The book also drops two big bombs in the first chapter: we are told that Denny’s wife will die and that Enzo will be put to sleep. Why do you think the author, Garth Stein, chose to do this? To better prepare us for what’s to come? I have to say, I appreciate the writing tactic. I think it made me read the book with a more thoughtful eye, knowing that big life events are to come. It helps you focus on the characters, rather than the plot.

And I loved Enzo’s sentiments about reincarnation – that he will one day come back to life as a boy. What did you think about this idea?

At the end of this section, things start to take a turn for the worse. We start to see Eve’s sickness take hold of her. (Side note: I love how the author incorporated the timely news element that dogs can sniff sickness/cancer.) There is also a huge overtone of guilt: for leaving your family, for pursuing your own passions, for not coming home earlier to walk the dog (I have that one a lot). And what did you think of that whole scene with Enzo attacking Zoe’s stuffed animals? What do you think the zebra symbolizes?

Other random musings: What do you think of the quote “That which you manifest is before you”? Do you agree with it? And what about that story about the crows eating the dog poop – I’m curious as to what significance that story will play for the rest of the book.

Would love to hear what your first impressions are. I can’t wait to keep reading. For next week, let’s read Chapter 14 through Chapter 26 (pages 73 to 157).

Why I Miss the 4:30 Movie.... (AKA McMillan & Wife Makes Me Smile)

corynne_corbett — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:01:00 -0500

I do quite a bit of my writing at night and often I watch campy old movies to keep me company. I can tell you that "In Like Flint" has come on more than a couple of times in the last year so has "Salt & Pepper". I watch these movies as well as things like "Columbo", "McCloud" and "McMillan & Wife" because they actually remind of when we only had one television in the house. So the whole family watched a whole bunch of campy spy flicks, whodunnits and the like (whether we wanted to or not). The same thing happened at Aunt Etta's house (our babysitter) when the 4:30 movie came on—-us kids had no choice but to watch it together. (The only exception: the vampire-based soap,"Dark Shadows", which I was forbidden to partake in because it gave me nightmares.) Yeah, I was a lightweight.

Now we're living in an age of individualized entertainment. We can order whatever genre our hearts desire on our computers, phones and televisions. And sharing a set? I'd venture to say there are a couple of generations that consider it a foreign concept. But there is something about the shared experience that cannot be replicated when you're on your own. You won't remember who cracked a joke or the side conversations that took place during the long commercial breaks. Or the strategies that had to be employed to get a good spot in the bedroom, den or wherever. I got my love of screwball comedies from watching them with my mother. And those traditions are continued in their own ways. My niece watched some many Judy Garland movies when she was young that when she spied a VCR or DVD case for any old movie she point at it and say "Judy".

Now I've got to say that when I say I'm watching "In Like Flint" my friend Melissa is bound to comment (since her Dad was in it). But it's not the same as if we were watching it together (kinda hard since we're on opposite coasts). But back to my point, although it wasn't my choice to watch "The Sunday Mystery Movie" or "The Blob" on the 4:30 movie it reminds me of people and times that continue to have importance in my life. So now I can say I'm glad that I had no choice but to watch them.

What shows/movies did you watch with your family that you find yourself smiling about today? Or what activity did you dread that you're now sharing with your own loved ones?

Do You Put Money into an FSA? POLL

kateashford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:37:00 -0500

Have you ever bought aspirin? Filled a prescription? Written a check for a co-pay at the doctor’s office? Sure you have. People spend hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars every year on medical expenses. That’s why Flexible Spending Accounts, or FSAs, are so fantastic: If you use them correctly, they can save you serious cash on expenses you’re incurring anyway.

If your employer offers an FSA, it means you can put pre-tax money away to pay for many things health-related: doctor’s visits, over-the-counter meds, band-aids, you name it. What’s the big deal, you ask? I’ll tell you.

Let’s say you spend $1,000 a year on co-pays and health expenses. Let’s also say that you’re in the 25% income tax bracket. If you put $1,000 in an FSA and use it to cover medical costs, you’ve essentially saved the amount you would’ve paid in taxes—or $250.

Why do I bring this up now? Because it’s open enrollment season. My husband and I just decided how much money we’re putting into our FSA next year, so it’s on my mind. It’s a great savings tool, and I don’t think enough people take advantage of it.

The only caveats: Most employers limit you to $5,000 of contributions per year, and FSA money is a use-it-or-lose-it thing. If you don’t use all that money by the end of the calendar year (or in some cases the end of March of the following year), you lose it entirely. So if you find yourself with a balance at the end of the year, stock up on ibuprofen and diaper cream.

Or other things you’re already buying, like eyeglasses, flu shots and antacids. See this list for ideas. You can find calculators to help you estimate next year's expenses here and here.

Do you contribute to an FSA? Take our poll. (And then tell us why or why not.)

A Secret to Happiness? Pick a Favorite.

gretchenrubin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:35:00 -0500

On our last family trip to visit my parents in my hometown, Kansas City, it occurred to me that one of the reasons we have so much fun there is that we make the rounds of our “favorites” – our favorite hamburger joint, our favorite ice-cream store, our favorite toy store, our favorite book store, our favorite barbeque place (several contenders for this — it’s Kansas City, after all!)

For some reason, at home in New York City, we haven’t identified many places this way. Sometimes we go out for brunch on the weekends, and we usually go to the same place, but we don’t say to ourselves, “Hey, let’s go to our favorite brunch place today! They make the best pancakes ever!” We just go to the brunch place near our apartment, because it’s convenient and we can’t be bothered to think of a new place.

That attitude is a lot less fun, a lot less festive. After all, if we always go to the same brunch place, it is our favorite place. Why not embrace it and enjoy it? Saying we’re going to our favorite place makes a visit seem more fun. Just saying that something is a treat can be enough to make it feel like a treat.

Having a “favorite” also boosts the feeling of tradition -- and traditions increase happiness. It’s more gratifying to think, “We have a tradition of going to our special brunch place for our favorite pancakes,” than to think, “When we’re too tired to deal with breakfast at home, we go around the corner to some quick, easy spot.”

What about you? Have you identified the “favorites” of your life – and does it add to your happiness?

The days are long, but the years are short.

Protecting Your Tech

erindoland — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:34:41 -0500

My laptop and phone are the two most important tools I use to do my work. Protecting these devices is essential. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for beautiful, efficient, and (in this case) sustainable ways to protect them.

Recently, I came across byrd and belle's shop on Etsy. It's full of felted wool laptop bags and cell phone covers that look modern and elegant, in addition to being very useful:

One important aspect of being a smart consumer and leading an organized and uncluttered life is that you take the time, space, resources, and energy to protect the things you choose to have in your home.

Have you explored Etsy for your favorite protective cases? Tell us about your favorites in the comments.