An Editor’s Arch de Triumph

Although I’m pretty low-maintenance, there are times I think I may be doing a disservice to myself. Earlier this week, I paid a visit to Hibba NYC, a Soho salon specializing in hair removal. I had finally decided to try threading after never really giving much thought to my brows. Occasionally, I’ll come across someone with amazing arches and feel a small twinge of envy. However, like most features that haven’t undergone the knife, I’ve always chalked it up to having good genes more than anything else. Christy Turlington may have some help keeping her brows looking fabulous, but I think she had a definite head start in the genetics department. My brows, on the other hand, have always been rather forgettable, which may explain why I’ve spent the last couple of years neglecting them. Determined to change all that, I met with Hibba herself, who learned the art of threading at the tender age of 13 while living in India. Threading for family and friends, she perfected the art and later added sugaring and waxing to her hair removal arsenal. In just five minutes, she had my brows looking better than ever. And best of all, it was a pain-free experience that didn’t leave me with the customary tell-tale redness. Now that I’ve seen the difference, I think my maintenance quotient may be on the rise.

Cool Down with a Refreshing Salad from L.A.’s Culina

It’s been sweltering in New York City and today, rain. I am California dreaming! It seems like the mercury hasn’t dipped below 90F in an eon and not only am I craving a crisp SoCal summer, but I’m also craving a refreshing dish I sampled during my last trip to the west coast. While there, I was lucky enough to try out the recently opened Culina, a truly divine culinary experience at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. While the restaurant offers delicious handmade pastas and indulgent desserts, it also offers delectable healthy bites that tantalize the palate, while keeping L.A. physiques svelte. Here, chef Victor Casanova shares his recipe for a beautiful salad, which really allows seasonal ingredients to shine.

Culina’s Panzanella Recipe

•Rustic country loaf, exterior removed then cut into 1/2 inch dice
•3 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice
•2 cups fresh ripe watermelon, cut into 1/2 inch dice
•1/2 red onion, julienne
•1/2 bunch basil, torn into 1/2 inch pieces
•1/2 english cucumber, cut into 1/2 inch half-moons
•4 oz. ricotta salata, coarsley grated
•4 vine-ripened tomatoes, passed through a food mill
•4 oz. DaVero Champagne Vinegar
•3 oz. DaVero Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Dry Creek Estate”
•Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Toast bread in pre-heated oven at 375 degrees until well colored but
not brown.
2. Reserve bread.
3. Take the four vine-ripened tomatoes and pass through a food mill then combine in mixing bowl with vinegar and oil.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Reserve vinaigrette.
6. In a large salad bowl combine all ingredients and toss well.
7. Season to taste.
8. Divide into four small salad bowls.

Enjoy!!

Grape Rewards in Wine Country

Last week, on my tour through the Finger Lakes wine country, I had an opportunity to stay at La Tourelle Resort & Spa (Ithaca, NY). There, I was instantly smitten with the bucolic setting and gracious staff. I was also giddy with the fact that I got to reside in a three-bedroom suite that just happened to be in a barn. It was certainly one of the more interesting and comfortable places I’ve had the pleasure of staying. I also made sure to pay a visit to the resort’s August Moon Spa, where I sampled the Finger Lakes Grape Massage ($100, 50 minutes; $145, 80 minutes). It was certainly the perfect way to top off a day that had begun with an early morning hike to one of Ithaca’s famed waterfalls. I now know why “Ithaca is gorges.” For more on the August Moon Spa and the benefits of grape-themed treatments, check out our September issue.

A French Affair in Upstate New York

Last week, I escaped the city’s ongoing heat wave with a trip to the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. For years, I’d wanted to visit Mirbeau Inn & Spa (Skaneateles) but found the logistics of getting there without a car somewhat daunting. After deciding a getaway road trip was the perfect antidote to the summertime blues, I made sure the charming inn was the first stop on my itinerary. Reminiscent of a French country home with its Monet-inspired gardens, Mirbeau served as the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding wine country. I was especially enchanted by the culinary creations of executive chef Stephen S. Landon and by the spa, which offers a host of vinotherapy treatments. For more on the spa’s grape-themed services, check out “In the Mix” in our September issue. And look for more to come on this idyllic retreat in upcoming issues.

SpaTerre At Riviera Resort & Spa Offers Guests Tuesday Night Treats

Not too long ago, I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend in Palm Springs, CA, visiting Riviera Resort & Spa. I had a blast relaxing poolside, enjoying delicious cuisine, and experiencing amazing spa services. The only way my trip could have been better is if I was able to partake in SpaTerre’s new Martinis & Manicures package. Every Tuesday from 6-8 through Oct. 26th, guest can spend the evening relaxing in the 12,000-square-foot retro-themed spa while enjoying a mini manicure, a complimentary martini, and appetizers. For only $35, it’s the perfect way to wash away the weekday blues. To find out more about the spa, check out our article in March’s issue of American Spa by clicking here.

A Spa Enthusiast’s Epic Adventure

Although it’s always nice when the city clears out for a holiday weekend, I wasn’t looking forward to spending this recent one in town. Instead, I took advantage of an invitation to embark on a two-day inaugural cruise on the Norwegian Epic. Boasting the largest spa at sea, 20 restaurants, a casino, three waterslides, a sports complex, and more, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship more than lives up to its Epic name. With performances by the Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, and a variety of Nickelodean characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, boredom is probably the one option not available on the action-packed ship. However, relaxation can be found onboard at Mandara Spa & Salon, which features a menu that offers everything from Go Smile Tooth Whitening ($199, 30 minutes) and Botox and Dysport injections (starting at $350) to more traditional spa therapies. While I packed in as much as I could in the two days I was at sea, it wasn’t nearly enough time to try everything the ship had to offer. I did manage to find time to visit the ship’s Ice Bar (here I am donning a fur-trimmed parka to survive the frigid 17 degree temperature), a place I wouldn’t mind revisiting right about now while in the midst of an east coast heat wave. Look for more on the Norwegian Epic and its Mandara Spa & Salon in a future issue.

The Grand Del Mar Hosts Ex-Miss CA’s Wedding

While catching up on my daily dose of Perez Hilton this afternoon, I read that Carrie Prejean, the bible-quoting anti-gay marriage ex-beauty queen from California, will be tying the knot tomorrow with NFL quarterback Kyle Boller at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego. I myself was fortunate enough to visit the property a few years back, and I still remember the highlight of my stay being my time spent at The Spa at The Grand Del Mar. In addition to taking advantage of the outdoor Jacuzzi and going for a dip in the Relaxation Pool prior to my alfresco spa meal, I also opted for the Decompression Triad Treatment, which included a rosemary scrub, a body wrap, and a massage. Needless to say, it was a heavenly two hours well spent. Hopefully while she’s there, Ms. Prejean will find time to enjoy all the spa has to offer before her big day. She might also want to take some time to be grateful that she is able to get married in the state of California, because unfortunately, as she is well aware, not everyone has that right just yet.

These Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Having just returned from an amazing trip to County Clare, Ireland, last Thursday, I needed this past weekend to recover not only from jetlag but also from a week’s worth of non-stop fun. We spent our days touring the countryside, hiking, horseback riding, and golfing. We also had an opportunity to meet with some of the locals, who were more than happy to invite us into their homes for a pint of Guinness and a home-cooked meal. After all that exercise, I was thrilled to experience a treatment at White Horses Spa at Doonbeg Golf Resort, the incredible placed we stayed. After enjoying five days of Irish hospitality, I am very much looking forward to the next time I can return to my roots.

Keep your eyes out for more on White Horses Spa in an upcoming issue.

Stylist Riccardo Maggiore Tresses Up a Tired Look

I’ve admitted before that I don’t get my hair cut nearly as often as I should.  Fortunately, as an editor covering numerous salon-oriented events, I can often get away with waiting months between haircuts because I usually cross paths with someone who wants to start snipping away in the interim. As a result, I can’t really attribute my hair to one particular stylist. That fact was a blessing on a recent visit to the Riccardo Maggiore Salon (New York City). Scheduled for a blowout with Maggiore himself, I arrived looking a little worse for wear. It took mere minutes for Maggiore to look at my cut and declare it a disaster. Of course, I couldn’t blame him, as I had been thinking just that morning that I was long overdue for a cut. I’m sure the fact that I let anyone who comes near me with a pair of scissors free reign to chop away didn’t help. Come to think of it though, it was that same easy-going attitude that made me grant Maggiore license to work his magic. My straightforward blowout soon turned into a styling session, as he set about correcting my troublesome tresses. When he was finished, I was thrilled with the transformation, and even more so after the response I got from my American Spa colleagues.

Chiva-Som Serves Up Scrumptious Salad

Ask anyone who knows me, and you will quickly find out that I am a really picky eater. I have weird issues with texture, taste, and seeds, so it’s often hard to find food I like that is actually good for me. Today, the team from Thailand’s acclaimed Chiva-Som destination spa came to New York City to treat a group of journalists to a healthy lunch concocted by their incomparable executive chef, Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat. When he announced that we would be having Banana Blossom Salad to start, I got nervous. Bananas rank as one of my least favorite fruits (back to my texture and seed problems), and I was not looking forward to a salad made with them. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Banana blossoms are delicious, and the salad was divine. I loved it so much, I wanted to share the recipe here. In New York City, most of these ingredients can be picked up in Chinatown or at Whole Foods. Outside the Big Apple, head to your local Asian specialty food store.

Banana Blossom Salad
2 ½ TBSP Lime Juice
2 TBSP Soy Sauce
1 ½ TBSP Honey
1 TBSP Roasted Chili Paste
2 Bird’s Eye Chilies, Finely Chopped
4 ½ oz Banana Blossom, Peeled
4 ½ oz. Chicken Breast, boiled for 10 minutes and shredded
3 TBSP ground roasted almond, coarsely chopped
2 TBSP Sliced Shallots
2 TBSP Chopped Spring Onions
1 TBSP Finely Diagonally Sliced Lemongrass
4 TBSP Roasted Coconut Flakes, To Garnish

To prepare the dressing, whisk lime juice, soy sauce, honey, chili paste, and chilis in a large bowl. Set aside. To prepare salad, gently toss all remaining ingredients with all of the dressing in a mixing bowl until evenly mixed. Sprinkle over coconut flakes and server.

This is just one of the wonderful recipes in the spa’s latest cookbook, Chiva-Som’s Thai Spa Cuisine. I received a copy at lunch, and I can’t wait to test out more healthy dishes to see if I can overcome some of my other food quirks. To order your own copy, click here.