Haven's Hot Cocoa Mani + Pedi is Perf for a Winter Waldorf Wedding

Happy holidays, dolls! The pic on the left was taken on Saturday at my friend Jordan's wedding at the Waldorf-Astoria. Are we not looking fance? Pictured clockwise (L-R) are: Brian, me, Jordan (the groom), Jerry, and Dana.


I did much to prepare for this wedding, as you can imagine. First of all, I must share how utterly refreshing it was to attend a wedding in NYC (my first) where I had the luxury of getting ready in my own apartment instead of a hotel room where I am coerced into doing four other girls' hair and makeup in addition to my own in the allotted 40 minutes. Such is the hazard of beauty writers: friends think we're dermatologists, stylists, and makeup artists. I love to do the hair and makeup of others, just not when I don't have access to all of my supplies and am RUSHED. You know.


Anywho, I also had time this week to book some pre-wedding pampering which included a Hot Cocoa Manicure Pedicure at Haven Spa.

First, my feet were soaked in a warm chocolaty milk bath. Then, my feet and legs were scrubbed with Haven's house brand of products called Plum's cocoa exfoliant. It smelled divine, like real cocoa - not too sweet. Then, a massage with Plum’s all-natural cocoa butter lotion ensued. I LOVE this lotion. It's so rich and creamy and is THE antidote to flaky winter skin. Lastly, my nails were polished with a fun Essie red color meticulously applied by the technician, Emma. A luxurious mani followed and nearly a week later, there is not a single sign of wear and tear. NOT ONE. It's still glossy as heck. Haven's manicures are rumored to last ten full days and I'm confident that will be the case this time. My pedi is also looking just as perf as it did on Wednesday. Haven is located at 150 Mercer Street 212.343.3515. Hot Cocoa Manicure + Pedicure (75 minutes): $60.

The wedding was gorge and even featured socks for all the female patrons, just like at a bar mitzvah. Totally genius. I remarked that I'd go clubbing (an activity I usually loathe) every single night if I were provided socks to wear instead of uncomf heels. Also, since we're on the subject of shoes (or not wearing them, rather), I must report that I rocked my new Hollywould shoes over which I've been salivating since October. Well, the bow was ripped off the left shoe while I was walking and I would up having to use my GUM to get it to adhere back onto the shoe, MacGyver style. Can you EVEN? It worked pretty well; that bow went nowhere until I got home.

Stay tuned for a White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Styling Spray giveaway! I'll post the entry form later today.

June Jacobs Opens Exclusive Spas With Spa Chakras

June Jacobs has collaborated with Spa Chakra at the Short Hills Hilton to provide a unique spa experience for its exclusive clientele by utilizing the paraben and preservative free June Jacobs Spa Collection and creating customized “perfect pairings,” a combination of treatments designed to provide maximum relaxation and rejuvenation in an optimal amount of time.

The existing spa was completely renovated and now boasts more than 15,000 square feet of space with 13 treatment rooms, a 50-foot indoor pool, elevated Jacuzzi, full-service beauty salon, gift boutique and complete health club. The Hilton Short Hills is located at 41 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, NJ 07078. Call 973-379-0100 to make a reservation.

Dashing Diva's Enzymatic Pumpkin Pedi

I have a weakness for anything seasonal of late. I never used to be like this. Somehow, this year, spiced baked goods, the annual Pumpkin Spice Latte, warm fires, and lots of burnt orange clothing are just... calling to me. So when I found out about Dashing Diva's Enzymatic Pumpkin Pedicure, I was, natch, right on top of that, Rose.

This pedi is not to be missed. The one-hour treatment starts with Dashing Diva's signature collagen enriched JellyBath. I lurve me some JellyBath, dolls. It's like warm, soothing preJello-infused water. It sounds vile; it's so incredibly NOT. It softens skin to the NINES. Next, skin is prepped with their Autumn Berry Body Buff to slough away any remaining dead skin and prep feet for exfolation. Then, your feet and legs are painted with the Enzymatic Pumpkin Mask and wrapped in plastic bags for five minutes. The mask smells divine and the enzymes are a natural exfoliant that delivers vitamins and minerals into the skin tissue. Then, you're treated to a ten-minute leg and foot massage using Orange Spice Massage Potion. DIVINE.

I enjoyed mine at the Union Square DD on 15th and 3rd on Sunday (the pedicure lounge at this location is pictured above) with Jamie, where we had a delightful time gabbing and relaxing on the salon's positively-made-for-lounging-and-gossiping couches.

$75 for the pedicure (prices may vary at different salons.)

Image credit: Dashing Diva

The Eau Spa Opens at the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach recently opened their new Eau Spa, a 42,000 square-foot palace that fuses baroque designs with modern accents for a sensory experience for its guests. I'm planning a trip for my birthday in June, to celebrate my emancipation from my two-year bridesmaid commitments on my day of birth. What better way to not celebrate OPNs (Other People's Nuptials) than a trip to sunny south Florida? Oh, I know. A trip that includes a jaunt to the Ritz-Carlton's new SPA! I'm most looking forward to the Scrub and Polish bar.

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Shobha's 2-for-1 Bikini Sale!

Lots of news from one of my fave NYC salons, Shobha, dolls!

Introduce a friend to Shobha with a bikini treatment and save! Now through Sunday, February 8th, the salon is offering 2-for-1 bikini treatments when you come with a friend. Code: 21B0109 (use when scheduling online).

Please note: at least one person must be new to Shobha; offer valid through 02.08.2009; savings may not be combined with other discounts or special offers; discount will be applied to equal or lesser valued treatment; both treatments must be checked out in the same transaction.

May I recommend their Sugaring treatment? Or, better yet, ressionista it and buy their Sugaring Kit ($30) for use at home. I'm in LOVE with it. It's the best at-home bikini treatment I've tried yet - And I've tried far too many. This kit contains a microwave-friendly container of Shobha's signature 100% natural salon formula accompanied by the new Shobha Talc-Free Powder, resusable Shobha Spatulas and machine-washable Shobha Denim Strips for money-saving, eco-friendly treatments at home.

I tried my kit out last week and found it very easy to use, it removed all traces of hair with VERY minimal pain, zero irritation and the best part? Those denim strips work like a charm and REALLY are washable. I tossed mine into the laundry this week and they're good as new. Thank you Shobha, for eliminating my need to repurchase at-home wax kits every five minutes (before I even run out of wax) because I'm simply out of removal strips. This set is good for the earth, good for your low pain threshold, and good for your need for your lady parts to look fly on a regular. I plan to rebuy and rebuy this one!

Bliss' Say "Farewell" to Bush Sale

Readers in NY, LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta and Scottsdale, listen up. Get 20% off of Bliss' signature Brazilian bikini wax and post-waxing products when you enter "BUSH" at checkout online. Call 877 To Bliss or click here to book.