St. Tropez Perfume Pendant & Aroma Discovery Set
“The idea of the pendant [pictured above] came out of passion and necessity,” shares Veronique Gabai, an icon in the fragrance world and founder of the eponymous fragrance collection. “I love and work with perfume, I travel a lot, and want to travel light! But then, what do you do with all the perfumes that shape your mood and your work? Well, I love jewelry, too, so I thought creating a piece of jewelry containing scent would be a great solution.”
And indeed it is. The St. Tropez pendant is a functional and chic style statement that opens with the flick of a thumb to reveal a miniature spray of perfume. Available in a gold or silver finish, the pendant comes with an adjustable chain and is adorned with a small sun symbol. Gabai recently added her Aroma line to her collection of miniature sprays. Aroma includes Heart for a boost of joy, Soul for peace of mind, and Body for sensual energy. Not sure which Aroma suits you best? There’s a fun diagnostic test on the site that pairs you with your ideal Aroma match, depending on your current mood. Pendant, $390; Aroma Discovery Set $19
Livas Pochette in Snow White
Who doesn’t need a pretty snow-white leather pouch that doubles as a clutch? These perfect little travel bags, custom-made and available in two sizes, are ideal for carrying your essentials. The pebbled white calf leather Livas pouches are unlined and feature a piece of brass hardware exclusively designed by Andria Mitsakos, founder of Anthologist. “The Livas comes in many colors and textures,” says Mitsakos. “One of my favorite pieces, it’s my go-to bag within a bag, and doubles as a clutch for evening or a long lunch. Here it is in snow-white leather which represents not only your winter peaks, but the puffy white clouds that move with the wind.” The Livas Pochette is named after the Greek wind god who looks after those balmy southwest breezes. Each are handcrafted in an atelier in Athens, Greece, and celebrate the traditional leatherwork craft which Mitsakos has helped to revive as part of her brand’s mission of cultural preservation. As they are custom-made, please allow three to five weeks for delivery.
Petite Dimensions: 7.5” L x 5.5” H x 2″D (19cm L x 14cm H x 5cm D); $145
Grande Dimensions: 14” L x 7” H x 3″D (25cm L x 19cm H x 8.5cm D); $165
Baby Alpaca Throw
Once reserved for Incan royalty, these supremely soft and extremely lightweight throws, available from The Madison Collection, offer the texture of cashmere, the luster of silk, and the functionality of wool. For those of you who may be wondering, “baby” here does not refer to the age of the animal, but rather to the softest hair on the alpaca. The Madison Collection has always had a serious commitment to manufacture products that are clean and sustainable—and these beautiful pill-resistant throws are no exception. Crafted from 100 percent Fair Trade Baby Alpaca, sustainably sourced from Peruvian Farmers high in the Andres mountains.
“This item is a complete outlier compared to our core collections,” says Gilad Lang, President, The Madison Collection. “It’s featured because it completes the spa linen relaxation experience, and it’s a touch point that encapsulates our discerning ‘feel’ of all things fabulous.” The throws measure 51″ x 71″ and start at $250; available in Gris, Lilac, or Verde.
Posh Glamour Gabriella Goddess Bracelet
Is there a better color than blue to signify spa? I love the pop of color in this Gabriella Goddess bracelet from jewelry designer and Feng Shui Grand Master Carole Shashona. Revered for millennia, lapis lazuli is a powerful stone that was a favorite of the ancient Egyptians (among many cultures) who carved it into amulets and ornaments. It is believed that Cleopatra even adorned her eyes with powdered lapis. You can adorn your wrist with this bracelet and “elevate your winter palette with glamour . . . that’s pleasure,” says Shashona, who adds, “A little color goes a long way. The power of lapis! Master being cool, calm, and captivating wearing lapis jewels that balance and keep you sailing forward with confidence. I call Gabriella the happy Gabby goddess—creative, innovative, and often daring.” Sterling silver, blue lapis, and 2.06 ctw black diamond; Artisan made in Los Angeles; $3,000.
A Week at the Golden Door
Photo by Tanveer Badal
Confess: You’ve always wanted to go to the Golden Door . . . Well, if you’ve had a good year, and you can swing $11,950, this is the ultimate Insider’s spa gift to yourself. That all money at the Golden Door goes to charity makes it twice as nice. Originally opened in 1958, the property takes its aesthetic from the Japanese honjin, or inn. Bamboo forests, koi ponds, and Japanese gardens abound. Best of all, this past February, the Door unveiled its enticing new Bathhouse.
The biggest challenge, according to Kathy Van Ness, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, was to keep its authenticity in this age of technology. Another challenge was how to create quiet places where guests could enjoy not only time alone, but each other’s company. “That was the beginning of imagining a space where people could gather and pause, have the quiet energy of other guests, but also have a space to lower their energy,” said Van Ness. “If you can combine warm bubbling water with slow-moving visual imagery, a Japanese raked garden, and a private space, you will absolutely change your pace.” Add the delectably creative farm-to-table meals of Executive Chef Greg Frey, Jr., a massage a day, 30 miles of hiking trails, tons of rejuvenating mind-body classes, topnotch personal training (ask for fitness specialist Carol Tibbetts)—and you have all the makings of a new you. goldendoor.com
Knesko Skin Rescue Holiday Kits
The importance of creating rituals in one’s life is paramount today—and with good reason—but there’s one enterprising woman who has quietly perfected the art. Lejla Cas, Co-Founder and President of Knesko, is part Reiki master, part skincare specialist, and a whole lot of beauty visionary. Always intrigued with crystals and their metaphysical healing powers, she launched Knesko—a gorgeous collection of biodegradable gemstone-infused masks in 2012. With those Reiki-charged masks come instructions for calming mantras and meditation rituals to practice upon application.
What better season than now to mask and meditate? The new Holiday Kits (available for a limited time with very special holiday pricing), come in all six skincare collections and include a face mask, eye mask, and serum in a nice white travel bag. “Our Discovery Kits have been wildly popular,” shares Cas, “but this is the first time we include our advanced Gemstone serums in our kits. Our goal is for clients to integrate the full-sized serum into their skincare regimen with a daily ritual.” Knesko’s six skincare collections include Nanogold Repair, Diamond Radiance, Amethyst Hydrate, Rose Quartz Antioxidant, Black Pearl Detox, and Green Jade Calm. Specially priced Holiday Kits range from $135 to $155, and can be found here.
Unisex Hooded Blanket Poncho
Way back in 2004, I donned my first Kashwere robe and fell in love. Super-soft and lightweight, the robes wear and wash like a dream—and they are much copied but never duplicated. The line has grown in good ways, and in addition to its iconic robes, now offers all kinds of home goods and apparel. This unisex hooded blanket poncho, woven from Kashwere’s Dream Comfort yarn, epitomizes cozy and goes from armchair to campfire to beach walk to travel. Part poncho, part blanket, with spacious patch pockets, it envelops in a big soft hug. The generously sized hood adds a touch of a modern-day French Lieutenant’s Woman vibe. “This exquisite poncho transcends the ordinary, offering a versatile style that serves as both a stylish fashion statement and a cozy sanctuary,” shares a spokesperson for the brand.
Pictured here in Silver Fox/Pewter; $245.
SHA Wellness Clinic Cookbook
Collecting spa cookbooks is a favorite pastime of mine, so I was particularly pleased to learn that SHA Wellness Clinic recently released The Power of Healthy Food. The beautifully photographed cookbook is comprised of SHA’s practical health and nutrition wisdom and 70 nutrient-rich recipes that mirror the essence of SHA Wellness Clinic’s clean, balanced, and alkalizing cuisine. Divided into the following chapters—breakfasts, teas and energy drinks, appetizers and starters, main dishes, sauces and dressings, desserts, smoothies, and therapeutic infusions—the book also includes a helpful list of pantry essentials. You don’t have to be an experienced cook to create recipes like Coral Lentil, Sweet Potato and Miso Hummus, Cauliflower and Truffle Soup, or Teriyaki Mackerel with Grilled Onion and Raspberries. This is a great gift for wellness enthusiasts who want to emulate a true spa cuisine experience at home.
Auberge At Home Spa Set
Auberge du Soleil is the epitome of quiet luxury. “There’s luxe, there’s luxury, there’s barefoot luxury, there’s even ultra-luxury,” wrote Insider’s Guide to Spas contributor Perry Garfinkel in this piece. Auberge du Soleil, simply put, is one of the top ultra-luxury boutique hotels in the world today. Each of the Auberge Resorts Collection spas has distinguished itself as best in class, but the spa at Auberge du Soleil was the first—and remains the flagship of the company. Now you can bring the award-winning spa home with the Auberge at Home Set that includes a thick and cozy classic winter robe, a pair of Auberge du Soleil slippers, a silk eye mask, and a package of custom ERDA tea that was created especially for Spa du Soleil. The organic loose tea is an addictive blend of spearmint and lemon verbena that’s grown in Napa Valley. The Auberge at Home Set retails for $378, and can be found here.
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. An advocate for all things spa, Mary forged a vocabulary for spa reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. Recently honored as a Top 30 Influential Voice Transforming Wellness by Medika Life, Mary is an inaugural honoree of Folio’s Top Women in Media Award. Her spa media roots run deep—in 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, in 2007, she co-founded Organic Spa magazine, and in between serving on the ISPA and NYSPA Board of Directors, she was on the launch teams of Luxury SpaFinder and New Beauty magazines. Named a "Wonder Woman of Wellness" by American Spa magazine, Mary was honored by the International Spa Association with the distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. She is a special advisor to the non-profit Global Wellness Day.
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