#14. Magic Make-up Day

Saturday was my Magic Make-up Makeover Day. 

So, welcome to Laura Mercier!

For years, I have used many types of cosmetics, and mostly from drugstores – so, having my makeup done professionally made the Top 40 ‘drops’ list. I must be the only 40-ish single girl in America still wearing my high school makeup.  (No judging please! I am sure you have memories of blue eyeliner and Bonnie Bell pink lipgloss.) I certainly think I’ve graduated from that style, but still could use some improvement.

Lauren was my makeup artist, and I quizzed her relentlessly as she worked literal “magic” on my face. It wasn’t easy….

There were approximately 43 brushes. (Seriously…)

And trays and trays and trays of products and colors.

Lauren was truly great – she patiently educated me about various LM products, and answered my barrage of questions. She had a toolbox of cosmetics and effortlessly turned my uneven skintone and patchy spots into a smooth, flawless complexion – which was absolutely radiant...It was intoxicating.  

Who knew the secret to beautiful skin was some fancy makeup?

And a make-up artist?

And a pseudo-assistant?

Hmmmm, I feel I may need an entourage.

OK – seriously. 

It was a fun experience. I felt like my makeup looked beautiful – but not overdone – which was exactly what I was looking for!

So, naturally, I bought one of everything:

Total cost? $155 and change.

Was it worth it? Yes!! 

Basking in the glow,

Girl Turns 40

#3. February Book Review - Writing Jane Austen

Grade: B-

I have always been a fan of Jane Austen. I love P&P (Pride & Prejudice) and S&S (Sense & Sensibility) – although it’s been a while since I’ve read them. 

My book choice for this month was particularly enticing…the main character, Georgina Jackson is a young, published writer who is given the opportunity to complete a newly discovered manuscript of an unfinished, unpublished novel purportedly penned by Jane Austen herself.  

Sounds promising, huh? What fun, right?

Well… hence my grade of B-. 

The book starts out pretty favorably. Georgina is hesitant and unsure of her ability to complete the book (Seriously! I would feel the same way…), and certainly in the caliber expected by her literary agent and the General Public. Georgina’ s agent is characterized similarly to Meryl Streep’s character in the Devil Wears Prada, and is pretty much a Cruella. There’s some conflict there – but the majority of the story revolves around the storyline of her bullying and stalking Georgina…demanding chapters, and updates, and general Devilish behavior.  Meanwhile, Georgina experiences writer’s block, procrastination, several distractions, and general lack of inspiration as ongoing issues for getting the book written.

There are a few supporting characters – but their storylines never meshed into anything meaningful for me. And of course, there’s also a pseudo-love interest….Henry, whom she rents a room.

To be honest, for the vast majority of the book…she is running away or hiding from the bosses. (I wonder how that tactic would work for me….? Not so much, I’m guessing.) Chapters and chapters and chapters go by with the same general theme. Then finally, as if the author’s real deadline was looming… the book is complete (although not quite what I was expecting), romance ignited, and all tied up in a bow within a couple of pages. Hummph.

How about a little more “Boom-Boom-Pow” in the middle and definitely at the end, Fergie?

I was left wishing and wanting for more - like Elizabeth Bennett.

And so, not to be a Cruella myself, there were some good points:

The author clearly has an affinity for Jane Austen, and has researched JA thoroughly. She writes about visiting Bath, riding a JA tour bus, and visiting JA museums - all sounding like the voice of experience. She gives a few wonderful descriptions of visiting Jane Austen-ish locations and attractions, and I  appreciated this “historical” input and imagery. It helps.

Additionally, the book is an easy read. It would be a decent beach novel or curl-up-by-the-fire novel, as her writing style is simple and straightforward. I prefer simple prose, it's easier on my brain.

But….

Mmmm....

I think I’ll dust off my P&P or my S&S, and brush up on the classics. 

Keep reading,

GT40

#26. The Spa at Grove Park Inn – My February Trip of the Month

The Grove Park Inn.

Built in 1913, by old-time drug dealers, really. The Inn was built by the Grove family who made their money by inventing, and then peddling their tonic for soothing the symptoms of malaria. 

It is absolutely beautiful – and I truly had no idea how BIG the resort would be. So we explored….and one of my favorite things was sitting on the west-facing terrace watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Then – on to the main attraction: The SPA.

Grove Park Inn and Spa was named #13 on Travel & Leisure’s list of Top World Spas in 2008.  

No doubt. 

Today was quite possibly, the most unusual but enjoyable experiences of my life.

So, we arrived at the Spa, and “checked in” like at a fancy hotel, wait – we’re at a fancy hotel… ummmm, anywho. It has it’s own check-in spa lobby. Huge waterfalls are everywhere, and the whole thing is subterranean, seriously. Can you imagine? 40,000 square feet of spas and pools – mostly underground.

We began our day by donning our swimsuits, and our Spa bathrobes and slippers, of course. We puttered down to the pool area where waterfalls are cascading from the rock walls and ceiling. We floated around the pool, then hopped over to the nearby hot tubs. 

When we were ready to dry out, we lounged by the fire in leather chaises.  I actually ventured to the outdoor spa area and enjoyed the mountain view warm beside the fire pit.

Yikes! Time for my spa treatment.

I went whole-hog, and opted for the “Fire, Rock, Water & Light” body treatment from the Heavenly Series. In a nutshell, it was basically 4 parts – a body scrub, then a Vichy waterfall treatment (more later, keep reading), a soaking bath, and finally a body masque/moisturizing treatment. Ahhh….

My therapist, Virginia, was great – 100% professional, courteous service all the way. I am grateful - I was in my birthday suite for most of our interactions. The first part of my treatment consisted of a scrub to exfoliate my entire body. Virginia can probably make a mean batch of buttermilk biscuits based on the way she kneaded and rolled and kneaded and rolled my body fat with that scrub.

Then – and this was incredible – the Vichy Shower.  There’s no way to describe this other than to show a picture.  It’s essentially a big long arm, with 7 shower heads. Virginia basically moved the arm (and showers heads) back and forth, up and down……pure heaven. An unusual experience for sure – it’s like taking a shower while lying down. (Photo credit: www.dmagazine.com - I couldn't get a picture of this at the Spa!)

Oh, and yes – water is everywhere. This treatment is carried out in a “wet room” so it’s not your typical massage experience!

Next, came a soaking bath…and then a foot massage with warm stones….then a neck, shoulders, and head massage… then the masque made with volcanic ash (I think that was the ‘fire’ part.) Need I go on?  It was 80 minutes long, and was over in a New York minute. Sigh.

(Meanwhile)

Momma went with me to the spa. While I was scrubbed, rubbed, and soapsud-ed, Momma had a pedicure complete with paraffin wax and warm river rocks between her toes. She also had a mimosa - and Momma don't drink. (My oh my, don't we do strange things when we are surrounded by beautiful things...) 

And as if it couldn’t get any better…..she also got a little box of chocolates at the end, which she shared with me. Delicious.

I fear I am addicted.

I am already trying to decide when I might go back.

Next weekend?

Oh my, no…I just couldn’t.


Feelin' Fabulous,

Girl Turns 40

PS - Just a quick note. The Spa asks that you not take pictures, but I managed a couple just to give you an idea. By all means, it doesn't do it justice. Check out their official photo gallery here.

Also, just in case you were wondering - the full list from Travel & Leisure in 2008:

1. Wickaninnish Inn, Vancouver Island, Canada

2. Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand

3. Lodge at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, California

4. Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis

5. Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya, Mexico

6. Esperanza Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

7. Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, California

8. Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, France

9. Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona

10. Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

11. Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, Maui

12. The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand

13. Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Asheville, North Carolina

14. One&Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas

15. Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas

16. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

17. The Peninsula, Chicago

18. Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado

19. Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California

20. American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin

Spa Prep

For my February TOTM (Trip of the Month), I will be pampered at one of the most lavish spas on the East side (of America)…the Spa at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

It ‘s the Grand Poobah Spa – and it’s a biggie on the Top 40 ‘drops’ list.

So, of course, I went to the spa today to get ready to go to the Spa this weekend.

First, order of business was a pedicure.

Tis the season of “knee-socks feet” illness… as in, No-One-Sees-My-Toes-Because-I-Wear-Boots syndrome.  It’s contagious, and can last anywhere from two weeks to two months. We’ve all come down with it at some point.  Anywho, it’s been too long since my last pedicure when my last OPI nail color was “Pink Flamenco” (Really.) 

Ahhh….!

Nothing cures like a good scrub, and a dose of OPI’s “Give Me Moor!” in deep eggplant purple hues.

So next – a little waxing was in order.

Not the full enchilada, so don’t get nervous…I won’t be posting any revealing pictures here!

In desperate need of a eyebrow wax and shape, and lip waxing…. Stephanie from Charles Grayson Spa did my brows. She is a master, and totally knows what she is doing – plus she’s a great girl!  Thanks to Stephanie and her magic waxing wands, I am sans a few fuzzy wuzzy areas, and looking better, no doubt from head to toe!

I feel sufficiently ready to head to the posh spa in the hills – so stay tuned for the full Spa report!

Smooth and silky,

GT40

#16. War of the Roses

There are two types of people in the world:

People who buy or give red roses on Valentine’s Day.

and

People who don’t....They buy/give potted pansies, herb gardens, or bouquets of other flowers, like carns, daisies, or mixed flowers in red and white.  

Well. I think I am a bit of a flower snob.

I know an order or a “dozen red roses” sounds cliché at Valentine’s Day, and I used to think it was…but now, I don’t think it is anymore!  I decided to ‘pay it forward’ and use my standing flower order this month for Momma, so I gave her a dozen red roses for Valentine’s Day.

You have to admit – they are stunning.

They may not be the most fashion-forward of floral arrangements, but we all know a classic item when we see it. It’s like the LBD of Valentine’s Day flowers.

So, anywho.....

Here’s a little rose trivia:

1. Guess how many varieties of roses there are – available for purchase throughout flower shops allover the US?

A lot, I’m sure. (tee hee)

I checked with a national wholesaler that actually supplies flowers to local shops – and they had 656 types of roses to from. 656!

2. True or False?

Florists sell more flowers on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday.

False! Mother’s Day is the top grossing holiday. Not everyone has a sweetheart, but everybody has a Momma.

I hope you had a fab Valentine’s Day! 

Let’s all stop and smell the roses, and buy some too.

GT40