MissyK

I am a huge fan of Thai Massage. In fact, if I had my way, it would be the only massage I would ever get. I have my favorite place in San Francisco, but new to New York, I had no idea where to go.

I came across Reinhold's listing for Thai Massage and decided to give it a try, especially as two of his locations are very close to my home and work.

I went to the Union Square location, which is a wellness collective where a number of wellness treatments are offered by various practitioners.

The massage took place in a small but simple and clean room, with mat on the floor. After I reviewed my medical and massage history with Reinhold (who is also a medical masseuse, which is a bonus), we started the massage, which I realized was a bit different than the Thai massage I am used to in San Francisco. Reinhold explained to me that there are two Thai schools - the Bangkok style and the Northern style. I was used to the Bangkok style, which puts more emphasis on massage and pressing hard on various points throughout the body. Meanwhile, the Northern method, which is Reinhold's specialty, focuses more on stretching, movement and alignment.

Though I love deep, deep massages, I really enjoyed this experience as well, as I could tell that my body desperately needed to be pulled and twisted in various directions. It reminded me of the physical therapy I used to have twice a week and my body was thankful.

It is a very active massage, but probably one of the best kinds you can get. Reinhold is incredibly knowledgeable, intuitive, strong but gentle. I look forward to many more Thai massages with Reinhold and highly recommend to all.

I got a customized facial with Elena at Clarins Skin Spa's Upper East Side location and was excited to see how this facial would differ from others I have had in the past. I have known about the Clarins brand for a long time and was wondering if I would notice a difference afterward.

While I was waiting for my appointment, I had a great chat with Desiree in the Clarins boutique, who was obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about skin care. She took time to explain different products and skin care regimens to me (without trying to push any products),and I really appreciated that. I told her that I would love if she and Clarins organized an event at the spa to educate customers about skin care, especially how it changes as you age.

Next Elena took me to the treatment room where I got changed. I loved the dressing area, that had nice Clarins products you could try after your treatment. The room was quiet, smelled wonderful and was very relaxing. I also liked that the ceiling was painted like a blue sky with white clouds; it was very peaceful.

Elena came in and proceeded to ask me a number of questions to understand my skin, habits and concerns. She then explained what the facial would entail, and it was very informative, clear and helped me understand what she would be doing. I loved the way Elena communicated all this and felt like I was in very good hands.

The facial was wonderful, and Elena's touch was gentle and relaxing. There was a nice temple, neck and arm massage and the time seemed to go by slowly. Not only did I get a facial cleansing, I felt like I got a very relaxing mini massage treatment. There were no extractions to the treatment, as Clarins does not believe in them, and I did not mind, feeling like my skin was truly rejuvenated without it.

After the facial, Elena gave me an overview of what was going on with my skin and since I asked, went over some products I may want to purchase to help deal with my issues.

It was a lovely experience, one I want to repeat, and definitely the best facial ever. And Elena the best facialist!

Popped by for a quick pedicure, was a lovely experience. The spa is a bit small but clean and they had all the essentials, from magazines and TV to pass your time during the pedicure to offering a wide array of treatments at great prices. A good standard nail spa I would go to again.

Lovely spa hidden away on 14th Street (you'd never know it was there) with a great ambiance... I made an appointment online, which was easy enough, and popped by quick for a bikini wax. They were very understanding about my lateness (it was one of those snowstorm days). The therapist whose name unfortunately now escapes me was really nice and made the whole experience much more comfortable than it usually is. As I was lying on the table during the waxing, I was looking above at the most soothing, interesting light fixture I've ever seen. I felt like I could have fallen asleep right there and am definitely curious to try other treatments at White Tea MedSpa!

Was getting a burger at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park one Saturday afternoon when I spied Bleu Sur Bleu across the street and their ad for $29 for a blowout. I needed one for that evening as I was going out for birthday drinks and was able to schedule an appointment.

Came back and had Ana as my stylist, who was fabulous. She rightly noted that I might need to trim my upper layers a bit (if I had time, I would have let her do it) and then she gave me a great blowout, a lovey, wavy, sleek look, exactly what I wanted.

Got lots of compliments that evening on my hair and would recommend Ana!

As someone who has wild, thick and curly hair, I am really picky about who I will go to for a haircut. And since I have a nomadic existence and move around quite often, I find myself always looking for a new hair salon and stylist, which is not ideal. Since moving to NYC about six months ago, I wasn't sure where to go for a much-needed cut and contemplated waiting until my next trip home to San Francisco to visit my favorite stylist. But this MobDeal on Wahanda popped up for a haircut at Salon 13 in the Lower East Side, and I decided to give it a try for a few reasons: the price point was great (even a full price cut is still affordable), the salon seemed to have fun, hip, stylish vibe to it, and I was intrigued by getting a cut by a celebrity hairstylist.

My appointment was on a late Saturday afternoon, and I mixed up my appointment, so ended up arriving an hour early. Seamus, one of the owners, was lovely and suggested I pop by his friend's bar around the corner, noting that they'll take care of me, which they did! Came back and was asked if I wanted a beer, which I declined since I'm not a beer drinker and just had a nice glass of wine at the bar.

My cut was with Alx, who immediately gave me her recommendation on what we should do with my hair. I was surprised for she seemed to know exactly what I wanted and needed before I had the chance to give her my usual spiel about my hair. Alx got to work and I could tell I was in expert hands, which allowed me to relax and enjoy the funky ambiance of Salon 13 with its longhorn skull, purple walls, photography exhibit and eclectic mix of country and alternative music. A very unique salon experience; felt more like I was hanging out with friends on a chill weekend afternoon and left with a fabulous, manageable cut. Totally recommend!

I was looking for a new neighborhood spot for a bikini wax and happened to walk by Eve, which looked so inviting from the outside, with its little boutique of goodies and comfy waiting area. So I scheduled a bikini wax one Saturday morning with Yasmin, who is probably the most knowledgeable "wax expert" I have ever been to! I had gotten out of my wax routine and had spent the last year shaving, using depilation creams or whatever was handy in an emergency, about-to-run-to-the-beach situation. This became immediately apparent to Yasmin who informed me what the result of my schizophrenic hair removal combinations ... She did her magic, told me that the next session would get me back to where I needed to be and gave me good recommendations on what to do in between waxing, which totally helped.

I also appreciated the time that she took afterward to point out what beauty products I would be interested in based on my beauty needs. I have to say that I have loved every one of my purchases, from the momma-to-be lotion (which is great even if you aren't a mommy) to the gentle facial scrub I have been looking forever...and finally the sugary, sweet-smelling body scrub that helps keep ingrown hairs at bay ...

A great experience, and I especially love Eve's loyalty program and email updates about latest services, offerings and so on.

I got the Aveda Elemental Nature Massage that I bought as a Wahanda MobDeal and have to say that my second experience at Reve was just as impressive as the first! I got a facial a few months ago at this new spa, which was probably the best facial ever. And now I can say that this massage ranks up there among the best, and I've had quite a few.

I basically had everything to do with my massage therapist Rie, who was incredibly attentive and skilled as a masseuse. Though this was a full body massage, she did focus more time on my back, shoulders and neck, where I hold a lot of tension, which I appreciated. You can also tell that Rie has been well trained for her massage techniques felt different and more effective than those used by most massueses. It really felt like she was getting into the stubborn knots and releasing a lot of the tension. I also liked how at the end she stretched my legs out a bit, which reminded me of a Thai Massage and was great.

Fabulous massage and Reve is my new to-go massage place on the Peninsula!

I hadn't had a facial in awhile and stopped by The Estheticians to get one from Natasha. It was a very relaxing experience, and I could tell that Natasha was very knowledgeable. She was great at explaining what was going on with my skin, I loved the products she used and left feeling cleansed and new. My skin didn't look too bad afterwards (it usually does because of the extractions), and I could feel that my skin was quite happy that I had treated it to a long overdue facial. Highly recommended!

I decided to get a manicure and pedicure at New York Diva since it is close to the place I am staying. It looks like one of your typical low-cost nail salons, where the basic services are offered. Not a fancy environment, but it looked clean and well-kept, without some of the crazy decorations you see at other places. Interesting to notice that there is also an area where some trays are stored, where the regular customers keep their own nail files, cuticle scissors, etc.

The staff was nice and pleasant, overall a very comfortable environment. The pedicure was good and has been holding. The manicure was also classic, standard... Sometimes I allow them to cut the cuticles as they get really overgrown (I know that's a no-no in general, but anyway) .. and I haven't had too much of a problem with that yet. However, in the area where one fussy hangnail in my thumb was causing grief, which she did manage to extricate -- it has been throbbing ever since, about three days later, and I hope that I have not developed a possible infection. Just put some Neosporin on the spot and hope that will help matters.

Manicure was cheap, at $10 pre tax (and if you don't want to be charged extra, say no to the "Quik-dry's" etc) and the pedicure was a tiny bit more expensive than I expected it to be, at $25, considering what's included, but that's okay ... Was a quick in-and-out, just what I needed.

In town for a wedding, I was looking for a good, affordable place near my friend's place to get a blowout for the big day ... Compared to some of the salons I walked by in the area, Salon Ziba looked a lot more sophisticated, with a cool vibe, and expected that the blowout prices would start at $50 and up. So I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they started at $38 (and considering I just got my hair chopped off, I didn't have too much hair to dry, so that price point was great for me).

Natalia was my hairstylist and I told her I wanted my hair blow dried straight, with a deep part ... She asked if I wanted some curl, or bounce to my hair, and I responded with an adamant "No", remembering past "blowouts" where I end up looking like Shirley Temple. I have to give it to Natalia, though; she did exactly what I asked her to do, which was to somehow get my curly, unruly hair stick straight ... It was actually a bit too straight, but that was my own fault for not responding positively to her suggestion nor bringing a photo.. Visits to the hairstylists, I have discovered, definitely require you to do your own homework and bring photos if necessary, for now I saw clearly how difficult it is to explain what you want in a hairstyle. I was happy with it though and the hairstyle stayed perfect throughout the whole day and night well into the next day ...

Overall a very good experience...

I decided to go to get my hair cut with Hillary after a recommendation by my cousin, who loved her haircut. For the past few months, i have been patiently growing out layers so that I could finally get my hair back to some manageable state. Hillary was great at listening to my "hair history", my hair's behavior and my own personality when it comes to managing my hair. She then proceeded to give me two different options, and explained very well the reasoning behind each and what what my hair would look like if I decide to go for a straight or natural look, finding photos to help visualize it all.

I decided to go with the option that would give me a more sleek, controlled look, meaning that we had to cut off quite a few inches. Though I was a bit bummed to lose length, I am really glad I went for this option for my hair immediately got some bounce and life and looks super healthy...and I've already gotten the same comments from friends. I loved the fact that Hillary listened, explained the options clearly and then did exactly what she said she would do. She was also fun to talk to during the cut, and it was cool that I sat under a hair dryer for awhile to let my hair dry a bit naturally, so we could see how the cut would shape out. I actually enjoyed that quiet time under the dryer, along with my Friday night glass of wine.

Meanwhile, the salon is up on the 2nd floor on Market in the Castro, a really convenient location and a big open space inside... Cool and comfy. It was a chill atmosphere and really relaxing ... getting a great cut at a fabulous price. Totally recommend both the salon and Hillary!

That's it. I'm in love. I'm addicted. I am never going back to a regular massage again if I can help it.

This was my first experience of a Traditional Thai Massage and I had no idea what to expect since I did not know what a Thai massage was nor did I bother to research it ahead of time. A friend suggested we go to Suchada, her favorite massage in San Francisco, which she tries to fit into her schedule at least once a month. Based on her enthusiasm, loyalty and the great price point ($90 for a 90 minute massage, for example), I was sold. Little did I know that all my secret wishes for the ideal massage were about to be fulfilled.

For the longest time, whenever I find my body scrunched up into a tense and painful ball of interwoven knots, I remember the Muppets episode where Gonzo is on a torture machine, his legs and arms being pulled in opposite directions. That's what I want, what I've always wanted: someone or something stretching and twisting my long limbs as far as they can go so I can finally say "Be gone!" to all the aches that seem to be permanently stored within. I've also daydreamed of someone taking a rolling pin to the knots in my back, wringing my body like a wet towel, walking on my back... you get the picture. But I thought that the best I could do was regularly take Yoga classes and get deep, intense massages, the combination which still never quite hit the spot. Who knew that what I've been wanting all these years is a Thai massage.

Suchada on King Street is a little sliver of a space, but they've done a great job with the area they've got. The moment you walk in the door, you feel like bits of Thailand have been transported to San Francisco and you immediately get into the mood for a different experience. After signing in and noting how strong I wanted the massage to be, with what areas to focus on, I got changed into a cute little outfit -- a loose tank top and wide-legged "culottes" that tie at the waist. (My only recommendation is to be given slippers as well since shoes are left in the waiting area).

On either side of a narrow hallway with dark wooden floors are the massage areas. A golden curtain is opened from the middle, and you climb up on a platform and into your home for the next hour or two. First I have to say that the massage area is so warm and inviting, and I started to get ideas for home decorating. The mattress on the floor is incredibly comfortable (so much so that I have started to consider sleeping on a floor mattress), covered with a beautifully-patterned sheet, and there's a face pillow in which you rest your head, more cushiony than the ones attached to regular massage tables. The floor and ceiling with wooden beams are a rich dark wood, and two rope-like sheets, again with a great pattern, are hanging from the beams. The wall is painted a deep red/burgundy with a lovely design and there's even a baby clock with Thai numbers in place of our usual Roman ones. It immediately felt special.

Patty was my massage therapist and she was great, with a wonderful and positive attitude, checking in every once in awhile on how I was doing. Though I had circled "Strong" on my sign-in sheet, she asked if "Medium" was okay as she started to knead into my back and shoulders with her hands and elbows. I thought I could take anything, but decided not to be too ambitious and stayed with "Medium", as I could barely grunt out my response that Yes, this was fine... Within a couple minutes, all the ropes and knots and marbles that are usually hiding deep within sprang to the top. What usually takes someone else an hour to reach, Patty had gotten to immediately. I remember thinking to myself, "Now THIS is a massage."

For the next 90 minutes, Patty used her hands, knuckles, elbows, knees and feet and perhaps other body parts to knead and pound, push and pull, bend and twist my body. I realized afterwards that she used the ropes hanging from the beams to hold onto while she walked on my back, my glutes, my legs, or to push parts of my body in different directions. I was covered with towels the whole time, so it felt comfortable and this also kept me warm. I could feel my body generate this unusual warmth from within, which felt healing, and I could feel the tension and toxins being released from all parts of my body. Knots which were like lost sunken treasures at the bottom of the sea rose to the top and were dealt with swiftly and immediately. My arms and legs were placed into different positions as Patty used all the tools in her massage arsenal to get to my aches and pains. It's a strangely active and passive massage at the same time. Your body is being moved in different directions, but it is like you are a Raggedy Ann doll, totally loose and yielding. My favorite bits were when I would hold on to Patty's arms and then she would stretch me in ways I can't stretch myself, like when I am lying on my stomach, my arms are behind me and she pulls me back into an arch. I could've stayed in that position forever. At some points, it felt like I was at the chiropractor or a physical therapist, as she bent my legs up and behind me ... I couldn't keep track of all the moves but I was in heaven. It was as if you took all my favorite moves from massage therapy, chiropractic and physical therapy sessions and mixed them all up in one fabulous pot.

The only area we had some issues were my shoulders, which I think must be encased in concrete slabs. She seemed perplexed by them and kept returning to them over and over, trying different methods. She even used tiger balm oil at one point, which didn't seem to do much to ease my stubborn shoulders. At the very end, I sat up cross-legged, and she took her arm and elbow and just dug into my shoulders. It was probably the first time ever that little meowing yelps of pain escaped from me, but it was necessary. There was no other way to break that area apart, but some progress has been made.

I was left with two thoughts at the end of the massage, as I lay resting on the mattress. First, I wanted to go to sleep immediately and was certain that I was probably going to have one of the sweetest, deepest, most restful sleeps in at least three years. I already felt light, as if my mind had been cleared, as if I could breathe properly again...like some space had been created around me. The other thought was what I used to shout out at the amusement park after taking a ride on my favorite roller coaster: I want to go again! I was immediately ready for another 90 minute session and wondered if it would be too much to make another appointment for next weekend.

I absolutely loved this massage and the whole experience and can't wait to go again. I do know, however, that this might not be for everyone. I'm not sure this is good for someone with back issues, and if you don't like such active massages and would prefer to stay face down and immobile during a massage, then this is not for you.

But I know for me that I have now expanded my thinking and no longer consider a massage just something for your back. In order to get the full benefits, you absolutely have to engage your whole body in order to truly release all the aches and pains, knots and toxins that build up over time.

I also don't know if I would trust a Thai massage just anywhere. Suchada has a great local reputation and many of the massage therapists have received not only formal training in th US, but also extensive training at WatPo, a well-known massage training facility in Thailand.

I can't wait for my next massage and plan on adding the herbal compress option to my appointment.

Pure bliss!

I had a free one-month gym pass for this location so I went with my mother a few times to check out the new Gold's Gym, which used to be the famous Dennis Nelson gym in Redwood City (where I spent many moments as a kid in the childcare ... I still remember some crazy orange shag carpets!)

The renovation of this gym was stunning... if it weren't for the old bench press on display from the 50s, from when Mr. Nelson (a competitive bodybuilder who won the1955 Mr. Muscle Beach competition) opened his own health club, I would have had no idea that we were in the same space. It's got the Gold Gym brand all around and I am impressed with the creative use of the space. My only complaint is that the space is sadly too small. I've been to the San Mateo location by Whole Foods, which is much larger with its two levels and has a great design.

Though I'm not one who is big on watching TV while running on a treadmill, I did like that all the cardio equipment gave you great entertainment options... and the changing/shower room is nice. I like the design of the yoga studio, which is just big enough. However, the area for stretching and conditioning exercises is too too small and you are elevated one level above the weight training area, so you feel like you are exposing yourself to the rest of the gym while you are stretching and doing your situps and pushups.

I didn't make it too often to this gym, mostly to check out the yoga classes, which were taught by different teachers. Most of the students were older ladies and the yoga was quite slow, but it suited me at the time...

Overall I think they did a nice job with renovating Dennis Nelson to Gold's Gym and it's a great new addition to the area... I know that my father loves it and goes all the time and has made new friends at the gym.

I have been going to 24 Hour Fitness in San Carlos for awhile for strength and cardio training. The gym is well-equipped: it has an enormous group exercise room, which is so large that I can't imagine that it can ever feel crowded; there are just enough cardio machines to suit your needs; the spinning room is always packed, filled with loud music and spinners; and the weight area has pretty much everything you need. I am not a fan of the changing/shower area, however, and it is difficult to find parking during peak hours. In addition, I really wish this 24 Hour location had a pool. But overall the facilities are good, even though it is lacking in ambiance; it feels like you are in a converted warehouse.

I finally decided at some point to sign up for personal training sessions with Marc P., who is a great trainer. His training style fits my personality perfectly. He takes time in the beginning to assess where your body is at (weight and muscle-wise) and makes a plan of action, both in terms of nutrition and fitness, explaining his recommendations. I seemed to pose an unusual challenge for Marc, since my goals are to gain, not lose, weight, as well as to build upper body strength... and he seemed excited about taking on this seemingly rare weight issue :)

I am the type of person who does not get motivated by being yelled at and pushed aggressively by a trainer. I spent years training as a dancer, years in which we had intense 2 hour conditioning sessions filled with screaming and threats. I don't respond to such training anymore and knew that if I came across a trainer like that, I'd quit. Luckily Marc has just the right blend of motivation and understanding, and I already knew he'd be an awesome trainer since he got my sister into fabulous shape for her wedding. In fact, it turns out that I was pushing myself harder than he was, which actually led me to have one moment of lightheadedness and nausea. Marc immediately ended the session and explained why I felt so ill and what to do about it. For someone who hates the gym environment, I started to look forward to my training sessions with Marc and noticed a positive difference in my energy and strength pretty soon...

Unfortunately I had to stop our training sessions due to a busy travel schedule and the holidays .. . and the the Bay Bridge shutdown occurred, which prevented Marc from getting down to the Peninsula to work at the gym. But he is so dedicated to his clients that he tried to get down to San Carlos every morning (waking up at a god-forsaken hour), despite the fact that most people gave up on trying to commute during this shutdown.

I haven't gotten back into a gym schedule yet, but look forward to starting up some new sessions with Marc again soon. One more note: Marc has also been a trainer for over 20 years and looks amazing himself, looking much younger than his actual age! You'd never guess! Quite an inspiration.

For my sister’s wedding, six women went in for manicures and pedicures. The problem with getting one’s nails done at Babai (which is a problem I have found at most Croatian salons) is that there is only one manicure station and one pedicure station, so it’s really not possible to get manicures at the same time as your friends and can be quite time-consuming. The manicures and pedicures are more expensive at Babai than one is used to in the West (and this is again true for most Croatian salons). I think part of the reason is that the OPI nail polishes many salons offer are ridiculously expensive here, so they pass the costs on to the customer. However, the manicures/pedicures were very well done and lasted a long time.

Owned by the wife of Dino Rada, a former basketball player for the Boston Celtics, Babai is a lovely oasis in the concrete suburbs of Split. Though it can be a challenge to find the spa, which is located in a complex of ugly Communist-era buildings, once you enter, you immediately feel a sense of peace and serenity. The modern rooms are inspired by the East and are quite soothing with dim lighting and lovely scents. I have had a number of massages at Babai with different masseuses and have been mostly satisfied with the quality of the services. During my time in Split, I knew I could depend on Babai therapists giving good, quality massages, so it became one of my regular stops for weekly massage sessions.

I was really curious and excited about taking my first class at the newly-opened PeaceBank Yoga Studio in Redwood City ... not only because the studio is gorgeous with its dark hardwood floors and beautifully engraved "yoga" window (which looks out onto the yoga boutique chock full of goodies), but also because it seemed like great yoga had finally come to Redwood City! It gets tiresome driving the 20 minutes or so to take yoga at all the wonderful studios in the Palo Alto area, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I could finally start a meaningful yoga practice just five minutes from home...

I decided to try the "Restorative Flow" Yoga class, because it seemed like it would be a good introduction to the studio and I am not ready yet for the Power or Hot Yoga classes. I have never taken a Restorative class, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a late evening class with about half a dozen people; a really relaxing atmosphere. The studio was warmer than what I am used to, but after awhile I actually liked it, especially as I started to notice that I could sink deeper into my poses. Michelle, the instructor, led us through a quick series of flow movements, and if you have never taken a yoga class, this might be too fast. But she also emphasized time and again to do as much as you can and gave options on how to adjust the pose if it was too difficult. No pressure at all. The only thing I wish there was more of would be an anatomical guide of how to position one's body in certain poses, as I tend to forget about my tailbone and such in the Warrior Pose, etc. and like to be reminded ...

Just as I was thinking that I must have misread the schedule and was taking a fast flow class, we hit the halfway mark and it was time for the restorative bit of the class, which was great. We sat in a number of restorative poses with bolsters and other props for long periods of time. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to like it, but it was heaven. It was nice to unwind after the fast-moving flow poses and my body kept whispering "thank you"; somehow I felt like I was getting a really good massage. One of my favorite poses was lying sideways onto a bolster with my legs bent under me, as it really opened up my hips and gave a good, yummy, cat-like stretch. It was so relaxing (in an active way) that I felt my body sink and sigh into happiness, and I even thought about trying to sleep in that pose for a full eight-hours.

It was a lovely juxtaposition, going from flow to the restorative poses, and Michelle was perfect in leading us from one to another. I liked the music she used as well (though some said it was a bit distracting for them).

I really look forward to taking more classes at my new "home studio", especially as I purchased a new student 30-day package for $40, which is a real treat. Yippee! Unfortunately I think that that deal has ended, but it's really motivating me to try out all that PeaceBank has to offer. A great first impression and definitely recommended!

Not having time to get my haircut at home before a trip to London, I decided to see if I could quickly find a good, local and affordable hair salon while here. I went to the Deals page on Wahanda's website and filtered the salons down to Central London, coming across a fabulous 40% off deal at Fordham Soho very close to work. Not only were they offering an awesome deal, they had gotten some great reviews, so I was excited to try them out.

I first have to say that I was impressed by Fordham's responsiveness. I sent a message via Wahanda asking to book an appointment on Friday night, and the salon called me back within 20 minutes and set one up immediately for the date and time requested. The day before my haircut, I got a mobile text reminder about my appointment, which I really appreciated. On the morning of the appointment, I had a question about the deal the salon was offering and sent another email via Wahanda. Once again I got a prompt response from the salon and was duly impressed...

The whole salon experience was just as impressive. I was offered a generous complimentary glass of delicious red wine (so perfect on a Friday night) and sat to have a chat with Claire, a senior stylist, about my hair. Of all the hairstylists I have been to, Claire was definitely the best listener. I could tell that she was actually listening and not just nodding blankly as I described my hair woes. I told her that my hair was an unmanageable mess and that I didn't know what to do with it anymore. I also stressed that I need an easy, wash-and-go style because I don't have the time, patience nor skills to fuss around with my hair.

She quickly assessed the situation and explained that I had a crazy crop of layers in the front while the back of my hair was one heavy layer (the result of three different hairstylists chopping into my hair in the past six months). No wonder I was having such trouble! When she proposed the cut, she explained the reasoning behind it, which I appreciated, and also emphasized that I would just have to be patient with the front layers until they grow out in about three-four months.

As she was cutting my hair, she volunteered solutions for my hair frustrations. For example, as my hair started to dry during the cut, she noticed a distinct frizz and explained that it was the cause of frequent hair coloring and that an intensive weekly mask would do the trick. She also gave me two methods of drying my hair and explained both in detail, giving me the confidence that I could actually do this by myself. For the first time I actually feel like I might be able to have some control over my hair and am excited (gasp!) to try these methods myself.

Claire was great to talk to, very knowledgeable and answered all questions so easily and clearly. And she gave me a great cut as well... balancing out the all the crazy layers and making it much easier to manage my hair.

Highly recommended and I'd go to Fordham SoHo again in an instant!

So it was my sister's wedding day, my Nth time being a bridesmaid and I thought that this time, finally, I will get the hairdo that I want.

Almost. Not quite.

I had researched and found photos of the hairstyle I wanted ahead of time and my sister forwarded them on to the salon. I thought it should be easy, a simple Veronica Lake look, a deep part with soft waves cascading down one side of my face. Seems like such little work. The hairdresser was great, very fun and personable, and told me how excited she was about doing the style and that she had practiced ahead of time. And although the final result was pretty nice, it wasn't what I wanted and made me wonder if I could have done it myself had I tried.

My main complaint is that it looked like I had a deep part with curls bouncing on either side of my face. Afterwards I tried to brush them out a bit, but they were still a bit bouncy... The technique she used was different than the one offered in one of the magazines describing this look and I wondered if it would have been rude had I suggested she tried their way.

But overall a good experience...

Though I got this treatment at the Palo Alto location, the masseuse Vivian works mostly works in the Redwood City location, so here is an excerpt of my review of Vivian's massage at the Natalie Salon Palo Alto:

Thank God for Natalie Salon and Vivian!!! This was the best, the absolute best, massage I have ever had! And considering that I am a massage addict who has seen it all, this is saying a lot. I feel like I have found the holy grail of massages and found my savior in Vivian!

After a week of fighting unexplainable flu-like symptoms, suddenly dropping my exercise routine and spending too many hours hunched over my computer, my back started to rebel, big time. It stomped its foot down, yelled STOP! and threw a tantrum. I felt like I was going to split in two. The pain was so bad that I could not sit at my desk for more than 5 minutes. So I decided to be sensible, practical and economical and take a yoga class to make my body happy again. Instead the yoga class was a lesson in frustration as I tried out a new yoga class (which was the closest one I could find that hour) in which we barely moved!

As I was driving away from one of the most annoying yoga classes ever, I spied Natalie Salon on the corner of the street and quickly pulled into a parking spot. I had seen Natalie Salons all over the Peninsula but never thought about stopping in ... I didn't know much about it and figured it was either just another nail salon or an overpriced day spa. But I was so desperate that I told myself if they offered a half hour massage for $50, I'd do it.

I flew into the salon and asked if I could get a massage immediately and at what price. Turned out not only did they offer massages, it was only $40 for a half hour and Vivian, the masseuse, was immediately available. My luck had started to turn!

Regarding the massage, I had no expectations except for a brief respite from my back pain. I didn't even have the energy to tell Vivian what area to focus on, just mumbling something about my neck and upper and lower back pain. But I didn't care. I just wanted some relief.

Not only did Vivian provide relief, she dug into all, and I mean all, of my problem areas thoroughly and beautifully. Each mental wish I had -- that she would get to this or that area -- was somehow telepathically received and acknowledged. I could actually feel the knots being undone and different muscles sighing with happiness. If we had stopped at this point, this would have been enough for me to give the treatment a five-star rating. But there was more. And not just one surprise, but three!

First Vivian hopped up onto the table and dug into my glutes, which masseuses rarely do, even in full-body massages. That relieved even more tension in my back. Sometimes it seems like masseuses are afraid to touch you, but that was not the case here. Then she asked me to turn onto my back, which confused me, but then I saw that she wanted to work more on my neck (which I find therapists spend very little time on) and gave me a fabulous head and temple massage. Heaven. And then she asked me turn onto my stomach again. At this point it had felt like I was on the massage table for an hour, not just half an hour, and it was the first time during a massage in which I DIDN"T have the thought, "It's already over?!?" I thought it would be just a towel rubdown to remove the lotion when I hear Vivian fly out of the room, leaving me a bit bewildered, but I was so relaxed I didn't care. Suddenly she's back and there's something hot, almost bordering too hot, on my neck and upper back. It was so hot, but felt so good and I had no idea what it was. Hot oil? Hot lotion? I was so relaxed that I couldn't bother to ask when Vivian, once again reading my mind, told me it was a hot stone. Hot stone? Really? To me that was an extra, something you paid more for, but no, it was just a little bonus. It was the first time I had ever experienced hot stone and it felt brilliant.

The massage was fabulous. I felt like I had won the lottery with all the attention and extras. And it all lasted just one half-hour. I thought that if I could have two more half-hour sessions just like that, following this one, I'd be reborn, as nimble and happy as a newborn baby. I was tempted to do so :)

Vivian is awesome. It's like she could actually empathize with your areas of pain and was determined and happy to make it all go away. It felt like she actually cared ... and there are probably only two or three other masseuses out of dozens and dozens that I could say the same for. I was incredibly impressed with her service and decided then and there that Vivian is my masseuse from now on. I told her that that was honestly the best massage ever and that I'd be coming back. She informed me that she works mostly from the Redwood City location, which is just fine with me; I would drive miles and miles to get a massage from her.

This massage was just what a massage should always be! I was on a high and experienced a wonderful burst of new energy that lasted me throughout the day... Pure bliss!

Thank God for Natalie Salon and Vivian!!! This was the best, the absolute best, massage I have ever had! And considering that I am a massage addict who has seen it all, this is saying a lot. I feel like I have found the holy grail of massages and found my savior in Vivian!

After a week of fighting unexplainable flu-like symptoms, suddenly dropping my exercise routine and spending too many hours hunched over my computer, my back started to rebel, big time. It stomped its foot down, yelled STOP! and threw a tantrum. I felt like I was going to split in two. The pain was so bad that I could not sit at my desk for more than 5 minutes. So I decided to be sensible, practical and economical and take a yoga class to make my body happy again. Instead the yoga class was a lesson in frustration as I tried out a new yoga class (which was the closest one I could find that hour) in which we barely moved!

As I was driving away from one of the most annoying yoga classes ever, I spied Natalie Salon on the corner of the street and quickly pulled into a parking spot. I had seen Natalie Salons all over the Peninsula but never thought about stopping in ... I didn't know much about it and figured it was either just another nail salon or an overpriced day spa. But I was so desperate that I told myself if they offered a half hour massage for $50, I'd do it.

I flew into the salon and asked if I could get a massage immediately and at what price. Turned out not only did they offer massages, it was only $40 for a half hour and Vivian, the masseuse, was immediately available. My luck had started to turn!

As she led me through the nail/hair salon area to the back, I noticed how nice the salon's decor was and the large number of nail and hair salon stations available. I had no idea it was so big. We went into the massage room which was lovely but just short of perfect as the towel and the sheet on the massage table did not match the rest of the decor. I am not usually such a snob about these things, but considering that so much attention had been paid to detail in other areas of the salon, it would make the whole spa experience just perfect if things matched (i.e., the decor was a soothing mahogany-beige-white mix while the towel bordered on hot pink). I also noticed that a curtain separated my massage area from another one, and although nobody was there, I could imagine that it would bother me if I was getting a massage at the same time as someone else, especially if he was prone to grunting and talking. So I would suggest creating a better partition, if possible.

But on to the massage!

I had no expectations except for a brief respite from my back pain. I didn't even have the energy to tell Vivian what area to focus on, just mumbling something about my neck and upper and lower back pain. But I didn't care. I just wanted some relief.

Not only did Vivian provide relief, she dug into all, and I mean all, of my problem areas thoroughly and beautifully. Each mental wish I had -- that she would get to this or that area -- was somehow telepathically received and acknowledged. I could actually feel the knots being undone and different muscles sighing with happiness. If we had stopped at this point, this would have been enough for me to give the treatment a five-star rating. But there was more. And not just one surprise, but three!

First Vivian hopped up onto the table and dug into my glutes, which masseuses rarely do, even in full-body massages. That relieved even more tension in my back. Sometimes it seems like masseuses are afraid to touch you, but that was not the case here. Then she asked me to turn onto my back, which confused me, but then I saw that she wanted to work more on my neck (which I find therapists spend very little time on) and gave me a fabulous head and temple massage. Heaven. And then she asked me turn onto my stomach again. At this point it had felt like I was on the massage table for an hour, not just half an hour, and it was the first time during a massage in which I DIDN"T have the thought, "It's already over?!?" I thought it would be just a towel rubdown to remove the lotion when I hear Vivian fly out of the room, leaving me a bit bewildered, but I was so relaxed I didn't care. Suddenly she's back and there's something hot, almost bordering too hot, on my neck and upper back. It was so hot, but felt so good and I had no idea what it was. Hot oil? Hot lotion? I was so relaxed that I couldn't bother to ask when Vivian, once again reading my mind, told me it was a hot stone. Hot stone? Really? To me that was an extra, something you paid more for, but no, it was just a little bonus. It was the first time I had ever experienced hot stone and it felt brilliant.

The massage was fabulous. I felt like I had won the lottery with all the attention and extras. And it all lasted just one half-hour. I thought that if I could have two more half-hour sessions just like that, following this one, I'd be reborn, as nimble and happy as a newborn baby. I was tempted to do so :)

Vivian is awesome. It's like she could actually empathize with your areas of pain and was determined and happy to make it all go away. It felt like she actually cared ... and there are probably only two or three other masseuses out of dozens and dozens that I could say the same for. I was incredibly impressed with her service and decided then and there that Vivian is my masseuse from now on. I told her that that was honestly the best massage ever and that I'd be coming back. She informed me that she works mostly from the Redwood City location, which is just fine with me; I would drive miles and miles to get a massage from her.

This massage was just what a massage should always be! I was on a high and experienced a wonderful burst of new energy that lasted me throughout the day... Pure bliss!

Even though I knew that California Yoga Center existed in the Bay Area, I didn't think about checking out the Center's yoga classes until I read an article about one of its teachers in a Yoga Journal article. It talks about how Elise Miller is the first person to create a yoga asana program designed specifically for scoliosis, which I have. Considering that my only scoliosis treatment used to be random periods of physical therapy, and swimming and ballet classes as a kid, I was intrigued to see how yoga, which I love practicing, could help me with the condition, especially as I get older.

The class was great and I could tell that Elise knows what she is talking about. I liked how she explained the reasoning behind the moves ... But more importantly, I appreciated that she has a DVD and pamphlet for sale called "Yoga for Scoliosis", especially since I was not living permanently in the area and wanted to continue practicing these moves.

It's great to know that there is a Yoga for Scoliosis program out there, which is just another reminder of how much yoga can help us with our various physical ailments and challenges.

I went in for my bi-annual dental cleaning after receiving a couple beautiful postcards in the mail reminding me to make an appointment with Tooth Spa. I have to say that Tooth Spa's cards have done a much better job of reminding me to get my teeth cleaned than any other cards I have received from dentists!

Although the location is a bit far for me, the trip is worth it not only because the dental office has a nice, soothing feel to it, but also because the staff is excellent! I am probably one of the few people on the planet who is not afraid of the dentist and could get my dental needs taken care of in a broom closet if need be. So I tend to drift off into my own thoughts during an appointment and not pay attention to what is going on around me... but for those who need extra special care when visiting the dentist, I highly recommend Tooth Spa with its relaxing ambience and great dentists.

The cleaning went just fine, but what I do want to mention is my first experience with Tooth Spa a couple years ago when I went in for a cleaning and consultation. I had less than two months to undergo a major dental implant procedure before leaving the country, meaning I was rushing myself and everyone around me. Dentists and oral surgeons are not usually used to such a speedy timeframe.

I found a great oral surgeon to do the implants, but needed someone to take care of the crowns and do a cleaning before the surgery. I didn't have insurance and had just bought a dental discount plan, so had to find a new dentist quick as my old one wasn't covered. What I first really appreciated about Tooth Spa was that they were very accommodating and squeezed me in for an appointment immediately despite a busy schedule.

When I went in, I felt very at ease when talking to Dr. David about my upcoming procedure and could tell that he was very knowledgeable. I also liked that he asked me the right questions about my oral surgery plans. And he caught a gum problem and instructed me on how to best take care of it.

Even though I ended up going with a different dentist for the crowns for reasons of convenience (someone whose office was close to my oral surgeon's in San Francisco and worked with him on a regular basis), I haven't forgotten the great service I received at Tooth Spa and highly recommend Dr. David and his sister, Dr. Grace for all of your dental needs!

All of my visits to Guliver Energija were exclusively for the half-body or full-body medical massage with a trained physical therapist at the spa, which was a bonus as she was knowledgeable about my scoliosis problem.

I always requested the same therapist, who was an excellent masseuse and always seemed to be in a good mood, without fail. She was always responsive to my needs, taking care to ensure that I was as comfortable as possible, whether it be adjusting the temperature of the room, changing the music or finding a solution when we were once given a room without the classic massage table (there’s nothing I hate more than having a crick in my neck after a massage!).

The only drawback was the choice in body lotions, a local Slovenian brand (Afrodita), which I don’t care for very much. However, considering how affordable the massages are compared to those in the West (about 120 HRK, or 25USD, for a half-hour, but still on the high end for Croatia), I won’t complain! Though gym members get a discount on spa services, I wish they also had a point program for repeat customers such as myself, especially as I tended to go quite often.

I will say that one of the reasons my visits to Guliver stopped was because my therapist was let go, which on one hand I thought was ridiculous, because she was the best masseuse ever. However, I also knew that the therapists were overworked and underpaid, which is a complaint I had about the spa and which I conveyed in a letter to them ... so I hope she ended up finding a role somewhere else where the organization actually valued her talent and dedication.

In terms of other services...

My sister went to the hair salon once when she was looking for a stylist for her wedding. Based on her experience, I would not recommend Guliver’s hair salon as the results were quite amateurish.

Though I have not used the gym, which opened in the summer of 2007, I did take a tour and will say I was quite impressed with the set-up. If I remember correctly, all the machines were Life Fitness. The rooms for group exercises are enormous and well-equipped and I was intrigued by the Kinesis room. And the locker room is a statement of luxury, with its sleek look and mini sauna room I was dying to use! A major drawback of the gym is that it doesn’t have a pool, which for me would then justify the monthly membership fees.

This is a fabulous place for a group mani-pedi! Five of us came to Bella Nails with my sister, who was getting married the next day, to get matching manicures and pedicures (four bridesmaid and mother). We got to sit in nice pedicure chairs next to and across from each other, so we could continue chatting and joking around while we got our treatments.

I loved how when we arrived for our group appointment, the salon pointed us to a cute seating area where we could relax and get some refreshments before our treatment. But since the therapists were all ready for us, they brought the goodies to us in our chairs ... Mimosas, morning pastries and grapes and strawberries. Heaven, especially as it was early in the morning and I hadn't gotten a bite to eat yet. I would have asked if they had coffee or espresso drinks if I remembered, but we were having such a good time, I didn't even have a moment to realize I hadn't had my caffeine yet.

The pedicure chairs were out of this world... I never saw so many massage options and we were all cracking up as we played around with the different options and get intense neck, shoulder, back and glute massages. Meanwhile, we were also given heated neck pillows which was lovely.

The pedicure was great, especially the heated lotions they used to massage our legs, and I liked that I could get my manicure at the same time.

A really nice experience, and luckily there are enough chairs to accommodate drop-ins when groups like us take over the salon. A family friend who was attending the wedding happened to show up halfway through our treatments and was able to sit next to us and enjoy in the refreshments and our chatter as well... Yea!

I have to admit that I expected a lot more from the Spa since it had the name "Hilton" attached to it and, as a result, I have mixed feelings about my experience.

I'll start with the downside, which mostly has to do with the facilities. There is nothing very "spa-like" about the Spa. After registering with the receptionist, you are given a locker key (which is nice) and are asked to change into the bathrobe and slippers and return to the reception area to wait for your therapist. So you end up sitting in chairs right by the receptionist desk, with people walking to and fro to get to the cardio room, the gym, the pool or the refreshment area. It's very disconcerting to be hanging out in this area in your bathrobe ... I will say as a positive that I appreciate the receptionist finding a larger size robe for me without me having to ask (she noticed that I am very tall), but the slip-on shoes were tiny and it didn't seem like they had larger sizes to spare. So I ended up tip-toeing around in slippers that fit half my foot.

The massage room is right by the reception area and changing area, so you don't feel like you are actually escaping to a spa. The room was nice, with a comfortable massage table and was dimly lit, which I like ... though the music was a little loud.

Afterwards, the therapist was waiting for me right outside the door with a clipboard, asking me to fill out how I was going to pay for the treatment, whether I'd include the tip and to sign it. I think. After 1.5 hours of a massage, during which I fell asleep a couple times, and thirsty for some water, I needed a few minutes to come to before having this sprung on me. It made no sense and I don't know why they do that, when the receptionist can do it herself. Perhaps they think you are going to bail on them without paying, though you have to pass the receptionist to get to the elevator??? I just signed the paper with irritation without really considering what it was about.

I went to the changing area to shower and change and was glad to see that there was a sauna/steam room, but I started to wonder where the whirlpool was, and didn't feel like going back to the reception area in my post-massage state to ask four a belated tour. It turns out that the whirlpool was outside on the rooftop by the pool, and I would have personally preferred an inside area for the whirlpool to have a bit more privacy to relax after a massage. The changing area was adequate, with a single hair dryer available, but I couldn't figure out where the shower caps were, so I took a crooked shower filled with backbends to avoid getting my hair getting wet before dinner.

Again, no real ambiance to the spa area and it all felt a bit generic and hotel-like. You would think that the high prices would at least make it feel like you are getting some luxury somewhere.

The real positive was the massage, and I had an excellent therapist. I like that we had a form to fill out in the beginning with your likes and dislikes, and the therapist was good in listening to some of my concerns and instructions in the beginning, occasionally asking me if the massage was deep enough. This was my first deep tissue ever and I had heard from someone who had received the same treatment at the Hilton that the massage was quite light. Fortunately I felt like that the therapist got the message that I wanted a real, deep massage and she got into all the problem areas. She even did some reflexology on my feet, which was much appreciated. However, considering that this was a full-body massage, the glutes were completely ignored, which puzzled me as they are so tied to the the pains in the rest of your body, and I felt silly asking her during the massage to attend to that area as well.

The massage is what really made this experience a positive one, but again, considering the high prices, I was very surprised and disappointed to find that the Hilton sorely lacked in other areas that have become standard at other spas.

Wow... I have to say that I was quite impressed with my visit to LaBelle today, especially since it's been awhile since my last treatment at the spa. The Town & Country location was recently renovated, and they did a great job. The space seems much larger and sleeker ... and the colors and ambience are quite nice, very soothing, classy. It was great to have a digital locker to store my personal belongings in, and I was surprised by the second waiting area -- the one you are led to after you have changed into a robe and slippers. My feet were placed in a hot water soak with stones, and a warm, lavendar-infused pillow was placed around my neck. It was so comforting that I was tempted to lie down and take a nap. In fact, how nice would that be! An area to take a 20 minute nap before your treatment! Instead I checked out the new decor, which includes a fireplace, and skimmed some of the latest magazines that were available to peruse.

Farida was my facialist, and I had specifically requested her based on a high recommendation. I loved that she answered my battery of questions, as the reason I came in was due to a sudden acne breakout and rash. Considering that I have never had any skin issues and have a very important event coming up in a couple weeks, I was concerned as to what had triggered this unusual flare-up and wanted to take care of it ASAP. I think we might have narrowed down the possible culprits and I feel confident that I can take some steps in the next few days to avoid continued breakouts.

The facial was so relaxing, especially as my hands were massaged, lotioned and placed in heated gloves, which was a nice surprise. The steam was just perfect, hitting my face in the right spots without suffocating me (or creating an annoying nasal drip), and the facial massage was soo good, especially around the temples. I felt like she hit all the extractions (in some facials you feel like they get lazy and give up half-way) and loved the herbal treatments put on my face. She warned me ahead of time that the first one would be warm and the second would be cold...and it was a shock at first, but nice as well. I could smell the mint in the first one, and whatever it was, it felt like it was doing it's job. I can't remember all the steps in the facial process, but I felt very well taken care of, which is not something I can say of all facials.

A great experience and highly recommended!

My sister gave me a package of 3 massages (which are about 20 USD each for 60 minutes). I only went once to the Fremont location and had probably the most bizarre (but very effective) massage experience of my life. When I entered the center, to the left was a buffet of Chinese food (free for paying guests) and to the right was a waiting area with the biggest screen TV I’ve ever seen… A bunch of people were hanging around watching some reality TV show, waiting for their number to be called (imagine that you are in a bank).

When my number was up, I had to take my shoes off in this “shoe area” and was met by a tiny therapist who looked exhausted but had a lovely smile and was very pleasant. She led me to a dimly lit hallway where I was pointed a bench to sit on (the kind you would expect to find in the park of Smalltown, U.S.A.) and she disappeared. In front of me were a number of closet-sized “rooms” which had sheets for doorways and walls.

My masseuse, who spoke no English, returned and pointed me to my cubicle, in which it was nearly impossible to maneuver around as the massage table took up the entire space. Sheets separated me from the cubicles on either side where other customers were evidently in the process of getting massages as periodic grunting and groaning was heard. And then it was my turn. I like strong massages, but I’ve never had a massage like this, to the point where I thought I was going to black out. Although she did manage to ask (I think) if the massage was too hard, I motioned for her to continue. As well as being the most intense massage of my life, it was also the most complete. Every joint on my fingers and toes were massaged to perfection. The only area left untouched was my face, as I didn’t want to clog up my pores with massage lotion. The funniest bit was when the masseuse jumped onto my back and proceeded to knead my bottom with her knees. After an hour, I left the center in a daze and honestly wasn’t sure if it was safe to drive home.

If you are looking for the classic massage – a relaxing hour spent listening to the sounds of nature and wafting on the scents of lavendar oil -- forget it, this is not the place for you. But if you are curious to see how much your body can take and have the desire to expunge every single toxin that is poisoning your body, definitely give the Perfect Day Spa’s massage a try. It’ll be an adventure!

Finally getting a chance to get back to Indian Springs, I opted for a Swedish massage again instead of a mud bath as I had originally planned since I had a bad cold and didn't think I could handle a mud treatment. My therapist was Ann, who was very understanding about my cold and used the right mix of gentle but firm kneading during my massage. I usually ask for very strong massages, but this time realized my achy body wouldn't be able to handle the usual. It's almost like the masseuse knew how much pressure to exert and seemed to know which areas to focus on ... You know when you are lying on the table and are too lethargic to voice the thoughts in your head? "Oh, please focus on that lower back area?" or "Stay with the upper right shoulder" ...but the telepathy doesn't seem to work? This time it did. She commented a few times on how certain areas seemed extra sensitive and even found a spot under my right armpit that I didn't even know could hold such tension...

It was a very soothing, beneficial massage, which like all massages, seemed to go by too quick ... and afterwards Ann suggested I use the steam room at the pool to help clear my poor congested head, which I did. However, I wasn't too impressed with the steam room, which seemed rather "homemade" with its tile look and two plastic chairs. There was a ledge to sit on, but it was covered with a light sheet which looked a bit dirty and I was grossed out by the thought of sitting on it. Perhaps it's better they remove that sheet and let people bring in the complimentary towels to sit on. I'd suggest getting rid of the cheesy plastic chairs, but the steam room is so small that they are almost necessary. The only thing I did like about the room was that the door has a full-length window with a view of the pool, which helps me stay longer in the steam room as I tend to get a bit claustrophobic, and I like that I could look out and focus on the pool.

Finally I want to mention that I liked the cabana look of the spa treatment rooms, with the ceiling fans whizzing above, as well as the robes we were given to wear, which literally felt like wrapping oneself in a blanket. I also bought an Indian Springs Facial Mud Mask made from 100% volcanic ash which is sourced from the spa's property. It was quite affordable and I look forward to using it soon and getting a preview for what a future volcanic ash mud treatment will be like.

Being in town to act as maid-of-honor during a wedding weekend, the bride recommended I get hair and makeup done at Kiva, which was located close to my hotel in downtown Chicago. The location was great, very convenient. I was pretty satisfied with the services, but wish I could say I was thrilled, considering the reputation and aura the salon was supposed to have.

I'll start with the easy one first -- makeup. As someone who wears very little makeup and has been bridesmaid more times than I can remember, I come to each wedding makeup session filled with apprehension. I am aware that it's all about the photos and the bride's memories, but I also want to feel comfortable so I can enjoy myself at the wedding, and that means that I have to be willing to take an occasional peek in the mirror and not groan.

So I gave my usual spiel to the makeup artist, emphasizing the light foundation and the natural, natural looking eyes (no blues!). She did a pretty good job, though I still felt like we took it all a shade too far. And as I was contemplating whether the makeup job was worth the price, she surprised me by telling me that I could "buy" the products they sold for the price of the makeup treatment. That appealed to me, and that's when I made one of my favorite purchases ever -- Murad's Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15, which I have been buying religiously ever since. So that discovery made the whole experience worth it.

Now the hair. I've also had the unfortunate experience of being bridesmaid in way too many hot weather weddings -- even when the weddings were planned around cooler months, a random heat wave would hit the area. I cannot stand having my long, thick, wavy hair stick sweatily to my back, so I asked for the usual -- a simple chignon at the nape of my neck. I know I have heavy hair, but I am convinced it can be done right, if I could just find that person with the magic touch! Which was not happening at Kiva. Most of these chignon requests have occurred at European weddings, and I figured it was a cultural barrier that kept me from getting my wish, even with photo examples in hand. So this was my first American attempt to get the long-desired hairstyle... and it did not work.

Instead I found that once again a nest of hair -- literally a nest crisscrossed with dozens of bobby pins and frozen into place with a can of hairspray -- sat on the back of my head. It was heavy, kind of painful and not that cute. Perhaps what I'm asking for is impossible, but I had such high hopes, especially at Kiva, and sadly for that reason I will have to give the hairstyle a three as I continue on my quest for the perfect chignon...

Getting my nails done at ZAZA’s in San Francisco was probably one of my yummiest manicure/pedicure experiences ever. I ran in last-minute on a stressful New Year’s Eve and just SANK into those fluffy, silky pillows they have at each pedicure station. I was so comfortable that I thought I could just spend a lovely New Year’s Eve lost in those pillows; I did not want to leave!

The manicurist came up to me and did my nails on the pillow so that I didn’t have to budge an inch. I’m sure there are many other great things to say about the spa, but that’s all I remember, feeling more pampered and relaxed at ZAZA’s than at any other nail salon ever. It’s also so close to the San Francisco Giant’s AT&T Park that you can run in, get your nails done and be back by the ninth inning…

I went to the Santana Row Lavande Nail Spa for a manicure and pedicure, which I didn't pay much attention to as I was distracted by all the magazines they had to read, the goodies they had to sell, and the fact that I was there for one segment of a weekend-long bachelorette event. But I thoroughly enjoyed myself! And I was pleased with the quality of the services...

There are so many pedicure chairs available that it is a perfect place to get a group girls together for a spoiled afternoon of spa treatments and gossip. I got the basic pedicure treatment but am now wishing I had gone for one of the more delicious-sounding options, like the Sweet Almond Latte pedicure.

What I love about this location is that it is smack in the middle of all the Santana Row shopping and dining, so it's very convenient. And I think I'll be coming back soon as my sister will be getting married soon at Hotel Valencia just a few paces away! Again, so convenient!

Finally, I love the decor inside... very soothing, feminine, pretty. Reminds me a lot of the boutique Anthropologie...

In desperate need of a massage, I was looking for a local place which would get down to business: give a good, solid, effective massage. None of that dim-lit, candle-burning, Eastern music massage stuff where a therapist prances her fingers around my back as I start to drift off into an expensive face-down nap.

I was thrilled to find Baysix, for not only was it close to home and affordable, but the center shares my philosophy: it's all about the massage! Not to say that there was no ambience; in fact, there was, but it did not disguise a bad massage nor detract from the experience. In fact, it just added to it, especially the thickly-padded, heated massage tables which were soooo comfortable! And the sheets were so soft. I could have stayed there all day!

My therapist was Lyndsay, and she was great, paying attention to the areas I asked her to focus on, which made me very happy. Nothing like having your requests acknowledged and carried out. I like strong massages, where the therapist digs deep into my knotty problem areas, and Lyndsay was definitely able to maintain an hour of intense kneading, which not all therapists can do. My only complaint is that it felt like the hour flew by so fast ...

And a great bonus is that Baysix offers an introductory offer to newcomers, and I was happy to buy massages for my sisters as gifts!

I have been coming to Indian Springs since I was a child, spending every summer at the pool, before ownership changed hands and it became a requirement to either stay at the Lodge or purchase a spa treatment in order to use the pool.

I want to first talk about the Olympic-sized mineral POOL, which is so unique and special that I think it makes any stay in Calistoga and/or spa treatment worth it. The geysers keep the pool very warm (90s), and it such a relaxing, soothing experience that I can and do spend the entire day soaking in its waters. I love floating around and chatting with family and friends (while getting a great tan!), enjoying Napa's dry heat and gazing at the mountains and the steam from the geyser. Perfect, sigh-worthy ambience. It is the reason why I give Indian Springs 4 stars and if I could rate just the pool itself, it would be a 5.

But onto the spa treatment, which was a basic massage. I was quite disappointed in the massage, which wasn't thorough enough (not at that price!) and left me feeling lack, as if I needed a new massage to make up for the one I just got. Perhaps the service and quality have changed in the past couple years, but my visit to the spa left me feeling frustrated and dissatisfied, especially in light of the fact that I must select a treatment in order to use the pool. Maybe I'll try the mud bath next time, which is what Calistoga is famous for!

But if nothing else, do go and experience the pool. It is one of my favorite things to do in the Bay Area!

I became a big fan of YogaWorks when I temporarily moved to the Upper East Side and found that the Eastside studio was just a couple blocks from my apartment. They had a special deal for new students to take a number of yoga classes at a great price, so I dropped in whenever I had the chance, and wish I could have taken more. And the staff was very responsive and helpful, calling me back quickly when I had a question.

I mostly took the signature YogaWorks classes, which suited me perfectly as I had not yet found which style I preferred. All the teachers were excellent instructors, and I always left class feeling refreshed and satisfied, eager to come back the next day. My only issue is that the studio was so popular that the Asana rooms always felt a bit cramped.

The Gina Khan Salon in San Francisco has some of the most talented stylists I have ever come across. I have been going to Lisa for color and Mia for cut for years even though I have not been a permanent resident of the Bay Area in a long time.

I have gone to others for cut and color while living on the East Coast and in Europe ...but have been mostly disappointed. So now it's become my policy to wait until I am back in the Bay Area to get my hair done, unless it's a dire emergency. Luckily I tend to travel back and forth often enough, though I sometimes have to suffer some roots and grays showing and split ends ... :)

When it comes to color, Lisa is a pro! She is great at listening to what you want and always delivers, no matter what we decide do. I can't express the number of times other people, especially stylists, have complimented me on my color and highlights. I feel completely safe in Lisa's hands; she's the best!

Meanwhile, after struggling to manage my thick, wavy, unruly mane for years, I finally found someone who understands my hair -- Mia, my own personal hair whisperer ;) I am extremely low maintenance when it comes to styling, and Mia cuts it just right every single time. I always feel regret when others cut my hair and then relief when I go back to Mia.

Finally, I love the complimentary espresso drinks (!!!) and bowl of candy that calls to me as soon as I enter ... and the fact that the Salon is located up a flight of stairs on the sweetly-named Maiden Lane, right next to Union Square. So very convenient, as I can go shopping or people-watching after my appointment and look great doing so!

Sigh. I don't want to complain, I really don't. The hair/makeup stylist was super sweet, the salon smelled yummy and Santana Row, where the salon is located, adds a special ambience to the whole experience with its faux downtown and blooming flowers. But it's at moments like these that I understand why the top hair stylists and makeup artists get paid top dollar.

As a favor for my sister, I went in for a makeup trial for her upcoming wedding (I am one of the bridesmaids). I explained to the Intern stylist who worked on me that, although I understand the importance of makeup for photos, I don't like to wear a lot of makeup and that I want to look as natural as possible. When we finished, I almost didn't recognize my face as my eyes were completely rimmed with a heavy black liner, causing my eyes to look closer together and my nose larger. I can't take my eyes off the liner and think that it looks like a cross between a raccoon and a 60s mod girl. So much for the subtle, natural look. A couple hours later, my face is itching like mad and I am dying to take this makeup off, despite spending quite a bit of money on this trial...

To continue... we had agreed at the start of the session to do a layer trim to my hair after the makeup session. I wanted to take my shortest layer, which was chin length, and do a simple trim. We agreed that the layer length would then be to my mouth. Seemed clear enough.

I don't know if hairstylists speak a different language than the rest of us or go into some sort of hypnotic state once scissors are in the hands... but my shortest layer is now to my eyebrow (and my hair was dry when cut). One snip, and it was all over :( I get very frustrated when it seems that we are clear and agreed upon the length, and then I find that I have bangs. All I can really do right now is sigh.

After being away from the Bay Area for a long time, I dropped in to a Vinyasa class at Darshana Yoga. As I was signing up for the class, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the studio's owner (Catherine De Los Santos), who was helping me, noted that I had taken classes from her before ... and that was two summers ago! This perfectly captures the essence of Darshana Yoga, where you feel acknowledged as a member of an intimate community, no matter how long you have stayed away.

The class I took was taught by Marta, who I had just met, and I immediately responded to her energy -- strong, positive and humorous. Weeks later I still recall a meditation trick she shared with the class, which has helped tremendously, and more importantly, she has this uncanny way of encouraging students to push beyond their limits without making it seem pushy, forced or scary. That means a lot to me, as I tend to be weak in certain areas and like to move cautiously forward -- but she got this little scaredy-cat to do some things I had previously refused to try, as she made it feel quite safe.

The only complaint I have is that I wish Marta taught more classes!

Very stressed out and suffering from major back pain, I was a walk-in who asked for an immediate massage with whoever was available at the time. While I was waiting for the masseuse, I had a conversation with the spa's owner (whose name escapes me now). We had a great discussion about different types of massages, nutrition, supplements, and stress-relief, and I felt that he was very passionate and knowledgeable about the various topics.

I had originally asked for a half-hour deep tissue massage, and thinking we were halfway through, I asked the masseuse (who was from Spain; I've also forgotten her name) if it would be possible to extend the session to an hour, as she was excellent in digging the knots out of my back. She surprised me by telling me we had already gone over the half-hour and was about to make arrangements for another masseuse to take her next client, as she was keen on doing what she could to relieve my pain. She used some techniques I've never experienced before and was quite insightful, commenting on how various tight spots indicated certain physiological or psychological issues, which were in fact correct. I was quite impressed with her and would definitely recommend those who are looking for a quick, healthy break to check out Ki Mantra. (PS A Ki Mantra juice is a must right after a massage...)

Whenever I spend a couple days in Zagreb, I try to fit in a yoga class at Nava. Since my schedule varies, I find myself taking classes from different teachers in different styles, and I have always left class a happy and satisfied yogi! Nava's been able to attract a phenomenal cast of international yoga teachers, including Seane Corn, while my favorite was Lea Lalitha from Norway, who I hope will visit again. The studio has a great vibe, a dedicated group of yoga students, is friendly to newcomers and is always offering some new programs. It's definitely the best yoga studio in Croatia and on par with some of the top yoga centers I've frequented in Silicon Valley, Washington DC and New York!