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Spa shop to the rescue

LV Train CaseI know it’s for my own good. But I still haven’t gotten used to the 3-1-1 TSA carry-on requirements.

A girl likes what she likes, and my various lotions and potions don’t all meet the one-baggie-fits-all requirement. So this morning when I was in the throes of my packing madness, I neglected to pack my face wash. It’s over the three ounce limit, you see. So it should have traveled in my checked luggage. But splitting up my necessaries into two batches is a pain in the derrière and I invariably forget something.

By now, you’d think the cosmetic companies would have figured out that selling travel-sized versions of their skin care lines makes good business sense. But they haven’t. So I, for one, am still revamping my packing strategy. The bottom line: my face wash didn’t make the trip to Colorado.

So, when I unpacked my Louis case at the fabulous Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, I discovered my faux pas and headed to the spa shop for reinforcements.

I love spa shops. I love seeing all the fabulous goodies that they have. It’s not your everyday stuff. Somehow spa managers find the really sweet things that you just don’t see at ordinary shops. Of course I found a replacement face wash—YonKa’s Gel Nettoyant—but I also picked up a few things to help me navigate the TSA maze more effectively next time I fly.

Pitotubes are the best way I’ve seen yet to be sure you have your personal favorites with you when you arrive—and that they haven’t leaked en route. Designed by a former flight attendant, these classy little dispensers are as well designed as they are beautiful. And they allow you to use your cosmetic counter faves rather than settle for drug store brand toiletries. The travel kit contains six tubes—two each of 1.7 oz, 1.0 oz, & .5 oz. sizes—and comes in a sparkly silver mesh zippered pouch. Kits include cute little labels to help you identify what’s what.

The aspens are still glorious here, their golden leaves shimmering in the gentle lakefront breeze. It’s no surprise then that my eyes were drawn to the display shelf that housed The GOLD Collection by Linden Leaves. This New Zealand body care line was included in the celeb goodie bag at this year’s Emmys. Gold has long been a symbol of decadence, luxury and sophistication. Ancient civilizations attributed healing properties to pure gold and often included gold in cosmetic preparations and medicinal remedies. This line combines the highest quality ingredients with pure 23K gold. My favorite: the Gold Shimmer Dust Brush. Deliciously decadent shimmer dust to brush over your body, face or hair to impart a subtly alluring glow.

And just when I thought I was ready to ring up, I spotted a must-have happy hour tonic. Virtual Buddha by Elixir Tonics is just what I needed to banish those TSA blues. This peach flavored concentrate mixes with still or sparkling water to promote peaceful, serene feelings. Om…

Good vibrations

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I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
She’s giving me excitations
Good, good, good—good vibrations!


Surf’s up in Hawaii. But you won’t need a surfboard to catch this wave. Just follow Rebecca Goff. She’s got all the right moves, and she’ll be sure to get you out there where the Big Boys play. Whales just want to have fun. Tons of fun.

Rebecca is a marine naturalist, and she’ll treat you to AquaCranial Therapy—a spa treatment she developed while studying the behavior and movement of marine mammals. It’s done in the water, using John Upledger’s craniosacral massage technique. Incorporating precise and gentle touches to improve the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, she’ll apply gentle pressure to the bones of your skull and along the lenth of your spine to facilitate your body’s natural healing process. The movement of the ocean’s waves and currents further accentuates her cranial sacral strokes.

During whale watching season, Rebecca—an active member of the Pacific Whale Foundation, a non-profit conservation program to protect Hawaii’s marine life—takes her clients out into the ocean to perform the therapy up-close-and-personal (how close is close, Rebecca?) with the whales. Their underwater vibrations are considered very healing for humans, further enhancing the benefits of AquaCranial Therapy. Contact Pure Maui for reservations.

Great call

refereeSo, who decides what’s fabulous?

I do! And because I’ve been identifying fabulous finds for years and years, you can trust my recommendations. Mostly, we’ll dish about food, wine, travel, and spas. Because that’s what I know best. On occasion, we’ll go off topic and talk about completely fabulous finds in other areas, like shopping, shoes, and Shih Tzus.

Don’t touch that dial…