Chin Deep

Here’s one of my favorite summertime spa treatments. This one was published in my first book, “Chin Deep in Bubbles” on page 58.

An exfoliating, smoothing treatment for your feet:

Combine 1/2 cup beach sand (or play sand), 1 Tablespoon sea salt, and 1/2 cup olive oil in a big basin. Put your feet in the basin and massage the sand mixture all over your feet. Rinse feet in a seperate basin full of cool water. Pat feet dry with a towel.

“Teach me to hear the mermaids singing.” ~John Donne

It doesn’t get much easier than this! Just sprinkle fresh rose petals into your bath water before you bathe. Light some candles and listen to relaxing music while looking at your favorite magazines. Instant spa!

“This is la vie en rose…” ~ Edith Piaf

Fresh coconut gently exfoliates, and brown sugar gives your skin an even deeper exfoliating treatment without being too harsh or abrasive.

Combine:

1 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted OR 1/4 cup creme de coconut

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

10 drops coconut perfume oil

3 drops sandalwood essential oil

3 drops vanilla or almond essential oil

Standing on a towel, rub mixture all over your body. Allow to penetrate for 5 minutes. Rub mixture off with a damp hand towel. Soak in the tub or take a shower to rinse off remaining mixture.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

~Lucille Ball

This is one of my favorite quick spa “fixes” that is a piece of cake to prepare at home.

Just before you get in the shower or bath tub, combine a couple tablespoons of your favorite shower gel with a teaspoon of dry cornmeal. Pour on a loofah or exfoliating scrunchie sponge. Shower as usual. The cornmeal is a great, natural exfoliant that will leave your skin silky smooth.

Here are a couple new beauty products that I discovered recently that I just LOVE. If you like skin products that add a little “sparkle” to your beauty repertoire, read on.

“Stars” eyeshadow pencil by Rimmel of London- I’m not a big eyeshadow fan. I’ve never really liked it. I think it usually takes away from looking natural and borders on Barbie doll “fake.” I DO like “Stars” by Rimmel because instead of leaving a layer of unnatural color on your eyelids it just gives you a sublte, glittery glow. This look is perfect for summer, and glitzy enough for a night out on the town.

Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer- This moisturizer smells fantastic and has a subtle skin darkening ingredient that gives you a healthy summer glow without the sun’s harmful UV rays. This is my favorite self-tanner because it doesn’t streak and it has a little bit of golden sparkle to it that accentuates your new “tan.”

Happy Summer!

Love,

Meliss

Originally published in my second book, “Welcome Home,” this is the way to transform your home into a girlfriend’s spa getaway for the weekend. Treat your friends and yourself to these luxurious indulgences.

• Purchase spa products by Crabtree and Evelyn, Caswell Massey, Philosophy, Origins OR make your own.
• Clear out your living room or family room, rent or purchase yoga DVDs, and take a fitness”class.”
• Create spa gift baskets for your guests. Include: mesh sponges, pumice stones, fun nail polishes, lipsticks, magazines, and bottles of Perrier or Evian.
• Light naturally scented candles everywhere (Aveda makes some that are scented with all natural ingredients and essential oils.)
• Give each other pedicures, manicures, facials, and massages, or hire a professional massage therapist who will make home visits.
• Watch “chick flicks” such as Because I Said So, Marie Antoinette, or The Holiday, and eat popcorn sprinkled with a little parmesan cheese.
• Set up your CD player and play relaxing spa music. I like anything by Enya, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and “White Stones” by Secret Garden.
• Make sure everyone brings comfy jammies, slippers and robes.

• Serve Grand Wailea cucumber spa water, flavorful salads, whole grain crackers, hummus or any of your favorite, nutritious dishes.

“Most of us dream of being the perfect hostess. this means being well organized far enough ahead of time to allow for a hot bath, a short rest, and time to put on a pretty frock and spray yourself with White Lilac. This never, never happens to me.”

-Gladys Taber “Stillmeadow Cookbook” 1947

This lotion is great for foot massages! Mix the following ingredients together and indulge in the scent of peppermint pinwheel candy

1/4 cup unscented, good quality lotion

10 drops peppermint essential oil

1 teaspoon aloe vera gel

yield :2 treatments

Milk is rich in protein and fats that nourish and moisturize the skin. Soak in this milk bath for at least 20 minutes. I love using apricot oil in this recipe, but you can use whatever perfume or essential oil you wish. Garden of Eden is a fantastic resource for scented oils that smell wonderful and are good for your skin.

Cleopatra’s Milk Bath

1 cup powdered milk

1/4 cup corn starch

1/4 cup honey

10 drops apricot perfume oil

1/4 cup rosewater

Combine above ingredients in a small bowl with a wire whisk. Add the mixture to your bath water as the tub is filling. Light candles and play your favorite, relaxing music.

This recipe was originally published in my second book, “Welcome Home” on page 77. Renew your skin for spring!

Avocados are rich in natural fats and emollients that will leave your face soft and dewy fresh…

Combine:

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup mashed sweet potato

1 whole mashed avocado

3 Tablespoons honey

Massage mixture gently onto face and neck. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. This recipe makes enough for three people, so have a spa party and invite me!

“The loveliest faces are to be seen by moonlight, when one sees half with the eye and half with the fancy.” -Persian Proverb

“I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I have never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness and the memory of it will remain with me always.”

-Mark Twain

I guess this week I’ll be focusing on a bit of a Hawaiian theme. Perfect for springtime and renewal. In my second book, “Welcome Home : Simple Tips for Turning Your House into a Luxurious Retreat,” on page 78, there’s a recipe for a wonderful at-home spa treatment called “Hawaiian Pina Colada Mask.”

Bromelain is a naturally occuring enzyme found in fresh pineapple. This enzyme gently exfoliates dead skin cells, and the acids in pineapple balance the pH in your skin. Coconut milk smells heavenly and naturally moisturizes your face without making it greasy. Be prepared to glow!

Combine:

1/4 cup crushed, FRESH pineapple

2 Tablespoons coconut milk

Rub mixture onto face. Leave on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

And, something to sip while you indulge in this mask…

While we were visiting beautiful Maui, we visited the world renowned Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa. While we were there we were given this glorious spa water to sip. Now you can enjoy this beverage guilt free in the comfort of your very own home-spa.

Simply fill a half gallon glass jug with purified water. Add two slices fresh cucumber, and two slices fresh lemon. Cover and allow to chill in refrigerator for 12 hours before serving.