We ran all sort of fun contests and prizes as part of the Kirkland Blog's holiday series at the end of year. Don't you wonder if anyone ever really wins those things? And darn it, how come it wasn't you? If you don't try, you don't win (and it's not calculus proofs we're asking of you!) For the sake of follow up and squashing your feeling of bewilderment, I wanted to share this nice note from Rachel Buchan who won a free treatment at The Heathman's Penterra Spa. The challenge was to write about why you thought you deserved a free treatment. Here's her giving us a behind the scenes of her spa experience. Many thanks to Penterra and all of the other local businesses (George's, Anthony's, Lucia, Purple, Vovina,Herban Wellness) that donated prizes for those posts!
Rachel Buchan, Kirkland Blog Prize Winner Extraordinaire:
Your holiday series was especially great and I was so thrilled when I read about the spa giveaway. I had just been complaining to my husband about my sore shoulders from working at a computer all day mixed in with the stress of the holiday season. My husband and I were just married in August, so this was our first Christmas as a married couple and hosting Christmas day brunch for our friends and family. Really exciting, but also a little sad as my beloved Aunt who normally hosts is sick this year and sounds like we'll be taking over. So I wrote in to the Penterra Spa and told them my whole story. How I was recently married, will be hosting our first Christmas as a married couple, how I commute on the bus everyday to a highly stressful job routing 911 calls for cellular companies. And how this amazing spa treatment was just what I needed to de-stress and treat myself after all my hard work to make this holiday season special and wonderful.
Low and behold, I got an email on Friday the 13th (who says that day is bad luck???) saying that I had won! The spa package included a 25 minute hydrotherapy treatment, a 60 minute facial and 60 minute massage. I felt like I had won the lottery! This was the real deal super fancy spa day I had been dreaming about. I was so excited I emailed back right away to inquire about what they might have available that weekend and just my luck...they had a Saturday 1pm appointment just waiting for me. Apparently it was just one of those days where everything works out, lucky me indeed!
It was snowing a little Saturday morning, but that didn't deter me from venturing out. I only live a couple miles away and it was barely sticking. As I arrived in the spa I was greeted by a very friendly reception staff and taken on a tour of their facilities. The spa is actually located beneath the hotel, which was nice because it kept it quiet and dark. Our first stop was the locker room. Everything was in those light beige relaxing spa colors and I couldn't wait to jump in the eucalyptus steam room. The she showed me their relaxing room and the various teas and waters they offer. There was a beautiful fountain, some nice artwork, comfortable chairs and mellow music. Everything you could hope for in a cozy luxurious spa.
The steam room is absolutely heavenly. Especially on a cold winter snowing day! After sitting in there for a good 20 minutes, I swaddled myself in one of their delicious robes and made my way over to the relaxing room. The tropical green tea I sipped on was delicious and I perused a few magazines until I was escorted to the hydrotherapy room. I am not a big "bath" person, but this takes bathing to a whole new level. There had to be about 8 jets and I was instructed to turn them on and then add the sea salts that were mixed with essential oils. The result was heavenly. I could feel my dry winter skin softening as I soaked.
Next was a little break in the relaxing room with some more tea and then off to my facial and massage. I have pretty sensitive skin and my esthetician Michelle listened to my skin concerns and had some wonderful suggestions. She used the Phytomer line on me, which I happen to have used before and love. It is a European line based on sea minerals and my sensitive cranky skin just loves it. Everything smells wonderful and fresh too without being perfumed. The facial was perfect. She used a couple different exfoliants, as my winter skin needed it. Mixed with steaming and some extractions, my skin was glowing by the time I was done. I also loved how she did a thorough hand, arm and neck massage while my mask was on. Such a nice treat, especially if you were only going in for the facial.
I was basically butter by the time we switched rooms for my massage. If it was even possible, Michelle managed to relax me even more. She used some wonderful aromatherapy oils, even pressure and covered all my trouble issues. She even noted some especially tight spots and suggested stretches I could do at home to help out. How amazing is that?
After my massage, I indulged in the spa showers and lotion they had available. I noticed they even had hair styling products, blow dryers and styling tools available to use. So if you wanted and had extra time, you could get pretty close to ready there after your treatment. Pretty nice to know.
Of course this spa isn't cheap, but it is wonderful. My suggestions would be to go a little early to your appt so you can indulge in the steam room and they even have a nice looking workout facility available. I had already squeezed in a morning workout with my workout buddy or I would have loved to check that out! Perhaps next time, as there will definitely be a next time.
Next was a little break in the relaxing room with some more tea and then off to my facial and massage. I have pretty sensitive skin and my esthetician Michelle listened to my skin concerns and had some wonderful suggestions.
Posted by: bike jerseys | March 31, 2012 at 12:54 AM