Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays because it’s so fun to plan. Whether your planning a special one on one with your sweet someone or a party for your single and coupled friends the ideas are endless.

This Valentine’s Day I thought I would share some recipes and concoctions from romantic room sprays and body scrubs to sensual cocktails and foods, to be inspired to create your own special valentines experience.

For the Body:

A Passion Mist

This is an easy to make aphrodisiac that will enhance the ambiance where ever you are on that special day

4oz water,

15 drops sandalwood

5 drops vetiver

4 drop jasmine absolute.

Spray Bottle

Combine water with essential oils, shake well and use to mist the room, your linens, and each other

Recipe by; Auracacia’s aromatherapy formulator Tom Havran:

A Sensual Scalp and Body massage Oil:

2 drops Jasmine

2 dropsOrange

2 drops Sandalwood

1 drop Ylang Ylang

1 ounce  Almond Oil

Mix together in a glass bottle.

Recipe by; Birch Hill Aromatherapy

Romantic Dreams Bath Salts

1 cup sea salt

1 cup Epsom salts

2 tbsp baking soda

5 drops rosewood essential oil

2 drops cedarwood essential oil

2 drops chamomile essential oil

Mix the salts and baking soda in a bowl.

Mix oils in a small cup. Then mix with a few tablespoons of the salt mixture.

Mix with the remainder of the salts.

Place in a nice jar with a tight fitting lid.

If you want to colour the salt, use yellow and red to make a light brown to accent the woody scent.

Add 2 – 3 tablespoons to your bath.

Recipe from; The Go Food Gardening Blog

Strawberry Sugar Foot Scrub for your SUGAR

Ingredients:

4 Strawberries

2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Mash or puree strawberries. Add olive oil and sugar. Massage into feet to smooth. Strawberries are high in Alpha Hydroxy acids, great for exfoliating!

Recipe from; Natural Beauty Nail Care Recipes

For your dinner:

Crab Cocktail with Avocado, Coconut Milk, Chilies and Fresh Lime

Recipe by Bobby Flay

The smoothness of the coconut milk and avocado paired with the spiciness of the chilies makes this a very sensual starter and will wet your appetite for more (food, of course)

Yeild 4 appetizer servings

2 cans unsweetened coconut milk

1 large red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced

2 serrano chilies, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon honey

juice of 2 limes

salt and freshly ground pepper

24 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat picked over

1 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into medium dice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Whisk together the coconut milk, onion, chilies, honey and lime juice in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper

Fold in the crab, cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

10 minutes before serving, fold in the avocados

Re-season with salt and pepper and fold in the cilantro just before serving

Use a slotted spoon and spoon into a martini glass

Quail with Rose Petals

This recipe is adapted from the book Like Water for Chocolate

Recipe by Chef Andrew DiCataldo of Patricia in New York, New York

Yield: 2 servings

1/2 cup organic red rose petals loosely packed

2 Tablespoons anise seeds

1/2 cup blanched sliced almonds

cloves of garlic

4 cactus pears

1 Tablespoon rose water

3 Tablespoons honey

1 cup chicken stock

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

4 boneless quails

Salt and pepper

Using a food processor, grind the petals, anise seeds, almonds and garlic to a smooth paste and set aside.

In a blender, purée the peeled cactus pear with rose water, honey and chicken stock, then strain and discard seeds of cactus pear.

In a small saucepan, combine the rose petals paste with purée and heat gently for five minutes stirring often.

Season with salt and pepper

Heat sauté pan with the vegetable oil, season quails with salt and pepper and add to a hot pan.

Cook quail on one side for 3-4 minutes, turn over and continue to cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

Place sauté pan in a 350 degrees oven for 3 more minutes to finish.

Remove quail from the pan and submerge in rose petal sauce to infuse flavors before serving.

Serve with a mixed green salad and mashed potatoes.

Mango-Lavender Sorbet

recipe by; Melissa Dale & Emmanuelle Lipsky Aromatherapy in the Kitchen

1 cup Spring water

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon dried lavender

4 cups cubed mango

Place an 8-inch square metal pan in the freezer.

In a small saucepan, heat the water, sugar and lavender until just boiling.

Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Strain into a bowl and refrigerate until cooled.

Puree the mango in a food processor until smooth.

Add the syrup and blend.

Pour into the cold pan and place in freezer.

After 1 hour, stir vigorously with a fork. Return to freezer and chill until firmly set, about 3 hours.

Serve with a garnish of red raspberries and a sprig of lavender.

Pepper Basil Caipirinha 

White pepper corns give this caipirinha spicy zing.

Recipe courtesy of Cabana Cachaca

Serving 1 drink

Ingredients 1 bar spoon white pepper corns

1 bar spoon sugar

1 ounce lime juice

10 basil leaves

2 ounces cachaça

1 basil leaf

Preparation

Muddle 1 bar spoon of white pepper corns and add sugar,

1 lime quartered and basil leaves.

2. Add cachaça and 1 ounce lime juice.

3. Shake the mixture and strain into a rocks glass over ice.

4. Garnish with sprig of basil.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Thanks to its fresh ingredients, this is a completely natural strawberry daiquiri.

Recipe by; Papagayo Organic White Rum

Servings  1 drink

Ingredients 1 1/2 ounces rum

10 strawberries

3 limes

2 tablespoons organic cane sugar

Preparation

1. Muddle strawberries and limes in a shaker.

2. Add crushed ice and sugar to shaker.

3. Shake and pour into a martini glass.

Tags : Bobby Flay, Romantic meals, Valentine's Day, Valentine's recipes, Valentines Spa products

Let’s look at some of the hottest trends shown on the red carpet at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. Here we saw a variety of chignons, most of them utilizing texture created in the hair from iron work. Among some of the most beautiful were: Charlize Theron, Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland, Lea Michelle, and Mila Kunis.

Katharine McPhee

Lea Michelle

We also saw some beautiful waves worn down created by taking larger sections with a medium to large barrel curling iron, and wrapping the hair around the rod of the iron in a spiral manner to get these long natural looking waves. Among the celebs wearing this trend were: Katharine McPhee, Salma Hayek, and Reese Witherspoon.

I’m a big fan of natural hair texture. When I work with my clients in the salon  I begin by evaluating their own natural hair texture before deciding on the right hair cut.

I like to create the shape based on what I know will be the easiest way for my clients to style their hair. Most of the time this involves choosing the correct product for the hair texture, knowing how much product to use and in what order to apply them.

After we decide on the shape we can talk about versatility. Not everyone has waves, texture or curls naturally. To get versatility in your cut might involve blow dry and iron techniques. There are many sizes of curling irons today and they work for creating a vast array of texture in the hair.

It’s fun to play with these techniques, so whether your going to a special event or just another night out you can be trend ready and feeling beautiful.

Remember, when using a lot of heat on your hair, use a thermal protectant spray. I recommend the Privé Thermal Protection Detangling Spray before you blow dry and iron your hair. And, always replenish with deep conditioning treatments. One of my favorites is the Rene Futerer Carthame Gentle Hydro-Nutritive Mask.

Tags : Award Season, Celebrity Hair Styles, Charlize Theron Hair, Curly Hair, Golden Globe Awards, hair texture, Hair Trends, Lea Michelle Hair, Mila Kunis Hair

I attended the 2^nd Ceviche Project on Sunday at Palate Food & Wine in Glendale. What a spectacular event, a day complete with healthy debauchery.

My good friends Octavio and Shannon Olivas created Ceviche Project. Octavio’s passion for creating delicately assembled dishes using the freshest fish and herbs is far beyond any regular dining experience. Palate Food and Wine paired each dish with a delicious wine complementing the specific flavors of the dish. Each course was a treat of a beautifully balanced taste sensation.

Octavio and Shannon bring their guests together at a long communal table. Where by the end of the dinner you’ll be comfortably full, very happy, and have acquired a few new best friends.

I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing Octavio’s Ceviche creations many times, always surrounded by good wine, friends and great conversation. This time around I began thinking about the nutritional aspect of Ceviche Project.

Fish is an excellent source of Omega 3’s, which are fatty acids that the body does not create itself but are necessary for proper metabolism. You must get your omega 3’s from eating the right foods.

Omega 3 deficiencies can include dry skin and poor circulation. This is why you see them in so many hair and nail supplements. Poor circulation can result in fragile weak hair that sheds more than normal.

As I am thrilled to have a healthy reason to go to the next Ceviche Project I know I can get my Omega 3’s from other food sources as well. You can try adding Flax Seed, Hemp Seeds, some plants and nuts, Primrose and Jojoba to your diet also. These are great vegan ways to get your Omega 3’s.

And for the not-vegan crowd who enjoy a steak now and then you can get omega 3’s in grass fed beef as well. Knowing where your food is coming from is a good practice to maintain a healthy nutritious diet.

It feels good to eat the right foods. You’ll notice the results in your skin, nails and hair when keeping your diet rich in real foods. How simple is that.

The Beauty Scalp Balance Treatment at Prive Los Angeles and Ona Spa

By Jennifer Chan | Posted: Oct. 24th, 2011

Sr. Fashion & Beauty Correspondent | JustLuxe

There’s a new treatment in town unlike any other. Bold statement? Yes. Unbelievable bliss? Absolutely. I recently headed over to Prive Salon Los Angeles to try the latest offering on their menu, the Beauty Scalp Balance treatment, not quite knowing what to expect. I was whisked away upstairs to the adjoining Ona Spa, where I relaxed in a Zen-inducing setting and received the most satisfying scalp massage of my life. Considering most typical spa treatments or salon shampoos might squeeze in a few minutes of scalp massage (if you’re lucky!), this treatment focused on just that aspect for the majority of the service.

The therapist methodically applied Steam hair and scalp oils (a genius all-natural, mostly organic line based on classic aromatherapy founded by Carla Gentile to restore and balance your hair, scalp — and also your spirit!) and soothed away any traces of my stress with her incredible touch using authentic Indian friction techniques.

Take my word for it — you will zone out! Plus, the oils smell incredible (jojoba, acai and pomegranate, anyone?) and miraculously revive tired tresses. As the oils penetrated deep into my scalp and throughout the entire length of my hair, I enjoyed further indulgence in the form of a hand and foot massage, as well as a hot stone shoulder and neck massage. Amazing.

Sound too good to be true? It gets better! While most people may shy away from scalp massages due to the obvious inconvenience of having oils greasing up their hair and having to shower and re-style their ‘do,’ this treatment conveniently finishes with a professional shampoo and blowout downstairs at Prive. Genius!

After my mesmerizing scalp massage, I continued the     pamper party with the salon’s brilliant stylists and was immediately impressed with my extra-glossy, healthier-looking locks. Once my hair was shampooed and blown out like a bombshell, I felt like a brand new person from the inside out. Ninety minutes of total relaxation merged with supermodel-worthy salon time? Two thumbs up for time well spent. The scalp treatment starts at $130 at Prive Salon Los Angeles.

Sunday was an amazing day. Prive Salon hosted a breast cancer event for The Foundation for Living Beauty. The women who are treated to this event are either living with cancer or cancer survivors.

Amie Petersen, a long time friend and client is the founder of this organization. Each year she does multiple events that provide women with group activities and retreats relating to beauty and wellness.

This year’s event consisted of the women coming to the salon for a pampering beauty day. I joined my fellow hairstylists at Prive Salon to give these women haircuts and then style their hair for a portrait. Stila cosmetics provided make up services. After the portraits the women had lunch and were able to socialize, re-connecting or being welcomed as a new participant into the group.

It was an honor to be part of the group providing services to these women. The women I worked with told me their stories and it was a touching experience. One of my guests said something powerful to me that was so subtle yet stayed with me all day. We were talking about her hair texture and how hair grows back after cancer treatment. Sometimes it grows back super curly or sometimes straight, or maybe even grey. Hers had grown back much curlier, and she wasn’t really sure how to handle it these days. As I explained how to handle a wiry curly texture she said, “You know after you go through chemo and loose all of your hair you really don’t care how it grows back. You’re just happy to have hair again and now you know it could happen to you.” She told me at the time she was diagnosed, she was taking care of her father who was dying from cancer. She said her first thought was “Not now, I don’t have time for this right now. I have to take care of my father.”

This was so powerful to me. We are living in a time of gratitude, where you hear every day how you should be thankful for what you have. And I participate in that thought and am very conscious of what I have in this world and am more than thankful. But somehow this women’s matter of fact-ness coming from experience made me feel ever more thankful, and grateful and compassionate toward others.

When I finished in the salon that day, I walked outside through the yellow ribbons blocking off Beverly Blvd. Today was the Aids Run. What a day to give thanks.

On my recent trip to China one of my main goals was to experience traditional Chinese massage. After doing a little research while I was there I found quite a few day spas that were of interest to me.  I visited 3 different Massage Spas and had 3 incredible 90 minute massages, each one for around $60.

Each place had a different décor and ambiance, and the technique was slightly different as well. But for the most part they were very similar, all very busy, professional, clean, organized and comfortable. They all were really into the Aromatherapy Massages.

The first spa I visited was recommended in The Shanghai tourist book in our hotel room. It was called Dragon Fly and there were about 11 locations throughout the city. I chose this one over some of the more luxury spas in the upscale hotels because I really wanted to experience something authentic. Dragon Fly seemed to be the place that professional people go. The menu choices are mostly massage but they’ve recently added facials, manicures and pedicures. I chose the Top to Toe and the Aroma Massage. The Top to Toe begins sitting in a big comfy chair and relaxing while receiving a scalp, neck and shoulder massage while at the same time receiving the footbath and foot massage. This is my treatment of choice. There is nothing like a good scalp and neck massage followed by an amazing foot massage. But having them both done at the same time is outstanding!

Next came the aroma massage and I chose the lavender scent to add to my oils. Lavender Oil Scent can help with relaxation and relieving anxiety. Added into massage oil it can help eliminate tension. I’ve also used it with steam to help relieve congestion and a cough.

That afternoon after lunch with some friends I decided to join one of my friends to another spa for another massage. Earlier that day we had passed by Zen Massage. I immediately liked the vibe and planned to go back the next day. But why not indulge and have another 90 minute massage only a few hours after my Dragon Fly experience.

At Zen I chose Jasmine to add to my massage oil. Jasmine has similar properties as Lavender, in that it helps reduce congestion, induces relaxation, relieve anxiety, and is also an anti-septic and an aphrodisiac.

I’ve had multiple treatments in the same day, usually when I stay at a resort or try a package. But having two 90-minute massages in the same day was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while. I highly recommend it.

The next morning I chose Green Massage, another small chain of Massage Spas. The ambiance was beautiful and the staff was welcoming and professional. I chose the Traditional Chinese Massage and here I had one of the best massages of my life. It was a little intense, the Chinese technique uses their fingers, elbows and hands to go deep and work out any tension or stress. Afterwards I felt like jello and was a little sore but knew the benefits from this massage would last for days.

My first Shanghai spa experience was superb. I’m already looking forward to going back, hoping to visit different regions of China. I feel I just touched the surface of what Shanghai has to offer.

“The Integratron is an acoustically perfect tabernacle and energy machine, sited on  a powerful geomagnetic vortex in the magical Mojave Desert.”

I’m going to keep this short and to the point.

Experience the Sound Bath at the Integratron!!

Well worth the drive, and the $10  donation with free parking.

The Sound Bath is a deep relaxation experience. The drive alone is worth the trip. But once you arrive you’re in for a treat. I wish it could have lasted all day. On a normal day they play crystal bowls but the day I showed up they had a guest bowler who played 33 Tibetan Singing Bowls. For a sampling of what this might sound like you can hear it on Sound Cloud http://soundcloud.com/33bowls. And now imagine laying on a yoga mat on the top floor of this huge wooden dome structure which is said to be created through conversations with extraterrestrials. You’ll have to visit the website to get the full impression. http://www.integratron.com/

I’ve put the Sound Bath on the top of my list for interesting treatments. It left me feeling relaxed and inspired.

Tags : 33 Tibetan Singing Bowls, Crystal Sound Healing, Domes, Interesting Healing Treatments, Joshua Tree, Sound Bath, Sound Healing, The Integratron, Yucca valley

Summers almost over, most of us have taken our summer vacations, and if your like me your trying to squeeze in some weekend trips or poolside days. I found a great Locals special that will make you feel miles away.

The Ciel Spa at the SLS Hotel offers an awesome special for Angelino’s. You can book a 60-minute massage for the great price of $99 and then hang out at the Altitude Pool Deck, order lunch and a cocktail by Jose Andres of The Bazaar and spend the day sunning and soaking.

I took advantage of this offer and had a really great experience. I arrived early and was able to relax and have tea before my massage. From the moment I sat down to confirm my massage to the moment I left, I felt like I was on a mini vacation.

The Massage Therapist was excellent and very aware of what areas of my body needed the attention. She consistently made sure I was comfortable .  She used  a Eucalyptus Essential Oil to clear my mind along with a very light massage oil. A nice touch was the foot bath before the massage. Before I removed my robe she had me sit in a chair to soak my feet while she asked what I was looking for in the massage.  I like this touch because it allows you to get a little acquainted with each other before the massage begins.

After I was finished I went back to the relaxation room and sampled a fresh juice and sat for a minute to get into a poolside mode.

I found my chaise in the sun, ordered my Ceviche lunch and had such a relaxing day. Everything about this day was awesome and so, I highly recommend the Locals Special at the Ciel Spa and SLS Hotel for an end of the summer-stretch out your tan- kind of day.

Tags : beauty treatments, Ciel Spa, Eucalyptus, Jose Andres, massage, SLS Hotel, spa treatments

On a recent trip to Palm Springs my goal was to get as much R&R and sunning I could fit into 3 days. Mission accomplished! I came home well rested and tan. I love Palm Springs because it’s so easy to get to and so HOT all you can do is float around in the pool or sleep. But there’s always time for a  spa treatment so this time I took advantage of having the Feel Good Spa right there at the ACE hotel and enjoyed a wonderful scalp treatment and massage.

This was about a 40-minute treatment. My spa therapist used straight jojoba oil on my scalp and hair along with the most incredible massage. She also used a rosemary essential oil as an aromatherapy component to the treatment. She didn’t add it into the oil but wafted the scent so I could feel the invigorating benefits of the rosemary.

Rosemary herbs and essential oils have been used in many hair treatments throughout the world for centuries. This oil is well known to help in hair loss treatments. You can make your own scalp treatment oil using rosemary in a couple different ways.

Try adding a few drops of the essential oil to a base of jojoba oil, olive or coconut oil, massage into your scalp and leave on overnight. You can also make a tonic from the rosemary herb. Try boiling the herb to make a tea and then use a cotton ball or cotton cloth to dab the rosemary tonic onto your scalp. Leave this on for 20-30 minutes until it soaks in.

Both of these methods are great for reducing shedding and treating the hair follicles removing build up and debri from the scalp.

But it’s always nice to have someone else give you a scalp treatment. My massage therapist at the Feel Good Spa had a great technique, knowing exactly how to use acupressure and how to use friction. She relieved all of the tension in my neck and shoulders and made my scalp come alive.

It was the right choice to use jojoba oil as we all know by now it’s one of the best oils for your hair and scalp. In the past I’ve noted that jojoba oil is the closest oil to the skin’s natural oil. Jojoba is really a wax ester, which is the component that is similar to the skins natural oil sebum. When applied to the skin or scalp the jojoba tricks the skin into thinking it is producing enough sebum, which in turn balances the sebum production. This helps heal free radical damage and moisturizes the scalp providing a healthy environment for the hair to grow.

I left the oil on my hair all day while sitting by the pool. The results were healthy, full and shiny hair.

Tags : beauty treatments, Feel Good Spa, Hair treatments, jojoba oil, rosemary essential oil, Scalp Massage, scalp treatment, The ACE Hotel Palm Springs

A toning tonic for shine

3 tablespoons rosemary

3 tablespoons sage

1 1/2 quarts of water

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Boil all the ingredients together, Strain and refrigerate.

Pour this mixture over freshly shampooed hair and work through for 2 –5 minutes. Rinse and condition.

This scalp and hair tonic will bring life back to your hair, add shine and nourish the scalp.

Here are a couple already made products that will help restore your hair to a healthy condition while adding shine and manageability.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Serum

Rene Furterer Fiorvanti No-Rinse Detangling Spray

Tags : Apple Cider Vinegar, bumble and Bumble, hair care recipes, Hair Rinse, Rene Furterer, Sage, Steam Products, Steam Treatment