Calling all North Pacific Coasters! The Oregon trail is blazing once again. This time around we won’t be losing any oxen or getting bitten by snakes. We’re hitting the trail spa-style for some relaxing treatments for Fall Spa Week, September 13-19, 2010. For the first time ever, Spa Week is in Oregon and you can book your $50 spa treatments at three Oregon spa locations.

Spa Checkpoint #1 - Trudge on down Oregon’s rolling hills to Beaverton at Oregon’s Grand SalonSpa. Get your sweet spa fix with a 45 minute Pumpkin Facial, 45 Minute Apple Cider Pedi, or a 45 Minute Brown Sugar Body Scrub.

Spa Checkpoint #2 - In Astoria, off the Columbia River, enjoy three spa treatments at Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa. Each an hour long, have your pick of a Stress Solution Facial with Lavender and Bergamot Essential Oils, Chocolate Ginger Wrap to Calm and Detoxify, or a Marine Minerals Wrap.

Spa Checkpoint #3 - Finally, just 7 miles south of the city of Portland in Tigard, you can chill out at the Coldwater Creek The Spa – Bridgeport Village for a much kneaded 50 minute Essential Massage or a 50 Minute Vitamin C Facial.

Book your spa adventure now at Spaweek.com!

Image Courtesy of  The Campus Socialite and HighlandButteRanch.com

Guest contributor: Shelby Jones, ISPA Public Relations Manager

Hiring the right talent can be difficult. It’s like working a jigsaw puzzle – you have to find the piece that fits perfectly with the rest. Some companies enlist the help of recruiters and headhunters to figure it all out, but first you have to know what you’re looking for.

Remember Bo Jackson’s famous “Bo Knows” Nike ads? Take a lesson from the multi-talented athlete and seek out employees who know what they’re doing.  It may seem simple enough but many organizations just can’t seem to hire people with the right know-how. One company that’s definitely in the know is Zappos, which is led by innovative CEO Tony Hsieh. Zappos is known for its Core Values (deliver WOW through service, create fun and a little weirdness, etc.) which are used in their hiring process. They know exactly what they’re looking for in employees and you should too. Check out the following links for some tips on getting the people in the know into your cubicles.

• Good news – companies are investing more in growth and that includes hiring. Be prepared by focusing on the skills your organization needs now and in the future.
• Can you do the job? Are you willing to do the job? Can you take direction? You’re hired!
• What do YOU need in an employee? The hiring process is your time to be selfish so take your time or risk hiring a dud.
• There’s an art to conducting interviews. Get organized and nix the generic interview questions (What are your strengths and weaknesses? What’s one challenge you had to overcome?) by actually getting to know the candidate.

Like what you’re clicking? If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of our partner ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

Image Courtesy of majaiten.com

Roll call!  The kids aren’t the only ones going back to class.  The bell has rung and you had better be in your seat because:  It’s time for Spa School.  Where fun will earn you an A and treatments rule. Click here to learn more about #SpaWeekGossip.

Grade system: Tweet smart, have fun, learn spa stuff, get an A

WIN: Six A+ Students will win a spa uniform! No naughty schoolgirl attire here.

PRIZE: A super-soft Sassimi Spa Robe: Double-sided, plush micropoly spa lounger that feels fabulous after bath, after swim, or lounging around. Get ready without bulky sleeves and collars and then step out with ease. An adjustable satin drawstring for an individual fit. Bust area moves to allow more or less coverage. This style looks great on all shapes and sizes. Get your choice of Pink, White or Cream (according to availability).

The 6 winners will be notified via Twitter after the party is over.

Your class schedule:

Homeroom - Meet your classmates and find out how to be a Grade A spa student.

Math - Crunch the spa numbers without busting your budget.

Gym - Jumping jacks were never like this.  Sweat it out and get into spa shape.

Social Studies – Become a spa culture vulture w/history and the roots of relaxation.

Chemistry – Get out the beakers & test tubes! Make your own beauty concoctions.

Home Ec - Create a cozy and relaxing home.  When you just can’t get to the spa.

TWITTER PARTY DETAILS:

What: Spa Week Daily & Art of the Spa’s #SpaWeekGossip

When: Wednesday, September 1st, 2 pm EST / 11 am PAC

Where: On Twitter with hashtag #SpaWeekGossip or

For easier chatting (hashtag entered automatically for you) tweet on Tweetchat.com

BRAND NEW! Join us by logging in from Twitter OR Facebook using our brand new embedded chat feature here:

Topic: Back to Spa School

Who: @spaweek @artofthespa & YOU!

Experts:  @jeremymcc @audreymclellan (fittingly, Audrey won’t make it because of a conflict with her son’s first day B2S!) @rockandrollmama @carissarogers

Make the grade and be there.

Michelle (Spa Week Daily) & Candy (Art of the Spa)

It’s back to school time, who’s excited? We didn’t expect a cheering chorus, but before you start kicking and screaming we’ve got ten things for you to be excited about. For less than $100 you can pick up the best beauty products for all your skin, hair, and makeup needs that could last at least until Thanksgiving Break. Whether you’re a Mommy sending your little troops off for a new exciting school year or a busy teacher determined to maintain a fresh first-day-of-school-glow until June, it’s time to prioritize a list of beauty must-haves to face the looming year ahead.

Start your mornings off with a great moisturizing conditioner. Your ends will thank you.  Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner, $5.24

No time for a red carpet do? Take a dollop to tame those fly-aways in a dash. TRESemme Tres Clean Hold Professional Formula Gel Firm Control for  $1.49

Three main ingredients go into a relaxing shower. Hot water, 30 minutes and a moisturizing body wash. Don’t skimp on either part, especially the body wash.  Olay Total Effects Body Wash, Deep Penetrating Moisture, 6.79

Sometimes all you have time for is an all in one. Use these towelettes to cleanse, exfoliate and go.  Pond’s Wet Towelettes Morning Refresh with Citrus and Cucumber, $5.69

Double you pleasure the night before a stressful return to work. Settle into a sinful chocolate face mask and blow your colleagues away with your smooth skin.  Bellaboo Face Mask Sweet Sin Chocolate, 9.99

Say yes to beautiful skin with a facial cleanser that’s organic, natural and paraben free. Yes to Carrots Nourishing Daily Creme Facial Cleanser, 7.99

Be gone in 50 seconds (who needs the other 10?) with quick, drying nail color. Maybelline Express Finish Advance Anti-Chip Color in Grape Times, 3.99

For windy days, sunny days, or any days, never leave home without smooth puckers.  Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $2.99

Yes, the sun goes down a bit earlier, but that doesn’t mean you’re free from harmful rays. Moisturize and protect your skin. Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30, $7.19

Bring your eyes from natural to dramatic in just 3 clicks. Almay One Coat Dial Up Mascara Blackest Black 8.49

Given the opportunity, I’m sure we’d all love to play Suzy Homemaker a few times a week, but demanding careers and airtight schedules don’t leave much room for playtime with Tide and Bleach. Just the thought of cleaning the abode from top to bottom can leave some sleepy and reaching for the nearest pillow. Do you often find yourself in need of a motivator? A good playlist can get you pumped to clean and brush up on those crazy dance moves you’d never do in public. Turn the base up with 2 hours of non-stop, dancing, adrenaline rushing songs and we guarantee your home will sparkle like before you moved in. Below find a plethora of inspiring tunes from Metallica, Sugar Ray, Michael Jackson, and Prince to get you in the spirit to clean.

Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins (Suggested by Suzy Modrich Rebsamen on Facebook)
Follow You Down, Gin Blossoms (Suggested by Allie Estes Roche on Facebook)
Upgrade You Beyonce featuring Jay-Z (Suggested by Rica Love on Facebook)
Elements of Life, Tiesto (Suggested by Hellen Araujo on Facebook)
Please Don’t Stop the Music, Rihanna (Suggested by Nicole L. Townsend on Facebook)
Feelin’ Stronger Everyday, Chicago (Suggested by Jennifer Kyles on Facebook)
Respect, Aretha Franklin
Cherry Poppin Daddies, Zoot Suit Riot (Suggested by Rita Mrsttotheo on Facebook)
Serenity, Godsmack (Suggested by Amy Bielawski on Facebook)
Inside, Sevendust (Suggested by Amy Bielawski on Facebook)
The Unforgiven, Metallica (Suggested by Amy Bielawski on Facebook)
Burden In My Hand, Soundgarden (Suggested by Amy Bielawski on Facebook)
No Excuses, Alice In Chains (Suggested by Amy Bielawski on Facebook)
Whip It, Devo
Love Shack, The B-52′s
It Takes Two, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
Don’t Stop Believing, Journey
Would I Lie To You, The Eurythmics
Fly, Sugar Ray
Shake Your Body Down to the Ground, Michael Jackson
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing, Scissor Sisters
Dirty Work, Dan Steely
Save It for Later, The English Beat
I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash
Diamonds and Pearls, Prince

Image Courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald