Celebrity Suspect: Oprah Winfrey

Case: Controversial talk show host and political critic, Bill Maher had some choice words for Oprah during his holiday special. Tell your “worshiping flock to sit down and stop losing your s**t over material stuff.” Ouch. It’s been 20+ years of giveaways including trips to Australia, Burberry coats, beauty products, and even brand new cars. (See video below.) Maher points out that society has become obsessed with greed and acquiring things with monetary value.

Spa Treatment Sentence: We agree with Maher to a certain extent, but Madonna cleared the air long ago, and it’s a fact: we are living in a material world. We think O has all good intentions. After all, Oprah gave $40 million to charity this year, making her THE most charitable celebrity. If we had the power, we’d lock Oprah away at the spa for a while to take a break from all the hard work she does. Oh, wait we do—hypothetically, at least. For years of generosity, Oprah will be serving her spa-time starting with at SpellBound Bodywork & Beauty, located in Chicago of course. We sentence Oprah to get the ball rolling with a Mini-Facial and Massage, both $50 each in our spa deals.

Take a peek at the mounting evidence courtesy of a youtube remix of Oprah’s famous car giving episode below.

Image Courtesy of milkdog.com

Want to smell like Rihanna? Our favorite red haired (for now) umbrella balancing singer is set to debut her first fragrance in Spring 2011 called Reb’l Fleur. The title is a nod to her infamous neck tattoo “rebelle fleur“ gaffe she showed the world on one of her shopping trips last year. If our 5th Grade french serves us right, it should have been “Fleur Rebel” because in French words are presented the other way around.

But anyway, can we talk about the packaging? The gold and black bottle gives off a throwback Aladdin lamp feel while tapping into a Dynasty vibe and her bouncy old Hollywood movie star hair and pink silk robe further seal it. The scent is is a fruity chypre with notes of tuberose, violet, hibiscus, and coconut water as a nod to her homeland of Barbados. Wonder if it’s Zico?

Image Courtesy of bellasugar.com and popcrunch.com

The holidays are here and you are officially down to the wire. Are you a super procrastinator intimidated by long lines and huge crowds? Maybe you just have no clue what to get that special person in your life. The best gift to give with wellness, relaxation, and total convenience in mind is one Spa Week’s Spa Gift Cards. You can beat the last minute shoppers by just printing out your Spa Gift Card and giving it to a loved one in a beautiful holiday card, or if you won’t be seeing them til 2011, you can send Spa Gift Cards via email.

And they’re ON SALE. Now through the end of the year pay only $79.99 for a $100 Spa Week Gift Card or get 20% off any denomination. These gift cards are accepted at over 2000 spas around the country and can be used for any service, 52 weeks a year, and never expire. For the holidays we’re thinking a relaxing massage might fit the bill. Get your holiday shopping done right here.

Image Courtesy of brentcsutoras.com

Ring in the new year with a smooth, hairless bod! Yes, there IS such thing as a free wax.

Starting today, Tuesday December 21, 2010, completely bare will offer its renowned waxing and laser hair removal services  at the all-new outpost within the Upper East Side Sports Club LA 330 East 61st Street (btwn 1st & 2nd ave) NYC.

Completely bare is my favorite wax in town… you BET I already made my appointment! It’s a hair removal spa as luxurious as it is professional, and home to all the authentic Vajazzle, Vatoo and Bum/Bikini Facial services you know and love. Also a favorite among celebrities, socialites, fashion designers, and beauty editors, completely bare has been featured in virtually every major women’s publication including Vogue, In Style, Allure, Lucky, Glamour, and Marie Claire as the hair removal experts.

They would like to invite you to experience their waxing or laser hair removal… for FREE!  From Tuesday December 21 through Friday Jan 7 2011, the following services are free:

Women’s Waxing and Laser Hair Removal Treatments:

• Basic Bikini
• Brazilian Bikini
• Lip
• Chin

Men’s Waxing and Laser Hair Removal Treatments:

• Neck
• Shoulder
• Upper Back

Book your appointment online at www.completelybare.com or call 855.366.6060. Hurry!

Limit 1 per person. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer Valid at the Upper East Side Sports Club LA location only.

Georgia is confused.

In Atlanta alone, there are 71 streets named Peachtree. Yes, it’s called “The Peach State,” but Georgia is only around the 4th biggest producer of peaches nationwide. California is by far #1. And to make matters worse, “Peachtree” is merely a misinterpreted version of “Pitch tree.” Pitch is sap, and in fact, there seems to be no historical peach tree that led to the original name. Sit on that one, James!

But despite these bewildering peach statistics, Atlanta seems to be doing just fine, and my visit to the renowned 29 Spa at the Mansion on Peachtree, a gorgeous 15,000 square foot recipient of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2009 50 Hot Spas, was as peachy a spa day I could have asked for.

I arrived with my friend Natasha in Buckhead, the ritzy, uptown neighborhood of Atlanta, and a fitting location for The Mansion on Peachtree. With a dramatic estate-like entrance and glossy floors that shined like a royal chess board, the hotel maintains a southern, swanky feel.

29 Spa is the vision and work of Lydia Mondavi, a spa icon and fifth generation Atlanta native who melds Napa Valley-inspired luxury and skin care with classic Americana in a blissful, decorative spa setting. She is also the creator of 29 Cosmetics, an Age Protecting skin care and makeup line utilizing the benefits of grape seeds.

Natasha and I were delighted to spend the afternoon chilling out in the jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and showers, reading fashion magazines and drinking wine (one glass is complimentary for all) in the relaxation lounge with heated neck pillows and shoulder-padded robes. Yes, shoulder pads! They’ve made a slight comeback in the past couple seasons, and 29 Spa is right on trend.

Here we are with spa buddy Ava Roxanne of My Skin Concierge, who stopped by to say hi from the Lavish Unconference that happened to be hopping upstairs at The Mansion on Peachtree. She’s recently stomped grapes there, Lucy and Ethel style, with Lydia Mondavi herself. Where was I on that day!?

The Treatments:

I received a massage called Sommelier’s Selection: “Replenish and relax! This comforting, beneficial massage uses 29′s warm grape seed extract massage cream combined with gentle pressure massage to dissolve stress inviting tension to flow from the body.”

My masseur Chris delivered a wonderfully deep, penetrating massage in one of their 14 spacious treatment rooms. The description says “gentle” but I made sure there would be nothing gentle about it. I like my massages firm, so I told Chris he can go as hard as he’d like. Always be open with your therapist about the level of firmness you prefer. If it’s too hard or soft, say something.

Natasha received a body treatment called Grape Skin: “Perfecting grape skin extract and red wine pumice restore the skin with powerful, anti-oxidant polyphenols. Leaving your skin feeling as velvety as a silky Reserve Cabernet.”

Natasha doesn’t go to the spa very often and had never gotten an exfoliation quite like this. She was all aflutter afterwards, having me feel her legs and arms for their velvety softness. They were indeed! She also told me it was a little cold in the room, but didn’t say anything. Therapists often ask if you’re comfortable with the temperature, but if they don’t, it’s your job to speak up! As I told Natasha, ladies and gents, if it’s too hot or cold in your treatment room, always say something.

After our treatments, we showered and used the hair dryers and products at our disposal. All fresh, glowing, relaxed and ready for a night out Atlanta! If only we knew which Peachtree street we were supposed to meet everyone…

29 Spa at The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence
3376 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.995.7529

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