Where has the time gone!? Suddenly we are being thrown into the year of the apocalypse, a year where iPhone apps may completely eradicate personal trainers, yet beauty trends are reminiscent of every decade since the 1920s.

Thinking back on how the times have changed from then till now, when our friends over at the Las Vegas Hilton told us they’re throwing their 2nd Annual Old School New Year’s Eve Party with 105.7 The Oasis this year, we were inspired. Their party is complete with old-school music, dancing, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight, and we thought: what would you be doing/thinking/wearing this year if it wasn’t 2012? If it was ’91, ’83, ’98? Here’s what you’d be up to (and what you’d be regretting come 2012):

Your New Year’s Resolution, 1991: Get a Thighmaster

Many thanks to Suzanne Somers and her buns of steel on infomercials that dominated the early nineties, your weightloss resolution this year would have been to bust a move with your very own ThighMaster.

Your New Year’s Midnight Kiss, 1983: Orange Lipstick
(with Matching Eyeshadow)

You’d be dancing in your legwarmers to Every Breath You Take by The Police (not Lauryn Hill) and rocking out to Billie Jean, complete with bright orange lips and orange eyeshadow to match.

Your Boyfriend’s New Year’s Eve Hairstyle, 1997: BLEACHED

It’s tearin’ up my heart when I’m with you! If we were ringing in 1997 this year, we’d be crooning along to N’Sync, and we would actually think our me looked sexy after their decision to bleach their entire head whitish-blond. Thankfully this phased out by the 21st century as we all realized how positively painful it was to look at.

Your New Year’s Eve Day, 2000: Prepping for Y2K (with your Saddle Bag)

Whether it was real or fake, the Dior Saddle bag carried your stuff as you ran around to grocery stores, pharmacies and liquor stores, preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Y2K didn’t exactly happen as expected, but at least you had your saddle bag.

Your Favorite New Year’s Eve Cardio, 1998: Cotton Eye Joe

In ’94, the Swedish band Rednex re-wrote the southern line dance that dates back all the way to pre-Civil War times. A couple years later it hit the States, and began to take over American dance floors in a big way in ’97. By New Year’s Eve of ’98, there wasn’t one New Year’s Eve party that didn’t giddy up, grab their partner and dance the Cotton Eye Joe. Where did you come from, where did you go!?

Your New Year’s Resolution, 1993: The Atkins Diet

Created by Dr. Robert C Atkins in the 60s, the no-carb, high-protein “New Diet Revolution” made a resurgence in the early 90s as the fad weight loss tactic of the decade and beyond. It worked wonders for some, but for many, the second that first piece of pita bread hit their lips, they gained back every single pound. If this were New Year’s 93 there’s a very good chance you’d be resolving to live on steak and eggs for the rest of your life.

Your hair, New Year’s Eve 1988: ABSURD

What may be your hangover morning hair in 2012 was the hottest style on earth back in the 80s hair band era. ’88 was the year the movie Hairspray was released, and the 60s-based movie was a further reminder to keep the hair spray going strong. Morgan Fairchild epitomizes the decade with her teased tresses, and the style didn’t fall flat until the mid nineties. Thank goodness for Jennifer Aniston!

If you’re going to Vegas for New Year’s Eve, check out the old school party and let us know how it is – tickets are only $49 and dinner packages are also available.

Also, be sure to check out Spa Week’s exclusive 3- and 4-night packages at the LV Hilton, which you can use for travel through March 2012. Not redeemable in the 90s. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And remember…

Catch up:
Part 1 – Buffer Your Beverages
Part 2 – Eat By Numbers
Part 3 – Join the One Plate Club
Part 4 – Bring Your Own

Have you ever experienced that moment, right after eating your fourth sugar cookie (which was preceded by 3 pieces of toffee fudge), where you say, “Forget it! Today’s eating is obviously ruined so I might as well eat everything in sight!” and then proceed to eat 3 more cookies, chips, an energy bar and a few French fries to live up and really go down in food flames? It’s a full-blown tailspin that feels crazy, out-of-control and so no fun! Believe me, I’ve been there too and it is NOT pretty.

Today’s holiday survival tip is the last in this amazing series and gets to the heart of what to do when we are about to be derailed by a single tasty treat. Is it really possible to save your day even if you’ve had too much double chocolate-chip cheesecake?

I say, heck-to-the-ya! All you’ve got to do is take each meal on its own merit. For example, let’s say you ate a giant, gooey apple fritter for breakfast. Not the ideal choice but rather than beating yourself up about it, counting how many calories you’ve got left for the day then throwing up your hands in despair and eating half the baker’s dozen you picked up for the office, take the indulgence for what it was and move on! Constant beratement only breaks us down, kills our inner strength and wills us to grab another mouthful of crap to sooth our wounded spirit. How deep and how true!
So the next time you indulge, enjoy it and know that all is not lost with one not-so-great choice. I promise you will be hungry again to catch up on your green veggies!

I’d love to hear your comments below on how taking each meal on its own merit helps you and what you do to calm yourself after a bad food bonanza.

Jamie G. Dougherty, founder of JamieLiving.com, gives women the secrets to feel amazing in their bodies and create the balance they crave between their busy schedules and eating well. Jamie believes that though kale and brown rice are good foods to put on your plate, until we truly learn HOW to eat rather than just WHAT to eat we will continue to be carb-craving, super-frazzled, stress-out ladies.If you ever feel hungry, stuck and unsatisfied with your food be sure to visit Jamie’s website to get her FREE 5-Step Guide to Fabulous. Seriously ladies, get ready for Jamie to rock your world!

After Michelle told me (Stephanie) about her 2011 New Year’s resolution a few months ago, it reminded me that I never actually made a resolution last January. The thought made me feel sort of guilty and unapologetic all at the same time. I mean, just like everyone else, I wanted to stay on track with my health and wellness goals in 2011 by eating right and trying to lose weight – but I didn’t really define my resolution in one neat, catch phrase of affirmation. Maybe because I think it’s all a little – I don’t know – contrived?

I can only seriously remember one resolution I ever made and it was in high school when I vowed to stop biting my nails (but only because I wanted to have long nails in time for summer volleyball camp so I could fit in with all of the other girls who always had cool, funky nail polish and not because it was bad for me or gross etc.) That resolution didn’t even last ‘til Valentine’s Day and I went to camp with my shameful bitten-down-to-the-quick nubs, per the usual.
I can’t think of any other past resolutions because I simply don’t like the idea of making and/or keeping them for a whole year. A year is so long! What if you change your mind half way through?  What if you don’t like your resolution anymore? Does that make you a failure? Do you have to announce to the world that you failed your New Year’s resolution? I guess the other reason I never made any substantial resolutions is because, being a jock my whole life, sometimes it’s hard for me to stick to plans or routines if I don’t have anyone else holding me accountable, like a coach or a teammate. If it’s just me on my own in my own head – I might just convenience myself to ditch the plan all together and grab a Diet Coke because, hey, no one is there to say otherwise. (However, my Diet Coke cravings have been seriously curbed ever since Joy Bauer’s 2-week Ditch Soda Challenge – and if you know me on a personal level, you’d be astonished I just admitted that out loud. I was a Diet Coke addict.)
So, when I got an email from my friends over at My Spa Water inviting me to join their Nationwide Drink Right America 90 Day Water Challenge, I was instantly optimistic. Drink water and ONLY water for 90 days. Here’s a promise I can make to myself, with minimal angst or self-doubt and without the self-loathing that comes with failing. This I can do – and if I fall off the horse – I’ll just pick myself back up and keep on truckin’ (I love clichés, obviously).
The first thing you have to do if you, too, want to join the challenge, is seriously consider the gravity of abolishing all other beverages from your glass, except water. After you’ve thoroughly pondered these potentially life-altering aspects (e.g: caffeine withdrawal, weight-loss, uncontrollable soda-cravings, etc.) then you should RSVP on My Spa Water’s Facebook page. Then, my suggestion is to grab a water filter and a reusable water bottle/thermos, like this one from My Spa Water (which was included in Spa Week’s Fall 2011 Media Bag) and get stocked up on as much H20 as possible! Ban temptation and have some self-discipline for the betterment of your mind, body and spirit.

How will you be ringing in the New Year? What will your resolution be? Could you only drink water for 90 days? Tell us!

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The doctor is in! Pulled your back lifting the Christmas tree? Sprained your wrist wrapping all those gifts? Or just simply exhausted after 2011? CURE SPA, Malibu’s premier seaside Medical Spa has the… well, cure.

Dr. Lisa Benya is on call and there to discuss with you the best methods for your condition. At the top of her list: hot bamboo, seashells, bubbly, quartz and hot stones. How will these help you this holiday season and beyond? Let’s take a look. CURE accepts Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week.

CURE OPTION ONE: Hot Bamboo

This full body Hot Bamboo Massage, brand new at CURE, is a tranquil fusion of hands on massage and heated bamboo application. The bamboo is rolled and massaged in areas of tension to release stress from the body. Warm oil is used to nourish parched winter skin and the pressure is tailored to fit your preference. Hot bamboo massage is an ancient Chinese technique that promotes circulation, sensory nerve perception, and lymphatic drainage, providing a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

CURE OPTION TWO: Seashells

Bring the beach to you – spa style. Reverse the effects of time with CURE’s revolutionary Babor© treatment, the SeaCreation, available as a facial or a body treatment. It’s derived from the depths of the sea using algae and other ingredients to energize and repair the skin. This truly unique experience uses tigress seashells.

CURE OPTION THREE: Champagne

Pop the bubbly! In CURE’s Champagne Facial, a yeast extract of French champagne nourishes and stimulates the skin. The extract helps guard against free radical damage from environmental toxins, while leaving your skin with an effervescent glow. The treatment also includes a hand and foot massage. Cheers to that!

CURE OPTION FOUR: Rose Quartz

CURE’s Rose Quartz Facial is a gentle facial includes a luxurious massage with rose quartz on the skin to regenerate and promote cell growth. This beautiful stone of the rain forest is known for its healing properties and high mineral content. This treatment includes a warm hand paraffin dip.

CURE OPTION FIVE: Hot Stones

Dying for a long, delicious, post-holiday massage to really WOW you? Based on a holistic approach, this 80 minute treatment uses shiatsu techniques and hot stone massage to balance and stimulate Qi (the flow of energy) and to relax mind and body.

And the options don’t stop there! Check out CURE to cure all your woes, any time of year, with all sorts of normal and strange objects alike. And perhaps to also take a long dip in this very lovely, romantic bath…

CURE SPA
23708 Malibu Road
Malibu, CA 90265
310.456.1458

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The Little Luxury: Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray

Relationship status: Boot Buddies

How we met: After work I try to make it over to the gym to blow off some steam. Usually I slip off my leather boots and right into my sneaks – but the other day I noticed that my feet and ankles were a little swollen and, I am ashamed to say, a little smelly.  Not like your dad’s-work-boots-stinky, but more like I-wear-these-boots-everyday-stinky. I told a friend about my embarrassing observation and she recommended I find a foot spray that could freshen up my footsies in between work and the gym. That’s when I found Kanshi’s Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray.

To use: Hold the bottle 10-12 inches away from your foot. Give the nozzle a quick pump and spritz two-three times on the top and bottom. Let air dry.

How it works: After a good misting, my feet felt instantly revitalized and ready for my gym session. The refreshing formula is infused with triple mint to instantly perk up your pieds (that’s feet, in French). And, it has Horse Chestnut extract that helps to improve circulation. No more swollen feet!

Best of all… It ALSO has Lemon Myrtle that provides natural anti-microbial benefits. So feel free to spritz on your feet before you take your shoes off.

It might just be me but… I like to spritz a bit in my shoe to fight any lingering odors in my sneaks/boots plus the anti-microbial affect makes me feel better about myself and my shoes.

What’s more… It’s only $10! Hello stocking-stuffer (Get it?…stockings…feet…).

It might just be me (again) but… I tried spritzing this on my face as an impromptu toner, and I really liked the way it felt! It helped to set my mineral make-up too and it totally assisted in relieving my mini morning hangover when I misted it on my face to cool my hot, dehydrated skin after a long night out.

Hot Stone Scale (1-6): 6

This Little Luxury Report was brought to you by: Stephanie Cavataro