Second Life

Re-Charge Wednesday: Get Thee to a Day Spa

A few weeks ago, I treated one of my best friends to her first spa experience. She's been through a lot in the past 9 months, including major surgery, the death of a close friend, the departure of her last child for college and the loss of her job. I hesitate to say that she's been through it all only because I'm afraid I'll jinx her in what has already been one hell of a year.

  At any rate, our birthdays are only one day apart (September 10 and 11), so we planned for her and her husband to come down to Philadelphia to spend a day and night with my husband and I. We began the day at one of my favorite places--Terme di Aroma, which I highly recommend if you're ever in the area.  Peaceful surroundings and wonderful people who provide guaranteed de-stressing. It was a great start to the day, although Mary and I probably could have used a nap by the time we were finished.

Periodic day spa experiences have become an important little luxury for me, although I only began going in the past few years after my husband treated me to a massage on my birthday. They are incredibly rejuvenating and for less than $100 (depending on what you select) can give you a new lease on life. Or at least make you less cranky.

If you've never done the spa thing before, you might start by checking out this article on how to select a spa and this article on how to make the most of your day.

When you're ready to find a spa, check around with people you know to see if they have any recommendations. Or use one of these spa locators:

Day Spa Association

Spa Finder

Spa Magazine

When you're selecting your spa, be sure to think through what you're looking for--what's important to you in that spa experience? What kind of environment do you want? Are you looking for something relaxing or invigorating? What part of your body needs some TLC? Or is it more than one? And do you want to go alone or do you want to share the love by bringing someone special along? (Last year my husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day with massages and too many martinis--I highly recommend the former, although not the latter).

A day spa experience can be a wonderful thing. I'm only sorry that I didn't discover them sooner.

Michele

For the Artist In You

To satisfy my Second Life artistic yearnings, I've joined a number of on-line art groups and I'm always keeping my eye out for good workshops and retreats. Two that have consistently received rave reviews (although I haven't yet been fortunate enough to attend either one) are Artfest and Art & Soul.

Artfest is run by Teesha Moore and her husband at Fort Worden in Washington State. The 3-day retreat features workshops by some great (mostly female) artists and lots of time with other creative people (again, mostly women). And while the lodgings are apparently somewhat primitive, they can't be too bad because with the event several months away, the only place you can get a room is offsite!  Prices are reasonable at $480 if you stay in town, which includes all of your workshop fees and some "goodies."

Art & Soul is a paper, fiber, beading and fabric arts festival also taught by talented and well-known artists, including Claudine Hellmuth who is the goddess of collage. At least within a certain segment of society. In 2007, there will be three retreats--one in Hampton, VA, one in Portland, OR and one in Pienza Italy. Prices for the Oregon and VA retreats aren't available yet, but the Italy retreat will be about $2500, excluding airfare, and registration is now open.

So if you're feeling creative. . .

Michele

On Safari

A couple of cool retreats to explore in Second Life. . .

If your idea of fun involves crashing waves . . .

For sports fans, the Las Olas Surf Camp offers women-only retreats where you can explore your inner Gidget (without the distraction of Moondoggie). Created by Bev Sanders of Manifesta Safaris, Las Olas bills itself as a "reverse finishing school" that  "makes girls out of women."

Prices for the 7-day, 6-night safaris off the Pacific coast of Mexico range from $2500 to $3700 depending on the accomodations you select and they run from November to June. Surfers of all experience levels are welcome they say, and most of their guests are beginners. Find out more here.

If you prefer something quieter . . .

The more sedate Second Lifer might be interested in the Artista Creative Safaris For Women where their motto is "Let's Paint." Also run by Manifesta, the Arista retreats take place in beautiful Carmel, California where creative types of all stripes can participate in the 3 or 5-day painting safaris. Or you might want to try the newly-added Fashionista Safari (for Clothing Design) or the En Cera, where you can learn encaustic painting.

Rates vary depending on how many nights you'll be staying and the type of accomodations you choose. The 3-day trips start at about $1,100 and the 5-day retreats start at around $2,000. You can find dditional details on what's included and the available dates on their site.

Michele