all the dish that’s fit to print
ramadan detox
Ramadan officially started August 11th and marks the month-long period where Muhammad is believed to have composed the Quran. In honor of this holy month, Muslims around the world will focus on inner peace and cleansing from now until September 9th through daily fasts during sunlight hours and abstain from any harmful habits that introduce toxins to the body (like drinking or smoking).
Ananatara resident spa guru and unofficial Ramadan expert, Liz Smailes, shared her advice with us on incorporating the relevant messages behind the holy celebration into daily life. (more…)
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yoga > j.crew
National Yoga Month is only 19 days away… and we at AMPR couldn’t be more ready! We were very surprised to learn, however, just how popular yoga has become across the country.
About 16 million adults practice yoga and spend $5.6 billion a year on classes and products. That’s a lot of classes (or mats and spandex?) given that the average class only costs $12.
If you haven’t joined the yoga bandwagon yet, don’t be shy! Three-out-of-four yoga practitioners have only been practicing themselves for five years or less.
So jump on and see just what the hype is all about. With lululemon stores generating an average of $1,800 in sales per square foot – three times as much as J-Crew! – looks like yoga is set to become the new classic Americana.
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tea ceremony in the garden
If you are looking for a peaceful afternoon outing after experiencing the energized excitement of Tokyo, a visit to Happoen Gardens is the perfect way to clear your mind. “Happoen” translates from Japanese to mean “the garden of eight views”, and was named so because its beauty is visible from every angle. Stroll along the ancient paths and take in the ever changing beauty of these meticulously maintained gardens. No matter which season you visit, the unique splendor of the trees and ground coverings will enchant you. There are cherry blossoms in the spring, azaleas in the summer, brightly colored leaves in fall, and an ethereal covering of snow in the winter. These gardens are well known for the authentic tea ceremony that is performed at the teahouse located along the garden walk. Take a leisurely walk through the gardens and participate in the tea ceremony, immersing yourself in the magnificence of Japan. Don’t forget to make a reservation, you cannot visit the gardens without one!
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the case of the melting face
Its summertime and it is HOT out there. For ladies who have to step outside and face the heat at some point during their days, this means sweaty skin and drippy makeup. Forget about plastering on the face powder and looking a patchy mess; help combat the heat with these products from the skincare experts at ESPA.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE use ESPA 24 Hour Balancing Complex
This special complex is the perfect moisturizer for summer because it has a gel consistency that feels cool and refreshing upon application. The complex actually decreases sebum production so you sweat less and the essential oils of tea tree and lavender kill any bacteria produced by sweat to stop pimples from forming. Skin will remain tight and refreshed – for 24 hours!
THROUGHOUT THE DAY use ESPA Floral Spafresh Spritzer
This non-drying toner can be spritzed right on top of your makeup throughout the day, refreshing skin instantly without messing up your carefully applied skin, eye, and lip makeup. The uplifting floral scent also keeps you smelling shower fresh – bonus!
Keeping skin fresh in hot weather is the key – and these two products will help you achieve that!
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pat mcgrath, makeup artist to the stars, loves ESPA
We have never been so pleased as to read that Pat McGrath is a huge fan of ESPA Soothing Body Oil! Recently interviewed for nymag.com on what products Ms. McGrath never leaves home without, Pat says that the soothing body oil “helps me relax and overcome jet lag when flying to Europe.” Read Pat McGrath’s article here on the New York Magazine website, and visit the ESPA website for more info on Soothing Bath Oil.
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hup deux trios quatre…
The sought-after slim physique of the French certainly can’t be courtesy of buttery croissants or sumptuous cream sauces. Parisians spend their lives walking, an underrated way to burn off those Ladurée macarons. This September, La Réserve Ramatuelle is offering two boot camps with a French twist for those wanting to shed some pounds commes les françaises. Set in a sundrenched hillside near St. Tropez with views over the cobalt Mediterranean Sea, La Réserve is the ideal spot for hiking through the Côte d’Azur countryside.
The Boot Camp is a five-day (four-night) program. Upon arrival, each boot camper will get a medical assessment to measure physical aptitude. The next day, after an hour-long yoga session and a healthy breakfast, a guide will lead the way on a fast-paced walk through the countryside and along the coast. While the hilly terrain is sure to raise heart rates, the pace and distance of these walks are determined on an individual basis. After the walks, guests can relax for the rest of the day at the spa, enjoying a program of treatments such as balneotherapy, body wraps, or the La Réserve Better Aging body treatment. While strenuous, this boot camp is hardly roughing it; walks through the Mediterranean countryside, spa treatments, and delicious (and healthy) local flavors cooked up by Chef Eric Canino. Designed for groups of 4-8 people, it’s the perfect opportunity to take along some friends.
Example of a typical day’s activities – day 1
6:30am Yoga session (1 hour)
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Leave for walk
1pm Lunch at the hotel
2:30pm Balneotherapy
3pm Body Wrap
3:30pm Jet shower
4pm La Réserve Better Aging body treatment (50 minutes)
6:30pm Relaxation session (1 hour)
Dates:
Wednesday September 15-Sunday September 19
Monday September 27-Friday September 31
Price: €3600, accommodation in a Deluxe room and full board
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stay beautiful, mom!
For Mother’s Day this year, treat all the mothers in your life to spa products and treatments from ESPA that allow her to maintain her beauty and youth.
Brand-new Mommy
For those ladies who are expecting a baby or not so patiently waiting for their pre-baby body to reappear.
PRODUCT: ESPA Nourishing Bath and Body Oils contain Vitamin E to reduce stretch marks while still safe to use right on the baby bump during pregnancy.
TREATMENT: Pre- or Post-Natal Treatments are designed to improve the tonicity of skin under stress during pregnancy.
Middle-Aged Mama
Help Mom care for the wrinkles that YOU caused!
PRODUCT: ESPA CONCEPT Regenerating Moisture Complex is rich in Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract, and Vitamin E, ingredients that moisturize stressed, mature skin.
TREATMENT: ESPA De-Stresser Body Massage rubs away tension caused by sky-high cell phone bills and teenage drivers.
Working Mom
For the mom who applies mascara while driving and carries band aids in her briefcase.
PRODUCT: ESPA Traveler products are light, plastic, TSA-approved, and, as a bonus for the cost-conscious kid, are less-expensive than standard-sized ESPA products.
TREATMENT: The Ayurvedic-influenced Ama Releasing Abyhanga Treatment is made for those with high levels of stress and poor sleep patterns. AKA those with children!
Good-Ole Gram
Nana has upgraded from a Chevy to a Cadillac – now upgrade her skincare from drugstore to ESPA.
PRODUCT: ESPA Super Active Firming Eye Contour is a concentrate that visibly reduces wrinkles around the eyes without synthetic ingredients.
TREATMENT: ESPA Regenerating Facial with Firming Eye Treatment focuses on the distressed skin around the eye area while intensely moisturizing skin that may see too much of that hot Florida sun.
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i just said yes! prewedding pampering package
While finally getting a guy to propose may relieve one set of worries, planning a wedding brings on a whole new bunch of ‘em. The Park Hyatt Chicago has introduced an engagement package for brides-to-be to bask in the glow of a shiny new ring, and hold off on wedding planning for the weekend. Grab your maid of honor or mother of the bride and head to Chicago. The package includes overnight accommodations for two, two tickets to the Chicago History Museum’s “I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot” exhibition, two glasses of champagne in the NoMI Lounge, two manicures and paraffin hand treatments at Tiffani Kim at the Park, and a two hour bridal tour with ShopWalk owner Danielle Lutz with tips on how to create a wardrobe for the big day. After pampering you for two days, they send you off with a one year subscription to your favorite bridal magazine to help you start the planning.
Rates start at $400 and must be booked 7 days in advance.
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spotlight on sue harmsworth
Today is International Women’s Day and it’s very clear that Mother Nature has been notified as it is the most gorgeous spring day here in New York City – finally!
It’s also a very appropriate day to recognize strong independent females, like Sue Harmsworth, the CEO and founder of the global spa company ESPA International. Sue has been working in the spa industry for over 40 years and has consulted on nearly 200 spas in over 60 countries worldwide since she started ESPA in 1993 – quite the accomplishment!
Here is a little advice and insight from Ms. Harmsworth for all women to absorb and consider: “I have a very female workforce globally and try to mentor them in how to deal with the stress of modern life. I believe that if you are straight with people it is much easier in the long run. The world is very small and any attempt to cover up will always be found out. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend that you do. Respect other cultures and don’t think our way is the best. Be open to new ideas and people who know better. We never stop learning; I learn something new every day. Have a curiosity about everything and everybody and be aware of everything around you. Assume nothing, what you say is often heard in a different way. Believe in yourself, many people can achieve great things.”
Right on, Sue, and Happy International Women’s Day!
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meditation in miami
Going to Miami for Spring Break ‘10? Recover from the Miami nightlife with the Vitality Day Package at the ESPA spa at Acqualina Resort in Sunny Isles, just 20-minutes outside of the city. The package, valued at $307 but priced at $225, includes everything you need to feel relaxed and renewed, including:
- Choice of a 80-minute massage of facial
- Additional 15-minutes of guided meditation
- Full use of the spa’s steam rooms, showers, ice fountains, jet pools, roman waterfalls, and relaxation areas
- Valet parking
Choose from ESPA’s Swedish, Hot Stone, or Reiki Massage (Deep Tissue is available for an additional $10). Or, for guests more intersted in a facial, the spa offers three types of Super Active facials; ‘Toning, Lifting and Firming’ for those with maturing skin, ‘Calming and Soothing’ for those with sensitive skin, and ‘Repairing and Restoring’ for sunburned vacationers who might have forgotten their sunscreen at home.
The offer is valid until April 30, 2010. Book in March and guests are invited to participate in a complimentary yoga class hosted Saturdays at 9 a.m.
