Principessa in the movies!

What do Jennifer Aniston and Principessa have in common? Both are featured in the movie the Switch that is coming out this summer. Originally the movie was supposed to be called The Baster (as in turkey) but in all honesty I can see why they decided to change it :)



Last year when they were filming in NYC the producers of the show contacted us and wanted some products to put in the bathroom to make it pretty and feminine.

We were thrilled to send a bunch of goodies and now we can only cross our fingers and hope we didn't end up on the cutting room floor! I'm sure the movie will be awesome regardless as Jennifer is the quintessential Principessa and always amazing to watch...

Beat the heat!

So, we're here at our place in Palm Springs and it's SCORCHING hot! It's a little crazy to come in July as the temperature is about 115º! I honestly have no idea how everything doesn't just spontaneously combust. Usually when we are here, most activities are outdoor like biking, hiking, golfing, tennis etc. but all of those things are completely out of the question in this heat. Our wonderful neighbor (we are blessed with the most amazing neighbors) here suggested we hit the spa yesterday and she didn't need to ask us twice :)

We drove over in her electric car that is so much fun with no doors. She has named it her pimp mobile as it's all decked out... That's our neighbor Keiren driving, her friend Pam in the front and I'm peaking out from the back. My hubby is taking the picture of course...

We all piled in and headed over to the Spa Resort and Casino.http://www.sparesortcasino.com/ It's not super luxe but it's an institution down here and a must visit for it's spa treatments and their infamous "taking of the waters" where you arrive early and treat yourself to a relaxing pre or apres spa ritual of steam room, dry sauna, eucalyptus inhalation, private sunken tub with mineral waters and finally the visit to the tranquility room.

Palm Springs is famous of course for it's mineral springs that are very healing and relaxing. In fact we got the inspiration to add minerals to our bubble bath at Principessa (to add to the therapeutic benefits) from our frequent visits here and indulging in this wonderful treatment.

There are many local spas and resorts that cater to those wishing to indulge in the artesian waters that are supposed to have superior qualities in comparison to other mineral springs around the world. The grotto at Two Bunch Palms is one such place. http://www.twobunchpalms.com/  This place is truly magical. You can bring a book and spend the day lounging in the grotto which comes with any treatments they offer at the resort. On their website they say that the mineral springs feeding The Grotto is rich in lithium, which is a mood stabilizer. The lithium dissolves into a salt which is absorbed into your system through the skin. Time spent floating in The Grotto positively impacts your mood.

I can attest to this because one time we went and we booked a mud bath for after the grotto and it was terrible! However, we were so blissed out (I suppose from all the lithium?) that all we could do was laugh hysterically. It sounded so nice and we were really looking forward to it but in reality it was horrible.

Apparently the mud baths and the spa were featured in the movie "the player" which I haven't seen but I want to now after experiencing that treatment. I have no idea how the actors climbed into that goop without squirming. Let me set the scene for you. I have had mud baths before but none have been anything like this. The concoction was thick and warm and disgusting. It stunk so bad that they had incense in the room trying to hide the smell. My husband was incredulous! He wanted to know how much had we paid to bathe in something that so closely resembled poo?? It really smelled that bad and there were even flies!!

Now, you think no reasonable person would get in this stuff but we did and boy was it hard. Tears were pouring down our face we were laughing so hard. We kept expecting someone to come out and say we were on candid camera or something. It was truly awful and when the therapist came in we asked her what on earth we were sitting in. She said it was a mud/peat moss mixture but it really truly smelled like manure. The best part is we have a great story to tell and our neighbors here like to joke about the gullible Canadians who are willing to pay good money to bathe in poo. All kidding aside, the rest of the experience was phenomenal and the grotto is not to be missed but definitely take my word for it and stay away from the mud baths! :)

Here is another peak at the gorgeous grotto and more info about it from their website...

From the cradle of time, deep within the Coachella Valley desert, nature created one of the hottest artesian mineral wells in the world. These waters of health ascend through the geological fault of Miracle Hill at approximately 148 degrees Fahrenheit, and then flow downward to nurture the Palm Springs resort hotel oasis that is Two Bunch Palms. Native American Indian tribes have referred to it as sacred ground, for the natural elements that merge together here don’t exist in this form anywhere else on earth. It is truly unique – Nature’s Spa.

Here at this renowned Palm Springs resort, the mineral waters cascade into a temperature-controlled grotto with two carved pool areas – one at 104 degrees and the larger at 99 degrees. It is one of the few mineral springs with no sulfurous odor, simply a woodsy scent. A canopy of trees filters the desert sun, but opens to the shimmer of moonlight and the sparkle of stars. The Grotto experienced at midnight is a heavenly delight, a thoroughly romantic indulgence, whether with someone or by yourself.

Ciao for now!

Sipping Sangria

Sangria is the quintessential summer beverage! If you ever had an amazing sangria the you know exactly what I'm talking about and if you never have, trust me you don't know what you are missing!

I got this recipe years ago from a Spanish Tapas restaurant and unfortunately since then they no longer make amazing sangria but a watered down version of what was once the best sangria I've ever tasted. Thankfully, I have the original recipe and I"m happy to share :) The weather on the West Coast seems to finally (albeit slowly) getting warmer and my Sangria Recipe can finally be made for the first time this year but certainly not the last...

Sangria
1 Lemon
1 Orange
1 Apple
1 Bottle of Red Wine
1 1/2 oz brandy
1 1/2 oz Triple Sec
2 oz lemonade
2 oz orange juice
6 oz Soda or 7 UP

Peel orange and lemon carefully. You can start at the top and wind your way down so you get a large curl that you can dangle over the edge of the pitcher for decoration. Slice apple, orange and lemon and mix with all the liquids in a large pitcher. Stir gently and refrigerate until chilled. If you want to serve right away you can add plenty of ice but don't add the ice until you're ready to serve or it will water it down.

Of course you can add any other fruit you like such as peaches etc. and I prefer to use more orange juice and lemonade and eliminate the soda or 7 UP but adjust according to your taste and enjoy!

When I told the girls in the office about the Sangria, Lauren shared one that her and her girlfriends make that sounds awesome too. I haven't tried it but I'm sure it will be good and I've always wanted to try a white one. They call this the Lazy Man's Sangria :) She didn't give me amounts but I think they just eyeball it and put whatever amount they want?

White wine
Aranciata ( San Pellegrino's Sparkling Orange Beverage)
Pellegrino
Apples
Oranges
Strawberries
Grapes or whatever other fruits you like

Chill and serve with ice!!

Happy Weekend...

*photos taken from Tapas Oswaldo & Internet Therapy

Say Spaaaaah

Having just finished moving into our new house I dragged my weary body to the Spa on the weekend. I can honestly say it was one of the best spa experiences I have ever had! I'm continually trying to find the best of everything in life, the best recipes, restaurants, spas, vacations, experiences etc. My husband calls me his life concierge. My quest for the best beauty products led me to start my own company as I was in the industry and frustrated and knew I could create amazing stuff. Anyhow, I digress...

Always on the lookout for amazing spas all over the world I had yet to try a new one right in my own backyard. It's the Chi Spa at the Shangri La in Vancouver. Honestly, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I'm so picky when it comes to spas and I could find no fault with this one at all. I'm so happy as I have a new favorite and it's close! Just entering the lobby is incredible with stunning crystal chandeliers and you already know you are in for a treat. The elevator opens up to a cascading wall of water which is so beautiful (insert angels singing here).

You don't have to share a dressing room with anyone as you have your own gorgeous private treatment room. They are huge with a sitting area, fireplace, tub, massage area and a large bathroom to change in with amenities, separate toilet area and a really big steam shower so you can use the steam in private as well which is so nice. I opted not to do the steam as we have one in our house so I use it everyday but if you have never indulged I highly recommend it. When I wanted to put it in the last house we built my husband balked at first but now he is a huge fan as well and uses it daily too and I can't imagine not having it. We put the eucalyptus in it and its truly incredible. Check out some of the benefits of steam showers here. http://www.steam-sauna-benefits.com/steam_room_benefits.html

I suppose all of this would have been wonderful on it's own but to top it off my massage therapist was one of the best I have ever had. Her name is Marisa and she has magic hands! I have no idea what makes one therapist that much better than another but she was so incredible and my massage was simply to die for.

They explain in their brochure that in traditional Chinese philosophy "chi" is the universal life force that governs well being and personal vitality. For people to maintain good health, it is believed that chi must flow freely within the body, and when blocked health suffers and illness follows. There are Five Elements being metal, water, wood, fire & earth. You complete a short quiz to discover what element you are and then the treatment is customized for you based on that element. Click here to take their quiz and discover what element you are http://www.shangri-la.com/en/corporate/chiquiz

This place is exquisite and they knocked it out of the ball park on all levels!

Photos courtesy of http://www.shangri-la.com

Life Is Beautiful

Have you ever seen the movie Life is Beautiful? If not, it's something I highly reccomend you put on your bucket list. It is the most charming, beautiful story ever and I probably can't do it justice, so if you are curious to see the trailer I'll include it below.

At one point in the film, Roberto Benigni's character tries to make a game out of being in a concentration camp so that his son won't be frightened and it's so touching and heartwarming that it's impossible not to fall in love with this movie. Also, he calls his wife Principessa (princess in Italian) throughout the movie which is one of the ways so many people became familiar with the word. My husband is Italian and he often calls me Principessa  too and over the years, owning a business called Principessa I can't even tell you how many times we've had women say to us "Oh, my Dad calls me Principessa" or "My boyfriend/husband calls me Principessa". I think this movie created a lot of Principessa's :)



Roberto also won an Oscar for best actor for his role in the movie and it was absolutely hilarious when he did. If you haven't witnessed that moment it's also worth watching as he leaps on the seats and has one of the most dramatic reactions ever to winning an Academy Award. He had most people in tears and some described him as oozing with appreciation and emotion. He said his parents gave him the biggest gift ever of poverty and thanked them for all the rest of his life! Talk about looking on the bright side and viewing the cup half full! It's exactly like his character in the movie. How can you not love this guy?



In my humble opinion this movie should not be missed and in fact just writing about it and viewing the trailer has made me want to see it again! I normally don't enjoy watching movies a second time but this is one of the ones (along wth The Sound of Music) that I could watch again and again...

Ciao for now!

Have pink bike will travel...

My exercise of choice has always been running. This has been dotted & supplemented with bouts of other obsessions such as yoga (bikrams and regular), hiking the grouse grind and occasionally bike riding. Until last year bike riding was something my husband and I would do fairly infrequently and always just on weekends. Then, last summer my friend and neighbour Tammy yelled down from her rooftop deck to tell me she was coming over for wine but had to have a quick shower because she rode her bike to work. This was life changing for me because Tammy is a teacher and her school at the time was clear on the other side of the City. I was amazed and intrigued and plastered her with questions. She sent me links to all the bike routes in the City http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/ and I was thrilled to see that I could ride my bike to  work if I wanted and stay on the bike routes almost the entire time.

My commute isn't really a short one so I was a little hesitant but inspired by Tammy I had to try it. It takes me about half an hour or more to drive to our pink offices and there are a lot of hills. I go from Capitol Hill in Burnaby to Main & Marine in Vancouver on the Fraser river so it's quite the trek. It takes me about an hour + on my bike but the really great thing is I add only one hour total to my commute time but I get a two hour work out in. Plus there are so many other incredible benefits as well not to mention health, reducing stress, inducing bliss and lowering our green house gas emissions plus save money on gas! Our company has recently become carbon neutral so this is one extra step I can take to further that commitment. More on this here... http://www.principessabeauty.com/

The only thing stopping me from doing it more often is the Vancouver weather. So far I have only rode my bike in the sunshine and it's nothing short of heaven. Riding to work smelling the flowers, breathing the fresh air and taking in the incredible views around this amazing City has got to be one of the most incredible ways to start and end your workday. But, I have yet to ride in the cold and rain. My first ride this year was on Earth Day and it was supposed to be a beautiful day. I didn't see the big black clouds until I got outside and I nearly turned around and went back inside to return to the warmth and safety of my vehicle. But I decided to go through with it anyway after I gave myself heck for being such a wimp and thought, who cares if I look like a drowned rat at my desk all day. :) Thankfully the skies did not open up on me and I didn't get wet but I sure have appreciation for those who do it all the time. I now notice all those troopers who get on their bikes even in the cold and rain and I have so much respect and admiration for those who do so. I'm not there yet but I brake for bikes! If I can inspire one person to hop on their bike I'll be a happy camper...

Maldivian Dreams!

Well, I figure if you are going to blog about beautiful things you may as well start at the top. For years I've been obsessed with going to the Maldives and last year we finally had the chance to go and cross that off my bucket list. We went for my husband's 50th Birthday and it was the trip of a lifetime. It took 2 days to get there and we stopped in Singapore for the launch of our products in Sephora there which was so fun and amazing too!

The entire experience was completely surreal. I expected it to be beautiful, but the perfection we encountered was stunning. We have traveled a lot and are quite picky but it was hard to find fault with these incredible Islands south of Sri Lanka in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Actually, we were supposed to go when the Tsunami hit the region in 2004. In fact when the devastation occurred, many of our friends and family freaked, thinking we might be there and our cell phones were ringing off the hook but we were blissfully unaware in the South Pacific instead. So, fate perhaps intervened and we found ourselves there years later finally...

The beauty is indescribable!! The resorts were completely flawless, the beaches out of this world and the crystal clear aquamarine water was like nothing we have ever seen. And as if that wasn't enough, the food was some of the best we have ever had and we are HUGE foodies traveling the world looking for the best dining experiences ever and I can honestly say this topped all of them! We were so surprised. How on earth do they get this incredible food in the middle of nowhere?? One of the Managers shared with us that a company in Dubai coordinates it all for them getting the best of the best from all over the world and they ship it in from where ever they need to get the finest ingredients from. You pay a premium for sure but goodness was it worth it!!

I could go on forever, from the first class service, villas with private pools some cantilevered over blue lagoons, snorkeling and scuba diving that is out of this world and the most ridiculous food and wine ever. Oh, and the spas!!! Are you kidding?? One was underwater and it was like you were surrounded by a giant aquarium and one had a glass window in the floor beneath the massage table so you could watch the fish swim by while getting your massage. The Yoga Pavilion at one resort quite literally almost made me cry walking up to it.

Here is a picture of two of  the restaurants at one of the resorts. Walking along the jetty at night time, it's lit up with little candles and lights and they light the water underneath too so it glows and you can see all the marine life which is magical! Oh, and the sunsets...

Really busy beach...

Each resort is on it's own Island or Atoll so they pick you up at the airport and transport you to the resort in a luxury yacht or float plane. They are usually very small and remote and your means of transportation are by bike, ( my fave!) foot, or you can call your butler to come and get you in a golf cart. Sometimes, riding my bike to breaky, dinner or the spa I could have sworn I was in heaven, literally! White sand pathways surrounded by lush green foliage with water on all sides of you is just like nothing I have ever experienced. Here is a picture of the parking lot at the spa :)

We went on a dolphin cruise and I think I held my breathe the entire time. They were so beautiful! They saw the boat and were coming at us from all directions jumping and spinning in the air and so excited to play with us. I sat on the edge of the front with my feet almost in the water and they swam with our boat the entire time taking turns swimming with the front of the boat. Unfortunately, my battery died on my camera almost at the beginning but in a way it was good because although I didn't get the kind of pictures I could have, I put the camera down and just drank it all in!! Absolutely beautiful creatures god created!

Each of the resorts did something to acknowledge my husband's Birthday which was really nice. This one sent us a bottle of champagne and here he is in our infinity pool that is cantilevered over the lagoon. He's quite pleased with himself that he discovered that the champagne glass floats on it's own and he doesn't need to hold it. Okay, small things amuse us but really the Maldives rock!!!

The resorts we went to were Shangri La, One & Only and Huvafen Fushi. They were all equally wonderful and we were so glad to get to experience all three. In fact, we are planning another trip as we speak...

La vita e bella!

P.S. I would be remiss not to mention two things that helped make our trip sheer bliss. One is http://www.tripadvisor.com/ We never go anywhere without consulting this website first. Also, without Lindsey from Linara Travel http://www.linaratravel.com/ there is no way it would have been as amazing. We ALWAYS book our trips ourselves and never use a travel agent but Lindsey is such an expert in the area that I can't imagine what we would have done without him!