Christmas Dinner Recipes From The Greenhouse Spa

Want to enjoy a Christmas feast but don’t want to wake up the next morning feeling puffed up like our chef friend there on the left? Then you’ll definitely want to take a look at The Greenhouse Spa’s Christmas dinner menu. From the savory shrimp mini-empanadas for starters to the marble pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, the entire meal has just 485 calories. The Greenhouse is a destination spa only, so you can’t just go for dinner, but the spa has shared its Christmas dinner recipes with us, and now I’m passing them on to you. Jump for full recipes for the previously mentioned items as well as butternut squash soup with lobster and ginger cream and roasted stuffed pork tenderloin with red pimento mashed potatoes, asparagus, and Madeira sauce.

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Friday Giveaway: A Makeover With Blaine’s Color

Good morning, Talkers. Today’s giveaway is a good one: a consultation, cut, color, and style worth $175 from Blaine’s Color. To see an example of his handiwork, check out the color correction makeover in D Beauty’s summer 2008 hair issue. Just e-mail me (by clicking on my name) for the rest of the weekend to enter and I’ll alert the winner on Monday. Good luck!

Spa Deals

After all of this restless shopping I could really use a relaxing massage (hint, hint) and there are some great deals out there right now. The highly acclaimed Greenhouse Spa (pictured at left) is offering 30% off gift certificates through December 31. Hiatus Spa has many great deals for the holidays, including a $25 gift card of your own when you purchase a $150 gift certificate for someone else. For more deals on Dallas spa’s, go here. Happy spa-ing.

20 Percent Off Spa Gift Cards

Now through Christmas, gift cards are 20 percent off at U. Boutique & Med Spa in the Shops at Legacy. I’m pretty bad at math, but I think that means you can get a $100 gift card for 80 bucks. Stop by the spa or call 972-943-8633 to purchase the specially priced cards. Happy holidays indeed!

Martinis & Makeovers: Why Didn’t We Think of That?

Cheers to a girl’s two favorite things: getting her hair done and enjoying a cocktail with girlfriends. (Throw in some diamonds and we may just pass out.) Now you can do both–for less–at RA Sushi in Shops at Legacy. The first 25 guests to order one of RA’s new signature martinis–try the Bruce Lee-Chee, Mount Saint Melons, or Chai One On–between 5 and 7 pm on Mondays in January will be blessed with a $20 gift card to the new Avalon Salon, redeemable for any product or service.

Hello, Botox! Let’s Party!

The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa wants you to be line-free this holiday season. Our no-wrinkle-having intern Christine Sracic has the goods:

I truly had to do a double take when I was informed of the following: The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa is hosting an all-day Botox and filler party December 23—and the Botox is only $10 per unit! Now, I’m still a ripe 23 years old, but one of my sisters (the dermatologist) insists that I have expression lines that could use a filling or two. (I agree. She’s nuts.) Even if I’m not ready just yet, this deal is just too good for you to pass up. Aside from the $10 Botox, it’s $100 off all Juvederm and Restylane as well. Deposits of $100 are required. Reserve your spot early—it lasts from 9:30 am to 8 pm. Now there’s no need to fret over all those Christmas-morning photos.

Thanks for the tip, Christine! Now, if only I could remember 23…

’Tis the Season: More Holiday Spa Specials

Zen has deals. Mokara has deals. And The Stoneleigh has deals, too. Now through December 24, stop by the spa at various times throughout the week, and you’re in for some special treats. On Holiday Mondays, get 10 percent off spa retail products. On Sole Shopping Relief Wednesdays, get a complimentary leg revitalizer treatment with a booked pedicure. And on Fabulous Fridays, get a free 10-minute aromatherapy neck and shoulder massage between noon and 6 pm, plus 10 percent off any 80-minute service. Know about any other good spa deals around town? Let me know in the comments.

December Deals at Mokara Spa

Don’t you just love the holidays? Everywhere you look it’s sale, sale, sale! In addition to the good deals going on at Zen right now, there are also some excellent promotions at Mokara. With the Let It Glow package, if you book any makeup application between now and December 31, you will receive a free Susan Posnick lip gloss valued at $24, as well as 10 percent off any retail purchase on the day of service. Then there’s the Let It Shine package: booking any blow dry between now and December 31 gets you a free Kerastase glossing treatment valued at $35, as well as the same 10 percent off deal as the other package. Each package comes with a complimentary glass of Champagne, and if you book both of them, you will receive 20 percent off your retail purchases. Jump for details on the spa’s 25 for $25 deal.

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Help for the Holidays

Yes, we are all pinching pennies this year, which isn’t very fun, if you ask me. But to help you during the holiday crunch, Pranaa in Plano is offering gift cards at 20% off (minimum purchase of $50). We’ve been up there for relaxing Ayurvedic therapies, including one that really helped Kristin Hull with her allergies and congestion! So if you know someone who’s into Ayurvedic medicine, or perhaps wants to try a yog class (there’s a studio at the spa), then a Pranaa gift card might be just the ticket.

Holiday Spa Party at The Stoneleigh

On Thursday from 5-8:30 pm, swing by The Spa at The Stoneleigh for a holiday party your skin will actually appreciate. The bash is being held in honor of a special holiday treatment called the Beyond Botox Facial. If you remember correctly, that’s the kind of thing that is right up my alley. Also making an appearance is Howard Kaminsky, co-author of Beyond Botox, a guide to keeping your skin looking sexy and ageless. Besides getting your book signed, you can also enjoy tasty treats and antioxidant cocktails, plus complimentary skin analysis and sample products and—my personal favorite—goody bags! RSVP to spareception@stoneleighhotel.com

UPDATE: Please note the change above. The party is on Thursday, December 4, not Wednesday. That means I can’t make it—I have a D Beauty event that night—so you guys have to go and tell me all about it!

Twice the Feel-Good Factor at V Spa

There sure are a lot of opportunities to do some good while beautifying these days. Here’s another: The V Spa has officially opened at the Hilton Anatole. To celebrate, a portion of sales from every treatment—and gift card purchase—through the end of November will go to Genesis Women’s Shelter, which provides safety for battered women and their children in Dallas. The menu includes manicures, pedicures, organic facials, peels, and scrubs, aromatherapy massages, and an elixir bar, featuring healing teas and sparkling concoctions. Complimentary valet parking is provided. 2201 Stemmons Freeway. 214-761-7800. photography courtesy of David Lyles Photography Dallas

*Update: Well, Katie, great minds must think alike. I didn’t, however, think of all the clever V words that you’ve used! ShopTalkers, here’s double the info on V Spa. It’s clearly a trip worth making right now!

**Another update: V Spa was able to raise $2,100 for Genesis Women’s Shelter!

V Spa is Very Swanky

I went to the opening of V Spa last night and was very impressed with the vibe. Offering a variety of services, from massage and skincare treatments to manicures and V-man grooming, V Spa embraces vanity as a mere venial vice. Its versed staff provides the veriest service, and a verily delightful perk to getting any 50-minute spa treatment is a day pass to the recently renovated Verandah Club. So, what’s the verdict? It’s a victory for V Spa!

(That’s 15 Vs in a single post—18 if you count the headline and the one I just used. Call Guinness.) Actual information about the spa here.

Meditate Your Stress Away

The economy’s not good. The weather’s making us sick. The holidays are creeping up on us before we’re ready. Do we need any more reasons to get away? And yet, sadly, we cannot take a break. (Not the kind we really want, anyway, which leaves us with a tan and a piña colada buzz.) But what we can do is learn to manage our stress through meditation. Exhale Spa is offering us complimentary meditation classes through the month of November. Every Monday from 1:30 pm to 2 pm, guided sessions will teach us to use acupressure, aromatherapy, and stretching to relieve our stress and worry. Call 214-370-5800 to schedule a reservation. Hotel Palomar. 5300 East Mockingbird Lane. http://www.exhalespa.com/locations/dallas/

Private Botox Party at Regimens November 18

Well, I guess it’s not-so private now that I’ve spilled the beans. But why keep a good thing to yourself? On Tuesday, November 18, from 6-8 pm, Regimens in West Village is shutting its doors to the GP to welcome Eterna Med Spa staff for Botox, massage, and giveaways. Eterna is offering a discount rate of $14/unit of Botox for this night only. You can also expect complimentary chair massages, cocktails, and a 20% discount on all merchandise. Only 20 spots are available, so make your reservation now at 214-520-9740. Regimens will charge your credit card $25 to reserve your spot, but that money will go toward your Tuesday night purchase.

bliss Gives Back

With the stress of the season–and the state of the economy, for that matter–we could all use a restful rubdown. So if you’re going to splurge on a massage, you should book the R.E.S.T Intentions massage at bliss, inside the W Dallas Victory Hotel. Twenty percent of proceeds from the $160 massage go to The R.E.S.T. Initiative, a New York City-based nonprofit whose mission is to ease the chemotherapy experience of cancer patients with complimentary massages in their treatment rooms.

Stay Home for the Holidays With Rosewood

In honor of Sadie Hawkins Day–remember the time when girls asked boys for a date, and it was actually bold and taboo?–Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is offering the Sadie Hawkins Package for take-charge women and the men lucky enough to receive the invitation. True, Rosewood has hotels all over the world, not just in Dallas, but these days we may need to vacation a little closer to home, so I say call up the Crescent or the Mansion STAT for a little romance and R&R at a 20% discount. The package includes accommodations for two nights, in-room breakfast for two, dinner for two, and massage for two. Rates are $670–$2,500, and the offer is good November 14 through December 15. If I had the money, and a man, I would totally do this.

November Specials at Grand Spa

First I have to take a deep breath, because I can’t believe it’s November already. There now. All better. Okay, I know times are tough, but those are precisely the times when we need to pamper ourselves, just a little. Well, Grand Spa in Addison is helping the cause with a long list of November specials:  $62 mani/pedis; 10% off all nail products; 15% off facials over $115; complimentary collagen eye mask on any facial;  20% off highlights, lowlights, and single-process color; and complimentary shampoo and style with any body massage 80 minutes or longer. (These specials are available Sunday-Wednesday only, BTW.) Plus, the spa is offering pumpkin scrubs and massages for the season. So go ahead and spoil yourself–or perhaps get a gift certificate for another girl in need.

You’re Invited to a Spa Party!

On November 6 from 6:30-8:30 pm, stop by The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa for a spa party. Besides discounts on laser packages and products, other party favors include free product drawings every 30 minutes, complimentary chair massages, and complimentary facial masks from Actifirm. In addition, the guest who brings the most friends will receive two free laser treatments of their choice and two free microdermabrasion treatments. That sounds like my kind of party! I’m especially interested in the Actifirm mask. This local company, which you can read more about in an upcoming issue of D Beauty, has been growing, growing, growing. The New You Aesthetic Medicine is located inside PURE Spa and Salon.

Post Shopping, Go Spa-ing

Shopping is hard. Let me clarify. Shopping is hard when you’re scowering the mall for the perfect holiday gift for your great aunt, Gertrude. Lucky for you, the Spa at Willow Bend offers a sore-feet-soothing treatment that’ll keep you on your toes. Luckier still, the spa has rejuvenating face treatments to keep your mug cheery for all those holiday parties, a full-body detox you’ll need after indulging in mounds of merry munchies, and relaxing treatments sure to help with a good night’s sleep so Santa won’t disturb your slumber. Visit their web site for the full menu of services, and have a spa-tacular holiday! **rim shot**

I Was Shocked at Exhale, Too!

As you may have read in her blog, Rhonda recently experienced the new Lift facial at Exhale. I too, tried it and had similar results - smooth, glowing skin. During this facial, the esthetician uses a metal tool that feels like a pair of tongs with a little ball on each end. I was completely relaxed as she gently swept it across my skin, and although Rhonda said she felt little tingles, I didn’t. But when the “tongs” were used on my chin I could definitely taste metal in my mouth. It didn’t last long though and it wasn’t even uncomfortable, just a little odd. Don’t let the $195 price tag scare you off, especially if you have a special occasion coming up. It definitely makes an immediate difference. I was lookin’ good. Yea, I said it. And I was!

Exhale’s New Lift Facial A Shocking Experience

As promised yesterday, I have a report on the new Lift facial from Exhale. Let me start by saying this: If you see me around over the next 72 hours, be sure and tell me if my nasolabial folds look plumper than usual. ’Cause, boy, they sure got a workout!

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Spa Day: The Countdown Begins

In approximately four hours, I’ll be heading to Exhale spa to try out the new Lift facial and the G.R.N. manicure. Check back tomorrow and I’ll tell you all about it!

2 For 1 Elemis Facials at Nordstrom NorthPark

The skinny, courtesy Christine Sracic:

If your skin isn’t necessarily adjusting to the slight weather change we’re experiencing, not to worry. Nordstrom NorthPark has the perfect remedy for your dry, pasty mug. Each Tuesday and Wednesday during the month of November, you and a friend should make a beeline straight to the Elemis counter, where you can book two SpaPod appointments for the price of one. That’s two facials from the famous London-based skin-care line for only $55. (Why aren’t you writing this in your calendar already?)

In case you’re not familiar with what the SpaPod experience entails, here’s the scoop. You’ll choose one of four facial therapies, which include Pro-Collagen, City Survival, Skin Radiance, and for your man, the aptly named “Only for Men.” The 30-minute Power Booster Facials are performed on an “Intelligent Massage Chair” that measures the length of your spine, takes your body weight, warms your body, and gives a customized massage, focusing on your calves, legs, buttocks, back, and neck. We’re not quite sure why it needs our body weight, but everything else sounds absolutely divine. We’ll see you at the counter.

Matt “The Mane Tamer” Taylor Totally Owns

Matt Taylor, winner of a 2008 D Beauty Award for his mad hair skills, has some new responsibilities on his plate. The blow-out king is now an owner at Orange salon in Deep Ellum, where he got his start in 2002. Taylor will continue to cut and style at Orange, as will former owner Todd Allen, which means some things will stay the same. Other things, however, will be getting an overhaul. One exciting change is an expanded retail presence in the salon. Jason Lenox of Anteks Home Furnishings—and an Orange co-owner with Taylor—will focus on bringing in new products. Expect candles, cards, gifts, and bath and body goods. Sounds like ShopTalk heaven, doesn’t it?

No, I’m Not Preggers. But I Love Mama Mio.

I would never dare take a shower without slathering body lotion on my moistened skin afterward–and I have the soft-as-a-baby’s-butt skin to prove it. I’m not fancy, either. I usually use something as simple and affordable as fragrance free Lubriderm. Well, ladies, I think I’ve finally broken my Lubriderm addiction, because I’m currently obsessed with Mama Mio’s Super-rich Body Cream. The label reads “super juicy,” and, honestly, there’s no better way to describe this lotion loaded with shea butter, avocado oil, and evening primrose. Yes, the Mama Mio line was originally designed for the special needs of moms-to-be, but I don’t care, because my skin deserves to be super juicy too! You can buy Mama Mio products at the Ritz-Carlton Spa.