Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Spa Finder, the global spa resource, has launched Spa Finder Europe, Ltd. to better serve its European spas and spa-going customers. US based Spa Finder currently reaches millions of health conscious consumers via its web site Spafinder.com and its Luxury SpaFinder Magazine.

Spa Finder Europe websites will feature Spa Finder's industry-leading spa property database, content and research tools, including a spa travel booking engine to some of the finest spa destinations in the world. In addition, regional European markets will be better served with localised day spa information and an expansion of the Spa Finder Gift Certificate/Voucher Programme - a business that has doubled each year for the last five years.

A world-renowned Swiss clinic has been given its second prestigious accolade of 2006 following a win at The European Spa Awards in Monaco. Clinique La Prairie, situated in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, was awarded the title of Best European Medical Spa on Saturday just a month after being named the ‘world’s best medical spa’ by a leading UK newspaper.

The awards took place as part of the second edition of the European Spa Exhibition from 21st -23rd January, at which major international professionals from the medical, wellbeing and spa industries were gathered.

Organisers said the awards rewarded the best achievements in these fields throughout the world with announcements of the winners taking place at a gala dinner at The Hotel Paris in Monaco.

“We’re thrilled to receive such a prestigious award,” said Yael Bruigom, marketing manager for Clinique La Prairie. “It is testament to the major investment we’ve made in our spa and thalassotherapy facilities over the past year and the way in which our history of medical excellence complements the more traditional aesthetic treatments we offer.”

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ISPA Knowledge Networks are a venue for spa professionals to openly discuss current circumstances and to create practical solutions for business. Expert speakers; Mary Bemis, Rona Berg & Pierce Mattie will address pertinent industry-related topics, while also providing time for in-depth group discussion. Regardless of your level of experience, the education offered at the ISPA Knowledge Networks will be invaluable. Each Knowledge Network includes a Marketplace on the first evening providing an opportunity to network and learn about the latest products.

The ultimate goal of the Knowledge Networks is to provide spa industry professionals with the opportunity to build relationships in a one-on-one environment with their peers. View Invite">We encourage you to join us for the final 2006 ISPA Knowledge Network & Marketplace.

Pierce Mattie PR is now working with the Arabian designer Areej Turki on the launch of her fashion debut in the US. Areej Creations is a new clothing and sportswear line that features the art of Areej Turki. Entitled Brushstrokes, the collection consists of elegant, comfortable lounge wear with bold motifs from Turki's personal oil paintings. Because of the artistic influence, the collection is available in three different color palettes: blue, green and purple.

Ideal for the customer that doesn't want to wear a logo, but wants to add character to their wardrobe. The soft cotton pieces are ideal for exercise including pilates and yoga, as well as mixing and matching with jeans and skirts for a fresh look that is sophisticated and eye catching.

jane iredale-The Skin Care Makeup is pleased to launch GLOBAL BEAUTY, an extension of their global palette to accommodate woman of all ethnicity's. From rich olive to golden brown and deep mahogany, GLOBAL BEAUTY is for women; all women. This is the first time that mineral cosmetics will be available in such a wide palette with true tones. With the help of three influential celebrity makeup artists, GLOBAL BEAUTY is the culmination of years of testing. CEO and Founder, Jane Iredale noted "This is seriously lacking from the cosmetics industry. Every woman deserves a healthy skin." Like all of jane iredale's cosmetics, GLOBAL BEAUTY will be free of preservatives, dyes and harmful fillers such as talc. It is so beneficial to the skin that plastic surgeons and dermatologists worldwide recommend it!

In honor of the launch, Pierce Mattie Public Relations is hosting a cocktail party in her honor. In a true celebration of beauty, grace and style, jane iredale's GLOBAL BEAUTY event will highlight style influences from Cleopatra to Beyonce in the event of the year! We invite you to share in this iconic celebration. To RSVP, please contact Lauren Branche or Ivy Cartagena at 212/243.1431 by October 13th.

Last week I was out for cocktails with a few other business owners in the service industry. One was a skin care manufacturer, the second was a clothing line designer and the third was the owner of a large fitness chain of health clubs.

We got into an in depth discussion about managing client relationships

We were discussing how to repair a client relationship where things have gone wrong, for example clients whose expectations are unrealistic, clients who are abusive towards the staff and those clients who for whatever reason have become dissatisfied with their service.

The Wall Street Journal had run an article on entrepreneurs a few years back where I was quoted by saying “My New Year’s resolution as a business owner is to only work with people, places and things I really care about and that respect my team, work and over-all business ethics.”

1. Choose clients carefully

4. Live Up To Your Own Standards. Give What You Expect, Set The Example.

If you have done all your work working with your clients and have defined what you can achieve and there are still insurmountable problems, then it is time to re-evaluate whether that client is appropriate to have.

About a month ago we had a client call the office and demand that I get on a conference call. The brand was new to the market, had very little distribution (only one salon in New York) and the consumer awareness was simply not there (she refused to do salon events with us). The owner had worked with two other PR firms before us (our biggest competitors) for about two years who both did not secure the regional and national glossy press that the client was looking for. We were given about 3 months to change her entire media platform and correct the damage that the other PR firms had done during the course of two years. Naturally I slipped off my dress shoes, undid my tie, sat back in my chair practiced my breathing exercises and then took her call.

Spa Week is upon is in New York City and that means I will be a little more relaxed than average. And while treatments at hundreds of Saps in the city are reduced to a mere fifty dollars I still want to scour the best deal I can. If your not in the city, I recommend Spa Finder, it consistently offers the best to offer in global spa search. Dial in what you are looking for on the easy to navigate website and you'll find somthing that fits your price range, taste and expectations. The gift certicates come in a gorgious box! Check out Susie's blog on all things spa.

One trick to making Spa Week work for you is deciding what you wish to gain from Spa Week. Decide what your priorities are ahead of time to gain the most from the experience.

Is it to explore a new spa? Get relaxed? Improve your skin quality? Or try out a new treatment you wouldn't have dared at full price? Assessing your priorities can help you map out the perfect Spa Week experience.

If you are looking for relaxation try massages, salt scrubs, or aromatherapy. You can get a Mango brown sugar scrub and a Swedish massage at the Finesse Day Spa.

If you are looking to try something new explore new types of therapies like Qi-Gong Tui-Na Deep Tissue Massage or Hot Stone therapies. Graceful Spa is offering both during an extended Spa Week.

You can even try out pricey cellulite treatments on the cheap during Spa Week.

My personal pick? I want to get in both a relaxing massage and a facial. I plan to head to the Clarins for both.

Jane Iredale recently launched Global Beauty; mineral makeup colors that are geared towards ethnic skin tones. The above video, exclusively from Jane Iredale, gives step by step instructions on how to apply her products, and the benefits, for an African American woman.

Today I had the chance to get some input regarding the obstacles that African American women face when it comes to makeup and representation in the marketplace. You can read my post with Patrice from the blog Afrobella and Lianne from The Makeup Girl exclusively on Makeup Minute.

Spa-nyc.com is celebrating their 4th year online this November. Instead of receiving gifts, they are giving a gift to you. Spa-nyc.com and many New York City spa's are offering Spa Services at 50% off all November long.

As I am sure you know, a relaxing massage or just pampering yourself in general is great for your overall well being. So why not take advantage of some wonderful Spa Treatments while they are 50% off?

Spa-nyc.com has a calendar on their promotional page listing all of the Spa's participating and which treatments they are offering each day at 50% off. Why not get pamper yourself a little? You'll surely need to be rejuvenated in time for the Holidays (and maybe even after).

For our readers who cant get to New York to take part in this offer, punch up Spa Finder or if your a Mac user download the Spa Finder Widget to find great deals at spas near you!

I have been in the beauty industry for about 12 years and doing beauty pr for about 7 years. And in all of my years of experience with press releases especially those that that go out on the wire I have never ever seen one as damaging as the one that Russ Fons PR in Las Vegas ran today about their client; National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) and their opinion on Clarins Cosmetics. You can view the horrific release here.

In this release the NTEF states in great detail on the extensive damage and misleading labels of the Clarins brand, so they claim.

What’s odd though is that John Sheppard the director of the foundation states that you are putting your health at risk if you use these products. I don’t know about you but I see a huge lawsuit taking place from Clarins. I am sure executives at Clairns are beyond miffed about this release. What’s even odder is that all of the ingredients used by Clarins are found in most other top selling brands. One would assume that NTEF is crucifying Clarins based on a personal agenda and not on logic.

However was John Sheppard not aware that Clarins recently acquired Kibio an organic skin care manufacture who has gone into negotiations on creating new products together? I posted about this on my other blog a few weeks back. You can view that post here.

Still warming up to Second Life? I am asked about it almost daily and wanted to get some basic info posted for those friends who read our blog consistently. Backstory is here. Follow the links.

New World Notes

From April 2003 to February 2006, I was a contract writer for Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, primarily hired by the company to cover SL as an embedded journalist in an emerging society-- its controversies, its personalities, its innovations and ambitions, along with larger themes of identity, social norms and organization, and cultural expression important to online worlds in general.

That contractual relationship has ended, but the story continues here. -Wagner James Au

Second Thoughts Do's and Dont's for Big Business.

"Every human being is interested in two kinds of worlds: the Primary, everyday world which he knows through his senses, and a Secondary world or worlds which he not only can create in his imagination, but which he cannot stop himself creating." W.H. Auden

Second Life Herald The Second Life Herald was founded on October 23, 2003, by philosophy professor Peter Ludlow. Its mission, as described the next day, was to observe, record and study "the legal, social, and economic implications" of life in the virtual world. Originally established as the Alphaville Herald and reporting for the most part on life on the Alphaville server of The Sims Online, the Herald soon branched out into coverage of other massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds -- helped along by the murder of Herald publisher Urizenus (Ludlow's avatar) after Electronic Arts got wind of the stories the newspaper was printing about the scams and cyber-prostitution that were taking place within its game, and the company's indifference to reports of real-world violence.

For those reading this at the 2006 ISPA Conference & Expo, be sure to stop in the Professional Development Sessions at 2PM.

INDUSTRY TRENDS - Press Tactics & Topics for 2007 - Magazine Editors & PR Professionals Unite – Rona Berg & Pierce Mattie

Any woman can tell you the color and scent of a Victoria’s Secret store. Branding a business by color has been around forever, branding a business by scent deliberately is a rather new practice.

We have become inundated with never ending commercials, advertisements, pop-ups and infomercials, smart, progressive businesses realize that the use of scent is another way to make their business or brand not only stand out, but be remembered and associated with a certain positive experience or product.

While color may be an easy branding tool and will surely distinguish you from your competitors, such as that yummy, chocolate brown trademarked as "UPS Brown", scent can be a little touchier. Scent can either turn someone away or reel them in. It's a scientific fact that women are attracted to an ever so slight smell of skunk. Too much, and they are repulsed. Repulsion can be a good thing if your an international airport and you need to clear a building fast. Scents of danger need no interpretation. The scent of coffee can calm people, the new car smell increases sales of vehicles, Victoria’s Secret puts you in the mood the minute you walk into their store with the scent of a woman (or a man in drag) that remind you of romance and desire. Pierce Mattie's Media Oasis has a branded scent, complete with a high tech scent delivery system. Scents that relax you and put you in the mood to shop can increase a businesses bottom line.

Joining rock star, Playboy photographer and Zamboni driver on the list of dream jobs will be chief beer officer, courtesy of Four Points by Sheraton.

The Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide brand will launch an executive search starting today for someone with brew eloquence and a rich knowledge of beer as part of its Best Brew program. The job posting appears in a full page in the Wall Street Journal and on HotJobs.com and Monster.com. The new hire—who actually would be brought on as an independent part time consultant—will be showered with Starwood Preferred Guest points and a generous travel and expense account for fulfilling duties like attending beer fests, sampling more than 300 brews, touring breweries, hosting Oktoberfest and choosing beer menus for new hotels. The CBO will assume the post by mid-January and begin documenting beer-related activities while imparting knowledge to others through a Web blog. [Brandweek] -By Mike Beirne

• Personal Care Appliances - Global Strategic Business Report : This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Personal Care Appliances in Thousands of Units.

• Spinduggery, The Flack: Peter Himler posts about Jeff Jarvis' snarky comment insinuating PR professionals have dishonesty in their DNA. Jeff Jarvis, being the 'spin'-ster he is, should love the quote "you can’t polish a turd."

• KFC Logo Relaunch - From Space, Near Area 51: I know all of you are saying "I thought of that months ago." Ever since Google launched satellite imagery on its maps, I've wanted to pitch this idea to a client. While not the first, KFC is doing it on a grand scale; a nice publicity stunt. For those of you who know my New York address, you can see me on the roof of my apartment building with my dogs, frozen in time from space.

• Loyalty VS. Advocacy CRM Lowdown: Most companies think that their job is done when they manage to convert a regular customer into a loyal customer. They tend to forget the guy because now ‘he can take care of himself.' Wrong! Once you’ve converted a customer, your job becomes even more difficult.

• Link Karma From The Copyblogger: 21 Surefire tips for a successful blog launch, 10 things to consider when choosing a site meter, and the five W's of great content.

• Hotels offer lots of freebies during winter (just not in New York City), The Mercury News: Winter travelers can take advantage of a number of hotel deals. Properties are offering free nights, free gift cards, special rates and other perks.

• How To Stop Comment Spam Without Lifting a Finger, Tubetorial: If you're a wordpress user, you have to visit tubetorial. Quick, easy-to-understand flash video - enjoy.

• The European Newspaper Design & Concept Awards Europe‘s most innovative newspaper 2006: Look and learn. This year, Europe’s best designed newspapers come from Belgium, Norway, Finland, Portugal and Spain. 287 newspapers from 26 countries participated in the eighth European Newspaper Award.

I thought my client was very relaxed, until after the treatment I realized she died on the table during our session, and I thought to myself...were those moans of joy or pain!

Sometime blackheads aren't the only thing extracted at spas. A few souls have been extracted as well. While some of us have had wonderful experiences at a day spa, there are some out there that snap us back to reality that you really do need to heed warnings and pay attention to the reputation of spa's.

Some stories lingering around the internet:

Gut Feelings: A Kuwaiti woman tells of her awful experience at Al-Corniche Club Spa in Kuwait. Always go with your gut, if customer service is bad just from a telephone call, you must know it is going to be just as bad at the spa itself.

The Roach Treatment: What would your reaction be if you signed in at Eo Inn Spa with a roach crawling across the clipboard?

Sawful! Edges Salon and Spa get a pretty bad review from this spa patron. No shower available after an oily massage and waiting in the parking lot while the spa opened 30 minutes late are just some of the complaints.

About.com reminds you how important it is to tell a spa your medical history before having any spa treatments done, a story not for the faint of heart, but a message worth heeding.

If you've never experienced a spa before, but would like to, be sure to check out Spa Finder. You can really break down your search for the type of spa you are looking for to provide you with as much detail as you need to make an informed decision.

Have you had a bad experience at a spa? Let us know in the comments.

One would think that the life of a spa & resort publicist would be that of little stress and much rest and relaxation. Think again folks.

In 2006 Pierce Mattie PR had:
• 500 product launches - lipstick, skin care, hotels, cars and fashion!
• 12 press trips - France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Mexico
• 6 fashion shows - Bryant Park, New York, LA
• 16 trade shows - ISPA, Luxury Travel Expo, JCK Jewelry Expo, etc.
• 108 special events with the press - Media Oasis, Oscars, VMA's
• 3,600 consumer magazine placements - Vogue, Allure, Glamour, Elle
• 450 broadcast tapings - ABC, NBC, CBS, MTV, CNN
• Launched a third office - Atlanta, Georgia
• Appointed 2 new Sr. Vice Presidents - Joanna & Serge
• Promoted two existing Vice Presidents - Nikki & Edy
• Relocated the Los Angeles - West Hollywood to Hollywood

Needless to say 2006 was great, but my waistline, wrinkles and gray hair are simply unacceptable. With that said I contacted Editor in Chief of the new magazine Organic Spa – Mary Bemis and asked “where can one go that is not a scene, which one can relax on the beach, is beautiful and very secluded?” Mary's response…. Ceiba Del Mar Hotel & Spa in Riviera Maya. Joshua booked my ticket and I was on my way to Mexico. Keep in mind that it is not my nature to go to my clients properties for R&R. It’s always best to not mix business with pleasure.

I have been here for a few days. Joshua booked me for a week – during Thanksgiving which may be a bit off season. I have to say Mary Bemis has great taste. Ceiba Del Mar is beyond luxury. If you have done the all inclusive thing, are looking to get away, detox, destress, unwind and have your own private villa, butler, beach, chef, pool, gym, spa etc. this is the place.

Ceiba Del Mar launched 5 years ago priced as a $15 Million dollar property and was the cover feature for famed Mexican photographer Michael Calderwood voted as a top hotel property for the book Hoteles de Ensueno en Mexico by Fernando de Haro and Omar Fuentes.

Joanna Roche is the Senior Managing VP of Pierce Mattie Public Relations. She has a proven track record of success and corporate experience. She is high energy and passionate about her work, which makes her direct, up front, realistic approach with Pierce Mattie PR clients what makes her a true asset.

Joanna is a married mother of a 2-year-old son, who loves to run, cook and travel. The best way to describe her is balanced. She loves to dive into her work, yet still maintain the proper balance of her hobbies and family life. Joanna is goal oriented and believes that nothing is impossible.

Tell readers about a typical day as VP of Pierce Mattie.

There is nothing typical about being a VP at Pierce Mattie PR! Every day is different and it is one of the things I love about my job. Most days include working on new business, coming up with creative ideas to promote our brands, meeting with clients, nurturing the staff and helping them develop pitches and reach editors, and keeping abreast of trends and happenings in the PR world.

I’ve honestly never paid much attention to products that were celebrity endorsed, in high school, maybe a little, however there have been plenty of my friends who live by what products “Celebrity A List” says are the best. There was a time, back when I was very young, that I did follow what my favorite celebrities endorsed. One such product was Pepsi, simply because I was a very big Michael Jackson fan. Luckily, I wised up.

So when I saw one of my favorite fashion designers, Isaac Mizrahi, pitching StriVectin-SD in a commercial the other day I felt such utter disappointment. Strivectin-SD, which claims to be an anti-stretchmark cream turned anti-wrinkle cream, is trying to pitch their product to men through Mizrahi's popularity. Isaac is a talk show host and thus a "lifestyle advocate" however, as a person who admires Mr. Mizrahi for his outstanding fashion, I wonder why he had to go this route. Seeing him in a commercial promoting an anti-wrinkle cream made me lose a little bit of respect for him and I didn't want too. I'm sure I am not alone.

I believe there was a time when celebrity endorsements held clout, but the times have been changing, most especially as blogs have become more and more popular. There are so many blogs out there that review products and I am more apt to listen to the average Joe tell me their likes and dislikes over a product than to run out to buy a product because Mischa Barton has been using it. According to a survey done by Allure and Essence, the same holds true for many of their readers.

Microdermabrasion is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that has been increasing in popularity in recent years. While many over the counter brands are now offering their products for the purpose of Microdermabrasion, it is still best to have the treatment done by a skincare professional and/or using the products developed by one.

While simply exfoliating your skin is something you should be doing on a weekly basis, Microdermabrasion is a more effective treatment to treat fine lines, crow’s feet and acne scars. It’s use of a polishing your skin with crystals to resurface your skin is a safe alternative to chemical procedures and can be successfully done on all skin types. This resurfacing of the top layer of skin removes the dead skin cells and helps with the regenerating of new skin cells. With this top layer of dead skin cells removed, application of lotions and creams are more effective at moisturizing your skin. Most treatments can be done in 30-60 minutes and do require several follow up treatments. To maintain that healthy glow, maintenance treatments should also be done.

Dermalogica on Montana offers exfoliating treatments like Microdermabrasion. As with any skin treatment you are considering, you should first be seen by a skin care professional to ensure that this is the correct treatment for you. Dermalogica offers Face Mapping in which licensed Dermalogica skin therapists analyze your skin from forehead to collarbone, identifying potential problems, unique needs, and how to treat them professionally. Face Mapping only takes 10 minutes and is free.

Take an inside look into a Skin Treatment Pod at Dermalogica on Montana (the brands flagship store):

Although Blogging has been around for years, approaching Bloggers to review or pitch your products is fairly new and growing in momentum. If you are thinking of approaching a Blogger to review your products, there is a protocol that sometimes many companies do not invest their time to understand and follow.

As a beauty Blogger, I receive many emails on a weekly basis from companies and PR firms big and small to find out if I am interested in reviewing their products on my two beauty blogs. There are some that exude professionalism both in the way they approach me through their emails, through the way the package is sent and in their follow up. Then there are the mass emails, lack of PR materials with the product, presentation of the product and lack of follow up. The difference between the two potentially means your emails go in my trash folder.

Things you should not do when you approach a Blogger:

Send out a mass email, most notably saying “Dear Bloggers” or having no greeting at all. While some newer Bloggers may respond to this, many seasoned Bloggers won’t. It is the sign of a company simply harvesting your contact information and not taking the time to personally contact you, as they want you to personally review their product. It is a two way street.

Have the expectation that the Blogger will want to review your product simply because you offered it for free. Bloggers know their readers and most will only review products that are 1. Related to their blog and 2. Something that would be of interest to their readers.

Insincerely attempt to flatter them. So many companies do it and many times I receive the same email to each of my accounts for my blogs when the company doesn’t even realize they are sending it to the same person. Bloggers can read between the lines.

Nestled away on the beautiful island of Mauritius, a new Destination Spa has opened this month. One that is complete with exclusive spa treatments, luxurious beach-front suites and villas, as well as, leisure and health activities that include a fitness center, yoga and meditation center.

The Shanti Ananda Maurice’s spa treatments focus on Ayurveda to Thalassotherapy using both Contemporary and Traditional methods. Both are rooted in ancient Indian culture and have medicinal and therapeutic values. One example of an Ayurveda technique is called Shirodhara. This involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead. These liquids can be oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water or even plain water.

Aside from the wonderful spa treatments it provides, the location of this enchanting destination spa alone will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens, taking in views of the hills and Indian Ocean.

The Shanti Ananda offers all-inclusive packages that range from anti-ageing to stress management to weight management, among several others. Each package offers generous treatments and are available at a 20-25% discounted rate until April 30, 2007. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is sure to become a top rated Destination Spa.

As we become busier, so comes our need to find time to relax. Relaxing doesn’t necessarily mean vegging out on the couch. More and more people are taking the time from their schedule to indulge in posh spa treatments as the ultimate relaxation indulgence.

Going to the spa is like taking a step into a different world, it’s peaceful, it’s therapeutic, but it also speaks to luxury. As individuals continue to keep spa treatments in demand, more businesses are beginning to capitalize on this.

Hotels and resorts are beginning to offer spa services for their guests making what would’ve been an average hotel stay into an extraordinary one. One such resort that comes to mind that is local to me is Woodloch Pines Resorts. They recently opened their Lodge at Woodloch this past June, which is a Destination Spa that from its beginning stages, demanded high quality professionals for the ultimate in service. Woodloch wanted to stand out among its competitors and become a leader in the industry. They accomplished just that by being listed on the Forbes Top Most Luxurious Spa’s list, as well as being listed among the 100 Best Spa’s in the World by Insider’s Guide. Spa’s like The Lodge at Woodloch are thriving due to the growing demand for pampering in luxury and the overall concept of health and wellness.

Here's what some great blogs in beauty and fashion are talking about:

Fashion:

+ Bunnyshop muses about a possible Spring Trend: Gold Legging’s.

+ The Purse Blog posts a letter to Gucci regarding The Gucci Dog Backpack (it is a very amusing read!)

+ Counterfeit Chic weighs in on the controversy regarding weight and models.

Beauty:

+ 99 Products raves about Ojon’s Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream.

+ Pretty by Nature offers a tip: Stop Pulling your face.

+ Pure Spa discusses the 30 minute Migun massage.

Decleor Paris is a luxurious face, body and suncare line for both men and women. Decleor was founded by a team of aromatherapy experts who use their knowledge of active plant extracts to create a comprehensive line of products that are both preventative and on going natural skin care. Decleor is also partnered by Shiseido, known for their wonderful beauty products, and are also the 4th largest beauty group in the industry.

Essential oils have wonderful healing properties with aromatic fragrances that, depending on which oil is used or combined with another, promotes such things as well being, calm, relaxation and so on, therefore promoting balance of both body and mind.

While Decleor’s packaging makes you feel like you just bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s, don’t be fooled that the luxury ends there. It’s what is inside the package that is luxurious, making your skin look and feel like you just spent hours at the spa. In fact, Decleor also offers Salon and Spa treatments at select locations. Within the US, it is at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles where you can receive their Aroma Mosaic treatments that focuses on care of your face, body and the effects of the sun. Each focused treatment is broken down to be tailor made based on the needs of each individual.

You can find Decleor products in various cities throughout the country or locate one close to you with your zip code through their website: www.decleor-us.com

Unlimited luxury, pampering and indulgence is what comes to mind when thinking of an all-inclusive couples vacation in an exotic location. Just the thought of attentive service, a luxurious modernly designed suite, 24-hour room service, a refreshing pool, ocean views, gourmet restaurants, and a world-class spa relaxes me as I sit here in my pregnant reality. Unlimited-luxury means the pampering is endless. Unlimited-luxury also happens to be the trademark for Secrets Resorts and Spas.

Secrets Resorts & Spas has five locations, 2 resorts in Cancun, Mexico (Capri and Maroma); 2 resorts in the Dominican Republic (Casa del Mar and Punta Cana); and 1 resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. All resorts, with the exception of Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, will be opening in 2008. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun is open and awaiting those who value luxury and all-inclusive hospitality.

Each resort has features to leave you breathless by its beauty, such as the ocean views from your suite and the Spa Garden where you will be pampered into complete relaxation. Each suite takes comfort and elegance to an infinite level of opulence ensuring that your getaway is one memory you will hold onto forever. The Spa at Secrets Capri is also a member of iSPA, known for their education, professionalism and authority in the spa industry.

Are you looking for a luxurious getaway? Come see how Secrets Resorts & Spas can indulge you.

Greg Cartwright has been a Massage Therapist for the past 8 years and Body Sugaring Expert for the last 4. He is accomplished in numerous massage techniques, including Shiatsu, sports and Swedish massage. Additionally, he is certified in Thai massage by the Traditional Medicinal Hospital of Thailand. Greg has been trained by top-tier cosmetology companies, such as La Prairie, Alexandria and SkinCeuticals - to use and administer their products. He achieved his Licensed Esthetician certification through The Aveda Institute.

Greg has always been a person who loves working with his hands, is service oriented and understands building relationships with his clients. Prior to starting Downtime Massage and Skincare, he was a chef at the Ritz in London, Moomba in NYC and private chef to a CEO of one of America’s best-known fashion companies.

What prompted your decision to change your career from being a chef to becoming a massage therapist and esthetician?
The food industry is brutal and there is a certain lifestyle that goes along with being in it. After 10 years and an injury in the kitchen, I was ready for a lifestyle change. At that time I was introduced to Yoga and went to a chiropractor. It was at the Chiropractor’s office that I saw massage for the first time. I love doing things for others; using my hands and making people feel better. I saw that I could achieve this through massage and that is when I decided to begin training to become a massage therapist and eventually a licensed esthetician.

Lately the Pierce Mattie PR staff have been visiting different Secrets Resorts around the globe. I can honestly say I'm a little envious because I'd love to escape and relax in one of their luxurious resort/spas. If you saw my post last December, then you know I am ready for a vacation. All of this got me thinking about places within the United States that offer world class spa’s and I was surprised to find Las Vegas on that list. Traveling out of the country may be difficult with a newborn, but going to Las Vegas is completely doable.

When most of us think of Las Vegas the big lights, the casinos, the wedding chapels and the saying, “What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas,” all come to mind. We all know Las Vegas is a playground for families and it’s been this way for years. However, there has been change in the air in Vegas in recent years. While all of the above will never go away, it defines the city after all—it is it’s brand image, there is a trend arising and one that the city is sure not complaining about. Las Vegas is becoming the destination hotspot for beauty, fashion and all things luxury. All one needs to do is look at the world class international dining, miles of pools that can rival its casino’s (such as the pool atop the main casino at the Venetian), and even the Guggenheim is opening its doors in Las Vegas this Spring.

My favorite, of course, would have to be the upscale spas and salons that are now the big attraction for those looking to indulge in the ultimate pampering. Spas like Canyon Ranch SpaClub and the Spa Bellagio cater to your every whim, while your hair can enjoy the hands of top celebrity hair stylists like Cristophe and Michael Boychuck and their respective salons at the MGM Grand and The Palms.

Caesar’s Palace has one of the top spas in Vegas with its elite Qua Baths & Spa.

Qua Baths and Spa is a luxurious retreat that taps into