Laura by a fire pit at the Loews Blue Streak poolside bar.
Blogging now from the Business Center at the glamorous Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, right on the ocean. [You swipe your credit card and pay $7.50 per 15 minutes to use these big-screen computers. But it's cool, quiet and sleek, unlike my room at the very ordinary Extended Stay America.]
I got a 7 p.m spa treatment: the Signature Beachcomber Massage. The treatment room was candle-lit, the spa bed very comfy. Van was the massage therapist. He showed me the tiger-striped clam shells infused with kelp and seawater that are used for the hot treatment, designed to "melt away muscle tension" per the menu. They are hot to the touch.
"We store a lot of tension in our bodies," Van said, noting that my back felt tight. "Ideally, people should get a massage twice a month."
I wish.
"This must be a hard job," I said. "I mean you really have to work hard, and be energetic." He was kneading and kneading, no rest for the weary. You'd need vitamins to handle that.
"Yes," he agreed with a laugh. "You have to be in it to win it."
Van and I got to talking; I couldn't help it. He moved here from Chicago over 15 years ago, and since I only have one full day left, tomorrow, I asked him for tips about driving the Pacific Coast Highway. He suggested Zuma Beach as a stop-off in Malibu. Sounds good to me. I also hope to find a Catholic Mass earlier in the day, if I'm awake on time,, and might possibly go to Santa Barbara, too....not sure.
I've come a long way since the first time Moey and I ever went to a spa years back, and the whole idea of a little locker, and key, spa slippers and a thick robe were new to us both. I left feeling relaxed, and with an itinerary for my PCH drive, to boot. Thanks, Van.
*****************************************************************************
After that, I met Moey's daughter, Laura, in the lobby. An aspiring actress and singer, she moved to Burbank almost six months ago, and loves it here. She also liked the Loews Hotel. We headed to the hotel's outdoor Blue Streak poolside bar, and both loved the fire pits [13 of them]; you can sit in cushy chairs and order food and drinks while looking out over the Santa Monica Pier, the ferris wheel lit up in pretty colors. We both stared into the flickering flames, talking and reflecting.
Well, I must get my car from the valet and drive back to my Extended Stay America. It's been nice to be at the ball and all, but now my carriage is about to turn into a pumpkin pulled by mice.
Sweet dreams.
*Full disclosure: My service was complimentary as a media guest. The price of the 50-minute service would be $140; 80 minutes, $200. Therefore, I gave Van a 20 percent [or $28] gratuity. There's an unspoken law in the beauty writing world: You usually give the tip even when the service is on the house.
I got a 7 p.m spa treatment: the Signature Beachcomber Massage. The treatment room was candle-lit, the spa bed very comfy. Van was the massage therapist. He showed me the tiger-striped clam shells infused with kelp and seawater that are used for the hot treatment, designed to "melt away muscle tension" per the menu. They are hot to the touch.
"We store a lot of tension in our bodies," Van said, noting that my back felt tight. "Ideally, people should get a massage twice a month."
I wish.
"This must be a hard job," I said. "I mean you really have to work hard, and be energetic." He was kneading and kneading, no rest for the weary. You'd need vitamins to handle that.
"Yes," he agreed with a laugh. "You have to be in it to win it."
Van and I got to talking; I couldn't help it. He moved here from Chicago over 15 years ago, and since I only have one full day left, tomorrow, I asked him for tips about driving the Pacific Coast Highway. He suggested Zuma Beach as a stop-off in Malibu. Sounds good to me. I also hope to find a Catholic Mass earlier in the day, if I'm awake on time,, and might possibly go to Santa Barbara, too....not sure.
I've come a long way since the first time Moey and I ever went to a spa years back, and the whole idea of a little locker, and key, spa slippers and a thick robe were new to us both. I left feeling relaxed, and with an itinerary for my PCH drive, to boot. Thanks, Van.
*****************************************************************************
After that, I met Moey's daughter, Laura, in the lobby. An aspiring actress and singer, she moved to Burbank almost six months ago, and loves it here. She also liked the Loews Hotel. We headed to the hotel's outdoor Blue Streak poolside bar, and both loved the fire pits [13 of them]; you can sit in cushy chairs and order food and drinks while looking out over the Santa Monica Pier, the ferris wheel lit up in pretty colors. We both stared into the flickering flames, talking and reflecting.
Well, I must get my car from the valet and drive back to my Extended Stay America. It's been nice to be at the ball and all, but now my carriage is about to turn into a pumpkin pulled by mice.
Sweet dreams.
*Full disclosure: My service was complimentary as a media guest. The price of the 50-minute service would be $140; 80 minutes, $200. Therefore, I gave Van a 20 percent [or $28] gratuity. There's an unspoken law in the beauty writing world: You usually give the tip even when the service is on the house.
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