A Beachcomber Massage & a Chat by the Fire

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.

Girls Gone Wild in Lone Star State

Moey in The General Store in Fort Worth Friday night.

Moey and me in the Ritz Carlton lobby, Dallas. Our friend Susie Q did not want her photo here.

We've been having so much fun. I hate missing my daily blogging, but after sleeping only 3 hours the night before, I crashed in the car when our friend Susie Q drove us home to her house near Dallas after our colorful evening in Fort Worth.

I have a lot to report so will resort to bullet points:

Friday night

• The rodeo!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!! we went to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth last night. It was unforgettable. So glad to go. To see the cowboys and cowgirls...the bull riding, tie down roping [that made me a bit sad, seeing the calves being tied down], breakaway roping, barrel racing....to see the quirky, colorfully dressed rodeo clowns, who distract the bulls after the rider falls off. Watching the cowgirls on the horses, tearing across Cowtown Coliseum, the horses long and lean, the women young and strong....it was moving. I also really loved the opening act, when the flag bearer with long blonde hair and blue jeans--Elizabeth Haught, the program says--circled the ring again and again, picking up speed each time as she held the American flag high. It was awesome. Also: The social aspect of it. The couples on dates, the families. The Friday-night fashions--young women in short dresses or shorts with cowboy boots.
• Billy Bob's Honky Tonk. This is also in the Stockyards National Historic District...country line dancing.....we heard there are lessons on Sundays but not sure we will get back. Also liked live band. No frozen margaritas, so had Amaretto Sour. Moey had white wine. I think there's a mechanical bull on the premises.

Saturday

• The Spa @ the Ritz Carlton in Dallas!! Full disclosure: As a writer/blogger, I called ahead and got 20 percent off my treatment. It was a splurge, but my pedicures often last for months. I got the Blueberries & Bluebonnets Pedi, priced @ $85. After the discount, and the automatically added 23% service charge, the total was $87.55. I loved talking to Dee as she buffed and polished. "You have good feet," she said. "But you needed a good buffing." She used a mask, scrub and cream with notes of blueberry. Dee was born and raised in Texas, but we're both mothers of teens and we really connected and enjoyed talking. Also, she tested a nail with OPI Cajun Shrimp to see if I wanted that color. I did. "It's the most popular color in Texas," she said. "We can't keep it on the shelves." I bought a bottle. Also nice: The cool drink of crisp cucumber water. The little cup of blue scrub to use in the shower. [I didn't have time to shower b/c my friends were waiting, so I took the cup and can't wait to use it tonight in this Hilton Garden Inn in Lewisville.] The Hanky Panky panties sold in the spa shop. And, when they offer you a drink, it can even include an Illy latte. Which I chose. [Dee was such a good, upbeat person. I wish I could keep in touch with her. I left her my card.]
• The Ritz Carlton lobby. The photo above shows the flowers. So elegant and lovely. Dozens of pinkish purple orchids in glass vases of all heights, with pink lilies and blossoms in the tallest ones in back. And the lobby shop, Indulge, serves Talenti gelato and sorbet by the scoop, $4.99 for small cup and $7.99 for large. You can also pop in there for an Illy iced caramel macchiato or mocha. Or to buy Bulgari perfume. Very good.
• The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Wow, did we ever love this. We three friends--Moey, Susie Q and I--went to school together from kindergarten through high school in Dumont, New Jersey. Like every other schoolkid, we learned about JFK's assassination in Dallas. But here we were standing on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building, seeing the exact corner where Lee Harvey Oswald stood with his gun. The whole exhibit was fascinating. And we also happened upon the museum's Living History Series, featuring a conversation with Wilborn Hampton, the youngest reporter in United Press International's Dallas bureau on that fateful day in November 1963. His memories of being sent to cover the breaking news at Parkland Memorial Hospital--where the shot President had been rushed--were vivid and crisp.
• Cristina's Mexican Restaurant in Carrollton. I had a giant frozen margarita in fishbowl-sized glass with salt on rim. Delicious with dinner, which included steak with a shrimp-stuffed chile relleno. So nourishing to sit and chat with my old friends....about high school teachers, clubs, boyfriends....about our parents. On the drive to the hotel, as sunset streaked the wide open sky, Susie Q played a Mary J. Blige CD in the car. I knew her name and now I know her music. I like it.
• Kicking back. First thing I did when I got into this hotel room was put the A.C. on 64 degrees because I love the cold. This is a nice place, with fire pit outside and great-looking pool. Tomorrow we're going to relax. I love Texas! BTW, the people are polite. And we have seen some cute cowboys in blue jeans and cowboy hats.

TCOY

1. Ice water with lemon, which I hope will balance out the tortilla chips and jumbo margarita.
2. Friends, friends, friends. Important time.
3. About to watch chick flick and then take shower with Ritz Spa blue scrub. I have a room to myself and can sleep late!!!!!!

Of Palm Trees & Sweet Orange Pedicures

I love the Kareena's cover-up on the right! Wow. My cup of Miami Beach tea.

I again prefer road trips b/c I can overpack, pack @ the last minute and not worry if my suitcase zips. I swear it was a workout to get my rolling case zipped at 2:30 A.M.--had to use strong arms. And all of that airport walking and lugging must be good exercise, too.

We are at the Holiday Inn on Ocean Blvd. in Highland Beach, right on the sea. It is very pretty and we have the windows open to feel the breeze.

Tonight we met H.'s stepmom, Marge--his Dad's second wife--for dinner. She lives nearby and it was good to see her again.

Before that, we drove to the Turnberry Isle Miami, a luxury resort built in 1970 and recently renovated to the tune of $150 million. I received an e-press release about it after we booked our flight to Miami, and Rachel, the public relations director, was good enough to fit us in today for lunch and pedicures. I took notes. Sunbeams:

• The Miami aqua poinsettias. I have seen red ones, white ones and pink ones up North. But here @ the Turnberry, the decorating scheme is silver and turquoise and the faux poinsettias tucked into the sparkly arrangements are a glorious, glitter-dusted aquamarine. So pretty and beachy.
• The pampered clientele. The Turnberry just says You are in Miami, and it is glamorous here, the center of the universe. It's fun to be where the wealthy are, if even for three hours. As soon as we stepped out of our shiny black rental convertible, I spotted a shopping bag from Armani Exchange. The Aventura Mall is just across the street and houses stores like Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger. I also noticed Turnberry guest feet clad in bright sneakers, like red and blue. I have a stowaway: Red Ralph Lauren sneakers bought on sale in men's department on Black Friday. So I should fit right in. Let's not mention that we three were kind of a slight spectacle when we pulled up for valet parking, trying to figure out how to close the windows on the car, H. and Fig fishing through their bags for things. Awkward. You can take the New Jerseyans out of New Jersey but you can't take the New Jersey out of the New Jerseyans.
• Paul McCartney slept here. Yes, he did. And so did/do James Caan and Michael Jordan and many other stars.
• The Laguna Pool. With three pools on the property, this one looked most inviting. There's a lazy river [float in inner tubes], poolside food and drink service, fun oversized round lounges that can fit two people. Wanted to stay, but we had to get to our hotel for the night.
• Lunch @ Cascata Grill. We ate outdooors, overlooking the rolling green golf course and surrounded by pink and purple blooms. The bread basket held pillowy focaccia squares and came with flower-shaped butter pats. The smoked salmon toasts with finely snipped chives were excellent. H. had Key West rolls with shrimp, crab and lobster, and I had a very nice  strawberry margarita on the rocks, great salt on the rim, with my lunch and Key Lime tart for dessert. Cannot do that every day!
• The Spa!!! Figgy and I were greeted with beverages, as though we just stepped off a plane in Hawaii--hers a fresh berry smoothie, mine pink Champagne. We loved our one-hour deluxe pedicures. They are priced @ $79 and incorporate sea salt and the Turnberry Spa's signature sweet orange oil. We both slept very little last night, up packing and leaving early, and so we both feel asleep in the pedi chairs. Fortunately they were not aggressive pedicures, where you wouldn't dare close your eyes for fear of getting wounded. These were gentle.
• Spa lounge, where you rest and read post pampering. Pale, pale mint walls, cool consoles, skewers of bright honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple chunks. My favorite perk: the carafe of crisp, clear ice water with fresh orange slices.
• The spa store. Wow. It's a good one, and I have carefully combed a lot of them. This one had gorgeous beaded silk Kareena's beach cover-ups in turquoise and white for $195 and up. [Made in India, so pretty.] So pool-perfect and dreamy. Also, cute floppy Sun N Sand hats with SPF 50+ [$29.99], earrings, Seda France candles and Moroccan Oil hair products, even great blue brushes.
• Christmas in Miami. I was always curious about how Floridians embrace Yuletide traditions when it's warm out and they are coatless. Rachel gave me an insight. We take hot cocoa and turn it into a frozen hot chocolate drink with fresh mint, says Rachel of one twist the Turnberry takes. Oh, I see, so that's what they do--they don't try to repeat our White Christmas traditions here--which wouldn't quite work with sunscreen and sand--but to tweak them. The swimming-pool-blue poinsettias, the new take on a mug of cocoa. Nice!

Good night.

TCOY

1. Short restful nap.
2. Put feet in ocean tonight.

A Perfect 10: Ode to the Ocean House

The lap pool, open 24/7, is right off the OH! Spa.

I can't begin to tell you how pretty the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island is. I really can't. It was the height of luxury. I wanted to write more when there, but between my cold keeping me up most of the one night we slept there and our spa and interview appointments, I didn't have much time. Then I drove five hours yesterday [a two-hour round trip to Newport and then back home] so had to take Nyquil and immediately hit the hay. But I'm not complaining, no sir.

Here's my love list: 

1. The beach. We were right on the water. There were cabanas, and a little beach path to follow. In the spa Relaxation Room, you recline on a plush chaise lounge looking out over the sea. Your hear the waves, breathe the air. Tonic for the soul. We had a beautiful ocean view from our room, too. You can see Block Island from the Seaside Terrace restaurant and on a clear day, Montauk, Long Island, too.
2. The restaurant, Seasons. It's all about farm-to-table. Incredible. Thumbelina carrots, fresh scallops, just-picked herbs, and butter [for the warm rolls] that was beyond belief. It was creamy and rich and I felt like it was brought to me in that perfectly round disc straight from the farm right after churning. And the small plate of Agnolotti--a kind of tiny, tender ravioli made with fresh local hen eggs--was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. I sopped up every last drop of sauce with my rosemary roll. The chocolate bombe for dessert was also excellent--rich and creamy. My spoon just sunk right in. Figgy loved the food, too. She had a mocktail made with peach puree, a raisin pecan roll and some special stuffed chicken breast with cauliflower, kale and walnuts on the side. And the room service breakfast, with a miniature orchid plant on the tray? The little warm currant scones are the best I've ever had, way better than the Plaza Hotel, Bergdorf's, a lot of places. They were warm, tender, melt-in-your-mouth, again slathered [by me] with that farm butter--and eaten at a table on our private deck over the sea.
3. The big soaking bathtub. Could easily fit two people. Had tray across it to hold TV remote, candle, etc. The Molton Brown bath gel took it over the top.
4. The room. Ours was painted a beautiful blue. The bed was high, deep and comfortable. There were robes and flip flops waiting for us, and a little fridge stocked with sodas and waters [no extra vanity bar charges, included with room]. Also: jars full of salted nuts, trail mix and chocolate-covered malted milk balls for us to enjoy. And on the tea tray when we walked in: fresh apricots and muffins.
5. The boutique. I already went on about that, but I loved it. The little shop also has cashmere wraps, watches, handbags, shoes and estate jewelry. A golden charm bracelet with dozens of miniature charms on it was priced @ $2,800. Oh, the stories those dainty little trinkets could tell. Who gave the woman the bracelet? Did she start it as a young girl? Did she live in Rhode Island, anywhere near Newport or Watch Hill? Where did she get each charm? What happened to her? And no daughter or niece to pass the jewelry on to? Or did said niece or daughter sell it?
6. The croquet lawn. Ah yes, perhaps in another life, I will play this game, mallet in hand. We saw people playing in croquet whites--the V-neck sweaters, the pants. So elegant and ageless.
7. Bay Street. We walked over while waiting for our room. Saw old, old carousel, store where Figgy got flat T-strap sandals with black feathers and faux gemstones on them. [She paid $20, her weekly allowance, and I paid the $28 balance.] Young saleswoman named Breezy. Cute name for someone living in a place right on the water.
8. The OH! Spa. My favorite was the Fresh Herb Harvest Glow body scrub--with a special cornmeal mixture that contained sea salt and lavender buds. And Midnight Honey Bath & Beauty Oil after. The products used are organic, by Farmaesthetics. My skin felt so soft; I felt so pampered. Figgy was wowed by the Beach Stone Massage, with hot stones from the beach. And in the Relaxation Room, after your treatment, you are offered homemade granola, raw fruit bars, nuts, tea and water [Would you like sparkling, still or fruited, Ms. Hurley?] The bars are incredible, wrapped in parchment paper so you can tuck in your bag, as I did. Made with sweet dried fruits, brown sugar, butter....true treat.
9. The staff. The historic Ocean House was renovated and just reopened a year ago. No stone left unturned with impeccable service. We had a a butler on call for our needs. The front desk lends out iPads, and Figgy loved using one. [I did have to sign a form saying we would be responsible for $700 if it wasn't returned.] I was never called Ms. Hurley so much in two days [except maybe on an overnight with my Girl Scouts, and that was so NOT luxurious]. I liked it. And when we left, a parting gift--a turquoise box of four fabulous truffles made in Westerly, R.I.--I'm sorry I didn't stop there! Dark and decadent.
10. Newport--we drove there after checking out by 1 P.M. to interview Brenda Brock, founder and owner of Farmaesthetics, at her little flagship shop in Newport. Loved the drive, the water, the sailboats, the lighthouses, that bridge that climbs high into a peak and then dips again. Brenda's space is lovely, airy, open--it had been an old hotel for years. Now with white punched-tin ceiling, mantel rescued from Newport mansion. We went to the beach in Newport to put our feet in the water for a few minutes. So pretty. Got quick dinner @ Flo's Clam Shack, heard employee say Martha Stewart was there twice. Clam roll not as good as Arnold's or Mac's on Cape Cod but still nice.

Must go to sleep so can tackle boot camp in morning heat. Will bring three bottles of ice water. Good night.

TCOY

1. Walked Sug around block once.
2. Planted pink petunia.
3. Pruned roses and lilacs.

Beach Plum Assignment

I can't contain myself--going to the Ocean House in Rhode Island.

I kinda gripe a lot, don't I? But I have some exciting news....I've been assigned to do a story about a spa at an elegant hotel on the ocean in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. I have to get treatments, do an interview, then write about it. I'm going overnight this Sunday, June 5, with Figgy. We'll be back by Monday evening. She's going to get a treatment, too, and we'll both write about our experience. H. just flew out for business to L.A., then Toronto--so this is our perfectly timed getaway.

I simply can't wait. I truly can't believe how lucky we are. I thank every fiber of goodness and grace on earth for my editor, whom I've known for years [we worked together @ Good Housekeeping].

I will blog from Watch Hill as long as the laptop stars are in their courses, and I trust they will be. I think Figgy will blog from there, too [she has her own blog].

Give Me Liberty

I'm in Philadelphia on a weekend press trip. Home of the Liberty Bell, cheesesteak wars and Rocky. I took the Amtrak here from Penn Station NY and arrived at Philly's beautiful high-ceilinged 30th Street Station in 1 hour and 22 minutes.

Lap of Luxury
We're staying at the Four Seasons, and it's lovely.

On That Note
1. They sell cellophane-wrapped black bow ties in the lobby--for the gentlemen who forgot theirs; $20 each.

2. The spa is tranquil. We all got Cleopatra Facials--a tie-in to the current exhibit at the Franklin Institute, which we're seeing tomorrow. It's called Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt. My facial involved a special enzyme treatment made from pears and figs. Jennifer Wegner [professor and curator of the Egyptian section of the Penn Museum, who joined us for margaritas and dinner at divine Mexico-City-inspired Distrito] confirmed over guacamole that Cleopatra may indeed have eaten figs. The Penn Museum has an awesome collection of Egyptian objects, and Jennifer and her husband and young son go to Egypt once a year for excavations. How cool is that? She knows everything about everything Egypt-related. It made me realize: People are passionate about so many different things. The info I house about upscale chocolate is one passion; Jennifer's is another. Both equally rich.

3. The story of the spa products is even better. My facialist, Debbie, clued me in to the Naturopathica products made with organic fruits and flowers in an East Hampton, NY business run by Glenn Close's cousin. One great thing is there's no hard sell here like at some other spas. I was free to sniff and explore and then choose what I wanted, no pressure. I can't wait to mist the Lavender Blossom Bath & Body Oil on my damp skin after showering [www.naturopathica.com].

As for the rest time, well, I need to steal a little bit of that. In between everything, I was fielding calls from my Dad and his care planner at the hospital, and also called his urologist twice. It is a worry. I do feel guilty not being there, but I will return Sunday evening, and Sis and my brother Will are stepping in, too.

So forgive me...I really should be writing more about the amazing Egyptian objects we saw, which were really, really cool and thought-provoking.

But I want to savor a tiny bit of luxuriating before we meet up again at 8:30 A.M. in the lobby.