Le Petite Retreat Day Spa

Sometimes going to a spa isn’t as relaxing as you’d like. Sometimes there are just too many people, too much foot traffic. If you’re looking for a truly relaxed spa experience in a more intimate setting than, say, Burke Williams (no offense, Burke Williams; I like you just fine), Le Petite Retreat Day Spa in Larchmont Village might just be the spot.

While Le Petite Retreat is small, it doesn’t skimp on amenities. The robes are über comfy, the communal waiting room is cozy (fireplace, fountain, complimentary drinks and snacks), and the treatment rooms are appropriately relaxing. I got the signature Jade Stone Massage Therapy treatment, which incorporates the use of rubbing alternating hot and cold jade stones over your body with Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai and deep tissue massage. The hot stones relax your muscles, and the cold stones help reduce inflammation. This is no wussy massage; the therapist, who was about half my size, worked me over! But that just meant I left feeling totally relaxed.

Le Petite Retreat offers all kinds of facials (including a caviar serum), scrubs (Ionic Detox Foot Bath, anyone?) and even eyelash extensions. The spa also caters to couples with various couples treatments and a champagne bath for two as an add on, where you’ll lounge in a copper tub surrounded by flickering candles sipping champagne. Not bad, huh?

I originally wrote about this place for Gilt City. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll find another deal for Le Petite Retreat soon!

HANAair Professional Hair Dryer

I hate drying my hair.

Actually, I used to hate drying my hair. Then I got the HANAair Professional Hair Dryer, and my blow dry-hating days were over. This blow dryer is hands-down the best I have ever used, mostly because it dries my thick hair in about half the time it takes with my old dryer and dries it well. I can actually dry my hair before work now because it takes just minutes! Using this HANA hair dryer is kind of like walking through a wind tunnel (in a good way); the sheer power — 2300 watts — is amazing. There are also two heat settings and two dryer strengths, as well as a cool button, so you have lots of options. The dryer also leaves my hair smooth, which can be tough since I have a lot of hair. Even my husband likes it. Another good use? The HANA dryer dries my dogs after a bath much more quickly than my old dryer, too.

My only complaint is the dyer costs more than $300. Yes, it’s professional grade, but $300 is a lot of money. Though when I asked my hubby if he would pay that much for that hair dryer, he said he would. So there — a heterosexual man said he would pay hundreds of dollars for a hair dryer. That’s a pretty good endorsement in my book.

I got the dryer from Misikko, a beauty store that specializes in hair care, especially hair dryers and flat irons.

Note: The hair dryer was complimentary.

Clinique Moisture Surge

I’m a big fan of Clinique products. I use a lot of them, especially for skin care. While I’ve been loyal to Clinique’s Superdefense moisturizer for years, which has an impressive SPF 25 while managing not to be greasy, but I’ve been cheating lately. When my wedding make up artist told me that moisturizers with sunscreen reflect light in photos and that I should find one sans sunscreen to wear on my big day, I began exploring Clinique’s entire line. I thought the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion might work, but it was a bit too greasy for my oily skin. Then I tried the gel version, but that didn’t seem right, either. That’s when I discovered Moisture Surge, which is a creamy gel that offers full coverage without leaving a grease slick behind. It’s rare to find a moisturizer that actually moisturizes and leaves a matte finish. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a great all-purpose moisturizer and especially for brides-to-be!

Rose petal macaroon, lychee sorbet and fresh raspberry sauce from Nick & Stef's. Courtesy of Nick & Stef's.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or your mom’s basement, whatever), you’ll know that Monday is Valentine’s Day. If you’re celebrating this year, here are some options for you.

Staying in? Get some Karma single-serve bottles of sparkling wine to toast you and your loved one, whoever that may be.

Going out? Consider Patina Restaurant Group’s V-Day offerings, including prix fixe meals from Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse, Kendall’s Brasserie, Café Pinot and Zucca Ristorante.

Want to do something fun with a friend? Try a blowout from JM Blowdry, part of Joseph Martin Hair & Beauty salon in Beverly Hills. Get two blowouts for $40 (regularly $60) Feb. 11 through Feb. 14.

Splendid Thermal Stitch Long Sleeve Cuff Sweater

Sassy City Chicks, a seasonal fashion and beauty event, is holding its fall get-together this Thursday, Nov. 4, with discounts on designer labels, beauty demonstrations and Chevrolet ride-and-drives. The shopping will feature deeply discounted designer styles from Splendid, Paige denim, Hudson and Current/Elliot, among others, at 30 percent to 80 percent off retail prices.

Also, the Chevrolet Lounge will spotlight two of Sassy City Chicks’ favorite designers and will offer the opportunity for all attendees to participate in the Chevrolet and Buick test drives or ride-alongs before and during the event. If you sign up ahead of time, you’ll have access to Chevy’s newest vehicles from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., as well as pre-event mini spa treatments, extra swag, and early entry to shop the event before doors open to the public. If you can’t make it that early, Chevrolet and Buick will also offer chauffeured rides to and from a local restaurant in either a Chevy Camaro, Traverse, Cruze or Malibu, or the Buick Regal or Buick LaCrosse.

There are two levels of entry for the event: a $25 Tote Ticket will get you entry, a gift bag, complimentary spa services and complimentary cocktails, and a $10 ticket gets you general admission without all the goodies. You know you want the goodies, right? Since you’re such a devoted ShopEatSleep reader, you can get a FREE Tote Ticket by going to the ticketing page, choosing a Tote Ticket and entering the code CHEVROLET at checkout. But hurry — only the first 50 people will get one!

Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

You can win any Perricone product valued at $150 or less. Need helping choosing? How about the Perricone Evening Repair, which works to smooth and illuminate while you sleep? Sounds good to me.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post by Aug. 24 at 11:59 p.m. PST stating why you’d like a particular product (remember, it can’t cost more than $150).

2. Either follow me on Twitter or “like” me on Facebook.

That’s it. I’ll pick a winner at random and make the announcement on Aug. 25. Good luck!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Sacha of Swirl Smell Slurp!

One of those special grand opening events will be taking place at Bloomingdale’s (yes, Bloomies!) with Nation LTD, the luxe basics brand. Designer Jen Menchaca will be offering styling tips, and there will be a giveaway contest with the chance to win one of three “Summer Survival Kits” filled with Nation LTD tees (retail value $325). The first 50 purchasers will receive a free denim Nation LTD tote, and Bobbi Brown makeup artists will be on hand to offer beauty tips and to give out mini Crystal Lip Glosses. If only I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow!

Friday, Aug. 6
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Recess Nail Spa. From Green L.A. Girl.

I recently checked out Recess Nail Spa, an environmentally friendly nail salon not far from the Beverly Center, and came away impressed. For one thing, the space is huge — it looked about three times the size of a typical nail salon — and it was much more luxurious, with plush chairs and flat screen TVs. Aside from actual spas, I have never seen a dedicated nail salon look so nice.

I got a manicure and pedicure, courtesy of a gift card I won at The Fashion Frontline launch party. I got the the Basic Manicure, which includes a mani, hot towels and massage, and the Basic Pedicure, which includes a pedi, scrub, hot towels and massage. I had two people working on me at the same time, and both did a great job. I chose a pink-coral color from SpaRitual, which according to its website, is a vegan nail polish line free of synthetic dyes. I’ve noticed that the color doesn’t chip as much as it wears away from the tips. Recess also carries Zoya, which is free of toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates and camphor. You also get your choice of lotion for your massage, with scents that are sweet, spicy or citrusy.

I was also happy with the service. Even though I came in without an appointment less than an hour before closing time, the salon accommodated me and didn’t make me feel rushed at all.

Through the end of August, the salon is offering a special on the Basic Manicure for $20 and the Basic Pedicure for $30. If you want to save $5, just forgo the hot towels. I’ve had similar manis at actual spas (and even ones that weren’t as good) for much more. This is a great deal. I just may have to make this a regular part of my beauty regimen!

Nights With Neve at Osteria La Buca. From Caroline on Crack.

A year ago, having just lost my job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Business Journal, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. But within days, I started this blog, building on the reporting I had done as a retail, dining and hospitality journalist, and I have never been happier. This blog is a labor of love for me, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses I’ve received. To celebrate my first year online (the exact date was actually April 22), I would like to thank my readers — because without you, I’d just be talking to myself. To show my appreciation, I’m giving away a grab bag chock full of awesome stuff I’ve generously been given over the last year but could never go through on my own (and why should I? That’s just greedy!). I’m going to keep this shrouded in a bit of mystery, but expect full-size cosmetics, accessories and anything else I can get my hands on before the entry deadline. All you need to do to enter this giveaway is:

1. Leave a comment on this post (if you’re reading this on Facebook then please go to the blog URL — do NOT comment via Facebook, or else your entry may not be counted) explaining what you like most about ShopEatSleep and/or what kind of coverage you’d like to see more/less of on the blog. I always strive to do better, you know.

2. Follow me on Twitter and/or “like” ShopEatSleep on Facebook (the Facebook page is brand new, so you’ll have to search for it until I can get enough fans to qualify for a username) and tweet or post on the Facebook wall “I entered to win a grab bag of goodies from @shopeatsleep to celebrate its 1-year blogiversary! You can enter here: http://ht.ly/1Govf”

That’s it! The deadline to enter is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Once all entries have been made, I’ll pick one lucky reader at random. Good luck, and thanks again for making this blog so much fun!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Emily (@emilythepanda), who just won products from Trees, Hourglass, POP Beauty and more!