I have to admit, I was a little nervous when I called Candy Silvasy, the awesomeness behind Art of the Spa. She’s got more spa insights in her little finger than most people have in a lifetime. (Follow Candy on Twitter for fabulous tips!) She smart, she’s funny and she was my very first interview for this blog ever. Ever.
But no need to worry, because she’s also warm and friendly, putting me completely at ease. I had wanted to speak to Candy, because I really admire her message, which is that we all deserve time to relax and live a better life.
Living the Spa Lifestyle
I asked her about this holistic approach and this is how Candy explained it:
“A lot of people tend to think of spa as ‘in the bathroom’, with alone time… a nice escape in a warm tub. My philosophy is about creating a spa lifestyle.
It stems from my career as a spa specialist. I went to destination spas where you live there for a week, in the best optimal fashion. Your day is perfectly planned; you eat the tastiest, healthiest foods and do activities that nourish your body and spirit.
In the same way, a spa lifestyle surrounds you and creates this amazing total transformation. It’s about what we surround ourselves with, and how we live every day.”
Candy recommended being aware of our relaxation triggers, and using those to our advantage to help create a calming home sanctuary. For example, you might want to keep a fresh cut flowers by your front entrance way. Something that instantly helps put the stresses of the day behind you, and transports you to a happier, calmer place.
Creating a Home Bath Spa
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, where many of us are juggling career, kids and social lives, it’s hard to allot “me time”. Candy notes that “people often say ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘I have children’ or ‘I don’t have a place that’s private’. So, the bathroom is the perfect place to start creating a spa lifestyle. When you are thinking of your bathroom as a home spa, one thing to consider is how to engage all of your senses.”
Here are a few of her suggestions:
Sight: “Visually, you want to create a very serene environment. One that makes you soothes your soul and relaxes you.”
Sound: “People often forget about music. There are lots of CD and MP3 players that are waterproof and very, very affordable. When add music to your home bath spa, you think to yourself “Why didn’t I do this before?!” It just adds that extra element, a little extra escape and it drowns out the rest of the world and it also feeds you and whatever mood you are in.”
Touch: “I like to have everything warm. The ultimate to me is to have radiant heated floors. If it’s not built into your home, you might want to consider a heated towel rack. It’s a great investment. Not only can you use it for towels, you can also warm your pajamas and robe. Another thing for touch is your textiles. Have really great towels: a towel is something you use every day… I think a lot of people tend to skimp on that, and that’s just such a mistake. A good quality towel cuddles you when you get out of the tub, it’s soft on your skin, and it feels so good to wrap around your body.”
Smell: “You can have beautiful scented candles. In my bathroom I have some river stones that I add a few drops of aromatherapy oils. You can use stones, shells… whatever you love. It’s another way to relax and create that spa feel.”
(FYI: I asked Candy about her favorite scent said she said it changes. “This time of year I’m into Thyme’s Fraser Fir. I like to mix them up, sometimes I’ll mix Fraser Fir with few drops of vanilla. I also love fresh, more herbal fragrances, like lemongrass. If I’m really tired, I find scents like lemongrass and rosemary can really pick me up.”)
Candy’s Top 5 Favorite Bath & Body Products
1. Caudelie Vine Body Butter – “It’s made from grape seed oil, and it really absorbs into your skin. Especially at this time of year when it is so dry!”
2. Kiehl’s Hand Cream – Candy recommends keeping Kiehl’s on your desk. It soaks right in, with no greasy residue!
3. Herban Bath Milk – “One of my favorite bath items I just discovered! It dissolves so easily into the bath.”
4.Moroccan Kessa, a black exfoliation mitt – She recommends exfoliating every night before getting into the tub.
5. Lollia Bubble Bath – “Great names, beautiful bottles and wonderful floral scents. Fabulous gifts!”
Candy’s Favorite Spas
As a person who has visited over 90 spas in more than eight countries, Candy knows a lot about spas. She shared her two favorite.
“I love Forest Mere. It’s nestled in countryside, and when you turn into the little lane that leads to the spa, it’s like pulling into a fairy tale. Very secluded, there’s a lake with swans, it’s just really unbelievable. Suddenly a tudor mansion appears. It’s so very English. And then you enter and it’s oh-so-glamorous inside.. marble, crystal chandeliers, and very modern. It’s a fun, fun spa because there are a lot of unique activities, like taking samba dance lessons with the UK Latin Dance Ballroom Champion.”
Four Seasons in Beverly Wilshire
“It’s a very urban environment, but when you enter the spa it’s like being transported: their use of lighting, stones, and a huge amethyst crystal geode that greets you as you enter the spa. Amethyst is a grounding element to incorporate into your decor, great positive energy. It’s an amazing escape.”
2012 Home Spa Trends
What are some of the spa trends we can expect in 2012? Are there any spa trends that we are now seeing popping up in our homes?
“A big trend is to return to something simpler, something more soothing, so there is a move away from those big loud jet tubs,” stated Candy. “You are starting to see people opt for air bubble and deeper soaking tubs in their homes.”
In spas, Candy says that “the décor is becoming more personalized and unique; it’s not just all taupe and marble anymore.” There is a sense of place and personality. In homes, this can mean more color, incorporating one-of-a-kind heritage items, careful choice of faucets, interesting tiles… in short all the choices that make a space truly yours. Looking forward to the New Year, I think Candy’s right, we need to nourish our body and our spirit. Here’s to living a conscious, mindful spa lifestyle!