Duchess of Downtown Tacoma

Welcome to Wellness Wednesday, where its all about self improvement and being the best we can be, outside and in. I welcome your suggestions for wellness in the comment section below. Share with us what you do! Last week I tried something brand new. I already have eyelash extensions on my upper lashes  from Eye Candie (which I LOVE) then I got an offer from a friend at Clara Spa (Sylvia Sheridan) to have a new treatment done to make my lower lashes look darker and thicker too. The treatment is called Lash Dip. Its like a mascara that lasts 3 weeks and never flakes or smears. I stopped wearing mascara when I got my lash extensions so my lower lashes were kind of invisible. I didn't mind that look but this is nice too. The name "Lash Dip" is a bit misleading. She didn't dip my lashes into something, rather she painted a solution on to them. The process was not uncomfortable for me but my eyes did water a little. After she applied each coat of the solution she dried...

Sorry about the lack of Wellness last Wednesday. I was having a moment. You know how you sometimes just stop and say, "What am I doing?" It was like that. Lots of self reflection. Lots of trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Stuff like that. Luckily I am surrounded by Goddesses of inspiration and wisdom and got some great advice and support. I highly recommend inviting your best girl friends over for dinner and just saying out loud those loathsome things that you tell yourself but you really don't mean. If you don't have people around you that you can sort that stuff out with without judgement, try the technique in this video that a very smart friend of mine shared with me this week. This is Byron Katie. As my friend put it, "This is radical shit."  I know, right? OK, moving on.  Electra Spa 5209 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, Washington 98408 (253) 431-2039 www.electraspa.com Connect on Facebook Earlier this week I tagged along with a f...

Sunshine! Don't you just love summer in Tacoma? Just enough sun to give us a warm glow but not so strong that you have to hide out inside air conditioned spaces. And it doesn't stick around so long that we ever take it for granted. When the sun comes out in Tacoma people feel almost obligated to do something outdoors. Don't we? This weekend is ripe for backyard barbeques, festivals and spending time in any of our terrific local parks. I love to get out there and take an evening stroll through downtown. My advice to you is to get outside this week and consciously appreciate the trees, the flowers and all the greenery that makes Washington Washington. I'm a walker but if you like to run, here are a few tips from runners about running: http://www.runreviews.com/running-tips/ I'm also seeing a lot of people out there on bicycles and I'm reminded of my youth when I had my little pink bicycle (that I named "Spider" for some reason!) and how much I loved ...

A couple of weeks ago I saw a Living Social special on eyelash extensions. I've always wanted to try it so I was excited to see this special discounted deal but it came at a time when I couldn't get my act together in time. Fortunately, I called my friend Sonia and she jumped on it. She was also kind enough to let me come with her to observe and learn. The appointment was painless for Sonia who laid comfortably on a massage table while Stacy glued individual lashes to Sonia's eyelashes one at a time. Sonia's eyes were shut the entire time and she chatted with us in complete comfort throughout the whole thing. The procedure takes about an hour and a half but the lashes last up to 3 weeks depending on your own lash molting cycle. There are many different styles of lashes from sporty to ultra glam, short to long, curly to straight, colored and plain. I'll try to get pictures of these different looks for you at a later date. Sonia opted for something in the middle. Sh...

In honor of Summer Solstice, this week's wellness is all about connecting to the earth. I know what you're thinking, you work full time, you live in the city and you still have nightmare's about Blair Witch but fear not! Nature is your friend, with benefits! Here is my 5 step plan for getting you and your planet in better alignment:  Step One: Go for a walk. It can be in your own neighborhood or in one of our amazing local parks. There's a list of parks listed alphabetically here: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/parks-alphabetical/ Take a moment to look at how many there are! There is surely one in your neighborhood.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Step Two: Eat food the way nature intended. Go to one of our local farmers markets and get as many of your groceries there as possible. Information about the Downtown, South Tacoma and 6th Ave markets can be found here: http://www.tacomafarmersmarket.com/ and Northenders ca...

Today's wellness comes from a place of being of service to others. Sometimes helping others is the best way to feel better ourselves. If you know someone who is looking for a terrific opportunity to join forces with one the best spa's in town, tell them about today's offer from Clara Spa. If you know someone who is expecting a baby, Jewell Day Spa has a special treat for them and you can be the one to help them to get this amazing gift of comfort. Read more below: Clara Spa   1506 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402 Connect on Facebook 253.682.2005 http://www.ClarasSpa.com   Clara Spa Lobby Clara Spa Salon Studios has service rooms available for rent in their luxury spa environment inside the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. These rooms would work great for chiropractors, estheticians, therapists and more. Also if you're a barber or hairdresser the salon has openings for independent contractors. If interested, contact Destiny Yusko at the spa. (contact info above)...