Sometimes it can seem like the more you celebrate Valentine’s Day the more difficult it can become to create the perfect gift for that special someone, even if it is just for yourself. Acqualina, located at 17875 Collins Avenue, offers the perfect gift for valentine’s day, which is the gift of time. The  resort’s Valentine’s Day Time Journeys create the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience that is ideal for all couples and any best friend duo interested in celebrating the holiday in the lap of luxury and relaxation.

Upon entering the spa you are ushered into a sanctuary of tranquility equipped with a crystal steam room, arctic ice fountain, Finnish dry heat sauna, Experience Shower, jet pool, Roman waterfall jacuzzi and ESPA sun deck. Typically guests are encouraged to arrive an hour prior to their appointment time to make use of the spa’s plush amenities.

The spa’s Love Is In The Air package highlights one of the spa’s most unique features, which is the customized timed spa journeys. For this holiday, the package also includes a private spa suite complete with its own private steam shower for two. The experience also offers a glass of champagne for each guest. During a calming foot ritual, your therapist creates a customized spa journey designed to meet your needs at the time. Your therapist crafts a two-hour experience that will consist of multiple treatments (possibly two or more) to meet your needs for that day.

“We specialize in sensory oils,” Acqualina spa director, Cynthia Bell, said. “We offer six blends of oil samplings during your consultation because every day might be different. Everything is determined on a case-by-case basis.”

Guests of the spa can also enjoy Bento Boxes for their lunch while taking in the beautiful view of the spa’s private pool.

The Love Is In The Air package is a Worthy-Approved experience. From the customization to the pioneering products that are at the forefront of the spa’s unique treatments, it all comes together to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

All ESPA products are known for their purity, potency and therapeutic qualities having been formulated using only the highest quality organically grown plants. Essential oils such as Neroli, Bulgarian Rose Otto, Palmerosa, Frankincense, Wild Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Myrrh are delicately combined to work together in harmony, making them more powerful as blends than they would be on their own. In addition, each product can be used effectively by itself.

Treatments conclude with your therapist providing their personal recommendations to assist you in maintaining a healthy skin care regimen.

“All of our products are alcohol-free,” Acqualina spa therapy manager, Kimberly Cooke, said. “ESPA is a skin care pioneer.”

The Lifestage product line is viewed as the original archetype for intelligent skin care.

“The line has a natural encapsulation that allows the products to last over an eight-hour period. The products have a time release in them.”

Lifestage facials will minimize wrinkles and immediately improve hydration levels to reduce the appearance of redness and pigmentation.

Guests are sure to leave the luxurious spa feeling relaxed, confident and more importantly, loved.

“That is something that I am very proud of with my staff. They are very attentive and sincere with our guests and it shows in the service,” Bell said. “Our guests can feel that we care.”

Schedule your valentine’s day                                    WWW.ACQUALINA.COM

Our fashion director, David Michael, answers your fashion inquiries with his honest opinion which is sprinkled with his extensive professional experience. Our first write-in explores plus-size fashion.

I am a 20 something woman making my way through life. Like most 20-something women, I love fashion! I like to look good- hair, nails, make-up and all that jazz! Unlike the average 20 something woman, I am a dress size of 18. So of course, this makes shopping difficult. I miss out on all the designer collaborations ( Alexander Wang and H&M, Lilly Pulitzer for Target, etc) and I’m starting to think that this isn’t fair. Designers have long had a history of not catering to us women with something extra. Do they think we don’t want to be chic and fashionable? What do we have to do to get more plus sized clothes in store?

Xoxo

Pretty Plus Sized Princess

PS. LOVE the Magazine!

Dear Pretty Plus Sized Princess,

Here’s the problem,

I’ve worked in retail my entire life (went to college was an art major decided to stay in retail). I’m constantly hearing about plus size things not being available in a traditional “bricks and mortar” store.

I have worked every end of the retail spectrum and one thing I have noticed is (I have physically seen the numbers because that’s part of my job) plus size clothes do not move numbers like other departments. You would think so but they just don’t. What’s even more interesting to me, stores like Lane Bryant and Ashley Stuart sell REALLY nice clothes. Yes they are on the pricier side because you have to pay a little more for the fabric (depending on the fabric/garment the standard is about 2 yards). Those stores sell amazing clothes and yet and still plus size women shop there but not how they should (daily sales/goals and comps should blow thru the roof).

Most people are running to stores like H&M or Forever21 and though Forever has a plus size section, its still doesn’t offer a wide variety in comparison to what it offers through out the rest of the store.

You also have to consider the floor space. Let’s say we bring in a full presentation of plus size clothes to the floor and when we do, the clothes aren’t selling. Then what? Particularly with these designer collaborations, they are a one-time thing and they do them to drive sales. So, now I have to send back my stuff that didn’t sell. It first costs money to make the garment that didn’t sell, it cost money to ship it, and now it’s going to cost money to send it back? That’s why most retailers carry their plus size clothes online. When you order it online, it comes straight from the warehouse and they only ship it once.

My advice is to shop at the places that love you (I’m 6ft tall 225 lbs with large thighs and a large butt. I cannot wear H&M pants). My favorite spots are The Gap, Banana Republic, Thrift shops and JackThreads. Online shopping is your friend, it maybe a little bit of an inconvenience but wouldn’t you much rather have it than not?

These companies care about the bottom line and that is money. We have to vote with your dollars. If you can drive business online, they will bring it. Ask and you shall receive.

-DM

We have a few new short docuseries joining our roster for 2015. Here is a sneak peek. We hope that you are excited.