DIY Spa Party

Surprising to many, I am not a spa-kinda-girl. I’ve had a manicure three times in my life, once for my wedding, once as a bridesmaid, and once as a gift-certificate. I’ve never had a pedicure. (I’m too kind to subject my gross feet on anyone other than myself.) And I’ve had a facial once, as a gift from my hubby. I also do not own a ton of expensive beauty products. (By now, you know I’m simply too cheap.) However, I do love to entertain and I love feeling like a girly-girl. If you are more like the latter and have a slight appreciation for the former, then a Do-It-Yourself Spa Party is for you! All you need are some candles, some mood-music, some food, some spa stations, and let’s not forget some ladies, and you are in business….or…er…in spa.

The Ambiance

I wasn’t smart enough to take a bunch of pictures of what my place looked like before everyone arrived, but even I was impressed by it. Tons of candles and flowers everywhere makes any place look magical. AND we only had one near fire experience! (I recommend having a fire extinguisher handy just in case you have a psycho candle that decides to explode on you. Thanks again Katie for your swift Smokey-the-Bear skills.) I don’t own any “spa music” (is there such a category?) so I simply went to Pandora.com and entered in the only spa-ish type music I know….Enya. Worked perfectly. Pandora is a fabulous source for music, an instant computer jukebox for any occasion.

The Menu

Disclaimer: Our group isn’t really a celery-stick-with-bean-curd kinda group (no offense to you bean curd, but seriously, you can’t exactly compete with cream cheese) so this menu focused more on the taste buds and less on the waistline!

Bellinis

Curried Chicken Salad baked in Crescent Rolls

Cookie Dough Dip served with mini-Nilla Wafers, strawberries, graham sticks, and blueberries

Black-eyed Susan Cupcakes

Assortment of Cheese and Crackers

Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies drizzled with Chocolate

The Feet

One of my girlfriends was kind enough to bring four foot baths with rocks in bottom, Epsom salts, and sweet smelly potions to make for a decadent foot-soaking experience. Tip: I requested that everyone bring their favorite spa supplies and these ladies delivered. Save yourself a ton of money by asking what everyone has hidden away in their bathroom closets. I was impressed with the array of products we had to choose from.

One too many bellinis you ask? No. I’m just goofy and like to show off my ugly feet.

The Face

I also don’t have a picture of our “mask station”, but I simply set up little dipping bowls filled with a homemade mask recipe. Some of you requested the recipe so here it is:

Avocado Bananafanababyfoodo Mask

In a blender combine:

1 avocado

1 banana

1/4 c plain yogurt

1 t olive oil

1 t lime juice

1 t lemon juice

1 T honey

Just mush and mask-up. Wait until it feels crusty and dry, then wash off. Also be sure to place bunny-ears behind your friends’ heads because they don’t look silly enough wearing avocado on their faces.

See how beautiful it makes your skin? Isn’t she simply radiating. (Okay, actually I think she was the only one who didn’t try the mask, but she looks great so I needed to include this pic 🙂

The Hands and Nails

For our manicure station, I set up dollar-store silver trays (that I’ve had for eons) to protect the table from nail-polish products. In the center of the table, I placed apothecary jars from my bathroom and filled them with various nail thingies. One woman was so kind as to bring her paraffin wax machine, and I’ll bet at least one woman you invite will own Mary Kay’s Satin Hands.

Check out that French Manicure people.

Before leaving my place, one friend commented that her husband was going to wonder who the strange, nice-smelling woman with soft hands and feet was climbing in bed next to him! I bet you have some friends out there that seriously could use a spa-night too. They will thank you…and perhaps their husbands will as well!

Cake-bake-and-sale girls! (Inside joke with the ‘da ladies.)

Comments

Melanie S says

June 4, 2009 at 10:42 pm

You are an entertainer on steroids. That looks like the best girl's night EVER, and I am seriously jealous. That looks so fun!!! You're incredible.
Jess says

May 30, 2009 at 9:47 pm

Wow! What an amazing time! I have to say a night with bellinis, pampering, and wine sounds great right about now….. you are the host with the most! The cupcakes are super cute!