My Birthday Spa Day at the Pure Beauty Salon and Spa, Toronto

On Thursday I celebrated my 62nd birthday. It was a workday and Teena had obligations so I took the day off ( I have never worked my birthday in my life) and Teena went to work. We don't buy presents for each other on our birthdays but instead treat each other to a spa day. Today Teena took me to the Pure Beauty Salon and Spa in the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

The spa is located on the Towers' 31rst floor, with a salt water lap pool and hot tub located a floor above.

I love a hot tub!

Teena treated me to my first bamboo massage. Stella was my RMT and was fabulous. She sat me down, explained and took five minutes to explain how bamboo massage works. Then I was up on the heated table and my treatment was underway.

The tools of the trade. Lots of hot oil is used with them. Smaller lengths are used for arms and legs and the longer ones for larger area. Many times more than one is used. They are rolled or slid width wise or length wise across the skin. I could feel tight muscles turn into jelly.

The waiting area for between treatments. It's a great view from the 31rst floor.

Next up was a men's facial with Glenna. It was an hour long with steam, washes, hot towels, arms and shoulder massage and many face and head massages. I was surprised the treatment took place in a private room. It felt terrific and I fell asleep a few times. Apparently I snored a little. Ha!

My face does feel so much better. It was quite dry before.

Our final treatment was a pedicure, which Glenna also looked after.

Bubbly matches so well with a pedicure!

The treatment included a hot paraffin wax treatment. Our feet were immersed in a plastic bag of wax, then a cotton boot was placed over them, and then they were placed in an electric foot blanket. So warm!

Thanks for a great spa day, Teena. I know this isn't a cheap place but I look and feel great and had a fabulous day!

Spa Day at the Mosaic Spa in Fergus, Ontario

Instead of buying presents for each other on our birthdays, we take each other to the spa. It's a tradition we have been doing since we first got married.

Saturday was Teena's birthday so I took her to the Mosaic Spa in Fergus. Although it's a little plain looking on the outside, the inside is very nice.

There's even a fireplace in the sitting are for those cold days.

Teena started with a massage by Kate and I came in an hour later to have my massage with Kate while Teena had a facial. My full body massage was great and Kate took spent some extra time on my injured shoulder, which feels much better now. Thanks Kate! Teena enjoyed her massage and her facial.

Then it was time to meet up for our hot stone pedicures.

Teena picked out her colour, then took a picture of it for her blog post.

Ashlee looked after Teena's toes while Tasha did mine. We had never heard of a hot stone pedicure so tried it today. Little hot rocks are placed between all your toes, then Tasha rubbed the hot rocks into the muscles of my feet and calves. It felt great. As she ran the stone along, her fingers also dug in for a very soothing effect. I enjoyed it. Teena did too. We both would have one again!

We had a great day at the Mosaic Spa and would highly recommend it.

My Birthday at the Spa

Teena always ensures that I am spoiled on my birthday and this year was no exception.  Today we hit the Elmwood Spa for a swim, hot tub, 80 minute massage, and finally a pedicure.

Andre was Teena's massage therapist and I had Melody. We both loved our massages in the couples room

I came out with a classic case of "massage hair"

 

Then it was pedicure time. Usually Teena bugs me to get my toenails painted. I was feeling a little silly so had my big toes done "Blue Jays Blue". The Elmwood calls the colour Deep Blue Sea, but they are wrong!

Ta-Da!!

It was a super relaxing afternoon. Afterwards we came back to our neighbourhood for supper at the Dog and Bear, a place where we have always had fabulous service and great food. Afterwards we stopped at a new place, the Samuel J Moore. Teena reviewed it here. I plan to stop back to do some reading and sipping after work on Friday.

Thanks for a great day Teena! It was fabulous!

An Afternoon at the Old Mill Spa

Yesterday Teena celebrated her 50th birthday.

We don't do presents for birthdays.  Instead we take each other to the spa. Usually we like to try new places but in March for my birthday, Teena took me to the Old Mill and Spa. We liked it so much, that we returned today.

And we're glad we did!

First we started off with a couple's massage. Basically we each get a massage from a different massage therapist but in the same room. It is quite enjoyable. Today Teena had Belinda, who she had last time. Last time she liked her so much she wanted to take her home. I had a different massage therapist, Ngoi, who was fabulous. My shoulder and deltoids have been acting up lately but she took care of it. The hour was over much too fast and I could have had a nap after, I was that relaxed. Next time back I would not hesitate to ask for Ngoi.

Next up was the pedicure. I had the Men's Power Wash and Teena had the Peppermint Patty. All my male friends and co-workers think I'm nuts and say they would never get one. I think about this as I sit in my comfy chair, sipping on my champagne and having somebody like Jessica do a terrific job on my feet. My pedicure included the usual cut, trim and shine, but also had a chocolate peppermint mud wrap. My feet tingled afterward. Oh, and if one massage wasn't enough, Jessica gave me another foot massage.

Teena loved the job Stef did and the colour she chose for her toes "I'm not really a waitress". Interesting colour name.

It's a given now ... our Christmas and birthday spa days will be spent at the Old Mill Spa. Here are some shots of the outside.

One last shot. I set the camera on a railing and took a shot of the waterfall but with a long shutter speed to blur the effect of the water. This is the best. The other shots could have used a tripod and next time I would shoot on manual.

Nice One Nails, Liberty Village Update

On Thursday May 24, Teena and I went to Nice One Nails in Liberty Village and had a terrible experience.

I wrote about it when the same day. I was not happy at all.

The staff were rude, my toes were hacked at, my pedicurist seemed in a rush, which was confirmed when once done, she left with friends.  Plus it was gross watching a member of their staff pick through the receptionist's hair. I don't know if she was looking for lice or what.

I emailed their head office the next day about our experience, including my post link and Teena's link.

The result?

No reply.

I work in customer service. At least an apology would be in order. I don't care if they give me free coupons for another pedicure, as I would not go back. My big toe was sore for a day or two after. Any type of reply would have been nice.

If you are tempted to go to Nice One Nails in Liberty Village, don't. There are plenty of places around just as cheap where the service, atmosphere and professionalism is far better.

Stay away from Nice One Nails in Liberty Village!

Nice One Nails, Liberty Village

I have an awful time doing my own toes, so instead I get pedicures done on a regular basis.

Nothing beats a spa massage but Teena and I only do them occasionally so I usually go to a quickie place which I refer to as a "toe and go". Beauty Line on King at Bathurst is on the way home so I go there quite often. There I get a quick pedicure for a cheap price and feel well looked after.

Today Teena and I went to the Nice One Nails in Liberty Village. That was a mistake.

We should have known when we walked in that it would not be a good experience. The receptionist snapped at us to write down our names. There was another girl behind the counter, picking through the receptionist's hair. That was weird and a bit gross.

We sat down in the massage chairs and my pedicurist (is that even a word?) started hacking at my toes. Two or three times she dragged the emery board across the top of my toes while buffing my nails. She also would jab the tools roughly on the inside of my nails. In fact, the inside of the nail on my big toe on my left foot is still sore. I was finally done with an ingrown nail on that toe and no doubt the way she treated it likely will bring it back.

I guess she was in a hurry and I inconvenienced her, as once she was done, out she went with some friends.

It is cash only. So I handed over the $58 it cost for 2 pedicures and a eyebrow waxing (Teena, not me) to the receptionist who was still having her hair picked through. The place is cheap enough but is very cold to their clients and unprofessional.

Teena's review is here. I definitely will not be back and won't even provide a link to this place.

My 58th Birthday at the Old Mill Spa!

Today is my birthday and to celebrate, Teena took me to the Old Mill Spa for a couple's massage and a chocolate peppermint pedicure.

If you are a guy and say "what the hell?", don't knock it 'til you try it. You sure don't know what you're missing.

The Old Mill is on the site of two original mills. One was a lumber mill and the other a grist mill. In 1914, Robert Home Smith opened The Old Mill Tea Garden which became very popular with music and dancing and the Old Mill just expanded from there. It is a beautiful spot overlooking the Humber River. It felt very serene to me as we walked around the grounds.

First up was the couple's massage. Teena had Belinda, who she loved and wanted to take home. I had Sarah, who also was great and, along with a great massage, showed me a couple of new stretches. It was a great hour that was over much too fast.

Next up was the pedicure. If there is one regret we both had was that neither of us took a picture of my feet covered with the chocolate peppermint mask. It smelled great and was so cooling. Teena and I had side-by-side massage chairs. When I sat down, Ivette asked me if I would like a tea or coffee. I joked and asked for some bubbly. Turns out they are licensed so 2 glasses of bubbly came our way.

Having someone working on you feet while enjoying a glass of bubbly is enjoyable, decadent and a fabulous way to spend a birthday. So relaxing too. Great idea Teena!

It was a great time and we plan to go back again.

Celebrating Teena's Birthday - Shizen Spa

Each year instead of giving each other presents for our birthdays, we take each other to the spa.

Last March she took me to the Stillwater Spa for mine.

Today was Teena's birthday (and our anniversary, which we celebrated later in the day). I took her to the Shizen Spa in the Cosmopolitan Hotel around Yonge and King. We have thought about going there for some time. The 10 person hot tub and couple's room intrigued us.

When we arrived, we waited for about 5 minutes at reception and finally found someone when we started to tour the place on our own. It was quite unusual. We were directed where to change and then it was off to the big hot tub. The room was nice, with herbal tea and nice cold water. We arrived a half hour early to enjoy it and we did. There were also very comfortable chairs to relax in.

Then it was off to the private couple's room, where they had imported herbal tea, ice water and pastries, pluse a large tub to relax in. It was quite nice, although a little awkward to get in and out of. A step would have been nice as there was no way to enter or exit gracefully.

Then came massage time. Mary gave me a fabulous massage. She has been in business for 5 years and had very strong fingers that found a few pressure points I was unaware of. Teena enjoyed her massage for Christine.

Afterwards, we showered and changed and were invited back by the hot tub for chocolate covered strawberries.

It was strange at the end, though, when I paid the bill and was asked to put my address on an envelope so they could mail the RMT receipts to me. I asked why I could not have them right away and the receptionist said this was their policy. They also charge extra for an RMT masseuse for the couple's massage.

Although we had a great time, it was a place that I would not go back to nor recommend.