Treat Yourself Absolutely Fabulously! Spa Review and Giveaway!

Ab Fab Gift CertEnter to WIN a Massage! See details on how to enter below!
Back in January 2013, I had the pleasure of traveling to Vancouver on my Be That Girl™ book tour. I was fortunate enough to have my amazing cousin, Julie, accompany me on the trip.  She celebrated a big birthday while we were there, so we took the opportunity to book ourselves a spa day! Any excuse to book a day at the spa is a good one!
 
 
 
We booked into a spa called Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa., conveniently located directly across from the hotel we stayed at, 910Beach.
 
We arrived early afternoon and were warmly welcomed at the door, and promptly escorted into the quiet room to fill out our client forms.

ab fab t and j wait roomThe dark wood elements, warm Egyptian rugs and furnishings, soft lighting, calming music and cozy chairs really set the mood for our spa day getaway. There was water and chocolates on the table, and we were offered hot ginger tea. I loved that tea…it was spicy, sweet and soothing.

 

We booked in for the Fabulous Escape, which included a 60 minute Relaxation Massage, Express Manicure and the Absolutely Fabulous Pedicure ($165, 2.5 hours) Just to make it even more delectable, we each added on a facial ($100).

ab fab massage roomI changed into my robe in the elegant massage room (complete with fireplace) while Julie got going with her facial. I opted for a Deep Tissue Massage with Fuku. It was an extra charge for this option over the Relaxation Massage included in the package, but it was totally worth it. If I lived in Vancouver, Fuku and I would be seeing each other on a regular basis. Her personalized, sensitive touch and incredible massage techniques not only relaxed me, but healed me and straightened me out! Julie also enjoyed her massage with Fuku, but did comment that she could hear the traffic quite loudly in the room.

Our estheticians...Barbara and Fuku
Our estheticians…Barabara and Fuku

 
The facial was next for me (Julie moved on to her massage), and I was introduced to Barbara, my Esthetician. The facial room was similarly calming and had white billowing curtains on the ceiling that made me feel like I was in a far away land of sand and sun. Barbara’s facial was so relaxing, it almost made the exfoliation portion fun (almost…and I know that deep cleaning is so important for vibrant skin). I really enjoyed the smell of the products they used. Barbara made sure to educate me on my skin type and help me select the right foods going forward to make my skin even more radiant.
 
Onto the pedicure. I was escorted to a large reclining, leather chair for my pedicure. The chair was very comfortable. Julie had her pedicure at the same time, but was seated in a reclining bed…no buzzy, vibrating chairs here. My room was packed with lots of great magazines, but of course I was writing away in my journal! The foot bath was a large steel bowl filled with warm water, and when I put my feet in I was pleasantly surprised to feel several small rocks in the bottom of my bath. It felt very natural and calming to my feet. The attention paid to my feet was lovely. This was not a traditional scrub and rub pedicure.
 
They have a no cell phone policy at the spa, and for good reason. At one point during my pedi, I answered my phone and was politely reminded of the policy…there was a massage in session. A spa is supposed to be a getaway from your life for a few hours!

ab fab mani spotsThe finale of our spa day was the manicure. Again, there were smooth rocks in our hand soaking bowls, a touch that I thought was very appealing. By this time, Julie and I were ravenous! We hadn’t eaten in hours. The spa staff took care of us by serving us handfuls of chocolate and sparkling pink wine! What a way to top off an incredible day at the spa. Next time, Julie and I agreed that we needed to bring food, or order something. Hours in the spa can really work up an appetite.

ab fab choc and wineWe left the spa feeling a little tipsy and a lot more relaxed and pampered. We were thankful that my niece Brooke had prepared a snack plate for us to chow down on as soon as we returned to the hotel.
 
The prices were very reasonable for the level of service we received. The warm and friendly staff and the cozy, elegant atmosphere at Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa make this a place I’d go back to again.

Located in downtown Vancouver, BC right by the Granville Island Ferry terminal, this spa is fantastic for visitors and locals.

Check out Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa at www.myspa.ca for more information.

My Vote: [rating=4]

Julie’s Vote: [rating=4]

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From One Spa-Worthy Girl to Another…Until next time!

Tina
Ab Fab Gift CertHere’s your chance to WIN a 45 Min Massage! To be entered, follow these easy steps:
1. Like Be That Girl on Facebook.
2. Like Absolutely Fabulous Spa on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment below, or on facebook, stating whether you have ever had a professional massage.
Contest closes on May 28, 2013. Good Luck, and may the spa be with you!

Success Law: Give, and you shall Receive!

Tonight we went out for supper to one of our favorite restaurants. Tuesdays happen to be “Kids Eat Free”, so it was the perfect night to take a night off from cooking dinner at home.
 
To really enhance this family night out, the restaurant hires a balloon animal maker to entertain the children. Our children waited patiently for “Twisting Tex” to make it to our table. Payton chose a giraffe,and then Kayley chose a mermaid. “Twisting Tex” designed two beautiful masterpieces for the girls. Trinity was anxiously awaiting her turn, when “Twisting Tex” said he had to go to another table who had been waiting and was ready to leave. Trinity looked heartbroken. We explained to her that we still had to eat our dinner, so we would be there for a while and had lots of time, while the other people were on their way out and had been waiting. As promised, “Twisting Tex” did return to our table. He only had time to do a “surprise” for Trinity, and she ended up with a beautiful dolphin. We were his last table. While our girls played with their balloons, I watched the sad eyes of the balloon-less children following “Twisting Tex” as he walked out the door at the end of his shift.
 
We finished our supper, and suddenly Trinity said “I think this is going to make me feel so good!” She had spotted a young girl who was sitting with her parents, and who was obviously enamored with the balloon animals our girls had gotten. Trinity walked right over and gave that little girl her balloon dolphin. She came back to the table with a huge grin on her face and said “that made me feel so good!”
 
Make it a priority in your life to be helpful, and giving, to others. What goes around comes around, so when you help others, you are securing future help and gifts for yourself. So be selfish and help others around you starting today! Namaste.

Time to VOTE!

Hey all you “Be That” Fans! I need your opinion on 5 new book cover designs! I have FREE books and T-shirts to give away for voting!

Click here to go to my Facebook page to cast your vote now. Don’t forget to LIKE my page while you’re there!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your opinions with me 🙂 Hugs and Sunshine from Calgary, Tina O’Connor.

Let me help you find your Successful, Amazing, Unforgettable YOU!

Reach Out.


The Best Books on Self Help Encourage you to Reach Out!
 
There is someone in your life that needs you right now. Reach out to the people around you, and do whatever you can to help them. Sometimes, a phone call or a hug, some ice cream or some flowers, a card or a note can change someone’s day, and even their life. Don’t limit this to the people closest to you. Perhaps there is someone sitting on the outskirts of your life that you had a falling out with, or just someone you haven’t seen in a long time. Now is the time to reach out to them.
 
This week presented me with an opportunity to make someone smile just a little. This was someone who was previously quite close to me, but due to a large change in her personal life, had ended up skimming the perimeter of my life. I received a phone call from her early one morning, and the phone call did not go well. She was sad and angry, and she lashed out at me. Realizing that she was not in a good place, I decided to take some action. After a quick stop at the grocery store, I arrived at her home with some flowers, some ice cream, and a hug. One of her first comments to me was “It took some guts to come here”. After a quick conversation, lots of tears, and several hugs, any misunderstandings that had been between between us were resolved.
 
I don’t think what I did took guts. I think it took compassion, and an understanding that her behavior toward me was not personal. I felt an intense desire to help in any way I could. Life is too short to let fear hold you back from doing great things.
 
Reach out to someone today, even if you are afraid of the response. You may end up pleasantly surprised in the results. Namaste.

How can I become a Millionaire? Get Smart.

When you see others having, or doing, the things that you would like to have, your first emotion may be jealousy. Why do they have that, and I don’t? How can they have the flexibility to do that, and I don’t?

It’s time to forget about jealousy forever, and become the student. When you see others who do, or have, the things you want, turn those people into your teachers. Start asking questions about how they did it and how they got to where they are. Be an eager and willing student, and always be seeking information.

Those who have done what you want to do, or have what you want to have, are the perfect mentors. Seek them out and do whatever you can to speak with them,  pick their brains, or have them take you on as their protege. Be prepared to work for, or pay for, the information…good mentoring will not be free.  You will appreciate the information and use it more wisely when you have made an investment in yourself and your future, either with your time or your money.

There is no need to recreate the wheel. Copy and  paste. If it worked for them, it can work for you. Discover their systems and use them in your own life. This is the shortcut to your success. So get smart today and your first million will be in your hands before you know it! Namaste.

 

Where to look.

Years ago, when I was taking my motorcycle training, I learned a most important lesson. Everyone in the class lined up on their bikes single file at the bottom of a small hill. Our exercise was to drive up the little hill, turn around tightly at the top and then drive back down the hill. Sounds pretty straightforward. But it wasn’t for me. I would get to the top of the hill, try to turn, and I would drop my bike. Each time I would pick up my bike, feel frustrated and then I would drive down the hill. By the tenth time, I was in tears. I was tired from lifting my motorbike back up, and I was embarrassed that everyone in the class was watching me bite it time after time.

 

So what was I doing wrong? I kept going where I was looking, which was at the ground! My instructor told me to look where I wanted to go…not where I didn’t want to go!

 

I distinctly remember successfully completing the task for the first time. When I got to the top of the hill, I forced myself to whip my head around and look down the hill, instead of worrying about the ground. With my body following my lead, I eased my bike around that tight corner and cruised my way to victory at the bottom of the hill. Everyone cheered, including me.

 

You have got to look where you want to go in life, and sometimes you have to force yourself to do this as it is not an easy thing. Keep your focus on what you do want, and really try hard not to think about, or get caught up in, what you don’t want. Consciously remind yourself of this small lesson everyday, stay focused on your dreams even in the hardest moments and you’ll be cruising your way to success. Have a prosperous and fabulous week.    Follow me on facebook @bethatbooks to get inspired daily and find out the latest Be That news!

A pot of gold.

The other day, I asked my children to search for the pot of gold that I hoped was hiding on our property. It was said in a joking way, but just saying it made me feel excited and like a kid again…what if we actually found a hidden treasure?
 
What I said was overheard by my mom’s husband Don. His wise advice to me was to “stop searching for the pot of gold; the pot of gold is you!”
 
This was my gentle reminder that I already have everything I need within myself. So do you. Realize that you are the pot of gold at the end of a beautiful rainbow. Treat yourself like gold…shine yourself up everyday and make good choices about how you spend yourself! You are worth it! Namaste.

Success Laws: Know yourself.

Knowing what you want, and when you want it is the key to your success.

What I want is exemplified by a few simple lyrics in a Queen song…

“I want it all, I want it all,I want it all, and I want it now!”

Funny, but absolutely true. Wanting it all NOW creates an interesting dynamic in my life. The frustration and stress of waiting for the things I want forces me to have more patience, which is something I need to consciously work on everyday. Wanting it all now is also extremely motivating and it inspires me to take actions everyday towards getting what I want. The results are incredible, and usually worth the wait.

Today, I would encourage you to really think about what you want, and when you want it. Realize that you deserve to get everything you want and it is totally in your control to get it all. You may not have full control over when you get it, but the more effort you put in, the quicker it will happen. So, what are you prepared to do to fulfill your dreams in a timely fashion? What are you prepared to give up right now to secure your dreams? Just start doing it and you will amaze yourself in the near future. Action = Results. Go for it! Namaste.