Mission Valley is where San Diego comes to shop. Not one, but two
shopping malls are located in this sprawling valley: Fashion Valley and
Westfield’s Mission Valley, with stores targeting those from trendy
teenagers to ultra-upscale fashionistas. Beyond the malls, innumerable
shopping centers, vast chain restaurants, and other money-magnets mob
the valley. Hotel Circle is a never-ending strip of hotels, from
low-end inns to expansive resorts, frequented by tourists and the
convention center crowd because of the area’s convenience to the
freeways. Mission Valley is grand, humbling, and often confusing, but
once its infrastructures are mastered, it truly is a shopper’s
paradise.
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People of all ages are hitting local medical spas for lip plumping, body contouring and permanent skin rejuvenation…even on their lunch breaks. Med spa treatments don’t always have to involve invasive procedures and lengthy recovery times. Discover a few ways to transform yourself with new and extreme med spa treatments...
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Amidst the wedding planning, cake testing, venue visiting and dress shopping, planning for weddings in San Diego can be tiresome.
While your wedding day will be one of the most exciting days of your life, don’t forget to pamper those that make it all possible. Spend some time relaxing and sipping on spirits with your closest friends and family members. San Diego spas offer wonderful spa packages customized for your bridal party and inner bliss. From facials to massages, nail care and hair styling, San Diego spas blow it out of the water to help you primp for your big day.
Discover the top ten spas for bachelorette spa parties.
Spa Terre – Mission Bay
Spa Terre at Paradise Point Resort & Spa offers a bounty of beauty packages for the bride and bridal party. In honor of the spa’s tropical and exotic theme, the Indonesian Splendor is a favorite, five-hour package which includes a Gota Kola and oat firming facial, milk and honey body wrap, spa manicure and pedicure, make-up application and bridal up-do. Grooms can also take advantage of the King of the Palace package and be treated with a massage, facial and haircut. Complimentary champagne and strawberries are offered to bridal parties of five or more – even more of an excuse to indulge a little before the big day.
La Jolla Spa MD – La Jolla
The La Jolla medical spa staple is a premier destination for spa bridal parties. While you’re sipping on champagne and nibbling on treats, choose from a selection of services including the Visia skin analyses, Gentlewave treatments, 30 minute massages and facials, brow sculpts, make-up applications and physician consultations. Parties of five or more will also receive mini gift bags and a private room and host.
OB Hidden Spa – Ocean Beach
For a beach-side spa day at an affordable price, the OB Hidden Spa offers the “3’s a Spa Party,” which includes a room set for you and your two friends, bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, snacks, spa lunch, 50 minute massage, mini facial and arm and foot scrub. At $99 for each guest, it’s definitely a great deal for your bridal party.
Estancia Spa – La Jolla
The Spa at Estancia is already a local favorite because of its serene garden environment and and organic treatments. The Bridal Bouquet package includes a 25 minute stress relief massage, 50 minute Varada That Deluxe Manicure and 50 minute Amala Thai Deluxe pedicure. This package is ideal for your bridal party a couple days before your special day.
Sea Spa– Coronado
The Spa at Hotel Del is one of the most luxurious in San Diego and offers lavish treatments inspired by the sea below. The Spa offers three and a half-hour voyages for your bridal party to choose from. Try the Del Sol package, which includes an exfoliating scrub, Slim Again Body Wrap, a Revival 1888 Facial and a Sun-Kissed Tan. Bridal make-up and hair styling is also available at the Yamaguchi Salon.
Hyde-Edwards – Little Italy
Most known for its superior hair styling and modern interior design, Hyde-Edwards offers spa bachelorette and bridal parties that include use of the sauna and spa, snacks in the morning and/or wine and cheese in the afternoon, along with a myriad of choices from their well-appointed spa menu.
SK Sanctuary – La Jolla
The list of bridal party packages is never ending at SK Sanctuary. Call ahead and have the spa coordinator create a custom package for your bridal party. Or, opt for the six and a half-hour “The Best Send Off” package, which includes a European Massage, Sea Breeze Scrub, European Facial, SK Manicure and Pedicure, Hairstyling, Make-up Application and special SK wedding gift. Grooms, you’re definitely not forgotten about at SK. Many packages are also available to help you get ready, including the “Let’s Groom the Groom” package, which includes a bath and massage of your choice, SK Manicure and Pedicure and haircut.
Bella Tosca Day Spa – Mission Valley
In the heart of Mission Valley, Bella Tosca offers a great space for a bachelorette party. Start the morning with a Hatha yoga session in the Inner Sanctuary Room, spend the rest of the day relaxing with the girls in the sauna or hot tub, and stay for a massage or facial. Bridal services are available the day of your wedding and packages are also available for the groom and groomsmen.
The Spa at Grand Del Mar – Del Mar
The Spa at the Grand Del Mar Resort offers some of the best amenities for your bachelorette spa party. Come early and spend some time in the Women’s Lounge, which features European-style wet rooms, indoor whirlpools, complimentary refreshments, spa amenities and a pathway lined with framed Hermès scarves. The Relaxation Pool is also a must see and is great for an outdoor lunch. Indulge in The Grand Day Spa Retreat, which includes an hour massage, hour facial, alfresco lunch and access to the fully-equipped fitness center and classes.
Spa Gregorie’s – Del Mar
Spa Gregorie’s at Flower Hill offers reinvented renditions of bridal party packages. Speak with a spa coordinator to customize your spa day, or choose from their list of special packages already in place. The Gregorie’s Great Escape is an optimum choice and includes a Eucalyptus Steam bath, Aloha Body Polish, Express Hydrotherapy, Detox Seaweed Wrap, one hour massage, Signature Facial, Spa Pedicure, Parrafin Hand or Foot Treatment, hair style, make-up application and spa lunch. Spa Gregorie’s also offers Gentlemen services including steams, massages, nail care and traditional barber shop shave.
Discover more of the best San Diego spas and keep up to speed on the lat
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Everyone knows that Fashion Valley is the ultimate San Diego shopping destination, and Insiders have witnessed Fashion Valley dress models for fashion show parties across town. But no matter how many shopping trips and fashion shows you have on your lifestyle resume, you still may not know the savvy and oh-so-stylish lady behind the brand.
Francine Miley is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Fashion Valley.
Francine brings style out of Fashion Valley and onto downtown rooftop runways. She is addicted to Jimmy Choo kicks, adores Aubrey Hepburn’s classic style, foresees a “Chic-onomical” future, and vows to always say NO to high-waisted paints. But mostly we love Francine because she’s a Gaslamp-going girly girl who will only be swayed out of a dress by True Religions and Gucci Mules.
Get to know Francine in this week’s Local Style Spotlight.
DiscoverSD: Tell us about your role at Fashion Valley and in the San Diego fashion scene.
Francine: As Director of Marketing and Business Development for Fashion Valley, I strive to keep Fashion Valley at the forefront of shopper’s minds. Since I started in 2007, it has been my personal goal and objective to bring the excitement and fashion from the mall, out of the mall. Through various fashion shows and events hosted at some of the best hot spots in town, to rooftop modeling for the last two years, I feel that we have been able to keep and add to the momentum of this great city! We bring in over 18 million annual shoppers to Fashion Valley each year and it’s my job to make sure this center is the shopping destination for locals and visitors alike.
DSD: Outside of work, where can we find you in San Diego?
F: Syrah just happens to be my favorite little hideaway…if I could, I would move in! In fact, we just hosted a “Down the Rabbit Hole” fashion show with Betsey Johnson and Custo Barcelona in mid-August which was fantastic! It truly was a perfect setting for a fun and unique fashion show.
I also love La Puerta and Café Sevilla for my “International Fix” for food and salsa dancing! I’m also a huge live music fan, so I enjoy hitting up HOB or Cricket Amphitheatre, though as far as concerts are concerned, I’m really looking forward to yet another great year of Street Scene! Bring on Thievery Corporation!
DSD: In 5 words, predict the future of San Diego style 5 years from now.
F: Fashion Forward – “Chic-onomical” – Eco Conscious
I believe we will continue to see shoppers on the look-out for fashions that are not only in style now, but are also sustainable to remain in their wardrobe – avoiding the previous “disposable fashion” mentality. Whether it’s adding accessories to keep the look current or changing it up with a new trend, it’s about knowing how to bring timeless pieces together with today’s hottest trends, that creates a unique look that is truly your own. This helps budget savvy shoppers, as well as those who are of the mindset of “Waste Not, Want Not!”
DSD: Who is your female celebrity fashion icon?
F: Audrey Hepburn. She epitomized classic style and elegance which I greatly appreciate – a true style icon. From the simplistic designs and patterns she wore to the way she carried herself so effortlessly with the utmost sophistication.
DSD: What style era was the worst for you?
F: Without a Doubt, the ‘80s. Didn’t like it then, don’t care for the “revival” now. Something about neon, lace, leg warmers, doesn’t bode well for me. Though for those who love that the ‘80s are back, I say embrace it!
DSD: What is your go-to outfit for a night out in Gaslamp?
F: I’m a true “Girly Girl” who loves wearing dresses! You will almost always see me in a dress. However, on the rare occasion that I change it up, more than likely I will be in True Religions, with a pair or Gucci Mules or Tory Burch heels and some new top I just picked up over lunch at Fashion Valley. And, yes, it is dangerous to work in such a fantastic mall when you love to shop! As for my accessories, that could be an entirely separate interview, as I can never seem to get enough bags!
DSD: You are the official Fashion Valley expert. What are some of your favorite boutiques at Fashion Valley, and what do we have to look forward to?
F: Although I’d love to share the exciting openings we have set for future, a girl can’t share all her secrets! I can tell you that in the last two years we have had so many amazing new store openings to complement our already stellar collection of retailers. I feel we are very fortunate with what we have to offer here in San Diego. Karen Millen is hot on my list at present, as their designs and overall style seems to flatter most anyone’s girlish figure!
Don’t even get me started on shoes… OK, if you must, then I will have to express my adoration for the beloved Jimmy Choo’s! I truly feel like a girl in a candy store every time I go in. I get to play dress up with gorgeous shoes that are sure to make your day. Also, as I am often referred to as the “bag lady” I love Henri Bendel for truly unique, stylish accessories! From classic jewelry pieces to signature striped Bendel bags, I am a Bendel Girl!
DSD: Why do you think fashion show parties are important to the San Diego scene, and what are some cool events coming up this season?
F: For so long, everyone has viewed San Diego as this casual, “flip flop” town that doesn’t have a passion for style. As we have seen here at Fashion Valley, we know that this is not the case. In 2008 alone, we had 30 new store openings, bringing in some of the hottest designers for apparel, shoes and accessories!
With the many exciting changes that America’s Finest City has seen over the last few years, it has become apparent that there is a desire for more: luxury designers, haute couture, boutique hotels, rooftop lounges and a nightlife scene with much to offer. It’s similar to that of a big city, just without the “pretentious feel” that you might see in L
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