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Austin Fashion Week – Jewelry Designer Haley Lebeuf

August 14, 2011

Austin Fashion Week is coming AUGUST 20-27!

Austin Fashion Week is quickly approaching and milk + honey is proud to be involved. Each of our locations has paired with a local jewelry designer with events taking place during the big week. We interviewed the designers to find out why they chose jewelry design, what piece of jewelry every woman needs and what they are most looking forward to during fashion week.
See what they had to say!

Haley Lebeuf is one of the jewelry designers paired with SALON by milk and honey. Come see Haley at our event on Thursday August 25th from 6-9pm at our SALON by milk + honey downtown location.

Haley Lebeuf

Why did you want to start your own jewelry business?
From an early age, my parents instilled an independent spirit in me with a solid backbone of practicality. I was always running around and making little beaded things, thinking I was one day going to rule the world.

I happened to rediscover my passion for jewelry as I was about to graduate from the University of Texas. I fell in love and knew I had to keep going. So I jumped! I took my degree and went off, determined to get into the industry. I landed a great job and went about my jewelry education.

About three and a half years later, that independent spirit completely overruled the practical side of me, and I once again jumped. I needed to do more, I needed to design and create. I’m at that point in my life where I can afford to roll the dice. So I did.

What piece of jewelry does every woman need?
Every woman needs a statement piece. It is an indicator of personality and personal style. It’s fun and you feel special wearing it. I think statement rings or earrings are the most versatile. Every outfit doesn’t necessarily call for a big necklace or bracelet, but you can almost always put on a great pair of earrings or a ring and be set.

What is your favorite thing about designing jewelry?
I really love fashion, so to me I love designing jewelry that is the perfect accessory to an outfit – a piece or pieces that elevate your look to the next level. Sometimes designing is like finding that last puzzle piece.

What are you most looking forward to with Austin Fashion Week?
Austin Fashion Week is so much fun! You can feel the excitement in the air. There is so many things going on, and everyone is excited about what they are seeing or doing. It’s just a great time to celebrate the spirit of our city.

Anything else you want us to know about you?
My biggest dream in life is to travel the world. People are amazing. I think we sometimes lose sight of that in our day to day grind. I want to see the world, its people and all the wonderful things they’ve created.

 

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The Benefits of an Ultrasonic Facial

August 6, 2011

Katina is one of our fantastic Estheticians at our downtown milk + honey spa. She has been working as an Esthetician and natural Nail Therapist for more than 15 years. She explains how and why your skin may benefit from an ultrasonic facial.

Benefits of an Ultrasonic Facial

The Benefits: Professional Estheticians perform ultrasonic facials to thoroughly cleanse the skin. Many doctors highly recommend this treatment because it can be used on people who have sensitive skin, thin skin, blackheads, and whiteheads. People with Rosacea and especially acne can benefit from this treatment because it deeply cleanses the skin.

How it works: An Esthetician attaches a small rectangular metal plate to a hand device that moves 28,000 vibrations per second while sliding across the skin. It is not an unpleasant feeling and the device is grounded so you cannot get shocked from it.

In the process of cleansing your skin, the ultrasonic facial removes the top layer of the dead skin cells that tend to dull the skin. The more you resurface the outer layer of skin, the more skin growth will come up from underneath and be renewed. Your pores will appear smaller and tighter with an all over healthy glow.

Most importantly, another benefit of Ultrasonic facial is to help penetrate product into the skin. There is a big difference when purchasing products. There are those that float on the top layer of your skin and others that absorb into the skin. Always look for products that say, Chirally Correct, deep penetration or quick absorbent, and especially those that use the word Serum. Serums are extremely vital and are considered to be food for the skin as moisturizers are considered to be the water for the skin. After completely covering the face with serums or moisturizers, the machine is used on a low frequency setting while the waves help penetrate deeper than it would on its own. For acne prone skin, treatment medicated creams are used. Once it gets deeper into the skin the more results you see because the product actually gets down into the cellular level and can really work.

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Back to School Drive – Help Children in Need and Win!

August 6, 2011

milk + honey Spa is partnering with Manos de Christo, a local non-profit, in a back-to-school supply drive to help needy children in the Austin area.

We will match 50% of all cash donations!

How can you help? Bring new school supplies to any milk + honey location until August 31 for collection. In particular they are looking for backpacks, rulers, children’s scissors, and pencil boxes, but anything will help. Those who donate school supplies will be entered in a drawing to win either a $100 milk + honey gift certificate or one of 2 $50 gift certificates. Prefer to give cash? If so, we’ll match 50% of your donation when given at the register.

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milk + honey is a FAVE Finalist – VOTE NOW

August 6, 2011

milk + honey Spa is now a FAVE Finalist for the Favorite Salon/Spa at the 2011 Austin Young Chamber FAVE Awards.

Voting is now open. Give us some love! VOTE HERE

The Austin Young Chamber of Commerce (AYC) presents the AYC FAVE Awards, an annual awards gala honoring Austin area businesses that cater to young professionals.

You and your friends can vote until August 26. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. The 2011 FAVE Awards take place on October 14 at the AT&T Conference Center, and tickets are on sale now.

 

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Spa Product of the Month: Even 4-Piece Kit

August 1, 2011

Even 4-Piece Kit

  • Erase the look of dark spots
  • Help prevent discoloration and uneven skin tone

Erase the look of brown spots and other discolorations for a flawlessly uniform complexion. The Even 4-Piece Kit expertly combines four products designed to brighten, balance and clarify into a tried and tested color correction regimen with proven results.

Regular price $79. Receive $15 off when purchased with a facial for the month of August.

Even 4-Piece Kit includes:
Purity Clean: this concentrated facial cleanser lightly exfoliates to help refresh and clarify the skin. Net Wt. .5 fl oz/15 ml
Hydrate +: this light, daily antioxidant moisturizer hydrates the skin and shields it from sun exposure. Net Wt. .5 oz/15 g
Define: this vitamin A resurfacing treatment gently resurfaces to “lift” away the appearance of discoloration. Net Wt. .25 oz/7 g
Lightning: this hydroquinone-free brightening formula strikes at discoloration for a clearer, even-toned look. Net Wt. .24 oz/7 g

Purchasing this kit helps support Go Red for Women – a fight against heart disease in women.

More info here: http://www.goredforwomen.org/

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And the Fan Favorite Is…

July 27, 2011

Thank you for the dozens of Fan Favorite nominations. It was clear from these nominations that there is a lot of love for our amazing stylists, massage therapists, nail technicians, estheticians, and concierge staff. We share that love too!

We received the most nominations for a pair of massage therapists, Matt and Randy, who we have name as Co-Fan Favorites. One of Matt’s nominations reads:

“Matt has a calming presence, kind words, a sharp wit and I appreciate his endless quest to learn new massage and relaxation techniques. He is consistently honing his craft and his clients reap the benefits. Matt has saved me from the self mutilation of two MS150 bike rides and a 500 mile bike ride across the state of Iowa. He has unstressed me through the very uncomfortable pregnancy of my first kiddo and unwound me through multiple months of new baby sleep deprivation.”

One of Randy’s nominations reads:

“He is interested in my overall health and wellness. Remembers type of treatment and intuitively knows if something new is needed. His calm quiet manner and professionalism makes each experience better than the last! He is a jewel!”

Doesn’t it sound like it’s time to get a massage at milk + honey?

Massage

Getting the Most out of Your Massage (Part 2 of 2)

July 21, 2011

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MASSAGE

This is part two of two. The first entry is available here. It focuses on preparing and communicating. Part two focuses on receiving and resting.

Whether this is your first time on the table or your 52nd of the year, you can get the most out of your massage by preparing, communicating, receiving, and resting.

RECEIVING
You can enhance your massage by breathing and consciously “letting go.” If your stresses are really are so important, you can pick them right back up on the way out. Breathing, in particular, helps. Center yourself by exhaling gently, and allow your belly to take in new air on its own. If the session presents you with a particularly sensitive or challenging area, focusing your breath there. Asking yourself to relax around that area can be surprisingly helpful. But only go along so far as you feel comfortable. If at times you find yourself breathing too hard, you may need to communicate to your therapist that less aggressive techniques would be appreciated.

Some massage includes stretching and movement, and it may be tempting to help or even resist such efforts. Of course, this usually just slows or thwarts the good intentions of the therapist. Receiving well means inhibiting the inclination to play a part in controlling your limbs, of course within reason.

REST
If you already listen to your body, let me validate your common sense. Take it kind of easy the night you get your massage. Avoid vigorous exercise, work, or partying. You’ll want to drink plenty of water to help flush your system, and there’s nothing wrong with gentle movement and stretching. A quiet walk, a nutritious dinner, and a detox bath can all help. This is also a good opportunity to check in and see what you notice. The massage may have given you a new awareness that will be helpful to you going forward.

Massage

Getting the Most out of Your Massage (Part 1 of 2)

July 14, 2011

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MASSAGE

This is part one of two. The first entry is available July 14. It focuses on preparing and communicating. Part two is available here. It focuses on receiving and resting.

Whether this is your first time on the table or your 52nd of the year, you can get the most out of your massage by preparing, communicating, receiving, and resting.

PREPARATION
Like any activity a little preparation goes a long way. As far as physical preparation is concerned, gentle movement and stretching prior to the massage will enhance just about any experience. Coming directly from a hard work out, on the other hand, will narrow what is possible in a massage. You may find all but the briskest and lightest touch too painful, or you may just curse your therapist the entire next day!

You also won’t want to eat or drink a lot before your massage. Every person’s metabolism is a little different so a little self knowledge is helpful here. All the same, it will be obvious to anyone lying on the table that the mimosas and pot of coffee with your eggs Benedict just before your massage was a bad idea. Massage promotes both detoxification and digestion, so choose wisely. A lightly satisfied stomach from your favorite staple (fruit and nuts, some rice or veggies) will do the trick and is a good idea.

Preparation also includes knowing what you want from the massage. Whether you know it or not, you’ll be bringing unconscious expectations and assumptions along with your body to the massage table. To get the most out of your massage, take a moment of time and attention to get quiet and shift these feelings into conscious, attainable goals. You’ll be able communicate to your therapist clearly what you hope to accomplish or experience from your massage. You’ll also be able to better accept whatever comes out of working towards those goals.

COMMUNICATION
Diplomatic communication with the person who will be putting their elbow in your back is a skill worth developing. If you’ve done your homework you’ll be able to convey the information that aids the cause, and you’ll know when to speak up during the massage. For instance, “I am having trouble looking over my right shoulder when I drive because of the pain in my neck” is a little more useful than “I feel beat up.” Likewise, being able to say, “It’s nothing personal, but I don’t want to talk or deal with a lot of intense therapy. Please do what you can to help me relax and sleep better tonight,” is totally fair and respectable.

Communication may continue into the session, as your therapist can only get better at guessing what your massage feels like to you. If you and your therapist constitute a good match, you may only need to moan your appreciation now and again, but even the best partnerships can require a little fine tuning. Should you require your therapist to adjust either approach or quality, you’ll need to speak up. Just remember that your therapist is trying to help.

Part 2 (receiving and resting) is available here.

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McCombs TODAY interviews Alissa Bayer, founder of milk + honey Spa

July 14, 2011

McCombs TODAY interviewed Alissa Bayer, founder of milk + honey Spa. She talks about her MBA experience at McCombs, what led her to the spa industry, and what she sees ahead in the spa industry. Alissa prides herself on working with her Spa Partisans, and that’s why the title of the interview fits perfectly; “The Priority of Pampering Employees.”

Alissa Bayer, MBA ’04, arrived in Austin from San Francisco in 2002 to pursue a business degree. She served as a venture capitalist fellow at McCombs, giving her the opportunity to work closely with the partner of a local venture capital firm. Upon graduation she started a business of her own, opening milk + honey Spa in 2006.

Bayer now operates two locations of milk + honey Spa in Austin and is opening another within the next year. milk + honey was named the top day spa in Texas by Les Nouvelles Esthétiques and offers a full range of spa treatments from massages to waxing to nail therapy. She and her husband are the proud parents of four-month-old twins.

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.

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