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Holladay wishes, Candy

How Spa Around the World Became Holladay Living

I started this site with a dream. . . not just to spa around the world (see that story below) BUT to bring the world with me on a glamorous spa holiday so we could all live our best lives!  But then I moved to California – where I thought that through the magic of Hollywood, I’d be able to bring the spa right to y’all’s TVs.

Though I went on audition after audition, pitched til my arms were sore. . . I just couldn’t make it a reality.  WHY?  Because spa is such a misunderstood word – and I totally missed what was really cool about the idea – the stylish spin I put on living healthy and how I created my perfect spa home – all these little habits & choices I made turned into one big ultra comfy, luxe and wellness life.  

So thinking TV was a miss, I became a fashion scout and stylist and began podcasting Life’s A Holladay, because if I couldn’t do it visually I wanted to bring spa to your ears!  That was going swimmingly, with my position as a top California spa influencer sealed, I appeared on The Today Show, and even launched a youtube channel, til we had to leave California and went on a whirlwind family & personal journey that for 3 years til COVID hit!

Then something crazy happened, all the spa at home tips and videos I put out exploded with reads and listens and I realized,  “WE HAD COME FULL CIRCLE”!!!!!  Because we are all aspiring to be nesters and also want to be as bodily strong as possible to defend ourselves from the virus.  

So here I am – and I’m so excited to help y’all create a home and a life that will be not just your haven. . . but feel like your version of heaven.   Stay tuned because we’ve got TV coming, and a ranch studio (which I’m shopping for now) – but for now think of this as your ultimate healthy home and style channel.   xoxox      

The Dream!  Spa Around the World (I nearly did it!)

Jules Verne’s portrayal of Phileas Fogg struck a chord with me. A quirky inventor who dreams of ideas to improve others lives but is outcast as a bit crazy by his contemporaries.

Perhaps modeling Phileas after himself, Verne was always fascinated by foreign lands and traveled as much as possible, and though he attended law school, he instead pursued a career in writing (I did the exact same thing!).

My affinity for spas comes not from a desire for pampering and luxury (though I’m definitely not against these!) But rather from my own spa experience.

A shy, overweight teen, one summer I decided to make over myself. I remember reading about a spa in a magazine and thinking, “WOW! I have gotta go there!” Of course, my Mom and Dad couldn’t just fork out a few grand for their insecure teenager to traipse around on some spa holiday.

So I became the ultimate armchair traveller, requesting brochures from every spa I could find. I kept them in a purple & yellow plaid suitcase under my bed.  After poring over catalog after catalog, I mimicked the Golden Door’s program at home & lost 50 pounds.

Ever since, I’ve been obsessed with translating spa time into the real world – I love teaching cooking classes, doing SpaHome nights in stores or writing about spa design and how to set the stage for luxury & wellness at home.  My first book, The Art of the Spa was published in 2006 by Andrews McMeel.

I’m very curious about the link between spas and health, since stress is a huge contributor and aggravator to disease development – especially lifestyle related diseases like diabetes which led me to found Spa4Diabetes.

Spa Candy v. Anti-Spa Candy

Every story has two sides.  Though I try to live the spa way, I have an evil twin who sometimes thwarts my efforts.  Just for fun, here are some of my challenges:

Spa Candy Anti-Spa Candy

Wakes up at 6 AM to do Yoga                               Sleeps until 10 am – sometimes

Eats fruits and vegetables                                     Caves to a Long John Silver craving

Schedules her day                                                 Forgets the schedule & goes shopping

Drinks only fruit enhanced water                          That martini looks awfully good

A few of my crazy habits/hobbies

• Dances for fitness – tap, jazz, hip hop and modern are my faves
• Queen of Useless Talents Like Baton Twirling & Hula Hooping
• Chocaholic – Have you tried Chocolat Noir? It’s uberdark 90% Cocoa delish
• Super Klutzy – I once knocked over an entire endcap display at a grocery store!
• Loves Old Musicals, Fred, Ginger, Gene, Cyd are my fave dancers

Spa along with me on Twitter

I’m here for you and would love to answer any questions you have about spas, design, vintage fashion, healthy living, etc.  Hit me up on instagram with your q’s.  I’m @CandyHolladay. 

Love ya & thanks for tuning in, Candy