How to Throw a Water Tasting Party – Make a Date to Hydrate!

Have you ever wondered why people pay $4 or 5 for even a small bottle of water? Does it really taste better? Is it a packaging or marketing ploy? Is it really any better?

This “watered down” version of wine party will not only answer these questions, but it’s also a fun way to help your friends keep their “drink more water” resolutions AND BEAUTY BONUS! leaves their skin superhydrated!

Antipodes a Contender for Tasting!

Assign the Aqua

There are SO many waters to choose from – limiting criteria is essential. 1st decide on still or sparkling. Next, go to the grocery and see what’s available. Choose five – you may even want to limit to a certain country. Or even take it a step further and do vitamin enchanced water beauty waters. Ideas for waters to taste:

Voss
Evian (of course!)
Tap Water (a must)
Fiji
Poland Springs
Antipodes Artesian Water
OgO Water from Japan

There’s a waterworld online too at the ultimate guide to bottled water at Fine Water for a selection sure to leave you thirsty for more!

Setting up the Tasting Area

Unlike wine, where I think a tasting works better standing up, a water tasting is best seated. Set up a circle with chairs and a low table in the center – a glass or lucite table especially looks cool. I also make sure the lighting is bright so we can see the waters.

Keep the water in the refrigerator prior to guests’ arriving. About 10 minutes before the party starts, I take the water out and decant each water into it’s own glass pitcher. So I can remember which water is in what pitcher, I tie different color/pattern ribbons to the pitcher handles and keep a “key” away from the tasters.

Have a large bowl or ice tub nearby for each guest to dump their water remnants into if they don’t wish to drink the whole “taste”.

Cleanse the Palate & Whet Your Whistles

Each guest gets one water glass.

Pour tastes as you go along, reminding each guest to write at the top of their scorecards the ribbon “code” for that taste.

Make sure each guest has one scorecard for each taste. The scorecards from wine tasting kits work really well for water. As you hand these out, it’s the perfect time to instruct guests how waters have unique body, fragrance, mouth feel & undertones just like wines.

Here’s a free scorecard to download if you don’t have a store bought wine tasting kit. Just substitute water for wine.

Give each guest a few sprigs of parsley to nibble on to cleanse their palate in between each taste of water (Beauty Bonus: It’s also a detox food.)

Sip and survey! Salut!

PS: We’d love to know what waters are you and your friends’ favorites – comment below or in our Facebook Lounge.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Aqua Shiatsu DIY a la Evian Spa

Shiatsu is often compared to acupuncture without the needles. A rigorous form of acupressure in which pressure from the fingertips stimulates your body’s meridians (energy points) Evian offers it’s own brand of shiatsu while you are submersed in a pool of water.

Here are a few products and ideas to turn your next bath into a virtual Aqua Shiatsu session:

Do it Yourself

Feeling ambitious? Buy the book: Do It Yourself Shiatsu considered the bible of self practice. Master the techniques while you’re watching TV or relaxing then try it in the bath!

Aquasense Massage Mat from WalMart

Aquasense Massage Mat

Super simple to use and a bargain less than $18, the Aquasense Mat has massage zones with unique textures for each zone. Pop it into the tub, lay down and rev up your circulation.

Conair Thermal Massage Mat

A little slice of shiatsu for your soak

The Conair Thermal Massage Mat fully padded mat offers stimulating allover bubbles. The neck rests on an adjustable massaging pad, and moving down the mat, a dual back massager calms tight muscles and relaxes the spine.

Music

For Aqua Shiatsu ambiance pop this Shiatsu music compilation into your (watersafe) CD player.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Gourmet Baths a la Evian

A long relaxing soak is one of the quickest relaxation and beauty measures we can do at home. The therapeutic aspects of bathing are achieved at Evian by using water directly out of the spring & then upping the ante with infused baths for specific conditions.

You may remember last year, I wrote about the Hotel Victor in Miami which offers a bath in an entire tub full of evian water. Well you can do that at home (just buy it at Costco) if you’re feeling really decadent – but most of us aren’t going to blow $100 or more to fill our baths with evian.

But we can emulate the therapy baths from the actual Evian spa!

Chinese “New Year’s” Tea Bath

Tea can protect and moisturize the skin when added to a bath. The Chinese actually take herb specific baths at certain times of the year to attract good fortune. Since yesterday was Chinese New Year‘s here’s our version of Evian’s Chinese Tea Bath:

Take a washcloth size piece of cheesecloth and add the following herbs to the center:

1 TBSP Basil
1/2 C Ginger Root (Shaved off of a fresh ginger root)
5 – 7 drops of Sandalwood essential oil over top

Tie cheesecloth together and hang over bath faucet so water filters through the bag. Then throw and tub and soak away!

Alpine Essence Bath

This is the basic bath therapy at Evian. The tub is filled with water having been filtered through the mineral rocks at Evian and thus contains traces of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. It’s also pure with no additives or preservatives that most water has.

This bath is noted to be good for anxiety relief, purification of skin, insomnia and eczema. And the minerals can be infused into your bath:

Sodium & Magnesium 1/2 c of epsom salts (aka Magnesium Sulfate)
Calcium: 1 cup of powdered milk
Potassium: Must be purchased from a soapmaker’s resource like Snowdrift Farm 1 Tblsp. add and dissolve in water first.

Ahava Bath Salts

If you don’t feel like gathering ingredients, Ahava The Source Mineral Bath Salts are rich in these four minerals.

Hydro Massage Bath with Plant Extracts

Red Flower Bath Salts

Because fresh plant extracts can be expensive and hard to find it’s best to use a pre-made concoction like:  Red Flower Bath Salts which contain chlorophyll to nourish the skin.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Make Flavored Spa Water Infusions: Water Cocktails!

Plain water is a thing of the past

At Evian’s Spa, their programs offer a different herbal water each day.  The idea is that different herbs have unique restorative properties and complement the spa treatments prescribed for each step of their guests’ health and beauty transformations.

We love this because let’s face it, plain water for many of us is so boring and we have trouble getting our 8 glasses a day.  That’s why we shared the Spa Water Infusion ideas below with our eHow audience.  Enjoy!  Once you try our versions, get creative and make your own water cocktails.

How to Make Spa Water Infusions for Young Glowing Skin and More Energy | eHow.com.

Evian Resort at Hotel Royal – Feature Spa Week 5

Lake Geneva is your constant companion at Evian

Royal Evian Resort

“Water water everywhere” should be the theme for this week’s waterlogged spa – not only is The Evian Resort & Hotel Royal (formerly the Royal Parc Evian) situated on the awe-inspiring South Bank of Lake Geneva at the foothills of the Alps but. . .

Evian Facial Mist

Welcome to the Spa Evian Source

Spa Evian Source sits on the mineral springs that spit forth the magical Evian water. Found in grocers & beauty retailers worldwide, Evian hydrates the world from the inside out. What makes it so special? As the Alps formed a natural filter was created protecting the mineral rich water. Evian even hired a hydrogeologist to explain it see his video here. Drink it, spray it on your face, even bathe in it.

The lobby greets you with grandeur as you check into your vacation.

Subtle blue & white decor in your room seamlessly melds with the view.

Play in the Water

Skiing anyone?

Water in all it’s forms, frozen, frothy, still provides the canvas for all sorts of activities.  Evian is not a place to just lay around.  Have an invigorating ski in the Alps, go river rafting. sailing, even paragliding!  The sky is literally the limit.

Sailing on Lake Geneva so serene

Spa Time

At Spa Evian Source the philosophy is water is the original source of all energy,  And Evian specializes in pre-set personal well-being and youth regaining courses.

The spa even creates a different herbal water for each day of their programs.  The herbs vary depending on an individual’s health & beauty goals.  For instance, check out their Source of Re-energy course:

Day 1 Elder or Rosemary essential water
Facial purity treatment – 1h00
Purity bath with essential oils – 20 min
Ancestral Indian skin scrub – 1h15
Purifying massage with oils – 50 min

Day 2 Lavander essential water
Chi Cong – 1h00
Energising massage :
Tui Na or Shiatsu or Nuad Bo Lan – 1h15
Instantaneous plenitude treatment – 1h15

Day 3 Sage essential water
Stimulating hydro-massage bath – 20 min
Balinese massage – 50 min
Kansu – 50 min

Day 4 Mint or thyme essential water
Energising facial drainage – 25 min
Seaweed or mud treatment with trace elements – 50 min
Foot reflexology – 50 min
Energising abdominal massage or Relaxation massage – 25 min

Day 5 Wild rose essential water
Regenerating facial treatment with coloured clay – 1h15
Abhyanga massage – 1h15
Shirodhara – 45 min
Shiny hair treatment

To start your #spa time, unwind with Tai Chi in the water.

Next a massage with a view!

Evian's exclusive Hydro Contact Course. Each nook is a station where you work another part of your body.

Finish your spa time with a chill out session in the relaxation lounge.

Sup in Style

A romantic dinner in the Royal Suite

To end the day how about some fine French cuisine overlooking the twinkling Lake Geneva? Fois Gras, Cassoulet and Crepes are typical menu choices.

Or dine in one of the gourmand restaurants!

SpaHome It!

In honor of our watery spa this week, join us as we take a waterlogged approach to fitness, learn how to turn bottles of Evian (or any water) into H2O health cocktails, how to purify your tap water, host a Water tasting party and recreate 2 of Evian’s famed bath treatments.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Boudoir de Blanc Inspiration for your Bedroom & Bath

The Gilligan's Island exterior belies the contents of L'Ile aux Oiseaux Suite

The L’ile aux Oiseaux Suite (literally the Island of the Birds) designed by Maison Martin Margiela moves me in a way I can’t explain. How could this apres spa chambre be so avant garde & be located in a Gilligan’s Island style hut?

AND it’s located on a island on the lake of a world class vineyard & spa. . .sigh!

Trompe L’Oiel

Save the bath nook below, every flat surface that isn’t mirrored is trompe l’oieled with secret passageways, doors and faux architectural detailing. Very Alice in Wonderlandish! Keeping the rest of the furnishings and textiles white make this the focal feature of the room.

Trompe L'oiel Truimphant

SpaHome it: Try Trompe L’oeil wallpaper like this one below from Couture Deco

Or upload any image – I’m thinking a black and white storybook drawing would be gorgeous like the one below from Fine Art America for $50 – and send it to Block Posters who will turn into a poster large enough to cover entire walls.

Trompe l'oiel wallpaper from Couture Deco

Alice in Wonderland drawing

Lip Service

The iconic Heller Bocca Lips sofa with it’s solitary red mouth beckons you to sit.

Air kisses, the only "color" in the room, the lips sofa

SpaHome:  Buy the real thing from 2modern. Lips a little too out there? This Marilyn sofa from Funky Sofa keeps the sultry silhouette without being over the top.

The Marilyn Sofa

Opulence Underfoot

White carpet from West Elm

Waft across thin white carpet which is layered with white faux animal hides. The exact ones are available at West Elm.

Ikea Bomull Rug

SpaHome: Layer these flatwoven Bomull carpets from Ikea.

The Bath Nook

Curtains flanking a nook create a minimalist bath area. Narrow wall-mounted trough sinks take the place of a double vanity & create more open space. Distressed mirrors reminiscent of an urban skyline presiding above adding the right amount of edge.

Trough sinks and mirror in lieu of a double vanity in the suite

SpaHome: I love this Carrara marble trough sink from Signature Hardware. The gray veining makes it more forgiving for cleaning.

Carrara Marble Trough Sink for Your Spa Home

Walls are outfitted with tongue and groove panels clad painted in white.

SpaHome: Pine paneling about 1/4 or 3/8 inches wide painted white will give you the same effect on your own bathroom walls.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Tete a Tete – The Heavenly Headboards of Caudalie

I couldn’t resist sharing the inventive headboards & beds that the designers at Les Sources de Caudalie have dreamed up. Steal their genius for your own maison:

L’Ile aux Oiseaux

Got white sheets? Got pillows? You’ve got a bed and headboard. The frameless bed sits on the ground anchoring the sleeping area.

Chambre Prestige

Shutters from the old laundry house add warmth and height to this room.

SpaHome: Search flea markets, antique shops & architectural salvage companies for unique items like doors, shutters & other wooden items with textural interest.

Chambre Prestige 2

This bed is crowned and flanked with Toile de Juoy (literally scenes of work) fabric lined with gingham and held open by two large drapery brackets attached to the wall. Sumptuousness is attained by a. lining the fabric & b. draping it across the wall not just hanging it from the crown’s semi-circle.

SpaHome: Build your own Bed Crown. Here’s how to’s for a semi round one from Leah French the Flea Market expert on about.com  Though ready made crowns are difficult to find, Horchow has a decent selection, a favorite below.

The deep bronze and delicate lines of this bed crown from Horchow keep it from being gaudy.

Junior Suite

The stunning four poster with canopy frame more than makes up for the blank wall behind it. So French Country, though, I’d love to see a canopy drape though.

SpaHome It:  At Ethan Allen the British Classics Montego w/canopy frame channels the lines and presence of Caudalie’s.

What’s your favorite? Invented your own headboard? We’d love to hear about it in the comments or better yet post a picture in our FaceBook Lounge.

Live, love and lounge, Candy

Les Sources de Caudalie Video Cooking Class via Gourmandia

Caudalie Chef Franck Salein gives video how tos for several spa favorites on Gourmandia.  Get ready to salivate over sumptuous and healthy dishes such as:

Bon Appetit!

Bordeaux Wine Tasting Class & Party

As a spa on a vineyard, its no surprise Les Sources de Caudalie wine tasting classes are a guest favorite. But if you can’t get to Bordeaux anytime soon, hold your own version with this informal Bordeaux Wine Tasting Party.

Invitations

Wine tastings work best with 6 – 8 guests max. Otherwise you’ll need to start buying multiples of the wine AND it allows for each guest to chat with group re their impressions. I’ve created a complimentary invitation you can print on good quality paper & download:

View this document on Scribd

The Wine

You’ll note the invite requests each guest bring a bottle of Bordeaux wine. This can be confusing as it has double meanings. It can mean a general Bordeaux – an inexpensive table wine. Or it can mean it is from the Bordeaux region (& a bit pricier) We’ve chosen the former for guests to bring & we usually add a few of the regional bottles.

All You Need is Wine!

 

Tasting Kit

Buy a wine tasting kit for the party like All You Need is Wine for the bags to cloak the wine bottles. Kits also include scorecards and placemats. If you enjoy throwing wine tastings, make copies of the forms so you can replenish.

DIY: If you’d rather not buy a kit, the internet has a wealth of free downloadable scorecards and placements. Hide bottle with a piece of construction paper taped around it marked with a unique number. Be sure to write down which is which.  A few of our fave forms:
Detailed Scorecard from Wine Country Getaways
Wine Placemat from Wine Country Getaways
Delong Wine Graphic Scorecard

Decor & Set Up

-Wine crates (most wine shops will give these to you for free): Stack them around the tasting area/room

-A red or purple tablecloth with a protective pad under to protect the Tasting Table. Patterned fabric remnants also work well. Bunches of grapes and corkscrews at the center with room to set tasting bottles make a centerpiece.

-Download photos of Bordeaux and have them printed on 11 x 14 or larger paper. Hang on the wall or in picture frames. Check out these from Stefano Molinari

This image from Stefano Molinari sets the French mood

-Lay a placemat for each guest on the table with empty wine glasses (we use clear plastic glasses for tastes) on each number on the mat.

-Put out snacks. If you have ice buckets, they make festive cracker bowls lined with cloth or a fabric remnant.

Snacks

-Assortment of cheeses that pair with Bordeaux wines: Gorgonzola, Havarti & Roquefort Brie
-Pain au Chocolate: French bread with dark chocolate melted on the top
-Wine crackers for in between each tasting to cleanse the palate (Trenton are the best)

Trenton Wine Crackers

 

Party Time!

Once all guests arrive, uncork & cloak their wine bottles with wine bags randomly somewhere unseen to guests. Place cloaked wine bottled on tasting table. Give guests scorecards and explain they will taste and rate each wine & give their opinion as you go.

You can also talk about the Bordeaux region of France & why you chose these wines. Make it fun and casual – at the end of the tasting enjoy discussing the best and worst and compare the prices. . . And of course finishing the wine!
Salut! Live love and lounge, Candy

Virtual Bike Ride Through the Vineyards a la Caudalie

Doesn’t a sunny cycle through Caudalie’s sumptuous vineyards sound (and smell) di-vine right now?  Good news, you don’t have to travel to France to enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating ride.  And winter weather?  Who cares?  Our Virtual Vineyard tour leaves from your living room daily:

Choose a Bike 

The Marcy Bike. Vespa vibes!

1. A stationary bike can be a reluctant exerciser’s best friend.  You can ride and watch TV and newer bikes are blissfully quiet so no sound stress!  I really dig this one by Marcy – not only because it’s uberquiet and can be adjusted for a harder or easier pedal, but the sleek and minimalist design makes it an elegant addition not an eyesore.

Convert your outdoor bike to indoor trainer!

2.  Don’t have an indoor stationary bike?  Or the room or cash?  An indoor trainer, like this one from Bell, elevates your outdoor bike to indoor status.

Set the Mood

Turn off the lights and spread grapes on your table for a healthy snack afterwards.  *And don’t forget the padded bike shorts for posh pedaling!

Take the Tour

Several DVDs exist for wine connoisseurs featuring trips through great vineyards of the world.  Our pick for it’s rich visuals & melodic soundtrack:  Exploring French Wine Regions.  Pop into your TV and pedal away!

Au Revoir til tomorrow, Candy