Fabwick » Spa

A Tree House Retreat

Lisa Olson — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:00:03 +0000

Did you ever play fort in your living room as a kid? All that was required were a couple of pieces of furniture, a blanket and a bit of imagination. Or perhaps you were one of the lucky kids that had a tree house. It was your special place to dream or hang out with your neighborhood friends concocting adventures and possible mayhem.

I’ve always had an unrequited love for tree houses and have been on a personal quest to find one—with the hopes of building one some day. On accident, while trying to find an outdoor hot tub place I used to frequent after hiking around Mount Rainer, I stumbled upon a little tree house to rent that had my name written all over it.

Located seven miles or so from the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier in Elbe, WA and 15 feet in the air—awaits my little tree house. No secret password required, just a key that unlocks a ladder bolted into the fir tree that goes up to my bedroom in the sky. It’s complete with a Queen size bed, TV/VCR, coffee pot and… you, you/significant other. There’s no room to move around, but you don’t need it. It’s a tree house, your very own tree house. Kick back on the bed and listen to the trees creak loudly as the sun’s rays reach through the sky as if to touch you. Flash back to the uncensored mind of a seven year old kid. I can feel myself beaming.

Nestled on several acres of the Wellspring Spa & Retreat, it comes with access to your own private bathroom with shower, hammock and outdoor seating/eating area for your breakfast basket. There are two hot tubs on the grounds available for hourly rent, plus a covered outdoor fireplace to enjoy a moon and starlit evening. If you care to venture off the grounds there are of course hiking options galore. If you want to keep the experiences coming, try the caboose restaurant about 15 minutes or so in Ashford. Yes, it’s really an old train caboose with a restaurant on one side and a bar the other. The food is the usual pub grub with a couple of daily specials and a vegetarian option: a portobello mushroom burger. The waitress was sure to remind me several times that there was no meat in this dish as if it were a personal disappointment for her and all her local patrons. But I digress.

Whether you have a love for tree houses or are in the mood for a unique getaway that only costs you about one Benjamin Franklin a night, try the Tree House at Wellspring Spa & Retreat. There are several ‘all-grown-up’ cabins to rent and spa services available that can be booked in advance. Go on. Do something a little different.

“To regret one’s own experiences is to arrest one’s own development. To deny one’s own experiences is to put a lie into the lips of one’s life. It is no less than a denial of the soul.”

Wellspring Spa & Retreat

360.569.2514

wellspringspa.com

Handle With Care

Lauren Vogt — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:02:16 +0000

During my recent move from the Eastside to the Westside (of the Seattle area), a cloud of fear hovered over me. I needed to find a new place for my monthly waxing. Now all you ladies (and some men) know that waxing is not something to be taken lightly. This is serious business that requires a big fat “FRAGILE” sticker. You don’t just let anyone go near your precious brows or nether regions with a hot tub of wax and some ripping strips…

I was perfectly comfortable with my current handler but I could not stomach driving to the Eastside from my new Westside residence for one more beauty regime. I had to start moving them over. In a conversation with my friend, who is as particular as I about this sort of thing, out came the site http://www.browlick.com/. I knew to trust my friend. I called up Browlick and left a message with available times. I was going for it. Shortly thereafter, I received a text message confirming my appointment. Not your typical Spa experience, but I reminded myself I was going for it and as long as I was handled with care all would be well.

I show up for my appointment at the studio-like condominium in the Central district. It is simple, clean and fresh and no snotty receptionist dressed in black waiting to check me in. Just Kim, the cool, eclectic owner. Star 1. I hop up on the table to start the brow wax and we pull out a copy of People and look at the sexy eyebrows of Megan Fox. We discuss what makes them hot and whether or not we want to make some changes to my current shape. “Eyebrows make a face beautiful”, Kim tells me. Meticulously, she starts shaping and when I look in the mirror I am delighted by the fresh shape. Star 2.

Moving along to the FRAGILE area, I am handed a magazine and told to relax…yea…right….honestly? It was over before I knew it and I didn’t have to move into 89 different positions or hold part of my skin in place. This was better already. Star 3. Ok, all done. Now the best part: $50 dollars for a Brazilian and $25 for the brows. Best deal I have found in town–especially considering the results! Star 4.

All in all, 4 stars. And I’ve successfully moved the scariest beauty treatment to the Westside…

Unbalanced And Splotchy?

Lauren Vogt — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:57:04 +0000

Is your skin feeling tired, unbalanced, splotchy and not perfect? Not to worry, Natura Bisse’s Oxygen Mask is the perfect solution. At only $33.00, it is affordable and a quick fix to skin on the fritz. Discovered by yours truly when traveling in Mexico and exposed to intense sunlight and wind. My skin was angry at me and letting me know! I stepped into the Spa and asked if they had anything to help. The Spa technician sat me right down and began treating my face to a very soothing mask. Skeptical, I was curious to see how the mask would feel–usually they harden up and make your face feel tight and hurt–and how my skin would feel after the mask was removed–sometimes there is a leftover film. Much to my surprise, my face felt soft and relaxed the entire time I had the mask on. When it was removed, not only were the redness and fatigue diminished, but my pores were clearer, and my skin was SOFT! Delighted, I purchased the mask as a souvenir, and continue to use it every time I need a little rejuvenation for those not-so-perfect-days.