Here’s a quick recap of what appeared in June:

• Where the Girls Are
• Chocolate Martinis
• Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Scottsdale)
• Girl (Trip) Interrupted
• Mackinac Island, Michigan
• Spa Recap
• Vinotherapy
• Deals: Travel & Leisure’s Spa Week
• Stowe, Vermont
• Sharing photos? Try Flickr.
• Flip-Flop Style
• Nantucket
• Booking a Flight?
• Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah)
• Beach Reads
• Carmel, California
• Things to do around Carmel
• Women may Benefit from Moderate Drinking
• Want to be on the Today Show?

When I first heard the term Vinotherapy I thought it meant drinking a chilled glass of chardonnay every hour. It works for me. I was only slightly disappointed to learn that it’s a series a spa treatments based on grape seed extract.  After years of research at (where else) France’s Bordeaux University, aspects of grapes have been found to combat the free radicals which age skin, increase circulation and supply beneficial anti-oxidants. 

Kenwood Inn and Spa, located in the heart of the Napa/Sonoma wine country, has the distinction of being the only spa in the country to offer Caudalie’s Vinotherapie. (more…)

Here’s a quick recap of recent Girlaway articles:

• Sharing photos? Try Flickr.
• Flip-Flop Style
• Nantucket
• Booking a Flight?
• Getaway Now: Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah)
• Beach Reads
• Carmel, California
• Things to do around Carmel
• Women may Benefit from Moderate Drinking
• Want to be on the Today Show?
• May Highlights

Besides shopping and exploring the village of Carmel, one of the things we enjoyed most about our Carmel trip was kayaking around Monterey Bay. Less than 5 miles from Carmel and home of the largest marine sanctuary in the country, Monterey Bay is teeming with sea birds, sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions.  Head over to Cannery Row and rent kayaks from Adventures by the Sea.  Even if you’re new to kayaking, the bay is normally calm and easy to navigate.  Once you’re in your kayak, paddle over to the kelp forest and look but don’t touch the otters often found rolling around in the kelp.  (more…)

Travel about an hour south of San Jose off 101 and you’ll come to the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Carmel, for short, was once a bohemian haven for writers, artists, actors and photographers. The strategic location and scenic beauty of the California coastline has transformed this sleepy village into a posh escape for the well-heeled.  Though the sky-high real estate has chased many of the bohemians from the area, Carmel retains the feel of a small European village.
   
For lodging, stay at the La Playa Hotel - located in the village and only two blocks from Carmel Beach.  This vintage Mediterranean style villa was built as a private residence in 1904 and includes five private cottages and a pool.  (more…)

Kraft Foods is sponsoring a contest (enter by Jan. 31, 2007) where the grand prize is a “Golf and Spa Girls Getaway” for 4.   The winner and three of her girlfriends will enjoy the following grand prize:

• A golf and girl’s spa weekend for 4 at a world class spa resort in Rancho Mirage, CA.
• 4 day/3 night hotel stay (2 rooms, double occupancy)
• 4 days rental car
• tickets to the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship LPGA Tournament at the Mission
• Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA
• entrance to the Kraft Hospitality tent for the event
• one hour massage for 4
• $500 spending cash 
• a chance to meet Annika Sorenstam (subject to availability)
• Airfare for winner and guests (if winner resides more than 200 miles from the event)

I don’t enter many contests, but I’m going to give this one a try!  Hard to know which resort it is, because there are so many, but it could be a resort like Rancho Las Palmas. Even if you don’t play golf, this sounds like a fun weekend. You have to sign up on Kraft’s website in order to enter the contest.  If you don’t mind giving out your name and address to Kraft, you can enter the contest every day by just giving your email address.  Of course, I would love to win, but if it can’t be me - it should be a Girlaway.com reader!

Usually when you go out to eat, you have to make a choice between healthy fare or indulgent desserts.  Fortunately the Urth Caffé offers both.  With spinach salad, quiche, panini, and fresh soup, there are plenty of good choices with all-organic ingredients.  For dessert, there’s a changing selection of chocolate cake, carrot cake, cheesecakes, pies and pound cakes. To avoid the dilemma of choosing just one, select a few and share among yourselves.

The Urth Caffé is legendary for its organic coffee which has been declared “the best” by the Los Angeles Times, CitySearch, Los Angeles Magazine and Zagat’s.   When you order a cappuccino take a moment (and a picture!) to appreciate the artwork in the foam. 
  
With a few locations scattered around Los Angeles, the original and most popular Urth Caffé is located in West Hollywood on Melrose Avenue.  It’s also a prime place for people watching with celebrities and models. Cameron Diaz and Meg Ryan are regulars here.  You may have to look hard to find them because it can be very crowded at times.  Finding an available table either inside or outside on the terrace can be a challenge, so be prepared to wait or visit during an off peak time.

Hours: 6:30am – midnight
(310) 659-0628
8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood

What is Clothes Heaven?  In the words of shop owner Larayne Brannon, it’s   “where good clothes go when they’re passed on.”  You’ll find high quality, high fashion clothes at a fraction of the retail price.   This inviting shop is located on Pasadena’s East Union Street just down the block from Il Fornaio Café.  Clothes Heaven offers suits, casual wear, eveningwear, shoes, and accessories from designers like Chanel, St. John, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Dior, Valentino and Missoni.  Some of the items carried are consigned from studio wardrobes, celebrity closets, fashion designers, models and CEOs.

Clothes Heaven has been featured in Vogue magazine as a “Top Choice in Southern California” and was voted by CitySearch as the #1 women’s clothing store in Los Angeles.  A word of warning, the clothes horse in your group may be so enthralled with this store that you may be there for hours!