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Spa visits are one of my “healthy living” guilty pleasures. They involve all kinds of decadence that some people would argue you don’t really need. To be honest, I agree. But facials and massages and pedicures and such can make you feel just plain wonderful.

That’s exactly how I felt after a three-hour session of pampering at New Beginnings Face & Body Spa on Grand Avenue, just west of Snelling. (1672 Grand Ave.)

When I arrived I was led to a dimly-lit room to change into a robe and slippers, then to a private room with a large Jacuzzi bathtub surrounded by candles for a “Destress Bath Soak.” A cool glass of water and a plate topped with fresh strawberries and pineapples was waiting for me to nosh on. What more could a mother of an energy-filled 1-year-old want than 20 minutes of solitude in a warm bath?

But oh, there was more. Melissa, the spa’s owner, treated me next to a 60-minute Swedish massage, complete with a relaxing scalp massage (my favorite). As I climbed onto her heated massage table, she told me to focus on my breathing. “Let yourself completely relax”. The power of suggestion is an amazing thing, because I think I practically fell asleep after that. A quick tip: if you have plans right after your spa day, skip the scalp massage or make sure there’s no massage oil left on your therapist’s hands. My hair was super greasy afterward (though it was worth it) and I had to run home and wash my hair before going out later that night.

Next up was a 60-minute deep cleansing facial. Melissa tailored her product choice to my sensitive, dry skin type, using a heavenly-smelling papaya and pineapple exfolation after steaming my skin to open my pores. The revitalizing mask she applied at the end of the facial left my skin feeling baby skin-smooth, hydrated, and looking ridiculously radiant. That ought to teach me to go several years without a facial again.

After my spa afternoon, I stepped across the street for a snack at the fairly new restaurant Cat Man Do (1659 Grand Ave.), which serves a variety of tasty Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian dishes. Their momos (meat or veggie-filled dumplings), with the fresh and zesty tomato-based dipping sauce, are divine with a cool and refreshing lassi (yogurt drink).

As for New Beginnings Spa, there were so many fun-sounding treatments there—like the Chocolate Fondue Wrap and Mint Soother Pedicure—that I’m already plotting my next visit. Their candlelight yoga classes piqued my interest, too.

Most of us don’t treat ourselves to spa-cations that often, and I’m no different. Sometimes it just seems like too much to spend. But if you really want a “getaway” without paying for a pricey plane ticket, I urge you to go ahead and pamper yourself for a day. You deserve it!

Grand Old Day is said to be the biggest Minnesota one-day festival of the year, and always boasts a great roster of live music. (Check out St. Paul STAYcation’s Juleana Enright’s blog for more on the event in general, and Arts & Culture blogger Kate Iverson’s Grand Old Day Art Guide.) Besides a chance to check out some of the Twin Cities’ best musical acts, art, and parades, Grand Old Day provides the perfect opportunity to explore everything Grand Avenue has to offer every day of the year – namely, shopping.

SHOPPING

Courtesy jenontheradar.blogspot.com

St. Paul’s two most fashion-forward boutiques, Karma and Picky Girl, are both hosting special Grand Old Day in-store events. Karma, which carries mid-priced designer lines like Trina Turk, Tulle, Velvet, and Betsey Johnson, will be setting up their pop-up shop Beeline Boutique in front of the store. Expect deals on clothing, handbags and accessories ranging from $5-and-under to $34. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-291-1997.) Picky Girl (home of lines like Kenzie Girl, Covet and 213 Industry) will be featuring special in-store guests Allison and Ashley Abbott of AbraCadabra Vintage, a new locally-owned online vintage shop. They will be giving tips on how to mix vintage with modern styles, plus there will be a fashion show and storewide sales. (949 Grand Av. @ Hamline Av. 651-698-4107.)

The lesser-known but equally chic boutique Sorrayah Studios boasts a sophisticated mix of Free People and Ella Moss, and for the plus-size shopper, the popular line Big Shirt. (794 Grand Av. @ Avon St. 651-228-0414.)

More Grand Old Day specials:
Lillian’s on Grand: The designer-inspired shop will be having a doorbuster sale, free gifts to first 200 to stop in, free EcoDiva tote bag with purchase of $25+. (841 Grand Av. b/w Avon St. & Victoria St. 651-290-2040.)
Stella.blu: The bohemian-styled shop will have sales booths in front of the store and on Grand & Victoria in front of Dixie’s. (1104 Grand Av. @ Lexington Pkwy. 651-644-4830.)
Trade Winds: The free trade boutique will have storewide sales of up to 20% off plus bounce-back coupons. (857 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-293-9275.)
Hot Mama: The chic maternity shop is having a 10% off storewide sale. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-209-0222.)

Some of my other fave shops to hit up when I’m on Grand:

My Sister's Closet

My Sister’s Closet, which is a consignment store built into one of the old Victorian-style houses that line Grand Avenue. It has a great selection of vintage dresses, shoes, hats, and jewelry, and is owned by two sisters, natch. (1136 Grand Av. b/w Dunlap St. & Lexington Pkwy. 651-222-2819.)

Flirt is a new-ish independent lingerie shop. If I had money to be so fancy, I would totes buy all my undergarments here. (1330 Grand Av. @ Hamline Av. 651-698-3692.)

Photo by David J. Turner courtesy Minnesota Monthly

Getting married seems to provide a great excuse to buy delicate jewelry, frothy veils, and sweet little handbags. If you’re so inclined, hit up Che Bella, one of the most sophisticated and sweet bridal boutiques I’ve seen. (611 Grand Av. @ Dale St. 651-209-8822.)

Locally-owned gift shop Quince has a decent mix of gifts, accessories, and clothing. They’re a little on the crunchy granola side but you very well could stumble upon a handmade treasure or super-cute baby gift. Plus it happens to be in the same building at Café Latte, so you can get your fancy caffeine fix at the same time. (850 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-225-9900.) For more gifts, there’s always locally-owned chain Bibelot (1082 Grand Av. @ Lexington Pkwy. 651-222-0321.)

The Grand Hand Gallery is primarily a fine art and sculpture gallery, but it also carries jewelry from some of my favorite local jewelry designers, Karin Jacobson, Brittany Foster, and Emily Johnson. Karin in particular does a lot of work with fine metal and semi-precious stones, but I fell so in love with the laser-cut plastic earrings she made for a Cliché show that I commissioned her to create oversized versions for the Voltage ’09 runway. (619 Grand Av. @ Dale St. 651-312-1122.)

A selection from the "Lotus Collection" by Karin Jacobson

I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of the crunchy-granola style of most organic goods, but there are definitely some items worth checking out at eco-friendly shop Eco-tique. There’s a lot you can do with the soft, basic organic scarves, and it’s a go-to for organic home items like bath towels. The latest addition is goods from St. Paul-based all-organic online cosmetics shop The Nature of Beauty. (1045 Grand Av. @ Oxford St. 651-222-3127.) For more eco-friendly goods, check out Ten Thousand Villages, which offers fair-trade jewelry, gifts and home décor from around the world. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-225-1043.)

The Twin Cities have a huge Scandinavian and Irish heritage, so it’s no surprise there are a bunch of shops selling themed goods along Grand Avenue. For the Finnish, there’s Saga Living, which boasts the largest selection of Marimekko products outside of Finland. (1055 Grand Av. @ Oxford St. 651-290-8577.) For the Danish, there’s Danish Bohemia, a children’s apparel and accessories shop from Scandinavian designers. (1144 Grand Av. b/w Lexington Pkwy. & Dunlap St. 651-222-8383.) For the Irish, check out Irish On Grand for Irish-themed gifts (i.e., a gigantic Guinness tambourine). (1124 Grand Av. b/w Lexington Pkwy. & Dunlap St. 651-222-5151.)

Little known fact: I was a dancer for 13 years throughout my childhood, so I made regular visits to locally-owned dancewear shop Grand Jeté. Funny thing is, I still take inspiration from dancewear, whether it be little black leather oxford-style jazz shoes, ballet flats, leotards and tights. Why go to American Apparel when you can get the real deal? (975 Grand Av. @ Chatsworth St. 651-227-0331.)

Speaking of which, why buy the $200 military-inspired bag or jacket when you can get the real thing for $20? Now that Ragstock has dropped their St. Paul and Minneapolis Warehouse locations, the go-to now is Zimmerman Dry Goods. It’s a little rough around the edges, sure, but you’ll walk out with a steal. (1656 Grand Av. b/w Macalester St. & Cambridge St. 651-699-4273.)

J. Crew: What can I say, it’s a chain mall store, but such a guilty pleasure. Clean and preppy basics are always chic, especially for the fellas. And if Michelle O approves, so do I! (870 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-292-1470.)

SALONS AND SPAS

phresh salon spa

You’ll need a break from the craziness and heat of the Grand Old Day festivities, so what better retreat can you have than a facial or mani/pedi?

The ladies of phresh spa salon treated me to a facial yesterday. Phresh is located in one of the old charming houses of Grand Avenue, so had a much cozier feel than your typical sterile white-walled spa. My esthetician Jessica offered me two options – one, a dermatologist-approved treatment and the other an organic treatment, which I chose. After applying steam to my skin, she cleansed, toned, and exfoliated it. After she applied a Quince Ice Wine Masque, she treated me to massages to my feet, arms and shoulders. Finally, the best (and least fun) part: The extractions! Good to get that junk out. She then used this electronic machine that restored my skin’s pH balance and finally applied a Rose Whip Moisturizer, Cucumber Eye Gel, Honey Apple SPF, and Citrus Lip Balm. Today, my skin feels amazingly smooth and looks radiant once again! I may very well go back in the recommended 4-6 weeks for another. ($85-90 for 60-minute facial.)

Other salons and spas on Grand Avenue worth checking out:

Juut Salonspa: Regardless of the location, Juut’s got the best haircutters, colorists, estheticians and spa specialists around, plus all yummy Aveda products. (857 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-222-4121.)
Grand Hair and Beyond: The full-service hair salon specializes in color and cuts. (1674 Grand Av. @ Cambridge St. 651-699-7074.)
Mella & Co.: This specialty spa is St. Paul’s only day spa; it’s dedicated exclusively to facials, ultrasonic, peels, and massage. (1204 Grand Av. b/w Ayd Mill Rd. & Dunlap St. 651-292-8406.)

When I met Jeff, the man who would later become my husband, I was living in the South (where I’m originally from) and we did the long distance dating dance, pining over each other and trying to figure out how to live in the same city. St. Paul got the hard sell, and I was game for a new adventure.

As a born-and-raised Floridian I never would have imagined living in Minnesota. The only time I visited St. Paul prior to moving here was during a snow-filled December weekend. Love is a powerful thing.

It didn’t take long for this city to warm my heart. By the time I moved here—three years ago Memorial Day weekend—St. Paul’s outdoor festivals, downtown farmer’s market, restaurant patio seating, and summer weather perfection were in full bloom. I quickly began exploring, and adoring, this new city of mine.

My now-husband was perhaps (and still is) St. Paul’s biggest cheerleader. He has lived here for 18 years or so, knows all those back roads that confuse everyone else, and is a loyal patron of his tried and true local haunts. His affection has rubbed off on me, though it’s me, with my fresh eyes and non-native status that gets us out to try new restaurants, new hiking trails, and more.

This summer I’m taking my St. Paul exploration to a new level. I have a Google doc going of fun things to do that I regularly add to. Jeff and I plan to spend as much time outside as possible with our 1-year-old son in tow. (Note to self: get to the Roseville REI and buy one of those baby backpack carriers—ASAP!) I’ve got my Minnesota bird and tree naturalist guides in hand and my kitchen ready to make use of our fantastic local produce. Maybe we’ll have the chance to meet at the St. Paul Farmer’s Market sometime.

As the outdoors and healthy living blogger for STAYcation, I’ll be checking out biking and hiking trails, the best spots to take a dip on hot summer days, healthy cooking classes, local farms, ways to get to know our lovely stretch of the mighty Mississippi River, and much, much more. I’ve got my eye on a few yoga and pilates classes I’ve been wanting to try, too, along with some spa treatments I can’t wait to indulge in. I’m also looking forward to trying a few outdoor adventures for the first time—specifically geo-caching and disc golf.

Meanwhile, I’d love to hear about your favorite around-town spots. Where in St. Paul do you go when you need a nature fix, a healthy meal, want to catch a fish, or to take a meditation class to recharge your spirit? And if you hear of a fantastic event I should check out, please let me know!