Review Week: Open up and say SPAAAAAAAAAA

A few weeks ago, a group of us were treated to one of those days you can usually only dream about. Girlfriends, mimosas, 90-minute spa treatments and a private cabana at one of San Diego’s top resorts. Can you say HEA-VEN!?

The Rancho Bernardo Inn invited us out to experience what they have to offer. With a new outdoor cabana treatment area and a new spa pool, I see why the property was voted Best Outdoor Spa by San Diego Magazine. The grounds were simply stunning, and I could have easily spent a week lounging at that pool. We were all given goody bags filled with signature products, adorable new spa flip-flops and the treatment of our choice. Now let's be honest: the only thing better than a massage is a free massage, so I'm not going to bore you with the fantastic details of the made from organic product scrub, the warm cocoon body wrap and the delightful Swedish rub down. That it was fabulous and relaxing and SO NEEDED is pretty much a given. 

No, the party girl in me is going to tell you about something that really got me excited - their all inclusive spa party packages. We are of the age where we are "showering" our friends with parties for special occasions left and right. Milestone birthdays, weddings, babies - we all have tons of reasons to celebrate. And, as I learned a few weeks ago, going out clubbing isn't really the way to do things anymore. So why not organize a spa day? Your party can pick out their spa treatments, have some food and drinks and relax together in a private courtyard. While the exact cost depends on your group, I'm sure it's still a lot less than a weekend in Vegas. 

RAVE: The Post Office and HaloweenCostumes.com

While we always seem to find time to rant about things that irk us, simple, good experiences, are often never shared. Today, I actually had 2 good experiences with a situation that I screwed up. 2 people went out of there way to help me, and they deserve a BIG OLD KUDOS!

On October 10th I ordered Zoe's "AWICE IN WONDERWAND!!!!" costumes from www.HalloweenCostumes.com. Simple and sweet without being princessified with glitter and tulle, I fell in love with this particular version of the popular costume for Zoe. Planning ahead (as I often try to do, but hardly ever really do) I ordered it in time to still get cheap shipping. Unfortunately, I ordered it quickly, not realizing the online payment system still had my old shipping address associated with it.

2.5 weeks later I tracked the package to see that it seemed to be stuck at the Encinitas Post Office, hoping for it to be forwarded to our new address, I waited, and waited. 

Because something finally hit me over the head that it wasn't going to be arriving at my door without a little effort on my part, I called up the post office and explained my dilemma. The man who answered was very nice, not at all postal, and looked all over for my package, which in turn wasn't there. He apologized and told me it was probably headed back to the sender. 

Post office employees usually get the shaft when it comes to accolades. But this postman was very sweet and helpful. So, KUDOS #1 goes to the Encinitas branch of the US Postal Service. 

Step number two was to call HalloweenCostumes.com and see if the package had been returned yet. 'Tis their season, and thankfully their phones are staffed 24/7 at the moment. I was on hold less than a minute before an associate answered my call. I explained MY MESS UP to her, and while the package had not yet been received back to her location, instead of saying "Oh, well. Sucks for you." like I half thought she would, she said she would ship me out another costume ASAP, all I need to do was re-pay shipping.

DEAL. DONE and DONE.

So KUDOS to HalloweenCostumes.com for their very nice customer service. It's always a crap shoot when you order things online, and it's a great thing when you find a company that you can trust. 

Oh, and it's not too late to order your costume from them either!