Mud Wrap

M & S took in my last Christmas gift to them tonight--lower bowl seats to the Lakers game. It may have been a bit of a selfish gift. I was totally looking forward to a night alone. Decided to indulge in a mud wrap at Cottage Retreat at Gardner Village.

The mud wrap there is...hmm..can't think of the right adjective. It pleases all of your senses to the core. The first luxury is the spa itself. Cute, vintage country with quilts, beadboard and amazing smells everywhere. Every little detail of the spa is well thought out and lovingly cared for. So, after you get into your robe, you are treated to a body exfoliation with this special brush. Then, the mud is painted on. It starts getting just a bit cold as you keep getting slathered in the mud. Word of warning. This is not a treatment for those that may be body conscience. There is mud EVERYWHERE, and while you are completed covered, it gets messy! After you are painted, you get wrapped in this huge warm cocoon and are left alone to bake and think. This part isn't for those that are claustrophobic either. It is a tight squeeze! But the relaxed, quiet meditation is really wonderful. Then, you are cleaned off. Some places I have gotten a mud wrap at have a vichey shower--basically a shower over the table you can get cleaned off with--but Cottage cleans you off slowly with heated towels. Funny, but the simple act of someone cleaning you off makes you feel very cared for. Love. Kind of felt like all the mud sucked out my stress and yucky winter skin. Felt so relaxed and light after.

Followed up my treatment with a lush Cobb salad from Archibald's. Loved my night off!