Picture it: Fiesta Wednesday. Only I’m not fighting the crowds, trying desperately to push my way to the front of the churros line or claim a patch of the lawn at the Mission. Nor am I getting a cascarone smashed onto my head. On the contrary. I am viewing my city from afar, perched high atop the Hotel Andaluc-a, sipping a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc, while a handsome young man named Perry rubs my feet. A waitress stops by to see if I’d like something to munch on, and I look up to see Beca, of beca:christian fame, rolling a rack full of beautiful clothes into position, a mere 15 paces away, betwixt the bar and the pool. I’ve not died and-against all odds-found myself in heaven, nor am I dreaming, or deep in the throes of a chemically induced hallucination, though all would be excellent guesses, especially given the deliciously perfect cobalt-blue dress that’s just floated by and is now beckoning to me, daring me to take it home. No, this is all actually happening, and, despite the fact that there’s nary a torta in sight, I couldn’t be happier, ensconced as I am in Indulgence’s Spa Happy Hour, the most genius creation to traverse my radar since, well, since regular happy hour.
Though there is a certain measure of guilt that goes along with opting out of Fiesta, the grand poobah of Santa Barbara celebrations, in the face of such temptation, I really had no choice. All it took was a cursory glance at the event description (an abbreviated excerpt: cocktails, live music, clothing, beauty products, spa services) posted on The Indy‘s Web site and I was sold. Caroline Loureiro-clearly my long-lost soul sister-is the mastermind behind Indulgence the Home Spa, which descends upon private residences and places of employ, transforming living and conference rooms alike into dens of indulgent, girly bliss. She’s opted to take her creation public, once a month, for evenings such as this, wherein guests can partake of spa services like massages and manicures, sip on cocktails and snack on goodies, and do a little bit of VIP-style shopping. And that is just what I did. And, although-blissed-out fool that I was-I went home without said gorgeous blue dress, my bag did get sufficiently stuffed with samples from Planet Beauty and Jaqua-most notably Jaqua’s cocoa buttercream frosting-scented lotion, presented with the unfortunate warning that, although it does indeed smell divine enough to eat, please don’t. The only bummer of a fabulous, indulgent evening.
¡Viva!