Relax Already!

For those of you who live in LA, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. For those of you who don't, it may just be worth the trip! Head down to Casablanca Salon and Spa in Sherman Oaks (ask for Sheila when booking your treatment) and you'll save 20 percent!!!

Casablanca Salon and Spa
14202 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(say Heather from Desire sent you)

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"Oh don't cross your legs dear," Jintrey, my massage therapist, said kindly as she peaked her head around the door to check on me in the relaxation room at the spa.

"Wow", I thought as I sipped my warm herbal tea, "She must really want me to get the full relaxing experience."

But this wasn't just an attempt to help me shed my lady-like ways and enter a state of complete relaxation. Jintrey explained that crossing my legs would hinder my circulation to important parts of the body and possibly even cause varicose veins. This was just one of the many tidbits of advice offered up to me while visiting Casablanca Salon and Spa in Sherman Oaks.

This full service spa for men and women features everything from Ayurvedic and Color Treatment Massage therapies to individually formulated facials. In addition, they offer hair and makeup services at an incredible price. The experience is out of this world, but the prices are very down to earth.

I know I must sound like I'm writing a script for my television show "9 on the Town", but I must tell all of you La La Land Journey readers, this place was incredible!!

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The front of the spa was very inviting. You wouldn't know it from the whole-in-the- wall appearance it offers up to Ventura Blvd, but when I entered I was instantly enchanted by the hardwood floors and hand finished woodworking. The spa used to be an old home that was renovated by the owner many years ago. The front area is designed for hair cuts and colors, makeup, manicures, and pedicures. I'm lead back to the spa which is a sort of "Guest House" off the main building. Just to walk into the relaxation room was so calming; I was very excited about my upcoming treatments. I sipped on tea while filling out a bit of paperwork in preparation for my ayurvedic massage. Honestly, I would have been in heaven just to sit and listen to the violin music spiced with the calming sound of chirping birds.


It's an age-old adage to say "everybody's different". I mean, obviously this is the case, but I wonder if we're really thinking about this fact when it comes to how we treat, nourish, and feed our bodies. Ayurveda, an Indian term, means the science of life. Ayus means life and Veda means knowledge and wisdom. It originated in India more than 10,000 years ago and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged. It focuses on the very idea that no body is alike and that we should therefore take our own characteristics, or governing functions as it is called, to determine how to keep our mind, body, and souls healthy. The Tridosha Theory, the basic view of Ayurveda, is that all of life (people, food, animals, nature, the universe, and diseases) are combinations of three energy-elements: air (called Vayu or Vata), fire (called Pitta), and water (called Kapha). When these elements are balanced, one is healthy. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three governing functions and can be determined based on a list of characteristics that each person must relate to. For example, if you are a Vata you are more likely to have excess air which leads to dry skin or gas where as a Pitta has a tendency towards excess heat that leads to acne, heart and ulcer problems.

At the spa, I received an Ayurvedic massage which was specifically catered to my governing functions. Jintrey, the massage therapist who has a background in Eastern Medicines, Holistic healing, and even Chiropractics, was able to mix up essential oils designed specifically for my needs which happened to fall between Pitta and Kapha. The massage was incredible, and as she worked I could feel the release of much of the stress that has built up in my shoulders, neck, and even my feet. She was able to recognizes stresses before I even mentioned them to her. For example, there is more stress in my right leg because of my slight scoliosis. She even noticed the stress in my hands from typing. Maybe I should cut down on these LaLa Land posts!!

Jintrey has also studied color therapy which is an intriguing treatment in itself. She has the ability to work with colors -ones we tend towards, and ones we dislike - in order to therapeutically heal and work we each individual.

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Next I moved on to my facial with Sheila. Again, the treatment was specifically designed for me after she assessed my skin. Not only did everything feel amazing, but it smelled wonderful too. She uses a line of products called Eminence which is made in Hungry entirely from organic fruits, vegetables, and other natural ingredients. As I drifted close to a sleeping state, I could smell the eucalyptus, rose pedals, and lemon refreshing and refinishing my face. I also received a mini neck and shoulder massage as part of the treatment which just added to the incredible comfort I was experiencing. Afterwards Sheila gave me an entire print out of food, drink, and regime suggestions that were specific to my needs in order to help me maintain the healthy glow she'd given me.

As I stood in the private locker room and changed out of my plush robe and slippers I looked at myself in the mirror. From head to toe I looked and felt absolutely amazing and at one with myself. These therapies weren't from a recipe book list. They were designed specifically for my needs, and even after they were over, Sheila and Jintrey offered up helpful information and advice for keeping my body healthy.

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Getting my makeup done by Megan was also a great experience. I was thinking to myself, "It's too bad that I don't have to go anywhere tonight." I don't think running to Ikea really counted as an evening on the town.

Megan uses mineral makeup designed by Pauline Youngblood, a makeup artist who used to work in a plastic surgeons office. Now you know if she can cover up surgery scars right after someone's been under the knife, then she surly can handle a blemish or two. The makeup is completely natural - made literally from minerals- and it is also a natural sunblock because it contains zinc. It's not easy to find though, so head to Casablanca and have Megan help you out. It's more affordable than most department store prices, but watch out. You'll look so gorgeous when you leave that you're bound to spend money on a night out on the town. I'd also recommend getting your makeup done before an interview. Megan will work with you and your schedule so that you, not your forehead, will shine during any occasion.


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Just when I thought the day couldn't get any more amazing, I had Mirza do my hair. Now I'm not picky when it comes to most things, but when it comes to my hair I'm the worst! This is the girl who travels from LA all the way to SC to get her hair done because she doesn't trust her locks in the hands of just anyone. Mirza was amazing and I knew it from the moment she spoke about her passion for hair. It started when she asked me if I loved my job. "I think you have to," I said, "Or it isn't the right job for you. Especially when you're gonna spend most of your life doing it." "I love hair." She said, "I just love color." Mirza excited me because of her excitement. She also talked to me to find out just what I wanted and through talking with her I realized that I wasn't just another piece of "fun artwork" for her to be creative with. She understood that while she could be creative, she still had to create a functioning masterpiece when the day was through.

Creating a blonde isn't as simple as taking out the dye labeled "Blonde" and pouring it on. Everything from blue to purple goes into the dyes to create just the right tone, so while a head full of purple dye and foil may seem intimidating, it's really a blessing in disguise. It's important that your stylist speak the language of color so that when you say "I want to be light blonde, not strawberry blonde," she knows you want cool tones, not warm.

Mirza was the first stylist I'd ever been to that presented me with a book of real, up to date, photos and magazine cut outs. It sure beat the style books that you find in most salons that look like they haven't been updates since 1981.

Mirza talks to her clients. She believes its important to examine the natural aspect of the hair to really create a style and color that works. "I like to work with your hair growth when doing color," she explained, " So that your hair has movement - playful movement - when I'm done."

We've heard it time and again, " I leave the salon looking great, but I can never get the same look on my own." Well I must say, my hair is just as playful as it was yesterday and I don't think its taking a break any time soon!

We can't be expected to understand our hair when most of us have trouble grasping the concept of a blowout (I used to think they only referred to tires), but with a great stylist your true colors (and the not-so-true ones) can shine through.


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I'd highly recommend taking advantage of the 20 percent off discount on any of these services (until Jan 1st). Just ask for Jintrey, Sheila, Megan, or Mirza and tell them Heather (from Desire LA) sent you!!!!

Casablanca will put you under a spell and leave you feeling beautiful from head to toe. Luckily it isn't a spell at all!!