Celebrating a few of my favorite things.
KH House of Khaddar Ruffle Crop Top & Hand-Painted Pants
I love this line for its unabashed creativity, color, and care in keeping a culture alive through the revitalization of the art of crafting authentic handloom garments. Rooted in the historical significance of Khadi—a handspun and woven natural fiber cloth—the brand seamlessly blends the rich tapestry of Indian heritage with modern Western designs and silhouettes.
KH House of Khaddar’s mission is to redefine the conventional perception of Khadi by infusing it with contemporary aesthetics, explains a rep for the brand. Their approach involves direct collaboration with skilled weavers and artisan communities across India, including block makers, printers, and clusters with G.I. certification. Beyond showcasing Khadi’s artistry, KH House of Khaddar is committed to nurturing a sustainable future for artisan communities. Through innovative products designed to captivate a diverse audience, they aim to make Khadi inherently appealing and relatable to today’s urban market. kh-hk.com
ISUN Skincare for a Radiant Refresh
ISUN Radiance Face Mask
You know you’re holding something special in your hands from the moment you open any one of ISUN’s thoughtfully crafted products. I had a real “wow” moment recently when I opened the Sapphire Cleanse Facial Cleanser and pumped some product into my palm. The aroma—a delicious rush of cucumber and calendula—was such a pleasant surprise that I actually found myself laughing aloud in delight. How many skincare products have you tried that elicit that kind of response? These are purely magical products, formulated in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado—wildcrafted, organic, cold-processed, and gentle—and they’re a wonderful way to honor your skin.
I’ve been using the above-mentioned cleanser along with the uplifting jasmine, rose, and frankincense-rich Ormus Myst Face & Body Mist, the collagen-boosting Emerald Sun Hydrosol Serum, and the potent Ultra Sunstone Facial Oil that I intersperse with the rich and nourishing Golden Balm Face & Body Moisturizer. My skin glows! This simple routine makes my senses sing and leaves my skin content. Once a week I apply the Radiance Face Mask, which I especially love because it can be applied underneath the eyes, as well. You can find ISUN at a number of stunning spas, including, The Five Graces in Santa Fe, New Mexico and The Springs Resort in Pagosa, Colorado. isunskincare.com
Wrap Up by VP CandyLand Spa Wrap & Headband
CandyLand Spa Wrap by Wrap Up by VP
These spa wraps wash and wear really well. I’ve had my cream wrap for longer than I can remember and always bring it with me to my local hot spring hangout. It’s held up well over the years, but now I’m in love with CandyLand, this whimsical pink and white spa wrap. “CandyLand is a happy and colorful print inspired by Japanese culture,” shares Valerie Perez, CEO & Designer, Wrap-Up by VP. “It features a beautiful temple and lucky creatures roaming around in perfect harmony. CandyLand is the ideal world.”
Valerie, who has a background in fashion and who launched her brand in 2004, says that she wanted to bring comfort, beauty, and elegance to everyday use. “Going to the gym and having my towel fall is when the Wrap-Up started with the fashionable Spa Wrap, followed by the Wrap-Up Robe.” Wrap Up by VP creates its own prints and uses the sublimation technique on the garments in Los Angeles, which are printed individually, making each piece unique. Made of soft, absorbent microfiber fabric, the one-size-fits-all wraps and headbands are style staples for spa-lovers of all shapes and sizes. wrapupbyvp.com
Pure Fiji Dragon Fruit Collection
Pure Fiji’s Dragon Fruit Sugar Scrub
I’ve long preached that your body deserves to be treated with the same care you give to your face, and over the past few years, I’ve been pleased to see and test a number of new products designed for ultimate bodycare in the form of body serums, body mists, and more. Recently, I sampled an assortment of Pure Fiji’s new Dragon Fruit collection and loved the luminous results. A few standouts: The Dragon Fruit Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Body Mist, and Nourishing Body Butter. “Dragon fruit is a potent prebiotic ingredient that helps rebalance the skin’s microbiome and strengthen its protective barrier,” explains Kimberlee Geng, Director of Education and Training. “It’s also high in vitamin C, which brightens and stimulates collagen production.” Pure Fiji’s dragon fruit is hand-pollinated and hand-harvested, and the dragon fruit extract, shares Kimberlee, is directly obtained by simply squeezing the fruit, rather than using solvents or water. us.purefiji.com
Almbijoux Grey Baroque with Pink Tourmaline & Garnet
Neck adornment from Almbijoux
Anna Lempereur Moine began designing jewelry 12 years ago and officially launched Almbijoux 10 years ago. “Design is a process and my inspiration can be triggered by shape, texture, and color,” notes Anna. “Grey baroque pearls are truly unique, and nature does not replicate to create perfection but rather shapes them into odd oblongs that can look misshapen but are actually quite attractive in their layers of roundness.” She combines them with graduated hues of pink tourmalines and garnets to create a harmonious, feminine look that is timeless, classic, and chic. “I always design pieces that are versatile and multifunctional and with this necklace one can wear it long, doubled, and even as a bracelet.” Her pop ups and trunk shows can be found at a variety of spas, including Salamander Resorts, Woodstock Inn, and Exhale. almbijoux.com
Jewelry, notes Anna, is an impulse buy, “and at the same time, it is very important [for spas] to offer an unusual and unique design that can commemorate a resort or spa visit. Because I’ve spent nearly twenty years working with spas, I understand what their needs are in order to successfully display and sell merchandise.”
Taiyety Cloud Cashmere Scarf in Rose
Taiyety Cloud Cashmere Scarf in Rose
Add a pop of color with this luxurious super-soft cashmere scarf, an original piece of art created by two talented sisters. Founded in 2020 by sisters Chrissa Markos (a photographer artist) and Ereni Markos (a marketing professor), Taiyety draws inspiration from “the Greek countryside, the serene Aegean blue, and expansive urban landscapes.”
Each accessory is a unique piece of art that you’ll treasure for years to come. Take note: the scarves and wraps are created in very limited numbers and may be found in spas such as Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Harbor Grand Hotel. taiyety.com/collections/cashmere-collection
Mary Bemis
A pioneering voice in spa and wellness journalism, Mary Bemis has spent four decades chronicling, championing, and helping shape the modern spa industry. As Founder and Editorial Director of Insider’s Guide to Spas, she brings a distinctive editorial perspective informed by a career that has helped define the language and landscape of spa media. Mary launched American Spa magazine in 1997, co-founded Organic Spa, and helped launch Luxury SpaFinder and NewBeauty. Her industry leadership extends to board service with ISPA, NYSPA, and WSPA, the latter two organizations she helped establish. She has also served as Special Advisor to the Balneology Association of North America. Today, she serves as Special Advisor to Global Wellness Day and sits on the board of the International Sauna Aid Foundation. Recognized among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness, Mary is also a recipient of the prestigious ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award, an inaugural Folio Top Women in Media honoree, and an American Spa Wonder Woman of Wellness. Her mission remains as steadfast as ever: to keep spa culture alive and relevant, honor its roots, challenge its shortcomings, and inspire an industry to live up to its promise.
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