Today, I want to introduce a a new topic related to my love for being pampered, addiction to travel and tranquil interiors – spa escape!
Booking a spa session is one of my must-do especially when I travel. I prefer to book a treatment as soon I get to the destination. Helps with the jet-lag, the sore-back from airplane seats , not to mention that post-spa glow for the rest of the vacation. Even when traveling on a tight budget, I highly recommend booking a session at a well rated local spa.
In buenos aires, I recommend checking out the spa at hotel alvear palace. Plan to spend at least half day there and dont miss the famous high-tea after.
A couple of things that are most important to me when selecting a spa.
Interiors: I feel most comfortable in spas that are designed to promote a sense of tranquility, comfort and relaxation.
Facility: Must be clean, hygienic and equipped with showers and lots of robes and towels. A wet-area {jacuzzi, pool etc} is also a must for me.
Hospitality: I appreciate a spa where staff add to the experience. Its the little details that matter! While most luxury spas offer you the basics and refreshments, I truly feel relaxed in a spa with where staff ensure you are well taken care of. organic products, decaf teas and perhaps champagne… 
Goes without saying – well qualified treatment specialists.
What adds to your spa experience? Do you have a must- have list? Know a good spa that should be featured here? email me! manvi{at}mochatini{dot}org
images: alvear palace + frank grimm
I heart the paper products at Paperlera Palermo. This store should also be under your MUST VISIT list for Buenos Aires. I got some very cool notecards and a journal. The notecards are already running out and I wish I had got more. Their website is in Spanish, but you can use this tool to translate.
SO I am back, after what seems like forever. Even though I was MIA, I missed you all. Believe me when I say I’ve been crazy busy. House hunting (don’t ask! I know I know buying a house is never easy!), restructuring at work ( this comes with its challenges as well), web design projects (deadlines), interiors projects (deadlines), green card renewal (hopefully for the last time), travel.
Aah travel. The excitement of traveling has grown with the addition of iPhones to our Apple family (our house looks like Apple threw up in it).
My new travel and daily accessory (more like an extension of my palm) – iPhone promises to help me post on-the-go. The capabilities of the new iPhone have not only made life more efficient, but also I don’t know how I managed without it. The GPS is really helpful, as is dialing out by clicking on the number from a web page feature. I have been testing the Wordpress application on it and it looks great. Expect a “posted via Manvi Drona-Hidalgo’s iPhone post soon. 
Have any of you been using it for blogging? Do share!
So with all this going on, I still have time to think about Portugal, Buenos Aires, San Francisco and St. Thomas. Why? These are all the places I hope to travel to before the end of this year
jasiot
kat on flickr
joana
theblacazar
Buenos Aires Design Center
Ritz @ St. Thomas US VI
Ritz @ St. Thomas US VI
French Laundry
Now back to design.
WINK – Wall Ink.
What if you could change your wall decor as often as you wanted? WINK decals let you change your walls, mirrors, floors, ceilings, and doors as often as you like.
Take a look at these designs and dont forget their work is completely customizable. Now if only I could find a house to WINK my walls with.
With a little imagination, these decals can add an interesting feature to your room. Thanks Surabhi Gupta from San Francisco for sending me their info.
