Allora Salon and Spa

Just in case you haven't heard, in addition to writing this blog and The Flower City Fashionista, I'm also the Fashion and Beauty Blogger for Rochester A-List.  This winter I'm being sent on special assignment to the best spas and salons in Rochester to try out their most popular treatments for beating the winter blues, keeping hair and skin healthy, and staving off the signs of aging.  Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it - might as well be me :).  

My first job (if you can even call it that), was to visit Allora Salon and Spa in Victor to test out their indulgent Winter White Spa Pedicure and treat myself to a deep conditioning treatment and blow out.  They even squeezed in a chair massage!  Let me tell you, a girl can get used to all this pampering.  I probably should have married royalty... Oh well, maybe in my next life.

Enough of my delusions of grandeur.  Let's get down to business.

How would you like this to be you?

Are you picturing yourself there yet?  Pretty awesome huh?  I would know - that's what I was doing on Saturday.

Thankfully it was 60 degrees out, so I was able to roll up in my sandals and leggings.

I hate winter.

Is it summer yet?  No?   Bummer.

Anywho, this is the busted condition of my toes upon my arrival:

So sorry you had to see that.

Minutes later I was seated in their pedicure chair ready for action:

Settling in for my Footlogix Winter White Spa Pedicure

Let me tell you about this pedicure:  Pure.  Heaven.  Kaitlyn spent over an hour on my feet.  It started with a steamy foot soak while I relaxed in their super comfy, state of the art Shiatsu pedicure chair.  Then it was a simple business as usual pedicure - you know the drill - only this one used Footlogix state of the art products that were tailored to my specific skin needs.  After my nails were trimmed, cuticles tamed back, and feet scrubbed - that's when the real pampering started.  I looooooved the vanilla bean sugar exfoliating scrub that was followed by a warm vanilla mocha foot and leg massage.  You would think it would be over after that, but no...then comes the creamy vanilla paraffin wrap.  While my feet were enjoying some soothing moisturization, Kaitlyn cleaned my rings (oh yeah not even kidding) and gave me a chocolate oil hand massage.  Did I mention the whole time I was drinking a white hot chocolate with Godiva liquor?  Because I was.  Yes, this pedicure included booze.  And it was De-Licious!

Then it was time for polish!

Getting my purple polish on (OPI Purple with a Purpose) - as per my three year old son's request.
(What can I say?  It's his favorite color.)

This was the end result: 

Viola!  Purple Toes.
Clearly I'm never going to have a career as a foot model - but you get the idea.
My feet have NEVER felt so soft!

There was a little bit of down time between my pedi and blow out, so when I was offered a chair massage with James to fill my time I jumped at the chance.  Who says no to a massage?  (Only an idiot!)  So after my pedi from heaven, I got a nice neck and shoulder massage and made a mental note to book a 50 or 80 minute massage with James for another day.  Before I knew it, it was time for hair with Tonia.

If you know me, you know how much I love a good blow out.  I live for blow outs.  If I never had to do my hair again that would be totally fine with me.  When I win the lottery, the first thing I am doing is hiring my own personal stylist, because blow drying your own hair is for suckers.  (This is why I shower at night, let it air dry, and put it in a pony tail in the morning.)  I hear the hot mess look is going be big in 2013.  Or maybe I just made that up to make myself feel better.  Either way...

Here I am with wet hair after my deep conditioning treatment:

Tonia started at the roots, and got my hair about 80% dry before she started using the round brush for volume.  Here I am mid-blow out:

After she finished with the round brush, she used the curling iron to give me some loose curls.  I love, love, loved the end result.  My hair hasn't looked that pretty in ages (if ever).  I NEVER take the time to curl it.  I'm thinking maybe I should...

Honestly, if I didn't know that was me, I don't think I'd believe it.

After I graciously thanked everyone for such a wonderful morning of pampering, I did what any self-respecting 30-year-old mother of two would do:  I went to my car and took self portraits of my new 'do with my i-phone.  Or maybe that's what any instagram-addicted 16-year-old would do - either way...

Don't worry, I wasn't driving.

Good.  Times.

Then it was back to reality for me.  (Had to go relieve the hubs of "babysitting duty.")  I tried to explain to him that it's not "babysitting" when they are your own children, but that's another story for another day.  On the bright side, we did have an actual babysitter (ok not really we had grandma) for Saturday night.   Date night was non-negotiable - you can't waste a good blow out!   It's like a cardinal sin or something!

So, I kissed the kiddos goodnight, put on my five inch leopard heels and a little red lipstick, and headed out for a night on the town with the hubs.

The curls made me channel my inner Farrah Fawcett.
What do you think?  Outfit details here.

I highly recommend Allora Salon and Spa - the staff was wonderful, services were top notch, and the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing.  Three days later, my hair and feet feel softer than they have in ages and my shoulders are less tense.  Allora is a fabulous addition to the Rochester spa scene.

Be on the lookout for special offers for Allora Salon and Spa from Rochester A-List.  Not on the list?  Sign up now.  You won't want to miss out and you MUST be an A-list subscriber to qualify.

Can't wait to check out Allora for yourself?  Next Saturday, January 26, is their Grand Opening Celebration.  There will be raffles, food, and wine from 6-9.  You can rsvp to:  guests@allorasalonandspa.com.

Can't wait to hear about your visit!

xoxo

Jenny