WaySpa Blog

WaySpa.com is pleased to announce the addition of six new spas to the Los Angeles roster.

Kara Spa is an oasis of tranquility located in the West Hollywood Park Hyatt. The five-star spa offers guests meticulously individualized services in the privacy of their own secluded spa villa.

Each Kara visit is specially designed to achieve desired results, be it Purity, Energy, Tranquility or Balance. Each visit to Kara Spa is an unforgettable journey that will enliven your senses and awaken your spirit.  Guest begin their time at Kara with a Polynesian foot massage and cleansing ritual designed to release stress and instill a sense of calm.

As a recipe creator and Chef affiliate with Waves Magazine, this will be an exciting showcase of health minded, inspired cuisine accessible to like minded individuals and those they care for.

David Chrystian, elite Executive Chef at Joy Bistro, has become a Chef Affiliate of Waves, and will be contributing a handful of recipes of fine cuisine for readers to enjoy.

As an innovator in cuisine, Chef Chrystian has always stretched the limitations of diners imaginations.  David Chrystian is regarded as one who is pushing the envelope, one who is carving restaurant trends within specific culinary circles and media alike.

David Chrystian is a Grimsby native and has been cooking in elite dining circles in Toronto for twelve years.  Since early in his cooking career and since becoming executive chef in restaurants such as Cafe Societa, Patriot, Accolade and the Drake Hotel, he has always praised the goings on of the Canadian wine movement.  It was Patriot Restaurant that attempted to bring Niagara to the city.  Patriot’s wine card featured 80% VQA wine, which was unheard of in Toronto restaurants at the time.  Within this framework, the idea of cosmopolitan “Canadian Cuisine” was born, and Chrystian one of the creators.

After recently spending a month in Napa Valley and taking wine and food related courses at the Greystone Campus of the Culinary Institute of America, it was realized that Ontario wine country needed a great restaurant and or culinary spokesperson.  The concept of The Centre for Wine and Food Experimentation was created and founded.  Currently it is a web based freelance catering business committed to the promotion of Canadian Wine and Food Culture.

As a recipe creator and Chef affiliate with Waves Magazine, this will be an exciting showcase of health minded, inspired cuisine accessible to like minded individuals and those they care for.

David Chrystian is currently Executive Chef at Joy Bistro at:

David is also Founder of The Centre for Wine and Food Experimentation, www.thecentreforwineandfood.com.

WaySpa.com has not yet officially started to expand into the L.A market, but two of the city’s top spas have already raced ahead of competition to become WaySpa partners. The new addition of the prestigious Glen Ivy family of spas, including Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, as well as the celebrity hotspot Argyle Spa, has propelled the expansion plans of WaySpa into the Los Angeles market.

As the buzz about WaySpa’s ability to revolutionize the spa industry spreads across North America, major destination and day spas alike are lining up in droves to be selected as WaySpa partners. “We are constantly pushing our limits to meet mounting consumer demand” said Jeremy Creed, co-founder, President & CEO of WaySpa.com. “Now our expansion plans are getting an extra push due to spas’ need for our service as well.”

Consumers are expecting an extended level of seamless luxury spa service, and WaySpa.com is the only service in the world that has the ability to offer that to spa-goers.

WaySpa.com is currently expanding into a number of major markets across North America.

As the summer quickly approaches, the number of celebrities shooting films in Canada is on the rise. While on the job, celebrities still need their regular spa treatments to stay relaxed and beautiful. WaySpa.com has recently appointed some lucky celebrities with personal spa concierges to ensure that they are booked into some of the best spas in Canada whenever they require a spa escape.

WaySpa Concierges arrange for all sorts of special requests for their clients from private spa visits and luxurious spa lunches prepared by top city chefs, to having exclusive champagne flown in from Europe for a discerning client’s day at the spa.

WaySpa Concierges are experts in the spa industry. They recommend and book clients into luxurious spa visits at top spas in North America. The Concierge service is a complementary service available to all WaySpa.com customers.

by Diana Pereira

Globe and Mail Travel

It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it: As co-founder of a new on-line booking service devoted to spa treatments, this Toronto-based entrepreneur travels frequently to spas in cities such as New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Denver, White Plains and Chicago.

Mileage: One trip a month.

Must-pack items: “Other than my laptop and BlackBerry, my running shoes.” When Creed is not in meetings, he swears by casual chic footwear.

Chicken or fish?: Definitely fish. “I can’t eat chicken any more unless it’s wings.”

Ultimate hotel: The Four Seasons in Milan. “Rooms were very modern, but the lobby looked Renaissance with frescos on the wall and marble floors.”

Jet-lag buster: “I don’t know that I beat it. Everyone around me says I’m moody and grumpy.”

R&R of choice: Glen Ivy Spa outside Los Angeles. “The hot springs are pretty cool — they are in an underground cave.”

Favourite out-of-town restaurant: Nobu in Las Vegas, for the blackened cod.

How to Satisfy Your Valentine in Under a Minute:

• Visit WaySpa.com’s Valentines Day Gift Guide to choose a treat that’s better than chocolate, or please her with the power of choice with a WaySpa.com Gift Certificate.
• Personalize your WaySpa e-gift with a romantic message, or print out the spa voucher yourself, and slip it into a Valentines Day card.
• Send a WaySpa gift certificate or spa voucher to your Valentine’s inbox instantly, or print it out in under a minute.

Being a one-minute man will truly please her.

In much the same way that Expedia and Orbitz have revolutionized how people book their travel arrangements, WaySpa is set to change how we pamper ourselves.

Developed by - surprise - two guys, Toronto-based entrepreneurs/techies Jeremy Creed and Peter Adamo, it offers comprehensive information, exclusive packages and gift certificates to luxury spas throughout Toronto, Vancouver and New York (with Los Angeles launching in February). Standouts include the West Coast Wonder (pedicure, massage, facial for $166.49) at Vancouver’s Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa and, in Toronto, the Hammam Bliss (facial, hammam rituals, massage for $149.99) and Vedic Bliss (ayurvedic massage and aromatic manicure for $139.99) at Hamman Spa and the Windsor Arms Hotel, respectively. There are even options to book for couples or larger groups. Making reservations has never been this relaxing.

This afternoon, WaySpa.com will officially launch the Waves lifestyle brand.

“Waves represents a celebration of balance between social events and private moments, fighting against time, and aging gracefully, healthy living and indulgence” says President and CEO of WaySpa.com, Jeremy Creed.

Waves will be available in two distinct formats: The Waves eMagazine will be delivered exclusively to WaySpa.com members on a bi-weekly basis; The Waves blog will be constantly updated by the Waves team, and field experts.

“The Waves media outlets have been created to provide people with a chance to escape to calm and luxury while browsing through a Waves issue or blog entry. Readers will also benefit from unique articles and valuable lifestyle tips.”

Each Waves eMagazine issue will journey into a different subject, such as a snapshot of an exotic location, or tips on entertaining. Articles will also be available on the Waves blog, that can be accessed on the WaySpa.com site.

The first Waves release will feature an exclusive recipe from Celebrity Chef John Paul Adamo.

Need a last-minute present for your colleague, friend or therapist? Avoid mall madness by shopping from home. Log onto www.wayspa.com - an innovative site that offers discounts of up to 50 percent off exclusive spa packages culled from more than 30 premium spas across the Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver and New York City.

Not sure which services to select? Check out the handy search tools for treatment descriptions and prices. If you’re still stumped, gift certificates are the safest bet. - D. F.

eTalk Daily embarks on one of its most ambitious projects ever and unveils its most luxurious celebrity gift bag yet!

Lights! Camera! Action! CTV’s eTalk Daily Covers the Toronto International Film Festival Like No Others Starting Tonight

Toronto, ON (September 8, 2005) - Canada’s leading entertainment newsmagazine begins its all-new fourth season today with TV’s biggest and best coverage from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). From its studio headquarters and VIP lounge to Red Carpets and afterparties, CTV’s eTalk Daily has a fleet of producers, cameras, reporters and volunteers on hand to make this year’s coverage one of its most ambitious projects ever.

And eTalk Daily will provide their most luxurious gift bag yet to festival celebs following their exclusive interviews in the eTalk Daily lounge at Yorkville’s Intercontinental Hotel. eTalk Daily’s TIFF coverage continues Monday-Friday at 7 p.m. ET and 12:30 a.m. ET (check local listings) on CTV.

** Note - Photography of etalk Daily’s Toronto International Film Festival gift bag is available on-line at www.ctvmedia.ca.

As the undisputed Red Carpet leader (eTalk Daily has covered over 150 Red Carpet events since 2002), eTalk Daily will have unprecedented access and extensive coverage of the festival, beginning today and running through Sept. 17. With all hands on deck, eTalk Daily will once again provide viewers with around the clock TIFF coverage as hundreds of stars descend upon Toronto.

To kick off the festivities, Ben Mulroney is front and centre with all the action at tonight’s opening night gala. Reporting from the eTalk Daily lounge, David Giammarco provides in-depth interviews with Hollywood A-listers while Susie Wall catches up with the stars at the Red Carpet galas. Anna Cyzon, Susie Wall and eTalk celebrity reporter Jully Black are on the night-beat with exclusive access to the hottest parties in Toronto. eTalk Daily’s newest member of the family, Quebec Correspondent Sophie Gr?goire, will also be on TIFF assignment with special one-on-one interviews. Aside from the galas, the parties and the lounge, eTalk co-host Tanya Kim will also anchor the daily show from the eTalk Daily headquarters at Toronto’s historic Masonic Temple.

“The eTalk Daily team will cover all corners of Toronto at this year’s Film Festival,” said Jordan Schwartz, Executive Producer and Vice-President of Daytime Programming for CTV. “From the premieres, galas and red carpets; to the lounges, afterparties and restaurants, viewers will feel like they are attending the Festival themselves.”

In addition to covering the hottest parties at the festival, eTalk Daily will sponsor a few of their own. A steadfast supporter of Canadian Film, eTalk Daily was the official media sponsor for Celebrating Canada: Canadian Films in TIFF 2005, an industry party last week that saluted the Canadian films in the festival. eTalk Daily is also a media sponsor for the Presenting Our Vision party, a partnership between macIDeas, Trails Youth Initiatives and Serve Canada Youth Organization that helps send underprivileged kids to film camp in 2006. Finally, eTalk Daily is the official media sponsor of the Sony Pictures Classics party featuring the likes of Keanu Reeves, Benjamin Bratt and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

In addition to the TIFF parties, eTalk Daily is also the official broadcast sponsor for the Tastemakers Lounge (a celebrity lounge at Yorkville’s Intercontinental Hotel featuring high-end and emerging brands from Canadian designers) and the official media sponsor for The Ultimate Sweet Spot at Polish Beauty Bar (a beauty salon and lounge where celebs will find the latest of what’s cool in Toronto).

The 2005 TIFF eTalk Daily Gift Bag is the best yet, an ultra-exclusive assortment of hot ticket items valued at more than $2,000. Extravagant but fun, the gift bag contains an impressive roster of uniquely Canadian merchandise and several top-of-the-line items from the likes of Chanel, Logitech, Cargo Cosmetics, Dermalogica, Atlantic Luggage, Godiva and more.

Product Highlights - 2005 TIFF eTalk Daily Gift Bag:

• Atlantic Luggage - The most obvious component of the bag is - the bag! With futuristic style, a push button locking handle and quiet inline skate wheels, the Galaxy is the perfect travel piece for any star.
• Logitech - It’s the new gadget stars can’t live without: the ultimate digital video remote control. Each gift bag includes the Harmony 880 remote, a universal remote control that can command 15 different electronic devices.
• CHANEL - Nicole Kidman was paid millions as the spokesperson for CHANEL. Now, stars that come to the eTalk Daily lounge will have their chance to smell like the diva herself. Tailored packages for both men and women are filled with this season’s must-have products: Allure Homme Sport for men and CHANCE for women.
• Converse - Stars can hit the street in the comfort of a pair of stylish Converse running shoes. The gift bags include the Chuck Taylor All Star Slip for women and the Jack Purcell OTR Mid for men.
• GAP - The styles of Sarah Jessica Parker and Lenny Kravitz become mainstream when celebs in the eTalk Daily lounge get a pair of GAP jeans. The women’s pair fit low on waist, with a bootcut leg opening and a sandblasted authentic wash. The men’s pair fit low on the waist, have a boot cut leg, zip fly, and dark vintage wash.
• Dr. Trevor Born - Stars in the mood for a little nip and tuck can visit Dr. Trevor M. Born, one of Toronto’s most respected Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons. The package provides a consultation and $350.00 towards a treatment with Dr. Born.
• WaySpa.com - WaySpa.com’s online search tools help stars find discounted spa packages at a number of spas across North America. Finding the right package could not be any simpler.
• Totum Lifescience - Stars who want to stay in shape while they are in Toronto can get a quick Totum-style ego boost from one of Toronto’s best Personal Trainers. Stars can also come to the studio after the festival to work out a week’s worth of champagne and hors d’oeuvres!
• Dermalogica - Hollywood A-listers can stay fresh while in Toronto with the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and the Multivitamin Powerpack. A must have for any person who walks the red carpet.
• CARGO - Stars can get ready for the red carpet with a special gift pack from CARGO. The package includes Madagascar eyeliner, SupersEyes mascara and the Casablanca lip-gloss quad.
• GODIVA - The next generation of chocolate is here with an all-new line of signature creations called the Platinum Collection.  Names such as Gingevere, Iconique and Nocturne represent the seductive and decadent chocolates included in this collection.
• T- Box - This whimsical fashion and accessory line is shrink-wrapped into ice cream cones, lollipops, cubes, wheels and hearts, which open to reveal seasonless ? la mode basics for men and women.
• Redken - Tailored packages for both men and women are filled with this season’s must-have products. The men’s portion includes a daily invigorating shampoo, weightless conditioner, firm hold gel and a defining pomade. The women’s portion includes Body Full Shampoo, Body Full Conditioner, Body Full Weightlifter and Body Full Pump Treat.
• F.L.A.G Accessories - The stars that support PETA need not worry about this product. The trendy “faux-fur” covered hot water bottle is perfect for any star who wants to relax.
• Hoopla - Although the stars won’t be lonely during this festival, they still might find the time to play Cranium Hoopla. It has the soul of a party game and the spontaneity of a card game.
• Indigo - Every star writes a book about something at one time or another. Celebs in the eTalk Daiyl lounge will get a gift certificate from Indigo so they can swing by the nearest store and pick up a copy of their own book. Also included are novels from four unique authors.
• Random House of Canada - Stars in the mood for some home cooking will get Bonnie Stern’s cookbook, Essentials of Home Cooking. The book is filled with five-star recipies to for Caramelized Onion Tarts with Gorgonzola, Lemon Meringue Pavlova Rolls and Thai Shrimp Dumplings with Orange Chili Sauce.
• Esacpulariol - David Beckham wore it and it was the talk of the town. Now, stars that visit the eTalk Daily lounge will also have the infamous Khaki Rosary and the long black beaded black cross necklace.
• Silks Hoisery - When the lights go down, the sensual self is revealed. Stars slip on their little black dresses, glide on their lipstick, but don’t stop there. Stars can indulge in Silks Sexy All-in-One Garter Hose, by Phantom.
• Smart Ass Thong - A Smart Ass Thong is the ultimate underwear design for discerning, style-conscious, urbanites that feel a little cheeky. The Smart Ass thong appeals to women who love fashion and are confident enough to wear some sass on their backsides. The hottest Smart Ass Thong is the one that reads “Desperate Housewife.”

The 2005 TIFF eTalk Daily gift bag was created by Scott Winechuk of SKOT-E Productions Inc.

eTalk Daily viewers also have the chance to win the eTalk Daily TIFF gift bag by visiting www.ctv.ca/entertainment and filling out the online contest form. The contest is open from until Sept. 18 and the winner will announced Sept. 23 on eTalk Daily.

eTalk Daily airs Monday-Friday at 7 p.m. ET and 12:30 a.m. ET on CTV (check local listings).

Hosted by Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim, eTalk Daily is CTV’s flagship entertainment vehicle and Canada’s number one source for everything entertainment. From the Oscars and the Emmys to the JUNOS and Live 8, eTalk Daily is front-and-centre delivering up-to-the minute news in film, television, music and more. eTalk Daily also provides extensive coverage of The 2005 Toronto International Film Festival with around-the-clock reports from red carpet galas and celebrity-soaked afterparties. Celebrating both homegrown talent and international stars, eTalk Daily has quickly established itself as the premiere entertainment show in Canada. eTalk Daily is produced by Agincourt Productions. Brent Paszt is Senior Producer, eTalk Specials. Darren Solomon is Senior Producer. Morley Nirenberg is Co-Executive Producer. Jordan Schwartz is Executive Producer and Vice-President, Daytime Programming for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President of Programming for CTV. Ed Robinson is Senior Vice-President, Comedy and Variety Programming for CTV.