Its summer and I always like to entertain with a Spa Party when the weather is good. Many of my friends hibernate over the cold dreary months including myself. I wanted to do something a little different apart from hanging out sipping wine and gossiping. Who has the time to organize complex event planning? Something easy relaxing and fun was the way to go. Cutting back the dead wood on my huge abundance of Imperial Gem English Lavender, and recently purchasing a wonderful batch of palm and coconut body butter, gave me the idea of a do it yourself pampering spa party. I invited six friends who I thought would enjoy the experience and we had one of the best and most relaxing evenings in a long time. The focus was on hands and feet. Many of us suffer from gardening hands and I know mine were in major need of resuscitation. My feet needed life support.

Here’s what I did.

Beverage Station

Using a vintage find mid-century trolley, I loaded it with sparkling water infused with mint, basil, lavender buds, and slices of lemon and limes. Loaded up with ice. This was delicious. Many opted for a splash of vodka. Using the Nutri Bullet I blended a toxin cleansing blast, vita berry blast and a peachy coconut pick me up.

Spa Station

My large distressed pine coffee table provided the perfect spot to set out jars of whipped coconut body butter home made and deep sea salt lavender scrub. This was so easy to make. Lucky for me I had lots of lavender essential oil on hand, used in my candle making and growing fresh in my garden. Mason jars were used so guests could spoon their own butter and salt scrubs into jars to take home. All things nails were displayed in a white toolbox, polish, nail files, toe separators, cotton wool, and nail polish remover. Everyone got two linen Turkish towels. I love these towels because they are so light and absorbent.

Ready to indulge

We started off with a hand and foot detoxing soak.

Foot Soak Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Water to thin mixture (if needed)
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 6 quarts of hot water (or enough to fill your container)

A few drops of essential oils (optional). The receipe for this came from WellnessMama

I added fresh lavender buds and lavender essential oil to water. I gave everyone a little bar of cold processed lavender soap that I made using a recipe from SoapQueen to wash hands and feet. After that it was pure luxury with the coconut butter allowing it to sink into our hands and feet while we sipped and nibbled on some great appetizers.

The Atmosphere

Harmony Luxury Candle

I used large scatter cushions on the floor and dimmed the lights. I own a candle company (Manor Road) so candles were everywhere. I used Harmony a glorious lavender and gentle floral fragrance from my luxury collection woodsy and herbal. I also used Coconut candles from my fruit and spice collection. This added a wonderful soft ambient glow and atmosphere to the overall experience. It was an explosion of the senses. Smelling, touching and tasting the same herb and fruit enhanced the overall stress relieving get together.

What we ate

On the kitchen island it was a help yourself appetizer station.

Menu

• Small bite sized grilled chicken tenders with a dry lavender rub (Everything Lavender)
• Mini Irish scones, with lavender butter (Food network)
• Coconut vegetable Curry served with coconut rice (Minimalist Baker)
• Apple lavender tarte tatin (Saveur)

Lavender Syrup. One tablespoon in the bottom of a champagne glass then add champagne. This was really good and I was told everyone slept the sleep of the dead that night. That’s lavender for you!

Hope I have given you some ideas for your next party. Pick an herb or spice and work around that theme for something fun and different. Include everyone male and female. Everyone likes to be pampered.