- Nesting Newbies

newbie style: entertaining
making time
for a time out
Photography by Natalie Wi
52
nestingnewbies.com
53
Connection. We crave it. We’re constantly tweeting, posting,
texting, and facebooking, but there comes a time when you need
to close the laptop, put down the BlackBerry® and walk away
from the cell phone to communicate face-to-face.
“We are in an era of isolation,” says Chef Lea McIntosh. “We
Happy times! Connie Kulberg
(and Bella) are ready to take
these girlfriends away from
their studies and rehearsals for
a few hours of Pinkie’s famous
pampering.
may be chatting incessantly online, but don’t undervalue the
human connection.” To prove her point, Nesting Newbies invited
two groups of close friends to make time for a break from their
impossible, can’t-fit-it-all-in schedules and enjoy some special
moments together. The results? Lots of laughter and good times.
Rachel, Melissa, Grace, Kayla, and Molly are Santa Clara
University theatre majors, and if they aren’t busy in classes or
doing homework, you’ll find them in rehearsals, working on sets,
making costumes, or performing onstage. It’s an all-consuming
life for these five friends, who welcomed the opportunity to visit
Pinkies Nail Salon for a little tootsies (and pinkies) TLC.
54
nestingnewbies.com
55
“Mani-pedis are very affordable, and I
consider good nail care a necessity…
and not a luxury.
Of course, you
can also splurge and get very deluxe
treatments, too” says Lea.
“No
matter which way you go, make your
To make things extra-special, pack
goodies—nuts,
fruits,
chocolates,
gift certificates, and nail polish—into
special containers to pass out to enjoy
while at the salon. Lea used multi-dot
suitcases from Paper Source.
appointment with friends instead of
doing it alone.”
Lea showed Rachel, an accomplished
stage manager and born organizer,
how to make a girls’ day at the salon
even more special.
“I created a
snack pack using medium, multi-dotsuitcases in red from Paper Source. I
showed Rachel how to fill them with
all sorts of snacks, including nuts,
fruit, chocolates, and other delicious
goodies, so the girls can nibble while
getting their toes done. I filled them
to the brim, so there’s something left
to snack on when they’re back to the
books. Tucking in a bottle of nail polish
and adding a gift certificate to the salon
is a great way to ensure a return trip
together!”
56
nestingnewbies.com
57
tlc for tootsies
Connie Kulberg and Derik Landry own Pinkies Nail
Salons, a collection of locally owned-and-operated
salons throughout the Bay Area. Each salon has a
reputation for providing clients with a relaxing and
indulgent experience at an affordable price—but
why spend any money or time on your tootsies?
Connie and Derik have a lot to say on the subject:
"Healthy feet mean a healthy you. Regular
pedicures might feel like a splurge, but they actually
help prevent common foot problems, like calluses
and ingrown toenails."
"Exfoliating scrubs and pumice scrubs smooth away
dead, dry skin, leaving your feet and lower legs
extra soft."
"Not only does massage relax your body, it also
improves circulation."
"In some salons, pedicures can relieve stress through
aromatherapy. The Pinkies Deluxe Pedicure includes
the choice of a peppermint or citrus exfoliating
scrub for a rejuvenating effect."
Both Connie and Derik offer this advice when it
comes to taking care of tootsies at home:
“Moisturize your nails and cuticles regularly with
lotions and oils, and make your pedicure last longer
by applying a fresh coat of clear polish each day.”
Read more tips from Connie and Derik on the
Nesting Newbies website.
58
nestingnewbies.com
59
Teresa is a full-time paralegal, her firm’s librarian,
and a full-time master’s in criminology student!
She desperately needed some downtime to
spend with her friends Angelique, Monique,
and sister-in-law Sara. They were welcomed
by Stacey Yates Sellar for an afternoon of
pampering at the Palo Alto SkinSpirit Skincare
Clinic & Spa. Stacey is SkinSpirit’s director,
and she witnesses positive transformations in
her clients’ psyches after they’ve come in for a
little R&R—and thinks it’s even more beneficial
when friends come in together. “There’s power
in having time for girl talk and a few giggles,
along with our treatments,” she says.
Teresa (bottom, right) booked some much-needed
downtime with her friends at SkinSpirit.
60
nestingnewbies.com
61
for Your Mind,
g
n
i
C ar
and Soul
Body
SkinSpirit doctors and staff want
you to live and enjoy life to the
fullest. They encourage you to:
 Make time for a facial or massage,
as these will significantly reduce stress
and tension.
 You can age gracefully by focusing
on the factors you can control: a clean,
healthy, nutrient-rich diet with regular
exercise.
 Increase your exercise, even if it’s
just a 15-minute walk every day.
Don’t ever feel guilty for doing
something just for you…take care
of yourself, because having the right
level of energy and confidence is one
of the best ways you can take care of
the important people in your life.
 When it comes to your face—an
ounce of prevention is still worth a
pound of cure! See a professional to
help you find the right products for
your skin. Antioxidants work just as
well topically as they do internally to
prevent and correct damage.
 Practice an attitude of gratitude—
acknowledge and appreciate the little
stuff that is going right for you, and
the big stuff will follow.
62
Annie Wilson, a seamstress since the age of ten, is in love with barkcloth, an American
textile manufactured during the 1930s through 1950s—a mid-century classic. She fashions
the vintage fabrics into all sorts of lovelies and sells them on her Etsy shop. Her company
is called Sourdough: Handmade Fresh in San Francisco—cute! Sara, Teresa, Angelique,
and Monique are wearing her Sleepytime Eye Masks for a moment of relaxation before
their spa treatments. Each wears a different pattern. The masks are made of barkcloth
on the front, silk charmeuse on the back, and are filled with cotton batting and lavender
husks for a soothing and restful sensation.
nestingnewbies.com
63
To make the day special, the girls plan a few posttreatment culinary indulgences: Chef Lea’s Spagrias
Charles Chocolates
The Tea Collection
and The Tea Collection by Charles Chocolates.
Founded in San Francisco in 2004, Charles Chocolates
has set out to redefine the world of premium chocolate.
The Tea Collection is an exclusive selection of teainfused chocolates created in collaboration with
Teance, a specialty teahouse in Berkeley, California.
Angelique says it’s so difficult to choose a favorite:
Formosa Baochong, Special Jasmine, Osmanthus,
Lichee, or Charcoal Fired Oolong. Each chocolate
truffle is identified by a Chinese character—they are
as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. The girls save
the edible chocolate box for later!
64
nestingnewbies.com
65
Lea wanted
a nice, refreshing
about the spa’s
coming up with
to show the four how to put the
crowning touch on their day together. “I thought
cocktail and a little something
sweet while they were looking at and learning
skincare would be the perfect
endnote.” Of course, for Lea that always means
something unexpected—so,
keep the champagne on ice and the strawberries
in the box for another day. Lea’s Spagrias are made
with Monin® Premiere Syrups and vodka for a light,
refreshing cocktail—peaceful bliss that puts a blush on your cheeks. The basic recipe is the same, just change out
the Monin syrup to create Lavender Spirit, Rose Rejuvenation or Jasmine Vitality. Use any of Monin’s 100 syrups
to create your own Spagria blend.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
½
cup Monin Premiere Syrup
—Rose, Lavender, or Jasmine
½
cup simple syrup
1
cup water
1
(750 ml) bottle white wine,
sauvignon blanc
Directions: In a large pitcher, combine
flavored syrup, simple syrup, water, and
wine; stir. Serve chilled over ice. Garnish with
blackberries, raspberries, or lychee fruits.
Lavender Spirit
66
Rose Rejuvenation
Jasmine Vitality
nestingnewbies.com
67
Few people spend more time alone hunched over a computer than
bloggers! We asked a few to share how they like to take a break:
bloggers time out
“After a stressful day, I think one of the
worst things to do is immediately plop on the
couch, order takeout, and zone out to a Real
Housewives of New York City marathon. Instead,
I think our brains need a “cool down” period—
kind of like stretching after a workout.
“Cooking is my favorite way to cool-down.
Instead of focusing on deadlines or tomorrow’s
big presentation, I’m forced to focus on the
recipe and my technique while preparing the
ingredients. The smells and sounds wake up
my senses, and you can’t beat the reward—a
delicious, healthy meal that brings people to the
table for real conversation.”
Jenn Lore
Department of the Interior
“I lock the front gate, set my cell phone on
vibrate, put in the new Charlotte Gainsbourg
CD that I’m obsessed with, brew myself a pot
of Fortnum & Mason tea with lashings of milk
and sugar, plop myself down on my sofa,
and surround myself with as many books and
magazines as I humanly can.”
Lisa Borgnes Giramonti
A Bloomsbury Life
“Life can be pretty hectic these days! One of
my favorite things to do is attend decorating
classes at Pottery Barn with my best friend.
They happen about once a month, early on a
Sunday morning. What I love about it is that
it's—no husbands, no children—just us to focus
on catching up with each other and gaining new
ideas about a common interest. And a quick stop
at Starbucks for a latte and some gossip doesn't
hurt, either!" ; )
Kelly Lyden
The Party Dress
“There's nothing like spending quality time with
the one you love to feed your soul and nurture
your heart. That's why I love to plan romantic
dinners at home with my boyfriend and create
beautiful, relaxing environments for us to enjoy.
Putting time into designing a pretty tabletop
shows him that he's deserving of the best and
allows me to take time out to use my creativity.
For the springtime, I like to use white dishes,
neutral linens, and lots of tulips. Lately, my
favorite dish to make has been lemon spaghetti
with pepper and basil. It's fresh, light, and
perfect for the warmer temperatures. But best
of all, the romantic evening at home always
seems to leave me—and our relationship—so
rejuvenated!”
Crystal Gentilello
Plush Palate
68