This getaway was hosted by Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, PA.

The Pocono Mountains has many places where families can reconnect. Recently my family and I had the opportunity to travel 40 minutes north of our home here, to Woodloch Resort.

I've previously written about The Lodge at Woodloch, which is part of this massive resort, but I decided to forgo a spa day for some family wellness time.

Edgewater Suite at Mountain Laurel

Since there were 6 of us for this trip (missing 2 of our other boys), we stayed in the Edgewater Suite at Mountain Laurel. Our suite was on the ground floor with a gorgeous daily view of the lake.

I couldn't get good photos due to lighting, but I did take a brief video tour.

https://youtu.be/a5_D0gZPCtU

History of Woodloch Resort

The Woodloch Resort of today sits on over 1,800 acres, but when owners Harry and Mary Kiesendahl first opened their doors in 1958, Woodloch Pines existed on only 12 acres of shoreline with two cottages, a main lodge and no running water. What could host only 40 people, now welcomes over 100,000 guests through its doors every year. That's an amazing feat!

What was once small and cozy is now a four-season, family resort voted in the top 1% of hotels worldwide on TripAdvisor. The Woodloch family of properties also encompasses Woodloch Springs, recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the “finest courses in America,” and sister property, The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa, ranked among the top five spas in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure - and most importantly, a personal favorite of mine.

Family Fun in the Poconos

I'm very blessed to live in this wonderful area, and a staycation is just what we needed. If you have a large family, as I do, it can be difficult to find a vacation spot that can accomodate you and offer amenities that cater to everyone.

We found Woodloch Resort had something that each of us were excited to do.

My husband and I enjoyed the views here immensely. We live in the Poconos because trees and lakes are abundant, and being immersed in nature constantly, gives you such a feeling of peace. Woodloch did not disappoint with views on views on views of Lake Teedyuskung, the autumn leaves and blue skies.

The boys enjoyed time at the indoor pool, the kids indoor mini-waterpark, the outdoor kids pool, bumper cars, go karts, paddle boats, indoor playground, both indoor and outdoor basketball courts, the petting zoo and they enjoyed the 90's theme show and the comedy show after that.

Then there was the pontoon boat ride around Lake Teedyuskung, which was perfectly relaxing. I think it was the first time my boys sat in silence in a long time, just taking in the scenery.

Dining at Woodloch Resort

I absolutely love the dining plan that Woodloch offers when you stay here. We had the inclusive meal plan, which was 3 meals per day.

Dining here was an experience in and of itself. There were so many meals on the menu that we've never had, so my kids, husband and myself got to discover delicious new favorites.

At breakfast and dinner you select from various meals or the featured meal and dessert. The table is also given various breads, veggies and other sides to share. There is also a large salad on the table - a different kind each night.

Lunch is a buffet that quite honestly, seemed endless. So many lunch options, so many desserts, SO much food!

The kids had no opportunity to pick up their phones as they were focused on eating. It was that good.

And the view? Everyone has a view of the lake from their seat as the entire wall is a multitude of windows.

On Saturday night, it was theme night, and the theme was the 90's. So they had a parade of 90's characters walk through the dining hall, the staff were dressed in neon colors and there were 90s posters everywhere.

Woodloch Resort Entertainment

After dinner we made our way to where they hold their broadway style shows, where it was a night of 90s 1-hit wonders, battle of the boy bands, and 90s sitcoms theme songs. We all had a blast laughing and singing along.

When that was done, a comedian took the stage - who was funny and appropriate for the whole family.

The night we arrived we went to the magic show. My older boys hemmed and hawed at first at the idea of it, but the magician was so good, they ultimately were mesmerized as we all tried to figure out how he was conducting various illusions.

Families Call Woodloch Home

Woodloch is a family owned and run business. You understand that the moment you arrive. Everyone feels like family and they treat you as such. It's warm, inviting and it makes you forget how vast this resort is, because it feels like home.

It's peaceful, relaxing, and so much fun. There is so much to do here, we'd literally need a week. We didn't even see and do everything here and we were all trying to plan how to return.

While on our adventures we overheard many families talking about their many return visits to the resort and it was plain to see why families choose to come back here year after year. My photos and blog post don't do it justice.

Family wellness through shared experiences creates memories you and your children won't forget. This time of togetherness is something that helps you reconnect and bond. As your children get older, that is something that can sometimes be difficult to do with so many distractions out there vying for their attention.

I'm so grateful that Woodloch will now be part of a memory of fun and time spent together for my family.

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

On September 8th, 2019, the Motion Picture Editors Guild held their second annual brunch honoring 65 female Emmy Award nominees in post production categories from Foley artists to sound designers to picture editors.

Featured in this year's gift bag was Arise Rollerball Perfume from A Girl's Gotta Spa!

In its second year, this event has grown in the most wonderful ways, expanding to honor women across all picture and sound editing categories and showering those in attendance with fabulous gift bags filled with sumptuous Arise perfume from A Girl’s Gotta Spa and other items. For many, this is their first Emmy nomination, yet others have been working in their craft for decades. Hearing these magnificent, talented artists express never having experienced this level of recognition was not only moving but proof of how important and needed an event like those this truly is.”

– Katherine Griffin, Emmy Nominee, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Structured Reality Or Competition Program

I was really so honored to be able to be a part of this momentous event and honor these women. I couldn't think of a more perfect item to celebrate their accomplishments with, than Arise. We rise by lifting others.

Congratulations to the nominees and to the winners!

Purple Aardvark now sells A Girl's Gotta Spa! rollerball perfumes in their cozy boutique in Chatham, New Jersey.

Let’s be honest, haircuts aren’t always pretty. Sometimes the result comes as more of a shock to us than the overpriced bill we get afterwards. So, what do we do after our hairdresser turns us around the swivel chair, asks us “what we think” and we lie to their face saying we love it?

We asked NYC hairstylist, Kali Ferrara of the Roy Teeluck Salon in Midtown East, what the best ways are to get hair to grow quickly after a bad haircut.

Schedule an Adjustment

If your haircut is a complete disaster and you think the stylist may have done something wrong, it's always preferred that you first call and schedule an adjustment.

If it’s just not for you, any stylist would prefer you come back for an adjustment than for you to never come back and hate your hair. Your hair has a better chance of growing out if you leave it to a professional to adjust it rather than taking scissors into your own hands.

Patience

This is the number one thing you need when growing out your hair. The in-between stages (growing hair out past your ears and/or shoulders) are most often the times when people want to give up. They are the hardest and most crucial to bypass.

Hair Growth Vitamins

A hair growth vitamin, like vitafusion’s Gorgeous Hair, Skin and Nails Gummies, can also help aid in hair growth. Deficiency in any vitamins due to a poor diet can hinder hair growth.

Repair Your Hair with a Mask

Hair masks and low heat on your hot tools will also help your ends stay healthy, calling for less trims. The healthier the hair that comes from your scalp (and all the way down to your ends) the better, and more efficiently, your hair will grow.

While there is no quick, miracle cure for growing your hair overnight after a bad hair cut, there are things you can do to expedite the process and ensure that your hair grows back healthy and strong.

Poor nutrition literally impacts people from head to toe because diet can significantly affect your hair and that includes hair loss.

Healthy, attractive hair is often due to a combination of factors, including genetics, physical health, hair care, and eating habits. But if someone is experiencing hair breakage, hair loss, or lost luster, their poor diet may be mostly to blame, says Dr. Chris Varona, a hair restoration specialist and the owner of Varona Hair Restoration in Newport Beach, Calif.

“If you’re not putting the right fuel in, your hair may not be getting the nutrition that it needs to thrive,” says Varona. “But for some, a few simple changes in their diet can have a dramatic effect on their hair’s appearance and health.

“And in many cases, if the diet deficiencies are addressed, hair loss stops or reverses.”

The most important nutrients for healthy hair and the foods that supply them:

Essential fatty acids

These are vital for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Omega-3 fatty acids nourish and protect hair, help in regrowth, and add a silky shine. Fatty fish like salmon has lots of omega-3, and walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and soybeans are also a good source of this healthy hair nutrient.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential for hair growth, provide extra support to healthy hair, and help it maintain lustrous integrity. They help create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. You can find B6 in bananas and potatoes, B12 in meat and dairy products, and folic acid in citrus fruits and tomatoes.

Protein

Hair is composed of a protein called keratin. If you’re short on protein, your hair won’t thrive. Animal products like meat, fish, and eggs are a good source of protein. You can also get protein from plants, including beans, lentils, nuts, and grains.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D keeps the skin, bones, and hair healthy. Some studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to hair loss. You can find vitamin D in fatty fish, liver, egg yolks, mushrooms, tofu and in fortified foods like milk or soy and almond milk.

Iron

Severe iron deficiency, also called anemia, causes hair loss. It is especially common in women with heavy menstrual periods and is easily mistaken for female pattern baldness. Meats including chicken, fish, and red meats are good sources of easily absorbable iron. Plant sources of iron include beans and lentils, dark leafy greens, and potatoes. Many breads and cereals are also enriched with iron.

Trace minerals

These include iron, chromium, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese and selenium. A daily multivitamin can be helpful to ensure you’re getting those vitamins and minerals that your body, and your hair, need most.

A healthy, well-rounded diet often contains all the foods and nutrients needed for beautiful, healthy hair. A simple blood test can check for nutritional deficiencies, and if they are found, a change in diet or supplementation may improve your hair and stop hair loss.

About Dr. Chris Varona

Dr. Chris Varona is a leading hair restoration specialist and the owner of Varona Hair Restoration in Newport Beach, Calif. One of the few hair surgeons who perform FUE graft extractions manually himself, Varona focuses on follicular unit extraction (FUE surgery) and also performs follicular unit transplantation (FUT). He has performed over 5,000 cases.

Eco Lips' Lip + Cheek Tints are truly a multi-tasking beauty balm that works as blush, lip color, and a contouring and highlighting tool.

They are vegan and cruelty-free and are made for all skin tones to provide a perfect pop of natural, sheer color to complement every beauty look.

Ingredients include organic jojoba, coconut oil, organic and fair-trade cocoa butter, and sunflower seed wax. So they're not just pretty to wear, they are hydrating, as well.

I've been wearing them for a few weeks, as I don't normally wear lipstick daily and typically wear a clear lip balm. I love that these balms make you look put together without any effort. They have a sweet scent/taste, too.

This is one beauty item you'll want in your beauty product arsenal. Here are 5 ways to use them:

Contouring

Glide the nude or pink along cheek bones, jawline and between the inner eye and nose for a contoured look.

Highlighting

Use nude for a subtle highlight on your cheekbones for a natural makeup look or if you just want a glowy complexion.

Lip Color

Looking for just the right pop of lightweight color? Try pink or red on your lips for a smooth, lip-nourishing look.

Cheek Color

Glide some red or pink on the apples of your cheek and rub in with your fingers. It goes on smooth and doesn't cake.

Eye Shadow

Try a bit of pink on your eye lids for subtle color. Nude could also work as a primer.

I've been loving the versatility of these Lip + Cheek Tints and I think you will, too. Find them at www.ecolips.com.

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Our society as a whole is living longer and longer lives. Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t always seem to get the memo. While you may still feel young and vibrant, the mirror may not be as kind. Thankfully, there are a number of wonderful serums on the market that can make you look as young as you feel. Let’s take a closer look at five serums for mature skin.

1. Jan Marini's C-ESTA Face Serum

Lift, tighten, and firm – these aren’t only the results of a good workout, but a great serum. Jan Marini’s C-ESTA Face Serum includes antioxidants that can help combat free radicals that cause the aging of skin. If you’re hoping to give your face the boost is needs, you should definitely have this serum tucked away in your face care products. The best part is that Jan now offers it in a serum, cream and an oil control formulation if you have oily skin.

2. Paula's Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster

What keeps us looking young? It’s the outermost layer of our skin, of course. We want this skin barrier to be hydrated and smooth. Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster not only hydrates the skin, but with continued use it will also strengthen the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

3. The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%

This serum from The Ordinary is a multi-tasking serum intended to target a multitude of skin concerns at once. The added bonus of copper peptides aids at improving skin health, decreasing inflammation and improving collagen production.

4. Marula Night Serum with Hibiscus

This has been the one serum that I have literally told everyone about. The scent is divine, but the deep moisturizing properties of this serum from Travertine Spa is BEYOND. As I've gotten older, my skin becomes drier, easier, it seems and my skin just soaks this marula serum right up. The price is well worth it for incredibly hydrated, silky smooth skin and the bottle lasted a long time.

5. Renée Rouleau Firm + Repair Overnight Serum

Have you noticed your skin starting to sag? I know I am. Skin loses collagen and elastin as we age, which results in the drooping of our skin. That's no bueno for me, and having known Renée personally for 10 years now, I trust her skin expertise (if celebs trust their skin to her, so can you.) This overnight serum gives beauty sleep credibility, as it works to repair and firm while you're deep in dreamland. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of face serums on the market. Choosing the right one for your skin may take a bit of trial and error as everyone has different skin types. However, this list is a great place to start. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Disclosure: This post is Sponsored by Trophy Skin. Oily skin is my own with a lifetime of experience to provide the advice.

I've had oily skin my whole life. When I was in my teens and 20's I thought the best I could do was to always have blotting papers handy or to keep reapplying mattifying power. Sometimes keeping your skin routine simple is the best way to start improving your skin. Follow these tips, and you're on your way to diminishing the oil, keeping your pores clear and cutting down on the break-outs.

1. Take Your Makeup Off Each Night

This is a no-brainer, but also the lazy girl in me doesn't always abide by this very obvious skin care rule. Sometimes we're out late with friends and just want to crash in bed once home regardless of the full face of makeup and other times the wing on your cat eye is so on point that you want to try to keep it intact for a refresh the next day. (Trust me, I've been there.) Layers of makeup being rubbed into your skin while tossing and turning is just putting yourself in the fast lane to a breakout. Take the time to remove the makeup, it'll pay off.

2. Wash Your Face Daily

Washing your face, even if you weren't wearing makeup, is important for clearing away all of the environmental elements that can wreak havoc on our skin. Use a cell phone? You're rubbing dirt on the side of your face. Touch your face during the day? You're putting bacteria on your skin. Only washed your sheets last week? You're rolling around in dead skin. (Gross.) You get the point. A foaming face wash is best for oily skin as it'll cleanse away the excess sebum without stripping your face of the oils it needs to stay hydrated.

3. Exfoliate Twice Per Week

Oily skin is more than just a greasy face. It means clogged pores, being prone to breakouts and blackheads in what seems like an endless cycle. While cleansing your face is key to preventing breakouts, exfoliation is the best friend you never knew you needed. Unclogging your pores helps prevent larger pores in the future (and no, you cannot turn back time on your pores - once they're large, there is no magic method to shrink them.) If you're looking for a simple but effective way to do this, check out my review of Trophy Skin's LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula (and the promo code for 15% off.)

4. Wear a Gel-Based Moisturizer

Creams tend to be too heavy for oily skin and gels seem to provide the perfect amount of moisture. I love the light texture of a gel moisturizer and how quickly it absorbs into skin. Gels also give skin a bit of a mattifying effect instead of contributing to that highly coveted oil slick look. (Complete, and utter sarcasm.)

5. Wash Your Pillowcase Twice Per Week

Sure, we all know we should be washing our sheets at least once per week, but that pillowcase becomes a petri dish pretty quickly if not washed more frequently. Oils, not only from your face but your hair, blend in with shedding skin, bacteria and makeup (if you forgo tip #1) to create an environment ripe for pore clogging. While most skin experts say it's best to sleep on your back and avoid your face touching the pillow altogether, let's be real - those of us who sleep on our sides and bellies cannot change our ways (nor do we really want to.) Prevention is key and unfortunately having oily skin means we have to put in a little more effort to keep our skin clear and blemish free - something our future selves will be grateful for. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Trophy Skin. Review and opinions are my own.

Blackheads on my nose and chin have long been an issue for me since my teen years. Having oily skin for most of my life, and not a good skin care routine in my younger years, created a perfect storm for my pores. Now in my mid-40's and losing skin elasticity by the day (it seems), means those large pores can appear even larger when clogged. Add in now having "mature skin" (yes, I am literally doing air quotes), means my skin has a tendency to get dry in some spots leaving my skin looking dull. In between monthly spa facials, I began using Trophy Skin's LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula to unclog my pores, and exfoliate my skin without ever applying a scrub or mask to do so. If you've been wondering about this beauty tool, read on for my review!

What's Included:

The LaBelle device, charging adapter, storage case, and user manual. Mine also came with a promo for a free travel size skin care item (I plan to get their Argan Stem Cell Serum.)

How it Works:

The LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula is a professional grade extraction, exfoliation and infusion beauty device. It has two modes - scrubber mode and infusion mode. Scrubber Mode is the mode in which you are exfoliating, deep cleaning and extracting dirt and debris; you do this with your face wet. But don't be fooled by the name - you aren't physically applying pressure to scrub your skin. The LaBelle does all of the work for you with ultrasonic waves moving at 30,000 Hz. Infusion Mode is used after Scrubber Mode and aids in deeper infusion of your serum. You'll be able to accomplish both modes in under 5 minutes. Recommended use is 1-2 times per week the first few weeks and then 2-3 times per week once your skin is used to it.

My Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect of this skin spatula and I made sure not to read other reviews prior to using it so that I could form my own opinion on its use. It easily fits in your hand and comes in a handy case for storage. My device was fully charged, so that made for a great out-of-the-box use. The manual is very easy to understand, so you don't have to be a professional to use this beauty device. I was a little awkward the first time I used it when trying to make sure I was using the correct side of the device for scrubbing and then for infusion; I kept referring back to the manual as I used it. I even put way too much water on my face the first time causing the ultrasonic waves to gently bounce a spray of water into the air, scaring the life out of me and making me laugh out loud. My kids wondered what in the world I was up to. After the first use, it was smooth sailing and I really liked that this was a super quick skin treatment and didn't require much from me.

Scrubber Mode

As you glide the spatula across your skin in Scrubber Mode, you'll watch the dirt and debris on your skin seem to effortlessly lift and find its way onto the spatula. It was oddly satisfying to watch, especially since I really wasn't doing any physical labor to make it happen. You do have to make sure to keep your skin wet when using it or you do feel the pulsing slightly. It doesn't hurt, but it makes you aware that the water has evaporated off your skin. Scrubber Mode only took about 90 seconds to use - it's very quick! I paid special attention to my nose and chin since those are my main problem areas when it comes to blackheads and being prone to blemishes. You can use the device anywhere on your face, but you do have to keep it away from your eyes. If you have an active breakout, you need to avoid that area as well. When you are done, make sure to wipe the spatula clean (it will have lots of gunk on it) and wash your face with warm water, patting dry when done.

Infusion Mode

This is the second button on the LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula. First pat on your favorite skin serum (do not rub it in as you want it lying wet atop your skin.) Next, press the Infusion button and lie the flat end of the spatula on your skin moving in circular motions. Do not apply pressure as you do this, as the ultrasonic waves will do the work for you just like it does for Scrubber Mode. You'll begin to feel when the serum has absorbed as you move across your face. This mode took maybe 45-60 seconds at most.

Does the Skin Spatula Work?

I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in the appearance of my skin after the first use. I watched with my own eyes as it removed the dirt and oil, and then delivering my serum deeper really seemed to help soften some of my wrinkles due to being well-hydrated. For the two months that I have had the chance to use this product, my face has not been dry at all and I haven't had a break out at all. I'm really impressed, but I almost feel guilty in a way because it was very little work to see such great results. So does it work to improve your skin? It did for me! Try it for yourself by using my promo code for 15% off on TrophySkin.com: GOTTASPA15 While you're there, subscribe to their newsletter to be entered into their monthly product giveaway valued up to $300! Have questions? Let me know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram.

If you have landed on this article, chances are you are 40+, like myself. This is when we begin to notice crepe skin and worry what can be done about it. As a sun worshipper in my youth, now in my mid-forties, I am paying with dark spots and crepey skin.

What is Crepey Skin?

Crepe skin is the thin, loose, wrinkled skin that we tend to find on our hands, arms, legs, face and neck as we age. Different from the deepset kind of wrinkles we find on our face, the wrinkles found in crepe skin tend to cover larger parts of our body and give the appearance of thin, fragile skin.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

Just as dark spots begin to emerge in our 40's due to sun damage, crepe skin is more prominent in our 40's and beyond due to sun damage as well. It's why you mainly see this skin thinning on the areas of our bodies that have had the most sun exposure. Skin that was unprotected from UVA rays - the "aging" part of sun exposure - will see more of a break down of collagen and elastin. Collagen is what makes your skin look full and youthful, and elastin is what makes your skin look firm and lifted. Over time as you lose that collagen and the elastin breaks down, your skin begins to look sullen and sag. While sun damage is most often the cause, there are other reasons as well, such as rapid weight loss, long term use of tanning beds, and medications.

Can You Reverse Crepe Skin?

As with most issues with the skin, short of plastic surgery and in-office cosmetic treatments, there are temporary things we can do to reduce the appearance of crepe skin. We cannot permanently turn back time, although today is as good a day as any to make sure you are always protecting skin exposed to the sun with sunscreen to prevent other areas of your skin from becoming crepey. Hydration plays a major role in re-plumping the wrinkles of crepe skin and it is one way to see an immediate difference in the appearance of your skin. This is a no-brainer when it comes to our face, but we often forget the rest of our body until we begin to itch, scratch and see flaky skin. A good example of this was when my mom, who is in her late 60's, was at my house one day and complaining about the look of her skin on her arms. Crepey skin covered the top part of her bicep and forearm. I handed her A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Lotion, which is incredibly hydrating with cocoa and shea butter, and olive oil. Her face immediately lit up as she applied it and it seemed to erase the look of her crepey skin. It's not magic or a cure, but because our body lotion is deeply hydrating, it helped to plump her wrinkled skin, giving it a smoother look. Hydration will not reverse sagging skin, but it can help to make it look a bit more firm. In the drier months, depending on where you live (desert year-round, living in the higher elevations, or fall/winter for other regions), you need to take extra care, as skin will be naturally more depleted of moisture than usual exascerbating the look of crepey skin. Additionally, as we age and enter that "mature skin" category, our skin naturally loses oils due to hormones, leaving it drier than our youth. I highly recommend applying body lotion twice per day (during your morning and evening beauty routine to make it easier) for it to be most effective. In summary, sunscreen and lotion are our biggest assets to treating crepe skin, as well as preventing it in the future. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!