Elegant Elite Blog

A beauty and style blog for elegant people about elite products.

Category: LifeStyle

  • QCNY Gov Island Spa

    QCNY Gov Island Spa

    Spa Overview

    The QCNY Spa is a gorgeous getaway from the city and a great place to have a daycation. I’ve been there three times now, so I wanted to write a little review of the space. 

    To get to Gov Island you have to take the ferry, either from Brooklyn or the tip of Manhattan. The ferry from Manhattan drops you a lot closer to the spa and has way more times so I prefer to go from there. 

    There are two different female locker rooms on the 2nd floor of the spa. I’ve noticed that if you book the sunset entrance the locker room has fewer amenities (one less bathroom, no full length mirror, less showers and hair drying stations) and slightly smaller lockers.

    The lockers are pretty tiny considering they give you two towels. I like to use one for the pool and keep one in the locker for showering after. Also, I suggest you bring your own sandals to wear while you’re there. The ones they give you are these hard jellies that give me blisters. I prefer the World Spa sandals I purchased there.

    When you check in, make sure to take a picture of the layout of the spa, you will absolutely get lost. It’s probably the most confusing spa layout I have ever experienced, but it’s not the worst thing in the world to be lost at this gorgeous spa! Two separate pool areas, saunas on two different floors, and steam rooms in the basement (that were unfortunately under construction one of the times I went there so be sure to call in advance!).

    Hydrotherapy 

    Don’t miss the heated outdoor hydrotherapy pools overlooking the city skyline! Hidden feature: Search along the inner pool walls for discreet silver buttons to activate targeted hydro-massage jets that release back and shoulder tension.

    Spa Dining

    For dining, the daytime brunch buffet offers fresh, nutrient-rich options ideal for pairing with a spa day. It’s much better than the dinner menu. But if you stay into the evening, they offer a complimentary artisanal charcuterie board with any two drink orders after 6 PM! 

    Luxury Skincare

    The highlight for skincare lovers is the curated Facial & Body Care Walkthrough on the 2nd floor. Here’s the ideal sequence to get that radiant, post-spa glow:

    1. Step 1 (Pore Opening): Spend 10–15 minutes in the panoramic sauna to loosen impactions and soften skin texture.
    2. Step 2 (Exfoliation): Apply the complimentary gentle facial scrub using small circular motions.
    3. Step 3 (Refresh): Gently remove the scrub with the chilled, aromatherapy-infused towel provided.
    4. Step 4 (Deep Hydration): Layer on the complimentary plumping face mask for rich nourishment and visible dewiness.

  • Sephora Summer Club at the William Vale

    Sephora Summer Club at the William Vale

    Finding an uncrowded rooftop pool in NYC feels like a glitch in the matrix—especially one that looks like this.

    Spent the afternoon at the Sephora Summer Club takeover on The William Vale rooftop, and securing a day pass for under $50 felt like highway robbery in the best way possible. Blue skies, skyline views, and shockingly plenty of breathing room.

    Kicked things off with fresh juice and a croissant by the water, then predictably transitioned to piña coladas once the sun peaked. Easily the best city summer recharge yet. 🥐🍹☀️

    #TheWilliamVale #SephoraSummerClub #NYCRooftops #Williamsburg #SummerInTheCity #PoolDay #NYCSpots

  • Personal Hygiene Hacks for Music Festivals

    Personal Hygiene Hacks for Music Festivals

    Music festivals are generally messy, and the shower lines can get really long, but keeping clean and staying fresh is an essential part of enjoying a festival. I’d like to list some of my new favorite personal hygiene products that I’m using this festival season.

    Carpe Antiperspirant Underarm Wipes

    ALŌH Skin – Softening Sanitizing Hand Wipes – Peppermint + Eucalyptus Aloe

    Wipes of any kind are super handy at festivals, but these two wipes are my favorite. The sanitizing hand wipes have a refreshing smell that helps you feel extra clean and the eucalyptus helps cool you down. Carpe is a great deodorant brand and I know several people that swear by it. Their underarm wipes are great for a mid-day refresh before heading out for the night-time fun.

    AKT Deodorant Balm

    Kleenex Snap & Go Ultra Soft Facial Tissues

    This all natural, aluminum free and plastic free deodorant balm is a unisex deodorant that actually works! I personally love the cedar and eucalyptus scent. I also find having tissues handy is clutch at a festival. These “snap & go” containers keep the tissues dry in the rain and each tissue is easy to remove individually.

    GuruNanda Mini Disposable Toothbrushes with Toothpaste & Toothpick

    Compressed Towel Disposable

    Brushing your teeth and washing your face at the beginning and end of each festival day is super important. Brushing your teeth helps keep bacteria from developing in your mouth and can help keep your immune system strong. I love these compressed towels because they are disposable and you can easily wash your face with a fresh towel every time.

    YOGAMEDIC OGAMEDIC Double Barrel Nasal Inhaler Stick

    MOXĒ Eucalyptus Essential Oil Nasal Inhaler

    Festivals can be overwhelming for every sensory input. Its important to remember to once in a while find a dark, quiet corner, and mentally rest. But sometimes getting in the right relaxing headspace can be difficult at a festival with so much noise. Thats why I like using aromatherapy to help me decompress from the world around me and it helps me when I’m feeling over stimulated.

  • Happy Birthday to ME!

  • Staycation in the Hamptons

    After being stuck quarantined in my 1 bedroom apartment, I really needed some time away from the city. My parents were kind enough to lend us their house in East Hampton at the tip of Long Island. Its a cozy place that is super close to both the town and the beach. My parents have had the house since I was born, but have added an addition and some other upgrades to the house since. This is honestly one of my favorite places in the world.

  • How to feel grounded in a crazy world

    I’ve struggled a lot with my mental health over the years. After struggling for a really long time in my late teens and early 20s, I’ve now been on the same prescription cocktail for several years now. My longest lasting relationship is my therapist and I would probably never leave the east coast because of her. I struggled for years trying to find “a magic pill” to make my minor problems (which seemed like huge emotional hurtles) go away. I then found Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and I found a logical way of dealing with my illogical problems without making myself feel invalidated or “crazy.” 

    In times like these, when things seem so out of control and crazy, I like to fall back on some basic DBT skills to cope with all the insanity. These are very difficult times for everyone right now, but especially hard for people of color and people affected by covid-19. Using these skills may help you feel more grounded. Please read this link for more detailed information, but below is my interpretation of the essential DBT skills. 

    1. Mindfulness
      • Mindfulness is essentially living in the moment. Don’t worry about what could happen in the future, just focus on how you can help yourself in the next 5 minuets.  
    2. Distress Tolerance
      • DBT has a “Do What Works” policy for distress tolerance (obviously without harming yourself). Let it out, scream, cry, smash something! Your emotions are temporary and you will get past this. 
    3. Interpersonal Effectiveness
      • One of my favorite worksheets from this section is called “D.E.A.R. M.A.N.” and it’s about how to ask for things you need in a way that will get you what you want. 
    4. Emotional Regulation 
      • This is the hardest. This skill focuses on regulating your internal emotions by learning where they come from, validating that they are a real emotion coming from a real place, and then learning to get past it and let that feeling go. 

    More reading on DBT:

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Psychology Today , Mind Well NYC, Overview of DBT on Psych Central

  • Quarantine Home Decor – Part 2

    I realize I make a lot of ridiculous purchases, however, this one I think takes the cake. I bought a hammock chair with this huge indoor hammock chair stand. Totally ridiculous, but also totally completely relaxing. I put the chair in my bedroom which is far away from my computer desk. I don’t want to even think about a computer when I’m in the hammock.

    Once I sit in that chair at the end of the day, and the sun is exactly in the right place to engulf the entire chair in sunlight, it creates a magical experience that helps make you feel like your outside. I open my window to get a nice breeze and to hear the birds. I recently got a little wind chime bell that will help create a calming environment. All of these things put together really help me relax at the end of the day.

  • #BLM Blackout

    It’s been a crazy couple of weeks so far. I’ve been muted on my social media for the black lives matter protests. The voice of people who look like me have been heard for so long, I wanted to take the time and let others speak and be heard.

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