ORGANIC – 242Blqrze

Hello Beautiful,

By now I should be a “Spa Connoisseur”! Whenever I get the chance to show myself a little tender loving care, my first thought is to book a service at a spa. Either for a massage, facial, or pedicure.

I’ve visited some of the top spas in Nassau, Bahamas, but I was unaware of this little quaint but comfortable spa tucked away in Compass Point Beach Resort called Windrose Spa. It’s the best-kept secret of spas in the Bahamas and it was one of my BEST spa experience to date!

The spa is literally small in size, however, it gives you a more island-like feel, as opposed to a big luxury spa. Through the windows of the spa, you have the most amazing view of the ocean over colourful huts and trees.

To get my services started I was offered a glass of fruit diffused water as I filled out client information form. Shortly after, my massage therapist Sophia introduced herself and explained what services I would enjoy. I had the “Tour de Windrose Spa” package which means Explore Windrose Spa in French, and it allows you to experience all areas of the spa – body, face, hands and feet.

As Sophie explained, the package included a 30-minute body scrub, back massage, facial, and pedicure. It also included an express manicure but I was wearing acrylic nails (bummer), so I didn’t have the manicure. Next time, I will!

Sophie ushered me into the room and allowed me a few minutes to disrobe. Windrose Spa also offers you disposal undies and a shower cap.

Although I’m no stranger to massages, I’ve never had a body scrub done before but I quickly figured out it was the reason for the large soft foil paper on the massage bed.

Sophie used a caramel macchiato scent body scrub on me. The smell was divine especially since my service was at 9:30 in the morning, the coffee smell woke me up. She explained that the scrub was to remove any dead skin cells and would leave my skin feeling soft to the touch. After about 20 minutes of scrubbing, I went into the shower to wash all of the exfoliant off.

I was already feeling soft to the touch! Even my elbows and ankles felt new. Sophie then applied a moisture because as she explained the exfoliant strips the protective layer of moisture from your skin, so I had to moisturise again after the body scrub. The body scrub is recommended once per month.

From the body scrub and moisturizing, Sophie went into the back massage. I remember Channa Cius, the manager of Windrose Spa telling me, “none of the massages are the same and typical because the therapists at Windrose, listen to your body and massage you based on your needs”. Sophie proved her oh so right! She identified knots in my back and shoulders and paid close attention to those areas. I became so relaxed, I fell asleep for a minute or two… or ten!

The massage went into the facial. You could smell the organic, au natural mix of plants used in the facial products. Sophie cleansed my face twice: once to removed my makeup, and a second time to cleanse my skin. She went through the facial steps of light steaming, exfoliating, and using a warm towel but my favourite part of the facial was when she applied tea tree mask with a brush. Tea tree purifies skin. Once again she removed the product with a warm towel and then moisturised my face.

“Alright, and you’re all done.”, Sophie said removing a soft headwrap that she had applied to protect my hair and keep my hair out of her way. I felt amazing after…. AH-mazing! And as I got dressed it hit me! I didn’t feel oily or sticky. The products used were lightweight and organic, leaving me feeling light, airy and rejuvenated.

Next was my pedicure! I love to see well-groomed feet, especially with a pretty polish! Sophie directed me to the polish racks showing me what was regular, gel or had a gel finish. Windrose Spa carries a lot of Essie polishes which is a plus for me because it’s my favourite polish brand and one I use a lot!

I couldn’t decide between three colours, a pink, an orange, and a greenish blue… in the end, I chose an orange colour which is Essie’s On the List from their new gel couture line. It’s a colour that screams summer.

Channa did my pedicure, and she was ever so gentle. We had a good conversation about skin care, Windrose’s product partners and the meaning of the name Windrose. A wind rose is actually the centre of the compass, and the Spa is actually in the centre of Compass Point as it sits between the restaurant and the resort. Clever isn’t it?

Channa wrapped up my pedicure and our conversation, with an even bigger surprise than the experience itself, “After your service, you’re allowed to have lunch at the restaurant or lounge by the pool and experience Compass Point itself a little bit” she said. This can also be your experience… trust me, I want it to be your experience! Everyone should live like this for at least one day in their life!

Channa Cius and her team at Windrose Spa truly know how to deliver a spa experience the island way! And after all, isn’t that what you came to the Bahamas for?! Whether you live here or visit it… you can truly appreciate a personal, detailed spa service from friendly staff and complimentary perks.

This summer, contact Windrose Spa to treat your family, friend or you and your significant other to a “Tour de Windrose Spa”. I can guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed… AND YOU WILL BE BACK!

See more of my day at Windrose Spa at Compass Point below:

Hello Beautiful…

Are you Biggity?

Biggity, pronounced Big-git-ty, is a Bahamian colloquialism used to describe a person (or their actions) who is bold, egotistical and presumptuous.

So that term would be the perfect description of Pepper Sauce when describing food – just Biggity! That’s how this Bahamian owned merchant boutique and bistro got its name.

Biggity, the boutique, is well-known in the Bahamas for its home-made candles named after Bahamian culture, however, I didn’t have a chance to patronise them until they expanded into a bistro. Maybe I love my Belly, more than my Nose.

I visited the “NEW” Biggity Boutique & Bistro that is now located on Bay Street, above the Pandora boutique. Once you’re standing facing Pandora, look to your right, then look up, and THERE! You’ll see the Biggity sign. Then look left and you’ll see the stairs leading you to an AUTHENTIC Bahamian experience.

When you step into Biggity, the rustic, recycled decor will capture you first. After you’ve caught yourself, you’ll begin analysing the art work on the wall.

The staff then snaps you out of your gaze with a pleasant smile and menu. Its time to order… let’s eat!

Luckily for me, the day I went, I met the owner – Amanda. A Nassau native with the sweetest personality and a creative mind indigenous to Bahamians.

She suggested I tried their soup and salads. So I did.

As I waited, I further analysed the furniture and interior design of Biggity. Glass bottles and wash tubs used for lamp shades, wood pallets used for wall covering, an old electric wire reel used for a stand and as Amanda later admitted, the tables were old doors painted and stained.

The food started coming out one by one and the aroma of the soup and visual presentation was sure to make you hungry.

Biggity’s menu changes every week, with only two items remaining the same: the Spinach Artichoke Dip and the Biggity Signature Dip. Their paper menu is broken down into 3 sections: Dips n’ Ting, Salads and Somethin’ Solid.

The salads and somethin’ solid section changes weekly for several reasons. One, Biggity only uses local farm grown greens. They work with two of Nassau’s organic farming distributors – Bamsi & Field to Fork, therefore their salads and somethin’ solids are based on what is abundant in the farms at the time. Whatever is abundant, they create a menu based around that.

The day I went, the somethings solid option was the Split Peas Soup and the salad options were Tropical Cracked Conch, Nuts and Berries & BLT. I had one of each.

The soup was flavourful. The rich colour and aroma enticed your tastebuds and the ham in it was tender.

The salads are served with 3 dressings: Mango & Coconut, Balsamic Vinaigrette and Buttermilk Ranch and you have the option of adding Organic Abaco Chicken Breast or Wild Smoked Salmon (raw) to your salads. However, I didn’t.

The salads confirmed the fact that they’re made from organic vegetables and fruits because they tastes so fresh and crisp.

Out of the three salads, the Nuts and Berries were my favourite. Its made with walnuts, dried cranberries, grapes, golden raisins, blue cheese and local grown greens. The mesh of the blue cheese and berries has an exquisite taste. Next time I think I’ll try it with the Abaco Chicken added.

The food was so good, I had to ask about the chef. Surprisingly to me it was Amanda herself! Talk about a #Girl Boss! She made the candles, had a hand in the decor of the new Bistro and she’s the chef too!

She admitted cooking was not something she envisioned for herself at the onset of Biggity. The candles were inspired by her sister, who lived abroad and was missing home. She told Amanda in conversation, that she wished she could’ve “smelled” the sky juice Amanda had made that day and then a light bulb went off in Amanda’s head! That’s how the Biggity candles were born.

About a year later, Amanda and team decided to expand the business, change location and add a Bistro. But not just any Bistro. A real authentic Bahamian owned, inspired and supplied Bistro, to give locals and tourist a true taste of the Bahamas.

As I sipped on a freshly made Iced Green & Mint Tea, Amanda listed all the ways Biggity was truly Bahamian. “I don’t drink juice or soda, [and] we don’t serve that here”, she started, “literally the food is local grown, the chicken comes from Abaco, obviously we don’t produce Salmon, but its wild caught Salmon; its not farm raised Salmon”. She went on to say that they do their research to ensure that whatever items they use that are not made locally in the Bahamas are not genetically modified, they’re eco-friendly and health conscious.

Also, they sell other authentic products made by other Bahamians. For instance, they don’t offer Lipton teas, they sell Bahamian made bush teas that are packaged. They don’t sell imported jam, they sell Bahamian made jam from fruits like guava.

I sipped slowly on my Iced Tea that was served in a little mason jar. It was divine, and very refreshing on such a hot day. Biggity also serves freshly squeezed Switcha (Bahamian Lemonade) and fresh Coconut water. Not the ones imported in a can but water, from the coconut, picked from the tree.

Before leaving I asked Amanda about the art work on the walls. “All Bahamian Artists” she boasted proudly, and went in depth about these two 5′ pieces by Jordana Kelly of Kelly’s sister. They’re a must see and hard to miss once you step foot in Biggity.

I can go on and on about my hour or so at Biggity. I left full, inspired and proud to be Bahamian. The food was delicious, and so were the drinks! The customer service was warm and friendly. The decor and artwork was captivating and inviting, both at once. The price point is affordable with $15 dips, $12 soups & salads and $4 handmade drinks.

Biggity is a great place to have a one-on-one meeting, or a lunch break with a friend. Its even more perfect for someone visiting Nassau, Bahamas for the first, second or third time.

I enjoyed my lunch at Biggity, and now that they’re serving Hot Bahamian breakfast with a cup of coffee… I will be back! Biggity is opened from 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Saturday. So I hope to see you when I return, either for Breakfast or Brunch.

See more pics from my lunch at Biggity below: