The new Vons on Washington Street will be opening on Thursday March 29th! Before the Grand Opening they will be hosting a free lunch buffet at the store on Wednesday, March 28th from 11am-1pm and a charity wine event benefiting Mama's Kitchen from 6-9pm. Neighborhood residents are welcome at the wine tasting for a minimum donation of $25 - all proceeds going to Mama's Kitchen.

As a new mom, I certainly need time out for a little pampering and relaxation. But, as a new mom, I also don’t have a lot of time to spare. So, I was thrilled to sneak away on a recent afternoon for a massage and facial just a few blocks from home.

Tucked away in an upstairs suite of a shopping complex, is the shared home of Isabela Skincare, and Heather Brandon Massage. The space is simple, but touches such as the shabby-chic chandelier in the common area make it inviting.

The thing that struck me most about my facial with Isabela was how attentive she was to my individual skincare needs. Past facials have sometimes left me in the dark about what was being applied to my face, and wondering if the exact same products were used on every client, regardless of skin type. Isabela carries several product lines, including Skinceuticals, Jan Marini, and her own brand, so is not married to any specific facial regimen. For me, she chose mostly natural and gentle ingredients and explained each product she applied and why she had selected it for my skin. That’s not to say it was all talk, as there was plenty of time for relaxing. The facial felt thorough, without overdoing it on vigorous extractions or rough scrubbing. When I emerged my skin looked clear and revived- not an easy task for a sleep-deprived new mom.
 
Next on my relaxation agenda was an hour-long massage with Heather Brandon. Fairly new to the neighborhood, you may have seen Heather offering chair massages at local events such as the Mission Hills Farmers Market and Mission Nights. She specializes in a combination of energy work and traditional massage, and incorporates the long and flowing strokes of the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi technique. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all massage routine and, again, I found the experience to be highly customized to my needs. Rose essential oil offered a pleasant aroma without overpowering the senses. Heather paid special attention to my trouble spots, and was very sensitive to my comfort level with level of pressure she applied. The result was a firm, focused and very therapeutic massage. When the hour was up, I felt rested, energized, and tension-free.

If you are looking for the full day spa experience, this simple setup may not be for you. But for customized treatments at great prices, Isabela Skincare and Heather Brandon Massage are great options. And the best part is, since they are right here in Mission Hills, you won’t get re-stressed while driving home. For more information, including pricing and treatment menus, click on Isabela and Heather’s business listings here at ourmissionhills.com to find their websites and location on the map.

UPDATE - Heather is now located in Bankers Hill, but still serves Mission Hills.  Click here for her new address.

You are probably already familiar with Shakespeare’s Pub on India St as a favorite spot to watch sporting events or test your trivia skills, but have you discovered the hidden gem located just behind the pub? Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe carries a huge assortment of foodstuffs and gift items from the UK as well as delicious homemade treats.

The Mission Hills Garden Club's 12th Annual Garden Walk was truly a "walk to remember" as their marketing materials professed.  It was held on a beautiful sunny Saturday in Bankers Hill this year.  I heard there were over a thousand people enjoying the walk this year with access to some of the most spectacular properties Bankers Hill has to offer.  The tour celebrated Kate Session's influential work in the neighborhood as well as the 100th anniversary of the nursery she founded, Mission Hills Nursery.   Throughout the walk there were musicians, artists, and food available.  A trolley service shuttled people between Mission Hills Nursery and Bankers Hill and the tour was a walkable route including a trip across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge.

For an indulgence you can feel good about, look no further then Lavish Aromatic Botanical Products in the heart of Mission Hills. This store, run by two sisters, sells a variety of natural handmade products based on botanical and essential oils. Here at OurMissionHills.com we love to support local businesses and it is hard to get more local than Lavish, where their products are made on-site.

Word on the street is that Mission Hills is coming up short in the Mayor's "historic" repaving plan. 

Your Neighborhood Editors just spent a great afternoon in downtown Mission Hills.  First stop was lunch at Cafe Bleu for some sandwiches with perfectly crisp fries.  Then it was on to Lavish for some hand-crafted moisturizers that they make right there in the store.  On to Sausage King where all meat is smoked on-premises for some country style bacon, cervalet and liverwurst to bring to my grandfather on Monday.  Where to get a present for the 4 year old's birthday party we're attending tomorrow?  Hillside Artisans Children's Boutique of course!  And not to forget our own pup, a stop at Howlistic to stock up on all-natural dog food, bones, and toys. It sure is nice to not have to leave the neighborhood or drive all around - just another day in Mission Hills!

Enjoy the fresh preparations and healthy ingredients of authentic Thai cusine at this pair of restaurants on India Street's restaurant row.  A Mission Hills and San Diego favorite for many years, owner Su-Mei Yu's restaurants reflect the cuisine of her native Bangkok, including her renowned saffron-marinated chicken.