1654 I’m in mourning

Saucy Scale:4

So those of you who have read me a long time might remember that I am a lady who loves a good spa service.  I am faithful to my service providers when I find the right person for the job. 

My favorite service, hands down, would be a facial.  Marina, my esthetician at Georgette Klinger, has been cleaning out my pores for a VERY long time.  Longer than I’ve been writing in OD.  Longer than I’ve known my husband (who also enjoys a good facial once in awhile).

I have been trying to get ahold of a receptionist at GK for several days now – to book a New Years facial.  I get nothing, but a message about a full voicemail box.  Today I dug a little deeper.  I phoned the management office at Water Tower Place to see if GK is still a tenant.  I learned that ALL GK locations have closed due to bankrupcy.  Just to cover my bases, I phoned a few of the other locations and found none of their phones work either.

This is the only news I’ve found about the company closing…

Of course, this little blurb on the Georgette Klinger website didn’t leave me too hopeful…

I know it sounds weird, but I feel like I’ve lost something dear.  Even if Marina has found another place to practice her craft, I won’t know about it.  I obviously don’t have contact info for her.  Or even know her last name.

When I used to explain how much I loved Georgette Klinger, people didn’t really understand.  To them, a facial is just a facial.  But for me, Georgette Klinger was an experience. 

In fact, when I walked through the door there was always someone working who not only recognized me, but greeted me enthusiastically, ‘Hello Miss "That Girl"!’ and offered me a nice refreshing glass of chilled water with cucumbers or lemons.  (I often joked that GK was like  my Cheers bar.)

I felt like I was part of Gold Coast Chicago.  It was not uncommon for me to find myself sitting next to a real socialite in the waiting room.  (I am secretly enamoured with Sugar Rautbord and was delighted that she had to wait just as long as I did and her greeting was no more enthusiastic than my own!)

When Marina was ready for me, she would usher me into the inner halls of the spa.  Dimly lit and instantly insulated from the noise and bustle of the mall.  Slipping out of my clothes and into the GK spa robe was like shedding my skin.  I’d sink into that nice cushy chair and wait like a kid at Christmas. 

My nine-step facial was more than just skin care.  It was skin care, meditation, and gossip rolled into one. 

• The make-up removal and facial massage – which still feels like a million bucks if I’m congested 
• The free eyebrow wax she would ALWAYS sneak into my services 
• The steaming bowl of chamomile tea-like water to help open up those pores  (where I would inevitably fall asleep under the towel) 
• The scrubs and masks 
• The nimble european trained fingers which could empty even the most stubbornly clogged pore
• The delicious handcream and hot glove treatment

Marina also performed her magic on my mommy, Boogie, TBU, and numerous friends who were lucky I would give them a referral to my favorite esthetician.  Nobody left dissatisfied.

When I first brought TBU in to see her, she gave me glowing reviews of my then-boyfriend.  (It didn’t hurt that he was totally her type of guy and incredibly handsome!)  When we became engaged, she was thriiled for us.

Two weeks before our actual wedding day, TBU and I had to visit with my minister for our legal ceremony.  We followed up by heading over to GK for already scheduled services with Marina.  So technically, you could say that I had my first wedding reception with Marina at GK!

Since then, my life has changed – moving to Michigam, having babies, etc.  Making it difficult to keep up with the 6 week schedule that I used to keep.  I think my last facial was in fact a year ago.  When I told her my mommy had died, she cried with me.  When I told her that my second baby was due in 2 1/2 months, she rejoiced with me.

I know about her family and the long annual visits to Poland.  Although Marina is old enough to have a married daughter in her late 20s, she looks like she’s in her 30s. 

I was low on product and found myself at Water Tower Place in early December.  When I walked in the door, it was if I’d not been away for 11 months.  Everyone was just enthusiastic in their greeting.  Seconds later, Marina happened to walk out to the lobby.  Our eyes met and we were both smiling like giddy schoolkids with crushes.  She met my boys for the first time & she gushed over them.  I promised that after the new year I would make the time to come in for a facial.  I’d received several gift cards an I was saving them for a big splurge day.

Which brings us to today. 

I know it is stupid, but I really do feel as if I’ve lost not one friend, but two.  I doubt there will ever be a place for me as wonderful as GK.  I doubt I’ll ever reconnect with Marina.  And that makes me sad.

(not to mention those nice fat gift cards I’ll never be able to cash in!)