Call it luxurious, special, exquisite, pampering, fancy, palatial, lush, upscale or sumptuous, but it is all very clear. Just Let Go

Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar is a very new, very unique very one-of-a-kind experience that just opened on West avenue. In Atlantic Highlands.

Meeting the owner Carrie Ann Blendowski gives you some idea of her love and intensity for what she does, to say nothing of the education and experience that backs up her desire to keep everyone happy, relaxed and looking forward to a brighter future.

Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar is the intimate salon nestled in a charming little house with pots of flowering plants on the steps even on cold wintry days. That’s the first sign of the attention Carrie Ann pays to the slightest detail to ensure charm, rest, relaxation and peace. Inside, it’s hard to tell whether at this time of year it’s the charm and comfort of a beautifully decorated Christmas trees nestled next to the glowing fireplace that first makes you feel at home, or the light blue walls, comfortable chairs and soft, fluffy white pillows and framed photos of clouds against more blue that convinces you there’s a certain aura here that cannot be denied.

Carrie Ann has had the dream for THIS business in THIS little house ever since she moved across the street several years ago.

As an esthetician , a skilled health and skin certified and licensed trained technician proficient in a variety of areas from massage therapy and health coaching to dermatology, and armed with more clinical degrees and excellence than can be mentioned, Carrie offers facials, massages, holistic health, sale of high quality health, beauty aid and skin care items, and more, limiting her clients to no more than 15 or 20 a week to ensure all are given complete attention. Couple all that with the fact she has been recognized as the top esthetician in the country for training, and you get an idea of how unique this shop on West Avenue truly is.

Then, think about this: Carrie offers many of her facials and massages for two-hour long appointments.

There is one more very unique aspect of this newest business in Atlantic Highlands. Carrie offers facials and treatments for two.

There are many times she said when, for instance, a mother might want to give her daughter a special gift and share special time with her before the birth of her grandchild; or a couple of long-time friends might want to share a couple of hours of pampering and relaxation together. Or a husband and wife might want to share the comfort of dual facials. There are many times people want to share the experience, she explained, so in a darkened first floor area, she treats both simultaneously the two tables where the guests lie separated just enough for Carrie to be able to treat both to relaxing facials and arm and hand massages and special treatments.

Upstairs is still another story of pampering and comfort with another very unique attraction. The table in the darkened room lit only by candles, soft music wafting throughout the home, is covered with plush warm, organic sheets and blankets, ensuring warm comfort for relaxing massages. There is also a very unique , very personal sauna on the second floor, a body size ‘cocoon’ in which the client is tucked in and the temperature adjusted for different parts of the body, or treating specific aches or muscle pain, filtered with eucalyptus, lemon, or other aromas and oils that work on healing as well as relaxation.

Wanting only the best cosmetics, oils and treatment for her guests, Carrie offers Premium Diamond Glow treatments for face and body, as well as Sunlighten sauna and body services customized for each guest.

Still more is coming to this cozy nook that opened earlier this month. On Dec. 12, the first six to eight guests who reserve can participate in Sound Ball Healing, a special relaxation and meditation program that will be offered at 6:30 on the second floor, for $25 per person. On Dec. 21, those who reserve can participate in an individual Ignite your Aura service for $68 each, when individual photographic auras will be read from noon to 4 p.m.

Skin Love & Beauty Bar also specializes in facials for men, and reservations can be made for any day of the week, generally from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. But Carrie is also generous with accommodating unusual schedules and time frames whenever possible.

Gift certificates for any services are also available. In any amount, enabling the recipient to select her own services.

Luxury does not always come cheap, the spa owner admitted, but she prefers perfection and assurance each client will leave rested, relaxed and happy. Massages start at a dollar a minute or $30 for a half hour massage, and facials start at $118 for a first timer with many in the $150 and above range. There are special treatment offerings for couples as well as individuals, and even an ultra-specialty treatment for two that runs in the neighborhood of $3,000. There are individual services from $25 up that include dermaplaning, exfoliation, lip service, scalp massage and more. Carrie will also be offering CBD, a derivative of the cannabis plant that includes a multitude of medicinal properties without any intoxication, offer a balance of mind and body for better health and correcting irregularities in the body. In short, if it’s therapeutic for your skin, relaxing for your body and makes you feel happy, it can probably be found at Carrie’s little shop on West Avenue.

The shop is open seven days a week, generally from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. reservations are essential, and can be made by calling 732-773-5542 or visiting Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar online.

Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go

In case you did not attend the September meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, or do not see the Monthly Messages of the Middletown Township Historical Society. here’s a great story that shows both the township committee’s pride in its local history and the hard work, ambitions and plans the Middletown Historical Society has to continue providing local residents in the importance of preserving local history. Family Memberships in the Historical Society make great gifts for both newcomers and those residents who can share so much of the history of the township through years of living here. For further information, contact the Historical Society.

On this day 83 years ago, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed in a  unprovoked attack on our Armed Forces. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember these men and women, who gave their last full measure of devotion to our Nation.

We honor the brave service members who — with the horrors of Pearl Harbor weighing on their hearts and the hopes of humanity resting on their shoulders — answered the call to defend freedom against the forces of fascism during World War II.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” Today, let us commemorate the patriots who perished and who were wounded on December 7, 1941, and continue to fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our service members; our veterans; and their families, caregivers, and survivors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2024, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to reflect on the courage shown by our brave service members that day and remember their sacrifices. I ask us all to give sincere thanks and appreciation to the survivors of that unthinkable day. I urge all Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on December 7, 2024, in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Four weeks after a 5 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday evenings was added at St. Agnes Church, the mass continues to be well attended and growing in numbers as more learn about the newest addition to the religious observances and prayers in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.

The Rev. Thomas Mallavarapu, who was named by Bishop O’Connell to be parochial vicar at the church in June, assisting the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, came to Monmouth County from Our Lady of Fatima parish in Perth Amboy, a predominantly Spanish parish. When Father Thomas saw the Spanish population in the Bayshore area and learned they would like to have mass said in Spanish, he began the additional mass every Sunday evening.

With dozens of people attending the mass and growing as word spreads of the mass being said in Spanish, it is a family affair for most. Parents come with young children. all well-behaved and attentive throughout the mass. The parish has the weekly missals available with the mass in Spanish, making it easy for anyone to follow the readings.

For The Durazo family, the family attending mass together also means adjusting schedules for some employees. The couple are the owners of the popular Emilio’s Restaurant on Center Avenue, and while Emilio and his brother are the main chefs in the restaurant, which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Emilio has his brother take an added portion of his night shift so he is able to attend the mass. Emilio serves both as an acolyte at the mass, and occasionally as a lector. The couple’s three daughters also attend the mass regularly, with Isabella and Maria frequently taking up the collection. This week, Isabella also served as lector along with her father for the two readings at the mass.

Father Thomas encourages everyone to participate actively in the mass, an invitation that drew Nelson, a Spanish speaking singer, to lead singing prayers and hymns throughout the mass recently. Following mass, parishioners meet with the priest before leaving for the evening to thank him for the added feature in the parish.

There were several other services and masses offered in both churches in the parish throughout November, with special masses said for the deceased. At a recent special mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Father Quinn noted the mass was offered especially for all those who had died during the year, and invited family members to bring photographs to place on the altar during mass. Father also read the names of more than 60 parishioners who had died during 2024 and welcomed visitors who wanted to share stories of their deceased family member or friend.

The Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus also had a special mass recently, honoring members of the Knights Council who had died during the year and inviting their family members to the mass and refreshments and conversation following the evening church service.

This month, with the December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day throughout the world, falling on a Sunday, a day devoted to the Lord, Father announced there will be three Masses on Monday, December 9 to honor the Mother of God. Those masses will be at 7 a.m. and noon at St. Agnes Church, and 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

The Christmas Nativity Pageant will be performed by students in the CCD program on Saturday, December 7 at St. Agnes Church at 4:45 p.m. CCD instructor Mary McKelvey also noted she is also offering the opportunity for sponsors to underwrite the cost of a child to attend religious education. Those interested in donating to that program can contact her at reled@olphstagnes.org.

The St. Agnes Thrift Shop on South Avenue is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 pm and Saturdays, December 14 and December 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can also be accepted at the Thrift Shop during those hours.

There are Gift Giving trees in both churches for those who want to make donations to help others in need. At OLPH, colorful tags hung on a Christmas tree near the altar of the church cite the name of a child or senior and some suggestions for gifts for that person. Unwrapped gifts should then be brought to church no later than December 18.

At St. Agnes Church, donors can give gift cards from any local or online stores to enable families to make purchase themselves. The tree with a container nearby to accept gift cards is inside the church in the front entrance. Those cards must be donated no later than December 8.

The trees in each church are sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society which also invites anyone who knows of needy families to call 732-291-0272, ext. 113, and leave a name and phone number so a Society member can return the call.

There will be a Christmas Fest Saturday, December 14, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Charles J Hesse Parish Center on South Avenue

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