Holiday 2016: On Location
Welcome back for round two! Here's your intimate behind-the-scenes look at the sophomore issue of the most exciting new magazine in Houston.
Nov. 21, 2016
Spring 2025 marks an exciting new chapter for Escape Spa! We'll be opening the doors to a significantly expanded space, designed to elevate your wellness journey. With an additional 1,200 square feet, the spa will feature a dedicated yoga and meditation room, providing a tranquil haven for mindful and therapeutic practices. Our guests can also look forward to an array of recovery options, including innovative therapies and treatments to rejuvenate your mind, body and well-being including Yoga + Mediation, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and a Cryotherapy Sauna. The expansion also includes more treatment rooms, ensuring a personalized experience for every guest. This larger, more versatile space allows us to enhance our services and create an even more immersive and transformative “Escape” for you.
My vision has always been to create a sanctuary where you can disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with your inner self. This expansion brings that vision to life in a whole new way, providing a haven of reset, and restoration with a wider array of therapies for body and mind. We're committed to providing a space where you can prioritize your wellbeing and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
And speaking of journeys, I'm embracing my own path of seeking a deeper connection with oneness and truly focus on intention setting. Every morning, I take a few moments to pray and set clear intentions for the day ahead. It's a powerful practice that helps me stay focused, grounded and aligned with my goals. Intention setting is more than just wishful thinking; it's about consciously directing your energy and attention towards what truly matters. By setting clear intentions, you create a roadmap for your day, your week, or even your year. It's a way to invite positive change and attract all that you desire. Give it a try — start by setting small, achievable intentions and observe the positive impact it has on your life. Remember, your journey is unique and personal. Embrace it, nurture it, and allow Escape Spa to support you along the way.
Vichy shower at Escape Spa
Couples treatment room at Escape Spa
Relaxation lounge at Escape Spa
Nadia Hafeez, Shireen Hadi, Sara Perry (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
“Eighteen unstoppable women in various fields of medicine were selected as the honorees and showcased on a runway, which was referred to as the runway of role models,” said a rep for event organizers. “All major hospitals and many private practices throughout the Houston area were represented, and their specialties ranged from clinical practitioners, to surgeons to administrators.”
Fady Armanious of Tootsies helped dress the docs-turned-models. Johnny Bravo conducted the auction, and Lori Raijman co-founder and president of the organization, was also on hand. “As a result of their efforts, their layers of knowledge and their years of expertise, our community has benefited,” said Raijman of the healthcare professionals. “Their success and dedication affect each of us.”
Hitting the runway were mix of physicians and administrators including Connie Wang, Jayne Johnston, Susan Mathew, Alexandra Stevens, Magdalena Sanz Cortes, Katie Bolt, M. Monica Gramatges, Christina Paruthi, Shaden Khalaf, Tricia McGusty, Emily Jamea, Gwyn Richardson, Shirley Lima, Sonali Patel, Shanda Blackmon, Gina Blocker, Jessica Traver and Dalia Moghazy.
The foundation’s beneficiaries include The Elkins Pancreas Center at Baylor College of Medicine, The Lung Force and The Sunshine Kids Foundation.
Connie Wang (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Magdalena Sanz Cortes and Derek Kliethermes (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Katie Bolt (photo by Dave Rossman)
Josh Weisman, Jack Simes and Mark Bordman (photo by Dave Rossman)
Gina Blocker (photo by Dave Rossman)
Lucy Moore, Kristen Collins and Pam Connealy (photo by Dave Rossman)
Ashlee Rubbo and Taylor Hoffman (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Jessica Traver (photo by Dave Rossman)
Tiffany Sebastian, Kristin Bingham and Amanda Abiassi (photo by Dave Rossman)
Shetal Amin and Kishan Dwarakanath (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Amy Pierce, Sippi Khurana, Dr Namrata Sharma Goel and Ruchi Muchejee (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Fred Armisen of Saturday Night Live and Portlandia fame was the headliner, entertaining the crowd of 430 with offbeat comedy and musical bits.
Suzan and Jeremy Samuels and Beth Wolff served as event chairs for the Stand Up for Children event. Other big shots were on hand, including emcee Khambrel Marshall and honoree Sippi Khurana. “Khurana gave impassioned remarks that included statistics for Texas showing the importance of Children at Risk’s research and advocacy, pinpointing the areas needed for change in health, education and welfare of children,” said a rep for the event organizers. “Her 3 d-grade daughter Seva gave a beautiful invocation to start the evening.”
VIP guests included and Ed Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Ajay Khurana, Kristen Cannon, Alice and Matthew Brams, Shaina Perry and Jeremy Ross, Shawn and Donald Bowers, Amy and Rob Pierce, George Connelly, Evelyn Leightman, Katie and Seth Tsuru, and David Charles.
Cynthia Wolff, Henry Florsheim and Beth Wolff (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Bob and Ellen Sanborn (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Chris Schreck and Megan Schreck (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Julie Dickinson and David Charles (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Jayne Johnston and Kristen Cannon (photo by Jacob Power)
Rainer Munzel, Ursula Munzel, Evelyn Leightman and George Connelly (photo by Daniel Ortiz)