Starbucks Removes Topless Mermaid Logo

Starbucks has decided to remove its heritage logo on cups introducing the new Pike Place Roast. When the blend debuted in April, controversy erupted over the brown heritage logo on the cups featuring a topless mermaid with only a few strands of hair covering her breasts. The original logo, created in 1971, was intended to capture the seafaring tradition of early coffee traders and is based on a sixteenth-century Norse woodcut of a two-tailed mermaid. Starbucks denies that returning to the standard green logo is in response to the recent boycott by some conservative groups. The brown logo will remain only on Pike Place Roast packaging. Read more or vote whether ornot you think the topless mermaid logo is too racy at Starbucks.

Here at Living Waters Spa we serve Starbucks coffee each morning. I personally grind the beans and enjoy a great brew... and you can enjoy my coffee topless without fear!

It is often silly how companies bend to cultural pressure.

Body Acceptance Promoted by Allure Magazine

The May issue of Allure magazine features an article titled "Skin Deep." Citing some recent attitudes regarding nudity (such as the nude statues in the Department of Justice - shown here - that were covered with drapes in 2002 at a cost of $8,000 to taxpayers and a museum photo of a naked Venus banned from London's Underground ) the article states that "Clearly, nudity--even at its most artistic--can cause unreasonable alarm." The photographic portraits of the five actresses: Angie Harmon, Gabrielle Union, Zoe McLellan, Jill Scott, and Ana Ortiz are "far from pornographic . . . and vividly illustrate strong women who are confident and uninterested in offering cheap thrills." Says Harmon, "This experience wasn't about being a sex object. It's about showing the female body in a positive, beautiful way." Jill Scott noted, "nobody ever celebrates women whose bodies are bigger than a size 8. But here I am naked in a magazine at size 16. I hope I can be an inspiration to all women. We're all beautiful, each and every one of us." The issue is on newsstands now.

Simple nudity is so poorly understood in our society. At Living Waters Spa each week people come from all over to experience the ol' fashioned skinny-dipping. It is actually becoming more "hip" and "chic" as the younger generation understands more about body acceptance. It isn't sexual -- it is self (and others) acceptance!

We have all sizes, shapes, and ages of folks that come to the spa... often having a transformative experience as they are naked and see that what matters is that it "really doesn't matter."

New York Times Highlights Nude Vacations

Sunday's 4/27/08 Travel section of The New York Times led off with the feature article "No Shoes, No Shirts, No Worries" about the booming nude recreation travel industry. According to statistics cited by travel writer Michelle Higgins, nude vacations have become increasingly upscale events. The three-page spread includes a brief history of the beginning of nudism and how clothing-optional vacations are now considered mainstream and more in demand than ever. The article gives information about the American Association for Nude Recreations (AANR) clubs such as Avalon in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and Mira Vista Resort in Tucson, Arizona, as well as AANR participating businesses Hidden Beach Resort, Castaways Travel and Bare Necessities Tour & Travel.

Back in 2006 we had a guest at Living Waters Spa who later told us he was a writer for the New York Times. You can see the article here. It was a real honor to have the Times writer actually stay with us.

This latest NY Times article does not seem to be written by someone who actually stayed at the places mentioned. I talked this week with the President of AANR (btw, Living Waters Spa is a paticipating business of AANR) and mentioned my concern that the known swinger hotel (Sea Mountain Inn) was presented in the article. He too was concerned and was going to write to the author and explain the huge difference from and AANR facility like Living Waters Spa and that of Sea Mountain Inn.

We work hard at helping folks separate nude from lewd; skinny-dipping from sexuality; and that nakedness doesn't mean sex. Swinger places are the exact opposite. I'm not opposed to swinger places - frankly that means the swingers have a place to go and will not bother us or our guests. But I do have a problem when swinger places sneak into the nudist world under the guise of being "clothing-optional." The one mentioned does this all the time. Not to mention various claims of recognition and awards with no links or evidence to substantiate their claims. However, this time they do have the NY Times to cite... albeit out of the ignorance of the writer.

Living Waters Spa exists to help people except their bodies - themselves, in a non-sexual naked context. If you want to have sex in pubic, see sex in public, go into a hot tub that has had people having sex in it, then go to a swinger place. However if you want to enjoy skinny-dipping in pure mineral water in a non-sexual context - Living Waters Spa is for you!

Nude Weddings Gain Popularity

Nude weddings have long been commonplace in the nudist community but the media seems to finally be catching up. Canada's The Chronicle Herald features an article, "Weddings exposed," about a large nude wedding that took place in the Berkshire Mountains. The article includes quotes from Carolyn Hawkins, AANR's Public Relations Coordinator, and Nancy Tiemann, owner of Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, who have seen the demand for nude weddings increase over the years. Last year's mockumentary, "Confetti," a film about the over-the-top wedding industry featured a nude wedding. In the film, an English bridal magazine stages a contest for the most original wedding. One of the couples, who is naked for most of their time onscreen, plan a nude wedding. Nude weddings seem to remind couples that their marriage is about love and acceptance rather than what one is wearing. Plus think of all the money saved on lavish wedding gowns, cookie-cutter tuxedos and hideous bridesmaid dresses. Read more here.

Here at Living Waters Spa we've had a number of nude weddings and vow renewals. Naked weddings are so pure and sincere. We are able to make it happen...

Kate Hudson Finds Nudity "Liberating"

Actress Kate Hudson is the latest celebrity who says she enjoys spending time in the buff. The 28-year-old Hudson, the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn and stepdaughterof actor Kurt Russell, said she was brought up by her parents to feel comfortable in her own skin. The actress reveals she often spends much of her time at home naked and finds it liberating. Hudson is only the latest in a long line of celebrities who have recently said in interviews that they enjoy nudity. Last year,singer Christina Aguilera revealed she and her husband enjoy what they call "Naked Sundays," when they go about their normal domestic routines in the nude. Actress Eva Mendes told More magazine one ofher favorite pastimes is nude gardening. Hudson's latest film is Fool's Gold, co-starring Matthew McConaughey, who is also no stranger to nudity. Read more here.

Here at Living Waters Spa we provide a "safe" place for people like Kate to enjoy simple nudity without fear of "exposure" (pun intended!) or gawkers.

When was the last time YOU went skinny-dipping?

Give us a call and we'll make it happen - 760-329-9988

We are a "Hidden Gem" according to TripAdvisor.com

Yep, it is official -- We are a "Hidden Gem" according to TripAdvisor.com and for the 3rd Year in a row. Here is the official press release:

Desert Hot Springs, CA – Living Waters Spa, “A European Style Clothing Optional Mini-Resort” in Desert Hot Springs, California, has been honored with prestigious ‘National’ commendations from TripAdvisor.com’s 2008 Traveler’s Choice Awards.

In the category of “Top 10 Hidden Gems in the United States,” the property ranked sixth in the company of hotels in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, California and Hawaii. This award from TripAdvisor.com is quickly becoming among the most coveted in the hotel industry because they are the only honors chosen by millions of real travelers who gather to share their opinions on the world's largest travel community -- TripAdvisor.com.

“This is an enormous thrill for us and speaks to the level of quality that we strive to provide for each and every guest,” said Living Waters Spa Owner Jeff Bowman, who lives on-site at the property with wife Judy. “That there are only 10 Hidden Gems given for properties in the United States and we are in that group is an honor and speaks highly or our commitment to customer satisfaction – and this is the third year in a row that we’ve received this award demonstrating our consistency in quality as a hotel / spa.”

The nine-room spa and six condo properties, located in the city of Desert Hot Springs, is a mini-resort spa with natural hot mineral water that is European-style and clothing optional. The resort lies just north of the Palm Springs area, which includes the major resort cities of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and La Quinta.

Living Waters Spa offers people a chance to get away, get in touch with life, and rejuvenate mind, body and spirit. It includes two natural hot mineral water pools, non-smoking rooms, unique spa treatments and massage, king size beds, custom mattresses, fine linens, free wireless LAN internet connection, couples massage workshops, morning breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres, early check-in and late check-out, complete privacy, great people and a relaxing, romantic and de-stressing environment.

For information visit http://www.livingwatersspa.com/ or call the resort directly at (760) 329-9988 or (866) 329-9988

For the complete 2008 Travelers’ Choice list, go to www.tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.

Nothing to Wear - no problem a LWS

Bluefly,the leading online fashion retailer, has released two new television spots that contain nudity. The ads feature the voice of Brenda Strong, the narrator of Desperate Housewives, and give a humorous take on the age-old dilemma of having nothing to wear by having the women in the ads deciding to give up attire altogether and go nude. In "Airport," a woman waits in a security line until she's asked to remove her shoes, the only article of clothing she is wearing. "Family Dinner" shows a woman raising her glass for a toast wearing nothing while her family, understanding her fashion dilemma, acts as if nothing is different about the gathering. The ads debuted on the new season of Project Runway and appear on major television networks. You can view them here.

Here at Living Waters Spa we just got a gift of a sign that reads: "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem."

If you are looking to try social nudity or a clothing optional experience - we ARE the place.