Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following was published in The Floyd Press on November 27, 2009

A’vie means ‘for life’ in French, says Ashleigh Ward, owner of the new “spa a’vie,” located downstairs in the Winter Sun building. The name reflects the sense of wellbeing that Ward hopes her spa services will impart to others.

Born in D.C. and raised in Maryland and Alabama, Ward moved to Floyd from Montgomery with her mother a decade ago. She apprenticed in the spa arts and hairdressing at the Salon and Day Spa in Floyd, where she received what she describes as “hands-on real world experience.” Two semesters of required book study were completed at the Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) on the Patrick Henry High School campus in Roanoke.

But her training began even before that. Her mother, Barb Gillespie, an artist and massage therapist, owned a spa in Montgomery called The Comfort Zone. “I grew up with it. I was there everyday after school,” Ward remembered. As a young girl, she enjoyed giving practice pedicures to her grandmother.

Today, whether she is cutting, coloring, or styling hair; doing a manicure, a pedicure, a relaxation facial, or a body wax, Ward says she gives her customers her utmost attention. “I want them to feel amazing when they leave, as if they just had a mini-vacation,” the licensed cosmetologist said.
Using her own homegrown plants and essential oils from Young Living Oils, Ward makes her own spa products – scrubs, lotions, face and foot masques. Plans are in the works to include herbs provided by local herbalists and goat’s milk lotion from Faith Mountain Farm in Floyd into her products. She incorporates hot stone therapy in her treatments and reflexology (acupressure massage) in her pedicures. Her wax line is organic and shampoos are sulfate-free.

Hair products used at the spa are from Schwarzkopf Professional, a European company unique to this area and renowned for its innovation and quality. An all natural line of Schwarzkopf hair care and hair color products will soon be available in the U.S. and will be carried at spa a’vie, Ward was pleased to report. “I can accommodate a wide range of tastes,” she said about her hair cuts and styling, “from classic and sophisticated, to modern and edgy, and everything in between.”

Designed by Ward and Gillespie, the spa has the feel of an old world parlor. A lamp casts a warm light on a sitting area that features a Victorian loveseat where customers can sip coffee or tea. Hanging plants and gold framed mirrors add accent to the eggplant colored walls. A bowl of fresh fruit sits on an antique wooden dresser. A small flat screen TV airs product information and can also be used for playing videos for children when their mothers are getting treatments, Ward explained.

The spa has a side room where Gillespie does massage by appointment and Ward makes her spa products. Holiday gift baskets featuring Ward’s spa products will incorporate baskets from Medina, a Floyd based family run business. “I like to support local,” said Ward, who hopes to one day expand the spa to include a hot tub and more.

With a focus on affordability and elegance, the spa is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays by appointment. A grand opening is planned for Saturday December 5th from 5 to 8 p.m. “I hope people will stop by and see the place and enjoy a glass of wine,” Ward said.

“I’m excited to be part of the blossoming downtown scene,” she added, expressing her appreciation for her family, friends, and the community. “I couldn’t have done this without them.” ~ Colleen Redman
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