Greetings!
Happy New Year! We are already almost 3 weeks in and I'm just posting. I promised last year I'd become more consistent with writing - alas it is my Goal for 2014...
What goals have you set for the new year? 3 weeks in and have they fallen by the waste side or never got off the ground? The best thing about waking up everyday is that we get to begin anew.
Start Over - know that the date changes but if the actions don't, the days will be the same.
And just like that ..I've decided on a little rebranding of sorts. I am expanding! "Spa-ing" is only one of my favorite relaxation techniques… and for some travel only comes while on vacation. So I'd like to reintroduce myself as LadyY - the Spa and Travel Princess!
The concept is still the same. Truthfully I already began adding travel to my blog after writing about my trip to Europe last summer (I can't believe it's been 6 months ago already?). I love all types of travel - but I simply love cruising. I love the water. It's where I'm most at peace. My cruise buddies are my sister and one of my besties. One cruises for the ships - the other for the destinations. What a great group we are!
I cruise for the ships primarily - I like newer bigger ships that don't always offer the great ports simply because they cannot dock. Every now and then however - there's the once in a lifetime bucket list trip like last summer which really was less about the cruse than the fabulous destinations. If you're interested, check out the my prior posts with fabulous pics of Spain, Italy and France.
Expect more on cruise travel in the future :)
Wellness, mental health and how best to achieve it will still be discussed. We lead such busy, stressful lives that pampering ourselves is always about more than just the activity. How can you be authentic, holistic, and manage your stress? It's true that feeling good about your self can shine through like a ray of light.
This is a year of TRANSFORMATION for me - and it can be for you.
Ciao!
Tell a friend!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Affordable Spa Vacations
Greetings!
I know spa-ing can be expensive and yes spa-week only comes around twice a year, yet there are some great deals to be had if you know where to look!
Here's a link to a great article I just came across and I was fortunate enough to have visited several of the locations!
http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/wellness-and-renewal/articles/affordable-spa-vacations
I had the chance to visit The Oaks at Ojai in California several years ago and it was simply beautiful. The spa sat on a natural spring - and it was the first time I've at a mud bath….mud everywhere - I think I've blogged about it in the past… but my skin felt incredible after. It was serene and very different from the spa scene in NYC. I'd highly recommend this spa if you live or are ever in Cali. I managed to go to the spa while visiting Napa Valley …another trip I'd highly recommend :)
http://www.oaksspa.com
The New Age Spa is another I visited while upstate NY in the Catskill Mountains for a conference. The facility has 37 rooms and sits on around 200 acres of beauty in the Catskill Mountains. It is a must …..
http://www.newagehealthspa.com
Check back for updates on affordable spa packages…Next time you need to plan a trip make sure to check out the facilities and see what spa services are offered or are close by….I make it a habit of whenever I go on a conference - I book a massage :)
Ciao!
Tell a friend !
I know spa-ing can be expensive and yes spa-week only comes around twice a year, yet there are some great deals to be had if you know where to look!
Here's a link to a great article I just came across and I was fortunate enough to have visited several of the locations!
http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/wellness-and-renewal/articles/affordable-spa-vacations
I had the chance to visit The Oaks at Ojai in California several years ago and it was simply beautiful. The spa sat on a natural spring - and it was the first time I've at a mud bath….mud everywhere - I think I've blogged about it in the past… but my skin felt incredible after. It was serene and very different from the spa scene in NYC. I'd highly recommend this spa if you live or are ever in Cali. I managed to go to the spa while visiting Napa Valley …another trip I'd highly recommend :)
http://www.oaksspa.com
The New Age Spa is another I visited while upstate NY in the Catskill Mountains for a conference. The facility has 37 rooms and sits on around 200 acres of beauty in the Catskill Mountains. It is a must …..
http://www.newagehealthspa.com
Check back for updates on affordable spa packages…Next time you need to plan a trip make sure to check out the facilities and see what spa services are offered or are close by….I make it a habit of whenever I go on a conference - I book a massage :)
Ciao!
Tell a friend !
Sunday, December 22, 2013
It's ok…YOU Matter!
Greetings!
As I sit here listening to Tamela Mann " This Place" and "Take Me to the King" on a Sunday afternoon, I paused from trying to regain some sense of normalcy after eye surgery and get back to work grading papers (y'all know I got a gazillion jobs) I'm pausing to write a quick update.
This won't be a spa review but a review of what's ultimately behind the Spa Blog in the first place. I'm not frivolous (although catch me on a good moment and I can be) but truth is, the blog is really to manage mental wellness and for me and the stress level I maintain, "spa-ing" works. ( Let's not forget health and wellness includes exercise, and diet too..)
But I'd be remiss if I didn't believe all is possible without FAITH and a belief that there is someone more important than me..GOD. I'm not advocating faith here - but this time of year we get busy spending, spending, spending and forget the meaning of Christmas and what it truly means.
Take the time out to remember why we celebrate the holiday. If you don't celebrate, then still be grateful that you can READ this message. It means you have some device and can view it. Never ever take for granted what you have even when it seems not enough.
There are many that are hurting this time of year, (and all year) and they need to know that they MATTER. We all need to know WE MATTER.
I've written about this before but depression is real this time of year.
It's normal to feel the blues from time to time and the holidays generally offer a time of year when there are some who may develop symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD generally comes the same time of year and lasts for a period of time. Often it's the winter sapping your energy and making you moody.
No - everyone who is depressed doesn't have SAD. Even if you are feeling depressed around the holidays for whatever the reason - remember YOU matter.
I think I spent a fair amount of time depressed this year (for variety of reasons) and in the process learned something about myself. I tend to withdraw when I'm depressed. If this is you - try your best to maintain contact with people. The last thing you need to do is remove yourself from people when depressed - but that's typically the first thing many do.
I always knew I'm stronger than I think..but for some... if you get nothing from this message - let that be it. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK.
Something else I learned this year after feeling depressed, asking for help. I'm not good at this AT ALL. And I suspect someone else out there isn't either. Learn to take the hand that assists - and reach out if you need to.
I appreciate my family, besties, Sorority sisters and all my Social Media pals who checked up on me.
Check up on someone this season. Pay it Forward. Bless someone else and you will see it come back to you tenfold.
Mental health is a huge part of the reason I spa, but spiritual health is at the center of it all.
Don't forget that.
Happy Holidays!
Ciao!
Some Resources ...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195
National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
As I sit here listening to Tamela Mann " This Place" and "Take Me to the King" on a Sunday afternoon, I paused from trying to regain some sense of normalcy after eye surgery and get back to work grading papers (y'all know I got a gazillion jobs) I'm pausing to write a quick update.
This won't be a spa review but a review of what's ultimately behind the Spa Blog in the first place. I'm not frivolous (although catch me on a good moment and I can be) but truth is, the blog is really to manage mental wellness and for me and the stress level I maintain, "spa-ing" works. ( Let's not forget health and wellness includes exercise, and diet too..)
But I'd be remiss if I didn't believe all is possible without FAITH and a belief that there is someone more important than me..GOD. I'm not advocating faith here - but this time of year we get busy spending, spending, spending and forget the meaning of Christmas and what it truly means.
Take the time out to remember why we celebrate the holiday. If you don't celebrate, then still be grateful that you can READ this message. It means you have some device and can view it. Never ever take for granted what you have even when it seems not enough.
There are many that are hurting this time of year, (and all year) and they need to know that they MATTER. We all need to know WE MATTER.
I've written about this before but depression is real this time of year.
It's normal to feel the blues from time to time and the holidays generally offer a time of year when there are some who may develop symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD generally comes the same time of year and lasts for a period of time. Often it's the winter sapping your energy and making you moody.
No - everyone who is depressed doesn't have SAD. Even if you are feeling depressed around the holidays for whatever the reason - remember YOU matter.
I think I spent a fair amount of time depressed this year (for variety of reasons) and in the process learned something about myself. I tend to withdraw when I'm depressed. If this is you - try your best to maintain contact with people. The last thing you need to do is remove yourself from people when depressed - but that's typically the first thing many do.
I always knew I'm stronger than I think..but for some... if you get nothing from this message - let that be it. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK.
Something else I learned this year after feeling depressed, asking for help. I'm not good at this AT ALL. And I suspect someone else out there isn't either. Learn to take the hand that assists - and reach out if you need to.
I appreciate my family, besties, Sorority sisters and all my Social Media pals who checked up on me.
Check up on someone this season. Pay it Forward. Bless someone else and you will see it come back to you tenfold.
Mental health is a huge part of the reason I spa, but spiritual health is at the center of it all.
Don't forget that.
Happy Holidays!
Ciao!
Some Resources ...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195
National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Steals and Deals !
Greetings!
I've been a away for a minute - and missed Spa Week..here's to hoping some of you made it and enjoyed $50 spa services! The reason I missed spa week this year was simple - I had purchased 2 spa gift certificates from Groupon to my favorite spa and I found myself having to use them 2 days in a row the week before the spa week ended !
So this post is dedicated to those things I never do (or never did)...use websites like Groupon, Living Social and Gilt. I had long ago downloaded these apps to my IPhone saved and forgotten and changed passwords , but never entered my credit card number to purchase anything. On some level I guess I didn't trust the products offered? Maybe.
Anyway - I did make it a habit of checking out the items after setting the alerts and to my surprise discovered a Groupon being offered to my favorite spa!
http://www.edenspanyc.com
I know I should be reviewing different spas - and now that I've discovered deals through these services I will..but why mess with a good thing? :) Here are some pics of my favorite spa…it's so serene and calming. The key however is I always feel pampered when I leave.
It was the week before my birthday in July…I called my bestie and we booked two services and instantly had plans for my birthday. Once at the spa , I was able to purchase two more gift certificates that expired in September that were the same price that they were being offered on Groupon.
I was leaving for Europe shortly after my birthday for several weeks and knew I would need to use them upon returning - using one is September and one in October.
Before I knew it - it was September precisely one week before they would expire. It was busy at work and I could only make an appointment for 2 days in a row on the weekend. Sigh .
The special was great - it was $109.00 for 3 services and there were 5 choices to choose from . I choose the 60 minute Swedish massage, 60 minute reflexology and the 45 minute back facial one day and the same services and the second day interchanging the back facial for a traditional facial and the Swedish Massage for a Deep Tissue Massage.
The gift certificates included sales tax. Yay! Essentially all I had to pay was the tip! I would not recommend massages two days in a row unless you are feeling especially adventurous or you are extremely in need. I was sore for a few days after - it was definitely overkill but I refused to loose the gift certificate.
Some facts about gift certificates purchased from these sites:
1. Read the fine print. They often have an expiration date and come with a variety of stipulations (especially the number of gift certificates you may purchase).
2. Don't be afraid to ask if there are offers available at the spa of your choice once you redeem the gift certificate at the spa (or simply call to see if there are any specials). Eden Day Spa doesn't participate in Spa Week anymore but now they run their own specials.
3. Check the websites often! While I was always suspect of purchasing here, several of my friends have redeemed great deals (great restaurant deals) and now I have too!
4. Check to see if taxes are included. The first time I brought the certificate for my birthday, it included lunch and taxes. The second time - the services were the same but it didn't include lunch or taxes.
5. Determine HOW you want to tip. I suppose you could tip on the gift certificate value - however I choose to tip on the full value of the individual services. My service was exceptional so and I got a $350 value for $109 so I didn't have a problem with tipping the customary 20%.
6. You can ask - however often the services that are advertised are the only ones to choose from. I wanted a Hot Stone Massage, however I couldn't combine it or upgrade to this service.
7. If going to a spa you've never been to before, seek references or use Yelp to see if the spa has been reviewed. Not all "spas" are created equal.
Check out the sites when you get a chance! Don't forget you'll need to create a profile and remember more passwords for these ! And hmmm those darn card card numbers… :)
www.groupon.com
www.livingsocial.com
www.gilt.com
If you want to check reviews of any places you are not familiar with , you can check my blog or check yelp.
www.yelp.com
Have you attended a spa lately? If so let me know! I'd love to feature it!
Until next time - Ciao!
I've been a away for a minute - and missed Spa Week..here's to hoping some of you made it and enjoyed $50 spa services! The reason I missed spa week this year was simple - I had purchased 2 spa gift certificates from Groupon to my favorite spa and I found myself having to use them 2 days in a row the week before the spa week ended !
So this post is dedicated to those things I never do (or never did)...use websites like Groupon, Living Social and Gilt. I had long ago downloaded these apps to my IPhone saved and forgotten and changed passwords , but never entered my credit card number to purchase anything. On some level I guess I didn't trust the products offered? Maybe.
Anyway - I did make it a habit of checking out the items after setting the alerts and to my surprise discovered a Groupon being offered to my favorite spa!
http://www.edenspanyc.com
I know I should be reviewing different spas - and now that I've discovered deals through these services I will..but why mess with a good thing? :) Here are some pics of my favorite spa…it's so serene and calming. The key however is I always feel pampered when I leave.
It was the week before my birthday in July…I called my bestie and we booked two services and instantly had plans for my birthday. Once at the spa , I was able to purchase two more gift certificates that expired in September that were the same price that they were being offered on Groupon.
I was leaving for Europe shortly after my birthday for several weeks and knew I would need to use them upon returning - using one is September and one in October.
Before I knew it - it was September precisely one week before they would expire. It was busy at work and I could only make an appointment for 2 days in a row on the weekend. Sigh .
The special was great - it was $109.00 for 3 services and there were 5 choices to choose from . I choose the 60 minute Swedish massage, 60 minute reflexology and the 45 minute back facial one day and the same services and the second day interchanging the back facial for a traditional facial and the Swedish Massage for a Deep Tissue Massage.
The gift certificates included sales tax. Yay! Essentially all I had to pay was the tip! I would not recommend massages two days in a row unless you are feeling especially adventurous or you are extremely in need. I was sore for a few days after - it was definitely overkill but I refused to loose the gift certificate.
Some facts about gift certificates purchased from these sites:
1. Read the fine print. They often have an expiration date and come with a variety of stipulations (especially the number of gift certificates you may purchase).
2. Don't be afraid to ask if there are offers available at the spa of your choice once you redeem the gift certificate at the spa (or simply call to see if there are any specials). Eden Day Spa doesn't participate in Spa Week anymore but now they run their own specials.
3. Check the websites often! While I was always suspect of purchasing here, several of my friends have redeemed great deals (great restaurant deals) and now I have too!
4. Check to see if taxes are included. The first time I brought the certificate for my birthday, it included lunch and taxes. The second time - the services were the same but it didn't include lunch or taxes.
5. Determine HOW you want to tip. I suppose you could tip on the gift certificate value - however I choose to tip on the full value of the individual services. My service was exceptional so and I got a $350 value for $109 so I didn't have a problem with tipping the customary 20%.
6. You can ask - however often the services that are advertised are the only ones to choose from. I wanted a Hot Stone Massage, however I couldn't combine it or upgrade to this service.
7. If going to a spa you've never been to before, seek references or use Yelp to see if the spa has been reviewed. Not all "spas" are created equal.
Check out the sites when you get a chance! Don't forget you'll need to create a profile and remember more passwords for these ! And hmmm those darn card card numbers… :)
www.groupon.com
www.livingsocial.com
www.gilt.com
If you want to check reviews of any places you are not familiar with , you can check my blog or check yelp.
www.yelp.com
Have you attended a spa lately? If so let me know! I'd love to feature it!
Until next time - Ciao!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Spa Week is Coming!
Greetings !
My last entries were my wonderful bucket list adventures and I never did blog about my last day and travel back home .. I suspect that was sheer exhaustion . Nothing to tell except the airline system was down at the airport and the wait was hours long . Uneventful flight and now we here!
It's SPA week ! Woo-hoo! For all those who don't want to spend mega bucks .. Treatments start at $50!! SPA Week is all across the country so check out the website and book early!
www.spaweek.com
Ciao!
My last entries were my wonderful bucket list adventures and I never did blog about my last day and travel back home .. I suspect that was sheer exhaustion . Nothing to tell except the airline system was down at the airport and the wait was hours long . Uneventful flight and now we here!
It's SPA week ! Woo-hoo! For all those who don't want to spend mega bucks .. Treatments start at $50!! SPA Week is all across the country so check out the website and book early!
www.spaweek.com
Ciao!
Monday, August 5, 2013
Vacation Paradise -Day 12 Barcelona!
Hola!
Welp the dream trip is winding down... After
Not feeling great last night we got a
Slow start today .
Up in time for breakfast in the hotel
Then back to the room to hang out pack
And post pics vid free wee-fee!
We finally make our way out around 3pm back
To Las Ramblas and stroll the whole length
This time . We went back for Tapas
And went I'm search of more gifts.
My sis spent more euros .. I'm sooo done.
No Segrada Familia which was the plan.. We
Are simply tired .
I had a great time .. But I'm ready to come
Home. I should be sleep since our
Flight is early .. But perhaps since I
Had no alcohol today I'm wide awake ...
I'll sleep on the plane .
Here's to hoping you enjoyed and I have one more
Post the weeks on review ... Hopefully tomorrow !
I'm slowly adding the pics too!
Welp the dream trip is winding down... After
Not feeling great last night we got a
Slow start today .
Up in time for breakfast in the hotel
Then back to the room to hang out pack
And post pics vid free wee-fee!
We finally make our way out around 3pm back
To Las Ramblas and stroll the whole length
This time . We went back for Tapas
And went I'm search of more gifts.
My sis spent more euros .. I'm sooo done.
No Segrada Familia which was the plan.. We
Are simply tired .
I had a great time .. But I'm ready to come
Home. I should be sleep since our
Flight is early .. But perhaps since I
Had no alcohol today I'm wide awake ...
I'll sleep on the plane .
Here's to hoping you enjoyed and I have one more
Post the weeks on review ... Hopefully tomorrow !
I'm slowly adding the pics too!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Vacation Paradise - Day 11 return to Barcelona!
Hola!
Well it's 7am and I'm up early again . We are scheduled to be at our designated spot to leave the ship at 8:45am. We've called the car company I used.. And it was wonderful having a driver meet us at the airport holding my name with a sign on it!
We are off the ship in 20 minutes no going through customs.
We arrive back at the hotel and are checked into a smoking room., when I did ask for non-smoking ... They changed our room with no problem and were in the bed by 10:00am.
So we are in a non-smoking room to which Bestie is knocked out already and my sis is enjoying the free wifi.. I been catching up on the blogging as I been writing it daily but now to post it ....
Probably dinner later but now sleep...
I thought I would take a quick nap ..slept the day away. Now poolside having a cocktail and feel sick.
We are finally going to dinner now after chatting up a storm But we met some cool folks ..from upstate NY and California...
Here we are ....
So we have one more day and we will probably be at Las Ramblas again...
Tired.com
Ciao!
Sent from my iPhone
Well it's 7am and I'm up early again . We are scheduled to be at our designated spot to leave the ship at 8:45am. We've called the car company I used.. And it was wonderful having a driver meet us at the airport holding my name with a sign on it!
We are off the ship in 20 minutes no going through customs.
We arrive back at the hotel and are checked into a smoking room., when I did ask for non-smoking ... They changed our room with no problem and were in the bed by 10:00am.
So we are in a non-smoking room to which Bestie is knocked out already and my sis is enjoying the free wifi.. I been catching up on the blogging as I been writing it daily but now to post it ....
Probably dinner later but now sleep...
I thought I would take a quick nap ..slept the day away. Now poolside having a cocktail and feel sick.
We are finally going to dinner now after chatting up a storm But we met some cool folks ..from upstate NY and California...
Here we are ....
So we have one more day and we will probably be at Las Ramblas again...
Tired.com
Ciao!
Sent from my iPhone
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